Still, Wait For Me
Author: Mehxistence
Date: 2022-10-28T18:34:47.762000+00:00

Chapter 1: A meeting long overdue

To “see you again” is a terrifying phrase. It implies reunion, whilst also signifying farewell.

When Xu Tingsheng saw Xiang Ning again, he was already 31 years old. On that fateful day, he was sitting in the small shop he had opened by a side street. The store had been open for over a year, and was the sustenance of his aimless, meandering life, during which successive entrepreneurial failures had drained away all the spirit of his soul.

Having surrendered to the winds of fate, Xu Tingsheng no longer had his heart set on business ventures, instead spending most of his time fixated on the computer screen.

“Boss, how much is this?”

Perhaps due to having been numbed for so long, Xu Tingsheng had actually already fallen to the extent of having forgotten this voice, despite how much he had once loved the owner of the voice.

Even still, he remembered this hairband. The design was a little out of date, but his shop still had many of them, as that person had always liked to wear hairbands, which revealed her reportedly priceless 'Fuxi Bone' forehead. And this, was her most loved design.

Usually, Xu Tingsheng did not like establishing eye contact with his customers, as if in fear of others seeing through his inner struggles. However, he would always raise his head to look at girls who bought this brand of hairband, not because he yearned for her appearance, but just...fine, he yearned to, in what was just limited to a simple yearning, just once more- to have just one more glance at her.

In that moment in which Xu Tingsheng raised his head, he saw that familiar face, that same familiar smile, any change in her appearance tiny, very tiny-or perhaps there had been absolutely no change in it at all.

The ancients have long conveyed many emotions well, for instance ‘a sudden regretful twinge of the heart’. Sorrow and grief rise in the chest; the tears well up, unable to fall in the moment.

“What brings you back here?” Xu Tingsheng enquired.

This was the city of her university, also the city where they had once met and fallen in love.

“I’m here to attend a course,” Xiang Ning said.

“Where do you teach now? I did find out that you were admitted, third for the written examination, third for the interview, with the physical examination passed as well. However, I wasn’t able to find out which primary school you are at now,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Wenyan Primary,” Xiang Ning answered whilst paying for her items.

This pace of events left Xu Tingsheng feeling very helpless. He attempted to return a little more change, but Xiang Ning politely handed it back, leaving Xu Tingsheng even more pressured and helpless.

Xiang Ning walked towards the door.

“Have you gotten married?” Xu Tingsheng couldn’t stop himself from asking.

Xiang Ning looked back, smiling as she gently shook her head.

“Can, can you stand here for a while?” Xu Tingsheng stood up, raised his hand and then put it back down, unable to find an appropriate place for it.

“No. I just wanted...to see you again, and, tell you I always believed that you would come and find me,” Xiang Ning swung away, and before Xu Tingsheng could catch her expression, she was already unfurling her umbrella, vanishing off into the rainy night.

Xu Tingsheng blanked out for a minute before fishing out his handphone to call Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng.

He said through his phone, “She just appeared, a minute ago, in my shop.”

Both of them understood at once. Having been best friends for more than ten years, they were aware of Xu Tingsheng’s situation, including his feelings.

“Hurry up and go chase her already,” they said one after another.

“Should I?” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Of course! Just having come back to see you proves that she still hasn’t forgotten about you yet, isn’t it?”

“Alright.”

The same conversation played out twice.

Xu Tingsheng stood up, knocking down the stool behind the counter in his haste.

“Bang...”

Those customers leisurely browsing through his shop turned to look at him.

“Boss, you’re not going to look after your shop?” a customer asked in jest.

This remark reminded Xu Tingsheng about his current life and his current circumstances as a voice seemed to reverberate within his mind, “Even if you manage to catch up with her, what next? ... What would you say to her? On what basis would you be able to get her to stay? ... Get her to stay, and then become a burden for her?”

“So what if you find her?”

“So what if you find her?”

“So what if you find her?”

Xu Tingsheng sat down, looking as though the last dregs of his energy had finally been drained from his soul.

…...

Xu Tingsheng had been born in the outskirts of a small district into a rural family. When he was 19 years old, he lost his father to an accident. From then on, his household had struggled constantly, placed under difficult circumstances.

Xu Tingsheng had later gained admission into a teacher’s training institute, and upon graduation had become a history teacher at a senior high school in Jiannan City.

He stayed in this position for 4 years.

During this period of time, his younger sister graduated from university, easily gaining employment at the city municipal office, his mother remained healthy, her mood jovial and he repaid the debt owed by the family from a few years prior, though he had still been unable to afford the downpayment for a new flat.

In 2011, when Xu Tingsheng was 27 years old, his pals from university invited him to invest in a joint venture, setting up a small construction materials company. With a desire to completely turn around his fate, Xu Tingsheng had spared no effort in the endeavour, resigning from his previous job to take a leap into the great unknown.

On the third day after he resigned, he and his fated one - Xiang Ning, who had then been in her third year at Jiannan University, crossed paths.

One year later.

The company ran into trouble, one of the three business partners running away with the funds. Xu Tingsheng’s business had failed, saddling him with a debt running into the millions.

Not long after, Xiang Ning had graduated from university, successfully making it through the required tests and becoming a language teacher at a primary school. Yet, she had found herself unable to locate Xu Tingsheng afterwards.

Just like that, Xu Tingsheng had suddenly vanished from Xiang Ning’s life.

At that time, Xu Tingsheng had still held onto hope, dreaming about the day that he finally made it big, whereupon he would immediately go back for Xiang Ning. This matter weighed down on his mind every single day, he who remained ever in anticipation.

Yet afterwards, his business ventures had failed twice more.

......

In the year 2015, the next time Xu Tingsheng saw Xiang Ning, he was already 31 years old. The him at this point was still standing, but barely; just like people in their declining years - a dead, lifeless shell, pathetic beyond compare.

…...

That evening, Xu Tingsheng shut up shop early and wandered the streets aimlessly.

This city had too many places which held memories of their time together; their silhouettes, sweetness, laughter, fortune, and sorrows. It was as if Xu Tingsheng could see their past selves, a familiar yet alien image. There they were, standing in the distance, holding hands, waving happily towards him.

There was a street junction at which Xiang Ning had once sat and cried.

Back then, when Xu Tingsheng had brought up the matter of breaking up, Xiang Ning had sat at this spot and cried. She had cried as she walked, and Xu Tingsheng had not chased after her. That night, Xiang Ning had called Xu Tingsheng and told him that she had lost her wallet while crying and walking home. She wanted Xu Tingsheng to accompany her in looking for it, only breaking up after it had been found.

Xu Tingsheng knew, of course, that it was all a lie. But when a proud girl, having once been pursued and pampered by many suitors, was willing to shamelessly and blatantly lie like that just for you, just what more was required for one to feel satisfied? Just what kind of heart wouldn’t soften?

That day, they had searched for a long, long time, both pretending to be very earnest and meticulous in the search, till finally their gazes met and they couldn’t help but chortle out loud.

Here now was another street junction where Xu Tingsheng had once sat and cried.

“Uncle” Xu Tingsheng did not like taking selfies. The first few times when Xiang Ning had wanted to take selfies with him, he had refused to do so. Thereafter, she had not persisted on the matter. Once, when Xiang Ning had gone to the washroom, with Xu Tingsheng responsible for carrying her bag, he had casually browsed through Xiang Ning’s phone.

He had discovered that there was a folder entitled ‘Sweet’ in Xiang Ning’s phone, and that this folder was filled with photographs of the both of them together, only that in those photos, Xu Tingsheng was either sleeping, looking off in another direction, or doing something else. Only Xiang Ning was looking at the camera in the pictures, leaning her face close, smiling like a flower...she had stealthily taken all these photos, stealthily...taken photos together with her boyfriend.

Back then, Xu Tingsheng had cried very terribly. When Xiang Ning had returned from the washroom, she had jumped in shock. Then, Xu Tingsheng, his face smeared with tears and mucus, had held onto Xiang Ning and insisted on taking photos together with her, making for an unpleasant and messy yet comical sight.

……

Xu Tingsheng walked towards that couple in the distance.

An Audi sped towards him.

Caught in its bright, dazzling headlights, he forgot to evade it.

The piercing, screeching noise of friction resounded as hasty deceleration fought against tarmac, the beautiful lady in the front passenger seat screaming in panic.

Xu Tingsheng felt himself fly into the air, the sensation of weightlessness momentarily overtaking him.

There was also the sensation of pain, but it persisted only for a fleeting moment.

After that, was infinite darkness.

Chapter 2: The First Meeting, Once More

A 19 year old Xu Tingsheng sat on the long distance bus to Yanzhou City.

In the year 2011,  the bus journey from Jiannan City to Yanzhou City would have taken three hours. Now, in the year 2003, checking with the driver, Xu Tingsheng had heard that it would take 5 hours.

Earlier, Xu Tingsheng had spent a day and a night before finally accepting his fate of having been reborn. This was the year 2003, currently being early March. After the initial stages of panic, perhaps because he had left with too many regrets in his previous life, he became a little excited, as well as emotional.

Three things were laid out before him:

One was his father’s accidental death, which would happen sometime more than a month later, on 15th April.

Second was Xiang Ning. Currently, she should only be 14 years old, in seventh grade. From what Xu Tingsheng had witnessed to date, this flap of a butterfly’s wings had not changed anything, but he still desperately couldn’t resist the urge to personally confirm Xiang Ning’s existence; or rather, he just wanted to see her.

The third was the university entrance examinations, which would take place in less than three months’ time.

Xu Tingsheng had once gone to Xiang Ning’s senior high, the second best of Yanzhou City, accompanying her, in the fourth year of university at that time, as she reminisced on her youth. However, what was bad was that he didn’t know what junior high Xiang Ning had been in.

Long distance buses weren’t too comfortable in the year 2003, and the condition on the roads were also rather bad. A middle-aged woman sitting beside Xu Tingsheng, wearing silver-rimmed spectacles, vomited non-stop due to the shaking of the bus.

Xu Tingsheng handed her a plastic bag and a paper towel, also opening a bottle of mineral water for her.

“Thanks, sorry for the trouble.”

Raising her head and breathing in deeply, the middle-aged woman then turned over slightly, thanking Xu Tingsheng somewhat awkwardly.

“It’s fine, my mother and little sister get carsick as well.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled genially, his 31-year-old mental age causing him to appear more mature than others of the same age.

“Going to Yanzhou City to play? Are you still a student?”The woman asked, covering her mouth.

“Yes, in twelfth grade, going to handle some matters…I have family members over there,” An inexplicable feeling of guilt caused Xu Tingsheng to cover things up a bit.

“Oh, twelfth grade is very taxing. I am a teacher, but I teach in junior high.”

“A junior high school of Yanzhou City? Or Jiannan City?” Xu Tingsheng’s mind wavered for a moment as he asked.

“Yes, Yanzhou City. A few days earlier, I participated in a course over here…do you want some plums?” The female teacher asked.

“Alright, thanks…I’ve loved eating sour food since young.”

“Me too.”

Xu Tingsheng took a plum and placed it inside his mouth, the two seemingly having grown closer because of this. Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment. If he asked: Teacher, do you know a seventh grader named Xiang Ning, it would almost definitely lead to the other’s wariness.

Thinking for a bit, Xu Tingsheng purposefully said in a relaxed manner, “My cousin is currently studying in seventh grade at Yanzhou City; she might even be your student, haha.”

“If that were true, it would really be a great coincidence…which school does your cousin go to?” The female teacher also smiled, now no longer vomiting, perhaps because her conversation with Xu Tingsheng had diverted away some of her attention.

“I’m not too sure; I seldom go out. Her name is Xiang Ning,” Xu Tingsheng said, almost a little hastily.

The female teacher’s mouth was half-open as she stared at him.

Xu Tingsheng raised his eyebrows doubtfully.

“It can’t be, right. I have a girl named Xiang Ning in my class; I wonder if it is just that they share the same name.”The female teacher said.

Xu Tingsheng was somewhat lost for words, his emotions hovering somewhere between joy and nervousness.

“Which school does teacher teach in? …I’ll ask my parents when I get back; perhaps then I’d have to trouble teacher to help take care of her a little.”

“Xinyan Junior High. If it really is so coincidental, I would be happy to help. I am surnamed Liu, full name Liu Xueli. Why don’t you take down my number…”

“I hope so,” Xu Tingsheng took down Mrs Liu’s number.

……

Xu Tingsheng stayed in a cheap motel five minutes away from Xinyan Secondary School.

He did not dare to find Xiang Ning through Mrs Liu.

If Mrs Liu said to Xiang Ning ‘ your cousin’s looking for you’ , and that girl who was still only 14 years old saw a complete stranger…Xu Tingsheng feared scaring her.

He did try his luck at the school gates, but they were shut and watched over. Without sufficient identification and reason, he wouldn’t be able to get in at all. Xu Tingsheng didn’t even dare to mention Xiang Ning, much less show his identification or register his name.

Xu Tingsheng tried climbing the hill behind the school, next remaining there for the entire day. From there, he could see the school field, where the students attending physical education lessons would appear.

However, he didn’t see Xiang Ning.

That evening, after the students had been released from school, a portion of them would return home. Watching for two days, Xu Tingsheng still had yet to see Xiang Ning, who perhaps resided within the school dormitories. As for the possibility of him being unable to identify Xiang Ning who had actually already appeared earlier, he thought that it did not exist at all, even though she was currently only fourteen years old.

Xu Tingsheng began to suspect that this school might really only just have someone of the same name and age as her.

On Friday evening, all the students would return home after school.

Xu Tingsheng bought a bottle of mineral water at the small provision shop outside the school gate, leaning by the counter as he watched every student who came past.

Some ‘unique after-school scenarios’  appeared, such as a little boy being chased and beaten by a few slightly bigger boys.

There was also the phenomenon of ‘early love’, where a little boy and a little girl would secretly walk by each other’s side, not daring to hold hands, sometimes even too afraid to even speak, just that this ambiguous atmosphere was still easily obvious from a bystander’s viewpoint.

“Did Xiang Ning experience early love?” Xu Tingsheng’s heart ached a little as he thought about this.

“She was in a relationship when in senior high, that boyfriend rumored to look like Wang Lihong, also being a rich second gen…I can’t stand this, should I prevent it?”

Having the weekend off, most of the students appeared as if they couldn’t wait to leave, the people leaving through the school gates quickly turning from a jostling crowd into a slight trickle.

Xiang Ning had still not appeared.

Xu Tingsheng looked at his watch rather anxiously. He had left a note behind for his school and family, such that while his parents and teachers would inevitably be anxious, it was most likely that nothing would happen. However, having already been out for four days, the $200 the Xu Tingsheng had stolen from his mother before coming here had almost been depleted completely. If he had to wait for another week, he would be forced to sleep on the streets.

Perhaps he would still have to look through several schools, and that would take not just a single week more.

However, he still had to see Xiang Ning, or he would be unable to do anything at all.

The security guards were currently closing the school gates. At this time, school gates were still not those automatic doors that could be controlled through electricity, instead consisting of two tall iron gates. As the gates slowly shut, they emitted the grinding noise of metal.

From within the gradually decreasing gap between the gates, the figures of two little girls appeared within his line of vision as they rushed towards it.

“Uncle, wait a bit.”

Hand-in-hand, the two little girls rushed out together, their expressions joyful, as though they had just acted out a successful great escape.

The long-haired one, was not her.

The other had short hair that ended at her ears, a single plait that shot up skywards hanging above her head. Her brows, mouth, nose and smile-while they were still undeveloped as opposed to the freshness within his memories, they all still seemed just so familiar.

As soon as he glanced at her, tears began dripping down from Xu Tingsheng’s eyes.

However, he also wanted very much to smile. This appearance, was very wild, wasn’t it… of a different style from how she would be in the future.

Also, pimples not yet having grown on her skin, it indeed looked much better than the her of the future.

Still, why had she left so late; could she have been asked to stay behind by her teacher?

“What should I do?” Xu Tingsheng opened his mouth and exhaled a breath of cold air, frantically rubbing away his tears. He had imagined this scene before, but had never properly decided on the reaction he should have.

“Should I go up and tell her: You are Xiang Ning, and I am Xu Tingsheng; eight years from now, Xiang Ning will fall in love with Xu Tingsheng, and we will get together? ...This is what I most want to say, but it is also the option that should be ruled out the earliest.”

“Pretending to be a guy who looks up to her and go up to flirt? …But I am too old, and she is too young; will she go and tell her teacher? It perhaps might not be obtrusive for a 27-year-old guy to flirt with a 22-year-old girl, but 19 years old and 14 years old-this gap is really too great to the point of being shocking.”

“The best choice should be…just glance once at her like this, before leaving silently,” Xu Tingsheng worked hard to suppress the rashness within his heart.

“That you are here, it is good enough…there’s actually nothing else that’s important; it can all come slowly,” Xu Tingsheng clenched his fist tightly, his palm full of sweat.

The two girls rounded a bend, moving in a frolicking manner as they approached the small provision shop.

Arriving beside Xu Tingsheng.

“Boss, I want a bottle of orange juice.”

The voices of girls before they changed was still very different as compared to how they were afterwards. Yet, the rough voice sounded like music to Xu Tingsheng’s ears, like a heavenly melody.

That plait hanging upwards from Xiang Ning’s head swaying, she focused on taking out money from her bag, a portion of slim, delicate arm revealed as her sleeve fell down to her elbow.

Xu Tingsheng stopped his breathing, but just having cried, the gulping could still not be resisted as his shoulders repeatedly heaved up and down.

As Xiang Ning paid for her drink, she raised her head and looked puzzledly at this guy who was strangely crying inside the provision shop.

Her eyes, whom his had met countless times before, were clear and bright, all the happiness in the world visible within. Xu Tingsheng’s face felt a little like twitching. He very much wanted to smile, best smile a little more charmingly, yet had no way to do so.

Just having glanced at him once, Xiang Ning then furrowed her brows and grit her teeth as she tried hard to remove the cap of the bottle of orange juice.

“Sigh…I can’t open it,” Xiang Ning said, curling her lips.

“I’ll help you,” Xu Tingsheng fought to hold back the words that almost shot out of his mouth, even though he had once helped her to remove bottle caps countless times before.

“I’ll do it,”The long-haired girl received the bottle, removing the cap with a ‘pop’ sound, not exerting much effort at all.

Xiang Ning raised her head, gulping down the drink. Her slightly tremoring throat, her long, slim neck, as well as her cute, intricate ears and her smooth, clear earlobes…once, Xu Tingsheng had told Xiang Ning, “Every time I see you drink something, I feel like I really might die of thirst.”

In close to ten seconds, Xiang Ning drank half the bottle of juice in a single go. Xu Tingsheng only glanced once at her. He did not dare to watch on any further.

Hand-in-hand, the two little girls left.

Xu Tingsheng did not dare to follow. He looked at that distant, retreating back, gradually getting further, further, till finally it was no longer in sight.

“Dearest one, I will prepare everything, and, await your growth.”

Chapter 3: Youth & ‘First’ Meetings

Xu Tingsheng had brought forward his first meeting with Xiang Ning by 8 years, but nothing had developed from this. Still, this was the most normal, logical situation, and also the best situation.

“You glanced at me, but didn’t say anything. I am a stranger.”

“You certainly don’t know why this person was crying out of the blue; he has surpassed life and death for you. Once, you glanced at him for the final time; he is already dead. Now, you glance over again, and he is alive once more. Coming back to life and glancing at you once more; one glance, one life.”

She had glanced at him. His previous life. His current life.

Only with this glance was Xu Tingsheng truly ‘reborn’ into this life.

This night, Xu Tingsheng did not sleep.

“Perhaps not interfering with her life too early on is the right choice; she will follow her original footsteps, growing into that Xiang Ning whom I love.”

“However, she will be in a relationship in senior high...it seems like it started when she was in eleventh grade. What should I do about that?”

All men were petty in this area. It was fine when Xu Tingsheng had been unable to do anything about in his previous life, but what about this time? Watch on as she engaged in a two-year relationship with ‘Wang Lihong?’ That would be intolerable!

Xu Tingsheng’s fate was virtually destined to change in this life.

“What about the relationship between me and Xiang Ning? Will she still fall in love with me as she did before? After all, even though she is still the same her, I might no longer be the me I once was?”

“Her growth -- to what extent should I be involved in it?”

In his previous life, because of the age difference between them, Xiang Ning had once joked:

When I was still in twin braids and flicking rubber bands about, you had already fallen in love with me, right?

When I was bullied and huddling in a corner crying, you didn’t come to protect me.

When I left home after a spat with my parents, and instead discovering that there was nowhere I could go, why didn’t you tell me where you were?

When I was sick and had a stomachache, you were definitely shopping or watching a movie with another girl.

When I was hesitating over whether or not to get into a relationship, why didn’t you jump out to stop me, telling me that my boyfriend was just you?

When I was worrying over the entrance exams for senior high and university, why didn’t you appear and help me to revise?... Xu Tingsheng, Mr Xu?... Just knowing how to care about other girls, hmph.

Most pairs of lovers would not have participated in each other’s pasts. In the moments she had been saddest, perhaps when you just happened to be in the prime of your life, when she had been the most helpless, you were not by her side. Yet today, her sorrow is your worry, her joy is your happiness, sorrow and joy shared as one.

“What about this time then? I have the chance to participate in all of this, just that I don’t know if I actually should.”

……

The second day after seeing Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng visited all of the places she had once brought him to in Yanzhou City. Some of the restaurants in which they would eat had not yet been established; some of the parks they had walked through hand-in-hand had not yet been built; the Chinese parasol tree whose leaves scattered the street had just been planted not long ago; the person whom he had once held hands with still wore a single skyward plait, asked to stay back by her teacher.

Xu Tingsheng went to the established noodle restaurant Xiang Ning had once brought him to at the height of their love. Sitting in the same position, he ordered the same type of noodles. If things still developed according to how they had originally, eight years later, Xiang Ning would bring him to this noodle restaurant renowned for its seafood, bombarding him endlessly with introductions on how abundant the variety of seafood here was, as well as how great it tasted.

At that time, he would not say, “Oh, I’ve eaten this before.”

The third day, Xu Tingsheng embarked on the return journey.

Five hours later, Xu Tingsheng arrived at Jiannan City, hurriedly eating his lunch before getting onto another bus, spending another 3 hours before he finally arrived back home at Libei County.

Because it was already a little late upon his arrival, Xu Tingsheng gave a call at the public telephone booth to report his status to his family before directly heading to school, entering the classroom along with the late self-study bell.

When he had left, it had been on a weekend. He had slipped a note through the gap under the door of the student affairs office, considering that as having applied for leave.

Therefore, this was the first time he was returning to his previous classroom.

Xu Tingsheng was slightly disorientated for a moment. Those fresh, youthful faces in his classroom-he had not seen some of them after graduation, and his next meeting with some others had been more than ten years later.

Youth and meetings, amidst renewed adolescence.

Whether he had been friendly with or had had disputes with them, in his previous life, when a mishap had happened in Xu Tingsheng’s family with his father’s sudden accidental death, these classmates of his had all provided him with much warmth as well as encouragement.

Seeing them once again, Xu Tingsheng was filled with emotions.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng led the applause, “Freaking cool, the world is so vast, I wish to experience it... dude, wanting to leave and leaving just like that.”

These two were his best friends back in high school, their friendship having continued long after, till the end.

Their other classmates laughed alongside them, those smiles pure beyond compare.

Only now did Xu Tingsheng remember. In his unstoppable urge to see Xiang Ning, not even having thought of an excuse in applying for leave, he had hurriedly written in the ‘reason’ bracket that sentence which would be greatly popular in the future: The world is so vast, I wish to experience it.”

Having left, he had been gone for an entire week. During this one week, this sentence had already become widespread, coming to be a popular topic of the entire student population.

Appearing at the door of the classroom, their form teacher, Zhou Xueyin, waved his hand, “ Xu Tingsheng, come to the staffroom for a bit.”

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had not been called over to the staffroom much. He had been one of those higher-than-average students, one of those who would be easy to overlook as he simply passed his days just like that.

Having been called into the staffroom by Old Zhou now, Xu Tingsheng was neither nervous nor afraid, instead being happier at that.

Old Zhou was a very peaceful person. The last time Xu Tingsheng had seen him in his previous life was at the time of Huang Yaming’s wedding. At that time, he was already close to retiring, his hair turning white and his steps getting slower.

But currently, the Old Zhou before Xu Tingsheng was still middle-aged and handsome, standing straight and tall.

Zhou Xueyin had the appearance of Lu Zhishen, yet just possessed a warm personality. Xu Tingsheng’s deepest impression of him came from during the evening self-study sessions back in twelfth grade. Old Zhou had worn his weathered cloth slippers every night, carrying around an electric kettle, soundlessly adding water to the cups of all the students. Many a times, a student would suddenly raise their head, only to discover that their cups, somehow, were already full.

In that generation when classrooms had still not contained water dispensing machines, Old Zhou’s water had been the cool breezes of spring.

Xu Tingsheng felt a little like he wanted to see what a fuming Old Zhou would look like, because from what he remembered, he had never seen Old Zhou get mad before.

Sadly, his wish would not be fulfilled.

“Firstly, the world is so vast, I wish to experience it. This sentence is very profoundly meaningful; as your form teacher as well as your language teacher, I am very glad at that.” Old Zhou said.

“Next, I will go pour some water for your classmates. You can think first on how to account to me on this matter. After all, I helped to shield you against the school, saying that it was with my consent that you left. I have also not called your family... do as you think fit, based on your brotherhood...heh.”

Old Zhou returned after roughly fifteen minutes, holding an empty kettle as he looked at Xu Tingsheng smilingly.

“In the next monthly tests, in the entire year’s ranks, I will get for you...the top 20, I guess.” Xu Tingsheng smiled, speaking mildly.

His voice was not loud, but the gazes of all in the staffroom were drawn over. His tone here was a little strange, giving one an uncertain feeling. Just hearing it, it might feel like a joke which had not passed through his mind. Still, thinking back on it for a bit, it would feel as though he had truly meant such, his mildness being due to his confidence, not having to accentuate it.

What was so obtrusive was the number 20. These were the greatest big words that all the teachers here had ever heard. Currently, Xu Tingsheng was ranked somewhere between the 20th to 30th positions in the twelfth grade’s Class 10, a normal class. As for the entire year, of the four Humanities classes, with one of them being a special, more proficient class, Xu Tingsheng was definitely ranked around the 140ths or worse.

In his previous life, Old Zhou, Zhou Xueyin, had always loved to tell his students of a legend. That legendary student had attained the 37th rank from around the 140th ranks over the final month before the university entrance examinations. He was none other than Xu Tingsheng.

And for that legend to return, he currently seemed to be at a rather more advantageous position.

In the junior high entrance examinations, Xu Tingsheng had ranked second in his entire district. Afterwards, it was his rebelliousness as well as obsession with football that had caused his grades to fall behind. He possessed a very, very good memory. In his previous life, after his father had passed away and he had finally grown to be mature and diligent, Xu Tingsheng had raised his proficiency in the three Humanities subjects to a very high level in not even a month’s time. In the mock exams as well as the university entrance examinations themselves afterwards, his Humanities results had been one of the top ranked few in the entire city. As for Language, it had always been one of his stronger subjects. Ever since tenth grade, he had been publishing essays in newspapers like the Jianhai Youth Newspaper. He had also always possessed the habit of reading.

In his previous life, his mathematics had always been of around average standard. The only thing restricting him had been his English.

For the current Xu Tingsheng, Language was also not a problem. He would only have to revise the memorisation questions for a bit.

As for the three Humanities subjects, firstly, he had been a history teacher in senior high for four years, and secondly, he had relied on home tutoring for his living fees when in university, having taught all of these subjects together in a ‘package’. Even after having become a teacher, he had also had the practice of helping the students in his class in revising on politics and geography. In other words, he had great foundation and talent in these three subjects.

For the English that had once held him back, because he had had a girlfriend in his second year of university in the English course, he had been forced to study English with her frequently, accompanying her in practicing her intonations, helping her to memorise vocabulary...he had achieved Level 4 English that year, having then achieved Level 6 a year later. Afterwards, having become an importer of construction materials, his proficiency in it had risen even further. Currently, he only needed to solidify his grammar and vocabulary foundation, and his English standard should preside over almost all of his peers.

Xu Tingsheng was confident enough of raising up all of these subjects within the month. The only thing that currently held him back was mathematics. Xu Tingsheng felt that his mathematics was basically at the junior high level now, this not being something that he could remedy even if he so desired.

It was precisely considering his weakness in mathematics that he had said that his goal was to be ranked amongst the top 20 of the entire year. The teaching standard of Libei Senior High could not be considered high, with only just a few who were able to make it to the special class every year. Even if there was mathematics holding him back, Xu Tingsheng was still confident of making it all the way up into the top 20.

If it were the university entrance examinations, Xu Tingsheng would have given even bigger words. While so many years had passed, with those after all being one of the most significant milestones of one’s life, Xu Tingsheng could still remember many of the questions up to this day.

Old Zhou raised his brows, smiling, “50 is fine. 50, I’ll brew tea for you.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled knowingly at Old Zhou. He knew that Old Zhou was helping him to extricate himself from the grasp of his earlier words before the other form teachers.

Returning from the staffroom, Xu Tingsheng spent the next three periods frenziedly flipping through various textbooks, at same time taking out a blank notebook to note down stuff, a Chinese composition, two fill in the blanks questions of sentences of Classical Chinese, an English essay, a comprehension passage related to Maradona, a major political question, a combined Humanities question related to all the three Humanities subjects, a major geographical question, a few multiple choice questions, as well as the entire history exam paper which Xu Tingsheng had analysed countless times afterwards as a history teacher in senior high...in its entirety.

These would already be sufficient to secure him assured victory in the upcoming university entrance examinations.

As for mathematics, Xu Tingsheng didn’t remember anything at all.

In the university entrance examinations in his previous life, the person who had sat beside him had been the girl known as the number one math princess of their class. Because this girl had been secretly in love with Xu Tingsheng, having just risen up like a figure of legend, Xu Tingsheng had not done even a single question himself, instead ‘borrowing and referencing’ it all. Sadly, that girl had performed greatly below standard that year, herself only scoring 84 marks, with Xu Tingsheng having copied out 73 marks, eventually entering a normal second-rate university.

Having been reborn now, due to his advantage in the other subjects, Xu Tingsheng felt that 73 marks was actually already enough, not intending to spend any more effort on mathematics.

Looking at the crazed-seeming Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng both thought that he had suffered some great injustice in the staffroom as they did not dare to interrupt him. When a recess between classes arrived, the both of them came over together, patting his shoulder, shooting him a sympathetic glance.

“What? Go and study properly, why don’t you; the university entrance examinations are already not far away. Studying, taking the exams-you have already spent more than ten years on this; if you can’t show some results now, won’t you feel ashamed?” Xu Tingsheng said, this being a series of phrases that he had frequently used to scold his students with as a teacher in his previous life.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng who had always been the laziest, most uncaring of the trio, the two were rendered wide-eyed and tongue-tied as they thought: this guy has been possessed by the devil.

Chapter 4: Past Matters & Arrogant Words

Xu Tingsheng’s home was in the rural outskirts of town. So, along with the majority of rural students in Libei Junior High School, he was a resident of the school dormitories.

The hushed nighttime conversations which Xu Tingsheng had reminisced fondly upon for many years thereafter were currently proceeding once more. Lying in his room, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling in the darkness as he listened, he heard of some matters related to himself.

For instance, Huang Yaming said, “That junior girl has been spending her days mingling with an undesirable bunch of hooligans lately.”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment: “Who?”

Huang Yaming leapt to his feet, “The hell, that's too cold hearted! It's that 10th grade student who jumped out and stopped you on the road on our first day of 11th grade! What was she called again?... I forgot; anyway, I'm just asking if you still remember her.”

The conversation got loud. Hostel manager Old Yao appeared outside, knocking the door and yelling, “Any more noise and this old man will set a fire to burn you all to death!”

After that, the sound of a lighter wheel being spun could be heard, and everyone in the dorm felt their blood run cold.

Old Yao had the appearance of The Beast, but <Kung Fu Hustle> had still yet to air at this time, and everyone had still yet to discover this. He enjoyed carrying a large mug in his hands while patrolling to enforce the bedtime of the students. The large mug would be filled to the brim with high quality white wine which he would drink as he patrolled, his voice correspondingly growing louder as he drank.

After Old Yao had become drunk, he would patrol throughout the entire night, during which all sorts of words might be spoken, all sorts of things might be done.

The school had wanted to fire him before, but he had hung a noose at the door of the principal’s office, and so he had stayed.

Xu Tingsheng recalled that on their graduation night, he and Huang Yaming had flung a string of firecrackers into Old Yao’s work room.

With it having grown silent outside the door, Huang Yaming resumed his lively bustle, throwing a cigarette to Xu Tingsheng from across the room as he continued, “Liqun brand, I bought two sticks of it at a store today... I suppose you’ve remembered that girl? Do you care at all?”

Xu Tingsheng recalled that currently, the school store did indeed sell cigarettes, the store’s boss purportedly being a relative of the principal. Here, the teachers were catching smokers like there was no tomorrow, while over at the shop, he was selling the cigarettes openly and blatantly.

In the last few years of his previous life, Xu Tingsheng’s smoking habit had developed to the point of having to smoke a pack a day, but having reborn, he seemed to have been rid of that desire for nicotine. Unexpectedly, some days having passed, the thought of smoking had yet to cross his mind.

Xu Tingsheng asked for a lighter, and lit up his first cigarette of after his rebirth.

Huang Yaming tossed a lighter over, asking where Xu Tingsheng’s own was. Xu Tingsheng replied that he couldn’t find it. He really couldn’t. Who would be able to find a lighter they hid more than ten years back?

During this time, there was a rumour that smoking affected 'that’ ability, and this rumour had caused quite a panic amongst the boys. Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming had privately discussed this issue in depth, and Huang Yaming had unconcernedly remarked, “No problem, it just happens that I am particularly strong in that area.”

Events had proven him to be right. In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had witnessed Huang Yaming marrying and having children, having struck it right with a single go and entered a shotgun marriage. Having seen him as a 30-year-old man, already a husband and a father, now seeing him as a slovenly 19-year-old once more, it appeared extremely miraculous.

Huang Yaming prompted again: “So have you remembered or not?”

Xu Tingsheng finally put some thought into recalling that girl, and it did come back to him. When he was in junior high, he had nearly got into an early romance. The girl was that kind of unsophisticated and pure village child. Able to make the extremely rustic school uniform look very pretty on her, this was already sufficient proof on how outstanding her appearance was. She was Xu Tingsheng’s junior by a year, and they had agreed to enter a proper relationship once they had gotten to senior high, as they had both felt that they were too young back in junior high, and would be grown up in senior high.

Xu Tingsheng had entered senior high one year earlier, and they had initially still communicated with each other. However later on, Xu Tingsheng had entered an ‘infatuation with tomboyish girls’ phase, so he no longer responded to her.

The girl had written him a few letters, but seeing that no replies were forthcoming, she had eventually given up.

Later, she had enrolled into Libei Senior High as well, and on the first day of school, tears in her eyes and biting her lip,she had blocked Xu Tingsheng’s way, asking, “Xu Tingsheng, do you still remember me?”

At that time, the short-haired girl Xu Tingsheng had been infatuated with, Yao Jing, had been by his side, so he had replied, “Sorry, I don’t remember you.”

She was now spending her days with a bunch of hooligans?

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment, then told Huang Yaming, “No need to worry. In junior high, her grades ranked first in the year as she was always able to beat the second ranked student by 60 points. In the future, she will be able to enroll into Jianhai University.”

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had seen her once more, in a very unexpected encounter many years later at a distant cousin’s wedding. She had just completed her postgraduate studies at Jianhai University, and was the bride of that wedding.

Jianhai University was ranked 5th in the entire nation. Of the married couple, the groom had wealth and looks, while the bride had ability and looks. All had turned out very well, so there was indeed no need to worry.

Right, Xu Tingsheng could recall her name. She was called Wu Yuewei.

Huang Yaming said, “The hell, you really are cold-hearted...looks like you really are dead set on Yao Jing, and I can see that it is that way with her too. Have the two of you decided to begin after the university entrance examinations or now?”

Consequently, Xu Tingsheng began thinking about Yao Jing again. She was a tomboyish girl, and many boys would go through a strange phase of being attracted to this kind of girl in their lives.

In his previous life, after his university entrance examinations, Xu Tingsheng had been together with Yao Jing for a month, only to realise that the two of them really were incompatible. Afterwards, they had broken up on friendly terms.

The current Xu Tingsheng, actually the 31-year-old Xu Tingsheng, actually already no longer liked this kind of girl as he answered, “She’s obviously the same gender as us, okay. Totally a male, no chest no butt, nothing I’d want.”

Huang Yaming was like he’d choked on a fish bone as he only replied after a long pause, “You’re really retreating? Messing around with people like this is not a good thing to do, okay...never mind, I suddenly noticed that you’ve been all strange ever since you returned from that trip. Good night.”

Xu Tingsheng felt an abrupt chill run down his spine as he silently warned himself, “I’d better be careful with my words and actions in the future. The butterfly effect-although I can never be sure whether it applies, it is a very scary prospect. The minds of others are even scarier.”

Xu Tingsheng certainly did not think that Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng might cause trouble for him, the same way he knew his parents and sister would never harm him. However, he also believed the saying: If you really love your family and friends, never give them those things that could possibly be fatal.

This was just like if you had a gun. You could use it in times of necessity to protect your family and friends, but there was absolutely no need for you to even show them the gun, much less hand the gun over to them...in doing so, you might very possibly be harming others as well as yourselves.

And what Xu Tingsheng had was no mere gun. It was even more terrifying than an atomic bomb.

……

After his morning lessons, Huang Yaming went off with his girlfriend Tan Qingling. The two of them had just gotten together, and so were very affectionate.

Xu Tingsheng naturally knew that they ultimately would not end up together. After Tan Qingling had headed north for university, she had very quickly dumped Huang Yaming. It had instead been Huang Yaming who had been unable to get over this relationship, due to which he had been left greatly pained and down in the dumps for a very long time afterwards.

It was even to the extent that even many years later, when drunk, Huang Yaming would still yell Tan Qingling’s name, uttering stuff like: Tan Qingling, you are the love of my life... ah... ah...I really miss you.

Still, Xu Tingsheng did not have any intention of interfering with their relationship or dishing out any advice. Even if things were to develop the same way they did in his previous life, so what? Was this not just the typical teenage romance, complete with a dejected, abandoned, broken heart? What a beautiful affair. For many years later, when your heart has become numb and no longer throbs, you will realise that actually, pain is also worth reminiscing on.

Fu Cheng lived off campus, eating before he came to school.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng went to the cafeteria alone.

Libei Senior High’s new campus was occupied even as it was constructed. The corridors from the classrooms to the cafeteria were still yet to be cemented, covered with sand and stones as grinding noises were visibly audible to those who walked by.

As Xu Tingsheng walked by, an increasing number of eyes began to focus on him.

“That’s the guy our Class 7’s form teacher was talking about during morning lessons.”

“What did she say?”

“That guy said in the staffroom that he will enter the top 20 in the entire year for the next monthly tests. After that, our Class 7’s form teacher came over during morning lessons to say that others are not treating our special class as existent, and we’ve got to step up our game and put up a good show lest others look down on us.”

“Wow, freaking cool... who is he? Which class is he from?”

“Class 10, Xu Tingsheng. He usually ranks from the 20th to 30th, but that is just within his class alone. He ranks around 140th in the entire year; there’s no way to know where all that confidence is coming from.”

“I don’t know any Humanities students.”

“This world is so vast, I wish to experience it.”

“So it’s him, huh. This guy is so fun.”

Xu Tingsheng had not anticipated that the first problem since his rebirth would be the result of such a careless action. Actually, having made that promise, it was because he had been moved by Old Zhou, this feeling having accumulated over the years, only having been truly understood when he himself had become a teacher. In his previous life as a form teacher, Xu Tingsheng had liked telling his students about Old Zhou’s weathered cloth slippers and electric kettle. He knew that he himself was unable to match this level of dedication.

Old Zhou had said ‘based on your brotherhood’, so Xu Tingsheng had wished to provide him some reassurance, to give a boost to his mood.

As for Class 7’s form teacher, Zhang Xiuyan, Xu Tingsheng knew that she was an intense, competitive person who was not on good terms with many other teachers. However, she was also not a bad person. In his previous life, when Xu Tingsheng’s Combined Humanities had suddenly bloomed, there was once when she had waited for him outside his classroom for the sake of inviting him to Class 7 to interact with everyone on his method of studying Combined Humanities.

This was a person whom, her forceful goal-oriented nature aside, did not have many bad points-her heart was solely focused on her students. Having announced Xu Tingsheng’s words to her Class 7 during morning lessons, it had likely been an attempt to encourage the class to work even harder.

Nevertheless, through this, she had forced Xu Tingsheng up Mount Liang.

Xu Tingsheng considered his circumstances, and felt that this Mount Liang was not very high, nor would he consider it dangerous. Since he had already been pushed out into the open, it was fine if he just remained where he was.

In the cafeteria that was familiar whilst also foreign, Xu Tingsheng ordered a plate of flat noodles, relying on flattery and tender face to prompt the cafeteria aunty into giving him an extra big bowl of soya sauce before finding an empty spot to sit down.

As they walked by, familiar schoolmates(should be familiar, although Xu Tingsheng had already forgotten many of them) came over to greet him.

“Tingsheng, did you really say that you’ll get into the top 20 in the year?”

“That’s right.”

“Dang! Perhaps that was a little too dumb of you. Couldn’t you just have kept that goal within your heart; now that you have said it out loud, what if you are unable to achieve it...?”

“I will be able to.”

“......”

As the number of people asking questions increased, Xu Tingsheng pulled Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng into the picture as well, saying that they had said that they would definitely get into at least the top 50. Now, this was really like throwing them into a pit, for their current results were still quite a bit worse than Xu Tingsheng’s at this point in time.

Carrying two bowls of lean meat porridge, Yao Jing sat down opposite Xu Tingsheng. She sported a blouse with a fine red and black lattice, tight-fitting jeans rolled up to reveal her spotlessly white ankles and sleeves casually rolled up her arms, her short hair resembling the sea as she flung it on the occasion.

Xu Tingsheng looked at this girl whom he had liked for more than two years and dated for a month in his previous life. Yao Jing was a really dashing and elegant girl, and furthermore had a pretty and delicate face. If she were to join cheerleading, she would definitely be a very popular lead “T” cheerleader, although, these things had still not yet become trendy.

In this life, they were destined not to have that kind of relationship anymore. Xu Tingsheng felt a little strange looking at Yao Jing as he gave an awkward smile.

He had forgotten that in the two years prior, he had already very clearly conveyed his feelings for her, and Yao Jing was already right at the brink of agreeing to a relationship. How could she know that all of the sudden, his ‘heart had changed’.

“Have some porridge,” Yao Jing nudged a bowl of lean meat porridge towards him.

While she was tomboyish, her body was actually very slim. She should originally have bought this bowl of porridge with Xu Tingsheng in mind.

“I’m full,” Xu Tingsheng shook his head.

“Throw it away then,” Yao Jing said with a very straightforward wave of her hand, next patting Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder in a very bro-like manner as she softly said, “I know why you said that. You wanted to force yourself to go all out, right?”

“Huh?” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Last time, I said that your lazy attitude could not be changed, but...I meant no malice. Now, however, you have intentionally let out big words, cutting off your path of retreat with no choice but to give it your all...I’d not expected it, but I feel that it’s great, and admire it greatly.”

Xu Tingsheng did not reply to her words, and Yao Jing too did not continue. She dipped her head, drinking her porridge, a rarely seen blush on her face as she wore a very feminine, shy expression. Occasionally, she raised her head to look at Xu Tingsheng, only to hurriedly look back down.

Xu Tingsheng had a vague foreboding of what was to come.

Yao Jing finished drinking her porridge and stood up, next hesitating for a moment before she resolutely and delicately stamped her feet, “Uhh...I can promise you. After the university entrance examinations are over, we...we can begin dating. This world is so vast, I’ll accompany you in experiencing it.”

This world is so vast, I’ll accompany you in experiencing it... Xu Tingsheng’s head nearly plunged right into his bowl. In his previous life, it had clearly only been later on, during the evening graduation party after the university entrance examinations, when Yao Jing had agreed, and that had had only been due to his drunken, shameless, confessions!

How had this been brought forward?

“Shouldn’t you only be agreeing after graduation?” Xu Tingsheng blurted out.

“Wasn’t it you who said that if I agree now, you will be able to focus better on your studies, also getting more motivation?”

Yao Jing bit her lip and shot Xu Tingsheng a wronged look before she left, her face reddened.

Xu Tingsheng felt disgusted with his past self to the point of being a little nauseated.

Also, what was to be done about this?

Chapter 5: Stuff like fighting for a girl

Xu Tingsheng was stopped by Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng on his way back to the classroom after breakfast, when some time still remained before the start of the first period. The two dragged Xu Tingsheng towards the area beneath the stands at the school field.

“You really said that we threw out those words as well? Top 50?” Fu Cheng asked.

“That’s right, 10 for me and 50 for you...what, do you think yours is too little?” Xu Tingsheng chortled.

Many people made good friends in senior high, but their relationship might inevitably grow distant with time. The friendship between Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng had sustained throughout all those years as they had always supported one another. This time, Xu Tingsheng had decided to drag the two of them up as well.

In his previous life, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng had both needed to repeat their year, and in the end, their results had still not been satisfactory. Xu Tingsheng didn’t want such a situation to play out in this life as well.

“It’s fine if you alone die, but you even dragged us into this,” The two jumped up, pressuring Xu Tingsheng down.

“We’re bros after all; we’ll ascend Mount Liang together,” Smiling for a bit, Xu Tingsheng then switched to a solemn expression, saying earnestly, “Let’s work hard together; from today on, we’ll just try and give it a go. I’m stronger in the Humanities, and I’ll help you out in that area; the two of you help me with Mathematics, and we’ll try for English together.”

“.... serious?”

“I’m serious. I feel that if we don’t go for it properly now, we will come to regret it in the future.”

The two were silent for a while.

“Alright, then let’s just give it a go.”

Finishing their conversation, the two still continued dragging Xu Tingsheng over to beneath the stands.

“Wait, haven’t we come to an agreement; where’re we still going? Back to the classroom, no?” Xu Tingsheng resisted, the trio stirring up a ruckus as they went.

“Let’s have a smoke first.”

……

Xu Tingsheng didn’t think that he would see Wu Yuewei so quickly. Yesterday night, Huang Yaming had said that she now often mixed around with a bunch of hooligans, but Xu Tingsheng had not taken it too seriously. He knew that Wu Yuewei would have a bright future ahead.

The two being in the same school, they would definitely meet sooner or later. Xu Tingsheng didn’t mind this, thinking that he would only have to bear a couple of resentful gazes at most.

However, Xu Tingsheng had not expected that their meeting would be so soon, and even less so that it would be here, under such circumstances.

When a girl decided to mix around with a bunch of hooligans, unless she herself was strong enough, she would have to have some realisations, making certain preparations. At the very least, she would have to play around with them a bit.

This was precisely the motive of those people ‘taking her out to play’.

However, Wu Yuewei clearly wasn’t this kind of girl. She was not strong, and she also didn’t have such realisations. She had originally just been a simple, pure little girl from a farming village whose results were somewhat shockingly good.

Wu Yuewei was surrounded by seven to eight hooligans, their hands reaching out towards her non-stop, dirty words being spewed from their mouths, one of them moving as if to lunge over and forcibly hug her…

She was crying, crying in horror from the bottom of her heart. She said what do you guys want to do; I will tell the teacher. Then, she began scolding them, biting them, jostling through them as she wanted to rush out of their encirclement.

The little hooligans chortled happily, pushing her back again and again. When they watched <Young and Dangerous>, they would worship Chen Haonan and Chicken Chiu, but as they messed around in their little gang, they would instinctively gravitate towards imitating the style of those villains, that sinister laughter, that arrogant tone, those scoundrelly movements…

Wu Yuewei fell onto the ground, curling up into the fetal position as she bawled tragically.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know whether this event had happened in his previous life. Not having witnessed it then, it was naturally impossible for him to have reacted to it in any manner.

However, having witnessed it now, this scene happening right before his very eyes, even if that girl had been a complete stranger, he would also not leave her be. This generation of hooligans had mostly turned out this way from having watched some Hong Kong triad films in the cinemas, and were full of themselves as they imitated what they saw. From a certain perspective, they could even be considered to be even scarier that those who truly frequented the dark side of society, because they were unpredictable, not knowing how what they should and should not do, having no modicum of sensibility at all. Rape, stabbing...they might really stoop to such things.

The person there now was Wu Yuewei.

It was that pure girl whom Xu Tingsheng had had a promise to start going out with in senior high;

It was that pitiful girl who had mustered the courage to stop him by the roadside, asking him if he remembered her;

It was that bride who, before countless others, had wanted to toast a cup of pure white wine to Xu Tingsheng, at her wedding when the two next met, in the end collapsing with a single cup.

It was impossible for Xu Tingsheng to use ‘her future will be bright’ to avoid anything. The 31-year-old Xu Tingsheng overflowed with love; the 31-year-old Xu Tingsheng was filled with incomparable guilt; the 31-year-old Xu Tingsheng had rage that surged to the heavens; the 31-year-old Xu Tingsheng decided to partake in this fight for this little girl.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng looked at him with determined eyes.

“It’s that Bao Ming’s gang. They may be carrying knives; we have to be careful. Get rid of two of them, break the situation and run; lead them away and the people from the student affairs office will come,” Huang Yaming said in a low tone.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng both nodded. This was the right way, being much more intelligent than just blindly fighting it out based on courage and viciousness.

The three began approaching.

A hooligan with a small head was the first to react, declaring arrogantly as he turned and saw them, “What’re you looking at? Are you looking to die?!”

Xu Tingsheng had already gone past the point of exchanging yells like ‘What do you want?!’ or ‘What’re you looking at?!’ before a fight.

Exerting force with his left leg, stomping down heavily with his right leg, Xu Tingsheng did not bother with words as he sprinted over at his greatest possible speed, leaping slightly up for a short distance as he grabbed the other party’s neck with his hands, exerting force towards himself whilst at the same time raising his knee, slamming it over…

Hooking neck, slamming knee.

Generally known as ‘cannon cushion’.

Currently, Xu Tingsheng had already grown to nearly his full height, now being being 178cm tall. While he looked slightly thin, not having explosive muscles, due to having played football for a long time, the endurance and explosive power of his body was actually rather good, his waist and legs being especially powerful.

The sprinting speed could bring forth immense collision force, and the knee...was very hard.

“Bang.”

Clutching his stomach area, the small-headed hooligan collapsed.

Xu Tingsheng did not leap up high enough to slam into the other party’s lower jaw. Firstly, he was scared that he might kill the person; secondly, leaping too high would hinder his ensuing actions. After all, there were still seven others before him.

At the same time that Xu Tingsheng landed, not wasting a second of his forward momentum, he arrived before another hooligan who had just turned around, directly punching mightily at his face. As the hooligan fell backwards, Xu Tingsheng took a step forward with his left foot, then lifted his punching right arm, descending in an elbow strike, heavily striking the other party’s chest.

The second hooligan collapsed, but he hugged Xu Tingsheng’s waist at the end of it, pulling Xu Tingsheng down to the ground.

“Damn,” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly rose.

However, another hooligan had already made use of this opportunity to lunge over.

Two muffled thuds resounded.

Arriving right in time, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng both kicked out, sending that person flying. Then, they pulled Xu Tingsheng up and the trio fled.

In just a matter of seconds, three of them had been taken down. This left the remaining hooligans stunned for a few moments. When they had recovered, two of them drew out their knives as they all chased after the trio in hot pursuit. The three collapsed ones also struggled to their feet, following closely after them.

But just in that time when they had been stunned, Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng had already dashed out from beneath the stands, arriving at the area between the school field and the school buildings.

Shrieks resounded all around. Those in the various floors of the three school buildings could see everything, and those who were passing by even more so.

Their road to the student affairs office having been blocked, with the administrative office building closer to the field, the three waited there for those of the student affairs office to appear, not daring to run randomly about. Those of the student affairs office all had rather great bulging stomachs. If they went far, the hooligans would be able to keep up with them, but the people from the office would not.

The three ran about in the empty space between the field and the school buildings.

3v8 - despite not having gained any advantage during their sneak attack, a few hooligans with the physiques of sports students, and were much stronger than they were. The three could only ‘kite’ them, of course, mainly fleeing.

Xu Tingsheng yelled, “With so many people watching, if you don’t want to go to jail, you’d better put away those knives.”

The hooligans hesitated for a moment, then kept the knives.

Suddenly stopping; lashing out a low kick; fleeing.

Xu Tingsheng continued with this series of movements all the way, this also being his only possible means of retaliation.

In fights, unless one possessed the absolute advantage, sending out high kicks was like courting death. Xu Tingsheng’s strategy was to suddenly stop, turning and sending a low kick towards his opponent’s shinbone. Then, whether or not his opponent had fallen, he would immediately turn and flee.

The power of his legs being great, most of those who had been struck did not have it good.

Of course, Xu Tingsheng himself took quite a few hits as well. Once in a while, when Huang Yaming or Fu Cheng had been cornered, he would have to rush over to get them out. Like this, he took yet some more blows, including a fist to the mouth, the corner of his lips now torn and unceasingly leaking blood.

Chapter 6: Be good, lower your head and walk away

“What’re you lot doing? Stop it right now; stand up and face the wall.”

Their saviours, the people from the student affairs office, finally arrived: the chairman, two vice-chairmans, and four deputies with their bulging stomachs all moving out.

“Huh, how come they were so slow,” Xu Tingsheng scolded within his heart, “The student affairs office should really send people over first when disciplining students.”

He stopped and patted the dust off his body, walking towards Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, the three walking obediently to the side to wait for what would befall them. As Xu Tingsheng looked at them, the two shot him reassuring glances, seemingly not having suffered any serious injuries.

Wu Yuewei had received a very great shock. She had not thought that things would turn out like this. It had began innocently with her accepting her roommate’s ‘suggestion’, wanting to test whether Xu Tingsheng would care about her in a ‘sorry’ state, to see whether he had really forgotten about her, whether he still actually cared about her.

The pure girl’s heart had been moved for the first time, having been thinking about this person in the entire second and third years of her junior high, awaiting the day that the promise between them would be fulfilled. How would she be willing to let it go just like this? How could she do so?

She had not thought that those people whom her roommate had introduced to her that spoke frequently of loyalty would suddenly treat her like that. She had been helpless, not knowing how what to do. Then, afterwards, at the moment when her fear and despair had been the greatest, Xu Tingsheng had appeared. He had not trod on seven-coloured auspicious clouds, but he had come to save her, savage and enraged. One, two three, they had taken down three of them, and the other hooligans had pursued them, saving her from her predicament.

Wu Yuewei remained dazed for some time before she finally regained her wits. She feared and regretted her earlier actions, hated herself so, but also faintly felt a tinge of sweetness and joy, because he had cared about her, charged over like an enraged lion for her. Her mind was in chaos, not knowing at all what she should do.

When she finally came over, the corner of Xu Tingsheng’s lips was already bleeding. She had wanted to do something, but the people of the student affairs office had arrived.

A few hooligans covered their faces and attempted to flee, but were obstructed by the people of the student affairs office.

“Bao Ming, this old man recognises you, where do you think you’re running?!”

“Zhang Shanfeng,...”

Wu Yuewei came behind Xu Tingsheng, lowering her head. Not knowing what to say, she tugged lightly on Xu Tingsheng’s sleeve.

“Why did you come here; hurry up and go, quickly. Go around from the back of the field; no one has seen you anyway,” Xu Tingsheng scolded her in a low tone.

“It’s not...because of me…” Wu Yuewei met his gaze, saying hesitantly.

“Firstly, you’re a girl. If what happened there spreads, do you know how you will be evaluated? If that happens, your life would be over. You definitely can’t say anything about it, understand? Secondly, we will only be punished at most, and the school will definitely withdraw it before graduation for its passing rate and reputation. We’re leaving soon; we’re not afraid of this. You don’t have to worry about it. Thirdly, you be more obedient in the future. Just study properly, and do not let us have taken a beating for nothing. Be good, lower your head and walk away,” Xu Tingsheng followed the structure through which Humanities questions in the university entrance examinations were answered as he touched on everything clearly, point by point.

“That’s right, hurry up and go,” Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng also urged her.

“Go around from the back of the field. Wipe your tears and don’t let anyone notice them,” Xu Tingsheng elaborated.

Wu Yuewei felt that she shouldn’t go. She should actually bear it together with them, revealing the truth of the matter. That way, Xu Tingsheng and the others would not be punished, and not only that, they would also be praised for their chivalrous actions.

She wanted to say something, perhaps help Xu Tingsheng to pat off the dust on him. She also wanted to thank Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng. However, hearing Xu Tingsheng saying ‘be more obedient’, ‘don’t let us have taken this beating for nothing’ and ‘be good’, she no longer resisted. She had to be obedient, had to listen to what he had said.

Tears splattered down Wu Yuewei’s face. She bit her lips, shooting Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng a grateful look, also glancing deeply at Xu Tingsheng, finally holding back her tears as she silently lowered her head and left.

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng exchanged glances, as though relieved of a great burden. The only thing was that Huang Yaming’s gaze contained perhaps too subtle a meaning.

A few hooligans were thrown over, standing beside the trio. They were all already ‘notorious’ people. Let alone covering their faces, they would not be able to get away even having pulled stockings over their heads.

“What’re you looking at? All return to your classrooms.”

The people of the student affairs office shooed away the onlooking students.

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng slowly approached that bunch of hooligans, saying to their leader, Bao Ming, in a low tone, “If what happened there gets out, it will be attempted rape. All of you will be sent to jail, for at least ten years.”

Bao Ming was shocked, a layer of cold sweat appearing on his forehead, his expression sharp over his faltering heart, “Then I will kill your entire families before I go in.”

This little kid’s lines were really memorised well, causing Xu Tingsheng to feel secretly amused as he answered calmly, “We will not reveal what happened then, and you shouldn’t as well.”

Bao Ming looked suspiciously at Xu Tingsheng, not able to understand why he would do so. It was clearly himself that should be concerned about the earlier matter being exposed, right?

Xu Tingsheng continued, “Hide your knives well and don’t let them be found. Otherwise, the seriousness of the matter would be different. I will bear the responsibility for the fight alone, saying that there was a squabble and I was the one who started it, with it not being your fault. You should all be bearing punishment already, on the brink of being expelled? Also, don’t drag my two friends into this.”

Bao Ming was finally rendered completely dazed as he asked doubtfully, “What’s the meaning of this? You scared?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I have conditions. One, this matter ends here. Nothing happens after this. Second, do not look for Wu Yuewei anymore. Don’t even speak to her.”

“Based on what?”

“Based on the fact that my friend is rich, and his handphone costs several thousand dollars, having a camera function and some pictures inside that can send the whole lot of you to jail at any time.”

Xu Tingsheng shot Fu Cheng behind him a look. Fu Cheng very cooperatively pulled out his Nokia 7650 that had been ultra cool that year, flashing it at them, although it really contained no pictures of Bao Ming and his cronies in the process bullying Wu Yuewei at all.

Fu Cheng’s father was the Vice Chief of the Trade and Industry Bureau, with him being one of the renowned rich kids in the school because of this. Bao Ming didn’t dare not believe it.

Bao Ming and the other hooligans exchanged glances. Other than the first few blows they had taken at the start, they had actually not lost out much in this fight. Xu Tingsheng’s group had taken quite a few blows to the end, and many people had also seen the process of their pursuit. They had not lost face; on the contrary, their fame should instead rise.

At the same time, after having calmed down, they also felt chills run down their backs at the prospect of having to spend ten years in jail like Xu Tingsheng had threatened.

Also, while Wu Yuewei was pretty, she was not truly that kind of girl they usually interacted with. At most, she would only go to the canteen and the field with them, then return, always maintaining a careful distance from them. They were unable to get anything off her unless they used slightly more forceful means, far from that roommate of hers who would spread her legs for them at any time. Even if they lost her, it would not be a pity at all.

With such considerations, they all felt that Xu Tingsheng’s proposition really could not be any better.

Seeing his underlings all in agreement, Bao Ming nodded, asking Xu Tingsheng, “Do your words count?”

“They count.”

“Alright, then we are agreed. You’d best not try anything funny, or afterwards you won’t even know how you died.”

“Deal.”

Xu Tingsheng even shook hands with Bao Ming, flashing his bloodstained teeth as he smiled radiantly. He was not actually afraid of these little hooligans, but Wu Yuewei’s name could not be sullied; her life could not be destroyed. She still had to study here, and if she was often harrassed, it would be the end for her. Finally, getting into a drawn out conflict with a bunch of hooligans as a thirty-year-old...really? Also, the three of them should really also be beginning to study in earnest, no longer having the time to mess around. Therefore, this was the result that Xu Tingsheng most wanted.

Bao Ming withdrew his hand as though it had been jolted by electricity. Looking at that sinister smile of Xu Tingsheng’s, or at least what he believed to be a sinister smile, pressing his chest that was still hurting intensely, he cursed inwardly, “Nutjob, his-mother-he-really-is-a-nutjob.”

“What’re you doing?”

Having shooed away the onlooking students, the people of the student affairs office found that these ‘criminals’ were actually communicating amongst themselves. Instantly, fury arose within their hearts.

“Get in line; to the student affairs office you go.”

Chapter 7: Ascending the Stage - the inaugural experience

Bao Ming’s gang were not called habitual offenders for nothing. Xu Tingsheng was not sure how they did it, but when the students affairs office staff searched one, the two knives were hidden on another, and when the search reached that person, the knives had returned to the one who had just been searched, and so the people of the student affairs office, having searched for a long time, never found them.

As for the circumstances of the brawl, both sides gave the same account of it, firmly sticking to the story Xu Tingsheng had offered earlier, the statements being completely in line. Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng had wanted to shoulder some of the blame with Xu Tingsheng, but had been fiercely stared down, sticking to the view that anything increasing the number of casualties was pointless.

The boys had separate questioning, then a group interrogation, followed by separate interviews once again. The old timers of the student’s affairs office had exhausted all means of investigation, and the statements given by everyone were still identical. In the end, the situation became simply a brawl that had started over an argument. Xu Tingsheng had started the fight, moving first to knock down three people, only subsequently involving his two friends and the rest of their group.

By the time of the second period in the morning, everyone else besides Xu Tingsheng had been sent back to their classes. Punishment was inevitable. Bao Ming’s gang’s pre-existing punishment level would be ‘upgraded’. They would basically be put on ‘detention’; any further issues and they would be on ‘recommended expulsion’. Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng’s lesser roles had been distinguished, so in accordance with the experience and judgement of Xu Tingsheng as a former form teacher, they should at most be given a “warning”, and minimally a “notification of criticism”.

“And you, Xu Tingsheng?” the staff of the student’s affairs office gathered around Xu Tingsheng, who was now the only one left there.

“Mhmm.”

“Detention.”

“Good grief, it can’t be-is Libei Junior High School taking severe measures against this?” Xu Tingsheng cursed inwardly, as according to his own predictions, this kind of brawl should only have landed him with a ‘demerit’ at the very most.

He was about to inquire further, but the chairman of the student affairs office was the first to speak, “This hasn’t been the only issue with you. Prepare to go up the stage shortly.”

Xu Tingsheng furrowed his brows, miserably thinking hard, “Could I have done something else before this? I can’t recall a thing.”

......

As usual, after Monday’s second period came the flag raising ceremony, following which selected teachers or outstanding student representatives would do a motivational ‘under-the-national-flag speech’. Finally, school leaders would make statements, give a conclusion of the week, or announce any matters.

Sometimes, students who had committed great wrongdoings would also go on stage during this mass assembly, to have their negative example publicly criticised before all and also for their own self-reflection.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had never ascended the stage of Libei Senior High during this kind of mass assembly before, be it for something positive or negative.

Ascending the stage, the student affairs chairman fiddled with the microphone before clearing his throat, “In the previous week, the performance of the students was largely decent...other than a certain individual, who just had to be that one grain of rat dung...I shall not speak of the good things today. Introducing to everyone, Grade 12 Class 10, Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng bowed his head as walked up the stage, obediently standing in position.

“What ‘good things’ have this Xu Tingsheng done? Student Xu, how about you tell your schoolmates yourself?” the student affairs chairman prompted in ridicule.

Xu Tingsheng said nothing..

“Too embarrassed to say? Then I will help you to say. The first event. Two weeks ago, in the middle of the night, someone drank alcohol at the roof of the boy’s hostel, got drunk, sang songs on the rooftop, and then even flung the glass bottle down from the roof, almost...almost flinging it through the window of the girl’s hostel opposite. What kind of behaviour is this? This is hooliganism, this is... harassment. Who did this? This very person standing in front of you. Student Xu, is there anything you wish to say?” The student affairs chairman spoke with gusto and pace, nearly saying that word that frequently came before harassment (sexual). A roar of laughter came from beneath the stage.

Xu Tingsheng’s entire face had turned bitter, and also as red as a melon.

“I actually did this too? This is too disgraceful; it can’t be that I have been falsely accused, right? How is this possible...there is absolutely no recollection of this from the memories of my previous life at all.”

No matter whether this accusation was true, he was powerless to defend himself in this situation.

“If it was really me who did this, although calling it hooliganism isn’t too far fetched... harassment though, now this is quite excessive,” Xu Tingsheng thought in shame.

The student affairs chairman, seeing Xu Tingsheng’s pained and regretful expression, did not continue pressing on this matter, instead continuing, “The second incident. The school has a strict system for requesting a leave of absence. Students cannot violate this, and teachers...all the more so, must not cover such things up. However, our student here, Xu Tingsheng, simply chucked a strip of paper into the staffroom and considered it as having applied leave, next vanishing for a week. Do you know what his reason for taking a leave of absence was?... Come here, Xu Tingsheng, you tell everyone about it yourself.”

Regarding this, the majority of people below the stage had already heard of it, and those still unaware were already asking their classmates as well. With the microphone pushed to his mouth, Xu Tingsheng pursed his lips in silence, reflecting on the fact that he was in truth already already a man in his thirties. What kind of absurd situation was this!

“If I want you to speak, you have to speak,” the student affairs office chairman raised his tone.

Xu Tingsheng could only say in a low tone, “This world is so vast, I wish to experience it.”

“A little louder; speak clearly.”

“This world is so vast, I wish to experience it,” Xu Tingsheng loudly uttered the phrase once more.

In actual fact, he had wanted to say, the world is so vast, I ‘came back’ to experience it. Upon speaking, Xu Tingsheng wished to find a crack in the ground to vanish into, but what was disharmonious with this was that cheers had startlingly emerged from below the stage, an overwhelming majority of them female voices. He had almost forgotten that this era was one in which possessing some artistic ability was still rather appreciated.

“Very well spoken; this world is so vast, only having graduated and gotten into a good university will I go and experience it. Without focusing on your studies now, you still wish to experience the world? Go home and lie facing the yellow soil back to the sky as you look at sweet potatoes...Student Xu, it will be recorded that you skipped class for five days,” The student affairs office chairman thus concluded the second matter.

“The last matter. Just this morning, fighting, gang bashing...I believe many students saw it, that the person who raised his fists and stirred up the commotion was this Student Xu once more. Yes, Student Xu is very brave, a single person charging towards eight people. How many opponents do you want? Do you take this place to be a school or a boxing ring?”

With the microphone brought to his mouth once more, an inappropriate voice popped up in Xu Tingsheng’s mind, that of Donnie Yen saying ‘I want to fight 10!’ Naturally, he did not say it out loud. He could not bear to let this go on much longer; to stand on the stage for one more minute was already arduous torture.

Afraid that the student affairs office chairman might drone on about this and not let him go, he automatically began his self-reflection, “I was wrong. I was unruly, and became rebellious amidst my own laughable ignorance. I have let down the school, let down my parents, let down my schoolmates, and betrayed my teacher’s expectations...I will definitely change for the better and work hard in my studies, striving to get good results for the next monthly tests, the university entrance examinations, to achieve even better results so as repay the school and my teachers who’ve taught me...especially Mr Zhou.”

Xu Tingsheng had witnessed quite a number of self-reflections by students in his previous life, and thus was able to self-reflect as well. He had specially mentioned Mr Zhou at the end because the student affairs office chairman’s earlier remark that ‘teachers should not cover for students’ was obviously targeted at him, and he felt that he had let Mr Zhou down.

As much time had gone by and Xu Tingsheng’s reflection had been very sincere, the student affairs office chairman felt that there was nothing more to add on, and so immediately announced the verdict. As an overall punishment for Xu Tingsheng’s numerous misdeeds, the disciplinary action taken against him would be ‘school detention’. Also announced were the disciplinary actions taken against the others involved in the brawl, and the hope that the other students would learn from this example.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng both received a warning.

The assembly was finally dismissed.

Xu Tingsheng bowed his head, miserably returning to his classroom under countless watchful eyes and sounds of discussion.

As he walked past the staffroom, Old Zhou patted him on the shoulder, “Study hard, I will settle the punishment for you.”

Xu Tingsheng had the notion of apologising to all those troublemakers whom he had personally hauled up on stage in his previous life.

Too disgraceful, this was really too disgraceful. Especially the first matter; that was really just too much. Xu Tingsheng lay sprawled over his desk, not daring to raise his head. Regarding this sort of thing, his mental age of 31 years old would not make him more composed. On the contrary, it only made him feel even more embarrassed.

The response of the other students were, however, a little different from what Xu Tingsheng would have thought.

Upon the end of the third period, several boys even came over to pat his shoulders, “Tingsheng, that was way too crowd-drawing.”

‘Crowd-drawing’-this phrase had already long since faded away from Xu Tingsheng’s mind. In his eyes, being ‘crowd-drawing’ was suicidal, the kind of uncalled for show-offness which only fools would attempt. In opposition to this, being low-key while also freaking cool was the true, godly way.

In this era, however, this was different. To say that you were ‘crowd-drawing’ now really had no malice to it.

From the perspective of all the bystanders, Xu Tingsheng was really too ‘crowd-drawing’, especially so in the eyes of all the girls.

Girls at this age were split into two kinds, one being more romantic, liking boys who sang songs, played football and participated in fights.

Singing songs went without saying, this being a very effective babe magnet in any era. And now, even though the girls could not know how good Xu Tingsheng’s singing was, him singing drunkenly at the rooftop in the middle of the night was itself already iconic.

“I heard that he can also play the guitar, that the school managed to catch him due to the guitar he left behind on the rooftop.”

“Hee, I want to hear him playing the guitar and singing on the roof, singing for me alone.”

All this gossiping went on unbeknownst to Xu Tingsheng. If he had known that the school had accused him based on a guitar, he would definitely cry out in injustice, because very certainly, very assuredly, he definitely could not play the guitar at all, much less sing while playing one.

Regarding football, in the 2002 FIFA World Cup hosted by Korea-Japan, China’s football team had qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time, igniting a wave of football fever. Although China’s football team ended up not scoring a single goal in all their three matches, in schools, football was currently even more popular than basketball. Xu Tingsheng had regularly featured as the midfield playmaker of the school’s football team, wearing the Number 10 shirt. Girls who had seen him on the ball were plenty, and based on the little football understanding they had from joining in the sheer frenzy, the Number 10 was simply the best.

Fighting. This was the period when Hong Kong’s famous gangster film series were hot in the movie theatres of every small town, the burgeoning improvement of the internet with each passing day also helping to spread this phenomenon. Hence, within the fantasies of girls, men should drink the blood of horses for sustenance amidst grave hardship, be quick to repay debts of gratitude and exact vengeance for all enmities. They should be as handsome and as vicious as Chen Haonan, and should be like Andy Lau, smashing the display cabinet of the bridal boutique to get the most beautiful wedding gown for Wu Qianlian, carrying a nosebleed as he took her street racing.

Consequently, in the eyes of the girls, bad boys like that were cute. Boys were certainly allowed to fight, just that they had to belong to the “scoundrel with a good heart” theme. You couldn’t be a crow or a mangled wolf, you had to be Chen Haonan, the ‘positive, upright kind of villain’. Did Xu Tingsheng fit this?

Yes, without doubt, for Bao Ming’s gang carried a criminal, malicious image, an impression that was already deeply imprinted in many people’s hearts, and by taking a stand against them, Xu Tingsheng was clearly the upright one. Even the immensely well-behaved Tan Qingling had remarked to Huang Yaming, “Well fought.”

Xu Tingsheng having been ‘pressed to the ground and beaten up’ was naturally overlooked by everyone, because how had the student affairs office chairman said it? That he had single-handedly charged towards eight people by himself.

“From my sources, he instantly took down three people all by himself.”

“From my sources, there was a girl who was standing behind him pulling his sleeve. Although it is not clear who she was, she was definitely very pretty. This fight was probably over that girl, a clash of fury over a young beauty.”

“How romantic, but the female main character should plainly have been me!”

Then, there was the other kind of girl who themselves were diligent and studious, fancying boys who were good at their studies, who thought it unacceptable if you could were not proficient in the arts to some degree, or unable to do some bit of writing at the very least.

“That Xu Tingsheng was only in 10th grade when he already had an article published in the Jianhai Youth Daily.”

“I feel that more captivating is still the ‘this world is so vast, I wish to experience it.”

“Going off for a vacation when he just felt like it; I wonder if he is lacking a travel companion?”

“Yearning for love already.”

“Ha......”

“I heard that he promised in the staffroom to rank in the top 20 of the entire year for the next monthly tests. I'm really looking forward to him being able to achieve this-now that would just be perfect.”

“Maybe it's like what Mrs Hong said that time. They say that his academics aren't that good, and many are waiting for this to end up as a huge joke.”

“Now that he is in the limelight like this, there will inevitably be people like that. Actually, not being able to achieve that goal wouldn't be much either, right; as long as there’s improvement, it should be good enough.”

“I bet that he will be able to do it, and infuriate all those people when the time comes.”

Chapter 8: Within the sea of memories

After eating lunch, while Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were heading back from the school buildings, some bold girls began shouting as they hid behind other classmates:

“Xu Tingsheng, remember to call me next time you go to the roof to drink and sing.”

“Xu Tingsheng, the world is so vast, let me accompany you in experiencing it.”

“Xu Tingsheng, good luck.”

“...”

The crowd-drawing guy in question, Xu Tingsheng, was currently in great agony. Today’s matter itself already had him in great agony. Being ‘crowd-drawing’ was even more agonising, and most agonizing of all was when he saw the two people coming up to him one by one.

Wu Yuewei had already been unable to pay attention to her lessons for the entire morning. In the meantime, her teachers had gotten her to answer questions a few times, and she had only managed to react with the nudging of her tablemate sitting beside her. After she had stood up, she had been dazedly unable to say anything at all.

Faced with such a situation, a good student would be treated by the teacher as such, the teacher asking, “Are you not feeling well today? Sit down then, and make sure to rest properly.”

Wu Yuewei sat down, but couldn’t gather up her thoughts at all.

She thought about the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth, thought about his self-reflection on the stage, thought about him saying ‘This world is so vast, I wish to experience it.”

“He didn’t have to do that, be willing to be maligned in order to protect me, being wronged, yet not willing to say out the truth.”

Over this period of time, that roommate who had originally been very close with Wu Yuewei had suddenly began distancing herself from her, even looking a little afraid to associate with her. Wu Yuewei knew that this was definitely related to Bao Ming’s bunch, and by extension also related to Xu Tingsheng.

Wu Yuewei didn’t know what exactly Xu Tingsheng had done, but she knew that he must have done something in order to protect her, helping her to shake off Bao Ming’s bunch.

If not for Xu Tingsheng having instructed her not to expose her involvement in this matter, Wu Yuewei would definitely long since have been unable to continue sitting in her classroom. She wanted to see Xu Tingsheng, wanted to talk to him.

As they were eating lunch, the female students beside her were discussing him, and as she listened, her tablemate suddenly turned and asked her, “That person - he was that senior whom you stopped on the road in our first year of senior high, right?”

Wu Yuewei appeared dazed for a moment before she suddenly hugged her tablemate, her heart filling with joy.

Her tablemate appeared totally baffled by this.

Wu Yuewei smiled radiantly, saying, “Thank you. I will go and find him now.”

Wu Yuewei had managed to think things out. She could definitely go and find him in an aboveboard manner. Anyway, many people already knew that she had once stopped him, knew that she liked a senior.

Her tablemate shook her head, “Don’t go, you will be laughed at for shamelessly chasing after him instead of the other way round. Didn’t you already get laughed at enough back then.”

Wu Yuewei clenched her small fists, “I precisely want to chase after him... shamelessly.”

Not being able to stop her, her tablemate could only helplessly sit back down. She had been tablemates with Wu Yuewei ever since they had started senior high, being best friends, but she felt that she still didn’t understand Wu Yuewei enough. In everyone’s eyes, she was an obedient girl, pure and quiet, even usually appearing a little timid. However, in sharp contrast to that was a very brave, very crazed, or perhaps very silly side of her. For example, on the first day of school, under everybody’s gazes, she had stopped a senior. For example, she had accepted the suggestion of her roommate who obviously had not harboured good intentions to perform such an ‘experiment’. For example, now.

Wu Yuewei bought a box of medicine from the medical centre, then stood by the roadside, waiting for Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng came over.

Wu Yuewei came over, saying in a very soft voice to Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, “Thank you.”

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng disloyally abandoned Xu Tingsheng and first took their leave.

“I know that I was wrong; I won’t be like that again in the future. In the future, I will be good like you say and study properly,” Wu Yuewei said with a lowered head.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “That’s good. With your results, you have to at least get into Jianhai University.”

Consequently, Wu Yuewei’s university of choice changed from Qingbei University to Jianhai University as she said, “Does it still hurt; I bought medicine.”

She reached out, wanting to touch the scabbed corner of Xu Tinsheng’s mouth.

Xu Tingsheng took a step back and avoided her hand, receiving the medicine from her, “Thank you. You should quickly go and eat too.”

Wu Yuewei said, “I’ve already eaten.”

“So fast? Lessons have just ended.”

“For our music lesson, our teacher didn’t come last week, and wasn’t here today as well. My tablemate pulled me away and we sneaked out...not just us, many classmates ran off as well.”

“Oh, not needing to queue up is really good. Then, I’ll go eat first.”

“I still like you, like I always have,” Wu Yuewei suddenly said.

“...but I don’t like you anymore; I didn’t know anything back in junior high,” Xu Tingsheng said as gently as possible.

Wu Yuewei thought for a moment, “You’re lying.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled bitterly, “No, I really don’t like...you are good at studying and also beautiful. Study hard, there will definitely be many people who like you in the future.”

Wu Yuewei thought for some time more before raising her head to meet Xu Tingsheng’s eyes, “It won’t affect my studies, I promise.”

Xu Tingsheng felt like he completely didn’t know what to say at all.

Now, Yao Jing walked over, pushing a box into Xu Tingsheng’s hand as she said, “Fu Cheng told me everything; well done.”

Then, she brushed past Wu Yuewei as she left.

This morning, Yao Jing had felt a little restless, especially after having heard the news that the fight Xu Tingsheng had been involved in was over of a girl. Having always been free-spirited and relaxed, unease had sprung up within her heart.

Luckily, Fu Cheng had helped her to alleviate the tensions plaguing her.

Fu Cheng did not reside in the school dormitory, not having heard what Xu Tingsheng had told Huang Yaming the previous night. This meant that he still didn’t know that Xu Tingsheng already no longer felt the same way about Yao Jing. Therefore, he had warmly helped to explain matters for Xu Tingsheng. While in order to protect Wu Yuewei, he had not been able to explain things too specifically, the intelligent Yao Jing had still understood the meaning within his words.

“Righteous and civic-minded, afterwards unwilling to say out the truth even while maligned in order to protect the girl’s reputation?” Xu Tingsheng’s image within Yao Jing’s heart instantly rose as she felt that he had considered very well, done very well.

Hearing the others all discussing Xu Tingsheng, Yao Jing felt that as his ‘upcoming’ girlfriend, it seemed like she should do something for him. Therefore, after her lessons, she had gone to the medical centre and bought a box of medicine for him. Just having seen Xu Tingsheng, she handed the medicine over to him.

With her personality, this could already be considered a very clear conveyance of her thoughts and a very gentle form of care.

Seeing Wu Yuewei, and seeing Xu Tingsheng in the midst of conversing with her, yet not having heard the contents of their conversation, she would naturally not think too much. This was just simply how she was.

From Xu Tingsheng’s viewpoint, as opposed to Wu Yuewei, Yao Jing was the greater problem. For instance, Xu Tingsheng could directly say to Wu Yuewei that he didn’t like her, but this would be impossible with Yao Jing. After all, he had been the one who had pestered her for so long before this, and the other party had just expressed her opposing stance. Saying such words at such a time-would it affect her university entrance examinations? After all, only slightly over two months were left.

“Right, university entrance examinations.”

Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt that he was once more able to relax. Matters that could be solved by time should just be solved by time. After the university entrance examinations, after his departure, everything would naturally be settled.

“Time, there is still a lot of time.”

As Xu Tingsheng thought of Xiang Ning, two figures simultaneously appeared within his mind. One was that wild little girl carrying a skyward braid, while the other was that beautiful and refreshing, gentle and tolerant Xiang Ning whom he had once been in a relationship with.

“Having to slowly await your growth like this - it really is torturous!”

Taking the two medicinal boxes, Xu Tingsheng found Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng at the canteen. The two had already bought their food, and were currently looking at Xu Tingsheng with rascally smiles on their faces.

Xu Tingsheng pretended not to see this as he focused fully on eating.

Bao Ming’s bunch entered, sitting down at a nearby table. Seeing the trio, amidst their discussions, unfriendly looks were directed over every once in a while.

“It looks like we’ll have to settle this sooner or later,” Huang Yaming said.

Fu Cheng shook his head, “They should be harbouring intentions on my handphone.”

Huang Yaming considered aloud, “What about we say that we have already shared around the picture, asking them to give up?”

Xu Tingsheng raised his head, saying quietly, “Don’t say anything. Rather than us telling them things, why don’t we let them think about it for themselves; they will be able to. Now... if they look over, we’ll look back; just be composed and smile at them.”

Bao Ming felt extremely powerless. As he stared viciously over, the three nutjobs over there would meet his gaze, smiling vigorously at him. When he wasn’t looking, they instead remained eating and conversing happily where they were... what was this situation? What did it mean?

Originally, he had had the intention of going over and forcing them to delete the picture, or perhaps even forcibly snatch away Fu Cheng’s handphone. However, those three over there looked like they did not fear them at all. Thinking for a bit, Bao Ming felt that they had definitely already made a backup copy of that picture.

Then, did there still remain a need to continue with this? His weak point being grasped by someone did not make for a very good feeling, but forcing them too much also seemed like it would not be a very rational choice.

Xu Tingsheng smiled as he waved towards Bao Ming, expressing through his lips, “This bro has been valiant enough?”

Bao Ming felt like he was being driven crazy, “Nutjob, his-mother-he-really-is-a-nutjob!”

……

After lunch, the trio went to the field and smoked a cigarette, then sat by the side of the field, covered in sunlight, under the mottled shade of the three.

Xu Tingsheng actually wanted very much to ask Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming one thing - how much did they know about the matter of the singing on the roof, and had they taken part?

Logically speaking, if such a thing had truly happened, it would definitely not be a small thing in Xu Tingsheng’s rather ordinary past life at all. It would be impossible that he possessed no impression of it at all.

Now, though, searching through his memories, he seemingly had no impression of this matter at all.

Xu Tingsheng felt like he had possibly suffered an injustice, the school catching the wrong person. However, he didn’t ask if this matter had really been done by him. With the incident having happened just not long ago, his question would inevitably appear very strange, and the suspicions of Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng might thereby be raised.

It was just a little bit of punishment - Xu Tingsheng actually didn’t mind it much at all. His true thoughts were that if this matter had really been done by him, while he had no impression of it in the least, might this mean that a discrepancy had appeared from with the memories of his past life? This was the real scary thing; it would cause the future to become unpredictable once more.

Just as Xu Tingsheng was about to give up on this, Fu Cheng lighted up a cigarette, “Who was the one playing the guitar that night?

The one playing the guitar? And a guitar? It really was me?

Xu Tingsheng was caught off guard for a moment before he replied in an intentionally relaxed tone, “It was me, of course.”

“That’s bull,” Fu Cheng said, “That guitar of yours was just bought a few days ago; getting some sound out of it would already be pretty good. Those people from our year who play the guitar told me that the proficiency level of the one playing the guitar that night was very high, at least higher than mine and theirs. It was definitely not you.”

Xu Tingsheng indeed remembered not having been able to play the guitar. However, he knew that Fu Cheng could, and was also rather good in it, having participated in a competition when he was in university. Therefore, if he said that it wasn’t him, it definitely wasn’t.

Xu Tingsheng chuckled, “That’s exactly why; actually, I was maligned.”

Huang Yaming continued, “Still pretending with us. That night, I saw you hugging your guitar and sneaking out. When I asked you where you were going, you refused to say no matter what. I also heard the song; that was your voice. Afterwards, it seems like you only came back some time after 2am, not having brought back your guitar.”

“So, who exactly was the one who played the guitar? Introduce that person to your bros?” Fu Cheng asked.

Xu Tingsheng extinguished his cigarette, striving to remain calm, “Hah, I just won’t tell you. Let’s go, back to the classroom, back to painstaking study mode.”

“It was a girl? ...Oi, what girl do you still have to hide?” Fu Cheng questioned as he chased after him.

Xu Tingsheng did not speak.

“It really was me, and also someone else who played a guitar. He, or she, who was that person? ... How is it that I don’t have any impression of this in my memories at all?!”

Xu Tingsheng felt the hairs on his body stand on end, his body trembling slightly as he felt like he had been swept into the deep sea by a whirlpool, his breathing growing difficult, pitch black darkness all around. The unknown could signify danger. Xu Tingsheng lost the powerful feeling of being in control of everything, with it being replaced by a feeling of panic and helplessness.

After that afternoon, Xu Tingsheng spent the next two days carefully corroborating everything he saw and heard with that within his memories-the appearance and personality of his teachers and classmates, significant events, little things all around, popular songs...none of them had deviated, everything he saw matching with that which lay within his memories.

“Was that incident the only exception? In that case, since it is already over...it shouldn’t be a problem,” Xu Tingsheng comforted himself.

People’s memories were originally never a hundred percent reliable. Many a times, they would be influenced by one’s subjective will, deviating from how things actually had been.

If a person’s memory was compared to an ocean, not everything would be visible on the ocean’s surface. Some things, submerged deeper within the ocean, could be buried within forever. At the same time, they could also float upwards due to some sort of trigger or occurrence.

Sometimes, a simple sentence or scene might suddenly cause one to remember something that had been long forgotten to them.

Meanwhile, there were some things which one perhaps forever might not be able to recall, although it had indeed occurred in the past, and had actually always been there.

For example, you were unable to recite from memory some lesson material in class, and your tablemate gave you a hint, with you thereby remembering it. It had actually never been forgotten, just buried deep somewhere, or perhaps obscured in some corner, covered in dirt. Therefore, learning inevitably had to be coupled with practice.

Xu Tingsheng told himself: My past memories are just like this. The information within is just so vast and jumbled; there would surely be some things buried deep within this ocean...this is not important-the most important is the portion which I can grasp.

Chapter 9: SARS arrives

The discussions on whether Xu Tingsheng had acted out of kindness or malice continued to rage on. However, the main characters themselves, the ‘Forced up Mount Liang Study Group’ trio of Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, were themselves already in a frantic study mode.

The ears did not hear the happenings outside the window.

Old Zhou was very pleased with what he saw. From dawn to dusk, he hurried to and from the principal’s office, in effort to withdraw the disciplinary action planned against the three of them.

As the other students saw this as well, a sense of urgency emerged, that if even these lackadaisical guys are going all out, we cannot be left behind.

The learning atmosphere of the entire Grade 12 Class 10 had been driven up, caught along in the fervor, and as for the situation in Class 7, or any other class, Xu Tingsheng did not pay any attention to them.

Xu Tingsheng’s own study requirements were actually quite simple. For history, he just needed to spend a little time to review the difference between the old curriculum and the new ones which would come afterwards, after which it could be set aside. Geography had the smallest amount of content to be memorised out of the three Combined Humanities subjects, requiring not too much time. Out of the three, it was politics that required the most time. Xu Tingsheng memorised the content deep into the night. Fortunately, his memory had always been very good.

English-A couple of practice mock questions daily to get the feel of the language, and his basic intonations could very quickly be converted for use on the real battlefield.

Literature had limited examinable content to be regurgitated, so memorising during the daily morning classes would be sufficient, together with the sketching out of essay structures.

Mathematics-Xu Tingsheng had initially intended to completely give up on it, but in consideration of the feelings of Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng earlier, he had asked them for help in revising it. Now, this could no longer be retracted. Of course, he definitely did not intend to learn it systematically-that would simply be impossible. Instead, his strategy was to select certain chunks to bite off. For example, if the teacher said that geometry would definitely feature in a big way in the university entrance examinations, then geometry it was. Xu Tingsheng would personally get his book and digest the main foundational concepts of plane geometry and dimensional geometry. After that, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng would each be responsible for one topic...mugging it till death.

Xu Tingsheng actually placed most of his efforts on Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng.

The two of them were already pretty decent at math. And now, by guiding Xu Tingsheng, they inevitably had to understand the topic in greater detail. Once a student takes a teacher’s perspective in organising the knowledge, identifying the conceptual laws and skills, his own skills will improve in tandem as well.

For the revision of the three subjects of Combined Humanities, Xu Tingsheng took the questions he recalled from the university entrance examinations and mixed them up with other essential knowledge. Hidden in every five to ten questions that he selected, was one question that would be coming up in the exams. All of them were tackled with the same focus, him helping to explain the concepts to the duo and also compelling them to learn it all by heart.

Both of them were basically very poor in their English. Xu Tingsheng pulled up some questions of choice, discovered that this method was not really feasible, and did not persist further. Instead, he got the two of them to familiarize themselves with some words daily. ‘Familiarize’-in that sense, it would suffice to basically recognise the meaning of the words. To be able to spell them was not needed.

In addition, during casual conversation, Xu Tingsheng would deliberately touch upon certain topics. For instance, while talking about Beckham and Batistuta, he would ‘conveniently’ bring up Maradona, mentioning how he almost won the World Cup in 1982, only to finally win it in 1986... This was one of the questions in the reading comprehension segment on Maradona, in the future university entrance examination.

And thus, yet another detail was added to the discussions the outside world was having about Xu Tingsheng’s trio: ‘They are really going all out’ and ‘They have really taken to going at it vigorously at this last moment’.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were being tossed about and tested to their limits, with both harbouring this feeling, “Tingsheng, you... why do you seem so much like a teacher?”

Xu Tingsheng thought to himself in silence, “This old man was originally one, and not just that, was also the superstar asset of Jiannan City’s No. 2 senior high.”

…...

Friday.

SARS arrived.

Actually, with the exception of Xu Tingsheng - since his rebirth, this had not occurred to him, and he had not brought his attention to this matter till now - everyone else, through a variety of channels, had more or less already grown familiar with this term to some extent: SARS.

However, small town folk were always like that - if the news reported on ‘mad cow disease’, the people here would think ‘American cow meat won’t be exported all the way here’, and thus stop paying attention to the matter. The same thing was happening with ‘SARS’. Most initially, it had been said to have appeared in Guangdong, in Hong Kong, one person, three people. Other than being sympathetic to this news, the small town folk did not think that this issue would be of any slightest relevance to themselves.

However, this time, it really came.

Jianhai Province reported 11 cases, the number increasing with each day.

Jiannan City reported 3 cases, the number increasing with each day.

Libei County was clear for the moment, but...accompanied by the refugee-like return of countless Libei residents who had been away for work and business, panic eventually broke out, and that which had originally only appeared in the news, had finally materialized by their sides.

The school began requiring all students from all classes to take their temperature each day, to be recorded down on forms.

When this news was announced, there was a girl in class who was having a fever.

She sat in a daze for a moment, then began crying, saying as she wept, “It’s over, I may be about to die.”

Her boyfriend of the same class embraced her in a single go, kissing her, “I’d accompany you”.

Just like how Dong Cunrui sacrificing his life to bomb enemy fortifications ignited the hot blood of his fellow comrades in war, this event gave courage to many people.

Huang Yaming leaned close to Tan Qingling, asking if she had a fever. Yao Jing subconsciously looked towards Xu Tingsheng, her expression becoming very unnatural.

Xu Tingsheng sat in his seat.

“2003, March and April, I actually forgot about SARS.”

From his memories, during the time before the university entrance examinations, classes each day would begin with temperature taking, with the form filled and handed up. Those returning from other places were quarantined, as well as those with a fever. Even on those few days of the university entrance examinations themselves, whoever had a high body temperature would be allocated a separate individual examination room, with two examiners keeping watch over him or her alone.

Xu Tingsheng knew that Libei County had ultimately had no cases of SARS, but another issue now occurred to him-Fu Cheng’s examinations.

The original examination venue arrangements had been for Fu Cheng to sit on Xu Tingsheng’s right, just beside him. But on the day itself, Fu Cheng’s body temperature had been slightly high, and he had been arranged to the individual examination room. All alone in the examination room, to not be able to ‘take reference’ from others was still alright. However, to also be unwaveringly fixated upon by two people and their four pairs of eyes, with additionally the worry of whether he really was afflicted with SARS, Fu Cheng’s state of mind had almost completely crumbled. It had resulted in a serious abnormal impact on his performance. In the end, he had not even managed to achieve the cut-off point for a regular undergraduate education, and had had to repeat senior high school for one more year.

Following the same train of thought, Xu Tingsheng thought of Huang Yaming’s own unexpected examination circumstances. For his Language multiple choice questions, with the exception of the first answer which he had filled in correctly, the rest had all been filled up in the wrong order, eventually resulting in him missing the undergraduate cut-off point by a mere few marks, also having to repeat his year.

Actually, during the month before the university entrance examinations in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, the two of them had similarly accompanied Xu Tingsheng in working hard on their studies, and their abilities had improved quite substantially. If not for those kinds of unexpected scenarios having occurred, the duo’s results would likely have been much better, their subsequent fate possibly shifting in consequence.

In this life, their period of hard work had been brought forward, plus unbeknownst to them, they were benefitting from ‘top secret information’ guidance, so their results could certainly be “*” now.

Then, would those unexpected scenarios happen again this time round?

No matter what, there was nothing to lose from planning ahead for a desirable outcome.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment and had an idea, one which, under the precondition of foresight, would not be too difficult to execute.

Xu Tingsheng turned his attention back to SARS itself.

‘SARS, indigowoad root, white vinegar’. As these three things connected within his mind, Xu Tingsheng suddenly had a brainwave.

With the 2003 SARS period had come a crazed wave of frenetic buying which Xu Tingsheng had experienced. The ‘legend’ of the indigowoad root ‘divine medicine’ hence sprung forth. In the drugstores of the entire nation, indigowoad root had within a short time become a rare and precious medicine for which the demand far outstripped the supply. Its value rose more than 5 to 10 times; in the black market, a box of indigowoad root could be exchanged for a soft pack of premium ‘Chunghwa’ cigarettes.

Even more lucrative than indigowoad root had been white vinegar. A bottle of white vinegar which cost about 1 yuan, had rocketed to a price of 50 to even 100 yuan a bottle during the SARS period.

This kind of panic buying was always criticized and ridiculed in hindsight. Yet, on every fresh emergence of a large-scale epidemic, such waves of frenetic buying would rise again as before. Whether the people really believed in the ‘Indigowoad Root Legend’, or simply sought psychological comfort, they would always be unable to simply watch from the sidelines, always succumbing to the fear of missing out.

In reality, in the face of such frightening epidemics, even mere psychological comfort was of tremendous importance to the people.

Xu Tingsheng considered for a moment, and noted with a tinge of regret that this had been the first major ‘pot of gold’ opportunity since his rebirth. Now, however, it was too late.

Having read some post-event analysis reports in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng was roughly familiar with the background of this wave of frenetic buying. Around the time of the Spring Festival [February], this wave of frantic buying had already emerged around Guangdong, and now was already the end of March now, close to April. Whether it was indigowoad root or white vinegar, the channels for them were already held firmly in control by the interested parties, already suppressing the supply of the goods and calmly awaiting the fermentation of the epidemic situation.

Not to mention that Xu Tingsheng lacked capital, even if he didn’t, it would also be impossible for him to acquire a sufficient supply of the goods now.

Filled with regret, in the afternoon after-school hours, Xu Tingsheng nevertheless still sought out Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, the three of them scaling the school wall and scraping together 3000 yuan. Of course, most of this money came from Fu Cheng, the offspring of an official.

The trio swept through all the pharmacies and provision shops in Libei County, purchasing boxes of indigowoad root and white vinegar at prices slightly higher than the current market rate, then storing them securely in the firewood storage shed of Fu Cheng’s old house.

The 3000 dollars had not been completely spent, as quite a number of shopkeepers had already received the news, they themselves stockpiling the goods. Naturally, they would not sell it to Xu Tingsheng’s trio.

These few stacks of large boxes filled up a good half of the firewood storage shed. Xu Tingsheng primarily intended them for the families, relatives, and friends of Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and himself, to help them tide through the upcoming calamity.

Of course, if there turned out to be a surplus then, he wouldn’t mind making a little money off it.

Chapter 10: A parent is summoned

When lunch break was almost over, the three flipped over through the hill adjacent to the school field.

They rushed hurriedly into the classroom.

Just having sat down, the class chairperson came over, “Xu Tingsheng, your father has come; he’s in the student affairs office now. The student affairs chairman is calling you over.”

Xu Tingsheng nearly collapsed, “This is... parents getting called over?”

Xu Tingsheng remembered that in the 4 years that he had been a form teacher in his previous life, he had called over parents to complain to them about their children at least 20 times. At this moment, he thought of a word: Revenge.

……

When Xu Tingsheng hurried over to the door of the student affairs office, his father, Xu Jianliang, was current standing before the office table, the student affairs chairman opposite him, along with a vice-chairman also seated there.

Mr Xu’s body was bent slightly, his expression a little awkward.

The student affairs chairman narrated the mistakes committed by Xu Tingsheng rather exaggeratedly in one go, finally staring at his palm as he said in a somewhat threatening manner, “We are currently considering whether or not to expel Student Xu Tingsheng.”

The punishment had clearly already been decided. Still, the student affairs chairman was still saying such things before Mr Xu. Xu Tingsheng basically understood what he was doing. Most of the time, the school would make the matter seem more serious before the parents, from there better grasping the initiative.

Mr Xu was silent for a moment before he lowered his voice, his tone carrying a bit of pleading,

“Sir, the child is about to take his university entrance examinations. Expelling him at this time, it would be a real pity for him, and for us parents too…”

Mr Xu was someone who loved face a lot, yet he was willing to lower his head for his child now. Many parents were like that, stubbornly refusing to lower their heads outside no matter what, yet willing to compromise and beg others for the sake of their child.

Xu Tingsheng’s heart suddenly ached.

“Sadly, it isn’t like this,” The vice-chairman squinted as he said from the side, “I myself am also a twelfth grade teacher. I have also seen Xu Tingsheng’s results. Just like how they are now, he might not even be able to get into a specialist school. Parents like you, with your child already like this, still treating him like a treasure…”

Xu Tingsheng knocked on the door, breaking off the vice-chairman’s words.

“Dad.”

Xu Tingsheng entered the room, standing by his father’s side, pulling on his father’s sleeve.

Mr Xu turned, directly slapping Xu Tingsheng’s face.

Xu Tingsheng was rendered dazed.

He was not sad; he was...happy, happy to the point of wanting to cry.

In his previous life, after his father had died, Xu Tingsheng had yearned for two things the most.

The first was wanting to fall sick around Mr Xu once more. Xu Tingsheng had often had stomachaches when he was young. Every single time, Mr Xu would sit by his bedside, using his warm, rough, strong hand to hold his, pressing down on his palm and his Hukou acupoint. That had felt very warm, very safe, very solid. Xu Tingsheng had often dreamed about this, always wishing that his father could hold his hand once more.

The second was wanting to be hit once more. When he had been young, his father had possessed a very violent temper. Xu Tingsheng had suffered at his hands quite a few times when he was young. However, in his previous life, after he had turned 16, his father had not hit him anymore. After his father had died, every time Xu Tingsheng thought back on those rebellious, ludicrous days, amidst his pain and regret, he also wished that he could be hit by his father once more.

With one of his wishes having been fulfilled, Xu Tingsheng lowered his head, wanting to laugh whilst also wanting to cry.

Drinking, skipping lessons, fighting - Xu Tingsheng had indeed done much wrong this time, furthermore with the university entrance examinations looming on the horizon. It was only right for his father to be angry. Xu Tingsheng knew the strength of his father’s hands. This time, he had not exerted full force.

However, the wound at the corner of Xu Tingsheng’s mouth had not yet recovered. With this slap flying over, the scab on the wound cracked once more, blood trickling downwards.

Mr Xu looked at the blood trickling from the corner of Xu Tingsheng’s mouth and then at his own palm, temporarily nonplussed, regret and pain visible within his eyes.

The two chairmen exchanged gazes, one of them saying, “It’s fine, you don’t have to hit your child in front of us. Frankly speaking, we’ve seen this being done too many times...we will still let him take the examinations, but with his results and attitude…”

Mr Xu said, “Even if he can only get into a vocational school, we will also send him there.”

The student affairs chairman laughed disdainfully, “You have the right to do so; we can’t ensure that all of our students get into key universities, right? Since the parents are unwilling to hear the truth, we can also not talk about it, just that…”

Xu Tingsheng raised his head, directly meeting the student affairs chairman’s eyes, smiling as he said calmly and politely, “Chairman is speaking of key universities, right? If I eventually manage to get into one, I hope that these two chairmen will apologise to my father for what you have said today.”

Having finished, Xu Tingsheng smiled bashfully.

The chairman was momentarily taken aback before he mocked, “Alright then, we will await it with bated breath.”

“Of course, from the perspective of the school and as teachers, we also hope that you will be able to achieve good results,” The vice-chairman substantiated.

…

Xu Tingsheng sent his father over to the school gates. Mr Xu had originally wanted to send Xu Tingsheng to the hospital, but Xu Tingsheng’s wound had already stopped bleeding. He refused a few times, and Mr Xu no longer insisted on it.

Mr Xu sighed, saying rather awkwardly, “Tingsheng, originally, on your 16th birthday, dad told himself that he would never hit you again. Just now…”

Xu Tingsheng laughed whilst also crying, saying, “It is only right for a father to hit his son. Moreover, I was the one who did wrong. Dad, don’t keep this on your mind.”

Mr Xu looked bemusedly at his son. According to his understanding of his son, with that stubborn, rebellious personality of his, Xu Tingsheng would at least be showing his dissatisfaction for half a month this time.

“Dad, if you think that you hit too hard and are embarrassed... let me hug you,” Xu Tingsheng smiled craftily.

Xu Tingsheng had awoken upon his rebirth in his home, spending a day and a night there. The intense emotions within his heart upon seeing his father once more were hard to express in words - this was the greatest regret and pain of his previous life. Therefore, when this man who was like a great mountain, who had given everything he had for him, had appeared before him once more, Xu Tingsheng even felt like maybe he should thank that speeding Audi of that time.

Amidst his frenzied joy, he had wanted to hug his father who had just returned from the fields back then. In the end...he had been pushed away, a baffled Mr Xu looking for a while at his son who was suddenly both laughing and crying as he scolded, “What craziness has overtaken you today.”

Seeing that craziness had overtaken his son once more, Mr Xu smiled, “Don’t do these incomprehensible things with you father. Your father is a farmer, and not used to this.”

Xu Tingsheng could only leave it like this as he smiled awkwardly, “Dad, I’ve grown up. I was insensible in the past, but I won’t be any longer. I will properly work hard, you can rest easy on this. I will definitely make it into a key university, and make you proud.”

Mr Xu nodded reassuredly, “Then, I won’t ask you about where you went off to. After all, you are indeed no longer a little kid. Whatever you do, you should have your own considerations. Let’s not force things about key universities; dad just doesn’t want you to let yourself down. Dad knows that you have been intelligent since young.”

The two conversed for some time more, Mr Xu finally asking, “Today is Friday; you will be returning home tonight, right?”

Xu Tingsheng answered in the affirmative.

“Do you need me to wait for you?”

“There’re still 3 or 4 hours; dad, you should go home first.”

“Okay then, let’s talk again when you get back tonight.”

Mr Xu got onto his bicycle, Xu Tingsheng watching his father’s back gradually disappearing into the distance.

Xu Jianliang belonged to the earliest batch of people to have started a business after the liberal reforms. When he was 18, he opened his own factory along with his friend. While that had just been a small brick factory, at its peak, more than half of the entire village had worked in it. If that factory had continued operating, a tide of passion for construction would very soon have descended, and his father’s life would have gone off on a completely different direction.

However, back then, because his father had been sick, the factory had been fully handed over to the friend he had been in a partnership with to manage. With his partner being someone who loved to gamble, he had very quickly been set up, the entire factory being lost.

Because of this incident, Mr Xu lost his verve. Also not having any money with which to start a business, he had therefore gone back to farming till he had died in an accidental death, in a life of despondence.

“The factory is already no more, and dad has already been in the farming business for over ten years. The things of the past cannot be changed, but I can change our future fate, not letting bad luck descend, not letting dad get into an accident…it’s best if I can let dad return to his high-spirited, domineering self he was at his peak.”

“That way...I can be a rich second gen.”

Chapter 11: Some things are irreversible

After being released from school in the late afternoon, Xu Tingsheng walked back home along Road 11.

Initially, he had still thought that he had forgotten how his bicycle looked like, having looked for it in the bicycle shed for a long time. Finally, he remembered that he had gone to Yanzhou the previous weekend, not actually having ridden it over to school.

No wonder his father had asked during lunch whether he should wait for him.

When Xu Tingsheng arrived home, his mother had already finished preparing dinner, currently breaking some eggs and heating up some rice wine while his father sat by the dining table with a teacup as he conversed with a guest.

The guest visiting their home couldn’t actually be considered a guest. It was the son of a neighbouring family, named Wang Jingfang.

Wang Jingfang’s name had actually been given by the sole teacher of Daluo Village Primary, Mr Wu. In the hometown dialect they spoke, ‘Fang’ was equivalent to ‘Ten Thousand’. Ten thousand yuan had still been a great amount of money that year. By the logic of boys being more valuable than girls, his sister had been named Wang Jiaqian, ‘Qian’ meaning ‘Thousand’. These two names were much liked by the villagers, but weren’t the names that Mr Wu, someone who had christened most of the children in the village, liked the most. He said that while these two names possessed sufficient meaning, they still lacked depth.

Mr Wu had been happiest with the names he had given to a pair of brothers of the village. The elder brother was named Li Congjia, the same as a later Emperor of the Southern Tang, while the younger brother was named Li Congliang.

No one in the village had known that what the characters ‘Cong’ and ‘Liang’ together connotated. It had only been when a girl who had been working in some city of Guangdong for a few years returned that the matter had been exposed.

“The two of us are the same!” She had said to Li Congliang, with ‘Congliang’ entailing a prostitute having gone back to the right path.

Xu Tingsheng was greatly thankful for his father not having gotten Mr Wu to choose his name for him, even though his name also appeared rather perfunctory.

“Mom, Dad, I’m home.”

“Jingfang, you’re here? Stay behind for dinner later.”

“Where’s Qiuyi?”

Xu Tingsheng tried to appear as natural as possible as he greeted everyone.

“Your sister is doing her homework. You go call her then,” His mother said.

Xu Tingsheng knocked on the door of his sister, Xu Qiuyi’s room. There was no response.

“Doing her homework... she’s definitely sleeping again,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

Opening the door, his sister was indeed currently sprawled across the table in deep sleep, still smiling amidst her dreams as two big dimples were revealed on her face. His sister was that kind of miraculous person, loving to eat and sleep since young, yet still possessing a good figure, her results being even better. If not for that accident that had occurred in the family in his previous lifetime, she would probably have been an eternally happy and cheerful little girl.

It was the tough times that had befallen the family that had forced her to learn to be sensible early on, becoming thrifty and independent.

Sometimes, if you very much love a person, you would wish that he or she need not be that sensible, a necessary precondition for this being that you possess the strength to protect him or her.

“Qiuyi, Brother will perform to my utmost in this lifetime such that you will never have to become too sensible, forever remaining a happy and adorable little girl,” Xu Tingsheng said softly.

“Ah...brother, what did you say?” His sister dazedly awoke, yawning as she asked.

“Uh...nothing. Mom asked me to call you over to eat. Hurry up, or you’ll be beaten again.”

Xu Tingsheng leapt up in shock, frantically leaving the room whereupon he went to chat with his father and Wang Jingfang.

Wang Jingfang was of a similar age to Xu Tingsheng, the two having been playmates when they were young. To put it simply, he was that person who had accompanied him in doing many naughty things ever since young, along the line of stealing chickens or pushing down fruits from trees to eat. Everyone had such a person in their younger years.

According to the memories of Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, Wang Jingfang had not continued studying after having graduated from junior high. Instead, he had opened a farm and bred pigs for two years at his home, then suddenly sold his pig farm and joined the army. Sadly, being a soldier had already no longer been a very good path. After having left the army, Wang Jingfang had not returned home, instead having found a job as a security guard in the city.

When the two had met once more in his previous life, Wang Jingfang had already been married, also having sired a two year old child.

That return trip of his had been in order to avoid his debtors.

Wang Jingfang had married his wife in the district where he had served the army. After he had left the army and they had been wed, his wife’s entire family had come to live with him, the grandparents and the little children, the parents as well as a little brother, all not working and just relying on that little bit of income he had in order to survive. Not having had a choice, Wang Jingfang had gotten a bunch of credit cards, swiping the cards in other to pass his days, offsetting card with card. Finally, unable to go on any longer, the twenty over cards combined had left him ridden more than 400000 yuan in debt.

At that time, just having graduated not long ago, Xu Tingsheng had given him two thousand yuan for emergency purposes. Afterwards, he had not heard any further news of him, just knowing by word of his mother that he had been chased out by his parents, his whereabouts unknown.

“Calculating the time, this should be around where Wang Jingfang enters the army,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

Wang Jingfang had precisely come here to discuss this matter of joining the army with Mr Xu, wanting to listen to his opinion. Seeing that dinnertime was here, as Mrs Xu set down the wineglasses, bowls and chopsticks, he made himself at home, sitting down to eat dinner alongside them.

Mr Xu poured wine for himself and Wang Jingfang, saying to Xu Tingsheng as he looked at him, “You drink after your exams are over.”

Regarding Wang Jingfang entering the army, Mr Xu used his personal outlook on life to judge it, naturally giving him his full support. This round of wine was more or less in honour of his departure.

As Wang Jingfang and Mr Xu clinked wine glasses, swallowing a mouthful of wine, the former said after a little hesitation, “About joining the army, I went to ask about it a few days back, and the people inside told me that the available places remaining are not many. If I really want to enter, I’d first have to fork out twenty thousand yuan. I wish to ask Uncle Xu-what is your take on this?”

Mr Xu pondered for a moment, “Is this about money…?”

Wang Jingfang hurriedly shook his head, “No, no. I have some money saved up from these two years, and as for the remaining portion, I intend to sell my pig farm. It should be sufficient with that.”

“So this is the process of Wang Jingfang selling the pig farm and joining the army. I wonder why I didn’t participate in this conversation in my previous life...could it be that I didn’t return home that week?”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a bit, then interrupted, “Why don’t you just raise pigs then? ...About that, our teacher has said that joining the army is already no longer a very good path. If you didn’t have your pig farm and didn’t have to fork out that twenty thousand yuan, I think that going out to train yourself a little would not be a bad thing, but the way that it is now...why don’t you just continue raising pigs?”

Wang Jingfang shook his head, “On one hand, I still want to be a soldier. No matter what, it is still a path. On the other, the pig farm can also not be sustained much longer. As soon as that SARS came, the price of pork has been continually falling. Last month, there was still someone who was willing to fork out thirty thousand yuan, and I hesitated a bit. Now, the price has already fallen to sixteen thousand.”

Xu Tingsheng searched through his memories. During the SARS period of 2003, the price of pork had indeed reached a great slump. Many breeders had been unable to withstand the pressure, either selling their farms at a loss or slaughtering the pigs and burying them, causing the amount of living pigs to drastically decrease. However, this slump actually passed by very quickly. After the most dangerous few months had passed, in remote counties such as Libei County, the fear of the people towards SARS had very quickly vanished. The price of pork had rapidly skyrocketed, the market price reaching almost twice that before the occurrence of SARS.

Nearing the end of that year, due to the appearance of bird flu, chicken meat, duck meat and other bird meat staples had temporarily left the usual recipes of the people, objectively pushing up the price of pork yet further.

As he thought of this, Xu Tingsheng said, “I heard people say that SARS will be over very quickly. Let’s think of it this way: If the number of people who raise pigs decrease, after SARS is over, won’t the price of pork then shoot up?”

Wang Jingfang and Mr Xu both looked rather surprisedly at Xu Tingsheng, Mr Xu asking curiously, “Your meaning then is?”

Xu Tingsheng considered for a moment before answering, “What I mean is that not only should Jingfang continue raising pigs, it is best that you purchase some more pig farms at a low price following this wave of plummeting prices, increasing the scale of your pig rearing business. That way, after SARS is over, you might even be able to make a small fortune.”

Mr Xu hesitated for a moment before asking Wang Jingfang, “Jingfang, what do you think about what Tingsheng said?”

Wang Jingfang scratched his head, smiling, “I’m also not sure. I’m just selling seeing that everyone is also selling.”

Xu Tingsheng felt rather anxious as he hurriedly said, “Then, remember to properly think about it when you get back. Don’t hurry to make a decision; I feel that the possibility of the situation I spoke of happening is very high.”

Wang Jingfang nodded, not saying anything.

Mr Xu also did not speak.

After Wang Jingfang had left, Xu Tingsheng’s mother and sister having gone to see a movie after having eaten their fill, only the Xu father and son were left by the dining table. Mr Xu hesitated for a while before pouring half a glass of rice wine for Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng raised his wineglass, clinking it with his father’s as he asked, “Dad, what do you think Jingfang’s decision will be?”

Mr Xu smiled, “Jingfang is different from you. His ideas are actually more similar to my generation of people, no longer having the courage to take risks after having tried it once. Whatever one says, becoming a soldier is also a bit more stable than what you said.”

Xu Tingsheng understood the meaning in Mr Xu’s words. On the surface, he was talking about Wang Jingfang, but actually, was he not also talking about himself?

“Dad, I feel that you are actually still quite young. How do I say it, that is...you can still achieve great things,” Xu Tingsheng smiled as he said.

“Achieve the hell great things,” Mr Xu’s laugh had always been very hearty, a remnant of his younger, high-spirited days.

Now, he said with a smile, “Now, what I wish for is just you and your sister both being healthy and studying properly. This family will be depending on you in the future... myself, I don’t have much thoughts left,” At the latter part of his words, Mr Xu’s radiant smile had already been replaced by helplessness and desolation.

Seeing this, Xu Tingsheng suddenly said solemnly, “But you aren’t resigned to it. I don’t believe that someone who dared to start a factory at the age of eighteen would be willing to spend the rest of his lifetime like this.”

Mr Xu was silent.

Xu Tingsheng continued, “Dad, I am unresigned as well. I still like that you of the past, drinking wine in great bowls, conversing and laughing loudly. Mom told me about how you were in the past, waving your hands and treating all the female staff of the nearby three factories to watch a movie, even purposely giving your own movie ticket to mom...at that time, the you of back then were so wild and dashing.”

“Watch what words you’re using; you’re going to take your university entrance examinations like this? How is that called wild? That’s called...technique. If not for chasing your mother and being somewhat embarrassed to be too direct, do you think I would have beared to treat so many people to watch a movie?!” Mr Xu again slapped Xu Tingsheng just like he wanted, just that of course, it was only a gentle pat.

“Fine, technique… Anyway, I’ve always been thinking these two years that you can’t always be stuck in the fields like this. As long as there is a chance and a sum of money, you can start over once more.”

Mr Xu was evidently somewhat moved by his words as he pondered for a while before replying slowly, “How would it be so easy? Our family only has that little bit of money now, and I wish to use it for your and your sister’s education fees. Let alone not being sufficient to start a factory, even if it were, I also wouldn’t take such a risk with it.”

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly asked, “Dad, can you tell me how much money our family has now?”

Mr Xu looked doubtfully at his son, revealing, “A little more than thirty thousand yuan-what would that be enough for?”

In the year 2003, thirty thousand was not a lot, but also not very little, as Xu Tingsheng said after pondering for a while, “Dad, you can’t always limit your thoughts to opening a factory. Thirty thousand yuan is insufficient to start a factory, but you can start many other businesses with it. As for what exactly and how to go about it, let us father and son discuss it further after my university entrance examinations are over. Anyway, I hope for you to first find back your confidence and that drive you had before.”

Mr Xu thought about it, next smiling as he nodded, “We’ll wait for your graduation then.”

Hearing his father say so, Xu Tingsheng’s mood improved greatly as he clinked wine glasses with him, drinking it all down in a single gulp, “I’ll drink first to it, father’s...surging back into prominence, subjugating foes all around.”

Mr Xu laughed heartily, raising his wineglass and downing its contents with a single gulp.

……

Xu Tingsheng did not know how much this talk had moved his father, nor did he know whether his father had steeled his resolve. His thoughts were very simple: if his father still had that fervour and drive, deciding to surge back into prominence, he would help his father to think up an idea for it. Peacefully moving things from the back and becoming a rich second gen was also not a bad idea.

It was often said that it was naught but a father who knew his son. Actually, how did a son not understand his father as well? Xu Tingsheng knew that his father was actually greatly competent, at least more so than himself of his previous life, just that he lacked the desire for such.

Then... if his father still shrunk back in the end? Xu Tingsheng had also thought about it before. If so, he would work diligently and let his father live out his remaining years in peace and comfort through his own abilities.

……

The second day, Xu Tingsheng did not see Wang Jingfang.

On the third day, a Sunday, Xu Tingsheng slept all the way till noon. When he awoke, Wang Jingfang just happened to be visiting his home. Without even having put on his clothes neatly, Xu Tingsheng scrambled over.

Wang Jingfang was here to say his goodbyes. He had still decided to sell his pig farm to join the army.

“Won’t you consider it again? SARS will be over very quickly; I guarantee it,” Amidst his panicked emotions, Xu Tingsheng used the word ‘guaranteed’.

Wang Jingfang smiled, “I have already gotten the money from selling the pig farm and also finished using it. The matter of joining the army is already virtually set in stone… So, Uncle Xu, Tingsheng, I’ll be off then. I’ll see you again after I’ve left the army.”

Wang Jingfang left.

Xu Tingsheng waved at him somewhat blankly.

He had not been able to change Wang Jingfang’s choice of selling his pig farm at a low price to join the army, and also did not know whether what would follow in Wang Jingfang’s life would be the same as in his previous life.

He was just feeling rather chaotic inside.

Even while the fortune of rebirth had been gifted to him along with knowledge of the future, some people, some things-at the end of the day, they just could not be reversed.

Chapter 12: The circumstances regarding Indigowoad Root

The teachers of Grade 12 Class 10 were gradually noticing a change in the class. This class, notorious for messing around, constantly performing the worst in all competitions all year round, was steadily and quietly changing in atmosphere. Heavily pressured by the twin forces of SARS and the university entrance examinations, the students were working hard in silence.

They were like a pack of leopards staring at their prey, awaiting action with accumulated energy, paws rubbing against the ground in search for the point of force exertion. They were hushed, focused, eyes resolute and dedicated, brimming with hunger and thirst.

The teachers began to take pleasure in talking about Class 10 in the staffroom, and it was unlike in the past, when they had only been brought up in times of unbearable frustration, with these teachers emotionally complaining to their form teacher, Old Zhou.

The ‘Forced up Mount Liang Trio’ were, as of late, being brought up frequently amidst the chatter of the staffroom. It was just like a story on the return of a prodigal son being discussed enthusiastically. Because Xu Tingsheng had uttered some big words, he was inevitably brought up several times.

“There is a kind of inexpressible sentiment.” Such was the feeling the teachers had.

Xu Tingsheng might not be paying attention during lessons, yet it was impossible to accuse him of not being serious, for he was reading books and doing practice questions, following his own pace and methods to progress along. If not for it being the last leg of twelfth grade, the teachers would most certainly not tolerate this kind of situation. However, at this stage, it was like: What abilities do you have? Come on, just display them all as you’d like.

Of course, there were also times when teachers got angry about this. They would pinpoint him once in a while and get him to answer a few questions.

He would stand up very courteously and smile shyly, “Teacher, may I bother you to repeat yourself one more time?”

One does not hit a smiling person. Helpless, the teacher would have no choice but to just repeat themselves.

If it was mathematics, he would respond, “I’m sorry, I can’t do this.”

If it were the other subjects, he would smile and nod, then explain his response to the question thoroughly, adding in supplementary details as well. Afterwards, the teachers who had been prepared to touch up on his response with additional analysis would realise that it seemed like there was nothing more that they could say.

This kind of “very teacher-like” style of presentation was Xu Tingsheng’s professional habit that had unconsciously been carried over to the present.

“Perhaps he will truly improve substantially,” the teachers said, “A pity that this awakening came a little late.”

As for the running joke of attaining top 20, the teachers mostly steered clear of it, for there was no need to make things difficult for people.

……

On 10th April 2003, the experts from the National Administration for Chinese Medicine launched a《SARS Prevention & Cure Chinese Medicine Programme (Trial)》, advising on the prescription of indigowoad root for its preventive powers.

Thus, the ‘divine medicine’ indigowoad root entered the ultimate phase of extreme popularity. Within 3 hours, all the indigowoad root in the pharmacies of Libei County had been sold out. Over the past half month, each pack of indigowoad root (20 small sachets) which had originally cost 6 yuan had been steadily increasing in value. On this day, indigowoad root soared to the highest value of 60 yuan a pack, after which it rapidly ran out of stock, leaving the ‘unscrupulous profiteers’ who had already earned a large sum of money beating their chests, moaning in pain of having sold too early, too cheap.

On the same day, the value of white vinegar rose from 1 yuan per bottle to 50 yuan per bottle, and remained ever rising. Masks, vitamins-all of these were caught in this frenzied state of affairs as well.

That day, throughout all of Libei County, throughout the entire Libei Senior High, the stench of white vinegar permeated the air.

That day, the trio of Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Xu Tingsheng were heartily praised by their families, and soon after, the relatives and close friends of the three families joined in with the praising.

That day, the trio hoisted a huge chest of indigowoad root and white vinegar into the classroom of Grade 12 Class 10, becoming ‘Gods’. Soon after, they also appeared in the teacher’s office, becoming ‘the good kids whom the teachers knew about since long ago’ and ‘the most lovable students’.

That afternoon, when the entire Libei County had ran out of stock, a small pharmacy that was still under renovation began selling small quantities of indigowoad root and white vinegar.

Even after returning Fu Cheng the initial capital, the trio of Xu, Huang and Fu were able to distribute profits of over 3000 yuan to each person.

Meanwhile, over at Jianhai Province’s Yanzhou City where SARS had already appeared, Xiang Ning of Grade 7 Class 4, Xinyan Junior High, received a large parcel with no sender, containing just a simple note within: An appropriate amount is good enough, don’t drink too much. Drink slower if it scalds, don’t drink as if you were dying of thirst. Also, no going out and running around.

Mrs Liu Xueli, the form teacher, stood at the teacher’s desk, emphasizing the SARS matters to take note of. She announced the《SARS Prevention & Cure Chinese Medicine Programme》, and required every student to inform their parents that, no matter the difficulty, no matter the price, they also had to send over a box of indigowoad root to school for their child. Also, the parents of the students staying in the school dormitory had to link up to discuss ways to obtain a bottle of white vinegar.

Xiang Ning raised her hand and said, “Teacher, I have plenty.”

Mrs Liu opened the box and was stunned for a moment, hesitating before saying, “Why don’t you inform your parents to come over and take some home. As for the remainder, sell some of it to the teachers and students if you are able to.”

Mrs Liu actually very much wanted to say: child, why don’t you give a few packs to teacher. The team her husband had sent out in the morning had only managed to purchase one pack. With her extended family of eight people, how was that enough? It was only her dignity as a teacher that left her rather too embarrassed to bring this up. She thought: As a child, Xiang Ning might not understand. Better to wait for her parents to come and secretly hint it to them; they should be able to understand.

Mrs Liu returned to the staffroom after class, and found out that she herself also had a parcel, within which were two bottles of white vinegar as well as more than ten packs of indigowoad root.

On the same day, in Libei Senior High’s Grade 12 Class 10.

Tan Qingling made an exception and kissed Huang Yaming, because Huang Yaming had prepared portions for her as well as her parents.

Fu Cheng stood at the teacher’s desk and said: for the sake of caring for the class, whoever wishes to bring some home, give me a kiss...male classmates rushed up to him.

Yao Jing discovered on her table 5 packs of indigowoad root, 2 bottles of white vinegar, a stack of masks, and a note: Actually, there should be no trouble over at our side, but putting your heart at ease is still very important. Don’t drink too much, bring it home if you cannot finish it.

Yao Jing felt like she should show her thanks, although given the relationship between them two, there seemed to be no need to say thank you.

“But he doesn’t usually approach me to talk, and I also cannot be constantly looking for him. I should make use of this opportunity to talk to him and thank him,” Yao Jing was shocked by these little thoughts in her head, because since when had she become such a girl?

But she also had to admit that she actually regretted a little on what she had said back then. When she had said ‘I agree’, wasn’t that already fine? Why on earth had she gone on to add ‘let’s get together after graduation’?

Yao Jing swivelled her head around looking for Xu Tingsheng. Upon realising that he was not in the classroom, she sped out to the corridor for a look. Xu Tingsheng was currently at a corner of the opposite eleventh grade block, in the midst of handing over a bag of indigowoad root, white vinegar and masks to a pretty girl from eleventh grade.

The pungent aroma of white vinegar was strong in Libei Senior High today.

Wu Yuewei had been unable to purchase indigowoad root and white vinegar, and had been a little disappointed at that. She had originally wanted to get some for Xu Tingsheng.

“We should be fine staying within the school,” Wu Yuewei consoled herself meekly.

A classmate called from the doorway of the classroom, “Wu Yuewei, someone is looking for you.”

Then, she walked out of the classroom and saw Xu Tingsheng.

Every Monday, she would always eat her lunch early, next waiting for Xu Tingsheng by the roadside. Xu Tingsheng would always chat with her for a short time, encouraging her with her studies. Still, he had never come to look for her on his own accord before.

Today, he had come to look for her on his own accord. Wu Yuewei was very happy.

Xu Tingsheng handed the bag in his hands over to Wu Yuewei, smiling as he said, “Actually, there shouldn’t be any trouble over at our side, but putting your heart at ease is still very important. Study in peace; don’t worry too much about things. Also, every medicine has its harmful side; don’t drink too much, and share it with your classmates if you can’t finish it...Also, I am not exclusively giving this to you. I have given some to many teachers and students as well.”

As that last sentence was uttered, he felt rather embarrassed and panicky.

Wu Yuewei really liked this expression and response of his. She felt like she could see through Xu Tingsheng’s painstaking efforts to conceal his actual care and concern for her.

“Right.” Wu Yuewei said with a smile, “Heh, I know.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Know? What do you know?”

Wu Yuewei laughed slyly, “I know that you didn’t specifically come over to the eleventh grade block just to give me this. I know that you already no longer like me.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Oh.”

Wu Yuewei continued, “But, I like you.”

Yao Jing came over and said in an unexpected tone, “Xu Tingsheng, why you are here? It’s almost time for class.”

Xu Tingsheng followed Yao Jing and left.

Wu Yuewei stamped her feet. She felt that she was really too useless-how could she have let him walk away with someone else just like that?

“Next time. Next time, I must be more skillful,” Wu Yuewei thought.

Just as they were reaching the classroom, Yao Jing turned to Xu Tingsheng and asked, “So, I heard that junior likes you. Do you like her that way?”

Xu Tingsheng answered, “No.”

Yao Jing nonchalantly responded, “Right, I believe you.”

Xu Tingsheng thought secretly, “Just like a bro, and a big bro at that.”

Chapter 13: Answering questions as if performing a surgery

On 11th April, amidst SARS, amidst a sour feeling amongst the entire school population, the passing of time towards the university entrance examinations did not cease, never resting.

Libei Senior High’s monthly tests gradually caught up to the first mock examinations of Jiannan City, naturally having to give way to them.

The examination grounds for the mock exams would be allocated according to the results of the students in the previous monthly tests. Xu Tingsheng was allocated to the 6th examination ground, with Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng a little further behind.

It was a day of torrential rain, the sky dim and overcast.

The lights were turned on in the classroom, shining down on the students, all wearing masks as they clutched their pens, silent and focused, answering questions as if performing a surgery.

First came the Language examination.

Before the examination began, a boy sitting behind Xu Tingsheng said: let me have a look at the multiple choice questions later.

Xu Tingsheng had forgotten his name, only vaguely remembering that he was a former classmate from 10th grade.

“Oh, okay,” Xu Tingsheng said.

During the mathematics examination in the afternoon, the boy said the same thing.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Don’t, you’ll be done for if you do.”

The boy said angrily, “You don’t have to be so petty?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “You’ll understand later.”

After the examinations began, Xu Tingsheng earnestly did the questions that were related to geometry before taking out an eraser, using a penknife to smoothen its rounded edges. Next, he inscribed A, B, C and D, ‘roll again’ and ‘same as above’ on the six respective sides of the eraser.

Xu Tingsheng began rolling his dice.

The boy behind him was shocked for a moment before he resolutely erased the answers for the two geometry questions that he had copied earlier.

After finishing rolling the multiple choice questions, Xu Tingsheng handed in his paper.

The morning of the next day was Combined Humanities.

Xu Tingsheng turned back and said on his own initiative, “This time, you really can look at mine.”

The student behind him sighed, “Bro... don’t mess around.”

The final paper was English, Xu Tingsheng having told Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng before entering the examination grounds, “Believe in your first impressions.”

“What if there’s no impression at all?”

“If it’s three short and one long, choose the longest. If it’s three long and one short, choose the shortest.”

After the examinations had ended, the two were very happy. Asking them about it, Xu Tingsheng was told that this was the first time that they had felt like they understood the meaning of some comprehension passages.

This was the effect Xu Tingsheng had wanted. He had gotten the two to work on recognising words rather than focusing on spelling because there already wasn’t much time left. If they could recognise some of the given words, the duo would be able to project the general content of the comprehension passages based on them, next connecting it to the words that followed. Purely guesswork based on that would also be good, because with a framework and clues, their answers would naturally end up closer to the correct ones.

What remained, would be their luck.

……

In truth, this was perhaps one of the most unusual university entrance examinations in history. SARS left many people in fear and on the brink of collapse, and this applied even with these examinations. With this batch of examinees facing the joint pressure of both SARS and the university entrance examinations, many people’s minds were near their breaking point.

The mock examinations let everyone understand how close the actual university entrance examinations were, causing them to feel even more pressurised.

During that same period of time, news beging spreading within the school that similar symptoms had appeared within Libei County.

Xu Tingsheng had also heard this rumour in his previous life. He also knew that six days later, due to fear and depression, this suspected victim of SARS who was not actually afflicted would break open and flee through a window of the isolation ward where he was quarantined. In the process of fleeing, he would injure two nursing personnel, two young, courageous nurses.

His escape had led to panic within the entire city, the entire Libei County resembling a dead town as stores closed their doors and schools sealed their gates, no one daring to leave to house, even fewer daring to go near any strangers.

On the third day after he fled, he was captured. Afterwards, it was discovered that he had only been in a feverish state due to a common flu.

Having escaped SARS, he had not been able to escape the fate of being imprisoned in jail.

Xu Tingsheng had no way to stop this from happening. Of course, he also did not have the intention of doing so. This incident had not led to any serious consequences, the two injured nurses even having being greatly honoured, their occupational problems also resolved as they were promoted from temporary workers. Ther policemen who had captured the escapee had also received a commendation.

As for the schools and their students, ever since the first mock examinations, there were finally some who could no longer bear this repressed atmosphere.

A female student who was usually very obedient answered back very defiantly to her teacher during evening self study, and when her teacher forgave her, she said that university entrance examinations are dog****, and all you teachers are also dog****...finally, she lunged into her teacher’s arms and collapsed weeping.

A usually optimistic male student suddenly stood up during evening self-study, leaving the classroom as he ignored all around him. He went to the toilet, burying his head in the sink, letting water run over his face for half an hour before he returned, apologising to his teacher and classmates and sitting down to get back to studying.

The ‘twilight loves’ of senior high also began to increase greatly in number.

Love could indeed bring people courage, or perhaps release.

Under such circumstances, a female student, Song Ni, who was on very good terms with the trio of Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, embarked on her first love.

Song Ni was a very ordinary girl. Her appearance was ordinary, her family background was ordinary and her results were also ordinary. Still, she had a very good personality, being silly as well as kind and gentle. The male student was from Class 7. His family background was not good, but his results were excellent and he was bright and handsome.

Song Ni and the boy had been classmates in junior high, and she had always liked him. Her one-sided affection, having already gone on for six whole years, had long since no longer been a secret to anyone.

Two days ago, Song Ni had duped a few packets of indigowoad root from the trio to give to that boy.

When she returned, she had said that the boy had been greatly moved. Then, with a joyful yet embarrassed smile, she had told the trio that she was now in a relationship, that that boy had finally accepted her, that it was the boy who had confessed to her on his own accord.

The first night of the mock examinations, Song Ni had fled from evening self study. When Xu Tingsheng’s trio had found her after the second period of evening self study was over and they had been released, she had obviously just cried, her hair dishevelled and her clothes stained with mud and grass.

Fu Cheng had asked her what had happened, but she had been unwilling to answer, packing up and quietly slinking back to her room.

……

That night, the boy had asked Song Ni to meet him in the small thicket behind the dormitory building. That would be their first date, and Song Ni had specially worn a beautiful yellow blouse and long skirt there.

There had been moonlight that night, and everyone else other than the two had been in the midst of evening self study. With the small thicket hidden and quiet, it was very suitable for a date.

They had conversed for a while. He had said that he felt very repressed, and then hugged her.

Submersed in happiness, Song Ni had hugged him tight with one hand as she stroked his head with the other, as if comforting a helpless child. She had never seen him so helpless before.

The boy had begun kissing her, frenziedly and also passionately.

This was Song Ni’s first kiss, going from clenching her teeth tight to responding hesitantly. Even though she felt that this seemed a little too fast-they had been together for just two days-she had not the heart to reject him.

The boy’s hand began straying, scaring Song Ni a little. When his hand was about to reach beneath her clothes, she pressed it down.

The boy said, “Please.”

Song Li looked into his eyes, seeing the blazing fire within. She loosened her grip, biting her lips, her face hot as if it was burning.

The boy’s hand reached beneath her skirt.

Song Ni leaped up like a frightened rabbit, shaking her head, “No.”

He said, “Please.”

Song Ni thought about it, “After graduation; after graduation, okay?”

With tears in his eyes, the boy said, “Please, I feel very repressed now, I really need it...give it to me, I will take responsibility for you. I will go to your home and meet your parents after graduation, and I will take you to see mine as well. We will go to university in the same city, and get married after we have graduated.”

Song Ni hesitated for a moment, still shaking her head.

He knelt down, “Please, I’m almost going crazy. I really need you.”

Song Ni understood the meaning of his words. He needed to vent; he needed release.

But she really loved him, so she nodded as she cried.

He said, “You’re really the best’ and ‘I love you’, ignoring the tears on Song Ni’s face as well as her struggling, pained expression, wasting no time at all as he flipped up her skirt.

Then, a hand had struck over at lightning speed...

Chapter 14: A major incident of a previous life

During lunch break of the second day, the vice-principal spoke over the broadcasting system.

“I know that our students have been feeling rather repressed lately, especially the twelfth grade students on whom the pressure is immense. The school understands this, and has been as lenient as possible. Still, I hope that you can understand that there are some things that as a school, we can definitely not tolerate.”

“Yesterday night, during evening self study, patrolling the school grounds, I encountered a pair of students who were being overly intimate.”

“As soon as I appeared, the boy began running. Actually, running is still normal, very normal. But, he forgot to bring along that girl with him. He ran on alone ahead, the girl running after him. Then, the girl... fell, and I stopped.”

“You must know that having started out as a physical education teacher, even having grown a little older now, it would still not have been a problem for me to catch that boy. However, that girl fell, falling onto a pile of grass and gravel. So, I stopped. My conscience, sense of responsibility as well as morals all called for me to stop. But what of that boy? Hearing the cry of that girl, he glanced back, and then...continued running.”

“I helped the girl up. She flung away my hand and continued running. She fell down again, but this time, the boy ran off without even looking back.”

“What could I do?... I let that girl go. Why? Because I don’t believe that any punishment could have been any more painful and any more of a warning than what she had just experienced.”

“I want to say something to this female student. I don’t know who you are. I didn’t ask yesterday, and I will also not be investigating into it. Still, you yourself have to consider this - was it worth it? Look at that type of thing you found. How foolish is that!”

“Finally, I wish to ask that male student - are you even a man?!”

……

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming, and Fu Cheng privately found Song Ni.

Huang Yaming said, “The next time he looks for you, we will beat him up. Each time he does, we will beat him up once.”

Song Ni said, “You don’t have to do anything. I was the one who went to look for him.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “If you look for him again, we will also beat him up. Each time you do, we will beat him up once.”

Fu Cheng said, “Break his leg.”

That night, the boy secretly found Song Ni, saying, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t let myself be caught. If I had been caught, I would have been ruined. The university entrance examinations are right up the corner; my whole family is depending on me; I can’t ruin myself... you understand me, don’t you? Please, forgive me.”

Song Ni asked, “What about me?”

The boy answered, “My, my hopes are a little greater. Your results…”

Song Ni said, “So you thought this way.”

The boy said, “Can you come to my house on Satuday? My parents will not be home.”

Song Ni returned and found Xu Tingsheng, saying, “He just came to look for me.”

The trio escorted the boy to the roof and beat him up.

Afterwards. Song Ni raised her head which had been buried in her desk, smiling bitterly with a face full of tears, “You didn’t injure his hand, right?... He still has to sit for the university entrance examinations.”

Fu Cheng said, “I’ll go back and break his hand.”

Song Ni laughed, “Don’t worry, I won’t be so silly anymore.”

Xu Tingsheng patted her little head, “Study well and take the exams in peace. The entire China will have twenty million whole bachelors in the future, a great many men for you to pick a good one from.”

After evening self study had ended, Song Ni came to look for Xu Tingsheng, saying, “The vice-principal clearly took down my name and class.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “That shows that he is a good principal. Relax, no one will know.”

The second day after having taken leave to return home, Xu Tingsheng found a chance when no one was around to sneak into the vice-principal’s office.

He said, “Now, everyone is praising you for your tolerance and your humanistic management. I hope that you will always guard this secret.”

The vice-principal smiled, “You can rest easy; I’ve already almost forgotten about this incident. Also, are you curious about why I accepted your proposal and used such a method to handle this matter?”

In Xu Tingsheng’s impression of him, this lovable yet also aggravating vice-principal actually also had some deficiencies. Perhaps it could be said that he was too simple and straightforward. Xu Tingsheng played along, shaking his head.

The vice-principal said, “It was because the consequence that you described to me... would be too disastrous. Thinking about it now, I feel like I should thank you. I am a rough person, and if you had not come over to find me in time back then, the matter might truly have developed the way you said.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “It was because of your good personal upbringing and character that I had the chance to convince you. Thank you.”

The vice-principal said, “But I am very curious now - how did you know of the situation then? Did you escape from class as well?”

Xu Tingsheng fled from the office. In truth, the disastrous consequence he had described to the vice-principal were the true events that had unfolded in his previous life.

In his previous life, because of the immensity of the matter, the vice-principal had called a meeting with the relevant personnel of the student affairs office that night, revealing everything that he had seen. Afterwards, he had publicly dealt with the matter, openly announcing the name of the people involved. Everything that he had witnessed, including the scene that he had seen of Song Ni’s skirt being lifted up had afterwards been gradually spread by gossips as well as ‘do-gooders’. Consequently, Song Ni had been seriously injured when she had leapt off a building in an attempt to commit suicide. She had then quit school, and no news of her had been heard afterwards. The vice-principal had also been punished for this, fired from his position.

After the incident, that student affairs office chairman who had advised the vice-principal in private after the meeting that night to ‘employ harsh methods amidst a chaotic world’ had very quickly obtained the chance to fill in the empty position, being promoted to vice-principal.

A few years later, he had risen to become the principal, as well as the vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultation Conference. He had sat on this position for almost ten years, till finally the parents of a pregnant female student had disregarded everything to take him to court, and the public had learnt of all those young female students and teachers he had harmed all these years, along with a series of other crimes.

In this life, Xu Tingsheng had broken off his first step to ascension.

“Hopefully, he won’t be able to climb up this time,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

…

In truth, when Song Ni had announced her relationship with the boy, Xu Tingsheng had vaguely already thought of what was going to happen after.

However, his memories on this were not precise enough. In his previous life, he had not personally participated in this matter, only having slowly come to understand specifically what had happened afterwards. Therefore, he was not sure on when exactly the incident had transpired.

In the end, as he had still been pondering on how to resolve this problem, the incident had occurred.

That night, discovering that Song Ni was not in the classroom, Xu Tingsheng had felt that something might be up. Having found her afterwards and seeing her covered in mud, only then had all his memories on this incident become clear in their entirety.

That night, after Song Ni had returned to her room, Xu Tingsheng had immediately rushed over to the vice-principal’s office, trying to remedy the situation before it was too late.

When he had knocked on the door to the vice-principal’s office, the vice-principal, who was in charge of the student affairs office, had just been holding up the phone, about to inform the relevant personnel to come for a meeting.

Xu Tingsheng had very much hoped to convince the vice-principal to completely pretend that this incident had never happened.

The vice-principal had finally accepted his suggestion of playing down the matter in other to safeguard the interests of the student involved, yet had resolutely been against completely letting this matter go. It was precisely because of that that the words in his broadcast afterwards had come to be.

Xu Tingsheng could accept how this matter had eventually been dealt with. Even if someone figured out that the couple that night had been Song Ni and that scumbag, they would only know that they had gone on a date, not knowing the specifics of what had taken place in that small thicket.

Being caught on a date was still a pretty normal thing. Xu Tingsheng remembered that afterwards, Huang Yaming and Tan Qinglin would be caught together once. Still, that matter had occurred just a few days before the university entrance examinations, and the ones in charge had not pursued it.

“I will definitely not be reminding him,” Xu Tingsheng delighted in Huang Yaming’s upcoming misfortune.

Chapter 15: My all in exchange for your warm, peaceful longevity

From 14th April to 16th April, Xu Tingsheng took 3 days of leave.

During these unique times, taking a leave of absence was actually very easy. You simply had to go to the sick bay, clutch your head and claim to be a little dizzy. The school doctor would immediately move away from you, and from ten metres away ask you to measure your temperature with the thermometer.

Of course, you could not actually have a fever. If that were the case, you could forget about your leave. You would be quarantined on the spot first.

“No fever,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The school doctor gave a sigh of relief.

“But I feel like one might be coming,” Xu Tingsheng added.

After that, the school doctor would ‘act arbitrarily upon demand’, giving as much leave as requested. She didn’t care if you would have a fever, just as long as the fever did not erupt within the school.

This day, 15th April. Xu Tingsheng would definitely not remember it wrongly.

Yet, would any differences appear in this new world, due to this flap of these butterfly’s wings of his?

Xu Tingsheng could not be sure, and was therefore determined to keep watch for a few more days.

On April 14th, Xu Tingsheng followed Mr Xu around the entire day. Where Mr Xu went, he would also go. Obviously, Mr Xu was absolutely not permitted to get close to any hill, for in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, Mr Xu’s accident had occurred on a hill.

Mr Xu was followed so closely he felt a little creeped out.

Xu Tingsheng could only say that he had had a nightmare, dreaming that his father had met with an accident, therefore being very worried.

Unfortunately, Mr Xu did not believe this.

On April 15th, Xu Tingsheng pretended to be ill, on tenterhooks for the entire day as he dared not to even blink. Mr Xu kept watch by his side, holding his hand, massaging his ‘tiger’s mouth acupoint’ and his palm.

Perhaps there exists such a pair of rough, yet warm and strong hands in every person’s memory. They support you as you stumble amidst your first steps, raise you amidst your growth, stand behind you as you soar into the air.

Xu Tingsheng had once lost this pair of hands. This time, he simply could not let this nightmare play out once more.

From dawn to dusk, Xu Tingsheng watched the wall clock as its arms leapt across the final gap. 15th April had safely passed without any incidents occurring. Xu Tingsheng exhaled deeply.

This day which had once left him in deep, incomparable anguish, had finally returned to normalcy.

April 16th was the last day in which Xu Tingsheng had decided to keep meticulous watch. Continuing to feign illness was not a part of his original plan. Yet, he really fell ill. His entire body was covered in cold sweat and all over his skin was the sensation of static electricity as he was also plagued by an unbearable stomachache.

In addition to the previous day of feigned illness, this was already the second day, the second consecutive day of him lying sick in bed. Mr Xu completely panicked at this point, repeatedly insisting on sending Xu Tingsheng to the hospital, but he refused to get up no matter what. Even when Mr Xu lifted him up, he would immediately struggle to lie back down.

“Endure this one day. Just this one day and all will be well,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

During lunch, Xu Tingsheng had no appetite for food. Still, after Mrs Xu specially set up a steamer to boil some vermicelli, he barely managed to eat a little.

Perhaps due to his body really being too exhausted and his overexertions from the nerve-wrangling events of the past few days, after lunch, Xu Tingsheng unconsciously fell asleep.

When he awoke, Mr Xu was no longer there. Instead, keeping watch by Xu Tingsheng’s side was Mrs Xu.

“Mom, where’s Dad?” Xu Tingsheng cried out anxiously in a tearful tone.

Mrs Xu was rather taken aback by her son’s over-the-top reaction, “Your dad said he was going to make some herbal medicine for you. After all, your Xu Family has that hereditary trend of kidney stones. He’s afraid that you might also have this ailment, so he went up to the hills to pluck some money plant.”

In the hills.

These three words resounded like a thunderous clap in Xu Tingsheng’s mind. A chill shot straight up from his tailbone to the top of his head as his entire body turned cold.

Xu Tingsheng frantically clambered out of his bed.

“Which hill, which hill did Dad go to?”

“The one just over there,” Mrs Xu pointed, “Tingsheng, what is it?”

Xu Tingsheng had not the leisure to reply as he desperately rushed out of the door, because...that was that very hill.

“Hey, what’s going on? It’s raining outside!” Mrs Xu shouted from behind him.

The sky was bleak; a heavy rain poured. Filled with red soil, this small hill had once been developed into an orange plantation. The soil had all been plowed completely through, the entire place left muddy beyond compare.

Xu Tingsheng ran frantically in the rain, yelling, wailing.

“Dad, it’s me, Tingsheng! Where are you?”

“Dad, Xu Jianliang, where are you?”

“Please! If you can hear me, come out!”

……

Due to his fear and panic, Xu Tingsheng’s body burst forth with its final strength.

Still, a feeling of weakness began to ceaselessly assail Xu Tingsheng’s mind, the pervasive blackness before his eyes increasing by the second.

He persevered onward, endlessly running, yelling, his body covered in mud from head to toe.

At last, on a slope in the distance, the silhouette of Mr Xu arose, waving.

“Tingsheng, why have you run out here?”

Xu Tingsheng raced towards Mr Xu with all his might, cupping his mouth with his hands as he expended his last vestiges of energy to yell as loudly as he could, “Dad, come back quickly, oh, come back quickly!”

Suddenly, the world before Xu Tingsheng’s eyes turned dark. As his legs grew limp, he staggered for a few moments before he collapsed onto the ground, his body tumbling down the slope.

Amidst his unconsciousness, Xu Tingsheng’s memories of the bitter anguish from his past life burst forth like a torrential wave.

In his previous life, around the time of Mr Xu’s accident, the father and son had been in a cold war, the reason for which he could already no longer remember. Xu Tingsheng only remembered that that cold war had been ongoing for a very long time.

On that fateful weekend, for no real reason, Xu Tingsheng had felt moved. He had brewed a cup of tea for Mr Xu who had been labouring in the fields and asked Mrs Xu to bring it to him.

Mrs Xu had returned saying that Mr Xu had been very happy that day, smiling satisfiedly as he drank that cup of tea as if it was Maotai liquor.

Unfortunately, that was to be the last cup of tea Xu Tingsheng would ever brew for his father.

On the day of the accident, Xu Tingsheng had been in evening self-study when a female cousin of his who lived in the same county had appeared at the door of the classroom. She had then brought Xu Tingsheng into a car.

Only right before they arrived at Xu Tingsheng’s house did she inform Xu Tingsheng that Mr Xu had met with an accident.

Xu Tingsheng had not even had the chance to see Mr Xu’s final moments.

Xu Tingsheng did not cry hysterically that day. He simply sat in silence for the entire night

He recalled his younger days when his father had taught him to swim, sunlight reflecting off the water amidst the joyful laughter of the two.

He recalled his younger days playing with mud in his father’s brick factory, that big tank that Mr Xu had built for him.

He recalled that back when his results had been excellent, his parents had always loved attending his parent-teacher meetings, their faces full of pride and happiness. Later on, even after he had begun slacking off with his results starting to worsen non-stop, Mr Xu had still continued to attend every single time. Faced with the criticism and mockery of the teachers,, he had nevertheless always resolutely believed in his own child.

Xu Tingsheng came to amidst great warmth, warmth which radiated from his father.

Mr Xu carried Xu Tingsheng, running through the rain.

Xu Tingsheng raised his hand and slapped his cheek, afraid that this was all just a dream. In truth, ever since his rebirth, he had constantly had this dread, this sense of fear that all of this, at the end of the day, was but merely a dream.

He could feel pain. It was not a dream.

Mr Xu was safe and sound.

Fate had finally been changed.

“Dad,” Xu Tingsheng softly cried out.

Mr Xu’s eyes were red. He looked like he wanted to get angry, yet, looking at the utterly weak Xu Tingsheng, inevitably couldn’t bear to flare up.

“You’ve awoken? Why did you come running out, really...” Mr Xu rebuked in a gentle tone.

Xu Tingsheng wiped his tears, “I already told you that I had a nightmare, but why is it that you just didn’t listen?”

Mr Xu was rendered speechless, “Hey, you… Just one dream, and....”

“This dream made me know how great a father I have, made me know how much I would hate to part with you, made me begin to grow sensible. Dad, I am willing to give my all in exchange for your warm, peaceful longevity.”

‘Your warm, peaceful longevity’, was, in fact, not a colloquial term. Xu Tingsheng’s last phrase was actually a song lyric from the Chopstick Brothers’《Father》. This song would only be released come 2012, having once left Xu Tingsheng overflowing with tears countless times.

“How I wish we could be like before, I holding on to your warm hand. Alas, you are no longer by my side.”

“Dad who’s strong throughout your life, thank you for everything you have done, supporting our family with you great hands, always exhausting all you have, giving the best that you can to me.”

“Am I your pride; are you still being worried for me?”

“I am willing to give my all in exchange for your warm, peaceful longevity.”

……

Mr Xu was actually not very used to this kind of outpouring of emotions. The perceptions of his generation as well as their identity as farmers left them even more used to burying their affection at the bottom of their hearts, instead silently conveying their care and concern for their loved ones through other means.

Still, this time, the words went into Mr Xu’s heart.

He raised a hand and patted Xu Tingsheng on the back, “Dad knows already, rest assured.”

Xu Tingsheng grinned, “Put me down then, Dad. I can walk by myself now. After that tumble, even my stomach doesn’t ache anymore.”

Mr Xu tilted his head over and laughed, “Dad is not old yet; I’m still able to carry you.”

The father and son duo were met midway by the umbrella-toting Mrs Xu, receiving a nasty tongue-lashing from her.

After reaching home and taking a hot bath, Xu Tingsheng noticed that his exhaustion aside, he was actually in a much better state than before. Mr and Mrs Xu enquired in great detail on this before finally being able to set their hearts at ease.

Mr and Mrs Xu were actually rather astonished that Xu Tingsheng could have had such a huge reaction and changed so greatly just from a single nightmare. Yet, as compared to this, they were more emotionally moved, and were also able to sense this: It seemed like their son had truly grown up all of a sudden, becoming sensible.

Hence, when Xu Tingsheng made a request, pleading with Mr Xu to agree never to set foot on that particular hill ever again, Mr Xu went along and agreed with great solemnity.

Being more superstitious, Mrs Xu was naturally all the more supportive of this.

Chapter 16: When big words become a joke

The next day, despite the opposition of Mr and Mrs Xu, Xu Tingsheng insisted on returning to school. He knew that if he did not return today on the 17th, his parents would subsequently be even more against his return.

On 18th April, that suspected SARS patient would jump down from a few floors up, escaping from quarantine in the wee hours of the morning. The entire Libei County would descend into pandemonium.

Mr Xu sent Xu Tingsheng to school on his bicycle.

Sitting behind one’s father on his bicycle are the childhood memories of many. Xu Tingsheng had not sat like this for a long, long time. He swayed his legs, leisurely surveying his surroundings.

A tall tower that was currently under construction appeared within his line of sight.

Golden City Tower. Although it did not really live up to its name of ‘tower’, it was still Libei County’s first ever building which held more than ten floors. Eventually coming into being here would be Libei County’s first world-class hotel, along with its first large scale supermarket.

The running of a hotel required expenses in many additional areas, including networking, establishing contact with external parties and food-related company expenses. These were significant sources of revenue for hotels during this period, but Xu Tingsheng lacked the necessary resources for such.

But as per Xu Tingsheng’s memory, all the way till 2015, this supermarket remained one of the mere two large scale supermarkets of Libei County, its business booming.

In such a small county like Libei County, and the other eight counties of Jiannan City as well, perhaps because the market was not large enough, all the way till 2015, no large scale chain supermarkets like Walmart or RT-Mart had yet entered the area.

That was to say that it would be a continually egg-laying golden chicken that would flourish for a long time, which furthermore had space in the markets of the surrounding counties to expand its economic dominance and monopoly.

This thought left Xu Tingsheng excited for a moment. Still, upon recalling his father telling him that the household only had about 30000 yuan in total, his heart cooled back down.

“Dad, looking at such a big tower, what do you think might be a good business to start at its ground floor?” Xu Tingsheng asked with feigned nonchalance.

Mr Xu thought for a moment before replying, “How on earth would I know? No matter what, it’s not like I can set up a brick firing kiln here, right.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I think that a supermarket would be great. During those few days I was away, I saw a large scale supermarket which sold all sorts of stuff. Customers pushed shopping carts around, choosing all their items before going to the counters to pay. The business was booming; the few cashiers were all overloaded. At our side, there is still no supermarket of this sort. If one could be set up, it would definitely boom.”

Mr Xu eyed the tower ahead, did some mental calculations, and shook his head, “How much capital will that require! Our family lacks the ability to start such a business.””

“That’s true,” Xu Tingsheng considered it and did not pursue the topic.

“No wonder people always say that the first pot of gold is the hardest,” Xu Tingsheng felt a little vexed.

In his previous life, he had had no interest in the lottery. How good would it be if he could remember some powerball numbers!

Mr Xu sent Xu Tingsheng to the school gates.

On the way from the school gates to Grade 12 Class 10’s classroom, what Xu Tingsheng felt to be very unusual was this: the gazes and whispers directed at himself were way more than there were usually, almost reaching the level of the day he did his self-reflection on the stage.

Some of these gazes and discussions were filled with sympathy or incomprehension, while others were filled with ridicule and mockery.

Along the way, there were even some people who were familiar with Xu Tingsheng coming up to console him, “Don’t be discouraged, there’s still time. Keep on at it.””

There were also people who said helplessly, “We already said long ago that goals should be kept to oneself, but you... Still, don’t take too much notice of it. No matter what others say, just focus on yourself; take it easy.”

“From the looks of it, could it be that I flunked the tests?” Xu Tingsheng was doubtful, for by his own reckoning, entering the top 20 should not have been a problem.

Xu Tingsheng entered the classroom, returning to his seat the focal point of attention. Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng came up to him with guilty expressions on their faces, answer scripts in their hands.

“Sorry, the two of us have tutored you down,” Huang Yaming said miserably.

“What happened? Stop playing up the drama, it really rather makes me nervous,” Xu Tingsheng responded.

Fu Cheng placed the answer script on Xu Tingsheng’s table.

Mathematics, 62 marks.

Xu Tingsheng entertained the notion of fishing out that eraser-turned-dice from under his desk and giving it a kiss. This luck of his truly was heaven-defying.

Xu Tingsheng was very satisfied, but Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng did not see it that way. From their standpoint, although Xu Tingsheng’s Mathematics could not be considered good, he was usually still able to score around 90 points. This time, however, after having been tutored by the two, his score had dropped to 60 points. The two of them felt rather guilty at this.

“What about you guys? How did you do?” Xu Tingsheng excitedly inquired.

“128.”

“134.”

“That good?”

“Yeah...”

The two ‘teachers’ had tutored themselves up whilst tutoring their friend down, thus feeling somewhat even more guilty at this.

“How about the other subjects?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Not yet released....”

The duo explained the situation, and Xu Tingsheng was finally able to figure out what was going on.

Due to SARS, this time, the exam papers had not been sent to the city for unified grading, but had been marked internally with the help of school teachers from the 10th and 11th grades.

Xu Tingsheng himself had taken part in plenty of exam paper gradings before. Having done so, he knew that the duration required to mark each subject differed greatly. For instance, history, the subject he taught, was the slowest. Comparatively speaking, amongst exam papers of students of the Humanities stream, Mathematics as well as geography were the fastest.

This time was no exception. The marking for Mathematics and geography had been completed the earliest, but due to geography being part of Combined Humanities, the results for it could only be released together with politics and history, after they too had been graded. This was the reason Mathematics had been the sole paper returned yesterday evening.

Afterwards, due to Xu Tingsheng’s previous big words on making it into the top 20 in the entire year causing many to take notice, news of his 62 marks for Mathematics had frenziedly spread, from Grade 12 Class 10 to the four Humanities classes, onwards to everyone of the entire twelfth grade, and then to a whole half of the school and beyond.

A 150 mark paper, 62 marks.

“What was he saying? Wanting to enter the top 20?!”

Thus the discussions, derision and sympathy all came.

“Are the two of you feeling very guilty?” Xu Tingsheng asked Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng.

The two didn’t reply, but their expressions revealed a definite answer.

“Treat me to lunch then, I want to eat fried food at the third floor.”

“..., agreed.”

Just when Xu Tingsheng was jubilant at having swindled away some free fried food, Yao Jing came over.

Although Yao Jing was rather tomboyish, usually appearing very straightforward and uncaring of the minor details, she was still a girl at the end of the day, furthermore a girl who was about to embark on her first love. So, ever since that day when she had promised Xu Tingsheng, she had instead become uneasy, no longer daring to casually join in conversation with him, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng in class. Even speaking to them in class had become rare.

Under a sea of watchful eyes, Yao Jing sat down beside Xu Tingsheng.

As the class bell rang and Xu Tingsheng’s tablemate returned, Yao Jing blanked out for a moment before asking embarrassedly, “For the next period’s self-study, can I change seats with you? I...I want to sit here.”

“Woah,” Their classmates began to hoot.

The Xu Tingsheng prior to his ‘rebirth’ had fancied Yao Jing for close to two years. While Yao Jing had not agreed back then, she had never rejected him either. As a result, in the eyes of their classmates, the relationship between the two of them had been like an unofficial ‘unrealised sweetheart’ state of affairs, while this latest development seemed somewhat like an official acknowledgement of their relationship.

The tablemate winked, gathered some books and changed seats.

A few ‘shameless’ classmates even ran over to congratulate them.

“What’re you all looking at, go and study!”

Yao Jing finally unleashed her ‘heroic’ temperament in a yell. Their classmates burst out in laughter before finally turning back and burying their heads in their books.

After her ‘heroism’, Yao Jing looked at Xu Tingsheng, rather lost for words, “Don’t, don’t be discouraged. A single failure does not mean anything. I can see that you’ve been working very hard.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, smiling. Truth be told, he felt rather touched at this moment. Yao Jing wasn’t the type of person who was good at expressing tenderness and care. For her to be doing so now, there was no doubt that she had put in the greatest effort, the meaning behind her actions self-evident.

Xu Tingsheng knew that this was very difficult for her.

“I took a look at your paper; let me explain it to you. Although the teacher will go through it as well, if I am doing it, you can stop to ask me questions anytime,” Yao Jing offered.

“Sure, thanks,” The situation before Xu Tingsheng was such that however much he did not want to study Mathematics, he also did not have a choice.

Yao Jing patiently and meticulously explained for the entire period. Not wanting to let her good intentions go to waste, Xu Tingsheng listened earnestly throughout the period, asking questions from time to time.

Xu Tingsheng discovered that he was actually able to understand some of it.

In the eyes of their classmates, this scene of this ‘little couple’ striving hand in hand was really heartening and moving.

“Shall we have lunch together? Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng are treating; let’s go to the third floor to eat,” Xu Tingsheng invited after class as show of his thanks.

Yao Jing was a little hesitant on this, even though she was usually on rather friendly terms with Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng. Despite that, faced with the prospect of eating with them today, she just couldn’t shake off the feeling that it would be like her meeting Xu Tingsheng’s good friends as his girlfriend.

To go or not to go?

“Together, together,” Fu Cheng came over and said.

“Uh, okay,” Yao Jing agreed dazedly just like that.

Lunchtime was always when the path from the classrooms to the cafeteria was the most packed. For breakfast, some ate it at home while some skipped it entirely. For dinner, the buffer of extracurricular activities dispersed people about somewhat. There was only lunch which was signified by the bell signalling the end of morning classes, after which everyone collectively moved out together.

They passed many people along the way.

Xu Tingsheng felt like a circus monkey walking in a crowd of humans.

Thanks to the free advertising by Class 7’s form teacher, Mrs Zhang, Xu Tingsheng’s big words had already long since spread. After that, he had just happened to ascend the stage around the same period of time as well. The singing on the roof, this world is so vast, the fighting for a girl - as these things were spread and discussed, Xu Tingsheng’s big words about ranking top 20 in the entire year had also attracted the attention of more and more people.

Many people had been looking forward to such an outcome.

From his current Mathematics grades, it appeared that those big words were about to become naught but a joke.

As Xu Tingsheng walked amidst a crowd, stares could be ignored, but sounds could not be cut off.

“Hurry, give way. The great deity is here.”

“That guy is that Xu Tingsheng. This world is so vast, I wish to experience it-looks like he really will be going home to look at sweet potatoes.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Don’t you know? He got 62 marks for Mathematics.”

“Oh?”

“Some people really throw their face away, all for the sake of some limelight.”

“You guys saying stuff like this in front of him-isn’t it a bit too much?”

“Third Bro, I remember you bet the last time round that he would win. How about that? When will you treat us to lunch?”

“That’ll have to wait till next week, when I have money. Still, can you guys stop talking about this here? What if he hears it?”

“Gosh, he caused you to lose already, yet you still feel sorry for him?”

Chapter 17: A man to this extent

“I also want to get into the top 20 of the year; what do you guys think?”

“Do you think that you’re the godly figure of Class 10? Don’t forget, in that godly figure’s eyes, us of Class 7 aren’t even considered anything at all.”

“I think that we may very well have misunderstood. God Xu must have been speaking of getting into the top 20 from the back.”

“Haha, then I bet that he can…”

When such statements spread, Xu Tingsheng with the ‘heart of an uncle’ wasn’t really angry at all. He was just a little confused. From his impressions of his previous life, the quality of the students in Class 7 wasn’t actually this bad.

“Could it be that I really was too ‘crowd-drawing’? Xu Tingsheng smiled bitterly as he shook his head.

Afraid that Xu Tingsheng might be feeling troubled, Yao Jing tugged on his sleeve, shooting over a sympathetic glance.

“It’s nothing,” Xu Tingsheng smiled as he shook his head.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng stepped before Xu Tingsheng.

“Are you lot looking to die?” Huang Yaming asked in a heavy tone.

“What, do you think that you’re the boss just having fought once with Bao Ming’s group? Why don’t you try beating me up? Let’s see how the school will deal with it. Don’t forget that you lot are still bearing punishment, with one even having to stay behind after school for detention,” Someone raised his chest high in dissatisfaction as he strode over.

“It’s nothing to do with Xu Tingsheng; it’s just me who wants to…”

Right before Huang Yaming lunged over, he was pulled back by Xu Tingsheng.

As Xu Tingsheng’s gaze swept over, one of Class 7’s boys evaded his gaze, unconsciously taking a step back to hide behind someone else. Seeing him, Xu Tingsheng understood why the people of Class 7 were acting this way. All of this must have been instigated by him.

This person was that previous scumbag boyfriend of Song Ni’s, the one who had been asked by the vice-principal in his broadcast ‘Are you still a man?”. Xu Tingsheng thought about it, but couldn't recall his name.

“Liu Qing, aren’t you too much?”

The one who had spoken was actually Yao Jing. The one behaving the most antagonistically of those of Class 7, Liu Qing, had coincidentally been her classmate in their first year of senior high.

“Huh, relying on a girl to stand up for you,” Liu Qing did not reply Yao Jing directly, instead chortling.

Yao Jing’s masculinity still erupted as she took a step forward, “Don’t make it such that no one doesn’t know how you got into the special class...As the Year Head, your father truly is selfless and impartial.”

Fu Cheng’s father was the vice-chief of the county’s Trade and Industry Bureau. Perhaps it was that he had not secretly arranged for Fu Cheng’s entry into the special class, or perhaps it was that Fu Cheng himself had refused.

This Liu Qing similarly hadn’t attained good enough grades to enter the special class. However, his father was coincidentally the Year Head of this year’s batch of examinees. Hence, originally having been designated as 50 people, it had instead been 51 people who had entered Class 7 this year.

He indeed did not possess the qualifications to mock someone so arrogantly and domineeringly.

Seeing Liu Qing’s embarrassment show signs of turning into rage, also inwardly really being unable to accept a girl standing up for him, Xu Tingsheng took a step forward, saying civilly, “Alright, that should be enough with your laughing. We still have to hurry over for lunch.”

Having finished speaking, Xu Tingsheng turned, pulling Yao Jing with one hand and Huang Yaming with the other as he walked off in the direction of the cafeteria.

Just having walked a few steps away, a clear voice resounded from behind them, “If you want to compare grades, you can compare yours with mine. While I am a batch lower and a science student, we can still compare our grades in Language, Mathematics and English.”

Turning, Xu Tingsheng saw Wu Yuewei standing there.

She had originally been brimming with emotions, but as Xu Tingsheng looked over, her expression instantly changed as she awkwardly stuck out her tongue at him, her face red as she looked at him rather worriedly, as though afraid that he would be dissatisfied with such actions of hers.

“Wasn’t she a simple, gentle little girl? How come she is so valiant?” Xu Tingsheng felt rather like his head hurt.

Xu Tingsheng knew that when in junior high, having scored the best grades, Wu Yuewei could lead the person in second place by a full 60 marks. He also knew that she would later graduate as a postgraduate student in Jianhai University. However, he was not aware of her current grades.

“I asked around out of curiosity earlier. She can still lead the second placed student by 60 marks, as the number one trump card of the science stream of the eleventh grade and the one of Libei Senior High with the greatest hopes of making it into Qingbei University over these past ten years,” Huang Yaming leaned over, muttering to him, “If she gets into a quarrel with those people of Class 7, I suspect the school will definitely deal with them.”

“Your sister,” Having had to rely on girls standing up for him twice in quick succession, Xu Tingsheng’s pride was nearly on the brink of collapse.

“Sorry about that,” Xu Tingsheng waved in apology to those people of Class 7, still furious and at a loss, before he turned over to face Wu Yuewei, “... let’s go eat lunch together.”

Xu Tingsheng couldn’t find the words to rebuke her.

…

For the discussions regarding Xu Tingsheng, their main contents on his ‘legendary feats’ began switching over from his mathematics grades of 62 marks to having had two girls stand up for him in succession.

“A man to this extent - what more can be said,” Some guys who bore him more goodwill said.

“A man to this extent - his mother it is embarrassing,” Such was said by those who bore him ill will.

The girls rather relished such discussions. Originally possessing infinite talent for gossip, coupled with their superb powers of imagination, stories comparable to the conflicts between concubines in palaces were born.

“The study queen who is first in the entire eleventh grade and a twelfth grade senior are fighting over the same senior.”

However, the guy in question, having earlier said big words, had only scored 62 marks for Mathematics, currently being in the midst of becoming an utter joke.

“Where exactly lies the basis for this?”

The Year Head of eleventh grade and Wu Yuewei’s form teacher also very much wanted to know the answer to this question. As the news spread and they learnt of it, they just very much longed for Xu Tingsheng to quickly finish his university entrance examinations and get lost.

When the vice-principal, in charge of the student affairs office, heard this report via them, he revealed an intentionally mysterious smile, “So it’s that kid. That’s very natural. I met him once, and he is not any ordinary boy. It is no wonder that he would be more attractive to the girls.”

“Punish him? On what grounds? ...Nonsense, what wrong has he committed? It’s almost the university entrance examinations; you’d better forget about it. I say this with all seriousness here. As long as he doesn’t cause any trouble, none of you are allowed to do anything to him. Otherwise, you’d best be ready to give me a good explanation.”

In the eyes of this straightforward vice-principal, he was indebted to Xu Tingsheng. If not for him having appeared and stopped him in time that day…

Actually, their heads currently lowered as they ate their lunch, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng also very much wanted to ask Xu Tingsheng, “What is the basis for this? It’s not fair!”

Libei Senior High’s cafeteria was split into three levels. There wasn’t much of a difference between the first two levels, just that the food within were catered by different groups of people, with competition being used to increase the quality of their dishes.

The third level was slightly more special, having sort of the feel of an external, mid-tier restaurant as it provided ‘extravagant’ expenses like fried dishes and hotpot. Most of the time, only teachers and rich kids would come here.

On a small, round table for six, five people were seated. Two girls were sitting with Xu Tingsheng in between them, and other than that were Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng.

The atmosphere of this meal was a ‘strange’ one.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng had originally wanted to try to ease the air, but they very quickly gave up. The two girls at the table politely addressed each other as senior and junior, even constantly conversing in an intimate manner. However, as they saw it, strong hidden undercurrents were surging beneath.

Xu Tingsheng ate composedly, at least appearing composed on the outside, even though the gazes of the other four that were looking at him were all filled with carefulness and worry.

They had all heard those discussions about him on their way here as well. From their earlier impressions, Xu Tingsheng was not a calm, tolerant person. Therefore, the calmer he currently appeared, the more worried they instead felt.

Sensing this atmosphere, Xu Tingsheng said, “The vegetables are delicious, and the rice stems too. You should eat more of them.

At Xu Tingsheng’s suggestion, the other four all very obediently wedged some vegetables and rice stems in between their chopsticks. Meanwhile, he himself grabbed hold of this opportunity, going for the meat in a mad scramble.

“The hell, how shameless.”

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng finally reacted, beginning to compete for the meat dishes with Xu Tingsheng. With the scorning, disdainful squabbling of the three boys and the clear laughter of the two girls, the atmosphere at the table finally relaxed.

“Wait...stop,” Fu Cheng said, “What are you fighting for; if you eat all of it, what about the girls? Don’t you have any gentlemanly bearing at all?”

Fu Cheng pushed himself clean of the matter, then put a plate of newly served prawns before the two girls, “This dish is for you.”

Then, Yao Jing did something that Xu Tingsheng had never thought that she would do, because from his impression of her, she was definitely not this ‘type’. Even in that month that they had been together in his previous life, she had still retained her ‘core masculinity’, the interactions between the two far more like that between brothers than between lovers.

Now, a divergence occurred. Yao Jing wedged a prawn and placed it inside Xu Tingsheng’s bowl. She did not utter a sound, but everyone at the table watched on silently.

Then, Wu Yuewei also wedged a prawn, already peeled, and placed it inside Xu Tingsheng’s bowl, similarly not uttering a sound.

“I want to eat prawns too,” Huang Yaming said.

Yao Jing answered, “Who asked you not to bring Tan Qinglin here.”

After she had said this, Yao Jing’s face turned red, varying expressions also appearing on the faces of the others. The meaning contained within her words had really been too plentiful - Tan Qinglin was Huang Yaming’s girlfriend, and Yao Jing’s meaning had been for Huang Yaming to get his girlfriend to give him a prawn if he wanted to eat one...but she had just given one to Xu Tingsheng...also, Wu Yuewei had too.

…

Such an atmosphere was sustained for a long time, till finally Fu Cheng couldn’t bear it any longer, snorting out in laughter as he accidentally spat a whole mouthful of rice onto the dishes of the table.

Chapter 18: A newcomer on the Red Chart

The first afternoon period was Language by Old Zhou. With Language lessons rarely being held in the afternoons, also just being right after lunch, many students would usually use it to catch up on their sleep. Being ‘good to bully’, Old Zhou would also not hold it against them. However, with it being so close to graduation, everyone began thinking back on Old Zhou’s good points, not really being able to bear having to part with him.

With such a mindset, everyone was naturally the epitome of earnestness within his lessons. Even before the bell had rung, everyone would generally already be seated within the classroom in an orderly fashion.

Old Zhou walked into the classroom, putting down his lesson materials, but did not begin the lesson...he came before Xu Tingsheng’s table, taking his cup before turning and leaving.

A few minutes later, Old Zhou carefully carried a cup of tea in, placing it on Xu Tingsheng’s table. Hot steam rose from within it, the pleasant aroma overflowing as it suffused the air.

“This is a fine tea of my collection. I’d always been reluctant to drink it,” Old Zhou blinked as he smiled.

“Thank you, Mr Zhou,” Xu Tingsheng smiled knowingly.

“You’re not surprised?” Old Zhou asked.

“Very surprised,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“I’m unable to tell.” Old Zhou smiled.

The entire room of students was perplexed by the mysterious conversation between the two, “What flow is this? Care and comfort stemming from Old Zhou’s love? From the looks of it, Xu Tingsheng’s mental state is still pretty good.”

However, Old Zhou just didn’t say anything, not offering any explanation as he went to the podium at the front after having brewed the tea, calmly going into their revision of two Classical Chinese paragraphs.

The bell rung for the end of the lesson.

Old Zhou kept his lesson materials, walking towards the door whereupon he turned back to look at them, one hand against the doorframe for support as he said in an apparently casual manner that actually had some thinly-veiled pride visible within, “Chairperson, come to my office later to collect the overall results slip. Also, the Red Chart has already been pasted downstairs, you may want to go and take a look at it... hah.”

Everyone registered the hidden meaning in his words. Something was up, and it was a good thing. The last time Old Zhou had taken the initiative to mention the Red Chart, three students from the class had entered it.

After Old Zhou had left, some people raced downstairs, while others stared at the class chairperson. Of course, there were some who did not want to know their results, instead having their head buried within their desks as they pretended that they were isolated from the entire world.

Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Yao Jing included, some classmates gazed worriedly at Xu Tingsheng. He had already flunked one subject-Old Zhou must have been comforting him earlier? Or expressing support?

There were also some who attempted to think positively, that Xu Tingsheng had perhaps truly pulled off a splendid reversal. However, his Mathematics results of 62 marks heartlessly shattered such thoughts of theirs.

With it already being like this for Mathematics, if he flunked the next few subjects as well, they were afraid that he would not be able to bear it. After all, everyone had clearly seen his great diligence in recent days.

Perhaps Old Zhou shared the same worry. Everyone understood the boundlessness of his heart.

…

Libei Senior High’s had a tradition of pasting two ranking charts for the Science and Humanities streams after each of the monthly examinations for the students of the twelfth grade.

One chart would show the top 50 for the examinations, being dubbed the Red Chart.

The other chart would show the 30 students with the highest improvements, being dubbed the Little Red Chart.

Once in a while, someone from Class 10 would enter the Little Red Chart. As for the Red Chart itself, only three Class 10 students had ever been on it. The placings of these three students basically hovered around the top three positions within the class.

The best occasion to date had been when the three of them had entered the chart together, the highest being ranked in 32th place.

“Let’s go, to the charts,” Xu Tingsheng said to Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were taken aback for a moment. In the past, they had never cared about those Red Charts or whatnot before.

“Come on, I wasn’t the only one who said big words,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, egging them on.

“Perhaps we’ll get on the Little Red Chart,” Huang Yaming said to Fu Cheng.

The three descended the staircase. The area before the two ranking charts had long since been occupied by a bustling crowd. The three could only wait quietly by the side.

“Dang, this is too crazy.”

“His mother, how many marks must he have scored for his other subjects?”

“It’s crazy with Class 10 this time. It’s a whole six!”

“There are five newbies on the Red Chart, and three of them are from Class 10.”

“The Little Red Chart is even more interesting. Look at the top three; it’s all them.”

“...”

Amidst their lively discussions, the voices of the people crowded before the charts rose and fell, fluctuating greatly.

Finally, someone noticed the main characters for this, Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, standing outside the crowd. The noisy crowds all looked back, suddenly falling silent.

This silent atmosphere persisted for a while.

Someone shouted, “Dang it, the three of you quickly get over here.”

The crowd unconsciously made way a little. The trio thanked them, and maneuvered their way in.

…

Of the 50 students on the Red Chart, six of them hailed from Class 10. The original three who had entered the charts before had all made it in again this time.

The other three were all new faces:

A Tan Qinglin, ranked 49th.

A Huang Yaming, ranked 48th.

A very lovable-looking pair of rankings.

And also a... Xu Tingsheng, ranked 11th. Having scored 62 marks for Mathematics, Xu Tingsheng was ranked 11th in the entire year.

Like someone had shouted just now, how many marks must he have scored for his other subjects?

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng both felt as though a great weight had been lifted off their shoulders, their previous guilt and worry from his Mathematics score of 62 marks finally disappearing completely.

What followed was shock.

This was like if you were watching the news and saw someone walking across a tightrope wire a few hundred metres up in the air. You would say: How awesome. And that would be that. But if walking on the road one day, you happened to look up and suddenly discovered one of your closest, most ordinary friends currently walking on a tightrope wire a few hundred metres up in the air, you would find yourself in a state of disbelief.

Having calmed down somewhat, Fu Cheng muttered, “The two of you are really not people.”

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming had both entered the top 50. From this angle, only Fu Cheng had been unable to act on the ‘big words’ he had spoken previously. However, the truth was that he had not lost any face, because…

On the Little Red Chart, the top three were: Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming.

The trio had dominated the chart.

While Fu Cheng had not entered the top 50, his degree of improvement had been even greater than Huang Yaming’s. Although his original results had indeed been comparatively worse, his actual ranking would probably not be low.

No one would feel that they had the qualifications to mock Fu Cheng.

The two ranking charts had always been a focal point of the students. However, it had never been as popular as it was today. Even many people of the lower grades rushed over for confirmation upon hearing the news.

…

This matter which everyone considered to be inconceivable had not been any surprising to Xu Tingsheng at all. Himself aside, he had known of Huang Yaming’s and Fu Cheng’s potential, which could be seen just from their Mathematics results.

More potential for improvement existed within Humanities than with science, because more content had to be memorised, and when those with good memorising power worked hard in it, they would be able to improve immensely overall within a short period of time, as long as they were not terrible in both Mathematics and English. Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming were rather proficient in Mathematics.

The reason for their earlier poor results had been Combined Humanities and English. As careless, leisurely people, it was unlikely for them to have studied diligently.

“Your progress is great, but you just happen to be stomped beneath my feet.”

These words were said to Xu Tingsheng, but seemed more like it was directed towards the onlooking students here.

Xu Tingsheng looked at the speaker, Song Ni’s scumbag ex-boyfriend. He had still been hiding sneakily around during lunch, but was currently suddenly full of spirit, even releasing provocative remarks on his own accord.

Perhaps it was Xu Tingsheng’s weak performance during lunch that had given him courage. Perhaps his ranking on the Red Chart had caused him to get carried away, even though he had just taken a beating a few days ago.

But he was currently ranked first in the entire year.

This was also the first time he had ranked first.

Because of the earlier incident, he had already been bearing deep hatred and resentment towards the trio. Now, his limelight from having scored first in the entire year had been forcibly suppressed by them, with few even having noticed this matter.

How could he take this lying down?

Unable to stand it, regardless of the consequence, he felt that he had to remind Xu Tingsheng, remind everyone here that who they were discussing about and admiring over was but ranked in 11th place, while he was was ranked 1st.

With 10 names in each row of the Red Chart, with Xu Tingsheng ranked 11th, the one ranked 1st just happened to precisely be stomping him underfoot.

Xu Tingsheng raised his head to look at the chart, noting his name: Chen Yulun.

“What, want to go to the roof again?” Huang Yaming tilted his head, asking in a low tone.

Chen Yulun seemed to have suddenly discovered that being top in the entire year did not make him immune to being beaten up as he retreated a little, saying defensively, “It’s not like I said anything wrong; he is right below me.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Chrysanthemum burst! Be a bit more careful.”

The phrase ‘chrysanthemum burst’ had still not yet appeared, and many people did not understand what Xu Tingsheng meant. Still, from his scoundrelly, wretched grin, it was obviously not a good thing.

…

As the bell for class sounded, the trio returned to the classroom. Currently, Class 10 had long since gone into pandemonium, the class chairman who was holding the overall results slip surrounded by a huge bunch of students.

The mystery behind Old Zhou’s cup of tea was finally unravelled.

The miraculous advancement of twelfth grade’s Class 10, the miraculous trio, the miraculous Xu Tingsheng.

“The three of you…”

Someone had just wanted to use some foul language to express their disbelief when their history teacher, Fang Yunsheng, wearing a long black skirt, appeared at the door, knocking it.

Ms Fang looked like a female celebrity called Xu Qing, but she was slightly taller than her, her demeanour elegant, her smile quiet and beautiful, appearing mesmerising even when she was angry and her brows were knit together slightly.

Ms Fang had always been one of Class 10’s most popular teachers. Upon her appearance, the students crowded around the chairman hurried back to their seats, the ones who had wanted to use foul language forcibly stopping in their tracks. The guys had always been very mindful of their image before Ms Fang.

Ms Fang had brought along the exam scripts for Combined Humanities, getting the class representative to help to distribute them.

However, Xu Tingsheng did not get back his exam scripts.

His exam scripts were in Ms Fang’s hands.

Rustling the papers in her hands, Ms Fang smiled, “There are many students that I have to commend, but first, as entrusted by the Politics and Geography teachers, I have to commend this person on behalf of the three faculties.”

Ms Fang was all smiles as she looked at Xu Tingsheng, “Xu Tingsheng, for Combined Humanities, full marks for multiple choice questions, total score 268, ranked…first in class, first in school, first in...the city.”

“Wa,” Shocked exclamations resounded with every segment of Ms Fang’s words.

Combined Humanities was such a subject. It was right to say that it was simple, but it was actually also not wrong to say that it was very difficult. With so many major questions, however one answered, it also seemed like some marks would be deducted from each question. Even if it were a teacher answering the questions, it would also be impossible for them to touch on each required point precisely and perfectly. Therefore, while getting full marks for the multiple choice questions was very significant, a total score of 268 was even more insane.

First in the entire city for Combined Humanities it was.

“Other than that, I heard that Xu Tingsheng also ranked 11th overall in the entire year having only scored 62 marks for Mathematics...Congratulations, you have fulfilled your promise.”

As Ms Fang smiled happily, ‘all lifeforms’ toppled before her.

Chapter 19: Fu Cheng’s Secret

Ms Fang continued to praise a few other students, one of whom was Fu Cheng, whose history grades had improved tremendously.

“Fu Cheng’s overall grades improved greatly too! Keep up the good work!” Looking at Fu Cheng, Ms Fang smiled and pumped her small fist.

Fu Cheng grinned back, nodding enthusiastically.

On the surface, Fu Cheng’s response was not any different from the other students who had been praised as well, with a smile suppressed to give a calm, joyous air whilst trying hard to appear composed. Only Xu Tingsheng knew how much this praise meant to him, how blissful it was.

At this moment, Fu Cheng’s heart had probably soared beyond the distant heavens.

"Maybe... he instantly had a ‘reaction’, "Xu Tingsheng had a lewd thought.

The person Fu Cheng fancied was Ms Fang, Fang Yunyao.

In fact, many boys would have had crushes on their female teachers during their school years. For instance, in this very class, the number of boys who liked Ms Fang was no less than 12.

The total number of boys in Class 10 was 12.

This went to say that even Xu Tingsheng liked Ms Fang to some extent. His subsequent choice in his previous life to become a history teacher, rather than one of any other subject, had in fact been influenced greatly by this.

Fang Yunyao possessed an appeal that the young senior high girls lacked.

The flood of the adolescent hormones of puberty left the boys utterly unable to resist such a woman. She was beautiful and elegant, gentle and warm, but more importantly, while she was youthful, she was at the same time also more mature than these younger girls around them. This kind of maturity was like that cherry atop a cake, dark red and full, sparkling and translucent, bright and crystal clear, causing people to stare, to thirst for it, greedy, insatiable.

This kind of more crush which was more illusory than real featured even more frequently in the ‘fantasies’ and ‘dreams’ of the boys.

Fang Yunyao would, on occasion, act more like an adolescent girl than a teacher. For instance, she would sometimes tell the students about her grievances, throwing a tantrum like a spoiled child.

Each time such a scene played out, all the boys would collectively appear bewitched, the entire dormitory tossing and turning in their sleep.

Yet, Fu Cheng’s feelings were distinct from that of all the others, for it had been concealed for a long time, had persisted for longer, and was much more genuine.

Even when Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng had already begun going into relationships, Fu Cheng appeared completely unlike an adolescent boy. Although he was on decent terms with quite a few girls, never once did he ever entertain that kind of notion. No matter how pretty and elegant or sexy the girl, never once did he express any interest in them.

In his previous life, Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng once advised him to go for a health checkup, to see if his body was developing normally. It was only a long time later that they found out that this fella’s hidden desires actually ran so deep, his appetite furthermore being so huge.

If Xu Tingsheng did not expose this, following the developments of his previous life, the both of them would only find out about Fu Cheng’s secret two years after their graduation from senior high.

On the day Ms Fang had gotten married, Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng had gathered together for some drinks at a city far away from Libei County. At first, he had still seemed fine, his behaviour perfectly normal other than appearing rather more frank and straightforward from having drunk some liquor.

After getting drunk, Fu Cheng had begun to cry before he had finally uttered those heaven-shocking, earth-overturning words, “Today, the most beloved woman of all my life got married.”

One must know that in senior high, he was the only boy in Class 10 who had never spoken of having a crush on Ms Fang. In fact, not even once had he even joined in with the other boys in discussing her.

It was only then that Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng had found out that Fu Cheng had actually liked Ms Fang all along, that deepest kind of affection that harboured even dreams.

Many boys might have liked their female teachers, driven by adulation or the fantasies of their puberty. Yet, this secret love would not hinder them from pursuing and dating the girls by their side. Fu Cheng, however, was an exception in this regard. What he had always thought was that if Ms Fang had not gotten hitched by the time he graduated from university, he would go forth to confess to her.

He never got to see that day. Ms Fang had gotten married when she was 28 years old. Twenty-eight...actually, wasn’t that already pretty late? This became yet another ‘why were you born then, for then I was not’ story.

“Why have you been hiding it from us all this time? Like no one hadn’t liked Ms Fang back then,” Huang Yaming had asked him at the time.

“It was different; mine was different from yours. For me, I liked her to the point that even saying it out would feel like a kind of sacrilege,” Fu Cheng had replied.

“You guys fancied Ms Fang, but which of you ever thought about it seriously, actually truly considered marrying her one day? ... No one, right?... I contemplated it, kept on contemplating it, mulled over it every single day. But there was nothing I could do...” Fu Cheng had gotten very drunk at the stage, slumping over the table as he slurred on his words.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, this tale had actually not ended here, because Ms Fang’s marriage had not been the end of things.

4 years into her marriage, unable to bear the domestic violence that beset her, Ms Fang got a divorce, taking her two-year-old daughter off to distant lands. His hopes reignited, Fu Cheng resigned from his job without hesitation, heading for the city she was in. There, he had pretended to cross paths with her in a coincidental reunion, after which he had silently cared for and protected her.

However, his confession had ultimately still been rejected. Ms Fang had said that she would never be able to accept Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng had shamelessly hung around at Ms Fang’s place just like that, brazenly helping her to do everything he could, and Ms Fang had also never remarried. During that period, Fu Cheng’s parents had gone over a few times, making a racket, saying that Ms Fang had no sense of shame in having seduced their son. In this way, Fu Cheng’s relationship with his family had become fraught, and Ms Fang had been alienated from him further.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, this issue had persisted even up to the time of his accident, whereupon it had been still hanging and yet to be settled.

“What if I pushed Fu Cheng into making the confession earlier?”

Xu Tingsheng pondered on this, but it was clear that at this point in time, it was not actually a viable option, being completely meaningless.

“Is there a way to stop Ms Fang from marrying that violent maniac, that man who looked intellectual and cultured on the surface but was really a dark and scary person?”

This was another issue that Xu Tingsheng felt extremely helpless about.

...

126 marks for Language, 138 marks for English, attaining first in class yet twice more, also amongst the top three in the entire year.

The students of Class 10 were already all but numb to his achievements.

When inconceivable things keep on happening one after another, it would be like you meeting your 100th alien on the street one fine day, upon which you would think to yourself ‘Ah, there goes another alien’ and then just walk past it.

Of course, it was also thought by some that Xu Tingsheng might have cheated.

Everything else aside, Xu Tingsheng’s English grades were already completely illogical, defying all one knew of the world. One must know that in the previous monthly tests, he had scored but 57 points for English.

Those who harboured such suspicions, ranging from students to teachers, were evidently not just a few. Quite a few people felt that this possibility might really be true, just that till now, no one had yet said it out loud.

……

During the time allocated for extracurricular activities, the sole activity for the twelfth graders was basically self study. Xu Tingsheng was no exception. He was still somewhat behind in his intonations as well as comprehension ability for English. Also, the vocabulary part of Language could not be tackled solely through the accumulation of intense reading as he had originally thought.

Xu Tingsheng borrowed a classmate’s notebook of frequently mistaken words and phrases. Page by page, he thumbed through the book. Whenever some appeared for which he habitually got the pronunciation or meaning wrong, he would jot them down in his own notebook to aid his future revisions.

The teachers also stayed close by, ever ready to clarify the doubts of and guide these students who were about to take their university entrance examinations.

In the staffroom for twelfth grade Combined Humanities, Old Zhou sat at his place by the window, the warm rays of the sun streaming through it, gently showering his face. His eyes narrowed slightly, Old Zhou drank a mouthful of tea, then began softly crooning some Beijing opera:

“I stand atop the city’s ramparts gazing upon the mountains, listening to the incessant upheaval outside. Tall banners stream high amidst the wind, yet are actually troops sent by Sima...”

“Mr Zhou seems to be in high spirits,” said Mr Zhang, a vice chairman of the student affairs office who also taught twelfth grade himself.

Old Zhou raised his eyelids, chuckling, “Is something up, Vice Chairman?”

Vice Chairman Zhang found a stool for himself and sat down, “Nothing, nothing…Class 10 performed very well this time, especially those students who were originally rather undelectable...”

Old Zhou did not respond.

Vice Chairman Zhang could only continue, “Speaking of our understanding on these students, as their form teacher, Mr Zhou, you should know them the best. I wonder what you think of their grades this time round?”

Old Zhou remained like a monk in deep seated meditation, not responding, for he had long since guessed the purpose of Vice Chairman Zhang’s visit.

Vice Chairman Zhang paused for a moment, then unhappily continued, “You see, I also teach history myself. I’ve taken a look at the history answer scripts of that Xu Tingsheng from your class. All the multiple choice questions having been answered correctly aside, the essay questions were tackled to point so thoroughly and precisely it was shocking. I am not sure that even I myself might be able to achieve such a level on the paper, so...”

Old Zhou exhaled, “What is it that you are trying to imply, Vice Chairman?”

“Does Mr Zhou think that there is any possibility that Xu Tingsheng could have cheated?”

“Oh? Who could he have copied?”

Old Zhou’s returning shot had immense killing power; it was virtually able to utterly annihilate all those doubtful voices. Xu Tingsheng had been number one in the entire Jiannan City for Combined Humanities, and even the second placed student in Libei Senior High had scored close to 30 marks lower than him. Vice Chairman Zhang, you yourself just said that even you might be unable to do the paper to such a standard. In that case, who could he have copied?

An inner struggle played out on Vice Chairman Zhang’s face before he hesitantly ventured, “I’m thinking that these three students could possibly have stolen... gained access to the papers beforehand?”

Old Zhou stood up, “If Vice Chairman wishes it, I can get Xu Tingsheng and the others to come over, and you can directly interrogate them yourself... However, I hope that Vice Chairman had best be able to come up with the corresponding evidence. Otherwise, this would be attacking the proactivity of the students in working diligently to improve. What with the university entrance examinations right around the corner, I think that that would not be a very wise move to make.”

“Old Zhou, that’s why I’m asking you first...”

Vice Chairman Zhang was trying to explain himself, when Old Zhou, Zhou Xueyin, had already walked out of the staffroom in a huff. Ever since the overall results had been released, this sort of discussion and doubts had not ever ceased. Usually having a good temper, Old Zhou was now finally beginning to fume a little.

Yet, there was something else which would make him simmer even more.

Class 10 was located right beside the staffroom. As Old Zhou left the staffroom, he was just about to enter the classroom when he noticed that there was already a person standing at the front.

Class 7’s form teacher Zhang Xiuyun was in fact not a teacher of any subject for Class 10. Yet, at this moment, she had suddenly materialised in Class 10, facing the entire room of Class 10 students.

And here she asked, “Students of Class 10, does copying feel swell?”

Chapter 20: Let’s interact

“Students of Class 10, does copying feel swell?”

While the words of Class 7’s form teacher, Zhang Xiuyun, were clearly targeted, she had expressly said ‘Students of Class 10’. Therefore, the students of Class 10 were enraged. There were some who snorted, some who hit the table, and even some who jeered, but out of their habitual respect towards teachers, no one spoke directly against her.

“Mrs Zhang, what is the meaning of this?” Standing by the doorway, Old Zhou suppressed his anger as he asked.

“The meaning? Just ask some certain students of yours,” Zhang Xiuyun cocked her head to the side, replying without even the slightest semblance of politeness.

As per Xu Tingsheng’s impression from his previous life, Zhang Xiuyun was a very domineering woman. Her relationship with most teachers was not all that great, and she herself seemed not to care very much about this.

However, the events that had unfolded had still diverged from that within his memories. When Mrs Zhang Xiuyun had first appeared at the doorway of Class 10, Xu Tingsheng had still thought that as in his previous life, she was here to invite him to interact with the students of Class 7, sharing his studying methods on Combined Humanities. In the end, it had just been his wishful thinking. Zhang Xiuqing had walked straight to the front of the room, blasting out with such a sentence.

When she had been speaking, her gaze had fallen on Xu Tingsheng.

Having been right behind Old Zhou in leaving the office, Vice Chairman Zhang held him back, he who was demonstrating at this point that ‘even Buddhas can get mad’. Fortunately, the two teachers did not break out into a quarrel before the students. However, the disturbance here being rather great, after a short while, the teachers of the Humanities Office all emerged, coming over.

The Form Teacher of Class 7 stood at the front of Class 10, while Class 10’s Form Teacher was instead standing at the doorway, the scent of gunpowder pervading the air.

“What’s the situation?” The teachers inquired amongst themselves, discussing the matter.

Amidst the ruckus, Xu Tingsheng stood up.

“Mrs Zhang,” Xu Tingsheng called in a clear voice.

All the gazes were drawn over by him, the area immediately falling silent.

Smiling, Xu Tingsheng said calmly, “Mrs Zhang, your earlier words...I think that I am the most suspicious one? I’ve thought about it, getting the various teachers to specifically make a set of examination papers to test me again would really be pretty troublesome. How about this; can the teachers serve as witnesses for me as I go to Class 7 and interact on study methods with the Class 7 students?”

Xu Tingsheng had said ‘interact’, but in everyone’s ears, especially in those of the teachers, this was him wanting to go to Class 7 to ‘conduct a lesson’, not shrinking back from a battle of tongues with a crowd of scholars in order to prove his own innocence.

Xu Tingsheng did not dare to wait for anyone to interrupt him. He had already long since set the subject for ‘interaction’. It was history, for other than history, what else could it be?

“I scored the highest in Combined Humanities this time, so I’ll interact on history with the Class 7 students. It just happens that Vice Chairman Zhang is here, and the other teachers can help to serve as witnesses as well.”

Xu Tingsheng had maintained a smiling face whilst saying all this, his tone calm. However, to the ears of all, this was a provocation, a blatant provocation.

Therefore, whether it was Zhang Xiuyun or Vice Chairman Zhang, neither of them was able to refuse it.

…

The venue for this ‘interaction’ was finally decided to be one of the big media classrooms. While Xu Tingsheng had called for the Class 7 students, the Class 10 students of his ‘hometown’, not being able to rest at ease, had insisted on going along, and many teachers had arrived to spectate as well. With that, Class 7’s classroom was completely unable to fit all of them.

The media classroom was generally only used by teachers for large scale lessons or by external specialists for lectures. Vice Chairman Zhang had initially thought that this seemed to be giving Xu Tingsheng too much face, but had then thought that him getting laid bare before so many people would also not be a bad thing. That way, even if the vice-principal were to feel something on the matter afterwards, there was no way he would be able to blame him. Therefore, he had agreed for its use.

Another reason was that he could already no longer obstruct this matter. Be it the unconvinced students of Class 7 or the furious students of Class 10, an end had to be put to this matter.

In the end, the students of the two classes domineeringly entered the media classroom together, followed by many students of other classes, some even being from the lower grades. This was because classes had already ended, and with the news having spread, who would not want to come to see the commotion?

When finally no further people could be squeezed within the media classroom and its doors had to be closed, Xu Tingsheng saw Wu Yuewei standing at the back, as well as that Vice-Principal Lou who was in charge of the student affairs office. With a face full of attentiveness, Vice Chairman Zhang was offering him a seat.

Seated at a corner, Old Zhou shot Xu Tingsheng, about to ascend the podium, an encouraging look. The scale of the occasion was really too great, such that most young teachers would inevitably feel nervous, yet alone Xu Tingsheng who was still a student. Old Zhou was actually rather worried about him.

Xu Tingsheng returned Old Zhou a peaceful smile, striding before the podium.

With that very first step, Xu Tingsheng became dazed, staring blankly ahead where he was. That feeling was very mysterious, as images of Xu Tingsheng’s past and current lives seemed to flicker intermittently before his eyes, countless scenes momentarily appearing before him.

In his previous life, he had stood at the podium countless times. To the current him, this small little space seemed familiar yet foreign, painful yet emotional.

4 years-Xu Tingsheng had been a teacher in his previous life for 4 years. While he had not made it to a leadership position or earned much, those had still been his stablest, happiest and most satisfying days of his life.

Yesterday, once more.

For just that single moment, Xu Tingsheng even dazedly felt as though all that he had experienced earlier had just been a dream. Resigning was part of that dream, Xiang Ning was part of that dream, failure was part of that dream, pain was part of that dream, rebirth was part of that dream...having awoken in the morning, he had returned to reality, coming to work, conducting a lesson.

Laughter erupted from the audience, pulling Xu Tingsheng back to reality.

“Could he have been scared silly?” Someone muttered, expressing a thought that many people actually had.

Xu Tingsheng smiled apologetically. Something like this really couldn’t scare him at all. His four years of teaching experience aside, in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had once been the youngest teacher in history representing Jiannan City in participating in the Provincial Teaching Evaluation. Even in a great hall of over a thousand people, against teachers and specialists from all over the entire province, he had never been nervous.

That lesson which had earned Xu Tingsheng the first prize in the entire province was <Diplomacy of New China>. Having conducted this lesson several tens of times at various different places at differing times, it would be hard for him to forget it even if he wanted.

This was also the content that he had prepared for today. Since he was already playing with such high stakes, he might as well make it a little more vicious. To Xu Tingsheng, a problem which could be solved in a single lesson had never been a problem.

“Xu Tingsheng, which country’s leaders attended the Potsdam Conference? Which countries were it that released the Potsdam Declaration?”

Xu Tingsheng had just wanted to speak when a Class 7 student down below asked a question. This was a girl whom he did not recognise. Perhaps she held no ill intentions, just being unhappy, unhappy that as a student, Xu Tingsheng actually even arrogantly intended to ‘give them a lesson’, even though his original word had been ‘interaction’.

Therefore, she was actually being very crafty in asking this question.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, answering, “The countries which attended the Potsdam Conference were Russia, the US and Britain. Of these, Russia’s leader was Stalin. For the American side, it has to be noted that President Roosevelt, having participated in several important conferences on behalf of the US previously, had already died of sickness. The one who represented the US was their new President, President Truman. If questions on this really come out in the exams, everyone should remember to be careful of such traps, yes? Just like how this beautiful student here tried to set one for me just now.”

Laughter erupted beneath the stage, some people pulling out their notebooks and beginning to take notes.

When the laughter had ceased, Xu Tingsheng continued, “The British side is rather more complicated. At first, their representative was still Churchill, whom everyone is familiar with, that adorable fatty who was the earliest to take a photograph with the scissors hand pose. However, amidst the Conference, a new election was held in Britain, and Churchill was voted out of office. Therefore, you have to take note that there was a newly elected Attlee of Britain who participated in the Potsdam Conference as well.”

This was an additional point of knowledge which had not been touched on in the books, something that was virtually impossible to come out in the examinations. However, it was precisely because of this that it was even more shocking. If Xu Tingsheng had just touched on the main points that had been written in the books, many of Class 7 would also already have grasped that relevant information. With him instead revealing external knowledge, suppressing them with such, the results were much more prominent.

While saying ‘scissors hand’, Xu Tingsheng had also woodenly flashed this pose, a round of laughter thus erupting beneath the stage. However, when he had spoken of Attlee, everyone fell silent. Computers were still not so widespread in this time and age, resulting in the scope of the students’ knowledge being comparatively narrow. Therefore, virtually no one knew of this point.

Xu Tingsheng looked at the few Libei Senior High history teachers present, currently discussing on this in a low tone. Amongst them, many must have failed to notice this point.

“Finally, the most important point that this student asked about, I feel, that you should attempt to remember rather than understand, is that while the nations that participated in the Potsdam Conference were Russia, the US and Britain, the <Potsdam Declaration> was released jointly by China, the US and Britain. The reason for this...I already said that there is no need to understand this, heh.”

This time, no loud laughter remained. Even if there was laughter beneath the stage, it was also repressed with lowered heads. Comparatively speaking, the sounds of the tips on pens on paper were now louder, with many people in the process of taking notes.

Xu Tingsheng paused for a while, waiting till all those lowered heads were raised once more before he continued, “This is the response to your question. Is this beautiful student satisfied?”

Under the gazes of Xu Tingsheng and everyone else here, the female student of Class 7 who had posed the question lowered her head, her face reddened, “Yes, thank you.”

Xu Tingsheng’s gaze swept the entire area, “Are there any more questions from the floor?”

…

Following this, Xu Tingsheng continuously answered seven to eight more questions, most of them being real inquiries. Of course, there were also some which were intentionally trying to make things difficult for him, such as a few obscure dates and whatnot. Xu Tingsheng answered them all.

Amidst such proceedings, the questions posed by the Class 7 students became more and more tricky, appearing like they just had to make Xu Tingsheng lose face.

“I would like to ask Student Xu. When the Chinese Cruiser Zhiyuan was sunk in the Naval Battle of the Yellow Sea, how many soldiers died for their country?” A pleasant-sounding voice resounded.

Looking over, Xu Tingsheng saw that it was the female student who had been first in the entire year the most times in the Humanities stream. He remembered her name being Ye Yingjing, not because of her outstanding results, but because she was beautiful.

Study queens were common, but beautiful study queens were rare.

This question of Ye Yingjing’s was actually already approaching the point of being nonsensical. However tricky the previous questions of the Class 7 students had been, they had still not reached the point of being so outrageously ridiculous. However, this question of hers clearly had the look of her openly making trouble.

Some students of Class 10 were rather enraged by this as they made heated criticisms in lowered voices. However, Xu Tingsheng shot Ye Yingjing a look of gratitude. If it was said that those earlier questions were tricky but still in earnest, and such questions with true evidence and logic were making things difficult, this nonsensical question of hers was actually helping him to resolve his predicament, because no one would care about whether Xu Tingsheng answered correctly or wrongly. On the contrary, what they would pay attention to was Ye Yingjing’s nonsensicality.

After this question had been asked, it was certain that no one would dare to pose tricky questions any longer, because that could be linked together as continuously stirring up trouble for no good reason, easily leading to the condemnation of all.

“This little girl rather has a sense of justice.”

Xu Tingsheng complimented her inwardly as he smiled, “I must thank Ye Yingjing for helping me to resolve my predicament. Still, I can indeed answer this question. The number of soldiers who died for their country along with the Chinese Cruiser Zhiyuan in the Naval Battle of the Yellow Sea was 246.”

Xu Tingsheng instead came and resolved Ye Yingjing’s predicament as he gave an answer to her question, an answer which was straightforward, decisive, and filled with tremendous confidence.

No one thought of doubting it. Everyone, from the students to the teachers, was stunned. He actually knew even this? But what amount of perused reading materials and level of memorisation abilities did that entail?

Chapter 21: Student or teacher?

After Xu Tingsheng had revealed the statistic of 246, the entire room fell silent.

Ye Yingjing was the first to recover as she stood up, “Student Xu, you...actually, I asked the question arbitrarily. I don’t know the answer to it at all.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, replying relaxedly, “Actually, I answered it arbitrarily as well. I knew that you didn’t know it.”

Noise erupted.

Some felt a sense of relief, some were rendered speechless, some wanted to laugh, some didn’t know whether to smile or to cry, but virtually everyone here was currently thinking the same, “So it was answered arbitrarily. That’s good, that’s good. I’d still thought that he was really already monstrous to that extent; that would really make people not feel like living.”

The students who had earlier been shocked by Xu Tingsheng’s straightforward and confident answer virtually to the point of falling on the ground and prostrating themselves and the teachers whose confidence had taken a huge blow finally managed to properly straighten their weakened knees once more...they had nearly collapsed and knelt.

Their completely shattered and scattered self-esteem was also in the process of being pieced back together.

“The statistic of 246 might be wrong...I deduced it based on the deployment of the Northern Navy at the time as well as the tonnage of the cruiser Zhiyuan and the firepower it possessed etcetera...therefore, I think that it would not be too outrageously wrong. The deviation between the statistic of 246 and the true number should lie within three people.”

Xu Tingsheng supplemented a lance, a lance that...with great cracking noises, again shattered the self-esteem of everyone here, which had only just been pieced back together, “How is it not an arbitrary answer again? Deduction, based on deployment, tonnage of military cruiser and possessed firepower...this...his mother, it’s even more monstrous than having coincidentally seen it before and then remembered it...deviation of three people at most?...There’s no way to live anymore.”

…

No one asked anything further. Xu Tingsheng questioned them twice further, but there were indeed no further questions.

Whoever asked was a sucker.

“Since you have no further questions, let’s go on with...interaction. What I wish to interact with everyone on is a type of autonomous learning model. I have christened this method as autonomic learning.”

At this time, the concept of ‘autonomic learning’ that would be extremely popular a few years later had still not yet been officially proposed and proliferated. Many students were at a loss upon hearing this term, while the teachers had only vaguely heard of something similar before. Honestly speaking, it was something that left many of them unhappy, “Autonomic learning-what’s the meaning of that? Are you treating us teachers as extraneous?”

Doubt and dissatisfaction left many teachers’ faces ugly.

Xu Tingsheng continued, “What then is autonomic learning? First, it has to be made clear that it is not self-learning. The most important principle of autonomic learning is that it has to be done under the guidance of the teachers. Otherwise, we’d all fall into a trench, the Mariana Trench.”

The students laughed, and the expressions of the teachers turned radiant as sunlight once more.

“My meaning is that when we are revising our work, we must learn to reflect on it under the guidance of our teachers’ teachings as we autonomously sort them out. In simple terms, we should look from the standpoint of teachers in terms of looking at and dealing with knowledge.

“Why do teachers have a better grasp on knowledge than us?...Foundation is one reason, while methods and techniques are another, key factor. When sorting out knowledge in preparation for lessons, teachers have to search for a proper order of logic as well as means of expression in order to transmit that information. As I see it, this is actually the most perfect method of learning. Whether it is in the aspect of memory or understanding, it is the most perfect method, whilst also being the most efficient.”

“Therefore, it is our teachers whom we have to emulate.”

Other than the students here who had been rendered wide-eyed and tongue-tied, many of the teachers present had already unconsciously began taking notes, because a portion of them had already discovered that Xu Tingsheng’s viewpoint could actually already form a thesis, an education thesis that could very possibly generate massive upheaval.

Xu Tingsheng continued, “For example, in the previous month, my two best friends helped me in revising Mathematics, and everyone knows how well that turned out. They guided my results down, while guiding their own results up...why is that?...it’s because they are bastards.”

Amidst the laughter that erupted, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng threw the caps of their pens onto the stage, “The hell, how shameless, still acting pitiful and tricking a meal out of us.”

Xu Tingsheng pocketed the two pen caps, continuing, “That was just a joke. I believe that many of you here have understood my meaning. Their improvement was precisely because of them having unconsciously stood from a teacher’s standpoint in diligently guiding me, sorting out and gathering together the required knowledge as they searched for patterns and techniques in order to explain to me better. In this process, they themselves benefited very greatly, as greatly as this.”

Xu Tingsheng spread his arms wide, as though opening up his embrace. Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng exchanged glances. They knew that what Xu Tingsheng said was true.

“Since today’s interaction subject is History, I will give an example on this, a complete autonomic learning process, demonstrating to you all the method that I speak of. The topic I have chosen is Diplomacy of New China.”

Xu Tingsheng turned and wrote the title on the blackboard. His writing was smooth and elegant, his movements like flowing water.

The teachers down below seemed all to be in a bit of a trancelike state at this moment. Looking at Xu Tingsheng on the stage, it felt as though they were looking at a colleague, an extremely competent colleague who doing a familiar job relaxedly and with ease. From the beginning till now, in terms of the grasping of rhythm, the moderation of the class’s atmosphere, the organisation of speech as well as his bearing on the stage-all of these had been performed perfectly and without flaw.

One must know that this interaction had begun with him a student under suspicion of cheating. Now however, the situation was already fully within his grasp. For such to have been achieved...very difficult, countless times more difficult for one who was not a teacher.

However, Xu Tingsheng had managed to do it.

“It would be a real pity if this student of yours didn’t become a teacher, but it would be even more of a pity if he really did become one. I feel that he could become a great orator.”

“It is not at all strange that such a child saw great improvements. Whoever still suspects anything must really have problems with their brains.”

The two teachers sitting beside Old Zhou said such to him. In a joyful mood, Old Zhou laughed heartily.

The feelings of the students present were somewhat more complicated. Some people had already completely fallen into a trance.

“Teacher…” someone raised his hand.

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback for a moment as numerous emotions assailed him, “I am not a teacher...do you have any questions?”

“Ah...faint,” the student scratched his head, “About that, teacher...Student Xu, can you wait a while before beginning? I want to head back to my classroom to take my notebook.”

“I want to go too.”

“Me too.”

“Us as well, please wait for a bit.”

…

Nothing had more persuasive power than all these voices. Many of the people present had only come here due to the nature of the occasion, wanting to see a joke take place or purely because they wanted to support or make things difficult for Xu Tingsheng. As such, they had come here empty-handed, all of them regretting it now.

Luckily, Xu Tingsheng still understood his position as he did not make decisions beyond his authority, sending an enquiring gaze to the group of teachers present, Vice-Principal Lou amongst them slapping the table, “You have five minutes; you’d best hurry up.”

The doors of the media classroom opened, a huge crowd of people filling up the area outside.

About to begin hurrying back, those students hesitated. If they made a trip back, wouldn’t their places be snatched away when they had returned?

“That someone; I’ll take your notebook for you. You help me to keep my place.”

“Right.”

Finally, a win-win proposal was thought up.

Chapter 22: We are all good kids

Five minutes later, in the media classroom which had grown even more crowded, there was no ‘Start of lesson, stand up’, no ‘Good afternoon teacher, good afternoon students’. Chalk in hand, Xu Tingsheng began his ‘lesson’ just like that.

40 minutes, not a second less, not a second more. Control over time was a necessary skill in education competitions in which lessons were conducted, and Xu Tingsheng had long since become proficient in it.

In these 40 minutes, a history lesson which had won first prize in a provincial education competition, <Diplomacy of New China>, was completely and smoothly revealed to everyone.

Xu Tingsheng threw the remaining half of chalk in his hand into the chalk box, patting the chalk dust off his hands.

“Thank you, students and teachers. Today’s lesson...interaction ends here. Finally, I wish to say that some students may hear some rumours regarding this interaction session afterwards, but I can completely say from the bottom of my heart that no teacher is a bad guy. My level of improvement is indeed worthy of suspicion.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled awkwardly.

“Actually, I did not suddenly improve this greatly. This month’s efforts, the right methods, as well as luck were all very important, but there was also the reason that I had not treated examinations seriously before, having fallen asleep in examination grounds several times. What does this mean? What I mean to say is that I actually wasn’t that lousy before. You may feel that my improvement was miraculous, but actually, if any of you were willing to flunk your examinations once, your improvement afterwards would be shocking as well.”

Knowing laughter resounded from down below. This explanation of Xu Tingsheng’s had mostly been because of his guilty conscience as he attempted to create a logical explanation for his sudden explosive improvement. From the looks of it now, it had worked out rather well.

“Finally, with the teachers and vice-chairman giving me as an ordinary student the chance to stand here on this stage and prove my innocence through this interaction session, this itself already makes clear that their hearts are not as narrow as one might think. On the contrary, their hearts are great, and they think truly for the benefit of the students.”

“Thank you. I end my words here.”

The silence beneath the stage persisted for a while.

“Clap, clap, clap.”

Someone stood up and began applauding, and the applause of this person took everyone by surprise, because she was Mrs Zhang Xiuyun.

“Xu Tingsheng, I’m very sorry,” Zhang Xiuyun said.

Xu Tingsheng’s reply was drowned out by the ensuing applause, with everyone present, Vice-Principal Lou included, standing up and applauding.

In his previous life, having gone for a competition and conducted those lessons in foreign lands, Xu Tingsheng had also heard much applause. At this moment, as applause resounded once more, whether it was out of politeness or following the crowd, even if some of these people were actually reluctant to do so, Xu TIngsheng was already unable to carefully consider this. Currently, innumerable thoughts filled his mind, also pervaded by countless emotions.

Another person whose mind was filled with innumerable thoughts was the new first ranked student in the entire year, Chen Yulun. Today’s after-school activity had truly been torturous to him.

Initially, he had been incomparably joyful at the thought of being able to expose Xu Tingsheng as having cheated. From the time Class 7 had entered the media classroom, he had been the most active one. While he had not personally asked any of the numerous tricky questions directed at Xu Tingsheng, many of them had originated from him.

The direction things had proceeded in afterwards had finally still gone against Chen Yulun’s wishes. Not only had Xu Tingsheng proven his innocence, he had even stood dazzlingly in the limelight once more.

Chen Yulun’s hatred towards Xu Tingsheng stemmed from that previous beating on the roof, even more so stemming from Xu Tingsheng having stolen his limelight.

Clearly, he, Chen Yulun, was the first in the entire year, having achieved this for the first time, being extremely proud of it. However, what had come to pass, in truth, was that no one had noticed this at all. No one had noticed him as the new first ranked student of the entire year, the limelight having been completely stolen away by Xu Tingsheng.

Chen Yulun was ranked first, while Xu Tingsheng was just ranked eleventh, and he believed that his looks were in no way inferior to the latter.

Chen Yulun very much wanted to ask, “Why, just where does the basis for this lie?”

Actually, this logic was very simple. Someone whose results had all along been good achieving first in the entire year for the first time, while being commendable, was also rather ordinary. However, Xu Tingsheng was different. Everything that had happened with him over this period of time could literally be considered a ‘legend’.

From singing on the roof of the dormitory in the middle of the night while playing the guitar, acting the hooligan and throwing a wine bottle towards the girl’s dormitory, to leaving behind the phrase that was emotionally deep to death ‘This world is so wide, I wish to experience it’, and unrestrainedly and coolly skipping classes for five days.

Next leading to heated discussion by letting out the words of getting into the top 20 of the entire year, not knowing the immensity of the heavens and the boundlessness of the earth.

Next having heat rush over to his head over a girl, clashing with Bao Ming and his bunch of infamous hooligans, taking down three people on his lonesome.

Next having been sent to the podium as a negative example, asked to reflect on himself.

Next carrying a few big boxes of isatis root and white vinegar that everyone was fighting over to purchase as he brought them into the school to give around.

Next having been the target of unquantifiable mockery having scored 62 marks on his Mathematics mock examinations, yet having two beauties consecutively stand up for him, leading to heated discussions once more.

Next having achieved a supreme turnaround and ranked 11th in the entire year, first in the entire city for Combined Humanities, his form teacher personally brewing tea for him, slapping the faces of all those who had mocked him.

Next having been suspected of cheating, yet slaying encroaching enemies all round with an interaction lesson that was incomparably splendid, causing Mrs Zhang to bow her head and apologise on her own accord, with a frenzied slapping of faces once more…

This was a ‘legend’.

Chen Yulin was unresigned but also helpless. While the arrogance within his heart could let him not jot down a single line of notes at all, pretending to be completely uninterested in the entire lesson, when everyone stood up and applauded, he could only follow their actions, perfunctorily clapping his hands a few times.

“Shouldn’t the applause be given to the first in the entire year?”

“Could it be that good results and good looks are insufficient for the girls? Why is it that there are no girls fighting over me, and even Song Ni, having liked me for 6 whole years, now completely ignores me?”

“...”

No one noticed Chen Yulun’s unhappiness.

“Talk about other subjects next.”

“Right, more.”

As someone shouted such, similar responses increased greatly. However, Xu Tingsheng could not do so. Were it other subjects, he would only be revealing his relative ignorance. He still understood the principle of leaving things while they were at their best.

Xu Tingsheng smiled apologetically, saying awkwardly, “Even mealtime is over. I’ve already taken up too much of everyone’s precious time; I really can’t go on any further.”

“The heck, acting like a big shot now?” Huang Yaming yelled ill-naturedly.

Xu Tingsheng shot him a furious glare before he substantiated, “If you have time, you can interact with me after your lessons. Today, I really don’t dare to take up any more of your time.”

“After-class interaction is the welfare of the female students; I estimate that there’ll not be any time for the rest of us,” Huang Yaming continued stirring things up loudly.

“That’s right. So many people from Class 10 came to show you own support; you really can’t account for it just like this. How about you treat the entire class to a meal?” Fu Cheng followed.

“I just tricked a meal out of the two of you; is there such great an enmity?” Xu Tingsheng felt greatly headached. It was only he himself who knew that it was not that he was unwilling to teach them further, but that if he were to speak on other subjects, it would only be adding feet to the painting of a snake, smashing his own great reputation.

However, the situation had already begun spiralling out of his control, as those of Class 10 began chanting collectively, “Meal, meal.”

Treat the entire class to a meal?

Xu Tingsheng couldn’t bear to fork out that money, also not wanting to make turn things into a celebration. That would be the death of him-death by embarrassment.

However, an ending phase definitely had to play out today, someone now shouting from beneath the stage, “How about you sing a song for everyone? Singing here would at least definitely be better than climbing to the roof and singing in the middle of the night, right?”

Reminded of Xu Tingsheng’s ‘glorious’ feat, laughter erupted beneath the stage as the students agreed with this proposal.

Helpless, Xu Tingsheng inhaled, “..., I’ll sing then.”

Applause rained down, before the area fell silent, waiting for Xu Tingsheng to begin.

What would he sing? Xu Tingsheng sifted through his mind, before thinking of a sentence that came very much in line with today’s situation: we are all good kids.

You say that we of Class 10 cheated? Let me tell you this-we are all good kids.

“The name of the song I will be singing for everyone is...we are all good kids. This is something I want to say to everyone on behalf of our Class 10, led by our good person leader, Old Zhou. We are all good kids, we are all in the process of striving diligently.”

Everyone of Class 10 responded happily in unison. The name of this song was really too alleviating. Haven’t you always said that Class 10 is lousy? Could it be that even when we improve, you will feel that it is because we cheated?

Actually, we are all good kids.

Sung by Xu Tingsheng in his slightly hoarse voice, the song which had originally been sung by a woman held a flavour of its own.

“Pushing open the window, looking at the white bird on the horizon

Thinking of your mint-flavoured smile

You were running on the school fields back then

Yelling loudly, I love you, do you know…”

There was no accompanying melody, but with the first stanza, the atmosphere here changed, becoming warm and ambiguous.

“This...is talking about school romance?” Some thought, “Your mint-flavoured smile, you were running on the school fields...isn’t this speaking of matters that occurred in school?”

Goethe said: Which young man does not love; which young woman is not smitten?

In one’s youth, how would there not be feelings of romance?

Many had already fallen into emotions of this kind. Correspondingly, Xu Tingsheng’s singing voice that could not be considered very outstanding grew to sound moving in their ears.

Wu Yuewei and Yao Jing both perhaps fell in a little deeper. Their faces were red, yet they were smiling blissfully, each feeling as though Xu Tingsheng on the stage was only singing to her and her alone, expressing of his feelings.

And while he was singing, Xu Tingsheng just had to individually glance very unnaturally a few times at the both of them.

It would be strange if they didn’t have wild thoughts with this.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had also discovered that the situation was not right. He had initially chosen this song due to its name. However, when the initial lyrics emerged, he himself had first been rendered dazed. This completely wasn’t what he had wanted to express at all.

However, there was no way about it. He could only harden his mind and continue singing it. Luckily, a few lines that fit did appear in the lyrics:

“We were afraid of nothing then...

Just like this, forever never parting…

We are all good kids

Kids who believe in the inconceivable utmost

Believing that love, can be forever

We are all good kids

The most most kind-hearted kids

Thinking back on, what hurt us…”

The youthful times in which one believes in the inconceivable utmost-can we forever never part? Sooner or later, there will come a day of remembrance, thinking back on what once hurt us.

The atmosphere of graduation descended prematurely due to Xu Tingsheng’s song. Graduation-it is not just your lover from whom you may part, but also your treasured teacher and classmates, even those whom you had once hated and quarrelled with, even those whom you had hurt and been hurt by before…

Just as the eyes of some present had already begun reddening, Xu Tingsheng didn’t go on with the next part of the song, hastily bringing an end to it before turning and dashing madly away, leaving behind a panicked, fleeing back.

Chapter 23: Shall we drink a little wine in secret?

The hardest thing for a 31-year-old soul stuffed back into a 19-year-old body was that resultant state of mind. Many things done naturally and without a thought by those teenagers in their prime were instead felt by Xu Tingsheng to be embarrassing.

Consequently, with regards to Xu Tingsheng’s physical appearance, other than once again possessing a youthful body brimming with vitality, there was one major change-his smile.

Now, when Xu Tingsheng smiled, a feeling of awkwardness could often be detected within, thereby giving others the feeling of him being embarrassed. In the eyes of the girls, fierce and tyrannical, yet for some reason also easily embarrassed, he was a really interesting and really cute guy together in one.

Who could know that this was actually because he was really old!

A girl he had never seen before walked over to him and asked, “Xu Tingsheng, I won a bet with my roommates. I bet that you would enter the top 20 ranks, and now they each owe me a meal. Say...would you like to eat together with us?”

Xu Tingsheng scratched his head, replying, “Next time, perhaps. I am already meeting my friends today.”

The girl nodded, “Alright then. But do remember, okay? Also, do keep it up!”

The girl brandished her small fist, and Xu Tingsheng nodded, smiling awkwardly.

A gangster-like girl walked over and asked, “Senior Xu Tingsheng, do you accept godsisters?”

“Looks like I’ve really been taken as a gangster,” Xu Tingsheng thought helplessly as he replied, “I have a real sister.”

“Huh, that’s different,” The unrefined girl cast a seductive glance at him, protesting flirtatiously, “Godsisters are different, it can’t be that senior doesn’t know this?”

“I don’t. I’m gonna eat now, bye,” Xu Tingsheng fled panickedly once more.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had had experience with such matters before. Yet, now that he had returned to the identity of a virgin male, with a pubescent body and senses highly cognisant of the smell of fresh pickings, he was left particularly susceptible to his impulses.

This kind of gangster-like girl was easy for him to resist, but what about other scenarios?

“These little lasses still so young...how many tough, sleepless nights does this entail!” Xu Tingsheng was really afraid that he might not be able to hold out against such a major issue, “To guard my body as I would precious jade, or? ...This is a problem that one can literally die over.”

Xu Tingsheng was ultimately unable escape this dinner, wherein while he did not have to treat an entire class’s worth of people to a meal, many more people were present this time than during lunch earlier. Fingering the 3000 dollars in his pocket, his portion of the proceeds from before, Xu Tingsheng felt that he might as well get a private room with a round table that could seat more than ten people.

All these people had been invited by Huang Yaming. Other than the original five from lunch, having been additionally invited by him were Tan Qingling, Song Ni and a few other classmates whom they were relatively closer with. On Wu Yuewei’s side, out of concern that she might be lonely, her friend who had been with her at the time had also been invited.

Wu Yuewei sat with her tablemate whom she was on the best terms with, whispering to her from time to time. Wu Yuewei had come in the spirit of bringing her confidante to meet her sweetheart. She was shy yet happy, while her tablemate had her heart fully set on observing firsthand all the charm of this Senior Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng ordered the dishes by the window. As he was about to return to the private room, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

“Xu Tingsheng.”

“Hi, Ms Fang.”

Fang Yunyao stood behind Xu Tingsheng, pretending to angrily grind her teeth as she said, “Xu Tingsheng, you’re really too much.”

Xu Tingsheng asked in puzzlement, “Ms Fang, what is it?”

“After you gave that lesson, how on earth am I supposed to continue teaching your class next time?” Ms Fang sighed.

While her anger was feigned, Fang Yunyao’s words were not entirely false. At the very least, she had truly been moved. Xu Tingsheng’s interaction lesson had stirred up many emotions in her, and the pressure it had given her was equally great. While Fang Yunyao was also a rather outstanding teacher herself, Xu Tingsheng’s education philosophy that was ten years ahead of its time, his identity as a student and also the fact that that had been a lesson that had been polished countless times and won first prize in a provincial competition had together had an incomparably great impact on her that could only be imagined.

Xu Tingsheng had not considered this beforehand, and thinking about it now, it truly had caused Ms Fang a bit of trouble, also not being something that could be undone at that.

He smiled guiltily, “I feel that we students definitely still enjoy Ms Fang’s classes more, myself included.”

“Oh, right. Are you eating alone, Ms Fang? Would you like to eat together? I’ve invited a few others, and I’d like to use this chance to express to you my sincerest apologies as well.”

Xu Tingsheng brought Fang Yunyao to the private room, leading to much nervousness amongst the people inside. For instance, Huang Yaming, who was at the moment stealthily reaching for Tan Qingling’s hand under the table. For instance, Fu Cheng.

“Ms Fang, please sit there,” Xu Tingsheng pointed at the empty seat beside Fu Cheng.

He then chided Fu Cheng, “Why’re you just sitting dumbly there? Hurry up and pull out Ms Fang’s stool for her! Be a little more gentlemanly, can’t you?”

Only now did Fu Cheng recover his wits, hurriedly arranging Ms Fang’s stool for her as he appeared nervous to the point of not knowing what to do at all.

“Don’t be nervous; just treat me as you would a classmate.” As Fang Yunyao noticed Fu Cheng’s overwhelming nervousness, thinking that it was due to her status as a teacher, she smiled, trying to put him at ease.

“Don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous,” Fu Cheng buried his head and muttered.

Greatly amused, Xu Tingsheng did not continue teasing him as he turned and asked everyone, “The food has been ordered; what do you guys want to drink?”

Seeing that her entrance had resulted in a somewhat heavy atmosphere, Fang Yunyao proposed, “Didn’t you say it was a celebration? Why don’t we drink a little wine in secret? At any rate, we are in a private room and won’t be seen.”

“Great,” Fu Cheng was the first to express his agreement, for if he didn’t have some wine now, he really had no idea how he might be able to tide through this meal.

Following this, everyone else successively agreed to this proposal as well.

Seeing that Wu Yuewei too had agreed, Xu Tingsheng eyed her rather worriedly, “You can’t drink, right? Are you sure?”

“It’s my first time drinking; I’ll try,” Wu Yuewei replied, smiling.

“As I thought,” Xu Tingsheng suddenly recalled that wedding in his previous life.

Wu Yuewei had been by the side of the groom and his best men who had been helping to ‘block’ the wine, making toasts from table to table. As she was a woman, no one had really made things difficult for her, and she had drunk fruit juice all the way.

When they arrived at Xu Tingsheng’s table, the groom had introduced the table’s guests to her.

“This is my cousin,” the groom had said.

Xu Tingsheng had raised his head, and Wu Yuewei had been stunned for a while. Xu Tingsheng had been mentally prepared beforehand to see her once again after so many years, but it had not been so for Wu Yuewei. She had not known that Xu Tingsheng would be appearing at her wedding under such an identity.

Wu Yuewei had sorted out her thoughts, saying softly, “Hi, senior.”

In response, Xu Tingsheng had raised his wine glass, “I wish you...happiness in matrimony, living a long and blissful life.”

“Thank you,” Wu Yuewei had said, “I will have a glass in senior’s honour.”

Wu Yuewei had then raised the little glass in her hand, and the best man by her side had been about to pour her some fruit juice when she had moved her glass and pointed at the white wine someone else was carrying, “I’ll have that.”

Her voice had not been loud, but this had drawn the attention of the entire hall, everyone looking at this bride who had previously kept saying that she had never drunk wine before. This different treatment was really much too obtrusive.

Back then, Wu Yuewei took no notice of those gazes, raising her glass of wine and saying to Xu Tingsheng, “Thank you, senior, for attending my wedding.”

“It should be cousin,” the groom suggested by the side.

“Senior, I am downing it now, in gratitude for senior attending my wedding,” Wu Yuewei then raised her head and swallowed all the white wine in one go, the spicy and pungent aroma causing her to frown.

Xu Tingsheng could only raise his glass and drain it in in a single go.

“It turns out that the bride is so good at drinking! That won’t do, I want a toast here too!” Someone hollered.

“Over here as well!”

The rowdiness increased in volume, and just as the groom and the best men were agonising over the spot they had been put in, Wu Yuewei’s body went limp all of a sudden. The groom quickly grabbed her, drunk...collapsed with a single glass.

Xu Tingsheng stopped thinking about all that, gently saying to Wu Yuewei, “Well, you can have just a little then.”

Xu Tingsheng’s tone and the concern in his words was noticed by every person in the room.

Wu Yuewei nodded blissfully.

They ate the food and drank the wine, and the atmosphere soon became lively once more. Wine is just like that, capable of livening up originally gloomy people. If there is someone beside you who becomes gloomier the more he drinks, perhaps that which burdens his heart really is too great.

Xu Tingsheng drank quite a bit, for essentially everyone at the table had toasted him, even Ms Fang. Then there was also Yao Jing, whose expression Xu Tingsheng saw was a little desolate. He looked from her to Wu Yuewei and felt quite helpless, only able to pour a few more glasses of wine for himself.

“Yao Jing, will you consider joining our Mount Liang study group?” Xu Tingsheng asked her.

In his mind, this was the biggest compensation that he was able to offer her, for the reason of the feelings that he had for her.

Yao Jing stubbornly shook her head, “I don’t want to.”

Xu Tingsheng knew she might really have been hurt, for his earlier intimacy and concern for Wu Yuewei had indeed been too much like a boy favoring, indulging and caring for his little girlfriend.

From Xu Tingsheng’s perspective, his brief relationship with Yao Jing in his previous life had been completely ordinary. It had simply become apparent that they were not well suited for each other, and the breakup had been amicable. This all happened within a month, during which other than having held hands once, they had not even kissed or hugged. This went to say that there was no reason for Xu Tingsheng to feel guilt towards Yao Jing. Wu Yuewei though, was a different matter. What had originally just been a betrayal of her hopes amidst his insensibility of youth had grown heavy with that final glass of wine. Xu Tingsheng had not thought that she might have remembered this for so long, to the extent that she was still deeply unable to forget about it so many years later. Thus, deep in his heart, Xu Tingsheng had thereafter felt like he had let down Wu Yuewei somewhat.

Fang Yunyao noticed the strange mood hanging about the table as well. Being rather young herself, she was not as opposed to these youthful affections as some other teachers were.

She looked at Xu Tingsheng, then glanced at Wu Yuewei and Yao Jing, after which she poured a glass of wine for Xu Tingsheng, chiding, “You idiot, calling your study group Mount Liang study group, yet still daring to invite girls in? What’re you seeing our Yao Jing as? Hurry up and punish yourself with a glass.”

Xu Tingsheng hastily downed the glass, shooting Ms Fang a grateful look.

The atmosphere around the table finally became lively once more. Fu Cheng, who had been more subdued all this while, suddenly asked Xu Tingsheng about the origins of that song <<We are all good kids>>.

“Oh yes, is this song newly released? We’ve never heard it before,” The others asked Xu Tingsheng as well.

“The song hasn’t been released yet? Dang,” Xu Tingsheng actually did not know when this song had been released, having gone along with the heat of the moment and not thought about things, only now realising from everyone’s reaction that this should probably be the case.

Well, what to do?

Xu Tingsheng could only ambiguously attempt to bury the issue, “It’s a secret.”

Through a half-opened mouth, Fu Cheng uttered in a burst of inspiration, “Could it be an original work by the person who played the guitar?”

The person who played the guitar. That time when Xu Tingsheng had sung on the roof at midnight and the person who had played the guitar back then was brought up once more. Before this, Xu Tingsheng had almost already forgotten about it.

“What person who played a guitar? This song was written by him?... How talented,” Fang Yunyao asked Fu Cheng.

With Fang Yunyao asking him a question, Fu Cheng naturally hid nothing, bursting out with all that he knew thoroughly and in great detail.

Now, everyone’s gazes turned towards Xu Tingsheng, the eyes bursting with curiosity.

Xu Tingsheng had absolutely no way of answering this. He didn’t know about this matter at all, and even if he did know the one who had written the song, he still wouldn’t have been able to reveal it.

“This is also a secret,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 24: An uncle’s willpower

“This is also a secret,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Meh,” Everyone replied dissatisfiedly in unison.

Xu Tingsheng shamelessly ignored their disdainful looks, slowly changing the topic to that of the university entrance examinations and some studying methods for it, making use of this chance to share some of his views on this matter.

Of everyone here, it was Fang Yunyao who was most interested in this. As a teacher, she could more acutely sense that the ideas contained within Xu Tingsheng’s words were virtually the prelude to a revolution in the field of education.

“When talking to you next time, I’ve got to to bring a notebook,” Fang Yunyao said.

Xu Tingsheng paused as he considered for a while before asking her, “Mrs Fang, are you interested in writing a thesis, helping to promote these methods of mine?”

As Xu Tingsheng saw it, herein lay a chance to change Fang Yunyao’s fate. He didn’t know whether this thesis would turn out influential enough for such. If it caused an education revolution like it had in his previous life, as the primary advocate for it, Fang Yunyao’s fate would almost certainly change. Under such circumstances, would she still marry that violent maniac? According to his observations, Fang Yunyao should currently still be single. In other words, she had still yet to meet that person, at the very least not having begun going steady with him yet.

In any case, even if this thesis did not end up being influential enough, it would still be somewhat useful to Fang Yunyao, able to be used in career appraisals and whatnot. Every time the butterfly flapped its wings, an additional volatile factor would be born. While Xu Tingsheng was afraid of such unknowable things, he still hoped that with those, Fang Yunyao’s fate might be changed.

“Thesis? But those are your ideas. Wouldn’t that be plagiarising?” Fang Yunyao answered.

“Does Mrs Fang think that I can promote it myself? At most, you can just add my name in at the time. How about it? Consider it for a bit. If you agree, I’ll sort out my thoughts as well as get some examples together for you. It doesn’t have to be too general; let’s just write it as some suggestions on twelfth grade history revision. What do you think?” Xu Tingsheng asked earnestly.

Fang Yunyao hesitated for a moment. She could care less about fame and gain, not that she thought that a single thesis might be able to bring her much of either of those. However, her passion towards teaching left her very reluctant to refuse. She had attended Xu Tingsheng’s interaction lesson, also having earnestly analysed his virtually perfect history papers. As someone who was diligently researching on education, also being a young teacher who was more open to new teaching philosophies, she was actually very willing to perform some analysis on Xu Tingsheng’s study methods and education philosophy, even if she didn’t write a thesis on it in the end.

“I’ll give it a try then?” Fang Yunyao said.

“Alright, I’ll hand you the materials after sorting them out then. If anything further is needed, you can expound on it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

He did not dare to provide materials that were too complete and perfect. On one hand, he was afraid of revealing too much, leading to the suspicion of others. It could still be considered normal for a student to have his own methodologies, but if he could form a perfectly structured thesis based off that, that would surely be abnormal.

On the other hand, Xu Tingsheng also hoped for Fang Yunyao to have a greater sense of participation in this collaboration.

Only till it was nearly time for evening self-study did this dinner session end.

Having returned to the classroom, tipsiness could be seen on some of their faces. Luckily, though, none of them were drunk.

As for Wu Yuewei, because Xu Tingsheng had strictly controlled how much she drank, only allowing her to drink a small half cup of beer, while her face was completely red as she walked, it was still not to the point of collapsing directly.

It was instead her close female friend whom she had brought along who had drunk rather too much. Her alcohol capacity was actually not bad, but there had been those few people by Xu Tingsheng’s side, trying to get close to a pretty junior after seeing her. As this accumulated, she had drunk quite a bit.

Finally, she had to be supported back by Wu Yuewei.

A little sorry about this, Xu Tingsheng escorted them for a while, the young girl saying to him somewhat tipsily as they walked, “Senior, I actually rather hated you before this, because I always felt that you were bullying our Yuewei. Really hateful, really detestable...from today, though, I feel that you are actually pretty good; you also actually treat Yuewei rather well. I’ve decided not to hate you anymore, but you must treat Yuewei well in the future, got it? Do you know how long she has been laughed at because of you? It hasn’t been nice for her...if you don’t treat her well, I’ll, I’ll get you for it.”

The little lady shook her small fist at him at the end. Xu Tingsheng was left not knowing whether to laugh or to cry as he looked over towards Wu Yuewei for help. However, he found her gazing at him with an aggrieved face.

“Right, I’ll treat her as I would my own sister,” Xu Tingsheng could only answer.

“No,” The drunk girl persisted unrelentingly, “Just a sister is not enough. More than that, more than that…”

Not knowing what words might leave her mouth, Wu Yuewei hurriedly covered it, telling Xu Tingsheng, “Don’t listen to what she says.”

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng felt as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

“Still, you’re not making me your sister,” Wu Yuewei said.

“...”

……

During evening self-study, the number of people asking Xu Tingsheng for help skyrocketed.

Xu Tingsheng patiently helped all of them.

Of course, he knew that while most of these questions had been asked in earnest, a small minority of them had actually been asked with the motive of getting friendly with him. He had already experienced this kind of situation in his previous life.

At this juncture, a very laughable rumour had surfaced. It was said that those who stood together before their university entrance examinations in taking photographs for the archives as well as their entry proof would more likely be arranged in the same examination hall, perhaps even arranged in neighbouring seats.

Some had come precisely for this.

Indeed, after the second period ended, that female student who had left Xu Tingsheng with a ‘deep impression’ in his previous life came over.

This female student looked pretty good, having especially developed pretty well, her three sizes and whatnot being at a shocking level for such an age, while also not being fat at all.

Or course, what was most different from the other girls was that at this age, she was already very proficient in wielding her assets.

In his previous life, when she had come by Xu Tingsheng’s desk to ask for his help in answering questions, the loose collar of her T-shirt had clearly revealed deep ravines. When she had sat down beside Xu Tingsheng, not embarassed in the slightest, her bountiful portions had rubbed against the side of his thigh. Xu Tingsheng had been left not knowing what to do at all as his body’s reactions had left him without even sufficient time to get up and go to the toilet.

Now, she had come once more. Actually, the 31-year-old uncle Xu Tingsheng was actually still rather flustered by this.

Her name was Apple, an English name. In this era, while many would choose some lousy English names for themselves when forced to by their English teachers, none would pay much attention to those, not really using them for themselves. Apple was an exception. She had transferred over from a major city, rumoured to have already took the examinations once before. In many ways of thinking, including her style in wearing clothes, she was very greatly different from the young girls of Libei County who had been raised in villages. For example, in the entire class, there were only her who currently dared to wear the black stockings and short skirts that only reached down to her thighs that would become greatly popular in the future. Also, however much others discussed it, whatever gazes they used to look at her, she also didn’t feel that it was any inappropriate at all.

At the beginning of the year, during self-introductions, when she had said ‘Hi, you can all call me Apple’ and also ‘I am currently single, without a boyfriend’, the whole class had figuratively collectively fainted.

After that, everyone had begun getting used to calling her Apple following her numerous repeated corrections. Boys began pursuing her one after another, bodies of the fallen piling up into a small hill. Some began suddenly shouting out her name in their room in the middle of the night, next silently, secretly changing their underwear.

To summarise, this was an extremely alluring creature.

However, while many thought that she was very liberal, no one had yet truly gotten their way with her. In truth, she appeared not to be that kind of girl who treated herself so cheaply. Rather, it should be said that other than some of her habits and thoughts being different from the rest, she was a diligent, hardworking good kid, her relationship with the other students, the girls included, not being bad at all.

Many were stumped by this.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, many years after Apple had married a rich foreigner and emigrated to Australia, in a class gathering, her closest female friend in the class had unravelled the mystery for them, saying, “Actually, Apple was indeed very liberal. When she transferred over, she had already had a few boyfriends before, already no longer being a....anymore.”

“Why did she instead turn strait-laced after having transferred here then?”

“She didn’t turn straight-laced. It was that she felt that wasn’t anyone here worthy of her affections. Apple is that kind of very rational person, thinking all the time about whether things are worth it. In this area, it was also the same. She told me before that if there was whatever guy she found to be worthy, even if he didn’t like her, she would also not mind.”

“It wouldn’t be worth it liking them?”

“That is a possibility, but it is rather less important. What she wants is...for example, if you are very rich and worth being captured by her, or you can help her get into a good university...in that case, she wouldn’t mind using that to exchange for it.”

That female ex-classmate of his previous life had then glanced at Xu Tingsheng, currently competing on drinking with a few other guys, before continuing, “Because of the university entrance examinations that year, there was actually someone who could have succeeded. Apple had already been prepared for it, also having made the first move, but sadly, that person was a blockhead, and did not grasp the chance.”

Xu Tingsheng was currently behaving woodenly like a blockhead. He was not very familiar with Apple, the two at most only having interacted as normal classmates before. However, Apple now directly sat down in the position beside him, also moving her chair close.

This seemed even more ferocious than in his previous life, didn’t it? Back then, she had still stood while asking questions for a few days before gradually amping up her attempts to get closer to him.

With her not having openly said anything, Xu Tingsheng could only pretend to be oblivious as he moved his body slightly away, his head lowered as he patiently explained those questions to her. The reason for his lowered head was that he dared not to meet her gaze. For this was an ungodly demon who had already gained the ability to bewitch with her eyes. Also, Xu Tingsheng was even more afraid that as soon as he swivelled his head around, he might see beneath her open collar as revealed below her neck.

Having finished explaining the questions to her, Xu Tingsheng felt his body. Good, the willpower of an uncle was indeed higher.

Just as he was feeling proud over his mental resilience, something ‘smacked’ onto his arm.

“Help!” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly said that he needed to got to the toilet, and hence ended this first session of enticing intimacy.

Chapter 25: The feelings with that brick

Xu Tingsheng used the three periods of evening self-study to properly sort out the methods and paths of thought regarding autonomous learning, also doing up a few examples, including outlines, guiding questions, and so on, all having their own templates.

Afterwards, he brought Fu Cheng along in sending it over to Mrs Fang.

At night, in the dormitory, some people continued studying under the light of their torchlights while others conversed in low voices. Xu Tingsheng already very seldom participated in such bedtime talk. Every day, he would make use of this time to reminisce, as well as think of the future ahead.

It had already been a month since he had last seen Xiang Ning. Had she received the package, had she been unhappy recently, had she...this was a very silly and fruitless thing to do, but Xu Tingsheng never tired of it. Still, at the end of the day, one’s imagination was limited. He wanted more than what lay in his memories, more than those few minutes in which he had seen her at the school gates previously, having already been etched within his mind. He wanted more-even if he could not participate too much in Xiang Ning’s life and growth, at the very least, he wished that he could always guard silently by her side. Just looking at her would be enough.

The next morning, a flustered Old Zhou reported the news of a person who was suspected of being afflicted with SARS having escaped from the quarantine ward.

This time, whether it was the government or the school, neither of them chose to conceal this incident, because a panic was already definitely going to happen. If rumours cropped up all around, things could be blown far out of proportion. Other than that, another necessary consideration was that if that person who had escaped was really afflicted with SARS, if the general public were to come into contact with him totally unawares, leading to a large scale spread of the epidemic, no one would be able to bear such a huge responsibility.

The entire school fell into a panicked state, with even some students and teachers who had yet to reach school calling and refusing to come.

To make a not really accurate comparison, this was like uncaged zombies out loose and roaming the streets. Who wouldn’t be afraid of receiving a bite and being turned into a zombie?

Only Xu Tingsheng felt nothing about this at all, because he knew for sure that that person had actually not been afflicted.

The doors of the school were shut tight, the atmosphere greatly repressed, the students beginning to get rather oversensitive, a number of conflicts even occurring during mealtimes.

It was under such a situation that Bao Ming and his gang came to the door of Class 10. Already feeling much too repressed, they could no longer tolerate someone having a hold over them.

Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming saw them at the doorway.

“If I say that we’ve already deleted all of it, would you believe it? I can hand you my phone to check,” Fu Cheng said.

Bao Ming’s group hesitated for a while, one of their number now saying, “Who knows how many copies you have made and stored elsewhere?”

“That’s why, isn’t it. That’s why there is already no way to resolve this matter, because whatever we say, you would also not believe it,” Fu Cheng said, “If you just want a fight, that’s fine, but if you want to resolve the matter, I can’t see any way to do so.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at Bao Ming’s gang, their expressions visibly conflicted.

He took a few steps forward, pulling Bao Ming to the side by his shoulder whereupon he went through the motions of quietly whispering yet speaking too loudly for such, “At the very least, I can tell you one thing. Your face was not captured in any one of those photos.”

Bai Ming raised his head joyfully, “For real?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “I have no need to lie to you on this, because at the same time, I can also tell you that the faces of all of your bros were basically captured clearly. That is to say that this matter still cannot be resolved with such. I have no need to lie to you on this...you should make proper consideration for your bros.”

The expressions on the faces of Bao Ming’s gang all grew strange and varied.

As the bell for class rang, Xu Tingsheng returned to the classroom alongside Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming asked Xu Tingsheng, “Why did you suddenly say that just now?”

Xu Tingsheng explained craftily, “Let me put it this way. What I did just now can be classified under ‘how to destroy a group from the inside’. With this, Bao Ming’s gang will basically have collapsed.”

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng whispered a little, comprehension very quickly dawning upon them.

In truth, the matter was actually very simple. Firstly, Xu Tingsheng’s words had covertly yet also naturally reiterated the existence of the photos that they possessed, and when he had told Bao Ming that his face had not been clearly captured in any of them, Bao Ming should have avoided revealing that joyful expression on his face at all costs. After that had happened, should his gang mention the problem of the photos again, if Bai Ming proposed resolving it through force of arms, the others would think: because you weren’t captured in the photos, you aren’t afraid of going to jail, and don’t care whether we live or die?...Conversely, if Bao Ming no longer mentioned this issue or refused to resolve it through violence, the others would think: because you weren’t captured in the photos, there is nothing for you to worry about, and you can let this matter go just like this?

Therefore, this bunch of people was basically done for.

After dissent had arisen amongst them, amidst the passing of time, it might really be that no one would recall this incident again, unless they prepared to harass Wu Yuewei, in which case a warning bell would sound within their hearts. And if Bao Ming happened to move closer to Wu Yuewei some particular day, especially intense emotions would be evoked amongst ‘his group of bros’.

…

The next day, Wu Yuewei made a trip to Class 10, handing Xu Tingsheng a notebook.

Rushing alongside Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng to take care of their cigarette addiction in between breaks, Xu Tingsheng did not refuse her, receiving it and thanking her before leaving. Only having reached the roof, opening the notebook as he smoked, did he begin to feel a bit of regret.

Seeing that his expression was not right, Huang Yaming took the notebook from him and perused it for a moment before returning it to him, saying emotionally, “You, the debt that you owe is really great. This is not some notebook from lessons. Every single word here has been carefully reorganised. That junior must not have slept yesterday night at all.”

Right, Wu Yuewei had given Xu Tingsheng a completely new mathematics notebook, having attempted to sort out according to his ‘teacher’s method’ every piece of required knowledge, formulae, formula variations, examples, easily mis-answered questions…

Not only must she not have slept, perhaps she hadn’t paid attention to today’s lessons at all.

Xu Tingsheng closed his eyes and thought back, remembering that Wu Yuewei’s eyes had indeed been somewhat bloodshot when she had handed him the notebook. This was the first time he was truly feeling conflicted over this girl. Originally, he had thought that things between them would just end with his departure after the university entrance examinations. Now, however, he was feeling rather at a loss.

Xu Tingsheng leaned back against the terrace, raising his head as he exhaled a puff of smoke. Most of the time, boys smoking on the roof would not go near the terrace. While an iron lattice was installed there and there was no chance of accidents happening, there was the disadvantage that those down below would be able to very easily spot that someone was smoking on the roof.

Perhaps following Xu Tingsheng’s lead, or perhaps due to their mentality of the university entrance examinations being right around the corner, with not caring about such things rather a liberating thing, a few other boys who were smoking came over to sit as well. They were rather more daring, hanging their legs over the edge and swinging them as they smoked and talked, some even whistling at the girls who passed by down below.

It was under such a situation that Xu Tingsheng learnt one thing. As that butterfly, you could not haphazardly flap your wings.

Xu Tingsheng had not known much in his previous life about that escaped patient suspected to be afflicted with SARS, not having seen him before. However, he could confirm at the very least that this person had not had drawn any relation with Libei Senior High at all. He had also not heard rumours of him once having entered Libei Senior High. Perhaps he had, or perhaps he hadn’t. As long as he had done so without anyone being alerted, there would not have been any problem at all.

A boy beside him panickedly spat out the cigarette in his mouth, pointing to the little thicket behind the security room at the school gates, “Look over there, that person, in hospital garb…”

Xu Tingsheng leapt up in fright, but before he was able to prevent it, that boy had already leapt up, yelling loudly, “Heck, that SARS has come; that SARS has run into our school.”

It was not just him who began yelling. As the voices resounded from the roof, even if some had not heard it clearly the first time, after a few more times, they would definitely have registered it. Shrieks began resounding about the entire school grounds, everyone fleeing wildly about directionlessly, because they did not know where specifically that person was located.

What was worse was that that person heard it as well.

He had originally been quietly hiding within the thicket, stiff, at a loss, not doing anything at all. However, now that he knew that he had been discovered, he scurried out from behind the thicket, beginning to run like everybody else.

Perhaps he was just afraid of being captured or sent back, or perhaps he hadn’t actually been thinking of anything at all, just having jumped out and began running.

He was actually already very exhausted, very weak, so he didn’t run very quickly. However, upon his approach, some girls had their legs grow weak as they were rooted to the spot. Seeing them blocking his way, with faces full of panic, fear, and even tears, he stopped, beginning to explain to them:

“I don’t have that disease.”

“I won’t die.”

“I don’t want to die.”

“You have to believe me. I really don’t have that disease; I really won’t die.”

The remaining students had already fled back within the classroom building, the timid ones hiding in the classrooms and shutting the doors tight, the rather more courageous boys moving tables and chairs to block the stairway at the first floor before returning to the corridor of the second floor, looking at the situation down below.

In that open space between buildings, some girls were either sitting limply, dazed or weeping, while not far from them, that middle-aged man in hospital garb was hysterically rambling, “Don’t be afraid; I don’t have that disease. I won’t die.”

He was too scared to even let the word SARS out of his mouth.

Xu Tingsheng pushed through the crowd and looked down below. There, amongst the girls, he spotted a certain person, Wu Yuewei. Having just finished passing over the notebook, she had been in the midst of returning from the twelfth grade building to the eleventh grade building. She had been in a reverie, her head lowered as she walked. Then, she had been jolted to her senses by the panicked crowds, afterwards being trapped along with the other girls over at the empty space between buildings.

Xu Tingsheng rushed downstairs. The current situation was that everyone else was afraid that the girls had been afflicted with SARS, while what he was afraid of was that Wu Yuewei might be harmed by the man. Xu Tingsheng was very certain that this middle-aged man suspected to be afflicted with SARS was currently in a state of mental instability. Otherwise, no one would have been unintelligent to the point of escaping from the quarantine ward. Anyone who could still think properly, however afraid or despairing they were, would know that remaining in the hospital was the best choice for them. If it really was SARS, there would be no meaning in fleeing at all.

In having escaped, even having leapt off a building and injured some nurses in the process, it was already clear that he had already completely lost his rationality. He was currently equivalent to a scary person with a mental illness.

Vice-Principal Lou stood upstairs, shouting at that person, saying things like ‘You’re only a suspected case, and have already gone past the dangerous period’ and ‘Don’t make one mistake after another; don’t harm the students’.

However, his words clearly had no use at all. Nothing he said would have any effect. If the other party could have taken in his words and performed rational thought, he would not have escaped from the quarantine ward at all in the first place.

He began pulling on the girls’ arms, wanting them to affirm his words, wanting them to say that he was not afflicted, to say that he would not die.

Vice-Principal Lou scolded ‘mother’, turning as he was about to rush downstairs, but was hurriedly grabbed by the teachers around him, one even saying things along the line of ‘don’t give away your life for nothing’.

Currently, in the eyes of virtually everyone here, that was a person afflicted with SARS. Fear had already caused them to forget that it was just a suspected case, and even if there were some who still remembered this, there was nobody who would be willing to take such a gamble. SARS could be transmitted through the air-who would dare draw near? Who didn’t value their life?

“Then what about those students?” Vice-Principal Lou roared.

The teacher beside him did not release his grip, instead advising him, “Wait for the people from the hospital; wait for the cops.”

Actually, there really was a person here who was not afraid at all, because he had already long since known the results. Xu Tingsheng descended the building, picking up a brick in the pile of materials from the uncompleted sports hall…

Some more alert students nearly lost control of themselves and cried out, next hurriedly covering their mouths.

Then, virtually everyone repeated this same movement. They were surprised, taken aback, but they still knew that they could not let out a sound at this time. Otherwise, that brave figure’s ‘sacrifice’ would have been for nothing.

Right, in everyone’s eyes, Xu Tingsheng was like Huang Jiguang, Qiu Shaoyun and Dong Cunrui, having rushed forward with the mentality of being prepared to ‘sacrifice’ himself.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were left at a loss, while Yao Jing was overwhelmed by emotions. Actually, everyone who knew Xu Tingsheng here, Vice-Principal Lou, Old Zhou, Fang Yunyao and the other subject teachers, the students of Class 10, Wu Yuewei’s closest female friend, as well as many, many others were all like that as well, being at a loss, at the same time also overwhelmed by emotions.

Some were touched by his actions; some found him to be a fool; some found it unexpected.

Xu Tingsheng himself, though, was calm and leisurely as the simple breeze. The reason he had taken that brick was that he was afraid that that mental patient might suddenly go crazy out of nowhere and injure someone. Otherwise, he would be very willing to go up and interact with him for a bit.

In this current situation, Xu Tingsheng thought it best that he directly take the person down.

A brick in hand, the other hand empty, Xu Tingsheng did not quicken his footsteps, nor did he bend his body and stealthily creep over. He just walked ordinarily forward just like that, strolling from behind towards that middle-aged man in hospital garb who was currently rambling endlessly on to the girls.

He arrived behind the man.

Everyone held their breathing.

“Bang.”

Very straightforwardly, the brick slammed onto the back of the middle-aged man’s head before breaking apart. The man’s body toppled limply forward, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly supporting it as it fell.

Chapter 26: 14 days and nights

The middle-aged man collapsed onto the ground. Never having hit someone with a brick before, Xu Tingsheng was a little nervous. He checked his breathing. Good, he was still alive.

“Well done.”

“Freaking cool.”

Amidst the cheers, there were also some who harboured complex feelings, such as Bao Ming, who said to those beside him, “Look, I told you this guy’s a nutjob. There isn’t anything that he wouldn’t do.”

The mad cheers of those in the classroom buildings were soon followed by thunderous, deafening applause.

Those girls who had originally been scared witless were jolted awake by the applause, shrieking as they wanted to run towards the classroom buildings, but an authoritative voice now resounded from elsewhere, “Those few students over there, please remain where you are...please remain where you are.”

Xu Tingsheng pulled back some girls who were thinking to run, smiling genially, “We won’t be able to leave, but I can assure you that this person doesn’t have SARS, and we won’t get it either...believe me, if I wasn’t confident of that, how would I possibly have come over here?”

“He’d actually already passed through the most dangerous period in which the disease would manifest; he was just scaring himself. Let’s just wait here for a bit. After those from the hospital arrive and give us a checkup, it’ll be fine…”

Only after quite some time had passed did Xu Tingsheng finally manage to properly calm those girls down. They began to believe his words, the best proof for such being his very presence here. It was like he had said-if he wasn’t certain, how would he possibly have dared to approach a possible SARS patient?

There was only one person here who didn’t buy Xu Tingsheng’s explanation at all. Wu Yuewei felt that Xu Tingsheng surely didn’t have any certainty of it at all. There were so many who were uncertain, were scared. What basis could he possibly have to the contrary?...However, even though he had lacked certainty, even while he might be afflicted with SARS as a result, he had still come. He had come for her.

Wu Yuewei cared not about anything. She cared not about embarrassment, cared not about Xu Tingsheng’s earlier words, cared not about the teachers or the students as in direct view of more than a thousand pairs of eyes, she lunged right into his embrace.

Xu Tingsheng did not think too much about it. The way he saw it, Wu Yuewei was just afraid, urgently needing comfort and someone to rely on. Therefore, he did not push her away, gently patting her back with one hand while leaving his other arm just hanging loosely by the side due to not knowing where to place it, resembling a single-armed warrior embracing his woman.

Whistling resounded from the classroom buildings all around them.

Xu Tingsheng comforted Wu Yuewei in a gentle tone, “Don’t be afraid, it’s really fine. Trust me.”

Wu Yuewei nodded shakily within his embrace as she sobbed, “I’m not afraid.”

……

It was around half an hour before a medical squad and some armed police, fully suited up, arrived at the scene. After they had gotten a grasp on the situation, the middle-aged man was hoisted up the ambulance, following which Xu Tingsheng and the girls were sent up another vehicle.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had lied. Having been examined at the hospital, they would then be directly sent to the quarantine wards. Having come in close proximity with someone possibly afflicted with SARS, how would the hospital release you so easily.

Some of the girls began crying again, and this time, however the ‘fraudster’ Xu Tingsheng tried to comfort them, it was also in vain.

Having kept a careful distance from the accompanying nurse the entire journey, Xu Tingsheng smiled to her after having been settled into his ward, “Hi...don’t be afraid, I’m not coming over. I just want a bottle of water, and can we make calls here? Also, can I have someone send my books over?”

Covered within layers of protective clothing, the young nurse answered ‘please wait a moment’ in a muffled tone, then left the room.

Upon her return, a hot water bottle in hand, she told Xu Tingsheng, “You can make calls however you like. I’ve asked for you regarding your books; they should be arriving after a while.”

Xu Tingsheng thanked her before taking up the phone, making a call to his parents at home and patiently comforting them, also making a call to Fu Cheng on his handphone, asking him to help pack up the books that he would need, handing it to the people sent by the hospital later on.

His parents cried for a long time on the phone. Fu Cheng scolded Xu Tingsheng for a bit, before Huang Yaming snatched his phone from him and scolded him as well. Actually, they seemed to have cried as well.

Yao Jing’s voice sounded over the phone, “Are you alright?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking about anything else at the time. What I mean is-if you were there, I would have gone as well.”

His explanations were actually getting more and more convoluted, because there was already no way for him to properly explain this, short of him saying that he had the power to predict the future. Otherwise, he would be unable to explain it to Wu Yuewei, to Yao Jing, to anyone at all.

Yao Jing said, “It’s fine, I know. Don’t be too nervous.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled over the phone, “Like I’d be nervous. It’s you who ought to make sure that your studies aren’t affected. Your current results are still worse than mine.”

Yao Jing said, “I will work hard.”

Afterwards, some others, including Old Zhou, Song Ni, Vice-Principal Lou and the principal,
received the phone and spoke with him as well.

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng found that the nurse was still outside the door, “You can go rest; I’m fine here.”

The person beneath the protective gear seemed to be smiling as she said, “Oh, but this is a rule, a new rule implemented since that person ran away.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Rest assured, I won’t run away.”

The nurse said, “I can tell. Right, how are you not worried at all?”

Xu Tingsheng could only say, “I’m actually very worried as well, but it’s just that I’ve people to comfort. As a nurse here, your family members should be very worried for you as well, right?”

The nurse replied, “Yeah.”

The two conversed partitioned by that door all the way till the phone to Xu Tingsheng’s room rang.

“Hey, it’s me. I asked the nurse for your number. She said it’s an internal line, and we can use it however we like.”

“Right. Feeling scared?”

“No, I’m not scared. I’m just in your neighbouring room.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“If you are scared, you can call me.”

“Yeah. How about we talk for a while now?”

“Right, what shall we talk about then?”

“...do you still do your ocular exercises?”

The first time Xu Tingsheng had seen Wu Yuewei was when she had come to his class to check up on them doing their ocular exercises. Xu Tingsheng had accidentally opened his eyes once and seen her. From then on, Xu Tingsheng had never done his ocular exercises properly again. Every single time, he would open his eyes wide and stare at Wu Yuewei. Wu Yuewei would say ‘This student, if you don’t do it properly, I’m going to have to deduct marks’. Xu Tingsheng would reply ‘But I want to look at you’, to the reply of ‘...hoodlum, marks deducted’.

Now, Wu Yuewei was asking on the phone, “Do you still do your ocular exercises?”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Will marks still be deducted?”

Wu Yuewei answered, “Yes...hoodlum.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I was really immature back then.”

Wu Yuewei asked, “Can you not say such things here?”

At this point in time, stuck in this predicament, Wu Yuewei was not like Xu Tingsheng, already knowing that everything would end properly and well. To her, this concerned their very life and death, being the first time in her life facing death right in the eye like this. Therefore, as she made such a request, Xu Tingsheng was unable to reject it.

Thus, he said, “Alright.”

What would they do now? Deepen their relationship? Separated by a wall, Wu Yuewei wanted to do so, but how did couples deepen their relationship? She didn’t know.

“When your books are sent in, how about I tutor you in mathematics? Get them to take along that notebook I gave you; I’ll guide you according to it,” Wu Yuewei offered.

Indeed, so this was how study queens advanced into steady relationships.

“Studying mathematics again?” Xu Tingsheng had no way to say that he had already given up on mathematics. In numerical order, this was already the third person to be tutoring him in mathematics. If he really got even mathematics down...he might even become the top scholar?

Xu Tingsheng agreed, “Okay.”

…

The next day, the books arrived.

Xu Tingsheng made a call back to his home once every day, also calling Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng once in a while, using his maturity and optimism to gradually put everyone at ease. Other than that, he also listened to Wu Yuewei’s tutoring through the phone. The scariness of a study queen showed in that the full set of notes she had sorted out seemed to be completely etched within her mind, coming in exactly the order she had written them with the examples and analogies perfectly elaborated, no flaws present at all within.

After having finished revising, they would talk about some random, inconsequential things. Once in a while, Xu Tingsheng would tell Wu Yuewei some ‘clean’ stories, listening to her laughter from the other end of the phone. Gradually, she seemed to have forgotten to be afraid.

Separated by a wall and established on a telephone line, this relationship was perhaps far deeper than that with intimate actions like the holding of hands and hugging. Xu Tingsheng clearly knew that the consequence of this would be that it would be even harder for him to turn away afterwards, but he didn’t know how to break it off. Or perhaps it could be phrased this way: Xu Tingsheng himself was also greatly enthralled by this mild feeling of warmth and and sense of synchrony between them.

From a certain perspective, he was the loneliest person in this entire world.

At other times, Xu Tingsheng would converse with the nurse outside the door. After reciting some ‘clean’ stories and attracting her attention, he would suddenly throw out a dirty one, hearing her grind her teeth and scold him from outside.

However, Xu Tingsheng gradually discovered that despite the scolding, she actually still wanted to hear out those stories. Even clearly having realised that it was a dirty story, she would pretend only to have discovered it afterwards, only scolding him all red-faced after the story had concluded.

As time passed, the number of young nurses coming outside the door of Xu Tingsheng’s room to listen to his little stories everyday gradually increased.

This was very interesting. Xu Tingsheng’s thoughts grew mischievous once in a while, thinking about what might happen if he told a dirty story to the pure Wu Yuewei...how would it turn out? Thinking about it, he only grew more and more tempted to do it.

Finally, one day, Xu Tingsheng said on the phone, “There was a woman who couldn’t get married because her breasts were small. She want for many matchmaking sessions, but all of them were unsuccessful. One day, she went for matchmaking during winter. She was wrapped up in thick cotton clothing, but she was very honest as she asked the man, “Do you mind if my breasts are small?” The man hesitated for a while before asking, “Are they the size of buns?” The woman replied, “Yes”....Afterwards, they got married. On the night of consummation, the man rushed out of the bridal chamber with two streams of hot tears running down his face, kneeling as he cried out towards the heavens, “Little Want Want buns are still buns?!”

It was silent over on the other end of the phone. Wu Yuewei did not laugh, but she did not scold him either.

Xu Tingsheng regretted it, hurriedly explaining himself, apologising, admitting his mistake…

Wu Yuewei finally opened her mouth, murmuring softly with a bit of a stammer, “Actually...mine are not small.”

…

On the 7th day, the nurses were over the moon as they brought over good news-it had been confirmed that that middle-aged man had not been afflicted with SARS.

Laughter reverberated about the entire corridor. The nurses and the girls hugged each other and jumped for joy, laughing as though they had been reborn.

Wu Yuewei said to Xu Tingsheng, “It was really nothing.”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Yep. Are you happy?”

Wu Yuewei said a little desolately, “But the tutoring is still not done yet; but...I like how it is now.”

Xu Tingsheng did not speak.

Wu Yuewei said, “After we leave, you will be back to senior Xu Tingsheng again?”

Xu Tingsheng still did not speak.

The girls packed up their belongings, preparing to go home.

The nurses said, “There are still 7 more days.”

“But hasn’t it been confirmed that that person was fine?”

“That’s right, but the rules state that quarantine is for 14 days.”

“But that person is fine.”

“That’s right, but the rules are very strict.”

In the next 7 days, the girls began intruding into one another’s rooms, while the young nurses sometimes came collectively to Xu Tingsheng’s room, listening to him tell his stories. One of them secretly brought in poker cards, drawing Xu Tingsheng into playing cards with them. While the stakes were very low, at the end of things, virtually all of the nurses owed him a good several hundred.

Wu Yuewei did not come over. The two of them were still separated by that wall, their relationship established on that one telephone line.

Finally, when the permitted time within the ‘rules’ to leave had arrived, the young nurses hid in the restroom, not coming out.

Xu Tingsheng knocked on the door from outside, “Beautiful ladies, relax. I’m not here to chase you for money. I’m about to leave-aren’t you coming to give me a goodbye hug?”

That day, Xu Tingsheng embraced many beautiful, adorable young nurses.

Standing at the end of the corridor, Wu Yuewei said, “Give me a hug today too.”

Chapter 27: Events in life have always come in bits and pieces

Following Xu Tingsheng’s time in the quarantine ward, the days passed normally and uneventfully for him all the way till the university entrance examinations. He would think once in a while that really, rebirth wasn’t really all that shocking a thing, actually being rather anticlimactic.

Still, events in life have always come in bits and pieces.

SARS was currently in the midst of being quelled, with everything taking a turn for the better.

In his second mock examinations, Xu Tingsheng ranked 6th in the entire year. He had Wu Yuewei to thank for this, his mathematics having improved because of her. And more importantly, because of his improvements, Mr and Mrs Xu now had smiles on their faces every day.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were continuing to improve as well, the latter finally making it into the top 50.

The relationship between Xu Tingsheng and Wu Yuewei returned to how it had been previously, and it was the same with Yao Jing as well. Once in a while, they would eat together, also exchanging a few words.

Apple still often came over to ask Xu Tingsheng questions, demonstrating her charm. She would bite her lips and gaze seductively at him, speaking to him amidst heavy breathing. In this era and with her current age, she was literally a devil, the kind that would have brought about stormy, calamitous events had she been born back in olden times.

Huang Yaming said, “How would it be possible to withstand that?”

Xu Tingsheng’s ability to resist her advances grew day by day. He treated this as a very interesting game that could add some spice and colour to his otherwise dull life, finding it to be pretty good.

Sometimes, he would say, “Apple, wouldn’t it be nice if you tried to apply to be a model, an air stewardess or something along that line? The requirement on grades is low and the work also isn’t bad.”

Apple would reply, “Are you praising me for having a good figure? There’s still more that you haven’t seen yet…”

Xu Tingsheng would be forced into a tactical retreat.

There were still two things before the university entrance examinations, one being a physical examination and the other being photo taking.

It was rumoured that the physical examination would see everyone lining up naked in rows. Actually, you would be allowed to keep on your underwear.

The situation for photo taking was slightly more complicated.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, on photo taking day, Apple jumped onto the back seat of his bicycle on her own accord. On their way there, they had to traverse a steep, bumpy downslope. Apple hugged Xu Tingsheng’s waist, completely sticking onto his back amidst the bumps in the road that caused great turbulence.

Back then, Xu Tingsheng had been panicked yet helpless.

Apple had leaned over towards his ear, asking, “Want to come to my house to play tonight? My parents are both not in Libei.”

That day, Xu Tingsheng had paced around for two hours at that street Apple said her house was before gritting his teeth and returning home. Back then, he had only retreated due to an inexplicable sense of nervousness and fear.

What about this time?

As Xu Tingsheng rode out of the school gates with Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, Apple said, “Xu Tingsheng, I’ve been waiting for very long.”

“...”

It was indeed still like this.

Apple jumped onto the bicycle, and Xu Tingsheng said before they descended that slope, “Be careful, this slope here is going to be a little bumpy.”

Apple tightened her grip on Xu Tingsheng’s waist and leaned her head over.

Unlike how it had been in his previous life, she now said one additional sentence, “Xu Tingsheng, can you tell that I am seducing you?”

Xu Tingsheng was momentarily taken aback before he smiled, “Aren’t such things better left unsaid? ...During photo taking later on, you can stand together with me. Still, let me tell you that doing so is actually useless. Really, you...you really don’t have to make this kind of sacrifice.”

Apple said, “So you could tell, and also know what I am thinking. Is that really useless? But even the teacher said that it might work.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “It’s really useless.”

Apple said, “Forget about that. Anyway, I’ll continue seducing you regardless.”

As the bicycle wobbled amidst its forward progress on the bumpy downslope, she leaned forward...and asked, “Are they big?”

Xu Tingsheng’s face was bitter, “Apple, please don’t be like this. Whatever more you want, just say it.”

Apple said, “There isn’t anything else; I just want to seduce you.”

Xu Tingsheng answered, “My family is very poor, you know.”

Apple replied, “It is impossible for your type to be poor in the future, and it seems like I really do like you a little.”

Luckily, after traversing that slope, it was very close to their destination. Xu Tingsheng entered alongside Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng who were waiting for him at the door, Apple following behind them…

As they were lining up, the gazes in Xu Tingsheng’s direction began increasing. Regarding Apple who was standing together with the trio, some were disdainful while others mocked her angrily in low tones, but the person in question, of course, did not mind this.

As Huang Yaming went over to Tan Qinglin’s side, some other students came over. Xu Tingsheng was indifferent regarding this, not rejecting anyone who came.

After photo taking was over, Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng hid in a corner for a smoke. After they had finished chatting and emerged, most of the people had already left. But as they arrived at the bicycle stands, they found Apple still standing there.

As Xu Tingsheng came over, she waved vivaciously, saying in a spoiled tone, “Sure took you long enough; my thighs are already feeling stiff.”

Apple’s long legs that were only covered up to her thighs were snowy white. As she raised them and shook them a few times, heads were left spinning and eyes bedazzled.

Xu Tingsheng remembered that she had left after photo taking in his previous life.

This time, Apple jumped onto the back of Xu Tingsheng’s bicycle once more, hugging his waist as she said, “Today, you have to send me home.”

Very disloyally, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng did not wait for Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng wiped his sweat. This was going to be a very great test for him.

Arriving at the street where Apple’s house was, Xu Tingsheng stopped his bicycle.

Apple asked, “Want to come to my house play? ...My parents are both not in Libei; it’s just me alone.”

After saying this, she bit her lips as she gazed at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng struggled to say, “I live in a village; I’m in a hurry to go back to eat.”

Apple smiled like a fox, “It seems that it’s not like you don’t understand anything at all. Scared?”

Now, she pulled Xu Tingsheng beneath the staircase of a building, breathing heavily by his ear in a dark, gloomy corner as she said in a voice close to a whisper, “Never done it before?”

Xu Tingsheng considered before replying, “You could say that.”

Apple said, “You don’t like me? Or are you scared? ...Or do you look down on me? I’ve done it before.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “...Really, don’t be like this. Actually, the chances of you sitting beside me in the university entrance examinations are definitely less than one percent-there is no meaning in you doing any of this at all. Alright, I’ll promise you. If you really do sit beside me, so long as it is safe, I will let you take a look as much as is possible. You don’t have to do anything at all.”

Apple said, “Right, but I’ve said that I’m seducing you now because I like you...so?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’ve got to get home.”

Apple said, “But it doesn’t seem like it’s convenient for you to leave.”

As she moved her hand over, Xu Tingsheng completely tensed up. Afterwards, she slowly crouched down, this entire process of crouching performed very slowly. Amidst all this, her head was raised, her eyes gazing at Xu Tingsheng, a smile on her lips.

How was this just a devil! No wonder she would marry a foreigner in the future.

“I’ll go home first,” Uncle Xu Tingsheng fled in panic.

At the final juncture, Xu Tingsheng still ran, even though it was difficult...very difficult.

Behind him, Apple laughed till she was almost unable to catch her breath, “Xu Tingsheng, you’re really too fun.”

……

Feng Yunyao’s thesis was unexpectedly published very quickly. Under Xu Tingsheng’s continued persistence, she was written in as the first author, with him as the second.

The next day, Fang Yunyao suddenly came to find Xu Tingsheng. After learning that he did not have a handphone, she asked for Fu Cheng’s number. That afternoon, someone called, looking for Xu Tingsheng.

It was a publishing company that contacted Xu Tingsheng. They were not interested in education philosophies and whatnot. Instead, what had caught their eye was the way in which he had sorted out the points of knowledge in his examples.

Xu Tingsheng knew that they must have looked for Fang Yunyao initially. Fang Yunyao could certainly have kept Xu Tingsheng in the dark on all this, but she had given the chance to Xu Tingsheng, meanwhile keeping herself out of things.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had once come into contact with the publishing industry for education under the hands of some famous teachers, having come to understand the fine details within. Therefore, as soon as he opened his mouth, the other side unexpectedly found that this voice which still seemed young and tender actually belonged to an insider within their industry.

Recognising this, they tucked away any thoughts of trying to cheat him and things therefore became much easier to discuss.

The initial offer by the publishing company was a fifty thousand yuan initial payout followed by 5% in royalties afterwards. Such a price actually couldn’t be considered low in the year 2003.

However, Xu Tingsheng asked for a straight payout of 350000, not wanting any royalties.

The person on the other side of the phone let out some indistinct curses, then directly hung up.

Dismissing the call, Xu Tingsheng reminded Fu Cheng to properly charge his phone later at night, saying that it best not be out of battery the next day.

It was only those who had truly come into contact with education-related publishing before who knew how valuable it was. In the year 2003 when the entire nation consolidated their university entrance examinations, the amount of profit a popular set of teaching material could bring annually was really far from what one might imagine.

It unquestionably instakilled the first-ranked book on the best-selling charts every year without fail, till even the dregs of it did not remain.

If Xu Tingsheng really chose royalties, in the long term, he might earn even more. Still, currently being in desperate need of money, now having unwittingly gotten a chance to earn his first bucket of gold, Xu Tingsheng’s originally discarded hopes of establishing a large scale supermarket had been rekindled.

350000 yuan was indeed a high price, high to the point of being a little preposterous. Still, Xu Tingsheng knew how much this set of materials he had was worth. Being ahead of its time by a whole ten years, if not for him being in desperate need of money, if not for him still having many other ways through which he might earn money, he actually wouldn’t even bear to sell it at all. Once it had the ability to operate on its own, this set of materials and and the education materials created with it as their basis would not just be like a golden goose that could lay eggs. Instead, they would be like a golden phoenix that could lay eggs.

Also, since the publishing company had called him so frantically over the thesis of some nameless individuals, they were definitely not carrying a ‘wait-and-see’ kind of attitude. Let’s not suspect the discerning abilities of these true insiders in the business; in that aspect, they were more reliable than even many experts.

Xu Tingsheng was sure that they had already come to the conclusion that they had to attain this no matter what.

The next day, Xu Tingsheng received another call from the publishing company.

The publishing company offered the price of 300000 yuan, requesting for Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yunyao not to leave their names or publicise themselves, meanwhile signing a non-disclosure agreement. Afterwards, the sum of 300 thousand would be transferred over in two phases. The first would come when Xu Tingsheng had handed in half the draft, with it having passed the inspection, and the second would have to wait till official publication.

Xu Tingsheng accepted the price, having already taken such adjustments in price into consideration when making his offer. Other than that, he had two additional requests:

First was leaving Fang Yunyao’s name on the materials. It was fine even if her name was placed behind that of the ‘famous teachers’.

Secondly, the second sum of money was to be transferred immediately after the draft had been handed in in full.

Other than that, Xu Tingsheng accepted all that they had asked. Not leaving his name, signing a non-disclosure agreement? Xu Tingsheng couldn’t be happier.

Just like this, things were set in stone. Xu Tingsheng began typing for a few hours in internet cafes every night. Hundreds of thousands of words of things that were all contained within his mind, with his long-trained finger speed, actually didn’t require much time at all. As the university entrance examinations drew near, Xu Tingsheng also pocketed the two sums of money.

Of course, what came together with this were some really dark eye circles, everyone commenting emotionally aside from those few who were in the know, “No wonder the guy’s been improving so much; he’s really been working hard.”

The seating arrangements for the university entrance examinations were announced. Indeed, Apple was not placed in the same examination hall as Xu Tingsheng. Fu Cheng was seated beside Xu Tingsheng, while Huang Yaming was allocated another examination hall. Other than that, Xu Tingsheng found that that Mathematics princess from his class was still seated beside him.

While Xu Tingsheng had improved in his Mathematics, his standard in it was still just average, far from comparable to Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and those other ‘experts’.

On the night before the university entrance examinations, the students who wanted to go home went home, and those who wanted to return to their room returned to their rooms.

As Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were openly smoking in their classroom, that girl suddenly walked in, saying, “Xu Tingsheng, for Mathematics...I won’t be blocking. If you want to look, you can look at mine.”

Xu Tingsheng remembered her dismal performance in the university entrance examinations of his previous life. Of course, he would not be copying her now. Still...the debt should be repaid?

After hesitating for a bit, he said, “Then, if you are able to see for the others, you can look at some of mine.”

The girl hurriedly waved her hands, “No, I’m not here to exchange with you. I won’t look at yours.”

Xu Tingsheng paused, not forcing her as he said hesitantly, “I have a postgraduate friend who says that this year’s Mathematics paper is going to be very hard. You should be mentally prepared for it; just relax and do it diligently in a good state of mind.”

The girl left, and Xu Tingsheng turned back, saying to Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, “With this, it’ll be the university entrance examinations.”

“That’s right, we may not be able to be together any longer after this.”

“That’s why; tomorrow, whoever reaches the school gates first waits for a while. The final battle of senior high-we’ll face it together.”

Chapter 28: University entrance examinations once more

2003 was the first time the university entrance examinations were moved forward to June from July. In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, by this time, his mother had already brought her two kids along with her in entering the city to work as she struggled to make ends meet. Every night, Mrs Xu would silently cook supper for Xu Tingsheng, diligently studying throughout the night, while forcibly holding in her pain and agony. This continued all the way till the university entrance examinations.

This time, Xu Tingsheng stayed in the school dormitory. He called his parents at night, telling them that they did not have to wait at the school gates like the other parents, and that there was no need for them to send food over as well.

On the 7th of June, Xu Tingsheng woke up early in the morning. When Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng arrived at the school gates, he had already long since been waiting there.

When Xu Tingsheng pulled out 3 popsicles, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were rendered somewhat speechless.

“Eating this sort of thing so early in the morning, and also right before the university entrance examinations-you must really be quite sick today, Xu Tingsheng,” they said.

“Who said anything about eating; have you forgotten about the temperature taking later?”

“What about it?”

“Didn’t you hear Old Zhou say? If your temperature is on the high side, you will be arranged to take the examinations solitarily...with two teachers staring at you and you alone, do you think you would be able to perform up to standard?”

Enlightenment immediately dawned upon the two.

“Stuff the popsicle into your pockets. When taking your temperatures later, take a look at the thermometer yourself first. If it is on the high side, secretly place its tip on the popsicle for a bit.”

……

With so many examinees present, the medical personnel naturally couldn’t keep an eye on all of them. Several tens of thermometers were distributed at a time, to be checked after their temperatures had been taken. Xu Tingsheng’s trio huddled up close together.

“Mine is normal, what about you guys?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Mine is also normal,” Huang Yaming replied.

The two directed their gazes at Fu Cheng. Xu Tingsheng had no way to know if Fu Cheng’s temperature would still be on the high side as it had been in his previous life. Therefore, he had prepared the popsicle in preparation for the worst, to be better safe than sorry.

“It seems a little on the high side,” Fu Cheng said.

Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng hurriedly went forward, shielding Fu Cheng from view in between them. Fu Cheng stuffed the thermometer into his pocket that contained the popsicle.

…

“So how was it? Did any amongst this batch of students have a fever?” The nurse-in-charge asked.

“No, but there was one whose temperature was a little on the low side...how about that?” A nurse replied.

“Is it extremely low?”

“It’s still fine.”

“It’s okay then.”

The trio felt as though a great weight had been lifted off their shoulders. As they walked towards the examination grounds together, Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng scolded Fu Cheng repeatedly for being a retard. If not for a timely prevention, this fella might really have gotten a 0 degree Celsius on the thermometer. Fu Cheng rebutted them, saying that the temperature on the thermometer had not been iced down at all. Doing so would have been totally useless. Instead, he had secretly used his hand to bring it down afterwards. Xu Tingsheng was stunned for a moment. Indeed, vastly knowledgeable yet totally useless-that was a Humanities student.

Huang Yaming had been allocated to an examination hall on the second floor, while Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng had been allocated to one on the third floor. They first arrived at Huang Yaming’s destination.

“I’m going in first then,” Huang Yaming said.

Able to tell that he actually still had something he wanted to say, Xu Tingsheng waited patiently.

Huang Yaming hesitated for a while before saying, “Frankly speaking, this is only a matter between the two of you. I thought about it a few times yesterday, but didn’t know how to broach the subject. Anyway, let me say my piece. Whatever you decide, it will ultimately be up to you…”

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng both looked at Huang Yaming, his face carrying a rare solemness.

Huang Yaming said, “What I want to say is...since the heavens have been as good as to arrange the two of you to be seated together, when it is safe to do so, Tingsheng should ‘take care’ of Fu Cheng a little. Fu Cheng, you should also not feel embarrassed, and take a bit of a look when you can...it’s just this, what do you think?”

Huang Yaming appeared rather uneasy as he awaited the reactions of the two. After all, as he saw it, none of them had openly brought up this matter. Afraid that they had all been unable to easily broach the subject due to awkwardness, he had felt that it would be most appropriate for him, as the one least involved in the matter, to bring it up.

Exchanging glances, Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng then laughed in unison, “Need this even be said?”

Huang Yaming was taken momentarily taken aback before he understood. The two of them must already have agreed on it beforehand, just not having told him about it as they felt sorry for him as the pitiful, ‘unlucky’ guy left out of their group.

“Huh, it seems that I was just thinking too much,” Huang Yaming said, “I’ll enter first then. Good luck.”

Xu Tingsheng grabbed hold of him, saying, “I have something to say as well...yesterday, I had a dream. I dreamt that I filled in the multiple choice questions in the wrong order. So, I’ve gotta say that we definitely have to check on all the answers carefully one by one, even if we have to spend some extra time on it as a result.”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t dare to say that the one in the dream who had filled in the answers wrongly was Huang Yaming. Otherwise, it might really turn out to be too much of a coincidence. While making himself the subject of the dream and reminding the other two to be careful, his eyes remained fixated on Huang Yaming in doing so.

“Especially you, you’re so careless,” Xu Tingsheng warned him.

Huang Yaming nodded earnestly, “There aren’t many multiple choice questions for Language anyway; I’ll just check them all one by one a few times.”

Having finished these two things, Xu Tingsheng felt completely relaxed. University entrance examinations-not only had he sat for them once, he had even invigilated them twice before. As he saw it, the pressure on the invigilators was much greater than that on the examinees. Whatever errors or oversights there were, it would also be the fault of the teachers.

Two invigilators entered the examination hall. One was a non-twelfth grade teacher of their school, while the other was an external teacher.

They read out the examination rules, checked the entry proofs, distributed the question papers and answer sheets and reiterated on how to fill in the answers to the questions, everything proceeding in an orderly fashion in prescribed order.

……

After the Language papers in the morning, most of the students were still in a pretty good mood. Language was such a subject. Most would often feel that they did okay in it, but it was very hard to truly attain high grades in this area.

Before the university entrance examinations, the various form teachers had already reiterated time and time again that the students were not to compare answers with their peers after each paper unlike usual examinations, because this could very well lead to problems with one’s mental state. Having gotten a few more wrong answers in some paper, their mentalities might collapse, leaving them unable to perform to standard in the following papers.

Therefore, the examinees generally congregated in groups of twos and threes, speaking about non-examination related subjects as much as possible, while some even just stoned about somewhere on their own.

Xu Tingsheng knew one additional thing. In the afternoon, after the Mathematics papers, the entire school would be full of weeping, with even some students wiping their tears even as they answered the questions in the examination halls. This time’s university entrance examination Mathematics papers would later be appraised as hardest within the past ten years.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t really know how to bring up this point, especially with Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng both carrying great confidence and hope in Mathematics. Xu Tingsheng was afraid that meeting a setback in answering the questions, their performance in the examination might be affected.

As Xu Tingsheng worried over this, Huang Yaming arrived.

As soon as he arrived, Huang Yaming came up and hugged Xu Tingsheng, howling emotionally, “Oh my saviour, my eternal gratitude.”

Upon hearing his words, Xu Tingsheng immediately knew what had happened.

Just like in his previous life, Huang Yaming had filled in the multiple choice questions for the Language Paper in the wrong order. Luckily, with only a few minutes remaining, he had suddenly remembered Xu Tingsheng’s words, and perused the questions once…

“Great heavens, I nearly fell into a ditch,” Huang Yaming said.

Xu Tingsheng could only pretend to share in his joy, the three rejoicing wildly for a bit before Xu Tingsheng switched topics to that of Mathematics, saying to Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, “Since it was like this for Language, I instead hope the Mathematics papers in the afternoon will be harder.”

“Why?”

“If it is hard to a certain extent, everyone’s grades wouldn’t be too high. Comparatively speaking, my grades would then be pulled closer to that of everyone else’s. Also, if that really were to happen, many people who are good in Mathematics should find it more difficult to accept than me who is weak in it. Like the two of you, if you already couldn’t answer the first question, do you think you would be able to stay calm? Your minds would probably break down, right, even losing the ability to obtain the marks that you should have been able to obtain. With so many good in Mathematics breaking down this way, wouldn’t that instead be like a blessing for me?”

Xu Tingsheng had already said too much. If not for him really being too close with Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, he definitely wouldn’t have taken the risk of saying all this. Having already given a hint to this extent, however much they understood it, it would all have to depend on they themselves.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng grabbed Xu Tingsheng by the shoulders and hauled him off to the cafeteria, saying disparagingly, “This guy’s heart is really too evil.”

Xu Tingsheng chuckled, secretly thinking, “This bro can only help you up to here.”

After having eaten lunch, Xu Tingsheng returned to his room and slept for a while. To him, Mathematics in the afternoon instead held the least pressure. This was like a beggar escaping from a famine together with a landlord. The beggar would surely be able to accept it much more easily than the landlord, also being able to adapt to the situation rather more easily.

After the Mathematics examination, the scenes within Libei Senior High were no different from how it had been in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life.

The corridors, the garden-every single place in the school was filled with weeping examinees as well as their teachers and parents, trying hard to comfort them.

“Your crow’s mouth!” Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng made as if to pummel Xu Tingsheng.

“Hehe, you two didn’t break down, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“At least we got what marks we could; as for everything else, there is only letting it be.”

Chapter 29: The Graduation Yearbook & the Farewell Dinner

The second day was Combined Humanities in the morning followed by the English in the afternoon. During this time, no more unpleasant surprises cropped up.

The university entrance examinations, the culmination of 11 years of hard work throughout primary school, junior high and senior high, thereby drew to a close.

Regardless of one's performance in the examinations, with the ringing of the final, concluding bell, everything was flung aside, for graduation had finally arrived and it was now time to face and cherish this moment of farewell. At this moment, at least, no one was in the frame of mind to fret over the results of the university entrance examinations that were set to be released not long from now.

Gathered in the classroom of Grade 12 Class 10 were all its students and teachers. No one was discussing the examinations, all instead saying the same thing to their classmates or teachers, 'Pen down some words for me in my yearbook, will ya’.

Xu Tingsheng joined in the fun too, getting people to write for him whilst also writing for them in return.

In Xu Tingsheng's previous life, Fu Cheng had written this line in his graduation yearbook: Unable to have you by my side, I will remember your wisecracking words.

Many years later, whenever Xu Tingsheng gazed again upon this line, tears would always rush unbidden to his eyes. At that point, Fu Cheng should already have known that he had mucked up his test, furthermore in the worst way possible. He must have been aware that this was a farewell, that they would never be able to be together like this again. He had wanted to tell Xu Tingsheng that he would always fondly recall and miss the blissful days when they had laughed and messed around together without a care in the world.

“His state of mind is different this time round. I wonder what he will write?”

At the same time Xu Tingsheng was thinking about this, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were scrawling on his yearbook together.

When Xu Tingsheng got his yearbook back, he noticed that a great chunk of words had been penned down and later erased. Amongst them, he could faintly make out 'grateful’, 'fortunate’, 'if it weren’t for’...such phrases.

These were their words of gratitude.

It was a good thing that they had erased these, or perhaps Xu Tingsheng would have been really disappointed.

Xu Tingsheng looked down at the very last sentence that had not been erased: We’ll not be thanking you here-what’s more significant is our reluctance in parting. We should by right be wishing that you get good grades, but this prospect really just leaves one despondent. We’d think how wouldn’t it be great if you weren’t so massively overpowered; anyway, there’s definitely no chance of us being in the same school next time… Unable to have you by our side, we will remember your wisecracking words.

Signed: Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng.

Xu Tingsheng could barely hold back the tears from welling up within his eyes.

……

The students gradually dispersed, packing up their belongings before changing into their best clothes in preparation for the evening’s graduation dinner, also known as the Farewell Dinner.

Xu Tingsheng sat in the classroom with Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, smoking. Other than the trio, there was also one additional person, Old Zhou.

The cigarettes had been distributed by Old Zhou.

Old Zhou said, “Regardless of the final outcome, thank you for your diligence.”.

The three of them stood up and bowed to Old Zhou together, “Thanks, Boss.”

Old Zhou roared in hearty laughter, hiding the tears that were threatening to overcome him, “Remember to come back and visit me next time.”

“We will.”

A little while after Old Zhou left, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng left as well, both planning to make a quick trip home. As Xu Tingsheng’s house was far away, he would be unable to complete that round trip in time, thus deciding to hang around by himself for a while first.

He walked out of the classroom.

Wu Yuewei stood there.

“You’re leaving,” Wu Yuewei said.

“I am,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“I sent you off once when you graduated from junior high, but it turned out that I had sent you away,” Wu Yuewei said, “You liar.”

Xu Tingsheng showed an awkward smile. This time, he might be leaving for good.

“Where is your graduation yearbook?” Wu Yuewei asked as she extended her hand.

Xu Tingsheng handed his yearbook over. Wu Yuewei flipped to a blank page, fished out a pen and wrote for a bit. She then returned the book to Xu Tingsheng, turned and left.

Xu Tingsheng opened the book and flipped to that page:

This time, it’s one year yet again. One year later, I will ask you yet once more: Senior Xu Tingsheng, do you still remember me?

……

For some female students, this graduation Farewell Dinner was their first time drinking alcohol.

First time drinkers are more prone to getting drunk.

Drunk people are more prone to crying.

The Farewell Dinner had not commenced for long when one after another, people began to weep disconsolately, clutching on to their friends.

This time, Xu Tingsheng did not drink much, for the happenings of his previous life were still fresh in his mind. Back then, amidst his drunken reverie, he had made a scene shamelessly demanding for Yao Jing to accept him. If he drank too much again this time, while that scene might not replay itself, there was no telling what he might say out loud.

The secrets he held were too many, and way too over-the-top.

However, Yao Jing drank a lot. She was led along by some cheering classmates and also some girls whom she was closer with to sit in the position beside Xu Tingsheng, because as they saw it, the two must have been awaiting this day for a long time.

Yao Jing was not acquainted with Xiang Ning, but she knew Wu Yuewei.

She eyed Xu Tingsheng in silence, and Xu Tingsheng was unsure of what to say as well.

This gloomy silence dragged out for a while.

Now, Xu Tingsheng poured himself a glass of wine, then poured another glass for Yao Jing, asking her, “Can you still drink?”

Yao Jing nodded and raised her glass.

“Exchange glasses, exchange glasses, ...” No crowd ever finds a commotion too large.

Huang Yaming, the only one here aware of Xu Tingsheng’s true preferences, stood up to shoo everyone from the enclosed room. “Let’s give these two some personal space, shall we?” he declared to everyone.

“You do as you see fit,” Huang Yaming told Xu Tingsheng, patting him on the shoulder before walking out as well.

In the empty, enclosed room, the two of them drained their wine glasses.

The truth was that Yao Jing actually already understood.

She said, “If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have let you chase after me for as long as two whole years.”

Xu Tingsheng chuckled, “Actually, it’s a good thing I put in all that effort. In the future, you can tell your kids that their mom was fiercely pursued in her youth.”

Yao Jing laughed, then fell silent once more.

After a while, she asked, “Do you like that junior more? ... That’s also right; I am more like a boy.”

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly shook his head, “That’s not it, it’s not that junior... It’s that my heart has been set on one particular person the both of you are not acquainted with. I saw her ‘for the first time’ back when I skipped classes for five days to experience the world.”

Yao Jing remarked, “So that’s how it is, love at first sight…then, I wish you happiness.”

“I wish the same for you too.”

The expression Yao Jing wore on her face as she walked out of the room frightened the students waiting to cheer outside, in spite of her best, earnest efforts to smile.

Fu Cheng came over and said, “Huang Yaming says to say that he’s busy right now. He’s currently comforting the crying Tan Qingling. Apparently, she didn’t perform very well in this time’s exams. She says that she is prepared to repeat the year.”

“Tan Qingling is prepared to repeat the year?” Xu Tingsheng was very astonished.

In his previous life, the one who had repeated 12th Grade was Huang Yaming. After Tan Qingling had gone to university, she had very quickly broken up with Huang Yaming. Was the scenario to be reversed this time?

In that case, in what way would things change? Would Huang Yaming be the one to have a change of heart?...After all, it was true that a great many temptations would exist in university. High school sweethearts whose relationships were able to persist amidst such separation were extremely rare.

Matters of the heart are the most unpredictable as well as the hardest to control. Xu Tingsheng was helpless in this aspect, nor did he wish to interfere.

He turned and asked Fu Cheng, “What about you? You're not going to confess?”

Fu Cheng tilted back his head and laughed uproariously, “And who would I confess to?”

Xu Tingsheng was not yet drunk, but he was already beginning to feel slightly tipsy.

In stages of semi-intoxication, people are prone to becoming more brazen with their words, so he said this time, “Ms Fang, of course. Fang, Yun, Yao. You’re not waiting till you graduate from university, right? By then, Ms Fang should long since have gotten married.”

Everything froze in place for a moment.

Fu Cheng did not deny it, simply asking, “How did you know?”

“I observed it from when Ms Fang sat beside you for the meal and also when we went to pass the thesis materials to her.”

Fu Cheng nodded, “But it seems like it’d be futile; it’s pointless even if I confess.”

Actually, Fu Cheng’s words made a lot of sense. Still, Xu Tingsheng just wanted to help him achieve a conclusion to the matter, not wanting to again see him end up hopelessly in limbo as had occurred in his previous life.

Thus, he replied, “At least let her know then. Having done that, there’d surely be less to regret afterwards.”

Fu Cheng buried his head, hesitating.

“Xu Tingsheng, they said you were here. Let’s have a drink together; I’ve still yet to thank you for the thesis. Oh, Fu Cheng is here too!”

Fang Yunyao suddenly appeared at the doorway. Presently, most of the students were already in the hall chatting and singing karaoke. As she wanted to express her gratitude to Xu Tingsheng over the entire thesis affair, she had asked and promptly found out from the other students that he was still in the enclosed room.

Fu Cheng downed a glass of wine before raising his head, confessing, “Ms Fang, I like you.”

Chapter 30: Beginnings and ends

Fu Cheng raised his head, confessing, “Ms Fang, I like you.”

Such a story actually wouldn’t have too remarkable a continuation, even though the process of Fu Cheng’s confession was very sudden, was very astonishing, even though Fang Yunyao’s reaction and expression upon hearing his words were also very colourful.

However, at the end of the day, things would end here.

As a teacher, Fang Yunyao had her own reservations, and it was without question that she had never seen Fu Cheng as a man before. To her, Fu Cheng was but a student, but a little kid.

Meanwhile, Fu Cheng had expended all his courage in saying that one sentence.

Luckily, he could still sing.

Holding his guitar, Fu Cheng sang on the stage, “Can you let me, walk alongside you; since you say that, I can’t stop you…”

The singer was crying, and those listening were also crying.

Can you let me, walk alongside you; since you say that, I can’t stop you…

The next song was sung by Xu Tingsheng, “I actually don’t want to go, I actually want to stay; stay behind to accompany you; every spring, summer, autumn, winter…”

Everyone found this funny as their classmates said, “So it’s actually the two of you who are a couple.”

After Xu Tingsheng had finished singing, Apple approached him, whispering into his ear, “Tonight is your final chance, you know. Leave with me later?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I wish you success in everything you do...also, your charm really is great. Grasp yourself well.”

Having said up to here, that was enough. Xu Tingsheng was not Liuxia Hui; he was in no way a saint. He wished for it as well, of course-it was a real struggle. Only due to Xiang Ning had he barely been able to hold on. Having failed Xiang Ning terribly in his previous life, this had been translated to a strong sense of responsibility as well as identity in this life.

“I belong to that little girl who’s currently still leaping happily about,” Xu Tingsheng himself sometimes found this to be a little funny as well, but this was a stubbornness he had experienced right between the boundaries of life and death, therefore also being the deepest, most prevailing stubbornness within his mind.

This final gathering went on all the way till the early hours of the morning. Huang Yaming disappeared together with Tan Qinglin. Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng sent one female classmate after another home before finally they walked on the vast, empty streets together.

Fu Cheng said, “I’m prepared to continue chasing Ms Fang.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “This fella’s really intrepid.”

The storyline had diverged once more, but Fu Cheng’s feelings towards Ms Fang had not changed.

An end, whilst also a new beginning.

…….

The next day, Xu Tingsheng returned home. Not having headed out for work, Mr and Mrs Xu stared at Xu Tingsheng, looking like they had something they wanted to ask yet could not bring themselves to do so.

His sister Xu Qiuyi, however, did not hold such reservations as she smilingly asked outright, “Brother, how was it?”

“Relatively good,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

Only now did the family’s usual liveliness return.

Xu Tingsheng put down his bag, saying, “Dad, I’ve got something to show you.”

In order to stimulate Mr Xu’s fighting spirit as much as possible, Xu Tingsheng had specially withdrew all of the 300000 yuan in the early morning. After all, huge bundles of money would always be much more convincing and impactful than just a single card.

As Mr Xu was about to reply.

Splash.

Xu Tingsheng poured 30 entire bundles of 100 yuan notes onto the table in a single go.

“Each bundle has 10000; there’s 300000 in total. Dad, let’s go grab the bottom floor of that tower.”

Mrs Xu immediately shot over to close the door, a finger upon her lips as she said in a hushed tone, “Softer, softer.”

Afterwards, she became completely lost for words.

Mr Xu was calmer in comparison, reaching out and stroking the money on the table before asking Xu Tingsheng, “So much money; where’s it from?”

“I earnt it from selling revision materials to a publishing company.”

Xu Tingsheng followed up with everything that had transpired earlier. From him having been suspected of having cheated and having conducted an interaction lesson as a result, to Fang Yunyao releasing that thesis and that publishing company contacting him-he carefully explained all of these once over in their entirety.

“Your material was that valuable?” Mrs Xu asked incredulously.

Xu Tingsheng nodded, explaining, “Mom, think about it. With my study method, I improved to 11th in the entire year in a mere month. Now, isn’t my method awesome? And with that, how would it not be valuable?”

“But that’s still just too much, isn’t it? You’re just a student. Also, don’t you have to split some of it with that Ms Fang?”

“Ms Fang put her name down on those revision materials. As long as their popularity boom in the future, she will only earn, much, much more. Also, she would be gaining fame alongside that wealth as well. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“As for why my materials are that valuable, don’t evaluate it merely with our tiny Libei County. This set of materials will be released throughout our entire country. In some big cities outside, in just hiring tutors alone, some parents already fork out tens of thousands for their kids annually. How much do you think this set of materials will eventually be able to net for that publishing company?”

After Xu Tingsheng had finished explaining, Mrs Xu pondered for a while, her expression then changing.

“It’s a loss, it’s a loss. Silly child, you should have taken 50 thousand and that 5 percent. That money would truly be live income, flowing in in an endless stream.”

Mrs Xu indeed also possessed a good brain for business, having quickly caught on to the logic within. Even Mr Xu nodded by the side, agreeing with her viewpoint.

Xu Tingsheng thought that maybe he should put a bit of pressure on his father as he now said, “It’s no loss at all, because I believe that with this 300000, Dad will be able to earn much more.”

These words of his left Mr Xu in a daze, falling silent for some time before finally saying, “I’ll try.”

Xu Tingsheng understood his father’s personality. While the words that had left his mouth were only ‘I’ll try’, the resolve within his heart was actually already as unshakeable as a monolith. This was a man who had come out and started a factory when he was just 18. This was a man who, inhibited for more than 10 years, had not surrendered to his fate. He had once been young and high-spirited, he had once been heroic and generous, he had once provided half of the people in the entire village with jobs…

He had also once buried his head in the fields, toiling painstakingly, suppressing his dreams and his lofty ambitions, just for the peace and stability of his wife and children.

And today, he had decided to surge back into prominence once more.

Having steeled his resolve, Mr Xu moved swift as the wind. That very afternoon, he entered Libei County to understand the cost of setting up shop, specifically inquiring into the rental situation of the Golden City Tower.

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng watched on as his mother kept all of that 300000 yuan without leaving a single bit behind. Begging pitifully and shamelessly, he finally managed to get a few hundred dollars out of her.

“If I’d known it would be like this, I’d have secretly kept a bit, even though the shock factor of 300000 is that much more than the likes of 290000.”

Xu Tingsheng also required money, because he already couldn’t wait to go to Yanzhou to see Xiang Ning. If it was said that the end of the university entrance examinations marked the beginning of Xu Tingsheng’s new life, Xiang Ning was the most important part of his new life, even while he actually couldn’t get too close to her.

Xu Tingsheng had a rather strange feeling. It was like if there was no Xiang Ning, there would be no him of his present life. She was the sole link that tied his past and present lives together.

If one really had to be so clear on it, it was actually impossible for the current Xu Tingsheng to be in love with that little girl who was now still just 14 years old. The one whom he loved was the Xiang Ning of his previous life, for whom his feelings could transcend even death.

However, Xiang Ning was still Xiang Ning, so Xu Tingsheng still had to be that Xu Tingsheng. His life could change, his fate could diverge, but that relationship could never change. If it ever changed, Xu Tingsheng didn’t know what else there would be other than his family for him to look to in his life. He indeed possessed some desire for wealth, but it was not that strong a thing. What he truly found in this world that gave his life meaning were only his family and Xiang Ning.

……

After Mr Xu returned that night, Xu Tingsheng could only delay his trip to Yanzhou.

The leasing search of the Golden City Tower had actually already begun, just having been eclipsed by the occurrence of SARS.

The next day, Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu went to town together.

Riding his bicycle, Mr Xu was headed straight for the Golden City Tower. However, Xu Tingsheng stopped him.

Taking along his father, Xu Tingsheng went to a shop selling mobile phones, the two each purchasing one. Xu Tingsheng chose Nokia’s first 3G phone for Mr Xu, the Nokia 6650 that had just entered the market. Meanwhile, he chose a Nokia 1110 for himself, the same first phone that he had possessed in his previous life.

Xu Tingsheng did not have much of an impression of the Nokia 6650, just having chosen it because it was new and expensive. As for the Nokia 1110, his impression of it was really, truly deep. This was literally a divine handphone that combined all of the best points of Nokia, being easy to operate, simple and presentable, while also most importantly, as most in line with everyone’s impressions of Nokia, indestructible.

In his previous life, when Xu Tingsheng had bought the first handphone of his life, he had actually already been in his second year of university. His family’s situation back then had made it such that he had been the last person in his class to obtain a mobile phone, and that Nokia 1110 had accompanied him all the way till graduation.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had not really treasured that phone. In a fight with his girlfriend, he had once thrown it out from the third floor of a library. He had even thrown it out of a speeding car before. Still, every single time, it still worked after he had retrieved it.

This was the tyrannical strength of a Nokia 1110.

After buying their telephone cards, Xu Tingsheng brought Mr Xu along in buying a pair of leather shoes that cost roughly 600 yuan as well as a Western shirt and trousers that cost more than a thousand yuan. If not for it being amidst the blazing heat of summer, Xu Tingsheng would definitely still have dragged his father along in buying a whole suit.

Afterwards, the father and son cut their hair together.

Mr Xu had originally been handsome, and after this sorting out of his appearance, apart from that ever thick pair of arms, he looked completely different from before. What Xu Tingsheng found to be rather unexpected was that during this entire process of spending money so liberally, Mr Xu actually didn’t show a hint of refusal at all. One must know that these past years, Mr Xu had not even been able to bear spending money on clothing for the New Year.

Mr Xu forked out some money to buy a pack of Chunghwa cigarettes, handing one stick over to Xu Tingsheng, “Have one. Your mom has already long since smelt it out; just remember not to smoke too much.”

As Mr Xu lighted up the cigarette for Xu Tingsheng, the latter was nervous to the point that even his hand that was shielding the flames was trembling. No matter how mature he was mentally, in front of Mr Xu, he was still a kid who got easily nervous.

“Look at how useful you are,” Mr Xu laughed, “Are you very curious about why I have listened to you regarding everything today?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

Mr Xu straightened the sleeves of his shirt, “Actually, I also have an expensive set of clothing at home, just that it has already been a long time...I understand your intentions. Actually, there’s really not much need for doing such things anymore. Regarding today’s matter, even if the two of us are dressed like beggars, it’d be enough if we have the money to back it up.”

“The reason for which I still listened to you and spent this money is because even though these things may not be necessary now, they will still be needed later on. After the shopfront has been rented, I’ll have to go out to negotiate on our inflow of goods, hire staff as well as obtain this permit or that license at so and so agency. At that time, I’d really need to put in some effort on appearance.”

Mr Xu’s explanation caused Xu Tingsheng’s confidence in his father to rise further. Mr Xu spoke rightly. Regarding negotiation with suppliers, the hiring of middle and higher echelon staff who would truly be of use and especially building up their relationship with the relevant government agencies, the success of these matters would be greatly related to his father’s aura and the strength of the disposition he exhibited.

In this era, appearances were extremely important. Wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase, the bosses of some briefcase companies would be able to cheat away a few big projects from some more backward towns.

Chapter 31: We are here to raise the price

2000 square metres of the bottom floor of the Golden City Tower was to be rented out. Mr Xu had earlier learnt that due to SARS, the finding of prospective tenants for the mall had not been very successful. For the current initial offering that might be accepted, the rental price was at around 110000 yuan per year.

Having once experienced an era of skyrocketing housing prices (the rent of stores included), Xu Tingsheng found this a little hard to take in. A building at the core position of the county that most attracted the eyes of others, spanning 2000 square metres, actually just cost 110000 yuan in rent annually?

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had been completely ignorant on the prices of housing and commercial properties back in the year 2003. With his family’s situation and frame of mind back then, that wasn’t something that he would have paid any attention to. His only impressions on this were from having looked at some analysis on housing prices some years later and through it learning that 2003 was a great year for commercial properties, which would soon be entering a frenzied, rapid track of development.

Actually, under the combined effect of various factors over this unique period of time, there was currently not an appropriate benchmark for the rental prices of the Golden City Tower. With the proprietor and the tenant both not having a benchmark, everything was to be based upon how much they themselves individually thought it was worth.

Before entering the office of the boss of the Golden City Tower, Xu Tingsheng grabbed Mr Xu, saying firmly, “Dad, we can accept the rent so long as it does not go above 150 thousand, and the lease should be signed for as long as possible. Most importantly is to fight for our method of footing the fees; it’d be best if we could retain some more of our funds.”

As father and son entered the office, the middle-aged fatty behind the desk greeted them and personally brewed tea for them before asking, “The two of you are here for…?”

Mr Xu cut to the chase, “We wish to discuss the rental situation of the departmental store on the first floor.”

Immediately gaining interest, the middle-aged fatty hurriedly asked, “This esteemed boss is surnamed?”

“Esteemed is unneeded; I’m surnamed Xu.”

“Oh, Boss Xu…” The boss of the Golden City Tower paused for a moment before continuing, “What a pity, Mr Xu just missed it by a step. After a few rounds of bidding, we have already basically come to an agreement on the departmental store on the first floor with Boss Zhao of the Southern City Hotel.”

Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu exchanged glances, smiling knowingly. The words of the Golden City Tower’s boss were only half true. He had said that the departmental store had undergone several rounds of bidding, but actually, almost none had inquired into it at all. Still, his having already basically come to an agreement with that Boss Zhao must not be completely unfounded.

Of course, even if they had come to an agreement, as long as the contract had not yet been signed, it was as good as not having come to an agreement at all. Also, in terms of the rental price, the Golden City Tower’s boss would definitely not be satisfied.

Mr Xu asked directly, “Then, is there still room for negotiations?”

“There is, but…”

“If there is, it’s good then. We are here to raise the price.”

This was perhaps the most beautiful sentence that the boss of the Golden City Tower had heard over this period of time. Having run into SARS when about to begin operation, hindered greatly in every step, things had not gone smoothly at all for him these past days. While having negotiated on rent with that Boss Zhao earlier, it had been almost no different from begging the other party to rent the place from him, with the rental price having been pushed down greatly.

Now, someone was actually telling him: We are here to raise the price.

The boss of the Golden City Tower discarded all scheming from his mind, directly asking, “Do you know the rent that we had agreed upon?”

Mr Xu actually only had a general understanding on the rental prices of departmental stores, but he knew that as soon as he asked, it would be very difficult for him to hear honest words from the other party.

Therefore, he lied with a smile, “We know. We can add 5000.”

As these words left Mr Xu’s mouth, Xu Tingsheng once again saw his father in a different light.

The Golden City Tower’s boss hesitated no longer, exchanging some polite words with Mr Xu before immediately picking up his phone and calling that Boss Zhao.

After hanging up, he told Mr Xu, “Boss Zhao doesn’t really believe it; he intends to personally make a trip here. What do you think?”

Mr Xu drank a mouthful of tea, “That’s just as well. I wish to settle everything by today, getting the contract signed as soon as possible. If that Boss Zhao had wanted to wait for a few days before coming, we might not have had the time to wait.”

“Boss Xu can rest assured on this. We’ll settle it on the spot and get the contract signed as soon as possible.”

“Alright, let’s just wait till Boss Zhao arrives then.”

The two chatted casually for a while before Boss Zhao, a man in his fifties, pushed open the door and entered, directly asking, “Boss Ye, you wouldn’t be finding a foil to play with me, right?”

Mr Xu did not speak. At a time like this, there was no need to.

The expression on the face of the Golden City Tower’s boss was rather unhappy as he asked directly as well, “The price Boss Xu offered was 105 thousand, being five thousand more than your price. Boss Zhao, what do you think?”

“105 thousand?”

Mr Xu nodded.

“You sign it then,” Boss Zhao made as if to walk outside.

Mr Xu immediately stood up, extending his hand towards the Golden City Tower’s boss, “Let’s have a happy cooperation.”

“Let’s have a happy cooperation.”

Boss Zhao tilted his head and thought for a moment, “Are you being for real? 110 thousand.”

Mr Xu did not hesitate for even a second, “115 thousand.”

Boss Zhao was taken aback, “Bro, with this raising method of yours, you really look like a foil that Boss Ye hired.”

Mr Xu smiled, not speaking.

Boss Zhao tried to inquire, “What if I raised the price to 120 thousand?”

Just as Mr Xu was about to speak, Xu Tingsheng pulled on his sleeve from behind.

At this, Mr Xu hesitated for a moment before replying, “‘l’ll leave that to when you really raise it.”

This was noticed by both Boss Ye of the Golden City Tower and that Boss Zhao, both having their own speculations at that. Still, both similarly believed that if Boss Zhao really raised the price to 120 thousand, Mr Xu would then be even more hesitant.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had intentionally performed this action for them to catch, Mr Xu having coordinated with him very well.

“Boss Ye, Boss Xu, wait a moment. I have to make a call.”

Boss Zhao left the room, making a call for three to five minutes outside before saying directly upon his return, “120 thousand-that’s all I’ll give today. Boss Ye, Boss Xu, whether the two of your are collaborating to play me or it’s all real, this is the highest I’ll go. I’ll not be increasing it no matter what.”

Boss Ye of the Golden City Tower was already rather satisfied with this price. Of course, his gaze that was on Mr Xu, other than containing gratitude, was also still filled with anticipation.

“Boss Xu, what do you think?”

Xu Tingsheng pondered on it for a moment. With the two of them having arrived here so suddenly, the call by the boss of the Golden City Tower also having been made right before their eyes, that went to say that there was virtually no chance of him and Boss Zhao being in collusion.

Instead, it actually seemed more like their side was colluding with the Golden City Tower’s boss in order to raise the price.

“Then, should this price be raised, and if so, how should it be raised?”

As Xu Tingsheng was still considering this, Mr Xu had already extended his hand towards the boss of the Golden City Tower, saying, “125 thousand; I hope that Boss Ye will not make things difficult for me.”

These words were said very strangely, Mr Xu even having added on a ‘do not make things difficult for me’ after having raised the price.

However, it was this strange phrase that sounded such to the boss of the Golden City Tower: I have already been very sincere and very straightforward; I hope that you hesitate no longer. Don’t try to continue raising the price with us; if you still cannot be certain, I will feel like I’m in a difficult spot, and if that is so, maybe we’ll only be able to give up.”

From the perspective of the boss of the Golden City Tower, he naturally hoped more to cooperate with this frank, straightforward Boss Xu before him. Also, this was already the second time the other party was extending his hand towards him. If he hesitated again, it would really not be giving Mr Xu face at all.

Looking on from the side, Xu Tingsheng secretly felt a little like laughing. As one who hailed from the first batch of farmer-turned-entrepreneurs of the 1980s, this forceful aura of his father’s was powerful indeed.

The three were silent for a moment.

Boss Zhao was the first to extend his hand towards Mr Xu, “Congratulations, Boss Xu. I hope that we will have the chance to cooperate in the future.”

Mr Xu answered, “Thank you, Boss Zhao, for letting us have it. If there is such a chance, I’d have to ask Boss Zhao to take more care of me.”

As if feeling troubled due to having been one-upped by Boss Zhao, Boss Ye of the Golden City Tower hurriedly clasped Mr Xu’s hand, continuously exclaiming, “Let’s have a happy cooperation, let’s have a happy cooperation.”

Mr Xu and Boss Ye then spent some time discussing on some details, including the length of the contract, the scale of increment in rent, the method of footing the fees etcetera. Only now did Mr Ye discover that this Mr Xu who appeared frank and straightforward was actually also very calculative and able to rip people off. Still, it wasn’t like he could go and pull Boss Zhao back now, right? Anyway, wasn’t that Boss Zhao also proficient in ripping people off?

Boss Ye chose to take a step back.

……

Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu each rode a bicycle, both pedalling leisurely along.

“Dad, why did you still add 5 thousand that last time? Wouldn’t one or two thousand have been enough?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I’ve also thought about this. Still, I feel that if I had only added one or two thousand at the time, this matter would probably still not have been decided. That Boss Zhao would think that he could still fight for it a bit. While he did say that he would not be raising the price again no matter what, such words are really no different from farting. Other than that, that Boss Ye of the Golden City Tower might also have a knot within his heart...what do you think?” Mr Xu explained.

Xu Tingsheng gave a silly laugh, “I don’t understand such things. Anyway, I just feel that dad’s aura back then was so incredibly powerful, so awesome that it pressured those two bosses to the point of almost being unable to breathe.”

“Stop it with the bootlicking,” Mr Xu laughed, “Do you really think that I’ve just been farming the fields in peace these past few years? There’s much that I had been thinking, inquiring and learning about, just that I had not thought that there really would be such a chance.”

“At least, for the matter of Bosses Ye and Zhao being pressured that you speak of, I feel that for Boss Zhao, it was because he was not all that resolved to obtain this departmental store. After all, with SARS like this, any single person has become much more careful in doing any single thing. As for Boss Ye, he seems to be really lacking in money. I estimate that he is almost running out of cash to deal with his current needs. Otherwise, he also wouldn’t need this bit of money. Look at us, compared to a boss who constructs tall buildings like him.”

As Xu Tingsheng listened to Mr Xu’s analysis, he suddenly felt like he hadn’t actually understood his father at all in his previous life. His competence and his ambition-both of these far surpassed his imagination.

“It looks like I really can become a rich second gen Young Master Xu in peace,” Xu Tingsheng thought happily.

“What’re you smiling at?” Mr Xu asked.

“Nothing. It’s just that I feel like the way Dad was just now, with that aura, is really something that I’ve never seen before, let alone imagined,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

Mr Xu smiled, “The people with whom we initially established those factories were basically all the same. They were willing to put in diligent, hard work, not treating themselves as the boss. At the same time, however, they were also rough and unreasonable. At that time, with a proper system yet to have been set up in place, what the factories relied on amidst all those varied, jumbled matters were the auras and methods of us bosses.”

“With us having the money now, you also having given me 150 thousand as backing, the strange thing would be if I did not have any bit of an aura.”

“Dad, why do you trust me so much? It’s not like I know anything at all.”

“Still pretending with your Dad; In truth, if it were the you of before, I really wouldn’t have dared to trust you so. Still, your changes these past months have been very great. Ever since those words you said back when Wang Jingfang visited our house, I began to have such a feeling. Right, the price of pork has indeed begun rising.”

“The matter of the indigowoad root and white vinegar afterwards, and also your results, adding on this 300 thousand that you earnt, the tone you called back to the house with those days in the quarantine ward and you pulling on my clothes just now-all of them give Dad the feeling that you seem to have grown up all of a sudden, and not to that usual extent of growing up as well. It’s like the light of enlightenment suddenly descended upon you in its full glory out of the blue.”

“I’ve also discussed this with your Mom a few times, but just can’t understand it regardless. Afterwards, we decided just not to think about it at all. Anyway, you being our son is a fact that’ll never, ever change.”

Xu Tingsheng did not explain anything, just loudly yelling a single ‘Dad’.

Mr Xu held a handlebar with one hand, leaning towards Xu Tingsheng as he stroked his head with his other, “Dad just hopes that the pressure on you will not be too great. Generally, just do what you can do and do not force yourself in what you cannot. There’s still Dad, and in Dad’s heart, there is nothing more important than you living happily and healthily.”

“Yeah.”

Choking on his tears, Xu Tingsheng nodded. Ever since his rebirth, he had been bearing too much weight on his shoulders. Family, friends, relationships, even teachers and students-it was like he had wanted to take care of virtually everything with his precognitive powers. In this manner, he had worried about Huang Yaming’s and Fu Cheng’s university entrance examinations, taken care of Yao Jing’s and Wu Yuewei’s feelings, helped to make Old Zhou proud, diffused the situation for Zhang Xiuyun, given a reminder to the girl who had mucked up her Mathematics examination, worried about the happiness of Fang Yunyao’s marriage…

He was truly very tired…

These words by Xu Tingsheng’s father were really the best form of comfort for him, letting him know that a large mountain stood forever behind his back. At the same time, he did not have absolute responsibility to carry so much on his shoulders.

“The heavens gave me a chance to live out my life once more. If I can’t even live a comfortable and carefree life with that, that’d be too much of a loss,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

“Dad, let’s race. See who’s faster!”

With that, Xu Tingsheng shot off ahead. Mr Xu scolded him before hurriedly pedalling to catch up, the two bicycles speeding along the road...towards home.

Chapter 32: Experiencing the world once more

Three days after having signed the official contract with the owner of the Golden City Tower, because some final touches still had to be done with the tower itself and Mr Xu had also yet to complete preparations for renovation, Xu Tingsheng obtained his permission to make an ultra big banner and hang it around the entire first floor of the tower where the departmental store would be.

There were only three words written on the banner: Wait for me.

Very quickly, this matter became the focal point of discussion throughout the streets of the entire Libei County. A departmental store which had still yet to begin renovation had told all of them: Wait for me.

On what basis did this rest? Wasn’t it just opening a store? Even if it was somewhat bigger, whatever crazy new-fangled thing could they make out of it?

Still, wasn’t it very interesting? People began trying to guess who the one behind the departmental store was. Who was its boss? Who was it who had put up that banner?

Very quickly, Mr Xu was found out as the one who had rented the space.

“Isn’t he a farmer? How could he be so rich?”

“Are you joking? Our Libei’s first ever brick company was set up by him. Such a person having no money? Lacking ability?”

“That’s right. Don’t just look at how he’s been resting for some years. The money and ambition he possesses is not little at all. Such a huge mall, such a lavish hand.”

If you hailed from a village, remember how you felt the first time you ever stepped into a large scale supermarket. To me, at least, even the first shopping trolley which could seat kids inside was a fresh novelty.

In truth, there was a reason behind the rent for the first floor of the Golden City Tower not being higher. Just like how most had yet to experience such large scale supermarkets, people would be bemused on what sort of business would be appropriate for such a huge piece of land. Selling clothes, selling fruits, opening a billiard room....wouldn’t it be fine just arranging two tables by the roadside for a billiard room? ...This space just seemed much too big. Whatever they planned on doing inside, it also seemed like it would be excessive.

The visitors at the Xu family home began to increase, covertly or blatantly trying to find out about Mr Xu’s abilities as well as his plans.

“How about I invest some in it?”

An old friend of Mr Xu’s was the first to ask this, investing 8000 yuan in Mr Xu’s venture. After that, more and more people began carrying money over to the Xu family.

Of course, there were some who were worried that their investment money might not come back. At this time, some would always come out to remind them: they even managed to get such a huge departmental store, what’s more your few thousand dollars? ...Let me tell you this-if you are not an acquaintance or were not introduced, you can’t invest in it even if you want to.”

This huge departmental store that encompassed a whole 2000 square metres was like a great banner made out of the skin of tigers, more and more people rallying under that banner.

This was precisely the effect Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu had wanted. Right, they hadn’t sufficient money. After having set down a deposit and a year’s rent, they still had to consider renovation as well as making a deal with some suppliers and also some various other expenses. The money in their hands was still far from enough. Even so, however, Mr Xu rejected quite a few investment offers without even the slightest bit of hesitation.

The more it was like this, the more some people wracked their brains for various strategies and methods, just wanting to get some money invested in.

Two days ago, just as Mr Xu had been worrying over the issue of money, not knowing where to go to borrow some or take a loan, Xu Tingsheng had suggested: collective investment.

If not for having run some businesses in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng would actually be rather resistant to this term, even fearing it somewhat. Back then, due to his family background and life experience, in the few years after graduation, he had always been overly cautious in terms of money. Having painstakingly managed to earn some, the first thing he would think of was repaying their debts with it, before earnestly saving up in hopes of buying a house. Sadly, his snail-like pace of saving up had forever been unable to catch up to the skyrocketing prices of homes.

Collective investment was a very risky thing, something that many big bosses would fall from after the year 2014. However, at the same time, one must also admit that countless nouveau riche had risen up due to this. Of the many ‘successful people’ in life, how many didn’t earn their money through that of others?

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had awoken to this too late. Therefore, he had been a failure, having failed to the point of only being able to helplessly let go of his most precious relationship.

Now, everything had restarted, opportunities descending once more. It was currently the year 2003, bringing along with it the start of a crazed moneymaking wave. So long as one possessed sufficient funds, the streets were paved with gold.

Convincing Mr Xu had originally seemed like it would be very difficult, but it had turned out to be very easy in the end, because he had already boarded the ship, having no path of retreat.

The true area where the views of father and son conflicted was in the scale of the collective investment. Mr Xu felt that getting sufficient funds for the opening of the supermarket would be enough, not daring to take an even greater risk, while Xu Tingsheng’s view was: more is better, the more the merrier.

As Xu Tingsheng saw it, if they possessed money, there was no way they’d not have business, no way they’d not be able to birth yet more money. If there really was no choice, he could just head to one of the Big Three of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to buy some houses. Such would be the best investment.

On this point, neither of the two was able to convince the other. Therefore, when Xu Tingsheng brought up the matter of going out to play for a few days, Mr Xu very heartily agreed. He really didn’t want to see Xu Tingsheng accepting one sum of investment after another every day, setting down yet more wads of cash before him.

“Enough; it was already enough long ago,” Mr Xu said.

“How can money ever be enough? With what remains from opening the supermarket, we can even start on other things,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Right, one of my classmate’s cousin’s girlfriend’s brother wants to invest twenty thousand. I’ve agreed for you.”

“...”

“Also, Fu Cheng invested ten thousand and Huang Yaming five. They’ve grown addicted to earning money with me.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Fu Cheng on the way to Yanzhou City on a bus.

Fu Cheng said, “Huang Yaming and Tan Qinglin have gone to get a room. I can only look for you.”

Regarding Huang Yaming and Tan Qinglin, Huang Yaming had spoken on this matter himself just two days back. Xu Tingsheng remembered that Huang Yaming hadn’t even managed to kiss her in his previous life. In this life, though, he had even accidentally succeeded in conquering the entire fortress. On the night of the graduation party, they had had their first time.

Having tasted it for the first time, the couple was currently in a period of tireless bliss.

Then, would things work out for them in this life? Xu Tingsheng didn’t intend to worry about this.

Of course, the ambiguity in Fu Cheng’s words was still rather too great as Xu Tingsheng responded, “Get lost! That little couple’s gone to get a room, and you’re looking for me for? I’m not in Libei right now.”

“You’ve taken off again? Where to?”

“Yanzhou.”

“What for?”

“Experiencing the world.”

“...”

“Aren’t you pursuing Ms Fang? Do something to show her, can’t you?”

“I finally managed to wait out a chance yesterday. Ms Fang wanted to change the gas, and I wanted to help her carry the gas container in, but a man appeared and beat me to it.”

“A man-Ms Fang’s boyfriend?”

“It seems like he’s pursuing her.”

“How does he look like?”

“Tall and thin, wearing spectacles. He looks rather cultured, and his bearing is also rather good.”

Xu Tingsheng’s heart tensed. It was very likely that person.

Fu Cheng asked, “What?”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a bit, “Listen to me. Go and follow him, and take down all of his misdeeds, best including him throwing a temper and fighting or arguing or the like.”

Fu Cheng was taken aback, “Really? ...I’ve seen that person, and, sigh. While honestly speaking, I don’t wish to admit it, he actually seems to be rather good.”

Xu Tingsheng explained, “When pursuing a girl, who doesn’t show the best side of themselves? Perhaps in secret, that person, while looking refined, is actually a scum of society? ...Even if you don’t manage to obtain Ms Fang, you wouldn’t wish for her to marry a vicious scum or the like, right? Listen to me, you just take it like you’re observing him for Ms Fang. See what he is like in private. Let’s hope that he is a good guy, while at the same time also staying on guard lest he actually is a bad guy and is fooling everybody.”

Fu Cheng was silent for a while, “Alright, I’ll listen to you. If he really is very good and Ms Fang also likes him, I can only give the two of them my blessings. Who asked me to be born a few years later than her.”

“And what if he turns out terrible?”

“Then no matter what, I’ll not let Ms Fang fall for his schemes.”

“That’s why; go, youth.”

……

The day after Xu Tingsheng left Libei, Mr Xu brought along his younger brother and brother-in-law in travelling towards the provincial capital of Jiannan Province.

The two of them were masons by birth, and Mr Xu had brought them along to learn renovation. As for he himself, there were many things that he had to do. Regarding the specifics of this and from where it was that he intended to begin, Mr Xu had not told even Xu Tingsheng about it.

Chapter 33: Seeing Xiang Ning once more

Xu Tingsheng arrived in Yanzhou on a Thursday. As it was already quite late, he didn’t visit her school, instead finding a motel to stay in.

However, even so, he felt all different inside, because she was close. The closer he was to her, the closer he was to that anticipation that beset him, as only now did Xu Tingsheng realise how appropriate his earlier phrase of ‘going to experience the world’ had been.

Because Xiang Ning was Xu Tingsheng’s entire world. The closer he was to her, the more intense this feeling became.

Xu TIngsheng lay on the bed, recalling the scenes of when they had first met. Thinking of his own distress and helplessness at the time, he could not help but laugh embarrassedly.

“Uncle, you’re very useless,” Xiang Ning had once said in his previous life.

Xu Tingsheng felt that he really had been pretty useless back then. But what about this time? Try to say something to her? Even asking for directions would be fine...right?

…...

The first ‘acquaintance’ whom Xu Tingsheng met was not Xiang Ning but her form teacher Mrs Liu, Liu Xueli, whom he had come to know during his previous bus journey here. Afterwards, Xu Tingsheng had even sent her some indigowoad root as well as white vinegar.

Accurately speaking, it was Mrs Liu who first discovered Xu Tingsheng, having been lurking furtively near the gates of Xinyan Junior High at the time.

Mrs Liu still remembered Xu Tingsheng. She greeted him, eliminating his chances of escaping.

“Have you come to see your cousin? Xiang Ning...do you want me to go back in and call her for you?” Pushing her bicycle as she was about to set off for home, Liu Xueli asked warmly.

Actually, things having progressed to this stage, it was actually already very troublesome. Whether or not Xu Tingsheng met with Xiang Ning now, however he dealt with the matter, the possibility of Mrs Liu consequently bringing up this cousin of hers when speaking with her would be very high.

Fabricate a lie-that was all Xu Tingsheng could try to do right now.

“Right, Mrs Liu. Did you receive the indigowoad root and white vinegar that I sent to you last time? That...everything’s good, right,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Mrs Liu hurriedly stopped her bicycle by the roadside, saying gratefully, “So it was you who sent it! How come your name wasn’t on it, I could only guess...thank you, it’s all good, all good.”

Xu Tingsheng intentionally scratched his head somewhat perturbedly, “About that, I actually sent some to both you and Xiang Ning back then, but because of some special reasons, I didn’t leave behind my name on either.”

Being around forty years old, precisely an age to be interested in all sorts of gossip, Liu Xueli immediately became interested as she pressed, “Special reasons, what special reasons?”

Xu Tingsheng told Mrs Liu an actually rather improbable tale. He told a tale where due to tensions between their relatives of the previous generation, Xiang Ning’s parents had already cut off all ties with their Xu family, while the Xu family had always felt guilty about this. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng could not appear directly before Xiang Ning as her cousin, yet he still wished to do something for her.

This was an extremely lousy, convoluted tall tale. Whether Mrs Liu would believe it would have to depend on whether she liked to watch those kind of even more convoluted family dramas.

Fortunately, she believed it.

“No wonder even Xiang Ning’s parents couldn’t figure out who sent the things over last time,” Mrs Liu said, “Therefore, I can’t tell Xiang Ning about this-is that right?”

“Right, right,” Xu Tingsheng nodded repeatedly, “I’ll have to bother Mrs Liu on this. I think that it’s still better to go slow; after all, the tensions between our two families have already persisted for so long.”

“That’s also true. So what brings you here this time?”

“I just came out to play with some classmates having finished with my university entrance examinations. Passing by here, I just dropped by to take a look.”

“Can you recognise Xiang Ning then?”

“Yes, yes. I’ve seen her photos over from our other relatives.”

The two continued chatting for some time, talking about the university entrance examinations and Xiang Ning amidst other things. After a while, as the students were released from the school, Mrs Liu rode off on her bicycle. Before she left, she repeatedly reminded Xu Tingsheng to definitely come to her house for a meal the next time he visited.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t continue waiting by the school gates. The looks the guards were sending him were already getting rather problematic.

Xu Tingsheng found a piece of rock to sit on at the road Xiang Ning had left by the last time he came, and waited patiently. For all he knew, that untamed girl might have been kept behind by her teachers again. Before Xiang Ning appeared, Xu Tingsheng thought alone about the Xiang Ning that Mrs Liu had spoken of.

“Everything else is still good, but she really doesn’t work hard,” Mrs Liu said.

“Huh, could she been having an early relationship or something like that?” Xu Tingsheng asked hurriedly.

“It’s not like that. She’s just lazy, and loves to play.”

“That’s good then.”

Finally, Mrs Liu had said, “Based on her current results, there’d be no hope of her entering a first-tier school. I’d estimate her to enter a second-tier senior high.”

These words gave Xu Tingsheng a massive hint, “Second-tier senior high, early romance...then, what if Xiang Ning enters a first-tier senior high?”

Xu Tingsheng had always been disturbed greatly by the fact that Xiang Ning would get into a relationship when in senior high. And now, he finally seemed to have found a solution to it. There was no need for him to damage their relationship, no need for him to actively obstruct them from getting together-letting her go elsewhere would already be fine. For two people to not enter a relationship...what more straightforward method was there than for the couple to not have met at all in the first place?

The remaining problem was how to push Xiang Ning to enter a first-tier senior high.

Xu Tingsheng knew that that girl was actually very smart, just that like Mrs Liu had said, she was not hardworking at all. Meanwhile, with his current identity, there seemed to be no way for him to spur her on to work hard. He had already long since and repeatedly asked Mrs Liu to assist if possible in this area, but it was evident that Mrs Liu wouldn’t be that volatile factor that could lead to change. Only Xu Tingsheng himself would be the best, greatest volatile factor.

Before the ‘volatile factor’ Xu Tingsheng was able to think up a plan, the little slacker Xiang Ning appeared.

This time, there was already no longer the lone plait that shot skywards. Perhaps it was due to her change in hairstyle, or perhaps it was because her hair’s growth rate was very high, but seeing her two months later, Xiang Ning’s hair had already reached her shoulders, falling onto them without any accessories whatsoever just like that.

“Still, you’ve got to continue working hard and quickly grow into that long, straight, black hair, alright? Afterwards, put on a hairband and brush those cascades; a true beauty isn’t afraid to show her forehead,” Xu Tingsheng thought resentfully as he remembered the Xiang Ning in his memories.

This time, Xiang Ning was alone, her face expressionless as she moved leisurely along, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt with Xinyan Junior High printed on it as well as a baggy pair of track pants. This was the standard for school uniforms in China.

“With this, it can’t even be seen how beautiful her legs are,” Xu Tingsheng thought resentfully again.

My Xiang Ning’s long legs...currently, they should still be thin, insipid little legs, right? No, thinking like this is much too immoral…

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly put away such thoughts of his.

Closer, closer, now already less than twenty metres away. Xiang Ning was right about to brush by Xu Tingsheng.

“Should I speak?” Xu Tingsheng felt his throat grow dry as he was nervous to the point of utter helplessness.

Xiang Ning was beside him.

“This student,” Xu Tingsheng said, his voice virtually squeezed out of his throat.

Xiang Ning hadn’t heard him.

“This student,” Xu Tingsheng said again, more loudly this time.

“Huh?” Xiang Ning swivelled her head over to look at him.

Being gazed upon by this pair of eyes, Xu Tingsheng was enraptured.

“Being in your eyes, is so great.”

‘Huh?’- so this is the first thing that she said to me in this life; it seems a little short.

“Is there something?” Xiang Ning asked.

Xu Tingsheng was abruptly jolted back to his senses. Then...then, he felt into a daze again. She had spoken again, and this time was longer, with three words. Still, this girl...hasn’t your mom ever warned you not to talk to strangers before? Especially men, especially men like who are clearly ‘harbouring untoward intentions’...it really is a dangerous thing!

“About that; you are a student from Xinyan Junior High, right? I want to ask: How do I get to Xinyan Junior High from here?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Xiang Ning’s gaze suddenly turned vigilant as she furrowed her brows and thought for a while before earnestly replying, “But I saw you in front of the school gates last time, in that little shop. You were crying.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng was shocked silly, not knowing whether to smile or to cry, whether to feel happy or feel depressed.

“Xiang Ning remembers me; she remembered me with just that one glance,” Xu Tingsheng thought, “This is called destined to meet on a narrow path; this is called because i just glanced at you once more amidst the crowd of people...right, it’s precisely like this. No wonder she will fall in love with me eight years down the road.”

This thought left him joyful beyond compare.

But what was to be done now? He’d just been exposed on the spot!

“Xiang Ning, why didn’t you wait for me? Gosh...so tiring.”

As Xu Tingsheng was pondering on how to explain himself, that long-haired girl who had appeared together with Xiang Ning at that small provision shop last time ran over, grabbing Xiang Ning’s elbow as she panted heavily.

Xiang Ning pressed her lips together, saying with a sense of grievance, “Who asked you to have a boyfriend; I thought that you’d already gone home together with him.”

The long-haired girl shook her head, “Like I’m the sort of person who’d prioritise boys over friends…who’s this person?”

The young girl finally discovered Xu Tingsheng, standing by the side.

Xiang Ning answered, “Come to ask for directions...No, a liar. He’s that person who was crying inside the provision shop last time.”

The young girl tilted her head to the side and thought for a bit, then, not remembering the person whom Xiang Ning spoke of, glanced at Xu Tingsheng a few times more before turning to ask Xiang Ning, “He isn’t an accomplice of those hooligans who stopped you on the street asking for your QQ number last time, right? ...Let’s go, quickly.”

She dragged Xiang Ning along in quickly leaving. As Xiang Ning left, she turned back and glanced at Xu Tingsheng, sending him an apologetic look.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, waving goodbye.

In their second meeting, Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning spoke to each other. Even though the process had been rather awkward, even though he had been taken for a liar, at the very least, they could be considered acquainted now.

What Xu Tingsheng was more concerned about was that other matter, the one which that long-haired girl had spoken of, regarding someone having stopped Xiang Ning on the road asking for her QQ number. Honestly speaking, such matters were still rather common in this day and age. Still, since it was Xiang Ning who had been troubled by it, as Xu Tingsheng saw it, it was a major incident that could not be any more severe.

On his way back to the motel, Xu Tingsheng entered a few stores. Not finding something that especially caught his eye, he finally bought a necklace and placed it inside his bag.

For the next few days, he intended to stand guard before and after school till those people whom the long-haired girl spoke of appeared.

…

Back in Libei, Huang Yaming finally extricated himself from his days of warmness. He was the first who had left the trio, but in the blink of an eye, looking for Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng, he suddenly discovered that the two of them had suddenly become hard to get hold of as well.

Huang Yaming made several calls before he finally managed to find Fu Cheng and arrange a meeting with him.

Seeing Fu Cheng covered completely in dust and mud, Huang Yaming asked him, “What’ve you been doing?”

This was not something to be kept from Huang Yaming, as Fu Cheng told him all that Xu Tingsheng had said. This was what he had been spending all his time on these past few days.

Stalking, taking secret photos...Huang Yaming immediately grew excited as he quickly asked, “Have you managed to catch him doing anything?”

“No, it’s been pretty normal so far.”

“What do you intend to do then?”

“I’ll follow him for a few more days. Anyway, I’ve nothing else to do.”

“I’ll accompany you.”

“You’re free? Aren’t you doing that…”

“7 days break,” Huang Yaming said, “Actually, doing that everyday can also get...rather stale. Right, where’s Tingsheng?”

“He’s gone to experience the world again.”

They chatted a bit about Xu Tingsheng, talking about him and Yao Jing, and also that junior, Wu Yuewei. Huang Yaming felt that Xu Tingsheng was behaving rather strangely in this area. He had painstakingly pursued Yao Jing for two years, but in the end, when the other party had agreed, he had no longer wanted it. That pretty study queen junior as well; with her having gone to that extent, he had actually still managed to harden his heart.

Fu Cheng said, “Maybe he already has someone he likes.”

Huang Yaming said, “If he has someone he likes, how would he not tell us? He wouldn’t really have been seduced by that Apple, right? That one is a demon; who can bear it.”

Fu Cheng thought for a bit before answering, “Perhaps it’s someone we don’t know. Let’s ask him about it next time.”

Huang Yaming thought about it for a moment, then no longer continued dwelling on this topic as he dragged Fu Cheng off in going to take those secret photos.

Chapter 34: Fighting in different places

Let alone Libei County, the standard of Yanzhou City’s economy was already superior to that of Jiannan City. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng roamed randomly around Yanzhou City everyday, looking for inspiration whilst on the other hand also performing some research on the large scale supermarkets there, snapping a few photos and taking down some notes.

When Yanzhou had the ‘stone’ character in its name, its industries had nothing to do with stones at all. Of these, the one which had become famous the earliest was tangerines, and prospering the most were the industries for molds as well as plastic. 90% of the plastic basins and trash cans on sale in Jianhai City and the entire China as a whole were produced in Yanzhou.

The air in such a place naturally wouldn’t really be good. Still, with it currently being the year 2003, the natural environment still had room to be trampled upon. The sky was still blue and the wind still refreshing. Whenever he was tired out from touring the area, Xu Tingsheng would lie back on the slope of the hill behind Xinyan Junior High, looking at the clouds in the sky, listening to the chattering of the young girls from the school field not far away. It was a very leisurely, comfortable affair.

The great life ahead of him following his rebirth was spent not thinking of a way to make easy money but whiling away his time here-actually, Xu Tingsheng rather looked down on himself as well.

When school was dismissed, Xu Tingsheng would appear on that road leading to Xiang Ning’s house, looking warily at everyone walking by who looked like a hooligan. While he knew that Xiang Ning stayed in the school dormitories, who could say for sure that she would not suddenly take leave to go home one of these days?

……

The time that Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng spent everyday climbing high and crouching low was very stimulating, bringing back the feeling of them digging underground tunnels and stealing eggs from the nests of birds back in those village days. Still, they did not see any gains at all.

Of course, that was if only successfully capturing pictures of the bespectacled man acting in a negative manner could be considered seeing gains.

Fu Cheng sometimes didn’t know how he should think about this person, what sort of an attitude he should have regarding this matter. He would hope to be able to catch him in the act of something, next preventing Ms Fang from marrying a man who might be a secret ‘violent maniac’ as in Xu Tingsheng’s words. After all, selfishness and jealousy were something everyone possessed. However, as he followed the man everyday and found that he was actually very cultured and refined as well as charming, he would feel very conflicted, thinking that if Ms Fang married a good man, there seemed to be nothing he should resent, much less try to obstruct from the side.

Such an inner conflict stemmed from Fu Cheng’s self-awareness, with age playing a very huge role in this. That was to say that if the contrast in their ages and positions did not exist, Fu Cheng would definitely rush up to fairly compete for Ms Fang with the man without reservation.

However, he did not have the power to do so now-at the very least, he himself thought this way.

That day, after his sudden confession, Ms Fang had only said a single sentence, not even going as far as to dish out a rejection, “You should have waited till you’ve grown up before telling me.”

While this sentence appeared completely ordinary, its killing power was actually immense, because this was the problem that Fu Cheng was most unable to overcome.

The two followed the cultured-looking man to beneath the block where he resided.

“Let’s go, this is the last day we’ll be doing this,” Fu Cheng said.

“Don’t, this holiday of mine spans 7 days,” Huang Yaming answered, “Why don’t we keep watch overnight? Usually, it is at night when all those bad things are done. Who knows, maybe he’ll go on a rampage in the middle or the night or something.”

Fu Cheng was just about to reply when sounds of arguing and crying travelled over from within the house, the voice of that ‘cultured man’ amongst them. Of course, though, the way that he was roaring and bellowing right now didn’t seem cultured in the least. The other voice belonged to an older woman.

Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming climbed onto the clothes washing platform by the window.

“Slap.”

“Snap.”

The first sound: The cultured-looking man slapped that older woman.

The second sound: Fu Cheng pressed the shutter of the camera.

These two noises had actually been emitted at the same time, the cultured-looking man therefore not noticing the situation over at the window. Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming watched on for around half an hour more, during which time they took several dozen photos. Afterwards, they knocked on the door and rapidly fled.

The reason they had knocked on the door was that they really couldn’t take it any longer.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng walked on the streets.

“What do we do now?” Fu Cheng asked Huang Yaming.

“Look for Ms Fang, of course. Would there be anything else?” Huang Yaming replied.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

……

Fang Yunyao’s life had been rather fulfilling and blissful these past days. The university entrance examinations being over, while the school term had yet to end, the teachers of twelfth grade were already basically free other than having to await the release of the examination results as well as attend that end-of-term general meeting. In twelfth grade, the students would be nervous as they faced great hardship while there would also be great pressure on the teachers. Therefore, they would feel the much freer days later on to be especially blissful.

Having discarded the pressure, Fang Yunyao felt as if she was back to being the young girl she was back in those university days. Right, what was wrong about a 26-year-old young girl? Fang Yunyao’s old home was in Hunan, only having come to Libei due to being channeled in as a talent. Therefore, she currently still lived in the school dormitory for teachers, waking lazily everyday to the summons of the sunlight and lazing leisurely about on her bed till it was time for lunch. Afterwards, she would go shopping with her friends or colleagues or climb some mountains together. This really was the life of a little landlady, wasn’t it.

Another matter that she had rather some anticipation for was that thesis that had been published earlier, having unexpectedly attracted a great amount of attention. An older teacher in the same group as her had recently heard some rumours that the city might be considering marking her as a target for grooming as well as a member of the group for educational topic reform. Since she was already walking down the path of an educator, however much she lacked the ambition for such, Fang Yunyao still wanted to properly develop down that path. Therefore, if such a chance really came to her, she would definitely not want to let it go.

The final matter was that she had been confessed to.

26 years old was actually no longer young. Fang Yunyao’s family had constantly been pressing her to get married, while she herself had also always been looking forward to this. However, looking forward did not entail being in a rush. Fang Yunyao’s perspective was that that person must definitely have been arranged for her by the heavens since long ago. Only fated love was truly love; he would appear when the time came.

Of course, this person should not be that little boy who confessed to her in a drunken state. Even though his confession had actually left Fang Yunyao rather prideful in secret, even though that little boy was actually pretty cute, still....it wouldn’t be him. Just look at how old he was.

Afterwards, another person had appeared. He was called Zhang Junming, and was a public servant. Similarly aged to her, he could also be considered cultured and handsome.

It should be him, right?

The second time the two had met, Zhang Junming had made a very sincere confession. While Fang Yunyao had not agreed to it back then, she had felt very sweet inside. It was just that she had felt that it was too quick, that the two not yet understood each other sufficiently. She had wanted to extend this dating process a little further.

However, Zhang Junming had been very persistent about this. The third time they met, he had even brought his mother along. Not having known about this beforehand, Fang Yunyao had been given a huge scare that day. Still, no matter what, it was still true that she had already met with Zhang Junming’s family, and she had quite a good impression of Zhang Junming’s mother.

“If I really do marry Zhang Junming, our mother-daughter in-law relationship shouldn’t be as terrible as in the television serials, right?” Fang Yunyao thought rather embarrassedly.

Now, knocking noises resounded from the door.

Thinking that it was a colleague coming to eat lunch together with her, she hurriedly yelled, “Wait a moment, I’ll go change.”

Having changed, as Fang Yunyao opened the door, she found that there was already no one outside, with just a single envelope that lay before the door.

“This is…” Harbouring doubts, Fang Yunyao picked up the envelope and returned to her room.

Within the envelope were a few dozen photographs.

That evening, Fang Yunyao gave Zhang Junming a call, expressing her thoughts in a roundabout manner. She hoped that their relationship would come to an end right there, not developing any further.

Zhang Junming pleaded repeatedly on the phone, even weeping.

Fang Yunyao hung up very helplessly. As the phone rang once more, she hung up again. It rang again. She hung up once more.

Around half an hour later, as the phone kept on ringing, Fang Yunyao could only pick it up again.

“I am downstairs now. Can we speak in person?” Zhang Junming asked.

Fang Yunyao went downstairs. She did not explain the reason. While she did not know where those photographs were from, having seen their contents, she was extremely resolute.

Zhang Junming begged her repeatedly, even making as if to kneel down and beg her, but when he understood that the matter had already gone past an irreversible stage, he changed.

...Zhang Junming roared savagely, even saying, “Bitch, this promiscuous bitch. Tell me why, what’s wrong with this old man?”

Fang Yunyao was taken greatly aback. A person could actually have two sides to him that contrasted so greatly in nature. With the cultured, refined Zhang Junming actually turning so savage and frightening all of a sudden, she was shocked, now believing even more resolutely in the authenticity of the photos.

Not rebutting, not arguing, Fang Yunyao apologised, then turned and headed back up the stairs.

Zhang Junming grabbed her arm from behind very forcefully. It hurt a lot, but she was unable to shake it off. Afterwards, she turned and stumbled backwards as he pulled her back. Zhang Junming raised his hand, slapping down forcefully on Fang Yunyao’s face.

Then, he raised his hand again.

A figure lunged wildly over, howling like a mastiff as he pinned Zhang Junming down to the ground. The two very quickly became engaged in a sprawling fight on the ground.

Fang Yunyao recognised it to be Fu Cheng.

Afterwards, another figure joined in the brawl. Fang Yunyao knew him as well. It was Huang Yaming.

The three fought for a while before Fu Cheng crawled up, his cheekbone swollen and bleeding as he asked, “Ms Fang, are you okay?”

Collapsed on the ground, Zhang Junming sat up, his teeth clenched and his face twisted savagely as he looked at Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, “This old man’s a public servant, this old man’s from the Trade and Industry Bureau. This old man will kill you two little scum dead, and this bitch as well.”

“Don’t this old man this, this old man that. His old man’s name is Fu Qizhi,” Huang Yaming pointed at Fu Cheng, telling Zhang Junming.

Fu Qizhi was Fu Cheng’s father. He was the Vice Chief of Libei County’s Trade and Industry Bureau, the utmost boss of Zhang Junming’s utmost boss.

Fang Yunyao was escorted by the two youths back up to her home. Due to embarrassment, she did not say anything other than expressing her thanks. After returning to her room, she locked her door very carefully, next moving a stool and luggage up to block it.

Even so, Fang Yunyao was still overcome by fear. She curled up into a ball on her bed, hugging and weeping softly into her pillow.

Only now did she realise that he was truly still a young girl, a helpless young girl. Her hometown, along with her parents, was very far away. Meanwhile, she also didn't have many friends. There was only her here, solitary and lonely little her.

She was afraid after the fact. If Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming had not been here today, how would it have turned out? What she feared more after the fact was this: If she had not seen Zhang Junming's true face before marrying him, how would she ultimately have ended up?

Fang Yunyao was unable to fall asleep. Around 2am, she heard the sound of something knocking against her door.

“Who is it?”

There was no response.

Fang Yunyao thought for a long time before crawling up and grabbing a pair of scissors. She opened the door, having decided to shrink back no further.

What she saw was Fu Cheng, sleeping soundly outside her door.

“Hey.”

Fu Cheng hurriedly got up, stammering, “Sorry, sorry! I was afraid that he would come again.”

“I know,” Fang Yunyao asked, “Were you the one who took the photos?”

Fu Cheng frantically explained, “No…Yes, but I had no ill intentions. I was just worried that he might be a bad guy, just that one in a thousand chance. Sorry, I really didn't mean anything else. If he was very good, I would have been happy for you...I was just worried…”

“I know,” Fang Yunyao cut him off, “Thank you.”

Fu Cheng smiled, scratching his head, “It's alright. After all, there's nothing else that I have to do now. You can rest assured; if he comes again, I'll be here. Don't be dejected, Ms Fang; there’re still many good men out there. Just find a good one next time.”

Fang Yunyao suddenly felt more at ease somewhat as she chuckled, “If I find another, will you be secretly taking pictures of him as well?”

There was a short awkward moment before Fu Cheng said softly, “I’d come back to take them during the holidays.”

Fang Yunyao’s mood took a turn for the better as she asked, “Have you been here all along?”

Fu Cheng nodded, asking, “Do you want me to go over by the stairway?”

There weren't actually many teachers who stayed in this dormitory building. Most of the teachers in Libei County were locals, not needing to stay within the dorms. Thus, there was actually only Fang Yunyao who resided on this floor that held three apartments.

Fang Yunyao thought for a moment before asking, “How about, you come in?”

After that, she took a step back to the side, opening up the doorway.

Fu Cheng hurriedly waved his hands, “I won’t come in, I won't come in. If someone happens to see it, it would be bad for your reputation.”

“This mere kid really thinks so much,” Fang Yunyao said, “If you stand here, it’s much more likely that you would be seen.”

Fu Cheng entered Fang Yunyao's dorm room, then...was rendered helpless, remaining in a position reminiscent of neither standing nor sitting.

“I'm hungry, I'm cooking noodles. Want some?” Fang Yunyao asked.

Fu Cheng hurriedly said that she didn't have to.

“Fine then.”

“I’d like some.”

Fu Cheng moved a stool over and sat by the door, eating noodles together with Fang Yunyao. Afterwards, Fang Yunyao sat on her bed and they chatted. They chatted about many things, about the miraculous trio consisting of him, Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming, about Fang Yunyao's high school and university, about the university entrance examinations, about the graduation dinner, about…

The topics stopped with the graduation dinner, because any further and the same thing would come to mind for them- Fu Cheng's confession.

“You’re pretty good at singing and also play the guitar well. In university, there will definitely be many girls who like you,” Fang Yunyao skipped over that event.

Fu Cheng inhaled deeply, then said, “Before Ms Fang marries, I won't enter a relationship.”

His bravery 'killed’ the conversation, the two no longer speaking.

The next day, it was already almost noon when Fang Yunyao woke up. She discovered that she had actually unknowingly entered peaceful slumber before that little boy, actually even having forgotten her fear.

Opening the door, Fu Cheng stood outside, saying as he saw her emerge, “You’ve awoken, Ms Fang. You should eat now; I'll return home.”

……

When Fang Yunyao was bullied by Zhang Junming, Fu Cheng lunged over like a mastiff, even really releasing a low howl like one.

At this moment, at a different place, Xu Tingsheng had actually just finished doing a similar thing, just that his situation was a little more tragic. It was 2 vs 1 on Fu Cheng’s side, but it was 1 v 3 for him.

Actually, those three hooligans were still yet to graduate from junior high. Still, Xu Tingsheng accidentally took a few hits from them.

“You are not to harass my sister again, get it?” Xu Tingsheng had on a savage expression as he brandished the bloodied chain in his hand.

Xiang Niang stood not far away, crying as she looked at this man who claimed to be her brother fighting with three hooligans who had constantly been harassing her recently. He had won, but the back of his head was bleeding non-stop.

Chapter 35: Understanding

Xu Tingsheng told Xiang Ning to go home, but she refused.

“I wasn’t taking leave to go home in the first place,” Xiang Ning said.

“Well, why were you running blindly about then?” Xu Tingsheng asked sternly.

Xiang Ning shot him a wronged look before she pouted, explaining, “Tomorrow’s the sports meet, and many people applied for leave. I want to eat some seafood noodles, so I just applied for leave along with them.”

She was indeed still a child. Xu Tingsheng touched the back of his head, coming away with a hand full of blood, “You go back to school first. I will bandage this up and then buy your noodles for you. Half an hour later, come to the guardhouse to collect it.”

After saying so, Xu Tingsheng left quickly in big strides. Xiang Ning ran a few steps after him, but was glared back by him. She could only hang her head and return despondently to her school.

“What’re you so fierce for, even fiercer than the teachers… If not for your bleeding head, I’d totally ignore you, you big liar.”

“Still saying that you’d buy noodles for me, but also not asking which store and which flavour of noodles I like.”

“Forget it, seeing that you are injured, no matter what noodles you buy later, I’ll just pretend that I really like it.”

Half an hour later, sporting a bandaged head, Xu Tingsheng arrived at the school gates. As Xiang Ning emerged from the guardhouse and took the noodles, she found that it was her favourite flavour of seafood noodles, from the longtime noodle store that she liked the most.

Over the next few days, Xiang Niang would always get to eat her favourite seafood noodles. A few different flavours were chosen, but the ones that she hated never appeared at all.

This felt very miraculous, as Xiang Ning felt that this big liar seemed to understand her a lot. Yet, he also seemed reluctant to converse too much with her, hurriedly coming and leaving every time he delivered the noodles. Therefore, she was unable to pry further into it.

“Is that very handsome uncle pursuing you?” Xiang Ning’s good friend asked her.

Xiang Ning’s little heart skipped a beat as she felt nervousness as well as some sort of strange, indiscernible emotion. Was it really like that for him?

“But he’s too old,” Her friend continued, “It’s better to find a classmate, like me. We can attend lessons together; learn together.”

The nineteen-year-old Xu Tingsheng didn’t know that he was being looked down on due to his age, didn’t know that that mischievous little girl was planning to test him.

Today, after he had delivered the noodles, Xiang Ning asked, “Can you really be my brother?”

Xu Tingsheng paused for a moment before replying, “I won’t be your brother. Also, I have to remind you that there are many bad people in our society. Actually, you shouldn’t even talk casually to strangers, much less eat the food that they buy for you.”

Xiang Ning felt very wronged, “But it’s not like you’re a bad person.”

“Would ‘bad person’ be written on their faces?”

Xiang Ning felt that things were not like this, that she had been wronged. How would she usually not ignore strangers? Otherwise, why would she have let herself get bullied by those hooligans, just not giving them her QQ number?

Still, she was unable to explain it, because it was true that for some mysterious reason, she had believed in this person before her who was similarly a stranger.

“I know, big liar.”

Xiang Ning stuffed the noodles back in Xu Tingsheng’s hands, returning angrily to her school. Only when she had passed through the doorway did she sniff, tears beginning to fall from her throbbing eyes.

“I definitely won’t cry in front of him, that big liar.”

“Still saying that you won’t be my brother; like I’d want that. I was just testing you, and look, you indeed were a bad guy.”

……

Xu Tingsheng felt troubled by the fact that the curiosity of that little girl was just too great, with her vigilance low as a result. He was happy because of how close she behaved with him, but it was also because of this that he felt worried.

Another problem that left him feeling conflicted was this: Was he getting too close to her?

In the next few days, Xu Tingsheng no longer delivered the noodles, and Xiang Ning no longer appeared at the guardroom.

“Looks like that little girl really is angry,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

“Looks like that big liar really isn’t coming,” Xiang Ning thought.

Xu Tingsheng loitered by the road to Xiang Ning’s home for a few more days, during which he did not see those hooligans again. On 19th June, Xu Tingsheng bought a bowl of noodles and left it at the guardroom before leaving for Jiannan City.

Before returning to Libei County, Xu Tingsheng toured Jiannan City for a day.

He went to the school in which he had taught for four years in his previous life, seeing some familiar old teachers there.

He went to the small alley in which he had opened his final store in his previous life. That place was currently still a store which sold children's clothing, and he knew that it would stay open for very long, all the way till the year 2014.

He went to the riverside where he had had his first date with Xiang Ning in his previous life. The dams there had still yet to be constructed.

He intentionally went to many places, but there was one place which he went to by accident, a three-way crossroad. In his previous life, he had ‘died’ here.

“Perhaps there is a door here, and stepping through it, I’d return to the world of my previous life.”

“Are they two parallel worlds, or did the entire world regress with me by a whole 12 years? ...Let’s hope it is the latter; otherwise, how sad would mom and sis be… What about Xiang Ning, would she know?”

Trembling, Xu Tingsheng used all his strength and courage to walk to that position. He stood there for a few seconds, a car that passed by honking at him, its driver sticking his head out of the window, scolding, “Standing in the middle of the road in a daze like that, are you looking to die?!”

Xu Tingsheng apologetically moved aside.

“There’s no door there; nothing brought me back. So, it’s not two different worlds; it’s that the entire world regressed alongside me,” Xu Tingsheng told himself.

Afterwards, he escaped from that place, not willing to think about it any longer, because, he really would be unable to bear the existence of that other world, if it existed.

……

On 20th June, Xu Tingsheng returned to Libei.

His two uncles had already returned, bringing along with them some experts in renovation, officially beginning the renovation of the shopping mall. Because these experts all had experience in renovating large scale supermarkets, also having brought along blueprints, other than giving some general proposals based on his impressions, Xu Tingsheng did not get involved any more deeply.

One of his key proposals was to delegate an entertainment zone for children.

The experts were opposed to this, because 2000 square metres was actually already rather small for a large scale supermarket. If such an entertainment zone still had to be delegated, the amount of space they could use would decrease yet further.

Still, Xu Tingsheng insisted on it. Even if the scale of the supermarket were to be slightly smaller, it would still be sufficient for Libei County. Meanwhile, the existence of this entertainment zone for children would be like the shopping trolleys that could sit little children at their front, in that it would be symbolic, giving people the feeling: Now this is just like those large scale supermarkets we see on television.

After all this had been settled, Xu Tingsheng learnt from his uncles Mr Xu’s situation. After having contacted the experts in renovation, Mr Xu had first entered a large scale supermarket to work, learning to keep inventory. Next, he had changed supermarkets once every few days with a job in another area. Xu Tingsheng guessed that his father would definitely have been rejected many times, but he would definitely not give up just because of that.

As for Mr Xu’s motive in doing so, Xu Tingsheng was clear on it as well. On one hand, it was to understand the operation of large scale supermarkets, while on the other, and more importantly as well, Mr Xu was also searching for targets for cooperation, or rather to establish an alliance with.

“Now, dad should already be in the midst of negotiations, right?”

Xu Tingsheng made a trip back home before returning to Libei County once more. He then called Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Song Ni out to eat dinner together.

Over dinner, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng finally received the answer they wanted, as Xu Tingsheng admitted that he had fallen in love with a person from outside.

Afterwards, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming spoke about Ms Fang’s matter.

Xu Tingsheng sighed in relief.

“You were in Ms Fang’s room for an entire night?” This was what Xu Tingsheng was most surprised by.

“Don’t think untoward thoughts,” Fu Cheng warned him.

“Then, do you think there’s hope for you now?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Fu Cheng shook his head.

The trio changed the topic, asking Song Ni, “Has that Chen Yulun still come looking for you?”

Song Ni said that he had not.

Afterwards, Song Ni said that she did not intend to go to university, because her results might only be good enough to get her into a higher vocational school, and it would be hard for her to find a good job afterwards even after graduating. Therefore, she still thought it best to just start working already.

“Study-study accountancy,” If you can’t find a job in the future, you can come help manage our supermarket. I’ll let you be a manager.”

Song Ni covered her mouth, laughing.

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m serious.”

Chapter 36: The examination results are released

Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming spent their next two days together, sometimes meeting up with some of their other friends and classmates, such as Song Ni, as well. Once, Xu Tingsheng encountered Yao Jing. Luckily, as had been in his previous life, they could still face their breakup straightforwardly, conversing normally and happily.

Actually, whether it was his previous life or this one, Xu Tingsheng could never understand whether Yao Jing had truly been able to let it go or if she was just used to hiding her emotions. This girl actually also had such a delicate side to herself, just that she seldom revealed it before others.

Just like how her perspective on the big words Xu Tingsheng had said about making it into the top 20 ranks of the entire year had been different from others, just like how she had come over to teach Xu Tingsheng on her own accord the day after Xu Tingsheng had flunked his Mathematics test, just like how…

Still, Xu Tingsheng knew that he had best not get himself involved in relationships that he was destined to be unable to bear. Just like this was enough.

Most of the trio’s time was spent with a few bottles of wine lying on the dams of the riverside roads, drinking and chatting. The break following their graduation from twelfth grade was a very long one, but the countdown towards their probable parting still dwindled as the days went by.

All awaited the release of the results of the university entrance examinations.

Two days later, on the evening of 23th June, Mr Xu returned. Rather than returning alone, he had brought back five people with him.

These five people all hailed from Libei, having been doing different jobs in large scale supermarkets in the provincial capital Xihu City. At the same time that he had worked in various supermarkets, Mr Xu had also been attempting to gather talent. Actually, sometimes, talent really had nothing much to do with qualifications. Being familiar with a particular profession was itself a form of ability; having spent quite some time in that profession, as long as you had not been lazing about, you would thereby have become a talent.

There would always be people from outside the industry coming and joining in, and to them, you would be naught but a talent.

The process of inviting people over had not been very successful, because few were willing to move from the provincial capital to the backward Libei. Therefore, Mr Xu had set his sights on those who had been born in Libei, and those who were slightly older at that.

Libei was a very livable little city. With a population of less than 200 thousand, its water was clear and its forest lush, with little crime and few natural disasters. When young, people loved to roam about and explore. However, having grown older, they would generally feel like settling down somewhere for good. The wages that Mr Xu offered were not any lower than those in the provincial capital, and he was offering them a chance to settle permanently back down in Libei as well. It was with this that some who tired of the high-tempo life in big cities and had also been frightened greatly by SARS had decided to pledge their allegiance.

In terms of wages, if you earned the same amount in both Libei and the provincial capital, it was actually equivalent to your income being more than twice as high here in Libei.

Truthfully speaking, the ages of these people were all on the high side, and their ability could not be said to be that high as well. Still, amongst them, there was one who had worked as a cashier, one who had worked in stock keeping, one who had been in charge of managing shopping trolleys and also one who had been in charge of overseeing an entertainment area for children. This was already enough. To the Xu Family that was taking its first steps into the large scale supermarket industry, they were naught but talents.

Amongst them was a woman who was close to thirty years of age. Mr Xu said that she had nearly become a manager. What did nearly mean here?

It meant that her abilities were almost sufficient, just that she had fallen behind in the competition for being promoted. This woman had agreed the most straightforwardly. On the one hand, she already no longer wanted to continue working in that supermarket. On the other, her child had been in Libei all this time. With them seldom meeting, any much more and it might even reach the extent of the mother not being recognised by her own child.

She had originally wanted to send for her child after she had become a manager, sending him to study over there despite the costs for such perhaps being a little high. In the end, not having been successfully promoted, she had been unable to steel her resolve. In this era, the difficulty and costs for children studying in a foreign land were shockingly high.

On the very day she had learnt of her failure, Mr Xu had found her, asking her: Why don’t you come over to my place and be a manager there; you’ll be able to take care of your child as well.

She had been scared greatly by this fellow villager of hers who had initially been performing manual labour at that same supermarket. What, could you also be a big boss?

Mr Xu had introduced the situation of his supermarket, and she had agreed the very next day. The following day, she had resigned from her job. It was Mr Xu who had stayed on in that supermarket for yet two days more, ‘stealing’ away a cashier before leaving.

Xu Tingsheng approved greatly of his father’s actions. Entering a new industry for the first time, this was the easiest, most convenient way to get started.

Xu Tingsheng accompanied Mr Xu in throwing a welcome party for their new workers. They conversed happily over a table of wine, talking about how they had still thought about taking care of their fellow villager a bit more after having first seen Mr Xu, not having thought that two days later, this fellow villager would suddenly ask ‘why don’t you come work with me’, striking them all dumbfounded.

Then, the fellow villager had turned into their boss.

After the meal, the Xu father and son were both slightly tipsy as they staggered messily along towards the supermarket. The renovation of the supermarket was currently being rushed along day and night. Still, because there were their own people there, they didn’t have to worry too much about it.

As they walked, Mr Xu told Xu Tingsheng about the supermarket that he had already established a relationship of cooperation with. From his mouth emerged a name which stood out as rather obtrusive to Xu Tingsheng.

“Joining an alliance?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It’s cooperation,” Mr Xu said, “They will be setting a standard price for and supplying us with a portion of their goods as we just build up our brand. The only condition is that we pay for the incoming goods first, not returning to them what we are unable to sell, also bearing the cost of the logistics on our own.”

Mr Xu had once again stepped into a completely new industry through the most convenient method. What Xu Tingsheng was curious about was why the other side would have agreed to conditions such as these.

Only after hearing Mr Xu’s explanation did Xu Tingsheng understand that this matter actually had to do with the other party wanting to clear their stock. Due to SARS, the warehouses of their large scale supermarket chain had already been overloaded to an extremely terrifying extent. Mr Xu’s appearance had therefore been like encountering rain following a long drought, meeting the God of Fortune whilst escaping a famine.

The two had only signed a one year contract. Mr Xu had already confirmed that as long as he achieved some level of popularity for their supermarket with this, various organisations would then come looking for them on their own accord. At that time, not only would they not have to worry about finding suppliers, they would even be able to ask for an entry fee from those who wanted to sell their goods here.

Xu Tingsheng found his father having managed to achieve all of this in but a little over ten days to be rather inconceivable. In having decided to run a supermarket before, it had basically been due to a moment's passion, being a spur of the moment thing. What he had seen had been the opportunity that lay before them, with him not having sufficiently considered the matter of the relevant details. Not having been involved in the supermarket industry in his previous life, he didn’t really know about these things, such that had he been asked to handle them, he would not have known where to start at all.

Luckily, Mr Xu once again demonstrated his competence. The precious jewel no longer obscured by dust, it emanated dazzling radiance all around.

Xu Tingsheng felt like there was really not much difference whether he was involved in the development of this supermarket any further. Perhaps...a name still had to be selected for it.

Afterwards, the father and son went to the site of the renovation. Later on, they accompanied Xu Tingsheng's two uncles as well as all those involved in the renovation in eating supper. These renovation masters were really much fiercer in drinking than those five people previously. In the end, father and son both fell chaotically and completely drunk and had to be supported over to a nearby motel to stay.

When Xu Tingsheng awoke the next day, it was already noon. As he pulled out his phone, he found that he had accumulated several tens of missed calls in the meantime. There were some from Old Zhou, some from Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and some other classmates and friends as well as some from numbers that weren't even recorded in his phone, the identity of the callers unknown.

Xu Tingsheng shook his father awake. Following that, as Mr Xu took a look at his phone, he discovered that there was also a large batch of missed calls on it.

Father and son exchanged looks. Something couldn't have cropped up, right?

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly dialed Fu Cheng’s number.

Before he had even opened his mouth to speak, Fu Cheng was already roaring on the other end, “The hell, where have you died to? Not answering though everyone was calling the entire night; have you checked your examination results? How did you do?”

Around 11.30pm on 23th June, the university entrance examination results for Jianhai Province were opened for checking. At that time, Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu had already been drunk silly.

“It can't be that...you flunked and don't want to pick up the phone, right? ...Sorry.” Seeing how Xu Tingsheng was silent for a long time, Fu Cheng apologised rather uneasily.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly explained, “That's not it, I still haven't checked them. I got drunk yesterday...I'll hang up first; I'll call you after I've checked them.”

As he hung up the phone, Mr Xu exclaimed frantically from beside him, “The results are out? Check them, quickly.”

“Right, check.”

Xu Tingsheng picked up his phone before pausing again, “My entry proof is still at home. Do I need it for checking my results?”

“Let's go.”

The Xu father and son hurriedly booked out of their motel room before pedalling furiously back towards home.

Chapter 37: Top Scholar for Humanities(1)

Turning the clock back to 11.30pm of 23rd June, the night when Xu Tingsheng had fallen into a deep, drunken slumber.

Many held the misconception that the university entrance examination results would be sent to the school and the teachers first, to be viewed as a whole by them through the overall statistical report. Actually, this was false.

In truth, unless you happened to have slept through the night of the results release just like Xu Tingsheng, the first to know your results would always be you and your family.

The next thing that happened would be anxious form teachers calling up their students to inquire about their results, the students also updating one another. If someone failed to answer their calls at this hour, it usually meant that they had bungled up their exams.

This was the conclusion that Old Zhou, Zhou Xueyin had drawn as well. After having called Xu Tingsheng four times in a row but to no avail, a bad feeling arose within his heart, and perhaps some desolation as well.

He had had tremendous hopes for Xu Tingsheng. Never would he have thought that the biggest card in his hand would actually unexpectedly fail to perform like this.

With things having turned out this way, despite the fact that his other students had all done pretty well, amidst Old Zhou’s joy was also a tinge of regret and worry.

“How bad could he have flunked that such a usually calm and reliable child refuses even to pick up his phone?”

Old Zhou then called up Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng. Other than asking about their results, he also asked if they had been able to get in touch with Xu Tingsheng, if they were aware of his circumstances.

Huang Yaming had made it to the cut-off point for key national universities, exceeding it by 17 marks. Meanwhile, Fu Cheng was unlucky, having missed the cut-off point by a mere 3 marks. Actually, if he had glanced a few more times over at Xu Tingsheng’s papers during the examinations, he would definitely not be lacking these mere 3 marks. It was all because of the first examination’s Language paper. As Xu Tingsheng had placed his exam paper in too obvious a position and not remedied it despite several admonitions, the invigilator had given him a warning.

Fu Cheng had been afraid that Xu Tingsheng, whilst trying to ‘look after’ him, would end up being accused of cheating. Therefore, afterwards, during the subsequent few examinations, he had completely refused to take reference from his papers any further.

Yao Jing exceeded the second-tier cut-off line for normal universities by quite a bit, her score not much different from back in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life. Bar the unexpected, she would most likely be going on to the same university.

Song Ni had indeed performed as she had predicted, only having achieved the cut-off for vocational college. Her academic capabilities were actually not as low as this. Although she would not say it, although she had concealed her emotions very well, it could not be denied that the entire affair with Chen Yulun had affected her greatly, even having caused her to feel like giving up on the university entrance examinations and going on to further studies very early on.

After Old Zhou had spoken on the phone with Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, he proceeded to call up Yao Jing, Song Ni and several other classmates who were comparatively closer to Xu Tingsheng. Still, none of them had heard from him.

A desolate Old Zhou returned to school the next morning to collate the results while still wearing a moody face, despite Grade 12 Class 10 having produced two students who had cleared the cut-off for key universities as well as a number who would be able take regular college courses this time, this being rather a miracle for a normal Humanities class. The entire Humanities cohort of Libei Senior High usually only saw around 15 students meeting the cut-off for key universities each year, and even amidst the current burst of brilliance this year, there were still only around 20 students who had managed it this time.

Of course, the final statistics were not yet known.

The form teachers and subject teachers gathered in the Humanities office, exchanging the news of the results. Quite a number of them approached Old Zhou to congratulate him, and of course, yet more came over to inquire about Xu Tingsheng’s results.

Old Zhou sighed, revealing the situation of Xu Tingsheng not picking up his calls.

Thus, all the teachers came to understand why Old Zhou still looked so moody despite Grade 12 Class 10 clearly having performed so well.

Some sympathised, thinking that it was indeed a great pity, while others could not believe it. Fang Yunyao belonged to the latter group. Having a deep understanding of Xu Tingsheng’s capabilities, she thought: however much a student like this messes up, how bad can it possibly be?

“It probably isn’t that bad; maybe it’s just that he expected too much from himself,” Fang Yunyao consoled Old Zhou and made her own attempt to call Xu Tingsheng, but still to no avail.

Fang Yunyao hesitated for a moment before picking up the phone again to call Fu Cheng. She had actually already heard of Fu Cheng’s results from other students the night before, next having confirmed this again over with Old Zhou this morning. While it was kind of a pity, he had still done rather well.

Fang Yunyao would sometimes be shocked by this kind of unconscious interest and concern. When she had realised that she actually really wanted to know Fu Cheng’s results, actually really looked forward to him calling her to tell her his results, she had truly felt a little flustered. In the end, Fu Cheng had not called her. Instead, she had asked about it with feigned nonchalance while speaking with Yao Jing, thereby coming to know of Fu Cheng’s results.

Fang Yunyao felt that it was a bit of a pity for Fu Cheng, but was happy for him as well. After all, in view of his usual results, even entering a vocational university might be a little dangerous for him.

“Since you won’t call me to tell me your results, I shan’t call you to ask either,” Fang Yunyao had thought to herself, her sentiments a little similar to those of a girl in a huff with her boyfriend. Actually, Fu Cheng had not contacted her since the events of that night.

Now, Fang Yunyao had found a good excuse for herself...no, a good reason.

“I already know your results; I think they’re pretty good. What about you?” Fang Yunyao spoke into the phone.

“I feel that they’re not too bad as well; my family is also very satisfied. After all, I had been performing poorly for a long time. This is all thanks to Xu Tingsheng, Old Zhou and all the teachers, and...you, Ms Fang,” Fu Cheng stammered as he spoke.

Actually, when he had said ‘all the teachers’, that had already included Ms Fang. Still, he had specifically repeated her name at the end in order to show his gratitude.

Ms Fang was a little flustered at this as she heard a deeper meaning concealed within his words. Was he trying to convey that she had been his motivation to work hard? ...This crafty brat.

Fang Yunyao steadied the wild thoughts in her mind, returning to a proper, upright manner as she replied, “I called to ask-have you managed to contact Xu Tingsheng? How did he do? Mr Zhou said that he could not get through to him.”

As it was still morning, Fu Cheng had not yet received the call that Xu Tingsheng would give him later on, so he replied, “I haven’t been able to get through to him. Huang Yaming and I have already called him tens of times but to no avail. We’re preparing to go to his house in the afternoon.”

“I see.”

Fang Yunyao hung up, sat back down on her chair and casually fiddled with her mouse.

The chat group for Grade 12 teachers had been very lively over the past couple of days, its notification icon continually pulsating and appearing. As Fang Yunyao opened it, the line at the very bottom, sent by the Year Head Mr Huang, read thus: The sciences have been collated, with Ye Jian the top scholar. As for the Humanities, it seems to appear that 592 marks is the highest.

There were only two senior high schools in Libei County, and the standards between them were vastly different. The top scoring student of Libei Senior High was without a doubt the top scholar of Libei County. What the school committee and teachers were really concerned about was their top scorer’s rank in the entire city. This ranking was usually made known on the evening of this day when the city was distributed the official statistical data sent over from the higher-ups.

Of course, no matter what this ranking eventually turned out to be, Libei County’s top scorer was still a lofty position greatly worthy of praise and something that the teachers were exceptionally concerned about as well.

Within a moment, there were teachers asking below: Who?

The Year Head responded: Chen Yulun.

Some teachers in the office immediately stood up to congratulate the form teacher of Class 7, Zhang Xiuyun, “Congratulations Ms Zhang. Chen Yulun from your class is the top scholar for Humanities.”

In actual fact, this piece of news was not really something worth congratulating. For Libei Senior High, the top scholar for Humanities hailing from their sole Humanities special class was only to be expected. If there was anything to guess about, it would instead be none other than who of Class 7 this top scholar actually was.

In spite of this, Zhang Xiuyun still sighed in relief at the fact that the top scholar was from her Class 7. That Xu Tingsheng’s momentum had really been too ferocious. When even his Mathematics had begun showing signs of improvement as well, it had made her feel especially uneasy.

Now that matters looked to be confirmed, Zhang Xiuyun’s tense heart was finally set at ease.

She courteously replied, “All this is as it should be. Also, the city ranking is still not known yet.”

Having finished, she grabbed the office telephone and called Chen Yulun’s family, him being precisely the one who picked up.

She told him, “Congratulations, Yulun. You're the top scholar for this Humanities batch.”

Chapter 38: Top Scholar for Humanities (2)

Zhang Xiuyun said, “Congratulations, Yulun. You’re the top scholar for this Humanities batch.”

“Bang,” His phone having fallen onto the table due to his trembling hands, the excited Chen Yulun hurriedly picked it back up, asking, “Sorry, Mrs Zhang, about that...I’d like to ask, can you confirm this? ...I scored higher than Ye Yingjing?”

Actually, Chen Yulun had only attained first in the year once throughout his entire twelfth grade. Most of the time, it had been Ye Yingjing who had ranked first.

With both of them being her precious students, Zhang Xiuyun was not especially joyful as she even said rather regretfully, “She didn’t score well for Mathematics. She was behind you by just 1 mark.”

“Yeah...no, what I mean is: thank you, Mrs Zhang. I’d also like to ask-how did that Xu Tingsheng from Class 10 do?”

“I’m not very clear on that. He seems to have flunked, perhaps not even having made it to a national key university. Mr Zhou is currently sighing just over there.”

The entire office heard Zhang Xiuyun’s words. Fang Yunyao heard it, and Old Zhou heard it as well. Still, he was helpless against them, only able to grit his teeth.

Over at the other end, as soon as he had put down his phone, Chen Yulun yelled loudly, “Mom, Dad, I’m the top scholar for Humanities.”

“What?”

“Top scholar for Humanities.”

“Huh?! Top scholar…”

After their initial joy, the Chen Family began frantically making calls all around:

“Oh, Yulun’s aunt. Let me tell you a good piece of news. Our family’s Yulun is the top scholar for Humanities...right, the kid’s still rather competent. A banquet? Definitely...nah, what red packet, just showing up will be more than enough.”

“Hi, factory head. I’ll be taking leave for the next two days…No, there’s nothing wrong with my health. It’s a good thing: My family’s Yulun is the top scholar for Humanities. No matter what, I should also set down a few tables for celebration...oh, you’re coming as well? Yes, of course, you’re definitely welcome. Let’s say this first-you don’t have to prepare a red packet, okay? Just you coming personally is in itself already the greatest honour.”

Chen Yulun’s parents called all their friends and relatives one by one. Suddenly, Chen Yulun’s mother remembered a relative of theirs who could be considered neither close nor distant to them. Their daughter just happened to be a classmate of her son, and also seemed always to have been presiding over Chen Yulun by a head.

Should she make this call?

Chen Yulun’s mother felt that she had to. In the past, when their relatives and friends were chatting about their kids, it was always that girl who received the most praises. No matter what, she definitely had to vent this out now.

She picked up the phone, “Hello, is this sister-in-law? ...Is brother also at home?... Nothing, I’m just calling to ask about your Yingjing’s results. She’s always been very good in her studies, I heard from our Yulun that she gets first nine out of ten times...oh, so it’s like this, what a pity. Still, it’s already quite good, right? Hey, isn’t this really coincidental? She just scored a single mark lower than our family’s Yulun. One of those rare one out of ten times in which she didn’t score first, and it had to be the most important university entrance examinations, that’s just so...Right, my Yulun was lucky and became the top scholar. Still, Yingjing did pretty good as well...Yes, we will be hosting a banquet. At that time, do remember to come, and bring Yingjing along as well, okay?”

Having listened to her words from the side, Chen Yulun’s father reproached her afterwards rather unhappily, “Isn’t this stirring things up?”

Chen Yulun’s mother rebutted, “So what if I am stirring things up?”

Hearing his parents argue, after learning of what had happened, Chen Yulun just said nonchalantly, “Anyway, the call’s been made. It’s also better than leaving her prideful like whatnot everyday anyways.”

Chen Yulun had actually pursued Ye Yingjing before, in the end having failed. As a result, his favourable sentiments towards her having turned into resentment, he currently felt a great sense of pride and elation as well as a little joy at having achieved successful vengeance.

In Ye Yingjing’s home, Mrs Ye rather unhappily told her husband of what had transpired over the phone. Mr Ye gently comforted her. A very magnanimous and knowledgeable person, it was precisely because of such that he had managed to raise up a daughter like Ye Yingjing.

Of course, there was no avoiding a sense of regret at what could have been.

Having inherited her father’s tolerance and magnanimity, Ye Yingjing had gone out early in the morning for some mountain climbing with her classmates, afterwards eating lunch together with them. Just after she had returned, Mrs Ye told her rather angrily and uneasily about the matter of her having missed out on being the top scholar by a single mark.

Ye Yingjing was instead the one who comforted her mother, after which she said, “Actually, this might not definitely be the case. On my way home just now, I met that Xu Tingsheng from Class 10 whom I told you was very awesome before and spoke with him a little. Can you guess what he said?”

“What, he scored even higher?”

“I don’t know. He said that for some reason, he forget about the results being released yesterday night. Instead, he got really drunk with his father, only just having woken up at around noon today,” Ye Yingjing laughed, “When I saw him, he and his father were just about to go home to get his entry proof for checking his results.”

Mrs Ye looked at her husband and daughter, saying, “This father and son really have vast hearts, vaster even than the both of yours.”

“It’s better having vast hearts; those with vast hearts live happier,” Mr Ye said.

“Well, my heart is not that vast. I can’t wait now for that kid to check out the highest score, angering those guys of the Chen Family to death. Look at that arrogant look of theirs,” Saying thus, Mrs Ye then truly joined her hands together in prayer.

The father and daughter both burst into laughter at this.

Ye Yingjing pursed her lips, saying, “Actually, I also hope that he’s done well.”

Mr and Mrs Ye exchanged looks. Their daughter seldom paid much attention to anybody, and it was even rarer for her to talk about any male classmates. However, many matters regarding this Xu Tingsheng, including his improvement in results, his interaction lesson, even that time he had done a reflection up on stage, had been mentioned to them by their daughter, and not just once as well…

Thinking that her daughter had already graduated anyway, Mrs Ye gave her a knowing smile, “Oh, how rare...That boy must have quite the charm?”

“No, no,” Ye Yingjing frantically waved her hands in denial, “It’s just, it’s just pure admiration.”

Seeing her daughter’s flustered look, Mrs Ye grew even more interested. She heard already mostly heard about all of Xu Tingsheng’s school exploits by way of her daughter, and what parents were concerned about was usually different from their children.

Mrs Ye asked, “Then, do you know what that Xu Tingsheng’s family does?”

“Huh?” Ye Yingjing had a reddened face at her mother’s question.

“I’m just asking; what’s wrong with that?” Mrs Ye said.

Ye Yingjing thought for a bit before answering, “I heard that that departmental store on the first floor of that Golden City Tower, with the ‘Wait For Me’ written on it, is run by his family.”

“Oh, this is good,” Mrs Ye jumped up in joy, continuously exclaiming towards Mr Ye, “This is good, this is good!”

The father and daughter exchanged looks, smiling bitterly as they shook their heads.

Meanwhile, Chen Yulun did not know about this at all. He made calls to one classmate after another inviting them out for a gathering, at the same time also casually mentioning his results.

He even invited some ex-classmates from junior high.

After his final call, Chen Yulun still felt like his joy was yet to abate. Actually, he very much wanted to give Xu Tingsheng a call. If not for the fact that he did not know Xu Tingsheng’s number...Alright, it should be: if not for him being afraid of getting beaten up...

Feeling rather regretful at not being able to call Xu Tingsheng, Chen Yulun thought of someone else.

He grabbed his phone and dialled Song Ni’s number.

The one who answered was precisely Song Ni. Not having scored well, she was inevitably despondent. Still, long since having been mentally prepared for it, Song Ni had already come to terms with it, intending to heed Xu Tingsheng’s advice and study accounting in a vocational college. Therefore, she did not mind receiving the calls of her classmates, also not minding telling them about her results. These past two days, too many classmates had called. Thus, Song Ni just casually picked up the phone without thinking, without looking at who the caller was.

“Hi.”

“Hi, is this Song Ni? It’s me, I’m Yulun.”

“...Oh, is there something?”

“How are your results?”

“Vocational college.”

“Vocational?” That’s too bad. Still, if it’s like this...you might as well go find a job...No, sorry, that’s not what I mean. What I mean is that there isn’t really much meaning in vocational college. Why don’t you consider finding a job in the provincial capital Xihu City? I will be attending university there.”

“...” Song Ni did not speak, only wondering at how ignorant she must have originally been to have had a crush on such a person for so long.

Chen Yulun thought that Song Ni was hesitating. Without Xu Tingsheng and the others interfering, he felt that he still had a rather good chance of getting his way with her. Back then, due to having felt repressed, he had needed to vent. Song Ni had been a very good choice for that. Having an inferiority complex and also liking him so much, she should be especially subservient to him. Now, his blood surging and boiling at being the top scholar, Chen Yulun felt like he needed to vent once more, and Song Ni was still the best choice for this in his mind. It was not just that-he wished for Song Ni to find a job in the city he would be attending university in as well. That way, whether it was from an economic or a physiological standpoint, he would be able to get all he needed for her.

As for the future, how could two people who lived in two completely different worlds have a future together? Chen Yulun thought to just keep her for use first, only discarding her after he had found a lover in university.

Chen Yulun struck while the iron was hot, “Song Ni, I am very sorry about what happened back then. Do you think it’s still possible between us...? What I promised back then still stands. Do you know? I’m this time’s top scholar for Humanities. I will fill in Jianhai University...let’s have it like this: I’ll attend university while you work in Xihu City. We’ll be together, and after I graduate…”

“Du...du...du…” Song Ni hung up.

Chen Yulun bitterly terminated the call, hatefully scolding, “This idiot woman, it’s your fortune that this old man even considered you.”

The top scholar Chen Yuluan quickly forget about this small bit of unhappiness as he remained in the highest of spirits. He was the top scholar; the future that lay ahead of him was unprecedented. A woman like Song Ni-how was she worthy of him, Chen Yulun? Also, Xu Tingsheng’s group-other than bravery and viciousness, what did they know? Sooner or later, they would be trampled on beneath his feet.

Chapter 39: Top Scholar for Humanities(3)

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had checked his results in a small rented flat, his mother and his sister behind him. The three had all been completely silent, because at that time, these results had really been too important to his family.

The first time, Xu Tingsheng hung up before hearing his results.

The second time, he heard an ordinary, average number, having attained just slightly more than sufficient marks to enter a normal university. Not having been happy or sad, just having felt a mild sense of disappointment, Xu Tingsheng had finally chosen to enter an educational college to become a history teacher. What he had thought about was his responsibility to his family; what he had wished for was to attain stability.

This time, Xu Tingsheng pulled out his entry proof, sitting down on a stool with a great, exaggerated flourish.

He yelled, “Everyone gather here, everyone gather here! It’s time for the checking of results!”

“Brother, you’re so childish. When I check my results, I definitely won’t be like you, so embarassing,” Just having finished her entrance examinations for senior high not long ago, his sister, Xu Qiuyi, said.

“...”

While his sister was pouring cold water on him, the rest of his family all gathered over to show him their support. Mr and Mrs Xu, his eldest paternal uncle and his wife, his younger paternal uncle and his wife, his father’s sister and her husband,...as well a few little kids all crowded around Xu Tingsheng, watching him with fiery, expectant gazes.

Xu Tingsheng had thought that he definitely wouldn’t be nervous. However, at that instant in which he dialled the number, he was actually slightly panicked.

The monotonous voice resounded on the phone:

Name of examinee: Xu Tingsheng

Entry Proof No: XXXXXXXX

Language, 122 marks. Mathematics, 94 marks. Combined Humanities, 278 marks. English, 133 marks. In total, 627 marks.”

Please press ‘1’ to listen again…

Xu Tingsheng pressed ‘1’, also turning on the speaker. This time, he was specially playing out the monotonous voice for all his family members to hear.

Xu Tingsheng awaited the cheers.

But they asked, “So? How’re these results like?”

Xu Tingsheng forgot that no one in his family had ever taken the university entrance examinations before, thus having having no understanding of it at all. Perhaps their impressions still remained with Xu Tingsheng having scored a few 100s back in primary school as well as his sister Xu Qiuyi often getting full marks for a couple of subjects in junior high. They had basically no clue on the concept of getting more than one or two hundred marks in a single exam.

“How are they even higher than the full marks? Great job,” his uncle said.

Mr Xu seemed to understand it somewhat better as he asked, “It should be pretty good. Do you know what the cut-off point for entering a national key university is?”

Mr Xu still remembered the words Xu Tingsheng had said in the student affairs office back then. He was actually fine with it and would not actually ask the two chairmen for an apology. What he was afraid of was Xu Tingsheng feeling desolate.

Mr Xu actually only had just that slightest bit more understanding on the subject than Xu Tingsheng’s family members.

Xu Tingsheng felt very desolate as he could only say rather helplessly, “It’s 541 marks; I passed it by more than 80.”

His family members said, “That’s still fine then; you already managed to get into a national key university.”

Xu Tingsheng vowed that he would never discuss this matter with them again. He decided to find someone who understood to converse with, therefore picking up his phone and dialling Old Zhou’s number.

After eating lunch, like most of the other teachers, Old Zhou remained in the Humanities office, writing end-of-semester reports or the like as they awaited the statistics over from the city.

After seeing that it was Xu Tingsheng calling, Old Zhou hurriedly stood up, “Hey, Tingsheng, you’re finally calling me back. I was almost worried to death. Let me tell you-you don’t have to pay so much attention to your results. With your intelligence and perseverance…”

Xu Tingsheng was rather taken aback by Old Zhou’s words of comfort. What was this?

Xu Tingsheng interrupted Old Zhou’s comforting words, saying numbly, “Mr Zhou, I am here to report my results to you. Are you already aware over there?”

Old Zhou thought for a moment, thinking that Xu Tingsheng might already have recovered from the shock. In that case, however bad his results were, with him deciding to reveal them, there was naturally no reason for him not to listen.

Still, he first reiterated, “Oh, okay. Still, we all know that the process is more important than the outcome. Your diligence over this final period of time as well as your improvements are sufficient proof of your capabilities…”

“Mr Zhou, my results are…, with 627 marks in total,” Xu Tingsheng reported the results for the individual subjects as well as his overall results to Old Zhou.

“Mr Zhou? Hey, are you still there?”

In the Humanities office, Old Zhou suddenly shot straight up, his chair falling to the ground with a ‘plop’ sound. All the teachers present gazed puzzledly at the source of the noise. Could something be the matter? They had all heard Old Zhou comforting Xu Tingsheng just a few moments ago.

Xu Tingsheng could only report his results once more.

Old Zhou said, “Wait a moment, maybe I didn’t sleep well yesterday, but I’m feeling a little dizzy right now. Let’s do it this way. You tell me your entry proof number and I’ll help to confirm your results for you.”

“Alright, my entry proof number is…”

As Xu Tingsheng had just finished reporting his entry proof number, Old Zhou immediately slammed down his phone on the other end...How much of a rush was he in?

With trembling hands, Old Zhou dialled the verification hotline, entering Xu Tingsheng’s entry proof number. Then, he turned on the speaker.

Other than nervous breathing, only that monotonous, mechanical voice from the phone could be heard within the office:

Name of examinee: Xu Tingsheng

Entry Proof No: XXXXXXXX

Language, 122 marks. Mathematics, 94 marks. Combined Humanities, 278 marks. English, 133 marks. In total, 627 marks.”

Please press ‘1’ to listen again…

Old Zhou pressed ‘1’.

The voice resounded from the phone once more…

After a moment’s silence.

“What, you want to hear it again?” Old Zhou domineeringly asked the entire office’s worth of teachers in a deep voice.

This time, he didn’t hold back, opening his mouth as he began humming out-of-tune:

“I stand atop the city’s ramparts gazing upon the mountains, listening to the incessant upheaval outside. Tall banners stream high amidst the wind, yet are actually troops sent by Sima…”

The entire room’s worth of cheers and cries of marvel very quickly drowned out Old Zhou’s <Ploy of the Empty City>.

Zhang Xiuyun had an unsightly expression on her face. She picked up her phone to call Chen Yulun, but then thought for a while and put it back down again. Having made such a huge error this time, she hadn’t yet thought of how she might be able to give an explanation for it.

Fang Yunyao opened the QQ chat for the entire province’s history teachers and confirmed something before shouting to Old Zhou, “Mr Zhou, Xu Tingsheng scored 278 for Combined Humanities, right?”

Old Zhou smiled, nodding ‘composedly’.

“First in the entire province,” Fang Yunyao said, “First in the entire province for Combined Humanities! Someone in the chat here just happened to send a message; he heard from the Provincial Examination Institute that the highest for Combined Humanities in our province was 278 marks! That’s Xu Tingsheng! Wa…”

……

Suddenly, a teacher asked, “With these results, can he try for Qingbei?”

Everyone began considering this question. If Libei Senior High could produce someone from Qingbei, however much the glory or the reward money, all of them would bask together under its light…

However, no one could say for sure.

Some said that he could.

Some said that he might be lacking by just a bit. It was a pity about his Mathematics.

On the whole, they felt that it was a very close affair. He should just be courageous enough to fill it up on the form and see how things went.

Old Zhou felt that he was currently not in the right frame of mind to be considering this. His head had been spinning about dizzily, his mind just drifting, drifting...aspirations-they could wait.

Old Zhou called Xu Tingsheng back, saying you’re the top scholar, the first for Humanities in the entire province as well as a whole other bunch of things before instructing smilingly, “Remember to come back to attend the post-examination seminar on aspirations tomorrow. Let’s properly analyse your aspirations together.”

“Oh, okay.”

“I’m just surprised-why don’t you sound happy at all?”

“I’m very happy, but perhaps I just haven’t registered it yet.”

“Right, it was also a little the case for me just now...I’ll hang up first then; I’ll make a trip to the principal’s first.”

“Okay.”

Actually, Old Zhou didn’t actually have to go to the principal’s office. In just a few hours’ time, the principal would be obtaining the overall statistical report. Still, Old Zhou thought that if the principal was to learn of it so late, there might not be enough time for the banner...could they already be doing it? They’d better not hang the name of that student from Class 7 up there; that’d be a real screw up.

Xu Tingsheng hung up, thinking for a bit. It was just the top scholar of a county. Even while there was a first in Humanities in the entire province added on to it, it was not to the extent that he might be dragged off to be dissected, right...it seemed that there was nothing to worry about.

Surveying his surroundings, his family members was currently all still bunched up together discussing his university entrance examination results. Xu Tingsheng felt that he could really raise his head up and show off for real this time. Also, this sentence, once said out, would not require any explanation at all. Even if one was illiterate, having seen television dramas before, they would understand.

Xu Tingsheng said to Mr Xu, “Dad, I am the top scholar for Humanities in Libei and first in the entire province for Combined Humanities.”

“Huh? What?”

“I am the top scholar for Humanities in Libei and first in the entire province for Combined Humanities.”

……

As his family members had still yet to react, two ‘the heck’s first resounded over from the doorway as Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng entered together with Song Ni.

As the three ran over to Xu Tingsheng, it was still, “The heck.”

“What’s the situation?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Chen Yulun’s told the entire world that he’s the top scholar. He got 592, what about you?”

“I got 627.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng heard the sound of saliva being swallowed.

Chapter 40: He is a legend

The news quickly spread into the vast yonder, for Xu Tingsheng’s name was known by all. Even if there were those rare few who were unable to recall him, the people around would quickly remind them that it was the guy who had gone on stage before for self-reflection.

Still don’t remember him?

How about, ‘This world is so vast, I wish to experience it?’, ‘We are all good kids?’, ‘Raging forth to the rescue of a distressed damsel’, or ‘Slamming down the suspected SARS patient with a single brick?’... In the short span of 3 months, there had been too many tales, too many twists and turns, not to mention that final, ultimate reversal unprecedented in history.

He was a legend.

In the classes of tenth and eleventh grade where lessons were ongoing, the teachers all shared the latest exploit of this legend. When Wu Yuewei’s form teacher shared this news with the class, she inadvertently sent a glance over at Wu Yuewei. Wu Yuewei stuck out her chest in pride and smiled.

Her tablemate tugged at her sleeve under the table, shooting her a knowing smile.

She said, “If only you were one year ahead, you two could’ve been the top scholars for Science and Humanities together. A top scholar couple...haha.”

Wu Yuewei cheekily replied, “The top scholar for this year’s Science stream is also a guy; they certainly can’t form a pair.”

In comparison, the teachers of the normal classes took greater pleasure in narrating this tale to their students. Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and even Fu Cheng were brought up. Some teachers even shared the trio’s grades from over their senior high years.

“See this? ... So what if you’re in a normal class? As long as you work hard, you can create miracles too. Keep it up, guys. Let’s have our very own miracles,” They said.

“Teacher, invite the senior to come to our class and talk to us,” the students clamoured.

The teacher thought about it and felt it to be okay, so she replied, “I’ll ask about it.”

After class, this new twelfth grade Humanities teacher of a normal class went to find Old Zhou in the Humanities office. However, he was unable to find him there. At this moment, Old Zhou had just left the Principal’s office, having now bumped into Vice Principal Lou as well as some people from the student affairs office.

Vice Principal Lou handed Old Zhou a cigarette as he enquired, “Old Zhou, how did that Xu Tingsheng from your class do?”

Old Zhou wedged the cigarette between two fingers, waving it as he said, “Ho ho, top scholar for Humanities and first in the entire province for Combined Humanities.”

Vice Principal Lou slapped his thigh and exclaimed, “See, didn’t I say long ago that this chap is not ordinary? Damn, my all-seeing powers...looks like I should suggest to the principal to place me in charge of teaching instead.”

Vice Principal Lou retrieved his lighter and lit Old Zhou’s cigarette, placing a hand over his shoulder and puffing out smoke clouds along with him as he said, “Old Zhou, you really did it this time. A meritorious general, a great meritorious general!”

The door to the principal’s office swung open, the Principal, Xu Bo, appearing as he said, “Would I still need you to remind me on that? I recorded these achievements of Old Zhou long ago. By the way, I was just about to look for you for something. Has that kid’s punishment been revoked? We certainly don’t want a blemish on his record that might hold him back.”

Vice Principal Lou hastily turned to the two chairmen behind him, impatiently asking them, “Have you taken care of what I told you to back then?”

The two chairmen did not utter a sound.

The answer was obvious.

“You two...better get it settled quick! Not only must you revoke his punishment, you must also record down that affair of him taking down the suspected SARS patient. Best give him a commendation!” Vice Principal Lou spluttered.

Principal Xu nodded, substantiating, “Also, one of you go and inform the office to quickly produce the banner. I just obtained Xu Tingsheng’s overall ranking in the city by phone. He was third in the entire city for Humanities; this is truly hard to come by for Libei Senior High. Thoroughly publicize this news, to influence parents not to send their children away to study in other cities.”

“Right, right. This can be a key selling point for our next recruitment of students,” Vice Principal Lou said.

After the two principals had finished accounting for everything, Principal Xu said to Old Zhou, “Old Zhou, let’s have dinner together this evening. Grab along all the subject teachers of your class. You can tell them that is a banquet specially organised by us principals to express our gratitude… Don’t forget to have a few more drinks when the time comes.”

On his way back to the office, Old Zhou strided forth in great steps. Sadly, his soft leather shoes would not produce any loud thumps.

Old Zhou vowed to switch to a pair of shiny leather shoes when he got home.

Old Zhou called Xu Tingsheng to check with him about the invitation from the new batch of twelfth graders. Xu Tingsheng regretfully declined. He had already stood out too much, and would soon be very busy with matters of the mall. He didn’t intend to give any more talks or anything like that.

Back at home, Mr Xu had called for the butcher to slaughter a pig.

Xu Tingsheng remarked, “Dad, does it really have to be so grand? That pig is still young.”

Mr Xu retorted, “What are you thinking about? I’m only doing this because I won’t have time to raise it anymore after this. Still, we might as well use it for a celebration. Why don’t you call your teachers and classmates over?”

Xu Tingsheng spent the day answering all kinds of phone calls.

“Ooh, it’s a call from Ms Fang,” Xu Tingsheng said as he glanced at Fu Cheng,

Fu Cheng coughed in response.

“Oooohhh~” Huang Yaming gave a dirty reaction.

The usual congratulations, thanks and the like were all brought up over the phone. Only at the end did Xu Tingsheng bring up the main point.

He said, “If Ms Fang doesn’t mind that my place is a rural village, may I invite you to come over for dinner? It’ll just be a few of us; I’ll invite the other teachers next time...Right, just like the last time, minus a few people. Huang Yaming, Tan Qingling, Song Ni, and Fu Cheng will be here as well.”

As he said the last phrase, Xu Tingsheng suffered a kick from Fu Cheng.

“Wow, this guy’s really too brash, daring to hit even the top scholar,” Huang Yaming said, “Isn’t Tingsheng doing this just for your happiness?”

Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming got into a scuffle.

Next, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Yao Jing, and Wu Yuewei called from her dormitory room as well. He thought about how nice it would be if he could give Xiang Ning a call to show off to her. Uncle here is a top scholar-let’s see how you still call me a big liar!

Boys were often fond of showing off in front of the girls, from showing off their latest styles of erasers and collages when they were young to showing off their muscles and hairstyles when they grew up. Even older still and they would perhaps show off their ability and money. Actually, this was understandable. Whatever it was that society chose to revere would naturally possess justification.

No matter how low he had fallen in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had never resented this.

Xu Tingsheng unexpectedly received a call from Ye Yingjing.

“Congratulations! Also, it really was 246 people,” Ye Yingjing said over the phone.

“Thank you. I still need to thank you for helping to get me out of that fix back then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Where do you intend to apply to? I got 591 marks, and am wondering if I should apply to Jianhai University,” Ye Yingjing asked.

Xu Tingsheng had a pretty decent impression of Ye Yingjing, feeling that she was a very magnanimous and genuine girl.

He thought for a moment before saying, “I still haven’t decided yet. If you do apply to Jianhai University, don’t forget to apply for specialisation flexibility.”

Due to his previous experience guiding students with their university applications, Xu Tingsheng had a pretty good idea of the minimum requirements over the years for each university. Of course, he had never studied the minimum requirements for Qingbei University for students from Jianhai Province, for there had never been a need to. As for Jianhai University’s minimum requirements in 2003, Xu Tingsheng only had a vague impression of it. As Ye Yingjing’s score seemed to be right on the borderline, that was what he conveyed to her.

“Right. Okay, thanks,” Ye Yingjing said, “See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Ye Yingjing’s appearance had actually been rather abrupt, or at least, that was how it felt like to Xu Tingsheng. In his previous life, she had been that kind of study queen whom he had looked up to whilst never having spoken a single word to. However, in this life, following that moment of tacit understanding in the interaction class, they would occasionally nod in greeting when seeing each other.

Everything else was fine. it was just the “see you tomorrow” that had been a little strange.

Xu Tingsheng’s household had already begun attending to the guests arriving for dinner. Fu Cheng began feeling flustered, Ms Fang having informed them that she already was on her way over.

At this, Xu Tingsheng proposed, “Fu Cheng, you wait at the road for Ms Fang. I’m worried that she might not be able to find our place.”

Fu Cheng was trying to push it away when Huang Yaming said, “I need to fetch Tan Qingling. Song Ni is a girl, and Xu Tingsheng is very busy.”

Fu Cheng could only wheel out his bicycle.

As Ye Yingjing was talking about dinner, creeped out by Mrs Ye’s continuous staring, she said in a spoiled tone, “Mom, hurry up and cook dinner. I’m hungry.”

Mrs Ye gave a sly grin and said, “Right, see you tomorrow.”

Ye Yingjing puffed up her cheeks, “Mom...”

Ye Yingjing was an aboveboard person. Therefore, even when expressing her feelings, she would be straightforward in that regard, cutting straight to the chase rather than getting her thoughts and actions in a mess over things.

Another person might have thought: He's now become the top scholar and opened a mall. Like this, won't I be misunderstood? However, Ye Yingjing wouldn't think this way. Because of her aboveboard mind which was free of such thoughts, she had never been, and would therefore not be troubled over such matters. Actually, she'd never even thought about them before.

For her, this was solely because of her favourable opinion of him that had sprouted in her during that interaction class...this feeling had gradually grown over time, and now, they had graduated.

Mrs Ye stood up and walked towards the kitchen, saying as she did so, “Anyway, I like this kid just because he helped me to vent this bit of anger. Also, he even excels in all areas of consideration.

It would be even better if you two ended up in the same university...Good luck, girl.”

Mr Ye gently laughed and said, “It’s a little early, but there’s no problem with getting to know each other. Even if it doesn’t work out, you two can always be friends. There are no disadvantages in being friends with such people.”

Father and daughter were equally magnanimous.

Ye Yingjing furrowed her brows, “However it seems like many people are fighting over him.”

Chapter 41: After the wine

Fu Cheng brought Fang Yunyao over, and Huang Yaming brought Tan Qinglin over. A few of their other classmates whom they were closer to came as well. Fortunately, having gone over to her grandma’s, Yao Jing did not come.

The meals of village families could not be considered good, but they were simple and bustling. As the only teacher here, Fang Yunyao inevitably received much attention. Faced with the warmness of so many uncles and aunties, she really didn’t know how to cope with it. Soon, she had drunk quite a bit, her face all red as her voice began to slur slightly.

Xu Tingsheng gave Fu Cheng a look.

Fu Cheng went forward.

Only to soon fall into a state of drunkenness as well, him and Xu Tinsheng’s youngest paternal uncle both with a hand on the other’s shoulder as they addressed each other as bros.

Xu Tingsheng’s uncle asked him, “Huang Yaming already has a girlfriend; what about you?”

Fu Cheng glanced at at Fang Yunyao.

Indeed, wine bestowed upon one reckless courage.

Fang Yunyao’s heart trembled as she hurriedly raised her glass, “Mr and Mrs Xu, let me toast you in congratulations for having such a brilliant son.”

In the eyes of parents, the appraisals of teachers always held the most value. Hearing Ms Fang’s words, while they remained humble with their words, smiles were already bursting forth on their faces as they hurriedly raised their wineglasses and reciprocated the toast.

Fu Cheng too was shocked by his earlier action as having sobered up greatly, he hurriedly changed the topic, “Uncle, that’s where you are wrong. You should ask me about Xu Tingsheng’s situation. Let me tell you this, it really is rather complicated. Let me tell you thoroughly about it…”

Those who were drunk could not be stopped, not even through intimidation. Fu Cheng messily spewed out everything about Xu Tingsheng’s relationships, talking about Yao Jing, Wu Yuewei, even Apple.

Xu Tingsheng felt completely helpless as Mrs Xu gained interest, her eyes full of anticipation as she looked at him, continually pressing him, “Tingsheng, tell mom-which of them do you like the most? ...Sigh, why didn’t you call them over for mom to see today?”

“Call who?”

“Call them all; let mom pick.”

Xu Tingsheng was defeated by his mother.

His uncle said, “I guess that it’s that, that Wu Yuewei. Didn’t Fu Cheng say it just now; Tingsheng even fought for her once.”

“I think so too,” His wife said.

“Didn’t he pursue the one called Yao Jing for two years?” Mr Xu’s sister asked.

“Isn’t it that the one with the whatever foreign name has the best figure? ...Is she really a foreigner?” Her husband asked.

“If she’s a foreigner, better to forget about her then.”

“...”

The discussion went on just like this.

Meanwhile, in a function room at a hotel, Principal Xu asked Old Zhou, “Where’s Ms Fang? How come she isn’t here?”

Old Zhou said apologetically, “I only just learnt about it too. She’s been invited over to Xu Tingsheng’s house.”

Vice Principal Lou interrupted emotionally, “That’s wrong then? How could that fella have invited just Miss Fang but not me? ...Even if he didn’t invite me, he didn’t even invite Old Zhou and you other teachers. Really, this fella’s way too much. Pass me the phone; I’ve got to call him and tell him off.”

Old Zhou hurriedly explained, “No, it’s not like this. Ms Fang explained just now that he decided to only invite us next time round because he thought that it might be inconvenient if he invited us to his village.”

“What’s wrong with that? It’s just a village-we all came from villages too!” Vice Principal Lou looked at Principal Xu, asking him, “Principal, why don’t we kill our way over?”

This idea was very interesting, and many other teachers approved of it as well.

In a rather good mood today, Principal Xu said with a sweeping flourish of his hand, “We’ll kill our way over...still, I believe that there should be quite a number of people there. When drinking later, you’d better be able to hold on. Don’t let our troops be completely annihilated.”

The principal having spoken, the chairmen and teachers all cheered in agreement. Just like this, the sentiment of the wine table as a battlefield was set.

Old Zhou gave them Xu Tingsheng’s address. While the Xus lived in a village, the village was located in the outskirts of the city, with basically everyone here having heard of it before.

Old Zhou said, “I’ll call them first then.”

Vice Principal Lou stopped him with an upraised hand, “Don’t. Let’s perform a sudden sneak attack.”

……

A bunch of people suddenly appeared at the Xu Family’s doorstep.

A few students were frightened to the point of leaping up from their seats. What kind of lineup was this? Four principals, a whole bunch of chairmen as well as their own teachers. From the looks of it, they weren’t just here for congratulations. They seemed here to ‘wreck the party’ as well.

As students, which side should they be standing on?

As soon as Vice Principal Lou entered, he said, “Xu Tingsheng, hosting a dinner but not inviting us, you’re really too much...See, now we have to shamelessly knock on your door begging to be let in.”

Sweating profusely, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly apologised.

Fortunately, Mr Xu was still able to deal with things. He borrowed a large round table from their neighbouring family, serving up some dishes, serving up some wine.

“The conditions in a village are not so good. I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to bear with it a little,” Mr Xu said to them.

They all said in unison that it was fine, Vice Principal Lou being the most straightforward as he said directly, “I grew up in a village as well. Xu Tingsheng’s dad, let’s not talk about this today. Let’s talk wine.”

Seeing this, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly told his youngest paternal uncle, “Uncle, it looks like a war’s about to break out. Hurry up and go call all those strongest drinkers of our village over.”

His uncle hurriedly excused himself from the table.

This meal went on from 6.30pm all the way to 9pm.

Xu Tingsheng’s youngest paternal uncle was the first to fall, taking down two subject teachers with him.

Afterwards, two student affairs office chairmen, awkward expressions on their faces, drunk themselves down as well, staggering up together on that final glass as they said to Mr Xu, “Bro, those words back then...sorry, we apologise.”

Mr Xu hurriedly said, “A child’s words; chairmen need not take them seriously.”

Still, he drunk the glass down to great satisfaction.

The teachers collapsed one by one.

“Things are not looking good,” Vice Principal Lou said to Principal Xu, “It seems like we are ultimately doomed to fall here today.”

Principal Xu nodded, “Let’s focus our firepower and take down Xu Tingsheng’s dad. After that, we can only retreat.”

As continuous toasts were sent over, Mr Xu seemed unable to refuse any single one of them as the teachers said, “No matter what, I’ve taught your family’s Xu Tingsheng for three years. You have to accept this glass, no?”

What could Mr Xu say to that? He could only accept all the toasts that were sent at him.

Mr Xu was already beginning to falter a bit. Then, Mrs Xu entered the battlefield. Others could not accept those toasts on his behalf, but if it was Mrs Xu, no one could say anything about it.

Everyone underestimated Mrs Xu’s alcohol capacity. When she collapsed, there were merely a few principals on the school’s side left as empty bearers of their side’s standard to a non-existent army. Old Zhou was in a rather more terrible state, having been drunk down by Xu Tingsheng’s paternal uncle along with some other helpers in a single round.

Vice Principal Lou looked at the overall situation. Good, it was still under control. At the very least, it looked like there weren’t any paths of retreat left for Mr Xu.

Afterwards, Xu Tingsheng and his sister, Xu Qiuyi, took to the battlefield.

Mr Xu said proudly, “Two kids...it’s fine, right?”

Vice Principal Lou said, “Bro, this isn’t fair. They’re just kids-how can you expect us to harden our hearts?”

Mr Xu chuckled, “Relax, the alcohol tolerance of these two kids is not any weaker than their mother’s. They’ve been drinking since young. When young, when my wife and I were both busy, it was my mother who helped to take care of them. My mom’s method of coaxing children is that if they cry or make a ruckus, she will take a teapot filled with some homemade rice wine and stuff it into their mouths, letting them fall asleep when they’re drunk.”

The remaining principals didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. Who was it who said that children who drank wine would become stupid?

Principal Xu raised his hand, calling, “Ms Fang, come over for a bit. You’re from our side...I order you on my authority as Principal; these two kids-take down one of them.”

Events proved that Fang Yunyao’s alcohol capacity was inferior to even Xu Qiuyi’s, currently only just having graduated from junior high.

In a drunken stupor, holding her head as she sat beside Fu Cheng, Fang Yunyao suddenly said, “A pity you’re much too young.”

Similarly in a drunken stupor, Fu Cheng forgot his fear as he mumbled, “I’ll grow up if you just wait a bit. Wait for me, okay?”

Their eyes met, their hearts beating furiously…

Huang Yaming quick-wittedly separated the two.

Xu Tingsheng did not dare to drink too much, pretending to be drunk after his first round of wine.

Finally, only Mr Xu, Principal Xu and Vice-Principal Lou were left at the wine table. At this moment, the ‘wine battlefield’ had already lost its initial intensity. The three drank harmoniously, talking about Xu Tingsheng, talking about the general situation of their era, the youths back then, the girls back then, the songs back then…

Mr Xu ultimately fell as well.

It was the same for the two principals. Vice Principal Lou lay strewn across the table, indistinctly clamoring that he would bring a few Physical Education teachers along next time, battling it out once more.

Other than the two drivers, there was already no one on the school’s side who could still stand stably. The wine gods of the village opened a table and began competing amongst themselves, and on the side of the students, Tan Qinglin fell as well. Her results had actually exceeded the second-tier cut-off for normal universities by quite a bit, but she was a prideful one who had set her sights high, having been fully set on reaching the cut-off for key universities. Currently, she was still conflicted on whether or not to repeat the year and sit for the university entrance examinations again. Amidst her chaotic state of mind, she had had too much to drink.

Xu Tingsheng crawled up, supporting the people from the school up onto their vehicles along with those other students who were still sober, to be taken care of by the drivers.

Old Zhou grabbed Xu Tingsheng’s arm, slurring indistinctly, “...Happy...proud...fill in a Qingbei…”

Vice Principal Lou and Principal Xu also said, “...Fill in a Qingbei…”

“Qingbei, is it?” To a student, the attraction of Qingbei would always be boundless. However, Xu Tingsheng was not just a student. To him, there was a very big problem with Qingbei. It was too far, too far from Xiang Ning.

Also, his results might not have attained the required standard.

Xu Tingsheng said, “My results might not be good enough.”

They pleaded, “It’d be a pity not to fill it...go for it, the second aspiration will cover your bases.”

Xu Tingsheng scratched his head, recalling with all his might. In his brain, a vague figure appeared. While he didn’t remember the exact mark, he remembered the ‘1’. Only a single Humanities student from the comparatively backward Jiannan City had made it to Qingbei that year.

Xu Tingsheng was ranked third in the city.

Therefore, he said, “Okay.”

Chapter 42: Cruel

There was also someone else who was drunk that night-Chen Yunlun. Whether intentionally or not, no one had told him this piece of news. Some perhaps gloated over his misfortune. Some, perhaps worried that he might not be able to take the news, therefore kept it from it.

Anyway, Chen Yulun got drunk, and had a very blissful dream. He even thought in the dream how good it would be if these were the olden times. Languishing in pride, robe adorned with red flowers, traversing the streets on a horse.

The next morning, Chen Yulun awoke. The dream shattered.

Many people had slept at Xu Tingsheng’s house the previous night. With there being insufficient rooms, a few boys had spread a mattress across the ground, smoking as they chatted, grabbing a few bottles of wine in the middle of the night and going back to the room to drink.

Fang Yunyao stayed together with Xu Tingsheng’s sister, Xu Qiuyi. They were still yet to know that in Xu Qiuyi’s upcoming first year of senior high, Fang Yunyao would be one of her teachers.

A young female teacher giving a lesson up front, a student listening to the lesson knowing of her ambiguous relationship with a former male student who had just graduated…

It’s too beautiful, I don’t want to think about it...

Tan Qinglin and Song Ni stayed together. Huang Yaming had asked Song Ni to help persuade Tan Qinglin to give up on repeating the year and go directly to university instead.

Huang Yaming woke up at 2am to go to the toilet, tottering as he went.

Still sober, Xu Tingsheng pulled him back, “It can’t be, right? This is my house, and that aside, other than Tan Qinglin, there’s also Song Ni sleeping there. Are you sure that you want to do such a deed that will anger both humans and divinities alike?”

Huang Yaming felt very wronged, saying that he just wanted to go to the toilet.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t believe him, pulling him back and refusing to let him go.

Huang Yaming held his stomach, saying that he really couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Not being to hold it in was actually a phrase that could be very easily misunderstood as Xu Tingsheng said, “Will it kill you to hold it in for a day? What if Tan Qinglin cries out? ...Everyone collectively listens in on the room together?”

Hot tears filled Huang Yaming’s eyes, “...I’m talking about urine, I almost can’t hold it in.”

Actually having being awake all this time, Fu Cheng told Xu Tingsheng, “It just happens that I want to go too. I’ll help you look after him.”

“I’ll go too then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The three didn’t go to the toilet, instead going to the small hill behind Xu Tingsheng’s house and playing a very silly game under the moonlight. Who could pee further, it was at most ten feet that year...it was precisely that year now.

Afterwards, the trio sat on the slope of the hill and chatted.

Xu Tingsheng asked Huang Yaming, “What do you and Tan Qingling intend to do?”

Huang Yaming said, “I'm just encouraging her to go for university now. It's best if we enter the same one, but if it really isn't possible, we'll study in the same city, then get married after graduation.”

In Xu Tingsheng's previous life, Tan Qingling hadn't even blinked as she had dumped Huang Yaming, in the midst of repeating the year, without a second thought. This time round, many things had changed, such as that with Huang Yaming. Still, Tan Qingling's personality wouldn't change. As Xu Tingsheng had thought earlier, there was one thing the power of foresight that came together with rebirth couldn't control-matters of the heart.

Xu Tingsheng said, “If one day, and I'm saying if, if one day, you don't really possess any capabilities, just being a completely average guy, and Tan Qingling falls in love with someone who is richer and more capable than you, what would you do?”

Huang Yaming said, “She won't.”

Xu Tingsheng could only discard this topic as he turned towards Fu Cheng, asking him, “What about you?...Already having said things to that extent just now, after Ms Fang wakes up tomorrow, what are you planning to do?”

Huang Yaming said, “Just directly push her down.”

Fu Cheng said, “I've been thinking about it ever since then... but haven't been able to think of anything. Still, I find that things are pretty good this way. I've said whatever I wanted to say, and she's heard it all as well. I've given her a promise, and also given her freedom. What comes after will be the work of time and destiny.”

Fu Cheng meant that he would wait, while Ms Fang could let nature run its course. However, this format was in itself already flawed. Ms Fang’s age made it such that she could not let nature just run its course. Fu Cheng had lots of time; she did not.

What if they began just like that? This was similarly not fair to Ms Fang. The pressure and fear she would have to bear would be completely incomparable to that bore by Fu Cheng.

This was a dead knot.

Finally, the topic fell to Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng being extremely curious about his ‘love at first sight’.

Xu Tingsheng said, “She’s called Xiang Ning.”

“Can we meet her?”

“After some time’s passed...no, in a few years.”

……

After the release of the university entrance examination results, schools would usually conduct a seminar regarding the filling up of the graduates’ aspiration forms, guiding them on such.

After Xu Tingsheng’s group had finished eating breakfast, they swaggered mightily to the school gates.

The large red banners were hung directly down from the tenth grade building closest to the school gates. On one of them was written: Warmly congratulating Student Xu Tingsheng’s glorious achievements. Top scholar for Humanities in Libei County, ranked overall third for Humanities in Jiannan City, first in Jianhai Province for Combined Humanities and also awarded the Award of Bravery in Libei County.

“What’s that Award of Bravery all about?” Xu Tingsheng was completely stumped.

Possessing superb alcohol tolerance, Vice Principal Lou seemed not to have been drunk the previous night at all as he came over in great strides, laughing heartily, “We got a commendation for you for that matter with SARS. How about it?”

“...Thank you, Vice Principal,” Xu Tingsheng had originally thought that that had already been the end of things, that that...violent action of his was not worth giving mention to at all.

They all raised their heads and gazed at the banner.

It was not just them. Including the tenth and eleventh grade students and the graduates and their parents who had come back to attend the seminar, a few thousand people gazed upon the large red banner that drifted with the wind, discussing it animatedly.

‘Splendor shines on the family’s door’. Suddenly thinking of this idiom, Xu Tingsheng felt pretty good.

At this moment, under everyone’s gazes, that banner regarding Xu Tingsheng suddenly grew taut, then drifted down from the rooftop with a ripping sound.

The wind was not big, and the other banners were all fine. Therefore, it must have been pulled off by someone.

A figure stood on the rooftop, an end of the banner in his hands.

Vice Principal Lou exploded, leading people in rushing up towards him.

Chen Yulun.

One could not actually be charged for this kind of thing. Moreover, Chen Yulun was himself also a student who had attained glory for Libei. The school could not possibly charge him just over this matter.

Xu Tingsheng whispered something into Vice Principal Lou’s ear before striding over towards Chen Yulun.

“You’ve ruined me,” Chen Yulun said.

“That’s just a misunderstanding. You still have a result of 592 marks and a good university,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Have you thought about Song Ni? ...She’s truly the one who has been ruined by you.”

Chen Yulun was rendered speechless.

“Her yearning towards a blissful relationship, her university entrance examinations, her future prospects and fate, her life, her psychological state...they were virtually all ruined by you. Therefore, I won’t sympathise with you.”

“What do you want?”

“I don’t need to do anything. The two of us standing here talking with so many others watching on-it’s already been a while, right? ...I believe that this will be an eternal shadow cast over your heart.”

Xu Tingsheng was very cruel to be breaking someone through their mind like this. However, as he recalled Song Ni’s fate in his previous life, an originally obedient and quiet little girl trying to end everything through suicide, then leaving silently, very possibly going away with a permanent disability...even if it was just what she had experienced in this life, it was already sufficient for Xu Tingsheng to ruthlessly harden his resolve.

“This will be an eternal shadow cast over your heart.”

“This will be an eternal shadow cast over you heart.”

As Chen Yulun stood opposite Xu Tingsheng, while the latter was already no longer speaking, he seemed to be able to hear countless voices, those thousands of voices all buzzing within his ears:

“That fake top scholar.”

“What a narrow heart.”

“Ripping the banner...has he gone crazy?”

……

As Xu Tingsheng walked back amidst Huang Yaming and the others, many on the distant classroom buildings were waving to him, “Senior Xu Tingsheng.”

This senior was feeling shy. Actually, the seminar on aspirations was completely meaningless for him. He knew much more than the specialists, even many schools did. He could be precise and firm in his resolve. The reason he had returned was to get his aspiration form.

Xu Tingsheng’s group sat in Old Zhou’s office for half an hour, obtaining the aspiration form. Afterwards, Huang Yaming and the others went to attend the seminar, while Xu Tingsheng instead returned to his classroom alone.

Chapter 43: Top Scholar’s Sister

Xu Tingsheng thought that he had evaded the crowds, but it turned out in the end that this place that he was at was the one with the most commotion. Before he had even moved his pen, Old Zhou had already surged into the room along with a whole bunch of teachers and some of the school leadership, surrounding him as they all stared at him fixatedly, eyes bulging wide.

Till Xu Tingsheng properly wrote down Qingbei University as his first aspiration.

Actually, them doing this did not comply to the rules, did not even comply to reason. To put it more harshly, it was virtually taking Xu Tingsheng’s future for a joke, because if Xu Tingsheng filled in Jianhai University or any of the other famous universities, his chances of getting in would be very high.

Him having filled in Qingbei as his first aspiration, it meant that if he did not get into Qingbei, he wouldn’t be getting into these other famous universities as well.

This was the very reason the principals and the teachers had killed their way over to Xu Tingsheng’s home out of the blue the previous night, why they had turned the wine table into a battlefield on their own accord. They required such an atmosphere, required to be somewhat drunk, because only then would they be able to shamelessly voice out that deepest request of their hearts, “Fill in a Qingbei.”

Halfway through yesterday’s war, Xu Tingsheng had already figured this out.

Xu Tingsheng’s calmness and mildness reduced the guilt felt by the teachers. It was really that they truly thirsted for a Qingbei just too much.

“Next, it’s impossible to cover his bases with Jianhai University. Their intake will already be over with those who filled it as their first aspiration.”

“What should he fill in next then?”

The educators discussed heatedly.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Everyone, I think that for the next few aspirations...return me my freedom, please.”

Harbouring guilt, the teachers and the school leadership left. After Xu Tingsheng had filled in his aspiration form, he did not hand it in immediately. He intended to delay it to the final moment before handing it in, because...he couldn’t show his aspirations to anyone else.

Wu Yuewei appeared at the door.

“I’m not. I just, I just want to know-should my goal be Qingbei or Jianhai University?” Wu Yuewei asked.

Was her goal to be Qingbei or Jianhai University? ...To be decided by where Xu Tingsheng would be heading.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a bit before smiling as he replied, “Qingbei.”

Wu Yuewei nodded determinedly, “Right. I’ll be going for lessons now.”

Wu Yuewei left. The misunderstanding therein was that Xu Tingsheng wished to set a higher goal for Wu Yuewei. She had gone to Jianhai University in her previous life, but if it was so possible, Xu Tingsheng wished things to be better for her. How good would it be, going to Qingbei?

Wu Yuewei’s parents aside, Xu Tingsheng was perhaps the one wished the best for her more than anyone else. This was due to that feeling of guilt within his heart. The better Wu Yuewei lived, the less guilt Xu Tingsheng would carry.

Due to this, in the quarantine wards back then, separated by a wall and connected by a single telephone line, Xu TIngsheng had even forced Wu Yuewei to write some half topical essay questions, having helped to look over and correct them.

One of those questions had virtually been no different from the essay question that would be appearing in the 2004 university entrance examinations.

However, Wu Yuewei’s understanding of things was that Xu Tingsheng was saying: I’ll be waiting for you in Qingbei.

Fu Cheng, Song Ni and another group of their classmates returned from the seminar, beginning to discuss the universities that they wanted to attend. Fu Cheng had drawn up an initial list. Xu Tingsheng took a look at it, discovering that his first aspiration was the Jiannan Educational Vocational College.

Xu Tingsheng dragged him over to the doorway, asking him, “You want to study to be a teacher? Also, if it’s Jiannan Educational Vocational College, that’s a wastage of too many points.”

Fu Cheng laughed foolishly, not answering him.

“You want to be a little closer to Libei?” Guessing the reason, Xu Tingsheng said, “There’s no meaning in that, understand? There’s no meaning in being closer or further away, and there’s even less meaning in studying to be a teacher.”

“Why?”

“If, and I’m saying if, if there is a day that Ms Fang truly accepts you, do you think that it would end with you returning to Libei to teach and the two of you passing your days happily together? ...That’s wrong, if there really is such a day, Ms Fang will definitely leave Libei Senior High, going to another city, another school. I can also say for sure that she wouldn’t want you to end up as her colleague. Think about it…do you understand now?”

This was some very straightforward logic, and Fu Cheng understood it very quickly. That’s why it was said that one was usually the most foolish when immersed in matters of the heart.

“Where should I apply for then, and what should I study?” Fu Cheng asked.

“Apply for the best place your results can get you to; study the profession you most wish to study. You must understand that if that day that you look forward to truly comes, you have to be sufficiently strong. Your age makes it such that that you have to grow up and mature as soon as possible, next becoming sufficiently strong. Only then would you be able to give Ms Fang a sense of security.”

Fu Cheng thought about it, “I understand. I want to study finance.”

Knowing that Fu Cheng had been employed in a finance-related job in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng then said, “Go choose your university then.”

With Fu Cheng’s results, he had two choices. The first was going directly to a normal university, while the second was going to the second or third-tier specialist colleges of a first-tier key university. If it was the former, he virtually had his choice of all the normal universities in Jianhai Province. If it was the latter, however, for some more popular professions like finance and accounting...a certain level of risk still existed therein, with many of the minimum marks required to be accepted within being higher than even the first-tier cut-off line for key universities.

Fu Cheng selected a few more schools. Seeing one of them, Xu Tingsheng was momentarily dazed before he burst out laughing.

“What is it? Isn’t it fine?” Fu Cheng asked him.

“Nah, it’s pretty good. You should discuss it with your parents or maybe Ms Fang,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Scram! What about yours? Show me yours for a bit.”

“I won’t show mine to anybody. Also, you really can show yours to Ms Fang. It’s just a student asking his teacher’s opinion; what’re you afraid of…”

“Fine, I’ll go. This old man dared even to confess, much less this?”

Fu Cheng left, though Xu Tingsheng didn’t know whether he truly dared to enter the office. In the meantime, he went to look for Song Ni, whose current thoughts were very straightforward: Attending an economics-based vocational college, graduating in accounting, not going to Xihu City.

Her results could be considered rather high for vocational colleges, but other than those in Xihu City, there were already not many economics-based vocational colleges that she could choose from.

Xu Tingsheng told her a city name, laughing as he said, “Go there then. Fu Cheng also chose a university there. If you’re not beside one of the three of us, we won’t be able to rest at ease.”

If you’re not beside of of the three of us, we won’t be able to rest at ease. At this sentence, Song Ni cried.

“Anyway, you’ve said that you’ll make me a manager,” Song Ni said.

“Right, you can come over for an internship after operation begins,” Xu Tingsheng said smilingly as he rubbed her little head.

“Will there be wages?”

“...no, but we’ll give you stocks when we get listed.”

Song Ni chuckled over her tears. For now, at least, it indeed seemed like Xu Tingsheng had merely been joking.

Fu Cheng really entered the Humanities office, looking for...Old Zhou to chat with. Having returned, he boasted to Xu Tingsheng about how he had discussed things with Fang Yunyao for half an hour, finally getting settled on his decision.

Fang Yunyao just happened to appear at the doorway of the classroom at this time as she asked, “Really? But how is it that I don’t know about it?”

Then, Fu Cheng really went off to chat with her.

When Fu Cheng returned in a state of great satisfaction, Huang Yaming had still yet to appear. Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng and Song Ni waited together for half an hour more before he stormed into the classroom in a fit of rage, slamming his aspiration form onto the table.

“His mother! Completely insistent on repeating the year; just can’t be moved no matter what.”

Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng and Song Ni knew that he was talking about Tan Qingling.

“Fine, this old man will repeat the year together with you.”

As Huang Yaming made as if to rip his aspiration form apart, Xu Tingsheng took him down with a stomp of his foot.

He only needed one reason to convince him, “With Tan Qingling’s personality, for you to remain together for the long term, the precondition is that you are higher than her, stronger than her, best stronger than her by a large extent, rather than remaining normal and ordinary alongside her.”

Huang Yaming naturally understood Tan Qingling much more than many others did. The true developments in the two’s relationship had all occurred following Huang Yaming’s ‘rise to glory’ alongside Xu Tingsheng. Tan Qingling possessed a reliant personality. Only when branches were sufficiently thick and strong would the parasitic creeper vines be more enticed to wind their way around them.

After having calmed down, Huang Yaming began choosing his school. He was actually in a rather awkward position with his results. He had very limited choices for key universities, and if were to fill in a school that was slightly better, he would only be accepted into the worst courses there. However, he would feel unresigned if he were to choose the most inferior key universities.

After looking at Fu Cheng’s aspiration form, he said, “If I really applied for this key university, I might even be sent over to nursing.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Isn’t that all right? Male nurses are considered rare talents. They’re able to find jobs easily and also earn a lot, and while studying, they’ll always be surrounded by a whole bunch of girls.”

After laughing, Xu Tingsheng said, “You can change your course; no need to worry so much about all these.”

Huang Yaming still had to think further on his aspirations, Fu Cheng’s and Song Ni’s had basically been decided upon while Xu Tingsheng allowed no one to see his.

……

A batch of newcomers were to replace the departing graduates. As the twelfth graders were frenetically filling in their aspiration forms, with the release of senior high entrance examination results, the school committee was already beginning to research on wooing in its prospective new students.

The search for new students was something that gave Libei Senior High a major headache every year. Every year, those top scorers of Libei County would be wooed over by famous schools in the city or some other places. Libei’s kids were actually very smart, also possessing great potential. However, Libei Senior High was always unable to preserve its best seedlings, thus always showing worrying results.

With this year’s results having given the school committee great confidence as well as backing, Principal Xu decided to go all out this time.

The vice principal who oversaw teaching requested for the teachers and school committee to move out in groups, taking the initiative to pay some home visits. It was of the utmost importance to net as many of Libei's top 20 scorers as they could this time.

The namelist of these students and detailed information on them was disseminated.

Looking at the namelist, Vice Principal Lou then came over beside Principal Xu, pointing out one of the names to him, “This rank 20th-her name sounds rather familiar.”

Principal Xu looked at the namelist, “It indeed sounds rather familiar. Who here had heard of this name, Xu Quiyi?”

The vice principal who oversaw teaching directly yelled out, “The top scholar’s sister, that little miss yesterday who was so awesome at drinking!”

Principal Xu was momentarily taken aback, “What was Xu Tingsheng's rank when he entered the school?”

Old Zhou said, “One of the bottom few, I think, the kind that almost didn't make it into the school.”

Exchanging glances, Principal Xu and Vice Principal Lou hereby rejoiced. This family's potential did not even have to be said. Her brother had started out at the final few ranks, and with her starting point now already being so much higher, what of the future?

Fang Yunyao substantiated, “I slept in the same room as her yesterday. She said that she slept for three periods every day in junior high.”

Many teachers looked rather surprisedly at Fang Yunyao. The kind Ms Fang had no need to speak so badly of a student who had still yet to enter the school, right, and one with whom they were all acquainted at that.

However, those who knew the industry didn't think this way. What they heard was potential, super mega massive potential.

Principal Xu slammed the table, “This Rank 20, Xiu Qiuyi, is to be set as a high priority target and taken down at all costs...Vice Principal Lou, can you go over with Old Zhou and Ms Fang?”

Old Zhou muttered, “There might be some difficulty in that. Their family doesn't lack money now. Principal, you may not know this, but the departmental store over at the first floor of the Golden City Tower is run by their family. With their economic situation, there should be no problem if they want to send their child over to a famous school in another land.”

Principal Xu frowned, “Other that those aforementioned three, I will personally go along as well, along with a few other good drinkers...we’ll be making another trip to the top scholar’s house today. Even if we drink ourselves to death, we must also obtain that top scholar's sister... understood?”

Vice Principal Lou began appointing their generals, their famed wine immortals all amongst them.

Upon arriving home that day, Xu Tingsheng saw this bunch of people sitting there waiting for dinner to be served. Those shameless looks of yours...even if you want free food, you guys shouldn't be doing this everyday!

After dinner, Xu Tingsheng made an excuse about helping his father to take a look at the mall's renovation before scooting out of the place. Meanwhile, Mr Xu brought along a group of the village's wine immortals in battling the 'invaders’.

In truth, there was no way for him to stay there any longer. Today's topic was his sister Xu Qiuyi. Therefore, if Xu Tingsheng stayed here, he would be continuously 'scolded’: your sister this, your sister that…

Of course, Xu Qiuyi had intended to remain in Libei all along. As for the promises the school committee took the initiative to make, including school fees exemption, giving her a scholarship and helping to advertise for the mall, she might just as well accept them, right?

Chapter 44: The ever crossing paths of life

Xu Tingsheng delayed till the final hour of the deadline before handing in his aspiration form. There were not many who were as late as him. Ye Yingjing was amongst them.

Having handed in her aspiration form, while exiting the room, Ye Yingjing saw Xu Tingsheng. She greeted him, going over to wait for him by the doorway. While they had previously said ‘see you tomorrow’, they had not met each other on the day of the aspirations seminar.

When Xu Tingsheng and Chen Yulun had had their standoff before thousands of people, she and her mother had been in the midst of a conversation with her teacher in her office. In the seminar afterwards, she had not seen Xu Tingsheng as well.

It was still fine for Ye Yingjing, but Mrs Ye had been very disappointed.

Leaving from the handing in of his aspiration form, Xu Tingsheng found Ye Yingjing and Mrs Ye standing by the corridor.

“Xu Tingsheng,” Ye Yingjing shouted, “I’ve not seen you around, where did you fill in? ...This is my mom.”

“Hi, auntie...I filled in a Qingbei to test my luck, then chose a few other schools to cover my bases. I estimate that I’ll only be able to go those schools covering my bases,” Xu Tingsheng said, smiling.

Ye Yingjing thought that this made sense. If one had the chance to, who wouldn’t want to try for Qingbei, however much the risk?

Mrs Ye’s reaction was much greater as she asked, “Why didn’t you choose Jianhai University? Our family’s Yingjing chose Jianhai University, you know...what a pity.”

“A pity?” Xu Tingsheng was a little unable to wrap his head around it.

Ye Yingjing shot her mother a glare before saying to Xu Tingsheng, “Looks like there’s no chance of us being classmates anymore. It’s indeed rather a pity.”

Mrs Ye nodded vigorously. She virtually couldn’t be any more satisfied with this child. His exploits her daughter had told her of aside, he was also the top scholar, also having helped her to vent her frustrations as well in having directly offed Chen Yulun by more than 30 marks. She had heard that Chen Yulun had even run off to rip his banner… Mrs Ye had nearly leapt up in joy upon hearing this, really wanting too much to call Chen Yulun’s household for ‘revenge’. It was a pity that she had been stopped by her husband and daughter.

Also, he was handsome, he looked gentle, and his family ran a big mall as well…

Xu Tingsheng felt a bit flustered by Mrs Ye’s staring. This was the gaze of a woman looking at her prospective son-in-law, and how could he have seen this before?

He wiped his sweat, saying, “It’s indeed rather a pity.”

“Exactly. Will it be too late if you change it now?” Mrs Ye asked.

“Changing...my aspirations?”

“Right, change it and go to the same school as our Yingjing.”

Xu Tingsheng was stunned. Asking me straight out to change my aspirations, isn’t this a little too domineering? Just from Ye Yingjing’s personality and behaviour alone, though, he wouldn’t have thought that she had such a powerful mother.

Ye Yingjing hurriedly pulled her mother behind her, saying panickedly, “Xu Tingsheng, you don’t have to take my mom seriously. She’s just joking.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Can we be friends then?”

Ye Yingjing extended her hand, straightforward and direct.

“Of course.”

Xu Tingsheng extended his hand as well.

“Right, you should communicate more in the future. It’s fine even if you are in different schools,” Mrs Ye said from beside them.

If some appear to each other at the correct time, it might perhaps culminate in a deep, intense relationship or an unquenchable, unrequited love. Yet, if the timing is wrong, it might just be a greeting, a turning away.

Once, if at some particular moment, you had said one additional sentence, just happened to turn around for some reason, it may have been that that person was standing there, thereby leading to that person’s profession of love. But you didn’t.

That is life.

That person might still be there, as your friend, or a mere acquaintance, or someone you’ve never even spoken with before. Actually, ripples may have arisen between you at some point in time before. If you had extended your hand at that moment, the story of your life might have been different. And having let that moment go past without, such was merely just how it was.

In terms of personality, Ye Yingjing was actually a very suitable woman, magnanimous and tolerant, unflustered in the face of difficulties. Such girls were actually very rare. She had a breadth of mind not possessed by many girls; she was able to provide a sense of security. This was an even rarer thing for women.

The ‘lonely’ Xu Tingsheng actually lacked a sense of security. The ‘power’ of rebirth could not wipe away his loneliness and fear, and his precognitive powers entailed pressure as well. This kind of person was just what he needed.

It was simply logical that if Xu Tingsheng had come to this world without that stubbornness over Xiang Ning, he might eventually have gotten into some sort of relationship with Ye Yingjing. Afterwards, it was highly possible that they would love each other deeply, blissfully.

That little bit of tacit understanding between them in his interaction lesson was like meeting a kindred soul who truly resonated with your heart amidst tall mountains and flowing rivers, one’s whose intelligence could always clash with yours, birthing sparks, never failing to liven up your spirits.

In terms of admiration, due to Xu Tingsheng’s experience as well as psychological state, he actually admired Ye Yingjing even more than he did Yao Jing and Wu Yuewei.

Yao Jing was a youth’s curiousness.

Wu Yuewei, having moved him and caused him guilt, had perhaps once even caused his heart to flutter.

Ye Yingjing was the one most suitable for him, also being the one he admired the most.

However, Xiang Ning, was life.

This was life. Ye Yingjing extended her hand, and Xu Tingsheng did as well. Still, this might forever be the most intimate contact between them, and their story might not hold any continuation, this being like that sudden flutter of your heart on that street in your youth.

Even you yourself might already have forgotten it.

Girls like Ye Yingjing would always find happiness, whereas Xu Tingsheng didn’t know, didn’t know where he might end up.

“You’ve filled in specialisation flexibility, right?” Xu Tingsheng reminded her.

“Yeah, I did,” Ye Yingjing said, “What will you be doing in the holidays? Will you be busy?”

“I guess so. My family’s setting up a mall, and I’ve got to help out as well.”

“That one with the ‘wait for me’, right?”

“It’s already been changed. Now, it’s ‘Guess?’”

“Well then...bye.”

“Bye.”

“Right, that song you sung- ‘We are all good kids’. I couldn’t find it.”

……

Because of this final question of Ye Yingjing’s, Xu Tingsheng realised something. It seemed like that <We Are All Good Kids> had to appear soon. Otherwise, if it appeared in some singer’s original album in the future, Xu Tingsheng might come to face suspicion.

Therefore, other than messing around and helping out in the mall, another major theme prevailed in Xu Tingsheng’s upcoming time as well. He learnt the guitar from Fu Cheng while also looking for a way to record and publish this song, however it might be a little rough at the edges.

With regard to Fu Cheng, Xu Tingsheng admitted to him that the song was an original work by the one who had played the guitar on the rooftop that night. As for who he (or she) was and why this song would not be published by its original owner, Xu Tingsheng resolutely refused to reveal it, just saying that these were the wishes of that person.

Having played the guitar for a few years, Fu Cheng knew some similar people on the internet. Of course, they were also the kind of people that just messed blindly around.

On the last two days of June, Xu Tingsheng made a trip to the nearby Wenshui City along with Fu Cheng, meeting up in an abandoned warehouse with some band-playing friends, or, more accurately, online friends of Fu Cheng’s.

Specialising in heavy metal, this band expressed great disdain towards the soft and fluffy <We Are All Good Kids>. Fortunately, they still agreed to help record it in the end.

After a few simple rehearsals, the band found a crude recording studio and roughly recorded this <We Are All Good Kids> with Fu Cheng as the lead singer, helping to take this small matter off Xu Tingsheng’s heart.

I’ll not be doing this again. Having been bothered greatly by this matter, Xu Tingsheng decided that he would never do this deed of plagiarising songs again. It wasn’t profitable, and was plenty troublesome as well.

Very quickly, this slipshod ‘internet song’ that was accompanied by jarring background noise, wrong drumbeats and scattered accompaniment stealthily appeared on a few websites for original songs.

Perhaps the only thing that was worthy of note was Fu Cheng’s voice that was rather good as well as his slick playing of the guitar.

This song spread on a small scale. Xu Tingsheng did not see any occurrence like it abruptly shooting to fame overnight, shocking the visuals of many all around.

TL Note:

Apparently, the author felt greatly emotional in writing the first half of this chapter. He actually wanted to delete some stuff afterwards but just couldn't bear to...

More importantly, even with Xu Tingsheng's rebirth, fate is elusive. Many things are uncertain, and perhaps many things will change. Assumptions? Beliefs? Only time will tell.

Chapter 45: Some beginnings, some ends

At the start of July, when the holidays were about to begin for the tenth and eleventh graders, the prospective batch of new students began their summer supplementary lessons. The school gave it a very nice-sounding name, called the ‘Junior-Senior High Transition Lessons’.

On the first day on which his sister, Xu Qiuyi, attended lessons in Libei Senior High, Xu Tingsheng did an exact same thing that he had done in his previous life. He brought along 7 to 8 boys, swaggering domineeringly along in escorting his sister to school, escorting her to her dormitory room and to her classroom, and even to the cafeteria as well.

What Xu Tingsheng basically asked of these people was to adopt stern expressions, looking as much as possible like they were bad guys.

Today, Xu Qiuyi was like a princess. Without even so much as a rag in her hands, she had a bunch of older bros helping to clean up her dormitory room, setting up her bedsheets for her. On her way to her classroom, a bunch of people helped her to hold this, carry that, resembling a guard of honour. When she arrived at the cafeteria, all she had to do was sit down. There would naturally be people helping to carry her meal over.

Intimidation.

This was Xu Tingsheng’s goal. The number of hooligans was much greater in this era than any other. Xu Tingsheng wanted these people to know that behind this little beauty cum study queen was a bunch of very scary brothers…

Therefore, don’t disturb her; don’t touch her.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, Xu Qiuyi had blamed Xu Tingsheng about this for quite a while afterwards, saying that this had caused the girls in her dormitory to fear speaking to her and her classmates to avoid her, such that she had been unable to make any good friends for a long period of time.

In this life, Xu Tingsheng ‘harmed’ her once more. Friends could be slowly made. In comparison, avoiding the harassment or approach of those with malicious intentions was much more important.

However, things didn’t develop like they had in his previous life, because virtually everyone in the school were familiar with these ‘big bros’. The legendary Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng…

There seemed to be absolutely no need for intimidation at all.

She was that Xu Tingsheng’s sister!!!

This was already enough. That older brother of hers was a legendary study king, his big red banner still drifting on the wall outside. But he was not just some mere study king. Getting into fights and whatnot all seemed inconsequential; would you dare to go smash the head of a suspected SARS patient with a brick?

You don’t? You don’t, and you still dare to disturb his sister?

Instead, Xu Tingsheng’s actions resulted in the number of onlookers continually increasing, with more and more people coming over to greet and try to get close with his sister Xu Qiuyi.

When Wu Yuewei carried a stack of notebooks and walked into their classroom, the atmosphere of the ‘spectators’ reached an unprecedented peak. Wu Yuewei was similarly very famous. She was famed for being an ultra study queen, and the story of her uncertain relationship with Xu Tingsheng was even more widely known.

Those were none other than Wu Yuewei’s full set of notes. As long as it was someone with the slightest bit of interest in their studies, who wouldn’t want them?

“But Wu Yuewei is from the Science stream!” Xu Tingsheng’s resentment ran deep, “Is this wanting to pull Qiuyi over to the Sciences? Can it be that my sister must still study the Sciences in this life? But here I am, knowing a whole bunch of Combined Humanities university entrance examination questions…”

In his previous life, the older brother of the Xu Family had studied Humanities while the little sister had studied the Sciences. This time, Xu Tingsheng actually very much wished for his sister to study Humanities. That way, there was just so much that he could help her with.

If his sister studied the Sciences, all he would be able to help her out with for the university entrance examinations were the essay questions.

Xu Tingsheng agonised over it for a while. Forget it, there was still a year’s time before the students ultimately chose their streams. At that time, he would see. If his sister truly was still more interested in the Sciences than Humanities, he could only let nature run its course.

Receiving the thick stack of notebooks, Xu Qiuyi asked playfully, “Senior Wu Yuewei? ...Sister-in-law?”

Wu Yuewei stopped in her tracks mid-nod. Senior? Of course. But what about that ‘sister-in-law’?

Of course Wu Yuewei would be willing. She glanced at Xu Tingsheng, neither denying nor admitting the fact. Then, ignoring Xu Tingsheng completely, she just focused on chatting with Xu Qiuyi. Of course, the best topic of conversation for study queens was none other than: ‘studies’.

Xu Tingsheng and his bunch of pitiful ‘older bros’ could only bitterly retreat.

“Remember to come and watch your bro play football tonight; it’s the senior high farewell match,” Xu Tingsheng reminded Xu Qiuyi.

“I know, I know! Hurry up and go, you being here is nearly stifling me dead,” Xu Qiuyi waved him away without so much as a backward glance, her motions resembling the swatting of a fly.

“Uhuh.”

In Libei Senior High, there was only Xu Tingsheng’s sister Xu Qiuyi who could deflate him as much as this. Still, wasn’t it precisely his wish to pamper his sister such that she would never ever have to be so sensible?

In his previous life, she had learnt how to associate with people and deal with matters early on, also having learnt how to cook and do laundry, becoming independent and strong…All these, however, were unnecessary. This girl, my sister, should just be pampered and spoiled. Why must she grow sensible? How tiring is that.

……

The football match had been decided upon two days ago. Xu Tingsheng had received a call from the captain of the team, similarly a twelfth grader who had already graduated, having been asked to participate in a farewell match. He was overjoyed by this invitation.

Some time after 3pm, most of those from the school team had already arrived. As there was no changing room, they just changed beneath the stands.

Xu Tingsheng had taken a long time just to find his jersey. More than ten years having passed, he had muddledly thought that it must be at the bottom of the pile. Only after having thrown everything out of his drawers and cabinets did he realise that his jersey actually hung just right by his bedside.

Right, this was still back in the day when he most loved playing football, played football the most.

The team members chatted as they put on their equipment, the new eleventh and twelfth grade players bidding their seniors farewell while the old boys who had already graduated sighed emotionally at already not having played football for more than two months due to the university entrance examinations.

“More than two months?” Xu Tingsheng thought, “It’s been nearly eight years for me.”

In his previous life, he had not played much football after having graduated from university. The school that he had taught in had not even had a decent football field.

Not having played for nearly eight years, could he still do it now?

Xu Tingsheng found the captain, saying with a bitter expression, “Captain, can I be a substitute?”

“Are you joking? All the graduates are going on, even those who were originally substitutes. Anyway, how could you possibly be a substitute?” The captain tugged lightly at Xu Tingsheng’s jersey-Number 10, the number of the central midfielder.

The two forwards of the team came over with smiling faces, one of them saying, “Give me a few more passes later. It’s the final match of senior high; I’d like a goal for commemoration.”

The other guy elbowed him away, stammering, “I...pass to me. I’ve called over the girl I’ve had a crush on for three years. I want to score...confess.”

Xu Tingsheng was incomparably agonised. He didn’t even know now whether he would be able to stop the ball.

“Come on, quickly get changed and gather over here,” The captain clapped his hands, beckoning everyone over.

“It’s our final match of senior high,” The captain said, “Let’s forget everything about tactics, victory and whatnot. Most important is that everyone has a great and enjoyable time out there. If you defenders want to score, just run forward. If there’s a penalty, let the goalkeeper kick it. Also, those who want to confess can leave at any time. You can come back after you’ve netted the girl...If you can’t? Then, don’t come back.”

They all burst out laughing. There really were two people who intended to confess today.

The captain’s eyes suddenly turned red, “For our days of playing football together.”

The team shouted loudly in unison, “For our days of playing football together!”

This was overflowing, passionate youth. Those days spent running beneath the sunset…

Xu Tingsheng thought that those experiences seemed a lifetime away. Then he realised that it was actually the truth. He truly was separated by such by a whole lifetime.

“That Liu Ming, come over here. I’ve got something to say to you,” The captain called over a player from eleventh grade, next pointing at the captain’s armband around his arm, “This, I’ll be wearing for the first half. In the second half...you’ll be wearing it.”

Liu Ming was stunned for a while before the big, tall stalwart mumbled with the tears streaming unimpeded straight down his face, “Captain.”

“Don’t be so wishy-washy with me or I won’t give it to you. His mother, but I really can’t bear it...I’ll be handing this team over to you,” The captain stroked his armband, crying more tragically than anybody else.

“You can rest assured, Cap.”

Chapter 46: The final match

The final match saw them going up against their old rivals, the school team of Libei County’s other senior high.

In the past, the sliding tackles had been ceaseless, their football matches even having turned into gang fights several times. This time, however, they shared similar emotions as they hugged one another before the match began, even performing the routine of huddling up and yelling the customary ‘let’s go!’ together.

Of course, it was another matter on the pitch entirely. The game was exceptionally intense, intense clashes occurring all over the pitch as if the players were all high on drugs. While they had all claimed beforehand that they minded not the outcome, in truth, who wouldn’t wish for their final, farewell match of senior high to end with victory for their side?

Another reason for the exceptionally intense atmosphere was that there really were too many spectators today. Aside from the students of the schools both old and new, there were also a number of teachers as well as their opponent’s cheerleading squad present. The stands were filled to the brim, with even the aisles all crowded with people.

Amidst their youthfulness, who wouldn’t want to demonstrate themselves in this kind of situation?

Scanning the crowd, Xu Tingsheng saw many familiar faces. Old Zhou sat smoking in a corner, and also sitting there were Vice Principal Lou, Fang Yunyao, Yao Jing, Ye Yingjing, Apple, Huang Yaming and Tan Qingling. Tan Qingling was already confirmed to be repeating the year, having joined the classes of the new twelfth graders.

“Where’s my sister? …Not giving me face at all?”

Xu Qiuyi waved towards Xu Tingsheng from a corner of the stadium beneath the stands. Beside her stood Wu Yuewei. The two had hit it off too well conversing and arrived late as a result.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, waving back.

Then, bang! An opposing defender launched a powerful kick and the ball slammed directly onto his head.

Amidst great laughter on the stands, Xu Tingsheng spun around blankly. Where was the ball?

The striker from the other team had already gotten the ball into the penalty area.

Where was the defender?

The defender was in the opposing side’s penalty box. Didn’t the captain say it? If you want to score, run forward.

0 : 1

Similarly a graduate, the goalkeeper truly felt murderous.

Afterwards, amidst further consecutive errors by Xu Tingsheng, the score became 0 : 2.

“What’s wrong, Tingsheng?” The captain came over and asked, “Focus! I’ll go back to defend.”

With the best defensive midfielder of Libei County in defense, Libei Senior High’s defence finally took a bit a of a turn for the better.

Xu Tingsheng’s sense for the ball was also slowly recovering. Despite not having played for nearly 8 years, it was only the feel that had been lost. His game instincts still remained, and his stamina was even better. Xu Tingsheng loved football with a passion. He began sprinting, intercepting passes, passing the ball, immersing himself whole-heartedly within the contest.

The captain shot over a long pass. Shielding the ball from the defender behind him, Xu Tingsheng made as if to catch it with his chest...then suddenly spun. Bewildered by his change of position, the defender lost track of the ball. Meanwhile, having long since run past him, Xu Tingsheng sped along with the ball, sprinting into the penalty box.

“Here!”

“Here!”

Having already arrived at their positions, the two strikers had upraised hands, asking for the ball.

“Who should I pass to?” Xu Tingsheng thought, “...confessing still seems more important.”

Xu Tingsheng faked the motion of shooting, startled exclamations resounding from the stands. At that moment when his right foot was about to slam into the ball, it suddenly turned into a light push to the side as the ball rolled before the feet of the forward who was intending to confess.

1 : 2

The forward who had scored sprinted, sprinted as he looked towards the stands. At the same time, he also reached out, trying to retrieve something from inside his shorts. With football jerseys having no pockets, wanting to hide something, it could only be hidden inside the shorts.

Beneath everyone’s bemused gazes, from his crotch was pulled out a…rose.

A rose, it was actually a rose. A rose hidden inside his shorts...shocked exclamations arose about the entire stadium.

Firstly, was this good? Secondly, roses had thorns. Wouldn’t ‘that place’ be stung? It was fortunate that it had only been a single rose. If it had been a whole bouquet…

Cheers resounded as the forward leapt onto the stands, coming before a girl and kneeling down before her on one knee.

Raising that rose which had been hidden inside his shorts, he stammered, “Three...three years, every day, every single day, never having changed...be, be my girlfriend.”

“Say yes, say yes…”

All were of one mind today in this very stadium.

Under thousands of gazes, the girl’s smile was like a flower as she received the rose, bent over...and lightly kissed the forward’s face.

The match resumed. Just having been successful with his confession, that forward sprinted about the entire field like a wild horse freed of its restrictive reins. It seemed like he wasn’t intending to play the entire match through.

Xu Tingsheng’s feel for the ball recovered more and more. Sprinting, sweating, hugging. At this moment, he no longer had the mentality of a 31-year-old. He was naught but a youth playing football. Youth should be like this, running rampantly as one desired, not knowing fatigue.

In the final minute of the first half, while breaking forward with the ball, the winger was sent flying off the pitch by a sliding tackle.

Shocked exclamations resounded alongside angry shouting. Still, the two involved in the clash were already up and hugging each other.

Corner, to be taken by Xu Tingsheng.

As if all the details within his memories had already returned, Xu Tingsheng raised his hand high, putting up three fingers-the ball would appear in the air three paces away from the captain’s current position.

Xu Tingsheng inhaled deeply, running up to build momentum. The inner side of his foot slid heavily past the bottom of the ball. Bang! The ball flew in an arc towards the penalty area.

With a fake move, the captain shot past the defender marking him, beginning his run. He leapt high upwards. Bang! A powerful header slammed the ball straight into the opponent’s net.

2 : 2

The spectators of Libei Senior High surged in excitement as all along the stands were upraised, rejoicing arms.

The captain was pushed to the ground, his team members leaping onto him one by one.

Extricating himself from the human pile with great difficulty, the captain ran towards the stands, throwing over a flying kiss…

On the stands, thousands of eyes followed the trajectory of the flying kiss as if it were a tangible entity. At a corner of the stands, a new twelfth grader junior reached out and lightly ‘caught’ the flying kiss, pressing it to her chest.

During the break for half time, walking towards the side of the pitch, the captain slowly removed his captain’s armband, personally putting it around the arm of the new captain.

In the second half, a few substitutes were made for Libei Senior High, wherein even Fu Cheng, not a member of the school team, got a chance to enter the pitch.

“What position will I play?” Borrowing a jersey and putting it on, Fu Cheng asked rather nervously.

“Just kick however you like,” The captain said.

“...”

Fu Cheng felt like he was just here to kick whatever, but it was Xu Tingsheng who got the ball the most in the midfield, and he repeatedly pushed Fu Cheng to sprint forward, continuously passing the ball over before Fu Cheng’s feet…

“What’s that bastard thinking? He can’t be trying to do me in, right?” Due to receiving the ball the most yet being somewhat inferior in terms of technique and reaction, Fu Cheng was pathetically gotten the better of by several of their opponent’s sliding tackles.

After having been slided a few times, Fu Cheng grew smart. As long as a sliding tackle was incoming, he would leap up and and fall ‘agonisingly’ to the ground before it had even contacted him.

Now, Fu Cheng fell once more.

“Swish.”

Penalty-the referee pointed to the spot.

“W T F? But i didn’t even touch him, okay?” The opposing defender cried out aggrievedly.

“He did,” Fu Cheng said with a sincere expression, “It really hurts.”

From what had been agreed upon earlier, the penalty was to be taken by their goalkeeper, goalie against goalie. With goalies forever understanding goalies the most, the goalkeeper of Libei Senior High made no mistake with the penalty, lightly tapping the ball into the net.

3 : 2

Three whole years. As a goalkeeper, this was the first ever goal he had scored these three whole years. He spread his arms wide apart, sprinting towards the stands…

Having seen a rose pulled out from inside the shorts, having seen a flying kiss being received, the excitement of the spectators had already been drawn to a maximum. In comparison to the match, these were clearly more interesting. After all, many here were not really interested in football itself, not really being aware of what was unfolding on the pitch as they had merely come here just to see their friends or partake in the bustling crowd.

What would it be this time?

Beneath the guesses and expectant gazes of all, the goalie grew confused amidst his running. Didn’t everyone run while looking to the stands after having scored? Therefore, he had run as well. Still, he didn’t have a girlfriend, and also didn’t have someone he wanted to confess to.

The goalie halted and looked bemusedly at the stands for a few seconds before he raised his hands high, then...bowed deeply...

“I love you...all of you.”

Chapter 47: He likes you

As the goalie was confessing to the entire stadium, Xu Tingsheng came to the side and drank some water.

His sister, Xu Qiuyi, shouted from the side, “Xu Tingsheng, you’re too useless! You haven’t even scored one yet!”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng had assisted in the scoring of two goals as well as created the situation that had inadvertently brought about the awarding of that penalty. However, his sister, Xu Qiuyi, didn’t care. What she had seen was merely others scoring, confessing, celebrating. In her eyes, Xu Tingsheng had not done anything at all.

Could you blame her? Could it be explained away?

It was not like she understood.

Xu Tingsheng returned to the pitch. He wanted to score.

However, before he could score, Libei Senior High’s team first conceded. Perhaps their goalkeeper had exerted too much energy in confessing to the entire stadium, but he consecutively conceded two goals in ten minutes after having returned to the pitch. Libei Senior High were behind once more.

3 : 4

Libei began launching a ferocious attack. 30 minutes into the second half, following several passes and interceptions by their side, the ball arrived in their opponent’s half of the field at Fu Cheng’s feet. Fu Cheng never held onto the ball, always immediately passing it away as soon as it arrived by his feet. The defender who had been wronged had been nursing his grievances and scheming to deal him a brutal tackle, and he definitely did not want to give him that chance.

Somehow or other, his pass flew in the direction of Xu Tingsheng.

By the edge of the penalty box, a semi-high ball arced over towards Xu Tingsheng. He received the ball lightly with his left foot. As the ball bounced upwards, he did not hesitate as he directly half-spun and shot for goal before the defender could make it in time to obstruct him.

“Bang!” As the tip of his foot connected directly with the ball, a muffled boom resounded.

Xu Tingsheng had exerted great strength in taking on this shot, the ball carrying no arc at all whatsoever as it shot straight towards the corner of the net like a cannonball.

A surefire shot. The opposing goalkeeper had already given up, and those on the stands were already in the midst of raising their arms. Xu Tingsheng himself was preparing to celebrate.

“Bang!”

The ball smashed heavily into the corner of the post, yet another muffled boom resounding.

What a pity. Numerous sighs resounded amidst the stands, Xu Tingsheng only able to shake his head helplessly.

The ball rebounded to the feet of a defender, who pulled back his foot and prepared to clear the ball…He missed, the ball sliding by his feet and rolling slowly towards Xu Tingsheng…

Xu Tingsheng won the ball by the right side of the penalty area. He pulled back his foot and shot from an angle, the arch of his right foot lightly propelling the ball forward as the ball drew an arc close to the ground, shooting straight towards the bottom corner of the net.

This was Xu Tingsheng’s favourite scoring method, resembling Thierry Henry, the King of Arsenal as he leisurely netted one for the team with apparent ease.

Xu Tingsheng had imitated Henry for much of his playing career.

He had scored many goals like this from this very position, with this very arc. What was different from back then was this. When he had scored last, young as he had been, he had still been high-spirited and brimming with youthfulness. Afterwards, however, he had encountered many difficulties, failures and pain, having ultimately been forced to give up several times. At the age of 31, his mentality had already been numbed beyond compare, resembling someone in his twilight years as he had been consumed by despondence and fallen to stagnation.

Only at this moment did Xu Tingsheng realise that his heart which he had already thought to be numbed as incinerated ash could still not resist this light propulsion of the arched foot.

This light propulsion of the arched foot seemed truly to propel Xu Tingsheng by the soul back into his younger years.

4 : 4

A tsunami of cheers resounded amidst the stands. The legendary study king had scored.

Xu Tingsheng stood there, stunned. Right before him seemed to appear two similar, yet different photographs. One, in black and white, were the youthful times in the memories of his 31-year-old self. The other, holding colour, was the scene right before his eyes amidst his current true youthfulness. The two photographs slowly combined, then separated, then combined once more…

His teammates lunged over, pinning him down beneath them, celebrating wildly.

Xu Tingsheng finally regained his wits. He pushed away his teammates, the thumbs and index fingers of his hands coming together before his chest in the shape of a heart as he sprinted towards the stands.

The stands suddenly quietened.

Xu Tingsheng, Senior Xu Tingsheng...was about to confess?

Many rumours and guesses had circulated regarding Xu Tingsheng’s relationship with Yao Jing, Wu Yuewei and even Apple...but none of them had ever truly been certified…

Was the truth finally about to be revealed?

He was looking at that corner of the stands. Was the person Senior Xu Tingsheng truly liked there? ...No, he just turned again. Where was he going?...

The person Xu Tingsheng had originally wanted to sprint to was his sister, Xu Qiuyi. However, midway, he had suddenly remembered that Wu Yuewei was standing just right beside her. Therefore, he could only make a turn and run past the entire stretch of stands with an upraised heart.

He ran past the entire stretch of stands. So, who exactly was that heart meant for?

“Whoever you think it is for, let it be for,” Xu Tingsheng finally understood the helpless, broken down state of mind their goalkeeper must previously have experienced as well.

There was a phenomenon like this. If you look at your teacher’s eyes, you might easily think that he is looking at you. As Xu Tingsheng ran past the entire stretch of stands with an upraised heart, there were many who felt as if his gaze had been directed at them.

……

Xu Tingsheng returned to the pitch, the match resuming. With the score of 4 : 4, everyone became cautious at this critical juncture. Comparatively speaking, a draw was still fine, but losing was definitely unacceptable.

The match entered a stalemate, but the atmosphere was even tenser than it had been before.

Time slowly trickled down, with the match soon entering injury time.

“I want to win, I want to win! Urghhh!”

The captain shocked the entire stadium with a howl of declaration. He sprinted up from the defensive backlines, frenetically putting pressure on all the players from the opposing side. Influenced by him, the members of the Libei team whose stamina were already greatly depleted burst forth with their final vestiges of energy, the entire pitch filled with wild snatching of the ball.

Finally, the captain won the ball with a tackle. He dribbled his way past a number of defenders, accurately finding Xu Tingsheng with his cross.

Xu Tingsheng moved past a defender as he received the ball. Alone, he was past the final defender and one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, they were just too close. The goalkeeper had perfectly sealed off all possible angles for his shot. Xu Tingsheng pushed the ball to the side with his outer left heel, attempting to get it past the goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper dived, stretching out his arms as much as possible.

He had almost touched the ball. Before Xu Tingsheng, there was only the boundaries of the pitch as well as the goalkeeper’s body. He had already lost the angle…

Now, the goalkeeper suddenly discovered that the ball had disappeared from before Xu Tingsheng’s feet…

WIth a backheel, the ball rolled behind Xu Tingsheng, to where even he himself didn’t know if there might be teammates up for support. Perhaps the captain had continued running over after his cross. Might he be there now?

Still, having already expended all his energy with that frenzied snatching of the ball and final crazed burst of speed at the end, the captain had been unable to make it there in time.

However, there was one person who had managed it. All along, this person had immediately passed the ball away upon receiving it as well as collapsed onto the ground whenever someone tried to tackle him. He had also only been sent on in the second half…

Also possessing exceptional stamina, this person was none other than...Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng had just boredly and casually ran a few steps behind Xu Tingsheng, harbouring merely the thought of watching things unfold a little more up close and personal. Now, however, he found the ball rolling slowly towards him, the vastness of the goal looming before him...an open goal.

Fu Cheng gently tapped in the ball just like that, and scored.

5: 4.

The referee promptly blew the whistle for the end of the match. The match ended 5 : 4, the victory going to Libei Senior High.

The killer goal was always the most invigorating one as the crowds surged up in frenzy. The team members converged madly about Fu Cheng, lifting him and throwing him up into the air. At this moment, in the eyes of all, he was the greatest meritorious general of the match, even though he had spent half the duration of the second half lying on the ground, kicking the ball blindly about for the other half.

However, he had won a penalty, also shooting in that final goal that sealed the deal for their side.

Just like this, Fu Cheng became a hero.

As he was put down by his teammates, Fu Cheng raised his hands numbly in the direction of the stands. He was the sole goalscorer of their team today who didn’t intend to run towards the stands; he had no idea what he would do having done that.

However, Xu Tingsheng dragged him along in sprinting to the corner of the stands that Fang Yunyao was at.

Everyone there was taken aback, all others from elsewhere directing their gazes over, wanting to see what exactly Fu Cheng was going to say and who it was that he intended to say it to.

Fang Yunyao inhaled deeply, maintaining an unchanging expression.

Fu Cheng wanted to flee.

Xu Tingsheng kept a firm grip on Fu Cheng, his left arm slung across his shoulder as he pointed first towards the stands and next towards Fu Cheng with his right hand before shouting at the top of his lungs, “He likes you, likes you to an unimaginable extent. He likes you, to the extent that if there is a day that you are downtrodden and miserable, he would be willing to cast aside everything he has and go to the ends of the world in seeking you out and accompanying you. He likes you, please consider it. Let there not come a day when it is already too late…”

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, Fang Yunyao had undergone a divorce four years into her marriage due to household violence. She had then brought her young daughter far, far away. Having a proper, respectable, job, Fu Cheng had cast everything aside and gone to the city in which she resided, feigning a coincidental meeting and silently caring for and protecting her…

Fang Yunyao had rejected him; his parents had been in opposition to their relationship. Still, he had just shamelessly stayed on in that city…

This relationship which seemed like the frivolous, unreal infatuation of a youth was understood even more by Xu Tingsheng than the person himself. Because, he knew those future events.

Fu Cheng leaned on Xu Tingsheng, trembling. He had never thought that the day would come when such words would be shouted out for all to hear.

“Don’t be afraid. Aside from her, aside from the few of us, no one else knows who it is that we are talking about.”

Fu Cheng suddenly came to this realisation as well.

He now yelled in the direction of the stands, “I really like you. I really, really, really like you. It’s not the kind of infatuation that kids have. I’ll take responsibility; I’ll grow and develop diligently; I’ll provide you with a sense of security. I’ll be a big man. Wait for me, just wait for me and I’ll…”

Fu Cheng wanted to shout just wait for me and I’ll have grown up when Xu Tingsheng hurriedly covered his mouth.

“Are you a fool? If you shout like this, others will be able to guess who it is.”

Everyone on the stands was in an uncomprehending daze. What situation was this, yelling in such a ‘Chiung Yao’ fashion? So passionately...who was the female lead?

Fang Yunyao inhaled deeply, maintaining her expression… As for her feelings, only she herself could know them.

This was a mystery left behind by Fu Cheng for Libei Senior High. Perhaps the truth behind it would one day be revealed, leaving everyone wide-eyed and tongue-tied. Or perhaps, that day might never come...

Chapter 48: Carry me someplace bright

There was a team dinner after the football match. Xu Tingsheng got intoxicated, this being the second time he had gotten drunk since his rebirth. The first time it had happened, he had forgotten his fears somehow or other due to having been by Mr Xu’s side, in the end drinking muddledly along and getting drunk.

After that had happened, Xu Tingsheng had actually been worried for a few days, only calming down after not having noticed any abnormalities in Mr Xu, having been no different from his usual self.

This time round, his drunken state had nothing at all to do with the people around him. Or to put it another way, these people were not able to give him that sense of security. Yet, he had still gotten drunk. He had been exchanging cups with his own youth, toasting to its honour.

This game of football had kicked his soul back to its younger days.

While he had recovered his teenage body earlier, Xu Tingsheng had still been living with the mentality of a 31-year-old, harbouring fear. Even despite his having been reborn, the feeling of fear had still permeated his mind. This was the mentality of a failure, for such was what he had originally been-a complete, utter failure. It was to the extent that he had even fallen to being a coward who could only let go of love, helplessly watching it go.

The arch of his right foot propelling the ball lightly had allowed his youthful energy from long ago to reunite with his reborn body.

At the very least, sometimes, he would want to immerse himself completely into the identity of a teenager living amidst his youth.

In the rebirth stories that he had read in his previous life, the protagonists were always full of caution, always pushing desirously ahead at all costs, even resorting to unscrupulous means as they just desired to have everything within their grasp. Whether or not these things really belonged to them, they wished for it all.

As for Xu Tingsheng, he did not wish for much. Just family, Xiang Ning, friends, and himself. He wanted to live a hearty, carefree life, for such was a life that he felt would not be a wasted one.

Fu Cheng fell into a drunken state as well. He staggered off by himself, saying that he wanted to look for Fang Yunyao to finish yelling the rest of the words that he hadn’t finished conveying earlier.

Xu Tingsheng shook his head and remarked that he didn’t believe Fu Cheng would dare to go.

Fu Cheng replied, “Then I will find a corner to yell through the phone.”

Fu Cheng had not been gone for long when Xu Tingsheng also took his leave. He staggered a full round about the school, humming a short ‘gangster’s lullaby’ he had created back in his previous life when he had still been young and messing about:

“Lady, you are so effing beautiful, setting my heart aflutter…”

Female juniors walking past waved energetically at him, and Xu Tingsheng reciprocated with even greater energy until the little ladies were scared away.

Exiting the school gates, Xu Tingsheng very unexpectedly crossed paths with someone - Apple.

To be honest, amongst the girls whom Xu Tingsheng had crossed paths with ever since his rebirth, Apple was the one he had the least respect for. Xu Tingsheng had very carefully looked after the feelings and emotions of many people, but he had not done so for her.

To raise a most straightforward example, while Apple had given Xu Tingsheng her number quite some time ago, when Xu Tingsheng had sent out messages to inform his acquaintances of his new phone number upon purchasing a new mobile phone, she was one of the rare few who had excluded from this.

Truth be told, she hadn’t actually done anything wrong.

She had come to watch his football match today. He had seen her there.

“Xu Tingsheng, you...are you drunk?” Apple asked..

“Yes, a little. What are you still doing here so late?” Xu Tingsheng responded as tried his hardest to keep his mind sober.

“I’ve been waiting for you, actually. I wanted to tell you that I’ll be returning to Shenghai City tomorrow. My mom’s over there,” Apple said.

“You come from Shenghai? That’s quite a nice place.”

“No, I don’t come from there; it’s just that my mom’s there. It’s not a nice place at all.”

Apple’s parents had divorced, and her mother had gone off to work in one of the two most prosperous metropolises in the country, also renowned as the two municipalities which were like heaven to those taking their university entrance examinations. While Apple had followed her mother there to live and study, she had not been qualified to sit for her university entrance examinations there.

She had lived there for close to ten years, but had still remained an outsider. Her classmates had seen her as a mere village girl. The teachers had seen her as an inconsequential student who had nothing to do with the passing rate of the cohort. Her studies were not good, and her family was not well-to-do...She yearned for respect, even simply for a friend, but for her, this could only be achieved through certain methods and schemes.

This was, perhaps, the reason for her current personality. She had been forced to maintain rational thought at all times, calculating benefits and detriments, using those as the benchmark for all of her actions.

Xu Tingsheng had yet to answer her when Apple continued, “Walk with me?”

She was different from usual today, without the bewitching gaze, the rough manner of breathing, the blatant or covert teasing. As Xu Tingsheng looked at her, she appeared just like a most ordinary girl.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng said, “Okay.”

The two of them walked along the street, somehow ending up at Jiangbin Road. This place was a very suitable location for a date. There was the sound of water and the wind, and also the dim yellow street lamps and silhouettes outlining those blissful couples everywhere.

The two of them sat down on a stone bench by the river.

As her long hair was blown messily by the wind, Apple tucked away the loose strands of hair on her forehead.

She said, “I’m so hungry. I actually haven’t had dinner; I was waiting there for you all this while.”

She went on, “Xu Tingsheng, even though I know that nothing will come out of this, even though I know that you may look down on me, I still want to tell you that I seem to...no, not just seem to. Really, I like you. When you held up a heart and ran along the stands today, I coaxed myself, telling myself that it was meant for me...did you know? I am especially good at deceiving myself; it’s been like this ever since I was a child.”

Xu Tingsheng stood up, saying, “Actually, it may not be love. It may be that you simply yearn too deeply for protection. Maybe you just wish that there can be someone whom you can rely on, such that you will no longer have to face as well as fight for everything on your own, having to remain cautious at all times in all that you do....”

Having said a few ‘maybes’ in succession, Xu Tingsheng then continued, “It just happened that in this time that you saw me, I appeared very awesome and capable in some matters, therefore causing such a feeling to well up within you..Actually, were it sometime else and faced with some other matters, I might be an incompetent, spineless coward, a complete and utter failure...can you believe that?”

Having finished, Xu Tingsheng strode away.

Apple called after him, “You’re leaving?”

Xu Tingsheng laughed, “I’m off to get you something to eat. Just consider it...my gratitude and reciprocation to a beautiful lady’s love and admiration.”

Xu Tingsheng returned with some food which Apple promptly ravenously devoured, wolfing it down with a total lack of concern for her image. This Apple was truly not the least bit like Apple.

There were also a few cans of beer in the bag that Xu Tingsheng had brought back. Apple opened a can and handed it over to Xu Tingsheng.

Then, she opened one for herself and raised it up, clinking cans with Xu Tingsheng, “Cheers, thank you.”

The two drank and chatted. Apple soon became tipsy, even more quickly than Xu Tingsheng who had already been drunk beforehand.

She leaned on Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, saying, “It seems very worth it.”

“What?”

“My seduction was not in vain. Such treatment from you-even Yao Jing didn’t have it, right? Your junior didn’t receive it either, it seems. So, it seems to have been very worth it.”

Xu Tingsheng abruptly became aware that this was indeed true. He had not been with this way with Yao Jing or Wu Yuewei. So, why was he now suddenly treating Apple, whom he had originally least respected, this way? Why had he, out of the blue, suddenly thought to show Apple some care and warmth, some respect and concern?

Perhaps it was because she was just like how he once had been, living under a state of constant struggle and fear.

Xu Tingsheng said, “It isn’t like this...do you have any other requests? Say it now; you should really be going home soon. There’s still that bus to Shenghai City tomorrow to catch.”

Apple pursed her lips and thought for a while before standing, swaying as she climbed onto the stone bench, her arms spread wide in greeting of the incoming winds, “Carry me someplace bright.”

Carry me someplace bright. Everyone has had their dark times, has experienced times alone with no one to reach out to. At such times, you would wish that there could be someone, carrying you someplace bright.

Xu Tingsheng carried Apple on his back and walked back to the main street. After that, Apple got off and walked by herself. She hopped and skipped along like an extremely foolish yet merry little girl, one who knew not any worry or fear.

Apple turned some additional bends, walked them around in circles...She wished that this stretch of road could be a little longer, yet even longer, for there were very few occasions when she could be so happy and at ease.

Yet, the two still eventually reached the alleyway beside Apple’s house.

“I’m not going home,” Apple said in a shameless tone, turning as if to walk back to the street.

Xu Tingsheng grabbed hold of her, saying, “I’ll watch you go up.”

“Huh, bad guy,” Apple sighed, furrowing her brows as she said, “I really want to seduce you a little this once more...this one’s house is really empty, this one is really scared, this one is really...leaving tomorrow.”

It turned out that having changed ‘I’ to ‘this one’, a completely different feeling was given off.

Xu Tingsheng smiled bitterly as he took out his handphone and dialled Apple’s number, trying his utmost to remain composed as he said, “Save my number, let’s be friends from now on. If there’s anything I can help with, tell me about it.”

“You have to mean what you say.”

“I mean it.”

As Xu Tingsheng was on the road home, his phone began to vibrate.

Apple said: I just remembered something. There’s actually really something I need your help with.

Xu Tingsheng replied: Say it.

Apple said: Help me solve a physiological problem...awww...this one here is all alone at home, and also just drank...so lonely, how i wish....

Apple said: My house’s number plate is 402. I’ll be waiting.

Apple said: Hurry up.... ohhh.... this is so excruciating...

…...

Xu Tingsheng was in great pain. Demoness...at the end of the day, she was still a demoness that he could not afford to provoke...

Chapter 49: Letter of acceptance

Apple left. The next morning, Xu Tingsheng received a message from her.

She asked: Xu Tingsheng, I'm leaving. We’ll still meet again, right?

Xu Tingsheng replied: Of course. Have a safe journey.

Apple said: Right, I had an erotic dream yesterday night. Want me to describe it to you?

Xu Tingsheng replied: …Please have mercy on me. Any more of this and I'll explode.

Apple said: It was exciting. My shorts are so short today. That scoundrelly-looking uncle sitting beside me has been constantly peeking.

Xu Tingsheng replied: Cover it.

Apple said: I've covered it. I'll think of you.”

Xu Tingsheng said: Okay.

Apple asked: Will you think of me?

Xu Tingsheng replied: I can have those dreams too.

Apple said: How exciting.

……

Apple left. He heard that no one had gone to send her off. Still, she was not depressed by that. For some people who were used to being lonely, as long as others provided them with some warmth, they would preserve it well, afterwards relying on it to nourish themselves.

During the summer holidays, some of the graduates would get together for a meet-up once in a while. There were always some who would ask curiously about Fu Cheng’s howl towards the stands that day. Who had he been confessing to?

This question was destined to remain unanswered.

Xu Tingsheng asked Fu Cheng in private whether he had phoned over afterwards to finish the rest of what he had wanted to say back then. Fu Cheng said that Ms Fang had continually refused to pick up her phone for the rest of that day.

“I think that she's just confused,” Xu Tingsheng said, “This is still better than her rejecting you or counselling you patiently.”

Time flowed by just like this. The results of the university applications would soon be released in succession by the respective universities.

One day, Xu Tingsheng received a very unexpected call.

It was the principal who was looking for him as he said in a rather dismal tone, “I’m sorry.”

“Principal? ...What’s wrong?” Xu Tingsheng asked puzzledly.

“Nearly, so very nearly...You missed the cut-off by just two marks. Sorry,” The principal said.

Hearing that he had just been two marks away from getting accepted, Xu Tingsheng actually broke out into a cold sweat. Phew. Luckily, he had not scored two marks higher. Otherwise, what would he have done if he had been accepted into Qingbei? Everything was good there but just for the fact that it was too far away from Xiang Ning. Therefore, it would not have been good at all.

He said, “It’s fine, I was mentally prepared...Still, are the results already out?”

Principal Xu sighed, “I got someone to check it for me, and found out through him that you failed just by those two measly marks...Sorry, if not for us back then…”

“Even if not for you, I would still have taken that risk,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Therefore, you don’t have to blame yourself, Principal.”

Over the next few days, Xu Tingsheng received calls from many of the school, Vice Principal Lou and Old Zhou amongst them. All of them said what a pity it was whilst also professing the deep guilt that they felt over the matter. Xu Tingsheng could only comfort them one by one.

Of course, Old Zhou said something else as well, “Still, I just don’t get why you chose Yanzhou University to cover your bases. It’s merely ranked around 9th or 10th in the province. That’s just too much of a waste.”

Xu Tingsheng could only say, “At the time, for fear of not being able to get into any university at all, I covered my bases a little too thoroughly.”

Perhaps this trash excuse of his was believed, or perhaps it was not. Whatever the case, this matter was already set in stone. Xu Tingsheng became the student with the highest ever marks to be accepted by Yanzhou University, its higher-ups excited to the point of calling over in the middle of the night just to confirm, “Will you really be coming?”

“Rest assured, I will. I can’t wait,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Why Yanzhou University?...Xu Tingsheng could not tell anyone the reason, that it was because there had once been a girl who had said: When I was bullied and huddled in a corner crying, you weren’t there to protect me.

As the image of a little girl huddling in a corner and weeping arose within Xu Tingsheng’s mind, his heart felt like it was being viciously shredded apart.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng definitely had to go this time. He definitely had to go to her side.

Xu Tingsheng just couldn’t wait.

The students and teachers all felt that it was a great pity, though. He even received calls of consolation from Yao Jing, Apple and Ye Yingjing.

Wu Yuewei said, “Yanzhou University is pretty good. It’s right by the sea, I rather like it.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “You have to get into Qingbei. As for everything else, it can wait till later,” As he saw it, the period of a year should be sufficient to change many things.

Comparatively speaking, Mr and Mrs Xu were better able to take it in their stride. As they saw it, Xu Tingsheng had done very well already. Qingbei? They had never heard of anyone successfully getting in before, not in a hundred lifetimes.

As for Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming and Song Ni, they rather ‘rejoiced at his misfortune’ a little instead, because that person they had thought they would no longer be able to hang out with actually...suddenly...might very possibly still be remaining by their sides.

Fu Cheng had applied for a normal course in Yanzhou University, while Huang Yaming and Song Ni would also be studying in the same university cluster.

When filling in their aspiration forms, they had said, “There’s only us three poor souls relying on whilst also supporting one another now. Someone’s achieved great glory and made off without us.”

Now, Huang Yaming felt this to be very suspicious as he asked, “Out with it, is it because you saw our aspirations that you filled in Yanzhou University? Are you gay, and if so, is it me or Fu Cheng whom you like?”

Having before experienced an era in which the term ‘gay buddies’ had been very commonly used, Xu Tingsheng’s resistance to this sort of teasing was actually very good as he directed a slightly heated glance first at Fu Cheng and next at Huang Yaming before shyly lowering his head, “I like both of you.”

With that, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng collapsed.

Ye Yingjing was successful in her application to Jianhai University. She said that she had to thank Xu Tingsheng for his reminder to apply for specialisation flexibility, because she had merely been above the cut-off for Jianhai University by a single mark.

Huang Yaming would go to Jianhai Technological University, separated by Yanzhou University by a single river. Fu Cheng would specialise in finance in Yanzhou University. Song Ni would be studying accounting in an economic-based institute in Yanzhou.

This had all come together perfectly, or at least, such was what Xu Tingsheng thought.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, it had been Huang Yaming who had been in the same university as him. However, he had become a junior due to having repeated the year, and it came to be that the junior, Huang Yaming, led the senior, Xu Tingsheng, astray. This time, it was Fu Cheng who was in the same university as him. Xu Tingsheng would now be leading him astray.

Song Ni’s problem lay with the fact that she had already lost her freedom of looking for a boyfriend. It was not that she was not allowed to. Rather, it was that the boy would first have to undergo a joint inspection and be approved of.

Yao Jing would be attending an educational institute in Xihu City, this leaving Xu Tingsheng very surprised. In his previous life, it had been him who had gone into the field of education. This time, however, it was Yao Jing who would be doing so. The flapping of the butterfly’s wings had finally changed yet more things.

“I wonder if many years later, standing before a class, she will still appear that tomboyish,” Xu Tingsheng thought with some relish.

Apple called to tell Xu Tingsheng that she would be attending a specialisation college in Shenghai City, her specialisation being English. She said that she actually really wanted to leave Shenghai. Still, her mother was there and she was afraid that she might be lonely.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know which university Apple had attended in her previous life or how her life there had been. He only knew that she had eventually ended up marrying a rich guy, a very gentlemanly British man, next having emigrated to Australia.

Australia belonged to Britain in name, and that man actually even had a position of nobility bestowed upon him by the royal family.

This time, it was unknown whether they might still meet.

Xu Tingsheng said over the phone, “How good is that? Mastering a foreign language, with it also being in a big city. That way, you can date a foreigner, with golden hair and blue eyes.”

Apple said, “But I like those with black hair and black eyes.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Relax, there are these types amongst foreigners as well. Let me ask you a question. If sometime in the future, you make up your mind to emigrate, which country would you most want it to be?”

Apple thought before replying, “Australia.”

Xu Tingsheng felt that it was great that this was so.

The graduates would be heading to various different places. Whether they were overjoyed or desolate, they would soon be embarking on a whole new journey. University-herein lay the some of the most blissful times of one’s life.

Having received his letter of admission, Xu Tingsheng suddenly thought of his university classmates of his previous life.

Amongst them had been good bros of his whom he had hung out and played around together for four years with.

This time, Xu Tingsheng would be going someplace else, and perhaps they would no longer meet. Even if they met, while Xu Tingsheng would know them, they would no longer know Xu Tingsheng.

There were also his two ex-girlfriends whom he had been in a relationship with in university. Xu Tingsheng wondered: If he were to return to his university of his previous life one day to look around and he saw her and her, how would he feel?

If he went up and told her, “With but a few calculations of my fingers, this old man knows all. Beautiful lady-there is a red mole at the back of your waist.”

Would he be worshipped as a divinity or beaten painfully up as a jerk?

Chapter 50: The opening of the mall

From the beginning of the mall’s renovation at the end of June to its imminent opening at the start of August, Xu Tingsheng didn’t really have to help out much with it. Mr Xu took full charge of the project, just asking him to pick a name for the supermarket. Searching the names of the large scale supermarkets that he had the deepest impressions of on the web, he discovered that there were virtually no famous brands which had yet to enter the market.

Of course, famous brands too had only achieved their prominence step by step.

Currently, the Xu Family still lacked the ability to proceed along the direction of chain large scale supermarkets. Therefore, taking a step back, Xu Tingsheng chose a rather more straightforward name: Happy Shoppers(Huangou).Grand Shopping World of Libei.

The little joke here: I am Tesco’s(Legou/Joyful Shoppers) bro.

Within the tiny Libei, the news of the mall’s opening didn’t really have to be advertised on too grand a scale. They need just release the news and wait for it to be spread via word of mouth.

“Have you heard? That ‘Wait for me’ is about to begin operation.”

“Oh, the one with the ‘Guess’, right? I guess that they’ll be selling mobile phones.”

“I guess that they’ll likely be selling clothes, for everyone from the old to the young and for both males and females. With all that, it is indeed possible that they could fill up such a large space.”

“......”

The part that they managed to guess correctly was one even Xu Tingsheng had not thought of originally. Mr Xu had ‘stubbornly insisted’ on setting aside an area in the supermarket that they actually felt to be rather small to sell mobile phones in, from Nokia phones to ‘mountain shack’ phones that consisted of various small brands as well as imitations.

The female manager who had come over from Xihu City, Li Xiu, had argued with Mr Xu over this many times. As she saw it, this was really too random and meaningless. However, Mr Xu argued that it was very suitable for their location, because this was Libei. Even if the level of modernity of their supermarket was inferior to those in Xihu, it was already enough for the people of Libei. Meanwhile, mobile phones were currently in the process of rapid development as a highly profitable selling point.

In the end, Li Xiu could only compromise on the matter, though she still clearly retained her views of opposition.

Mr Xu and Xu Tingsheng both felt the same regarding this: appreciation. She truly treated Happy Shoppers as her own enterprise.

On opening day, there were no special gimmicks like the cutting of the ribbon, only the bustling crowds gathered outside the mall.

Mr Xu and Xu Tingsheng wore the exact same formal shirt, western trousers and leather shoes as they simply stood to the side of the door. Beside them were Mrs Xu and Xu Qiuyi, and around them were many relatives as well as former classmates who had come to join in and liven up the atmosphere.

Forming a larger group here were the mall’s ‘little shareholders’. From their perspective, while the amount of shares they held was not clearly defined, having invested their money in, the Xu Family had correspondingly promised them interest as well as possible bonuses. Therefore, this business belonged to them as well. They had been the most passionate ones in the publicising of the mall earlier, and during its opening now, rather than just having come alone, they had also brought along many friends and relatives to boost the crowd and the atmosphere.

Mr Xu took much care of this ‘sense of ownership’ of theirs as well. He arranged them right in the centre, all of them wearing red flowers and looking very satisfied and full of themselves.

The celebratory firecrackers resounded. Father and son moved one to the left and one to the right, each tightly grasping one end of the ‘Guess’ banner that covered the front transparent glass wall of the mall as they simultaneously exerted force from both sides.

“Swish.”

The grand stage was unveiled.

Happy Shoppers.Grand Shopping World of Libei was officially presented to the public.

With regard to the mall’s external appearance, the Xu Family had designed a massive transparent glass wall so as to display the interior of the supermarket to the greatest possible extent.

A few little children from some relatives’ families, having already entered the mall earlier on, were currently jumping about happily on the inflatable castles that were the main attraction of the entertainment zone for children here. Now, the grips on the hands of many parents with young children suddenly tightened as their children already couldn’t wait to go join in the fun.

Other than that, on a few massive screens overhead were being broadcasted popular music. Currently, Stefanie Sun was singing <Encounter> on them.

Without needing queue numbers, the residents of Libei County now encountered their first ever modern large scale supermarket.

As a demonstration, Huang Yaming lifted up a five-year-old boy currently playing in the entertainment zone and placed him on the seat of one of the shopping trolleys. Originally having been crying and making a ruckus due to being carried away by a stranger, the little boy was giggling out in joy as he was pushed around on the shopping trolley.

Then, under Li Xiu’s lead, dressed in the same company uniform, the staff of the supermarket made their appearance.

They formed two straight columns by the sides of the corridor, bowing deeply together before shouting out in unison, “Welcome, happy shopping in Happy Shoppers.Grand Shopping World of Libei!”

Then, they scattered in an orderly fashion, taking up their respective positions.

The crowds began flocking towards the inside of the mall.

The most important requirement for a supermarket was being equipped with everything. Happy Shoppers had given the people of Libei their first ever ‘one-stop style’ shopping centre in the truest sense of the term.

The first to be snatched up completely were the shopping trolleys. Those who had not managed to secure one could only grab a shopping basket, which were luckily sufficient in number.

“With such great renovation, perhaps the things here are rather expensive?”

“Being slightly expensive would also be natural.”

The customers had already readied themselves mentally for the prices to be higher. However, they quickly discovered that the prices of goods in Happy Shoppers were even lower than in the small supermarkets and wholesale departments that could be found outside. Abundant in goods and low in price-this was basically what this meant.

Actually, in the year 2003 when Taobao had still yet to rise to prominence, the transparency level of the prices of goods was comparatively lower. The prices in small supermarkets and wholesale departments were all decided upon very casually, earning them great profits. Comparatively possessing a large amount of inflowing goods as well as an advantage in their purchasing costs, Happy Shoppers had determined their own prices after having done some market research in Libei. While virtually all of their goods were sold at lower than the market price, there was actually still around a whopping 38% of revenue to be made.

As the mall’s popularity surged through the roof, a hearty, uninhibited smile could be seen on Mr Xu’s face.

He had silently waited for so long in preparation for this day. As Xu Tingsheng looked at Mr Xu beside him, he could not help but feel emotional as hot tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

Filial piety.

Helping his father to re-find himself, finding back the him that he wanted to be, was possibly the greatest act of filial piety ever possible for Xu Tingsheng.

People came over to congratulate them non-stop.

Boss Ye of the Golden City Tower hurriedly came down from his car as he apologised repeatedly, “Sorry, sorry. Boss Xu, I was out overseas for work. Even though I rushed back, I still couldn’t make it in time.”

Mr Xu went forward, shaking Boss Ye’s hand and engaging in a conversation with him.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng by the side, Boss Ye asked Mr Xu, “This is our Libei’s top scholar, right? The one on the big banner?”

Mr Xu nodded proudly.

“Impressive, your Xu Family truly is impressive. Twin heroes in both father and son...Boss Xu, let me tell you, I could already tell last time that this kid is extraordinary. No wonder you even brought him along in your business discussions…”

Within a short time, more and more people came forth to congratulate them. Amongst them were many of the people whom their ‘little shareholders’ had asked to come liven up the atmosphere. However, currently, they could only boost the atmosphere around the doorway. The insides of the supermarket were already packed with jostling crowds.

Currently, those who were carrying shopping baskets were feeling like it was a much wiser choice to be doing so than to be pushing around shopping trolleys.

Similarly placed in a troubling situation were the staff of the supermarket who were pushing around their trolleys. The popularity of sales had surpassed their original expectations. As the shelves were cleaned out time and time again, they could only squeeze past the jostling crowds to lay out fresh stock yet once more.

Of course, they were soon relieved of all this hardship as the customers began directly taking goods off their trolleys.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, he had come for the grand opening of the supermarket that had been established in this very same space. While it had been very bustling and lively that day, it was still rather a far cry from the current popularity of the Xu Family’s supermarket right before his eyes. One reason for this was the superior renovation as well as modernisation extent of Happy Shoppers. Another was the two large banners of ‘Wait for me’ and ‘Guess’ that had enveloped the entire mall having sufficiently attracted the attention and curiosity of the people of Libei.

Additionally, it was also due to the innate allure of the Xu father and son. Mr Xu was famed as one of the first in Libei to have started a factory. Having slumbered amidst the fields and hills for more than ten years, he was now surging back into prominence, having emerged with a major venture as soon as he had made a move. Meanwhile, his son was a legend of Libei Senior High as well as Libei’s latest top scholar for Humanities.

Many people wanted to come and take a look at this legendary father and son duo.

...The popularity of Happy Shoppers surged through the roof.

Xu Tingsheng stood at the doorway with Mr Xu, greeting the customers that were flowing in in an endless stream. There were actually many who came to show their support for them. Old Zhou and Fang Yunyao came, and even Ye Yingjing’s entire family made an appearance.

The two exchanged a few casual lines, but as Mrs Ye was trying to ‘enter a deeper conversation’, she was pulled away by Mr Ye, saying, “They’re busy today; let’s find another day to talk.”

Xu Tingsheng could only smile apologetically. In truth, he hadn’t the time to chat much with anyone today, not even Old Zhou.

Nearing noon, as lunchtime arrived, the number of customers in the supermarket finally decreased somewhat. Just as Mr Xu and Xu Tingsheng were about to arrange for the staff to go for lunch as well as refill the empty shelves, Xu Tingsheng saw some people he had not expected to see.

The four principals of Libei Senior High had come.

They had already long since helped to advertise the mall like they had promised. Grasping the largest student population of Libei and their families by extension, the influence of their advertising would unquestionably be immense.

The principals had arrived with guilt, Principal Xu saying on their behalf, “We’ve been constantly feeling rather guilty over the matter of Tingsheng’s aspirations...we aren’t able to do anything else, but today, we can just raise the atmosphere here all that we can boost it.”

To what extent could a few principals boost the atmosphere?

To a very great extent indeed.

Just as Principal Xu had finished speaking, a massive student body could already be seen flocking over from the distance, someone yelling loudly from far away, “Senior Xu Tingsheng, we’re here to support you!”

It seemed like...there wouldn’t be time for lunch today. They’d best hurry and stack up some goods on the shelves.

Of course, the principals couldn’t have expressly asked or commanded the students to come over here. They had just done one thing. Today, management had been cancelled during the mealtime break of Libei Senior High. The students could freely move about as they wanted.

Happy Shoppers was located but a few hundred metres from Libei Senior High. However, Mr Xu and Xu Tingsheng had originally not thought that they might have to account for these student customers. After all, Libei Senior High underwent enclosed-style management, within which were shut in over a thousand students from various grades that were currently in the midst of summer supplementary lessons.

With a single word from Principal Xu, management was temporarily cancelled, and thereby had resulted this scene.

“You’ve really given us face this time,” Mr Xu grasped Principal Xu’s hand, saying sincerely.

Chapter 51: That final parting

Xu Tingsheng would not be attending the university that he had studied in his previous life. This entailed that the days ahead would become special once more. At the very least, it had once again become unknowable in many areas.

If he had again encountered those classmates and roommates whom he had known well in his previous life, he could then have known who he should establish close ties with, who he could treat as a brother, and also who he should best keep a healthy distance from. Still, apart from that, in dealing with people as well as handling matters, he would have to rely to a greater extent on his personal experiences as well as abilities.

Xu Tingsheng would be studying Chinese this time round, this also being somewhat related to the History he had studied in his previous life. After all, History and Chinese Literature were deeply connected at their root.

In his previous life, it was Chinese that Xiang Ning had studied. After they had met, in order to find more common topics between them, Xu Tingsheng had initially even masqueraded as a Language teacher for a time.

If such a day came once more, this time, there would be no need for him to lie.

In Xu Tingsheng's previous life, he had told too many lies, owed too many debts as well as forsaken too much. Therefore, little Xiang Ning held a position in his heart that she might never ever guess at-she was the biggest debtor of Xu Tingsheng's present lifetime.

She could ask for a lot, perform many misdeeds, do many, many things. Even so, Xu Tingsheng would accept and bear all of them, because all of those were part of what he originally owed her.

Yanzhou University would be commencing its academic year on 12th September, and Huang Yaming and Song Ni would begin class at around the same time as well. However, Xu Tingsheng did not wait for them. He went off ahead on his own first.

This was because the first day of junior high was 1st September.

Everything had been settled at home, with business booming at Happy Shoppers. Under Li Xiu’s highly efficient management, let alone Xu Tingsheng, even Mr Xu was very free now. During the previous month, Xu Tingsheng had specifically asked Li Xiu to pay some special attention to grooming a few talents in management amidst the operation of the supermarket. This included Song Ni, having been on an 'internship’ in the supermarket at the time.

From his words, Li Xiu heard ambition. This was something she was happy to see. As a 'founding Elder’ of the mall, who wouldn't look forward to their boss developing and growing mightier, achievements only rising thereon?

Li Xiu was very satisfied with Song Ni's performance. While lacking a strong aura, this girl possessed many outstanding traits, such as her perseverance and tenacity as well as her stable, competent style of handling things.

Li Xiu had even said, “If this Song Ni weren't going to attend university, just having worked here for a year and gotten familiar with the various aspects of management as well as developed a proper aura, she could then be directly dispatched as the manager of our next branch.”

Xu Tingsheng had replied at the time, “There will be many branches, and many managers will be needed. Don't be too hung up on Song Ni. After she’s graduated from university, if we’re doing sufficiently well, she will end up in your hands sooner or later.”

Xu Tingsheng's statement that Song Ni would end up in Li Xiu's hands sooner or later put her greatly at ease. He would not be showing favouritism to those closer to him, placing Song Ni in a position above her.

“Song Ni will be at least a manager, and since Little Boss says that she will be under me, what position would I have then?” Thinking like this, Li Xiu was filled with anticipation.

Xu Tingsheng had shown this person they were currently most reliant on sufficient respect, also having drawn out a sufficient piece of the cake to her.

Thus did peace reign in all matters.

On 1st September, Xu Tingsheng carried the two big bags his mother had packed and headed off on his premature journey to Yanzhou City.

Going from Libei to Jiannan and then switching buses, Xu Tingsheng felt like the bags on his shoulders were incomparably heavy. Taking a look within, Mrs Xu had actually even packed a stand for drying clothes as well as a brush for washing them with. Indeed, the son travels a thousand li to the worry of his mother. The love from his mother was heavy indeed.

He wanted to lessen the burden, but how could a mother's love be so easily thrown away?

Xu Tingsheng could only shoulder the two heavy bags the entire journey. When he arrived in the vicinity of Xinyan Junior High and found a motel to stay in, the bones of his entire body were already almost ready to fall apart.

As it was already quite late and he was exhausted, Xu Tingsheng didn't go to the school gates to wait for Xiang Ning today. Herein actually lay a more important reason as well-this being the first day of school, Xiang Ning’s parents would likely be sending her there. Xu Tingsheng thought that if he did not want to be beaten up, he had best not make an appearance.

He did not know whether Xiang Ning had told her parents about 'Uncle Liar’ over the summer holidays. Perhaps, unbeknownst to him, Mr Xiang was at this very moment searching everywhere with a metal baton, looking to arrest him.

“Little girl, I’m coming...to accompany you as you grow up,” Lying back on the bed, gazing at the distant field and classroom buildings of Xinyan Junior High through the window, Xu Tingsheng said within his heart.

He had come here twice before, but it was only this time that he had truly come for good. Even if thereon, he would only be able to gaze at her from far away, silently concerned for her, he would still be by her side, guarding her silently from beside her, accompanying her in gradually growing up day by day.

On 2nd September, there was a heavy downpour.

Xu Tingsheng woke up before 6am. Not having brought along an umbrella, he hesitated at the entrance of the motel for a while. Still, he eventually chose to brave the pouring rain. After buying an umbrella, he travelled a long way and queued up at an ultra-famous longtime shop of Yanzhou City to buy some fried dumplings.

Naturally, it had been Xiang Ning who had brought him over to this dumpling shop in his previous life. He had only been here once, because back then, he had already known long beforehand that it would be their last time meeting. It was just that Xiang Ning had not been aware of this.

They had been very happy together those few days. Xu Tingsheng had pampered Xiang Ning the best he could, while Xiang Ning had brought him along in traversing the various streets, vast and narrow, of Yanzhou City. Amidst their travels, she had told him many things about herself- interesting things, tasteless things, ‘tragic’ things, all her blissful childhood memories.

She had brought him to this dumpling shop, saying how she felt that it sold the best fried dumplings under the heavens. That had been the last time they had sat together eating breakfast.

Therefore, this time, Xu Tingsheng had come to buy fried dumplings for her.

Actually, when Xu Tingsheng had come back then, his company had already collapsed, leaving him penniless and heavily laden in debt. Xu Tingsheng had come prepared to vanish from Xiang Ning’s life for good. He had thought: For the last time, let me properly accompany her, properly pamper her once more.

Xu Tingsheng had also considered telling Xiang Ning frankly about his sorry plight before. However, if he did so, that girl might not be willing to let him go, and she might be burdened by this for her entire lifetime as a result.

“Rather than leaving her in love and in yearning, conflicted and in pain, why not let her be resolute in hate, thereon forgetting me as she goes about her own life.”

Therefore, till the very end when Xiang Ning had sent him to the bus stop, Xu Tingsheng had not said anything about it at all, just saying, “My phone is nearly out of battery, you won’t be able to call through later...don’t worry. Also, take good care of yourself. Remember, whatever happens, I will always be thinking of you everyday, wishing everyday for your joy and happiness.”

Xiang Ning said, “Uncle...you’re so mushy.”

She gently kissed Xu Tingsheng’s face.

Xu Tingsheng kissed her forehead, just like the first time he had kissed her.

Back then, Xiang Ning had said, “Oho, Uncle, your eyes are really discerning. These are the highest grade Fuxi bones under the heavens, representing great wealth and longevity.”

Xu Tingsheng had replied, “Girl, can’t you be a little more shy? You’ve totally ruined the mood.”

This time, Xiang Ning did not ruin the mood as she gently hugged Xu Tingsheng, saying, “I’ll miss you.”

Xu Tingsheng was unable to speak as he left Xiang Ning’s embrace and went up the bus. Once seated, he lowered his head beneath window level, covering his face and weeping soundlessly.

Tears flowed down through the gaps between his fingers. Xiang Ning’s smiling face as she waved at him from outside...he dared not respond to it. Just a single glance more and he would never be able to part from her again.

At that moment, Xiang Ning was still yet to know that she would never be able to call through to that number ever again.

After having left back then, Xu Tingsheng had never again returned.

Chapter 52: Did we know each other before?

Fried dumplings were a type of food which could not be eaten cold. Carrying the carrier bag in his embrace with one hand while holding an umbrella with the other, Xu Tingsheng ran all the way to Xinyan Junior High.

Xu Tingsheng professed to the guard at the gates that he was Xiang Ning’s cousin. The old uncle looked at him with suspicious eyes for a long time. Only after Xu Tingsheng had given him a packet of cigarettes did he grudgingly head over to the classroom buildings to call Xiang Ning over.

Xiang Ning came. Xu Tingsheng stood by the doorway, raindrops trickling one by one down from his hair.

He said, “I've bought you some fried dumplings from the shop over by the stone bridge.”

Xiang Ning was momentarily taken aback before she received the dumplings from Xu Tingsheng and called out rather panickedly, “Uncle.”

Perhaps this form of address originated from that long-haired friend of hers. Anyway, to her, Xu Tingsheng was known simply as Uncle.

Xiang Ning only called out a single 'Uncle’. Amidst this, she appeared a little fearful, her eyes rather panicked.

In his previous life, she had called him 'Uncle’ countless times, and he had always resisted this…‘It should be big brother, I'm not that old’ was what he always said. This time, he was even younger than before, but he didn't feel like resisting at all. What he felt was only bliss.

Xu Tingsheng did not speak as Xiang Ning continued asking in a fearful tone, “Uncle, you're not a bad guy, right?”

“No, of course not,” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly waved his hand in denial.

Xiang Ning stood under shelter, while he stood in the rain. As he held the umbrella with one hand, he reached out with his other hand out of the area enveloped by the umbrella. It shook within the rain, raindrops splashing everywhere, one of them landing on Xiang Ning’s face…

He wanted to reach over to wipe it off, but now his hand halted abruptly in mid-air.

Xiang Ning retreated a step back, looking like she had received a very great shock. She had not been like this the last time he had met her, her totally defenceless look even having caused him to be worried for a time as he had even lectured her on this.

What exactly was up with her this time?

“That classmate of mine, my best friend...you saw her before...She's disappeared.During the summer holidays, she ran away from home with her boyfriend and went out to play. Her boyfriend brought her to look at a stranger's house, and after that, she disappeared,” Seemingly able to see through Xu Tingsheng's doubts, Xiang Ning explained.

In Xu Tingsheng's previous life, he had not heard Xiang Ning bring up this matter before. Perhaps this matter being too painful for her, she had therefore been unwilling to think about it.

People are actually primed to unconsciously tuck away some things in our minds like this. We are generally unwilling to think about matters that once caused us true fear or extreme pain, being even less willing to needlessly bring them up once more. This is because every time we do that, we will have to relive that kind of pain again, as if taking a sharp knife and using it to slice our old wounds back open.

Now, Xu Tingsheng knew why she was scared.

He thought for a while, eventually using Liu Xueli as a defence for himself, “I know Mrs Liu, your form teacher...don't be scared.”

Surprised and curious, Xiang Ning asked, “Really?”

“Really,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Also, the packages containing indigowoad root and white vinegar that you and Mrs Liu received in April were sent by me. Don't be afraid, I'm not a bad guy.”

“Oh?” Xiang Ning's mouth was half-open as she cried out in surprise, “So it was you! Thank you for that...still, why? What I mean is that we don't seem to have known each other before this. The guard uncle just now said that you’re my cousin, but I've never seen you before.”

Xiang Ning was asking Xu Tingsheng for the reason, but what was Xu Tingsheng supposed to say?

He wanted to say: Because I have loved you for two lifetimes. What I owe you from that previous life, I want to make up for in this lifetime ten times, a hundred times over.

He wanted to say: Because I have tasted the pain of losing you before, and I don't want to taste it again. Therefore, this time, I want to stay by your side just like this, afraid that you might accidentally fall in love with someone else;

He wanted to say: I want to accompany you as you grow up;

He wanted to say: Actually, I just want to glance at you once more, speak a few more lines with you;

He wanted to say: There is a story which goes like this. Eight years later, Xiang Ning will fall in love with Xu Tingsheng…

However, he could not say anything at all.

“Did we know each other before?” Seeing Xu Tingsheng looking dazed, his brows furrowed as he did not speak, Xiang Ning tilted her head as she asked softly.

“Maybe I forgot; my teachers and my mom and dad all say that I'm very careless,” The little girl thought that it was a problem on her part as she even clarified things for herself on her own.

“Of course we know each other, and how is it merely just that…

I’ve seen you on the Ferris Wheel, seen you by the seaside. I’ve seen you on the street with the fallen leaves of the chinese parasol tree that were scattered everywhere, seen you at the entrance of the park where cotton candy was sold…

I’ve seen you smiling like a flower; I’ve seen your tear-stained face. I’ve seen you obedient and gentle; I’ve seen your unreasonable sides…”

Xu Tingsheng silently said all this within his heart.

“You’ve forgotten...Right, how could you possibly remember? This is a past owned only by me and me alone. To you, this was originally something that would only have happened eight years down the road.”

He still hadn’t thought of what to say when the bell for the end of lessons rang. The students rushed out of their classrooms, flocking towards the cafeteria.

Another girl, perhaps another friend of Xiang Ning’s, was waiting at the foot of the distant building for her.

Xiang Ning said, “I’ll be going to eat breakfast with my classmate.”

“This,” She shook the plastic bag in her hand, “This is something i really really love to eat, but...can I share some with my classmate? She also likes it a lot.”

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng forcefully nodded.

“Well then, see you.”

“See you.”

“Quickly go back and wipe your hair dry; it’s all wet.”

“Yeah, I will.”

……

Xu Tingsheng did not look for Xiang Ning again over the next few days. If he did so, rather than being concerned for her, it would be more like disturbing her.

Just like the last time he had come, Xu Tingsheng would leisurely stroll around the city areas once in a while, at other times lying on the slope of the hill behind Xinyan Junior High for the entire afternoon. He was very lucky, once having managed to spot Xiang Ning out on the field as she came out for her physical education lessons.

While her classmates were all running, whether she was slacking off or for whatever other reason, she had gone off on her own.

Her hair tied back in a ponytail, Xiang Ning stood with a basketball beneath the hoops, holding the ball with both hands and repeatedly throwing it upwards. Xu Tingsheng did not keep track of how many she managed to get in. All he saw was that bobbing ponytail, swaying under the sunlight.

How good it was, just being like this...

I watch over you, with you unawares.

At this moment, Xu Tingsheng thought about removing himself from Xiang Ning’s life, becoming a mere spectator. Actually, this was no spur of the moment thought. He had been hesitating all along, struggling between these two choices of getting close or merely being a spectator.

This thought having arisen within him, it did not mean that it would stop Xu Tingsheng’s fervent urge a few days later, perhaps even a few hours later to hear her talk to him, see her smile at him.

For the next few days, at least, Xu Tingsheng managed to restrain himself. He did not look for Xiang Ning, not even going to the slope of the hill behind her school.

Xu Tingsheng went ahead of time to take a look around Yanzhou University, the university he would soon be studying in.

This was a large academy city comprised of seven universities, located in the southwestern suburbs of Yanzhou City. Due to the expansion of university enrollment these last few years, many of these academy cities had been built all over the country. Xu Tingsheng did not know exactly how many talents these large academy cities had been able to groom, but he knew that at the very least, they gave many people livelihoods.

The facilities of this academy city of Xishan were still gradually in the midst of being refined and bettered. Thus, a flourishing market for business had formed in the little town of the same name that neighboured it. While the freshmen had still yet to report, many of their seniors had already returned. Therefore, the various businesses were currently proceeding busily in full swing.

Xu Tingsheng had not come to this academy city in his previous life before. He toured the little town of Xishan and asked around, finally managing to find Yanzhou University that was located at the centre of this academy city.

The feeling of walking the grounds of a university environment once again was very good.

On the quiet forest avenue, a beautiful female senior in a long skirt would walk past you, books clutched in her embrace. Some would sit on the grassy slopes basking under the sun, in a group, or perhaps even a pair. The old yet hale and hearty professor would be practising Taiji, boys gathering up in groups and whizzing off to play basketball or football.

Many above the age of thirty might perhaps wish that they could attend university once more.

Xu Tingsheng remembered that he had once been dead drunk in his previous life. The next day, after he had woken up, his mother had told him: Do you know what you were shouting drunkenly yesterday night? You said that you still want to study.

Now, Xu Tingsheng could truly relive those times once more.

Chapter 53: Big Xiang Ning and Little Xiang Ning

Today, Xu Tingsheng strolled around the academic city of Xishan for the entire day. In the late afternoon, passing by a field of Yanzhou University, he saw a group of boys playing football there.

The grassy field caused Xu Tingsheng's heart to itch in longing.

After watching for a while and seeing how the players were of a rather high standard with it also not being an official match, Xu Tingsheng waved over from the sidelines, “Seniors, is there room for one more?”

They looked rather surprisedly at him, exchanging looks before one of them said, “Well, our sides are unequal in number anyway. Let's have him join in.”

Joyfully, Xu Tingsheng instinctively went to his usual central midfielder position after having entered the field. The seniors again exchanged looks, speechless. Still, none of them raised any objections, the one originally playing the central midfielder position going forward as a striker.

This somewhat casual match had no time limit, and it continued all the way till the sun set. Xu Tingsheng did not score a goal. As for assists, he had already long lost count. This was not an official match, after all. Both sides had placed less emphasis on defence.

After the match had ended, the seniors whom Xu Tingsheng had just played with came over and asked him, “Bro, which year are you from?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Year 1...still yet to officially matriculate.”

“Oh, so it's like this. What will you be studying?”

“Chinese.”

“Alright, we'll look for you again next time...school will be starting soon for you, right?”

“Right, we report on the 12th.”

“Isn't that the day after tomorrow?...See you around.”

“Yeah, see you around.”

……

On the last day before he had to report for university, which just happened to be a Friday, Xu Tingsheng couldn't resist the urge as he again ended up outside the gates of Xinyan Junior High.

“I'll just look at her from far away,” He comforted himself.

On this particular day, the sky was bright and clear from the early morning all the way till afternoon. In the late afternoon when the students were released from school, however, the sky suddenly turned dim and overcast as a torrential thunderstorm subsequently descended. Day now turned into night as gales howled amidst pouring rain, accompanied by the rumbling of thunder and the flashing of lightning.

Drenched by the sudden downpour, the people out on the streets shielded their heads and fled helter-skelter. Xu Tingsheng could only take shelter in the small store just outside the school.

This time, Xiang Ning appeared alone.

Her slightly baggy short sleeves tugged by the wind and tightly pressed against her arms, she proceeded with some difficulty amidst the great winds and rain, her small body frequently swaying.

Xu Tingsheng didn't dare call out to Xiang Ning, and neither had she seen him as well. He intended to just follow her from far away like this today. Due to the rain, he intended to see her all the way back home this time.

The mud of the hot summer pavements having been drenched by the rain, the stench of mud drifted amidst the wind. Now, Xu Tingsheng suddenly remembered a line of lyrics from Jay Chou’s <Secrets I Can't Tell>: It weren’t the rainy days that were the most beautiful; those were the places where we once took shelter together.

Xu Tingsheng stood beneath shelter, while Xiang Ning walked beneath the rain.

As a huge gust of wind blew past, numerous ‘casualties’ instantly surfaced on the street as the umbrellas held by many were gusted away by the wind. Xiang Ning was amongst them. Rather panicked amidst the rain, she swayed a few times, the umbrella flying out of her hands as it was instantly swept a distance away.

As the little girl was about to go over to retrieve it, a figure was already braving the rains, chasing after the umbrella that was still drifting amidst the wind. When Xiang Ning finally managed to get a clear visual of things, the umbrella was already within Xu Tingsheng’s hands.

Standing within the rain, Xu Tingsheng flipped the roof of the umbrella back over as fast as he could before raising it above Xiang Ning’s head.

“Here you go...it’s a thunderstorm, it won’t go on for too long. Take shelter for a while before leaving.”

Rainwater flowed into Xu Tingsheng’s mouth as his voice was also scattered by the wind. Not having heard him clearly, Xiang Ning looked rather gratefully whilst also rather quizzically at him.

“Take shelter!” Xu Tingsheng yelled loudly.

Xiang Ning nodded.

The two took shelter, Xu Tingsheng standing before Xiang Ning to shield her from the incoming winds and the rainwater swept along with it while taking care of another direction with the umbrella in his hands.

He asked, “Are you cold? Little Xiang Ning. Your clothes should be wet, right? Hurry up and call home; ask your dad to fetch you.”

Now, Xu Tingsheng took out his handphone and passed it over to Xiang Ning.

Her drenched clothes stuck to her skin, Xiang Ning shivered slightly. After a moment’s hesitation, she accepted the phone and dialled her father’s number.

“Dad says that he’s already on the way. He’ll be arriving soon,” Xiang Ning said.

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng replied, “I’ll be leaving soon too then.”

“Just now, did you call me...little Xiang Ning?” Xiang Ning suddenly asked.

Little Xiang Ning was a form of address that had suddenly appeared within Xu Tingsheng’s subconsciousness. To be precise, even he himself had yet to notice this.

“Then, is there also a big Xiang Ning?” Xiang Ning continued.

Little Xiang Ning asked Xu Tingsheng whether there was a big Xiang Ning. Like the stitches on the sole of a personally handcrafted homemade cloth shoe, all her words sent stabs of pain straight into Xu Tingsheng’s heart.

Yes, there was a big Xiang Ning, even though that big Xiang Ning was actually rather little as well.

Xiang Ning suddenly seemed to have been overcome by excitement, perhaps feeling that Xu Tingsheng’s silence was equivalent to a definite confession as she continued, “Is it like this? Uncle used to have a girlfriend, big Xiang Ning, but then you two broke up, or perhaps she...disappeared...Then, because we share the same name and maybe look really alike as well, Uncle now comes to look for me, treating me well...Is that how it is?

She appeared excited and in high spirits as she said all this, as if she were discussing a Korean drama with someone else. Right, a Korean drama. This little girl had definitely watched too many Korean dramas. Otherwise, at this age, how would her imagination be as wild as this?

Actually, though, she had not been wrong. The only discrepancy which she did not know of was that whilst being little Xiang Ning, she was at the same time big Xiang Ning as well.

Sheltered from the rain, Xu Tingsheng truly felt like he had ‘secrets he couldn’t tell’.

He frantically asked, “Your dad should be arriving soon, right? I’ll be leaving first. You hold the umbrella...block it...like this.”

As Xu Tingsheng turned to leave, Xiang Ning shouted from behind him, “Will you still be coming? Last time, you suddenly disappeared afterwards, and I thought that you’d never be coming again.”

Xu Tingsheng was momentarily stunned before he asked in anticipation, “Do you hope that I will appear again? Or do you not?”

Xiang Ning pondered for a while before raising her head and replying, “I don’t know, but...I’m very scared.”

Seeing Xu Tingsheng’s instantly downcast expression, she added, “I’m sorry.”

“She’s afraid; I’ve still scared her,” Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while before he asked, “Do you have pen and paper?”

Xiang Ning took out pen and paper, and Xu Tingsheng wrote down his phone number before passing it to her, “This is my handphone number. Don’t lose it, okay?...If there’s anything you need my help with, anything, just call me, and I will come.”

As Xiang Ning accepted it, Xu Tingsheng paused for a moment before saying, “Don’t be scared. Unless you call me, I won’t be appearing before you again...I promise.”

Xiang Ning did not speak.

Xu Tingsheng hoped that she would say that this actually wasn’t how it was, but she spoke not.

……

The decision that Xu Tingsheng had not been able to make on his own was made by Xiang Ning for him. She said that she was very scared, and thus Xu Tingsheng had had no other choice.

In the days that followed, Xu Tingsheng could only be a spectator, watching over her from far away. Such a situation left him worried.

He didn’t know what the events that had occurred today entailed, whether it just represented a short period of estrangement and rejection, or whether it…Xu Tingsheng thought of a possibility, a terrifying possibility: With the trajectory of things having been changed, their meeting and falling in love eight years later might no longer occur.

Xu Tingsheng regretted it greatly. He would rather never have appeared before Xiang Ning at all. That way, whatever might happen during the process, Xiang Ning would still eventually grow up to become that best Xiang Ning, that Xiang Ning who would fall in love with Xu Tingsheng.

He could just have stayed there, waiting for her.

Instead, things had instead turned out like this. Even if Xu Tingsheng appeared before Xiang Ning at the same time and place eight years later under the same conditions, it might be that she would no longer be attracted to him, for that person before her had already long since sowed seeds of doubt and fear within her heart.

Xu Tingsheng thought that Xiang Ning might never ever call that number. In that case, what should he do?

The many setbacks of his previous life, coupled with his mental age and experiences, could let him exhibit extraordinary calmness and stability in the face of many things. However, when the matter was related to Xiang Ning, he would then become like a helpless little boy who ran around in circles dealing with things, panicked and restless with anxiety.

It was like he had lost himself.

Under such a state, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Apple, having had her first day in university today. After exchanging a few casual words, Apple acutely detected the abnormalities in Xu Tingsheng.

“You’ve encountered a problem that you can’t solve? ...You’re unhappy, and also panicked. I’ve never seen you like this before,” Apple said.

Xu Tingsheng did not offer any explanation, and Apple did not press him as well, just saying, “If you’re afraid, go to someplace bright. If you can’t walk there, or crawl there yourself, I’ll carry you...I can bear that weight.”

Chapter 54: A Ferris Wheel of Tenderness

Xu Tingsheng didn't know when he managed to fall asleep. He woke up the next day to the ringing of his phone. At first, he thought that it was Fu Cheng or Huang Yaming who was calling. The two of them, along with Song Ni, had stayed the previous night at Jiannan City, and would have taken the morning bus over first thing today.

However, it was Apple on the other end of the phone, “Xu Tingsheng, I'm in Yanzhou City right now. Where are you?”

Xu Tingsheng shot straight upright on his bed, asking astonishedly, “How is it that you're here? Haven't classes just started for you?”

Apple said happily, “I'm here to send you to school! It just happens that my school has given us two weeks of rest and adjustment time. Hurry up and tell me-where are you right now?...You won't let a beautiful and delicate young lady like me roam randomly about the streets, right? This one is wearing a little singlet today, and these shorts are so very short as well...how dangerous.”

Half an hour later, just after Xu Tingsheng had finished bathing and gotten himself neatly dressed, Apple appeared before the door of his room.

Having entered, Apple stroked Xu Tingsheng's head in a very natural manner, saying, “You were just like a little kid in how panicked you were yesterday. How can a little kid possibly go to school on his own? Let me send you over.”

Xu Tingsheng moved over a stool for Apple, asking her, “It's still so early. What time's bus did you take here today?”

“The five o'clock one. It's also not that far here from Shenghai. In the future...erm...if you need it, you can just call me. After you've finished bathing and set down some water for me, I'd already have arrived here.”

“Close thirst cannot be sated by distant water.”

“Are you thirsty? I'm very close now,” Apple teased, licking her lips.

Xu Tingsheng could only open the door, saying, “Come, I'll bring you for a walk around the place.”

“Don't you have to go to school?”

“Not that early. We'll tour around the area in the morning and return in the afternoon to book out of the motel and bring my things over to the school.”

Xu Tingsheng brought Apple along in randomly touring the streets of Yanzhou City. As they walked, Apple very naturally held onto Xu Tingsheng's arm, and he did not shake her off. Apple joyfully spoke and laughed the entire way, filled with interest in everything she saw.

However one looked at it, this was surely a blissful young couple.

This was true for Xiang Ning as well, spotting Uncle and his girlfriend through the window of the bus she was in.

“So Uncle actually has a girlfriend. And, she's so beautiful,” Xiang Ning thought.

Still just an ignorant little girl, her feelings and emotions regarding this were not too intense. It was just that she constantly felt mildly unhappy throughout the rest of that day for some reason that even she herself could not understand.

She even took out that slip of paper in her bag on which his handphone number was written, intending to throw it away as if throwing a tantrum at him.

“Anyway, I surely won’t be giving you any calls, you big liar,” When placing the slip of paper back in her pencil case, this was what Xiang Ning ‘stubbornly’ thought.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know that he had just brushed past Xiang Ning. He discovered that he had gotten himself and Apple lost.

“But it’s rather more interesting this way,” Apple said.

The two roamed aimlessly about like headless flies. Apple tried on clothes for an entire street, shorts skirts, tank tops and many others, trying all of them on for Xu Tingsheng to see. Still, she didn’t buy any of them at all.

While trying something on in the changing room, she pulled on the curtain, peeking her head out from a corner as she called, “Xu Tingsheng, come here for a bit.”

Xu Tingsheng went over uncomprehendingly.

Then, Apple grabbed him by the collar, pulled him into the changing room and pressed him against the wall.

Suddenly remembering that very famous video he had seen in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly closed his eyes…

“Hahahaha…” Apple burst out laughing.

Xu Tingsheng opened his eyes to find Apple properly and neatly dressed. Alright, this really was a rather ‘pleasant’ prank.

Afterwards, the two emerged from the changing room one by one amidst the faked nonchalance of the ‘spectating’ shop employees. Xu Tingsheng’s face was completely red, while Apple was filled with exuberance at the success of her crafty scheme.

“Beautiful lady, will you be wanting this clothes item?” A shop attendant went forward and asked.

Apple had just wanted to refuse when Xu Tingsheng said, “Yes. This one, and also those three from earlier. She’ll be having all of them.”

Being that sort of girl who knew who to read the situation, Apple did not stop him. If she were to do so at such a time, it would actually make for a rather awkward situation.

After Xu Tingsheng had paid for the clothes and walked over to Apple with them, she proudly held onto his arm, saying, “Thank you, sweetheart.”

“What next?” Xu Tingsheng asked Apple after having left the store.

“I want to ride the Ferris Wheel.”

Xu Tingsheng gazed in the direction in which Apple was pointing. Far away in the distance, a massive Ferris Wheel could be seen slowly spinning within the air.

He had once ridden this Ferris Wheel before. Or to be precise, he had ridden this Ferris Wheel before, ‘in the future’ with Xiang Ning.

Still, Xu Tingsheng did not refuse Apple. From back when she had appeared this morning, Xu Tingsheng had already decided to abide by her wishes and properly pamper her today. Just because of that one phone call, just because she had detected Xu Tingsheng’s abnormal state during her phone conversation with him, she had caught a bus at 5am in the morning, hurrying over to Yanzhou from Shenghai.

In order to catch that bus, she might have had to depart from home at 3 or 4am in the morning, walking all alone amidst the pitch black streets.

There were no large scale amusement parks in Yanzhou City. This Ferris Wheel, rather obtrusively, had instead been constructed in a park. As one of the few entertainment spots within Yanzhou City, also due to the innate ‘romantic-ness’ of the Ferris Wheel as depicted in movies, it was a very popular destination for people all around.

Xu Tingsheng and Apple bought the tickets, queuing up beneath the Ferris Wheel for nearly an hour before finally getting to board it.

The Ferris Wheel spun slowly, the cabin gradually rising upwards…

Xu Tingsheng began trembling, one hand pressed against the wall of the cabin as his other hand unconsciously gripped Apple’s arm. His face grew increasingly pale as it was soon densely covered by thin beads of sweat.

The joyfully enthusiastic Apple suddenly felt a pain in her arm.

Swivelling her head and looking at Xu Tingsheng, she was taken momentarily aback, “You’re afraid of heights?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded with great difficulty.

“Idiot, why didn’t you say it earlier?” These words were just like the ones Xu Tingsheng had once heard before.

Apple reached out and hugged Xu Tingsheng, burying his head in her shoulder. This action was just like the one Xu Tingsheng had once experienced before.

“Just don’t look and it’ll be fine. Be good, I was wrong,” She said...even this was the same.

It was just that that one time, the one saying and doing all this had been Xiang Ning. It was just that that one time, Xiang Ning had kissed his forehead.

As hot tears slid down her shoulder, Apple knew that Xu Tingsheng was crying. She knew that Xu Tingsheng had definitely met with a problem, one that he was very helpless in. Still, ever since having seen him in the morning, she had known that he would not be telling her about it.

Therefore, she had refrained from asking him, nor did she intend to do so.

She hugged him more tightly now, freeing up a hand and stroking his hair. Truly, just as if she were comforting a child. And now her lips...pressed down lightly on Xu Tingsheng’s forehead.

……

Having descended the Ferris Wheel, Apple became that crafty, impish demoness once more, laughing merrily along as she mocked Xu Tingsheng’s fear of heights, alluringly asking if Xu Tingsheng had peeped when slumped against her shoulder earlier.

She knew that the warmth on the Ferris Wheel had not actually belonged to her, and was also not the style of interaction that there should be between them. That had merely been an accident, a happy accident.

……

On the bus, having insisted on helping Xu Tingsheng with one of his heavy bags, Apple complained about it all the way.

“Xu Tingsheng, are you lugging over a whole bag of coins to pay your school fees with?” she asked.

Actually, their situation could already be considered good. It was rather more tragic for the freshmen directly heading off to report from the various bus stops. Their cabins were packed like sardines, large bags and small bags pushed up against each other, people and people also squashed up against one another.

Fu Cheng could actually take out his handphone and call Xu Tingsheng amidst such a situation, he saying, “Xu Tingsheng, I have two freshmen from your course who keep on pressing against me with their breasts. Hurry up and manage them for me.”

“I told you guys long ago to come a day earlier, but you just wouldn’t listen...about that, just push back against them.”

“It’s not like I have breasts.”

“You still have XX, though!” Apple joined in as she shouted into the phone.

“The heck, Apple’s voice?” Fu Cheng howled over the phone.

“I’ll explain to you later.”

Xu Tingsheng hung up, avoiding the gazes of the entire cabin’s worth of people as he asked Apple in a low tone, “Why don’t we get off and wait for the next bus?”

“No way. This one’s almost been exhausted to death by you, and can’t move.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at everyone and pointed to the large bag by Apple’s feet, “She’s talking about my bag. It’s very heavy; it’s exhausted her.”

Chapter 55: Apple’s demonic charm

The bus arrived at the academy city. Xu Tingsheng and Apple got off, Apple insistent as before on helping to carry one of his heavy bags. What happened next was that countless male seniors responsible for welcoming the freshmen immediately rushed forward in a mad scramble to relieve her of the bag on her shoulder.

Such actions of these animal-like male seniors, Xu Tingsheng himself had partook in before.

To them, this day of freshman matriculation marked a special occasion. It was like Zhao Zhongxiang saying in《Animal World》: The mating season has arrived on the vast prairies of Africa. The male hippopotami...

The day they had long yearned for had finally arrived, with these young female juniors finally fresh out of the oven as they arrived tantalisingly before them. This was one of the rare few occasions one would be able to see these male seniors dressed well and neatly. Today, having sacrificed the good ole’ times of playing Counterstrike at their internet cafes, they were gentle and considerate, warm and hearty, helpful and obliging.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had gone along to receive freshmen in his second year of university as well. Furthermore, he had even gone all the way to the bus terminal to wait. There, a cute and delicate young female junior having been unable to squeeze into the school bus, Xu Tingsheng had instead brought her along in taking the public bus. The outcome was that what had originally been an hour’s plus journey had dragged on to almost two and a half hours with the destination still out of sight.

“Perhaps the roads are rather congested today,” Xu Tingsheng had explained to her.

In the end, it had been dark outside when the bus had finally come to a halt by a dilapidated road sign in a village, the bus driver saying, “Get off, this is the final stop.”

The young female junior had looked at Xu Tingsheng, then abruptly shrieked loudly and burst into tears, reaching for her phone to call the police.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had just ridden the bus in the opposite direction...really, he was actually kind of useless in life, being afraid of heights as well as having no sense of direction.

The male students gathered around Apple.

“Welcome, junior! Did you come by yourself? That’s so brave...here, pass me your bag.”

“Which faculty are you from, Miss? I’ll take you directly to registration; there’s no need for you to queue up.”

A trishaw cut in from out of nowhere, “Junior, you can sit here. After you’re done with registration, I’ll send you to your dorm room. We can take the time to look around the campus as well; I’ll help you get familiarised with the area.”

“......”

Xu Tingsheng stood outside this circle, shouldering the weight of the other heavy bag. Bleakly, he stood there, alone and lost amidst the desolate wind. No one looked at him; no one paid any attention to him. In fact, no one had even noticed him.

Apple loaded her bag onto the trishaw and squeezed through the crowd encircling her to load up Xu Tingsheng’s bag as well.

She smiled, saying in a lovable tone, “Hubby, the people from your school are so nice! Let’s get your stuff settled quickly; I still need to rush home to feed our baby milk.”

With this, the male seniors became the ones lost amidst the desolate wind.

The duo followed the senior who had promised to bring Apple to find the registration ‘booth’ for Chinese, while the other seniors slipped away in misery. Xu Tingsheng brought himself through the registration process, receiving his meal card and other items. Coming out to find the trishaw senior still there, they went with him to the dormitories.

This senior had remained enthusiastic and warm-hearted. Although he now knew that Apple was just a family member, he nonetheless continued eagerly bringing Xu Tingsheng and Apple around the campus, visiting the key facilities and areas and introducing to them the prices and flavours of the respective restaurants on campus.

At the end of it all, beneath the dormitory building, the senior stealthily tugged at Xu Tingsheng, asking, “You’re awesome, bro…does Sister-in-law there have an elder sister?”

“Apple, do you have an elder sister?” Xu Tingsheng asked Apple.

Apple eyed Xu Tingsheng, eyed the senior, comprehended the situation and then laughed, “I don’t have an elder sister. Still, my mom is single.”

“You’re welcome; really please don’t mention it,” The senior pedalled his trishaw into a F1 car as he raced it away.

Xu Tingsheng’s room was on the 6th floor. He left Apple below looking after a bag, intending to carry one bag up first and return for the other later.

Expending great energy in ascending to the sixth floor, he found the door to Room 602 wide open.

Xu Tingsheng carried his heavy bag into the room. Six beds were already laid out with their respective occupants present, either sitting or lying down as they chatted together.

“Looks like I’m the second last one here.”

Xu Tingsheng found the bunk with his name pasted on it and set down his bag. It was only at this moment that the others in the room noticed that someone else had arrived.

One of them fished out a box of cigarettes, took two out and handed them over, asking, “Bro, want a smoke?”

Xu Tingsheng observed that 5 out of the other 6 people in the room were smoking. Since that was the case, he would not have to bear guilt over affecting others with his secondhand smoke. Thinking that this was a good time to catch his breath before going back down for his other bag, he accepted the cigarette, lighting it up and puffing on it as he sat on his bed boards and listened to the chatter of the others.

A short and stout darker-skinned guy stood at their centre, gesticulating as he said, “What was I saying? ... Oh, right. I’ve already observed and confirmed that there are 50 people in our class, with 14 being guys. There’s still excess even if we split three to every one of us.”

Someone beside him replied, “How did you get into university with your math like that? Also, we have to consider quality.”

“Speaking of quality,” the one in the centre continued excitedly, “Do you guys know why I reached here so late?”

“Bro, I was ahead of you by just a minute or so,” He turned towards Xu Tingsheng and said.

“In fact, I arrived here long ago, but after having completed registration, I stood by the side of our Chinese booth and observed. Guess what, there are really quite a few good looking ones in our course, just that I don’t know if they will be in our class. Let me tell you, of them all, there was this one girl in particular whom, if she turns out to be in our class, would be a total windfall. If that time comes, we’d better not start fighting over her. That one, at least 1.68 metres tall, with slender waist and long legs, wearing a small, white singlet and super-short shorts...”

“Huge,” the short and stout guy raised his hand and drew an exaggerated semi-circle on his chest.

Xu Tingsheng sat at his position close to the door, interestedly watching, listening, ...first watching some of them opening their eyes wide at the short and stout guy’s description, rubbing their hands together in anticipation, next noticing that they were suddenly dumping their cigarettes in quick succession, frantically throwing what remained of them onto the ground and stamping them underfoot or even just flinging them straight under their beds.

Placing their hands on their pants, some of the guys stood up uncomfortably, trying their best to remain calm whilst smiling towards the doorway. Xu Tingsheng turned to follow their gazes...

Apple stood there, the heavy bag at her feet, her fragrant sweat dripping as she panted, trying to catch her breath.

Xu Tingsheng appraised her. That one, at least 1.68 metres tall, with slender waist and long legs, wearing a small, white singlet and super-short shorts; huge...The short and stout guy’s descriptive skills were actually not bad at all.

“...that’s her I was talking about,” The short and stout guy winked as he said to the rest of them in a low tone.

“Hi, are you looking for someone? ...We are from the same course, 03 Chinese. I am Tan Yao,” said a tall, handsome guy to Apple, still standing at the doorway.

From his accent, he seemed to hail from Shandong, and from his manner of speech, he seemed to be an old hand, well versed at hitting on girls.

Apple dropped the bag by the doorway before she strided directly over to Xu Tingsheng and plopped down beside him, “Hubby, this one’s almost dying already, and you’re still sitting here smoking...”

“Hi, everyone,” Apple waved at the guys in the room before pointing at Xu Tingsheng, “Xu Tingsheng, my husband. I’ll have to depend on everyone to help me take care of him from now on. I have to nurse our child at home and can’t be properly accompanying him.”

Aggrieved, the guy named Tan Yao looked bitterly at Xu Tingsheng. saying, “Bro, is there a need to hurt me like this immediately upon our meeting? Tell me, how are we supposed to get through our next four years together now?”

The short and stout guy came over and said, “Forget it, let’s just take it as one fewer predator that we have. Hopefully, there’ll still be some more good stuff in our class. Bro, my name is Li Xingmin. We’ve got to first be clear on this. You’re not allowed to touch any more of those in our class. They’re ours, all ours…”

Xu Tingsheng chuckled, “You guys go ahead and chat; I’m heading down to buy some stuff. Oh right, her name is Apple.”

…...

Xu Tingsheng went down to get Apple some refreshments, at the same time buying some daily necessities as well.

When he returned, Apple had already laid out his bed, also having finished telling their story.

In this story, Xu Tingsheng and Apple had been classmates in senior high. Amidst their romance, the shotgun had accidentally gone off, and it was during their third year of senior high that Apple had unexpectedly gotten pregnant. In the end, she had chosen to give up on the university entrance examinations for the sake of giving birth to their child…

Greatly moved by their tale, as Xu Tingsheng returned, his roommates all came up one by one and patted his shoulders emotionally, “Bro, you’d better not let Sister-in-law down.”

Even a guy of small stature who had been silent all this while came up to Xu Tingsheng somewhat bashfully and said, “I am Zhang Ninglang of Jiangsu. I feel, I feel that you should treat Sister-in-law and your child a bit better.”

“......”

Actually, Xu Tingsheng could tell that some of his roommates didn’t really believe Apple’s story. It was just that they were playing along due to finding it interesting.

However, this Zhang Ninglang before him truly believed the story.

Xu Tingsheng remembered that he was the only one of them who had not been smoking earlier, that when everyone had been talking about girls, he had simply smiled bashfully by the side, that when Apple had appeared, he had been nervous to the point of not even daring to raise his head...This was a truly honest and sincere kid, a good kid.

Zhang Ninglang reminded Xu Tingsheng of a roommate whom he had had a very good relationship with in his previous life, and so he replied, “Alright, I’ll do that.”

Apple added, “Seeing that you are such a good kid, you can help Sister-in-law to look after this guy here in the future, right? Come, Sister-in-law will introduce you a girlfriend next time...what type do you like? How about someone like Sister-in-law here? I have a cousin…”

While Zhang Ninglang dared not look at Apple, his entire face blushing a deep red, neither did he refuse the offer. Which youth ever came to the verdant, vibrant campus without any yearning, without any hopes? However shy they were, it was all the same.

Chapter 56: To be a little closer

“How was your first day of university? Was it also as crazy as this?” Xu Tingsheng asked Apple.

“Some seniors came to help us. Still, ninety percent of the students in our university are female. It was because of you that I specifically chose it. You can rest assured; ever since that day when you carried me on your back, I decided that I would guard my body like jade for you.” Apple said.

The two stayed in the room for a while, properly tidying the place up. Then, they apologised to Xu Tingsheng’s roommates and left.

Tonight’s dinner was originally supposed to have been the first group event for the freshmen staying in the dormitories. Still, university had yet to begin for Huang Yaming and Song Ni, who were both currently staying in a motel. Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng could only accompany them first.

After briefly explaining things to his roommates, Xu Tingsheng left the room with Apple.

“Everyone, please help to watch over my hubby for me from here on out,” Apple finally said to them.

Xu Tingsheng’s thoughts were that he would let Apple mess around however she wanted today. Additionally, he also didn’t plan on looking for a girlfriend in university. Therefore, even if news of him having a girlfriend spread, it wouldn’t actually be a bad thing.

Xu Tingsheng gave Fu Cheng a call. He learnt that they were staying in the same dormitory area but in different buildings, and also asked whether he needed any help in unpacking.

Fu Cheng said, “Just help me to buy a couple of things.”

Xu Tingsheng bought the things and Apple volunteered to help send them up. More than ten minutes later, the two came down, Fu Cheng saying that the bestial creatures in his room had already all gone crazy.

On the way to the town of Xishan, Apple was all smiles as she conversed with Fu Cheng. Xu Tingsheng could tell that Apple was trying hard to improve her relationship with Fu Cheng. They had only been normal classmates before, but it was best that they could be friends in the future. The reason for this was that he was one of Xu Tingsheng’s two best friends.

The three headed directly to the motel in question. Having known that Apple was here, Song Ni had booked a double room.

Huang Yaming had booked a triple room as he said to Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng, “The two of you are sleeping with me tonight.”

However one listened, this just seemed wrong.

The group of five ordered a few simple dishes and had dinner together. Apple complained with tears in her eyes that if she had known they would all be studying here, she would have applied for Yanzhou University as well. Broaching that topic, it really was rare that good friends like Xu Tingsheng’s trio and Song Ni could actually still remain so close to one another in university.

Of course, they would individually be making yet more, new friends thereafter, not spending all their time together like they had in senior high. Still, they weren’t limited as best friends to meeting only during holidays, and were able to assist one another at a moment’s notice as well. Really, this was already good enough.

As for what Apple was doing here, before Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng had asked, Apple herself had already explained it.

“I came here to pursue Xu Tingsheng, of course,” She said.

Afterwards, at Huang Yaming’s suggestion, they called for a few bottles of wine. Song Ni could drink a little, while Apple’s alcohol tolerance could be considered passable as well. However, in order to grow closer to Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, Apple drank a little too cheerfully and readily. In the end, when the meal ended a little after 7pm, only Apple was a little tipsy.

Xu Tingsheng got Song Ni to help Apple back to their room to rest. He and Fu Cheng having skipped the group dinner, they should now return to show their face at their dormitories at the very least.

Huang Yaming said, “You’d better remember to come back and sleep with me.”

“...”

The eighth person of Room 602 ultimately didn’t show up, perhaps having given up on his placing and gone back to retake the university entrance examinations.

Xu Tingsheng decided to move onto the upper bed, leaving the lower bed empty for everyone to place their things. When he was moving his things over, something dropped out from beneath the blanket. Xu Tingsheng picked it up. It was the little singlet of Apple’s that she had changed out from at the clothing store earlier.

It was made of a soft and supple material, and contained her smell. This demoness.

As his roommates all burst out snickering, Xu Tingsheng put the singlet inside his cupboard.

There was no seniority ranking amongst the seven of them, because everyone feared that they might just be that one ranked number two. Now, they individually did some basic self-introductions. Actually, Xu Tingsheng’s other six roommates had already gotten to know each other during that dinner earlier. In starting all over again now, it was mainly for his sake.

The tall, handsome one was Tan Yao of Shandong. While introducing himself, he admitted to having a rich history of chasing girls. With that and his good looks, it was evident that he was an expert in this area.

“Bros, if anyone catches your eye in the future, remember to tell me about it first, lest I accidentally harm allied troops,” he said.

It seemed like this guy’s university life was going to be a very colourful one.

The short and stout Li Xingming was a local whose dream was to lose his virginity in university.

The only one in the room who had brought along a computer was called Old Wai. The reason for this was a very awkward one. His actual name was Wa Aiyi. His father was surnamed Wa, and his mother was surnamed Yi. When choosing a name for his son, his father had acted all loving and given him a name that literally meant Wa Loves Yi. Therefore, just having entered junior high, he had already begun telling others, “Just call me Old Wai.”

Even while speaking, Old Wai was still pounding frantically away on his keyboard. At first, Xu Tingsheng thought that he might be playing a game. Having taken a closer look, though, he realised that he was actually programming.

Currently, the use of computers was still not widespread. There were very few who were as familiar with using computers as him, and freshmen who knew programming were even rarer.

“This old man applied for Computing, but just got pushed over to Chinese,” Old Wai let out an earth-shaking mournful howl, “This old man doesn’t want to be a bitter literary person, you bunch of bitter literary people…at any rate, we’ll be in this same room from now on. I won’t be attending the lessons; I want to attend the Computing lessons.”

Old Wai had precisely the look of an IT male.

The small, honest kid was called Zhang Ninglang. Xu Tingsheng knew that while he wouldn’t usually stand out, when they needed help for attendance taking or with the end of term examinations, he would become the most important person in the room.

The other five guys told Xu Tingsheng the nickname that they had already given Zhang Ninglang, ‘Lil’ Bro Ning’.

Of the final two, one was called Lu Xu while the other was called Huang Keshen.

Lu Xu said, “I have a catchphrase while speaking. I like to say ‘You still have the face to smile?’ Today, I’m keeping it in and not speaking much for fear that you guys might misunderstand. If I accidentally say it in the future, please don’t mind it. I mean no harm-it’s just that I’m used to it.”

Xu Tingsheng felt that this guy was likely to suddenly get into a fight with someone out of the blue.

Huang Keshen was a little arrogant, and looked from his appearance like he came from a rather well-off family.

He said slightly not so simply, “I am Huang Keshen from Xihu City. I scored 588 marks in the university entrance examinations and failed to get into Jianhai University by just a bit. I didn’t want to come here originally, but my parents both work in the government. They say that it’s just getting a paper qualification anyway, and they’ll make arrangements for me afterwards. I thought that this was fine as well, so I came.”

After he had finished speaking, someone smiled derisively a few times but said nothing, while someone said for him out of goodwill, “What a high score.”

Perhaps Huang Keshen was trying to show off a little, but Xu Tingsheng felt that there was nothing really wrong with this. Instead, his manner of speaking made it seem like he was not a scheming person, which was pretty good. Also, just having entered university, everyone sharing their university entrance examination results was really a perfectly normal thing. Still, it was inconvenient for Xu Tingsheng to bring his results up. With how high he had scored, there was absolutely no way for him to broach the matter himself.

“I actually performed below standard in the university entrance examinations or I’d have stably gotten into Jianhai University. My girlfriend usually does worse than me, but even she managed to get into Jianhai,” Huang Keshen said.

Huang Keshen was the second person in the room to have openly admitted to having a girlfriend, if Xu Tingsheng could be considered the first.

Finally, Xu Tingsheng gave a basic self-introduction as well, “I’m Xu Tingsheng from Libei County in Jiannan City.”

“With such a hot girlfriend, you definitely won’t have to look for another one in university, fighting for food with your bros in the dorm…” Li Xingming helped to substantiate, and Xu Tingsheng just let it be.

“Xu Tingsheng? You are Xu Tingsheng? ...I didn’t hear it clearly when Sister-in-law said it this morning,” On this relatively rare occasion that Lil’ Bro Ning, Zhang Ninglang, spoke, his tone felt rather emotional.

“What? What skeletons in the closet does he have?” Tan Yao hurriedly asked.

“When reporting today, I heard it being discussed. They were saying that the highest scorer in our batch came in with 627 marks, and his name is Xu Tingsheng.”

The ensuing silence within the room was only interrupted by Old Wai’s sudden slapping of his computer, “The hell, are you sick in the head? You scored so high, but instead of studying Computing, you're studying Chinese?”

Computing was indeed currently a profession that could not be any more popular, but Old Wai seemed to be missing the point here.

Li Xingming corrected, “What computing? This score was just two marks short of Qingbei; it could have stably gotten you in anywhere else. Bro, how are you even in Yanzhou University? Did your brain overheat and die?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying, “I filled in Qingbei but didn’t manage to get in. I didn’t know about it, but they all told me to properly cover my bases. I’m timid, so I filled in Yanzhou University for my second aspiration.”

“Heck, you still have the face to smile? Don’t you know that wastage is to be disdained? I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel like I struck it big. Someone who scored several tens of marks more than me is actually studying the same course in the same university as me, yeah...But I still don’t believe that trashy excuse of yours. For real, why exactly did you come here?”

As soon as he heard that ‘you still have the face to smile?’, it was clear that the one who had spoken was Lu Xu. Xu Tingsheng thought for a while, thinking of Xiang Ning. He had checked his phone countless times today. He had not received any calls from her…

Perhaps it was really going to be like this, staring at her from far away once in a while and waiting for her to grow a little older before going to try again?

Xu Tingsheng said in a rather pained tone, “In order to be a little closer to that person in my heart.”

“Wow, that dedication in passion, that sacrifice...it’s Apple, right? Which university is she studying in here in Yanzhou? Wait, that’s wrong. You could very well have gone to any other city. Does she live here?”

Xu Tingsheng’s roommates thought that he was talking about Apple, but he naturally wouldn’t explain and clarify what even Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming were still yet to know about as he just replied simply, “Apple’s in Shenghai.”

Shenghai was indeed rather close to Yanzhou, but it clearly couldn’t justify Xu Tingsheng’s words of ‘in order to be a little closer with that person in my heart’.

While they didn’t get it, having after all only just met today, his roommates couldn’t very well question him on it further. They just thought to themselves: If even Apple is not that person, what kind of heaven-defying being can it be?

While aware of his roommates’ doubts, Xu Tingsheng spoke no further, just thinking, “Whoever would guess that she’s just a fourteen-year-old girl? But...she seems not to want me anymore.”

The matter passed just like this.

Chapter 57: He came with his family

Afterwards, the topic moved on to the girls in their class. Having already met some of them during registration, they described them as best as they could, all filled with anticipation. And following that, the topic expanded to the girls of their entire university as a whole. Conquering female upperclassmen was actually also quite an achievement in their minds.

“Yanzhou University is full of these female seniors!” Tan Yao said that he had asked some male upperclassmen about this after having arrived here earlier in the day.

As Tan Yao said, Yanzhou University was a holistic university which focused mainly on the Humanities. While the male to female ratio was not as exaggerated as that in Apple’s school, it was still at least 3:7 on the whole.

Li Xingming joined his hands together in prayer and thanked the heavens, “There’s hope, there’s hope!”

As they were chatting, a guy from the neighbouring room knocked on their door, telling them in a hushed, panicked tone, “The school leadership is coming to visit, and there’re still two waves of female seniors behind them! Hurry up and tidy up the place a bit.”

They hurriedly cleared up the cigarette butts and other miscellaneous items, also spraying a bit of air freshener around the room. Old Wai hid his computer. Afterwards, they began focusing on their hairstyles and clothes. It was fine as long as they did not commit a serious error with the school leadership, and however handsome they looked mattered not with them as well, but...there were still two waves of delectable female upperclassmen who would be arriving after them.

Tan Yao changed into a stretch vest to many cries of dissatisfaction. He was planning to show off his muscles.

Having gone around the entire day and still having yet to bathe, Xu Tingsheng was rather dishevelled and dirty. Still, he was instead the least concerned about his appearance. His roommates thought that this made sense. He already had a girlfriend like Apple, what more a female senior?

The first to arrive were the ones in charge of the university and their faculty. They basically did all that needed officially to be done, welcoming them into the university and asking them how they were finding themselves getting used to the place.

Jianhai Province was a flourishing province, and Yanzhou City was one of the better ranked cities within it in terms of its economy. With this also being a newly constructed academy city, there was really no fault to be found with the facilities and whatnot here. Therefore, they all sincerely praised the school somewhat to the great satisfaction of the school leadership.

Xu Tingsheng remained silent, just sitting quietly by the side. However, once they heard that he was Xu Tingsheng, the school leadership went up to him on their own accord, warmly shaking his hand and saying things along the lines of ‘Thank you for choosing Yanzhou University, Xu Tingsheng’ and ‘Welcome to Yanzhou University, Xu Tingsheng’.

Xu Tingsheng could only randomly answer stuff like ‘It’s my honour to be able to study in Yanzhou University’.

“You’ll be receiving your admission scholarship money soon.”

“There’s still money to be had?” Hearing that there would be money, and even ten thousand yuan at that, Xu Tingsheng grew enthusiastic all of a sudden, all smiles as he shook the hands of the school leadership in thanks, “I’d not thought that just attending university alone could net me money.”

As soon as the school leadership were out of the door, Tan Yao, Lu Xu and the others exploded, “Old Xu, ten thousand, it’s ten thousand...We don’t care, you’ve got to treat us. The location we’ll choose, and the dishes we’ll pick as well.”

“Fine, just tell me after you’ve chosen the place.”

“It’s ten thousand, we definitely can’t be too hasty with this. We’ve got to think properly about what to eat. This has got to be a vicious slaughter; we can’t let him off so easily with this one.”

Amidst their conversation, a clear voice resounded from the doorway, “What ten thousand, vicious slaughter? Is someone treating? Are we female upperclassmen invited as well?”

A dozen female upperclassmen in their second year of university surged into the room. They hurriedly began moving chairs and wiping bedsheets, inviting these female seniors to sit down.

Many universities had such a tradition. On matriculation day, the seniors would come to visit their new juniors who had just entered the university. Seeing that it was completely composed of girls over here, there should be many male seniors on the girls’ side right now.

In Yanzhou University, especially for those studying Chinese, the ‘demand’ for the female students was usually not very high. This was not to say that their quality was low. Instead, it was a situation where supply really far surpassed demand too greatly.

Actually, these female seniors were anxious as well. Not having entered even a single relationship in university...no one would want that. Therefore, as the male seniors were filled with anticipation at the arrival of their young female juniors, it was not that the female seniors might not harbour such thoughts as well.

This visit of theirs somewhat contained the purpose of reconnaissance as they would also casually display their womanly charms, attracting these male juniors somewhat.

The female upperclassmen asked interestedly about the lives of their male juniors. Xu Tingsheng dealt with it noncommittally, and a female senior who was also from Jiannan even gave him her handphone number.

Xu Tingsheng was currently still using his old number. Having given this number to Xiang Ning, he would never be changing it. Since that was so, he could only buy another handphone, setting up another phone card.

“I haven’t set up my phone card yet; I’ll do it and send you my number tomorrow,” Xu Tingsheng said apologetically.

Meanwhile, some female senior was still thinking about the matter of the ten thousand yuan meal that she had overheard over by the doorway. Asked by her, Li Xingming unhesitantly revealed Xu Tingsheng’s university entrance examination results and the admission scholarship money that the school had decided to give to him.

Immediately, the gazes of the female seniors on Xu Tingsheng all changed.

First setting that ten thousand yuan aside, one could not make any mistake with such awesome university entrance examination results. Some female seniors who had earlier overlooked Xu Tingsheng, hiding at a corner, now looked at him and immediately realised that other than the flashily charming Tan Yao, there was still another handsome dude hidden within the room. Also, he looked exceptionally calm and mature, his smile genial and composed.

“This one looks much more reliable,” While Xu Tingsheng was not as dazzling as Tan Yao, as opposed to Tan Yao who flirted with every single one of them who came up to him, he had not yet appeared particularly interested in any one of them. Their hearts having been moved, the feet of the female seniors hereby moved as well.

Seeing this, Li Xingming immediately regretted his earlier actions. Wasn’t this spoiling his own chances of getting attached?

Now, he hurriedly continued, “Still, he’ll probably be handing the money over to his wife after getting his hands on it. Xu Tingsheng came with his family.”

The female upperclassmen who had just arrived before Xu Tingsheng halted, the one also from Jiannan who had already set her eyes on him beforehand asking rather disappointedly, “Your roommate is joking, right?”

“It’s true! Sister-in-law accompanied Xu Tingsheng here in the afternoon. She’s studying in Shenghai.”

Before Xu Tingsheng could reply, someone answered the question for him. The one who spoke, unexpectedly, was Zhang Ninglang, having been shy and nervous all this time. This guy seemed to have taken Apple’s earlier words seriously. In saying this, he had been trying to fulfil what Apple had asked of them, helping her to keep a good eye on Xu Tingsheng.

Still, he had committed an error in saying that final phrase: She’s studying in Shenghai.

“Long distance relationship-doesn’t this mean that there’s a chance then?” Such thoughts now began surfacing in the minds of some of the female upperclassmen.

Xu Tingsheng felt very helpless. Just having finished fending off the Year 2 female upperclassmen with quite a bit of difficulty, a wave of Year 3 female upperclassmen then arrived.

Really feeling spent, Xu Tingsheng made use of the interval after their departure and told his roommates, “I’m heading out to sleep tonight.”

Having seen Apple in the morning, his roommates all naturally thought that they understood as they let out howling laughter like a wild pack of wolves. Not explaining himself, Xu Tingsheng left the room.

He waited downstairs for Fu Cheng for a while, after which the two returned to the motel together. Xu Tingsheng knocked on the door to check on Apple. Seeing that she had already sobered up, he reminded her to rest well before heading off to Huang Yaming’s room.

The three sat down together. Xu Tingsheng spoke about how his female seniors had come to visit earlier, leaving Huang Yaming agitated beyond compare as he wished that his university term could already have begun.

“Still, there seem to be more boys in your school, and a lot more at that,” Xu Tingsheng dealt him a huge blow.

Fu Cheng also talked about how it had been for him.

Now, Apple knocked on the door, asking, “Xu Tingsheng, can you accompany me for a walk?”

……

Xu Tingsheng and Apple walked the streets of the academy city.

A couple was arguing by the roadside. Angered, the crying girl flung away her hand and left. The guy also looked to have quite the temper as he just stood there looking in another direction, not trying to go after her.

Suddenly, Xu Tingsheng’s heart seemed to have been struck by something.

“Friend,” Xu Tingsheng walked over and said to that guy.

“Huh?” The guy looked quizzically at him.

“I’ve just come over from that side,” Xu Tingsheng pointed in the direction in which the crying girl had left, “There’re a few drunk hooligans over there obstructing girls by the roadside...Don’t just stand there, hurry up and go.”

“Oh...right,” The boy sprinted frantically away after the girl, only leaving behind a yell of thanks.

There were actually no drunk hooligans over there. It was just that…

“They should be reconciling very soon,” Xu Tingsheng thought, “What blissful days-you should treasure them well.”

He thought of that scene back in his previous life, of Xiang Ning crying as she left. Back then, he had not gone after her.

Never let a crying girl walk away alone.

Apple watched on from beside him.

“You have someone you love a lot, right?” Apple asked Xu Tingsheng.

“Yup, that’s right,” Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“How much do you love her? ...What I mean is-I want to see if I still have to put in any more effort,” Apple gave a somewhat forced laugh.

She tried to feign a relaxed manner, but perhaps she had been too enraptured by all that had happened today as she had already unconsciously begun to yearn for this blissfulness.

“It’s like she’s my lover from my previous life. From my previous life, I’ve already loved her,” Xu Tingsheng spoke the truth, but to others, this might seem like some mushy lovers’ words.

Apple was silent for a moment before she asked, “Does she love you? The way you were yesterday...was it that she hurt you?”

Xu Tingsheng was stunned for a while. This was a question that he had actually always avoided considering. In this life, would Xiang Ning still love him? He did not know the answer. As for yesterday’s matter, Xiang Ning’s fear was a completely understandable one. After all, she was still so young, while Xu Tingsheng was just a stranger.

Even if she had hurt him, there was still no fault on her part. She was still young and insensible, after all. Instead, Xu Tingsheng felt that speaking of hurt, it was he who had hurt Xiang Ning. He had been too impatient and rash, having scared her as a result.

Xu Tingsheng had not replied, but Apple felt that she already knew the answer.

She bit her teeth, saying, “How about...I’ll be responsible for loving you. If she doesn’t love you, or if she hurts you due to her insensibility, let me be responsible for loving you. Let me be responsible for protecting you…”

“You don’t have to give me an answer. If it’s like today, I’ll already be very satisfied.”

The next afternoon, Xu Tingsheng went to the bus stop and sent off this girl who said that she wanted to protect him.

Both of them understood that the protection Apple spoke of meant this: Xu Tingsheng, if you’re hurt again in the future, come to me. Where I am, I can help you to recuperate...After you’ve recuperated, you can choose to stay, or you can also choose to leave.

Originally rational and proficiently calculating, this girl had, this time, blindly...forgotten all about benefits or detriments.

Chapter 58: Tales of military training

Carrying the camouflage uniform worn in military training, Lu Xu asked his roommates: There’s just one belt here-should it be wound on the inside or on the outside?

No one told him that he could actually just wind one of his own on the inside.

Yanzhou University’s military training was really a serious one. On the first day that the instructor arrived, he imparted to them a set of military punching techniques. As this segment was usually only present in the final observance ceremony at the end of military training, the freshmen initially felt excited about it. Only afterwards did they discover that it was actually a stamping down of authority upon them.

The new Vice Principal of Yanzhou University who was in charge of military training had been a soldier when he was young. As this elderly man nearing the age of sixty performed a perfect drill at the start of the opening ceremony, a ‘bang’ sound emitted from the ground as if a wooden pole had been drilled straight in…

The ‘tragic’ fate of this batch of freshmen had already been decided.

“Kids nowadays are too weak. If we don’t grind you a little, how can we old bones feel safe handing the country over to you?” The old Vice Principal said.

Performing drills under a temperature of 40 degrees, people collapsed and were carried off one after another to the medical tent pitched up right at the training grounds. As the torrential rain persisted, after having been drenched thoroughly, the cafeteria just sent some ginger decoctions over. The frail girls cried, and they were punished to train for half an hour more…

The first day having ended, everyone collapsed on their beds, wailing mournfully. Only now did Xu Tingsheng realise that he had continually overlooked something following his rebirth-training his body. While simple, it was actually a very important thing.

Li Xingmin complained, “Did you see it just now? Six of the female soldiers opposite us collapsed, and the instructors were rushing over to be the one to carry them away. I wanted to go as well, but I wouldn’t be able to beat them at it. After all, they’ve trained.”

All his thoughts this day had been spent on the girls.

Old Wai said that with all of them wearing the same baggy camouflage uniforms and headgear, there was no way to tell how they looked. Tan Yao thought that who cared about face; not being able to see their figures was much worse…

Out of goodwill, Xu Tingsheng reminded them, “You’re all wrong. Actually, this is precisely the best time to be observing the girls. If even without makeup and wearing the same military uniform as everyone else, a girl can still stand out, she must really be a great one then.”

“How do we look at their figures then?”

“Look at them during simultaneous running. A mountain range looks greatly different when viewed from above and from the sides; waves ebb and fall amidst the waters of a lake.”

Xu Tingsheng’s roommates were greatly inspired by his words. During drills the next morning, they stared shamelessly at the girls lined up opposite them. Li Xingming stared at one of them, mouthing the lyrics: Look over, oh girl opposite me…

Tan Yao flexed his muscles like the Korean star Rain.

Distracted, the girls opposite them messed up in their movements, several of them receiving a scolding.

Aggrieved girls going off to complain was a very usual thing. They told on them, telling the main instructor that the boys in the row opposite them were playing hooligan and teasing them, interfering with their training. The main instructor came over and said a few words to the instructor in change of this row Xu Tingsheng was in.

The instructor said, “All of them did, actually...take out your faces. The female soldiers opposite will be coming over to identify the culprits.”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know how to take out his face, and it was the same for the people beside him.

“Raise your heads, all of you,” The main instructor elaborated as he came over with a few girls, “Whichever ones they are, just point them out. I’ll pull them out for you.”

The girls were all shy, as if the main instructor was asking them to choose their husbands.

And this was precisely what the main instructor said, “Stop wasting time; it’s not like I’m asking you to choose your husbands.”

Li Xingming, Tan Yao, Old Wai, some guys from next door, as well as some from History and the other courses...they were called out by the instructor one by one, the several of them standing there at attention. A girl from the same class walked towards Xu Tingsheng, walked past him and turned back again, now standing before him.

“Reporting to instructor, there's still this guy, Xu Tingsheng.”

“Me?” Not even having glanced over at the other side, Xu Tingsheng was totally confused.

“Yes, you,” The girl nodded, then turned and walked away.

“Get out here!” The instructor roared loudly.

Xu Tingsheng was the last guy to have been pointed out as hands behind his back, the instructor now paced a lap before them, “Very good, very manly. You don't have to eat lunch; you'll be standing here till training in the afternoon.”

“Reporting to instructor, I'm innocent,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Wot?” The instructor leading them shouted in a strongly-accented voice.

Xu Tingsheng pointed towards where he had previously been standing, “I wasn't looking; it was totally impossible for me to see.”

The person who had been standing in front of him was more than 1.9m in height, weighing more than a hundred kilos.

The instructor looked, considered for a moment and turned to look at the girl who had just testified against Xu Tingsheng, asking her, “Ya did na’ see wrong?”

The girl nodded firmly, “I did na’.”

Half of the occupants of Room 602 did not eat lunch this day, the other half secretly smuggling over a few buns for them.

After training had ended for the day, collapsing into his bed on his last legs, Old Wai said, “I won't be switching courses anymore; I've fallen in love with Chinese...with my intelligence, I'd still be able to own those people from Computing even if I self-study it instead.”

Not being dumb people, everyone immediately realised that some girl from Chinese must have caught Old Wai’s eye.

They asked about it. The girl's name was Li Linlin. While she didn't stand out much, she was a simple and lovable girl, her looks also being pleasant to the eye. It was she who had testified against Old Wai today. Based on that, Old Wai was definitely guilty as charged.

Over the next few days, Old Wai continued staring unrepentantly at Li Linlin. She reciprocated this discourtesy in kind, directly pointing him out a few times.

On the twelfth day of military training, a major incident occurred. Having hidden a rock up his sleeve, a boy assaulted the assistant head instructor with it, smashing his head open and himself eating a punch.

The school did not suppress this incident, the truth of it very quickly spreading.

The boy was from Accounting. A few days into the semester, he had gotten friendly with a girl from the same class. Afterwards, the girl having fainted during military training, the one who had carried her away was the assistant head instructor. Yet afterwards, the girl had hooked up with him, a man well into his thirties, as she had then requested to break up with the boy.

The heat rushing to his head, the boy had exacted the most extreme reaction possible.

The assistant head instructor did not appear at the training grounds again for the next few days. That boy was absent as well. Instead, only that girl was still present.

If things went on as expected, she would soon have a new boyfriend, and afterwards an even newer boyfriend as she lived out a happy and joyful life.

Meanwhile, the boy would have to pay the price for his youthful ‘fit of intense passion’. Such was young, foolish love.

That night, Xu Tingsheng made a trip to the local grocery store in town and made a call. This incident had made him remember a major incident during the military training of his previous life. A good friend from the same dormitory room as him had wrecked a military vehicle…

The effects of this incident had only truly been felt a few years after its occurrence. After graduating from university, that friend had become a public servant. There, he had ultimately met an impasse due to his political records, unable to advance in his career at all.

Xu Tingsheng remembered his handphone number because it was really too special. It was the type that, years later in the future, could even be taken out and put on auction.

“I hope that he’s still using this number in this life.”

As the line connected and the other person said a ‘Hello’, unable to identify him, Xu Tingsheng said in a deep tone, “You are Zhong Ming, yes?”

“Yeah, who’re you?”

“I have no need to report this to you. Do you intend to wreck a military vehicle?”

“This...you...I?”

Zhong Ming indeed intended to wreck a military vehicle over some girl problems. The problem was how the other party could know this. He had only just thought of doing it, not even having yet told it to his roommates in the dorm. He had merely mentioned it briefly over the phone to two friends from senior high.

“You underestimate the power of our country to enforce safety. The reason we are reminding you is that your usual performance holds no suspicion. Out of my personal goodwill, I hope that you do not make a wrong move, going down the wrong path.”

“I…”

“Know what’s good for you.”

“Hello? Hello?”

“Buzz, buzz…”

Xu Tingsheng felt that Zhong Ming would not be doing that deed anymore. He wasn’t actually reckless to that extent, his head just having been clouded by emotions at the time.

He guessed right. Not only did Zhong Ming give up on this reckless plan, even his very understanding of the world changed as a result. He would very earnestly tell his roommates that 007 movies were real, that the KGB and the FBI were more formidable than they thought. Fortunately, their country was even more formidable.

Who knew what he would feel upon learning of the Snowden incident in the future.

Chapter 59: They’ve all come

The passion and longing of boys towards guns was not any lesser than their desire for girls. Of course, having met girls, they would only be able to hand over their weapons in surrender.

It had not been said earlier that they would be able to shoot targets in their military training. Therefore, when the instructor announced this piece of news when training was ending for the day, the training grounds descended completely into a hubbub of noise.

This was an era when Counterstrike was extremely popular. There were few amongst the boys who did not play it, did not love playing it. Being used to rampaging about over the keyboard, everyone’s expectations were therefore a little high.

“Instructor, will there be AK47s?”

“I want a sniper rifle! Instructor, give me a sniper rifle!”

“...”

What came after joy was unease. That night, Huang Keshen gave his family a call. His grandfather who had carried a rifle several tens of years ago told him that if his posture was wrong when firing, the recoil from the rifle could dislocate his shoulder, at least taking away a layer of his skin.

Huang Keshen furrowed his brows, thinking for a long time. Then, he took apart the pillow that he slept with, pulling out from it a large amount of cotton stuffing which he intended to place by his armpit the next day.

Old Wai said, “Oh, you’re smart. Let me have some.”

Xu Tingsheng yawned, looking at how Huang Keshen would thereon be lacking a pillow.

At the shooting range the next day, there were actually quite a few who had made similar preparations, various colourful techniques having been employed. Li Xingmin took a look around the area and returned saying that he had discovered a method that was much cleverer as well as more practical than the taking apart of a pillow.

Pained at the loss of his pillow, Huang Keshen asked what it was.

Li Xingmin secretly reported his discovery that some girls had pasted sanitary napkins on their shoulders, and quite a few layers of it as well.

Lu Xu thought about it for a while, then said, “This method is really too splendid. If they really knock into something and get injured, it can still stem their flow of blood.”

Tan Yao shook his head and sighed, “I really can’t bear to tell you damned virgins that those things can suck blood.”

Each person was distributed five bullets. Without having yet satisfied their desires, not having been able to properly get a taste of things at all, the dreams of many thereby came to an end like Zhu Bajie swallowing the Ginseng Fruit in a single gulp.

Xu Tingsheng had fired once in his previous life before, his results back then being a little pathetic. This time, he held his breath and focused before slowly aiming and firing every single shot. Only when everyone had turned in their guns and been standing at attention for quite a while did he slowly crawl up from the ground…

There was actually still another motive in having shot slowly. Xu Tingsheng had been waiting for the bullet shells to cool down, after which he secretly pocketed two of them when no one was looking.

A few instructors crawled out from the trench opposite, beginning to count the results on the target boards.

While Xu Tingsheng felt that he had fired pretty well, he was still shocked by the final results.

“Lu Xu, 0 points.”

“Xu Tingsheng, 47 points...but there are 8 bullet holes on it.”

“Wa Aiyi, 0 points.”

While firing, Lu Xu had been lying prone beside Xu Tingsheng. It had been the same for Old Wai as well.

“Dang, this bro aimed at the wrong target,” Lu Xu said.

“Me too,” Old Wai said.

This was to say that of the trio’s fifteen bullets, only 8 of them had connected. As for who amongst them had fired the most reliably, it was impossible to say for sure.

On their way back to school, Xu Tingsheng took out his bullet shells to the incomparably envious, and also incomparably regretful, gazes of all.

There were those who came over to beg, and there were those who came over to snatch. Xu Tingsheng kicked all of them far away without exception, his stance firm. No way, over his dead body.

The military training ended. After the bustling observance ceremony ended, the Vice Principal went up to the podium and announced the name of the soldiers who had performed exceptionally well.

Xu Tingsheng unexpectedly heard his own name being called.

Those model soldiers whose names were called out had to individually leave formation with the proper drills and slow march over to the podium to receive their commendations. Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment. If he dared refuse this, the old Vice Principal would probably deal him a full set of military punches.

Keeping his legs taut, keeping his arms locked, Xu Tingsheng marched forward mechanically step by step as he looked towards the front.

A group of students from senior high was currently watching on rather interestedly from behind the podium. Perhaps their school had arranged for them to come for a tour of this academy city, and they had coincidentally found their way here.

Due to the occurrence of several boat-sinking accidents these past few years, many schools had already cancelled the outings that they had once organised. Even if the students really wanted to go somewhere, they still wouldn't dare to let them go too far off into the wilderness. Under such circumstances, the academy city became a very good destination for school trips. Seeing how universities were like would be beneficial in calling forth greater passion for studying within the students somewhat.

“Click, clack…”

Under the eyes of many, Xu Tingsheng threw his feet forward and proceeded forth with gusto. Not wanting to make a mess of things and cause embarrassment for himself, he put in great effort, his form very accurate and precise.

Then, he saw that little girl standing over by the side of the podium. Carrying a red schoolbag on her shoulders and holding a bottle of orange juice in her hand, she stood there looking at him.

Little Xiang Ning was wearing a sky blue tracksuit with white stripes along with white sport shoes today. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail with a butterfly knot as she stood delicately and adorably there…

This was the first time Xu Tingsheng was seeing Little Xiang Ning out of her school uniform.

Xu Tingsheng had already not seen her for close to twenty days. These days had felt exceptionally long, because he had spent virtually every single one of them worrying, in great torment.

Seeing Xiang Ning once more, Xu Tingsheng felt overwhelmed by countless emotions, “We can even meet coincidentally like this? It’s indeed a deep destiny of past and previous lives that lies amidst this rebirth! Also, my little Xiang Ning, is so...so beautiful...so cute…”

“Clack!”

Having blanked out for a moment, as the model soldier Xu Tingsheng pushed his foot onto the platform, he stumbled forward. Startled cries resounded amidst the entire field, Little Xiang Ning's mouth wide open in shock as she looked at him…

Xu Tingsheng wobbled, frantically trying to regain his balance, but finally...still plunged headlong into the greenery below the podium.

Startled cries and whistling arose all around. The entire training grounds erupted in noise.

Xu Tingsheng cared not about this. While he had embarrassed himself…

He was very happy, because as he crawled out from the other end of the shrubbery, Little Xiang Ning came over, asking carefully, “Uncle, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. You’re...on an outing?” Sprawled across the ground, Xu Tingsheng was incomparably moved.

So, she still cared about him.

“Yeah, you’re studying here?”

“Yeah, I am. School just started; we’re having military training.”

“Yeah. So, my teacher is calling us to gather up. I’ll be leaving first.”

“Okay...wait, this is for you.”

Xu Tingsheng extended a hand, opening his palm. Inside lay a glistening yellow bullet shell.

Xiang Ning hesitated for a moment before reaching out and taking it from him as she said softly, “Thanks, Uncle.”

Xu Tingsheng crawled up, returning to the podium to receive the commendation. The old Vice Principal kicked him jokingly, chiding him for making a fool of himself. In a great mood, Xu Tingsheng was similarly all smiles as he saluted to him.

Xu Tingsheng spent the rest of the day with a silly smile on his face, clenching his fist and howling like a wolf from time to time. His roommates were all creeped out by this. Was this guy that happy over being acclaimed as a model soldier? Or had that fall brought him into a strange encounter with the supernatural?

……

The university’s welcoming party was held after the end of the military training, to welcome the freshmen in as well as bid the military instructors a happy farewell.

When the organisers of the event had made a call for performers a few days ago, the class chairperson had informed everyone in the class about this. Xu Tingsheng had immediately refused without even a moment’s consideration. He felt that he was not cut out for this. His voice was low and husky, and he had merely gotten slightly proficient in the guitar back over the summer holidays learning from Fu Cheng.

Also, this Uncle was already getting on in years. Never mind, he would not embarrass himself on stage in front of everyone.

While Fu Cheng should actually have gone to perform, he did not sign up for it as well. This guy was currently afflicted with lovesickness. While he could not stop thinking about Fang Yunyao, he dared not even give her a call, caught within such a fix all day long as he had not the mood to do anything at all.

Still, they would of course be going to join in the fun and revel in the event’s atmosphere for a bit. In this, even Huang Yaming came.

“I’ve come to see what exactly these things called women are like,” Huang Yaming said.

Just a few days after having matriculated, he had already lost all hope in his university.

What they had not expected was that Song Ni actually came as well. When she arrived, a group of female upperclassmen, dancing in sync in tight-fitting clothing, was currently in the midst of raising their long, elegant legs up high. The three guys watched on very intently in appraisal.

Having found the trio, Song Ni directly sent a slap onto Fu Cheng’s head. Fu Cheng looked back and saw her, his gaze also registering the person who was walking behind her. Then...he just stared, dumbfounded.

Having come here together with Song Ni was Fang Yunyao.

Having come to Yanzhou to attend a course, Fang Yunyao had actually already been here for a few days. Perhaps to avoid suspicion or maybe because she had a guilty conscience, she hadn’t mentioned this to them at all before this. After her training for today had ended, touring randomly about on a bus by herself, she had somehow found herself at the big academy city of Xishan. Then, she had contacted Song Ni.

Using this welcoming party of Yanzhou University as an excuse, Song Ni had brought her over.

She had voiced no objection.

Fu Cheng offered her his seat, now standing on tenterhooks by the side.

“Why didn’t you say sooner? Fu Cheng isn’t prepared at all,” Xu Tingsheng questioned Song Ni in a hushed tone.

“I just messaged you, didn’t I? With Ms Fang just beside me, it’s not like I could have called?” Song Ni replied in a huff.

Xu Tingsheng currently had two mobile phones. However, the one always clutched in his hand was his old phone that used his old number. This was especially true today, during the span of which he had virtually went and checked on it once every few minutes.

Song Ni had sent her message to his new number.

Xu Tingsheng found an excuse and dragged Fu Cheng out to the hall outside.

“You’ve got to go on stage and sing,” He got straight to the point.

“No, really?” Fu Cheng asked hesitantly.

“Let me just put it this way. During the summer holidays, you only managed to open a stitch on Ms Fang’s heart with great difficulty. Having not met for so long after that, if you don’t hurry up and think of something, that stitch will probably just then fade away. How good of a chance is this? How rare and precious an opportunity?”

“But I didn’t register...how?”

“Force your way up.”

“Huh?...”

“I’m saying to get on that stage. Force your way up!”

“Oh,” Fu Cheng clenched his fist, breathed in deep, breathed in deep, breathed in deep.

Finally, he clenched his teeth, “Alright, I’m going.”

The party would last for more than an hour longer. Xu Tingsheng dashed wildly back to the dorms with Fu Cheng to get their guitars, meanwhile discussing the song that they would be singing…

They made a whole bunch of selections, but still failed to come to a decision.

“Won’t it be better if there’s a special song, dedicated specifically to her?” Xu Tingsheng suddenly thought aloud.

“What song? And where would we get it from?”

“I have one.”

Chapter 60: Borrow this joint for a confession

Yanzhou University's freshman welcoming-cum-military instructors send-off party entered its final few acts. Two microphones had been set up on stage, the female emcee in a formal gown smiling beautifully as she raised a hand in a very well-trained manner, saying, “Next up, let us enjoy the next segment of tonight's programme, crosstalk…”

As she was speaking, two people suddenly jumped up on stage. They carried guitars, garbed in great swarthy clothes that covered their entire bodies. Masks like Zorro but a little bigger covered the greater part of their faces.

“Excuse us, I’ll be borrowing this joint for a confession,” One of them walked straight over and said simply into the microphone.

During Yanzhou University's welcoming party, these guys had suddenly jumped onto the stage with guitars, saying straight out that they would borrowing their joint for a confession. An incident such as this...the hell, what was going on all of a sudden?

At least, this was what all these freshmen here who were currently still filled with enthusiasm as well as a sense of novelty towards things were feeling at the moment.

It was silent for a few seconds. Then, the emcee recovered, trying to regain control of the situation and get rid of the interruption to today’s programme. However, her voice was quickly drowned out by the cheers and applause coming from the entire crowd.

Ever since Yanzhou University’s new semester had begun, quite a few confessions had already taken place at the training grounds or beneath the female dormitories. They had always proceeded along the lines of lighting up candles, getting down on their knees, presenting flowers and whatnot…

However, not one of them had been more tyrannical than this bro up on stage now, and not one had been more romantic as well.

“This song, <Fairy Tale>, is dedicated to you,” Fu Cheng continued in a tone that appeared calm on the surface.

Fang Yunyao began shifting about a little uneasily in her seat. She recognised Fu Cheng's voice.

Xu Tingsheng came before the microphone as well. Perhaps because the 'borrowing this joint for a confession’ by the other person earlier had really set the bar too high, the whole place fell silent. They all waited in anticipation for what this next person might say.

In the end, Xu Tingsheng said, “Look at him-it’s him who wants to confess. It’s got nothing to do with me.”

Fu Cheng sent a kick in Xu Tingsheng’s direction. Earlier, the two had discussed, disguised themselves and practised together for close to an hour in the dorms, keeping each other’s spirits up amidst this. In the end, however, while Fu Cheng had gone all out, Xu Tingsheng...had betrayed him as soon as he had gone on stage.

Great laughter resounded, the school leadership and the spectators below the stage beginning to feel like this might perhaps be the crosstalk performance as had just been announced by the emcee. Having pulled such a stunt in getting on stage, it was really pretty interesting.

Still, they soon laughed no more.

The strumming of the wooden guitars began. Fu Cheng’s voice was smooth and tender, Xu Tingsheng’s husky and bearing the vicissitudes of life.

“It’s like it’s been forever

I no longer hear your voice

Telling me the tales of your past

…...”

This was a Fairy Tale whose lyrics Xu Tingsheng had changed. Due to the lack of preparation time, this was a Fairy Tale which sounded a little different, its flavour having changed. It was like someone pleading agonisingly: Please believe. Please believe that fairy tales do exist. Believe in me, believe that an ending for us does exist.

In this life, the story of Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao had begun earlier due to Xu Tingsheng’s interference. Many troubles lay ahead of them due to their contrasting identities as teacher and student as well as their age difference.

Still, Xu Tingsheng believed that this was something that could be overcome.

If it was said that Fu Cheng’s confession to Fang Yunyao during the graduation dinner had merely been one of life’s interesting episodes to her, all that had happened afterwards had been like Fu Cheng continually hammering away at her heart time and time again.

At the very least, these emotions were already showing through as increasingly real and sincere. Fang Yunyao must be able to feel that this was not the blind admiration and adoration of a reckless youth, instead being a real, proper love.

That incident with Zhang Junming had been the first blow. The scene of Fu Cheng lunging towards Zhang Junming as well as that of him fast asleep outside the door of her dorm room afterwards would always remain within Fang Yunyao’s heart. At that moment in which he had walked into her room, perhaps he had begun walking into her heart as well.

They had chatted for a long time that day. Fang Yunyao had told Fu Cheng about her past, her growth and her memories.

Also, what moved Fang Yunyao and left her feeling reassured was that Fu Cheng had not been in her room when she awoke the next day. After she had fallen asleep, Fu Cheng had left the room, continuing to stand guard outside the door till she awoke the next day.

With this, Fang Yunyao had been able to believe that his love stemmed not from the desire and greed of youth.

Next had been the night on which both of them had gotten drunk at Xu Tingsheng’s home. Fang Yunyao had finally said ‘A pity you’re much too young’, to which Fu Cheng had answered ‘I’ll grow up if you just wait a bit. Wait for me, okay?’.

Fang Yunyao had at least given a positive response, having already began to consider this matter at the time.

Finally, there was the day of the football match back in Libei Senior High. As that crazed howl had resounded from before the stands, followed by that wild, passionate confession...what of the one seated, to whom it had been directed? How had she been feeling?

“Perhaps you won’t know

But if you say that you love me

In my sky, the stars all ignite

…...”

It was already no longer possible to know whether Fu Cheng’s painstaking devotion in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life had been able to change Fang Yunyao’s mind in the end.

However, Fang Yunyao had not remarried after having rejected Fu Cheng, also not having truly viciously steeled her resolve and distanced herself from him for good. Xu Tingsheng did not believe that she hadn’t been moved, hadn’t wavered. Back then, what she had been most worried about was perhaps no longer her identity as a teacher but her identity as a divorced single parent as she did not wish to hold Fu Cheng back.

If not for that, perhaps she would have loved him.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng believed that he was not blindly playing matchmaker.

Their relationship just needed a fairy tale, just needed Fang Yunyao to believe, believe that their story would be like a fairy tale, culminating in a happy, blissful ending.

“Please believe

Believe that we will be like in the fairy tales

Happy and blissful to the end of our days

……

Together let’s write our happy ending”

Just having sung a few lines in the middle, Xu Tingsheng had already long since closed his mouth, just quietly strumming his guitar by the side.

Fu Cheng sang alone, singing and singing till he was choking on his emotions, the words vaguely indistinct as he sang them out time and time again: Please believe. Believe that our story will be like in the fairy tales. Happy and blissful-that is how things will end for us.

Xu Tingsheng had changed the ‘your favourite stories’ in the lyrics to ‘the tales of your past’. There was a night on which Fang Yunyao had told Fu Cheng about her past, her experiences in senior high as well as university. This was in order to help Fang Yunyao remember that night.

However, the real most important part that Xu Tingsheng had changed was actually just a tiny little thing. He had changed the ‘You must believe’ from the original lyrics into ‘Please believe’...

In this manner, the tone of the song had changed from the original ‘persuading’ to ‘imploring’.

If this inequivalent romance were to blossom, so much sacrifice and so much courage would be required on Fang Yunyao’s part. There was no good reason that Fu Cheng could employ. All he could do was implore, shower her with entreaties.

Please believe.

Fu Cheng was rather a good-looking guy. Additionally, while he was wearing a Zorro-like mask, the audience beneath the stage could still see his eyes. Those were intense, passionate eyes in which glistening tears could currently be seen.

A handsome dude strumming his guitar and singing passionately as he made a confession to the one whom he loved, till even tears dripped down his face.

This was the first time everyone was hearing this song being sung, so some began to guess that this had been specifically written by him for that girl in a most romantic confession.

This <Fairy Tale> that had topped all the charts and swept all the awards of the music industry in 2005 and 2006 hereby appeared with a mood of even greater hurt and sincerity before everyone for the first time as some girls in the audience even began sobbing.

“Say yes, say yes.”

Such cries resounded across the entire hall. Of course, no one knew who the female lead was.

Originally being rather young, Fang Yunyao did not appear any obtrusive sitting amongst the crowd of students at all. While she was secretly dabbing away at her tears, there were similarly many others who were doing that as well.

Other than Song Ni and Huang Yaming who were sitting quietly beside her, not daring to utter a sound, no one else knew that she was the true female lead of this song.

Fu Cheng could already sing no more. He went up, bowed.

Xu Tingsheng went up and bowed as well, next coming before the microphone and saying, “As someone who has always been trying to get the two of you together, I cannot ask for you to accept him, because I know how difficult this must be for you...but how about, you consider it seriously? Or, wait a little?”

The audience knew not what Xu Tingsheng’s words might mean, yet their cheers were all the more intense. They could tell that that which obstructed this relationship was immense, that extreme difficulty existed in its fulfillment. The tougher a romance, the more easily people would be moved by it, and the more willing they would be to wish those involved happiness.

Fang Yunyao did not stand up.

She did not flee as well.

As a teacher, Fang Yunyao’s life had actually just consisted of walking out of a school environment and entering yet another school environment. Not having truly experienced the baptism of society, with regard to her state of mind, at least, she was still very much like a girl in university.

She would act spoiled, she would throw those little huffs. She yearned for the romantic, she longed for love, she was easily moved.

If the person on the stage right now had not been her former student, she would definitely stand up like any other girl studying in university, blissfully going forth to embrace this relationship, embrace that person.

Yet, she knew not now what to do.

To leave-she could not walk away.

To accept-she could not stand up.

After the confession was over, Xu Tingsheng grabbed Fu Cheng, wanting to flee. The female emcee ascended the stage again, blocking the two of them.

“Students, please wait a moment,” She said, smiling.

“No,” Xu Tingsheng simply answered.

The audience was rendered speechless by this.

“I’m just going to ask you a few simple questions. Are the two of you studying in Yanzhou University?”

“Yes.”

“Freshmen?”

“Yes.”

“From the way you two are dressed, you seem to want to hide your identities. I won't ask for your courses and names then. Are you a group act?”

“You can say that.”

“Then, we discussed that song backstage for a bit, and none of us have heard it before. Is it an original of yours?”

“You can say that.”

Their guesses having been confirmed, shocked cries resounded from the audience below. If it was said that their admiring sighs just now had been due to that 'deep outpouring of emotion”, their shocked sighs now were at the ‘talent’ of the two.

“One last question. Can we know the name of your band?”

The name of their band? Xu Tingsheng had never intended to form any band in the first place, so how would he ever have considered this question? He thought, on himself and Xiang Ning, on Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao. What had all once been regrets, were now starting anew all once more...

“Can’t you even tell us this?” The female emcee pressed.

“Rebirth.”

Xu Tingsheng answered that final question and fled in panic with Fu Cheng via the backstage.

Behind them, the female emcee said to the audience, “A round of applause for Rebirth's marvellous performance...Next up, let us enjoy the next segment of our programme, crosstalk…”

Chapter 61: Fu Cheng’s afflicted with a sickness

With Xu Tingsheng's and Fu Cheng's artistic appearances, they scared quite a number of female upperclassmen moving within campus. The two dared not return directly to the dormitory buildings as they ran out of the school grounds before going before the walls of C District and flipping their way back in.

Fortunately, most of the freshmen had gone to attend the party, with few remaining within their dorms. The two managed to make it back to Fu Cheng's room tense but without incident.

After having tidied up, the two did not return to the hall, instead giving Huang Yaming a call and waiting at the entrance of the academy city for them to emerge.

Illuminated by the streetlights, many people walked by. Some couples were just returning from a long walk out in the city district, others just about to proceed forth on their dates together.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had hereafter twice returned to the academy city for a look around after graduation.

When you are in your early thirties one day, the feeling upon returning to the academy city in which you once studied will be a very strange, miraculous one. A streetlight that you might never have noticed at all those four years, a completely ordinary path leading from your dormitory to the classroom buildings, the clock hanging high on the wall of the library, the bridge above the polluted river-all these would have been tinted with some special, unique hues.

As you walk there, it will be as though you can see the you and those others of your past, figures flashing by in a neverending stream as you head further forth, head into the canteen, head into the library, head into the classroom buildings.

Back then, you were youthfully resplendent, radiant in your smile, sprightly in your gait. He walked by you, holding the hand of that girl whom you still think about to this very day. Only now do you feel emotional: So she was so good, so beautiful.

Sadly, you were no longer able to return to those days.

Xu Tingsheng gazed dazedly at the streets for a time. Fu Cheng said nothing as well.

“Guys, did you see two people in great swarthy clothes, wearing masks and carrying guitars?” Someone asked the two of them.

“Musical Zorros who don't fear the heat?....Friend, that’s a strange description you've got there. Regretfully, we haven't seen them. If we do, we'll most definitely go up to them and ask for their autographs,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Understanding from the descriptions of others how strange the two of them must have looked back then, he could not help but burst out laughing after the person making the inquiry had left.

Fu Cheng also began laughing.

“To tell you the truth, I'm still sweating all over right now,” He said.

Xu Tingsheng looked at him, asking, “How're you feeling right now?”

Fu Cheng thought before replying, “I can't really explain it. It's a very strange feeling; you might not be able to understand it at all even if I say it. Now, all I can think about are pebbles. My brain is stuffed completely with them, and after that is water, with the pebbles flowing on top of it at a very slow speed.”

This was a very humanistic feeling, perhaps merely representing a chaotic state of mind. There was no way for Xu Tingsheng to understand it.

Huang Yaming, Song Ni and Fang Yunyao walked over.

The first to speak was Fang Yunyao, musing, “I wouldn't have come if I had known. What am I supposed to do now?”

After saying so, she immediately burst out chuckling. This was actually a positive sign.

However, Fu Cheng earnestly walked before her, bowing as he apologised, “I’m sorry.”

He had killed the atmosphere again.

Song Ni asked, “Fu Cheng, have you been afflicted with a sickness?”

“What?”

“A sickness called definitely stiffening up the atmosphere every time you speak.”

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming gave Song Ni a thumbs up, her statement really having been too pithy. Beside them, a smiling Fang Yunyao nodded in agreement as well.

Fu Cheng seemed to have realised this problem with himself as putting some effort into trying to change this bad habit, he asked, “Ms Fang, that song-did you like it?”

This was indeed a very brave question, but Xu Tingsheng really wanted to tell Fu Cheng: Firstly, it’s best that you don’t ask this question in front of us. Secondly, if you really are certain that you want to ask it, you shouldn’t be addressing her as ‘Ms Fang’ at the start of it.

Fang Yunyao already knew not how to answer him.

An exasperated expression on his face, Huang Yaming said, “Come, let’s go for supper. Ignore this fool.”

“Agreed,” Fang Yunyao said before striding off in a huff after him.

At this moment, she was more like a friend whom they could joke around with, like a girl studying in university. In actual fact, she was merely 26 years old this year.

Xu Tingsheng knew that there was hope for Fu Cheng now. This totally unreasonable confession had unexpectedly had the effect of rousing Fang Yunyao’s maiden’s heart.

A maiden’s heart could not resist the romantic, could not resist deep passion.

A maiden’s heart was most easily able to simple-mindedly move courageously forth without consideration of all that might possibly stand as a hindrance.

The four walked off ahead, finding a stall by the streetside and sitting down to eat wonton. A pitiful-looking Fu Cheng followed after them, standing by the side as he hesitated over whether or not he was allowed to sit down.

Xu Tingsheng knew now why he said his brain was stuffed full of pebbles. This guy was a real blockhead!

Still, there was at least one plus point for him. Currently, he looked pitiful enough.

A maiden’s heart was a soft one.

As compassion came, Fang Yunyao shifted to the side on her own accord, next pulling over a stool before looking up at Fu Cheng, “Sit then.”

“Thank you, Ms Fang,” Fu Cheng said.

Exchanging glances, Huang Yaming, Xu Tingsheng and Song Ni had the urge to tear out their hair in insanity.

“We really shouldn’t bother with him anymore,” Huang Yaming said.

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming chatted for a while, completely ignoring all Fu Cheng’s attempts to get a word in. Soon, Huang Yaming’s attention fell on the lady boss of the stall.

Looking over, Xu Tingsheng found that she resembled a female actress whom he knew of, Xiao Song Jia. Her hair was casually tied back behind her head, a few stray strands hanging loosely out, moistened by her sweat which fell haphazardly onto the side of her temples, to be wiped off once in a while with the raising of her small arm. That picturesqueness...

“I can’t take it; I’m gonna die,” Huang Yaming buried the top of his head in Xu Tingsheng’s back, howling.

“Bro, don’t be like this. That’s my wife,” The young lad from the neighbouring stall came over and said.

Xu Tingsheng looked at him. He looked to be around 25 years of age, while that woman appeared perhaps 35.

Business was not very good over at that young lad’s stall that sold clothes. With the lady boss here busy, he came over to help wipe the tables and carry the plates, and after having finished doing all this, he still did not return, just sitting at Xu Tingsheng’s table and beginning to chat with the two.

Having hit it off well, Huang Yaming open-handedly bought a few cans of beer which they drunk as they chatted.

Time flowed by slowly. As the people in the town dwindled and business in the stalls grew idle, the young lad, already a little tipsy, began telling them a story.

A few years ago, in his early twenties and just having left the army, unable to find a job, he had set up a stall over at the large academy city where he had been born. There, he had met the Lady Boss here. The two of their stalls had neighboured each other, just like how it was now.

He discovered that he had fallen in love with the Lady Boss. Still, the Lady Boss had been married at the time. Her man had been a freeloading diehard gambler, going to her stall to ask her for money whenever he was in need of some and hitting her whenever she dared refuse.

Afterwards, that man sold their house and fled.

Following that, the young lad accompanied the woman in tiding through her most difficult times, the two growing closer and closer as a result.

Originally, while the woman had had many misgivings, things had generally been proceeding in the right direction.

However, the man returned after having squandered away all his money, and he heard of the matter of the woman and the young lad.

The man hit the woman in front of the stall. Unable to stand it, the young lad took an iron pole from the stall and brought it down on him.

“That hit was a pretty heavy one. I was sentenced for 4 years for it...Then, this crazy woman, she disappeared, you know? ...Afterwards, leaving prison earlier with a year’s reduced sentence, I roamed the world looking for her.

It was half a month ago when I finally found her, right here, right in front of this very stall. As soon as she saw me, she asked: I’m already 35 this year; I have many white hairs; my hands are very rough from years of labour; I even caused you to be put in jail. I felt like I had not the face to see you again. You were still looking for me?

I said: Of course I had to look for you.

She asked: Do you still want me then?

I said: I thought you didn’t want me anymore.”

Huang Yaming asked, “What happened next?”

“Then she cried, weeping and wailing here as she crouched down on the ground.”

At this point, just having finished all her work, the Lady Boss came over, pulling his ear as she heard what was being said, “You’re saying more nonsense again? Come, say more nonsense.”

The young lad begged for mercy whilst smiling foolishly in bliss.

Finally, he pulled open his clothes and let Xu Tingsheng and the others see the many scars that densely riddled his body, “See these? All of these were from being beaten in prison. I was the one most bullied in the entire prison, because I never retaliated...I could actually have taken on 5 of them alone, do you believe me? ...But I dared not retaliate...I was scared of committing a vice, I wanted a reduced sentence, I wanted to get out as soon as possible. I really missed her, missed her to death.”

The young lad began crying. The woman smiled awkwardly at Xu Tingsheng’s group as she embraced his head by her waist, reaching out and gently stroking his hair.

Xu Tingsheng knew that this was enough. With the addition of this story, it was enough for today. Even the very heavens were assisting Fu Cheng.

He footed the bill before saying to Fu Cheng, “You should send Ms Fang back to the city district.”

Chapter 62: The mysterious Rebirth

Fu Cheng returned more than an hour later. Having first sent Song Ni back earlier, Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng were sitting smoking by the roadside as they waited for him.

“How was it?” Huang Yaming asked Fu Cheng.

“Ms Fang initially said that the song was pretty good. Still, the coaxing of a ‘Fairy Tale’ would only work on young girls, not her.”

“What happened after that?”

“After that, what more was there that could I do? I apologised, then sent her back.”

Huang Yaming directly grabbed Xu Tingsheng and left, saying to him, “Let’s go. We shouldn’t hang out with this fool anymore; I’m worried that that disease of his might be contagious.”

Fu Cheng chased after them, exclaiming, “Don’t! If it were you, what would you have done?”

Huang Yaming coughed before answering, “I would have replied ‘You are my young girl. I’ll be coaxing you, coaxing you for the rest of your life.’”

Fu Cheng clearly wasn't on the same level as Huang Yaming in picking up girls. Whereas Huang Yaming could put his skills to bear in this matter, he could only act with his foolishness in this regard.

After chasing foolishly after them for a while, Fu Cheng suddenly asked, “Still, at the end of it, she told me to ‘Come back and tell me again when you're in your fourth year and about to graduate’. What might that mean?”

Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng abruptly halted in their tracks, turned and threw a foot at him, “Heck, isn't it already half accomplished like this?”

“Half accomplished?”

“She was saying that she’ll wait for you, you fool.”

Fu Cheng was stunned for a while as he paused to consider this with that completely pebble-stuffed brain of his. Finally, he understood. Fang Yunyao's meaning had indeed been thus-she would wait for him.

……

Xu Tingsheng managed to return to his dorm room before the lights were turned off.

His roommates collectively chastised him for missing out on their group activity yet again before beginning to describe to him the nosebleed-inducing synchronised dancing of the female upperclassmen. Of course, also mentioned was the domineering confession by that Rebirth group.

Some of them hummed a few lines of <Fairy Tale> based off their memories, and Xu Tingsheng found that the resemblance was indeed there. With how catchy and easy to remember it was, it was really no wonder that it had become a crazy popular hit song.

Xu Tingsheng remembered how this song had once filled the streets of the entire country both big and small, having been popular amongst everyone regardless of their gender and age. It had even virtually performed a clean sweep of all the charts and awards of the Chinese music industry in 2005 and 2006.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t actually like <Fairy Tale> that much, with it really having been much too popular in his previous life. As most people saw it, if a song became too popular, it would correspondingly also become like the saliva splattering from one’s mouth. One would inevitably get tired of listening to it over and over again just so many times. Also, this song was a little too soft and weak in its mood.

Even though it had indeed once moved many people.

While Xu Tingsheng was not classy to the point of listening to classics or heavy metal, he still preferred songs which were deeper and more meaningful or more free and unrestrained.

In having chosen this song at the time, it was because it had fit in very well with the mood of the situation. The repeated pleading for the other party to believe as well as the fairy tale as a metaphor had truly corresponded with the situation perfectly.

The story between Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao had itself already been unrealistic from the start. For it to be able to develop and blossom, it was a must for both of them, especially Fang Yunyao, to believe in fairy tales.

Xu Tingsheng had helped Fu Cheng like this not simply because they were best friends. If he had not known of that future tale, he would definitely not have helped him. The precondition for his assistance had been his foreknowledge that this was true, unreserved, unrequited love on Fu Cheng’s part. Meanwhile, Fang Yunyao would also be able to break free of her original fate as a result, thereby gaining happiness.

The ultimate mood of this song had, due to Fu Cheng's emotions at the time, become more sincere as well as emotional. With that in mind, its popularity might thereby be affected as a result. Still, Xu Tingsheng had never aspired to it becoming popular in the first place.

After listening to the chatter of his roommates for a while, Xu Tingsheng began packing up his belongings. It would be the October 1st public holiday in two day’s time, and Fang Yunyao's course would just have ended then as well. During supper earlier, the five had agreed to meet up and return to Libei together on that day. They would first take a green train to Jiannan City before boarding a bus back to Libei.

During this process, Xu Tingsheng discovered a rather disgusting thing. That little singlet in his cupboard that Apple had left behind was missing. After some consideration, he decided that he would neither ask about it nor investigate the matter. He knew that what he found out would only make him feel even more disgusted.

Xu Tingsheng had a general idea of who amongst his roommates seemed like they might be the sort to do this kind of thing.

Currently, his roommates had already shifted the conversation topic over to Old Wai. Apparently, earlier tonight, Old Wai had left their group as well.

Old Wai had gone on a date with Li Linlin.

This matter was rather an unexpected one. Just a few days earlier, Li Linlin had still been grinding her teeth at Old Wai's actions, complaining about him to the instructors time and time again as he had repeatedly been pulled out and punished to stand for long periods.

“Actually, it wasn't really a date. I just helped her to save a seat, and afterwards, we watched the party together,” Old Wai chuckled happily.

“Then, when those female upperclassmen were doing synchronised dancing and I began watching a little more intently, she pinched me right on the thigh. Look, it's all blue and black.”

As Old Wai flashed his leg hair, who would be interested in looking? They just wanted to know how these developments between the two had come to be. Old Wai now gave a general account of it. Just yesterday, the day before military training had ended, he had been called out by Li Linlin yet again and punished to stand in formation.

Returning to the training field after lunch, Li Linlin had handed him two slices of dry bread, saying, “Sorry that you've had to go so many days without lunch.”

Whilst devouring it ravenously, Old Wai had indistinctly mumbled, “It's fine, I'm not afraid of that. What I'm afraid of is…it’s that after military training has ended, I'll no longer have a reason to provoke you.”

“Provoke me?” Li Linlin said, “I'm not good to provoke at all. Kids like me who come from poor places can't be reasoned with at all; if you provoke us, we'll never let it go. My grip is strong too. For someone who just sits around all day doing nothing like you, if you provoke me, I'll be able to wring out blood in a single pinch.”

Today's events had proven her words true.

Still, Old Wai could only rejoice.

In 03 Chinese, not considering those who had already come with girlfriends from the start, Old Wai had now kicked things off and won glory for Room 602.

Faced with the clamouring of his roommates for him to give them a treat, Old Wai very earnestly refused, “Linlin comes from an extremely poor county, and her family has it pretty hard as well. She has to work hard to earn her own living expenses as well as part of her school fees. I think that I’ll be more thrifty in the future. While I might not be able to help her much, I can at least help her with the problem of her meals. I won't be eating with you guys in the future; I'll be eating together with Linlin.”

“Also, I plan on quitting smoking.” Old Wai said.

Xu Tingsheng kind of saw Old Wai in a different light now. Hopefully, this was not just a moment's fervour.

He thought for a bit before proposing on his own accord, “Since I'm gonna have to treat you guys once, let me treat Old Wai's portion along with mine as well. Have you guys decided on the place?”

“We decided long ago. How about tomorrow?” Tan Yao asked.

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Old Wai, can you invite Li Linlin over? No matter what, she can also be considered the first 'wife’ of our room now. If she is uncomfortable coming alone, ask her to call along a couple of female classmates as well.”

Old Wai said, “You don't have to worry about that. Do you think the people they've invited are few? A bunch of female upperclassmen, a bunch of classmates...at least two tables worth.”

……

Classes began the next day. Because the 1st October public holiday was right around the corner, the teachers didn't spend much time delving into the contents proper. They generally just did some basic introductions regarding themselves and their topics of expertise, also chatting casually with the students.

As for the conversations between the students, many of them still lingered on the topic of the previous night's welcoming party.

They lingered on the topic of the mysterious Rebirth.

There were girls in the class who could already sing <Fairy Tale> to an extraordinarily high level of precision.

Everyone was heatedly guessing the identities of these two people. Also, who exactly had that main singer been confessing to?

Xu Tingsheng didn't know if someone had been similarly inspired or if his comment the previous night had spread, but other than being acclaimed as Rebirth, their band had also gained another moniker: Musical Zorros who don't fear the heat.

One Zorro focused earnestly on the ongoing lesson before him whilst carefully considering his future path. The post-rebirth Xu Tingsheng had begun feeling a little lost. He had finished his university entrance examinations, his father also having embarked on a career of his own. As for Xiang Ning, there was nothing good that he could think of for now.

Then, what should he be doing next? Just focusing diligently on studying? ...Was this really something that a re-birthee like him should be doing?

Going into venture capital and building up WeChat or 360 Security, investing in Tencent or Baidu, securing authorisation over World of Warcraft?...Xu Tingsheng thought of a whole bunch of things that he could do, but sadly, none of these were within his means.

The other Zorro, Fu Cheng, found Xu Tingsheng during a break between lessons, asking him, “We...we seem to have become crazy popular. Are we still going on with the band?”

Chapter 63: Everything related to money is major

The other Zorro, Fu Cheng, found Xu Tingsheng during a break between lessons, asking him, “We...we seem to have become crazy popular. Are we still going on with the band?”

“The hell we will. We wouldn’t be able to make money with it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“We can make money with it. I received a call a few days ago from a company that does ringtones. They want to make our <We Are All Good Kids> into a ringtone, splitting us some profits from it. My mind wasn’t really there at the time, and I forgot to tell you about it.”

They could make money with it...Hearing Fu Cheng say this, song copying became a whole different matter in Xu Tingsheng’s mind entirely.

Ringtones, ringtones. How haven’t I thought of this before? When that song had been uploaded to the internet back then, it hadn’t brought about too much of an uproar, no music companies having tried to buy its copyrights from them as well. For Xu Tingsheng who had no intentions of becoming a singer himself, the whole matter had therefore felt rather meaningless.

Now, however, another door had opened before him.

The use of mobile phones was gradually becoming widespread in the year 2003. With the Xu Family’s abilities, Xu Tingsheng had been unable to catch a seat on the mobile phone bandwagon. Now, however, he had finally found a way to get on it.

Xu Tingsheng knew that ringtones would be an extremely profitable business over this period of time, with those songs that were more awesome able to earn upwards of a million yuan per year.

Also, he could be guaranteed his privacy in this. Xu Tingsheng needn’t have to show his face or make a public appearance at all. All he would have to do was record the songs behind the scenes before handing it over to the company to handle for them.

“Since it is profitable, let’s just do it then. Do they have any other requests?” Xu Tingsheng asked Fu Cheng.

“They just want us to record the song again, making a better recording of it before we sign a contract,” Fu Cheng said.

“That’s fine. You can find a more professional studio and record it again. You should record <Fairy Tale> as well. Just tell me how much money you need.”

“No, what about doing it together?”

“I’m in charge of supplying you with the songs, right? I’ll give you two more later on.”

“You still have some?”

“Just a few.”

“All of them were written by that person with the guitar?”

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before adding, “I’m in the midst of learning as well. That person’s taught me.”

Fu Cheng once again expressed his intense desire to meet that person who played the guitar, but Xu Tingsheng refused with no hesitation at all. He himself desired to meet the person with the guitar as well, but where in the world was he supposed to look?

As for Fu Cheng feeling that him having to do all the work alone was unfair, Xu Tingsheng took care of it with a single question.

“Do you want to earn money? Earn a lot of money.”

Fu Cheng replied with no hesitation whatsoever, “I want to. I didn’t especially want to before, but now I really want to. I want to have the ability to take care of Ms Fang.”

Xu Tingsheng chuckled, “That’s right then. This is the kind of realisation and sense of responsibility that a man should have. Therefore, stop talking rubbish with me. If you want to earn money, just work properly for this bro.”

……

Various people from all around came for this evening’s dinner. Other than Xu Tingsheng’s roommates as well as some familiar-looking faces from the same class, amongst those here were also some of the female upperclassmen who had visited them back then, including those in their second and third years of study.

Other than female seniors, there were male seniors as well. Xu Tingsheng truly had no impression of any of these at all.

They must have been invited by his roommates completely on their own accords. Still, all he could do was just wait there obediently in preparation to pay the final bill for the meal.

With so many strangers present here, Xu Tingsheng didn’t intend to consume alcohol today. He sat quietly in a corner with Zhang Ninglang, only offering a congratulatory toast to Li Linlin and Old Wai at the very start to wish them happiness before then falling silent.

Many of those coming here to get a free meal didn’t even know that he was the one who would have to pay later.

Tan Yao took care of the overall situation, conversing and laughing naturally with everyone as he downed cups of wine with relative ease. After a while, a knock was heard on the door, and he went out to check who it was.

Instead of leading the person directly into the room, he returned and clapped his hands to indicate for everyone to be silent before proclaiming loudly, “Come, let us all welcome our female upperclassmen in her fourth year, Yanzhou University’s Ultra Female Divinity and Supreme Beauty, Fang Chen!”

Xu Tingsheng had never heard of this Fang Chen before. Asking Zhang Ninglang behind him, he found that he too had not heard of her. Still, there seemed to be quite a few present here who knew her, all being rather excited at her arrival.

After the applause, into the room walked a 1.7m beauty, a sweet, radiant smile on her face.

Xu Tingsheng appraised her for a moment. Not only was this girl beautiful, she had an aura that was not weak as well, probably being someone who was rather good at ‘walking the world’.

Fang Chen gracefully greeted everyone before scolding Tan Yao with a smile on her face, “Just saying beauty is fine; you didn’t have to say fourth year, you know? My heart breaks upon hearing it.”

Positive laughter resounded at her words. Xu Tingsheng was convinced somewhat of her abilities. This girl was neither artificial nor shy in controlling the atmosphere, having attained a feeling of goodwill from most people here to the greatest extent through just simply a joke.

“I can’t win in words against our great host. There’s no need for further introductions here; everyone should have seen her before. Senior Fang Chen was the emcee of yesterday night’s welcoming party. She’s also the number one most beautiful emcee of our entire Yanzhou U.”

Hearing Tan Yao’s words, Xu Tingsheng realised it. So this was the beautiful female emcee whose programme had been messed up by him and Fu Cheng last night. Without a gown as well as thick makeup on, her bearing seemed to have changed somewhat as she appeared simpler and purer than before.

It was no wonder that he had failed to recognise her initially.

Not long after Fang Chen had sat down, yet a few others arrived. Whether they had come specifically for her or that had not initially been the case, all of them revolved around her upon their arrival, attentive and enthusiastic in all forms.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know them, but he didn’t ask about them as well. He just felt some heartache over his wallet.

Since he felt pained by this, he should just eat more of it back. Xu Tingsheng led Zhang Ninglang along in eating furiously with lowered heads, teasing Old Wai and Li Linlin once in a while. From their conversation, Xu Tingsheng came to understand Li Linlin’s family background, which was pretty similar to his in his previous life. With her family’s difficult situation, not only did she have to take care of her own school fees and living expenses, she even had to help to upkeep her family a little. Currently, she was in the midst of looking for a job as a home tutor.

Having also been a home tutor in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng gave her a few simple pointers to take note of, also reminding her to watch out for her own safety and best choose students whose mothers were often at home.

Having gained a good impression of Xu Tingsheng, Li Linlin privately instructed Old Wai to hang out more with him in the future, rather than mess around muddledly with those more complicated, doubtful characters like Tan Yao.

The unsuspecting Tan Yao knew not that he had been the subject of a hidden lance as he continued flirting with a few female upperclassmen over by the side.

“Who’s the one treating today?”

A voice pulled Xu Tingsheng’s attention away from the food as he raised his hand in a simple gesture of response.

“It’s like this. I see that Fang Chen doesn’t really like these dishes, so I want to add a few more...I won’t take advantage of you, I’ll foot today’s bill. Right, I am Cao Qing, a third year.”

The atmosphere turned a little awkward. In having proposed this, Cao Qing was actually snootily embarrassing Xu Tingsheng a little, the disdain in his words greatly evident and the show-offy intent within even more so.

Everyone awaited Xu Tingsheng’s reaction. Afraid that he might be unable to rein in his anger, Tan Yao even sent him a few meaningful looks.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng was actually overjoyed. He had just calculated a short while ago that this meal, coupled with the money spent on wine, would add up to at least 3000 yuan. Having just felt agonised over this, a great hero had now arrived to liberate him from his sufferings.

“Thanks, senior,” Xu Tingsheng said calmly and sincerely.

This took everyone here by surprise, no one having thought that he might react like this. He had accepted the offer just like this? If one said that Xu Tingsheng was gutless, his method seemed truly the easiest way to ease the situation while his tone had truly been polite as well, as opposed to being subservient or overbearing. Still, to have accepted it so straightforwardly-had he truly not been ticked off at all?

After learning his name from Tan Yao, Fang Chen now stood and raised her wineglass, “I find the food to be pretty good. Thanks for treating, Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng really almost hated her to death right then. With this, the bill had fallen to him yet again.

“Don’t mention it, and thank you for gracing us with your presence today, senior,” Xu Tingsheng helplessly responded before adding, “Still, I don’t drink. Sorry!”

After Xu Tingsheng had finished speaking, Fang Chen still had her wineglass raised within the air, her brows furrowed as she seemed to be thinking hard about something. Many of those around them thought that she was feeling embarrassed due to Xu Tingsheng not having reciprocated the gesture and ‘given her face’. A few ‘shining knights’, including Cao Qing who had offered to foot the bill just earlier, directed rather hostile gazes at Xu Tingsheng.

Tan Yao hurriedly helped to explain, “It’s like this-Old Xu still has to catch a train home tomorrow morning. How about this-those of us who won’t be returning home on October 1st will accompany you guys in drinking. Old Xu, you’d better take responsibility and haul us back later.”

Before Tan Yao had finished speaking, Old Wai, Lu Xu, Li Xingming and even Zhang Ninglang sitting beside Xu Tingsheng who had not even touched a drop of wine earlier had all poured themselves a glass of wine and stood up.

“These young kiddos are really rather loyal,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

Fang Chen finally relaxed her brows now as she hurriedly smiled and explained, “No, no...I’m like this when I’m thinking about things, always having this habit of frowning. My mind drifted off for a moment there; please don’t mind it, everyone...About that, Student Xu, if you don’t drink, do you mind if I sit beside you and we chat? Consider it your way of making amends.”

Chapter 64: Immune to beauties, also immune to ridicule

Fang Chen’s words were not what many people had anticipated. This response baffled them all, Xu Tingsheng included.

He certainly would not arrogantly believe that he had become so charming as to be capable of attracting the school’s famed beauty, nor did he take any delight from these developments.

The glares at Xu Tingsheng by Cao Qing and several others revealed their accumulating battle-lust.

With a faint, delicate fragrance about her, Fang Chen thanked Zhang Ninglang who had given up his seat to her and sat down beside Xu Tingsheng. The meal then resumed its course.

When abnormal situations arise, there must be demons lurking.

Cautious and wary, Xu Tingsheng was not too enthusiastic towards this arrival of a beautiful lady.

Xu Tingsheng proceeded with caution, while Fang Chen appeared serene and at ease. The two of them struck up idle conversation, largely consisting of Fang Chen asking a question and Xu Tingsheng answering. These revolved around matters of Yanzhou University, like which teachers liked taking attendance or which faculty was the toughest to excel in.

After a while, Xu Tingsheng asked a question as well, “As a fourth year, isn’t it about time senior goes out for an internship?”

Fang Chen laughed slyly, “I’ll be remaining in our university. Perhaps you'll even be placed under me next time.”

After hearing this, Xu Tingsheng felt that he should all the more not say too much. The person before him might somehow be able to make him flunk with a casual sweep of her hand in the future.

“You don’t seem to be very welcoming of me?” Fang Chen suddenly laughed and asked.

“A little,” Contrary to Fang Chen’s expectations, Xu Tingsheng very bluntly admitted that that was indeed the case, saying with a pained expression, “If not for Senior Fang Chen’s words just now, someone would have helped me foot the bill for this meal.”

Perhaps this was the first time Fang Chen had encountered such a situation, the first time a guy from Yanzhou University had bluntly admitted to not being welcoming of her, this greatly famed beauty.

Fang Chen was momentarily at a loss for words - didn't guys all slap their face swollen to feign bountiful affluence? How many had unrestrainedly disposed of their wealth in her presence to illustrate their heroic generosity? How many people had condemned themselves to months of instant noodles all for the sake of keeping up appearances before her? ......

And now, there was this guy before her who shamelessly ‘wanted his money but not his life’. Truly...what was this!

Fang Chen composed herself and asked, “Money’s worth more than your life?”

Xu Tingsheng very composedly replied, “Being poor’s really terrible.”

What he said was completely true. When he had been at his poorest during his previous life, he had only bought only rice and not dishes in the canteen. Afterwards, he would collect two free bowls of seaweed soup, using one as the dish and the other to moisten the rice. And thus had he survived for a number of months.

“Didn’t I hear that you received a sum of ten thousand yuan on entering our university?”

“It’s true. Still, it’s best to save whenever possible. How nice it’d be, keeping the money to buy presents for my family. It also happens that I’ll be returning on 1st October tomorrow.”

“......Alright then, let me handle this.”

Fang Chen picked up her chopsticks and struck a pose as if about to take some food before exclaiming slightly loudly, “Oh, there isn’t any more of this.”

Not long after, the waiters sent over another of this dish along with a few other dishes.

Entering after them, Cao Qing clapped his hands and announced, “I’ve added a few more dishes for everyone, as well as settled the bill. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content. Do tell me if there is anything more that you need.”

“Thanks, senior!” Xu Tingsheng joyfully exclaimed, followed swiftly by a chorus of thanks and words of compliment from around the private dining room.

As Fang Chen reached her hand out under the table, Xu Tingsheng had no choice but to respond with a high-five as he also casually asked, “Are we celebrating your swindling success? Swindling your admirers like this, senior, you should be worried that you might not be able to get married in the future.”

Fang Chen glared at Xu Tingsheng. She thought for a moment and decided to stop bickering on this matter with this guy who was immune to beauties as well as immune to ridicule.

Next, it was time for her to grab the initiative.

“Now, it’s your turn to help me solve a problem,” Fang Chen blinked, resembling a hungry wolf dead certain of devouring him up.

With this reminder, Xu Tingsheng abruptly recalled the course of events of the conversation that had just elapsed between them. Everything had appeared very ordinary, yet the one unusual thing had been Fang Chen’s demeanour while listening to him. She had been too forceful, too focused, virtually holding her breath and drawing on all her available mental focus as she listened intently.

Xu Tingsheng could basically guess what the problem might be. The reason for which Fang Chen had come over to sit, the reason for which Fang Chen had voluntarily sought him out to talk with him, had been to confirm his voice.

The two of them had indeed exchanged words on the stage last night. Thus, when Fang Chen had earlier frowned in thought upon hearing Xu Tingsheng’s first words, she had already begun trying hard to recall it. Having come over to sit with him and listened to his words so intently afterwards, all of it had been in an attempt to validate her memories.

Realising this, Xu Tingsheng responded, “I’m not helping.”

Fang Chen stared blankly for a moment, “But I just helped you out. Shouldn’t you repay the favour?”

“It’s not like I asked you to help me.”

Fang Chen gnashed her teeth, picturing herself tearing Xu Tingsheng to shreds, then setting firing to him, drowning him, burying him...

This was perhaps this Supreme Beauty Fang’s most aggrieved day of her four years here in Yanzhou University thus far.

Pulling herself back together, Fang Chen said somewhat threateningly, “This matter seems beyond your control. I simply wish to remind you of one thing. Through my many years of experience as a host, I’ve mastered one skill...I am exceptionally sensitive to voices.”

“Oh, you’re really awesome, senior,” Xu Tingsheng pretended not to catch on.

“Also, this mole behind your ear-I just happened to notice it back then...Rebirth…”

Knowing that he really could not deny it any longer, Xu Tingsheng could only remain silent in acknowledgement.

“Did the two of you really write that song yourselves?” Fang Chen asked in a low tone.

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“Why not go public?”

“We’re afraid of the hassle.”

“But I feel that the two of you will be popular if you go public.”

“We’re afraid of popularity.”

“Then, you must be afraid of me, afraid that I’ll make you public.”

“Senior has no proof.”

“That isn’t necessary. In Yanzhou University, whatever I say will be believed, and is also guaranteed to spread very quickly.”

Xu Tingsheng believed that. Therefore, he had now become meat on the chopping board.

“What are senior’s conditions?”

Fang Chen cocked her head in thought, then jubilantly declared, “I haven’t thought of them yet. I’ll contact you again after I have. Yeah, I’ve finally managed to vent it out, this rocks...You’d do well to remember, okay. I’ve got a hold on you.”

I’ve got a hold on you?...Xu Tingsheng puffed his cheeks in suppressing his laughter as he teased, “Senior, you’re such a ruffian.”

“Oh?” Fang Chen thought for a moment before reaching under the table and pinching Xu Tingsheng on the thigh as she said through grinded teeth, “Damnable ruffian.”

It hurt so much that Xu Tingsheng’s features distorted greatly in pain. Still, he forcibly endured it, not daring to utter a sound.

The others were unable to hear the contents of the two’s conversation. However, judging by their expressions and actions, it definitely appeared somewhat like flirtatious banter. Tan Yao subtly gave his other roommates a meaningful look: Old Xu...his mother, he’s really too goddamn freaking awesome.

All of Xu Tingsheng’s roommates deeply felt this to be the case as well.

Of course, this scene was rather upsetting in the eyes of some as Cao Qing broke away from the group surrounding him and walked over to Xu Tingsheng, asking, “I talked a little with Keshen just now. Junior, I hear that you’re from Libei County of Jiannan City?”

“Oh yes, I am,” Xu Tingsheng seized the opportunity to extricate himself from Fang Chen’s evil clutches, answering calmly.

“I’ve heard it said that the poorest within Jianhai Province is Jiannan City, while the poorest within Jiannan City is Libei County. Is that true?”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it, “That seems to be the case.”

“What does junior’s family do?”

“Farming, running a small store.”

“Oh, you should study hard then. Remember to be filial to your parents; don’t squander away your scholarship money after getting it.”

“Right. Thanks, senior.”

It had not occurred to Cao Qing that Xu Tingsheng might submit to his slights so easily.

His enthusiasm deflated, he turned around and announced to the rest, “After the meal, let’s all go for KTV together. My treat!”

Amidst the cheers, Cao Qing invited Fang Chen in a very gentlemanly manner, “Fang Chen, let’s go together. It’s been a long time since I last heard you sing.”

While he did not directly invite Xu Tingsheng, before Fang Chen replied, she first swivelled her head towards Xu Tingsheng and mouthed over at him, “Do you dare to go?”

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Multiple knocks on the door resounded.

There were still people arriving?

Amidst Xu Tingsheng’s puzzlement, Zhang Ninglang walked over, holding up his phone, “It’s Sister-in-law who’s come.”

Looking at the SMS records on the screen, Xu Tingsheng discovered that Zhang Ninglang had just sent Apple the number of their private dining room. Scrolling upwards, he found an entire page’s worth of chat logs wherein all of his doings, regardless of their importance, had been meticulously recorded.

“Bro, so you’re actually a spy? .... Since when did you have her number?”

“Right on the first day. I agreed to help Sister-in-law keep an eye on you.”

“Knock, knock, knock.”

The knocking on the door resounded once more. Before the drunk Tao Yao had managed to stagger his way over, the door to the private room was flung open with a screech.

Apple wore a small flowery blouse and a short skirt along with a pair of white canvas shoes. As she stood daintily at the doorway, it was apparent that her manner of dressing was different from how it had been in the past. Although her long legs were still displayed, there was less of the enticing charm now and more of the elegant beauty.

Setting aside Fang Chen’s celebrity status at Yanzhou University, based just on looks alone, Apple was definitely not any inferior to her.

“Hubby,” Apple primly and delicately called out.

Xu Tingsheng had yet to reply when the entire group of guys from Room 602 rose as one and exclaimed in unison, “Greetings, Sister-in-law!”

Chapter 65: This idiot is my younger brother

Despite having been ridiculed for the entire night, now, it already seemed as if there was no need for Xu Tingsheng to retaliate.

If many had earlier been unable to believe Fang Chen’s apparent interest in Xu Tingsheng, having even been suspicious of it somewhat, Apple’s appearance had completely pulled the situation back in his favour. She was just too dazzling, dazzling to the point that one just had to feel that there must truly be some special thing, some special charm about that guy sitting there.

Also having played a part was the earlier performance of Xu Tingsheng’s roommates. Earlier, virtually all of them had stood up to ‘block’ the wine for him and help him smoothen up the situation. Now, as they collectively rose to greet and welcome their ‘Sister-in-law’, these combined were sufficient in proving the strength of Xu Tingsheng’s relationships and connections with those around him as seen in his position in the hearts of his roommates.

Actually, the first time they had seen Apple, some of Xu Tingsheng’s roommates had still addressed her as (younger) Sister-in-law. This time, however, all of them had addressed her as (elder) Sister-in-law without hesitation.

This was actually already no longer a matter of age. Some impressions were just subtly formed and developed over time. During the time they had spent together so far, Xu Tingsheng had already unconsciously established his own image in the eyes of others. He cared for Zhang Ninglang like an elder brother, and while he treated the rest of them more like bros, he was indisputably the responsible one of them by whom the decisions were made. Even Tang Yao, possessing a wide network of connections, had this feeling as well.

Some of them might not even have consciously recognised this themselves, let alone think more deeply on it.

Then, was Xu Tingsheng still truly like Cao Qing said? Coming from a poor land, was he really just a poor little kid who should conscientiously place studying as his foremost priority above all else? Many held this doubt in their minds, even though he had shamelessly tried to give footing the bill a miss just earlier.

Now, Apple and Fang Chen sat beside him, one on each side. Apple aside, what was it with Fang Chen? With the main one having come, was she still trying to get a foot in and compete?

This was Apple’s first time having a meal with the guys of Room 602. They took turns to offer her toasts, which she accepted and reciprocated in a graceful manner, indeed truly resembling a Sister-in-law in her bearing.

Knowing that she had must not have yet eaten dinner due to having been on the bus, Xu Tingsheng reminded her to ingest some more food first before drinking wine, scaring off his roommates who were intending to come up for a second round of toasts in the process.

This scene appeared somewhat loving in the eyes of many. With this, Fang Chen’s presence on Xu Tingsheng’s other side came to appear even more obtrusive.

However, Fang Chen herself seemed not to have such a realisation as against everyone’s expectations, she began talking happily with Apple, even raising her wineglass and giving Apple a toast on her own accord. Wanting to ‘block’ it, Xu Tingsheng was quelled into submission by a look of hers.

“The feeling of someone having a hold over you really isn’t good.”

At the end of the meal, hearing that Cao Qing would be paying the bill for Xu Tingsheng, Apple even specifically went over and toasted him.

However much Cao Qing liked not the sight of Xu Tingsheng, he was still very gentlemanly when it came to beauties as he drank the wine courteously and politely. When calling for a KTV trip, he even specifically invited Apple and Xu Tingsheng along.

Xu Tingsheng initially didn’t want to go for KTV. Like Fang Chen said, he really didn’t dare to do so. His speaking voice may not be so distinct. However, as soon as he sung, he was afraid that someone would recognise that it was a voice which had sung <Fairy Tale> just last night.

His singing voice was rather husky, actually being not that difficult to distinguish.

However, Fang Chen dragged Apple along, and Xu Tingsheng could only go along as well.

Having entered the KTV lounge, Xu Tingsheng began stoning in a corner, raising his arms and swaying a few times once in a while as he helped in setting up the beat. Most of the time, his attention was focused on the fruits and the little snacks on the table.

The microphone was pushed over to him a few times, but he would always resolutely refuse under Fang Chen’s ‘Sing one if you dare’ gaze.

Apple did sing some, however. Xu Tingsheng found that she was actually rather good at it. She would definitely be compatible if asked to sing some songs together with Fu Cheng.

Once in a while, some seniors, feeling that they possessed much more charm than Xu Tingsheng, would come over to flirt with Apple. Apple would immediately return to Xu Tingsheng’s side, hugging his arm and calling him hubby, coming as cloying as they went.

After most of them had sung their fill, someone put on a dance song, those around beginning to break out in wild, uninhibited dancing about the area. Unable to pull Xu Tingsheng off to dance, in her tipsy state, Apple went off to dance with Fang Chen as her dance companion.

It could immediately be seen that both were of national standard as well as evenly matched.

While everyone else had their limbs in a wild, haphazard tangle, Apple and Fang Chen coordinated in perfect synchrony. Apple danced the male part, embracing Fang Chen as she lowered her waist and raised her leg. With her slick and dashing movements, she actually truly seemed like an uninhibited, passionate gentleman as everyone present was rendered wide-eyed and tongue-tied by their performance.

After the song had ended, Fang Chen came over and whispered in Xu Tingsheng’s ear, “I’ve thought of my condition. Hand Apple over to me.”

Xu Tingsheng shivered inwardly, “You like it that way?”

Also drunk, Fang Chen laughed sinisterly, “I’m fine either way. I don’t mind taking in the both of you at once, the three of us thereby living happily ever after.”

Xu Tingsheng felt a cold chill run down his spine.

Apple, however, was wholly ignorant of this as she came over and embraced Xu Tingsheng by the neck, asking, “Hubby, wasn’t I handsome just now? ...Wasn’t it exceptionally MAN?”

Xu Tingsheng thought ‘You were so handsome you nearly took down Yanzhou University’s number one beautiful female host’, but what actually left his mouth was, “You’re drunk; you’re not allowed to drink anymore.”

Now, a few other people entered the room, all friends of Cao Qing in their third year of university. After one of them had taken a once-over of the room, however, he then walked towards the corner over where Xu Tingsheng was with a look of pleasant surprise on his face.

“Bro, do you remember me? Sister-in-law as well.”

Xu Tingsheng blankly shook his head.

“I’m the one you bluffed back then! At the time, I had just fought with my girlfriend, and she had run away while crying. You came over and told me that there were drunk hooligans apprehending girls over there, scaring me till I sprinted straight off after my girlfriend… Do you remember now?”

Xu Tingsheng remembered it now. That night when Apple had accompanied him to university, he had indeed done such a thing by the roadside.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng nod, a girl walked over from behind that guy, smiling radiantly as she said, “Thank you, and sister-in-law as well...He always seems like he doesn’t care about anything, and I had been feeling especially disappointed about that. However, when he dashed over all heaving for breath at the time, it was then that I knew, knew that he actually truly cares about me...we...we’re together again!”

The guy substantiated, “Afterwards, looking around, how were there any drunk hooligans nearby? ...She said that I was clearly distressed about her yet felt embarrassed to say it, therefore intentionally creating a pedestal to step down from…Still, I’ve really got to thank you. I’m third year Fang Yuqing, and we’ll be bros in the future. If anything comes up next time, just give me a call.”

The girl introduced herself as well, “I’m Yuqing.”

“Yuqing, Yuqing; how compatible. You’re both in your third year now; you ought to cherish it well. Otherwise, reminiscing on it five, ten years down the road, there might only be you secretly wiping tears away all alone,” Xu Tingsheng said like an old man.

He really hoped that they could properly cherish this relationship, because he had seen such stories far too many times in his previous life.

In his previous life, during the two times Xu Tingsheng had gone back for university gatherings after graduation, there would always be bros suddenly huddling in some corner of the campus and bursting uncontrollably into tears, sobbing as they said: Back then, I stood here, holding her hand for the first time...Back then, it was here that we broke up...Back then...she wore a dress as she walked across this very bridge…

Xu Tingsheng remembered that one of them had even written a rather non-standard poem:

Even if I forget you, that bridge will still be there.

Even if I can’t forget, that bridge will still grow old.

My hand’s left a few scars on the railing of that bridge.

How many?

Oh, actually, it’s like this.

It was three years ago when I met you.

It was seven years ago when I met you.

It was ten years ago when I met you.

……

Afterwards, Yuqing engaged in some secret conversation with Apple while Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing exchanged numbers before just sitting there and chatting casually.

Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing hit it off very well. At the same time, the latter’s position amongst the group of third year upperclassmen, Cao Qing’s group included, could also be felt. Ever since he had sat down beside Xu Tingsheng, not a single guy had dared to come over to flirt with Apple. It was even to the extent that a hint of an apology could be seen in Cao Qing’s smile as his gaze met Xu Tingsheng’s a few times.

When the party was about to disband, Fang Yuqing pulled Xu Tingsheng along with him as he rose and announced loudly, “This is my bro, first year Xu Tingsheng. Everyone, please take care of him in the future.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly but did not speak. I am your uncle, okay? Young kiddo.

Lying in a tipsy half-slumber by a sofa on the other side of the room, Fang Chen was startled awake by Fang Yuqing’s words as she clambered up and tottered over towards him before grabbing him by the ear and scolding him, “Brat, you’ve been here so long and you still haven’t seen your sister? ...Also, with me here, what bigshot are you pretending to be?”

While his body was twisted along with his ear, Fang Yuqing did not truly struggle as he pleaded in a low tone, “Sis, there're so many people here. Leave me some face!”

“What face does a young brat like you need?” After saying this, Fang Chen tuned towards Xu Tingsheng and said, “This idiot is my younger brother. If you're hanging out with him, please help me to keep him in line.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled as he nodded. Just having been treated and taken care of like a younger brother a moment ago, he was finally back to feeling like an uncle.

Chapter 66: Dreams of youth on a green train

Exiting the KTV, Xu Tingsheng supported Apple as she stumbled along unsteadily.

Only now was he free to ask her, “We'll be going home tomorrow. Why did you come here?”

Drunk people seemed able to be happy about anything as Apple skipped about, saying, “I've come to go back to Libei with you guys! It just happened that Grandma called a while ago and said she missed me. Because of that, Mum let me return on the 1st October holiday to visit her.”

“I was raised by Grandma... she's old, and can't really see anymore.”

Apple appeared to be in rather low spirits as she said that last part.

Xu Tingsheng could only embrace her by the shoulder, consoling her, “Don’t be sad. I'll accompany you to see your grandma when we get back.”

Apple leaned on Xu Tingsheng a little as if ducking away from the wind before nodding lightly, “Okay.”

Suddenly remembering something, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly asked Apple, “I just remembered that the 5 of us already booked the train tickets this morning.How are you supposed to go back with us?”

“That's right. Song Ni did the bookings, and she booked mine together with yours as well,” Apple said triumphantly, “This one has already become best friends with Song Ni, you know.”

Hearing her words, Xu Tingsheng understood. He understood how much effort this girl had put in, how much effort she was putting in in establishing a closer relationship with Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming and Song Ni.

From purely a bystander's standpoint, some might think her goal-orientedness to be too strong, benefit-seeking and insincere. However, as a directly concerned party, Xu Tingsheng was simply moved by it. When someone was willing to do all these for you, what was there still that could not be tolerated?

Apple would be staying at Song Ni's room tonight, but her legs had already grown weak as she had some difficulty moving.

Xu Tingsheng walked before her, patting his own back, “Get up.”

Apple leapt enthusiastically onto Xu Tingsheng's back like a little kid, whispering in Xu Tingsheng's ear as he walked, “A long time ago when I was young, my Dad carried me and walked just like this. It's already been ten years since I last saw him, though...I almost can't remember how he looks like anymore; all I can remember is how prickly his moustache was...but for some reason, he just loved to prick me...Xu Tingsheng, do you have a moustache?”

Apple reached out and stroked Xu Tingsheng's lower chin for a moment before shaking her head regretfully, “It's just a little...sigh, Grandma says no hair on mouth, no reliability to trust.Young men are unreliable...still, I feel like you should clearly already be a grown up just like Dad is…”

Xu Tingsheng was wondering how this even added up, but how would the words of the drunk even make any logical sense?

Apple continued, “Xu Tingsheng, other than that person in your heart, you are not allowed to wantonly spread your legs anymore, alright?”

“I'm male.”

“Oh...then, Xu Tingsheng...other than her, you are not allowed to go around hooking up with other girls left and right, okay? Just let me be the only one waiting for you, okay? Even if she doesn't want you, even if she bullies you, there'll still be me. I'll always be here for you.”

Xu Tingsheng was left momentarily at a loss for words. This was actually a problem he had always been unwilling to think about in this life thus far: What if Xiang Ning doesn't want me?

Also, with all this that Apple was currently doing, was he being fair to her?

Apple continued slurring, “Xu Tingsheng...honestly speaking, was that Fang Chen trying to seduce you today? Old witch, she's definitely a witch. You should keep further away from her.”

It was unknown whether Apple's fierce tone was her threatening Xu Tingsheng or from her really harbouring a grudge with Fang Chen over this.

Xu Tingsheng thought: Your sister! The one whom she wants to seduce is you; you're the one who should keep further away from her.

However, Apple had already changed the direction of her thoughts as she said, “Xu Tingsheng, you can rest assured. I’ve only stuck so close to you in front of so many people knowing that that person in your heart is not in this university. If she were here, I wouldn't do it. I would just stand quietly by the side...you can rest assured...rest assured…”

“How did you know?”

“Heh, I won't tell you...I’ve placed a spy by your side; none of your actions can escape the grasp of my palm,” Apple made continuous grabbing movements with her little palm, wobbling right before Xu Tingsheng's eyes.

“It's Zhang Ninglang, isn't it?” Xu Tingsheng purposefully asked.

“...Like real, don't malign him,” Apple denied with her remaining strength of consciousness.

“With him helping you like this, do you really have a cousin to introduce to him?”

“That's right, but...my cousin...is only eight…”

Those who were drunk were indeed very easy to swindle words out of. While Xu Tingsheng had already long known the truth, he didn't know how he should break the 'nightmarish’ news regarding Apple's cousin to Zhang Ninglang.

As Apple began sliding backwards, Xu Tingsheng pulled her and propped her back up a bit, ferocious waves crashing up against his back.

“It's just like last time...teehee,” Apple said, “Last time, I asked you whether they were big, but you just refused to say…”

“They're big,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Ha,” Apple said, “Hers definitely aren't bigger than mine...hmph.”

Xu Tingsheng recalled that even Big Xiang Ning's weren't big. If it was Little Xiang Ning...stop, this was too immoral.

After handing Apple over to Song Ni, Xu Tingsheng returned to his dormitory room.

Upon Xu Tingsheng's return, the people of Room 602 all had some apologetic sentiments. One by one, they told him whom they had invited before apologising for it. Xu Tingsheng could only say that he was very happy due to having avoided paying the bill and even seen a great beauty as he comforted his roommates, putting them at ease.

At the same time, he also expressed his gratitude towards their loyal actions back then.

Actually, Huang Keshen should be the most embarrassed one. It was he who had invited Cao Qing over, and also he who had leaked some information regarding Xu Tingsheng to Cao Qing. They both came from the same hometown, their parents working in the same department. Cao Qing's father was even Huang Keshen’s father's ultimate boss.

However, Huang Keshen did not speak, feigning drunkenness as he lay on his bed. Naturally, there was nothing Xu Tingsheng could say to this.

Actually, there was one other thing regarding Huang Keshen. His roommates had never seen that rumoured girlfriend studying in Jianhai University ever call here before. Lu Xu and Li Xingming had jokingly asked about it a few times, with the result of him being infuriated. Naturally, no one had then brought it up again.

……

The next morning, Xu Tingsheng's group of 5, Apple included, went to the city district to meet up with Fang Yunyao. They first strolled around the area a little and bought gifts for everyone before rushing over to the train station.

Xu Tingsheng bought a suit for his father and skirts and shoes for his sister and mother, spending more than half of his ten thousand yuan. Apple assisted him in choosing them.

Other than that, Xu Tingsheng also specially prepared a gift for Apple's grandmother, asking Apple to bring it to her. Apple refused, asking him to do it himself.

Over this period of time, the most amusing thing was Apple not knowing about the relationship between Fu Cheng and Ms Fang yet blindly pushing them together all the time. Often, the two would turn completely red, whilst she alone remained completely ignorant.

For example, she asked, “Fu Cheng, do you think these clothes look good on Ms Fang? Give us an opinion.”

Actually, she merely felt that Fu Cheng had better taste in clothes than Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng. However, at times like this, the atmosphere would generally turn strange as Fu Cheng lowered his head and said that they looked nice while Fang Yunyao, originally having been thinking of buying the clothes, was now left completely unsure over whether she should.

Finally, it was still Song Ni who told Apple this secret in private, reminding her with the utmost earnestness not to tell anyone else about it.

It seemed that the conveyance of this secret had the connotation of Apple finally merging into this 'shocking little bunch’ for good. Excited and curious, she now often secretly observed Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao. Whenever they drew near, she would pull Xu Tingsheng over to watch with a face full of nervousness and excitement.

Truly staring till Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng didn't even know how they should walk.

After having an early lunch, they entered the station, standing on the platform and waiting for the train.

Currently, the trains headed from Yanzhou to Jiannan were still those slow green trains. These trains had always been the mainstay of China's railway transport system, having already existed for a very long time.

The green trains were slow. Countless people had once disdained them for their speed.

However,

Despite the slowness, who knew how many tearful partings they had accompanied, how many precious things they had brought away.

Despite the slowness, who knew how many of these partings would be eternal, how many hims(or hers) would never again return.

Despite the slowness, who knew how many of its passengers had gone from ‘unripened’ to ‘blossomed’ on it. Amidst the bustle of those rapid high speed trains, it would no longer be possible to re-visit those feelings of the past.

Slow was good-you would be able to clearly watch her waving to you through the window.

Slow was bad-how would you be able to bear continuously watching him running after you through the window?

Xu Tingsheng remembered a video that he had watched in his previous life. Bobby Chen had sung a song for Rene Liu on a programme. It was a song in the Minnan dialect called <The Pure Dreams of Youth>.

The first line of the lyrics: Sending you to the head of the train, looking up (turning away, walking off) as I see you off.

The master Bobby Chen had sung till his disciple had been reduced to tears. He had written <Crazy For Love> and <Kite> for Rene Liu, also introducing her movies to act in, assisting her in rising from a little assistant all the way to a famous superstar before saying, “You’ve grown up; don’t look for me in the future.”

The host of the programme asked Chen Shen, “Do you love Rene Liu?”

He and all the members of the audience had held their breaths, thinking that the married Bobby Chen would not answer this question.

Unexpectedly, however, he confessed candidly, “Of course I love her. Otherwise, why would I have done so many things for her?”

Apple stood excitedly on the platform, waiting for the train. They would be travelling together this time. Then, what about in the future?

Xu Tingsheng asked himself whether he loved Apple, but he could find no answer.

However, he was willing to do many things for her. If this conclusion could be flipped around to arrive at such, it would then mean that he did love Apple.

However, this conclusion could not be flipped around.

……

Xu Tingsheng stood before the green train, re-entering the dreams of youth.

Slow was good.

Slow was bad.

Chapter 67: Dowry

The routes traversed by the green train were mostly desolate, hills and long fields continually passing by them. Sometimes, wild, untamed grass would hit the train’s windows. It was cramped, noisy and even noticeably smelly inside, the stewards and stewardesses on board finding it rather hard to push their trolleys back and forth.

Some were loudly trying to sell godly dishwashing appliances in the train carriages. Of course, if you didn’t need these, there were actually other godly appliances as well!

Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng, Song Ni and Fang Yunyao played cards on the train.

Because there were many hills and mountainous areas in Jianhai Province, the train would always pass through some hollowed-out tunnels of varying lengths. Every time it turned dark, Huang Yaming would begin secretly discarding or swiping some cards off the table. Thus, he always won.

Fang Yunyao was so anxious at her consecutive losses that she ignored the ringing of her phone, just taking a quick glance each time before rejecting the call. In the end, she just directly turned off her phone.

Xu Tingsheng and Apple meanwhile played aeroplane chess and chatted.

The little boy on the neighbouring seat watched on as he chewed on a banana. Apple teased the kid a little before chatting with his parents. The couple actually felt safe handing their child over to her just like that as the two of them then hooked their arms together and fell into deep slumber.

They had already spent four days and nights on this train, having come over to work from a faraway, out of the way city.

Apple put the rather smelly and dirty little boy on her thigh, with it not looking forced in the slightest as she put in much effort in coaxing him, pulling out all kinds of tidbits for him to eat.

Xu Tingsheng smiled from his seat beside her.

“Help,” Apple said.

“Huh?”

“He looks like he wants to go pee.”

“...Not helping. If you can't even do this, how can you be someone's mum next time?”

So Apple hugged the boy and traversed the crowds to get to the toilet. She returned more than ten minutes later with a triumphant look on her face, seeming as if she had just managed to accomplish a great feat.

Amongst the four of them playing cards, Fang Yunyao began winning, entering a strong winning streak.

Once, after she had finished using all her cards, Huang Yaming went to check the cards in Fu Cheng's hand before complaining resentfully, “How are we supposed to play this? This is too much. Someone’s holding on the the Rocket but doesn’t want to play it, letting another play a small two before leaving the game with a trio with pair.”

Fu Cheng explained, “How could I have known that she would be able to put out all those five cards at once?”

Huang Yaming said, “Scram! Right at the start of the last game, when I still had all my cards in hand, you bombed me just as soon as I put out a single ace! When I put out a J later on, you bombed me as well, bombed me till I really felt like doubting life.”

Everyone laughed, the little boy on Apple’s lap chortling along as well.

Huang Yaming said to Xu Tingsheng, “Switch, you play. Otherwise, there’d be no way to play this anymore. How is this even playing cards? It’s literally a confession…”

When Xu Tingsheng replaced Fu Cheng, there were only two white rabbit candies that remained before him, while there were whole piles of it gathered before Fang Yunyao and Huang Yaming.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Don’t worry, watch how I win it all back for you.”

Afterwards, when the train moved through the next tunnel, another card-swiper was present at the table.

After clashing intensely for a bit, Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming finally came to a tacit agreement. Soon, not even a single white rabbit candy remained before the two girls.

7 hours into the train ride, tired out from their earlier exertions, they began leaning back on their seats one by one and falling into deep slumber.

Xu Tingsheng received the little boy from Apple, saying, “You get some sleep; I’ll take care of him.”

Apple laughed slyly and said to the little boy, “Be good, baby. Mum’s going to sleep for a while. Play with Dad for a bit, okay?”

Xu Tingsheng counterattacked, “Let’s get baby fed before you sleep. Come, baby, it’s time for milk.”

Apple stomped on his foot beneath the table before ignoring him and going to sleep.

What was bad was that the little boy began continuously asking of Xu Tingsheng, ‘Milk, milk...’, his hands scratching uncomfortably at Xu Tingsheng’s chest.

Also, he soon had to pee again. Looking at the peacefully slumbering faces of Apple and the kid’s parents, Xu Tingsheng could only stifle his discomfort and perform the first such duty of both his entire lives.

As the train neared Jiannan, Xu Tingsheng woke everyone up one by one. The little boy’s parents awoke as well, chatting with them for a while before very gratefully gifting them with a bag of homegrown sweet potatoes.

In the evening, Xu Tingsheng treated everyone to a meal. He had not called them over in treating his roommates yesterday, having intended to do so on a different occasion. After all, the natures of these two meals were intrinsically different.

After dinner, Xu Tingsheng led them in walking the streets of Jiannan City.

Familiar place, familiar people. It was just that Xu Tingsheng had no way of saying to Huang Yaming or Fu Cheng: Back then, I stayed in a rented flat in that small building right there. Every time the two of you bastards came here to take the civil servant exam, you would ask me to take care of all the arrangements for you. Every time you passed by here, you would freeload at my place for a few days. Have you both forgotten all of it?

Huang Yaming had even discovered the old underwear of the previous female tenant in a crevice in the toilet’s wall.

He wondered if she had already moved into that flat.

He really wanted to see how she looked like. After all, due to the dimensions of that piece of underwear he had found, Huang Yaming had enjoyed many pleasant fantasies. If she actually turned out to be a big dinosaur…

The next morning, the 6 of them took the bus back to Libei.

……

Fang Yunyao returned to her old home in Hunan the afternoon after having arrived in Libei. This girl who spent most of her time all year out solitarily of home would be spending this entire 1st October holiday(Golden Week) by her parents’ side.

Therefore, Fu Cheng could only follow Xu Tingsheng and Song Ni in helping out in the supermarket.

Huang Yaming tried to call Tan Qingling out for a date a dozen times, but only managed to get her out once. The two chatted casually for a while before Tan Qingling went home. Thinking that she must be facing great pressure in having to sit for the university entrance examinations once more, Huang Yaming naturally found this to be understandable.

It was just that Xu Tingsheng had already detected some abnormalities therein.

Tan Qingling did not love Huang Yaming. With him not meticulously taking care of her by her side, with his halo from their final phase of twelfth grade having faded, change would inevitably come.

Over this period of time, they attended a few old classmate gatherings together.

Xu Tingsheng inadvertently came across Ye Yingjing in one of these gatherings, and he saw Wu Yuewei in the supermarket once as well.

Apple remained at her grandma’s, accompanying the elderly woman. As promised, Xu Tingsheng stopped by the place for a visit.

The old woman was already almost completely blind. She stayed alone in a low, dim house, and when mealtime arrived, Apple’s aunts would take turns coming to set a bowl of rice before her.

One on each side, Xu Tingsheng and Apple supported her in walking out of the house and bathing in the sun’s rays.

The old woman, who called Apple lassie, tugged on Xu Tingsheng’s arm and said, “Good child, be good to lassie. Be good to lassie...to lassie. You must be good to lassie.”

Apple said to Xu Tingsheng in private, “Grandma has already forgotten my age. Maybe she even thinks that I’m already married! Don’t mind her…”

“Also, you definitely can’t let Grandma touch your chin. Otherwise, she’ll say: No hair on mouth, no reliability to trust. Young men are unreliable...Grandpa had a big moustache. He died a few years ago.”

Like this, when Grandma tried to touch his chin, Xu Tingsheng could only dodge away and clasp her hands, reassuring her, “You can rest assured, Grandma. I will definitely be good to lassie.”

Xu Tingsheng helped to make dinner for Apple and her grandmother. Having lived alone for 7 years in his previous life, he was actually rather proficient in cooking. It wasn’t just Apple who cried out excitedly at his culinary skill; even her grandmother ate an extra half bowl of rice as well.

Sending Xu Tingsheng off from that small village, Apple said by the roadside, “Grandma hasn’t had a good life, and Mum has it very tough as well. After I graduate, I want to ease the burden on Mum as well as bring Grandma out of here...I don’t know if she can hold on till then, though.”

“Therefore, all along, I’ve always wished that I could be a little more useful...actually, being useful is equivalent to being rich, right?...”

“Therefore, I’d always thought before that I definitely had to make it into a good university. But I’m not good at studying...Afterwards, I discovered that the only thing I’m good at is looking beautiful. Therefore, I thought that I would definitely marry a rich guy based on my beauty before leading a good life afterwards...Back then, I was very hateful, right?”

Xu Tingsheng very earnestly shook his head. His understanding of it was actually the same as well.

He could not arrogantly deny the importance of money in this society. It was just like the difficulties he, his mother and his sister had experienced in his previous life, just like how he had chosen to leave Xiang Ning in the end. He had hoped that she would be able to lead a better life rather than being burdened by him, having to suffer through all that hardship together.

While base, it was still a very real logic. Money. If Xu Tingsheng had had money in his previous life, perhaps his fate would have changed as well. Perhaps that precious relationship would not have turned into a tragedy by his own hands.

Perhaps there would not have been this rebirth then.

“You’re not allowed to go back on what you promised Grandma,” Apple said.

“Huh?”

“You’ve got to ‘be good to lassie’.”

“Alright. When lassie gets married, gets married to someone who loves you and someone whom you love, I’ll prepare a very big dowry for you, big to an extent you won’t even dare to imagine.”

The meaning concealed within these words was actually very hurtful. However, Xu Tingsheng knew that over these past days he had spent with Apple, he had somehow already unconsciously allowed their relationship to reach a tipping point. Just a step further, and there would be no turning back.

He would only be harming himself, whilst harming her as well.

Therefore, he had no choice but to come down swiftly and decisively on this.

Xu Tingsheng thought that Apple would be hurt, having already steeled his heart in preparation of facing her sadness, perhaps even her tears.

However, Apple said, “Trying to get rid of me with just a dowry, you wish…”

“You should diligently earn more money, which will then all come to be mine in the future…”

“Sigh, for our blissful future lives, I’ll just let you stay arrogant for now...when the day comes that you fall in love with me, this dame will repay it a hundred times over, abusing you so much you’ll wish you’re dead...humph.”

Chapter 68: The youthful fluttering of a heart

With there still being some time before the holiday ended, Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming made a trip to Old Zhou’s house together, bringing Old Zhou some cigarettes and saying hi to his wife as well.

This was already the third time they were visiting Old Zhou’s house. They had come here twice during the summer holidays after graduation. Old Zhou had a good temper and his wife’s wasn’t bad as well, the loving relationship between the two having left a very deep impression on the trio, who had even felt a little envious of it.

This time, however, Xu Tingsheng felt that the atmosphere was a little wrong as soon as he stepped into the room. Old Zhou and his wife seemed to have been in the midst of quarrelling. More precisely, Old Zhou seemed to have been in the process of getting ‘educated’ by his wife.

Looking at the rather awkward, hapless-looking trio, Old Zhou’s wife who still appeared rather worked up forced out a smile, “It’s fine, it’s got nothing to do with you. I’m very happy that you’re visiting...stay behind for dinner.”

After that, she glared at Old Zhou, “Hurry up and accompany them; I’ll go make dinner.”

She went off to the kitchen. Old Zhou exhaled slowly, shooting the three of them a look. He dared not broach the topic directly as they first began casually chatting about university life. After a while, Old Zhou even gave Xu Tingsheng a deep, knowing look, telling him that Yao Jing had just visited earlier.

As they talked, his wife finished making dinner. After eating, she went straight to her room, leaving him and his three former students to chat casually over wine.

Only now did Old Zhou get into the mood, because the pressure was gone, also because the wine’s effects were kicking in.

“I heard that you had a history with Yao Jing back in school?” He asked Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng nodded rather awkwardly, admitting it.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng excitedly interjected from the side, taking turns to elaborate on what had occurred between the two. Xu Tingsheng had himself already forgotten many of these things. Hearing them being said now, whilst finding it to be interesting, he inevitably felt rather embarrassed as well.

The naivety of youth...So, he had actually done so many foolish things before.

After hearing it all out in detail, Old Zhou smiled rather slyly, “Actually, Yao Jing calls my wife Auntie. We are actually relatives, and she often visits our place. Having come earlier, we talked about your matter as well. Afterwards, we also talked about something else. Currently, there is another guy from the same university as her who is pursuing her. He’s someone from Libei as well, having graduated from Libei Senior High a batch earlier than you.”

Now, Old Zhou, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming all watched Xu Tingsheng carefully for a reaction, seemingly very much wanting to apprehend something from his expression, perhaps jealousy, perhaps unwillingness.

Yet, there was nothing at all.

Xu Tingsheng had dated Yao Jing for a month in his previous life before finally breaking up on amicable terms, still remaining rather good friends. Many years later, Yao Jing had been leading a simple yet blissful life. She had achieved happiness.

This was the most important thing. Xu Tingsheng too rejoiced for her, rejoiced at her happiness, also rejoicing at their previous rational breakup. Neither of them had remained shackled by this relationship.

In this life, perhaps Xu Tingsheng having changed some things, Yao Jing’s feelings towards him had been a little deeper than in his previous life as she had been hurt a little more by the eventual breakup as well. Still, there was one thing that wouldn’t change. The two of them weren’t suited for each other, and hadn’t been all that in love as well. Since that was so, wasn’t it best that she lived as happy and blissful a life as before?

Could it be that having been reborn, now possessing greater abilities, he should then shamelessly aspire to grasp both everything that he should and should not possess, satisfying his own personal desires?

Xu Tingsheng smiled at Old Zhou, saying calmly, “A youthful fluttering of the heart. Now, I only wish her happiness.”

The three were all able to feel his candor as Old Zhou raised a glass of wine, exclaiming, “Well said! Come! A toast for that fluttering of the youthful heart!

Downing a small glass of the white wine of more than fifty degrees, Old Zhou’s face was flushed red as he went on in a mysterious manner, “Do you know why I was scolded by my wife today? ...This is the second day already…”

“Well, I deserve it, actually. Two days ago, I attended a senior high gathering. Coincidentally, truly coincidentally, our class beauty who had emigrated to America for more than 20 years and I hadn’t seen since came as well...You guys won’t know this, but she was my dream lover over the entirety of my senior high days..”

“From right when I saw her, no, from right when I heard that she would be coming, this aged heart of mine went thump, thump, thump...I wasn’t able to focus the entire night…”

“Finally, when dinner was over, she stood by the entrance of the building, hugging all of us old classmates one by one. She said that this might be the last time we would see her…”

“Under such circumstances, with her even having sent herself right up to my doorstep, with it being our final ever time meeting as well...don’t you think hugging her a little was what I should’ve done?”

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng all nodded in unison, “Hug, definitely got to hug.”

“And so I hugged! Thinking about that skin of hers back then…” Old Zhou coughed, “I was always thinking that just a little pinch and blood might flow out of it...coincidentally, she was wearing clothes that laid out most of her back bare that day...so...I hugged a little tighter, a little longer…”

“And then your wife saw it?” Huang Yaming asked triumphantly.

Old Zhou painfully nodded.

All his remaining words were left to the wine. Regardless of age, when men were talking about their girlfriends in school back in the day, their first loves, their secret crushes and so forth, there would always be the same emotional sentiments as well as words that would never run dry.

From Old Zhou’s scattered ramblings, Xu Tingsheng pieced together such a conclusion:

Actually, the women in this world all possess the same mistaken view. They trust as well as ask of their partners a hundred percent devotion, a hundred percent complete unwavering loyalty.

However, there can truly be no hundred percent loyal and devoted man in this world. However much there are those who appear on the surface like they have been loyal and devoted their entire lifetimes, it is actually an unavoidable thing that their hearts would have involuntarily fluttered for some other women a few times, tens of times, perhaps even hundreds of times.

Sometimes, it would merely be a simple sigh, a single thought. Sometimes, their very souls would be enraptured and drawn, such sentiments recurring and inescapable even within their dreams.

Where then did the difference between good and bad men lie?

It lay with them not forgetting that one person within their heart, not forgetting their responsibilities, not losing their way. Thus some became incorrigible playboys, drunkenly unable to rouse themselves from this way of life. Thus others fell in love with some other woman, leaving their wife and forsaking their children...naturally, there were also those who remained true to their coremost devotion, remaining steadfast throughout their entire lifetimes.

Therefore, do not blame his heart from fluttering, because such is really an unavoidable thing. If you want to be calculative, calculate whether you are still that one person within his heart following all those flutterings of his heart thus far.

Maybe you should actually be feeling even greater, deeper bliss over this. He has viewed the multitude of colourful flowers in this world, yet you are the sole flower inserted within his heart.

After all this, Huang Yaming said to Old Zhou, “Boss, these words of yours really make a lot of sense. Why don’t you try saying all these to your wife, explaining things to her?”

Old Zhou chuckled wryly, “How are women creatures that can be reasoned with...speaking, is asking to die...not speaking, you still can muddle through half-dead...being half-dead is still being alive, being alive and waiting till she gets over and forgets about all this.”

Exiting Old Zhou’s house, as the trio walked tipsily down the road, Huang Yaming suddenly asked, “Actually, is it the same for women as well?”

“What?” Fu Cheng responded.

“Actually, is it the same for women as well? They too can’t remain forever devoted and loyal; their hearts will also inadvertently flutter many times?”

“Probably,” Xu Tingsheng said.

As Xu Tingsheng walked, he felt a liberating, refreshing feeling in his chest. Over tonight’s casual conversation, Old Zhou had helped rid him of a problem which had been plaguing him.

It could not be denied that Xu Tingsheng had been moved by Apple. Due to such, due to that happiness, his heart had indeed fluttered, not being able to bear how he was associating with her.

He had been conflicted over this, having also before tried to resolutely bring a swift and decisive end to the matter.

Now, Old Zhou had told him that even if his heart had once inadvertently fluttered hundreds of times, so long as he had never forgotten that one person, it was okay.

Chapter 69: The Xu Family’s great boat is soon to sail

On the second last day of Xu Tingsheng's holiday week, Mr Xu finally returned from his trip out of town. He hurriedly ate dinner with his family before going to the supermarket to understand how things had been going these past few days.

In truth, Xu Tingsheng very much wished to sit down with his father and have a proper chat with him. Ever since the university semester had begun, Mr Xu had virtually not mentioned to him anything regarding his business over the phone at all. Meanwhile, having returned this time, Xu Tingsheng had discovered a troubling fact: Their supermarket really had too many people in Management.

It was 10pm when Mr Xu returned home.

Xu Tingsheng had not yet gone to bed. He had been waiting.

“I just knew that you would be waiting for me,” Mr Xu said, “We’ll talk later. First, follow me..”

Mr Xu set down his things and led Xu Tingsheng outside the house before pointing towards a vast stretch of open land as well as a mountain that stood before it in the distance, “It’s less than a twenty minutes journey away from the county from here. Why then is this place still a poor village?”

Before Xu Tingsheng could answer, he continued, “...It’s because of that mountain. It’s blocked the path ahead of us...and also blocked our vision.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that his father must be going somewhere with this. He did not interrupt, waiting for him to continue.

“I, your father, was once this mountain ahead of you that blocked your path. The family background that I gave you determined that the path ahead of you would be very difficult, that it would be very, very difficult for you to progress on it. Even looking a little further ahead would be very difficult.”

Mr Xu continued, “Fortunately, you gave me a push forward. Ever since that day when we father and son stood together at the entrance of the supermarket, I told myself that I, Xu Jianliang, currently at 45 years of age, still have it left in me...I want to uproot that mountain for you, lay the path ahead for you...then hand it over to you. You go to the outside world and make a killing. If you succeed, Dad will be proud of you. If you fail, just come back to Dad’s place.”

Xu Tingsheng’s mind fell momentarily into a trancelike state. This wasn’t like the Mr Xu in his memories. More accurately, even the most successful, high-spirited Mr Xu in the memories of his childhood lacked the demeanor and the mindset that he had now. Meanwhile, during the days in which he had merely toiled in the fields, the most meaningful thing he had said to Xu Tingsheng had merely been a: Walk out of the mountain.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng had now heard something of totally different import altogether. In just a mere month, Mr Xu had changed...very much, truly very greatly.

Mr Xu’s gaze had already penetrated through the mountain, already saw very far away. The only thing that had not changed was that all that he did, all that he wanted to do, was still all for the sake of Xu Tingsheng, his son.

“Come, us father and son will go drink together. You haven’t tasted Dad’s cooking for a long time, right?”

Mr Xu got busy on the stove, heating up some rice wine and whipping up two simple dishes as Xu Tingsheng laid out the bowls and chopsticks on the table.

Mr Xu sat down, filling up two glasses with wine and raising a wineglass, “Son...with this first cup, Dad thanks you. I’ve actually wanted to say this thanks for a long time. Thank you, for giving old Dad this push ahead.”

Xu Tingsheng downed the wine before smiling, “Why the thanks? For me, it’s always been you, Dad, who’s opened the paths in the face of mountains and constructed the bridges in the face of water.”

Finishing the wine, Mr Xu joked, “Top scholars really are good at speaking, being even more awesome than their dads now...it can’t be that even your alcohol tolerance is higher than mine now, right?”

“Test it out?”

“Impertinent brat! Let’s test it out then.”

The father and son first chugged down the wine to a semi-drunken state. As the alcohol slowly got to Mr Xu’s head, he finally decided to answer a few of the doubts in Xu Tingsheng’s mind.

“Firstly, why haven’t I mentioned my business matters to you since you went off to university? Because I wanted to try to achieve all this on my own.”

“In discussing the distribution of foreign brands, I headed in myself. The doors of those vast corporate entities-I went to knock on them myself…”

“I have a competent son, but I can’t always be depending on you. I’m not old yet; you’re still young...the weight of this family shouldn’t be placed on your shoulders so early on.”

“Secondly, why does our supermarket have so many people in Management?...”

“They aren’t prepared for this store. Soon, they will be dispatched elsewhere. Of Jianhai City’s eight counties, I have already secured stores in four of them. Our expansion is just right around the corner.”

…

The extent of Mr Xu’s resolve and the swiftness in which he had made his move far surpassed Xu Tingsheng’s expectations. When initially having thought of establishing a large scale supermarket, he had actually already planned for it to eventually expand to neighbouring territories. Still, never had he thought that it might come so fast, so aggressively…

From what he had originally planned, it would be around a year later before he proposed the expansion of the franchise to Mr Xu.

Now, just two short months after their first supermarket had begun operation, with no hint or push from Xu Tingsheng at all, Mr Xu had already embarked on the road of expansion.

With the current economic environment and their path of development, Xu Tingsheng knew that there was basically no chance at all of large scale supermarkets like Happy Shoppers making a loss. It might even be said that virtually every single branch of Happy Shoppers would surely become the cornerstone of the Xu Family’s rise to prominence.

There were only two things that he was worried about.

First was the scale of the collective investments. Currently, the funds possessed by Mr Xu had already surpassed seven million yuan.

Just a single Happy Shoppers in Libei alone, however flourishing its business, would never be able to provide sufficient funding for their plans. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng knew that not only would Mr Xu not have ceased in collective investment over this period of time, he must instead have accelerated his pace greatly.

Secondly, the rise in Mr Xu’s ambition and position might possibly affect the warmth and happiness of their Xu family.

Xu Tingsheng was sufficiently confident in his father’s character. He was just worried that in the tiring process of climbing high, what would be lost would be the closeness and warmth within their family.

“You’ve got something you want to say but you don’t know how to get to, right?” Seeing Xu Tingsheng deep in thought with a look of hesitation on his face, Mr Xu smiled as he asked.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a bit before venturing rather hesitantly, “Dad, you remember how our relationship when I was young wasn’t as good as it is now? Back then, I was very scared of you.”

“Back then, you were busy in the factory and always came home very late. Every time this happened, I would tell Mum that I would go to the roadside and wait for you, because it was really seldom that I saw you, and I also really wished to see you…”

“I would really go, but every time you appeared at the end of that road on your bicycle, I would immediately go into hiding. Because after a day’s of hard work, you would always look rather fierce, and would get easily irritated as well…”

“Sometimes, I would happily go forth and yell a greeting. Instead, I would be scolded by you for still running about so late at night…”

“Afterwards, I began to fear you. I was scared, very scared...yet afterwards, I began ignoring you, even starting to get used to showing my temper at you…”

At this point, Xu Tingsheng watched Mr Xu for any changes in his expression as he stopped, not continuing any further.

The atmosphere was rather stiff till a radiant smile suddenly blossomed on Mr Xu’s tensed up face.

Drinking a mouthful of wine, Mr Xu then teased, “How befitting of my top scholar son. You’ve become really awesome now, even knowing how to go around in circles hinting about things when talking with your Dad.”

Despite knowing that his father was joking, Xu Tingsheng still felt rather perturbed.

“If you have anything on your mind in the future, just say it to Dad directly.”

“Okay.”

“Dad knows what you’re worried about. Your mother, your sister and I already expressed our stances on this when you weren’t around. Our final conclusion was that in the future, unless a new supermarket branch begins operation, I can only not eat dinner at home once per week at most. Next, I have to be responsible for cooking at least one meal every week...Also, I’m in charge of planting the vegetables to be eaten at home...Now, is there anything you feel should be added on?”

Xu Tingsheng chortled in foolish joyfulness, his earlier worries dissipating into the wind like smoke. Now, he knew that there was no one else more concerned about the warmth and happiness of their family than his father, no one more vigilant with regard to all the possible threats that might negatively affect them. What Xu Tingsheng had been worried about-he had already long since taken it into consideration.

“One more rule. Every time I come back, Dad has to whip up some dishes for me and accompany me for a few cups,” Xu Tingsheng said with a smile on his face.

“Agreed,” Mr Xu heartily responded.

Xu Tingsheng did not bring up the matter of collective investment, because he had actually not seen any problems with regard to it. Even if problems did exist therein, he was still confident of filling up these gaps with his own abilities.

Of course, he still expressed his worry that this expansion of theirs might be a little too hasty.

Mr Xu told Xu Tingsheng, “It’s not us who’re hasty; it’s others who’re hasty. I could only make my move earlier than the rest.”

The effects of Happy Shoppers’ success in Libei had been immense. The neighbouring counties aside, even others within Libei County were beginning to have designs on this modern large scale supermarket industry, wanting to get a share of this lucrative pie.

Mr Xu possessed the required funds, channels, skilled personnel and gradually maturing mode of operation. Therefore, it was only natural and right that he make the first move.

This time, not only had he secured stores in four neighbouring counties, he had even obtained a store in a large merchandise building of Libei County as well. From Xu Tingsheng’s impressions, considering Libei County’s transport network as well as the area of the available stores, this was the sole remaining place here at which a large scale supermarket could be established. In truth, it was indeed here in his previous life at which Libei County’s second large scale supermarket had been established.

And now, Mr Xu already possessed this location.

“What’s our next move? What I mean is that after the neighbouring counties have all been filled up, what would Dad’s next plan of action then be?” Xu Tingsheng asked his father.

Mr Xu actually had a map of Jianhai City’s administrative areas on him as he took it out and unfurled it before Xu Tingsheng, smiling as he said, “Aren’t there the neighbouring cities as well? There are still many counties in these cities...perhaps there will even come a day when a map of the entire country sits within your Dad’s bag. How many counties would that be then? Also, in the future, what map will it be that sits within your bag?”

“You won’t be heading to the big cities?”

“Not for the time being. From observing the animal kingdom, I have understood one thing. Before the Xu Family has become a lion, we will not be going to the big plains.”

“Villages surround a city.”

“Right.”

At this point, Xu Tingsheng felt that Mr Xu currently already needed no further reminders. Meanwhile, Mr Xu was far more competent than him in actual business operations.

He could set his heart at ease and walk his own path.

The father and son downed their final glass of wine.

The Xu Family’s great boat was soon to sail.

Chapter 70: They must be very ugly

The next morning, Mr Xu sent Xu Tingsheng to the station on his bicycle.

Before they left, Xu Tingsheng’s sister, Xu Qiuyi, told him about the presents that she wanted for next time. She had not been satisfied by that pair of shoes he had bought her. After disdaining it for a few days, she had said that the presents he gave her thereon would all have to be chosen by herself.

Xu Tingsheng agreed with pleasure. There were just those few people whom he wanted to spoil in this life. He liked the insensible way his sister was now.

On the way from the village to the station, Xu Tingsheng asked of his father two things:

First was to consider buying a car.

Secondly, it was still best if he discussed his business matters with him. After all, on the battlefield, father and son stood on the same united front.

Mr Xu agreed to consider these.

Fu Cheng waited at the station, his eyes burning with anticipation. Still, when the bus left the station, Fang Yunyao who had already gotten on a bus the previous night as she hurried back to Libei had still yet to appear.

Finally, as the two buses travelling in opposite directions drove past each other on the road, it was separated by two windows that Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao waved to each other.

Fu Cheng was smiling like a fool.

As for Fang Yunyao, the way women pretended to be calm and composed when their inner hearts were actually all flustered...was actually very adorable, very beautiful.

Song Ni and Apple sat together, exchanging secret words.

Huang Yaming was not in high spirits.

Xu Tingsheng was thinking about what he would do from now on.

He was confident in Mr Xu, confident in the current state of the economy. However, that seven million yuan’s worth of investment funds in Mr Xu’s hands was still like a heavy sword hanging overhead as it resulted in heavy pressure on him.

What he was afraid of was precisely that off chance that something went wrong.

Xu Tingsheng hoped that he would be able to gain the power to guard Mr Xu’s back within a short period of time. Simply put, he hoped that if something went wrong with the Xu Family’s business one day, he would, at that time, possess the ability to help resolve it.

More directly put, Xu Tingsheng required money, lots of money.

Doing ringtones through Fu Cheng was one way he was trying to achieve this. However, it was clearly insufficient. Also, Xu Tingsheng didn’t intend to make copying songs his lifetime’s work. After all, he himself had no plans to develop in this area.

Over the upcoming days, he would have to seek out another direction.

……

At 0900 hours on 15th October in the year 2003, the spaceship Shenzhou V was launched. It sent the astronaut Yang Liwei into space and returned successfully at 0623 hours the next day.

Even Shenzhou V had entered the heavens.

Xu Tingsheng finally officially got into the rhythm of university life once more.

Every morning, he would get up and go for a jog. Afterwards, he would attend the lessons for which he was scheduled and sleep when it was so required. He was no different at all from all the other, ordinary people around him.

The only exception was every Tuesday afternoon. On this day every week, Xu Tingsheng would skip the two periods of archeography and ride the bus across half the city to the little hill behind Xinyan Senior High’s school field, awaiting Xiang Ning’s appearance.

Generally speaking, as long as it did not rain, he would see that lively and adorable girl on that field every week.

Even so, he no longer appeared before her, much less speak a single word to her.

With regard to Little Xiang Ning, there was one incident over this period of time that was rather strange. Once, when she was playing volleyball with her classmates, having used too much strength, the ball had flown over the wall of the school, only to...fly back on its own afterward.

Perhaps this was the sole thing which allowed her to vaguely feel that Liar Uncle was still there.

The bullet shell that he had given her was still in her pencil case. Once, a male tablemate who had seen it had tried to ask her for it. She had refused. The boy had then taken out a completely new hardcover exercise book and tried to ask for an exchange between the two items. After thinking for a while, she had still refused in the end.

Xu Tingsheng had the other bullet shell tucked away beneath his pillow.

Over this period of time, Xu Tingsheng participated in the selection for his faculty’s football team. The many contenders took turns playing on the field for 20 minutes each. While Xu Tingsheng managed one goal and one assist, for some baffling reason, he failed to make it into the team.

Only when he had seen the people in charge of the selection and realised them to be some second and third year seniors who had been at that night’s dinner did he understand what this was all about.

Since you won’t let me play, I’ll just play myself then. Xu Tingsheng contacted the group of seniors whom he had played football with before the semester had begun and began playing some random football with them once every few days.

One day, one of them said to him, “Choose a number. Coach has already come to see you a few times; Welcome to Yanzhou University’s football team.”

So these people were actually their school team? How unconventional was that.

The main jersey numbers of the school team had basically all been allocated. Xu Tingsheng chose number 24, because Xiang Ning’s birthday was the 24th of May.

Therefore, a joke began spreading amongst Yanzhou University’s footballing circles, “Unwanted by the faculty team but wanted by the school team.”

“Who’s that?”

“Someone from Class 2 of Chinese 03. He’s called Xu Tingsheng.”

Thereon, other than regular training for the school team, Xu Tingsheng began getting many more chances to get on the pitch. Many people wanted to see for themselves exactly how great the skills of this legendary dude whom the faculty team had dismissed but the school team wanted truly were.

……

In the area of ringtones, Xu Tingsheng gave Fu Cheng another three songs in addition to the previous <Fairy Tale> and <We Are All Good Kids>. He also obtained twenty thousand yuan from Mr Xu before becoming someone who just sat back and dished money out. He did not participate in the collaboration with the ringtone company and the song recordings.

Apple came over once for the song recording, staying over for two days. This was because one of the three songs Xu Tingsheng had provided Fu Cheng with required both a male and female singer. It was eventually recorded with Fu Cheng and Apple collaborating together.

With this, Apple came to know another secret of the man she loved. She felt great joy at this. Still, the relationship between the two of them was much more distant than it had been before.

Xu Tingsheng was searching for an appropriate distance to ensure that he and Apple would not again approach that critical tipping point that would be, to him, essentially a point of no return.

The songs were uploaded one by one. Under the ringtone company’s promotion efforts, they grew increasingly popular by the day.

Accompanied by the increasing number of downloads of the song, money began entering Fu Cheng’s account, ranging from some tens of thousands to even greater than a hundred thousand yuan. Amongst them, <Fairy Tale> and that duet sung by him and Apple were the most two profitable songs.

In order to coordinate with the ringtone company’s promotion needs, Fu Cheng registered a small webpage named ‘Rebirth’ on some music company’s website. Still, no photographs were present on it, not even a public notice.

Fu Cheng and Apple were rather doubtful regarding this, but they did not question Xu Tingsheng about it.

After a long time, even Fu Cheng who was in charge of the daily maintenance of that small webpage became used to Xu Tingsheng’s style. Just keeping it silent and reaping in the cash was fine.

Someone commented on the small webpage: Since you are unwilling to reveal anything, why are you uploading songs then?

Fu Cheng replied: To earn money.

The other party replied: But if you become popular, you should be able to earn more from public performances, right?

Fu Cheng replied: The hell it’s got to do with you.

The other party replied: Haha, I get it now. You must be really ugly.

Fu Cheng replied, “Yeah.”

Therefore, a rumour began circulating on the internet. The band Rebirth that had released five good songs in quick succession and possessed immense potential for making it big was actually concealing its members’ identities and refusing to show their faces because: They were very ugly.

Afterwards, many ‘Fans of Rebirth’ began popping up from somewhere or other as they flocked to the small webpage in huge droves to leave behind their comments:

Whatever you look like, I’ll still love you all, support you all.

Same as the above. Like.

…...

Talent has nothing to do with looks. Get lost, looks faction!

Male lead singer, even if you look like Wu Dalang, I’d still be willing to marry you. This is my QQ number: XXXXXXX

Seeing this, Fu Cheng had to reply: I won’t add your QQ. Be afraid of swindlers; don’t be swindled and slept with and say that I did it.

The one below shrieked: The lead singer is so kind! He cares so much about his fans.

……

Be more confident! Come out and attain glory for us ugly people.

So the one above was an ugly freak.

XXXX (Vulgarities)

XXXX (Vulgarities)

It fell into chaos.

……

The number of comments skyrocketed by the day. From a few thousand to tens of thousands, to...more than a hundred thousand…

Some media entities and song recording companies began attempting to contact Rebirth.

However, the contract Xu Tingsheng had asked Fu Cheng to sign with the ringtone company contained extremely rigorous as well as harsh terms of secrecy. Therefore, no one could find any contact method for Rebirth other than the small music webpage.

The greatest uproar was actually in Yanzhou University, where everyone knew that Rebirth existed right alongside them. They had once appeared in this year’s welcoming party, masked as they performed the currently crazy popular <Fairy Tale> in public for the first time and confessed to some unknown female lead.

Some female senior also expressed: After having finished singing that day, they even carried their guitars as they ran by me, you know? ...If I had known back then, I would have directly tackled them down.

Who were Rebirth?

Who was the female lead of that confession?

Was that girl who had sung with Rebirth the female lead of back then?

The endless guesses even began seeping into Xu Tingsheng’s and Fu Cheng’s own dormitory rooms.

“They’re guessing even in the dorms. How’re you holding up?” Xu Tingsheng asked Fu Cheng.

“I just guess along with them,” Fu Cheng said, “ Still, I feel that it’d be best if we rented a house outside. Otherwise, it’d be pretty troublesome, and I might accidentally be discovered someday.”

Chapter 71: Connections

In the middle of December, Xu Tingsheng went down to the town of Xishan and rented 3 rooms on the second storey of a riverside residence. Two of the rooms were for Fu Cheng and himself, while the other one was intended as a guest room. Of course, it was primarily prepared for Huang Yaming.

The landlord of this place did not actually live in Xishan, with the rent usually collected on his behalf by a pair of tenants, a husband and his wife, who stayed on the first storey. The two reportedly ran a small business in Xishan.

Xu Tingsheng had reached a verbal agreement with the landlord over the phone. While speaking to him, he had clearly been able to sense that he who had struck it rich overnight due to the sudden emergence of the academy city of Xishan did not really care about this little bit of money at all. The three rooms amounted to 750 yuan in monthly rent, without even a contract having been signed between the two sides.

The landlord said that Xu Tingsheng could simply stop paying the monthly rent for the next month if he wanted to leave, and not to bother him otherwise.

Xu Tingsheng was naturally welcoming of this.

The first time he had gone to pay the rent, Xu Tingsheng had made an unexpected discovery. The couple living on the first floor was in fact the lady boss of the wonton stall and the young lad from back then who had drunkenly narrated the story of the lady boss and himself and showed Xu Tingsheng’s group the many scars that densely riddled his body.

Back when Fang Yunyao had come, this young lad who had once experienced numerous hardships had gifted Fu Cheng with a stroke of ‘godly support’.

The lady boss who resembled Xiao Songjia really did have the ‘Jia’ character in her name. Her name was Tao Jiaxiu, while the young lad was called Zhong Wusheng.

Although the greater part of his time was still spent in university, as Xu Tingsheng returned on occasion to the riverside residence, he sometimes caught glimpses of the interactions between the two. He was able to tell that they truly were very loving and affectionate, just that their days were somewhat hard and exhausting.

They grew closer as time passed. Once in a while, when Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng or Huang Yaming had come to stay in the riverside residence, Huang Yaming would knock mischievously on the door of the couple’s room, telling Zhong Wusheng, “Don’t make too much of a racket tonight. The soundproofing between floors isn’t good and there’re still three single guys living upstairs. Kindly show some understanding and sympathy.”

Zhong Wusheng would rush out from his room and effortlessly take Huang Yaming down, terrorizing him for a while till Tao Jiaxiu appeared and admonished him, “Let go, you foolish trouble-maker. You really don’t have a sense of perspective! Be careful lest you injure others.”

And so Zhong Wusheng would do as he was told and obediently let go.

Last time, Zhong Wusheng had proclaimed while in a drunken state, “I could actually have taken on 5 of them alone, do you believe me?”

Xu Tingsheng had initially dismissed these as drunken exaggerations, yet it now appeared to really be believable.

Looking at the force and technique Zhong Wusheng displayed every time he subdued Huang Yaming, it did indeed appear as though dealing with three to five people at once might really be nothing for him at all.

The original impression Xu Tingsheng had had of Zhong Wusheng was already pretty decent. Now, with his fighting prowess added into the mix, Xu Tingsheng felt even more like he should befriend him. He thought of Mr Xu’s business; if it was really going to expand at the rate that it was intended, there would eventually come a time when Mr Xu would need such a person by his side.

Whether or not this matter would succeed would depend entirely on the wills of Zhong Wusheng and Tao Jiaxiu. At the very least, this represented an opportunity for Tao Jiaxiu to escape her present need to toil so hard every day.

In the following days, Xu Tingsheng would often bring people over to patronize the lady boss’ wonton stall, making use of this chance to also strike up conversation with Zhong Wusheng, whose business was perpetually not good.

It was quite apparent that Zhong Wusheng was really not cut out for running a business at a stall. Sometimes, while haggling with customers over prices, he would already be in a huff after just exchanging a few lines, flinging the clothes onto the counter as if saying-take it or leave it, I couldn’t care less!

Apart from Xu Tingsheng, no one else could stomach eating wonton noodles on such a regular basis. Instead, Xu Tingsheng rotated between coming with his roommates, Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Song Ni, or even Fang Yuqing on occasion.

On the presently red-hot topic of Rebirth, the person whom Xu Tingsheng was most worried about was the demoness Fang Chen. After all, she was practically the sole outsider who knew of their secret. In her own words, she had a hold over Xu Tingsheng and was ready to threaten him with it whenever she wanted.

Still, she had been surprisingly quiet over this period of time, only having called Xu Tingsheng once to ask if Apple had visited recently. Upon hearing that she had not, she hadn’t said much more, just reminding him to call her over for a meal the next time Apple came.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know whether he should rejoice or worry over the fact that Fang Chen was clearly more interested in Apple than she was in him.

The person whom Xu Tingsheng was truly interacting with more and more was Fang Yuqing. This was a truly strange person. Usually, he appeared like he didn’t care about anything at all, his head stuck up in the air as if he was the sole lord that mattered under the heavens. However, this hateful arrogance was just one side to him.

On the other hand, he was actually also loyal, straightforward and utterly shameless. According the man himself, “I’m only like this to those I consider worthy. You should consider yourself fortunate, Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng answered, “Can I bother you to please scram a little further from me.”

Fang Yuqing said, “Yuqing told me to hang out with you more, and my sister also told me the exact same thing. What’s rarer is that even this bro myself am willing to hang out together with you. Look, how honoured you should feel.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Bro, you’re already a third year student-don’t tell me you’re not busy? You’re not considering looking for an internship?”

Fang Yuqing said, “Find my ass, whatever I find will all be meaningless anyway.....in any case, it’ll all have to be done according to my Dad’s will. If he wishes me to go for an internship, why, he’ll naturally arrange it for me then.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I am incapable of communicating properly with ‘official second gens’.”

Fang Yuqing said, “How am I an ‘official second gen’? In my family, I might as well be an adoptive child. My standing is lower even than our dog...The one truly groomed as a second gen in my family is my elder sister; she’s the one involved in those second gen social circles....That bunch of people all act that way on the surface, the girls dignified and the guys gentlemanly, but in actual fact, each and every one of them is so freaking scheming...that kind of circle-I’m not used to it, and nor do I want to be.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “But neither should you be hanging out with a poor little peasant like me, right? Go pick up some girls with your wastrel comrades at some nightclub or whatever. Isn’t that way more interesting than sitting here with me eating wonton noodles?

Fang Yuqing grinned, “Wow, nightclub! You speak as if Yuqing and my sister don’t know how to murder people.... What’s more, Bro Zhong’s agreed to let me learn some techniques from him. Less causing trouble for me, you.”

Fang Yuqing and Zhong Wusheng were actually very compatible in temperament. The two of them now began discussing some martial art techniques as Xu Tingsheng sat by the side and quietly savoured his wonton noodles in peace.

Xu Tingsheng was actually not too clear on the background of the Fang family. Fang Yuqing not having himself elaborated, he really then shouldn’t ask, much less discreetly attempt to probe further.

Based on their time together, Xu Tingsheng had gradually come to understand this chap called Fang Yuqing. When it came to such matters involving him, rather than trying to test and probe such words out of him, one might as well ask him directly, for the worst case scenario would merely be his refusal to answer. If someone tried scheming against him, they might then not even be able to remain friends anymore.

How could someone with such a demoness of a sister really be a fool?

Xu Tingsheng had not asked, and the only thing he knew was this: The reason that Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing were enrolled in Yanzhou University, an institution hardly befitting of their high status, was solely because the old man of the Fang family, their paternal grandfather, was living out his life post-retirement right here in this city.

Also, Yanzhou had been the Fang family’s bedrock all this while. So far, members of the Fang family who had begun on their careers had mostly started out in Yanzhou.

Apart from these bits of information, the rest would have to be deduced and obtained from Xu Tingsheng’s everyday observations:

Firstly, Fang Yuqing’s father was probably not the sole male descendent of his generation. Grandpa Fang would inevitably harbour preferences amongst his several children, so one motive for Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing’s staying in Yanzhou should be to help their father gain favour from their grandfather.

Secondly, Fang Chen’s choice to rejoin the school upon graduation was actually a path of compromise. Universities were different from junior high schools and primary schools in that their leadership was more closely connected with the government, their equivalent rank in the bureaucracy being rather high. Often, the news would carry reports of some of those in university leadership positions being directly transferred to the government, taking on leadership positions as officials.

As a female, Fang Chen joining the university was a option which gave her the leeway to either advance or retreat as needed. She could rise up by joining the government bureaucracy, or she could step back and choose an idle life as a respected university teacher, which was actually also a pretty good option.

…...

Ever since he had returned home during the 1st October holiday and witnessed the current state of the Xu family, Xu Tingsheng had to admit that his desire for success was growing weightier and weightier.

Following his rebirth, Xu Tingsheng had come to possess one rather extreme notion: He desired - and had even gotten used to - having complete control over situations, able to calmly respond to whatever crisis or threats emerged.

Back when he was still in high school, he had been able to rely on his own abilities to push Mr Xu to make a comeback, guarantee the upturn of Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng’s grades, protect Song Ni and Wu Yuewei from harm and even avert Fang Yunyao’s tragedy...

Consequently, he had lived with confidence amidst the sensation that he could easily achieve practically anything that his heart wished for.

Yet, Mr Xu’s current strides forward were way too large, the situation having slipped out of Xu Tingsheng’s control. In other words, his level of advancement now exceeded the scope of Xu Tingsheng’s present ‘safeguarding’ ability.

This overstepping was rather comprehensive. First of all, from a monetary standpoint, his father had seven million yuan of funds in total investment from investors. Xu Tingsheng did not have enough as reserves in case something unexpected cropped up. Secondly, with Mr Xu relying on this seven million for expansion, they might not be dealing merely with supermarkets in due time. Much more complex and scary things existed out there, awaiting the Xu family.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng began to panic.

To alleviate this panic, there were only two ways about it: Money and influence.

Regarding money, Xu Tingsheng had only just taken his first steps forward so far. Although his current rate of money-making was not fast enough, it was not slow either. In the meantime, he was searching for more opportunities as well as finding a direction that truly suited him.

‘Influence’ was a network, a network of people - connections. Xu Tingsheng lacked ‘connections’, and in this area it really couldn’t be much worse.

His family originated from a rural village, being peasants of eighteen generations. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng had the feeling of possessing strength yet not having any place in which to exert it. However much he wished to seek out backing, no such powerful backers existed in his background no matter where he looked, great trees which could shield him from the winds and rains.

And now, Fang Yuqing, Fang Chen and their Fang family were perhaps the greatest connection that Xu Tingsheng might be able to attain at the present moment.

He seemed to have come to get along with Fang Yuqing through pure chance, but in fact, this was a product of constant intentional manipulation to shape the outcome. Otherwise, it was impossible that Fang Yuqing would enjoy hanging out with Xu Tingsheng out of the blue.

This could perhaps be seen as success-driven, but it was all for the sake of gaining the ability to protect his family, and maybe even yet more others who might require his protection in the future. Xu Tingsheng had no other choice, and could claim a perfectly clear conscience in the matter as well.

Chapter 72: Old Wai’s distress call

Xu Tingsheng’s desire for success was not so great that it had corrupted the way in which he interacted with people. For example, while the building up of connections was a consideration in him hanging out with Fang Yuqing, this was to a greater extent due to him truly rather admiring this person. He felt that Fang Yuqing was truly someone whom he could be friends with.

Truthfully speaking, Xu Tingsheng would really not be able to feign friendliness with those he felt disgusted by.

Xu Tingsheng’s definition of connections was very broad. Those like Fang Yuqing who possessed great background and power were connections. Those like Zhong Wusheng who possessed special skills were connections. Those ordinary roommates and classmates of his, whether they would suddenly achieve great heights one day or remained normal and unassuming their entire lives, were all connections as well.

Connections did not lie with how many people you knew. Instead, it was as seen by how many people would be willing to help you when you were stuck in a difficult predicament and needed help.

Those with the ability to give you a whole warehouse of food when you were hungry were your friends. Meanwhile, those who could only give you half a piece of bread even while going all out were your friends as well.

Xu Tingsheng did not have the time to participate in organisations like student clubs and associations. However, he spent a lot of his time interacting with others. He could basically be considered as being on friendly relations with his classmates, and he exhibited a perfectly appropriate level of enthusiasm towards his football mates, his seniors and those who gave advice to him as well. He did not try to be overly close, whilst also not strongly pushing others away as well.

This stemmed from a fault of his in his previous life. In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had only exhibited friendliness and enthusiasm towards a very small circle of people around him. Towards everyone else, he had possessed an automatic self-enclosing mechanism.

In truth, there are many others in society who are similarly not proficient in interacting with those they are unfamiliar with.

A simple example: If a classmate of yours whom you aren’t really acquainted with or even a total stranger carries a basin of water as well as a hot water bottle as he or she painstakingly walks by you with great difficulty, upon being requested for help, you would generally be happy to lend that person a helping hand.

However, if the one carrying a basin of water as well as a hot water bottle is you, you definitely wouldn’t ask them for help. Even if your classmate or the stranger offers to help you on their own accord, you would still in all likelihood reply, “Thanks, but it’s fine.”

Actually, helping others as well as accepting others’ help are ways of making friends as well. Meanwhile, those with automatic self-enclosing mechanisms are generally willing to give help when so asked, yet are unwilling to personally ask for help as well as accept help.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had been the type that was not proficient in such human relations. Now, he was in the midst of working hard to overcome that and change himself.

Of course, Xu Tingsheng comparatively spent the most time interacting with his roommates, the few of them growing closer in the process. After all, the special thing about universities was that while their base units appeared on the surface to be classes, it was actually the dormitory rooms that were the base units.

Despite having rented a place outside, Xu Tingsheng still stayed in the dorms most of the time, discussing university life and girls with his roommates, smoking as they watched ‘movies’ in front of Old Wai’s computer together, together shamelessly waving at the girls studying Medicine in Yanzhou University whose dorms were located a distance away right opposite theirs.

As long as the girls had pleasant-looking appearances, wearing large white coats or nurse uniforms or whatnot, it would inevitably be easier for them to have untoward thoughts.

Every day, some of Room 602’s guys would shamelessly stand on the balcony and yell, ‘Sister Nurse, Sis Doc...I want an injection!’. Xu Tingsheng was amongst them as well. Most of the time, he did not wish for himself to live so seriously, so calmly, not wishing to still be living like a 31-year-old whilst having already returned to his youthful days.

Zhang Ninglang already knew the cruel reality that Apple’s cousin was only eight years old. Still, he continued lowering his voice and helping to feign attendance for Xu Tingsheng every Tuesday afternoon during Archeography.

Li Xingming attended the activities of virtually all the university’s student associations, managing to obtain countless handphone numbers. Still, he remained unable to win the favour of a fair lady, shedding his virgin self.

Actually, girls sometimes just required a right mood and a right atmosphere. Meanwhile, he had always appeared much too desperate, his gaze resembling that of a starving wolf as flames even seemed like they might spew out from within. All were scared away by him without fail.

Tan Yao began often spending nights out of their dorm, circulating between many different girls, yet never having a single fixed girlfriend. Soon, his reputation had spread far and wide, yet none had ever heard of any ‘ex’ scolding or blaming him.

Even while they had only been temporal relationships, he was still always able to leave his partners with a good impression of him as they were left unable to forget him. This too could actually be considered a skill of his.

As Xu Tingsheng saw it, this was actually his method of socialisation. Not asking to be acquainted with numerous under the heavens, merely wishing for loving ties across the land. When he met with a problem in the future, where others would look for their bros, he would be able to summon hundreds of ex-girlfriends with but a wave of his hand. Actually, that line-up would be rather intimidating.

Lu Xu came to know a girl who studied environmental design. It was rumoured that despite her long hair, long legs and pretty face which made for a pleasant appearance, she lived just like a tough man. She had already had a black belt in Taekwondo before graduating from senior high, having once taken third place in a provincial youth competition.

Lu Xu’s roommates would sometimes joke with him that if he got in the mood and lunged over one day…‘Ha!’. He would be sent flying with a single kick.

Actually, Lu Xu and that girl, Bao Peijun, still remained at the stage where they both had positive feelings for each other, yet had still yet to attempt that final step.

Every time the two met, Bao Peijun would bring along a bunch of chicks while Lu Xu would bring along a bunch of wolves. In the end, without them yet having made their relationship definite, a number of pairs had already formed amongst those around them.

Therefore, more and more people were filled with a sense of participation towards the dates between Lu Xu and Bao Peijun. Under all their gazes, it would be hard for them to make any progress even if they wanted to.

Comparatively speaking, Old Wai’s relationship was the most stable one amongst all the roommates. Having quit smoking as well as lost a good number of bad habits, he treated Li Linlin whose appearance was merely ordinary like a goddess. Xu Tingsheng rather respected him for that.

Sometimes, while crowding around Old Wai’s computer watching ‘movies’, some of them would be unable to resist asking him, “Bro, you’re already someone with a wife. Why then are you still like us, always only able to learn through observation rather than test things out yourself? ...Tell us, where’ve you gotten to so far?”

Every time this happened, Old Wai would stand up and take off his pants, showing everyone his big hairy thighs which were covered in numerous big bluish-black patches.

“See for yourself...would I dare to make a move? One move, one pinch, another move and another pinch...really, I’m almost crippled now. Sigh, I probably won’t be able to make it past our first year,” Old Wai complained aggrievedly.

The onlookers revelled in his sufferings as they pointed towards the most serious bluish-black patches on his thigh and asked him, “This one’s especially vicious. Where did you make a move on?”

Old Wai bragged like an old soldier showing off his battle-scars, “How can I tell you that? Anyway, I moved, and she pinched. However much she pinched, however much it hurt, this bro bore it all the same, not letting go no matter what...how about it? Strong, right?”

“I say, Old Wai, stop bragging. Looking at the way the two of you normally walk together, I bet that you haven’t even kissed her on the mouth before,” The experienced Tan Yao launched a verbal blow on Old Wai from the side.

Old Wai had no reply to this in a silent admission of these words.

Xu Tingsheng especially admired Li Linlin who was independent and self-cherishing, tough and resilient, having already began earning money outside not long after the semester began. Much of her time out of lessons was spent busily on work, yet she always wore a smile on her face.

Li Linlin became a home tutor for two students outside. Due to this, having before seen trouble befall some female classmates in his previous life who had worked as home tutors, Xu Tingsheng reminded Old Wai about some things. It was not all that safe for girls outside. He had to be clear on the situation and background of the students being tutored. Also, it was best that he escort Li Linlin when it was dark out, and if he could afford to, buy her a phone so as to be able to make sure of her safety at all times.

Old Wai scrimped and saved for two months in order to buy a handphone for Li Linlin. She adamantly refused to accept it.

Old Wai said, “If you don’t want it, there’s no way that I’d be able to live...I’d die due to being too worried about you.”

With such mushy, disgusting words by Old Wai, Li Linlin could only accept the phone.

One day, Li Linlin had just received her third home tutoring job. The one who had contacted her was a man, but because nothing had gone wrong with her previous two jobs and the salary that was being offered was rather high, Li Linlin had been very adamant on it, while Old Wai had also slackened his guard regarding this.

Old Wai accompanied Li Linlin to the corresponding suburb on the bus. She did not let him escort her up, saying that it would leave a bad impression if the parents saw it. Old Wai did not force her, staying there for a while and having a phone conversation with her before, feeling that everything was okay, finally catching the bus back to Yanzhou University.

Right on that bus, Old Wai received a call from Li Linlin. His phone only rang twice, the call then disconnecting before he was able to pick up his phone. He immediately tried to return the call, but no one listened the first two times, and the next time he called, the phone was turned off.

Old Wai grew panicked, sweat trickling profusely down his body amidst the coldness of winter.

……

Xu Tingsheng was hanging out with Fang Yuqing and Zhong Wusheng when he received Old Wai’s call. They had been casually chatting at the wonton stall.

“Bro Xu, something may have cropped up over here. Linlin may be in trouble,” Old Wai explained the situation over the phone.

Xu Tingsheng began to worry as well, hurriedly asking, “Have you called the police? Call them, quickly.”

“I’ve called them. They asked over the phone if I was reporting a missing person or something like that. They told me how long it has to be before I can report a missing person. Then, I told them about Linlin’s situation and they said that they would send some people over to take a look. I’m currently hurrying over as well.”

“Alright, I’m on my way. Find the place first; don’t panic...I’ll call you in a bit.”

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng shot up and said, “Fang Yuqing, drive me to the city district for a bit. The girlfriend of one of my roommates is a home tutor there, and something may have happened to her…”

“Bro Zhong, can you accompany me there? If the police aren’t able to make it in time and there’s a situation, just Yuqing and I alone may not be able to handle it.”

“Well then, don’t just stand there! Hurry up, let’s go,” Zhong Wusheng said.

“Come on, get on my car. Go get those baseball bats lying in the trunk,” Fang Yuqing said.

Chapter 73: She’s okay

After getting on the car, Xu Tingsheng briefly told Fang Yuqing and Zhong Wusheng the situation that Old Wai had spoken of. As soon as he learnt of it, Fang Yuqing immediately accelerated his car to an almost uncontrollable speed, breaking past who knew who many red lights in the process.

Xu Tingsheng called Old Wai, but there was no response no matter how many times he tried to get ahold of him.

He knew this meant that...something must really be up over there.

Xu Tingsheng called the police again. Still, when they arrived at the little suburb that Old Wai had spoken of, policemen had still yet to arrive.

“Which block?”

Zhong Wusheng empty-handed and Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing each with a baseball bat in hand, the trio stood on a piece of flat land in that suburb, staring rather blankly at the twenty odd buildings surrounding them that virtually all looked exactly the same.

This was a rather old suburb, containing twenty-five or six blocks of flats with even the highest one only merely standing eight storeys high.

The security of the suburb was terrible. Fang Yuqing had drove his car and shot straight in just now, yet the security guards had not even questioned it at all. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng could not depend on questioning the security guards for an answer.

“What do we do now?” Xu Tingsheng turned around and around, looking at one window after another yet not being able to tell anything at all.

Fang Yuqing walked over, saying, “I’ve just called my cousin. He’s from the vice squad; he’ll be arriving with help very soon.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “We can’t wait. I’m afraid that they might not be in time...Let’s split up and knock on all the doors. We’ll work our way up.”

More than twenty buildings, each having eight storeys, with at least two households on each...Xu Tingsheng’s suggestion was virtually like: Let’s go find a needle in a haystack.

Yet, there was no way for them to just wait there. They would go crazy if they didn’t try to do anything now.

“That block, seventh storey,” the silent Zhong Wusheng suddenly said.

Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing looked where he was pointing. Block 11, 7th storey. It appeared pitch black, as if no one was currently at home.

“Just now, someone tried to pull apart the curtains. I saw light and two figures illuminated beneath it, but he must have quickly been pulled away. Therefore, it's there.”

Zhong Wusheng immediately sprinted towards the flat, Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing hurriedly following after him.

Now, there was already no way they could wait for the police to arrive. Perhaps they were still on their way, or perhaps they had already arrived yet were unable to contact Old Wai, currently in the midst of combing the area as they did not know where exactly the flat was located.

Being slower than Zhong Wusheng, Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing were left around a floor’s distance behind him.

When they finally arrived at the stairwell of the seventh floor, Zhong Wusheng had just completed his run-up as he stomped down on the dark red wooden door of the house on the left. He did not doubt his judgement in the slightest

…

“Bang...crack!”

With Zhong Wusheng's immense leg strength, the lock on the door was broken by him in a single stomp, the door opening inwards...But a metal chain was still attached to the door. Having just opened to the angle of 30 degrees, the door then became stuck.

Peering in through the gap that had opened in the doorframe, Xu Tingsheng saw bloodstains staining the floor within.

“Bro Zhong, hurry!”

“Damn it…”

Zhong Wusheng took a few steps back, began his run-up and stomped on the door again.

“Snap!”

The metal chain did not snap, but the mechanism at the other side of the door which held it in place snapped off. With a loud bang, the entire wooden door slammed inwards.

Xu Tingsheng saw Old Wai slumped over by the corner of the room. His clothes and face were covered in blood. The corners of his eyes, the corners of his mouth, the bridge of his nose and so forth had all been broken, unceasingly leaking blood…

His arms were spread wide as he leaned back against the two walls, low snarls continuously emitted from his throat…

Behind him, one of Li Linlin's legs could be seen…

Other than this leg, she was completely protected behind Old Wai.

Xu Tingsheng did not know how Old Wai had found this house, but he had somehow done so. Next, he might have continuously knocked and slammed down upon the door. Then, he had been dragged into the room as well…

What had happened afterwards was evidently visible from the blood and wounds on Old Wai and the posture he was still maintaining even now.

Other than Old Wai and Li Linlin who was protected behind him, there were three other men in the room. The first, a man in his sixties, had a short stool upraised. The other two appeared to be in their thirties or forties.

“Dad, bro...three more have come. Luckily, two of them are kids...We've got no other way out of it now. We’ll have to kill them and run,” One of the men said to the other two.

These three beasts in human skin were actually father and sons.

“Damn you, this old man will kill you first!”

Fang Yuqing brandished his baseball bat, wanting to rush over. However, he was stopped by Zhong Wusheng.

“Acting bravely for a just cause-I won't have to go to jail even if they're crippled, right?” Zhong Wusheng asked Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing.

Fang Yuqing and Xu Tingsheng were momentarily taken aback before the former assured him, “Relax! Just the like of these beasts-I can deal with it for you even if you kill them.”

“That's good then.”

And he dashed off towards those three men…

His first target was the man who had just spoken. With him coming too sudden, too fast, the man was only able to lift his arms to guard his face...But it was precisely his face that Zhong Wusheng had been aiming for. His right fist passed directly through the space between the man's upraised arms, smashing straight into the bridge of his nose.

Blood splattered everywhere as the man collapsed.

The second man brandished his fists, punching out towards Zhong Wusheng. Just straightforwardly punching outwards, it did not seemed like he had trained before, though his speed and power were still pretty good…Zhong Wusheng didn't block the punch, simply performing a little leap as he crouched and lowered his head to avoid that incoming fist. At the same time, he unleashed two punches, his right fist striking his opponent's abdomen while the upper hook by his left fist culminated in a heavy uppercut right on his opponent's jaw.

The sound of bones breaking resounded as the second man collapsed.

The third and oldest man brandished his stool, attempting to smash it down on Zhong Wusheng...Zhong Wusheng did not retreat, swiftly moving forward and completely invading his range. Whilst jamming his left elbow into the man's armpit to prevent the downward smashing motion of his arm, he simultaneously punched out with his right fist. One punch, two punches, three punches…punches rained down unceasingly on the man's abdomen.

The third man collapsed, vomitting blood.

In just a little over ten seconds, the baseball bat-brandishing Fang Yuqing who had come forth to help discovered that already no opponents remained before him.

“Damn you...beasts...damn you to hell…” Fang Yuqing cursed as he brandished his baseball bat, repeatedly bringing it down upon those three collapsed on the floor.

“It's more or less there. Any more and it might be fatal,” Zhong Wusheng reached out and put a hand on Fang Yuqing's shoulder.

Panting for breath, Fang Yuqing looked back, saying as he regained his clarity of mind, “Bro Zhong, you're too strong, too fast...I can't vent it all with just these few blows, I'll explode...goddamnit, they’re really goddamn beasts.”

Zhong Wusheng shook his head, “Actually, this really was nothing at all. Just normal people like these, just three of them... literally anyone who’s seriously trained in their fists or street fighting for a period of time before would easily have been able to take them down.”

“I really don't know what they teach you in those universities of yours. Other than studying, you students don't even have the least bit of self-defence ability at all.”

Xu Tingsheng did not participate in their conversation as he went up to Old Wai, asking him softly, “Old Wai, you okay?”

Old Wai painfully nodded, wanting to cry yet forcibly resisting that urge as he replied with some difficulty, “I'm fine. Bro, is Linlin…”

“She’s okay.”

Looking at Li Linlin behind Old Wai, Xu Tingsheng saw that her clothes were somewhat broken and disheveled...In truth, there really was no way at all for Xu Tingsheng to determine if Li Linlin was truly 'okay’ in that sense. Actually, he didn’t wish to think about it at all, nor was there a need for him to do so...

Therefore, looking at Old Wai, Xu Tingsheng repeated in an incomparably firm manner, “She's okay.”

Old Wai understood, nodding firmly at Xu Tingsheng as he grinned, “Right. It's good that Linlin's okay.”

Then, he turned and hugged Li Linlin, saying, “Linlin, it's good that you're okay. Everything's alright now; Xu Tingsheng's here.”

Xu Tingsheng's here. These words would forever remain within the minds of Old Wai and Li Linlin.

Xu Tingsheng took off his jacket and passed it to Li Linlin before saying to her soothingly, “Fortunately, Old Wai was fierce and courageous, protecting you from harm...how're you doing? ...Wanna go over and kick them a few times to vent?”

Li Linlin looked at Xu Tingsheng, tears trickling unceasingly down her face.

She clenched her teeth and nodded, draping the jacket over herself before replying, “Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you, Brother Xu.”

This girl was far tougher than most other girls were, or perhaps it should be said stubborn and unyielding. Even having just experienced such a terrifying incident, she was still able to recover and calm her mind.

Xu Tingsheng gave Li Linlin a thumbs up and smiled warmly at her.

“Bang...bang…”

The sound of banging resounded from the room closest to them. Xu Tingsheng, Fang Yuqing and Zhong Wusheng looked simultaneously in that direction. A metal chain was also attached to the door of that room.

“There's a little kid inside. When I just arrived, there were only an old man and a little kid in the living room, so I didn't feel wary...then, the other two men came out...and the little kid was locked inside.”

Hearing Li Linlin's words, Zhong Wusheng unshackled the metal chain. The door opened. An eleven or twelve-year-old boy raised his head and looked at them as he stood by the doorway.

The young boy was clean and dressed nearly, not appearing any abnormal at all apart from some signs of fear. It was no wonder that Li Linlin had not suspected anything earlier, just having thought the two to be an ordinary grandfather-grandson pair.

Seeing strangers, the young boy turned and ran into the room. Zhong Wusheng glanced within the room for a moment. A few seconds later, he turned and called Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing over, not saying a word.

However, Xu Tingsheng saw him unconsciously clenching his fists tightly, the tendons all bulging on the surface.

Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing walked over, standing beside Zhong Wusheng as they looked into the room...

Chapter 74: Fang Yuqing’s path

Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing walked over, standing beside Zhong Wusheng as they looked into the room…

A few seconds later, Fang Yuqing turned and walked silently away. Xu Tingsheng tried to grab him, but failed to do so.

Fang Yuqing silently picked up the baseball bat that he had originally already put down. Expressionlessly, not uttering a sound, he picked it up and...smashed it continuously down upon the legs and bodies of the three men.

The sound of bones breaking resounded along with agonised howls...Yet, it was not scary at all as it was instead like music to their ears.

Even Li Linlin did not cover her eyes or turn away as she just stood there and watched on just like that.

“Bro Zhong, stop him,” Xu Tingsheng requested with a bit of a trembling voice.

The trembling was due to his fury. Still, Xu Tingsheng reminded himself that he just absolutely had to maintain his composure.

Zhong Wusheng retreated out of the room as well. He hesitated for a moment, but eventually still forcefully seized Fang Yuqing who was completely unable to keep his emotions in check.

There was a certain period of time in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life during which he had continuously seen a few cases in the news in which females had been imprisoned or enslaved. While he had felt furious regarding it back then, at the end of the day, those had been incidents completely detached from his daily life…

Now, however, such an incident had occurred right before Xu Tingsheng’s very eyes.

It was even to the extent that even Li Linlin whom he was well acquainted with had very nearly fallen victim to the crime.

Within the room, other than the young boy, there were still two other pairs of eyes currently gazing at him. One of their gazes was numbed while the other contained yearning whilst also fear.

“Don’t be afraid, we’re here to save you...the police will be here soon,” Xu Tingsheng said as gently as he could.

It was only after he had finished saying this that one of these two people within the room began to cry.

They were both females. The one currently weeping and nodding appeared to be in her thirties, while the other was perhaps 14 or 15 years old. Both of them were completely naked with their hands and feet tied and tape pasted across their mouths as while weeping, only a slight tremoring noise could be heard from the first woman’s mouth.

Endless filth covered the ground beneath them, yet they just sat there, because they were completely unable to move.

Their bodies were covered in wounds. Some were from physical kicks and punches. Some were from cuts or puncture wounds caused by sharp objects. Some...were teeth marks from being bitten. Some of these wounds had already healed with only scars remaining, while others were still bleeding externally.

Those wounds which had already healed showed that they might already have been imprisoned here for a very long time.

Still retaining her sanity, the woman in her thirties began weeping as she did understand what had happened. However, that young 14 or 15-year-old girl had already grown completely numbed as she looked blankly at Xu Tingsheng for a moment before turning back to stare dazedly at the ground, her body resting entirely on that of the adult woman.

To her, numbness was perhaps the best means of salvation.

There were three criminals, and there were two women within the house. Perhaps Li Linlin had been their final target, the last time they acted...If Xu Tingsheng’s trio had not appeared today, perhaps the criminals would have thought up a way to take the women along and depart, heading to some deep mountain or old village or something of the like. If that had happened…

The young boy’s identity could only be left for the policemen to investigate. Xu Tingsheng felt that the ones within the room were most likely a mother and her two children, but all of these were already no longer important.

“Let go of me! I’ll only smash their arms and legs!” Fang Yuqing roared as he struggled furiously.

Keeping him trapped tightly in place, Zhong Wusheng turned and looked at Xu Tingsheng. Seeing the latter nod, he released his grip. From the expression on his face, it was visibly evident that he had long since wanted to do so.

Fang Yuqing continued smashing downwards again and again, again and again…

Bones breaking and agonised howls-that sweet music resounded once more.

……

Fang Yuqing vented all the way till he received his cousin’s call.

Fang Yuqing’s cousin had already arrived in the suburb with his men.

“We’re at Block 11, on the 7th storey. It’s okay now, but the situation is a little complicated. Come up and take a look first,” Fang Yuqing said into the phone.

After he had hung up, Xu Tingsheng questioned him, “What’s your cousin’s position? Is he in charge of those who’ve come here this time?”

“Vice-captain. I think.”

“Alright then. I’m going to tell you two things now that you should say to your cousin later. Firstly, this incident may be reported on by the media afterwards. Remind your cousin to protect the privacy of the victims, not exposing any information that might lead to any guesses. They especially shouldn’t mention home tutors, our university and us…”

Looking at Li Linlin who was still curled up within Old Wai’s embrace, Fang Yuqing nodded, “I understand.”

“Secondly, their injuries,” Xu Tingsheng pointed at the three collapsed men before continuing, “The injuries on them were left behind from when we rushed in and fought with them...don’t say how you’re not afraid or should be able to suppress this matter. Bro Zhong and I don’t want to get into any trouble, and I don’t wish for you to get into any trouble as well.”

Fang Yuqing nodded before asking, “Alright...do you know the law? ...Are their actions enough for the death penalty?”

Xu Tingsheng also vehemently wished these three beasts at their feet dead, yet such did not correspond with the memories from his previous life...He shook his head, saying, “You can ask your cousin about it later.”

Soon after, Fang Yuqing’s cousin arrived at the scene with his men.

Fang Yuqing pulled his cousin aside and spoke with him, communicating to him what Xu Tingsheng had earlier just told him to.

Xu Tingsheng saw murder in the gazes of the two female police officers present that were on the three criminals.

“They probably won’t be having it good.”

……

Old Wai and Li Linlin were sent to the hospital. When Xu Tingsheng, Fang Yuqing and Zhong Wusheng had finished giving their statements at the headquarters of the vice squad, it was already the early hours of the next morning. Fang Yuqing drove, sending Xu Tingsheng and Zhong Wusheng back to the riverside residence.

In the end, he didn’t leave, staying over at Xu Tingsheng’s place as well.

Xu Tingsheng leaned against his bed face-first, for a long time unable to enter slumber.

Fang Yuqing came and knocked on his door.

After entering, he said, “Xu Tingsheng, I can’t sleep.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that this incident had perhaps affected Fang Yuqing much more greatly than it had affected him, because the environments that the two of them had grown up and lived in were, after all, different. Before tonight, the greatest thing plaguing Fang Yuqing had merely been how he should spend his time, how he could give it a little flavour…

“I’m not presuming as far as to be able to shoulder justice and fairness one day...you know what I mean? Xu Tingsheng, I know that I’m not Superman or Batman...Still, I never want to be as helpless as I was today,” Fang Yuqing said as he sat on a chair, smoking a cigarette.

“My cousin can be considered a rare breed in our family. There were many paths available for him, many great dazzling paths which he could have chosen...he chose the most difficult one...Because he chose to enter the vice squad, his parents nearly cut off all ties with him.”

Xu Tingsheng could vaguely understand Fang Yuqing’s meaning. He had once read a perhaps unvalidated article before. It had said that whereas the average lifespan of people in their country had already reached 70, the average longevity of those of the vice squad seemed only to be around 40.

“Now, I wish to walk the same path as him,” Fang Yuqing said.

Xu Tingsheng said nothing. He knew that Fang Yuqing actually didn’t need any opinion or advice from him. He was just engaging in some self-reflection concerning his life thus far and his life thereafter; in having come to find Xu Tingsheng and speak with him...it was actually merely a soliloquy on his part.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know what kind of a life Fang Yuqing would have led had he not appeared. Maybe he would have spent it leisurely away; maybe he would have soared to great heights. Yet, however it would have been, it would still definitely not have been like what he aspired it to be like now.

Xu Tingsheng couldn’t even properly judge whether this situation might be for better or for worse.

With the flap of a butterfly’s wings, thence had just changed Fang Yuqing’s path.

Chapter 75: Hucheng Education Service Platform

Old Wai appeared very frightening with all his injuries. Luckily, he had not received too much internal damage in the sense of the term. After staying at the hospital for two days, he finally returned all wrapped up in bandages.

Regarding his injuries, the cover story was that he had met with a robbery outside, having been beaten up after he resisted.

The twin identities of hero and injured greatly improved how he was treated. Li Linlin would sometimes specifically visit their room to help take care of his daily needs, changing the applied ointment for him, feeding him, even helping him to wipe his body.

Of, course, the parts which were wiped down were limited.

In the face of this incident, Li Linlin once again displayed her toughness and stubbornness that far surpassed the norm. However great her fear as well as psychological scars, she still retained that calm smiling face.

Just like this, added on to the fact that she had not suffered any serious visible wounds, no one suspected in the least that she had actually just been involved in such a terrifying incident.

Their roommates only thought that it had been a blessing in disguise for Old Wai as they sung in praise of the empowered peasants and slaves.

In order to create chances for him, every time Li Linlin visited their room, they would all cook up some excuses and flee, leaving the couple alone together within an empty room.

Old Wai himself thought this way as well. He had initially felt worried and helpless, not knowing what he should do to help ease Li Linlin's psychological scars. However, Xu Tingsheng had told him this: If you want Li Linlin to be at ease, the best way to do that is to just continue being the you that you always were. Just treat it as if this incident never happened.

Therefore, he had completely revived that bit of mischievousness of their past.

Every time Li Linlin visited the room, Old Wai's injuries would appear ten times more serious than they actually were.

When Li Linlin wasn't around, he could single-handedly and accurately type in various complex website names into the keyboard to find the most obscure movies. He could occasionally practice programming, could be joking and playing around with his roommates…Yet, as soon as Li Linlin appeared, he would became a pitiful little version of his former self who couldn't even move a single fingertip on his own.

Li Linlin patiently fed the heavily injured Old Wai mouthful by mouthful before, her face red, she then helped him to clean his face and wiped down his upper front and back as well.

His shoulders bare, Old Wai carefully savoured each time her fingers inadvertently slid across his skin.

“Oh...ah...ow,” Came Old Wai's voice.

“Did I cause you pain?” Li Linlin asked him.

“Huh?...It's fine, just a little,” Old Wai said, “Those…unwiped places, they should be getting smelly by now.”

Li Linlin was momentarily taken aback as she understood the meaning in Old Wai's words, to which she stuttered in reply, “About that...I, I don't dare...I'm sorry.”

Having merely been 'teasing’ her a little, Old Wai naturally didn't continue making things hard for her as he made use of when Li Linlin had her head lowered in embarrassment to secretly shift forward a little. Softly and lightly, he hugged her.

“Ah...you?” Li Linlin’s head shot up by conditional reflex, her face tensing as she extended her hand forward as if threatening to start pinching Old Wai.

“Pinch if you want...have a good look around my entire body. If you've found someplace you can bear to pinch, just pinch it then,” Old Wai smiled shamelessly, not letting go.

Li Linlin truly went and carefully appraised Old Wai's entire body once. Of course, this was but the final threat of this shy, embarrassed girl. She wouldn't bear to do it. How would she? ...All the injuries on every single part of this body had been suffered by him for her.

She remembered how useless he was, useless to the point of having foolishly rushed in without even the slightest ability to resist the men inside. Yet, it was precisely this useless guy who had shielded him behind her, beaten up and bleeding, yet never ever letting down those outstretched arms.

It was like...a mother hen protecting her chicks when an eagle was trying to swoop down and capture them.

Right from that moment, she had fallen prey to this darned fellow whose head was always full of dirty thoughts.

Li Linlin did not speak, hesitating for a moment before, her face red, she gently buried her head in Old Wai’s chest, also spreading her arms and slowly looping them around his waist.

If Old Wai did not capitalise on this momentum now, he wouldn’t be called Old Wai anymore.

“Linlin?” He called gently.

“Huh?” Li Linlin raised her head, before, “Ah...Ah...Oh.”

She raised her little fist, yet was unable to bring it down.

The next time Tan Yao mocked Old Wai for not even having managed to kiss her yet, the latter would no longer have to be silent.

……

A few days later, the media successively began reporting on the imprisonment case. Of course, these reports protected the privacy of the victims to as great as extent as possible. As for the performance of Xu Tingsheng and the others, they generalised it away as the bravery of civic-minded citizens.

As soon as the articles were published, a huge uproar immediately arose as heated discussion commenced on the internet as well as all over the streets and alleyways of the entire nation.

The general public showed sufficient recognition and support towards the guarding of the victims’ identities. It was such that if some website or media entity were to try to pry deeper into the matter, it would immediately be met with a tidal wave of resistance as well as public outrage.

Still, at the same time, the public shared a doubt: The identities of the victims had to be kept confidential. Still, what about the brave, civic-minded heroes? Did their identities have to be withheld as well?

The heroes in question continued living their lives in peace.

Other than accompanying Yuqing to lessons every day, Fang Yuqing also spent much of his time pestering Zhong Wusheng to accept him as a disciple. Zhong Wusheng had the habit of training his body every morning and night, and so he would wake up early every morning to train together with him. Still, the difference in their physical abilities was just too pronounced. Every single time, with Zhong Wusheng still yet to have completed even half of his training routine, Fang Yuqing would already be dog-tired.

Xu Tingsheng would also join in for a few days every once in a while, but he wouldn’t be as passionate as Fang Yuqing who kept challenging his own limits every day.

He didn’t have the goal of becoming a top martial arts expert upon his rebirth.

“When this bro was out in society before, I was always able to handle two or three of my own. So why is it that I’m just like a weak chicken when here with Bro Zhong?” Fang Yuqing asked Xu Tingsheng as he lay limply on the floor.

Xu Tingsheng could only tell him, “That’s because the people you fought with all knew you were Fang Yuqing, and so didn’t dare to attack too viciously. Otherwise, you’d long since be a cripple.”

Xu Tingsheng regained his original peaceful lifestyle. He would receive some of the proceeds from ringtone downloading. He would discuss business matters with his father every once in a while. He would sometimes hang out and randomly muck about with Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming or his roommates. He received a call from Apple weekly, wherein he maintained his distance from her and just chatted casually...The rest of his time was spent peacefully attending lessons or just sleeping in peace.

What was different was that other than every Tuesday afternoon, there was now one additional time-slot during which Xu Tingsheng appeared near Yanzhou Junior High every week. Every Friday evening after school, Xu Tingsheng would appear partway through Xiang Ning’s route home, carefully concealing himself and watching her all the way till she arrived safely home.

It was not that he was being a great worrywart over nothing. The previous incident had still left Xu Tingsheng afraid. Even if the chances of anything bad happening was one in one billion, he still wouldn’t dare to lightly let his guard down.

The wounds as well as that numbed, blank look of that young abused girl that day was like a nightmare as it reappeared within Xu Tingsheng’s mind time and time again.

If you treasure someone really too much, you would always likely feel overly worried for that person, just like a parent’s nagging and a boyfriend’s persistent reminders.

There were many others who were also worried like Xu Tingsheng. Parents became more worried about their children; husbands became more worried about their wives; boyfriends became more worried about their girlfriends. Even the university girls on campus realised the hidden threat to their safety so intensely for the very first time in their lives.

The girls who had randomly ran about outside before began restraining themselves. The girls who liked moving about on their own began going around in groups or pairs. Even many ‘boyfriends’ who had originally still required long testing periods were finally allowed to officially assume the role.

After the ‘Formal Writing’ module had ended one day, Xu Tingsheng happened to meet the departing Li Linlin by the door of his dormitory room. She seemed to have just quarrelled with Old Wai as tears were still visible within her eyes.

Xu Tingsheng greeted her and entered the room before asking Old Wai, “What’s up? You played hooligan and went overboard?”

“Linlin just accepted a new home tutor job. I wouldn’t allow her to, so we quarrelled a little...Actually, I’m not sure what to do as well. You also know how she has to earn her school fees and living expenses on her own…”

Here, he suddenly asked Xu Tingsheng, “Bro Xu, you know many people. How about you introduce me a job?”

“Old Wai wants to find a job? Would it really be so hard for someone who knows programming and is rather good in it to find a job on the internet to earn some money right now?”

These were just Xu Tingsheng’s thoughts, not having been said straight out, because another thought had just suddenly sprung up within his mind.

“How about you help me? ...I’m currently thinking of doing up something on the internet. You can help me, and Linlin can help me as well. I’ll give you both a salary as well as a portion of the shares,” He said to Old Wai after pondering for a while.

“Help you? On the internet? In what?”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment.

Unable to immediately give Old Wai a clear explanation of things, he could only say, “This thing...I’ve just given it a name. It’ll be called Hucheng Education Service Platform…”

“It may encompass a very broad area, such as the recommendation or even direct sale of supporting teaching materials, the recruitment of students by training institutions, information on studying abroad and so forth. As for the specifics, I can’t properly tell it to you all at once within a short period of time…”

“For now, you can just first understand it as a more trustworthy and reliable medium and platform for home tutors. This is the first step that I have planned out.”

Chapter 76: The first step to an empire

Xu Tingsheng did not expand on the matter in detail after having mentioned it to Old Wai. This idea had actually only just sprung up all of a sudden within his mind. He had yet to think deeply on a specific plan of action regarding it.

It was actually Old Wai and Li Linlin who had inspired Xu Tingsheng to think of this. Li Linlin was a home tutor, while in actual fact, in this era, many other university students, girls especially, were doing home tutoring as well in order to supplement their required expenses or as a form of self-tempering.

Due to the occurrence of the earlier ‘imprisonment case’, safety concerns had become the greatest fear of student home tutors and even some of the parents who were hiring home tutors. It was also due to such a fear that Old Wai and Li Linlin had quarrelled earlier.

Old Wai who was familiar with programming wanted to find a job, Li Linlin wanted to be a home tutor and the safety issue for home tutors...These thing combined had inspired Xu Tingsheng in coming up with such a concept.

Having returned to the riverside residence that night, Xu Tingsheng spent the entire night carefully analysing and sorting out these thoughts of his.

New Oriental was the best case that he could refer to. Currently, New Oriental might still be far from having achieved its esteemed future reputation, and Mister Yu might still have yet to begin frequently ascending various stages, becoming the ideal tutor in the minds of countless people. However, it was currently in the midst of becoming a massive entity in the field of education, achieving huge strides by the day.

Xu Tingsheng remembered that New Oriental would be listed in America’s markets in the year 2006, which was just 3 years later.

The educational services of New Oriental were catered more for university students as their focus lay with foreign exchange students as well as the learning of professional skills. Xu Tingsheng did not believe that he possessed the ability to contend with it in this regard.

Also, his advantage did not lie here.

From what Xu Tingsheng remembered, there was a market that was not inferior to university-level courses in the least, perhaps even surpassing it. This consisted of additional courses for primary and secondary school students, tutoring courses which encompassed the relevant knowledge of junior and senior high, speciality courses for primary school students and kindergarteners etcetera.

This market seemed to always have been in a state of constant entropy, like scattered troops randomly playing guerilla warfare as they just did whatever they wanted. Whether an educational company, an individual or a training institute, all of these had been limited in terms of geographical bounds.

Before 2015, no single massive entity had appeared within this market in the truest sense of the term.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to be this massive entity, making use of the power of the internet age to break through geographical bounds and establish a mighty educational empire.

He would have an advantage in doing all these till the year 2015, even though he would have to make sure not to show off this advantage too blatantly.

Naught are more useless than the scholarly man? ...Having been a teacher for 4 years in his previous life and indulged in the field of education for half a lifetime, Xu Tingsheng felt that this statement might be an erroneous one. This market was actually vast to the point of inconceivability, and as had been shown by Mister Yu, this...could be done by scholars, perhaps even could only truly be done by scholars.

Knowing the trends in education that would be coming over the next ten years and more, what Xu Tingsheng could do...was perhaps even more.

Xu Tingsheng had found his new direction, which was also a direction that he himself was truly interested in. His lofty plans for Hucheng Education ran far and deep, just that for now, there was still not actually much that he could do.

He would first establish a platform, cultivate a consumer base and refine the consumer experience, thereby establishing a suitable high-efficiency operation mechanism for the platform. For the time being, his experiment would be limited solely to the city of Yanzhou.

Xu Tingsheng did not reveal to Old Wai the great future scenery that he envisioned. When he found Old Wai the next day, it was through the framework of a home tutoring platform that he explained his idea to him.

“If it’s really just a dual-choice platform as you say, it actually won’t be very difficult to program at all. I’ll get my Master and some senior disciples to help, and we should be able to get you a workable platform within half a month’s time. The problem lies with...there’re so many intermediary organisations outside, and there’re people in the school who’re doing it as well. With parents also being unfamiliar with and unused to such a medium...I’m afraid that we might not get any clientele.”

Old Wai revealed his worries.

Xu Tingsheng laughed, “Let me worry about the advertising and promotion. I think that we have a few advantages over those intermediary organisations that you speak of. First is convenience-just going onto the internet is fine. Other than that, we also have things that they don’t, such as an evaluation function and a star rating system. Also...we’re safe, trustworthy, free…”

“Free?”

“Right, currently free for both sides. Thereafter, it will forever be free for all the home tutors, at least…” Xu Tingsheng did not tell Old Wai all of what he intended.

Actually, he had never intended or even considered earning money as an intermediary in the first place. What he currently wanted was just a consumer base as well as the refinement of the consumer experience.

“This investment isn’t as great as you think. I can afford to burn that money,” Xu Tingsheng elaborated.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say this, Old Wai had nothing else to say. During the treated meal last time, he had heard Xu Tingsheng personally admitting that he came from the poorest county of one of the poorest cities in Jianhai Province, his family cultivating the land and running a small store...On that day, he had even shamelessly evaded the bill.

However, from their later interactions, Old Wai had vaguely been able to feel that Xu Tingsheng might not actually be that poor kid that everyone thought him to be. While he was very casual in terms of food and clothing, he was always very generous with his spending as he never shrunk back on treating his classmates to a meal or something along that line. Even Old Wai’s medical fees this time had first been footed by him. Also, he had rented a house outside the university, and bought a computer…all of which seemed to have been accomplished with relative ease…

Now, Xu Tingsheng had said: This investment isn’t as great as you think. I can afford to burn that money.

Old Wai found that his estimate of Xu Tingsheng had still been too shallow. Then, since Xu Tingsheng had already made up his mind, he would naturally be happy to go along with it. Let alone the fact that he possessed some great, inexplicable confidence in Xu Tingsheng, even if he didn’t, just that debt of gratitude from a few days ago already made it such that he would definitely be helping him regardless.

“It’s okay now, Xu Tingsheng’s come.”

Old Wai had said these words to Li Linlin at the time, but actually, he had been saying them to himself as well. These words had contained feelings of trust, gratitude...these words would forever remain within the minds of Old Wai and Li Linlin.

Afterwards, Xu Tingsheng explained to Old Wai in detail regarding his ideas and requirements for the platform.

He wanted to establish a dual-choice platform.

Firstly, the students or other members of society who were seeking home tutoring jobs should reveal some necessary information about themselves, such as the most basic name, household register, identity number, student number and so on...Of course, a privacy function could be used for this portion of the information. Other than the administrators of the platform, such information of both parties would only be revealed to the two sides once they had basically corresponded in their inclinations towards each other.

They had to openly display their university, course of study, certificates, university entrance examination results and so on, all of which had to be provable.

Afterwards would be the display of the home tutors’ achievements. Xu Tingsheng planned to establish a star rating system in this area as an evaluative tool, allowing the parents to make more informed choices on the one hand whilst also firmly tying the home tutors to his ‘battlefleet’ at the same time.

Xu Tingsheng had been imitating Taobao’s system in this.

With trustworthiness and safety in mind, the information from the parents’ side was clearly somewhat more important. The information on the parents and the students would have to be incomparably detailed. For example, the parents would have to reveal their job positions as well as the information on their identity cards and household registers and also the school, class and student number of their child.

Of course, part of this information could be kept private as well, only available to the platform administrators and the home tutors towards whom they were inclined.

With this as a foundation, the home tutors would display their hiring information while the parents would display what their child required in a dual-choice system.

Currently, there were actually only three people involved in this plan of Xu Tingsheng’s. He was involved in dishing out money and the promotion of the platform, Old Wai was involved in the technical stuff while Li Linlin was in charge of the backend.

Of course, this was just for the time being. In consideration of their future development, Xu Tingsheng intended to rent the entire unoccupied third storey of the riverside residence he lived in as the future office for Hucheng Education.

After instructing Old Wai clearly on all this, Xu Tingsheng took out thirty thousand yuan.

“This, isn’t it a little too much?” Old Wai asked.

“I already said that I would give you and Linlin salaries...of course, your salaries are not that high. It’s mainly for your Master and senior disciples-we can’t just let them work for nothing. How to give it, how much to give, you do as you deem fit...I trust you,” Xu Tingsheng patted Old Wai’s shoulder.

Old Wai and Li Linlin were to be the first people to join Xu Tingsheng’s business team following that small initial group of his. He possessed sufficient understanding of these two people’s characters. Use not who you doubt, doubt not who you use.

Chapter 77: Eating Fried Chicken. Knitting Woolen Sweater

There was one thing good about being the one in charge of dishing out money. After dishing out the money, one could just completely sit back and do nothing.

Old Wai grew busy. To put it in his own words: This bro’s working hard even with a broken body! Xu Tingsheng, you asshole, you’re instead shamelessly continuing to lark about every day...

Old Wai was not wrong at all. Xu Tingsheng had indeed been larking about recently, appearing in the various bars and nightclubs of Yanzhou City every day as he accompanied some ‘playful and adventurous’ girls from a nearby school in randomly frolicking about all over the city.

Together with him were Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng actually didn’t want this. The two really didn’t hold much interest in nightclubs and bars and all those promiscuous women. However, one just had those few close bros in life. They had to accompany Huang Yaming, even while they clearly knew that what he was doing was wrong.

Huang Yaming had fallen out of love. Xu Tingsheng had seen this coming for a long time. However, to Huang Yaming himself, it had been utterly without warning and like a bolt out of the blue...unbearably hard to accept.

A few days ago, Tan Qinglin had called Huang Yaming on her own accord for a long time in a while. He had been very happy. However, it was that day when Tan Qinglin had called for their breakup over the phone. With just simply a: Let’s break up. No explanation had been forthcoming.

In truth, Huang Yaming had learnt around a month ago from Tan Qinglin’s roommate that ever since winter had set in, Tan Qinglin had spent all of her free time knitting a woolen sweater.

A warm sweater amidst the cold winter, personally knitted by your beloved one...how sweet and blissful a thing was that? Huang Yaming had feigned ignorance on the matter, just awaiting his gift, awaiting happily and silently in anticipation.

Then, the woolen sweater had been completed, yet it had adorned someone else’s body.

Tan Qinglin’s roommate told Huang Yaming: Don’t look for her anymore. That man’s not a student. He’s a young boss who’s come here to do business. He’s both the looks and the money, and drives over every weekend to pick Tan Qinglin up in his car...you can’t beat him.

Huang Yaming began to lark about outside every day, spending nights together with various women of all kinds, flinging money at those women he was unable to get his way with. Eventually, he obtained an entourage of women who would feast and frolic about with him day after day...When lacking money, he would ask Xu Tingsheng for some.

Xu Tingsheng could care less about that money. What he was more concerned about was Huang Yaming’s decadence, depravation and safety.

Therefore, he and Fu Cheng could only hang out together with Huang Yaming amidst his gallivanting. Sometimes, when persuasion and consoling just wouldn’t work, silently accompanying and guarding by that person’s side was the only way left to it.

The bright overhead lights of the nightclub whizzed over countless pale faces, their hearts and bodies undulating to the addictive music. Women with thick makeup shook their waists and flung their limbs, beguiling and enchanting amidst their laughter…

Huang Yaming was drunk. He angrily slammed the wineglass onto the bar table, saying to Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng, “Darn woman, freaking fool...Don’t you think she’s a freaking fool? ...I love her so much...goddammit, she actually knit a woolen sweater for someone else? What the hell...freaking fool.”

Xu Tingsheng was momentarily stunned. He pulled Fu Cheng aside, huddling up in discussion with him.

Then, he told Huang Yaming, “How about this bro gives you another method to vent? ...That Rebirth of ours hasn’t produced any new songs in a while. Accompany us to record a new song tomorrow.”

“I...can’t sing,” Huang Yaming shook his head.

“You can just be in charge of shouting,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What song?” Fu Cheng asked curiously.

“You knit a woolen sweater for a freaking fool,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It’s you who knit a woolen sweater for a freaking fool!” Fu Cheng retorted.

“That’s the title of the song-You knit a woolen sweater for a freaking fool,” After that, Xu Tingsheng ignored him as he told Huang Yaming, “Huang Yaming, you were the one who said those words just now...you’ll be in charge of yelling this phrase tomorrow. Just shout it out loud however you like. The rest can be left to me and Fu Cheng.”

Because of Huang Yaming’s earlier sentence, Xu Tingsheng had remembered a song called <Knitting Woolen Sweater>. This was an offbeat song that had only grown popular on the internet around the year 2010. However, in truth, it had already appeared in the early 80s.

Therefore, the matter of plagiarism didn’t exist here at all. Xu Tingsheng didn’t intend on earning money with it; after all, it would be an infringement of someone else’s copyright.

He just wanted to go along with this to give Huang Yaming an avenue to vent. Simply put, his bro having been bullied, Xu Tingsheng intended to assist him in scolding people.

Right, scolding people. Just as uncultured and uncouth as that, just as unreasonable and protective as that. What can you do about it, huh?!

Also, Xu Tingsheng didn’t intend to completely follow the original lyrics and tune of the song. He found another song and mixed and mashed the two together completely unreasonably. Since they were going to do this, why not go a little crazy with it then?

Fu Cheng contacted the recording studio in advance, while Xu Tingsheng spent the entire night changing the lyrics.

The next day, the two dragged Huang Yaming, still nursing a hangover, to the recording studio.

Fu Cheng: “I deeply love you

Yet you are in love with a freaking fool

The freaking fool doesn’t love you as much as I do

You’re even more of a freaking fool than the freaking fool

Oh…”

Huang Yaming, drunkenly: “You still knit a woolen sweater for the freaking fool.”

Together: “You’re even more of a freaking fool than the freaking fool.”

Xu Tingsheng: “I’m eating fried chicken in the People’s Square

Yet where are you in this time and space?

Oh, apparently…”

Huang Yaming, roaring at maximum: “You’re knitting a woolen sweater for a freaking fool.”

Together: “You’re even more of a freaking fool than a freaking fool.”

Repeat.

……

Without too much editing, this extremely rough and slipshod piece of work that did not flow well, was full of vulgarities, contained some random roaring, and...so forth was uploaded by Fu Cheng onto the small music webpage that night as <You Knit A Woolen Sweater For A Freaking Fool>.

Due to the copyright issue, Xu Tingsheng asked Fu Cheng to explain to the ringtone company that this song was not to enter any business channels or charge any downloading fees.

Back to those people who still lingered around the small music webpage believing in the ‘Rebirth who’re unwilling to show their faces because they’re too ugly’.

Maybe they were still trying to persuade and talk round the band of uglies, trading verbal blows with one another or capitalising on this to hook up with young girls who weren’t disdainful of ugly men...Regardless, Rebirth’s true fans were actually just used to loading this small webpage every day, discussing stuff with others, trying to pick up some girl, ripping a new one in some idiot...After all, ever since having consecutively released five good songs, Rebirth had already been silent for a very time, not speaking, not releasing a new song.

As they loaded the small webpage today, they suddenly discovered: Rebirth had released a new song.

This new song...uh, what were the fans to say about it? ...It definitely couldn’t appear in any official charts or even any occasion which was comparatively formal. Still, it would be popular. It would definitely be popular.

It was unique and strange, yet simple and interesting as well as catchy. Just having listened to it twice, many were already unconsciously beginning to hum along as well. Also, they hummed along merrily, satisfiedly, with gusto.

The popularity of Rebirth’s new song surged through the roof...In just two short days, this <You Knit A Woolen Sweater For A Freaking Fool> that music critics scorned and parents added to the blacklist blazed across the entire internet.

As Xu Tingsheng walked the streets, he began to hear people unconsciously hum as they walked, “I’m eating fried chicken in the People’s Square. Yet where are you in this time and space? Oh, apparently...You’re knitting a woolen sweater for a freaking fool.”

Back in their room, Old Wai complained to Xu Tingsheng in a huff, “If this old man knew who that Rebirth are, I’d definitely go hack them to death...do you know, Bro Xu? Having recently stopped being a home tutor, Linlin was planning to knit me a woolen sweater in her free time. Now...it’s gone. She said that if she knits me one, I would have become a freaking fool…”

“Hackworthy, definitely hackworthy,” Xu Tingsheng responded with a guilty conscience.

With this, he must really have put quite a number of people in a spot. Fortunately, Xiang Ning wouldn’t knit woolen sweaters even when she had grown up. No matter what, he hadn’t done himself a disservice.

Meanwhile, Fu Cheng received a call from Fang Yunyao.

“Fu Cheng, I remember you telling me last time that that Rebirth is something of yours and Xu Tingsheng’s?” Fang Yunyao asked over the phone.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng had hidden this from many people, but Fang Yunyao definitely wasn’t one of them. Fu Cheng had already mentioned it to her a long time ago.

“Yeah yeah, that’s right,” Because Fang Yunyao had praised him the last time, saying that she liked two of his songs, Fu Cheng was still feeling a little eager as she mentioned the band again now.

“I want to tell you something. It’s like this...When I was free and had nothing to do a while ago, I knit a woolen sweater for my father. After having finished knitting it, I discovered that it might be too big for him to wear...I’d originally thought of giving it to you, but now...what to do?”

A daughter knitting a woolen sweater for her father-how could she possibly knit out one that was too big in size? This woolen sweater had clearly been specifically knit by Fang Yunyao for Fu Cheng. This sweet, thoughtful gesture was the first time she was expressing herself so directly to him.

Fu Cheng clutched his phone, “This...I, I...wait a moment, I’ll go hack Xu Tingsheng to death...I’ve got to hack him to death.”

Fang Yunyao laughed on the other end of the phone.

Fu Cheng thought before saying, “About that, Ms Fang...No, Yunyao, Yaoyao...Actually, I’m willing to be a freaking fool.”

“Oh, but...I’m not willing to be even more of a summat fool than a summat fool,” Fang Yunyao was too embarrassed to let the vulgar words out of her mouth.

“I...I don’t wanna live anymore. I’ve gotta go hack Xu Tingsheng to death.”

Chapter 78: Unknowingly is a way to pick up chicks

Xu Tingsheng still didn’t know that his best friend Fu Cheng wanted to ‘hack’ him just over a woolen sweater...how much of a sad thing was that.

In order to keep clear of Old Wai’s resentful vibes, Xu Tingsheng left his dormitory room, wandering about directionessly and casually giving Huang Yaming a call.

After a long while, when he was almost about to hang up, the call was finally answered. A deafening ruckus as well as women’s laughter and the clinking of wineglasses could be heard on the other end. Xu Tingsheng felt rather helpless. Huang Yaming was clearly in a bar again.

“Hey, Tingsheng! Wanna come over and play together?” Huang Yaming asked.

“Just say it straight out. What exactly do you want?” Hearing Huang Yaming actually inviting him along as well, Xu Tingsheng replied exasperatedly whilst also amusedly, “Is there never going to be an end to this?”

“No, I’m already fine,” Huang Yaming said.

“And you’re still going…”

“You were talking about this? ...This is intrinsically different. If earlier, I was like you said, decadent and venting and whatnot...now, it’s just some...pure good-to-do debauchery.”

Huang Yaming seemed to have pumped out all his brain juices to find an appropriate explanation. However, Xu Tingsheng was clearly unable to accept it.

At Xu Tingsheng’s silence, Huang Yaming could only continue, “Let me tell you this. When this bro was lying on my bed yesterday night, I suddenly gained enlightenment on something, something major. My life...it told me to be a man of debauchery. That is my destiny.”

Xu Tingsheng was mystified by this, “It, who? Who told you to live a life of debauchery?”

“The heavens...could also be a Buddha or the Lord or whatever. Anyway, it’s the designer for my life...it’s arranged my fate. I shouldn’t think of loving someone till the end of our lifetimes, holding hands till both our heads of hair turn white and whatnot. That’s just not for me.”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know what state of mind Huang Yaming was in as he said all this. Was it a mocking of fate that cared not about his tragic wounds, or was it true enlightenment that had descended upon him? Still, since he had already called out all the heavens, Buddhas, Lord and whatnot, what was he still to say then?

“You win...Just make sure you don’t overstep yourself then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Relax! Look, I'm not drunk today at all...Also, it's the chicks who’re treating me today,” Huang Yaming lowered his voice midway through, saying, “Thanks. You can rest assured, I really know what I'm doing...just let me do as I like for a while.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Okay.”

After hanging up the phone and wandering about for a bit, Xu Tingsheng found himself somehow having ended up at the dormitory district of the Yanzhou Economic Institute. He thought about it and decide that he might as well call out Song Ni to have supper together.

After coming down, Song Ni said, “Please, can you not wait for me right in front of my dorm building? How am I supposed to find a boyfriend like this?”

“Looks like there's something?” Xu Tingsheng mused.

“Huh?...Like there is...alright, there is one whom I'm getting rather close with. Still, as you know, I'm a little afraid. I don't really dare to enter a relationship anymore,” Song Ni said.

Xu Tingsheng patted her on the head and said, “There's nothing to be afraid of. Just call him out for us to see next time.”

Song Ni waited till he had moved his hand away before saying, “Sometimes, you feel just like my big brother. The feeling of having someone to protect me is really great.”

Xu Tingsheng laughed affectionately, telling her, “Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming and I-the three of us are all your elder brothers.”

The two sat down at a stall for supper. They talked about Huang Yaming's matter for a while, next coming to the topic of Rebirth's strange new song. Song Ni said that her roommates would discuss them sometimes, saying that their songs were good, just that it was a pity that they were too ugly...In her own words: I really wanted to jump out and tell them that my two big brothers are crazy handsome, then grab you guys over to show you them.

“Right, Apple says that the two of you have been very distant lately. You seem to be intentionally keeping your distance from her. Is that true?” Song Ni asked after a while.

Xu Tingsheng did not speak in a silent admission of her words.

“Why?” Song Ni asked him.

“Do you think that the two of us are suited for each other?” He instead asked.

“If it was before when I was not yet well acquainted with Apple, I would definitely be against it….However, understanding her better now, and also having come to know about some of the things that've happened between the two of you, honestly speaking, I feel that the two of you would be very happy together,” Song Ni answered.

“I feel the same,” Xu Tingsheng’s frankness rather surprised Song Ni, but then he continued, “But there's already someone in my heart.”

“Xiang Ning? ...I heard Fu Cheng mention this before.”

“Yeah.”

“I really want to meet her. I want to, and Apple wants to as well.”

“You will...perhaps.”

Song Ni looked uncomprehending as she said after a while, “Forget it! Anyway, I've discovered that you’re the person I currently can't understand the most.”

Xu Tingsheng had no way of explaining it to her.

After seeing Song Ni back to her dorm room, seeing that it was already rather late, Xu Tingsheng hurried back to his own dorm as well. Arriving outside his dormitory building, he discovered a girl standing there, a scarf in her hand.

In the vicinity were numerous onlookers who feigned nonchalance yet were actually secretly spectating. Those on the corridors upstairs were even more direct as they leaned against the railing, openly gesticulating and discussing the matter.

This was because the girl standing in front of the male dormitory building was really too famous. Ever since matriculation day, her name had already spread amongst the guys of all the various faculties.

This girl studied English. The English course was a place heaped with beauties, even in Yanzhou University where more than seventy percent of the student population was comprised of girls.

However, even in the English course where beauties were as common as the numerous clouds in the sky, this girl, Lu Zhixin, was one of a kind. Standing at more than 1.7m in height with her exquisite features and slim figure, coupled with her demeanor that was indifferent to the point of even being a little cold, she stood out even amongst the numerous radiant flowers around her.

Xu Tingsheng was acquainted with her. The reason for this was simple. The two had chosen the same common elective, which Xu Tingsheng was the only one in his dorm room to have chosen.

Without any roommates to attend the lesson with him, Xu Tingsheng could not bunch up together with people as he generally just sat in a corner on his own.

Once, Lu Zhixin had sat beside him. After knowing that she was from the English course, Xu Tingsheng had warmly taken the initiative to become friends with her, because he had always been looking for an opponent to practice his spoken English with.

Ever since then, the two would sit together during that lesson, conversing in English. This consisted of serious, proper conversation as well as random chatting that was all over the place.

Xu Tingsheng had a rather good opinion of this girl.

Seeing her standing there, he wondered rather emotionally, “This is even a case of the girl taking the initiative to confess...who’s the lucky guy?”

Passing by, he had originally not intended to disturb Lu Zhixin. However, seeing that she had discovered him, he could only wave to her in greeting.

Lu Zhixin walked over.

Xu Tingsheng asked in a low voice, “Waiting for someone?”

“Yeah.”

“Confessing?”

Lu Zhixin immediately shook her head rather forcefully in response. But then, she nodded firmly.

“The person’s not here yet?”

“He’s here,” Lu Zhixin said, “Xu Tingsheng, don’t act dumb...the scarf’s for you, I knitted it.”

Acting dumb? I’m acting dumb? ...Xu Tingsheng was stunned for a moment. The two indeed got along very well, both being rather appreciative of each other as they had even eaten together after the lesson a few times before. Still, Xu Tingsheng really hadn’t thought about her in that sense at all.

The mentality of a man in his thirties, perhaps, was different from that of a young lady of about twenty. Xu Tingsheng had just wanted to befriend her, even having had a clear motive in doing so. He wanted someone to practice English with, and there really was no one that he could do so with in his dorm room or his class.

However, he had been too warm and enthusiastic, also not having paid enough attention to the changes in Lu Zhixin.

From the perspective of a girl of about twenty, a guy who had approached her so warmly and enthusiastically, also having persisted in doing so, inviting her for a meal time and time again...wasn’t his motive then very clear?

Also, being from another course and not having interacted with Xu Tingsheng’s roommates before, Lu Zhixin did not know about Apple.

Seeing how the common elective was soon to end and Xu Tingsheng had still yet to give a definitive expression of his intentions, Lu Zhixin had thought: Alright, since it’s always been you who’s taken the initiative before, this final step-I’ll take it.

Chapter 79: Your dorm’s blown up

Lu Zhixin said, “Xu Tingsheng, don’t act dumb...this scarf’s for you, I knitted it.”

Life was always full of surprises. For example, a flower like Lu Zhixin who had already been treated as a school-level beauty of the university’s foreign language faculty as soon as she had matriculated was currently actually carrying a scarf which she had knitted herself and standing in front of Xu Tingsheng...it felt a little inconceivable. Also, exactly what could this be based on?

In truth, if it was the Xu Tingsheng of his previous life, he might find Lu Zhixin stunning at first sight, but there would definitely not have been any contact between them afterwards. This was because he would have lacked even the basic courage to approach her.

This was rather a natural thing. In this world, there are two things that prevent people from approaching those who appear too perfect in their eyes. One is a sense of inferiority, while the other is pride.

99 percent of the people in this world with an inferiority complex also possess incomparably great pride at the same time. Coming together, these two inhibit the self that is afraid of getting hurt.

In his previous life, due to his family background and the setbacks that he had faced, Xu Tingsheng had been such a person.

In this life, Xu Tingsheng had changed greatly. Therefore, he had been completely uninhibited before Lu Zhixin. However, he had really never thought to pluck a school flower like her.

This accident tells us that unknowingly is a way to pick up chicks, and is really the most powerful technique as well.

Because when you really like a person too much, her position in your eyes would correspondingly be very high. You would feel inferior, not daring to approach her. You would think random thoughts and be at a total loss...You might normally be humorous and good with words, or reliable and magnanimous, or...all of these would mean but a fart before her. Wrong, even a fart wouldn’t be left behind, because you wouldn’t even dare to let it out.

Such is the bitterness of love in this world. I do not love the person who loves me, the person whom I love doesn’t love me...why? Why are you always a total failure in front of the person you like, yet can just unintentionally attract someone whom you don’t like in a state of unknowingness?

Because in front of them, you are confident, natural, poised, unflustered, the you at your very best.

You would not worry about how embarrassing it would be if you were too warm and enthusiastic and got rejected by her as a result, because you would not have had any designs on her in the first place. You would not hesitate over whether you are sitting too close to or far away from her, whether or not you should invite her to a meal...because you would not have had any designs on her in the first place.

Therefore, in picking up chicks, the first thing you must do is: tactically look down on her. However pretty or whatever kind of chick it is, she’s still just only a chick.

By the same logic, girls will always feel: He seems to like me. But why is he always keeping a distance from me? When the two of us are having the occasional chat, why does he always pretend to be busy and have something to do just after a few lines have been exchanged? While it is clearly mealtime, why does he not say that we might as well just eat together?...

Therefore, the conclusion you get is: He doesn’t seem to like me that much.

That’s wrong. It’s actually because he likes you too much.

This set of principles was said by Xu Tingsheng to his roommates in the riverside residence that night. His roommates would be squeezing within his three little rooms for the night, because there was no way for them to return to their dorm room tonight, no way for them to stay there.

“Old Wai, you bastard. The good name of our Room 602 has been completely spoilt by you,” Tan Yao rebuked Old Wai, the other roommates all expressing their agreement.

Xu Tingsheng was the only exception, “Old Wai, thank you for your brave sacrifice. Thank you for saving my life.”

Back then, in front of the dorm, as the beautiful and enchanting flower of the university's foreign language institute had extended the scarf to Xu Tingsheng, the surroundings had been filled with the shattered hearts and killer stares of countless young guys.

Under the gazes of so many, to receive or not to receive?

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before asking Lu Zhixin, “There's a song which has recently been very popular on the internet. Have you heard of it?”

Lu Zhixin didn't know how it had suddenly come to this as she replied, “What about it? I usually only listen to English songs, making use of this to work on my listening comprehension skills as well...The song you're talking about-what about it?”

Xu Tingsheng scratched his head, saying, “It's like this. There's a pretty famous online band in our school, called Rebirth or something like that. Have you heard of them?”

“Yeah, I've heard my roommates mention them before.”

“They've recently released a new song, called...It's called 'You knit a woolen sweater for a freaking fool’.”

“Called... what?” Xu Tingsheng had spoken indistinctly, such that Lu Zhixin had not caught his words.

Xu Tingsheng sighed before enunciating slowly and clearly, “You knit a woolen sweater for a freaking fool.”

Her demeanor usually indifferent to the point of being a little cold, this school-level beauty looked at the bitter-faced Xu Tingsheng and considered for a moment. Then, like an air blower with bad airflow, she pressed her lips together and puffed up her cheeks, “Kuku...Kuku…”

Unable to hold it in, this school-level beauty burst into laughter without any regard for her image at all.

“Then...what's to be done then?” Gasping for breath with the scarf still in her hand, the school-level beauty wiped the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes as she asked Xu Tingsheng.

What was to be done? How was Xu Tingsheng to know what was to be done?

If this went on, it was going to turn awkward soon…

Luckily, someone broke Xu Tingsheng's current predicament for him. A ruckus began on the 5th, 6th and 7th floors of the dormitory building Xu Tingsheng resided in. The people from the rooms there began running around shirtless as they clutched their noses.

Momentarily, all attention was drawn to that side.

As Xu Tingsheng raised his head and gazed upwards, a half-naked figure shouted to him from above, “Xu Tingsheng, it's your room! Your room's freaking blown up! And Old Wai's still lying on his bed.”

Xu Tingsheng had not heard any explosion, but it seemed so serious from the way that guy was saying it…

“My room...seems to be in trouble. I’ve got to go up and see what's happened,” Xu Tingsheng said to Lu Zhixin.

Lu Zhixin had also heard the words just shouted from upstairs. While the matter at hand was certainly important, it surely wasn't as important and pressing as Xu Tingsheng's room having exploded.

Therefore, she hurriedly nodded, “Okay, hurry up and go.”

As Xu Tingsheng ran upstairs, many people said to him along the way, “Hurry up and go look. Old Wai's so pitiful.”

Something having happened with Old Wai, the first thing that Xu Tingsheng could be certain of was that he had been exhausted lately. He had often been busy to the point of working through the night and into the mornings, becoming so hungry that he just had to get some supper. Usually, it was also not guaranteed that his roommates and Li Linlin could send food to him for every meal.

Due to this, Xu Tingsheng had specifically bought him an electric cooker, making it convenient for him to heat up food or cook some instant noodles with a couple of sausages or something.

Today, his roommates had all been elsewhere, no one having brought him food. Having been too focused in his work, Old Wai had forgotten and forgone his daily meals. After a long day of intense effort, he finally completed the trial model of the platform.

Then, he had finally discovered himself to be hungry.

Old Wai had put some instant noodles in the cooker. Then, he had thought to reward himself for the completion of his project, the culmination of all his hard work. Therefore, he had begun flipping through all the remaining stocks of all his roommates, adding many things into the pot. He had added a few sausages, a few pieces of ham, some dried meat, some fermented bean curd that had already been finished with only a little bit of soup remaining, some tofu, and also some stockfish…

Finally, he had found half a packet of durian chips in Li Xingming’s cupboard. Without much thought, he had put it in as well. That was durian, really. Whether it was delicious or not was another matter; that flavour…

After having done all of this, Old Wai had gotten onto his bed, lying down as he waited for the meal to be ready. Then, he had fallen asleep…

The cooker did not explode, but its insides had been totally burnt. Accompanied by the emission of white smoke had been an inconceivable smell. A burning smell, the smell of durian, the smell of smelly tofu, a fishy smell, coupled with various other kinds of strange, inexplicable smells, suffused the air…

Room 603’s occupants had nearly vomited at the smell. Someone who didn’t fear death had run over to look for the source. Entering Room 602, he had then opened the electric cooker for a look…

The first thing he had said upon returning to his room was, “Damn...Old Wai seems like he was cooking faeces to eat. In the end, he even overcooked and charred it…”

Another guy had replied, “These people from Room 602 are really too vicious! Leaving a heavily injured person like Old Wai hungry to this extent…”

Xu Tingsheng relied on his incomparably firm will to return to the entrance of his dorm room. In truth, with that smell, the place was already empty.

The people inside had already long since collectively fled, now waving towards him and shouting from the other end of the corridor as they huddled down together with Old Wai, the culprit, “The switches! The electricity’s still running! When you still have the guts to, quickly get in and close them. We really can’t anymore.”

Xu Tingsheng pushed the door and entered the room that was densely suffused with thick smoke. It made for an otherworldly scene, resembling an immortal realm. The smell, however, was no different from a soil lavatory.

Seeing the scene within the cooker and having truly smelled enough of it, Xu Tingsheng turned off the electricity and directly threw the cooker off the balcony. The polluted waters of the river outside the dormitory walls would wash away the evidence, wash away the ‘repulsiveness’...

Forcibly resisting the urge to vomit, Xu Tingsheng rejoined his roommates and asked them, “Can you guys still be sleeping there today?”

They all shook their heads in unison.

“Let’s go then. We can only go to the room I have rented outside and squeeze in for a night...Right, when the punishment comes, I’ll take it.”

Chapter 80: Testing the platform

It was the next afternoon when Xu Tingsheng received Lu Zhixin’s call.

“Your dorm room’s famous,” She said over the phone, “The school forums say that your room’s the one that stands at the very top of the food chain.”

Xu Tingsheng felt a headache coming on. When outside in the future, he really shouldn’t be revealing that he was someone of Room 602. Still, peak of the food chain? ...That was because Bear Grylls currently hadn’t gained popularity yet. He thought: When he’s popular, you’ll know that the top of the food chain really isn’t all that good a place to stand at.

Bear Grylls would smile, cracking a bunch of insects like he was cracking melon seeds before telling you composedly, “Darkness cooking or whatnot-that’s really too simple.”

Before he could reply, Lu Zhixin suddenly changed her tone, continuing, “I really embarrassed myself yesterday night, didn’t I?”

Xu Tingsheng gave an awkward laugh as he denied it, “No, no.”

“I’ve found that song and listened to it.”

“So…”

“So, the scarf...you actually don’t want it, right? ...It’s got nothing to do with that song. It’s just that you don’t want it, right?”

Lu Zhixin sounded like she had suffered an injustice. Listening to her, Xu Tingsheng could not help but feel a little guilty. At the end of the day, this had really been his fault. He had single-handedly brought about this misunderstanding.

Therefore, in order to pacify Lu Zhixin, he said, “Actually, it’s that I don’t dare...Let me put it like this. You’re too excellent. I originally didn’t think about you in that sense. That was why I was still able to communicate with you so comfortably and naturally, perhaps even a little shamelessly…”

“But now that I have to consider this matter in earnest, I’ve discovered that I will feel inferior. Therefore, I don’t dare to.”

“From your perspective, maybe it was because the other guys all didn’t really dare to get too close to you, with me really being the only one who was so thick-skinned. Because of that…”

Xu Tingsheng tried to explain himself using his mentality of his previous life, making this a little easier for Lu Zhixin to accept.

Of course, he couldn’t really know what Lu Zhixin might actually think about it as it was silent at the other end of the phone for a while before she said, “Let me think about it.”

Then, she didn’t give Xu Tingsheng a chance to speak, just directly hanging up the phone.

Still feeling guilty, Xu Tingsheng didn't know if the matter could be considered resolved with just that. His roommates had already bought air freshener and returned to the dorms. Old Wai, meanwhile, was still here. He had asked him to remain here.

Soon, Li Linlin arrived as well. Xu Tingsheng brought her and Old Wai along in looking around the third storey of the riverside residence that he had just rented.

He told them, “You can work here from now on. Also, Old Wai, try to find another two people who know programming. Linlin, you can also first look for two or three people amongst those you know who truly have to toil hard for their livelihoods due to their family backgrounds. We’ll officially begin work when next semester begins.”

“Next semester? What about now? I'm dying here...and my reputation is in tatters,” Old Wai said with an agonised expression on his face.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before replying, “It'd also be fine to throw it up and test it out now. Still, it's already the end of the semester. We should properly focus on our examinations first. It would really be troublesome if we flunked a module.”

……

As the end of their first university semester neared, amidst a tense examination atmosphere, Hucheng Education Service Platform silently went online. The only thing Xu Tingsheng did was post a thread in the university forums as well as another in the public forums of Yanzhou City.

All of their work was premised upon not failing a module this semester.

The next day, a bored Xu Tingsheng casually entered the website as an administrator. Five. There were actually a total of five home tutors who had already registered. While there still weren't any registered users from the parents’ side, Xu Tingsheng still rejoiced happily over this for a while.

Xu Tingsheng joyfully called Old Wai to tell him the good news.

Old Wai said rather helplessly from the other end of the phone, “These five people are all Linlin's friends. They’d apparently all been working hard for money as home tutors together. They're basically all working already...consider this as them showing us their support.”

Alright, starting out was indeed difficult as he had thought. A basin of cold water was figuratively dumped over Xu Tingsheng's head, pulling him back to the cold reality of things.

A day later, the number of registered home tutors had increased to 13. There were still no parents who had yet registered.

This time, Xu Tingsheng did not give Old Wai a call. Looking around the backend, he immediately understood that these people were just here to show them their support as well.

The eight new registered home tutors were all from the English course, a whole pile of certificates listed under a few of their names, causing them to stand out greatly. If they were really willing to work as home tutors, they would surely be rather hot commodities. Still, were they really willing to do so?...Xu Tingsheng did not wish to give false information and cheat the platform users.

Amongst these eight people was one whom Xu Tingsheng was familiar with: Lu Zhixin.

Xu Tingsheng took the initiative to give Lu Zhixin a call.

“Thank you. About that...how did you know?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Oh, it was really coincidental. One of my roommates works as a home tutor as well. She and Li Linlin are rather well acquainted; I heard about it from her. After that, I just helped you to promote it a little.”

Lu Zhixin had said these words very calmly and matter-of-factly, but if she had merely promoted the platform, many people would probably only just have listened. Xu Tingsheng felt that these people must have been convinced and pulled in by her one by one. Finally, even she herself had personally taken to the frontlines.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment, eventually still deciding to voice out his worries, “I'm really thankful. But...But, are these people all really willing to be home tutors? ...What I mean is that I don't want to provide false information.”

“They're all willing, really, myself included. You must know that many of us who're studying English want to be teachers in the future. In doing this, we can earn money to supplement our lifestyles whilst also tempering ourselves, building up experience...We all feel that it's fine like this,” Lu Zhixin said gaily over the phone.

Xu Tingsheng had actually been able to tell from their earlier interactions that Lu Zhixin came from a rather well-to-do family, really not needing to earn money through home tutoring to supplement her lifestyle at all. Still, since she had phrased it like this, there was naturally no reason for him to refuse her.

“Then...thank you, I'm really grateful,” Regardless of the results, Xu Tingsheng could only thank her now, with this debt already having been owed.

Perhaps hearing the uncertainty in Xu Tingsheng's tone, Lu Zhixin made an affirmative noise before asking, “You're afraid of owing me, isn't it? But you already owe me. Also, Xu Tingsheng, don't you feel guilty? A lofty great beauty of the foreign language institute like me...can I put it that way?”

“Of course. You are a great beauty.”

“Isn't that right then? A lofty great beauty of the foreign language institute like me took the initiative to confess to someone but was actually rejected...how embarrassing is that? How many people have been discussing this and mocking me behind my back? ...I haven't dared to step out of my room in days, you know?”

“Sorry.”

“Just being sorry alone isn't enough.”

“What then?”

“You're feeling grateful whilst also guilty towards me now, right?”

“Right.”

“Then, is it okay for me to make an unreasonable request?”

“Just say it. I'll do it as long as it's within my capabilities.”

As if her next words were going to be a little hard to voice out, Lu Zhixin hesitated for a while before finally steeling her resolve, “I remember that during our practices last time, you once mentioned that you are in our university's football team?”

Xu Tingsheng didn't know why she was suddenly bringing this up, but there was no way for him to deduce anything despite his suspicions, so he could only reply, “Yeah.”

“You have a very important match in a few days’ time, right?”

The match was a qualifying match of the University Football Confederations Cup. To Yanzhou University who had never yet managed to qualify for the main competition before this, it was indeed a very important match. Xu Tingsheng had once mentioned it during intonation practice.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Then I’ll be saying my request now...I will be there at that time, and my roommates, classmates, and many others will be there as well. I want you to get on the field and score, then confess to me in front of everyone...Then, then, I will reject you in front of everyone,” Pausing several times amidst her speech, Lu Zhixin seemed to have exerted great effort in making this request.

This was...making it even between them? Xu Tingsheng thought about it. He wondered who it was who had put this idea in Lu Zhixin’s mind. It was very vicious, whilst also very stupid.

However, it indeed seemed like it might be able to get back some face for Lu Zhixin, also putting a rather okay end to this matter.

“What, you’re unwilling? ...Actually, it’s fine even if you really are that unwilling. I know that this would be very embarrassing for you. It’s just me, I might just have to slowly wait for everyone to forget this matter, I guess. Never mind, it’s fine, I’m okay. I’ll go out less at most, or maybe wear earplugs when I’m outside. I’ll, I’ll be very strong…”

While Xu Tingsheng was considering it, Lu Zhixin thought that he was hesitant and conflicted as she came to sound increasingly wronged on the other end of the phone, even sobbing a little.

Embarrassing? It seemed like it would indeed be rather a loss of face for him. However, Xu Tingsheng actually didn’t really care too much about such things. It was fine anyway, since Xiang Ning wouldn’t be there to see it. The skin of an uncle was still sufficiently thick for such.

Other than that, as Lu Zhixin had said, he indeed felt grateful whilst also guilty towards her. Also, he had indeed caused her much harm and trouble. As a girl, the events of that night and the discussions and mocking that had followed must indeed be very hard for her to face.

Perhaps this could really solve the problem.

So, Xu Tingsheng said, “Okay, I’m willing to do it...Still, there’s a problem. I might not even be able to get on the pitch; I’m just a newcomer. Also, I might not be able to score even if I’m on.”

Light, pleasant laughter resounded over from Lu Zhixin, “I don’t care about that. Anyway, you just think of a way to do it. Get on the pitch, score, and confess...then I reject you. Afterwards, if you’re still willing, we can continue being friends, practising intonations together.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’ll try my best then.”

“Okay, bye.”

“Bye.”

Chapter 81: Let’s hand out flyers

Hanging up the phone, Xu Tingsheng decided to put this matter aside for the time being. Perhaps Lu Zhixin would change her mind when the time came, and perhaps he wouldn't even get to play in the match at all. And even if he did play, it was also not guaranteed that he would be able to score. Therefore, there was no need to worry himself over this.

Younglings often feel uneasy after having committed a mistake, remaining in a state of constant fear and worry. Men in their thirties, meanwhile, would already have learnt to only worry about the matters directly before their eyes. If a better solution could really not be found for the time being, they would just cross that bridge when it came to it.

At most, it it really came to that, he would just submit himself to that embarrassment, leaving Lu Zhixin satisfied.

Xu Tingsheng did not question whether this matter was in itself any suspicious. This stemmed from his understanding of Lu Zhixin. He knew her to be someone who was indifferent to the point of even being a little cold. With her personality, she would surely not be harbouring any little schemes in secret.

Perhaps the idea might have been proposed to Lu Zhixin by someone else. However, at the end of the day, she had accepted it and conveyed it to him. While the request was a little overbearing, having decided to choose it, she had not partially distorted or concealed the truth in scheming or beat around the bush, just having directly thrown the decision over to him just like that.

Lu Zhixin had been very clear cut in the matter, in effect expressing: I've already made the request. I can't force you to do it if you don't want to. The final decision lies with you.

Just like how she had directly and straightforwardly handed Xu Tingsheng a scarf in front of the male dormitory, she remained ever straightforward in her actions. Xu Tingsheng felt that it was great like this. What he was most afraid of was encountering those who were always going around and around in circles, crying out hysterically at every turn as they remained an eternal source of bother and harassment.

The examinations continued, and the testing of Hucheng Education Service Platform continued as well.

On the fourth day that the platform went online, the number of registered home tutors rose to 25. Looking over their information, Xu Tingsheng felt that they might not purely consist of people who'd come to show their support this time.

What truly made him joyful was the fact that two parents had registered as well.

Still, what made him feel yet more joyful came yet afterwards. When Xu Tingsheng was eating together with his roommates that evening with Old Wai also present, it was Xu Tingsheng's number that Li Linlin called.

It seemed like Li Linlin's 'employee sense’ was very strong. In work matters, it was naturally her 'boss’ whom she first thought of.

Li Linlin told Xu Tingsheng over the phone that the first home tutor inclination had just been completed over the platform five minutes ago. It was a parent who had taken the initiative and made this choice, and the home tutor who had been chosen had accepted this winter holiday home tutoring job as well.

The university student who had accepted the job was one of the first five people to have registered, being a friend of Li Linlin's who came from an exceptionally poor family. She had already informed her parents that she would not be returning home for the new year as she would instead be remaining here to work.

Due to the new year elapsing in between, it was not easy to find home tutors for the winter holidays. The wages offered by the parent had been rather good, Li Linlin’s friend having been very satisfied with it as well.

Everything was progressing in a good direction. Xu Tingsheng knew the advantage his platform possessed. Other home tutoring intermediaries would usually charge both the home tutors and the parents, obtaining an introduction fee from the former and an information fee from the latter.

Also, in order to spur their business on, they would generally embellish the information of both sides. Even if the requirements and specialities of the two sides did not match, they would still forcibly bring them together. Their level of trustworthiness was not very high.

These detriments of theirs were all to Xu Tingsheng’s advantage.

A few days later, the number of home tutors registered on the platform had risen to a shocking 127. Meanwhile, 19 parents had registered, with a total of 8 tutor-parent agreements having already been reached.

Making use of there being no examinations the next day, Xu Tingsheng invited Old Wai and Li Linlin to the riverside residence, personally cooking dinner for them and even preparing a few bottles of wine.

The first ever meeting of Hucheng Education’s higher echelons...consisted of three people, seated around a small squarish table.

Old Wai had already more or less recovered from his injuries as he accompanied Xu Tingsheng in drinking some wine. Even Li Linlin drank a little as well. After the meal was over, Xu Tingsheng took out ten thousand yuan from his wallet that he had prepared beforehand and placed it in front of Li Linlin.

“Year end bonus plus advance salary. Keep some for yourself and bring some presents back home for your family when you return for the new year.”

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had agreed from the start to give Old Wai and Li Linlin salaries as well as shares. This problem had not yet been discussed thus far, and Xu Tingsheng currently didn’t plan on talking about it as well. One ultimately had to be a little more prudent in matters regarding internal operations. He intended to wait till some additional staff had first been recruited over the next semester before properly consolidating and establishing a standard salary framework.

Xu Tingsheng not having talked about it, Old Wai and Li Linlin had not asked about it as well. Li Linlin had even straightforwardly and decisively resigned from two home tutoring jobs under such circumstances, fully devoting herself to the operations of Hucheng Education Service Platform.

In all honesty, the time and effort Old Wai and Li Linlin had spent on the platform far surpassed that by Xu Tingsheng himself.

Such a relationship where feelings were greater than the established internal system clearly wouldn’t be beneficial towards a company’s development in the long run. However, at the entrepreneurial phase of starting up a company, it instead had the greatest motivating force. Sharing weal and woe as they worked together towards a common goal would raise one’s spirits the most, leading to the greatest driving force.

It was just like how when the first tutor-parent agreement had been achieved on the platform, Li Linlin and Old Wai had been even more excited and moved than Xu Tingsheng.

Li Linlin and Old Wai harboured gratitude and trust towards Xu Tingsheng, and Xu Tingsheng would reciprocate this in kind.

Of the thirty thousand yuan that Xu Tingsheng had previously dispensed to Old Wai, 5000 yuan had remained. When Old Wai had tried to return it to Xu Tingsheng, the latter had let him keep it as an advance salary. Now, he had given Li Linlin ten thousand as well.

That five thousand and this ten thousand both did not conform to any internal regulations. However, they conformed to feelings. Xu Tingsheng knew that Old Wai and Li Linlin weren’t greedy people who would try to take advantage of him the more benevolent he appeared to be. On the contrary, they had even hinted to him in a veiled manner several times that they while they would receive their salaries, they were unwilling to accept the company’s shares.

“I won’t give what I shouldn’t; I’ll definitely give what I should. Since I’m giving it, you shouldn’t refuse it.”

This was what Xu Tingsheng said to the hesitating Li Linlin. Maybe he really had the aura of a ‘boss’, or maybe it was because Old Wai and Li Linlin had always regarded him as an elder brother. Li Linlin resisted no further, obediently keeping the ten thousand yuan.

What did ten thousand yuan currently entail? It even exceeded the cost of 3 years of Li Linlin’s university fees. It might even exceed the annual income that Li Linlin’s parents who came from an exceptionally poor county earned from farming every year.

Her eyes red, Li Linlin said, “Thank you, Brother Xu.”

“If you cry over just a mere ten thousand, you’d go mad in the future...a little woman’s just a little woman, shallow in her vision,” Old Wai commented from beside her.

He forgot that he had already recovered from his injuries. Li Linlin’s hand reached under the table, pinching him good.

“Bro Xu, save, save me!” Pain evident in his features, Old Wai begged Xu Tingsheng for help.

Xu Tingsheng did not speak, instead giving Li Linlin a thumbs up. A ‘bitch’ like Old Wai had to be properly overseen, strictly and viciously.

Having finished the meal, the three cleared up the table and began their ‘meeting’ proper, investigating the platform’s current situation.

Actually, calling it investigating was a little too much. The current situation and problems with the platform were all very clear cut. Old Wai and Li Linlin were able to sum them up with just a few simple sentences, and Xu Tingsheng himself was very clear on them as well.

They lacked registered parents, and greatly so.

Currently, there was a severe deficit of demand on the platform with regard to supply. As Li Linlin put it, the platform had already achieved quite a bit of popularity in their university, and it was rather well acclaimed as well. The number of registered home tutors would definitely continue increasing amongst them. Also, it was not just Yanzhou University. Even students from some other universities in the city were already beginning to register on the platform as home tutors as well.

Comparatively speaking, the influence of the platform on Yanzhou City’s general public was pitifully small, with extremely few amongst them being aware of its existence.

Xu Tingsheng had originally intended to deal with this problem via advertising and promotion only after having returned the following semester. However, Li Linlin was of the opinion that this could not wait.

Li Linlin had a better understanding than Xu Tingsheng of university students who worked as home tutors.

She had already surveyed and gathered that while there were not many of these home tutors who would consider remaining here over the winter holidays, there was still a certain number of them who might be willing to do so. In consideration for them as well as the development of the platform, they should make use of the remaining time before the end of the semester to do a little something.

Xu Tingsheng acknowledged Li Linlin’s view. Still, what could they do? ...Xu Tingsheng thought of a simplest and possibly also most effective method.

“It’s Friday tomorrow, and the students in the schools will be released for the week. Making use of that, let’s gather some people to distribute fliers at the gates of the various schools.”

Chapter 82: Snowman

Xu Tingsheng was actually very familiar with distributing flyers. In his previous life, in having worked for his livelihood during his time in university, he had also accepted some day-end jobs once in a while in addition to his home tutoring. Most of the time, this had consisted of distributing flyers.

Speaking of which, his first breakup in university had also had to do with distributing flyers.

Back then, just having been in university for a while, he had come to be on good terms with a female senior. However, this female senior had been unaware of his family’s situation. Just a few days after they had held hands for the first time, when Xu Tingsheng had been distributing flyers under the banner of some corporation on the street one day, this female senior had passed by with a few other female students.

Having seen her, Xu Tingsheng had looked at her awkwardly whilst also a little joyfully, raising his hand and waving to her in greeting. However, she had avoided his gaze, leading her friends in heading off in another direction.

That night, Xu Tingsheng had been informed of their breakup.

Maybe many would find this to be embarrassing. With that in mind, while having spread the news that he needed help distributing flyers, Xu Tingsheng did not actually count on many people being willing to help him.

At most, he would just have to make do with Old Wai and Li Linlin as well as Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming, Song Ni and Zhang Ninglang when the time came. They would just have to work a little harder in this. That was what he thought.

Yet, things proceeded in a way that far surpassed Xu Tingsheng’s expectations. Around 11pm that night, he could not but hurriedly call for a stop. It was no longer necessary; they really shouldn’t look for people anymore. He sent the news to everyone.

Within just a few short hours, there were already more than 80 people on Xu Tingsheng’s consolidated list, and this was even with him having called for an urgent halt to the recruitment.

Tan Yao had called a bunch of chicks; Huang Yaming had called a bunch of chicks. There were also Fu Cheng and his friends, Song Ni and her friends, Li Xu’s taekwondo chick and her bunch of fellow trainees, Li Linlin’s friends...as well as their other roommates, some students from their class, some seniors, some football mates and their girlfriends, and also…

“This lineup-do they think they’re going for a tour?”

Xu Tingsheng felt a bit of a headache over how the required number of participants had been so greatly exceeded. However, with them all offering to help out of goodwill, he couldn’t just reject them now, right? ...What about after they’d helped? He was obliged to treat them to dinner at the very least, right? ...How many tables was that? A wedding banquet’s worth?

Before going to bed, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Fang Yuqing.

“I’ve gathered about 120 people here. Is that enough? If it isn’t, I’ll get more.”

“...”

“Why’re you not saying anything?”

“No, I clearly remember that I didn’t tell you about this?”

“You still have the gall to say that? ...I had to learn about this matter from others! Xu Tingsheng, do you still treat me as a bro?” Fang Yuqing scolded, “Still, this bro has a wide heart and will not quibble with you over this. Look...I’ve been helping you find people all this while…”

“How about it, is it enough? If it isn’t, there’s still...Let me tell you, I’ve got a bro who runs an entertainment city. There’re a few hundred hostesses inside, of all shapes and sizes that you can think of.”

“...Get rid of all of them. Bro, I’m going to distribute flyers in front of a school here. Your bunch of young masters and hooligans, in addition to a crowd of hostesses...sending them there, you can’t expect my business to not directly collapse?”

“Oops, that’s true. I forget all about that...I’ll go tell them then.”

“Wait, leave those with cars behind. They don’t have to distribute flyers; they can just help with transportation.”

“Right, okay.”

……

The next day, Xu Tingsheng got up early in the morning. The preparation work was too rushed, with them having to design the flyers, send them for photocopying and also consolidate the number and distribution of junior and senior high schools in Yanzhou City before splitting up the participants into flyer-distributing groups for the various schools. From the standpoint of safety, herein had to be considered the group allocation of males and females as well as which participants had handphones…

The heels of Xu Tingsheng’s feet virtually didn’t touch the ground the entire day-such was how busy he was.

At three in the afternoon, when everyone had gathered in Yanzhou City’s Civic Square, it suddenly began snowing without any prior warning whatsoever.

Snow seldom fell in Jianhai Province, and it was the same for Yanzhou City as well, where one would only be able to experience it once every few years. Somehow, they coincidentally got to experience it today. As the snow grew heavier and heavier, Xu Tingsheng bought and distributed umbrellas to the participants. His intentions were to cancel today’s event, letting them return now and instead troubling them again the next time round.

However, everyone’s spirits were extraordinarily high. Distributing flyers whilst traversing the snow was clearly a very appealing, mood-making thing.

Since the general opinion was so, Xu Tingsheng could only go along with it. After repeatedly expressing his gratitude, he dispatched the participants out in the groups that had earlier been decided, with them being transported in batches by the people Fang Yuqing had brought along.

Xu Tingsheng left Tan Yao and Fang Yuqing with him.

After asking Tan Yao to take care of booking the restaurant for him, Xu Tingsheng asked Fang Yuqing to help him to buy some good cigarettes, to be distributed to his friends who had driven over as well as those other guys who smoked later on.

“I know that you guys don’t lack these things, but from my standpoint, my gratitude and feelings have to be conveyed,” Xu Tingsheng said as he saw Fang Yuqing about to refuse.

Fang Yuqing accepted his words.

Actually, if truly speaking from a monetary standpoint, it had not been worth it for Xu Tingsheng today. There were too many people, with the expenses correspondingly also being too high. However, what of from an emotional standpoint? Xu Tingsheng was very grateful, and also very satisfied. Therefore, money and whatnot actually just paled in comparison sometimes.

When Fang Yuqing and Tan Yao had left as well, Xu Tingsheng began gathering up the remaining flyers. He had a place he needed to go to as well- Xinyan Junior High. Having managed to find this completely reasonable excuse only with such great difficulty, Xu Tingsheng would now be able to stand there righteously and pridefully.

Apple got off a taxi, not carrying an umbrella. A world of snow drifted about her amidst its descent as she stood there, gazing at Xu Tingsheng from the distance.

She was smiling, but there was some apprehension within her smile, like a little kid having done something wrong. The current Apple was not at all like Apple. Perhaps she had been hurt by Xu Tingsheng drawing away from her over this period of time. Perhaps she felt that she coming here was wrong, that Xu Tingsheng would not welcome her here.

Yet, she had still come.

Xu Tingsheng had pushed her very far away over this period of time. She had once ridden on his back, once murmured in his ear, yet now...they were further apart than even normal friends. Apple had always been sprightly and unbridled. Once, she had been able to conduct herself naturally and with ease even when the two of them had not been well acquainted with each other, acting bewitchingly or shamelessly as she wanted...Now, however, she dared not.

Xu Tingsheng had been too forceful in pushing her away. He had originally been worried that he might hurt her too much later on the future if he presently allowed them to draw too close. He had wanted to increase the distance between them a little, wanting a suitable, healthy relationship to form between them. He had still wished that he could be Apple’s best friend that surpassed the bounds of gender, but in truly having acted, he had ultimately still been too forceful.

There were many times when due to his cold and indifferent tone, Apple had suddenly been lost for words on the other end of the phone, rendered silent and sobbing.

Xu Tingsheng ran over with the umbrella, shielding Apple from the descending snow. Seeing the snowflakes that covered her hair and shoulders, he extended his hand forward as he unconsciously thought to help wipe them off, but then retracted it again.

Apple’s expression stiffened.

“Song Ni told me about it. Early yesterday night, she said that there might not be enough people. I’d prepared to come over early in the morning. But afterwards, she instead said that there were already too many people...I didn’t know whether or not I should come.”

“I thought about it for an entire day, and found myself at the bus stop before I knew it...I came. I’m sorry.”

I came. I’m sorry. Xu Tingsheng really felt like hugging Apple as she apologised. She looked even more pitiful and agonised than when she had been at her most solitary. Xu Tingsheng had given her warmth, yet had afterwards pushed her towards an all-encompassing snowstorm.

Still, he did not do so. He had already taken that most difficult step. He could not go back again.

“Where shall we go?” Apple asked Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng couldn’t possibly appear before Xiang Ning with Apple in tow, and there was also no way that he could just dump her here now. Therefore, there was a single school in Yanzhou City that would not be receiving flyers from Hucheng Education today-Xinyan Junior High.

“Let’s not go anywhere. How about...we build a snowman,” Xu Tingsheng pointed at the gradually thickening layer of snow on the ground.

“Yeah,” Apple nodded, smiling joyfully.

……

Around 5.15pm, the people who had left to distribute flyers began successively returning as they congregated within the Civic Square.

After less than two hours, Xu Tingsheng had a strange feeling that this flyer-distributing activity might have somehow accidentally turned into a mass blind date event. Many guys and girls were chatting happily upon their return, a feeling of romance blossoming within the air.

It was all thanks to the snow that had descended today. Traversing the snowy lands together, it would generally be much easier for a pair to feel warmth and happiness.

There was still almost an hour before dinnertime. No one was in a rush to get to the restaurant. Rare was the snow, rare were the interactions. It seemed that most of the people here were very willing to continue moving about amidst all this snow.

Someone saw the snowman that Xu Tingsheng and Apple had built.

Afterwards, more than 80 people worked together in unison, some even running hundreds or upward of a thousand metres away to heap up the snow. The entire Civic Square was filled with dozens of snowmen of varying shapes and sizes, the greatest one of them being two metres tall and several metres wide.

Many passers-by began stopping in succession, more and more people gathering within the Civic Square.

“Are there still any more flyers?” Tan Yao asked Xu Tingsheng.

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng took out the remaining bag of flyers.

“Gimme,” Tan Yao said.

“Give me some as well; I haven’t even distributed any yet,” Apple also extended her little hand that was reddened by the cold.

Quite a number of people took photographs of the snowmen, capturing the flyer-distributing Tan Yao within as well, and also Apple. Of course, more people were willing to take pictures of Apple. This was an innate advantage possessed by women; it wouldn’t have changed however much more handsome Tan Yao had been.

“What a pity it is that this is still not that era with people in social networks frenziedly snapping photos of everything to show their friends. Camera phones are less prevalent as well. Otherwise, this advertisement would have gone crazy big.”

As Xu Tingsheng was sighing emotionally over this, someone walked over with a camera.

“Hey, student. I’m a reporter from Yanzhou Nightly. Is this a...school organisation’s event?”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback for a moment. This reporter’s intentions were very clear. If this was an event by an organisation of some school, he might be able to legitimately add a heading like ‘I Enhance Yanzhou’s Scenery’ or the like, putting it together with some photographs and writing some relevant article.

Yet, what a pity it was. Xu Tingsheng passed the reporter a flyer.

“A corporate activity? ...That’s a little troublesome then.”

He had said a little troublesome as opposed to, say, no good. Xu Tingsheng acutely detected the meaning that the reporter was trying to convey as he took out two packets of Chunghwa cigarettes that remained from Fang Yuqing’s distribution and secretly slipped them into his hand.

“You can write a report primarily about the snowtime scenery. If it’s convenient, perhaps you can casually mention our Hucheng Education as well. At present, we are serving parents as well as university students who have to work for their livelihoods for free.”

“If it’s like this...it can’t purely be considered a corporate activity. I’ll think about it when I get back,” The reporter said to Xu Tingsheng as he pocketed the two packets of cigarettes.

“Thanks. Here’s my handphone number, take it down...If it’s possible, let’s communicate again.”

Just like this, Xu Tingsheng concluded his first ever instance of ‘bribery’ following his rebirth. While not that happy or joyful, he also did not resist it, finding it hateful. Sometimes, there are some rules that you are helpless to change, can only conform to.

……

Swivelling his head and looking over, amidst the vast expanse of snow and snowmen, there stood Apple without an umbrella, walking amidst the swirling snow in her white clothes as she handed out flyers with an incandescent smile on her face. As someone threw a flyer onto the ground after having looked it over once, she picked it back up, wiping it clean with her sleeve before happily continuing with her task.

Snowmen must definitely all be girls. Do they feel cold...would she feel cold?

Chapter 83: A reunion, a parting

Dinner was little messy. The good thing about it being messy was that Xu Tingsheng would not be targeted, not having to drink so much wine or perform so much event control.

Fang Yuqing helped to entertain the friends whom he had brought over. Xu Tingsheng went over and toasted them with a few cups of wine, expressing his gratitude and asking their understanding of his insufficiencies.

He knew that the cigarettes he had asked Fang Yuqing to buy today might go straight into the bin for some of them after they had walked out of the door. In having come here today and in sitting here now, it was all due to them giving Fang Yuqing face. What Xu Tingsheng could do was merely proceed with all the formalities that were rightly due.

Of course, there were also quite a few amongst Fang Yuqing’s friends who were of compatible temperaments with Xu Tingsheng. Realising that they could be friends after having exchanged a few words, they exchanged their contact details to facilitate future communication between them.

The rest of the place was taken care of by the experienced professional, Tan Yao. Xu Tingsheng had it very easy, just having to join in a toast whenever the occasion demanded. As long as it was not a rotational battle, it was still easy for him to deal with it with his alcohol capacity.

Xu Tingsheng left the matter of the host toasting the guests to Old Wai and Li Linlin. On the one hand, this was because he himself wanted to evade the wine. On the other, he wanted to push Old Wai and Li Linlin to the front stage, letting them know more people and also letting them be known by more people. After all, there were many things regarding the platform that he intended to hand over to them to do in the future.

Old Wai brought Li Linlin along, toasting table by table. It really began feeling a little like a wedding banquet here as the two were teased all the way, some they passed who were rather more liberal with their words leaving Li Linlin embarrassed to the point of not even daring to raise her head. Feeling immensely embarrassed, she pinched Old Wai. Who asked the heavily drunken Old Wai to still continually be showing off to others?

Most ‘terrifying’ was when Old Wai succumbed to drunkenness later on and just insisted on taking off his pants before the crowd of more than 80 people to show them the bruises on his thighs. As Li Linlin was unable to stop him however much she tried, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly called a few other roommates to go up and suppress him.

While unsuccessful in his pants-removing endeavours, Old Wai’s tragic story had thereby spread. Their combination of ‘submissive husband and dominant wife’ also began to be constantly brought up amidst everyone’s teasery.

Partway through the meal, Fang Chen arrived uninvited. Xu Tingsheng felt troubled as soon as he saw this ‘old demoness’. Fortunately, she seemed not to be interested in him at all as she found Apple as soon as she arrived and began chatting endlessly on with her.

Only when the meal was soon to end did the old demoness come beside Xu Tingsheng, saying, “I’ve seen that education platform of yours; that’s pretty ambitious. Name a price and give me a share, how about it?”

“Oh no!” Xu Tingsheng exaggeratedly raised his head and yelled, “I’m drunk,” Afterwards, he slumped over the table and played dead, not moving at all no matter how that old demoness beat and harass him.

This old demoness had been able to tell Xu Tingsheng’s ambitions from this platform that had just started out and was currently merely burning money into nothingness. This kind of person was too shrewd, not being someone that he would like to work with.

The old demoness pulled Apple’s hand before she left, asking, “Apple, how about you stay at my house tonight? There’re still many things that I want to say to you; we can lie down together and chat till daylight.”

Lie down together, chat till daylight? ...Hell, who’d believe that? Scenes of impropriety between two great beauties surfaced within Xu Tingsheng’s mind. This was a great crisis. If Apple wasn’t careful, she would lose out big.

“Apple, no! You’re not allowed to go!” Xu Tingsheng bothered not about his feigned drunkenness as he hastily leapt up and yelled.

Apple obediently rejected Fang Chen’s offer. Before leaving, the old demoness even shot Xu Tingsheng a provocative stare as she ground her teeth.

A little after 8pm, the invitees began trickling out successively. After a while, there was only Xu Tingsheng’s inner circle that remained. Xu Tingsheng got the waiters to serve an additional table of light food, intending to extend this gathering a little and let everyone get familiar with one another.

For instance, he introduced Old Wai and Li Linlin to Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Song Ni, also introducing Fang Yuqing and Yuqing to Tan Yao and his other roommates.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao had not left any chicks behind to accompany them. Meanwhile, Lu Xu’s taekwondo chick, Bao Peijun, remained. Xu Tingsheng saw him constantly clenching his fists and gritting his teeth, seemingly trying to bolster his courage with his tipsiness in order to get some words out of his mouth.

This was Xu Tingsheng’s first time seeing the legendary Chick Bao of Lu Xu’s in person. She was indeed a beautiful girl, and indeed also manly.

Chick Bao had a hearty and straightforward personality. While actually already a little drunk, she refused no challenger, taking the initiative and going on the offensive when no one was looking for her to drink. Observing from the side for a while, Xu Tingsheng felt that it was as though she wanted to say something but had it stifled within, courage being insufficient with the inadequate wine as she therefore glugged down liberally with the wine.

The two remained in a stalemate just like this. Xu Tingsheng began feeling worried for them. If it went on like this, either one would collapse sooner or later, with the other not having anyone to say the words to even having already mustered up their courage.

Now, Chick Bao set her wineglass down on the table with a clink as she said, “Do you know? How many beastly lascivious hearts both male and female I have taken care of this past half year in university...and also...bestial urges.”

These words were too valiant. Everyone was stunned.

Lu Xu hurriedly helped her to explain, “Don’t misunderstand, don’t misunderstand! She means that she’s helped many people to find boyfriends and girlfriends.”

“Right, it’s still you who understand me best,” Chick Bao swayed as she arose, patting Lu Xu’s shoulder, “Because of me, they’ve all found theirs. But what about I myself? ...I don’t even have a dog by my side.”

Chick Bao had said even these words now. Who they were directed to, what they meant...As long as Lu Xu was not a freaking fool, he should be able to understand her intentions, should not remain silent, was what Xu Tingsheng thought. The others probably thought the same as well as they all remained silent, quietly awaiting the outcome.

“Woof, woof woof, woof woof woof!” Lu Xu suddenly…

“You, what’re you doing?” Chick Bao leapt up in shock, grabbing Lu Xu’s collar as she asked.

“Didn’t you say that you don’t even have a dog by your side?” Lu Xu asked wrongedly, “Woof woof woof, I like you. Bao Peijun, I’ve liked you for a long time.”

“The heck, aren’t you usually like a weak chicken? How come you’re so strong today?” Chick Bao asked, “Alright...okay, as you like then.”

“It’s...done just like this?” Lu Xu began rejoicing after a moment’s shock, one hand on Chick Bao’s shoulder as he turned and crowed to everyone else, “See, I did it...did it completely and totally effortlessly.”

Chick Bao smiled like a flower by the side. It was a very bashful kind of smile, not appearing manly in the least.

Lu Xu may have forgotten in his excitement that this girl before him was not just the girlfriend whom he had just captured but also a fearsome taekwondo black belt girl who had once obtained third place in a provincial youth competition...He swivelled his head back and said to her, “I say, you, Bao Peijun, this bro got you completely and totally effortlessly. Heh, you still have the face to laugh?”

Bao Peijun’s brows furrowed slightly.

Lu Xu was still jabbering on and on.

Then, a ‘Ha!’ resounded and the noise subsided as Lu Xu flew away.

What was that old saying again?

Couples are rivals from their previous life.

A reunion had ultimately culminated-and how great it was.

……

As it continued to snow, while Apple was clearly going to Song Ni’s place, Song Ni found an excuse and left first by herself.

Xu Tingsheng held the umbrella. It leaned sideways, shielding Apple from the snow while leaving snowflakes freely scattering onto his exposed shoulder.

Apple looked, but said nothing.

The accumulated snow creaked beneath their feet as the two walked on in silence for a while.

Apple broke the silence, “Your roommate’s so adorable; I feel that they’ll be very happy together. Also, that girl’s awesome. She definitely won’t be bullied...If I had known, I would have learnt taekwondo too.”

“Ha!” Apple leapt out of the umbrella’s range, standing on the snow as she made a taekwondo pose.

Xu Tingsheng extended his hand that was holding the umbrella such that Apple was covered by it. Like this, he stood entirely within the snow.

“I heard that someone confessed to you?” Apple asked.

“Yeah. Zhang Ninglang told you?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“That’s right. I heard that it’s a flower of the foreign language faculty,” Apple smiled slyly as she looked at Xu Tingsheng.

“The faculty’s flower’s still not as beautiful as you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Xu Tingsheng had said that the faculty’s flower was still not as beautiful as her. Apple pouted, pressed her lips together, seemingly forcibly bearing it for a while before ultimately unable to hold it in, clear, glistening tears began trickling down her face.

She lunged over and pushed Xu Tingsheng, both hands pressed against his chest and gritting her teeth in exertion as if pushing against a mountain,

“It hurts when you push me so, you know? Xu Tingsheng, you bastard, it hurts when you push me so, you know?”

“I've already said that I'll wait quietly for you from the side. Why do you still have to push me away?...”

“It hurts so much!”

Apple's heartfelt final sentence was yelled out at the top of the lungs as she leapt within the snow.

As Apple crouched on the ground, Xu Tingsheng stood by the side, holding up the umbrella for her…

This scene was affixed within the all-encompassing snowy landscape wherever Xu Tingsheng's gaze passed. He knew…

It was a parting that here inevitably awaited them.

Chapter 84: You deserve it

“Let's go. Otherwise, Song Ni’s dorm room will have closed for the night when we arrive.”

Apple wiped off her tears and stood up. She forced a smile towards Xu Tingsheng before turning away and heading off on her own. Xu Tingsheng held up the umbrella, following beside her.

The umbrella was still tilted sideways.

Raising her head and looking at it, Apple asked, “You've always been like this, right?”

Xu Tingsheng asked uncomprehendingly, “Huh?”

Apple pointed to the umbrella above her head, “Whether it is for me or anyone else, in holding up your umbrella, you're actually always like this, right?”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it. It seemed that this really was the case. Whoever the other person beneath his umbrella was, he would habitually hold the umbrella the same way, with it tilted towards the other party such that one of his shoulders was left exposed to the mercy of the elements.

Apple took his silence as a tacit acknowledgement, saying, “It will be very exhausting for you like this, forever trying to take care of every single person...You don't actually have to do this; it's not like you're Superman. Also, what if people get used to it? What if people misunderstand?”

While saying this, Apple reached out and gently brushed away the snowflakes on Xu Tingsheng's hair and shoulder.

“I think that I might be one of those who misunderstood. I thought that I would always have an umbrella like this, be able to lean closer and closer beneath that umbrella...And lo and behold, I misunderstood. I got used to it, and now that I am being pushed away, how pitiful I am.”

Apple seldom spoke in such earnestness as this. Xu Tingsheng understood the meaning in her words. Sometimes, care should not be given, could not continue being given, or it would ultimately end up harming another.

He wanted to say: Actually, I can always hold up my umbrella for you like this, do so much for you.

Apple ran out from beneath his umbrella, signalling with her hands for him not to follow.

“I don't want it anymore. I don't want you to stand far away, next tilting the umbrella towards me. I really don't want it anymore! Xu Tingsheng, I’d rather stand beneath the snow...Actually, if two people are standing close enough, a single umbrella would already be enough, right? Neither would have to stand beneath the snow or the rain.”

Actually, if two people are standing close enough, a single umbrella would already be enough, right? Neither would have to stand beneath the snow or the rain. A cuddling couple passed by them. Sharing the same umbrella, leaning on each other, vibes of sweetness and warmth were emitted from them.

Xu Tingsheng understood Apple’s words, but he did not move. He could not lean over, tightly embracing this girl who stood beneath the descending snow, traversing the winds and the snow of a lifetime beneath the same umbrella. That place belonged to someone else.

At this moment, all seemed terribly disastrous.

Apple smiled bitterly, saying, “Xu Tingsheng, I've thought it through. Only when I have the ability to hold up an umbrella on my own will I truly be able to walk alongside you.”

“Rather than having you tilt your umbrella towards me from far away, why don't I hold up an umbrella of my own as well, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with you…”

“Like this, if you lose your umbrella one day and require one...you'll still have me; I'll have an umbrella.”

Xu Tingsheng escorted Apple to the front of Song Ni's dormitory building. After they had said their goodbyes, he turned to leave.

Apple shouted from behind him, “Xu Tingsheng!”

Turning back, Xu Tingsheng saw the hesitation in Apple's eyes, her look of wanting to say something yet having it stifled within.

“You have something you want to tell me?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Apple shook her head, but then nodded, “Yeah.”

“Is it very hard to voice out?”

Apple hesitated for a while before saying, “Fu Cheng gave me an administrator role for the Rebirth webpage, so it's been me who's been running it recently...Some time ago, a management company contacted us. Back then, thinking how you guys aren't willing to reveal your faces, I just rejected them…”

Xu Tingsheng could basically already guess at Apple's intentions. She wanted to lift up an umbrella of her own, despite all the difficulties and hardship that this might entail...she was choosing her own path.

Xu Tingsheng already knew what words would follow. He would be lying if he said that he did not feel lost regarding her unexpected decision...

Still, he was willing.

It was just like how when the programme host had asked Bobby Chen, ‘Do you love Rene Liu?’, the latter had answered very candidly, “Of course I love her. Otherwise, why would I have done so many things for her?’

It was sometimes like this for men. He was unable to be together with her, yet was willing to do so much more for her.

His heart ached over her. This was true for Bobby Chen, and this was true for Xu Tingsheng as well.

Xu Tingsheng smiled warmly, nodding in indication for Apple to continue.

Apple said, “I'd like to give it a try.”

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng stroked her head, wiping off a few snowflakes, “Tell me after you’ve reached an agreement. I’ll get Fu Cheng to obtain a letter of authorisation for you, giving you permission to sing the songs and perform on stage with them. As for the full copyrights, because we’re currently still under a corporate contract, we may not be able to immediately transfer them to your management company...”

“I understand.”

“Other than that, I’ll get Fu Cheng to put up a statement on the webpage tomorrow, saying that as one of Rebirth’s members, you will be entering the industry on our behalf in the near future...the anticipation will be higher this way, and it will be better for your negotiations with the management company as well.”

As Apple raised her head and looked at Xu Tingsheng, tears glistened visibly within her eyes. At this moment, she knew exactly how well this man before her treated her, how much his heart ached over her...Still, she could not shrink back. It was precisely because of him that she had to take this step forward, lifting up an umbrella of her own.

As Apple replied not, Xu Tingsheng continued, “I don’t know anything about the entertainment industry at all, but I hear that it’s pretty complicated. You’ve got to take good care of yourself...if you meet with any difficulties, no matter how serious they are, remember to tell them to me.”

“I will always be here, and my umbrella will grow bigger and bigger as well…”

“Don’t be afraid-behind you stands Xu Tingsheng. Actually, Xu Tingsheng really is Superman...however far and high you fly, I will still be able to cover you.”

Xu Tingsheng had said this final sentence in a joking tone, but Apple did not smile.

“Sorry,” Apple said.

……

After separating with Apple, Xu Tingsheng did not return to his dormitory room. He went to the riverside residence, turning off his handphone and lying on his bed alone.

Apple had said ‘sorry’ at the end.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng did not blame her, did not blame her at all. When they had first gotten close initially, Apple had approached him with a purpose in mind. This time...she wanted even more, yet Xu Tingsheng did not harbour any suspicions regarding this in the slightest.

He believed in Apple, believed that if she was able to choose, she would definitely choose Xu Tingsheng. Now that she had decided to fly solitarily, it was only in order to be able to lift up that umbrella of her own, walking shoulder-to-shoulder alongside Xu Tingsheng.

Yet, it was only inevitable that Xu Tingsheng would feel somewhat lost over this. He had never tried to think about how great a position Apple held within his heart before, but when she had made her choice, when she had turned to leave…

Xu Tingsheng had found an emptiness within his heart.

Awakening the next day, Xu Tingsheng turned on his phone.

Apple’s message read: I’m leaving, Xu Tingsheng, my darling.

Xu Tingsheng did not send a reply.

He had said a lot earlier, said that he would always be there, said that he would always have a big umbrella, but he actually knew that Apple having turned away now, the two of them might henceforth steadily drift further and further apart.

This seemed to be what he had originally wanted. Yet, he now felt pained and reluctant at their parting.

Seeing missed calls from Old Wai and Li Linlin, Xu Tingsheng called them back. It was all good news. The number of registered parents on the platform had risen to more than 400 overnight. Correspondingly, the number of home tutors was continually on the rise as well.

In order to verify the required information, the two had not slept the entire night.

While Xu Tingsheng should actually be very happy at this, he wasn’t able to get his spirits up at all.

At noon, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng came over to the riverside residence with lunch.

Xu Tingsheng told them about Apple’s matter as well as his current feelings.

They said, “You deserve it.”

Chapter 85: Luckily, I won’t be playing

That night, Fu Cheng released a statement on Rebirth's small webpage:

'Rebirth’s sole female member will be officially entering the industry early next year. That's all.’

Just this short sentence, without even so much of an 'Await in anticipation’. However, it was precisely because of this that more speculation arose. And the more speculation that arose, the more the news would be circulated and discussed.

“Sole female member. Is she ugly?”

“She should definitely be. After all, she comes from that Rebirth that's rumoured to be so ugly that they don't dare to come out and meet people.”

“Still, one would still be greatly filled with anticipation for it, right?”

“Entering the industry? Which company?”

“Just her alone? What about the guys?”

“An internal split in the band?”

“Early next year? When's that, exactly?”

“The entire process was just cooking things up! There’s a management company behind all of it, intentionally acting mysterious probably just to raise this female singer up as she makes her debut. Shame on you all for still being unable to understand it.”

“...”

Other than speculation, there were naturally rumours as well. It first began as heated discussion on the internet, after which some media entities began reporting on it as well. Apple seemed to have embarked on a path of popularity without even having yet entered the industry.

Of course, with greater anticipation, it would also entail greater pressure.

Fu Cheng asked Xu Tingsheng: What else is there that we should do for Apple?

The trio of Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming and Song Ni stood unanimously on Apple's side in this matter. Whilst having been full of admonishments for Xu Tingsheng, they also hoped that they would be able to do a little something for Apple.

Xu Tingsheng said that just preparing the letter of authorization for Apple would already be enough. Apart from that, as long as the management company Apple signed with was not comprised of incompetent fools, they would naturally think of a way to capitalise on this tide of popularity.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng thought it best that the management company not be too hasty. They could leverage on their relationship with the media to sustain the topic’s popularity, sending Apple for professional training in the meantime and only officially promoting her later on when the time was right.

However, two days later, Fu Cheng had already received Apple’s call, saying that she had already reached an agreement with the management company.

Two days after Fu Cheng had sent out the authorisation agreement, this management company, Sky Music, announced that Apple would soon be relaunching Rebirth’s duet song alongside their lead male artiste. The music video of the song would be released on the day of the Lantern Festival.

The entire process felt too rushed. Perhaps Apple was too hasty; perhaps it was the management company that was too hasty. Xu Tingsheng was completely in the dark regarding how things worked in the entertainment industry, being totally ignorant regarding this management company that Apple had chosen as well.

“Is that male singer very popular?” Xu Tingsheng asked Fu Cheng.

“He's not bad,” Fu Cheng said, “What, you feeling jealous? ...You deserve it.”

The phrase that Xu Tingsheng had heard the most these past few days was precisely 'You deserve it’.

He had not called Apple, and Apple had not called him as well. Even for some matters related to the authorisation agreement, she had instead contacted Fu Cheng regarding them. Perhaps both of them felt that this topic just should not be broached between them.

Apple harboured guilt, while Xu Tingsheng didn't know what kind of attitude he should be bearing. Everything seemed to have changed between them. Even as he wanted to voice out the worries that he harboured, he was afraid that Apple would misunderstand upon hearing them.

……

The examinations continued. Estimating that he probably wouldn't fail anything, Xu Tingsheng spent more of his time on the education platform. On the one hand, Old Wai and Li Linlin really had too much on their plates. On the other, being busy could keep one’s mind from harping too much over things.

Happiness came more easily to those who thought less.

While the growth of the platform these past few days could not be compared to the day on which the flyers had been distributed itself, it was still a cause for celebration. With half of the examinations having ended, there were already close to 800 registered parents. Meanwhile, there were around 500 registered home tutors.

On the surface, the supply-demand relationship had finally reversed, with a deficit of home tutors having appeared. In truth, however, many had merely registered with the mindset of grabbing a spot for potential future use. There weren't that many university students who were willing to give up on going home for the new year, nor were there that many children who required tutoring over the winter holidays.

Additionally, a university student who would be remaining here over the winter holidays would still be able to take up four home tutoring jobs at the very least. Like this, the demand and supply on the platform currently existed in a relative state of equilibrium. The number of agreements reached between parents and home tutors daily was not too disjointed as well.

There was one exception, however. It was Lu Xu’s Chick Bao.

Chick Bao registered on the platform just for fun, her area of inclination being: Private Taekwondo Coach.

This was a one-of-a-kind prospect! With that whole bunch of certificates and trophies that she had as well as her being a female, she received more than 60 inclination applications in just two short days, with many people even having specifically registered on the platform just for her.

Amongst them were parents, female white collar workers, young rich ladies...and also men. Amongst the sixty odd applicants, more than half of them were male...this didn't seem very good.

As Chick Bao sat in front of the computer, a profusely sweating Lu Xu busied a hand with snatching the mouse with his other arm placed around her shoulder, “Male, male again. You aren't allowed to respond to all of them. Why is this one even sending photos? Hurry up and delete them! You're not allowed to look at them...daughter-in-law, please stay your hand! No, you're really wanting my life here.”

Chick Bao replied, “I'm just not going to! I want to find a young and handsome one, becoming his private coach...It'll earn me money whilst also being pleasant to the eyes-how good is that?”

As this rival-like couple was arguing up a ruckus, Xu Tingsheng, Old Wai and Li Linlin were discussing the arrangements for the upcoming holidays by the side.

Old Wai would definitely be returning home for the new year these winter holidays. As for Li Linlin, she had originally intended to remain, yet had been persuaded by Xu Tingsheng into returning. As he had said earlier, he hoped that Li Linlin would buy some presents for her family members with the new year. It was just not okay for her not to return home.

“It won't be much of a difference for me anyway. I can still use my computer when I'm back home,” Old Wai said, “As for Linlin, she probably won't be able to help. Earlier, she contacted two girls who’ll be remaining here over the winter holidays. They're willing to help, and are reliable as well...It's just the area of wages. We can give them a little more; after all, they'll have to be busy even through the new year...Bro Xu, what do you think?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “Of course it’s fine. It is only understandable for higher wages to be given over the new year period. Linlin, make use of the time before the holidays begin to get them familiarised with the system. Old Wai, you make a few more copies of the relevant information from the website. Then, Linlin can return home for the new year in peace.”

After having finished with the arrangements for the winter holidays, what remained was just peacefully waiting for the holidays to arrive.

Oh, that wasn’t right. Xu Tingsheng suddenly remembered with a start that there was still a football match that he had to be in. He might even have to act out some big confession show.

Actually, he had been secretly hoping all this while that Lu Zhixin might suddenly change her mind and give up on this crazy farce. However, as the day of the match drew steadily near, Xu Tingsheng had still yet to receive any news from her at all.

The match was set to take place on the Sunday just right before the final examination he had to sit for.

On Saturday before afternoon training, Xu Tingsheng was finally still unable to resist giving Lu Zhixin a call.

“You...won’t reconsider?” Xu Tingsheng asked carefully.

“You want to go back on your word?” Lu Zhixin’s tone carried a hint of resentment and desolation.

Xu Tingsheng could only say, “No, it’s not that. I just felt that you might have changed your mind. That’s why I called to ask you about it.”

“Thanks, but my mind’s made up.”

“Oh, that’s fine then.”

Hanging up the phone, Xu Tingsheng felt like he finally seemed able to understand Apple’s words somewhat: ‘It will be very exhausting for you like this, forever trying to take care of every single person...You don't actually have to do this; it's not like you're Superman. Also, what if people get used to it? What if people misunderstand?’

After afternoon training had ended, the coach began announcing tomorrow’s starting lineup as well as substitutes.

Xu Tingsheng was not amongst the starting 11. As a newcomer, he hadn’t even played for Yanzhou University in an official match before, this being a perfectly understandable thing. Following this came the list of substitutes.

Those who had not entered the starting lineup all listened intently, hoping fervently. It was just that even as all the others were hoping against hope that their own names would be called, Xu Tingsheng was praying to all the gods and Buddhas of the heavens: Please don’t let there be me...

“Chen Xiao, Guan Xiaoyi...An Zixuan.”

The list had been announced, and Xu Tingsheng had not been called. Amidst the desolate sighs of those others who had not been chosen, he almost felt like leaping up and whooping for joy.

“Luckily, I won’t be playing.”

Xu Tingsheng took out his phone, preparing to call Lu Zhixin to tell her the ‘terrible news’.

The team captain went up and told the coach, “Coach, it’s like this. Chen Xiao pulled his tendon a little at the end of training just now…”

The coach asked Chen Xiao, “Is it serious?”

Chen Xiao tested his leg a little, “I can’t exert too much pressure on it.”

The coach fell silent, his brows furrowed as he looked at the namelist in his hands and pondered for a while before finally he raised his head and yelled, “Xu Tingsheng, come here for a bit!”

“Huh?”

“You’re replacing Chen Xiao.”

“Oh.”

Chapter 86: That pandemonic confession (1)

The match would be held at 3pm in the afternoon. Exiting a restaurant after lunch, Xu Tingsheng spotted Lu Zhixin and one of her roommates at the entrance. Lu Zhixin stood looking at Xu Tingsheng from a distance away. Whilst not smiling, she also did not appear resentful.

Walking over, her roommate handed Xu Tingsheng a black plastic bag.

The girl shoved the plastic bag into Xu Tingsheng’s hands, shooting him a threatening glance before turning and leaving without so much as saying a word.

Returning to his dormitory room, Xu Tingsheng opened the plastic bag. Inside was...a single rose.

Even the props had been prepared for him. Their ‘drama division’ really was diligent.

Although he was just a substitute and might not actually get to play, Xu Tingsheng still began feeling troubled: Where should he put the rose?

Xu Tingsheng remembered that ‘crazy exotic’ striker who had hidden a rose in his pants back at his senior high farewell match. This...Xu Tingsheng pulled at his pants, thought for a moment and then perished the thought. This wasn’t something that anyone could do, not even a rebirthee...even a rebirthee would be afraid of pain!

Xu Tingsheng arrived at the match location a little earlier. Making use of when the coach had yet to arrive, he held onto the plastic bag as he searched all around the area in front of the stands. Really unable to find anyplace suitable for hiding something there, he could only go a little further away, stuffing the plastic bag amidst some green shrubbery.

……

Yanzhou University’s opponent would be Jianhai Technological University of the same academy city, which was the university that Huang Yaming was in. The two would be competing for a place in the preliminaries. It was sad, as even having obtained victory in this match, the winning side would still be far from securing a place in the main competition.

The Yanzhou University team was inferior to their Jianhai Technological University counterparts. Ever since this competition had begun in the year 2000, they had never been able to obtain a victory over them before. For the two previous matches, they had lost 1:4 once and fallen pathetically 2:11 in the other. Hearing this second score, everyone would have thought it to be that of a table tennis match.

Usually, Yanzhou University would unquestionably refuse all offers by Jianhai Technological University for a friendly match between them.

Yanzhou University would instead seek out the Textile Specialisation Institute to play with. Yanzhou Textile was good! Even finding 11 guys to play in a match would be a little difficult for them.

“Prepare for it a little, bros! Let’s concede as few as possible today; concede less and it’ll already be a victory. A convent of nuns can’t beat a temple of monks; that’s not an embarrassing thing. At least our cheerleading squad stably wins...ah, what a pity that it isn’t summer. Those short skirts, those high kicks…”

The vice-captain was a doltish senior in his fourth year of university. Originally having been out on an internship, he had specifically rushed back to participate in the match.

Before he had finished speaking, the doltish vice-captain had been sent sprawling towards the ground by the coach with a firm kick on his backside.

While using the doltish vice-captain as a footrest, the coach encouraged his team, “Don’t listen to him spouting nonsense. We...actually do have a chance. Everyone’s seen the formation we’ll be using. This setup of mine is very targeted.”

“This formation, 6-3-1, is a little risky. The forward at the front, take note. You should pay more attention to helping out with defence...Let’s not consider scoring. Whatever the means, whatever the schemes, we just have one goal, which is to drag the match into a penalty shootout.”

“To hell with it! This old man’s been training for penalties for the entire past year. There’s no way we can’t drag them the hell down!”

Xu Tingsheng and the other first years all exchanged looks. This kind of encouragement...Not having experienced those tragic defeats in person, they weren’t really able to immediately adjust to it.

Still, they could understand the rationale behind this.

A university comprised seventy percent of girls and a university comprised eighty percent of guys-these really weren’t on the same level. Perhaps what that doltish vice-captain said was true, and Yanzhou University only stably won in terms of its cheerleading squad.

Not even considering the stands that were chock full of Yanzhou University chicks, Xu Tingsheng estimated that just their cheerleading squad alone must already number into the seventies or eighties. Also, the chicks were really too enthusiastic, garbed in raiments that exposed their navels in the middle of winter as well as short skirts coupled with silk leggings.

Those were a full ensemble of 160 long legs, their view unobstructed even by the leggings! As someone with a bit of leg fetish, Uncle Xu could not help but open his eyes wide at this sight for a bit. Within his mind inadvertently surfaced Apple’s tiny shorts and long legs. He sighed…

The starting lineup took to the field. As Xu Tingsheng prepared to head to the substitutes’ bench, he was yelled out to by Huang Yaming from the stands.

“The hell, why’re you here? It’s not like you watch football,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“To watch you guys being humiliated and trampled over by us! Oh, and to look at chicks as well, of course.”

These two priorities might really be reversed in Huang Yaming’s mind. Huang Yaming also knew about the matter of the ‘confession show’, but whilst having already understood the situation, he did not think that Xu Tingsheng would be able to play, much less score. Therefore, he had mentally omitted this matter.

“Envious?”

Xu Tingsheng cocked his head, indicating with his gaze at those beautiful long legs. Like Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming was also of the beautiful leg faction. In such matters, let alone a nineteen-year-old and one with a mental age of 31, even if the two were eighty, just being men, their thoughts would already be more or less the same in this regard.

Still, Huang Yaming was more extreme than Xu Tingsheng in his fetish. Amongst his previous entourage of chicks, there had been two who, other than their legs being nice...less should be said about their faces and chests.

Xu Tingsheng had raised an objection with Huang Yaming, who had retorted at the time, “Aren’t the legs enough? Can’t you just learn to be satisfied with what there is?”

“Who asked you to look at the face...If you really can’t stand it, take off your jacket and drape it over her head, and then you would be blissful...Blissfulness is not given by others, it can only be created by oneself, get it?...”

“Go on, cover her face. Create blissfulness.”

Xu Tingsheng had clutched his jacket, feeling that blissfulness really wasn’t so easily created.

His eyes on Yanzhou University’s cheerleading squad, Huang Yaming said to Xu Tingsheng, “Your university’s greatest mistake was forming a cheerleading squad such as this. While the chicks appear on the surface to be here to cheer your team on, it should instead be these untamed lifestock of our university who have truly been injected and hormone-boosted by this.”

“Even if you turned our university completely inside out, it would still be impossible to find three chicks of such quality there. You guys already brought out close to a hundred just like that…”

“Tell me, won’t these untamed lifestock from our university be especially frenzied? Won’t they go all out in giving a splendid performance? Won’t they want to bash you guys up even more?”

Xu Tingsheng could not but admit that Huang Yaming’s words were true. However, he could not simply run over and mention this to the school leadership. All he could do was listen and merely that.

On the way to the substitutes’ bench, Xu Tingsheng heard some unfamiliar voice calling out to him. Turning, he saw that it was a place at the frontmost area of the stands that was filled completely with girls from the English course.

It was perhaps Lu Zhixin’s roommate who had called out to him. Currently, the whole crowd of them was staring at him as if he were some exotic exhibit in a zoo.

Lu Zhixin sat right in the centre, right at the front. She wore a pure-white, high-collared sweater that reached all the way up to her chin. Her exquisite face was dabbed with light makeup, her head of long jet-black hair flowing behind her.

Lu Zhixin appeared neutral. As Xu Tingsheng awkwardly greeted her, she responded with a nod, but still remained expressionless, looking all businesslike as she sat there.

Okay, Xu Tingsheng thought. Since it was just a show, businesslike was the best. It was just that like this, there would be no way for him to explain to her that he might not be playing in this match at all.

Whatever. A posse of girls having come here to watch him compete, he would instead just be sitting on the substitutes’ bench. While this was a pretty embarrassing and awkward thing, Xu Tingsheng instead just felt great about it. It was best that he just sit out the entire match like this.

The referee blew the whistle. The match began.

Jianhai Technological University’s forward passed the ball to the midfielder behind him, himself running forward...what the heck, what kind of formation was this? Without even having yet received the ball, there were already three Yanzhou University players surrounding him.

Seeing that the striker was blocked with there being no way of passing the ball to him, Jianhai Technological University’s midfielders began playing the ball right by their side of the midfield, this just persisting on and on. The members of their team vaguely had such an impression: Even when the world had aged and universe was about to implode, the members of Yanzhou University’s team still wouldn’t go forward to apply pressure and fight for the ball.

Jostled amidst several others, the No. 9 and forward of Jianhai Technological University complained in an anguished tone, “Bros, you just don’t intend on playing properly, is that it?”

Yanzhou University’s No. 5 and centre-back told him, “Ha! This old man's been practising penalties for the entire past year to the point of near vomiting. If we don’t drag you people to a penalty shootout today, this old man is quitting!”

Jianhai Technological University’s striker understood as he turned and yelled to the midfielders, “The heck you’re passing? Stop it with that, just don’t care about anything anymore. Throw your legs over and scram your bodies over here as well!”

Chapter 87: That pandemonic confession (2)

In the words of the coach of Jianhai Technological University, Yanzhou University had decided to throw even their face out of the window in this match of football.

Yanzhou University’s coach replied, “Who cares? ...Do you think that out of this entire stadium of chicks here, there are more than three who understand football? Look, look how happy they are.”

The chicks were indeed spectating very happily.

On one hand, Yanzhou University who had always been slaughtered in the past hadn’t even conceded a single goal in the first half. Not knowing anything about possession or switching between attack and defence, the chicks felt that not having conceded meant being on equal terms with the enemy. In that sense, Yanzhou University had improved.

On the other hand, people were congregated close together on the field, with there often being three or four players from the opposing sides tumbling to the ground together in various differing poses. The corrupted girls virtually whooped at that, while the other girls were also interested by these commotions.

This match was a very joyful one.

The scoreline was maintained at 0 : 0 for the first half. As soon as the second half began, Jianhai Technological University substituted in a centre-forward who was more than 1.9 meters tall. This indicated that they were prepared to give up on coordination completely and focus specifically on long crosses.

Yanzhou University’s coach gestured towards the substitutes’ bench, and a hulking giant who was more than two metres tall stood up from beside Xu Tingsheng. This guy had been borrowed from the basketball team, being their mainstay center. He was definitely great at basketball. Still, if it was football, while it couldn’t actually be said that he couldn’t play it at all, that little bit that he knew how to play was really just a little bit.

When the coach had initially borrowed him, everyone had thought that he was to be their goalkeeper. However...that wasn’t the case.

“Get on, mark that tall centre-forward of theirs who’s just come on to death,” The coach said to the basketball mainstay.

The big guy wiped off his sweat, “Coach, I really can’t do it. I, I don’t even know how to defend.”

The coach frowned, “Let me ask you this. How do you usually defend against the opposing center in basketball?”

“Raise my arms, use my body to block him.”

“And there you have it! Get your hands up and block him. Follow him wherever he goes and use your chest to block him...Block him to death, that’s all you need to do.”

Being an earnest person, the basketball center strictly abided by the coach’s instructions after having gone on the field. His arms upraised, he chased around and madly blocked their opponents’ tall centre-forward everywhere with his enormous bulging chest muscles. He blocked him when the ball arrived, blocked him when the ball was not present, blocked at the opposing side of the field, chased him back to their own side of the field and blocked again.

The whistle blew. Someone was injured. As Jianhai Technological University’s tall centre-forward made use of this time to go to the sidelines and drink a few mouthfuls of water, that dude of Yanzhou University came over, his chest upraised. ‘Heh!’ A solid block of the body...the poor guy nearly choked to death over a mouthful of water.

Their opponents’ tall centre-forward could be considered tall on the football field, but he was still smaller by a whole size before the mainstay center of Yanzhou University’s basketball team. His coach had placed high hopes on him for the second half. Having taken to the field in high spirits, intending to contribute greatly and secure victory for the team, he had instead been chased and blocked about the entire field, resembling a petite daisy swaying in the wind.

His mother! This was a foul, right? Jianhai Technological University protested.

The referee ran off expressionlessly. It wasn’t a foul...How could a slick old hand on the basketball court be caught for a foul so easily? When you weren’t exerting strength, he would lightly block up close with his body. While his movements didn’t seem big at all, they were backed up by substantial force. You wanted to receive the ball? That would be a legal collision then. In the case of legal contact while jumping up for the ball, would you be able to outjump him? Out-collide him?

This was just too tragic. Jianhai Technological University’s centre-forward was close to tears.

The corrupted girls were virtually overwhelmed by emotion. This was...literally a live action movie! The entire stadium was filled with youthful shrieks and laughter for a time.

The match ended at full time with the score 0 : 0. There had only been a single substitution for Yanzhou University. Xu Tingsheng had not had a chance to play at all.

Lu Zhixin’s roommate asked her on the stands-what was to be done about this?

Lu Zhixin replied, “Relax! There’s still extra time.”

In the first minute of extra time, Jianhai Technological University started the ball in their own half. The No.10, who had moved back to become a second striker, received the ball. This captain of the Jianhai Technological University school team who had once been considered for the all-star starting 11 of all of Jianhai Province finally demonstrated his worth now as he directly struck a 35-metre-long low pass deep into enemy territory in the style of Rui Costa. Amidst startled cries, the ball...shot straight past all of Yanzhou University’s midfielders.

Jianhai University’s No. 9, an extraordinarily fast forward, dribbled his way through as he sped off rapidly towards the penalty area…

“Take him down! Take him down!”

Such was being wildly yelled by the coach as well as the entire substitutes’ bench on Yanzhou University’s side. Right, there was only one possible solution-taking him down at any cost before he entered the penalty box. It was fine even if someone was awarded a red card as a result. If they were one man down, they would just hole themselves back in their own half even more deeply. If they gathered everyone back at the edge of the penalty box, there would still be a chance for them to drag the match on into penalties.

However, if they conceded, with their formation, capabilities and remaining stamina, the result of counterattacking could only be conceding even more goals.

The players on the pitch all heard their cries. Their thoughts were the same as well. Three consecutive sliding tackles flew. The No. 9 centre-forward avoided the first one, then the second, yet was ultimately unable to avoid the majestic frame of Yanzhou University’s basketball team centre mainstay lunging in from the side. That wasn’t a sliding tackle at all. That was clearly the movement of a basketball player lunging outside the court to keep the ball in play.

The No. 9 of Jianhai Technological University was struck flying from the waist. He doubled entirely inwards as though having been struck by Kamekameha as he soared through the air. While he flew into the penalty area as a result, the location of the foul was outside of the penalty box, right on its line.

A free kick and a red card, no questions asked.

The basketball player was cheered on as a hero as he left the pitch, as if he had produced some crazy solo game-changing slam dunk on the basketball court.

“I feel like I’m really beginning to like football a little,” The basketball center said as he sat down on the substitutes’ bench.”

Xu Tingsheng and the other substitutes all looked panicked. After all, no one would want to be perpetually chased and blocked by him when split up into groups during their future practices.

Quickly, their gazes all returned to the pitch. There was still a free kick, a free kick from the edge of the penalty box.

The coach performed their second substitution of the match, sending on a central defender to replace another with insufficient stamina.

Yanzhou University lined 6 people into a human wall, with the remaining three in charge of marking.

The main free kick taker for Jianhai Technological University was their captain, the No.10. He strolled leisurely forward and placed the ball on the spot. He walked back, full of confidence as he deftly began his run-up, striking...the ball drew a beautiful arc...entering straight into an unsalvageable corner.

0 : 1.

Yanzhou University had painstakingly held on for more than 90 minutes, one of their number even having been sent off. They had given their all in trying to drag the match on to penalties, and just when it had truly seemed that they might really be able to achieve it...by that deft strike, by that graceful arc...it had all shattered in a single moment.

Jianhai Technological University’s No.10 did not race off wildly in celebration. He just stood there, his arms raised high. Then, he smiled, turning towards Yanzhou University’s cheerleading squad and main crowd of spectators, lightly putting his index finger to his lips: Shhh.

The meaning herein was: Shut up.

Having still been cheering for the basketball mainstay just a moment ago, the spectators and cheerleading squad of more than eighty fell completely silent. It was not that they were obediently shutting up. It was desolation, despair that led to this involuntary, hapless silence.

After the silence came the swearing. An entire world of swearing descended upon the captain and No. 10 of Jianhai Technological University’s football team.

It was not because he had scored. It was because that celebratory action of his had really been too humiliating. Against their swearing, Jianhai Technological University’s No.10 revealed an intentionally mocking smile as he spread his hands apart and shrugged as if to say: Who cares?

Swearing could not solve anything. If they wanted to revive their fallen pride, it was only on the pitch that they might be able to do so.

All the Yanzhou University players on and off the pitch directed their gazes at the coach. Actually, the coach was infuriated as well, not a single person having cursed more fiercely than him just now. However, faced with their inquiring gazes, he inhaled deeply, making a downward suppressing motion with his hands.

Stabilise yourselves. Continue guarding to the deaths.

There still being 20 minutes before the end of extra time, now was still not the time for an all-out counterattack. Having relied completely on sprinting to establish a psuedo-numerical advantage and maintain their clean sheet up till now, the stamina of the Yanzhou University players were already in no way comparable to that of their opponents. Also, being a man down, if they launched their final counterattack too early on, it would only be leaving themselves vulnerable.

Only by ensuring now that they did not concede further would Yanzhou University have the chance to retaliate with all their remaining might in the final ten or even five minutes, even though the chances of success therein would be very, very low.

Spurred against the same common enemy, united in their aspirations, all of Yanzhou University’s players forcibly held on despite their majorly depleted conditions, salvaging one perilous situation after another, madly scrambling forth to block the ball time and time again. People continually collapsed to the ground with cramps. They were not trying to drag out the time. They had truly depleted even their very last remaining vestiges of energy.

“Coach, sub!” The captain yelled towards the sidelines.

There was still one final substitution available for Yanzhou University. Still, against the captain’s request, the coach hardened his heart, shaking his head expressionlessly in refusal.

Xu Tingsheng understood that this substitution was to be saved for that final counterattack right at the end. An offensive player would take to the field, to slay their unwitting enemies into submission.

This was Yanzhou University’s sole chance. They could only bet their all on it.

The stands fell silent again. The proceedings on the pitch resembled a silent war film. There was not the smoke of the erupting gunpowder, but there seemed to be the desperately onrushing figures braving the incoming enemy fire.

The girls might not understand football, but they could see the resolute expressions on the faces of the players, their teeth grit in painful determination. They could see those scrambling movements that bordered almost on crawling as their knees and elbows scraped across the ground, could see the flames of fury blazing within their eyes...they could hear those unconsciously released howls that mustered all their final vestiges of strength.

In order to wash away that humiliation, Yanzhou University’s football team had placed their very lives on the line.

From that moment when Jianhai University’s No.10 had put his finger before his lips towards that entire stretch of spectators, indicating for them to shut up, Yanzhou University’s football team had become sinners, sinners that had caused the entire Yanzhou University to be humiliated.

They had lost 1 : 4, even 2 : 11 before, but neither could even be compared to the humiliation they had suffered this very day.

Because today, thousands of Yanzhou University spectators as well as Yanzhou University’s cheerleading squad of more than eighty girls who had been standing for more than two hours amidst the cold winter had been indicated by someone to ‘shut up’, yet had only been able to maintain their silence…

Yanzhou University had been bullied, had been humiliated.

Yanzhou University’s girls had been bullied, had been humiliated. At this time, where were Yanzhou University’s guys?

Everyone of Yanzhou University’s school team wanted to wash away this humiliation with their own hands. However, the gap between the two teams was really too great. Additionally considering how their stamina had been depleted, they were currently behind and they were a man down, with the situation on the pitch...they could only barely painstakingly hold on, as it seemed....like they stood not a chance at all.

This was a desperate, despairing struggle.

Some girls who were rather more emotional began to weep. Tears began glistening in the eyes of the other girls who were less emotional, and even some guys.

With 15 minutes left to extra time, the two teams switched sides. The coach indicated for all the remaining substitutes who had yet to come on to get up and get themselves warmed up.

Before the stands, Xu Tingsheng began with a slow jog, accelerated, sprinted.

Leaning over a railing, Huang Yaming said, “Heck, your university somehow turned a match that had originally been no contest at all into some kind of tragic war film. Hell, even I feel like supporting your side right now.”

Xu Tingsheng ignored this guy who shared no sense of affiliation with his university and shared not with its pride at all.

What he had originally wanted was to sit out the entire match, evading that confession show that rendered him speechless just thinking about it. However, at the end of the day, Xu Tingsheng’s veins ran warm with blood. At this moment, his hot-bloodedness had already been completely ignited by the proceedings on the pitch.

He wanted to play, wanted to score. Whatever confession, whatever rose, whatever Lu Zhixin...everything else paled greatly in comparison. There was only going to battle as a hot-blooded man of Yanzhou University that was the most important.

As Xu Tingsheng was running slowly by Huang Yaming again, the latter continued, “Hurry up and get on that pitch! Go score one. Just one, and you’ll be your Yanzhou University’s hero... Every girl here will be weeping and wailing and clamoring to marry you, you know?”

Fu Cheng came over and pushed away the jabbering Huang Yaming, brandishing his fist towards Xu Tingsheng as he yelled, “Xu Tingsheng, what-his-mother-just-get-on! Kill them dead!”

With just ten minutes remaining in the match, Yanzhou University’s coach who had retained his silence up till now suddenly made a sweeping gesture, roaring at his greatest with the air of a commander ordering the final remaining soldier of his troops to charge forth into the enemy’s lines in a manner that feared not death’s embrace, “Xu Tingsheng, get over here!”

Chapter 88: That pandemonic confession (3)

This was a football match which had turned into a war, an unprecedented war over Yanzhou University's pride.

At the final juncture of an incomparably important match such as this, as the final substitute for the final all-out attack, Yanzhou University's coach finally roared the name of a newcomer at the top of his lungs: Xu Tingsheng.

“Who's Xu Tingsheng? Is he good?”

“I don't know. I’ve never seen him play before!”

“Zhixin, he's on, he's on! Will he score?” Lu Zhixin's roommate pushed abruptly at her shoulder.

“Yeah...I, I don't know,” Lu Zhixin clenched her fists, looking a little hopeful whilst also a little nervous.

Discussion was rife on the stands, but there were few who could provide an answer.

Actually, even Xu Tingsheng himself was a little taken aback by this. While he wanted to play, he hadn't actually thought that he would really be given the chance to. The final substitute bore everyone's hopes on his shoulders. It was truly too weighty a position to be in. Yet, Xu Tingsheng was just a newcomer. He hadn't even managed to get onto the substitute list, only having been added in due to his teammate just happening to have suffered an injury right before the match.

It was clear that in having chosen to send Xu Tingsheng on now, it was not because the coach thought that he was all that prolific. Instead, it was because…

Xu Tingsheng looked at the substitutes’ bench. This being a competition in which Yanzhou University had been resolved to defend to the death, the starting lineup aside, the substitutes’ bench was basically comprised only of defenders and defensive midfielders. The original reserve striker had been Chen Xiao. Now that Chen Xiao had suffered an injury, that only left Xu Tingsheng.

With there being no other choice, there was only leaving it to fate?

This was what many people guessed.

Xu Tingsheng and the coach stood by the sidelines, awaiting the substitution. It was that doltish fourth year vice-captain who was to be substituted off. Of course, his performance in this match today had been in no way doltish. He had given his all and gotten the team out of a tight spot several times, also having encouraged his teammates all the way.

Currently, it was with his final vestiges of energy that he ran towards the sidelines. He wanted to finish the substitution as quickly as possible, yet his running speed was not at all high. He was already completely out of stamina. Otherwise, the coach wouldn't have taken him off.

Making use of this short interval, the coach tried to tell Xu Tingsheng not to be nervous. However, looking at his clenched, trembling fists, Xu Tingsheng knew that the coach was actually more nervous than he was.

Jianhai Technological University’s coach leaned over, smiling, “What? Sending a rookie on to accumulate experience? ...You're surrendering, are you?”

As Xu Tingsheng and his coach ignored his blatant mockery, he continued, “I remember you saying in the first half that the spectators were very happy. Are they still happy now?”

He turned towards all the spectators of Yanzhou University, waving his hands as he yelled loudly, “Are you still happy watching? ...How come you're not laughing anymore? How come you're not scolding anymore? ...Continue laughing, continue scolding, why not!”

...Everyone was taken aback by this.

Perhaps he would be admonished over this after the fact, admonished for totally lacking the bearing and refinement of a university football coach…Still, this wasn't important. What was important was: Once again, Yanzhou University had been humiliated.

Scolding erupted amidst the stands. As the coach, unable to suppress his fury any longer, made as if to dash over, Xu Tingsheng reached out and stopped him.

The vice-captain finally arrived by the sidelines. The hug they exchanged as they effected the substitution was more like him collapsing within Xu Tingsheng's embrace.

“I'm leaving it to you, go...kill them dead,” He said, before collapsing straight towards the face of Jianhai Technological University's coach.

Who could know whether this was due to his overwhelming exhaustion or had been intentional? Whatever the case, that collision was not a light one.

“Shoot, shoot, shoot...Your mission is to go to the front and shoot! Remember, shoot...just shoot!”

The coach repeated non-stop that Xu Tingsheng was to shoot, shoot. Yet, right as Xu Tingsheng took his first step onto the pitch, it was a single word that blasted into his ears from behind, 'Kill!’

“Kill!”

The first shout of 'Kill’ came from the coach.

The second shout came from the stands from all the guys who were sitting there. Not having made their presence felt much at all earlier, the Yanzhou University male population among the spectators finally erupted with a collective roar of their own at this final juncture. If they could, every single one of them wished to take to the pitch and do battle at this moment. But they couldn't. Thus, they released their hot-bloodedness and fury in a single, fervent, frenzied roar: Kill!

This was a word which originally wasn't supposed to appear on a football pitch: Kill!

However, this was a war. Due to Yanzhou University’s stubborn resistance having produced a stalemate in the game, Jianhai Technological University who had never even thought about them as anything before this was frustrated to the point of their embarrassment turning into rage.

It was they who had began the humiliation, thereby bringing about the scoldings. It was they who had provoked this war, the two sides now being as irrevocably opposed as fire and water.

A deeper, more intrinsic reason was that the two universities had always been at odds, neither thinking very much of the other.

There were seven universities in this academy city. As those of Yanzhou University saw it, this being Yanzhou’s academy city, Yanzhou University should naturally be the indisputable ‘big boss’ amongst them.

However, those from Jianhai Technological University didn’t think so. Rather than Yanzhou, it was Jianhai Province that their name stemmed from. They were not Yanzhou Technological University; they were Jianhai Technological University. Logically speaking, they should be established within the provincial capital, Xihu City. Since they had unexpectedly graced Yanzhou City with their presence, how wasn’t it only natural to claim sovereignty there?

Anyway, the relationship between the two universities was not all that good. Separated by just a river, they rather disliked the sight of each other.

Originally, it had been the minimum results required for being accepted within as well as the fruits of their technological research that the two universities had always been competing in. Here, it was Yanzhou University which had steadily been gaining the upper hand in recent years. Today, however, this football match which originally shouldn’t have held such great significance had inadvertently become a battlefield in which the two universities were facing off.

It was like a swordsman having thrown off his white gloves in a fit of anger, a decisive battle beginning as a result.

Just moments ago, Jianhai Technological University’s coach had added yet more fuel to the fire, publicly humiliating their foe once more...there no longer existed a path of retreat for Yanzhou University. They might not even be able to raise their heads out on the streets in the future any longer.

“Kill, kill, kill!” The entire stadium resounded with the thirst for blood.

For the first three minutes after Xu Tingsheng had entered the pitch, he didn’t get to touch the ball even once. He was virtually stranded and without support on their opponents’ half of the pitch. There were already very few who were able to try to make a break over with the ball. Those balls which came flying over via his teammates were virtually all wild clearances.

Xu Tingsheng could only try to steal the ball himself.

The first time he caught onto a long clearance from a teammate, he had only just stopped the ball when he had found himself directly surrounded by three opposing players, the ball...swiftly being stolen by the Jianhai Technological University team.

Sighs resounded all around the stands.

Xu Tingsheng realised what he should do. He shouldn’t just relaxedly stop the ball whenever possible and control it before moving off to search for a chance. There was no one who could help free up space for him, no one able to draw away the opposing defenders. Even if there was someone with the stamina to come up and coordinate with him, it also required him being able to get the ball first.

He was not that proficient in breaking through defences with the ball. In having been the core of his senior high football team’s midfield in the past, it was actually passing which he was most proficient in, those laser-precise passes sent right before the feet of a teammate. Yet, who could he pass to now?

Therefore, as the coach had instructed, there was but a single choice which Xu Tingsheng had: shooting. Receiving the ball, then immediately shooting.

The second time he received a long clearance from the back, 35 metres away from the opposing goal, Xu Tingsheng didn’t stop the ball, directly volleying it forth with his main foot...too high, too far, and at too great an angle, the ball flew out of bounds beyond the sidelines.

It would be merely a throw-in for Jianhai Technological University.

On the stands resounded the sighs of the Yanzhou University supporters as well as the mockery and booing of those on the side of Jianhai Technological University.

Of course, after the sighing, the spectators of Yanzhou University still applauded Xu Tingsheng for his efforts. Anyone could see how tough a position he was in, how stranded and without support he currently was. Many a times, he was surrounded by two or three Jianhai Technological University defenders at once.

No one would ask so much of this newcomer, but they had heaped all their hopes on him nonetheless. If they didn’t have expectations of him, who else might they still have expectations of now? He was the sole attacking player on the pitch now, and there was just him who still had sufficient stamina.

The applause, whilst an encouragement, also conveyed all of their hopes, their anticipation.

Jianhai Technological University’s No.10 and captain walked over, flashing Xu Tingsheng a thumbs up, “Great clearance, little bro’s really nice.”

While knowing that he was being humiliated, Xu Tingsheng said nothing. There was no meaning in a war of words. All it would do was waste time.

Walking over, Yanzhou University’s captain told Xu Tingsheng in a low tone, “Ignore him, you’re too far away from the goal. Go to the arc of the penalty box; we’ll help you steal the ball once. Sorry, it can only be once…”

“Believe us, we’ll definitely steal this throw-in of theirs this time. After that, it’ll all be up to you.”

Jianhai Technological University’s defender nonchalantly performed the throw-in. He was indeed nonchalant in doing so, because Yanzhou University had not applied pressure and tried to steal the ball the entire match. Therefore, there was no reason for them to be cautious.

However, this time, right at that instant during which the throw-in was launched, all of Yanzhou University’s players who could still move, moved. Yanzhou University engaged in a frenzied scramble for the ball on their opponents’ half of the pitch for the first time this entire match.

This was them staking everything they had on this one final venture, drawing on all of their final stamina as they left their defence completely open.

At its unexpected nature, Jianhai Technological University’s players were caught completely off guard against Yanzhou University’s final frenzied bid.

As three of their players won the ball on the right flank in a concerted bid, it was Yanzhou University’s No.7, a winger, who got the ball. While he was a winger, he had played as a defender for all of the past almost 120 minutes. This was the first time he had had the chance to pass from the flank to the centre this entire match.

He did not go for the cross. Xu Tingsheng could not be considered tall.

A low pass whistled through the air right above the ground straight towards Xu Tingsheng, on the left side of the arc of the penalty box.

Xu Tingsheng blocked the opposing defender with his left shoulder, receiving the ball and sprinting…

The most familiar position, the most favoured angle, the most habitual footwork...In Xu Tingsheng’s senior high farewell match, he had once scored from the exact same position with a low curved ball.

What about this time?

With no hesitation whatsoever, Xu Tingsheng nudged the opposing defender slightly away with his shoulder, not stopping the ball as he struck directly out with the inner side of his right foot…

Exhalations everywhere.

Everyone stood up, breathlessly watching the trajectory of the ball.

“Bang…”

The ball smashed straight against the post and rebounded.

Sighs resounded alongside the unresigned, furious howls of the Yanzhou University players. There were also the long exhalations of relief as the tensed nerves of the Jianhai Technological University players relaxed…

Yet, a figure was already rapidly approaching the rebounding ball.

At the same time that Xu Tingsheng had completed the shot, as everyone had still been awaiting ‘the moment of truth’, he had already been sprinting into the penalty box for the kill.

Having personally taken the shot, it was only him who was most familiar with its imminent trajectory.

‘Bang!’ Was the sound of the ball striking the post, rebounding.

‘Thump!’ was the sound of Xu Tingsheng’s foot furiously striking the ball once more.

Those sighing had still yet to regain their wits when the ball was already in the back of the net. They were still caught up in their emotions, with many Yanzhou University players still in the midst of sighing, many of Jianhai Technological University still rejoicing…

Xu Tingsheng had already thrown up his arms, going wild in celebration.

The referee blew the whistle, pointing to the midfield. The goal was valid.

The whistle jolted everyone back to their senses. Seeing the ball resting at the back of the net and Xu Tingsheng with his arms upraised as he sprinted madly across the pitch…

1: 1

With the second half of extra time close to ending...Yanzhou University had scored, had equalised.

The stands were filled with roars and cheers at the top of their lungs as the spectators of Yanzhou University leapt, yelled, hugged...that instant’s dramatic plot twist left everyone crazed.

“Zhixin, he’s scored, he’s running over!”

“Yeah, I know, I know…”

Xu Tingsheng was indeed sprinting in the direction of the stretch of stands of Yanzhou University where Lu Zhixin was sitting. However, in truth, he had already forgotten about that matter. He was just too emotional. In having run over, it was only because he needed to sprint, needed to vent those overwhelming emotions bursting forth within his heart.

Perhaps he wanted to celebrate together with they of Yanzhou University who had suffered humiliation and grievance at the hands of their hated opponents.

Her fists clenched tight, Lu Zhixin stood up, waiting. The entire stadium was currently filled with cheers of ‘Xu Tingsheng, Xu Tingsheng…’, while she was right about to receive the confession of he, Yanzhou University’s great hero. That...just how blissful was that?

Wanting not to be emotional would be a very difficult thing.

Yet...Xu Tingsheng did not run before the stands. As he ran, partway through his sprinting, he was hugged directly by the waist and lunged down onto the ground. It was the coach, it was the coach who did that.

Yanzhou University's coach had already gone wild. Currently, he just deeply felt that his choice of substitution had truly been too wise.

It had not been a coincidence. It had not been that he had been left with no choice, therefore just leaving it to fate. It was not that he had tried to treat a dead horse as he would a live one...Everything had been within his grasp, he having long since planned it out. Yes, that was it. He had already discovered Xu Tingsheng’s extraordinariness long ago.

The other Yanzhou University players wanted to celebrate as well, but many of them could already no longer run.

Thus, they shouted, “Xu Tingsheng, come over...let this old man hug you!”

This sounded very much like people shouting for women in brothels in olden times, “Come, let this Master have you!”

Crawling up from the ground, Xu Tingsheng ran over and hugged his teammates one by one. Some hammered their fists on him as they hugged him, some virtually collapsed crying in his embrace, someone actually...kissed him.

Alright, Xu Tingsheng thought as he wiped the saliva off his face. He knew that his teammates who had been fighting it out for almost a full 120 minutes on the pitch truly were too moved, truly needed too much to let it out somehow. Previously, they had been too furious, too repressed.

Right here and now, all their emotions turned into joy.

With three minutes still left in the match, while Jianhai Technological University’s players felt regretful and desolate, their coach as well as their captain, at least, did not lose their cool. After having conceded, their coach quickly called the captain over to the sidelines, establishing their tactics for the rest of the match.

Yanzhou University’s players were already out of stamina. They believed that they would still be able to bring an end to this contest in the next three minutes.

Having finished their discussion, the coach raised his head and the captain turned, only to discover...Xu Tingsheng standing just right before them.

“What does he want?” This was what they thought.

“What do you want?” The No.10 and captain of Jianhai Technological University asked Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng smiled before raising his index finger, bringing it lightly before his lips, “Shhh.”

The meaning herein was: Shut up.

Chapter 89: That pandemonic confession (4)

Before the infuriated gazes of Jianhai Technological University’s coach and captain, Xu Tingsheng smiled before lifting his index finger and bringing it lightly to his lips, “Shhh.” The meaning therein: Shut up.

The entire stadium was silent. Earlier, after Xu Tingsheng had finished hugging his teammates, apart from Jianhai Technological University’s coach and captain who had been in the midst of a tactical meeting, virtually everyone else had had their gazes on him, thinking as he walked towards the sidelines: What’s he gonna do?

Lu Zhixin and her roommate had even been rather joyful, thinking that he was finally coming over to confess.

Then, Xu Tingsheng had done something that everyone of Yanzhou University wished to do, returning the previous humiliation that had been inflicted on them in kind.

You wanted Yanzhou University’s crowds to ‘shut up’? I’ll throw that ‘shut up’ right back in your face.

You asked if we can still continue laughing? I’ll have the entire stadium laugh for you to see.

Now, an uproar.

After the silence came the laughter, the applause, the shouting, “His mother, how great this feels!”

Perhaps Huang Yaming was right. In having gone on and scored, next returning their humiliation in kind...at this moment, at least, Xu Tingsheng was Yanzhou University’s hero.

Fortunately, the ladies were still reserved. It was fortunate that they would not yet have learned that phrase which would become popular ten years down the road: XXX, I want to birth ‘monkeys’ for you!

Otherwise, how tired Xu Tingsheng would be.

“Hell!”

Jianhai Technological University’s captain, that No.10 star player who had always remained calm and arrogant up till now, finally lost it with this humiliation. Unable to suppress his fury, he lunged over and pushed Xu Tingsheng. The players of both teams as well as the spectators on site began to clamor.

The referee quickly ran over and separated the two of them. One yellow card each, breaking apart the commotion.

The whistle blew; the match resumed.

Xu Tingsheng had returned to the pitch.

“Zhixin...this...he,” Lu Zhixin’s roommate trailed off in her words.

“He...he didn’t have a choice. The referee gave him a card and hurried him back,” Lu Zhixin bit her lips, feeling somewhat unresigned as well as despondent yet not really being able to say anything about it.

Counting injury time, there were perhaps still three minutes before the end of the match. These three minutes would be incomparably long for Yanzhou University. They would have to face that final frenzied counterattack by Jianhai Technological University following their conceded goal.

“Everyone, hold on tight! We’ll make it through this!” The captain shouted loudly, his fist clenched tightly as he shook it.

Xu Tingsheng remained on their opponents’ half of the pitch, not returning.

“Xu Tingsheng, come back and help to defend!” The captain shouted.

Actually, looking at the current situation, the captain’s analysis and call were right, could not be more right. It was impossible for Yanzhou University to obtain another chance. Xu Tingsheng remaining in that half served no purpose at all aside from occupying the attention of two Jianhai Technological University defenders. He probably wouldn’t even get to receive the ball again.

On one hand, it was impossible for Yanzhou University to launch another frenzied all-out ball-stealing bid. That would be too risky, and their players had already used up all of their stamina in that last wave of frenzied offence. Their sole goal now was making it through these final three minutes, awaiting the penalty shootout.

On the other hand, Xu Tingsheng had already gained sufficient worth in the eyes of their opponents. A tall Jianhai Technological University defender followed him closely, continuously being up to some little tricks. Another defender stood around two to three metres away from him, prepared to intercept any incoming passes directed towards him at any time.

Like this, even managing to receive a pass over where he was just seemed like a distant, far-fetched dream.

However, he shook his head towards the captain in refusal.

Currently, Yanzhou University’s defence consisted of people piled up before the goal. The addition of a single Xu Tingsheng might be of some use, but it wouldn’t be to the extent where it affected the entire trajectory of things. Also, if he returned, Jianhai Technological University would be able to press in completely on their goal without any reservation whatsoever, with the pressure on them only being even greater.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng was more useful remaining on their opponents’ half of the pitch than their own.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng still had a worry, a worry that he couldn’t voice out: He was not confident in Yanzhou University’s chances of winning the upcoming penalty shootout.

Yanzhou University held an advantage in neither stamina nor prowess. Even while they had trained in penalties for the entire past year, the overbearing pressure and their limp legs would still affect their performance…

If it really went to penalties, Yanzhou University’s chances of winning wouldn’t be more than thirty percent.

And if Yanzhou University failed in the penalty shootout, what awaited them might be a humiliation ten times, perhaps even a hundred times more intense than before. Their two sides having already reached an irreconcilable stage, neither would leave behind any bit of face for the other. The Jianhai Technological University team definitely wouldn’t let this chance go.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng wanted to try, try ‘killing off’ this match beforehand…

The problem was: How might he try when he wasn’t even able to receive the ball?

At the end of the day, Xu Tingsheng was not that kind of rigid, faultlessly honest person. Also, he was far more mature and experienced than these youngsters here. He had played many years of street soccer before. He, was very crafty.

Xu Tingsheng had watched the entire match prior to this off the pitch. While the spectators had been watching the game, he had been watching it as well. However, his perspective and standpoint had been different. To be precise, while the spectators were mostly watching just for the fun of it, he had been observing and pondering on the proceedings.

Back then, Xu Tingsheng had discovered something that he could potentially make use of. Jianhai University’s captain…just loved acting cool way too much. Every time he received the ball in the midfield, he would always trap the ball beneath his foot and pause for a moment with very much the flair of a great general observing the situation on the battlefield before lightly sending the ball forward, following up and beginning with the attack.

To be honest, this action was indeed a rather cool one, giving off the feeling of being in complete control of the battlefield with there being no situation that he might be unable to react to.

However, as Xu Tingsheng saw it, this was literally asking for the ball to be stolen. Acting cool would call forth heavenly thunder! He was just asking for it.

Xu Tingsheng’s chance would lie with stealing the ball from right beneath his foot.

Also, Xu Tingsheng knew that he was currently really furious. Xu Tingsheng thought that it would be better the more furious he was. Therefore, in these final three minutes, he would ‘chat’ with him a little every time the two passed by each other.

Jianhai Technological University’s captain stood near the centre of the pitch most of the time, being in charge of overseeing the overall situation. The ball would first arrive at his feet before almost every single attack, with he being the one who would launch them.

Xu Tingsheng remained near the centre of the pitch, saying, “Before the match, I heard that you were once considered for Jianhai Province’s all-star starting lineup. I really admired you...yet in this match, I totally couldn’t tell it at all! Sigh, to think I had originally still thought of getting your autograph.”

“Had you ever thought that this might happen today? ...Totally not, right? Haha, let me tell you. Life is always full of surprises, and these unexpected things always make life all that more exciting. You should learn to take things as they come…”

“Do you feel that it was me or you who was cooler in performing that ‘shut up’? ...I feel that it was me, because I’m a bit more handsome than you anyway.”

“Do you really feel like beating me up right now? ...To be honest, even I myself feel a little like beating me up right now. What a bastard!”

“For some reason, I just really feel like chatting with you...are you free right now?”

“Hey, don’t go away! Let’s chat for a little while more...Senior, you’re so shy.”

This seemed to be Xu Tingsheng’s first time having done something so childish and ‘scoundrelly’ ever since his rebirth. For some reason, it was only ever when Xu Tingsheng played football that he would seem to have returned completely to his youthful days, truly resembling a male university student, a silly and childish brat.

Trash talk was also a part of competition, even while it was more commonly seen on the basketball court.

As Jianhai Technological University’s offence persisted, Yanzhou University’s defenders gave it their all time and time again, fervently blocking and clearing the ball almost blindly or bravely throwing their bodies in its path to block it.

In the final minute of injury time, the ball returned to the midfield once more, now trapped beneath the foot of Jianhai Technological University’s No.10.

Having been biding this opportunity for the longest time, Xu Tingsheng sped rapidly over from behind him, turning and lowering his body as he performed an action similar to a sweeping kick, his right leg sweeping across the ground, intercepting the ball...next taking the ball and penetrating straight into the heart of enemy territory.

Jianhai Technological University’s No.10 was chasing after him.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t even have to look back to know that he must currently be gnashing his teeth. As soon as he managed to draw near, what awaited Xu Tingsheng would be a harsh sliding tackle that sent both striker and ball flying.

His speed was around the same as Xu Tingsheng’s, both being around upper average. When he turned, Xu Tingsheng had already pulled a distance away from him, with it not going to be easy for him to catch up.

Therefore, as soon as Xu Tingsheng was around 25 metres away from the goal, he began intentionally lowering his speed, waiting for him. Yes, waiting for him.

There were still three Jianhai Technological University defenders on the edge of the penalty box. Xu Tingsheng was not proficient in dribbling his way through defences. He had the self-awareness that it would be impossible for him to manage a high-difficulty movement like dribbling past all three of them and taking a shot. As soon as he neared the edge of the penalty box, he would be flanked and the ball would be stolen away from him.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng actually planned for something else, already having decided on this long before having stolen away the ball. His true motive was to get their captain to make a foul, bringing forth a free kick before the penalty area.

It was precisely because of this that he had endlessly provoked the guy with trash talk earlier. It had all been to bring up his ‘rage meter’, inducing him to go in for a slide tackle later on.

It was precisely because of this that he was gradually lowering his speed...waiting, waiting for the enraged Jianhai Technological University’s No.10 to draw near...to slide him.

Behind him resounded heavy breathing, the sound of someone dropping to the ground, the characteristic sound of an incoming sliding tackle.

Xu Tingsheng lightly moved the ball aside, remaining where he was in anticipation.

“Welcome, welcome.”

It happened all as predicted, Xu Tingsheng rolling across the ground a few times, a footprint left behind on his calf that was swollen and bleeding. The referee promptly flashed a yellow card at Jianhai Technological University’s No.10. Two yellows became a red, and Jianhai Technological University’s star player, their captain...was sent off.

There was no dispute, no doubt. It had been a clear and indisputable foul. Many were still feeling indignation as well as worry on Xu Tingsheng’s behalf. That sliding tackle from behind had indeed appeared much too violent and aggressive.

It was just this No.10 who suddenly came to the realisation that he had been set up. Having once been considered for Jianhai Province’s all-star starting lineup, as Jianhai Technological University’s experienced captain and undisputed star player, he had been set up by and fallen to this year one newcomer of Yanzhou University.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng as he crawled up from the ground, he didn’t lunge over infuriated. This had always been a part of competition. It was he who had been too arrogant, had viewed the match too simply, to the point of having lost his cool having met with a setback later on…

At this moment, he instead felt a sense of release as he smiled bitterly, saying to Xu Tingsheng, “I hope that your free kick is not as good as mine.”

Having said that, he calmly left the pitch.

Still, those of Yanzhou University were not released of their need to vent. What greeted him was the loudest booing and mocking laughter. In truth, there was never any true right or wrong in such matters. It was merely subjective.

He had wounded Yanzhou University’s honour, bringing them humiliation. Then, he had paid the price for his deed. It was merely that.

In the final moments of the match, Yanzhou University won a free kick right outside of the penalty box. If it went in, it would effectively kill off the match. If it didn’t, the two sides would enter a penalty shootout.

“You take it. No pressure,” The captain said.

Xu Tingsheng nodded, rubbing his calf that was still throbbing slightly.

All present held their breaths, awaiting the final verdict. Xu Tingsheng...

Placed the ball.

Took a few steps back.

Began his run-up.

Leaned backwards and slightly to the right.

His inner right foot contacted the bottom of the ball.

Arc.

Unsalvageable corner.

The net shook.

2 : 1

The match was over.

Yanzhou University had scored two consecutive goals in the final ten minutes of extra time, staging a dramatic reversal over Jianhai University as they killed their way into the next round of the University Football Confederations Cup’s preliminaries.

The swordsman picked up the white gloves that he had thrown towards his opponent, wiping off the bloodstains on the blade of his sword, sheathing it back into its scabbard.

Chapter 90: That pandemonic confession (5)

Frenzied celebration erupted all around. Xu Tingsheng was flung into the air by his teammates, before...slamming onto the ground. His teammates already no longer had the energy to catch him.

He was hugged by his teammates, hugged by strangers, hugged by friends. Fu Cheng came up and punched him lightly on the chest, “Heck, well done…”

Huang Yaming made as if to come up as well. Xu Tingsheng told him to hurry up and hide, lest those of his university see him and kill him.

The chicks from the cheerleading squads asked for hugs as well.

Such a matter...think about it. With the chicks wearing as little as that on a cold winter’s day having stood for more than two hours amidst the cold winds, they must surely be feeling terribly cold. So, how could anyone find it in their hearts to refuse them?

Hugging is hugging; don’t think any untoward thoughts. This was ‘sending warmth’, ‘doing public service’. Moreover, his teammates who had originally been lying limply and exhaustedly on the ground were already struggling up to their feet, joyfully going up for the hugs.

Today’s tale actually went like this:

Year one Xu Tingsheng, a new addition to the squad, had only entered the list of substitutes at the last moment due to an accident.

Then, he had sat out an entire game on the substitutes’ bench.

Yet afterwards, with the team one goal down and with ten final crucial minutes of extra time left in the match, he had been sent on by the coach because there had simply been no other option.

Six minutes after going on, he scored the equaliser...Yanzhou University was saved from the jaws of death, their humiliation washed away.

In the final moments of the match, he struck the free kick that he had won himself...scoring the second goal and killing off the match.

At this point, the tale was actually already sufficiently legendary. However, the spectators, unwilling to depart even after so long due to being filled with too much joy and emotion, were still yet to know.

There was still another show that would be coming right up.

Amidst all the chaos, Xu Tingsheng saw Lu Zhixin. Sitting quietly right at the front, it would not be difficult to spot her at all, because she was just much too conspicuous. Her tall figure, her woolen sweater of pure white that made her seem like a beautiful snowman, her jet-black hair that fluttered lightly amidst the winter winds…

She looked at Xu Tingsheng, opening her mouth yet not saying a word.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to pretend that he hadn’t seen her. In truth, he had remembered, but...if he could muddle things through, that was just what he would happily do. The current scale of things was already much too great. It was already no longer just a problem of him being embarrassed.

The original intent in acting out this show had been to bring an end to this matter.

Now, however, as soon as Xu Tingsheng, Yanzhou University’s hero, did so, this show would immediately implode out of proportions. It would follow him for four years, and it would follow Lu Zhixin for four years as well. The incident of the faculty’s flower confessing in front of the dorms would not come to an end as a result. It would only intensify more and more.

This was not a result Xu Tingsheng wanted. He felt that Lu Zhixin would not want it as well.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng shook his head, shooting Lu Zhixin an apologetic look. He decided that he would call her to explain later on, explaining his rationale and his worries.

Seeing this, Lu Zhixin nodded in a piteous manner, indicating that she accepted his decision. Then, she tried earnestly, tried very earnestly to force out a smile…

However, even as she smiled, her eyes were filled with pain as well as a sense of grievance. When a girl’s tears were about to flow but were kept from flowing, her brows knit tight, there were actually sometimes when one’s heart would ache more, soften more than if the tears were trickling unceasingly down her face.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had underestimated Lu Zhixin all along. While the two had only interacted in the simplest form before, Lu Zhixin was no ordinary person. She was the type of woman who was truly ‘remarkable’ in the sense of the word. Over these days of interacting with Xu Tingsheng, she had already analysed him, come to understand him to the greatest extent.

She wouldn’t have taken the initiative to confess to him despite her position otherwise.

In this way, the current Lu Zhixin was the woman who had come to understand Xu Tingsheng the most up till now. In this regard, she really surpassed Apple far, far too greatly.

Apple had originally thought herself to be rational and benefit-driven. However, after having interacted with Xu Tingsheng and descended into love, Apple had actually had been completely overwhelmed by and subject to her true feelings and emotions, laughing when she felt like laughing, crying like she felt like crying...when feeling conflicted and troubled, she would be completely helpless…

She had never tried to grasp and manipulate Xu Tingsheng through any schemes or methods, never even having thought to do so.

If she were truly calm, rational and benefit-driven enough, she would unquestionably have been able to make use of such schemes and methods to invoke and make use of Xu Tingsheng's feelings for her to as great an extent as possible...She would have unquestionably been able to gain a stable grasp over the overall situation. However much Xu Tingsheng was unable to forget about Xiang Ning, it also wouldn't have reached the point of her being pushed away as she had been now.

Silly, foolish her.

Lu Zhixin was not foolish. She had grasped Xu Tingsheng's nature and weakness. Xu Tingsheng wasn't afraid of intimidation, wasn't afraid of coercion, wasn't afraid of ceaseless harassment and shamelessness. For one of his age, there was virtually nothing he might be unable to deal with…

The only way that he might be defeated was through his heart-causing his heart to soften to the greatest extent whilst definitely not letting her heart be clouded and overwhelmed by emotions, getting flustered in the midst of her offensive.

Apple was actually able to cause Xu Tingsheng's heart to soften as well, being able to do so through her true, natural self. However, she got too easily flustered and in effect compromised in her interactions with him.

Yet, Lu Zhixin was different. Now, she just looked at Xu Tingsheng like this, trying hard to smile, sniffling slightly once in a while…

Near her were close to twenty of her roommates and classmates who were in the know. They all watched her, watched her get hurt yet again by Xu Tingsheng’s breaking of his promise, watched her, though having suffered an injustice, only being able to forcibly bear it.

She should actually leave now, but she didn’t.

She could ask her roommates and classmates to leave first, but she didn’t. The presence of her roommates and classmates and everyone’s watching eyes could allow the injustice she had suffered and her piteousness to be played up to the greatest possible level.

Because this would cause one to involuntarily wonder: What would she do after she had returned? How would she be able to face these close classmates and roommates of hers?

Xu Tingsheng saw all of this, also wondered as Lu Zhixin wanted him to.

Therefore, his heart softened.

“It’s just a show anyway. As long as its scope is limited to just within the university, with Xiang Ning not present and Apple not present as well, since this matter wouldn’t hurt the two girls I’m truly most concerned about, so be it then.”

Yanzhou University’s greatest hero this day, Xu Tingsheng, suddenly broke free of the celebrating crowds and headed to a stretch of shrubbery by the side. Amidst the chaotic situation, some people noticed his actions. They watched him, guessing what he was going to do.

Xu Tingsheng found that black plastic bag amidst the shrubbery, carrying it along as he came before the stands, standing before Lu Zhixin.

Everyone here had noticed this unexpected spectacle by now.

Many people had earlier heard of the matter of Lu Zhixin having been rejected in confessing to a boy before the male dormitories. Instead, it was Xu Tingsheng who had been least known in the matter. Before today, he had been far, far less famous that Lu Zhixin.

Now, things seemed to have become much clearer.

Firstly, the male lead was this very day’s hero of Yanzhou University, Xu Tingsheng.

Secondly, the faculty’s flower had not been rejected. It was just that the male lead had wanted to confess himself and in a grander manner. Look, he had hidden something amidst the shrubbery beforehand, having long been prepared...it could not be any more evident..

This was the largest scale ‘audience’ Xu Tingsheng had ever been subject to, surpassing even that day back in Libei Senior High when he had returned as their top scholar.

Lu Zhixin mouthed ‘thank you’, very sincerely.

Xu Tingsheng could hesitate no longer. He...passed the plastic bag over...hey, something seemed a little wrong here.

“Why are you...sigh, take the flower out!” Lu Zhixin’s roommate reminded Xu Tingsheng.

“Oh, right,” Xu Tingsheng felt a little troubled, but since he had already acted it out to this point...he opened the plastic bag, taking out the rose, raising it high as he extended it before her.

“Following this, I’m just waiting to be rejected,” Xu Tingsheng thought, “Girl, just shaking your head and leaving is fine, or saying a ‘sorry’ is okay as well. Just don’t do anything major like flinging the rose towards my face! The rose...has thorns.”

The reason Xu Tingsheng was thinking this, was suspecting that Lu Zhixin intended to throw the rose at him, was that he saw Lu Zhixin currently actually in the midst of lowering her body to receive the upraised rose.

Lu Zhixin held the stem of the rose with one hand.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t let go.

Xu Tingsheng mouthed, “What’s with this? You don’t have to receive it?”

Lu Zhixin said, “Okay.”

She had not mouthed it, nor had she said it softly. She had said loudly with a joyful, radiant smile on her face, ‘Okay’. Her voice had come off as lively and adorable, but it had been too loud, loud to the extent that virtually all here had been able to hear it.

Xu Tingsheng was left completely dazed, the doubts coming unceasingly within his mind, “What...what’s with this? Girl, what’s the meaning of this? This expression of yours isn’t right!”

Lu Zhixin’s grip grew slightly stronger.

Xu Tingsheng adamantly refused to let go.

Then, originally just having been pinching the stem of the rose with two fingers, Lu Zhixin’s...entire hand closed in. Roses had thorns; the thorns of this rose pricked into Lu Zhixin’s palm, blood trickling out from her the edge of her clenched fist…

Xu Tingsheng could only let go.

Lu Zhixin stood up as she held the rose, flashing the most radiant smile and displaying the perfect level of nervousness and shyness as she said happily, “Xu Tingsheng, thank you...I, I’m willing.”

The hero’s confession had just been accepted by the faculty’s flower. Such was the dramatic spectacle that had just unfolded before the eyes of all the members of the ‘audience’ here...and how blissful it was.

Then, applause and whistling resounded, accompanied by well-intended hoots.

Xu Tingsheng finally understood now. He didn’t know why Lu Zhixin had wanted to do this, but he at least understood one thing. This had been a set-up all along. Lu Zhixin had designed this trap specifically for him, and he had fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

“It can’t be that she knows that I am a rebirthee, with a great, glorious future ahead of me, right?” Xu Tingsheng could not understand the rationale for this, did not know what he had that was worth Lu Zhixin doing this.

Amidst the cheers, the dazed Xu Tingsheng had a forced smile on his face while Lu Zhixin appeared shy yet radiant. She had already relaxed her grip that was on the rose, carefully holding it before her…

A hand reached over, snatching away the rose in Lu Zhixin’s hand.

Chapter 91: I just came to see you, incidentally

Amidst the cheers, Lu Zhixin was shy yet radiant as she carefully held the rose before her...A hand reached over, taking away the rose in her hand just that directly and straightforwardly.

Everyone was taken aback.

Beside her, a beautiful young girl of sixteen or seventeen held the rose in her hand, her other hand holding onto the railing as she exclaimed to Xu Tingsheng before the stands, “Big brother, I’m opposed!”

The rose-snatching little sister said that she was opposed.

Looking at Lu Zhixin who had an uncomprehending, forced smile on her face, Xu Tingsheng explained rather awkwardly, “My little sister, by blood.”

Lu Zhixin heard him, and those around them heard him as well. Just when the story between the hero and the beauty had nearly been entering the closing lines of ‘And so they lived happily ever after’...

Someone had leapt out and snatched the rose, wrecking the tale.

Were her actions too much? But this person was Xu Tingsheng’s little sister, by blood! Lu Zhixin could not blow up, and it was even less so for her roommates and classmates...no one could.

“Before the wife’s been wedded, she’s already going at it with the little sister-in-law?”

Some people didn’t know what to say; some people felt worried for Lu Zhixin; some people felt empathy for Xu Tingsheng who had been placed in a spot...Naturally, there were those who were jumping for joy as well, though only figuratively as they weren’t able to let it show too clearly for now.

“The ‘hero’ Xu Tingsheng is...single again? Good job, little sister-in-law!”

Such was the mentality of these young ladies: While you temporarily can’t be mine, it’s at least still better than watching you being all sweet and happy with someone else, right? ...If you still aren’t mine even in the future, it’s best that you remain single your entire life then.

Therefore, who knew how many girls were actually applauding Xu Qiuyi in secret, wishing her to keep up the good work. A portion of the chicks in the cheerleading squad were even sorely tempted to immediately flash out their pom-poms and banners and do a cheer for her.

“Go, little sister-in-law!”

Yet, Xu Tingsheng had still yet to express his stance. Whose side would he stand on in this ‘war’? His little sister’s, or his new beautiful girlfriend’s? ...Everyone was waiting for Xu Tingsheng’s reaction, believing his silence to be representative of an intense inner struggle currently ongoing within him.

Xu Tingsheng was actually not troubled at all. Having finished acting out the show, even having been set up, he felt that he really shouldn’t owe Lu Zhixin anymore. Meanwhile, his little sister Xu Qiuyi was one of the two people whom he most wanted to spoil and dote on in this world.

“How are you here all of a sudden?” Xu Tingsheng looked up, smiling affectionately at her.

“Bro Fu Cheng, Sis Song Ni and Bro Yaming brought me in here,” Xu Qiuyi said.

Gazing behind her, Xu Tingsheng saw the trio standing not far away, looking greatly amused at his miserable plight.

“What I mean is-how are you in Yanzhou? ...The holidays shouldn’t begin earlier for senior high than for university, right?”

“I’ll tell you later. Let me get down now.”

Xu Qiuyi stepped behind the railing and got ready to jump down, but when Xu Tingsheng hurriedly reached out and said ‘I’ll catch you’, his sister shook her head disdainfully, “Move aside, you’re dirty and smelly.”

“The little sister-in-law’s really strong! It looks like she’s been spoiled like mad. It’s going to be really troublesome for Lu Zhixin this time.”

Xu Qiuyi still didn’t know about the major feat Xu Tingsheng had just pulled off today, still didn’t know that she had suddenly just become so many people’s little sister-in-law for some strange, mysterious reason. She leapt off the stands, straightening her bent knees and giving a single clap.

“Let’s go, Xu Tingsheng. You must’ve embarrassed yourself enough already. Being watched by so many people...urgh.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Xu Tingsheng directed Lu Zhixin an apologetic look before following his little sister in leaving. Departing alongside them were Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming and Song Ni, circling over from the other side.

“This great, almighty confession show’s ended just like that? ...Should this be considered a happy ending for a loving couple or a pair of lovebirds having been separated by force? Can Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin be considered as having gotten together?”

This was something for others to consider. Xu Tingsheng, in the meantime, couldn’t be more grateful to his little sister. Him having fallen into a pit of schemes, she had then pulled him back up into safety.

“Brother, you definitely can’t be unfaithful to Sister-in-law,” Xu Qiuyi said as they left the stadium.

“...Sister-in-law?”

“Senior Wu Yuewei! Our relationship’s great...Xu Tingsheng, let me tell you this. I definitely won’t let you bully her. If you dare to bully her, you’re dead.”

“......”

Xu Tingsheng had forgotten about this affair. While Wu Yuewei was far away from him, she was close to his sister, Xu Qiuyi! The two had become friends on Xu Qiuyi’s first day of school, with Xu Qiuyi having already made her stance incomparably explicit this past few months.

Unable to provoke his little sister, Xu Tingsheng could only explain the matter with Lu Zhixin in detail from top to bottom. Her meaning was clear-he had done right, but it should stop with that.

This was what Xu Tingsheng thought as well.

“You still haven’t said how you came to be in Yanzhou,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It being the weekend, I came over with Mum and Dad to buy clothes for the new year. And so, incidentally, I just came to see you. We’ll be leaving soon.”

“You’ll be leaving soon? When did you guys arrive? How come you didn’t tell me earlier?”

“Dad drove over himself. It was slow to death; we only arrived in the middle of the night. It was so late that we decided not to call you. Then, we went shopping today. Shopping and shopping, we completely forgot about you...we remembered you just before we were to go back, and so I just came to see you, incidentally.”

Forgot...incidentally...Xu Tingsheng felt very hurt.

“After I arrived, I called you but no one answered. I only managed to find you through calling Bro Fu Cheng’s phone. In the end, as soon as I went in, I saw you there embarrassing yourself...”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t want to think about that embarrassing stuff anymore. Hearing that his parents had come as well, he hurriedly got Song Ni, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming to take his sister on a tour of the university before running off on his own to go meet Mr Xu.

Mr Xu's Audi A6 was parked outside the school gates. It was a secondhand car, having been bought by him just after having attained his driving license from the boss of the Golden City Tower who had coincidentally been looking to sell it at the time. While it had only been in use for one year, he had managed to buy it cheaply for around half of its original price.

Xu Tingsheng had heard Mr Xu mention this matter over the phone before. Seeing the car, he very much wished that he could take it for a spin. However, afraid that his parents would be curious as to how he had suddenly learned how to drive, he could only yearningly stroke the exterior of the car for a bit.

In his previous life, he had assuredly not owned an Audi before.

As Xu Tingsheng and his father leaned back on their seats smoking a cigarette, Lu Zhixin and her roommate passed by a distance away.

Lu Zhixin's roommate tugged at her sleeve, exclaiming, “Look, Xu Tingsheng's family car! It looks like his family must be rather well off!”

Lu Zhixin smiled faintly, giving no comment on the matter.

Xu Tingsheng asked his father, “The Golden City Tower's Boss Ye really can't hold on any longer?”

Mr Xu nodded, “His business has collapsed. The Golden City Tower has also already changed hands. Its current owner is Huang Tianzhu.”

Having basically left Libei for good after graduating from senior high in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng couldn't remember who this Huang Tianzhu was. However, from Mr Xu's tone, this person should be very well known in Libei, perhaps even notorious. Xu Tingsheng understood this from the slight furrowing of Mr Xu's brows amidst his words.

“We’ve got a contract in hand. That Huang Tianzhu...he can’t actually do anything to us, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked Mr Xu, not inquiring about Huang Tianzhu’s identity.

Mr Xu took a puff on his cigarette, “He hasn’t said anything about the contract. He’s just given us a few offers for our supermarket.”

Xu Tingsheng felt rather surprised by the guy’s appetite which was even greater than he had thought as he smiled, asking, “Offer? How much did he offer?”

“Five hundred thousand.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless by this price of 500000 yuan which was no different from daylight robbery looking at Happy Shopper’s investments and current profits.

“Relax. Leave it to me to deal with these things,” Mr Xu patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, not speaking further on the matter.

After all, in his eyes, however intelligent Xu Tingsheng was, he was still just a child. Meanwhile, this matter might already have escalated to a whole different scale altogether, not being something that Xu Tingsheng could participate in with his current level of power and influence in society.

Being rushed for time, Mr and Mrs Xu as well as Xu Qiuyi left without eating dinner.

After they had left, Xu Tingsheng asked Huang Yaming, “Who’s Huang Tianzhu?”

Like in his previous life, Huang Yaming had always been the most interested in the political scene amongst the trio. Xu Tingsheng thought that he might have to help pave such a path for him in the future.

Being extremely familiar with even the various village heads of Libei County, Huang Yaming easily answered, “Huang Tianliang’s brother.”

“These two brothers are pillars (LiangZhu),” Fu Cheng interjected from the side.

“Who’s Huang Tianliang then?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Libei’s local snakehead, the Chief of the county’s Public Security Bureau. A local of Libei, having already set his roots in for a few decades...the county officials dispatched in from outside all have to give him face. Otherwise, they won’t be able to live properly on in Libei.”

Hearing Huang Yaming’s words, an ominous feeling arose within Xu Tingsheng’s heart.

Fortunately, the holidays were right around the corner. Xu Tingsheng had originally wanted to stay on for a few days to deal with matters regarding the platform. Now, however, he just wanted to get home quickly.

……

That night, the sports division and the football team organised a celebratory banquet. As a meritorious general, Xu Tingsheng felt obliged to go.

People in sports usually drank exceptionally forcefully and intensely once they got on with it. Afraid of getting drunk, Xu Tingsheng dared not get started as he just covered his wineglass with his hand the entire night. Whoever came over trying to pour him wine, he would smile forcefully at that person all the way till the other party could not but give up.

Finally, he just escaped over to the girls’ table to take shelter. The girls were comparatively easier to deal with. Just acting cute and pleading for mercy, Xu Tingsheng was already able to tide things through.

Those of the football team and sports division had invited quite a few chicks of the cheerleading squad as well as the artistic division to this celebratory banquet. After all, just a whole bunch of men drinking wouldn’t be a great thing.

Lu Zhixin was there as well, seemingly having been invited as a member of the artistic division. Xu Tingsheng had avoided her the entire night.

Finally, it was the other members of the football team who found Xu Tingsheng, the entire team collectively pressuring him, “This round of wine, one per person, is from us bros in gratitude to you. You can’t not drink it.”

This round would entail at least twenty straight glasses of wine. Xu Tingsheng felt troubled.

“I’ll drink on Xu Tingsheng’s behalf.”

A voice resounded from behind Xu Tingsheng as a smiling Lu Zhixin jostled through the crowd, coming to stand very naturally beside Xu Tingsheng as she raised her wineglass. This...was the attitude of a girlfriend?

Chapter 92: Lu Zhixin’s secret

As Lu Zhixin was about to go for her third glass, Xu Tingsheng reached out and stopped her. This was just how he was. Even while he rather minded and was rather confused about Lu Zhixin’s actions today, as long as someone had not clearly demonstrated any intentions of harming him, Xu Tingsheng would always show that person the greatest level of respect.

He still couldn’t understand the motivation behind Lu Zhixin’s actions. Even if she had been attracted to him a little from their previous interactions, it still couldn’t explain why she had done things to this extent, looking a little as if she was randomly stirring things up in a sort of wilful harassment towards him.

Despite everything, Lu Zhixin had still not demonstrated any malicious intentions towards him at the end of the day.

One’s good intentions can not be accepted, but how can they be repaid with malice? ...The meaning of this was basically that you can refuse to accept another’s goodwill or even feelings of love, but no matter what, you can never, ever justify returning them with resentment or hatred.

In other words, if someone is like: You actually dare to have feelings for me? I don’t like you, so I’m going to viciously humiliate you, stomp over you, kill you dead. That person’s a lunatic.

Xu Tingsheng could categorize Lu Zhixin’s actions under expressing her feelings towards him. Even while her methods might have been a little over the top, this still shouldn’t be wrong. Therefore, while unable to understand why she had acted this way, Xu Tingsheng still gave her the respect that she deserved. He reached out and stopped her from drinking her third glass.

“Let me do it myself,” Xu Tingsheng said, smiling.

Lu Zhixin leaned over, whispering in his ear, “Relax, my alcohol capacity’s great.”

This rather intimate action sent the atmosphere into a high. In the end, Xu Tingsheng drank a glass of wine as well. His teammates’ rationale was: You’ve become a hero today, and also carried away the beauty. You just can’t not drink even a single glass.

After the round of wine, Lu Zhixin’s face had not turned red, her steps remaining stable.

A little after 8pm, people began looking for others to continue partying around with, continuing with the next wave of fun over at the KTV. Xu Tingsheng left early under the pretext of having an examination the next day, Lu Zhixin taking her bag and following after him.

“Xu Tingsheng, are you mad at me?” Lu Zhixin asked from behind him.

Turning, Xu Tingsheng replied, “It’s not that I’m actually angry. Instead, perhaps I should thank you for thinking so highly of me. It’s just that...I can’t understand. I really don’t know what’s so good about me that’s worth you doing this.”

Lu Zhixin smiled, but did not speak.

Xu Tingsheng pressed, “Can you explain a little?”

Lu Zhixin shook her head, answering, “No.”

In having said ‘no’, rather than the likes of ‘I just like you somehow, just really like you’, this was equivalent to Lu Zhixin having tacitly admitted some things. This was bravery in another form, candidly admitting that she had a secret whilst also firmly expressing that she would not reveal it.

Since that was so, Xu Tingsheng could not press her regarding this matter.

Out of manners, with Lu Zhixin having helped him to block more than twenty glasses of wine in a single go, Xu Tingsheng had originally intended to escort her back to her room. Now, however, his phone rang.

He always had two phones on him, one being the old one back from Libei and the other the new one that he used in Yanzhou University. Due to mobile roaming, his parents included, virtually everyone who was looking for him now contacted him via his new number.

It was his old phone which had rung, the one which used the number that he had left for Xiang Ning. He had already been waiting for this call for nearly an entire semester. Therefore, he cared not about manners now.

……

Lu Zhixin walked along the path leading back to her dormitory alone. Amidst the cold winter winds, she felt a little ‘piteous’ walking on her own. However tough and rational she was, frankly speaking, she did feel a little resentful. The incident before the male dorms as well as today’s incident-in truth, she felt sometimes like laughing mockingly at herself, laughing at how she really deserved it.

Still, she did not intend to change, did not intend to stop.

During her initial interactions with Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin had also considered that he might have approached her with the intention of pursuing her. The reason she had not refused him was that he had really acted far too naturally. Also, his intonations really were rather good, surpassing even quite a number of her fellow students from the English course.

As time passed, Lu Zhixin began noticing some unusual things about Xu Tingsheng, such as how he was more mature than other guys of the same age, also being calm and stable in dealing with matters.

Throughout the entire semester, she had virtually never even seen him flustered once.

Also, he seemed to possess great self-confidence, with this self-confidence being expressed in a very calm, natural way. For example, the first time Xu Tingsheng had asked her out for a meal, he had dispensed with all formalities and gone straight to the point, asking her right after the bell signalling the end of the lesson rang, “Come, let’s eat together.”

It was as though going for a meal together could not have been a more natural thing. No guy had ever asked Lu Zhixin out for a meal like this before. They would always hesitate for a long time, struggling inwardly, before stammering out the words, “Will you be free later?”

“How are you so confident? You feel that things are completely within your grasp? But I haven’t even fallen for you yet!” This was how Lu Zhixin had felt the first time Xu Tingsheng had invited her to eat together. Therefore, she had found some random excuse and turned him down.

During that free elective class those following two weeks, she had tried to give Xu Tingsheng the cold shoulder.

However, she had not seen Xu Tingsheng dismal and panicked like she had thought he would be. He had still been the same as usual. Once again, after the bell had sounded, Xu Tingsheng had said, “Come, let’s eat together.”

“This crazy bastard, has he forgotten that he’s been turned down by me before? Doesn’t he feel embarrassed?” This time, for some reason, Lu Zhixin had not turned him down.

Afterwards, Xu Tingsheng still remained the same as usual, leaving hurriedly after class most of the time whilst saying once in a while, “Come, let’s eat together.”

After the two had eaten together five or six times, Lu Zhixin had finally blurted out, “Why do you invite me to eat together?”

Xu Tingsheng had answered, “Well, lunch hour is right after class! Also, I’m grateful to you for practising intonations with me. It’s easy to find a partner in your English course, but there’s really only you I can rely on...So, I invite you so as to keep on your good side.”

Lu Zhixin had wanted to exclaim: You can go to English Corner, go to English Salon! She hurriedly suppressed this weird thought that had suddenly arisen within her mind, even secretly rejoicing that she had not said it out loud. If she had, perhaps this guy might really not look for her anymore?

“So, is it really only just that?” After Lu Zhixin’s roommates had secretly observed her and Xu Tingsheng eating together a few times, after they had gotten used to teasing her in a playful manner, ‘That guy’s pretty handsome! Stop hiding him, when’re you going to bring him back for us to inspect?’, Lu Zhixin had known that she was attracted to him, her heart fluttering just like that of any other girl.

She had begun thinking, “Alright, let’s just see how long you can hold back for. If you bring it up, I’ll reject you once first, only considering agreeing after that...Forget it, I’ll won’t reject him. Why don’t I just wait for him to bring it up, after which we can embark on a relationship together.”

Xu Tingsheng had not brought it up. Instead, Lu Zhixin had grown more and more enamoured with him, also beginning to understand him better and better, including the adorable childishness that showed through occasionally in his personality.

When a man both was steady and mature as well as adorably childish at the same time, a woman would often find it hard to resist him, both their youthful hearts and maternal instincts being awakened as a result.

Lu Zhixin was still resisting it, but if it was merely this, it still wasn’t sufficient to account for her having been unable to suppress her emotions, thereby taking the initiative to confess later on, even having come to randomly stir up matters and perform wilful harassment yet afterwards.

This lasted all the way till the girls in her artistic division sent off their fourth year female seniors in a farewell party. There, she had come to know their former division head, Fang Chen, also having taken down this self-proclaimed ‘Stable throughout a thousand glasses’ great beauty through her shockingly proficient alcohol capacity.

The two had hit it off very well. Therefore, she had looked after Fang Chen in a motel room the entire night, the latter telling her many things in her drunkenness. In her tipsiness, she had also blurted out the name ‘Xu Tingsheng’ without any reservations whatsoever.

“Xu Tingsheng, the person you’re talking about is Xu Tingsheng? Oh no, you’re in for it…”

Then, the drunk Fang Chen had let Lu Zhixin know of a whole different side of Xu Tingsheng.

“The highest score? A poor kid who shamelessly wants money and doesn’t want face? Someone whom Fang Chen admires as well? A girl called Apple whom he seems rather close with yet also distant from? … And even more shocking is...the mysterious Rebirth?”

Lu Zhixin was not that kind of girl who could not keep secrets. She did not mention this matter to anyone, Fang Chen after she had finally sobered up the next day included. She only silently went to understand everything there was to know regarding Rebirth.

In front of the dorms that night, there had been both truth and falsehood within Lu Zhixin’s words. At that time, she had indeed still yet to listen to Rebirth’s new song, <<You Knit A Woolen Sweater For A Freaking Fool>>. However, she had already come to understand everything else there was to know about Rebirth, their corporate income included.

She had been present at the scene of the welcoming party that night. Thinking back, it could be determined from their appearances that of the two on the stage back then, Xu Tingsheng was not the one who had confessed.

Afterwards, she had even come to know of the establishment of Hucheng Education Service Platform from one of her roommates whom Li Linlin was rather close to. Back then, Old Wai had only just begun busily working late into the nights and on into the mornings. Back then, there was still virtually no one who had known who the person behind this platform was.

In truth, even now, many people had still yet to learn about Xu Tingsheng’s relation to this platform. There were even fewer who could tell the ambition behind this platform that was completely free of charge.

Yet, Fang Chen had been able to tell, and it was the same for Lu Zhixin as well.

Therefore, when her roommate had astonishedly tugged on her sleeve, when she had seen Xu Tingsheng’s family car, she had actually not been surprised at all.

The man whom she had already been interested in originally had suddenly had two mighty attributes of power and mystery added to him. Perhaps he had a great and glorious future ahead of him. Lu Zhixin’s mindset had also correspondingly switched from ‘can embark on a relationship together’ to ‘I’ve definitely got to have you in my grasp’.

“The him on the field today was really so captivating to us girls. Also, that foolish look afterwards when he handed the entire plastic bag over-it was so adorable.”

Lu Zhixin knew that she had fallen ‘ill’, and that this illness was only getting more and more severe.

At the same time, her confidence stemmed from her analysis and understanding of Xu Tingsheng as she knew that she had grasped his nature and weaknesses.

Just like back on the stands, when she had wanted to take the rose but he had been unwilling to let go. She had switched from pinching to grasping, her entire hand closing in, the thorns of the rose pricking into her palm and blood flowing freely as a result...Xu Tingsheng had let go.

Everything had gone according to Lu Zhixin’s predictions. This was Xu Tingsheng.

Lu Zhixin was confident in being able to deal with Xu Tingsheng. In order to achieve this, she minded not being a little more vicious to herself.

……

Elsewhere, Xu Tingsheng knew nothing of this. He dashed a short distance away whilst hurriedly pulling out his phone, his hands trembling a little as he pressed the button to pick up the call.

Chapter 93: 5-Star Home Tutor

Xu Tingsheng had nearly broken down into tears waiting for this call.

He was really crying, “Hello?” As his voice was rather hoarse and distorted, he eased his breathing before saying once more, “Hello?”

“Oh, hi,” Came the voice from the other side of the phone, “I...wrong number.”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback…

Fortunately, the call was still connected. Fortunately, he still remembered this voice.

“You're little Xiang Ning?” Xu Tingsheng asked in the gentlest tone he could muster.

“Yeah.”

Little Xian Ning having said 'yeah’, Xu Tingsheng became flustered again, due to two sentences. The first was something Xiang Ning had said in his previous life: When I got bullied and was huddled up in a corner crying, you didn't come to protect me; The second was what he had said to Xiang Ning upon giving her his phone number: If there’s anything that you need my help with, anything, just call me, and I will come.

When a person is too concerned about someone else, he or she would easily be worried, easily worrying that something bad might have happened to that other person.

It was almost 9pm when Xu Tingsheng received her call. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng panicked, his mind full of Little Xiang Ning's tear-stained face. Had she been bullied? Had she suffered an injustice? …

He was like a guardian dog with his hackles about to explode.

“Where’re you? Has something cropped up? Tell me, I'll be there immediately!” Xu Tingsheng asked rather urgently.

“No, there's nothing...I'm in school,” Xiang Ning said, “I just happened to see the note with your number on it, so I called it. Then, I wanted to tell you Happy New Year...many happy returns.”

His tensed nerves finally relaxing, Xu Tingsheng slumped down on the spot, not knowing whether to laugh or to cry. So it had actually been a New Year greeting call! Happy New Year, and yeah, also many happy returns.

Did he have to give her a red packet?

It was a little early for New Year greetings, but to Xu Tingsheng, things were just however Little Xiang Ning said they were.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before replying, “Yeah, and Happy New Year to you as well. Many... improvements in your studying.

“Yeah,” Little Xiang Ning was silent for a while before she said in a grievance-filled tone, “The bullet shell was snatched away...I snatched it back afterwards. Also, there’s also that when the volleyball flew out...it wouldn’t fly back in again.”

As she spoke of the volleyball not having flown back in, Xiang Ning’s tone was rather piteous, just as if she had been bullied. Perhaps what she was really expressing was: Liar Uncle, are you not going to care about me anymore?

Xu Tingsheng knew what Xiang Ning was talking about. Previously, he had visited the little hill behind the field of Xiang Ning’s school every Tuesday. Once, Xiang Ning having struck the volleyball over the school walls, Xu Tingsheng had thrown it back over for her.

This Tuesday afternoon, however, Xu Tingsheng had had an Archeography examination. So as not to flunk it, he had not gone to see Xiang Ning.

So, she had struck the volleyball over the school walls again? That having happened, it had actually not flown back...That was really too much. It was no wonder that Little Xiang Ning was angry.

Little Xiang Ning continued, “Last week, I sent the volleyball out again. My classmates asked me to go get it. I said that it would fly back by itself. I even bet with them over this. But the ball didn’t fly back...I had to help her to pour water for the entire last week. Just thinking about it, I feel like I suffered a great injustice.”

This, really...how much of an injustice she had suffered! As in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng knew that Xiang Ning could not actually be considered weak. It was just that she always needed someone to coax her a little. After that little bit of coaxing, she would immediately be invigorated and full of life.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Why don’t you bet with them again next semester then? ...Next semester, the ball will definitely fly back, even if it’s raining and there’s lightning.”

On the other end of the phone, Little Xiang Ning’s sadness turned to joy as she laughed, “No, it doesn’t have to fly when it’s raining and there’s lightning. We won’t have physical education if there’s a thunderstorm. You definitely mustn't do that, okay?”

“It doesn’t have to fly when it’s raining and there’s lightning...is this out of her concern for me?”

Xu Tingsheng was a very easily satisfied person. Just like this, warmth surged within his heart.

He said, “Alright, it won’t fly when it’s raining and there’s lightning.”

“Good.”

The two chatted for a while, Little Xiang Ning having already completely opened herself up to him. Her personality here was completely in line with that in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life.

“Uncle, are you studying in Yanzhou University?” Xiang Ning suddenly asked.

“That’s right,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Then, then...do you know who Rebirth are? Many of my classmates listen to their songs. I’ve also heard them say that Rebirth comes from Yanzhou University.”

Xiang Ning asked this in a cautious tone, as though she was enquiring into a national secret.

Xu Tingsheng got full of himself. There was nothing at all that he needed to hide from Xiang Ning apart from his having been reborn.

Therefore, he replied joyfully, “That’s right. It’s me.”

“Huh?”

“I’m Rebirth, me and a friend of mine.”

“Sigh,” Little Xiang Ning sighed, saying rather exasperatedly, “Liar Uncle, you’re really...can you not be so childish?”

“Me, childish?” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly explained, “No, I really am Rebirth.”

“Whatever. I’m going back to my room soon. It looks like you don’t know, so let’s not talk about this anymore.”

Xu Tingsheng could only find another topic of conversation, “Your school will be breaking for the holidays soon, right?”

“Yeah. The end-of-term examinations are coming right up. Mum says that if I do badly again this time, she’ll be finding a home tutor for me next semester. Once I think of going back home from my teachers at school and finding yet another teacher at home...urgh, it’s frustrating to death,” Little Xiang Ning said in a huff.

From Xu Tingsheng’s memories, Xiang Ning’s family background could only be considered average, and he had never heard her speak of having once gotten a home tutor to help her in her studies before. Still, she was now saying that she was looking for a home tutor. A home tutor, that was what she’d just said!

Xu Tingsheng felt emotional.

He asked, “Why did your mum suddenly bring this up?”

Xiang Ning said, “Because all my cousins have found one as well! It’s all the fault of that whatever education platform, going around distributing flyers everywhere. My maternal aunt found one to teach her daughter during the winter holidays. Mom says that if I don’t do well for the end-of-term exams, she’s going to register there and find me a home tutor as well. She says that I’ve definitely got to make it into a first-tier school. However might I do that?”

Home tutor, Hucheng Education Service Platform, first-tier school. These three phrases came together in Xu Tingsheng’s mind…

Xu Tingsheng said something very shameless, “Actually, just study for the end-of-term examinations however you want. You don’t have to be too serious...Also, if you really end up looking for a home tutor, make sure to choose one with a high university entrance examinations score.”

……

Xu Tingsheng was confident in Xiang Ning’s results, was confident that she wouldn’t score too well. Therefore, after the call had ended, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly made his way back to the riverside residence at lightning speed. While Xiang Ning had said that they would be considering the matter of looking for a home tutor only after her examination results had been released, Xu Tingsheng was already unable to hold himself back.

Registration, entering the details, pinning, and also...those blindingly dazzling university entrance examination results. Xu Tingsheng wracked his brains for a while, feeling that there was something still missing. Finally, he gave Old Wai a call.

“Old Wai, does our platform have that kind of special function, the kind that allows the registered information regarding some exceptionally awesome home tutors to glow with light?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Old Wai considered for a while before asking confusedly, “Glowing with light? What do you mean? ...Like a Buddha? An aura of golden light…”

“Right, yeah! That’s it.”

“There isn’t.”

“There should be one.”

“No, who would be deserving of something so grand? Even the highest we have now are merely two 1-Star home tutors.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before letting out the embarrassing words, “Me.”

Old Wai was completely stunned. What had happened to Xu Tingsheng, suddenly thinking to take to the frontlines himself?

Opening the platform for a look, he then began howling into the phone, “Bro Xu, this is really too shameless! Let’s ignore the fact that you went over to register even as a boss. You even pinned and recommended yourself, even forcibly set yourself as a 5-Star home tutor, even forged a whole bunch of good evaluations. And now...you actually still want to glow with golden light?”

“Then...it doesn’t have to glow with golden light.”

“No, the others can’t do as well. We’ve got to do things by the book.”

“My university entrance examination results are so high; we can use them as promotion.”

“Just pinning will do then.”

“No, I’m the boss.”

“You can’t even if you’re the boss! As the boss, it’s even more so that you should set a good example. I’m going to delete you.”

“If you delete me, I’ll seal your username, and Linlin’s as well.”

“Sigh, dang it! Why’re you doing this?”

“I’ve said, for promotion! Relax, I’ve concealed my personal information. No one will know that it’s me.”

“I…buzz, buzz, buzz.”

After Xu Tingsheng had hung up the phone, Old Wai sat dazedly there for a while, only hurriedly contacting Li Linlin after he had finally regained his wits.

The two pondered together for a while before finally sending a private message to all the other registered home tutors under their platform aside from Xu Tingsheng: The pinned one is only a 5-Star model, not being a living person. We eagerly anticipate the emergence of our first 5-Star home tutor. When that happens, special rewards await! Keep up the good work!

Xu Tingsheng still didn’t know that he was already no longer ‘amongst the living’. He tossed and turned about his bed. What if Xiang Ning’s parents chose someone else when the time came? Discuss with the other party or directly seal his (or her) account?

Elsewhere, Old Wai was telling Li Linlin, “Bro Xu seems to have suffered some great blow. It’s like he’s lost his mind!

Chapter 94: As if seeing the old me

After afternoon examinations the next day, Xu Tingsheng received a call from that Yanzhou Nightly reporter he had previously met in the Civic Square. The reporter had specifically called to inform him that the newspaper article from last time had already been published. The remaining matters need not be said.

Xu Tingsheng returned to his dormitory room and packed up his things. After saying goodbye to his roommates, he returned to the riverside residence. Along the way, he bought a copy of that day’s Yanzhou Nightly. Flipping through it, he was rather satisfied with the article, which could be considered pretty good.

Following this, having received the other party’s bank account number on his phone, Xu Tingsheng transferred him the money.

He could not claim to feel joyful or disgusted regarding this. It was just-he felt a sense of release. In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had been a somewhat overly rigid person, perhaps having been overly arrogant or thought too much like a scholar. Having been a teacher, having just moved from one campus to another and not sufficiently interacted with society at large, he had been greatly unused to things having left education for entrepreneurship later on.

Now, he only wished to safeguard those things which were truly important to him above all else. As for everything else, he would just let nature run its course.

Arriving at the riverside residence, the two students whom Li Linlin had introduced were currently here. They had already come here a few times before, having already gotten familiar with their required job scope. Xu Tingsheng had nothing additional to tell them, merely giving the two a partial advance of their wages and instructing them to rest properly and have a good year.

As for the problem of security over the winter holidays, with Zhong Wusheng around, Xu Tingsheng naturally had nothing he needed to worry about at all.

Faced with a boss who was also a first year student like them, these two students Li Linlin had introduced had initially felt it to be a little strange, inevitably acting a little more restrained as a result.

After having interacted a few times and grown more familiar with Xu Tingsheng, they could already joke around with him infrequently now.

This time, one mischievously called, “Hi, Boss! Heehee.”

Then, she pointed downstairs, smiling, “Reporting to Boss, the hardworking Lady Boss already arrived in the afternoon! She’s been busy until now; currently, she’s in the midst of discussing business with a customer downstairs.”

Usually, Xu Tingsheng requested of them not to call him Boss. Xu Tingsheng could really not yet associate himself mentally with this form of address. More time would be needed before he truly got used to assuming this role on a daily basis.

Now, not only had she called him Boss, she had even said...Lady Boss.

Xu Tingsheng was struck dazed by these words, “Lady Boss?”

“Student Xu...don’t pretend, everyone knows. You’ve already taken down our faculty’s flower-could I be less clear on that? Zhixin and I are in the same class and the same dorm room, you know.”

Only now did Xu Tingsheng come to a realisation. Li Linlin had merely told him before that one of the girls introduced by her was from the English course. Unexpectedly, she was actually also that same roommate of Lu Zhixin’s she had spoken of who had to work hard for her livelihood alongside Li Linlin.

Lu Zhixin had come? And not only had she come, she had even helped out for the entire afternoon, and was currently still helping out with business discussions downstairs...really, what opera was this chick singing? This seizing of initiative, this enthusiasm-Xu Tingsheng was really left feeling a little panicked.

Not waiting for an explanation, Xu Tingsheng hurried downstairs.

There was a relatively small parlour between the three rooms downstairs. Xu Tingsheng had previously bought a sofa and a coffee table, setting the parlour up as a simple, temporary place to receive guests.

After all, he had originally also planned the platform as a medium through which training institutes could try to recruit people to attend their courses.

Strictly speaking, Lu Zhixin should currently be talking with Hucheng’s first ever customer to have personally paid them a visit at their headquarters.

Opening the door, Xu Tingsheng found a bespectacled middle-aged man seated within the parlour, a cup of hot tea placed before him. Opposite him sat a smiling, earnest Lu Zhixin.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng enter, Lu Zhixin stood up, smiling in a very natural and poised manner, “You’re back?”

“Let me make the introductions. This here is Principal Tang, Tang Guangyi, the main in-charge of Yanzhou Modernity Training Institute.”

“This is our boss, Hucheng Education’s Xu Tingsheng.”

Perhaps because Xu Tingsheng was just too young, the middle-aged man named Tang Guangyi was unable to immediately come up with a proper manner of address for him. Not even calling out a ‘Boss Xu’, he simply nodded somewhat awkwardly, greeting Xu Tingsheng in this manner.

After Xu Tingsheng had greeted the man, Lu Zhixin made up some excuse and called him out of the room.

“The training institute’s looking for us to help them in recruitment. I asked a great price of them, receiving fifty thousand straight up annually coupled with an additional two hundred yuan of proceeds for every student they manage to recruit,” Lu Zhixin said.

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback by this. For Hucheng Education that had only just started out, this was really too high of a price for its first recruiting service. If Xu Tingsheng were to have proposed a price himself, it would definitely have been much lower than that.

Noticing Xu Tingsheng’s expression, Lu Zhixin continued, “Anyway, we’ve already offered them an initial price. As for negotiations, we’ve surely still got to give them some leeway. You can discuss the specifics with him later.”

“Still, I feel that since this is our first recruitment proxy service, it can also be considered a critical step in our fundamental basing of prices. It’s best if...you can persist a bit more on this.”

“My view is that it is better for us to give up on doing this piece of business than to let our standing drop. In terms of Hucheng’s future development, we’re definitely worth this price. We won’t be lacking such business in the future.”

Hearing Lu Zhixin’s analysis, Xu Tingsheng’s understanding of her grew as he asked rather astonishedly, “Your family runs a business?”

Understanding what he meant, Lu Zhixin smiled as she nodded, “My father owns a home appliances business. I’ve been playing there since young.”

Hearing Lu Zhixin’s words, it was not hard at all for Xu Tingsheng to understand why she was so intelligent and astute. This young girl might be even more proficient in the area of business than he was.

Xu Tingsheng wasn’t any troubled over this. What he was troubled about was Lu Zhixin’s current attitude, which was really...too much like a Lady Boss, a virtuous, capable other half.

With her after all having helped him, Xu Tingsheng could not appear too rejecting of her as he asked somewhat awkwardly, “About that, you...how is it that you're here?”

Without any bit of awkwardness at all, Lu Zhixin replied, “Liu Daiyun, your employee and my roommate! She said that you're short on hands here.”

“Since I'm a Yanzhou local and also don't have anything much to do over the winter holidays, I thought that I might as well come over. On one hand, it's to accompany Daiyun a little-she’ll surely be lonely here alone over the winter holidays. On the other, I can also see if there's anything that needs helping out with as well.”

“If you don't mind, I'll be coming over all hols.”

Lu Zhixin having said this, it was equivalent to having cut off all Xu Tingsheng's paths of retreat. If he politely refused, that would mean that he minded. Then, should he say that he minded it or not?

Just as Xu Tingsheng was feeling troubled over this, Lu Zhixin pushed him back, “Alright, let's talk about me later. You should go to talk with that Principal Tang first.”

As Xu Tingsheng was returning to the parlour, Lu Zhixin tugged at his sleeve, elaborating in a low tone, “This person's very easy to deal with. Take it slow, no need to rush.”

Having returned to the parlour, Xu Tingsheng apologised to Tang Guangyi before sitting down and saying, “Principal Tang, regarding the price, my colleague already mentioned it to you earlier. What do you think?”

Xu Tingsheng thought that whether the other party wept and begged claiming their poverty or claimed an insider's overbearingness and derided them for offering an unreasonable price now, it should be done with the motive of slashing prices at the end of the day.

However, Tang Guangyi didn't do any of these, just smiling rather forcedly and awkwardly, “About that...you see, the previous investment for our training institute was very high, so we might not be able to take out so great a sum at once. Can the price be a little lower?”

Before Xu Tingsheng had answered him,he was already continuing, “If it's truly impossible, how about we discuss on paying in installments? When our operations have picked up and we have the cash, we'll pay you a few more times in installments. How about that?”

Xu Tingsheng knew now why Lu Zhixin had said that this person would be very easy to deal with. In fact, that was a massive understatement.

However, just this person whom many in the outside world might take to be a fool instead filled Xu Tingsheng with countless emotions. He was not a fool. He was just filled with the idealism of a scholar, also possessing that pitiable sense of pride.

Feeling apologetic at this, feeling apologetic at that, even claiming that his previous investment had been too great when it was probably just that he was already so poor that he could only cry.

It was like seeing the old him, the him of his previous life.

There was a period of time in Xu Tingsheng's previous life when he had been the same. He had been working in construction, but he had felt too apologetic to look for the old principal when the school he had once taught in had been refurbishing its canteen. His old colleagues would have made use of this old relationship, yet he would rather just go over to the contractors’ and wait fruitlessly there.

In the eyes of others, even to the current Xu Tingsheng himself, such a pride would inevitably seem rather pathetic and pitiable.

Here, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Principal Tang, you were a teacher once, yes?”

“Yes, that's right. I worked in a junior high school for 14 years, teaching Language,” Tang Guangyi said.

“How did you end up starting a business?”

“A few of my friends were discussing and felt that there’s quite a market for education. They wanted to find someone in the industry, and I was the one they chose. Feeling a little unresigned to spending my whole life teaching within a school, I decided to go for it.”

“Then, already having connections with schools, if you additionally draw on the students and their parents whom you've accumulatively taught all these years, recruitment shouldn't actually be that hard, right?”

Being more familiar with training institutes and how they operated within the education industry, the two methods Xu Tingsheng had just spoken of were precisely the main methods of recruitment for many preexisting training institutes. Meanwhile, people who chose to work in this profession were normally equipped with these two conditions.

The Tang Guangyi before him should be equipped with these two conditions as well.

Tang Guangyi smiled, saying, “I haven't used these connections.”

As for why not, Tang Guangyi did not say it, nor did Xu Tingsheng have to ask why. It was precisely that scholarly idealism and pathetic, pitiable pride that was at work. Once again, Xu Tingsheng felt as if he was seeing the old him.

Xu Tingsheng very much wanted to give Tang Guangyi a reminder, very much wanted to scold reason into him, telling him that society just didn't allow for people to be this way. Still, he didn't do it. He knew that no matter what he said, Tang Guangyi would definitely not be able to accept and concur with it. Such things could only be experienced, be realised by someone firsthand.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, enlightenment had only dawned upon him when he had already been penniless and frustrated.

“Principal Tang, how about this? Under the principle of bearing responsibility towards the students, I'd like to go to your training institute and take a look first,” Xu Tingsheng said, “If everything turns out fine, I'll agree to your proposal of paying in fixed installments. We can sign the contract immediately; after that, I'll quickly arrange for the platform to start on the recruitment service for you.”

The number of registered parents on Hucheng Education Service Platform had currently already reached more than 1600 people, still being in the midst of rising rapidly as well. Speaking just in terms of the upcoming winter holidays, a situation had indeed already arisen wherein the supply of home tutors was insufficient to meet their demand.

Xu Tingsheng had the ability to generate business and revenue for Tang Guangyi's training institute.

“Naturally, naturally. Being responsible towards the students is naturally the first and foremost thing,” Tang Guangyi excitedly stood up, “How about we go now then?”

Tang Guangyi's modernised training institute was not far away from the academic city of Xishan. Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin and Tang Guangyi rode a bus over together for a look. Xu Tingsheng was rather taken aback by how good the facilities of the training institute were. As for teachers, the training institute had many proficient teachers who had once taught in famous schools.

However, while Tang Guangyi's training institute had already been in operation for half a year, most of its classrooms were empty, their doors shut tight. Even for those few classrooms whose doors were open, there were only a small number of students inside.

Leaving the modernised training institute, Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin chatted as they walked, the former asking, “What do you think about this modernised institute?”

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a moment before saying, “It's extremely good, shockingly good even.”

“However, while that Principal Tang might be rather proficient if placed in charge of teaching or management, this institute will not be able to last long if he's the one running it.”

“It’ll not last even if we help him with recruitment?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Lu Zhixin replied, “I don't know. Therefore, I feel that we should actually reject this piece of business, or delay it a little, or add some restrictions in the specific process of recruitment…”

“After that, we can wait until he's unable to hold on, and, when the time is ripe...gobble up that modernised training institute.”

“I think that your blueprint for Hucheng’s future development also goes somewhere along these lines. This is a very good chance for Hucheng to get a training institute of its own. You should properly think about it.”

What Lu Zhixin said was right, could not be more right. She was virtually an old hand in the field of business. In having correctly predicted Xu Tingsheng’s future plans, she might even surpass him in this area.

However, she caused a slight chill to run down Xu Tingsheng’s spine. This girl was far more terrifying than he had originally thought. If she was just his employee, Xu Tingsheng would guard against her, but would not mind this, even making good use of her talents.

However, that was not what Lu Zhixin was. What she wanted now was Xu Tingsheng himself, or perhaps something else.

His mind temporarily falling into chaos, steeling his resolve as he was also overcome a little by an urge to run away, Xu Tingsheng looked straight at Lu Zhixin, saying, “Just now, you asked me whether I minded you coming to help over the winter holidays. I’d like to say now that I...may mind.”

Shocked by Xu Tingsheng’s sudden declaration, Lu Zhixin looked dazedly at his eyes, the corners of her mouth twitching and her eyes turning red. However, she did not cry.

“Sorry, I...I’ll go home first then.”

Lu Zhixin left. After returning to the riverside residence, Xu Tingsheng called Tang Guangyi and got the contract signed. With Old Wai and Li Linlin still here, they were able to immediately get started with the implementation of the recruitment framework.

Hucheng completed its first business deal. Also, as soon as the corresponding sum of money had been transferred over, it would virtually be able to completely make up for what Xu Tingsheng had initially invested in the company. Old Wai and Li Linlin were both very happy.

However, Xu Tingsheng could not feel happy at all.

Lu Zhixin was actually not in the wrong, not in the wrong at all. She had simply been diligently stating matters as they were. All of it had been with Xu Tingsheng’s interests in mind.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng was worried that her goal-oriented mindset along with such a scheming method of doing things might somehow come to hurt that person whom he cared about in the future, that precious little girl. Therefore, he chose to be cruel to her.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng’s soft personality was such that he could not help but blame himself, could not help but feel guilty.

Before sleeping, Xu Tingsheng sent Lu Zhixin a message, “I’m sorry.”

Lu Zhixin replied, “It’s fine. You still have a train to catch tomorrow. Sleep well, goodnight.”

Chapter 95: Bashing with a rod or grappling with bare hands

The next morning, Xu Tingsheng got on a train for home.

The green train still traversed the mountainous regions slowly and leisurely. Because it was a rainy day, it was not so bright outside the windows. Previously, it had been six of them who had rode the train together. This time, they were without Apple and Fang Yunyao.

Wanting to break the rather silent atmosphere, Xu Tingsheng bought two sets of poker cards from the attendant’s cart, saying, “Let’s us four play Shuangkou.”

Song Ni took the poker cards, telling Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming, “Let’s play Dou Dizhu, the three of us.”

There is a tragedy in this world, when you think that three other people are a player less and they end up playing Dou Dizhu.

Watching pitifully on from the side, Xu Tingsheng pointed at the cards in Song Ni’s hand after a while, saying, “Play this, and this. They already don’t have any jokers left.”

Song Ni ignored him, throwing out a pair of threes.

“You’re done for, you. Sigh, why didn’t you listen,” Xu Tingsheng commented.

Huang Yaming said, “Pass.”

Fu Cheng said, “Pass.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that he was being shunned as he complained, “Look at you people, acting all emotional like this. It’s still fine for Song Ni who’s a girl, but Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng, why are even you two men being like this?”

Huang Yaming glanced at Xu Tingsheng and said, “Three eights.”

Fu Cheng said, “Pass.”

Xu Tingsheng felt like he was going mad. He said: If the three of you really keep on being like this, I’m going to shun you. I’m going to shun the three of you just on my lonesome. He said: If you have some opinions about me, say them! Even though I won’t accept them regardless!

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng glanced at Xu Tingsheng, not speaking. While they wanted to put on cold expressions, they could not help but smile a little at his current sorry plight. The two were actually not at the point where they definitely had to look disfavorably upon and collectively shun Xu Tingsheng. It was mainly to take care of Song Ni’s feelings that they were doing this, standing together on a united front with her.

Finally, it was still Song Ni herself who was unable to hold it in, her face dark as she paused with each word, “Xu Tingsheng, I feel that you’ve been unfair to Apple.”

As compared to Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming who had been shunning Xu Tingsheng half-jokingly, half-earnestly, as a girl, Song Ni would naturally get emotional more easily as she needed to vent it out even more as well.

With her first sentence, the floodgates then opened as it all gushed out emotionally, “I don’t know who this Xiang Ning is or how she’s like. I’m not acquainted with her. Still, I know Apple. I just feel that Apple is good, and I just feel that you’ve been unfair to her.”

“Alright, I’ll not talk about Xiang Ning then. What about that, that Lu Zhixin? Is she better than Apple, or is it that she’s done more than Apple?...”

“On what basis is it that you’ll coax even a stranger who got hurt? And that method of coaxing as well. But what about Apple? You didn’t do it for Apple.”

“Xu Tingsheng...the day before yesterday, I really felt like helping Apple to throw that rose at your face.”

Feeling very emotional, Song Ni turned to look out of the window with tears in her eyes after she had finished, in a huff as she completely ignored Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng pushed at Huang Yaming’s arm, telling him to help coax her a little.

A mother raised a child in the air, shouting as she rushed through the aisle of the carriage, “Give way, give way! The child’s about to pee.”

And so Xu Tingsheng thought about Apple, thinking about how she had sat opposite him, a dirty little kid in her embrace whom she had coaxed like a precious little thing. She had carried the kid whilst traversing the aisles just like this, brimming with satisfaction as she looked at him when she had returned.

During Xu Tingsheng’s senior high farewell match after graduation, he had held up a ‘heart’ and ran before the entire stretch of stands after scoring, to which Apple had said that very night, “Xu Tingsheng, I like you. When you held up a heart and ran along the stands today, I coaxed myself, telling myself that it was meant for me...did you know? I am especially good at deceiving myself; it’s been like this ever since I was a child.”

Such happiness, however illusory, had been given by Xu Tingsheng to the stranger, Lu Zhixin, but yet not to Apple who had walked into his heart, that girl who had gotten on a bus in the middle of the night to come over to see him due to having detected him to be emotionally unstable.

That day, she had said: Xu Tingsheng, you’re just like a child. She was the first girl who had viewed Xu Tingsheng as she would a child. What others mostly saw were Xu Tingsheng’s maturity, composedness and strength.

She had once said: Xu Tingsheng, carry me someplace bright. Xu Tingsheng had carried her on a journey, and she had kept this within her heart, never able to forget the memory of back then.

Xu Tingsheng could not tell Song Ni why what others could have, Apple could not have. It was because: She’s already in my heart.

……

This time, Xu Tingsheng and the others did not stop by Jiannan City, immediately getting on the Libei-bound bus after having disembarked from the train. Earlier, in a call with a relative from Libei, that relative had mentioned one thing during their conversation. That Huang Tianzhu had spread the word that ‘I’ll have your Xu Family unable to usher in this new year’.

Mr Xu had not mentioned this to Xu Tingsheng. As a man, as a father, he was too used to bearing all the weight on his shoulders, protecting his family.

Huang Tianzhu’s intentions should correspond to Huang Tianliang’s intentions. Libei’s local snakehead? This was the first time after Xu Tingsheng’s rebirth that he was facing a crisis of this level.

It was more than 8pm when the bus arrived at Libei station. When Xu Tingsheng got home, his parents and his sister were still waiting for him to have dinner together.

In terms of wealth, the Xu Family was already no longer that Xu Family of before. However, it had retained its warmth. In that sense, the Xu Family had not changed.

The atmosphere over dinner was a little repressed, even though everyone was trying hard to keep up the mood.

Afraid that his mother and sister might get worried, Xu Tingsheng did not ask Mr Xu about the current situation over dinner. Having found him after dinner, before he could ask about things, Mr Xu patted him on the shoulder, “Just having come back, you should rest properly for the night. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.”

Yet, the Xu Family did not pass that night in peace.

Around 3am, Xu Tingsheng was awakened by a huge din with someone kicking open his door, shining a torchlight on his face and shouting, “How are you related to Xu Jianliang? Which room is he in?”

Seeing their uniforms, Xu Tingsheng understood.

“Xu Jianliang is my father. Having rushed in like this, do you have an arrest warrant? Also, what crime has my father committed?” Xu Tingsheng calmed himself down and asked.

“Illegal collective investments, is that enough? Hurry up and tell. Where is he?” One of them answered.

“What’re you explaining to a kid for?” The other said.

Xu Qiuyi’s sobs resounded from the neighbouring room. As Xu Tingsheng rose from his bed and tried to go over, he was restrained by one of the men.

Xu Tingsheng said heavily, “My little sister’s crying.”

The man did not release him.

Then, Mr Xu’s heavy voice resounded from up the stairs, “Don’t scare the children, I’m here.”

As Xu Tingsheng walked out from his room, he saw a neatly dressed Mr Xu about to enter a police car.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng, Mr Xu looked at him and said, “Take good care of your mother and your sister. Also, don't shrink back. Nothing will happen.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

Tonight's matter had been completely out of his predictions. He had considered many methods that their opponents might employ, but never had he thought that they would have been so arrogant and extreme in employing a method such as this.

Perhaps they truly believed that they were the only law around here.

This was Xu Tingsheng's first ever frenzied fury since his rebirth. However, he knew that the more this was so, the more it was that he had to keep calm. Firstly, the two women at home, his mother and his sister, needed him to take care of them. Only having ensured that he was sufficiently calm would he be able to comfort and pacify them. Secondly, he had to keep his cool to face this matter, to resolve this matter.

Xu Tingsheng, Mrs Xu and Xu Qiuyi sat in a room, Mrs Xu embracing her daughter and comforting her.

'Your Dad told me to call these numbers if anything happened to him,” Mrs Xu took out a note and handed it over to Xu Tingsheng, next hesitating for a moment before continuing, “If we really can't hold on, just hand the store over to them. It's enough as long as our family’s fine.”

This was the simplest and most normal state of mind for a mother in a farming family who had been honest and diligent her entire life thus far. Afraid of officials, afraid of trouble, rather suffering an justice. All she wished for in her entire lifetime was that her family would be able to live a peaceful life, not having to grow cold or starve.

Xu Tingsheng looked at his mother and sister, saying gently, “Mom, don't panic. Out family’s situation is insufficient to be called illegal collective investment. Actually, it's not that they can really do anything to Dad. What they're primarily doing with this is trying to intimidate us.”

“Still, they've overestimated themselves, also underestimating our Xu Family.”

“Now, don't you and Qiuyi panic or feel afraid. Take good care of yourselves and also support me properly from behind. Leave this matter to me.”

Xu Tingsheng took a look at the slip of paper his mother had passed to him. On it were written around eight numbers, and in front of these numbers were names which were virtually all foreign to Xu Tingsheng. Perhaps these were the connections that Mr Xu had accumulated over this period of time.

Not seeing any need to feel apologetic at all, Xu Tingsheng called all of them before the day even broke.

After having finished the final call, Xu Tingsheng sorted out his thoughts. While these people might be able to ensure that Mr Xu wouldn't suffer any injustice where he was being held, they could not be of any help at all in resolving this matter.

Most of them were from some ministries within Libei County, but in this very Libei County, there was virtually no one who dared to stand against Huang Tianliang directly.

Around 4am in the morning, Xu Tingsheng decided to give Fang Yuqing a call.

He was not clear on the exact situation regarding the Fang Family. However, he knew that no matter what, the Fang Family's power must also far surpass that of a bureau Chief of a single county.

This gap might be great to an unimaginable extent.

In truth, this matter might finally also be resolved without having to draw on the Fang Family's power. However, Xu Tingsheng did not hesitate in the least. If something having happened to his father, he would still rationally and objectively calculate regarding gains and losses, benefits and detriments, he would no longer be Xu Tingsheng.

Also, if a wild dog were to bite you and there was a rod in your hands, why ever would you fight it empty-handed?

Bashing with a rod or grappling with bare hands?

Xu Tingsheng chose to bash with the rod, regardless of the costs.

Chapter 96: A chance to get Xu Tingsheng indebted

Xu Tingsheng had originally been worried that he might not be able to get through to Fang Yuqing at this time.

However, Fang Yuqing picked up the call almost immediately. Over the phone could be heard drunken lyrical howls into a microphone as well as the ringing laughter of women. It did not have to be asked for it to be known that this was definitely Fang Yuqing having gone to hang out with his good-for-nothing friends with Yuqing having returned home for the winter holidays.

After picking up, Fang Yuqing immediately said, “Hello, Xu Tingsheng? Hey, don't misunderstand. I'm not messing around outside; I'm just accompanying my friends for a bit. You definitely can't tell Yuqing about this…”

Having no time to listen to his blabbering, Xu Tingsheng directly interrupted him, saying earnestly, “Yuqing, I need your help.”

This was the first time Xu Tingsheng had ever said 'help’ to Fang Yuqing in earnest in all their interactions thus far.

Hearing from his tone that something was wrong, Fang Yuqing left the room he was in and found a quiet place to speak in, his tone turning serious, “Don't say it like that. Just say whatever’s the matter; I'll definitely help however I can.”

Xu Tingsheng told him in detail about the events of that night as well as the underlying reasons behind it, finally asking, “Do you think that you might be able to resolve this?”

“The heck, just a mere bureau chief actually dares to be so arrogant?” Fang Yuqing's fury over on the other end of the phone was one that could not be quenched.

“This bureau chief-how do I put it? He can be considered a local snakehead over where we are, with a little of the feeling of 'the heavens are distant and monarchs far away’, having gotten used to lording over the area and getting away with things. This kind of person might instead be more difficult to deal with,” Xu Tingsheng explained.

“Yeah,” Fang Yuqing thought about it before saying, “I understand what you mean. I'll head home immediately to think of a plan. You wait for my call.”

Xu Tingsheng hung up the phone and consoled his mother and sister a little before asking, “Mum, how much does our family still have left right now?”

Mrs Xu took out a bank card and handed it to him, saying, “This here is the money that your Dad intended to open a new branch with. There's a little over a million yuan inside...Don't save it. When asking people for help, use what money you've got to use.”

“It's not that. The person I’ve just asked for help-it’s not an issue of money with him,” Xu Tingsheng said, “What I'm worried about is that after the news have spread, there’ll probably be many people knocking on our door asking for money tomorrow. We should ready ourselves for these first, lest these people run over here and stir up a commotion, falling nicely into the schemes of others.”

“They...they will do this?” Never having experienced such things before, Mrs Xu asked rather astonishedly.

“People have always been like this, more inclined towards kicking others when they’re down than sending them aid in their time of need,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What do we do then? Our family has basically invested almost all of the 7 million odd yuan that we got from the collective investment! How might we be able to take out so much money at once?” Mrs Xu grew somewhat worried.

This was not the time to hold anything back as Xu Tingsheng consoled her, “It’s fine, I have a few hundred thousand as well. The accumulated two over million should be able to help us hold on for a while. I just hope...that not everyone will come so urgently clamouring for their money back.”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t hold too much confidence as he said that last sentence. Human hearts had never been so easily graspable by anyone. Sometimes, even one’s relatives and friends might be amongst those rushing over to come kick them when they’re down.

Not even considering where Xu Tingsheng had gotten this much money from in all of her anxiety, Mrs Xu seemingly muttered to herself whilst simultaneously also telling Xu Tingsheng, “No, I’ll think of something else later. I’ll try to borrow some money.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that Mrs Xu’s social circle had expanded by quite a bit since the Xu Family’s rise to prominence. However, most of these people would merely have been trying to get close to her with the power and potential of the Xu Family in mind.

Now that the Xu Family was in trouble and Mrs Xu was trying to borrow money from them...Xu Tingsheng didn’t think this would work out very well at all.

“Mum, you should stay at home. Leave these matters to me; you won’t be able to borrow any,” Afraid that his mother would be spurned by those she tried to borrow from, Xu Tingsheng spoke frankly.

Mrs Xu shook her head, persisting, “I’ve still got to try nonetheless, or I won’t be able to sit still. I’ve got to try, I’ve got to try! Tingsheng, Mum’s got to try…”

Mrs Xu having said so, Xu Tingsheng felt that he really couldn’t stop her. If he persisted in not allowing his mother to do something for their family now, Mrs Xu’s mind might only descend further and further into chaos.

At this point, Xu Tingsheng could only say, “Alright, you go try then, Mum. Just remember not to force yourself too much. Our family’s not at that point yet. If you can’t borrow the money, forget it. Don’t beg them.”

“Yeah,” Mrs Xu said.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before elaborating, “If someone is really willing to lend you the money, Mum, remember to tell them this-Our Xu Family bears this debt of gratitude, and will forever remember this day.”

Xu Tingsheng possessed the confidence that however this matter eventually ended, just based on his advantage from rebirth alone, that which gave him foreknowledge of the next twelve years of events, the Xu Family would not fall. Even if the Xu Family collapsed this time, they would definitely stand back up once more.

Therefore, these words he had asked Mrs Xu to convey actually held great weight. For those who sent them aid in their time of need, the Xu Family would remember this debt; he, Xu Tingsheng would remember this debt.

And as for how much this debt was really worth, it was something they would only be able to understand if the day so came. Sadly, no one knew how valuable this opportunity to cause Xu Tingsheng to be indebted to them actually was.

Mrs Xu was successively rejected by all those acquaintances she asked.

Xu Tingsheng sat in the bank. Because the withdrawal sum was too great, he had to wait for the bank to gather up the necessary cash.

Over this period of time, Xu Tingsheng received a great many calls. Many of them were made asking for money. Not speaking excessively, Xu Tingsheng committed them all to memory, asking them to wait at the Xu family home whereupon he would return all their money before noon.

Because there was only his sister at home, Xu Tingsheng also specifically called Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Song Ni, getting them to go over to his house and accompany his sister.

Afterwards, Xu Tingsheng received an unexpected call. The caller was Wang Jingfang. Not long after Xu Tingsheng’s rebirth, that fella had sold his pig farm and gone off to join the army, Xu Tingsheng having been unsuccessful in his attempts to persuade him.

The two had not talked much since then.

“Tingsheng, I received a call from home this morning. My Mum says that your family’s in trouble. Now, I’ve already applied for leave and come outside. Tell me your account number. I still have a little over eight thousand left; whether or not it’s enough to use, I’m just going to send it over.”

This was what Wang Jingfang immediately said, no questions asked. He hadn’t even asked for Xu Tingsheng’s opinion or verification, just immediately applying for leave and coming out.

Wang Jingfang only had eight thousand yuan. Eight thousand yuan was very little. Considering the sum that Xu Tingsheng currently needed, it was but a drop in the bucket.

However, this eight thousand yuan was actually also a lot, being greatly significant. Xu Tingsheng estimated that this might be all of Wang Jingfang’s current savings. He might not even have left any single bit of it for himself at all.

Perhaps Wang Jingfang had done so mentally prepared that he might not be able to get back any of his money. That was something that he could accept. Meanwhile, there was also no way he could possibly know what this eight thousand yuan today might bring to him in the future.

It was precisely such feelings that were the most precious.

Xu Tingsheng did not refuse him. He very straightforwardly hung up the phone, sending Wang Jingfang his bank account number. Whether or not there would be use of this eight thousand yuan later on, he also had to keep it now, thereby accepting Wang Jingfang’s goodwill.

After that, it was Old Zhou who called. After hanging up, Old Zhou kept his wife in the dark in rushing over to the bank, directly withdrawing thirty thousand yuan and stuffing it in Xu Tingsheng’s pocket.

Fang Yunyao came over after a lesson. She gave him twenty thousand. Xu Tingsheng knew that Fang Yunyao just had that little bit of wages every month, also having to constantly send money back to her poor family back in her home village. This was possibly all her savings that she had accumulated up till now, perhaps even the dowry that she had been secretly saving up.

Before this, Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Song Ni had already taken out all the money they could spare and were able to borrow and given it to the Xu Family.

There were more others who did not know about all that was currently happening to Xu Tingsheng, such as his university roommates and friends. Xu Tingsheng felt that there was no need to let them know about all this. As for Old Wai and Li Linlin, Xu Tingsheng had not mentioned it to them as well, only having called Old Wai to ask him to keep proper watch over the platform over this period of time, with him likely being rather busy over this period.

Apple was another one who was not in the know. Xu Tingsheng had instructed Song Ni not to tell her about it. Currently, she should be in a critical period.

Around 11am, Xu Tingsheng obtained the money, packed it in a huge bag, threw it into the car and drove off for home. At a time like this, he did not care about any potential bemusement over why he was able to drive.

Not long after the car had moved off, it was brought to a halt by an SUV.

As Xu Tingsheng was about to explode, the door of the SUV opened. Libei Senior High’s Vice Principal Lou exited his car, standing beside Xu Tingsheng’s car window and handing him a cigarette as well as a stack of money.

“I don’t have the habit of saving, so I don’t have much money, only thirty thousand. Still, those of us who’re into sports have wide connections. I know quite a few people from all over the place; you can rest assured that your father won’t suffer any injustice inside,” Vice Principal Lou said.

Whilst being rather astonished at Vice Principal Lou’s actions with the two of them after all not really being that close, Xu Tingsheng did not reject him, receiving the money and saying sincerely, “Thank you, Uncle Lou.”

Xu Tingsheng’s form of address had changed from the previous Vice Principal Lou to Uncle Lou.

Vice Principal Lou broke into uproarious laughter, “With this ‘Uncle’, you’ve been caught by me now. I tell you, you’re not allowed to change this in the future!”

“Also, you don’t have to be so polite. I’ve specifically gone to understand many things regarding you. Therefore, in doing all this, other than liking you, there’s actually also another reason…”

“In this round against Libei’s local snakehead, it may be that not even one out of a hundred people are optimistic about your Xu Family’s chances. I’m smarter than all of them. I believe that you will be able to make it through this. Therefore, I’m betting all-in on the Xu Family.”

……

When Xu Tingsheng returned home, the Xu Family’s front lawn was already filled with people. Those who were unable to sit could only stand.

Amongst them were many people Xu Tingsheng did not recognise, but he recognised some of Mr Xu’s friends, some of their neighbours and even two of Mrs Xu’s sisters as well as his paternal aunt.

Xu Tingsheng opened the car door, dumping the huge bag of money that weighed at least twenty kilograms onto the ground.

He told Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng who had been keeping watch over the house on his behalf, “Help me to match the invoices and return the money. Make sure that they write receipts, especially their names...it all has to be written clearly.”

“I’ll go cook lunch for you.”

An apron-clad Xu Tingsheng prepared lunch in the kitchen while Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng compared the invoices one by one, returning the money and claiming the receipts.

Some of those who were here came to feel doubtful and uneasy. It was because that huge bag of money really was too dazzling and obtrusive, and also because Xu Tingsheng was acting too confidently, too composedly. Some of them began to hesitate, beginning to feel that the Xu Family might really be able to tide through this crisis.

This was the effect that Xu Tingsheng wanted, also being a chance that he was giving them.

Mrs Xu returned, handing Xu Tingsheng a hundred thousand yuan as she walked into the kitchen, “I went to ten over families. This is all I got.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “How many families lent this?”

Mrs Xu replied, “Just one.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Friend or relative?”

Mrs Xu answered, “Friend, a friend whom I came to know not long ago.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, keeping the money, “Let’s note this down then. Mum, you go and rest first. I’ll cook lunch.”

Chapter 97: Let’s eat first

Having finished cooking dinner, Xu Tingsheng did not call Fu Cheng and the others into the dining room.

He moved a large round table over, setting it down right in the middle of the front lawn.

“You lot can wait for a while. If you can’t wait, go home and eat lunch first. Relax, the Xu Family won’t run,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Let’s eat first.”

In the eyes of many, Xu Tingsheng was clearly still just a child. However, him having said this, no rebutting voices of disapproval resounded at all.

How would most children react to such a change in their family?

Would they feel scared and cry? Would they feel panicked and helpless?

Xu Tingsheng did not. When he had casually flung a huge bag of money down onto the ground, when he had said ‘Make sure that they write receipts, especially their names...it all has to be written clearly’, when he had calmly tied on his mother’s apron to cook lunch when faced with close to a hundred people having come over to ask them for money...An unshakeable aura had been slowly forming around him, an unshakeable aura that was calm and stable as a mountain.

Xu Tingsheng was intentionally creating such a repressive atmosphere.

This child was a top scholar-this was something that everyone knew. This child could just casually throw out over two million yuan-this was something they had just seen. This child was not panicked in the least, mature and composed to the point that he did not seem like a child at all, mature and composed to the point that it caused one’s heart to palpitate.

Therefore, unexpectedly, no one came out to rebut his words. No one felt inclined to bite this bullet, many even having forgotten their original view. They had originally felt that the Xu Family had already collapsed.

Now, they were beginning to feel a little dazed. At least on this child, they were unable to see any signs of the Xu Family being close to toppling at all.

Fang Yuqing had still not called. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng had no need to panic. If Fang Yuqing was unable to help, he would definitely have called and told him. Since no news had come, it meant that he still had a method, was still working hard towards its implementation.

Mrs Xu and her children, Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming, Song Ni, Mr Xu’s younger brother and his wife as well as Mr Xu’s sister and her husband crowded around the table for lunch together.

Around them stood close to a hundred debtors. Most people would find it very hard to imagine being placed before the eyes of so many onlookers even when eating a simple meal like this, but Xu Tingsheng was not panicked. Therefore, everyone else calmed down along with him as well. They ate calmly and composedly, discussing Xu Tingsheng’s unexpectedly good culinary skills in the meantime.

“I didn’t think that you would be so good at this! The heck,” His mouth covered with oil, Huang Yaming exclaimed emotionally, “I remember that there’s a kitchen over at the riverside residence. I’m following you for sure next semester.”

Xu Tingsheng’s youngest uncle said from the side, “It’s really quite good. Now if there were only a little wine…”

Xu Tingsheng’s youngest uncle actually didn’t have a very high alcohol capacity, but he just loved to drink wine anyhow. At his words, his wife secretly kicked him under the table, glaring at him in admonishment for thinking of wine even in a situation like this.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying, “Uncle’s right. Mom, you go heat up some rice wine.”

In the end, wine was added on to this meal, which went on even past the hour mark. Xu Tingsheng was delaying, was delaying in terms of time, was delaying in terms of the human heart. With less than a third of the money left in his bag, Fang Yuqing had still yet to call him back.

Therefore, he had to delay, delay till people's’ hearts began to waver.

A commotion finally appeared within the crowd.

As someone was about to leave, the person beside him caught him, asking him, “You don’t want your money?”

The one who wanted to leave said, “I’m going home to eat first.”

“What if you come back and all the money’s been split?”

“Forget it, if there’s no more, there’s no more then. Having so many departmental stalls, the Xu Family won’t be lacking my few thousand yuan. Besides, it wasn’t them who tried to borrow it from me before. It was me who shamelessly knocked on their door and forcibly stuffed it into their hands on the basis of us being fellow villagers.”

“Originally having felt grateful over their generosity, we’re now making a straight 180 degree turn and acting heartless, a hundred odd of us standing here and making things difficult for the Xu Family’s mother and children who’ve fallen on hard times. I don’t know what you people are thinking, but anyway, this Old Zhao’s face is gone.”

“Anyway, I won’t be wanting this money today.”

“My nephew Tingsheng, your Uncle Zhao feels guilty. Having heard the news, I just foolishly followed them over like this. Look at this commotion! Please don’t hold it to heart.”

Putting down his bowl and chopsticks, Xu Tingsheng stood up, “No need to say that, Uncle Zhao. Thank you, you can rest assured. The original sum, the interest and the bonuses will all be given by our Xu Family to you with not a cent less when you are in need of it.”

“Alright! Then, Nephew Tingsheng, I’m leaving first. You go on drinking; I’ve not the face to drink together with you today. I’ll invite you over to my home to drink next time.”

“I’ll not see you out, Uncle Zhao. When my Dad’s returned a few days later, the two of us will definitely go over personally and invite you to drink wine together.”

Uncle Zhao, around fifty years of age, was actually not related by blood to the Xu Family at all. He was a relatively more honest man of the village. Whatever he had done earlier, just based on those earlier words of his...Xu Tingsheng would naturally treat him with respect.

Having said his piece, Uncle Zhao left. There were more amongst the crowd who began to waver, a couple of them coming over to bid Xu Tingsheng farewell every once in a while as they took their leave.

Like this, a short while later, almost a third of the debtors had already left.

Looking over and seeing that his two maternal aunts were still there, Xu Tingsheng walked over and said, “So many people having been in front, I failed to spot my two blood-related aunts here. Look, this meal is almost over already. Sorry about that, two blood-related aunts.”

Repeatedly having been called blood-related aunts by Xu Tingsheng, the faces of the two women turned red, yet the two of them did not have any intention of leaving at all as his second aunt from the neighbouring village said, “Tingsheng, look, your aunt is just coincidentally in need of money at this time. It isn’t due to all these matters.”

His other aunt interjected, “Tingsheng, since you’re going to return the money anyway, just return it to us two as well. Relatives or whatever-don’t pick that up to discuss with us now.”

She having said such, Xu Tingsheng had no further words as he nodded and walked back to sit down at the dining table, saying to Mrs Xu, “Mum, have you remembered?”

“I’ve remembered, my blood-related sisters,” Mrs Xu said.

“Still remember how they begged all wailing to be allowed to join in the collective investment? Dad and I both said that we wouldn’t take theirs, but you just couldn’t ignore those ties.”

“Just take it as if Mum was a fool before. I’ll understand next time; I’ve also remembered it.”

Having already grown familiar with the character of these two aunts in his previous life and finally having managed to persuade Mrs Xu on this now, Xu Tingsheng smiled, stood up and said, “Wait for a while, those two aunts. I’ll go smoke a cigarette with my two bros for a bit. When we get back, you’ll get back your money.”

“Let me make this clear. When you invested previously, the time for returning the money was already set down. Now that you’re withdrawing it prematurely, there’ll definitely not be any interest or bonuses.”

“Having gotten back the initial sum, we’ll have nothing to do with each other from now on.”

Not waiting for them to reply, Xu Tingsheng left together with Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, going to an empty stretch of land a distance away to smoke. Xu Tingsheng wanted to make use of the time spent here smoking this cigarette to sort out the gist of the general situation at large.

“How much money is there remaining?” Xu Tingsheng asked Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng in a hushed tone.

“Around six hundred thousand; it’s probably not enough,” Huang Yaming replied in a similarly hushed tone.

“Find a way to delay and tide through today. I’ll immediately contact someone and get Hucheng Education sold as soon as possible,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Get it sold? How much can it sell for?” Huang Yaming asked astonishedly.

“Selling it now, if we meet someone who is discerning, it’ll just be a little over a million at most. In truth, it could be much lower than that as well. After all, Hucheng’s potential is not something that a lot of people would be able to understand now,” Xu Tingsheng said helplessly.

“Are you saying that if you continue expanding it, it might even be worth hundreds of millions in the future?” Huang Yaming complained.

“There’s no other way around it now. The supermarkets definitely cannot be sold at a time like this. As soon as such a thing happened, it would be equivalent to an admission of our Xu Family having collapsed. At the time, the pressure on us would only be greater. Therefore, we can only sell Hucheng. Adding on this money and getting together some three million odd, I think that we should be able to make it through this,” Xu Tingsheng calculated.

Fu Cheng suddenly interrupted from beside them, “Why don’t we sell the copyright for those songs? Quite a number of companies have approached me for them before.”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment, “Apple wants to enter showbiz under Rebirth’s name. In that case, these songs are all her foundation. However many good songs she has in the future, as long as she doesn’t have these current songs now, she would not be able to continue going on with this brand. Therefore, unless the situation truly utterly requires it...the songs cannot be sold.”

Not far away from the trio, Song Ni who had originally been walking over as as she had been worried about Xu Tingsheng stopped in her tracks as she heard his words.

On the train the previous day, she had still been feeling indignant for Apple, had still been emotionally rebuking Xu Tingsheng over how he had treated her. Now, however, she felt rather lost and helpless.

Xu Tingsheng had instructed her that the current matter was not to be told to Apple.

However, she really wanted to tell Apple about all that was happening now, all that Xu Tingsheng was currently going through. She wanted to tell her: Perhaps you didn’t know, as we all didn’t know as well, how much Xu Tingsheng actually cares about you. He actually...cares about you so much.”

“He would rather sell Hucheng that he painstakingly established with his own blood and sweat at a low price, that business which might be worth some hundreds of millions in the future, just to keep the road ahead of you smoothly paved.”

Now, someone began shouting over at the front lawn as they hid amidst the crowd, “Your Xu Family having already come to this stage, what show are you currently still staging? ...Not even having fully grown out your hair, how are you still qualified to pretend with this old man around?”

Huang Yaming was about to shout out a reply, but Xu Tingsheng stopped him.

At moments like this, as long as the person who was stirring things up dared not to step out from amidst the crowd, there would then be no need for the Xu Family to respond. There was nothing at all that could be resolved by verbal disputes.

Chapter 98: Old employees

Xu Tingsheng’s phone rang. It was not Fang Yuqing who had called but Fang Chen.

“Yuqing's told me about the matter with your family,” Fang Chen said, “Hey, why did you look for Yuqing and not me? I'm clearly the one who can get things done. Xu Tingsheng, is it that you're afraid of me?”

However strange and unruly Fang Chen's words were, Xu Tingsheng still sighed in relief. However arrogant and unreasonable, crafty and scheming Fang Chen was, if she had not been confident of her abilities, she would not be talking to him in such a tone even under such circumstances.

She was saying that it was clearly she who was the competent one. With her relaxed tone, Xu Tingsheng was able to relax a little as well.

“Please state your conditions, oh great beauty Fang,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“You really understand me well,” Fang Chen laughed, “I'll say this first then. Even if you don't agree to my conditions, I'll still be helping you on this. This sis is still not shameless to that extent yet. Still, since you mentioned it yourself, it seems like it would be plain wrong if I didn't stage a robbery amidst the fire.”

“Say it,” Xu Tingsheng said calmly.”

“Last time, I mentioned to you that I want shares of that Hucheng Education of yours. Relax, I'll pay. State a price,” Fang Chen said.

“1 million and you can have the entire Hucheng Education,” Xu Tingsheng offered straightforwardly.

“What in the world would I do with the entire thing? It's not like I know anything about it at all! You've got to be clear on this. This sis is investing in you! Without you, what would I want that lousy platform for?” Fang Chen exclaimed in a huff, “Let me put it this way. This sis doesn't even want the shareholder’s rights, lest you go on all half-heartedly and don't put in any effort….This sis just wants thirty percent of the shares. State a price.”

Xu Tingsheng had known all along that Fang Chen was very shrewd, but her shrewdness this time was such that it had surpassed even his expectations. If one were to say that there were currently only ten people who could see through Hucheng's potential, there was only one person who could tell that Hucheng's true value lay in Xu Tingsheng, and that person was Fang Chen.

Like she had said, what she truly wanted to invest in was the person, Xu Tingsheng, himself. If Xu Tingsheng lost Hucheng, he could build up yet another one, even build up one better than the previous. Therefore, what was truly valuable was actually not Hucheng.

Fang Chen certainly wouldn’t know that Xu Tingsheng had grasped the general direction of the education sector for the next ten over years and still possessed a great amount of knowledge in this area as well. It was because of that that her discernment abilities were truly so terrifying.

Fang Chen having said that she wanted thirty percent of the shares, Xu Tingsheng thought for a while before saying, “My greatest concession is this. 30 percent, 5 million yuan. 20 percent, 3 million yuan. 15 percent, 2 million yuan. If it is 5 percent, you can just lend me 1 million yuan. I’ll return it to you a year later, and you can have the stocks for free.

These prices seemed totally illogical, with fifteen percent of Hucheng’s shares being worth twice as much as the entire Hucheng itself. However, Fang Chen understood. Even for this price, five percent of it would be to repay her for the favour.

“20 percent, 2 million yuan. If you don’t agree, I’ll hang up immediately. I’ll do it all the same, but we won’t have anything to do with each other after this.”

He was being threatened. This was the threatening based on relationships that Xu Tingsheng was the most afraid of.

Thus, he could only say, “Fine, you win.”

“Yay...Still, I’ve got to say this first. I went around cheating and swindling all morning, hoodwinking all of my friends and relatives, but I only managed to gather 1 million. I’ll go to the bank and get it wired to you as urgent later on. As for the remaining 1 million, how about this sis accompany you for a night instead?” Fang Chen asked.

Xu Tingsheng knew that responding to that final line of Fang Chen’s would be courting death. In this area, even ten Xu Tingshengs would be no match for Fang Chen. Therefore, he remained silent.

“Sigh, how pitiable. A night with sis isn’t worth this little bit of money?” Waiting for a while and seeing how Xu Tingsheng was not going to respond, Fang Chen said plaintively, “Fine, sis will think of something else for that remaining 1 million.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“It’s settled then?”

“No problem.”

“Good,” Fang Chen seemed to have heaved a sigh of relief over where she was, yet she did not hang up as she instead turned to yell at someone on her end, “Alright, it’s done! You can let go of Yuqing now.”

“What’s the situation?” Xu Tingsheng asked in confusion.

“Oh, in truth, I really hadn’t thought that you would be able to get this poor brother of mine to treat you as a friend so, even trying so hard for you.”

“Did you know? 5am in the morning, he began calling our Dad over your matter. I saw how he was nearly even kneeling towards the phone over it...In the end, Dad still ignored him.”

“Still, my Dad actually can’t be blamed for this. After all, Yuqing’s really done too many worthless things in the past. It’s only understandable that Dad can’t believe him.”

“Then?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Then, I can’t believe that he actually dared to go beg Grandpa for you, and actually even succeeded in doing so.”

“Xu Tingsheng, I tell you, your matter’s grown great.”

“Because the person dealing with this matter is my Grandpa, I reckon that the phones in your county must nearly have been blown up by calls by now.”

Fang Chen hadn’t said who her father or her grandfather was, but Xu Tingsheng was able to understand from her words that old Grandpa Fang must be extremely, extremely mighty.

Xu Tingsheng also realised something else. It was that Fang Chen herself seemed to have had nothing to do with this matter from start to end at all. All of it had been achieved by Fang Yuqing alone.

Soon, his guess was proven to be true.

Fang Yuqing howled into the phone, “Xu Tingsheng, you freaking fool! You've been duped by that old demoness Fang Chen! If I were going to ask her to help in this matter, wouldn't I already have told you?”

“So?”

“So, it was actually this bro who handled it for you...relax, Grandpa's already asked. As long as that Bureau Chief your county has isn't wrong in the head, there shouldn't be any problem left.”

“Afterwards, returning from Grandpa's, I was just about to call you when that old demoness Fang Chen got someone and pinned me down…”

“Yet afterwards, I could only watch on helplessly as she went all around swindling money to swindle you with, next listening to you foolishly being swindled by her just like that…”

“Renege on it, Xu Tingsheng! There's no need at all to care about things like credence and integrity when dealing with people like Fang Chen. Hurry, renege…”

Over on the other end, Fang Yuqing seemed to have been pinned down by someone yet again amidst his words. It had clearly been perpetrated by the one he called old demoness, Fang Chen.

Fang Chen's cheerful, triumphant voice returned, “Xu Tingsheng, you won't go back on your words, right?”

“I won't,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Please help me to convey something to Yuqing. It's not thanks, it's just a single sentence. From this day forth, he's my, Xu Tingsheng's, lifetime brother.”

Fang Chen was momentarily silent over at the other end of the phone before she joked, “Can I switch with him? Give him the shares, give me the debt.”

An old demoness was an old demoness indeed. While seemingly having been joking, she had actually just said something else with an actual, great underlying principle.

At this point, Xu Tingsheng could not help but say, “Fang Chen, you old demoness!”

Over on that end could indistinctly be heard the muffled sound of Fang Yuqing struggling to shout out the same words even as his mouth was being covered by someone else, “Fang Chen, you old demoness!’

This world is full of so-called brothers, but living through one's lifetime, the people one can truly take as a brother are actually very few. Some people, perhaps, might actually not even have a single one. If you don't treat others sincerely, others naturally won't treat you sincerely. Of course, the target of your sincerity is also important. Don't feed your sincerity and goodwill to a dog.

Xu Tingsheng had had two people he could call brothers in his previous life, they being Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng. In this life, he had not lost these two brothers. And now, he had gained another, Fang Yuqing.

Xu Tingsheng didn't know how imploringly Fang Yuqing had pleaded with his father and grandfather for help. This matter had been forgotten with the ruckus they had created.

Xu Tingsheng thought about how Fang Yuqing as a rebellious second gen who was used to messing and fooling around outside and was therefore not trusted by his family had actually moved to beg the seniors of his family to act, helping Xu Tingsheng who was a stranger who held totally no value at all in their eyes. He could only imagine how difficult, how very difficult it must have been for him.

The more power a person grasped, the more unwilling and reluctant they would be to put themselves into the debt of others with the use of their connections. They would not act lightly, because herein would involve too many, too many things.

Therefore, whilst not knowing specifically how difficult it had been or what exactly it was that Fang Yuqing had done, Xu Tingsheng did not ask. What he knew was that Fang Yuqing treated him as a brother.

……

Currently, someone was already beginning to cry out in outrage in the front lawn, shouting that the Xu Family had no money left, that the Xu Family was delaying, that the Xu Family wanted to renege on their debt, instigating everyone to go forth and demand for their money.

People were just like this. Most people lacked the ability to think for themselves, being prone to just following the general trend of things. With the first person who wanted to do this appearing, there would inevitably be a second. The pressure that Xu Tingsheng had previously set down was presently in the midst of disappearing.

As the crowd began to jostle forward, Xu Tingsheng's uncles struggled to bar their path.

Hanging up, Xu Tingsheng told Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, “Come, let's go.”

When Xu Tingsheng returned to the front lawn, Mr Xu's best friend, Uncle Rong, who had also been the first to put in an investment, had just arrived with a few others.

They stood between Xu Tingsheng and the jostling crowds.

From back when the incident had begun the previous night up till now, Xu Tingsheng had not seen him at all, had not even received an enquiring call from him.

In his previous life, after Mr Xu's unexpected accident and passing, Uncle Rong had accompanied Xu Tingsheng for the following three days. It was only after all the rites were over that he had cried, cried till he had literally keeled over and collapsed. Afterwards, he had also helped the Xu Family as much as possible. In truth, Xu Tingsheng was a little surprised by his behaviour this time, also feeling rather bewildered by it.

Seeing him appear now, not understanding his intentions, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Uncle Rong, you…?”

Uncle Rong did not answer, just directly pulling out a bundle of cash and throwing it into his money bag before only then finally saying, “It’s also unlucky that your father has bros as poor as us. We old bros all work on the soil, being poor, only able to gather just this bit despite having tried hard all morning.”

“Nephew Tingsheng, your uncles are rather useless, not being able to help you and your father much. Still, what I and and these other old employees of your father's have are a body's worth of strength. We still haven't forgotten how we worked together in the brick factory back then, those days when we fought for and protected the factory together…”

“Today, as long as the lot of us are still here, we won't see the rest of your family being bullied. Otherwise, how will we still have the face to sit together and drink wine with your father next time?”

“Uncle knows that something having happened to your father, you will definitely be busy with many things you have to do. Uncle can't help you with those; Uncle can't even speak the common language well. Let's have it this way. Leave this place to Uncle, Uncle will help you to look after it. Go do what you have to do.”

“My sister-in-law, nephew and niece-I just want to see who dares touch a single hair on the heads today.”

Having said his piece, Uncle Rong moved a stool over and sat down before the crowd, next pulling out a machete that was used to chop firewood from behind him and slamming it down onto the table.

Behind him stood five other men in their forties or fifties, all being Mr Xu's old employees from back then.

No one dared to move.

Uncle Rong was renowned throughout the surrounding villages for his viciousness. Back amongst those of them who had come together in running the factory before, most famous had been the brains of Mr Xu as well as the viciousness of Uncle Rong.

Back then, law and order had still not been prevalent, people often coming over to stir things up at the factory and fights breaking out left and right. It had been an era when fists had been thrown in order to secure a piece of business. Uncle Rong had been 'infamous’ as a figure who was able to stand guard over an entire factory with a single machete all on his own.

So many years having passed, many people had already forgotten about this, perhaps even Uncle Rong himself.

Now, however, they could not help but recall this person before them, this machete.

…...

Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt a little like crying. From the previous night till now, however great the pressure, he had not felt like crying at all. Now, however, looking at Uncle Rong seated before him in his tattered and worn out clothes, the authentic, true ties of friendship herein caused his eyes to grow slightly red.

But Xu Tingsheng could not cry. He leaned over and whispered a few things into Uncle Rong's ear. Some feelings of joy appeared on Uncle Rong's face.

Afterwards, Xu Tingsheng turned and addressed the crowd, “I'll just say three things.”

'Firstly, my father will definitely come back to usher in the new year. At that time, for all those who feel like you can still stand up straight before our Xu Family, you are welcome to come over and have a glass of wine.”

“Secondly, the money. These two bros of mine will continue helping me to return you all your money. Don't worry about the Xu Family not having enough. After all this has been distributed, there'll still be sufficient remaining. I'll be going to withdraw more now.”

“Thirdly, the Xu Family never forgets gratitude, but also remembers enmity.”

……

As Xu Tingsheng left, two messages successively buzzed on his phone.

The first was from Fang Chen: The money has already been wired over as urgent. 1.2 million, 0.2 million of it being a personal loan. It's not counted as money for the shares. You can use it first.

The other was from Fang Yuqing: Grandpa says that he's already got people to make the relevant calls. Go and meet the other side and see what they say before replying me again.

Chapter 99: It’s time to pay them a visit

After withdrawing the money and making a quick trip back home, Xu Tingsheng turned and returned to the county, going to take a look at Happy Shoppers itself. However unstable the Xu Family might currently be, the supermarket was still as bustling as ever, business even booming now that the New Year was right around the corner.

The Xu Family had Li Xiu to thank for this stability. This female manager whom Mr Xu had found in Xihu City was a living superwoman and workaholic, both her competence as well as commitment only able to evoke sighs of admiration.

The current Li Xiu could actually no longer be considered just the manager of Happy Shoppers Libei. To a certain extent, aside from Mr Xu, it was Li Xiu who was the actual in-charge of the six large scale supermarkets currently owned by the Xu Family.

Happy Shoppers Libei had hired two assistant managers to assist Li Xiu just a little over a month ago. Meanwhile, she herself spent most of her time busily running about the five counties of Jiannan City where the six supermarkets were located.

When Xu Tingsheng stepped into Li Xiu’s office, he found her hard at work with a great pile of paperwork before her. The Xu Family’s ship was currently swaying amidst the winds and the rain, but as one of its passengers, Li Xiu was like the most stable, experienced seafarer as she continued meticulously doing what she was supposed to do.

“Sis Xiu!” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed.

“Hey, Tingsheng...how come you’re here?” Li Xiu stood up, “It’s also good that you’re here; this sis was just about to go find you.”

Hearing that Li Xiu had been just about to seek him out for something, Xu Tingsheng sat down, brewing some tea in a disposable cup as he prepared to hear her out whilst also making use of this chance to soothe his nerves that had been tensed up for the entire day.

Li Xiu came before Xu Tingsheng with an accounts book in her hand, bending down and saying, “I know that you must be in need of money right now. I’ve just finished doing the monthly accounts for the various branches a little early, intending to collect the money and give it to you first to tide through the current crisis.”

Xu Tingsheng glanced at the accounts book. The numbers looked rather good.

“Sorry for the trouble, Sis Xiu,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and set the accounts book aside, saying mildly, “We’re not in urgent need of money at the moment. How’s the situation with the replenishment of the stocks?”

Li Xiu answered rather awkwardly, “I, I took it upon myself to temporarily halt it.”

Knowing that Li Xiu had done so with the Xu Family in mind, Xu Tingsheng had no intention of chastising her at all as he smiled, “Hurry up and get the stocks replenished then! It's the new year; we can't miss out on this great chance for earning money. Other than that, Sis Xiu, please help to calculate the year end bonuses for all the employees of our various stores from the workers up to the management level. No matter what, we must definitely distribute the year end bonuses by the end of the year.”

“I actually just discussed this matter with the heads of the other stores before lunch just now. We all felt that this matter can actually be delayed a little,” Li Xiu proposed.

“There's no need to delay, nor can there be a delay. Given our current circumstances, giving our people peace of mind is a very important thing.”

Xu Tingsheng paused for a moment, only continuing after Li Xiu had nodded, “Therefore, not only do the year end bonuses have to be distributed, I still want Sis Xiu to announce a welfare incentive on my behalf. Starting from May next year, Happy Shoppers will arrange all its employees into three batches in going on a tour in Hainan. All the expenses for this holiday will be borne by Happy Shoppers.”

Back in the year 2003, apart from a few large scale modernised enterprises, employee benefits were still a comparatively undeveloped segment in companies. Employees themselves were less preinclined towards this concept as well. In the eyes of most people, so long as they went to work and were able to receive sufficient monthly wages in a timely manner, it would then already be enough to praise their company as good.

That Xu Tingsheng had suddenly proposed as great a welfare incentive as 'all employees going on tour in Hainan’ when the Xu Family was currently placed in such a difficult predicament, even Li Xiu felt a little astonished by that.

“There's nothing to worry about, Sis Xiu. The Xu Family's foundation is not all that weak. For the money currently needed back home, even if all of the investment funds had to be returned at once, I would still be able to take out that money. There definitely won't be a need to use the working capital in our stores.”

Xu Tingsheng stood up and walked towards the door, but turned and addressed Li Xiu again as he reached the doorway, “Sis Xiu, rest assured...the Xu Family's ship will not sink. We'll have to trouble you additionally over this period of time. When my Dad returns for the new year, remember to bring your kid along to our family for a reunion dinner together.”

Xu Tingsheng left, but Li Xiu was still left digesting his previous words.

Xu Tingsheng's earlier words had contained truth, falsehood and also big words. For example, he had said that the Xu Family did not have to draw on the working capital in their stores, and he had indeed not drawn on them. However, in having said that the Xu Family's foundation was such that it would even be able to return all of the investment funds in a single go…

Xu Tingsheng had said so and done so because he needed Li Xiu to help him set the minds of everyone else at ease. At the same time, he was also trying to keep Li Xiu working steadfastly for them.

Li Xiu had originally felt all along that she already possessed sufficient understanding regarding the Xu Family, including their background as well as Mr and Mrs Xu’s temperament and character etcetera. Now, however, she suddenly felt as though she actually didn’t really know anything about the Xu Family’s foundation at all, being even less able to see through their son, the nineteen-year-old Xu Tingsheng.

She began to believe Xu Tingsheng’s words that the Xu Family’s ship would not sink.

It was actually Xu Tingsheng’s final sentence that had impacted Li Xiu the most: When my Dad returns for the new year, remember to bring your kid along to our family for a reunion dinner together.

There were actually two layers of meaning to this sentence. Firstly, Mr Xu would definitely return in time to usher in the new year. Secondly, you, Li Xiu, are a member of our family whom we can eat our reunion dinner together with.

Having been accorded this sentence, Li Xiu decided not to consider things any further. She sat down, stuffed the accounts book into the drawer and called the finance department, instructing them to begin calculating the year end bonus. Afterwards, she also made a call back home.

She said, “Mum, you’ll have to take care of the kid these next few days. I’ll be rather busy. I’m going to help my Boss look after the six Happy Shoppers stores; I might not have the time to come home…”

“Yes. Yes, Mum, you’re right. The Xu Family is good to me. I know, I know…”

“With the Xu Family currently in hard times...I’m of the same mind as you. Of the granted goodwill, to be repaid manifold.”

Exiting Happy Shoppers, Xu Tingsheng found a noodle store and sat down for dinner. Afterwards, he sat by an anti-flood dam on a riverside road and lit up a cigarette. He was waiting for something.

The Huang Family had bared its ‘fangs’, and the Xu Family had also flashed its ‘trump card’. Xu Tingsheng felt that it was about time for him to view for himself Libei’s local snakehead-the ‘Huang Family Pillars(Liangzhu)’ .

……

Just as Xu Tingsheng was considering paying a visit to the Huang Family, the Huang Family had actually already long since been awaiting the arrival of a representative of the Xu Family. It was just that they had initially thought that the person who would come might be Mrs Xu, or a relative or friend whom the Xu Family would invite to help them deal with this matter.

Afterwards, they would be imploringly begged. Yet afterwards, they would receive the things that they wanted.

They were already used to this sort of thing happening. One at the forefront, one behind the scenes, this had always been the practice of the ‘Huang Family Pillars’. Meanwhile, they had always been easily successful in their methods, everything going perfectly as they liked.

In Libei, the people who could have the Huang Family ‘kick a metal board’ and eat a loss were few beyond number.

Anyway, they felt that they had already been sufficiently prudent in this matter, already having carried out sufficient investigations as well. This Xu Family which had suddenly sprung up into prominence was definitely not a metal board of any kind. On the contrary, they couldn’t even be considered an adobe wall.

Huang Tianzhu was the one in charge of the plan’s implementation. Receiving a call from his planted spy over in the morning and learning that the one currently in charge over at the Xu Family was actually a 19-year-old teenager, he very nearly died of laughter.

The Xu Family’s foundation seemed even weaker than he had thought. At a crucial time like this, they weren’t even able to bring out someone who could be put in charge of this matter.

Those who toiled over soil indeed. Without any background worth speaking of in the least, if they really wanted to rise up into power, it would require painstaking effort over a few generations of descendants at the very least.

Now? It was much too early for them.

There wasn’t merely a single operative planted by Huang Tianzhu amongst the hundred odd people gathered and clamoring for money over at the Xu Family home. Therefore, when Xu Tingsheng dumped that big bag of money over on the front lawn, Huang Tianzhu promptly got wind of it.

“Bro Zhu, the Xu Family kid may have brought back more than 2 million yuan.”

“More than 2 million yuan? ...What then? This little money’s not enough, right?”

“I don’t know. Anyway, that kid seems pretty steady. He’s currently cooking lunch.”

“He still has the mood to cook lunch at a time like this? Has that kid lost his mind?” The information sent to him by his underlings left Huang Tianzhu speechless for a time.

He had been eagerly awaiting those who had gone to the Xu Family to get back their money stirring up a ruckus. So long as they were unable to get their money back, things should naturally escalate into a commotion, with them first causing a ruckus at the Xu Family, next causing a ruckus at the Xu Family’s supermarket, then causing a ruckus on the streets…

It was best if they rampaged all the way till the county government.

Like this, the Huang Family would be able to conveniently actualise Xu Jianliang’s criminal charges of illegal collective investment. They would even be able to attack a little more viciously, setting it up as a large scale hoax and adding on the charges of creating societal disturbance.

After yet more time had passed, with still no fresh news incoming, a rather impatient Huang Tianliang sent a message to inquire on the situation.

“What’s the situation now? Has the commotion begun?” Huang Tianliang asked.

“No, they’re currently eating,” His underling replied.

“Eating? They’re eating...and no one is stirring up a ruckus? All those people are just standing there watching on just like that?”

“Yeah, we’re watching. There’s also some people who’ve gone home to eat first. Bro Zhu, can we return for lunch first as well? We’re a little hungry.”

“Eat your XXX!” Fan the flames for me, get the people riled up. You must definitely get them into an uproar.”

“...”

This flow of information didn’t cease at all as the operatives planted by Huang Tianzhu also put in great effort. Fanning the flames and stirring things up-those were all caused by them.

Still, the situation ultimately didn’t descend into hubbub like Huang Tianzhu had hoped for.

Through this flow of information, Huang Tianzhu came to learn of Uncle Rong and his machete as well as those three things Xu Tingsheng had said.

He had said: My Dad will definitely come home to usher in the new year;

He had said: The Xu Family still has money;

He had said: The Xu Family never forgets gratitude, but also remembers enmity.

The entire county knew of their earlier words that they would not let the Xu Family usher in the new year. Huang Tianzhu currently felt as though this young brat truly didn’t know what was good for him. Under the watchful gazes of all, this was virtually going head-to-head with the Huang Family, blatantly slapping the Huang Family’s face.

“You think that your father can return for the new year just because you say so? In saying that you remember enmity, could you be saying that you will remember this enmity with our Huang Family? ...This is Libei, the Huang Family’s Libei.”

……

When Xu Tingsheng dumped the second bag of cash over on the front lawn in the afternoon, Huang Tianzhu promptly received this news.

“Yet another big bag of money. Over a million yuan; things definitely won’t be stirred up here. Almost everyone’s left, many of them not taking the money. Bro Zhu, can we leave as well? So hungry…”

It was now that Huang Tianzhu finally began feeling as though things might not be as simple as he had thought. At the same time, he also felt like that young brat of the Xu Family might actually not be that simple as well.

However, he did not panic at all. There was never a time when he needed to panic, because there was always still a great ‘Buddha’ that stood behind him, the unshakeable bulwark of the Huang Family, the effective monarch of Libei County, Huang Tianliang.

Chapter 100: The Huang Family’s face

Huang Tianzhu only managed to get through to his brother Huang Tianliang on his fifth try. During the previous four, the phone had continually been engaged.

As soon as the line connected, Huang Tianzhu said a little worriedly, “Bro, something’s come up. That kid of the Xu Family somehow’s managed to stabilise the situation over there. A commotion’s probably not going to happen. If this goes on...it looks like we may really have underestimated the Xu Family. It looks like we’ll have to be a bit more ruthless with them.”

Having heard his younger brother’s words, Huang Tianliang said a little dispiritedly, “Underestimated? How high do you feel we should estimate the Xu Family now then?”

Huang Tianzhu was a little perplexed by this question of his brother’s which had seemingly sprung out of nowhere, but he dared not be inattentive, sorting out his thoughts a little before he earnestly said, “Firstly, the Xu Family’s foundation is stronger than we’d thought. They seem not to be troubled in the financial sense.”

“Secondly, I hadn’t considered that young brat of the Xu Family. It seems that he was Libei’s top scholar in the previous examinations or something. From the news my men sent me, he doesn’t seem merely like a kid. The Xu Family did not grow panicked.”

“Anything else?” Huang Tianliang pressed.

“Anything else? I guess not? ...Nothing. It’s just that. We still have many ways to deal with that Xu Family regardless, don’t we? ...Bro, why don’t you put in some effort over there and get those criminal charges actualised. It looks like the Xu Family won’t cry till they’ve seen their coffin.”

Huang Tianliang sighed, “My, how did I get saddled with a useless brother like you? Really, didn’t you say that you properly investigated everything and the Xu Family doesn’t have any foundation?”

Having been chastised, Huang Tianzhu hurriedly refuted, “Yeah, I did it check it properly. The Xu Family’s been toiling on the soil for their past eighteen generations! What foundation could they have? Even if Xu Jianliang established some connections recently, there’re also not any who have the qualifications to play with our Huang Family! Bro, this is Libei. What’re you so flustered about?”

“Damn!” Huang Tianliang continued in a sombre tone, “Do you know how many phone calls I’ve just received, just how many people have been asking about this incident with the Xu Family?”

“Eight. Three of these were from within the county. They all said that they were calling on behalf of their higher-ups...Apart than that, two were from the city…”

A panicked Huang Tianzhu interrupted him mid-sentence, “Really? Xu Jianliang has connections even in the city?”

“Shut up! I’m not done yet,” Huang Tianliang was clearly trying hard to repress his fury as he exclaimed, “There were still another three calls. Do you know where they were from? They were from the goddamn province, the provincial congress!”

“That’s impossible, that’s definitely impossible. The Xu Family...how is it possible?” Huang Tianzhu seemed to be doubting Huang Tianliang’s words whilst also simply just muttering incomprehensibly to himself, just being unable to believe it at the end of the day.

“Shut it! Now, you explain to me. This is the completely foundationless that you speak of? Sitting ducks?” Huang Tianliang finally began roaring in rage.

Huang Tianzhu had already not seen his elder brother Huang Tianliang lose his composure like this for a long time. He always seemed stable as Mount Tai, unflustered in the face of all that was thrown at him.

Having reigned in a position of power for a long time, one would naturally come to possess an ‘unshakeable aura’, that which was known by the common person as dominative authority.

Many people were afraid of Huang Tianliang. As his younger brother, Huang Tianzhu was as well.

“What do we do then? How about...we let him go and leave it at that?” Huang Tianzhu asked rather perturbedly.

“Let him go? Of course we’ll let him go. But if we let him go just like that, all that we’ve worked for all these years will be lost in a mere single day. Will our Huang Family still have any face left?” Huang Tianliang asked gloomily.

“Then…”

“We’ll discuss it when I get back.”

“Alright.”

The Huang Family Pillars naturally had differing dwellings, but the getting back that Huang Tianliang had spoken of referred to Huang Tianzhu’s home. It had always been Huang Tianzhu’s home that was the Huang Family’s front in Libei. Be it bearing gifts amidst requests or subserviently lowering their heads and providing offerings to the mighty, anyone who was a little smarter as well as more sensible should know where they were to visit.

If you foolishly ran over to visit Huang Tianliang’s home, you would immediately be shooed out righteously and harshly, your gift also thrown out alongside you. And you would still want to accomplish your aim?

Due to his age, Huang Tianliang had already dismissed the possibility of being able to rise to a position of greater power. However, he had always thought that when the day came when he were to retire, it would be best if there could be an atmosphere along the lines of a thousand people simultaneously sending him off warmly. Better still if he could additionally gather some ‘Umbrellas of ten thousand citizens’ or whatnot along the way.

Therefore, everyone knew that there was only receiving a cup of warm tea if you went to Huang Tianzhu’s home.

Huang Tianliang’s panic did not last for too long. After dinner, Huang Tianzhu discovered that his elder brother had resumed that original look of his that was as steadfast and unyielding as a mountain.

He brewed a cup of tea and brought it before his elder brother, attempting to probe, “Bro, you’ve thought of a plan?”

Huang Tianliang nodded, “Let’s do it like this. We’ll release Xu Jianliang after New Year’s Day and bring an end to the matter with this. I won’t be personally acting in the future, but there’s no need for you to have any misgivings. You can use your own methods to continue slowly playing with the Xu Family in the future.”

“Huh, why?” Huang Tianzhu asked quizzically.

The deeply experienced Huang Tianliang laughed, “Are you asking me why it definitely has to be after New Year’s Day? That’s because you’ve already spread the word, with it being equivalent to my Huang Family saying, that we’ll leave the Xu Family unable to usher in the new year this year.”

“Therefore, the Xu Family must not be able to usher in the new year. Therefore, I can release him, but it can definitely only be done after this New Year’s Day has ended…”

“This mere difference of a single day represents all of our Huang Family’s face.”

Huang Tianzhu pondered for a while before asking, “But, those calls…”

“There’s nothing to ‘but’ about,” Huang Tianliang said, “I’m also not insisting on definitely taking his Xu Family down, also not saying that I won’t release him.”

“Then...it’ll be fine like this?” Huang Tianzhu asked rather worriedly.

Huang Tianliang thought that it was high time he taught his little brother a little about officialdom as a moment of rare patience came upon him, “Do you find these cards that the Xu Family has thrown out this time great or otherwise?”

“Great.”

“Right. So many big cards were slammed down all at once, leaving even me feeling almost knocked off my feet. However, it is precisely also because of this that I don’t care about the one in charge of the Xu Family, whether it is really that young brat or if it is someone who is guiding him behind the scenes. Whatever the case, he’s just too inexperienced. The cards that he threw out are just too great and too messy. No one can just casually throw out a set of cards like this.”

“In that case, this is equivalent to the Xu Family having already shown me all their cards. Such relationships would not be the type that they can use repeatedly. Such figures are also not ones that will truly make a move on a tiny little Bureau Chief like me. What they were asking about in their calls was merely the nature of this matter itself.”

“Therefore, the situation now is that I am unable to make a move on Xu Jianliang, whilst also having to release him due to having to give those people up above face.”

“However, as long as I do not stubbornly insist on making a move on him, those people up above will also not make a move on me. At the very least, they will not make a move on me just because I kept Xu Jianliang incarcerated for a few more days, because no matter what, I would already have moved according to their intentions, thereby resolving the matter. Do you understand?”

Huang Tianzhu nodded, but then shook his head.

Having used up all his patience, Huang Tianliang concluded with an impatient expression on his face, “In conclusion, things are basically like this now. I’ve agreed to release him, but the relevant procedures will take a little longer, go a little more complicated, accidentally going past New Year’s Day itself.”

“Like this, the Xu Family can’t possibly get those people to move just because of this slight discrepancy. Like this, my Huang Family’s face can also be kept.”

“At my age, there is already no longer any hope of me rising up any higher. Thus, I actually don’t really care much about those up above feeling dissatisfied with or holding some opinion about me. It’s fine so long as I do not act to the extent that they must definitely make a move on me.”

“Like this, Libei will still be the undisputed realm of our Huang Family. I’ve spent decades building up a net in Libei. So long as this net is not broken, our Huang Family is assured of stability for a few generations more to come.”

Even despite his rebirth, Xu Tingsheng was indeed still much more inexperienced regarding matters of officialdom as compared to a figure like Huang Tianliang. He would not have the chance to hear Huang Tianliang’s earlier words, but if he had been able to, he would immediately understand where he had gone wrong, would definitely ‘benefit greatly’ from it.

Huang Tianzhu did not consider those words further, instead being concerned about something else as he asked Huang Tianliang, “Then, how are we supposed to convey these intentions of ours to the Xu Family now? Otherwise, what if they decide to go all out and bring us down together with them no matter what...How about I find someone to convey them a message?”

Huang Tianliang shook his head, saying, “No need. As long as that kid of the Xu Family is not as much of a fool as you, logically speaking, he should be paying this place a visit this very night. Just speak as I told you to. I’ll be off now.”

As per Huang Tianliang’s predictions, less than half an hour later, Xu Tingsheng arrived at the Huang Family’s doorstep.

His inexperience, as seen in his every step, was completely within Huang Tianliang’s calculations. Therefore, despite him having taken out his relationship with the Fang Family, Huang Tianliang had merely been initially flustered by it a little.

If Xu Tingsheng had been able to catch Huang Tianliang at that point of time when even he had felt like he had almost been knocked off his feet, Mr Xu’s matter might have been resolved on the spot.

However, he missed that particular point of time. At this moment, Huang Tianliang had already completely regained his footing, being able to easily play around with Xu Tingsheng as he liked.

Xu Tingsheng did not meet Huang Tianliang, only meeting Huang Tianzhu for a period of less than twenty minutes. Over this period of time, Huang Tianzhu did go into pleasantries, did feign some ignorance, but there were only two lines of his which actually held any value:

The first: “Relax, your father will be fine. We will release him, but we will have to go through the proper procedures first. The second day of the new year-you can come and get him then. Right, if your father just happens to run into the end-of-year hair-shaving here, remember to prepare an extra hat at the time.”

The second: “Visit? That’s not in accordance with the rules!”

As Xu Tingsheng left, Huang Tianzhu who saw him to the door said from behind him, “Kid, remember-this is Libei. Typhoons can’t gust in here, floodwaters can’t flood in here, the sky distant and the monarchs far away. Thus, however great of a storm you can brew outside, in Libei, there is no going against my Huang Family.”

Chapter 101: Predicament

Leaving the Huang Family with a heavy gait.

Xu Tingsheng's defeated feeling did not actually stem fully from Huang Tianzhu's provocative words. What he truly felt helpless about was the difference between what he had thought and the actual reality.

Upon having received the news from Fang Yuqing, Xu Tingsheng had thought that this matter had already been resolved. Now, however, a suffocating feeling weighed down upon him somewhat.

This was just like having borrowed a cannon to get rid of a wolf, the wolf instead suddenly transformed into a mosquito, continuing to buzz around you incessantly as it was prepared to give you a bite at any time.

Huang Tianliang’s analysis of Xu Tingsheng was completely correct. From the source of those calls as well as their number, he had been able to determine that these were not the Xu Family’s own connections.

Otherwise, the Xu Family would not have blindly thrown out so many cards together like this. This was clear proof of the Xu Family having borrowed the power of another. Meanwhile, this power could not be borrowed by them time and time again.

If this connection were Xu Tingsheng’s own, if say it were Fang Yuqing himself who was of use in this matter, Xu Tingsheng could have continued borrowing his power with totally no reservations whatsoever, continuing to apply pressure on the Huang Family.

However, under the current circumstances, was he to ask Fang Yuqing to tell his grandfather that the other side had already agreed to release his father, but was actually delaying the relevant procedures...asking him to beg his grandfather to act once more and get others to continue applying pressure merely such that the other side would give up on those procedures?

This was unrealistic. From the surface, at least, Xu Tingsheng’s matter had actually already been resolved. Mr Xu would be fine.

The feeling of punching mightily onto a pile of absorbent cotton was not great at all. The feeling of being grasped and played with by another was not great at all. Every single additional second that Mr Xu spent inside especially caused Xu Tingsheng incomparable agony. However, he could not make things difficult for Fang Yuqing any further.

Xu Tingsheng sent Fang Yuqing a message, saying that the matter had already been resolved, that the other side had already agreed to release his father. Fang Yuqing was very happy for him.

Afterwards, Uncle Rong and his mother, uncles and aunts who received the news were all overjoyed as well. As they saw it, the Xu Family having been able to retreat in one piece after having provoked the local snakeheads of Libei County, it was already sufficient cause for joy.

As long as it was certain that Mr Xu would be fine, there was nothing wrong with with them losing face a little. It was fine if Mr Xu came out a few days later-that was harmless, really.

Xu Tingsheng, however, thought differently.

What Xu Tingsheng was concerned about was the Huang Family’s attitude that still remained overbearing. He was concerned about the Huang Family continuing to move unrelentingly against the Xu Family in the future.

If the Xu Family, whilst having used their full strength this time, still had to lower their heads in the end, with the two sides already in a feud, the Huang Family would never let them go so easily. They would definitely continue observing them in secret, eyeing for appropriate moments to strike.

The Huang Family might not act against them on the surface, but their covert actions would only perpetually increase. Not killing a snake dead, the future troubles would only be endless.

Additionally, Xu Tingsheng’s persistence also stemmed from the fact that as a son, he was just unable to watch helplessly on as his father was forced to remain in a holding cell until the second day of the new year. He wanted his father home to usher in the new year together, their entire family reunited. He wanted to win justice for his father, washing his humiliation clean. He wanted the Huang Family to pay for their actions no matter what.

Otherwise, he would feel that he was even more unfilial than in his previous life.

Xu Tingsheng was walking along an extreme, the extreme of ‘filial piety’. After having grown sensible in his previous life, he had already no longer had the chance to be filial. Able to live his life again now, if he was still unable to secure the stability of his family...such agony caused Xu Tingsheng to feel depressed as he had never been before ever since his rebirth.

……

Xu Tingsheng did not dare to go straight home. He was afraid that these negative emotions of his might show through before his mother and his sister. Having earlier confirmed that Mr Xu would be fine, they might just be able to sleep in peace tonight.

Xu Tingsheng parked his car by a riverside road, opening the door before he leaned back on the driver’s seat and smoked a cigarette.

Yet, when the Xu Family, when Xu Tingsheng himself had still yet to develop and grow strong, for him to think up a viable plan for dealing with the Huang Family would be very difficult indeed.

Xu Tingsheng was completely stumped. His foreknowledge was the advantage that rebirth had gifted him, but however much he sieved through his memories, he was still unable to think of any useful, relevant information regarding the Huang Family, regarding Huang Tianliang at all.

……

An Audi A6 was still very obtrusive in a small county like Libei right before the start of the year 2004, especially when the one sitting inside was not a bald, pot-bellied middle-aged man but a good-looking young man.

From the rearview mirror, Xu Tingsheng saw a girl in her early twenties gazing at him and his car from a distance away. She hesitated for a while, soon seemingly having made up her mind as she poured a bit of water on her clothes before walking over to the car.

“Hi, do you have tissue paper in your car?” The girl pretended to ask awkwardly before she pointed towards her chest, “I accidentally spilled some water on myself just now, and I forgot to bring tissue paper.”

Xu Tingsheng said nothing, just extending some tissues to the girl.

The girl wiped her clothes with the tissues before saying smilingly, “Thanks! Are you waiting for someone? Or are you alone?”

As Xu Tingsheng remained silent, she continued, “You look like you’re in a rather bad mood. Mind if we get to know each other? I can chat with you for a while, or...we can go for a spin?”

Xu Tingsheng was finally unable to restrain himself as he asked mockingly, “What then? You wouldn’t mind doing it in the car...?”

The girl was shocked by Xu Tingsheng’s proposal or perhaps just conflicted and hesitating as she smiled, “That’s...that seems a little fast, don’t you think?”

She had not rejected him outright, but Xu Tingsheng changed the topic, asking, “How much do you think my car here costs?”

The girl was taken aback for a moment before she replied, “Several hundred thousand, I guess?”

“How much are you worth then?”

“I…”

“You definitely feel that you are less valuable than this car. If I’m not wrong, that person cycling over from that direction right now must be your boyfriend, because you turned your face away as soon as you saw him appear, even pushing your scarf upwards,” Xu Tingsheng said, “It’s cold in winter, and he’s come to fetch you even without gloves on. Thus, be it cycling or walking even, he’s still more valuable than this car regardless. You should treasure him well.”

Xu Tingsheng spoke very earnestly, very sincerely, but the girl hesitated for a moment before then insisting, “But, I don’t know him. Really.”

Xu Tingsheng raised his head upwards, looking straight at her, “Oh. Then, have you heard about the matter of the Xu Family? The one who owns that Happy Shoppers.”

“Yeah,” The girl nodded, a quizzical look appearing in her eyes.

Libei was very small, such that virtually everyone in the entire county had learnt of the Xu Family’s matter over just this single day. They knew that the Xu Family had been targeted by the Huang Family, knew that Mr Xu had been incarcerated, knew that the Xu Family had fallen greatly overnight.

Everyone was saying that the Xu Family which had merely recently risen to prominence over the past half year would likely soon be rendered bankrupt and saddled with debt.

“Then, if I told you that I am surnamed Xu, am Xu Tingsheng of the Xu Family, would you still get on?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “If there is no car in the future, you accompanying me in slowly paying back our debts-is that fine?”

The girl left, getting on the back seat of the bicycle. The boy sitting in front straightened up, shielding her from the wind as he cycled.

Xu Tingsheng lit up another cigarette. The words had told that girl just now were obviously false. Mr Xu had already been secured; the Xu Family would not fall just like that.

However, just from this one ordinary girl, Xu Tingsheng was able to reaffirm how harsh and bleak a place this world was. In this world, the people who can evoke warmth in your heart amidst those difficult times are but a rare few at the end of the day.

Fortunately, Xu Tingsheng had such people.

His phone rang. It was Huang Yaming. Xu Tingsheng picked up the call.

Huang Yaming asked, “Tingsheng, where are you? Fu Cheng and I are looking for you.”

Xu Tingsheng asked for their location and drove over to pick them up. Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng had actually just left the Xu Family home not long ago. They came bearing news of the situation there. Since the afternoon, there were many who had given up on asking for their money back. The money had not been depleted completely; more than eight hundred thousand yuan still remained.

“Have you eaten dinner yet?” Fu Cheng asked Xu Tingsheng.

“I ate a bowl of noodles.”

“Let's find a place to eat a little. The two of us will accompany you.”

“Okay.”

Chapter 102: The way out

As in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, the three chose a simple roadside restaurant, ordering a few simple dishes to their small room and also calling for three bottles of wine.

The name of this small restaurant was ‘Looking Back’. It was a very widespread name, virtually being present in all the cities across the entire country.

This restaurant’s dishes were rather spicy. However, with its low prices and the sufficient quantities of food it served, it was a very popular place.

‘Looking Back’ was very famous in this tiny Libei. In his previous life, every time Xu Tingsheng returned to Libei following his eventual departure from it, he would always gather at this place together with Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had collapsed from drunkenness here many times before. Sometimes, it had been due to happiness. Sometimes, it had been due to pain and frustration. Sometimes, he had even had to be carried home. Perhaps in this life, on this very night, he would be drunk here again.

“I know that you must definitely be mad,” Fu Cheng said, “Sometime like this having happened to their Dad, anyone would be mad. Still, we’ve got no way about it now; the Huang Family isn’t something we can bring down at the present moment. As long as Uncle Xu’s fine, just tolerate them for now. Many days lie ahead.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that Fu Cheng was not wrong. Suppressing his rage and waiting till the Xu Family had grown strong, there would surely eventually come the time when vengeance could be had. Even though he still felt unresigned to the fact, still felt furious about it, not wanting his two friends to feel worried over him, Xu Tingsheng nodded and downed a glass of wine.

“That’s right. As long as it’s anyone who’s a little more knowledgeable in Libei, who doesn’t know what their Huang Family is like, what that Huang Tianliang and Huang Tianzhu are like?”

“Seizing land, bribery, forcibly buying and selling, dealings with the criminal underworld...what bad things have their Huang Family not done before?”

“But in Libei, just based on these alone, there is no one who can bring them down.”

Originating from his innate interest in officialdom, while Huang Yaming was still rather young, he knew quite a lot of things about it. Perhaps he himself was one of those knowledgeable people that he had just spoken of.

Xu Tingsheng, on the contrary, was unfamiliar with all of this. In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had been innately averse to matters of officialdom, having totally no interest in all those related matters as a result.

However, as Huang Yaming had said, what did it matter that Xu Tingsheng knew all of this now? He still remained unable to bring down the Huang Family.

“Let me tell you something funny,” Huang Yaming continued in a mysterious tone, “Do you know what some people call Huang Tianliang in secret? They've given him a nickname.”

“Just say it! What're you acting all mysterious for?” Fu Cheng asked impatiently.

“Weasel(Huang Shulang), haha! Sounds like it, right? It also sounds like all the dastardly things he's done,” Huang Yaming laughed, actually just trying to lift Xu Tingsheng's spirits.

“Huang Tianliang, Huang Shulang...it really does have a bit of meaning to it,” Fu Cheng said.

“That's right! The first time I heard of it, I felt that it truly couldn't be any more fitting. Now that his Huang Family is in power, many people don't dare to mention it. Otherwise, I wager that this nickname would have spread long ago,” Huang Yaming said.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng chatted on for a while only to finally realise that however enthusiastically they discussed, Xu Tingsheng just didn't follow up on their words. Turning over to look at him, they found him seated dazedly there with an upraised wineglass in his hand, with a look of currently pondering deeply about something.

“Tingsheng, what's up with you? ... Tingsheng…” Fu Cheng reached over and waved his hand before Xu Tingsheng's face.

Xu Tingsheng still hadn't fully snapped out of it as he murmured to himself, “Weasel...unable to bring down...what if, he's killed someone?”

“What? Killed someone? ...You're saying saying that Weasel's a murderer?” Huang Yaming suppressed his tone and yelled out.

“No, this is just hypothetical,” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly explained, “Didn't you say that he can't be brought down? I mean-what if he's killed someone?”

“If there is proof, we can directly accuse him at the city, no, the provincial level…As this matter is pursued, everything else will surely be brought to light as well. At that time, it would definitely be game over for the Huang Family,” Huang Yaming said.

“Sadly, this is only hypothetical. Even if he's really killed before, we also don't have any proof of it, right?” Fu Cheng said.

“Yeah, that's true,” Xu Tingsheng said softly, his head lowered.

The door of the room was suddenly pushed open, a bunch of six or seven men entering along with three women.

“Who’re you looking for?” Huang Yaming stood up.

“Oh, we just happened to pass by and saw the Xu Family's car parked outside,” The leading youth who looked around 27 said, “So, we came in for a look. Which of you three is from the Xu Family?”

Knowing from his tone that this bunch harboured malicious intentions, Xu Tingsheng looked up and said, “Me.”

“Oh, you're that little brat of the Xu Family? Called, um...Xu, Xu Tingsheng?” The youth said, “Let me introduce myself. I'm surnamed Huang, named Huang Gui…”

The three showed no response.

“What, you don’t know me? You must surely know my Dad then. My Dad’s name is Huang Tianliang.”

Hearing him report his family name, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng knew that the current situation would not be an amiable one. As they secretly clutched the wine bottles in their hands, Xu Tingsheng signalled with his eyes for them to release their grips as he remained silent.

The youth walked over towards Xu Tingsheng and lowered his head to gaze at him before continuing, “Did you know? My Dad suddenly scolded me for no rhyme or reason after having returned home today, saying that I…”

The youth pointed at himself and said, “My Dad said that I…am incomparable to you. Come, let me see what exactly you're like, how exactly I'm incomparable to you.”

Having finished, the youth named Huang Gui swatted lightly at Xu Tingsheng's face, wanting him to turn his head over.

Xu Tingsheng did not move.

Huang Gui gradually increased the strength in his hand, light swatting turning into forceful slaps as heavy 'thud’ sounds resounded. Alongside this also resounded the mocking laughter of his entourage behind him.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng wanted to stand up, but were pressured as Huang Gui's lackeys present at the scene placed threatening hands on their shoulders.

At the two's inner conflict, Xu Tingsheng indicated for them not to move. He did not wish for any kind of conflict to break out here. This was not because of their numerical disadvantage and also not because he did not want to drag Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng into things. Such matters need not even be considered between them. Xu Tingsheng was tolerating this outrage because there was something more important that he had to do.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng failing to respond, Huang Gui stopped rather disinterestedly, asking mockingly, “What, you're afraid of me?”

Then, he turned towards the bunch of people behind him and asked, “You see? Just some useless trash. Really, tell me-his mother, in what way am I inferior to him?”

That entourage of his naturally coordinated entreatingly with him as various disparaging noises now resounded for a time.

Mocking laughter, mocking words, even cursing-Xu Tingsheng pretended not to hear any of it.

“His mother, why am I also surnamed Huang? Sigh, how unfortunate,”Huang Yaming scolded after they had left.

“We can’t move against him now. When Uncle Xu’s out, let’s find a chance to go get him with a burlap sack over his head,” Fu Cheng said.

If not for Xu Tingsheng continually having stopped them from doing so earlier, even if they would have eaten a loss, they would have still fought with Huang Gui’s group.

They were currently more worried about Xu Tingsheng than they had been before.

However, unexpectedly, Xu Tingsheng laughed for his first time this evening before saying, “Looking at how the next generation of the Huang Family is still playing hooligan when already around 27, he really is greatly meagre as compared to his father Huang Tianliang...It’s great like this. This way, I can set my mind at ease.”

“Huh? I don’t understand. Are we still getting that burlap sack then?” Fu Cheng asked.

“Of course. It’s only a matter of sooner or later,” Xu Tingsheng said with a smile showing at the corners of his mouth.

What Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng had failed to grasp was why Xu Tingsheng had said that he would be able to set his mind at ease with the next generation of the Huang Family being this way. Xu Tingsheng did not tell them that this was because the previous generation of the Huang Family, was about to fall.

……

After driving Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng back, Xu Tingsheng still didn’t go directly home. He drove for a while before locating the red villa that was located at the foot of the hill behind and to the side of Libei Senior High.

The interior of the villa was completely pitch black. Judging by the trash by the doorway and the spiderwebs hanging down from the walls and the ceiling, Huang Tianliang must not have returned here to stay for a very long time.

He did not dare to live here, because in the basement of this villa, beneath the underground concrete pouring...was concealed a corpse.

Right. Huang Tianliang was indeed a murderer.

Having left Libei too early in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng possessed virtually no memories at all of this legendary figure of Libei County, Huang Tianliang. Earlier, he had also been recollecting with all his might, hoping to grasp some information that might be of use in helping him to deal with the Huang Family, with Huang Tianliang. However, he had come up blank. No relevant information had been obtained from his memories at all.

In actual fact, however, it was not that no such information existed. It was just that in that major incident regarding his hometown that Xu Tingsheng had heard about in his previous life, the main character had not been called Huang Tianliang. At that time, the people of Libei had all already grown bold enough to freely call him...Huang Shulang(Weasel).

It was around 2013 that the news had been published. When the Huang Tianliang of 10 years later had been indicted, he had already not been a Bureau Chief for a long time, instead having just been managing a casual post.

Therefore, be it Huang Tianliang’s name or his Bureau Chief position, neither had been able to stimulate Xu Tingsheng’s memories at all. It was only when Huang Yaming had mentioned Huang Tianliang’s nickname being Weasel just earlier that Xu Tingsheng had been able to remember.

Apparently, Huang Tianliang was that Weasel.

Right at that moment, Xu Tingsheng had remembered a piece of news regarding their hometown that Mrs Xu had just loved prattling to him about in his previous life many years after he had already graduated from university and come to stably reside in Jiannan City:

“When I called your aunt today, she told me about an incident. Our Libei’s Weasel is finally about to be executed. Did you know? Apparently, in that red house behind your previous senior high that he owned, he had actually had a dead body buried underground!”

“After this matter was exposed, the higher-ups investigated into it and discovered everything that he was hiding.”

“I heard that he’s going to be shot to death. What a pity, for him to have been able to live for so long whilst having harmed our Libei for so many years...Many back at Libei have been setting off firecrackers on the streets these past few days.”

……

Xu Tingsheng had always been rather bothered by Mrs Xu’s prattling in his previous life, yet forever not daring to interrupt her. Therefore, he would just keep from responding to her words. This was probably a strategy that many people used against their mother’s prattling.

When Xu Tingsheng reached home that night, Mrs Xu was still waiting worriedly for him in the living room, exclaiming as soon as she saw him, “Tingsheng, Mum still feels a little panicked by all that’s happened. Mum can’t help but prattle a little…”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Mum, I love listening to your prattling the most.”

Chapter 103: Returning home to usher in the new year

One day, three days, five days, seven days…

Those secretly observing the Xu Family discovered that after their main members had busied themselves for a day following Xu Jianliang’s incarceration, they then suddenly stopped appearing in public.

Once in a while, some people would come to their door and ask for their investment money back. Mr Xu’s two younger brothers would return them the money on the Xu Family’s behalf, not wasting time on words whilst also not seeming troubled in the least.

Yet, rumours and speculation still arose.

“Is the Xu Family scared? In hiding? ...It looks like the Xu Family won’t be able to usher in this new year. It’s also unclear whether Xu Jianliang will be able to make it out. Having provoked that kind of people, there’s really nothing that can be done about it.”

“They haven’t run, right? ...Many people still have their money with them.”

“But their mall is still running! Could it already have changed hands in private to be surnamed Huang? I just knew that the Xu Family would definitely lower their heads regarding this. In Libei, there is no one who can afford to aggravate the Huang Family.”

“What about that kid of the Xu Family who let out big words a few days earlier, saying that his Dad would definitely come back in time to usher in the new year? He hasn’t been showing his face either?”

“He’s probably scared of being treated like a joke.”

Just as rumours were flying about everywhere, aside from a few close relatives of the Xu Family, no one else knew that Xu Tingsheng had already been gone from Libei for a couple of days.

Xu Tingsheng’s first stop was Yanzhou, where he found Fang Yuqing. After having told Fang Yuqing what he was going to do, the two of them then made a trip to Xihu City together.

After having returned from Xihu City, Xu Tingsheng still didn’t show his face.

The tiny Libei County was quiet as it usually was, with no unusual movements apparent in it at all. The arrogant Huang Family was still the Huang Family, and the Xu Family who had fallen on hard times was still stifled and unable to utter a sound. It was just that as the days gradually grew closer and closer to the end of the lunar new year, the business in Happy Shoppers boomed more and more by the day.

Had or had not Happy Shoppers changed hands in private to be surnamed Huang? Many people were speculating on this.

The definite answer was that it had not. It was just that everyone seemed clearly able to tell that the Xu Family had met defeat in this battle, also already feeling resigned to their fate by the looks of it.

Some people sympathised with the Xu Family, feeling indignant against the injustice that had been dealt them.

Naturally, there were those who rejoiced at their sorry plight as well. An example of this was Chen Yulun, having returned home for the winter holidays. Recently, he just loved to bring up the topic of Xu Tingsheng who just dared not show his face. He had even specifically given Song Ni a call, laughing mockingly at her for a long time on this.

Chen Yulun felt it to be a great pity that he couldn’t get hold of Xu Tingsheng now. Otherwise, no matter what, he would also have wanted to vent those negative emotions of his somewhat.

Those unable to find Xu Tingsheng found other targets to mock. For example, it was Song Ni who was on rather good terms with Xu Tingsheng whom Chen Yulun had found. Other than that, some bolder ones began insinuating things before Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, only finally realising after having been beaten up that these two fellas were not to be aggravated…

For example, that Uncle Zhao who had spoken on behalf of the Xu Family before those hundred odd people who had come asking for money that day was currently being called Old Fool Zhao by many.

Also mocked were Uncle Rong and that bunch of old employees as well as even Wu Yuewei who was currently still in the midst of twelfth grade supplementary lessons…

Either unintentionally or purposefully walking past the Xu Family’s front door, there were many who saw that Audi that was parked out in the open. To some extent, it had once represented the Xu Family’s rise to prominence. Now, however, it was gradually being laden with dust.

This was perhaps the best proof of the Xu Family having been defeated. Many who had still harboured sympathy as well as hopes towards the Xu Family gradually despaired, disappointed.

This was precisely the effect that Xu Tingsheng wanted: letting everyone, especially the Huang Family, feel that the Xu Family had already resigned itself to its fate, no longer struggling. Whilst lying crouched and in wait, awaiting the imminent shocking thunder.

……

On New Year’s Eve, at around 9am in the morning, the families who lived in the same village as the Xu Family were seated leisurely at their doorways enjoying the morning sun when they discovered something strange:

Of the Xu Family who had kept themselves tucked away from the public eye for so long, Xu Tingsheng was currently washing his car outside their house, carefully brushing the accumulated dust off the Audi as it then regained its shininess.

As the news spread, more and more people congregated in order to spy on the action over at the Xu Family home.

Mrs Xu and her two children were just leaving the house. Xu Tingsheng was wearing a proper suit which really seemed a little overly formal while Mrs Xu and Xu Qiuyi were dressed elaborately in clothing for the new year festivities as well.

“What’re the Xu Family mother and children up to?”

Amidst their speculation, the Xu Family’s Audi left the village.

The Xu Family’s Audi had reappeared on the streets of Libei once more. At first, it was only a few people who noticed this. Then, through word of mouth, more and more people came to hear of this matter.

Even for those who had not heard of it beforehand, when out buying New Year goods, they still saw the large banner that suddenly appeared hanging from the balcony on the third floor of Happy Shoppers at 10am in the morning:

‘Xu Family’s Happy Shoppers, Great Joy and Celebration. Big Discounts for the New Year’.

While it was clearly just a promotion banner for a supermarket, the words ‘Xu Family’ would naturally lead one to think of some things. What they also had to question were the words ‘Great Joy and Celebration’. Generally speaking, shouldn’t it be written ‘Welcoming The New Spring?’

Happy Shoppers still belonged to the Xu Family. Also, the Xu Family had a cause for great joy and celebration.

……

When the Xu Family’s car had still yet to leave their village, at the Huang Family.

Already having been resting at home for the past two days, Huang Tianliang received a call from within the county early in the morning, saying that there was an urgent meeting regarding safety during the upcoming New Year festivities that he was required to attend.

This having come right on the day before New Year’s Eve, Huang Tianliang exclaimed impatiently, “I haven’t even changed my clothes yet! How about I send two deputies over?”

The other party sounded rather troubled, “Bureau Chief Huang, this meeting today really is rather important. Later on, some higher-ups from the city will be arriving to allocate tasks as well. I’m sorry, but it’s necessary that you make a trip here. The deputy chiefs and whatnot all have to come anyways; we’re currently in the midst of informing them.”

From the other party’s words, this meeting must really be rather important. Normally, when Huang Tianliang said that he wouldn’t be attending, he would only be met with acceptance. Today, however...the guy was being very persistent.

Huang Tianliang thought for a moment before saying, “Alright. When does the meeting start?”

“8.30.”

“I’ll change my clothes and be on my way then.”

Huang Tianliang changed his clothes whilst informing his wife who was currently in the midst of busily preparing the annual reunion dinner about his meeting.

His wife didn’t really believe him as she asked, “Huang Tianliang, do you know what day is it today? I already don’t care about those whatever mistresses’ home you usually like to stay in outside. Today, you’ve got to be at home no matter what.”

Perhaps because he often went off for a few days without coming back, Huang Tianliang’s wife refused to believe him despite his repeated explanations. He decided not to explain anymore, just flinging away her hand that was tugging at him and stalking off.

When he arrived at the door, gazing back at his wife off a few decades, Huang Tianliang sighed as he felt a little guilty, “Sigh, look at you. I’m really off to attend a meeting now...prepare the food, and I’ll be back soon for lunch. Drink a little with me.”

Hearing her husband say that he would be back soon, Huang Tianliang’s wife could finally set her heart at ease as she waved to him, saying, “I’ll be waiting for you with lunch then. You’ve definitely got to come back!”

Huang Tianliang did not look back, just waving towards her, “Relax, I’ll definitely be back.”

Around the same time that Huang Tianliang received that call, the various officials related to the Huang Family in the various governmental departments of Libei County received notifications regarding that meeting as well. They hurriedly left their houses.

Of course, so that this matter would not appear so obtrusive, quite a few officials who were not related to the Huang Family received notifications to come as well.

Major figures generally just loved to be the last to arrive on scene such that their importance would be emphasised, and Huang Tianliang was no exception to this rule.

Finally strolling leisurely to the location of the meeting, Huang Tianliang asked the receptionist at the doorway, “So, is everyone here?”

“Everyone's here, there's just Bureau Chief Huang left,” The receptionist said.

“Okay,” Huang Tianliang responded before walking authoritatively into the meeting room and sitting down, the people within successively standing up, greeting him and wishing him a happy new year as he walked past them.

This was the unshakeable aura and authority that Huang Tianliang possessed in Libei County. In all actuality, he was superior to even the County Head himself in terms of his position and the weight of his words.

“The meeting can begin now, right?” Huang Tianliang said in a deep tone after he had gotten seated.

The entrances of the room all shut simultaneously, a few people whom Huang Tianliang found to be rather unfamiliar entering and walking over before him before one of them said smilingly, “We discussed a little beforehand, and felt that inviting Bureau Chief Huang here in this Libei here might really not be that easy. Therefore, we staged a small play. I hope that Bureau Chief Huang will not mind it.”

The next moment, Huang Tianliang understood, as did all the officials here who were related to him. They understood that this was...netting them all in one fell swoop. The heavens of Libei were about to change.

The next moment, a great many non-Libei armed personnel began surging into the room.

At the same time, Huang Tianzhu also received an ‘unwelcome guest’ at his home who had specifically come to invite him over.

…...

Meanwhile, at around 10am in the morning, Mr Xu rather despondently changed into the fresh new suit and leather shoes that the warden had handed him before stepping out of the gates of the facility.

Garbed in new clothing, his wife, daughter and son were standing in front of the gates waiting for him. His son, especially, was wearing the exact same suit as him.

Xu Tingsheng took off his hat, revealing a crew cut that ran just along the skin of his head, “Dad, how's this...I feel that this hairstyle will definitely be very popular in a couple of years. If people aren't handsome dudes, they normally won't even dare to cut it this way.”

Tears in his eyes, Mr Xu rubbed first his own head and then his son's before musing aloud, “I still thought that you'd prepare Dad a hat.”

Xu Tingsheng threw the hat in his hand into the nearby bushes by the roadside before saying as he opened the door of the car, “That isn't necessary. Dad, let's return home to usher in the new year.”

Chapter 104: The Xu Family’s Fireworks (1)

“Hey, brat, you've been smoking in my car!”

Xu Tingsheng hadn't expected that the first thing Mr Xu would do upon getting on the car would be to turn and give him a slap on the face. Xu Tingsheng knew that his father was truly concerned about this car. At the same time, he also wished to liven up the mood a little.

Shrinking his head back, Xu Tingsheng said, “Dad, don't hit me! I'm driving here.”

“Right, when did you learn how to drive?” Mr Xu asked puzzledly.

“I came to know a friend who owns a car in university. When we hung out together, I took his car out for a spin a couple of times. My skills are definitely better than yours, just that I haven't got a license,” Xu Tingsheng said, smiling.

“No driving license? Pull up by the side of the road. I'll drive,” Mr Xu said.

“It's fine. There's no one with the leisure to stop us today.”

After that, Xu Tingsheng told Mr Xu in detail about everything regarding this incident that could be told. Mr Xu was rendered rather dazed and speechless by his words. He had originally thought that the Xu Family had merely survived this tribulation, temporarily securing Happy Shoppers.

Never would he have thought that his son might actually be able to...he'd actually covertly and silently taken down the massive entity in Libei that was the Huang Family.

Mr Xu was perhaps one of the first few people of Libei County to come to know of the Huang Family's collapse. Currently, the news of what had happened at that meeting was still being strictly kept under wraps. What people were currently still discussing and speculating on were still whether the Xu Family would be able to usher in this new year, the reappearance of the Xu Family’s car as well as what the large banner hanging from the third floor of Happy Shoppers entailed.

The current Huang Family.

Mrs Huang asked Huang Gui, “It’s almost 11, but your Dad still isn’t back yet and I can’t get through to him as well. How about you go down to the bureau and take a look?”

Just having woken up, Huang Gui yawned, “Nah, I’m busy. I’m going out with my friends.”

“Those trashy friends? You’re already 27, yet all you do all day long is bring a bunch of hooligans about in swaggering along the streets. Totally useless,” Miss Huang said.

“Why do I have to be useful? It’s fine as long as Dad is here. Look, I spend every single day playing outside without going to work, but aren’t I still going to be promoted to a section manager soon anyways? And about money, do you think that our Huang Family doesn’t have enough of it for me to waste throughout my entire lifetime?”

“...Now, all we’ve got to do is wait for Uncle to get those supermarkets run by the Xu Family. Now those are really geese that lay golden eggs, with decades worth of money to spend,” Huang Gui said.

Mrs Huang thought about saying that there would surely come a day when his father was no longer there to run the family, but then changed her mind, thinking about how inauspicious it would be to say such a thing over the new year. She remained patient, continuing to wait.

…...

The Xu father and son did not stay long in the county, merely making a single trip to Happy Shoppers. Just having received their year end bonuses, knowing that these had been distributed to them amidst the family’s most difficult times, most of Happy Shoppers’ employees were feeling deeply appreciative of their boss and his family.

Finding such good bosses was not an easy thing at all. Speaking from deep down within, there was not one of them who would wish for Happy Shoppers’ downfall or it changing hands.

Seeing the Xu father and son appear now, they all felt greatly reassured as they all hurried over joyfully to congratulate them. Mr Xu reciprocated all their feelings in kind, especially Li Xiu’s. Mr Xu had already learnt from Xu Tingsheng everything that Li Xiu had done for the Xu Family over this period of time. He felt that however much he tried to express his gratitude in words, he would still come up lacking.

“Dad, regarding Sis Xiu, just mere thanks alone wouldn’t be enough. Look, I had this long prepared for you,” Xu Tingsheng took out a generous, thick red packet and handed it to Mr Xu.

Xu Tingsheng had already discovered long ago that while Li Xiu had distributed year end bonuses to the employees of all the six branches of Happy Shoppers across the five counties, there was still she herself whom she had intentionally overlooked in doing so. She had done so out of consideration for the Xu Family.

Without the slightest hesitation, Mr Xu took that red packet which contained sixty thousand yuan and stuffed it into Li Xiu’s hands, saying with the stern authority of a boss, “You cannot refuse this.”

“Thanks, Boss,” Beneath everyone’s gazes, Li Xiu happily received the red packet, opening it on the spot to find a super thick wad of 100 yuan bills.

A sixty thousand yuan year end bonus was definitely shocking and unheard of in the year 2004.

Be it the onlooking employees or the customers, all of them involuntarily coughed upon seeing this as their eyes were filled with envy.

After the red packet had been given, Xu Tingsheng said loudly from behind Mr Xu, “Sis Xiu, do you still remember what I said to you before? My Dad will definitely return home to usher in the new year. The Xu Family’s ship will not sink.”

“I remember!” A smiling Li Xiu answered loudly.

“Before getting off from work later, ask your kid’s grandma to bring him over. I’ll drive over and fetch you guys over to our home for the reunion dinner.”

“Yeah, okay.”

The red packet had been given in front of everyone, and the words had been said in front of everyone. Li Xiu had coordinated very well with him, opening the red packet on the spot and also responding enthusiastically to his words.

This was just the effect Xu Tingsheng wanted. He wanted everyone to understand that the Xu Family would eternally remain steadfast and unyielding, meanwhile never forgetting all who had been loyal to and all who had been of assistance to them.

It was not hard at all to imagine how hard the employees of Happy Shoppers would be working after the new year had arrived and this news had spread throughout its six branches across the five counties, how invigorated and enthusiastic a scene that would be.

Even now, with it still being a couple of months away, many Happy Shoppers employees were already beginning to brag to their friends and relatives about their all expenses paid free tour of Hainan in the middle of the upcoming year.

The father and son had only made a simple appearance at Happy Shoppers, not staying for long before they had gotten on their car and left. Still, this was already sufficient. The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire Libei County: The Xu Family, had not been defeated.

Many people began remembering the words that the son of the Xu Family had previously said. He had said ‘My Dad will definitely return home to usher in the new year’. He had achieved it.

……

Reaching home, Mr Xu took a shower and exited the bathroom.

Xu Tingsheng handed Mr Xu a namelist, saying, “Dad, I've got a list of names here. These are the people over this period of time whom our Xu Family is indebted to. You should personally pay them a visit and invite their entire families to our reunion dinner later.”

Mr Xu looked at the namelist in his hands. It contained his old employees, such as Uncle Rong, as well some people whom he had originally not been so well acquainted with, such as Uncle Zhao and a few others.

Mr Xu smiled appreciatively before asking Xu Tingsheng, “You won't be coming along with me?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I've got to help with the cooking first. Also, later on, I'll still have to drive to the county as a chauffeur.”

“You know how to cook too?” Mr Xu asked astonishedly.

“I learnt it in university! I'm even more awesome than Mum now. You'll know it when you taste it,” Xu Tingsheng said, laughing.

Mr Xu exited the house, and everyone saw-the Xu Family's Xu Jianliang...had returned home to usher in the new year.

Even while they did not know how it had happened, even while they felt that the Xu Family would not be able to pass their days as well here on out now that they had gotten on the Huang Family's bad side, everyone still could not help but feel admiration: Against the most powerful local snakehead of Libei County, the Xu Family had tided through it, unharmed.

An apron around his waist, Xu Tingsheng busied himself around Mrs Xu and a few aunts, helping with the cooking.

“Right, Mum. Have you called that friend whom you borrowed money from last time? Can they come? If they are coming, I'll go drive them over later,” Xu Tingsheng asked Mrs Xu.

Smiling a little mysteriously, Mrs Xu said, “I've called them. They've arranged to eat their reunion dinner at their kid’s maternal grandmother's house this year. The day after tomorrow then. The day after tomorrow, I'll bring you along in personally paying them a visit to express our gratitude.”

“Yeah, that's only right,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

As he was speaking, a Happy Shoppers truck covered by a black cloth stopped by the Xu Family's doorway. Exiting the kitchen, Xu Tingsheng guided the truck over to a grain sunning ground by the side of the Xu Family's house and helped to unload the goods.

As for what exactly the truck contained, he retained his silence on it.

The Xu Family's annual reunion dinner saw two rows of tables extending from the front lawn all the way to an empty stretch of land a distance away. Many people had come, but some of the tables were still empty. This was due to the words that Xu Tingsheng had previously said.

He had said: When my Dad's returned, for all those who feel like you can still stand up straight before our Xu Family, you are welcome to come over and have a glass of wine.

As a man from the neighbouring village prepared to leave his house, his wife tugged at him, asking, “You're really going?”

“Why can't I go?” The man asked, “While I didn't speak up for the Xu Family like Old Zhao did back then, I also didn't pressure them to return me my money.”

“But I feel that in hosting such a great banquet just after the person has been released, isn't the Xu Family blatantly standing in opposition to the Huang Family this time? ...If you go, the Huang Family might view you negatively as well,” His wife continued.

The man hesitated for a moment before flinging up his hand dismissively, “The hell I'm scared of them! Whatever. Anyway, I'm going.”

The man walked over to the Xu Family. Having after all arrived uninvited, he instead felt a little hesitant at this point. Just then, the Xu father and son came over to greet him.

“Bro Lin, you're here! Come, sit,” Xu Tingsheng said.

More and more people gradually trickled in.

Of course, there were many who were successfully persuaded by their families not to go as well, with many people still in the midst of hesitating.

A little after 8pm, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng arrived as well. They had come to toast Mr Xu with a glass of wine. After the toasting, however, Xu Tingsheng still had something else in mind for them.

Xu Tingsheng brought Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and a few other youths over to the grain sunning ground.

The entire grain sunning ground was filled with fireworks.

“Light 'em up,” Xu Tingsheng said.

At this moment, scattered fireworks were already being set off all around Libei County. Many people stood on their balconies or leaned out of their windows, watching the fireworks.

Suddenly, they watched on as a major, sizeable portion of the horizon was illuminated red in the distance.

The village in which the Xu Family lived was just a short 20 minutes walk away from the county, and the main reason for this was that one would have to bypass a large mountain along the way. In terms of direct distance, it was actually not far away at all.

Thirty thousand yuan worth of fireworks shot into the night sky, a heaven-shaking boom resounding as the brilliant glow left everyone sighing in wonder at that awe-inspiring sight.

“Where's that?” Someone asked.

“Able to create such a momentous scene; from that direction, who else could it be? The Xu Family, of course!” A bystander promptly exclaimed.

Chapter 105: The Xu Family’s Fireworks (2)

After the Xu Family’s first wave of fireworks.

However much the people within the county were heatedly discussing them, the Xu Family continued heartily downing their wine where they were. Perhaps others might feel that this was the main event. Mr Xu and Xu Tingsheng, however, were clear that this was not the true pleasant surprise that the Xu Family was bringing to Libei tonight-far from it, in fact.

Mr Xu, Uncle Rong and a few other old employees squeezed together, drinking wine as they reminisced on their youthful days back in the factory. There was joy and laughter, whilst also tears of emotion which involuntarily sprung to their eyes.

“I say, you’ve still got that lousy old machete of yours?” A tipsy Mr Xu asked Uncle Rong.

“What lousy old machete? That’s a precious, treasured blade whose overwhelming aura intimidates the world all round,” A drunk Uncle Rong laughed as he rebutted.

“You...can still hold it up? Can still scare others with it?”

“Whenever you need it, I will be able to hold it up, will be able to scare others with it,” Uncle Rong replied.

At this point, Mr Xu fell silent.

Such was the friendship of the older generation. Those brothers who had walked through that era together had painstakingly established a business to support their families together, standing united in facing all the difficulties that lay before them as they strived simply to be able to continue getting the food into their mouths.

Clinking glasses with Mr Xu, Uncle Rong tilted his head and said, “Old Xu, I already couldn’t accept it back then. Now, I still can’t accept it...See, you’re always just so fortunate. Now, you’ve even gotten yourself such a good son.”

Mr Xu laughed happily, “So what if you can’t accept it? Tingsheng, come! Give your Uncle Rong a toast!”

In truth, on the pretext of having to drive, Xu Tingsheng hadn’t drunk much at all that night. Still, he definitely had to toast Uncle Rong. While the Uncle Rong that day had been dressed in old, tattered work clothes and carried an old machete, he had resembled a huge mountain as he stood before him, barring the path of all who would think him harm.

He was just the simplest farmer. Just like he himself had said, he couldn’t even speak the common language well. Still, he knew well and true what friendship was.

“Uncle Rong, this toast is to express my respect for you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Alright, Uncle will drink this toast heartily,” Uncle Rong said.

As Xu Tingsheng and Uncle Rong were drinking, Mr Xu was going around toasting people everywhere.

When toasting Uncle Zhao, Mr Xu said rather emotionally, “My son’s told me all about it. Old Bro Zhao, thank you. Sorry that you were made a laughingstock for the past few days...I’m chagrined.”

Having been called Old Fool Zhao for quite a number of days, Uncle Zhao just laughed loudly, “What does that matter? Just look at how good things are now. Enough said, let it all be in the wine.”

After toasting Uncle Rong, Xu Tingsheng carried his wineglass and went over to find Li Xiu. Seeing this, Mr Xu went over as well, the two together toasting the greatest meritorious general of Happy Shoppers.

Yet, however great the atmosphere was there, quite a few amongst them still remained worried. Even while the Xu Family had temporarily tided through this crisis, there now existed enmity between them and the Huang Family. Things would perhaps be very tough for the Xu Family from here on out.

There we many who thought this way. It was so with those present; it was so in the villages; it was so in Libei County.

“Having released those fireworks, isn’t the Xu Family blatantly flaunting before the Huang Family?”

“How audacious! That’s the Huang Family, you know. However fast the Xu Family climbs, however tough a stance they take, they’ll surely still lose out in the end.”

“I heard that the Xu Family set up more than ten tables, with two or three of them still being unoccupied. Do you dare to go?”

“Me? ...I’ll not be joining in these crowds now. Earlier, the Huang Family said that they would leave the Xu Family unable to usher in the new year, and then the Xu Family kid said that his Dad would definitely return in time for it. Now that his father’s out, this banquet...is clearly giving the Huang Family a slap on the face...This party is not a good one to join in.”

No matter what, it was the majority of people who didn’t think well of the Xu Family’s chances. After all, the Huang Family had so many years of authority accumulatively piled up there.

Some who had smugly gloated at the Xu Family’s plight earlier, whilst feeling rather despondent over the news of Mr Xu’s release, began speaking of the Xu Family’s tough predicament even more enthusiastically, “The days ahead will not be good for the Xu Family.”

It was around 11pm when the winds of this debate began to change.

Accompanied by the departure of a few military vehicles into the night, the news which had been kept in the utmost secrecy for the entire day gradually began to spread-Libei’s Huang Family, had collapsed.

This shocking news was repeatedly digested before finally being accepted by the people of Libei. When guessing what had caused the sudden collapse of the massive entity that was the Huang Family, what naturally came to mind was the recent clash between them and the Xu Family.

“Did the Xu Family topple the Huang Family?”

“But that doesn’t make sense! The Xu Family shouldn’t have that level of ability.”

“You tell me then. If it wasn’t the Xu Family, who else could it have been?”

However had the Xu Family achieved it? Just what might they have relied on? No one knew. However, the authoritative and prosperous Huang Family that had reigned over Libei for more than a decade had indeed collapsed just like that.

Another doubtful point was this: The Xu Family having been taken by surprise with Xu Jianliang having been incarcerated over this period of time, even if the Xu Family had possessed the ability to topple the Huang Family, just how might they have done so then?

Some who had met Xu Tingsheng and knew of him began to speak, “Don’t you know? On the very night of that incident, the son of the Xu Family returned.”

“Who?”

“I hear he’s called Xu Tingsheng.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of him before. I think he was even the top scholar or something. Still, didn’t he just graduate from senior high last year? He’s still a hairless brat, right? How old is he?”

“After the year’s ended, he should be 20, I guess. Hairless brat? Didn’t you see when the Xu Family was pressured by over a hundred people for money that day? If you did, you would know what that kid is like, smoothly and comfortably suppressing the full hundred over people there all on his own. Who would dare take him as a mere hairless brat?”

“Like formidable father, like formidable son! It seems like the heavens of Libei are really about to change.”

It was at this moment that the people over at the Xu Family banquet began receiving this news as well. Many who had originally thought that they already understood the Xu Family’s foundations sufficiently well began wondering over how much of an additional level of ability the Xu Family possessed that they were unclear about.

How exactly had this father and son pair that was currently smilingly toasting glasses of wine everywhere managed to do it?

Those who were already sitting over with the Xu Family rejoiced at their wise decision. Those who had originally wanted to come yet had been pulled back by their wives were feeling angry at their wives, while those who had hesitated were feeling angry with themselves.

As for those such as Li Xiu who had staunchly stood by the Xu Family’s side all the way, they finally knew how wise their decisions back then had been. The Xu Family’s ship would head unstoppably on, riding the winds and breaking the waves, while they would be on that ship.

When the clock ticked down to 12am, the fireworks set off in Libei reached a peak. Countless people opened their windows or stepped out of their homes, admiring the fireworks that were brightening up the night sky.

Over at the Xu Family, twice the previous amount of fireworks were laid out on the grain sunning ground.

“Light ’em up,” Xu TIngsheng said.

“Boom!” Half the sky was shining as even the entire county’s worth of fireworks was unable to overshadow the Xu Family’s all-encompassing dazzling light.

Everyone could not help but take notice as that corner which was illuminated bright as daylight, incomparably splendid as it was, seemed to be telling them all: The heavens of Libei have changed. The Xu Family, has truly risen.

It had been with great difficulty that Xu Tingsheng had earlier convinced Mr Xu regarding two consecutive money-burning sessions of magnificent fireworks. The fireworks were for celebration, celebrating Mr Xu having safely returned home for the new year, celebrating the Xu Family’s momentous rise to power over just a mere half year.

More importantly, however, was intimidation.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t intend to conceal their part in the Huang Family’s collapse. He wanted everyone to know that this had been the Xu Family’s doing, making use of this chance to let all those lowlife scum and insatiable wolves who would think to target the Xu Family know this: Unless you think yourselves to be more powerful than the Xu Family, you’d better not have any intentions on us.

The Xu Family needed to focus. After having experienced this incident, Mr Xu had told Xu Tingsheng one thing: I had originally thought that it was fine not going to the plains, forgetting meanwhile that wild wolves also exist on the small hills...The Xu Family must become an elephant, a massive entity that can go anywhere we’d like.

Xu Tingsheng needed to focus. He had his own plans and his own goals, with there also being someone whom he needed to accompany and guard.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng had designed this intimidation. He wanted to nip all their potential troubles in the bud to the greatest extent possible before they could have the chance to grow.

Libei.

Those feeling sympathetic towards the Xu Family and those who had been oppressed by the Huang Family before were all rejoicing over this scene.

Meanwhile, those who had been gloating over the Xu Family's misfortune or had offended the Xu Family before began feeling despondent and uneasy.

In a certain corner of Libei, a particular girl was thinking: If I had gotten on that car at the time…how great it would have been.

……

Xu Tingsheng drove Li Xiu's family back on his first trip and Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Song Ni on the second. While Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming both lived closer to Xu Tingsheng than Song Ni, the two of them insisted on him sending her home first.

Thinking that they wanted to ask him about the Huang Family's matter, Xu Tingsheng steadied himself for this after Song Ni had gotten off the car. He had already long since spun up the lie that he would give.

However, they didn't ask, Fu Cheng instead pulling out a burlap sack from his bag and saying, “Come, let's go burlap sack Huang Gui.”

So it was this that had been on their minds.

Huang Family.

The dishes that had been laid out across the table at noon were still yet to be touched. Mrs Huang sat slumped back against her seat, unmoving. A few teams of police officers already having been here, she had already long since realised what was going on.

In truth, she had known all along that this day would inevitably come. It was just that she had not thought that it would actually occur on a day like this.

As for Huang Gui, he had not returned since going out at noon. She knew that it would be pointless to count on that son of hers who was still out gallivanting about at the age of thirty.

Huang Gui actually only came to know of things much later on. Afraid of being disturbed by his mother, he always kept his phone turned off when out gallivanting about outside. Therefore, those people whom he had been hanging out with learnt of the news much earlier than he did.

Only when the final person had made up some excuse and left did Huang Gui realise that something was wrong. These people who were usually incomparably respectful towards him were suddenly avoiding him like the plague.

Turning on his phone, the innumerable missed calls and text messages informed him of what had happened to Libei, what had happened to the Huang Family.

As Huang Gui set off for home alone, his footsteps were rather unsteady as he tottered along. Rather than drunkenness, this was more representative of the panic and unease within his heart. To him, the very sky had suddenly collapsed.

The Xu Family's Audi pulled over beside him.

Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming, burlap sack and wooden batons in hand, were about to get off the car when Xu Tingsheng stopped them.

“That won't be necessary,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Xu Family?” Huang Gui looked at the car and its occupants and asked, “You, what do you want?”

Xu Tingsheng rolled down the car window, smiling, “Relax, I'm not going to hurt you. Since we've coincidentally met, though, I would like to ask you-do you still want to take a proper look at me now? Or know where it is that you're inferior to me?”

Huang Gui stared at the ground, not speaking.

The Audi's engine revved, but it was only when the car was already a distance away that Huang Gui summoned up his courage to yell, “Xu Tingsheng, I will have my revenge! This old man definitely won't forgive you!”

At this yell which, whilst not loud, was still audible within the car, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng asked Xu Tingsheng to turn back.

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, smiling, “Forget it, he's just mere trash. He’s already gallivanted himself useless, and not only is he useless, he doesn’t even have guts. Without that bunch of lackeys beside him, he doesn’t even dare to speak loudly anymore.”

“How sad for such a competent father to be unable to raise up even a decent son.”

“Heck, you still sympathise with him?” Huang Yaming asked incredulously.

“Even if I wanted to sympathise with him, I wouldn’t have enough of it to go around,” Xu Tingsheng said, “There’re probably many in Libei County who hate him much more than we do. They’ll all be looking to take revenge on him now; it isn’t even certain if he’ll be able to live through all this semi-intact. Therefore, there’s no need for us to waste our time on him.”

“But I’ve got to vent or I’ll feel repressed...did I prepare this burlap sack for nothing then?” Fu Cheng asked depressedly.

A figure swayed on the sidewalk in the distance. Just having finished setting off fireworks with his girlfriend by the flood prevention dams, with a beauty by his side, Chen Yulun’s despondence over the sudden resurgence of the Xu Family had been alleviated greatly as he was currently humming a song whilst walking home.

The three on the Audi exchanged looks, grinning.

“How about him then? We’ve got nothing better to do anyway,” Fu Cheng said, “This guy’s been pretty active again recently, going everywhere telling people about what happened to your family. He even gave Song Ni a call and said a whole bunch of weird stuff.”

“I got someone to warn him to stop disturbing Song Ni, but he even crowed that he’d like to see us try to touch him,” Huang Yaming added.

“I’m fine with the mockery, but just from what he did to Song Ni back then, just from him actually still daring to call Song Ni now, not knowing what’s good for him...Alright, let’s stop finding excuses. We actually just feel like beating him up on sight, isn’t it?...” Xu Tingsheng laughed.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng both nodded very earnestly.

“Let’s...go then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

As the screeching of tires as a car came rapidly to a halt resounded behind him, Chen Yulun had still yet to look back when a burlap sack went straight over his head. After that came a merciless, relentless rain of kicks and punches.

And so it was that on New Year’s Eve, the elite student Chen Yulun who hailed from the prestigious Jianhai University haplessly fell victim to a random beating in the middle of the night.

This-who could he cry injustice at?

……

After sending Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng back, Xu Tingsheng returned home. The adults had basically all gone to bed. In the hall, under his sister’s lead, his cousins were currently seated around the brazier playing mahjong, standing by time.

The coals in the brazier burned red, with crackling noises emitted from time to time. New Year’s Eve in this era was far warmer than the distant virtual red packets over WeChat of the future.

Standing by time-guarding life and longevity, guarding happiness.

Xu Tingsheng also decided to stand by time this year. While watching his cousins play mahjong, he thought back on all that he had experienced over this greater part of a year that had elapsed thus far since his rebirth…

The Xu Family, peaceful and well.

His kin, peaceful and well.

His friends, peaceful and well.

...Then, all was well.

What about he himself? What about the yearning that existed within his heart?

Xu Tingsheng’s phone rang. He answered the call.

“Uncle Liar, are you sleeping?”

“No. Why haven’t you slept yet as well?”

“My cousins are playing mahjong, standing by time for Grandpa. I was bored, so I called you. Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year. Why aren’t you playing?”

“I’ve already lost all my New Year’s money.”

“Wow. Aren’t you super skilled at it?”

“How did you know that I’m skilled? I only just learnt it.”

“Oh, just a guess.”

“I actually am very skilled, you know. It’s just that I didn’t do well on my end-of-semester examinations. I just got that bit of New Year’s money that couldn’t even stand up to a loss.”

“You flunked?”

“Uncle, why do you sound so happy? I’m very pitiful here, you know. Mum says that she’s definitely going to find me a home tutor for next semester.”

“...”

“Uncle Liar, why do you sound like you’re laughing?”

“Huh? ...No, I’m not.”

……

Standing by time-guarding life and longevity, guarding happiness.

So happiness was actually just that simple. Hanging up the phone, Xu Tingsheng felt great happiness.

Chapter 106: An accidental matchmaking session (1)

On the first day of the lunar new year, however busy the people who had toiled painstakingly for the earlier year were, Xu Tingsheng’s hometown had a rule that nothing was to be done other than the women cooking the meals. The nut shells and the melon seeds that were scattered all over the floor could only be swept clean the next day; the dirty clothes that had been worn the previous day could not be washed as well. Otherwise, it would mean difficult, busy times for the upcoming entire year.

As compared to the warm fire pits and wine over in the wintry north, people actually seldom had the chance to be as leisurely as this over in villages of the south.

The older folk would surround the brazier, cracking melon seeds and conversing casually as they watched the parts of the annual New Year Gala programme that they had missed the previous night. 2004 being the year of the Monkey, six young children performed <Golden Monkey Ushers Happiness>, celebrating the coming of the new year.

This year, Zhao Benshan’s performance was <Water Worker>. The older folk loved watching Zhao Benshan, treating him as a main highlight of the New Year Gala. As the programme was broadcasted, a few of them kept wondering aloud: Why hasn’t Zhao Benshan come out yet?

Xu Tingsheng remembered that in the internet forum discussions he had seen in his previous life, some people had actually categorised the New Year Gala into ‘Zhao Benshan era’ and ‘post-Zhao Benshan era’.

This was a very interesting and also a very subjective viewpoint, but there were many who had agreed with it. Also, as the years flowed by, with each year’s New Year Gala being more boring and flavourless than the last, the number of supporters of this claim had risen more and more.

People missed Zhao Benshan, just as they reminisced on the warm braziers and bustling gatherings of the past. When the day came when what remained were only the red packets and well-wishing group messages on one’s phone, that would actually be a very tragic thing.

Old Zhao was the shared memory of countless Chinese nationals. However much criticism or controversy there was regarding him, his rather unattractive shoehorn face had still once been looked eagerly forward to by many on the night of New Year’s Eve every year.

With the youngsters who had been standing by time catching up on their sleep, Xu Tingsheng also lay down and slept for a while. Still, after a few tables of Mahjong as well as poker had been established and they were found to be lacking a person, he was forcibly dragged over to fill up the numbers.

Xu Tingsheng’s mahjong proficiency was basically like this. He only knew two ways of winning. One was forming four combos of three along with a pair, while the other was gathering 7 pairs.

Having received their first hand of tiles, his aunt sitting opposite the door sighed, “Sigh, I don’t even have a single ‘God of Fortune’.

Xu Tingsheng flipped three tiles over, saying, “I have three.”

After their shock, Xu Tingsheng’s aunts at the table all said that Xu Tingsheng having revealed his tiles, this round was not to be counted. Fine, so it wouldn’t be counted then.

But after their second hand of tiles had been distributed and seen, Xu Tingsheng covered his mouth and remained silent, to which a curious aunt asked, “You wouldn’t have three ‘God of Fortunes’ again, right?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded in earnest trepidation, flipping three tiles over once more.

Coincidentally, a neighbour just happened to visit the house now. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng’s aunts welcomed the ‘newcomer’ with open arms, shooing Xu Tingsheng away from the table due to ‘not knowing how to play’.

Afterwards, Xu Tingsheng remained by his computer, continually refreshing the information on his education platform. With there being few people who would register on New Year’s Day itself, there was no need for him to help in performing checks on them at all. What he was waiting for was just the appearance of a particular registration notification.

Refreshing the website all the way till noon, Xu Tingsheng had still yet to see the registration notification that was related to Little Xiang Ning.

Actually, this was only to be expected. At this moment, she should probably be out for new year greetings with her parents. He wondered if she would be feeling despondent over repeatedly being asked how she had performed in her examinations, just like how he had felt despondent over a certain period of time in his previous life when he had repeatedly been asked whether he ‘had someone in mind’ yet.

Countless people of the older generation who themselves had failed all their past examinations when young were always this way in asking about the results of the kids of other families. Countless aunts who had just randomly gotten themselves married off also sounded greatly learned and knowledgeable as they lectured happily away on how to find a target or a job.

Around 1pm, Xu Tingsheng was called away from his computer by his mother.

“Since you’re free today, accompany Mum to thank that friend of mine who lent us money last time. We’ve arranged to drink tea together,” Mrs Xu said.

This matter having already been on Xu Tingsheng’s mind originally, he accepted Mrs Xu’s request as he asked for the car from his father before driving her over to the county. Standing in front of the teahouse, Mrs Xu’s expression suddenly turned a little strange.

“Mum, let’s go. What’s wrong?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“About that, Mum needs to tell you something,” Mrs Xu said this rather awkwardly, though a bright, irrepressible smile could be seen on her face.

Xu Tingsheng looked at her rather uncomprehendingly.

Mrs Xu hesitated for a moment before continuing, “Actually, having brought you here today, there’s also something other than expressing our gratitude. I intend to, intend to let you get to know the daughter of this friend of mine.”

Xu Tingsheng understood, understood that this had all been a scheme. It was no wonder that Mrs Xu had smiled so mysteriously in the kitchen the night before. She had already decided long before this to get Xu Tingsheng out for this ‘matchmaking session’.

There was no escape from this ‘matchmaking session’. His grandmother, this was a ‘matchmaking session’! Having escaped his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had still not managed to escape from such a thing in this current life.

Feeling a headache coming on, Xu Tingsheng complained gloomily, “Mum, I’m just twenty this year.”

“Twenty’s not young! I already had you when I was twenty.”

“But I’m still in university. And I’ve only just started.”

“It’s not like I’m asking you to get married immediately. Just get to know each other first.”

“Really...just getting to know each other?”

“About that, I’ve discussed with her mother. If the two of you hit it off well, we can also consider getting you engaged first.”

Xu Tingsheng turned and ran, Mrs Xu not chasing after him as she just clutched her forehead, yelling, “Oh no, why I am I feeling so dizzy? Oh oh no, I can’t stand. Someone help me!”

Unable to win against his shameless mother, Xu Tingsheng could only return.

Mrs Xu grabbed onto Xu Tingsheng’s sleeve, afraid that he would run away again.

“Stinky brat, happiness is right before you but you don’t know it,” Mrs Xu said, “I’ve seen the girl twice, and can’t find a single fault with her.”

“She looks especially good for breeding?” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Tsk!” Mrs Xu said, “Good-looking, cultured, great personality...also, her face is good. It’ll bring fortune to her future husband…”

Mrs Xu began praising that girl endlessly such that Xu Tingsheng wondered what kind of divinity’s offspring she must be. He thought, “Her face might be good, but can it be any better than my Little Xiang Ning’s? My Little Xiang Ning’s got the highest grade Fuxi bones under the heavens.”

Regarding Fuxi bones, the Records of Diverse Matters said: On the golden dragon’s head sits an object in the shape of a mountain. The crystallisation of its soul is completely condensed therein. With this spiritual object, it can blow the wind and form the clouds, soaring straight into the nine heavens up above. It is historically ranked first amongst the greatest objects of fortune.”

Xu Tingsheng remembered her beautiful forehead which his lips had once touched innumerable times in his previous life. Thinking about that adorable look of hers as she always responded with those shameless words of self-praise, he smiled.

And so Mrs Xu said, “See, you like her, right? I’ve told you, that girl clearly has a face that brings fortune to her husband and her family. She’s definitely a person of fortune; I’m instead worried that you might not catch her eye.”

Xu Tingsheng laughed, “That awesome? Is she called Wang Wang (Brings fortune x2) then?”

“I’m not called Wang Wang...Xu Tingsheng.”

The voice which resounded from behind Xu Tingsheng was a little familiar. Mrs Xu happily went over to its source. Xu Tingsheng did not dare to turn around. He was guessing. This voice seemed familiar, even having called out his name in a manner that was not distant at all.

It couldn’t be a former classmate, right? …Like meeting your first love when calling for a ‘princess’ in a club, things like ‘meeting your former classmate on a matchmaking session’ always just came off as rather awkward.

If this really happened today, Xu Tingsheng wouldn’t dare to let Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng learn about it even at cost of death. Otherwise, he would be repeatedly laughed at by them over this matter for the better part of a year.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to flee but did not, the girl now coming before him and saying, “Xu Tingsheng, long time no see.”

“Oh, long time no see,” Clearly seeing who the person before him was, Xu Tingsheng asked astonishedly, “It’s you?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” The other party said.

Chapter 107: An accidental matchmaking session (2)

Chapter 107: An accidental matchmaking session (2)

Xu Tingsheng had originally wanted to ask Mrs Xu: When obtaining that hundred thousand yuan back then, did you really borrow it or was it actually that you sold me in exchange for it?

This problem could now be discarded, because this person before him was Ye Yingjing. If the two of them were really brought out to sell, Xu Tingsheng wouldn't be able to match that Ms Ye’s value at all.

Ye Yingjing was a girl whom Xu Tingsheng had always admired yet never interacted much with. In his previous life, the two seemed not to have spoken at all before. Even in this life, the closest the two had been were as represented in those few calls exchanged between them over that period of time when the university entrance examination results had been released as well as that brief, hasty encounter when he had gone to hand in his aspiration form.

Afterwards, while they had technically become friends, no further communication had been forthcoming between them other than the occasional polite word exchanged during holidays. In truth, there had actually already been no communication at all between them for almost the past half year.

Ye Yingjing was ever so graceful and elegant, her smile mature and calm. This sort of smile contained some sort of soothing influence that allowed Xu Tingsheng to to relax as well. After a few simple pleasantries, Mrs Ye came over.

Xu Tingsheng had experienced Mrs Ye’s intrepidness before. The first time they had met, this auntie had asked him to change his aspiration form.

This time, Mrs Ye went straight to the point as well, “Look at these smiles, this enthusiasm. Tingsheng’s Mum, let’s not get between the two of them any longer. We’ll go upstairs, drink some tea and wait for the good news.”

Mrs Xu and Mrs Ye hooked their arms together and went upstairs, not forgetting to instruct them before they left, “Go off on your own, the two of you. You can walk along the embankment.”

……

The twenty-year-old Xu Tingsheng, the twenty-year-old Ye Yingjing. What a good age that was. As they strolled along the embankment, the thin layer of ice from the previous night had still yet to fully melt, with faint crackling noises still audible as they trod on them.

The clear, crisp sound was pleasant to the ears, as was the beautiful scenery here. It was just that the mood between the two had been spoilt by Mrs Ye, with it instead having come to feel a little unnatural now as the two of them walked on silently, one at the front and one at the back.

As Ye Yingjing slipped, Xu Tinsheng naturally reached out and grabbed her to keep her from falling.

This excited the two mothers who were watching through the teahouse window upstairs. “It’s begun!” Mrs Ye exclaimed. “That child, so hasty,” Mrs Xu commented. “It’s fine, it’s fine. I agree to it,” Mrs Ye replied.

On the embankment, Ye Yingjing’s ‘thanks’ broke the temporary silence between the girl and the ‘uncle’.

“Is this your first time?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Huh?” Ye Yingjing replied.

“Are you feeling nervous?” Xu Tingsheng asked again.

“What?” Ye Yingjing’s mouth was opened slightly in doubt and puzzlement.

“Oops. Matchmaking, I mean! Is this your first time? Are you feeling nervous?” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly explained, with this manner of phrasing easily prone to leading to misunderstandings.

Ye Yingjing fanned her rather red face with her hand as she chuckled, “Yeah. What about you?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Me too. Having lived for half a lifetime, this is really my first time. I really was a little panicked just now, only feeling a little better seeing that it was you...Right, were you duped over here by your Mum as well?”

“Half a lifetime?” After smiling, where she should naturally feign and conceal things a little, Ye Yingjing easily replied straightforwardly, “No, I knew about it. I felt that it might be fun.”

The two were naturally unaware that the pair over in the teahouse were already about to begin comparing their birth dates and eight characters, choosing an auspicious date. The next topics they chatted about, from senior high all the way to university, came on much more smoothly.

Like an uncle who was concerned about a young friend, Xu Tingsheng asked in a very gossipy manner, “Have you dated anyone in university?”

Ye Yingjing shook her head vigorously like a rattle drum, “No. What about you?”

As she shook her head, a few strands of jet black hair landed on her reddened face. Ms Ye raised her hand and tucked them away behind her ear. With just that one simple movement, the romantic flair within that youthfulness...had it been seen by the Xu Tingsheng of this age in his previous life, he might just have fallen right in.

Sadly, he was an uncle now, and an uncle with someone in his heart at that.

It was time for Xu Tingsheng to answer.

“Not yet, but there’s someone I like,” he said, “Really like a lot.”

While he could not go into specifics, talking about Little Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng’s face brimmed with joy.

Ye Yingjing saw this smile. She was momentarily taken aback, but quickly managed to recover and continue the conversation proper.

Perhaps because they did not often interact, Xu Tingsheng could instead speak in a much more bold and uninhibited manner when conversing with Ye Yingjing.

He asked Ye Yingjing a question, a question that he had pondered on many times before, having wanted to ask many others about it yet never having been able to actually do so.

“If you were suddenly reborn one day...I mean, if, hypothetically, you suddenly returned to your past self of more than ten years ago, yet had access to all your memories, being the sole person in the entire world who knew about events of the future, what would you do?”

Ye Yingjing had the kind of character, or rather personality, that Xu Tingsheng admired.

Life is actually like this for us who live in this world. However you look at and treat things, that is how things will respond to you. However tolerant and embracing you are of the world, that is how tolerant and embracing the world will be of you.

“With Ye Yingjing’s personality, how would she face a life of rebirth?” This was what Xu Tingsheng was curious about, yearned to be provided an answer to and be inspired by, having been trapped in solitude this past half year with no one whom he could speak of his troubles to.

Faced with this seemingly random question, Ye Yingjing raised her head thoughtfully and considered for a moment before asking Xu Tingsheng, “You mean...the power of foresight?”

Ye Yingjing had come up with the most appropriate interpretation of his words that would usually come to mind. Still, while a life of rebirth was similar to possessing foresight, there actually did exist differences between them.

The greatest difference between rebirth and the power of foresight was that the latter only had foreknowledge, while the former had already experienced all of it before, having experienced all the happiness yet also been left with regrets, some of which might truly hurt deep down inside.

Thus, comparatively speaking, the goal-orientedness and sense of urgency of someone who had been reborn would be much greater than someone who merely had the power of foresight.

“You could say that,” Xu Tingsheng nodded, looking at Ye Yingjing with eyes filled with anticipation.

This was his first time having asked someone this question since his rebirth. At this moment, she was standing in the sunlight, while he was standing half illuminated and half in darkness, yearning for guidance...even though she could not possibly know that.

“It would be very easy for such a person to lose their way,” Ye Yingjing said as she pondered.

“Lose their way? Why?” Xu Tingsheng pressed.

Ye Yingjing thought hard as she carefully expressed her view on the matter, “The power of foresight just being so strong, it actually might not be able to bring one happiness. I think that the most likely result is that the person will lose their way.”

Xu Tingsheng fell into deep thought. Losing one’s way after having been reborn...Due to the foreknowledge that he possessed, wealth, power and many other things he had once yearned for had become much more easily obtainable for him. If his ambitions grew greater and greater the higher he climbed, with him losing himself further and further to the corrupting authority of wealth and power, what then?...

Ye Yingjing continued, “Let’s put it this way. The term you used just was ‘rebirth’. If one’s trajectory after having been reborn were to be completely changed, with even the person themselves having changed completely, could that even still be considered rebirth then?”

“For example, if an originally warm and gentle person had turned brutal, cold and ruthless. Originally having been able to live a peaceful, happy life, that person’s heart might instead be overtaken completely by desire, with only the peak of power and wealth filling their mind…”

“I think that that would not be rebirth, because in truth, everything having changed, that person would no longer be you or I, but someone totally and completely different. That person would only have the same name and appearance as you or I, yet already not being the same, authentic person.”

“That person could already be a total stranger to us, perhaps even someone whom we would all feel fearful of just thinking about.”

Being ‘enlightened by perfect wisdom’ originated from Buddhism, referring to the the passing down of knowledge that left someone truly seeing the light. These current words of Ye Yingjing caused Xu Tingsheng to break out in a cold sweat. He had been walking very blindly all along.

Perhaps he had not yet lost his way. Still, if things went on unbridled just like this, what of the future?

“Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

There was no way Ye Yingjing could know about the ripples of unease within Xu Tingsheng’s heart. To her, this was just a question worth pondering deeply about. At the end of the day, however, it was really nothing more than an interesting little ‘what if’.

“Actually, if one really did experience such a rebirth, they could also be very happy. They would have a chance to make up for those things they regret,” Ye Yingjing’s eyes exuded a light as she gazed into the distance amidst her words.

“You have some things that you wish you could change? Mind sharing a little?” A curious Xu Tingsheng asked.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Ye Yingjing swivelled her head away before murmuring, “Actually, I’ve always been very happy and contented. If there is something that I might regret, perhaps, maybe...I wish that I could have met a certain person earlier on. I would go look for him earlier, appear in his life a little earlier...before he had had the chance to fall in love with anybody else.”

“Meet a certain person earlier?”

“Yeah. When things come too late, what might otherwise have been precious, happy times sometimes only live on in the form of one’s deepest, buried regrets.”

Having said that, Ye Yingjing smiled brightly before turning to leave, “Come, Xu Tingsheng. Let’s go back.”

This matchmaking session ended just like that. With her wisdom and the shine of her personality, Ye Yingjing inspired Xu Tingsheng. Still, it might be that he would never come to understand the regret that she spoke of.

Chapter 108: From the 1st to the 15th

From the 1st to the 15th of the Lunar New Year, Mr Xu became very busy once more. Instead, it was Xu Tingsheng who was very carefree. Having been given the cold shoulder by his mother for quite a few days ever since that unsuccessful matchmaking session, he had begun a leisurely life of sticking to his computer all day long.

The number of registered parents on Hucheng Education Service Platform was rising rapidly by the day. While helping to check on their information, Xu Tingsheng was also awaiting the appearance of a particular registration notification.

As the sole 5-Star home tutor on the platform, Xu Tingsheng’s registered account was filled with rows after rows of inclination applications day after day. He would delete them time and time again with the lofty arrogance of a 5-Star home tutor, until...going online one day, Xu Tingsheng discovered that his account had been sealed.

He called Old Wai. The latter admitted his dislike of that account, yet adamantly refused to admit that he was the one who had sealed it.

“Anyway, if that account is sealed again next time, I’m gonna go at it with you guys for real,” Xu TIngsheng threatened Old Wai after unsealing the account with his administrative privileges.

Xu Tingsheng’s ‘insanity’ ever since the day he had registered that 5-Star home tutor account had left everyone feeling completely stumped. Old Wai and Li Linlin had discussed this in private countless times, but had still yet to get a handle on it, still feeling totally confused.

Over this period of time, Huang Yaming was finally unable to hold himself back as he went to look for Tan Qingling one day after lessons for Libei Senior High’s twelfth graders had resumed. He stood quietly at the school gates, just watching silently on as she got off someone else’s car, smiling like a flower.

Xu Tingsheng thought that he would dash over and question Tan Qinglin, perhaps even get into a brawl with the guy in the car.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng had already readied themselves for a fight, rolling up their sleeves and flexing their elbows. Yet, Huang Yaming didn’t do anything at all, just watching silently on. After it was over, he similarly walked quietly away.

Such a Huang Yaming was truly a rare sight. He had always been the most unbridled of the trio, acting rashly and recklessly without fear of the consequences.

That night, Huang Yaming told Xu Tingsheng once more about the miraculous enlightenment that had descended upon him back then, “The heavens told me to live a life of debauchery.”

This world seemed always only to be discussing how bad men hurt women, in the meantime always failing to mention those unfaithful women! How many ‘pure, devoted youths’ had they turned to a path of debauchery?

Actually, no one was a womanizer by birth. Which unfaithful, cold-hearted man had not once thought of staying by just that single person, treating just her well for the rest of his life?

Afterwards? What came afterwards might only be mentioned in a drunken, weeping state.

Be it Xu Tingsheng or Fu Cheng, neither of them had any way to rebut Huang Yaming. Finally, Huang Yaming abided by his ‘divine order’ in Libei as well, gaining a small entourage of young, ignorant girls whom he brought along in gallivanting about the entire county all day long.

During these fifteen days, Fu Cheng still didn’t get to receive the woolen sweater that Fang Yunyao had knit for him. Over this period of time wherein Fang Yunyao also returned to her hometown for the New Year festivities for a while, the two of them met twice.

The first time, after much effort as well as concealment, the two had ‘met by accident while ascending a hill’. Fu Cheng had hid in the bushes and tried on the sweater. It had been too big. Fang Yunyao had said that she would alter it back at her hometown. In the end, she had indeed done so, bringing it back with her upon her return.

Yet, Fang Yunyao had then said that the two of them were not to meet alone in Libei again.

After asking for a few days, Fu Cheng finally learnt that despite their extreme vigilance the last time they had met, they had still been spotted by one of Fang Yunyao’s students in the end.

“This is the burdensome side of living in a small town-any random person you see on the street is most likely a familiar face or an acquaintance or an acquaintance. After graduation, I definitely can’t return to Libei to work. Otherwise, a spot of cheating would be such an inconvenient thing.”

It was Huang Yaming who had said this, his realisation stemming from that bunch of young girls who’d been following him around. After gallivanting about with them for a few days, he had actually discovered that two of them were, in some convoluted way or other, his blood relatives. Shockingly, one of them, a sixteen-year-old girl, was actually even his aunt in terms of seniority.

Somehow having ended up trying to hit on his own aunt, an aunt who was actually a smoker and a drinker who was tattooed and had dyed hair, Huang Yaming’s entire worldview collapsed.

The second time Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao met was over dinner at the Xu Family home. Also having been invited were the likes of Vice-Principal Lou, Old Zhou and many others. Therefore, the two didn’t even get to speak to each other the entire time.

It seemed like the woolen sweater could only be sent over by Fang Yunyao via mail once Fu Cheng had returned to Yanzhou University. Yet, Jianhai Province was located in the south. With the coming of the new year, the weather would soon be turning warm. At that time, it might be rather outlandish of Fu Cheng to wear a woolen sweater at a temperature of more than 20°C.

Fu Cheng began to believe what Xu Tingsheng had previously said: If the day really comes that Ms Fang accepts you, she’ll definitely have to leave Libei Senior High, going to another city, another school.

Therefore, Fu Cheng began feeling conflicted on what exactly he could give Fang Yunyao. Perhaps he could only place her in a difficult spot time and time again, repeatedly forcing her into making sacrifices.

On the 15th day of the lunar month, along with the coming of the Spring Lantern Festival, Apple’s duet music video that was intended to test the waters was officially released. Xu Tingsheng had to wait several tens of minutes on his computer with a broadband connection before he finally got to see that familiar stranger again.

Apple had grown even more beautiful to the point that Xu Tingsheng was even a little unable to recognise her anymore. In the music video, she was wearing a white muslin skirt with a gentle and delicate image as she sung passionately together with the male singer.

The music video received rather good reviews, but Xu Tingsheng didn’t see it that way. He felt that the male singer looked a little base, felt that the plot of the music video was a little base, felt that Apple should not feign that gentle look, with her true personality being much more lovable…

Anyway, it just wasn’t good no matter how he looked at it.

Yet, with the piled-up accumulated anticipation as well as the contrast of Apple’s beautiful image with the brand of the rumoured ‘ugly band’, the song still went viral overnight.

Apple had gotten crazy popular.

Song Ni called Xu Tingsheng, asking him, “Xu Tingsheng, have you seen Apple’s music video?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Oops, I forgot. I haven’t seen it yet...I’ll do it later.”

Song Ni said, “Continue pretending! You deserve it.”

Apple had called Song Ni, had even called Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng in chatting about her current tiring yet fulfilling life. However, she had not called Xu Tingsheng even once.

Xu Tingsheng had no idea what Apple was thinking.

What about him then? He was filled with anticipation yet also dread. He didn’t know what he should say if the call came in, what the two could chat about. Sometimes, when only foreign-sounding greetings and pleasantries can be exchanged between two people who were once close, the best thing is perhaps not to contact the other person at all.

Fu Cheng posted a new public announcement on Rebirth’s small webpage: Our gratitude to everyone for supporting Rebirth’s Apple. Also, who the heck still dares to call us ugly?

The instant reply: If you’re not ugly, why don’t you come out yourself then?

Fu Cheng said: Scram.

Xu Tingsheng’s negative emotions did not persist for too long, because on the very night of the Spring Lantern Festival, he finally received that registration notification which he had long been waiting for.

Name of student: Xiang Ning

School and class: Xinyan Junior High, eighth grade Class 4

Requested subjects: All subjects, especially English, Mathematics and Language Composition

……

Inclination application once, then again. Xu Tingsheng used his anonymous 5-Star home tutor account to apply time and time again, describing his university entrance examination results as well as forged evaluation history in great, painstaking detail.

Many people noticed how the sole 5-Star home tutor on Hucheng Education Service Platform who had earlier deleted an innumerable amount of applications had finally sent out an application of his own. Amongst them, many parents who had originally applied to him were feeling envious and despondent.

Yet, more than ten minutes later, the 5-Star home tutor Xu Tingsheng discovered that those great many applications of his had, in the first wave of selection, all been deleted, deleted….deleted.

This…

“Hi, could you have mis-deleted? I am the sole 5-Star home tutor on this entire platform. Also, take a look at my university entrance examination score. Mine is the highest out of everyone here,” Xu Tingsheng sent out yet another application.

Not long afterwards, he was deleted again, though a reason for rejection was indeed given: Sorry, but because it is our daughter, as parents, we wish to find a female home tutor for her.

His accumulated anticipation of so long had fallen short. All those tricks of his had not come to fruition. However great Xu Tingsheng’s university entrance examination results were, it was ultimately still useless. His status as the boss of Hucheng-that meant not a thing.

This reason for rejection possessed unrivalled destructive power. Gender discrimination, this was...completely unable to transcend, unless...Xu Tingsheng felt a nasty chill as he thought of Jin Yong’s Sunflower Manual.

Finally, an application was sent from Xiang Ning’s account to the application list of a 1-Star home tutor.

With no hesitation whatsoever, Xu Tingsheng sealed this account that belonged to a good friend of Li Linlin’s.

A few minutes later, the account was unsealed.

Xu Tingsheng sealed it again.

The other party unsealed it again.

Xu Tingsheng dialled Old Wai’s number, “Old Wai, this bro begs you, stop sealing that account! I’ve really got something exceptionally important going on this time.”

“What? It wasn’t me! I’m not in front of my computer right now,” Old Wai said, “Still, Bro Xu, randomly sealing someone’s account for no rhyme or reason like this, have you gone mad?”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t dare explain himself as he hurriedly hung up, continuing with the sealing.

Another call came in, “Xu Tingsheng, randomly sealing a home tutor’s account like this, have you gone bonkers?”

Chapter 109: Competition

Xu Tingsheng did not explain himself to Old Wai, hurriedly hanging up and continuing with the sealing. Another call came in, “Xu Tingsheng, randomly sealing a home tutor’s account like this, have you gone bonkers?”

“Huh, how come it’s you?” Xu Tingsheng found it to be very unexpected, because this call was made by Lu Zhixin from the riverside residence.

Before the start of the winter holidays, Lu Zhixin had once come over to help, having been of great assistance as she had helped Hucheng to seal its first training institute student recruitment business deal. Back then, she had said that if he didn’t mind, she would be here over the entire span of the winter holidays. In the end, Xu Tingsheng had said that he minded.

Therefore, Lu Zhixin should not have appeared again. Now, however, it was evident that she was continuing to participate in the management and operation of Hucheng Education.

Therefore, it was Lu Zhixin who had previously sealed Xu Tingsheng’s 5-Star home tutor account. Currently, it was also Lu Zhixin who was going against Xu Tingsheng, repeatedly unsealing the account of that 1-Star home tutor.

With Lu Zhixin currently directly giving him a call like this, it went to say that she did not mind him discovering that she was still participating in Hucheng’s operations at all. To put it more harshly, she did not take herself to be an outsider at all.

Xu Tingsheng had thought that this would be a difficult, troubling conversation. However, this didn’t actually happen at all, with Lu Zhixin speaking entirely in a businesslike manner, not mentioning the previous incident in the slightest. Meanwhile, her position was the representative of Hucheng Education’s ‘second greatest shareholder’, Fang Chen.

This was the reason for her unshakeable confidence. Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng was troubled by the fact that it seemed like he wouldn’t be able to get rid of her anymore.

“When you’ve returned, I’ve got a few plans that I would like to discuss with you,” Lu Zhixin said at the end of it.

Clearly, she had already completely entered her role. If she really just acted in a businesslike manner like this in the future, just being in a normal cooperative relationship, Xu Tingsheng wouldn’t mind it.

Still, he did not think it would be like this, because Lu Zhixin having become Fang Chen’s representative in Hucheng was itself already abnormal.

Hanging up the phone, Xu Tingsheng stopped sealing that account.

However, he grew even more worried. What if the two sides swiftly reached an agreement? With the new semester soon to start, many student home tutors were already beginning to accept new jobs. Over this period of time, the number of agreements reached on the platform had been unceasingly reaching new highs.

Through the communication method obtained over the backend, Xu Tingsheng added the Mathematics student in question, Gu Yan, on QQ.

“Hi, there’s something that I would like to discuss with you. Please reject the home tutor application for a student named Xiang Ning, okay? I can provide you with other types of compensation, including monetary remuneration,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I just called your service number. Are you Hucheng Education’s boss?” the girl, Gu Yan asked.

“You could say that.”

“Then, it was you who sealed my account just now?”

“I was feeling overwhelmed. Sorry.”

“It’s fine, that’s within your authority.”

“I’m really sorry. Then, can you consider my request?”

“I won’t consider it. That’s within my authority.”

“Why? The hourly salary that this student offers is not high.”

“Because this lady hates the forceful use of authority the most. Therefore, I’m very sorry, but I’ll be going against you. Otherwise, why don’t you seal my account again?”

“...”

The chick was as valiant as this, even being a warrior. Xu Tingsheng wanted to cry but lacked the tears for such. Damn woman, this Uncle will prick a voodoo doll and curse you.

The morning after the Spring Lantern Festival, Xu Tingsheng left Libei and returned to Yanzhou. With how things were now, he still had a plan, his sole plan, which was to look for Xiang Ning’s form teacher, Liu Xueli.

Actually, directly going to look for Xiang Ning might also work out. From their previous two phone conversations, he could tell that the little girl was already much closer to him. However, even if she agreed, if her parents didn’t, it still wouldn’t be of any use.

Meanwhile, the sole person who could let Little Xiang Ning’s parents set their hearts at ease in accepting Xu Tingsheng, a male home tutor, was her form teacher, Liu Xueli.

After having called Mrs Liu, Xu Tingsheng directly went over to her house bearing gifts for a late new year’s greetings. Afterwards, he brought up that request of his in a rather awkward manner.

Maybe because Xu Tingsheng seemed to be a good kid, maybe because their past interactions had caused Liu Xueli to trust him, maybe because Mrs Liu still believed that lie which Xu Tingsheng had once constructed, with Xu Tingsheng’s university entrance examination results also really being very persuasive…

Liu Xueli helped him to call Xiang Ning’s parents, pretending to have coincidentally learnt that they were currently looking for a home tutor. She made Xu Tingsheng out to be a distant relative of hers, recommending him to them.

Parents always found the words of teachers to be the most trustworthy, holding the greatest weight. Little Xiang Ning’s parents no longer minded that Xu Tingsheng was male. Currently, what they were troubled about was that they had already found a 1-Star home tutor on Hucheng Education Service Platform, having already reached an agreement with her.

After hearing of this, Xu Tingsheng left Liu Xueli’s house and returned to the riverside residence.

Li Linlin also having already returned, Old Wai naturally came back early as well. The two students who had come to help out over the winter holidays were also present. Because of the development of their operations, Xu Tingsheng had already discussed with Old Wai earlier on and decided to hire them for the long term.

Yet two days later, the two technical personnel Old Wai had found would also officially arrive.

Lu Zhixin was there as well.

She had previously said that she had a few plans to discuss with Xu Tingsheng, having drawn up proposals for all of them. Seeing that Xu Tingsheng had returned early, she immediately took out a stack of documents and handed it over to him.

It had to be said that this girl was really very professional in her work. If Xu Tingsheng had been running Hucheng more like a casual workshop earlier on, Lu Zhixin was currently in the midst of gradually developing it into an official company through her own influence.

Xu Tingsheng brought the documents back to his room and perused them. There was one related to a salary framework and employee discipline, one related to the development of Hucheng’s operations in other cities, one related to the establishment of Hucheng’s own training institute…

All these were things that Xu Tingsheng had wanted to do yet had not had the time for as he felt admiration at Lu Zhixin’s capabilities once again.

In the business domain, this Miss Lu was definitely a horse that could run a thousand li. Also, she did not have to be sought for by a worthy general and acquired with a thousand pieces of gold...she had run over on her own, unable to be gotten rid of no matter what.

As compared to all those earlier proposals which were generally related only to Hucheng’s future development, Xu Tingsheng saw a comparatively less important proposal at the end which proposed a change to the rules of the platform. Li Zhixin proposed establishing a ‘home tutor trial’ as well as a ‘competition selection’ system on the platform.

Previously, the platform had been using a 1-to-1 choice system. As soon as an agreement was reached, unless the parents or the selected home tutor backed out, no one else would stand a chance.

Lu Zhixin’s proposal would enable both home tutors and parents to have a greater variety of choices from which they could make the most suitable choice, with the platform allowing for home tutor trials as well as competition selection.

For those home tutor positions that attracted more than a single registered home tutor due to high salaries or some other reason, if both sides agreed to it, a competition selection could be carried out with the parents making the final choice.

Of course, if the registered home tutor was unwilling or was just too busy, they could naturally refuse the trial session as well.

To sum it up, with the current supply of registered home tutors unable to meet the corresponding demand, this system would actually not be relevant to many of the platform’s users. If actually implemented, its function would basically only apply to those home tutor positions that attracted many applicants.

Without question, this system of competition would be beneficial for those more outstanding home tutors, also enabling the parents to make a more informed choice, thereby increasing their satisfaction as well as approval towards the platform.

Xu Tingsheng really loved this proposal to death. The reason for this, of course, was far from merely its effects on the platform’s future development.

Xu Tingsheng grabbed the proposal and dashed to the office on the third storey whereupon he threw it down on the table and exclaimed joyfully, “This proposal is really just perfect! No need to hesitate. Old Wai, get on with the programming. Get this implemented with immediate effect.”

“Don’t we have to discuss and refine it a little? I’m afraid that there might be flaws or deficiencies somewhere,” Lu Zhixin asked rather worriedly.

“It’s fine! If there’s a problem, we can just change it after it’s been implemented. Implement it now, yeah, right now!” Xu Tingsheng firmly instructed.

……

Hucheng Education Service Platform announced the home tutor trial and competition selection system, which was very well received from both parents and registered home tutors alike. Many people were raring to try it, with quite a few affluent parents planning to use a sky-high price to attract many home tutors to apply, thereby selecting the best possible candidate for their child.

However, Hucheng Education’s first competition selection occurred over a home tutor position with a lower middle class salary range.

Little Xiang Ning had been in a huff these past few days, holding an exceptionally deep grudge against Hucheng Education Service Platform. The ‘tragic situation’ of having a teacher both in school and at home-it seemed like she would not be able to avoid it.

Just earlier, her mother had told her that there would be two home tutors coming to teach her the next day. She was to listen to them earnestly and pick the one whom she thought was best.

“This is like asking me to be a judge? ...When the time comes, I’ll say that both of them were lousy. Ha!” Little Xiang Ning thought, “Like I’d want a home tutor.”

Meanwhile, already not having prepared lesson materials for many years, Xu Tingsheng was currently in the midst of frantic preparation. He was even more nervous, even more earnest than he had been in his previous life when he had attended that provincial teaching competition...

Chapter 110: First visit to the Xiang Family

The home tutor trial did not require the two home tutors to simultaneously compete, just requiring them to individually give the student a lesson during a set amount of time. After all, asking a few university students to battle it out face to face just for the sake of their living expenses was not something that many people would be able to accept.

As for the final choice, it was also not possible for the parents to ask the home tutors to stand in a row and choose from them as if flashing a board. Such would really be awkward for everyone.

Generally speaking, the one whom the parents ultimately chose would be informed afterwards via the platform or by phone. As for those who did not get selected, not receiving any news within the set amount of time was perhaps the best way of notification.

Xu Tingsheng naturally didn’t wish to appear at the Xiang Family home together with Gu Yan. However, it just so happened that the two of them met right outside the Xiang Family home. At that time, having arrived just slightly earlier than her, Xu Tingsheng was just staring dazedly at the Xiang Family’s front door.

This was the first time Xu Tingsheng had ever visited Xiang Ning’s home over these two lifetimes.

As original inhabitants of Yanzhou City, the Xiang Family lived in a rather remote corner of northwestern Yanzhou, in a small solitary three-storey building. Before even having seen anyone...Just standing in front of the building, Xu Tingsheng's mind had already drifted off.

Despite being sufficiently prepared for the lesson, originally having been full of confidence, Xu Tingsheng began to worry whether he would still be able to speak smoothly when he was sitting beside Xiang Ning.

Gu Yan said hi.

Xu Tingsheng was jolted out of his daze to see Gu Yan. She was a tall, sturdy girl with cleanly cut short hair who exuded a sense of competence. Her body...while it could not be seen, she should not lack muscles and calluses.

Having actually already been able to discern this girl's personality from their earlier QQ conversation, Xu Tingsheng smiled rather awkwardly as they now met for the first time, “You go in first. I'll walk around for a bit outside.”

Gu Yan shook her head, saying, “We'd better go in together. Directly beating a guy like you who only knows how to play dirty tricks-now that would feel much more interesting.”

This manner of speaking...was really too unexpected and difficult to accept. At this moment, Xu Tingsheng was thinking:

“Girl, you wouldn't just have been dumped, right? This hot temper, this deep resentment; If someone didn't know any better, they'd think this uncle violated you or something. We shouldn't have known each other at all before this, right? ...Unless, don't tell me that you're a land mine accidentally set down by that bastard Huang Yaming over that period of time when he was fooling around indiscriminately all day?”

Of course, Xu Tingsheng did not dare to say these words out loud.

Seeing that he was silent, Gu Yan continued, “You don't dare? I've taken a look at it. Although your university entrance examination results were indeed very good, they were primarily good only in the area of Combined Humanities. Meanwhile, you really did too poorly in Mathematics…”

“Also, while you forged a whole bunch of fake evaluations for yourself, I know that you really don't have any actual experience in home tutoring at all. Knowing it yourself and tutoring others are two different things altogether, understand?”

“Therefore, Mr Boss, you're going to lose.”

“She’s still at it?” Xu Tingsheng completely didn’t understand the situation anymore.

This Gu Yan seemed to have ingested some kind of fearsome drug as she had come straight in with a totally unreasonable barrage of words, continually blasting Xu Tingsheng all over.

“Lady, you think only you are irritated? You definitely won’t know how much I’m hating you right now. You think that you are just here to wrest a home tutor position. Actually, you’re also trying to wrest my future wife away from me, you know that?” Xu Tingsheng thought unhappily.

Unfortunately, he was still unable to say any of these things out loud.

He could only smile, “Let’s go together then.”

Xu Tingsheng stood on the Xiang Family doorstep as Gu Yan knocked on the door.

When Xu Tingsheng had been in a relationship with Xiang Ning in his previous life, the latter had still been attending university, with the two of them still having yet to reach the point of meeting each other’s parents and discussing about marriage.

Xu Tingsheng had never met Mr and Mrs Xiang before.

Actually, Xiang Ning had met Mrs Xu once, but that had merely been an unexpected, coincidental meeting out on the streets. After a few simple words of greeting, Xu Tingsheng had dragged Xiang Ning away from under Mrs Xu’s incomparably ‘reluctant’ gaze, fleeing in a panic.

From this, it could be predicted that Mrs Xu would definitely like Xiang Ning a lot. When Xu Tingsheng finally managed to bring her back home, Mrs Xu definitely wouldn’t continue blaming him over the previous matchmaking session incident.

“Still, how many years later will that be?”

Now, right now, Xu Tingsheng would be walking into Xiang Ning’s home for the first time, meeting his future ‘in-laws’ for the first time...at least, this was how he himself saw it.

This really felt like a new son-in-law coming for his first ever visit. Xu Tingsheng felt moved yet even more nervous, nervous till he knew not where he should place his hands and feet.

“Don’t be so nervous,” Gu Yan said.

“Thanks,” Xu Tingsheng replied vacantly.

“You’ll still lose anyway,” Gu Yan said.

“I…”

Footsteps resounded from within.

……

After eating lunch, Xiang Ning was restricted by her parents into sitting obediently on the sofa in the lounge, awaiting the two ‘home tutor teachers’ who would soon be arriving. Over this period of time, she had tried many different ways to get out of this, even having colluded with her grandma to call her over to her house to play. Sadly, none of her schemes had been successful.

The doorbell rang. Mrs Xiang went to open the door.

Outside the door, standing behind Gu Yan, Xu Tingsheng looked over and saw Mrs Xiang who did indeed resemble Xiang Ning somewhat.

Mrs Xiang smiled and nodded towards the both of them, saying, “We’ll be troubling you.”

“No trouble, no trouble at all,” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly replied with an incandescent smile on his face.

In truth, he was so nervous that he had nearly keeled over and knelt down before his mother-in-law.

From inside the house, Xiang Ning saw Gu Yan as she walked in.

“Is this big sis here to teach me shot putting or wrestling?”

Xiang Ning felt a little like laughing. Still, her smile was quickly replaced by astonishment. She opened her mouth wide, staring wide-eyed and tongue-tied at that figure now walking in behind Gu Yan…

Their gazes met..

Xiang Ning maintained her astonished expression.

Xu Tingsheng, however, was so nervous he felt he might implode. Seeing how stunned Xiang Ning currently looked, he was afraid that she might suddenly call out 'Liar Uncle’, after which…there would not be any after which.

“What're you spacing out for? Hurry up and greet the teachers!” Mrs Xiang reminded Xiang Ning before she turned towards Xu Tingsheng and Gu Yan, “This is my daughter, Xiang Ning. She'll be troubling you.”

Xu Tingsheng and Gu Yan hurriedly said that it was no trouble at all, with the latter additionally commenting, ‘Your daughter's so pretty’. Xu Tingsheng didn’t say anything to that, just thinking, “Isn't that obvious?”

“Good afternoon, teachers,” When Xiang Ning stood up and greeted them, her gaze was directed towards Gu Yan.

As for Xu Tingsheng, he just received an ambiguous glance.

Xu Tingsheng already cared not about Gu Yan anymore as he just felt panicked. What was the meaning behind that glance of Little Xiang Ning's? Those mischievous characteristics of hers had still yet to manifest, right? She wasn't preparing to play a trick on him, right?

……

Mr and Mrs Xiang had specifically set aside a room for Xiang Ning to be tutored. Gu Yan was currently conducting a lesson with Xiang Ning within while Xu Tingsheng sat chatting with Mr and Mrs Xiang in the lounge.

With his university entrance examination results and whatnot all available on the platform, there was no need for Xu Tingsheng to introduce that aspect of himself. Therefore, the casual words exchanged between them now basically just consisted of Mr and Mrs Xiang asking questions and speaking and Xu Tingsheng answering and listening.

Like any typical parents, Mr and Mrs Xiang said the same few things about Xiang Ning, such as ‘She is smart, just that she doesn’t put in effort’ and the like.

When asking about Xu Tingsheng, it was just some normal questions as well, such as ‘Where is your hometown’ and the like.

Xu Tingsheng smiled brightly and answered all their questions earnestly, carefully paying attention for any changes in their expressions. For Mr and Mrs Xiang, this was merely finding a home tutor for their daughter. For Xu Tingsheng, however, he had to leave a good first impression on his in-laws!

When Xu Tingsheng was speaking about how he had a little sister who had excellent grades and Mr and Mrs Xiang had clearly relaxed greatly, Gu Yan finished her lesson, exiting the room.

“It’s your turn. I’m leaving first. Goodbye, Uncle and Auntie,” Gu Yan said.

“Does Student Xiang Ning want to rest a little first?” Xu Tingsheng stood up and asked Mr and Mrs Xiang.

However, it was Xiang Ning who replied from within the room, “No need.”

Chapter 111: You chose me in my previous life

Xu Tingsheng entered the room and closed the door, sitting on the chair beside Xiang Ning in front of the desk. He was so nervous that he did not say anything. Perhaps he had not earlier considered the first thing that he would say.

Should he say, ‘Good afternoon, student Xiang Ning’ or 'Dearest one, I've come. Thereon, I will be fully participating in your growth as well as life’?

Xiang Ning had her elbows on the desk, her hands pressed against her cheeks as she looked at Xu Tingsheng. She was smiling, communicating through the smile at the corners of her mouth as well as the light within her eyes through which a hint of mischief could be seen. And perhaps it appeared just that little bit threatening as well.

This was certainly not the first time Xu Tingsheng had seen Little Xiang Ning, nor was it the first time that he had been so close to her.

Back on that stormy night, they had stood even closer whilst sharing the same umbrella. Afterwards, standing under shelter, he had shielded her from the elements, she standing behind him.

However, it still felt different from back then, because this time, Xu Tingsheng had finally properly made up his mind to fully participate in Little Xiang Ning’s growth and life.

He had once been conflicted and bewildered over whether or not he should do this. However, that previous arduous process had changed his mind.

From when Little Xiang Ning had said that she felt afraid back on that stormy night to when she had called Xu Tingsheng’s phone for the first time afterwards, that entire semester that had passed had seemed like a whole, excruciating century for Xu Tingsheng. He had felt panicked, helpless, uneasy…

Therefore, he wasn’t going to be concerned with all that stuff any longer.

“Uncle Liar,” Xiang Ning said in a hushed tone.

However, there was no response. Xu Tingsheng’s mind had drifted away.

There had once been a scene just so similar to this. Back then, unable to argue against Xiang Ning, Uncle Xu Tingsheng had accompanied her for a meal in her university. There, he had been bombarded with questions by her inquisitive roommates. Afterwards, they had gone to the self-study room in the library together, sitting at the last row just before the wall.

In the self-study room, Xu Tingsheng had felt completely like a fish out of water. Meanwhile, Xiang Ning had been just like how she currently was, her hands against her cheeks as she smiled at him, her smile containing a bit of triumph, a bit of mischief and also happiness.

“Uncle, you look really cute when you’re nervous,” Xiang Ning had said back then.

“Uncle, wouldn’t it be great if we could be like this everyday? Everyday, we would be able to eat together, study together, tour the sports field together,” Xiang Ning had said back then.

“We still have to tour the sports field together?” Xu Tingsheng had replied with a troubled look on his face.

“Yeah. After more people have left, we’ll cut across the sports field hand-in-hand, you sending me back to my dorm,” Xiang Ning nodded before suddenly smiling mysteriously, “Oh, but there’s still one thing before that. Uncle, do you want to kiss me now? In...here, the self-study room.”

“Here...why?”

“Many university couples have kissed secretly in the self-study room before. I’m about to graduate, but I still haven’t yet. Hey, Xu Tingsheng, are you kissing or not?” Xiang Ning directed a threatening stare towards the uncle who didn’t know how to read the mood before turning her face to the side towards him.

Xu Tingsheng looked at the room full of university students, with quite a few of them who knew Xiang Ning perpetually sneaking a glance in this direction...he said, “I think...we’d better not.”

“Aww,” Xiang Ning said in a sad tone before shifting over with a smile, “But, I want to kiss you.”

She had only just finished speaking when her lips had already pressed down onto Xu Tingsheng’s face, touching down gently like a dragonfly on the water’s surface before escaping in a flash...that was the first time Xiang Ning had kissed Xu Tingsheng in his previous life.

On that day, the twenty-two year old Xiang Ning had, in a rare spate of willfulness, forcibly dragged Xu Tingsheng along in fulfilling the many desires and expectations that she had regarding campus romance.

From his previous life to the current, Xu Tingsheng had always cherished the memory of that day, that warm blissfulness.

And now, she was fifteen.

“Uncle Liar?” Little Xiang Ning tugged on Xu Tingsheng’s sleeve.

Xu Tingsheng broke out of his reverie, turning to look at Xiang Ning, who blinked. This was just like that scene in <A Chinese Odyssey Part Two> when Zixia had blinked towards Joker...

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, regaining his clarity of mind. He could not afford to forget that he was here for a competition selection today.

“Yeah. I’m going to start my lesson now...the senior high entrance examinations, you won’t have to worry about them at all...the university entrance examinations, you also won’t have to worry about them at all, if it’s possible,” Xu Tingsheng said rather incoherently.

Actually, he had withheld his next sentence, which was, “In this life, you won’t have to worry about anything at all.”

The reason for this was something Xiang Ning had once said: When I was worrying over the entrance exams for senior high and university, why didn’t you appear and help me to revise?... Xu Tingsheng, Mr Xu?... Just knowing how to care about other girls, hmph.”

Now, Xu Tingsheng, Mr Xu, was here.

The lesson Xu Tingsheng had prepared encompassed three segments, Mathematics, Composition and English.

Xu Tingsheng spoke in a gentle tone, Xiang Ning listening quietly to him. Time passed in the most blissful state possible…

Mr and Mrs Xiang looked at their watches, discovering that the tutoring time spent by this teacher was much longer than the previous. They got up and pressed their ears to the door.

Xu Tingsheng was in the midst of practising intonations with Xiang Ning.

Little Xiang Ning’s intonations were...in truth, not worth mentioning at all. Still, when Xu Tingsheng chose some verbs and said them, she was still generally able to understand their meaning. When there was one she could not understand, Xu Tingsheng would stop and dissect its meaning as well as its Mandarin equivalent, write those down on a piece of paper and explain it to her before instructing her to review it afterwards to be checked on by him next time.

Outside the door, a very satisfied Mr and Mrs Xiang walked away.

Xiang Ning looked down, memorising a few verbs as Xu Tingsheng watched on by the side. Afterwards, Xiang Ning looked up at Xu Tingsheng and the conversation resumed, to be restarted by him. Lost in those eyes, he said, “Eu amo-te.”

Little Xiang Ning opened her eyes wide, saying, “I don’t know this one.”

Xu Tingsheng did not explain this time, just saying, “Um, I said this one wrongly.”

Eu amo-te, Portuguese for ‘I love you’.

……

Two hours later, the lesson ended.

Xiang Ning stretched lazily, commenting, “Whew, I’m beat.”

Xu Tingsheng considered before saying, “We’ll arrange for a break in between next time.”

“Next time? Uncle, it seems like I still haven’t chosen you yet,” Little Xiang Ning said craftily.

“You will,” Xu Tingsheng said calmly but decisively.

“Why?” Little Xiang Ning asked quizzically.

“Hmmm...because I’m good,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, neglecting to say, “I know you will choose me, because, you chose me in my previous life.”

Little Xiang Ning changed the topic, “Uncle Liar, why did you become a home tutor? Was it because of me?”

Little Xiang Ning was asking: ‘Was it because of me?’

“Duh! Otherwise, why else would your uncle go to all this effort? If not for you, why would your uncle shamelessly make that whatever 5-Star home tutor account, even sealing someone else’s account? If not for you, why would your uncle who makes some hundreds of thousands per minute come to be a home tutor? If not for you…” Xu Tingsheng thought emotionally.

However, what he instead said was, “No, I didn’t even notice that it was you initially.”

Then, Xu Tingsheng narrated the harsh days of his previous life to Xiang Ning. Back in university then, he had had to work painstakingly for his and his sister’s school fees and living expenses. He spoke of how he had once distributed flyers out on the streets despite the pouring rain, how he had only been able to drink free purple vegetable soup in the cafeteria…

The uncle very shamelessly drew on Little Xiang Ning’s sympathy, buying an additional layer of insurance for himself.

Xu Tingsheng understood Xiang Ning too much. She was just that kind-hearted a person.

After his narration, her eyes glistening with tears, she looked at Xu Tingsheng, saying, “Sorry, Uncle Liar.”

“Sorry.”

“Yeah, because you’re so poor and I, I still ate so many of your noodles, and dumplings.”

Xu Tingsheng had overlooked the possibility that this might happen. Seeing Xiang Ning blaming herself, he hurriedly coaxed her for a bit. Only when the tears were gone from her face and she was smiling did he, with her parents in mind, reluctantly stand up, turning to leave the room.

“Uncle, I will choose you,” Xiang Ning said from behind him.

“I know,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Facing away from Xiang Ning, he felt a little close to tears himself. This sentence of Xiang Ning’s had been regarding the matter of the home tutor selection. Yet, what Xu Tingsheng had heard was ‘In this life, I will still choose you.’

Chapter 112: You wouldn’t understand

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Mr Xiang that night without incident.

Little Xiang Ning’s super ultra male home tutor had officially been employed. Every Saturday afternoon and evening thereafter, Xu Tingsheng would be giving Xiang Ning tutoring sessions.

The reason for this arrangement in timing was that Yanzhou University and Xiang Ning’s house, one being in southwestern Yanzhou with the other being in northwestern Yanzhou, were indeed rather far apart. If the two tutoring sessions were on every Friday and Saturday night, Mr and Mrs Xiang thought that it might be rather inconvenient for Xu Tingsheng.

The good part about this was that Xu Tingsheng would be able to eat dinner at the same table as Xiang Ning every weekend.

The bad part? It was the same as the good part. Xu Tingsheng was worried that he might not be able to grip his chopsticks properly, or perhaps might even suddenly fall into a daze with food in his mouth one day, being thought to have mental disabilities by his future in-laws afterwards.

After having been notified, due to guilt, Xu Tingsheng sent Gu Yan a message via QQ.

Xu Tingsheng said: I hope you won’t mind it. The hourly rates of this home tutor job are not high anyway, and it’s also far. As a 1-Star home tutor, there’re no end of positions out there waiting for you. Don’t be too hung up over this.

Just happening to be online at the time, Gu Yan replied: What tricks did you use?

“Is acting pitiful to gain sympathy counted?” Xu Tingsheng thought before resolutely denying: I really didn’t.

Gu Yan said: I don’t believe you.

Xu Tingsheng felt that he really had no way to communicate with this girl.

Gu Yan asked: Why did you take on a home tutor job? Mr Boss.

This question was one Xu Tingsheng had already considered, having specifically prepared an explanation for the many whom he knew would be asking it: In order to experience the job of home tutoring, including the trial tutoring and competition selection system, thereby being better equipped to improve the service of the platform.

Gu Yan said: I don’t believe you.

Xu Tingsheng went offline.

Afterwards, he gave the same explanation to Old Wai, Li Linlin and the rest of Hucheng. As for whether they believed him or not, that really had nothing to do with him anymore.

Xu Tingsheng felt incomparably relieved that he had not let Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Song Ni participate in the affairs of Hucheng Education. Otherwise, as soon as the name Xiang Ning was exposed, this matter would really be blown up then.

If they knew that the person within Xu Tingsheng’s heart was a fifteen-year-old girl who was currently still only in eighth grade, what kind of a ‘world-shaking catastrophe, stormy downpour of blood’ would that be!

Perhaps even Apple would kill her way over upon learning of it.

Over the next two days, Xu Tingsheng helped out with the matters of the platform whilst conscientiously preparing for his tutoring sessions in his free time, doing it with even more earnestness than when he had taught graduating classes in his previous life.

He did not intend for their future home tutoring sessions to be warm, pleasant interactions. Xu Tingsheng would go all out and enforce full strictness, because Xiang Ning definitely had to make it into a first-tier school.

For Xiang Ning, as well as for himself, so as not to let Xiang Ning meet that ‘Wang Lihong’, Xu Tingsheng had decided that he would work hard.

The only exceptions were his prank-like yet blissful endeavours as he...researched on how to say ‘I love you’ in a few obscure languages, next jotting them down and practising them repeatedly.

The precondition for this was the obscureness of the foreign language in question. Otherwise, if Xu Tingsheng suddenly came on with a 'salanghei’ someday, the girl who loved watching Korean dramas would immediately understand and be scared off.

Xu Tingsheng had jotted down things like the Hungarian 'Szeretlek’, the Czech 'Miluji te’...

Leaning back on his bed, Xu Tingsheng looked at the entire page full of 'i love you’s illuminated by the warm yellow light.

“In this life, just how many 'I love you’s that you don't understand will I have to say before you grow up? Before I can finally say the real, understandable 'I love you’? Just like how I used to in the past.”

……

As the platform progressed rapidly, Old Wai and Li Linlin were very busy, as was Lu Zhixin.

She had at least managed to maintain a businesslike manner of interaction that Xu Tingsheng was very comfortable with. These past two days, she had not talked much with Xu Tingsheng, but when they had talked, all they had discussed were business-related matters, such as Hucheng's expansion into other cities, when they might start charging fees for the platform and also the establishment of an autonomous training institute.

Currently, Hucheng already possessed a certain level of foundation due to its development. However, at the same time, its daily expenses were growing greater and greater as well, with money flowing only out rather than in. The situation of just sitting there and eating the mountain dry was a worrying one.

Therefore, it seemed like charging fees from parents as an intermediary was already absolutely necessary.

Xu Tingsheng held a meeting with all of Hucheng. Apart from Xu Tingsheng, everyone was unanimous on the issue. When parents had searched for home tutors in the past, they had already gotten used to paying fees to intermediary organisations. Therefore, with Hucheng's current place in the market as well as the standard of its service, as long as the fees that it charged were not too high, this decision should not cause too much dissent.

Actually, when he had conceptualised the platform, Xu Tingsheng had wanted to keep it forever free of charge, using a model similar to that of 360 Free Antivirus that had appeared in the year 2005 as well as 58.com afterwards. Hr wanted to accumulate a customer base through its free service before earning profits through other avenues.

Now, however, with Hucheng still yet to establish its own training institute, organisational recruitment service as well as sale of teaching materials proxy service, Xu Tingsheng felt that it might be very tough for them to continue down this path of keeping their basic service forever free of charge.

“Let’s delay it for a little while longer. You guys come up with a proper price as well as the specific details first. I'll think more on it.”

This was Xu Tingsheng's final decision. While it was met only with confusion and opposition, Xu Tingsheng stood by what he had decided. He was still hesitating, still searching for a suitable opportunity.

The previous day, Xu Tingsheng had received a call from the publishing company that had purchased his revision materials when he was in twelfth grade. They had requested him to provide them with some mock questions for this year's university entrance examinations, having offered him a very high price in doing so.

However, Xu Tingsheng had refused.

This call had forced Xu Tingsheng to face something he had always been hesitant about in the face:

Should he exploit his grasp of the university entrance examination questions of the upcoming years, especially in History, to do something? If so, what should he do such that he would not be exposed, such that he would not bring about too great a level of unfairness?

This was a chance whilst also a challenge. Xu Tingsheng could not decide.

……

Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Song Ni returned to Yanzhou as well.

Fu Cheng began yearning for his woolen sweater. The boy whom Song Ni was getting closer to had still not yet made an appearance. Huang Yaming did not immediately embark on his life of debauchery.

He found Xu Tingsheng, saying very earnestly, “Tingsheng, help me with thinking. I can't just waste my life away like this. I’ve got to do something.”

“Study well?” Xu Tingsheng ventured.

Huang Yaming shook his head, finding a bottle of wine to drink in Xu Tingsheng's room and taking a swig out of it, “That isn't enough. After seeing Tan Qingling get off someone's Porsche that day, I didn't say anything, still gallivanting about, right?”

“Still, Tingsheng, do you know what I was actually thinking about the most afterwards?”

“I tell you, I want to make something of myself. I’ve definitely got to make something of myself.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at Huang Yaming who had a rare earnest look on his face, “You want to prove something to Tan Qingling?”

“I want to prove me to myself,” Huang Yaming said, “So that I'll never have to face that kind of thing ever again. This society is a very realistic one, that I can get. I want to live a little better within it.”

Xu Tingsheng considered for a moment before saying, “How about this? Buy a few public servant books and start preparing a few years earlier than other people. If you choose Libei as your starting point in the future, I...my family will fully pave the way for you.”

In his previous life, Huang Yaming had been greatly interested in bureaucracy yet had ultimately failed to become a public servant, having been unsuccessful in both his interviews for it.

Due to this, in this life, Xu Tingsheng had never involved Huang Yaming at all in his prospective career roadmap. He had already decided on what he should be doing for Huang Yaming, which was helping to pave that path for him in the future.

At the same time, Xu Tingsheng also felt that he would need such a person in the future, a true brother who possessed both power and authority.

Xu Tingsheng would not stoop to exploiting such connections in order to perform illegal activities. He would never place Huang Yaming in such an unethical, dangerous situation, nor was there a need for him to do so. However, this, at least, entailed one more path, one more layer of protection.

For example, in the battle against the Huang Family this time, even having drawn on the Fang Family's strength, if not for Xu Tingsheng having relied on his memory at the end and exposed Huang Tianliang's sins, he would have suffered a complete, utter defeat.

This had let him understand how much he needed such a person. Also, this person must be someone he could fully trust without reservation.

Huang Yaming was the best future candidate for this.

However, unexpectedly, Huang Yaming did not accept Xu Tingsheng’s idea.

He said, “Tingsheng, actually, you’re not wrong. I did indeed think like this, yearn for such last time.”

“Now, however, after having seen the matter between your family and the Huang Family, after having experienced Huang Tianliang, I feel that I might instead be more suited to get into contact with these things through another method…”

“The best method is for me to extend my branches over, the branches many and covered densely with leaves while the trunk, I myself, am instead not placed within the situation itself.”

At this moment, Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt a little like extending and flapping his arms a few times like the wings of a butterfly. He felt amused yet also bemused. In this life, due to him, Huang Yaming’s path would also thereon be changing.

Even though this was not in line with Xu Tingsheng’s original path of thought, Huang Yaming was his brother. So long as he had made his decision, Xu Tingsheng would support him. If he wanted to step into the government bureaucracy, Xu Tingsheng would pave the road for him to do so. If he wanted to walk another path, Xu Tingsheng would do what he could for him as well.

Now, the problem lay with the fact that Huang Yaming seemed unsuited to participate in the entirety of Xu Tingsheng’s career routes, be it the Xu Family’s business, his band or Hucheng.

“Then, what do you want to do? Do you have anything in mind?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Best if I can combine the divine order the heavens gave me, debauchery, together with the path I’m walking. That way, whilst not defying the heavens, it would also not be a waste of my life!” Huang Yaming said shamelessly.

Xu Tingsheng understood.

“There’s no need to rush then. You should do something first, which is to go find Fang Yuqing. Ask him to introduce you to those friends of his,” Xu Tingsheng said, “You go hang out with that bunch of people. Only having managed to gain some sort of status amongst them will you be qualified and capable enough to embark on your next step.”

Huang Yaming thought for a moment before standing up, “Right.”

“Also,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’ll introduce someone else to you as well. If you want to progress in the entertainment industry, this person would truly be a very suitable candidate for it.”

“Who?”

“You’ve met him before. He’s my roommate, Tan Yao.”

Huang Yaming thought for a moment before saying, “Yeah, there’s probably no one who’s more suitable than him. Alright, I’ll make a move first then. Remember to prepare the money, Boss Xu! This bro will be working with you from now on.”

Xu Tingsheng walked over, saying earnestly, “Remember this. In this life, you and Fu Cheng are not allowed to call me Boss, ever.”

Chapter 113: Paper aeroplane

Huang Yaming had chosen a path that Xu Tingsheng had originally never even considered before. However, entertainment-related industries were actually not all that bad, really. From 2004 onwards, there would be some great times ahead for KTVs, bars and and the like.

Afterwards, waiting for an appropriate moment and extricating oneself before switching to investing in movies and cinemas, a great future still lay ahead in the area of entertainment.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng would support Huang Yaming in doing so.

As for whether or not he really could succeed, Xu Tingsheng had given him a test to see if he could be like a fish in water amongst those questionable friends of Fang Yuqing’s.

If he could, that would not just be proof of his capabilities. He could also gain experience, forging connections as well.

Xu Tingsheng had pondered about the changes in Huang Yaming before. He was naturally the primary cause of this. He had changed the environment, and the environment had changed Huang Yaming.

Xu Tingsheng had even considered: If he were to go all out in looking for a solution, might it be possible for him to assist Huang Yaming such that Tan Qingling would remain with him?

That way, he wouldn’t be hurt. So then, if this was possible, should he do it?

Xu Tingsheng’s answer was a resounding no. This sort of person would definitely hurt you deep down inside one day. The longer she stayed by you, the more deeply you would eventually be hurt.

When Tan Qinglin had left Huang Yaming in his previous life, he had been in the midst of retaking his university entrance examinations. He had not allowed himself to run unbridled in looking for her, becoming dispirited and decadent as he had this time.

He had grit his teeth and tolerated it, working even harder than he had before as he strived for a better future ahead of him.

This was to say that he had awoken from things earlier in that life than he had in this one, even though the outcome could still not be considered a successful one.

Now, he had finally awoken once more. Xu Tingsheng believed that there would surely come a day when he would be able to return what fate had dealt him with ‘renewed interest’.

…...

Valentine’s Day, 14th February.

This usually didn’t come at a very good time. Most of the time, it would come during the winter holidays, with all those university couples who hailed from different hometowns only able to express their emotions for each other from hundreds of kilometres away.

The lunar new year having come early in the year 2004, it was the 24th day of the first lunar month when Valentine’s Day came. At this time, virtually all the universities had already begun their new semester.

How great it was.

Right, it also fell on a Saturday, on the day that Xu Tingsheng would tutor Xiang Ning.

Due to him having dug a figurative pit for himself with his story of being a poor university student, due to their ‘student-teacher’ relationship, due to her being still so young, there was no way for Xu Tingsheng to expressly prepare any present for her.

He was prepared for it. Perhaps he could feign boredom and casually fold a few paper aeroplanes while explaining questions to Xiang Ning. Afterwards, they would throw the paper aeroplanes out of the illuminated window together, towards the clear skies and the bright sunlight.

She was definitely smile very radiantly, just like how it had once been with them in the past.

He had even prepared a Greek word: S’agapo.

‘I love you’-this would be the second of these that she wouldn’t be able to understand.

The tutoring session would take place at 3pm. Xu Tingsheng arrived in the vicinity of the Xiang Family home at around 1pm. He hung around the area for close to two hours, only stepping into their house at 2.50pm.

However, Xiang Ning was not home.

Mr and Mrs Xiang were feeling anxious as well. All they knew was that she had gone out to play with her classmate in the morning.

“She’s out playing with her classmate?!” Due to the special occasion that it was today, Xu Tingsheng began feeling uneasy, “She wouldn’t have gone out on a date, right?”

More than ten minutes later, Xiang Ning dashed wildly into the house.

Mr and Mrs Xiang were going to lecture her, but Xu Tingsheng saved her from her predicament, saying that it was time for lessons.

“Thank you, Xu Tingsheng,” Xiang Ning blinked and said as the two entered the study room.

This time, she had called Xu Tingsheng by name rather than addressing him as Uncle Liar. However, Xu Tingsheng’s mood was not improved at all by that.

“You went....to play today? It’s Valentine’s Day today,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I know! It’s because it’s Valentine’s Day that I went out,” Xiang Ning said as she wiped off her sweat that was left from all the running.

“It’s all because of that Su Nannan! It’s her who’s in a relationship and was going on a date, but she called me and asked me to cover for her because she was afraid that her parents might find out. I had to pretend to go over to her house looking to play with her early in the morning. Afterwards, I still had to wait to accompany her back...in the end, I had to be out with her and her date for just so long,” Xiang Ning continued.

Xu Tingsheng could finally heave a sigh of relief. Please, don’t pant so heavily when you’re speaking, can you? You nearly scared me to death with the first part there.

Afterwards, they resumed the typical interaction between a home tutor and his student. Xu Tingsheng spoke cordially on the topics while Xiang Ning listened quietly, nodding and saying ‘yeah’ at times while bemusedly saying ‘I don’t understand this’ at others.

Once in a while, wanting to see her reaction, Xu Tingsheng would look over at her, and she would just happen to be looking over at him as well.

They would exchange smiles with each other in their eyes, and this would be blissful enough. Sometimes, Xu Tingsheng would fall into a daze as a result, Xiang Ning waving her hand in front of his face and saying, “Uncle, you’re looking so dim.”

At this point, Xu Tingsheng smiled awkwardly before saying: It’s time to practice intonations.

When Xu Tingsheng said: S’agapo.

Xiang Ning said bemusedly, “Don’t understand.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I said this one wrong.”

Xiang Ning said, “Uncle, this is the second time you’ve said things wrong.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I know, I remember.”

Xiang Ning said, “I remember too. I’m helping to count them for you.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Right, you keep count.”

“Like this, one day in the future, you will clearly know and remember how many ‘I love you’s I’ve actually already said, how I’ve always loved you,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

Xiang Ning began memorising the important verbs Xu Tingsheng had written down during their intonation practice. When she finally raised her head, the table was full of paper aeroplanes…

The sunlight filtered through the high treetops, leaving behind many silhouetted impressions on the windowsill. Xu Tingsheng who wore a black woolen sweater over his shirt and Little Xiang Ning who looked just like a dragonfly in her red woolen sweater stood before the windowsill.

Speaking softly, laughing softly.

The paper aeroplanes flew through the air one after another, drawing pretty trajectories within the sunlight-an arc, a semicircle, or perhaps a leaping-like movement, leaping, leaping on…

Xiang Ning drew back the corners of her mouth in a radiant smile. Her eyes were smiling as well-how beautiful they were.

Xu Tingsheng was smiling as well. The world just seemed so right.

“Uncle?” Xiang Ning furrowed her brows as she asked softly, “Why aren’t mine flying as high as yours?”

“Because you’re short,” Xu Tingsheng said, barely resisting the urge to reach out and stroke her head.

Xiang Ning puffed up her cheeks, glaring angrily at him.

“Oh, that’s not it. It’s a technical problem. Here, I’ll teach you.”

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly changed his verdict, extending his hand over and beginning to teach her. This was the first time ever since his rebirth that he was touching her hand. Her little hand was still ever so slim and tender as it resided within his palm.

“Fly!” Xiang Ning said.

“Yeah, nice,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The paper aeroplane flew very high, flew very far.

As the final paper aeroplane flew out of the window, Xiang Ning asked, “Uncle, we aren’t having lessons later, right?”

“Why?”

“Don’t you have to accompany your girlfriend?”

“I haven’t got a girlfriend.”

“Liar. I saw you. When school just started last semester, when I was sitting on the bus, I saw you out walking on the street with a beautiful older sister. She was even linking arms with you.”

Back then, on the day of Xu Tingsheng’s matriculation, Apple had come to accompany him to his university. That afternoon, he had brought her along in touring the city district of Yanzhou, and she had even linked arms with him.

Xu Tingsheng hadn’t previously known that Little Xiang Ning had actually spotted them together at the time.

Xu Tingsheng explained for a very long time. Even though it seemed like he had no need to offer Xiang Ning any words of explanation, he still tried very hard to explain to her till he finally managed to convince her that Apple was not Uncle’s girlfriend.

“Uncle, you seemed so tense just now,” Xiang Ning said.

She didn’t know why he had seemed so tense. The same would have held true for many others. In front of you, he appeared so panicked, so cautious, so muddle-headed as he stubbornly persisted despite everything...yet you didn’t understand it at all at the time.

In matters of the heart, what is to be feared the most is the insensitivity of the one being loved, when being loved.

Chapter 114: Tribulation on Valentine’s Day

Xiang Ning’s grandmother had secretly bought her a handphone during the Spring Festival. This was something that even Mr and Mrs Xiang did not know. However, Xu Tingsheng knew about it.

Because at this moment, Xiang Ning was currently exchanging text messages with her classmate on her phone right in front of him.

Perhaps because the two of them had grown closer and she trusted him, Xiang Ning was also beginning to act wilfully in front of Xu Tingsheng. Currently, while Xu Tingsheng had already reminded her a few times to continue with her lesson, she had still yet to put down the phone in her hand.

“Uncle, you won’t tell my parents, right?” Xiang Ning asked.

“Relax, I won’t. Then, let’s continue with the lesson, alright?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I’ll just play a little longer first.”

“Who’re you chatting with?”

“My classmate.”

“Male or female?”

“Male.”

Therefore, at the end of Xu Tingsheng’s first time eating dinner at the Xiang Family home, he told Xiang Ning’s parents, “Uncle, Auntie, Xiang Ning kept on playing with her phone just now.”

His tone was calm as he said this, his entire person also coming off as calm and natural after the deed, just sitting there as he finished the final mouthful of rice in his bowl.

That feeling was as though he had merely just said ‘Uncle, Auntie, I’m full’.

Xiang Ning’s action of shovelling food into her mouth came to an abrupt halt. Her mouth full of rice, she slowly swivelled her head, staring dazedly and wide-eyed at the ‘shameless traitor’ Xu Tingsheng as a disbelieving look could be seen in her eyes...Just like this, she had been betrayed?

Little Xiang Ning was ‘choked speechless’.

Hadn’t they just come to an agreement? ...Just a short meal later, so simply and deftly...he had sold her out just like that?

Also, the ‘traitor’ was sitting there just so calmly and peacefully as he showed not even a single shred of remorse. Hadn’t he just said, ‘Relax, I won’t?’

Was there still such a thing as trust in this world? This little girl’s worldview suffered an immense blow.

Mr and Mrs Xiang both stood up in shock, “Why do you have a phone? Even playing with it during lesson time...take it out.”

……

During the lesson after dinner, Xiang Ning was first to enter the study room. Xu Tingsheng guarded against her as he opened the door, checking if there was anything placed on top of it, checking if anything would come falling down from above…

Fortunately, there wasn’t anything.

Actually, he was indeed feeling rather guilty, just that he was concealing it well.

Xu Tingsheng had thought that Xiang Ning would throw a tantrum or stubbornly refuse to cooperate with him, not paying attention to the lesson. According to Xu Tingsheng’s understanding of Xiang Ning’s personality, she should theoretically be wilful in that way.

However, perhaps because Mr and Mrs Xiang were just outside the door, nothing of the sort happened at all. While Little Xiang Ning’s eyes were red, she continued listening quietly to Xu Tingsheng’s tutoring, nodding and saying ‘yeah’ once in a while and bemusedly saying ‘I don’t understand this’ from time to time.

Around half an hour passed just like this. Xu Tingsheng who had still ‘narrow-mindedly’ been feeling jealous earlier was feeling guilty, feeling pained. He decided to explain to Xiang Ning and coax her a little, easing the situation between them.

If it was really impossible, he would just repay her with a new phone next time on at most.

In the end, before he had managed to think of how to phrase the words, Xiang Ning suddenly stood up, saying in a polite and respectful manner, “Teacher, I’ve got to go to the toilet.”

Xiang Ning having addressed him as ‘teacher’, this foreign form of address left Xu Tingsheng rather regretting his earlier actions as he smiled and nodded, saying cordially, “Alright, go.”

“Thank you, teacher.”

Xiang Ning opened the door, went out and closed it behind her. Then, Xu Tingsheng heard her crying voice resounding from outside, “Mum, teacher just touched me here, and here, and here.”

Xu Tingsheng’s entire body grew numb with his brain going into shock as though he had been struck by a bolt of lightning.

Xu Tingsheng’s entire body was instantly drenched in a layer of cold sweat. This was obviously not a joke. Xiang Ning’s voice could be heard loud and clear outside the door.

This was almost certainly why Mrs Xiang had been so insistent on finding a female tutor before this.

If not for Liu Xueli having assisted him earlier, Xu Tingsheng would definitely not have had a chance. However, this did not entail that Mrs Xiang had completely let down her guard. She had definitely warned Xiang Ning to be wary of such things before.

This was already no longer just in the realm of a mere squabble between Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning. It was already no longer a matter of whether he could retain this home tutor job, no longer a matter of him perhaps getting beaten up as a result...instead, it concerned the matter of whether Xu Tingsheng would still be able to continue being together with Xiang Ning in this life.

Mr and Mrs Xiang’s reactions had still not yet resounded from outside. Xiang Ning’s voice was gone as well, with there only being vague, indistinct noises that were audible.

Never would Xu Tingsheng have thought that the little girl might retaliate so intensely. He sat there panicked and shocked silly, not knowing what he should do at all.

…...

Fu Cheng waited the entire Valentine’s Day, yet had still yet to receive the woolen sweater mailed over by Fang Yunyao.

Due to Fang Yunyao’s shyness or perhaps unease, she had told Fu Cheng earlier that what existed between them was merely a time-based agreement. They could not be considered as already being together.

Fu Cheng respected her opinion, not daring to take the initiative to give her a call too lightly. It was naturally even less likely for Fang Yunyao to take the initiative. Therefore, the two of them seldom communicated via phone.

However, even though Fang Yunyao had not expressly said so, Fu Cheng was still able to guess that the woolen sweater should probably already have been sent, being likely to arrive that day.

At night, when he had still yet to receive his woolen sweater for Valentine’s Day, Fu Cheng steeled his resolve and called Fang Yunyao’s number. Fang Yunyao’s phone was turned off.

……

Two days ago, Fang Yunyao had made a rare trip out of Libei Senior High.

Fang Yunyao had actually already not left campus for a very long time. Her fear was one she had not dared to speak to anyone about, Fu Cheng included.

In truth, Zhang Junming had never ceased in his harassment of her.

From his initial apologies and begging to his cursing and scolding when he had found out that there was no longer any hope to the eventual threats by him to her personal life and safety, Zhang Junming had been persistently hounding Fang Yunyao like a crazed madman.

He unceasingly called Fang Yunyao’s mobile phone using many different numbers. Due to her identity as a teacher, Fang Yunyao was unable to keep her number private at all…

During the holiday back in 2003 when Fang Yunyao had travelled with Xu Tingsheng and the others back to Libei via train, the reason she had turned off her phone at the time was not that she had been panicked over losing at cards like all of them had thought.

Instead, it was because Zhang Junming had been repeatedly dialling her number. She had been afraid that the kids, especially Fu Cheng, might go finding trouble with Zhang Junming if they found out about it.

Over that holiday period, she had not dared to stay in Libei for even an extra day. It was the same for the winter holidays as well, because so long as Zhang Junming was unable to get through to her, he would think of a way to find her, stopping her on the roads outside.

Fang Yunyao had called the police once. However, Zhang Junming had not received any investigation or punishment at all, instead having stepped it up with his harassment.

Afterwards, as an out-of-towner who had came to live alone in Libei for work, with her parents and relatives all far away in Hunan, the fearful Fang Yunyao who had no one to support her chose to stay silent, to give way, to escape.

Perhaps she was just not a brave person at heart. Otherwise, in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, she would not have silently borne four years of familial abuse just like that.

In the day, Fang Yunyao dared not to step out of crowds. At night, she would firmly lock the great iron door at the first level of the staff dormitory before locking the door of her room and piling things up in front of it. Unless it was absolutely necessary, she would definitely not leave campus at all.

Today, Fang Yunyao was very happy, perhaps feeling rather sweet as well.

She folded up Fu Cheng’s woolen sweater neatly and wrapped it up in a few layers. Next, she prepared to go out to post it.

Other than the woolen sweater, there was actually also a letter in the package. Fang Yunyao had a piece of good news for Fu Cheng. Due to the revolutionary thesis in the field of education that she and Xu Tingsheng had previously published and the resultant influence from the related supporting study materials, she had received quite a few invitations from many schools abroad.

Out of the ten over schools, Fang Yunyao had chosen a first-tier senior high of Yanzhou City. After this semester had ended, she would be leaving Libei Senior High and heading to Yanzhou.

Whether it was for her prior agreement with Fu Cheng or in order to shake off Zhang Junming’s harassment, this truly couldn’t be any better at all. To Fu Cheng, this might be a Valentine’s Day present that was even better than the woolen sweater.

Because the package would be mailed to Fu Cheng, Fang Yunyao did not dare to entrust it to anyone else to post it on her behalf.

This being a rainy day, Fang Yunyao thought that Zhang Junming would probably not appear. Even so, in the weather that had already eased from the seasonal coldness, she still wore a woolen hat with a scarf wrapped around her neck as she walked cautiously out of the back gate of the school with an umbrella in her hand.

Zhang Junming emerged from behind a patch of shrubbery beside the gate. As he walked, he gripped a glass bottle in his hand.

Without any hesitation at all, Fang Yunyao flung her umbrella away, turned and ran. The liquid substance that Zhang Junming had flung towards her scattered on the ground. He chased after her, flinging the remaining substance in the bottle towards her.

A portion of the liquid splattered onto Fang Yunyao’s scarf and clothes. Fang Yunyao knew what it was-acid. Due to fear, she could not help but stop to remove her scarf and take off her jacket.

Zhang Junming made use of this chance to catch up with Fang Yunyao. He took out a small knife from around his waist, stabbing repeatedly towards her back.

The flow of blood was mixed in with the rainwater.

……

Not being able to get through to Fang Yunyao, Fu Cheng began feeling worried. He exerted all means, finally learning the news.

This incident was being kept strictly confidential for the time being. While Fang Yunyao had avoided the acid, the stabs from that knife had affected her internal organs, nearly having been fatal. She was currently still unconscious and receiving treatment in Jiannan City Hospital...

Meanwhile, Zhang Junming’s elderly mother, who was in her fifties, turned herself in at the police station. She said that she had flung acid at Fang Yunyao due to not having been able to tolerate her having broken up with her son. The acid not having hit, she had wielded a knife instead.

There had been no eyewitnesses at the scene, yet someone had promptly turned herself in.

While Zhang Junming was himself suspicious as well, he was currently safe for the moment.

Perhaps before Fang Yunyao had awoken, there were only Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng, those meagre few people who could be a hundred percent sure that this incident had been Zhang Junming’s doing.

However, even if Fang Yunyao woke up and testified against Zhang Junming, even under such circumstances, the police might still not be able to easily indict him of the crime.

Chapter 115: Scare you to death

Xu Tingsheng sat dazedly in the room for ten minutes or maybe longer, his entire body drenched in cold sweat. Mr and Mrs Xiang were not barging into the room, and he too had not yet thought of how to face them, how to explain things to them.

This went on until he received Fu Cheng’s call.

A weeping Fu Cheng told Xu Tingsheng about the incident he had just received news of. This matter was too major, too terrifying. Xu Tingsheng knew that he had to go to Fu Cheng right now, and to Fang Yunyao as well.

Therefore, he stood up, pushing open the door. He thought that if he could not successfully explain himself within a short period of time, he would pay another visit to clear up the air next time. He had to leave immediately right now.

“Uncle, Aunt…” Xu Tingsheng said even as he opened the door.

He had originally wanted to say ‘Uncle, Auntie, please hear me out’, but he stopped in his tracks right in the midst of doing so.

The scene that he saw upon opening the door was completely different from the one he had imagined while inside the room.

Mr and Mrs Xiang were not in the lounge. Instead, there were just the lowered sounds of the currently airing Korean drama <Jewel In The Palace> that had been greatly popular in the year 2003. Opposite the television set, Xiang Ning was inclined cross-legged against the sofa, a bag of potato chips in her hand.

She was staring intently at the screen, slowly pulling out a potato chip from the bag from time to time as intermittent crunching noises resounded.

Xu Tingsheng’s words as he opened the door jolted Little Xiang Ning who had been enraptured in the drama and her tidbits awake.

She turned to look at Xu Tingsheng, her eyes still a little red as she might have cried a little due to feeling wronged just earlier. She still had a stubborn expression on her face, being in a huff with Xu Tingsheng as she petulantly kept on that sulky look.

At the same time, however, she also seemed rather triumphant over the success of her prank, looking like she was going to laugh at any time even though she was trying her hardest to repress it.

“Scare you to death. Hmph!” Little Xiang Ning said.

Perhaps Xu Tingsheng’s expression was really too distressed and tragic, myriad emotions having flashed just too dramatically across his face immediately following his realisation...After having said those words, as she looked at Xu Tingsheng, she could not help but burst out laughing.

A smile brightening up her crying face, the triumphant little girl quickly realised that this shouldn’t be the case as she hurriedly resumed her previous spiteful look.

She warned herself that the person before her was a traitor, was the enemy.

Xu Tingsheng had really almost been scared to death. While Xiang Ning had been leisurely watching Korean dramas over the past ten or so minutes, Xu Tingsheng had been suffering torment equivalent to a living hell, still not having recovered from the shock even now.

“Are Uncle and Auntie not home now?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“They always go out for a stroll together every night after dinner. Moreover...it’s Valentine’s Day today,” While Xiang Ning refused to look at Xu Tingsheng, she still explained things to him.

Xu Tingsheng finally understood. The trap set for him by this mischievous little loli…

Apparently, Mr and Mrs Xiang had not been home in the first place. The ‘touched me here’ that she had said upon stepping out of the door had been directed to thin air, having been said for just Xu Tingsheng’s benefit alone.

After having finished her lines, she had happily begun eating her tidbits and watching her drama, probably having done so whilst feeling greatly triumphant as well..while Xu Tingsheng had been flung by her into hell.

Now that this matter had been proven to be just a false alarm, Xu Tingsheng should actually be coaxing her a little at the current time. However, he was currently feeling panicked as he was in a rush to leave over Fu Cheng’s and Fang Yunyao’s matter.

“Traitor,” Xiang Ning seemed like she had still not gotten over it as she said in a huff, “Go away, I don’t want you teaching me anymore.”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know whether she was truly intending these words whilst in a fit of anger. If it were usually, perhaps just a little bit of coaxing might set things right between them. After all, he understood this girl before him so well. Now, however, he was in a rush to leave.

Therefore, he did not coax her.

“Since that’s the case,” Xu Tingsheng put down the teaching materials in his hands, “I have the lessons for the next two weeks prepared here. When the time comes, you can study in accordance to them yourself. I’ll probably not be able to come for an upcoming period of time. I’ll call Auntie and explain it to her.”

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly left. Xiang Ning felt even more wronged as she looked at the door of the study room that was still vibrating slightly. I’m clearly the one who’s supposed to be angry, okay? You...you aren’t even treating me as well as back when we were still unacquainted…

Xiang Ning fumed for a long time before finally taking a look at Xu Tingsheng’s teaching materials on the table. There, virtually every sentence was spelt out clearly, with many supporting notes being present as well, such as ‘the little girl might not understand this part’, ‘I can make use of this part to check up on her knowledge of that particular bit from last time’ and ‘I can casually come in with a joke at this place to make her laugh and relax a little’...

This was a document which really could not be any more complete, a thick stack of papers numbering well into the double digits having been prepared for just a single lesson.

Little Xiang Ning suddenly felt that she was no longer that mad at him. Still, what had he meant when he had said ‘I’ll probably not be able to come for an upcoming period of time’? Could he be mad at her?

……

Sitting in a taxi back to Yanzhou University, Xu Tingsheng kept on urging the taxi driver to hurry up. He already no longer had the leisure to consider Xiang Ning’s situation. He was on the phone all the way, conversing with Fu Cheng as well as Huang Yaming and Song Ni who were beside him.

“Whatever the case, wait for me to get back. We’ll return together,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Xu Tingsheng dared not let Fu Cheng return before that. Only if he was present together with Fu Cheng would he feel at ease.

It was already nighttime now. There were already no longer any buses heading from Yanzhou City to Jiannan City. After returning to Yanzhou University, Xu Tingsheng immediately borrowed Fang Yuqing’s car, worrying not about his lack of a license and the entailed possibility of him getting arrested for illegal driving as he chauffeured Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming and Song Ni along in hurrying to Jiannan City without rest.

……

Jiannan Central Hospital, ICU. Xu Tingsheng and the others had to give many explanations and go through many procedures, even meeting Fang Yunyao's family members in the process before they were finally allowed to enter.

Through the great glass screen of the ward.

Within the pure white room, Fang Yunyao lay quietly on a bed in a hospital nightgown, her eyes closed. Her face was pale with not the slightest tinge of blood, as for a long time she...lay there completely unmoving, with even the heaving of her chest as she breathed not being visible.

She was like the purest angel in her quietness as she lay peacefully in sleep.

It was just that the innumerable medical devices hooked up around her constantly reminded that she might never be waking up from this deep slumber, that this helpless girl was currently struggling alone amidst darkness and pain.

The nurse had strictly reminded them that they were not to make unnecessary noise in the ward.

Fu Cheng did not make a scene as he just watched her quietly.

Song Ni was quietly wiping away her tears, letting out repressed sobs. Fu Cheng, however, did not move at all, allowing the tears to flow unceasingly down his face uninhibited.

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming were holding onto Fu Cheng's shoulders, one on each side.

Not only was Fang Yunyao Fu Cheng's precious lover, she was a friend of Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Song Ni as well. They all knew how pure and kind this girl currently lying inside was.

Right, in the eyes of Xu Tingsheng, the 27-year-old Fang Yunyao was just a helpless girl. Especially with the way she was right now.

“Time’s about up. You should be going,” The nurse came over and reminded them in a hushed tone.

As the four of them exited the ward, Fu Cheng's legs suddenly lost all their strength, growing limp. Fortunately, Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming caught him from the sides before he fell.

Working hard to stabilise himself, Fu Cheng looked at Xu Tingsheng with a dazed, stunned look on his face, “Xu Tingsheng, I'm returning to Libei. I'm gonna kill him.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Alright. I'll go with you.”

Huang Yaming said, “Me too.”

Chapter 116: Don’t get used to thinking like a good person

Fu Cheng said, “Xu Tingsheng, I'm returning to Libei. I'm gonna kill him.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Alright. I'll go with you.”

Out of the four, only Song Ni remained in Jiannan City. Xu Tingsheng booked a motel room for her that was located just outside the hospital. Like this, she would be able to constantly check up on Fang Yunyao's condition whilst also helping out a little if Fang Yunyao's parents so required her assistance.

Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng rushed over to Libei County without overnight rest.

As the car sped along amidst the darkness of the night, its occupants remained silent throughout. There were those who didn't feel like talking whereas also those who wished to speak yet knew not what to say.

Xu Tingsheng focused on driving. He certainly wasn't going to let Fu Cheng kill someone. If not pushed to the brink, Xu Tingsheng definitely wouldn't go against the law like this, trying to solve the problem through such an extreme method.

Bar limited unique circumstances, murder and violence were really almost always the most foolish and pointless reaction to a problem.

However, Xu Tingsheng had not denied and tried to convince Fu Cheng otherwise back then. With how things had been then, with Fu Cheng already at the verge of losing control after having seen the comatose Fang Yunyao on her sickbed, he had known that there was nothing he could have said to stop him.

Realistically, it was also not as though Fu Cheng was brandishing a knife and charging murderously towards his hated foe. Since that was so, there was really no need for Xu Tingsheng to force him to calm down and think straight.

Sometimes, rational reason just cannot coexist with our mental states.

In trying to ‘counsel’ or ‘persuade’ someone else, many are often prone to committing a simplistic error. They feel that they should give the other party the calmest, most rational analysis they can, feeling that as long as the correct, relevant logic is expressed by them, their advice should then be heard, accepted and abided by...whilst having completely overlooked the current mental state of that other person in doing so.

Sometimes, in truth, having been overtaken by emotions, people are just innately unable to properly listen to anything regardless of how overwhelmingly correct the analysis presented to them is.

Think of a man who has just lost his wife. Now, his relative comes along and counsels him: Your kids are still young; you’ll have to find a mother for them sooner or later. Is this wrong in principle? No. But saying this kind of thing at such a time, such a person could really only be considered goddamn sick in the head.

Give the person caught in the throes of agony some time to himself, please.

……

Reaching Libei, Xu Tingsheng did not let Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming go home. Instead, he stopped the car by the roadside right before entering the county, handing each of them a cigarette.

After they had finished smoking the cigarettes, he gave them another.

Then, he asked Fu Cheng, “Are you able to calm down a bit now? If so, we'll go get some things done.”

“What can we do?” Fu Cheng asked, having calmed down slightly over the three hour long drive.

“There're many things that we can do. We could find some people within the security division to get a better grasp of the current situation. We could try to find an alibi for Zhang Junming's mother. We could...while it was during lesson time and Ms Fang exited through the back gate, there being so many people in the school, there might just have been some eyewitnesses present at the scene.”

At this point, Xu Tingsheng rather missed the 'Heavenly Net Surveillance System’ that would be established in the future. If this incident had happened ten years later, with the entire county under video surveillance, things would definitely not have turned out this way at all.

“Shouldn't all this be the job of the police?” Huang Yaming asked.

“Let's check whether they are doing it then, and how well they are doing it, “Xu Tingsheng said, “Comparing the backgrounds of Zhang Junming and Ms Fang, which of them do you feel they are more likely to be biased towards in Libei?”

“Zhang Junming is a local of Libei and works in mechanics. The network that he has here, including former classmates, relatives, friends and colleagues, definitely isn't something that a young teacher having come from aboard can compare to. In that case, you're saying that there might be something fishy going on here?” Huang Yaming asked.

“There shouldn't be too much of a problem, or the Zhang Family's mother would also not have had to take the rap for her son. However...we can't rule out the possibility of someone trying to let things stand how they are and being negligent in the investigation of the matter,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What do we do then?” Fu Cheng asked in a panic, “I want him dead.”

Xu Tingsheng threw the cigarette in his hand out of the window and said in a heavy tone, “Therefore, we've got to understand the situation first. If things are really that way, then...we'll switch the background situation around, turning the matter into a standoff between Zhang Junming and our two families...In Libei, I don't think that there are many people at all who can resist the joint pressure of our two families right now.”

Not long after the Huang Family had fallen, a mass reshuffling had begun to take place in Libei's bureaucracy. Many of those who had newly come into power were those who had been in opposition to or been suppressed by the Huang Family in the past. These people mostly all harboured goodwill toward the Xu Family. Adding on the power that the Xu Family had demonstrated in bringing down the Huang Family and Mr Xu's competent leadership, the current Xu Family was already completely incomparable to how it had been in the past.

Meanwhile, Fu Cheng's father was the vice Chief of the Trade and Industry Bureau. If he were to act, there would definitely also be many resources that he could draw on.

This manner of thinking was something that Xu Tingsheng had picked up from his interactions with Fang Yuqing. After the Xu Family's matter had been settled at the beginning of the year, Xu Tingsheng had once had an open, honest discussion with Fang Yuqing.

Back then, after having understood all that had transpired, Fang Yuqing had told Xu Tingsheng very directly, “Your manner of thinking isn’t right.”

Where was it wrong? Fang Yuqing had explained that after Xu Tingsheng had suffered a setback at the hands of the Huang Family, even if he would have needed to play some dirty tricks in the process, he should have tried to blow up the matter such that the tensions between the Huang Family and the Xu Family appeared to be tensions between the Huang Family and the Fang Family, or at least between them and the connections the Fang Family had drawn on. In this way, he should have tried to manipulate the Fang Family into going all out against the Huang Family.

“You should have done so even if you might have needed to swindle even me in the process. More than that, you could have been candid with me. We could have gone to swindle everyone else together, my grandpa included,” Fang Yuqing had even said such a thing at the end of it.

“Swindle you?” Xu Tingsheng had asked him at the time.

“Right, swindle me, causing me to feel furious at that whatever Huang Family. Afterwards, I would have thought of a way to evoke fury in those connections of my family who had also helped out. You know, this matter wouldn’t really have caused too much of a problem for me.”

“I couldn’t have done that.”

“Learn how to then. Remember, you can be a good person, an honest person, but you definitely cannot get used to thinking like a good and honest person. You especially cannot fall into the mindset of the weak. Sometimes, vicious people need to be dealt with by someone acting even more viciously. Against vicious people, you should play some tricks when necessary, definitely not abiding blindly by the rules. When you can pressure them with power, just do it if you can.”

These words had inspired Xu Tingsheng very greatly. Fang Yuqing had told him: Remember, you can be a good person, an honest person, but you definitely cannot get used to thinking like a good and honest person. You especially cannot fall into the mindset of the weak.

In Xu Tingsheng's previous life, he had generally been a good, honest person. At the very least, he had been a normal person without any hidden, malicious sides. As compared to many others, he could even be considered as being amongst the weak.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng was used to that manner of thinking. An example of this was how after he had suffered a setback over with the Huang Family, he had felt that he should not trouble Fang Yuqing anymore as he had called him and told him that the matter was already resolved.

The power that he had originally been able to draw on to resolve the matter with had ultimately been given up on by him on his own accord.

While this manner of thinking could make a person kind and genuine, it would also sometimes render one helpless, especially when faced against real evildoers in which case it would only leave the person in question restricted in many areas, suffering a total defeat.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t wish for himself to change so greatly. However, he was currently facing someone like Zhang Junming, someone who could act so viciously against Fang Yunyao for no rhyme or reason, someone who could ask his own mother to take the rap for him.

Xu Tingsheng felt that he should indeed change his manner of thinking a little. If this matter could be solved through the fairest, most reasonable means, that would naturally be best. However, if that was not possible, pressuring others with their power in order to get the situation resolved in an acceptable manner was fine as well.

Sometimes, a fair, reasonable result could only be achieved through unfair, unreasonable means. Such was the nature of reality.

Fu Cheng considered Xu Tingsheng’s words for a while before saying, “If that’s the case, it’s all the more so that I should think of a way to find Zhang Junming first then.”

Xu Tingsheng understood what he meant. Therefore, he said, “Right.”

Chapter 117: I’ll be inside for a couple of days

The three reached home in the middle of the night.

After having returned, Xu Tingsheng explained to Mr Xu why he had suddenly come back to Libei.

Mr Xu had met Fang Yunyao twice before. The first time had been during the simple celebratory banquet following the release of Xu Tingsheng's university entrance examination results. The second time was after the Xu Family’s crisis had been resolved, when they had specifically invited Fang Yunyao, Vice-Principal Lou, Old Zhou and some others over for a meal.

The Xu Family was indebted to Fang Yunyao. When crisis had befallen the Xu Family at the start of the year, Fang Yunyao had been one of those who had lent them a helping hand in their dire hour.

Mr Xu would go all out in exerting pressure on the relevant agencies in this matter.

It was somewhat harder for Fu Cheng. If he was candid with some things, it might instead come to serve a negative effect. Yet if all that was mentioned was their relationship as student and teacher, Mr Fu, an old, slick hand in bureaucracy, would obviously be unwilling to take a plunge into such a troublesome affair.

The next morning, the three did not go to look for Zhang Junming, instead making a trip to Libei Senior High.

The current Libei Senior High was already overflowing with rumours. Amongst them, other than the various speculations regarding what had happened to Fang Yunyao, there was also a rumour related to the relationship between her and Fu Cheng, the relationship between them being described extremely atrociously.

Meanwhile, in this rumour, Zhang Junming was portrayed to be the victim, a pitiful man who had been hurt by the 'immoral’ teacher-student relationship between Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng.

This rumour effectively corroborated the testimony of Zhang Junming's mother upon having turned herself in. It was due to righteous indignation over the treatment of her pitiful son that she had acted to stab and injure Fang Yunyao.

This rumour had clearly been spread intentionally by someone. As Fu Cheng walked within the school, numerous students who recognised him were constantly pointing him out and discussing animatedly about him in hushed whispers.

“I still harmed Ms Fang in the end.”

Fu Cheng's emotions were near their breaking point. He wanted to explain the truth to every single one of them. Yet, this clearly wouldn't be any useful at all. Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming had to persuade him to the contrary for a long time. Not having made any gains in this visit to Libei Senior High, the two guided Fu Cheng firmly along in their departure from the school.

It was evening when the trio began stalking Zhang Junming.

Zhang Junming still appeared as refined and elegant as ever. It was just that upon meeting others, a perfectly primed desolate and worried air would appear about him, buying him sympathy.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had read many newspaper articles about spurned men who had hurt or even killed their ex-girlfriends or former spouses before. From his understanding of things, such people tended to be moody social deviants who flared up easily.

Yet, Zhang Junming did not appear to be like that at all. From his exterior alone, there was no one who would be able to tell that he was actually such a terrifying person.

Fang Yunyao had technically never actually been his girlfriend at all. However, he had retaliated so intensely and viciously against her, even having personally sent his mother to jail afterwards to take the rap for him.

If this was not terrifying enough, most terrifying of all was how calm and composed he still had been afterwards. This could be seen from his daily 'performances’ as well as his intentional fabrication and spreading of rumours.

In Xu Tingsheng's previous life, after Fang Yunyao, able to stand the familial violence no longer, had left for elsewhere with her child, the people of Libei County had virtually all been sympathetic towards Zhang Junming. Through rumours, Fang Yunyao had been portrayed by him as a vain, greedy woman.

Those such as Xu Tingsheng who had known the truth had been few and far between.

That was Zhang Junming.

Following from a distance, before the trio showed up in front of Zhang Junming, Xu Tingsheng turned on the voice recording function on his phone first just in case they got lucky.

Zhang Junming was trapped by them in a dead corner. Recognising Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming, he naturally knew what it was that the trio had come for.

Fu Cheng couldn't hold himself back as he was about to dash over, but Huang Yaming held him back.

“I know why is it that you're here…still, you're really mistaken. I really love Yunyao, love her more than anyone else does. Even if she and you...however much she hurt me, I would definitely never hurt her.”

“I didn't know that my mother would do that, I really didn't. If I had known that things would turn out like this, I definitely wouldn't have told her about the matter between the two of you.”

“I'm hurting more than any one of you right now. I've lost the two people I love the most at the same time.”

Zhang Junming spoke sincerely and agonisingly with no flaws in his words at all, perfectly conforming with the image of a victim that he was currently 'performing’.

It was just that Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were all able to see the derisive, mocking sneer on his face as he said this.

He had never intended to conceal his wrongdoings in front of Fu Cheng at all.

The smile on his face was a very candid admission that he was the one who did it, also acting as provocation towards Fu Cheng. However, his tone as well as words held no flaw at all.

Now, a mocking smile on his face, Zhang Junming mouthed, “Happy with my performance? ...Go turn off your phone recording function.”

Xu Tingsheng took out his phone and turned off the recording. Zhang Junming was clearly not foolish at all. He was being very cautious.

A furious Fu Cheng attempted to rush over once more. Huang Yaming had to use all his strength in order to hold him back.

“Right, stay calm. You've definitely got to stay calm,” Zhang Junming said with a mocking smile on his face.

“I know,” Xu Tingsheng said as he walked towards Zhang Junming, “I know that attacking you now would be of no use to us at all. It would only make things even more troublesome.”

Zhang Junming smiled and nodded, provocatively flashing Xu Tingsheng a thumbs up.

Arriving beside Zhang Junming, Xu Tingsheng said nothing at all as he just stomped him in the groin.

“Ow!”

Having totally let his guard down, being completely unprepared, Zhang Junming took a firm, solid hit. He groaned tragically, his body doubling inwards before he raised his head and stared bemusedly at Xu Tingsheng.

He could not comprehend why Xu Tingsheng who had only just been restricting Fu Cheng by asking him to stay calm moments earlier, even having said 'I know that attacking you now would be of no use at all. It would only make matters even more troublesome’, would suddenly begin attacking him now, even having launched such a vicious move from the get go.

“It's nothing, it's just that I can't hold myself back,” Xu Tingsheng smiled coldly to Zhang Junming's bemused expression, “Let's care about how troublesome it may be only later. For now, just allow us to vent our emotions first.”

Still doubled over in pain, Zhang Junming stumbled as he tried to flee. Xu Tingsheng grabbed him by the hair, following up on his momentum by kneeing him directly in the face.

Zhang Junming's spectacles shattered and his nose broke, the blood flowing freely down his face.

Xu Tingsheng turned and said, “I was afraid that he might have brought a knife, so I sneak attacked him first...now, it's your turn.”

Huang Yaming let go of Fu Cheng.

Xu Tingsheng no longer attacked Zhang Junming, and Huang Yaming stopped after a few good stomps as well, because they were really no longer needed. Fu Cheng was currently crazed like the devil possessed. If he was left to himself, Zhang Junming would definitely not be leaving this place alive.

Fu Cheng would rip him to shreds.

“Help watch over them. Don't let Fu Cheng accidentally kill him,” Xu Tingsheng told Huang Yaming before walking over to the side and quietly smoking a cigarette.

Today’s beating was a little bit of ‘interest’ for all the pain that Fang Yunyao had suffered. Meanwhile, it was naturally best for Fu Cheng to be the one to collect this ‘interest’.

Of course, this was not foolhardy recklessness.

When Xu Tingsheng had proposed borrowing the influence of the Xu and Fu families to resolve the matter the previous night, Fu Cheng’s reply had been ‘If that’s the case, it’s all the more so that I should think of a way to find Zhang Junming first then’.

Therefore, this beating had really been all part of the plan.

While the Xu Family possessed great strength, it was still ultimately not directly involved in the bureaucracy, needing to draw on the strength of its connections in order to exert pressure there. It was not the same for Fu Cheng’s father, however. Having been part of Libei’s bureaucracy for so many years, he was inextricably linked in a mutually beneficial relationship with the other members of his governmental faction.

If he were to go all out, it would prove to be even more direct and forceful than the Xu Family.

Fu Cheng had no way of convincing his father, Fu Qizhi, to assist him, yet could also not tell him about the relationship between him and Fang Yunyao. If he did so, Fu Qizhi would only distance himself even more emphatically from the matter, at the same time restricting him as well.

Fu Cheng’s plan was to involve himself in this matter. Unless it could ultimately be proven that Zhang Junming was a criminal, he would otherwise be guilty of intentionally wounding others.

He had put himself on the line for this, wagering his own fate in order to ‘tie’ his father down, forcing him to have to go all out.

Perhaps even without him having to do so, Xu Tingsheng would still be able to resolve the matter in the end. However, this matter involved Fang Yunyao, and Fu Cheng felt that he himself was responsible for it to some extent as well. If he didn’t try to do anything about it now, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

Therefore, Fu Cheng was now beating Zhang Junming up to an extent where the law would determine it to be light injuries at the very least.

How awesome this request was.

When Fu Cheng was finally dragged away by Huang Yaming in a job well done, Zhang Junming was already soaked entirely in blood, having been rendered immobile.

“I’ll be inside for a couple of days. I’ll hand the rest over to you. Also, if there’s any news about Yunyao, you’ve definitely got to tell me about it.”

Fu Cheng sat by the roadside and lit up a cigarette, inhaling deeply before he said, “You guys can go first. I’ll finish this cigarette before I go call the police for him.”

Chapter 118: Eyewitnesses

Fu Cheng said, “You guys can go first. I’ll finish this cigarette before I go call the police for him.”

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming both looked doubtfully at him, shaking their heads as they were afraid that he might do something extreme after they had left.

Meeting their eyes, Fu Cheng said in a sincere tone, “Trust me.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, coming beside Zhang Junming and squatting down, only saying when the latter had opened his eyes, “Look, we still haven’t calmed down yet. Well, there’s no helping it. You’re the most disgusting person I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Perhaps because he knew that the three were already preparing to leave it at that, just having experienced the fear of death, Zhang Junming forced out a smile that was still derisive as well as provocative.

After Xu Tingsheng had left, he directed such a gaze at Fu Cheng who was sitting by the roadside.

“Why don’t you kill me? Dare you do it?” Zhang Junming mocked him in a low tone.

Fu Cheng ignored him, slowly finishing puffing on his cigarette, adjusting his breathing and extinguishing the cigarette. Then, he stood up and casually retrieved a small bottle from his pocket, opening it as he walked slowly towards Zhang Junming.

Zhang Junming’s eyes opened the widest they could as they contained immense fear as well as panic. He struggled to get up and flee, yet was only physically able to crawl frantically away.

Moving forward neither urgently nor slowly, Fu Cheng trapped Zhang Junming against the wall.

“Know what this is?” Fu Cheng raised the bottle in his hand and asked in a heavy tone.

Of course Zhang Junming knew what it was that Fu Cheng was holding. Not long ago, he had been holding the exact same thing in his hand, mercilessly flinging it towards Fang Yunyao. It was acid. Back then, Fang Yunyao had fortunately been able to evade it. However, there was no escaping it for Zhang Junming now.

“No, no! Please, I beg you,” Zhang Junming pleaded as he repeatedly slammed his head into the ground, kowtowing to Fu Cheng.

He was so cold-blooded and brutal in his treatment of others. Yet, when faced against an equivalent threat, he lacked even the slightest degree of courage and stubbornness as he was kowtowing non-stop and begging for mercy.

“Please, don’t! Spare...spare me,” His entire face filled with snot and tears, Zhang Junming begged unceasingly.

Fu Cheng smiled for the first time that day, a kind of disdainful yet helpless smile, “Tingsheng’s right. You’re really the most disgusting person we’ve ever seen. Meanwhile, Ms Fang is the best, nicest person I’ve ever seen...therefore, you ought to die.”

Fu Cheng raised the bottle above Zhang Junming’s head, making as if getting ready to pour it.

“Dont’! No...no...no...arghh!” Zhang Junming was shrieking non-stop in panic and helplessness, his entire body trembling and struggling unceasingly as his features distorted.

A stench suddenly permeated the air. Fu Cheng looked at Zhang Junming. He...had simultaneously defecated and wet himself.

As his phone vibrated, Fu Cheng took it out and glanced at it, seeing a message that Xu Tingsheng had sent over, “Ms Fang will definitely wake up. Let’s go see her in a few days; she’ll surely be missing you. Remember, you still have to take care of her in the future.”

……

Fu Cheng called the police.

When the police car arrived, he had already stubbed out his cigarette, standing obediently by the side as he awaited their arrival. Zhang Junming was still struggling on the ground, his entire body covered in blood as he was trembling and twitching so acutely that even the policemen felt a bit of a chill at the sight of him.

“What happened to him?”

“He got beaten up.”

“Was it you who called the police?”

“Yes.”

“Did you see who did it?”

“It was me.”

Zhang Junming got on the ambulance while Fu Cheng got on the police car. Less than half an hour later, Fu Qizhi received a call, learning of his son’s matter. He immediately rushed to the hospital, but halted just as he was outside the door of the ward Zhang Junming was in.

Inside the room, Zhang Junming was roaring, “I definitely won’t let him get away with this! I’ll destroy him!”

Fu Qizhi retracted his hand that had been about to knock on the door.

The old Chief of the Trade and Industry Bureau was soon to retire, with his deputies currently in a midst of a fierce battle to decide which would become his successor. Meanwhile, Zhang Junming was not from Fu Qizhi's faction. He would definitely make a big hoo-ha out of this matter.

Leaving the hospital, Fu Quzhi made a few calls before heading to the detention centre.

Fu Cheng and his father argued when they met in the detention centre, because Fu Cheng very frankly spelled out his feelings for Fang Yunyao.

Mr Fu stomped off in a fit of anger.

Yet Fu Cheng was his only son, Mrs Fu was crying at home like there was no tomorrow and there was also the current ongoing struggle for power to worry about...

Fu Quzhi knew that there were probably no other paths available to him. Having perpetually been concealing his fangs and claws before as he bided his time and nourished his strength, he would now be baring his fangs and flashing his claws.

……

Two days, three days. Time flowed unceasingly by.

……

Under the joint pressure of the Xu and Fu families, the investigations of the police were naturally on a whole different level from before. The higher-ups were unanimous in their verdict: thunderbolt-swift action, all-out effort.

Zhang Junming remained in the hospital. He had still yet to recover from his injuries, but even if he had recovered, he would still have continued sticking to his hospital bed. He had already felt a change in the current situation.

Police officers had appeared outside his ward.

If he was discharged from the hospital, it would be the detention centre that awaited him.

All the classmates and relatives who had still been assisting him earlier had suddenly vanished. Meanwhile, the Vice Bureau Chief that he followed, instead of logically helping him and going all out against his assailant, had not acted at all.

Zhang Junming knew that he had been abandoned, thrown away.

He could not understand why that was so, especially being unable to comprehend why that Vice Bureau Chief whom he followed had willingly given up such an opportunity to drag Fu Qizhi down, until he learnt of another matter.

The youth who had been the first to attack him that day was surnamed Xu. Other than Fu Qizhi, there was also the Xu Family that had toppled the Huang Family and shaken the entire Libei not all that long ago that was currently acting against him.

The unknown always evoked fear. In the current Libei, there was no one who clearly understood the Xu Family's true foundations.

There were just countless rumours, such as the never-ending, limitless bags of money, such as those calls that had been made from the city and from even the provincial government when something had happened to the family.

Also, there was the twenty-year-old Xu Tingsheng of the Xu Family whose exploits had been spread and exhorted like that of a divinity's. Some said that he was an unparalleled genius, reversing the frenzied tides with his own strength, while there were also those who said that he was vicious and ruthless, inscrutable and unfathomable.

Zhang Junming could only place all his hopes on his mother. She was that kind of traditional mother who was simple to the point of even being a little weak, loving and spoiling her son to the extent that she would be willing to give up everything for him.

Mrs Zhang did not disappoint Zhang Junming. Whatever the police did, she would only say: It was me, I plead guilty.

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming went around searching for a breakthrough as well. While on an investigation on their own in the vicinity of the Zhang Family home, they would sometimes come across some police officers who were similarly investigating the area as well. However, neither of their two groups managed to find anything.

Mrs Zhang seldom spoke to others and seldom left her house, having very few interactions with her neighbours. On the day of the incident, there was no one who had seen her, being able to prove that she had not been at the scene of the crime.

Meanwhile, unable to get along with his son, Zhang Junming's father had moved back to his hometown to live by himself long ago, seldom having any interactions with them.

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming had looked for Mr Zhang. After quietly hearing them out, Mr Zhang had sighed, not uttering a sound as he had walked back into his house and shut the door. However much Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng had pleaded, he had refused to say even a single word.

Having brought Mr Zhang away to assist in their investigation, the police had also been unable to gain anything useful from him at all.

One of them was his wife, while the other was his son. This man must be feeling incomparably agonised within. Still, he still remained silent on the matter nonetheless.

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming turned their attention to the school, spending many days searching for helpful information in Libei Senior High. Most of the students and teachers in this school knew Xu Tingsheng, with there being many who were willing to help him.

Still, it was all to no avail.

“Were there really no eyewitnesses?”

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Wu Yuewei over the weekend. Ever since Xu Tingsheng had appeared in the school, she had constantly been helping him in quietly seeking out information from behind the scenes whilst keeping away from interrupting him.

It had been the same back during the Xu Family's crisis previously. She had merely quietly accompanied Xu Qiuyi all the way, yet never having once come to interrupt Xu Tingsheng amidst his efforts.

Wu Yuewei called Xu Tingsheng and told him that there definitely was at least one eyewitness...On the day right after Fang Yunyao had failed to turn up for class, there had already been a rumour within the school which very accurately described what had happened to her, the flung but evaded acid and the stab wounds on her back included…

However, just after the news had began to spread, that person had vanished, not having said anything about their witnessing of the incident at all.

“Who is that person?”

Logically speaking, it should not be difficult to track that person down. However, be it the police, Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming or Vice Principal Lou, the other higher-ups of the school and the teachers, they were still ultimately unable to discover the identity of any eyewitnesses despite all their efforts.

Perhaps due to fear and cowardice or perhaps because of the common entrenched mindset of not getting entangled in matters which were not related to oneself, after having realised exactly how weighty of a matter this was, he or she had quickly concealed and distanced themselves from the matter.

Xu Tingsheng pinned several public notices pleading sincerely for assistance on campus, leaving behind his handphone number.

One day, two days...

Chapter 119: Fu Cheng’s kneeling figure

Not having made a full recovery, Zhang Junming was forced to leave the hospital for the detention centre.

Xu Tingsheng never received the call that he had been hoping for. Currently, he was sitting in Vice Principal Lou’s office, waiting. Soon, the second morning period would be ending.

Next would be an exercise regime period that came between lessons.

Xu Tingsheng had once ascended the stage of Libei Senior High during this exercise regime period, having stood up there before everyone while being criticised for his terrible behaviour. Soon, he would be standing up there for the second time.

The bell for the end of class rang. The tenth to twelfth grade students as well as teachers all lined up neatly on the school field.

After the flag raising ceremony had ended, the member of the school committee under whose charge they had been the previous week did not routinely ascend the stage. It was instead someone else who took to the stage. Most of the people here were acquainted with this person. Even if they were not, they would also have heard about him to some degree before...

His name was Xu Tingsheng. He was a legend of Libei Senior High.

“I am Xu Tingsheng, a senior of yours. I have come here today to beg something of you,” Xu Tingsheng bowed deeply towards those standing before the stage.

Everyone here knew what it was that he was talking about. Many days earlier, he had pinned a public notice on the various bulletin boards of the school, leaving behind his handphone number. Many people were willing to help him, just that they were not able to be of help at all.

Therefore, people began shouting from within the crowd, “Whoever saw it, come out!”

“What’re you afraid of? Can you even have a bit of a sense of justice?”

“......”

Xu Tingsheng waited for a while before continuing, “You may already know what it is that I want to say. I know that there is definitely at least someone here who witnessed the attack that day.”

“The victim in this incident was my history teacher of three years. Perhaps she did not directly teach most of you. Still, she was your teacher as well!”

“As her students, I believe that all of us should be very clear on what kind of a person she is. However the rumours portray and hurt her, we all know how she is pure, kind and hardworking.”

“She is currently still lying on her hospital bed in a coma. Imagine our Ms Fang, currently struggling in pain amidst an infinite darkness.”

“Meanwhile, due to insufficient evidence, the one who hurt her remains outside the reach of the law.”

Those gathered on the field began to discuss the matter even more heatedly. Many of the students who were taught by Fang Yunyao had already broken down into tears, Xu Tingsheng’s sister Xu Qiuyi included.

Xu Qiuyi had gotten acquainted with Fang Yunyao even before having entered Libei Senior High. Having gotten drunk at the Xu Family home back then, Fang Yunyao had slept together with Xu Qiuyi that night. Afterwards, Fang Yunyao had become Xu Qiuyi’s teacher. Through their daily interactions, the two of them had eventually come to be very close to each other.

Xu Qiuyi and her classmates beside her were all weeping piteously together.

Yet, that person still did not come forward.

“Help us, help Ms Fang,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I don’t know why you’re not willing to come forward. Perhaps many of us are used to not getting involved in matters which are not related to us, used to acting indifferent in order to remain unaffected by things. I can understand that.”

Xu Tingsheng had lived through those times when an old man had fallen down yet no one had been willing to help him up. He knew that this society was currently lacking some things, such as social justice, such as compassion.

Feeling helpless, Xu Tingsheng continued, “Perhaps you are someone who's used to quietly working hard behind the scenes. This incident being related to something as major as a human life, you feel scared, afraid, not daring to get yourself involved. I can understand that as well.’

“How about I give you a guarantee? I guarantee that your information will definitely be kept secret. You won't receive any harm from it at all. Perhaps you are wondering on what basis it is that I am saying this. Believe me, I really can do it. I am the Xu Family's Xu Tingsheng.”

“If you help me, you can call me in private after today...you will thereon be a friend of Xu Tingsheng, a friend of the Xu Family.”

Xu Tingsheng had the qualifications to speak like this in Libei. He seldom acted as ostentatiously as this, but now, in order to let that person come forth with an ease of mind, he could not help but speak like this, could not help but be ostentatious.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know what he was supposed to say anymore. He was proficient in public speaking and the expressing of ideas, but for such an incident, there was really not much that he could say.

Another figure ascended the stage.

It was Fu Cheng. Having been held in the detention centre for such a long period of time, he currently appeared disheveled as well as dispirited.

“Zhang Junming doesn’t dare to continue biting me. My father temporarily bailed me out. Still, I have to stay behind and cooperate with their investigations,” Fu Cheng came beside Xu Tingsheng, continuing, “Hand me the mike. I’ll do it.”

As Fu Cheng picked up the microphone, there were many people who recognised him.

This time, the ongoing discussions took place in hushed tones. However, their opinions were much more complex. The relationship between Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yunyao was completely incomparable to that between she and Fu Cheng.

In Libei Senior High, in the entire Libei, there had recently been many rumours regarding Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao.

In the rumours, the relationship between Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao was described as extremely atrocious and immoral. Fang Yunyao had entered a relationship with her student in order to cling to riches and authority, forsaking her boyfriend in the process. Fu Cheng had stayed in the staff dormitory at night, making use of his father’s lofty status in the Trade and Industry Bureau to beat Zhang Junming up…

Rumours were just that scary a thing. It was such that many were already unable to discern truth from fiction. And now, the male lead of these rumours was standing up on stage.

Holding the microphone, the first thing that Fu Cheng that said was, “I am Fu Cheng. Three years ago, studying in tenth grade in Libei Senior High, I fell in love with my own teacher, Fang Yunyao.”

What astonished everyone was the fact Fu Cheng had admitted his feelings for Fang Yunyao so candidly, not having tried to conceal it in the least.

A massive uproar erupted on the school field. There were diverse reactions, including shocked exclamations, even hoots...There had never been a student who had professed his love for his teacher up on that stage before.

A few higher-ups of the student affairs office looked rather unhappy as they wanted to go up and stop Fu Cheng from speaking any further. Still, Vice Principal Lou stepped forward and barred their way.

“Let him speak,” Vice Principal Lou said.

Fu Cheng continued, “She is a teacher, and I am a student. I knew that such feelings were impractical.”

“Thus, over these three years, I only ever silently listened to her lessons, never speaking an additional word to her other than answering her questions and greeting her whenever we happened to cross paths outside.”

“It was only on graduation night when I was drunk that I said those words that had been hidden within my heart for the past three years. She took it as the drunken spouting of an insensible kid.”

“Yet afterwards was that football match, Some of the students and teachers here might have watched it. That day…”

As Fu Cheng mentioned that football match, many people naturally thought back to that day. On that day, this person here on stage right now had scored a goal. That day, Fu Cheng’s frenzied yells and confession towards the stands had moved many people. Yet, no one had known who exactly it was that he had been confessing to.

That was an unsolved case that Fu Cheng had left for Libei Senior High at the end.

Now, the truth behind the mystery had been revealed. The one whom this guy had fallen in love with was his own teacher. It was precisely because of this that he had been unable to express it directly, only having been able to yell out his confession towards an entire stretch of stands.

Thus, some remembered how Fang Yunyao had indeed been sitting in that corner of the stands back then. It was just that back then, the countless speculations regarding the possible female leads had never included her. No one had even considered that it might actually be her.

Now, Fu Cheng had admitted it himself.

What about the rumours then? Were the rumours real? This was what many were wondering.

“I know that there are currently many rumours regarding Ms Fang and I,” Fu Cheng continued, “Let me tell you about them…”

Fu Cheng detailedly described everything that had happened between them since graduation night.

When speaking of how he had secretly taken photographs of Zhang Junming, Fu Cheng took out the pictures he had snapped of Zhang Junming beating his own mother and scattered them before the stage.

“In having done so then, I was truly just hoping that Ms Fang would be able to marry a good man. Meanwhile, you all see how this man is like. How could I have done nothing and watched her leap into the fire pit?”

Fu Cheng described how he had fought with Zhang Junming in front of the staff dormitory back then and even how he had remained in the corridor of that building that night.

“This is the rumoured beating up and staying in the staff dormitory. Back then, I was just trying to protect Ms Fang.”

He continued speaking, even revealing those words that Fang Yunyao had finally told him, ‘Tell me about it again when you’ve graduated from university’. He did not conceal even that.

The atmosphere was rather silent.

“I managed to obtain a time-related agreement such that I might truly have a chance to confess to her in the future. This is everything between the two of us. To the me of the past, it was already sufficient for me to feel incomparably fortunate and joyful.”

“Now, however, she’s lying on a sickbed in a hospital...I regret it. I know that I’m wrong, that I shouldn’t have fallen in love with her.”

“No, I couldn’t not have fallen in love with her. It’s just that I shouldn’t have told her, shouldn’t have interfered with her life. She’s a teacher, and I’m a student. It was already destined that our relationship would be disapproved of. It’s only harm that I have brought her.”

“Just like those rumours that you guys have heard.”

“If I could live through it all again, I definitely wouldn’t say those things, definitely wouldn’t disturb her again. If I could choose again, I’d definitely choose to remain silent for those three years before then silently leaving her without a sound.”

At this point, Fu Cheng fell silent before suddenly plunging straight down onto his knees, his kneecaps slamming straight into the ground.

“Now, please, help me.”

Fu Cheng knelt there, no longer speaking. As discussions were rife before the stage, he knelt there. As the bell for class rang, he knelt there…

Unless it was out of filial piety, loyalty to a ruler or gratitude...kneeling, represented a man’s helpless submission. It was a show of weakness, of incompetence…Yet, Fu Cheng’s kneeling figure carried the unshakable, unyielding responsibility of a man.

Right, at this moment, he who had chosen to get on his knees was no longer a boy, but a man.

Perhaps it was ten minutes later, or perhaps it was even longer afterwards.

“Heck, your mother, I really can’t stand you people...it was us who saw it. Come, this old man will go testify for you.”

Chapter 120: Notification of condition

A few twelfth grade guys swaggered out of the crowd, the one leading them who had said ‘this old man will go testify for you’ next continuing, “Vice Principal Lou, we’ve got to make this clear first. You can’t take us down for having skipped lessons that day. Any more of that and all of us will be expelled.”

Students who might be eyewitnesses during lesson time, and at the back gate of the school at that...it was naturally truancy.

This person was an old acquaintance of theirs, Bao Ming. To be precise, all of those who had walked out were old acquaintances of theirs. Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming had once gotten into a fight with them back when they had still been studying here, and there had also been a few conflicts between them afterwards.

If one was to be precise about it, they should really be considered enemies.

As the current ‘tyrant’ of Libei Senior High, the ‘big boss’ whom everyone was afraid of, Bao Ming himself also had a shadow hanging over his heart that just could not be gotten rid of. This shadow belonged to Xu Tingsheng, who in his eyes was ‘really extremely mental’ and ‘had nothing that he was not capable of’.

Even now, some hooligans of their school who were not afraid of death would sometimes dare to mouth off before Bao Ming, and most commonly said would be, “What cool are you faking? Weren’t you still owned and frightened by Xu Tingsheng and them back then?”

Whenever something like this occurred, Bao Ming would always attack exceptionally viciously, not holding back in his blows at all as if the person that he was beating up was Xu Tingsheng.

Seeing Bao Ming’s gang walking over towards him, Xu Tingsheng finally knew why it was that he had been unable to locate the eyewitnesses all along. He had made a logical error in deduction, having always subjectively thought that they would have been reluctant to come forward only due to fear and cowardice…

Because of this, he had actually always felt that that the eyewitness should be an honest yet fearful girl.

He had thought of it the wrong way.

Apparently, it had been an enemy.

“This old man really can’t stand the two of you, so freaking sentimental,” Bao Ming arrived beside the trio, saying, “Remember this, this old man’s not helping you people. It’s that Ms Fang I’m helping.”

“Thanks, bro,” Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming said together.

“Who’s freaking bros with you,” Bao Ming said, “Let’s go.”

Bao Ming and the others had skipped lessons that day. Just having been about to flip over the back gate to go to an internet cafe, they had seen Fang Yunyao appear. And so they had hidden themselves...and witnessed the entire sequence of events afterwards.

Bao Ming and the others spent a few hours at the police station. When they emerged, Xu Tingsheng’s trio was still outside waiting for them.

“The three of us don’t have much time this time. When we return next time, let’s find a chance and have a meal together,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Earlier, he had said up on stage, “Help me...you will thereon be a friend of Xu Tingsheng, a friend of the Xu Family.”

Even though the other party was Bao Ming, the same words still held true.

“Nutjob,” Bao Ming said, “This old man’s not interested...whatever, let’s talk about it when the time comes.”

……

The same day after Bao Ming left.

Fu Cheng brought Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming along in contacting a newly promoted Vice Bureau Chief in private. This person was an old war buddy of Mr Fu’s, being the one who had been most involved in this case after the Fu Family had made their move.

The testimony of Bao Ming and the others, with their coherent and detailed description of the incident, completely corresponded with the characteristics at the scene of the crime and what had been deduced from them. With them additionally having agreed to testify in court if need be, there had been great progress in the investigation.

Yet, Zhang Junming still did not plead guilty, and his mother still insisted that it was she who had done the deed.

It was actually not hard at all to make things difficult for Zhang Junming. Beneath the joint pressure of the Xu and Fu families, the future ahead of Zhang Junming would definitely only be a bleak one. Still, Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng persisted diligently in searching for evidence, wanting to nail Zhang Junming down for good.

Fu Cheng wanted him dead, or at the very least unable to see the light of day in his remaining years.

The next day, Xu Tingsheng again drove Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming over to the police station to understand more about the progress of the investigation. At the door of the police station, they saw an old, hunched figure.

They recognised this figure. This person was Zhang Junming’s father. His wife and son were currently both in jail for suspected murder, while he had originally been maintaining his silence.

Today, having previously perpetually remained silent, Mr Zhang walked into the Public Security Bureau on his own accord.

When he exited the place, Fu Cheng received a call from that Vice Bureau Chief.

“The old man provided an alibi for Zhang Junming’s mother. That day, Mrs Zhang was in his house back at their hometown. This case can basically already be wrapped up, even though Zhang Junming is still stubbornly insisting on his innocence.”

This was the decision of a father. He was currently walking on the road back to his hometown all alone, hands behind his back and slow in his gait, his back view appearing increasingly hunched, increasingly old…

Xu Tingsheng followed him in his car for a bit. He had originally wanted to say something, yet finally still decided against it. To this old man, this period of time might have seen the most painful, conflicted days of his life. He could choose not to speak. His words if he did speak would affect the life of one of his closest kin, irreparably.

And yet he had eventually made such a decision. His pain in doing so could only be imagined.

Xu Tingsheng’s trio did not interrupt Mr Zhang. While Zhang Junming might still not plead guilty, all of that was already inconsequential. With there being sufficient evidence against him, there was really no way out of this for him now.

The combined forces of the Xu and Fu families would indict him dead with all their might.

“Let’s go back and tell our families. We’re going to Jiannan to see Ms Fang,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Fu Cheng nodded, then shook his head. While Zhang Junming had already been taken down for good, he was still not happy in the least, because the news sent over by Song Ni these past few days was that Fang Yunyao was currently still in a coma.

If Fang Yunyao did not wake up, it would still be meaningless even if Zhang Junming died a hundred times, a thousand times.

“I asked them to help to make the arrangements just now. Let’s go see Zhang Junming for a bit,” Fu Cheng said.

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming did not ask why he still wanted to see Zhang Junming. They accompanied him into the meeting room of the detention facility.

Around ten minutes later, Zhang Junming was brought over by two policemen. Currently, he was already no longer at all like the previous refined and cultured man he had once appeared to be as his face was ashen and his body slumped.

Fu Cheng gazed silently at Zhang Junming.

Zhang Junming avoided meeting his gaze.

“Are you afraid of dying?” Fu Cheng asked.

Zhang Junming suddenly broke down, hanging his head and trembling all over as he knelt down on the ground in tears, “Please, spare me. I don't want to die...spare me, okay? I pray for Yunyao every single day. I'll help you to clear up the rumours…”

It was inconceivable that such a disgusting person could actually exist in this world.

Fu Cheng might originally have felt like cursing vehemently at him and venting. Now, however, he didn't feel at all like continuing to talk to Zhang Junming.

He turned and told Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming, “Let's go.”

As the three walked out of the room, Zhang Junming stood up behind them.

Just having been pleading earnestly a moment ago, he was now instead yelling frenziedly and savagely, cursing, “She still hasn't woken up yet? Hahahaha...she won't be able to wake up anymore...You didn't see how it was back then. She was lying on the floor, and I stabbed her again, and again, and again. She was bleeding so much. Her face was so pale, her blood so red...I stabbed her more than ten times, you know?”

“Hahaha, she won't be able to wake up anymore. She’ll accompany me into death! Look, it's still me who won. I destroyed the two of you so nicely.”

Zhang Junming broke down and pleaded guilty.

Exiting the detention centre, Fu Cheng received a call from Song Ni.

Ms Fang's mother had just received a notification of condition from the hospital.

…...

When Xu Tingsheng's trio finally arrived at Jiannan Central Hospital, the corridor outside the ward contained Fang Yunyao's mother, Song Ni, some ex-students of hers who had been in the vicinity and rushed over as well as a figure whom Xu Tingsheng was familiar with.

Chapter 121: Long time no see

Medical personnel constantly hurried across the corridor, their footsteps urgent… every time they passed, everyone would raise their heads and gaze hopefully at them, but to no avail.

Fang Yunyao had already been in a coma for two weeks, having shown no signs of waking up at all. Just this afternoon, the heart monitor had displayed that her vital signs of life were currently in the midst of deteriorating unceasingly. As a result, the hospital had sent out a notification of condition.

Huang Yaming told everyone about what had happened over at Libei. Zhang Junming would soon be dealt with justly by the law. However, there was no one here at all who could feel joy over this. If Fang Yunyao didn't awaken and recover despite all this, all of it would be completely meaningless whatsoever.

Old Mrs Fang's hair was white and her face frail. She just sat there quietly, silently dabbing away at her tears. Fu Cheng sat dazedly down beside her and called 'Auntie’, then ceased to speak.

Xu Tingsheng called Song Ni out into the corridor and asked about the situation of the past few days. Then, he looked for the doctor in charge of Fang Yunyao and asked him whether there was the possibility of switching hospitals for treatment. At a time like this, money was really of secondary importance.

“With the patient's current condition, there already isn't a possibility of moving her to another hospital. We are currently in the midst of contacting a few specialists from abroad. About that...regarding the costs…” The doctor said.

“You don't have to worry about the costs. We mind not the necessary cost, just wishing for the specialists to get here as soon as possible,” Xu Tingsheng said.

That night, four specialists who had rushed over from abroad successively arrived. Not caring about rest, they had a short meeting before successively entering the hospital ward with their assistants.

Xu Tingsheng walked over to Fu Cheng's side, pressing his shoulder, “She'll be fine.”

Then, he came before Fang Yunyao's mother, saying softly, “Auntie, you can rest easy. We’re here.”

A portion of the students were successfully convinced to go back and rest. The rest of them all stayed on till day broke.

Daylight slowly streamed over the dim, distant horizon. The weather would be good today, the sunlight bright and warm.

This winter would be ending amidst the warm sun.

In the morning, the specialists streamed successively out of the ward, coming before they who were still awaiting and hoping and saying genially, “The situation’s temporarily stabilised. Still, she hasn't awoken yet. Go get some rest; we'll be remaining here for a few more days.”

They all sighed in relief.

Fu Cheng swayed unsteadily to his feet, smiling, “Tingsheng, look! I knew she would be alright. I knew it all along.”

Xu Tingsheng gave him a bear hug.

After arranging for shifts, Xu Tingsheng left the corridor along with the others, preparing to have breakfast before going back to the motel to rest. It might be that many days of this still lay ahead. Xu Tingsheng felt that they had to be prepared for a long struggle.

Apple came beside Xu Tingsheng, saying softly in a somewhat uncertain manner, “Xu Tingsheng, long time no see.”

Before Xu Tingsheng, she was still that same vulnerable Apple.

“Long time no see,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and replied.

This was the first exchange between the two since Xu Tingsheng's trio had arrived at the hospital. It was also the first time they were talking since back when they had distributed flyers in the snow together the previous year.

The final exchange between the two had been Apple’s text message: I'm leaving, Xu Tingsheng, my dearest one.

Afterwards, Apple had been very busy, and Xu Tingsheng had been very busy as well...well, not actually busy to the point that they hadn't even had the time for a phone call. It was just that perhaps they just hadn't known what they should say to each other at all.

Apple had put on a mask when she had gone out. Her popularity was already such that it might be troublesome for her otherwise.

Ever since her first song had been released during the Spring Festival, Apple had released songs at a very frequent rate. In recent weeks, she had successively released new versions of Rebirth's old songs, <> and <>.

This two songs, having already been destined to become huge hits, quickly entered the handphones and MP3 players of millions of people, filling the commercial districts of cities big and small and also topping the charts of most music websites. Apple swiftly became the most popular and sought after new artiste jn the music industry.

She began frequently appearing on the music programmes of various major television channels, beginning to travel amongst the various cities without rest to participate in commercial performances.

Xu Tingsheng was actually aware of all of this. Song Ni always loved telling him about all that was going on with Apple. Everyone around Xu Tingsheng who had met Apple before, including his university roommates, including Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing...also all loved bringing up Apple, having now become a star all of a sudden, in front of him.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng were also sometimes speculated to be members of Rebirth. However, whenever someone asked about it, the two would just unreasonably deny everything across the board, not saying anything other than denying it. There was nothing that could be done with that.

Xu Tingsheng was a little worried for Apple. Her management company's mode of operations just seemed like they were fishing the pre-existing lake dry.

The rate of Apple's song releases as well as the number of commercial performances she participated in were just too high. Additionally, the management company seemed not to have made any further preparation for Apple's development apart from Rebirth's songs. Even now, she had still yet to release a complete album of her own.

It felt as if the management company was simply milking Rebirth's value off Apple, not having created any new value and room for growth for her at all.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to give voice to these worries of his, but with the current relationship between the two of them, it felt as though it wasn't his place to say it.

After breakfast, the others either returned to the hospital or the motel. Whether intentionally or not, there were only Apple and Xu Tingsheng who were left behind, walking side by side along the streets of Jiannan City together amidst the clear sunlight.

“You’ve been rather busy lately, right? Song Ni mentioned it to me before. How did you manage to come?” Xu Tingsheng was the first to speak.

Apple did not answer his question, instead saying, “I only just arrived yesterday, to see Ms Fang. Song Ni told me about it, those things that happened to your family and also those words you said to Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng right at the end of last year.”

When the Xu Family had previously fallen into a crisis and Xu Tingsheng had been in urgent need of money, Fu Cheng had proposed selling the copyrights of Rebirth's songs. However, because of Apple, even if he would have had to sell Hucheng instead, Xu Tingsheng had still been unwilling to sell those songs lest Apple's path be affected as a result.

Because Xu Tingsheng had specifically instructed her not to at the time, Song Ni had not told Apple about it. Now, when Apple had come to see Fang Yunyao, she had told her.

Xu Tingsheng did not say anything.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Apple continued, “Why? Xu Tingsheng. Why is it that you couldn't tell me that you were in such a tough spot, not even allowing others to tell me about it as well? Why is it that you aren't even willing to let me know how good you are towards me?”

Xu Tingsheng was rather flustered, “I thought that you might be very busy at the time. You can rest assured, everything’s fine now.”

“You're clearly so good towards me,” Apple suddenly switched to a spoiled, childish tone as she stomped her foot, saying, “Xu Tingsheng, I know you like me. I just know you do.”

Not having seen her this way for a long time, Xu Tingsheng laughed, “Big star, pay attention to your image. Be careful that you don't get caught on screen. I'm a little afraid even walking together with you right now, afraid that we might accidentally get caught in a scandal.”

Apple laughed slyly before taking off her mask, lunging over to hug Xu Tingsheng and shouting out loud, “Are there any paparazzi? Hurry up and come take some photos...he's my man, he's called Xu Tingsheng.”

“Stop it,” Xu Tingsheng covered her mouth with one hand, trying to forcefully push her away with the other.

“I won't,” Apple forced out indistinctly before hugging Xu Tingsheng even more tightly.

Xu Tingsheng could only stand there just like that as Apple leaned her chin on his shoulder, murmuring, “Xu Tingsheng, looking at Ms Fang and Fu Cheng, I suddenly feel that life is so fragile. I'm afraid that there might not be time. Xu Tingsheng, I'm so tired, I'm so lonely. You’d definitely be even more tired.”

“Xu Tingsheng, I won't sing anymore. You take me back, and I'll do your laundry and cook your meals for you, okay?”

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while before he finally said, “In the future, I'll go attend your concert.”

Chapter 122: Prayers

Apple would originally have held on stubbornly for much longer. As she had said previously, she wanted to wait till she could lift up an umbrella of her own, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Xu Tingsheng, even being able to shield him from the winds and the rain when he so needed it.

Yet, Fang Yunyao who was lying comatose on her sickbed and the helpless Fu Cheng…had caused her to feel afraid, afraid that there might suddenly come a day like this when it would all be too late.

Thus, she did not stubbornly hold on, instead saying, “Xu Tingsheng, I won't sing anymore. Take me with you. I'll do your laundry and cook your meals for you, okay?”

Yet Xu Tingsheng did not give her the answer that she wanted.

Actually, the answer was one that she had already known long ago. It was just that she couldn't understand how this man could be so good to her whilst also so cruel towards her at the same time.

Apple viciously bit Xu Tingsheng on the shoulder through his layer of clothes, really using all her strength in doing so.

Having vented, Apple took two steps back, saying as she looked at the wincing Xu Tingsheng, “Xu Tingsheng, I really wish that I could hate you.”

She 'really wished’ it. Yet, something that someone really wished to do would usually also be something that was very difficult or even impossible for them to achieve.

Puffing up her cheeks and taking a few deep breaths, Apple then considered for a moment before saying, “We're agreed then. When I hold a concert, you'll definitely come?”

“I'll definitely come. I'm mostly just afraid of you biting me...it hurt,” Xu Tingsheng said.

It really did hurt. Someday in the future, when he went to listen to her concert, how would things be like between them then?

Apple proudly bared her sharp fangs...Xu Tingsheng ran away, Apple ferociously chasing after him with bared fangs and extended claws. Really, let there be no paparazzi today.

…...

After having caught up on sleep at the motel in the morning, it was Huang Yaming and Song Ni who had been assigned to stand vigil outside the hospital ward for the afternoon.

After the few of them had eaten lunch together, just having returned to the motel, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Fu Cheng.

“Auntie says that she wants to go to a temple and pray for Ms Fang. Do you know if there’s anywhere nearby that’s rather more efficacious? Take us there.” Fu Cheng asked.

Jiannan City was a place that Xu Tingsheng could not be any more familiar with.

And so, Xu Tingsheng drove Fu Cheng, old Mrs Fang and Apple to a temple in the northern suburbs of Jiannan City with more than a hundred years of history. This was one of the most popular temples in the entire Jiannan City, the incense sticks burning numerous and strong.

It was said that if one prayed sincerely with all their heart, their prayers would be answered.

Xu Tingsheng was not too devoted towards religion, actually being rather more ‘anything goes’ towards it. He was only familiar with this temple because he had come here once before. Technically, this once before was something that should happen seven years down the road.

In his previous life, just a short while after Xiang Ning had begun her fourth year of university, when the relationship between them had at its peak, the two of them had come to this temple together. Xu Tingsheng had been dragged along here by Xiang Ning to kowtow in prayer, both of them having afterwards extended a hand into the bamboo tube and drawn out a lot together.

It was only Xiang Ning who had gone to get the lot deciphered. Thus, even now, Xu Tingsheng still didn’t know what it was that that lot had meant. Everything that had happened afterwards had been completely different from the blissful future that Xiang Ning had interpreted for him.

Back then, having returned from getting the lot deciphered, Xiang Ning had been frowning.

Whilst not really being a devout Buddhist, Xu Tingsheng’s heart had abruptly twinged involuntarily out of the blue as he had hurriedly asked, “What’s wrong? Was that lot bad?”

Xiang Ning had hurriedly raised her head and smiled at him, shaking her head as she replied, “Nah. The lot said that I would marry an uncle who’s many years older than me, who also doesn’t have much money at all...sigh, I’m so pitiful.”

“How much older?”

“Five years.”

“Oh, what a coincidence. I just happen to be five years older than you. Will you marry me?”

“Huh, how shameless. Daring to propose just like this.”

“Lord Buddha said it.”

“Lord Buddha also said that I will marry very far away.”

“That’s bad. Jiannan doesn’t seem very far away from Yanzhou?”

“That’s not it, that’s not it. I said it wrongly. Lord Buddha said a little far away, but not extremely far away...just like from Jiannan to Yanzhou. Right, it’s just around that distance.”

……

As Xu Tingsheng stood by the doorway and reminisced on all this, Fu Cheng and old Mrs Fang were devoutly praying before the statue of the Buddha. At this moment, Xu Tingsheng was very willing to believe that Lord Buddha was really listening, that so long as one sincerely prayed with all their heart, their prayers would be answered.

Apple stood opposite Xu Tingsheng, leaning against the pole at the entrance.

“Let’s go in and pray for Ms Fang as well,” Apple said.

“Yeah.”

The two walked into the temple, kneeling down beside Fu Cheng and praying for Fang Yunyao’s safety.

As Xu Tingsheng was about to stand up after having finished praying, Apple tugged on his sleeve, saying, “Pray one for yourself.”

Thus, Xu Tingsheng knelt down once again. He knew not whether Lord Buddha might feel tired, because he had really prayed for too much. He had prayed for his family, prayed for his friends, prayed for Apple…

And finally, he had prayed, “Seven years later, I will be back. The powers of the Buddha are boundless, surely knowing who I came with previously, and who I will come with in the future. Please let it be that I will still be coming with her in this life. I further pray for a supreme lot, not desiring riches, just desiring...that those who are praying together, need never be separated again in this life.”

In having said ‘those who are praying together’, Xu Tingsheng had been referring to the past Xiang Ning, and also the future Xiang Ning. Yet, the one currently by his side praying together with him, praying for him, was another girl.

Would Lord Buddha be able to properly distinguish this?

Apple did not tell Xu Tingsheng what it was that she had prayed for.

As they left the temple, Apple’s handphone vibrated. She walked to the side and picked up the call. At first, she spoke in hushed tones, but her voice gradually began growing louder. Xu Tingsheng could vaguely make out that she was arguing with someone.

“Didn’t I say that I won’t be accepting commercial performances over this period of time?”

“...”

“My friend’s still in the hospital. She still hasn’t woken up yet.”

“...”

“I won’t go. Whatever if there’s a breach of contract.”

Apple hung up, looking rather perturbedly at Xu Tingsheng. She actually wasn’t willing to reveal her current harsh predicament in front of Xu Tingsheng. Ceaseless commercial performances, with a new album nowhere in sight…

There was an incident some time earlier that had left the management company unhappy with Apple.

Back then, the management company had been preparing to whip up a scandal between her and their most popular male singer. They had specially found some paparazzi to take capture a shot of the two of them leaving the recording studio together at night. Afterwards, they had gotten some minor newspapers to report the two of them as meeting together late at night, seemingly being very deeply in love with each other.

This sort of ambiguous, half-baked scandal was a usual method of this management company with which they maintained their artistes’ popularity. Yet, Apple had not cooperated with them. The next day, she had released a statement in her own name denying and clarifying this rumour with all her might. At the same time, she had expressed that she had someone she liked, that person being a member of the original Rebirth.

This incident had greatly aggravated the management company. If not for Apple’s current widespread popularity, they would likely have immediately clamped down on and suppressed her.

Xu Tingsheng did not know of this incident, being even less aware that the reason for Apple’s tough stance on the matter was that she had been afraid of him seeing the newspaper report and misunderstanding her.

Xu Tingsheng came up beside Apple, asking, “It’s your management company who called? You have a performance?”

Apple nodded.

“You should go. I’ll send you for a bit.”

“I won’t.”

“Since you chose to do this, you should do it properly. Don’t be wilful.”

Xu Tingsheng drove Apple over to the location at which the management company had dispatched a car to fetch her.

Before she got off, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Do you still remember those words I said to you that day?”

Xu Tingsheng had said many things to her before. Apple looked at him rather uncomprehendingly.

“If you meet with any difficulties, no matter how serious they are, remember to tell them to me. I will always be here, and my umbrella will grow bigger and bigger as well...don’t be afraid, behind you stands Xu Tingsheng. Actually, Xu Tingsheng really is Superman...however far and high you fly, I will still be able to cover you.”

Xu Tingsheng repeated these words that he had said that night before finally concluding, “Don’t let anyone bully you. I won’t allow it.”

“Yeah.”

Chapter 123: Awakening

Of the two people who got down from the car to fetch Apple, one of them, a chubby-looking girl who seemed to be Apple’s assistant, helped to her to carry her bag. Seeing Xu Tingsheng who was not far away, she smiled shyly and nodding towards him.

The other was a fashionably dressed middle-aged man who was wearing leopard frame spectacles, a windbreaker and men’s boots. He saw Xu Tingsheng as well.

“A guy, an ordinary person, his car being ordinary as well,” The middle-aged man frowned, looking dissatisfied as he told Apple ‘Hurry up’ in a dour tone and first got into the car himself.

Apple turned and waved rather silently towards Xu Tingsheng before getting on the car, her gaze cast downwards.

“She’s not happy.”

Xu Tingsheng had a bad premonition of things to come, and regretted it a little as well. Back when Apple had been negotiating with the management company, he had participated too little in it. As a young girl with little societal experience, even if she was somewhat courageous, how would she have been able to contend with those old wily foxes who had been in the industry for decades?

…...

Two days after Apple left, Fang Yunyao woke up. There were no endless emotional entreaties and heartfelt, moving words like in the television dramas. She had struggled alone amidst the darkness. She had won.

Fang Yunyao opened her eyes at around 4am in the morning. Only she herself could know whether she might have felt afraid, panicked, helpless had she been alone at the time. However, Fu Cheng was there for her.

She opened her mouth, but could not speak. Fu Cheng could not speak as well.

These past few days, Fu Cheng, old Mrs Fang and Song Ni had all collapsed from exhaustion, having had to go on the IV drip for a time. Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming were comparatively more sturdy, still being able to occasionally take over their shifts.

As the two sat smoking by the grassy lawn outside, Fu Cheng dashed out and exclaimed, “She’s awoken! She’s awoken!”

Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng exchanged glances, “Freaking fool, what’re you doing coming looking for us? Look for a doctor!”

Fu Cheng raced off to find a doctor. Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming didn’t actually break out in wild, unbridled joy. Instead, the two of them lit up another cigarette and patted each other’s shoulders. Then, they turned away from each other, each silently dabbing at their moist eyes.

Throughout this entire incident, Song Ni still being a young girl, old Mrs Fu and Fu Cheng both having seemingly been without their souls, there were only Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming who had been the toughest, most optimistic of them all. They had dealt with everything calmly, from those matters back at Libei to everything at the hospital here.

They had not succumbed to their emotions all throughout, never even having shed a single tear up till now, when Fang Yunyao had finally awoken.

“Heck, I’ve never been this tired before,” Huang Yaming said.

It was actually the most tiring and difficult when one was bearing immense pressure yet had to force themselves to stay calm.

Xu Tingsheng stretched lazily and exhaled dramatically before collapsing into a lying position on the grassy lawn behind him.

Huang Yaming pulled him up, saying, “Come, let’s go and see Ms Fang.”

Actually, on the first day of Fang Yunyao having regained consciousness, aside from those doctors and specialists, there was no one else who was allowed into her hospital ward. They could only look at her through the large glass window of the room, being seen by her as well.

While Fang Yunyao’s face was pale with even her lips lacking the slightest colour, she tried hard and smiled towards everyone.

Fu Cheng spent the entire day outside the hospital ward. Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming were finally spent with all their physical and mental exertions over this period of time. Having held on the longest, they also collapsed the most straightforwardly...directly entering the IV drip room after having seen Fang Yunyao.

“Sis Nurse, can I smoke a cigarette? It’s just the two of us here now anyway,” Huang Yaming said.

“You can’t. This is a hospital,” The pretty young nurse replied, her eyes wide open.

“Sis nurse, I want to go to the toilet. Can you hold my fluid bag for me?” Huang Yaming asked.

“...” The young nurse looked bemusedly at this little hoodlum, “Hold it yourself with your other hand.”

“I’ve got to draw something out with my other hand. How about I hold the fluid bag and you draw it out for me?” Huang Yaming’s earnest face as he discussed the topic was no different from when he was asking ‘Can you help me pour a cup of water?’

Xu Tingsheng watched on rather interestedly from the side.

The young nurse walked over, looking at the needle in Huang Yaming’s hand and saying just as earnestly, “It’s not well injected; there’s a bit of blood. Let me inject it in for you again.”

After a while, within the IV drip room resounded Huang Yaming’s ceaseless tragic yells and cries for mercy...as well as Xu Tingsheng’s laughter and the young nurse’s constant repeated apologies as she mis-injected the needle in time and time again.

Only when several needle marks riddled the back of Huang Yaming’s hand did a senior nurse who had heard the noise over from the restroom dash in, asking anxiously, “What happened?”

The young nurse who had succumbed to a moment’s recklessness appeared rather panicked.

“It's nothing. It's just that I wanted to see if injecting this was easy, and so I tried it on myself a few times...I hadn't thought that it would really be this hard,” Huang Yaming said.

“You...are you sick in the head? If something happened, would you take responsibility for it?”

Huang Yaming smiled cheekily as he apologised for his misdeeds. The senior nurse angrily stormed out.

Looking first at the doorway and then at Huang Yaming who still appeared nonchalant, the young nurse, feeling wronged yet also moved, asked, “Why didn’t you tell on me?”

“Because I like you,” Huang Yaming suddenly said solemnly.

“You...stop playing around. You want to get injected again?” The young nurse asked in a rather shy and embarrassed manner with a tiny little threat that could basically just be overlooked.

“I’m not playing around. When accompanying my friend here for IV infusion three days ago, the first time I saw you, I already liked you,” Huang Yaming continued confessing in a deep, emotional tone, “I didn’t how to to tell it to you, how to start a conversation with you...and so I spouted rubbish.”

“I don’t believe you. That doesn’t happen.”

“Right, that doesn’t happen...you see how I’m exceptionally stupid? I just thought that after spouting rubbish, perhaps you would then remember me. Perhaps you would angrily scold me, and that could be considered as us having a conversation. Also, those extra needles that you poked in me just now; I told myself...it was holding hands.”

“You?”

“I like you. My name is Huang Yaming, can I get to know you?”

“......”

Two bags of fluid later, leaving the IV drip room, Xu Tingsheng asked Huang Yaming, “You really saw her three days ago? And she caught your eye then?”

Huang Yaming shook his head, “How would I have been in the mood to look at chicks then?”

“Heck, you beast.”

……

Two days after Fang Yunyao awoke, her family and friends were finally allowed into the ward to see her. She still looked to be in rather bad condition, not being able to move or sit with even speaking being rather hard for her.

Old Mrs Fang first talked with her daughter, the two shedding tears as they faced each other. She told her all that happened these past days, including what had happened with Zhang Junming as well as the assistance of Fu Cheng and the others.

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Song Ni entered together.

The two guys did not speak much, just asking Fang Yunyao if she was fine as they intended to help Fu Cheng, currently pacing outside the door, get to quickly speak with her. Song Ni, though, cared not about this, leaning over and whispering secretively into Fang Yunyao’s ear all the way till a look of shy embarrassment appeared on her face even amidst her poor condition.

As Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming grabbed Song Ni and exited, Fang Yunyao told them, “Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. You’re not merely our teacher…” Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming had originally intended to say, ‘You’re also our friend’, but Song Ni interjected, “That’s right, no need to stand on ceremony, Sister-in-law.”

Fu Cheng stood by the sickbed, looking like he knew not where to place his hands and feet.

“Come over here, you,” Fang Yunyao said, “You must have been really scared, right?”

Arriving beside her, Fu Cheng nodded before the tears just began flowing uninhibited down his face.

Fang Yunyao wiped the tears off his face with some difficulty, saying, “In the past, I was afraid that you only liked me because you were insensible, not yet having grown up…that when you grew up, you would have changed.”

Fu Cheng shook his head, vehemently denying ‘No, No’.

“Don’t be panicked. I know, I really do. My Mum told me about it, and Song Ni did as well,” Fang Yunyao smiled.

She had just been through a near-death experience. Death could bring fear, yet could also make one courageous. If someone had once struggled at the brink of death, he or she would have come to know to better treasure things, possessing greater courage as well.

The 6th Dalai Lama once said: In life, what aside from life and death is not inconsequential?

Having experienced even death before, what fear could there be left of loving someone?

Chapter 124: A woman in the house

Fang Yunyao had never been a courageous person. The most courageous she had been was when she had told Fu Cheng ‘Come tell me again when you’re about to graduate’.

While this sentence had made it seem like she was waiting for Fu Cheng to grow older, she had actually primarily just been giving herself more time. She had never been a courageous person.

Huang Yaming tugged at Xu Tingsheng, sneaking a peek from outside. Fang Yunyao’s hand was currently brushing across Fu Cheng’s face.

“Awoo,” Huang Yaming released a lascivious howl, “I’ll be off to find my Sis Nurse.”

Xu Tingsheng sent a kick flying his way. Xu Tingsheng was personally much more moved than any other person by what had just happened, because he had experienced much more before.

He had seen that draggy relationship in his previous life which might be destined not to have any ending. He had seen Fang Yunyao’s tragic life story, her fear and her escapism, also having seen Fu Cheng’s fervent stubbornness…

Currently, how good it was.

On the day of Yanzhou University’s welcoming party, in having hastily answered the emcee’s question, Xu Tingsheng had christened the band ‘Rebirth’. That day had seen the most important step of Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao in this rebirth in extricating themselves from that tragic destiny that loomed before them…

Rebirth transcended the cycle of life and death. In having walked between life and death in her coma, Fang Yunyao had finally broken past that tragic destiny of before their rebirth.

In the hospital ward, Fang Yunyao asked, “Fu Cheng, are you confident?”

Before Fu Cheng could answer, as if she had never really expected an answer at all, Fang Yunyao continued, “You don’t have to be confident. You don’t, really. Don’t be scared, I’m just staking on it against myself.”

This gamble of Fang Yunyao’s staked all the youth that remained in her life, staked her reputation, even staked her fate.

Fu Cheng was not like Huang Yaming with his pleasant, comforting words. He appeared to be helplessly at a loss for a time.

Fang Yunyao smiled at him, continuing, “Have you asked my Mum yet?”

“Asked...what?”

“Ask my Mum-would it be fine if her daughter likes a guy who’s seven years younger than her?”

“I, I’ll go ask Auntie right now.”

Fang Yunyao shook her head, smiling as she said, “No rush. I also heard from Song Ni about those words that you said back on the school stage. What do I do now? I can’t go back there.”

Indeed, due to Fu Cheng’s words, if Fang Yunyao were to go back to teaching in Libei Senior High, the gazes directed towards her and the pressure she would face would be unimaginable.

“I’m not going back to Libei anymore. Actually, I wanted to tell you that day. I reached an agreement with a senior high school of Yanzhou City. I’ll be going to Yanzhou next semester.”

The ‘that day’ Fang Yunyao spoke of referred to the day when the incident had occurred. While it had been delayed for so long, she had fortunately still had the chance to tell him about it now.

Spring had finally arrived for Fu Cheng. Huang Yaming was always amidst spring. He currently had a thing going with the young nurse.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to return to Yanzhou. Asking Fu Cheng about it, he said that he wanted to stay on for a few more days to take care of Fang Yunyao. Asking Huang Yaming about it, he said that he wanted to stay on for a few more days as well, to wait for Sis Nurse to ‘give’ her body to him…

Asking Song Ni about it, there was finally someone who was willing to accompany him back.

Xu Tingsheng drove Song Ni back to the academy city, sending her over to her dormitory. Next, he returned Fang Yuqing’s car to him. Finding that it was already too late for him to return to his own dormitory, he simply returned to the riverside residence.

As Xu Tingsheng unlocked the door late into the night, he found that the lights were turned on in the living room.

Beneath the comfortable lighting, a woman walked past him…

Her long legs were bare as she strode lightly. Her head was tilted as she wiped her long, damp hair parted to the side with a towel. She wore simply a white shirt that covered just till her thighs.

This...was too fragrant. 'Uncle’ could not help but feel his mouth grow dry.

Xu Tingsheng recognised that shirt. It was one that he had bought specifically for wearing inside when he had on a suit. Now, worn on the female body, it just looked so much 'better’ than it had when he himself had been the one wearing it.

Xu Tingsheng stood by the doorway, not knowing whether he should enter or turn to leave.

Completely ignorant of his presence, the girl was seemingly in a great mood as she was indistinctly humming a tune.

“Cough, cough,” Xu Tingsheng looked away and coughed twice.

“Huh? You...you're back?” Looking over and seeing Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin asked puzzledly, next lowering her head and seeing the state she was in before she hurriedly rushed over to the guest room, “You can come in. I, I'm changing.”

Xu Tingsheng did not know what Lu Zhixin was doing here, nor did he have any way of asking about it.

After waiting for a while in his room, Xu Tingsheng heard a knock on the door. Opening it and exiting his room, he saw that apart from her feet which were still bare, Lu Zhixin was currently already dressed neatly as she stood rather awkwardly outside his door.

“How about you blow your hair dry first?” Pointing towards Lu Zhixin's still clearly damp hair, Xu Tingsheng took a hair dryer from a shelf and passed it to her.

“Yeah,” Lu Zhixin nodded.

Lu Zhixin sat down quietly in a corner and dried her hair. Xu Tingsheng sat on the sofa at the other end of the room, surveying the entire area.

Having been away for just a few weeks, the atmosphere of the entire room had changed. It had become clean, neat and warm, having gained many adorable little things as well...also, a womanly fragrance suffused the air.

Xu Tingsheng’s disorganised home seemed now like there was a woman in charge of the house.

Having dried her hair, Lu Zhixin glanced at the distracted Xu Tingsheng, not speaking as she next silently returned to the guest room and packed a bag which she placed by the sofa. She then got another, empty bag and began packing up some other little things.

Such as a small pink alarm clock in the shape of an owl, a hellokitty mug and and toothbrush, a Doraemon bolster, a cup shaped like the interior of a watermelon...Never might Xu Tingsheng have guessed that the ‘superwoman’ Lu Zhixin would actually have such a teenage girl’s heart.

“About that, let me explain,” Lu Zhixin finally said, “It’s been rather busy for the platform recently, and then you also left. Old Wai gave me the key, and...I came to stay here, in the guest room.”

“Right, it’s been hard on you,” Xu Tingsheng felt rather embarrassed about having just been a mere dispenser of money over this period of time, virtually having thrown everything of Hucheng’s over to Old Wai, Li Linlin and Lu Zhixin.

With Lu Zhixin’s career-mindedness and innate sense of responsibility, she had probably been constantly working late into the night.

“It’s alright. Is your friend better now?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“She’s awoken, but is still in her recovery period and will probably have to recuperate for a long time,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I can’t really extend this leave anymore, so I just came back first.”

“Right, I’ll go back first then. I’ve prepared a few things recently, and there’re also some things that you need to decide on. I’ll look for you tomorrow and discuss it with you then,” Lu Zhixin carried her two bags, walking towards the door.

It was already late into the night now. Lu Zhixin definitely wouldn’t be returning to her university dormitory. If she was planning to return home, with the academy city located in the suburbs, flagging a taxi at such an hour would also be rather hard.

Xu Tingsheng regretted a little that he had returned the car to Fang Yuqing. He couldn’t even send her back now.

“How about you stay here for tonight?” Xu Tingsheng stood up and asked.

Lu Zhixin turned, smiling, “Stay here? You sure?”

‘Uncle’ still felt rather awkward in inviting a girl to stay over as he hurriedly explained, “I just feel that it being so late, it’ll definitely be inconvenient for you to go back...why don’t you just stay here for the night? Anyway, there’re many rooms here.”

Xu Tingsheng pointed to the guest room, “If you need reassurance, just lock the door tightly at night.”

Looking at the flustered, nervous Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin bent over and laughed for a while before putting down her bags and saying, “If you need reassurance, you can lock your door tightly as well. I’ll go wash your shirt for you first...I just happened to have washed my pyjamas, so I went to your room and found something. Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine. How about I just give it to you?” That earlier image flickered within Xu Tingsheng’s mind.

A long-legged girl wearing only an oversized white shirt was definitely one of the sexiest modes in existence.

“Did I look good wearing it?” Lu Zhixin asked.

Xu Tingsheng did not answer. She had looked good, but that was not something he could say.

……

Xu Tingsheng sat in front of his computer, loading the platform. Meanwhile, Lu Zhixin was doing laundry in the bathroom. This feeling...

Chapter 125: The legendary cohabitation

Having a woman in a house yet not having entered a marital relationship, perhaps known as an ‘initial familiarisation stage’, was a very blissful thing. Living together under such circumstances, one would still be trying hard to display the best side of themselves, also attempting to bring happiness and warmth to the other party every single day.

Xu Tingsheng had been in a few relationships in his previous life. However, there had only ever been a short period of time when there had been a ‘she’ in the house.

That was when Xu Tingsheng had started a business with his friend in Xihu City. Having been in her fourth year of university at the time, Xiang Ning had come over to stay for three days. Just with those three days in mind, Xu Tingsheng had carefully packed up and cleaned his room, persisting in not smoking at home for half a month. Other than that, he had also practised cooking some dishes that Xiang Ning liked to eat, learning how to stew fish soup both thick and white and also practising making handmade noodles.

When Xiang Ning had arrived, Xu Tingsheng had hurried to show off his culinary skills, while Xiang Ning had washed all of Xu Tingsheng’s clothes and sheets, whether clean or dirty, once.

“You’ll only marry me if I perform a little better,” Xiang Ning said.

“You’d only be willing to marry me if I perform a little better,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Those had been a most blissful three days. The kisses when waking up early and going to bed late, the peaceful slumber at night, the laziness in waking up in the mornings as both sunlight and her resided by his pillow.

While Xiang Ning had prepared lover-style pyjamas, she just liked to put on Xu Tingsheng’s big T-shirt as she ran around and around the room. Sitting on the sofa, Xu Tingsheng would see how she was just like a butterfly, dancing amidst the sunlight that filtered in through the window with an incandescent smile on her face.

He had once looked forward so much to a home with her.

They had gone for a stroll about Xihu Lake in the morning. The squirrels there would steal food from your hand with no hesitation at all. They had spent their afternoon in a small coffee shop on a street near the riverside. They had raised a cocktail laden with salt as they had celebrated their being together, celebrated it time and time again.

Then, they had staggered slightly along hand in hand, traversing the streets of the city wide and narrow till the entire city was illuminated by light.

Having reached home, Xiang Ning who had never watched football before had sat in his lap and accompanied him in watching football matches till the wee hours of the morning, commenting all throughout, “Wow, that Coach Uncle’s so handsome.”

“He’s called Mourinho, Jose Mourinho. An intractable and unruly man who always says that God is number one and I am number two, yet is willing to put on slippers and go out to buy a pack of cigarettes for his wife in the early hours of the morning.”

“Uncle, you have to be like this when you’re old as well.”

That day, they had chosen an English name and nickname for their future child: Jose.

……

A knock on the door interrupted Xu Tingsheng’s thoughts as having hung up the clothes to dry, Lu Zhixin asked him from outside, “Xu Tingsheng, have you gone to bed?”

“Not yet,” Xu Tingsheng put down his mouse, getting up and opening the door.

Lu Zhixin said, “If you aren’t tired, there’re some things regarding Hucheng that I’d like to talk to you about.”

“Okay.”

Xu Tingsheng walked into the living room and sat down on the sofa. There was a bottle of red wine as well as two glasses on the coffee table before him, one of them being filled while the other was empty.

“I’ve got insomnia, so I’m used to drinking a little before sleeping,” Lu Zhixin said, “How about you? Want some? ...Maybe it’ll be better for conversation.”

Actually, for someone to have become an insomniac at the age of twenty was really not a good thing at all. Lu Zhixin might not be as strong as her outward appearance suggested. Xu Tingshneg nodded, and Lu Zhixin poured a glass for him as well.

“Have you seen Hucheng’s latest statistics?” Lu Zhixin asked.

Xu Tingsheng nodded. The number of parents currently registered in Hucheng was already close to ten thousand. There were more than 2 million people living in Yanzhou City, though. The number of registered parents was continuing to rise rapidly.

As compared to this, the number of registered home tutors had merely reached one thousand, with the situation of the supply being unable to meet the demand officially having been formed.

“First glass, to celebrate,” Lu Zhixin said.

“Thanks. It’s been hard on you,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

Wine could indeed alleviate awkwardness, boosting the atmosphere. After the first glass had been downed, their conversation grew much smoother. The first proposal of Lu Zhixin had to do with user costs for the platform. She provided very detailed analyses and data regarding the amount of money that should be charged as well as the evaluative risks.

Of course, most convincing were not these analyses but Lu Zhixin’s final statement, “Hucheng is lacking money.”

A problem that had always troubled Xu Tingsheng since his rebirth was that he just seemed to be unable to shake off his situation of always lacking money. He was clearly unceasingly devising ways to earn money, yet became even more lacking of money in the process.

“Are there any other solutions? I feel that the time is not right yet,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“There is. The method is to let Hucheng own its own training institute,” Lu Zhixin seemed to have foreseen that Xu Tingsheng would say this long ago, having already prepared a backup plan for it as she said directly, “We purchase that Modernity Training Institute.”

The Modernity Training Institute was a rather sensitive topic between Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin. After Lu Zhixin had finished speaking, raising her head to look at Xu Tingsheng, she saw that his expression had changed slightly.

“I think that my biggest mistake was not acting the part of an ignorant, harmless little girl in front of you,” Lu Zhixin smiled rather bitterly, “Xu Tingsheng, do you know what the reason would be if you end up unable to succeed in life?”

Before Xu Tingsheng could answer, Lu Zhixin had already said, “Your personality.”

Before the winter holidays, Lu Zhixin had pointed out a path for Xu Tingsheng. And now, in simple and concise terms, she had clearly pointed out another path for him. This was a source of inner conflict for Xu Tingsheng.

“Tell me about it. Since you proposed it, I believe that you should already be confident of getting it done,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“That Modernity Training Institute can't go on.”

Lu Zhixin explained the current situation with that training institute. The revenue that Hucheng had been able to generate for them over the winter holidays had been limited. As such, they had already run out of available funds, lacking the money for even their teachers’ wages.

This was to say that even if Hucheng had led a certain number of students to their training institute after the new school semester had begun, they would not have been able to accommodate all of them.

“Two of their investors have already given up. Principal Tang is struggling to hold on,” Lu Zhixin finally said.

Reassured by the fact Lu Zhixin had not fiddled with the recruitment process, Xu Tingsheng asked, “You've talked?”

Lu Zhixin nodded, “Yeah. We can grab it within the price of 500000 yuan.”

“Grab it then.”

“...You've still got that money?”

Lu Zhixin was rather taken aback by Xu Tingsheng’s words. She saw the current funds in Hucheng's account. Also, she had long since learnt about the matter that had occurred in the Xu Family before the new year from Fang Chen. While the Xu Family had flipped the tables in the end, the incident had taken a lasting toll on its finances.

Therefore, Lu Zhixin had long since had an alternative solution ready for this. She kept silent, however, waiting for Xu Tingsheng's answer.

“At the end of last year, I was extorted once by Fang Chen. You should know that,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I do,” Having entered Hucheng under Fang Chen’s name, Lu Zhixin naturally would know.

“She still owes me one million yuan. It should be my turn to be the bad guy.”

“But she’s got no money.”

“But she’s got ways.”

Lu Zhixin smiled, liking the intelligent and decisive look of this guy before her, “Xu Tingsheng, you’re right. Actually, Fang Chen has been participating in the matter of purchasing the Modernity Training Institute all along. She’s meeting someone from the bank on Saturday to discuss a loan over dinner. You should be there as well.”

It would be on Saturday, when Xu Tingsheng had to give Xiang Ning her home tutoring lessons. He had already missed it for a few weeks.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a while. If it was just dinner, he could move the lesson on Saturday evening over to Sunday morning, conducting a lesson on Saturday afternoon before hurrying over to discuss the loan at night. There shouldn’t be a problem with that.

Seeing him pondering, Lu Zhixin said, “Right, there’s something I forget to tell you about. While you were away these past few weeks, we arranged for someone to substitute you in your home tutoring. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Who?”

“Li Linlin. How about you get her to go for another week?”

Xu Tingsheng was naturally able to set his mind at ease if it was Li Linlin. However, so long as it was possible, he still wished to go over himself.

He thought for a moment before saying, “I should really go myself this week. If I always have someone taking over for me, I wouldn’t be able to account for it to the parents. Relax, I will be able to make it in time for dinner.”

“That’s also fine,” Lu Zhixin did not insist regarding the matter.

“Right, have you asked Fang Chen what this loan will approximately amount to?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Within one million yuan. There’s no collateral, after all,” Lu Zhixin said.

“We should try to strive for a little more money when the time comes. Just like this: We get that one million, then purchase the Modernity Training Institute. Afterwards, we’ll take another loan whilst labelling it as a training institute of Hucheng Education and using it for collateral...we should strive to get as much money as we can, the more the merrier.”

Xu Tingsheng proposed a plan that tried to obtain significant gains in not having done much at all. However, in terms of procedure, there was nothing too wrong with it.

Lu Zhixin asked in slight puzzlement, “You need so much money? Or...your family needs it?”

“It’s not that. I just feel like it’s more or less time for us to make a move. Soon from now, Hucheng’s got to quickly expand into other cities of the province as well as large cities like Shenghai City which are located nearby...we don’t have much time left,” Xu Tingsheng said.

While Lu Zhixin had not been able to understand Xu Tingsheng’s ‘we don’t have much time left’, she was able to recognise Xu Tingsheng’s ambitions. This was something that had always been troubling her. She had been worried that Xu Tingsheng might just be satisfied with something of this scale, being sufficiently contented with just these minor achievements.

The current Xu Tingsheng was the one she hoped to see.

A bright smile on her face, Lu Zhixin raised her wineglass, “This glass is for Hucheng, for you, finally raising up the sails and beginning a voyage.”

Having no way of telling Lu Zhixin that Hucheng was just one aspect of his plan, Xu Tingsheng raised his wineglass, smiling, “Thanks.”

The two unknowingly came to finish the entire bottle of red wine. Then, they said goodnight to each other. The good thing about the riverside residence was that a stream could always be heard trickling merrily away out through the window, accompanying one throughout the entire night...insects cried amidst the summer nights, the springs verdant and the autumn leaves red.

“I like this place. Goodnight, Xu Tingsheng,” Lu Zhixin said.

……

The next day, in the morning.

As knocks resounded on the door of the riverside residence, Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin exited their rooms one after the other, opening the door.

Outside were those people of Room 602 whom Old Wai had brought along, coming over to look for Xu Tingsheng during the morning when they had no lessons. After all, he had been away for quite a long time...along with them had come Li Linlin and some other Hucheng staff members.

As soon as the door was opened, everyone outside was stunned.

“What the! You guys...are cohabiting?” Tan Yao was the first to yell.

Xu Tingsheng cared not about explaining to the others as he immediately grabbed Zhang Ninglang who was in the midst of whipping out his phone. He was Apple’s spy, one must know.

“Lil’ Bro, listen to me,” Xu Tingsheng dragged Zhang Ninglang into the living room.

“Yanzhou University’s Hero, Xu Tingsheng, is cohabiting with the flower of the foreign language institute, Lu Zhixin.”

This news spread extremely rapidly throughout the entire Yanzhou University. Throughout all of Yanzhou University this day could be found...shattered youthful hearts, male and female alike. Many people still remembered the confession on the football pitch that day...hadn’t it clearly been unsuccessful? Little Sister-in-law was really too unreliable.

Chapter 126: How many such coincidences are there in life?

Lu Zhixin had said that she liked the riverside residence. Thus, Xu Tingsheng left the riverside residence for her.

“You can stay here first. I’ll be returning to the dorms to stay for a while. My two friends who might sometimes come over to stay both haven’t returned yet. I’ll convey this to them properly.”

Xu Tingsheng returned to Room 602 with his roommates.

The dormitory was the most important base unit of a university. Most of the time, Xu Tingsheng preferred to stay there rather than at the riverside residence. It was only there that he could truly feel like a youth who was currently studying in university.

If it was possible, Xu Tingsheng actually wished that there could be fewer twists and turns in his life, his career going smoothly and ordinarily along just like that as he just quietly lived through his times in university once more.

In the day, he would cycle through campus, attending lessons, leaving lessons, going to the library to read, going to the field to play football, asking girls for their telephone numbers, messing around with his friends.

At night, he would chat leisurely with his roommates, discussing girls. Even if there had been some small squabble between them that day, that was really only normal of a university life.

However, a pressing feeling that there just wasn’t any time for him to waste as well as all that had occurred since his rebirth made it such that Xu Tingsheng was seldom able to enjoy such peace and leisure. The matter at the end of the previous year and Fang Yunyao’s matter which had happened one after the other had really left him feeling both physically and mentally drained.

Xu Tingsheng decided to let himself stop and rest for a while.

There was actually a reason in Xu Tingsheng’s roommates having come to find him. Another girl had caught Li Xingming’s eye now. This time, having learnt from his earlier mistakes, he acted very cautiously, being careful not to act too desperate in front of her.

Li Xingming had asked his roommates for help. Then, they had thought of Xu Tingsheng who seemed ‘very skilled’ in this area.

“Another girl’s caught Li Xingming’s eye? Isn’t this a very normal thing? It happens every day and every night, every time he’s eating, every time he’s going to the toilet,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Thinking about those pitiful girls who caught Li Xingming’s eye in merely just going to the toilet...

“It’s not the same this time round. It might possibly actually really work out.”

Tan Yao had used several terms that denoted uncertainty in his earlier sentence. However, Li Xingming didn’t find it to be inappropriate at all as he was nodding joyfully by the side.

“It actually might work out? That’s really a major event of Room 602 then,” Xu Tingsheng did not refuse them, following them back to their dormitory.

A two hour long ‘summit meeting’ of Room 602 thus began. Xu Tingsheng was left feeling confounded. The might work out that they spoke of referred to Li Xingming and the girl having chosen to take the same elective and sat together twice?

“Wasn’t it like this that you got together with Lu Zhixin?” Lu Xu said on Li Xingming’s behalf.

“Bros, I beg you guys. Believe me, there’s really nothing between us,” Having repeated this countless times before, Xu Tingsheng already lacked the strength to insist on it, just hoping that Zhang Ninglang would not believe it whilst not really caring if the others had been convinced.

“Let’s not mention that first then,” Li Xingming exclaimed rather enthusiastically, “Bro Xu, I’m telling you, she really seems a little interested in me...we chatted while we were sitting together.”

“What did you talk about?”

“She asked me what course I was from. I also asked her the same thing.”

“What about after that? Did you ask for her number?”

Li Xingming woodenly shook his head.

“What? If you want to conquer a city and take a territory, you’ve at least got to have a path first,” Xu Tingsheng said, “How about we get Tan Yao to help you get her number first?”

Xu Tingsheng knew as soon as he said it that it was a terrible idea. Indeed, if Tan Yao personally ventured forth, he would definitely obtain her number. The problem was that if he were to go and ask for it, it would be even more unlikely for Li Xingming to succeed then.

“No! Definitely not!” Li Xingming leapt up, warning sternly, “Before I manage to win her over, you’re both forbidden from appearing in front of her. Just stay as the inept advisors behind me.”

The two ‘inept advisors’ exchanged glances, both deep in thought.

“I really can’t think of anything. I’ve never hit a bump in picking up chicks before, really. I’ve never had to consider all this,” Tan Yao said.

Xu Tingsheng very much wanted to throw a sentence that he heard in his previous life into Tan Yao’s face: Casually acting cool is the most fatal. His words had offended two people, one being Li Xingming who was at the complete other end of the spectrum and the other being Xu Tingsheng who had been about to propose something, “You’re saying that...this Uncle’s hit a bump before?”

“It’s all on you, Bro Xu,” Li Xingming tugged on Xu Tingsheng’s arm, staring at him so pleadingly and earnestly that he felt goosebumps on his skin.

“Let’s do it this way then,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Let’s try to get this girl to believe that something miraculous exists between the two of you.”

“What something?”

“Fate.”

…...

The members of Room 602 all mobilised, creating fate.

It was a girl in the Japanese course named Zhu Yingying who had caught Li Xingming’s eye. The Japanese course...Li Xingming’s roommates privately felt that this might be a major reason why Li Xingming was trying so hard and being so serious about it.

The girl was very conscientious, and would generally enter a self-study room to study on most evenings. Like most other universities, reserving a seat in self-study rooms was an unchanging tradition. Zhu Yingying habitually made a trip to a self-study room during afternoon break time, leaving a book there to reserve the seat for herself.

Of course, she didn’t always go to the same self-study room. She just went wherever there was available space.

All of Room 602 mobilised, flipping through all the books in Yanzhou University that were being used to reserve seats in self-study rooms all afternoon till they finally found Zhu Yingying’s seat. When Zhu Yingying came to the self-study room that night, she found the guy who was seated directly across from her and was currently hard at work in his studies to be somewhat familiar.

Following Xu Tingsheng’s advice, Li Xingming was not hasty in calling out to her in greeting. He feigned to be studying in earnest for a good half hour before raising his head at one point in time to suddenly discover to his ‘great surprise’ that Zhu Yingying was seated right across from him.

“What a coincidence,” Li Xingming smiled, saying in a low tone.

Zhu Yingying ordered a bowl of claypot rice at the C District canteen and waited there with her number plate. She waited for a long time, but her claypot rice had still yet to arrive.

She went and asked the canteen auntie who said, “What number? 18? But wasn’t 18 just called...Hey, who took away the wrong bowl, taking away number 18’s?”

Carrying a bowl of claypot rice and a number plate, Li Xingming came guiltily before Zhi Yingying, “Sorry about that. Look, I’m number 28...how about the two of us switch? It’s fine, the things added within your claypot...what a coincidence, they’re exactly the same as mine.”

Zhu Yingying was struck with another ‘what a coincidence’ before she had been able to finish digesting the first one.

Li Xingming suddenly feigned realising something as he smacked his head, exclaiming, “Right, you must be hungry? I’ll go buy some other stuff for you first.”

Before Zhu Yingying could stop Li Xingming, he had already run over to another stall. Soon afterwards, he returned carrying an entire dish containing various small food.

As the two finally sat down at the same table, Li Xingming smiled awkwardly, “It’s fortunate that it was coincidentally your bowl that I mis-carried away. Otherwise, I would probably have had to suffer a bitter scolding.”

How many such ‘coincidences’ are there in life? Li Xingming successfully planted a seed within Zhu Yingying’s heart.

……

Three days later, a Friday. Li Xingming dashed joyfully into his dorm room, “Her number, I’ve got her number!” Clutching his phone, he looked like he was about to burst into emotional tears.

Xu Tingsheng was sitting on his bed playing Snake on his handphone at the time.

As the snake was about to fill the entire screen, Li Xingming lunged over and hugged him, “Thank you, Bro Xu!”

“My record…” Xu Tingsheng sighed dramatically towards the heavens.

Whether it was Tetris or Snake, all the records on his phone had been attained by others. This somehow felt like his home country had been ‘invaded’ and ‘occupied’ by others, just causing him to feel rather uncomfortable...just as he had been about to break and get back a record of his own, Li Xingming had come, and…

“Get lost!”

Xu Tingsheng exasperatedly pushed Li Xingming aside, holding up his phone as he intended to go for another round. This time, the greedy snake was interrupted just as it appeared on the screen. It was the captain of the school team who was calling. Xu Tingsheng picked up the call.

“Our opponents for the next round have been decided. Next month, we’ll be playing an away game at Jianan University,” His captain said.

“You said, Jia...?” Xu Tingsheng repeated slowly.

“Jianan University, yeah...what’s wrong? Xu Tingsheng, you don’t sound too right. Is it that you have some insider information?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Hanging up, Xu Tingsheng was already no longer in the mood for games.

“How many such coincidences are there in life...it’s actually Jianan University.”

Jianan University was something Xu Tingsheng could not be any more familiar with. In his previous life, it had precisely been Jianan University that he had studied in.

In that instant, the campus which he had resided in for four years in his previous life, the people he had been with back then, the things they had done together...all these scenes flickered intermittently before Xu Tingsheng’s eyes like old photographs.

“I’m finally going back. How about I go to the dorm and see them? My bros. What should I say?”

“Also, what about the two of them? We won’t coincidentally meet along the way, right? Not having met me in this life, might they have met someone else?”

“...’

As for insider information, of course Xu Tingsheng had some. In fact, it could not be any more comprehensive. After all, those people had once been his teammates for four years.

However, it didn’t matter at all that he had insider information. There was also no need for him to troubledly mull over which side it was that he hoped would win. Really, there was no hope of them winning at all, not in a thousand years.

Amongst Xu Tingsheng’s former teammates in Jianan University had been two localised Chinese-African black dudes. One of them would even play in the Jia-B league for a few days later on in the future.

To Yanzhou University, they were ‘divinities descended from heaven’.

Therefore, this football match itself was already completely set in stone, utterly meaningless. Then, what about his trip to his home of old?

Chapter 127: Tan Yao and Huang Yaming

This night, Xu Tingsheng participated in his first group fight in university which came out of the blue.

Fighting was actually rarer in universities than in junior and senior high schools. Firstly, the students were comparatively more mature. Secondly, when fighting in universities, the consequences would always be very severe should something serious happen to someone.

The punishments of universities weren’t as light and inconsequential as the ones gained in the past. These could really affect one’s future.

This fight was caused by Tan Yao. He had been staying in their dorm room more frequently in recent days due to Li Xingming’s matter. In the end, some guys had come looking for him there.

These people were all second year students from the Economics and Management Institute. Around seven or eight of them intruded directly into the room, asking specifically for Tan Yao.

“Bros, what up?” Tan Yao shook his head towards his roommates who were getting to their feet before going up and smiling towards them.

“You are Tan Yao? Really a pretty boy indeed...do you know Zhang Li?” Before the one who was clearly the leader of the group could speak, one of those others beside him asked such a thing.

“Yeah, I do. We’re both from the same department of the student union. We interact quite a lot often, and can be considered friends,” Tan Yao was still smiling, his tone genial as he explained.

“Friends? It can’t be just that, right? My bro saw something iffy going on between the two of you...we’re here today to give you a warning. Stay further away from Zhang Li in the future if there’s nothing. If there’s something, stay even further away from her. Don’t you have any designs on her,” Perhaps seeing Tan Yao’s attitude as submissive, the other side grew more and more overbearing.

Tan Yao smiled, “Bro, it’s not to that extent. Please, just because your mind is filled with dirty notions doesn’t mean that there’s definitely something going on between members of the opposite gender if they’re close. That’s being abnormal.”

“I think you mustn't know that there are normal interactions and associations between men and women, aside from breeding. Even if they do admire each other, it doesn’t mean that something will happen between them.”

Having been completely rebuked, the guy was enraged as he wanted to lunge forward, but the one leading the group stopped him, himself asking, “You’d best make things clear...I’m Zhang Li’s boyfriend.”

“I heard Zhang Li say that she doesn’t have a boyfriend, though someone does seem to be pursuing her,” Tan Yao said.

“This...whatever. Anyway, I just want to ask you one thing-have you touched her before?” The other party took a few steps forward.

“What do you mean?”

“Have you done it with her before?”

Tan Yao’s rage finally overtook him as not stepping aside, he looked straight at the other party and lashed out in a severe tone, “Have bugs overtaken your brain, bro? If your brain was not filled entirely with filthy things, you definitely wouldn’t look at others so filthily like that. I, Tan Yao, am a womaniser. However, I’m still not the kind of beast who only thinks of that one thing when I look at a woman. Please don’t think of me as being on the same level as you.”

“I’ve just said that Zhang Li is my friend. I respect her greatly. Please respect her as well.”

“Heh,” The boy chuckled, not speaking.

Tan Yao continued rather emotionally, “I’m now really feeling sad for her that the one who’s pursuing her is actually such a filthy creature. Able to casually say something that insults the girl you like in such a manner...dare you say that you truly like her?”

“Of course, I have to rejoice for her as well, rejoice over the fact that she didn’t accept you. Otherwise, she’d definitely be disgusted to the point of vomiting.”

A fight broke out just like that. While Xu Tingsheng had indeed trained with Zhong Wusheng for a few days, he was still far from the point where he could take on a few opponents on his lonesome. Amidst this chaotic battle, he was basically just punching left and kicking right in a kind of guerilla warfare. Whichever roommate was at a disadvantage, he would go forth and help them. Whoever of their opponents was a little fiercer, he would give it to them…

When their opponents were finally unable to take it anymore, having thrown down the standard vicious words and left, those of Room 602 were also gasping for breath, some of them bleeding.

Those injuries were still rather minor ones. They all joked about it now, especially looking down on Lu Xu who had not picked up a few moves despite having been together with Chick Bao for so long, truly lacking even an ounce of combat power...having made a pose and rushed forward ferociously, he had immediately fallen in combat with a single blow.

“Tan Yao, you actually did do it with that girl, right? Good for you, but we bros had to give it our all for you,” Huang Keshen who had been hiding at the back throughout the entire fight was rather participative now as he commented in a rather strange tone.

Tan Yao and Xu Tingsheng exchanged glances, smiling wryly and shaking their heads in silence.

Huang Keshen was not much different from that type of person Tan Yao had talked about. He had earlier admitted to having broken up with that girlfriend from Jianhai University that he had spoken of. Yet, he would always mention her in their dorm, constantly reiterating how that girl had already given everything of hers to him, even having described it all almost pervertedly. He would even boast to them how roughly he would do it with her when he got her back one day…

This was much more disgusting as well as scarier than Li Xingming whose brain was filled only with ideas of how to lose his virginity. At the very least, Li Xingming would first honestly and foolishly pursue that girl. As for what happened afterwards, it would be of mutual consent between the two, not being something that anyone could complain about.

As for who the singlet Apple had left behind had been taken by, someone had discovered the truth and told Xu Tingsheng about it in private. It was impossible for him to persist on there never ever being anything filthy in his surroundings. Just not letting it affect anything was fine.

“Bro Xu, are you okay? It’s really great that you were here. Otherwise, we’d have suffered a real loss,” Tan Yao thanked Xu Tingsheng rather gratefully.

Xu Tingsheng rubbed his knuckles. He had blocked a hit from a stool for Zhang Ninglang earlier. He felt it, finding that his bones had not been injured.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying, “It’s okay. I haven’t fought for a long time. I think it was rather fun.”

Actually, what he wanted to say was: Not having participated in such reckless and spontaneous group fights for so long, it really felt rather fun...as if he had returned to those silly hot-blooded youthful days of the past.

As compared to this kind of fighting, the ones that Xu Tingsheng had participated in previously were really all too serious as well as terrifying. Be it that time when he had helped Old Wai in his rescue or their beating up of Zhang Junming, all of them had truly concerned human lives.

“If it still isn't over with this, tell Huang Yaming about it. The two of you can deal with it yourselves,” Xu Tingsheng said before applying some Red Flower Ointment and lying down.

If Huang Yaming and Tan Yao were unable to take care of even a matter such as this, Xu Tingsheng would really no longer have to consider investing in the entertainment industry in the future.

Going by Xu Tingsheng's earlier suggestion, after having returned from Yanzhou, Huang Yaming had intentionally brought Tan Yao along when hanging out with those friends Fang Yuqing had introduced to him.

The two had quickly become great friends, both clicking very well due to their similar paths as ‘flower cannons’.

Still, they were both rather principled despite this, basically only touching those women who were willing parties as well as would not bring them trouble. This consisted mostly of the chicks who hung out in those types of entertainment facilities.

On the same night that he returned from Jiannan City, after having returned to his university, Huang Yaming called Xu Tingsheng who was already about to fall asleep with his dorm phone.

“How’s that Sis Nurse of yours?” Xu Tingsheng asked him.

“It’s a long story. That chick was actually exceptionally pure, and...she seems to have gotten serious, wanting us to settle down together for the long term...I only just managed to flee intact. I haven’t even dared to turn on my phone the entire day,” Huang Yaming said.

“And you ran just like that? Without telling her anything?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Huang Yaming did not speak.

Understanding his meaning, Xu Tingsheng threw out an exasperated ‘bastard’ and went to bed.

More than ten minutes later, Xu Tingsheng’s handphone vibrated again. He could only exasperatedly pick it up.

“I suddenly recalled that because both of us were drunk that day, we ended up not taking any preventive measures...you understand what I mean? I’m just worried-what if it turns out she’s pregnant?” Huang Yaming asked in a low tone.

“Things will really be major then. Either you prepare to be a father, or...get ready to feel guilty for the rest of your life.”

Love affairs could actually never be weighed by principle and right or wrong, just like how it was now. While Xu Tingsheng felt that Huang Yaming had done wrong, it was not like he could put a blade to his neck and forcefully compel him to marry his Sis Nurse just like that.

Xu Tingsheng couldn’t be bothered to talk with Huang Yaming any further. Having finished speaking, he hung up, turned off his phone and went to bed.

Chapter 128: I’m a teacher

On Saturday, Xu Tingsheng left his university early, heading to the city district. After walking around for a long time, he finally bought the newest Sony Ericsson phone. Then, he found a gift shop and got it wrapped up, stuffing it into his bag before only then going to Xiang Ning’s house.

Sony Ericsson was a very popular brand right now. This was not because its functions were all that great or because it was very reasonably priced. Instead, it had a really immense selling point-it looked nice. Because of this, girls liked it a lot.

Not having been there for a few weeks, Xu Tingsheng was rather nervous as he knocked on the door as he carefully adjusted and straightened his clothes while waiting.

The door of the Xiang Family home creaked open. Xu Tingsheng smiled as he looked at Little Xiang Ning who was peeking out from behind it.

Xiang Ning seemed rather surprised, and what came after was...a wronged look. Xu Tingsheng having previously left in a hurry and then ceased to show up for a few weeks, Xiang Ning had asked her mother-how come the teacher’s changed?

Mrs Xiang had not conveyed to her Xu Tingsheng’s true reason for not being able to come as she had instead rebuked, “Isn’t it because you’re too disobedient? Playing with your phone in class, angering the teacher away.”

With it having been Li Linlin who had come for the past three weeks, Xiang Ning had been forced to accept it a little. She had thought about calling Xu Tingsheng, yet had forcibly resisted the urge to as she really just felt too wronged.

Currently looking at Xu Tingsheng who was standing outside the door, even Xiang Ning herself didn’t know what she was actually feeling. She did not speak, directly turning and walking back into the house.

Xu Tingsheng could only shamelessly go in, closing the door and entering the living room.

“Are Uncle and Auntie not home?” Not seeing Xiang Ning’s parents, Xu Tingsheng asked after a while.

Xiang Ning shot him a glance, only exclaiming in a huff after a while, “Isn’t it the female teacher? How come that very good female teacher didn’t come? ...Weren’t you not coming anymore?”

The remainder had to be added in by Xu Tingsheng’s own mind. It wasn’t hard to understand. It was precisely because a female home tutor had been coming, with them also feeling very reassured with Lin Linlin, that Mr and Mrs Xiang had let Xiang Ning be tutored all alone like this.

Next were Xiang Ning’s previous words. She had asked: How come that very good female teacher didn’t come?

“It...it can’t be that she won’t want me after this, right?” A feeling of crisis immediately descended upon Xu Tingsheng, for no matter how he saw it, Li Linlin was more suitable than he was in every way, being a very responsible and competent person as well.

“She was just replacing me for a few weeks. She’s very busy,” Xu Tingsheng explained.

Xiang Ning watched the television screen, not speaking.

“Feeling wronged?” Xu Tingsheng asked carefully.

“I want the female teacher,” Xiang Ning said.

“I was wrong,” Xu Tingsheng apologised sincerely.

With how he was usually, there was definitely no one who would imagine that Xu Tingsheng might actually be bullied by a young girl into such a state.

Fortunately, he understood Xiang Ning well enough such that he finally managed to get her speaking properly after some coaxing.

He made use of this chance to take out the present he had prepared and place it before her, “Here, this is compensation. Open it and see.”

Xiang Ning remained stubborn for a while, yet eventually could not but submit to the temptation of opening the present. She opened it and saw a beautiful handphone lying inside. This handphone was much better than the one which her parents had previously confiscated from her due to Xu Tingsheng’s betrayal.

Being a fifteen-year-old child after all, Xiang Ning happily picked up the handphone, joyfully playing with it for a while...before her expression suddenly changed and she put it back into the box, shaking her head, “I don’t want it.”

“Why? You don’t like it?” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly asked.

Xiang Ning shook her head, “That’s not it, it’s because...you have it very tough,” She was clearly remembering the words that Xu Tingsheng had said back then, back when he had described his university life as extremely tough in order to gain sympathy.

From this, it could also be gathered that Li Linlin had not exposed Xu Tingsheng’s identity these past few weeks.

“This was free. I got it in a lucky draw at the supermarket,” Xu Tingsheng fabricated a reason.

“That’s still not okay. Use it yourself,” While she was still focused intently on the phone, Xiang Ning’s attitude was very firm.

“I have my own. Two of them!” Xu Tingsheng extravagantly showed off his two Nokia 1110s, placing them on the coffee table.

Xiang Ning glanced at them but still shook her head, “Sell it for money then, or give it to your little sister to use. Anyway, I can’t accept it. Mum says that if I do well in the mid-terms, she’ll return the phone to me.”

Xiang Ning still remembered that Xu Tingsheng had a little sister. Speaking of Xu Qiuyi, she had met with Xiang Ning a few times in his previous life. The two of them had gotten along rather well.

The gifting having failed, the conversation between them ceased as they sat on the sofa in silence.

As Xiang Ning remained focused on the television screen, Xu Tingsheng looked at the clock on the wall and said, “It’s time for your lesson.”

“Let me finish this episode first,” Xiang Ning said.

“No,” Xu Tingsheng said, smiling.

“I don’t care,” Xiang Ning said nonchalantly.

Xu Tingsheng realised a problem from this conversation. While this girl before him was Xiang Ning, she was not his ‘girlfriend’ Xiang Ning. She was still a fifteen-year-old girl, with her personality and character still yet to fully develop.

Meanwhile, due to the guilt and emotions from his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had always been interacting with her with the attitude of spoiling his younger girlfriend.

“The negative effects are already beginning to show. Will it really be good for her if it goes on like this?” Xu Tingsheng pondered worriedly for a while before saying, “Little Xiang Ning, I’m a teacher.”

“Huh?”

“I told you before that if you meet with any problems, if you need any help, call me, and I will come...this will forever be valid.”

“However, I hope that you can understand one thing. When I am tutoring you, I am your tuition teacher, and I hope that I can be a strict and responsible teacher.”

“Therefore, do not act wilful in front of me. I am only your teacher now, not Uncle Liar. To be precise, we can’t even be considered friends now.”

Xu Tingsheng spoke like he was speaking to an adult, even carrying a bit of the tone of an educator.

Xiang Ning looked rather bemusedly at Xu Tingsheng who had suddenly become stern all of a sudden. She first attempted a smile, but Xu Tingsheng did not smile back. Xiang Ning stopped smiling, pouting as she appeared wronged.

Little Xiang Ning was silent for a while before she rose to her feet and turned off the television, “So what if you’re a teacher? What fierce are you being?”

Having finished, she stomped off into the study room in a huff.

Xu Tingsheng felt reassured. This reaction of hers was completely identical to that in his previous life. Back then, every time Xu Tingsheng had revealed such a face and ‘educated’ her on this or that being wrong, if she felt that she wasn’t in the wrong, she would remain stubbornly silent. Meanwhile, if she understood and could accept it, she would abide by it whilst asking, “What fierce are you being?”

Regarding this, Xiang Ning herself had explained: It means that I already know, but can’t you put it a little more nicely? Always having to put on a grouchy face like that.

In having hastened his first interactions with Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng knew that this would actually bring about many problems, such as the development of her character, such as Mr and Mrs Xiang’s knowledge of him…

If such a situation persisted and, having entered university one day, Xiang Ning suddenly told her parents one day that she was in love with Xu Tingsheng, they would definitely find it a very difficult thing to accept. That feeling would really be too strange.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng truly hoped to play only the role of a strict and responsible home tutor in the Xiang family. This was the feeling that he wanted to give Little Xiang Ning, and also, more importantly, the impression that he wanted to leave Mr and Mrs Xiang with.

When Xiang Ning had entered senior high, he would have to completely disappear from the sights of Mr and Mrs Xiang for a few years.

Like this, if the two of them really got together in the future, Xiang Ning could tell her parents that she had suddenly met her ex-home tutor Xu Tingsheng after a gap of several years, slowly developing feelings for him...like this, while Mr and Mrs Xiang might inevitably still mind it somewhat, perhaps it would be a little easier for them to accept.

His mind having perpetually been in a state of chaos due to his emotions earlier, Xu Tingsheng now happily followed Xiang Ning into the study room.

The afternoon lesson proceeded uneventfully. After it had ended, the phone in the living room rang.

Xiang Ning went out and received it, telling Xu Tingsheng, “Mum and Dad said that they’ll not be coming back for dinner.”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback as he asked, “They still don’t know that I’m back?”

Xiang Ning nodded, saying, “I forgot to tell them.”

“What’s to be done then?” As Xu Tingsheng asked this, he was thinking about the dinner concerning the taking of a loan that he had agreed to attend.

However, with how it was right now, how could he leave Little Xiang Ning alone at home the entire night?

Xiang Ning didn’t know about this, however. Xu Tingsheng had not previously mentioned the matter of shifting the evening lesson to the next day. Thus, she thought that everything was to go on as per usual. As she saw it then, the only problem here was what to do about dinner.

“The female teacher can cook,” Xiang Ning said.

It seemed like this was not the first time Mr and Mrs Xiang had ‘forsaken’ Xiang Ning.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, rising to his feet, “The male teacher can as well.”

Chapter 129: 200000 per glass

Xiang Ning did not know how to cook. In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, even up to her graduation from university, she had never cooked even a single dish before. Back then, she had said that she had decided to cling to Uncle, and that like this, she would never have to learn how to cook her entire life. Xu Tingsheng had agreed with her words.

Currently, as she was watching television in the living room, Xu Tingsheng was busy cooking in the kitchen, whipping up a few simple dishes and also finding some flour and making some handmade noodles with it. It was what he had once done for her, what he hoped that he could always do for her.

Over this period of time, Lu Zhixin gave Xu Tingsheng a call, asking him when he would arrive. Xu Tingsheng explained the current situation to her, saying that he could not leave his student alone at home. Next, he asked her whether Fang Chen was there.

Lu Zhixin said that she was.

Since Fang Chen was there, Xu Tingsheng was able to set his mind at ease. With Fang Chen’s identity and capabilities, she should be much better equipped to cope with such a situation than he was. Moreover, apart from Fang Chen and Lu Zhixin, Xu Tingsheng had also called Old Wai, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao over to take care of the two girls.

Amongst them, Old Wai could be considered Hucheng’s representative, while Huang Yaming and Tan Yao had gone over to help with the drinking and take care of the mood at the scene. This was precisely their speciality.

In business discussions over the wine table, the quantity of wine downed was the most profound principle. This sort of ‘culture’ and atmosphere had existed and would continue persisting for a very long time. It was also not a rare thing at all for figures of authority to have gotten where they were due to their ability to drink and make conversation.

Lu Zhixin did not insist that he come.

Hanging up the phone, with Mrs Xiang’s apron tied around his waist, Xu Tingsheng served the dishes and the noodles before calling Xiang Ning over to eat.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng wearing an apron, Xiang Ning felt a little like laughing. However, remembering his earlier words, she dared not act without restraint. When she was seated and ate her first mouthful of noodles along with the dishes…

Xiang Ning stared surprisedly at Xu Tingsheng.

Whilst feeling secretly triumphant within, Xu Tingsheng feigned calmness. With his high culinary proficiency as well as his exceptional knowledge of Xiang Ning’s palate, while conquering the girl’s heart might be a little harder, for him to conquer her stomach was as easy as pie.

“Wow...are you Uncle now or still a teacher?” Xiang Ning asked as she ate.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “It’s not lesson time now. I can be Uncle for a while.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Xiang Ning nodded enthusiastically, “It’s so delicious. Uncle, I really wish that I can always eat meals made by you in the future.”

This sentence was not as extreme as ‘I want to eat meals made by you for my entire life’. There was thus no way for Xu Tingsheng to throw out something as crazy as ‘I’ll make meals for you your entire life’ out of the blue.

“If you do well in your mid-terms, I’ll find a chance and cook for you again,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Huh,” Little Xiang Ning sighed, saying rather dissatisfiedly, “Still a teacher.”

To find an equilibrium behind Uncle and teacher was very hard indeed. Xu Tingsheng stopped talking, eating in silence. Afterwards, he cleared up the table and washed up the plates. When all this had been settled, it was already almost time for lessons.

It was around 7.30pm when Mr and Mrs Xiang returned. Hearing Xu Tingsheng’s voice in the study room, they were rather surprised and nervous. However, after listening for a while, they found that of the teacher and student inside, the former was clear in his explanations and even rather stern at times while the latter was listening conscientiously as well.

Mr and Mrs Xiang felt reassured. Remembering that the two of them might not have eaten yet, Mr Xiang had just wanted to go in and ask them about it when Mrs Xiang pulled him back.

“Look,” Mrs Xiang opened the fridge and pointed, “This kid can cook. When Little Ning previously said that he had taken care of his little sister at home or something before, I hadn’t really believed it that much. Now, I believe it completely. Look at how these have been packed, spick and span as well as neat and tidy. He clearly knows how to and is very experienced in it.”

Mr Xiang nodded, “It seems like he really is a good kid. There’re not many boys who know how to do all this and take care of their families at such an age. Also, already learning to be self-sufficient just having entered university-it is a rare thing indeed.”

“That’s right, and it’s not just that,” Mrs Xiang said, “Come here, let me tell you. I previously heard from Little Ning that…”

The sob story that Xu Tingsheng had told Xiang Ning before in order to gain her sympathy had been conveyed to her mother by her. Now, it was being conveyed to Mr Xiang via his wife.

With his age, Mr Xiang could also be considered as having come from that generation which had had it tough. He especially valued such qualities in a boy, being diligent and practical as well as possessing a sense of responsibility and acting dependably.

Having heard Mrs Xiang’s description of Xu Tingsheng’s life, Mr Xiang formed a very good impression of Xu Tingsheng as he thought for a while before asking his wife, “How about we raise his wages a little? This kid really has it too tough, still having to take care of his family.”

“I think it’s fine. You look for a chance and discuss it with him next time. While we won’t be able to give all that much, we can still show our appreciation at the very least,” Mrs Xiang agreed.

Still not knowing that he had somehow unwittingly come to gain so many impression points from Mr and Mrs Xiang, Xu Tingsheng was still earnestly in the midst of conducting his lesson.

……

In the private room of the hotel restaurant that Fang Chen had personally booked, other than the five people from Hucheng, there were also seven people who held leadership positions in two different banks as well as those who had accompanied them there.

At the start of the meal, if not for giving Fang Chen face, these people would definitely have disdainfully turned and left right upon seeing that the other side was entirely composed of mere youngsters. However, as they conversed, somewhere along the way, the feeling that they were dealing with just a mere bunch of kids just somehow unknowingly vanished.

They were as thorough as thorough could be, as considerate as considerate should be. Grasping things to exactly the right extent as well, there was really no underestimating them.

It was Fang Chen whom they were giving face to, or rather that social circle as well as the Fang Family that lay behind her. However, even while being unable to make a move on Fang Chen, these people still had their ‘habitual inclinations’. Other than the two women whom they had brought over, it was mostly Lu Zhixin whom they continually invited to drink more wine.

Lu Zhixin grasped the initiative very well, not drinking much whilst also still drinking some. She did not offend anyone or lose her footing, causing everyone to look at her in a different light.

“If considering from a business standpoint, perhaps Tingsheng really should get together with this Lu Zhixin,” A semi-drunken Tan Yao told Huang Yaming when they were visiting the toilet.

Huang Yaming was definitely biased towards Apple. However, hearing Tan Yao say this now, he nodded after pondering for a bit, expressing his agreement.

Yet, matters of heart couldn’t actually be evaluated by who was more suitable. If even love had to use this as a benchmark, listing out the necessary conditions and the upper and lower limits, human beings really couldn’t be called creatures of emotion anymore.

As the meal drew to a close, two of those over from the bank fell. Over on Hucheng’s side, Old Wai and Huang Yaming had fallen as well. Right, Old Wai had actually fallen right at the start. As Xu Tingsheng’s bro, Huang Yaming had forcibly dragged down two people with him.

The matter of the loan proceeded as Xu Tingsheng had said earlier, being split into two sums, the amount reaching 1.2 million yuan. Fang Chen and Lu Zhixin both felt rather dissatisfied with this sum, mainly wanting to use the training institute that they would be obtaining afterwards as collateral. Due to this, they were unable to come to an agreement.

Lu Zhixin was especially worried due to Xu Tingsheng’s earlier words constantly reminding her, ‘For money, it’s the more the merrier’ as well as ‘when the time comes, Hucheng will expand’.

Actually, those from the bank were feeling troubled as well. Directly refusing to give Fang Chen face would be bad, but if they gave an inappropriate figure with the other side lacking the ability to pay their loan back, it would similarly be hard for them as well.

A deputy whispered some words into a branch manager’s ear, the branch manager nodding and smiling before turning and asking Fang Chen, “Niece of the Fang Family, we agreed upon 1.2 million yuan just now, with 600000 coming from each of us. You seem to...feel that it’s too little?”

“I just hope that Uncles can take care of us and give us a bit more,” Fang Chen smiled.

“Let’s have it this way then. We’ll give you an opportunity. As for how much you can get, that’ll all be up to you.”

The branch manager smilingly brought over a large goblet, filling it full of white wine after which he pointed at it, “One mouthful one glass, one glass 200000, 100000 from each of us two...still, let’s first agree on this. You can only choose one person amongst you to drink.”

The branch manager of the other bank agreed, “That’s right, we’ve heard long ago that niece’s alcohol capacity is bottomless. In choosing a method like just, we’re actually just indirectly handing you money...after you’ve returned, you can’t say that Uncles didn’t take care of you!”

This was the final solution that the banks could come up with to keep things amicable. Having agreed upon 1.2 million earlier, they had actually left leeway amidst this. The old wily foxes had been out in society for too long, never ever easily revealing what their bottom line was.

The leeway that they had left…

“Even if you do really have a bottomless capacity like that, with a large goblet like that and 52 degree Wuliangye wine, you’d only be able to drink five of them in a single mouthful at most. We’d give you a million yuan more then. Anyway, it won’t end up exceeding no matter what.”

“Do your words count, Uncles?” Fang Chen smiled, asking.

“Of course they count.”

“Like Uncles would try to swindle you.”

The two branch managers faced her with smiles on their faces.

Three people still remained on Hucheng’s side. Tan Yao was already teetering on the brink of collapse, with only Fang Chen and Lu Zhixin who had not drunk much earlier still being relatively sober.

In the eyes of those from the bank, it was definitely Fang Chen whom Hucheng’s side would choose...she was rather renowned for her alcohol capacity both inside and outside of the business industry. It was precisely because of this that the two branch managers possessed a general grasp of her capabilities, feeling that the situation was completely within their grasp.

“So...we’ll be starting then,” Fang Chen said.

“Please,” The two branch managers raised their hands.

To their bemused gazes, Lu Zhixin who was seated beside Fang Chen smiled as she raised the wineglass, perfectly composed as she downed the first glass neither hurriedly nor slowly, finally pursing her lips as she flashed the empty glass at them.

“This...Miss Lu has an even greater alcohol capacity?” The two branch managers were taken fatally unawares.

“It’s just around there. It’s mainly for fear that I might end up too tragically...if word spreads of this, those not in the know might even think that Uncles were bullying me, right?” Fang Chen said, and the two branch managers felt that it made sense.

And so, Lu Zhixin calmly downed the second cup, the third cup...her expression not changing at all.

When Lu Zhixin had reached the fifth glass, the expressions of the two branch managers changed as one of them asked, “Miss Lu, you...are you okay? You shouldn’t force yourself too much with this.”

“Thanks, I’m okay. It’s fine.”

After saying that she was fine, Lu Zhixin proved her words in the best manner possible. She stood up, walked outside, called for a waiter and asked for a few more bottles of wine. Next, she returned and sat down. She was walking stably the entire time, her gait not disorderly at all.

Exchanging glances, the two branch managers knew that they were in for it.

However, having personally given their word, could they still retract them now? If they did so...what would Fang Chen think? What if word of it spread?

Lu Zhixin downed her sixth, then seventh glass. The leeway that had been available to the two branch managers had already been exceeded. Of course, it wasn’t that they had no way around it. It also wasn’t like they hadn’t given loans numbering into the tens of millions before. It was just that it would be rather troublesome.

“Miss, don’t drink too much and harm your body,” The deputy who had proposed the idea to the branch manager earlier interrupted rather uneasily.

He was the worst off here, because this pit...had inadvertently been dug by him for his superior to fall into.

Lu Zhixin smiled, downing the eighth glass and flashing it to show that it was empty, “I’m still okay.”

The ninth glass. Lu Zhixin’s figure began wobbling slightly.

“That’s more or less it. Don’t drink anymore,” Tan Yao persuaded her from the side in a low tone.

“Zhixin, this is enough,” Fang Chen was of the same opinion.

Lu Zhixin smiled, “Tingsheng said, the more the merrier. I’m still okay.”

The tenth glass.

The eleventh glass.

Already unable to stand, Lu Zhixin was seated as she raised the twelfth glass.

The two branch managers were already lost for words. However great the final sum was, it had already freaking exceeded their initial upper limit. If it had exceeded by one million, they could have wracked their brains and thought of something. If it had exceeded by two million, they could still have wracked their brains for a bit...they could only swallow their grievances whole. Luckily, there was still someone suffering with them.

“Waiter, take the wine away.”

Fang Chen stopped Lu Zhixin and asked the waiter to clear up the table. Perhaps Lu Zhixin’s current condition didn’t appear as serious as ordinary people when they were downed by just a couple of glasses. However, thinking about those kilograms of strong white wine that now filled her stomach, Fang Chen would not let her continue drinking any longer no matter what.

“I can still drink!” Lu Zhixin slurred indistinctly before downing the twelfth glass that she was holding in a single go and gesturing towards the waiter, “Leave me a bottle.”

Having forcibly drank the 1.2 million to 3.6 million all on her own, she still wanted to drink.

“Answer a call for a bit,” Tan Yao passed his phone over.

“Huh?”

“Xu Tingsheng.”

Chapter 130: Forcibly becoming a shareholder

Sitting by the table, it had not been convenient for Tan Yao to personally make a call. He had succinctly conveyed the current situation to Xu Tingsheng via a text message. With even Fang Chen already clearly being unable to stop Lu Zhixin, he had felt that there was perhaps only Xu Tingsheng who could.

Seeing the text message, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly ended the lesson, bidding Mr and Mrs Xiang goodbye before leaving the house. The first thing he did upon leaving was dial that number.

Xu Tingsheng felt very guilty.

If the person who was currently drunk to such an extent over there was Huang Yaming, Xu Tingsheng would still rush over, trying to stop him, feeling worried about him. However, he would not have felt guilty about it, because this person was his brother. It was never a matter of owing each other in their interactions.

However, it was different for Lu Zhixin. Xu Tingsheng couldn’t afford to owe Lu Zhixin like this, because paying her back would definitely turn out to be too much for him.

Xu Tingsheng felt great self-reproach. While he had not predicted that things might actually end up like this, it was due to his selfishness over Xiang Ning at the end of the day that he had not been present at the scene, having evaded his responsibilities.

“Hello, Xu Tingsheng?” Lu Zhixin’s voice over on the other end of the phone was slightly slurred.

“Be obedient. You’re not allowed to drink anymore. I’m coming over right now,” Xu Tingsheng said in a gentle tone.

Sometimes, when Xu Tingsheng was dealing with ‘disobedient little girls’, he would unconsciously come to speak in the tone of an uncle, his words emanating a completely different feel be they stern or gentle.

“Yeah, okay,” Lu Zhixin answered.

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

Xu Tingsheng hailed a taxi, hurrying over to the hotel.

……

Lu Zhixin returned the phone to Tan Yao and exhaled, rubbing her throbbing forehead.

If Lu Zhixin was one of those girls whom Xu Tingsheng had previously interacted with like Apple or Wu Yuewei, Xu Tingsheng having said, ‘Be obedient, you’re not allowed to drink anymore’, they would definitely abide by his words. This was because every time Xu Tingsheng spoke like this, they would find such to be very hard to resist.

Lu Zhixin, however, was different. She was an independent entity first and foremost, not abiding by the dictation of others be they stern or gentle. Be it Xu Tingsheng or her other relatives or friends, there was no one who could influence her judgment.

Thus, Tan Yao was wrong. Xu Tingsheng was unable to stop Lu Zhixin as well.

Therefore, regardless of the fact that everyone objected to it, Lu Zhixin persisted in drinking yet another two glasses even after the call had been terminated.

These two glasses of her could actually only be considered as having been partially spilled. However, there was no one who was of a mind to quibble about it with her.

This girl had achieved a conquest over everyone here. This was due not to her alcohol capacity but her perseverance and determination. Whilst clearly already being unable to even properly grab hold of the wineglass on the table, she still remained clear-headed enough that she never forgot what she had come for, staunchly persisting and never giving up.

“Four million,” Lu Zhixin extended a hand, next pressing down the extended thumb of that hand with her other hand.

“Alright, four million. We guarantee that it will be not a dime less,” One of the branch managers stood up, saying somewhat emotionally yet with sincerity.

Having stood up alongside him, the other branch manager affirmed his words with a solemn nod of the head.

Then, he told Fang Chen, “You have my admiration. If this Miss Lu is looking for a job after graduation...help me tell her that our door is open for her at any time.”

“Look at the rush you're in...Niece of the Fang Family, it's the same for us here. Our door will forever remain open. Please remember to help me emphasise as well that we are one of the Big Four, possessing a brighter future,” The branch manager who had been first to speak said, smiling.

“Oh, look at you...so scrupulous.”

The two branch managers exchanged a few retorts, next arranging for a time to meet with Fang Chen for the handling of the necessary procedures before ending this meal. “Hurry up and bring Miss Lu back to rest,” they said.

Having sobered up already due to having fallen drunk rather early on, Old Wai supported Huang Yaming along while Fang Chen supported Lu Zhixin, Tan Yao following them by the side. Outside the hotel, the two groups of people from the banks got on their cars and left. Lu Zhixin stubbornly forced herself to wave goodbye to them…

After that, she stood stock still.

“Sis, send me to the hospital,” Lu Zhixin said.

……

Xu Tingsheng received Tan Yao’s call on the taxi.

“Central Hospital A&E, bleeding from the stomach,” Tan Yao hurriedly said before hanging up as it was evidently rather chaotic on the other end.

Xu Tingsheng slumped back on his seat, looking up and telling the driver, “Change of locations, Central Hospital A&E. Please hurry up a little.”

Bleeding from the stomach from having drunk too much wine was actually not that rare a thing, not really being all that serious and terrifying. However, such a thing having happened to Lu Zhixin, Xu Tingsheng suffered a great blow as he began feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

It was due to Hucheng that Lu Zhixin had gone all out like this. Understood by Xu Tingsheng with his personality, this concept was perhaps equivalent to: It’s because of me that she overexerted herself like this.

When Xu Tingsheng arrived at the hospital, Lu Zhixin’s initial stage of treatment had already been completed, the hospital having allocated her a ward to rest while they kept an eye on her in case any follow-up treatments were required. Xu Tingsheng arranged for Tan Yao and Huang Yaming who were similarly in rather terrible conditions to go back to rest first…

After accompanying Xu Tingsheng for a while, having chatted a little, Fang Chen left as well.

Lu Zhixin awoke sometime after 4am in the morning. Xu Tingsheng was right by her side.

“I’m okay,” Lu Zhixin stopped Xu Tingsheng who had just been about to ask how she was, smiling as she asked rather craftily, “Xu Tingsheng, is your heart hurting?”

Lu Zhixin was asking Xu Tingsheng if his heart was hurting. Xu Tingsheng was unable to answer this directly, for this term in itself was very special to him.

Xu Tingsheng awkwardly nodded, “Sorry.”

“You nodded? Heh,” Lu Zhixin smiled triumphantly, “Look, however much I help you brainstorm ideas and craft strategies, exerting so much effort, it all isn’t really much productive in the end. It all can’t compare to how just a single thing can soften your heart, make it hurt. That’s you, Xu Tingsheng.”

Lu Zhixin’s words were completely correct, and Xu Tingsheng possessed this self-awareness as well. Still, sometimes, the possessing of self-awareness regarding a matter does not automatically entail that one will be able to immediately change.

He did not speak, Lu Zhixin continuing, “Just like that matter with the Modernity Training Institute last semester. I helped you to come up with a plan, but you instead felt me to be too venomous, finding me terrifying as you couldn’t but try to stay away from me. Isn’t that right?”

Lu Zhixin having brought this matter up, Xu Tingsheng could only maintain his silence. There was no way for him to explain his mentality at the time, because the people and incidents that were related to this were all a secret.

“You see? I too can make your heart hurt, make it soften. Yet I do not live to perform such a role. What about you? Have you thought about it? ...Why aren’t you speaking?” Lu Zhixin asked Xu Tingsheng.

“You rest well first. Let’s talk again when you’ve recovered,” Xu Tingsheng adjusted the blanket to cover Lu Zhixin’s shoulder and exposed arm as he said gently.

Lu Zhixin shook her head, “Help me to call the doctor. My stomach really hurts.”

Lu Zhixin had actually been awoken by the pain. However, she had still persisted in saying these words first, even having maintained a smile on her face whilst doing so. She was very clear on what she should do at any particular time and place, even while multiple difficulties might realistically exist for her in truly doing so.

A situation arose again, Xu Tingsheng feeling guilty as he stayed there all the way till Lu Zhixin finally entered a deep slumber once more.

When Lu Zhixin awoke the next day, Xu Tingsheng had prepared a breakfast for her that was soothing to the innards as the doctor had instructed. He stood by her bedside, watching her as she slowly finished eating.

“I feel much better now,” Lu Zhixin leaned back against the bedframe, smiling as she said, “I want to wash my face.”

Xu Tingsheng got some hot water, wrung out a towel and handed it to her.

After a moment’s silence, he finally said, “When you were sleeping for the first time yesterday night, I had a discussion with Fang Chen. Both of us have agreed to take out five percent of our shares each, giving you a ten percent share in Hucheng. It’s not because of guilt, but because Hucheng needs you too much. What do you think?”

Giving away these shares was what Xu Tingsheng and Fang Chen had finally decided upon. It was not merely because of that meal yesterday, not merely because of guilt and also gratitude.

In truth, over these past two months, Lu Zhixin’s contributions towards Hucheng as well as her position and importance there had already become extremely evident. There were few who could replace her as she was generally equivalent to the brain behind all their actual operations.

Therefore, it was only right that Lu Zhixin should receive this. She was the most important aspect of Hucheng.

Unexpectedly, Lu Zhixin did not hesitate too much as she said directly, “Let’s have you owe me another one with that, Xu Tingsheng.”

“Fine.”

“Deal.”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t understand Lu Zhixin, at least for the time being, or perhaps he just wasn’t willing to understand her. They were from two different worlds, and on some fundamental, intrinsic level, he just couldn’t compare to her at all.

He had arrived in this world having been a loser in his previous life. While he had already obtained rebirth, it was not like he would be able to change so many things all at once.

……

Lu Zhixin was discharged after having spent two days in the hospital. She immediately returned to Hucheng upon her release, everything returning to normal.

Fu Cheng also returned from Jiannan City, Fang Yunyao’s condition having improved greatly.

He even excitedly told Xu Tingsheng, “My parents specifically made a trip to Jiannan to visit Ms Fang a few days ago. They talked for a pretty long time.”

“What happened after that? Did Ms Fang say anything to you after having talked to your parents?” Xu Tingsheng asked rather urgently.

“No. She was pretty happy and very calm as well, just like she was before. I think that the talk between them must have gone pretty well,” A smiling Fu Cheng said.

Xu Tingsheng felt rather uneasy due to knowing the attitude of Mr and Mrs Fu towards Fang Yunyao in his previous life. They had even stormed over to her house a few times, remonstrating and castigating her repeatedly and unforgivingly.

“Could it be that due to Fang Yunyao’s predicament being different in this life, with her after all no longer having ended up as a divorced single parent, Mr and Mrs Fu’s attitudes towards her have changed as well?”

Still, there was no way for Xu Tingsheng to tell Fu Cheng about these worries of his.

His handphone rang. Xu Tingsheng picked up that call which was from Old Wai.

“Bro Xu, come back to the company for a bit. Someone’s come here wanting to become a shareholder.”

“Become a shareholder? How much is he offering, and for how many shares?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

If someone was willing to offer a large sum of money, Xu Tingsheng actually wouldn’t mind selling a limited amount of shares to that person, because with money, there would be many things that he could do.

“He’s not offering any money. He says that he’s investing based on the resources he has. He wants fifty percent of the shares.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng was dumbstruck.

Was this investing? Or was this just pure daylight robbery?

“I’ll just tell you his original words. He said: I’m here to discuss becoming a shareholder. You can view me as having come to provide you with assistance. You can also view me as having come to threaten you. It all depends on however you want to choose.”

“...I’ll come back and take a look.”

Chapter 131: I fear that you wouldn’t be able to take it

Zhang Xingke was a fourth year Marketing student from Jianhai Technological University. While his classmates were trying hard in various recruitment drives, lined up into long queues with their resumes in order to find a decent job as they were devoid of energy and filled with anxiety, he still remained in school, remained in Xishan Academy City.

Zhang Xingke had never ever thought that he might someday have to work for someone else, being restricted and exploited whilst only obtaining that meagre bit of wages as remuneration.

He indeed possessed the capabilities for this.

Four years ago, virtually every single university in Xishan Academy City had possessed an organisation or union that provided services for its working students. Yet, ever since three years ago, just one year after Zhang Xingke had come to Jianhai Technological University, these unions and organisations had all either soundlessly vanished or ceased to exist in all but name.

In the entire Xishan Academy City, there only remained a ‘Xishan Academy City Working Students Association’, while the Chief of this association was precisely Zhang Xingke. Due to this, he had even been evaluated by the media as one of ‘Xishan Academy City’s Ten Most Beautiful Students’ before. Of course, this ‘most beautiful’ referred simply to his inner beauty.

There were just those impoverished university students, gnashing their teeth yet fully helpless, who knew exactly how ‘beautiful’ his heart was.

Within this three years, Zhang Xingke had gained both fame and benefits from this ‘Xishan Academy City Working Students Association’, having bought a house in Yanzhou’s city district and a car as well, with the figure in his bank account putting many white and even golden-collar workers to shame, should it be made known.

Exactly how profitable could this association which seemed merely a service-type entity be?

Many people had once wondered about this till the time when a drunken Zhang Xingke, trying to pick up a girl who was ignoring him in a nightclub, had shouted amidst his drunkenness, “This old man has more than 200000 entering his account every month! You should feel fortunate that you’ve caught my eye.”

That was in the early 2000s. What did an income of more than 200000 yuan per month entail? A new flat per month.

Did Zhang Xingke manage to get that chick in the end? No one was any concerned about that. Everyone had their heads spinning at that monthly income, their minds only able to think things like ‘Inconceivable’ and ‘How is that possible?’

When directly confronted with such a question, Zhang Xingke had once commented disdainfully in private, “Of course they feel that it’s impossible. If that bunch of fools could get it so easily, all this money wouldn’t just be profiting merely me and me alone.”

The truth of the matter was this. When small businesses were consolidated, they formed a huge market.

Virtually every single home tutor intermediary organisation in Yanzhou had to rely on Zhang Xingke for their survival. Just based on this alone, the intermediary fee from each parent that fell to Zhang Xingke amounted to at least 150 yuan. If you were in urgent need or had greater requirements, give more money then.

Then, it was actually free in name on the side of the home tutors themselves. This was a method Zhang Xingke had initially employed to win people over. However, the hourly salary that they received would usually be somewhat lower than what the parents had truly paid.

Even if some people were dissatisfied, in this era when the functions of the internet had yet to be effectively developed, other than you going around pasting flyers all throughout the streets yourself, the only thing you could do was find Zhang Xingke.

Moreover, receiving intermediary fees from home tutors had always been a usual practice of such intermediary organisations.

Other than that, however greatly dissatisfied some people were, even if competitors arose, there was actually still no way for them to win against Zhang Xingke.

To put it a little more crudely, Zhang Xingke had both money and power. He had already established a net that was sufficient to encompass the entire Xishan Academy City. It was even to the point that when most of these university students were giving feedback to their university regarding the matter of home tutoring, these higher-ups would generally silently choose to stand on Zhang Xingke's side. The reasons for this were not hard to understand. Zhang Xingke was someone who was very proficient in extending benefits to rope in others.

Apart from home tutoring, if the companies that were located within Yanzhou City wanted to find a few dozen students to distribute flyers and hold up advertisement boards, or perhaps merely just fill up the numbers, Zhang Xingke was the one whom they had to find.

You want to advertise, promoting something? You've got to look for Zhang Xingke as well.

The resources were in Zhang Xingke's hands, the manpower was in Zhang Xingke's hands, the information...was in Zhang Xingke's hands as well. Even Zhang Xingke's Marketing professor had said quite a number of times before, “That bastard's a genius.”

Able to gather and consolidate all those scattered, haphazard troops that were working university students and solidly control them all with his own power, bringing out their economic potential to the greatest possible extent, Zhang Xingke was indeed a genius, and extremely competent as well. Even if others had been able to think up the same idea, they still might not have been able to achieve it for certain.

The gaze of a genius would naturally not be constrained to a single academy city. Zhang Xingke had his ambition and his far-reaching gaze. However, just for the time being at least, this was his foundation, his territory that he had to keep a firm grasp on.

Yet, the appearance of Hucheng had thrown a wrench in Zhang Xingke's plans.

Having analysed Hucheng for a period of time, Zhang Xingke had discovered it to be an even more genius idea than what he had conceptualised. He had even considered imitating Hucheng and establishing such a platform of his own.

However, the time for this was already past. Hucheng's rate of development had far surpassed Zhang Xingke's predictions by just too much.

Therefore, Zhang Xingke felt that there were only two choices left to him: Directly carrying away that cake as he took control of Hucheng, or first destroying Hucheng before establishing a platform of his own.

He did not rush things, making sure that he was sufficiently prepared before only then officially making his move.

……

Zhang Xingke had observed Xu Tingsheng in secret, but Xu Tingsheng had never seen Zhang Xingke before.

Returning to the riverside residence, the first thing Xu Tingsheng saw was a Porsche parked downstairs. Afterwards, in the lounge where they received visitors, he saw the greatly reputed Zhang Xingke for the first time.

Zhang Xingke appeared very ordinary on the outside. His build was ordinary, his looks were ordinary and even his smile was ordinary. However, Xu Tingsheng was still able to notice some things, such as how in his autonomy, he was confident of devouring Hucheng, devouring Xu Tingsheng's autonomy and composure.

Zhang Xingke had come alone, while beside Xu Tingsheng stood Old Wai, Li Linlin and Lu Zhixin. However, the atmosphere was on Zhang Xingke's side, Xu Tingsheng always having been very approachable in his usual interactions.

“I cracked a joke with your employees just now. That lady,” Zhang Xingke pointed to Li Linlin as he said, “You seem to have taken a home tutor job over from my side before? There's no need for me to waste time introducing myself then. You tell your boss yourself.”

“It's best if senior introduces yourself. My colleague might not have a broad enough understanding,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Well, that's fine,” Zhang Xingke smiled, introducing himself once over neither humbly nor exaggeratedly.

Xu Tingsheng listened silently to all of it before smiling as he asked, “When senior said that you were cracking a joke just now, what was it then?”

“Oh, it's like this. When I was talking to your employees just now, I said that I was going to invest just based on resources, asking for fifty percent of the shares. Actually, that was really just a joke. You not being here, it also wasn't like I could have reached an agreement with them, right?” Zhang Xingke asked.

“What about the conditions that aren't a joke?” Old Wai asked, clearly being rather dissatisfied at the other party having said that his earlier words to them had completely been a joke.

“My resources and an additional one million, for fifty-one percent of the shares,” Zhang Xingke said, raising his index finger.

Another one million? That was indeed a lot. Be it the money that had been invested into or reaped by Hucheng up till now, it was all still far from one million yuan. Also, just based on Hucheng's current working conditions and number of employees alone, the entire Hucheng might not even be worth that seven figure price.

However, Xu Tingsheng and the others all laughed.

Old Wai intentionally asked Lu Zhixin, “How much did that previous twenty percent share of Sis Fang's cost?”

“2 million, and it was still a friendship price,” Lu Zhixin said.

Zhang Xingke seemed not to be moved at all by this as he raised his second finger, saying with utter confidence, “My resources and an additional two million, for fifty-one percent of the shares.”

Zhang Xingke had mainly actually been emphasising on his resources all along. Having heard his self-introduction earlier, Xu Tingsheng understood this well. Therefore, even if the resources that he possessed had now been diminished greatly by the appearance and development of Hucheng, it still remained extremely attractive such that even he himself was a little moved by it.

If Zhang Xingke had merely wanted to become a minor shareholder of Hucheng and if his character had been reliable, Xu Tingsheng would have welcomed him greatly.

However, Zhang Xingke had repeatedly reiterated another concept as well: Fifty-one percent of the shares. He wasn’t here to invest; he was here for control over the entire Hucheng.

Therefore, while Zhang Xingke thought that he might be able to talk things through, Xu Tingsheng actually felt that there was already no longer a need for them to talk at all anymore.

“Senior, I think that perhaps we really needn’t talk anymore,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Be it the price or the shares, it seems like it would be impossible for us to reach an agreement. I have no intention of selling Hucheng.”

So long as it was possible, Xu Tingsheng still wished to settle this matter with an amicable attitude. Even if they couldn’t become friends, they needn’t become enemies.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Zhang Xingke said in a leisurely manner, “If we don’t talk, I fear you might regret it. There was one sentence of mine earlier which was not a joke. Breaking off one’s inflow of cash is just like killing one’s parents. You are currently standing in my way. Thus, you can view me as having come to provide you with assistance. You can also view me as having come to threaten you. It all depends on however you want to choose.”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback, not having thought that the other party might actually shed off all pretenses of cordiality as directly as that.

Xu Tingsheng had still yet to speak when Old Wai who was beside him interjected, “Senior, aren’t you tired raising your fingers? Always posing a ‘yeah’, is it that you want us to take a photo for you?”

Still feeling angered, Old Wai’s words had an edge to them. Originally having been filled with composure as he raised his index and middle fingers, Zhang Xingke was unable to immediately retract them, yet if he continued raising them...was it just like Old Wai said and he was waiting for a photo?

A conflicted expression appeared on Zhang Xingke’s face.

“Ahaha,” Lu Zhixin and Li Linlin were momentarily unable to hold back their laughter as they burst out chuckling before hurriedly covering their mouths.

Rather vexed over this, Zhang Xingke glanced at them, saying of Old Wai and the two girls, “I’m currently talking to your boss. You’d best shut up, and the two of you as well.”

“Please respect my friends, senior,” Xu Tingsheng said as he poured a cup of water for himself.

A riled Zhang Xingke forcibly kept in his anger, saying, “Fine, I’ll give you one last chance. Name a price.”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head helplessly, moving forward and raising Zhang Xingke’s three remaining fingers as well, “Five million.”

“Five...million?” Zhang Xingke appeared exceptionally dissatisfied, “My resour…”

Xu Tingsheng interrupted him directly, “For your resources and an additional five million, I’ll give you five percent of the shares.”

Having finished, Xu Tingsheng went back to sit on the sofa behind him, no longer speaking as he looked at Zhang Xingke.

Old Wai exchanged glances with Li Linlin and Lu Zhixin who were behind him. They all knew that Xu Tingsheng had been angered. They had virtually never seen an angered Xu Tingsheng before. He was usually calm and cordial most of the time.

“Oh...fine,” Zhang Xingke said in a weird tone before getting up from the sofa and smiling, “Since that is so, it seems like I’ll probably just have to destroy your Hucheng first then.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Do your worst,” Old Wai stood up and called loudly.

He seemed far more like a reckless first year university student than Xu Tingsheng was. This was clearly the situation of him having just been diligently working along, yet someone having suddenly run out wanting to reap the profits of his labour out of the blue, destroying it all if he so refused...it’d instead be strange if he weren’t angered.

“Oh, really? If I really made a move, I fear that you wouldn’t be able to take it.”

Zhang Xingke ignored Old Wai, his words being directed at Xu Tingsheng as he took out a name card and placed it on the coffee table, “If you can’t take it, remember to call me at this number. We can still talk, just that it definitely won’t be the initial conditions I offered earlier.”

Xu Tingsheng picked up the name card and took a glance at it before throwing it into the trash can, “I’ll see what I can do.”

Chapter 132: Strike one, Xu Tingsheng

After Zhang Xingke had left, only the four of them remained in the lounge. They were silent for a while, all digesting the news that had just been thrown at them. Zhang Xingke might have been preparing for a long time regarding this matter, but it indeed came as rather sudden to Hucheng.

Xu Tingsheng included, all of them had only been thinking about how to expand and develop previously as they had not considered how they might deal with such troubles in the very least.

“Bro Xu, sorry. I might have spoken a little too much just now,” Old Wai said a little awkwardly.

“It’s fine. It would have been the same even if you hadn’t said those things,” Xu Tingsheng patted Old Wai’s shoulder.

Under such circumstances, perhaps he indeed shouldn’t have spoken out of turn like that. Still, Xu Tingsheng understood how he had been feeling very well. The lifeblood that he had invested into Hucheng was really no less than that by Xu Tingsheng at all. That being so, how could he just have soundlessly watched on like that as Hucheng was wrested away by someone else?

Also, he and Li Linlin possessed a ten percent share in Hucheng as well. It was not strange at all that his ‘ownerly instincts’ were rather more intense.

How much was ten percent of Hucheng’s shares worth?

It was still fine when Old Wai and Li Linlin hadn’t known about this. Having learnt the price at which Fang Chen had become a shareholder of Hucheng through Lu Zhixin afterwards, the two of them had been shocked to the point of rushing over to find Xu Tingsheng in the middle of the night, adamantly insisting on returning the shares.

“You can’t return them. Since when has there been the logic of returning something after having received it? Just focus on conscientiously working for me,” Was what Xu Tingsheng had said at the time.

In the lounge, Old Wai hung his head in guilt before asking, “Is it really as serious as that Zhang Xingke said just now? Really to the point where it is either one side or the other who survives?”

Old Wai’s tone carried quite a bit of incomprehension. The reason for his incomprehension was actually very simple. As Hucheng had yet to begin charging fees and had yet to begin making a profit, all he currently saw was a simple home tutor platform and its unceasingly changing data as it was hard for him to gain a proper realisation of it.

As soon as Hucheng began rolling in the cash in the tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands every single day, he wouldn’t have to ask such a question anymore. Where there were benefits to be had, conflicts would naturally arise, let alone these benefits being so great.

While Hucheng had still yet to begin charging fees, just from Zhang Xingke’s current income situation alone, it was already sufficient to determine that as soon as Hucheng got started, it would immediately become a money-making machine. Also, this was just limited to Yanzhou alone. What about when Hucheng began expanding into other cities in the future?

“Didn’t you hear him just now? He originally had more than 200000 entering his account every month. How much do you think he still has left now?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Old Wai just shook his head.

“According to our data, he might not even have a fifth of that left now,” Lu Zhixin analysed.

“That’s why, Old Wai. If someone is taking over a hundred thousand away from you every month, wouldn’t you want to duke it out with him?” Xu Tingsheng asked before he smiled, “Didn’t you hear him just now? Breaking off one’s inflow of cash is just like killing one’s parents...standing in his way is precisely what we’re doing now.”

Xu Tingsheng had given a very clear explanation of things. All that remained was self-evident.

While it appeared just to be a conflict between two university students on the surface, not being to the extent that it warranted an all-out battle to the death, due to the benefits that lay behind this...unless Xu Tingsheng was willing to hand over Hucheng or Zhang Xingke was willing to give up...it was indeed an irreconcilable situation for both sides.

“If he really wants to destroy our platform, what will he do then?” Li Linlin asked rather worriedly.

“I don’t know,” Xu Tingsheng answered, for he really didn’t know.

On a certain level, due to having spent a long time striking it out in society, Zhang Xingke could already no longer be viewed as simply a mere university student.

While Xu Tingsheng couldn’t specifically know what methods Zhang Xingke was capable of executing, just based on him having control over so many resources just as a mere university student, just based on his earlier tone of speech as well as utterly confident, cocksure manner…

Xu Tingsheng knew that he had definitely already long been prepared for if negotiations fell through, having accumulated some plans for dealing with Hucheng beforehand. Thus, his methods definitely wouldn’t be simple, wouldn’t be so easy to deal with.

“What should we do then? How about we make some preparations first?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“Let’s just wait and see. There’s no way we can prepare for it now. I’ll be returning to my dorm first,” Xu Tingsheng yawned, “You lot should remember to get some good rest as well. A war’s going to break out.”

…...

Xu Tingsheng was waiting for Zhang Xingke’s first wave of actions. If Zhang Xingke had indeed long been prepared like he thought, this should be coming very soon. Thus, Xu Tingsheng didn’t turn off his campus handphone for once as he slept.

As for his other handphone, the one whose number Xiang Ning knew, he had never ever turned it off before.

The next morning, Xu Tingsheng was roused by the ringing of his handphone, Lu Zhixin telling him, “Get over to the computer and have a look. The forums of the various universities as well as the academy city’s ‘Xishan Tower’ forum.”

“I should just come over and take a look,” Xu Tingsheng mumbled indistinctly.

After eating breakfast, Xu Tingsheng hurried over to the riverside residence. Reaching the office on the third floor, the employees of Hucheng were all already gathered. Upon his arrival, they all directed ‘unfriendly’ gazes at him.

“What’s up? These vengeful gazes...why does it feel like I am Zhang Xingke?”

Xu Tingsheng came to the computer and had a look. There was a similar thread on the forums of virtually all the universities as well as the main forum of the academy city. This thread had induced an intense flurry of discussion, thus having become a hot topic on these forum sites.

After reading the contents of the main post, Xu Tingsheng’s face turned red, “No wonder they’re looking at me with such gazes.”

The post was actually about just that single incident, the one when Xu Tingsheng had previously continuously sealed Gu Yan’s home tutor account on the platform for no rhyme or reason. In order to become Xiang Ning’s home tutor, Xu Tingsheng had indeed been rather ‘insane’ back then.

This post narrated the course of the entire matter, also having added a few lines after. The crux was in these few lines, in which the other party was purposefully trying to muddle one’s senses.

1. The so-called free platform is merely a means with which to tie down the student home tutors. When they have grasped sufficient parental resources and established a monopoly, all the student home tutors will be nothing but money-making tools in their eyes. You’ve got to be obedient, or otherwise, your account will be sealed, with no reason required for it at all.

2. According to our knowledge, Gu Yan is a first year university student with a poor family background who is working diligently to make ends meet, all her living expenses as well as school fees being reliant on home tutoring. Thus, how are Hucheng’s actions different from smashing her rice bowl, breaking off her route to living? Does a platform like this even have a conscience?

3. What did Gu Yan do wrong? Should we allow impoverished students to be bullied just like that? Is it also wrong for us to work hard to be self-sufficient?

4. According to our knowledge, the one who was competing for the same home tutor position as Gu Yan was a Hucheng personnel. Also, he won. How did he win? We believe no explanation is needed.

5. Can we still continue to place our trust in such a platform?

The post intentionally overlooked the fact that Gu Yan’s account had swiftly been unsealed. However, this was actually no longer important. More important was how they had employed an idea that was sufficient for leveraging on the wills of many: Poor university students have been bullied.

Be they poor themselves or just acquainted with impoverished classmates, even if this was completely unrelated to they themselves, this idea would still be enough to rile up the fury of most university students.

Xu Tingsheng scrolled down the thread and read the replies. Almost the entire screen was filled with the explosive righteous indignation of university students. They were chastised and cursed at, with many people even indicating that they were willing to stand up for Gu Yan and go smash Hucheng.

Even while there were occasionally a few who spoke up for Hucheng, these were very quickly overwhelmed by the furious crowds.

The fault for this evidently lay with Xu Tingsheng.

“That’s too shameless,” Xu Tingsheng forced out a smile, “This Zhang Xingke is really too shameless. See, he’s clearly just talking rubbish.”

Everyone ignored him apart from their stares along the line of ‘You unbecoming wastrel’, ‘You calamity’ and ‘Look at what you’ve gone and done now’ that they all directed at him.

“It’s fortunate that the matter of the 5-Star home tutor wasn’t exposed,” Old Wai sighed.

“Someone mentioned it later on in the thread,” Li Linlin said.

“...” Xu Tingsheng scratched his head, the sins that he carried having gone up yet further.

“Xu Tingsheng, what do we do?” Lu Zhixin’s furious gaze met his.

“I want to think first. I’m going to the toilet,” Xu Tingsheng evaded Lu Zhixin’s gaze, fleeing outside.

“How about I give Gu Yan a call and ask her? Maybe I can get her to help?” Li Linlin yelled at him from behind.

“Let’s wait a few days first,” Xu Tingsheng said as he thought of Gu Yan.

That was an extremely valiant female warrior. If this post had been of her own intentions or if she was willing to cooperate with Zhang Xingke, it wouldn’t be of use even if Li Linlin called her and pleaded with her.

Chapter 133: Whose fault is it still?

While the first hand that Zhang Xingke had played appeared rather low-level, it actually possessed immense killing power. While the power of public sentiment was intangible and thus easily overlooked, in truth, it was actually the most terrifying in that it could control people's hearts.

Since times long past, public sentiment had been the main battlefield of opposing sides. Even though information had not been so easily spread back in those days, both sides would always release some declaration of righteousness before departing for battle, bringing down the image of their enemies.

However, on such a battlefield, due to his understanding of Zhang Xingke being too low, Xu Tingsheng was completely unable to resist.

Their opponent was one who knew how to manipulate public sentiment and was also clearly sufficiently prepared. Zhang Xingke might already have gathered all this information a long time ago. This exceeded Xu Tingsheng's expectations somewhat. Zhang Xingke was indeed not an easy opponent.

He had prepared himself sufficiently before coming to find Hucheng.

Xu Tingsheng began to understand why all Zhang Xingke's previous competitors had met defeat at his hands without fail, why he had been able to control the entire market all by himself for close to a year.

This was a truly remarkable person indeed.

With the blame all on him, Xu Tingsheng dared not return to the third floor as he hid in his room on the second floor, thinking about what he could do.

Old Wai pushed the door and entered, “Bro Xu, should we counterattack now?”

“Counterattack?”

“The few of us just had a discussion. We think that perhaps we should try to find the hosts of those forums. Even if we have to fork out some cash for it, we should get them to help take down those threads...or we could post something in clarification.”

Xu Tingsheng pondered on Old Wai's suggestion for a while before resolutely shaking his head and rejecting it.

If the threads were deleted, on the one hand, the other party could simply just post some again, while on the other, it would also be an admission that Hucheng was in the wrong, and was being tyrannical again. Such would instead enrage the student population to a greater extent.

As for a clarification post, with how it was now, unless Gu Yan herself was willing to come forth and defend Hucheng, whatever clarification that they tried would simply be useless. The influence of public sentiment was such that many a times, so long as it had been directed somewhere, there would be no seeing any reason for them.

As for Gu Yan, Xu Tingsheng felt a headache coming on as soon as he thought about her, “With her impression and accumulated bias regarding me, she would probably be happy to see me die right now.”

Seeing Xu Tingsheng shake his head, rejecting his proposal, Old Wai felt rather disappointed. He opened his mouth, but eventually still refrained.

“Still, it's not like we can't counterattack at all,” Xu Tingsheng suddenly added.

“How?” Old Wai joyfully asked.

“If someone throws over a punch and we can't block it, there's no need for us to spend so much time thinking about how we might do so. At the same time that he is punching us, we just have to throw over a punch of our own as well,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Old Wai asked uncomprehendingly, “What do you mean?”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before saying, “Other than home tutoring, doesn't Zhang Xingke act as an intermediary for other kinds of labour as well? Such as looking for people to hand out flyers and the like.”

“I can get you to add a section on our platform now that acts as an information dissemination platform. For example, if a supermarket wants to look for someone to help them distribute flyers and raise signboards, we can provide a space for them to do so, allowing them to disseminate information on their own. Then, the information has to clearly specify the time, location, type and remuneration for the job as well as the conditions for hiring and the number of people needed etcetera.”

“This would allow university students to register themselves for these on the platform. Will there be any difficulty in programming this?”

Old Wai understood Xu Tingsheng’s meaning. If you hit me, I'd only be able to make you hurt as well. Both of us eating a loss is better than just me alone getting hit.

Having understood this, having originally been feeling greatly stifled, Old Wai rejoiced, “That shouldn't be hard. We'd be able to quickly get it done ourselves.”

“Get to it then! Show it to me when you're done,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’ve still got a free elective lesson to attend.”

The Xu Tingsheng who usually treated skipping lessons just as he would normally eating a meal was actually still going to attend a free elective lesson now? Rendered rather speechless, Old Wai turned and left, getting back to work.

He conveyed Xu Tingsheng’s intentions to those in the office, joyful whoops thus resounding...at the very least, everyone no longer felt so stifled. Still being able to retaliate, it was all good.

When Xu Tingsheng had finished his lesson and was back at the riverside residence eating lunch with the rest, over on the other end, Zhang Xingke suddenly flung his bowl onto the ground whilst eating in front of his employees, the rice and dishes scattering all around.

He had just seen the new section that had opened on Hucheng. Originally having been focused simply on home tutoring, Hucheng had suddenly become the intermediary for other labour services as well. Additionally, these services were free of charge.

Xu Tingsheng was making a move on the last piece of his, Zhang Xingke’s, pie.

“You want to go all out to see me dead?” Zhang Xingke muttered to himself before clenching his teeth and smiling sinisterly, “Let’s see who dies first then.”

Goosebumps rose on the skin of the employees behind him as they thought, “Wasn’t it clearly you who hacked them with a blade first? Isn’t it only natural for one to retaliate in a fight?”

Of course, no one dared to say this out loud, all hurriedly shoving more food into their mouths. They all understood Zhang Xingke’s personality very well. Since he would not be eating any longer, they would quickly be disallowed from eating as well.

“What’re you still eating for? Put’em down, get to work!” Indeed, Zhang Xingke turned and roared.

Then, Zhang Xingke went out of the room and made a call.

……

In comparison to this, the meal over on Xu Tingsheng’s side went on much more harmoniously. Seeing that everyone was rather silent, he even specially recited a few anecdotes and also teased the two girls a little, livening up the atmosphere.

Just having finished with a story, when everyone was still laughing, a technician who was in charge of monitoring the platform on the third floor came down, saying rather despondently, “Zhang Xingke’s at it again.”

“Again?” Old Wai opened his mouth wide, a large amount of rice visible within.

Lu Zhixin and the others successively put down their chopsticks.

“Let’s eat our fill first,” Xu Tingsheng said, “When there’re many mosquitoes, there’s no being afraid of the itch. We have to eat our fill to have the energy to fight a war. This cucumber is delicious and also beautifies, eat more of it.”

They could only pick up their chopsticks, raise their bowls and patiently accompany him in finishing their meal.

“What is it this time?” Having entered the office on the third floor, Xu Tingsheng immediately asked.

“Bro Xu, why does it seem like you’re excited? Is it that you feel that new trouble having come, the blame will no longer be on you?” A technician who was good with words teased him, “But who knows, it might be your fault again this time.”

“It can’t be, right? Let’s have a look,” Xu Tingsheg minded not as he smilingly crowded over.

He already cared not how great the storm outside might be. At the very least, he didn’t want to see an air of doom and gloom hanging over Hucheng with them getting all flustered and losing their footing.

The post this time was from the Yanzhou City Citizen Forum. The current Hucheng was already rather well-known and influential in Yanzhou. Thus, there were quite a lot of people who had read the post and commented on it.

This post was entitled: Who exactly have you handed your children over to?

The first sentence was: People who can’t even study well themselves-dare you believe that they can help others to improve?

The content beneath it consisted of the end-semester results of the key personnel of Hucheng.

The contents of this post were actually rather insubstantial. For example, it had Xu Tingsheng’s end-semester results within. However, he hadn’t failed anything, even having scored 61 points for his worst module.

Having more ‘persuasive power’ were Old Wai’s results. This guy had flunked a total of four modules, having just barely scraped by for the rest. Part of his results were emboldened and highlighted in red.

“Look, everyone see? The blame’s on Old Wai this time.”

Xu Tingsheng was smiling happily as he scrolled downwards, and he yelled out in joy as soon as the second half of the post was displayed, “Woah, never would I have thought, Zhixin. The blame’s on you as well.”

Everyone got to clearly experience Xu Tingsheng’s shamelessness now. While Hucheng was in the midst of being attacked by others, he was instead feeling happy over having successfully shifted the blame off himself.

“Really, never would I have thought!” Xu Tingsheng continued in his elation, “I’d always thought...It’s fine for someone like Old Wai who looks like a study dreg as soon as you see him. But never would I have thought! You Lu Zhixin seem so much like a study queen, yet actually also failed stuff? Woah, and it’s also TWO modules at that.”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t notice that the more excited he got, the darker Lu Zhixin’s face became.

“Get lost! Isn’t it all because of you?!” Lu Zhixin pushed Xu Tingsheng away, coming before the computer herself.

Her results were indeed displayed there, with two awkward failed modules that had been emboldened.

Lu Zhixin had failed modules? This was indeed rather unexpected, everyone having been taken by surprise.

They were also curious about that ‘Isn’t it all because of you?’ What did Lu Zhixin mean, having told Xu Tingsheng that?

“It’s all your fault,” Lu Zhixin turned back and glared at Xu Tingsheng before swivelling her head away in a huff, “Back then, if not for...that thing between us…”

Lu Zhixin had not finished her sentence, but everyone understood with that what she meant.

Lu Zhixin meant that the reason for her having failed those modules was precisely the drama of those two confessions between her and Xu Tingsheng back at the ending phase of the previous semester. It was due to that that her performance in the examinations had been affected.

“It’s still your fault,” The technician blinked towards Xu Tingsheng.

“It’s Old Wai’s,” Unable to offend Lu Zhixin, Xu Tingsheng could only firmly insist that the blame lay with Old Wai.

“The hell, why didn’t they post Linlin’s? Linlin has a first-degree scholarship!” Old Wai was diverting the topic as well.

“Right, if they don’t post it, we will. Post Linlin’s results, and also my and Lu Zhixin’s university entrance examination results,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The technician began working on the rebuttal post. Everyone wasn’t really feeling much troubled by this. As compared to that punch in the morning, the current one by Zhang Xingke really felt a little too gentle.

Its effects on Hucheng would be far less serious as compared to that by Gu Yan’s incident in the morning.

The comments below the post also confirmed everyone’s judgments. Aside from some who expressed worry and concern as well as a few who joined in the outrage, the remaining commenters didn’t really feel too much about it at all.

Someone replied: What are you trying to prove? I don’t get it.

Another went: It’s also not like they’re our children’s teachers. The teacher I found for my child on their platform scored really well.

Someone agreed: It’s the same for me as well. Mine even got a scholarship last semester. I’ve seen those results.

And there was also: Must all the employees of Xinhua Bookstore have graduated from top universities then?

…...

After they had posted their results, the ensuing comments on the thread swiftly began leaning towards Hucheng. To some extent, this even brought Hucheng to the attention of yet more people, barely being considerable as a free advertisement.

The more this was so, the more uneasy Xu Tingsheng felt. It felt impossible that Zhang Xingke could be so easily thwarted. “The worst thing is if this post is merely the prelude to something.”

A while later, his thoughts were proven to be true as another technician who was monitoring the computer raised his head, a hesitant and pained expression on his face, “Take a look at this. It’s really serious this time.”

Chapter 134: Betrayed at a crucial moment

The technician went, “It’s serious this time.”

Everyone suffered an impact yet again. They had really suffered quite a number of blows today. If not for Xu Tingsheng having been persistently keeping up the mood, the atmosphere might long since have been overwhelmed by tragic sighs.

What was so ‘serious’?

The post this time consisted mainly of photographs.

The start of the post contained around a dozen photographs of two groups of students fighting. In each of these photographs, Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai were circled out in red as a reminder that the two of them were two key personnel of Hucheng.

What were they doing? Fighting.

There was no one who was still in a joking mood any longer as Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai exchanged glances, “It’s one of our own. We’ve been betrayed.”

The contents captured within were of Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai, along with their roommates, having engaged in a fight against those people who had come looking for Tan Yao just a few days earlier.

Meanwhile, the angle from which the photographs had been taken was clearly to the side of and behind where the roommates had been in the midst of an intense battle back then.

Actually, there was no real need to guess about this at all. The next few photographs were the most solid proof. These were all recent photographs of Old Wai and Xu Tingsheng as they smoked inside their dorm or gazed through binoculars at the girls of the medical institute just opposite.

Beneath these photographs was written: Being of such quality, do you think that if a dispute occurs someday, it can be resolved in a satisfactory manner? Or is it that you yourselves are already prepared to get into a fight with Hucheng Education?

The second part of the post contained photographs of the riverside residence.

Of course, these wouldn’t display the rows of shiny new computers that lined the office on the third floor. What these displayed were the dilapidated outer walls of the riverside residence, its dirty corners as well as a few eaves that were already teetering at the point of collapse due to many years of disrepair.

What was their purpose of posting these photographs?

It was displayed right below:

Unprincipled part-time students who spend their time fighting, smoking and spying on female students and rented such a broken house-this is Hucheng Education. Can it really be trusted?

Also, if some incident crops up someday, will they be able to provide compensation?

Xu Tingsheng looked at the replies to the post. The winds of public sentiment had already shifted completely. There was no longer anyone who was considering that these two people were not the teachers of their own children, merely being personnel of an intermediary service.

Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai had been described as very terrifying such that no one was willing to undergo needless interactions with this kind of person, even if it was merely as an intermediary.

Also, this Hucheng Education really seemed like it was completely unreliable.

“I really look rather handsome in these photographs, and very valiant as well. Look at you, Old Wai. Your face’s all crooked(Wai) inside.”

Xu Tingsheng cracked a joke amidst the silence, but no one laughed. Hucheng’s two working telephones were both currently ringing non-stop.

The two female employees directed inquiring gazes at Xu Tingsheng.

“Just answer them. Face them with your usual professional attitude and answer their questions honestly,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The two female employees began picking up calls non-stop, warding off the inquiries of the parents.

“Who exactly are you? And who exactly did you introduce to my child?”

“Would you be able to take responsibility if something goes wrong?”

“A bunch of hooligans, what education are you doing? Go delete my account for me.”

……

After silently eating dinner, nearly everyone had already learnt of the news. Xu Tingsheng began receiving calls from all around. There were his roommates like Li Xingming, Lu Xu and Zhang Ninglang as well as Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng, Song Ni, Fang Yuqing, his soccer mates…

Fang Chen arrived at the riverside residence as well. However, where public sentiment was concerned, there was nothing that she could do to turn the current situation around as well.

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Tan Yao.

“Bro Xu, it’s all my fault. I’ve let you guys down,” Tan Yao said despondently, “Don’t worry, we all know who did it. He hasn’t gotten back yet. When he returns, we’ll properly beat him up for you.”

Xu Tingsheng scolded ‘bastard’ before saying in a severe tone, “Tan Yao, if you really feel that you’ve let me and Old Wai down, hold it in and don’t say a thing. Wait till Old Wai and I have returned. Understand?”

“Bro Xu, I…”

“I asked ‘understand’?”

“Understood.”

If it were usually, Xu Tingsheng actually wouldn’t be this cautious. He wouldn’t mind Tan Yao and the others beating Huang Keshen up first to vent and let off steam.

However, they were amidst an incomparably sensitive period right now. Just a few days ago, the media had reported heavily on the ‘Ma Jiajue’ incident. In the first two weeks of this month, he had successively killed four of his roommates in three days…

While some people would occasionally joke about this matter, in truth, any tensions and conflicts between roommates over this period of time would become an incomparably sensitive issue between the two. As a result, schools were much more concerned about such matters as well.

Amidst such a tense atmosphere, Xu Tingsheng definitely couldn’t allow Tan Yao to act against Huang Keshen. If he did so, the university might react in an excessively harsh manner, effectively making an example out of him.

Just having hung up from his conversation with Tan Yao, Xu Tingsheng’s phone rang again.

“Are we still playing?” Zhang Xingke’s voice resounded from the other end.

“Oh, why not?” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Not shedding tears till the coffin appears?”

“The earth shakes on the high mountains, the beautiful western mountains flourish eternally.”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought you were exchanging poetic lines with me. Weren’t you?”

“Nutjob,” Zhang Xingke scolded before hanging up.

There had once been someone who had thought Xu Tingsheng to be a nutjob as well. He was Bao Ming. If Bao Ming knew Zhang Xingke, he would definitely warn him, “You should steer far from the one called Xu Tingsheng. He’s a nutjob, there’s nothing that he’s not capable of doing.”

Yet, Old Wai and the others discovered that the current Xu Tingsheng seemed not to be intending to do anything at all as there was also nothing that he could do. Hucheng and Xu Tingsheng were just sitting obediently there covering their heads passively taking a beating.

As Xu Tingsheng was smoking in his room, Lu Zhixin opened the door.

“Don’t be too worried, rest well. There’s still me over here. I’ll deal with it first,” Lu Zhixin said.

“It’s been tough on you,” Xu Tingsheng told her.

“It’s fine. I’ll be going up first then.”

“Okay.”

“Actually, facing a setback might not be a bad thing for you. Even if Hucheng really collapses, we can just start all over again at the very most,” Lu Zhixin finally said before she left, not waiting for Xu Tingsheng to answer before she hurriedly exited the room.

She had said ‘we’.

……

Old Wai found Xu Tingsheng, “Are we still returning to the dorm to sleep later?”

“Yeah.”

Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai returned to their dormitory. Their roommates were all rather silent. Xu Tingsheng tried a few times to start a conversation, but they would just answer rather stiffly, the atmosphere ever remaining rather tense. He specifically brought Tan Yao out to the balcony, instructing him on some things for a bit.

Huang Keshen returned, feigning calmness, “It looks like I’m the last one back today?”

Everyone ignored him.

At 10.30pm, the lights of the dorm turned off. The sound of tossing and turning about in bed could intermittently be heard.

Old Wai was finally just unable to resist it as he asked in a rather pained and conflicted tone, “Keshen, why? While we didn’t become bros, all of us have never done anything against you in our usual interactions. I just can’t understand-just why did you do this? It hadn’t reached that point between us.”

All the tossing and turning about came to a halt as everyone awaited Huang Keshen’s words.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you mean. What did I do?” Huang Keshen instead asked.

Everyone was rendered speechless.

“Haah...haah…” Tan Yao’s lengthy exhalations could be heard over from his bed as he worked to repress his fury.

Huang Keshen continued, “I know that that whatever Hucheng of yours was done in by someone today. Still, even if you’re feeling upset, that’s no fault of mine. What, you want to vent it out on me? I’m afraid it’s not that simple.”

From Huang Keshen’s tone, it was evident that he was currently feeling very good about himself as he felt that he had due cause for confidence. Zhang Xingke’s side had clearly promised him something, and as he saw it, Zhang Xingke was not someone whom the likes of Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao could afford to aggravate.

“Got your money?” Lu Xu asked coldly from the corner of the room.

Huang Keshen clacked his teeth in the darkness and chuckled coldly.

“Many days lie ahead,” Tan Yao said.

“Whatever, I’ll take on every one of you who comes. I’ll be waiting,” Huang Keshen replied.

“Yeah, count me in,” suddenly piped in Zhang Ninglang who was usually docile and honest, a good kid who would apologise first even if someone stepped on his foot.

He called Apple Sister-in-law, being a spy in broad daylight. Xu Tingsheng usually took care of him as he would a younger brother.

Chapter 135: The defanged tiger

The next morning, Huang Keshen woke up early and left. Xu Tingsheng, Old Wai and Tan Yao stood on the balcony, smoking. Old Wai was still feeling conflicted, just being unable to comprehend how things could have become like this between roommates.

After all, from the angle at which the photographs had been taken, it could be seen that it had been a premeditated, well-thought out plan on Huang Keshen’s part. Having schemed against his own roommates to so great an extent, what kind of great hatred was this? Where could such great hatred have stemmed from?

And what about that fight which had broken out that day for no rhyme or reason?

Tan Yao thought for a bit, realising that the other party may truly have come fully intending to get into that fight. That guy had only being pursuing Zhang Li for a couple of days. Logically speaking, it was rather implausible for him to have come looking for Tan Yao so quickly.

Looking again at the photographs posted on the forum, the ones which had been chosen were all ones where the faces of their opponents were either indistinct or simply hidden from view.

Xu Tingsheng had his understanding of Zhang Xingke as a person renewed once more. Thorough in his thoughts and meticulous in his preparations, he had already calculated ten, twenty moves ahead before making his move, also being unscrupulous in his means...really a goddamn talent, he was.

Li Xingming and Lu Xu both returned, running onto the balcony, “We’ve got it! Do you know what Zhang Xingke bought Huang Keshen with?”

“Don’t play games. Go straight to the point,” A despondent Tan Yao said in ill humour.

“He introduced a girl to Huang Keshen. She seems to have worked at a hairdresser shop before. Still, Huang Keshen might not know about this, because she no longer works there. She now works at Zhang Xingke’s intermediary company,” Li Xingming said, having learnt this news from his advantage of being a local.

“Anyway, the two of them are currently out playing while dating. From the looks of it, Huang Keshen seems like he’s extremely bewitched by her. I bet that girl’s just playing him, using him for his money.”

They all exchanged glances, feeling lost for words.

“No, the problem is-how did Zhang Xingke know that he would be able to buy Huang Keshen like this? If it’s women, the most buyable one should instead be Li Xingming, right,” Lu Xu said.

Li Xingming scolded ‘Scram’, “This old man’s now fully devoted to Zhu Yingying.” And, “That’s not right. Anyway, I wouldn’t betray my bros no matter what, regardless of whatever women.”

“What if it was Alizée?” Xu Tingsheng laughed as he asked.

“About that, hmmm...I think I’d still sell you then.”

Old Wai chuckled out loud. This guy had always been crazy infatuated with Alizée.

Everyone was finally smiling.

Xu Tingsheng did not share his understanding with them. Actually, it would not have been hard for Zhang Xingke to find Huang Keshen, because Huang Keshen hated these roommates of his.

This hatred did not require all of them to have done something to him. Instead, it stemmed from his psychological state of mind. Huang Keshen was a rather narrow-minded person. Initially, he had thought that he should preside loftily over them all. In the end, however, his roommates seemed to have all ended up doing better than him. Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao were always beneath infinite limelight, Old Wai, Lu Xu and Li Xingming had either hooked up with a pretty girl or were soon to do so and Zhang Ninglang was taken care of by all of them as they would a younger brother.

Huang Keshen felt like he was an outsider, felt like he was being bullied, being left out, being looked down upon. Actually, these were all purely just his own subjective thoughts. Yet, as such thoughts gradually accumulated, they had eventually led to unfounded hatred.

Such hatred might not be clearly expressed back in their dorm. However, in front of outsiders, he would definitely have vented his dissatisfaction with his roommates, going first from scolding to eventually cursing and swearing…

Thus, with Zhang Xingke's network, wanting to find him would not have been hard at all, and bringing him over to his side would only have been easier. He couldn't be happier seeing things going badly for Xu Tingsheng. Moreover, he would also get a girl, and get friendly with the influential Zhang Xingke as well.

……

In the morning, as Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai sat down for class, some of their classmates were already beginning to direct gazes at them that were filled with differing meanings. There were concerned, sympathetic looks, gloating ones, curious ones, disdainful ones and even outraged ones.

The news that Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai were running Hucheng Education which had been gradually gaining influence in Xishan Academy City was still not well known throughout the entire campus. However, in their class, in the Chinese course, there were still quite a few who knew.

Xu Tingsheng was very casual regarding this, having never intentionally flaunted or concealed the fact.

“Hucheng's gotten into trouble.”

Many people already knew about this. News regarding Hucheng that ranged from the incident with Gu Yan to the fight in their dorm had spread throughout the various forums of the academy city as well as via word of mouth amongst them.

Once in a while, Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai would encounter some disdainful eye-rolling and disparaging noises, but they had neither the energy nor the intention to refute their beliefs.

Instead, it was their roommates who were constantly explaining things for them. For instance, Tan Yao repeatedly explained the specific circumstances behind that fight, saying that it was he who those people had come looking for.

Many people were still talking animatedly behind their backs.

“So he was actually that kind of person.”

“I’ve never seen him properly studying before. Other than picking up chicks, isn't all he's got money?”

“And to think that so many people still thought of him as a hero because of a football match.”

Having still been Yanzhou University's hero just a few months ago, Xu Tingsheng's fall from grace came quickly. The tiger had been defanged.

Of course, there were also those who came out in support of him.

“What's wrong with boys fighting? Is there a problem with entrepreneurship?”

“Don't forget that he's saved Yanzhou University from humiliation before. Anyway, I'm just taking him as a hero…”

“Whatever, I just support Xu Tingsheng. Why? Because he's handsome, yeah?”

However, when these voices that rose in support met 'bullying impoverished university students’, they all lacked the ability to resist as they were completely suppressed by this 'moral standard’.

The discussions continued, but this actually wasn't what Xu Tingsheng was concerned about. He was concerned about what Zhang Xingke would be doing next. He definitely still had something up his sleeve, because if it was merely this, while Hucheng had been left in a tragic state, it still hadn't reached the point of collapsing entirely.

“You are Xu Tingsheng of the Chinese course?” A counsellor stopped Xu Tingsheng at the door of the classroom.

“Yes.”

“What about the one named Wa Aiyi?”

“I'm here,” Old Wai came over.

“Management Head Zhao of Student Management wants you two over at his office immediately,” They were told.

……

“We indeed fought, and it is only natural for us to be marked down for it. Still, Management Head Zhao, I'd like to ask-what does this have to do with our Hucheng Education Service Platform? The company has all the necessary facilities and no incident’s ever cropped up with it before...it shouldn't be to the point where the university wants us to shut it down, right?” Xu Tingsheng tried to show as much restraint as was possible.

Ever since they had stepped through this door, this Management Head Zhao's attitude could not have been any more apparent. He dispensed with even the most basic concealment, openly showing that he was here to resolve the problem for Zhang Xingke.

Old Wai who was more easily angered directly questioned, the pitch of his voice rising with every sentence, “What right have you to ask us to shut down the platform? Since when has the school had jurisdiction over this? Has the Trade and Industry Bureau here closed down?”

Management Head Zhao laughed disdainfully, “Of course I don't have the authority to ask you to shut down your platform. Still, while you can be marked down for fighting, you can be expelled over it as well. That is within my authority...consider it well, the two of you.”

“Heck, expel me if you can!” Old Wai made as if to dash forward.

Xu Tingsheng pulled him back, telling Management Head Zhao, “Give us a couple of days. I'll think about it when I get back.”

Chapter 136: Following the drawn bow

As Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai were leaving, they saw Tan Yao hastily rushing over.

“The fight was because of me. I should be the one to bear it. I’ll go find them,” Tan Yao said emotionally.

“Don’t. They don’t really care about the fighting incident. They’re basically targeting Hucheng itself. If you go, you’ll only be giving him one more person to threaten us with,” Xu Tingsheng pulled him along, walking away.

“He, the university, what…?” Tan Yao was panicked to the point of near crying.

“It’s not the university’s problem,” Xu Tingsheng said, “That Management Head Zhao must be one of those who usually receives benefits from Zhang Xingke. Having done this now, he should probably be receiving a sum of over 100000. Zhang Xingke’s formidable indeed, being willing to spare this money for connections.”

Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai returned to the riverside residence. Everyone was there, waiting for Xu Tingsheng.

Lu Zhixin quickly told Xu Tingsheng two things.

Firstly, Zhang Xingke’s ‘Xishan Academy City Working Students Association’ and all its associated intermediaries announced that in order to avoid being an accomplice of Hucheng Education, they would not accept their home tutors being simultaneously registered with both of them from now on.

This was actually very easy to understand. They wanted the university students to choose sides: If you want to continue looking for a job through Hucheng Education, we won’t provide you with intermediary services any longer…

With the situation Hucheng is in now, think about it for yourself.

Secondly, since noon, out of the 1400 registered home tutors on Hucheng, there had been a sudden wave of nearly a hundred people ceasing to use it at the same time.

Actually, ever since that incident with Gu Yan the previous day, there had already been home tutors who had deleted their accounts, just that these were few in number and scattered about as opposed to concentrated and intense as it had been today.

This wave of people having left together in such a neat manner, it need not be wondered for it to be known that Zhang Xingke had arranged for all of it beforehand. He wanted to make use of these people leaving to create the feeling of Hucheng Education mightily collapsing, thereby causing the minds of those who were standing by it to waver.

Xu Tingsheng came before the computer and looked at the data. The data proved that Zhang Xingke’s transition from ‘attacking the hearts’ to ‘attacking the city’ these last two days had been extremely successful. Be it the number of registered parents or home tutors, they were both in the midst of decreasing non-stop.

As Lu Zhixin finished, the still emotional Old Wai threw out another bombshell of what had happened to him and Xu Tingsheng in Yanzhou University’s Student Management Office, revealing how they had been asked to shut down the platform.

The reason for this was that the platform had already affected the reputation of the school, also having led to extreme instability. He didn’t even hide that Management Head Zhao’s threat.

Hucheng seemed truly teetering on the brink of collapse as though it might fall apart at any time.

It was under such circumstances that everyone, Lu Zhixin and Fang Chen included, directed hopeful gazes at Xu Tingsheng, waiting for him to flip his hand and create a miracle, mightily overturning the incoming frenzied tides.

Tears were even indistinctly visible in the eyes of Old Wai, Li Linlin and some others as they gazed at Xu Tingsheng.

Be they employees of shareholders, everyone present was unable to bear the thought of losing Hucheng. Hucheng was their lifeblood, was also their home.

The two female employees who had originally already ceased in their home tutoring due to their jobs with the platform walked over to Xu Tingsheng’s side, “Bro Xu, we’ve put our registered information back on again. If no one will teach, we will. We’re both great at it.”

“I can do it as well. I even want to be the first 5-Star,” Li Linlin said.

“Actually, I still haven’t taken on any jobs after registering,” Lu Zhixin said.

Xu Tingsheng patted the two girls on the head. They were clearly all first year university students, their ages being the same. Strangely, however, no one found this action that was like that of a senior to be any unusual at all.

They suddenly discovered that they had actually always had this impression of Xu Tingsheng all along. He was Hucheng’s support, resembling a parent who presided over the entire situation.

In truth, apart from making some decisions, Xu Tingsheng had recently already been interfering in Hucheng’s matters less and less. It was to the extent that one might even be drawn to feeling that this boss was one they could do without. Whether he was there really didn’t matter much.

At the same time, Xu Tingsheng remained calm and friendly in most of their interactions, never having put any bit of pressure on them at all. Even when Hucheng had received all those blows the day before, he had still been jokingly assuming the role of the mood maker amongst them.

All this gave rise to the feeling that he didn’t seem like the towering support of Hucheng that soared to the skies, didn’t seem like a boss who could calmly hold the helm amidst a storm.

It was only now when everyone had lost their footing and lost their way that they discovered that the one whom they still held expectations of, the one who could have them maintain that final bit of hope and confidence, was merely that one person, Xu Tingsheng. Because he seemed never to have been troubled before.

Even the ‘superwoman-esque’ Fang Chen and Lu Zhixin were currently also feeling like this.

From when Xu Tingsheng had led Old Wai and Li Linlin in creating Hucheng Education those few months ago to the advancement of Hucheng to the scale that it was at now, with it promising to be a money-making machine which gave them several tens of thousands per day as soon as they started charging money, they had never ever seen him troubled before.

Beneath those expectant gazes, Xu Tingsheng said, “Linlin, take over my home tutoring for me this weekend.”

“Huh? ...Okay.”

Li Linlin felt rather puzzled over Xu Tingsheng having suddenly mentioned this. It was the same for the others as well. Still, they immediately made the connection. Since Xu Tingsheng was saying so, it must be because he wanted to counterattack, needing time to do so. There were many things that he needed to do…

Yet, Xu Tingsheng immediately left all of them feeling disappointed.

“Yeah, I’ll be troubling you. I’ll be troubling everyone as well, because I’ve got to go to Jianan University with the school team for a football match this weekend. We’ll be setting off the day after tomorrow, on Friday. Thus, over this upcoming period of time, I’ll have to trouble everyone to continue working hard for a bit,” Xu Tingsheng continued.

“This…”

Old Wai’s words got caught in his throat as no further words followed, but everyone knew what he was thinking because they too were thinking the same thing, “When Hucheng is swaying so unstably beneath the elements and teetering on the edge at such a time, you’re actually going somewhere else to play football?”

“You shouldn’t be leaving now,” Lu Zhixin said.

“Yeah, I’m not leaving now. There’s still tomorrow left, right?” Xu Tingsheng replied.

…...

Xu Tingsheng did not appear at Hucheng at all the next day. He wasn’t together with Old Wai, and wasn’t in his dorm as well. Other than someone catching a coincidental glimpse of him out on the streets, he was virtually nowhere to be found the entire day.

No one knew what exactly it was that he had gone to do that day.

Back at the riverside residence for dinner that evening, the first thing that Xu Tingsheng said was, “It was tiring to death today.

Even so, he still personally cooked, smilingly calling everyone over to eat.

“Bro Xu, you've got a plan? What should we do?” Seeing Xu Tingsheng like this, Old Wai asked hopefully.

“Us? Let's go back to the dorm to sleep. I've still got to pack my luggage,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“......”

The next morning, Xu Tingsheng arrived at the riverside residence again with a backpack on his back.

“I've come to say goodbye to everyone. I’ll be troubling you these next few days. Our school team's bus will be leaving soon. Heh, I'm leaving to hide for a couple of days,” Xu Tingsheng laughed.

Silence befell as everyone instantly seemed to understand him. Maybe the pressure on him was really too great, and he was also feeling helpless about the current situation.

“Go then. Go out for a couple of days, and don't worry about what's happening here. I...we'll take care of things here for you,” Lu Zhixin’s heart twinged in pain a little for this boy before her, at this moment really thinking as she had said before that they could just start all over again at the very most.

“Thanks. I'll be troubling you. Also, has it been hard on you lately?” Xu Tingsheng asked concernedly.

Lu Zhixin did not speak. Of course things had been hard on her lately. While Xu Tingsheng had been facing eye-rolling and scolding, she had not been spared from it as well. It even somewhat surpassed what he had been facing simply because she was a girl.

The two confessions between her and Xu Tingsheng as well as the rumour of their cohabitation became ammunition with which she was attacked.

‘You deserve it’, ‘look at you being smug’, 'shamelessly going in to share in the shame’...she had heard such disparaging comments countless times.

However strong Lu Zhixin’s heart was, she was still a girl at the end of the day.How would she not have been troubled?

“Want a hug?” Xu Tingsheng asked smilingly.

Originally having already been tearing up somewhat, Lu Zhixin stiffened up her face, “Sorry, but I'm not those warm, likeable women of yours. These methods of yours...No, anyway, you just can't coax me with these anyhow. It won't work on me.”

Xu Tingsheng was rejected outright, but he didn't appear guilty in the least as he continued, “Alright, follow me to my room for a bit then.”

“Huh?”

This was what resounded in everyone's hearts. This...was really too shameless.

…...

On his room on the second floor, as he packed his remaining luggage, Xu Tingsheng told Lu Zhixin about some things and passed some things to her as well.

Lu Zhixin listened quietly to all of it and fell into a daze for a long time, smiling wryly after she had finally recovered, “I'm suddenly feeling glad that I'm not your enemy, Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Do me a favour and throw me that jacket, will you?”

“This one?” Lu Zhixin found the jacket and threw it over, next continuing, “Right, why me? I'm scared that I might not be able to do it well.”

“Because you are more suitable than Old Wai and Li Linlin! Old Wai is too reckless while Li Linlin has seen too little things...thus, you're the best choice.”

“Also, where's the not being able to do well with this? Just take it as though I've prepared a whole row of fireworks for you. All you've got to do is just go set them off one by one.”

“Otherwise, just take it like I’ve already drawn the bow and notched the arrow. All you’re responsible for is releasing the arrow,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I’ve suddenly discovered that I actually might not understand you well enough,” Lu Zhixin suddenly said emotionally.

“So you originally thought that...you understood me very well?” Xu Tingsheng asked curiously.

“In terms of personality at least, yes.”

“Woah, then I’d better stay clear of you.”

…...

After leaving the riverside residence, Xu Tingsheng found the big bus stationed at the entrance of the academy city with a large backpack on his back. This was the first time in the history of Yanzhou University that they had ever made it through the first round of the preliminaries, obtaining a chance to make it into the main competition. The university was rather good to them, having specifically chartered a big bus to ferry them over.

His teammates were not like him, already knowing that Yanzhou University would be going all the way over this time just to get thrashed. That being so, they were all in high spirits as they had arrived long ago, seated on the bus as they waited.

Xu Tingsheng was the last one to arrive.

There was someone unexpected standing beside the big bus.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Zhang Xingke made the motion of shooting him in the head as he mocked, “Weren’t you going to try? Running away?”

“I’m going to play a match. It’s the next round of the preliminaries; it’s very important. Right, your university was eliminated from the competition by us. Were you watching the match that day?” Xu Tingsheng answered very earnestly.

He was earnest to the point that Zhang Xingke was truly rendered speechless, very much wanting to curse: Nutjob.

…...

As Xu Tingsheng got on the bus and sat down on the seat beside the captain that had been left for him, the captain said rather hesitantly, “I’d thought that you wouldn’t be coming. At a time like this, you’d probably be busy.”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head.

“If there’s anything you need our help with, just say it,” The captain said, his other teammates chiming in as well, “Right, if there’s anything that we can do, just tell us.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I might really need to trouble everyone with something. Still, it isn't really urgent. Let’s just focus on the match first.”

Chapter 137: No reminiscing on old days

Heading south from Yanzhou to Jianan, Xu Tingsheng reminisced on the memories of his past life.

“Xu Tingsheng, your view,” The coach suddenly called Xu Tingsheng’s name.

“Huh?” Lost within his memories, Xu Tingsheng asked blankly.

The coach’s lengthy analysis having been met by a single ‘huh?’, he smilingly scolded Xu Tingsheng for a bit before asking again, “I analysed the situation of Jianan University’s school team just now. You were listening, right? What do you think?”

Xu Tingsheng thought: Do I still need you to analyse it for me? I even know who amongst their team is still a freaking virgin, when and who they broke up with and where they went to cry.

He hesitated for a moment before saying, “They’ve got two African-Chinese first year players. Their explosive power, speed and technique are all very shocking.”

The coach waved his hands, “Relax, foreigners aren’t allowed in the competition.”

“They’re not foreigners. They’ve been naturalised,” Xu Tingsheng told him.

The coach leapt up, his head colliding with the top of the bus, “The hell? I sneaked over there to look at them twice. How come I didn’t see them? How skilled are they, exactly? And how did you know?”

Thus, Xu Tingsheng thought back on that adorable coach of Jianan University in his previous life who believed that ‘shamelessness begets invincibility’. That assistant professor of Physics who had ceaselessly harassed the principal to the point of lying down on the floor and just not getting up just so that he would be able to get to be the coach of the football team...

He smiled, “The other side’s coach is really shameless. He’s definitely got them hidden somewhere. I also only know this from one of my friends who participated in the selection together with them. He said that one of those two is skilled enough to play in the Jia-B division.”

‘Jia-B’. That was the standard of a professional footballer! Xu Tingsheng’s coach and teammates collectively inhaled a breath of cold air.

The coach thought for a long time, “There’s nothing to think about then. Full defence all the way. We’ll hold back the ball. Follow this old man. This old man’s trained in penalties for an entire year. I don’t believe we can’t kill them dead.”

Everyone understood that this was actually the only strategy the coach knew.

“Don’t think that I only know this one strategy,” As if having guessed everyone’s thoughts, the coach revealed an expression of being Zhuge Liang reborn, “Who knows, maybe I’ll send Xu Tingsheng on to steal a goal sometime along the way.”

Xu Tingsheng thought: I don’t have that ability. If either one of those blacks comes over, I won’t even be able to touch the ball. Moreover, the team won’t even be able to last till that point. Just not ending up losing so terribly, we should already be praying to the heavens in thanks.

……

After a journey of more than two hours, a great green hill on which numerous massive rocks could be seen scattered about began gradually growing clearer and clearer before their eyes.

During the graduation party in the year 2007 of Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, the old professor of the Faculty of Arts, with tears in his eyes, had gifted the leaving graduates with a poem. Xu Tingsheng had not been listening all that attentively back then, only being able to remember the final line of that poem: You are leaving, and you are taking away my great green hill with you.

The great green hill was a perfectly ordinary mountain peak located behind Jianan University. It was not that tall and also contained no strange or wondrous sights, but there was no stopping it from being a symbol of the students’ memories. It was like a lighthouse of the graduates amidst their memories of their alma mater many years after they had graduated.

Xu Tingsheng had once felt that line to be rather cheesy. Only now did he know that actually, just a glance at that lighthouse would bring one back to back then.

The lighthouse gradually drew closer. Finally, the bus stopped at the entrance to Jianan University. The coach brought the players along in disembarking from the bus, whereupon they were greeted enthusiastically by a welcoming team sent by Jianan University.

The welcoming team sent by Jianan University consisted of teachers as well as students of the sports division. Amongst them were Xu Tingsheng's past captain and vice-captain. As the teachers exchanged pleasantries with the coach, Xu Tingsheng silently turned and dabbed at his eyes for fear of making a spectacle of himself.

“Students of Yanzhou University, come this way. We’ll show you to your room.”

A very familiar-sounding female voice resounded from behind Xu Tingsheng. He turned and saw her-that same smile, that same high ponytail.

Xu Tingsheng had once been in two university relationships in his previous life. Before having come here, he had considered the possibility that he might actually meet them here. It was just that he had not thought that it would come so soon.

In front of him was his girlfriend from his second year of university. Just like most university relationships, it had been sweet, it had been bitter, and it had zoomed past quickly, merely being an unexpected meeting of one’s life.

Not having met in the past, not within bittersweet memories of the future.

“Hey!”

Seeing Xu Tingsheng in a daze, she called out once more.

“Oh, sorry. I was out of it for a moment. Thanks,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It’s okay. Come on, we’ll bring you over,” The girl said.

Hearing the ‘we’, only now did Xu Tingsheng realise that another person had appeared beside her at some time or other. Xu Tingsheng was similarly familiar with this person. He was the vice-captain of the school team, being two years older than the both of them.

Hand-in-hand, they led Xu Tingsheng through the campus.

“You’re staying in the C District. This building,” The girl said.

“Thanks,” Xu Tingsheng bid farewell to them at the entrance of the building before suddenly adding, “I wish you happiness.”

“Huh? Thank you,” Shyness was apparent in the girl’s features.

“Thanks, bro,” The vice-captain said.

“You’re welcome. Just don’t use your elbow to press down on my hip bone during the match. I’m telling you first-if you do that, I’ll collapse and roll on the ground crying out foul and elbow strike.”

The vice-captain was left stunned there as Xu Tingsheng turned and entered the reception building. In his previous life, it was in Jianan University’s C District that he had resided in. Just having walked over here, just having stood at the entrance for a while, many familiar figures had walked right by him, some having been drunk together with him before, some having seen him off on a departing train before.

It was just that at this moment in time, there was only he who knew about it. There could be no reminiscing on old days.

Holding the girl’s hand as they left the area, the vice-captain mumbled, “This is bad. Yanzhou University’s reconnaissance is really too terrifying. They even know the kind of movements I like to make on the pitch. This opponent's very dangerous.”

“You've got to be careful about it then. He even wished us happiness just now.”

Of course they would be happy. Even they themselves didn't know it, but Xu Tingsheng did.

In Xu Tingsheng's previous life, perhaps because of his presence, the girl who hailed from the same hometown as him and the vice-captain had not interacted much at all during their university times.

Afterwards, Xu Tingsheng and the girl had broken up after just a couple of months. The vice-captain had graduated two years earlier, entering a junior high school to teach. After graduating, the girl had gone to the same junior high as well. They had embarked on a relationship there which had eventually blossomed into fruition.

Xu Tingsheng had even been invited to attend their wedding.

“So the tale would be such a blissful one without me.”

Xu Tingsheng entered the three-person room which the captain had allocated, next putting down his backpack and stuffing a packet of cigarettes into his pocket before saying to the captain with whom he was sharing the same room, “I'm going out for a while.”

The captain smiled, “Don’t get lost.”

“I won't,” Xu Tingsheng said, “How would I.”

…...

Xishan Academy City.

On the night of Xu Tingsheng's departure, Zhang Xingke hosted a large scale celebratory banquet. To him, Xu Tingsheng was merely a weak competitor who had fallen easily with a single blow. He had taken down many such opponents in the past three years.

The only thing that was different was that Xu Tingsheng had contributed greatly to him, providing him with a very ideal path of development.

Having fallen into a semi-drunken state, the triumphant Zhang Xingke decided to go over to Hucheng for a bit. On one hand, it would be like a victorious general riding on his horse to view the new territory that he had just obtained. On the other, he would soon begin planning for the establishment of his own education platform. If he could lure over a few of Hucheng's technicians who were proficient in the maintenance of such a platform, that would really save him a great amount of trouble.

Zhang Xingke peeked his head into the third floor of the riverside residence, “Woah, not bad. You're still holding on.”

Lu Zhixin, Old Wai and the employees were all present. Seeing that it was Zhang Xingke, they all ignored him.

“I came to see you guys,” Zhang Xingke placed a name card in front of each computer, “If you're looking for a job in a couple of days, you're very welcome over on my side.”

“Especially the two of you,” Zhang Xingke said to the two technicians, “I’ll be establishing a platform very soon. If you come over, I'll definitely not ill-treat you.”

“You, I don't want,” Zhang Xingke pointed at Old Wai.

“You, I want, hahahaha…” Zhang Xingke pointed at Lu Zhixin.

Lu Zhixin smiled, “I actually only have one job requirement. My boss cannot be ugly. Therefore, I'm very sorry.”

“You bi…” Zhang Xingke was enraged.

Old Wai and the two technicians stepped protectively in front of Lu Zhixin.

“Watch what you say.”

At the doorway, Fang Yuqing, Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Tan Yao entered the room. Ever since Xu Tingsheng's departure, they had come to guard over the riverside residence for him. Having been on the second floor earlier, they had only just heard the commotion.

“Woah, surnamed Fang. How scary,” Recognising Fang Yuqing, Zhang Xingke said with an exaggerated look on his face, “This old man hates people like you who depend on their families the most. I can't act against you now, but let's see about it again in a few years.”

“But I can act against you now.”

Fang Yuqing had previously been feeling despondent over not having an opponent to try his hand against despite having trained with Zhong Wusheng for a time. Now, he made as if to rush over.

Just when it seemed like a fight was about to break out, Liu Daiyun who had been working in Hucheng ever since the start of the winter holidays said, “Zhixin, you guys come over and take a look at this.”

Chapter 138: Counterattack of the female warrior

In the eyes of those of Xishan Academy City or the registered home tutors, the greatest fault of Xu Tingsheng was: bullying impoverished university students.

While actual action was not commonly seen in the current society, in terms of public sentiment, at least, be it the government or the people, all of them were greatly biased towards the weak. The previous incident with Gu Yan had pinned Hucheng with the shameful name of immorality.

Li Linlin had actually contacted Gu Yan in private at the time. However, other than clarifying that the post had not been written by her, Gu Yan had not said anything further.

The unique situation right now was that there were both Zhang Xingke and Hucheng’s employees who were viewing the new post by Gu Yan together, the two opposing sides simultaneously silently digesting and pondering upon the new change in the situation.

Gu Yan’s post had gone under the ‘Xishan Tower’ forum, next having been linked by other people into the forums of the various universities.

The title of the post had was very befitting of Gu Yan’s female warrior style: I am Gu Yan. I have something to say.

1. Hucheng Education having sealed my account at the time was due to an error in inputed data on my part. Also, the time of the sealing never lasted more than ten minutes.

2. In having competed for a home tutor position with a Hucheng personnel, I was indeed once unwilling to accept the result. Now, however, I can accept it. If you can’t, look at it for yourself.

Below this were several handphone snapshots of the teaching plans that Xu Tingsheng had prepared for Xiang Ning. With that in mind, they were detailed and entertaining and earnest to the point that they really couldn’t have been any better.

3. Hucheng Education has never charged me a single cent at all before. Meanwhile, through them, I received even more jobs that were also better-paying, my income having risen greatly as compared to how it was before. In the past, I dared not eat meat even once a week in the cafeteria. Now, I can have meat to eat every day.

4. Thinking about how we were exploited by people back then, if Hucheng falls, things would probably return to how it was like back then. The previous post was not written by me. This girl has no time to go on the internet. Everyone, don’t be used by those with malicious intentions.

Whoever bullies impoverished university students, you know it, and we know it too.

5: I am the actual Gu Yan. If you don't believe me, you are welcome to come to the Mathematics course of Yanzhou University and ask me in person.

The incident...had reversed. A great many registered home tutors who shared the same sentiments as Gu Yan came out to comment on the thread as well. They expressed their feelings and their gratitude, and even left behind their actual information like Gu Yan had done.

If you don't believe it, come look for me and ask me in person.

As for Xu Tingsheng's teaching plans, they truly evoked countless admiring sighs.

“I've saved the pictures. Are there any more? I want to use it as a template for analysis,” Someone commented.

“With this standard, he can just directly go be a teacher already.”

“The key is still this earnestness. For just this one lesson, how long must he have prepared?” The next guy said.

All of Hucheng whooped in joy.

Zhang Xingke was silent for a while before he smiled coldly, “Very good, but it's not enough. If it's only like this, your platform’s still doomed to fall.”

“Xu Tingsheng asks you not to get too hasty,” Lu Zhixin replied.

Zhang Xingke left. Everyone of Hucheng crowded around Li Linlin as she made a call to Gu Yan's dormitory room.

“Hey, Gu Yan, it's Linlin. Thank you,” Li Linlin said.

“No need for thanks. Other than the first sentence, all of it was true. Still, tell your boss for me that I'm not helping him, much less fearing and being threatened by him,” Gu Yan hung up with that.

Not having heard the contents of the conversation, everyone crowded around Li Linlin clamouring to know why it was that Gu Yan had suddenly been willing to step forth to help them.

“She didn't explain, but I understand that she was threatened by Bro Xu,” Li Linlin said rather disbelievingly, “But that's impossible! Gu Yan's the stubborn type who’d rather die than give in.”

When Xu Tingsheng received the call from Hucheng, he was in the midst of smoking a cigarette as he sat by the flowerbed in front of Jianan University's C District No.7 dormitory building.

The external speaker was turned on for Hucheng's office phone as everyone bombarded Xu Tingsheng with cries of, “How did you do it?”

“Seduction, self-sacrifice,” Xu Tingsheng feigned a sorrowful tone.

“That's impossible. Gu Yan doesn't like your type,” Over on the other end of the phone, Li Linlin who was most familiar with Gu Yan replied, “Did you really threaten her?”

……

On the morning of the 'Gu Yan incident’, Old Wai had felt bewildered by the fact that Xu Tingsheng who usually treated skipping lessons as he would drinking water had still gone to attend a free elective lesson. The reason for this was actually that Gu Yan was taking that very same elective as well.

“You must've heard, right? Someone's maligning you. I'm really feeling unfair for you. Look, want to clarify things?” Xu Tingsheng smilingly inserted himself beside Gu Yan.

“The post wasn't wrong. You did seal my account, and even competed through unfair means. What do I have to clarify? I won’t help you,” Gu Yan said coldly.

“Come, I’ll give you something,” Xu Tingsheng handed his teaching plans over to Gu Yan.

Gu Yan took a look at them before raising her head, “Fine, I’m willing to accept this. Still, I won’t help you.”

“If you don’t help me, I’ll shut down the platform.”

“You can threaten me with shutting down the platform?”

“You’ll earn less money.”

“So be it.”

“It’s not just you who will earn less money. All the impoverished university students of Xishan Academy City as a whole will be earning less. Do you think that you’re the only one who’re poor? There’re many people who have it much harder than you. Take this History student for instance. He’s never ordered dishes in the cafeteria before, only taking away two bowls of free soup every time, using one as the base for the rice and the other as the dish. Also consider…”

Xu Tingsheng described the lives of a few impoverished university students before continuing, “You may not care about earning a few hundred less, may be willing to be exploited, but have you thought about them before? How hard they have it now, and without those few hundred…”

Gu Yan had a rather distressed expression on her face. She empathised with those people whom Xu Tingsheng had mentioned, having experienced similar hardships as them before.

“Just don’t shut down the platform then,” Gu Yan ventured hesitantly.

“If you don’t help me, I’ll shut it down,” Xu Tingsheng said shamelessly.

“You’re threatening me with this?”

“That’s right. If you don’t help me, think about the livelihoods of all those students. It would be all because of you...could you rest easy with that knowledge?”

“I, I’ll only state the truth. You did seal my account.”

“Lie about that for me.”

“No, I never lie.”

“If you don’t help me and lie, I’ll shut down the platform.”

“...”

“Think about it for a while. On behalf of all the impoverished university home tutors, on behalf of the clothes, the rice and vegetables, the gloves in winter and the ice water in summer that they send back home to their parents...I thank you, Miss Gu Yan.” Xu Tingsheng finally concluded.

……

“That’s all it was,” Xu Tingsheng described over the phone how it was that he had successfully persuaded Gu Yan, not finding it shameful as he instead revelled in it.

Those in Hucheng who were gathered around the phone all felt speechless, “That worked?”

“Of course it did. Those with a sense of justice are always easier to threaten than those who are shameless. The upright and honourable are always easier to deal with,” Xu Tingsheng’s tone was leisurely, “Gu Yan is a fine young lady indeed.”

In truth, of course it had not been a threat. Also, this had not been the process of the entire conversation between the two. That anguished narration, that pleading-Xu Tingsheng was too embarrassed to say that out loud. In truth, it was he who had the most empathy for these impoverished university students, for he had once been in the exact same situation himself.

In short, Xu Tingsheng had swayed emotionality with rationality.

Due to Gu Yan’s post, many other registered university home tutors came forth, achieving the first reversal in the situation for Hucheng and Xu Tingsheng. In truth, the comments within Yanzhou University regarding him this day had basically consisted of two positions:

“He’s lost, run away. Such a person without even the basic moral principles-he deserves it.”

“He’s heading to a match for Yanzhou University’s honour, okay? Really, can you not?”

Now, the first position no longer had any ground to stand on. Xu Tingsheng stood on the side of the impoverished university students. Meanwhile, who were ‘those with malicious intentions’ that Gu Yan had spoken of? Someone posted Zhang Xingke’s dark history.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng returned to being the ally of impoverished university students, returned to being the hero who had washed off Yanzhou University’s humiliation.

Meanwhile, it also just so happened that Zhang Xingke studied in Jianhai Technological University, their opponents from back then…

Even with the platform being attacked, Xu Tingsheng still chose to go on conquest for the university at such a difficult time. What about us? What have we been doing? Helping outsiders to bully our own?

At the appropriate time, Yanzhou University’s football team who had risen to prominence due to that match last semester announced on the forum: Our whole team unconditionally trusts in and supports Xu Tingsheng.

The voices in support of Xu Tingsheng first filled up all the Yanzhou University forums before coming to encompass the academy city’s Xishan Tower forum.

“Please don’t judge us like that, Yanzhou University students. Zhang Xingke is Zhang Xingke, and Jianhai Technological University is Jianhai Technological University. While I am studying there, I am also a registered home tutor of Hucheng. I support Hucheng as well”.

A suitably-timed post caused a change in the winds of public sentiment as the spearhead was beginning to turn towards Zhang Xingke.

“As an already graduated senior, let me tell you the story of how our home tutor intermediary organisation was destroyed by Zhang Xingke that year,” Narrated a tearful post by a senior.

Zhang Xingke flung and broke a cup this time, breathing in deeply before the gazes of his employees before he finally said, “Relax, as long as Hucheng’s impression with the parents is irreversible, if they have no parent resources, they won’t be able to hold on all the same.”

“Boss, this...come and take a look.”

“What?”

In Yanzhou City’s citizen forum, under the entertainment and lifestyle sections, Zhang Xingke’s ‘Who have you handed your children over to’ as well as the thread which had contained photographs of Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai, fighting, smoking and peeking at the girl’s dormitory, were both still on the front page.

However, most trending was yet another thread.

“Is this the hoodlum that you speak of?”

The contents of the thread depicted a Libei County Award of Bravery and a Yanzhou City Award of Bravery.

The former came from during Xu Tingsheng’s senior high days when he had helped to capture that escaped suspected SARS patient. He would not have received this commendation if not for the staunch assistance of Vice-Principal Lou.

The latter originated from back when in the process of saving Old Wai and Li Linlin, Xu Tingsheng, Fang Yuqing and Zhong Wusheng had simultaneously saved two imprisoned females. While their information had not been broadcasted then, by the suggestion of Fang Yuqing’s cousin, they had still received a commendation. This was a true, major incident.

Currently, the incident already being something of the past, it was impossible for information regarding Li Linlin to be dug up any longer. Also, Xu Tingsheng had merely publicised the award, not having given any clarification.

Awards of Bravery were not all that easy to obtain. Moreover, there were two of them. Moreover, he was still just a university student.

Chapter 139: Keeping Hucheng afloat

In the second part of the post, there were photographs of Xu Tingsheng’s university entrance examination results as well as home tutoring teaching plans.

In the third part of the post, Tan Yao himself narrated the circumstances of the fight that day, affixing a photograph of Room 602 as well. Looking at the scene of the incident, it was clear that those people were indeed the ones who had come over and started a fight.

Meanwhile, there was only a single line which explained the gist of the post: Why can’t you feel safe leaving your children with us?

Beneath the post, the citizens were very active in their replies.

Is he a hoodlum? Is it possible for a hoodlum to individually receive two Awards of Bravery?

In this era, while people might not dare to become heroes themselves, facing the increasing state of indifference within society, everyone was yearning for the appearance of heroes.

Some people tried to guess the reason behind Xu Tingsheng having obtained the Yanzhou City Award of Bravery. Some citizens even meticulously ruled out the possibilities of all the Awards of Bravery which had been mentioned in newspaper articles, coming to think of the sole incident concerning that imprisonment affair for which the hero’s information was never made public.

“If it truly is you, I thank you on behalf of the two victims, thank you on behalf of the people of Yanzhou.”

“Isn’t it only normal for boys to look at girls? Shut up, hypocrites.”

“I also smoke. So what? Is smoking illegal? Right, many teachers and even principals smoke.”

“I was really moved by that teaching plan. I’m a teacher myself, but I would be willing to have him teach my child.”

“If only he was my child’s teacher.”

The voices defending Hucheng became the overarching mainstream on the forums.

In Hucheng’s office, the phones began ringing incessantly once more. This time, some were purely encouraging as they expressed their support, others apologised for their earlier words while there were also those who expressed that they wanted to immediately re-open their accounts.

“My child’s currently looking for a home tutor. Can this person on the forum take the job?”

“Oh, sorry about that. He’s currently out on a match. I’ll help you to ask him when he gets back.”

Someone moved the post from the citizen forum to the academy city’s Xishan Tower forum.

If this post had merely been meant to show off, the university students who were pride-averse and thus sensitive might instead feel somewhat resistant to it.

However, this was not so. Xu Tingsheng had attained the Awards of Bravery so long ago in the past, yet none of them had ever caught wind of it before. This meant that he had originally kept it just to himself, having been keeping a low profile all along.

This time, it was only because he had been maligned with his integrity called into question that he had had no choice but to prove himself, defend himself.

Thus, he obtained the understanding of most people.

Most shocked were those people who were most acquainted with Xu Tingsheng, including his football mates, his classmates and even his friends and those of Hucheng, with the revelation having taken place the previous day for Lu Zhixin. Most of them would never have thought that he had actually done all of these before. Also, he had never mentioned any of this even once.

The football hero of Yanzhou University had turned out to be a true, great hero.

Whatever side they had stood on before this, they all now chose to support Xu Tingsheng, support Hucheng.

Accompanied by this, Zhang Xingke who had besmirched Xu Tingsheng’s integrity was dug up once again, and Huang Keshen who had sold out his roommates was similarly not spared. One of the occupants of the dormitory room next to Room 602 came out to testify:

“Room 602 was indeed attacked by others that day. Could they just have stood by and watched their roommate being bullied? Could they still call themselves men then?”

Someone expressed, “I too take binoculars and gaze at the girl’s dormitory of the medical institute every day. With so many pretty nurses and doctors there, which dorm doesn’t?”

The girls of the medical institute replied down below, “Thank you for your praise, Yanzhou University guys. You’re welcome to extend your friendship! Our medical institute’s really greatly in need of bachelors here.”

“Also, don’t just look! Mister Xu Tingsheng, you can directly come and look for me.”

“Maybe it was me he was looking at?”

“I’ve analysed the angle of the binoculars in the photograph. It was our dorm room, no question about that.”

“I just hope that I haven’t caught the eye of that disgusting male who betrayed his roommates.”

The girls of Yanzhou University expressed, “Those over at the medical institute, go away and rest where the wind is cool. We’re lacking guys ourselves here in Yanzhou University. As for Xu Tingsheng, he’s taken, and even if he wasn’t, your medical institute will never get a chance. We of Yanzhou University will internally digest him ourselves.”

“I know, his girlfriend’s called Lu Zhixin. They seem to be cohabiting.”

“Two confessions, and I was present for both of them. Still, forgive me when I say that this girl just isn’t willing to wish you two happiness.”

“Same here. May you break up quickly.”

Seeing these posts, Lu Zhixin felt complex emotions.

“Woah, your face’s turned red? Right, about that...when you entered his room afterwards, did the two of you…” A technician teased Lu Zhixin.

They were actually the clearest on the relationship between Lu Zhixin and Xu Tingsheng. They were far from lovers, much less having possibly reached that point. Still, their moods were just too great now. There was no stopping the leisures of the mouth!

“Scram,” Lu Zhixin scolded, her face red.

Amidst the ruckus, Old Wai suddenly said, “I think I can finally understand now why Xu Tingsheng said that he wanted to go out and hide for a couple of days.”

Previously, when Xu Tingsheng had said that he wanted to go out and hide for a couple of days, everyone had looked at him with a sort of sympathetic understanding. Thinking back on it now, it was instead apparent that he was just too embarrassed to face the current situation.

…...

Xu Tingsheng was indeed embarrassed, such that after learning that the post had gone online, he had dared not even scroll further through it. Uncle had already been easily embarrassed from the start. Having been forced to ‘show off’ and ‘bask in the limelight’ this time round, he was actually feeling incomparably conflicted.

“It sure was fortunate that I managed to escape.”

Xu Tingsheng raised his head and looked at Room 408 of Block 7. There was no one on the balcony, and the room lights were turned off as well. His former roommates resided there, his brothers of four years. Yu Yue, Wang Yu, Zhang Fengping, Yang Xiaofeng...are you all still well?

Xu Tingsheng went upstairs and walked around for a bit. The door of Room 408 was locked. Bending down and listening beneath the door, no sounds were audible from within.

“Where’ve they roamed to again? This bro came to see you, and you’re all actually not here. With the second semester of our first year just having begun, apart from Yu Yue, the rest of you shouldn’t have found any girlfriends, isn’t it? Shouldn’t all of you be holeing up in the room all day long playing Counterstrike?”

Xu Tingsheng looked through the gap in the door. There was actually an empty bed in the 8-man room, precisely the lower bunk next to the door which he had once occupied.

When no one had come even after yet some time had passed, thinking that he would return the next day, Xu Tingsheng dissatisfiedly left.

Carrying a basketball, Yu Yue and Wang Yu walked over. Xu Tingsheng almost stopped in his tracks as they brushed past him.

The next moment, he dared not speak, because as soon as he did, he was afraid that he might choke on his words. He had seen the basketball-carrying Yu Yue again, whereas once, in the two years after their graduation from university, the Yu Yue whom him and his other roommates had gone to visit time and time again was a Yu Yue who had had difficulty even moving about.

Back then, Yu Yue would always say, “You guys shouldn’t come anymore. Just remember the me of the past. How good was that.”

After leaving the building, Xu Tingsheng made a call to Xiang Ning’s home, telling Mrs Xiang that because he was out representing his school on a competition, he had asked a classmate to replace him for the weekend. Xu Tingsheng was actually feeling very uneasy as he made the call, afraid that Mrs Xiang might have noticed the recent scandal with Hucheng and the news regarding him.

Fortunately, Mrs Xiang didn’t exhibit any abnormalities whatsoever.

Over from the other end, Xiang Ning’s voice could be heard in the background, “Let me talk. Come on, come on.”

“Hello?” Xiang Ning received the phone.

“Hello, what’s up?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“You’re not coming again?”

“I’ve got a competition.”

“Oh.”

“Just that?”

“That’s right.”

“In compensation, I’ll cook for you the next time I come.”

“Okay.”

The line disconnected. Sometimes, when you want to talk to someone, there might not actually be something on your mind. You simply just feel like talking to that person. At this moment, Xu Tingsheng was thinking: Xiang Ning’s already begun to feel like speaking to me?

Much happier than before, Xu Tingsheng returned to his room.

That night, he wasn’t able to sleep in his former bed, talking to his former bro on the bunk above him. However, he could dwell within a dream of the Jianan University of his rebirth’s dual lives.

……

On Xishan Tower’s forum, someone began a thread entitled: Keep Hucheng Afloat.

Earlier, Zhang Xingke had publicised the situation of the riverside residence where Hucheng’s office was located. The dilapidated house, the tough conditions. These had originally been used by him as proof of Hucheng’s incompetence.

Now, however, it served to evoke another feeling: Hucheng has it tough. Yet at the same time, Hucheng is still free of charge.

Keep Hucheng Afloat. The university students supported them by way of registering on their platform. Yanzhou University had always had quite a number of students who were studying to become teachers. Many of them who did not actually have to work convinced themselves to register on the platform in order to temper themselves via home tutoring.

Some even expressed: We can accept paying fees. Of course, it can’t be too overboard.

Someone posted this on Yanzhou's citizen forum. Similarly, some parents began expressing that they too would be able to accept Hucheng charging some fees for its intermediary services.

Lu Zhixin gave Xu Tingsheng a call.

“You said earlier that the time wasn't right. What about now? After the incident is over, can we begin charging fees?”

“It's still not right.”

“Why?”

“Sympathy is only ever temporary. It’s impossible for businesses to rely on sympathy and understanding for their operations. Their current attitude is just because they're momentarily feeling touched.”

“In having been free of charge thus far, Hucheng has actually dug a really big pit for itself. Here's an example. When someone gives porridge to the victims of a natural disaster, they would initially be feeling grateful. However, if this family themselves fall into hard times one day, thus ceasing with the dispensing of porridge, what they would face as a result would be cursing and swearing, even hatred, as if they had stolen food directly away from these recipients of aid. Such is human nature.”

“Thus, only when we have truly proven our value will we have the reason and the conditions to charge people fees.”

“Aren't the services currently provided by Hucheng valuable?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“They are, but it isn't enough. They can be even more valuable. Wait another two or three months,” Xu Tingsheng said, not explaining the rationale behind that particular time period.

Due to the 'Keep Hucheng Afloat’ movement, the number of registered home tutors as well as parents on the platform began shooting back up the next day, even looking as if it might break through the original record.

To Hucheng, this storm was actually not merely a crisis. At the same time, it was also a large scale promotion exercise. Thanks to Zhang Xingke ‘assistance’, more and more people came to know about as well as understand Hucheng.

Hucheng had turned the tables in the battlefield of public sentiment. However, the crisis had not ended just like this.

Zhang Xingke had the habit of throwing things around and breaking them. Previously, he had done so with plates and cups. This time, he virtually smashed his entire room. He called over Huang Keshen's ‘girlfriend’ and finished venting his emotions before making a call.

“Management Head Zhao, you've got to act now,” Zhang Xingke said darkly into the phone.

“Under such circumstances, you’ve got to understand that if you want me to deal with them, it will be very difficult for me…” Management Head Zhao said.

“I don't understand. What I want to tell you, Management Head Zhao, is that every time you take money from me, including that sum back then, I always leave behind records of it... therefore, think about it for yourself.”

“Zhang Xingke, you dare to threaten me?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Chapter 140: Old friends

On Saturday, apart from the still trending discussions on the forums, things were strangely quiet between Zhang Xingke and Hucheng, or should it be said Xu Tingsheng.

Over the past few days, both sides had launched repeated moves, the battle of public sentiment that had gone from acting and suppressing to reversal and yet another reversal having left some people who were merely in for watching the commotion considerably entertained.

To them, the peaceful day that had passed just felt rather flavourless. Had things really ended just like that? Various news which were either completely fabricated or somewhat reliable began spreading non-stop.

“Insider news! The school's going to intervene.”

“I'll say that even the government is going to intervene. What a load of bull.”

“It's fine if you don't believe it. Just wait and see.”

Great winds forewarned of a powerful storm that was soon to come.

Yet, the weather was actually very good today. This was so in Yanzhou City, and in Jianan City as well.

Being rather considerate for once, the Yanzhou University coach allowed his charges who were tired out from travelling to sleep the entire afternoon away. Of course, it could be that he was simply afraid that their training session would be spied upon, their greatest trump card thus being revealed.

What was Yanzhou University's greatest trump card? Naturally, it was vehemently defending and dragging on the match to the last.

Comparatively speaking, Jianan University's side was much more nervous. Having been given a fright by Xu Tingsheng the previous day, the vice-captain of the team had returned and told them all that had happened. As a result, all of them, from the players to the coach, had begun feeling uneasy: How is it that Yanzhou University actually has such a thorough understanding of us?

Another reason for their nervousness was that they didn't understand Yanzhou University at all. Never having watched a match that Yanzhou University had played in before, all they knew was that Yanzhou University had unexpectedly eliminated Jianhai Technological University in the pre-qualifiers. Meanwhile, Jianhai Technological University was somewhat competent, possessing quite a bit of fame.

Just like this, facing a 'lamb to the slaughter’, Jianan University really scared themselves good.

In the afternoon, Yanzhou University finally arranged for a training session. However, apart from slow jogging and some randomly kicking the ball about, they was nothing else which the person Jianan University had dispatched to spy on them saw. They thought that Yanzhou University was hiding something, yet how could they have known that in truth, all Yanzhou University actually knew how to do was kick the ball about randomly.

After the training session had ended, Xu Tingsheng did not directly return to rest with his teammates. Having turned around, he had just happened to see the group of people in the distant basketball court. They were his past roommates.

After hesitating for a while, Xu Tingsheng walked over. On the basketball court, his roommates were playing three against three, with Zhang Fengping, the remaining of the seven, sitting by the sidelines and smoking.

In Xu Tingsheng's previous life, Zhang Fengping had been the troublemaker of Room 408. Xu Tingsheng still remembered how he had gotten drunk on the night of their graduation dinner, having sung to a girl on the way back to their dorm: Girl, looking really freaking beautiful, looking till my heart's all flustered. Tonight, whose bed will you warm, can you also let me on…”

In the end, that girl had turned out to be a graduate as well. Also, her similarly drunk boyfriend had led his roommates along in rushing straight for them...that night, a drunken brawl had occurred between the two sides.

Waking up the next morning, Yu Yue who remembered nothing of their drunken escapades had even asked, “Where did I fall when I was drunk yesterday? My face hurts...oh no, it's swollen.”

“Bro, lend me a light.”

Handing over a cigarette, Xu Tingsheng sat down beside Zhang Fengping.

“Heck, nice cigarette!” Zhang Fengping yelped, passing over the lighter.

Xu Tingsheng lit up first his own cigarette and then Zhang Fengping's before he smiled, “It's great at the start of the month when there's money. Slightly worse ones will do when it's the middle of the month. When the month's ending, it’s fine as long as there's some. Otherwise, there's still the cigarette butts.”

Zhang Fengping was taken aback, “Bro, your situation's...exactly the same as mine.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “It's actually more or less the same for everyone, really.”

Yet, he was actually thinking: Exactly the same as you? It's you I'm talking about. In my previous life, I owed you many good cigarettes, and those were from the start of the month when you had money. You owed me many inferior cigarettes, and those were from the middle and the end of the month...there were also those ashtrays that we flipped over together in the past. We were always arguing that that longer cigarette butt was our own.”

Now, those out on the court stopped, one of them yelling, “Tired, change!”

Xu Tingsheng looked at Zhang Fengping, “Bro, can I play for a while?”

“Sure. You play, I'll smoke,” Zhang Fengping replied.

After Xu Tingsheng got on court, he found himself on the same team as Yu Yue and also Zhong Ming whom he had called in the past pretending to be from the National Security Agency. On the opposing team were Wang Yu, Yang Xiaofeng and another roommate.

In this world, the things through which people became most easily acquainted were smoking, drinking, playing ball and music. As they played, the sweat-laden Xu Tingsheng seemed to have returned to the times of back then, forgetting himself amidst this reunion of lives both past and present.

“Yu Yue, here!”

Hearing the voice, Yu Yue stopped for a moment to look at Xu Tingsheng who was calling for the ball with his hands outstretched, next looking back at the smoking Zhang Fengping as he thought that it was probably him who had done the introductions. Otherwise, there was no conceivable way the guy there might know his name.

As he hesitated, the ball was stolen away by Wang Yu.

After Wang Yu had stolen the ball, there was no one back defending the court at all. However, he just loved to act cool whenever there were no opposing defenders, looping the ball about his waist before naturally bringing it up, jumping and shooting in a single motion.

Xu Tingsheng hid behind him. When he looped the ball around...he stole it away.

“What the heck? What happened?” His hands catching nothing but air, Wang Yu was greatly despondent.

“Who asked you to pose,” Yu Yue said.

“If you guys were the ones who stole it, fine. You all know that I like to pose. But this bro, how come he knows it as well?” Wang Yu said.

Xu Tingsheng was unable to say: Your big bro here has known it since many, many years ago.

He thought for a moment before smiling, “I watched you play for a while earlier. You’re really too much of a poser.”

“Well said, bro,” Yelled Yang Xiaofeng, another former roommate from beneath the hoop.

Xu Tingsheng swivelled his head and looked over at him, not speaking.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng harboured rather complex emotions towards Yang Xiaofeng. Having quit his job as a teacher in his previous life, he had started a business together with Zhang Fengping and Yang Xiaofeng, jointly running a construction materials company.

When the company had finally plunged into hard times, it was precisely Yang Xiaofeng who had swept away all the remaining funds and fled all on his own.

Even though he had left behind an incomparably sincere, pleading letter back then, narrating his predicament and how he had had no other choice, Xu Tingsheng had still hated him, hated him for many long years till he had met with an accident in the end.

Now that he had been reborn, Xu Tingsheng had been trying his hardest not to think about this part of his memories all along. The two were destined not to have any such interactions in this current life. Why then should he be held back by matters of the past?

It was just that Xu Tingsheng had originally thought that he might still not be able to stand the sight of him when they eventually did meet once more. He might hate him, feel furious at him.

Yet, meeting him again now, from when he had first spotted him till now, he had actually not felt any hatred, only feeling at a loss as he knew not how he should face him. Thus, at this moment, Xu Tingsheng didn’t say anything, just passing the ball over as the match continued…

After more than an hour of basketball, Xu Tingsheng had already gotten to be on very good terms with his roommates of the past. Just like how it had been back then, they all had very compatible temperaments. After sitting down and chatting for a while, they too learnt why it was that Xu Tingsheng had come.

“What a pity. I’d still thought that you were from our school. We’d have been able to hang out together after this,” Zhang Fengping said, “Seeing that you’re just gonna be here for a couple of days, how about you come over to our dorm to play tonight?”

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng replied without any hesitation whatsoever.

“C District Block 7 Room 408. Can you find it?”

“It should be fine. We’re staying right in the C District’s guest building.”

Taking the basketball, his former roommates left.

Xu Tingsheng gazed at those familiar backs. In those four years they had spent together, they had once laughed together, cried together, fought together, been beaten up together. Some of them had put on their backpacks and departed into the distance beneath his gaze. Some of them had personally sent him over to the train station after graduation, waving their hands on the platform all the way till his homebound train was out of sight.

There were those who had led happy and stable lives later on in the future. There were also those…

“Yu Yue!” Xu Tingsheng could not stop himself from yelling out.

“What?” Yu Yue looked back.

Xu Tingsheng very much wanted to loudly tell him what would happen to him in the future, what he should do to avoid it. However, there was nothing at all that he could do.

“Nice basketball skills,” He finally said.

“Thanks! Remember to come over to play tonight,” Yu Yue said, “Do you play Counterstrike?”

“Yeah.”

“We’ll wait for you then, LAN...we’ve recently been fighting against those from Economics every day, and it’s really a fierce struggle. If you’re an expert, you can also help us out,” Yu Yue said.

“Agreed.”

“Well then, see you later,” Yu Yue waved, turning to leave.

“See you later, and not just merely this one time.”

Xu Tingsheng fell silent. Since there are some things that I can’t tell you, let me do them for you.

Chapter 141: Love at first sight, what about second?

Xu Tingsheng saw Qiao Ying again at the entrance to the C District at sunset. She stood there in a beige overcoat, carrying a few books. As she leaned against the wall, her long hair that streamed down to her waist was dyed a faint red beneath the light of the setting sun.

Everyone seems to meet such a person in their life. The two of you are destined not to have a happy ending, but the relationship between you just repeatedly lingers, unable to properly end.

Qiao Ying was that person of Xu Tingsheng’s previous life.

The two had fallen in love at first sight in November of their first year of university. They had broken up in their second year of university, gotten back together in their third year and broken up yet once more in their fourth year. The month before graduation, harbouring the mood of a ‘final commemoration’, the two had spent their last days in university together.

This was a strange state of affairs that seemed even ‘masochistic’ somewhat. While the two of them were just so afraid of the pain suffered amidst their interactions and the torture that it was bringing them, they just seemed unable to go their separate ways for good.

Even now, Xu Tingsheng still remembered Qiao Ying’s call to him on the night before her wedding.

“I’ll be marrying someone else tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

“Look, we tried so long and hard, but it all still didn’t work out in the end.”

“Actually, we already knew that it would turn out like this a long time ago.”

“Yeah, we knew it long ago. It’s just that we couldn’t be satisfied with just that back then.”

“It’s all good now.”

“Yeah.”

There was a red mole at the back of Qiao Ying’s waist. This was a woman whom Xu Tingsheng had originally thought would eventually become Sanmao or Eileen Chang in the end. However, at the end of the day, she had given the myriad emotions and ceaseless wrangling of an artistic chick to Xu Tingsheng, yet had been able to live a peaceful life with another man, standing by him and educating their children in the end.

Thus, whose fault was it actually that they had ‘missed their chance’?

After having gotten married, Qiao Ying had only contacted Xu Tingsheng once before, sending a poem over to him via text messaging.

“I’m really thinking of you,

When you fall asleep on the train,

When I’m in my wedding dress with a big smile on my face.

I’m really thinking of you,

When I pass by that boulevard of the past,

When you walk the Bridge of Final Remembrance in the future.”

(What do you think is the title of this poem?)

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Isn’t it ‘I’m really thinking of you’? Otherwise, I can’t guess.

Qiao Ying replied: I want you to die.

Xu Tingsheng replied: I’m all good and well. Why would I walk the Bridge of Final Remembrance?”

Qiao Ying no longer replied. This was the final scene of their lengthy, never-ending wrangling.

She was the person Xu Tingsheng wanted to see the most on this trip here, yet also the person whom he didn’t want to see the most.

Xu Tingsheng sat down on the pavement on the opposite side of the road, lighting a cigarette.

Qiao Ying seemed to be waiting for someone as she just continued standing there.

“She’s actually learnt to wait for people,” Xu Tingsheng could not help but smile wryly.

When they had been dating in his previous life, he had always been the one waiting for her. Once, she had wanted to eat ice cream, so he had bought some and waited for her in front of her dormitory building.

After the first ice cream had melted, she still hadn’t come. Xu Tingsheng bought another. The second one melted, and she still hadn’t come. Xu Tingsheng bought a third. She finally came. Xu Tingsheng had waited till she had walked in front of him before throwing the third ice cream cone into the trash can right before her very eyes.

That was the first time these two wilful people had broken up.

Qiao Ying had already stood there for more than twenty minutes, with Xu Tingsheng initially believing that she was waiting for a guy. In the end, it was a girl who came. He had known her as Qiao Ying’s bosom friend in his past life. Thus, Xu Tingsheng recognised her.

After meeting up, the two of them crossed the road over to the pavement on which Xu Tingsheng was sitting, next passing right by him.

“That guy seems like he’s been watching you all this time,” The girl told Qiao Ying.

“I discovered this long ago. Still, it’s a pity, but he isn’t my type,” Qiao Ying replied.

Hearing this conversation, Xu Tingsheng thought, “...Wasn’t it love at first sight in our previous life? You liar, you’re afflicted from reading too many plotlines. When you lied to me, you probably fooled even yourself along with it as well.”

This was the scary thing about artistic chicks. They turned their lives into a drama, possessing the ability to fool even themselves. Here, the endless wrangling of love and hatred that had elapsed between them had merely been because she suddenly thought of new plotlines again.

Thus, all the scenes within his memories had merely been the dramatic events that the female lead wanted to see play out. Happiness and bliss playing out today, breaking up tearfully playing out tomorrow, maybe tossing and turning trying to forget but just being unable to the day after…

Thus, their story in this life was just like this. Following their first encounter, they simply casually brushed past each other, going their separate ways.

“To hell with your love at first sight.”

“I’ll call your boyfriend later on. Only I know that there’s a red mole on the back of your waist. Let’s see you go fighting around tragically with him,” Xu Tingsheng hatefully thought.

But then, he felt happy again: Actually, isn’t this great?

…...

Xu Tingsheng went to Room 408 after dinner. Just having sat down for a bit, he was then dragged over to the internet cafe beneath Block 4 of the campus.

In this era, universities were still far from seeing everyone owning a personal computer. Additionally, the school rules here forbade Year One students from bringing over computers. In the entire Room 408, there was actually only one computer, belonging to Zhang Fengping who had smuggled it in.

Xu Tingsheng actually really wished to remain in their dorm for a bit longer, look at it for a bit more. However, he was helpless against the warm enthusiasm of his old pals, only able to take a quick look around before silently saying goodbye to the bunk bed which should originally have been his.

Reaching the internet cafe, his former roommates took out a borrowed campus card and passed it to him.

“Over here, we need to use this thing for everything on campus,” Wang Yu told him.

“I know,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Come, let's first get warmed up.”

Yu Yue created an fy_iceorld room, setting a password. It was 4v4.

The first round began. Xu Tingsheng randomly picked up a gun from somewhere before rushing into the right passageway.

“Bang.”

A sniper shot resounded, and Xu Tingsheng instantly died. Looking at the ID of his killer, Xu Tingsheng discovered that it was actually Zhang Fengping. Xu Tingsheng was at a loss: It can't be, right? Zhang Fengping's shooting is trash.

“Lucky shot. I just blindly shot one at the wall,” Zhang Fengping frankly admitted.

It was indeed so.

At the start of the second round, Xu Tingsheng picked up an AK-47 and rushed out. After that, he virtually didn't switch his weapon at all, because he just hadn't died. His battle achievements thereby stacked up to a glorious 1:18.

Those of Room 408 all exchanged glances: This...they had found a shooting god!

Getting excited, they clamoured, “Are those people from Economics on yet? Get in, get them good.”

“Freaking cool, bro. We’ll be depending on you later,” Yu Yue patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder.

“Actually, you were already stronger than this in Year Four,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Actually, considering their proficiency at the same developmental phase, Yu Yue had always been the best at CS of them all. Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng was merely just around average.

In this era, few students had actually gone into internet cafes and played games in their junior high days before. Even if they had, it was only occasionally. Under most circumstances, It was in university years that they truly began to have sufficient time, energy as well as conditions to come into frequent contact with games.

Thus, the reason Xu Tingsheng currently appeared like a ‘descended divinity’ was merely that all of them had actually just been playing CS for a short while. Meanwhile, he already had the peak skills from his fourth year of university...it was just that, and he actually also had to thank Zhang Fengping for having constantly dragged him out to play, even footing the costs for him.

“Entered, password’s 1.”

Hearing this, with practised motions, Xu Tingsheng entered Dust, also dubbed the national map.

The people from Economics that Room 408 was going up against had actually also been their rivals in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life. They had somehow ended up on bad terms for no good reason, laughing mockingly at the other whenever they won and cursing when they lost. This had gone on for their entire first year of university.

The reason for this having stopped in their second year was that many of their members from both sides had become addicted to Fantasy Westward Journey instead.

Room 408’s most famous story regarding Fantasy Westward Journey had occurred with Zhong Ming. When he was in Year Two, he had had his first time with his girlfriend. Afterwards, he had very earnestly and solemnly thought that that hadn’t been as fun as Fantasy Westward Journey.

Thus, he had rejected all his girlfriend’s future proposals without question, regardless of whether she had hinted it to him or asked him outright. Hugging his computer, he just refused to go get a room no matter what, all the way till they broke up.

This was a classic ‘destined to be solitary’ story that had played out with countless game addicts before. It was also only when Wang Yu had been in his third year of university that he had realised that, actually, many people’s first time was just like that as well…

Sadly, it had been too late for regret then.

Chapter 142: Searching your name

The abilities of that group from Economics and those of Room 408 were rather evenly matched. If there had been much of a difference in their abilities, they wouldn’t have had been in a conflict for such a long time. This time, with the addition of Xu Tingsheng, the power balance inevitably tipped, culminating in a one-sided slaughter on Room 408’s part.

As they fought on, those from Economics sensed that something was wrong, sending one guy over to take a look, “Heck, you got help?”

“Why not?” Zhang Fengping replied.

“Fine, we’ll get help as well then.”

After a while, the reinforcements for their opponents arrived. The guy in question carried his own earpiece, mouse, keyboard and mouse pad as he entered, having completely the style of a professional gamer.

“Heck, it’s him! It’s over, there’s no beating him,” Zhang Fengping said.

“It’s fine,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Bro, you don’t know, but he’s our Jianan University’s number one expert. There’s really no beating him,” Yu Yue said.

How could Xu Tingsheng not know about it? This Bro Expert had owned the entire CS-er community of Jianan University for close to two years in his previous life. It was only afterwards that someone discovered that in having brought along so many accessories each time, taking the time to plug in and arrange all of them, it was actually just to plug in a thumbdrive at the back of the computer.

Within that thumbdrive was installed a professional-tier automatic aimbot cheating program that could not be found anywhere on the local internet at that time. Watching the game, most people would have been unable to tell that such a cheat move was actually happening.

Only when the Brazilian professional gamer ASP had been exposed of cheating online did everyone realise from this scandal that other than what they had seen before, such pro-tier cheats actually existed in this world. As for how Bro Expert had managed to obtain it, no one had been able to learn the answer. They only felt ‘admiration’ at his ‘true passion’ for the game.

Bro Expert finished with his ‘lengthy preparations’.

Seeing those of Room 408 not entering the game even after quite some time, those of Economics began to clamour, “What, afraid? Weren’t you so cool back there? Come on?”

“Fine, let’s fight then,” The hot-tempered Zhang Fengping was the first to enter the map, after which he turned and whispered to Xu Tingsheng, “Relax, we’ll just get owned for a while at most. It’s not like we’ve never gotten owned before.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, not replying Zhang Fengping as he instead yelled, “This is boring! How about we bet cigarettes? Liqun is fine.”

“Bro, you, don’t…” Zhang Fengping stammered with a panicked expression on his face.

“Relax, I’ll win some cigarettes for you,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, thinking: Just take it as if I’m returning them to you. I smoked so many good cigarettes of yours back then.

After discussing for a while, one of their opponents stood up, “Two then.”

“Fine,” Xu Tingsheng agreed straightforwardly.

“Ours is Chunghwa!” The other side broke out into laughter.

“Fine,” Xu Tingsheng remained adamant.

Beside him, Zhang Fengping soon recovered from his shock as he clapped his thigh, “Let’s fight. Hell, when I still have money now, bro, no need to feel any pressure. It’s fine if we lose. After all, it’s the start of the month. This bro has money.”

Gritting their teeth, they of Room 408 all entered the map.

Feeling rather shaken by Xu Tingsheng’s confidence, the people opposite asked Bro Expert and got a definite response before continuing to enter the map.

After three refreshes, the match began.

In the first round, Bro Expert casually swept in a 1v4, achieving a complete victory.

Cheers resounded on the other side while those of Room 408 clenched their teeth in silence. However, none of them blamed Xu Tingsheng for making such a bet. They understood why he had done so, understood that this after all being the first time he had come here to play, he just wouldn’t have understood the fearsomeness of Bro Expert. Meanwhile, his actual proficiency was such that he indeed possessed the right to be confident.

Yet never would they have thought that Xu Tingsheng would actually be such a ‘wastrel’, for after having met defeat in the first round, he again yelled, “Raise the stakes! Five Chunghwa.”

“Bro…” Tugging at Xu Tingsheng’s sleeve, Zhang Fengping appeared on the verge of crying.

With their surging morale, there was naturally no reason at all for those of Economics to refuse. They agreed very straightforwardly to the proposal.

At such a time, everyone in the internet cafe had already set their games aside, gathering around to witness the final decisive battle between Economics and Room 408 in which five Chunghwa were at stake, or perhaps having come in envy of those of Economics who had been so fortunate as to meet a fool, winning five free Chunghwa for nothing.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment. It seemed that with the current standard living expenses of university students, if he continued to raise the stakes, he would instead be unable to receive what was owed him when the time came.

Thinking that he should be contented with that, Xu Tingsheng called over Zhong Ming who had given him his position, whispering in his ear for a while.

“Look carefully. That black thing over there; it’s very small. It’s smaller than the usual thumbdrives we see, perhaps having had its external shell taken out and been painted.”

Now, Zhong Ming took a walk around and surreptitiously knelt down to tie his shoelaces between the two rows of computers. Upon his return, he nodded to Xu Tingsheng.

Thus, at the start of the second round, be it the spectating students or those of Room 408, all of them discovered to their great bemusement that Bro Expert had suddenly ‘lost his efficacy’.

Meanwhile, Room 408 suppressed their opponents under the lead of that newcomer, Xu Tingsheng achieving a score of 2 : 21 while Zhang Fengping, Yu Yue and the others began growing increasingly confident the more they played as well.

After the seventh consecutive victory by Room 408, Bro Expert clutched his head and said, “I’ve been feeling a little dizzy today. I’ll stop for now.”

Next, ignoring everything else, he began packing up his belongings.

Of course, there was one thing that he wouldn’t be able to get back.

Those of Economics were wide-eyed and flummoxed as they watched Bro Expert leaving just like that. How were they still supposed to play? After substituting someone on and trying for another two more rounds, seeing that they were just truly unable to resist, they admitted defeat.

More than ten minutes later, Economics sent someone over who put two Chunghwa down on the table, gritting his teeth, “That’s all we have right now. As for the remaining three, we’ll gather them later and send them over to your dorm.”

Yu Yue took one of the cigarettes, returning the other one.

“We’ll take this one, taking it as a gift from a friend. As for the rest, it’s fine. No need to mention them again. Everyone’s originally just here to have fun. There’s no need to be so calculating.”

He spoke very sincerely. The other party hesitated for a while before taking that other cigarette, saying ‘Okay then. Thanks, we’re friends from now on’ and returning to convey Yu Yue’s words to the others.

It was for this very reason that Xu Tingsheng had actually really admired Yu Yue in his previous life. Even having triumphed, he would never get too full of himself as he was broader in mind and competent in handling matters in a way that exceeded others of the same age. Therefore, he always just emanated a refreshing feeling in his interactions with others, also possessing many friends.

“A person such as this...if not for afterwards, he should have had a very successful life,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

As they walked back to the C District, Zhong Ming took out the thumbdrive that he had pulled out earlier and asked, “What exactly is this? As soon as I took it out, Bro Expert was disabled.”

Only now did the others know of the existence of such an object as they hurriedly crowded round, looking at it and fingering it as they directed inquisitive gazes towards Xu Tingsheng.

“It’s a professional-tier cheating device. Whoever of you takes it, whoever will be the future number one expert of Jianan University,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Still, don’t be found out, or your reputation will go straight down to the rocks.”

“The heck, so it was like this! Why didn’t you expose him directly then?” Wang Yu asked.

“If I’d exposed him, how would we have gotten the Chunghwa? Also, there’s no need to go that far when there’s not a need to,” Xu Tingsheng said.

In his previous life, Bro Expert had had it rather hard after he had been exposed. After all, CS had been as popular then as LOL would be in the future.

“But, I’m wondering-how did you know? That was your first time seeing him,” Zhang Fengping asked a crucial question.

Having long been prepared for this, Xu Tingsheng smiled, “We also caught one over on our end. Thus, when he was setting those things up, I observed carefully and discovered it.”

“No wonder you were so confident then. Really, you should have told me earlier. You nearly scared this bro to death,” Zhang Fengping passed the cigarette over, “Your merit, it’s yours.”

Xu Tingsheng pushed it back to him, “Nah, I won it for you.”

Those of Room 408 accompanied Xu Tingsheng back to the guest building and said their farewells, “We won’t be watching that match tomorrow, because...we won’t know which side to cheer for. Then, if you’re here again next time, remember to look for us to play, or we can also go over there and find you. Anyway, we have each other’s numbers. Let’s keep in touch!”

“Definitely,” Xu Tingsheng agreed.

In just a mere day’s time, the former bros had become friends once more. Perhaps there was really something called fate in this world that allowed some people to grow close especially easily.

Xu Tingsheng returned to his room and took a bath. Just as he was about to lie down, his phone rang.

Fang Yuqing yelled from the other end of the phone, “Xu Tingsheng, you’re too shameless! Jumping out in support of yourself.”

“What do you mean?” Xu Tingsheng asked blankly.

“Rebirth! Coming out in support of yourself, that’s really too shameless,” Fang Yuqing said.

As he took Fang Yuqing as a bro, as soon as Fang Yuqing had asked him about Rebirth, Xu Tingsheng had naturally admitted his involvement in it. Still, Xu Tingsheng had never posted anything of the sort on the Rebirth webpage before, nor had he asked Fu Cheng to do so.

Currently, those of Yanzhou University who suspected Xu Tingsheng as being part of Rebirth due to Apple having officially entered the entertainment industry were but his roommates and a few others who knew about their relationship. Thus, it would still have been okay to do such a thing. It was just that Xu Tingsheng had deemed it as unnecessary at the present time.

Xu Tingsheng hung up the phone and called Fu Cheng, who expressed that he had just gone to visit Ms Fang in Jiannan City that day, not having touched a computer at all.

“What’s the situation?”

Xu Tingsheng left his room, going to the coach’s room to borrow his computer and access the internet. Covertly loading Rebirth’s webpage, he saw that an announcement had been posted: Rebirth fully supports Hucheng Education Service Platform of Xishan Academy City.

To the students of Yanzhou University, the existence of the mysterious Rebirth was actually something they took great pride in. If not anything else, in just having returned to attend former classmate gatherings over the holidays, this always easily became a focal point of conversation.

Thus, after Rebirth had made an announcement, Hucheng’s momentum surged.

Yet, this was still not the main thing. The main thing was that more people within the entire nation became curious about this ‘Hucheng’, searching for its information to find out exactly what sort of a thing it was.

Xu Tingsheng’s original promotion strategy for the expansion phase of Hucheng had been drawn on prematurely. Meanwhile, there were actually only three people who had a management account on the small Rebirth webpage-Fu Cheng, Xu Tingsheng and Apple.

Since it was not him or Fu Cheng, the answer then was evident.

Indeed, just moments later, a new announcement appeared on the webpage:

Hi everyone! I’m Apple from Rebirth. Since Rebirth is supporting Hucheng Education, I believe that it must definitely be a very good education platform. Fans who are still studying, if you need to, remember to choose Hucheng! Also, I really hope that I will be able to record a motivational theme song for Hucheng Education one day.

Xu Tingsheng ‘painfully’ clapped his forehead. This self-directed play of Apple’s, with that ‘Since Rebirth is supporting...’ as well. Hey, it was clearly you who posted the previous one too, okay?

She must be having fun.

Without question, with Apple’s current popularity, her fame would propel the public awareness on Hucheng Education within the entire nation to the greatest extent. This was especially so when most fans who chased after celebrities were still youngsters currently in the midst of studying. This was also the most compatible from a business perspective...

Everything was good, just that the timing wasn’t right. The current Hucheng was still lacking in many preparations, with negative rumours also rampantly abound. At this moment, it was not a good time for an all-out expansion.

After deleting the two announcements, Xu Tingsheng made a rare call to Apple on his own accord.

Picking up her phone, Apple didn’t seem happy as she instead sounded uneasy, “Xu Tingsheng, have I done wrong?”

Hearing her like this, Xu Tingsheng could not find fault with her as he laughed, “Acting on your own...how did you find out about things over here? It must have been Song Ni again, right?”

“No,” Apple said.

“No? How is it possible that you know then?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It's, it's because when I reach home after performing every day, I always turn on the computer and search on the web for your name,” Apple said.

Chapter 143: No growth without experience

While Xu Tingsheng had deleted those two announcements on the Rebirth webpage, it was inevitable that the rare statement from Rebirth and the vocal backing of the popular new female artiste, Apple, still caused Hucheng Education's name to flourish immediately thereafter.

Feeling grateful whilst also helpless, Xu Tingsheng spent yet another night at Jianan University.

The next morning, Yanzhou University lost the football match as expected. Fortunately, the score was not all that awkward for them. The match ended 1: 3.

Actually, just based on the difference in abilities between the two squads alone, Jianan University would completely have been able to thrash their opponents with a goal count ranging into the double digits. However, intimidated by Yanzhou University's 'reconnaissance work’, they ended up being too cautious in their playstyle, thus allowing Yanzhou University to be saved from embarrassment.

Coming on in the second half, in his 45 minutes on the pitch, Xu Tingsheng relied on his understanding of his former teammates to 'swindle’ a ball out of one of them. Then, he gave the penalty chance to their doltish vice-captain who would soon be graduating and leaving the university.

This was Yanzhou University's sole goal.

Those of Room 408 really didn't come to watch the match. It was unknown if the reason for this was truly as they said and they didn't know which side they should cheer for or if this had actually just been an excuse to laze around in bed.

This was university. Those who still woke up before 9am on weekends should really be considered freaks.

Exiting the pitch, there was an unexpected person waiting for Xu Tingsheng. Having been owned terribly by him the previous night, Jianan University's number one CS expert had now specifically come looking for him.

“I know that you're not from our school. Thus, I don't mind if you take that thing away. I can just make something better anyway. Still, please, don't spread things,okay?” Bro Expert requested.

Xu Tingsheng was bemused by one particular sentence of his: I can just make something better anyway.

Thus, he asked, “You're, that cheating program was personally written by you? Also, you can write even better ones?”

“What? You want it?”

“No.”

“What do you want then?”

Xu Tingsheng sorted out his thoughts, “What I mean is that since you can do this, it should also not be a problem for you to write some programs for the computer, right? Something like games with stages about guessing idioms, filling in the verses of poems and memorising vocabulary.”

This was a plan of Xu Tingsheng’s. He wanted to simplify some teaching apps that would be rather popular in the future, turning them into education games for the computer and providing them for download on his platform. They would be free of charge, but would still serve as a form of promotion for Hucheng.

This was one of his plans for establishing Hucheng’s image and promoting it on a large scale.

More importantly, it would help Hucheng win the hearts of the parents. In an era when youths were enamoured with the internet like this, how much affection would these worried parents shower upon this beneficent corporation who had turned ‘studying’ into a game?

Xu Tingsheng had mentioned this to Old Wai before. However, Old Wai was not proficient in this aspect and also had no time to try it out. Thus, the matter had been set aside for the moment.

“I can, but I have no intention to.”

“I have the intention, and I have the money. You do it, I’ll pay.”

Xu Tingsheng ended his communication with Bro Expert. Finally, after hesitating for a long time, Bro Expert requested for a ‘sky-high’ price with doubt in his eyes, of 800 yuan for each game.

Xu Tingsheng told him very earnestly: One thousand. Any less than that and I won’t feel good.

After having come to an agreement, Xu Tingsheng sent Bro Expert’s handphone number to Old Wai. Anyway, Old Wai knew of what he was thinking. Such matters were better to be discussed between those who knew programming.

After eating lunch and resting for a while, Yanzhou University’s bus departed from Jianan University, gradually drawing further and further away from the area as the great green hill, that lighthouse, was eventually concealed by multiple tall buildings, fading away into the distance.

Xu Tingsheng’s trip here seemed like a rather hasty one.

Still, it was great that his old pals were still doing well. He had also established contact with his former bros once more, establishing new friendship. Then, this trip had not been a wasted one.

……

On the bus, the Yanzhou University school team wasn’t really in a dismal mood. After all, Jianan University had really been too powerful. While they had lost, the scoreline had still been rather good for them. Moreover, this already signified a historic breakthrough in the history of their Yanzhou University football team.

The bus left the city district of Jianan City, yet did not head in the direction of Yanzhou City. A member of the team realised this and asked the coach about it.

The coach said, “I managed to get the school’s permission to bring you guys on a two day vacation.”

Cheers resounded in the bus, with only the captain looking rather doubtfully at Xu Tingsheng and asking him, “Are you in a rush to get back?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, shaking his head, “No rush.”

Xu Tingsheng was indeed not in a rush. In fact, because Hucheng and himself were currently a focal point of discussion, he was actually very willing to go back a bit later. The reason for this state of mind of his was that he had already finished all the necessary arrangements long ago. Now, all he had to do was sit back, observe the ripples and await the storm.

There was a phrase ‘Without experience, there can be no growth’. In his battle against Huang Tianliang and the Huang Family some time back, Xu Tingsheng had virtually suffered a complete defeat. He had admitted this to himself, having also always been pondering and growing thereafter.

In his battle against Zhang Xingke this time round, if not for his previous experience with the Huang Family, Xu Tingsheng might still have acted like he had back then, immediately getting flustered and losing his footing as soon as the matter occurred, next hastily and frantically making his move as he just randomly scattered all the cards in his hand out at once...

Luckily, Xu Tingsheng had already grown wiser from his previous setback, able to stay calm in the face of crisis as he analysed the cards that he had on one hand whilst forcing out the other side’s base cards on the other. Afterwards, he had methodically organised the order in which he would be using each card, how to counterattack if they were to retaliate, even how to ride on momentum and change things to become beneficial for their side. All his moves had been planned out carefully beforehand.

In having arranged for Old Wai to set up a section for other labour intermediaries back then, seemingly having been eager to send Zhang Xingke a counterblow as he minded not them both suffering together, his actual motive had really been to force Zhang Xingke into a flustered panic, thereby becoming more hasty in making his move.

As it was, really, the Zhang Xingke this time instead resembled Xu Tingsheng when he had faced the Huang Family previously. He had thought that he had the dominant position and the sufficient preparations and conditions, thus not having waited in throwing out all the cards in his hand at once, actually trying to settle it all with a single strike.

Such methods might have been sufficient in securing his victory against all those university students in the past. Still, against the current Xu Tingsheng, they were just far from enough.

Xu Tingsheng having taken two steps these past two days, with Apple having randomly thrown out a card for him as well, Hucheng had already completely succeeded in a reversal in the area of public sentiment. Yet, Xu Tingsheng’s previous arrangements had not been limited to just this.

Today, a great deal of commotion had been centred around the announcements by Rebirth and Apple, centred atop the curiosity of countless people around the nation. What exactly was Hucheng? As the traffic on the platform rose greatly, Lu Zhxin gave him a call.

“Your Nine Cities expansion plan has to be brought forward. Currently, the calls of inquiry from other cities are nearly exploding our office phone.”

“Alright. When I return, it should be more or less time.”

“You aren’t back yet? What’re you doing?”

“Playing at Thousand Island Lake with the team. We’re just about to start a barbecue.”

“......”

……...

On Monday morning, Management Head Zhao of Yanzhou University’s Student Management decided on a final plan of action following a long discussion with Zhang Xingke.

With the current circumstances, it was evidently already impossible for Management Head Zhao to threaten the ‘hero’ Xu Tingsheng through the same method that he had earlier. The only thing he could do now was frame Hucheng as being a destabilising factor of Yanzhou University due to the chaos that a student self-launching a platform had brought about this time, even claiming that it might even have severe hidden long-term negative impacts on the safety of the students.

Afterwards, he would try to evoke the unease of the school leadership, convincing the Principal to formally intervene on behalf of the university, using the safety of the students as a reason to either shut Hucheng down or temporarily suspend it pending revision.

Even if it was the latter, Zhang Xingke would then have the chance to establish and promote such a platform of his own.

When Management Head Zhao entered the Principal’s office early in the morning, the Principal, Zhao Kangwen, currently had a teacup in one hand, reading a newspaper with great relish with the other as a delighted smile was evidently visible on his face from time to time.

Seeing that the Principal was in a good mood, Management Head Zhao made use of this chance to share all his thoughts and opinions.

Zhao Kangwen silently listened to all of it, frowning non-stop amidst it all. Finally, he stared at Management Head Zhao with a disbelieving look on his face for a long time before, just being unable to hold it in, angrily throwing the newspaper right in Management Head Zhao’s face.

It was a set of Yanzhou Nightly.

The front page headlines read: The flourishing fruits of Yanzhou University’s students’ labour.

Chapter 144: Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng (1)

The first time Xu Tingsheng and Zhang Xingke had met, the latter had left behind a single sentence: If I really make a move, I’m afraid that you wouldn’t be able to bear it. He had even left behind a name card for him.

From that moment on, even while Xu Tingsheng had still yet to know about Zhang Xingke’s background as well as the methods that he possessed, he had actually already begun his preparations.

That very night, Xu Tingsheng had given a call to someone known as Chen Jianxing. This Chen Jianxing was precisely that reporter from Yanzhou Nightly whom he had ‘cooperated’ with back then. From that initial exchange of mutual benefits, the two had gotten acquainted with each other.

Xu TIngsheng had told Chen Jianxing about his idea, which was using the development of the students of Yanzhou University as a ‘cover’ with which to arrange for an interview with the university. Afterwards, as for how to appropriately fit ‘Hucheng’ inside and magnify it, that was something that Chen Jianxing would definitely be more knowledgeable in than him.

In the year 2003, the ministries of the nation had consecutively released ten papers which encouraged the entrepreneurship of university students.

‘Hucheng’ was a very good example of Yanzhou University having accomplished the policies of the central government. At the same time, its nature of helping impoverished university students in their livelihoods was also a very good selling point.

After having come to an agreement, Xu Tingsheng had wired Chen Jianxing a sum of money.

Just like last time, Chen Jianxing had quietly received the money. As he saw it, this was merely yet another of Xu Tingsheng's advertisements for Hucheng. However, to Xu Tingsheng, whilst being an advertisement, it was a 'protective talisman’ as well. Such was the primary motive of this move of his.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to tie the reputations of Hucheng and Yanzhou University together. Like this, when the school committee had to make a stand one day, they actually wouldn't have a choice in the matter in actuality.

This matter was actually not hard at all for Chen Jianxing. Local newspapers 'exhorting’ local universities had always been something that both parties were happy to see.

The next day, when Hucheng had been teetering from the numerous attacks by Zhang Xingke, swaying dangerously amidst the storm, Yanzhou Nightly's reporter, Chen Jianxing, had come to Yanzhou University, saying that he had been asked by his superiors and those from the city's promotion board to write an article on Yanzhou University spurring on their students’ development.

Yanzhou University had given Chen Jianxing a warm welcome, a few key personnel of the school leadership all having been interviewed by him.

Apart from Xu Tingsheng himself, no one else at the time had been able to connect these two incidents which had happened on the same day together.

Thus, when Zhao Kangwen threw the newspaper in Management Head Zhao's face, the headlines on the front page not only praised Yanzhou University's working students to the heavens, it even devoted close to a quarter of its coverage to Hucheng Education.

Principal Zhao was very satisfied with the article, very satisfied with Hucheng, very satisfied with the first year student Xu Tingsheng who had established Hucheng.

It was to the extent that he really couldn’t be any more satisfied with this youth.

Xu Tingsheng who had entered Yanzhou University with the highest university entrance examination results in history, Xu Tingsheng who had established Hucheng Education, Xu Tingsheng who had defeated Jianhai University, venting out Yanzhou University’s stifledness. Other than that, there was also something additional that Principal Zhao knew that others hadn’t known about at the time-brave, civic-minded Xu Tingsheng.

The highest score a matriculating batch had entered with would be printed on the reference booklets for university entrance examinations aspiration applications as well as the booklets which they used to recruit students. Xu Tingsheng had single-handedly brought Yanzhou University to new heights in this aspect.

Of course, what Principal Zhao was most satisfied with was still Xu Tingsheng’s performance in as well as handling of the ‘imprisonment incident’ the previous year.

While the media had not publicly revealed the specifics of the case and information about the heroes involved, the police had still been in contact with the university regarding this incident. Having received the notification from them, the elegant, refined Principal Zhao who was the exemplar of an educator had virtually broken out entirely in cold sweat.

If the virtually all-encompassing media reports at the time had included the attempted kidnapping and imprisonment of a student home tutor from Yanzhou University, Yanzhou University would immediately have been thrown in front of a metaphorical firing squad in the sense that their safety procedures would have come under flak, their reputation taking a hit.

The consequences would have been disastrous beyond compare.

Thus, when the representative from the police had privately awarded Xu Tingsheng with the Award of Bravery in Zhao Kangwen’s office afterwards, even having said something like ‘Hero will have been shortchanged with this’, Zhao Kangwen had also said to Xu Tingsheng, “Student Xu, Yanzhou University owes you a great debt, this Zhao Kangwen also owes you a great debt!”

Back then, Xu Tingsheng had already introduced his plans for Hucheng Education to Principal Zhao, also having pointed out its utility in ensuring the safety of their student home tutors.

Thus, on a morning when he had originally been feeling joyful beyond compare, Zhao Kangwen was feeling disgusted by this Management Head Zhao before him, even more disgusted than if he had swallowed a fly.

“You freaking fool, you actually want me to deal with Xu Tingsheng? Also wanting to cease the operations of the classic example of Yanzhou University having promoted the entrepreneurship of its students that the media just enthusiastically reported on, Hucheng Education? Don’t think that I don’t know about those trashy dealings that you have been making.”

Zhao Kangwen who was a Northern man with a strong righteous disposition by nature was really tempted to throw the green porcelain teacup in his hand even after having thrown the newspaper.

“Take the newspaper. Get out!”

Principal Zhao having ordered him out, Management Head Zhao was still completely oblivious as to what was happening as he left the room. It was only when he looked at the newspaper in his hand that he realised that he had kicked onto a metal board.

“Goddamn kid, why didn’t you say that you had a background earlier? With such crazy methods, what vulnerable were you faking?”

Management Head Zhao remembered the vulnerable, helpless look that had been on Xu Tingsheng’s face as he had threatened him. That was really too high a level of swindling.

Management Head Zhao considered the options that were available to him. Now, rather than forcibly continuing trying to deal with Xu Tingsheng who had Principal Zhao supporting him, he really might as well shift to targeting Zhang Xingke instead. That might still be somewhat easier.

Also, the feeling of being blackmailed was really not good at all. Was he, as a mid-echelon member of a university’s management, to be threatened by a student for his entire life?

Moreover, it was definitely not just him who would be trying to kick the downed Zhang Xingke now. With the latter’s arrogant, domineering manner of acting these past two years, those whom he had threatened as well as offended would definitely not be few in number. Amongst them would inevitably be the middle and lower echelon members of a few universities’ management.

Zhang Xingke was still waiting to ‘break through intricacy with strength’, launching a fatal blow on Xu Tingsheng through his university itself. Yet, never would he have realised that the target of that ‘fatal blow’ had actually already become he himself.

That afternoon, with ‘University Students’ model entrepreneurship’ as the basis, Yanzhou University publicly commended Hucheng Education, and with ‘bravery and civic-mindedness’ as the basis, publicly commended Xu Tingsheng.

The previous thread on the forum regarding ‘the university coming out to intervene’ was triumphantly revived by the student who had posted it.

“See? Yanzhou University has openly declared its stance, giving Hucheng Education its full support. I said long ago that the school would come out to intervene, and you people still said that I was talking nonsense.”

Actually, there was only he himself who knew that he had merely said so casually at the time, not even having thought about which side it was that the university might support. If he had really considered the matter, he would definitely have picked the rumoured all-seeing, all-powerful Zhang Xingke as the likely choice.

Most people actually ignored him, because what they were more interested in was: Where was Xu Tingsheng?

In just a few short days, amidst a heated, chaotic battle, Hucheng which had seemingly already been nailed dead to the ground as soon as the battle had begun had suddenly unleashed a remarkable flurry of fists, successfully achieving a grand reversal with that beautiful combo.

The current battlefield between the recently established Hucheng and the greatly renowned Zhang Xingke was such that the former seemed to already have secured a complete victory.

If this was a game of chess, where then was the one who had moved the pieces, Xu Tingsheng? Someone said that he was currently barbecuing in the wilderness right by Thousand Island Lake.

When he had departed from Yanzhou when the whole world had been threatening to crumble about Hucheng, many people had thought that he was admitting defeat, fearful and therefore fleeing. Then, what now? When he should be returning in full glory, he was actually barbecuing.

How broad a heart was this?

Chapter 145: Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng (2)

Xu Tingsheng's heart was not broad at all. He still always had that awkwardness within his smile, feeling greatly uneasy whenever he was placed in the limelight. If there was a day when he would be pointed out on the streets to their friends by those who recognised him...he felt that he would really be unable to live comfortably with that.

Thus, being in the limelight over this current period of time, he would avoid returning if he was so able to.

The interest of university students towards any single matter was always intense yet temporal. It would leave just as quickly as it came. As long as Xu Tingsheng was able to keep away for these couple of days, the situation would then take a real turn for the better.

Amongst those heated discussions that Xu Tingsheng couldn't hear and also didn't wish to see, there seemed to remain but a single deficiency in this first year university student, and that was his lack of money.

There were many things that seemed to prove this.

First was that previous conversation between him and Cao Qing, in which he had personally admitted to coming from the poorest county of the poorest city of Jianhai Province, his family farming as well as running a store for a living. It was also said that he had actually been the host for that meal, yet had skipped out on paying the bill in the end.

Second was the photographs of the riverside residence that had been posted on the forums. Hucheng was developing amidst great difficulty, lacking the ability to generate revenue. At the same time, it was said that even Xu Tingsheng himself had had to take up a home tutor job for his livelihood.

Thirdly, Xu Tingsheng was comparatively low-key in his daily life. He didn't have a car, and his usual food, clothes and other lifestyle choices were very ordinary as well.

Fourthly…

Regarding this, some guys who were rather lower in quality would comment due to jealousy and short-sightedness, “What's the use? Isn't he still freaking poor at the end of the day?”

Most people, though, wouldn't have their opinion of him changed by this. This was especially so for the girls, who were instead more inclined towards sighing incomparably conflictedly once in a while, “If only he had a little more money.”

This conflicted state was as if Xu Tingsheng was kneeling on one knee before them, proposing. However, they were caught in inner turmoil: Everything’s good about this guy, just that he’s poor.

On Tuesday, Hucheng Education announced its successful acquisition of the Modernity Training Institute, renaming it as Hucheng Education Training Institute.

At the same time, they began recruiting personnel via various channels on a large scale. This included technicians, operations and management personnel as well as full and part-time teachers, calligraphy teachers, drawing teachers, piano teachers...and even cleaning personnel.

As for Taekwondo coaches, Chick Bao and an ultra senior brother of hers had already been pre-booked for this.

Those of Hucheng had once debated on these non-culture related lessons before. At the end of it all, Xu Tingsheng had clapped the table, simply saying, “It’s these that really rake in the cash.”

What he had not been able to tell the others was what he had once seen. Even in the poorest Jiannan City of Jianhai Province, the head coaches of the of the city’s most famous Taekwondo schools would drive a Porsche and live in a luxurious villa. You would be able to see children or even white-collar workers in Taekwondo gear out on the streets everywhere without fail.

There was also no way for him to tell them that the the number of art students sitting for the university entrance examinations would be rising unceasingly over the next few years, artistic classes appearing in virtually all schools with some schools even appearing with art as their speciality as well as focus.

And be it drawing or music, the expenses forked out by art students would always be shockingly high.

From these next few years onwards, drawing studios for the interest development of children or in service of art students would gradually come to encompass all the cities of the nation, especially the Zhuantang district of Xihu City where there would be hundreds of these on a single street. Meanwhile, the income as well as revenue-generating capacity of these training institutes would really be at an unimaginable extent with regard to the common person.

He wanted Hucheng to build up its name in these areas first, establishing its brand and image.

Xu Tingsheng had chosen education for his first career since his rebirth. Firstly, it was because he had always had that education dream. Secondly, it was because he was familiar with this industry. Thirdly, it was because in actual fact, the potential of the education industry far surpassed the imaginations of many.

Of course, this was only a single part, a single phase of the life that he had planned out. There might really be one day in the future in which he truly went out to the outside world to make a killing like Mr Xu had said before.

……

In order to dispel everyone’s doubts, Hucheng’s recruitment advertisements displayed the entirety of Hucheng Education Training Institute, including their brand new school buildings, their complete set of facilities and hardware installations...and even their property certificates.

The training institute was located in the suburbs of Yanzhou City, between Xishan Academy City and Yanzhou’s main city district. Whilst having a tranquil environment, it also sat at a very convenient location. Additionally, its property prices were not high as well.

When Fang Chen had obtained the loan from the banks, Xu Tingsheng had moved that they also take ownership of that real estate at all costs.

Like this, Xu Tingsheng who was very familiar with the trend of property prices over the next few years and had been troubled by such in his previous life for many years gained his first piece of real estate ever since his rebirth.

In having done all this, Hucheng wanted to tell all those potential applicants who were still hesitating: Come, join us. Don’t worry, we have the money.

While in the eyes of the students of Xishan Academy City, the message they received from this was something different altogether: So he actually didn’t lack money either. He’s very rich.

In the heated discussions that ensued, Lu Zhixin was the most pitiful victim.

People had previously scolded and mocked her, laughing at her for shamelessly following Xu Tingsheng and thus getting into big trouble together with him. Now, they were scolding her for scheming so deeply, being greedy and money-loving, overflowing with ambition…

These girls all seemed to have forgotten that they had just been feeling conflicted not all that long ago, finding Xu Tingsheng to be too poor. Now that they were no longer feeling conflicted, they instead discovered that Xu Tingsheng actually wasn’t kneeling in front of them. He was someone else’s.

Thus, they would feel uncomfortable if they didn’t cuss Lu Zhixin a little, feeling that something had been stolen from them for no rhyme or reason.

It was to the extent that even Lu Zhixin’s roommates and friends who had helped her before were currently all looking at her with weird gazes: It’s no wonder that she was so enthusiastic before. So there were so many things that she didn’t tell us. She hid herself so deeply before…

Lu Zhixin did not show any abnormalities with regard to these discussions at all.

Afraid that she might be having it hard, Li Linlin comforted her rather sympathetically, “Zhixin, don’t be too distressed. Those people…”

Lu Zhixin shook her head, “Relax, I’m fine. Actually, I’m instead feeling pretty happy like this. The more it’s like this, the guiltier Xu Tingsheng will definitely be feeling. He’ll have to feel that he owes me again.”

“Why do you want Xu Tingsheng to owe you so much? You want him to repay you with his bachelor self in the future?” Old Wai jokingly interjected.

Lu Zhixin smiled, not speaking.

“Zhixin, don’t be silly. What can owing alone do? Even if he owes you, he might not actually pay it back, might not actually do something for you. It’s still catching the actual person himself that’s the most important,” Said Liu Daiyun, Hucheng’s employee who was the closest to Lu Zhixin.

“Maybe not for others, but if it’s Xu Tingsheng, he definitely will.”

Lu Zhixin left the office with a smile on her face with these cryptic words, leaving behind a perplexed Liu Daiyun shaking her head in utter incomprehension.

……

Zhao Kangwen had originally wanted to find a time to talk with Xu Tingsheng a little, comforting as well as encouraging him. However, when two days had passed and Xu Tingsheng had still yet to return, he found himself saddled with responsibilities of his own.

Zhao Kangwen brought along his Vice-Principal, a military man by birth, along with an assistant in making a trip to Xihu City where they attended a meeting of the higher-ups of the various universities of Jianhai Province.

In this meeting of the higher echelons, apart from listening to the targets that had been set for them, another, very important thing was competition. They had to compete for funds, compete for projects, compete for quotas. At the end of the day, they were competing for their standings.

Zhao Kangwen didn’t really like attending such meetings, because there were very few things that he could win for their side, his voice holding too little weight.

Yanzhou was an economically flourishing zone, the local government also being very supportive of Yanzhou University. Thus, Yanzhou University was not lacking in money. Instead, what they lacked were research results, which held foremost priority in the rivalry between universities.

Yanzhou University which focused primarily on education and the humanities was truly too weak in this area.

Amidst the discussion, Zhao Kangwen along with the Vice-Principal and the assistant sat there silently for a long time, feeling stifled. Ever since the start of the discussion, in the competition over all those projects, he had been directly rebutted every time he opened his mouth to speak. Just a single ‘Show us what research abilities and results Yanzhou University has’ was sufficient in dissipating his body into scattered ash, rendering him speechless.

As Zhao Kangwen was listening quietly, a new topic surfaced in the discussion, “A first year university student recently wrote a thesis on the location of Cao Cao’s tomb, that is, Anyang Mausoleum. It was written very logically and substantively...the experts are all raging to the heavens discussing it now.”

Zhao Kangwen had originally wanted to join in the commotion as well, but then thought: Forget it. It doesn’t have anything to do with our Yanzhou University anyway.

Chapter 146: Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng (3)

The discussion inevitably deviated from the main topic for a time, also seeming like it would not be getting back on track for quite a while. This was because of the two ideas that were encapsulated within this situation: First year university student, Cao Cao.

A contested anti-hero of the ages, Cao Cao, Cao Mengde was one of the most popular figures of Chinese history, being portrayed in in actual history, theatre as well as dramatic productions.

As for the location of Cao Cao’s Mausoleum, it was a mystery that had lasted over thousands of years. There were many sayings about where it was, and these included outside Xuchang City, beneath the Zhang River, beneath the Tongque Pavilion as well as Pengcheng in Hebei. The most famous of all was naught but the the legend of the 72 fake burial mounds that Cao Cao had erected in fear of being grave-robbed, with him having instructed for seven coffins to be carried out of Ye City in four different directions to be buried in seven different locations by the Zhang River to bewilder and deter all attempts of intrusion.

Now, the one who had emerged as being the most likely to solve this several thousand year old mystery was actually a first year university student, and it also seemed not to be baseless…

This was really too interesting a thing.

A heated discussion began, two distinct ‘clubs’ gradually forming.

Those who came from Science streams were mainly in it for how interesting it was, chatting about Cao Cao as well as that overly courageous first year university student who knew not the height of the heavens and the boundlessness of the earth.

Those who came from Humanities were much more professional in their discussions. After all, Cao Cao possessed an extremely high status whether it was in History or Literature.

Their discussions were actually more of ‘doubts’ and ‘reasoning’, arguments often breaking out.

“What use is arguing like this? Let me find the thesis first.”

A Vice-Principal got up and walked outside. Seeing this, the provincial educators-in-charge did not stop him. On one hand, they too were very interested in this topic, also having partaken in the conversation. On the other, that person didn’t even fall under their jurisdiction. As the Vice-Principal of Jianhai University which fell directly under the central government, his presence here was itself already a voluntary thing.

Zhao Kangwen and the two beside him participated a little in the discussion as well, though they were still comparatively silent.

“What crap use is there in finding out this tomb?” Vice-Principal Niu who was a military man by birth felt rather indignant, “All those students of those whatever brand-name schools, just liking to fumble blindly about and make trouble. They should be more practical like those students of ours, just doing whatever it is that needs to be done.”

Zhao Kangwen couldn’t very well reply to this. While Vice-Principal Niu had been standing on their side in speaking, it had really been more in comfort that he had spoken those words. In truth, those words really couldn’t stand at all. How could the research of university students be considered fumbling blindly about and making trouble?

“It’s fortunate that no one else heard that. Otherwise, they would really be laughing at us for being sour grapes.”

“Students who can make trouble like this-I really want some as well.”

This was what Zhao Kangwen was secretly yelling within his heart.

Not far away from them, a Principal they were familiar with was just hanging up his phone. As he placed it in his pocket, he searched around in the crowd for a while, his gaze finally landing on Zhao Kangwen before he yelled towards him from some dozen people away, “Old Zhao, I just heard! It seems like that child is one of your Yanzhou University’s.”

Originally having been slouching, Zhao Kangwen bolted up straight in his seat, even falling at risk of toppling from his seat. The same was true for the two others from Yanzhou University.

“Am I hallucinating?” Zhao Kangwen wondered disbelievingly.

However, the room suddenly became greatly silent as a great many gazes fell on him. This...might it actually be true? Exchanging glances, the trio of Yanzhou University immediately came to a tacit agreement: Let’s not say anything, not get entangled in anything, lest we end up laughingstocks.

Now, the Vice-Principal of Jianhai University returned holding an academic publication, looking around as he walked and finally asking as he reached the meeting table, “Where are those of Yanzhou University?”

Zhao Kangwen raised his hand, saying, “Principal Gong, we’re here.”

The academic publication was slid across the table, Vice-Principal Gong of Jianhai University smiling, “Look, Principal Zhao, it seems like your school has been holeing up planning for this big move since long ago.”

Zhao Kangwen naturally caught the incoming academic publication, those around him crowding over as well. Due to his flustered emotions, Zhao Kangwen didn’t manage to flip to the corresponding page even after a few times. It was only with the help of another Principal that he managed to get to the page where that thesis was.

Yanzhou University, Chinese, Xu Tingsheng.

Zhao Kangwen didn't even look at the contents, not even intending to do so. He just stared at the name of the author.

“It’s Xu Tingsheng, it's Xu Tingsheng! It's someone of my Yanzhou University!” Zhao Kangwen worked hard to repress his surging excitement, struggling to appear composed.

However, it was different for Vice-Principal Niu, the aged man who hailed from the military heartily clapping the table, “Hahahaha, outstanding! This is the tomb of Cao Mengde, people must have been searching for it for thousands of years? Hahahaha!”

Hadn't this guy just been saying 'what crap use is there in finding out this tomb?’ Zhao Kangwen tugged at his sleeve, shaking his head in indication for him to keep things down when he turned to look at him.

The academic publication was taken away by a few Humanities Principals who carefully analysed it for a while before one of them suddenly stood up, threw it down on the table and scolded in a severe tone, “Uncouth brat, thoughtless in his words...totally baseless, daring to come out and spout nonsense together with someone whose stench surges to the heavens.”

Zhao Kangwen's first reaction to this was not to rebut, but to grab hold of the bullish Vice-Principal Lou and keep him in check lest he started a fight with that person.

Yet, it was already too late. Actually, the one that Principal had spoken of whose stench surged to the heavens was the second author of the thesis who was a rather unique existence in the area of academia. Yet, Vice-Principal Niu had understood it this way. Xu Tingsheng being someone of our Yanzhou University, wouldn't the one he teamed up with have been one of us from Yanzhou University? Are you saying that our stench surges to the heavens?

At this point, Vice-Principal Lou slammed the table, stood up and faltered for a while before declaring, “Bullcrap.”

A lofty university Principal actually having used a word like this, the entire room fell silent, some secretly amused while others were just dazed.

The one who had been scolded had his face turn red, but he still ultimately concluded: As a civilized person, could he really physically go at one who had insulted him? He couldn't, and the other party's physique wouldn't allow it as well.

Thus, he slammed the table as well, “You're the one who only knows bull. You're in politics. Between you and me, if this uncouth brat really is right, if we really find the mausoleum, I'll take the soil at one of the gravestones and swallow it down right in front of you.”

“If I'm wrong, I'll swallow it. Like this old man’s never swallowed soil in the past.”

Vice-Principal Niu unrelentingly followed up with his support. Still, he actually just sounded like he was already mentally prepared to eat the soil, not really thinking anything of the matter itself. Was he really claiming they were right?

Muffled laughter resounded amidst the crowd.

“Alright, alright, let's set this matter aside first. Back to the meeting,” Those of the provincial education board had to step in to clear up the atmosphere.

The meeting went on for over another hour. The trio from Yanzhou University really weren't in the mood to participate in it at all, only being able to wait for it to end. There were really too many things that they wanted to inquire and find out.

From a standpoint of practicality, the value of discovering Cao Cao’s mausoleum might not be as great as those research results in physics or chemistry. However, in terms of newsworthiness, societal reception and promotional effectiveness...it would really be too great. If the theory could be verified, it would be sure to thoroughly rock the entire nation.

This was a rare opportunity for Yanzhou University.

Finally waiting it out till the end of the meeting, the first thing Zhao Kangwen did upon exiting the room was make a call back to the school, getting someone to find Xu Tingsheng's mobile number.

…...

Upon receiving Principal Zhao's call, Xu Tingsheng came to know that the final mine he had buried over this period of time, the biggest mine, had finally erupted.

Actually, this arrangement had nothing to do with Zhang Xingke at all. Xu Tingsheng had actually already been planning for it in secret even before Zhang Xingke's appearance, with the goal of acquiring a 'legendary study lord’ status through detonating this bomb.

Hucheng Education Service Platform could be sustained by his identity of an entrepreneur from a third-tier university. However, it definitely wouldn't be able to sustain just one, let alone several dozen large scale education training institutes that would be coming in the future. People just wouldn't be able to buy into that.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng needed to forge an identity, an identity that would be able to justify his position at the helm of an education mega-corporation.

Xu Tingsheng had no time to wait for embarking on postgraduate studies, getting a doctorate or even remaining with the university just for this. Thus, he could only 'walk a deviant route’, or ‘seek an alternative path’.

Thus, he remembered his old trade, history. Xu Tingsheng had been a History student in his previous life, also having taught history in a senior high school for a few years thereafter. Additionally, he held true passion for history...a major incident like the discovery of Cao Cao's mausoleum-how would he not have paid attention to and gained great understanding on that?

What Xu Tingsheng wanted was actually very simple. When someone asked who Hucheng's boss was in the future, the answer to that could simply be: It was the guy who found Cao Cao’s tomb.

That would be sufficient.

Xu Tingsheng did not intend to participate too much and for too long a time in this matter. 'Throwing a firecracker above the heads of the entire nation and then immediately running away’-Now, how fun would that be? How exciting and exhilarating?

After chatting with Principal Zhao over the phone for some time, Xu Tingsheng heard a coarse voice take over.

Vice-Principal Niu narrated how the matter of the bet had come about, next jokingly asking Xu Tingsheng, “Do you have any confidence, or am I doomed to eating that soil?”

Xu Tingsheng laughed, 'You can rest easy, Vice-Principal Niu. If you've got to eat soil, I'll eat it together with you.”

“Great.”

This was precisely the sort of answer that Vice-Principal Niu liked. However confident Xu Tingsheng professed to be, even if he repeatedly guaranteed that things would definitely not go wrong, there was no reply that would leave Vice-Principal Niu in a better mood than this.

The military man just liked how he was bearing responsibility along with him in this matter.

The happy old man continued, “Just based on those words alone, I’ll be your grandpa in the future.”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback. He understood the meaning of the other party’s words: As long as this old man is here, I will be guarding over you in the future. Still, these words just seemed wrong however he looked at them…

“Vice-Principal Niu, you shouldn’t scold people like this,” Xu Tingsheng chuckled.

Hale, hearty laughter resounded from the other end of the phone.

After the conversation had ended, Xu Tingsheng hung up, next finding a name on his phone’s contact list and sending over a short message: Thank you, Professor Yan.

Soon after, a reply came: “You’re welcome, little friend.”

Gazing at the ‘Little Friend’ on the screen, Xu Tingsheng felt rather emotional: Professor Yan, in my previous life, I was your student! I was your unworthy final disciple who disappointed you so.

This time, Xu Tingsheng had another motive in risking the matter of Cao Cao’s mausoleum. He was adamant on doing so in order to help his former teacher, Professor Yan, ‘make a comeback’, reviving his reputation. He could not watch Old Professor Yan again die depressedly in the face of scorn, mockery and ill repute as he had in his previous life.

Chapter 147: Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng (4)

That Saturday at Jianan University, when the coach had allowed his young charges to sleep off the entire morning, Xu Tingsheng hadn’t actually remained in bed. He had gone out, finding the teaching dormitory district of Jianan University and knocking on the door of an old man.

This old man who was named Yan Zhenyu had tried to guide Xu Tingsheng onto the route of history with all his might in his previous life, grooming him painstakingly for four long years. At the end of it all, he had even lowered himself and gone to beg others in order to get him into one of the limited postgraduate studies slots available.

However, having wanted to ease the financial burden on his family by quickly finding a job, Xu Tingsheng had eventually chosen to give up on this chance right at the final juncture. All the effort the old man had put in had gone down the drain just like that.

Afterwards, the guilt-ridden Xu Tingsheng had dared not even bid the old man farewell.

“How do you do, Professor Yan. I’m the one who previously sent you a letter, Xu Tingsheng of Yanzhou University,” Xu Tingsheng gave the deep bow that he truly owed him from back then.

“Oh, it’s Little Friend Xu. Welcome, please enter,” Professor Yan smiled in a kindly manner.

The old man and the young man entered the living room and sat down.

After brewing tea, Yan Zhenyu’s first sentence was, “Since Little Friend likes analysing history, you would definitely know that this old man’s reputation...isn’t really that good. How would you have been able to feel reassured handing such an important discovery over to me? Aren’t you afraid that…”

Seeing Professor Yan bringing up old matters again on his own accord, Xu Tingsheng had to force himself to interrupt the old man’s words, saying sincerely, “Teacher Yan, I feel that...you are first and foremost a father, only being a historian secondary to that. For some things, what is right in principle might not be the entirety of what is right and wrong...Like this, I feel that you are more worthy of trust.”

Yan Zhenyu opened his mouth slightly, yet still did not speak in the end.

Yan Zhenyu had once been a Professor of History at a certain famous university in the northeast. After several decades of hard work, he had established great fame and authority in the world of academia.

Logically speaking, with his identity, he should not be teaching in Jianan University, a mere third-rate university, like this.

All of the problems stemmed from his son, a firstborn child from a scholarly family who had been walking around with a history book in his hand since young. While he had been recognised as a talented and skillful individual since young, he had just insisted on going down the route of business in the end. Thereafter, he had failed in all his ventures, eventually owing a great amount of debt which numbered into the millions.

Because of him, Yan Zhenyu had set aside all his principles. When a rich businessman had wanted him to beautify a sycophant ancestor of his in an article, giving him money for that, he had simply done so. When some rich businessman or other had forcibly wanted his family line to be traceable back to Su Dongpo or some other historical figure, becoming the XX generation descendant of that famous figure, even wanting it officially published, he had done so when the money had been provided to him, writing it and thinking of a way for it to be published…

Scholars were all useless for everything but. Having been a scholar all his life, this was the sole method that had been available to Yang Zhenyu.

In three years’ time, he had wrecked his entire reputation, becoming mocked and despised by countless peers, amongst whom included his colleagues, his old friends, even his former students.

In these three years, he had helped to repay all his son’s debts before leaving the environment that could no longer tolerate him, bringing his old spouse to Jianan University which had been widely regarded as ‘being completely foundationless other than having money’ at the time.

The scholarly have always prized their reputation, yet Yan Zhenyu had exchanged his reputation, his principles, his beliefs and his status all for money. The pain that he must be feeling-perhaps there was only he himself who could understand it.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, there had once been a classmate who told him: The old man’s likely taken you for his son when he was still young, grooming you in much the same manner. He wants to make up for all those past regrets he has with you, giving himself a consolation.

Sadly, the Xu Tingsheng of back then had still disappointed the old man in the end.

In the upcoming discussions, the old man clearly pointed out the naivety and deficiencies in Xu Tingsheng’s thesis, those areas with forced leaps in logic and even where errors had been made. Xu Tingsheng accepted all of his opinions. Cao Cao’s mausoleum had originally not been discovered through theorising and the corresponding verification of such. Instead, its discovery had been an accident, the contention on this having been great till the very end.

However, it was precisely because of this that in the verification endeavours of History experts, they had researched various historical texts and found much proof thereafter that it was indeed Cao Cao’s mausoleum.

What Xu Tingsheng was doing was turning ‘post-verification proof’ into ‘pre-verification proof’ using his identity as a lover of history. As a result, there were indeed many places with forced leaps in logical progression.

“Therefore, Professor Yan, there might continually exist great contention regarding this thesis as soon as it is published,” Xu Tingsheng said sincerely after hearing that the old man was already working on the publication for him.

The old man smiled kindly, “I did some research and also made some amendments to the thesis. There’s still a chance that we are right. Also, this old man shamelessly put the words ‘Yan Zhenyu’ under the second author heading. Like this, with a scurrying rat like me around, even if something crops up, all the criticism will be directed at me.”

“You can rest easy on this. You’re still a child, after all. It’s already a very remarkable thing that you’ve been able to think and research to this extent. I think that they should still have a rather tolerant attitude towards you.”

“Thank you...Teacher Yan,” In having said Teacher rather than Professor, Xu Tingsheng was actually privately giving expression to that past closeness of theirs.

“You’re welcome, Little Friend. Actually, I have my own selfish wish here as well. If it is finally proven that we are right, this old man can also have been considered as having borrowed Little Friend’s strength in making a comeback from where there can be no further point of retreat. After all, that’s the Gaoling Mausoleum! If I could only personally touch a handful of that soil in my remaining years…”

Facing the northwest, the old man revealed an infinitely yearning expression.

The old man walked Xu Tingsheng outside. Just like in his previous life, this was ever such a kindly old man. He was putting so much effort in helping even a ‘stranger’ like Xu Tingsheng.

“To repay my debts to academia,” The old man said at the end.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know if the repayment he was trying to give was the Gaoling Mausoleum of Anyang which had remained a millennia-long mystery or if it was Xu Tingsheng, a promising seed for historical research who had gained his recognition as well as approval.

“Really, please don’t let it be me, Teacher. I’m just intending to play here for a bit. I’m just gonna set off a firecracker and run.”

……

Traditionally speaking, the media was usually lacking in interest in the area of academic research. After all, these things were usually abstruse and hard to understand, not being especially newsworthy. However, this time was different.

The words ‘Cao Cao’ themselves were already the most newsworthy. Adding on the fact that the ‘discoverer’ was a ‘first year university student’, that made it even more newsworthy. The general public just loved novelty. Something unexpected? ...There was nothing that could stoke the enthusiasm of the media more than this.

Thus, when the world of academia was still hotly debating about the issue, the media were already beginning to ‘stoke the flames’ without care, the all-encompassing coverage that ensued virtually making it rather impossible for anyone to not know about this issue.

Also, it went off-kilter.

Whether it was the media or the general public, all of them were of the sole opinion, of the sole hope: Dig.

“Hard to identify its veracity? Still being debated?”

“Identify what? Debate what?”

“Just dig it! Won’t everything be fine if you just dig it? If you dig it, won’t everything come to light?”

All of them cared not about the possibly insufficient technology, whether or not salvage archaeology might be needed...At the end of the day, those joining in the commotion were unconcerned with much else. So long as the result remained unclear, all of them would feel greatly impatient.

“Maybe that first year university student is right?”

“If he’s wrong? Even if he’s wrong, so what? He’s still just a kid.”

“Anyway, they should just dig it first.”

Amidst the din, the students of Xishan Academy City discovered to their great astonishment that the one who had stirred up such a great disturbance this time was actually yet again none other than that first year student of Yanzhou University whose name was Xu Tingsheng…

“What wouldn’t he be able to do, really?”

This sentence was not demeaning Xu Tingsheng. It was just that no one could really find a better way to express how they felt at all of it.

And so it was that someone began a totally random thread under the ‘Xishan Tower’ forum. All that was written in the original post was: Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng.

What did this mean? Many people felt bemused until someone followed suit, posting another phrase in the same style of randomness: Foshan’s Wong Fei-hung.

The third guy posted: Mount White Camel’s Ouyang Feng.

The fourth.

The fifth.

The…

All the replies followed this style, being the same brand of random. Those who already understood already understood, while those who didn’t understand still didn’t understand. Fortunately, someone helped to explain using this method:

“Where are you from?”

“Foshan.”

“Which Foshan?”

“The Foshan where Wong Fei-hung came from.”

“Oh, now I know.”

Therefore, Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng.

Chapter 148: Underground fighting Zhong Wusheng

The debate on whether or not to dig for the Gaoling Mausoleum of Anyang was still ongoing. Xu Tingsheng actually didn’t really care much about this, because he knew that the truth would surely come to light one day. It would be in a few years at most that those villagers would discover abnormalities with their drains. At that time, all of it would simply naturally play out.

Currently having finished ‘throwing the firecracker and running’, Uncle instead became the one who was least concerned about the matter.

Amidst the cries to ‘dig!’, Xu Tingsheng’s sole thought was that he wouldn’t be continuing to play with such things any longer. There were indeed some other tomb locations that he knew of, even many that had to be protected or excavated before they were looted by grave robbers…

Yet, it seemed like he really shouldn’t do that anymore. Any more of this and he would land himself a ‘Digging God’ title or a ‘Point Where Dig Where Xu Tingsheng’ nickname. In that case, his life would really be running off on an unwanted trajectory.

The current situation was that he had already ‘entered the limelight’. This being so, he couldn’t have gone in for no reason. He would make use of this chance to immediately initiate Hucheng’s expansion, bringing Hucheng’s Nine Cities expansion plan into immediate implementation.

Thus, it was at the peak of such upheaval that Xu Tingsheng returned to Yanzhou University via bus along with his teammates. He got off prior to the entrance of Xishan Academy City and walked over to the riverside residence. There, he unexpectedly found everyone of Hucheng waiting for him downstairs.

Applause resounded upon his arrival.

Seven days ago, Hucheng had been teetering on the brink of collapse amidst a great storm. Xu Tingsheng had drawn the bow and left. Seven days later, Hucheng was out of its crisis having risen to new heights...and Xu Tingsheng who had been out hiding for so long was finally willing to return.

“Don't, don't,” An embarrassed Xu Tingsheng waved at them to stop.

As the applause gradually drew to a close, Lu Zhixin came over and briefly explained a few things:

“Zhang Xingke and Management Head Zhao are at each other’s necks. For that,we can just watch and see first.”

“We’ve already recruited quite a few technical and management personnel. The person you asked to make that idiom game has already sent the alpha version over. We've posted it, and also generally grasped the relevant data for the target cities...so, make good use of this chance. The Nine Cities plan can be initiated.”

“I've really suffered this time. Thus, you owe me again. That's two now. Don't forget that.”

Old Wai added, “Huang Keshen's moved out. We really didn't do anything at all, didn't even touch him. Still, he isn't having it good now. Everyone's looking at him in a strange way, and even that girl’s broken up with him…”

That was karma. Xu Tingsheng relaxedly listened to all of it before continuing, “Anything else? If there is, we should talk about it upstairs.”

And so he strode towards the staircase. Yet everyone else didn't move an inch.

“What's wrong?” Xu Tingsheng asked in puzzlement.

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a while before saying rather awkwardly, “Uh, about two hours ago, your Dad suddenly came, and he went to the second floor to take a look. I just happened to be there. Because of that, Uncle might think that I, might think that…”

Xu Tingsheng hadn't the time to listen to Lu Zhixin continuing to 'might think that’. He bolted up the stairs, got to the second floor and entered. Mr Xu was seated in the living room, and talking with him were Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Fang Yuqing.

“Dad, you're here?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Mr Xu tilted his head and looked at Xu Tingsheng for a moment before feigning surprise, “CEO Xu, Hucheng Education's CEO Xu! Does your Dad know that you've turned the whole world upside down like this?”

Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Fang Yuqing were secretly laughing over by the side. Xu Tingsheng chased them out, explaining the recent situation to Mr Xu in earnest. He also explained how Hucheng had come to be as well as its upcoming developmental plans.

“Such a huge scale?!” Mr Xu was amazed, “Where did your funds for this come from?”

“There's some income that Fu Cheng and I have been making over time from the ringtone business. Then, the money this time mainly came from a loan that a business partner helped to obtain,” Xu Tingsheng explained Fang Chen's position in Hucheng as well as the obtaining of the loan.

Mr Xu pondered for a long time before patting his son on the shoulder, “Tingsheng...Dad hasn't been able to help you, instead only having held you back.”

“Dad, don't be like this. Any more of this and I really will have to cry,” Xu Tingsheng wanted to smile, yet his expression gradually turned unnatural as he remembered that such words had also been spoken by Mr Xu in his previous life.

“Two months. Two more months and Dad can help you with at least 3 million,” Mr Xu smiled.

“The expansion of Happy Shoppers won't be stopping, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked seriously.

“It won't. Still, it's like I said before. There are so many counties in Jianhai, so many counties in the entire nation. It's not like we can open supermarkets in all of them, right? Thus, I lured over two management personnel of large scale supermarkets a while back. Happy Shoppers intends to start a franchise.”

Starting a franchise was something that Hucheng would definitely have to do sooner or later. While it could bring them benefits, it could also bring about many problems. This time, Happy Shoppers seemed to be moving a little prematurely again.

“Next question,” Mr Xu suddenly smiled meaningfully as he looked at his son.

“Uh oh, the food’s here! How about we eat first? We can drink some wine,” Xu Tingsheng exaggeratedly ventured.

Mr Xu ignored his diverting of the topic, asking directly, “Who's that Miss Lu?”

“Colleague, business partner.”

“She stays here?”

“I don't stay here.”

“Is that so,” Mr Xu thought about it, “Fine, I believe you. Let's go eat then.”

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly nodded, going outside and calling Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Fang Yuqing in. He thought for a moment before going downstairs to look for Zhong Wusheng and see if he was free to eat together with them.

Fang Yuqing pulled Xu Tingsheng to the side, whispering, “They’re arguing.”

“Bro Zhong and Sis Jia, arguing? That can’t be, right?”

From what Xu Tingsheng knew, Zhong Wusheng and Tao Jiaxiu were an exceptionally loving pair that surpassed even model couples. Zhong Wusheng doted on Tao Jiaxiu as a man would his wife, while Tao Jiaxiu cared about Zhong Wusheng like a big sister. Things between the two were usually so corny that the singleton, Xu Tingsheng, sometimes dared not even watch them.

They actually argued as well?

“I’ve definitely got to take a look then.”

Completely ignoring Fang Yuqing's attempt to block him, Xu Tingsheng headed downstairs. Having been busy recently, he was actually unfamiliar with how Zhong Wusheng and Tao Jiaxiu had recently been doing. The more this was so, the more he felt worried that they might have met with difficulties.

After standing outside the door for a while and hearing nothing, Xu Tingsheng carefully tried knocking. It was Tao Jiaxiu who opened the door. Sis Jia had clearly just cried as there were tearstains below her reddened eyes.

“Oh, it's Lil’ Xu. Come in,” Tao Jiaxiu said hoarsely.

“Thanks, Sis Jia,” Entering the room and seeing Zhong Wusheng sitting by a corner of the table with his back to him, Xu Tingsheng called out, “Bro Zhong, you haven't had dinner yet, right?”

Strangely enough, whilst knowing that Xu Tingsheng had come, Zhong Wusheng didn't even glance back at him as he simply grunted in the affirmative before adding, “Sit.”

Xu Tingsheng could only find a stool and sit down. Still, the atmosphere was awkward, the silence in the room overly stifling.

“Sis Jia, how has business been recently?” Xu Tingsheng fumbled to find a topic.

“I, I'm not running it anymore. The two stalls were both sold away by him,” Tao Jiaxiu said in a bit of a plaintive tone.

Taken aback, Xu Tingsheng asked Zhong Wusheng who was still facing away from him, “Bro Zhong, what's all this? Wasn't Sis Jia's store doing rather well?”

Zhong Wusheng was silent for a while before he said gruffly, “Your Sis is pregnant. I'm afraid that it might be bad for her body if she runs the store every day.”

Firstly, this was a piece of good news, and Xu Tingsheng was very happy for them. At the same time, he also understood where the problem lay. Already being thirty-six years old, Tao Jiaxiu was definitely at a higher risk as a pregnant woman...be it out of his concern towards her and their child or his pride as a man, Zhong Wusheng could not allow her to continue running her stall and tiring herself out every day.

However, this would inevitably lead to the problem of financial hardship for the both of them. Even if they could tide things through for the time being, they still had to make preparations for their future child.

“Congratulations, Bro Zhong, Sis Jia,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “What's Bro Zhong working as now then?”

Zhong Wusheng didn't answer, while Tao Jiaxiu fumed for a while before angrily replying, “Ask him to turn around and show you. See if he dares.”

So the problem lay with Zhong Wusheng. Xu Tingsheng thought that it was no wonder that he had been facing away from him. Xu Tingsheng stood up and walked over to face Zhong Wusheng. Zhong Wusheng hastily lowered his head, wanting to evade his gaze, but Xu Tingsheng had already seen his face that was riddled with wounds. There was a bandage on his nose while the corners of his eyes and his mouth had already split apart. Many large blue-blackish patches also adorned his face.

“This...Bro Zhong, what happened to you?” Afraid that some accident had befallen Zhong Wusheng, Xu Tingsheng asked panickedly.

Zhong Wusheng did not answer. Xu Tingsheng turned to look at Tao Jiaxiu. Tears had begun trickling uncontrollably down her face once more.

Shaking her head, she sniffled, “He, in that bar, in an iron cage...underground fighting. It was one versus one at first, and they gave him four hundred yuan for each round. After seeing that he’s strong, they proposed fighting three or five versus one, giving him eight hundred, one thousand per round. He fought them all...those people have also trained before. And so he, he ended up like this.”

“He's already like this, but he still wants to go. I can't persuade him not to. Lil’ Xu, help Sis to persuade him. I'm scared that…”

Tao Jiaxiu began weeping even more intensely, with even her breathing coming in ragged sobs. Xu Tingsheng brought his hand down in a sweeping motion, signalling for her to calm down.

That Zhong Wusheng was participating in underground fighting indeed rather exceeded Xu Tingsheng's expectations. Reality was not like in the movies. There shouldn't be one of those underground betting arenas in Yanzhou where money was waved about as easily as feathers. However, Xu Tingsheng had indeed heard of battling in iron cages in bars in his previous life before. In the year 2015, a bar in Chongqing had been reported on by the media due to such a phenomenon. Also, it seemed not to have been criticised as an illegal practice.

Xu Tingsheng had just been pondering on how to speak to Zhong Wusheng about it when he himself first spoke, saying in a rather desolate tone, “Bro, you don't understand. I'm not like you guys. You are cultured, have brains, but I don't...I'm uncultured, and also don't have any other abilities...I want to earn more money, want your Sis and our child to be able to live a little better. I really couldn't find a better way.”

Xu Tingsheng could empathise with Zhong Wusheng’s actions. This man of iron was fighting for the one he loved in the most 'iron-blooded’ way, giving everything he had in order to bear his responsibility as a man. That was indeed worthy of respect.

However, understanding did not entail agreement and approval.

“Therefore, you don't know that pregnant women cannot worry, cannot cry, cannot argue and cannot be emotional...right? If you come back with this sort of face every day, what do you want Sis Jia to do? And the child as well, aren't you worried about the child in Sis Jia’s belly?” Xu Tingsheng asked in mock indignation.

“I…” Zhong Wusheng began panicking, but was unable to speak for a long time as Xu Tingsheng's words had clearly left him feeling afraid.

Xu Tingsheng shot Sis Jia a look, mouthing toward her, “Leave it to me.”

Then, he turned towards Zhong Wusheng and said in a friendlier tone, “Bro Zhong, my Dad's come over today. We'd like you to eat with us. Let’s talk as we eat, okay?”

Zhong Wusheng hesitated for a moment before nodding, “Okay.”

Chapter 149: You seem very scared

As they walked out to eat, Fang Yuqing and the others chatted with Zhong Wusheng.

Xu Tingsheng remained a ways behind them, explaining his understanding of Zhong Wusheng’s family to Mr Xu, how Zhong Wusheng had once helped him before as well as their current situation.

Finally, “Dad, how about this? Let Bro Zhong and Sis Jia go over to our side. We can temporarily let Sis Jia stay in our house and accompany Mum. Anyway, Mum’s often alone at home now. She’s bored out of her wits. And when her child’s grown up a little, we can arrange for her to enter Happy Shoppers…”

“As for Bro Zhong, he can accompany you. You are often outside. Even if it’s driving or something, you should need someone else on hand to switch with. He’s learnt how to drive in the army before, and is also good at fighting. We can give him higher wages.”

While Xu Tingsheng had not known Zhong Wusheng and Tao Jiaxiu for very long, the two of them were both very easy to grasp. Xu Tingsheng did not doubt their characters and values in the least. Still, his current suggestion was equivalent to directly letting them home, leaving them by the side of his parents…

Thus, Mr Xu who wasn't familiar with Zhong Wusheng could not immediately agree as he considered, “I’ll take a look at this one surnamed Zhong when we're eating later. I'll give you an answer after.”

Xu Tingsheng understood that his father feared that he might be unable to make accurate judgments of people due to his inexperience whilst also being able to understand his considerations. Thus, he nodded in agreement.

A few men sitting down for dinner together, it was only inevitable that wine would be consumed. While Zhong Wusheng's alcohol capacity could not be considered great, he had a straightforward personality and downed the wine readily. Over this period of time, Mr Xu constantly chatted with him, asking him a few questions as well. From the looks of it, the two were getting close pretty quickly...

Fang Yuqing and the others asked curiously about the fighting in the iron cages. Xu Tingsheng listened to Zhong Wusheng's narration and calculated his basic income. Because he didn't get to fight every day, with a fight usually only being lined up for him once every three to four days, the income was actually not as high as he had thought. Adding on the medical expenses, adding on Sis Jia’s attitude...

In comparison, it was evident that the conditions they offered were still much better.

Partway through their meal, an intoxicated customer from the next table who was unstable in his gait staggered over, nearly falling as his elbow slammed down onto Zhong Wusheng's shoulder before his entire weight crushed down on him. The injured Zhong Wusheng grimaced, glancing over and smiling before supporting him up.

Yet the drunken man was arrogant as he howled indistinctly, “What're you looking at? Not happy? You wanna die?”

Zhong Wusheng smiled, not replying. Fang Yuqing and the others wanted to stand up, but he shot a look at them to stop.

Seeing all this, Mr Xu told Xu Tingsheng, “Someone who is so good at fighting is still able to tolerate matters. This is true competence. From hearing about him and his attitude towards his family from you earlier, I had already understood his personality somewhat…”

“My greatest worry was that due to his young age and considering his fighting prowess, he might be a rash, reckless person who is full of himself...had he been like this, I wouldn't dare to bring him around with me.”

At this point, Xu Tingsheng knew that his father's test had already come to an end.

The meal took two hours. At the end of it all, rather than letting Xu Tingsheng bring up the matter, Mr Xu personally conveyed their intentions to Zhong Wusheng, also offering rather substantial wages before asking for Zhong Wusheng's opinion on the matter.

“This is a good thing, Bro Zhong! The air is fresh, the mountains beautiful and the water clear where we come from. It'll definitely be great for Sis Jia to give birth there,” Huang Yaming chimed in.

The three of them already knew about Tao Jiaxiu’s pregnancy now. All of them were happy for Zhong Wusheng whilst also feeling worried for him...Mr Xu having made this proposal now, they all felt that it really couldn’t be any better.

Yet, Zhong Wusheng hesitated, falling silent.

Afraid that they would pester and make things difficult for him, Xu Tingsheng indicated for the rest of them to stop talking, waiting for Mr Xu to speak.

“If brother feels that I am taking care of and extending charity towards you out of nowhere, that really isn’t so. In truth, speaking of helping, you would be still be helping me out more. Often being out of town, I would like to have someone like you who is trustworthy as well as competent helping me out, and people like that are hard to come by,” Mr Xu said.

Mr Xu was clearly spot on in his analysis of Zhong Wusheng’s inner turmoil. Zhong Wusheng was concerned that he was merely feeling sympathetic towards and therefore taking care of him. With his personality, such a thing would be very difficult for him to accept.

Thus, at Mr Xu’s words, Zhong Wusheng’s expression immediately relaxed.

“Also, I feel that with Sis Jia’s capabilities, after learning for some time in the future, she might even become a manager next time. As for you, Bro Zhong, while accompanying my father, you can also come into contact with some business-related affairs. If you want to venture out by yourself in the future, we definitely won’t stop you from doing so,” Xu Tingsheng substantiated.

“How would I be able to run a business?” Zhong Wusheng laughed, “Anyway, I can agree, just that I’ve got to go back and ask for your Sis’s opinion first...thanks.”

“You know how to listen to my Sis Jia now? Weren’t you bold enough to even throw a tantrum and argue with my Sis just now? Wasn’t it that even a nine-headed bull wouldn’t be able to convince you anymore?” Huang Yaming teased Zhong Wusheng.

“I’ll take care of you later,” Zhong Wusheng smiled as he shot Huang Yaming a look, deep embarrassment that could not be concealed still evident within his expression.

“A toast, a toast! In respect of Uncle Xu,” Zhong Wusheng quickly diverted the topic.

After the meal, they returned to the riverside residence. Xu Tingsheng followed Zhong Wusheng into his house. More accurately, afraid that Tao Jiaxiu might still be angry with him, it was Zhong Wusheng who forcibly dragged Xu Tingsheng along with him. After Tao Jiaxiu had finished hearing what they had agreed upon earlier, a smile finally appeared on her face.

Still, the smile was meant only for Xu Tingsheng. As Zhong Wusheng came over, Sis Jia continued ignoring him in a huff. Zhong Wusheng could only ceaselessly explain, plead, beg for mercy in shame.

The next morning, the busy Mr Xu departed from Yanzhou first. Zhong Wusheng and Tao Jiaxiu still had to pack up their belongings and would only be going over in another two days.

As Xu Tingsheng returned to the riverside residence after having sent his father off, Zhong Wusheng stopped him, “How come Uncle Xu’s left his car behind?”

“My dad said that you have many belongings, and Sis Jia is also pregnant. If you take travel on your own to Libei, it will inevitably be very inconvenient for you. Thus, he left the car behind for you to use. Later, I’ll tell you about the route to Libei. Also, you haven’t driven for a long time. Before you leave, you can first spend these two days driving around the surrounding area a little. Also remember to be careful on the way to Libei,” Xu Tingsheng replied, relaying Mr Xu’s words in their entirety.

Zhong Wusheng and Tao Jiaxiu could not reply to that.

…...

On Saturday, Xu Tingsheng knocked on the door of the Xiang family home with unprecedented, immense uncertainty within his heart.

He felt that such a disturbance having been stirred up by him, there was no way Mr and Mrs Xiang could still be unaware of his actual state of affairs. Since that was so, they would definitely be feeling worried and doubtful.

“How will they deal with it?”

The door to the Xiang family home opened. Seeing that it was Xu Tingsheng, Mrs Xiang smiled as she bade him enter. With there still being some time before the lesson began, Xu Tingsheng sat uneasily on the sofa in the living room, waiting for the questioning to begin.

Unexpectedly, however, Mr and Mrs Xiang only asked Xu Tingsheng about the competition that he had participated in. Mr Xiang who sometimes watched football even discussed strategies for a weaker team battling against a stronger from a ‘professional’ perspective with him for a while.

And those were all the contents of their conversation, being no different from usual at all.

“What’s this situation?” Xu Tingsheng’s doubts had still not been dispelled when the time for lessons arrived.

Entering the study room, Xiang Ning who had basically had no speaking authority in the living room at all said, “Uncle, you seem very scared.”

Chapter 150: Time like the flowing of a gentle stream

Xiang Ning asked Xu Tingsheng, “Uncle, you seem very scared.”

As Xiang Ning sat by the table, the green silk hairband without a knot or flowers that she was wearing revealed her beautiful forehead and her brows that mischievously leapt when she smiled. Right, she was smiling, a sly smile hanging by her lips as she seemed set on putting on a deep, meaningful look at her age, seeming as if she was waiting to see a joke from Uncle.

Being subject to her gaze, Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt blissful as an inexplicable sense of joy and release also descended.

He had just experienced a long ‘battle’ in a contest of wits, foundations and methods. At the end of it, his sense of accomplishment from his victory had not been strong at all, because that was a life that he hadn’t been used to, maybe even hadn’t been willing to adapt to all along.

He might currently be on the way to becoming a scheming person who had methods of all kinds up his sleeve. There might eventually come a day when he turned cold or ruthless.

At this moment, however, Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt that all of it wasn’t really all that terrifying. All marks of combat and changes in mentality would return to calmness before the bright smile and clear eyes of this girl before him, turning warm once more.

Meanwhile, ‘battling’ itself seemed to have finally found its meaning as well: Dearest one, I will prepare everything, and await your growth. I will give you a great building that can shield you from the winds and the rains, where you can frolic about in safety and happiness.

“And if I am lost amidst the darkness of the night, you are the brightest star in the night sky, guiding me forward, also guiding me back.”

……

“You’re still smiling...aren’t you scared? You’ve been exposed...you know that?” Not seeing the joke that she had been expecting, that of the helpless, panicked Uncle, a disappointed Xiang Ning asked rather dissatisfiedly.

“I’ve been exposed?” Xu Tingsheng played along, “I’m actually very scared then.”

Xu Tingsheng understood Xiang Ning. This wouldn’t be the expression on her face if things really were serious. She was bad at hiding what she was feeling as all her emotions were usually written on her face. Thus, while he wasn’t really clear on what was going on, Xu Tingsheng still relaxed greatly.

“You really dug up the tomb of Cao Cao of the Three Kingdoms?” Xiang Ning suddenly asked.

“It hasn’t been dug yet, and even if it really is dug, it also won’t be me going to dig it. I just told them where they should dig for it...then, that tomb, it’s actually called the Gaoling Mausoleum of Anyang,” Xu Tingsheng resisted the urge to smile as he explained patiently.

“So it’s like this! You’re really stupid. You should have gone to dig it up yourself, because there may be a lot of gold and silver and valuable things there! Right, what did you do for that Award of Bravery?” Xiang Ning guided Uncle along the path of a graverobber before casually asking.

With <Ghost Blows Out The Light> and <Grave Robbers’ Chronicles> both not out yet, there was no way for Xu Tingsheng to scare the girl with stories of ‘dumplings’ that could bite people. If he were to start on that, the home tutoring lesson would have become a storytelling session.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng let Xiang Ning go on this one.

“I knocked someone unconscious with a brick,” While he had received two Awards of Bravery, Xu Tingsheng only replied on that incident back from senior high, because he felt that the other incident was too terrifying and wasn’t willing to tell Xiang Ning about it.

“He was a bad person?”

“He can’t be considered a bad person, just that he had to be knocked unconscious at the time.”

“Alright. My friends and classmates all say that you are a brave and civic-minded hero, having already sacrificed yourself in a blaze of glory,” When Xiang Ning arrived at the sacrificing part, she knocked on Xu Tingsheng’s arm, as if confirming that he was still alive.

If one were to go by the textbooks, it actually did seem this way. Heroes were often associated with the idea of sacrifice.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Then, how about we start our lesson now, when I’ve still yet to be sacrificed?”

“Wait, I’ve still got a question….that platform that’s used to find home tutors on the internet was actually built by you? My classmates all hate you to death, you know? Many of our parents hadn’t even considered looking for a home tutor originally. After you came, all of them suddenly wanted to, and then it became terrible for us,” Xiang Ning continued.

“You could say that. That’s an entrepreneurship thing that my friends and I did,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

As for the fury of the kids, he could only ignore it. At the very least, things didn’t seem so serious from how Xiang Ning was speaking.

“You’re actually very rich then? Sigh, liar.”

“You...now, you mean?”

“Yeah.”

“If we’re talking about now, my partners and I still owe other people a lot of money.”

“So you’re very poor then?”

“...it’s hard to say. You could say that. I was originally much poorer, actually. I was once so, so poor to the point that I felt that I would drag other people down.”

This was actually something that even Xu Tingsheng himself was really hard pressed to define. At the current time, be it for his family or for himself, the businesses that he had helped to establish seemed to be moving smoothly and successfully. However...he seemed to be getting increasingly ‘poorer’, owing a great amount of debt.

“Fine then. Last question-did you only come to teach me as an experiment? It was an experiment for when that competition system of your platform was just implemented. Then, you only taught me in order to grasp the user experience. Is that right? Xiang Ning asked.

“Wherever did you hear that from?”

Xu Tingsheng was rather bemused by Xiang Ning’s question. While this was how he had explained it to other people, he didn’t remember having mentioned it to Xiang Ning before. Also, the terms that she had used, ‘competition system’, ‘user experience’ and the like, were too professional, not seeming like she had thought of them herself.

“It’s what Sis Teacher told my Mum and Dad! They talked for a long time...alright, anyway, you don’t have to be scared anymore. It’s already fine with my Mum and Dad. They’re even rather happy. You’re too awesome; so many of our relatives even envy our family.”

Xiang Ning smiled, a smile with pride concealed within. Thus, Xu Tingsheng smiled as well. Men were generally all like this. In order to become her pride one day, they were always willing to silently grit their teeth in persistence where they could not be seen by her.

“I helped as well!” Xiang Ning bragged.

“So that’s how it was,” Xu Tingsheng felt that if Old Wai didn’t mind it, he would really have to hug Li Linlin and whirl her around when he got back, for it would otherwise be hard to express the full extent of his gratitude. As for this girl over here who had helped as well, forget it. He had scared her tragically enough the last time already.

“Then, do you require an explanation?” Xu Tingsheng asked Xiang Ning, feeling that she should logically be feeling somewhat doubtful and dissatisfied.

“No need,” Xiang Ning confidently patted her chest, “We’re on the same side, you and me.”

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng happily responded before continuing, “Then, can you explain one thing to me?”

“What?”

“Why is it that the female teacher is Sis Teacher while the male teacher is Uncle? I’m clearly the same age as her, alright? Why aren’t I Bro Teacher?”

“Mr Xu, it’s time for lessons. You said it yourself. When tutoring, you’re only the strictest teacher. We can’t even be considered friends! So wherever can this whatever Uncle or Bro come from?”

Xiang Ning opened her textbook, blinking in triumph.

Beneath the windowsill, he narrated gently, she listened focusedly. It seemed to have diverged from Xu Tingsheng’s initial goal and wish. Would these interactions ultimately culminate in love or kinship? Once in a while, this problem would cause him to feel afraid.

However, it was still blissful, at least. It was like the tip of a pen drawing across a piece of paper. The straight line might extend into an arc, yet however many arcs there were, it was actually still a continuation, as it extended, progressed.

After the afternoon lesson, with the consent of Mr and Mrs Xu, dinner was cooked by Xu Tingsheng.

Mr and Mrs Xiang had very similar palates to Xiang Ning. Thus, they also greatly appreciated Xu Tingsheng’s cooking.

……

From the middle of the month onwards, Xiang Ning’s ultra male home tutor finally no longer applied for leave, arriving on time and leaving as scheduled every week, helping to make dinner from time to time. Every once in a while, he would misspeak a verb, which would promptly be noted by an unforgiving Xiang Ning who always kept count.

Most of the time, Xu Tingsheng was just a strict home tutor, even having caused Xiang Ning to cry a couple of times. Afterwards, the two would be aggrieved with each other, make up, play pranks...

Such times flowed like a stream, audible yet quiet, with ripples spreading yet no turbulent tides surging or dangerous rapids flowing as it was quiet yet blissful.

These were the quietest, most blissful times of Xu Tingsheng’s life ever since his rebirth.

Chapter 151: On the path

It was close to May.

Xiang Ning was preparing for her mid-terms. Xu Tingsheng seemed even more nervous about this than he had been for his own university entrance examinations. Mr Xu became more serious, and sterner as well.

Xiang Ning was gradually also getting used to this Uncle Liar who had originally doted endlessly on her having become Mr Xu who loved to tell on her, glare at her and punish her with memorising and writing contents down from memory.

Comparatively speaking, the respect and fear towards a teacher that she now felt towards him was far easier to stomach than the earlier fear from being unable to understand his motivations.

Hucheng Education had also already embarked on its Nine Cities expansion plan. The so-called Nine Cities referred to the other eight cities of Jianhai Province apart from Yanzhou. It included Jianan City where Xu Tingsheng’s hometown was as well as the mega-city, Shenghai City that was also close by.

Borrowing Xu Tingsheng’s previous ‘limitless glory’ as well as the puzzle game which they had uploaded, the platform which was advertised as being free surged through the roof in popularity in all the nine cities, the number of registered users unceasingly increasing. This was especially so for Shenghai City and Xihu City which had high populations as well a a shocking amount of university students. The number of registered users there easily surpassed that at Hucheng’s home ground, Yanzhou City itself, within a short amount of time.

The sole regret was that Hucheng temporarily still lacked the ability to establish its own training institutes in all of these places. At the end of the day, Hucheng Education just lacked money.

Even so, Xu Tingsheng still continuously turned down a few investment offers. The current Hucheng was still unable to gain sufficient recognition that matched the amount he had in mind.

Nearing the end of April, the first economic-based media entity reported ‘exaggeratedly’ on Hucheng’s bright future, believing that as soon as Hucheng began charging fees, opening up other channels of revenue at the same time, its yearly profits could amount to upward of twenty million per year. Hucheng was portrayed here as a target with immense investment potential.

Yet, this seemingly ‘exaggerated’ figure was actually still far from Xu Tingsheng’s projected expectations.

There was a good thing about working through the Internet. When standing someplace, you could extend your perspective very far away.

Of course, the number of Hucheng’s employees had also increased greatly ever since the implementation of the Nine Cities expansion plan. The original office was split into two parts. The part-time students continued working in the riverside residence. After Zhong Wusheng and Tao Jiaxiu had gone to Libei, Xu Tingsheng had rented the first floor of the riverside residence as well.

The other group of specialised employees, teachers and part-time secondary school teachers went to work over at Hucheng’s training institute. Tang Guangyi was moved by Xu Tingsheng’s extended sincerity, not participating in management as he just remained in charge of education at the training institute.

The platform still didn’t begin charging fees. However, the days of Hucheng being a sinkhole of funds finally still ceased. The training institute having begun recruiting students on a large scale, this would lead to a partial source of income. More importantly, the platform had welcomed its first educational materials publisher.

At the current time, Dangdang which had been established in the year 1999 had already been in operation for a good number of years. People had gradually formed the habit of purchasing books online. Adding on the fact that there was a greater discount for the books purchased over the platform than for those bought at the actual stores, with the sales also being extremely targeted and active, the sales figures skyrocketed unceasingly like an erupting geyser.

The second, the third. When the third publishing house joined, Hucheng was already able to completely break even solely from ‘selling books’.

Unexpectedly, just a month after his visit to Yanzhou, Mr Xu wired two million yuan over to Xu Tingsheng. At the current time, Happy Shoppers already had ten stores directly under it, along with twenty franchise stores which were currently still in the midst of frenetic preparation.

In the ‘negotiations’ with the suppliers, the rapidly growing Happy Shoppers gradually began holding the dominant position.

Happy Shoppers’ money-making capacity actually exceeded the current Hucheng. Just those ten supermarkets directly under them alone brought them around two million yuan in profit every month. It was also due to his rapidly increasing influence that Mr Xu had become a member of Libei County’s government.

“I’m finally going to have money. I’m finally going to become a rich second gen,” Xu Tingsheng thought ‘blissfully’.

……

Zhang Xingke gave Xu Tingsheng a call, laughing bitterly, “I’ve been expelled. Still, that Management Head Zhao also shouldn’t have it good. You probably won’t see him in Yanzhou University again.”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know how he should respond.

“If I had known about this initially, I would have taken that five percent. Xu Tingsheng, Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng, hahahaha...it was no fluke that I lost. I’m leaving, seeya,” Zhang Xingke concluded.

“To you, a paper qualification isn’t actually worth much. I believe that you will definitely stand back up. Hopefully, we won’t be enemies the next time we meet. Fare thee well, senior. Take care,” Xu Tingsheng finally responded.

The business arena was like a battlefield, the victors the kings and the losers the scoundrels. There actually wasn’t any right or wrong to this.

Apple had already finished singing new versions of all of Rebirth’s previous songs apart from <You Knit A Woolen Sweater For A Freaking Fool>. Currently, she had taken a break off school as she was running around doing endless commercial performances.

Xu Tingsheng had conversed with her over the phone a few times before. Whenever he brought up the matter of her albums and new songs, Apple always fell silent.

She wasn’t happy, yet dared not tell Xu Tingsheng so.

“Mum’s returned to take care of Grandma. I think that I should be able to bring the two of them over early next year. After that, I’d like to spend more time accompanying them at home.”

“Xu Tingsheng, there are so many things about you now. I search your name every day, and can always look at it for a long, long time. I will feel happy at your success, but also worry...however hard I work, it still feels as though I can never keep up with your footsteps,” Apple said.

Amidst endless cries by the public and the media to ‘dig!’, the world of academia had actually yet to come to any agreement regarding Cao Cao’s mausoleum. Yan Zhengyu presided domineeringly over all his opponents, his momentum like the sun in the sky.

“Thank you for your efforts, Teacher,” Once, Xu Tingsheng called him and said.

“This old man delights in the prospect,” Yan Zhenyu laughed.

As the debates progressed, some academics gradually began leaping into Yan Zhenyu’s battle trench, fighting alongside him as they counterattacked doubts and argued for their side’s views.

Some of these new additions might indeed hold the same view, but there were more who were doing so in speculation. The dark side of academia was something most of the general public would not be able to understand. Plagiarism, speculation and stealing the results of others’ research-none of these had ever stopped before.

Recently, some people had already begun making their moves non-stop, preparing to forcibly wrest away the research result of the ‘discovery of Cao Cao’s mausoleum’.

……

The massive upheaval that Xu Tingsheng had caused on campus was gradually easing with time. Apart from the home tutoring and part of Hucheng’s affairs that he just had to participate in, he still diligently attended lessons, left lessons, went to the cafeteria to eat and went back to his dormitory to sleep, living the life of a normal university student.

It was just that as people gradually discovered that the relationship between he and Lu Zhixin was far from what was rumoured, some girls soon started calling out to him as he walked:

“Go for it, Xu Tingsheng!”

“Xu Tingsheng, I’ve registered on the platform! I’m called XXX XXX.”

“Thanks,” Xu Tingsheng could only ever reply.

Chapter 152: The light of spring is incomparable to you

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao still hung out together with Fang Yuqing and his buddies every day, getting more and more skilled at fooling around outside. Fu Cheng still took a trip to Jianan City every weekend without rest, going to take care of Ms Fang as well as accompany her in her gradual recovery.

“I accidentally touched her hand that day. Almost, we almost held hands. A pity that I was holding a knife to cut the apple with back then. I wanted to put the knife down, but it fell to the ground in the end. Bang! And that was the end of it,” Fu Cheng said.

“We might even have kissed that day. We were already gazing into each other’s eyes. A pity that I was nervous to the point of freezing up. Then Ms Fang started chuckling, and the atmosphere was entirely lost. Sigh, the regret,” Fu Cheng added.

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming listened excitedly to these tales a couple of times, but quickly grew tired of it. If all his words were put together in summary, it was actually that...this guy had yet to even hold her hand up till now.

“Do you want Ms Fang to take the initiative? Or do you want her to personally say ‘Fu Cheng, you can hold my hand now’, or ‘You can kiss me now?’” Huang Yaming constantly scolded him for being a wastrel.

“Actually, Fu Cheng can consider writing an application form, describing all the reasons to prove that the conditions and timing for holding hands have already been met, the necessity and pressing nature of holding hands as well as his preparation for it. Then, he can hand it up to Ms Fang for her to mark and sign,” Xu Tingsheng would sometimes help to tease Fu Cheng.

“Yeah yeah yeah, this idea’s great. It really suits them,” Huang Yaming agreed.

“Right, Fu Cheng, has there been a nurse over there asking you where Huang Yaming is?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Every time Huang Yaming was in high spirits, Xu Tingsheng would leap out and mention this past matter, landing a blow right on his head. Then, Huang Yaming would be completely deflated, hurriedly searching for an excuse to flee the area.

“No, I don't seem to have seen her around anymore,” Fu Cheng replied.

…...

Fu Cheng found Xu Tingsheng, asking him, “Tingsheng, I remember that you've gotten your driving license?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Yeah, I just got it,” It was Fang Yuqing who had helped to arrange for Xu Tingsheng's driving license. He was afraid that Xu Tingsheng might be stopped out on the road for illegal driving one day, with his car being towed away as a result.

Like this, Xu Tingsheng did not go for driving lessons, directly going through the back door as he cut the queue and went straight for the driving test. He got his driving license just as easily as this.

“Can you look for Fang Yuqing and borrow his car then? Accompany me for a bit, first to Jiannan, then to Libei and finally back to Yanzhou,” Fu Cheng requested.

Xu Tingsheng heard joy and anticipation as well as a bit of nervousness and unease within his tone.

Thus, he asked, “What’s up? It’s a good thing, right?”

Fu Cheng hesitated for a moment, “Yeah. We’ll be bringing one additional person back this time.”

“Is it Ms Fang?” Xu Tingsheng asked him.

“Yeah,” Fu Cheng said, “Ms Fang will be discharged. She asked me to accompany her back to Libei to take some stuff. After that, she’ll be returning to Yanzhou along with us. She’s already contacted a school over here where she’ll be working next semester onwards. Thus, I think it would be more convenient if there were a car.”

It had gone smoothly beyond Xu Tingsheng’s expectations. Since Ms Fang had proposed letting Fu Cheng accompany her back to Libei to help her move her belongings from Libei Senior High on her own accord, he thought that she must already have decided and mentally prepared herself to face the inevitable rumours as well as criticism.

Due to Fang Yunyao’s courage, Xu Tingsheng set aside his earlier worries. Those regrets carried over with his rebirth seemed like they would finally be alleviated somewhat.

“Alright, I’ll accompany you and be your third wheel,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

He went and asked Fang Yuqing for his car, the latter howling in grief, “Boss Xu, can’t you just buy one of your own?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m poor, I can’t afford it. Hurry up and hand the keys over.”

Fang Yuqing refused. So Xu Tingsheng went and rummaged through his pockets himself.

The next day, Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng set off early in the morning. They arrived at Jiannan City close to noon, receiving Fang Yunyao at the door of Jiannan Central Hospital.

Ms Fang’s mother had already returned to her hometown.

Today, Fang Yunyao’s smile was radiant as she completely lacked that shyness, unease and awkwardness that she had once had when facing Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng. Xu Tingsheng noticed that she had put on light makeup for once, appearing young, exquisite and enchanting.

“It’s been hard on you,” Fang Yunyao greeted Xu Tingsheng when she saw him.

“No, it’s fine,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

The three of them ate lunch together before heading for Libei. The public roads leading to Libei were currently being widened. Thus, Xu Tingsheng drove rather slowly. When they were about to arrive at Libei Senior High, the students had already finished their lessons and been released from class...the campus was bustling with students.

“Front gate or back?” Xu Tingsheng looked back and asked Fang Yunyao.

“Front gate,” Fang Yunyao said resolutely.

While the teaching dormitory was clearly closer to the back gate of the school, Fang Yunyao did not hesitate in the least as she asked Xu Tingsheng to stop the car by the front gate. Xu Tingsheng understood this, feeling admiration at Fang Yunyao who had finally turned bold.

The car stopped at the front gate of Libei Senior High. Fang Yunyao was the first to get off. She stood and looked for a while at her former campus where she had taught for nearly four years.

Then, she turned back and called, “Fu Cheng, get off. Help me with packing up my stuff.”

The stunned Fu Cheng froze up.

Xu Tingsheng pushed him, “Hurry up and get off!”

As for Xu Tingsheng himself, he certainly wouldn’t get off the car to help. What trouble could he contribute to, what help could he provide now? ...He rolled down the car window and leaned an arm against its open frame, smiling as he watched.

The weather was bright and clear in Libei today. Currently, the overhead sun was soon to set over the horizon, the rays of dusk falling against the spherical main building of Libei Senior High as the land below was dyed completely golden.

Libei Senior High’s teaching buildings stood on the two sides of a few ponds and flowerbeds. In the spring of May, the plants were a luscious green and the flowers a vibrant red, making for a stunning backdrop. The leaves of the pomegranate tree swayed with clusters of red flowers.

The light of spring was beautiful today.

Standing before the school gate, Fang Yunyao removed her hairband and let down her originally bound hair. Her long tresses that resembled a waterfall covered the scars by her shoulder. She stood beside Fu Cheng, linking her arm through his and grabbing hold of it.

“Don’t be afraid,” Fang Yunyao told the nervous Fu Cheng whose entire body had turned stiff.

“Yeah,” Fu Cheng swallowed his saliva, taking in a deep breath.

Then, they strolled towards the school gate together…

The security guard, Old Mr Wu, had just been immersed in reading a newspaper when he felt presences approaching. He had just been about to raise a hand in warning when...at the same moment at which he looked upwards, he was rendered wide-eyed and tongue-tied. The people before him were a teacher he was well acquainted with who had just been through a rough patch...while the other, seemed to be…

“Hello, Old Mr Wu. I’m back to take some things,” Holding onto Fu Cheng, Fang Yunyao greeted him with a bright smile on her face.

“Oh, hello...Ms Fang.”

Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng walked calmly at the centre of Libei Senior High’s campus, passing through the green brick walkway between the flowerbeds. Once in a while, when meeting teachers or students with whom she was better acquainted, Fang Yunyao would smile and greet them while holding onto Fu Cheng’s arm, not carrying any awkwardness or nervousness at all.

The bustling campus suddenly fell silent. The students and the teachers all stood stock still, on the walkways, on the corridors. The remaining ones in the classrooms and the offices all peeked out or gathered by the windows as they watched the figures of Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng walk slowly across the grounds of the campus just like that.

There had once been a boy who had howled out a confession towards the stands during graduation. No one had known that it was his teacher with whom he had fallen in love.

Afterwards, when that teacher had met with an accident and was struggling on the brink of death, that boy had returned, doing everything that he could for her.

This campus had once seen countless rumours regarding them, many nasty versions having been abound. It was to the extent that they felt that no one would have the courage to face this.

Yet afterwards, that boy had come up on stage, saying candidly, “I am Fu Cheng. Three years ago, studying in tenth grade in Libei Senior High, I fell in love with my own teacher, Fang Yunyao.”

That day, he had publicly gotten on his knees for her.

Now, there was already no one who did not know of their tale. It had been said that Ms Fang seemed to have survived her ordeal. Thus, they had begun speculating: Would they get together?

Everyone had originally thought that it was unlikely for such a question to be answered. After all, this being a teacher-student relationship, it was inevitable that it would have to be kept in the utmost secrecy. Also, they had heard that Fang Yunyao would soon be leaving Libei Senior High, transferring elsewhere. With that, they would not have to deal with this anymore.

Yet, at this moment, there was no further need for any doubts or speculation at all.

There they were, Fang Yunyao linking her arm in her student Fu Cheng’s, her smile radiant, blissful and calm. Whilst facing everyone, whilst facing everyone’s gazes, they did not shrink back in the least. They strolled through the entire campus, strolled through the rumours…

This year, she was 27, he 20. She had been his teacher, and now they were in a relationship.

Fang Yunyao’s jet-black hair drifted in the wind. The light of spring was very beautiful today, but she was even more beautiful. At this moment, Fu Cheng felt like he already had happiness grasped within his hands.

Leaning against Xu Tingsheng’s car, Vice-Principal Lou commented rather helplessly, “When did she become so bold? Sigh, this seems like a bad influence. Should I go and stop them?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Uncle Lou, just take it as if you didn’t see them. Just this once. Let them have their way just this once.”

“Fine,” Vice-Principal Lou opened the door of the car, getting in and sitting down, “I’m already off work anyway. Come, let’s talk about your gravedigging or that whatever Hucheng Education.”

……

Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng came back after their packing, Xu Tingsheng heading out twice to help them with the moving of belongings.

Finally, as the three of them sat in the car together, Fang Yunyao gazed at Libei Senior High through the car window, “Four years. I’ll finally be leaving this place. Previously, I’d still thought that I would be staying here for my entire life.”

“Feeling regretful? If you can’t bear to leave, look at it a little longer,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“No need for that. This place has already given me the happiest thing in my life,” Fang Yunyao replied, “Let’s go.”

Xu Tingsheng revved up the engine, leaving Libei amidst the night.

Libei Senior High would thereon have a tale that would last into eternity, a tale that the school leadership was never willing to mention while the students were always mentioning. That year, there had been a beautiful teacher who had fallen in love with her student. They had traversed the campus together hand-in-hand, also traversing the rumours, traversing through time itself.

Chapter 153: Goodbye, my little boy

This was already the third time. Wu Yuewei knew that Xu Tingsheng had come, and also knew that Xu Tingsheng had left.

The first time was during the Lunar New Year when the Xu Family had been facing a crisis. Wu Yuewei had quietly helped to console Xu Qiuyi, not having disturbed Xu Tingsheng at all. The second time was when Xu Tingsheng had returned over Fang Yunyao’s matter. They had still not come into contact then. Wu Yuewei could still understand this.This was the third time. The university entrance examinations were drawing near for Wu Yuewei. Xu Tingsheng had hurriedly come, then hurriedly left.

“There’s no reason for him not to have come to see you this time, right? The university entrance examinations are almost here. That’s really too much,” Wu Yuewei’s tablemate said indignantly.

Wu Yuewei did not answer, gazing quietly out of the window till his car had started, driven off and vanished from sight. Wu Yuewei said nothing at all that entire evening self-study session.

When self-study had ended, Xu Tingsheng’s sister, Xu Qiuyi, came to look for her, “My brother came in a rush and left in a rush as well. He also didn’t look for me...Sis Yuewei, don’t be unhappy. Focus on the upcoming examinations with an ease of mind.”

“It’s fine, I will,” Wu Yuewei tried her best to smile.

“Oh, feeling hurt?” Xu Qiuyi smiled craftily, drawing close and leaning in to look at Wu Yuewei’s expression.

“Like real. I hate your brother,” Wu Yuewei vehemently shook her head.

Then, she lowered her head again, wanting to evade Xu Qiuyi’s gaze. She was just a girl who had always been overly sensible. She was used to encouraging herself, consoling herself. Yet, she was still just a girl at the end of the day.

What Wu Yuewei couldn’t understand was why that person, while having once dashed towards a suspected SARS victim for her, currently wasn’t willing to even pay her a little bit of concern. Meanwhile, this was when her university entrance examinations were right around the corner.

“Right! I hate him too!” Xu Qiuyi suddenly said, “Still, let me tell you one thing. My brother just called me and asked for your dorm number. But we hate him, right? So let’s just forget about him. We certainly won’t be picking up his calls...come, let’s go to the mall.”

Wu Yuewei abruptly raised her head, “Oh, but I...I’m so sleepy. I’m returning to my dorm, bye.”

Xu Qiuyi was laughing behind her, but Wu Yuewei could care less about that now. She had never run so fast in her life before, resembling a crane of fortune as she skipped through the crowds, dashed up the stairs and returned to her dormitory. Then, she stood at the entrance of her room, nervously keeping an eye on the wall phone shared by four rooms as she waited.

A girl from the neighbouring class came over and made a call with the phone. Actually, her call might only have lasted around five minutes. Still, to Wu Yuewei, it felt like the call had elapsed for an entire lifetime. She felt uneasy-if he called and found the line engaged, would he give up?

The girl finally hung up. Then, the phone immediately rang. Naturally, the girl picked up the call.

“Wu Yuewei...is Wu Yuewei here? It’s your call!” The girl turned and yelled loudly. Having long been waiting for this, Wu Yuewei immediately patted her, “I’m here.”

The girl was momentarily taken aback before she handed the phone over to her.

Wu Yuewei put a hand on her chest to calm herself down before saying, “Hello?”

“Hey. I’d been intending to see you today, but was accosted by Vice-Principal Lou. Look, it wasn’t like I could have told him: Hey, stop bothering me, I want to go see my pretty junior, right?” Xu Tingsheng laughed jokingly.

“Right,” Despite having finally received the call she had been waiting for, Wu Yuewei could not find the words to speak.

“Good luck in the university entrance examinations! Of course, you actually just need to perform to your usual standards and it’ll be fine,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Alright,” Wu Yuewei said.

“You should do better than me at the very least? I was third in the entire city already, so you’ve got to get first.”

“Alright.”

“Still, don’t tire yourself out too much. Remember to rest when you have to.”

“You too. I heard that you’ve been doing quite a number of things. Don’t tire yourself out as well.”

“Yeah. Alright, I’ll be waiting for your good news, waiting to be proud of you.”

“Right.”

“Goodnight then.”

“Goodnight.”

“Pretty junior? Hah! What a hateful person Vice-Principal Lou is,” Wu Yuewei could not sleep that night, eventually deciding to get out of bed and study, which continued all the way till dawn.

“Waiting to be proud of me? Fine, I’ll get a first in the entire city first then,” Wu Yuewei thought.

The attitude of this kind of ultra study queen was like going to the market and saying ‘I want some vegetables’. After all, she had already consecutively scored first in the entire city several times before. This was Libei Senior High’s most hopeful Qingbei seedling of the past ten years!

……

Xu Tingsheng hung up in a motel of Jiannan City.

The three had left Libei in the evening. Arriving at Jiannan, it had already been rather late. Considering that Xu Tingsheng had been out driving for so long of an extended period, being really exhausted, they decided to remain in Jiannan, only returning to Yanzhou the next day.

Lying down on the other bed of the twin room, Fu Cheng asked when Xu Tingsheng had ended the call, “You’re being soft-hearted again? You’re always like this. I don’t know whether it’s a virtue or a vice, whether it’s good or bad for you and whether it’s good or bad for others.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled helplessly. He had actually already been ruthless towards Wu Yuewei. Perhaps continuing being ruthless to her was really the right thing to do. Yet, that wouldn’t be Xu Tingsheng anymore. That toast in her marriage of his previous life, that ever persisting ‘Senior’ as well as the many things that had happened post-rebirth tugged on his heartstrings non-stop.

Thus, when she would soon be sitting for her university entrance examinations, Xu Tingsheng still eventually made this call.

“Perhaps when she has gone to Qingbei with her horizons broadened, seeing more outstanding people, things will all be good then.”

The next day, Xu Tingsheng departed along with Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao in the afternoon, arriving at Yanzhou in the evening. After dinner, he sent Fang Yunyao to a pre-booked motel.

Fang Yunyao got off the car, beginning to move her belongings, but Fu Cheng stopped her, “Let me do it,” Fang Yunyao stood obediently to the side, letting Fu Cheng take her jacket, smiling as she watched him moving down her heavy luggage with ‘a look of utter ease’ on his face…

This was the wish of a boy. He wanted to show that he could take care of someone. He would be happy that way. Thus, Fang Yunyao let him do as he liked, watching all of it. Xu Tingsheng naturally wouldn’t go and help. It was not like he was silly.

When the final piece of luggage had been moved away, Xu Tingsheng who had already been the third wheel for two days waved goodbye to Fang Yunyao before directly speeding off into the distance without so much as a word to Fu Cheng.

“Sigh, Tingsheng...this rascal actually ran off alone," Fu Cheng complained.

“You’ve still got to help me move my things up,” Fang Yunyao said.

“Right,” Fu Cheng patted his hands, mightily heaving two large bags onto his shoulders.

Following behind him, Fang Yunyao helped to support the bottom of the bags, “Do you have lessons for the next two days?”

“Yes, but just a few.”

“Skip them then,” Fang Yunyao said unexpectedly, “Skip lessons for two days. Accompany me shopping, eating, watching movies, strolling in the park, watching sunset on top of a mountain, and...going to the seaside.”

“Okay.”

Fu Cheng didn’t return that night, and it was the same for the next two days. Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming speculated very ‘dirtily’ on the events that might have transpired these two days.

Virtually oozing with happiness and bliss, Fu Cheng finally returned on that last day.

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming found him after the final afternoon lesson, asking him with meaningful looks, “You can finally bear to return?”

“Ms Fang forced me to return. She says that I have to properly attend lessons every day or she’ll feel guilty. I’ve got to learn to take care of myself from today onwards, or she’ll worry…”

“Less with the mushy stuff,” Huang Yaming interjected, “What happened over these two days and three nights? Did you..."

“Scram! I’m off to find Ms Fang,” Fu Cheng got on the public bus.

“Huh, it’s still Ms Fang? Well, calling her like this could still be rather more interesting sometimes,” Huang Yaming shouted from behind him.

Fu Cheng called Xu Tingsheng half an hour later.

“Ms Fang’s missing. I’ve looked everywhere, but just can’t find her.”

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming rushed over to find Fu Cheng. They found him sitting dispiritedly on a pavement outside the train station that stood by the roadside.

The two of them went over, Huang Yaming asking, “Could she just have gone out to do something? All her luggage is gone? Have you called her? Has she said anything to you?”

Fu Cheng nodded numbly to his every question before handing his handphone over for them to see. There was a message there:

“Goodbye, my little boy. To me, this risk of a lifetime has thus come to an end. The story is already beautiful enough. Promise me not to look for me. Your Ms Fang. Your Fang Yunyao.”

Huang Yaming called back. The phone was turned off.

He dialled the number with his own handphone. It was still turned off.

“Tingsheng, she actually decided this long ago, right? No wonder she forced me back to school today. No wonder she said that I had to properly attend lessons every day or she’d feel guilty, that I had to learn to take care of myself from today onwards or she would worry...I’m so silly.”

Xu Tingsheng reached out and patted Fu Cheng, not speaking. Fu Cheng was foolish, yet hadn’t Xu Tingsheng himself also realised the truth of the matter only now?

He finally understood:

Why had Fang Yunyao suddenly become so bold? Holding Fu Cheng whilst walking across the entire campus of Libei Senior High. It was because that was where their love had begun, where the rumours had spread, where she had nearly died, where Fu Cheng had finally moved her...

She had wanted to go there and draw on all her courage to prove the love in their relationship before ending their story on a good note.

Why had Fang Yunyao asked Fu Cheng to skip lessons to accompany her shopping, eating, watching movies, strolling in the park, watching the sunset on top of a mountain and going to the seaside? Because those were all things that couples would do. She had wanted to truly be Fu Cheng’s girlfriend for once, even if it was only for the span of two days.

She had given Fu Cheng some final warmth and bliss before leaving, having said: Goodbye, my little boy. This story is already beautiful enough. Don’t look for me.

Right, she had decided upon it long ago.

“Can you guys tell me? Why is it like this? Why is she doing this?” Fu Cheng clutched his face, tears flowing down through the gaps between his fingers. Having just thought that he already had happiness clutched within his hands, it had all turned to sand in an instant.

Fu Cheng asked why it had happened. Xu Tingsheng actually knew that Fang Yunyao’s eventual decision was definitely related to Fu Cheng’s parents having visited her at the hospital and talked with her for a long time back then.

This was to say that Fang Yunyao had actually already made a decision at the time. All that had happened afterwards had just been to leave behind some commemoration for the two of them.

What would happen if he told Fu Cheng? Xu Tingsheng had seen the stone-willed insistence of his parents in his previous lives. Xu Tingsheng could not say that they were wrong. As parents, they had hopes and considerations of their own.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng knew that the current Fu Cheng couldn't possibly convince his parents to accept a woman who was seven years older than him. She was still his former teacher, a woman formerly a subject of rumours, having been swept into a major incident which had taken the entire city by storm...

Moreover, now that Fang Yunyao had already steeled her resolve, she definitely wouldn’t allow Fu Cheng to find her.

Chapter 154: Youthful love

Fang Yunyao left just like this. One day, two days, three days...half a month passed with no further news of her at all.

Regarding separation, we are often able to see the pain of the one forsaken much more easily. Actually, the one who upped and left might be suffering sorrowfully in silence someplace as well.

Over this period of time, Fu Cheng tried all means to search for Fang Yunyao. He even tried looking for her hometown in the distant Hunan. Yet, he could find no clues on her location at all.

With Fang Yunyao’s current situation, if she really wanted to hide from Fu Cheng, as long as she and her mother randomly found some city and some school and settled down there...they could really be separated by thousands of miles with little hope of meeting ever again.

Another person who was overwhelmed by negative emotions over this incident was Xu Tingsheng.

Everyone had exerted all their strength and all their courage in their first battle against fate. Happiness had seemed to be right before their eyes. Yet, it had ultimately ended like this.

What then of the next battles against the fate of two lives?

Xu Tingsheng tried to comfort Fu Cheng in this way, “Maybe she hasn’t actually left, and is still in this city. Maybe you’ll suddenly run across her on the street one day.”

While such consolation seemed most easily seen through as a lie, Fu Cheng believed him.

In his free time every day, Fu Cheng would ride on a slow public bus, sitting by the window and spending three hours quietly scouring through every single corner of the city. From start to end, from dawn to dusk, he yearned for that figure...to suddenly appear before his eyes.

Gradually, such fruitless searching turned into a habit.

Fu Cheng told Xu Tingsheng that looking out of the window every day, he would see hundreds and thousands of people. Some of them would be happy, with bright smiles on their faces. Some of them would be sad, with tears streaming down their faces. Some of them were in the midst of separating, while others had just reunited…

“I’ll wonder-where is she now? Is she happy or sad? What colour are the clothes she’s wearing, and who is she talking to?”

Fu Cheng smiled faintly, “One day, I will ascend mountains and descend into seas, searching throughout the entire world for her. When I’ve found her, I’ll tie her up and ask her: You still dare to run? So big already and yet still so insensible.”

Xu Tingsheng was unable to voice the worry that he might never have the chance to do so.

…...

Li Xingming confessed to Zhu Yingying of the Japanese course for the first time.

Her reply was, “I don’t think we have anything in common to speak of.”

“But she’s right! One of you is studying Chinese and the other Japanese. There really is no common language between you two,” Tan Yao commented.

Thus, Li Xingming began studying Japanese in his dorm room all day long, starting with learning how to sing Japanese songs. Room 602 echoed with his horrible singing which was virtually like the howling of wolves and the weeping of ghosts all day long.

He had just been preparing for his second confession that would soon have followed when Zhu Yingying had already found herself a boyfriend.

Li Xingming cursed, “The heck, who can tell me why things have become like this? The heck, I can sing more than ten Japanese songs now; I already know a lot of Japanese idols now...”

He persistently got Tan Yao to take him out to play. After a few times, he managed to hoodwink a loose woman with a fake platinum necklace, getting rid of his virgin self.

He said, “Look, like hell I would need love.”

Whilst saying this, he was actually filled with sorrow and despair.

……

Apple had once said that she felt Lu Xu and Chick Bao would definitely be very happy together. Yet, this didn’t seem to be so.

Lu Xu was always prone to calling for a breakup, such as when he saw Chick Bao and her senior brother smiling as they sparred together, such as when he discovered Chick Bao having momentarily been holding a jacket for another guy who had been in the midst of training.

There must definitely be some people close to you who are like this, always giving the worst judgment and reaction in matters which we don’t view to be so serious. They always overstate the matter, descending into their own spiral of negative emotions, even losing themselves to it.

Every time Lu Xu did this, Chick Bao would refuse him.

Sometimes, when Lu Xu was in a rather worse mood, being resolute in his stance, Chick Bao just wouldn’t bother arguing with him. She would find him to eat when she should, act coquettishly when she should, buy the tickets when a new movie was screening, and peel an orange and stuff half of it in his mouth.

Most of the time, their relationship was mended very quickly. Lu Xu would feel very guilty afterwards, desperately trying to make up for it as he treated Chick Bao extremely well.

Of course, it was even more serious sometimes, to the extent that when Chick Bao went to Room 602 to find Lu Xu, he would refuse to open the door, or would open it and tell her, “Scram, don’t look for me anymore.”

Chick Bao tolerated even this.

Actually, Chick Bao had no lack of admirers. Those who pursued her had even led to an internal split amongst the Sports course. Those of Room 602 couldn’t really stand this state of affairs as well, inevitably feeling curious as to why Chick Bao was willing to suffer such injustices.

Chick Bao would reply, “You guys don’t know, but Lu Xu actually loves me a lot.”

Thus, everyone would persuade her to teach Lu Xu a lesson, even if it was a fake one. He would know how to be scared after that, and perhaps might even be cured of his tendencies.

Chick Bao asked, “How would he be able to take it?”

Chick Bao was worried that Lu Xu wouldn’t be able to take it. Lu Xu, however, could bear treating her this way.

For a period of time, Lu Xu had something going on with a junior from his hometown, acting shamelessly to the point that all of Room 602 just couldn’t watch on any longer. They were basically prepared to collectively start spurning Lu Xu as soon as Chick Bao commanded it.

Chick Bao ignored this for half a month. Finally, when that junior was in the midst of lessons one day, she dressed like a descended divinity and appeared docilely at the door of the classroom. After greeting the teacher, she came before her in a classroom full of people, a bright smile on her face as even her tone was bright, “Little Sis, don’t snatch my boyfriend, okay? I nearly forgot to tell you, but this Big Sis has a black belt in Taekwondo.”

The matter ended just like that.

Everyone felt emotional at this. Chick Bao was Chick Bao after all, being so valiant even in matters of the heart.

Right, everyone thought that Chick Bao was just that valiant. No one saw the gritting of teeth with a refusal to express her pain as well as the spilt crimson blood that lay behind that courage and persistence.

This girl had wrongly defined her role in this relationship. She had turned into the one who bore the responsibility and tolerated the other in their relationship, doing all she could to protect it all.

She would surely be tired.

Xu Tingsheng had discussed this problem with Lu Xu before, but had ultimately been unable to change anything.

Such was youthful love.

…...

Xiang Ning had improved a lot in her midterms, going from around ranked 20th to being ranked 5th in her class.

Mr and Mrs Xiang were both overjoyed. Mr Xiang even specifically opened a bottle of wine during dinner that night, sharing a few cups with Xu Tingsheng. Xiang Ning also made use of this chance to get back her handphone. Of course, she could still only use it on the weekends. Normally, it would still be kept with her mother.

One week later, on Friday night, Xiang Ning called Xu Tingsheng, “Uncle, don’t come tomorrow. I’ve got something going on in school. There won’t be any tutoring this week.”

“Something? What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I’m rehearsing for singing. We’ll be having a performance for our school anniversary.”

“You’re singing? Solo or choir?”

“Choir. Do you want to come see my performance? I can think of a way to bring you in on that day.”

“What day is that?”

“4th May. Heh,” When thinking of this date, Xiang Ning was filled with joy as well the triumphant feeling of craftiness from concealing a secret.

“...” On hearing the date, Xu Tingsheng suddenly became rather dazed.

“Uncle, have you decided? Are you coming or not?” Xiang Ning pressed him.

“About that, I’ve checked. I’ve got something on that day. I can’t come,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Oh, okay then,” Xiang Ning said with a hint of desolation in her tone.

Chapter 155: You’ll regret it if you don’t come

On 4th May, Xiang Ning of Xinyan Junior High’s eighth grade Class 4 would be participating in the school’s tenth anniversary performance.

Bar any unexpected circumstances, she would be like her classmates then, wearing strange makeup which was red as a salted duck egg as well as either red or white costumes as they all performed together. She would be standing amongst a bunch of people, maybe just in the third row as they all scrupulously sang a song together which definitely wouldn’t be all that special.

Such as <Unity is Strength>, or <Every Time I Lightly Walk Past Your Window>.

Even so, Xiang Ning had still decided to invite someone to watch her performance. That person was Uncle Liar who greatly doted on her at times, yet was a very fierce teacher to her at others.

Yet, he had refused, saying that he had something on that day. Xiang Ning felt rather desolate, because that day was actually kind of special.

Xu Tingsheng certainly knew what that special occasion was. It was Xiang Ning’s birthday.

Xu Tingsheng had never once accompanied Xiang Ning on her birthday before in his previous life. In the one over year that they had dated, one of her birthdays had come and gone. Yet, Xu Tingsheng had been striving diligently to acquire a construction project at that time, having been at a crucial juncture in doing so. He had not been able to get back in time to accompany her...at that time, he had thought that many chances still lay ahead of them…

Yet, having gained time afterwards, there were no longer any such chances. In the years afterwards, every time her birthday came round, he could only solitarily walk to where they had once met the most in the past, saying, “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

Thus, he would exert all means this time round. He would definitely not miss it.

The next day, a Saturday afternoon. As Xiang Ning who had been in rehearsals the entire morning was eating lunch in the school cafeteria, she heard a piece of incomparably shocking news. Thus, after repeatedly asking for confirmation from her classmates and having received a definite answer from her teacher, she called Xu Tingsheng once more.

“Uncle, you really aren't coming to watch that performance?” Xiang Ning asked.

“That's right. I really have something on that day,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“But, you'll regret it if you don't come,” Xiang Ning said in a confident tone.

“Why?”

“Rebirth will be coming. While Sis Apple won't be able to come, the two guys from Rebirth will both be there. Do you understand? It's Rebirth that will be coming. They'll be participating in our school's anniversary performance...so, have you still decided not to come?”

“This...is this true?”

“Yeah! It shocked everybody to death. The two big brothers of Rebirth are actually graduates of our school, you know? Because of that, they'll be attending our school anniversary. This is the first time they'll be performing in public, you know? Too awesome! It really shocked everybody to death.”

“How awesome, really...shocking everybody to death.”

“Yeah, yeah! We students are all talking about this. We’re all happy to the point of going crazy, you know? Everyone is saying: Good heavens, the ones who sang <Fairy Tale> and <We Are All Good Kids> are actually our seniors. This is too, really too…”

“But they also seem to have sung a very strange song before. What a strange band,” Xu Tingsheng intentionally commented.

“That was also super nice to listen to! That one’s very popular, you know? Don’t you speak badly of our seniors,” Xiang Ning defended her ‘esteemed seniors’ in a huff, next even personally humming a few verses: I’m eating fried chicken in the People’s Square, yet where are you at this time and place. Oh, you’re knitting a woolen sweater for a freaking fool.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry. He truly regretted having produced that song a little. My Xiang Ning, you’re someone who will be a goddess in the future! How can you be randomly humming this all day long…

Still caught up in her excitement, Xiang Ning suddenly remembered something, “Right, Uncle, I remember now. Last time, you even lied to me, saying that you were Rebirth. Haven’t you been exposed now? You didn’t graduate from our school.”

“Alright, I admit it,” Xu Tingsheng said honestly.

“Then, have you decided on coming?”

“But I really have something on that day. It’s something very important.”

“Oh, alright then. What a pity.”

Xiang Ning hesitated for a while, considering whether she should tell him that that day was actually her birthday. Still, Uncle had said that he had something very important on that day. Thus, she could only helplessly hang up the phone.

“Let’s just treat it like Rebirth is also celebrating for me,” Xiang Ning helplessly thought.

Xu Tingsheng was actually feeling yet more helpless. When he had contacted the higher-ups of Xinyan Junior High, telling them that he was from Rebirth and saying that he was actually a past student of their school, that he hoped to participate in the school’s anniversary performance...he had specifically instructed not to let the news spread.

Yet, even Xiang Ning knew about it now.

Xinyan(New Yan) Junior High was no old, established school. This could be seen from its name itself and also from the fact that this would merely be its tenth anniversary.

Thus, even while they wanted to make use of the school anniversary for some sort of promotion, expanding the societal influence of the school, the tenth anniversary of a normal junior high and performances by a bunch of teachers and students truly seemed not to hold any allure at all.

It was even to the point that when Chairman Zhang of their office that was in charge of their public relations had called the local media, hoping that they would come and report on their anniversary, those asked had exhibited a virtually unconcealed lack of interest in doing so.

Only with a great amount of effort had Chairman Zhang managed to get two local newspapers to agree to come to report on their anniversary. As for the local television stations, they had simply said that they would see about it when the time came.

Chairman Zhang had been feeling despondent about it for quite a few days.

Then, on this nervous, listless Saturday morning, when Chairman Zhang had been in the midst of contacting their few ‘successful’ graduates...fortune had suddenly descended from the sky.

The band Rebirth that was swathed in mystery had actually taken the initiative to contact him. They...were actually former graduates of Xinyan Junior High.

While they were unwilling to reveal their actual information, the higher-ups of Xinyan Junior High still completely believed in this fact. There would really have been no reason for them to choose an ordinary junior high’s anniversary to prank. There wouldn’t have been a reason to take notice of them at all, even.

The only logical explanation was that they had really graduated from Xinyan Junior High. Also, they had already long since been confirmed as studying in Yanzhou University. Thus, there was no denying this.

“Good heavens! I already said long ago that our school is overflowing with talent.”

This was the mysterious Rebirth! It was Rebirth from which the popular new artiste, Apple, had come. They were exceptionally popular on the internet, the few consecutive songs they had released having continuously reigned at the top of the charts of the major music websites. Yet, they had never revealed themselves in public, only their voices being known.

Thus, while Apple would not be able to come this time, this would, effectively speaking, be the first time the two members of Rebirth aside from Apple would be performing in public.

Having hidden themselves for nearly a year, Rebirth would be performing in public for the first time...what did this entail? ...An uproar, an absolute explosive uproar. Let’s see who will still be asking me in the future: Xinyan Junior High? Where’s that?

Never heard of it? Now you have.

An incomparably emotional Chairman Zhang dashed into the principal’s office. Then, the news spread to all the teachers. Then, it spread throughout the entire Xinyan Junior High. Then…

When calls from the media began unceasingly flowing in, the excited Chairman Zhang finally began feeling a little uneasy. Thus, he tried calling back...they had actually used a public phone.

Finally, Chairman Zhang thought of a plan. He left behind a comment on the Rebirth webpage: I’m surnamed Zhang. Was the call on Saturday real?

In the afternoon, a reply arrived below this seemingly cryptic message: Yes.

Chairman Zhang finally felt reassured. When answering calls, he even unconsciously propped his legs up on his office table. Having once acted so arrogantly towards him, the local media were all beginning to request coverage. To be precise, it was more like pleading, their tones sincere and full of enthusiasm.

Logically speaking, their relationship with the local media was extremely important.

Still, it wasn’t just calls from the local media Chairman Zhang received.

Thus, Chairman Zhang could only say, “I’ll try my best. Due to the spatial restrictions, we might not be able to fit you in.”

Every time he said this, he would always feel so accomplished, accomplished as he had never been before. The despondence and hardship he had felt from being rejected and given vague answers even as he had pleaded to the extent of his grandparents’ names all drifted away with the wind now.

……

“Why’re you suddenly doing this? What’s up with Xinyan Junior High?”

Xu Tingsheng was currently facing questioning by Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng, Tan Yao and Fang Yuqing in his room at the riverside residence. He had said that this was in order to repay a debt from Hucheng’s promotion in the past, but they wouldn’t believe it...thus, Xu Tingsheng didn’t intend to explain anymore.

“I understand. Xiang Ning, Xiang Ning’s there,” Huang Yaming suddenly said confidently, excited as if he had discovered a new continent.

Tan Yao and Fang Yuqing were both puzzled. Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng directed gazes at Xu Tingsheng that requested verification. The two of them had already long since known that there was a woman called Xiang Ning in this world. Xu Tingsheng had fallen in love with her at first sight, yet had kept it hidden all along.

Xu Tingsheng avoided their gazes, sweating...how terrifying would it be if things were exposed?

When Xu Tingsheng hadn’t known that he would be having so much contact with Xiang Ning this early on, he had told her name to these two people closest to him, be it for seeking some empathy amidst his lonely wait or to pour out his troubles. Never would he have thought that things would actually eventually turn out as they had now...

“Huang Yaming, you bastard! Since when have you been this smart?” A pained Xu Tingsheng considered strangling Huang Yaming right here and now, lest he continued guessing further.

Huang Yaming indeed continued guessing. From Xu Tingsheng’s expression, he knew that he had likely guessed right.

“So, Xiang Ning is a teacher in Xinyan Junior High, right?” Huang Yaming was like a supreme detective who had cracked a case as he yelled excitedly.

Xu Tingsheng abruptly spun, staring straight at Huang Yaming. Bro, your analysis is really too...too marvellous. Even I hadn’t thought of it before. Xu Tingsheng felt like the world had turned wonderful again.

“What’s the situation?” Fang Yuqing and Tan Yao pressed.

Still, excited, Huang Yaming explained it to them in brief before asking Xu Tingsheng, “Have I guessed right? Another older sister relationship again, just like Fu…”

Huang Yaming had originally wanted to say that Xu Tingsheng was just like Fu Cheng, having fallen in love with a woman who was older than him, and who was a teacher...but he stopped halfway through, cautiously watching Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng did not speak. Xu Tingsheng did not speak as well.

“Can I meet her?” Huang Yaming asked.

“No. Definitely not right now.”

Xu Tingsheng’s answer seemed to have finally proven Huang Yaming’s guess. Still, a new doubt arose in their minds. Why couldn’t they see her? Everyone present simultaneously fell silent for a while.

“I know,” Tan Yao suddenly stood up, clapping his hands, “I finally understand! She’s a married spouse, no, a woman with a husband. She’s definitely a woman with a husband, right? ...Thus, Tingsheng has to keep it hidden from even us...not letting us meet her no matter what.”

Xu Tingsheng looked first at Huang Yaming and then at Tan Yao. Why didn’t these two geniuses go and become directors? What a perfect scenario they had envisaged.

“We really can’t see her then,” Fang Yuqing said leisurely, “Tingsheng, since it’s like this...you’ve really got to consider it properly. After all, in situations like this, the pressure from all sides in the future could really be very great.”

Chapter 156: A stiff dance

Regarding participating in Xinyan Junior High’s anniversary performance and even Xiang Ning’s matter, Xu Tingsheng had only said a single ‘you can’t meet her right now’. Afterwards, an explanation had inexplicably been found to the matter, having been accepted across the board as an answer which really couldn’t have been any more logical.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao were virtually high-fiving at their great genius.

“Then, let’s just have it like this for now,” Xu Tingsheng automatically overlooked the idea of ‘a woman with a husband’, not intending to rebut them or explain himself.

If a fifteen-year-old girl was identified by someone as his future wife, with that person seemingly indeed possessing the ability to be that domineering and shameless, could she be considered ‘a woman with a husband’ then?

“Sadly, while I am able to grasp so many things regarding the future, the sole thing that I am unable to grasp is that matter of the heart.”

Facing Fang Yuqing’s solemnity, Huang Yaming’s and Tan Yao’s excitement and Fu Cheng’s bemusement, Xu Tingsheng discarded his disorderly thoughts and smiled helplessly, “Well then, can we begun discussing the matter of the performance now?”

With that, he took two pieces of paper from his bag, passing them to Fu Cheng before beginning to casually hum a tune.

As he hummed the first tune, the other four people were all smiling. This was a very interesting song.

Yet, they gradually fell silent when he began humming the second song. This was especially so for Fu Cheng, who seemed as if something which evoked pain within his heart had been caught, wrenching his very soul.

“New songs?” Fu Cheng who had been comparatively silent thus far was the first to inquire as the second song ended.

How long had it been since Rebirth had last released a new song? Many people felt that it already seemed like they had no further intention of doing so.

Those present had thought that Xu Tingsheng had already grown tired of this. Perhaps because Hucheng Education was developing too well, he had not the time to care about this any longer.

Word on the internet was the Rebirth’s talent had run dry. Even Apple who had already officially entered showbiz had only been singing new versions of Rebirth’s old songs thus far. This was the best proof that Rebirth lacked the strength to carry on.

This was actually the biggest problem that Apple was facing right now. The common consensus was that if Apple wanted to gain greater recognition, she couldn’t solely be relying on old songs.

Xu Tingsheng had actually thought about this problem for Apple before. Still, he needed to see the agency take out some sincerity first. Otherwise, however many good songs he took out to help Apple with, it would actually only be filling a bottomless hole, rearing a bunch of parasites.

The agency and even Apple herself didn’t know that if they really began preparing for her album, gathering songs for it, Xu Tingsheng would definitely come to provide his assistance.

What, exactly, was up with Rebirth?

On Rebirth’s webpage and on the forum for Apple’s fans, there were countless people standing on opposing sides wrangling over this problem every day.

Now, Rebirth was going to release new songs, and there would be two of them at once. From the looks of it, their quality would also not be any inferior to those past ones at all. This was especially so for the second song, which was perhaps the deepest song of Rebirth’s thus far.

At least, Fu Cheng had already been enraptured by this song.

Thus, exactly how important was this tenth anniversary performance of Xinyan Junior High?

Or, exactly how important was that rumoured Xiang Ning to Xu Tingsheng?

She was worth Xu Tingsheng going all out like this?! One must know that even for Hucheng Education, Xu Tingsheng spent three days fishing and two days drying his nets, throwing everything else aside for his subordinates to do.

This resulted in the collective bewilderment and astonishment of the other four people present.

“Right, new songs. Both these songs will be released simultaneously at Xinyan Junior High’s tenth anniversary performance. We won’t be doing ringtones this time,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Now, we still have around eight days of preparation time.”

“First, Fu Cheng, we don’t have the complete band equipment. Thus, I’ll accompany you to the music studio you originally cooperated with. First, get the complete melody done. Then, you get them to help with the accompaniment.”

“At that time, we’ll play on our guitars and sing along with their recorded accompaniment.”

Fu Cheng nodded.

“She’ll hear it,” Xu Tingsheng suddenly patted Fu Cheng, saying in a heavy tone, “The school has already spread the news that we’ll be participating in the anniversary celebration. At that time, there’ll definitely be a lot of media at the scene. If you want to say anything after singing, just do it. She’ll hear it.”

“Yeah,” Fu Cheng nodded even harder.

After finishing things with Fu Cheng, Xu Tingsheng turned towards the trio of Fang Yuqing, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao, directing a long, meaningful smile at them.

“It’s the two of you who’ll be singing. It shouldn’t have anything to do with us, right?” Fang Yuqing asked.

“Right, like it has anything to do with us,” Huang Yaming said.

“What’s he called us for then?” Tan Yao asked Huang Yaming and Fang Yuqing, being the only one present to have received personal confirmation from Xu Tingsheng for the first time today that he was from Rebirth.

“First, I’m afraid that the media will really be coming that day. Even though it might not mean much , we still have to continue keeping our information secret. So, the three of you have to help with thinking about the routes of retreat and how to get in and out,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Leave that to me. I’ll take care of it,” Fang Yuqing patted his chest.

“Also, prepare five coordinated sets of costumes and five masks,” Xu Tingsheng continued.

“That’ll also be easy. Still, why five sets?” Fang Yuqing asked rather uneasily.

“Right, one, two, three, four, five. Heck, how come you’ve counted the three of us as well?” Tan Yao dumbly counted their number out loud, seemingly only discovering with much difficulty that there were exactly five people here.

“You know how my voice is!” Huang Yaming said in a threatening tone with an expression that said: A dead pig isn’t afraid of boiling water. If you dare ask me sing, I’ll dare wreck your brand.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “You guys won’t have to sing. You’ll just have to dance.”

Dance?

Everyone present, Fu Cheng included, was shocked. There would actually be dancing as well. What in blazes was this?

“We’re leaving, we’re leaving,” Fang Yuqing stood up and said.

The other three got up as well, abandoning Xu Tingsheng as they prepared to leave. Was this a joke? How would these bros know how to dance?

“Wait, wait!” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly rushed before them, closing the door and blocking their way, “Don’t be so hasty! Hear me out first. This dance is actually very easy. Really, super easy.”

“It won’t be okay even if it’s easy. This bro’s limbs are stiff,” Huang Yaming said.

“This dance’s specifically tailor-made for people with stiff limbs,” Xu Tingsheng told him.

“You’re joking, right? Is there even such a dance?”

‘Let me put it this way,” Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment, “Even Wu Bai would be able to dance this.”

After hearing that even Wu Bai would be able to dance this, the four of them finally no longer insisted on fleeing the room. Yet, their gazes that were directed at Xu Tingsheng were still filled with doubt. They clearly didn’t really believe Xu Tingsheng’s words. Taike Dance aside, when had Wu Bai ever danced before?

“How about this. You’ll know after I’ve demonstrated it once.”

Now, Xu Tingsheng hummed a tune as he began dancing incomparably stiffly.

In truth, this was also the sole dance that Xu Tingsheng knew how to dance in his two lifetimes. In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had once been roped in as a young teacher to perform in a welcoming party for the new students. There, he had helplessly been forced to learn this dance.

The other four gaped speechlessly at his so-called ‘dance’.

They were silent for a while.

“What’s up with this dance? Most people really wouldn’t be able to dance it if their limbs weren’t stiff enough...it’s also not that they wouldn’t be able to, just that they wouldn’t be able to dance out that feel and favour,” Fang Yuqing finally concluded.

What sort of feel was this? He didn’t express it.

Actually, it was the feel of a man who didn’t know how to dance at all tolerating his embarrassment and drawing on his courage to extend his stiff limbs for the one he loved, working hard, working even harder as he determinedly tried his best to perform a dance for her.

Behind the stiff limbs and the somewhat clumsy movements was the sincerest, most heartfelt expression of his feelings.

“Let’s begin practising then.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll be wearing masks then anyway.”

Chapter 157: The scale’s rather great

Xu Tingsheng had not lied. The dance steps were indeed very easy. After having practised for an entire afternoon, everyone was already more or less proficient in it.

After they had left, Xu Tingsheng immediately went onto Hucheng, completely concealing Xiang Ning’s registration information. As for his own 5-Star home tutor account, it had already long since been deleted completely after he had accepted the Xiang Family’s home tutoring job.

After having learnt that the news regarding the performance had been leaked, Xu Tingsheng had actually predicted that a few media entities might appear at the time. Perhaps a few fans from Yanzhou City would come along to join in the fun as well.

Apart from that, Xu Tingsheng didn’t think too much of the issue. After all, the news that spread had clearly stated that Apple would not be coming. Thus, he thought that there shouldn’t be too many ‘fans’ and media entities coming.

As long as those crazy male fans of Apple who had been enraptured to the point of losing all their rationality did not come, the scene would probably not be all that chaotic.

Yet, the actual situation seemed much more serious than he had thought.

Apple called Xu Tingsheng rather panickedly, “The media asked me about Rebirth’s performance just now. Will you really be performing?”

“It’s just a single promotion in coordination with Hucheng Education, showing up in a very small school and singing two songs for the students and teachers,” Xu Tingsheng easily explained.

“You’re thinking about it too simply. If you’re really singing, hurry up and contact that school. Get them to properly take care of security and the order and stability of the scene. Otherwise, an accident might really happen. They’re already people forming groups on our webpage to go over to watch. Also, the media here has almost blown up as well,” Apple said earnestly.

“It’s that serious? But all we have are a few songs,” Xu Tingsheng didn’t really believe her.

“There’re even those singing just a single song in their entire lifetimes throughout the entire country. Don’t the people there go crazy as well? People are just like this. They go wherever the attention and liveliness is, easily getting emotional at it all,” Apple told him exasperatedly.

“Who asked you to act all mysterious last time? This is your and Fu Cheng’s first ever public performance, and you also unexpectedly chose the anniversary performance of an ordinary junior high for this...everyone’s feeling curious at this, you know? The key is this curiosity!”

“Now, the relationship between the two of you and that school is being spread everywhere. Everyone’s trying to find out whether you will be showing your faces this time, whether there’ll be any new songs released, whether the two of you are really very ugly in person. It’s…”

“Anyway, it’s a state of utter chaos. I was asked these questions for the entire afternoon earlier. Now, they’re all saying that Rebirth’s been successful in stirring up a frenzy yet again.”

Xu Tingsheng was rendered completely dazed. He had just wanted to celebrate Xiang Ning’s birthday for her. Then, it had just so happened that it would coincide with her school anniversary. Thus, he had decided on performing on the spur of the moment. However would he have known that the scale would actually end up so great?

“Alright, hurry up and ask the school to make good their preparations now. You’ll have to prepare for it on your end as well.”

Apple added at the end of it, “I’ve never sung together with you on stage before. Sigh, I’m so sad. How I wish I could come over and perform with you guys. Sadly, I’ve got a commercial performance on that day and can’t come.”

“There’ll be a chance. There definitely will,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The conversation having ended, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly gave Chairman Zhang of Xinyan Junior High a call. He told him the possible situation that Apple had reminded him about, asking him to make the proper preparations.

“We understand this. I’ve received so many calls from the media, and from your fans as well. I already knew that it would be like this then. Relax, we’re already all prepared for it. The school has contacted all the local police stations and security companies in the vicinity.”

Chairman Zhang actually understood the situation even better than Xu Tingsheng. After all, he was in charge of public relations. Thus, he had already made all the preparations beforehand.

After having finished discussing this matter, Chairman Zhang was silent for a while before he ventured rather hesitantly, “Actually, there’s still something that I’d like to discuss with you. About that...there’re a few local Yanzhou enterprises that have just contacted our school. They intend to take out funds to sponsor our school’s anniversary performance…”

“Sponsorship?” Xu Tingsheng could really believe Apple’s words now. There were even those who had taken the initiative to sponsor them.

“Right, sponsorship. It’s that they will give us money, and when you guys are performing, we’ll put up some banners and advertisement boards up on stage, promoting their brands. It’s not that you’ll have to help advertise for them,” Chairman Zhang explained a little uneasily.

“Well...alright then,” Since he wouldn’t be required to do anything, Xu Tingsheng still agreed after a moment’s hesitation.

“Thank you, thank you,” Chairman Zhang repeatedly expressed his gratitude before asking, “So, let’s see, how about you take seventy, no, eighty percent of the sponsorship fees, leaving twenty percent behind for the school? After all, the attention being so great this time, our school intends to spend some money to improve the scale of the event as well as the stage, the costumes and whatnot.”

“You’re talking about the sponsorship fees?”

“Yeah.”

“The school can keep all of it. I feel that the scale of the event really doesn’t have to be too great. That might instead cause people to find fault with the school for wasting money, also going against the simple, pure intentions of us as graduates wanting to contribute to the tenth anniversary of our former school.”

“As for that money, I feel that the school should use it to set up a scholarship fund, assisting kids who come from poor families in their lives and studies.”

As Xu Tingsheng finished speaking, Chairman Zhang was feeling even more certain that he had once studied in their school. What a good kid, feeling indebted to his former school as he thought from their standpoint in all matters, even having his juniors on his mind even now.

“Alright, let’s have it that way then,” Chairman Zhang said, “Other than that, I am personally curious about something. I don’t know if it’s convenient if I ask this, but when the two of you were studying here in the past, did...did I teach you guys back then?”

“This…” Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before saying in a sincere, emotional tone, “You did. We often talk about you even now. Thank you, Mr Zhang. Thank you for your guidance and your teachings that year. Otherwise, not only would we not have arrived at where we are today, we might long since have strayed onto mistaken, deviant paths.”

“Wah...good, good. Good kid,” Hearing Xu Tingsheng say so, a very satisfied Chairman Zhang basked in his self-worth for a while before asking, “Then, as you see it, is there still anything else that you need us to prepare?”

“What else is there that can be prepared first?” Xu Tingsheng considered this, an idea suddenly springing up within his mind as he told Chairman Zhang, “Chairman Zhang, how about you give me your QQ number? I’ll send you a video in a while. There’ll be a very simple dance inside. If you can, arrange for the physical education teachers to teach it during break time exercises. The atmosphere might be better if we all dance together both on and off stage at the time.”

“Oh, this is good.”

An excited Chairman Zhang immediately sent over his QQ number as soon as he had hung up. Xu Tingsheng turned on the recording function on his computer and covered his face with a cloth. Then, he danced the steps he had choreographed and sent the recording over to him.

This was actually just a strange thought which had suddenly sprung to mind. He hoped that at the time, there could be a great amount of people celebrating Xiang Ning’s birthday together with him. A thousand people simultaneously dancing in joy at her birthday celebration-now wouldn’t that be a rare thing indeed?

The media, the school, the fans...everyone who had been drawn in by this incident and everyone who was involved, Xiang Ning herself included, would be unable to imagine:

Such a great scale, so many preparations. At the end of the day, it stemmed merely from the fact that a certain someone, for a fifteen-year-old girl called Xiang Ning, wanted to make up for...a lifetime’s worth of birthday celebrations that he owed her.

As well as, in person, a long overdue: Happy Birthday.

Chapter 158: The cousin destined for tragedy

On a rare Saturday on which he didn’t have to go for home tutoring, having settled his matters on hand, Xu Tingsheng had just been thinking about whom he should find to go for dinner with, after which he would go take a casual look at Hucheng’s office in the evening, when his handphone rang. The display on the screen indicated that the call was from the Xiang Family.

“Could it be that tonight’s home tutoring is still on?”

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly picked up the call. It was Mrs Xiang who had called.

“Auntie, is it that Xiang Ning and I have gotten it wrong and there’s still home tutoring tonight?” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly asked.

Mrs Xiang smiled, “No, Little Ning is still rehearsing in school. Her Dad will only be going over to fetch her later on. It’s actually that the two of us would like you to come over and have a meal with us to thank you for Little Ning’s great improvement in her midterms this time...are you free?”

Mrs Xiang said that they wanted to express their gratitude. Still, hadn’t they already done so last time? Xu Tingsheng had even drunk wine with Mr Xiang that day.

Xu Tingsheng felt rather puzzled. Still, the one who was asking him whether he was free was Mrs Xiang. Without a doubt, he had to be free even if he wasn’t.

That was his future mother-in-law, after all.

“I’m free. Wait for a while, Auntie. I’ll be right there.”

Xu Tingsheng hung up, changed his clothes and ‘extravagantly’ took a taxi straight to the Xiang Family home. Having rushed all the way there, he only realised that the atmosphere was a little strange after having reached the living room. There was an additional person sitting there, a girl who looked like a university student.

“Sit, Tingsheng,” Mrs Xiang warmly welcomed him, “Let me introduce you. This is my cousin’s daughter, my niece. She’s also Xiang Ning’s cousin. Her name’s Li Meng, and she’s from the same academy city as you…”

“Hi, I’m Xu Tingsheng,” Hearing that she was a relative of the Xiang Family, Xu Tingsheng greeted her politely.

“Hi, I’ve heard about you before. I’m Li Meng,” The girl said, smiling.

Standing by the side, Mrs Xiang said, “The two of you talk first then. I’m going in to cook.”

Then, she turned and walked into the kitchen, turning back and calling as she reached the doorway, “Xiang Ning’s Dad, what’re you doing standing there? Come in and help with the cooking.”

As Mr Xiang left, Xu Tingsheng’s suspicions were confirmed. He wanted to weep yet lacked the tears for such…this was his future in-laws intending him to shove him over to someone else!

The girl before him, Xiang Ning’s cousin, didn’t really resemble her greatly. After all, she was just the daughter of Mrs Xiang’s cousin. Still, she could still be considered a beauty overall.

The problem was-what use was there being a beauty? Let alone the fact that it was merely that she could still be considered a beauty, however pretty she was, how could it compare to Apple?

“Wanting to get their daughter, yet getting kicked over to their niece in the end,” Xu Tingsheng was currently in a really heavy mood as he didn’t feel like speaking.

Yet, this girl, Li Meng, seemed to be an extrovert. She was enthusiastic as well as talkative, taking the initiative and striking up a conversation with Xu Tingsheng.

“I’m from Jianhai Technological University, second year. I’ve heard many good things about you recently. Coming over to Auntie’s house today, I realised how great a coincidence it is. You just so happen to be our Little Ning’s home tutor. So, being able to meet you in person for the first time, it’s an honour. I’m feeling very happy right now,” Li Meng said politely.

“Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng responded in a simple, polite manner before ceasing to speak.

If it wasn’t for the fact that it was Mrs Xiang who had arranged for this, the person before him also being a relative of the Xiang family, he actually really didn’t feel like speaking at all.

Still, he actually had more words that he didn’t voice out, “What your Xiang Ning? It’s my Xiang Ning, okay? What coincidence? With just one look at Mrs Xiang’s attitude and expression, with her having purposely asked me to come over to eat as well, isn’t it obvious that this matter isn’t normal at all? ...I’m in a terrible mood right now. I’m not happy. I want some alone time…”

Li Meng took Xu Tingsheng as simply feeling awkward as she continued speaking, “Everyone feels very curious about you, and it’s the same for me as well. Then, apart from history and entrepreneurship, what else do you usually like?”

“I like your cousin.”

This was what Xu Tingsheng was inwardly roaring.

But what he really said, what he could only say was, “I don’t really have any unique interests. All of them are pretty normal, and there’s nothing I really like.”

At the end of it, he added silently within his heart, “Your cousin aside.”

In the kitchen, Mr Xiang cautiously tugged at Mrs Xiang’s apron, asking her in a low tone, “This isn’t good, right? The two of them are still in university.”

Mrs Xiang appraised Mr Xiang with a glance, an incredulous look appearing on her face, “So what? People are getting into relationships even in senior high now. What of university? It isn’t early at all. Moreover, my cousin personally called me. Could I have refused to help?”

If Xu Tingsheng had heard this, he would probably have been overcome by emotion. So Mrs Xiang was actually so liberal-minded. Didn’t this mean that he would already be able to make his move when Xiang Ning was in senior high?

Actually, for many people, the standards they had for others and the standards they had for themselves were whole different things altogether.

Mr Xiang pondered on it for a while before saying that indeed, Tingsheng was really a good kid, also being sensible and capable…

Mrs Xiang continued, “Right? Didn’t you hear what Li Meng said to us just now? The girls in the entire Xishan Academy City who like Tingsheng could line up all the way to the door of our house. Therefore, really, we shouldn’t let fertile water flow into the fields of outsiders.”

Xu Tingsheng couldn’t have heard this, but if he had, he would definitely have wept to the heavens and cried to the earth: Auntie, don’t you have a field yourself? While it’s still a little small now, I’m willing to wait!

In the living room, however cold Xu Tingsheng was, he still had to maintain some semblance of civility at the very least. Thus, Li Meng didn’t stop. Along the way, she had already touched on all her real interests, and all her fake interests as well.

“What do you usually like to read? Which author do you like?” Li Meng asked.

“I usually like playing games. I don’t usually read books,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“Oh. I especially like Haruki Murakami. I’ve always been waiting for him to get a Nobel Prize.”

……

“Do you like watching movies? Who’s your favourite actor?” Li Meng asked.

“<Notting Hill>, I guess. Hugh Grant,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“After watching <Titanic>, I especially like Leonardo Decaprio. I feel that while he’s rather obscure now, his acting skills are actually great. He’ll definitely be getting an Oscar very soon.”

……

“I hear that you like football? I’ve heard my classmates mention that football match between our universities before,” Li Meng asked.

“Yeah, I rather like it,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“My Dad really likes football as well. I watch it together with him once in a while. With that, I ended up liking the Holland team. I feel that they’re definitely going to win the next World Cup.”

It was evident that Li Meng didn’t actually know much about football. She was just trying to find a common topic to discuss.

……

At this point, even Xu Tingsheng felt a little sympathetic for Xiang Ning’s cousin, “Girl, it’s really destined to end in tragedy for you.”

Having returned from the year 2015, Xu Tingsheng knew that in the upcoming years, Haruki Murakami had repeatedly failed in all his attempts for a Nobel Prize. Little Leo had repeatedly failed in all his attempts for a Best Actor award at the Oscars. Holland had repeatedly failed in all its attempts to win the World Cup…

“Coincidentally, you ended up liking all of them, placing your expectations on them...could this be the real, ultimate reason for their pain and hardship?”

“Come, let’s eat.”

As they were feeling troubled over how to continue the conversation, Mrs Xiang called them over to eat. After having eaten, Xu Tingsheng entered the kitchen and helped Mrs Xiang out, delaying his exit from the kitchen for more than an hour.

Just a short while after he returned to the living room, Mr Xiang returned with Xiang Ning.

“Un...Mr Xu!” Xiang Ning called happily.

Xu Tingsheng was very happy as well, because after that, with the little girl chattering on about her rehearsal and how Rebirth would be participating in her school’s anniversary performance, he finally no longer had to continue awkwardly dealing with Li Meng.

Sadly, not long after, Mrs Xiang found an excuse and called Xiang Ning away.

When the two of them were alone, Mrs Xiang secretly told Xiang Ning about the reason for her having invited Xu Tingsheng today. She said that they were introducing him to her cousin, asking her not to spoil things for them. At this sudden news, Little Xiang Ning was struck by an inexplicable emotion. Anyway, she just felt unhappy.

Thus, following this, Little Xiang Ning who should have been studying by herself in the study room would run out once every few minutes.

“Mr Xu, I don’t know how to do this question.”

“Mr Xu, how about I write out that passage from last time now? I’ve already memorised it.”

“...’

The fifteen-year-old girl wasn’t actually thinking too much. All she knew was that in doing so, in constantly interrupting the conversation between Uncle and her cousin, the unhappiness within her heart...just seemed to be alleviated greatly.

Mrs Xiang directed quite a few glares at Xiang Ning, but the stubborn girl pretended not to have seen them.

Finally, when Xiang Ning was about to ask him another question, Xu Tingsheng interrupted her, “I see that you basically don’t understand anything about this at all. How about we just go to the study room. I’ll explain all of it to you once over in detail.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Little Xiang Ning’s eyes radiated light as she happily nodded repeatedly.

Xu Tingsheng was Xiang Ning’s home tutor in the first place. Now that he was being concerned about her studies, there was naturally nothing that Mrs Xiang could say about it. She could only sit there and chat with Li Meng herself.

In the study room, both Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning didn’t mention the living room, that cousin of hers or Mrs Xiang’s super obvious intentions at all. One of them just earnestly explained that question while the other paid similarly earnest attention to it.

At this moment, their inner thoughts were really rather in sync.

Xiang Ning didn’t actually know what she was thinking, also being unwilling to think more about it. Anyway, she had been feeling unhappy earlier, but was feeling happy now. Xu Tingsheng too didn’t know what Xiang Ning might be thinking. She was still young, after all. Was it jealousy? Was it love? Or was it just that monopolisation desire of a child, much like being afraid of one’s favourite toy being snatched away?

After the lesson had ended, it was already time for Xu Tingsheng to return to school. Mrs Xiang saw him out to the doorstep.

Seeing that Mrs Xiang wanted to say something yet was refraining from doing so, Xu Tingsheng just told her outright, “Auntie, see...I actually already have someone I like.”

Chapter 159: Her transparent soul

Mrs Xiang felt awkward at Xu Tingsheng’s words. After returning, she could not keep from rebuking Xiang Ning, saying that she had intentionally messed things up between the two.

Her head lowered, Little Xiang Ning pursed her lips, holding back her tears as she remained silent. Just as Xu Tingsheng understood, if this girl felt that she had been in the wrong, she would admit her mistakes in a huffy manner. For example, she might question, “What fierce are you being?” But when she felt that she had not been in the wrong, she instead wouldn’t rebut, wouldn’t explain, wouldn’t utter a sound.

Finally, it was Mr Xiang, watching on from the side, who was unable to watch this go on any longer, cautiously murmuring, “Like my daughter’s heinous just from asking a few questions. Can Little Ning asking her teacher questions be wrong?”

Because of this sentence, Mrs Xiang let Little Xiang Ning go, fuming in silence at Mr Xiang. When sleeping that night, she stubbornly faced away from him, not uttering a sound. Mr Xiang remained silent as well, pretending to be asleep.

Finally, it was still Mrs Xiang who caved in and started speaking to him, having thought of a very serious problem, “Say, do you think Little Ning could, could...stop pretending to be asleep. If you were, you’d long be snoring.”

Having been exposed, Mr Xiang could only ask, “Could what?”

“I’m saying: Could Little Ning have fallen in love with Tingsheng? Look at how she behaved today. If it wasn’t causing trouble due to jealousy, what else could it have been? Oh no, what’s to be done about this?” Mrs Xiang asked worriedly.

Mr Xiang said without even thinking about it, “What’re you even talking about? How old is Little Ning now ...Even if she’s to like someone, it has to be in senior high at least.”

“That’s also right,” Mrs Xiang said, tugging at the sheets, next suddenly realising that something was wrong as she then remarked, “Hey, you old Xiang! What’s that about being in senior high at least? Even senior high wouldn’t be fine!”

“Wasn’t it you who said it? Even senior high students are getting into relationships now. Even university seems a little late,” Mr Xiang rebutted Mrs Xiang with her own words from just earlier.

“I was talking about other people’s kids. How could it be the same for our Little Ning?”

“......”

As Mr and Mrs Xiang were discussing this topic on the first floor, Little Xiang Ning who slept alone on the second floor was feeling wronged for a long time. Next, she hesitated for a long time before finally still calling Xu Tingsheng’s number.

Little Xiang Ning asked, “Uncle, Mum said that I was intentionally causing trouble today. So...do you like my cousin?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I don’t like her. I don’t like her at all. Are you feeling wronged?”

“Yeah,” Little Xiang Ning said, “Uncle, can you sing me a song?”

Little Xiang Ning suddenly wanted to listen to Uncle’s singing. When they had been dating, Xu Tingsheng had once hugged Xiang Ning while singing right into her ear. That song was called <Tiny Tiny Sun>.

“You are like a tiny tiny sun, with a warmth that always gives my cold heart a place to keep warm. How habitually I move towards you, wanting a little friendliness and a lot of reliance to mend my fragile soul. You always smile like a flower; you always see me drunk in despair…”

This had been the truest illumination of the feelings between them at the time. This girl had a transparent soul and the purest smile, resembling a tiny, tiny sun that gave Xu Tingsheng the perfect amount of radiance and warmth.

“I can’t sing now. I’ll definitely sing for you in a couple of days,” Thinking of how he would be performing a few days later, Xu Tingsheng gently refused.

“How about I sing for you then?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

“Is it that choir song you’ll be singing?” Xu Tingsheng smiled as he asked, guessing whether he would be hearing <Unity is Strength> or <Every Time I Lightly Walk Past Your Window>.

“Like real. Let me think. An old Uncle like you, you should only listen to very old songs, right?”

“...It seems that way.”

“I’ll sing a song that my mother likes, then. I only know a few verses of it, not even its name.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll start then...cough, cough…” Little Xiang Ning cleared her throat, beginning to sing, “You said you’d come see me in a couple of days, but as soon as I waited it was more than a year, three hundred and sixty five days of…”

Her voice was soft and tender. She sung off-key, and also messed up some words.

Yet, on the other end of the phone, Xu Tingsheng was covering his mouth as he clenched his teeth to keep himself from weeping unrestrainedly, letting the tears flow freely down his face.

There had once been a day when Xiang Ning had said ‘I’ll miss you’. Back then, she still hadn’t known that this person would vanish just like that, that she would never be able to get through to that handphone number ever again.

One day in the future, Xiang Ning had said, ‘I just wanted...to see you again, and, tell you I always believed you would come and find me.’ That day, she had turned and walked off into the rain amidst the darkness of the night. It was the last time they would ever meet in that life.

Two days, separated by three years. She had waited for that person who had forsaken her without a single word for three whole years.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know whether Xiang Ning had looked for him in these three years. He had been out in the world searching for a chance to recoup his losses, having even once gone as far as Vietnam and Cambodia...where he had worked in the area of imports and exports for a year.

Those three years of hers were worth him waiting an entire lifetime now.

…...

24th May, around 6.30pm.

Xinyan Junior High’s anniversary performance was held at the school field. A red, celebratory dance stage had been erected atop the usual stage. At Xu Tingsheng’s suggestion, apart from having changed to the best audio system that they could get their hands on, Xinyan Junior High had not made any major changes in any other areas.

There was a row for the school leaders in the first row before the stage, after which were more than a thousand students and teachers who had arranged chairs there in neat rows. Yet behind them were dozens of media entities, with their entire arsenal of cameras and recording devices.

Those fans of Rebirth who had come specifically for them were unable to enter. Thus, some sat on the walls surrounding the school field, some sat on the various branches of trees both big and small while others watched on from the windows of nearby houses they were borrowing…

Yet more people were squeezed onto that small hill behind Xinyan Junior High Xu Tingsheng had occupied countless times before. They were eating, drinking beer...if they lit a mini-bonfire, that would basically have been warping this junior high anniversary into a mini music festival.

There were actually more people outside than there were inside. The local police and security companies Xinyan Junior High had contacted were nervously patrolling the surrounding area.

The Principal spoke. Then, a higher-up of the Education Bureau spoke as well.

Little Xiang Ning was helping Su Nannan to straighten her skirt backstage. Su Nannan would soon be standing in front to sing. With so many people and cameras outside, the girls were all inevitably feeling rather nervous.

“Don’t be nervous. Let’s just not look at them later,” Little Xiang Ning comforted Su Nannan.

Actually, she was feeling pretty nervous herself, her heart beating and beating really quickly, her throat feeling dry as even her speaking voice had turned hoarse. With that thick red makeup on her face, she resembled a red salted duck egg…

“How ugly! Luckily, Uncle Liar isn’t here.”

This was what Little Xiang Ning had thought while facing the mirror just after her makeup had been put on. Fortunately, it was the same for her fellow classmates as well. Put all together, they were like a great basket of red eggs. Still, she still felt a little desolate. Due to the anniversary today, it seemed like her parents aside, everyone else had forgotten that today was her birthday.

Liu Xueli would usually remember the birthdays of all the students in her class. When in class, she would say ‘Let us all wish XXXXX happy birthday!’, even giving them a small card. Yet, she had forgotten all about it today. Even Su Nannan and the others hadn’t remembered.

“During the next tutoring session, I’ve got to get Uncle Liar to wish me a ‘Happy Birthday’ that he owes me,” She thought.

“It’s time, it’s time!” A teacher came backstage, yelling frantically.

Little Xiang Ning ascended the stage with everyone else, assuming her position before inhaling deeply. Tonight’s first programme was choir, <Every Time I Lightly Walk Past Your Window>.

Little Xiang Ning sang very earnestly, even though she was just one amongst many.

The cameras flashed on and on. There were people taking photos from far away, and there were those crouching before the stage to take them...then came thunderous applause, both from and outside of the school field.

Whilst having come for Rebirth, those outside the school field still displayed sufficient patience as they exhibited great enthusiasm and encouragement at the performance by the students.

After all, all of them had once experienced such times before.

The second programme was a poetry recital, <My School>.

The third programme...

More than one hour into the programme, Rebirth had still yet to ascend the stage. The audience began feeling impatient. Her performance having ended, sitting close to the front of the stage to the side of the crowd, Little Xiang Ning was also waiting impatiently.

As she was really feeling impatient, she decided to just go backstage. That way, she would get to see Rebirth earlier.

Currently, those who knew the programme sequence were asking one another: Have you seen Rebirth?

Everyone shook their heads.

The music teachers who were in charge of the programme found Chairman Zhang, “It’s almost time...will that Rebirth stand us up? If they suddenly don’t appear, our school would really have turned into a real joke. A riot might even start here.”

“No, don’t worry, it’s definitely not like that. Those are our kids,” Chairman Zhang consoled.

Actually, he was feeling rather uneasy himself. What he had been told was: When it’s time for us to go on stage, give me a call, and I’ll come right out.

“Come out, come out from where?”

Chairman Zhang surveyed the small backstage for a while, not seeing where Rebirth could possibly come out from. He took out his phone. It was almost time for the performance. He should be able to call them now, right?

Behind the performance stage, behind the ordinary stage on the school field, in a tiny equipment storage shed...crouched five people.

“This is the best you could think of? We flipped over the wall and entered at noon, and we’ve been crouching here for more than three whole hours now,” Retrieving a bottle of mineral water from the plastic bag beside him, Xu Tingsheng moistened his throat before complaining to Fang Yuqing in exasperation.

“My legs are numb. I feel like I’m gonna throw up soon,” Fu Cheng said.

“Tell me if you’ve got something better?” Fang Yuqing rebutted.

This was really the best plan he could think of, even though it was rather more tiring, the environment rather more intolerable.

“Everything else aside, the clothes and the masks are pretty well made,” Tan Yao stood up, tugging at his slick clothes before lifting up and waving the mask that he was holding.

The costume that Fang Yuqing had prepared consisted of standard Air Force jackets, with even the accessories on the chest and arms having been provided. Everyone’s figures being rather good, they were really crazy cool with it on. As for the the black half-mask, it covered half their faces from the forehead to the tip of the nose, with only the eyes and the mouth being visible as it was similarly very flashy.

Everyone was indeed very satisfied with these two items.

“This is the route of an idol,” Tan Yao commented happily.

Xu Tingsheng’s handphone vibrated.

He picked it up, listening and saying ‘yeah’ a few times before responding, “Alright, we’ll be coming right out.”

“Everyone, get up and start activating your ligaments. Ready yourselves!”

Chapter 160: You are my flower

The teachers and students at the backstage of Xinyan Junior High suddenly found the curtains of the back door being pulled aside before five guys in matching Air Force jackets and black half-masks filed into the room.

Everyone was taken aback by this sudden scene, the originally noisy area instantly falling silent. The teachers and students all raised their heads blankly, staring at...these five guys who had suddenly sprung out of nowhere.

“So cool!” Su Nannan whispered in Xiang Ning’s ear.

“Yeah!” Little Xiang Ning excitedly nodded, feeling that she could already guess their identities.

The next moment, everyone else also felt the same. From their height, these five guys were clearly not students of their school. Meanwhile, two of them were also carrying guitars...so…

“Hi, teachers and students...we’re Rebirth...is it our turn yet?”

A masked Xu Tingsheng revealed two rows of clear white teeth, smiling brightly as he asked cordially.

“Right away,” A teacher stood up and responded rather panickedly, next telling someone beside him, “Hurry up and notify them. We can announce them now. Rebirth’s...just suddenly arrived.”

Xu Tingsheng was rather surprised at seeing Xiang Ning as she hid behind a bunch of student performers. He thought for a moment before navigating through the crowd, next bending down as he handed her his guitar. Then, he took Fu Cheng’s guitar and passed it to Su Nannan who was standing beside her.

Then, he said warmly, “Kids, help big bros to hold our guitars for a while, then stand by the side of the stage to watch our performance. When we’ve finished singing the first song, help to bring the guitars up, okay?”

“Okay,” Beneath many envious gazes, Su Nannan happily responded.

Little Xiang Ning did not speak, her face filled with puzzlement, “This voice…”

“Next up, let us welcome, as former graduates of Xinyan Junior High, Rebirth!”

The loud, sonorous voice of the emcee cued in the five members of Rebirth who now began walking outside. Hugging the guitar, Su Nannan stood up and tugged at Xiang Ning’s hand, excitedly urging, “Come, let’s hurry on outside.”

……

The teachers of Xinyan Junior High had specially prepared a rousing opening sequence and twenty-four lamps that brightly illuminated the small stage. Cheers resounded throughout the entire school field and beyond...everyone’s curiosity reached a peak at this moment of revelation.

Rebirth was here in their first public performance.

Amidst cheers and applause, five guys in Air Force jackets and black half-masks filed out. They did not give any greeting, directly entering a two by three formation, awaiting the opening beat.

As soon as they appeared, everyone in the audience felt at a loss.

This scene was somewhat different from how they had imagined it...

Shouldn’t it have been two people in normal clothes carrying guitars? Why did they have such a crazy cool appearance, wearing Air Force jackets and black half-masks? Was this the route of a youth idol group?

Weren’t there just two of them? Why were there five? Aside from Apple, there were still five other people in Rebirth?

While they hadn’t revealed their faces, from the looks of it, they shouldn’t be ugly!

What shouldn’t be ugly? They were super handsome and super cool, alright? “Woah, Rebirth!” Seeing how they looked, feeling especially drawn in by the feeling of mystery and sense of distance brought about by the black masks that hid half their faces, the girls couldn’t take it as they all began shrieking loudly.

Also, what were they doing? Not having brought their guitars, and with those positions, could it be that they were going to dance? What was this?

…...

Right, it was dancing.

The opening sequence of <You Are My Flower> played.

“A new song,” Those who were familiar with Rebirth’s songs realised at once.

“It’s a new song, and it seems to be a dance melody as well...how unexpected.”

The five guys up on stage began to move. Their actions were stiff, wooden, unnatural, uncoordinated...what was this? ...For Rebirth’s new song in this first ever public performance of theirs, what came at the start was not applause, but laughter from everywhere around.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t mind this at all. He knew what the standard of their dancing was, having already long since predicted that the audience would react like this, also having told the other four what they should expect…

It was best if they laughed. This song had originally been intended by Xu Tingsheng to coax Xiang Ning to laugh. So many people were laughing. She would definitely be laughing as well? That would be great.

Also, the reason for Xu Tingsheng having chosen this song was that there was something that he wanted to say to Xiang Ning, yet usually wouldn’t have the chance to, “You are my flower.”

The music continued. The stiff dancing of the five guys up on stage continued…

“Oh...you are my flower

I want to have you inserted in my heart

Oh...you are my flower

I want to enable your smooth journey always”

The song itself wasn’t bad, being pretty interesting. This was what many people felt after having listened to it for a while. As for the dancing...because the discrepancy between the actual scene before their eyes and what they had expected was really too great, because the stiff movements of the five were really too funny, coupled with their frequent mistakes, with the hand and foot on the same side moving simultaneously, turning in the wrong direction, following the wrong beat…

It would really be very hard not to laugh!

“Oh...you are my flower

Even if there are many small pebbles beside you

Oh...you are my flower

I want to be tireless in loving you”

The five up on stage seemed not to realise that they were being mocked by the audience at all as they continued dancing robotically and stiffly...gradually, the laughter dissipated, everyone seemingly beginning to realise what was different, beginning to comprehend that feel which Fang Yuqing had not voiced out.

That was the feel of a man who didn’t know how to dance at all tolerating his embarrassment and drawing on his courage to extend his stiff limbs for the one he loved, working hard, working even harder as he determinedly tried his best to perform a dance for her.

Behind their stiff limbs and their somewhat clumsy movements was the sincerest, most heartfelt expression of their feelings.

“Their dancing’s pretty earnest,” Someone on the hill suddenly said.

“Yeah, don’t they say that earnest men are the cutest? Also, I feel that…”

This person ‘felt’ for a long time yet was unable to say anything, with it being a girl beside her who completed her sentence, “I feel that they’re flipping moe. Right, really moe, super moe.”

The girl used a word which still hadn’t become that popular yet, moe.

As soon as the words had left her mouth, all the girls present seemed instantly to grasp this feeling. Right, the indescribable feeling within their hearts-wasn’t it exactly this?

Whilst being dressed so flashily, their dancing was just so infantile...also, their clumsiness...also, the earnest following of the steps even despite all the laughter...this really was super crazy moe!

“Rebirth’s so cute!”

“Wah…”

Laughter finally turned back into applause and shrieking.

On the school field.

“This really seems rather fun. The movements are simple too. This dance might just go viral,” A reporter who often attended press conferences said to the person beside him.

“Right! I feel that even though everyone’s laughing now, this song itself is actually pretty good. And the song, like you said, maybe it will actually go viral,” The reporter beside him replied.

“A great chance to enter showbiz!” Someone said jokingly, clearly seeing this as another successful stirring up of Rebirth’s value which they would make use of to enter the music industry.

“Someone already asked Apple about this yesterday. Apple said that these guys from Rebirth seem like they have no intention of entering showbiz at all, and also….haven’t the time for it.”

“Right, what Apple said is: He hasn’t the time.”

Someone immediately rejected his opinion, even though they too did feel that it was rather a pity for Rebirth not to make use of this chance to officially enter showbiz.

“Who is he? Hasn’t the time to enter showbiz? Something with both fame and benefits...hasn’t the time...how is that possible?”

“One of those on the stage, I guess...who hasn’t the time. That’s indeed what Apple said.”

“...”

As if confirming the earlier judgment of the reporters, this dance would soon go viral…

When the chorus of <You Are My Flower> resounded for the second time, more than a thousand students before the stage suddenly collectively rose. Then, they began dancing together with those five people on the stage.

The same dance was being simultaneously performed by a thousand over children all at once. The scene turned interesting, making for a shocking sight.

At a time like this, mass dancing had still not become a phenomenon. It was rare indeed to see dancing organised on as large a scale as this. Also, it was such an interesting dance with over a thousand participants…

“As soon as this is released, it’s definitely, truly going viral,” The reporter said to his colleague who was currently focused on unceasingly adjusting the angle of his professional video camera.

Up on stage, Xu Tingsheng secretly snuck a glance at Little Xiang Ning who was standing by the side of the stage as he sung, “Oh...you are my flower…”

Xiang Ning spotted this glance. While she logically shouldn’t have spotted this fleeting glance, shouldn’t have felt the meaning that Xu Tingsheng intended to convey, there was this feeling that just suddenly surged within her heart.

“Is he...really Uncle? ”

Chapter 161: The brightest star in the night sky

Singing this song, dancing this dance, some people thought that Rebirth was stirring up their value, while others felt that Rebirth was going to go viral...yet, all Uncle wanted was actually to coax a young girl, giving her a truly happy birthday.

In the end, the entire crowd was laughing joyfully. After laughing, they also saw his earnestness and diligence. It was just that they did not know that this earnestness and diligence was actually just there for a single person. They were actually irrelevant in this matter.

The first song of Rebirth’s first ever public performance ended amidst great applause and shrieking.

The audience discovered that of the five on stage, three were leaving whereas the other two remained behind.

The audience and the reporters present unconsciously fell silent.

“So it’s actually like this,” they thought, “The real Rebirth is coming on,” However approving they felt of that song, everyone still felt the same way, that that shouldn’t be Rebirth.

“Perhaps that was just to ramp up the atmosphere in their former school, livening up the scene. Still, a great amount of heart was really put into the matter!”

“What about after?”

Everyone waited, and indeed...two people hurriedly ran up from backstage, setting up two microphone stands and putting the mikes on them. After that? The audience saw two young girls running onto the stage with guitars.

“Xiang Ning...Xiang Ning,” Su Nannan tugged at the suddenly dazed Xiang Ning’s arm, pulling her along up on stage as she said, “Hurry up!”

Su Nannan handed Fu Cheng his guitar.

“Thanks,” Fu Cheng smiled as he received the guitar.

Standing before a microphone, he strummed the guitar. While it was merely just a testing of the sound, applause and shrieks resounded from the audience along with it.

A guitar in hand, Xiang Ning stood in front of Xu Tingsheng.

Pursing her lips, she gazed fixatedly at this man before her who slowly bent down, gently taking the guitar from her. She stared very earnestly, very carefully, looking at his little bits of stubble, looking at his hair, looking at his mouth, looking at his eyes…

Xiang Ning felt that she could be certain of it, because of his eyes. Every time he looked at her, he would always do so with these eyes. While Xiang Ning couldn’t understand these eyes, they would always cause her to feel warm and at ease.

Looking into Xiang Ning’s eyes, Xu Tingsheng smiled warmly, whispering, “Happy Birthday.”

“Happy Birthday? …”

“So, he is Uncle. So, he isn’t a graduate of Xinyan Junior High...then, why is he here? He knows that it’s my birthday today. I heard it. He just said...Happy Birthday.”

Within these eyes before her, Xiang Ning could see warm sunlight, could see overflowing tenderness.

“Uncle Liar?” Xiang Ning ventured, asking carefully in a low tone.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng nodded in affirmation.

“Then you…”

“I’m here to sing to you, to wish you Happy Birthday.”

Xiang Ning was fifteen. As a fifteen-year-old girl, she already knew what being moved was. She was suddenly unable to speak, tears gradually glistening within her eyes that were bright as the stars in the sky.

“Shhh, secret,” Xu Tingsheng blinked.

“Yeah,” Xiang Ning nodded, holding back her tears.

Currently, Xu Tingsheng was facing away from the audience, also shielding Xiang Ning from sight. Thus, no one saw the interaction between the two. Some felt that they should be talking, but no one knew what they were talking about. Amidst the surrounding din, not even Fu Cheng and Su Nannan heard the exchange between them.

Everyone felt that this should just be a young fan expressing her adulation to Rebirth. The girls felt envy, felt jealousy…

“Xiang Ning, let’s go!” Su Nannan came over, dragging Xiang Ning along as she ran off the stage.

Xu Tingsheng waved lightly to them.

“Why’re you constantly in a daze today? Is it that you’re too emotional at seeing Rebirth?” Su Nannan asked Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning blankly responded ‘uhuh’, not replying. It was not like she could tell Su Nannan, “Rebirth? I always see him. He even cooks for me, holds an umbrella to shield me from the rain, teaches me my homework...even tells on me, even…”

Up on stage, Fu Cheng strummed his guitar, the gentle opening sequence for <The Brightest Star in the Night Sky> resounding…

From just this brief opening sequence alone, everyone knew that this was yet another new song, also being completely different in style from the one from earlier. “Having been silent for so long, coming out to perform in public for the first time in the anniversary performance of their former school, even taking out two songs all at once...how thoughtful.”

This was what all the reporters and members of the audience present were thinking. Amongst them, there was merely a single girl who knew: This was Uncle having come to celebrate her birthday for her, having nothing to do with Xinyan Junior High at all.

She was still young, not knowing what was called ‘Limitless tenderness for that single one’.

Everyone listened quietly.

Fu Cheng began singing:

“The brightest star in the night sky

Can you clearly hear

Of that person gazing upwards

The solitude and sighing of his heart”

Everyone could tell that this was that most important voice of Rebirth. Additionally, due to the crudeness of the recordings Rebirth had originally made, what everyone was feeling now was actually more of amazement: So his voice was actually this good, this captivating.

In the past, some people had once analysed the songs that Rebirth had uploaded. In the end, they had concluded that the main singer’s singing was still a little tender. Still, the quality of his voice was really good. It was very warm, and most hard to come by was that it was so warm even when hitting the high notes.

Currently, Fu Cheng’s voice still contained that warmth, yet additionally had pain as well as a sense of loss to it. It was like they could hear memories, hear questioning, hear solitude and sorrow from within.

This voice could draw all men who had experienced the vicissitudes of relationships before into reminiscing. This voice could instantly hook the hearts of girls...some people inexplicably found that somehow or other, they had descended into a state of melancholy, suddenly beginning to think about a certain someone, that someone from back then…

Fu Cheng had actually already forgotten every single person on scene. He was only talking to a single person.

“The brightest star in the night sky

Can you remember

Once walking alongside me

The figure that vanished amidst the wind”

The figure that had suddenly vanished was Fu Cheng’s happiest memory, yet also his most painful loss and the subject of his unflagging, solitary search, just like how he always sat by the window in buses, carefully gazing at every single street amidst the night.

It was like his solitude was plainly audible, that scene plainly visible.

“He could really get crazy popular,” A reporter said.

Everyone beside him put a finger to their lips, shushing him. Many of them, having been to far too many press conferences and concerts in the past, could actually already be considered to be partial insiders in the industry.

Thus, they knew that this version of this song was something they might get to hear only this once in their lifetimes.

It was not just because Rebirth would likely not be entering showbiz that they thought this way. Actually, they also knew that even if this boy up on stage did enter showbiz eventually, he still might not be able to produce such emotion ever again in singing this song. Meanwhile, the recording of this scene might touch the hearts of countless people after having spread…

Yet, it would definitely still be incomparable to the scene unfolding right here, right now.

This was like what was commonly said by those who had fortunately been there to listen to Cui Jian’s first rendition of <Nothing To My Name> in the eighties. There was no version that was comparable to how it had been that day, even if it was still Old Cui himself singing it afterwards.

Fu Cheng glanced over at Xu Tingsheng, the two singing together:

“I pray that I can possess a transparent soul

And eyes from which tears can flow

Give me the courage to believe again

Oh~Transcend all lies to embrace you

Every time I can’t find meaning in living

Every time I’m lost amidst the night

Oh~The brightest star in the night sky

Please guide me to draw closer to you”

Utter silence reigned in the background. There wasn’t even any applause.

“You’ve lost your friends, lost your lover before...then, how long has it been since you last cried unrestrainedly in peace? Not afraid of being laughed at...how long has it been since you dared to fully love someone with all your heart, being courageous for him(her)? ...Also, do you miss that former silly self, that transparent soul you once possessed?”

Perhaps the children here only felt that the singing was nice, but those of the audience who were slightly older and even the teachers could not help but so question themselves.

Xu Tingsheng’s voice was on the deep side, seeming a little hoarse.

As the two voices sounded in harmony, people discovered that while this voice might not be as good as the one from earlier, it felt more mature, seemingly harbouring the vicissitudes of the endless ages, seemingly being able to provide a consolation to the solitude of that other voice…

This voice seemed to evoke a strange feeling within them. It was as though as soon as he opened his mouth, they unconsciously felt like what he was narrating was a tale that was incomparably distant…

How distant? Perhaps as distant as the vast fields and the boundless oceans, as distant as the cycle of rebirth itself.

It seemed to suddenly have struck them now why the name of this band was none other than ‘Rebirth’.

Chapter 162: The two lives drawn closer by the moonlight

For the second main section of the song, Xu Tingsheng took over the role of the main singer while Fu Cheng assumed a supporting role.

“The brightest star in the night sky, do you know, where the figure that once walked alongside me is now? The brightest star in the night sky, do you care, are you waiting for the sun to rise or something unexpected to first befall?

I would rather bear all the pain within my heart; for never would I be willing to forget your eyes.”

Quite a number of people liked Rebirth because they had indeed sung some rather good songs, because they were mysterious and interesting, acting wilfully as they liked, because Apple who had entered showbiz as a member of Rebirth was so enchanting…

Yet, at this moment, virtually all Rebirth’s fans who were present had their knowledge of this band turned on its head by the slow singing of the two people up on stage. So they could actually still be this deep and intense, moving everyone’s hearts. So they actually still possessed such exceptional voices and feelings.

Some wished that Rebirth could hurry up and enter showbiz.

Others hoped that they could just continue singing like this, not being bothered by all those troubles and worries, not losing these purest feelings of theirs, their still transparent souls.

Those who held these opposing viewpoints consisted of the audience, and also the reporters.

Of course, more people were just feeling incomparably conflicted between these two choices.

Fu Cheng indisputably drew the most gazes, because many people had already remembered that story about him. That rumoured confession at Yanzhou University’s freshmen welcoming party, that rumoured incomparably difficult relationship that left him painfully weeping at the end of it all...it had already resurfaced countless times on Rebirth’s webpage and various forums.

Those who had personally experienced things then or actually hadn’t even been there at all had their own idea of events, these scenes, these stories, having developed into countless versions.

And right here, right now, looking at him, listening to him...without needing him to say it, they already knew how the tale had ended.

He used the warmth and solitude within his voice to convey to everyone here the happiness he would always remember this entire lifetime, also conveying that painful, unexpected ending.

Some were shedding tears for Fu Cheng, but the Fu Cheng of right now shed not a single tear.

He just wanted to tell her, “See, we once traversed all lies and embraced each other, possessing whilst temporary, yet happy times...see, after you’ve left, I’m willing to bear all the pain within my heart, for never would I be willing to forget your eyes, and that happiness.”

“He just said thank you to me. I really hope he can be happy,” Su Nannan told Xiang Ning.

It was obviously Fu Cheng whom she was talking about. Yet, in Xiang Ning’s eyes, there was only a single person, a single figure, a single voice, that of her Uncle Liar.

Xiang Ning had never seen this side of Xu Tingsheng before. She had seen his fierce side, seen his silly side, even seen his ugly side when he had strangely cried the first time they had met...She had seen him spoiling her, seen him selling her out…

She had never seen such a captivating Uncle before, strumming his guitar lightly with his eyes closed as he freely sang, “The brightest star in the night sky, please illuminate my way forth…”

“Who is the brightest star in his sky? It should be that Big Xiang Ning who looks a lot like me. He...really misses her.”

As compared to Fu Cheng, there were actually even more stories contained within Xu Tingsheng’s voice. What he narrated, could not bear to forget, pursued his memories of, encompassed love, kinship, friendship. Those partings...were already separated by lifetimes.

Yet, there was more hope than pain within his voice, because he could embrace those people yet once more, those people of the past. Also, there was that person. She was sitting there right now, looking at him...right, at this moment, there was solely him within her eyes.

Seeing Uncle sneak a glance in her direction, Xiang Ning dabbed at her eyes, “Like I’ll cry. I’ve got to think hard on when Uncle lied to me, sold me out, was fierce to me…”

The final chord landed on a fingertip, the final twang reverberating throughout the night.

Rebirth’s first ever public performance ended here.

Amidst the applause, there were yells for ‘another!’, yells for ‘again!’.

Originally having already taken a few steps back, Fu Cheng approached the microphone once more. Thus, everyone fell silent.

“Come back, okay? Let me take care of you.”

“Or, allow me to look for you...when I’ve found you, you’re not allowed to run again.”

Fu Cheng did not shed a tear or choke at all in saying those words as they were simple and calm. It felt just like a simple discussion between two intimate people on what they would be eating for breakfast the next morning.

After he had finished, Fu Cheng gave a deep bow to the audience before carrying his guitar and returning backstage, moving past everyone and covertly sneaking back into the storage shed.

Fang Yuqing, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao were still there...they would have to continue waiting here till the crowds dispersed, till all those reporters and fans preparing to mob Rebirth had left.

They knew that there were already people waiting outside in ambush now.

Huang Yaming threw Fu Cheng a cigarette, flicking on the lighter to illuminate his face before putting a hand around his shoulder, “Woah. You didn’t cry?”

Fu Cheng shook his head.

“Tingsheng’s still outside?”

Fu Cheng nodded.

“I really want to go and take a look at who that Xiang Ning is!” Huang Yaming said before hurriedly continuing, “Relax, I’m just saying. A woman who can let Xu Tingsheng do things to this extent-it would instead be weird if we weren’t curious...Still, since Tingsheng’s decided to do this, I know that I can’t bother her.”

Outside, on the stage.

The audience saw that of those two Rebirth members, one had left while the other still remained. There had been five people at the start. Then, three of them had left, the remaining two having sung another song. Now that there was still one guy left, could it be another song?

The audience and the reporters all felt excited.

There was indeed still one more song. Xu Tingsheng approached the microphone, beginning to sing totally out of the blue, “Happy Birthday to you, 祝你生日快乐, happy Birthday to you…”

“Goodbye,” After finishing the birthday song, a smiling Xu Tingsheng gave a deep bow and took his leave, leaving behind a dazed, uncomprehending crowd of audience and reporters.

This...was Rebirth’s randomness acting up again? Just like when they had sung that <You Knit A Woolen Sweater For A Freaking Fool>, just like when they had admitted to being very ugly.

“Birthday song...wait, actually, it makes sense! The tenth anniversary of the school, that’s the school’s birthday!”

Someone found a logical explanation for Xu Tingsheng which received the approval of many.

Reminded by the birthday song, Su Nannan tugged at Xiang Ning’s arm, exclaiming, “Woops, Xiang Ning, now I remember! It’s your birthday today! See, we were all just so busy that we forgot about it. Sorry, Happy Birthday!”

“Thank you, Nannan,” Xiang Ning said.

“Still, you’re actually really lucky, aren’t you? We can take it like Rebirth’s performance and the birthday song were all specially prepared to celebrate your birthday for you,” Su Nannan said.

“Yeah. I’m glad,” Xiang Ning said.

She knew that Su Nannan was actually spot on in her words. Everything that Rebirth had done today was due to her birthday. Because of that, they had sung <You Are My Flower>, dancing a stiff, infantile dance in order to make her laugh happily...he had even sung the birthday song for her in front of so many people.

“I’ll go get something,” Xiang Ning suddenly stood up and dashed for the backstage on her own.

Xu Tingsheng had just left backstage, turning a corner as he arrived by the wall to the side of the storage shed.

“Uncle,” A voice said from behind him.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng stopped, turning as he watched Xiang Ning coming over towards him. She walked over, came beside him, and tiptoed...her fingertips touching the mask on his face.

“Want me to take it off?” Xu Tingsheng asked as he pointed at the mask he was wearing.

Xiang Ning nodded yet shook her head immediately afterwards as she gestured towards Xu Tingsheng, “You bend down. I’ll do it.”

Xu Tingsheng bent down.

Xiang Ning carefully removed the mask for him with both hands, next rising upwards. And now the young girl’s soft, fragrant lips landed a tender, inexperienced kiss on Xu Tingsheng’s face.

Xu Tingsheng was stunned, overwhelmed by countless emotions. It was blissful, a hundred times more blissful than he would have thought. He felt emotional, emotional as could not be expressed in words. But...she’s only fifteen...I’m a beast.

“Thank you for coming to celebrate my birthday for me, Uncle. I’m so happy.”

Despite Xu Tingsheng’s conflicted feelings, Xiang Ning wasn’t feeling shy or embarrassed at all as she said in a clear voice, “I’m kissing you for Big Xiang Ning...I know that Uncle celebrating for me today and everything before this is because I look like Big Xiang Ning. When Uncle was singing, I could hear it. You’re thinking about her, thinking about Big Xiang Ning...you think about her very badly.”

“I could also hear that Uncle’s very pitiful. So, I’m kissing you on Big Xiang Ning’s behalf.”

“I’m not angry. I know that she’s definitely very good. That’s why you think about her so much; that’s why you treat me so well...also, Uncle’s very good as well. Uncle, you’ll definitely find her back. Go for it!”

Xu Tingsheng was left feeling rather at a loss for words. Regarding Big Xiang Ning and Little Xiang Ning...they were both this same little girl in front of him. It was truly like she’d said, two Xiang Nings existing. One was the past Xiang Ning whom he missed dearly yet would never be able to find back, while the other was the young girl before him who looked exactly like her.

She was her, whilst also not yet her.

She had said that ‘you’ll definitely find her back’.

“So, it’s Big Xiang Ning who kissed you, not me,” Little Xiang Ning finally realised her embarrassment as she explained earnestly.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng nodded earnestly as well.

The young girl suddenly felt a little empty at his response as she thought for a moment before asking, “Then...Uncle, if you’ve found her back, or if you forget her and like someone else...will you still remember me?”

“I will. Definitely,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Little Xiang Ning shook her head, pursing her lips like she wanted to cry as she said, “I, I don’t believe you. You’re too good at lying.”

Xu Tingsheng was indeed very good at lying. He had lied to her countless times in the past. Even their final breakup had been in a lie...This time, however, he wasn’t going to lie to her, coax her. He had actually thought about it. Having been reborn, the most difficult things to grasp were feelings. Thus, would he fall in love with someone else? Or, was Xiang Ning still that same Xiang Ning?

“I’ll teach you a method, okay? If I treat you badly one day, find me, and sing me a song,” Xu Tingsheng said smilingly.

“The one that you sang just now?” Little Xiang Ning asked in puzzlement.

“No,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, pretending to joke, “The one you sang on the phone that day.”

Little Xiang Ning thought about it before beginning to sing in her tender voice, “You said you’d come see me in a couple of days, but as soon as I waited it was more than a year, three hundred and sixty five days of badness. Within your heart…”

She had actually learnt just these lines from listening to her mother as she now looked up after having sung them, “Is it this one? My classmates all say it’s old-fashioned and cheesy...you’re lying again.”

“I’m not lying,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Still, you’re not allowed to sing this now.”

He was afraid that he might cry, afraid that she would sing ‘but as soon as I waited it was more than a year’...It had actually been three years, more than a thousand long days and nights.

“Then, sing...oh...you are my flower…” Little Xiang Ning sang.

“Even if there are many small pebbles beside you…” Xu Tingsheng followed.

“Right, Uncle, your dancing is ugly to death. Here, I’ll teach you...our teacher taught it before. Oh...you are my flower…” Xiang Ning said as she began dancing, urging Xu Tingsheng as she saw that he wasn’t moving, “Quickly, dance!”

“Oh, okay...oh...you are my flower…” Xu Tingsheng began dancing along with her.

“That’s still so ugly. Again.”

The final folk dancing programme was still ongoing outside on the stage for Xinyan Junior High’s anniversary performance. Outside the school, the reporters and the fans were in the midst of looking everywhere for the figures of the Rebirth members. Yet, they discovered nothing.

Thus, they began searching even further out.

What no one discovered was that behind the school’s stage, in the tight corner between the outer wall and the storage shed, the moonlight had extended the shadows of two people, one of them leaping lightly, the other moving clumsily. Someone giggled, someone sung in a low tone...

Gazing at Xiang Ning’s shadow that was extended tall and thin on the ground by the moonlight as well as that laughter, that tolerance and that blissfulness. Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt a sense of release. Even though she and she on the two sides of rebirth were two people, beneath this moonlight at this very moment, amidst the laughter, they were slowly recombining.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, he had never seen the fifteen-year-old Xiang Ning. Yet at this current moment, he believed that the fifteen-year-old Xiang Ning should have been naught but this way.

Chapter 163: Aftermath

As the moonlight extended the shadows of the two, Little Xiang Ning seemed like she had suddenly grown up. And she was leaning so close to him, as close as his shoulder, resembling the times when they had once strolled together through all those streets both wide and narrow.

Xu Tingsheng seemed to forget that these were two worlds separated by life and death and the cycle of rebirth.

Because her clear laughter was really too captivating, Xu Tingsheng turned to look, only then realising that the one frolicking about beside him was actually still just the fifteen-year-old Xiang Ning.

She doesn’t have those memories. If she did, would she hate me, blame me?

Xu Tingsheng still couldn’t get Xiang Ning satisfied with his dancing in the end. She said: Uncle, there’s no one more stupid than you in this world. Xu Tingsheng said: There’s you.

When the performance ended, the classes would be taking attendance. It was time for Little Xiang Ning to return. She hurriedly ran towards the backstage, drawing the curtains of the back door and entering. She stopped, turning to look at Xu Tingsheng. Their gazes met. Then, the curtain slowly descended, obstructing their view of each other.

“She really loves acting.”

Xu Tingsheng remembered the times when he had been forced to act in all those relationship dramas directed by Xiang Ning. Uncle had role played as hooligans, lovestruck dudes and even mountain bandits before. Miss Xiang was only ever the beauty of the tale.

“Oh, I forgot. That's exactly what she is.”

Just as Xu Tingsheng was about to return to the storage shed, panicked footsteps resounded from behind him.

Little Xiang Ning ran over, huffing and puffing as she said, “Uncle, I almost forgot to say. So you actually are Rebirth! I felt surprised, then so moved.”

Seeing her this way, Xu Tingsheng could not help but feel triumphant. This charm that Uncle had demonstrated had really been of some use. Xu Tingsheng feigned nonchalance, nodding smilingly as he waited for Xiang Ning to continue.

“So,” Little Xiang Ning said, “Uncle, do you have a way for me to see Big Sis Apple? I want to see Big Sis Apple.”

Xu Tingsheng could not deny it. This was too great a blow.

“You can't? Then, you can get me her autograph, right?” Little Xiang Ning continued asking, earnestness written all over her face.

“...”

You clearly also used to like Rebirth a lot. I clearly am Rebirth. We moved so many people just now. So many people are looking for us. I'm standing right in front of you! Can you not ignore me? Can you 'respect’ me a little? These were the fragmented thoughts within Uncle's mind.

“Sigh, really. I'm going back then!” Little Xiang Ning sighed dismally before turning without so much as a look back.

“...Be careful.”

When Xu Tingsheng’s group of five finally emerged from that storage shed, flipped over the wall and drove back to school, it was already close to 10pm. Fang Yuqing drove his car to the entrance of the academy city before shooing everybody off.

“Go yourself. I'm not sending you. I've still something to do,” Fang Yuqing said.

“Heck, this is still far! What something could you possibly have?”

“I'm going to yell Yuqing down from her dorm and dance that silly but earnest dance for her to see. I've decided to learn to be more romantic. How's this idea?” Fang Yuqing actually cared for Yuqing a lot, yet had never really known how to express it. Perhaps he had been inspired by Xu Tingsheng this time.

Since he had said so, the other four could only get off and walk back on their own. Huang Yaming returned to Jianhai Technological University’s dormitory district while Fu Cheng returned to his dorm. In the end, only Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao were left walking together.

Tan Yao suddenly said, “Bro Xu, teach me how to get a girl.”

Xu Tingsheng thought that he had heard wrong, because it was Tan Yao who was saying this. Speaking of getting girls, it should be him who should be teaching Xu Tingsheng.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng asked in an incredulous tone, “What’s the situation?”

Tan Yao naturally understood what Xu Tingsheng meant as he said in a rare earnest manner, “I really like this one this time. Also, she's different. The difficulty’s exceptionally great. Really, all those moves of mine from before and this face of mine just won't be enough. So, help me? Let's go with one of your kind. Vicious, able to blow people up to death in a single explosion.”

Tan Yao had described Xu Tingsheng's move today rather frighteningly. Actually, thinking about it, he wasn't wrong. In order to make a girl happy, a certain someone had taken out a rather famous, mysterious band, performing in public for the first time with two new songs.

Shamelessly persisting with that dancing just to make her happy, adding on a deep, emotional song so as to tell her: You are the brightest star in my night sky.

Also, the birthday song for just a single person in front of nearly a crowd of two thousand.

In terms of getting girls, this was indeed vicious enough. Such a megaexplosion-which girl wouldn't be moved? Yet in the end that little girl had asked, “Do you have a way for me to see Big Sis Apple?”

“Who?” Xu Tingsheng asked Tan Yao.

“Yuqing's older sister,” Tan Yao replied.

“Fang Chen?!”

“Right, yeah. Fang Chen.”

“Sleep early,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Is it really impossible?” Tan Yao asked unresignedly.

“You should sleep early. I also can't tell you in detail. I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to take it,” Xu Tingsheng patted Tan Yao's shoulder before heading back for the dorm where he showered and went to bed.

This youth was too pitiful. Even if you are pursuing a bro’s older sister, wanting to become your bro’s brother-in-law, even if it’s a little unethical and the gaps between your family backgrounds might be too great, I would still support you. But why must it be Fang Chen?

That old demoness-she’s bisexual! And from how she eyes Apple hungrily, she seems to like females more.

How’re you to chase her then? And you’d still have to fall out first?

…...

The next day, or, more accurately, from late in the night on the day of Rebirth’s performance onwards, the small Rebirth webpage and a portion of forums all exploded as those who had been present at the scene narrated all that they had seen and heard in a gloating manner.

Someone even uploaded a few photographs of the performance.

People were visual creatures. Thus, the first thing to be broken and reduced to smithereens was that famous rumour about Rebirth being ugly, not daring to enter showbiz due to their looks.

Rebirth had taken to the stage that evening in incomparably cool, dazzling attire. From those five who had initially been on to two and then the one who had remained, none of the photos that had been captured had shown their entire faces. Yet, the girls had their own judgments.

These initial judgments as well as their inborn, rich power of imagination made it such that the question of whether Rebirth was ugly had already attained closure. These girls became the stauchnest opponents of Rebirth’s ugliness. If someone dared to mention it, they would swarm forth like a horde, ripping them apart.

Next came discussions regarding Fu Cheng’s relationship and those two final sentences of his. Actually, there wasn’t much they could discuss regarding this. The conclusion was clear: The Rebirth lead singer’s ideal partner had left.

Yet, he still loved her.

Therefore, this was a highly talented, greatly charming man. This was a devoted, unwavering man, a sorrowful, lonely man...such men could always move people’s hearts the most easily.

Therefore, the hearts of the girls shattered. After their pain, they loved him, their maternal instincts and girlish infatuation flourishing all at once.

That night, word on the forum of Rebirth’s webpage was:

You don’t have to wait anymore. You don’t have to look anymore. Where are there no flowers on this earth?

I’m here! Come look for me!

She’s left, but there’s still me! I’ll marry you!

In this era, the phrase ‘national husband’ had still yet to appear, or Fu Cheng would be very close to it. The next day, the day after, as the media footage was uploaded along with those descriptions as well as newspaper reports, Fu Cheng moved the hearts of countless people.

Yet, he still failed to move that one person.

Fu Cheng clapsed his phone at all times, yearning for that number which he always kept in his phone records to sound again, or for an unknown number to suddenly ring, her voice appearing.

Yet, it was to no avail.

Chapter 164: Take it that I kissed a dog

Rebirth could be considered as having been popular before, while Rebirth’s Apple was currently rapidly gaining popularity as a newcomer to showbiz...still, it was even more remarkable this time. Perhaps it should be said that this was Rebirth shooting into prominence overnight in the truest sense of the term.

They were so popular that the media and the internet were filled entirely with discussions about them.

Firstly, this was an unexpected performance. From the sudden announcement to the choice of locale, Rebirth’s first ever public performance had left everyone feeling incomparably surprised.

Then, they had displayed a self-absorbed attitude that bordered on ‘arrogance’ at the scene, seemingly not caring about others’ evaluation of them as well as their image and style at all as they had just treated it like entertainment and self-leisure, an expression of their selves.

Other than those two deep bows and that ‘goodbye’ at the end, they hadn’t even bothered with a greeting at all, not even having dispensed with the most basic of pleasantries.

They had been in cool, dazzling attire, yet had performed a dance that was stiff and wooden to the point that everyone had been laughing at them, dancing till the laughter eventually turned into popularity. This dance was currently spreading at the greatest possible speed, going viral.

They had produced a virtually irreproducible performance, taken out Rebirth’s deepest, most emotional song to date, <The Brightest Star In The Night Sky>. They had moved countless people to tears with their singing, sighing as they questioned themselves, yet had just thrown down two totally random sentences before leaving.

Whilst not having revealed their faces, they had easily broken the rumour of the ‘ugly band’.

It was even to the extent that while they hadn’t even officially recorded and uploaded those two songs, not even having provided ringtones to download, just the songs alone with the great amount of background noise from the live performance were already sufficient to easily reign at the top of the music charts and downloading lists as well as air on the major television stations.

If this had been a promotion activity intended to stir things up before Rebirth entered showbiz, it was unquestionably an incomparably successful one. Whether it was the sense of mystery, the topicality or the music itself, they had all been perfect, being sufficient for them to announce their debut amidst a wave of anticipation before coming out to take the world by storm.

Yet, everyone waited for a few days only to discover that there would be no continuation to this matter at all. Rebirth had just suddenly popped out and about before vanishing soundlessly into thin air once more.

The media was unresigned, and those self-proclaimed ‘fans’ of Rebirth were even more unresigned. Through various channels, they incessantly continued asking about whether Rebirth would be officially entering showbiz.

Finally, as such questions continued on the small Rebirth webpage, a reply came to a simple, innocuous post:

“I’ll clarify. Stop asking. Rebirth’s other members apart from Apple will never enter showbiz.”

“Never? Why?!” An unresigned ‘fan’ asked.

“Haven’t the time.”

It really was because of ‘haven’t the time’. People remembered Apple’s earlier words: ‘He hasn’t the time’. Being a star and earning big money-there was actually someone claiming not to have the time for even the likes of that?

“Will you still be performing in public then? When will that be?”

“Will there still be new songs? Will there be underground albums?”

“...”

No further replies were forthcoming to the questions that followed. Still, Rebirth’s stance could not have been any more obvious.

…...

To Xu Tingsheng, aside from celebrating Little Xiang Ning’s birthday, there was actually also an unexpected gain from this.

They had performed on the pretext of gratitude towards their former school, pretending to have graduated from Xinyan Junior High in the past. This having been reported on by the media, it had greatly diverted the efforts of those who were searching for clues as to their identities.

As long as you’re a member of Rebirth, you’ve got to first fit the condition of having studied in Xinyan Junior High in the past. Following this track of thought, it was impossible for them to get their hands on Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng. However suspicious they were, they would also be automatically excluded from suspicion.

With this, it was not just the media and the ‘fans’ who were misled. Even those friends and classmates of Xu Tingsheng’s who had suspected him before now felt that perhaps he really only knew Rebirth.

An old classmate who had heard Xu Tingsheng singing <We Are All Good Kids> in senior high called, asking, “Xu Tingsheng, it looks like you really aren’t a member of Rebirth! Still, you definitely know Rebirth, right? Because of that, you listened to their song even before it’d been officially released.”

“Oh, I just happen to know them by chance.”

“That...how about it? Can you introduce them? Or give some hint?” His old classmate pressed.

“Sorry, they want this to remain a secret. I can’t help it, I can’t betray my friends,” Xu Tingsheng said troubledly.

Not being bothered by anything, one would feel weightless and relaxed.

Hucheng was still developing rapidly following its implementation in the nine cities. It had gained initial profits, the hiring of personnel for the training institute nearly being complete as well as it would officially begin recruiting students on a full scale when the summer holidays arrived.

Xu Tingsheng maintained that same living rhythm. Every day, he would go to class, leave class, go to Hucheng and sleep in his dorm. Then, he would also go to tutor Xiang Ning on Saturdays.

‘Uncle’ felt rather regretful that after his identity as a member of Rebirth had been learnt by Xiang Ning, there really seemed to be none of that awaited admiration and adoration at all.

To Xiang Ning, the incomparably mysterious Rebirth member whom she had originally liked and been full of curiosity about...had suddenly become ‘Uncle’ whom she was the most familiar with. Like this, only the identity of Uncle remained. Rebirth or whatnot-it was not worth a mention.

“If only I didn’t know about it. How boring. Uncle’s not like a celebrity at all. He’s more like a chef, because his cooking is delicious.”

Little Xiang Ning occasionally complained about how her expectations of idols had been broken. When mentioning Rebirth afterwards, there was only Apple whom she would ask about.

Xiang Ning liked Apple. Xu Tingsheng didn’t know whether he should tell her: Actually, you’ve seen her before. She’s the one you saw holding onto my arm on the street, and she can be considered your love rival as well. How can you possibly like her?

Still, Xu Tingsheng was worried that if he were to say this now, Little Xiang Ning might reply, “Hurry up and get together with Big Sis Apple then! Like this, I would be able to see her.”

As for the kiss from that day, Xiang Ning did not feel shy or embarrassed over it at all. Her explanation back then had been: I was kissing you for Big Xiang Ning. Uncle’s very pitiful.

Afterwards, even more outrageously, in order to emphasise that she really hadn’t had any other intentions, she had even kissed her pet Golden Retriever in front of Xu Tingsheng a few times when at home before saying, “That kiss was just the same as this.”

“So, you’re saying: Take it that this Miss kissed a dog?”

Uncle felt like he was going crazy, yet there was really nothing that he could do. He could only be stricter and more severe in his lessons. The end of the semester was nearly upon them, and people were never easily satisfied. Mr and Mrs Xiang had been feeling incomparably moved over Xiang Ning having ranked fifth in class in her midterms just recently. Now, they had already set their sights on third place as well as an overall ranking in the entire year.

Yet, Xiang Ning really wasn’t cut out for attaining exemplary results. The goal of Xu Tingsheng’s efforts was merely to help her get into a first-tier senior high school of Yanzhou. As for why she definitely had to get into a first-tier school...need it still be said?

……

Yanjing, Tianle Media Agency.

Apple left the boss’s office.

In the joint office region outside, everyone, including artistes, managers, assistants and clerical personnel, was looking at her. It was just that there were different emotions within their gazes. Some were worried for her while some didn’t even bother feigning goodwill, their minds just full of wanting to watch her fall and make a joke of herself.

Apple did not evade them, not uttering a sound. In the boss’s office just earlier, she had been like this for the entire half hour, not uttering a sound all.

The boss had called Apple in on the pretext of creating her album for her. Yet, as soon as he had opened his mouth, he had only mentioned one thing, having shamelessly urged Apple to ask Rebirth for the copyrights of their two new songs.

Apple suddenly felt that it was very laughable. The boss was very laughable, and she herself was even more laughable.

The words she had said to Xu Tingsheng that snowy night forever remained beside her: ‘I want to hold up an umbrella of my own, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with you.’ Song Ni had told her afterwards that choice Xu Tingsheng had made during the Xu Family’s predicament nearing the end of the previous year. That was eternally etched within her mind as well.

Therefore, this time, Apple would definitely maintain her final persistence. Her resistance, was silence.

Chapter 165: The little boy behind Apple

Tianle Media Agency was just a mid-scale company of the industry. Its boss, Jin Datang, was in his early fifties, retaining the long hair and beard that gave him the bearing of an artistic person somewhat. He could be considered a slick, efficient person of the industry. He usually showed his face and stirred things up more than did the artistes under his wing.

As for his reputation, it was the same as nearly everyone in this industry, being hard to arrive at a verdict on. Only his skill at ‘spending small money to do big things’ and ‘hoodwinking’ people were hailed by those in the industry as daos of their own. Still, in private, he was usually dubbed ‘Three-Faced Jin’.

The reason for calling him Three-Faced Jin was generally his high adaptability. He could display three completely different attitudes regarding the same person and the same matter at different times. He could switch from sincere and earnest to utterly shameless to ruthless and unfeeling.

When Apple had expressed that she was willing to enter showbiz previously, this Boss Jin had personally led his team to express his sincerity in a number of visits to her place. It was such an incomparably earnest love of talent which had ‘hoodwinked’ the inexperienced little Miss Apple under his wing, signing a five year contract in a single go.

What had happened afterwards seemed to have perfectly corroborated the evaluation of him that the industry had. Now, he had already revealed his second side to Apple without trying to hide it in the slightest-that utterly shameless side.

Watching Apple silently leave his office, just having been earnestly trying to appeal to her emotions by throwing out empty promises, a hint of ruthlessness flashed through Jin Datang’s slightly narrowed eyes.

After Apple and her chubby female assistant had left the building, Jin Datang called in the agent the agency had placed in charge of Apple as well as a few of his most trusted subordinates for a meeting.

“How many commercial performances does she still have left now?” Jin Datang asked the agent.

“Seventeen. They’re scheduled for the rest of this month as well as the next. Also, there’re still a few television and radio stations whose programmes we’re preparing to put her on. I’m currently in negotiations on this,” The agent who was wearing a leopard print shirt replied.

“Stop everything regarding the programmes. Then, after those commercial performances we’ve agreed to are over, stop accepting any new ones for the time being,” Jin Datang made a slashing downward motion with his hand before continuing, “Crush her a little. Young girls who get too popular too quickly won’t know what’s good for them if they aren’t crushed a little.”

When Apple had previously refused to stir up the rumours, clearing the air on her own accord, she had already caused Jin Datang to feel vexed. Still, considering her profitability, he had not been too calculating about that.

This time, everyone was rather taken aback by Jin Datang’s very determined attitude.

“But, Boss, she’s actually still able to earn the company lots now. Especially riding on this recent wave of popularity, where invitations have virtually been coming in non-stop for her...because of that, don’t you think you should consider again, or ease things first?” The agent hesitated for a while before tentatively giving his opinion.

“I’m clearer on this than you are. It’s precisely because of this that I’m going to exert pressure on her immediately. She could actually be even more popular, even more valuable, even without us having to spend too much on promoting her.”

At this point, Jin Datang’s gaze swept somewhat triumphantly across the room before he said, “Wanting us Tianle to promote her, with what she has, perhaps we could indeed succeed. Still, however much money and effort we put in, it still might not be equivalent to half of if we crush her a little now. Do you guys understand?”

“She just needs that little boy of Rebirth behind her, not requiring too much from us. This is precisely why I regarded her so highly at the start. So long as Apple signed the contract, the profits that would come would then be limitless with minimal investment.”

Everyone here was certainly clear on what Jin Datang meant. The current Apple had actually already reached that state of limitless profits with minimal investment that he spoke of. It could virtually be said that she was just earning money for the agency based on her relationship with Rebirth. Meanwhile, the agency had spent extremely little on her, basically having consisted just of the production fees for a few songs as well as opening the way for her with their connections.

Now, Jin Datang felt that temporarily exerting some pressure on Apple and crushing her a little, whilst leading to some short term loss in profits, would only mean greater profit in the long term.

“It won’t be long. Just see for yourselves,” A highly confident Jin Datang said.

“Boss, you...you’re so certain? How is that so? I’m afraid, what if....”

After all, their decision would stifle a free income source of the agency. Also, Apple was currently surging in popularity due to Rebirth. If this damaged their foundations, if Apple stubbornly refused to cooperate, if that little boy Jin Datang spoke of changed his mind…

Having considered all these, the agency’s rather more experienced VP voiced his doubts.

Squinting, Jin Datang was not angered as he instead triumphantly asked, “Have you all watched the recording of Rebirth’s life performance?”

Everyone said that they had.

One who believed that he understood Jin Datang’s meaning said, “I saw someone saying on the internet that the final two sentences by Rebirth’s lead singer were likely meant for Apple, who is the female lead of that story.”

“So, I understand what Boss means. Since he likes Apple so much, if Apple’s development isn’t smooth, he’ll definitely help her without question. At that time, let alone two songs, even getting them to produce a whole, complete album would probably also be possible. ”

It was Fu Cheng whom he was speaking of.

“It’s not Apple. It’s not Apple that kid likes. This is very easy to tell. The one whose words really count in that band actually isn’t that main singer,” Jin Datang denied before saying definitively, “Still, the second part of what you said is basically right. Are you people really unable to tell?”

Jin Datang’s inscrutable words left everyone present shaking their heads.

As if his exceptional intelligence had once again been proven, Jin Datang laughed a few times before saying, “It’s the one behind him, the one who stayed behind on stage to sing the birthday song. Couldn’t you tell? When he was together with the other four, he had the feeling of an adult leading along four kids. So, he is Rebirth’s real mainstay, his words holding all the weight there.”

“Also, Apple’s birthday is just around the corner, right?”

“Yes, at the end of June,” The agent replied.

“I can’t be sure whether this little boy likes Apple. Still, I can say for sure that he is the one truly standing behind Apple, the one in Rebirth who is closest to her, her foundation in the band,” Jin Datang said.

“It seems like it’s Apple who likes him. She mentioned it in that statement of hers, and I also privately came to understand it before,” The agent continued supporting Jin Datang’s words.

“That’s possible. Anyway, one thing’s for sure, which is that that little boy dotes on Apple a lot,” Jin Datang smiled, “Back then, for Apple, he could give all Rebirth’s five songs in a single go without asking for any money at all. Now, he definitely won’t hesitate just for the copyrights of these two songs. In the future, there’s also no way he’ll be petty on how many songs he takes out, how much support he gives. Understand?”

“Little artistic youths like these with a little bit of talent who like acting high and above-it-all-I’ve seen far too many of them. While they appear had to deal with, in truth, so long as you capture their weak points, you’ll be able to manipulate them however you want. Apple is that little boy’s weak point,” Jin Datang finally explained.

“So, all we’ve got to do is grasp Apple and convince her,” The agent substantiated.

“If we can’t convince her, we can just crush her. Crushing Apple is actually basically for that little boy of Rebirth to see. When he himself feels crushed and can’t take it any longer, that’s when we’d be able to manipulate him however we want,” The VP excitedly continued.

“That’s how it is! So, that’s what we’re doing,” Jin Datang ended the discussion here.

Uncle Xu currently still didn’t know that he was being viewed as a ‘little artistic youth with a little bit of talent who likes acting high and above-it-all’, one who could be easily be manipulated as others liked. He also didn’t know that those people were preparing to use Apple to make him docile.

Manipulating him just like that? Uncle wasn’t made of rubber.

Chapter 166: The choice of an educator

On the 9th of June 2004, Hucheng Education Training Institute began recruiting students on a full scale. On the same day, Hucheng began charging fees for its platform in all the cities that it operated in, its intermediary fee being set at around one third of the standard market price.

A deluge of angry words instantly filled the internet, criticising Hucheng for being profiteering and having no conscience to speak of. Someone even expressed: Without our support back them, how would your platform have come to where it is today? Ungrateful scum.

Xu Tingsheng was viciously bombarded by admonishments as well.

This phenomenon was like Xu Tingsheng had told Lu Zhixin previously. As soon as people were used to something, they always thought of their taking advantage in that area as something that they were entitled to. At the same time, they imagined themselves to be messiahs, as if this fury of theirs would cause Hucheng to collapse.

They had never been as outraged as this even when they had been footing thrice this amount at home tutor intermediary organisations in the past.

“So, keep calm. Despite the scolding, they actually still love us,” Xu Tingsheng said that this was analogous to love relationships as he joked, “Even if they don’t love us anymore, their minds will still be thinking of us. At most, they’ll take a spin for a while outside and look at other ‘men’, next still returning in the end.”

Amidst all the admonishments, close to midnight, a full twenty-four hours after the platform had begun charging fees, joyful cheers and applause suddenly erupted from those who remained in Hucheng’s office at the riverside residence.

Hucheng’s income that day, originating from the intermediary fees, the supplementary teaching materials, the notes of graduates and the intermediary sale of secondhand books was nearly double of their set target, successfully breaking through the grand hundred thousand mark.

At the same time, Hucheng Education Training Institute having just began recruiting students on a full scale, it had successfully recruited close to half of the total student population that it would be able to sustain. Amongst them, Taekwondo and the other non-culture lessons had proven to be exceptionally popular. They were currently redoubling their efforts in hiring yet more coaches to expand the scale of the current classes.

After that, accompanied by the coming of the leisurely summer holidays in which the graduates from senior high would have nothing to do at all, accompanied by the continued holidays of the various junior high schools, there would be great room for improvement for these two figures.

Like this, subtracting the expenses, Xu Tingsheng would likely need only a few months or half a year to attain the status of the legendary multimillionaire.

Of course, he might still lack money, because this was still much too far from what he had in mind. Hucheng still had an expansion plan that would leave it bigger, more practical, more in need of money. For example, its services currently extended to only ten cities. Also, it had only established a training institute in just one of the cities it was in.

Similarly, it would impossible for Hucheng to distribute its profits in the form of shares within a short amount of time.

Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Song Ni who had come to accompany Xu Tingsheng in witnessing this finally understood why he had previously said that Hucheng could amount to hundreds of millions of yuan in the future. And back then, he had nearly decided to sell Hucheng at the price of just around a million yuan.

Facing away from Xu Tingsheng, Song Ni sent this information to Apple via text messaging. She waited for a while, but Apple did not reply. “Maybe she’s already asleep. When she' wakes up and sees it, she’ll definitely be happy for Xu Tingsheng,” Song Ni thought.

Apple was indeed feeling happy for Xu Tingsheng. Still, she felt more of a sudden panic from being unable to stand level with him, her heart aching as she also felt helpless. Thus, she hid beneath the blankets of her hotel room, both crying and laughing at the same time as she held onto her handphone, not knowing at all how she should reply.

The intentions and schemes of her agency this time could already not be any more obvious. Then, extend a hand towards Xu Tingsheng and cause trouble for him? Always relying on his protection to walk on? This completely went against Apple’s intentions in having chosen this path in the first place.

Therefore, this time, she intended to grit her teeth and continue down this path on her own.

Old Wai and Li Linlin unconsciously clasped each other’s hands tightly as they gazed at the numbers on the screen. Thinking about the ten percent of the shares that they owned, they felt joyful and moved whilst also overwhelmed and uncomfortable.

Fang Chen, Fang Yuqing and Yuqing were also present, Fang Chen saying triumphantly to her brother, “See? Aren’t my eyes discerning? Haha, Yuqing, your Sis’s gonna be rich. You’d best suck up to me when you still have the chance.”

Fang Yuqing rolled his eyes, “I don’t know who it was that was so shameless, swindling her own brother, also swindling her own brother’s bro.”

“Hey,” Fang Chen patted Fang Yuqing’s shoulder, “Don’t be petty. I already told Xu Tingsheng long ago. Of my fifteen percent of the shares, ten percent will be transferred under your name very soon.”

Fang Yuqing was suddenly rendered dazed as he looked at his elder sister, the old demoness Fang Chen who usually swindled people to death without recompense.

“Don’t look at me like that, you brat. However swindling I am, I’m still your sister,” Fang Chen said exasperatedly.

Fang Yuqing said, “Sis, I don’t want it. It’s of no use to me.”

“Oh, knowing how to call your Sis when you’ve seen money? It’s not old demoness anymore? Forget it, don’t be like this with me. Do you think I’m really giving it to you? I’m giving it to you because you’re from our Fang Family. I’m different. I’m a girl, and will have to marry away sooner or late. If I don’t give it to you, could it be that it’d just be freely taken by whichever family’s second gen asshole in the future?”

At the end of it, a rare feeling of resentment could be heard within Fang Chen’s voice, just that it disappeared again in a flash.

Being from the Fang Family, Fang Yuqing naturally understood what Fang Chen’s meant. While she seemed strong, she actually likely lacked even the most important freedom.

“Sis, I’ll think of a way,” Fang Yuqing said.

“Think the heck? You have a way that I don’t?” Fang Chen directly rebutted him.

“I know. Huh, it would be great if you were male.”

“If I were male, maybe we would be like how Dad and our uncles are, fighting back and forth, almost unable to even be brothers.”

“We wouldn’t. Sis, you also understand me. If you were male, I would really be able to go be an asshole in peace. How great would that be.”

Fang Chen stroked Fang Yuqing’s head just like when the two of them had still been little, smiling, “Actually, it’s not like there’s no way. Your Sis is considering whether she should take down Xu Tingsheng. If I could take him down, everything then would be settled with that.”

“Could he get our family to agree?” Fang Yuqing asked.

“It still isn’t okay now. Still, a few years later, he could get our family to beg me to agree,” Fang Chen replied with the utmost certainty.

“Say, Sis, you can’t be serious? Tingsheng’s my bro, can you not mess with him? Aren’t you…”

Fang Yuqing wanted to say how Fang Chen swung, but stopped.

Fang Chen directly admitted, “That’s right, I’m that. So, do you think I’d really be attracted by that Xu Tingsheng? It’s really his Apple this old woman wants to get, get it?”

“Still, I can use this guy to cover things up for me. Like this, our family, biological needs, the problem of my true love as well as birthing kids will be taken care of all at once. Great! Get it?”

Fang Yuqing swiped away Fang Chen’s hand that was on his head, leading Yuqing in escaping as that slight feel of siblinghood that had arisen within him earlier instantly vanished completely.

A demoness, was forever a demoness!

Fang Chen pursued him, saying, “Hey, I haven’t finished! Yuqing, remember to properly be bros with Xu Tingsheng, helping him out whenever you can and should. If you can’t, tell me about it. Then, remember to learn from me and take advantage of him when you can. Don’t ever be soft!”

“We are already bros. This has nothing to with benefits,” Fang Yuqing said in ill humour.

Meanwhile, still not knowing that he was being plotted against, Xu Tingsheng climbed atop a stool and declared, “It’s been tough on everyone. The bonus will be distributed along with this month’s wages. Then, for those who still don’t feel tired, let’s all go celebrate together. I already booked a hotel before this.”

Applause resounded throughout the entire room. No one would feel tired at a time like this. They all swaggered domineeringly to the hotel together.

Many people ended up getting drunk at the celebratory banquet, but Xu Tingsheng was not one of them. It was even less likely that Lu Zhixin would get drunk. As the two of them walked back to the riverside residence together, Lu Zhixin said to Xu Tingsheng, “Congratulations.”

“It’s been tough on you. Oh, no, I should be congratulating you too. You’re the joint second greatest shareholder, after all,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Thank you. Thinking about Hucheng’s future, this ten percent should be enough to last me extravagantly for my entire lifetime,” Lu Zhixin smiled, “Those fourteen cups of wine were really worth it. Xu Tingsheng, if every girl understood your weak point, knowing that they would be able to get so much just by making you feel that you owe them, whatever would you do?”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it, “How is it as easy as you say? Not every girl can do that. Also, I’m not always as soft as that. I only ever let myself grow soft when I’m willing to let it happen. That’s actually not my weakness. As for my true weakness, I can’t tell you about it.”

Lu Zhixin pondered on it, not following up on the matter as she instead questioned regarding another matter, “Actually, there’s still something else that I don’t understand. Previously, you were always saying that the time isn’t right, thus not willing to start charging fees. But now, I can’t see how the time is any more right. Have the things you were saying would happen still happened all the same?”

“Otherwise, how would I have been able to display the depth of my unfathomable inscrutability?” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Be honest.”

“To be honest, I’ve already given up on that plan. Also, I can’t explain to you the reason for this.”

The plan that Xu Tingsheng had given up on was related to the university entrance examinations. The timing that he had been waiting for was also the arrival of the university entrance examinations. There was much that he could do regarding this matter, yet he had always been feeling conflicted over this.

The plan was actually very simple. Xu Tingsheng just needed to whip up a few ‘top secret’ mock exam papers and send them to the accounts of the parents of the senior high students who had found their home tutors through their platform before. Just like the papers he had once prepared for Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng, there would be one question in ten or even twenty that would focus on something that would really appear in the upcoming university entrance examinations. Like this, after the examinations were over, Hucheng would be able to sweep through the entire market for home tutoring and supplementary teaching materials, establishing an incomparably solid position as a hegemon of the industry.

Under such circumstances, it would be no problem at all even if Hucheng charged ten, even twenty times more than what they currently did. With that, Xu Tingsheng might really have wealth that rivalled a country’s someday.

Also, this actually wouldn’t be as dangerous as might be imagined. Such supplementary teaching materials were promoted almost every year. Even if he hit upon more than ninety percent of the examinations’ examinable points, no one would find it to be a stretch at all. Indeed, what was examinable were actually really just those same few things every year.

Also, what Xu Tingsheng wanted to do was ‘touch only upon the relevant points of knowledge without encroaching on the style of the question and the logic behind it’. Additionally, he would be hiding one within ten or even lesser, touching upon merely sixty to seventy percent of it all.

Like this, under the precondition that there would be no trouble, Hucheng would still be able to borrow its speciality of being able to hit upon the questions with a high efficiency to shock and win everyone over.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng had still decided to give up on this plan in the end.

This did not stem from a commercial point of view. Instead, it was the choice of an educator, by he who had once been a teacher.

Xu Tingsheng knew that as soon as he did that, it would result in immense unfairness. Many hardworking children would thus lose the opportunities and futures that should really belong to them. Also, many of these children who would have their opportunities stolen away from them would be those who lacked the money to hire home tutors due to their familial situations, those who strived to change their fates through their own painstaking diligence.

Xu Tingsheng had once been a teacher. He had once been such a child. He had also taught such children before…

Thus, his morals and his conscience made it such that even if it meant giving up some hundreds of millions or even billions, he would still not change his mind.

The university entrance examinations that many people only ever spoke negatively of-it actually might just be the final fairness amidst this society. It was the sole opportunity for those children with deficient backgrounds, that sole opportunity which was incomparably hard to come by.

Chapter 167: Tycoon of the entertainment industry

Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin sat in the riverside residence for a while, talking about Hucheng and talking about themselves, new topics constantly arising. During this period of time, Xu Tingsheng felt like lighting up a cigarette a few times. Still, looking at Lu Zhixin before him, he resisted the urge to, as if he was currently in someone else’s house.

He had indeed already not been staying here for quite a long time. Instead, this place was coming to seem more and more like Lu Zhixin’s home.

Also, there was something Xu Tingsheng had always been considering: If he still had no choice but to come here in the future, he would definitely have to find a time to replace all those warm yellow light bulbs that illuminated the room.

These lights were too warm and too enchanting as a feeling of insobriety would descend out of nowhere. If it were a couple interacting in such an environment, in each other’s embrace as they whispered sweet nothings on and on, it would indeed be nice. Yet, that wasn’t how things were.

The month of June in the south, a lone male and a lone female.

After bathing, Lu Zhixin changed into some light pyjamas. Her hair partially wet, she casually flipped it over her shoulder...carrying a bottle of red wine and two wineglasses as she walked over towards Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng’s eyes were closed as he appeared to be reciting something.

“What’re you saying?” A curious Lu Zhixin asked.

“The form is nonexistence, and nonexistence is the form. Red powder adorns skeletons, white bones beneath skin and flesh. All arts exist in nonexistence, all is naught but empty delusions,” Xu Tingsheng magnified his voice somewhat, clearly enunciating the words of the sutra.

Lu Zhixin snorted before intentionally asking in a cloying tone, “Master, why don’t you dare open your eyes? Is it that you’re unable to save yourself and can only pray to Lord Buddha for help?”

Such a Lu Zhixin was actually very rarely seen. Perhaps there was only Xu Tingsheng who had seen her like this before.

Hucheng’s employees had a comparative evaluation of Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin. Generally, it went like this: If you work in Hucheng and you’ve made a mistake, it would be better for you to receive a scolding from Xu Tingsheng than be called over by Lu Zhixin to talk with her...such an atmosphere would be completely worlds apart.

Everyone felt speechless at how a beautiful woman like Lu Zhixin who was in the spring of her youth just seemed never to take herself as a woman when in front of them. She always seemed even more concerned about Hucheng’s discipline and development than Xu Tingsheng was.

As Xu Tingsheng was hesitating on whether it would be impolite for him to try to escape to a motel for the night, the door was pushed open, a bunch of drunkards stumbling into the room before randomly lying down on whatever empty space there was available.

A moment later, the sofa and the floor were strewn with bare-bodied males.

Lu Zhixin fled in a panic.

Xu Tingsheng commented from behind her, “See, Lord Buddha’s sent people to save me.”

After changing her clothes, Lu Zhixin left her room and locked the door before saying, “Xu Tingsheng, help send me back home.”

Standing by the doorway, Fang Chen and Yuqing waved, “Us too.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at the floor where a drunken Fang Yuqing was all entangled together with Huang Yaming and Tan Yao in an unsightly manner. He could only nod, retrieving the car keys from his pocket and leading the three girls out of the house.

At around 3am in the morning, Xu Tingsheng sent the three girls back according to the distance to their homes. He sent Yuqing home first. Next came Lu Zhixin. Finally, there was only Fang Chen left in the car. Revving the engine, Xu Tingsheng turned and looked back at that row of luxurious villas that Lu Zhixin was walking towards.

“Who would have thought, right?” Fang Chen asked.

“It’s unexpected, yes,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“The three largest home appliances stores in Yanzhou are all run by her family. There’s also a number of other things, but I’m not too clear on them. Also, of the 1.2 million yuan I gave you last year, 200000 of it was taken out by her as a private loan. She asked me not to tell you about it,” Fang Chen said, “Right, Zhixin’s also an only child.”

“Hey, Xu Tingsheng, why aren’t you saying anything?” Seeing that Xu Tingsheng wasn’t speaking even after some time had passed, Fang Chen asked.

“Didn’t she ask you not to tell me about it? I’ll return the money to you after a while, and you can return it to her. Just take it that I don’t know about it. It’s pretty good like this,” Xu Tingsheng said before opening the windows wide and stepping down harder on the accelerator.

Leaning back on her seat, Fang Chen smiled, only asking after a long time, “How’s Apple been recently?”

“Haven’t you been in touch?” Xu Tingsheng asked back.

“She’ll definitely tell me that everything’s great.”

“That’s also what she always tells me.”

“Sigh, Xu Tingsheng, how many woman debts do you have to accrue in your lifetime?” Fang Chen asked, “I’ve reached, stop the car, hurry up and stop the car. This old woman’s decided that I definitely can’t stay too long together with a women black hole like you, even if I must die.”

The ‘black hole’ stopped the car by the roadside, finally able to light up a cigarette.

Earlier, Lu Zhixin had asked, “Xu Tingsheng, if every girl understood your weak point, knowing that they would be able to get so much just by making you feel that you owe them, whatever would you do?”

She should have been wrong. There weren’t that many people who could do that. They might not even be able to touch Xu Tingsheng’s heart as all.

Still, it also did seem logical. For example, Lu Zhixin had indeed caused Xu Tingsheng’s heart to soften like she had said somewhat. Yet, from the way things seemed now, this exchange should had been a completely unnecessary one for her.

Apple called Xu Tingsheng at more than 3am in the morning, “I’ve just finished talking to Song Ni. I thought that you probably haven’t slept yet. Congratulations! It’s great that you didn’t sell it back then.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Thank you. It’s so late, but you still haven’t slept yet. You aren’t performing tomorrow?”

Apple said, “I am. Still, it’s fine. I’m used to it.”

“Where will you be performing?”

“A city in Yunnan. After that, I’ll be going someplace in Guangxi. Yet after that, I don’t know where it’ll be yet. My agent will tell me.”

“Send me a message wherever you’ve gone to next time.”

“Yeah, okay.”

……

For the next few days, Lu Zhixin was forced home to sleep every night, because the Euro Cup had begun.

Xu Tingsheng’s roommates, classmates and football mates occupied the second floor of the riverside residence. The floor of the warm, happy home Lu Zhixin had originally created was strewn with empty bottles of wine and cigarette butts every day.

This bunch of people argued about their favourite teams non-stop every day. Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng remained staid as a bedrock, watching on as a bystander. He had already known from the start that this summer, a Greece legend would be unfolding in this Euro Cup.

Meanwhile, Rui Costa and Luis Figo of Portugal’s golden age would be tasting defeat in the finals on their home soil.

When someone from the ringtone company called Fu Cheng, he just happened to be together with Xu Tingsheng.

“We really aren’t intending to do ringtones for these two songs, sorry...is there anything else? Oh...I understand. Hold on,” Fu Cheng spoke on his handphone for a while before handing it over to Xu Tingsheng, saying, “There’s someone who wants to buy the two songs’ copyrights.”

“Tell them that we’re not selling,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“The boss of the ringtone company said that if it was just anyone who was looking for us there, he would already have rejected it on our behalf long ago. Still, this person is somewhat special. He feels it best if we communicate on this a little.”

Xu Tingsheng received the phone, asking, “Hello. Who’s this person that you’re talking about?”

“Tianyi Media’s Shi Zhengjun.”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it for a moment before saying, “Help me to arrange a meeting with him.”

“This might be a little hard. You might not be clear on how much weight Tianyi and Shi Zhengjun hold in this industry, but usually, something like buying songs still isn’t something that he would personally come out for.”

“I know. Still, I’ll only talk to him in person. Help me to convey the message, and give them our contact number as well.”

Xu Tingsheng hung up, the boss of the ringtone company smiling wryly on the the other end, “What the hell? How is it that the world is just full of these youngsters these days who don’t known the height of the heavens and the boundlessness of the earth?”

Xu Tingsheng was certainly aware of the significance of Tianyi Media’s Shi Zhengjun. However unconcerned he had been about the entertainment industry in his previous life, it would also be impossible for him to have overlooked this future tycoon who would have established an empire which he would be single-handedly controlling in a few years’ time.

In those years, due to the vastness of the local market, the local entertainment industry would have completely surpassed that of Hong Kong and Taiwan.

It was precisely because of this that Xu Tingsheng was willing to negotiate. Also, the reason for him being adamant on talking in person was that what he wanted to talk about was far from just the copyrights of those two songs.

Not long after, Fu Cheng’s handphone received a call from an unknown number.

“Hello, I am Shi Zhengjun.”

“Hello, I am Xu Tingsheng.”

“Xu Tingsheng?”

“Yes.”

“Rebirth...and, Xu Tingsheng?”

“Yes.”

“The same Xu Tingsheng who discovered the Anyang Mausoleum? The same Xu Tingsheng of Hucheng Education?”

“Yes.”

“Arrange a time then. I’ll make a trip over to Yanzhou.”

“I’m fine anytime.”

“I’ll come as soon as possible then. Give me your handphone number before that.”

In Shi Zhengjun’s office, his secretary who was dressed in a professional suit had just heard him scolding, ‘These youngsters who don’t know the height of the heavens and the boundlessness of the earth are the most troublesome’ before finally calming down enough to dial that number.

“Meet in person? Don’t even think about it. Calling you in person is already giving you enough face,” Such was what the secretary had thought.

Then, she had heard the process of the entire conversation, seeing the astonishment on her boss’s face and his sudden change in attitude. Not only had he agreed to meeting face-to-face, he even seemed like he intended to go over to meet the other party where he was located.

“Boss, I heard all of it. Even if the other party...is that Xu Tingsheng, it still doesn’t warrant you treating him like this, right? Also, his line actually isn’t related to ours at all,” The secretary asked quizzically.

“As long as it’s business, all of it is related. Do you know how many people there are now who want to invest in Hucheng Education?”

“I heard a little about it.”

“Right, but that’s actually still not the main point.”

“Then?”

“The main point is that he’s just twenty, having built up his own business from scratch. Don’t you think that such a person is worth meeting?”

“I understand now.”

“Help me to arrange my schedule. Try to get this meeting arranged for as soon as possible.”

“Okay.”

Chapter 168: My artistic youth bro

Two days later, the entertainment tycoon Shi Zhengjun of Tianyi Media soundlessly made a trip to Yanzhou City which had originally had no sense of presence at all in the local entertainment industry.

Of course, due to the popularity surrounding Rebirth during this period of time, Yanzhou had already become a city that was often mentioned as well as received quite a bit of attention.

Thus, Shi Zhengjun kept a very low profile on this trip of his, only bringing three people along with him. Xu Tingsheng brought even fewer people along. Only he and Huang Yaming went.

They discussed for an entire afternoon, also eating dinner together as the few matters they were discussing had all been more or less decided upon.

When Xu Tingsheng returned to the riverside residence after dinner, Fu Cheng was waiting for him in the living room on the second floor. Upon their return, he immediately sprung up from the sofa.

From this, it could be seen that Fu Cheng was exceptionally concerned about this matter. Also, he actually had his own opinions and thoughts on it. Not having participated in the talks, he desperately wanted to know what agreements had been reached.

This was actually precisely why Xu Tingsheng had not brought him along this time.

“I’ve kept <The Brightest Star In The Night Sky> for you. Tianyi’s taking away <You Are My Flower> and a new song that I’ve yet to release,” Xu Tingsheng told Fu Cheng.

Because that performance back then might never again be reproducible, because of those two sentences that Fu Cheng had said at the end, <The Brightest Star In The Night Sky> already held a different significance for Fu Cheng.

Actually, this song held special significance for Xu Tingsheng as well. The song similarly contained Xu Tingsheng’s own story and his feelings regarding those people he had once walked together with, those people he had missed, and also that still insensible, ignorant little girl who could give him guidance in his life’s journey, the brightest star in his night sky that could always keep him from losing his way.

These two were different. Only Fu Cheng’s story and feelings could be narrated, whereas Xu Tingsheng’s...couldn’t.

Thus, in his negotiations with Tianyi, Xu Tingsheng had been adamant on keeping this song.

“You still have a new song?” Fu Cheng asked, feeling rather surprised.

“After that one’s been released, there won’t be any more for the time being. Maybe there won’t be any more forever,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“So, how much did you sell it for?” Fu Cheng’s tone had actually changed somewhat, going from its initial despondence to an eventual forced smile, “What I mean is-since there might not be any more next time, you should really try to get more for it.”

“Not even a single cent,” Huang Yaming replied, seemingly not having discovered the abnormalities in Fu Cheng at all.

“What’s that mean?” Fu Cheng turned towards Xu Tingsheng, asking bemusedly.

“With the two songs on the side, Hucheng and Tianyi will have a one-time exchange of some shares on a small scale,” Whilst actually having noticed the abnormalities in Fu Cheng, Xu Tingsheng ignored it for the moment as he calmly answered.

“So, you’re preparing to go into entertainment?” Fu Cheng asked.

“More precisely, it’s Huang Yaming who’s going to start doing entertainment. Over the summer holidays, he’ll be going over to learn from Tianyi’s CEO Shi for a while as our representative. Then, it’ll be up to him what he wants to do. I’ve left this completely for him to decide,” Xu Tingsheng pointed towards Huang Yaming who was sitting on the sofa beside him, currently in the midst of examining a box of cigars that Shi Zhengjun had given to him.

“The road to a tycoon begins here,” Huang Yaming put a cigar in his mouth, leaning his arms to the sides back against the sofa as he propped up a leg, putting on a look of presiding arrogantly over all under the heavens.

Ever since having met Shi Zhengjun today, a brand new door seemed to have suddenly opened within Huang Yaming’s world as he had spent the entire day in an excited state that bordered on zeal.

The three lit up cigars together, sitting there and chatting. Apart from Xu Tingsheng who had smoked these twice before when setting up businesses in his previous life, this was the first time Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were smoking cigars.

They all tried their hardest to display great enjoyment in doing so.

“How was it?” Raising his head, Huang Yaming tried his best to feign composedness as he asked after having finished the cigar.

Xu Tingsheng looked at his face, all those tear stains running down it as if he had just been figuratively trampled upon by someone.

“I’m still okay, just...a little dizzy,” Fu Cheng put a hand on his forehead, saying slowly.

Having already learnt his lesson in his previous life, not having sucked in deeply from it at all, Xu Tingsheng looked at the two of them before chuckling, “I forget to warn you, but this thing’s not smoked the same way as cigarettes. I heard that it’s for savouring, just that I don’t really know how, exactly. Big Tycoon Huang, hurry and look it up on the internet. Then, go and practice it on your own. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be good if you cried all the way through the summer holidays.”

“That’s true,” Wiping away the tears and snot from his face, Huang Yaming stood up and entered Xu Tingsheng’s room.

Making use of when Huang Yaming was temporarily away, Fu Cheng hesitated for a moment before asking Xu Tingsheng, “Tingsheng, have you ever thought about it? If you do this, will Apple be able to understand? Is it possible that you might hurt her?”

Xu Tingsheng understood what Fu Cheng meant. Apple had entered showbiz as a member of Rebirth. Yet, Rebirth's new song had now been given to someone else. It might even end up being used by a newcomer to compete with Apple on the music charts.

Facing such a situation, be it the reaction of the fans or Apple's own feelings, there was indeed some cause for concern.

“How about you...or me give her a call and explain things to her first?” Fu Cheng continued.

“I don't think that Apple will feel that way. She might instead feel less burdened by things,” Xu Tingsheng said, “So, let's just have it like this. We'll let this matter pass naturally. Next, regarding the exchange of shares between Hucheng and Tianyi, I hope that this is kept between the three of us...especially Song Ni, you shouldn't tell her about this.”

Fu Cheng looked at Xu Tingsheng, speaking calmly with a composed expression on his face. He hesitated slightly, not continuing to speak in the end.

Fu Cheng had actually not felt so supportive of Xu Tingsheng walking down the path of commerce all along, despite the fact he had easily broken through all obstacles before him thus far, rendering everyone wide-eyed and lost for words.

Fu Cheng’s past impression of Xu Tingsheng still weighed down heavily on his mind. He merely seemed always to have possessed a bit of artistic talent, also having a love of freedom as he was comparatively lackadaisical…

“Is such a person truly suited to be a businessman? Even if he is, even if he is very successful in the end, will he still be that Xu Tingsheng? Will he really be happier because of this?”

This was the uncertainty that had been plaguing Fu Cheng for almost the entire past year.

Other than that, Fu Cheng was also rather opposed to this latest decision of Xu Tingsheng’s.

“Is money really that pressing to the current Xu Tingsheng? With Hucheng’s current situation, it can completely be said as cash rolling in every day. Is he still not satisfied? Also, is he still the same Xu Tingsheng who was willing to sell Hucheng in order to support Apple just last year?”

However, Xu Tingsheng seemed very calm, appearing very natural. Meanwhile, Huang Yaming was very happy and very excited. These two people were his best bros. Also, in actual fact, they indeed hadn’t done anything wrong.

Thus, Fu Cheng hesitated to bring up this issue, not revealing what he was actually thinking.

Fu Cheng said that he wanted to go back to his dorm, and Xu Tingsheng didn’t stop him. He knew that just a while later, this place would be overwhelmed by a madhouse of football fans.

Whilst accompanying Fu Cheng in walking downstairs, Xu Tingsheng smiled, “If I said that there were originally two artistic youths amongst us three in the past, Fu Cheng, there’s only you who can continue being one now. Treasure it well, my artistic youth bro.”

Fu Cheng was taken aback, “Is this Xu Tingsheng admitting that he’s already changed?”

Xu Tingsheng had indeed changed. There were too many things in this life that he wanted to change. Therefore, he could only first change himself. Regarding this change, Xu Tingsheng only hoped that he would not end up acting against the quintessential core of his being one day.

He had never forgotten the words Ye Yingjing had said on the first day of the Lunar New Year:

“I think that that would not be rebirth, because in truth, everything having changed, that person would no longer be you or I, but someone totally and completely different. That person would only have the same name and appearance as you or I, yet already not being the same, authentic person.”

“That person could be a total stranger to us, perhaps even someone whom we would all feel fearful of just thinking about.”

Chapter 169: A great uproar

Fu Cheng was taken aback: Was Xu Tingsheng admitting to him that he had already changed?

Xu Tingsheng clapped his shoulder, continuing:

“If there’s anything you want to voice out in the future, however dissatisfied you are with me, just say it to me. Still, I hope that you won’t think anything of Huang Yaming because of this. From a certain perspective, he might indeed be the most profit-oriented of us three. He might not even seem like a very good person in some matters…”

“Of course, you might feel that I am the one with the more serious problem.”

“Speaking of Huang Yaming, I hope that you understand that good people may not definitely be your good bros. However, Huang Yaming will forever be our bro. He also treats us as his best bros. This will not change no matter what.”

“Also, as we grow, all of us will be faced with choices of our own. We all have our own methods of struggling and surviving within this society and those paths that we’re most suited to walk on. No one else has the right to interfere in this.”

“The sole thing I can tell you very definitively is that if one day, the both of us are in a pathetic, downtrodden state, he would then be the sole person who would go all out in trying to help us.”

The pathetic, downtrodden state of him and Fu Cheng that Xu Tingsheng had just mentioned had actually been experienced personally by him nearing the end of his previous life. It was wholly and unquestionably true.

While the Huang Yaming of that time had been painstakingly navigating modern society, trying to climb upwards with all his might in order to live a little better, on the other hand, he had also been going all out for his two incomparably pitiful bros amidst all their sufferings.

Had he been wrong in doing so?

Now, Xu Tingsheng had changed his life’s trajectory. Correspondingly, this had prematurely exposed some problems that should only have surfaced amongst the trio some years later.

This did not mean much to Xu Tingsheng himself. However, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng would inevitably have to face it at a less mature age, with a still underdeveloped mentality.

This was why Xu Tingsheng was saying all this to Fu Cheng.

As for Huang Yaming, Xu Tingsheng would be watching him even more carefully from the back.

“It’s like what you say is always right. I’ll think about it when I get back.”

Fu Cheng left. Xu Tingsheng stood there for a while before returning to the living room on the second floor. Huang Yaming was just exiting his room, a new cigar in his mouth. He smoked it with poise, already seeming like a professional.

“Hey, where’s Fu Cheng?” Looking all around yet not seeing Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming asked Xu Tingsheng.

“He’s returned to his dorm,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Heck, what’s this? I was just going to teach him how to smoke a cigar. Also, I wanted to ask him if he wants to go to Tianyi with me during the summer holidays. Anyway, he also doesn’t have anything else to do now. He might as well just come into entertainment along with me. He likes playing music, so he should be a little more professional than me,” Huang Yaming was still in an excited mood.

“Navigating the entertainment industry and playing music are two different things altogether. One is business, while the other is art...he wouldn’t be suited for this,” Xu Tingsheng explained.

Huang Yaming seemed to catch something from his words as the excitement faded from his face before he asked Xu Tingsheng somewhat troubledly, “Fu Cheng wouldn’t be thinking something about us, right? I feel like he might not agree with what we’ve done here.”

“It’s fine. We shouldn’t think like this. As soon as we do, barriers will start forming between us,” Xu Tingsheng said, “If you’re not watching football, you should sleep first. Have fun dreaming your tycoon dreams.”

“What about you? Aren’t you tired? You’re still watching?”

“...I’ve got no choice. They’re watching it in my house, so I’ve got to accompany them.”

This Euro Cup was unquestionably one of the worst football viewing experiences of Xu Tingsheng’s life. While he clearly already knew the results, he had to watch all of it yet again, also having to accompany them in being nervous and excited, feigning cries of astonishment. Here, he dared not share his views at all for fear that he might accidentally let slip the results.

……

The next day, in a move that took countless people both within and outside of the industry by surprise, Tianyi Media suddenly announced that they had already successfully purchased Rebirth’s new song, <You Are My Flower>, as well as the complete copyright to another of their new songs that had still yet to be released.

Also, these two songs would be released together in the album of a singer that Tianyi would be fully promoting in the near future.

As for the exchanging of shares, as Tianyi and Hucheng were both still not listed companies, not being obligated to announce it publicly, there were only a few higher echelon employees even in Tianyi Media itself who knew of the matter.

As Xu Tingsheng had predicted earlier, because Rebirth had been playing mysterious for too long, also having displayed the poise of artistic youths who were disdainful of the mainstream too greatly before the subjectivity of their fans and the media, also having continually rejected offers through the ringtone company, they had given those of the industry the impression that they were adamant on not selling their songs…

As soon as the matter was announced, an uproar instantly arose on the forums.

Amongst them, some said that Rebirth had indeed still succumbed to the temptation of money in the end, changing their minds and entering showbiz in a descent into the depravity of modernity.

There were also those who said that not only had they forsaken Apple, this was also equivalent to them supporting another newcomer in standing against Apple, being heartless and diabolical.

The small Rebirth webpage and the various music forums had originally contained fans of Apple and fans of Rebirth who were happily united as one. Yet, they now completely separated into two opposing forces, tearing and cursing at each other as it devolved into a hot-headed dispute.

Of course, the Rebirth fans clearly did not stand on the side of reason. Also, they were fewer in number, most people naturally choosing to stand on Apple’s side in this matter.

Amidst the uproar, the one who ultimately benefited the most was undoubtedly that newcomer of Tianyi’s who was shrouded in a veil of mystery.

After having finished scolding and cursing, finally having calmed down, everyone realised that he or she had already soundlessly attained the recent surging popularity of Rebirth. Still having yet to officially enter showbiz, that person was already receiving incomparably great attention.

“Who is he (she)? Male or female? Of what standard? They’d better not wreck the song.”

“Rebirth’s unreleased new song? I thought that I wouldn’t have a chance to hear another. What style might it take? I’m really eagerly anticipating it.”

“I wonder when in the near future is? Give a specific time, man! We’re all waiting.”

“Having stolen Apple’s song, still having the gall to enter showbiz? We’re not buying your album regardless.”

“...”

Due to the current difference in Rebirth’s popularity, the controversial nature of this incident and the power of Tianyi Media, this newcomer whose identity was still unknown was even more eagerly anticipated than Apple who had benefited purely from the mystery surrounding Rebirth.

Huang Yaming found a bunch of articles and posts on the internet and showed them to Xu Tingsheng.

<Mysterious Newcomer of Tianyi, Unknown Yet Already Popular>

<A Failure In Love Leads To Hatred, The Truth Behind Rebirth’s Eventual Split>

<When Money Defeats Friendship, Is It Understandable or Inevitable?>

<How Far Can Apple Go Without Rebirth’s Support?>

<Let’s Guess Which of These Five Is the Trashy Male Who ‘Destroys The Unattainable’>

<A Rational Analysis-Rebirth Isn’t Actually Obligated to Always Serve Apple>

<Please Do Not Be Enslaved By Morality, Rebirth Has The Authority To Make Its Own Choice>

<Who Exactly Is The Mysterious Newcomer? Don’t Forget That Rebirth Still Has Two People>

Chapter 170: Half a sentence

The entire screen was filled with the opinions of the media and the discussions of the fans.

With just a few glances at it, Xu Tingsheng was rendered dazed. This contained the feelings, morality, ethics, human nature and mystery of an entire society...a well-rounded drama indeed.

The other key person of this incident, Apple, received a call from her boss that very afternoon, Jin Datang of Tianle Media Agency.

“Can you tell me what this is? How could Rebirth have given their songs to someone else?” Jin Dataing asked in an antagonistic tone over the phone.

“I’m also not very clear on this. Still, I want to say that, Boss Jin, you only signed me. You didn’t sign the entire Rebirth. So, they actually do have the authority to do this,” Apple calmly replied.

“What’s the use of having you then?” An enraged Jin Datang exclaimed sarcastically.

Whilst already having long since known that such was his mindset, truly hearing him say those words now, Apple still inevitably felt hurt, holding back her tears as she grit her teeth in silence.

“After the performance tonight has ended, the agency will immediately arrange a press conference for you. There, you should cry and make a scene as much as you like, appearing as wronged as is possible, understand? At the very least, we can make use of the attention to win over more fans,” Jin Datang told her in detail, not concealing his intentions in the least.

“Boss Jin, I don’t think there’ll be a need for that. Actually, even if you hold a press conference, Boss Jin, I still wouldn’t do as you’ve just said. I think I would say that I understand as well as support Rebirth,” Apple said in refusal.

“You don’t have a choice. If you don’t help, I’ll...” Realising that their opponent this time was Tianyi, Jin Datang paused and thought for a moment, ultimately not daring to act personally as he instead threatened, “Since that’s so, after you’ve finished singing in those last few shows, don’t even think about singing again.”

“Fine, I’m willing to end the contract,” As she said these words, Apple suddenly felt like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

“End the contract? Do you think that it’s possible? I can tell you right now that if you really don’t do as I say, you won’t be able to sing and won’t be able to leave. Understand? It’s your choice.”

After his final threat, Jin Datang disconnected the call.

Apple stared dazedly at her handphone for a while. Looking at the number that was saved as ‘my dearest one’ on her phone records, she hesitated for a while, finally still not daring to dial it. Instead, she thought for a moment before sending over a text message:

“Xu Tingsheng, I suddenly feel so relaxed now.”

These words were exactly the same as that which Xu Tingsheng had previously said to Fu Cheng. Actually, the pressure on Apple stemmed to a very great extent from Xu Tingsheng. His decision this time actually seemed instead to be a form of ‘liberation’.

It was just that was she feeling greatly hurt and just pretending to be strong, not wanting to make things difficult for Xu Tingsheng, or had she truly been liberated from her burden?

After reading the text message, Xu Tingsheng had still yet to send a reply when he received a call from Song Ni.

“Xu Tingsheng...are those articles true?” Song Ni asked.

“You mean about me selling the songs? That’s true,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Why?”

“Someone just happened to be interested, and the agreement we arrived at is an opportunity for me. Then, Apple’s agency also didn’t try to compete. So, I sold them,” Xu Tingsheng explained.

“What about Apple then?”

“Apple says that she’s fine with it.”

“...” Could she have said anything else? Xu Tingsheng, can’t you think for Apple a little? Even if you don’t give her the songs, you also shouldn’t sell them to someone else. If you were in need of money, we would be able to understand, but you clearly aren’t in need of money right now.”

“You hear me out. I understand Apple. She actually isn’t all that concerned with these things, also not thinking for you to give her so much. I dare assure you that she definitely didn’t have any intention of asking you for those two songs at all. I know her assistant. She told me a few days back that Apple’s boss previously asked her to ask you for those songs, but she refused.”

“So, it’s you and your attitude towards her that she’s truly concerned about, Xu Tingsheng. In having done this, she’ll definitely feel that you hate her, have given up on her. I’m afraid that she might not be able to take it.”

Song Ni got emotional again, rambling a whole incoherent bunch of stuff, saying it in a very weighty manner as well which was a seriousness ‘Uncle’ just found very hard to understand. Why were these young girls always so easily exaggerating their emotions and the problem at hand? ...Was it because they’d watched too many Korean dramas? Watching those in their original language, one would indeed be prone to getting emotional more easily.

Xu Tingsheng continued explaining rather helplessly, “It’s not as serious as you say. It’s just two songs.”

“Then, have you prepared any new songs for her? You actually have, right?”

“No.”

“...Xu Tingsheng, I know that there’s no reason for you to do as we ask. Still, I’m really feeling helpless. I just can’t understand! I still remember those words you said at the end of last year.”

“Back then, you said that Apple entering showbiz as a member of Rebirth, all those songs were her foundation. However many good songs she has in the future, she wouldn’t be able to go on with this brand if she didn’t have those songs. Thus, unless the situation made it utterly and truly necessary...you wouldn’t sell.”

“Back then, you were willing to sell even Hucheng in order to help Apple...is the money they’re giving you now more than the entire Hucheng’s worth? Are you still not wealthy enough now?”

“Song Ni, don’t be emotional,” There was no way for Xu Tingsheng to say at this time that he indeed couldn’t be considered wealthy now, because due to his mentality and experiences that were ten years ahead of their time, as compared to Fu Cheng, Song Ni and the rest, his concept as well benchmark of ‘wealth’ were really completely different.

“I’m not being emotional. I just want to know-how is it that you’ve changed in just a few months? Xu Tingsheng...have you changed? Forget it,” Song Ni seemed not to require an answer from Xu Tingsheng as she directly hung up after having asked that question.

Xu Tingsheng dared not call her back immediately, Smiling bitterly, he sent Apple a reply:

“Whether or not you’re really feeling relaxed, since you chose to tread this path, I think that some things, setbacks included, really have to be personally experienced by you yourself. I hope that you will grow from these experiences.”

“At the same time, I hope that you can make use of this chance to properly consider whether you want to continue down this path. Do you really like it? Or is it that in a moment of impulse, you’re just trying to prove something...if it’s like that, I want to tell you that in order to prove all this, you may already have become less and less like Apple.”

“Finally, Superman and his big umbrella still stand behind you.”

Xu Tingsheng repeatedly deleted and retyped that final sentence. After having done so for a few times, he accidentally pressed ‘send’, eventually only sending over the first half of the sentence, ‘Superman and his big umbrella’.

Apple replied with a ‘yeah’.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng didn’t know how she had understood that final half-sentence of his. This was like the story of ‘a thirsty person seeing a half-glass of water’. An optimistic person would say, “Woah, how lucky, there’s still half a glass!”, whereas a pessimistic person would say, “I’m almost dying of thirst, but there’s actually only half a glass!”

If it was the original Apple, Xu Tingsheng knew that she would definitely have seen things in a good light, understanding what Xu Tingsheng intended to express, because while that Apple had stood solitarily amidst the cold, she had always been willing to feel happiness and bliss.

However, Xu Tingsheng didn’t know what the current her might think.

Having been admonished by Song Ni, Fu Cheng’s attitude also being rather indeterminate, the rather troubled Xu Tingsheng hoped to find some consolation from Xiang Ning during the home tutoring session at her house that weekend.

In the end, Little Xiang Ning put on a grumpy face and rolled her eyes, even snorting.

“What? Have I offended you in some way?” Xu Tingsheng asked cautiously.

“Why did you bully Big Sis Apple?” Xiang Ning asked.

Xu Tingsheng sighed. He really had no place to explain it to this time.

Up to the current moment, Xu Tingsheng hadn’t provided much explanation when faced with misunderstandings or doubt regarding this incident. On one hand, this was to give Apple an environment to calmly consider her life, growing from the process.

On the other hand, Xu Tingsheng hoped to attain an image of trustworthiness amongst those who were close to him. Many a times, trust was actually better than doubt in correcting someone heading towards a wrong path...especially when they were completely unaware of it.

Perhaps Xu Tingsheng might find himself nearing such a byroad one day.

As it appeared now, Xu Tingsheng had failed terribly.

Chapter 171: The people of Libei need you

On the day before Wu Yuewei’s university entrance examinations had begun, Xu Tingsheng had given her a call. The two of them had not been in contact since then. Xu Tingsheng thought that he would think of a way to contact her again after the results had been released. It could also be that Wu Yuewei might end up calling him instead.

In the end, even before the university entrance examination results were released, even before a call from Wu Yuewei had come in, Xu Tingsheng first received a call from Libei Senior High’s Vice-Principal Lou.

“Xu Tingsheng, come back to Libei. The people of Libei need you,” Vice-Principal Lou told him.

Xu Tingsheng’s head spun a little at the grandiose statement of ‘The people of Libei need you’. Could it be that everyone knew he was ‘Superman’?…“Uncle Lou, what is it? You’re scaring me, you know,” Xu Tingsheng ventured cautiously.

Vice-Principal Lou replied, “You talk first. When you were in our school, did you pick up a junior called Wu Yuewei?”

“I…”

Xu Tingsheng thought, “As a lofty Principal, you can’t speak like this! What ‘pick up a junior’?”

“First in Jiannan City, second in Jianhai Province. Get it? We got wind of the news from the Provincial Examination Institute just a few hours ago. Wu Yuewei, first in Sciences for Jiannan City and second in Jianhai Province,” Vice-Principal Lou roared into the phone, the sound of his hand slamming onto the table resounding non-stop from the background.

Vice-Principal Lou was extremely excited. Xu Tingsheng was given a fright as well. He could still accept first in Sciences for Jiannan City. After all, Wu Yuewei’s proficiency was laid out there for all to see. This second in the entire Jianhai Province...had indisputably exploded her results of her previous life till not even its dregs remained.

Of course, this wasn’t actually important. Apart from Xu Tingsheng, there was no one else who knew this. Even Xu Tingsheng himself could only venture a vague guess. After all, he had not heard such shocking news in his previous life. Wu Yuewei had gone only to Jianhai University.

The problem now was that this had completely exploded the history of Libei County’s university entrance examination results till not even its dregs remained.

With Jianhai Province’s overall standard, it was at the forefront of the entire country in terms of education and economics. However, Libei was the least developed county in the least developed Jiannan City of Jianhai Province, being at the very bottom be it in terms of education or economics.

It had already been more than ten years since Libei last produced a Qingbei student. Moreover, Wu Yuewei was even second in the entire Jianhai Province this time.

“This...is a good thing. The school’s too worked up? Libei’s too worked up? ...It’s all blown up? That’s also not something I can do anything about, Uncle Lou,” Xu Tingsheng cheerfully joked.

“Stop that cheekiness! Hurry up and scram back for me,” Xu Tingsheng calling Vice-Principal Lou Uncle Lou, it could be seen that the two of them were very close as Vice-Principal Lou naturally had no reservations in directly scolding him over the phone, “If you don’t scram back within two days, I’ll blow up your family’s supermarket.”

“No, Uncle Lou. You’ve at least got to tell me what’s up first, right?” Xu Tingsheng ventured cautiously.

“Fine, I’ll tell you. It’s like this. Just earlier, Wu Yuewei’s form teacher came crying over looking for us principals. Can you guess why?” Vice-Principal Lou said in ill humour, “When she called Wu Yuewei to tell her about her results a bit earlier, also casually congratulating her on going to Qingbei...second in the entire province going to Qingbei, this isn’t unreasonable, right? Right?”

“

Right” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Right your arse. Do you know what Wu Yuewei said in the end? She said that she’s still considering. She might not go to Qingbei for sure. Then, her form teacher got panicked and called all around trying to find out why. Finally, Wu Yuewei’s tablemate told her that she might be thinking of going to Yanzhou University to look for you.”

“No, I can’t talk about it any longer. Xu Tingsheng, you scourge! This is first in Jiannan City, second in the entire province, Libei’s sole Qingbei in thirteen years! She wants to go to your godforsaken Yanzhou University to look for you accursed creature. Sigh, I can’t live anymore. I’m going to blow up your family’s supermarket! I’m going to blow you up!”

Hearing Vice-Principal Lou say this, Xu Tingsheng suddenly remembered the day of his graduation when Wu Yuewei had asked for his graduation yearbook and written within it:

“It will still be a year this time. I will still be asking again-Senior Xu Tingsheng, do you still remember me?”

More than a year having passed, Xu Tingsheng had already more or less forgotten about it. Even if he remembered it, he still wouldn’t think that there would actually be someone who would treat their own future as lightly as this. Really giving up on Qingbei, an object of countless people’s desires, just because of a single sentence...to study at Yanzhou University instead?

Xu Tingsheng had not applied for Jianhai University or any other famous universities aside from Qingbei University back then, having chosen Yanzhou University instead. This was because Xiang Ning was really too important to him, and also because he had the confidence that with the advantage of rebirth, the difference in university standards already didn’t matter so much to him. It was in consideration of all this that he had finally still decided to go to Yanzhou University.

However, it wasn’t the same for Wu Yuewei! She couldn’t have so deep feelings that warranted such a sacrifice?! This intelligent little girl was actually so silly? So mullish?

This was how it looked to Xu Tingsheng. However, it wasn’t actually like this for Wu Yuewei. This girl had even remembered those short interactions between them in his previous life, having remembered it even till the day of her wedding. What about this lifetime then?

The two had interacted much more in this lifetime than they had in the previous. Also, from Wu Yuewei’s perspective, there were too many reasons for her to believe that Xu Tingsheng cared about her. From him dashing towards Bao Ming’s gang for her, to taking on the punishment for the sake of her reputation, to being concerned for her during the SARS period, rushing towards that suspected SARS patient for her without fear of death…

Also, those fourteen days and night in the quarantine ward, that simple love established upon a single telephone line-all these memories had left a sweet impression within Wu Yuewei’s mind.

Thus, the two saw those past interactions completely differently. Xu Tingsheng had felt guilty and concerned, wanting to make up for what he owed her, while Wu Yuewei had perhaps felt and experienced the most blissful love of one’s youthful times.

Thus, she might truly make that decision.

“One word-are you coming back or not? Otherwise, I’ll get the chemistry teachers to help make some explosives right now!” Vice-Principal Lou exclaimed.

Libei Senior High had been yearning for a Qingbei for more than ten years. Just last year, in order to get Xu Tingsheng to risk gunning for Qingbei in filling up his aspiration form, the few higher-ups of the school had all shamelessly rushed straight to the Xu Family to join in a meal, making use of the chance to get themselves drunk to request despite the awkwardness for him to try for Qingbei.

In the end, Xu Tingsheng had missed Qingbei by two marks and gone to Yanzhou University. All of them were still feeling guilty and regretful regarding this even now.

What about this time? This time was different. It was already a given that Wu Yuewei would be able to get into Qingbei for sure...would it end up failing again? All the fragile little souls of Libei Senior High’s higher-ups were almost unable to stand it no longer.

“I’ll come back. I have two exams tomorrow, I don’t think I’ll be in time. I’ll be back latest the day after tomorrow,” Xu Tingsheng wanted to return to Libei not actually because of Vice-Principal Lou, but because he couldn’t let Wu Yuewei make such a silly decision, accrue a great debt that he couldn’t afford to owe at all...that represented that girl’s very fate, future.

“Fine. Call me as soon as you reach the station then. I’ll go pick you up,” Vice-Principal Lou said before hanging up.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly called for a meeting of Hucheng’s personnel and arranged the matters of the next few days, also applying for two days of leave from the university as he prepared to return to Libei.

The next day, as Xu Tingsheng was packing his luggage after having finished sitting for his examinations, he received a call from Wu Yuewei.

Wu Yuewei told him her results over the phone. Xu Tingsheng could tell that she was very happy, because he had once said: Get a first in Jiannan City first. I’m waiting for your good news, waiting to be proud of you.

“Now, are you proud of me?”

Chapter 172: So intelligent yet so foolish

Since he had already decided to return to Libei, Xu Tingsheng didn’t mention the matter of Wu Yuewei’s aspirations to her over the phone. They didn’t talk for too long. Finally, when about to end the call, Xu Tingsheng asked Wu Yuewei, “Can I find you through this number?”

Wu Yuewei said, “It’s the phone from the small store at the entrance of the village. You can call it and get them to yell for me.”

After Xu Tingsheng had hung up, he found that Sony Ericsson phone which he had prepared to give to Xiang Ning in compensation but she had refused to accept. He stuffed the entire phone into his bag, packaging at all.

It was a 5 hour bus ride to Jiannan and then a three hour bus ride to Libei. It was dinnertime when Xu Tingsheng arrived. Vice-Principal Lou was waiting outside the station for him in his car.

The car departed, getting further and further away from the county. Xu Tingsheng looked around the area, a winding mountain road soon becoming visible. He hurriedly asked, “Uncle Lou, this isn’t the way to the school! Where’re we going?”

“To Wu Yuewei’s house,” Vice-Principal Lou said, “The road ahead isn’t smooth. You put on the safety belt well.”

Hearing that they were going to Wu Yuewei’s house, a panicked Xu Tingsheng hurriedly said, “Uncle Lou, stop the car first. Listen to me. Can’t we talk about it another day when she’s in school? Going to her house isn’t good, right? Her parents are also there.You’re a higher-up of the school, and so it’ll definitely be reasonable. But how can I just go to someone’s house for no rhyme or reason? What do I say if her parents ask about it?”

Vice-Principal Lou didn’t show any intention of stopping the car at all as he chuckled, “You’ve already harmed their precious daughter, and you’re still not going over to take responsibility? Let alone questioning you a little, it would be understandable even if they beat you up.”

“I really didn’t do anything to her,” A pained Xu Tingsheng tried to explain.

“You yourself are the clearest on that. There’s no need to explain it to me. Anyway, just get things done for me. I’ve said it already-If Wu Yuewei doesn’t go to Qingbei, I’ll blow up your family’s supermarket. I’ve told your Dad about it too.”

“Uncle Lou, most people wouldn’t be able to tell that you’re a Vice-Principal at a senior high school, right?” Xu Tingsheng said, “Also, the aspiration thing isn’t that urgent, right? Everyone else should only have received their results just about now.”

“Isn’t that urgent? Do you think second in the entire province is worth the same as just those crappy results of yours? This is second in the entire Jianhai Province! I tell you, in just these few days, our phone lines were nearly blown up by the recruitment divisions of famous schools.”

A fallen scholar wasn’t worth even a single chicken. Having been mocked, Xu Tingsheng was unable to continue speaking. The car continued on the winding mountain road for more than an hour, finally arriving at a small village that contained around seventy to eighty people.

“Over there. I came over with the Principal just the day before yesterday,” Vice-Principal Lou pointed, striding on ahead.

Hearing the barking of dogs coming from all around, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly followed after him.

Wu Yuewei’s family was no different from what you would find in any usual remote village. A tile-roofed house of earth and mud, a small courtyard as well as a natural well. In front of the door was a field where crops were planted, a few villagers currently sitting and talking outside.

They entered the house. It was unexpectedly spick and span inside. Xu Tingsheng felt that it didn’t seem like it had been specifically tidied up just for the occasion. Instead, it should be a habitual thing for them.

This was actually very rare in villages of this era. This simple yet clean and earnest atmosphere in Wu Yuewei’s house had probably subtly influenced and shaped her personality somewhat.

Vice-Principal Lou greeted Wu Yuewei’s parents in a familiar manner, thankfully not digging a pit for Xu Tingsheng when it came to introductions as he said, “This here is my nephew. He’s also a graduate of our school, and he knows Yuewei too. We so happened to end up coming together.”

Facing Wu Yuewei’s amiable parents, Xu Tingsheng smiled and greeted, “Hi, Uncle, Auntie.”

“Yuewei, the Vice-Principal’s here! Hurry on out!” Mrs Wu turned and called over her shoulder.

“Got it! I’m here brewing tea.”

Following that soft voice of hers, Wu Yuewei carefully walked over with two cups of green tea. She was walking very slowly and gingerly for fear that she might spill it.

“Vice-Principal Lou, have some tea.”

“...Senior, have some tea.”

After bringing the cup before Xu Tingsheng, Wu Yuewei was smiling as she raised her head to look at him. She then lowered her head again as she asked in a low tone, “What’s senior doing here all of a sudden? Have you had dinner?”

Receiving the teacup, Xu Tingsheng exchanged glances with Vice-Principal Lou before they simultaneously said, “We’ve eaten.”

Vice-Principal Lou continued chatting with Wu Yuewei’s parents. Xu Tingsheng could indistinctly hear something about ‘local entrepreneur, hundred thousand yuan prize money’. Xu Tingsheng had no place in a conversation such as this, and it was the same for Wu Yuewei as well. As they were separated by a few people seated between them, there was also no way for them to talk.

Amidst an engaging conversation, Vice-Principal Lou finally discovered this problem after some time. Remembering the purpose of this visit as well, he thought for a while before purposefully turning to Xu Tingsheng and asking, “Tingsheng, is this your first time here at Yueshan Village?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“The scenery at Yueshan Village is great! How about this? Yuewei can take you out for a look around. We adults can chat on our adult matters, and you kids can talk amongst yourselves.”

Vice-Principal Lou crudely made up a random excuse just like that. This was right in front of the girl’s parents-wasn’t this even more straightforward than a matchmaker? Xu Tingsheng was nearly stunned by his words, unable to react for a time. When he next looked at Wu Yuewei, he still appeared to be rather at a loss.

“Go on, show your senior around,” Wu Yuewei’s father finally spoke.

It was only with that that an unsettled Xu Tingsheng followed Wu Yuewei out of the house.

“Do you want to look at the mountain or the stream?” Beneath the afterglow of the setting sun, Wu Yuewei turned and asked Xu Tingsheng.

“Both are fine,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Let’s look at the mountain then. Our village is called Yueshan (Moon Mountain Village) precisely because of that mountain. How about it, isn’t it nice?” Wu Yuewei pointed.

Looking where she was pointing, Xu Tingsheng saw a small mountain in the shape of a half-moon. At the front was a hollowed precipice, a great jutted outcropping of rock that extended into a tall cliff.

“Let’s look at the mountain then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

As it was already dark, the two of them did not ascend the mountain. Instead, they found two neighbouring rocks at its foot and sat down on them. Amidst the mountain scenery and the evening light, Xu Tingsheng saw the nicest looking Wu Yuewei he had seen thus far. The simplicity and quietness of this girl was just so natural.

“This mountain’s pretty nice. You must’ve come here often to play when you were young?” Xu Tingsheng found a topic.

“I still come here often now. I come here when I’m happy, and also come here when I’m sad,” Wu Yuewei said, “There’s a burnt grassland behind the mountain that’s full of bracken fern. If it were during the day, I’d take Senior up the mountain for a look.”

Xu Tingsheng tilted his head and looked, but was unable to see the burnt grassland that Wu Yuewei spoke of as he instead changed the topic, “You should be very happy now then, having achieved such good results.”

“Yeah, I’m feeling especially happy now,” Wu Yuewei said, “Senior, why have you come back? This is really unexpected.”

Wu Yuewei always seemed willing to call Xu Tingsheng senior. In his previous life, it had been so even till her wedding. While the groom had reminded her that she should call him ‘cousin’ instead, she had said, “Senior, this toast is for you.”

In this life, it still seemed to be the same.

Xu Tingsheng thought: Isn’t it to persuade you to go to Qingbei that I’m back? There’s still an incident as strange as this in this day and age, where one must even be persuaded to go to Qingbei.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a while before saying, “We agreed on it. You’d score first in the entire city, and I’d be proud of you...in the end, you were so awesome, directly attaining second in the entire province...therefore, I’m back to give you a prize.”

With that, Xu Tingsheng retrieved the handphone from his bag and passed it to Wu Yuewei.

Wu Yuewei hesitated, not taking it from him.

“I’ll get you a phone card later on. Send me your number; it’ll be more convenient to keep in touch that way,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say this, Wu Yuewei raised her head and looked at him before extending a hand and accepting the handphone, “Thank you, senior.”

Opening the case and pulling out the handphone, Wu Yuewei asked, “Senior, this must be very expensive?”

“It can’t be considered expensive. I’m rather good at making money now,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“I know. I went to a classmate’s house to use her computer to search for university information yesterday. Then, I searched for your name. So, I know all of it,” Wu Yuewei said.

Wu Yuewei having mentioned searching for university information, Xu Tingsheng thought about how he should make use of this to broach the matter of her aspirations.

In the end, however, it was Wu Yuewei who was first to speak, “Senior, actually...when you appeared together with Vice-Principal Lou, I already knew what you’d come here for.”

“Have you properly thought about it then?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah, I’m going to Qingbei. Actually, after having searched for your name yesterday, I’d already decided to go to Qingbei. Senior, I don’t know all the stuff that you do. I only know how to study. Since that is so, I should study even better. If it’s like that, you’ll still be proud of me, right?”

Xu Tingsheng understood what Wu Yuewei meant. This girl was so intelligent, yet at the same time so silly as well.

“I will,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Then, let’s keep in touch often?” Flashing the handphone in her hand, Wu Yuewei asked shyly.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Actually, I’ve never been able to understand why you like me. With your qualifications, you’ll definitely meet many people who are more outstanding than me in the future,” Xu Tingsheng asked, this being the first time that he was voicing this out to Wu Yuewei so directly.

“You should’ve asked me earlier,” Wu Yuewei replied, “I might still have known at the beginning. Now, I already don’t know anymore.”

Chapter 173: 100000 yuan of celebratory money

Wu Yuewei said that she already couldn’t remember. Actually, it is the same as well for many people in the later stages of a relationship. In truth, when you have forgotten why exactly you like someone, it generally entails a deeper love, the habitual nature of such being mostly insignificant yet harder to overcome.

Now, the sun having set and the moon risen, it was instead a little brighter than at sunset, every tree and every shrub clearly visible on the frost-like ground. The white moonlight of autumn was cool as well as tranquil.

They were quiet for a time.

“Senior,” Wu Yuewei rose beneath the moonlight, breaking the silence, “When there’s moonlight, how about I show you around?”

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng stood up as well.

While he had thought that Wu Yuewei would lead him up the mountain, they ended up walking downslope instead. At the bottom of Moonteeth Mountain was actually a small, sunken valley. The two followed the stone stairs for a while. Xu Tingsheng could hear the frolicking of the stream’s waters in the distance.

“The stream’s there, right after this stretch of trees. When I was young, I liked to pick up some nice-looking rocks from beside the stream and bring them back home. In the end, most of them were used by my Mum to press vegetables with. There’re still a few small ones in my drawer. One of them is…”

While listening to Wu Yuewei’s stories, Xu Tingsheng walked in front of her after having grasped the general direction of their path, spiderwebs sticking onto his face every once in a while.

This stretch of dense forest might be a very old one. More than ten years or even decades of fallen pine needles had accumulated on the ground, a dense layer forming. Walking atop its soft, springy surface, one’s footsteps would unconsciously leap a little just as one’s emotions would.

After having finished speaking, Wu Yuewei began humming a song. Xu Tingsheng recognised it as <The Brightest Star In The Night Sky>.

She stopped midway through, asking, “Is it sung this way? I’ve only heard it twice on my classmate’s computer. Senior, can I be wilful today for once? After all, I was so awesome, scoring second in the entire province. This song-sing it once for me, Senior.”

This really felt like the relationship between a pair of young lovers. ‘Uncle’ felt rather awkward, but just as Wu Yuewei had said, she was almost never wilful, this being a single rare occasion.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng tried his best to overcome his embarrassment as he sang the whole song.

After he had finished, Wu Yuewei asked, “Senior, can you guess what this valley is called?”

“Moonteeth Valley?”

“Love Song Valley.”

“Really?”

“I just named it. Hehe.”

This was a rare wilful side of Wu Yuewei.

Amidst their conversation, they arrived by the stream. Wu Yuewei suddenly tugged at Xu Tingsheng’s sleeve, pulling him backwards.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked in puzzlement.

“There’s a snake,” Wu Yuewei said.

The next moment, Xu Tingsheng grabbed Wu Yuewei’s hand, turned and ran. He ran all the way till he discovered that something wasn’t really right, because at the same time that Wu Yuewei was being pulled along by him, she was also giggling in amusement.

Xu Tingsheng halted, asking, “So, there’s no snake?”

A smiling Wu Yuewei shook her head, “There isn’t.”

“How did you know that I’m afraid of snakes?”

“You told me about it before! When you were shamelessly pestering me in the past, you said so many things to me, told me so many things about yourself. Have you forgotten all of it? I still remember,” Wu Yuewei said.

When Wu Yuewei had been in eighth grade and Xu Tingsheng had been in ninth, he had pestered her for close to a year. “That’s already something of more than ten years ago, isn’t it?” To the 31-year-old Uncle, that was indeed an incident of a very long time ago.

“Back then, you told me that your Grandpa would catch snakes, and you originally weren’t afraid of them when you were little. There was once when your Grandpa caught a viper and tied it with a rope to a pear tree. Being mischievous, you crouched down and continuously poked at it with a tree branch. Poking and poking, the viper got anxious and stretched its body to forcibly come over and bite you.”

“You clearly saw its fangs whizzing right past your fingertips. From then on, you would tremble even hearing someone mention the word ‘snake’.”

Wu Yuewei described each detail very clearly, clear to the point that Xu Tingsheng felt it to be a little inconceivable. After all, at such an ignorant, childish age, how would someone have fallen in love with another person just like this, remembering it once and never forgetting it again?

Wiping off his sweat, Xu Tingsheng said, “You nearly scared me to death.”

“But I’m happy! Senior still remembered to pull me along as you ran just now,” Wu Yuewei said, “Do you still have the paper crane that I folded for you during junior high graduation, Senior?”

Wu Yuewei brought up another matter that Xu Tingsheng had already forgotten about entirely.

“I do,” Xu Tingsheng lied.

“Have you unfolded it then?”

“That...am I supposed to unfold it?”

“There are words inside.”

When Xu Tingsheng had graduated, Wu Yuewei had folded a paper crane for him and secretly written words inside...this had been indeed a common method of expressing their feelings for young boys and girls of that time.

“I’ll take a look at it when I get back then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Yeah.”

As the two were about to arrive at Wu Yuewei’s home, Wu Yuewei halted, clenching her teeth as she asked, “Senior, what if I can’t do it?”

“Huh?”

“What if I can’t like someone else? What then?”

……

On the car journey back, Xu Tingsheng informed Vice-Principal Lou about Wu Yuewei’s decision to go to Qingbei. The latter was so overjoyed that his head started bobbing all over the place.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly reminded him, “Uncle Lou, focus on driving. It’s at night now, and this is still a winding mountain road.”

Vice-Principal Lou randomly commented, “The little lady’s pretty good.”

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng vaguely responded in the affirmative.

Then, the car braked urgently with a ‘screech’ as Vice-Principal Lou now asked with a face full of excitement, “Isn’t it? How about it, how about we turn back right now? Uncle will help you to ask for her hand in marriage.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at him, “Uncle Lou, are you drunk?"

“I didn’t drink much. I just drank a little with the relatives at their house while the two of you were out flirting and whispering sweet nothings to each other.”

Cold sweat ran down Xu Tingsheng’s body. He had actually been sitting in a drunkard’s car, at night, and on a winding mountain road! “Uncle Lou, come, get off...let me drive.”

Xu Tingsheng stole the driver’s seat, shooing Vice-Principal Lou away into the passenger seat, the latter droning on without any sense of realisation at all, “The little lady’s really pretty good. Her looks, her personality, and this second in the entire province…”

Xu Tingsheng had originally wanted to ignore him, but Vice-Principal Lou next droned out, “Even your Dad’s hundred thousand yuan bride price’s been covertly sent over. I just gave the card to her parents. You…”

It was Xu Tingsheng who urgently slammed down on the brakes this time.

“What bride price? A hundred thousand yuan? ...Uncle Lou, the hundred thousand yuan reward by a local entrepreneur that you were telling Wu Yuewei’s parents about earlier was...my Dad’s?” Xu Tingsheng questioned like launching multiple cannonballs.

“Who else would it be? When eating just a few days ago, I mentioned to a few people how Wu Yuewei’s familial conditions aren’t too good, and how producing such good results must not’ve been easy at all. The very next day, your Dad had the money sent over to my office.”

“As I see it, your Dad must have taken her into account as his daughter-in-law. Your Xu Family really rocks! A hundred thousand yuan just in ambush. Right, does your Dad knows that you’ve taken their family’s daughter?”

“Stop messing around, Uncle Lou. That whatever bride price! For my Dad, it’s probably because my sister and Wu Yuewei are on especially good terms. She must have mentioned it to him long ago. The problem now is-does Wu Yuewei’s family know that the money’s from my Dad?”

Xu Tingsheng was worried that if Wu Yuewei knew that the reward money had been provided by his family, she might not feel very good about accepting it.

Vice-Principal Lou shook his head, “They don’t. Your Dad repeatedly reminded me not to tell them about it. It’s anonymous. So, that’s why I said that your Xu Family laid down a hundred thousand yuan at once just in ambush, dang!”

“But you’re drunk.”

“I’m drunk, but I didn’t say it, I swear.”

“That’s good then.”

Chapter 174: Amidst memories

After having sent Vice-Principal Lou home, it was already close to 10pm when Xu Tingsheng reached his own home. Having told them about his return earlier, Mr and Mrs Xu as well as his little sister Xu Qiuyi were still awake and up waiting for him.

Xu Tingsheng did not see Zhong Wusheng and Tao Jiaxiu. They had probably gone to sleep a little earlier due to Sis Jia’s pregnancy.

There wasn’t much that couldn’t be mentioned before one’s own family members. Xu Tingsheng directly asked Mr Xu about that hundred thousand yuan. Mr Xu smiled rather slyly, saying, “Take it as the bride price paid in advance.”

A pained Xu Tingsheng exclaimed, “Dad, not you too!”

Mr Xu said, “That’s what your Uncle Lou said. More important, that’s also what your sister says.”

In the midst of tiptoeing back to her room, Xu Qiuyi was caught by Xu Tingsheng’s ‘ferocious’ glare. She snorted, launching a preemptive strike, “What, Xu Tingsheng? I’d like to see you be fierce to me.”

A guilty Xu Tingsheng said, “No, that’s not it...let’s set this aside for now. I wanted to ask you-have you decided to study Sciences or Humanities?”

“Sciences, of course.”

Xu Tingsheng very much wanted to tell her ‘I, your brother, know so many Humanities university entrance examination questions!’ yet could only ask unresignedly in the end, “Are you sure?”

“Positive. Why?”

It wasn’t just Xu Qiuyi who felt puzzled now as even Mr and Mrs Xu directed questioning gazes towards Xu Tingsheng.

“I should just let things run their natural course,” Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before saying, “It’s nothing. You study the Sciences then.”

Mrs Xu and Xu Qiuqi didn’t sit for too long, soon going to bed.

Just like before, Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu whipped up a few dishes before talking over wine. Mr Xu brought up Wu Yuewei’s anonymous reward money on his own accord, explaining, “Actually, since our roots are in Libei, it is only natural that we provide some ‘contributions’ to the place.”

Mr Xu had emphasised rather heavily on the word ‘contributions’. With that, Xu Tingsheng understood what he meant. Generally speaking, it was only natural for local entrepreneurs to ‘donate’ to their hometowns, be it out of true altruistic sentiment or due to other considerations. Moreover, Mr Xu was currently even a member of Libei’s bureaucracy.

“Therefore, do you think I should donate cars and gift presents to those agencies or do things like this?” Mr Xu continued, “Actually, it’s not just this young lady Wu Yuewei. Our Happy Shoppers will also be donating a batch of tables, chairs and whiteboards to some village schools in Libei, creating a scholarship as well.”

“That would naturally be best.”

Xu Tingsheng approved greatly of Mr Xu’s decision. After all, he had also been a student with a poor familial background in his previous life, knowing the difficulties therein. When in university, he had even seen a female classmate who had virtually been bearing the weight of her entire family on her own shoulders. Apart from working and scrimping, she had even helped her roommates and schoolmates to wash their clothes to earn some more living expenses.

“Therefore, it’s just this young lady Wu Yuewei who’s a little special. Because you and your sister are both friends with her, I considered that we shouldn’t let her know that the money’s from our family lest it instead estranges the relationship between you.”

“If it weren’t for this, it actually couldn’t be any more reasonable a thing. It’s the best ever results in Libei’s history! Today, our Libei’s television station even broadcast an interview with her. The young lady’s really quite good.”

Mr Xu now looked at Xu Tingsheng, asking him, “There’s really nothing going on between you?”

“There’s really nothing.”

“Why have you returned then?”

“...”

“You’re already in university now. This can actually already be discussed.”

Xu Tingsheng counted on his fingers, “Not just yet.”

Next, father and son discussed business related matters for some time, exchanging information on how Happy Shoppers and Hucheng were doing. The Xu Family that was walking together on two fronts with both father and son on the frontlines was really breaking the waves and travelling a thousand miles with every single passing day somewhat.

Mr Xu’s current thoughts were actually very simple. Where he lacked knowledge, he would just attract talent from somewhere, letting them do it and at the same time also learning from them.

Some time after midnight, a slightly tipsy Xu Tingsheng returned to his room whereupon he dumped things out of his drawers, getting out all his old photographs, diaries and yearbooks.

Then, he lit a cigarette and sat before the table in front of the window, slowly and quietly going through all of them.

In truth, if one looks back on life with the mentality of a thirty-year-old, their memories will slowly have begun drifting toward yearning. You will inadvertently be overwhelmed by a strange emotion, next feeling calm yet also somewhat lost as you flip through those things of your past.

Those photographs contain your youthful features, your bright eyes.

Those words contain your childish sorrows, your purest ever happiness.

Also, seeing a message left behind on your yearbook, you will think of that person who was once so important in your life. Now, however, it has been so many years since you last met.

You will have to search for a very long time within the group photos of your class to find that boy or girl you once had a crush on, or who once had a crush on you for a long time. Then, thinking of those silly things once done for him(her) in the past, you will smile with some embarrassment, smile very warmly.

It was different for Xu Tingsheng in that he was living amidst his memories, also currently being in the process of changing them.

Xu Tingsheng looked at his red bicycle, reminisced on a friend who had gone who knew where. His first football jersey had been an Inter Milan one. His first crush-he had heard that she had long since stopped studying, having long since married and given birth early on.

Then, when he took out an old photograph from his junior high graduation yearbook, the paper crane that Wu Yuewei had folded fell out from between the pages. Because layers of paper and plastic bags had guarded it, the paper crane was preserved very well, not even having yellowed.

It could be seen how greatly Xu Tingsheng had treasured it that year.

Unfolding the paper crane, Xu Tingsheng saw those words that Wu Yuewei had spoken of. Her handwriting was very nice. She had written their story from the very beginning to the very end.

From the first time she had seen that hateful fella who had refused to do his eye calisthenics properly, shamelessly staring at her instead, to the first time that he had spoken to her, to when he had just continually proposed checking his eye calisthenics again for no rhyme or reason.

There were also many things that Xu Tingsheng had said afterwards, many things he had done.

At the end of it, she had written:

‘Senior, only afterwards did I realise that apparently, somehow or other, I had already grown to like being in your eyes, like being the focus of your gaze. I think that I will only be in a single relationship in my life, so it can’t be too early, I suppose? So, I’ve let you be pitiful for a year. Junior high is still too young. I think that maybe, in senior high...we’ll have grown up then.’

This was what this girl had written during her junior high times. Whilst childish, it was also adorable.

What about now? Perhaps senior high had been too young? Was university still too young? ...Xu Tingsheng remembered her saying, “What if I can’t like someone else? What then?” ...After having finished studying in Qingbei, attained her masters and her doctorate, going overseas to study if all else failed? She should be able to meet such a person, right?

……

Early the next morning, Xu Tingsheng saw Zhong Wusheng and Tao Jiaxiu. They had already adapted to life here, also feeling happy. In Sis Jia’s words, they finally felt that they had a home.

Xu Tingsheng stared rather impolitely at Sis Jia’s stomach, asking, “So big, could it be twins?”

“It really is,” Zhong Wusheng said happily.

On his return journey, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Chen Jianxing of Yanzhou Nightly.

“Our paper wants to interview you. It’s a real interview this time, one truly requested by the higher-ups...they value that Hucheng Education of yours pretty highly,” Chen Jianxing said.

“I still have quite a few end-of-semester examinations,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I’ll wait for you to finish your exams! This time...it’s my turn to ask you for help. Please.”

“I’ll contact you later then.”

“Alright, don’t forget! Thanks.”

Chapter 175: The Hundred Cities plan

On 3rd July, the Greece legend unfolded just as Xu Tingsheng had seen play out in his previous life, the originally unknown Angelos Charisteas ending that miraculous 2004 Euro Cup that was rather like a Nordic fairy tale with a single header.

For Xu Tingsheng, watching Rui Costa challenge the Euro Cup again and seeing him leaving his national team with regrets once more, whilst exciting to watch, was also a painful matter.

Around the same time, Xu Tingsheng finished his first year of university and Xiang Ning finished her eighth grade. Following the summer holidays, he would be in his second year, whereas she would be in ninth grade before soon ascending to senior high.

The last time Xu Tingsheng went over to give Xiang Ning tuition that semester, he realised all of a sudden that Little Xiang Ning who was finally keeping her hair long was growing closer and closer to how she had looked in his previous life...anyway, in ‘that’ area of development, it would not be much different even after she had grown up.

Xu Tingsheng suddenly thought of Wu Yuwei’s words, “In senior high, we’ll have grown up then?”

This caused Uncle to feel greatly conflicted: Senior high...Could he make his move then? No, Xu Tingsheng, you beast! Does Big Xiang Ning know that you’re so shameless? If she did, would she still want you?

On the night of their final examination paper, Xu Tingsheng and his roommates went to play online games overnight at an internet cafe just like most other university students.

Most guys in university led lives as ‘decadent’ as this. That night, if not for Tan Yao’s iron-forged relationship with the chick who worked there, even finding computers to play the whole night through would not have been easy.

The next morning, Xu Tingsheng dragged his exhausted body to a coffee shop in the city district where he had agreed to meet with Chen Jianxing. There, he ate breakfast whilst doing the interview that had been agreed upon. Due to his fatigue, Xu Tingsheng was not in a very conversational mood. Still, Chen Jianxing managed to obtain the information he wanted.

Hucheng Education would be based in Yanzhou for at least the next four years. Also, from the upcoming summer holidays onwards, Hucheng would be entering a new development phase, that of the Hundred Cities plan.

“Why is it four years that can be promised?”

Chen Jianxing noticed that this time span was actually a little strange. If Xu Tingsheng had said three years, Chen Jianxing would have been able to understand it as him setting his graduation from university as that major turning point. Now, he had set it at four years. What did this mean?

“This is to give myself another year to look for a direction after having graduated from university,” Xu Tingsheng thought for a while before answering.

The reason he had to consider his answer was that there was no way for him to tell other people that this time span of four years was actually not based according to the phases of his own life. Instead, it was based upon Xiang Ning’s life phases. Four years later, Xiang Ning would be going to university. Bar any unexpected circumstances, Xu Tingsheng would be able to accompany her often as her boyfriend at that time. Naturally, Hucheng’s core might follow along.

“What Hundred Cities plan is that? How long will it take?” Chen Jianxing changed the topic.

“Within three years. Our plan is for the services of Hucheng Education’s platform to be available in at least a hundred mid-scale or higher cities in the entire nation and also for us to have holistic training institutes in at least half of these cities within the next three years.”

This development plan had been scrutinised many times amongst Hucheng’s higher echelons. This had also not been done just amongst their shareholders and mainstays. Xu Tingsheng had even invited a number of professional academics and consultants, asking for their opinions on it. Even Yanzhou University’s Principal, Zhao Kangwen, had expressed his opinions and given his suggestions many times before. Therefore, the plan was actually extremely clear and detailed within Xu Tingsheng’s mind.

However, developmental plans such as ‘southern conquest and northern subjugation’ and ‘grand central breakthrough’ were really a little too ‘awesome’ in their usage. Xu Tingsheng felt that he should reserve these for use in his company, rather than telling them to Chen Jianxing and having them published on the newspaper to be scoffed at by others.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say three years, Chen Jianxing suddenly got very excited as he asked enthusiastically, “Three years-does this mean that before you graduate from university, you aim to turn Hucheng into a massive entity of the education industry?”

“Empire?”

“Conglomerate?”

“Bro, aren’t you exaggerating a little?”

Xu Tingsheng and Chen Jianxing could already be considered close acquaintances now, the words exchanged between them therefore being rather more casual. Actually, the terms like ‘empire’ and ‘conglomerate’ that Chen Jianxing had used had also been mentioned by those of Hucheng before. It was just that Xu Tingsheng would always reply, “Let’s be a little more low key. These two terms really scratch me flustered.”

It was precisely because of this that Xu Tingsheng didn’t dare to mention to anybody that Hucheng Education was merely a single part of his grand scheme. Otherwise, they would definitely feel that Xu Tingsheng was delusional, had gone insane.

“How is it exaggerated? If your plan really succeeds, that would indeed be an education empire. Also, at that time, you would just have graduated from university. Just having graduated! Do you know how shocking this is?”

Chen Jianxing’s excitement came from his shock at the majesty of the blueprint that Xu Tingsheng had drawn. It also followed from his utmost certainty that this article of his would definitely be approved and praised by his higher-ups and even those up in positions of authority.

As for his close relationship with Xu Tingsheng, it would undoubtedly increase his weight in the eyes of his higher-ups, being extremely beneficial for his future development and promotions.

It must be known that it was currently rumoured that Xu Tingsheng had previously refused countless interview requests. He, Chen Jianxing having succeeded where so many major publications had failed, what was this if not a show of his capabilities?

Not just capabilities, this was even a unique connection that no one would dare to look down on.

As a media personnel of the bureaucracy, Chen Jianxing naturally understood the thoughts of those up in positions of authority. If Hucheng Education really developed according to Xu Tingsheng’s plans, this entailed that in the next four years at the very least, Yanzhou would possess a gold name card amidst the wave of popularity of the internet economy. Meanwhile, this name card would always be stamped with the trademark ‘university student entrepreneur’.

A team of university student entrepreneurs would have established an education empire before their graduation, and it was Yanzhou where it would have risen to prominence. If that day truly came, those important figures all wanted to bask in the glory as well. Yanzhou City, Yanzhou University-these names would shine resplendent wherever they were mentioned.

“Anyway, play it down as much as possible when you write it. I’m even regretting doing this interview a little now,” Xu Tingsheng said helplessly.

“Rest assured, I’ll think about it. Plans and dreams-the difference of a single word can block a lot of controversy for you. I’m good at this stuff. Actually, it isn’t just this article. If you need it in the future, you can actually leave things to your bro to deal with if you need some ‘deliberation’.”

Chen Jianxing proposed such a thing before carefully observing Xu Tingsheng’s reaction. After all, in just half a year’s time, this boy before him was already long since no longer that ordinary student whom he had seen at the People’s Square that day last year when it had been snowing.

“Alright, I’ll be leaving it to Bro Chen then. If there’s anything I have to trouble Bro Chen with in the future, I’ll be dispensing with the formalities with you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Xu Tingsheng understood the ‘deliberation’ that Chen Jianxing spoke of. If he accidentally got involved with something he shouldn’t get involved in, said something that he wasn’t supposed to say or went too far with his words or off topic, he would be needed then. There were few people indeed who could manage to handle themselves properly always.

One of the electives that Xu Tingseng had chosen was known as formal writing. It was for this very reason that he had chosen it. With Chen Jianxing, an insider of the media who was greatly proficient in this area having exhibited his willingness to help now, Xu Tingsheng was naturally very happy to accept it.

“There’s no need to be polite between us.”

At Xu Tingsheng’s approval, Chen Jianxing discovered that he was actually a little moved. This was actually with him being faced with a kid who was some tens of years younger than him. Perhaps some people in this world were truly destined to be unordinary.

“I didn’t sleep at all last night. I’ll go back and catch up on sleep,” Xu Tingsheng said before standing up, leaving a red packet that he had prepared beforehand on the table.

Seeing this, Chen Jianxing took the red packet and rose, wanting to return it to Xu Tingsheng. Still, seeing Xu Tingsheng smiling and shaking his head towards him, he hesitated for a moment before only being able to accept it through tacit agreement.

This meant that Xu Tingsheng was expressing: It’s still the same between us. I will not preside over you just because I am different from in the past. You write for me with your words, and I’ll give you renumeration-this will not change between us.

Why didn’t Xu Tingsheng dare to be casually interviewed by and featured in some major newspapers, yet was willing to talk to Chen Jianxing about all this?

It was because he couldn’t control the articles by those major publications. Maybe things would clearly have gone well between them, but would be distorted and misrepresented as soon as he turned around, only selectively depicting a portion of the entire truth or even maliciously setting him up to fall...interacting with the media had never been an easy thing.

In order to ‘liven things up’ or for some unspeakable motives, they often did some ‘unbelievable’ things with ease, with the victims generally having no way of defending themselves.

‘Public sentiment’ had always been intentionally directed by some. It could be casually influenced at the whims of these people.

Chen Jianxiang was different. At the very least, he could be controlled by Xu Tingsheng to some extent. At the very least, he was currently used to considering problems from Xu Tingsheng’s perspective, deliberating on them for him such that his words would come across rightly.

As for the influence of news articles, Yanzhou Nightly indeed didn’t have much influence in places outside of Yanzhou. Still, in this era where the internet was rapidly developing, need they still fear that the reports might not spread?

……

After Chen Jianxing had completed the draft, he sent it over to Xu Tingsheng for him to look through. Xu Tingsheng deleted two words that he had used, and he accepted it very naturally. This was the tacit agreement that Xu Tingsheng had intentionally established between them. It did not have to be said out loud, for they both understood it well.

Three days after the article had been published, Xu Tingsheng was invited for a meeting with a few important figures of Yanzhou City’s government.

Meeting with these people who were on a whole different level from him in terms of identity and personal experience, Xu Tingsheng could maintain no aura to speak of. The best mode of action for him was leveraging on his young age to act a little bolder.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng did not hold back at all in trying to obtain the necessary governmental support.

“Within the next two years, if Hucheng Education is still developing fine, I hope that you can consider the matter of us securing a base of operations. We’re currently still squatting in a riverside residence that seems like it might really be turning into a danger zone soon.”

At the end of it all, Xu Tingsheng shamelessly extended his hands towards ‘land’, that which held the most potential for growth in the upcoming decade and more. This was a rare chance, being a pie that absolutely no one would be willing to miss taking a bite out of.

Xu Tingsheng remembered an incident from his previous life. That capable person who had made a loss in a grocery business probably just a few years ago had obtained 140000 square metres of land on the basis of establishing a processed groceries supermarket, currently being in the midst of preparing to earn a profit off it.

Who would have thought that one day, this person would possess the ability to stir up a storm with his own power, launching a real estate empire like Vanke.

“If there is indeed a need for this at the current moment, you can rest assured that we will definitely consider it for you.”

Xu Tingsheng obtained such a noncommittal answer.

At the same time, Hucheng Education officially embarked on its ‘Hundred Cities plan’. In the first phase of this plan, they would be expanding south along the shoreline.

Chapter 176: Bastard

Lu Zhixin moved back into the riverside residence.

When Xu Tingsheng returned to the riverside residence that day, he saw someone with butt stuck out and face pressed close to the ground as she extended her hand beneath the sofa with great difficulty, sweeping out a whole bunch of cigarette butts as well as empty liquor bottles. Then, she painstakingly used a cloth to wipe over the area.

With Lu Zhixin’s 1.7m build, her actions were instead restricted, her movements burdensome.

Perhaps because she felt that there shouldn’t be anyone coming right now, she cared not about her dishevelled hair in the least, having no image so to speak of as she focused earnestly on cleaning up the area. Once in a while, she would clench her teeth and complain a little. Once in a while, she would sing some lyrics off-tune as she entertained herself.

Seldom seeing her as ‘unglamorous’ as this, Xu Tingsheng stood at the doorway and watched her for a while rather interestedly, “Not bad, it’s really somewhat like she can act as a goddess descended from heaven, whilst also able to be a housewife.”

Finally, getting up as she was about to go to the toilet to wash the cloth, Lu Zhixin discovered Xu Tingsheng who was standing at the doorway.

“You...just arrived?”

Lu Zhixin rather panickedly wiped her face with the back of her hand, more black stains thereby appearing on her face.

“I’ve been watching for a while,” Xu Tingsheng said cheerily, “Who would have known? You’re pretty capable.”

“Oh...huh, for a while?”

Lu Zhixin thought of her utterly unglamorous look from just earlier, and also the off-tune singing, and also...the way her butt had stuck out, in those shorts that she was wearing...this was totally different from how she had taken the initiative and teased Xu Tingsheng that day.

“Xu Tingsheng.”

“Huh?”

“Bastard.”

Without any prior warning whatsoever, a red-faced Lu Zhixin threw the blackened cloth she was holding towards Xu Tingsheng in embarrassment and anger.

Fortunately, Xu Tingsheng reached out and caught the cloth, blowing away the dust that had flown by his mouth as he said, “You don’t have to work so hard, right? We’ve swept through the place once already, and those places all can’t be seen. Also, you just...I didn’t see anything that I shouldn’t have seen. Is there a need to feel so wronged?”

Lu Zhixin could not rebut that last sentence of Xu Tingsheng’s, for it was not like she could say: My butt was sticking out like that, didn’t you see it?

Therefore, a rather infuriated Lu Zhixin caught on those earlier words of his, questioning, “You’ve swept it? Also, those places that can’t be seen-smell it yourself, isn’t it smelly? I had to spray air freshener a few times, did you know? And look at this sofa, how dirty is it? It’s fortunate that I added an extra sofa cover over it, or perhaps we’d have to throw the whole thing away.”

“Also, look there, and there. What are these things? Those bones are all about to rot...don’t you feel disgusted by it? You’re not allowed to bring people over to watch football again next time.”

Xu Tingsheng listened earnestly before smiling, “Heh, who would have thought that you actually have such a shrewish side? It really can’t be seen from how you usually are. This is great, I won’t have to worry about you being bullied by your husband when you’re married in the future.”

Having gotten over her anger, an exasperated Lu Zhixin felt like rolling her eyes. The image that she had initially displayed before Xu Tingsheng was the same one that she maintained before outsiders. Cool to the point of being a little aloof whilst also elegant and dignified...the image that Xu Tingsheng had of her was already diverging more and more from that right now.

“Go and sweep your own room,” Lu Zhixin did not answer Xu Tingsheng as she just pointed towards his room.

Over this period of time, Lu Zhixin’s room had been locked tight. Meanwhile, there were many people who had slept inside Xu Tingsheng’s room.

“There’s no need to, right? It’s not like I’m living here. I’ve applied to continue staying in the dorms along with Fu Cheng and the others over the summer holidays,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“But it’s smelly, and I feel disgusted just thinking about it. Can you just please go and sweep it? Change the sheets, cases and whatnot, I’ve bought you new ones. They’re on the table inside.”

Lu Zhixin was virtually pleading to him with tears in her eyes. Xu Tingsheng could only listen to her and sweep his room clean. Then, he helped Lu Zhixin to clean up some other areas. They busied themselves for the entire afternoon before finally managing to restore things somewhat.

Finally, the two plopped down on the ground, exhausted and heaving for breath.

“I hadn’t expected that not only are you good at business, you even know how to do housework. You’re even pretty experienced at it,” Xu Tingsheng told Lu Zhixin sincerely.

“When I was young, My Dad was busy, so I always had to take care of myself. I could already cook when I was eight, just not as well as you. When I was twelve, I began helping my Dad to watch over the store...also, the shrewish you were taling about. At that time, our toilets, drains and whatnot were all shared with many other neighbours. We also all cooked in the corridors. If I hadn’t known how to be shrewish and kick up ruckuses, as a little girl, I would have been bullied to death,” Lu Zhixin did not look at Xu Tingsheng as she spoke in a tone that lacked emotion.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t answer, certainly not being as foolish as to ask ‘What about your mother then’, for such could already be determined from her words. Lu Zhixin had unconsciously told Xu Tingsheng a side of her that was completely different from the her he knew and her past life.

“Maybe she isn’t always like how she acts before other people. Maybe her calculative nature, her ruthless methods as well as her resolve and abilities are not all that hard to understand.”

……

Hucheng was already becoming busier and busier in its daily operations. Fortunately, Lu Zhixin had had the foresight to specifically hire a few Accounting and Managment personnel during their mass recruitment. Like this, they could basically leave the matters of the training institute to their employees to handle.

While the ‘Hundred Cities plan’ sounded incomparably grand, when looked at in close detail, it was actually just a somewhat expanded version of the previous Nine Cities plan.

The one in charge of implementing the plan was Lu Zhixin who took charge at both the riverside reisdence and the training insititute. Old Wai stayed behind to keep an eye on the IT department while Li Linlin oversaw the customer service department as well as the department that checked and confirmed the information registered on the platform.

Xu Tingsheng himself was in charge of the most tiring part, that which truly required him to personally head out to other places.

Currently, Hucheng urgently needed to plan for establishing training institutes in the other eight cities aside from Yanzhou where it operated. This would definitely profit them immensely in the future.

It was this that Xu Tingsheng had tasked himself with.

Due to his responsibility towards the students and Hucheng's image, Xu Tingsheng had to personally go down for a on site investigation for virtually every single one of those organisations that approached them hoping for cooperation.

For those that had to be rejected, he would reject them however much money they offered him.

For those that he might be able to acquire, he would first covertly plan for such future possibilities.

Of those around Xu Tingsheng, Fang Yuqing and Fang Chen severely lacked a sense of ownership while Huang Yaming who had not participated much in Hucheng's affairs all along had gone to Tianyi...

Xu Tingsheng could only begin a hectic life of travel alongside Fu Cheng and two other employees.

Fu Cheng unexpectedly requested to travel everywhere along with Xu Tingsheng on his own accord. Most of the time, he would solitarily walk amidst the entire city everywhere he went. After Xu Tingsheng had finished his matters on hand, he would follow him to the next city.

He was searching for her.

Xu Tingsheng would return to Yanzhou once every five to six days to recover from his exertions.

In talking business over this period of time, the wine culture of the country was still inescapable. Fortunately, both the employees he had brought along were pretty good at drinking, and Fu Cheng could also help once in a while. Due to money, even Xu Tingsheng himself had to drink a little more from time to time.

If he didn’t often step on the brakes for this kind of lifestyle, Hucheng still having yet to develop, Xu Tingsheng himself would already first have collapsed.

Xu Tingsheng would bring back quite a few things every time he returned. Every so often, some of his customers would give him some gifts such that he would ‘take care of’ them or give them ‘priority’. Otherwise, they would just feel uneasy.

There were gifts of all kinds. Perhaps because Xu Tingsheng was a young man and it was in consideration of him trying to pick up chicks or perhaps because they were well informed and knew that Hucheng Education had a female boss rumoured to possess even greater authority than him, her word standing as law, some would intentionally think out of the box and prepare some gifts for women from time to time.

Regarding this, Xu Tingsheng would keep what was unisex or for men and dump it in his room when he returned to be used if so required. Whoever around him wanted them, they could just take it.

As for the female items, those branded handbags, vases and whatnot, seeing that Xiang Ning was still young, Xu Tingsheng would give them all to Lu Zhixin after having returned home.

It is very difficult for men to understand women and their passion for branded handbags. Even despite Lu Zhixin's mild personality and wealthy background, she would still be excited and overjoyed by some exceptionally favoured ones.

The good thing about this was that Lu Zhixin was smiling more and more in front of Xu Tingsheng, their interactions no longer being so 'heavy’ and serious. She would no longer say with a stiff face every time Xu Tingsheng returned, “Xu Tingsheng, I have some opinions on the prices and durations of these pieces of businesses you've accepted. Let's talk.”

One must know that this was how Hucheng's employees usually comforted themselves after having been taught a lesson by Lu Zhixin, “So what? Even our boss, Xu Tingsheng, often receives a scolding, right? This is no biggie at all!”

This day, Lu Zhixin happily returned to her room with two of the gifts that Xu Tingsheng had brought back.

A short while later, she stormed out of her room with one of them, an intricate box, in her hand. She stood in front of Xu Tingsheng, glaring at him. From the looks of it, she also appeared kind of wretched aside from being furious.

“What? You don't have to be angry even if you don't like it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Bastard.”

Lu Zhixin mightily dumped the box in Xu Tingsheng’s hands, turned and left.

“The heck, what kind of temper is this...also, can you scold anything else apart from bastard?” Xu Tingsheng muttered to himself.

“Pervert,” Lu Zhixin’s voice resounded from outside the door through clenched teeth.

Apparently, she had not gone far. Only after having scolded him like this did her footsteps as she ascended the stairs resound.

“What’s up with this...can’t she say it directly?” Xu Tingsheng muttered as he opened the exceptionally intricately designed box from where he could see that Lu Zhixin had opened it...it was a small cloth, and still a small cloth. It was thin, and it was lace.

“The heck...perverted.”

Xu Tingsheng knew what the box contained. It was...a set of kinky underwear.

“The heck...which training institute sent this? This sick pervert, we’ve definitely got to end our cooperation immediately…”

After a while, Xu Tingsheng calmed himself and thought for a bit. Then, he carefully resealed the gift box with tape and brought it upstairs.

“Old Wai, come here for a bit. I’ve brought you a present.”

“For me?”

“For you to give to Linlin.”

“No need, we always take some of the stuff that you’ve brought back.”

“This is different. You’ve got to tell Linlin that you bought this specially for her yourself, alright? For things like presents, things you took from me and things you carefully picked yourself hold completely different significance.”

“That’s true. Thanks then, Bro Xu. What’s this?”

“It’s to help the two of you to improve your relationship.”

……

The next morning, Old Wai came to the office early and searched all around but to no avail.

“Where’s Xu Tingsheng?” Old Wai asked with tears in his eyes.

“He left on a business trip early this morning. What, is there something?” Lu Zhixin asked puzzledly.

“Nah, it’s nothing,” Old Wai could only limp slowly away in silence.

Chapter 177: Seeing Zhang Xingke once more

Old Wai returned to his desk and sat down.

Now, he already couldn’t really do much in the IT aspect of the platform. Many of the employees that Hucheng had newly employed as technicians had undergone professional training before, also having accrued a certain level of work experience as their abilities had surpassed his.

More of the time, his job was just to implement the plans that Xu Tingsheng had decided on as well as supervise their work. This was really humiliating to a former programming geek like him, causing him to feel greatly pained.

Xu Tingsheng had discussed this problem with him before, asking him to make use of his ‘not having anything to do at all’ as a chance to learn things and thus charge his batteries. This was indeed what Old Wai had done, having clarified what he couldn’t understand with the employees below him in an unquenchable thirst as he frenziedly strove to improve himself every day.

Who knew that the usually very reliable Xu Tingsheng would suddenly pull something like this.

Old Wai gazed nervously at the doorway. The usually conscientious Li Linlin who was habitually the first to arrive at the office every morning had still yet to show up today.

The previous night, in the midst of sending Li Linlin back to her dormitory after work, Old Wai had forcibly pulled her into a dimly lit small clearing. Beneath her wary gaze, he had taken out the gift box that Xu Tingsheng had prepared for him.

“This is for you,” Old Wai said.

“Something else you got from Bro Xu again?”

Li Linlin had already received presents Old Wai had gotten from Xu Tingsheng’s travels several times now. Thus, she inevitably felt it rather strange that Old Wai suddenly seemed so solemn.

Remembering Xu Tingsheng’s advice, Old Wai shook his head, “No, it’s not from Bro Xu this time. I specially picked it for you myself. I spent a few days choosing it. This...the significance is different. I hope you like it.”

“Thank you.”

Li Linlin’s personality was such that she wasn’t very concerned about such things. Still, she felt rather touched. She was touched by the fact that while Old Wai had suddenly risen greatly in status, he still remembered these little details. Thus, after saying ‘thank you’, Li Linlin leaned in and kissed Old Wai lightly.

Actually, in Li Linlin’s initial conception of things, this relationship between her and Old Wai was likely to be like just any normal schoolyard romance, elapsing for four years before they finally broke up during graduation, both going their separate ways into the distant horizon...thus, she had always been carefully protecting herself.

However, because of Old Wai’s actions in that previous incident as well as the shares which they shared in Hucheng, their futures had suddenly turned bright because of Xu Tingsheng. They would continue being together, next graduating, getting married and remaining in Hucheng, accompanying and helping Xu Tingsheng in forging a future that they never would have thought possible at the start.

This being a rare show of Li Linlin’s affections, Old Wai felt very grateful towards Xu Tingsheng, feeling that he was indeed an expert. No wonder Apple, and also Lu Zhixin…

“Well then, we should be going,” Li Linlin said.

“About that, why don’t you open it and have a look?” Old Wai was actually feeling very curious himself, not having opened the box beforehand due to trusting in Xu Tingsheng too much and also because the box was really too pretty.

“Now?”

“Yeah, open it and see.”

“Alright,” Li Linlin’s curiosity was also hooked.

With some effort, Li Linlin finally managed to lift up one end of the box, extending a hand within…and pulling out...a small piece of cloth…

“This is...?” Li Linlin was rather puzzled.

Old Wai was not puzzled. As a new generation university student who had watched so many X-rated movies before, he certainly knew what this was. He had recognised it with a single glance. It was due to this that he felt like he had suddenly been struck by a thunderbolt, suddenly feeling that...this world had suddenly become such an unfamiliar place.

“Bro Xu...swindled me? So warmly, so sincerely, patting me concernedly on the shoulder and talking about helping to improve our relationship, not forgetting to coax my girlfriend due to spending too much time on work...then, it turned out like this? He wasn’t like this originally!”

“Huh?” Lu Zhixin tilted her head to the side and uttered a sound of puzzlement as she saw Old Wai’s strange expression.

“Oh...this is...a face mask. Right, a new product, a new type of face mask.”

Old Wai reached out, wanting to snatch the box from Li Linlin’s hands.

“Oh? There’s still more inside.”

“Don’t, don’t look.”

Old Wai had already grabbed the box, but it was already too late. Li Linlin pulled out even more pieces of cloth, and...looking at them, thinking for a bit, she finally understood what these were.

“Old Wai…”

“No, this is...Bro Xu gave it to me, he swindled me.”

“Blaming it on Bro Xu? Bro Xu isn’t someone like you! Moreover, didn’t you just say earlier that you specially picked it yourself? Even spending a few days choosing.”

“No, I, no...it hurts, it hurts!”

……

When Xu Tingsheng was waiting for the train at the train station, his handphone rang non-stop. Xu Tingsheng didn’t pick it up. Old Wai switched to sending texts, one text after another coming:

“Bro, do you know how moved, how grateful I was yesterday? I felt that you were just so good to me. Do you know how loving and emotional a scene it was when I gave that to Linlin yesterday night? I even coaxed her to open it in front of me, and then…”

“Bro, I’m crippled now. Come, pick up the phone and let’s talk. How exactly did I offend you?”

“Sigh, honestly speaking, it actually looked quite nice.”

“Bro, Linlin’s come to work, but she’s bought a knife and brought it along with her. I wanted to go over and explain just now, but she pulled out the knife and slammed it on the table.”

“Xu Tingsheng...when you’ve returned, let’s fight to the death. I’ve can’t stand it any longer.”

After half an hour of this, as Li Linlin was about to leave for the training institute with Lu Zhixin, she halted for a moment beside Old Wai and said softly, “Relax, I’m already yours...but I’ll feel scared if you’re like this.”

After saying this, Li Linlin left the room.

Old Wai thought for a while before enlightenment suddenly dawned.

Seeing Old Wai’s texts suddenly going from ‘I can’t stand it any longer’ to ‘Thank you, Bro Xu’, Xu Tingsheng felt rather bewildered by it, not understanding what was currently going on at all. Then, he just ignored the matter completely, because Xiang Ning’s information had sprung up on the screen.

“Uncle, I’ll be back in a few days.”

Xiang Ning had scored third in class for her end-of-semester examinations. A joyful Mr and Mrs Xiang had thus brought her to her aunt’s place in Beijing to play for around two weeks. Every day, she would report where she had gone and what she had seen that day to Xu Tingsheng.

As for upon her return, Xu Tingsheng had already long since agreed with Mr and Mrs Xiang that because of the rather substantial time over the summer holidays and the fact that Xiang Ning would soon be in ninth grade, Xiang Ning would be attending lessons at Hucheng Training Institute over the summer holidays.

The reason for Xu Tingsheng working so hard over this period of time was that he wanted to get things done quickly. Then, when Xiang Ning had returned, he would have the time to conduct a class over the summer holidays, giving her lessons.

After he had replied to Xiang Ning, the station crew began checking the tickets.

“Bro Xu, we can get on now,” His employee beside him said.

“Alright. Let’s make good use of our time and try to get things done within two days,” Xu Tingsheng stood up and hurried to the ticket checking area.

Xu Tingsheng would be going to Shenghai this time, going to take a look at and discuss things with a new training institute that was looking for someone to cooperate with in the areas of management and recruiting students. Due to the unique nature of Shenghai City, Xu Tingsheng had actually always attached great importance to it. If possible, he hoped that Hucheng’s second training institute could be established in this city.

Of course, this also entailed greater investment and greater competition.

After the train had reached the station, Xu Tingsheng and the others went for a simple lunch at a nearby fast food restaurant before hurrying over to this Dexin Training Institute. Other things aside, training institutes which could operate in Shenghai City were naturally of a greater scale.

Just standing at the school gate and looking around for a moment, Xu Tingsheng could not help but feel rather envious.

Then, Xu Tingsheng unexpectedly saw a familiar face amongst the Dexin employees who had come out to receive him. It was Zhang Xingke.

Xu Tingsheng had just been about to call out to Zhang Xingke in greeting when the latter shook his head.

Chapter 178: The road to a Buddha

Dexin had sent close to ten employees over to receive Xu Tingsheng. Zhang Xingke was standing at the back of their group. After exhibiting some slight shock, he shook his head slightly towards Xu Tingsheng who had been just been about to call out to him in greeting.

Xu Tingsheng could only lower his hand that he had just been about to raise.

Dexin’s principal-cum-boss introduced a few people beside him to Xu Tingsheng. However, he didn't mention Zhang Xingke who was standing by a corner. Thus, Xu Tingsheng and his 'old’ rival didn't even greet each other at all.

That day, Xu Tingsheng saw a completely different Zhang Xingke.

In just a few short months’ time, the originally arrogant and overbearing Zhang Xingke who had even appeared a little egoistic before had completely vanished. Currently, the feeling he gave to those who had not been familiar with him before would be one of an honest, even slightly subservient person.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng knew of Zhang Xingke's past. He had once been a legendary figure of Xishan Academy City who could summon the winds and the clouds, a capable figure who had already been able to earn millions even without having graduated from university.

Therefore, it was admiration that Xu Tingsheng currently felt. He admired Zhang Xingke's ability to adapt and change. Having suffered a loss, he had become mature and more restrained following a few short months, even emanating a perfectly primed feeling of being ‘harmless to both men and beasts’.

For the entire afternoon, Zhang Xingke was unceasingly called to do various miscellaneous tasks like fetching documents, calling people over and even changing the hot water. Every time he was tasked with these things, he would unhesitatingly say, “Okay!”

Then, he would move swift as the wind, enthusiastically and without the slightest word of complaint.

Xu Tingsheng still remembered that time just a few months ago at the riverside residence. Sitting on the sofa, Zhang Xingke had put up one finger after another, being adamant on obtaining fifty-one percent of Hucheng's shares. He had told him: If I really make a move, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to take it.

Back then, his gaze had been determined and confident as that arrogance of his had really been a little off-putting.

Seeing the way he was now, Xu Tingsheng suddenly thought of a phrase: Able to bow whilst also seething to rebel.

In the dinner that Dexin had arranged, it was natural that wine would be had. Xu Tingsheng didn't dare to drink too much as he placed most of his attention on Zhang Xingke. He didn't know if it was feigned or his alcohol capacity really was sub-par, but Zhang Xingke entered a semi-drunken state very quickly.

Then, Xu Tingsheng watched on as he 'capitalised’ on his insobriety to suck up to and praise his superiors to the high heavens, leaving all of them feeling incomparably happy and satisfied.

Zhang Xingke called for a toast to his superiors. Every time he was refused, he would still raise his glass yet again.

“In order to express my gratitude for giving me an opportunity, this toast of mine definitely has to be done! This Boss Xu, you don't know, but if not for our Principal Zhang, I would probably be sleeping on the streets now...this debt is one that can never be repaid. Don't you think that I should toast him?” Zhang Xingke asked solemnly.

“Then, Principal Zhang really should have a glass,” Xu Tingsheng played along.

“Since Boss Xu is saying this, alright then. One cup for me, three cups for you,” Dexin's Principal Zhang said.

“Of course, of course. Thank you, Principal Zhang.”

Zhang Xingke straightforwardly drank three full glasses in a single go before slumping against the table to catch his breath.

After finishing the half glass of wine before him, Principal Zhang looked at Zhang Xingke who already seemed a little like he couldn't take it as he said, “Come on, you should toast Boss Xu.”

“Right,” Zhang Xingke rubbed his face and poured the wine, clasping the glass with both hands as he stood up, “Boss Xu, let me give you a toast.”

“What 'a’? Toasting Boss Xu, are you qualified enough to toast a cup for a cup? Hmmm...five cups for you, one cup for Boss Xu,” On Dexin's side, an alluringly beautiful female Chairman who looked around thirty asked, “Right, Boss Xu?”

Xu Tingsheng did not respond.

“Chairman speaks rightly,” Zhang Xingke said, “Then, Boss Xu, I'll drink first to show my respect. Wait for my five glasses; you can drink yours then.”

“We should really drink a glass for a glass. It looks like you've already drunk quite a bit,” Xu Tingsheng raised a hand to stop him.

“It's fine. He's young-it's nothing, right? Little Zhang?” The alluringly beautiful woman said.

“Yeah, I'm fine.”

Zhang Xingke downed one glass after another. At the final glass, Xu Tingsheng stood up as well, clinking glasses with him.

……

Some time after 9pm, Dexin’s side sent Xu Tingsheng’s group to the motel that they had arranged for them.

Xu Tingsheng hadn't drunk much that night. After Dexin’s people had all left, he shut his room door, cleaning his face with hot water. The two sides had yet to come to an agreement on the prices as well as the specifics of their cooperation. Every time he was too heavily intoxicated, Xu Tingsheng would remind himself not to make any hasty promises or decisions.

Someone knocked on the door.

Xu Tingsheng opened it. Zhang Xingke was standing outside.

“Am I interrupting?” Zhang Xingke asked.

“No. Please come in, Senior.”

Xu Tingsheng let Zhang Xingke into the room, shut the door and boiled some water to brew him some tea.

Handing a cup of tea to Zhang Xingke, he asked, “You aren't drunk?”

“A little,” Zhang Xingke smiled, “Were you surprised seeing me here today?”

“I was a little surprised. I think that Senior should still have quite a bit of money on hand, such that there should be many things that you can do. It shouldn't be to the extent that…”

Zhang Xingke interjected, “I already didn't have much originally. I earned a lot those past few years, but also spent all of it without abandon. When offering you that price back then, I was mainly intimidating you...if you had really agreed, I would even have had to sell all my flats.”

Zhang Xingke laughed after he had said this.

Being rather sensitive to the idea of ‘flats’, Xu Tingsheng diverged from the main topic, “You really shouldn’t sell the houses. You should keep them and watch their prices soar on and on.”

“It’s too late. I’ve already sold them, and even went for a round on the stock market...I wanted to roll the snowball a little bigger before directly going for something big. In the end, three over million went in, but less than five hundred thousand came out,” Zhang Xingke smiled as he said.

The stock market was actually something that Xu Tingsheng was rather vexed about following his rebirth. In his previous life, he had paid very little attention to the stock market after having graduated and gone out to work, much less this still being the year 2004.

“Is the stock market in a bad state now?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“You aren’t playing it?” Zhang Xingke was rather surprised. As he saw it, amidst the current wave of popularity where everyone was investing in stocks, someone like Xu Tingsheng who possessed the capital for such yet entirely disregarded the stock market was really beyond rare.

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “I don’t know much about that.”

“That’s also a good thing, I guess,” Zhang Xingke thought for a moment before saying, “Actually, the situation can’t exactly be termed as bad. It’s just that it suddenly slid mightily downwards between April and July, almost having lost all its momentum that it gained over the past year. I think it’s still been falling these past few days.”

“Under such circumstances, those who came beforehand would have profited while those who came afterwards might fall to the very bottom. I was rather more unlucky, just having entered and exited over this period of time. It can basically be considered having suffered defeat inside.”

“Therefore, I thought about it, deciding to come back to my old trade and slowly familiarise myself with it. I ended up going to Dexin and starting out afresh,” Zhang Xingke continued.

Actually, still possessing at least five hundred thousand yuan, he definitely couldn’t be considered poor in this current era. It also wasn’t that there wasn’t anything he could do. However, for some reason, Xu Tingsheng had seen him acting very ingratiatingly in Dexin.

“You’ve got to know that I didn’t even graduate from university,” Zhang Xingke substantiated.

With that, Xu Tingsheng could basically understand his situation and why he had been acting so ingratiatingly. Even entering Dexin would not have been easy. Moreover, he wanted to enter the management level and learn about Shenghai City’s situation through Dexin, also understanding Dexin’s situation and seeing if there was a chance.

“Therefore, does Senior intend to strive on honestly and diligently to become a Chairman or a Vice-Principal of Dexin?” Xu Tingsheng smiled as he asked.

He definitely wouldn’t believe that Zhang Xingke could be satisfied as an employee of a private training institute no matter how hard he worked, how fast he was promoted, so long as he was not its boss.

“What do you think?”

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Zhang Xingke smiled as well. Both of them knew full well the meaning behind his smile.

“Does Senior have enough money to take down Dexin?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“That’s why I’ve come to find you,” Zhang Xingke smiled, “It was me who convinced Dexin to look for you this time. Don’t you feel that they’ve been rather overly enthusiastic towards you today? The scale and set-up of Dexin actually aren’t bad. It’s just that their competition here in Shenghai City is too great. That’s why Dexin’s situation isn’t very good, why they have placed all their hopes on you this time.”

“Therefore…”

“Therefore, you can definitely open with a price of around a hundred thousand yuan tomorrow. Dexin still has fifteen hundred thousand of liquid assets in its account. If you come out with a price of ten thousand yuan, under their current circumstances where they have no other choice, they definitely will agree to it.”

“After that…”

“After that, you tamper slightly with the recruitment, while I do something here at Dexin as well. In two months at most, you’ll be able to come over to talk about acquisition. I hope that you will not forget about my part in this then.”

“Raising a tiger?”

“Dare you?”

“I’ll think about it...still, Hucheng has never tampered in our recruitment before.”

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say this, Zhang Xingke thought for a moment before asking totally randomly, “Do you believe in Buddhism?”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback for a moment before he replied, “Not particularly, but yes.”

“It’s alright, it’s fine whether or not you believe in it. Still, have you ever discovered a thing like this? It always seems hard for good people to become Buddhas. They have to painstakingly cultivate for ten lifetimes, undergo endless tribulations, sacrificing their bodies and sacrificing their lives or whatnot...and they might not even achieve nirvana in the end.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, indicating for him to continue.

“What about villains then?” Zhang Xingke looked straight at Xu Tingsheng before uttering, “Lower your blade of slaughter, Hence descends the light of nirvana.”

Chapter 179: This youth really can’t take it

Zhang Xingke had appeared with a different 'face’, looking completely unlike how he had been in the past on the surface. However, his way of living and philosophy of life had not changed at all.

He saw society as a dog-eat-dog world where the law of the jungle reigned, being unscrupulous in his methods.

For example, he would help to do some things in Dexin that would hasten its collapse. Also, he had implied that he was confident of helping Hucheng to succeed in its acquisition, not letting Dexin fall into someone else's hands. While Xu Tingsheng didn't know the specifics of this, he could be certain that he would definitely be able to achieve it.

This could be seen from how he could lower himself to get close to Dexin's higher echelons like this, could accurately know Dexin's liquid assets and situation with his current position, could convince Dexin's people to stake it all on Hucheng, could accurately grasp their mentalities and bottom line.

Therefore, he would definitely be able to do it.

His growth was much greater than Xu Tingsheng had thought, and the same went for his capabilities and adaptability as well. If it was in his previous life, while Xu Tingsheng didn't know how Zhang Xingke had wound up eventually, it was indubitable that he would have been a person whom he would have had to look up to.

“Weak-willed as a woman, laughable to the extreme. That is my evaluation of you over this period of time.”

Zhang Xingke suddenly said, “You stopped when you could have continued crushing me. I can take it that you don't give two hoots about it. Still, you should be clear that you could definitely have acquired the Modernity Training Institute at a much lower price than you actually did. If you had just done a few things, even just waited for a while, you would have been able to do it, but you didn't…”

“Therefore, Xishan Tower’s...Xu Tingsheng, in truth, the more I look at you, the more I try to understand you, the more I just can’t get it. You clearly possess that kind of personality that is doomed to failure, living a life that is generally stable yet mediocre...Yet, up till now, you have mightily broken through all obstacles that stand in your path…”

He was right.

Xu Tingsheng actually understood all this better than most other people did. Having experienced many things before, he knew what was weak and laughable about him. If not for the advantage of his rebirth, he would be the most ordinary, mediocre person, perhaps even as much of a failure as he had been in his previous life.

Why then was Xu Tingsheng unwilling to change himself completely?

Firstly, with the advantage from his rebirth already sufficiently great, Xu Tingsheng hoped that he could make use of this to avoid the law of the jungle, not acting against his principles. This was despite the fact that harsh reality was continuously dealing him heavy blows in this area.

Second and also of the utmost importance was that Xu Tingsheng feared a change in his mentality and personality.

Firstly, he was afraid that he might end up becoming a kind of person that Xiang Ning didn’t like. He could become wealthy and also capable. If it was so possible, he would even be willing to become a little more handsome, such as growing two centimetres taller to hit the 1.8m mark.

However, Xiang Ning had liked his former personality. Their worldviews and values had both been compatible beyond compare...thus, he was afraid, afraid that if he did ever change, she would no longer be able to find the feel of liking him, or maybe that compatibility might be gone.

Next, he was afraid that he might no longer love Xiang Ning, might be willing to give up on and hurt her. This was a problem of self-control. Through ceaseless successes, non-stop growth and unceasing changes, he might eventually end up as a Xu Tingsheng who was not passionate about Xiang Ning, could give up on her...would that be good or bad?

Right, Xu Tingsheng couldn’t even be very certain of whether some things were good or bad. His current love for Xiang Ning in this life had been carried over with him from his previous life. Whenever this matter came to mind, thinking seriously about it, was it right or was it wrong?

“If there hadn’t been all that entanglement in my previous life, that happiness, those feelings, that guilt as well as the final confirmation that it was her...while I had changed greatly. Having met Xiang Ning in this life, would I still have fallen in love with her?”

……

Zhang Xingke was silent for a while as he looked at Xu Tingsheng who was in deep thought before he finally said, “Also, the conditions are already greatly matured. Why don’t you dare to charge the students fees? ...In order to fake out a reputation? If you really are so hypocritical in cheating their trust first, I would really still admire you. Still, you don’t seem like you’d do that.”

Xu Tingsheng did not speak. This problem had actually already been discussed within Hucheng innumerable times. It had also been examined by specialists and mentioned by professionals countless times. Yet, Xu Tingsheng would unreasonably reject this proposal every single time.

There was no way for him to tell anyone, “I experienced that kind of life before, and that’s why I can’t do it. Even if the majority of people don’t actually have it that hard, even if it is just a small minority of people who have it as difficult as it was for me previously, I am still unable to do it. Also, there is no need for me to do things in this life to such an extent. Since it is unnecessary, why shouldn’t I just abide by my core, essential principles?!”

Zhang Xingke continued, “Actually, whether it is home tutor intermediaries or other labour intermediaries, it is a totally natural thing for them to charge fees from students. Also, you wouldn’t have to worry about it at all. You can just let them scold you however they want.”

“You have a greater monopoly over things than I had previously. You can completely ignore whatever they want to think. After they’re finished scolding, they’d still only be able to continue staying obediently there handing money over to you. You’ve got to understand that as compared to parents and other employers, these people are really the best to exploit. They are the ones with the least choice, the ones who are the most helpless to resist.”

“Being as candid as this, aren’t you worried that I might become more afraid of you, Senior?” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Zhang Xingke smiled as well, albeit in a rather helpless manner, “But this is where I can be of value to you. Therefore, I can only try to convince you in this aspect first.”

“Does Senior have any other suggestions regarding Hucheng? Those might be of more value to me.”

“Breaking free from the self-defined home tutor intermediary role, breaking free of your reliance on student populations, increasing the scale and scope of your services to cover more aspects, such as being a labour intermediary. Even renting flats, selling flats, secondhand exchanges…”

Zhang Xingke seemed to have long been prepared for this conversation with Xu Tingsheng. His words caused two things to arise within Xu Tingsheng’s mind: Ganji.com, 58.com. He knew that after they had merged to form 58 Ganji.com, their market value had surpassed ten billion USD.

And now, they hadn’t even appeared yet.

“How about we put in marriage and dating services as well?” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“We can do that,” Zhang Xingke replied earnestly.

“This suggestion of Senior’s is very good. Actually, we’re currently making some changes as well. For example, my female partner whom you’ve seen before has recently been expanding on a labour intermediary aspect for Hucheng that is unrelated to education. It includes hiring as well as job-seeking. This is one of our future directions.”

“That’s good then. I think that this is the reason why you have been succeeding despite clearly being unsuitable. You are indeed proficient in thinking about the big picture and setting up the overall situation.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s why you definitely can’t miss out on Shenghai. Shenghai City is special, and Dexin is a great opportunity. It can help to bring you fully into the field of education, your platform aside.”

According to Zhang Xingke’s plan, what Xu Tingsheng should do tomorrow was first diminish Dexin’s remaining liquid assets with a contract, letting them pile all their hopes on Hucheng.

After that, he would tamper with the recruitment a little, boiling a frog in warm water as Dexin saw its hope slowly turn into despair, slowly but surely till it lacked even the strength to extricate itself. With Zhang Xingke’s assistance, he would be able to complete an acquisition of it then.

“Let me consider it a bit more,” Xu Tingsheng hesitated.

“But…”

Zhang Xingke had just been about to continue when knocking now resounded on the door.

Xu Tingsheng looked through the peephole before mouthing to Zhang Xingke, “Your female Chairman.”

Zhang Xingke was momentarily taken aback before he smiled strangely, arose and...hid into the wardrobe. Hiding a man in a wardrobe-if this was found out, wouldn’t it be even more terrifying than if there had been a woman hidden inside?! Xu Tingsheng shook his head in anguish before opening the door to receive the visitor.

The female Chairman had already changed out from the clothes she had worn during dinner.

Red...a dress that emphasised her cleavage...tight-fitting as it clung to the curves of her body...a pair of high-heeled shoes that revealed her shiny toenails, with her already super hot body thus even more incomparably alluring; her long, abundant legs that were different from the slender, cute ones of young girls being tightly covered by black stockings…

As their eyes met, the female Chairman directed a heated gaze at him.

“Hello, um…” Xu Tingsheng couldn’t remember her surname.

“I’m surnamed Xu, Xu Xinlan. You can call me Xinlan, Boss Xu,” Xu Xinlan didn’t seem offended by Xu Tingsheng’s hesitation in the least as she smiled, her phoenix eyes still gazing heatedly at him.

“Oh...Chairman Xu is looking for me?” Xu Tingsheng really couldn’t just call her Xinlan.

“Is it convenient? If so, I’d like to sit in Boss Xu’s room for a while.”

Xu Tingsheng thought: The heck? Of course it’s inconvenient! You…

This Uncle is currently at the height of my hot-blooded, youthful days. My wife is still young. I usually try hard to prevent such thoughts from appearing, trying not to come into contact with anything that can stimulate my desires as much as possible...and you come here with this. I’m about to implode with just a single glance, almost not even daring to speak while sitting upright. Can’t you see that? Why are you even coming in here?

Moreover...I’m still hiding a man inside...hiding, a, man...just what’s up with tonight?

His right arm propped against the doorframe, Xu Tingsheng had still yet to find an excuse to refuse Yu Xinlan when she was already entering the room with her chest held high, naturally right about to collide with his arm...

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly pulled back his arm, barely managing to avoid the collision. Looking at the flustered Xu Tingsheng, Yu Xinlan covered her mouth, leaned backwards and laughed. Alongside her laughter, some certain parts of her body shook in a rather spine-chilling manner.

“I remember from the information we prepared that Boss Xu is only twenty now?” She asked.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Xu Tingsheng had wanted to leave the door open, but Yu Xinlan casually reached out and closed it.

“Then, you’d definitely have a girlfriend? Boss Xu is young and rich and is so handsome as well. Even I almost feel moved. The girls would definitely be even more crazed.”

Yu Xinlan’s words were kind of overly direct. Still, this having been said in a suggestive tone that was half-serious whilst half-joking, Xu Tingsheng was just left not knowing how to respond at all.

This was a woman who was greatly skilled in navigating society, being very good at grasping the initiative as well as controlling men.

“Please sit inside, Chairman Xu,” Xu Tingsheng moved aside.

Dexin had booked a room for Xu Tingsheng in a mid-tier motel. In this single room, apart from a television shelf and a wardrobe by the bed, there were simply a table placed near the window as well as two single-seater sofas located along the wall by both sides of the table.

Currently, one of the sofas contained Xu Tingsheng’s bag as well as clothes. Thus, Yu Xinlan sat on the sofa which Zhang Xingke had originally been sitting on.

Xu Tingsheng could only sit on the bed.

Just having sat down, Xu Tingsheng already regretted it. Seated like this, the two of them were currently face-to-face. Just raising his head, Xu Tingsheng would be faced with her twin mounds as well as her legs that were covered in stockings...

Amidst Xu Tingsheng’s thoughts, Yu Xinlan softly called, “Boss Xu.”

Xu Tingsheng raised his head.

At the same time, Yu Xinlan changed the position of her legs in a very natural manner, her left leg hooking over her right as they formed a semicircle right before Xu Tingsheng’s eyes.

White. Xu Tingsheng saw it even though he didn’t want to. The sudden nature of this revelation as well as the impure nature of this affair instead caused too great an impact, the blood instantly rushing to his head for a time.

“I’m really about to implode...it’ll kill me, going on like this…”

Xu Tingsheng really felt scared, scared that he wouldn’t be able to take it.

Just from Yu Xinlan’s face alone, she definitely couldn’t be considered extremely beautiful, only being upper average at most. Also, Xu Tingsheng didn’t have any particular fetish for mature woman. However, there was just one sort of woman in this world, that sort that could perform seduction so easily, causing men to go crazy.

Currently, Yu Xinlan’s eyes were full of passion and desire, her coquettish voice and her lascivious movements, coupled with her hot, mature body, that incomparably alluring appearance and those hints both overt and concealed…

The 20-year-old Xu Tingsheng felt that it was virtually a human aphrodisiac that sat before him...this youth really couldn’t take it.

Chapter 180: My fire’s already gone out

“Fortunately, there’s still someone hiding in the wardrobe.”

Xu Tingsheng instead rejoiced a little at Zhang Xingke’s presence now. With an outsider like him present, it could ensure that he would not truly lose his mind. Unable to take it? Things being as they were, he had to take it even if he couldn’t take it!

Xu Tingsheng’s expression and reactions were all seen by Yu Xinlan. Through her many years of accumulated experience, she could determine with a single glance whether a man had any desires and urges towards her.

Yu Xinlan had always been very clear on her assets and charm, not believing that this young male before her possessed sufficient willpower to resist her. Thus, she felt that she could carry on with the next step.

“You just had a friend over, Boss Xu?” Yu Xinlan asked as she pointed at the half-empty cup of tea that Zhang Xingke had been drinking just earlier.

“Oh, yeah...He left just a short while ago. There’s still a teacup there; I’ll go brew another cup for Chairman Yu.”

Xu Tingsheng made use of this chance to stand up and flee his original position. He plugged in the electric kettle again, got another glass cup and rinsed it with hot water before placing in the tea leaves that he had brought himself and waiting for the water to boil.

Yu Xinlan took the liberty to stand up as she said, “I feel like using the washroom. Can I?”

“Go ahead.”

As Yu Xinlan was in the washroom, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly ran over to the window and moved his bag and clothes from that single-seater sofa to the bed, thinking that he definitely wouldn’t sit opposite her anymore...he might really die from that.

“How about it? Powerful, right?” The wardrobe opened a slight crack as Zhang Xinke whispered.

Xu Tingsheng earnestly nodded repeatedly.

“The heck, I almost imploded just watching it from inside. Whew…” Zhang Xingke said.

“I won’t be able to get out of here...how about you pretend that I’m not here? I won’t look, I promise,” Zhang Xingke said.

Xu Tingsheng pointed towards his ear. They smiled in unison. As the sound of a door opening and closing now resounded from the washroom, Zhang Xingke covered his mouth, pulling the door of the wardrobe closer in. Then, he pushed it slightly out again.

Xu Tingsheng was instantly rendered speechless. The hell! You’re freaking preparing to watch!

Yu Xinlan causally brewed the tea, carrying it over.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly sat down on the now freed up sofa.

Yu Xinlan placed the teacup on the table.

Then, Xu Tingsheng watched on dumbfounded as she did not go back to sit on the other sofa, instead moving back after having put down the teacup, moving two steps to the left and sitting on the bed...leaving them still seated face-to-face.

The bed was slightly higher than the sofa.

As Yu Xinlan sat down and put a leg over the other, Xu Tingsheng caught another glimpse…

This time, he didn’t clearly see what he wasn’t supposed to. However, he discovered that while the black stockings were still there, the white...was already gone.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at Yu Xinlan’s chest area ‘just for confirmation’. Indeed, ‘that’ was gone as well.

Therefore, it was already very clear what Yu Xinlan had gone to the washroom to do just earlier.

Xu Tingsheng’s head rung as a fire blazed in both his body and his mind.

“It seems she’s determined to eat me up. Sacrificing herself like this-I wonder what this woman wants?”

Xu Tingsheng tried his best to calm down. He directed a casual glance towards the wardrobe. Zhang Xingke might have seen it, might have reacted as well. Still, looking towards that slit of darkness, Xu Tingsheng was unable to see his reaction.

“It hasn’t even been a year since Boss Xu founded Hucheng Education?” Yu Xinlan asked.

“Right. You should have this in the information your company collected,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Yu Xinlan smiled, nodding, “That’s right. It’s just that not personally asking, it’d just feel a little difficult to believe it. The current appraised value of Boss Xu’s Hucheng Education outside is very high, while Boss Xu is just 20. I feel that...this is really just too inconceivable.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Thank you. It was just luck.”

Yu Xinlan said, “You are currently working on a Hundred Cities plan? It seems like it’s already reached almost twenty cities now? I’ve heard an analyst say that as soon as this plan of yours has been completed, the value of Hucheng Education might already have surpassed a billion.”

Yu Xinlan unconsciously emphasised on the ‘billion’ a little heavily.

With the Hundred Cities plan achieved, that would also mean that the expansion of their services would have been completed. A billion? Xu Tingsheng felt that the analyst Yu Xinlan was referring to was really much too lacking in his appraisal of the value of the internet.

Of course, there was no need for him to tell Yu Xinlan this.

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m actually not very clear on this myself. I’m just doing things one step at a time.”

Yu Xinlan next asked Xu Tingsheng about Cao Cao’s mausoleum and other things that were related to him. Throughout this entire process, she exerted all possible means, ceaselessly thinking of ways to exhibit her body to him.

“Consolidating all these, Boss Xu’s charm is really too great. There’s a great sense of mystery around you that makes one curious, wanting to find out more. Having heard that I would have a chance to meet Boss Xu this time, I was moved to the point of almost being unable to sleep. Having seen you today, I’m even more unable to sleep now…”

Xu Tingsheng could not help but interrupt her, “In having found me, Chairman Yu, it must be for the matter of recruitment and management?”

Yu Xinlan shook her head, hesitating for a moment before she said, “That’s for discussion at the table. I’m actually here to ask Boss Xu. Are you interested...in buying Dexin? If Boss Xu is interested, I would actually be able to help you with it.”

“How many desperate traitors is Dexin breeding?” Whilst feigning nonchalance, Xu Tingsheng glanced towards the wardrobe again. What might Zhang Xingke be feeling now?

Xu Tingsheng smiled before asking rather interestedly, “I wonder how Chairman Yu intends to help me?”

“If you have me, it’d actually be very easy to handle this. Dexin currently only has 150000 yuan in liquid assets in its account. Also, all their hopes of holding on are on Boss Xu. Therefore…”

Yu Xinlan explained her plan.

Xu Tingsheng was almost rendered dazed. Aside from the person doing the ‘follow-up actions’ having turned into Yu Xinlan herself, this plan of hers was virtually exactly the same as Zhang Xingke’s.

Xu Tingsheng unconsciously directed his gaze towards the big wardrobe once more. Yu Xinlan curiously glanced over along with him. Fortunately, she did not discover anything abnormal.

Seeing that he was silent, Yu Xinlan asked softly, “Boss Xu?”

Xu Tingsheng regained his wits, “Yeah?”

Yu Xinlan said, “Actually, we can discuss this problem on the bed. Let’s not stand on ceremony.”

Xu Tingsheng, “...”

Yu Xinlan asked, “Is Boss Xu interested in me? What I mean is that tonight, and in the future, I can...fulfil whatever you ask.”

Yu Xinlan bit down on her lower lip, breathing even more heavily as she stared at Xu Tingsheng...

“If Boss Xu acquires Dexin, Xinlan will naturally become your subordinate, and will have to listen to whatever you say…”

A thirty-year-old woman was using a voice overflowing with allure that almost seemed like a voice from one’s dreams as she spoke respectfully to a twenty-year-old boy, saying ‘listen to whatever you say’.

“If Boss Xu is not interested in Dexin, can you bring me to Hucheng along with you? What a pity, I should have worn a skirt here today. Then, yeah, Boss Xu would have been able to watch me being a secretary to you…”

Yu Xinlan leapt up, extending a hand to pull down the zipper of her dress behind her as she tried to grab hold of Xu Tingsheng’s hand with her other hand…

……

Now, both Xu Tingsheng’s handphones beeped simultaneously.

Xu Tingsheng told Yu Xinlan ‘sorry’ before taking out both his phones and placing them on the table. He took one of them and checked it.

“Uncle, I really can’t eat barbequed duck anymore. Also, there are so many people here. It’s so crowded! We bought a lot of things just now. I just finished packing helping to pack the luggage, I’m so tired. Goodnight,” Xiang Ning sent over.

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Rest well. Goodnight.”

Xiang Ning replied, “I’ve got a present for Uncle. Looking forward to it?”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “I’m really looking forward to it!”

Xiang Ning replied, “Wait for it! Goodnight.”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Goodnight.”

After having said goodnight, Xu Tingsheng unconsciously looked downwards and smiled. The sweetness that overtook him made it feel like he should be able to take it...the fire in his body was already gradually going out on its own.

He put down that phone, picking up the other one.

“I’ve applied to study Computer Science and Information Studies,” Wu Yuewei had sent over.

Qingbei’s Computer Science and its related majors had and would produce many premier figures of the Internet. Xu Tingsheng was very clear on this. However, Wu Yuewei was a girl, and she hadn’t really touched computers at all before having graduated from senior high. She definitely wouldn’t have an interest in it…

Therefore, it actually couldn’t be any more evident why she had applied for such a course. The sole explanation for this was that Xu Tingsheng currently ran an Internet-related business.

Xu Tingsheng replied, “If you aren’t interested in it, you can’t randomly apply for it.”

Wu Yuewei replied, “Hehe, but I already did. I will be interested in it.”

Xu Tingsheng could only reply, “Then, when you’re travelling to school, stop by Yanzhou along the way...is that convenient? After that, take a plane from Xihu City. I’ll buy the ticket for you.”

Wu Yuewei replied, “I intend to take a train over. Flying is too expensive. Since Mum and Dad have also never travelled far before, I intend to go alone. Still, I can take a train from Yanzhou.”

Xu Tingsheng had originally been thinking that since he didn’t to intend to return to Libei for the summer holidays, he should accompany Wu Yuewei to buy a rather more high-end laptop to take along to Qingbei as she passed by Yanzhou on her way there.

A laptop would cost some tens of thousands, and Wu Yuewei definitely wouldn’t have bought one herself. However, she would need it for her studies.

Now, however, Wu Yuewei had mentioned that she was intending to head over to report alone.

Actually, she wasn’t wrong. If her parents sent her over, she might end up being the one taking care of them throughout the entire journey. After that, she would still have to worry about their return journey.

However, that would be a train journey of a few days to the distant and foreign Yanjing. She was a young girl who similarly hadn’t travelled far before. Carrying all her luggage, going over alone?

Xu Tingsheng’s heart ached a little as he replied on the spur of the moment, “Come to Yanzhou. I’ll send you over.”

Wu Yuewei was silent on her side for a bit before she replied somewhat disbelievingly, “Huh?”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “What I mean is-you come to Yanzhou first, and I’ll send you over to your university following that. I’ve never seen what Qingbei University is like. I’ll be able to make use of this chance to go take a look at it with you.”

Wu Yuewei was silent for a while again before she replied, “What do to? I want to, I’m so happy. But I also want to pretend to be sensible and say that I don’t want to hold back your time.”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “You won’t. We’ll take a plane over from Xihu City. It’s very fast; we’ll be there in just around two hours.”

Wu Yuewei, “That fast?”

Xu Tingsheng, “Yeah.”

Wu Yuewei, “I won’t take a plane then. I want to take the train.”

Xu Tingsheng, “...”

Wu Yuewei, “I’ll take a plane. Where are you now then? What’re you doing?”

Xu Tingsheng, “At a motel in Shenghai. I came over here to discuss a business deal today.”

Wu Yuewei, “Motel? Then, how many people are there over on your side?”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before replying, “Three.”

Wu Yuewei, “Three? That’s good then. It must be tough on you. Rest earlier, goodnight.”

Xu Tingsheng, “It’s really three. Goodnight.”

Xu Tingsheng had spent more than ten minutes replying Xiang Ning and chatting with Wu Yuewei. Now, his fire had already gone out completely. The reason for this was actually not time, but people.

Yu Xinlan still had a hand on her back, unable to strip, yet also unable not to...she had been in this posture for more than ten minutes.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng finally put the phone down, Yu Xinlan composed herself before smiling, “Girlfriend checking up on you?”

“Is this counted?” Xu Tingsheng looked at the two handphones on the table before looking back over as he said, “You could say that.”

Yu Xinlan smiled in a graceful, natural manner before gazing at Xu Tingsheng’s eyes, “Now that the checks are over, can we continue?”

Xu Tingsheng scratched his head, saying awkwardly, “My fire’s already gone out.”

Chapter 181: Final decision

11pm.

The exhausted Xiang Ning had already fallen into deep slumber.

Wu Yuewei tossed and turned around in her bed, unable to sleep. Xu Tingsheng had been cold to her for too long such that even simply being treated well by him would be repeatedly thought about and yearned for by her. She thought: Why are these summer holidays so long? Such a good university like Qingbei actually doesn't have any supplementary lessons over the summer holidays? It should be like in senior high,making use of every second that there is!

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng had just told the lethal creature Yu Xinlan even as she pulled at the zipper on her dress, a bewitching sound thus resounding, that his fire had already gone out.

Xu Tingsheng was not a saint. He had virtually almost been unable to control himself just now.

However, this was just the way things were. There is actually such a kind of girl in this world that can cause you to become cleaner and purer with their own purity and goodness. Xu Tingsheng had just conversed with two such girls, feeling happiness and joy from them.

Thus, his body had been able to break free of its overpowering desires now.

The experienced Yu Xinlan halted amidst her movements and looked at Xu Tingsheng. From his expression and the state of his body, his breathing included, she knew that what he said was true. His 'fire’ had indeed already 'gone out’.

Yu Xinlan suddenly felt overwhelmed by defeat, vexation and awkwardness...

She had seen far too many men dependably answering calls by their wives come to check on them before immediately lunging wildly towards her like a dog in heat. This boy, however...he had merely sent a few text messages.

Yu Xinlan considered: Should she try again? Since ignition had already come once, it could surely come again. Of course, she would have to start all over again…

Yu Xinlan sat down.

Xu Tingsheng got up, walking over to add water into his teacup.

“Chairman Yu,” Xu Tingsheng said as he walked, “Look, that was too great a joke on your part. Even I almost thought you were serious, “ Xu Tingsheng forcibly found a pedestal for Yu Xinlan to step down onto.

Yu Xinlan forced out some laughter, not speaking.

Xu Tingsheng actually still couldn't understand Yu Xinlan’s reasons for doing this. Might she like him? This was the most improbable. Perhaps knowing that Dexin's ship was going to sink, she was trying to find a new one to get on. Also, it had best be a large ship. Xu Tingsheng had fit the criteria well.

It might also be possible, amping up the severity of this incident, that there might be a voice recorder or even a pinhole camera hidden within her bag now.

After Xu Tingsheng had returned from adding water, Yu Xinlan finally returned to the main topic, “Has Boss Xu come to a decision regarding acquiring Dexin?”

“Acquiring a training institute of Dexin’s scale is no small matter for both me and Hucheng. I may have to think carefully on it for a while before arriving at a decision. I hope that Chairman Yu can understand this.”

Xu Tingsheng did not want Yu Xinlan to despair and give up directly, looking for another path. Otherwise, when his chance to acquire Dexin really came, this woman might cause significant problems for him from the side.

While women seemed weak, with a lethal creature such as this willing to go all out, there was really much that could happen then.

Yu Xinlan didn’t find anything wrong with this answer as she nodded, “I can certainly understand that. I just hope that my earlier method will not cause Boss Xu to doubt my sincerity and my intentions. As I see it, this is the most reliable relationship between a man and a woman.”

“So...my viewpoint should be the most unreliable method?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Love is unreliable. Pure relationships of the flesh are instead more reliable, each gaining what they want from it.”

Yu Xinlan laughed seductively, returning to the washroom in a very natural manner to retrieve those items of clothing she had removed. Then, she removed her dress right before Xu Tingsheng’s very eyes, beginning to put on her underwear whilst naked.

Yu Xinlan was clearly treating Xu Tingsheng as an ‘experienced general’. Yet, if one really thought about it, Uncle was still chaste in this life. As for the previous...how was this to be calculated again?

Xu Tingsheng awkwardly swivelled his head away whilst trying his best not to laugh. Yu Xinlan was standing right in front of the big wardrobe...would Zhang Xingke who was hiding inside be able to prevent himself from charging out?

After wearing her clothes, Yu Xinlan placed a name card on the table, “Then, if Boss Xu has come to a decision, you can give me a call at any time.”

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Also, if Boss Xu is suddenly ‘ignited’ again, you can also give me a call at any time. One minute later, 3am in the morning, anytime’s fine.”

“Huh? Okay.”

……

After Yu Xinlan had left, Zhang Xingke stumbled out of the big wardrobe. As he looked at Xu Tingsheng, his back was arched as he was continuously heaving in deep breaths...just being unable to speak.

Xu Tingsheng’s hairs stood on end a little as he said warily, “Senior, please don’t look at me like this. I’ll be scared. Hey, if you keep on looking at me like this, I’m gonna yell...I’ll call the police!”

“Scram!” Zhang Xingke scolded with a smile on his face, the distance between the two seemingly having been reduced greatly by the unique experience they had just shared.

“Let me go wash my face first.”

Fortunately, Zhang Xingke’s facial expression became much more normal after he had washed his face. Xu Tingsheng poured him tea again.

Zhang Xingke sat down and wiped the water droplets off his face, “Sorry for wrecking things for you...that’s a lethal creature indeed. This bro almost couldn’t resist charging at her just now.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Then, Senior…”

Zhang Xingke said, “I’ve never touched her before. I’m just her subordinate, looking at her all the time yet being unable to ‘eat’ her...don’t think that she’s really as casual as that. She does distinguish people. If she doesn’t see rabbits, she won’t extend her talons. With my current situation, even a hundred of me wouldn’t catch her eye, wouldn’t even be looked in the eye.”

“What exactly is up with her then?”

“Her position is currently a Chairman of the office. In actuality, she’s Principal Zhang’s mistress, and also one to others from time to time. She doesn’t conduct lessons. No one even knows the academic qualifications that she has. Anyway, I heard from those old employees that she joined the company together with her husband, helping out in the cafeteria. Her husband does conduct lessons here.”

“She’s very remarkable then.”

“Could she be any more remarkable? She herself, her husband, two brothers and uncles...a total of seven or eight of them in their family are working and earning off Dexin. Dexin having fallen to how it is today, half of the ‘credit’ belongs to her.”

“Then...her husband…”

“Let me give you an example. When I just entered Dexin, nearing the end of dinner one day, Principal Zhang directly told her husband in front of everyone, “ Go home and tend to your kid first. Xinlan’s going dancing with us. She might be back late today.”

“What then?”

“Then, her husband left first just like that. I was completely shocked by that, given a real lesson on the harsh reality of this society.”

“The heck. Was she really serious just now?”

“She was. She’s more familiar with Dexin’s situation than most others are. Therefore, she’s likely set her eyes on you now. Also, she likely wants to profit off the acquisition process.”

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while.

“What’re you thinking now?” Zhang Xingke asked.

“If I really want to acquire Dexin, she looks like she’d be of greater use than you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Burning your bridges after crossing them?”

“I haven’t crossed any bridge yet.”

Zhang Xingke was taken aback, “That’s right, but you aren’t that kind of person.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I wasn’t originally, but didn’t you just persuade me just now? I’m weak-willed as a woman, laughable to the extreme. Therefore, I just changed how I am.”

Zhang Xingke cocked his head as he waved his hands in denial, “Don’t joke. Really, have you come to a decision or not?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “Actually, you know full well that I wouldn’t be able to refuse, or otherwise you wouldn’t have found me. Still, I can’t do as you ask. Hucheng has never tampered with our recruitment before. I won’t exchange Hucheng’s reputation for anything.”

“Therefore, I will reject this deal with Dexin tomorrow. Then...actually, the current Dexin is already full of holes. I believe that Senior has other methods you can use to handle things.”

Zhang Xingke thought about it, “Conditions.”

“The conditions aren’t urgent. We’re buds anyway.”

“Who’s buds with you? You nearly freaking pushed me to the brink! We’re enemies.”

“...After we’ve succeeded, I’ll give Senior twenty percent of Dexin Training Institute’s shares. At that time, Senior can directly swap it for cash and leave, or you could also stay behind and help me to manage Dexin for a time before establishing your own company afterwards...your choice.”

“The conditions are this good?”

“After all, I’m only providing the money and not the labour.”

“Aren’t you afraid of me? I’m a vicious wolf.”

“I know. Still, I remember Senior telling me earlier that my foresight and handling of the overall situation aren’t bad. Therefore, I believe that Senior won’t attempt to stab me in the back for a time...as for eventually, I know that Senior isn’t someone who’s willing to stay beneath others. I hope that we can end things on a good note at the time.”

“Why didn’t you choose that lethal creature?”

“She’s more troublesome than you.”

“Afraid that you might be unable to take it one day?”

“Afraid. I also wouldn’t be able to support that entire family of hers.”

“Wait for my call then.”

Zhang Xingke rose to leave, suddenly turning back as he arrived before the door, “Just now...it’s really indigestion here. I’ve got to find a place to let the fire out. You’re not familiar with Shenghai City; how about we go together?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “What I told that Chairman Yu just now was true. My fire’s really gone out.”

“There’s actually still such a person in this world? Freakish,” Zhang Xingke said disbelievingly, “You won’t be calling her later, right?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “You never know! After all, we’ve got to tie her down. Otherwise, I’m afraid that she might look for another buyer or cause trouble for you.”

Zhang Xingke said, “You don’t have to worry about this. Ignore her and drag it on for as long as you can. Even rejecting her would be fine. If I can’t win even her, I wouldn’t be qualified to have that twenty percent anyway.”

Zhang Xingke left the room.

“Isn’t Senior afraid that I’ll burn my bridge after crossing it?” Xu Tingsheng yelled through the door.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re weak-willed as a woman.”

……

12am.

Xu Tingsheng bathed with cold water twice. He lay down on the bed for a while before getting up and going to bathe for a third time.

Having lowered the air-conditioning, not using a blanket, Xu Tingsheng leaned against the back of the bed, looking repeatedly at his earlier chat history with Xiang Ning and Wu Yuewei...Yet, it still seemed completely useless! The ember was still alive, was blazing more and more strongly.

Xu Tingsheng remembered how after having set up a business in his previous life, every time before he headed out to entertainment facilities with potential customers, he would give Xiang Ning a call beforehand, saying, “Miss Xiang, you love me.”

“What’s with you, Uncle?”

“I’m off to accompany customers…”

“Urgh, how dirty, Uncle.”

“I’m not asking you for this, Madame.”

“Then...if you dare, I’ll cut you.”

“It’s not this as well.”

“Think about me.”

“Okay.”

But the current her should already be asleep? Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a while before sending Wu Yuewei a message.

“Are you asleep?”

“Not yet. How come you’re still awake as well?”

“Chat with me for a while.”

“Oh, okay. What will we chat about?”

“How about I tell you a few stories?”

“Like that one over the phone back then?”

“No, it’s proper ones this time.”

“So Senior actually knows that that one was improper?”

“Uhhh…”

“It’s fine, actually. Girls tell that kind as well. There’s also someone in our dorm who’s like this.”

“You must’ve heard quite a few before then?”

“I...know one.”

“You tell me one then. I want an improper one.”

“Huh?”

“Is that not alright?”

“I...There was once a couple who…”

Chapter 182: The concert that will never come

Xu Tingsheng discovered that listening to a shy girl reciting a dirty story was actually such an interesting thing, being even more interesting than comic dialogue and short artistic creations.

He finally managed to get through the night. After all, it wasn’t possible for anyone who was enjoying a tale so much that they were nearly doubled over laughing to stay ignited for long.

“So a lofty Qingbei student actually knows all this as well?” Xu Tingsheng teased at the end.

“Hmph. I’m off to bed,” Seeing such a ‘shameless’ Xu Tingsheng for the first time, Wu Yuewei was finally unable to bear it.

The next afternoon.

Xu Tingsheng found an excuse and rejected this time’s cooperation with Dexin. He also got one of his employees to covertly pay for the motel expenses this time to Dexin’s finance department.

After leaving Dexin, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Yu Xinlan very soon after.

“Boss Xu has given up?”

“What do you think?”

“I understand. Still, I’ll continue awaiting Boss Xu’s call. Shenghai City is not far from Yanzhou.”

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng deleted Yu Xinlan’s number and phone records from his phone card and also threw the name card she had left behind into a trash can by the roadside just in case.

As for what exactly she had understood, Xu Tingsheng didn’t know that.

Originally, Xu Tingsheng’s plan had been to hurry back to Yanzhou as soon as possible. This was precisely the day that Xiang Ning should be returning from Yanjing. She would be attending lessons at Hucheng Training Institute very soon.

Aside from tuition for cultural lessons, Xiang Ning had originally wanted to attend Taekwondo lessons as well. Mr and Mrs Xiang had not agreed to it.

Still, she had Uncle.

“I’ll get you a special pass at the time. After the cultural lessons are over, you can attend whatever lesson you want to. Still, my suggestion is dance. Girls who dance have better figures,” Uncle ‘positively encouraged’ her.

“I want to learn Taekwondo.”

“How about dance?”

“Taekwondo.”

“Why?”

“I won’t be bullied by my boyfriend in the future. I’ll be able to fight him.”

“You definitely won’t be bullied by your boyfriend.”

“How do you know?”

“It’s a guess.”

“I’d best still learn it first then.”

“...Okay.”

…...

It was because of Fu Cheng that their return was delayed. Before he had gone out early in the morning, he had agreed to return to the motel soon. Still, Xu Tingsheng returned to the motel and waited for a long time but to no avail.

Shenghai City was not far from Yanzhou. Seeing that there was still some time left before noon, Xu Tingsheng did not bother him.

In the end, when dinnertime was fast approaching and Fu Cheng had still yet to return, Xu Tingsheng could only give him a call.

“I was just about to call you,” Fu Cheng said.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly asked as he sensed some abnormalities in Fu Cheng’s tone.

“I might have seen her.”

“Huh? Then…”

“I don’t know what to do. She entered a buffet restaurant. I’m opposite the restaurant, by the roadside. I don’t know what to do.”

“Give me the address. I’m coming over to find you.”

After asking his employees to handle the extension of their stay at the motel, Xu Tingsheng took a taxi and travelled across half the entire city before he found Fu Cheng. Just as he had said, he was sitting by the edge of the sidewalk just opposite a buffet restaurant named ‘Spring Warmth’.

“Let’s go. Let’s go in and look,” Xu Tingsheng directly pulled Fu Cheng up.

Fu Cheng struggled, “What? So what if I find her?”

“You can decide on that when you’ve found her. At that time, just say whatever you want to say outright. If you really can’t, I’ll get a rope for you first. I’ll tie her up as soon as I see her, and you can slowly consider what to say to her then,” Xu Tingsheng told him.

Fu Cheng shook his head.

Sometimes, we think of someone all day and all night, yet do not dare to look for her. That doesn’t mean that we’re cowardly or that we aren’t actually thinking of her. We’re just afraid, afraid that she already doesn’t love us anymore. If we do know that she does still love us, we would be able to roll around the floor yelling unreasonable stuff, act shamelessly, do anything.

Our sole fear is that she doesn’t love us anymore.

Not going to look for her is not daring to directly face that which would shatter everything. At the very least, we would still be able to dream that way...dream that she does actually still love us.

“Let’s go back then. Pretend that you didn’t see anything today. Then, let’s go back to Yanzhou. Then, stop pretending that you’re still looking for her. Forget her and look for another girl to date and get married with afterwards.”

Xu Tingsheng’s words caused Fu Cheng to fall silent once more.

“I’m going in to look for her. Stay outside and help me to watch the door. Don’t let her run away,” Having thought things through, Fu Cheng smiled before carefully adjusting his clothes and hair, feeling incomparably nervous.

“Should I prepare a rope?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“No need. I’ll just capture her directly with a hug as soon as I spot her,” Fu Cheng replied.

“Good.”

Fu Cheng entered the restaurant.

The buffet restaurant was not large, having only two storeys. Fu Cheng carefully walked past every table, every corner, looked at every face as he went from the first to the second storey. Finally, he spent another twenty minutes waiting outside the female toilet.

As Xu Tingsheng watched people exiting the restaurant, he was thinking: I forgot to ask him just now. If you’ve found her, you can hug her. But what if it’s me who spots her? What if she runs? To hug, or not to hug?”

More than an hour later, Fu Cheng emerged from the restaurant. There was no one in his embrace, and no one standing beside him as well.

“You didn’t find her?”

“No.”

“You wait here. I’ll look again, and grab a bite as well.”

Xu Tingsheng looked. He still couldn’t find her.

“Could you have seen wrong?” He asked Fu Cheng.

“Impossible,” Fu Cheng said.

“What do we do now?”

“The restaurant doesn’t have a back door, right?”

“It doesn’t.”

“Let’s sit here and wait then.”

“Alright, I’ll wait with you. I’ll buy you something to eat first. Some water and cigarettes as well.”

Shenghai City’s nightlife was even more bustling than in the daytime. The lights were all lit up brightly, a dazzling sea of neon. Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng sat by the edge of the sidewalk like two hobos, from 6pm all the way till 10pm, and then onwards till 12pm.

They waited till the restaurant began to close shop, even till all its employees had begun leaving one by one.

Rows upon rows of lights were extinguished, the restaurant now completely pitch black. Xu Tingsheng stood up, preparing to persuade Fu Cheng to return, “Maybe you did see wrong. Maybe you were thinking about her at that instant such that anyone would look like her,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“She’s there,” Fu Cheng said.

Xu Tingsheng raised his head and glanced at the restaurant opposite. A man and a woman were currently locking the door at the front of the restaurant. She was holding onto his arm, her belly slightly protruding. From her figure and side profile that were visible to him, Xu Tingsheng found that she indeed resembled Fang Yunyao greatly.

This would explain why the two of them had simply been unable to find her. She hadn’t been a customer there at all. She was the restaurant’s Lady Boss.

“What do we do, Tingsheng? Do we go back?” Fu Cheng’s entire body was trembling.

Xu Tingsheng propped him up, thinking for a moment, “Let’s go over and take a look. If it really is Ms Fang, just take it as if...as if we’re old friends, giving a greeting having coincidentally met.”

“I can’t do it,” Fu Cheng sat down again.

The couple opposite was currently heading down the street. The man was very considerate as he walked on the pavement by the roadside, shielding the woman who stood closer to the wall.

Xu Tingsheng dragged Fu Cheng along in running across the road. If the ending was really like this, he hoped that Fu Cheng would be able to face it straight on at the very least. However painful it might be, he would still have to face it and stop fooling himself. Then, things would no longer be as messy and futile as in his previous life where he had wasted half his life away.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng too needed to know whether this particular fated destiny that he had interfered with since his rebirth had finally arrived at a proper conclusion for good.

“Ms Fang.”

“Fang Yunyao.”

“...”

Many people who were walking up ahead turned back to see what was going on. That couple did so as well. Xu Tingsheng dragged Fu Cheng and got a little closer, looking at the bemused faces of that couple before them...it was very similar, but it wasn’t her.

“Sorry, we mistook you for someone else,” Xu Tingsheng bowed apologetically.

“It’s okay,” The man smiled, saying for the woman. The woman smiled and nodded as well. Then, they left together, arm in arm.

The next moment, Fu Cheng collapsed directly onto his knees where he was, “Hahaha, it wasn’t her, it wasn’t her...sob, sob, sob, it wasn’t her, where is she…”

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly pulled him up, maneuvering out of the onlooking crowd of spectators.

“They really look alike, right?” Fu Cheng was still crying even as he smiled, just that there was also some awkwardness on his face now.

“Bastard, you made this old man wait half a day with you. See how she’s pregnant already. How could it possibly be so fast?” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Actually, if it had really been her, having found a man like this and living so happily and stably, shouldn’t we be happy for her, not bothering her even if we did find her?” Fu Cheng asked Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng had no answer for him. What if it was the future Xiang Ning? Her happiness and stability would already be enough, and he really shouldn’t try to bother her? But how could he be satisfied with just that?

……

Xu Tingsheng received a text message from Apple as they were on the way back in a taxi.

“Xu Tingsheng, I remember you saying that you’d come to see my concert. I’ve thought about that day so many, so many times. But it still hasn’t come. I’ll be in Xihu City tomorrow for my last contracted performance. There might not be any more after that...can you come and watch me? I want to sing for you once.”

It had been more than half a year since Apple had entered showbiz, and Xu Tingsheng had never attended one of her live performances before.

Chapter 183: No borrowing umbrella at Xihu

Apple told Xu Tingsheng that the concert they had agreed upon that she had been anticipating and striving towards for so long might not be coming. Her final performance would still be a rotational style commercial performance. Several singers would be taking turns to go up on stage where they would each be singing two or three songs.

Yet, she still hoped that Xu Tingsheng could come, because she wanted to sing once for him.

Fu Cheng discovered Xu Tingsheng in a daze as he clutched his phone in his hand.

“What is it?” He asked.

Xu Tingsheng handed his phone to him and asked after he had finished reading the message, “Will you be going?”

Fu Cheng said, “I won’t be going, but you should go...this is Apple’s farewell, not her farewell to being a singer, but a farewell to you. After Yunyao got into an accident back then, after you had met, she told us that her dream is to sing in a mass concert, just once, and you would be there.”

“She has tried hard. You haven’t seen her for a long time, right? Song Ni said that she’s almost 20kg thinner now, just her flesh over her bones. Looking at how she is now, some people from the media even speculate that she’s on drugs.”

“Now that she’s lost, she only wants to bid you farewell. You should go.”

“Actually, a true farewell is only possible when there is no one left to say farewell to.”

Xu Tingsheng was smiling as he said this sentence. He was trying hard to say these brutal words as if they were a joke. In bidding someone farewell, the farewell itself acts as fetters.

“Xu Tingsheng, why do you have to hurt people to this extent? I don’t know what exactly is so good about that Xiang Ning of yours, I really don’t. I don’t even know what kind of person you are anymore.”

Fu Cheng sounded like he was trying hard to repress something from the very bottom of his heart.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a while before asking, “Has she talked about her future plans? When will she be returning to university?”

Fu Cheng tried hard to calm himself as he said, “Song Ni said that Apple applied for two years of leave from university. It’s only been half a year now. She doesn’t intend to go back too early. Maybe she’ll find a music bar and sing there for a year before deciding what to do next.”

Xu Tingsheng did not speak. He knew that if he could be ruthless this time, Apple would have a new life of her own. In the future, there would no longer be a person named Xu Tingsheng in her tale. Perhaps she would be hurt for two years before she managed to rediscover her former self.

Xu Tingsheng remembered her former life trajectory that he knew of. That rumoured romantic, gentlemanly British baron, pastures with warm sunlight in Australia...it was he who had pushed her onto a completely different path, a completely different trajectory.

Stopping would be irresponsible.

Continuing would be a responsibility that he could not bear.

“I might not be able to come,” Xu Tingsheng replied to Apple.

“Right,” Apple said.

…...

The taxi stopped by the roadside. Xu Tingsheng thought that they had reached the motel, but it wasn’t so.

“I want some alcohol.”

Fu Cheng pulled Xu Tingsheng off the taxi. Right in front of them was a small music bar named ‘Flowers Blooming’. Today, they had gone from ‘Spring Warmth’ to ‘Flowers Blooming’, yet had not seen any brightness.

The two were stopped at the door of the small bar.

It was a plainly dressed woman in her early thirties who stopped them, “Our music bar’s theme is old Taiwanese songs. As the two of you look unfamiliar, I should first make it clear that if you don’t like this, you can consider going somewhere else.”

“It’s alright,” Fu Cheng said.

Perhaps because it was so late or because the theme was less mainstream, there weren’t many people in the bar. Most of them were seated in comparatively darker corners, drinking quietly by themselves. There was only ever a smattering of applause every time a song had ended.

A middle-aged man had just finished singing Leslie Cheung’s<Devoted To You> up on stage.

Next, it was that woman from before who ascended the stage. She smiled as she sang <Only Love You>. From the sweetness in her smile, it could be felt how happy a life she lived.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng were seated at a corner by a wall on which messages were written. As the two of them drank their alcohol, they read the messages left behind on it.

Xu Tingsheng found a sentence that gave him some consolation as he now recited it out loud:

“Gratitude to him for not marrying me that year.”

The date written beneath this sentence was the year 2004.

Fu Cheng did not speak.

“I was the one who wrote this.”

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng turned. The speaker was the woman who had just finished singing. With a glass of wine in her hand, she sat down at the table beside them.

“2004?” Xu Tingsheng asked her.

“I wrote it three years ago. Three years ago, I told myself-three years are enough. Three years later, I will thank his departure. That’s why it was the year 2004 that I wrote below. It’s this year,” The woman said calmly, happiness still visible on her face.

“What about now?” It was Fu Cheng who asked her this.

“I’m still waiting for him to return,” The woman said.

……

Morning at Xihu City, by the side of the Xihu(West Lake).

Apple had not slept the whole night. Then, as the sky had begun to brighten, she had gone for a walk along the Xihu.

It started to rain.

Even with sunglasses, a face mask and a cap on such that no one could tell that it was her, Apple was still a woman who held great allure. She had just rejected the sixth man who had positioned an umbrella over her head.

Xu Tingsheng stopped this man, asking, “What’s this?”

“A beautiful woman, just that there isn’t a chance,” The man said.

“What do you mean?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I said I’d lend an umbrella. She said no borrowing umbrella at Xihu,” The man said rather despondently.

“Why?”

“Don’t you know the story of the White Lady and Xu Xian?”

“Hmmm...lend me your umbrella. I’ll try.”

“Don’t waste your time like this. I was already the sixth.”

“I’ll try.”

“Fine. If you’re able to do it, this umbrella is yours.”

Another umbrella appeared over Apple’s head. What was different this time was that the man behind her didn’t say anything, didn’t say ‘Let’s get to know each other’ or even just a ‘I’m just afraid that you might catch a cold. I don’t mean anything else’.

“Thank you, but no borrowing umbrella at Xihu,” Apple said.

“Really?”

As the man behind her spoke, Apple was rooted to the spot just like that. She wanted to turn yet just dared not do so. She found this voice just so familiar. Yet, she still lacked the courage to turn, afraid that she would turn around and find that it wasn’t him.

The man who had lent the umbrella gazed over from a distance away. He saw Apple saying no borrowing umbrella at Xihu, and he saw that guy still shamelessly standing there. “This fella’s skin really is thick! Indeed, one needs to be shameless to pick up chicks.”

“You really don’t want it? Not even...Superman and his umbrella?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Xu Tingsheng?” Still facing away from him, Apple asked.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Apple turned.

“I thought that Xu Tingsheng didn’t care about me anymore,” She said.

“Did you ask him?”

Apple shook her head.

“What do you think the second half of that sentence he sent to you is?”

“I don’t know.”

Apple took off her sunglasses and face mask.

“Superman and his big umbrella will always be standing behind you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Apple was silent, perhaps for a few minutes, perhaps for even longer, before she burst into tears and hugged Xu Tingsheng, burying her head in his embrace, wiping it full of tears and also snot.

The man who had lent the umbrella was utterly stupefied, “That also works? ...Is there heavenly justice in this world? Why does that woman look like Apple! Who’s that guy? The heck, I just…”

“Take note of your image, okay, pop star?” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I don’t want to,” Apple said.

“Xu Tingsheng, do you like me?” Apple asked.

“Save that question for tonight, on the stage,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 184: I owe you in this life

The previous night, Fu Cheng and Xu Tingsheng had left the small bar having finished hearing the tale of the ‘Flowers Blossoming’ female singer. Discovering Xu Tingsheng to have started tearing some time along the way, Fu Cheng asked, “Now, will you go to Xihu City?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “I won’t go. I should let it end just like this. It’ll be better for Apple, and it’ll be better for me this way as well.”

Fu Cheng thought that Xu Tingsheng’s tears were from him having thought of Apple due to the tale of the bar’s female singer. In truth, Xu Tingsheng had only heard ‘three years’ and ‘I’m still waiting for him to return’.

That was a story that belonged to Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning.

Unable to convince him, Fu Cheng did not insist on his opinion.

The two semi-drunken guys decided to walk the remaining journey back on the streets of Shenghai. It was already after 1am in the morning. An inadvertent tale which had resulted in great difficulty for both sides seemed like it would finally be coming to an end just like this…

If it wasn’t for Xu Tingsheng having received a call from Song Ni this very night.

Song Ni asked, “Xu Tingsheng, will you be coming tomorrow? I just asked Apple, but she wouldn’t say. I’m in Xihu City together with Apple and her assistant right now. Will you be coming tomorrow?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I won’t.”

Song Ni said, “But, but Apple’s in a very bad state right now.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I know. After she gets through this, she’ll be fine.”

Song Ni said, “No, you don’t know, you don’t know. It’s not just all that. It’s that Apple really is in a very bad state. I...I’ll get Apple’s assistant to speak to you.”

Apple’s assistant got on the line. Xu Tingsheng remembered that she was a slightly chubby girl. Back then, when Apple’s company had dispatched a car to collect her in Jiannan, Xu Tingsheng had seen this girl before, having given her a friendly smile.

“Hello,” She said.

“Hello,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I think that Apple has depression, and it may be very serious,” She went straight to the point.

Walking along the streets in the middle of the night, Xu Tingsheng suddenly trembled slightly.

While depression didn’t sound as serious as those incurable diseases, it was the second killer of human beings that was inferior only to cancer. Millions of people worldwide died of depression every year...some professions with comparatively greater pressure had a particularly high risk.

Now, Xu Tingsheng learnt that Apple had depression, and it might also be very serious.

Xu Tingsheng tried hard to compose himself, asking in a voice that was still trembling somewhat, “Why? What I mean is-how do you know? Was there a hospital checkup?”

“No. I asked Apple to see a psychologist before, but she wouldn’t listen, and even threw a very huge tantrum...Actually, she treats me very well. We’re just like sisters. She would never have thrown a tantrum at me before.”

“Still, I really can tell that it’s depression. Over these past two months, she’s grown from lively and mischievous to rarely talking. Also, she almost doesn’t sleep at all, and only eats a little. She’s already thinner by more than twenty kilograms now.”

“Once, I entered her room in the morning and discovered that her bedsheets and pillowcases had all been removed and ripped into long, thin strips. She’d been doing it for the entire night, her fingernails broken, her hands bleeding. When I entered, she was still in the midst of ripping.”

“Also, when our Boss wanted her to ask for the songs from you guys last time, she didn’t utter a single word from start to end. She was like this over in his office, and she was still like this when she had gotten back. She just sat there, not sleeping, not uttering a sound. When I call her now, it takes a very long time before she finally reacts.”

“I…” Xu Tingsheng didn’t know what he should say, because the assistant’s narration was already virtually sufficient for a conclusion to be made.

“Believe me, I can really be certain of it!” The assistant said urgently, “Because...because, her current situation is very similar to a a singer whom I used to follow before. It’s virtually exactly the same. That singer had depression, and she’s already no longer singing now.”

“What was that singer called?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“......”

The assistant reported the name of a female singer whose surname began with the letter ‘L’. It was a singer who had been very popular in the country before. The assistant had said that she no longer sang, while Xu Tingsheng...he had heard the news of this female singer ultimately leaping off a building and committing suicide due to depression in his previous life before.

Since the assistant was saying that Apple’s situation was virtually exactly the same as hers and she was the one who usually spent the most time with them, Xu Tingsheng had actually already gotten his answer.

“Got it. I’ll contact you guys tomorrow morning.”

Xu Tingsheng hung up and sat down by the street, looking dazed, dismal.

“What’s wrong?” Fu Cheng cautiously asked him.

“Apple’s got depression,” Xu Tingsheng looked up and said, yet could only continuously open and close his mouth afterwards as he was just unable to say anything else.

“How is that possible? Apple’s so lively, mischievous, roguish, demonic, shameless as hell,” Fu Cheng tried hard to find descriptive words for the past Apple. He wanted to find more, because these words were all so positive right now, all so precious.

Indeed, she had once been a person like that.

Xu Tingsheng remembered how she had been shameless as hell in devising various methods of all kinds to get close to him initially. He remembered how she was so easily satisfied, so easily made happy. She loved to smile, loved to mess around, loved to ‘tease’ him like a true demon.

The happiest he had seen her was on the day of his university matriculation. She had sent him to school before calling him ‘hubby’, ‘hubby’ for the entire day, messing around the whole time.

Afterwards, even though Xu Tingsheng had given her the cold shoulder and spoken ruthlessly, she had still been able to take it easily, saying that when he fell in love with her, she would bully him to death. Even whilst sad, she had still run into the snow, mimicking Chick Bao’s Taekwondo stance, yelling ‘Ha!’

“But, it seems like I really haven’t seen that Apple for a long time,” Fu Cheng suddenly said.

This reminded Xu Tingsheng that he too indeed already hadn’t seen that Apple for a long time. Some time along the way, Apple had stopped messing around in her interactions with him, had stopped speaking in that mischievous manner of hers.

She had begun speaking and acting cautiously, always ending those conversations that she had actually still yet to get her head around with a ‘right’.

Fu Cheng sat down beside Xu Tingsheng, asking, “Is it very serious?”

“Very,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Seeing his tears, Fu Cheng said, “Don’t blame yourself too much. It’s actually isn’t your fault. It’s mainly the problem of that industry, and also that agency of hers. A young girl like her having to face all these on her own, with endless commercial performances and no future so to speak of. There might also be some impure things as well, such as unseen conflicts, suppression, and…”

Fu Cheng’s ‘and’ might originally have been referring to Xu Tingsheng having sold the songs to Tianyi. Still, seeing Xu Tingsheng’s current state, he did not say it out loud.

“Actually, even if it really is your fault in some way, it wouldn’t be the fault of your feelings. After all, feelings just can’t be forced by anyone. It’s just that over this period of time, you didn’t give her a window, even having pulled away her inner support, which is you,” Fu Cheng said.

“Actually, all of it is because of me. Truly, all of it is because of me,” Xu Tingsheng raised his head, gazing upwards at the sky.

Fu Cheng thought that Xu Tingsheng was just blaming himself thoughtlessly in a state of extreme guilt. He did not respond.

There was not a single person in this world who would be able to truly understand the meaning of Xu Tingsheng’s words. That was a fact. It was he who had changed the trajectory of Apple’s originally blissful life, pushing her to where she was today.

Even if it hadn’t been intentional, the fact was that it was he who had caused all of this.

Xu Tingsheng had been working very hard in his reborn life, whilst for himself, also more for others. As a result, everything seemed to have been going well.

The fate of the Xu Family had changed, and it was even thriving, doing better and better.

Things had turned out better for his friends. Song Ni had avoided tragedy; Huang Yaming had found a direction in life. Even Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao-while they were currently far apart, they had still avoided the tragedy of his previous life, having experienced blissful times before.

Wu Yuewei, Xiang Ning-it seemed, at least, that they were doing better than in that previous life.

Even Xu Tingsheng’s former roommate, Zhong Ming, had avoided a major incident with his help.

Things had become better for all of them, because of Xu Tingsheng. Things might be even better for all of them in the future, because of Xu Tingsheng.

There was only a sole exception, Apple. There was only Apple’s fate who had become so terrible, and was becoming more and more terrible...because of Xu Tingsheng. Xu Tingsheng had destroyed her originally blissful life with his own hands. What then? Abandoning her to pick up the pieces and bleakly face things all by herself?

Xu Tingsheng had owed someone in his previous life. That was Xiang Ning. In this life, there was now someone else whom he owed. That was Apple.

Xu Tingsheng stood up, hailing a taxi by the roadside.

“You…” Fu Cheng asked.

“I’m going to Xihu City now. I’ll be taking care of her from now on,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What about Xiang Ning then?”

What about Xiang Ning then? This was a question that Xu Tingsheng was unable to face, “...I’ll leave it to fate. Maybe there’ll still be me, maybe there won’t be me. Maybe if there isn’t me, it’d instead be better for her.”

Xu Tingsheng’s final words included things that Fu Cheng would similarly never possibly be able to understand. For example, ‘Still be me’.

Chapter 185: What about Big Xiang Ning then

By communicating with Apple’s assistant, Xu Tingsheng found Apple by the Xihu in the morning.

Observing her for a while, Xu Tingsheng saw her in a numb, lonely state, her movements slow as she dragged her feet. Whenever those men who wanted to lend their umbrellas came over, so long as they tried to insist, they would see an overreaction from Apple, as if they had come over to hurt her.

Xu Tingsheng held up an umbrella for her by the Xihu.

Then, he waved towards the still stunned owner of the umbrella in the distance, “Thanks, bro! I won’t stand on ceremony then! You have a car, anyway!” Xu Tingsheng waved the umbrella he was holding as he yelled.

The man could only wave his arms, gesturing for Xu Tingsheng to hurry up and scram.

Apple finally raised her head from Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

“What is it? He’s…” She asked.

“Leifeng Pagoda’s new Lei Feng. He’s a new guy. Just because you hugged me once, I won an umbrella,” Xu Tingsheng pinched Apple’s hollowed cheeks as he smiled, “Look at this, why’ve you become so thin? Did your company ask you to go on a diet?”

Apple touched her face before setting her head against Xu Tingsheng’s chest, shaking her head as she smiled awkwardly.

“For whatever reason you became thinner, I still feel that you looked better originally. Let’s get you fattened back up again, okay?”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t intend to immediately reveal that he understood what was up with Apple. If warmth and human company were the best cure, since he was willing to do so, everything else could then come slowly, allowing her to slowly accept it.

With tears trickling down her face, Apple mightily nodded repeatedly.

“I’ll eat more,” She said.

“Good. Let’s go catch up on some breakfast now then.”

Xu Tingsheng handed the umbrella to Apple, turned and bent forward.

Apple hesitantly took the umbrella, “Huh?”

Xu Tingsheng patted his back, “Let me see how much lighter you’ve become.”

Apple slowly put her hands over Xu Tingsheng’s shoulders.

“Jump up, like you did before.”

“Oh, okay.”

Apple had once loved to mess around with Xu Tingsheng like this. The current her was no longer used to it as she cautiously jumped onto his back. Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m going.”

“Yeah.”

“Apple, don’t be afraid. I’ll carry you someplace bright.”

Once, Xu Tingsheng had carried Apple from the dimly lit riverbank back to the bright streets. Now, he hoped to carry her out of the dark swamplands of the night, allowing her soul to regain its former freedom, its former brightness.

After eating breakfast, Xu Tingsheng went out with Apple for the entire morning. Still, it did not feel like it initially had between them as Apple still ever remained in a tense, cautious mood.

“What time is your rehearsal?” After having intentionally eaten lunch at an annoyingly crowded fast food restaurant, Xu Tingsheng asked Apple.

“Around 3pm. I’ve got to wait for the other singers to finish rehearsing first,” Apple said.

“How about you go back to your motel and sleep for a while first? You seem very tired. What if you can’t sing well later? It’s my first time buying a ticket for a live show. If you don’t sing well, are you going to give me a refund?”

Apple vehemently shook her head, a look of fear evident on her face.

“Go to my room to sleep then. It’s just nearby. I’ll stay beside you, so you just sleep for a while.”

In his motel room, Xu Tingsheng helped to cover Apple with a blanket before he sat down on a single-seater sofa by the side, watching over her.

“Xu Tingsheng, do you think I’m sick? Just like my assistant...you actually just pity me, right?”

Apple lay on her side, facing Xu Tingsheng as she sunk into a pillow. A frail, quiet Apple actually possessed a different kind of beauty. It just wasn’t what Xu Tingsheng hoped to see, was willing to admire.

“No. It was great how we were back then, don’t you remember? I just want us to return to how we were before. Go back with me, okay?” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Okay,” Apple nodded, “You won’t push me away, right?”

“I won’t.”

“But I just find it a little wrong somehow. Why are you suddenly…”

“Actually, it’s always been like this. It just that I’ve made my decision now.”

Apple thought for a moment, “Then, what about her? The person within your heart-she’s called Xiang Ning, right?”

As Apple mentioned Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng pretended to pull the curtains as he faced away from her, “She will have her own life.”

“Will she be okay?”

“She’ll be okay,” Xu Tingsheng thought about Xiang Ning and their interactions in this life, “Her current feelings towards me shouldn’t have reached the extent of love yet. So...she’ll be okay.”

“Right, I heard that you’ve stopped going to school. So, after tonight’s performance has ended, inform your family first. After that, return to Yanzhou and stay over with me for a while…”

Xu Tingsheng had wanted to say ‘Let me take care of you’, but changed his words at this point as he smiled, saying, “You can help me out there. For example, washing clothes, cooking, and you can even help out a little with my education platform.”

“After that, you should be able to calm yourself and consider what you want to do in the future. Like-do you want to continue singing, or do you want to resume studying earlier, or go on vacation? Anyway, just do whatever you want to do that will make you happy.”

Apple finally smiled, “Can I just always wash your clothes and cook for you in the future? Doing nothing else at all.”

Looking at her familiar smile and hearing her joking tone, Xu Tingsheng’s mood eased somewhat as he joked, “That wouldn’t be okay. You should still go to work. Some of the platform’s matters are actually very simple; you should be able to pick them up very quickly. I’ll give you wages...if you don’t work, you’ll only have 10 yuan of allowance money every day.”

“Then, you actually have many friends in Yanzhou. Apart from the few of us, there are also Fang Chen, Yuqing...right, and your spy as well...you won’t be bored.”

“Right,” Apple said, “Xu Tingsheng.”

“Hmmm?”

“I’m so happy.”

“That’s good. Now, hurry up and sleep. Relax, I’ll be sitting right here.”

If it was the past Apple, she would definitely go, “Come on, let’s sleep together.” However, the current her just obediently closed her eyes as she faced Xu Tingsheng’s direction.

Xu Tingsheng looked at her hollowed features, her trembling eyebrows, her forehead that was constantly scrunched up tightly. His heart could not but ache at this.

Perhaps because he indeed caused her to feel peaceful and at ease, Apple finally fell asleep. A really bored Xu Tingsheng sat on the sofa...some things, he really dared not think about now.

However, his handphone rang. It was that old number.

Even though she already knew the new number that Xu Tingsheng was using in Yanzhou, be it an oversight on her part or just out of habit, every time Xiang Ning contacted Xu Tingsheng, be it a call or a text message, she always still used that old number. It was the number that he had once written down on a piece of paper, telling her, “If you need me, just call me, and I will come.”

“Uncle, guess where I am?”

“I can’t guess.”

“Hehe, I’m in Xihu City. Tonight, my cousin will be taking me to Big Sis Apple’s performance. There’ll be many people there. This might be Big Sis Apple’s last time performing. They all say that this is Rebirth’s fault, which is actually your fault, right?”

“Maybe.”

“Are you still friends then? Will you be coming to watch? Come, okay? If you do, I’ll give you your present a little earlier.”

So, Xiang Ning would be coming to watch this performance. With so many people there, might they run into each other? Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment. Things being how they were, he did not intend to tell her that he too would be present. Even if she wasn’t concerned with that, he himself would mind.

He replied, “I’m too busy. I can’t come.”

“Alright, I’ll give you the present another time then.”

“Yeah.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a while, “Xiang Ning, would it be okay if Uncle dates someone?”

Xiang Ning only replied after a while, “Dating? Uncle and who?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “An ordinary classmate, for instance. Anyway, it’s just a girl.”

This time, Xu Tingsheng waited for a long while before finally receiving two consecutive replies from Xiang Ning:

“What about Big Xiang Ning then? Don’t you like her anymore? What if she comes back and is looking for you?”

“So, it isn’t okay.”

Xiang Ning said that it wasn’t okay.

……

Apple woke up, asking before she left, “Do I really ask you on the stage tonight? Where will you be sitting?”

“I’ll be sitting right in front of you, in the sixth row. I bought it through ticket resale. You’ll be able to see me,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“How will you reply then?”

“I’ll raise my hands,” Xu Tingsheng raised his hands, forming a heart shape with his fingers above his head.

“Yeah,” Apple nodded happily.

There had once been a heart just like this. Xu Tingsheng had sprinted along the entire stretch of stands whilst holding it up. The Apple back then had been able to coax herself into believing that that heart…was meant for her. This time, this heart would really be meant for her.

Chapter 186: Folding his sleeves and buttoning his clothes

Xiang Ning had asked Xu Tingsheng, “What if Big Xiang Ning comes back and is looking for you?” This was a question concerning fate itself. If Xu Tingsheng left Xiang Ning’s world just like this, in the future...would they still have that fated meeting?

If they met once more, how would they be in the other’s eyes? Would she still fall in love with him?

Actually, even if he continued staying by Xiang Ning’s side, the question still remained: Will you fall in love with me one day?

Xu Tingsheng was willing to wait for this indefinite answer, not hesitating in the least.

Yet, there was currently Apple whom he definitely couldn’t let be hurt a single bit more. She was currently amidst a swampland of darkness. If she ended up losing her way, without anyone to support her and care for her, she might very well end up walking towards the deep abyss.

……

Xihu City’s Longwu Sports Hall. As Xihu City was almost at the level of a first-tier city, concerts could not be any more common to its inhabitants. Yet, seventy to eighty percent of the tickets to this rotary performance were still sold out, because the fame and appeal of three Hong Kong and Taiwanese singers amongst them who would be singing were still quite high.

Apple had told Xu Tingsheng earlier that she was scheduled for somewhere around the middle of the performance. She would be going on only around 9.30 pm.

With Xu Tingsheng’s 31-year-old mental age, he already didn’t have much enthusiasm towards pop idols. Moreover, his mood had been very complex that day. He actually really needed some time alone to brood on things.

He was also afraid that he might run into Xiang Ning amongst the crowd as they waited to enter the performance hall. Thus, he delayed his departure from the motel by around half an hour.

For the concert that began at 7.30pm, it was almost an hour later that Xu Tingsheng arrived at the scene. He was already able to hear the singing and the cheers from inside the hall, seeing the intermingling beams of light that collectively shot up into the sky.

He smoked a cigarette and chatted for a while with the security personnel in charge of checking the tickets. Then, one of them enthusiastically led him to the entrance, pointing him on his way.

Xu Tingsheng looked over. Coincidentally, there were groups of people holding up placards in support of Apple there. From the looks of it, that area should be where Apple’s fans all were.

Currently, it was a Singaporean singer who had just released her first album who was up on stage. The crowd was not really passionate about this. Clearly, there weren’t many who had come to watch her sing. There were many people who didn’t even know who she was yet.

Of course, Xu Tingsheng knew that this person would become a superstar-level figure in the future. So they had all experienced this before, having once been mere accompaniments to others as they were overshadowed on the performance stage.

The atmosphere was rather dim. Xu Tingsheng slowly navigated his way over towards his seat.

As Xu Tingsheng was walking past the middle section of the hall, a hand suddenly grabbed the bottom of his t-shirt from diagonally behind and to the side.

“Oh, look! I caught an Uncle Liar.”

Xu Tingsheng turned and saw Xiang Ning. Seated right by the aisle with her red backpack in front of her and two lightsticks in her hand, she looked triumphantly at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng had considered the possibility of meeting Xiang Ning here. However, he had felt that it was rather an improbable thing. After all, the lights in the hall would be dimmed after the concert had begun. With more than ten thousand people making a din together, it would be hard even intentionally looking for someone.

Yet, it had turned out that somehow, they had unavoidably met just like this amongst a crowd of close to ten thousand, she grabbing hold of a corner of his shirt.

“Little Ning, what is it?” A girl in her twenties asked. She was probably the cousin that Xiang Ning spoke of, though not that Li Meng whom he had met at the Xiang family home previously.

“Hello, I’m Xiang Ning’s home tutor,” Xu Tingsheng explained.

“So you’re that very famous Xu Tingsheng? I’ve investigated you before,” This cousin of Xiang Ning’s seemed like she was at work as her expression emanated a capable, experienced feel, her gaze that was on Xu Tingsheng carrying a look of appraisal as well.

“Oh, you’ve...investigated me?” Xu Tingsheng felt rather confused.

Xiang Ning’s cousin stood up and dragged Xu Tingsheng to the side away from her.

“I want to ask you a few questions. It’s not for Little Ning’s ears,” She said.

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng turned and glanced at the bewildered Xiang Ning, feeling rather nervous.

“I’ve indeed investigated you. These past few days, Uncle, Auntie and Little Ning were all staying over at my house. They mentioned you, saying that Little Ning has an exceptionally remarkable home tutor. So I investigated a little...Cao Cao Mausoleum? Also, your Hucheng Education should be worth some tens of millions?”

This cousin of Xiang Ning’s gave Xu Tingsheng an impression of a police officer interrogating a criminal.

“Then, I talked to Uncle and Auntie in private. This matter’s very abnormal,” The cousin continued, “With your situation, could it be normal to tutor a junior high student? Isn’t it suspicious?”

“It’s like this. Our platform launched a new competitive function when we were just starting out. Because of that, I…” Xu Tingsheng intended to explain himself the same way.

“Uncle told me about that before, but it doesn’t make sense. Desist,” The cousin interrupted Xu Tingsheng’s words.

“Then, how exactly am I suspicious? I’ve already been tutoring Xiang Ning for half a year. You should have heard about my performance from Uncle, Auntie and Xiang Ning. I believe that I shouldn’t have done anything wrong.”

Precisely because he was feeling guilty, Xu Tingsheng instead rebutted in a forceful manner…there was nothing else he could do. He had no way of explaining himself.

“Therefore, it’s even harder for me to understand. I want to hear you explain things for yourself.”

“Please, Miss...Cousin, what line of work are you in?”

“Police.”

“Indeed, it may be an occupational quirk. It is the same for me. Previously, it was only a way to test out the competitive system and understand the consumer base. Afterwards, I got along very well with Uncle, Auntie and Xiang Ning as well. Therefore, I hope to stay and help Xiang Ning till she’s reached senior high.”

“I’ve already said that this explanation doesn’t cut it. Aren’t you busy? Multimillionaire,” The cousin’s tone began turning hostile.

There was a feeling like swords had been unsheathed with bows drawn and at the ready.

The innocent Xiang Ning was finally unable to take it as she walked over and looked left and right before finally saying in a wronged tone, “Un...Teacher, Big Sis, what’s with you? Are you fighting? Can you please stop?”

Xu Tingsheng would certainly be happy to end this conversation. He smiled, nodding.

Then, Xiang Ning went to her cousin’s side and whispered in her ear for a while, seemingly desperately trying to get her to agree to something. It was so fervent she was nearly crying, only then managing to attain her cousin’s approval as she now smiled.

“Come on!”

The cousin returned to her seat while Xiang Ning approached Xu Tingsheng before grabbing his sleeve and running towards the back of the hall.

“Careful!” Xu Tingsheng grabbed her arm instead.

The two of them arrived close to the entrance.

“Don’t be scared, Uncle. Big Sis is a very good person,” Xiang Ning consoled Xu Tingsheng.

“Yeah, thanks. Just a bit frightening,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“But, wasn’t Uncle not coming?”

Xiang Ning smiled, looking at Xu Tingsheng with an expression of wanting to see how he would explain himself.

“This...look how late I am. I’d really thought that I wouldn’t be able to make it originally,” Xu Tingsheng explained guiltily.

“Alright then, I’ll show you your present.”

Seemingly greatly anticipating Uncle seeing the present that she had specially prepared for him, Xiang Ning opened the backpack that she was carrying in front of her, fishing out a carefully wrapped plastic bag and handing it over to Xu Tingsheng.

“You were carrying it around with you?”

“Because Mum and Dad don’t know! When we were out shopping, I secretly bought it when they weren’t looking. Because of that, I also had to secretly hide it.”

“Thank you, Xiang Ning,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Won’t you open it?” Seeing Xu Tingsheng holding her present without the intention of opening it, Xiang Ning asked.

“Now?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.”

Xu Tingsheng opened the plastic bag. Inside was a light blue half-sleeved shirt which had an image of the Beatles printed on the collar and the word ‘Beatles’ printed at the left chest area.

Xu Tingsheng noticed that this was a half-sleeved shirt. Even in the summer when it was the hottest, Xiang Ning still hadn’t bought him a short-sleeved shirt. This was the same as in his previous life. In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, Xiang Ning had been most against him wearing short-sleeved shirts. She’d felt that they were old fashioned and bumpkin-ish, resembling old and middle-aged deputies working in stores.

In his previous life, Xiang Ning had left his place wearing a shirt of the same shade and colour, refusing to return it.

Back then, Xu Tingsheng had asked her, “Why? It’s not like it fits you.”

Back then, Xiang Ning had replied, “I’m afraid that if we quarrel, get into a cold war and want to break up one day, with me being angry and ignoring you while Uncle also can’t bear to come and beg me...we might really have to break up. So, I’m preparing an excuse for Uncle to come and look for me again.”

“You can come and ask for your shirt back. You can ask me for it very fiercely, wanting to break off all contact after you’ve taken it away...but we would have to see each other again this way. If we saw each other...we would feel reluctant, and we wouldn’t break up anymore. Am I right?”

“Yeah, having seen you, I would definitely feel reluctant to go,” This was what Xu Tingsheng had replied back then, though that shirt had remained with Xiang Ning till the very end.

Holding onto the shirt, Xu Tingsheng felt a bitter tightness in his chest.

“Try it on, Uncle!” The still excited Xiang Ning requested.

“Okay.”

Xu Tingsheng wore it over his t-shirt.

“How is it?” He asked Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning tilted her head to the side and looked for a while, next walking one round around him, “It looks a little big. Has Uncle gotten thinner lately?”

As she said this, she neatly folded the half-sleeve on Xu Tingsheng’s left arm up twice and buttoned it. Then, she carefully smoothed out a wrinkle on it, doing it a few times till she was satisfied.

Then, she went over to Xu Tingsheng’s left side and did the same thing.

Throughout this entire process, she had a happy smile on her face, being focused and earnest.

In the meantime, Xu Tingsheng was trying hard to repress his tears.

After that, Xiang Ning took a few steps back and looked again, “It’s much better now. You’ve got to remember, Uncle! If you’re wearing a shirt in the summer, it’s still better to fold up half-sleeves like this than to wear short-sleeved shirts. Those look terrible.”

This was no different at all from what she had once said in his previous life. Xu Tingsheng dared not speak for fear that he might choke out a sob on his words. He nodded hard.

“Also, come, bend down.”

Xiang Ning waved, and Xu Tingsheng bent down.

“Not so low! I’ve grown much taller this year!” Xiang Ning said unhappily.

Xu Tingsheng looked. Indeed, as compared to that Xiang Ning with the skyward braid that he had seen at the school gate of Xinyan Junior High initially, in just a short year, she had already grown a lot, having become much taller as well. From her height, she should already be 1.6m tall, just that she was still so slim.

She was already becoming closer and closer to the past Xiang Ning.

Xu Tingsheng straightened slightly, but Xiang Ning was still dissatisfied as she said in a huff, “Stand up straight! I can reach it.”

Xiang Ning reached out and began buttoning all the buttons on Xu Tingsheng’s shirt for him from the third button onwards.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, on the morning after they had stayed together for the first time, she had resisted her shyness and insisted on doing so, carefully folding up the sleeves and buttoning the buttons of his shirt for him.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, Miss Xiang had once directed a ‘bittersweet ancient day drama’. Uncle was a ‘heartless man’, a former poor scholar who had abandoned his past lover after having attained top scholar at the imperial examinations. In one of those scenes, Miss Xiang had sent off ‘Uncle Scholar’ who had been about to hurry off to the capital for the imperial examinations. She had carefully adjusted his shirt for him, reciting two poetic verses that she herself had written:

“In this life with these sole pure hands, to fold my lord’s sleeves and button his clothes.”

Chapter 187: Bye, Uncle

“Done.”

After Miss Xiang had finished acting her part, helping ‘Uncle Scholar’ to adjust his clothes, she waited for him to respond.

“What about the next two verses?” Uncle asked Miss Xiang.

“There’s none,” Miss Xiang said.

“Why?” Uncle asked.

“Because you’re a heartless man! The next two verses would be tragic. Like I would write them,” Miss Xiang said.

“It’s acting, and you were the one who forced me to act it,” Heartless Uncle protested.

……

“Done.”

Little Xiang Ning grabbed the bottom of Xu Tingsheng’s shirt, pulling on it slightly and tugging it straight. Because of the two buttons that had been left unbuttoned, the image of the Beatles that was printed on the collar of the shirt could indistinctly be seen somewhat, the entire shirt looking clean and simple whilst also special.

So Xiang Ning’s taste in choosing clothes had already been this good at the age of fifteen.

Xu Tingsheng lowered his head, while Little Xiang Ning raised hers. He could see the light that flickered in her jet-black eyes. She smiled, so beautifully, so adorably. She was really becoming more and more like the former Miss Xiang.

“Heartless man,” A Miss Xiang spoke up for Little Xiang Ning within his mind.

“No! With Apple’s current situation, I haven’t got a choice,” Xu Tingsheng protested helplessly.

“Then, do you dare to say that you don’t like her at all? Not one bit?”

“...”

“Heartless man.”

Wholly ignorant of all this, Little Xiang Ning still appeared very happy, now asking puzzledly as she saw him in a daze, “What? Uncle doesn’t like it?”

Xu Tingsheng tried hard to force out a smile, “That’s not it! I really like it. Look, isn’t Uncle handsome?”

Xu Tingsheng straightened his body, striking a pose with his hands stuffed into his pockets.

Little Xiang Ning took a few steps back and appraised him carefully before smiling, “Just a little bit handsome. Still, it’s only because of the clothes I chose.”

She was still only a child at the end of the day.

Therefore, perhaps she might not have feelings like that. She also wouldn’t feel that sad, right?

Xu Tingsheng tried hard to compose himself, joking as he would to a child, “Praise me more.”

“Like I would...oh, Big Sis Apple’s on!” Little Xiang Ning turned to face the stage, her attention being drawn away as well, “Look, Uncle! Big Sis Apple’s on.”

Apple was wearing a primarily white outfit that had been prepared specially for the performance, her smile radiant as she waved to the audience. Wave upon wave of people stood up, clapping, cheering, waving their placards and their lightsticks.

The crowds unconsciously surged forward. The security personnel blocked them from going any further.

“Apple, don’t leave! Continue singing!”

“Apple, we’ll be waiting for your return!”

“Apple…”

Apple definitely wasn’t one of the most popular or most well-received of the nine singers who were performing today. After all, she actually hadn’t even released an album of her own before. There were only a few single songs. However popular those were, they would still be insufficient to establish her position.

However, there were more who had come for her than any other today. She also received the most enthusiastic welcome, the crowds surging with their voices shooting through the roof as some people could even be heard crying amongst them.

The reporters frantically snapped their shutters at maximum speed.

Regarding Apple’s situation, there were actually already many analyses of it in newspaper reports and rumours about it on the internet. Before this performance, someone of the media had asked her agency to verify. Tianle had answered: Apple indeed needs to rest for some time.

Having heard this, those insiders in the industry who were in the know all understood that this was actually Tianle forcing Apple to bow her head, exerting pressure on Rebirth behind her. As long as their goals were achieved, they would then provide Apple with their support once more.

“Three-Faced Jin has really planned it out well. If this pressuring tactic works, Apple will only become more popular in the future, while Tianle virtually won’t have to give anything at all. This is what is known as limitless profits with minimal investment,” This was the insider information that Huang Yaming who had arrived at Tianyi had conveyed to Xu Tingsheng afterwards.

As most people saw it, Tianle’s reply was equivalent to them admitting that they had officially given up on Apple. No, it wasn’t having given up. Tianle still grasped a five-year contract that they were unwilling to terminate. It was impossible for Apple to sign on with other companies and start over. Therefore, this was burying her beneath the snow, sealing her and killing her.

Outrage erupted on the internet, first scolding Tianle, next scolding Rebirth.

There were many people present who had come just to watch Apple’s final performance. She had soared to prominence in just a few short months before swiftly falling from glory now. She was so captivating...many people had just been captivated by her, yet were going to lose her now. Too many people felt sorrowful, reluctant to see her leave.

As the opening sequence sounded, Apple began singing her first song.

The first song was <We Are All Good Kids>. Unlike what everyone had thought, Apple did not look desolate and sorrowful in this final performance. Her smile was radiant, her singing warm...

It was just-why was it that she was always walking about that same segment of the stage?

Only Xu Tingsheng knew that she was looking for someone, looking for someone who had agreed to take her away today, bringing her someplace bright and warm forevermore. Xu Tingsheng was his name, and she was waiting for those hands to be raised into the air.

Her smile and her warmth, her composure and her fear-all of it came from this person, and his promise.

Where Xu Tingsheng was currently standing, Apple couldn’t see him, but he could see her.

He saw her growing anxious and uncertain as time gradually passed, her expression beginning to change as well. She even accidentally sang a line wrong. No one there blamed her. They just thought that she was finally unable to conceal the sorrow and helplessness within her heart.

“Uncle, let’s hurry back,” Said Xiang Ning beside him, “Right, where are you sitting?”

“Over there,” Xu Tingsheng pointed out his seat to Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning retracted her gaze that had been hovering on Apple, looking where Xu Tingsheng was pointing as she now exclaimed enviously, “Wow, Uncle’s seat is great! It’s so close to the stage. Did Big Sis Apple give you the ticket?”

“I bought it myself,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Well, let’s hurry then!”

Little Xiang Ning suddenly smiled craftily before pulling Xu Tingsheng forward as she ran. The both of them passed Xiang Ning’s original seat, but she showed no intention of stopping at all.

“Aren’t you going back to sit?” Xu Tingsheng asked as they ran.

“Sneak me over with you. I’ll come back after Big Sis Apple’s done performing.”

Xu Tingsheng stopped in his tracks. Xiang Ning who was pulling him stopped as well.

“What is it?” Xiang Ning looked back at him.

“I don’t think it’s okay?” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It’s just for a while, we won’t be discovered. Don’t be afraid, Uncle,” Little Xiang Ning consoled.

Xu Tingsheng had no way of telling her that what Uncle was afraid of...actually wasn’t this. What Uncle is afraid of is raising his hands for someone else in front of you.

Perhaps the current Xiang Ning of fifteen years wouldn’t feel too sad over this, because she had still yet to know love. It was even more impossible that she might already have fallen in love with Uncle Liar. What she currently felt towards Xu Tingsheng might just be an instinctual reliance…

It was just that-Xu Tingsheng still couldn’t do it.

“Is it really not okay?” Xiang Ning asked.

Apple reached the boundary of the stage, her gaze unceasingly sweeping through the crowds…

“Sorry. You should go back,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Huh, I just won’t go then. I can still see from over here anyway. Hmph, I hate you.”

Little Xiang Ning turned and left. Xu Tingsheng watched her retreating figure all the way till she had sat down beside her cousin. Then, he turned and ran, really ran. He stumbled a few times amidst the dark, yet he still ran...if he didn’t get over there quickly, he would no longer have the strength to make it there.

Apple finally saw Xu Tingsheng.

She missed out a line in that instant before she turned radiant and warm once more.

The first song ended.

Apple clutched the microphone, smiling, “I know that many people are worried about me. Still, I’m fine. I want to tell you that I indeed feel regret, loss. There was also a period of time when I was struggling and in great pain. However, the current me of today is actually very happy.”

“Relax, I’m not pretending to be strong. I really am happy, and so peaceful as well. It’s because there’s a Superman beside me. He has a great big umbrella, and in the days ahead, he will be taking care of me, shielding me from the winds and the rains.”

“To me, this is actually the most important thing, the thing that makes me happiest.”

The fans had varying reactions, but the reporters were incomparably excited. Was Apple saying that she was getting married? But she hadn’t even graduated from university yet? Then...if they could get an interview now, there would be no end to the questions they would ask-that was just how worked up they were feeling.

Still, this was the scene of a live concert.

“So, relax! I’ll sing <Fairy Tale> for you guys,” Apple said with a lovable voice and smile, “Everything that has happened to me today since this morning till now is, to me, a fairy tale."

Apple finished singing <Fairy Tale> in her happiest voice. Due to it having been changed to feel sadder by Xu Tingsheng for Fu Cheng’s confession, Apple had sung it in a fundamentally sad tone. Because it was full of emotion, this was the single she sang that had been most well received by the industry.

Yet, as she sang this song now, no sorrow could be heard from it at all as it just brimmed with happiness.

Next up would be the third song.

During the previous interval, she had spoken to her fans who had come for her.

During this interval, she smiled radiantly, saying to that person, “Superman, we’ve agreed on this, but I don’t know how to ask it. But I want to see you raise your hands.”

However emotional and full of anticipation she was, this being the scene of a live concert, it was impossible for Apple to say Xu Tingsheng’s name. He had concealed even his identity as part of Rebirth. Therefore, she had said ‘Superman’.

She didn’t know how she should ask: Do you like me?

She had said: I want to see you raise your hands.

Waves upon waves of people raised their hands.

Xu Tingsheng unconsciously looked behind him. He couldn’t actually see Xiang Ning. It was just that he could not stop himself from looking in her direction. Thus, he forget to raise his hands, or perhaps it should be said that he suddenly lacked the strength to raise them.

“What’s wrong?”

Apple’s sudden question left the audience mystified.

Apple no longer spoke, pursing her lips with her teeth biting down on them.

She was waiting. As more time gradually passed, her expression slowly began changing. Her severe depression made her sensitive and fragile, easily feeling anxious and panicked…

The crowds beside her raised their hands even more energetically. The guys shouted, “Apple, I am your Superman!”

Finally, Xu Tingsheng looked back and slowly raised his hands...forming a heart above his head.

“Bro, this...is pretty unique! Maybe Apple really will like it.” A guy beside Xu Tingsheng joked after discovering that Xu Tingsheng’s movements were rather special.

Next, he imitated him in raising up a heart. Then, more people followed suit, hearts all arisen.

No one would notice anything special about Xu Tingsheng...other than Apple.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, looking at the group of people around him performing the exact same action, Apple burst out laughing.

“For the third song, I’ve changed the song that was previously on the list. I hope that everyone won’t mind. I want to sing Cyndi Chaw’s <The Most Romantic Thing>, is that okay?”

A deafening noise resounded around Xu Tingsheng as everyone roared in unison, “Yes!”

“Back to back, sitting on the carpet

Listening to music, talking about our dreams

You hope for me to become gentler

I hope that you will have me on your mind

You say you want to give me a romantic dream

Thanking me for leading you to find heaven

Even if an entire lifetime is needed for completion

As long as I say it just remember and never forget

The most romantic thing that I can think of

Is slowly growing old together with you

…...”

Apple finished singing this <The Most Romantic Thing> with the most blissful smile and the sweetest voice. Then, she lightly waved and left the stage amidst multiple cries for her not to go.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t continue watching. He turned and left, quietly walking past Xiang Ning.

“Uncle, you're not watching anymore?”

“I’ve still got something on. I have to leave first. Stay close to your Big Sis later! Stay safe.”

“Right. Then, bye, Uncle.”

Little Xiang Ning waved.

Chapter 188: All I need is for you to care about me

Xu Tingsheng’s emotions had fluctuated very greatly today.

From his initial difficult decision to take responsibility, to his happiness that was mixed with sorrow when Xiang Ning had folded his sleeves for him, to that final raising of a hand that had weighed incomparably heavily on him, to his consolation when he had seen Apple leaving happily, with an easy gait…

Xu Tingsheng had thought that he was already mature and powerful enough, that he would be able to bear anything.

It was only till Xiang Ning’s innocent wave of a hand as she had said, ‘Bye, Uncle’ that Xu Tingsheng finally knew that he actually still couldn’t handle even a tiny bit of her despair, a passing wave by her as they separated.

With this wave of her hand, Uncle might forever just be an Uncle who stood far away, looking at her. Xu Tingsheng might not be able to totally push Xiang Ning away this way, but he needed to restrain himself from now onwards.

After having left, Xu Tingsheng went to where he and Apple had agreed to meet.

He smoked one cigarette after another, having to repeatedly find someplace nearby to wash his face afterwards such that he would appear calm as well as happy. This was the happiness and sense of security that he wanted to give Apple.

Apple removed her makeup and changed her clothes at her fastest possible speed.

When she left via backstage, she was stopped by her agent. The leopard print man seemed to always be wearing the same style of clothes regardless of the seasons.

He blocked Apple’s way in his leopard print bat shirt, pointing towards her as he said in a strange tone, “Hey, you think that you’re free just like this? Let me tell you, come over to the company once with me immediately. Boss wants to talk to you...I advise you to think about it properly. If you’ve got the right idea, become sensible, you might even have a chance.”

Apple reached out and pushed away this agent who always liked to get in front of her and act overbearing for the first time, “To be honest, I’ve always really hated you going around and around in front of me telling me to do this, do that. Finally, I won’t have to do it anymore. Goodbye. As for chances, I think that I won’t need them anymore.”

Leaving behind her agent who was still temporarily unable to get his head around things, Apple came before her assistant, holding her hand, “Sis, the happiest thing for me here at Tianle over this period of time was having met you. I’ve leaving now, to love someone. He’s the best man in the entire world. Rest assured, Sis, I’ll be very happy.”

“Apple, I like the you when we first met the most. Go back to being yourself! This Sis wishes you happiness,” Apple’s assistant hugged her, asking softly, “Right, is he handsome?”

Girls always seemed concerned with this question.

Apple rested her head on her shoulder, nodding repeatedly. Even as she shed tears, she was also smiling.

“Sis really wants to see him, to see exactly what sort of a person he is, able to make you as pitiful as this, as happy as this. Apple, never come back. I’ll visit you when I have a chance.”

“Yeah. I’m leaving now. Bye, Sis.”

……

Xu Tingsheng and Apple saw each other at virtually the same time.

Xu Tingsheng threw away the cigarette in his hand.

Apple stood far away in the distance, just like that day in Yanzhou when it had been snowing. She had gotten off from a taxi, looking at Xu Tingsheng from far away whilst on tenterhooks. Right, she was still on tenterhooks even at this moment.

Xu Tingsheng walked over, “What is it?”

“I walked a really big round, Xu Tingsheng,” Apple said, “I feel like I just went out and walked one big round, finally still ending up like this in front of you. Once, I thought that when I’d returned, I’d already have proven myself worthy of standing beside you. In the end…”

“In the end, you failed?”

“Yeah.”

“But?”

“But I’m so happy. I’ve discovered that actually, all I need is for you to care about me.”

The concert was still not over yet. There were many taxis waiting outside. The two of them stood by the roadside and hailed one. After getting on, Xu Tingsheng asked Apple where they should go, and Apple said to his place.

“Don’t you have to go back and pack up your stuff?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I just have a bit of stuff. Song Ni helped me to bring it over to where you’re staying,” Apple said.

“So, tonight...I’ve got to stay together with Song Ni,” Apple continued, her expression containing a little bit of that slyness of the past.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment, but did not respond.

Back at the motel, Song Ni had booked another room, but she was still back there watching the concert. Her interest in concerts was much higher that Xu Tingsheng’s. Also, she had gotten a VIP ticket from Apple and was reluctant to let it go to waste.

Xu Tingsheng could only accompany Apple for the moment. Only when Song Ni had returned would he have some private space of his own.

A love relationship. Strictly speaking, considering only this life, this might be his first love in the truest sense of the term. Xu Tingsheng suddenly discovered that he already didn’t know how to embark on a relationship with a girl anymore.

Originally, first love should see a couple walking together, eating together, then going to watch movies and shop along the streets during the weekends?

Then, the first time they shyly held hands, or hugged…

Yet, this love relationship seemed different. At the same time, it was also a responsibility where he had to care for her, pacify her. Moreover, Xu Tingsheng’s heart was troubled somewhat. Thus, even Uncle who didn’t really lack experience in this area from his past life didn’t know what he should be doing now.

Xu Tingsheng made two calls.

The first was to Huang Yaming. He asked him how things were going at Tianyi, also telling him the current status of Apple with Tianle. Huang Yaming didn’t seem too interested in the matter of the two of them getting together. After blustering a little, he began ranting never-endingly on about his entertainment tycoon developmental plan. Xu Tingsheng directly hung up on him.

This was the good thing about Huang Yaming. He wasn’t concerned with things like this, Xu Tingsheng thus daring to tell him about them.

Fu Cheng was different. If Xu Tingsheng called to talk to him about all this, he would definitely reply with some deep, earnest words, such as checking whether Xu Tingsheng’s relationships were progressing correctly, whether he could let go of Xiang Ning, whether it was fair to Apple…

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng did not give Fu Cheng a call.

The other call was to Lu Zhixin. Xu Tingsheng had originally wanted to tell her that Apple would be moving into the riverside residence. Still, after thinking about it, he felt that there was no way he could broach the topic. If he did, he would have no way of explaining it, and Lu Zhixin would understand it as her being kicked out...maybe she would already have moved out when he had returned to Yanzhou.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng could only pretend to have called to ask about Hucheng’s situation these past few days.

“When will you be returning?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“Tomorrow,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Let’s talk when you’ve returned then,” Lu Zhixin said, “I’m very busy right now.”

“You’re still working this late?”

“Yeah. I’ll be finishing the adjustments and preparation for the expansion of the platform’s services before you get back. Then, you can take a look at them when you’ve returned, quickly getting the changes online. Well, I’ll be working then.”

Lu Zhixin hung up, and Xu Tingsheng was left listening to the busy tone on the phone. Lu Zhixin was actually the most special girl that Xu Tingsheng had encountered up to now. Their story had begun with a rather sensational confession with a seemingly clear goal.

Yet, after they had truly gotten to know each other, there had been no inclinations towards them becoming lovers at all. Lu Zhixin was far more interested in her career than Xu Tingsheng was. The two were increasingly gaining a tacit understanding in their work, becoming more and more like business partners in their relationship.

Xu Tingsheng actually felt this to be a very comfortable relationship, apart from the occasional unease as well as guilt.

Xu Tingsheng heard knocking on his door at around 1am in the morning.

Xu Tingsheng clambered out from his bed, walking over to the door. Through the peephole, he spied Apple with a panicked expression on her face on which tears could clearly be seen.

“Apple, what is it? Quick, come in. Come in and sit,” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly opened the door, asking anxiously.

Apple stood at the doorway, not willing to enter as she sobbed, “I remember, I remember! I suddenly remembered just after I lay down on the bed just now. When you raised your hands today, you were very hesitant. Xu Tingsheng, is it that you actually don’t like me? Is it that you actually want to renege? You just pity me, right?”

Xu Tingsheng could see her anxiety and her frailty.

“Apple, don’t panic. Listen to me. Things aren’t like how you think they are. It’s just that I was afraid that someone might discover me at the time. Because of that, I thought about how I could do it a little more covertly whilst also letting you see it. Just think about it. With so many crazed male fans of yours there just now, if this lucky fella over here was found out by them, wouldn’t I have been beaten to death? Aren’t I right?” Xu Tingsheng pacified her in a warm, gentle tone.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“I...sorry,” After having calmed down, Apple felt rather embarrassed.

“I’m thinking-have you come to my room on purpose? You’re desperate, aren’t you?” Xu Tingsheng purposely joked.

“Like real!” Apple who had truly entered the state of a maiden in love seemed to lack her original ease as she hurriedly retorted, “I, I’m going back. Otherwise, Song Ni really will misunderstand.”

After Apple had left, Xu Tingsheng pulled out his handphone and saw the message Song Ni had just sent over:

“She’s been crying for more than two hours. She wouldn’t even speak to me afterwards, just vomiting on and on.”

Xu Tingsheng began feeling increasingly worried about Apple’s condition. She should have been feeling the most blissful today. Yet, her emotions had suddenly changed so intensely and dramatically in the middle of the night even then. What was to be done about her from now on?

Chapter 189: It’s all Sun Wukong’s fault

Xu Tingsheng delayed his return to Yanzhou by five days.

Of course, he had to apply for leave from the ‘Big Boss’ Lu Zhixin for this, being scolded by her as a result. This was Hucheng’s current internal structure. It was Lu Zhixin who stood at the top of the food chain, everyone having to answer to her.

Xu Tingsheng was worried about Apple’s situation. The greatest difficulty in this was that he was unable to voice out his worries to her. It was even more impossible for him to try to persuade her that she was sick, getting her to go to the hospital for treatment.

As soon as that happened, Apple would immediately arrive at that conclusion that she had always been suspecting to be true: I’m sick. Xu Tingsheng is only pitying me.

This would only make the situation worse.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng searched the internet for a lot of information, selecting some suitable daily treatment methods. At the same time, he also went to the hospital alone for psychological inquiry a few times, describing Apple’s situation to the doctor and asking for his opinion.

The doctor’s analysis gave Xu Tingsheng great consolation. As they saw it, Apple had originally been very optimistic, active and strong by nature, being filled with enthusiasm towards people and things. This was a very good foundation, and she also shouldn’t have any genetic problem.

Therefore, Apple’s situation was an intense reaction caused by immense repressed pressure over a short period of time. It had come fast, and it had come bad, but there was also a great chance of her getting over it.

“Therefore, you are very important. You are currently her support. For those who suffer from depression, having someone they are reluctant to hurt and disappoint can prevent their subconscious mind from willingly walking into the abyss, giving them more positive vibes.”

“I understand,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Then, if she’s willing to do something for you, let her do it as much as possible. This will be better for her sense of self-worth. Correspondingly, she will gradually come to recognise her value, getting out of that state of self-denial.”

“Right.”

“Actually, the most important is still she herself. If her symptoms can alleviate a little, you should still let her do what she wants to do, fulfilling her self-worth. Of course, in the initial stages, you’d best create a comparatively comfortable environment for her. You definitely can’t let her face the situation that made her like this again, that’s for sure.”

“Thank you, I’ll remember that. Is there anything else I should pay attention to?”

“Not especially. Actually, at the current stage, it’s about her letting go as much as possible, rediscovering her original self and how she used to interact with others. This includes you, and includes others as well. Right, also, this time’s fees are five thousand. You can foot the bill now.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng wanted to say, your mother...it’s virtually exactly the same as what’s written on the internet.

Over the next few days, Xu Tingsheng first accompanied Apple back to Libei to see her mother and grandmother. If Apple required support, he felt that the two of them would definitely be able to provide a lot of it to her.

Of course, this time, Xu Tingsheng just waited at the entrance of the village, not daring to enter.

“Do you remember what you said to me here the last time?” Apple asked Xu Tingsheng there.

“I remember,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Back then, he had said that he would prepare a super big dowry for Apple.

“Do you remember what I said following that?” Apple asked.

“I remember...you win,” Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly.

Apple had said that when he had fallen in love with her, she’d abuse him to death.

“Hmph, I’m still feeling a bit reluctant now, but you’re definitely in for it in the future. Who asked you to bully me for so long?” Apple asked, “Actually, Grandma really likes you. You really aren’t going to see Grandma with me?”

“Then, if you bully me in the future, I’ll complain to Grandma,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Still, I really don’t dare to go with you this time. Your Mum’s there as well. We haven’t reached the stage of meeting each other’s parents yet, right? I’m already nervous even standing here.”

After having said this, Xu Tingsheng pulled out a card and handed it to Apple, “Give this to your Mum. There’s a hundred thousand yuan inside. Say that you earned it yourself so that they’ll be able to rest assured, and your Mum can also continue staying here to look after your Grandma.”

Apple actually hadn’t earned much this past half year, instead having spent quite a lot. Tianle had only given her a salary of two thousand plus yuan per month, and had even made her bear the cost of her own performance outfits most of the time.

Most of the partial proceeds that Apple had earnt from the commercial performances had been spent in this area. As for the remaining portion, she had already handed it over to her mother when she had convinced her to return to Libei to take care of her grandmother previously.

She had originally dreamed of being able to buy a house, bringing her mother and grandmother over to live together. The mother and daughter had once sat together and painted the picture of such a life before. Therefore, Apple’s current situation could not be told to her mother yet.

Xu Tingsheng had already planned things out for her in this regard.

Apple hesitated for a moment, wanting to refuse, but Xu Tingsheng said, “The password is your birthday. Don’t you remember what else you said the last time? You wanted me to properly earn money, and then all of it should be yours. I’m really good at earning money now, but could it be that you don’t want it anymore?”

“I want it,” Apple smiled.

……

After leaving Libei, the two holidayed along the railroad lines till finally they reached their final stop, Shenghai City. Apple had insisted on bringing Xu Tingsheng to a bar to meet two special, ‘divine’ people.

“Back then, I stayed here to sing and earn money for a period of time.”

“So, you want to reminisce on old times?” Xu Tingsheng asked her.

“No, that bar really is very miraculous. You’ll know when you get there. Those two bosses are both godly figures,” An excited Apple enthusiastically introduced those two miraculous bosses to Xu Tingsheng as they walked to the bar.

One of them was called Zhang Daxian. Apple said that this person had once had many girlfriends all at the same time before. Feeling tired of having to deal with all of them separately, he had finally considered being honest with them, getting them to accept the situation.

He thought of how he would express it.

Zhang Daxian would first ask, “Do you know where the Bible says women come from?”

Then, his girlfriend would ask, “Where do they come from?”

Then, Zhang Daxian would say, “God created a man named Adam. Then, discovering that Adam was very lonely, he took one of Adam’s ribs and created a woman, Eve. Therefore, a woman is actually a man’s rib.”

The woman would say, “So it’s like this! I’m your rib then. Without me, you’d definitely hurt a lot.”

Finally, Zhang Daxian would lift up his shirt, “But you see, I have many ribs.”

“He told this to each of his girlfriends,” Apple said.

“What then?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Then, he became single,” Apple glanced at Xu Tingsheng and said.

“Then, there’s the other one. The other boss is called Old Ban. He used to write web novels. For a period of time, Old Ban was writing a Xianxian novel. There were only three girls who were his readers.”

“In Old Ban’s novel, the male lead went through three reincarnations. In each life, he would experience countless tribulations with a female lead. Despite the innumerable obstacles, they would still swear to love each other unto death, loving till it was engraved in their very hearts, going beyond life and death itself.”

“Then, the plot developed into an extremely tough situation. Because Sun Wukong destroyed the Book of Life and Death, the cycle of reincarnation became chaotic. These one man and three women actually met in the same world.”

“What to do? I can’t write on any longer. Help me to choose one. Choose one, let go of two. I’m unable to do it myself,” Old Ban smoked a cigarette, his brows knit tight as he asked the girl.

“I, I’m also unable to choose. They, they’re all so deeply in love,” The girl was deeply absorbed in the love drama as tears began welling up in her eyes.

“But he has to be faithful in love. He can only love one of them. You know that I’ve never liked harem novels,” Old Ban’s voice began carrying an emotional, anguished tone.

“But he’s never been unfaithful! He didn’t do it on purpose! If not for Sun Wukong, they wouldn’t all have appeared in the same world!” The girl frantically rebutted with tears in her eyes.

“That accursed Sun Wukong,” Old Ban exclaimed in righteous indignation.

“Yeah! It’s all Sun Wukong’s fault,” The girl agreed.

“Still, what now? We’ve got to choose at least the first one for him to give up on. How about the one from his first life?” Old Ban asked.

“No, you can’t do that. Did you forget how she betrayed her sect for the male lead, breaking one of her arms in apology to her Master who raised her since young? For him, she faced the scorn and murderous pursuit of all the righteous factions!” The girl said very earnestly.

“Then, how about the one from his second life? After all, she hurt the male lead before,” Old Ban said.

“You can’t do that! Right, she did hurt the male lead before. But, she also gave him all her life’s love! Did you forget how she carried the heavily injured male lead, painstakingly escaping the murderous pursuit of the Demon Lord in the desert? The Demon Lord was so powerful, and the male lead also persuaded her to put him down and flee herself, but she said ‘This concubine would rather die with my lord than live solitarily alone’. Did you forget even this?” The girl was incomparably besotted with the novel.

“Let’s give up on the third life then. After all, they can’t be considered as truly being together yet. It’d also be easier for them to separate this way,” Old Ban said.

“But it’s even more cruel like this, you know? She loved the male lead in secret for so long, silently doing so many things for him! It was when the male lead had just come to understand her intentions that Sun Wukong destroyed the Book of Life and Death. They’ve only just begun! The male lead still hasn’t brought her along to see the Nine Heavens Seven Coloured Sea yet; he promised her that he would before. Have you forgotten?” The girl asked.

“Then, there’s only one way out of it. Although I’m very hesitant, I’m prepared to kill off the male lead,” Old Ban pondered for a while before he said painedly.

“No, how could you be so cruel? Do you know how much pain they’ll be in if he dies? Maybe, maybe they’d all die as well,” The girl exclaimed emotionally as her tears flowed like a geyser.

“Sigh, it’s all Sun Wukong’s fault,” Old Ban sighed, tears also glistening slightly within his eyes.

“Can’t you let them all be together?” The girl ventured, “Let them all be together, okay?”

“That wouldn’t be good, right?” Old Ban asked, repressing his excitement.

“What’s wrong with that? He didn’t do it on purpose, they’re all truly in love!” The girl cried anxiously, seeming like she might throw a fit if Old Ban didn’t agree.

“What you’re saying does seem to make sense. It’s true love, so there’s no one at all who’s wrong. Is this what it means?” Old Ban asked.

“Yeah, yeah! So, let them all be together, okay? They’ll all be very happy,” The girl said.

“Fine. You’ve convinced me,” Old Ban said.

“Old Ban told this conversation to those three girls of his,” Apple said.

“What then?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Then, he also became single. Then, Old Ban went out on holiday and met Zhang Daxian,” Apple continued looking at Xu Tingsheng with a meaningful gaze, almost unable to hold back the triumph from her face.

“Then...the two of them got together?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Apple was rendered wide-eyed and lost for words, “Xu Tingsheng, what’s in that mind of yours? The two of them just opened this small bar together. It’s Xianxia-themed, with this fortune-telling service provided as well.”

“They’ve found their own girlfriends then?”

“I don’t think so.”

“That means that they’re together then.”

“...”

As they walked, the two continued discussing: Could Old Ban and Zhang Daxian be considered as being together? They discussed it all the way till they finally reached the bar that was located nearing the end of a street. Raising his head, Xu Tingsheng could see the bar’s name: It’s all Sun Wukong’s fault.

There was also a small signboard that hung by the side: If you’ve spent five hundred, fortune-telling is free. If you haven’t spent five hundred, one time is still five hundred.

Xu Tingsheng finally knew what eccentricity was.

Surprisingly, business in the bar wasn’t bad. Apple was an old acquaintance of the two bosses. She introduced Xu Tingsheng to them and chatted for a while before going on stage and helping to sing, leaving Xu Tingsheng behind to drink and chat with the both of them.

“I can tell that Apple really likes you. So, you definitely can’t two-time! Bro,” Old Ban took a glass and clinked it with Xu Tingsheng’s with a cigarette between his fingers as he said meaningfully.

“I...I’m not,” Xu Tingsheng drank a mouthful of wine, denying guiltily.

“Hehe,” Zhang Daxian laughed strangely, saying, “Whether you are, I’ll calculate it for you? I won’t charge you. Take it as Apple’s wages for singing here today.”

“How about no?” Xu Tingsheng asked desperately.

“Too late, I’ve already started,” Zhang Daxian took a few bamboo lots, closed his eyes and jabbed them before he leapt up emotionally and said, “Woah, bro, your relationship path is obstructed...woah, this is difficult...there’s something that’s hindering your feelings.”

Old Ban followed up for him with a dramatic sigh.

“What is it? What is it that’s hindering me?” As Xu Tingsheng watched on, seeing the two of them so incomparably earnest, whilst about to burst out laughing, he played along with them.

“Sun Wukong,” Zhang Daxian said with the utmost certainty.

“So it is indeed him again,” Old Ban earnestly responded in a grave tone.

“So, it’s all Sun Wukong’s fault?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah,” In a dimly lit corner of the bar, Zhang Daxian who had experienced the vicissitudes of life spoke in a heavy tone as he puffed on a cigarette, “Originally, one only loved one person in their life. They would meet that person, and that person would just happen to love only them. Sadly, that accursed Sun Wukong destroyed the Book of Life and Death, wrecking the cycle of reincarnation of this world. It was with this that relationship chaos descended upon this world.”

“It’s all Sun Wukong’s fault!” Old Ban handed over an extremely crudely fashioned metal hoop as he said with a face full of enlightenment of one who had experienced the vicissitudes of time, “Therefore, buy this Vajra Tribulation Hoop. It’s been blessed, and it can suppress this chaos.”

Xu Tingsheng very nearly fell off the table laughing.

“Give him a dozen,” Apple had left the stage as some point in time as she now stood behind Xu Tingsheng and said on his behalf.

Finally, a semi-drunken Xu Tingsheng used 1200 yuan to buy twelve metal hoops before leaving the small bar. Apple skipped happily beside him with irrepressible triumph evident on her face.

Xu Tingsheng liked seeing her this way.

Of course, he also knew why Apple had insisted on bringing him here. This crafty girl. She and the two bosses had surely been in cahoots from the start. Like this, she had said the words that she didn’t dare to voice out directly.

“Apple,” Xu Tingsheng called.

“Yeah?” Apple looked back.

“This,” Xu Tingsheng waved the metal hoops in his hand, “Do I have to wear one?”

“Yeah!” Apple nodded excitedly.

It was dark anyway, and he was out abroad anyway. So, Xu Tingsheng fit one around his head. Looking at it from this and that angle, Apple was incomparably satisfied as well as triumphant.

“Let’s go back to Yanzhou,” Apple said.

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Can I see Xiang Ning? I want to see her. Just seeing is fine.”

“This, sorry, but really not right now. Actually, there’s also no need to.”

“...That’s also okay, but…”

Apple snatched over the ‘Vajra Tribulation Hoops’ in Xu Tingsheng’s hand, fitting them all around his head one by one.

Chapter 190: The ultimate cohabitation

Walking out of the street with many ‘Vajra Tribulation Rings’ around his head, Xu Tingsheng stood by the roadside, preparing to hail a taxi.

However, Apple dragged him away, saying, “I want to walk with Sun Wukong today.”

“But my head’s very heavy,” Xu Tingsheng protested.

The two of them walked for seven streets. Apple turned a corner and stopped.

“Xu Tingsheng, do you know how to speak sweet nothings?”She asked.

“I used to be very good at it,” Xu Tingsheng felt rather awkward.

“Used to? Weren’t you rather the honest kind in the past?” Apple recalled the past Xu Tingsheng of her memories. When she had come to Libei Senior High in twelfth grade, Xu Tingsheng had indeed been rather honest in the area of relationships. Actually, it had always been so before the two of them had started interacting.

Xu Tingsheng’s past naturally wasn’t his past that Apple had seen.

“Uncle was once an expert in the playing fields of love for quite a few years, roaming a whole round amongst the myriad flowers, okay? Only till...I met Miss Xiang,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

“One line. I wanna hear,” Seeing that Xu Tingsheng was silent, Apple said.

“Why?”

“Because I want to exchange sweet nothings with you, just that I’m afraid of it being mushy. Give me an anaesthetic first.”

“I haven’t practised for too long. I really can’t get so mushy so soon,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Anyway, I just walked seven whole streets, but I couldn’t spot a single girl prettier than you.”

Apple savoured it for a moment, “Oh, so you were looking at other girls all throughout. Still, I’m pretty happy.”

“If you’re willing to listen, there’d actually be tens of thousands, perhaps even more people than that who would be willing to say them to you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“But I only want to listen to yours,” Apple said.

“It’s my turn,” Apple continued, “Xu Tingsheng, loving you is so dangerous, but I really can’t stop myself.”

She paused for a moment before resuming, “Actually, I guess most deep, heartfelt relationships in this world should be like this.”

Xu Tingsheng looked down and kicked a pebble on the ground.

“Actually, round this bend right here is the school that I studied in just after having come to Shenghai,” Apple said.

“Want to take me over for a look?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Apple shook her head, “This is the place that I want to take you to, just right here. Once, I was stopped by several female students here after school. They beat me up and even tore my new skirt.”

“I wore the torn skirt and shielded myself with my bag all the way home. Then, because I was afraid that my Mum might be worried, I didn’t dare to say that I’d been beaten. I said that I had gotten myself injured when squeezing my way through a thicket, getting my new skirt torn in the process. In the end...Mum gave me another beating.”

Apple rubbed her nose and smiled before continuing, “The reason they beat me was that they’d always taken me for a shabbily dressed country girl. When I finally got a new skirt and wore it to school that day, maybe people told me how nice I actually looked.”

“Sorry,” Xu Tingsheng could imagine that Apple, that pitiful, helpless girl.

He hugged Apple gently.

“It’s not that,” Apple buried her head in Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, holding back tears as she pursed her lips, “I brought you here because...did you know? Ever since then, I never dared to walk here again before and after school. Even when I had friends afterwards, I still didn’t dare to do it. It had become a shadow that hung over my heart. Now that I’ve brought you here, with you beside me, I’m not afraid anymore. I’ll be able to forget that experience of the past.”

Xu Tingsheng stroked the back of Apple’s head, “Rest assured, there’s no one who’ll be able to bully you in the future.”

“What if it’s you who bullies me then? What if...Xiang Ning bullies me?” Apple asked.

Apple returned to the riverside residence.

A matter that Xu Tingsheng had originally thought might lead to great upheaval had unexpectedly ended without incident just like that due to Lu Zhixin’s calmness.

Xu Tingsheng had given a call to Lu Zhixin to report on this matter beforehand, saying that she could find a place outside to stay. Lu Zhixin had asked, “Are you staying together?” He had said, “No.”

“Let her stay together with me then. I’ll have a companion, and we can feel a bit more at ease...I can’t guarantee it, but I’ll try my best, just try my best to take care of her mood,” Lu Zhixin said.

“What about you then? Are you moving in to stay?”

On Apple’s side, she had actually already long since come to know who Lu Zhixin was through her spy, Zhang Ninglang. She also knew that she was currently partners with Xu Tingsheng, that he had not been staying in the riverside residence before this.

Therefore, when Xu Tingsheng intended to give her a vaccine shot along the way, she directly refused. “I feel that it’s pretty interesting this way, and I can also take a look at whether there’s anything going on secretly between you two,” Apple smiled, already being much better when by Xu Tingsheng’s side. The key was-Xu Tingsheng had to be there.

While it didn’t sound logical, it was like this in actuality. Apple’s trust of the relationship between Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin didn’t actually come entirely from Xu Tingsheng himself. Instead, more of it came from Xiang Ning’s existence. She knew how persistent Xu Tingsheng had once been over Xiang Ning.

Today, the sole thing that rather surprised Apple was Lu Zhixin’s calmness.

Her love rival having come, Lu Zhixin actually didn’t make a scene and threaten to move out. She just said hello as calmly as that. Then, after knowing that Apple was going to stay in Xu Tingsheng’s original room, she went in and removed the bedsheets and pillowcases that she had previously brought over.

“These are mine,” She said.

Apple was taken aback as she asked Xu Tingsheng softly after Lu Zhixin had returned to her room, “What now?”

“We have our own,” Xu Tingsheng took out the set that he had washed before, arranging the bed properly once more.

“What about you then? Are you moving in?”

Because he needed to take care of Apple, Xu Tingsheng considered it for a moment, “Yeah, I’ll be staying in that room.”

Then, someone else pushed the door and came in, “Sorry, but that room is mine. As Hucheng’s shareholder, I should also be more concerned with my business. An in-charge of the Student Affairs Department coming here to stay-shouldn’t you be welcoming me, Xu Tingsheng?”

Xu Tingsheng turned to see Fang Chen carrying a whole bunch of living necessities with her. She directly entered, grabbed Apple’s hand and whispered to her for a bit. Then, she led her into the final room of the house.

Why was she here? Why was she in such a rush...Xu Tingsheng couldn’t be any clearer on that.

“No. Where will I stay if you move in?” Xu Tingsheng adamantly refused.

“The sofa in the living room,” Fang Chen said.

“Why? I rented this place.”

“The company’s money.”

“I’m the major shareholder.”

“Do you want to flunk your exams?”

“...So be it.”

“I’ll go stay with Apple then?”

“Definitely not.”

“I’ll stay with Zhixin?”

“...No.”

“Choose.”

“I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

One Xu Tingsheng and three great beauties-a theoretically incomparably fragrant life of cohabitation began just like that.

Xu Tingsheng cooked dinner. After they had finished eating, Xu Tingsheng washed the dishes.

After that, the girls began chatting while Xu Tingsheng went to buy tidbits and fruits. Because of Fang Chen acting as a lubricant in their middle, Lu Zhixin actually began chatting with Apple as well. A former singer, a female workaholic and an old demoness whose appetite went both ways actually chatted incomparably happily now.

So as long as they were women, whatever kind they were, they would always have so many common topics, like bags and clothes, like the celebrity gossip Apple had heard in the industry.

After 9pm, Lu Zhixin finally remembered to call Xu Tingsheng to go take a look at Hucheng’s preparation work for its expansion. Fang Chen stayed behind in the room to accompany Apple, tugging at her who had originally wanted to see Xu Tingsheng working and not letting her go.

Hucheng’s expansion work was already virtually ready to be launched at any time. After looking through it, Xu Tingsheg proposed a few amendments and ideas according to his memories of Ganji.com, also asking Lu Zhixin’s opinion regarding changing the name of the service platform to ‘Hucheng Tongcheng(Mutual Trust Collective Cities)’.

“I’ll consider this a little more,” Lu Zhixin who possessed the ‘ultimate authority’ said.

“Alright then. Well, let’s go downstairs now,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Why’re in you such a rush? Are you afraid that Apple might suffer some kind of loss?” Lu Zhixin smiled.

“You know?” Xu Tingsheng asked in astonishment.

“I already realised it long ago.”

“Could it be that she, to you…”

Lu Zhixin stomped out towards Xu Tingsheng, “Xu Tingsheng, you...I shouldn’t be the kind that she likes, otherwise...we even stayed in the same room that time…”

“Which time? On the same bed?” Fragrant scenes arose within Xu Tingsheng’s mind.

“I already said that she didn’t do anything...shut up, let’s go downstairs. Otherwise, your innocent little lamb might be skinned alive by Fang Chen.”

“Oh.”

…...

After they had gone downstairs, the three beauties chatted for some time longer. Xu Tingsheng even heeded their orders and cooked supper. Uncle was full of resentful thoughts, “I’ll fatten you lot to death.”

Of course, seeing Apple happily chatting with others, Xu Tingsheng was also full of gratitude.

Thinking how he still couldn’t let Apple be alone at night now, Xu Tingsheng stayed by her side in her room as he had recently been doing until Apple finally managed to fall asleep with some difficulty.

Xu Tingsheng looked at the time. It was 1.30am.

Leaving the room, he found two figures in the living room. It was only having seen Xu Tingsheng emerge that Fang Chen and Lu Zhixin returned to their own rooms.

“No touching my Apple. I’ve got my eye on you,” Fang Chen said before re-entering her room.

Lu Zhixin just smiled very domineeringly before saying nothing at all as she simply threw Xu Tingsheng a thin blanket.

Lying down on the sofa with the blanket, Xu Tingsheng blurrily slept until around 4am in the morning when he felt someone tugging at his blanket, then, also seeming to be taking off his…

“I, you...Apple?”

Xu Tingsheng flipped himself up, grabbing hold of his blanket as he thought that Apple had suddenly become a female hooligan again. In the end, what he saw was an improperly dressed Fang Chen with a strange, dark smile on her face.

“Taking off my pants, are you crazy?”

“It’s just a look, so what.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng pulled away the blanket and looked. Half of his pyjama pants had already been taken off.

Due to the noise, the doors of Apple’s and Lu Zhixin’s rooms opened simultaneously. The two of them stood blurrily there, still unable to get a grasp on the situation for the time being.

“Wah.”

Fang Chen turned on the lights, pulling at her dishevelled pyjamas before pointing at Xu Tingsheng as she said resentfully, “He just came to my room, I...look…”

“The heck, I didn’t!” Xu Tingsheng retorted.

“He even took his pants off. If you don’t believe me, pull the blanket aside.”

Xu Tingsheng’s entire worldview crumbled, “Fang Chen, this old man’s gonna get you dead!”

“So it was like this. You girls heard him? He wants to get...me.”

Chapter 191: A simple, peaceful life

Whether or not Xu Tingsheng possessed an upright character, Fang Chen’s ‘charge’ against him was already illogical from the onset. For example, it would be impossible for Xu Tingsheng to run out of her room with his pants at his kneecaps like this. Also, if it had really been like this, which man would still have been in the mood to remove his lower garments one by one instead of all at once? Even first taking off his pants?

Yet, she entertained herself for a whole half hour just like this, performing tragically and pitifully in various manifestations.

Her arms crossed, Lu Zhixin watched on smilingly as she leaned back against the door, verbally helping to make things difficult for Xu Tingsheng from time to time. Apple was rather more pitiful as she was completely confounded by the situation before her.

It wasn’t about whether or not she believed Xu Tingsheng. She just couldn’t understand, just couldn’t comprehend the current situation before her at all.

Xu Tingsheng eventually just lit up a cigarette and watched on for a while, only asking after Fang Chen had finally stopped for a bit, “Boss, you...is there any meaning to this?”

“But I’m afraid of staying alone! Apple, just take it as if I had a nightmare just now, but I was really frightened. Can I sleep with you tonight?” Fang Chen pressed her chest, asking Apple.

“Okay,” Apple nodded.

“No.”

Xu Tingsheng threw off the blanket and leapt up, pulling up his pants even as he ran over to Apple’s room, pushed her in and plopped down right before her door, “Over my dead body!”

After yet another half hour had passed, when Fang Chen and Lu Zhixin had both finally retired for the night due to fatigue, Apple sat down beside Xu Tingsheng, leaning against his shoulder as she said, “You’re so cute when you’re jealous. Also, this place is really fun.”

“You don’t understand. This place is actually very dangerous. You have to protect yourself well,” Xu Tingsheng sighed, telling the still uncomprehending Apple in an exceptionally serious tone.

“Dangerous? Is it you? But you ran to the wrong room,” Apple smiled before lightly rapping on the door of her room.

“Me? I’m still okay,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Right, when Lu Zhixin and I were up in the office earlier, what were you and Fang Chen doing?”

Apple opened her mouth before shaking her head rather embarrassedly, not going on with her words.

“...Something really happened then?” Xu Tingsheng asked nervously.

“No, it’s just...Fang Chen said to compare and see whose are bigger,” Apple said softly.

“...So did you?”

“It’s pretty normal, just some typical playing around between girlfriends.”

“So you really did do it?”

Apple nodded.

Illusory scenes grew vivid…

Xu Tingsheng knew now why Fang Chen had been unable to sleep for so long, knew why she had gotten up in the middle on the night to cause a ruckus, shamelessly insisting on going to Apple’s room no matter what. This was clearly her having been ‘ignited’, her desires hard to quench as she could only toss and turn about in bed, just unable to easily fall into slumber…

Apple took Fang Chen as a very good friend of hers. With Apple being in need of friends right now, Xu Tingsheng did not expose her.

Xu Tingsheng went out to buy breakfast early the next morning. He casually bought a dozen fresh, strong American bullfrogs and released all of them into Fang Chen’s room one by one after having returned. After seeing them leap into shoes and towards the bed, he closed the door and asked Apple to have some breakfast.

“Don’t eat so much. Just make it such that you’re not moving about on an empty stomach. We’ll go for a run after this; we can eat more after we’ve come back,” Xu Tingsheng told Apple as he gnawed on a breadstick.

“Running?” Apple asked.

“Yeah. In the future, we’ll go for a run every morning and a stroll every evening. I’ll go with you.”

“Okay,” Apple nodded, “How about them then? Don’t you have to wake them up for breakfast?”

“Let them sleep for a while more. They didn’t sleep well last night. Do you think that everyone’s like you, not needing to sleep?” Xu Tingsheng joked.

“Right. I do sleep now.”

After they had eaten, Xu Tingsheng went downstairs and waited for Apple to come down after having changed. She sported a ponytail with sports shoes and sports attire, the sleeves of her shirt extending to her forearms as she appeared incomparably proper.

“It’s July right now,” Xu Tingsheng said, wondering why she was bundled up so rigorously even despite the scorching summer heat.

Apple usually wore clothes that were rather more alluring, leaving her long legs bare at the very least. It was really rare to see her with such an appearance.

“I’ve got to appear like a virtuous wife! A simple but pretty housewife image...I designed it myself, what do you think?”

Xu Tingsheng stepped back and looked. It was like Yang Yuhuan when she had become a nun, devilishly appearing even more alluring even as she was dressed in plain, simple garb.

“You look great,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Startled cries resounded from upstairs.

The bullfrogs should have leapt onto her face by now.

“It sounds like Chen Chen’s voice,” Apple said.

“You’re not allowed to call her Chen Chen,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It sounds like Fang Chen’s voice.”

“She may have had a nightmare again and woke up in fright. It’s fine. It’s about time for her to get up anyway. Let’s go for our run.”

“Wa…” Cries resounded again from upstairs.

This should have been her intending to put on her shoes to run away after having been jolted awake, next having stepped on what was inside.

“It’s...Fang Chen’s voice again,” Apple said.

“Maybe she fell asleep again, had another nightmare and was frightened awake again,” Xu Tingsheng said.

As he was afraid that she might get stared at by onlookers, Xu Tingsheng did not dare to take Apple to any of the academy city’s stadiums. Instead, they just ran along the riverbank by the riverside residence. Apple’s body was clearly weak as she began sweating profusely just after a while. She stopped running, gazing pitifully at Xu Tingsheng.

“You want me to carry you?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Apple happily nodded repeatedly.

“We’re here to exercise. It can’t just be me who exercises?”

“Oh.”

So, the two of them ended up walking back, chatting along the way.

Arriving home, Xu Tingsheng discovered that the door to Fang Chen’s room was open, bullfrogs leaping chaotically about the entire living room. There, Fang Chen was sitting on the sofa with a kitchen knife in her hands, appearing totally as though she had just been trampled upon, ruined.

“Hey, the bullfrogs that I bought in the morning! I’d wanted to cook them for lunch. However did they get out?” Xu Tingsheng feigned a surprised tone.

Fang Chen uttered not a single word as she tore at her hair before suddenly getting up from the sofa and brandishing the knife ferociously as she lunged over towards him, “Xu Tingsheng, this old dame’s gonna hack you to death!”

The former number one beauty and emcee of Yanzhou University, the dream lover in the minds of countless boys, totally lost it.

Apple came before Xu Tingsheng, shielding him.

Calmly eating breakfast by the side, Lu Zhixin raised her head and said after having finished her porridge, “Xu Tingsheng, get more side dishes tomorrow.”

“Oh, okay. Do you want carrot strips or pickled mustard?” Xu Tingsheng peeked over and replied from behind Apple.

“Carrot strips.”

“Okay.”

Entering together with Yuqing now, as Fang Yuqing saw what was going on inside, he said, “Woah...how lively. We’ll go upstairs to wait first then.”

Then, he turned and led Yuqing away, the latter waving, “Come up and play later, Apple! I’ve missed you.”

“Yeah, alright! I’ve missed you too,” Apple turned and replied even as she continued shielding before Xu Tingsheng.

“Look, Ma’am...how about we have breakfast first? You can find another chance to hack me later,” Xu Tingsheng asked Fang Chen.

Fang Chen looked at Xu Tingsheng before flinging the knife away and coming over to grab Apple’s hands, saying, “Come, Apple. Let’s have breakfast.”

Apple pulled Xu Tingsheng along, saying, “Let’s eat.”

……

The days passed just like this.

Xu Tingsheng and Fang Chen warred every day.

Lu Zhixin observed this calmly as a bystander every day.

Apple went for a run every morning and went for a stroll every night. She began learning to cook from Xu Tingsheng, growing plants in the small balcony, going out to play with Yuqing and Fang Chen, watching soap operas together with Lu Zhixin...

Apart from that one time Xu Tingsheng wasn’t there, when she numbly drew her finger across his lighter and ended up burning down the curtains.

Following that, Xu Tingsheng stayed by her side for two days and two nights, consoling her over the same period.

Once in a while, Apple would attempt to learn some of the platform’s work. Of course, she indeed rather lacked talent in this aspect.

She was gradually taking a turn for the better. Firstly, she was steadily regaining her lost weight. Because all her meals were prepared by Xu Tingsheng or cooked together by the two of them, she had regained much of her appetite. Even if she lacked the appetite, she would also work hard to eat a little more.

“I really envy Zhixin sometimes. She can be of so much help to you,” She said.

Lu Zhixin seemed like she never needed to go home.

When Xu Tingsheng asked her about it once, she answered, “My Dad almost never comes home. Even if I go home, I’ll be alone there.”

Xu Tingsheng no longer went out on his business trips. He left the on-site surveying to his employees, spending most of his time and effort on Apple. He would run, stroll, chat, shop, watch soap operas and grow plants together with her everyday, persisting in cooking every single meal himself as he did his best to keep her happy as much as he could…

He still conducted two lessons per week at Hucheng Training Institute, teaching a group of ninth grade students that included Little Xiang Ning.

Chapter 192: That Golden Retriever, Dongdong (1)

The lesson conducted by Xu Tingsheng was rather special. It was known as ‘one subject one knowledge point’, with a single specific part of a topic set to be discussed every time. This kept things from being boring. Adding on Xu Tingsheng’s identity as well as foundations, there were many students who had registered for this course.

From having been in one-to-one tutoring with Xu Tingsheng to listening to him in class along with other students, Little Xiang Ning initially felt excited at the novelty of it all. Xu Tingsheng’s image seemed to have grown even greater, as if he were really her teacher.

Then, there was also pride.

Aside from Xu Tingsheng’s identity as a member of Rebirth, he was also the boss of Hucheng, also having won Awards of Bravery before, also having discovered Cao Cao’s Mausoleum. All this information was easily available to the general public, being filled with a miraculous appeal. Also, his teaching style was humorous and warm as he was very well received by the students.

Sometimes, whilst watching him during lessons or in between lessons when she would hear the other students discussing him, especially when she heard her female classmates and girls from other schools bringing him up non-stop, praising him, trying to think of a way to talk with him…

Little Xiang Ning would feel proud, as if her heart harboured an incomparable secret that rivalled the heavens: The person conducting this lesson whom all you people have to wrack your brains in order to find an excuse to speak to...is my Uncle Liar.

More and more people after Su Nannan now knew that Xu Tingsheng was Xiang Ning’s home tutor, only teaching she and she alone.

Many people felt envious at how lucky she was. The kids went home and told their parents, who began calling Hucheng non-stop to enquire if Xu Tingsheng was still accepting home tutor jobs.

Hucheng refused them all on his behalf. The more the other students were dejected at this, the more Little Xiang Ning felt secretly triumphant with this sense of ‘exclusivity’, feeling happy that of so many people, he only taught her, doted on her.

Su Nannan had even suspected that Xu Tingsheng was one of Rebirth’s members once. She had seen him up close when she had sent the guitar up to the stage that day...she felt that he looked very similar, secretively coming to ask Xiang Ning about it one day.

Little Xiang Ning really wanted to say: It is him! He actually came during the school anniversary just to celebrate my birthday for me.

But Uncle had said that day, “Shhh, secret.”

So, she couldn’t tell her.

Little Xiang Ning waited for Xu Tingsheng to wear that shirt she had bought him to the training institute. However, one week, two weeks, three weeks passed and she had still yet to see him wear it there. She called and asked about it. He said he had been wearing just T-shirts recently.

“The other students all say that you’re very wealthy now. Could it be that that shirt is too cheap, costing only 30 yuan, and that’s why you’re not wearing it?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

She didn’t know that that 30 yuan shirt was actually being treated as his most treasured item, wrapped up in layers upon layers and carefully stowed away.

“Will you still be tutoring me after school reopens then?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Someone will replace me when I’m busy. When I’m not busy, I’ll come.”

Little Xiang Ning asked, “Will you be very busy then?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Maybe.”

Little Xiang Ning said, “But you weren’t busy last semester. I hate you.”

Pride was gradually replaced by desolation. Little Xiang Ning found that Uncle seemed to treat her no differently from his other students now. He didn’t pay her special care, didn’t buy seafood noodles or fried dumplings for her, didn’t even speak more to her…

He seldom chose her to answer questions, even though her hand was already raised so high.

Little Xiang Ning began sulking in secret, no longer looking for Uncle to speak with, seeing who would be first to cave in. During their tutoring sessions in the past, if Uncle was fierce to her, she would also sulk, and Uncle would always cave in eventually, ending up trying to coax her.

Uncle never caved in this time.

…...

Xu Tingsheng was actually having a very hard time reining himself in.

For example, he actually still looked forward to those two lessons every week, looked forward to seeing her. He designed each lesson to be as humorous and interesting as possible, because she would laugh then, her giggling as clear as it was in the past, not virtuous at all yet so cute.

Every time he got home, however, Apple would gaze at him like a yearning wife whose husband had finally returned home, her face full of happiness and bliss. Xu Tingsheng was everything to the current her.

Therefore, despite how Little Xiang Ning questioned him, was in a huff with him, there was just no way for him to coax her.

“She’s still a little kid,” Xu Tingsheng would always console himself this way.

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Xiang Ning when he was gardening with Apple that weekend.

“Hoho, it looks like she’s not sulking anymore.”

Sweetness still involuntarily arose within his heart. Xu Tingsheng told Apple before going out and receiving the call.

“Dongdong’s caused trouble. They won’t let us go...”

‘Dongdong’ was the Xiang Family’s Golden Retriever. Xiang Ning was sobbing as she spoke.

“Where are you? I’ll be right there,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Xiang Ning told him her location. She was at a park in the city.

“Apple, I’ve got to go out for a while,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Seldom seeing Xu Tingsheng as nervous and panicked as this, Apple was rather worried, “Is something wrong?”

“...A part-time teacher at the training institute is looking for me,” Xu Tingsheng lied.

“Okay, be safe then.”

“I’ll make a call in a bit and ask Yuqing to come over and accompany you.”

“Yeah. See you later then.”

Xu Tingsheng could clearly feel Apple’s unease. However, he really had no time to waste now.

On the taxi, Xu Tingsheng first gave Yuqing a call and asked her to help accompany Apple before beginning to unceasingly dial Xiang Ning’s number...

Apparently, Xiang Ning had gone to the park with Su Nannan today, having brought ‘Dongdong’ along with her. Then, a woman passed by with a Chihuahua on her leash. The little Chihuahua was actually very fierce, continually barking frenziedly towards the Golden Retriever that was much bigger than it.

Su Nannan had not been able to keep a hold on the leash. Dongdong had lunged forward, and the woman leading the Chihuahua had fallen down, her elbows, knees and whatnot all bleeding from the resulting impact.

“Did Dongdong bite anyone?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“No, but we’ve got to pay them money. They won’t let us go,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“Okay, wait for me. Don’t be scared, tell them that a grownup will be right there to give them their money.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t cry, everything’s okay.”

“Yeah, Uncle. Hurry up and come.”

“Right.”

After having called, Xu Tingsheng could instead relax a little. From Xiang Ning’s words, it was merely that the other party wanted a grownup to come over and discuss the matter of medical fees due to their sustained injuries. It would only be a matter of a few thousand yuan at most.

But because Xiang Ning was crying, was afraid, Xu Tingsheng gave the driver additional money, “Mister, please hurry up a little. I’ll foot the fines for you if any, double the amount,” He promised.

Finally arriving at the park, Xu Tingsheng ran over to Xiang Ning’s location.

The scene that appeared before his eyes was completely different from what he had previously anticipated. There was a handful of young teenage hooligans with dyed yellow hair on one side. On the other stood a man and a woman with over ten big, burly men standing behind them.

Xiang Ning and Su Nannan were off by the side, huddling close together and sobbing.

Xu Tingsheng went in for a closer look.

He first gave Chen Jianxing of Yanzhou Nightly a call. As the news agency was rather close to the park, Chen Jianxing said that he would be there right away.

Then, Xu Tingsheng dialled Fang Yuqing’s number.

“Yuqing, hurry up and call some people over to Hebin Park. Hurry it up, but don’t act rashly after you’ve arrived. It’s just in case the people here are not good to talk with,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What level of people are they?” Fang Yuqing asked, feeling that with Xu Tingsheng’s current status, things must really be unordinary for him to reach the extent of having to call people over.

“There're more than ten people over here. And from the looks of it, the watch on that person’s hand must be worth over a hundred thousand,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Understood,” Fang Yuqing replied.

Chapter 193: That Golden Retriever, Dongdong (2)

As soon as Xu Tingsheng appeared, Little Xiang Ning shot into his embrace. So her reliance and trust towards him...already ran so deep.

“Who’re those people?” Xu Tingsheng pointed at those hooligans who had clearly just been taken care of and were scared silly as he asked Xiang Ning.

His tone was somewhat dissatisfied as he was afraid of Xiang Ning associating with such people.

“Su Nannan’s boyfriend and his cousin. She said that her boyfriend stopped studying after graduating from senior high and is really strong outside. She made a call and so they came. Then, those people came as well,” Xiang Ning said fearfully.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at Su Nannan beside her whose face was full of awkwardness and unease.

“You can never associate with such people, understand?”

Knowing that this was unrelated to Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng relaxed slightly as he wiped off her tears, instructing her in a gentle tone.

“Sorry. I’ll be good, I won’t,” Guilt filled Little Xiang Ning’s eyes as she nodded repeatedly.

“Don’t be afraid. You go over there.”

As Xu Tingsheng rose back up, Little Xiang Ning tugged on his sleeve, “Don’t go, Uncle. They’ll beat you.”

“It’s okay. Uncle’s not here to fight. I’m just going to reason with them.”

Xu Tingsheng lightly brushed away Little Xiang Ning’s hand, passing by those hooligans who were actually sort of around the same age as him as he arrived before that man and woman.

“Ha!” The bald, fat man laughed, “What, you’re the boyfriend of that other little girl? It’s your turn to stand up for them now? Just a single person-pretty brave, huh.”

“I’m her teacher,” Xu Tingsheng said calmly, “These are all just youngsters. Look, can’t we just forget about it? Let’s discuss the matter of compensation.”

Xu Tingsheng felt that to some extent, it was their side that had been in the wrong in the first place. The matter of the dog aside, from what Xiang Ning had said, those hooligans had been the first to arrive on the scene. With their youthful ignorance and blind arrogance, they would definitely have acted domineeringly and caused trouble.

Also, Xu Tingsheng did not want to set a bad example for Xiang Ning, doing stuff like fighting in front of her. After all, she was still young. If she got into this kind of bad habit and felt that she had someone to back up her actions, this could easily cause youngsters to lose their way.

He had called Chen Jianxiang and Fang Yuqing for two reasons. The first was to leave behind evidence and the threat of public opinion, eliminating possible future threats. The second was just in case anything went wrong, like he had told Fang Yuqing.

“Youngsters? Do you think you’re much older than them? Still acting like a teacher,” The bald man said, “In discussing compensation, is there any use talking with you?”

Only now did Xu Tingsheng remember that he was actually just twenty as well. He had just accidentally taken himself for an Uncle again.

“We can talk. Just tell me exactly how much you want first.”

“Youngsters,” Xu Tingsheng said rather awkwardly.

“You’re not half bad, not like those idiotic young hooligans. Fine, hand fifty thousand over then,” The bald man said.

Xu Tingsheng looked at the devilishly enchanting woman who was standing beside the bald man. She had indeed suffered a few scrapes, but not to the extent that…

“Look...it shouldn’t amount to that much, right?”

“It wouldn’t have originally. Still, those hooligans intimidated my girlfriend just now, even slapped her once. Fifty thousand...is still on account of you being sensible, get it?” The bald man said.

Xu Tingsheng looked over at those small-time hooligans whose faces were already full of bruises with blood leaking from their mouths. One of them nodded towards him.

Xu Tingsheng put his hand to his forehead. Even he felt like beating these idiots up now. Like this, they really did not stand on the side of reason at all.

“Fifty thousand then. Find someone to go draw the money with me,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Taken aback, the bald man had just been about to speak when the devilishly enchanting woman beside him stepped forward, saying, “That dog’s also got to die. Otherwise, end of discussion.”

She pointed at Dongdong beside Little Xiang Ning. The dog foolishly barked a few times without regard for the situation.

“Go, kill it!” She was angered by a dog.

A few of their men found some wooden rods by the roadside and walked towards Dongdong.

Little Xiang Ning hugged Dongdong, beginning to cry loudly.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly blocked them, saying, “Don’t scare the kids. We can discuss the matter of compensation again. Just please don’t scare the kids.”

If Little Xiang Ning were to watch her beloved Dongdong being beaten to death right in front of her, how deep a psychological wound would that leave on her? Xu Tingsheng could not allow it to happen no matter what.

The devilishly enchanting woman spoke again before the bald man did, “Who do you think you are? Go on, kill it.”

The bald man’s lackeys turned to look at him. The devilishly enchanting woman hurriedly grabbed onto his arm in a coquettish manner.

“Well, let’s talk after it’s dead,” The bald man waved in Xu Tingsheng’s direction, gesturing for him to move aside.

“They’re really just kids. Don’t make things difficult for them.”

Xu Tingsheng stood there, not budging an inch.

“I told you to move,” The bald man said in a severe tone.

Xu Tingsheng could tell that such an aura could only be possessed by those who truly navigated the hidden sides of society. It was not something that mere hooligans could even compare to.

“Bro Kun asked you to move aside. Are you deaf?” A big man said to Xu Tingsheng even as he reached out and pushed him aside.

Xu Tingsheng swayed but regained his balance, continuing to stand his ground. Another man came up from behind the first, directly stomping towards Xu Tingsheng’s stomach.

Xu Tingsheng involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air at the ensuing pain.

He composed himself before looking back and smiling at Xiang Ning, saying, “Xiang Ning, be good. Turn around and cover your eyes and ears,” Xiang Ning sobbed as she shook her head, rising as she wanted to come over and support him up.

Xu Tingsheng said with a stern expression on his face, “Be good, listen to Uncle.”

Xiang Ning hesitated for a moment before breaking uncontrollably into tears. Su Nannan pulled her along in turning away from them.

Xu Tingsheng stood back up.

“What? Wanna have a go at it?” A bearded man mocked.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying, “I can’t win, and also don’t want to fight in front of kids.”

They all began jeering mockingly together, coupled with the laughter of the devilishly enchanting woman. Even one of the small-time hooligans lying on the ground spoke in a low tone, “Trash.”

“You hear that? Even one of your own people called you trash...when we were speaking just now, I even thought that I’d met a real figure. To tell you the truth, I’ve really never seen trash such as you before...really, this is my first time seeing it,” The devilishly enchanting woman said, pointing towards Xu Tingsheng as she laughed.

It would really be hard not to get angered. It was not like he lacked the courage to put up valiant resistance even as he was beaten. However, there was such an incident within Xu Tingsheng’s memories. When he was fifteen, a motorcycle had brushed past he and his sister once. He had cursed and then been kicked at.

That was a time when gangster movies had been greatly in vogue. Xu Tingsheng had been amidst an environment where everyone admired the courage and brotherhood of triads and societies, and he himself had been at a rash age as well. Therefore, while two grownups had gotten off the motorcycle, he had still rushed at them very ‘courageously’.

His little sister Xu Qiuyi had cried as she tried to protect her brother who was being beaten up. In the end, she had been thrown onto the pavement by one of the men, smashing her head against it with fresh blood flowing profusely. Even now, a scar still remained on her head.

Back then, Mr Xu had not beaten Xu Tingsheng. Instead, he had asked him: Look at your sister. Do you think that what you did or people who staunchly persevere in cherishing others are more courageous?

Blindly causing trouble and inadvertently causing harm to your family, lover or friends is actually far incomparable to staunchly persevering in protecting those you care about. Bearing pain and humiliation for those they cherish is far harder and greater for a man than a moment’s rashness.

If Xu Tingsheng were to put up a struggle now, Little Xiang Ning would likely run over to protect him, trying to pull the men away...what if something happened? She would surely be frightened, at the very least.

Therefore, after they had finished laughing, Xu Tingsheng continued saying calmly, “Look, if you really want to hit me, can you let the two young girls go first...they’re really still kids, I’m afraid that they might be frightened. It also wouldn’t be good if word spreads that you’re making things difficult for kids.”

The bald man hesitated somewhat. The woman stomped forward herself…

Then, Xu Tingsheng bore the force of another kick.

“The heck, high-heeled shoes are really a murder weapon.”

Xu Tingsheng composed himself before rising once more, still obstructing their path as he refused to budge an inch.

Chapter 194: That Golden Retriever, Dongdong (3)

Xu Tingsheng had already fallen four times, but he had not uttered a cry or groaned in pain even once. He was afraid that Xiang Ning might hear it.

She might already have been frightened when the hooligans and Bro Kun’s underlings had been fighting. Still, this was completely different from her seeing Xu Tingsheng beaten up before her very eyes. Xu Tingsheng was someone who cared so much about her, doted on her so much.

This was like someone seeing another person wholly unrelated to them as well as someone extremely dear to them getting beaten. Both might startle them, but the emotional difference between the two scenarios would be as massive as that between the heavens and the earth.

The latter would cause one to lose their mind, casting an incomparably huge shadow over their heart. If they were still young, it would even influence their personality as they grew up.

Finally, Chen Jianxing who had claimed to be nearby could be seen running over from far away.

At the same time that Chen Jianxing saw Xu Tingsheng, the latter made a subtle gesture for him to stop as well as one for him to get to quickly clicking his shutters. While Chen Jianxiang was 1.7 metres tall, he was no expert. If he came over, he might be able to scare these men a little, but even that was still an uncertain thing.

This was not what Xu Tingsheng had called him here for.

Chen Jianxing comprehended Xu Tingsheng’s intentions as he leaned against a tree, beginning to snap photographs.

Xu Tingsheng fell for the fifth time.

This time, he fell in an exceptionally exaggerated manner.

The devilishly enchanting woman finally felt bored as she pointed to someone beside her, “You, go get the dog from that girl.”

Dongdong began yelping softly from beside Xiang Ning, acting pitiful.

Xu Tingsheng looked up, not looking at those robust men or that woman as he just stared straight at the bald Bro Kun who was standing not far away, “Bro Kun, is it? I’ll give you a suggestion. Even though your people have beaten me now, there is actually still room for discussion. Still, don’t lay a hand on her. If you do...our words end right there.”

The bald Bro Kun suddenly felt chilly beneath the hot July sun. This was a feeling he had not had for a long time ever since he had risen to this position.

This youth who appeared not more than twenty could calmly analyse the situation, could accept and tolerate, could bear five kicks without uttering a single sound, with his expression remaining calm...even as he was threatening him now, he still appeared calm, his tone also composed.

Yet, it was precisely this that was more convincing than a severe expression and tone. Typical families would not be able to bring up such a steady, experienced twenty-year-old. It would be impossible for most twenty-year-olds to face a situation like this one bearing such a mentality.

Feeling an inexplicable sense of unease, Bro Kun hesitated for a moment.

The devilishly enchanting woman snorted, retorting, “Trash still know how to breathe so loudly? Even daring to threaten Bro Kun? Just touch her! What’re you people afraid of? Just a mere kid- do you really think that he can do anything to you?”

His own woman having said this, Bro Kun shook his head. Let her do as she wanted then. At the end of the day, he was still a reputable figure. He couldn’t let himself be intimidated by a mere kid’s words just like that.

“Move,” Bro Kun ordered.

A hand touched Xiang Ning’s shoulder. Xiang Ning shrieked and turned around.

At the same time, the sharp screeching of braking tyres resounded in an endless cacophony.

Land Rovers, Bentleys, Mercedes Benzs etcetera lined up into a row of more than ten luxurious cars which could not be considered overly conspicuous. Behind them followed Fang Yuqing’s decrepit Volkswagen.

Then, led by a Mercedes Benz mb100 fifteen-seater, four vans directly drove onto the stone pathways of the park.

The doors ‘flew’ open.

Over forty strong men with the same short, cropped hair and in the same tight-fitting short sleeved vests leapt off, wielding batons as they surrounded the area at the highest speed.

Over on Bro Kun’s side, his ten over underlings could only retreat to his side, guarding them rather panickedly as they also ceaselessly turned to look at Bro Kun, waiting for him to think something up. They also looked at the devilishly enchanting woman who had still been full of arrogance but a moment ago. Her face was already rather pale now as she hid behind them all.

“Bro Kun, we won’t be able to get away,” A big man said as he clutched onto the bent wooden rod that he had picked up from the ground just earlier.

All their opponents were using real batons.

“Shut up.”

The bald Bro Kun tried to keep his cool as he took out a cigarette from a cigarette box.

He could also call over more than forty people like the other side had, even more than that. Just from his underlings who worked in the entertainment night clubs alone, he could already gather over ten security guards, even though their quality would clearly be inferior to this bunch here.

What truly caused him to recognise his defeat now was the row of luxurious cars not far away in the distance. Apart from that decrepit Volkswagen, not one of them was something that normal people would be able to afford. These people most definitely possessed wealthy backgrounds.

At his current level, he was still in the process of grooming some of his underlings, also getting to know some local policemen, then wearing expensive watches and driving a Porsche as he worked hard to prove his position and strive towards the next level.

The inexplicable sense of unease in Bro Kun’s heart from earlier had still been verified in the end. This was not a kid from a normal family.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng was really from a normal family. It was just that with his experience, growth and confidence from before and after his rebirth as well as the wealth and foreseeable future that he had forged for himself with his own hands, he had become different as a result.

“Bro, I haven’t asked your name?” Bro Kun asked.

“Xu Tingsheng,” Xu Tingsheng walked over to Xiang Ning, extending an arm and protectively pulling her into his embrace.

Bro Kun thought hard for a moment, “It’s an honour.”

Bro Kun said that it was an honour, but Xu Tingsheng did not give him a reply. From his earlier expression, he knew that the other party didn’t know who he was at all. This was also why he hadn’t given his own name.

The other party clearly wasn’t doing any upright businesses. Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng’s field of expertise was education. Thus, he almost certainly wouldn’t know who Xu Tingsheng was at all.

Thinking that he had spoken too softly, Bro Kun repeated in a slightly louder tone, “It’s an honour.”

Xu Tingsheng still didn’t reply him. Bro Kun, his underlings, the fallen hooligans on the ground, Xiang Ning’s classmate Su Nannan who could actually also be considered his student-they all watched him.

Xu Tingsheng was painstakingly focused on coaxing Xiang Ning, “Don’t be scared. Look, isn’t everything okay? Uncle told you that things would be okay. So, don’t be scared, okay?”

“Uncle, did you get beaten? Does it hurt?” Xiang Ning pressed her lips together, tears trickling down her face.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, shaking his head, “No. So, don’t be scared anymore, okay, Xiang Ning?”

“Okay,” Xiang Ning nodded, burying her head into Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

Xu Tingsheng swivelled his head, seeing Fang Yuqing’s group nearly having arrived with one of those running over beside him being a pleasantly unexpected figure.

He lightly pushed Xiang Ning, “Be good, go to Su Nannan and hold onto Dongdong’s leash.”

Seeing that a chance to talk had arrived, Bro Kun took a step forward, “Brother Xu, this...is there still room for discussion?”

Xu Tingsheng turned, saying in a steely tone, “Didn’t I tell you people not to lay a hand on her just now? You just wouldn’t listen. Now, you tell me-what’s there still left to discuss?”

The current Xu Tingsheng actually had on a slightly feral expression with his tone a little maniacal.

He was actually incomparably outraged, because one of the men had extended a hand towards Xiang Ning towards the end. He had touched Xiang Ning’s shoulder, and Xiang Ning’s shriek had pierced through Xu Tingsheng’s heart. This was virtually his first time in such a frenzied, enraged state ever since his rebirth.

The corners of Bro Kun’s mouth twitched as he asked cautiously, “Can it be settled with money?”

“I said it. Don’t lay a hand on her, and everything can still be discussed. Even if you beat me, it can still be discussed. But no laying a hand on her, not even a single finger...you didn’t listen!”

Xu Tingsheng’s voice was not loud. He had not spoken loudly at all in all of his words to Bro Kun, for fear that his words might reach Xiang Ning’s ears. However, it was such a tone with whole-heartedly repressed fury and a somewhat maniacal feel that was actually much scarier.

The Golden Retriever Dongdong growled threateningly in the distance, making an aggressive pose as if ready to attack.

It had clearly just...it still seemed to be acting pitiful.

This dog really rendered one speechless. It was truly a ‘slutty’ dog...even though in his previous life, Xiang Ning would still go on and on to Uncle about it many years afterwards, about how cute it was, how intelligent it was, how well-behaved it was.

Chapter 195: This is necessary

“Do you think you’re great because you have more people now? You...if you dare to make a move against us, Bro Kun will definitely get you back for it afterwards. I advise you…” The devilishly enchanting woman stepped forward once more, blustering with self-importance.

Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly, looking at Bro Kun, “Where did you find a thing like this? Not choosing a woman well, it would very easily end up wrecking your family’s foundations.”

“Hey, you…”

The woman had just wanted to speak when Bro Kun turned and slapped her straight on the face, shutting her up.

Everyone had already closed in on them by now.

Fang Yuqing came over with a few people, the rest standing a distance away. Just having seen the bald Bro Kun, they understood that with his level, it was unnecessary for them to go over to exert pressure on him simultaneously.

As this was Xu Tingsheng’s matter, with this being the first time he had called for people on his own accord, Fang Yuqing had been overly nervous.

Xu Tingsheng looked back and greeted those people in the distance. He actually knew most of them now. Amongst them were some people he had met during the meal that he had treated in his first year of university. He had not hit it off with them back then, only having done so after his status had risen some time later. As for the others, he had only come to know them afterwards.

Xu Tingsheng felt that this was not that unacceptable a thing.

The one who had been in charge of forging relationships afterwards had been Huang Yaming as well as Tan Yao whom he had brought along. However, Xu Tingsheng himself had actually been involved in quite a bit of it as well. Thus, they could be considered acquaintances, not strangers.

Most of these second gen people were not brainless idiots like was often thought. Apart from those whose families had suddenly soared into prominence or had not focused on grooming them at all, most second gens were groomed painstakingly in the best environments. With the personal teachings of their senior generation to temper them, how could they end up brainless?

These were all astute people. Their discerning eyes in viewing issues as well as people were not something that ordinary people could compare to.

Therefore, they had already long since come to understand Xu Tingsheng’s as well as the Xu Family’s situation through various channels. They knew of how Happy Shoppers and Hucheng had appeared and progressed by leaps and bounds within just a short year’s time. They even knew how Huang Yaming had suddenly gone to Tianyi, appearing beside Shi Zhongjun.

The more they understood about him, the more they felt it to be mysterious and unfathomable.

Perhaps Xu Tingsheng’s current status was still not yet at the point where everyone had to make efforts to get friendly with him. However, considering the speed as well as potential in his sudden rise to prominence, no one would mind having another friend like this, much less finding a chance to get him in their debt.

They waved back in greeting. Then, Xu Tingsheng turned his attention back to the scene.

Having seen Xu Tingsheng’s rather feral expression, Fang Yuqing knew that he must be really worked up right now. Seeing his physical condition, his mind eased a little before he asked somewhat cold-bloodedly, “Well, what’s up with you? You almost scared me to death.”

Xu Tingsheng rubbed his stomach, saying in ill humour, “Bastard, took you long enough.”

“The heck, I thought that you had prepared a whole army, made too heavy preparations.”

Fang Yuqing pointed at those sturdy men, “These men were all called over from Wu Kun, Bro Kun’s entertainment nightclubs. In broad daylight, wouldn’t we have to gather them up first?”

“Then, those people,” Fang Yuqing pointed towards that group at the back that was smiling brightly, “How many calls did you think I had to make? These people, I tell you. I was afraid that the ones here might really be too fierce, and so I tricked them over such that they would get beaten up in such a scenario...as soon as they got beaten up, wouldn’t things be major then? In that case...all would easily be settled.”

Fang Yuqing grinned.

This was the first time Xu Tingsheng was seeing this swindling side of Fang Yuqing’s. So he could actually be this black-hearted as well. Indeed, all second gen were really ‘no good’. Even Fang Yuqing, someone who often easily gave off the impression of being ‘straightforward’, ‘wilful and unrestrained’, ‘brainless’, ‘careless and carefree’ etcetera was actually not that simple at all.

Still, this also proved something again. It proved that Fang Yuqing thought of and treated Xu Tingsheng differently from these people. He could swindle them all for Xu Tingsheng’s sake.

Xu Tingsheng patted Fang Yuqing’s shoulder, not saying thank you.

Tan Yao came over and asked, “Bro Xu, are you okay?”

Because Huang Yaming had gone to Tianyi, he had not returned home over the holidays as he had remained here to continue establishing his position in the industry.

“I’m fine, relax,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

Then, he looked behind Tan Yao, asking in a still surprised tone, “Bro Zhong, you’re here as well?”

“I just happen to be out on a work trip for your father. As I was going to pass by Yanzhou en route, your mother got me to bring some tea leaves from back home for you. Then, I arrived. How is it?” Being good at fighting, Zhong Wusheng possessed discerning eyes in this area as well as he could immediately tell that Xu Tingsheng had suffered injuries to his stomach, though still not too serious a thing.

Xu Tingsheng was actually really still hurting a bit now as he rubbed his stomach and replied, “It’s nothing much. Why didn’t you contact me then? Going over to find Yuqing instead?”

“What, you’re still in the mood to be jealous?” Fang Yuqing interjected, but was simply ignored.

Zhong Wusheng said, “Yuqing just happened to call me yesterday, learning that I would be here. Then, I received his call right upon reaching Yanzhou today. All this had already occurred then.”

“Then, this...you didn’t tell my Dad about it, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked uneasily.

There weren’t many things that he was afraid of now, but those three at home, his parents and his little sister, he was super afraid of.

“I didn’t,” Zhong Wusheng said.

“That’s good then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I will when I get back,” Zhong Wusheng said.

“...Really? Bro Zhong.”

“This is necessary. Tingsheng, you’re really too insensible. Even though I’m uncultured, I’ve also heard of a saying before. Worth his weight in gold, not to be endangered so. You shouldn’t have acted like this. I heard from Yuqing that you were uninvolved in this matter from the start. You just rushed here afterwards, not having made sufficient preparations, not waiting for Yuqing…”

“I am currently serving the Xu Family. Therefore, as I see it, there is nothing at all, no one at all who is worth you acting like this. Therefore, it is necessary for me to tell Uncle Xu about all this.”

Zhong Wusheng had said all this in a very serious, grave tone. As he had said, due to the care of Xu Tingsheng and his parents, he and Sis Jia now had a peaceful home of their own with a bright, glorious future ahead of them. They already saw themselves as a part of the Xu Family.

Because of Mr Xu’s magnanimity and broadness of heart, Zhong Wusheng felt this more and more intensely the more he followed him.

At the same time, he had come to be increasingly clearer on the Xu Family’s current strength as well as future prospects. It was because of this that he had said: Worth his weight in gold, not to be endangered so.

Xu Tingsheng was the only son of the Xu Family.

Just earlier, when they had gotten off their vehicles and seen that the other side had just some minor figures, and just ten odd of them at that, everyone had felt very relaxed, starting to laugh. However, it had not been the same for Zhong Wusheng who had felt incomparably shocked, his hairs standing on end as a chill ran down his body.

With just this lot alone, Xu Tingsheng had already been in an extremely precarious predicament. If they had lost their minds and gone on a rampage...and something had hence happened to Xu Tingsheng, even if they were all exterminated afterwards, what meaning would there be in that?

Zhong Wusheng was very clear on how much Mr Xu valued this son, how important Xu Tingsheng was to the Xu Family. If something happened to Xu Tingsheng, the Xu Family was very likely to collapse as a result, because all Mr Xu’s motivation would thus be lost. Everything he was doing now was, to a very great extent, to split the mountain and pave a path for his son.

If it was simply for them to lead better lives, there would be no need for Mr Xu to be so hasty at all. He would not have to expand to such a great scale as this now would already be sufficient.

Therefore, Zhong Wusheng was actually very angry at Xu Tingsheng, just that it was not his place to say some things. Therefore, he would definitely be conveying this incident to Mr Xu. This was not something that Xu Tingsheng might be able to stop him from doing.

Xu Tingsheng certainly also knew that Zhong Wusheng spoke rightly. It was just that there was no way for him to explain: It was worth it, because the one who was bullied was Xiang Ning.

Chapter 196: I’m clearly here

“I didn’t think that the situation would become like this initially. It really was only something minor initially,” Xu Tingsheng explained weakly.

He was already beginning to worry about how he would face his father’s questioning and fury.

“Right, right! It was only something minor initially, something very minor. Also, this matter was not related at all to Brother Xu originally,” His heart beating wildly as he had been encircled yet was only able to listen to them conversing all on their own, the bald Bro Kun found a place to interject with great difficulty.

However, he was still ignored.

Zhong Wusheng called over two people from behind him, introducing, “You haven’t met these two brothers before. They were former friends of mine who are not any weaker than me. They are also helping the Xu Family now.”

The two of them greeted Xu Tingsheng who responded warmly, calling them (elder) bros just as he addressed Zhong Wusheng.

Who asked ‘Uncle’ to still be young, only being twenty.

With just a single glance, Xu Tingsheng knew that they weren’t there to help the Xu Family run its supermarkets. Their function was the same as Zhong Wusheng’s had been. Of course, Zhong Wusheng had now already began participating in Happy Shopper’s business operations.

Xu Tingsheng knew that Mr Xu had recently expanded Happy Shoppers to some rather more complex places where the local culture was rather more difficult. In such places, the likes of stirring up trouble, smashing stores and extortion were not uncommon at all. As a result, such a group of people was inevitably needed.

“It’s also good like this, with our own people here. It will be be better if our own people are the ones to act when things happen later on.”

Xu Tingsheng turned and stared at that person who had touched Xiang Ning earlier, especially at that hand of his. He had touched her shoulder, and she had shrieked in fright. Therefore…

While this squinty-eyed man was tall and robust, his heart palpitated as Xu Tingsheng stared at him. He regretted the fact that three of the five kicks inflicted on Xu Tingsheng had been dealt by him. He didn’t know that what he should truly be regretting now was that final extending of his hand…

Still, that didn’t matter now. It was too late, anyway.

It was another problem Fang Yuqing noticed: Since this matter had originally been unrelated to Xu Tingsheng, who had he come for then? There were only a few hooligans and two girls present at the scene, and it shouldn’t be them…

This wasn’t right! It was impossible for Xu Tingsheng to be so worked up over ordinary people, frantically braving danger himself. It was impossible for Xu Tingsheng to ask him to call people over for the first time over something unimportant, much less for the usually genial, composed him to be so enraged now.

Fang Yuqing had seen that previous, rather terrifying expression on Xu Tingsheng’s face.

Therefore, after eliminating the possibility of those Xu Tingsheng might be concerned about, Fang Yuqing felt that he had guessed it, “It can only be her, that rumoured, legendary Xiang Ning whom we even helped to dance for...it’s definitely her.”

Seeing that Xu Tingsheng was fine, as Fang Yuqing who had regained his usual careless, carefree attitude had this revelation, he almost blurted it out loud for all to hear.

Still, he hesitated for a moment before instead pulling him over to the side and asking, “It’s Xiang Ning, right? It must be Xiang Ning they provoked. It’s definitely her, don’t try to fool me. Where now? Where is she? Let me have a look at her. What kind of a heavenly fairy is she that can have you as concerned as this?”

Fang Yuqing surveyed the area before asking puzzledly, “I can’t see her. Could she have left?”

The nervous Xu Tingsheng naturally answered, “Yeah, she’s left.”

This was equivalent to him admitting it.

Fang Yuqing felt greatly vexed.

“You definitely can’t mention this to your sister, and you can’t mention it to Yuqing as well. As for those present who know your sister, remember to remind them about this,” Xu Tingsheng pulled Fang Yuqing back towards the others as he instructed him.

If Yuqing and Fang Chen were to learn about this incident and Xiang Ning’s name, based on their relationship with Apple, what might happen then?

“Understood. Relax, I get it,” Fang Yuqing patted his chest.

Meanwhile, even Xu Tingsheng himself failed to realise that as Fang Yuqing had pulled him to the side away from the others, they had instead gone closer to Xiang Ning, and she had heard.

She had heard Fang Yuqing asking, ‘It’s Xiang Ning, right?’ and ‘What kind of a heavenly fairy is she that can have you as concerned as this?”

“So Uncle is so concerned about me. Even his friend knows,” Xiang Ning thought.

She had also heard the ending of their conversation. Xu Tingsheng had said that Xiang Ning had already left.

“But I’m clearly here,” Xiang Ning was puzzled.

Su Nannan came over, whispering into her ear, “But you’re clearly here?”

She had heard it as well.

“Shhh,” Xiang Ning shushed her.

“Alright, but Mr Xu is so awesome! Look, all these people, all these cars. Those people don’t even dare to move now. Look at that bad woman, how she’s trembling,” Su Nannan continued.

“Don’t talk about this. If it weren’t for you insisting on calling your boyfriend, with things then…” Xiang Ning said.

“Fine, I was wrong. I’m feeling now that it would be great if I got Mr Xu to be my boyfriend,” Su Nannan said.

Xiang Ning suddenly made a serious face and stopped talking.

“What? Xiang Ning...oh, I know. You’re angry because I said I wanted Mr Xu to be my boyfriend. You...heyy...you like Mr Xu as well, right?”

Xiang Ning had actually never considered this matter before, always just having acted from her heart.

Uncle is so old, and Uncle has a Big Xiang Ning in his heart. Uncle is only so good to me because of Big Xiang Ning. This was what Xiang Ning had always believed...thus, she had never consciously realised this problem before.

It was only now that Su Nannan had said it to her that her mind descended into chaos.

……

Receiving Xu Tingsheng’s call, Chen Jianxing had grabbed his camera and rushed over. Receiving Xu Tingsheng’s signal, he had taken photographs of the scene, next personally witnessing how the situation had reversed, with all those rows of cars, all those people...

Feeling rather shocked, he thought even as he smiled wryly inwardly, “This kid is even scarier than I’d thought. Luckily, I’m on the same side as him.”

With how things currently were, he definitely had to stay behind. Xu Tingsheng would not have called him over to take photographs for no reason at all. However, as Xu Tingsheng had yet to call him over, he couldn’t just walk over there himself as he just smoked a cigarette and waited.

Finally, after Xu Tingsheng had finished talking with his own people, he walked over to where the bald Bro Kun’s group was and said a few words.

Then, Chen Jianxing saw Xu Tingsheng waving towards him, yelling, “Bro Chen!”

Like this, he was loudly called bro by Xu Tingsheng before he traversed a crowd of wealthy people and then a group of well-built, baton-wielding muscular men. Chen Jianxing had met many important people of varying levels before, but never had he experienced a scene quite like this. Therefore, he felt his legs trembling slightly as even walking came a bit unnaturally for him.

Xu Tingsheng came over, telling him what he intended just outside the group of core, relevant personnel before he said, “Firstly, you’ve seen this situation too, Bro Chen. I feel that there’s nothing you have to worry about. Of course, if you do feel worried, I won’t make things difficult for you. Just lending me your camera for a bit would be fine.”

Chen Jianxing thought for a moment. This was a chance for him to deepen his relationship with Xu Tingsheng, causing the latter to owe him one. Chen Jianxing was already very clear on the value of this debt of gratitude as well as the difference in strength between both sides. Thus, he had nothing to hesitate about at all.

“I’ll do as you’ve said. I can’t let you have called me bro for nothing. Also, I’m not someone who’s never seen major scenes before. Rest assured,” Chen Jianxing spoke as calmly as possible, appearing as steady and dependable as he could.

“I’ll be troubling you then, Bro Chen.”

Xu Tingsheng brought Chen Jianxing over, telling the bald Bro Kun, “This is my bro, a reporter at Yanzhou Nightly. He just captured a few things on his camera. Want to have a look, Bro Kun? You can take a look at his reporter pass as well.”

Chen Jianxing handed over his camera and reporter pass.

The bald bro Kun glanced at them, not receiving them. He raised his head and glanced at Xu Tingsheng, “This person is even more terrifying than I’d thought. He’s actually this thorough in his actions, even though...he’s still so young.”

“Since Bro Kun has seen them, you can go back now, Bro Chen. Sorry for troubling you; I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”

Chen Jianxing left.

Xu Tingsheng turned and looked at the bald Bro Kun’s gang, “Therefore, the situation now is like this. This afternoon, an episode of violence occurred in Yanzhou City’s Haibin Park. I and a few youngsters, along with two who are underage, were surrounded by over ten men led by you, Bro Kun, and then beaten up. The newspaper can report this at any time, exposing you as well as proving things for me.”

“I understand,” The bald Bro Kun’s face was deathly ashen as he lowered his head.

“Coincidentally, the reporter has just left. Therefore, no one will see what happens afterwards. People will only know that there is definite proof as reported in the media. This would already be sufficient to nail you dead in the area of mass public opinion. Even if something coincidentally happened to you and your people as well...everyone would only feel that you well deserved it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I understand. I won’t be so foolish. This matter will end here right after Brother Xu has finished handling it.”

Bro Kun surrendered to his fate. The other party had been thorough in his methods. Even if they possessed the advantage in terms of strength, they might still end up losing out. Moreover, they were completely at a disadvantage now.

Chapter 197: Aura still has to be cultivated

This main group right in the middle was currently surrounded by two other groups of people.

The inner one consisted of those originally standing a distance away who were not in charge of fighting. Fang Yuqing referred to them as the rather more incompetent bunch of second gens in the vicinity of Yanzhou City. They generally had rather more competent siblings who were of the same social circle as Fang Chen, while Fang Yuqing just hung out with these incompetent ones.

Of course, ‘competent’ and ‘incompetent’ here were only in the comparative sense.

As they watched Xu Tingsheng beginning to handle the problem for real, they all gathered closer for a look. Suppressing the atmosphere was of secondary importance. They mainly wanted to make use of this to learn more about Xu Tingsheng whom no one understood.

The outer group consisted of more than forty big men in black T-shirts who had the area solidly surrounded, blocking them off from view.

Now, the bald Bro Kun’s gang was staring at Xu Tingsheng as if they were gazing at the ‘devil’ incarnate. He had yet to act, but his way of handling things left them all quaking in their boots.

The devilishly enchanting woman was trembling by the side as she sobbed. As Xu Tingsheng glanced at her, she hurriedly covered her mouth, no longer daring to utter a sound.

Things today had begun because of her. It was because she had unceasingly pushed things, refusing to let go. If not for her, Xu Tingsheng would have long since compensated them with fifty thousand yuan and left. Also, she had even gone up and personally kicked Xu Tingsheng…

Zhong Wusheng was feeling greatly comforted. He had always known how remarkable Xu Tingsheng was. However, it had previously been from the perspective of how clever and capable he was. Looking from another perspective now, Xu Tingsheng’s way of handling matters was so mature and decisive, thorough as he was prepared for all eventualities...

The current situation was one where their side held the advantage. However, Xu Tingsheng had even already made preparations earlier for if they ended up being at a disadvantage and had to navigate things as the weaker side.

“Tingsheng is really...even more remarkable than I’d thought. The Xu Family is truly fortunate.”

Zhong Wusheng was unwilling to use the terms ‘shrewd’, ‘scheming’ or ‘black-hearted’ on Xu Tingsheng, being very unwilling to admit that he had such a side to him. This was because he was always so warm and magnanimous, thinking for the sake of others.

Having been one of those who had been taken care of by him, Zhong Wusheng knew that he was one of those Xu Tingsheng thought for. To some extent, he, his wife and their child were beneficiaries of this, leading stable, sufficient lives as a result.

However, such thoughts actually did flash through his mind.

Behind him, his two bros who were seeing Xu Tingsheng for the first time reached out and jabbed his back. When he looked back, they secretly flashed a thumbs up at him. The trio exchanged looks, smiling together.

They had witnessed Mr Xu’s magnanimity as well as the current gradual formation of his aura, thus already willingly tying themselves to the Xu Family’s ship. Now that they had seen the Xu Family’s only son, the rumoured Xu Tingsheng, not only were they not disappointed, they were instead feeling more confident.

Anyone would hope that the captain of the ship they rode would be the strongest and the best.

The ‘incompetent’ second gens exchanged glances, tacitly thinking the same thing. Their trip this time had not been a wasted one. Then, they mentally increased their evaluation of Xu Tingsheng’s importance as well as danger level within their hearts.

This person was getting more and more interesting, more and more worthy of them befriending. Thus, this trip had been a very worthwhile one. Not only had they deepened their understanding of him, they had also improved the relationship between them and accrued a debt of gratitude.

Xu Tingsheng could actually also guess what these people were thinking, having already long since put it into consideration. He was happy seeing such a situation.

Afloat amidst this world,

Ship rippling atop water,

Aura, still had to be cultivated.

Aura, made one terrified.

Aura, made one crouch.

Aura, made one heavy.

Aura, made one climb.

Aura, made one afraid to heedlessly extend their hand.

Those who were currently present, whether they were the second gens or those here of the Xu Family, were all people whom he, or Mr Xu, or Huang Yaming, would likely have to interact with in the future, with areas of mutual benefit or conflicts of interest possibly arising between them.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng had to cultivate such a force of will.

Wanting to develop such a force of will, Xu Tingsheng currently still lacked sufficient money as well as connections. Thus, he could only rely on himself for now. After he had developed such, he would naturally have more money, naturally gain more connections.

From the establishment of Happy Shoppers to the entire development as well as guarding of Hucheng, Xu Tingsheng’s modus operandi had actually always been like this. Aura was the most important. If he was able to exhibit it, he would. Otherwise, he would simply borrow it.

……

“Let’s start with you first then.”

Xu Tingsheng pointed at the squinty-eyed man.

“Your left hand, must be broken.”

Xu Tingsheng’s words...were a little specific. Why was it him, and why specifically the left hand?

As Zhong Wusheng listened, he suddenly felt that this was not like Xu Tingsheng. Things like breaking hands were not all that uncommon amongst those of the darker side of society. Yet, such words just seemed very unexpected coming from Xu Tingsheng’s mouth.

This even caused Zhong Wusheng to feel slightly uncomfortable inside. He did not think that Xu Tingsheng should be doing things like this. At the very least, he should not stain his own hands.

“This hand must definitely have touched Xiang Ning,” Thinking himself to be the only one here who understood the reason behind this, Fang Yuqing commented rather triumphantly.

Xu Tingsheng did not hear it. If he had, he would definitely strangle him. What he had said just for Fang Yuqing’s ears would, not long after, travel into the ears of Mr and Mrs Xu: Xiang Ning.

He did not know what Mr Xu might say.

Mrs Xu would definitely ask him to take her back home for a look at her.

The squinty-eyed man retreated slightly, exchanging glances with those who were closer to him before they all turned to look at the bald Bro Kun together, waiting for his verdict. They were not as experienced as him, feeling that they just had fewer people present now. They felt that things would still be settled between them in the future. Thus, there should still be room for discussion.

“Get over here,” Xu Tingsheng spoke before asking for and obtaining a baton from someone beside him.

The squinty-eyed man hesitated for a moment, shifting his feet momentarily but then standing still again. He uneasily licked his lips that were feeling rather dry, next unconsciously tightening his grip on the rod that he was holding.

Seeing this, Zhong Wusheng turned back and gestured towards those two people behind him.

The two were greatly excited. Just having met with their young master for the first time, their chance to perform had already come.

As everyone, Xu Tingsheng included, was still caught amidst this temporary stalemate, whoosh. An unexpected happening occurred as just so decisively, two figures suddenly shot murderously out from beside Xu Tingsheng at rapid speed…

A fight broke out just like this.

A moment’s hesitation, a hint of resistance. A fight broke out just like this.

Two against over ten opponents.

In the first exchange, the two virtually performed the exact same movement. Charging, rising upwards, with an elbow straight into an opponent’s face. On the bald Bro Kun’s side, two had already collapsed, the squinty-eyed man included.

The remaining men reflexively retaliated.

However, it was already a little too late to react now. Those two had already gathered their onrushing momentum, also being relentless in their blows. They minded not exchanging their fists, trading blow for blow and wound for wound. They used their full strength for all their blows at an extraordinarily high speed. Punches, kicks, knees, elbows-all their strikes were tough and tyrannical, going straight for their opponents’ vitals as they sought to take them down in a single move.

It really sounded rather noisy, mixed with wails of agony, roars, curses.

However, the two who were truly beating people up emitted no sound at all apart from the occasional groan when emitting force.

Anyone here who had even the least bit experience would be able to tell that these two people were trained in Thai Boxing.

Thai Boxing was a tyrannical art form which possessed great incapacitating power. Known as the fiercest martial art in standing close combat, the knees were like cannons, the elbows like blades. It possessed an immense intimidation effect and brutal, effective takedown force, being swift as well.

In perhaps just over a minute.

When those two figures returned to Xu Tingsheng’s side, almost half of the ten over people on the bald Bro Kun’s side had already collapsed to the ground.

The two of them were a little injured themselves. Still, Thai Boxers had robust bodies. They were just fine.

A sudden assault, a swift battle and a swift retreat.

In just a minute, the two people who had caused the situation before them had killed their way through their enemy, leaving them all wailing in agony.

Everyone present, regardless of their affiliation, could only suck in a breath of cold air. The Xu Family actually still had such people? Also, Zhong Wusheng, Fang Yuqing's rumoured master who was said to be able to battle one against five in a metal cage, had still yet to act.

“Get over here,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 198: The gentlest and also the most vicious

From the perspective of this group of people who had come to deal with the bald Bro Kun, there was really no need for this fight at all. There were more than forty men surrounding them. They could all surge forward simultaneously at just a single command.

Zhong Wusheng clearly understood this point as well as the current situation.

Thus, this 'one minute’ was actually already intrinsically unrelated to that unlucky bunch of the bald Bro Kun's. They were just like 'wooden dummies’ whom Zhong Wusheng had beaten up as a show to the group of second gens on Xu Tingsheng's behalf.

Beneath all these sources of pressure, Xu Tingsheng's face might indeed be too tender. He had spoken, but the other party had hesitated, even having displayed signs of resisting…

As long as it was not one's own power, there was ultimately still the possibility of being taken lightly by others at the end of the day, whether it was the other side or your own.

The thoughts of the bald Bro Kun's gang could simply be overlooked. In a certain sense, at this point in time, they had already 'folded and left the table’.

However, how the people on their side viewed things was still of the utmost importance. This would affect their appraisal and evaluation of Xu Tingsheng's and the Xu Family's methods, thus also affecting their attitude in their future interactions.

When A and B cooperated and all A’s power stemmed from B, A would have no status, no value.

Perhaps amongst those who were on their side, there had been some who hadn't been so close before who had just been snickering inwardly earlier, waiting to see how Xu Tingsheng would clean things up.

Zhong Wusheng mopped them all up for him.

He said on his behalf: Even though we aren't based in Yanzhou, the Xu Family can still easily settle things ourselves.

Xu Tingsheng quickly understood Zhong Wusheng’s intentions. While the appearance of Zhong Wusheng’s group today was outside of his predictions, it had actually turned out to be beneficial.

Today, the position of Xu Tingsheng and the Xu Family rose non-stop in the eyes of this group of second gen that was based in Yanzhou and its vicinity, even far surpassing the actual situation.

Xu Tingsheng felt that when he invited these people over to show his gratitude a couple of days later, he could bring up the third plan in the Xu Family’s blueprints then. He intended to go into land, go into properties.

As someone who had been troubled over a single flat for an entire lifetime in his previous life, also having personally witnessed the housing boom over the span of a decade back then, it would be impossible for Xu Tingsheng to willingly let this go, not getting involved with it at all.

However, this was too difficult an aspiration, especially in Yanzhou where Xu Tingsheng’s capabilities, be it in terms of money or connections, were just completely insufficient for him to get involved with this bunch of people.

This bunch of people possessed sufficient background. There were those whose families were in officialdom or business as well as those ‘incompetents’. Being incompetent caused them to act boldly, their supposed incompetence causing them to be desperate to prove themselves...

Therefore, they really could not be any more suitable.

Therefore, as soon as Xu Tingsheng demonstrated sufficient capabilities to convince them in all the relevant areas, being desperate to succeed, they would surely give it their all.

Xu Tingsheng ceased his ponderings, still having things to handle now.

There might be some with broken or fractured bones amongst those who had collapsed, but the squinty-eyed man clearly wasn’t one of them. Even though his forehead was broken, his entire face full of blood, just this injury alone would not render him incapable of ‘getting over there’.

He staggered up rather dizzily, coming forward.

“And you.”

As Xu Tingsheng pointed, the men who felt that they hadn’t done anything major hurriedly got out of the way, revealing the devilishly enchanting woman hiding behind them. She knew that there was no way she could get out of this one.

“Bro Kun...save me.”

The woman’s face was pale, her entire body shivering as she pleadingly begged the bald Bro Kun for help.

Bro Kun turned away, not looking at her. There wasn’t a real relationship between them, just that of money and the flesh. Everything today had been caused by her, was completely her fault. Bro Kun himself felt like giving her two good slaps...moreover, this was surely also going to hurt him.

The woman sobbed piteously as she came forward as well.

The two of them stood in front of Xu Tingsheng. Of these two people, one of them had extended a hand and touched Xiang Ning, while the other had arrogantly and overbearingly refused to let the matter end just like that, almost harming Xiang Ning and even kicking Xu Tingsheng himself.

“Do you still remember what you just did? Really, you deserve it. Let’s have it like this. Put your hand on her shoulder. You, put your hands around his neck and press them tight. You definitely will not let go,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The women trembled as she did as she was told. She squeezed her eyes shut as she tightly clenched her teeth that were quivering unconsciously in fear.

This scene and this atmosphere were even harder to bear than beating someone up directly, because it felt more oppressive, more terrifying.

Xu Tingsheng’s most vicious side, a side of him that no one had ever seen before...as it was revealed, it felt very wrong, very ‘uncomfortable’.

“Tingsheng, you shouldn’t and can’t do things like this.”

Zhong Wusheng stopped Xu Tingsheng’s hand that was clutching the baton, preventing him from moving.

“Brother Zhong makes sense. Tingsheng, let’s have it like this. Leave what comes after to me. I’m still rather more used to things like this.”

The one who had walked out and spoken was Wu Kun. While he wore a proper suit and looked refined, these forty odd people who were currently here were all his. He was a special exception amongst this bunch of people, not having any second gen background at all as he was involved in both legal and covert industries. In his early thirties, just based on his personal power alone, he had risen up to this position from the very bottom. His competence, methods, character and way of dealing with things had caused many proud second gens to willingly address him as bro.

Xu Tingsheng had always viewed this person with the utmost importance, because he was the ‘least simple one’ of them all. Sometimes, he was the even the one whom Xu Tingsheng was the least willing to interact with. Fang Yuqing had spoken of quite a few of his ‘exploits’ before. The viciousness and ruthlessness within was not something that those arrogant, overbearing younglings who would bully others once in a while just based on their number could compare to.

After talking to Xu Tingsheng, Wu Kun turned to the bald Bro Kun, saying, “Bro Kun and I work in the same line but differently, originally already having had some things to settle between us, just that there hadn’t been the time earlier. We can settle it all at once today. Right, Bro Kun?”

A single phrase of ‘work in the same line but differently’ was already sufficient to explain the relationship between the two.

By the time the bald Bro Kun saw Wu Kun walk out to take over the matter, he knew that he was in for even greater, worse trouble this time. He would rather face Xu Tingsheng, for he knew that however viciously Xu Tingsheng acted, there would still be some limit to it at the end of the day. Still, this was not so for Wu Kun.

“No, no. With you here, it’s you who are Bro Kun,” He said.

The bald Bro Kun and this Wu Kun were not on the same level at all.

“That’s how it is then,” Wu Kun turned and said to the excited second gens, “You guys should leave as well. You should avoid getting involved in things like this as much as possible. Leave the rest to me.”

One of Wu Kun’s underlings entered through the outer ring of people, coming to Xu Tingsheng’s side and informing him, “Bro Xu, a girl outside just asked us why Mr Xu still isn’t coming out yet.”

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng indicated for Zhong Wusheng to release his grip before saying, “Let’s leave it like this then. I’ll be troubling Bro Kun here. Also, thank you, everyone. I’ll treat you all to a meal as thanks later on.”

Apart from Wu Kun’s people, everyone else prepared to leave.

“Bro Zhong, I’ll contact you tonight.”

Xu Tingsheng turned and began walking away.

“Alright.”

Zhong Wusheng sighed in relief. Xu Tingsheng had still desisted in the end.

A step later, Xu Tingsheng suddenly turned back around.

The baton in his hand smashed down towards the tip of the woman’s nose.

Crack!

“Argh!”

“Ahhh.”

As everyone thought that he had already ended things there.

Left hand, broken.

Then, Xu Tingsheng took his leave.

……

“Then, do you like Mr Xu?” Su Nannan was still asking Xiang Ning.

“I don’t! He’s so old,” Xiang Ning adamantly retorted.

“He’s only five years older than us.”

“Five years…”

Should five years be considered old? It depended on how old they were. If Xiang Ning was currently eighteen, twenty or even older, perhaps this gap wouldn’t be big at all. It was only because she was currently just fifteen years old that such a feeling had arisen.

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng felt like this as well. She is still so young, while I am so old. He still viewed and interacted with the fifteen-year-old Xiang Ning with the mentality of a 31-year-old, thus formlessly also exacerbating this feeling of Xiang Ning’s.

Xu Tingsheng walked over. His earlier performance had actually been wrought by numerous emotions. There were his feelings of guilt, torture, pain, and responsibility from this period of time, as well as the pain, fury and worry that had been caused by this incident itself.

All these emotions combined had caused a most vicious Xu Tingsheng to appear.

Now that his emotions had been vented completely along with that final blow, as Xu Tingsheng walked towards Xiang Ning now, his entire face was filled with the warmest, tenderest of smiles.

Xu Tingsheng feared that Little Xiang Ning might have been scared by the day’s events.

He didn’t know that in truth, what had actually happened today that would influence the future the most was that it was when Little Xiang Ning had finally began to consider for the first time: Does Uncle like me? Do I like Uncle? ...Five years-is that too old?

Chapter 199: Commemoration photographs

Xu Tingsheng borrowed Fang Yuqing's car, and Fang Yuqing borrowed someone else's car.

There was a saying such as this. Amidst a societal structure which had already basically stabilised, a few generations of hard work would be required for a family to truly climb up from the bottom to the higher rungs of society.

This could be witnessed from the current 'ecology’ here. These people were all still Fang Yuqing's connections at the end of the day. He had been in this social circle ever since his birth.

As opposed to this, Xu Tingsheng had experienced a life in which he had been completely unable to associate with people of this level at all. Having risen to prominence following his rebirth now, he still needed to find a way to seek out a position for himself at such a level.

From this, it could be seen that Huang Yaming and Tan Yao were actually people who were comparatively more resilient as well as ambitious. It actually wasn't easy for them to be navigating such a social circle at all.

Xu Tingsheng had not tried to find a way to get Xiang Ning to leave before this, having allowed her to watch on till now. To put it simply, while he didn’t dare to let her see violent, gory scenes, Xu Tingsheng hoped that she could witness how ‘the bad bullies themselves were bullied back.”

Xu Tingsheng did not want her to grow fearful and cowardly because of this.

Therefore, he had to give her a reason as well as confidence not to be afraid.

“Still feeling scared?” Xu Tingsheng asked her gently.

“I’m not scared,” Xiang Ning pointed at Xu Tingsheng, shaking her head.

Xu Tingsheng looked down at the flip phone in her hand that had already broken into half. When the hooligans had been getting beaten up earlier, she had tried to call the police. In the end, her handphone had been snatched and flung to the ground by that woman, thus having broken.

After learning this, Xu Tingsheng hooked Xiang Ning’s nose with a finger, “Oh no, look. You’ve been bullied again.”

Xiang Ning swivelled her head away, impatiently evading Xu Tingsheng’s finger as she called earnestly, “Xu Tingsheng.”

Unexpectedly, Xiang Ning had not called him Uncle this time. She had actually called him directly by his name for once.

“Huh?” Xu Tingsheng asked in puzzlement.

“Xu Tingsheng, can you not treat me like a child like this? I’m already 1.61m now; I’ll be sixteen in another half year’s time...you’re only five years older than me,” After saying so, she looked at the broken phone in her hand, still being unable to keep the tears from glistening within her eyes as she felt wronged, hurt.

Xu Tingsheng’s attention was not on Xiang Ning’s words. Instead, it was on her wronged face. Seeing her like this, he felt pained as well.

He had originally borrowed the car intending to send Xiang Ning and Su Nannan back home. This current situation caused him to change his mind, saying to those hooligans who were still standing by the side, not knowing whether or not they should leave.

“You lot send Su Nannan back home safely. Nannan, send teacher a text after you get home.”

After saying so, Xu Tingsheng gave Su Nannan his handphone number.

The hooligans hurriedly acquiesced respectfully, especially the one who had called him ‘trash’ earlier. He had originally thought that he was going to die for sure. Now that Xu Tingsheng did not pursue things, allowing them all to leave, they were naturally incomparably happy to listen obediently to him and send Su Nannan home.

Xu Tingsheng turned back and told Xiang Ning, “Hold Dongdong properly.”

Then, he crouched down, wrapped his right arm below Xiang Ning’s knees and lifted her up with a single arm just like that, smiling, “Look at this crying face of yours. Come on, let’s go get you a new phone before I send you home.”

He decided that he would definitely spoil her well and properly today...things had been tough on her for so long because of him.

Xiang Ning shifted her body and struggled back down to the ground, insisting stubbornly, “Xu Tingshehng, I already said that you’re not allowed to treat me like a child anymore.”

Then, she tugged on a corner of Xu Tingsheng’s sleeve, drawing closer. She said ‘let’s go’ before being ‘led’ along just like that.

Zhong Wusheng asked Fang Yuqing, “Who’s that girl?”

Not having seen how Xu Tingsheng had lifted Xiang Ning up, Fang Yuqing said nonchalantly, “It should be one of the students from his training institute. She’s probably scared...or she could be Xiang Ning’s student, and he’s loving everything of hers along with her as well!”

……

Xu Tingsheng flung the Golden Retriever Dongdong onto the back seat before opening the front door and letting Xiang Ning sit in the main passenger seat. Then, he walked around the front of the car and got into the driver’s seat before then driving off into the distance.

Not far away, two people had witnessed this entire process.

Mr and Mrs Xiang had received a call from Xiang Ning as well. They had rushed home from the village hometown where Xiang Ning’s maternal grandmother lived. They had arrived just in time to witness that final scene where Xiang Ning had walked away clutching Xu Tingsheng’s sleeve. Then, Xu Tingsheng had brought Xiang Ning onto one of those luxurious cars, driving her away.

Then, the remaining ten odd luxurious cars had successively driven off, all their occupants clearly being wealthy young people.

Not far away, there were still more than forty armed robust men in black T-shirts whom ordinary citizens usually weren’t even willing to go near to. From just a single look at them, it was clear that they weren’t the ‘good guys’.

Then, over a dozen people with their faces all bruised and full of blood were dragged onto a van and taken away.

Mr and Mrs Xiang being ordinary citizens, they were somewhat unable to come to terms with what was happening before them. That Xu Tingsheng whom they had originally thought themselves to be so familiar with, who had always been so steady and dependable as they felt assured leaving things to him...had suddenly turned into another person, someone who felt so like a stranger to them.

Mrs Xiang thought of what that niece of hers who was a policewoman had said back in Xihu City, “Someone like Xu Tingsheng being a home tutor to Xiang Ning isn’t normal at all. It just can’t be explained away no matter what.”

Her words seemed to be corroborated by what had just unfolded before their eyes.

Mrs Xiang tugged worriedly at Mr Xiang’s sleeve, “What do we do?”

“We’ve been around Tingsheng for almost half a year now. Firstly, he’s definitely not a bad kid. He treats us and Little Ning like family...he’s definitely done this for the sake of protecting Little Ning,” Mr Xiang sighed, “But…”

But he did not continue his sentence.

……

Xu Tingsheng bought Xiang Ning a Song S700C phone which possessed a stand.

This could be considered a phone which was currently the closest to a digital camera, especially when selfie functions had still yet to appear. The designer had installed a selfie scope at the front of the phone, allowing one’s expressions to basically be visible when they took photos.

Xiang Ning happily played with the handphone for a long time, only unwillingly letting go of it when the sales assistant was helping her to install her phone card.

After Xu Tingsheng had paid for it, the sales assistant handed the phone with the phone card installed over to Xiang Ning.

She handed it back, saying, “Help us test out the photograph function.”

After saying so, she ran back over to Xu Tingsheng’s side, clasping his arm and leaning her head against it. She tilted her head slightly, smiling happily.

Taking photos? The both of them?

‘Uncle’ who disliked taking photographs had no way at all to refuse her this time round. Xu Tingsheng was trying very hard to keep his expression in check, trying to smile as brightly, warmly and handsomely as possible. Also, it would be best if he could appear a little younger, not seeming like an Uncle who had abducted a loli.

The phone rang.

The sales assistant asked, “How about you answer it first?”

Xiang Ning asked, “Who’s calling?”

“The phone’s just changed. Only the number’s shown.”

“Don’t answer it then. Hang up. The photos first.”

“Okay.”

“One, two, three...click.”

“Another one,” Xiang Ning scooted over from the left side to the right.

“Okay, one two three...click.”

“Got it,” Xiang Ning got Xu Tingsheng to bend down, lifting her up.

“Okay.”

After having taken around eight photographs, Xiang Ning still remained excited and in the mood.

Xu Tingsheng smiled apologetically to the sales assistant before telling Xiang Ning, “Alright, they’ve got a business to run. They can’t just keep taking photos for us. Let’s do it later.”

Xiang Ning thought, “Alright, we’ll take them ourselves then. See this mirror? We can take some by ourselves. Let’s drive over to the suburban districts. We can capture Dongdong in it as well.”

If it was selfies...that was more like how it had been before. Xu Tingsheng remembered those selfies Xiang Ning had secretly taken of them in his previous life. Those memories were like a bottle of honey, sweet whilst also like prickly spikes as they hurt…

As Xu Tingsheng was in a daze, the phone rang again.

Xiang Ning picked up the call. Knowing that she was with Xu Tingsheng, Mrs Xiang did not say too much over the phone, simply asking in a severe tone for her to immediately get back home.

On her way home, Xiang Ning pondered in silence for a long time before suddenly saying in what sounded like a question to Xu Tingsheng whilst also like she was talking to herself, “Do you know, Xu Tingsheng? My Dad’s actually five years older than my Mum. My cousin’s even more remarkable, her husband being a whole seven years older than her. Then, there’s still…”

Xiang Ning tried hard to laugh as she pretended that she was really just bringing up a novel, interesting topic of conversation.

Xu Tingsheng seemed to hear a little something from her words, but had no way to respond. Thus, he remained silent.

“Xu Tingsheng, what do you think little dogs become when they’ve grown up?”

“Big dogs.”

“What about Little Xiang Ning when she’s grown up?”

“...”

They had taken commemoration photographs today. It was just like those which Xu Tingsheng had relied upon for three years in his previous life as a container for his memories. Perhaps it had been the same for Xiang Ning as well.

Chapter 200: Those who’ve never seen you wouldn’t understand

Little Xiang Ning was like a joyful little chatterbox.

Actually, she was just voicing out the matter that she was currently pondering about.

When she finally asked, “I was clearly there just now, but why was it that you told your friend that Xiang Ning had already left?”

Xu Tingsheng found a box of old albums in the car, retrieving one before next playing a song. Jonathan Lee sang with his voice that definitely couldn’t be considered passable yet just had such a unique flair to it:

“Someone asked me what exactly is good about you

It’s been so many years but I still can’t forget

The spring wind can’t compare to your smile however beautiful

Those who’ve never seen you wouldn’t understand

Even if I’ve been blinded by unseen spirits

Even if it’s the karma from my previous life

……”

Little Xiang Ning unsystematically hummed along line by line, “The spring wind can’t compare to your smile however beautiful, those who’ve never seen you wouldn’t understand...even if it’s the karma from my previous life…”

……

Xu Tingsheng wasn’t exactly clear on when the profession of ‘touching porcelain’ had appeared, but he still encountered it.

Around two to three hundred metres from the Xiang Family home.

When that middle-aged man collapsed incomparably slowly right by the front of the car, it was truly too fake such that even the naive Xiang Ning didn’t feel it to be an accident as she asked extremely earnestly, “Why’s that person suddenly fainted? Should we send him to the hospital?”

Xu Tingsheng explained things to her a little before getting off the car.

“Arghh, it’s broken, it’s broken! I can’t live anymore. How do you even drive?”

Seeing Xu Tingsheng get off the car, the man began twitching on the ground, moaning in agony.

“Did I hit you?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Duh? Can’t you see how injured I am? Either you give me 500 yuan, or I call the police.”

The man pointed at a red, swollen patch on his ankle.

“Let’s just call the police then. We can both get our wounds examined. I’m injured too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The man scoffed derisively, “Hah, you’re injured. As the one driving, you’re injured? Hah…”

“Yeah. Urghh!”

Xu Tingsheng opened his mouth and vomited out a mouthful of blood, spraying over the man’s entire face. He had suffered consecutive blows to his stomach area earlier, his intestines having been injured as a result as they had thus been impeded by this mouthful of blood which he had been repressing all this time…

Because of what had happened earlier, he knew that it was destined that he would have increasingly fewer chances to dote on and accompany Xiang Ning like this in the future.

This was great timing. He had almost already been unable to keep it repressed.

The man was instantly stunned where he was, staring dazedly just like that as Xu Tingsheng slowly, carefully wiped the bloodstains off the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand. Playing so ruthless? This was the first time in all his years of ‘touching porcelain’ that he had ever seen someone responding to his ploy this way.

“What’re you doing?” The man sounded like he was crying as he spoke like he had been wronged.

“Vomitting blood!” Xu Tingsheng answered calmly.

“It hasn’t got anything to do with me, right?” He asked.

“How can it have nothing to do with you? When you fell, I hurriedly slammed on the brakes and got slammed in the chest. I’m already this injured, can’t you see? I probably can’t live anymore,” Xu Tingsheng spoke mournfully and regretfully like he was already a ‘gone case’.

“What now?”

“500 yuan, or I’ll call the police, I guess.”

The man crawled up, taking to his heels as he fled.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, getting back onto the car where Xiang Ning was looking at him.

“It’s just a bit of internal bleeding. It isn’t anything serious; I’ll go the hospital after I’ve sent you home,” Xu Tingsheng told her.

“I’ll go with you,” Xiang Ning was crying.

“You go home first,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I…” Xiang Ning sobbed even as she spoke, “Xu Tingsheng, can I tell you the answer to that question from earlier? When Little Xiang Ning’s grown up, she will have become…”

“Little Ning,” Mrs Xiang’s voice called.

Ever since having jointly witnessed that scene that afternoon, Mr and Mrs Xiang had been in a worried, restless mood. They had called their policewoman niece and related everything which they had seen that afternoon. Her answer had exacerbated their worries.

After waiting at home for a while with Xu Tingsheng still having yet to send Xiang Ning back home, the couple had gone outside to wait for her.

Mrs Xiang saw Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning through the car window.

She waved, shouting, “Little Ning, get off! Come on home!”

Xu Tingsheng originally hadn’t wanted to appear in front of Mr and Mrs Xiang this day. He had already taught Xiang Ning a cover story to deceive them over what had transpired earlier. But now, it seemed this would no longer be possible.

Xu Tingsheng got off the car. Just having wiped off her tears, Xiang Ning was dragged off the car by her mother.

“Uncle, Auntie, I…”

Mrs Xiang interrupted him mid-sentence, “You should go home.”

After saying so, Mrs Xiang carefully examined Xiang Ning all over, seeing if she was injured.

“Today…” Xu Tingsheng persisted in trying to explain things.

“You should go home,” Mrs Xiang repeated.

“Oh, alright.”

Leading Dongdong off the backseat, Mr Xiang came over beside Xu Tingsheng, saying in a low tone, “It’s like this. This afternoon, we rushed over afterwards as well...so, Little Ning’s Mom got frightened...to be honest, we’re simple, honest folk, used to just living out our lives in peace…”

“Tingsheng, can you give Uncle a reasonable explanation for why you became Little Ning’s home tutor?”

At this moment, Xu Tingsheng already knew that just as that policewoman cousin of Xiang Ning’s had said, those previous reasons of his...had all just been completely invalidated now.

He could only shake his head.

“You should go home first then. Thank you for today’s matter. Still, we really hope that such a thing will never happen again. I’ll call you later,” Mr Xiang patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder.

“Okay, Uncle. Then...goodbye.”

With a hand on the car door, Xu Tingsheng turned and glanced at Xiang Ning who stood beside Mrs Xiang, ignoring her mother’s words as tears gushed down her face. Xu Tingsheng thought that he would remember this current look in her eyes, would remember it for the rest of his life.

She still didn’t know what had happened here. She just knew that her mother who had always liked Xu Tingsheng a lot was suddenly speaking to him in a cold and indifferent tone, just knew that Uncle had warned her very solemnly that the afternoon’s events definitely couldn’t be told to her parents.

Xu Tingsheng waved goodbye to her.

Xiang Ning wanted to wave back, but was dragged along by her mother back into their house.

The Golden Retriever Dongdong wagged its tail, turning its head and barking a few times.

Music was still playing in the car:

"The spring wind can’t compare to your smile however beautiful

Those who’ve never seen you wouldn’t understand

…...

While no one can know what the future has in store

Isn’t saying goodbye now just too early

……”

The spring wind can’t compare to your smile however beautiful. Yet at that final moment, tears were gushing down your face.

…...

Xu Tingsheng stopped the car by the roadside, lighting up a cigarette, “Maybe I went about it all wrong right from the start. I was too blind, appearing in Xiang Ning’s life too early on, even appearing in front of her parents...

He had always felt worried that such a day might come. And today, it had finally truly come.

Mr Xiang had said that he would call Xu Tingsheng. The call came very quickly.

Xu Tingsheng picked up the call.

Mr Xiang said, “Tingsheng, if you haven’t gone far, come back for a while.”

Xu Tingsheng felt rather emotional as he hurriedly said, “I haven’t gone far, not at all...I’ll be right back. Uncle, give me a moment. I’ll be there in a jiffy. Real soon.”

Less than ten minutes later, Xu Tingsheng pulled up just outside the Xiang Family’s house.

There was just Mr Xiang who stood waiting for him in front of the door. Xiang Ning wasn’t there, and neither was Mrs Xiang.

Getting in the car, Mr Xiang handed Xu Tingsheng a cigarette, “I’d already discovered that you were a smoker long ago. I saw it before after you left, although, truly...you wouldn’t have a wisp of smoke about you every time you came to my house.”

Xu Tingsheng lit up the cigarette rather perturbedly.

“I remember you saying before that you have a little sister at home?” Mr Xiang suddenly asked.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“She should be older than Little Ning, right?”

“Older by two years.”

“Therefore, you should be able to understand what Little Ning’s Mum and I are worried about, right? If it were you, could you rest assured? After you’d gotten famous last semester, those relatives and friends of ours who knew that you were tutoring our Little Ning were already speaking rather nastily, saying that we’re selling our kid when she’s still just so young…”

“Now, I don’t intend to ask why anymore. It’s simply that you can’t explain it, while we too can’t understand it. That way, it’s better just not to talk about it; that might instead be inappropriate. Then, I as a father and Xiang Ning’s mother as well have already come to a decision on this.”

“Let’s have it this way,” Mr Xiang said, “From next semester onwards, get someone else to be our Little Ning’s home tutor. I think that that Ms Li Linlin who subbed you last time is just fine.”

“Right. I’ll make the arrangements,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Also, please don’t contact Little Ning again in the future. Take it like Uncle’s begging you,” Mr Xiang took out the phone that Xu Tingsheng had just bought for Xiang Ning, placing it beside him, “Little Ning’s Mum just discovered it. You should take it back.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng silently clutched the phone tightly, that phone which Xiang Ning had still been holding on to just a while earlier, which she had loved so much.

“Also, Little Ning still has two weeks of lessons at the training institute remaining. We’d originally intended for her not to go, but you know how stubborn children are...there’s no way for us to get this to her straight...so, we can only find you, hoping that you...won’t teach Little Ning anymore.”

“Got it.”

“There’s one last thing that Uncle must ask of you.”

“Just say it, Uncle.”

“I hope that you don’t tell Little Ning that this was our decision. She’s currently in the rebellious phase, and will also be attending ninth grade soon. I’m afraid that she might be unwilling to part with and over-reliant on you, thus throwing a tantrum at us with her studies being affected as a result...so, if she really has some way to get into contact with you and asks you about it, just say that you’re too busy, and haven’t the time to come. As time goes on, she’ll eventually be fine.”

“...Okay.”

“For Little Xiang Ning’s good, give Uncle a guarantee.”

“...I guarantee it.”

“Tingsheng, sigh. To be honest, in this half year’s time, Uncle’s nearly become addicted to the food you cook. Actually, if Little Ning were a few years older, Uncle...would really like you. Let’s have it this way-after Little Ning’s results get her to a senior high, Uncle will treat you to a meal.”

Mr Xiang got off the car.

Xu Tingsheng began driving away.

Xiang Ning chased after him, leading Dongdong behind her.

Xu Tingsheng stopped driving away.

“Uncle, take Dongdong with you! They know that Dongdong’s caused trouble. Mum wants to give Dongdong away, and she’s even confiscated my phone...sigh, you should take Dongdong away. Help me to take care of him. I can still secretly come to see him during the weekends.”

The Golden Retriever Dongdong yelped a few times as Xiang Ning shooed it onto the main passenger seat. Perhaps it knew as well that it had been abandoned.

Actually, there was just Xiang Ning now who didn’t know anything at all, not knowing what had happened, not knowing what would be happening. Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng having promised Mr Xiang, he would not be divulging things to her.

“Remember to hurry and go to the hospital!”

“Yeah.”

“Help me to take good care of Dongdong.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll be going back first then. Mum’s so fierce today, and Dad’s also not helping me. See you next week!”

“...Yeah.”

Xu Tingsheng drove off, slowly, slowly leaving that street. Little Xiang Ning waved to him in the back mirror, all the way till the car rounded a bend, upon which she was finally no longer visible.

After randomly driving around for a bit, Xu Tingsheng still unconsciously ended up stopping the car at the bus station where the two of them had separated for the last time in his previous life.

The photos on the phone remained undeleted. In them, Little Xiang Ning held Xu Tingsheng’s arm, leaning her head over; rode on Xu Tingsheng’s back, pulling his hair...in all of them, she was smiling brightly like a flower…

All of this had only just happened, just…

Xu Tingsheng looked at all of them one by one, covering his mouth as he noiselessly sobbed…

The Golden Retriever Dongdong barked mournfully by the side.

Chapter 201: The one who lies

It was a sudden downpour that descended in July.

If you stopped your car somewhere, sitting in it alone, listening to the rain pattering away at the window, watching the crowds dispersing, before the rainwater obscured your vision and the temperature dropped...one easily felt helpless, like they had been forsaken by the entire world.

As Xu Tingsheng got off the car to buy some cigarettes, the Golden Retriever Dongdong leapt off along with him.

“What’re you doing down here? In this rain, you’ll be drenched to death!”

As the sound of the rain was too loud, Xu Tingsheng was virtually hollering this. Yet, Dongdong remained unmoved by this as it raised its head to look at Xu Tingsheng, yelping twice as if to say, “There’s only you left. Despite getting drenched, what would it matter? How would I dare to not follow close?”

Therefore, a human and a dog walked across the overhead bridge amidst the torrential rain, both getting thoroughly drenched.

Xu Tingsheng bought himself a box of cigarettes and Dongdong a packet of sausages.

It was really too hard to get a cigarette lighted up in the rain. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng went back into the car, igniting the cigarette before peeling a sausage for Dongdong. The raindrops pattered against the car and its windows. Inside, a man sat with a cigarette in his mouth, and a dog sat with a sausage in its mouth.

Xu Tingsheng showed a photo to a dog. There was Xiang Ning in the photo. Recognising her, the dog yelped, very pitifully. The human was very pitiful as well.

…...

Xu Tingsheng had already properly adjusted his mental state when he returned to the riverside residence.The current him actually didn’t even have the right to be freely hurt and despondent.

He even had a lie ready.

Having been reborn, it was destined that Xu Tingsheng would be accompanied by endless lies in this life. Hereafter, the liar could only ceaselessly lie thereon, unable to cease in those lies. Those whose lives were full of lies like this were actually more prone to feeling lonely, because they had to bear just too many things on their own.

In the living room of the second floor of the riverside residence sat Fang Chen, Lu Zhixin as well as Yuqing whom he had called over to accompany Apple earlier.

Seeing the thoroughly drenched Xu Tingsheng as well as the Golden Retriever Dongdong that came in after him, the three of them all revealed strange gazes.

“Where’s Apple?”

Ignoring their bemusement, Xu Tingsheng first asked.

Yuqing pointed at the closed door.

Xu Tingsheng pushed it open and went in.

Apple was hugging her knees as she sat on her bed. Hearing the noise, she looked up and saw Xu Tingsheng.

She slowly asked in a soft voice, “You’re back, Xu Tingsheng? You went to look for Xiang Ning, right? Xiang Ning was looking for you, right?”

“That didn’t happen,” Xu Tingsheng lied.

“You’re lying. You were so nervous back then, you know? I’ve never seen you looking so nervous before...it’s also been a long time since you left me alone like this so flusteredly. Therefore, it could only have been Xiang Ning, right?”

Apple asked slowly, not in a questioning tone.

Having lied, Xu Tingsheng could only continue lying, “It really wasn’t that. Don’t let your thoughts run wild.”

Then, he led Dongdong over, “I was helping a friend to look for his precious Golden Retriever, and even got drenched in the rain. It was nearly caught and beaten to death by the city management as a stray dog. We only just barely managed to save it from them.”

“Because it’s been rather strict in the city recently, with teams specifically for dog-catching and whatnot, my friend asked me to keep the dog here for a while. Thinking that it can help you to relieve your boredom and accompany us in running, I brought it back home. Look, is it okay?”

Looking first at the thoroughly drenched Xu Tingsheng and then at the similarly bedraggled Dongdong, Apple thought for a moment before awkwardly standing up and raising a hand to stroke his wet hair, “Sorry, I…”

“It’s fine,” The liar Xu Tingsheng couldn’t bear this ‘sorry’ as he continued, “Have you eaten?”

Apple shook her head. The three girls in the living room also loudly yelled that they hadn’t.

“It’s almost 7pm. I’ll hurry up and get cooking then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“You should bathe and change your clothes first,” Apple said.

“Right. I’ll be quick.”

Xu Tingsheng quickly took a bath, changed his clothes and began cooking. The four girls happily helped to bathe and dry Dongdong before taking out various tidbits to feed him with.

Fang Chen pushed open the kitchen door, asking, “Where will the dog sleep?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “It can sleep below the sofa, by my feet. Lest someone comes to take off my pants again in the middle of the night.”

After having eaten and washed the dishes, Xu Tingsheng sat on the sofa for a while. Soon, Fang Yuqing came over, bringing the tea leaves for Zhong Wusheng and driving Yuqing back. Xu Tingsheng gave Zhong Wusheng a call, intending to invite them for a meal the next day.

Zhong Wusheng and the others had already left Yanzhou after eating dinner that day. After finishing their matters on hand, they would be returning to Libei very soon.

Then, Xu Tingsheng began feeling a little dizzy.

“You girls can play in the living room for a while more. I’m feeling a little tired today; I’ll sleep for a while first. Wake me up when you go to bed,” After saying so, Xu Tingsheng whose sofa had been occupied returned to the room that was once his and now Apple’s, plunging onto the bed.

When he blurrily awoke, he could already see sunlight illuminating the sheets.

Apple sat by the bedside, looking at him.

“I…what time is it?”

Knowing that he had slept for too long, Xu Tingsheng struggled to get up with some difficulty.

Apple rose and pressed him back down, “Lie down properly, you’re running a high fever. It’s two in the afternoon now. Now, drink some water and eat your medicine.”

Apple helped to prop his pillow up and support him into a sitting position. Then, she went to get some warm water and popped a few capsules into his mouth before bringing the cup up by him.

Sunlight illuminated her face, her expression incomparably earnest.

Xu Tingsheng raised his head, “Apple?”

“What? It must be very unbearable?”

“No, I’m feeling very warm and contented.”

Cheering up a little, Apple smiled, “You feel warm and contented so easily?”

“That’s right. At certain times in one’s life, it’s actually just like this. Meeting with very simple things, seeing very earnest faces, with someone being concerned about you, seeing you as so important...one would very easily feel warm and contented.”

Xu Tingsheng was ‘thirty-one years old’ now, or perhaps already ‘thirty-two’. He had once lived a desolate, despairing life, not having gained stability before. There was also this life of ‘solitude’.

Right, solitude, at every single second, every single moment. Even when he was interacting with Xiang Ning, while it was blissful, this solitude was still impossible to avoid. What he had was a story as well as the corresponding emotions of solely him alone.

He wanted to find back that story. In the end, the events of the previous day had proven that he was currently in the midst of getting further and further away from it.

Xu Tingsheng’s ‘at certain times in one’s life’ actually referred to the times after the relationships in a man’s life, after the ebb and flow of the great tides when he finally put down his unresigned, unbridled heart, yearning for simplicity and stability.

Xu Tingsheng had the appearance of a young, successful youth, yet had experienced the viscissitudes of two lives. Therefore, it was only inevitable that he was a conflicting entity.

Apple smiled brightly at him, “Your brain got burnt silly.”

“No,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Have you been here the whole night? ...Hurry and get some sleep.”

Apple shook her head.

“Go, close the door,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Apple closed the door.

“Lie down,” Xu Tingsheng shifted over to the side of the bed.

“Huh?”

Unexpectedly, Apple the hooligan appeared incomparably nervous now.

“You’re still feverish,” She said nervously.

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback, “What’re you thinking about? Can’t your mind be purer, girl?”

“Then…”

“Just lie down for a while. You sleep for a while, and I’ll rest by you and lie down for a while.”

Apple hesitated for a moment before finally cautiously lying down.

Discovering that she was still nervous, Xu Tingsheng asked curiously, “This isn’t right! Previously, you were so...what’s gotten you this nervous now?”

Apple said, “That was different. I knew that you definitely wouldn’t before. That was why I dared to tease you like that. Did you see me tease any other guys that way before? They really would have. That’s why I had to treat them coldly.”

“And I know that there more I was like that, the more scared you were, right? Also, didn’t I have a motive at the time? While it seems foolish when I think about it now, I really wanted to study in a better university back then, because I wanted to change the lives of my Mum and I, everything else aside.”

“So it was like this. What about now?”

“Now that we’re together, I’m instead feeling scared. We haven’t even held hands before.”

…...

Xu Tingsheng’s fever burned on. Even two days later, though better, he was still somewhat feverish.

He went back to sleeping on the sofa, yet lived a life like a king. It was Apple taking care of him most of the time, but once in a while, when she was tired, Lu Zhixin would display a rare gentle side. At such a time, for Xu Tingsheng who was used to suffering her fierceness, it was virtually like the liberated peasants singing the song of revolution.

“Sorry, for always taking you as Superman. Like yesterday, we were still habitually waiting for you to cook and wash the dishes. We’ve all been spoilt by you,” Lu Zhixin said.

Another good thing about this bout of sickness was that while Apple was exhausted from taking care of Xu Tingsheng, her mental state and mood had improved greatly as a result.

Because she had found something she was happy to do, which she could find herself to be ‘very useful’ and ‘very valuable’ from, she had become active in her life as had never before.

She knew how to rest when it was necessary, knew that she had to eat more, because she had to take care of Xu Tingsheng.

She began learning how to cook even more diligently, even though the results were disastrous beyond compare most of the time. Just like this, when she opened the door with an apron tied around her waist one day, two strangers appeared outside it.

They asked, “Who are you? Xu Tingsheng lives here, right?”

Xu Tingsheng bolted straight upright, “Mum, Dad. You’re here.”

Chapter 202: The Xu Tingsheng before his father

“No wonder there weren’t any calls at all.”

Zhong Wusheng had said that he was going to ‘tell on’ him. Thus, it was not that Xu Tingsheng was wholly unprepared for this. Still, he was inevitably feeling rather nervous now.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng addressing them as Mum and Dad, still clutching a spatula, Apple greeted incomparably nervously, “Hi Uncle, Hi Auntie.”

“Hi, you must be…”

Amidst Mrs Xu’s words, Fang Chen came out from her room. Seeing another one, Mrs Xu could not be certain as she withheld from saying the name ‘Xiang Ning’ that had been right by her lips.

Fang Chen had unknowingly just saved Xu Tingsheng’s life.

Seeing the incomparably nervous Xu Tingsheng as well as Apple, Fang Chen understood what was going on as she acted very obediently and called sweetly, “Hi Uncle, Hi Auntie.”

“Oh, hi,” Mrs Xiang was taken aback as she turned to look at Mr Xu.

Mr Xu felt rather confused as well. The last time he had come, there had just been one girl living in this flat, and it had not been either of these two.

Now, Lu Zhixin came down from the office upstairs and saw Mr and Mrs Xu. She had met Mr Xu before, having been interrogated somewhat by him back then as he had suspected her of being Xu Tingsheng’s girlfriend.

She hurriedly greeted now, “You’re here, Uncle. Hi, Uncle. Hi, Auntie.”

Three? Mrs Xu felt her mind spinning somewhat, her gaze moving between the three girls a good few times as she carefully appraised them, “They all seem okay, but...which of them is Xiang Ning, exactly?”

Three girls, three rooms. Therefore...

“Tingsheng, where do you usually sleep?” Mrs Xu asked.

“He sleeps with the dog, on the sofa,” Not afraid of things escalating, Fang Chen immediately replied before looking at Xu Tingsheng with a triumphant, gloating look on her face.

Mrs Xu’s face immediately sunk, “Didn’t Little Zhong say that you...you’re sick? Why’re you just sleeping on the sofa then?”

To a mother, her daughter-in-law could only be an outsider, with only her son who was her treasure. Therefore, Mrs Xu’s tone already carried a hint of rebuke as she questioned now.

She had originally come here with a bit of a temper, Zhong Wusheng having narrated to them all that had happened that day after having returned to Libei.

After having heard it, Mrs Xu’s heart had been ill at ease the entire day as she had rushed over at full speed with all urgency. She had come intending to give Xu Tingsheng a well and proper beating...if it wasn’t for the fact that she heard he was sick.

Now, her son who had just experienced a real tribulation and was sick as well...had actually been thrown onto the sofa just like this? Mrs Xu would not stand for it.

Hearing this, Apple was flustered as she looked like she was about to cry at any moment. Even the usually calm and composed Lu Zhixin appeared somewhat nervous and at a loss for words. There was only Fang Chen who still had on that look of nonchalance, though she did at least keep her mouth shut.

“Mum, I’m fine now. Don’t be angry,” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly said.

“Not be angry?” Mrs Xu said indignantly.

“Let’s talk outside,” Mr Xu proposed as he looked at the complexity of the situation at hand.

“You’ve really recovered?” Mrs Xu asked.

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“You come out right now then,” Mrs Xu said.

Xu Tingsheng guided Mr and Mrs Xu up to the balcony on the top floor. Soon, he regretted his actions, for it was completely filled with various articles of clothing belonging to the three girls that had been strung up there to dry.

Mrs Xu carefully examined Xu Tingsheng’s body once over before pinching him on the arm, though she could not bear to exert real force as she spoke like she was crying, “Brat, are you trying to scare your Mum to death? After Little Zhong had told us, your Dad and I nearly fainted.”

“Bro Zhong must have exaggerated things a little,” In order to avoid his Mum pinching him again, Xu Tingsheng pretended to feel pained as he winced and rubbed his elbow, asking, “Look, aren’t I fine now? I guarantee that there won’t be a next time.”

“If there really is a next time, your Mum really wouldn’t be able to take it,” Mr Xu finally spoke.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly guaranteed it over and over again till they were finally satisfied.

Ceasing to cry, Mrs Xu asked earnestly, “Those three girls...what’s up with them? Which of them is the one called Xiang Ning?”

Mrs Xu having suddenly uttered ‘Xiang Ning’, Xu Tingsheng felt dazed. How could his mother possibly know about Xiang Ning? He thought back on things a little, connecting it first to Zhong Wusheng and then to Fang Yuqing...he’d surely kill him dead later on.

“Which of them is the one called Xiang Ning?” Mrs Xu asked again.

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “None of them.”

Therefore, Mrs Xu concluded, “So, there’s four in total? Or are there even more?”

Then, she turned towards her husband, saying, “Your son...teach him as you think fit. I’ll go help with the cooking downstairs. That girl doesn’t look like she knows how to cook at all. She’s even gripping onto the spatula with her fingernails.”

“Mum, remember not to mention Xiang Ning downstairs.”

“Sigh, you brat.”

“It really isn’t how you think it is.”

“Really. Wasn’t Little Ye great already?”

Mrs Xu who was still hung up on Ye Yingjing went downstairs, leaving just father and son on the balcony.

Mr Xu handed Xu Tingsheng a cigarette,“Calling you sensible, you were already so sensible since back during twelfth grade...calling you insensible, just from that matter Little Zhong spoke of after returning alone, if you had been present then, Dad would have had to beat you up.”

Xu Tingsheng properly explained things to his father, also giving him a guarantee.

“What about this matter your Mum’s concerned about? What’s up with those three girls?”

Xu Tingsheng had nothing to hide from Mr Xu regarding those three girls downstairs as he basically explained the gist of it all, especially Apple’s situation.

Mr Xu silently heard him out before saying, “Actually, such a situation-I’ve got one as well.”

“Huh? Dad, you strayed? Woah, no wonder people all say that men will turn bad after having become rich. No, I’ve got to go tell Mum.”

Xu Tingsheng knew, of course, that Mr Xu was not such a person. However, in order to help the current atmosphere and break free of his ‘sinner’ status, he still intentionally yelled astonishedly.

“You brat! I’m talking about when I was young. When I just met your mother, I too was plagued by indecision before,” Mr Xu slapped Xu Tingsheng right on the face, “Things like love-for men who have reached a certain age, who would not have had to make that difficult choice before?”

Mr Xu continued, “Therefore, the key is not betraying your heart. For matters of the heart, it is impossible not to hurt anyone at all. Therefore, they are actually the most selfish thing in this world. Also, one can only be selfish. At the end of it all, we can only just…follow our heart.”

Xu Tingsheng actually knew of the indecision that Mr Xu had just mentioned. Even though Mr Xu had never mentioned it in his previous life before, after Mr Xu had died in an accident back then, a beautiful woman whom Xu Tingsheng had never seen before had rushed over from far away despite all else, fainting dead away on the altar.

Mrs Xu had actually always known of this woman.

Logically speaking, she should have been the one who had been hurt. Yet, she did not hate him, still missing him greatly. She had sat together with Mrs Xu afterwards, chatting about how Mr Xu had been during his younger days.

“Who will experience together with you the good and the bad, providing mutual support whether happy or sad? Who will rush over from miles away despite all else, simply never able to forget? Not betraying your heart, and following it...is it really ever that easy?” Xu Tingsheng wondered.

“What do you intend to do?” Mr Xu asked.

“I don’t know,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Therefore, Mr Xu said, “It looks like it should be that Xiang Ning then. Tell me about her. I hear she’s a teacher?”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know what specifically Fang Yuqing had mentioned, thus being unaware of how much Mr Xu knew. However, the topic of conversation having come to Xiang Ning...he was completely unable to give any explanation at all.

Unless one day, Xiang Ning officially appeared in front of everyone, appeared in front of Xu Tingsheng’s family, friends and Apple...

“Dad, I can’t talk about this right now. Is it alright if I don’t explain?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Alright,” Mr Xu said, “Everyone has some things that they can’t talk about.”

“I haven’t seen you this way for a long time. Since you aren’t willing to talk, I won’t ask. Take care of yourself, and tell Dad if you meet with any trouble,” Mr Xu patted his son’s shoulder.

“Dad, can I cry for a while? I’ll cry in front of you for a while.”

Xu Tingsheng had buried his pain deep two days ago, not displaying it in front of anyone, only till now, now when he was before his father.

In front of Xiang Ning’s father just two days ago, Xu Tingsheng had agreed to those requests innumerable times. Whatever the former had asked, he had agreed to without question. Next, he had adjusted his mental state before only then returning to the riverside residence. No one had been able to tell anything from his appearance.

Before his father now, he said he couldn’t explain, asked could he not explain. Mr Xu said that it was alright. He asked if he could cry for a while. Mr Xu said that it was fine.

This was father and son.

Chapter 203: If I die

Everyone needs someone who can allow them to say ‘no’, whom they can weep freely in front of without having to explain why.

Most of the time, we lack such a person.

When descending from the balcony on the top floor, Xu Tingsheng’s face had already regained its calmness, that genial smile. Apart from his body still being a little weak, there were no other abnormalities that one would possibly be able to spot from him.

A hand around his shoulder, Mr Xu accompanied him as they went back downstairs.

Mrs Xu was currently busying herself in the kitchen.

Apple stood at the door to the kitchen. Xu Tingsheng watched for a while. She seemed very uneasy, looking a few times like she wanted to go in to help, yet then hesitating as she dared not step forward. To her, this mindset could not be any more normal. This being her first time meeting Xu Tingsheng’s parents, she naturally wished to leave a good impression on them.

It had really been too sudden for her today. She hadn’t even had the time to change to a set of presentable clothes, learning from Xu Tingsheng what his parents liked and what she should be mindful of. This exacerbated her panicked mentality.

Another reason was that Mrs Xu’s facial expression and attitude were not friendly. While this wasn’t actually targeted towards Apple, she could still feel it.

Mrs Xu had come to Yanzhou with a temper. She had only been mad at Xu Tingsheng originally. Afterwards, having discovered that these girls seemed to have been ill-treating her precious son who had been caught in the throes of fever, her anger had grown, expanding to encompass yet more people.

Also, she did not like Xu Tingsheng’s current way of living. She was still hung up on Ye Yingjing. As she saw it, Xu Tingsheng should rightly be embracing a proper, gracious, refined girl like her.

Consolidating all these, Xu Tingsheng could imagine how his mother would probably not have paid much attention to her attitude when she had come into the kitchen and taken over control.

This was Xu Tingsheng’s Mum. Therefore, how could Apple not feel worried, not feel panicked?

Xu Tingsheng went over, pulled the strings to untie her apron and said in a low tone, “My Mum’s temper is targeted at me. Don’t you worry. Now, come over and let’s chat with my Dad together.”

Apple looked first at Xu Tingsheng and then at the kitchen. She hesitated for a moment, opening her mouth yet not knowing what she should say. She seemed to be on tenterhooks waiting it out peacefully as the meal was being cooked just like this.

“Brew a cup of tea for my Dad,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Therefore, Apple seemed to finally find some peace of mind as she brewed tea and carried it over to Mr Xu, “Have some tea, Uncle.”

“Thanks,” Mr Xu said, “It’s been tough on you, taking care of Xu Tingsheng these last few days.”

“I, I didn’t take very good care of him,” Apple replied somewhat guiltily.

“There are many things that just have to be learnt slowly. You’re still just a child; you’ve already done very well. It’s really the thought that counts. Uncle’s very grateful to you. If you’ve the time, why not come over to our house to play soon,” Mr Xu smiled.

“Yeah, okay,” As Apple looked at Xu Tingsheng, some shyness as well as unconcealable happiness could be seen on her face.

Just having chatted with Mr Xu for a while, Apple’s emotions had already eased greatly.

Mr Xu’s magnanimity and dependability easily caused one to feel comfortably refreshed and at ease before him. This was something that Xu Tingsheng might not be able to acquire throughout his entire life. It was from the accumulated experiences from the vicissitudes of life, the repressed and the flourishing as he persevered through all those ups and downs.

Over dinner, Lu Zhixin opened a precious bottle of red wine from her collection for Mr Xu. Xu Tingsheng had requested for it many times prior to this, but she had always been unwilling to open it.

The situation around the dining table was like this.

Most of them, Apple herself included, were eating the dishes cooked by Mrs Xu, giving some words of praise either ‘fakely’ or from the bottom of their hearts. Only Mr Xu and Xu Tingsheng ate the two dishes that Apple had cooked earlier from time to time. While they really did taste rather tragic, they still said, “For someone who just started learning, it’s already pretty good.”

Then, Mrs Xu asked Apple which university she studied at and when her next semester begun.

Apple looked at Xu Tingsheng, not knowing how to answer. Was she to tell Mrs Xu, “I’m taking a break off studying for the moment. I’m just whiling my time away here?”

Xu Tingsheng cheerily brushed over the topic for her.

Lu Zhixin conversed with Mr Xu, chatting first about red wine, then business. This included her family’s business, Hucheng’s development and even some of her thoughts on Happy Shoppers’ future development.

While Mr Xu had already long since heard Xu Tingsheng mention this girl’s capabilities as well as her importance in Hucheng, he was still rather surprised now as he could not help but praise her and express approval of her words repeatedly. The more they talked, the more they hit it off.

Fang Chen talked about her family’s affairs for once. She even mentioned the name of her retired Grandpa for the first time: Fang Guohou.

Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xu exchanged glances. This person had once been a major renowned figure of Jianhai Province.

Therefore, Apple began feeling even more helpless. She discovered that she seemed to be completely useless, not even having anything to bring into and participate in the conversation.

Xu Tingsheng finished his first full bowl of rice for the first time these past few days.

“I’ll top up your rice for you.”

Seeing that Xu Tingsheng was finally eating a little more, Apple was naturally overjoyed. Also, she had finally found something that she could do. She reached out and retrieved the bowl in front of Xu Tingsheng.

Due to her flustered, nervous state, the bowl in her hand toppled and fell towards the ground.

“Bang!”

The bowl broke.

It was just a bowl that had been broken. However, accompanied by this one shattering noise, Apple’s emotions that had already been repressed originally seemed like the dam was right about to collapse with the floodwaters unleashed as she stood there helplessly and dazedly, head lowered as tears had already began to well within her eyes.

Everyone looked over, Mrs Xu as well.

Xu Tingsheng propped his right arm up high, pretending to say to Apple, “It isn’t my fault! It’s your fault for not holding it high enough. Like this, I’d touch it as soon as I raised up my arm.”

Seeing this, Mrs Xu said exasperatedly, “Did you want her to raise the bowl up to the heavens? Making a mistake yourself but blaming it on others.”

“I just raised my arm up a little. I wanted to stretch,” Xu Tingsheng defended himself.

“You still can’t blame others for that! Forget it, a shattered bowl for peace,” Mrs Xu said.

Xu Tingsheng understood his Mum well. It was due to her temperament that he had reacted thus.

After clearing up the pieces of broken bowl, Xu Tingsheng entered the kitchen together with Apple. Seeing the tears in her eyes and the helpless expression on her face, he extended a hand and clasped hers, squeezing it gently.

“Relax, I’m here.”

“I’m sorry I’m so useless,” Apple said.

“You’re not. Don’t let your thoughts run wild and get you needlessly flustered. I’m on your side! Also, Mum’s really harmless. She just has that temper. Even Dad and I are both scared of her sometimes,” Xu Tingsheng consoled.

“But I’m really very useless. As compared to Fang Chen, as compared to Zhixin, aside from being a burden to you, I really have no bit of use at all. I originally thought that I could just learn to take care of you, washing clothes and cooking for you for the rest of our lives. But...I can’t even hold a single bowl properly. Also, what you need probably isn’t a woman like me. Zhixin is much more suitable than I am.”

Apple got more emotional the more she spoke.

“Apple, calm down. Things aren’t as bad as you think they are. Firstly, I’m actually unwilling to bundle work and life together. You needn’t give yourself any pressure. Next, Lu Zhixin’s capabilities are from the environment in which she grew up. We naturally wouldn’t possess them. In some areas, even I am inferior to her. You can’t always compare your weak points to the strong points of others, right? Wouldn’t you have to be superior in all aspects then? Wouldn’t you be a perfect human being then? Human beings are all imperfect creatures.”

“But there isn’t any aspect at all where I’m superior.”

“Of course there are. For example, you can sing! So many people like you…”

Xu Tingsheng had accidentally said something wrong. This might only cause Apple to feel more pained and empty now.

He had just wanted to explain it away when Apple took the initiative to change the topic, asking, “Tingsheng, after you’ve recovered, can I start learning from Zhixin, learning to do some things for Hucheng? I will work hard.”

“Okay. I believe you.”

Xu Tingsheng actually knew that Apple was unsuited for this. Still, he could not refuse her now. So long as it was something that she was willing to do, to actively participate in, Xu Tingsheng would support her in her endeavours without question.

……

Mr and Mrs Xu stayed till nearly 10pm at the riverside residence before going to a motel.

Due to Apple’s unstable emotions, Xu Tingsheng firmly insisted on staying behind.

That night, Xu Tingsheng’s temperature inexplicably rose once more, burning him up till he was delirious. Apple embraced him, resting his head on her thigh as she carefully watched over him nervously, helplessly.

However, Xu Tingsheng adamantly insisted that she not tell Mrs Xu about his condition.

Apple understood why this was so.

With his consciousness chaotic and jumbled beyond compare, Xu Tingsheng asked Apple, “If I die, how will you live?”

Apple could not help but break out into sobs at this heavy bolt from the blue. Yet, she discovered that she actually had no answer for him. If an answer was necessary here, it would be that just thinking about it, her entire person would feel completely empty and lost.

She actually already no longer had a life of her own.

“Actually, I’ve already died once. Actually, back then, you had a life of your own. You were living very well,” Xu Tingsheng said.

He spoke mindlessly. Apple did not understand when he said that he had already died once. What she heard was Xu Tingsheng saying that he hoped she would be able to live very well even without him around.

“If it’s me, I’ve actually been wondering this. If I didn’t exist in this world, wouldn’t you actually be living better then? You still have such a great career, and Xiang Ning, and so much more…” Apple asked Xu Tingsheng.

“I think that I would live my entire life in guilt and unease. Thank you for loving me, but I hope that first and foremost, you can love yourself, possessing a life of your own that you love with a passion. Like sunlight and freedom, like singing and tourism…” Xu Tingsheng buried his head, murmuring.

“I promise you. I won’t let you feel guilty and uneasy. I’ll live well.”

After pouring another cup of water for Xu Tingsheng, Apple returned to her room. She retrieved a few bottles of sleeping pills from her luggage. She looked at them. Then, she threw them into the river outside the window, to be swept away by the currents forevermore.

Chapter 204: A flat that is no longer a dream

This high fever was like the final death throes of the fever demon as following it, Xu Tingsheng’s temperature basically returned to normal, just that his body was a little weaker.

The next morning, it was actually dark outside. However, as Xu Tingsheng woke up and opened his eyes, he could see sunlight in Apple who was in the midst of busily preparing breakfast. Just like how it had once been in the past, she was radiant.

After eating breakfast, Apple excitedly followed Lu Zhixin up to the office.

Still, she came back down just after a while, awkwardly sticking out her tongue at Xu Tingsheng as she gazed at him, “I discovered that I was stifled to death. So, I decided to catch up on sleep first. I’ll begin learning from Zhixin in the afternoon…is that okay?”

Xu Tingsheng could actually feel better assured like this than if she had adamantly insisted on learning from Lu Zhixin despite not feeling up to it.

“Of course it’s okay. You didn’t sleep at all last night,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What about you?” Apple asked.

“I’ll have a chat with Mum and Dad for a bit before bringing them over for a proper look at Hucheng’s situation.”

“Right. Don’t worry about me,” Apple said slyly before entering her room, “I won’t leave the door unlocked for you then.”

“Oh, you can. Mum and Dad might leave after a while,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, replying.

“I don’t want to. Might get caught by Mum. Also, you’d better not tell them that I’m sleeping! Otherwise, they’re going to think that I’m lazy,” Apple closed the door before the sound of it being locked could be heard.

After a while, Xu Tingsheng pressed his ear against the door and listened. The sound of her calm, steady breathing was faintly audible.

Mr and Mrs Xu had come over after eating breakfast at the day market. Xu Tingsheng brought them directly to his office, spending more than an hour explaining Hucheng’s current financial situation as well as development plans to Mr Xu.

It felt a little like when he had attained the ‘three good’ student award when he was young as he proudly and yearningly waited for his parents to praise him.

In the end, Mrs Xu said, “Don’t let it affect your studies. Your studies are still the most important. I saw that you only scored sixty plus marks for quite a few subjects last semester.”

Xu Tingsheng had no way to rebut his mother, telling her that in university...sixty marks was already plenty sufficient.

After viewing the office at the riverside residence, Xu Tingsheng sat down together with Mr Xu. He mentioned real estate as well as his intention to invest in it to his father for the first time.

Mr Xu pondered silently for a while before saying, “Actually, there have also been quite a few people looking for me to work together in this area recently. However, I looked around and found that the general populace already feels the price of real estate to be too high now. I checked it out on the internet and everyone was saying that real estate market is about to crash terribly, collapsing. Because of that, I’m still rather hesitant.”

This sort of ‘collapse theory’ had actually existed ever since the nation’s real estate prices had begun shooting up. The higher they rose, the more widespread as well as intense it became.

But in the end? The naysayers had continued to naysay, identifying critical tipping points one after another, while the real estate prices had continued skyrocketing, unreasonably crushing each and every one of these critical tipping points regardless.

Xu Tingsheng had once been a believer of the ‘collapse theory’. It wasn't because it was all that believable or well backed up. Instead, it was a form of self-consolation as he just could not be resigned to it not being otherwise. Many people actually thought like this as well, waving their flags as they yelled how the great collapse could come at any moment, meanwhile waiting with hearts full of anticipation...if the market crashes, I’ll be able to afford a house.

Then, he had painstakingly saved up 1000+ yuan every month, yet was only able to watch on helplessly as the real estate prices continued shooting up crazily all the way. His money that would have been able to pay for ten square meters initially...finally couldn’t even buy three square metres anymore.

Perhaps the market had indeed crashed afterwards. However, in the memories of Xu Tingsheng that went on till the year 2015, at least, such was all just empty talk at the end of the day.

“Dad, I know all this. Still, I believe that not only will the market not crash, it will instead boom, rising to a very great extent as well,” Xu Tingsheng said in an incomparably firm, certain tone.

“How certain are you?”

“Ninety percent...eighty.”

“In business, sixty is enough.”

“Therefore, I wish to give it a go.”

“Libei?”

“Assets flow too slowly in Libei; the snowball wouldn’t be able to accumulate easily. I intend to test out the waters in Yanzhou first.”

“Since it’s just testing the waters, don’t go in too fiercely the first time.”

“I know.”

“Should I do a little on my side too?” Seeing Xu Tingsheng so certain, Mr Xu asked hesitantly.

“You should,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Xu Tingsheng actually hoped that it would be the Xu Family who expanded in this area. He was actually venturing into real estate solely for the money. Meanwhile, his interest in the profession itself was completely incomparable to his interest in Hucheng.

“But Happy Shoppers’ current capital utilisation rate is actually very high, you’re aware of that. Channelling funds away and investing it in real estate instead-would that really be necessary? Would the returns be higher that way?” Mr Xu asked.

While Xu Tingsheng was certainly aware that Hucheng was currently in the midst of accumulating a snowball, he still said with the utmost certainty, “If our discernment in the specific choice of land and cities is rather more precise, there shouldn’t be any problem then.”

This was actually equivalent to saying that there definitely wouldn’t be a problem, for in terms of ‘discernment’, there was no one who would be more precise than Xu Tingsheng. Back when he had been passionately yearning for a flat, Xu Tingsheng had done a great amount of research into various aspects. He was even aware of the exact prices of many small districts for these next few years.

“I know that your eye has always been good. Still, I’ve really been struck rather dizzy by what you’ve just said. Will it really continue to rise? And to that great an extent?” Mr Xu asked him.

Xu Tingsheng smiled bitterly, “I feel that real estate prices will soar to a frightening extent, leaving many helpless to bear the burden, causing most youngsters to lose their dreams.”

The reason Xu Tingsheng had smiled bitterly as he said this was that he knew that even as this was an immense opportunity, it was simultaneously an immense tragedy as well. The greatest price their countrymen would ultimately have to pay for the skyrocketing of real estate prices was actually the loss of the younger generation’s dreams.

The younger generation’s dreams would thereon change from creating things and their youthful aspirations to wanting to own a flat.

The younger generation would thereon lose their vitality, because just having entered society, they would have to be like middle-aged uncles, bearing the weight of their entire families on their shoulders. They would have to pay the housing loan, then feed those mouths with what little remained.

Flats would even cause love to become laughable to some extent.

Wu Xiubo had said afterwards, “Back then, falling in love with someone wasn’t because you had a car and a flat. It was because the sunlight that afternoon was great, and you just happened to be wearing a white shirt.”

Xu Tingsheng stood before the path leading from ‘back then’ towards ‘afterwards’, helpless to change anything, also not intending to change anything.

Standing amidst the flow of a river, however strong one was, he or she would still simply be able to cause some waves at most. It would be impossible for them to reverse the flow of those tides which surged turbulently no matter what.

The sole possibility was that you might merely have been able to frolic about by the riverbank originally, watching the tides arise, maybe even having been one of those overturned by them. But now, there was the possibility of riding at the head of the tide.

After Xu Tingsheng had chatted with his father for another hour and more, Lu Zhixin came downstairs, telling him, “Principal Tang just called again, asking if you’re still conducting the lesson over at the training institute. You didn’t come last time, and many students and parents called and gave feedback about it. Principal Tang says that if you’ve decided not to come, tell it to him definitively, and he will think of a way to explain it to those students and parents.”

Xu Tingsheng remembered Mr Xiang’s previous words, “Little Ning still has two weeks of lessons at the training institute remaining. We’d originally intended for her not to go, but you know how stubborn children are...there’s no way for us to get this to her straight...so, we can only find you, hoping that you...won’t teach Little Ning anymore.”

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while. He decided to refuse.

Mr Xu asked, “You’re fine already, right? If you’re fine, don’t disappoint the kids and the parents. I’d also wanted to go take a look at the training institute anyway, watching you conduct a lesson as well...you haven’t graduated yourself, and you can already teach?”

Mr Xu having said so, Xu Tingsheng could only acquiesce as he told Lu Zhixin, “I’ll conduct the afternoon lesson. Then, as for next week...we’ll see then.”

Chapter 205: Fuxi bones

Xiang Ning had not seen Xu Tingsheng during the previous lesson.

Due to the incident that had occurred the previous weekend, she was actually especially eager to see him right now. She was eager to ask him about his physical condition and about how Dongdong was currently doing. Also, did he still want to hear the answer to that question?

She had another lesson by him that afternoon. Thus, she had specifically come a little earlier.

More than an hour before the lesson started, Xiang Ning stood on the corridor on the second storey, her hands against the railing as she peered downwards. Now, she saw Xu Tingsheng entering the school premises, bringing along a middle-aged couple in touring the area. He was chattering non-stop as he appeared to be in a great mood.

“It looks like he’s fine,” Xiang Ning thought.

When Xu Tingsheng and company finished touring the third storey and came downstairs, Xiang Ning was standing by the stairwell with her hands behind her back. Seeing Xu Tingsheng, she bared her teeth and pulled a face before smiling happily and blinking towards him.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng just glanced once at her before nervously walking away.

“He’s angry with me? Or is he angry with Mum? Mum was rather fierce that day.”

Seeing Xu Tingsheng leading the two visitors into his office, Xiang Ning thought for a moment before hurrying back to the classroom whereupon she randomly grabbed a book and dragged Su Nannan along, directly telling her, “Let’s go.”

“Where to?” Su Nannan asked.

“Accompany me to find Xu Tingsheng and ask him questions.”

“Okay, okay!”

“Why’re you so happy?”

“Everyone is always very happy seeing Mr Xu!”

“...” Xiang Ning did not reply as she thought, “What’re you lot being so happy for? He’s also not everyone’s. After tuition has ended, he’ll belong to just me again.”

Xiang Ning did not see Xu Tingsheng after having entered his office.

Instead, there was a benevolent uncle and a strange auntie inside. The reason she found this auntie strange was that she kept on staring at Xiang Ning, staring at her smooth forehead above which her long hair was bound back with a hairband.

Then, she waved her over, “Young miss, come over.”

“I’m here to find the teacher, Xu Tingsheng. I want to ask him some questions,” Xiang Ning said rather uneasily.

“I’m Xu Tingsheng’s mother,” The strange auntie said.

Xiang Ning felt that since the strange auntie was Uncle’s mother, she should be a bit more polite to her. Therefore, she walked over obediently and called out sweetly, “Hello, Auntie.”

“Good, good,” Mrs Xu happily responded.

Then, she pointed at Xiang Ning’s forehead as she said excitedly to Mr Xu beside her, “Look, look, Tingsheng’s Dad! Fuxi bones! So they really do exist! This is my first time seeing one in person.”

Xu Tingsheng’s maternal uncle worked in this profession, being somewhat knowledgeable in the areas of fortune-telling as well as name choosing and date selection. While he wasn’t really all that proficient in it, it was still enough to fool others, helping him to raise a family of six kids.

He had a few thread-bound books which had been buried underground and preserved during the destruction of the four olds in the Cultural Revolution.

Mrs Xu, who had a junior high school education level, had read these books when she was young. She rather believed in and was pretty concerned about such things. When she had brought Xu Tingsheng to a blind date back during the Lunar New Year, she had praised Ye Yingjing’s looks as bringing prosperity to her husband and her family.

“What Fuxi bones?” Xiang Ning asked uncomprehendingly in a daze.

Xiang Ning had only learnt about these Fuxi bones from an eccentric roommate of hers after having begun attending university. She had not taken it too seriously, only having repeatedly boasted about it jokingly to Xu Tingsheng afterwards.

Xu Tingsheng had not believed this in his previous life. In truth, it also wasn’t believable at all that someone with facial bones that were the ‘highest grade under the heavens’ could be so unlucky as to meet the likes of him. In the end, she had even waited three years for this scumbag.

Now, Mrs Xu prematurely made this grand discovery.

“Highest grade under the heavens, representative of great wealth and fortune. Young miss, this life of yours really is great. Right, how old are you? What’s your name?” Mrs Xu asked.

“I’m fifteen, Auntie. I’m called…”

What would happen if this little girl said the name ‘Xiang Ning’? Would the office explode? Would the planet Earth explode? The crucial thing was-afterwards, would Xu Tingsheng explode?

After Xu Tingsheng had brought his parents for a tour around the training institute and then to his office to rest, he went to look for Tang Guangyi for a bit. When he returned, he heard what his mother was currently asking, saw Xiang Ning’s figure with his Mum’s hand on her shoulder.

Xu Tingsheng yelled in a panic from the doorway where he stood, “Su Nannan, it’s almost time for lessons! What’re you doing over here? Hurry up and go back.”

Because he yelled this, his tone didn’t sound questioning as it instead sounded like a rebuke.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng’s voice, Xiang Ning felt pleasantly surprised as she turned to look at him.

Xu Tingsheng was not smiling, however, as he grabbed her and Su Nannan and shooed them out of the room, “What’re you doing here? It’s almost time for lessons! Hurry up and go back.”

The three left the office. Xu Tingsheng still felt rather fearful as he hurriedly closed the door.

“I have questions for you,” Xiang Ning said.

“Ask them after the lesson’s over,” Xu Tingsheng still felt anxious as even his tone was forceful.

“You, what fierce are you being? There are still more than ten minutes left.”

“We can talk about that later. Just go back to the classroom.”

“What’s up with you? Xu Tingsheng.”

“You’re not allowed to call my name.”

“Uncle.”

“Call me Sir.”

“Liar.”

“Hurry up and go back.”

“Let me tell you…”

“Tell me about it later.”

“No, I just want to ask you…’

“Ask me about it later.”

“What fierce are you being? You weren’t this fierce before! Whatever, I’ll go.”

Xiang Ning left in a huff. Xu Tingsheng returned to the office and closed the door.

Mrs Xu asked smilingly, “That girl’s called Su Nannan?”

“Which one?”

“The one with the Fuxi bones.”

“I don’t know whatever Fuxi bones.”

“The nice-looking one.”

“What’s there even to be called good-looking about kids as young as that?”

“Oi, are you intentionally speaking against your mother? The one who looks especially sweet, especially pretty and especially likable! Can’t you tell?”

“...”

“Hey you, say something! Why’re you not speaking?”

“I just wanted to hear you praise her a little more,” Xu Tingsheng muttered softly.

“What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

Mr Xu interrupted this totally meaningless conversation between the mother and son pair, “Alright, stop asking about this. Such a young child-however good her features are, would you be able to take her back as your daughter-in-law? Isn’t your mind still set on that Young Miss Ye from your good friend’s family who will bring fortune to her husband?”

“If this was my previous life and I brought her back, how moved would Mum be,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

Mr Xu answered a call.

He had originally jokingly asked to listen in on Xu Tingsheng’s lesson. In the end, however, something came up and he had to leave right away. Seeing how his mother still appeared reluctant, Xu Tingsheng heaved a sigh of relief, happily sending his parents to the door.

Xiang Ning felt ill at ease for the duration of the entire lesson.

“I hate him.”

“Should I forgive him?”

“On account of last week, when he even vomited blood and Mum was still so fierce to him, I guess I should forgive him.”

The bell for the end of class rang. Xiang Ning went to Xu Tingsheng’s office alone.

“Mr Xu, I have questions for you.”

“Ask away then.”

“What are Fuxi bones?”

“I don’t know.”

“Your Mum said it.”

“Ask my Mum about it then.”

“But Auntie isn’t here! Then, are you really unable to tell if I or Su Nannan am the nice-looking one? You really don’t know who the one Auntie said looked especially sweet, especially pretty and especially likable is?”

“...You still know how to eavesdrop?”

“I, I just wanted to come back to apologise to you, coax you a little and ask you whether it still hurts. I suffered an injustice and I was still going to coax you, yet you were fierce to me. Wa…”

“You’re not allowed to cry.”

“I’m not crying, sob.”

“And you say you aren’t crying?”

“I’m saying ha, I’m gonna cry.”

“...”

“Are you scared now? Sob.”

So Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Your Dad says that your Mum wants to take me back as her daughter-in-law, sob. Also, who’s Young Miss Ye? Sob.”

Chapter 206: Kick you to death

Little Xiang Ning walked from the office doorway over to the desk with tears glistening in her eyes. Xu Tingsheng unconsciously lowered his head, not daring to look at her. He dared not look at her tear-stained and pitiful yet just incomparably adorable appearance.

“Does it still hurt?” Xiang Ning asked.

“It doesn’t,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

Xiang Ning wiped her tears away, asking, “Is Dongdong okay?”

“It’s grown fat,” Xu Tingsheng said, “That fella cozies up with whoever feeds it, then sleeps by my feet every night. You can rest assured on that.”

“That’s good then,” Xiang Ning sighed in relief before going over behind Xu Tingsheng and saying in a distant tone, “Mum and Dad don’t even let me go out on the weekends anymore. Sigh, I can’t even come to see Dongdong anymore.”

“Relax, you just concentrate on your studies. I’ll take good care of Dongdong.”

“Yeah. I’ll get back to lessons then.”

Her mood seemed as fickle as the seasons. She had looked all pitiful when she had come in. When leaving the office, however, she did so with a spring in her step, as if she had just done something that she felt very triumphant about as she forcibly held in her mood and quickly left.

Right before exiting the office, she turned and said, “Right, Young Miss Ye’s surname is not Xiang.”

It was only when Xu Tingsheng went to the classroom for his third lesson that he realised what exactly Little Xiang Ning had done that had left her feeling so triumphant.

He turned and began writing on the blackboard.

Behind him first came fragmented voices of discussion before some slight snickers resounded. Finally, the entire room burst into laughter. He very bemusedly turned, asking blankly, “What?”

“Teacher, there’s a word on your back,” A student stood up and told Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng swivelled his head with some effort, pulling his still rather loose T-shirt to the side. Finally, he discovered a piece of paper stuck to his back. On it was written the ‘Xiang’ character.

No wonder she had said ‘Young Miss Ye’s surname is not Xiang’ earlier. No wonder her tears had turned into a triumphant look just like that.

This was actually greatly in line with Xiang Ning’s personality. After the two of them had hooked up in his previous life, she had requested for her to be mentioned often amongst his network of friends, letting everyone know that ‘Uncle’ was already taken.

This was the young lady’s personality. Xiang Ning said that this was called not possessiveness, but exclusivity.

Having liked such a terrible Xu Tingsheng, she had believed him to be the best, believing that all under the heavens would also like him, being afraid that someone might fight with her over him. She had treasured and cherished him just like that, even having waited silently for him till the end.

Xiang Ning had never been the kind of girl who possessed a so-called perfect personality. She had many little faults, often acting wilful and spoiled. Yet, she was just that lovable, tugging at one’s heartstrings.

Xu Tingsheng felt awkward for a bit as he reached out, wanting to tear off that piece of paper. At the same time, he observed Little Xiang Ning currently gazing at him with a resentful expression on her face. If he acted according to the will of Mr and Mrs Xiang, this would be the last time the two of them would be meeting at least within the next year’s time.

Xu Tingsheng gave up and turned back, saying nonchalantly, “Let’s continue the lesson.”

At this moment, Xu Tingsheng witnessed a flower blooming, blooming on Little Xiang Ning’s face. Actually, she was almost sixteen. She was already 1.61m tall, no longer just a little girl.

Xu Tingsheng was currently feeling incomparably regretful. How he wished this was the first time the two of them were meeting in this lifetime.

At the end of the lesson, Xu Tingsheng informed the students that the lessons conducted by him would be ending that week. Because his lessons had been free anyway, apart from the students feeling dismal, there wouldn’t actually be any problems with that.

How some stories would eventually unfold could not be known. At the current time, however, as Xu Tingsheng sat in his office now, he knew that he should be tearing off this ‘Xiang’ character.

When the students had already mostly dispersed, Little Xiang Ning appeared at the door of his office in her Taekwondo uniform.

The white Taekwondo garb accentuated her long, white neck and even part of her collarbone. Coupled with her red school bag and her swaying ponytail, she appeared pretty and cute.

“Why won’t you be coming for lessons next week?” Little Xiang Ning asked Xu Tingsheng.

“Because I’m too busy,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Too busy? Will you still be tutoring me then?”

“Ms Li Linlin will be substituting me.”

“You’ll come yourself when you aren’t busy then?”

“I may be very busy for the entire upcoming period of time.”

This had been requested by Xiang Ning’s parents. Xu Tingsheng wouldn’t be able to continue even if he wanted to, even if he felt that he could manage it. Also, he had agreed not to divulge the truth to Xiang Ning such that she would not rebel.

“But you were also always very busy before!” Little Xiang Ning’s voice was somewhat plaintive as she asked despondently, “Hey, is it that you’re mad at my Mum and Dad? I’ll help you talk to them, okay?”

“How is that possible? Uncle and Auntie always treat me so well.”

“It’s because you hate me then. Is it that I’ve done something wrong recently?”

“No.”

Xiang Ning discovered how Xu Tingsheng was acting differently this time. He wasn’t expressing anger at her like he had in the past, and it didn’t seem feigned. He was speaking seriously this time. Only now did she discover that if Uncle didn’t spoil her and dote on her, wasn’t afraid of her feeling wronged and sad, she was actually totally useless, unable to do anything at all.

“Xu Tingsheng, you think you’re so great! Even if you are great, does that mean you can just bully people like this? If you’re so great, why were you always shamelessly being so good to me before? Coming over and being so good to someone all of a sudden, and now all of a sudden acting like this!”

Little Xiang Ning wanted to cry as she thought of this. Such was really the truth. She had only been an ordinary little girl originally. One day, Xu Tingsheng had suddenly appeared and held her amidst his palms, raised her aloft to the peak of the clouds…

She had gotten used to it, and now it was no more.

“Come, practise Taekwondo with me.”

Xu Tingsheng felt rather bemused, but still followed her anyway.

In the spacious classroom, the floor filled with blue protective foam pads, there were only them.

Little Xiang Ning gave Xu Tingsheng a defensive pad, saying, “Hold it up. I’ll kick you to death.”

Xu Tingsheng adjusted the defensive pad on his arm, shifting it slightly downwards.

“I’ll ask you first. Have you really recovered? Does it really no longer hurt?”

“I’ve really recovered.”

“Good,” Little Xiang Ning clenched her little fist, her ponytail swishing within the air as she went for the run-up.

‘Who asked you to lie!’ She did not kick the defensive pad, instead kicking Xu Tingsheng’s leg.

“Who asked you to bully people!”

Another kick.

The slender Little Xiang Ning’s kicks were actually soft and powerless. Also being barefooted, she actually wasn’t causing any damage at all. Xu Tingsheng hurriedly relaxed the muscles of his leg, making it a little softer for her to kick.

“Does it hurt?” Xiang Ning stopped and asked Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, shaking his head.

“Who asked you to lie. I’ll kick you to death,” Little Xiang Ning kicked again. She saw how Xu Tingsheng did not react in the slightest.

“Who asked you not to teach me because you’re busy. I’ll kick you to death.”

“Who asked you to be fierce to me. I’ll kick you to death.”

“Who asked you to be so good to me. I’ll kick you to death.”

“Who asked you to sing for me. I’ll kick you to death.”

“Who asked you to cook for me. I’ll kick you to death.”

“I’ll kick you to death for Big Xiang Ning.”

“I’ll kick you to death for Little Xiang Ning.”

“...”

She cried as she spoke, her soft, powerless kicks landing on Xu Tingsheng’s leg. She felt like she had suffered a grievance, a grievance that rivalled the heavens. She was exhausted. She sat limply on the floor, sobbing.

Xu Tingsheng put the defensive pad away, crouching down beside Little Xiang Ning as he looked at the front of her foot that was completely red.

“Does it hurt?”

“It hurts.”

Chapter 207: No, can’t tell

It was actually no matter at all for the one who had gotten kicked. Instead, it was the one who had done the kicking who had suffered more. The front and sides of her foot were completely red, being slightly swollen. Within tears trickling down her face, Little Xiang Ning said, “It hurts.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “You deserve it. With just that strength of yours, you still wanted to kick me to death!”

“Who asked you to be so hard? It hurt to death!” Little Xiang Ning gazed at Xu Tingsheng with tears glistening in her eyes, sobbing as she spoke like she had suffered a grievance.

Uncle’s mind shivered. Your sister’s flying! Thoughts moving in that direction at a time like this- are you even human? But he couldn’t repress it. He had clearly heard her say that before! And that time, she had also appeared as pitiful as this, holding back tears as she gazed over at him.

He had had to coax her for an entire night that time.

Some common medicine could be found in the taekwondo classroom’s cabinet. Xu Tingsheng stopped his thoughts from running wild and rummaged through it, finding a bottle of ointment.

He went back over to Little Xiang Ning, asking softly, “I’ll help you to rub it?”

Little Xiang Ning had originally wanted to be stubborn, refusing him. However, she could not repress her inner desires to be cherished and doted on by Xu Tingsheng, especially with her just having suffered an injustice.

“Okay,” She said.

Immediately afterwards, “Hey, Xu Tingsheng, what’re you doing?”

“Uncle, you dirty ruffian!” She said again.

But when Xu Tingsheng really lifted her up, Xiang Ning did not struggle or put up any form of resistance. Instead, when he put her down, she even vaguely appeared somewhat dejected.

With a cool expression on his face, Xu Tingsheng seated Little Xiang Ning on the stool by the wall, saying, “You little lass, you know not what you speak. Really, I wouldn’t come looking for you even if I wanted to act ruffian-ish. Now, lean obediently against the wall and sit properly.”

Then, he bent down and reached out to grab her wrist.

“Wait, wait!” Little Xiang Ning nervously moved her hands to grab the sides of the stool, steeling herself as she said uneasily, “Xu Tingsheng, you must be gentle. I’m scared of pain. Will it hurt?”

With this one additional line, Xu Tingsheng felt like his mental health had already collapsed completely. These wild thoughts just came whenever they wanted, unable to be quelled at all.

“You’re not allowed to talk anymore. If you keep on talking, I won’t be able to rub anymore,” A helpless Xu Tingsheng said sternly.

“Oh, do it then. Remember to be gentle!” Little Xiang Ning said helplessly as if accepting her fate.

“This…” Xu Tingsheng raised his hand and slapped his head with ointment before then ceasing to speak. He reached out and gently clasped Little Xiang Ning’s pale, slender foot with his palm.

“Hiss...” Little Xiang Ning emitted a soft noise of exhalation.

“Does it hurt?” Xu Tingsheng felt that he hadn’t yet exerted strength.

“It’s not that. Wait a moment. Wait for me to close my eyes first, okay?” Little Xiang Ning inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she steeled herself for ‘torture’.

Xu Tingsheng composed himself, placing Little Xiang Ning’s slender and pale yet swollen right foot on his knee. He poured the ointment on his left palm before rubbing his palms together. Only when sufficient heat had been generated did he grab her foot with one hand, gently rubbing at the distinct redness at its front with the other.

His palm slid slowly. As his fingertips travelled downwards, they touched the centre of her foot.

Xu Tingsheng tilted his head away, not daring to look as he was unable to stop his breathing from gradually growing heavier. “I’m treating an injury, right and proper, openly and uprightly. Moreover, Xiang Ning is still young!” Xu Tingsheng consoled himself.

“Hehe, it tickles, Xu Tingsheng,” Little Xiang Ning burst out chuckling at the ticklishness, unconsciously arching her foot as she wanted to pull it back.

However, Xu Tingsheng gripped her foot tightly, not letting go.

He did not utter a sound, exerting more force as he rubbed it.

“Hey, Xu Tingsheng, oh.”

“What is it?”

“No, nothing.”

Xu Tingsheng’s palm was tightly clasped around her slender foot, turning it as he rubbed.

“Wa, oh.”

Uncle’s hands were so warm. Little Xiang Ning’s foot unconsiously arched once more. She suddenly felt her body gradually growing warmer. She unconsciously bit her lip, yet dared not utter another sound, because she did not know what was up with her voice. It sounded so strange, causing her heart to flutter in panic.

Little Xiang Ning did not know what was up with her. She had never heard herself let out such strange noises before. Also, she dared not hear it anymore.

“Laugh if it tickles. You don’t have to hold it in,” Being able to feel Xiang Ning’s body trembling through the vibrations of her foot, Xu Tingsheng said softly.

“Oh.”

Little Xiang Ning dared not answer him as she just replied with a vague noise. However, the voice that was emitted from her throat also didn’t seem like anything good. How strange. How strange! As the ignorant young girl heard her own voice, she inadvertently felt shy. Why did this voice feel like something to be embarrassed about?

Gradually, unnoticed by the two of them, on Little Xiang Ning’s young face that was already red as a tomato actually inconceivably surfaced an enchanting charm that was incongruant with her adolescent features.

“Done,” Xu Tingsheng said before releasing his grip.

“It’s done?”

Little Xiang Ning did not know what was up with her. She had clearly been afraid, but at that moment when those big warm hands had let go, she had instead felt a little despondent all of a sudden. This despondence was just like when she had lain between her sheets, involuntarily thinking back time and time again on that day when she had kissed Uncle’s face beneath the moonlight for Big Xiang Ning, yet had just been totally unable to recall that feeling. When that had happened, she had felt incomparably regretful.

“Weren’t you feeling itchy? Because you’re afraid of that, I did it faster,” Xu Tingsheng explained.

“Actually, I’m not that afraid of it,” Little Xiang Ning went all out as she covered her face with her arms, saying softly, “It isn’t done yet. Finish your good deed properly.”

“Finish my good deed properly?” Taken aback, Xu Tingsheng could only do as instructed.

He poured out some ointement again and rubbed his hands together to generate more heat before carefully controlling his strength as he rubbed her foot gently.

Gradually, even he himself drifted off somewhat, forgetting before and afterwards, only being aware of the warmth right before his eyes.

Feeling his palms that were warm, firm and forceful yet also gentle, Little Xiang Ning suddenly felt overcome by dizziness. This was a very inexplicable whilst also very wonderful feeling, a feeling which she had never experienced before. Xiang Ning felt as if she was drunk, her body light as she drifted and swayed atop the clouds.

This time, perhaps really being afraid of hurting her, Xu Tingsheng’s movements became slower and slower, gentler and gentler. Even when Little Xiang Ning numbly and ignorantly descended from atop the clouds for a while, he had still yet to stop.

Little Xiang Ning pulled back her foot, saying shyly, “You can stop now, Xu Tingsheng. I can’t go on anymore.”

Jolted out of his reverie, Xu Tingsheng awkwardly released his grip, saying, “You can’t go on anymore? Really, watch your choice of words.”

“Right,” Little Xiang Ning’s expression and breathing had still yet to return to normal as she replied softly.

There were some things that she herself didn’t understand but Uncle, Xu Tingsheng, did. He too actually knew which parts of Xiang Ning’s body were especially sensitive, just that he had taken her as a child earlier, not having thought in that direction.

He hadn’t thought that…

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng thought about it for a moment and immediately understood what had just happened with the lass. Was it that one was more sensitive the younger one was? This…

“Just now,” Xu Tingsheng ventured.

“Ooh, can’t tell,” Xiang Ning said.

The two of them fell silent, Xu Tingsheng sitting cross-legged on the blue protective foam pads while Xiang Ning, seated on the tall stool by the wall, hugged her knees.

The atmosphere was kind of awkward.

Xiang Ning was wondering about what had just happened earlier.

What Xu Tingsheng was thinking about was: What the heck in blazes? What’s just happened? Am I a beast, or am I worse than a beast?

Chapter 208: Uncle Black Bear

“Just now...it didn’t hurt. It was just a little numb.”

After a long silence, the red flush having faded from her face, Little Xiang Ning raised her head and looked at Xu Tingsheng, saying so softly and hesitantly. Actually, she still didn’t understand the situation. This was just an instinctual shyness that stemmed from nature.

In the end, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Just a little numb? Nothing else?”

Little Xiang Ning shook her head, “Nothing.”

Xu Tingsheng rolled his eyes, “Then, how did you become all...drunk-like?”

Little Xiang Ning couldn’t understand this as she softly rebutted, “What? There wasn’t anything.”

This little wifey look, even visually appearing like a weak, pitiful little daughter-in-law candidate who was being reared from young, left Xu Tingsheng not knowing whether he should laugh or cry as he could only force a smile, “Just now, you almost made me think that…”

“Think that what?”

“Was it really just a little numb? Nothing else? Like...Might you be feeling like you need to change your clothes....like, your pants or whatnot?”

Xu Tingsheng having suddenly said so, Little Xiang Ning felt even more uncomprehending as she opened her eyes wide, asking in puzzlement, “There really wasn’t anything! Why would I have to change my clothes or my pants?”

Dirty and impure thoughts might still be fine usually, but they would be exposed so glaringly as soon as they met with purity and goodness.

“Nah, it’s nothing,” Uncle said bitterly.

“But it was really strange. Also, it felt very comfortable. How about...I tell you about it?” At first, it was like this. My heart tensed a little. But it didn’t hurt! Then, it began to go all itchy, and itchy…”

There were clearly just the two of them in the vast classroom. Yet, Xiang Ning spoke secretively as she leaned over, whispering into Xu Tingsheng’s ear.

But there was no one who would speak of such affairs in such a pure manner. The impure Uncle was unable to continue listening any longer. He scooted back, saying, “Don’t! I’m not listening.”

“What’s up with you?”

Her excitement still yet to fade, Little Xiang Ning leaned forward a little more. In the end, she leaned too far forward…

“Woah!”

She toppled right off the tall stool.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly reached out and grabbed her.

With this, he grabbed onto the wide collar of her taekwondo uniform. This wasn’t actually anything much. More crucially was that he accidentally caught the collar of the shirt that she was wearing as well.

Xu Tingsheng grabbed onto two layers of collars, while Little Xiang Ning half-dangled there as she was caught.

“What...is this? Just a piece of cloth? But it’s very clear. The development is just like this; there’s no improvement at all. It looks like there’s nothing more I should be expecting for this in this life.”

Little Xiang Ning was rendered dazed for a while.

“Hey, you’re still looking? Dirty ruffian!” She reactively rebuked.

“It’s not like there’s anything to be seen,” Xu Tingsheng smiled relaxedly as he replied.

Just two years later, one would easily see women wearing clothes that revealed as much as that out on the streets. It really wasn’t serious at all. Moreover, there indeed wasn’t much to be seen.

Little Xiang Ning forcefully wrenched off Uncle’s ‘demonic claw’, pulling her clothes back into proper position as she hugged her chest protectively.

“But you still looked...so Uncle was actually this type of person.”

Due to Xu Tingsheng’s relaxed attitude, for an incident that should have actually been extremely major, Little Xiang Ning didn’t see the problem as being too serious as she just felt like she had suffered a loss...whilst also feeling a little unresigned.

“I was just reminiscing,” Xu Tingsheng murmured softly before saying, “Actually, there’s really nothing much at all to be seen there.

“Really? Why?” Little Xiang Ning felt rather despondent.

She was still asking why? Uncle wondered about how he could explain it to Little Xiang Ning in a more tactful manner.

He pondered for a while before asking, “Have you studied <The Ballad of Mulan>? ‘The sound of one sigh after another, as Mulan weaves at the doorway’…”

“Yep,” Little Xiang Ning nodded.

“Have you ever wondered about this before then? Why was it that although Mulan was a girl and pretended to be a man in the army for so long, no one ever discovered that she was really female?”

Little Xiang Ning shook her head.

“The answer is actually in the verses.”

“In the verses? The teacher never taught us about that before.”

“The teacher was keeping the good things to himself! Being truly competent yet unwilling to teach everyone-how is he as good as me? Let’s have it this way. You recite all of <The Ballad of Mulan> that you can remember, and I’ll tell you where the answer lies,” Xu Tingsheng eloquently explained.

“Alright. The sound of one sigh after another, as Mulan weaves at the doorway...A dozen volume of battle rolls...Mulan has no elder brother...”

“Stop! It’s in this line.”

“Which line?”

“The one you just recited.”

“Mulan has...no elder brother(zhang xiong)?”

“Right! Mulan has...no breasts grown(zhang xiong), and that’s why no one was able to tell. Your situations...are the same.”

Little Xiang Ning thought focusedly for a while before finally realising what he meant, “Hey, you…”

Then, she stomped right on Xu Tingsheng’s foot, “Xu Tingsheng, you bully! You already looked, and you’re still bullying me. You still said that you didn’t…”

Xu Tingsheng explained, “It’s the truth! Actually, to be honest, the best-looking parts of your body are actually your legs, as well as your waist."

At the present time, Xu Tingsheng definitely understood more regarding this than Xiang Ning herself did. She definitely wouldn’t gain a crazy hot figure, that was absolutely certain. However, this did not prevent every part of her from being just perfect, especially her legs, as well as her waist which was supple and slim, drawing a perfect arc.

“So it was like this,” Having managed to regain a bit of dignity with quite some difficulty, Little Xiang Ning looked down at her legs before trying to look at her waist. Unable to see it, she extended her hand towards her back and then felt it.

“Are they exceptionally pretty?” She asked Xu Tingsheng smilingly, her eyes slightly narrowed.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng nodded, expressing truthfully from the bottom of his heart.

“Ha, you’re exposed!” Xiang Ning said excitedly.

“What’s exposed?” Xu Tingsheng was bemused.

“You ruffian, if it’s my legs, you saw it when I was wearing a skirt. But that my waist is pretty...how could you know that? Dirty ruffian, say it! How could you know?” Little Xiang Ning raised her head, saying in a triumphant tone.

“How have I just seen it before? The first time I cuddled it, I said that it felt good, and even got hit by you. After that…” Xu Tingsheng murmured softly.

“What’s that?”

“I said that I guessed it.”

“Oh, then…” Little Xiang Ning stopped midway through her words, looking down as if conflicted about something.

“Then what?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“How about, how about I let you touch my...waist a bit.”

The way Little Xiang Ning had looked as she shyly said this, the momentum of her going all out at the end, as well as the way she had said it...Xu Tingsheng felt as though he had been struck by lightning and smote to ashes.

“Hey, Miss Xiang Ning, who taught you all this? Who told you that you needn’t cherish yourself, that you can do things like this?” An infuriated Xu Tingsheng panickedly questioned.

“That’s not it,” Little Xiang Ning said aggrievedly, “No one taught me that. It’s just...you even vomited blood protecting me a few days back, suffering so much. I thought that I should be a little better to you. I’ve found that you look like a black bear who’s seen honey when you look at my waist. Also, I won’t get pregnant just being touched a little...my classmate taught me this.”

“A black bear...who’s seen honey? Is it that obvious?”

The matter of Uncle Black Bear and little loli honey could be set aside for now. Xu Tingsheng felt that he should be a little sterner regarding the young girl’s worldview.

He reached out and grabbed Little Xiang Ning’s shoulders, saying sternly, “Who told you you could do this? Which bastard taught it to you? Let me tell it to you, the most foolish thing you can do in this world is marrying a person just because he did a little something for you, okay? That way, if you marry every random person who helps you, saves you, would you be able to marry all of them? Or would you be good to all of them, letting them touch your...waist a bit?”

“Hey, you’re hurting me.”

Xiang Ning struggled mightily, pushing away Xu Tingsheng’s hands that were on her shoulder before looking up and glancing at him aggrievedly as she rolled her eyes, “I wouldn’t for others, I’m not that stupid. I’ve also never let anyone touch my waist a bit before. You’re just too much.”

She hesitated for a moment before continuing, “You’re the only one, Xu Tingsheng, you know?”

“So it was like this. I’m sorry,” Xu Tingsheng said awkwardly.

“Then...do you want to touch? Black bear.”

Chapter 209: I just really miss you

“Then...do you want to touch? Black Bear,” Said the honey, Miss Xiang Ning.

“Waist?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Then...touch, just a bit,” Xiang Ning rested her feet against the protective padding, swivelling around. She lowered her head, closed her eyes and clenched her teeth like an innocent lamb awaiting slaughter.

“I said, waist(yao),” Xu Tingsheng helplessly enunciated again.

“Huh? Oh,” Xiang Ning was greatly embarrassed as she distressedly explained, “I thought you said, “Want(yao).”

She swivelled back over, “Hmph, I won’t let you touch anymore.”

“Like I care,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Say that again.”

“Like I care.”

“Once more?”

“Like, I, Care.”

Xu Tingsheng had thought that they were merely having a childish, petty squabble, everything really going fine between them.

Yet, Xiang Ning’s mouth suddenly deflated, her lips trembling as she sobbed, “I just knew you don’t care about me anymore. I knew it. You weren’t like this originally. Afterwards, you told me that you wanted to enter a relationship with someone...then, you became busy, not teaching me anymore, thinking me unwanted...do you think I’m stupid? You obviously had a change of heart.”

Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless.

Xiang Ning had actually been able to feel all those changes that had happened with him over this period of time.

“Xu Tingsheng, even if I’m very hateful, very insensible, uncute, not pretty, simply insufficient, and you won’t even find me when you’re playing ruffian...then, does that mean that you also don’t like Big Xiang Ning anymore? You also couldn’t care less about Big Xiang Ning, right?”

“That’s not it,” Xu Tingsheng raised his head higher, not letting Xiang Ning see his face.

“Are you crying? Xu Tingsheng.”

“I’m not.”

“Will you really not care about me next time?” Xiang Ning pushed Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, “Xu Tingsheng, you’ve seen me thoroughly already, you know? How can you stop caring about me?”

“Seen her thoroughly? This...is false?” Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly as he considered, “I’ll still care about you, just with a different method. Do you still remember that number I gave you?”

“I’ve still got the note, and as for my phone...I’ll save it as soon as Mum returns it to me.”

It seemed like Xiang Ning thought that the new handphone Uncle had bought for her had merely been confiscated by her mother. Xu Tingsheng had no way of telling her that it was already back with him now.

He could only say, “No, that’s not enough. You’ve got to memorise it, remember it well such that you can recollect it anytime, anywhere. If you meet with any problem in the future, just call me, and I will come.”

“Forever?”

“Till the day I die.”

“Does missing you count then?”

“It doesn’t.”

“What might count then?”

“Like if you’ve suffered an injustice, if you’re being bullied…”

“Like I’ll be bullied again! Anything else?”

“Like if you’ve grown up, and one day, you suddenly....want to buy an island.”

…...

Xiang Ning didn’t allow Xu Tingsheng to remove that piece of paper with the ‘Xiang’ character attached to his back, making him depart through the gates of the training institute just like that. Her reason was still the same, “You’ve seen me thoroughly already.”

Xu Tingsheng walked on the left, while Xiang Ning walked on the right. She carried her school bag, grabbing onto his clothes and not letting go.

If someone were to watch from the distance, they would see that the male had a ‘Xiang’ character on the back of his shirt, while beside him walked an adorable, long-haired girl.

This scene that appeared so blissful was actually the prelude to their imminent separation.

“Walk slower,” Xiang Ning said.

“It’s already very late,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It isn’t...oh, Dad.”

Xiang Ning’s Dad stood by the gates of the training institute. Perhaps because Xiang Ning had been late to come home, being worried about her, he had made a trip here. Then, they had met coincidentally just like this. As they ran into each other now, Xiang Ning was still tightly gripping onto Xu Tingsheng’s clothes.

Mr Xiang first shooed Xiang Ning away before turning back and walking over to Xu Tingsheng.

“Sorry, Uncle.”

Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng, Hucheng’s boss, a shareholder of Tianyi media and a member of the band Rebirth, was like a student who had committed a mistake as he was rendered totally at a loss.

Mr Xiang did not speak.

“I’m sorry. I guarantee that this is definitely the last time. I just gave her a final lesson and explained to her that I won’t be able to tutor her in the future due to being too busy. I have stopped my lessons as well. The last one was today,” Xu Tingsheng explained.

“Sorry,” Xu Tingsheng said again.

“Thanks. The school will begin supplementary lessons in a week’s time. You can get Miss Li to come then. Little Ning actually likes her quite a bit,” Mr Xiang finished before he turned and left.

Xu Tingsheng stood there just like that, not daring to let him see that ‘Xiang’ character that was still pasted on his back.

…...

Afterwards, Xu Tingsheng spent all his time working crazily like a workaholic on steroids.

Hucheng Education had expanded the services of its platform while retaining education as its primary focus, officially naming itself ‘Hucheng Tongcheng(Mutual Sincerity Across Cities)’. The platform’s services had spread to encompass up to thirty cities over this period of time, basically encompassing the majority of the important coastal cities at the south and east of the nation.

Hucheng’s employees discovered how this boss of theirs who had originally followed the motto ‘three days fishing, two days drying the net’ suddenly began enthusiastically convening meetings, began participating in all matters regardless of their importance, began habitually working overtime together with his employees who worked the night shift late into the night and into the mornings.

Lu Zhixin was the happiest seeing such a Xu Tingsheng.

“What’s caused you to suddenly have so much motivation?” She asked Xu Tingsheng.

“I hope that I will have enough to be able to afford an island someday,” Xu Tingsheng told her.

“An island?”

“Right, an island.”

“Your target’s a little small.”

“How is it small? It’s still unknown which island it’ll be now. Hmmm...is Greenland for sale?”

“Hah! Greenland’s currently considering a public voting for self-governance.”

“Huh, oh well. Anyway, one that’s somewhat famous. Those wouldn’t come cheap, right?”

Lu Zhixin smiled, “That’s true. After you’ve bought it, according to the share ratio, ten percent of it should go to me?”

Xu Tingsheng retorted, “Why would you want some of mine? Buy one of your own!”

Apple was diligently trying to pick up some skills. She began to be able to fall asleep alone, began to get used to a busy Xu Tingsheng.

Yet, he still cooked for her everyday, ran with her every morning and went for a stroll with her every evening, going shopping or watching movies with her from time to time. Once in a while, Xu Tingsheng would even bring her along to participate in some meetings, personally teaching her some things.

Quite a few of the plants that she had planted began to grow, the balcony outside the flat starting to possess colour. This was already a feat in itself. She began to be able to check registration information for the platform on her own, happy and joyful as her morale surged.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t wish for himself to grow idle.

However late he went home every night, Dongdong who was growing increasingly fatter as well as lazier would be lounging beside the sofa. It would raise its head and glance at Xu Tingsheng before wagging its tail. Next, it would lower its head once more and peacefully go back to sleep.

As Xiang Ning began ninth grade, her school began conducting summer supplementary lessons.

The home tutoring did not stop. Li Linlin had already gone there six times in total.

Xu Tingsheng found a time and asked her in private, “Hey, in these few times that you’ve gone, has Student Xiang seemed happy? Has she shown any rebellious signs? Is she studying hard?”

Li Linlin said, “She’s doing pretty well. I see her smiling all day long. She’s very polite and also very conscientious.”

“That’s good then. Sorry for the trouble.”

“You can rest assured, I’ll definitely help her get into a first-tier senior high. It’s just that the home tutoring has been changed to twice a week now, and I still have to give lessons. My work here at Hucheng has been delayed quite a bit as a result.”

While she didn’t ask, Li Linlin was actually feeling very puzzled as to why Xu Tingsheng would be so concerned about a mere tutoring student of his...maybe it was because she was his very first student, and so he felt somewhat emotionally concerned about her.

“That’s fine. We’ve been recruiting people in batches anyway; we’ve got sufficient manpower,” Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a while before asking hesitantly, “She, that Student Xiang-has she asked you anything about me?”

Li Linlin thought hard for a bit, “I don’t think so...right, she didn’t.”

“Oh, I see….that’s fine then. Anyway, just pay more attention to this area.”

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know if he should be feeling dismal or happy about this. Maybe everything was just that easy to forget for a child of this age? He tried to calm himself as much as possible.

“Right.”

Just in the midst of walking away, Li Linlin suddenly turned back, “Right, there was something strange, though. It was when she was studying CGSS. She was suddenly especially interested in geography. Every time, she would ask me-can islands be bought? The Caribbean, the Pacific Ocean, she was asking if there are any islands there that are very beautiful whilst inexpensive.”

“Good,” Xu Tingsheng could not help but grin as he repeatedly nodded forcefully.

“Good?” Li Linlin was bemused, “Bro Xu, you’re smiling like a kid.”

“Oh, isn’t it because her question is interesting?” Xu Tingsheng explained.

“Oh. I’ll be off for my lesson now then.”

“Right.”

Xu Tingsheng felt like he could finally set his heart at ease.

Then, one night, he suddenly received a call from an unknown number.

“Hello.”

No one spoke. There was only the faint sound of breathing.

Xu Tingsheng realised who it was.

“Xiang Ning, is something the matter?”

Xiang Ning still didn’t speak.

Her quiet breathing persisted for a minute, two minutes, three minutes…

Xu Tingsheng listened quietly.

“Wahhh…”

Crying could be heard over from the other end of the phone, the kind that had been arduously repressed deep within for a very long time.

“I’m fine. I’ve been very obedient; I’ve been working very hard. I just really miss you.”

Chapter 210: Conversing with Apple

For just that one moment, Xu Tingsheng felt as if ‘heartbroken’ wasn’t actually a metaphorical term but a literal one. It could be felt, it could be heard, it could even be seen. He should open the door and rush out without care for everything else.

Yet, he remembered Mr Xiang’s ‘Uncle’s begging you’ and ‘give me a guarantee’. He saw that because it was raining, Apple was currently in the midst of diligently moving the flowerpots off the windowsill one by one.

Apple yelled, “Xu Tingsheng, hurry up and come help!”

Xu Tingsheng navigated the room and went to the balcony, only then discovering how torrential today’s rain actually was. So, it was amidst a huge rainstorm at Xinyan Junior High, via a public telephone that was perhaps installed in some obscure corner...that she’d dared to cry like this.

The violent winds and the torrential rain would have prevented the sounds of crying from being heard. Then, she would have traversed this rainstorm, going back and revealing a smiling face.

Li Linlin had said this, “She’s doing pretty well. I see her smiling all day long. She’s very polite and also very conscientious.”

This was just like the her of the past. Having been bullied by Uncle, she had cried, yet none of her close friends in university had been aware of this at all as they had still believed that she had met an Uncle who was full of boundless tolerance towards her, always doting on her.

“I’ve got to build up a good image of you in front of them. Like this, if we argue someday, they’ll speak up on your behalf, helping to mend our relationship and prevent us from falling apart. You don’t understand; words between close female friends sometimes really influence things a lot,” The she of back then had told him.

When Apple turned over, her entire face was wet with rain, the front of her clothes completely soaked. Her drenched hair was stuck to her forehead as her face was full of worry and panic.

Xu Tingsheng asked, “You needn’t be so hardcore? It’s just a few plants. Don’t make yourself catch a cold.”

Apple replied, “You don’t know how hard it was for me to grow so many of them. Such a resolute will to live-of course I would treasure them. Don’t just talk, hurry up and help.”

Xu TIngsheng peeked outside before shrinking back his head again. He pulled Apple away from the stormy balcony before taking off his T-shirt and rushing into the rain, moving the whole line of flowerpots over to the side of the wall one by one.

The pouring rainwater enveloped him completely, running down his face and his entire body.

“Why is it that you look so thin, yet you’re actually really rather fit? Especially with rain pouring down over you like this, it really causes one to…” Apple leaned against the doorway.

“Causes one to what?” Xu Tingsheng wiped the rainwater off his face, asking loudly.

“Really causes one to want to peek on you in the bath!” Apple yelled back.

Xu TIngsheng was rendered speechless as he just smiled wryly, “Really, hurry and go get yourself dry. I’ll be done in a moment.”

“Okay,” Apple turned and went to the washroom.

Xu Tingsheng went back to the room after having moved the flowerpots. Apple threw a towel over, which landed on his head.

“Hurry up and wipe yourself,” She said. But then she smiled and changed her mind, going forward and taking the towel herself before she began helping to wipe Xu Tingsheng down.

Through the towel, her palm stroked his head, his face, then his ears, his neck...till it reached his chest. Her actions suddenly began slowing unconsciously, losing their force.

Apple’s clothes were still wet, plastered tightly to her body as they defined her alluring curves.

The breathing of the two grew somewhat heavier.

The towel had already fallen onto the ground. Apple’s palm was pressed against Xu Tingsheng’s chest.

“What to do, Xu Tingsheng?” Apple was breathing heavily as she leaned over and whispered into Xu Tingsheng’s ear, “Do we stop? It’s really not feigned this time round. I’m really panting, uncontrollably.”

Xu Tingsheng stabilised his mind, “How about we talk about something else?”

“Right. Think of something, quick,” Apple said.

“I’m thinking, I’m thinking,” Xu Tingsheng clapped his face, “I...I feel that for those plants, they would have had to experience such torrential rain in their natural environment that they grew up in, isn’t it? Also, they might have experienced it countless times. Why is it that they would have been able to get through it originally, yet are just unable to now with better fertiliser and care?”

This seemed to conform very well with his education methods that he had used as a teacher in his previous life.

Yet Apple changed the topic somewhat, shifting the focus, “That’s just like me. I was originally that strong plant out in the wild, having lived solitarily for so many years...then I received your warmth, and became unable to stand independently and staunchly.”

“Are you regretting it? Say, if I hadn’t carried you on my back that day, would the story then be different from how it is now?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It would still be like this. You don’t know, but I do,” Apple smiled, “I’ve actually been thinking about this over this period of time. When you were burning up that day, you feverishly told me that you’d actually already died once. That time, I had a life of my own and was living very well. Was that a dream you had?”

Even now, Xu Tingsheng still felt fearful at those words that had escaped his mouth that night.

“Right, it was a dream. I was all burnt up and delirious then. It felt like it had really happened,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Yeah,” Apple said, “But I’ve been thinking about it afterwards. In your dream, did you love me? Did I love you? If I loved you, why was it that although you died, I was able to live even better?”

“In the dream, I didn’t love you, and you didn’t love me. We were merely classmates for a short one year. Then, we led lives of our own,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Apple thought for a moment, “You can know that you didn’t love me, but how could you have known that I didn’t love you? Maybe in that dream of yours, because there wasn’t a suitable opportunity, I wasn’t able to express it to you like I did in reality.”

This question stumped Xu Tingsheng.

“Did Apple like me before in my previous life?”

“She also approached me in my previous life. All that happened that night before I carried her was actually basically the same as what happened before. In this life, it became love. In my previous life, then, was it merely that she approached me with a goal in mind, without any feelings being involved in it at all?”

“Or is it really like she said, and she just lacked a suitable opportunity, ultimately never having expressed it? The sole thing that is for certain is that even if such feelings did exist then, they definitely wouldn’t run as deep as they do in this life.”

“Then, if she had expressed it back then and we had continued interacting, would I have understood her, fallen in love with her? If that had happened, how would our story have eventually gone?”

Apple raised her hand, waving it before Xu Tingsheng’s face, “Thinking deeply about it? Or has your mind drifted away? Actually, I just want to tell you that I love you. Xu Tingsheng, I love you when you feel that I love you, and love you even when you feel that I don’t love you.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Thank you. How about we pretend that we never stopped just now?”

Apple dodged, laughing, “Dream on.”

She threw Xu Tingsheng’s T-shirt back to him, continuing, “Actually, I’ve been regretting not asking you when you were all feverish that day-do you really love me, or not? Actually, I know that I’m sick. Because of that, I’m afraid that you might only have accepted me because of this.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Some things are just like this. You don’t do them because it’s necessary; you do them because you’re willing.”

“What do you mean?”

“The precondition for being willing is that I love you too.”

Apple frolicked about joyfully for a while, “Whatever happens in the future, Xu Tingsheng, I’ll remember it, remember what you just said, that you love me. I’ll remember it for my entire life.”

Young girls ultimately wouldn’t remain stern and serious for long.

The happy Apple began chattering along, “Hey, Xu Tingsheng, I’ve actually been very curious all this time. Are you a virgin?”

“Huh? Why? I mean-why’re you suddenly asking this?”

“Because your self-control is really too good, just like you’re a really experienced person.”

This was a very difficult question to answer. Even Xu Tingsheng himself was unsure of it. Still, regarding the current situation, he answered, “Yes.”

“Yes, you’re really experienced?”

“I’m, a, virgin.”

Uncle Xu Tingsheng...flustered and distressed...stumbled into the door and staggered outside.

Apple was laughing loudly behind him.

Chapter 211: Welcome to the reputability madhouse

Apple had once been greatly skilled in the area of relationships. Actually, it could be said that this still held true now.

For example, Xu Tingsheng had earlier asked, “How about we pretend that we never stopped just now?” This was a question that would have left the both of them feeling awkward had Apple responded either seriously or in jest. However, Apple had given the most appropriate response.

Then Xu Tingsheng had said, “The precondition for being willing is that I love you too.”

The ‘too’ here did not necessarily connote it being mutual. It could also imply the meaning of ‘as well’ or even ‘as an accompaniment’. Pessimistic people might even think this mere consolation.

Apple knew of Xiang Ning’s existence. Yet, she did not make a fuss about this, not even going to consider it. She just seamlessly overlooked this in her own conception and her replying of his words, removing that final ‘too’ from amongst them.

This was EQ. Apple had once been greatly outstanding in this area. Now, she was steadily in the midst of regaining it.

Most people were usually too shy to discuss the topic of love. Over lunch that day, however, Fang Chen brought up this topic on her own accord, her goal perhaps being the discussion of ‘love can surpass gender boundaries’.

However, the other three clearly wouldn’t move along in this intended direction of hers.

“I think that love can be divided into three categories. One, like sharks love blood. Two, like plants love sunlight. Three, like dogs love cats.”

After Xu Tingsheng had finished saying this, Fang Chen replied, “There’s still another type. It’s the love between Opisthobranchs.”

Apple was very puzzled upon hearing this as she asked Xu Tingsheng what Fang Chen meant.

Xu Tingsheng said, “I also can’t understand it. This is too profound; us normal people don’t need to know what it means. Let’s just ignore her.”

Actually, all Opisthobranchs were hermaphrodites, possessing the reproductive organs of both sexes.

Lu Zhixin clapped her hands after finishing the meal, “I’m full. I’ll head up to the office first.”

She clearly didn’t intend to participate in the discussion of this topic.

Apple was the most enthusiastic participant. She concentrated and thought for a while.

“I should be the ‘second’. Like plants love sunlight, warm, powerful, dazzling, the one and only… Then, I’m also the ‘first’. I’m a shark, right, Xu Tingsheng?”

After saying so, she shot Xu Tingsheng a seductive glance, baring her teeth and licking her lips.

Ever since Uncle had personally admitted that he was a virgin, Apple had begun liking to tease him this way.

Actually, for the second category, plants love sunlight, the greatest problem with it was that it could be reversed. If this really happened, the entire concept would have changed. As for the third category that she had not touched on, the love between dogs and cats, it was another kind of affection. It was more powerful and loyal as well as sensitive, fleeing at a moment’s notice...

……

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Huang Yaming. At first, he thought that it should be about him returning to Yanzhou. After all, it was not long before the new semester began. In the end, it turned out that he was inviting him to Shenghai on Shi Zhongjun’s behalf.

Huang Yaming said excitedly, “Tianyi will be holding a rather large cocktail party in a few days. Boss Shi hopes that you will be able to come.”

Xu Tingsheng was not interested in this proposition, “Me? Hasn’t the exchange of shares between Hucheng and Tianyi still yet to be publicised? Why would I attend his company’s cocktail party?”

Huang Yaming explained, “It isn’t an internal party. Many others from the industry will also be there...including Tianle’s boss, Jin Datang. What Boss Shi’s thinking is this-could you make use of this chance to settle what you asked him for help with back then? Right, how’s Apple doing?”

“Pretty good, she’s slowly recovering. Still, we haven’t mentioned this matter at all recently,” Xu Tingsheng thought about it, “Anyway, settling this matter first definitely wouldn’t be wrong. Tell Boss Shi that I’ll be there.”

Xu Tingsheng prepared to hang up the phone, but Huang Yaming called out, “Wait, wait! There’s still something I want to ask you about.”

“You?”

“In the exchange of shares with Tianyi this time round, exchanging for less with more, did you actually make a big loss?”

“Why do you say that?”

“I coincidentally heard Boss Shi chatting with some friends over wine. He said that this piece of business was the greatest deal he struck this year.”

Xu Tingsheng suppressed his tone, “He did earn big. Still, we didn’t make a loss. At the very least, we managed to expand into another domain, extending a hand into it. You’d best learn well from him and get properly familiarised with things. I predict that there should be a golden age in entertainment in the near future. At the time, I hope that you’d have matured sufficiently.”

Huang Yaming just chortled, “Tingsheng, aren’t you just speaking like some wise, experienced person in order to try to hide things?”

Xu Tingsheng rebutted, “What do I have to hide?”

“You actually made a big loss. Also, you’re very clear on this yourself. Still, it’s for Apple, and so you’re willing, right? You’re really willing to sacrifice quite a bit for her.”

“...It was also for you.”

“You’re giving me goosebumps! I haven’t any breasts.”

Xu Tingsheng yelled at him to scram before continuing, “Take it like it’s for our dreams then. For your dreams of authority. Possessing authority in a particular profession is actually sometimes freer and more satisfying than possessing authority in officialdom. And for Apple’s dreams as well, if they still exist.”

“Helping me to actualise my dream of fame and power, it’s really been hard on you.”

“Isn’t it okay? At the very least, we can have a bit more motivation in doing things now. We can also account for things better to ourselves this way.”

“That makes sense. Actually, I’ve helped to prepare things for Apple as well.”

“Prepare what?”

“I’ll tell you after you’ve arrived.”

“That’s...fine, I guess.”

“I’ll be waiting then. Hurry up! Right, if it’s convenient, bring Tan Yao along as well. He’s been badgering me recently about wanting to have a taste of things here. In the meantime, he wants to try to pick up some hot movie stars as well, seeing if the bodily structures of actresses are the same as that of normal women.”

“I’ve discovered that he actually has the greatest aspirations amongst us, and an entrepreneurial spirit as well. He treats women as his profession.”

“That’s true.”

Afterwards, Shi Zhongjun still did call Xu Tingsheng personally, bringing up the matter of the cocktail party. Xu Tingsheng agreed to it very straightforwardly.

Knowing that Xu Tingsheng was going to go to Shenghai, Apple very meticulously helped him to pack his luggage, neatly placing it by a side of the sofa. Every time Xu Tingsheng went out on a work trip, she would always do this. Once in a while, she would go together with him. While Xu Tingsheng handled his business-related matters, she would simply be a tourist.

However, she didn’t ask Xu Tingsheng if he could bring her along this time.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t bring it up as well. It clearly wouldn’t be appropriate to bring Apple along to Tianyi’s cocktail party. He was afraid that it might be too much of a blow to her.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t even want to tell her now that he was preparing to help her to terminate her contract with Tianyi. He wanted to wait for her to make her own decision first, wait for her to naturally consider whether she still wanted to continue with it, and with what mentality.

She had once taken it as a path through which she might be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Xu Tingsheng one day, never having considered if she truly liked it.

Xu Tingsheng was waiting for her to think about it, also preparing a completely different mindset for her beforehand, one of independence and ease.

If she gave up, Xu Tingsheng could take it like he hadn’t done anything at all before, even if he had actually paid a big price for it. If she decided to go for it, though, Xu Tingsheng would open that door, pointing out the bright, radiant path that lay ahead of her.

……

Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao drove Fang Yuqing’s decrepit Volkswagen, arriving via the highway.

Huang Yaming stuck his head out from the front passenger seat of a Bentley, waving, “Welcome to the reputability madhouse.”

Xu Tingsheng scolded, laughing, “It’s not like your bro’s never been to Shenghai before.”

“It isn’t the same. Even if you’re here in Shenghai, you won’t always get to enter. Actually, most people who’ve lived here their entire lives haven’t even entered it before. So, again, welcome to the reputability madhouse.”

Chapter 212: Ordering a suit

The Bentley dropped Huang Yaming down at the road that led into the city before zooming off into the distance.

Xu Tingsheng was rather surprised by this. He stopped the car by the roadside and waited.

As Huang Yaming came over and found the car door locked, he could only knock on a window, “Open up! I’m coming in.”

Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao simultaneously turned to look at him, revealing ‘worshipful’ faces, “What? Boss Huang? A major figure of the reputability parade like you would actually sit in a vehicle as decrepit as ours? Where’s your Bentley?”

“That car...was borrowed in order to show off, and also to give you a impact. The guy has to use it for himself now; that’s why he’s leaving first. Laugh all you want, just open the car door first.”

After getting on, Huang Yaming began persuading Xu Tingsheng to buy a good car. In truth, be it in terms of economics or practicality, it was indeed high time Xu Tingsheng bought a car now.

The problem was that Xu Tingsheng really didn’t want to buy one, especially not some branded car. He still yearned always to live out a peaceful university life again as just the typical student. A luxurious car would make him a minority amongst university students of this era, even though he had actually already long since become the minority of the minority, in actual fact.

Xu Tingsheng was just personally unwilling to accept such a state of affairs, irrational though it might seem.

He still wished that after Hucheng had developed sufficiently with Mr Xu having planned for their expansion into other areas, he would be able to separate career and life more cleanly, returning more thoroughly to a university lifestyle.

For example, the reason for skipping lessons should best be having played games overnight or overslept, or even just because this particular professor didn’t take attendance, and it could be escaped from. This was as opposed to having to miss out because of work and business trips.

For example, dates should best come in sports fields, libraries, a little grove or squeezed into a tiny stall at the night market, rather than driving leisurely around and then eating Western food…

Xu Tingsheng explained his reasons to Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming said forthrightly, “That’s easy! You buy it, and I’ll drive it. I’m different from you. I can’t wait to to get rid of all those things that you want, and live all that you’re terrified of living.”

“How did I become bros with you?!” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed emotionally.

This was indeed how Huang Yaming was. While they were different in just so many ways, they were still just the best of bros somehow.

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’ll think about it later then.”

Huang Yaming said, “Fine, I’ll remember that. I’ll bug you to death if you don’t buy one. Left turn ahead...another left. Turn right two streets down from here, and then 500m on before stopping.”

Xu Tingsheng rounded two bends as instructed, stopping before a building with Western-style architecture whereupon he looked up at it, “This...where’s this? It isn’t a hotel, nor is it Tianyi.”

Huang Yaming explained excitedly, “There’s a store run by an Italian tailor upstairs, high quality and personally tailor-made by hand. The old man comes here for just three months every year; there’s not many who know about him. I only know this from having come here with a Tianyi VP just a few days back.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “Cool. But what’s this got to do with me?”

Huang Yaming yelled, “Get a suit! Get a suit for yourself, and one each for the of us as well! Don’t tell me that you intend for the three of us to go for a cocktail party in such casual attire?”

“Is it expensive?” Xu Tingsheng considered it as he asked.

“Relax, we’ll choose the cheaper ones,” Huang Yaming said.

“It’ll only cost like twenty to thirty thousand each,” Huang Yaming added.

Xu Tingsheng revved the engine, stepping on the accelerator.

Huang Yaming threw himself on the back of Xu Tingsheng’s seat, begging mournfully, “Bro, I beg you! These two months in Shenghai, I’ve been stopped by people for wearing just some crappy T-shirt so many times. In venues that’re just a little high-class, I dare not even take a single step away from the Tianyi guys. I was taken for a parking valet, even the garbage guy…”

He finished pleading. Xu Tingsheng stepped on the brakes and made a straight U-turn.

It was he who had asked Huang Yaming to go to Tianyi. Yet, he had not made considerations for him at all in this area. Meanwhile, Huang Yaming would definitely not have asked those of Tianyi for help, lest he end up embarrassing Xu Tingsheng.

Therefore, it could only be imagined how much scorn and disdain he might had suffered. Yet, he had cheerily kept this from Xu Tingsheng, instead continuing to do as asked as he had looked for all possible opportunities to participate in and interact with this social circle, these people.

“Let’s get more expensive ones today,” Xu Tingsheng told Huang Yaming as they went upstairs.

“It actually doesn’t have to be too expensive. There won’t be too many chances to wear it next time,” Huang Yaming said.

“You’ll surely have many chances,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I should still get something on the cheaper side.”

“Don’t stand on ceremony with m…”

“A seventy, eighty thousand one should be good enough.”

“...”

…...

The old Italian tailor that Huang Yaming spoke of was an old man with short, silvery hair and round antique spectacles who looked around seventy. A composed, unharried aura naturally emanated from him amidst his movements.

Such an atmosphere might come not from wealth but from his self-confidence and focus in his profession, his heart being free of scattered thoughts.

The trio stood there for a while. The old man was focusedly sewing on a button, not showing the least bit of enthusiasm in welcoming his esteemed customers.

Aside from the old man, there were another three middle-aged Italian men who were just as absorbed in their work as well as a beautiful woman, a fellow Chinese, who looked around thirty. There was only her who nodded slightly towards the trio in acknowledgment, smiling at them.

With just this, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao both secretly elbowed Xu Tingsheng from the side.

This was a very beautiful mature woman.

Xu Tingsheng had encountered a mature-type seductive creature not long before this, Yu Xinlan of Dexin Training Institute. That was a ‘provoking one to commit crimes’ type of woman, the type that could easily cause men to lose their rationality, only their bestiality remaining. Also, she had been very proficient in making use of those assets of hers, also not having much reservations in doing so.

This woman before them was different.

With a similarly hot figure, she was much more beautiful than Yu Xinlan, also possessing better, smoother skin as well as more intricate, attractive features.

Of course, all of this was of secondary importance. The most enchanting part of her was the bearing she possessed. This surpassed the feeling of a young woman of Republican China, additionally possessing an elegant, comfortable air.

Yu Xinlan caused one to want to commit a crime. As opposed to that, this woman before them would cause one to want to commit a crime, then feel like slapping themselves, like that would be a form of defilement, before...continuing to want to commit a crime.

Finally, the old tailor finished sewing the button. He looked up at the three youths before him, next spewing out a whole bunch of Italian words.

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao all just looked at one another uncomprehendingly.

“There was someone who could speak English last time,” Huang Yaming explained.

“Sorry, but when Mister Angelo is is sewing or cutting, he demands absolute silence. Just now, Mister Angelo was saying that he is very happy to meet you young men.”

The woman walked over, helping to translate. Her voice and her intonations were such that the two youngsters, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao, immediately lost it as they plopped straight down.

The 31-year-old Uncle barely managed to hold on.

“He was going at it for so long, and it was just that one sentence?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah,” The woman nodded, smiling a little as her clean white neat rows of teeth were revealed.

The old man, Mister Angelo, continued jabbering away. While he was unable to understand a single word he said, Xu Tingsheng still listened to him very intently, gazing towards him. After the old man had finished jabbering away, he turned to look at the woman.

She translated, “Mister Angelo says that in his hometown, the growth of a boy to a man begins with his first suit. Men must know to be fastidious with themselves. That is the greatest show of respect by a gentleman to the ladies. So, he is very happy to see you three young men.”

The old man continued jabbering away. Xu Tingsheng looked over, then looked back.

The woman had already gotten accustomed to the rhythm of translating as she said, “Think of even after you have accomplished your fame one day. Your first suit is still carefully preserved by you, and you are still wearing it. Mister Angelo’s meaning is that he doesn’t like those people who let their figures run amok.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded to show that he understood.

“Then, as you wear it again, there will be a beautiful lady beside you. She will put on your tie and button your coat for you with familiarity and ease before kissing your face. In life, we call this success.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled in acknowledgment, “Thank you, thank you for your translation. Please also help me to tell Mister Angelo that this is the best definition of success I have ever heard.”

Chapter 213: Thirty yet inexperienced

The old man had talked about the spirit of life. Xu Tingsheng directed his gaze upwards. On a large wooden board was printed in both Italian and Chinese: An Artisan’s Spirit.

It was unknown if this was the shop’s name or Mister Angelo’s personal motto.

The woman turned and conveyed Xu Tingsheng’s words to Mister Angelo.

The old man smiled and nodded towards Xu Tingsheng, extending a hand in a ‘please’ gesture.

“Mister Angelo’s meaning is that if the three of you feel that there is no problem, I will now begin introducing to you the material, style and prices of the suits and also collect your physical data.”

The woman finished speaking.

Xu Tingsheng heard two gulps from behind him, the sound of people swallowing their saliva.

The so-called collection of physical data should be doing the measurements. The three of them imagined it. Waistline, chestline and shoulder width, huh? There would be the feeling of hugging this way, the feeling of a hug from behind.

Then the length of their legs and the hipline...that would also have to be measured, right? This...wah…

Now, even Xu Tingsheng was feeling a little worried that he might not be able to bear it.

The trio was wholly ignorant regarding the style and material of suits, including the matching of the shirt, belt, tie and leather shoes. They also didn’t intend to stubbornly feign experience here.

Therefore, the three of them just extremely straightforwardly accepted all the proposals made to them by the woman.

In truth, from how Huang Yaming and Tan Yao appeared nervous and eager to please, even if the woman were to propose that they wore four-inch high-heeled shoes, they would definitely also accept this without the slightest hesitation.

They quickly finished the selection within a mere twenty minutes. The total price of the three complete suits was nearly 180000 yuan. This was even with the woman having meticulously planned it out for them as much as possible.

Hearing the reported price, Xu Tingsheng rubbed his head.

This seemed to be the first time ever since his rebirth that he was spending so ‘extravagantly’ on himself. From the looks of it, learning how to spend money was not that much easier than learning how to earn money, especially for a former destitute person like Xu Tingsheng whose heart would really ache beyond compare at this.

When the time came to take their measurements, Xu Tingsheng was forced to go first. Huang Yaming and Tan Yao both secretly expressed that they needed a bit of a breather, trying their best to suppress the reactions in a certain part of their body.

Yet, after Xu Tingsheng was done taking measurements and their turn came, those reactions still unavoidably appeared.

“This is the greatest respect towards a beautiful woman by a man. It indicates recognition of her charm. Get it?”

Tan Yao was the last one to take the measurements. During this time, Huang Yaming scooted over to Xu Tingsheng’s side and defended himself in a low tone.

At the same time, he also told Xu Tingsheng reproachfully, “It’s just you who doesn’t know how to show her any respect at all.”

Xu Tingsheng ignored him, carefully observing the woman’s expression.

She should have discovered it. At first glance, she appeared very calm. Still, carefully observing a little longer, disgust and helplessness could be seen within her eyes. She felt mortified, but forcibly tolerated it, unceasingly adjusting her facial muscles so as to keep the emotions from showing on her face.

“A very interesting woman,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

A problem cropped in the final stage of the suit-ordering process that had been completely successful otherwise.

When the woman conveyed the old man’s words that the earliest they could collect the suits would be two months later, Xu Tingsheng stifled a smile as he glanced at Huang Yaming who appeared incomparably despondent.

The cocktail party would be four days later.

“Are you in a rush?” The woman seemed to tell something from their expressions as she asked on her own accord.

From the looks of it, she seemed to be hesitating about something, having something to say yet still ultimately not voicing it out.

“Right, we’ll be needing it four days later, so…” Xu Tingsheng said apologetically, “Can I trouble you to explain things to Mister Angelo and see if the process can be sped up? We can consider adding on some money as appropriate.”

The woman nodded before turning and conversing with the old man for a bit.

“I’m really very sorry. Mister Angelo expresses an inability to complete it within that timeframe and hopes that you can understand this.”

The woman conveyed the old man’s words, next helping to explain, “They’re generally unwilling to hurriedly manufacture a product, because so long as a flaw or deficiency appears, the first to be unable to accept this would be they themselves. Elite Italian artisans are extremely adamant in this area. Also, with Mister Angelo’s age…”

“I understand. It should be us who’re sorry. Coming over to order suits for the first time, we didn’t understand the specific procedures, thus having taken up your time. Please understand this, and help me to express my apologies to Mister Angelo as well,” Xu Tingsheng apologised.

“It’s fine,” The woman answered.

“Well, we’ll be taking our leave then.”

Xu Tingsheng led along Huang Yaming, his face full of pain and regret, as well as Tan Yao as he bowed deeply in apology to the old man before leaving the workshop.

When taking the lift down, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao were still glancing back very reluctantly at frequent intervals. It was unknown whether the two of them were feeling regretful at the very first tailor-made suit of their lives or if they still wanted to look at that woman.

“That woman’s really too flavourful,” Huang Yaming was feeling emotional throughout.

“What about the suits?” Tan Yao asked.

“We’ll just have to make do with some mass-produced ones for now,” Xu Tingsheng said.

As they conversed, the trio arrived on the pavement downstairs. The sound of high-heeled shoes clattering on the ground resounded from behind them. Huang Yaming dragged Xu Tingsheng to a halt. He had some sort of premonition, or perhaps it was just anticipation.

Soon after.

“Three...sirs, please wait a moment?”

The woman’s voice resounded amidst the noises of the cars speeding along the road. While it wasn’t loud, it could be distinctly heard. This is because every time you are anticipating, waiting for a voice, that voice is just always able to penetrate through the noisiest environment, seeking out your ears.

Xu Tingsheng turned, feeling rather puzzled.

Huang Yaming enthusiastically snatched a reply, “Hi, you’re...talking to us?”

The woman’s expression changed unceasingly, seeming like she was in a bit of a dilemma as she was still clenching her teeth after a while, “It’s like this. I’d like to ask-could you hand those three suits you ordered over to me to make? I’d be able to complete them on time. Please trust me; I studied in Italy before for six years. One of my teachers was a very good friend of Mister Angelo’s and also extremely skilled in the tailoring of suits.”

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao both began nodding in a wholly unprincipled manner from the side.

Xu Tingsheng remained silent, waiting.

“A hundred and fifty thousand. No, a hundred and forty, I’d do it for a hundred and forty,” As Xu Tingsheng appeared unmoved, the woman lowered the price on her own initiative before then continuing, “Also, I have the materials. Coming here today, I had intended to sell some fabric that I brought back from Italy to Mister Angelo. It’s, it’s the types that I recommended to you earlier...still, I wasn’t lying to you. These are indeed suited to you.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, smiling, “I trust you. Still, I have a question. Four days, three whole suits. Those four from Mister Angelo’s wouldn’t have been able to complete them in time. What makes you think that you can?”

“I can just not sleep. Then, my mother was once very famous in Shenghai City. With her skills, she can help me to cut the cloth and sew on the buttons. Also, there’s a senior expert from my family who can help out as well,” The woman seemed to see hope as she frantically explained.

“Alright then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Originally having appeared very hard to persuade, Xu Tingsheng had suddenly acceded to her request so straightforwardly. The woman was unable to immediately come to terms with this as she looked blankly at him.

This woman seemed to naturally possess a ‘delicate, pitiful look’. Just this blank look alone caused the hearts of these three guys who were more than ten years younger than her to twinge involuntarily.

“Thank you,” She lowered her head after a while.

“You’re welcome. You may not be too used to it, but it’s actually just business,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m Xu Tingsheng. Remember my handphone number, and call me when you’re done.”

“Alright. My, my name is...Li Wan. My number is…” The woman took down Xu Tingsheng’s handphone number before reporting her own name and number, finally saying, “I’ll call you when I’m done then. Thank you.”

Then, she was like a panicked hare wanting to flee as she hurriedly turned, preparing to leave.

“Thirty yet inexperienced.”

This was Xu Tingsheng’s current evaluation of Li Wan.

Chapter 214: Forsake the depraved path for that which is just

Seeing Li Wan about to leave just like this, Xu Tingsheng felt rather helpless as he didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry, “You’re leaving just like this?”

“Huh? I...what?” Li Wan turned, asking rather perturbedly.

She seemed to realise something immediately afterwards as she said earnestly, “I can get your physical data from Mister Angelo.”

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, “I’m not talking about that. What I mean is-don’t you require us to pay a deposit or something first? Haven’t you wondered what you would do if you finished all of the work, but we didn’t want it anymore?”

Li Wan came to an abrupt realisation, “Right, the deposit!”

Then, she asked, “Then...how much should the deposit be?”

If she had been eighteen or nineteen, having yet to properly integrate into society, there would have been nothing strange about that. Yet, she was thirty years old, having once studied in Italy for six years. She was fluent in Italian and was also considerably skilled in matters related to her profession.

Having left that tailor workshop now, she appeared nervous, childish and at a loss, possessing no societal experience at all whatsoever.

“She’s never discussed a business deal before, perhaps never even thought that she would ever need to do such a thing one day. Now, however, she has no choice but to force herself to do it. She needs this sum of money desperately, even more desperately than hunger pangs, because this type of person usually wouldn’t speak up even if they were hungry. The story of a girl from a rich family that has fallen into decline. It is merely that.”

Already having determined this, Xu Tingsheng was too lazy to even spare her a look as he took out twenty thousand yuan in cash from his bag and handed it directly to her, “A twenty thousand deposit, is that enough?”

“It’s enough.”

Li Wan hesitated for a moment before hanging her handbag on her arm and receiving the money with both hands.

She was even so particular about this.

Xu Tingsheng discovered a pain of smooth, clear hands that originally shouldn’t be appearing on the body of a thirty-year-old woman, shouldn’t even be used to receive money from someone. Currently, though, she was grasping that twenty thousand yuan tightly in her hands.

There were far too many people in this world who forced themselves to do things that they had once been unwilling to do. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng did not have all that much sympathy and compassion for her. It was even more improbable that he had done this because of her beauty.

He asked as cordially as possible, “Then, can you give us a form of identification or guarantee? We’re...also afraid that you might just take the money and run. I hope you can understand this.”

“I, I…” Li Wan hesitated for a while before finally pulling her identity card out of her bag, gazing at Xu Tingsheng with those wide eyes of hers as she asked, “Can I use my identity card? Is it okay if I just leave my identity card with you?”

So there actually did exist thirty-year-old women who were so easy to swindle.

Xu Tingsheng’s mind was thrown into disarray once more as he stiffened for a moment before eventually still extending a hand and accepting her identity card, nodding to her, “That’s fine.”

“Then, that’s all?” Li Wan asked.

“That’s all,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Thank you...sir.”

The word ‘sir’ seemed to be uttered by her with quite some difficulty.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment. He pointed at the clothes that the three of them were wearing that cost just around a hundred yuan each, next pointing to the decrepit Volkswagen that was parked by the roadside, “We’re not anyone important. Our boss is paying for us to get some decent clothes, thus helping to maintain his image before others.”

As soon as Xu Tingsheng had said this, Li Wan’s nervousness clearly eased greatly.

“Sorry. Rest assured, I won’t cheat you of your money. I’ll give you a call as soon as I’m done,” She said earnestly.

“Alright. I’ll be waiting then.”

……

There was actually someone in this world who dared to leave her identity card with someone else as a guarantee just so easily.

After Li Wan had left, Xu Tingsheng took a look at her identity card that she had left behind: 31 years old, resident of Shenghai City. Name: Li Wan’er.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao scooted over for a look.

Huang Yaming said, “Li, Wan, Er. Why did she call herself Li Wan?”

Tan Yao said, “It’s probably because she feels that already being 31, it’s kind of inappropriate to still carry that ‘er’ around.

Huang Yaming rebutted, “Feng Xiaogang still calls himself ‘Xiaogang’ despite his age. Do you find that weird?”

Xu Tingsheng said emotionally, “For women, if they’re doted on by someone, they will still call themselves along with that ‘er’ totally naturally even if they’re forty or fifty. No longer being doted on, that ‘er’ will just feel wrong no matter how one thinks about it, because no one spoils her like a child anymore. Especially in front of us, she would be even more unwilling to call herself that.”

Huang Yaming struggled to get his mind around it for a while before asking, “What do you mean?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “A daughter of a rich family, having lived a comfortable life up to thirty-one years of age with her family now having fallen into decline.”

“...How do you know?”

“If you cycle through all your memories from earlier, you’ll be able to get it. It’s actually not hard.”

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao thought about it a little before the latter then slapped his thigh, “The heck! Isn’t this equivalent to a little fluffy sheep transported to the wide plains of Africa?”

Huang Yaming’s face was full of saliva, “Chance! Tingsheng, hurry up and give me her number.”

Xu Tingsheng double-slapped him, scolding laughingly, “Don’t you go thinking that! She doesn’t seem to have such intentions, not intending to benefit from that body of hers. In that case, you’d only be going to hurt her if you set your designs on her.”

“The problem is that wolves don’t care about the opinions of sheep. Can she protect herself?” Huang Yaming asked.

“That would be her own problem then,” Xu Tingsheng said in a cold, indifferent tone.

Huang Yaming had just been about to send a few disparaging remarks Xu Tingsheng’s way when Tan Yao interrupted, “What if she sees the light?”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it, “Sees the light? In that case, she wouldn’t be the kind of woman that we could aspire to. Such a woman-wouldn’t she have free choice of whover she wanted? If she really went all out, the target would be on the level of Shi Zhongjun at the very least. You guys? Don't even think about it.”

“Bro Xu, what about you? Wouldn't you be qualified?” Tan Yao asked him.

“I wouldn't be qualified as well,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“What about in the future, when...you're qualified enough?”

“I guess I should be qualified enough in the future?” Xu Tingsheng considered it for a moment before smiling wryly, “Many beautiful women exist beneath these heavens, and many good women as well. Yet in this life, I dare not accrue any more debts to women.”

“I understand, there's already too many. Someone who treats you well comes along, and you feel like you owe her. Your heart twinges, and you can't steel yourself and act ruthlessly towards anyone at all, right? This is your flaw,” Huang Yaming put an arm around Xu Tingsheng's shoulder, taunting him.

“Scram! Didn't that thing with Yao Jing have a happy ending? Didn't Mr Zhou say back then that she already almost has a boyfriend?” Xu Tingsheng refuted.

Huang Yaming chortled, ignoring this as he simply continued, “If it is me, when the day comes, I definitely won't have feelings for anyone...I'll just have their bodies. I'll take every single one who comes, love whoever I've just been together with. Whoever’s treating me well is plain unlucky, whoever's serious towards me deserves what they get.”

Then, he pointed first at himself and then at Xu Tingsheng, asking Tan Yao, “Say, Tan Yao, the attitudes of us two towards women-exactly who’s the greater scumbag, really?”

Tan Yao chuckled, pointing at Xu Tingsheng, “For the two of us, we’d merely be getting in the girl's way for a night at most. Bro Xu? Just a little careless, and their entire lives will be done in by him.”

“So, are you tired? Want to forsake the depraved path for that which is just?” Huang Yaming asked Xu Tingsheng.

Chapter 215: Papaya soup

On the way to dinner, Xu Tingsheng finally remembered Huang Yaming previously mentioning having made some preparations for Apple.

He asked him about it.

Huang Yaming said rather triumphantly, “Just some time ago, plans were made for two of Tianyi’s female singers as well as some who are preparing for entering showbiz to temper themselves elsewhere. The PR department secured a short-term overseas programme at America’s Mannes School of Music. It seems like it’ll last for half a year.”

“Then, I shamelessly obtained a spot for Apple as well.”

Xu Tingsheng considered what this might entail, yet was unable to think of anything as he could only say, “Actually, Apple might not be willing to go for sure.”

“I know,” Huang Yaming said nonchalantly, “Still, I saved her a slot first. I already mailed the required application forms over to you yesterday. Anyway, it’ll ultimately still be up to Apple herself to decide whether she wants to go.”

Xu Tingsheng abruptly slammed the brakes, “You mailed it over?”

“Yeah! What’s wrong?” Xu Tingsheng’s sudden emotional outburst took Huang Yaming by surprise.

“Who was the letter’s recipient?”

“Apple, of course.”

Xu Tingsheng began panicking as he thought, “If Apple receives the letter and sees forms for studying overseas in America inside, what will she think? Will she think that it’s me who wants her to leave? If so, she…”

It was already too late to rebuke Huang Yaming now. Xu Tingsheng wondered who he could call to help intercept the letter. For something regarding Apple, it definitely wouldn’t do to look for Lu Zhixin. Meanwhile, Fang Chen too wasn’t a choice, while Old Wai was out on a business trip.

Only Li Linlin was left.

Xu Tingsheng stopped the car by the roadside, getting off and giving Li Linlin a call.

The call connected. The sound of oil and salt in a pot resounded from the other end.

“You’re cooking?” Xu Tingsheng asked quizzically.

“Right, I’m at Xiang Ning’s house. I’m tutoring her today, and Uncle and Auntie aren’t here. So, I’m cooking a simple meal for her,” Li Linlin said even as the clanking sound of pots and pans could be heard.

“It’s been tough on you. Right, she likes eating noodles.”

Since Li Linlin was at Xiang Ning’s house right now, Xu Tingsheng set aside the matter of the letter for the moment. Also, as this topic concerned Xiang Ning, he was happy to participate in it.

“I know, I’ve cooked noodles for her before too,” Li Linlin said, “Still, for the second time in a row now, she says that she doesn’t feel like eating noodles. Instead, she even asked me to cook…”

Li Linlin suddenly stopped talking at this point.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly asked, “Cook what?”

“I can’t really say it to you, Bro Xu,” Li Linlin said with a hint of amusement in her tone as she hastily evaded his question.

“What can’t be said about food?” Xu Tingsheng asked uncomprehendingly.

“...” Li Linlin hesitated for a moment before speedily saying, “Papaya soup.”

“Papaya soup?” Xu Tingsheng was taken aback for a moment before he swiftly and decisively instructed Li Linlin on intercepting the letter, next hanging up without even a moment’s delay.

“How much psychological damage have I inflicted on the girl? Such that she’s even mustered the courage to ask to drink papaya soup on her own accord,” Xu Tingsheng’s heart was filled with guilt as he thought so.

“There’s really nothing much at all to be seen there.”

“Mulan has no elder brother…breasts grown.”

“...”

These were all things Xu Tingsheng had said.

He was literally a beast.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know whether he should laugh or cry, also feeling that bit of inappropriate sweetness.

Back on the car, he asked Huang Yaming and Tan Yao, “By the way, is it true that drinking papaya soup can help to nourish breasts?”

The two shook their heads before frenziedly calling various girls they were acquainted with.

Huang Yaming was the first to stop as he looked pitifully at Xu Tingsheng, saying mournfully with a wronged look on his face, “I was unlucky. I accidentally asked just the ones with small breasts. They all thought that I was mocking them and scolded me like crazy. ”

Then, Tan Yao looked at Xu Tingsheng very earnestly, saying solemnly, “Mine mostly didn’t need it at all themselves. Still, there were two remaining ones who...say it proved effective.”

“That’s good then,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“What? Those of yours don’t have it big enough? Also, drinking it at their current age, isn’t it kind of too late for that?” Huang Yaming asked.

“Scram!” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed.

…...

Xu Tingsheng ate a hasty dinner that day before going to the hotel to rest. He called Apple before he went to bed. She didn’t mention the matter of the letter, and he didn’t detect any abnormalities in her mood as well.

Perhaps the letter had still yet to arrive. Xu Tingsheng naturally wouldn’t bring this issue up himself.

Xu Tingsheng told Apple that he had ordered a suit. Therefore, Apple said that she would begin practising putting on ties the next day.

After coaxing Apple to bed, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Lu Zhixin. She had called him in order to urge him to pay a little more attention to Dexin’s situation while he was in Shenghai so as to get the acquisition completed as soon as possible.

Before falling asleep, he exchanged goodnight texts with Wu Yuewei.

After doing all this, Xu Tingsheng put his phone with the Yanzhou number on the table and his phone with the Libei number by the bedside, charging both of them at once. He could finally lie down in peace for a while.

Then, he suddenly thought about what Tan Yao had said, ‘Just a little careless, and their entire lives will be done in by him.’ Huang Yaming had asked, ‘So, are you tired? Want to forsake the depraved path for that which is just?’

Xu Tingsheng wanted to ask, “How should I forsake that path and change for the better?”

Huang Yaming came knocking on Xu Tingsheng’s door early the next morning, dragging him along to go car viewing.

It was time for him to buy a car.

Huang Yaming’s advice actually made quite some sense, really. For example, however much Xu Tingsheng didn’t want to drive a good car usually, if he needed to discuss the acquisition of a training institute or convince someone in job-hopping, there was actually a great difference between riding public transportation over and driving over in a branded car.

This was just how society worked.

After looking around for two hours, Xu Tingsheng chose to drink tea and sit patiently, leaving the matter of getting a good car to Huang Yaming and Tan Yao who were still filled with enthusiasm.

In the end, the two chose a 2004 edition Mercedes-Benz G500 SUV completely by their own desires and clearly not to make it convenient for Xu Tingsheng’s business deals as they had claimed.

Xu Tingsheng felt extreme heartache as over a million yuan flew away just like that in return for service that could still be considered enthusiastic as well as attentive and considerate. The 4d store did have said car available there, and they promised to take care of all the relevant procedures in three days.

They ate lunch together with Shi Zhongjun that day. He brought some of Tianyi’s higher echelons along in welcoming Xu Tingsheng's arrival there.

During the meal, Shi Zhongjun brought up the matter of Apple terminating her contract with Tianle, explaining that he had previously gotten another company to help check their stance. Jin Datang’s intentions were very clear: Either give five million yuan in compensation and leave with her, or just forget about it.

“How about it? Five million? It shouldn't be that great a sum to Brother Xu,” Shi Zhongjun asked Xu Tingsheng smilingly.

“I wouldn't be able to bear it; I nearly even cried over the car I bought today,” Xu Tingsheng joked.

Both sides understood that these one-liners were merely the prelude to things.

After drinking a few glasses of wine, Shi Zhongjun brought up the matter again, his expression more earnest than before, “I'll call and talk to him. Perhaps if I invite Jin Datang to tea, two million would then be sufficient.”

Hearing his words, Xu Tingsheng said, “I hear that Boss Shi’s alcohol capacity isn't all that good. Mine isn't that great as well. Still, if you still really aren't willing to disclose the entirety of things to this little bro, Bro Shi, I can only first go all out to try to get you drunk.”

Actually, everyone knew that Shi Zhongjun possessed a great alcohol capacity.

Therefore, what Xu Tingsheng really meant was, “Bro, you want to force me to the brink? I’ll die first for you to see then.”

From the standpoint of Xu Tingsheng’s age, he could definitely have said this out loud word for word. However, with his current identity, it really wouldn’t be appropriate.

Therefore, he chose a middle path.

Shi Zhongjun laughed, “You really won’t pay even a single cent?”

“I won’t. I’m not happy. I’m not happy at all with Tianle and Jin Datang.”

While Xu Tingsheng was smiling as he said this and his words weren’t vicious, merely being to the extent of ‘not being happy’, it just caused people to feel that he was incomparably serious.

Up to this point in the meal, even those of Tianyi’s higher echelons whom Xu Tingsheng hadn’t met before had already gotten used to his rather bashful smile. The feeling given off by this youth who might just be the greatest dark horse of the business industry nationwide in the year 2004...was that he was actually a little diffident.

However, his current smile was different, emanating a chilly and determined feeling.

“Apple’s currently living at Tingsheng’s place,” Huang Yaming interjected.

As soon as this had been said, everyone of Tianyi present had to take notice of it.

Shi Zhongjun knew that this matter definitely had to be taken care of.

Apple’s relationship with Xu Tingsheng was already clear enough. Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng held great weight in his eyes, greater than most people would imagine. For example, he had actually rejected refused an invitation from a French filmmaking corporation to come for this meal, having brought along quite a few of Tianyi’s higher echelons as well.

Moreover, with Hucheng and Tianyi currently holding each other’s shares, Xu Tingsheng actually could be considered a member of Tianyi’s higher echelons as well, an extremely important business partner of Shi Zhongjun’s.

Every step of Hucheng’s frenzied expansion, including the sudden change in the platform’s operations, left Shi Zhongjun feeling even more joyful about the decision that he had made during that previous trip to Yanzhou, also causing him to care more about the relationship between him and Xu Tingsheng.

Therefore, this matter definitely had to be taken care of, and in a satisfying way as well, such that the ‘unhappy’ Xu Tingsheng would have his negative feelings alleviated.

Now, a ‘Papaya Stewed Bird’s Nest’ was served.

The waiter introduced the name of the dish.

Just having been ‘showing his mood’, seeing everyone beginning to move their chopsticks, Xu Tingsheng’s expression flickered several different shades before he finally ventured hesitantly, “Bro Shi, this…can be eaten by men as well?”

Everyone laughed, the atmosphere at the table easing up once more.

Bystanders might think that Xu Tingsheng was actually well versed in controlling the mood and grasping the situation precisely, but in actual fact, he truly didn’t know anything about that at all.

Chapter 216: Zhang Xingke couldn’t take it

On his third day in Shenghai, Xu Tingsheng invited Zhang Xingke out for a meal.

Zhang Xingke blindly ordered an entire table of dishes, getting whatever was expensive.

“Don’t feel pained over this,” Zhang Xingke said.

“I won’t. Luckily, I didn’t choose some high-class place,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“This is all small change to you. You should be preparing the big monies now.”

“That quickly?”

“Within half a month, I guess.”

“Alright. The approximate figure is?”

“Around 12 million. Is that acceptable for you?”

“It’s fine.”

12 million was a sum that was around 6 million lower than would have been required for the acquisition under normal circumstances. Even then, there was still the necessary precondition of Dexin being willing to sell. If there was some competition for it, that would be a whole different story altogether. The price might possibly even double if that was the case.

Therefore, the matter that Zhang Xingke was handling actually wasn’t simple at all. It wasn’t as simple as making a training institute that was set to collapse fall apart more quickly. He still had to wrack his brains and exert various hoodwinking means in order to steer Dexin’s final destiny.

How to get it to collapse, what way to make it collapse in and when Xu Tingsheng should swoop in were all things that had to be factored in by him.

Of course, the sum of 12 million still wasn’t small change at all to Xu Tingsheng. He might have to borrow a bit from Mr Xu for this. He even regretted a little having bought a car too hastily now.

Still, Dexin was in Shenghai. After having bought it, even if Xu Tingsheng didn’t do anything at all, everything else aside, he would already have a stable inflow of cash just from the property market alone.

After having finished conversing on this, two began focusing on the meal.

They didn’t eat in a civilised manner at all for this meal.

Zhang Xingke was eating with the mindset of taking advantage of Xu Tingsheng paying for the meal whilst also trying to bring something up.

Xu Tingsheng was concentrating on the meal to feign not hearing Zhang Xingke’s upcoming words and keep from making eye contact, preventing him from being able to broach the issue.

Zhang Xingke had something he wanted to say, something that he was feeling troubled about.

Why was this so? It was because what he wanted to say would cause Xu Tingsheng to feel troubled. Therefore, if Xu Tingsheng could stop him from saying it today, he might not think about it again in the future.

Went all out the first time, weakened the second, drained the third. It was this very principle.

Finally, neither of them could eat anymore.

Zhang Xingke dabbed at his mouth with a paper napkin.

Xu Tingsheng stood up, “I’ll go settle the bill.”

If Zhang Xingke said ‘wait’, Xu Tingsheng was already prepared to say ‘you’re welcome’.

However, Zhang Xingke said, “I’d like to ask that you keep Yu Xinlan.”

He said it as directly as that, cutting straight to the chase.

“The heck! Can I pretend that I didn’t just hear that?” Xu Tingsheng berated him.

“You’d already guessed it?” Zhang Xingke asked awkwardly.

“Duh. Our current connection is Dexin. Regarding Dexin, you won’t even think me troubled in bringing up money. So, other than that woman, what else is there that you might ask of me that could leave you feeling so awkward?”

Zhang Xingke chuckled.

Xu Tingsheng inhaled, “You really couldn’t take it?”

“I’ll probably die on her belly,” Zhang Xingke said, “You’re surely laugh, but I was even thinking about asking her to get a divorce for a period of time, before I’d marry her.”

A woman who was skilled in obtaining benefits by controlling men definitely wouldn't possess merely a good figure and good technique. They were mostly also gentle and discerning, considerate and understanding...

They could even insert themselves fully into the role, playing out a: Wasted half my life, yet the fog is ultimately cleared by you. Visitors ever flash by, yet it is only ever toward you that my heart remains true.

They were able to let every man feel that he was special.

“This...is a no-go.”

Xu Tingsheng dared not keep Yu Xinlan no matter what. It was neither a matter of not wanting to spend the money nor being afraid that he might be unable to resist her temptation. If he kept her there, he would not be able to right Dexin’s work culture. The other employees and management personnel would not think that competence and diligence were the sole route to rising up through the ranks.

This way, Dexin would be unable to rise even if Hucheng took over.

Zhang Xingke said, “That's why I'm begging you.”

Zhang Xingke could not let any of his words today sound even the least bit threatening to Xu Tingsheng. As Xu Tingsheng had still yet to acquire Dexin, he still needed Zhang Xingke’s help.

Therefore, it was instead Zhang Xingke who had to take special care, not letting Xu Tingsheng feel that he was requesting this based on the chips in his hand, wanting to control, threaten him.

That definitely could not happen.

Therefore, Zhang Xingke was very candid, also speaking of this as a standalone issue rather than lumping it together with the matter of Dexin’s acquisition.

Therefore, he was ‘begging’.

This was the epitome of speaking and handling matters. Many would have lost opportunities due to not having been able to grasp this skill well in the past, instead accruing doubt and suspicion, having an eventual falling out with enmity being sowed with the other party.

Looking from another perspective, the reason Zhang Xingke was doing this was that if he nudged Dexin towards someone else, it might not be as beneficial as him sending it Xu Tingsheng’s way. Also, there was the risk of him being kicked out from things afterwards.

Zhang Xingke did not just want a sum of money. He desired a chance to exert his means in this domain that he was familiar with. Something someone is concerned about, they do worry about.

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng was magnanimous, also being ‘weak-willed like a woman’. Therefore, Zhang Xingke virtually leaned towards choosing him a hundred percent.

Therefore, being ‘weak-willed like a woman’ might not actually be entirely a bad thing after all.

Xu Tingsheng asked, “How much time can you give me to consider?”

This was actually related to how long Zhang Xingke could properly grasp Dexin’s trajectory. Xu Tingsheng was asking this with how the cooperation between them might ultimately fail in mind.

Zhang Xingke had not expected that Xu Tingsheng’s resolve was this great.

“It’s got nothing to do with this. It’s purely a personal request,” Zhang Xingke explained.

“Can’t you just upkeep her with a sum of money?”

“Do you think she’s the kind of woman who can be satisfied so easily? I feel that if she has the chance, she’ll definitely think of a way to stomp me underfoot, standing over my head. Then, if there was another chance, she would think of...stomping you underfoot as well…”

“There would be no end to this process. That’s just the way she is.”

“She’s actually stronger than us, just that it’s a pity that she’s uncultured, with no background or fortuitous encounters, possessing nothing apart from that body of hers. She’s instead got many things tying her down. Otherwise, she would truly be a bird flying freely, high as the sky’s limit.”

Zhang Xingke spoke in a very serious manner.

Xu Tingsheng said, “If you had said ‘the good thing is that’ instead of ‘it’s a pity that’, I would still have tried to persuade you. Now, I’ve found that…”

“You’ve found that what in blazes? Your heart actually aches for her as well.”

Zhang Xingke finished Xu Tingsheng’s incomplete sentence for him, admitting to his heart aching for Yu Xinlan.

“She’s actually pretty pitiful. What fate gave her was simply unfair. She came from the poorest place, without a chance to study, without a chance to choose. She stayed in that village in the middle of nowhere till she was seventeen. Then, she and her elder brother were jointly married to the siblings of another family for convenience's sake. She thus ended up marrying a retard.”

“Afterwards, she escaped and did her utmost, eventually succeeding in marrying someone who wasn’t much capable but did have a stable income. He was a teacher, and she felt so satisfied then, feeling like the good times had finally come in her life.”

“But just a mere half year later, she decided to convince this man to quit his job and come to Shenghai to look for opportunities. She was actually searching for opportunities of her own. She felt dissatisfied, unresigned, unwilling to accept her lot in life…”

Xu Tingsheng interrupted, “Can’t you pave the way for her in some other area?”

Zhang Xingke hesitated for a moment before saying, “I’m afraid that I couldn’t bear to do it. The heck, what in the world is wrong with me?”

Xu Tingsheng felt a headache coming on, “Think it through before coming to look for me again.”

Zhang Xingke nodded and rose, “I’ll be going back first then. Don’t worry about Dexin’s matter. I’m still not so unbalanced that I can’t handle that.”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 217: Accompany me tonight

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao hung out together. As the 4s store called and conveyed that the car could already be collected, this being a day earlier than had previously been expected, the two of them were currently in the midst of a fan-oriented event with a female artiste in Xihu City.

They got familiar with some internal operations of the industry and got to know some people, flirting with some chicks along the way as well.

Therefore, nearing evening that day, it was Xu Tingsheng himself who went to collect the car, after which he drove it on the public roads rather cautiously to familiarise himself with it.

He had driven for a couple of years in his previous life before, but never had he had the chance to drive a car such as this.

The difference in the acceleration capabilities, the weight of the steering wheel, even the height of the seat and its corresponding field of vision as well as the degree of tilting during the rounding of bends were all things that he had to slowly get familiarised with and used to.

Xu Tingsheng’s handphone rang. He parked the car by the roadside and answered it.

Li Wan’er said, “Hello, is this Mister Xu? This is Li Wan. Your suits are already finished. Could you...give me your address? I’ll send them over to you right now.”

Xu Tingsheng felt rather astonished, “You’re done so quickly? It’s a day ahead of schedule.”

Li Wan’er explained rather nervously, “That’s not it. You can rest assured, Mister Xu, that I didn’t sacrifice quality for speed. I worked very seriously, not sleeping for three days before managing to complete them ahead of schedule. You can examine them when we meet. If there’s anything that you’re dissatisfied with, I can change it for you.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “This isn’t what I meant! I was just surprised. Still, I’m currently out right now, and I’m also not too familiar with the roads in Shenghai. Because of that, I wonder if you can wait till tomorrow to pass me the suits?”

Li Wan’er was silent for a while before she finally still spoke, “Why don’t I come to look for you? It’s also fine if you’re outside. Just tell me an approximate location and I’ll go look for you there.”

Li Wan’er having said so, Xu Tingsheng basically understood what was going on. The reason she had gone all out to complete the suits one day ahead of time, also being in such a rush to deliver them to him, was actually likely that she urgently needed this sum of money, this need being a really pressing one. She had to receive the remaining payment from him immediately.

“What could have made her this tight on money?”

Xu Tingsheng felt puzzled, but did not ask her about it.

If someone does not intend to help another person, it is best not to ask them about their troubles and their suffering. That holds no significance at all aside from satisfying one’s own curiosity and need for gossip. It might even add on to the other party’s pain.

“That’s fine. I’ll have to trouble you to come over then.”

As a transaction would have to be made, for convenience’s sake, Xu Tingsheng drove straight over to a bank on Jiang Ning Road before telling the address to Li Wan’er.

He parked his car by the park that was opposite the bank, opening the windows and smoking a cigarette as he waited for her to arrive.

More than half an hour passed, yet Li Wan’er had still yet to arrive.

A while later, a rather rickety van pulled over by the roadside nearby. Xu Tingsheng thought that it should be Li Wan’er. He looked out of the window for a while, but no one got off from that van.

Then, Li Wan’er called his number.

“I’m already nearby, but I can’t see your car,” Li Wan’er said.

Only now did Xu Tingsheng remember that he had changed his car as he hurriedly asked, “Are you inside a van? That one whose license plate reads…”

“Yes,” Li Wan’er answered.

“I’m just a little in front of you. That black Mercedes-Benz SUV parked horizontally over there, you see it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

After a momentary pause, Li Wan’er’s voice resounded over the phone, “I see it. I’ll be right over,” Immediately after that, she hung up.

Xu Tingsheng watched the van start moving from around 20 metres behind him. It neared, decelerating, gradually drawing nearer.

It was already near enough.

It should really be stopping?

Why wasn’t it stopping?

Oh, what the hell…

Xu Tingsheng could only watch on helplessly just like that as the head of the van slowly neared his left front wheel. More accurately, it slowly drove over into a collision…the collision happened.

Then, the van accelerated, continuing on its forward trajectory.

“Hey, stop, stop!”

“Hey, I’m hit!”

“Hey, Li Wan’er, what’s with you?”

“...”

After yelling for a while but to no avail, before the van could really ‘go too hard at it’, as the G500 was still able to take it, Xu Tingsheng pulled the handbrake and quickly leapt off his car, running over beside the van.

Due to the heat, the window for the driver’s seat was left open.

“Hey, Li Wan’er!” Xu Tingsheng yelled.

“Huh?”

Li Wan’er’s expression was dazed, her eyes incomparably swollen.

“Stop the van!”

“Oh, stop the van.”

Li Wan’er tilted her head and adjusted her foot...then, the horsepower of the van actually increased yet further, with even the G500 being pushed a few inches away as a result.

A helpless Xu Tingsheng could only squeeze his upper body through the window of the van before desperately searching below. Thus, his head unavoidably touched Li Wan’er’s thigh.

“You?” Li Wan’er actually still had the leisure to blush as she protested in a low voice.

“What’re you doing? Foot, off!” Xu Tingsheng frantically roared.

Then, he reached right out and caught Li Wan’er’s leg, moving her foot off the accelerator. Next, he found the handbrake and pulled it.

Xu Tingsheng extricated himself from the van with some difficulty.

Li Wan’er looked around, rubbed her face and pinched herself before her mind finally cleared.

“Sis, you ruined the suits, right?” An infuriated Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I didn’t,” Li Wan’er said earnestly.

“Then, why were you trying to murder me? To silence me?” Xu Tingsheng asked furiously.

“I wasn’t,” Li Wan’er said blankly.

“You weren’t? If you weren’t, why were you slamming your van into me so happily? Not stopping however much I called, stepping on the gas the more I asked you to stop?”

Xu Tingsheng opened the door and pulled Li Wan’er off the van, pointing at the spot where its head was in contact with the wheel of the G500 car as well as the resulting ruts on the ground.

He said in an ill-humoured tone, “You were pushing against my car for at least three minutes, you know? My car’s even shifted, you see?”

Li Wan’er looked at Xu Tingsheng with those big, innocent eyes, saying awkwardly, “I, I...sorry, I was too tired. I seem to have fallen asleep just now. Also, also, I’ve never driven this van before. I don’t really know how to control it.”

She pointed at the van beside her after having said this.

At the current moment, Li Wan’er’s hair was dishevelled and her face pale without the slightest bit of colour in her dry lips, her eyes incomparably swollen...it appeared that like she had said, she had indeed been sleeplessly rushing the three suits for all the past three days and nights. The current her was already in an extremely frail condition.

Xu Tingsheng could only sigh helplessly. He eased his emotions, deciding not to find fault with her any longer. She was already pitiful enough. He was even feeling a little regretful as well as apologetic at his earlier attitude towards her.

“It’s fortunate that she didn’t get into an accident on the road. Otherwise, a life could’ve been harmed,” Xu Tingsheng murmured softly, musing to himself.

Xu Tingsheng was not scolding her any longer.

Yet, all of a sudden, Li Wan’er crouched down on the ground, holding her face as she began weeping softly. Her tears soon seeped through the gaps between her fingers, dampening the dishevelled hair on her face.

The accusatory looks from the passing cars that were directed at Xu Tingsheng were all filled with the ‘you bastard’ vibe.

Thinking that he had scared her to the point of crying, Xu Tingsheng helplessly approached her, “Fine, I was a bit fierce just now. It’s mainly because I didn’t know of your situation. I went a little overboard there, sorry.”

Li Wan’er shook her head, sobbing, “It’s not that. It isn’t because of you. How much will I have to compensate you?”

She raised her head, pointing towards the point where the two cars met.

Xu Tingsheng instantly understood why she had begun crying all of a sudden. The way she saw it, the money that she worked so hard to earn might have gone poof just like that. She definitely knew that it was a branded car her van had collided with. Thus, the compensation fee probably wouldn’t be low...yet, she was in urgent need of this sum of money…

This feeling of having worked hard after a spate of bad luck yet seeing her hopes extinguished again thereafter left her teetering on the brink of collapse, feeling unable to go on.

Realising this, Xu Tingsheng said gently, “Relax, you won’t have to pay compensation for this. I’ll pay you the full sum of money as agreed.”

“Huh? This...isn’t okay! This is your boss’s car, right?” Li Wan’er shook her head forcefully with tears in her eyes, “If you don’t ask me for compensation, your boss will ask you to pay instead.”

Xu Tingsheng now remembered that when the two of them had been in negotiations, he had told Li Wan’er that he wasn’t anyone important, just some mere employee. Also, he had been driving Fang Yuqing’s decrepit Volkswagen at the time. Therefore, Li Wan’er currently believed that he had driven his boss’s car out, with it then having been hit by her.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it, “Relax, it’s just a scrape at the wheel. I’ll spread a bit of wax over it. Even if it’s eventually discovered after a few days, my boss will just think that he hit it himself.”

“But…”

Li Wan’er was still worrying about it, so he he directly interjected, “Stop it with the ‘buts’! You didn’t forget the suits, right?”

“I brought them.”

Li Wan’er nodded before retrieving three bags from atop the van. The full three sets were all placed neatly within.

Xu Tingsheng flipped randomly through them. Not finding anything wrong, he directly pulled Li Wan’er right across the road and transferred the remaining 120000 yuan into her bank account before returning her identity card to her.

“Well, we’re done now. We’re even,” Xu Tingsheng said as he exited the bank.

“Yeah,” Li Wan’er nodded.

The two successively crossed the road. Xu Tingsheng drove his car a ways out before stopping and lighting up a cigarette. From his car window, he watched Li Wan’er open the door of the van, get on and start the engine. Then, ‘Bang’! The back of the van smashed into the pavement.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it for a moment before throwing the cigarette away and getting off his car. He went over beside the van, calling Li Wan’er down from it.

“Mister Xu, what is it? Is there something wrong with the suits?” Li Wan’er asked.

Xu Tingsheng ignored her, directly getting onto the van and driving it some dozen metres away. Having found a parking lot, he parked the van properly.

Then, he walked back over to Li Wan’er and told her outright, “You’re not fit to drive in this condition. Your van’s there, you can drive it away tomorrow. I’ll be sending you back today.”

Xu Tingsheng opened the front passenger seat door of the G500 for her.

Li Wan’er was still hesitating.

“Get on the car, Li Wan’er! What the heck are you afraid of? This Uncle’s got no interest in old women like you,” Xu Tingsheng had nearly been driven bonkers by this timid, brainless woman, yet it just happened that she appeared just so pitiful.

“Oh, okay. Thank you then.”

Biting her lip, Li Wan’er finally got on the car.

After she had pointed out the route to where she currently resided, the two fell silent for a time.

Xu Tingsheng thought that this silence would persist to the end.

Li Wan’er suddenly asked, “I heard you call my name just now. How did you know that I’m really called Li Wan’er? Did you know me from somewhere before? Or someone you know knew me?”

She was clearly asking this cautiously, afraid that Xu Tingsheng had intentionally approached her or was doing so on behalf of his boss.

Xu Tingsheng had really never seen such a stupid person before as he commented exasperatedly, “You...I can’t be bothered to scold you. Your identity card’s been with me for two, nearly three days now. Now, how do you think I know that your name is Li Wan’er?”

“...Sorry.”

The silence persisted. Li Wan’er would glance at Xu Tingsheng from time to time, wanting to say something yet ultimately still not voicing it out.

“If there’s something you want to say, say it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Li Wan’er hesitated for a moment before she clenched her teeth and asked, “Will you have to return the car to your boss later?”

“Nope.”

“Do you have anything on tonight?”

“Nothing. What’s up?”

“I, I’d like a favour from you.”

“Say it.”

“Can you accompany me tonight?”

Hence asked Li Wan’er.

Chapter 218: Asking too much is ‘asking for it’

Li Wan’er looked at Xu Tingsheng. Even as she seemed to feel embarrassed by her request, there was also a spark of hope in her eyes.

Easing his foot off the accelerator, Xu Tingsheng turned to look at her rather interestedly.

As their gazes met, Li Wan’er quickly looked away, instead glancing down at her own feet.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Little Sis, I, your Uncle already paid you for the suits, right?”

Taken aback, Li Wan’er nodded bemusedly, asking in puzzlement, “Yeah, you did. Is anything the matter?”

“That means that I don’t owe you money anymore.”

“Yes.”

“So why should I help you then? You don’t feel ashamed?”

“......”

“Keep in mind that since earlier, things have already been cleared between us. It means that we’re even, get it?”

Li Wan’er bit her lips, holding back her tears as she nodded, “I understand.”

Xu Tingsheng instinctively felt that Li Wan’er would be an incomparably troublesome woman. Her predicament and her looks made it such that as soon as he got involved with her, there would be no end to the troubles that followed.

Like Tan Yao had said, Li Wan’er was currently equivalent to a little fluffy sheep transported to the wide plains of Africa with packs of wolves circling all round. Anyone who wanted to protect her would have to pay a very hefty price.

Moreover, Xu Tingsheng did not think of himself as a benevolent saint who saved those who were suffering and in pain. Having barely associated much at all with Li Wan’er up till now, he did not want to get involved in whatever problems she might have.

When meeting someone who was down and out, there was no need for him to send them aid in their darkest hour. So long as he did not kick them while they were down or take advantage of them in their time of need, Xu Tingsheng felt that his conscience would be perfectly at ease.

Li Wan’er no longer spoke. Maybe she found it too hard to beg others for help, or maybe she had never had her requests parried in such a manner before. Regardless, she began weeping silently. Every time a tear rolled down her cheek, she quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand, not daring to utter a sound.

However, one could not help but feel pity for Li Wan’er. It was if the phrase ‘pitifully helpless’ was tailor-made for her.

Suddenly, a ringtone sounded.

The 30-year-old Li Wan’er asked the 20-year-old Xu Tingsheng in a pitiful manner, “Sorry, can I please pick up the phone?”

“Go ahead,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

Li Wan’er answered the call. While Xu Tingsheng was unable to make out what the caller was saying, he could clearly hear the animosity in his tone as he continually hollered at Li Wan’er in a threatening manner. A few calls followed in quick succession, but Li Wan’er’s replies only ever rotated around those same few sentences.

“Please don’t be in a hurry to lodge it with the court.”

“I’ve already found someone who’s willing to inject funds.”

“I’ll be there tonight, I will.”

“......”

Hanging up, Li Wan’er leaned back into her seat, clutching her phone silently.

Xu Tingsheng knew that with how things were now, so long as he kept firm control over his mouth, not asking anything, so long as he didn’t ask anything at all, not caring about it, this matter would end here just like this.

In a short while, Li Wan’er would be arriving at her destination.

From that moment forth, this woman whom he was really wholly unacquainted with in the first place would no longer have anything to do with him in the slightest. Whether she lived or died, threw in the baton or stubbornly held on, ended up rich or poor, drowned or hanged herself, it would not be any different for him at all.

Despite being cognisant of all of these, Xu Tingsheng still asked eventually, “What’s with you?”

Slightly taken aback, Li Wan’er raised her head to look at Xu Tingsheng’s side profile, shaking her head, “Nothing.”

Xu Tingsheng honked impatiently, dodging a car that had suddenly swerved into their path.

Then he exclaimed even more impatiently, “Li Wan’er, you’re already 31 years old, what’re you being so jittery and insecure about? Do you still take yourself as an 18-year-old girl?”

Li Wan’er said in an aggrieved tone, “I’m not. I know that I’m an old lady, you said it before.”

Xu Tingsheng laughed at that, “It’s not my fault; you are old! Hey, look. If you have something that you need help with and it isn’t too troublesome, let Uncle here see if I can be of any help.”

Li Wan’er wanted to refuse his offer. Yet, there are times in life when one doesn’t even have the qualifications to be stubborn. There was no other path available to her.

“I’d like you to accompany me to a gathering tonight,” Li Wan’er told him, “where…”

“Where I’ll play the role of the big shot you just mentioned over the phone who’s willing to invest in your family’s business, helping you to swindle those people?” Xu Tingsheng finished for her.

Li Wan’er grit her teeth, nodding, “Yes.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “But I’m not rich. I’m just this driver who secretly takes his boss’s car out for a spin to pick up some chicks just for the kick of it.”

He added, “You can rest assured, by the way. I’m not hitting on you.”

“I know,” Li Wan’er replied, “I mean that I know you don’t have the money. Still, with the car you’re driving today and that suit...you can pretend to be a very rich man and help me out.”

Xu Tingsheng considered it for a moment before asking, “Can you explain things to me first?”

Li Wan’er knew that since she wanted to enlist Xu Tingsheng’s help in this matter, he had the right to know what the situation was about.

“The gathering tonight is an internal gathering for those in the fashion industry, including the suppliers, manufacturers and retailers. My family...owes almost all of them money. If I don’t lie and let them believe that I’ve found someone who’s willing to invest, they’ll immediately lodge a complaint with the court, auctioning off my family’s factory, maybe even our house...all of it.”

“This isn’t anything major, really,” Xu Tingsheng commented calmly, “What do you think I would do in your shoes?”

“Hmm?”

“I’d quietly sell my factory, house...and all of it, then flee the country with my family. Haven’t you lived in Italy before? Go to Italy then! Just settle down in a picturesque little town and open a Chinese restaurant, tailoring workshop or whatnot. I tell you, no one would be able to find you.”

Li Wan’er allowed herself a wan smile, “But my house’s title deeds, the factory’s authorisation documents and all that stuff are all in their hands. They’re currently watching over the factory too. Also, the factory was built with the blood and sweat of my Dad…”

“The efforts of our ancestors are exactly for that-to be squandered by us, their descendants,” Xu Tingsheng said, “But were you the one who handed all that stuff away? Are you dumb or what?”

“I,” Li Wan’er replied haltingly, “My husband did it. He took on our surname when he entered my family. Afterwards, I was in Italy when my Dad passed away, so it was him who was running the business. I only returned just recently.”

“Where is he now then? Shouldn’t he be the one dealing with this?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Must I tell you this too?”

“It’s up to you, I was just casually asking.”

Li Wan’er hesitated for a while, “Alright, I’ll tell you. He’s gone. He mortgaged everything of ours to take out loans, owed a lot of money from the procuring of materials and collected the deposits for many orders...Then, he took off with the money and her, my younger cousin.”

Xu Tingsheng now knew what kind of a predicament it was that Li Wan’er was currently in.

“That’s only right. Apart from being too ruthless in cheating so much money from your family, everything else he did was actually only understandable,” Xu Tingsheng said, “You didn’t love him, right? That’s why you ran over to Italy and spent six years there after getting married. Six years! It’d instead have been strange if your husband hadn’t strayed.”

Li Wan’er looked at Xu Tingsheng, “I know, I asked for it.”

Xu Tingsheng affirmed, “Yeah.”

Hearing this cold, callous reply, Li Wan’er could only stare at Xu Tingsheng for a while, stunned.

Finally, she asked with tears in her eyes, “Why, why must you bully me so?”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback by this, really unable to comprehend and empathise with how a 31-year-old woman without any societal experience whatsoever looked at life, “What did I do?”

Li Wan’er finally lost it, “You should be twenty, right? I’m thirty-one. On one hand, you call me an old woman, while on the other, you keep calling yourself Uncle. You’ve been lecturing me, being fierce to me, even saying that I don’t know shame. You treat me like some little girl, not showing me any respect at all. I told you about what happened to me. I wasn’t expecting you to console me, but why do you have to be so flippant about it? Why must you mock me like this?”

Xu Tingsheng inwardly labelled Li Wan’er with the well-fitting term ‘mentally deficient’.

As for why a twenty-year-old called himself Uncle, it was because Xu Tingsheng was actually 32, while Li Wan’er did seem very infantile. Of course, this wasn’t something he could actually say to her.

Watching this infantile, mentally deficient 31-year-old woman sobbing in front of him, he sighed, “Alright, stop crying already. I’ll accompany you there tonight. I’ll act like some rich guy for you.”

Chapter 219: I’ll pretend to be Hucheng’s boss

Li Wan’er continued acting wronged, or perhaps she was just being petulant as she buried her head in her chest, not saying a word.

Xu Tingsheng simply stopped speaking as well, silence descending for a while as he continued driving.

Pulling over at Li Wan’er’s destination, he considered for a while before still asking in the end, “What time at night? I mean, what time does that gathering of yours start?”

“Seven thirty,” Li Wan’er lowered her head, not looking at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng looked at his watch, “There’s still a little over two hours. Look, you should go back and get some sleep. After you wake up, clean yourself and dress up a little. I’ll be here at seven to pick you up.”

Li Wan’er looked up at him, “I’m fine. I’ll look for you, you don’t have to pick me up.”

“Li Wan’er, you’re not young anymore. Where’s the meaning in pretending that you’re okay when you’re so clearly not?” Xu Tingsheng chided impatiently, “ Just look at how you are right now. Look in the rearview mirror, please. There’s no way I could bring a woman like this to some social gathering! It’s like you were just trampled over and utterly ruined by someone.”

Li Wan’er looked in the rearview mirror like Xu Tingsheng had asked, and ended up scaring herself. The Li Wan’er in the mirror wasn’t far from a female ghost, being just so far away from that her of the past who had once had every single strand of her hair combed immaculately.

“I’ll wait for you then.”

Li Wan’er got off the car.

Xu Tingsheng drove back to his hotel. He got a haircut at the salon downstairs before taking a bath in his hotel room. Then, he found that suit that belonged to him and meticulously put it on.

Xu Tingsheng looked at his reflection in the mirror, finding a different him staring back at him.

This was the first time he was putting in so much effort in his appearance, the first time he was dressed so formally in a well-fitting suit, complete with tie, high-end shirt and the leather shoes which he was not all that used to…

Li Wan’er’s skill and stylistic choices were indeed very good.

Sadly, Big Xiang Ning had never seen it before, and Little Xiang Ning wasn’t here.

Meanwhile, after reaching home, Li Wan’er immediately gave the card with the 140000 yuan that she had just earned to her mother, asking her to take a trip to the hospital first. Then, like Xu Tingsheng had advised, she slept for a while.

Everything that had happened today, her request for Xu Tingsheng, how she had wept, raged and vented in front of a twenty-year-old boy, throwing a fit, complaining, even acting spoiled...

Never would the past her have imagined any of this.

Li Wan’er fell asleep very quickly. In her dream, that twenty-year-old boy still appeared, still said, “You can rest assured, I’m not going to hit on you. Don’t worry, this Uncle has no interest in old woman. Alright, stop crying. I was a bit fierce just now, sorry.”

This boy was just an asshole, also liking to act mature, actually addressing himself as Uncle in front of her. He was also callous, not possessing any sympathy, not knowing how to treasure a frail, delicate girl like her at all. He was also fierce, and…

But even as the dreaming Li Wan’er thought about this, she also involuntarily began defending him for some reason.

She thought of how he had concealed the matter of the Mercedes-Benz having been damaged for her. Would his boss find out about this matter?

She thought about how he had yelled her off the van, next saying not even a single word as he had parked it for her before forcing her onto his car in a totally unreasonable manner, not even deigning to ask for her thoughts on the matter.

Finally, she thought about how he had fallen headfirst onto her thigh, reaching out and grabbing her leg...

At this, a blushing Li Wan’er woke up.

Her face feeling hot, her heavy mood seemingly having been alleviated somewhat by such atypical emotions of hers, Li Wan’er took a bath, after which she changed into a snow-white blouse and skirt before finally beginning to put on some makeup.

She already hadn’t properly put on any makeup for quite a few days.

“Old woman.”

Li Wan’er looked at her reflection in the mirror, Xu Tingsheng’s appraisal resounding in her ears.

“I’m clearly not that old,” Li Wan’er told her reflection softly.

Having lived overseas for a few years, Li Wan’er was very skilled at applying makeup. Because of what Xu Tingsheng had called her, she felt petulant as she specially applied makeup to make herself look youthful and spirited.

Xu Tingsheng’s call came in punctually at 7pm.

“I’m at where I dropped you off just now,” He told her.

“Alright. I’ll be right there,” Li Wan’er hung up, taking one final glance at herself in the mirror before hurriedly leaving her house.

When she arrived, Xu Tingsheng was in the midst of listlessly smoking as he leaned against the door of his car.

Looking at him, Li Wan’er was slightly taken aback. The current Xu Tingsheng emanated an entirely different feeling from before. Li Wan’er had not thought that this boy who looked only twenty would actually appear as outstanding as this when garbed in formal attire.

Most surprisingly was that he actually seemed to have suddenly gained a mature aura.

Li Wan’er stopped in her tracks.

As Xu Tingsheng turned to look at her, he too was momentarily stunned. He had already known that Li Wan’er was assuredly a beauty who could topple cities and nations, bringing calamity to their citizens. Yet, he still felt shaken and disorientated as he saw her all dressed up like this.

The thirty-year-old Li Wan’er appeared no more then 27 or 28 now, still being a mature woman as compared to those girls close to Xu Tingsheng. Still, that maturity was not a deficiency as it was instead harmonious and bountiful.

“Get on the car,” Xu Tingsheng said mildly before turning back and opening the car door, about to get back into the driver’s seat.

Li Wan’er extended a hand and grabbed Xu Tingsheng’s clothes, “Hold on a moment.”

Xu Tingsheng turned.

Li Wan’er leaned in. As if dealing with a plastic model that she was extremly familiar with, she removed his tie before reattaching it in a practised motion that could not be any more natural.

“It was a bit crooked just now,” She explained.

Then, she tiptoped and adjusted Xu Tingsheng’s hair before stooping down and smoothing the creases in his clothes, even the legs of his pants.

Finally, she took away the remaining half-cigarette that he was holding, stubbed it and threw it into the bin.

This was her profession. Only when doing this did she appear confident, swift and competent.

Xu Tingsheng’s mind drifted off slightly at this moment. What had just transpired was just like the future that the old man Mister Angelo had spoken of, about after a man had achieved his fame. That was, of course, excluding...the kiss on the face.

“The suit’s pretty well done,” Xu Tingsheng said.

They got on the car, setting off.

Putting on the safety belt, Li Wan’er was silent for a while before she finally spoke, “Thank you.”

Xu Tingsheng watched the road ahead, saying in a neutral tone, “Don’t stand on ceremony with me. Take me helping you out here as paying you back for scolding you to the point of crying just now. When tonight’s matter is over, we’ll be even. You don’t have to feel that you owe me, and I won’t remember having helped you as well.”

“Why do you like being even so much?” Li Wan’er asked.

“You want endless troubles to follow?” Xu Tingsheng shot back.

“I, I won’t bother you anymore.”

“That’s why. That’s why it’s great being even.”

Li Wan’er no longer spoke.

Xu Tingsheng now asked her, “What’s the relationship between the two of us?”

Li Wan’er swivelled her head to look at him, “Huh?”

Xu Tingsheng explained, “What I mean is-what’s your scripted relationship with the rich dude I’m going to be acting as? If you tell them that I’m just an ordinary investor, based on your family’s current situation, do you think that they’d believe it?”

Li Wan’er considered it, “I, I haven’t thought about it yet. I also can’t think of anything off hand.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “That’s fine then. We don’t have to intentionally try. They’ll be guessing it themselves. Get what I mean? Just don’t randomly come out to cause trouble when the time comes.”

Li Wan’er bit her lip, “Right.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at her, “Stop biting your lip. You have lipstick on; any more of that and you’ll be scaring people to death. Also, if you really want to go on with the factory, you shouldn’t be as indecisive as this. Otherwise, even if you get past today, it would all still have been a waste.”

Li Wan’er said, “I know.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Honestly speaking, you really don’t have the ability to run a business. You should try to think of a way to get free of it as soon as you can. It’d be best if...after somehow getting past today, do like I said. Sell whatever you can and take off as quickly as possible.”

Li Wan’er spoke no longer.

“I know that what I say doesn’t sound nice,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Still, I’m teaching you how to go on living.”

Li Wan’er was reminded of her current predicament. With how things had played out, her goal could already only be: to go on living. Her life had just suddenly turned out like this. She dared not cry, afraid that she might stain her makeup. She looked up as she leaned against her seat, trying to repress her emotions with all her might.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at her again, saying ruthlessly, “You think that you’re very pitiful, very tragic? Actually, there are many people in this world who’re worse off than you. Li Wan’er, you’ve already lived for 31 years. Now, all you need to do is to live an ordinary life through your own efforts. Moreover, you have the qualifications and the skills; it can’t be that you might starve to death. Think of a way to leave! After today, it’ll all be calm and peaceful. How good is that?”

Li Wan’er made an affirmative sound, “After this has passed, I’ll definitely consider it properly.”

The car arrived in the hotel carpark. Xu Tingsheng called for Li Wan’er to get off, but she didn’t.

“What is it?” He asked.

“How should I introduce you later?” Li Wan’er asked, “What I mean is-you being so young, if we arrange an identity for you, it might only be possible that it’s the rich second gen type. As for the specifics…”

“I’m not acting as some rich dude’s son,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Can’t you just take me as the rich dude?”

“But how could there be a boss as young as this?” Li Wan’er asked troubledly.

“There really is one!” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed, “Have you ever heard of the online enterprise known as Hucheng Tongcheng? It hasn’t even been a year since it started, but its estimated value has nearly passed a hundred million already.”

Li Wan’er said, “I have heard it being mentioned before. Still, I’ve just returned from overseas recently, so I’m not too familiar with it.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “You wouldn’t have heard about their boss then? He’s my age, twenty.”

“Huh? Really?”

Li Wan’er was rendered dumbstruck. Even though she had once been wealthy, it was still quite some distance away from those eight zeroes. Now, Xu Tingsheng was telling her that a youth of twenty had started a business of his own, with its assets already surpassing the hundred million mark in not even a year.

She felt this to be inconceivable, at the same time wondering what kind of a person he might be.

“Really,” Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt amused as he laughed, “I heard that that guy’s both young and handsome, and his name’s quite similar to mine as well. So...I’ve decided. I’ll act as him.”

Li Wan’er had not the time to think through it carefully.

Many of those who were attending the gathering successively arrived, high-end cars stopping in the carpark one after another with well-dressed men and women geting off from them.

Amongst them were former business partners of Li Wan’er’s father whom she’d once intimately addressed as Uncle, now having become her debtors. There were also her former playmates, classmates and friends, some of whom felt sympathetic while others were waiting to see her make a fool out of herself.

She had once been a focal point of this social circle, due to her father’s career and also her looks. Sadly, the situation was already completely different from how it had been back then.

Xu Tingsheng got off the car, walking over to the side door which he promptly opened before extending a hand to Li Wan’er.

In the carpark, everyone had already seen this brand new Mercedes-Benz G500. As they were wondering about which boss from their social circle had changed his car, they instead saw a young master who was dressed in high-end clothes and refined in his bearing step out.

“Which family’s he from?” Most of the people in this industry were acquainted, but none of them had seen this youth before.

The answer was very quickly revealed. Accepting his hand, it was an elegant, stately Li Wan’er who had been a major focal point of their discussions over this period of time due to a series of unexpected events who gracefully got off the car.

Discussions began popping up all over the place:

“This...wasn’t her family done for?”

“Yeah! The gathering aside, there’s even a large group of people who’ve come to deal her the final verdict today. Just this alone was already on account of her father. Otherwise, they’d long since have lodged a complaint with the courts and put her factory up for auction.”

“There’re probably quite a few people who have set their eyes on her, like those who don’t want money but just want the person, like those who want both money and also the person. Actually, if only she were willing, things really wouldn’t be to this extent.”

“What’s happened now then? The fertile waters have flowed into the fields of outsiders?”

“My Dad says that she called earlier, saying that she’s found someone willing to invest. It seems like it should be this person.”

“Based on her familial situation, it doesn’t have to be said what the dude’s intentions are if he’s still willing to be her investor, right? It’s probably just this rich second gen who likes the mature type.”

Amidst all these scattered comments that drifted over, Li Wan’er shivered slightly as she clutched Xu Tingsheng’s arm.

Smiling as she greeted the familiar faces around her, Li Wan’er made use of as they were rounding a corner and said to Xu Tingsheng in a low, nervous tone that reeked of unease, “Speak as little as possible later, lest you let something slip, If someone intentionally asks questions, trying to probe something out of you, leave it all to me to deal with.”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 220: The nostalgia of teasing chicks

The industry gathering was to be held at a banquet hall on the hotel’s second floor.

The two of them went upstairs. Even as they were almost already at the entrance, able to hear the noise within, Li Wan’er suddenly pulled Xu Tingsheng into a pitch-black adjacent room, this being a smaller banquet hall that was currently not in use.

Li Wan’er leaned against the wall with a hand pressed against her chest, panting loudly.

Amidst this pitch darkness, Xu Tingsheng rested both his arms against the wall, trapping Li Wan’er in between them.

“You panting? Feeling nervous?” Xu Tingsheng seemed to have rediscovered the feeling of teasing chicks from those years back as he leaned in towards her ear, amusedly asking softly.

Such a scene appeared between a 20-year-old boy and a 31-year-old woman, the boy arrogant and the woman nervous. It was just so disharmonious as if their roles had been reversed.

The Xu Tingsheng in Li Wan’er’s company was different from how he usually was.

When Xu Tingsheng was with Xiang Ning, Wu Yuewei, Apple or even the competent Lu Zhixin, he actually always thought of them as an Uncle would younger girls.

Therefore, he was used to spoiling them, letting them do as they liked and taking care of them as he treated them in the gentlest, kindest manner. Such a Xu Tingsheng acted warmly. Even if he played around once in a while, it would still be the mischievous teasing of an Uncle towards a younger girl.

A good example would be what occured in the Taekwondo practice room with Xiang Ning.

If he really were to try making a move on one of them for real, he would instead feel awkward.

This was why he always seemed to be the more passive party in his relationships with the girls.

However, it felt different when he was interacting with Li Wan’er.

In Xu Tingsheng’s eyes, Li Wan’er was of the same age as him. To be precise, she was a beautiful but silly woman of the same age, the especially stimulating kind. The two of them stood on equal ground, neither being obligated to simply allow the other to do as they liked.

As such, Xu Tingsheng was less restrained in his interactions with Li Wan’er. He spoke harshly and played around, daring to act like a hoodlum, daring to provoke her, bully her and ill-treat her, just because it was interesting, and also because he felt like doing it.

Because of that, he would yell at her, saying, “Li Wan’er, you old woman, have you no shame?” While liking her, he would act the exact opposite of it.

How did most boys in their youth treat those somewhat obedient, silly, more endearing girls? They would surely tease them, bully them, whilst also hitting on them in the meantime.

Of course, if the girl really felt bullied and burst into tears, the boy would surely descend into a state of self-rebuke as he would then guiltily start coaxing her, trying to make her smile again.

It was in this way that Xu Tingsheng’s heart too might sometimes involuntarily twinge in guilt from his interactions with Li Wan’er as he coaxed her a little and gave her a bit of a hand.

Such a Xu Tingsheng was truly like how he had formerly been at the age of twenty. He couldn’t actually be called a bad guy per se, just that he was a bit callous and a bit of an asshole as well.

The twenty-year-old Xu Tingsheng was actually very popular with the girls, because girls of this era actually still bought into approaches like this, such as in <A Moment of Romance> where Jacklyn Wu would still fall for Andy Lau.

With her back pressed against the wall, Li Wan’er forcefully pushed Xu Tingsheng away on the chest with both hands, leaving one of them propped against it as a distance of one arm’s length was maintained.

“Do you think this will work? Will they fall for it? I’m really feeling a bit nervous; this is a first for me,” Li Wan’er said earnestly.

“Li Wan’er, you even dared to casually marry a man without loving him at all, and you’re still afraid of this?” Xu Tingsheng said jokingly, “Relax. Whoever bullies you later, I’ll beat ‘em up. Hey, I’m really awesome at fighting, you believe me?”

Li Wan’er exclaimed, “Huh? Don’t mess around! These people aren’t those hoodlum types who like playing gangster like you. You can’t handle things that way here. Leave it to me, I’ll be fine after I take a moment to calm down.”

Xu Tingsheng pointed at himself. “Do I look like a hoodlum type who likes playing gangster to you?”

Li Wan’er nodded, “Yes, you do. You speak like it, fierce and terribly and without manners. You act like it, domineering and full of yourself, always bullying others. It’s only wearing that suit that you don’t. You originally resembled Andy Lau in <A Moment of Romance>. Foul-mouthed, not nice at all, just that you have a bit of a good heart.”

Xu Tingsheng grinned roguishly, “Don’t you like that?”

He leaned forward overbearingly, pressuring down on her.

Li Wan’er made a startled noise, trying to push him away with all her might as she pleaded in a hushed tone, “Don’t you bully me! I’m, I’m eleven years older than you.”

“I know,” Xu Tingsheng pondered for a moment before mimicking Tony Leung’s tone from <Chungking Express>, “But I wasn’t asking you this. I was asking you-do you like me?”

This was something Li Wan’er had never experienced before. She might have fantasised about it before, having dreamed of this after having watched <A Moment of Romance> back in her youth. It was a tale of an obedient young lady from a wealthy family falling in love with a poor, lowlife hoodlum, just like how Jacklyn Wu had fallen for Andy Lau.

Yet, in reality, due to her social circle and the environment in which she had grown up, Li Wan’er hadn’t even had the chance to truly be in a relationship before.

Her father only had her, a single daughter. Wanting to ensure the continued flourishing of his business, he had found some guy whom he thought somewhat highly of to marry into their family and take on their surname, sacrificing her feelings and her marriage in the process.

In the end, she had hidden for six whole years after fulfilling her duty, the disastrous consequences of which were evidently visible now.

The six years she spent in Italy had been mundane and peaceful, with her days spent in the classrooms or the tailoring workshop. In her spare time, she had roamed the cobbled streets and her campus.

As a result, her mentality had actually stayed stagnant, not progressing and developing at all.

She had missed the years when she should have been in love with some wild, uncultured boy. Then, at 31 years of age when she was at her weakest, such a boy was now asking her this.

He had bullied her, helped her, and now he was asking whether she liked him.

Many people had recently tried to win her over, making use of this opportunity to perform well in front of her. Yet, there was no one who had acted like this. No one was aware that such a simple method could actually instead ‘lock down’ on her heart.

This feeling just felt so real to her.

Li Wan’er’s heart thumped furiously. It was as if in this pitch black room, amidst the calm before the storm, the 31-year-old her was finally going to find the love that 18-year-old her had missed out on.

Of course, this was just a feeling. In reality, Li Wan’er still had to struggle to accept it.

“We’ve just known each other for three days,” The 31-year-old Li Wan’er said earnestly.

“Yeah, but actually, one day was enough for me to fall in love with you. What I’m regretting now is actually having wasted two days, allowing you to toil alone for two days,” The 20-year old Xu Tingsheng said.

Li Wan’er pleaded, “Can you not talk like this? You’re being too much! I’m eleven years older than you.”

“You already said that just now, and I want to tell you now that if you are thinking to reject me because of this, it’s useless,” Xu Tingsheng shook his head slowly but firmly after saying this.

Li Wan’er clenched her teeth, “I owe people a lot money, perhaps even more than I can pay back in my entire lifetime.”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback by this, but since Li Wan’er looked pretty into it, he decided to continue playing along as he told her in a sincere tone, “Let me take you away from here. You don’t eat much, right? I can support you, feed you.”

Those hoodlums spoke their honeyed, beguiling confessions of love in precisely this manner.

The 31-year-old Li Wan’er felt completely disoriented as she said with great difficulty, “I...I…”

Yet, the 32-year-old Xu Tingsheng had had enough of this game. Uncle had finally snagged a beauty of a similar age, comfortably reliving the fond memories and feelings of teasing chicks back in the day.

Patting Li Wan’er’s shoulder, the 20-year-old Xu Tingsheng chuckled, “Let’s go, old woman! How is it that you actually still have the leisure to think about this at such a crucial moment?!”

Li Wan’er slowly raised her head, feeling dazed, “So it was actually like this! I actually replied so earnestly to everything he said. This utter asshole! Just why must he always bully me like that?!”

At this, Li Wan’er felt like tearing at her hair in frustration.

The 31-year-old Li Wan’er felt extremely flustered and distressed. She grabbed the hand that Xu Tingsheng offered to her, pulling up his sleeve and chomping down ruthlessly on his arm. Then, she knew that she had to calm down immediately to face whatever would soon be thrown at her.

As for this insouciant hoodlum, she really couldn’t expect to count on him at all.

Li Wan’er began doubting her earlier decision. How in the world had she muddledly ended up finding such an unreliable hoodlum with the stakes as high as this, and the risk so very great?

Chapter 221: Debtors are the boss

The banquet hall was brightly lit, accompanied by the elegant playing of the violin as well as neat long tables along with an intricately designed stage and dance floor. There were over a hundred people present, currently exchanging pleasantries over wine in their own little groups.

As Li Wan’er appeared at the doorway with her arm linked to Xu Tingsheng’s, everyone’s gazes fell on her.

Feeling Li Wan’er’s body trembling slightly, Xu Tingsheng leaned over and whispered jokingly into her ear, “What’s there to be panicked about? Whoever bullies you, I’ll help beat him up.”

In the eyes of the onlookers now, the relationship between the two seemed extremely intimate.

Still feeling a little angered from earlier, knowing that he was just talking trash again, Li Wan’er just ignored him outright as she slowly led him over to a group of seven or eight people to the left of the room.

“Uncle Wang, Uncle Zhu, Auntie Xue...hello,” Li Wan’er bowed as she greeted them.

“Oh, Niece Wan’er is here! They were still saying that they couldn’t find you just now. And I told them, Old Li being such a responsible person, it couldn’t be that his daughter might run off and hide just like that, right?” The bald Uncle Wang was the first to respond.

Li Wan’er smiled back in response.

“That’s right. Otherwise, Wan’er also wouldn’t have returned from Italy, right? It’s been so many years, and you’re only getting more and more beautiful,” The sole lady amongst the group, the one Li Wan’er addressed as Auntie Xue, continued, “Niece Wan’er said earlier that you found someone who’s willing to invest. It should be this handsome guy over here, I suppose?”

The gazes that were on Xu Tingsheng increased. Actually, many people had already seen him as well as his car at the carpark. Still, the lighting there had been dim…

Looking again now and clearly seeing his features, everyone could not help but feel doubtful, “He’s just too young, isn’t he? Li Wan’er actually claims that he’s her investor? It’s nearly a 20 million pit that the Li Family’s got there.”

Considering how this young fella’s appearance was rather good, some even thought that it would be a bit more believable if someone were to say that he was some youthful guy whom Li Wan’er had been raising outside for her own leisure had her family not fallen on hard times.

Uncle Zhu who sported a golden watch asked rather dissatisfiedly, “What’s your surname?”

“Xu,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The few of them exchanged glances before beginning to discuss in hushed voices, yet no one at all could remember a Xu Family with a son of this corrresponding age within the industry or amongst the other wealthy families of Shenghai.

“What does your family do?” Uncle Zhu continued asking in a rather strange tone and manner.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before replying, “My family? My family runs a supermarket.”

“Which supermarket? Where?”

“We have stores in some in some counties and also a few cities. There’s isn’t one in Shenghai, so you may not have heard of it before.”

Xu Tingsheng wasn’t following the script like he should. Li Wan’er felt that she might really have made the wrong decision. All her preparations for dealing with this matter had been swept into chaos by Xu Tingsheng from the very start, now being scattered messily all over the place.

Xu Tingsheng heard some low laughter before discussions ran rampant around the entire hall.

“Li Wan’er actually found someone who runs a supermarket in some counties to invest.”

“She stayed so long overseas that she’s turned silly? Selling herself for a price such as that?”

The low laughter finally turned into mocking laughter and jeers.

Li Wan’er hurriedly went to his rescue, saying, “Uncles and Aunties, actually, he’s mainly an entrepreneur. He’s…”

“Hucheng, Xu Tingsheng.”

As Li Wan’er who was not proficient at telling untruths was about to say out Xu Tingsheng’s ‘fabricated’ identity, she spoke rather hesitantly and unconfidently. Xu Tingsheng could only complete the sentence for her in a confident, self-assured manner.

In the year 2004, the housing prices of Shenghai had still yet to surpass five digits, with the assets of the richest tycoons in the country yet to surpass ten digits. Those whose assets had already surpassed 400 million already had a chance of getting onto the Forbes ranking list.

The reason for Dexin being worth 12 million was its location. A few years later, it would be worth hundreds of millions.

As for the total wealth of these so-called clothing-related magnates, as Li Wan’er’s family had formerly been, they actually only amounted to a few million or some tens of millions at most.

Hucheng’s estimated value had already surpassed the 100 million mark.

Its estimated value having surpassed 100 million did not mean that Xu Tingsheng’s assets were indeed over that number, because Hucheng had still yet to become a listed company. Even if it was listed, its market value surpassing 100 million, it still wouldn’t mean that he really had so much money. His identity made it such that as soon he exchanged his shares for money, Hucheng would correspondingly no longer be as valuable.

Yet, this could still be a piece of sufficiently shocking news, sufficient to win over everyone currently present.

Sadly, this was the year 2004, where the IT industry had still yet to receive as much attention as it would just a few years down the road.

Xu Tingsheng’s voice had also not been loud enough. Those few in front of him who were able to hear him were all at least in their fifties, having always been part of only traditional industries.

Therefore, they had never heard of Hucheng before, much less being aware of what it entailed.

Most of them were shaking their heads.

There were still some who harboured some remaining bit of hope. After all, his car was in the carpark; his clothes were right on him. Also, they were affected by the calm manner of this youth, by how a smile remained on his face despite the jeering that resounded all around him…

“Maybe he really is a bit wealthy.”

“Then, I wonder how much Mister Xu plans to invest for Wan’er?” Someone asked.

“Approximately…” Li Wan’er hastened a reply.

“It’s still not definite yet. Actually, I might not be investing,” Xu Tingsheng was even swifter in replying as he said, “I think that I can’t just invest the money for Wan’er to give it to you guys immediately afterwards, right? Therefore, I’m here to take a look at everyone’s attitudes today, seeing if you intend to let Wan’er continue with her company. I’ll only consider investing if there is such a possibility.”

Li Wan’er felt very much like crying. She knew that she couldn’t very well blame Xu Tingsheng for this-he was, after all, just trying to help her. Yet, at this moment, she felt that everything was over with what he had just said.

“Perhaps it’s for the best if everything ends just like this. It was me who found him. Therefore, it might have been destined, destined that it would turn out this way.”

Li Wan’er accepted her fate. She bravely turned and flashed a smile at Xu Tingsheng. This smile conveyed gratitude: Even though you’ve messed things up, I’m still thankful to you for your willingness to help me.

The others reacted differently at hearing Xu Tingsheng’s words.

Someone who was somewhat more tactful said, “Hmm...Niece Wan’er, we know that things are very hard for you right now. Rightly speaking, we Uncles and Aunties should be understanding towards you. Still, we should look at this matter on its own. After all, this is not a small sum for us as well…”

Someone who had a worse temper interjected, “Just say it outright! Stop playing with us, getting out this whatever investor...as I see it, you shouldn’t blame us for not giving you a chance. We were all still waiting for you to come today, and that’s the chance we gave you. Lodging a complaint, auctioning everything off, that’s just how it is.”

Li Wan’er tightened her grip on Xu Tingsheng’s arm.

“That’s fine too!” Xu Tingsheng patted the back of Li Wan’er’s hand, saying, “Uncles and Aunties, you can go and discuss it for a bit. The two of us will be eating first. I’m hungry.”

Uncaring of Li Wan’er’s wishes, Xu Tingsheng simply tightened his linked arm and pulled her away alongside him.

They found a table and sat down.

Xu Tingsheng began eating the food on the table in a totally graceless manner.

Li Wan’er sat limply in the chair beside him.

“Feeling panicked?” Xu Tingsheng asked her in a low tone.

Li Wan’er shook her head. She did not wish to blame Xu Tingsheng, much less push the responsibility onto him, making him bear the consequences of it all. She had not had much hopes of him in the first place. Her dreams had merely been shattered prematurely, this not being the least bit unexpected.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, drawing closer to her, “What’re you feeling panicked about? It should be them who’re panicking now. It’s them who really especially hope that I’m a rich dude, hoping that I’ll be investing in your company. Get it? Because of that, they’re panicking right now.”

Li Wan’er felt puzzled.

Xu Tingsheng continued, “The thing you should be rejoicing most about right now is that you owe them too much money, so much that even auctioning off everything of your family’s would still be far from enough. If not for this, they’d long since have lodged a complaint and started the auction, splitting up everything you have. Therefore, the reason they waited for you today isn’t to give you a chance, but to give themselves a chance. They hope even more than you yourself do that you can make a comeback, gaining the ability to recompense them. You get it?”

“I...still don’t get it,” Li Wan’er knit her brows.

“You don’t have to. Anyway, just remember this sentence of mine: The debtor’s the boss,” Xu Tingsheng cut a large slice of beef and stuffed it into his mouth, asking, “You aren’t hungry?”

Li Wan’er rubbed her stomach.

“Eat then! Learn from me and eat up happily. If we’ve got to starve in the future, at least we get to eat a full, good meal for free today. So, just eat.”

Xu Tingsheng took a slice of cheesecake and brought it over to Li Wan’er’s mouth.

“Okay.”

Li Wan’er smiled. The way she saw it, Xu Tingsheng probably meant that she should just ignore whatever was already unsalvageable anyway.

Still, it actually felt great acting like this. Li Wan’er had not felt so heartened in a really long time. Therefore, she decided to listen to Xu Tingsheng now.

Who cares about whether we’ll have to starve in the future? Let’s eat!

Li Wan’er opened her mouth, but then frowned, “Hey, you’re using your hands.”

“To hell with etiquette! Aren’t you tired of being obedient?” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed.

“Yeah,” Li Wan’er smiled brightly, flashing her white teeth as she nodded hard in agreement before then eating the entire cake in a single mouthful.

She was done being obedient and submissive.

Beneath the disdainful gazes of the crowd...the wind swept away the remnant clouds, to be replaced by only happiness as they chatted and laughed happily.

……

Meanwhile, the old, bald man surnamed Zhu walked over to a group of youngsters, asking, “Hucheng, Xu Tingsheng. Anyone heard of him before?”

With blank expressions on their faces, the lot of them tried hard to remember, one of them finally speaking after a while, “I seem to have heard my friend talk about this before, though I’m not too clear on it myself. How about I go out and check him out on a computer?”

Old Man Zhu nodded.

Chapter 222: I’m willing to go with you

Seeing that person leave the room, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly ate some more before lifting his glass of red wine and standing up.

In the midst of chomping on half a lobster in a totally unglamorous manner, Li Wan’er looked up at him, “Hey, where’re you going?”

“Don’t worry about it, just focus on eating. If it isn’t enough, just ask for more. We don’t have to pay anyway,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’ll find your debtors and have a chat with them. Remember, if anyone provokes you, just yell loudly for me. I’ll beat them up real good.”

Li Wan’er hurriedly wiped her hand with a napkin before pulling tightly at Xu Tingsheng’s sleeve, gazing up at him with big, teary eyes as she shook her head in a weak, pitiful manner, “Don’t go. You’ll lose out, you’d be bullied.”

“That’s you. Me? They wouldn’t dare.”

Xu Tingsheng caught Li Wan’er’s wrist and moved her hand away, setting it down. Then, he raised his wineglass and went wherever it was more crowded.

Li Wan’er watched him from far away, watching him shamelessly going over everywhere despite the cold faces and disdainful looks, taking the initiative to talk to everyone. He smiled cheerfully and spoke eloquently and endlessly, not caring at all whether everyone else was ignoring him.

When his wineglass was empty, he would look for a waiter and get it refilled before continuing with the same process.

Li Wan’er felt worried and guilty. Yet, at the same time, she also suddenly felt like warmth had arisen within her heart. Following her father’s death, there was now finally another person who was helping her to bear the tough weight of the world, shielding her from the winds and the rain.

True, he was still just a boy, a hoodlum who was just a driver, undependable and incompetent.

He might be unable to do anything at all, take care of any problem at all.

“But, so what? It’s just a pity that…”

Thinking of her age and her predicament, Li Wan’er smiled bitterly, her brows tightly knit.

His back to the crowd, Xu Tingsheng raised his wineglass in Li Wan’er’s direction from a distance away, shaking it a little as he shrugged and grinned mischievously. Li Wan’er hurriedly raised her wineglass as well, exchanging a toast with him from far away in the distance.

At this moment, Li Wan’er suddenly felt that this hoodlum who insisted on loosening his tie and adjusting it askew after sitting down just because he felt it to be uncomfortable was just so cool.

Right, he was just so cool. This was something that girls commonly expressed in their younger days, when they would be enraptured by those cool-looking bad boys. Now, the 31-year-old Li Wan’er felt like she was going to fall under his spell as well.

“That shouldn’t be the case, right? Right, it shouldn’t. But with how things are right now, I might already have to go hungry here on out, and then we’ll no longer be meeting. Just being smitten by him for a bit-that should be fine, right?”

As Li Wan’er was trying to embolden herself enough to throw him a kiss, Xu Tingsheng had already turned around. He was currently in the midst of dragging along the boss of a fabric company over to an empty table regardless of his own wishes in this regard.

“Wan’er,” Zhu Ping sat down beside Li Wan’er, “How’re you doing, Wan’er?”

Zhu Ping had been schoolmates with Li Wan’er for over ten years, having studied in the same school as her in primary school, junior high and senior high. He was also the son of a business partner of her father’s.

Li Wan’er knew that Zhu Ping had gotten drunk on the day of her wedding, nearly getting into an accident as a result. He had even gone to Italy to look for her before. Many in the industry knew that while Zhu Ping’s reputation as a playboy was well known by all, he had been besotted with Li Wan’er all these years.

If not for the Li Family having insisted on finding a son-in-law who would take on their surname back then, perhaps it might really have worked out between the two.

Li Wan’er smiled, “I’m alright. Things are already like this now, anyway. Don’t worry about me; look at how happy I’m eating.”

Her opinion of Zhu Ping was actually not bad. Someone who was besotted with her...that wasn’t an erroneous thing. There were even times when Li Wan’er felt that if there were truly people who treated her well in this world, perhaps Zhu Ping could be considered one of them.

Zhu Ping seemed to be considering something as he appeared very hesitant.

“What is it?” Li Wan’er asked him.

“I’ll be getting married in two months. I’m going to marry Xiao Fei,” Zhu Ping said in a low tone.

The Zhu Family ran a factory just like the Li Family. As for the Xiao Family, it was involved in the batch distribution of the related goods on a large scale.

Being used to weddings of this kind, Li Wan’er felt it to be perfectly natural as she smiled, “I know about that! You told me before, don’t you remember? It’s just that sadly, I might not be able to attend when the time comes. Come, a premature toast. Congratulations in advance!”

Li Wan’er raised her wineglass. Yet, Zhu Ping did not reciprocate.

He said, “The one I want to marry is actually you.”

Li Wan’er did not reply him.

Zhu Ping continued, “Even after you had gotten married, I still continued dreaming about you. I’ve been unable to give it up all this time. I didn’t think that your family would end up this way. Sorry that I couldn’t help much.”

At this moment, Li Wan’er felt rather touched.

Yet, such feelings were eradicated immediately afterwards.

Zhu Ping seemed to steel himself and go all out as he spoke in a hushed tone, “Leave with me tonight, Wan’er. Let me have it once. While I can’t really help you much, a couple million would still be fine. Or, I also have this housing deed that’s currently with my family, the one for the flat that you and your mother are currently living in. Accompany me once tonight and you can keep that flat. You won’t have to suffer the fate of being homeless.”

Li Wan’er couldn’t easily accept what she was hearing. Those memories and feelings that could still have been considered good originally had just been personally ripped apart by Zhu Ping during her most destitute, downtrodden times. So the truth was actually just like this.

“How about it? You aren’t satisfied?” Seeing that Li Wan’er wasn’t speaking, thinking her to be hesitating, Zhu Ping hurriedly went on, “Actually, if you’re willing to, we can also continue after tonight. You take a sum of money and find somewhere to settle down. After I’m married, I can still go out on frequent work trips. I’ll go see you whenever I’ve got the time.”

“I can support you from now on. Even if you give birth to a child for me, I’d still have ways for the two of you live happily.”

Li Wan’er finally understood what Zhu Ping meant. He wanted to take her in as his mistress.

If Zhu Ping had instead told her that he wanted to marry her in spite of everything, regardless of what this might entail, Li Wan’er would have rejected him, not wanting to affect him and wanting even less to drag him into this mess. Even though the Zhu Family was currently also her debtor and possessed the ability to solve all her problems, she would still not ask Zhu Ping to do so for her. This was just not the kind of person she was.

If it had been so, at the very least, their past relationship would still have remained in a positive light in her mind as she would also have felt grateful. Actually, even if Zhu Ping had just come over with a few meaningless words of concern, not doing anything at all, Li Wan’er would still have felt grateful towards him.

Now, however, Li Wan’er realised how Zhu Ping thought of her, how he had been weighing the benefits and detriments in his mind. Even as he wished to obtain her, he also viewed her as a burden.

He felt that the destitute Li Wan’er was already no longer worth so much, being unwilling to give too much of a price for her. He still wanted the Li Family’s factory and properties, wanted his marriage with the Xiao Family. At the same time, if it was worth it, he wanted her as well.

That being the case, their past relationship...would actually also have other things mixed within? Li Wan’er was the sole offspring of the Li Family.

Li Wan’er suddenly felt despondent, not because of Zhu Ping, but because everything that had once appeared good in her eyes was currently in the midst of shattering one by one.

“Wanna stage a robbery amidst the fire, bro? That’s really too shameless. Come, move aside,” Xu Tingsheng’s voice resounded behind them.

Hearing this voice and that insouciant tone, Li Wan’er suddenly no longer felt sorrowful as she happily turned to look at Xu Tingsheng, reaching out and gripping his collar, leading him over.

Xu Tingsheng had managed to obtain a stool from somewhere which he promptly forced between Li Wan’er and Zhu Ping before leaping in to sit on.

With one hand on Li Wan’er’s shoulder, he introduced to Zhu Ping, “My woman.”

Zhu Ping chortled, saying, “The ignorant know no fear-this line is for you. I urge you to properly go back to your village and run your county supermarket. Be your frog in the well there. For the Li Family’s matter, you’re really not qualified.”

Then, he looked at Li Wan’er, “Wan’er, you seem to have changed a lot, but it wouldn’t really be to the extent of being together with such a frog, right? Be careful, or you might just get cheated.”

“Hey, how am I like a frog? I’m much cooler and handsomer than you, okay? Right, Wan’er?” Xu Tingsheng retorted.

Beside him, Li Wan’er nodded with an earnest expression on her face.

Zhu Ping’s face sunk, his voice heavy as he looked at Li Wan’er, “What I said earlier still counts. I’m waiting for your reply.”

Li Wan’er pointed at Xu Tingsheng, “He’s really much cooler and handsomer than you.”

Zhu Ping shot to his feet. Due to the intensity with which he did so, the stool that he had been sitting on slammed into the ground with a loud ‘bang’. Everyone’s gazes fell on him, including that of his future wife as well as father-in-law.

“It’s fine. I just came over to see what divinity the Li Family managed to invite,” Zhu Ping feigned, not even daring to say Li Wan’er’s name now.

Only when the gazes on him had dispersed did Zhu Ping lower his tone, saying to Li Wan’er, “Get ready to sleep on the streets.”

“I have a room at Royal Dynasty Hotel,” Xu Tingsheng turned to look at Li Wan’er.

“I fear that you won’t have the chance to return to your room. Prepare to be hospitalised,” Zhu Ping replied.

“I guarantee that I’ll beat you up later till you need to go to the hospital,” Xu Tingsheng told him.

Zhu Ping left.

Li Wan’er hesitated for a moment before maneuvering away from beneath Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, taking the initiative to ask him, “What were you looking for them to chat about?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I asked those who sell fabric for all of them to let you have another set of fabric. I told those who placed the orders to give up on the reparations, slowly waiting for your family to finish the clothes before buying them. I also chatted with a few distributors and asked them to strongly promote the existing stocks your family has.”

“Then, I also privately told all of them that whoever agreed first, we’d pay them back first next time. At the same time, we’ll also give them a discount and priority in our future transactions.”

“I told them that if they all aren’t willing, they can forget about it and go on with lodging a complaint and doing the auction. As for if they don’t have enough money to split following the auction, that’s not our problem at all. You haven’t got any money anyway, and as for me, I’d also have to wait for your company to start business again before being willing to invest. The first sum would be ten million yuan, and I’d slowly add more afterwards.”

Hearing Xu Tingsheng excitedly telling a far-fetched tale that seemed purely of the imagination, shameless and arrogant to the point that it seemed pigs could teleport, Li Wan’er could not hold back a chuckle from escaping her mouth.

She thought for a moment before playing along, asking him jokingly, “Did they all agree then?”

Xu Tingsheng grew even more mischievous as he was increasingly feeling that it was quite an interesting thing to act like a foolish, arrogant youngster once in a while.

He sighed distantly before telling her, “Not a single one.”

His expression seemed to convey: Such a great idea of mine, but not a single one accepted it. How depressing!

Li Wan’er reached out and squeezed Xu Tingsheng’s hand under the table as she gazed at him, “Thank you. You should leave first after a bit. I’m scared that Zhu Ping might get some people to find trouble with you before this gathering ends. Also…”

“Also what?” Xu Tingsheng pulled back his hand and asked.

“I’ll never forget you,” Li Wan’er mustered up her courage.

Perhaps having one’s hopes utterly dashed would instead make one braver as Li Wan’er looked straight at Xu Tingsheng just like that, asking, “You are Xu Tingsheng, twenty years old, a driver, very good at fighting and a very street smart hoodlum, right?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded triumphantly. It had already been too long since he last played a role such as this. He had watched many HK films when he was young, being very worshipful of this kind of person. Andy Lau, Chow Yun-fat, which of them had not played such a role before?

“You joked earlier that you’d take me away, support me and feed me,” Li Wan’er smiled, “If that wasn’t a joke and you don’t feel disturbed that I’m eleven years older than you and was married before, if my predicament wasn’t like this and I wouldn’t be a burden to you, I’d tell you that...I’m willing to go with you.”

“I got the chick just like this?” Xu Tingsheng felt bemused as he asked disbelievingly, “What?”

“I said, if you would accept me, if I were free and weren’t a burden, I’d be willing to go with you. I don’t eat much anyway; it wouldn’t be that tough on you,” The 31-year-old Li Wan’er said as she looked straight into the eyes of the 20-year-old Xu Tingsheng.

“Is this chick really silly or pretending?” Xu Tingsheng was taken aback for a bit, “You won’t be grabbing onto me now, right?”

Li Wan’er said, “I won’t. You hurry and and leave!”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head as well, “I’ll wait for a while longer. For us street dudes, loyalty is the most important, and I said that I would help you. Also, I still haven’t beaten up that guy who threatened me earlier into the hospital yet! When have I ever been threatened like this outside?”

Seeing Xu Tingsheng with his gangster routine again, Li Wan’er felt extremely helpless as she frantically exclaimed, “Xu Tingsheng, take it like I’m begging you. Hurry up and leave! I was wrong, I shouldn’t have asked you for help. Now, I’m scared that Zhu Ping might really come and find trouble with you. Also, you won’t be able to help me here. This really isn’t something that can be taken care of using those gangster methods of yours. Don’t be so childish, okay?”

Xu Tingsheng persisted adamantly, “Why do I have to leave? I’m here to take care of matters for you. Come, tell me which families are the ones who sent people to watch over your factory and moved away your family’s equipment. I’ll go chat with them and ask them to send the stuff back and the people away.”

Li Wan’er asked, “You’re still going?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Yeah! If you don’t tell me, I’ll just have to go and ask them one by one.”

Li Wan’er could only point out those people to Xu Tingsheng.

Then, Xu Tingsheng raised his wineglass and set off once more.

He wasn’t there to flaunt, even though he looked like he was.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng’s true motive was to spread a message. Firstly, he needed these people to understand and start considering this: If the Li Family survives, it will be beneficial to everyone.

And how might the Li Family tide through this? All of them had to make some concessions first.

No one was enemies with money. No one here would be willing to watch their 3 million dwindle badly, stubbornly forcing the Li Family into extinction at the cost of suffering losses themselves.

As Xu Tingsheng had said earlier, Li Wan’er’s greatest advantage right now was really that she owed sufficient money. Even if all the Li Family’s belongings were auctioned off, it would still be far from sufficient for them to recoup their losses. Thus, the debtors would be even happier than Li Wan’er herself to see the Li Family making a comeback, gaining the ability to repay their debt.

The problem now was that they already no longer dared to trust the Li Family. They feared that if they gave way, it would lead to them suffering even greater losses down the road.

Therefore, there was currently no one who was willing to accept Xu Tingsheng’s proposal.

That being so, what if something happened later on which proved that the Li Family had really found an investor, gaining an opportunity as well as a backer to succeed in a comeback with?

For example, if there was someone who possessed two enterprises whose net worth were close to a hundred million yuan and he shared a close, intimate relationship with Li Wan’er, and he agreed to invest a large sum as soon as the Li Family’s factory had resumed operations…

They would begin to believe it, begin to willingly consider and accept Xu Tingsheng’s proposal.

In such a manner, they would be able to recoup their losses. At the same time, they would also have a chance to establish a good relationship with the Li Family that might be even stronger in the future, perhaps even establishing a good relationship with the two huge, major enterprises.

Xu Tingsheng even privately told all of them, “Whoever agrees first, we’ll pay them back their money first. Moreover, we’ll also give them a discount and priority in our future transactions.”

“Whoever gives way first, we’ll pay them back their money first,” While taken at face value, this concept might seem simple, even infantile, it actually possessed the greatest ‘killing power’. This was targeted against the innate weakness and selfishness of the human mind.

Of course, this had to be done in private...conveyed by Xu Tingsheng to all the families present.

No one would be enemies with money and opportunities.

Moreover, most people in reality flocked to the rich and the powerful like moths to a flame, unconsciously wishing to get in the good graces of and benefit from those who were more powerful than them.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng spread the message as he waited for the person who had left to look up on him to return. Then, he would wait for the first family to change their stance, voicing their willingness to make a concession.

Then, there would be a second, a third...finally, through their closely knit network of relations, he would tie all of them down, effectively ‘kidnapping’ them.

Chapter 223: Li Wan’er’s choice

As Zhu Ping walked towards Xu Tingsheng, Li Wan’er who had constantly been feeling worried for him came over as well, firmly and resolutely placing her slender, frail body in between them.

“Don’t worry, I’m not so stupid that I’d make a move on him now. If I did that, my wife and father-in-law would see it, overthink things and unnecessarily complicate matters,” Zhu Ping smiled darkly, “Still, if others were to act rashly, that wouldn’t have anything to do with me.”

Perhaps riled up and instigated by Zhu Ping, several other young men in the crowd also had animosity in their gazes that were on Xu Tingsheng as they rubbed their fists in anticipation.

Even though the mountains were too high and the waters too deep in Shenghai, with their statuses being woefully insufficient as they often had to lower their heads in facing others, against some upstart who had gotten rich from opening a supermarket in a county, there obviously wouldn’t be much of a problem at all if they acted against him.

Xu Tingsheng pressed on Li Wan’er’s shoulders and moved her away, still seeming all gangster-like as he told Zhu Ping, “You think you can beat me in a fight?”

“I don’t,” Zhu Ping scoffed disdainfully before directly saying, “You may not know this, but those who are good at fighting aren’t actually the most capable. Instead, it’s those who clearly can’t fight yet can make his superior opponent stand there and take a beating, not daring to retaliate.”

Xu Tingsheng considered this for a bit before saying earnestly, “That sounds really badass.”

Zhu Ping chortled, thinking that Xu Tingsheng might really be just a mere brainless hoodlum.

Xu Tingsheng said, “So you’d better not retaliate later then.”

Zhu Ping asked, “Well, why don’t you give it a go?”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “I’ll wait for a while.”’

The few people around them who could hear their conversation all felt speechless, thinking that Xu Tingsheng was very useless...what did he mean by waiting for a while? If he was scared of Zhu Ping, he should just admit it, rather than shamelessly insisting on putting on a front like this.

Xu Tingsheng saw the young man who had left earlier return, walking over to a corner where a group of older people were seated.

……

“Hucheng Tongcheng, formerly Hucheng Education, established for less than a year, servicing almost 50 cities in the economically developed southeastern coastal region, our Shenghai City included. They have their own training institute, their estimated worth being...over 100 million.”

The first sentence of the young man who was still panting a little from running over disrupted the composure of their group.

A few people glanced cautiously towards Xu Tingsheng and Li Wan’er across the room, while others had already begun secretly pondering on their private conversation with him from earlier.

“Are you sure it’s him? He’s called Xu Tingsheng? He’s so young, he shouldn’t be a fake, right?” the man surnamed Xiao who worked in the distribution line questioned repeatedly.

“Yes, it is him. There are a few photos of him online from when he was involved in a group fight. They weren’t exactly clear, but I compared them with him. It should be him all right, definitely.”

“That young?”

“First year of university, about to start his second year. 20 years old. He also seems to know where Cao Cao’s mausoleum is or something, just that it still hasn’t been confirmed yet. Anyway, he’s very famous on the internet, just that we usually don’t take notice because our professions are too far apart.”

Letting loose an unconscious exclamation, the various patriarchs leaned back in their seats. They had came to a conclusion about Xu Tingsheng beforehand and decided that they were simply going to sit and watch. One could only imagine how great a mental blow they suffered.

Zhu Ping’s father who wore a huge golden watch on his wrist recalled his conversation with Xu Tingsheng as he murmured softly, “Didn’t that kid say his family runs supermarkets in a county?”

In this world, there are some smart alecks who like to feign intelligence wherever they go. There are also others who just like to ‘package’ themselves as coarse, or high profile and thoughtless, just acting spontaneously with whatever comes to mind. Such people easily cause one to ease their guard. If they say or do something wrong, it will also generally be accepted and forgiven.

This Boss Zhu had clearly been playing such a role all this.

“His father does run a supermarket. There’s a scoop on it online, given by some local. I think that the supermarket is called Happy Shoppers…” The young man replied.

“You aren’t kidding, right?” Someone exclaimed exaggeratedly, seemingly finding it very hard to believe that a son with a company that might be worth over a hundred million yuan could have a father who ran a supermarket in a county.

“Happy Shoppers has just existed for a year, but the number of stores it runs directly as well as the franchise stores whose shares they hold already number more than sixty, all of these being medium or large scale modern self-service supermarkets. They even sell clothing.”

More than sixty medium and large scale supermarkets?

They even sold clothing?

These two sentences combined really held too great ‘killing power’ for all these bosses present.

As they were in the clothing industry, this news entailed an incomparably huge business partner.

There were already some who already could not wait to approach Xu Tingsheng.

“I was the first to accept. I was the first to agree to a concession!” While not one of them had agreed to Xu Tingsheng’s proposal originally, all of them were fighting over this ‘first’ now.

The young man continued, “Happy Shoppers does not have a detailed estimated worth as of yet, but I feel that it definitely wouldn’t be anywhere low. Especially their total wealth-because the Xu Family really did rise to prominence rather quickly, many are guessing about that, just that it isn’t something that can be easily seen through.”

“Dang,” Someone said, “We’ve worked our entire lives and it can’t even add up to what this father and son have accomplished in a single year.”

“This Xu Family should have some substantial background, right? Otherwise, it’s impossible that they could’ve risen so quickly. Where’s his family from?” Another person asked.

This still wasn’t that era where the production of just a single app could result in someone suddenly gaining a couple hundred million overnight. The speed of the Xu Family’s rise to prominence was indeed a little too inconceivable.

“Jianhai Province, Jiannan City, Libei County.”

”

As the young man finished, the old Mr Wang who had been the first to speak to Li Wan’er raised a hand to call for silence before saying, “I’ll make a call, check with my friend from Jiannan City.”

Less than two minutes later, he hung up, saying, “This old friend of mine is still of some status in the city. He didn’t say much, just one thing. Something happened to the Xu Family in their own county a while back. In the end...at least three calls came in from the provincial office for them.”

The formerly bustling corner instantly descended into silence just like that.

Xu Tingsheng’s identity, background and capabilities all needn’t be doubted now. As for his relationship with Li Wan’er, that too seemed to be evident beyond compare. It should be as everyone had seen, could think of...that kind of relationship.

It did not sit well with some of them who were already starting to think ‘scornfully’, “Everyone was saying how Li Wan’er is pure and foolish, totally unlike someone from a business family. But in the end, she’d already gone and sold herself at a good price without anyone knowing.”

Of course, none of them was foolish enough to voice such thoughts openly.

It was just like how they should be treating Li Wan’er now, as well as what sort of attitude they should adopt and how they should handle the Li Family’s debts. There was already no need to voice these out as well-the answer to this was tacitly known by everyone.

And this answer was something they were happy to arrive at. Again, there was no one who was willing to be enemies with money.

It was virtually confirmed that they would be able to get their money back. The Li Family...would be able to afford it. Also, their future cooperation could very likely reap greater benefits for them. It was these that were the most important, being of much more significance than how mighty Xu Tingsheng’s background was.

At the end of the day, Xu Tingsheng’s background just made them more willing to trust the Li family, to trust that if they made a concession now, their money would naturally return to them.

This was why Xu Tingsheng had previously told Li Wan’er that her biggest advantage was actually that she owed sufficient money, so much so that auctioning off all the Li Family’s belongings would still be far from sufficient to recompense everyone.

That was more important than Xu Tingsheng’s support and powerful background here.

If they did not trust Li Wan’er and pushed the Li Family off the cliff, lodging a complaint and auctioning off their assets, they would have lost upward of a million or even several million afterwards, even earning the reputation of harming others without even benefiting oneself.

If they chose to trust Li Wan’er, they were practically guaranteed their money back and even stood to profit more in the long term.

Businessmen view profits very highly, and the Li Family also didn’t have any deep-rooted enmity with anyone. So, was there still a need to choose?

There already wasn’t anyone who doubted the future of the Li Family now. The Li Family would definitely make a comeback, surging into prominence once more as they surpassed their former selves. Just Xu Tingsheng’s promised investment of 10 million yuan and the 60 over medium and large scale supermarkets of the Xu Family alone were already sufficient for the Li Family and Li Wan’er to be completely assured of victory.

…...

In contrast to the silence at this corner of the room, a din suddenly arose in the opposite corner.

Soon afterwards, someone ran over, “Uncles, Zhu Ping’s gotten into a fight with that village kid!”

He looked at Zhu Ping’s father, not daring to directly tell him that it was in fact Zhu Ping who had received a beating.

Everyone hurriedly rose from their seats.

……

“I said wait for a while. Look, you indeed managed to wait it out, huh?” Xu Tingsheng said.

Having suddenly been kicked solidly in the stomach by Xu Tingsheng, Zhu Ping was currently in the midst of crawling up from the ground. Behind him, a few guys whom he usually was on rather good terms with were getting ready to surge forward in retaliation.

A hapless Li Wan’er stood firmly before Xu Tingsheng, “Let him go! This doesn’t have anything to do with him in the first place.”

Then, Xu Tingsheng’s composed voice resounded from behind her, “Wan’er, step aside.”

Li Wan’er looked back, originally having intended to try persuading Xu Tingsheng again, telling him that this wasn’t something that could be solved by those gangster-like methods and urging him to quickly leave.

But as she looked back, she suddenly discovered that Xu Tingsheng seemed very different from how he had been earlier. Even though his tie was crooked and he still appeared slightly tipsy, the feeling which he emanated was already completely different from earlier, also being different from how it had been in all their previous interactions.

Li Wan’er suddenly felt unable to say to him, “You hoodlums...”

The word ‘hoodlum’ already couldn’t be used to describe the current Xu Tingsheng.

She thought back on those simple words from earlier, ‘Wan’er, step aside’. Even Xu Tingsheng’s tone and verbal mannerisms were already, all of a sudden, completely different from before.

While the suddenness of this felt miraculous, it was actually just the ‘20-year-old Xu Tingsheng’ having returned to being the ‘32-year-old experienced Xu Tingsheng’ as he had become mature and dependable all of a sudden.

As the ‘arrogant, ignorant hoodlum’ turned into the ‘successful man whose fortune nearly amounts to a hundred million at the age of twenty’, the atmosphere changed completely.

Moreover, it was currently precisely the moment when he needed to ‘act reliable’. Xu Tingsheng had basically had enough fun playing around already; he wouldn’t mind acting another way now.

Li Wan’er felt a little lost. She looked at Xu Tingsheng and the group of uncles and aunties currently in the midst of hurrying over, ultimately unable to stop worrying about him as she stubbornly refused to leave.

“It’s okay, Wan’er. They won’t dare to touch me. Come over here,” Xu Tingsheng smiled gently.

While Li Wan’er felt doubtful about this, like Xu Tingsheng had said, it was true that no one was rushing over. The furious young men, Zhu Ping who had just suffered a kick included, were all hastily pulled to the side by their parents after which they began conversing in hushed whispers.

It was exactly like how Zhu Ping himself had put it. Those who were the most capable weren’t those who were good at fighting but those who could make their opponent just stand there and take a beating, not daring to retaliate.

Zhu Ping dared not retaliate now.

Soon, the woman surnamed Xue walked out from the crowd, smiling enthusiastically as she called, “Niece Wan’er, come here! Auntie has something to tell you.”

Li Wan’er felt rather puzzled at this as she turned to look at Xu Tingsheng.

“Go on,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Li Wan’er made an affirmative noise before obediently stepping forward as asked.

The other party came over and grabbed her hands, “Look at my poor niece! How Auntie’s heart aches. You can rest assured, Wan’er. You can delay that loan from my family for however long you like. Also, when the factory’s about to resume operations, give Auntie a call. You can just take the fabric that you need to use first.”

Li Wan’er was rendered dazed by this sudden 180 degree change in attitude as she knew not how she should respond.

Therefore, she instinctively looked to Xu Tingsheng for guidance.

Seeing him nod, Li Wan’er felt at ease as she smiled, “Thank you, Auntie Xue. I’ll definitely pay you back the money when I’ve got the ability to.”

“No worries! It’s not like we’re outsiders. Take it slow, no need to feel pressured,” Madam Xue replied.

The first person having turned, there soon emerged a second, and then a third. Eventually, the situation had become one where everyone was heatedly competing to express their stance on the matter.

With things being so, however disdainful or unhappy some of those present might feel, however much they were unwilling to let the Li Family go, they still did not dare to voice their dissent now. Even if they did not care at all if they offended Xu Tingsheng, there was no way at all they would risk offending all these people from the same industry who had already aligned themselves with the Li Family, especially those with whom they shared a cooperative relationship.

These people therefore kept one another simultaneously in check.

This was the so-called ‘kidnapping’ that was the basis of Xu Tingsheng’s plan.

While Zhu Ping was still furious, with his father having repeatedly emphasized that he was not to offend Xu Tingsheng, he could only swallow his anger and accept his loss. In fact, their Zhu Family had even been one of the first families to declare their stance in this just earlier.

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng already no longer deigned to even look at Zhu Ping. Even when the latter’s father had personally brought him over to greet Xu Tingsheng earlier, all that had come in response was a casual smile.

Who was ‘the ignorant person who knew no fear’? Who lacked the qualifications? It already couldn’t be any more obvious. Had Li Wan’er made the right choice? This too already couldn’t be any more obvious. Due to his earlier arrogance and ignorance, Zhu Ping really wished that a black hole could just materialise at his feet and swallow him up.

This was especially so as he saw how Li Wan’er was so reliant on the young Xu Tingsheng as she seemed to trust him and listen to his every word. Zhu Ping had never seen her like this before. Now that he had, he was overwhelmed by an incomparable abject feeling of defeat.

Li Wan’er discovered that Xu Tingsheng’s seemingly impossible plans from earlier were actually being actualised right before her very eyes. Pigs really could teleport!

The fabric producers promised that they would let the Li Family have another shipment of fabric. Those who had made orders previously willingly gave up on compensation, continuing with their partnership. They could wait. Finally, the clothing retailers expressed that they would be strongly promoting the Li Family’s current stock of goods that still remained.

The people sent to watch over the factory would be immediately called back, the confiscated equipment returned.

Feeling overwhelmed, Li Wan’er coincidentally glanced at Xu Tingsheng and found him in the midst of telling those around him with a calm, composed expression on his face, “The first sum will be ten million yuan. After the Li Family has regained their usual operations, I look forward to working with all you guys.”

He spoke casually and in an incomparably natural tone as if it was no big deal at all, being just some minor matter like the price of a handful of vegetables in a supermarket.

Li Wan’er secretly puffed up her cheeks as she felt the urge to laugh, only barely managing to resist it, “This guy’s actually so good at acting! How can he seem so calm when telling such a big lie? He’s absolutely composed! If I were to take him at face value, even I would believe it!”

What she did not know was that she was actually the only one present who still did not believe what was going on.

The disbelieving Li Wan’er thought, “It looks like everyone’s been swindled by him, thinking that he really is the boss of that whatever Hucheng. Still, that twenty-year-old boss, the person he’s acting as-he must really be something!”

Li Wan’er could not deny that she was feeling very curious about the person that Xu Tingsheng was currently masquerading as, because he was really too legendary a character. The shared sensibilities of all girls then caused her to wonder about something else.

“They’re both twenty years old. One of them is a true legend, a young magnate, while the other is a hoodlum who’s impersonating somebody else. If I had to choose? I’d choose...the imposter, my hoodlum.

Despite the two vastly different identities, Li Wan’er had no difficulty choosing at all. She chose the one who had roared at and been fierce to her, he who loved to bully her and was just a mere driver. He always said that he was very good at fighting, that he would beat up whoever bullied her...that hoodlum.

She chose him without the slightest hesitation.

Chapter 224: Come to my hotel tomorrow

The black Mercedes-Benz G600 drove slowly along Nanjing Street.

In just a single night, Li Wan’er had gone from despairing to having her hope rekindled. She had somehow managed to tide through this major crisis that had repressed her to the point of feeling suffocated just like that.

How many such roller coaster rides would one experience in a lifetime?

During those turbulent times, will that person appear by your side again?

“And I’d still thought I’d have to starve, that that was it for me forever,” As she sat in the front passenger seat, this was what Li Wan’er was thinking as she unconsciously tightly gripped the seatbelt that slid across her right shoulder in what usually signified unease and inner turmoil.

There was only one CD on the G500. Xu Tingsheng had taken it from Fang Yuqing’s decrepit Volkswagen.

He found it and put it into the player. Li Zongsheng’s raspy, aged voice reverberated within the car, “I truly thought that life would just be like this, that my calm heart would no longer waver…”

How coincidental that this precisely reflected Li Wan’er’s current state of mind.

Li Wan’er finally raised her lowered head, sneaking a glance at that person’s side profile.

He had said, “I’m taking care of things for you!”

In the end, just randomly messing around, he had actually really managed to achieve it.

“But why isn’t he messing around anymore, not being a scoundrel anymore? If you really can’t, you could at least bully me, right? Are you still acting? Hey, why’re you putting on such a front?”

The joy from having successfully surpassed the crisis was diminished by an inexplicable feeling.

Back then, just a short while ago, the Li Wan’er who already despaired about ‘tomorrow’ had become very brave, the 31-year-old her saying to a 20-year-old boy, ‘I’m willing to leave with you’ and ‘I’ll always remember you’.

She had even secretly made a choice in her heart, having chosen him.

Now, just thinking about those words she had said, Li Wan’er would feel completely at a loss, “Li Wan’er, you’re 31 years old and a divorcee, while he’s 20. Look at yourself!”

…...

What’re you planning to do next?” Xu Tingsheng suddenly asked.

“Sorry?” Li Wan’er snapped out of her reverie.

“What’re you planning to do next?” Xu Tingsheng repeated.

“Oh,” Li Wan’er said, “I don’t know, I’m still deciding. Still, thank you.”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it for a moment. “So just to clarify, I was only randomly lying to help you out just now. I won’t actually be investing any money in your company. Let alone ten million, you won’t even be receiving a single cent from me.”

Li Wan’er laughed, “I know! You’re just an imposter, where would you even have that money?”

Xu Tingsheng slowly turned to look at Li Wan’er whereupon he confirmed that she wasn’t joking.

“After all that stuff that happened earlier, with everything that those guys said, that atmosphere, she really still doesn’t get it? She really thinks those old foxes so easy to deceive, thinks that a few random sentences would be enough to trick them? She really thinks that I can act so well?”

Xu Tingsheng finally realised that even now, Li Wan’er actually still believed him to be a mere imposter, “This beautiful, alluring, unbelievably obtuse creature...how much of a fool must she be?

Actually, Li Wan’er was just inexperienced, not foolish.

It was just that during all that had transpired and even up till the present moment, her mind had not been focused on this area at all. How she looked at Xu Tingsheng and the things that she had been thinking about because of him were also completely different for her than for others.

Moreover, Xu Tingsheng’s identity as a hoodlum had already been indelibly impressed upon her from their previous interactions.

As a result, she had still yet to awaken to the truth even now.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before smiling, “Do as I said and try to think of a way to leave. One repaying their parent’s debts is just a moral concept. There isn’t any legal proof-you didn’t inherit anything, after all. So, in a few days’ time, just secretly sell some of the equipment that’s been sent back and then leave this place. Live a good, simple, peaceful life from now on.”

Seeing the corners of his mouth arching, Li Wan’er was inexplicably overcome by stubbornness all of a sudden as she swivelled her head away to look out of the car window, “It’s fine you don’t want...don’t want to care about me. Why is it that you must chase me away?”

Xu Tingsheng exclaimed exasperatedly, “Li Wan’er, what’re you getting angry at?! I’m just giving you my honest opinion; you really aren’t cut out to run a business. Without any funds coming in, if you do want to go on with it, just that initial stage alone would be incomparably difficult. I hope that you won’t force yourself beyond your capabilities.”

Li Wan’er replied in a huff, “I know.”

She actually knew that what Xu Tingsheng said wasn’t wrong. It was just that for some reason, listening to him persuading her to leave, to go to Italy, she was overwhelmed by an inexplicable sense of anger. After her anger, there was also nothing she could do but simply refuse to leave.

All she could do was sulk.

The car turned into the short Jiangning Street.

Xu Tingsheng pulled up opposite the bank where he had met with Li Wan’er earlier that day.

Suddenly realising that the car had stopped, Li Wan’er was momentarily taken aback before she
saw from the window her van that was still parked across the street. Thinking back, she realised that all these events had happened on the same day, within the span of just a few hours.

That door that had been shut for thirty-one years was just so easily opened in this one short day.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at the time before asking Li Wan’er, “It’s exactly 10pm right now, not really that late. Can you drive yourself back? Or do you want me to send you home instead?”

Li Wan’er didn’t know what she was feeling or what she was thinking about right now. All she knew was that she didn’t feel like alighting here. She feigned calmness, saying, “Please send me home then.”

Xu Tingsheng restarted the engine, and off they went.

The car quickly reached the end of Jianging Street. Having been silent all this while, Li Wan’er now sat up and pointed, “Go that way. I’m not going home yet. Please send me to the hospital.”

Xu Tingsheng asked quizzically, “Are you okay?”

Li Wan’er paused for a moment before saying rather sorrowfully, “It isn’t me, it’s my mother. After things came up with my family, my mother fainted, and it was diagnosed by the hospital that she has some sort of tumour in her brain that has to be operated on. It’s all thanks to you, really. You let me be the one to make the suits, and it was because of that that I was able to pay the fees for my mother’s surgery by a specialist.”

Only now Xu Tingsheng know why Li Wan’er had mustered the courage to chase after them that day, pleading to take over the order for the three suits on her own initiative, next having slogged so tirelessly to get the suits out and send them over to him before schedule.

Thinking about this, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Was that money enough? Do you need my help?”

Li Wan’er looked at him. “It’s a little short, but I’ll think of something. Where would you even get that money? By robbing a bank? You just happen be a hoodlum anyway, and skilled at fighting.”

Li Wan’er smiled after saying so, having made a joke and brought the conversation to what Xu Tingsheng himself had been going on and on about that entire day as she secretly anticipated, hoped that he would still be that same hoodlum who was always messing around.

That was the Xu Tingsheng whom she was close with.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, but did not speak.

After they had arrived at the hospital, Xu Tingsheng followed Li Wan’er inside.

Inside the building, Li Wan’er entered the sick ward alone while Xu Tingsheng loitered aimlessly about the corridors for a while. Bumping into the nurse who was on night duty, he struck up a conversation with her for a bit, asking about Li Wan’er’s mother’s condition in the meantime.

He regretted it immediately, but it was already too late.

Li Wan’er exited the sick ward and went round three floors before she managed to find Xu Tingsheng. She found him hidden by a dimly lit corner of the stairwell, smoking a cigarette.

“I couldn’t find you just now. I even thought you’d already left.” Li Wan’er said in a low tone.

“I was waiting to send you home. Since I decided to be a good samaritan today, I might as well see through my good deed to the end,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

This was actually what he had told himself following his chat with that nurse just earlier. Since he had stuck his nose in this matter, he should see it through for today, though only just today.

Li Wan’er apologised, “Because the surgery will be next week, my mother’s currently feeling a little nervous. I’ve decided to accompany her tonight, so I won’t be going home today.”

“Oh…” Xu Tingsheng thought about it, “I’ll be leaving now then.”

“Right,” Li Wan’er said.

Xu Tingsheng began walking down the stairs.

Then, separated by two flights of stairs, he heard Li Wan’er calling loudly from behind, “Hey!”

Just that one ‘hey!’.

Xu Tingsheng looked up and saw Li Wan’er peering down at him as she gripped the banister.

Not wanting their raised voices to affect the patients, Xu Tingsheng went back up. Seeing him turn back, Li Wan’er walked down towards him as well...

They met on another landing.

Seeing Li Wan’er’s conflicted expression, thinking that she should be feeling troubled by that sticky situation of hers, Xu Tingsheng asked her gently, “What is it? If there’s anything, say it.”

Li Wan’er hesitated for a while before raising her head to look at Xu Tingsheng, seeming to have to muster up great courage before finally being able to speak, “It’s nothing. It’s just, you forgot to say that we’re even. Did you forget to, or, or…”

This day in Li Wan’er’s life had been like no other at all. She had met someone who was out of the ordinary, experienced something that was special. While she desperately wanted to deny it, she clearly knew that her heart had been moved by him.

And the other party was actually a hoodlum who was only twenty years old.

This made Li Wan’er feel fearful as she shrunk back from facing it head on.

Li Wan’er had actually thought about many things when she had been in the sick ward with her mother earlier.

It was only having wiped her tears away that she had come looking for Xu Tingsheng, thinking that this might perhaps be farewell forever.

If Xu Tingsheng had used that phrase which he seemed to love using, ‘we’re even’, Li Wan’er would not have uttered that ‘hey’. And now that he hadn’t, Li Wan’er’s heart had begun acting rebelliously, again throwing her into chaos.

Xu Tingsheng asked jokingly, “Can’t bear to have me go?”

Li Wan’er looked down, shaking her head in denial, “No.”

Xu Tingsheng moved in closer to her.

Li Wan’er moved back.

Then, she found herself backed against the wall with no available path of retreat. Yet, Xu Tingsheng was still in the midst of closing in. This time, Li Wan’er did not extend a hand to stop him like she had in the banquet hall. She clenched her hands into fists, pressed tightly against the wall with the rest of her body. Then, she closed her eyes tightly, her body trembling slightly.

Having faced too much dirty scheming with too many people deliberately approaching her with feigned concern recently, Li Wan’er had actually been cautiously protecting herself all this time.

The only exception was now, when she knew not what she should be doing any longer.

She hesitated, unsure if she should push him away.

Feeling Xu Tingsheng’s warm breath tickling her nose, Li Wan’er knew that he was already leaning in very close. She also seemed to know...what he was intending to do.

Then, an incomparably nervous Li Wan’er waited, and waited. It might’ve been a few minutes...

Yet, nothing happened.

When she finally could not but open her eyes, what she discovered was instead him watching her intently with a meaningful smile on his face. Li Wan’er was frustrated now. She ruthlessly pushed him aside with all her might and stomped off down the stairs.

Xu Tingsheng’s voice resounded from behind her, “Come to my hotel tomorrow if you’ve got the time! I’m staying at Royal Dynasty Hotel. Call me when you’ve arrived.”

“Uhuh,” A dazed Li Wan’er replied mechanically as she continued going down the stairs.

When she finally comprehended what had just been said, realising that Xu Tingsheng had actually just asked her to go to his hotel, he had already hurried past her in descending the stairs, his figure now slowly disappearing into the distance.

She could actually still have shouted for him to stop.

Yet in the end, not a sound was uttered from Li Wan’er’s half-opened mouth.

Chapter 225: If only it weren’t him

Li Wan’er returned to the sick ward dispiritedly, her thoughts floating about restlessly.

The word ‘hotel’ was inevitably quite a sensitive one for the current Li Wan’er. Now that it had left Xu Tingsheng’s mouth...what did this entail?

“This scoundrel who bullies people! He just has that scoundrelly thought? That…thought? Or is it something else, which he didn’t feel comfortable voicing out directly?” It would be very difficult for Li Wan’er not to think deeply into things...

She ground her teeth the more she thought about it.

Her cheeks reddened the more she thought about it.

Lying down on her side on her sickbed, as Li Wan’er’s mother saw her daughter’s expression constantly in flux, she called out gently to her. Seeing no reaction forthcoming, she raised her hand and waved it in front of her, asking, “Wan’er, are you okay?”

Broken out of her reverie, Li Wan’er was a little flustered as she shook her head, “I’m fine, Mum. Hurry up and sleep!”

Mrs Li smiled, clasping her daughter’s hands as she ventured cautiously, “That person who helped our family, the one who sent you over. Has he left?”

“Yeah,” Li Wan’er replied.

Li Wan’er had already told her mother the good news earlier, during which she had also mentioned that there was such a person who had helped her. It was just that due to Xu Tingsheng’s age and various other reasons, she had not dared to go into much detail.

As for how ‘he’ held a special place in Li Wan’er’s heart, she as a mother had already long since understood it just from the expression and behaviour of her daughter as she had been speaking then.

“Still thinking about him? Can’t bear to have him go?” Mrs Li asked.

Li Wan’er nodded unconsciously in reply, after which she immediately shook her head frantically.

Mrs Li sighed, “Speaking of which, it’s all your Dad’s fault...now that our family has become like this, everything has fallen on your shoulders alone. How will you be able to handle any of this? This time, Mum may not be able to make it through this. If something happens to me, you’d be the only one left in this world. Wan’er, I can’t help but feel worried for you.”

Hearing this, Li Wan’er hurriedly stood up, “Mum, don’t say things like this! You’ll get better.”

Mrs Li smiled consolingly at her daughter before saying, “It’s just in case of that off chance! Even if I manage to get make it through this, I won’t be able to be by your side for that many more years to come. Wan’er, you’re also not young anymore. If that person really is good...Mum can actually tell that you really think that he’s good. In that case, we don’t have to be concerned over whether he’s rich or poor or things along that line. It’s fine as long as he’s willing to properly take care of you. Do you get what Mum means? Mum’s afraid that you might miss out on this chance. Go with him! Having someone who is concerned about and cares for you is more important than anything else.”

“I, I’m not going to leave.”

Li Wan’er secretly held back her tears, revealing a smile as she chatted with her mother.

But there was no way for her to tell her mother, “I still don’t know for sure whether he likes me. You don’t know how unseemly he is! He’s a hoodlum, a ne’er do well of society. If you knew that, you definitely wouldn’t be able to set your mind at ease. And I’m so much older than him, and even a divorcee. He might even spurn me. I could be taking this seriously, while he’s just treating it as a joke. Maybe I’m just a game to him, and after tomorrow…”

To go, or not to go?

…...

The next morning, Li Wan’er accompanied her mother in going for some pre-surgery checkups.

She still needed a little more money for the surgery, thus currently feeling troubled as to where she might be able to borrow it from. No one had been willing to lend her any money before the previous night, and considering what had transpired then, it instead became that there was no way for her to voice out such a request now lest the truth be exposed as a result.

She dared not show any of this in front of her mother.

As for the matter regarding Xu Tingsheng, Li Wan’er tried hard not to think about it, at least not in the morning and not in the afternoon.

“Even if I do really go, I still can’t go too early. Otherwise, that bastard will definitely scoff at me again...no, that isn’t right. I’m not going, so why am I even worrying about this?!” Li Wan’er rubbed her nose unconsciously, as if she could still feel Xu Tingsheng’s warm breath on it from when he had leaned in the previous night.

After watching her mother finish eating her lunch, Li Wan’er went home. She took a bath, changed and got ready to leave the house. Then...

Li Wan’er did not go out right away. Instead, she sat on the sofa, by the window, in the balcony, the bathroom, her bedroom, ceaselessly moving about restlessly with a perturbed state of mind.

Her handphone rang. She inhaled deeply.

Yet, the screen displayed that it was her cousin who was calling. When Li Wan’er’s family had been doing well in the past, this group of relatives had virtually been living off them. When they had fallen into dire straits, however, they had just easily gone their separate ways just like that. Even when Li Wan’er had requested their help, they had sidestepped this with various reasons.

This was really the first time Li Wan’er had received a call from these relatives of hers recently.

For some reason, Li Wan’er’s cousin was incomparably enthusiastic this time as she continually hinted at their close familial ties. Li Wan’er grit her teeth, deciding to make use of this chance to attempt to borrow money from her once more.

“Stop joking around, Wan’er! Why would you even need to borrow this money now?” Her cousin exclaimed excitedly, “Let me tell you, I’ve already heard all about what happened last night. I’ve even helped you to look that person up on the internet. You’re so lucky, Wan’er! Wan’er, Big Sis is calling you now to to tell you that you should really hold onto this person well. Put some more thought into it, understand?”

A distressed Li Wan’er asked, “What, put more thought into what?”

Her cousin laughed, “Hey, Wan’er, you’ve also been married before. You surely understand this? That person is twenty years old, young and hot-blooded and just ripe for the picking. And most importantly, of course, he’s still not married yet...get what I mean? You’ve got to capture him properly. You don’t need me to teach you how, right? Big Sis tells you, you definitely can’t compete with all those young girls in acting all demure now. What he wants, you should just give it to him. What he hasn’t thought of, think up some ideas yourself and give it to him. You can ask me if you run out of ideas.”

“You’ve got to know how to make use of your assets, understand? Like this, after he’s been thoroughly entranced by you such that he just can’t leave your side, even if he doesn’t marry you in the end, you’ll still be the one with whom his favour lies.”

Now that Li Wan’er understood what her cousin meant, her originally flushed face turned an even deeper shade of red as she stuttered hopelessly, “Sis, you, you shouldn’t say stuff like that!”

Li Wan’er’s cousin sighed, “Wan’er, it’s because I know you’re like this that I had to call you. Just continue being silly. Do you think a person like this would have a lack of women going for him? He’s into you now because of the novelty. If you keep on going like this, not putting any effort into capturing his heart, he’ll just forget about you and throw you away one day, believe me?”

“I….”

“Stop ‘I’-ing! You know all that you should, right? If you don’t, I’ll teach you. Now, this is how you should do it…”

Her cousin was a bold, fiery woman who had no qualms whatsoever talking about such things.

As the things that were narrated became increasingly extreme, Li Wan’er began unconsciously imagining herself appearing before Xu Tingsheng in such clothes, saying all that she was being taught to say and doing all those things, all those movements...

“I’ve got to be...that kind of woman? He will like it?"

Feeling her thoughts going perilously off-kilter, Li Wan’er hurriedly found an excuse and hung up before trying to calm herself down.

After a while, having expelled those unhealthy thoughts, Li Wan’er remembered that there was actually something else that her cousin had reminded her about. She had gone on the internet and done research on that person, that person whom that fella had been masquerading as the previous night...

A curious Li Wan’er turned on her computer as well.

“Their names are pretty similar,” Li Wan’er thought to herself as she typed in Xu Tingsheng’s name, “If it isn’t right, it’d also be fine if I looked him up instead. Could there be information about him on the net as well?”

Then, the page finished loading.

An entire screen’s worth of information, comments...Li Wan’er felt amazed the more she read...

Finally, she even managed to find a few photographs.

At that instant when she saw the photographs, Li Wan’er stared blankly at her computer screen.

Li Wan’er had mentally done a ‘two-choose-one’ last night.

Two twenty-year-old youths with vastly different identities. One of them was a legendary young magnate subject to countless admiring gazes, the other an unreliable hoodlum who had roared at her, bullied her. He always claimed to be very good at fighting, professing that he would beat up whoever bullied her...

Back then, Li Wan’er had chosen that hoodlum without the slightest hesitation, believing that even if the two of them really appeared simultaneously before her, were she really entitled to make a choice between them, she would still choose that hoodlum without question.

But now she knew: They were the same person. The hoodlum and the legendary young magnate were one and the same.

There was no excitement that Li Wan’er felt, for the only thing she wished was that this wasn’t actually the case. She would rather he just be that poor, ne’er do well hoodlum.

Chapter 226: We’re even (1)

From when he had returned to the hotel the previous night to that afternoon, Xu Tingsheng had called Li Linlin a whole five times. Li Linlin had already diligently waited downstairs for the letter as instructed, yet she had just been unable to intercept it as planned.

Unless the letter had been lost en route, the sole explanation was that it was already in Apple’s hands.

Xu Tingsheng would converse with Apple on the phone everyday, chatting with her from ten plus minutes up to an hour. With Apple not having mentioned the letter at all during this time, he was naturally at a loss as to how he should broach the topic with her.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao had returned from Xihu City that morning. After a hasty lunch, they had asked Xu Tingsheng for his car keys before impatiently driving away ‘their’ Mercedes-Benz G500 as they had departed in a hurry to pick up some chicks outside.

Xu Tingsheng asked three things of them:

Firstly, they had to remember to return on time, punctually attending the cocktail party that night.

Secondly, he asked them to buy an IBM-T40-76C from the IBM retail shop.

Thirdly, they were not to engage in vigorous, obscene activities in his car.

Xu Tingsheng was lying down disinterestedly in his room with a remote control in his hand when he received Li Wan’er’s call. Despite repeatedly searching through all the channels, he was just unable to concentrate on watching any single programme.

Due to his encounter with Li Wan’er, Uncle had relived his 20-year-old self of his previous life last night.

Then, returning to a high-class suite in a 5-star hotel, he had inevitably returned to being the present day Xu Tingsheng, a Xu Tingsheng who bore the weight of many on his shoulders. A high-class cocktail party was right around the corner, this being something that he would never have been able to attend in his previous life, something that the current him had to get used to.

He looked at the caller ID displayed on his phone: Dull-witted dame.

Remembering Li Wan’er’s alluring look and her cute reaction those two times he had teased her the previous night, guessing her current condition-she would definitely be feeling incomparably conflicted, panicked and flustered right now-Xu Tingsheng could not help but reveal a smile.

He picked up the call to a silent Li Wan’er.

Xu Tingsheng could only take the initiative and ask, “What is it?”

Li Wan’er finally said, “I know that I’m very stupid. You must feel this to be very fun, right?”

Xu Tingsheng understood what Li Wan’er meant. She had finally realised the truth of the matter, and now she was mad.

He thought for a moment before asking, “Can you let me explain?”

Li Wan’er said, “No need.”

But then she said, “Go on.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “There was no need to introduce myself properly when we first met, right? There’s no one who goes around introducing themselves to everyone like that. Afterwards, if I had told you my situation, would you still have requested my help? Would you have felt safe?”

Xu Tingsheng nonchalantly reminded Li Wan’er that the initiative had been with her the whole time. It was she who had chased after them and requested to manufacture the suits, she who had requested to send the suits over, she who had asked him for help.

All I did was acquiesce, and help. Is there any wrong in that?

Li Wan’er pondered silently for a while before saying, “Whatever the case, I should thank you.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Right. So, hurry up and come then! I’ve got something on tonight.”

Li Wan’er’s voice immediately turned nervous, “I, I’m not going. Why would I?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Because you owe me! I’ve been so good to you, so you’ve definitely got to come. Didn’t you say last night that you were waiting for me to say that we’re even? I didn’t say it. You’ve got to come, otherwise we can’t be considered even.”

Hearing him say this, Li Wan’er’s first reaction was to smile, because this shameless Xu Tingsheng was just like that hoodlum who had been by her side the previous night. She immediately felt closer to him again.

But then she began crying and immediately hung up.

Around an hour later, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Li Wan’er again.

She said, “I’m at the lobby downstairs. Come on down.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m in Room 618. You come up!”

Then, he hung up just like that.

Li Wan’er dialled his number again, but he rejected the call.

Around another twenty minutes passed before Xu Tingsheng heard the doorbell ring. He opened the door to find an expressionless Li Wan’er, wearing a navy blue long-sleeved blouse with the buttons done up all the way along with dark-coloured long pants and flat leather shoes.

She had even bound her hair in a way that accentuated her age, with a wooden hairpin stuck through it.

This was Li Wan’er’s ‘battle dress’, attire that clearly exhibited her strong desire to protect herself.

“Hello, Auntie Wan’er!” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Again, I’m Hucheng’s Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng extended his hand.

Li Wan’er slapped his hand away before clutching her bag protectively to her chest as she entered the room.

Xu Tingsheng closed the door behind him, exclaiming, “Wow, you’ve so brave, Li Wan’er! This...a lone man and a solitary woman alone together...”

Li Wan’er turned to look at him, tears slowly welling up within her eyes.

Finally, she was unable to stop herself from crying as she sobbed, “Why must you bully me so? Why? I know that I’m very useless. You’re so rich, and so remarkable, so why did you just have to choose me to bully?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “So, tell me. When did I ever bully you?”

Li Wan’er was rendered speechless, because she was completely stumped. Xu Tingsheng hadn’t done anything bad to her at all! On the contrary, he had been helping her all this time. Unless, Xu Tingsheng’s motive in having called her to his hotel room was really like that.

As of now, at least, Xu Tingsheng had still yet to do anything at all. Neither had he demonstrated an unquenchable thirst, a blatantly overt desire to force himself on her.

“If you are this scared, this unwilling, why did you even come in the first place? I wouldn’t make things difficult for you even if you hadn’t come.”

Xu Tingsheng said mildly as he poured Li Wan’er a glass of water.

Li Wan’er found it even harder to answer this question. She had been repeatedly asking herself this question from the moment she had walked out of her house an hour ago. Yet, she dared not even consider the answer to it.

She was afraid that she would be unable to face herself as soon as she thought about it.

She was afraid that she might discover that she really still harboured hope, was still unable to forget about that hoodlum, was still hoping beyond hope that...Xu Tingsheng was actually him, merely him. Therefore, she had come to see him.

Xu Tingsheng handed Li Wan’er some tea. She hesitated for a while before finally accepting it.

“Let me tell you something that I’ve never told anyone else before,” Xu Tingsheng said casually, “I’ve actually also been swept clean of all my money before, becoming debt-ridden as a result. I even gave up on that which I treasure the most due to that.”

Xu Tingsheng’s tone and attitude having suddenly changed, Li Wan’er was momentarily taken aback as she was somewhat unable to believe his words. Xu Tingsheng was just twenty years old, after all, also looking so successful. Just how might such an experience have come about?

“I can’t really go into detail, but it’s the truth,” Xu Tingsheng added.

Li Wan’er chose to believe Xu Tingsheng, because she was able to empathise with his tone and his mannerisms as he had spoken of this. Looking at this Xu Tingsheng who was different all of a sudden, no longer resembling a hooligan, no longer resembling a wealthy young tycoon, she decided to sit down.

“Was that why you decided to help me?” Li Wan’er asked.

Xu Tingsheng sat down as well, “That was part of it. It was still primarily coincidental, how I just happened to meet you under such circumstances. As for me giving you a hand, it didn’t actually cost me anything, right?”

Li Wan’er nodded rather dazedly.

Xu Tingsheng continued, “Without having to spend a single cent, I was able to help someone who can be considered a fellow sufferer. I even got to properly tease a beauty. Yo, why not?!”

Li Wan’er had originally wanted to express her gratitude. However, hearing Xu Tingsheng saying ‘properly tease a beauty’, she thought of the two times when she had been pressed against the wall by him, especially the second time, when she had actually already exhibited willingness and acceptance...

Therefore, she was rendered at a loss again, her cheeks gradually turning red.

Xu Tingsheng stared at her for a while before laughing as he said, “Li Wan’er, Li Wan’er, you’re not young anymore, and you’ve also been married before. Why do you still blush so easily? You’re very alluring like that, you know? My resilience is not as high as you think it is.”

Hearing his words, Li Wan’er panickedly hugged her bag again, unconsciously shrinking back.

“Now you’re even more alluring. It’s the ‘enticing one into becoming a criminal’ level of alluring.”

Li Wan’er was rendered increasingly helpless till Xu Tingsheng just laughed at her.

“Now I can’t even tell what kind of a person you are anymore,” Li Wan’er said.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before saying, “Just take me as a man who is just a little bit experienced, not being as young as I look, not being completely like how I appeared yesterday, but even less completely like the guy discussed on the internet. Actually, you can say that you are the first person to see the actual me. Although it isn’t completely actual as well, there are some things which I may never be able to say. Therefore, I can never be my actual, true self.”

While Li Wan’er was still bemused, she was able to feel the melancholy amidst Xu Tingsheng’s words and the loneliness in his eyes. Also, he had just said that his past experiences included hardships and losses.

The thing he treasured the most which he had mentioned earlier should refer to a person.

“About that, you, are you okay?” Li Wan’er asked gently.

She let down her guard, sitting up straight with her chest held high till the buttons of her blouse seemed almost ready to burst. With her slender waistline and her tight pants which accentuated the perfect contours of her legs, she actually looked far more alluring than she would have had she been wearing a skirt.

This posture, coupled with her still flushed cheeks, her eyes that were still wet from crying and the stark contrast with her conservative attire...

It was an unspeakable temptation.

Xu Tingsheng felt like he was going to explode. He was twenty, at the vigorous peak of his youth, having already been repressing his desires for more than a year now. Meanwhile, resisting the inadvertent temptation of a gentle woman like Li Wan'er, drawn by her delicate frailty, was actually far more difficult than when faced with the blatant teasing and enticement of Yu Xinlan.

Also, his experience told him that if he were to ask anything of her now, even if he directly went and did something, Li Wan’er would actually not refuse him. From the moment she had made up her mind to come, her defenses had already been frail beyond compare.

It was precisely because of this that she had appeared exceptionally nervous initially. She had been thinking about this question this whole while.

Li Wan’er discovered how Xu Tingsheng suddenly stopped speaking, his breathing becoming increasingly heavier. Then, she saw his fiery gaze fall on her. His gaze was like a torch; wherever it passed, she felt as if that area had been set ablaze, next growing warm, blazingly warm...desire gradually accumulating...

Li Wan’er was 31 years old, and had once been married. She knew what it was that might possibly happen now.

If she were to abide by her initial thoughts, what she had comforted herself with back then, she should be storming out of the room now, or perhaps removing and clutching her hairpin in her hand as she expressed to Tingsheng her stance on the matter.

Yet, she suddenly discovered that she did not wish to do anything at all. Even his gaze-she wished not to avoid it now. She had also not done so, in actual fact. Their gazes collided in mid-air...

Xu Tingsheng stood up, walked over to Li Wan'er and clasped her hands. Li Wan’er obediently stood up as well.

“Mmm.”

The sound came from Li Wan’er’s throat, forcefully halted before it could go on.Yet, she did not resist. Xu Tingsheng placed a hand between them, before her chest, while the other snaked around her back, now grasping something simultaneously.

Li Wan’er shivered, her breathing intensifying.

Chapter 227: We’re even (2)

Li Wan’er always said that Xu Tingsheng bullied her. However, the word “bully” can mean many things. In truth, while Xu Tingsheng had acted very realistically the last two times, there actually hadn’t really been any physical contact at all.

Now, he was really bullying her, a 20-year-old boy bullying a 31-year-old woman with his hand placed there.

This had not been part of the plan. At this moment, he lost control of his rationality, and she submitted to him, not stopping him.

To be precise, from a biological standpoint, Li Wan’er was the most alluring woman that Xu Tingsheng had ever met. It was not just because of her looks and her figure. More of it was because of the delicate frailty and captivating flair she possessed. She was different from all those undeveloped, young girls. At 31 years of age, she actually still had that perfect dash of youthfulness and delicate bashfulness...

Both Xu Tingsheng and Li Wan’er were trembling.

“Why aren’t you stopping me?”

Xu Tingsheng said as he leaned into Li Wan’er’s ear, his breath tickling her earlobe.

“Mmm,” Li Wan’er said, “I, I owe you.”

Whether these three words did reflect Li Wan’er’s actual thoughts or had simply been said in self-consolation to find herself a proper excuse, as they were uttered, they had a huge impact on Xu Tingsheng.

While he was no saint, it was not like he would adamantly insist on a reward for his assistance. He was not as shameless and villainous as that.

Having calmed down slightly, Xu Tingsheng was able to consider many more things. And he did.

Just like in stories, there seemed to be two small people arguing inside his head, one being his inborn instincts and the other his humanity. Xu Tingsheng decided to be as lenient on himself as possible this time as, still leaning in close to Li Wan’er, he asked her rather awkwardly, “Do you know how to use…”

“Huh?” Li Wan’er exclaimed before her face flushed deeply and she shook her head vigorously.

“Then, what about…” Xu Tingsheng asked, reluctant to give up so easily.

Li Wan’er shook her head again.

The heavens are out to destroy me!” Xu Tingsheng ground his teeth, tearing himself away from Li Wan’er with all his might.

Right, he had to tear himself away. It was very difficult at first. FInally, he turned and dashed out of this room of the suite at his greatest possible speed.

“I’m going to take a bath,” Xu Tingsheng said.

……

Xu Tingsheng suddenly left.

Li Wan’er slowly calmed down somewhat. Then, she collapsed weakly straight onto a chair.

Her mind was in chaos. She did not know if she should be feeling fortunate or disappointed.

She suddenly recalled what her cousin had taught her over the phone that afternoon, feeling a little vexed that she actually really didn’t know anything at all. She even began feeling regretful, regretting having said ‘I owe you’, She had clearly felt Xu Tingsheng stiffening up completely at that moment. He had been much more level-headed afterwards.

“But was I supposed to say: I like you, I’m willing?”

This was inconsistent with Li Wan’er’s personality and current state of mind. And in actual fact, she was indeed unsure of what it was that she had been thinking at the time, whether she had felt obliged to repay him, or if she had actually been perfectly willing, or both.

Whatever the case, the way Xu Tingsheng had reacted and what he had decided after hearing those three words caused Li Wan’er’s favourable impression of him to improve greatly, virtually rising back to how it had been before she had learnt the truth of his actual identity.

Li Wan’er felt much more reassured, and along with this actually came some guilt as well.

Hearing the sound of Xu Tingsheng in the shower, Li Wan’er bit her lips and hesitated for a long time. Finally, she undid the top two buttons of her blouse before lowering her head and awaiting the arrival of his footsteps.

Around half an hour passed.

Xu Tingsheng was already dressed neatly when he exited the bathroom, his entire suit put on.

With a rather awkward smile on his face, Xu Tingsheng stood in front of Li Wan’er again.

Li Wan’er stood up, her head lowered as she drew closer to him. She rested her head against his shoulder before quietly reaching out to undo the buttons of his suit, the buttons of his shirt…

Xu Tingsheng wanted to back off.

Grabbing him by the collar, she continued slowly undoing a button even as she told him in a soft, almost indiscernible tone, “I’m willing to give myself to you. It’s not because I owe you.”

Xu Tingsheng’s shoulders drooped as he told her dismally, “But, I just took care of it myself.”

“Huh? I, you…”

Li Wan’er was still able to understand what ‘taking care of it’ meant. She now realised why Xu Tingsheng had gone to take a bath so suddenly and what he had been doing in the bathroom.

As the guilt within her heart intensified, the current Li Wan’er was rendered somewhat at a loss.

“Sit! I’ve got things I want to say to you,” Xu Tingsheng said in a genial tone.

“Right,” Li Wan’er dared not raise her head as she submissively stepped back and sat down.

“Look, it’s all my fault. I’d just meant for you to stop by my hotel because I have stuff to do. In the end, you called me today, being fierce to me and maligning me without asking a thing. I felt mischievous all of a sudden and just had to have you come to my room. And somehow, it ended up becoming like this. I’m sorry.”

Neither spoke for a while, an awkward silence palpable within the air.

“It’s fine,” Feeling somewhat overtaken by a feeling of desolation, Li Wan’er tried her best to conceal it as she asked him, “You’ve actually got someone whom you really like a lot, right?”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it for a moment before nodding, “Yeah.”

“Are the two of you not together now then?”

“Not at the current time.”

“She’s so lucky,” Li Wan’er said, “You, just now, were you feeling disdainful of me?”

“How is that possible! From the way I appeared just now, how is it even possible that I’d felt that way?” Xu Tingsheng said as graciously as possible, “You’re the most attractive woman I’ve ever seen. That is the absolute truth.”

Li Wan’er laughed lightly, saying, “Well, it’s fine then.”

She opened her tightly clenched fist to indicate to Xu Tingsheng that she was really okay.

Feeling much more relaxed, Xu Tingsheng said, “Actually, it’s good that we didn’t...otherwise, if I instead became unable to do what I’d really intended on doing, you’d definitely start overthinking things. Promise me something, Li Wan’er.”

“Huh？”

"No matter what I do later, just accept it. Don't refuse me."

“Huh? You, you’re...ready again?”

Xu Tingsheng’s face sunk, “Li Wan’er, these Auntie thoughts of yours are very unhealthy! I’m talking about something else, which is of little consequence to me yet is very important to you. You mustn’t refuse it.”

Li Wan’er did not speak.

“You have to promise me. You owe it to me,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Li Wan’er hesitated for a moment before she nodded, “Okay.”

Xu Tingsheng returned to his room, returning a moment later with a black luggage bag that he had already prepared long beforehand.

He placed it on the coffee table beside Li Wan’er, telling her, “There’s 100000 yuan inside. It’s inconvenient for me to give you my card, so it can only be cash then.”

He did not let Li Wan’er speak as he instead continued, “100000 yuan is really very, very little to the current me. But to you, it’s money that can save your mother. I asked the nurse yesterday. You’re currently still short of fifty to sixty thousand for the surgery fees, and there’s still the follow-up medication that’ll be needed afterwards, right? And what about meals? I know that there’s nowhere you can borrow the money from. Therefore, for the sake of your mother, you cannot refuse me. I’m also not giving you much; you’ll still have to rely on yourself in the future.”

Having been conflicted for such a long time, Li Wan’er finally understood now why Xu Tingsheng had asked her to come to his hotel the previous night. She was rendered speechless, unable to compose herself as tears slowly trickled down her face.

Xu Tingsheng hardened his heart and said, “After having done all this, I can finally account for it to myself. After all, having once experienced the same thing, having been impoverished before, I know how living on is hard at times. Still, I won’t be helping you anymore after this. Live well. Take care of yourself, and don’t stubbornly try to do what you can’t do.”

The teary Li Wan’er smiled, “Actually, if you were just that hoodlum I thought you were, I would ask if you if you could take me away. I would want to leave with you, to impose myself on you. This now might really be for the best, I suppose. Thank you, Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng too repressed his surging emotions as he smiled, “No need to thank me! Look, I’ve helped you, but I’ve also bullied you! Just now, I even went and touched...anyway, I think that this is something other men wouldn’t be able to do however much money they have. I’ve actually profited, really. Therefore, now, we’re…”

“Let’s talk about that later," Li Wan'er interrupted him, "I know what it is that you want to say. But please, don't say it yet. Do you still have time now? If you do, can you send me back to my van? It’s still there where you left it. Send me there, there where we met, okay?”

"Okay."

.......

More than ten minutes later, Xu Tingsheng arrived at that intersection in Fang Yuqing’s decrepit Volkswagen. This was the third time he was parking his car here. Those first two times, he had ended up leaving with Li Wan’er in the end. This time, however, he was dropping her off, though the location was still the same.

Li Wan’er sat in the car, crying.

“You have to live well. Most importantly, don’t try to do what you can’t do,” Xu Tingsheng said.

"I will, I promise." Li Wan'er said.

She got off the car before asking, "Xu Tingsheng, can you get off for a bit?"

Xu Tingsheng got off the car, standing before her.

Li Wan’er said not a single word. She knelt down, untied Xu Tingsheng’s shoelaces and re-tied them again, tying them very presentably. Then, she helped to smoothen the legs of his pants, carefully buttoned up every button of his coat, carefully folded his collar...finally, she undid his tie...then, carefully, meticulously, re-tied it properly.

“It’s always crooked. You’re not allowed to tug on it!” She said.

Then she leaned over and lightly planted a kiss on Xu Tingsheng’s face.

This was precisely the definition of success that the old Italian man, Mister Angelo, had explained during their first meeting, that unique, unreplicable atmosphere and that bliss.

Li Wan’er was greedy. She had done all this because she knew that she was definitely the very first person to be doing all this for him. It was precisely she who had manufactured his first suit. She was greedy, wanting to render him unable to forget it even if he wanted to. And henceforth, every single time he wore his suit, put on his tie, this memory would thus unquestionably follow.

Li Wan’er was not a greedy person. All she wanted was this once, just this once,

“Say it then,” She told him.

Xu Tingsheng said, “...We’re even.”

Li Wan’er said, “Okay.”

……

Being ‘even’ is not a mathematical problem which can be calculated rationally. It actually simply represents the stance of a single party and what he or she desires, ends up choosing, deciding.

Just that one party.

When the other party agrees and says ‘okay’, it is only so as to not make things difficult for the one who has made their choice.

As Li Wan’er drove her van through the streets, tears were streaming profusely down her face.

The stores along the street repeatedly broadcasted Faye Wong’s new album <Eternal Love>.

One of the songs, one of the lines, reverberated throughout:

‘I must express my gratitude

You, gifted me this hollow joy.’

Chapter 228: Waiting for Apple to knock on the door

With feelings that he couldn’t really identify, Xu Tingsheng followed Li Wan’er in his car from far away, only driving back to his hotel after he had seen her park her van in a hospital parking lot.

Regarding Li Wan’er, Xu Tingsheng currently hoped that she would be able to heed his advice, thinking of a way to leave as soon as possible after the completion of her mother’s surgery and looking for a peaceful, blissful life of her own.

This society was not so suitable for her.

She was even less suited to the business arena where the strong preyed on the weak.

Rounding a bend onto a straight road, Xu Tingsheng saw a familiar silhouette through his rearview mirror.

His attention having been on Li Wan’er earlier, he had failed to notice it. Now, just having driven off for a bit, he discovered that his Mercedes-Benz G500 had been sneakily tailing him all along.

Xu Tingsheng found a spot and pulled up, getting off the car and lighting a cigarette as he watched the conflicted G500 in the distance that knew not whether it should still advance.

Seeing this, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao knew that Xu Tingsheng had finally discovered them. They could only pull up along the roadside as well. Getting off the car, they smilingly went over and began smoking along with him.

“How long have you been following me?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao exchanged looks, probably hoping to push it to the other.

Finally, it was Tan Yao who bit the bullet and said, “We saw you two after driving back to the hotel just now...you just happened to be at the carpark. So, we followed you for a bit.”

Xu Tingsheng hadn’t expected that they had actually been following him for so long. Thinking back on what had happened earlier, he could not help but feel a little awkward.

Huang Yaming accurately caught this chance as he smiled, “Anyway, we just saw it. Then, we thought that this world is really too scary. And the relationship between people, even between bros...it’s just too complex.”

Then, he pretentiously said to Tan Yao, “Chance! Tingsheng, hurry up and give me her number.”

Tan Yao replied just as exaggeratedly, “Scram! Don’t you go thinking that! She doesn’t have such intentions; you’d only be going to hurt her if you set your designs on her.”

Then, it was his turn to ask Huang Yaming, “Bro Xu, what about in the future, if you’ve become qualified enough?”

Huang Yaming feigned a profound look, “Many beautiful women exist beneath these heavens, and many good women as well. Yet in this life, I dare not accrue any more debts to women.”

This was the conversation between the trio after having encountered Li Wan’er outside the workshop of the old Italian tailor that day. Xu Tingsheng had said it himself, but in the end?

As Tan Yao and Huang Yaming saw it, it was obvious what had happened. In just these two day’s time, Xu Tingsheng had already successfully completed the deed behind their backs.

“It actually isn’t how you think it is,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I know. It was just the two of you coming out of the hotel together, after which you sent her off, reluctant to part, adjusting your clothes, kissing, crying...it’s just all this, it’s all perfectly normal. How else do you say we can think about it?!” Huang Yaming eloquently expressed.

“Right! We really didn’t think anything. All that’s left was respect. Bro Xu, you’re really peerless! There’s really no way I could admire you more. And to think we even thought of ourselves as beasts before! Only now do I know what is called indiscernible on the surface,” Tan Yao added.

This was equivalent to saying that Xu Tingsheng was the real beast.

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile. He thoroughly explained the crux of the matter that could be talked about, also revealing what had happened in the end. They were even now.

Finally, he said, “You saw how she went to the hospital in the end, right? It really was just that.”

Huang Yaming asked Tan Yao, “Can you believe that?”

Tan Yao thought for a moment before saying, “I can believe it a little.”

Huang Yaming said, “Then I believe it a little too.”

Xu Tingsheng couldn’t bother explaining any longer as he simply shook his head, “It’s up to you whether you believe me or not.”

Huang Yaming said, “Actually, whether we believe it isn’t really important. More importantly, you don’t know that Apple will believe you.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “What do you mean? There’s no need for you to tell Apple this, right?”

Huang Yaming said imperiously, “It depends on your performance.”

Xu Tingsheng asked quizzically, “What exactly do you mean?”

Huang Yaming’s expression immediately changed from a haughty to a fawning one as he smiled, “This bro handled something wrongly, so I can only use this matter to threaten you. Guarantee that you won’t look for trouble with me, and then I won’t tell this matter to Apple.”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and asked, “You got my car scratched?”

Huang Yaming said, “What does a scratch matter? I’ve never felt burdened wasting your money before. What I’m talking about is more serious than that.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Say it then.”

Huang Yaming opened his mouth, but said nothing.

“Say it!” Xu Tingsheng urged him.

“Apple’s almost arrived at Shenghai.”

Huang Yaming spoke at a rapid pace and kept from looking at Xu Tingsheng after having finished. It was evident that he was pretty concerned about this matter, also feeling pretty apologetic regarding it. Thus, he was definitely responsible for this in some way or other.

Hearing his words, Xu Tingsheng was slightly stunned as he asked, “How did that happen?”

“It’s because of that letter,” Huang Yaming said, “Apple’s got the letter, and the sender is me. She probably didn’t know how to broach the topic with you, thought for a few days and finally decided to call and ask me.”

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, seeing that he wasn’t about to erupt into a fit of rage, Huang Yaming continued, “So she asked me about it, and of course all I could do was admit it. I really wasn’t intending to drag you into it, but aren’t I insufficient? If not through you, it’s impossible that I would have been able to arrange for all that. Because of that, finally…”

Xu Tingsheng felt somewhat despondent. Things having developed to this extent, there already seemed to be no way out apart from him being candid with her. He did not wish for this to end up forcing Apple into making a decision, becoming goodwill that she felt obliged to accept.

He had merely wished to pave this path for her first, at least first ensuring that Apple would no longer be restricted by Tianle’s contract before waiting for her to make a decision on her own.

Xu Tingsheng was perfectly aware of the fact that with Apple’s personality, there was really no way that she would end up just cooking and doing laundry for him for the rest of her life. Meanwhile, she was indeed unsuited for working in Hucheng as well.

Feeling rather panicked, Xu Tingsheng asked Huang Yaming, “How much does Apple know now then? Does she know about our relationship with Tianyi and what we’re doing?”

“She still doesn’t know, at least for now. I told her to ask you herself. Anyway, that’s just how it is. Think about how to handle it yourself; I’m washing my hands off this. If you dare to look for trouble with me, I’ll dare to tell Apple what happened with Li Wan’er.”

Huang Yaming revealed the look of a dead man not having anything to lose.

Xu Tingsheng asked again, “That’s why she came to Shenghai?”

“No, I meant for her to wait for you to return before asking you. In the end, as soon as we finished talking, she said that she just happened to already be at the station, and would immediately take a bus to Shenghai. Then, she asked for your hotel and room number.”

After saying this, Huang Yaming told him in a secretive tone, “It seems that your two women at home got into a fight. Then, Apple left home. I don’t know about the specifics; find out yourself.”

Tan Yao had already accosted two girls on the side even as they conversed as he was now calling for Huang Yaming to give them a ride back in their car.

Xu Tingsheng asked them to hurry up and scram after which he dialled Old Wai’s number.

“Zhixin and Apple got into a fight?” Xu Tingsheng cut to the chase.

Old Wai thought for a moment, “Yes, and no.”

“What do you mean?”

“Zhixin did scold someone, even scolded that person very fiercely, but she actually wasn’t aware that the one she was scolding was Apple. Apple knows that Lu Zhixin wasn’t actually aware that she was scolding her, but she still feels very wronged.”

Xu Tingsheng was entirely bemused as he muttered, “What exactly is it that’s so complicated?”

Old Wai said, “An incident happened with the checks on the platform here at Yanzhou. A jobless employee claimed that he was once a primary school teacher and registered using a certificate for teaching that’s no longer valid. He then managed to swindle his way through the checks.”

“Then, very coincidentally, the parent of the child who hired him is a policeman. He casually checked and discovered that...this person actually has a record. It’s true that he taught in a primary school in the past, but he...did that sort of things to the students before, and not just once. His teaching qualifications were long since revoked, and he’s even been in prison for a few years. He didn’t have anything to do after coming out, so he wanted to be a home tutor…”

This matter was serious to the point that Xu Tingsheng was even sweating a little as he hurriedly interrupted Old Wai, asking, “How’s the situation now then?”

Old Wai said, “The parent was very angry, but he didn’t blow the matter up. He just contacted us and expressed his indignation. He was really rather furious. Zhixin took the call herself, and had to lower her head and bear more than an hour straight of scolding.”

“Then, Zhixin flared up in the morning because no one would admit it. She said that after she had gotten to the bottom of it, even if it was Linlin who had done the checks, she would still be firing her. She’s already bringing the person over to the house to apologise to the parents now. She even said that it’s lucky that they managed to get wind of this. Things could have ended up much worse otherwise.”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head which felt a little heavy, asking, “So, Apple was the one who did the checks?”

Old Wai said, “Right. She told Linlin about it before running off to hide in her room. She didn’t do it on purpose, and maybe because she was afraid of embarrassing you in front of everyone, she didn’t admit it straight away. Anyway, she was just crying and crying. She didn’t even eat lunch. I plan to ask Linlin to go take a look at her later.”

“No need,” Xu Tingsheng said, “She’s already on her way to Shenghai. Leave things over here to me. You guys help Zhixin out more if you can. I’ll be calling her in a while.”

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng drove straight back to the hotel before returning to his room and lying on his bed as he waited for Apple to knock on the door.

Xu Tingsheng did not intend to go pick Apple up. It was not that he was angry with her. Instead, his thoughts were rather disordered right now. He needed to sort them out a little.

Chapter 229: Lu Zhixin, the one and only

Xu Tingsheng gave Lu Zhixin a call. No one answered.

More than ten minutes later, Lu Zhixin returned the call.

She said, “I was at that parent’s house just now, where it wasn’t convenient to answer.”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “It’s fine. How are things?”

“It’s been resolved,” Lu Zhixin said, “How did you know about it? I told them that there’s no need to inform you.”

Xu Tingsheng joked, “Wah, Lu Zhixin, not letting me know about such a major matter, you must be trying to usurp me, right!”

After a moment’s pause, he then told her earnestly, “It’s been tough on you. You’ve suffered.”

Lu Zhixin was silent for a while before she said in a calm tone, “This is how it should be between partners. I can’t have taken ten percent of Hucheng’s shares from you for nothing. Since you’ve gone to Shenghai to handle the matter of Dexin’s acquisition, I should help you to take care of everything back here, not adding on trouble for you.”

Xu Tingsheng suddenly didn’t know what he should say. He had actually come to Shenghai to handle Apple’s matter, for personal reasons rather than for Hucheng.

Now that Lu Zhixin had said this, had done this, bearing all this responsibility, he could not help but feel somewhat guilty and at a loss.

“There’s only your girlfriend who would be able to rely on you, able to act spoiled to the point of even insisting that you pour a glass of water for her,” Lu Zhixin said, “Actually, I can act spoiled too. I’m not her, though.”

Perhaps knowing that Xu Tingsheng would definitely be unable to reply, she quickly changed the topic, continuing, “Has Zhang Xingke given you a precise time estimate for Dexin’s matter? This is a crucial step in Hucheng establishing a chain of training institutes. You’ve got to keep a close eye on it. Even if it costs a bit more, fast is better than slow, lest something crops up.”

“I'll be meeting with Zhang Xingke again soon. Don't worry,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Right. I'm preparing the necessary funds for this, and Uncle Xu has also called and communicated with me on this. If it is 12 million, there shouldn't be a problem,” Lu Zhixin said.

Having wrapped up this topic for the time being, Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before still saying rather guiltily in the end, “It was Apple who did the checks.”

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a moment before saying, “I know. I can basically guess that it was her. The others all have fixed working hours, computers as well as management accounts. There's only Apple who is rather more casual, coming whenever she wants to and sitting wherever’s unoccupied.”

“From an emotional standpoint, I know that Apple is already working very hard. She's still in her recovery period, and my relationship with her is really quite alright. I rather like her and interact plenty fine with her as well. Still, I’ve got to be rational in this matter, and I hope that you can be the same. Hucheng’s getting bigger and bigger. Our discipline and organisational structure cannot be wholly compromised just for the sake of Apple alone.”

“Therefore, I had to criticise what I had to criticise. Not pointing out names this morning was already the greatest show of my tolerance and care. You should think of a way to get her to give up on continuing to participate in Hucheng's work on her own accord. Otherwise, even if you are against it, I will still insist on firing her. This is a definite thing.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled rather awkwardly, knowing that Lu Zhixin was right.

“Apple’s currently on her way to Shenghai. I will take care of this,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“That’s good then,” Lu Zhixin said, “Speaking of this, if not for Hucheng always having had the reputation of helping students, I would consider asking all the part-time students working in the company to resign, only using full-time employees.”

Xu Tingsheng did not reply to that.

Lu Zhixin continued, “This matter can be delayed; it won’t affect anything much. Still, Wa Aiyi and Li Linlin have to leave Management, or at least let go of some authority. They aren’t quite capable enough.”

“We have enough candidates who can replace them. Our company has recruited quite a few qualified talents. We’ve got to give these people sufficient room to exhibit their talents as well as the space to rise up through the ranks. We wouldn’t be able to keep them with us otherwise.”

Xu Tingsheng said hesitantly, “But they founded Hucheng together with me.”

“I know, they even have shares. Because of that, it’s even more so that they should be aware that this would be beneficial to Hucheng’s development.”

Lu Zhixin continued in a serious, businesslike manner, “I’ve already communicated with the two of them regarding this, asking them to temporarily focus primarily on their studies while mainly focusing on acquiring more skills in Hucheng. After they have grown sufficiently and become capable enough, that’s when they can return to Management.”

Actually, it was not that Xu Tingsheng hadn’t noticed this problem. As Hucheng expanded, it definitely couldn’t rely on a management board consisting mainly of students to survive and prosper. It was just that due to his soft-heartedness towards those close to him, that weak indecisiveness, he still felt hesitant regarding this.

In doing so, Lu Zhixin was acting as the ‘villain’ for Xu Tingsheng on her own accord, bearing all possible ‘resentment’ and ‘tensions’. With her intelligence, she would definitely be aware of this. Yet, she had still chosen to do so.

She had always been pushing Xu Tingsheng and Hucheng forward on a path of development.

The one pushing a car would often be more easily splattered thoroughly with mud.

“What did they say then? Were they able to accept it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Lu Zhixin said, “In truth, they had the same realisation themselves. They have shares, and it’s also not like I asked them to leave Hucheng for good. It’s just a changing of roles. They also understand you, knowing that no one will toss them aside. So, they could accept it easily.”

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’ll officially discuss this with them after I’ve returned. Right, have you any suitable candidates in mind?”

“Yeah, I’ve been watching over the employees and searching for talent all along,” Lu Zhixin said, “Modern companies emphasise on organisation and discipline. I hope that Hucheng will be able to eventually advance to the point where even if a professional manager comes into the picture one day, it still wouldn’t affect our control of the company as well as its development.”

If these words had come from Xu Tingsheng, it would have been because he was 31 years old, and had experienced all this before. Coming from Lu Zhixin, it was because...she was a genius.

“We’ll do as you say,” Xu Tingsheng said with a tone of finality.

“So, you don’t blame me for acting on my own without consulting you like this?”

These words could also have been said in a joking tone, but such was not the case with Lu Zhixin here.

Xu Tingsheng adopted a joking tone as he asked, “I’d have to dare to blame you first, right? Dare I? No! I feel like I’ve long become subordinate to you. The person in this world who’s the fiercest to me and minds my business the most, apart from my mother, is none other than you.”

Lu Zhixin didn’t play along with him at all, still saying earnestly, “There’s something that I only realised recently. I’d always thought your personality to be a detriment previously, being your greatest flaw. Only recently did I suddenly discover that it’s really quite advantageous as well.”

“There are many people, such as Zhang Xingke, such as me, for whom a great many of our choices and trust actually stem from our judgment and approval of your personality. You are able to leave people feeling greatly at ease.”

“It’s rare to hear a word of praise from you,” Xu Tingsheng laughed, “I’ll praise you too then, a very serious line of praise.”

“Hmm?”

“Lu Zhixin, one of a kind.”

In terms of one’s approval towards another, this statement might just have reached an extreme.

Lu Zhixin said, “Thank you.”

A short silence descended after which Xu Tingsheng spoke, “Zhixin.”

Lu Zhixin asked, “Huh?”

“Don’t let yourself get too tense. You’re still a girl, and youth is seriously short. If there’s anything that you can just toss aside, just do it. Set aside more time to do those things that you like to do. Being wilful once in a while is really fine.”

Lu Zhixin’s attitude had remained incomparably earnest throughout the course of their phone conversation up till now, when Xu Tingsheng said this.

Lu Zhixin finally spoke in a bright, cheerful tone, “Great! Then, can I be wilful towards you?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “What else can I do? Speak and it shall be done. I still owe you, after all.”

Lu Zhixin smiled, “Wanting to repay your debt just like that? Xu Tingsheng, dream on! Those accrued debts from you can’t be used on such small matters! I’ve saving them up for bigger.”

“Fine,” Xu Tingsheng said.

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng dialled Fang Yuqing’s number.

Fang Yuqing jabbered noisily, “Heck, you finally remember me? So, having fun in Shenghai?”

“Let’s not talk about this first,” Xu Tingsheng replied solemnly, “I want you to do me a favour. Think of a way to investigate for me the current situation and movements of Lu Zhixin’s father. He seems to be away from Yanzhou most of the time. Check if there’s been anything abnormal with her family recently as well.”

Fang Yuqing asked quizzically, “Don’t you already know all this? Also, what’s up with Lu Zhixin?”

“She’s fine, nothing’s wrong. Some thought just sprang up in my mind all of a sudden, causing me to feel kind of curious about her family, her father’s situation included,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Alright, I’ll give it a go then. I’ll call you if I find something,” Fang Yuqing said.

Chapter 230: Suits are so expensive

The doorbell finally rang.

Xu Tingsheng opened the door.

Carrying an old backpack of Xu Tingsheng’s, Apple’s lips were pressed together as she stood outside the door in a pitiful manner, a teary mist seemingly rising atop her eyes as she looked uneasily at Xu Tingsheng.

“Left home?” Xu Tingsheng smiled as he asked, “Where were you intending to go originally?”

Apple awkwardly lowered her head, “Back to Libei to hide.”

As Apple spoke of hiding, she resembled a frightened hare, her gradually reddening eyes making this look all the more like an accurate depiction.

Xu Tingsheng stroked her head, smiling, “What then? Wait for me to come look for you?”

“I think that you wouldn’t come.”

“I wouldn’t come.”

“...I know that you’re tired of me, bothered by me,” Apple said resentfully.

Then, she started crying as she took off the backpack that she was carrying and retrieved Huang Yaming’s letter from within, handing it to Xu Tingsheng.

“I’m not going to America. I don’t need you to divert me away. I’ll go back to Libei myself.”

She turned to leave.

“The backpack is mine,” Xu Tingsheng said from behind her.

Apple stopped dead in her tracks, appearing incomparably hurt by those words. Her back to Xu Tingsheng, she put the bag down again, preparing to remove the things inside that belonged to her.

“You’re mine too.”

“Huh?”

“You’re mine too.”

“...wah…”

This sudden sentence broke through Apple’s final defences, taking down her final determination and resistance. Sometimes, gentleness was actually the sharpest sword. Apple broke into tears.

Xu Tingsheng hugged her from behind, lifting her up. He turned back, kicked the door shut and set her down on a chair.

“Just cry. Let it all out,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Wah...I’m sick,” Apple continued crying even as she said.

“You’ve almost recovered already. Otherwise, do you think I could have left you on your own? Sometimes, if you don’t go thinking about it, just calming down a little, the problem actually won’t seem that serious anymore. So, you’re not allowed to go thinking like this again.”

“Wah...your mother doesn’t like me.”

“I’ve already explained this before. She was angry with me that day, and so she put on a cold face with everyone. It wasn’t any different for Lu Zhixin and Fang Chen, so how do you know that she doesn’t like you? That makes no sense at all!”

“Wah...there’s also...I don’t dare to say it.”

“Don’t say it then.”

“I’ll say it! I messed up, causing a lot of trouble for your company. Lu Zhixin got mad too. She says that she’s going to fire me.”

“You were never an employee of Hucheng in the first place, so how can you even be fired?” Xu Tingsheng spoke very calmly.

Apple was rather taken aback, curious as to why Xu Tingsheng was not even asking about it.

Barely holding back her tears, Apple raised her head to look at Xu Tingsheng, asking uneasily, “You already know everything?”

“Yeah, I called and asked about it. It’s just that it should actually have been you telling me about it yourself,” A frowning Xu Tingsheng said.

Apple said in a small voice, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it! I was just rather out of it these past two days, and then my mind drifted off. Then, I actually wanted to tell you about it in the morning, just that I didn’t dare to.”

Xu Tingsheng said gently, “I know. It’s okay, don’t worry about it. The matter’s already been taken care of.”

“What about Zhixin then?”

“Lu Zhixin is the sort of person who looks at the facts. She wasn’t targeting you here.”

“I know that.”

“Isn’t it fine then? You can just stop working there at most. What’s so good about doing free labour anyway?”

“Right. But what am I to do then? I’ll feel scared if I can’t do anything at all.”

“I’m also waiting for an answer to this question. There’s no one who can help you to come to a decision. You’ve got to consider it yourself. What exactly do you want to do that can make you live happily and fulfilled? Just think about it, and when you’re done, I’ll help you to actualise it.”

Apple thought for a moment before saying, “I can’t think of anything now. Still, was what you said just now true? If I’d gone back to Libei to hide, you really wouldn’t come to look for me?”

It seemed like what girls cared about the most was never ever the same as what boys did. Apple was still hung up on what Xu Tingsheng had said earlier.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before asking, “Apple, do you feel that I treat you well?”

Apple nodded as she wiped off her tears.

“Then, if I’ve already done things to this extent and you still don’t trust me, not telling me when you’ve encountered something, not asking or telling me when you have queries, only thinking of running back alone to hide, I would actually feel sad as well. Afterwards, at the very least...it’d probably be several days later that I’d go to look for you.”

Hearing Xu Tingsheng’s words, a happy smile finally surfaced on Apple’s crying face. Xu Tingsheng had said that he would feel sad, that he would probably only go to look for her several days later. His feelings for her were thus evident from how he would ultimately go looking for her in the end, even despite his sadness.

“I’m sorry,” Apple sniffed, apologising awkwardly.

“I hope that you can trust me more, this included.”

Xu Tingsheng placed the letter that Apple had just pushed to him on the table beside her, asking, “Can I explain this to you tonight, after I’ve returned? We’ve got to leave for official matters very soon. Go eat your dinner at the hotel restaurant. After that, just obediently wait here for me to return.”

Apple nodded earnestly in response. Then, she stood up and retrieved Xu Tingsheng’s suit from the wooden rack over at the side, coming to stand beside him.

Xu Tingsheng reached out to take it from her.

Apple shook her head, opening the suit and walking behind Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng could only be like a big boss for once as Apple assisted him in donning the outer coat of the suit.

Xu Tingsheng had not removed his shirt and tie at all. As Apple came in front of him and helped him to button up his coat, she saw that his tie was fastened extremely well.

She asked, “You tied it yourself? It’s even better than mine!”

“Oh...yeah. I probably just got lucky for once.”

It was Li Wan’er who had tied it for him. Xu Tingsheng dared not look at Apple as he replied her.

Apple moved back a couple of steps, tilting her head and carefully appraising Xu Tingsheng for a bit before finally being unable to stop herself from nodding excitedly, “Xu Tingsheng, I really didn’t like you because I found you to be handsome before. You’ve got to trust me on that.”

“And?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It will be like that in the future,” Apple smiled.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao knocked on the door.

Xu Tingsheng spoke with Apple a bit more before leaving.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao waved to Apple in greeting.

A while later, Huang Yaming asked, “Did you sweep the battlefield clean? Be careful, or she might be able to tell.”

A helpless Xu Tingsheng could only change the topic, pointing at their ties and asking, “Who did them for you?”

“Those two chicks we brought back just now.”

“They’re still there?”

“Chased ‘em away.”

“...”

“Who knows, we might just end up bringing two female artistes back tonight?”

“Oh, makes sense.”

The three navigated the roads in the G500.

Huang Yaming asked, “What do we do later?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Eat when you should eat, drink when you should drink. If you want to pick up some chicks, go talk to them yourselves.”

“I’m talking about Apple’s matter. What if Jin Datang doesn’t give face?” Huang Yaming asked.

“I’m rather hoping that he won’t cooperate. Shi Zhongjun has some preparations ready. If Jin Datang doesn’t give face when the time comes, I’ll be able to nicely vent it out on him. As he hesitates, just hesitating for a moment, we’ll give him a punch, and hesitating for yet another moment, we’ll give him another punch. It’s just as simple as that,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Tan Yao suddenly brightened, asking excitedly, “We’re gonna beat him up?”

Xu Tingsheng tugged at his tie, exclaiming, “You’re joking! We’re dressed this gentlemanly, and our suits are so expensive.”

……

Apple went to the hotel restaurant to eat as Xu Tingsheng had told her to. Just having ordered her food and sat down, she saw some familiar faces. They were a few of Tianyi’s new artistes as well as their managers and assistants.

There was no way for them to directly attend the cocktail party that evening. The reason these girls had come was to find a chance to get acquainted with or perhaps even roll in the sheets with those at the party who had power and influence. They would be going over in a while.

To pave a path for themselves.

Apple wanted to up and leave, but it was already too late. These girls all crowded around her.

Most of them had entered showbiz at around the same time as Apple. Because Rebirth stood behind her, Apple had virtually been popular as soon as she had appeared, not having had to do many of those things that most new artistes had to do.

Therefore, the relationship between them was not that good. It was to the extent that seeing Apple’s route forcibly sealed off by the company, they even rather rejoiced at her misfortune.

“Oh, Apple, you’re here too? Could you be here to apologise to the boss? Or have you got acquainted with a new boss?” Someone asked.

“A pity that she still has four years left on her contract. Boss said that it won’t be any use whoever pleads for her,” Someone else said.

“I only just happened to be staying here,” Apple said.

“Woah, how stubborn! Still, this won’t be of much use at all in bed. If you want to find a good boss to stage a comeback, you can’t be acting like this!” A third-rate female artiste who was notorious for her promiscuity emphasised exaggeratedly.

Endless jeers resounded from amongst them.

Apple carried her plate of food, making a beeline for the door.

Her former agent, that leopard print man, entered from outside, blocking her way.

Chapter 231: What qualifications have you to speak with me

The location of the cocktail party was a luxurious villa that had been modified into a clubhouse. Outside the house stood powerful black-clothed security guards. As the car stopped, someone had already stepped forward to open the door for them before taking the car key and helping to park the car.

Seeing the red carpet lined between two rows of trees, the three exchanged looks, then smiled wryly. Here, it could be seen how they were a bit unused to this, resembling a fish out of water.

Then, they raised their heads and stuck out their chests, not exhibiting any fear.

As they walked, they saw that there were already quite a few people present in the courtyard. They were currently in the midst of exchanging pleasantries with raised wineglasses in small groups of twos and threes.

As the three basically did not recognise anyone at all, they were naturally not going to converse with them. Moreover, it was not this that they had come for. Xu Tingsheng had come for Apple’s matter, while Tan Yao and Huang Yaming had come for the young female artistes.

Passing through the courtyard, they saw Shi Zhongjun standing close to the door with two of his VPs. Seeing Xu Tingsheng, Shi Zhongjun went forward and shook hands with him, greeting him. He did not act overly enthusiastic here, treating him no differently from the other guests present.

Next, a VP went forward, covertly handing Xu Tingsheng a handphone as they exchanged some simple greetings.

Opening it, Xu Tingsheng saw that there was just a single number saved inside. This should be the ‘artilleryman’ that Shi Zhongjun had prepared for him. In order to alleviate Xu Tingsheng’s dissatisfaction, Tianyi had spent quite a bit of effort in their preparations this time round.

A violin and a piano were currently being played in the hall, well-dressed men and sexily-dressed woman walking around within.

“The heck, where are all the young female artistes?” Tan Yao muttered softly.

Half an hour passed as the three casually walked around and partook in some food and drink. They discovered that at this entertainment industry gathering, some well-known directors and famous stars aside, most of those here were actually people who seldom appeared in front of the media.

The men here were generally above a certain age category, also possessing bulging stomachs. There were merely a bit over a dozen youngsters who were around the same age as them here.

As for the women, most of them emanated a refined, elegant air.

There was probably no one who would have brought their mistress or the like here. The older women here were generally someone’s wife or themselves an important figure of the industry. As for the young ones, they should mostly just be someone’s daughter.

“Why don’t you aim higher then?” Xu Tingsheng pointed at two top-tier female movie stars who were currently conversing in high spirits with several men, asking Tan Yao and Huang Yaming.

The two looked over and conversed with each other in hushed tones before concluding, “Not within our capabilities, boss.”

“Just go flirt with two rich young ladies then,” Xu Tingsheng suggested.

The two looked rather moved by his words.

Now, a Tianyi VP who had returned to the hall came over, raising his wineglass in greeting as he said, “It’s fine so long as you remember to be polite.”

This was directed at Tan Yao and Huang Yaming as he continued after downing a glass, “The way they’re looking at you is actually the same as well. They’re wondering which family you’re from, and what would be a good way to strike up a conversation with you. So, it’s totally fine. Still, you’ve got to remember that you’re not to touch them. If you do, there could be trouble.”

“Don’t be hasty, my two young brothers. Just take it like you’re improving your relationships with people of the industry, getting acquainted with them. Those you can lay your hands on won’t be appearing so soon.”

Hearing his words, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao understood that there would definitely be a chance afterwards. As for right now, they should get to work and try to get better acquainted with those of the entertainment industry. Therefore, they chatted just a bit more before quickly raising their wineglasses and leaving.

Their relatively good looks aside, the duo was presentably dressed right now, their appearance being very convincing overall.

Actually, just having been able to enter alone was itself already the greatest indication of their importance. No one would dare look down on them. At times like this, the more the other party appeared unfamiliar, the more curious people would feel, raising their expectations and trying to get close to them.

Watching together from afar, Xu Tingsheng and the Tianyi VP saw that at their approach, the ladies indeed mostly welcomed them enthusiastically.

The two of them were both old hands at this, elites at picking up chicks. After getting over their initial nervousness and unease at such a situation, they quickly hit it off with those young girls.

“What about Boss Xu? Not interested?” The Tianyi VP turned and smiled at Xu Tingsheng, “There were a few over there just now who were even asking me about you, the old choosing their son-in-law and the young picking their boyfriend. Boss Xu possesses great charm indeed!”

“I’m timid,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

The VP smiled back at him, “When they asked me earlier, I just laughed it off, saying that Mr Xu is a friend of Tianyi and ending it at that. Still, some of their families are really rather powerful. How about it, Boss Xu? Want me to accompany you there to get to know some of them?”

He had not mentioned the good looks of the ladies, simply having mentioned the strength of their families as he clearly felt that with Xu Tingsheng’s current situation, what he had to consider now was already no longer the matter of whether the girl was beautiful.

Generally speaking, most people definitely wouldn’t lack beautiful women after having attained such heights. Therefore, in looking for women, a greater factor for consideration would always be the compatibility of their background with their own, how much assistance they could give.

This was how the Tianyi VP viewed this matter. As he saw it, however much Xu Tingsheng doted on Apple whom he had hidden away, she still definitely wouldn’t be his actual choice.

Xu Tingsheng did not linger on this topic as he cut to the chase, “I don’t seem to have seen those of Tianle and Jin Datang.”

The Tianyi VP pointed upstairs, saying, “They should be in one of the private rooms upstairs. These people are generally always arranged private rooms. They’ll only be coming out when Boss Shi speaks and offers his toasts later.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

The VP said, “Boss Shi has arranged you a private room too. How about I take you upstairs?”

“I’ll be troubling you then.”

Xu Tingsheng really didn’t know what he should be doing amidst a crowd of random strangers. Hearing that there was a private room for him, it felt like he had been absolved of a great crime as he immediately made a ‘please’ gesture, following the Tianyi VP upstairs to the second floor.

The private room that Shi Zhongjun had arranged for Xu Tingsheng was located at an ideal spot as it would overlook the entire hall as one opened the door and exited.

Various dishes and beverages were already laid out inside the room. The VP sat down and helped to pour wine for Xu Tingsheng. Then, he asked the waiter to leave before taking the initiative to tell Xu Tingsheng some things regarding the entertainment industry.

From this VP’s words, there were some things that he would have to get used to sooner or later.

Xu Tingsheng had never associated with this industry in both his previous life and this one. Currently, he was listening with great relish to all this. For example, there were the unspoken rules. The so-called unspoken rules of the entertainment industry were actually far from what was discussed by those of the outside world.

The actual unspoken rules of the entertainment industry did not exist between those movie stars and directors. Instead, they existed between all these people who were currently present.

For example, whatever happened in cocktail parties like this would virtually never reach the ears of those of the outside world. Even if someone did something that was extremely unsightly here, even if two bosses began fighting due to some disagreements, the news would not spread at all.

There was no one who would say it, for if anyone did reveal the matter, they would become the target of everyone else, losing all possible routes available to them.

This included entertainment companies secretly exerting various means of all kinds to bait away people and snatch resources. They all relied on their abilities for this; there was no one who would go over crying and complaining to the media after having suffered defeat. A simple example would be when an artiste suddenly joined another company. The heavy storm that existed behind this was generally something that normal citizens would not be able to see at all.

Apart from that, even that kind of thing happening between bosses and artistes or bosses arranging for their artistes to attend to some important clients of theirs were things that these people of the industry were unable to utter a word about, however terribly the speculations were raging on in the outside world.

A while later, a waiter knocked on the door, saying that Boss Shi was ready to begin his speech.

Tianyi’s VP soon took his leave, going downstairs to stand with Shi Zhongjun. Xu Tingsheng too exited the lounge soon afterwards, preparing to head downstairs. Jin Datang was walking just a short distance in front of him.

There wasn’t much that Xu Tingsheng had to consider. He had come just for this sole purpose.

Xu Tingsheng hastened over, catching up with Jin Datang, “May I ask if this is Tianle’s boss?”

“Hello, you are?” Unable to be certain of Xu Tingsheng’s identity, Jin Datang answered politely.

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m from Rebirth. I want to discuss the matter of Apple’s contract with you.”

Jin Datang was slightly taken aback, not having thought that a member of that elusive Rebirth might suddenly appear before him like this at such an occasion. He carefully appraised Xu Tingsheng who appeared merely twenty, who did indeed look like a university student participating in a band, one whose family might be a little rich at the very least.

Jin Datang smiled, “Then, let me ask you. Which company do you represent? Who invited you to the party and asked you to look for me?”

“It was Boss Shi who invited me. We cooperated a bit before,” Xu Tingsheng said, “As for me, I’m representing myself and Rebirth here. Apple is a member of Rebirth.”

Jin Datang had done quite a bit of research on Rebirth before. He knew that it was comprised of normal students of Yanzhou University. Then, if it was Tianyi who wanted to settle this matter, logically speaking, it definitely wouldn’t be a kid of the band approaching him were Shi Zhongjun really concerned about this matter.

Even artistes themselves were generally unable to get involved in matters of such purport.

Therefore, Jin Datang judged that it was merely perfunctory on Tianyi’s part that Xu Tingsheng had been able to get in here and look for him. Shi Zhongjun had never mentioned this to him in the first place.

Therefore, there was no need for him to give Xu Tingsheng any face, much less hold any reservations regarding him.

“If it’s like this,” Jin Datang said, “There’s nothing for us to talk about.”

After saying so, he resumed his footsteps.

Following after him, Xu Tingsheng said in a similar tone, “I’m afraid that we can’t not talk.”

Feeling rather angered by Xu Tingsheng’s words, Jin Datang said as he continued walking, “Apple is still contracted to our Tianle for the next four years and more. If you can spare five million in compensation, I’ll talk with you. Whether we can come to an agreement is another matter altogether. From how I see it, since she’s insensible, especially with how you’re even more insensible, she’ll just remain like this. If I want her to stay down, she’ll never rise again.”

Jin Datang had said that Xu Tingsheng was even more insensible. Here, he was referring to how Rebirth had refused to cooperate with Tianle’s exploitation, continuing to provide Apple their support.

Xu Tingsheng said calmly, “From what I know, Boss Jin has not invested any money into Apple at all, instead having earned quite a bit. Apple hasn’t even released an album in Tianle, so there shouldn’t be a need to go that far. We should settle the matter just like this, lest things turn ugly.”

Being unhappy with Jin Datang, Xu Tingsheng had never intended to have a proper discussion with him in the first place. The reason that he was talking with Jin Datang now was such that he would be able to account for the matter to Shi Zhongjun, telling him that it was not that he had insisted on the two companies going to blows when there was still the possibility of a settlement.

“I was already very lenient in giving her time to reflect before,” Jin Datang was infuriated by Xu Tingsheng’s ‘rude arrogance’ as he mocked, “Do not forget that she’s still contracted right now. If Tianle arranges a performance for her, she will still have to go no matter what.”

Now, he turned to address his deputy beside him, “Arrange a few performances at alcoholic venues for Apple, whatever kind of location is fine. Understand?”

Xu Tingsheng halted, looking at Jin Datang, “There’s no room for discussion between us then?”

“What qualifications have you to speak with me?” Jin Datang rebutted.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Fine then. Still, if Boss Jin is looking for me later, remember to come look for me in the middle room.”

Then, Xu Tingsheng departed. Just as he had said earlier, it was actually a good thing that Jin Datang had refused to speak with him.

Jin Datang suddenly felt a bit uneasy as he asked his deputy, “Did he say, the middle room?”

His deputy nodded.

Chapter 232: A whole hand of detrimental cards

Shi Zhongjun’s words did not actually contain anything of real importance as he primarily just welcomed and thanked everyone for coming as the host of this gathering. This was, to a great extent, a signal for congregation which drew everyone, including those bigwigs originally hiding inside their private rooms, out, gathering them together to talk with one another.

As for whether they would be simply chatting, resolving their misunderstandings, discussing their cooperation or something else, that was something that would happen under the table.

Of course, if there was something more major or something that could not be openly heard, including those ‘naughty’ affairs, they would naturally return to their private room to talk, to…

Unless someone got drunk.

Tianyi’s VP had told Xu Tingsheng just earlier that once, some major figure had virtually acted out a live action X-rated film in front of everyone.The other party had been this top-tier female artiste who had just opened a studio by herself.

Most of those present remained in the hall. After Shi Zhongjun had finished speaking, a new Tianyi artiste went onto the stage to sing.

Shi Zhongjun had mentioned this person to Xu Tingsheng before. Intending to give Rebirth’s <You Are My Flower> to her, he had asked for Xu Tingsheng’s opinion on this. Seeing how this song wasn’t actually suited for Apple, Xu Tingsheng had consented very straightforwardly.

Xu Tingsheng did not remain in the hall, also not waiting for Shi Zhongjun’s toast. Instead, he returned directly to the room arranged for him.

Soon, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao came over, asking Xu Tingsheng how things were right now.

“Play all you want while getting to know some more people. Then, help me to pay attention to things later on, including their reactions in a while. If there’s a chance, try to get close to some people from Tianle. If you find anything, send me a message or find a chance to come upstairs and tell me about it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Also,” Xu Tingsheng reminded as the two turned to leave, “Remember not to stretch things too far when you’re hitting on the girls.”

“Relax, we’re very scrupulous. We’re just intending to take out two hundred million to invest in a couple of movies over the next half year,” Huang Yaming easily answered.

Xu Tingsheng could only smile wryly at this. Currently, the frenzied money-incinerating tide had only just begun in the film industry. Even for Feng Xiaogang’s major new year blockbuster, the investment sum was still around twenty to thirty million at most. The scrupulousness of these two was two hundred million at the onset?

“Go, go! Stretch it however you want, just don’t get me involved.”

Xu Tingsheng waved a hand, gesturing for them to hurry up and get lost.

After Huang Yaming and Tan Yao had left, Xu Tingsheng opened a secret compartment beneath the table of the private room. This secret compartment wasn’t actually that much of a secret. Usually, it was mostly used to store some performance-enhancing drugs and the like.

Currently, it was a letter that Xu Tingsheng retrieved from the secret compartment. Opening it, he found a whole bunch of photographs inside, every one of them recording the scandals and misdeeds of the artistes under Tianle’s charge.

The photographs were arranged in ascending order based on how famous and influential that particular artiste was.

This was the hand that Tianyi had prepared Xu Tingsheng, a whole hand of detrimental cards.

Such a dark side had actually always existed beneath the gloss of the entertainment industry. There were some people whose lives were inextricably tied to this darkness.

For example, for those artistes who had been living a decadent life for many long years, gambling, looking for hookers, being in an affair or even having taken drugs, why had things been so smooth for them for such a long period of time as they maintained a good public image, before it was then exposed all of a sudden one day?

The reason was simple. He or she had offended someone, thus having been taught a lesson due to their disobedience. Meanwhile, with their backer lacking the ability to secure their safety, all those things that had been accumulated since long ago would thus be exposed, leaving their reputation in tatters.

These photographs he held were all bombs, some of them even bordering on atomic. Meanwhile, the phone which Xu Tingsheng held was none other than their detonator.

Just as Xu Tingsheng was about to make the first call, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Then, he was rather surprised to find that it was Shi Zhongjun and that Tianyi VP who had been chatting with him earlier who entered. Shi Zhongjun actually having come personally to find him despite just how busy he was, Xu Tingsheng knew that there was definitely something that he wanted to say as he waited patiently for it.

The two chatted with Xu Tingsheng for a while, wanting to confirm Jin Datang’s response.

Xu Tingsheng frankly told them how talks had fallen through.

“You know, can Brother Xu…” Shi Zhongjun finally got to the point as he pointed at the phone Xu Tingsheng was holding, “If Brother Xu has already made up your mind, this old bro will definitely support you. It’s just-can you delay this for a bit for me to first complete my responsibilities required as the event’s host?”

Shi Zhongjun’s words were perfectly reasonable. As Xu Tingsheng was no rash, self-absorbed arrogant youth, he naturally acceded to his request.

Xu Tingsheng had thought that he would be incomparably bored after this, only able to sit there and slowly wilt. In truth, however, following Shi Zhongjun’s departure, the private room that he was in soon became popular beyond compare as knocks unceasingly resounded on the door.

Most of those present were astute people. Therefore, it had already long since been noticed that an unfamiliar young face had appeared at today’s event. Also, he had a private room of his own at an event such as this, with even Shi Zhongjun having personally gone to visit him for a bit…

There was just too much that this entailed.

In terms of power and wealth, Xu Tingsheng had actually still yet to attain such heights, much less reach a point where Shi Zhongjun definitely had to go all out against Jin Datang for him. Yet, it was Xu Tingsheng’s potential as well as Hucheng’s great worth that had caught Shi Zhongjun’s eye, thereby leaving him feeling resolved to win him over despite the costs.

Everyone else remained unaware of this. Their judgment of Xu Tingsheng virtually came completely from what they had seen of him, how highly Shi Zhongjun seemed to view him.

This was something that was easily apparent from Huang Yaming and Tan Yao. Returning to the hall downstairs from Xu Tingsheng’s private room, their popularity had somehow surged greatly.

Female artistes who thought rather highly of their charm began sneaking out of the hall before secretly going upstairs to knock on the door of Xu Tingsheng’s private room.

After having dealt with a few of them with great difficulty, also experiencing another side of a female artiste whom he had once rather admired, Xu Tingsheng finally had a ‘do not disturb’ sign put up.

Now, he received a call from Apple.

Luckily, the room’s soundproofing was done very well.

“What’re you doing?” Apple asked.

“Discussing business. What about you?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Apple hesitated for a while, “I met a few friends while eating dinner. I may be going out with them for a while later. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Is that okay?”

Xu Tingsheng did not think much about it, “Going out to have fun is a good thing. Be careful then. Also, you definitely can’t come back too late! Call me if it’s late. I can go fetch you later.”

“Okay,” Apple said, “Don’t be angry.”

“Of course I won’t,” Xu Tingsheng laughed, “I’m happier if you can go out more and have fun.”

Apple did not say much more, hurriedly hanging up after a quick ‘goodbye’ without even waiting for Xu Tingsheng to respond. Then, she felt ill at ease as if there were butterflies in her stomach.

She knew that Xu Tingsheng would definitely be very angry if he were to know the truth of the matter. He was always facing as well as bearing everything for her. How would he let her face adversity alone?

……

Earlier, Apple had met colleagues from Tianle at the hotel restaurant, that hateful leopard print man who had formerly been her agent included.

The leopard print man had given Apple a performance schedule on which the names of several strange bars could be seen. She had even been arranged to perform together with some exotic female dancer from Eastern Europe.

Apple adamantly refused.

“Get the compensation fee ready then. It’s not merely the compensation for your contract with Tianle. This also goes for all your performances. All of them were contracted by the company. You’ve got to bear responsibility for the company’s losses,” The leopard print man threatened.

Apple was taken aback, tears filling her eyes, “I’m already no longer singing. Why do you still have to do this?”

“Why? Because you were a fool and signed the contract! Now that Boss Jin is angry, things naturally won’t be going well for you.”

As the leopard print man was speaking, some female artistes who were actually also likely to share the same fate as Apple were instead jeering at her, mocking her. This was that pitiable aspect of human nature. So long as bad luck had yet to descend on them, they could deceive themselves whilst bullying others, always relishing the misfortune of others, even partaking in it.

“Where’s Boss Jin? I want to talk to him,” Apple grit her teeth.

“Boss Jin’s currently at a cocktail party. Right, we’ll be going over in a while to attend the latter half. Since you haven’t experienced one before, we’ll take you over for a look, also see if Boss Jin is free. Hey, who knows, he might even be in the mood to talk with you about your problem!”

The leopard print man wagged his finger arrogantly.

Apple shook her head, “I’m not going to attend no cocktail party.”

That promiscuous third-rate female artiste who believed herself to be extremely experienced and clever smiled as she interjected, “I know you’re good at pretending! Relax, this isn’t a cocktail party for our company alone. The higher echelons of all the major companies of the industry will be there, see? At that sort of place, just you? No one will ask you to do anything. Even if you want to, they might not even want to accept it! It’ll already be your blessing if Boss Jin doesn’t ignore you.”

One of them who had been on rather good terms with Apple before stepped forward, “Let’s go together, Apple. You’ve got a contract; you can’t always be avoiding it, not communicating with Boss Jin. You can make use of this chance to take a look at the heights of the industry as well. At that time, who knows? You might have changed your mind.”

She might not have any malicious intent, just that the way she saw things was different.

The leopard print man sashayed over, exclaiming proudly, “Right! Such an event and those people there-you may not be able to talk with them your entire lifetime, you know? Stop spouting useless words and go back up to change. Meet us downstairs in an hour.”

Apple had no intention of getting to know any major figure. Still, having seen that performance schedule, also being aware that it would indeed be impossible for her to continue avoiding Jin Datang forever, with her contract with Tianle being a standing issue...

After making up her mind, Apple did consider telling Xu Tingsheng about it. Still, she hesitated. She thought that Xu Tingsheng might be in the midst of an important business meeting right then. Also, Xu Tingsheng had always been wholly unrelated to the entertainment industry…

The letter that Huang Yaming had sent to her had only contained an application form for studying overseas. Therefore, Apple was actually still unaware of Xu Tingsheng’s relationship with Tianyi even now.

In order for Apple not to feel pressured in making her decision, in order that it not be forced, Xu Tingsheng had actually kept mum throughout however Song Ni and Fu Cheng had rebuked him back then. He just feared that Apple might find out, thus becoming unable to make a choice true to her heart that she would not regret.

An ignorant Apple just did not want to make things difficult for Xu Tingsheng, not wanting to be a burden to him. Therefore, she decided to face it on her own, even if it was just giving it a go. If it was possible, she hoped that she would not still be a burden, causing trouble for him again now.

Therefore, she lied.

She forgot that Xu Tingsheng had said not long ago, ‘Just think about it, and when you’re done, I’ll help you to actualise it’, and ‘I hope that you can trust me more’. Yet further back, he’d even once told her ‘Xu Tingsheng is a Superman. However far and high you fly, I will still be able to cover you’.

Apple did not change to clothes suited for the occasion. She just wore a simple T-shirt, jeans and sports shoes, not even applying makeup. She was dressed just as simply as this as she went to the hotel lobby downstairs.

She was clearly expressing her stance with this.

Seeing this, the leopard print man sashayed over, pinching Apple’s arm and snorting as he scolded, “Totally hopeless! If you can’t grab the chance, who’s there to blame but yourself?”

The female artistes who were all dressed ostentatiously with as much exposed skin as possible began jeering, mocking:

“Acting all holier-than-thou.”

“Hasn’t she always been like this?”

“That’s why she’s so tragic now. Hah!”

Apple tolerated them, not uttering a sound.

Chapter 233: That ever quiet room

As Apple prepared to depart, Xu Tingsheng was dialling that number, throwing out the first card in his hand.

More than ten minutes passed.

While he was feeling rather uneasy, Jin Datang who had been navigating the industry for more than ten years consoled himself. He shouldn’t be intimidated by a mere kid. Over an hour had passed, and he still hadn’t done anything at all, wasn’t that right?

Even Shi Zhongjun himself was all smiles as everyone exchanged toasts and polite words.

Jin Datang thought that nothing seemed to be wrong. Even as this matter weighed on his mind, he smilingly conversed with the bigwigs present, saying something dirty and feeling up some of the female artistes once in a while.

His deputy came over and whispered something into his ear, pulling him away from the crowd.

“What is it?”

His deputy not having gone into specifics before the rest, Jin Datang questioned him about it now.

“Photographs of when Lu Lin was a hostess in the past as well as of her dancing on the stage and entering and leaving a hotel with a client were uploaded more than ten minutes ago onto some major websites and forums all at once,” Jin Datang’s deputy said, looking at him uneasily.

Lu Lin was a female artiste whose image Jin Datang had spent quite a bit of effort building. She had a good figure and was very proficient at currying favour, being very willing to acquiesce as was necessary. Currently, she was already somewhat well-known and could be considered a relatively important artiste of Tianle.

Jin Datang said decisively, “Find someone and suppress it.”

“I’ve found someone and spent the money. The threads and articles are all being deleted. Still, the news has already spread. We can only try to play things down now. This is being arranged.”

“Go investigate. Most importantly, check if it’s Tianyi who’s behind it.”

“Got it.”

After his assistant had walked off, Jin Datang inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself down. In the end, no longer being in the mood to continue socialising in the hall, he returned to his private room with a gloomy expression on his face. As he traversed the corridor, he unconsciously turned to look at that ever quiet room.

“Is it him? Tianyi is behind him? Or is he borrowing Tianyi’s power to divert away attention?”

The problem now was that no one could be certain about Xu Tingsheng’s background. With him remaining alone up there, there was no way at all to penetrate his defences. Jin Datang did not even know who he should look for if he wanted to launch a counterattack, who he should target.

Xu Tingsheng poured himself a glass of wine.

He was waiting.

A short while later, Huang Yaming texted him, “It’s rather chaotic here. There are many who’ve received the news. They’re discussing it right now, with most rejoicing over Tianle’s misfortune.”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Where’s Jin Datang?”

Huang Yaming replied, “He’s gone back to his private room. He didn’t look too good.”

Xu Tingsheng replied with a simple ‘got it’ before making his second call.

Jin Datang soon received news that photographs of one of Tianle’s male artistes who had a ‘healthy public image’ being all over a girl as he brought her back to a hotel had been leaked.

Then, an increasing number of detrimental news began successively trickling in. Tianle...was suffering attacks from all around.

Xu Tingsheng was rather puzzled when he heard about this.

Tianyi’s VP sent him a message, “Someone’s beating them when they’re down. It shouldn’t be just a single party. Brother Xu can wait patiently for a while and let them rear their heads. This way, the pressure on Jin Datang will be greater. There are many in the industry who would like to see him fall.”

Xu Tingsheng opened the door, entered the corridor and gazed downstairs. The major figures in the hall were all still in the midst of conversing merrily with upraised wineglasses. Some of them were even chatting enthusiastically with Tianle’s people with smiles on their faces.

Yet, they had already made a move behind their backs, ruthlessly exacerbating their misfortune.

Things were not going well for Jin Datang at all.

He certainly wasn’t someone who was so vulnerable; otherwise, with the vicious methods that he constantly employed and the people he had offended, it was impossible that he could have survived until now. Yet, the greatest problem now was still this. He wanted to act out the role of the mad dog, act out stubbornly resisting and dealing damage to the other party at cost of both sides being terribly damaged, longed to lunge over and give them a good one...yet, he did not know who it was that he should be targeting.

With how things were now, it was likely that there were already multiple parties acting against him.

If he were to act hastily, he might accidentally end up with even more enemies, with yet more people acting against him.

As for Tianyi, Jin Datang definitely had his suspicions about them. Yet, just such suspicion alone was insufficient for him to vengefully go all out against Tianyi without mind of the consequences. He was not important enough as well as lacked the capabilities to do so. With Tianyi appearing neutral on the surface as well, he even lacked the basis to gain sympathy at their oppression.

Xu Tingsheng remained all alone as he returned to his private room which remained ever quiet, with not a single soul moving about the area.

“Hurry up and investigate him! I’ll go look for Shi Zhongjun,” Jin Datang stood up and instructed.

Then, he looked back as he arrived at the door, “I might have to give Shi Zhongjun a good one to probe Tianyi out later. You guys get ready the preparations.”

“Boss Jin?”

A Tianle VP stood up, looking at Jin Datang with evident worry on his face as he clearly disapproved of him battling Tianyi. Tianle completely lacked the qualifications for such.

“Relax! If it really is Tianyi, how much is that kid worth in Shi Zhongjun’s eyes? That’s what I’d like to find out.”

Jin Datang had never been a rash person in major matters, the kind that stubbornly resisted and just refused to adapt to the situation. He knew to act according to the situation, knew to lay low and bide his time. It was due to this that Tianle, a medium-scale company, had been able to survive for so long, even having been doing relatively well.

His domineering, arrogant attitude was only ever used on those people whom he had control over, such as the defenceless Apple who had no one to rely on. Or at least, he had believed so.

Jin Datang walked over to Shi Zhongjun who was still entertaining his guests in the hall before the eyes of all, asking him, “Boss Shi, I wonder if you’ve heard about the consecutive incidents with my company’s artistes? Can you help me out with this?”

Everyone fell silent all at once, looking at Shi Zhongjun.

Jin Datang having said this out in the open like this, his goal was to borrow the strength of all who were present to exert pressure on Shi Zhongjun. They had no choice but to form such a coalition here. Even if a number of these people had actually acted against Jin Datang as well earlier, they would still feel concerned over whether it really was Shi Zhongjun who had started it. If it was really him, were the reasons sufficient?

Otherwise, they would worry that the same fate might befall them one day.

Before Jin Datang had spoken up, they had actually been totally ignorant of the situation. They had not connected Tianle’s predicament with Tianyi and Shi Zhongjun at all, much less with that unknown young man in the room upstairs.

Shi Zhongjun smiled mildly before saying earnestly, “I just heard about it. If Boss Jin has anything that you need help with, just say it. I, and all of us here will definitely do all we can.”

Jin Datang was stopped in his tracks for a while before he directly shook his head, “Pardon my manners, but may I know who that young person upstairs is? Is he Boss Shi’s friend? As Boss Shi is the host, I believe that it should definitely be Tianyi who invited him.”

“It was indeed Tianyi who invited him. Still, I’m actually also not too clear on him myself,” Shi Zhongjun feigned ignorance, “I just know one thing, and that’s that he’s a member of Rebirth.”

Those who were able to stand here with Shi Zhongjun were all no minor figures. Even the VPs of many big companies lacked such qualifications. Therefore, as he mentioned Rebirth, it was merely a moment’s surprise that everyone felt, this surprise coming merely from the mystery that surrounded Rebirth. That was all there was to it.

It was just a band comprising students. Even though they had produced a few good songs, it was still far from sufficient to catch their eye.

And it was precisely because of the mystery surrounding Rebirth that it seemed a perfectly reasonable thing how Shi Zhongjun was unclear on that person’s background and the like.

“It’s because they cooperated with Tianyi previously. I believe that everyone should know about it. It was about two songs,” Shi Zhongjun continued, “Back then, this playful kid did not ask for a high price, instead bringing up two requests. One of them was to experience more things. It was due to this that Tianyi invited him here today. The second, it’s something that is rather awkward to say in front of Boss Shi…” Shi Zhongjun laughed rather awkwardly.

“Just say it, Boss Shi,” Jin Datang said.

“They requested that if they could find a way to make Boss Jin terminate Tianle’s contract with Apple, he hopes that Tianyi will be able to sign her. Back then, I thought-what could just a few university students do? And in some four to five years, that girl would probably no longer feel like going on with it...so I agreed to it. Boss Jin will not blame me for this, right?”

Shi Zhongjun absolved himself of all responsibility. Even if this was rather shameless and they could guess what was actually going on, there was nothing that anyone else could say about it. Also, an artiste changing their contracted company was a perfectly natural thing. Shi Zhongjun had merely been waiting. In merely waiting, hadn’t he already given Jin Datang enough face?

With this, Jin Datang was left totally unable to stand on any moral high ground.

“Then, it shouldn’t be that kid who did it. He’s not of our industry, after all. There’s no way that he could have access to all that information,” Jin Datang advanced by retreating, shrewdness underlying his words.

“Actually, you can’t say this for sure. Maybe this kid’s background is unordinary? Moreover, that girl is one of Rebirth’s members at the end of the day. Him standing up for her in a fit of youthful rashness is also possible. Boss Jin must have spoken with him before? How did it go? He didn’t say that things are irrevocable between you, right?”

This was said by the boss of another company, to which Shi Zhongjun nodded in agreement in an ‘incomparably fair and just’ manner.

Jin Datang fell silent.

What could he do now? Could he say outright: Oh, he looked for me before, but I arrogantly refused him, even arranging for Apple to perform in bars, wanting her never ever to recover. Therefore, he got mad?

These things could be done. Everyone else here had actually done it before as well. Still, it just couldn’t be said. Such would be equivalent to an admission that he well and truly deserved it.

Then, could he instead speak against Shi Zhongjun or some others present, “Stop acting! You were definitely involved in this! Even if you didn’t start it, there’s definitely parts where you tried to kick me when I’m down!”

If he lacked proof, this was definitely not something that he could say at all.

He could certainly retaliate. The problem was-who would he retaliate against?

All the responsibility had been pushed by them onto that kid upstairs.

And that kid had not shown his face, had not uttered a word. Apart from just earlier when he had come out and glanced around once, throughout the span of this entire incident, his private room had remained ever quiet, with not a single soul moving about the area.

Tianle’s VP hurriedly ran down from upstairs and whispered something into Jin Datang’s ear.

Jin Datang first shook his head, indicating that his earlier plan to probe Tianyi out had ended in failure. Then, hearing his VP’s words, an extremely shocked expression appeared on his face.

“What did you say?”

“Jianhai Province’s Dingcheng Real Estate’s Boss Zheng just called. He’s decided to forgo his investment in that movie that we’ll be filming next year. His attitude was very firm; there was no convincing him otherwise,” The VP blurted out in panic.

At this, everyone present, Shi Zhongjun included, turned unconsciously to stare at that still quiet private room upstairs, feeling greatly shocked. Influencing the decision of a real estate company had already surpassed the scope of influence and power available to the entertainment industry.

Jin Datang was rendered at an even greater loss for words. He was already unable to retaliate against any single one of those present now.

“It really is him? Who exactly is that kid?”

Xu Tingsheng’s prestige rapidly rose in the eyes of everyone present, especially Shi Zhongjun. This was something which even he had not known about beforehand. He had originally thought that in this matter, Xu Tingsheng would only be able to rely on the material that he had provided.

Those who had been kicking Tianle when they were down promptly did so even more fervently, because Jin Datang’s tragic, helpless fate had already been well and truly sealed in stone now.

A stifled him had already been punched continuously to the point of being totally unable to find his bearings.

Chapter 234: Apple’s arrived

“Thank you, Uncle Zheng! You eat with my Dad first then. Enjoy the wine! I’ll play chess with Uncle Zheng the next time I visit, and have a drink with you.”

Xu Tingsheng hung up.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao knocked on the door and entered, cutting to the chase, “Jin Datang just looked for Shi Zhongjun. He’s returning to his private room now.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Then, if he isn’t dumb, he should be about to terminate the contract now.”

“That’s why we so hastily rushed up here!” Huang Yaming exclaimed in a panic, “I’m afraid that after you’ve received the termination contract later on, you’ll continue with the pressure and hit with them a big one, attacking the one called Zhou Yonghen.”

Xu Tingsheng had actually already been prepared to stop. His goal having been achieved and his rage having mostly been vented, there was no longer a real need for him to go on with this.

At Huang Yaming’s words, he asked in slight puzzlement, “Zhou Yonghen, Tianle’s number one singer who’s sung together with Apple before? What about him?”

Huang Yaming said infuriatedly, “That person was boasting downstairs about Apple’s figure and whatnot. His words weren’t nice at all; anyway, he said many things that’d definitely blow you up if you heard. He told those sex fiends there, us two as well, that he once tried to drug Apple in the studio. If not for Apple’s assistant, Sis Juan, something might have happened to Apple.”

“Then, he also said that he was still constantly making things difficult for Apple afterwards, that after Apple’s returned to the company, he definitely won’t let her go so easily.”

Xu Tingsheng suddenly discovered that what Apple had faced and experienced was actually far greater than was within his understanding. It was no wonder that her mental strength had been so greatly diminished as she had fallen into such despair and pain.

Xu Tingsheng immediately grabbed that phone, dialling that number. The line swiftly connected.

“Zhou Yonghen, half an hour later, everything out, full force. You don’t have to ask Boss Shi. If anything crops up, I’ll take responsibility. But if you don’t handle this well, I’ll be looking for you.”

After saying so, Xu Tingsheng flung all the cards in his hand onto the table.

He was adamant on this point. He could accept ultimately forcibly buying out Apple’s contract with money, but this person definitely had to be decimated, even if this drove Jin Datang mad.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao browsed the photographs on the table, their shocked exclamations resounding with every one, “This freaking fool’s life is really too colourful! This is just staggering! He’s done for.”

“Should we stay behind to accompany you? What if a fight breaks out later?” After getting over his excitement, Huang Yaming asked Xu Tingsheng rather uneasily.

“These major figures aren’t country bumpkins like us; even if they do intend to act, they won’t do it here. Moreover, this is Shi Zhongjun’s territory,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “So, go have fun then.”

Huang Yaming nodded, “We’ll be going then! The first half’s nearly over; it seems like things’ll be getting busy for the two of us soon. Is there anything in particular that you want us to do?”

“Nope, just go for it. Also, remember to bring this,” Xu Tingsheng retrieved two condoms from the secret compartment, casually throwing them over to the two, “Make sure to keep yourselves clean.”

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao left.

The next person who came to find Xu Tingsheng was not Jin Datang but Shi Zhongjun. With regard to this cocktail party, Tianle’s matter would just be a sideshow no matter how crazy it got. The party was still going on happily in full swing.

After the first half of the party had ended, those who were supposed to leave left and those who were supposed to return to their private room returned to their private room. As for those who did not have a private room yet wanted to stay, they followed those whose private room they were willing to enter.

As for what would happen afterwards, this was not something that could be discussed publicly.

Those who had stayed behind were basically all men. The ones who would be gushing into the rooms soon were basically those female artistes who had yet to make it big or were preparing to enter the industry, and at least a portion of them were already mentally prepared.

Shi Zhongjun had already drunk quite a bit when he came into Xu Tingsheng's room, poured a glass of wine and clinked glasses with him.

Then, he asked in a forthright manner, “Brother Xu dabbles in real estate too?”

“My family's doing it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I see.”

This was all Shi Zhongjun was able to say as he realised all of a sudden that he was actually sorely lacking in terms of his understanding of Xu Tingsheng. He had tried to learn about the Xu Family before. Still, just having found that the Xu Family had started out in a county, he had then ceased in his efforts.

“If Brother Shi’s interested, I'll invite you to join in when I’ve seen some results.”

Shi Zhongjun had helped him out a lot today. Now, Xu Tingsheng offered him some form of repayment.

He had not straight out invited Shi Zhongjun to participate, instead saying that he would be inviting him to invest after results had been seen. This meant: You don't have to worry. You can come after you've seen that there's this good, nice slice of the pie just waiting for you.

Shi Zhongjun extended a hand, “We’re agreed then.”

Xu Tingsheng shook his proffered hand, “Definitely.”

Shi Zhongjun hesitated for a moment before saying, “Actually, as I see it, with Brother Xu having flashed your cards, Jin Datang should already understand what he has to do. You don't really have to exact it for real.”

“I'm not happy,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng's expression, Shi Zhongjun continued, “ Actually, for what you decided earlier, that underling of mine did still ask me about it. I came here looking to persuade you to desist, because there isn't actually a need to. I've also understood the situation. It's about a woman, but nothing did truly happen in the end. Therefore, there’s no real need to drive Jin Datang into a corner like this...what do you think?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, his gaze resolute, “Sorry, Brother Shi, but I think I've got to be insensible for once. This is necessary, I'm absolutely certain of it. Let me put it this way. It's because of this matter that my Dad personally made a trip to Xihu City, where he currently is right now. If this isn't convenient for Brother Shi, let me handle it myself then.”

Shi Zhongjun was taken aback for a time. From his previous interactions with Xu Tingsheng, he had long since determined him to be a very steady, dependable person, this being totally incongruent with his age as it even caused him to seem like he lacked drive, exerted insufficient pressure...

After having investigated Xu Tingsheng, Tianyi’s employees had ultimately come to such a conclusion: Benevolent and soft-hearted, weak-willed as a woman.

It was precisely because of this that Shi Zhongjun had to view Xu Tingsheng's current stubbornness so seriously.

Up till now, he had only seen Xu Tingsheng this way twice before. For many other things, even the negotiation regarding their exchange of shares, he had appeared to be very reasonable. Meanwhile, those two times where he had refused to budge were both related to that girl called Apple.

“You really care about that girl so much?” Shi Zhongjun asked him.

Xu Tingsheng nodded rather embarrassedly, rather shyly.

Xu Tingsheng was no ordinary boy, this Shi Zhongjun knew. Thus, he understood even better what was entailed by this shyness which had surfaced on the face of a boy like him.

“We'll do as you wish then. Leave this to me. As your older bro, I can't always be avoiding this, right? My older brother at home's always complaining about how Tianyi isn't domineering at all under me, such that people don't know to be afraid of it. Great, I'll be showing it to him now.”

Shi Zhongjun stood up, “Actually, Jin Datang may not be able to retaliate against us two. There’re too many people who’re acting against him now. Even if he suspects us, he'd probably want to try to appease us first. Thus, there’s no need to worry. I'll go find him for a chat now. The termination contract should be sent over very soon.”

Xu Tingsheng rose to his feet, “Thank you, Brother Shi.”

Not long after Shi Zhongjun left, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao who had been in high spirits earlier scuttled back to the room in a panic as if they had seen a ghost.

“What's wrong?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Apple's here,” Huang Yaming said.

“What? Apple? Did you see wrong?”

Xu Tingsheng was greatly astonished. Wasn't Apple off attending a gathering with her friends?

“It's true, we both saw it. She came together with some people from Tianle, and she's currently sitting right in the hall,” Huang Yaming said.

Beside him, Tan Yao nodded.

Xu Tingsheng rubbed his forehead, suddenly feeling rather unhappy for some reason.

“She didn't see you, right?” He asked.

“She didn't. We hid away fast,” Huang Yaming replied.

“Well, you guys go have fun then. Just don't let her see you for the time being. If it's convenient, try to find out what she's here for and help to watch her.”

After saying so, Xu Tingsheng dialled Apple's number. It was a long time before his call was picked up.

“Having fun with your friends someplace?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah, we, we're chatting in a bar right now,” Apple lied.

“Okay. You be careful then,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

Finding his tone to be a little strange, Apple asked him, “Are you unhappy?”

“No, just a little tired. You have fun then,” Xu Tingsheng said, and directly hung up.

Chapter 235: Want to terminate the contract? Dream on

More than ten minutes later, a Tianle VP knocked on the door, sending over their termination agreement with Apple that came without any conditions whatsoever. Jin Datang had already signed it. After Apple had signed it, the agreement would officially come into effect.

“Our Boss Jin asks-the matter will have ended with this?” The Tianle VP asked.

“It will have with me. As for within your industry, I'm not too clear on that,” Xu Tingsheng answered in a sly manner.

“We are aware of that. Apart from that, Boss Jin wants to ask-are you really a member of Rebirth?”

“I am.”

“Boss Jin says that Apple's matter isn't actually that major. There was no need to go to this extent. He was speaking a bit rashly just now. He also wishes Apple every success in her future endeavours.”

“I'm very sorry then. Thank you.”

“Is there still a possibility of holding back on Dingcheng’s matter?”

“You people can discuss this amongst yourselves. I don't know about all this.”

“Goodbye then. I hope that things will be amiable between us in the future.”

“Yeah, goodbye.”

The Tianle VP left. Xu Tingsheng leaned back against the sofa, his head upraised with his eyes closed.

Despite having vented his anger and also obtained the termination agreement, Xu Tingsheng did not feel as happy as he should actually have been, because Apple was currently sitting in the hall downstairs. She had lied to him. What had she come here for?

Now, Xu Tingsheng simply had to stand up and open the door to be able to see her, to be able to appear before her and tell her the good news.

Yet, he did not feel like going out now.

…...

Apple was sitting uneasily in a corner of the hall. There were quite a few people sitting near her. The entire hall was filled with people, with people from Tianle as well as from other companies. This included even people from some modelling companies. The atmosphere was even more lively than it had been before.

Yet, she was all alone.

At this moment, she began to rather regret not having told Xu Tingsheng the truth. Reliance was actually a type of habit. Over these two months, she had long since grown used to it. Only when Xu Tingsheng was by her side could she feel so reassured.

To many people, the night had only just begun.

The dining table had already long since been replenished, the bands continuing to perform their music. It was as if the party had only just begun. Next, people began successively exiting those private rooms, coming downstairs. The newcomers began wandering about the area, hitting on people, being hit on.

In this grand setting, various socialisation methods were employed. While some of them might be enjoyable, more of them were ugly.

In life, right and wrong are actually very difficult to define sometimes. Those things that exist behind the successful are often easily overshadowed by the radiance of their achievements.

Apple still sat there. Her former assistant, Sis Juan, had insisted on coming over with her. Apple knew that she was worried about her. Still, she was someone else’s assistant now, and currently also being loudly ordered around. They could only interact via some subtle eye contact at most.

A person whom Apple really did not feel like seeing appeared in her field of vision.

A tipsy Zhou Yonghen was currently walking in her direction. Those of Tianle who were present enthusiastically greeted him. However much they hated and were dissatisfied with him, before this number one male artiste of their company, they could only feign a smile when seeing him.

Apple was the sole exception.

Yet it was precisely Apple whom Zhou Yonghen went up to as he feigned a concerned tone, “Apple, you’ve finally returned after resting for so long? Your Bro Yong was so worried about you! So, have you been doing well recently?”

Here, he reached out to pat Apple’s shoulder.

Apple hurriedly shifted to the side to evade it.

A dissatisfied look flashed through Zhou Yonghen’s eyes, but was gone in a flash as only that smile remained, “It's good that you've thought things through. Since you've decided to return, I'll help to put in a good word for you with Boss Jin. I can even sing another song with you in my next album...that is, if you've really learnt to be sensible.”

“No need. I’m here to look for Boss Jin to terminate my contract,” Apple bluntly refused.

She had already long since come to be aware of what this person had tried to do to her.

A mouthful of red wine spurted out of Zhou Youghen’s mouth as he broke out laughing, “Terminate the contract? Are you dreaming?”

He turned towards the others and continued laughing, “Did you hear? She says that she’s here to terminate her contract. Is that such an easy thing? Just you, sitting here like this, is enough?”

They all laughed as well in order to show Zhou Yonghen moral support in his mockery of Apple.

This was something that Zhou Yonghen would probably really regret later. He had actually only been focused on the women earlier, not having paid the slightest bit of attention to Jin Datang’s private room. In truth, Jin Datang too did not really like his artistes appearing in his private room.

As for the rest of those present, it was naturally even more impossible for them to be cognisant of the situation at hand.

Zhou Yongheng finally finished laughing. He sat down beside Apple.

“Stop dreaming, Apple. In truth, if you don’t want to perform in bars, you need only tell me. It’s impossible that I’d help you in getting your contract terminated, but this would still be possible…”

While Zhou Yonghen sounded concerned, his words brimming with emotion, Apple only felt
disgusted as she instinctively inched backwards, rising to her feet as she prepared to leave.

A girl behind her who had still yet to enter showbiz grabbed her, “Sis Apple, don’t be like this! It would be very troublesome for you otherwise. Also, Boss Jin hasn’t come down yet. Where are you going?”

“I’m here to discuss terminating my contract. I’m not interested in talking about anything else. Please refrain from disturbing me; I’ll just be sitting here to wait for Boss Jin,” Apple reiterated.

Then, she sat down again. Since she had already come, she decided that she should give it a go at the very least.

……

Sitting in his private room upstairs, Xu Tingsheng received a text from Huang Yaming:

“I’ve asked someone to help inquire for you. Apple says that she’s here to discuss terminating the contract. Also, she’s wearing a T-shirt, jeans and sports shoes without any makeup. Relax.”

Smiling in relief at the screen, Xu Tingsheng sent back, “I was never uneasy in the first place.”

Huang Yaming replied, “Get lost! What was your face like just now!”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “I just think that she’s too silly, too naive. How would she be able to take care of such a thing alone? Also, she didn’t even tell me about it.”

Huang Yaming replied, “Can we concentrate on hooking up with some movie stars now then?”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Go on! Ask two people from Tianyi to move in closer. Don’t let Apple be taken advantage of.”

Huang Yaming replied, “Got it.”

Xu Tingsheng hung up, feeling a little exasperated whilst also amused.

The reason for his exasperation was Apple’s naivety as well as what he had only just reminded her about that very afternoon. Despite having met with a problem, she had actually not told him about it. Had he not been here today, she was likely to have suffered a loss, a humiliation at the very least.

As for the source of his amusement, first was none other than again, Apple’s naivety. Other than that, he also felt that he had already handled something correctly at the very least, a thing which Apple wanted done.

“I’ll take care of you when I get back,” Xu Tingsheng muttered to himself.

Then, he pressed the service bell, calling in the waiter who was constantly stationed outside.

……

Facing Apple who was seated rigidly upright, Zhou Yonghen adjusted his mood, continuing, “Alright, I’ll talk seriously here then. Apple, how much do you understand about Boss Jin? I definitely understand him better than you do, right? You’re really just dreaming if you believe that you can get your contract terminated with just this. I advise you to think about how not to make Boss Jin so mad later on, such that he won’t then arrange for you to go perform at bars.”

“Yeah, Apple!” The girl who had tried to persuade her earlier chimed in, “You should really apologise to Boss Jin later. Otherwise, if you really have to perform at bars, you definitely wouldn’t be able to take it with how your personality is.”

“Maybe she’ll be performing in a village next time,” Someone interjected, rousing many jeers.

Apple did not speak.

“Hey, Apple, you wouldn’t have found another company, right? Why aren’t they negotiating for you in person then?” Someone suddenly asked.

With this, everyone’s attention now focused on Apple. That Apple had managed to find a new company was the only logical explanation. Otherwise, having come to discuss terminating her contract just like this, it could only be interpreted as naive as well as foolish.

Actually, Apple too had already realised that her idealism had really just been a moment’s folly. Having known Jin Datang for quite a while already, she knew that he was definitely not the kind of person who would be moved and act benevolently just because of some mere words of hers.

It was true that the company had not spent much money on her, instead having profited greatly off her. Still, businessmen, Jin Datang especially, definitely wouldn’t make calculations this way.

In having directly sealed Apple into oblivion regardless of the costs this time, even as he had striven for greater benefits, Jin Datang had also done so in order to stamp down his authority, letting the company’s other artistes know the consequences of being disobedient.

Therefore, it would instead come as a real surprise if he did let Apple off so simply.

A rather despondent Apple answered, “I did not. If Boss Jin doesn’t agree, I’ll leave.”

“What about those performances you’re scheduled for later? Compensation?” Someone asked.

Apple was overwhelmed by doubt and uncertainty once more.

Seeing thus, Zhou Yonghen said triumphantly, “Boss Jin is probably still busy right now. You just sit here and continue to dream on. I’ll be off to have some fun. Tell me after you’ve thought things through. I can only guarantee that you won’t have to go and perform at bars.”

Zhou Yonghen stood up, all feigning good cheer as he raised his wineglass, preparing to leave.

A waiter walked over towards them.

“May I ask, which of you is Sis Apple?” He asked.

“Could she have caught someone’s eye? It looks like acting ‘holy’ does have its uses,” A few girls mocked, though some envy and jealousy could indistinctly be sensed from them as well.

“That’s me,” Apple said rather uneasily.

“Hello, Sis Apple. This is your termination contract. Look over it, and if there’s no problem, you can sign it. After you’ve done so, your contract with Tianle will officially have been terminated.”

The waiter respectfully placed a pen and the relevant document in front of Apple.

Everyone was shocked silly at this.

Zhou Yonghen who had been mocking Apple as dreaming and those others of Tianle were no exception.

Apple too was no exception.

“Is, is this real?”

A termination agreement without any conditions attached whatsoever naturally could not be any simpler. Apple carefully looked through it twice, also examining Jin Datang’s signature earnestly as she was still unable to believe it. She wanted to make sure that this was not a prank that was intended to humiliate her.

“It shouldn’t be real? I just called Boss Jin’s phone, and no one answered at all. How could he have signed the agreement for you? Also, you also didn’t talk with Boss Jin before this, right?”

After saying such to Apple, Zhou Yonghen turned, asking the waiter, “Who asked you to send over this agreement?”

“The gentleman from the private room upstairs,” The waiter pointed at Xu Tingsheng’s private room before he turned and left.

Apple included, everyone’s gazes fell on that ever quiet room upstairs, that room whose door was shut tight despite its very good location.

Who could it be inside?

Only Zhou Yonghen was aware that that it was definitely not Jin Datang there, nor was it Shi Zhongjun.

Yet, he too did not know who it was inside. He had not had the chance to participate in the discussion between bosses during the first segment of the party at all. Instead, he had been boasting about girls with some other men, after which he had tried to hit on some top-tier female artiste. He was even unaware of the fact that the person curently sitting in that private room was a new face, an unfamiliar young man.

“Could it be Boss Jin? Impossible! Then, could it really be that Apple has caught the eye of some boss who’s helped her to get her contract terminated?” This was what everyone else was thinking.

Apple herself was feeling even more on tenterhooks. She was the clearest on her own situation. She had not made any preparations at all in having come here today, also not having told a single soul about it, not even Xu Tingsheng.

Of course that she would guess that it might be Xu Tingsheng. Still, that was just impossible! He didn't know about this; he was currently in the midst of a business discussion; it was impossible for him to appear at this kind of cocktail party of the entertainment industry...

After having eliminated the possibility of it being Xu Tingsheng, Apple was even more bewildered.

She had come here purely in the heat of the moment. How was it that there was suddenly someone helping her with terminating her contract?

Also, it had been less than ten minutes since her arrival here. Even if someone, deciding to help her, had gone to look for Jin Datang to talk with him and pay the compensation fee for breaking the contract, it really shouldn't have been this quick?

Due to her unease, Apple hesitated on signing the termination agreement for a long time.

Chapter 236: Her inner voice

Apple pondered for a long time regarding the authenticity of the termination agreement, yet it was not only she who was currently feeling conflicted.

Yet, it was for a different reason that the others were feeling conflicted. They suddenly realised that this actually wasn’t something to be envious of. It wasn’t anything good-how many people struggled diligently and painstakingly, hoping beyond hope to be able to renew their contract?

Therefore, this really wasn’t something to be envious about. They would probably be on the brink of tears if someone were really to place a termination agreement before them like this.

People always tend to judge others by their own systemic logic as well as standpoint before coming to a self-obsessed conclusion which they believe unquestionably in and try to force upon others as they believe that everyone else should also be thinking along the same line.

This was especially so as they now found Apple indeed hesitating for a long time over signing the agreement.

“What, can’t bear to anymore? Weren’t you all holier-than-thou just now?”

“Look at her! She was still saying just a moment ago that she’s come to terminate her contract. But now that Boss Jin is really letting her terminate it, she’s instead stunned silly and all dazed.”

“The way I see it, she actually came here to apologise and beg for Boss Jin’s forgiveness in the first place. Let’s see how she intends to clean up this mess now! Do you guys think anyone else might still be willing to sign such a disobedient artiste with all the commotion that she’s caused?”

“Exactly! Whoever would want a person who was even abandoned by her own former band?!”

Amidst the din, a Tianyi VP, a refined, authoritative-looking man in his forties known as Shao Jun walked over in this direction. At such an occasion, he represented Tianyi, a place that all these aspiring artistes could only ever dream about.

Some who would claim to be rather well acquainted with Shao Jun were in the midst of greeting him.

Sometimes, being acquainted with someone and being able to exchange words with that person is itself already a method of raising one’s status.

Shao Jun reciprocated their greetings with a smile on his face. This caused quite a few people, Zhou Yonghen included, to feel rather proud of themselves.

“Did you come downstairs for something, Boss Shao?” Zhou Yonghen asked.

“Yes, I’m here to look for someone,” Shao Jun said.

“Who is Tianyi’s VP looking for?” This area was generally composed of Tianle’s people, most of whom were new or third-rate or worse artistes. There seemed to be no one here who was worthy of him coming down personally. The sole possibility in this case was Zhou Yonghen, but judging from their conversation, Shao Jun clearly hadn’t come down here to look for him.

Amidst a great many curious, expectant gazes, Shao Jun walked over to the still dazed Apple.

“Hello, Miss Apple. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Shao Jun from Tianyi.”

While Shao Jun might not be especially well-known by the general public as a VP of Tianyi, his name carried immense weight in the industry.

He was one of those whom Shi Zhongjun trusted and relied on the most, being a figure who possessed considerable authority in Tianyi.

As the person Shao Jun was looking for was Apple who who had just received an inexplicable agreement, the onlookers began speculating, feeling that the truth of the matter might finally be coming to light now with something being asked of Apple ‘in return’.

“Now this makes sense. Who would have helped her out for no reason at all?”

Some were waiting to see how Apple would react, waiting to see her make a fool of herself. Would she continue pretending? Or would she immediately discard her ‘masquerade’, next scrambling at this chance to attain greater heights?

However much they were actually feeling envious and jealous in a matter such as this, they would inevitably still jeer at and look down on Apple here.

Discussion was immediately rife once more in which neither scorn nor mockery was absent.

While Apple could ignore these people, there was no way for her to be impervious to her own inner voice. She was indeed feeling afraid, afraid that she might have gotten into some major trouble. She was still just a young girl at the end of the day...unless Xu Tingsheng was there beside her.

Yet, she...just did not want to bring Xu Tingsheng any trouble right now.

A nervous Apple stood up and asked uneasily, “Hi. May, may I ask why you are looking for me?”

Shao Jun smiled, explaining, “It’s like this. On behalf of Tianyi and Boss Shi, I officially invite Miss Apple to join our Tianyi Entertainment Media. This is the contract. You can carefully look through it. If there’s anything that you’re dissatisfied with, we can discuss it and have it altered afterwards; there’s no rush here.”

Shao Jun placed two copies of the contract on the table in front of Apple before sitting down and patiently awaiting her decision.

This was not the sort of treatment that a new artiste would usually be given by someone of his status.

Still, Shi Zhongjun had already made up his mind about this earlier, with the whole of Tianyi having decided to give sufficient face to their new shareholder, Xu Tingsheng, making use of this chance to properly establish a solid relationship between them.

Tianyi’s higher echelons, Shao Jun included, naturally wouldn’t have a problem with Shi Zhongjun’s decision. One might say that Xu Tingsheng was their future ‘brother-in-arms’, sharing the same battle trench as them alongside all their weal and woe.

Moreover, they all had quite a good impression of Xu Tingsheng, believing him to be worth making friends with.

They should all support one another when they could, with every bit of goodwill accrued being valuable.

This was why Shao Jun had personally come to attend to Apple, even acting in such a way that should actually be beneath him in doing so.

With this, everyone, especially those who had been speaking earlier, fell utterly silent. They dared not look one another in the eye for fear that the words which they had just said would come back to slap them in the face.

If it weren’t for the fact that Tianyi’s VP was currently sitting and talking right in front of them, with the actual contract laid out right there on the table for all to see, all of them would have believed themselves to be mistaken about what they had just heard, or to be witnessing the narration of a fairytale. Everything was just so surreal.

Perhaps they too had once fantasised about being invited by a company in such a manner when they had first dreamt of becoming celebrities.

Those had simply been mere fantasies, however.

Apple herself was momentarily stunned as well before she asked rather panickedly, “Hi, I’m sorry, but I’m a little confused right now. I don’t understand what’s going on. Can you explain things to me for a bit? I don’t think I know anyone from your company.”

Shao Jun thought for a moment, “Hmmm, even if you ask me, I really don’t know what I should say, or if I’m even allowed to say it.”

Here, Shao Jun could not help but smile. He was indeed unable to understand what Xu Tingsheng’s intentions were in not having revealed himself even at this point. Logically speaking, if he wanted to give his little girlfriend a surprise, now would be a good time.

Xu Tingsheng was actually waiting for Apple to make a choice from the very bottom of her heart. Without his presence interfering with things, she would be better able to listen to her inner voice.

Looking at Apple’s worried, confused expression, Shao Jun considered for a moment before he eventually said, “Anyway, please trust in the sincerity of Tianyi and Boss Shi, Miss Apple. How about you take a look at the contract first?”

With him having put it this way, Apple could only sit down and take a look at the contract. On one hand, she couldn’t really reject the other party’s goodwill just like this. On the other, she was also feeling curious as to its contents.

That was just how it was. Everyone else aside, even Apple herself was feeling overwhelmed by curiosity as the events of that night became more and more inconceivable.

Apart from that, she also felt great fear. The smoother things went, the more inconceivable it felt, and the more worried and fearful Apple became. She did not know who it was who was helping her, did not know what it was that that person might eventually be requesting of her.

After she had finished looking through the contract, her fear had endlessly magnified manifold.

This was a contract which barely restricted her actions at all. That was to say that Apple would virtually only be receiving the company’s support and services, not being subject to any form of restrictions. She would be able to decide on matters like promotion, commercial performances, albums and concerts etcetera all on her own.

As for the scale of the support provided to her by the company, it was virtually comparable to that provided to Tianyi’s top-tier artistes.

This contract provided to her by Tianyi was actually the result of Xu Tingsheng’s discussion with Tianyi’s management. He wanted to provide for Apple a contract that allowed her the greatest possible freedom. If she wanted to sing, she could sing to her heart’s content. If she did not want to sing, nobody could force her do it…

She could disappear anytime she wanted, reappear anytime she liked.

When he had drawn up this contract, Xu Tingsheng had considered two people, two states of being. One was that of Cheer Chen, while the other was that of the later Faye Wong.

At that moment, Apple found that her fear aside, she was actually feeling very drawn to the idea.

Once, she had thought that it was just for Xu Tingsheng that she was doing all this, just so that she would be able to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

Then, she had lost herself, lost Apple.

Now, the two contracts on the table seemed to show her a different her, a different Apple. Also, such an Apple was one whom she admired and liked.

If one is able to admire and like themselves, that is actually the greatest happiness and bliss in this world.

At that moment, Apple heard her own inner voice.

Chapter 237: It’s definitely some fat, bald old man

If not for that fear of hers, Apple knew that she would definitely choose to sign this contract right away. She believed that Xu Tingsheng would also definitely like the her who was this way.

Yet, the brighter and more dazzling the path ahead, the greater the fear she felt.

Apple still remained in that hesitant, indecisive state.

Those crowding around Apple thought that this might be an extremely demanding contract which maybe even contained some additional, unspeakable clauses. There were quite a few who were trying to sneak a peek at it, wanting to see exactly what kind of a contract it was.

Li Juan, Apple’s former assistant at Tianle who was six years older than her and she called Sis.

“Apple, is it very hard for you? How about Sis helps you to take a look?”

Due to being worried about Apple, Li Juan who was just an assistant had been adamant on coming to the party. Still, because she had been continually ordered around previously and also did not want to bring Apple trouble, the two of them had not conversed at all earlier that night.

Now, however, she knew that Apple might be faced with a great opportunity, yet was feeling incomparably conflicted.

Therefore, she stepped forward.

While she was merely an assistant, Li Juan had actually been one for quite some time, having seen and experienced many things. Naturally, she had some discernment in such issues. Here, she felt that she could be of help to Apple, even if it was just giving her an opinion as reference.

Turning and seeing that it was Li Juan, Apple nodded happily. Then she felt almost like crying as she was suddenly overcome by an urge to grab her hand.

Apple had been alone that entire night, without anyone she could trust or talk with. Yet, in front of her was currently an incomparably important choice as well as a complex situation that she felt fearful about.

A hand reached out, forcefully pulling Li Juan away.

“What’s this got to do with you? Do you think that you’re still her assistant?” One of Tianle’s new artistes, the one Li Juan was currently serving as assistant, pointed at her face and scolded her.

“I just want to help Apple to take a look,” Li Juan explained in a small voice.

“You lowlife! Who do you think you are? If you still want to continue following her, you can resign! What do you mean, doing this in front of me? You looking down on me? I’ll ask the company for a replacement as soon as I get back…” Tianle’s new artiste derided endlessly.

Apple and Li Juan stood together, quietly holding hands.

“Can you not say things like this?” Apple asked.

The new artiste glanced at Apple, “How is this your business? I’m teaching my assistant here.”

She actually had considerations of her own in saying this. While she was aware that doing so might offend Apple who grasped a Tianyi contract, she would be able to get in the good books of someone else this way, their company’s number one male artiste Zhou Yonghen...therefore, she felt that it was worth it.

Zhou Yonghen felt Li Juan to be an eyesore due to certain previous matters, thus persistently targeting her at every turn. This was something that was known by virtually all Tianle’s artistes. The reason that he had not chased Li Juan out of the company was such that he could casually scold her whenever he felt like it.

With the company’s number one male artiste acting this way, everyone else naturally followed his example.

Therefore, Li Juan had actually had it pretty bad recently.

Li Juan grit her teeth, “I’ll resign when I get back then.”

Hearing Li Juan say this, Apple's heart abruptly clenched. She was aware that the reason Li Juan had always persisted in this agency was that she actually aspired to be an agent. This being her interest and dream, she had never given up despite all her years as an assistant.

“Now, Sis has to give up because of me?” Apple felt very guilty as she still dared not even sign the contract now, much less be confident of helping Li Juan out.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Shao Jun stood up, walking over to Li Juan, “Hello, Miss Li Juan. I understand that you are Miss Apple's former assistant? I heard that you've been of great help to her before.”

“It wasn't anything special; I just did what was expected of me,” Li Juan answered rather nervously.

“Then, are you interested in coming to Tianyi to work?” Shao Jun smiled, “I just heard that you are going to resign? It just happens that we're short-handed here at Tianyi. If you’re interested in coming over, you can first continue being an artiste’s assistant. Then, should you be interested, we can also give you some training to be an agent.”.

As an artiste’s assistant, this being a comparatively minor position, Li Juan did not have much restrictions in her contract with Tianle. That was to say that if she wanted to leave for another company, she could do so at any time.

Tianle’s new artiste had originally been about to continue speaking. Still, seeing Shao Jun's gaze suddenly turn towards her, she smiled flatteringly and retreated. Now, she discovered that she actually wasn't even able to provoke her ex-assistant.

After her initial joy, Li Juan directed her gaze at Apple as she began to hesitate. She did not want Apple to be pressured because of her, did not want to be used by someone to exert pressure on Apple. The other side's invitation was obviously related to Apple.

“Sorry, Boss Shao,” Li Juan said to Shao Jun, “I may not be able to…”

“Boss Shao, please, may I know who the person helping me is?” Apple interrupted Li Juan's words and mustered up her courage to ask.

Only now did Shao Jun realise what kind of a troubling matter it was that he had been tasked with. If he were to say now that it was purely because Tianyi admired Apple’s capabilities, there was probably no one at all who would believe it.

A troubled Shao Jun forced a smile after a while, “It's a friend of our Boss Shi’s, and my friend as well.”

“I'm very sorry then, Boss Shao. I do indeed like and want to sign this contract a lot. Still, if I don’t know who the other party is and why he is helping me, I will definitely not sign it. I can even give up on the termination contract. My boyfriend has methods of his own; there is no need for others to worry.”

Having dealt this ultimatum, Apple seemed to have returned to her former mischievous, fearless self where she was used to having a hold over the entire situation. It was just like when she had ‘bullied’ and ‘teased’ Xu Tingsheng in the past.

A helpless Shao Jun could only take out his handphone and dial Xu Tingsheng’s number, telling him frankly, “It seems like you’ve got to show your face.”

“So, he’s in that room?” Apple cared about civility no longer as she pointed at the room upstairs.

Shao Jun nodded, asking, “How about you go up and look for him?”

“Ask him to come out! I won’t be going up. I’m afraid my boyfriend would be unhappy.”

Apple was truly bewildered by the other party’s secretiveness. Also, as she saw it, it was likely that they had some untoward intention in mind. Therefore, she was definitely not going to care about being polite or whatnot now.

Everyone automatically disregarded Apple’s mention of her boyfriend. If he was really as able as she claimed, would she still have been suppressed to this extent? Would she still have had to come here alone like this? Everyone felt that Apple was merely being stubborn in her words.

Everyone’s gazes fell on that private room as their curiosity was hooked.

Someone who was able to sit in such a well-placed private room on such an occasion, who was able to be addressed by Shao Jun as Shi Zhongjun’s friend and his friend as well...everyone present began maliciously speculating that this should be a tycoon, one who was likely to be getting on with his years and had a high probability of being some fat, bald old man.

Meanwhile, his motive in helping Apple could not be any more obvious.

Therefore, would Apple really continue adamantly refusing? Would she be able to resist the pressure mounting on her and stand firm in the face of that fat, bald old man?

Like that could happen.

Everyone was half feeling curious and half waiting to see Apple make a joke out of herself.

The door of the private room opened.

But where was the old man?

Everyone saw a handsome, well-dressed twenty-year-old youth who was so outstanding in both his appearance and manner walk slowly out of the room with a glass of red wine in his hand. He was smiling. There was some awkwardness and shyness in his smile at first. Then, it soon grew increasingly brighter...

He was smiling at Apple.

The subtlety of this smile resembled a boyfriend having caught his young girlfriend who had clearly said that she was going to slim down secretly eating chocolates. There was triumph, there was slyness, there was doting affection, and there was just that hint of blame as well.

For those who had been mocking Apple all this while, if it had indeed been some fat, bald old man who exited the room now, even if Apple did gain a powerful backer as a result, they would actually have gained some form of consolation. Even as they envied her, they would have been able to openly ‘despise’ her, to throw in some disparaging remarks about her from time to time…

Now, however…

Could things not be this perfect? Damn it!

“Didn’t you say that you were chatting with friends in a bar? Look, haven’t you been caught by me now!” Xu Tingsheng smiled as he leaned against the banister.

Apple too was smiling radiantly. She saw that it was him. So it was actually still him, still him at the end of the day. It could only be him, her Superman.

No longer feeling pressured, fearful and conflicted, Apple flung all her reservations aside, raising her head and freely rebutting, “Huh, isn’t it the same for you as well? Weren’t you at a business discussion? Why are you here?”

Everyone immediately understood this to be the flirting between a couple.

“So, Apple intentionally came here to show off her boyfriend? But from the way she looked just now, it also seems like she really wasn’t aware of this beforehand…”

“How despicable, a loving couple like this.”

Xu Tingsheng really wasn’t used to having so many gazes on him. He had only left his private room despite his awkwardness just so that he could take revenge for the bullied Apple, giving those who had been constantly mocking her as they waited to see her look like a joke a good slap on the face…

Now that this had been achieved, Xu Tingsheng decided to put an end to this conversation as soon as he could.

Therefore, he got straight to the point, “We can talk about that later. Let’s get to the main topic. Do you like that contract? Do you still want to sing? Don’t mind me; just ask yourself what it is that you really feel deep inside.”

“I like it,” Apple nodded forcefully, replying.

That feeling earlier had been a very distinct and definite one. After having discarded all anxiety of the unknown, she was even more certain on the choice she wanted to make. The oppressive atmosphere and mood from earlier had instead helped her to understand what she truly desired.

“Hurry up and sign then. Come up after you’re done, and see how I’ll take care of you,” Xu Tingsheng smiled before directly re-entering his private room.

Apple stuck out her tongue and bared her teeth in a smile before signing the termination agreement and her contract with Tianle, which she promptly handed respectfully to Shao Jun.

She smiled sweetly, “Thank you, Boss Shao.”

Then, she waved excitedly, ignoring everything else as she pulled Li Juan along in swiftly dashing upstairs. Jeans, sports shoes, T-shirt...these could not have looked more appropriate.

Shao Jun shook his head, smiling wryly, “Youngsters, really…”

“Boss Shao, this young man would be?” A higher echelon employee of another company asked.

“Our Tianyi’s new shareholder. He’s a member of Rebirth as well as Miss Apple’s former classmate. It also seems like he should be her boyfriend,” Shao Jun smiled as he replied.

It was the feeling of being blown into smithereens and scattered like ashes into the eternal wind.

All the Tianle artistes who had been constantly mocking Apple ever since that afternoon were stunned by his words. Then, they felt stifled to the point of panic, terrified to the point of panic…

How had it turned out like this? They had so clearly been able to finally stomp on her, raising their heads arrogantly as they gloated mercilessly in triumph...wasn’t that so?

Chapter 238: Just let it go to waste then

Apple was neither shy nor reserved as filled with the vigour of youth, she pulled Li Juan along in dashing towards the second floor. Yet, everyone was able to see her happiness and excitement along with the eagerness and anticipation of a bird returning to its nest.

Therefore, that person must be so familiar, so trustworthy, so much of a warm presence to her.

Most of those in the hall had still yet to recover from this. As for those in the corner where Tianle’s people was congregated, most of them had rather terrible expressions on their faces. Some appeared unresigned to fate, some appeared uneasy, and there might also be those who were merely bemused.

Tianyi’s Shao Jun did not linger for long as he strode off at a steady pace. Despite having answered that final question, he hadn’t even mentioned Xu Tingsheng’s name in doing so.

“The problem is-who is that person? Why wasn’t even his name said?” Some were thinking.

Actually, they already had sufficient information for such at hand.

An old classmate, a member of Rebirth. Just these two alone were sufficient to show that the person in question was an old acquaintance of Apple’s, the two of them having already been close long before this. Therefore, even if people continued with their malicious speculations, believing that Apple had tried to latch onto a magnate for fame and career, it was already a completely baseless thing now.

Moreover, such a magnate who was young and rich, handsome and thoughtful-it couldn’t be called latching onto, right?

If it really was that, which female artiste would not want to latch onto someone of this kind?!

Moreover, Shao Jun had also mentioned that the person in question had invested in Tianyi because of Apple, hence becoming a new shareholder of theirs.

Although Shao Jun had not put it in any definitive terms in accordance with what Shi Zhongjun had said earlier, with him having said it in a formal setting such as this, it was obvious to everyone that this was really as good as definite certainty.

This entailed two things:

Firstly, this person was very capable and very powerful. To put it rather crudely, he was very wealthy.

Secondly, he also doted on his girlfriend to a 'frightening’ extent, spoiling Apple beyond measure. He clearly intended to pave her a smooth path, protecting her all throughout.

Most of those here wished greatly for fame and profit. The more this was so, the more they were feeling envy and jealousy, then finally a sense of loss.

……

Entering the room, Apple found a stern-looking Xu Tingsheng seated on the sofa facing the doorway with the high-and-mighty look of being about to pass judgment on her for her travesties.

Xu Tingsheng felt that he should express such an attitude regarding Apple's actions that night at the very least: He was very angry.

Apple seemed to have turned into another person as she shamelessly ignored all this, leaping onto the sofa immediately upon her arrival. Then, facing Xu Tingsheng directly as she rested on his lap, she pressured him back towards the back of the sofa.

“Xu Tingsheng, you liar! Hurry up and say it. How is it that you're here?” Apple questioned overbearingly from a position of lofty superiority.

Xu Tingsheng glanced up at her, asking ill-humouredly, “Hey, you're...seizing the preemptive here? Your matter should be much more serious than mine, right? So, shouldn't you be explaining it all to me?”

Apple laughed slyly before leaning in close towards his ear and saying in a sickly sweet tone, “Hey, don't be like this! So fierce, you must surely be feeling so very pained inside?!”

Xu Tingsheng's mind that had seemed to drift off momentarily there refocused on Apple.

For that one moment, he seemed to have returned to their senior high days as that shameless demoness Apple resurfaced. This was how she had always dealt with him back then.

Back then, she had virtually always held the upper hand as he was only ever able to flee helter-skelter in a sad, sorry state.

He pushed Apple away and sat upright.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Don't you try this on me! I'm no longer that easy to bully now.”

Apple said, “I don't believe you. Shall I test it out?”

“I'm really very angry today.”

“I was wrong,” Apple began acting pitiful.

Xu Tingsheng smiled and greeted Sis Juan who was standing awkwardly by the doorway, “Hello, Sis Juan. Sorry that you had to see this. We've actually met once before.”

Li Juan nodded, “I remember. It was in Jiannan City; you sent Apple over then.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “That's right. Apple has caused trouble for Sis Juan, this I am basically aware of. Therefore, I'm very grateful towards you. I hope that Sis Juan will be happy working at Tianyi in the future. If you find Apple to be too bothersome, you can always change to another artiste or concentrate on training to be an agent.”

“No!” Apple leapt to her feet and went over to grab Li Juan’s hand before pulling her over to sit on the sofa, clasping her arm tightly in hers.

Li Juan thought for a moment before suddenly saying, “Apple’s suffered for a long time because of you.”

Xu Tingsheng actually had no way of explaining this to Li Juan. Apple’s elbow that was linked in Li Juan’s wobbled slightly before she then shook her head slightly, indicating for Li Juan to stop.

While smiling warmly at Apple, Li Juan persisted in saying, “Back in Xihu City, that night when Apple left, she told me that she was off to enter a relationship. She said that you are the best man in the world, and that she would be very happy...back then, I wondered what sort of a person you are that despite suffering like this, she could still feel like she was so happy.”

“Back then, I thought that you were just an ordinary person. Because of that, however fatigued and aggrieved Apple was, I was still able to accept it. But as I see it now, you could have done this in the first place, just that for some reason, you didn’t...not till today.”

“Therefore, seeing how you could bear to let Apple be pitiful to that extent back then, I actually do still blame you for it somewhat now.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled awkwardly, “It was my oversight. Back then, I just hoped for Apple to be able to find a path of her own that truly suited her after gaining some life experience. She lost some things along the way.”

He turned to look at Apple, continuing, “So, can you say it for certain now?”

Apple nodded firmly, “Yeah! I’ve come to like that me which I can foresee.”

“That’s good then,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

He felt that there was already no longer a need for him to ask Apple about why she had come here by herself that night. She had done so wanting to get rid of her previous mindset in which she relied on others, having lost herself.

As one remained longer in that mindset, even relying on oneself might then become frightening.

Even though the night’s events had proven that she was still unable to depend on herself at the moment, at the very least, she now had a direction as well as a future she could look forward to.

Apple said cheekily, “So, it should be your turn to tell me what this is all about now. I was really very worried just now, worried that it would be some fat, bald old man walking out of that room to help me. All because they’d set their sights on this damsel’s beauty, you know? You scared me to death tonight.”

“What if it had been a handsome dude who came out of the room?”

“It would have to be you. It’s just that I didn’t consider it at the time.”

“So how did you feel just now?”

“Like I was hanging over a precipice, before I saw my Superman flying over to save me,” Apple said, “Still, don’t change the topic, Xu Tingsheng. I’m waiting for you to explain yourself.”

Xu Tingsheng could only narrate the story from the very beginning.

He talked about the terms agreed upon when he had given the two songs to Tianyi. The songs had actually been prepared for Apple, unless she decided to give up on them. He also talked about the exchange of shares between Hucheng and Tianyi. He had already been a Tianyi shareholder for quite some time now. He spoke of the preparations he had made for this day.

After he was done, Apple asked, “Why didn’t you tell us? It was just you and Huang Yaming who knew, right? I remember that Fu Cheng and Song Ni even blamed you because of this.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I wanted to wait for you to make a decision of your own before informing me about your choice. I wanted this choice to be made not because of me and not because of any preparations I may have made for you but because it truly is what you desire deep within.”

“Therefore, I didn’t want you to know about all this, tonight’s matter included. I didn’t tell you about it because I didn’t want there to be any pressure on you. I wanted to give you time to prepare first before awaiting your choice. In the end, you actually ran over here on your own.”

“Didn’t you feel aggrieved?”

“A little.”

“Did you lose out in the exchange of shares?”

“A little, but it was worth it.”

“Then, what if I’d eventually chosen to give up on this path? Wouldn’t all that you’ve done been for naught?”

“Just let it go to waste then.”

Hearing Xu Tingsheng’s ‘just let it go to waste then’, Apple finally could not help but collapse in Li Juan’s embrace, the tears flowing unimpeded down her cheeks even as she sobbed, “See it, Sis? How hard it would be not to love him.”

Li Juan patted her shoulder, saying, “I see it.”

Chapter 239: Might not get lost, might not return

In saying ‘Just let it go to waste then’, Xu Tingsheng had actually done so in the calmest, most ordinary of tones as he had simply wanted to convey ‘Never mind, it isn’t that much of a waste’.

In the end, however, Apple had burst into tears, the response to her question having somehow come off as one that possessed the flair of a domineering tycoon: With wealth comes wilfulness.

Xu Tingsheng’s ‘Awkwardness Syndrome’ acted up again now.

Fortunately, though, a timely knock on the door now resounded.

Thinking that it was Huang Yaming and Tan Yao who had returned after having played around enough, or perhaps one of Shi Zhongjun’s employees who had come to send Tianyi’s contract over to Apple, Xu Tingsheng casually called ‘enter’.

The door of the private room was flung open.

Xu Tingsheng saw an unexpected person at the doorway. Tianle’s number one male artiste, Zhou Yonghen, was currently standing there with a glass of red wine in his hand and a smile that was just that bit unnatural. Behind him was the leopard print man, Apple’s former agent.

Apple quickly stopped crying as she looked away and refused to speak.

While Zhou Yonghen felt somewhat awkward at this, he still smiled, saying, “As a former senior and Apple’s former agent, we’re here to congratulate Apple, wishing her every future success.”

“Yeah! I’ve always thought highly of Apple. Back in Tianle, Bro Yong also often instructed me to take good care of her. Tianle may have suffered quite a big loss now, but seeing as things are getting better and better for Apple, we are really feeling very happy for her,” The effeminate leopard print man elaborated.

The two men raised their wineglasses.

Apple continued looking away, not picking up her wineglass as she refused to look back.

Even Li Juan looked away, not uttering a sound.

Now, it was Xu Tingsheng who didn’t know how he should react. Should he feign civility a little? Or should he lunge straight over and go beat the two of them up? Xu Tingsheng unconsciously reached out and loosened his tie. He really had no patience at all for a bastard who had tried to drug Apple before.

As Xu Tingsheng’s handphone vibrated, he gestured for the two of them to give him a moment.

Taking it out, he saw a text from Huang Yaming:

“Tan Yao and I are bringing two chicks up to your room for a bit. We boasted some just now, and they ended up insisting up on coming here. Let’s just satisfy their wish a little. That’s fine, right?”

Before Xu Tingsheng could reply, the second text arrived:

“We’re on the stairs. We’ll be right there.”

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao appeared at the doorway followed by two beautiful women in flashy dresses.

“Sorry, coming through.”

Huang Yaming reached out and maneuvred past Zhou Yonghen and the leopard print man, squeezing into the room.

“Bro Yong...Apple...Apple, how it it that you’re here?”

Behind Huang Yaming and Tan Yao, one of the women astonishedly exclaimed.

These two women were both from Tianle, one being that promiscuous third-rate artiste while the other was a new artiste. The two of them had quickly left for the courtyard for some ‘activities’ after having arrived earlier. There, they had somehow hooked up with the boasting Huang Yaming and Tan Yao.

Therefore, they were still unaware of everything that had just happened.

“I understand! You’re biased, Bro Yong! Why did you only introduce Apple to the handsome guy?” The promiscuous third-rate artiste cooed in a cloying tone before pulling Tan Yao to the back and continuing, “The one beside your friend is also from our company. Still, she’s already no longer in favour and no longer singing now.”

Tianle’s new female artiste continued, “Yeah! You probably don’t know this, but that girl’s really useless. How about you tell your friend about it, and we help to introduce him someone else?”

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao exchanged a look before they frowned, rebuking them, “You freaking fools! That’s our sister-in-law!”

Then, the two of them walked over to Apple, calling earnestly, “Hello, (elder) sister-in-law!”

Having previously been feeling emotional, Apple could not help but smile as she chided Huang Yaming, “What, you’re a month older than Tingsheng! Which month were you born in, Tan Yao?”

At this, the two women at the doorway were rendered completely stunned.

Only after thinking for a while did the two finally realise that this person sitting right across from them who had been silent previously was the central occupant of this private room. Meanwhile, his relationship with Apple was clearly completely different from what they had thought it to be.

Immediately afterwards, they discovered that even Li Juan was sitting inside the private room.

Reality was already telling them just how freaking foolish they had just been.

At that moment when no one knew what they should be saying, Shao Jun’s voice resounded from the doorway, “Sorry, coming through.”

Then, Xu Tingsheng saw Shi Zhongjun and Shao Jun enter the room along with another two members of Tianyi’s higher echelons.

The four sat down after an exchange of greetings, Shi Zhongjun directly asking the four at the doorway, “Sorry, is something the matter? Otherwise, there's something we'd like to discuss…”

“Well then...we won't interrupt you. See you, Boss Shi,” Zhou Yonghen led the other three along in departing before carefully closing the door.

This industry was actually extremely strict about levels of hierarchy, with people naturally aspiring to those in power as a result. While these people appeared so subservient now, when faced with those they could bully, they were actually more vicious than anyone else, acting rampantly to stomp on them.

Just like what they had previously done to Apple.

Soon after Zhou Yonghen left, a great hubbub suddenly broke out in the hall downstairs.

After a few simple inquiries, Zhou Yonghen was immediately rendered dazed on the spot. He was the reason for all this commotion. His wineglass fell to the ground and shattered. Having reigned dominant in the industry for more than ten years, Zhou Yonghen could now feel a chill running down his back as he was drenched entirely in cold sweat.

Now, the problem with his image from having entered those nightclubs was already of secondary importance.

Having brought an underage female fan back to his hotel was a legal problem.

Having seduced the women of bigwigs and bosses might concern his very life.

Yet, the leopard print man was still coquettishly stomping his foot and twisting his waist beside him, crying, “Wah, how hateful! Why were those photos of the two of us also released? Now everyone will know about it! What am I to do now?!”

While this was what he was saying, his facial expression was clearly one of excitement and yearning desire.

The hairs of all those onlookers instantly stood on end, “Zhou Yonghen really has quite the appetite.”

“Wah, Bro Yong…”

Slap!

As the leopard print man daintily moved closer to Zhou Yonghen’s shoulder, the panicked Zhou Yonghen turned and slapped him right on the face before pushing him away and hurriedly fleeing the area with an ashen look on his face.

…...

Inside the private room, Shi Zhongjun personally handed Apple the contract that he had just signed.

Then, he raised a glass of red wine and smiled, “Welcome to Tianyi, Miss Apple.”

Everyone raised their wineglasses.

Apple said politely, “Thank you for giving me this chance, Boss Shi.”

Everyone downed that glass of wine.

As he set down his wineglass, Shi Zhongjun smiled, “Just call me Bro Shi in the future, just like Brother Xu does.”

Then, he pointed at the man beside him, “This is Tianyi’s Music Director, Jona. Miss Apple can discuss your debut album with him. You can rest assured that we will definitely arrange the best for you in all areas, including finding a songwriter, choosing the melody and finally production.”

Faced with news which she should actually be yearning for, Apple was unexpectedly silent for a time, only looking up and asking after a while, “Bro...Shi, and Mr Jona too, may I ask if I can first participate in that overseas programme?”

Everyone present, Xu Tingsheng included, all felt somewhat bemused.

Apple, however, remained very calm as she continued, “I wish to participate in this programme, to first study in the Mannes School of Music for half a year before considering the matter of my album. I am actually very clear on the fact that I was more or less randomly singing before this, without any professional qualifications so to speak of. Because of that, I really wish to study to properly improve myself for a time before finally appearing in a whole new state.”

Apple had spoken with great earnestness. Having heard what she had to say, Shi Zhongjun directed his gaze at Xu Tingsheng.

Apple turned to look at him as well.

Xu Tingsheng asked her softly, “You’re decided?”

Apple hesitated for a moment before getting up and apologising to the people in the room, next pulling Xu Tingsheng out of the doorway and telling him in a low tone as they stood by the wall, “I’m decided. I really wish to go. Firstly, I really lack the abilities to be a professional. Secondly, I wish to go out and see the world, changing my life’s perspective, while at the same time...letting you confirm what you feel about me.”

“Xu Tingsheng, I like you, always. Still, following this period of time, many things have suddenly become clear to me. Therefore, I’ll wait for you to discover it for yourself this time, discover that you like me.”

“I believe that it is like this, that you like me. If I am proven wrong in the end, I...would be able to accept it then. I don’t like Superman, Superman who only thinks of responsibility. Instead, who I really like is the Xu Tingsheng who likes me.”

Apple had diverged greatly from her path at the tender age of twenty, walking one huge round amidst a swamp of mud and darkness. Fortunately, however, she had not been lost in the end.

Xu Tingsheng had originally thought that she would be returning to her previous path. Yet, it was not so. What Apple had seen and desired was actually another path, another road. She would not go back to being the original Apple, and this included the way she loved Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng hugged Apple, nodding happily.

Back in the private room, Xu Tingsheng immediately expressed his support for Apple’s decision.

“We will look forward to Miss Apple returning successfully from her studies then.”

This time, it was Tianyi’s Music Director, Jona, who had spoken. It could be seen that he truly admired this decision of Apple’s greatly. Shi Zhongjun too nodded in agreement beside them.

The cocktail party was actually still in full swing downstairs. Shi Zhongjun and the others decided to remain in this private room.

They drank wine and chatted, increasing their familiarity with one another.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao gradually became unable to join in the conversation. Instead, they looked at some sheets of paper together, pointing out to each other what they found interesting as they were constantly laughing at it in a very silly manner.

Xu Tingsheng asked rather exasperatedly, “What are you guys looking at?”

“It’s a script. Back in the courtyard just now, there were two people looking everywhere for people to pass their script to, apparently hoping to film some movie. So, we just casually grabbed a copy for a look. Dang it, this is so funny it can kill!” Huang Yaming exclaimed.

“Let me have a look at it,” Shi Zhongjun said.

The simple script was handed to Shi Zhongjun. He casually flipped through it before discussing a little with the people beside him. The director, unknown. The scriptwriter, unknown. The ideal cast, basically obscure.

Shi Zhongjun shook his head as he was about to hand the script back.

“What’s the script called?” Xu Tingsheng casually asked.

“Let me see...two words, Crazy Stone,” Shi Zhongjun said.

“Invest,” Xu Tingsheng said decisively.

Everyone looked at him.

Xu Tingsheng composed himself before smiling, “I’ve heard of this script and director before. Therefore, I propose that Brother Shi consider it a little. The main funding can come from me.”

To be precise, this was Xu Tingsheng’s first ever business proposal ever since he had become a shareholder of Tianyi.

Therefore, while this proposal appeared very sudden and incomprehensible, Shi Zhongjun still nodded after considering for a moment, “I’ll arrange for someone to communicate on this then.”

The matter of the investment having been handed to Tianyi, not being versed in the industry, there was nothing for Xu Tingsheng to do here as this matter was now temporarily concluded.

Apple who had been silent for a long time suddenly seemed to regain her wits, being unaware of what had been happening around her as she just said of herself, “Bro Shi, I was just thinking. Can I change the name for my album when the time comes?”

Taken aback, Shi Zhongjun asked, “You want to take on a stage name?”

“No,” Apple shook her head, “I’m thinking to use just my Chinese name.”

Chapter 240: Saying goodbye to Apple

Xu Tingsheng and Apple left before the cocktail party ended.

They left the car to Huang Yaming and Tan Yao who had ultimately failed to successfully pick up some young female artistes in the end. Of course, they would not be giving up as easily as that. Huang Yaming’s personal philosophy of ‘the heavens have told me to live a life of debauchery’ had long since been accepted wholesale by Tan Yao without even the least bit of hesitation.

Therefore, the two both felt that they had found their direction in life as well as battle buddy.

Actually, as they saw it, Xu Tingsheng should be a battle buddy of theirs as well. It was just that he had always refused to admit it, stubbornly refusing to be called such.

Xu Tingsheng and Apple walked along the dim streets of Shenghai City amidst the autumn breeze of that dark night.

Apple was smiling throughout, yet also shedding tears.

Xu Tingsheng followed after her at a fixed pace neither hurriedly nor slowly.

Apple stood on a bridge, spreading her arms wide against the banister as she allowed her clothes to be buffeted by the wind, her hair swaying messily as it beat down on her face.

Then, she began singing at the top of her lungs, singing <We Are All Good Kids>.

She said, “I should have been this way originally, Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “This way is great.”

Apple asked, “What should you actually be like, Xu Tingsheng? You’re twenty; isn’t it tiring, acting as Superman? What should you actually be like?”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before pulling up the sleeves of his high end suit and scrunching them before he adjusted his tie askew, undoing the top button of his shirt and holding a cigarette in his mouth…

He fully resembled a good-for-nothing youth like this.

“Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Xu Tingsheng, and I’m twenty this year.”

After having finished, Xu Tingsheng said, “Well, I guess I would probably have been like this.”

Apple laughed loudly at this, exclaiming, “Who would have thought?! But you look so handsome like this.”

Everyone was once an unruly youth back in the day, or at least that is what we believe. Afterwards, life would have changed how most of us are. There was no way for Xu Tingsheng to finish, “This time, I was already changed to how I was afterwards right from the start.”

Actually, men are generally all the same in reminiscing on the days of their youth.

Most people, be they the wealthy, officials, artistes or just normal people etcetera, actually share the same kind of mood and emotions when they are in their thirties or forties with round bellies or coarse hands one day and they coincidentally pass by the slope, park or street where their first date once was.

Once in a while, some men even miss those times when their scrawny self once challenged someone to a fight, having been blocked by a group of people at the school gates after their loss or victory afterwards.

Thinking back on those days of the past, even the nervousness and fear from back then actually feel interesting.

Therefore, it is none other than society which ultimately morphs youths beyond recognition as opposed to so-called ‘growth’.

Calling that conformity that youths have no choice but to submit to beneath societal pressure growth-this is society’s greatest lie, the most ‘blasphemous’ defilement of life.

This is akin to someone slashing a beautiful painting with a blade before proclaiming, ‘Look, time has left its mark on it’, being utterly shameless beyond compare in this way.

Apple kissed Xu Tingsheng lightly. While it was fleeting, it was just so earnest. Do you still remember back when that girl lightly kissed you on the lips for the first time?

Then, she tugged at his hand, continuing to walk.

They walked from the dimly lit streets to beneath the dazzling neon lights.

Soon, they ended up entering some street again.

The two passed through an alley before finding a small store at the end of some street. Outside the door, an ancient light bulb dimly illuminated the old man and his wife sitting by the doorway.

Apple asked, “Boss, Lady Boss, do you still remember me?”

The two of them looked at her and considered for a moment, eventually shaking their heads.

Apple did not feel down as she brought Xu Tingsheng into the store, ordering a few dishes and calling for some wine.

After her first glass of wine, Apple said, “When we first came to Shenghai, Mum helped out in this very store. We lived to the back of this place, in a small place of an old building. I remember every time it rained in the middle of the night, we had to scramble up and take out all the pails and basins to capture the leaking water.”

“Then, hugging each other, we would huddle against the bedframe and listen to the winds and the rain and also that rumbling thunder raging on outside, not daring to fall asleep at all the entire night. Dad used to love Mum a lot. I remember him saying that with the two of us around, it was just like he had two daughters.”

This was the first time Xu Tingsheng had heard Apple talking about her past so earnestly, fragmented though it was.

Back in the year 1993, Apple's father had suddenly decided to get a divorce before hurriedly leaving Libei. Thus, the ten-year-old Apple had come to Shenghai with her mother, simply because someone had told her mother about having spotted him there before.

They had failed to find him in the end.Still, they had chosen to stay.

Apple's mother who had been spoiled by her husband in the past began learning to lead a strong and independent life of her own even as she took care of Apple.

“I began attending school here, feeling just so uneasy, just so scared,” Apple said, “The me of back then was actually very quiet, very obedient. Don't you dare laugh.”

“Actually, I've always wondered how I would have turned out if Dad had stayed. Maybe I'd have become another kind of girl in the end, perhaps like this person you should also have seen before. Of all the girls I saw in Libei Senior High, no, of all the girls I've ever seen, she's the one I envy and look to the most. Her name is Ye Yingjing.”

“I envy her even more than I do Zhixin.”

“Of course, my results might not be as good as hers, but they also wouldn't be that bad. Do you know? There was once a period of time when I wanted to make friends with her, but that’s impossible, right?” Even as Apple smiled, tears continually trickled down her face.

Then, she continued, “But no one cared about this at all. They just said that I looked like some grungy country bumpkin, the students and even the teachers. They said that I had a country accent when I spoke. Not only were my clothes old-fashioned, they said my name was old-fashioned as well. There would even be people who would pinch my clothes, laughing at me for being poor. My family was really especially poor back then. My clothes were always very old, even though they were indeed very clean.”

“Then, they began conducting English classes, and so I learnt that most of my classmates had actually studied English before. They successively went up to the front of the classroom, doing their self-introductions in English and telling everyone their English names. There was a Dave and an Aaron, a Rose and a Jessica…”

“When it came to me, I was nervous and panicked. The teacher let me skip the self-introduction, just asking me what my English name was. I said, Apple,” Apple smiled, “It was because it was actually the only English word I knew apart from ‘hello’ and ‘hi’ back then. That’s why I said it.”

“My classmates were all laughing, but that teacher said that it was a very cute name,” Apple said, “From then onwards, I began telling all those Daves and Roses that my name is Apple.”

Despite having a very cute English name, she had ultimately still failed to receive recognition from the ‘brilliant’ students. In the end, she had been forced into the realisation that she might only be able to assimilate successfully if she imitated those rebellious students who had begun secretly dyeing their hair blonde.

“I learnt to speak like them, walk like them, hang out with them. I gained some friends. Then, I discovered that although more and more people hated me, they were beginning to be afraid to say it. They began fearing me.”

“This included those people who weren’t even willing to be my tablemate before. Afterwards, they would just sit meekly by the side, not daring to utter a sound. Hadn’t they hated me from the start anyway? So, what did I care?”

“Afterwards, gradually growing up, I became more and more beautiful. There began to be many boys who liked me, various boys of all kinds. Then, I learnt how to handle them and make use of them. I was very skilled at that.”

Apple had found her protective colouration.

“Yet afterwards, I had become the way I was when you first saw me. Only in twelfth grade did I learn that I would actually have to return to Libei to sit for my university entrance examinations. Having failed the first time, Mum insisted that I transfer and retake it in Libei. Thus, I ended up entering your class.”

In a small county like Libei, in Libei Senior High, I discovered that I had become the greatest anomaly. When describing myself to others, I would even exaggerate the differences between us before basking in their gazes that found it to be inconceivable and even the actions of those who tried to get on my good side and go along with me.”

“Do you remember those times?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “I’ve forgotten about it. I don’t remember much about back then.”

Apple said, “That’s right! Back then, you seemed like you didn’t care about anything at all except for playing football and messing around with Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng. Even pursuing Yao Jing seemed like the occasional flight of fancy for you, making me want to smile as I watched you. Still, you actually hated me back then, right? You didn’t look at me at all, totally ignored me.”

“Actually, I was already pretty curious about you back then. Still, when I went over to talk to you once, you looked at me and said nothing. The way you looked at me was like those disdainful classmates of mine in the past. So I thought really, who do you think you are? Ever since then, I began getting myself to hate you.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “There probably weren’t a lot of people who liked me back then. I was another anomaly.”

Apple laughed, “Then, three months before the university entrance examinations, you suddenly left and then returned again. After that, you had become like a divinity as it was like you started radiating light all over. Hey, when had I ever seen such a miraculous person before? Therefore, I was immediately enamoured with you. Still, I thought about it afterwards. The real reason, do you know what it is?”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “What?”

Apple said, “It’s because you’d done what I could only dream about doing, accomplished what I could only dream about being. I'll say something, don't you laugh. Actually, I realised all of a sudden at that point how strongly I wanted to be a remarkable person, being recognised by everyone without having to rack my brains on how to be recognised.”

Downing a glass of wine, Apple then continued, “I began thinking of a way to approach you. We had our initial contact. Then, I discovered a different side of you, discovering the possibility of warmth and stability where you were. I began to like you. Then, I tried my very best to be liked by you too.”

“All this time, I've been hoping so much that I can demonstrate to you a special me, becoming a me you can recognise and approve of. In the meantime, I've cared not about forcing myself and tolerated those who've bullied me.”

Apple had actually been doing the same thing all throughout ever since having come to Shenghai. She had thrown herself away, masquerading as someone else, changing herself as she sought for approval and recognition, for a sense of belonging.

In the end, she had lost even her own self.

Her source of depression was actually self-denial. She had experienced the darkest times of her life. Even after having arrived by Xu Tingsheng's side eventually, she had discovered herself to be lacking of any worth whatsoever, just being a burden who was not an independent, able existence at all.

While looking for shelter, a lone Sika deer had been trapped within a dark swampland. After having escaped with great difficulty, she gazed back at from whence she had come, standing still as she gazed upon that shelter. Finally, she turned and entered another part of the forest. It was there that she was truly a Sika deer.

On her second last glass of wine, Apple said, “Thank you, Xu Tingsheng. You’ve allowed me to see the me that I want to become.”

On her final glass, Apple said, “The two of us, let’s say goodbye to Apple together. I’m Cen Xiyu. Cen Xiyu will still like Xu Tingsheng, but she will not be like how she was before. I hope that you will like the original me.”

Chapter 241: A single lifetime, a single fate

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao did not return that night, only calling back to inform Xu Tingsheng, “We’ve got something on. The two of you should properly enjoy your time together before your separation.”

Xu Tingsheng and Cen Xiyu wore neat sets of pyjamas, lying down together on the same bed.

The bed in a high-class suite was large indeed.

The two of them both rested their heads back against their hands.

If what lay above them right now was not a ceiling but a starry sky, it would probably be quite the evoking scene.

Cen Xiyu was wearing flower-patterned long-sleeved pyjamas, looking like a young village girl whose hair should really be in a plait as she asked, “Xu Tingsheng, do you know why my name is Cen Xiyu? Is it old-fashioned or not?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “It's not old-fashioned at all. Why do you ask?”

“Because my father used to be a terrible Language teacher,” she smiled cheerily, “You definitely wouldn't think it, but my Dad was once a Language teacher at Libei Senior High. If he hadn't left, he might even have been your teacher.”

“So he was actually a teacher. Was your mother also one?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“No, Mum only had a primary school education, after which she went back to her village to stay. She was a village girl, just like how I look now. Dad was just a teacher at a village initially. He married Mum there, probably because Mum’s really beautiful, I guess.”

“Afterwards, Dad was transferred to the city. Just a few years later, he was transferred again to Libei Senior High. Mum followed him over to the city. She stayed at home and took care of me. Dad said that our family didn't need much money, so Mum didn't have to go out to work.”

“But he left with a very rich woman afterwards, or so I heard.”

Xu Tingsheng was unable to understand how such a change could have occurred, unable to find the logic behind it at all. Therefore, he did not say anything.

Cen Xiyu continued, “Mum gave birth to me in the village clinic. Dad says he was super nervous waiting outside the ward that day. It was drizzling. He paced back and forth, finally stopping by a corridor window. He saw a small stream in the distance, the raindrops landing densely within…

“Then, he discovered that he had suddenly calmed down. And then, I popped out with a loud cry and was born. Because of that, he gave me the name Cen Xi(stream)yu(rain).”

Xu Tingsheng calmly listened to Cen Xiyu’s narration. It felt just like ‘The mountain is quiet after the rain…...clear streaming springs over rocky beds travelling in kind’. The scent of gunpowder was mild, there seeming to be no precedent.

Therefore, he was even more unable to understand how such a great change had suddenly come upon that man, that father.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Listening to you speak, it feels like your Dad was an artistic youth.”

Cen Xiyu said, “Maybe he was. He said that he was an idealistic person, yearning for a simple, peaceful life where just being able to take care of who he wanted to take care of was enough.”

“Let me tell you, I once felt for some reason that you resembled him a lot. Because of that, even before you had started with all your achievements, I was actually already very curious about you. In the end, he left with a female tycoon, and you became a tycoon yourself. Heh.”

Xu Tingsheng felt at a loss as to this topic. Therefore, it seemed inadvisable to continue with it.

Based on what she had said, Cen Xiyu had actually already felt differently about Xu Tingsheng as compared to others when they had been classmates in Libei Senior High in his previous life. This was despite the fact that he had not been so outstanding then.

There had indeed also been some interactions between them back then. It was just that the Xu Tingsheng of back then looked at her completely differently than from in this life. There had ultimately not been any actual developments between the two of them, with no further communication ongoing between them after their short one year as classmates.

Actually, when enrolled in university, the two of them had actually run into each other once on a bus headed from Jiannan to Libei. She had been seated at the row in front of Xu Tingsheng. While he had recognised her, he had hesitated for a bit, still not greeting her in the end.

As for her life afterwards, her marriage and her emigration to Australia included, Xu Tingsheng had only inadvertently heard about it via word of mouth, not even having paid much mind to it.

A single lifetime, a single fate.

The things that had changed because of Xu Tingsheng...were so many.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before changing the topic as he asked, “Do you have any thoughts regarding the album?”

Cen Xiyu thought hard for a while, “Actually, I haven’t thought about it yet. All those things that I wanted in Tianle back then-I don’t want them anymore. Right, what’s that song that you left with Tianyi for me?”

“It originally had another name, but now, I’ve changed my mind. It shall be called <>. I feel that it’s very fitting,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Can you hum it for me?”

“When you’ve returned.”

“Oh...alright.”

“What else do you want to do in the future, apart from singing?”

“Maybe, hmmm, maybe I’ll just do whatever comes to mind.”

“That would be nice.”

“Because of you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Cen Xiyu chuckled for a bit before saying, “Well, I have two songs now then.”

Xu Tingsheng asked in puzzlement, “Two songs?”

“That’s right! I plan to force you to write a duet for me. Then, we’ll be singing it and shooting the music video together. You can wear a mask on screen, but you can’t refuse. This is my number one dream right now.”

A melody suddenly sprang to Xu Tingsheng’s mind as he began humming, “

“I want to sing to you about myself here

When our hearts are still young as flowers

Let the flowers bloom brightly as they can

Storing some of your life and my sprouts

Who is there who can take your place

Let us love to the utmost in our youth

The person dearest, oh dearest to me

Let us be together this long journey…”

As Xu Tingsheng had sung up till this point, Cen Xiyu said in a cheerful tone, “Alright!”

Her head leaned over, resting on Xu Tingsheng’s chest.

……

When Xu Tingsheng awoke the next day, Cen Xiyu had already finished packing her luggage and taken a bath as she was seated by the side of the bed, looking at him.

As Xu Tingsheng still had to discuss the acquisition of Dexin Training Institute with Zhang Xingke, she decided to go back first, staying in Yanzhou for a few days and taking care of everything there such as those little plants of hers before afterwards returning to Libei and accompanying her mother and grandmother there for a couple of days…

Finally, she would come to Shenghai and get on a plane for America.

“The new semester should have begun for you then, right? You don’t have to send me off at the airport then. Still, you’ve got to come see me in America once in this half year. Otherwise, you’d best be careful that my heart doesn’t get stolen away by someone else.”

She said, “I’ll be emailing you often to tell you about my life there. Do remember to read them.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I will.”

She left.

Soon, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Fang Yuqing.

“I went and investigated it for you. There doesn’t seem to be anything special. Lu Zhixin’s father has been running all over the place these past few years. He might have been doing something related to the stock market in Hong Kong recently...well, there shouldn’t be anything wrong here, right?” Fang Yuqing asked.

“Nope,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I was just suddenly feeling curious. It’s fine now.”

“Do you need me to investigate a bit more?”

“No need.”

As Xu Tingsheng was about to hang up, Fang Yuqing suddenly asked, “Are you interested in hearing a little about her family’s past?”

“Their past?”

“Right, it’s kinda legendary.”

“Well, tell me about it then.”

Fang Yuqing said, “It’s just something that I heard. It seems like Lu Zhixin’s family was pretty ordinary originally. Her father initially ran a home appliances repair store that wasn’t very big. While they couldn’t be considered rich, they also couldn’t be considered as living a tough life. Anyway, things were just as peaceful and ordinary as that.”

“Afterwards, her family seemed to have suddenly become rich. After that, her parents instead divorced. You understand, there’re many cases like that about couples who can bear hardship together yet are unable to be wealthy together, especially the ones who strike it rich overnight.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I get that.”

Fang Yuqing continued, “Ever since then, Lu Zhixin’s father began earning money as if he’d been possessed, first in Yanzhou and then everywhere throughout the entire nation. So, Zhixin has basically been living on her own since she was seven or eight years old. After getting a little older, she began helping out with her family’s business in Yanzhou. Formidable, no?”

“Formidable indeed,” Xu Tingsheng agreed.

“Maybe it’s because of this that Lu Zhixin is so special and so capable. Say, is it that you can’t be away from her anymore? Do you want to consider her?”

Xu Tingsheng asked him to scram, next saying, “The way we are now, it’s pretty good already.”

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng threw that inexplicable curiousness from before to the back of his mind.

More than ten minutes later, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao returned.

The two only rested for a short while before dragging Xu Tingsheng out to have lunch.

“There’s already stuff to eat in the hotel. Why do we have to go out?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“We’ll be driving to the vicinity of the academy city to eat, letting you experience exactly how wonderful this world truly is,” Huang Yaming said with a triumphant look on his face.

Feeling even more bemused, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Experience what, you say?”

“Experience what exactly is called the willing fish bites the hook,” Tan Yao continued for him, “Bro Xu, do you know what happened to the two of us last night? Didn’t we fail to hook up with any of those young female artistes? We were feeling pretty dismal after leaving, so we parked the car by some roadside and started smoking. Then, two girls came and knocked on the car window, asking if we could send them back to their school.”

“So you sent them back?”

“Of course we did. The key is what happened afterwards, you know? Afterwards, we were wondering about how to go about it throughout the entire journey. In the end, just after we’d arrived at the entrance of the academy city, those two girls said: Wah, it’s so late already. We won’t be able to go back to our dorms, what to do? ...So, how could we not understand it then? Therefore…”

“So, you want to go hook a few more today?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah, and let you understand as well just how worth it is spending over a million on a car,” Huang Yaming said.

Xu Tingsheng followed the two to an academy city of Shenghai City, finding a small, normal restaurant where they could park their car.

The restaurant’s business was booming. The trio could only share a table with some others.

There were two university girls seated at the other end of the long table.

Seeing the female students, Huang Yaming watched carefully for a while before shaking his head, next lowering his head and concentrating on eating as he said softly, “Hurry up and eat. After we’re done eating, let’s return to the car to sit. Wait for someone to knock on the window.”

Xu Tingsheng asked him softly, “What about these two? They aren’t interested?”

Huang Yaming shook his head.

“Look again at the one on the left. Look again, carefully.”

Huang Yaming looked up and glanced at the girl again. Then, he shot Xu Tingsheng an extremely speechless look before continuing to eat, his head lowered.

“She’s really...not even the least bit interested?” Xu Tingsheng pressed.

Huang Yaming shook his head incomparably firmly.

Xu Tingsheng spoke no longer.

That girl had been Huang Yaming’s wife in his previous life.

This was another story about a single lifetime, a single fate.

Some had grown closer, numerous entanglements arising between them, whereas others, just like that...no longer had any relations at all.

Huang Yaming said indifferently as he ate, “Right, Tingsheng. By the way, I want to quit school.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “What?”

Huang Yamign said, “I want to quit school.”

Chapter 242: What can be overturned and what cannot

Huang Yaming said, “I want to quit school.”

He wanted to stay in Tianyi.

Xu Tingsheng said mildly as he ate, “No.”

While he had spoken calmly, even Tan Yao beside them could sense how firm his attitude was on this matter.

“I really want to quit school,” Huang Yamign said, “Do you think that I’ll be able to do better than I am now after wasting three more years studying? My specialisation has got nothing to do at all with what I’m doing now. Instead, I feel really motivated doing what I’m currently doing.”

But Xu Tingsheng still said, “No.”

Huang Yaming said, “I’m not joking. I’ve thought about this for a long time.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m also not joking. I’ve actually been worried that this day would come for quite some time now. Yaming, there really aren’t many people in this world who understand you better than I do. That’s why I’ve actually always been worried that you might do this. I’ve already thought about this very clearly, and the answer is no.”

Huang Yaming slammed his chopsticks on the table, asking rather emotionally, “You’re minding my business?!”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I am.”

“Based on what?”

“It isn't about that. You should study on to give your parents peace of mind. For farming families, raising a university student is dreamt of by so many generations. So, you've got to let them feel no matter what that all their hard work in bringing you up was worth it, giving them peace of mind. This is something you wouldn't be able to give them however much money you’ve got.”

“Also, if you must definitely relate it to me, I want you to have a path of retreat. Have you ever wondered what you'd do if I fell one day?”

Huang Yaming was silent for a while before he smiled bitterly, “What you mean is that everything I have now was given by you. Therefore, I won't be able to succeed in anything at all if you fall, is that it? So, you can mind my business? So you’re actually my boss, and to think I still thought of you as my bro. Heck, and I'm a month older than you!”

It was actually very difficult for the 31-year old Xu Tingsheng to explain his rationale to Huang Yaming who was only twenty years old and whose life had suddenly changed dramatically, currently being in the midst of expanding.

Therefore, he simply smiled, “Don’t let your imagination run wild! We’ll always be bros.”

“Anyway, I'll be staying at Tianyi. I've already discussed this with Boss Shi.”

“No. I'll talk to Boss Shi about this.”

Huang Yaming asked very earnestly, “Then, if I insist on quitting school, will you take away everything that you've given me? The stint with Tianyi too.”

Xu Tingsheng considered it before replying, “I would. Still, don’t you be angry with me. I’d only be doing that because it's necessary to stop you. You'll understand in a few years.”

A vexed Huang Yaming exclaimed, “Tingsheng, I want to make a name for myself, to be in the limelight. I just can't wait for it, you know? Ever since the day I saw Tan Qingling get off someone's car, I’ve wanted every day to make a name for myself, to see her regretting it...can you understand? Another three more years of studying in university...no, I can't wait that long.”

Only now did Xu Tingsheng realise just how greatly that incident with Tan Qingling had impacted and changed Huang Yaming. However, he still could not approve of his decision, and was still going to use that terribly undesirable method against him if so needed.

While Xu Tingsheng would not be able to easily tell if such persistence on his part was right or wrong, necessary or unneeded, just thinking of agreeing alone caused him to feel a heavy, inexplicable sense of unease...

Therefore, he dared not allow Huang Yaming to tie his entire fate and future down to himself.

Just as he had said, he wanted Huang Yaming to have a path of retreat.

Xu Tingsheng raised his glass, pouring a glass of wine for Huang Yaming as well, “She's not worth it.”

Huang Yaming did not take it as he was silent.

A long while later, Xu Tingsheng heard him heave a long breath. It had the feel of him hence expelling their previous relationship of being utterly unreserved and able to talk about anything under the sun as bros with that one exhalation.

He had once been able to shamelessly hound Xu Tingsheng into buying a high-end car, saying that he would drive it instead if Xu Tingsheng didn't want to.

He didn't want to speak right now.

The 'luxury car fishing’ exercise never happened. After returning to the hotel after lunch, Huang Yaming immediately packed his things, preparing to return to Yanzhou. Xu Tingsheng asked Tan Yao to accompany him, driving the G500 back in the meantime.

A sulking Huang Yaming instead drove away Fang Yuqing's decrepit Volkswagen.

…...

Xu Tingsheng ate dinner with Zhang Xingke.

He didn't mess around while ordering this time, just ordering a few simple dishes and a few bottles of wine.

The two chatted as they ate.

Zhang Xingke pointed at the G500 outside the door, “That your car?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Yeah.”

Zhang Xingke smiled bitterly, “And to think that I was still competing with you a few months ago. You've even reached this extent already.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Oh, it's just for appearances.”

“Actually, after interacting quite a bit with you recently, I actually rather want to work together with you,” Zhang Xingke suddenly said in a dismal tone, “With your character, if you truly make it big one day, the people by your side...will probably be blessed by fortune as well. Sadly, I won't have such an opportunity.”

Zhang Xingke having said this, Xu Tingsheng could already guess his decision. Despite feeling rather puzzled, he did not say anything. The two of them were not that close at the end of the day.

“I've decided to just take the money and leave. Yu Xinlan will be leaving together with me,” Zhang Xingke tried to conceal the slight awkwardness he was feeling by feigning an easy, matter-of-fact tone.

“What about those family members of hers?” Despite no longer feeling surprised, Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Them too,” Zhang Xingke began chuckling loudly to himself at this point, this seeming the only way that he could try to hide exactly how inexplicable a thing it was that he had just done.

Xu Tingsheng had been adamant on overturning Huang Yaming's decision just earlier, adamant beyond compare.

As for Zhang Xingke...

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before saying, “Alright.”

Zhang Xingke poured them wine as he said, “I'll help you to take care of Dexin’s matter within the next ten days. After that, I'll get my money and leave.”

Since he had decided to go for the money, Zhang Xingke's choices were actually no longer limited to just Xu Tingsheng alone. Still, he had stuck to his original choice. This was actually understood between these two former enemies without anything having to be said at all.

Xu Tingsheng downed the wine before asking, “I'll send you off when the time comes?”

Zhang Xingke said, “Just now is fine.”

Xu Tingsheng told him, “Bon voyage.”

Zhang Xingke hesitated for quite some time before eventually still saying in the end, “I’ll probably still remain in the field of educational training institutes here in Shenghai. I'll rent a building, maybe bring a few people from Dexin over.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “No problem.”

“I might also have to rely on your platform for recruitment initially.”

“Alright. You can discuss the price with Lu Zhixin. I'll help you to request for a discount at most,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Heck,” Zhang Xingke exclaimed, “Xu Tingsheng, do you have to treat people to this extent? Or do you not think me to be a threat at all, dude?”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Threat? With Yu Xinlan around, you are no threat at all.”

This was the final warning Xu Tingsheng was giving Zhang Xingke. While it didn't sound nice, Zhang Xingke understood the underlying meaning behind it. Still, he had no real way of responding at all.

Instead, he simply smiled, “Thanks.”

The two went downstairs. A movie was currently playing on the television in the hotel lobby-<>. As they passed through the lobby, Brigitte Lin had just said, “Numerous talents spring from our generation, destined to be tried by the tribulations of the martial world…”

Zhang Xingke cursed, “Goddamnit, must it really be this appropriate for the situation?”

Xu Tingsheng halted and said, “Lu Zhixin may be coming along when we discuss the acquisition. So, I'll just say this now. If that day really comes, remember to give me a call.”

“It shouldn't be that tragic, right? Zhang Xingke smiled, “Don't scare me! Right, Xu Tingsheng, tell me...what I've done now, can it be considered lowering the blade of slaughter, hence achieving the nirvanic light?”

Xu Tingsheng told him, “Scram.”

…...

The next day, when Xu Tingsheng had nearly reached Yanzhou in his car, Cen Xiyu called him rather urgently, saying, “ Your little female junior came just now.”

Wu Yuewei and Cen Xiyu who had still been Apple at the time had actually met in Libei Senior High before, both being aware of the other’s existence.

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng had actually only agreed to meet with Wu Yuewei the next day. He planned to take her directly to Xihu City before heading for Qingbei via plane after she had arrived in Yanzhou, returning two days later.

He had even bought a computer for her in Shenghai already.

“Where is she now?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“She's gone. She saw the three of us and asked whether you were living here. Fang Chen didn't know who she is, and said yes. She said thank you, and then left, dragging a great big suitcase all on her own. I tried to stop her, saying that you’ll be back really soon, but she just shook her head and said nothing.”

“I've got to go look for her.”

“Yeah.”

Chapter 243: Just for today

Chapter 243: Just for today

To a great many people, so much was entailed by the summer holidays when they graduated from senior high school. Regardless of age, this seemed to be the boundary line for parents regarding whether one had grown up, as well as when they were finally willing to let go a little, loosening the rope that they held.

Previously, you were in a cage.

Afterwards, you began to possess those wide plains on which to roam.

Boys would light up a cigarette on their graduation night, ignoring all else. The short skirts of the girls would dazzle everyone’s eyes. There were even those who would bring their boyfriends or girlfriends whom they had hidden for a long time home for their parents to look at that summer.

Wu Yuewei had virtually spent these entire summer holidays impatiently twiddling her thumbs as she counted down the days.

At the occasional class gathering, her tablemate who had accepted a confession after graduation and embarked on a new relationship would always joke, “Who asked you to like that Xu Tingsheng? Look, you’ve ended up scaring off all those boys who wanted to confess to you after graduation.”

Of course Wu Yuewei knew that the person whom she liked was so outstanding in the eyes of others, outstanding to the extent that he seemed suddenly insurmountable.

Still, she who had always been pure had actually never minded any of this, never considering things from this angle. It was the same even if she heard some negative things being said about her...she clearly knew that he hadn't been this way yet when she had begun liking him.

Therefore, Wu Yuewei just liked Xu Tingsheng regardless of how he was.

Those three long months had really passed by far too slowly. It was with  great difficulty that Wu Yuewei managed to wait it out till they were soon to meet at Yanzhou. She secretly travelled to Yanzhou a day before schedule.

She had thought that she would make use of this additional day to take a look at Xu Tingsheng’s university and where he lived and worked.

She had thought that it would be best if he was willing to lead her on a tour of his campus, the school fields, the library and classrooms, then sit down to eat together in the canteen. She would ask him, “Right, isn’t it time you changed the bedsheets in your dorm room?”

The location of Hucheng’s office could be found online. She had noted it down long ago.

From Libei to Jiannan and then to Yanzhou, the bus was jolting along the uneven roads.

However, while Wu Yuewei carried her heavy luggage and continually switched buses, she did not feel herself to be suffering at all as she was nearly bursting with happiness and anticipation.

Arriving before the riverside residence, she asked a university student she saw downstairs who worked part-time in Hucheng if Xu Tingsheng lived there.

That person told her that he usually stayed on the second floor.

“I’ve found it,” Wu Yuewei carefully adjusted her clothes and dabbed at her sweat, telling herself, “Don’t be nervous.”

Still feeling rather nervous, she raised her hand and knocked on the door.

Wu Yuewei did not see Xu Tingsheng. Instead, it was a beautiful girl who opened the door for her. There were another two of them sitting in the living room, eating tidbits as they watched television. Wu Yuewei recognised one of them as Apple, Xu Tingsheng’s classmate in twelfth grade who had later become an artiste.

Wu Yuewei knew that she too liked Xu Tingsheng.

She was currently in his house.

“So, they’re already living together now? What about the other two girls then?” Holding on to her final vestiges of hope, Wu Yuewei asked in a small voice, “Sorry, does Xu Tingsheng live here?”

The girl standing at the doorway replied, “Yes, he does. You’re…”

At this point, Wu Yuewei suddenly found that she felt very much like running away. She hastily interjected ‘thank you’ before really seeming like she was running away as she turned and left.

She had been coaxing herself all this time, saying that he wouldn’t change, that it wasn’t important…yet all this suddenly seemed to work no longer.

…...

Xu Tingsheng could not get through to Wu Yuewei’s phone. He could only accelerate his car to its maximum speed.

The first thing he tried in his search for Wu Yuewei was looking for her along the streets leading to the bus station from the academy city.

It was best if he could find her like this. If he couldn’t, this would entail that she had most likely gotten on a public bus. Xu Tingsheng intended to drive around for a bit first. If he still couldn't find her, he would go straight to the station to intercept her.

The academy city was located in the suburbs of the city, with only a single path leading from it to the city center.

After driving for more than twenty minutes, Xu Tingsheng found Wu Yuewei walking along a road, dragging a suitcase behind her. He hurriedly found a junction and made a U-turn before following her at a distance that was neither close nor far away.

Wu Yuewei’s slender back profile stood out so keenly as she carried a backpack stuffed full of belongings on her back while dragging along a large suitcase with her right hand, her left hand... wiping off her tears every once in a while.

Xu Tingsheng dialled her number. She stopped walking, took out her phone and looked at it, just looking at it as she refused to pick up his call.

Xu Tingsheng saw her stop atop a bridge and rest her suitcase against its banister before removing her backpack and resting it against her kneecap...

She unzipped the bag, seemingly in the midst of searching for something inside.

Wu Yuewei retrieved an intricately, meticulously wrapped box from her backpack. She looked at it for a long time, hesitated for a long time. Finally, she raised her hand, intending to throw the box out…

A hand reached over, grabbing her hand and the box along with it.

“Is this a present for me? I remember you saying that I'd get a present when you arrive,” Xu Tingsheng said, “You're not willing to give it to me now? How have I offended you?”

Wu Yuewei turned to look at Xu Tingsheng, clenching her teeth as she started to struggle. While she uttered not a sound, she struggled with all her might. This stubborn side of Wu Yuewei’s was something she had never displayed in front of Xu Tingsheng before.

Xu Tingsheng could only hug her from behind, trapping even her arms as well.

“You're actually stronger than you look.”

This was what a panting Xu Tingsheng said when Wu Yuewei finally ceased to struggle, smiling as he released his grip. Then, he opened the box which he had just snatched. There was a watch inside.

Xu Tingsheng took off his watch and put on his present.

Wu Yuewei said, “Don't wear that. It's very cheap.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I'm wearing it.”

Wu Yuewei had worked at Libei’s Happy Shoppers branch for two months over the summer holidays to earn the money to buy that watch. This was something that his sister, Xu Qiuyi, had already told him about previously.

The watch that Xu Tingsheng had been wearing was basically equivalent to what Hucheng earned in an hour. Meanwhile, this one was worth two month's of Wu Yuewei's hard work. Therefore, this watch was really more valuable.

He dumped first the suitcase, next the backpack and finally the person herself in his car.

Xu Tingsheng said, “The air tickets were already pre-booked. You're here a day early, so, where would you like to go today?”

Wu Yuewei did not speak.

Xu Tingsheng drove his car someplace where he could pull over, waiting for her to regain her composure. His handphone vibrated continuously. Taking a look at it, the screen indicated that three texts had continuously come in during this short while, all of them having been sent by Cen Xiyu.

The first read: Those who love you are all so fortunate, yet also so pitiful.

The second read: I'm going back to Libei. Don't let your junior cry alone on some street in a foreign city. I've tried it before. That's really too pitiful.

The third read: I trust you.

The first demonstrated her emotions. If an expression could be added to the characters, it could be imagined that one would see a bitterly smiling face. The second demonstrated her magnanimity. The third had a bit of her intentions behind it.

Sometimes, saying ‘I trust you’ has even more of an ‘inspectionary’ use than ‘you’d better not…’ as it may even serve to caution someone.

Xu Tingsheng replied with ‘Safe travels’ and put his handphone back down.

Wu Yuewei finally spoke, saying in a calm manner, “Senior, I don’t want to ask about anything. You wear this watch, just for today. I want to go take a look at your school, okay? I want you to go window shopping with me, okay?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Okay.”

Wu Yuewei asked, “Wear some clothes that aren’t so nice, and don’t drive this type of car, okay?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Okay.”

Chapter 244: Don’t send me off

One might say that virtually everyone in the world admired and liked the current Xu Tingsheng more. He was steady and dependable, magnanimous and remarkable, even appearing to be omnipotent as he gave many people hope and care.

This everyone should include Xu Tingsheng himself. Yet, Wu Yuewei could not be counted amongst them.

In Xu Tingsheng's previous life, Wu Yuewei had come to like Xu Tingsheng who had been unruly in his youth and completely unremarkable afterwards. For some reason, she had been unable to forget about him to the end. Now, in this life, she had requested him to wear less nice clothes and not drive around that kind of car as he accompanied her on a tour of his university.

She still preferred his young, unruly self.

Xu Tingsheng changed into white jeans, an old T-shirt and canvas shoes. He also secretly stuffed that notebook computer in Wu Yuewei's suitcase.

There were still two days before the new semester began. In Yanzhou University, while it could not be said that there were many people who had returned, it could also not be said that they were few.

Xu Tingsheng brought Wu Yuewei to the library and the classrooms, to all the places that she wanted to see.

He said, “Look at how all this is so advanced, all being brand new. Still, it definitely can't compare to Qingbei at all. There's all those resources and whatnot there, and the Weiminghu Lake. It's great that you can study there.”

Wu Yuewei smiled, “But I like this place's name too. Xishan Tower, Xishan Tower's Xu Tingsheng-how nice it sounds.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “No tiger resides amongst these mountains.”

Wu Yuewei said, “I'd like to take a look at the monkeys’ nest then.”

“Huh?”

“Your dorm.”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it. Of the six people from his dormitory, at least five of them, him included, had already arrived. As Li Xingming lived in Yanzhou, he had returned a couple of days early. As for Lu Xu, because Chick Bao had been conducting lessons at the training institute over the summer holidays, he had just spent ten plus days at home before returning to Yanzhou University.

Xu Tingsheng could basically imagine what kind of state his dorm room was in right now, such as what was playing on Li Xingming's computer and trash, dirty socks and the like strewn all over the floor.

“Have you ever been into the male dormitory?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Wu Yuewei shook her head.

“Dirty, messy, unseemly, smelly, unfit for human eyes.”

“I want to go.”

“Then...you walk on my right, I'll shield you.”

Xu Tingsheng brought Wu Yuewei upstairs, greeting a number of acquaintances who directed him meaningful looks along the way. Outside the door of Room 602, Xu Tingsheng asked Wu Yuewei to wait for a moment.

Then, he went up and knocked forcefully on the door, yelling loudly, “Clothes on, computers off, clear up whatever’s unspeakable and act like normal people. We’ll be barging in in five minutes, and those who fail will be directly executed at gunpoint a hundred times.”

Various clanging sounds soon resounded in the room. Wu Yuewei giggled a little as she heard this, looking a little embarrassed at her intrusion.

Wu Yuewei entered, smiling as she waved. Tan Yao, Old Wai, Li Xingming and Lu Xu were all inside, crowding by the table as they looked somewhat blankly at Xu Tingsheng as well as Wu Yuewei who stood beside him.

This seemed to be the second time Xu Tingsheng was bringing a girl into their dorm room after Apple on the day of his matriculation.

If the Apple of back then had been like an enthusiastic rose, this girl was like a lily, or an orchid.

Li Xingming immediately grabbed a Wang Guozhen poetry book from the table.

Tan Yao analysed it, feeling that she was likely a freshman of Yanzhou University who was an acquaintance of Xu Tingsheng’s as he ran a hand through his hair before going up and asking, “You must be a junior! Are you from Bro Xu’s hometown? Hi, I’m Tan Yao, Chinese Grade 3 Class 2. What course does junior study?”

Wu Yuewei smiled brightly, turning to look at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng looked at Tan Yao, smiling, “It is a junior, but just mine, from senior high and junior high. As for university, she’s just about to go to Qingbei.”

The audible sighs of Tan Yao and Li Xingming could be heard in Room 602.

When in their dormitory usually, everyone, Tan Yao included, would not treat Xu Tingsheng like that Xu Tingsheng from outside. This was something that he had requested of them, something which had taken quite some time to actualise...this was just the kind of interaction he preferred.

“They’re all lies. Isn’t it said that there are no beauties amongst study queens? Isn’t it said that the better a girl is at studying, the lower her quality?”

Li Xingming slapped himself on the head with the Wang Guozheng poem book.

Wu Yuewei smiled brilliantly.

Xu Tingsheng told her, “You’ve seen it all already. We should be going then. It’s better not to linger long in places like the male dormitory. After guys have returned to their dorms, almost none of them are normal. You can take a look at the male dormitory in Qingbei later on. It’s actually the same.”

Wu Yuewei said, “I won’t be looking. It’s not like I came here just to take a look.”

She instantly zeroed down on Xu Tingsheng’s bed before removing the bedsheet, blankets and pillowcase with smooth, fluid motions and carrying them into the bathroom.

Soon, the sound of flowing water and the clothing scrub resounded from inside.

Xu Tingsheng’s roommates crowded over, pressuring him up against the wall.

“So, what’s the situation?” Old Wai asked in a hushed tone.

“A first love that never actually got to begin,” Xu Tingsheng answered honestly.

They all scattered, returning to their seats and directing Xu Tingsheng meaningful smiles that gave him goosebumps. Knowing that there was no way he could stop Wu Yuewei today, Xu Tingsheng just started up Old Wai’s computer and played a game of Counterstrike, trying his best not to think about anything at all.

Wu Yuewei was a girl who was used to doing chores. She quickly finished washing the sheets and blankets that were really quite difficult to wash, next coming out and asking Xu Tingsheng for a clothes rack to hang them up from.

The other guys in the room ‘coughed’ non-stop, secretly flashing one another thumbs-ups as they looked at Xu Tingsheng with envy and jealousy. As if by tacit agreement, all of them took turns coming forward and clapping down on Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder hard, not saying a word.

Wu Yuewei said through the glass door, “All done.”

Tan Yao asked, “Hey...junior from Qingbei, how about dinner together tonight? My treat. If you might feel uneasy as the only girl, we’ll call a few more over.”

Xu Tingsheng replied on her behalf, “We’ll just randomly eat whatever outside. We still have to go window shopping tonight.”

Wu Yuewei smiled apologetically.

Tan Yao smiled, “Never mind then. We can eat together the next time you come.”

Due to this sentence, Xu Tingsheng sent a kick his way after Wu Yuewei had exited the room before chasing after her.

Xu Tingsheng ran into a group of football mates at the field. Wu Yuewei requested him to join in the game. Then, she sat by the side of the field and watched on very happily and absorbedly as Xu Tingsheng played half-a-side football.

After eating dinner together in the canteen beneath countless curious gazes and intentionally probing greetings which really could not have been any more obvious, Xu Tingsheng brought Wu Yuewei to Yanzhou’s city district.

Wu Yuewei was brimming with excitement as she ate various kinds of street food, also bringing the food over to Xu Tingsheng’s mouth and feeding him. She even linked her arm with his in an incomparably nervous manner a couple of times when it got crowded.

“Can this type of big stuffed bear be brought up the plane?”

Wu Yuewei stopped outside a gift shop and pointed at a stuffed bear in the display cabinet.

“I think so,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Buy one and give it to me then.”

Carrying the stuffed bear, Xu Tingsheng found Wu Yuewei the best motel in Yanzhou’s city district.

“Are you going back to stay?” Wu Yuewei asked.

“I’m not. If I go back, I’ll still have to sleep on the sofa,” Xu Tingsheng replied, “I’ll get another room beside yours.”

“You stay here then,” Wu Yuewei said.

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback by her words.

“You’re sleeping on the sofa,” Wu Yuewei smiled triumphantly as if she had just done something really amazing.

As he dreamed, Xu Tingsheng felt her lips lightly kiss the area between his brows. Back in junior high, Wu Yuewei had said to the Xu Tingsheng who was always causing trouble, “You can don’t do eye calisthenics, but you can’t always be frowning.”

Then, hot tears fell on his face which were quickly wiped off carefully by a small, warm hand.

The next day, the two awoke early, travelling from Yanzhou to the airport at Xihu City. There were still a good couple of hours before the flight.

Xu Tingsheng collected the plane tickets.

Wu Yuewei said, “Let me see them.”

Xu Tingsheng passed her the plane tickets.

She said, “Go home, senior. You don’t have to send me off. Just it accompanying me is fine.”

Wu Yuewei hugged the big bear, propping it on her kneecap and burying her face in its back.

Chapter 245: The second year of university begins

Xu Tingsheng stood helplessly by the side for a long time.

In his previous life, a seventeen-year-old boy had let down a sixteen-year-old girl. He had still been insensible then, not knowing how much it truly meant to her. The current Xu Tingsheng was 32 years old.

Yet, he was still only able to disappoint her.

Wu Yuewei had interacted most comfortably with Xu Tingsheng with her silence and her support all this time, not making things difficult for him and not being a burden on him.

That year in ninth grade. Then, yet another year in twelfth grade.

This was a girl who was much too sensible.

Even for this one day and one night, she thought that she had already been too wilful, doing things that she would not have done originally. Even as she acted like this, she was still, first and foremost, thinking for Xu Tingsheng.

She could actually ‘make things difficult’ for Xu Tingsheng, ask him to do a lot for her, because she was one of those people who had a place in his heart, being able to cause him to feel guilt and remorse.

Yet, she hadn’t.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit before trying to say as naturally as possibly, “I should still send you off. That’s what we agreed on last time.”

Wu Yuewei hid the two plane tickets, saying, “No need. Really, there’s no need to.”

“...I’m sorry,” Xu Tingsheng said after a long pause.

“Right, how has it become like this?”

Wu Yuewei did not look up as she said, “I’ve never thought that liking someone could be so painful. But it just happens that I do like you. You just didn’t do eye calisthenics and instead talked to me, and I came to like you. It was clearly just like that back then. I thought it was.”

Those times were already very, very distant for Xu Tingsheng.

As for Wu Yuewei, she still remained immersed in them.

At the departure gate before their separation, Wu Yuewei began walking forward yet soon returned, telling him, “Senior, if there’s a day when no one else wants you, I will.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng was rendered at a loss for words.

“But, how is that possible, right? I have this unfair thought...if only you were very useless. Hehe,” Wu Yuewei flashed a brilliant smile.

He watched from behind as her slender figure gradually vanished into the distance.

Xu Tingsheng believed what she had said. She had originally loved even that most useless him.

……

The aeroplane glided across the runway and rose into the sky, tugged by its speed and gravity.

Wu Yuewei who was sitting on a plane for the first time began feeling nervous, her ears ringing as her breathing became laboured.

The air stewardess smiled as she came over to comfort her, teaching her how to conquer these symptoms.

As an air stewardess, she had actually seen many first-time passengers who felt nervous and fearful before. Yet, ones like this young girl before her were really few and far between.

Even as she listened earnestly, nodded earnestly, complied earnestly, tears were also silently flowing unimpeded down her face.

The air stewardess was unable to set her mind at ease.

Wu Yuewei told her, “I’m fine. I’ll be okay very soon. I’m just thinking about someone. He was originally supposed to be sitting here.”

Having no one to confess this to, Wu Yuewei chose to suddenly blurt it out like this.

As she did so, she pointed at the seat that was beside her. It was empty.

……

Four hours later, Xu Tingsheng received a text from Wu Yuewei notifying him of her safe arrival.

He sent her a reply, but no further reply came.

Back at the riverside residence, Cen Xiyu had already left while Fang Chen had moved out as well, moving into the Yanzhou University staff hostel.

With that, it was again just Lu Zhixin and Xu Tingsheng who remained in the riverside residence. Xu Tingsheng left the Golden Retriever, Dongdong, there, requesting Lu Zhixin to look after him. Then, he returned to his dormitory to stay.

That night, the last of their number, Zhang Ninglang, returned as well.

Before Xu Tingsheng fell asleep, he finally received a reply from Wu Yuewei, “On the first day of university, everything is brand new. I’ll do fine; don’t worry about me, senior. In the future....will senior please...try your best...not to appear in front of me again. If we meet again, I’m scared that I will still like you.”

……

The next morning, Xu Tingsheng’s roommates all unexpectedly woke up earlier than usual and tidied themselves up incomparably earnestly, with even the socks on their feet being new. This included Zhang Ninglang who had always been shy and reserved.

Tan Yao excitedly woke Xu Tingsheng up.

Seeing this, Xu Tingsheng blearily asked, “You guys...what’s with this?”

Tan Yao’s face was radiant as he exclaimed, “Off to collect fresh new juniors! Today’s the day the freshmen matriculate.”

So, apparently, their second year of university had arrived. They would be seniors now.

As soon as Xu Tingsheng heard the word ‘junior’, he felt highly discomfited as he shook his head and buried himself back under his blanket.

Tan Yao pulled his blanket away, “I didn’t think that you would go, and it’s not that I want you to anyway. Hey, will you lend me your car keys?”

Xu Tingsheng asked dismally, “You want to go pick up juniors in a Mercedes-Benz G500?”

Tan Yao said, “Yeah.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “So overtly flashy-can you get anyone good this way?”

“You’re speaking like I want to find a good chick,” Tan Yap said disdainfully, “Good chicks are so bothersome. Being in a serious relationship is such a bother.”

Tan Yao had only fallen for one person in university, and after getting to know a little more about her...he had already thrown in the towel.

He had his reasons, and very good reasons at that. Xu Tingsheng passed him his car keys.

Therefore, things got very interesting in Yanzhou University that day. Someone drove a Mercedes-Benz G500 which cost over 1.5 million yuan between the reporting area and the dormitory buildings, chaperoning female juniors. It was just the female juniors; the male ones had no such luck.

Beneath numerous gazes of varying kinds, the chicks who dared to get on that car...were either wholly impervious to what others thought about them or were not all that easy to deal with.

Fortunately, Tan Yao and Li Xingming were tougher nuts to crack.

This car became the most trending topic in Yanzhou University and the whole of Xishan Academy City that day.

“Luckily, no one knows that the car is mine,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

Xu Tingsheng dismally holed himself up in his dormitory room for the entire day. When his roommates returned, they were all in a great mood even for Old Wai and Lu Xu who already had girlfriends. Using their own words, they had finally gotten a good kick off the 'senior’ drug.

Xu Tingsheng only paid Zhang Ninglang heed as he asked him how it had gone.

Old Wai answered on his behalf, “Lil’ bro met a chick from the same village today. Not only did he carry her bags, he even helped her to get water.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Which course?”

Old Wai answered, “She's from our own vegetable garden. The water is tender, fresh are the crops.”

Therefore, the chick was also from the Chinese course.

Because of this, the guys from Chinese 03 collectively moved out for a visitation to the freshmen dormitories to call on their female juniors. Even Xu Tingsheng whom everyone thought was uninterested in this matter went on his own accord, walking beside Zhang Ninglang.

The guys bet amongst themselves, competing on getting the numbers of their female juniors. The first two in the rankings would not have to be on classroom duty for the entire semester. Instead, they would be subbed by the bottom two in the rankings.

Xu Tingsheng neither opposed nor participated in this. At most, he would just escape when his turn came and he had to sub for someone.

Zhang Ninglang did not oppose this as well as he just smiled, “I’m definitely going to lose then.”

There were never more than four dormitory rooms per batch for the guys in the Chinese course. As for the girls’ rooms...they could fill up an entire row.

As they walked, they saw there were indeed a number of good quality juniors. The seniors were also not weak in their methods. If they met any who were difficult to deal with, they would simply all surge forward in succession. There basically weren’t any juniors who slipped through the net.

Zhang Ninglang and Xu Tingsheng did not obtain the number of even a single female junior.

Entering another room, Xu Tingsheng saw Zhang Ninglang suddenly stiffening beside him.

“Which one is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“The one with the plait,” Zhang Xinglang said softly.

There weren’t many girls who were still willing to put their hair in plaits in this day and age. There were even fewer who dared to do so and could still pull it off successfully.

There was a girl amongst the juniors with a slick, jet-black plait. Xu Tingsheng remembered a saying ‘When my hair is long and my waist is too, senior will be able to marry me too’. Secretly telling this to Zhang Ninglang, the latter grew even more nervous, even more afraid to speak up.

Wave after wave of seniors met defeat at the hands of the girl with the long plait.

All of them were thinking that it seemed like the first one to slip through their net had appeared.

Xu Tingsheng repeatedly urged Zhang Xinglang on but to no avail. Exasperated, he eventually just sent the latter over with a good kick.

As he regained his balance, Zhang Ninglang saw the girl with the long plait looking smilingly at him, not saying a word.

“My, my handphone broke during the summer holidays. I don’t have one now,” Zhang Ninglang stammered.

The entire room of people burst out into guffaws.

“I originally thought that it wasn’t really necessary. Because of that, I wasn’t intending to buy another,” Zhang Ninglang continued, “Still, if you’ll give me your number, I’ll go and buy one tomorrow.”

“Really,” Zhang Ninglang said.

“Okay,” The girl with the long plait replied.

Chapter 246: Good people never love the wrong way

The girl with the long plait said, “Okay.”

Then, she straightforwardly went to find some pen and paper, writing down her number and handing it to Zhang Ninglang.

Zhang Ninglang asked, “You’re really giving it to me?”

The girl with the long plait said, “Yeah! How many numbers have you gotten today, senior?”

Zhang Ninglang said, “Just one.”

“How many female juniors have you asked?”

“Just one.”

“Just one before this, or just me?”

“Just you.”

The girl with the long plait smiled, so happy that she couldn’t speak.

“Wow...woah…”

Amazement and envy was contained amidst the laughter that erupted this time.

How great a story this was.

After exiting the long-plaited girl’s room, Zhang Ninglang’s roommates from Room 602 all crowded around him.

Tan Yao who had obtained the most numbers from their female juniors put a hand around his shoulder, telling him, “Lil’ bro, you’re today’s winner.”

Zhang Ninglang regained his wits, “How is that possible? I only managed to get one.”

Tan Yao asked, “Do you know how significant this one is?”

Then, he said, “Remember how I went up twice? The first time, I introduced myself, and failed to get it. The second time, I directly threw out the trump, asking her ‘Junior, just having come here, have you heard of Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng?’”

“The junior said she heard about that from the university forums over the summer holidays, also having heard some female seniors discussing it in the afternoon. So I pointed at Bro Xu, telling her ‘He’s standing right there, by the doorway. He asked me to get your number for him’. Can you guess what she said in the end?”

Everyone looked at him.

“The junior said: Oh, so he’s Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng. Then, does that senior beside him have a girlfriend?”

Zhang Ninglang’s roommates all felt emotional at this, even Tan Yao who claimed not to want to be in a serious relationship and Li Xingming who only had sex on his brain. There is actually no one who does not aspire towards the beautiful, especially relationships.

Xu Tingsheng shook Zhang Ninglang’s shoulder, saying, “This is really great.”

Zhang Ninglang nodded very joyfully.

In this world, there is often this kind of boy that does not stand out much, that girls generally take little notice of in those dazzling, colourful years. Yet, they actually guarantee happiness.

Zhang Ninglang was such a person. Today, someone had spotted his value with her discerning eyes. This was, at the very least, a good beginning.

Three rooms of female juniors remained. Xu Tingsheng and Zhang Xinglang became even more thorough bystanders, just chatting outside as two classes of guys surged enthusiastically within.

Zhang Ninglang hesitated for a long time before finally asking Xu Tingsheng, “Bro Xu, in the off chance...it’ll be my first time in a relationship, and I don’t know anything at all. Guide me along more if you’ve got the time.”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before advising him, “You shouldn’t learn from me. You should just be yourself. For matters of the heart, you’ll be much more outstanding than me whatever you choose to do. Really.”

Despite not seeming like he fully comprehended this, Zhang Xinglang replied, “Right, got it.”

The two waited for nearly half an hour as the other guys completed their mission. They were like hunters returning with a bountiful catch of prey as excitement and triumph filled most their faces.

Exiting the female dormitory, the group was blocked by a row of ‘family members’. Before their own dormitory stood the ‘family squadron’. Seeing this, some of the guys tried to run away, but were directly yelled into place by their girlfriends.

Around half of them were like Tan Yao, Li Xingming, Xu Tingsheng and Zhang Ninglang as they had no one to manage them. They cheerily moved over to the side to enjoy the spectacle.

“So, been happy looking at the female juniors? How did you rank, getting their numbers?” The ‘family members’ asked.

“Like you didn’t look at the male juniors,” Someone rebutted from amongst the crowd of boys.

“Who said we wouldn’t let you look? This is just like a post-activity debriefing. To tell you the truth, the quality of this batch of male juniors really is much higher than you lot.”

“True,” Someone affirmed.

Whether it was just an illusion or something else, virtually wherever one was, the female seniors were always more prone to feeling that the quality of the new batch of male juniors was higher than the previous, while the male seniors also mostly felt their new female juniors to be more appetising.

It was just that none of the boys dared to say this now, for such would be courting death.

Li Linlin extended a hand towards Old Wai, saying, “Come, show me your handphone.”

Old Wai hesitated painfully for a bit before eventually obediently doing as requested.

With a role model having appeared, the remaining ones could only comply as well.

Thus, a row of female students began deleting numbers from the phones of their boyfriends right in front of the female dormitory.

Lu Xu extended his handphone towards Chick Bao.

Chick Bao did not take it as she rotated her ankle, cracking her fists.

“I hear that you were just third? Why didn’t you get first?” Chick Bao questioned.

Lu Xu nearly collapsed, yet forcibly maintained himself, “Heyyy, Bao Peijun, executions are merely the head falling to the ground, but you…”

“I what?” Chick Bao asked.

“Don’t slap the face!” Lu Xu said.

The freshmen would take be making use of the next day to acclimatise to their surroundings. The second year students also had no lessons that day as everyone from Room 602 slept till the afternoon, with Zhang Xinglang being the sole exception.

In the afternoon, Zhang Ninglang had already returned with a new phone from the city district.

“Have you chatted yet?” Tan Yao asked him.

“Not yet,” Zhang Ninglang said rather perturbedly, “I’ve thought about it for very long, but still can’t think of the first thing I should say. How about you guys help me?”

Tan Yao smiled, “Send her the room number of a motel room.”

Li Xingming said, “How about you send her a poem.”

Lu Xu said, “Just go with ‘A vast sea of people, to love at first sight. Apparently this long, wasted year, was to await your appearance here.”

Old Wai said, “Cheesy. Just directly invite her out to eat.”

Zhang Xinglang got even more confused because of all these random ramblings as he asked Xu Tingsheng, “Bro Xu, what do you think?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Don’t listen to them. Just type out whatever it is that you want to type. I already told you this yesterday: You’re different from us. Whatever you want to do-that’s the right thing to do.”

“Right,” Zhang Ninglang nodded earnestly before taking his handphone and typing on it for nearly an entire half hour.

“I’ve sent it,” He heaved a sigh of relief, yet still spoke uneasily.

Tan Yao leapt off his bed, grabbing the phone and saying, “Come, let me see what you’ve sent.”

After looking through it, Tan Yao glanced around the room blankly before asking Xu Tingsheng, “You’re sure that whatever Lil’ bro sends must be right?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Positive, I guess.”

Tan Yao said, “I’ll read it out to you guys then.”

Zhang Xinglang wanted to snatch back his phone, but was held down by Old Wai and Lu Xu.

“The food in Canteen 3 is cheaper than the food in Canteen 1. Although they say that the food in Canteen 1 is nice, actually, the tofu and fish in Canteen 3 are both nicer than those from Canteen 1. When you feel like eating fish or tofu, you should head over to Canteen 3.”

“Whenever you go to draw water, remember to be careful with the third tap from the left. It’s a bit faulty, and sometimes, water will spurt out from above. Try to avoid using that tap if possible. I’m afraid that you might get scalded.”

“It’s best to make prior preparations for Grade 4. The earlier you complete it, the safer it will be. The school only allows some of those from every batch to take it first. In the first semester, you should try to get better results for English.”

“It’s rather hard to get one of the seats in the library’s self-study rooms. Actually, the door of Classroom 507 on the fifth storey of our faculty is never locked. There aren’t many who know about this, so it’s rather emptier, and also rather quieter. Still, if you still want to use the library’s self-study rooms, I’ll help you to grab a place. There’s air-conditioning there, and I could tell from yesterday that you are rather sensitive to the heat, and sweat pretty easily.”

“It’s not unusual for attendance taking and more people flunking in Professor You’s classes. A couple of those in my dorm room have flunked as well. You’ve got to pay more attention to this.”

“For public transportation, Bus 42 goes to the station at the city district while Bus 53 goes to the central business district. Bus 38 goes to both these places, but takes a longer time to get there.”

“It’s best to buy a second-hand bicycle if you want one. It’s fine if it’s a little old; that only makes it less likely to be stolen.”

“The large camphor tree at the bottom right corner of the Student’s Square is very beautiful, but worms will drop from it sometimes.”

“......”

Tan Yao went on reading, went on and on...

Emotions surged within Xu Tingsheng’s heart.

Li Xingming said, “I suddenly feel a bit like crying.”

Old Wai and Lu Xu exchanged glances, saying, “It’s like we fail as human beings.”

Tan Yao clenched his teeth, “And I freaking thought this to be kind of dumb at the beginning.”

Then, he suddenly yelled emotionally, “The heck, a reply’s come!”

Everyone waited with bated breath.

The junior had replied, “I originally believed that I was very hard to pursue. If you’re always as good as this. Huh, I’d still wanted to be a little reserved for a few days first; what do I do now? Well, let’s have lunch together.”

Good people never love the wrong way.

Chapter 247: Ninety percent of youths’ problems are unanswerable

Zhang Ninglang went out for lunch.

None of the remaining five felt like moving. They asked their classmates from the neighbouring room to buy lunch for them before continuing to lie on their beds.

“The most pitiful thing for a man is lying on a bed everyday thinking about rolling around on a bed,” Li Xingming expressed his comprehensions on life.

“Don’t be dirty-minded here! Faced with such beautiful love, let us hurry up and purify our souls,” Tan Yao said shamelessly in a tone that lacked remorse.

Then, the atmosphere in the room turned somewhat emotional.

Li Xingming thought for a long time before saying, “If I was given a chick like this back then, I might have turned out to be a good man as well.”

Four or the remaining three people ‘tsk-ed’ him.

Therefore, Li Xingming placed his hopes on the smiling Xu Tingsheng, the only one not to have been disparaging, “Bro Xu, what do you think?”

“Probably not,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Actually, good men should be born that way, not changing all of a sudden because of some woman. It is virtually impossible for a man to truly change his nature for a woman as is seen in novels, television and the movies. It might be possible for a time, but definitely not for an entire lifetime.”

“On this topic, there might actually be fewer good men than we men ourselves think there are. Sometimes, when feeling blissful or emotional like when we meet someone for the first time or suddenly miss a person, even we ourselves think that we might really become good men then.”

“I definitely can’t be considered one now,” Lu Xu said.

“I don’t know if I can even be considered half of one,” Old Wai said.

They looked at Xu Tingsheng, who said, “I’m not one.”

Li Xingming said, “I…”

Old Wai said, “You don’t have to say it.”

Li Xingming hatefully got off his bed, turning on his computer and downloading a show.

Tan Yao randomly tossed his cigarette away, saying, “Well, I’m definitely not one. Still, I’ve just thought of something. If some bastard dude falls for a woman to the point of even being willing to die for her someday, can he be considered a good man then?”

“That serious?” Li Xingming muttered, “Can he at least bed her before he dies for her? And best not just once. Best if it’s for a few years first.”

“...He can’t,” Tan Yao said.

“Only a fool would do it then, dying for her. She’d cry for him, yes, feeling sad for a while, but wouldn’t she still be making merry on someone else’s bed in the end? Do you think she’d still remember you having died for her then?” Li Ximing ranted indignantly.

Then, he opened the show he had just downloaded, “...Demon, quickly return my Grandpa to me! Ha...Bang...Pa…” “Heck, Calabash Brothers.”

Everyone felt that while this didn’t seem very upright and honourable, it did make a lot of sense.

No one rebutted him.

There were ultimately few who would choose the honourable path, most of them existing merely in historical records and fictional works.

Tan Yao looked at Xu Tingsheng, saying, “Don’t be led off-tangent by Li Xingming. Let’s talk about that problem of mine.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “If he dies, he’s a good man. If he doesn’t, he’ll still be a bastard.”

“What do you mean?” Tan Yao asked.

“Being good to a woman forever is harder than dying for her. Is that what you mean?” Old Wai answered.

He had once truly risked death for Li Linlin before. Yet, there were still many times afterwards in which he had hurt her and caused her to cry. Being willing to die for her did not mean that they would not quarrel terribly over some minor matters, especially when the two were still in the peak of their youth.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before saying, “I believe that there are many men in this world who have once been willing to die for some woman at some point in their lives. Yet, this does not entail that they can be a good man forever for her.”

“This matter cannot be decided by subjectivity. For example, if Andy Lau had not died at the end of <A Moment of Romance>, he would definitely and unquestionably have been a burden on Jacklyn Wu for the rest of their lives, bringing her innumerable harm.”

“...”

“Anyway, I personally feel that only a fool would be a good man,” Li Xingming said.

“......”

They wrangled over this unanswerable question for a long time, only changing the topic when Zhang Ninglang returned from lunch.

Everyone peppered him with questions.

“How are things?”

“You’re together just like that?”

“What stage have you gotten to already?”

Zhang Ninglang said, “Nope. I told her that it would be better for us to slowly get to know each other better first. Girls can’t enter a relationship so lightly, starting so quickly as well, especially in a place where you’ll have to stay for four years.”

His roommates could only sigh emotionally.

The benchmark for a good man...was unexpectedly pulled so high by this usually inconspicuous roommate of theirs all of a sudden.

……

Xu Tingsheng had originally intended to return to Hucheng for a look around that afternoon, but Old Wai told him, “Zhang Yan’s trishaw flipped on her way to school yesterday, injuring her left leg. Our classmates intend to pay her a visit. Are you going? If you’re busy, I’ll help you to buy and send some fruits over.”

Xu Tingsheng discovered that he could not connect Zhang Yan’s name with a face from their class. Old Wai had even said outright: You may be too busy to go.

Xu Tingsheng discovered that he was already just so detached from university life at this point.

“I’m going. Notify me more on matters and activities regarding our class in the future,” He said.

They squeezed into a public bus for over an hour and bought fruits and tonics at a nearby place. Seeing that basically everything that should be bought had already been bought, Xu Tingsheng bought a bouquet of flowers.

Some of the others laughed, “Bro Xu, you’ve watched too much TV, right? Who actually gives flowers? Be careful that her boyfriend doesn’t misunderstand.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “No, right? Calla lily, health and happiness. Hey, it’s not like it’s a rose.”

When those of Room 602 arrived and saw the things on the table, they knew that most of the other students in their class had already visited. Those from the other male dorm room should already have visited as well.

Currently, other than Zhang Yan, there were a few of her roommates and a boy in the sick ward.

Xu Tingsheng carried a bouquet of flowers, standing by the doorway.

Everyone smiled as they looked at him, that boy included.

“Uh,” Xu Tingsheng said awkwardly, “Is it very strange? I always see them do this on television.”

After the laughter, a girl said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. We were just rather surprised to see you here.”

Xu Tingsheng said apologetically, “I’ll change. Right, who’s our class chairperson? If there’s something on for our class in the future, notify me as well. Even ordering me there is fine; I’ll actively draw myself over to the organisation.”

Lying on the bed with a foot strung up, Zhang Yan said, “I am. You better mean what you say!”

“Definitely,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Zhang Yan smiled, “We’re organising an intra-faculty welcome party for the freshmen next week. There’s a play and a script, and we need to find this one guy to cross-dress. Say...how about it?”

Xu Tingsheng was instantly rendered speechless.

“Most of those in our class registered on Hucheng’s platform to support you in that matter last semester. Well then, do as you see fit,” A girl elaborated.

Xu Tingsheng was completely helpless with this as he hesitated for a long time before asking, “Can you guarantee that there won’t be any recordings or photos?”

“Nope,” The girls collectively replied as one.

Zhang Yan smiled, saying, “That was a joke. Relax, we’ve already got someone for that.”

Xu Tingsheng heaved a breath of relief, sitting down before he asked, “It must really hurt?”

Zhang Yan said, “Yeah.”

“How great that she still has her boyfriend to accompany her throughout the nights. Her body may hurt, but her heart must be crying out in joy,” The girls teased.

“This is an ambiguous saying,” Tan Yao said dirtily.

A chubby, forthright girl mocked, “Playboys aren’t allowed to speak.”

Tan Yao said, “It’s not like I played you.”

“Come play.”

“You think I don’t dare to?”

“Come on.”

“You said it. You can remove them first.”

“No, I’ve got a lot of meat.”

“Oh, but I like those with more meat.”

“......”

The two shamelessly squabbled without feeling the least bit embarrassed. Surprisingly enough, the playboy Tan Yao was on very good terms with the girls in their class, that kind of normal, good relationship between friends and classmates. Even Xu Tingsheng felt a bit envious of this.

Now, Zhang Yan’s boyfriend smilingly handed her an apple whose skin he had just peeled.

After receiving it from him, Zhang Yan said to him, “You should really hurry back home and catch up on some sleep now that I have my classmates to accompany me.”

The boy considered it for a moment before nodding, “I’ll come back before dinnertime then.”

The boy said goodbye to everyone and then left.

Everyone inside the sick ward was praising him.

Even Zhang Yan herself said rather emotionally, “Yeah, I’m so fortunate.”

After a while, she told Xu Tingsheng, “I still haven’t apologised to you for back then.”

Xu Tingsheng appeared bemused as he tried hard to recollect on whatever she spoke of.

Zhang Yan smiled, “You can’t remember, right? Back during military training, there was once when the instructors asked us girls to come out and testify against the guys who were being a bother. Someone maligned you then.”

“Oh, I remember. There was a giant standing in front of me then, so I couldn’t even have looked at the girls in the first place. In the end...it was actually you?” Xu Tingsheng smiled as he asked.

“Right,” Zhang Yan nodded rather shyly.

“But why did you do that?” Li Xingming asked.

“Stupid, you’re really asking that?” A girl exclaimed.

“It’s actually nothing that can’t be said,” Another girl explained, “When university had just started back then, we girls were chatting in our dorm. The conversation came to guys. Then, someone said that we should hurry up and voice out who it was who had caught our eye, let we end up fighting with one another when the time came. At the time, Zhang Yan chose Xu Tingsheng.”

“That’s right,” Zhang Yan said frankly, “Who knew that just a short time after, you suddenly turned out not to be a normal male classmate at all. Pointlessly wasting me taking the initiative.”

At the start of university life, the girls who came in yearning for love were actually no fewer than the guys at all. The so-called ‘caught one’s eye’ actually merely referred to the good impression that one initially had of another. This could increase their future interactions, yet might not result in anything for sure.

Yet, it was also possible that it might result in something.

Xu Tingsheng wondered: if he had just been a normal guy from university, just like how these girls had initially seen him to be, being still okay while also not as special as he had turned out...

If it had been this way, how would things have gone afterwards? How would his university life be like now?

Perhaps Lu Zhixin would only be a stranger whom he brushed past on campus. At most, Xu Tingsheng and his roommates would turn and glance in amazement at her, thinking her to be very beautiful, next ridiculing how her expression was all indifferent as did she think herself so great?

Perhaps something might truly have developed between him and Zhang Yan. And if that was so, it might really have been the potential happy and blissful times between them which had ended before they had even started that had been ‘wronged’ back then, when she had maligned him.

Now, however, it was already just an inconsequential, long-forgotten detail of days long past.

The entire trajectory of things had changed, coming because of change, going because of it.

“Well, do I still have a chance now then?” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Zhang Yan smiled as well, saying jokingly, “No way! My boyfriend’s great. Just go regret, you.”

After discussing herself, Zhang Yan dragged someone else down with her as she pointed at the girl who had just revealed that scoop, “Don’t just talk about me! I remember that you also chose someone back then? Who was it?”

“Tan Yao,” The girl admitted straightforwardly.

Even as Tan Yao was feeling triumphant.

“I was blind,” The girl continued.

They all laughed. Afterwards, the girls began exposing one another’s choices. Of course, those for whom it could revealed basically had things all settled by now. For example, there was this girl who had once been interested in Lu Xu. Lu Xu already had a partner now, and it was the same for her as well.

After a long time of this, Li Xingming asked dejectedly, “No one was interested in me at all?”

“Actually, there was someone,” The girls said.

“Really?”

“Yup. And if it weren’t for you going around scaring everybody like crazy over that period of time, it might actually have worked out between you.”

“Who? Tell me! Tell me, is it already too late for me to change now?”

The girls communicated amongst themselves secretly for a time before saying, “Can’t tell you.”

“But why?” An agonised Li Xingming asked.

The girls communicated amongst themselves secretly for yet some time longer. Still, they did not provide Li Xingming with an answer in the end, as well as why they could give no reason.

Xu Tingsheng watched on from the side. Having graduated from university before, he had once heard people confessing emotionally to their classmates of four years, “I actually thought about entering a relationship with you before. Sadly, it’s too late now.”

The other party smiled wryly, saying, “Really. Alright, I actually thought about it before as well. Sadly, it’s too late now.”

“I thought about it during our first year. What about you?”

“It was during our third year for me, that time when you twisted your ankle in a basketball match.”

“Why didn’t you say it?”

“You too, why didn’t you say it?”

Why do people always like to wait till the dust has settled and it is too late before speaking up?

Ninety percent of youths’ problems are unanswerable.

Chapter 248: Going to be the last?

After leaving Zhang Yan’s sick ward, Xu Tingsheng told Old Wai, “Call Linlin over later. Let’s have dinner together tonight.”

The motive behind this meal actually could not be any more obvious.

Inside a private room of a normal restaurant at the town of Xishan, after ordering the dishes.

Old Wai asked, “Bro Xu, how about we have a bit of wine today?”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before smiling, “Won’t that feel like relieving a general’s military power through a banquet of wine? That’s bad, right?”

Old Wai laughed, after which he was overwhelmed by emotions as he eventually said, his eyes moist, “Bro Xu, this is something that we’ve never had the chance to say to you before. Still, the two of us hope that you can believe us when we say this. At any time, for any decision that you make, Linlin and I will never feel any bit of resentment at all, much less blame you in the least.”

“For the two of us, everything that we have was given by you, even our lives.”

“Lu Zhixin already mentioned to us what you want to talk about today. After she had mentioned it, the sole thing we were worried about was you not coming to look for us. If you did, that would mean that you still treat us like family. We would be able to rest assured then.”

Xu Tingsheng patted Old Wai’s shoulder, telling the waiter, “Bring us wine.”

The waiter asked, “How much?”

Xu Tingsheng turned and asked Li Linlin, “You drinking, Linlin?”

Li Linlin nodded, “Yes.”

Xu Tingsheng told the waiter, “A carton first then.”

Xu Tingsheng had still yet to raise the first glass and speak when Li Linlin first spoke, “Bro Xu, what happened in our first year is actually something that I never want to mention again. Still, I feel like mentioning it today. I’ll always remember those words Old Wai said to me back then. It’s okay, Xu Tingsheng is here. I’ll never forget this throughout my entire lifetime.”

They downed the first glass.

On the second glass, Old Wai said, “Don’t feel like you’re in a difficult position, Bro Xu. Actually, even without Lu Zhixin mentioning this, the two of us have thought about it ourselves before. We cannot become burdens on Hucheng as it develops. Stepping down temporarily is a necessary step. Of course, I believe that we will definitely have the ability to continue helping you in the future. We will definitely work hard for that.”

“Of course I believe you,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Though, you’ve still got to help me now! Just through a different method. The two of you are still shareholders of Hucheng; you can’t just leave me all alone. There actually aren’t that many people I can trust.”

Old Wai and Li Linlin nodded earnestly.

On the third glass, Xu Tingsheng simply said two words, “Thank you.”

With these three glasses, the atmosphere had become much less sombre than before.

The three drank while chatting about the initial Hucheng which had consisted of just the three of them. Back then, Old Wai had done programming throughout the night and into the mornings, Li Linlin too sacrificing her sleep to check the information registered on the platform…

They talked about their joy when the first parent had registered.

They talked about the difficulties when Zhang Xingke had driven them into a corner.

They talked about the current Hucheng...

Old Wai said that everything had been like a dream.

Li Linlin said that not even in her wildest dreams could she have imagined such a dramatic turn of events.

For Li Linlin, it was far from just her own fate that Xu Tingsheng had changed. He had even enabled her entire family to be freed from poverty as a result, living a life they wouldn’t even have dreamt of initially.

After this meal, Old Wai and Li Linlin would be officially leaving their management positions at Hucheng. For the time being, amidst their studies, they would merely be continuing to help out at Hucheng and participating in some important meetings with their identities as shareholders.

Nearing the end, the two were overwhelmed by emotion as they happily expressed that they would finally be able to date each other properly now, properly enjoying their university lives.

Xu Tingsheng envied this from the very bottom of his heart.

Leaving the restaurant, the three were all somewhat tipsy. Li Linlin walked at the front, while Old Wai intentionally slowed his footsteps and waited for Xu Tingsheng.

Seeing his hesitant expression, Xu Tingsheng directly asked, “You have something you want to say to me, Old Wai?”

Old Wai hesitated for a moment before asking, “Bro Xu, actually, do you like Lu Zhixin? About that...how do you intend to handle her?”

Xu Tingsheng could only feign stupidity as he smiled, “We’re partners! What’s there to handle?”

Old Wai grit his teeth, saying, “Let me put it this way then. Bro Xu, whatever you intend to do in the future, whether you will be together with Lu Zhixin or you want to marry Apple, even if you intend to marry a princess...get in bed with Lu Zhixin...best get a child out. Otherwise, you…”

Old Wai did not finish his sentence.

Still, Xu Tingsheng actually understood what he meant. The current importance and authority that Lu Zhixin possessed in Hucheng actually far surpassed what she should actually have at this point in time. Meanwhile, her personality and methods were also so forceful. Coupled with her familial background...it would be very difficult for someone not to be worried in the slightest.

That Old Wai had voiced this outright showed that he was not trying to get revenge on Lu Zhixin, not scheming for power behind the scenes.

“I understand. I’ll think about it,” Xu Tingsheng told Old Wai.

Old Wai immediately grew excited as he said, “Don’t go back to our dorm tonight then. Making use of when you’re drunk…”

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, “That’s not what I’m talking about. I’ll think of some other method.”

Old Wai hesitated for a moment, only able to change the topic as he said, “Well, you go back to our dorm first then. I...I’ll try not to go back to our dorm, making use when I’m drunk...cough…”

Xu Tingsheng was thinking throughout his return journey, “The hell, won’t I be the only virgin left in Room 602 soon then?”

…...

The next day, two abundantly experienced graduates from famous universities selected by Lu Zhixin officially and enthusiastically assumed their roles as Hucheng’s new department heads.

As Hucheng began expanding and recruiting on a greater scale, Xu Tingsheng specifically requested Lu Zhixin to set aside a team for him in preparation for upcoming work on a new project. As for what this new project was, he temporarily mentioned it to no one.

On the Xu Family’s side, the final batch of Happy Shoppers’ employees returned from their tour of Hainan.

Mr Xu made a trip to Hainan as well, staying there for five days. Upon his return, he gave Xu Tingsheng a call, saying that someone had recommended him to build some seaview flats in Hainan and asking for his opinion on it.

Xu Tingsheng rejected this proposition straight out. He knew that Hainan’s seaview flats would only be popular for a while. In the end, however, many villas and mansions could only be used to rear pigs.

On 16th September, Cen Xiyu flew for New York in the US.

Just like they had previously agreed upon, Xu Tingsheng did not go to the airport to send her off. Instead, they exchanged simple goodbyes over the phone. The current Apple, Cen Xiyu, would no longer feel all suspicious and uneasy over minor matters such as this.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng should have gone to send her off, because just a single day later, he received a call from Zhang Xingke.

Zhang Xingke succinctly told Xu Tingsheng that the time was ripe, that Hucheng’s acquisition of Dexin Training Institute could take place right away. This also entailed that the cooperation between these two former enemies and current friends was about to draw to a close.

They would thus be tied together no more, their relationship as friend or foe uncertain thereon.

This time, Lu Zhixin accompanied Xu Tingsheng in travelling to Shenghai.

There was already no difficulty at all in the acquisition whatsoever, Zhang Xingke and Yu Xinlan having arranged everything for them. That pitiful principal-cum-boss of Dexin Training Institute had been thoroughly played...by an uneducated woman and a youth who’d never graduated.

On Hucheng’s side, because Lu Zhixin was present this time, the entire acquisition process was handled in a methodical, businesslike manner.

Xu Tingsheng was even unable to properly say his farewells to Zhang Xingke when giving him his money at the end.

This was because what was to be discussed soon afterwards was the matter of recruitment for Zhang Xingke’s new training institute, this being something that Lu Zhixin adamantly refused to let Xu Tingsheng participate in, especially after she had seen Yu Xinlan.

Zhang Xingke and Yu Xinlan named the training institute ‘Xingxin’, just so brazenly taking a character from each of their names even as Yu Xinlan’s husband and family members were soon to be working in Xingxin as well.

Three days later, Hucheng’s team descended upon Dexin Training Institute in Shenghai City, beginning to carry out some full-scale adjustments.

Thereon, Hucheng was to officially possess its own ‘stronghold’ in the largest city of the nation.

Chapter 249: One man, one dog

With Hucheng’s personnel having already assumed their positions in Dexin, Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin’s work there was basically complete. Still, since it was a Friday when they completed the matter of the acquisition, the two of them were not in a hurry to return as they stayed for a day longer.

That night, Xu Tingsheng went out shopping with Lu Zhixin for the first time, experiencing the capabilities and ‘shopping acumen’ of a wealthy young lady for the first time as his shoulders ached with all those bags he carried, so much so that he felt like he could hardly lift them up.

Early the next morning, having finished packing his luggage, Xu Tingsheng knocked on Lu Zhixin’s door.

Dragging along two suitcases, Lu Zhixin opened the door. Then, she handed him one of them.

“This suitcase contains the things I bought yesterday. Help me to bring them back to Yanzhou first,” Lu Zhixin said.

Xu Tingsheng asked rather blankly, “You’re not going back?”

Lu Zhixin said, “I’m going to Hong Kong for a few days. I’ve already applied for leave with the university. I’ll be catching a plane in a while.”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback, “I’ll send you to the airport then.”

“Didn’t you not send even Apple off?” Lu Zhixin asked, “Alright, you send me over then.”

On the way to the airport, Xu Tingsheng finally still wasn’t able to resist asking her, “Why’re you suddenly going to Hong Kong? I didn’t know about it at all before this.”

Lu Zhixin ran a hand through her hair, gazing ahead, “Have you ever cared about me? I spent a few days applying for a visa, then called to book an air ticket right beside you. Didn’t you notice any of that at all?”

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while before he said, “Sorry.”

Lu Zhixin seemed to be in low spirits as she said, “Well, you definitely wouldn’t know then that I switched courses this semester. I’m in finance now.”

“You switched courses?” Xu Tingsheng was astonished.

It was not just the matter of Lu Zhixin switching courses that was surprising. It was also because she had even switched to a completely different faculty. Also, she had failed two modules during her first semester. Logically speaking, she should be insufficiently qualified to switch courses.

As for why she had switched to finance, that was not hard for Xu Tingsheng to understand.

As if able to read Xu Tingsheng’s mind, Lu Zhixin explained, “My results didn’t meet the standard. It was Fang Chen who helped me to get it done. From when this was publicly announced over a month ago, the university’s post box was stuffed full with reports several times. There was also scolding on forums, calls to the principal’s hotline, education bureau…”

At the end of it, Lu Zhixin even commented casually in a joking tone, “Being your girlfriend in name actually draws quite the bit of hatred.”

Xu Tingsheng was instantly overwhelmed by guilt.

It was a long time before he asked, “What can I do for you?”

Lu Zhixin said earnestly, “Stack it up.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly, “Alright, you’ve accrued quite a bit already.”

After parking at the carpark, Xu Tingsheng accompanied Lu Zhixin into the airport.

Before checking in, Lu Zhixin told Xu Tingsheng, “I’ve already more or less arranged all the company’s matters. You can rest easy and attend your lessons. Still, it’s best if you go take a look whenever you’re free. They’ll be in direct contact with me here at Dexin; you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Also, about Dongdong. I’ve already prepared the dog food. It’s in the top cabinet of the living room. Remember to feed him everyday, and try to take him out for a walk every morning and evening. Also, don’t randomly bring your friends back, lest the place gets all dirty and smelly.”

“Also, the new soap, shampoo, your toothbrush and whatnot-I’ve kept them all in the bathroom cabinet. Also, if you want to change your bedsheet, I’ve already washed that set from earlier. It’s in the cabinet at the left of your room, the second layer. Also...there doesn’t seem to be anything else. If there’s anything, just call me.”

These words being said now seemed just like that of a wife who was about to leave their home.

Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt that he was very unfair to Lu Zhixin, all this merely being because of her ‘superhuman’ exterior. Due to this exterior of hers, Xu Tingsheng often unconsciously overlooked many things, including the fact that she was actually still just a girl.

Lu Zhixin noticed the change in Xu Tingsheng’s expression.

She smiled and asked, “You feeling guilty?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Yeah.”

“Actually, if…” Lu Zhixin thought for a moment, “Forget it. How about you give me a hug? While I’ve been your girlfriend in the eyes of others for so long, you’ve never actually hugged me yet.”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Having agreed to hug, the two of them instead felt rather awkward. They smiled as their eyes met, only able to avoid looking directly at each other as they gingerly spread apart their arms, gingerly maneuvered them to encompass the other, gingerly hugged…

Gradually, Xu Tingsheng found that Lu Zhixin was hugging tighter and tighter, tighter and tighter, even using her full strength in the end as she was unwilling to let go even after a long time.

“Can you tell me what exactly you’re going to Hong Kong for?”

From this hug of Lu Zhixin’s, Xu Tingsheng was able to sense an unprecedented feeling of loneliness and helplessness from her. The usually independent her seemed like she really needed something to grab onto at this moment, needed support and something to rely on.

Xu Tingsheng sensed that this was definitely related to her current trip to Hong Kong.

“My Dad’s in Hong Kong,” Lu Zhixin said.

“I know,” Xu Tingsheng made no attempt to hide the fact.

Lu Zhixin was taken aback for a moment, but very quickly recovered.

She released her grip, switching to a calm expression as she forced a smile, “It’s nothing, really. It’s just that Dad’s not feeling too well, and I’m just feeling sort of overly nervous from worrying.”

While this reason seemed insufficient, since Lu Zhixin was unwilling to speak further on this, there was really no way Xu Tingsheng could press her about it.

“How about I accompany you there?” Xu Tingsheng blurted out.

Lu Zhixin laughed, speaking in a seldom seen coy tone, “Why didn’t you say that earlier? How is there still time now? ...I’m going to go now, hurry up and go home. Drive carefully while its dark.”

Xu Tingsheng could only say, “Alright. Then, just call me if you need anything.”

Lu Zhixin nodded and waved.

…...

It was already nighttime when Xu Tingsheng arrived at Yanzhou. While his dormitory had still yet to close for the night, Xu Tingsheng did not return there as he sat alone on the sofa in the living room of the riverside residence.

Apart from him, there was only a dog in the room.

Xu Tingsheng had actually not been alone like this for a really long time. Thinking back, there had been three girls living there not long ago as he had been forced into sleeping on the sofa. Yet, the place was now...completely empty.

In order to avoid those unnecessary thoughts, Xu Tingsheng got up and found himself things to do. He watered the plants on the balcony, changed his bedsheets, swept the floor, took a bath, read the email that Cen Xiyu had sent over from America, replied to it, then saw that no reply was forthcoming as she should probably still be in the midst of lessons now…

Then, he had nothing left to do again.

He grabbed a handful of dog feed and threw them to Dongdong one by one.

“Dongdong, I’m just like you now. We’ve both been abandoned.”

Xu Tingsheng did not consciously realise that he was actually talking to a dog.

In the past, he had thought that he was the one who was being relied on, whom everyone was reliant on. It was only now that he suddenly discovered that he too was actually reliant on them as he relished that feeling of being cared about by others.

Who doesn’t need to be cared about?

Apple had become Cen Xiyu and left. She should be attending lessons now.

Lu Zhixin had left. She should be taking care of her father now.

Wu Yuewei had come once, having left without even setting foot in this place. She had said, “Senior, please try not to appear in front of me again.”

Xiang Ning had not come, and it was unknown when she would, or even whether she would. Mr and Mrs Xiang’s current attitude towards Xu Tingsheng was like a towering mountain that stood between them.

Her dog was here.

But as Xu Tingsheng talked to Dongdong, that slutty dog...did not even raise its head, not even deigning to wag its tail.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had once experienced over three years of such a lifestyle.

Looking at the time, Xiang Ning might not be asleep yet. Still, she had not called ever since that call from last time. As for her current situation, Xu Tingsheng was only able to feign casualness as he ‘inadvertently’ inquired about it from Li Linlin now.

He had heard that she was doing well, her results having improved yet again.

For those three years in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had been used to drinking a little before going to bed.

Now, he dared not drink any. Drinking wine alone actually only ever made one lonelier the more they drank.

A knock on the door resounded.

Xu Tingsheng opened the door.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng stood outside.

One of them was carrying snacks that went well with wine.

The other was carrying wine.

“One man, one dog. Heck, how have you become so tragic?” Fu Cheng asked.

“Ha, to think such a day would actually come for you?” Huang Yaming said, this being the first time he was talking to Xu Tingsheng on his own accord ever since their argument in Shenghai.

“Now you’re finally the same as us,” They said.

While it wasn’t anything nice that they were saying, Xu Tingsheng’s mood suddenly brightened greatly.

Sometimes, feeling down and melancholic isn’t the worst thing.

Those two who can drink with you not being there is far worse.

Fortunately, they were here.

Chapter 250: News on Fang Yunyao

It had been a long time since the three of them had last sat together and drank wine. The last time seemed to have been during the summer holidays when they had graduated from senior high. They had hung out together like this almost every day back then, drinking whilst chatting.

Much time had flown by since then. In less than two years’ time, so many things had happened to the three of them, so many things having changed.

Fortunately, as they sat together again now, their feelings remained unchanged.

“There’s a chick who’s pursuing Fu Cheng,” Huang Yaming said, “Being an artistic youth’s so great. Just randomly holding a guitar running up a slope and reminiscing on old love and out comes a beautiful chick falling head over heels.”

As they were all slightly tipsy, Huang Yaming told Xu Tingsheng a piece of interesting news.

The chick was in her second year at Jianhai Technological University, being someone Huang Yaming knew.

In terms of looks, she could apparently be considered outstanding in a ‘monastery’ like Jianhai Technological University. She was perfectly ordinary in all other areas, the sole noteworthy thing being that she was actually an artistic chick.

Only artistic chicks or retards would take a coincidental ‘hearing a voice calling for someone on a hill’ as an arrangement by fate, next forcibly playing out the adorable show of a girl pursuing a guy as some romance novel that was subjective to the extreme.

And it was even a bittersweet novel.

Xu Tingsheng thought of Qiao Ying and that farewell poem <I Want You To Die> that she had written in his previous life. There had been six lines in that poem, but it had really just been a sole ‘I’m really thinking of you’.

Ignoring the two opening lines, the respective meanings of the four remaining ones were:

I’m thinking of you as you leave on the train after graduation; I’m thinking of you at my own wedding ceremony; I’m thinking of you every time I reminisce on old times; let our relationship be ever harmonious as we age, as I think of you till we grow old, till we die.

But she was a freaking artistic chick! Therefore, it was impossible for her to say this straight out.

At this point, Xu Tingsheng reminded Fu Cheng, “Here, just a friendly reminder. In this world, it’s those artistic chicks whom we definitely can’t afford to provoke. You’d best be very, very careful.”

Fu Cheng did not retort as he seemed to think this matter completely irrelevant.

After intoxicating himself some more, Fu Cheng suddenly started crying even as he confessed, “Actually, before the semester started, I made another trip to Ms Fang’s home village...they said that she didn’t return even during the summer holidays, and even they don’t know where she is.”

Huang Yaming asked, “Haven’t you already decided on searching slowly? You’re mentally prepared for that, so what does it matter that Ms Fang hasn’t returned? Why’re you crying?”

“But Auntie...Ms Fang’s mother returned once.”

Fu Cheng choked on a mouthful of wine, coughing and crying as he tried hard to calm himself before saying, “When Auntie returned that time, she gave their relatives in the village wedding candies...saying that because Ms Fang was marrying far away, they wouldn’t have a banquet back in the village.”

Even as the speaker, Fu Cheng, tried his best to narrate this calmly, the listeners, Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming, both instantly fell silent, overwhelmed by a sense of loss and helplessness.

“Ms Fang’s gotten married,” Fu Cheng said.

“Let’s all give Ms Fang our best wishes,” Fu Cheng raised his wineglass, Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng only able to comply.

They had no way of comforting him.

Fu Cheng collapsed of drunkenness very quickly. Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming carried him onto one of the beds.

Then, the two smoked a cigarette together.

“What do you think?” Huang Yaming asked Xu Tingsheng.

The pain that Xu Tingsheng was feeling over this matter was second only to Fu Cheng’s. Even after Fang Yunyao had left, no news of her being available, Xu Tingsheng had still harboured hope for this relationship of two lives, believing that things would not ultimately end like this…

Now, Fu Cheng had said that she had married, marrying far away from home.

“I don’t know,” Xu Tingsheng said rather despondently.

“Anyway, I freaking won’t believe it no matter what,” Huang Yaming declared loudly, “I really won’t believe it even if I die. But the way things are now, there’s no way for me to back it up. There’s also no way that I can comfort Fu Cheng like this.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Why?”

Huang Yaming said, “Back when Ms Fang woke up and you returned to Yanzhou, I stayed on for a few more days. When I visited the sick ward everyday, I was drawn by the way Ms Fang who was still very weak at the time was gazing at Fu Cheng, you know?”

“I really envied that type of gaze, because no woman has ever looked at me that way before. I definitely don’t believe that Ms Fang would marry someone else so quickly. That’s impossible.”

This reason seemed a little empty. It was no wonder that Huang Yaming had said that he would surely be unable to comfort Fu Cheng with it. Even Xu Tingsheng had not been convinced.

The two drank all the way till 3am in the morning.

The conversation finally returned to themselves.

Huang Yaming had still not completely given up on quitting university and going to Tianyi to work as he shamelessly pestered Xu Tingsheng, going all out with various insincere ‘tear-stained pleas’. He did not know that what he had said that had actually moved Xu Tingsheng the most that night was this: No woman has ever looked at me that way before.

Actually, it should be: Tan Qinglin never once looked at me that way before.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng understood that he indeed needed reassurance right now, even if what supported him was a determination to get Tan Qinglin to regret her decision.

“You know that Tianyi was an accident, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “We never planned so high and far in our initial conception. So, you should set your sights back a little.”

“What’s left if I set my sights back? Toiling for three years, then getting a graduation certificate that’s completely useless to me?” Huang Yaming complained unresignedly.

“If you can guarantee that you will get that graduation certificate, I’m actually also considering first letting you do a little something you’ll surely like,” Xu Tingsheng threw out the bait, smiling.

Huang Yaming immediately bit the hook and nodded excitedly, “Guaranteed, a hundred percent guaranteed.”

Then, he impatiently pressed, “Hurry up and say it! Out with it, what is it that I can do first?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “One of them will make you freaking cool, while the other is something that you’ll definitely like doing. Which one will you choose?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’ll choose both,” Huang Yaming said.

Now this was the Huang Yaming that Xu Tingsheng was familiar with.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “The first thing is the investment of that movie we were discussing last time. Things are already agreed over with Boss Shi. I’ve told him that I will make the primary investment, with the producer being...you. As the producer, your name will be shown on the screen when the movie starts.”

“I know that,” Huang Yaming said, “The problem is, will this movie be popular? Tan...that woman, will she be able to see it?”

“It will definitely be popular. She should see it,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“That’s good then,” Huang Yaming excitedly did a fist pump before continuing, “What’s the second thing then?”

“The second thing. I’ll give you some money, and you can open a bar near the academy city, or maybe a KTV or the like,” Xu Tingsheng told him.

“Still, you’ll have to work out the specifics yourself, like the design of the bar and whatnot. I think you could ask whether there’s anyone at Tianyi who’s familiar with the industry. You could work on trying to get all the ambience and whatever to surpass whatever Yanzhou already has now.”

“As for the little details, all those related things, you should know some relevant people after having hung out with Fang Yuqing’s bunch for so long. Look for them to help you here. Get those who are able to invest to invest if able. Money isn’t the main thing here, understand?”

“I understand. You can rest assured on this. Tan Yao and I know how to handle it.”

Huang Yaming excitedly raised his wineglass, the two downing another glass of wine.

After a while, his excitement having faded, Huang Yaming asked Xu Tingsheng in a rather hesitant manner, “But, do you still have money? I heard that you just completed the acquisition of a training institute in Shenghai. Won’t this make it very hard on your pockets?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “Right, that acquisition has temporarily wrung me dry of all my money.”

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say this, Huang Yaming hesitated for a moment before saying rather guiltily, “Then, how about...you don’t have to be concerned about me, actually. The things on your side are what’s really important.”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, smiling, “Relax, it’s fine. The day after the acquisition, I began applying for a loan with the bank with the training institute as collateral. There’s people working on things there. You don’t have to understand the specifics, but anyway, what will eventually be loaned will definitely be greater than what I spent. Your side also won’t be taking up that much.”

Huang Yaming considered it for a moment before muttering, “So business is actually done this way?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Right, business is actually done this way. Money is actually a very slutty thing. You ask it to roll, and it will roll for you. Also, it will only roll on to be bigger and bigger.

…...

The next morning, Fu Cheng woke up.

After taking a bath, he changed his clothes and went outside.

Startled awake by the sound of the door opening, Xu Tingsheng asked rather worriedly, “Where’re you going?”

Fu Cheng said calmly, “I feel like going around on the round city bus.”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback but said eventually, “Okay.”

Fu Cheng liked going around the entire Yanzhou city district on a round city bus, gazing at streets and alleys both wide and narrow. He had persisted with this habit throughout. It had initially been because of Xu Tingsheng’s consolation as he had hoped that Fang Yunyao had not left, that he would suddenly catch a glimpse of her on some street through the window one day.

Now, he could virtually be absolutely certain that Fang Yunyao was not in Yanzhou.

He had ever heard news of her marriage in a distant land.

Maybe because he was hurting the most now, he decided to do the same thing.

Only when he was doing this, in the cabin of the bus on the bumpy roads as passengers got on and off and people came and went on those busy streets outside, was he able to, in his calmest, most positive state of mind...think about her.

That artistic chick, He Yishan, had somehow managed to find him as she got on the bus and sat down beside him, saying mildly, “What a coincidence.”

Fu Cheng said, “Please get lost.”

He Yishan had found Huang Yaming that afternoon. With some parts omitted for privacy, Huang Yaming had told her the tale of Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao.

Then, he had asked her, “You can give up on him now, right?”

Yet, He Yishan had said, “It’s fine. Who’s never had anyone hidden away in their heart before? I will help Fu Cheng to walk out of it.”

Huang Yaming had been overwhelmed into submission by her as he had texted Xu Tingsheng, saying, “You were right! Artistic chicks are scary indeed. The heck, they aren’t even Earthlings.”

Chapter 251: Hucheng’s heart

On an afternoon when he had no lessons, Xu Tingsheng found Vice-Principal Niu whose temperament was very compatible with his and stayed in the office of Yanzhou University’s principal, Zhao Kangwen, for the entire afternoon.

Thereafter, following all that previous ruckus, the school finally stepped forward and gave an official explanation regarding Lu Zhixin’s switching of courses.

A document ‘said’ to already have been officially approved several months ago was publicly released. Said document primarily concerned Yanzhou University’s student entrepreneurs, mentioning some rewards and measures for them which included the addition of points, loosening the requirements for switching courses and priority in appraisals etcetera.

Also released was documentation behind Lu Zhixin’s application for the switching of courses:

“Lu Zhixin is a core member of Yanzhou University’s major entrepreneurial venture, originally Hucheng Education and now Hucheng Tongcheng, having applied for a course change due to entrepreneurial needs. Following our analysis, this student’s situation is completely in line with the relevant policies in the document. She is specially allowed to switch courses without filling up the original quota of allowed students.”

No one had heard of this document before this. Yet, an official copy of it existed right there, and it was impossible that the principal’s signature was a forgery. The date was also indeed from a few months ago.

Some people decided to give up, while others never ceased in their complaints. Some soon discovered that there were even those who were directing their complaints at Xu Tingsheng.

“Having money makes you so great? Starting up a company makes you so great? That the school management is helping you makes you so great?”

Xu Tingsheng ignored all these voices, whatever their mentality, stance or motive. Still, he quickly gave them a response, blasting out a resounding, outright ‘yes’.

Due to the loneliness and frailty he had felt from Lu Zhixin a few days ago at the airport, due to his guilt, Xu Tingsheng wanted to do something for her this time, at least helping to resolve the commotion caused by her switching of courses before she returned.

Actually, if she wasn’t Lu Zhixin, wasn’t Xu Tingsheng’s ‘girlfriend’, this matter would not have been paid so much attention to, all this commotion hence arising.

Lu Zhixin had always been strong.

This, time, however, Xu Tingsheng did not want her to have to soldier through all this alone.

Two days after the document had been publicly released, when voices of dissent were still resounding incessantly, Hucheng Tongcheng and Yanzhou University’s management jointly announced that Hucheng would be providing an initial sum of 200000 yuan, supporting the impoverished university students who had to work for their livelihoods, living independently.

While 200000 yuan was not a huge sum, it would still be useful somewhat for the transportation expenses of Yanzhou University home tutors and the like. After all, this was still the year 2004, and the public bus fares in the years 2004 and 2015 were virtually the same.

People generally wouldn’t feel the pinch when it was just one or two times. University home tutors had to go to and fro at least two or three times a week, changing buses a few times. Accumulated over the long term, this was actually not a small sum.

Many people spent around one fifth of what they earnt from home tutoring on transportation.

As for the reason behind providing this sum of money, the explanation given by Hucheng was: He who drinks from the well does not forget they who dug it. We are doing so to express our gratitude for the university’s support, reciprocating the student home tutors’ trust in Hucheng.

This was perfectly logical and reasonable.

This program had a fitting whilst also special name, ‘Hucheng’s heart’.

Hucheng’s heart. Hucheng...Zhixin.

Therefore, Hucheng. Zhixin.

Anyone in the know could tell with a single glance. Anyone not in the know would easily be able to get it by listening to the explanation of others. It could not be any more obvious: This was Xu Tingsheng finally stepping forward to protect Lu Zhixin for the first time.

From the previous confession incident to Hucheng’s face-off with Zhang Xingke to Lu Zhixin switching courses this time...this girl who had already been so eye-catching before had been repeatedly subject to the mockery and criticisms of others.

Those first two times, the rumoured boyfriend, Xu Tingsheng, had virtually done nothing at all.

Finally, this time, Xu Tingsheng had told everyone in a virtually upright and aboveboard manner: I’m surely going to protect Lu Zhixin this time, and I’m not afraid of you people being able to tell. I’d instead be afraid if you weren’t able to tell.

The university’s attitude towards this and the public release of the official document made it such that the complaints to the principal’s mailbox and the calls to the education bureau and education department no longer held any significance.

With Lu Zhixin not having been counted towards the original quota for switching courses, part of the outrage and indignation correspondingly vanished.

With Hucheng’s monetary assistance scheme providing them actual money, most of the student home tutors and some other Yanzhou University students recognised his kindness. Those close to them and those who simply went with the flow were correspondingly affected, their dissenting voices dying down.

Meanwhile, the attitude of Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng gained the support and understanding of some. At the very least, those who had been unhappy with him earlier could not help but feel a bit of goodwill towards him now.

While there were still some dissatisfied voices, these gradually became a stream, a trickle, stagnant, solitary. They would soon be disappearing however unwilling these people were.

Lu Zhixin had still yet to return from Hong Kong.

Her best friend and roommate told her about this matter and the various speculations regarding ‘Hucheng’s heart’ and ‘Hucheng Zhixin’...perhaps these should not even be called speculations, being just so obvious.

“Your family’s Xu Tingsheng’s just too cool this time. ‘Man’ like crazy!” Lu Zhixin’s best friend who was often filled with righteous indignation towards Xu Tingsheng on her behalf told her.

Lu Zhixin who was far away in Hong Kong and had been feeling troubled in body and spirit these past few days finally seemed to feel a hint of warmth. There seemed to be someone standing behind her whom she could lean on.

Glancing at her father beside her, Lu Zhixin refrained from dialling that number that she had just been about to call as she instead sent Xu Tingsheng a text.

Xu Tingsheng received two words: thank you.

He replied: It’s nothing. No need for all this.

Lu Zhixin replied: Hucheng’s heart, huh?

Xu Tingsheng replied: That did happen, just...I suddenly felt getting some fame would be nice.

Lu Zhixin replied: Isn’t it Hucheng Zhixin?

Xu Tingsheng replied: Is there such a thing? How haven’t I heard about it before? And I didn’t even say a word from start to end, just properly attending lessons, leaving lessons, going back to the company and attending to that slutty dog Dongdong everyday.

When some time passed and Lu Zhixin had not replied, Xu Tingsheng sent another text: Take good care of yourself over there. If you meet with any difficulties and I can be of help, just tell me about it.

Lu Zhixin replied: Got it. I’m fine, no need to worry about me.

……

There was one thing that Xu Tingsheng had not lied about. Attending to Dongdong had indeed become a significant part of his everyday life, having become a rather difficult problem for him.

Dongdong seemed to really hate not being cared about for long periods of time, even though it was actually beginning to ignore Xu Tingsheng more and more. Also, whenever it had been left alone at home for a while, it would bite things in Xu Tingsheng’s house to vent its unhappiness.

He thought back on the storm that day, where they had braved the rain and crossed the overhead bridge together, and also the mood from the cigarette and the sausage...the relationship between man and dog had really been quite okay originally.

“Could it be that this slutty dog’s gotten used to being taken care of by beautiful girls, such that it just can’t be bothered with me anymore?”

Sometimes, when Xu Tingsheng made a threatening gesture as if to hit it over those things that it had chewed to pieces, it actually even dared to bare its fangs at him.

“Could this dog of an animal know that I don’t dare to kill it because of who its former owner is? Could it be that clever?”

Chapter 252: Dongdong’s kidnapping incident

No matter what, so that Dongdong would not go crazy and bite the entire living room to shreds, Xu Tingsheng was forced to bring it out with him when circumstances so allowed. This included bringing it to school once in a while as he allowed it to happily roam about the Student’s Square or the field as it liked.

Soon, many people in the university knew about this utterly shameless Golden Retriever...it liked to follow the girls.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng began worrying that Dongdong might accidentally wander off sometime, getting lost and being taken for a stray before being beaten to death by the university’s security guards.

Xu Tingsheng thought of a method to resolve this. He purposely looked for Vice-Principal Niu to discuss the Anyang Mausoleum, getting him to help walk the dog on its leash in the meantime as the two of them and the dog hence walked a couple of rounds around the entire campus.

Therefore, the security guards thought that the dog might belong to Vice-Principal Niu.

Dogs actually couldn’t really be kept in the university. Still, that was the hot-tempered Vice-Principal Niu! Who could afford to provoke him, would be able to obstruct him?

……

In the remaining time, even when he was out driving, Xu Tingsheng would try to leave Dongdong on the backseat.

This was because it was more convenient to look after it this way. Most of the time, it just accompanied Xu Tingsheng as he travelled around as he did not allow it to get off his car.

One Saturday afternoon, Xu Tingsheng made a trip to Yanzhou’s city district. On his way back, he parked near a newsstand at the entrance of a park, intending to get off and buy cigarettes as well as a few local newspapers.

Dongdong who had still been relatively well-behaved before this suddenly started barking wildly and slamming against the door on the backseat.

Thinking that it might have to go to the toilet, with the park just being nearby anyway, Xu Tingsheng went around to the car’s back door and opened it, intending to hold the leash.

Dongdong slammed straight into him, knocking him aside before leaping off the car and dragging its leash along as it rapidly sped into the nearby park.

“Has that slutty dog gone mad? Dongdong, come back! I’ll kill you if you run any more…” Xu Tingsheng yelled as he ran.

Dongdong seemed not to have heard him at all as it rapidly sped along...looking in the direction it was running in, Xu Tingsheng spied the back of a slender figure. He stopped in his tracks...not knowing where he could hide.

Dongdong ran over beside that person, first barking two times before lowering its head, carefully nudging the side of her leg.

It appeared extremely pitiful as it did so.

Little Xiang Ning heard it, turned and saw it as well.

“Dongdong.”

“Yelp, yelp.”

Little Xiang Ning bent down and looked carefully at Dongdong before stroking its head and hugging it.

“Dongdong, it’s been almost two months since I last saw you,” Xiang Ning said, “Hey, how have you become so fat? What did that guy give you to eat? If you become any fatter, you’ll be super ugly, you know?”

As she said this, Little Xiang Ning reached out and pinched Dongdong’s flesh for good measure.

Dongdong who would usually bare its teeth in resistance against Xu Tingsheng as it showed a stance of going at him was incomparably obedient before Xiang Ning, just wagging its tail and yelping as it allowed Xiang Ning to pinch it, not moving at all.

“Oh, right. How did you get here, Dongdong?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

Then, she realised. Since Dongdong was here, that would mean that…

She had not seen Dongdong for a long time, and the same applied for someone else as well.

Little Xiang Ning raised her head and scanned the area, seeing the helpless-looking Xu Tingsheng who was standing not far away.

Rather unnaturally, Xu Tingsheng waved.

Little Xiang Ning stood up. Looking at Xu Tingsheng, she waved as well.

She usually never asked Li Linlin about Xu Tingsheng, having been earnest and diligent as she smiled and appeared very happy every day. She had even kept from calling him, apart from that one time, when she had said, “I just really miss you.”

Inhaling deeply, Little Xiang Ning said to that person several dozen metres away from her, “I’ve grown another centimetre. I’m 1.62 now.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded earnestly. He knew that Little Xiang Ning was actually telling him, “I’m growing up, growing up very quickly.”

“I still heard someone saying that they wanted to kill Dongdong just now,” Little Xiang Ning switched her tone and expression as she rebuked.

A wronged Xu Tingsheng explained, “That’s because it saw you in the car just now and started barking like crazy. Then, it got off the car and sped off like it had gone bonkers. I really thought that something had happened to it, so I scolded it a little just to scare it. I’m scared of it usually, so how would I possibly hurt it? Also, look, it’s so fat now. I really have been treating it properly.”

“Even a dog’s better than you,” Little Xiang Ning muttered softly to herself.

In truth, she still could not understand even now why Uncle Liar had suddenly become like this. Was this necessary? Regarding this, whether it was Xu Tingsheng himself or her parents, there was only one explanation that had been provided her. Apparently, Xu Tingsheng was very busy.

“What did you say?” Not having quite caught it, Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Nothing. I said, why’ve you made it so fat then?” Little Xiang Ning said.

“If I don’t give it food, it bares its fangs at me,” Xu Tingsheng smiled bitterly.

“That’s impossible. Dongdong’s clearly very obedient.”

Dongdong sat down by Xiang Ning’s feet, feigning obedience.

“It’s pretending in front of you. It’s actually got quite a few bad habits.”

“Oh? What other bad habits does it have?”

“It…” Xu Tingsheng was utterly lost for words. Could he tell Xiang Ning that her Dongdong now shamelessly followed every girl it saw? If that were the case, would Little Xiang Ning think that someone had been a bad influence on Dongdong? As for who that particular someone was…

Mr and Mrs Xiang exited the interior of the park, seeing Xiang Ning, Dongdong and also Xu Tingsheng.

“Little Ning!” Mrs Xiang froze for a moment before yelling, walking over to Xiang Ning’s side.

Mr Xiang walked past Xiang Ning, walking towards Xu Tingsheng.

“We just met by coincidence. Dongdong saw her and ran over. That’s why…” A nervous Xu Tingsheng immediately explained.

However he was outside, in front of Mr and Mrs Xiang...perhaps because he had designs on their fifteen-year-old daughter, and still intended for such in the future...he easily felt nervous, flustered.

“It’s fine,” Mr Xiang smiled, “How’ve you been lately, Tingsheng?”

“Not bad. Thanks for the concern, Uncle,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

A short distance away, Mrs Xiang raised her voice, “Little Ning, let’s go. Little Ning’s father, come on. We’re going home.”

Mr Xiang looked rather awkward as he hesitated for a moment before saying, “Relax, Little Ning’s very hardworking now. Well, let’s talk again next time.”

“Yeah, let’s.”

Mr Xiang turned and walked back.

Xu Tingsheng bent down and gesticulated, yelling, “Come on, Dongdong! We’re leaving!”

Dongdong remained unmoved. Despite Xu Tingsheng yelling at it a few more times, it still continued sitting by Xiang Ning’s feet, not budging an inch.

Xu Tingsheng helplessly directed a plea at Xiang Ning with his eyes.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Little Xiang Ning said to Dongdong, “Dongdong, you go on over.”

Dongdong yelped twice, still not budging.

Little Xiang Ning picked up the leash and dragged Dongdong over towards Xu Tingsheng.

“I will come to see Dongdong. You’ve got to take good care of him!”

Passing Xu Tingsheng the leash, with her back to her parents, Little Xiang Ning looked up at Xu Tingsheng, her eyes round and bright as she blinked, saying softly, “Also, I really am taller now.”

Xu Tingsheng dared not respond.

……

On his way back to Yanzhou University, Xu Tingsheng talked to Dongdong in the backseat as he drove.

“With how you looked just now, one might really think that you’re a good dog. You must change your bad habits in the future! Stop following the ladies. If you get lost someday and Xiang Ning can’t see you when she comes, how am I supposed to account for it to her?”

Slumped over the backseat, Dongdong buried his head, ignoring Xu Tingsheng.

That night, his thoughts somewhat in disarray, Xu Tingsheng sat on the steps of the field and smoked a cigarette. After smoking, he suddenly discovered that Dongdong who should have been playing happily on the field...was missing.

“The hell! Slutty dog, I just told you not to, and now you’re off following the ladies again?”

Walking around the greater part of the entire campus and still not seeing Dongdong, Xu Tingsheng could only ask around about it.

“You mean that Golden Retriever?” A male junior asked, one of many people from their university who had seen Dongdong before.

“Yeah, you seen it?” Xu Tingsheng asked urgently.

“Yup. I think it was following after some girls.”

“Which way did it go?”

“It went into the female dormitory.”

“What?” That slutty dog actually became even more out of hand, entering the female dormitory?

Xu Tingsheng exasperatedly continued asking, “Do you remember which building that was?”

“I think it was that one,” The male junior pointed at one of the female dormitory buildings.

With how it was almost lights out now, with things being this way, Xu Tingsheng definitely would not dare to go upstairs to search for Dongdong. In the heat of summer...the girls inside definitely were in some cooler attire. Moreover, the management auntie definitely would not let him inside.

A helpless Xu Tingsheng stood before the female dormitory, yelling, “Dongdong...Dongdong…”

Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng was standing before the female dormitory yelling ‘Dongdong’.

“Who’s Dongdong?”

People crowded onto the balconies and corridors, countless curious gazes being directed over from a neighbouring dormitory. As for this building in front of Xu Tingsheng, those girls whose names contained a character which read ‘dong’...all of them became flustered and panicked.

Girls ran out from the various floors of the building, looking at Xu Tingsheng down below.

“Has any one of you seen a dog? Dongdong is a dog, a Golden Retriever. Someone saw it enter your building. Has anyone seen it?” Xu Tingsheng yelled.

“Huh...meh…”

Dissatisfied noises simultaneously resounded from the nearby buildings.

“I still thought there was some major news.”

“I thought a confession show was coming.”

“In the end, it was just a dog.”

“Dongdong…”

Only the girls in the dormitory before Xu Tingsheng were still in high spirits.

“I see it! It’s inside our room.”

“It’s in our room! Come up and collect him yourself, junior.”

“Nope, it’s clearly in our room over here!”

Hearing himself being addressed as junior, Xu Tingsheng looked up and discovered that this dormitory actually contained his female seniors from their fourth year...the fourth year female seniors were rumoured to be fearsome beyond compare-who would dare go up? Also, he had no way of determining which room Dongdong was in, or if it really was in this particular building.

There were at least twenty rooms who claimed that Dongdong was with them.

Then, they all requested without exception that Xu Tingsheng come upstairs to collect it in person.

Virtually all these female seniors knew who Yanzhou University’s Xu Tingsheng was.

“This method of picking up chicks seems kinda good. I should really try this later on.” A male junior told his roommate.

“Do you have a dog?” His roommate asked him.

“What do I need a dog for? Just yelling is fine...don't you see this? A dog isn't necessary in the first place,” The male junior said.

“Right, it mainly depends on who it is. So...if you go, you'd better be careful that footwashing water doesn't come splashing down,” His other roommate joked.

Over in front of the girl's dormitory, Xu Tingsheng still didn't know that he was currently being envied.

He looked helplessly at the female seniors on the corridors upstairs.

Finally, two female seniors appeared on the corridor with a leash. Then, Dongdong stood there arrogantly, refusing to even look at Xu Tingsheng...that slutty dog was actually really in the female dormitory.

“Dongdong, get down here! Come on…”

Despite Xu Tingsheng's yells, Dongdong didn't even budge an inch as it stood beside the female seniors. One of them was feeding it a sausage right now.

“Seniors, could I trouble you to send the dog down here?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Nope.”

“Come up and collect it yourself, junior.”

“...”

The female seniors cheerfully chimed.

“I can't go up!” Xu Tingsheng painfully replied.

“We won't return it then. It isn't willing to leave anyway…and we fourth years are also bored.”

“Right, how about junior comes up to collect it in the daytime tomorrow? Room 408, junior, don't forget!”

“See you tomorrow, junior!”

Satisfied with their teasing, the female seniors led the dog back to their room.

Xu Tingsheng stood helplessly in front of the dormitory building.

Could this be considered Dongdong having been kidnapped? And thinking about it, might there eventually be more and more female juniors and seniors attempting to kidnap it in the future?

Chapter 253: Reinforcements

Xu Tingsheng woke up early the next morning, intending to ask those female seniors to return Dongdong when going out for breakfast.

In the end, though he was just standing in front of the door and looking upwards, the management auntie kept on coming out and appraising him with wary eyes.

“What’re you doing, coming all the way here to stand so early in the morning?” She asked, a dark expression on her face.

The management aunties for the female dormitories were generally used to the guys trying to get on their good side, being arrogant and hard to speak with as a result.

Xu Tingsheng could only carefully maneuver himself out of this situation and go to the nearby grassy field to wait.

After a while, a female senior who wore a small singlet and shorts blearily came outside, looking at Xu Tingsheng who was smoking a cigarette downstairs.

Being very free, fourth year female seniors were prone to going wild. This senior who had just been worrying about having nothing to do that day was immediately alleviated of her boredom. She turned, excitedly shouting for her roommates, also wearing singlets, to come out from the room, only then calling out to Xu Tingsheng.

“Morning, junior!” The female seniors yelled from upstairs.

Gazing up, Xu Tingsheng saw a group of lightly dressed fourth year female seniors leaning over the railing as they looked down at him. Next appeared more and more female seniors in various styles of flimsy pyjamas...there were even quite a few of them in loose skirts…

With just this raising of a head alone, there were already many colours that entered his vision.

Xu Tingsheng dared not continue looking as he tilted his head away, saying carefully, “Morning, seniors. So, my dog…”

A female senior said, “The dog’s fine, but we seniors haven’t bathed and changed yet. We also haven’t eaten.”

Another female senior continued, “How about you help us buy breakfast, junior? We can bathe and change during this time, and then send Dongdong down to you later.”

Thinking that Dongdong had probably eaten quite a bit of the seniors’ food already, seeing how there seemed to be nothing else he could do, Xu Tingsheng acquiesced, “Alright. What do you like to eat, seniors?”

Soon, the female seniors from this dorm room all told him what they would like for breakfast.

As for the seniors from the other dorm rooms, they might already be scheming their future kidnapping of Dongdong.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly left for the dining hall.

A short while later, he returned with a large bag that contained breakfast.

He shouted for them at the top of his lungs. In the end, the female seniors from Room 408 conveyed that those two who were coming downstairs...were currently putting on makeup.

Xu Tingsheng’s arms that were carrying that large bag of breakfast ached miserably till the two female seniors who had dolled themselves up finally exited the female dormitory in high spirits.

“Thanks for the trouble, junior.”

“Thank you.”

The two female seniors received the breakfast.

“You’re welcome,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Um, where’s my dog?”

“Dog? Oh, right away,” The female seniors who had spent so much time painstakingly putting on makeup explained, heading back upstairs after just that brief exchange.

After a while, they had already reappeared on the upstairs corridor, Dongdong still having yet to come down.

Xu Tingsheng could only ask again, “Seniors, my...dog…”

A female senior showed an innocent expression, saying earnestly, “We already talked to it and asked it to come down. But in the end, it just isn’t willing to go.”

Xu Tingsheng felt thoroughly dispirited.

The female seniors were still brimming with enthusiasm as one of them asked him, “Hey, junior, is your company still hiring? Do those of us from the same university have higher priority here?”

Xu Tingsheng answered, “We’ve been hiring all along. Still, I’m not that clear on the specific openings and professional requirements as well as the recruitment policies and whatnot. My colleagues are in charge of that.”

The female senior said, “Nah, other openings are fine. What I want to ask you is-are you still hiring a Lady Boss?”

Laughter erupted throughout the entire building.

If it were any one female senior interacting alone with Xu Tingsheng, they might not be brave enough to joke as unreservedly as this. Still, with the whole bunch of them currently gathered together, that was a whole different story altogether.

With the whole lot of them messing around like this, there was no need to hold back on saying anything crazy. Moreover, these seniors were already in their fourth year. They would have to look for jobs in a while. Therefore, they possessed a mindset of going a little wild at the end.

As Xu Tingsheng was feeling helpless due to how he probably wouldn’t be getting Dongdong back this time, his phone rang. It was the one with his old number from Libei.

“I’m in the phone booth at the bus station at the entrance of your academy city. Where’re you?” Little Xiang Ning asked over the phone, “No, where’s Dongdong? I’m here to see Dongdong.”

She tried her best to sound firm and earnest, emphasising that she had come here just to see Dongdong, this being wholly unrelated to Xu Tingsheng.

She had said yesterday that she would come, but Xu Tingsheng had not thought that it would be so soon. The problem was that...Dongdong was currently…

There was really no way that he could hide it.

“Wait for me. I’ll be right there.”

Seeing Xu Tingsheng answer a call before running off, the female seniors gazed bemusedly at one another, unable to make heads or tails of the situation for a time.

Still, there was one thing they could be certain of, and that was that this junior did not seem like someone who got angry easily. From what they had heard about Xu Tingsheng and seen of him in the university over this period of time, his behaviour was rather good.

Therefore, he was not a bad guy, and that meant that he could be bullied.

Therefore, there was no way they would be returning him the dog so easily.

It was more than a twenty minutes walk from the entrance of the academy city to Yanzhou University’s C District.

Still, Xu Tingsheng never drove his G500 in the university, with the car usually being kept with Huang Yaming. Not having a car, he ran to the fourth year male dormitories and yelled a few times before Fang Yuqing who was still sleeping got someone to bring down the keys of his decrepit Volkswagen.

This being a Sunday, Fang Yuqing, Fu Cheng as well as his own roommates were all still in bed.

This was very important to Xu Tingsheng. It was because of this that he knew for sure that they would not see Xiang Ning.

This was especially so when Fang Yuqing knew of Xiang Ning’s name as well as had seen her before, just not having connected her name to her face.

Soon, as the fourth year female seniors were about to go back to sleep or were in the midst of happily eating breakfast like those of Room 408, a car pulled up in front of the building.

“Hey, junior’s back again!” Someone yelled.

A short while later, the onlookers had all surged back out again, all filled with curiosity as to what sort of plan Xu Tingsheng who had just suffered a tragic defeat might have in mind this time.

On the car, Little Xiang Ning was still unaware of the situation. Xu Tingsheng had hurriedly come and picked her up, after which she had tried her best to maintain an indifferent, uninterested look towards Uncle, just asking, “Where’s Dongdong? Dongdong?”

Uncle just smiled awkwardly, not replying her as he simply drove her over to a female dormitory.

Through the window, Little Xiang Ning spotted a full eight floors of corridors of female university students rapidly congregating. In the neighbouring buildings, there were also some others, both male and female, who had woken up early and were slowly coming out to look in their direction.

“What’s this? Why are there so many people?” Little Xiang Ning asked somewhat nervously.

“Dongdong’s been kidnapped, right here in this building. I called for it, but it wouldn’t come down,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Xiang Ning said, “Oh?”

Xu Tingsheng proposed, “How about you try calling it down in a bit?”

Xiang Ning considered this for a moment before nodding, “Okay.”

The female seniors saw Xu Tingsheng going around the car and opening the passenger seat’s door, even carefully using his hand to block the top of the doorframe as he was the very image of a professional chauffeur.

“So, what major figure has come?”

Chapter 254: Growing up

Able to let Xu Tingsheng rush over in such a haste, bearing such a respectful attitude...everyone felt that it was definitely some major figure.

“He wouldn’t have roped Vice-Principal Niu in to ask for his dog back, right? That would really be a forceful use of authority.”

“To get a Vice-Principal as reinforcements over a dog, over a joke, that just can’t be, right?”

Speculations were rife as everyone watched on.

Then, beneath countless curious gazes, surpassing everyone’s speculations without exception, a pretty, delicate figure got off from the car.

A light green blouse, a pleated skirt that reached the knees, canvas shoes, silk hairband, red backpack, and that pretty, intricate face, along with that nervous, uneasy expression that was somewhat shy…

The rays of the morning sun shone down on her face, a sheen of light gently illuminating it.

So, it was a little lady?

“The little lady’s rather pretty…”

“Huh, lucky that she’s still a little lady.”

“It looks like she’s just fifteen or sixteen, right?”

“Hey, do you girls think that she’s…”

“From the looks of it, she should be Xu Tingsheng’s little sister or something?”

Feeling rather shy from all the eyes that were on her, Little Xiang Ning turned to look at Xu Tingsheng, asking him in a low tone, “Where do I shout to? Where’s Dongdong?”

Xu Tingsheng looked upstairs. Dongdong had not appeared.

“Senior, where’s the dog?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It’s on the balcony at the back, eating,” The female senior smiled slyly.

“Return it to me.”

“We didn’t say we wouldn’t! Come up and collect him yourself, junior, or yell it down. How about...be prepared to buy breakfast us again tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, we big sisters will see how our mood is before deciding. Right, the dog’s still happily having fun here.”

The senior had a triumphant expression on her face as she spoke.

Xu Tingsheng was a nice guy, Xu Tingsheng dared not enter the female dormitory, and most importantly, that Golden Retriever did not listen to Xu Tingsheng at all. These seniors were all well aware of this. With all these factors coupled together, they felt that they had Xu Tingsheng thoroughly in their grasp.

Little Xiang Ning gripped the straps of her backpack as she watched Xu Tingsheng conversing merrily with a bunch of university girls. Also, it seemed he had even bought them breakfast…

Little Xiang Ning felt a little unhappy.

She was unhappy with Xu Tingsheng, and unhappy with those big sisters as well.

“I’m shouting!” Little Xiang Ning broke off the conversation between Xu Tingsheng and the female seniors, saying in a huff.

“Go on,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Little Xiang Ning raised her head and took in a deep breath before delicately calling out, “Dongdong!”

Perhaps due to her nervousness, her voice was not loud as many female seniors from the higher floors were even unable to hear it clearly.

“So, Xu Tingsheng’s idea is to find a little lady to come and call out like this?”

The female seniors who had just been feeling slightly uneasy instantly relaxed now.

“It looks like it didn’t work! You should probably…”

Just as a female senior was still in mid-speech.

Two barks resounded from inside Room 408 before a white silhouette frenziedly dashed out. Dongdong glanced over the railing, then immediately turned and sped down the staircase…

In the blink of an eye, the Golden Retriever Dongdong who had refused to heed Xu Tingsheng’s yells no matter what earlier had already arrived downstairs.

It fist ran two rounds around the little lady who had just called it down with various ingratiating actions before sitting obediently by her feet.

“Hmph, I’ll scold you later,” Little Xiang Ning patted Dongdong’s head before opening the car door and saying, “Get on.”

Dongdong obediently leapt onto the back seat of the car.

“Didn’t this Golden Retriever ignore Xu Tingsheng no matter how he yelled? How is it this obedient now?”

Beneath the incredulous sighs of the female seniors, Xiang Ning hurriedly got on as well.

Xu Tingsheng waved to them, “Thanks for your help in looking after Dongdong, seniors!”

Then, he too got on the car, revving up the engine and zooming away into the distance.

……

Little Xiang Ning berated Dongdong throughout the journey. ‘Silly’, ‘stupid’, ‘disobedient’, ‘shameless’...all followed by the same sentence, “Someone definitely led you astray. You weren’t like this before.”

Xu Tingsheng faked a cough, but Xiang Ning simply ignored him. He dared not rebut her.

Despite her rebukes, Xiang Ning still took off her backpack, pulling out a big bag of snacks which she promptly fed to Dongdong.

“Where’re we going now?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I want to play with Dongdong for a while,” Xiang Ning said, “Can we play in your university? The field, somewhere spacious, anywhere’s fine.”

This was what Xu Tingsheng was most afraid of. If they stayed in the campus and they later encountered Fu Cheng, Fang Yuqing or Tan Yao who asked, “What’s your name, little lady?”

As soon as Xiang Ning replied, the earth would have exploded.

If they ran into Li Linlin, how would they be able to explain it?

Thinking about this, Xu Tingsheng said, “If you play in here, aren’t you afraid that there’ll be a bunch of people constantly watching you like just now?”

Little Xiang Ning considered this, indeed finding it quite a terrifying prospect as she said, “Find me a place where there isn’t anyone then. You choose the place.”

They ended up going to the sandy beach further down from the riverside residence.

Little Xiang Ning ran and leapt about with Dongdong, playing for over an hour as the entire beach was filled with her joyful laughter. She might not have been this relaxed for a long time.

Xu Tingsheng found a grassy slope and lay down, quietly watching the scenes before him and listening to her laughter that could constantly be heard.

This had once been all that he had yearned for.

Finally, Little Xiang Ning grew fatigued, letting Dongdong run around on the sandy beach by itself as she came over and sat down beside Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng looked at his watch, “It’s 10am now. Shouldn’t you be going home? Otherwise, your parents will be angry. Also, you definitely cannot tell them that you came to look for me.”

“I came to look for Dongdong.”

After emphasising this, Xiang Ning thought for a moment before saying, “I know, I won’t say it. Really, I don’t know what it is with Mum and Dad. They used to like you a lot.”

Xu Tingsheng wanted to say, “Isn’t that all because of you?”

In the end, he just smiled and said nothing.

After a while, Little Xiang Ning sighed, “It’s fine. I got Su Nannan to come to my house in the morning before going out. Because of that, they think that I’m with Su Nannan right now! I told Mum that I’d eat lunch before going back, then wait for Sis Teacher to tutor me in the afternoon.”

“One more thing,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“What?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It’s been so long since I last ate the food you cooked.”

Now, Little Xiang Ning clasped Xu Tingsheng’s arm with both hands, shaking it ever so lightly.

Xu Tingsheng instantly lost all will to resist as he stood up and smiled, “Well, let’s go then.”

……

The second floor of the riverside residence.

Sitting on the sofa in the living room, Little Xiang Ning again questioned Xu Tingsheng who was hard at work in the kitchen, “Xu Tingsheng, do you really not stay here usually?”

She had already asked this several times. Ever since she had sneakily come upstairs and entered, seeing so many female-related articles in the living room, she had begun feeling somewhat unhappy and ill at ease.

It was only after Xu Tingsheng had repeatedly told her that he really did not stay there usually that she felt better.

Xu Tingsheng answered her again before saying, “Entertain yourself. I’ll be off cooking hard.”

From Xu Tingsheng’s current point of view, this was Little Xiang Ning’s first time at his home. While he had not been in time to make other preparations, his cooking definitely could not be sub-par here.

Little Xiang Ning made an affirmative noise before ceasing to speak.

Perhaps because she woke up early that day, also having worn herself out playing earlier, she was already asleep on the sofa when Xu Tingsheng completed the first dish and brought it out.

Xu Tingsheng stood there and watched her for a while. The little girl who was as restless in her sleep as in his previous life suddenly rolled over even as she slept, nearly tumbling off the sofa. He hurriedly took a pillow and placed it there to keep her from falling.

After shifting her body and finding a slightly stabler position, Little Xiang Ning did not even open her eyes as she continued to sleep.

After a moment’s hesitation, Xu Tingsheng carefully scooped up her slender body, carrying her into his room and gently placing her down on his bed.

Yet, Little Xiang Ning just happened to wake up with this. She blearily looked around and saw the room, the bed, as well as that arm which had still yet to be completely retracted from her and the Uncle who was in close proximity to her as he gazed at her...

“The way Uncle’s looking at me is so strange…”

The next moment, Little Xiang Ning’s entire face flushed red as she tensed up completely.

“Xu Tingsheng, you dirty ruffian, you…” Little Xiang Ning glared at Xu Tingsheng, exclaiming nervously.

Xu Tingsheng retracted his hand, smiling wryly, “I what?”

Little Xiang Ning paused for a moment, perhaps having understood it or perhaps feeling shy as she tilted her head and buried it in a pillow, saying softly, “You know what I’m talking about, you dirty ruffian.”

“Is she trying to malign me here?”

A wronged Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt mischievous as he crouched slightly downwards, closing in on the side of Little Xiang Ning’s face and feigning awkwardness as he untruthfully confessed, “Actually, just now...I...really…”

Little Xiang Ning’s head abruptly spun around to look at Xu Tingsheng, her mouth opened wide in astonishment as she stared straight at him.

Xu Tingsheng nodded, indicating: What you’re thinking is right.

While she still felt that Uncle wouldn’t harm her, Little Xiang Ning was still frightened by this as she hesitated for a long time, still unable to string together any appropriate sentence as she could only shrink back her entire body, saying softly and pitifully, “But I’m still very young.”

Xu Tingsheng resisted the urge to smile as he asked, “Didn’t you say that you’ve grown?”

Little Xiang Ning hesitated for a moment before explaining earnestly, “Yes, but in truth, I’m still small right now.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Still small?”

Little Xiang Ning nodded earnestly, saying solemnly, “Right.”

“Why’re you still so small? Haven’t you already been drinking papaya soup?”

As the words left Xu Tingsheng’s mouth, he saw Xiang Ning’s entire body visibly tremble.

He had not thought that it was this sentence which possessed the highest killing power. This was because as opposed to those still doubtful things from earlier, what he had just said...had indeed definitely happened, being something that the girl had thoroughly kept to herself without even daring to mention to her best friend.

As for what lay behind this secret, wasn’t it because she had been offended by a certain someone?

After that incident in the Taekwondo practice room that day, once in a while, when Little Xiang Ning was alone in her room or bathing, she would remember those words, the line from that poem that he had mentioned that day...she would think of the other girls in her dorm room, especially Su Nannan…

It was with the utmost helplessness that Little Xiang Ning had been forced to resort to this!

“Youyouyou,” Little Xiang Ning said nervously, “How did you know?”

Xu Tingsheng was not worried about this in the slightest. Was there even a chance that Little Xiang Ning might dare to go ask Li Linlin about this?

“Don’t you be concerned about how I know it,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I’m just being concerned about you. That...has it been effective?”

“Wah!”

Little Xiang Ning flung out a pillow before angrily stomping at Xu Tingsheng. Then, she tugged at the blanket beside her and buried herself beneath it, feeling nervous, angry, pitiful, shy...not speaking a word.

Still, she pricked up her ears and listened intently for anything that might be going on outside.

Quite some time passed, but nothing was audible outside of the blanket as all as Little Xiang Ning puzzledly, cautiously peeked out from beneath it...where was he?

Little Xiang Ning unconsciously uttered an inquisitive noise.

Xu Tingsheng’s voice immediately resounded from outside the door, “You get some sleep first. I’ll call you when lunch is ready.”

“Okay!” Xiang Ning responded loudly before burying her head back into the pillow, only half her face being visible. After thinking about things for a while, she actually, truly, just as peacefully as that, fell fast asleep on this strange, foreign bed.

Chapter 255: Carefully observe this safety belt

Lunch was fully laid out on the table.

Xu Tingsheng entered the room barefooted before sitting down on the floorboards by the bed.

Xiang Ning who had been all curled up like a startled hare just earlier was already fast asleep with her limbs all sprawled around messily now.

This was no different from his previous life, where Xiang Ning had also habitually slept in this way, requesting for absolute silence in her surroundings as she rolled about the entire bed a good couple of times, sleeping messily in various disorderly postures.

She inhaled and exhaled gently, with her long eyebrows shivering slightly from time to time.

The person whom he had failed in one life and was eternally on his mind for two was sleeping in front of him just like that, in a position where he could truly reach out and touch her. Meanwhile, he sat on the floorboards by his bed and gazed at her, with even the rhythm of their breathing synchronising slowly after a time.

Xu Tingsheng wished that he could stop time.

Sadly, she was still Little Xiang Ning, the Xiang Ning who had to go for tutoring in the afternoon.

“Xiang Ning,” Xu Tingsheng gently called.

“Hmmm?” Xiang Ning blearily opened her eyes, reaching out and pinching Xu Tingsheng’s arm before flinging it aside, “I still wanna sleep for a while. Stop disturbing me, Uncle.”

Her lazy tone and those words caused Xu Tingsheng to feel like this was some morning of his previous life, unfolding between Uncle who had finished making breakfast and his Miss Xiang.

If this was his previous life, Uncle should go and kiss her earlobe now. She would immediately leap up, and then Uncle would plant a deep kiss on her forehead to soothe her emotions...if he did not do so, Miss Xiang would be going on and on about it with Uncle for the rest of that day.

Yet, this junior high student before him did truly have to go for tutoring that afternoon!

“Wake up, it’s time for lunch. You’ve still got tutoring in the afternoon.”

Xu Tingsheng unconsciously spoke in a gentle manner. People weren’t easily roused by gentle voices.

Xiang Ning’s eyes remained closed, “But I’m very sleepy.”

Just like this, more than twenty minutes passed before Xu Tingsheng was finally able to get Xiang Ning out of bed and in front of the dining table.

As if she had already forgotten that awkwardness from earlier, Xiang Ning ate very relaxedly and happily, all the way until...Xu Tingsheng carried out a pot of soup in a secretive manner. Xiang NIng removed the lid of the pot for a look…

She was tempted to throw the whole pot lid right in Uncle’s face.

“Xu Tingsheng, you ruffian!”

Xiang Ning stomped on Xu Tingsheng’s foot beneath the table.

Xu Tingsheng just smiled triumphantly, not saying a word.

After a while, Xiang Ning glared vehemently at Xu Tingsheng. In the end, though, she still did serve herself a bowl of papaya soup, next gulping it down in big mouthfuls as though venting her dissatisfaction with Uncle. Of course, she served him a bowl of it as well.

“I don’t need this, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Don’t care,” Xiang Ning said.

“What if mine eventually wind up bigger than yours …”

“Bang.”

Xu Tingsheng’s foot got stomped on again.

After eating, Xu Tingsheng cleared the things from the table, temporarily leaving the dishes and cutlery unwashed as he prepared to send Xiang Ning off. When he exited the kitchen, however, she was no longer in the living room.

Pushing open the door to his room, he found that she was actually curled up on his bed again.

“I’m tired again,” Seeing Xu Tingsheng, Little Xiang Ning muttered guiltily before burying herself entirely under the covers, ignoring his chiding and grabbing onto the blanket as she resisted his attempts to get it off her…

“I’m really very tired,” Xiang Ning said all huddled up beneath the blanket.

“I don’t believe you. You were clearly very energetic just a moment ago,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“But I’m tired again after having eaten.”

“That’s a pig. You’ve still got tutoring.”

“The tutoring will only begin at 3pm.”

“You’ve got to count in the bus time.”

“You’ll send me back.”

“How would I dare to…”

Upon hearing Xu Tingsheng say this, Xiang Ning pulled the blanket off herself.

“I’ll send you for a portion of the journey. You catch a bus for the rest,” Xu Tingsheng continued.

He dared not send her too near to her home. He was afraid that if he did so, Mr or Mrs Xiang might catch a glimpse of it…

Xiang Ning knew what Xu Tingsheng meant. Therefore, she pulled off the blanket herself.

“Xu Tingsheng, actually, I’m not tired,” Xiang Ning confessed, “I just don’t feel like leaving. I want to stay here for a little while longer.”

Xiang Ning had always possessed a frank, straightforward personality. She was even adorably shameless sometimes, such as when they had gotten into a fight and broken up in his previous life. She would give a blatant, overt lie, such as claiming that her wallet was missing. Then, she would only allow Uncle to break up with her after they had managed to find it together.

They definitely wouldn’t be able to find that wallet. As for breaking up...that would therefore be impossible.

She was the kind of girl who would be courageous after having fallen in love, magnanimity actually forming the greater part of this courage...where other girls would be sulking in a fit of anger, she was willing to be magnanimous and solve things between them in an adorable way.

She might still have yet to fall in love with Xu Tingsheng in this life.

She might not have thought about this problem seriously yet, and Xu Tingsheng too still dared not ask her about it.

At the very least, however, she was courageous enough to voice out her thoughts and feelings, admitting her reliance on him.

As for Xu Tingsheng, he wasn’t.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Xiang Ning continued, “After leaving this time, it may be a long, long time before I can see...before I can see Dongdong again...and I also can’t just call Dongdong.”

It was definitely not Dongdong that she was talking about, or at least not just Dongdong.

“Xiang Ning.”

“Hmmm?”

“...”

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing.”

He still didn’t say what he wanted to in the end.

Xiang Ning thought for a moment before sitting up, folding the blanket properly and pulling the bedsheet straight, “Xu Tingsheng, I’m going.”

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng said.

……

Xu Tingsheng parked his car at an empty street close to the bus station.

Xiang Ning who should actually have been getting off the car suddenly sat straight upright, not even turning to look at him as she said, “Xu Tingsheng, look.”

Xu Tingsheng asked bemusedly, “What is it?”

“Uh...safety belt,” Xiang Ning said.

“Safety belt?”

Xu Tingsheng’s thought processes were completely unable to keep up with hers.

“Oh, you’re so stupid,” Xiang Ning thought for a moment before scooting closer to him and whispering into his ear, “I, I think that I may not become Hua Mulan in the future, get what I mean, Xu Tingsheng? Recently...hey, just take a look yourself if you don’t believe me.”

Xu Tingsheng understood what she meant. As a girl wore a safety belt, it would pass...between.

So, looking at the safety belt was actually about this.

Xu Tingsheng glanced over, giving a conciliatory ‘Wow’.

Actually, Xiang Ning had also been far from the extent of Hua Mulan in his previous life. It was just that he had no way of explaining this to her now, telling her what size she would become.

That would be even more terrifying than a godly swindler. Which godly swindler could even predict something like this?

Let alone godly swindlers, even grandmasters would not be able to do this! Imagine a grandmaster with a lofty, refined air about him solemnly prophesying to a young girl, “Young lady, this old man predicts that you will approximately be a C in the future. If fortune descends, it may even be possible to attain a D.”

Then, the young lady pleaded, “Please, grandmaster, such fortune...how might I encounter it?”

Stroking his long beard, the grandmaster said profoundly, “Alright, you and I having met today, it can be none other than fate. I just happen to have an ancestral Ample Breasts Talisman here…”

What sort of scene was this?

Xiang Ning did not know about Xu Tingsheng’s imagination running wild. She was in high spirits over that ‘wow’ as she undid her safety belt and got off the car. She waved, bidding him farewell. Dongdong barked in the backseat.

Xu Tingsheng continued watching her all throughout, all the way till she got onto a public bus.

Chapter 256: Chen Jianxing’s tale

That ‘wow’ from earlier had actually been pretty fake.

Of course, Xu Tingsheng had no way of telling Little Xiang Ning that he had only just casually mentioned it. They had already been pretty okay before. Wrong, not pretty okay, but just nice. Also, he liked them that way, having gotten used to it as well.

Of course, this referred to the the original 22-year-old Xiang Ning.

After sending Little Xiang Ning away, Xu Tingsheng was a little out of sorts that afternoon. Still, due to having met with Xiang Ning, there was something else which he remembered, this being a long overdue meal.

Chen Jianxing was actually rather surprised to receive Xu Tingsheng’s call. Following that ‘park incident’, Xu Tingsheng who had said that he would treat him to a meal afterwards had actually not contacted him again at all.

“Our levels have ultimately still been drawn completely apart.”

This was what Chen Jianxing had been thinking over this period of time. Just after having made the decision to try to strengthen his relationship with Xu Tingsheng, he had suddenly discovered that he already seemed no longer to possess the qualifications for such.

Chen Jianxing had personally witnessed the scale of the incident at the park that day. He had also been paying constant attention to Xu Tingsheng's development. Without even having been instructed by him, he had even helped to make a few positive reports for Hucheng afterwards.

Yet, the other party seemed to already no longer need him at all, he who was merely from a city-based newspaper.

As for the meal that Xu Tingsheng had previously mentioned, Chen Jianxing had believed that he had already completely forgotten about it. He also lacked the ability to mind this. In truth, in this past one over month, some major changes had wholly overtaken his life.

Xu Tingsheng's call had come in at just the right time.

“Bro Chen, I'd like to ask-are you free today? If you are, how about we have dinner together?” Xu Tingsheng asked over the phone.

Chen Jianxing who had been sitting dismally in his rented room for that entire day put down the photo album he was holding, adjusting his mood as he asked, “Yeah, I'm free. Where shall we meet?”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before saying, “Bro Chen should be more familiar with Yanzhou than I am. How about you pick a place for me?”

Chen Jianxing thought about it, “Okay then, I'll arrange it. How many people will be coming over on your side?”

The reason for him asking this was that he had actually experienced many such meals before...there would usually be many people with various titles there whom he did not recognise at all, with him being a mere accompaniment most of the time.

“It’ll just be me over here,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Does Bro Chen want to bring any friends or family members along? That would be nice; I haven't had the chance to meet Sister-in-law and your kid yet. “

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say this, Chen Jianxing's face turned somewhat pale and tragic as he said, “I'll be alone too.”

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Jianxing continued, “It'll be just the two of us then. Since that's so, I'd like to ask first-does Brother Xu mind drinking a bit of wine? What I mean is-I’m in the mood for drinking right now, actually.”

Sensing something strange in his tone, Xu Tingsheng considered this for a moment before saying, “Okay.”

“I'll call you in a while then,” Chen Jianxing said.

“Alright. I'll be troubling Bro Chen with this,” Xu Tingsheng said.

After hanging up, Chen Jianxing washed his face, found the big suitcase from the corner of the room in which his clothes were stored and opened it, intending to find something slightly more presentable to wear. Every article of clothing inside the suitcase was clean and folded up neatly as from them emanated the fragrance of sunlight and soap.

Chen Jianxing quickly closed that suitcase before his mood could deteriorate any further.

…...

They ate dinner at a relatively high-class family restaurant.

The restaurant was located slightly away from the more bustling districts. It was composed completely of private rooms which could seat two to more than twenty people. Its ambience was refined as well. Xu Tingsheng and a rather dishevelled-looking Chen Jianxing entered a room for two together.

Chen Jianxing was a person who valued ‘propriety’ greatly. He had been dressed all neatly even during that first time when they had met in the Citizens Square.

Seeing how he looked and remembering his words over the phone, Xu Tingsheng sensed that something should be the matter with Chen Jianxing who was therefore likely to try and get himself drunk.

Therefore, after the first glass of wine, Xu Tingsheng raised a hand and stopped Chen Jianxing who had been about to immediately raise his refilled glass.

“Let’s eat first, Bro Chen,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m afraid that you might get drunk. Let’s discuss proper matters first. I’ve actually always remembered that incident at the park and those articles you wrote about Hucheng afterwards. It’s just that I’ve been very busy over this period of time…”

However, looking at his hand that was about to go to his bag, Chen Jianxing forced a smile, “Wait! I know, there must be an envelope inside your bag now that you intend to give to me.”

“Can I not take it this time?” Chen Jianxiang asked, “If I take it, I won’t be able to drink this wine. I want to speak to you as I would a friend.”

Xu Tingsheng was momentarily taken aback by this. There might indeed be many people in this world who did not have someone that they could speak unreservedly to.

He retracted his hand, raising his second glass of wine.

Soon, Chen Jianxing fell into a semi-intoxicated state. Then, Xu Tingsheng came to learn the gist of his current situation.

Chen Jianxing had gotten a divorce three days ago, the marriage being terminated with no assets falling to him whatsoever.

Also, he might soon be transferred, thereon becoming a member of the management board of the city’s Publicity Department at the tender age of 34.

Xu Tingsheng actually did not want to hear the rest of Chen Jianxing’s story at all.

Chen Jianxing had forsaken his wife and daughter as he intended to marry a woman who was two years older than him and had been twice divorced. This woman’s father was an important official of Yanzhou City’s municipal party committee.

“My wife cried for a whole month, refusing to sign the divorce papers. I threatened her with suicide.”

Chen Jianxing said, “Finally, just three days ago, she called me, asked me to come home...she said that she had already signed it. I went home, and she had already packed up all my stuff for me. When I left, my daughter was crying all throughout, constantly asking me where I was going. I said not a single word.”

“Why?” Xu Tingsheng asked the first question that he had asked that night.

“Wait till I get a little more drunk,” Chen Jianxing said.

More than an hour later, Xu Tingsheng was no longer able to judge with finality if Chen Jianxing’s actions were right or wrong.

Chen Jianxing was not a local resident of Yanzhou, having once worked in a rather more remote place. Eight years ago, he had met his current wife during a large scale training activity.

The two were very compatible as they had fallen in love at first sight, their feelings for each other only growing as time went by.

Chen Jianxing had been feeling most pained and troubled back then by the fact that he had no way of getting transferred to Yanzhou. Yet, he could also not bear his wife, still his girlfriend at the time, having to move all the way to that remote city of his to work.

He had proposed a breakup because of this. His wife had refused, saying that she knew a method to get everything sorted out.

Then, Chen Jianxing had been incomparably joyful upon discovering that he had been transferred to this news agency just two short months later, this being the exact same news agency where his wife worked.

Things had quickly borne fruit between the two.

It was only more than a year after their blissful married life with their daughter having been born that Chen Jianxing had suddenly wondered thus: His wife came from an ordinary family, having no unique background as she was just a normal public servant...just how had she managed to get him transferred back then?

This question had constantly plagued Chen Jianxing like a thorn in his heart.

Finally, after half a year of frenzied investigations, Chen Jianxing discovered that his wife had actually been the mistress of their news agency’s Vice-Chief for two years prior to their marriage.

In addition, almost everyone in the news agency seemed to know about this.

Everyone except for him, Chen Jianxing.

Chapter 257: Paying respects to the dangers and warmth of this world (1)

“Back then, I didn't divorce her in the end, “ Chen Jianxing said.

Back then, after Chen Jianxing had given his ultimatum, his wife had sworn the most vicious of oaths that after the two had been married, she had had no further interactions with that bigwig. Additionally considering their child who had just been born a few months ago, she successfully managed to convince Chen Jianxing against truly getting that divorce.

Chen Jianxing thus bided his time as he sought to have his revenge in the future.

Afterwards, Mrs Chen was transferred away from the news agency and to a leisurely vocation. She devoted all her energies on tending to their household.

That bigwig did naturally still look for her. Still, she would refuse him every time, also recounting this in full to Chen Jianxing without fail afterwards such that his imagination would not run wild.

Because of this, Chen Jianxing who had previously been seeking to leave the news agency stayed in the end, pretending not to be aware of anything at all as he worked hard and acted appropriately, gradually rising through the ranks as a result.

“Back then, I always thought that I, this mad dog, would surely get a chance to bite him dead in the future,” Chen Jianxing said.

In the end, before Chen Jianxing had successfully entered the higher echelons and gotten a chance to take him down, that bigwig who possessed a mighty background had been transferred over to the City's Publicity Department.

The farewell dinner lasted till very late at night.

That day, the Vice-Chief who was high in his triumph over his smooth-sailing career expressly asked Chen Jianxing to send him home after the event ended.

On the car, he hooked an arm over Chen Jianxing’s shoulder, saying, “What a very interesting turtle you are. Been laying low all waiting to have a bite at me, have you?”

Then, he spoke of two things.

First, he had taken the virginity of Chen Jianxing’s wife.

Secondly, Chen Jianxing’s wife had been on his bed up till the day right before their marriage.

Chen Jianxing had been on the brink of erupting. Still, it was true that both these incidents had occurred only prior to them getting married.

Afterwards, the Vice-Chief spoke of a third incident.

“Aren't you curious as to how you received one of those flats that were distributed as bonuses? You've got to thank me for that, and your wife as well…of course, I've also got you to thank. If not for trash like you, it would’ve been useless however I’d tried to approach your wife, right? “

When the news agency had distributed the flats, Chen Jianxing’s daughter had already been two years old.

Having heard that this might be the final batch of these flats that were distributed as bonuses, because they would not have to pay much for such flats, this had held an incomparably great allure towards Chen Jianxing’s family of three which had never been all that well off financially.

However, in terms of both qualifications and position, Chen Jianxing’s chances of being granted one of these flats back then had seemed low indeed.

Chen Jianxing had looked melancholic and depressed all day, sighing repeatedly. His wife patiently consoled and pacified him initially. In the end, perhaps really being unable to take it, the consolations had turned into arguments. During the worst of it, his wife had even left their daughter behind, returning to her maiden home for three days.

Three days later, Chen Jianxing’s wife had returned on her own accord and apologised to him.

“Afterwards, I managed to get one of the flats. Ninety square metres! Our whole family was overjoyed. Both my wife and I cried,” Chen Jianxing said, “I always thought that that was a result of the gifts that I gave to the higher-ups in management. But actually… “

It was only then that Chen Jianxing knew where his wife had gone those three days she had purportedly returned to her maiden home, how their flat had been obtained.

“Should I have stabbed him to death right there and then?” Chen Jianxing was already too drunk to even lift up his head at this point.

He actually did not require an answer from Xu Tingsheng. Xu Tingsheng also had no way of answering him by telling him what choice he should have made. That could only come from his own thoughts at the time as well as afterwards. It might not definitely be related to bravery.

After sending the Vice-Chief home and himself returning home that night, Chen Jianxing calmly took a bath and went to bed, not saying anything at all. In the days that followed, he maintained his calmness, continuing to work hard to earn money as he diligently strove for higher and better.

Even though he was still living in such a flat every day.

“There were originally two targets of my revenge, one of them being my wife,” Chen Jianxing said.

Chen Jianxing had always been waiting for a chance to get his revenge.

Half a year ago, he had been promoted to an office chairman, his interactions with the higher echelons gradually increasing…then, he had gotten to know the daughter of this bigwig who was ‘known far and wide’ for being a two time divorcee.

Soon, he had captured the woman's heart.

At the time, two years had already passed since that Vice-Chief had been transferred.

Chen Jianxing’s chance had finally arrived.

“The first person I intended to take revenge against was my wife. Actually, she still thinks that I don't know about the flat even now. Two years ago, I wished for her reputation to be wrecked every single day, every passing day feeling like a year to her...suddenly losing me, our daughter, our flat, her job…everything. I wanted to force her to die,” Chen Jianxing said.

That day, Chen Jianxing had intended to call over his wife's parents and relatives after going home, exposing all her misdeeds in front of them before righteously kicking her out of the household.

…She would surely die with that.

Yet, when Chen Jianxiang returned home, chicken soup was currently being brewed on the stove, its fragrance slowly drifting over. His obedient daughter was sitting quietly in her room doing her homework, and his wife with an apron around her waist was making use of the time when the soup was boiling to hang the clothes out to dry…

Over the years, those two incidents aside, Chen Jianxing had to admit that she been a virtually perfect wife. She worked hard to maintain the family, being an understanding and gentle person who almost never got into any arguments with him. In order to avoid him having his thoughts run wild, she did not even have any social interactions with others outside of career and family...

Chen Jianxing stood at the doorway for a long time, till his wife finished hanging the clothes out to dry and discovered him standing there.

“What’re you standing at the door for? Come in, wash your hands and get ready to eat,” His wife said, “Oh no, look, the soup’s almost overflowing already…”

“I want a divorce,” Chen Jianxing said.

“What? I didn’t quite catch what you said.”

His wife who had already entered the kitchen did not hear his words. She quickly rushed back over with the pot of soup in her hands to listen earnestly to his words, even having a bit of an ingratiating smile on her face.

She had always been like this in their interactions, subservient and in a position of lesser power.

“I want a divorce,” Chen Jianxing said.

“Bang!”

The entire pot of chicken soup fell out of his wife’s hands and crashed onto the floor before his wife knelt down amidst the remnants of the soup and the fragmented shards of the pot, “Didn’t you already forgive me for that incident before our marriage? We’ve been fine all these years.”

For some reason, Chen Jianxing did not mention the matter of their flat in the end as he just said, “It’s my bad, I can’t handle it anymore. Let’s get a divorce, you can have everything. The kid, the flat, the money, you can have all of it...I saved quite a bit of money these past two years. I’ll give you the card in a while.”

Chen Jianxing who had originally wanted to take everything away from his wife and have his revenge on her still changed his mind in the end in what might be the final gentleness of this man who was hell-bent on getting his vengeance.

“I don’t want all these. Please don’t leave me, okay?” His wife wept even as she pleaded.

“Just take it as me repaying you for our matrimony all this while,” Chen Jianxing said.

“I don’t want it! Please, for the sake of our daughter. Don’t abandon us two, okay?”

His wife wept as she kowtowed and pleaded agonisedly. Their daughter ran out of her room as well. Not knowing what was going on, she too began crying.

“I’ll leave our daughter to you. I…” Chen Jianxing said the name of that woman and the decision he had made before concluding, “Please get out of my way.”

As Chen Jianxing had left his home that night, with every step that he took, his wife and their daughter had each hugged and clung on to one of his legs, refusing to let go no matter what.

Over a month later, his wife finally agreed to a divorce.

The clothes that Chen Jianxing wanted to take with him were thoroughly washed clean and folded up neatly by his wife before being packed inside a suitcase. As for his other belongings, she had properly packed all of them as well, leaving them in the living room for him to collect…

That day, Chen Jianxing’s daughter had continually asked him why, continually burst into tears.

After handing Chen Jianxing the signed divorce agreement, his wife had made one final request of him, “Can you stay behind and have a meal with me and your daughter? Just one, last time.”

Chen Jianxing had not stayed.

Chapter 258: Paying respects to the dangers and warmth of this world (2)

“Over at the Publicity Department, I’ll be that person’s subordinate again, haha. This time, this mad dog will definitely bite him to death. Definitely,” Chen Jianxing propped himself up against the table with his arms.

Xu Tingsheng saw that bitter resolve contained within his expression.

“It’s that difficult?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Chen Jianxing understood what Xu Tingsheng meant. He was asking: Even after you’ve married that woman and gained such a father-in-law, will it still be that difficult? It still requires that sort of all-out determination and resolve?

“If it were that simple, I wouldn’t have needed to go to this extent. Actually, I already had many things on him before. I nearly couldn’t stop myself from going at him a few times. Still, it wasn’t enough. The more I knew about him, the more I understood that all these weren’t enough at all. Do you know what his current position is?”

Now, Chen Jianxing opened the door, looked outside and closed the door again before leaning closer to Xu Tingsheng and whispering, “Soon to be the department head, probably? Because of those behind him in Yanzhou’s municipal party committee. If I were to bite, how much would be correspondingly affected? It would definitely be all out with heavy casualties all throughout.”

“If that unlucky tool father-in-law of mine knew that I intend to do this, he would definitely kill me before I could do anything. Still, he doesn’t know. Because of that, I’m free to make a move and work on my preparations using his name. Before I can bare my fangs, I’ll tuck my tail in between my legs like an obedient dog.”

Xu Tingsheng was already unable to give any opinion at all at this point.

Chen Jianxing had already waited for many long years. His hatred had not dissipated with time.

He could have stopped and given up, living defeatedly for the rest of his life. He had already lived like this for quite a few years. If he did this, he would at least have a family, a wife and children, and perhaps he would be happy as well.

Yet, he had now decided to go all out, his family already broken and no more as all that remained at stake for him was merely his own life.

Even if he bit down a good couple of people eventually, Chen Jianxing’s enemies would only need some slight remnant power to retaliate against him. At that time, it definitely wouldn’t be something Chen Jianxing who would definitely be ‘cast aside’ at the time could stand against.

While Chen Jianxing might appear scholarly and weak, even a bit cowardly, it might be this that allowed others to underestimate him as he lowered his head and tolerated those who trampled on him, waiting for so many years and caring not about the potential costs as no one would be able to stop him from taking his revenge.

Xu Tingsheng’s mind wavered a little as he could not help but feel slightly disbelieving of things.

A mighty storm had overwhelmed the bureaucracy of Yanzhou in the year 2005, momentous in its intensity as the scope it encompassed had been utterly unprecedented in Jianhai Province.

This was an incident that Xu Tingsheng had known about all along, which he had constantly been waiting coolly to observe as a bystander.

Still, his understanding of this incident ended here. It was precisely because of this that over the past one over year, Xu Tingsheng had maintained a distance from the bureaucracy of Yanzhou, not having received any actual benefits at all from them apart from a little bit of encouragement as he had not reached out to forge connections with them as well.

It was not that he did not want to do it. It was that he dared not to.

Xu Tingsheng was waiting for this storm to pass, afraid of being drawn into it. Even though his accumulated wealth was increasing unceasingly, his status gradually rising, the tsunami that was to come in the bureaucracy was something no one could be much confident of surviving.

What Xu Tingsheng was most astonished about was that the source of it all was actually here, the reason for it actually being this. It was about a love relationship, this usually being a minor matter that seemed inconsequential. Yet, it had been major enough to go down in real history.

And the source of this incident had actually, just so coincidentally, become connected to him.

This connection was still not a deep one, being something that could still be terminated at this point in time. This was what Xu Tingsheng wanted to do now.

Ceasing in his thoughts, Xu Tingsheng knew that the true crux of that meal had still yet to be revealed. Chen Jianxing was definitely waiting for him to ask: Why are you telling me all this?

Xu Tingsheng did not ask him that question, simply retrieving that envelope from his bag and placing it on the table.

“Thank you for all you’ve helped me with in the past, Bro Chen. I’ll go and settle the bill.”

The two were well aware of what this signified. This signified Xu Tingsheng’s attitude with regard to this matter. As soon as he’d left, he would delete Chen Jianxing’s phone number, pretending that he had not heard anything at all that night.

“Help me to take care of my wife and child. If it’s possible, let their lives be a little smoother,” Chen Jianxing said from behind him.

Xu Tingsheng clearly could not dissuade him now by advising him against how his deeds might negatively affect his family.

“I can’t do it. I’m just a university student who runs a small company,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I ran background checks on those people who came to the park that day, every single one of them,” Chen Jianxing said, “I won’t ask you to try to keep me safe. Still, with all those people around, it won’t be too difficult for you to help keep my wife and child safe.”

Xu Tingsheng did not speak.

“One of them is surnamed Fang, and has a very close relationship with you,” Chen Jianxing continued.

Xu Tingsheng did not speak.

Chen Jianxing persisted, “The key is you. The main reason that I chose you is actually you yourself. I’ve investigated all there is to investigate about you. I found it to be inconceivable.”

“Perhaps you believe that you currently still lack power. Still, that doesn’t matter. There’s still two years at least before that father-in-law of mine will step down. I will need at least a years’ time to prepare as well. I can’t predict what extent you will grow to in a year, but it will definitely surpass my imagination.”

Xu Tingsheng did not speak.

“The good thing is that I will help you with all my power over this one year. I will tell you what you can take, and I can help you to take it. I will be very cautious, severing everything which leads back to you such that no one will be able to tell. You needn’t worry; I do not fear death.”

Chen Jianxing was not exaggerating. Though his status was still temporarily insufficient, he was someone who could enter the core social circles. Also, with that experienced first deputy mayor father-in-law of his who only had just that one daughter, there was really quite a lot he could do.

The key thing was that the relationship he was offering to Xu Tingsheng was different from the usual kind between officials and businessmen.

Generally, such a relationship would be that of advantages and remuneration with the mutual interest of both sides being involved. As soon as it deepened, it would be equivalent to them being inextricably linked together, having gotten on the same boat.

As for the relationship offered by Chen Jianxing, it was a pure service type. Not requiring any remuneration was secondary. The main thing was that everything fishy which led back to Xu Tingsheng would be severed, this being equivalent to Xu Tingsheng always standing on the shore and just waiting for the fish to be thrown over to him.

However great the waves were, even if they were at risk of capsizing, no one on the boat would extend a hand towards him.

This was virtually equivalent to having a great, mighty warrior sworn unto death, this being a relationship that was usually virtually impossible to exist between businessmen and officials.

How much benefits could be attained through relationships with the bureaucracy in this day and age? And especially in an economically developed region like Yanzhou and at the level of a first deputy mayor?

This could vastly shorten the time required for Xu Tingsheng’s accumulation of power.

Still, Xu Tingsheng smiled, “All this hold no allure to me at all. Since you’ve investigated me, you should be aware of that. I have no reason to be involved.”

Xu Tingsheng got ready to open the door.

“Help me,” Chen Jianxing said.

Xu Tingsheng opened the door.

“I won’t call you. If you need me, just call me. I’ll wait for your call. Since I’ll surely be biting anyway, I don’t mind biting a few more people. You doing things to this extent, it’s impossible that no one has designs on you.”

“Therefore, this mad dog will definitely be of use to you in some matters. I’ll be even more useful than the Fang Family. The Fang Family has many things they need to consider. I have nothing,” Chen Jianxing continued.

Xu Tingsheng exited the room, paid the bill and left.

If there had still been a glass of wine remaining to toast Chen Jianxing with, Xu Tingsheng actually wanted to say: Toasting you, is equivalent to paying respects to the dangers and warmth of this world.

Chapter 259: Chick Bao overwhelms everyone in mere seconds

Xu Tingsheng soon forget about Chen Jianxing’s matter, or rather tried hard to get himself to forget about it. The allure of power and authority were eternal. These enticing things easily caused people to lose themselves, next falling into precarious situations wholly unaware.

Attending lessons, going back after lessons.

Xu Tingsheng immersed himself in the life of a normal university student.

Zhang Yan had previously mentioned that they would be throwing a joint party for the first and second year students in the Chinese course. It was thus held in the lecture hall of their faculty.

Basically all the two hundred odd people from year one and two attended the event. Even Zhang Yan who was still limping badly came.

Of Room 602, there were only Xu Tingsheng and Li Xingming who were wholly uninvolved in the programmes and games. The two of them sat together at a corner in the second row from the back.

The preparations for this party had been done up hastily. It was not an official event, basically just being filled with performances as well as little games with everyone just happily gathering together and interacting with one another. The event’s main purpose was really for the juniors and seniors to get to know one another better.

As for individual goals, with a platform already having been provided, such was really up to everyone themselves.

Up on stage, the MCs, Tan Yao and some first year girl, had not prepared any script at all apart from the schedule of events. They basically just said whatever they felt like saying. Whenever they could not continue, they would simply start whispering into each other’s ear on the spot, discussing their lines.

Everyone would laugh as they waited for them to reach a conclusion.

In the end, the MC-ing had turned into Tan Yao picking up chicks live.

Not long after the party began, the female junior’s eyes that were on Tan Yao were already radiating light, filled with the glow of love as she blushed repeatedly, turned, pouted prettily.

Li Xingming was filled with righteous indignation at this.

“The heck, this Tan Yao’s really too shameless! The heck, I’d have gone if I’d known. I’d already discarded my face long ago anyway.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “You find a chance later then. So many fresh young chicks out there, and none of them know about your dark history yet. What a great opportunity this is!”

Just considering Xu Tingsheng’s words, Li Xingming’s eyes instantly lit up as he shot up ramrod straight. So excited he was, he was sitting even straighter than a primary school student on their first ever day in school.

Singing.

Magic show.

Next came the skit prepared by the second year students. The cross-dressing guy appeared tragic to the point of being unfit for human eyes. Ninety percent of the audience did not pay attention to the witty lines from the script at all, yet the entire hall was drowned in laughter. Having ‘narrowly escaped the tragic fate of death’, Xu Tingsheng heaved a sigh or relief.

Singing.

Game. The first game which was rather in vogue now was about guessing vocabulary, one side miming and the other side guessing. A team from Room 602 appeared in this game, consisting of Old Wai and Lu Xu. In the end, they got disastrously wrecked by a group of first year juniors.

Next was singing again.

Most students in this era got on through the education system with hardcore rote memorisation. There were basically few who were talented in the arts. As for singing, anyone could try their hand at it. Therefore, the greater portion of the performances consisted simply of singing.

Xu Tingsheng smiled as he heard someone singing Apple’s songs, Rebirth’s songs, as he heard a first year female junior saying as soon as she got on stage, “The song I will be singing today is my favourite song from my favourite band, <The Brightest Star In The Night Sky>.

After the performance, the MC Tan Yao blinked, ‘joking’, “While Rebirth is mysterious, everyone knows that they hail from our Yanzhou University. Therefore, Little Sis, do you believe that your favourites may be sitting in this very room right now?”

Everyone laughed, though no one actually took it seriously.

Amidst the neverending singing, a first year female junior played the violin, this probably being one of the most special things there were to be seen here.

Then, what truly heated things up was the Indian dance of a petite female junior. No one was actually really concerned with how well she was dancing. The most important thing was how that costume she was wearing perfectly revealed her small waist.

And what a good waist it was.

Still, Xu Tingsheng had seen the highest-grade ‘waist’ on Xiang Ning before, therefore not reacting very much to this.

Still, the remaining guys in the room, especially Li Xingming, were all going crazy.

Following these two performances, if one were to say that a competition was secretly ongoing between the first and second years, it seemed as if the second years were doomed to defeat.

“Next up, household of second year’s Lu Xu. Watch the performance for yourself,” Tan Yao said before leading the female MC off the stage by the arm.

More than ten people entered the room. Five guys stood close together in a straight line. The remaining eight people each held one to three wooden boards in their hands as they stood at the ready at various positions and raised them.

Beneath many curious and expectant gazes, with a delicate ‘ha!’, a figure flew into the room...it was that of a girl…

The first year students seeing Chick Bao for the first time collectively gasped, releasing shocked exclamations.

Without any prior warning, the five guys who were lined up in a row lowered their heads.

Chick Bao continued the momentum of her run before leaping straight upwards, soaring over the heads of the five guys as she stretched her body in mid-air. She extended her leg forward. Crack! The wooden boards located right behind the five guys were instantly split right into two.

Crack! Crack!

Before the applause had finished, Chick Bao landed, spun backwards and did a spinning kick, turned and performed a roundhouse kick, kicked backwards, did a smash kick, performed two consecutive kicks with both her legs...

In just a mere few seconds, the wooden boards at all eight locations had been smashed to bits.

Those hands could come together in applause no longer. Some even had their mouths opened wide.

“The performance is over. Thank you, everyone.”

Two guys stepped forward, unfurling a banner: Hucheng Education Taekwondo Training. All are welcome.

Then, Chick Bao walked off with that same cold, aloof expression on her face, not saying a word as she domineeringly led the remaining guys behind her out of the room.

There would be a similar performance for advertising purposes after military training had ended, during the university’s large scale freshmen welcoming party. Still, the scale then would be even greater, more content being put on display. Even Chick Bao’s senior brother who was rumoured to be able to break through walls would be making an appearance.

With this, everyone present regardless of gender fell into a heated frenzy. Chick Bao who had performed here as ‘family’ had completely won back the face of the year two Chinese students.

“That female senior’s so cool, so handsome! I think I’m falling in love with her.”

There were actually more girls than guys who said this.

As for the male juniors, with the male MC having said that Chick Bao had entered as ‘family’, already being taken, all enthusiastic thoughts of theirs could only be concealed amidst their passionate gazes and their heated applause, not being something they could say out loud.

Tan Yao who was always flirting with chicks every few minutes had suffered a complete defeat.

Chick Bao had overwhelmed and won the hearts of everyone, regardless of gender, in mere seconds.

Lu Xu who had come over after that previous game and was currently sitting behind Xu Tingsheng and Li Xingming, his face full of arrogance and triumph, said “That girl whom everyone is so overwhelmed by in admiration of, is mine.”

Which guy would not feel full of bliss at such a statement?

Li Xingning turned, saying to him in a rare serious tone, “Lu Xu, look, such a dazzling girl, and she treats you like a real treasure. You should be feeling contented! Don’t go causing problems once every few days. Can’t you just talk it out properly? Don’t blame me for sticking my nose into things. I really want to see things ultimately working out between the two of you.”

Old Wai added, “I’m waiting to give the two of you a red packet at your wedding.”

Xu Tingsheng believed that Li Xingming’s and Old Wai’s words were heartfelt. In the relationship between Chick Bao and Lu Xu, the former played the role of a guardian with much magnanimity and tolerance, having given so, so much such that things between them continued working out.

As for Lu Xu, he was always like a temperamental, unstable little kid.

Chapter 260: The games proceed

There was a long pause after Old Wai’s and Li Xingming’s words.

Lu Xu shook in laughter, “You mean that...I know, I was inferior to her in the first place. She’s so great, and I’m just a completely useless guy. Still, I’m also not tying her down with anything…?”

Li Xingming and Old Wai were speechless as they exchanged looks, seemingly just unable to understand how Lu Xu could have managed to interpret their words in such a fashion, having even given such a reply.

Xu Tingsheng hauled Lu Xu over and looked at him. Then, he spoke, his words forceful in stark contrast to his calm tone.

“Lu Xu, I actually don’t want to manage your life too much. In my eyes, you’re still just like a kid. Just this once, I’ll ask very seriously for you to be a little more sensible and mature, setting your self-respect and inferiority aside and treasuring things properly...otherwise, when you’re crying and regretting this someday, none of us bros will sympathise with or pay any attention to you.”

Lu Xu was rendered somewhat dazed by Xu Tingsheng’s sudden earnest words of advice.

He remembered how Xu Tingsheng almost never spoke to them in such a manner. Even though everyone unconsciously treated him like their older brother, he behaved in much the same way as them when in their dormitory, messing around with everyone everyday with wild abandon.

“I’ve seen too many people bawling their lungs out if only for a single ‘pill of regret’...no such pill exists in this world,” Xu Tingsheng’s tone eased, becoming warm, sincere, even a little desolate.

Actually, even Xu Tingsheng himself could not understand why he had suddenly been overtaken by emotion at that moment.

Xu Tingsheng usually disliked it, was even very rejecting of it...Acting the role of a mature educator who pried into the lives of others and tried to tell them what to do with the face of a twenty-year-old-this was something he only ever did once in a while with Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming when it seemed necessary.

This time was an exception.

Perhaps it was because Xu Tingsheng had seen too much lost happiness and sad letdowns by ignorant youths in these two lives. Lu Xu and Chick Bao could both be considered friends of his in this life. He believed that Lu Xu did like Chick Bao, just that he was still insensible. Yet…it was likely that...there wasn’t enough time for him to become sensible before the tale came to an end.

People often lose many things that are precious to them in the process of becoming sensible, becoming ‘sensible’ as a result of that ‘loss’. Afterwards, they are only ever able to reminisce. Meanwhile, what was lost can never again be regained.

Like Old Wai and Li Xingming, Xu Tingsheng did not wish to see such a conclusion to this tale.

Lu Xu thought hard for a while before raising his head rather awkwardly, “Bro Xu, Old Wai and Xingming too, sorry for just now. I, I’ll definitely think properly on it, then try my best to change.”

The three reached out and patted Lu Xu’s shoulder in succession.

Lu Xu still had an awkward smile on his face as his phone vibrated. He took it out, placing it on the table and turning it on right before the three.

Chick Bao’s text read: “Sweetheart, wasn’t I amazing just now? Wasn’t I cool? Cold and aloof, handsome and authoritative, slaying enemies all round...countless girls swooned beneath my graceful skirt...sweetheart, aren’t you proud of me? Will you still dare to bully me in the future?”

Lu Xu looked at his three roommates who had just given him advice. Thinking of what they had said to him, his eyes instantly turned red.

“There isn’t anyone who’s better than you, Bao Peijun. I’ve been insensible for so long. Don’t be angry with me and not want me anymore. I will be changing. I really do love you,” Lu Xu replied.

Lu Xu did nothing to hide his typing on his phone. Still, his three roommates were unable to take it any longer as they all turned...that was just so mushy that even their goosebumps were rising.

What should be said had already been said. As for whether or not Lu Xu could truly mature as a result, learning how to treasure those dear to him...there was no one who could truly know this.

……

As they conversed, some dumb game, ‘Carrot Squatting’, was currently ongoing up on stage, leading to peals of laughter resounding all around as everyone was excited beyond compare.

Five minutes passed, then another five.

Everyone had already grown tired of it, grown tired of laughing at it, but this dumb game had still not ended, just being unable to end somehow. Six girls up on stage, two from year two and four from year one...none of them had made a mistake in these ten minutes...and all of them were still completely into it, no one being willing to give up at all.

If this went on, they might really be squatting and rising all the way till daybreak.

Li Xingming drew the others of Room 602 close, saying dirtily, “They’re all...very flexible!”

Standing by the wall, Tan Yao conversed with the female MC in hushed voices for a while.

Then, he stepped forward and called for a temporary halt in the game.

“So,” Tan Yao said, “Since the six beauties on stage definitely can’t be separated in terms of reaction and wits, let’s switch to a test of strength. Not amongst you, but amongst the guys.”

“What do you mean?” Someone asked.

“The six beauties on stage, each of you choose a guy from everyone present and let him carry you...in carrot squatting.”

Right after Tan Yao had said this, wild cheering resounded throughout the entire room. There had finally appeared a game in this event that somewhat had a bit of a ‘matchmaking’ nature.

The only doubtful thing here was how only two of the six girls whom Tan Yao spoke of lived up to the term ‘beauty’, these being the petite chick who had just performed an Indian dance and Zhang Ninglang’s girl with the long plait.

Some well-informed students were saying, “Those two are even from the same dorm room.”

The other four were generally average, though one of them...her tonnage was kind of horrifying.

“So, we’ll begin right away. Beauties, come out one by one to pick someone. Guys, raise your hands when you see fit, and then the beauties will freely pick from amongst you...understood, everyone?” Tan Yao asked.

“Understood!” Came the excited howls and the drumming of fists on the tables.

“Can it be mixed? Like year one students picking year two students and the other way around,” Someone asked.

“Of course! Getting to know one another is basically what today’s all about, isn’t it?”

Tan Yao blinked in indication to the guys: Relax, my bros. I’ve got this.

“I love my Bro Yao,” Li Xingming exclaimed excitedly.

Up on stage, Tan Yao continued, “Don’t be in a rush, girls! The guys will be competing afterwards...we’ll just start directly with this. Don’t feel shy to raise up your hands then, beauties...this is just a game.

Li Xingming felt incomparably pained, “If only I’d known...I’d have signed up for sure. Sigh, whoever doesn’t want to play, give me your spot!”

The selection process began.

First to step forward was the petite girl in that Indian dance costume which exposed her waist.

“Help me out, big brothers. I’m afraid that maybe...it’ll surely be very pitiful if there isn’t anyone.”

As soon as her delicate voice appeared, more than thirty hands were raised from amongst the seventy odd guys present from both years combined.

Xu Tingsheng just lay low by that corner of the room.

Li Xingming wasn’t able to sit still on his chair at all as he was raring to go.

That girl happily looked around the area twice, completely ignoring the thirty odd ‘big brothers’ who had raised up their hands in support for her at her earnest behest with no hesitation at all.

They were only there to ‘raise’ her up.

She asked, “Upon entering our university, I heard that there’s a senior from our Chinese course who’s known as Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng...I wonder if Senior Xu Tingsheng is here today?”

A great many gazes converged on the corner of the room.

Li Xingming said decisively, “He isn’t here.”

Laughter resounded throughout the room.

The girl did not look dejected as she smiled lightly before turning and asking Tan Yao, “Then, I wonder if Senior Tan Yao can participate in this game as the MC? Are you willing to raise your hand for me?”

This was a chick with a very big appetite.

Everyone thoroughly understood it now. Many of the upraised hands were promptly dropped.

Tan Yao was not some easy, inexperienced youth. Having hung out with Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng over this period of time and even attended one of Tianyi’s cocktail parties, a girl such as this really wasn’t qualified for him to think anything of her.

The current him only teased girls once in a while just for fun, just because it was interesting. For example, he had been flirting with the female MC here simply because the mood would be more interesting that way.

And now, Li Xingming still had his hand raised as he was staring at him in a threatening manner.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I signed up for the guys’ game that will be happening in a while. If I participate in this too, I won’t have any strength left for later,” Tan Yao politely declined.

“Oh, that’s alright. Never mind then,” The girl did not exhibit any unhappiness as she smiled, looking back at those few hands which were still raised for her, including that of Li Xingming.

The most courageous person here actually wasn’t Li Xingming. Instead, it was a second year student from Class 1. Seeing how the competition had diminished, he had just secretly raised his hand.

The problem was that he had a girlfriend. Moreover, said girl was from the same class as him.

Someone who was better acquainted with him asked him in a hushed tone, “Heck, you’re being so aggressive? Aren’t you afraid of being discovered by your girlfriend?”

“I just saw her getting up to go to the toilet, heh. I’m gonna give it a go, heh.”

Just at that ‘heh’, his girlfriend appeared at the back door. Seeing him with with his hand raised, she instantly stopped in her tracks.

“What the, back so fast?!” The boy muttered.

An aggrieved look appeared on his girlfriend’s face as she turned and stormed off.

Seeing it, the boy hesitated for a moment before turning back, his hand still resolutely upraised.

“You aren’t going to go after her?” His friends asked.

The boy chortled, “She’s run off in a huff anyway, so I might as well just try again.”

The people around him all felt that this dude really had kind of a robust mentality.

Up on stage, the girl scanned those few people who remained before finally looking towards that corner and asking delicately, “That senior, can I trouble you?”

Li Xingming pointed at himself, “Me?”

The girl nodded.

Li Xingming couldn’t wait for everyone else on the same row to make way as he directly vaulted over the table.

From the back row resounded a ‘the heck’ of many mixed emotions, of agony and disbelief and of disappointment…

That boy from Class 1 who had persisted despite even causing his girlfriend to storm off finally put down his hand, his face filled with helplessness as he appeared unresigned to his downfall.

“How’re you feeling now?” A nosy classmate asked him.

“Like an astronaut, flying to the moon. Coincidentally looking back, I discover that the earth has exploded. Thus, I can only continue flying towards the moon. In the end...the moon drifts off its set trajectory, sucked by the gravitational pull of some deviant star...I think I may have to drift solitarily for a while.”

The boy gazed at the ceiling, voicing some deeply philosophical ponderings.

Following this, three of the remaining five girls finished their picks as well.

The second last person to step forward was the girl with the long plait.

Chapter 261: Raise up your hand

In this era when girls were dressing up in increasingly varied ways, just that slick black plait alone was enchanting to death. Of course, this still mainly relied on her clear, attractive face.

Looking at the thirty plus hands that shot up, Zhang Ninglang appeared dazed as he looked rather helplessly at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng knew what was up with him. This couldn’t really be thought of as low self-esteem. Instead, it was more of him being overly lucid as he hesitated from introspective self-awareness.

Room 602’s Zhang Ninglang had always been the kind of guy to be most easily overlooked. He was completely normal as well as obedient, not skipping lessons, not taking up important roles, not getting into conflicts. He wasn’t tall, even being a bit on the thin side. Despite not being ugly, he also wasn’t handsome. He was quiet most of the time, habitually smiling faintly as opposed to laughing loudly, never ever becoming the focal point in a social setting.

He was that name most easily forgotten in future class gatherings many years down the road.

There had not been a single scandalous rumour about him in his entire first year of university.

In his second year of university, he was fortunate enough to meet a girl. He looked at her through normal lenses initially, feeling that everything just fit together so well as he had not thought more about it. Only now did he suddenly discover how dazzling a presence she was.

As for Zhang Ninglang, he still remained that ever inconspicuous Zhang Ninglang.

“Raise your hand, Lil’ Bro! What’s stopping you?” Everyone from Room 602 was egging him on.

Xu Tingsheng too exclaimed, “Hurry up and raise your hand!”

Zhang Ninglang smiled, saying somewhat unnaturally to everyone, “I’m not fit enough, not tall enough, and also not very strong. I may not be suitable if it’s choosing someone to carry her.”

He found himself an excuse and ultimately abstained from raising his hand.

There were around thirty raised hands now.

The girl with the long plait stood on tiptoe, tilting her head to the side as she gazed over at him.

She continued looking at him just like that.

He pretended not to see it, not looking at her.

The situation persisted just like this as some of those raised hands were beginning to feel numb.

Xu Tingsheng did not intend to say anything, did not intend to concern himself with this or try to do any persuading. The current situation could only be broken by one of the two parties directly involved. Otherwise, things would remain awkward like this whether it was today or in the future.

The expressions of everyone present seemed about to freeze up.

The girl with the long plait suddenly smiled happily, saying in a bell-like tone, “Ha, you’ve finally raised your hand! Thank you, Senior Zhang Ninglang. Also, thank you, everybody else. Sorry!”

Zhang Ninglang had not raised his hand in the first place.

Therefore, the girl with the long plait had decisively backed herself into a corner in such a manner, conveying her feelings to Zhang Ninglang as such.

Without any hesitation whatsoever, Zhang Ninglang raised his hand, stood up and walked over.

He went over to stand beside her.

Due to the game’s rules, the other girls had basically all taken the physiques of the guys into consideration when making their selection. Therefore, Zhang Ninglang was the scrawniest of the five guys to get up on stage thus far.

His expression was also the most bashful as well as awkward of them all.

The final girl, a plain-looking one whose weight really seemed a little exaggerated, hesitated for a moment, but still stepped forward in the end.

“I’m a bit heavy. No, actually, I’m very heavy. I didn’t know that the game would become like this. Otherwise, if I had known, I’d have let myself lose the round a little earlier.’

The girl confessed this rather awkwardly to some laughter from the audience. Then, she looked down and smiled towards the floor, not saying anything further.

Gazing over, Xu Tingsheng discovered that Tan Yao too was looking a little awkward now as he had evidently not noticed this when making that suggestion earlier. Also, this was quite a hurtful thing for a girl.

Then, indeed, awkwardness reigned as not a single guy raised his hand.

“Be more active, everyone! Don’t be shy,” The female MC stepped forward and chimed in.

Perhaps some were dejected from not having been chosen by those first five girls, having completely lost all interest in participating. Perhaps some feared that their girlfriend or crush might see it and be unhappy. Perhaps some feared losing face. Perhaps some knew that they really wouldn’t be able to lift her up. Perhaps…

Whatever the case, not a single person raised their hand.

The girl was still smiling. Yet, many were able to see the loneliness and resignation in her smile, that which could also be called pain to a certain extent. Her eyes were currently irrepressibly turning red on her still smiling face despite her best efforts to maintain an unruffled guise.

She already dared not look at any single person amongst the audience now.

Hesitating slightly, the girl now turned and asked Tan Yao who was standing over by the wall, “Mr MC, with my weight, it may really be too hard on everyone. So, can I withdraw from this?”

Under these circumstances, she was surely entitled to storm off in rage, leaving the premises right there and then. This was just an unofficial event, with no one possessing the authority to stop or blame her.

Still, she was very polite. Even when placed in such a situation and feeling like this, she still remained polite and asked for the MC’s opinion, perhaps for fear of spoiling the atmosphere.

She had been brought up well, possessing the virtue of self-restraint.

Her voice was a little hoarse.

Tan Yao raised his mike, dispelling his awkwardness and and smiling as he said in as normal and relaxed a tone he could muster, “But my hand was clearly raised just now. You didn’t see that, though. Won’t you consider it?” Tan Yao shook his upraised left hand, asking wrongedly.

“And there are also people who have their hands raised over there. Look, won’t you consider them?” Here, Tan Yao pointed at a corner of the lecture theatre.

The girl turned rather bemusedly to look in the direction in which Tan Yao was pointing.

The gazes of everyone else present were directed there as well.

Old Wai’s hand was raised. Li Linlin was sitting right beside him.

Lu Xu’s hand was raised. His other hand still grasped his phone.

Also, Xu Tingsheng’s hand was raised. Just earlier, he had been the first one to raise his hand. It was only because he was seated right in a corner that no one aside from the others from his dorm room had noticed it.

“A reminder,” Tan Yao smiled meaningfully, feigning a casual tone, “The guy by the wall is my roommate. His name is Xu Tingsheng.”

There were many in their second year and a few in their first year who had already long since known that Xu Tingsheng was there. Misled by Li Xingming’s earlier words, the remaining first year students had really believed that this famed second year senior of theirs was not present.

Anyway, it could be confirmed that he had not raised his hand at all before this.

He had not done so for the previous five girls. Even when that girl with the exposed waist had inquired about him on her own accord, he had simply remained silent.

Now, however, he was raising his hand.

Many in their second year had not really interacted much with Xu Tingsheng prior to this. As for those in their first year, it was basically their first time seeing this apparently greatly renowned senior of theirs in person. Actually, it had just been the raising of a hand, not being anything major. Still, he had been the first to do it. After he had done so, his roommates had too…

At this moment, many people gained an additional level of understanding regarding the title ‘Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng’ apart from his achievements, his capabilities and his wealth.

More and more hands were raised into the air...

Chapter 262: Fight for it

This was not a feeling that Xu Tingsheng liked at all.

If everyone had said, ‘Look, a few second year guys have raised their hands over there’ or the girl up on stage had herself discovered that a few seniors were supporting her, Xu Tingsheng would have felt happy over doing something which, while simple, was ‘the right thing to do’.

Now, however, people were saying, “Look, Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng raised his hand.”

Xu Tingsheng would only feel awkward and uncomfortable as well as an urge to go beat Tan Yao up.

There were always mighty figures in school who were the focal points of all. In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng could not have been considered one, nor had he yearned to be one..in this life, when on campus, he actually still hoped that he could just remain an ordinary male student.

He would even shamelessly look forward to a perfectly ordinary campus relationship once in a while...alright, that wasn’t okay.

Sadly, situations such as this were just gradually becoming harder to avoid as time went by.

Perhaps this could only be resolved by more time and more interactions, everything slowly becoming normal as they got to know one another. For example, his roommates of Room 602, Tan Yao aside, all viewed Xu Tingsheng as...more of just, merely their roommate, Xu Tingsheng.

They would talk about girls together, watch ‘feature films’ together, yell out to the young nurses from the female dormitory opposite them together.

Xu Tingsheng admired the girl with the long plait, wishing that everyone could be like her. At her dormitory that day, when Tan Yao had purposefully mentioned his name, she had only looked at, only paid any attention to another senior, Zhang Ninglang.

Some people yearned to be gazed upon by countless others.

For others, the gaze of just that single person alone was enough.

Xu Tingsheng did not meet or respond to any of those gazes. Leaning in a corner, he carefully observed the expression of the girl with the exposed waist up on stage. No abnormalities were visible on it in the least. She was still smiling nicely, as if this had nothing to do with her at all…

This was despite the fact that many people felt that she should be feeling awkward or angered.

Therefore, not only did this girl had a big appetite, she was also good at reining herself back and biding her time. For girls of this age, she could be considered a ‘figure’. Meanwhile, Li Xingming who stood beside her was trying to amuse her by telling her a joke that he felt was interesting.

The girl smiled very cooperatively, whispering back into Li Xingming’s ear every once in a while.

Everyone’s gazes returned to the obese girl who was currently in the midst of her selection. More and more people raised their hands, with some dude even standing up and shouting, “Choose me, girl! I’ll do it; I can carry you.”

The girl smiled in gratitude to him. Being someone with an optimistic personality, she quickly recovered, smiling as she told everyone, “Thanks, everyone! Right, I’ll definitely go on a diet in university. I was very slim in junior high. It’s all my mother’s fault. She kept on saying that senior high is tough, asking me to eat more to replenish myself...in the end...alright, I’ll slim back down in university for sure.”

While she had spoken rather nervously, it was authentic and adorable.

Good-natured laughter resounded from amongst the audience.

Xu Tingsheng remembered a sentence that should appear a few years later: All fatties possess a hidden potential. As a teacher in his previous life, there had once been a fat girl in his class whom everyone had often joked about. In twelfth grade, she had slimmed down and then successfully been accepted for the vocation of an air stewardess.

Tan Yao likely bore ‘ill intentions’ in that earlier reminder of his. He was instigating the chick to choose Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng was currently trying to estimate how many squats he would be able to do with that girl on his back.

The girl smiled, saying jokingly, “Mr MC, I still think I should really withdraw this time. If I crush someone flat later on, it’ll really be too painful for my self-esteem. Next time, I’ll participate for sure next time.”

With the girl having said this, everything would thus end on a good note with her reasonable withdrawal from the game.

Tan Yao who was well versed in life and human relationships naturally would not offer any superfluous suggestions.

Applause resounded, interspersed with several yells of ‘We believe in you’...‘Big bro will wait for you’...‘Little Bro will too’ and the like, the girl descended the stage and returned to her seat with a relaxed expression on her face.

Five pairs remained up on stage.

The game resumed.

Currently, there were second year male seniors carrying first year female juniors and also first year male juniors carrying their female seniors. With this, any slight mood of competition between the first and second year students had thus been eradicated completely.

In an individual contest, Zhang Ninglang’s type clearly posed little threat, instead being exceptionally safe...the chances of him being called upon were extremely low.

Comparatively speaking, Li Xingming who was stout and robust despite not being tall was surely one to watch out for in the eyes of his opponents. His figure seemed just tailor-made for training in weight-lifting, being just too suited to a game such as this.

Therefore, he was called upon many times.

Li Xingming did not possess a steady personality in the first place. In addition, as he desperately wanted to show off his might before the girls, he would go all out with every squat, moving in a swift, straightforward manner that exhibited how utterly effortless these exertions simply were...

In no time at all, he was left fatigued and gasping for breath.

Feeling bored, the girl with the long plait on Zhang Ninglang’s back began whispering into his ear, chatting with him...in such a posture, she would be breathing right into his ear no matter how she tried talking to him...chatting like this, any two people would have their relationship quickly improve.

The tips of his ears all red, Zhang Ninglang said with considerable difficulty, “If you speak anymore, we’ll lose even before we start competing.”

The girl with the long plait thought about it for a moment before laughing triumphantly.

Only those who had truly tried squatting with someone on their back before would know how exhausting a task this was. Soon, one of the other four teams was eliminated by intense battle.

Zhang Ninglang got swept into the battlefield for real.

“Woah, it’s our turn,” The girl with the long plait said.

Zhang Ninglang steadily squatted, steadily rose, each of these being neither slow nor hurried and in coordination with his breathing...just as befitting of his personality. Thus, despite losing out in terms of build and strength, with a good rhythm, he was still able to temporarily hold on.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

As he was called upon more and more, Zhang Ninglang’s legs were already beginning to tremble. Still, he persisted, refusing to give up.

“I never thought that you’d be able to hold on for so long,” The girl with the long plait said.

“It’s because you’re light,” Zhang Ninglang said softly.

“You must be really tired? If you are, we can just give up! It’s fine, you’ve been great already,” She said as her heart ached somewhat at his painstaking efforts.

“That can wait till I’m tired,” Zhang Ninglang certainly knew what she meant, being aware that she was afraid of him tiring himself out.

Still, there was something else he could hear from her words, something that belonged only to him and him alone.

Ever since young, Zhang Ninglang had never been the type to compete for things, never having felt like there were many things which he had to fight for. Still, coupled with his earlier state of mind, that moment of unconscious self-pity as he had shrunk back from raising his hand…

That girl had roused his courage using that most wonderful, most adorable method.

Therefore, this time, carrying this girl on her back, he wanted to compete, to compete with others, to compete with himself.

“I can still go on.”

With his personality, he would usually only have said ‘I’ll keep on trying’ or ‘I think I’ll try a little more?’...Yet, there had been no ‘try’ this time, no ‘question mark’...he simply wanted to persist.

“Hey, is it really just because I’m light like you said earlier?”

“Yeah.”

“Just that?”

“...”

“Really just that?”

“Also.”

“Also what?”

“Also...because I like carrying you.”

“Yeah. I like it too.”

Chapter 263: Let’s get together

Three pairs remained.

“It’s our turn again,” The girl with the long plait said.

“Again…”

Finally, Li Xingming stumbled, helplessly being forced to retreat off to the side. The girl with the exposed waist smiled at him, “It’s okay, we’ve been awesome already. Also, thank you, senior.”

Warm words, gentle tone, charming smile. Li Xingming was so overwhelmed by excitement he nearly went bonkers.

Only now did everyone realise that…

Only two pairs remained on stage. Furthermore, the comparatively scrawnier Zhang Ninglang had actually held on.

“Black horse?!”

A great majority of those present were feeling happy for Zhang Ninglang, some of them even feeling rather moved. Due to his weaker physique, no one had expected him to perform well in this game from the start. Therefore, with him having been able to stand strong in the second half of the game where the difficulty was basically the same for all the remaining challengers, everyone felt especially happy on his behalf for some unexplainable reason.

In truth, people are happy seeing the weak ultimately overthrowing the strong most of the time when they have no vested interests involved.

“Second place is already very good.”

This was what everyone, the girl with the long plait included, was thinking, was saying.

This was because the first year male of the remaining pair was tall and burly and packed with muscles, also having been holding out in a relatively steadfast manner ever since the start of the competition...

Virtually everyone recognised Zhang Ninglang’s imminent defeat.

“Still, even if he can’t win, he’s been totally awesome already.”

This was what everyone else was thinking, was saying.

Yet, Zhang Ninglang wanted to win. Perhaps he didn’t actually want to win that much, not being dead set on first place. Instead, he just wasn’t willing to stop. He had already said that he could go on, no matter how heavy the load, no matter how fatigued he was...

It had not been easy for him to muster up his courage and compete like this. So long as he still had even a shred of energy remaining in his body, he definitely would not give up.

To others, this might be just a game. Yet, to Zhang Ninglang who had hesitated and shrunk back earlier before finally mustering the courage to step forward, this was an important thing which he had to do for himself.

The tall boy whistled.

Zhang Ninglang turned to look at him.

“Are we still continuing? Senior,” The boy smiled.

“Yeah,” Zhang Ninglang nodded, replying simply.

“Let’s begin then.”

With that, the boy was the first to move as he did three rapid squats that put the suppleness and elasticity of his legs on full display. Then, he sprung back up, shooting Zhang Ninglang a glance.

There was already no longer anyone still shouting ‘Carrot Squat’ by now, this totally brainless game having turned into a silent showdown between two men.

At the very least, Zhang Ninglang was silent whilst also unwavering.

Squatting, rising.

Squatting, rising.

Squatting, rising.

A very simple movement, three times. Each one of Zhang Ninglang’s movements seemed slow and painstaking, but there was no time-wasting or cutting of corners in the least. When he rose for the last time, he stumbled slightly, nearly losing his balance...

Amidst the startled exclamations that arose, Zhang Ninglang clenched his teeth, straining his legs to the utmost as he valiantly caught himself, refusing to lose his balance no matter what.

He had completely overturned the simple, brainless concept of this game.

Currently, everyone felt just like they were watching the final round of a 10km race. The one who was clenching his teeth and persisting on the running track was that normally quiet classmate of theirs who was usually so easy to overlook.

Thunderous applause rained down upon him.

“I suspect Lil’ Bro can’t bear to put her down. You guys just don’t know how it felt just now. How smooth on the hands, how springy on the back, how soft...ah, it brings me back…” Li Xingming said with a scoundrelly look on his face.

“You scumbag. Do you think that everybody’s like you?” A female classmate in the row before him berated, full of righteous indignation, “Look at Lil’ Bro’s hands for yourself.”

Only with this reminder did many people notice it.

Zhang Ninglang’s arms passed under the girl’s knees. Yet, he was not touching her thighs at all. Unlike how most other people would do it, his hands were clenched into fists before him as his arms supported her weight.

“He’s been like this ever since the beginning,” The female student said.

Up on stage, the tall boy frowned slightly before taking in a deep breath and performing three super rapid squats again. Then, he revealed a nonchalant, relaxed expression. Xu Tingsheng discovered that his legs were actually already beginning to tremble.

“Hurry and cheer for him. Louder, more passionate.”

“Why? It’s Lil’ Bro that he’s competing with.”

“Get him feeling too embarrassed to slow down,” Xu Tingsheng told those people sitting around him.

Thereafter, the cheers for the tall boy nearly surged through the roof. The boy was affected by these cheers that seemed to hail him as a hero, feeling very emotional and extremely excited.

“Give up, senior. Look, it’s still so easy for me,” The boy sprung up slightly with the girl on his back, saying to Zhang Ninglang.

Zhang Ninglang smiled.

Squatting.

Rising.

Everyone could tell that it was already incomparably difficult for him, that he had to use his full strength for every little bit that he moved as beads of sweat unceasingly trickled down his face.

“Just forget it, Lil’ Bro.”

Many of Zhang Ninglang’s classmates from Chinese Class 2 aside from those from Room 602 began trying to persuade him to desist, with the girls feeling especially distressed on his behalf.

“Senior, how about we stop competing?” The girl with the long plait said on Zhang Ninglang’s back, her voice already somewhat unnatural as she wanted to struggle, wanted to get down…

At the start, having persisted in getting Zhang Ninglang here on stage, she had never done so with winning in mind at all. She had just wanted to play this game together with him, wanting to be carried by him rather than by some other guy...it would be fine even if they were the first pair to be eliminated.

Zhang Ninglang wobbled slightly before standing steadfast, propping her up a little.

She understood, no longer struggling.

The second time.

Squatting.

Rising.

“Gah!”

After emitting a muffled groan for the first time, against everyone’s expectations, Zhang Ninglang rose back to his feet.

The third time.

No one found it unexpected anymore. He still managed to stand up despite everything. He would seem about to fall one second, yet that second would pass and he would still remain upright. An inexplicable feeling was unknowingly overtaking everyone’s minds now that this weak, slender body of his would actually never fall no matter what.

Xu Tingsheng suddenly remembered their first meeting, that shy young Zhang Ninglang who had dared not speak in front of Apple as he had appeared overly bashful.

“I’ve got to tell Apple about this different Lil’ Bro, this Lil’ Bro who’s finally found his other half. Even if your cousin wasn’t eight years old, there still wouldn’t be any hope for her anymore.”

The tall boy did not waste any time at all, not even leaving everyone time for applause as he immediately resumed squatting and rising at an extremely rapid pace.

The first time.

The second time.

All still appeared smooth at least on the surface as his speed had not fallen in the least.

When on his third squat, the boy finally ran out of energy while rising as his figure suddenly halted...if he had been going at it steadily, he would definitely have been able to slow down before rising back up again. There was already no one who minded speed now...still, he had been moving too quickly, too hastily...without any time for his muscles to recover in between…

Therefore, now, he was unable to recover his balance from that slip up…

The boy directly fell backwards, landing on his buttocks. Fortunately, he had kept a firm grasp on the girl on his back, protecting her from any bodily harm.

Everyone present was unable to immediately register this in their minds.

“He’s won, hasn’t he?” Old Wai murmured.

The next moment, cheers erupted all around, “He’s won! Lil’ Bro’s won!”

Overwhelming applause reigned as everyone seemed not to notice at all that this was rather an exaggerated mood for just a victory in a small game.

Amidst the applause, Zhang Ninglang turned, telling the girl with the long plait softly, “This is my first time carrying a girl. If you are so willing, so long as I still have strength left within my body, I would like to carry you forever.”

The girl with the long plait said, “Senior, let’s get together! I can’t wait any longer. I’m afraid that someone else might discover just how good you are.”

Chapter 264: Regarding university relationships

To those of Room 602, all the programmes thereafter were already no longer important however lively they were.

After the party had ended, they returned to the dormitory. Zhang Ninglang and Li Xingming had still yet to return.

Tan Yao lit up a cigarette, “I always believed that university relationships are dependent on two things-face and shamelessness. Today, my worldview has been shaken.”

Then, he looked around him before suddenly wailing, “Wahhh, won’t I be the only bachelor left in our 602 here then? And a bachelor for four successive years at that!”

This dude rolled around in bed with around twenty women on average every semester. Yet, he claimed to be a bachelor. As for whether playboys did yearn for a blissful relationship, this was something that even they themselves were probably unable to answer.

Such as whether Huang Yaming would meet another Tan Qingling or someone he liked more.

Such as Tan Yao who already believed that he would be single these four years after having learnt that there was no hope of him getting together with Fang Chen.

The four chatted for a while. Soon, Zhang Ninglang and Li Xingming successively returned.

The girl with the long plait finally had a name. She was called Ning Xia (Peaceful Summer), a very interesting and special name. The girl whom Li Xingming had just met who had performed the Indian dance was called Ya Yang.

Zhang Ninglang was just as bashful as ever. Asking him how the girl was, he said that Ning Xia was pretty good. Asking him whether they had held hands, he was rendered speechless, unintentionally revealing that they had. Next, Tan Yao asked him if they had kissed.

Only then did he react, flusteredly waving his hands in denial, “No, definitely not. How could that ever happen so quickly?”

Tan Yao smiled wryly, “Lil’ Bro, why do I feel that you’re mocking me?”

Regading ‘quickness’, there were few who could compare to Tan Yao. His ‘feat of greatest glory’ was that time when he had struck up a conversation with a girl on a public bus. Seven stops later, the girl had pointed at a motel sign right beside the bus stop, “Look, what’s that?”

And so, the two had gotten off the bus and ‘gotten a room’.

Li Xingming replied for him, “Lil’ Bro’s not mocking you. He’s just showing off his love in front of me. He’s even held hands already. As for me, nothing. Just walking and talking. Thinking back on that smoothness, that springiness, that softness…”

Lu Xu was focused on exchanging texts with Chick Bao.

Old Wai said, “Yours is different from Lil’ Bro’s. You’ve got to take it slow this time.”

“I know, I’ll definitely properly grasp my chance this time,” Li Xingming said, “Right, Tan Yao. That Yangyang, I mean Yu Yayang, she wants to enter the Student’s Union PR department. Could you help to arrange this for me?”

Tan Yao said, “If she wants to join, can’t she just go there for an interview herself when they’ve started recruiting in a few days? It’s not like she doesn’t have the capabilities. Did she ask you to ask me for help on this?”

Li Xingming said, “No, she just mentioned that she wanted to enter, then asked me if it would be difficult, and whether new people will get bullied. How could I not want to show her my cool side then? Anyway, since you’re doing well there already, I said that she could count on me. You’ve got to help me on this. You can’t let me lose face.”

Tan Yao thought about it for a moment before saying, “Oh, okay. I’ll take care of this matter.”

“Thank you, Bro Yao.”

Li Xingming passed Tan Yao a cigarette before throwing one over to Xu Tingsheng, “Bro Xu, is that Hucheng of yours still hiring part-time students?”

Lu Zhixin had already long since thought of dismissing all the part-time students in Hucheng. How could there be any more hiring? Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “We shoudn’t be hiring anybody else for the time being.”

Looking a bit despondent, Li Xingming asked gloomily, “Couldn’t you make an exception?”

Xu Tingsheng had still yet to reply when Old Wai directly interjected, “It wouldn’t be that Yangyang whom you’ve promised again already?”

Li Xingmign chortled, “You can’t say that. She just asked about Bro Xu’s company, asking if we roommates are in it together. I just gave a general outline. Aren’t you and your family in it, Old Wai? And Lu Xu’s wife can be considered that too, I suppose? Bro Yao’s also participated quite a bit in it already. Thinking about it, there’s really only me and Lil’ Bro who’re totally uninvolved.”

The atmosphere in the room immediately sunk.

Li Xingming having said this out loud, it instead showed that he wasn’t scheming anything, not really caring about trying to obtain something. Still, since he had said it, it inevitably gave rise to a feeling of awkwardness. Also, while he might not be scheming anything, this did not mean that the same was true of others.

Sensing that the atmosphere wasn’t right, Li Xingming hurriedly forced a smile, continuing, “You all understand me. How could I be concerned about this, right? Just that like Yangyang said, it’s kind of a pity. Such a good chance, and I’m not making use of this to try to improve my abilities.”

“How would you have been in the mood to think of all that? You were out everywhere spreading your webs of love,” Xu Tingsheng laughed.

“Right! That’s what I told her then. We’re all bros anyway, it makes no difference whether we’re in or not,” Li Xingming said.

“And then?” Tan Yao pressed.

“And then, Yangyang said...she said that if it were her and she had an opportunity like this, she definitely wouldn’t let it go to waste. She really wants to work to improve herself in university,” Li Xingming paused for a moment before continuing rather awkwardly, “She didn’t mention it, and I also didn’t promise her anything...I just said that I’d help her to ask about it.”

“Not just that, right? I bet you also said, ‘Relax, we’re all bros. It’s nothing much,” Old Wai said.

Li Xingming was that comparative simpleton of Room 602. The things he did, the way in which he spoke and handled matters-everyone could basically guess these a hundred percent. It was evident that Old Wai had been spot on as Li Xingming just smiled awkwardly, not saying a word.

There was a long silence.

Tan Yao advised him, “Xingming, you should really take it slow. I feel that that girl may not be as simple as you think.”

Li Xingming did not take offense, just helping to defend her, “No, Yangyang really didn’t mention anything at all. Look, just coming in here in her first year, isn’t it very normal that she wants to enter the Student Union and improve her skills? Many people think the same way as well.”

“She just took me as a friend and chatted with me. It was me who went on board myself. You guys know about my situation! I really want to properly grasp my chance this time.”

Then, he said to Xu Tingsheng, “Bro Xu, don’t you feel troubled. I really go and do things without thinking sometimes. There’s no need for you to feel troubled because of me.”

Xu Tingsheng had a premonition that it would be very troublesome for Li Xingming to associate with this Ya Yang. This was a girl who had already learnt to easily manipulate people at such a young age, and her appetite was rather huge as well.

Yet it just happened that Li Xingming was a simpleton.

And this simpleton actually valued loyalty greatly, treating all of them in the dorm like brothers. Whether it was when someone had come looking for a fight with Tan Yao or Xu Tingsheng had been betrayed by Huang Keshen, he always treated them as he would a brother. All of them got along very well in their daily interactions as well.

Xu Tingsheng greatly valued these pure feelings that existed during life as a student. Also, it was indeed true that Li Xingming had been the one receiving least ‘benefits’ or ‘remuneration’ from him...yet, his path had really been rather more ‘precipitous’.

Additionally, facing Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao, that girl should still be inexperienced and not all that hard to deal with.

With such considerations in mind, Xu Tingsheng told Li Xingming, “Well, no rush. Interact with that girl for a while first. If you really still find her to be good then, I’ll make the arrangements.”

“Woah, Bro Xu! You’re my real big brother by blood!” Li Xingming rushed over, making as if to hug Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng immediately pushed him away, “Scram, you! You’re half a year older than me!”

They played around for a bit. Then, Xu Tingsheng’s phone rang. Looking at it, he found that it was Lu Zhixin calling.

Xu Tingsheng went to the small balcony and picked up the call.

Lu Zhixin said, “Xu Tingsheng, I’m home.”

She said that she was home, even though that was actually their company, even though it was actually just her there alone most of the time, even though she actually still had another house that was a luxurious villa.

Sensing that she sounded fatigued and weak, Xu Tingsheng asked concernedly, “You just got home? Was it very tiring?”

Lu Zhixin said, “I’ve been back for quite long already. I slept for a while. Xu Tingsheng, could you come home for a bit? I seem to be having a fever. I made a small ice pack to ease it a little, but it wasn’t useful at all. It’s been a long time since I was last sick. And now, I discovered all of a sudden that there’s no one I can look for...is looking for you fine? Are you able to come back?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Duh.”

Chapter 265: Bullying a powerful career woman

Having been in Hong Kong for a few days, Lu Zhixin had lost quite a bit of weight.

When Xu Tingsheng got home, she was wearing pyjamas and covered by a blanket, her face pale as she lay on her bed. Seeing him, she struggled up, trying to get into a sitting position.

Xu Tingsheng said nothing at all, holding onto her with one hand while placing the back of the other against her forehead. No thermometer was still needed at this point. Xu Tingsheng found a woolen blanket, wrapping it around Lu Zhixin and lifting her up.

“Huh, what is it?” Lu Zhixin said.

“Sending you to the hospital,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Any more of this and you’ll become a retard.”

In the living room, Lu Zhixin suddenly said, “I’m not wearing any shoes...and also socks.”

Xu Tingsheng looked down. Lu Zhixin’s pale feet were sticking out of the blanket.

People suffering a high fever were especially susceptible to feeling cold.

Lu Zhixin’s arms and legs were wrapped up by the blanket.

Xu Tingsheng set her down on the living room sofa. Entering her room, he opened a drawer and found a pair of socks, and then a pair of shoes.

Upon exiting the room, Xu Tingsheng’s face seemed rather strange, appearing a bit embarrassed as he also seemed a little like he wanted to laugh yet dared not do so.

Seeing this, Lu Zhixin asked, “What’s with you?”

Xu Tingsheng crouched down by the sofa and helped her to put on her socks, holding back his laughter as he remained silent.

Lu Zhixin could not help but utter, “Ah...ah…”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “What is it?”

She said softly, “Itchy.”

For some reason which he could not really explain, Xu Tingsheng reached out and tickled the bottom of her foot upon hearing this.

Lu Zhixin nearly rolled off the sofa. As she was lifted up again, her face was red as she glared at Xu Tingsheng before she feigned a calm tone, “Why’re you so strange after going to get socks?”

Xu Tingsheng enquired even as he continued to walk, “You sure you want to hear?”

Looking at him, Lu Zhixin thought for a moment before saying, “Yes.”

“It’s actually nothing. I just hadn’t thought that the underwear of a powerful career woman would be like this. I thought that it would be very rigid, just like how your face usually is. But in the end, your underwear is so womanly, so...exciting,” Xu Tingsheng tried to sound casual and objective.

Only now did Lu Zhixin remember that her underwear and socks were kept in the same drawer, one on top on and one below...from the looks of it, Xu Tingsheng had probably ‘casually’ gone and taken a look.

Due to her embarrassment, Lu Zhixin tensed up, flailing a little to show her dissatisfaction.

Xu Tingsheng pretended not to notice it at all as holding onto her tightly, he continued, “It looks like I’ve been wronged now. That kinky underwear from last time...you actually liked it, right? You only got mad with me because you felt embarrassed. You have a few inside that are actually not any inferior...the one that you’re wearing now…”

A flustered Lu Zhixin struggled more intensely, saying coldly, “I’ll walk on my own.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Calm down! Actually, I...rather liked that too.”

And so Lu Zhixin ceased to struggle, burying her head in Xu Tingsheng’s chest as she did not speak.

Xu Tingsheng drove her to the hospital.

As he told the doctor in Emergency that Lu Zhixin was suffering from a high fever, the first thing the attendant nurse asked was, “She’s burning up so much that her face is this red?”

Xu Tingsheng resisted the urge to smile, remaining silent. Lu Zhixin felt extremely embarrassed.

It was determined that she had a 40 degree fever.

Emergency physical cooling was applied on her and an IV drip next hung. Xu Tingsheng really dared not mess around now. He quickly got busy, almost getting into an argument with a nurse who moved relatively slowly as he stayed by her side till 2am, when the IV bottle finally ran dry.

Lu Zhixin’s temperature was measured and found to have fallen to 38.7 degrees. Xu Tingsheng wanted her to stay behind in the hospital for observation. Still, she was vehemently against it for some unknown reason.

Xu Tingsheng could only bend down and spread his arms apart.

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a moment before putting her arms around Xu Tingsheng’s neck, allowing him to lift her up just like that.

After reaching home and taking her medication, Lu Zhixin restfully lay down on her bed. Soon, it seemed that she had fallen asleep. Dripping with sweat from his exertions, Xu Tingsheng took a bath before changing into his pyjamas…

When he poured water and walked into Lu Zhixin’s room again, beneath the pale moonlight, Lu Zhixin’s eyes were wide open as she gazed at him, standing over by the doorway.

“I thought that you’d already fallen asleep,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I, I thought that you’d gone back to bed,” Though Lu Zhixin spoke calmly, Xu Tingsheng could sense the melancholy in her tone.

How rare, how so very rare it was for Xu Tingsheng to see a soft, reliant Lu Zhixin. Feeling moved by this, he said warmly, “You get a good night’s rest. I’ll stay beside you for tonight.”

After saying so, he moved a small stool over and sat down by her bedside.

Lu Zhixin shook her head, paused for a bit and eventually nodded, “Okay.”

Silence reigned for a while before Lu Zhixin who had been lying down quietly opened her eyes, looked right at Xu Tingsheng and confessed, “Xu Tingsheng, I really like being sick beside you.”

“Huh?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Meeting his gaze, Lu Zhixin said, “I really envy Apple, really envy how you stayed by her side and coaxed her each day that she was sick. I was so jealous during that period of time, hated you so very much. Now, it’s finally my turn to fall sick beside you…”

“I was most afraid of falling sick in the past. Dad would always be away, and there would be no one to look after me. I was all alone as I boiled water, ate my medicine, visited the hospital, hid under my covers and cried.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled before reaching out and softly pinching Lu Zhixin’s palm. This had been his father’s way of comforting him in the past when he was still just a child and had fallen sick.

“It really is great this way,” Lu Zhixin said, “Actually, I’m already feeling much better now, just that I can’t bear for this to...Let me be wilful just this once. You’re not allowed to leave tonight. Stay here by my side.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “Alright. You have a good night’s rest. I won’t leave.”

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say this, Lu Zhixin hesitated for a while before shifting closer to the wall. Leaving a considerable portion of the bed empty, she turned to face the wall and then fell silent.

After a while, she said, “Sitting down is tiring.”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it for a moment before carefully lying down on one side of the bed.

That very moment Xu Tingsheng lay down, Lu Zhixin’s entire body clearly trembled slightly. As her bed wasn’t all that big, Xu Tingsheng dared not move as he lay there. Leaning by the wall, Lu Zhixin dared not move as well.

It was just that their breathing continually resounded in the other’s ears.

Moonlight was still filtering into the room through the window.

Xu Tingsheng said, “You must be nervous. Will it be better if I go over and draw the curtains?”

Lu Zhixin said, “No need. My eyes are closed.”

They were silent for some time more before Lu Zhixin asked, “Xu Tingsheng, what time is it?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Hmm? It’s 3.30 already. You’re still not sleeping?”

Lu Zhixin asked, “Xu Tingsheng, do you remember that time when you were sick? Back then, I actually really wished that I could be the one to take care of you. Seeing you rested on Apple’s thigh, seeing her taking care of you just so clumsily...I felt that the two of you...were very cruel.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before apologising, “Sorry.”

The truth was that ever since that first day when Apple had moved into the riverside residence, Xu Tingsheng had been very cruel and also unfair to Lu Zhixin.

Lu Zhixin responded to Xu Tingsheng’s apology with a soft noise of affirmation.

Then, the bed shook slightly as a burning hot body plunged over into Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

Lu Zhixin had her hands on Xu Tingsheng’s body, her head in his chest as one of her legs was resting on one of his.

Xu Tingsheng could feel how the girl in his embrace was actually shivering slightly throughout. He dared not speak or extend his arm to put around her, dared not move even an inch, dared not breathe too forcefully...he was afraid that he might accidentally make a wrong move and startle away Lu Zhixin in her moment of rare frailty and weakness.

It was just that this powerful career woman appeared very much ripe for the bullying right now.

That was a female devil in the eyes of Hucheng’s employees, someone who often said sternly ‘Xu Tingsheng, we need to talk. Recently, you...Recently, the company…’ It was that Lu Zhixin.

“Bullying a powerful career woman.”

How incomparably enticing was such a prospect…

The feeling of conquest was a desire that existed in all men.

Chapter 266: Can you sing Conquest?

The people on the bed were like two ostriches, consoling themselves like ostriches that nothing was the matter at all. Thus, they maintained their close proximity, pretending they knew nothing.

Still, people who are awake are actually unable to maintain their posture for a long time without moving at all.

Lu Zhixin moved slightly, stretching her leg. Her leg was too long and she was too tall. With this, her knee and leg touched some part that she wasn’t supposed to touch, and so she could feel…

The startled Lu Zhixin instinctively made as if to spring away. Xu Tingsheng did not speak, yet embraced her tightly such that she could not move.

This took Lu Zhixin by surprise. Thinking about it, Xu Tingsheng was indeed a hot-blooded male in the peak of his youth.

Her leg remained there just like that.

Yet, to constantly remain completely unmoving was really very difficult. Therefore, there would be some unconscious movements there once in a while. Amidst those brushes of contract, Lu Zhixin could clearly sense Xu Tingsheng’s repressed bestial desires.

Finally, Xu Tingsheng said softly, “I’m gonna die.”

Lu Zhixin was exasperated whilst also amused. Also, she felt deeply embarrassed. If not for the pale shade of the moonlight and her fever, her face would definitely be flushed a deep red. With the mood of playing a prank as well as a bit of tenderness, sympathy and guilt, Lu Zhixin leaned closer into Xu Tingsheng’s body.

Xu Tingsheng commented in a leisurely tone, “Pretty big, actually.”

Lu Zhixin said, “Huh?”

Xu Tingsheng did not speak, just extending a hand around Lu Zhixin’s waist and exerting force, pressing her body closer to his. Tighter, next loosened. Next tighter again, and then maintained.

Understanding what he meant, Lu Zhixin bit her lip, saying softly, “ I usually, usually keep them all tight...otherwise, I wouldn’t look serious enough. It doesn’t fit with those clothes of mine and that very stern, very fierce image.”

Were flat-chested females more suited to appearing cold, aloof and indifferent?

Thinking of office ladies in their rigid suits, it seemed that this really was so.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Oh.”

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a while before asking, “I...can I move away my leg?”

Having been bullied, this powerful career woman dared not resist, was pleading...at the very least, this was what it felt like to Xu Tingsheng. Such a feeling would leave men with a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng said, “No.”

He had forgotten that Lu Zhixin was still Lu Zhixin at the end of the day. In response to his ‘no’, she immediately drew back her leg before struggling out of Xu Tingsheng’s embrace, flipping back over to face the wall.

Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly and released a slow, lengthy exhalation.

Then, he too turned to face the other side, closing his eyes and uttering not a single word.

“Xu Tingsheng.”

“Huh?”

“Are you angry?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, is it Hucheng’s heart or Hucheng, Zhixin?”

“Hucheng, Zhixin.”

Lu Zhixin fell silent, seemingly finally having found herself a reason to spoil Xu Tingsheng and let him have his way as she quietly rolled back over, drew close and propped her leg upon his.

Silence reigned for a time.

Xu Tingsheng said, “On second thought, you’d better not. It’s harder to bear this way.”

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a moment before asking, “What’s to be done then?”

Suddenly finding himself in a teasing mood, Xu Tingsheng asked, “If I wanted it, would you be willing?”

Without the slightest hesitation, Lu Zhixin slowly but resolutely shook her head that was resting on his chest.

“Apple, the young lady who knocked on the door that day, and some girl Apple seems to know about but I don’t...Xu Tingsheng, before you know what it is that you want, don’t you bully me.”

Lu Zhixin who was such a principled person was already being very unprincipled now...still, she remained the most principled of them all.

Xu Tingsheng remembered what Old Wai had said: ‘No matter who you intend to marry in the future, get in bed with Lu Zhixin first’. He actually didn’t understand Lu Zhixin at all. She was the most fully independent girl he had ever met. She had never and would never be content being subordinate to and dependent on another.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Sorry, Zhixin.”

“It’s okay,” Lu Zhixin said softly.

Xu Tingsheng reached out and gently pushed her leg off. Still, he continued holding her to him.

“Just sleep like this tonight. When you've gotten better, you go on being Lu Zhixin, and I’ll go back to the dormitory to stay.”

To other girls, this might sound offensive and irresponsible, whereas to Lu Zhixin, it instead signified protection and respect.

Lu Zhixin made a small affirmative noise in response, then paused for a moment as she seemingly forced herself to ask, “You must be feeling very terrible, right? How about, how about…I help you out. I'll have forgotten about it when I wake up anyway. “

Xu Tingsheng looked quizzically down at her, “You know how to?”

“I…yes,” As her eyes met Xu Tingsheng’s, Lu Zhixin hurriedly averted her gaze.

All of a sudden, Xu Tingsheng felt a stifled, uncomfortable feeling in his chest. He seemed not to have the qualifications to feel terrible like this. Even now, he was still shamelessly in an ambiguous relationship with a few different girls at once. Still, he was just unable to stop the ache and fury that now surged irrepressibly in his heart.

As she felt Xu Tingsheng’s entire body suddenly stiffen, Lu Zhixin hurriedly said, “No, it's not that, it's not like what you think. I just did some research on it before. At the time, I was worried for when the two of us began dating, and so I secretly studied it…I analysed a dozen videos and also browsed tens of thousands of characters of text.”

“I've also heard quite a bit about this over the years! I’ve had friends and roommates in a relationship before, and Fang Chen also likes to talk about such stuff…because of this, I know all about it, but all of it was only from research. Really.”

Xu Tingsheng felt relieved. Still, researched it before? Could the word ‘research’ even be used here? Watching videos was called analysis, and reading textual browsing? From an educational standpoint?

“It’s the educational videos I’m talking about! There were ones from both within the country and abroad, both animated and of real people. The ones from overseas are a bit more informative. As for the texts, there were all sorts. There were some educational ones...and novels, too.”

As Lu Zhixin explained things, Xu Tingsheng smiled, looking at her. This was the shyness and distress of a cold, aloof, domineering powerful career woman as she was forced to her great embarrassment to learn about those things. Xu Tingsheng imagined her ‘researching’ the images with a serious expression on her face.

Along with her current ‘bullied’ state where she was feeling troubled yet could also not bear to have him suffer, this made him feel even more than turned on than any aphrodisiac.

Xu Tingsheng breathed lightly into the ear of Lu Zhixin who had her head buried into his chest like an ostrich, “How will you help me?”

Lu Zhixin looked up at him, staring wide-eyed, “Huh?”

“You didn’t really mean what you said earlier?”

“I, I...go over and draw the curtains.”

“No…”

“You…”

Xu Tingsheng looked at her, “I’m really having it hard here.”

“I…”

An embarrassed Lu Zhixin continued burying her head in a refusal to look at anything even as she extended a hand and started probing downwards.

At that moment of clutching, the two of them could not help but exhale simultaneously. Xu Tingsheng unconsciously hugged her tighter. Lu Zhixin nearly cried out in alarm before immediately swivelling around and biting right down on Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder.

After a while, Xu Tingsheng helplessly removed that hand by the wrist.

“What is it?” A perplexed Lu Zhixin asked.

“It hurts,” Xu Tingsheng said, “It looks like research alone isn’t enough.”

“So…so, what should I do then?” Lu Zhixin asked somewhat awkwardly.

Xu Tingsheng pressed Lu Zhixin’s head into his chest, saying, “Don’t look. Hug me tightly. I...I’ll take care of it myself.”

“Huh?”

“I’m used to it.”

“Oh.”

A while later, feeling that Xu Tingsheng was no longer moving, her head still buried in his chest, Lu Zhixin asked, “You done now?”

Xu Tingsheng shook her head, “Maybe I’m too nervous. Nope.”

“What, what’s to be done then?”

“Let me ask something. Promise not to get mad, okay?” An embarrassed Xu Tingsheng asked.

Lu Zhixin looked up at him, “Hmm?”

Xu Tingsheng bit the bullet, swiftly asking, “I want one of your underwear. The bottom one.”

Lu Zhixin was unable to accept it as a long time passed before she ventured, “In the novels, only perverts...you don’t look like one.”

“You don’t get it,” Xu Tingsheng intentionally acted mature, “Actually, all men think about it. A few of them just usually pretend that they don’t, like me. Whatever the case, I still am a man!”

“Oh.”

After a while, Lu Zhixin said softly, “In the drawer. You, you go get it yourself. Throw it in the trash afterwards. And get rid of it tomorrow, I won’t want it anymore.”

After saying so, she released Xu Tingsheng and rolled over to the side of the bed…pretending not to know anything at all.

Xu Tingsheng did not get up. He was finding it even harder to control himself as he leaned over and hugged Lu Zhixin from behind, whispering into her ear, “I want the one you’re wearing right now.”

Lu Zhixin directly elbowed Xu Tingsheng behind her.

“Xu Tingsheng, you’re too much!”

“Fine. Men are abnormal like this sometimes, you know. It’s fine if you aren’t willing...what’re you being angry for?” While the incomparably embarrassed Xu Tingsheng seemed to be shamelessly defending himself, he was really just comforting himself.

“Forget it. Time to sleep,” He said.

Lu Zhixin did not speak.

Xu Tingsheng tossed and turned, trying hard to shift his attention away.

After a long time, there were some movements from under the blankets beside him.

Then, a hand reached from underneath, trembling slightly as it found Xu Tingsheng’s hand, opening his palm...next, another hand reached over, stuffing a small cloth bundle in his palm.

After doing all this, Lu Zhixin faced away from him, not moving.

Xu Tingsheng squeezed the cloth bundle in his hand.

“You were sweating,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Lu Zhixin kicked out at him.

After a while, Xu Tingsheng turned, lightly drawing Lu Zhixin over by the shoulder and right into his embrace. Cuddling her, he spoke warmly, “Sleep.”

Lu Zhixin said, “Alright. Have you thrown that away?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “No. It’s on the floor by the bed.”

“Throw it away.”

“No, you can still wear it after it’s washed. How about I help with that? It was me who dirtied it.”

Lu Zhixin extended a hand and pinched Xu Tingsheng on the waist, no longer uttering a sound.

“Zhixin?”

“Hmm?”

“Can you sing? I think that apart from arriving home and suddenly hearing you humming a little once, I’ve never actually heard you sing in earnest before.”

“Who can’t sing? It’s just singing well that’s hard.”

“Can you sing a few lines for me now?”

“Huh? Me, singing...what?”

“A very popular song known as Conquest...Have you ever heard of it? It was sung by Na Ying.”

“Oh...no, dream on. Xu Tingsheng, you bastard!”

“Come on, why not? Sigh, hitting people again...”

……

When Xu Tingsheng awoke the next day, Lu Zhixin was already no longer on the bed. Looking downwards, the item on the floor was already gone.

A while later, Lu Zhixin returned to her room.

Xu Tingsheng had just wanted to ask how she was when Lu Zhixin cut to the chase, “I’m much better already. Now, please get off my bed.”

Xu Tingsheng resentfully acquiesced.

As he was bathing, he discovered black panties soaking within a bucket. Inside the living room, breakfast was already on the table. Xu Tingsheng saw that one of the plates had two fried eggs.

Coming out of her room, Lu Zhixin had a cold, aloof expression on her face as she said even as she ate, “Zhang Xingke took away quite a few important personnel from Dexin. Recruitment has already begun for our Shenghai’s training institute. I think it would be best to start recruiting for students before October 1st. We’ve got to make a trip over in a couple of days.”

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What’s the thing that you’ve got a team working on?”

“A rather more primitive 020.”

“What?”

“I’ll explain it to you when it’s done.”

“Alright. Hurry it up and return the team. We’re really lacking in manpower for the platform here.”

“You should recruit a few more people. After this is over, I’ve still got other projects to work on.”

“That’s fine. Still, you’d best give me a proposal next time. I’m afraid it might end up being a waste of effort.”

Xu Tingsheng was ‘choked speechless’. Lu Zhixin was indeed still Lu Zhixin, or perhaps it should be said that Lu Zhixin was now Lu Zhixin again.

“Yesterday’s like the east-flowing water, flowing far away, never to remain…”

“Finish eating and get working! What’re you doing, singing when eating?”

“Just like this I was conquered by you…”

“I’m full. I’m going back to school. Wash the dishes after you’re done.”

Chapter 267: A state that should be rebuked

After washing the dishes, his hands were soaked in the dishwater as sunlight shone on his face.

This sort of setting was very well suited for self-reflection.

Guilt and unease as well as his worries regarding Lu Zhixin’s physical condition combined made Xu Tingsheng seem completely like a homemaker uncle that afternoon.

He wore light linen pyjamas and slippers, remaining beneath the sunlight that filtered in through the window as he swept and tidied up the entire house at his own unhurried pace, leaving no corner unturned throughout the rooms, living room, the balcony as well as below the sofa.

Another thing he did was wash all Lu Zhixin’s dirty clothes, including those she had brought back from Hong Kong. At the end of it, her clothes were hung up to cover the entire balcony.

Xu Tingsheng felt somewhat of a sense of accomplishment. Perhaps he could regain that feel of warmth and stability with this, not looking like such a beast at the very least.

In the end, as Lu Zhixin reached home and saw the clothes hung up to dry on the balcony, she felt even more that Xu Tingsheng was actually very much a beast. She had been at her coldest and most impassive that entire day. Even when she had to talk to Xu Tingsheng, she would still maintain that most impassive tone without question.

After dinner, Lu Zhixin went straight into her room to sleep. She was actually still suffering from a low fever, having yet to make a full recovery.

A little after 11pm, Lu Zhixin awoke from her nap and left her room. She saw that Xu Tingsheng was still sitting on the living room sofa, not watching television and also not sleeping.

“Why haven’t you returned to your dorm?” Lu Zhixin coldly questioned Xu Tingsheng.

“You haven’t fully recovered yet. You forgot to eat your medicine. Also, I’m afraid that you might burn up again in the middle of the night. If I weren’t here, I wouldn’t be able to take care of you,” Xu Tingsheng gingerly explained.

Lu Zhixin did not speak. She went to take a bath, after which she saw that Xu Tingsheng had already placed warm water and her medication on the coffee table. Not uttering a sound, she picked them up, ingested her medication, and strode straight back into her room just like that.

Then, Xu Tingsheng repeatedly heard her door being locked and double-checked continuously.

“I’ll be sleeping right next door. Call me if your fever gets worse. I’ll send you to the hospital,” Xu Tingsheng said towards the closed door before returning to his room and turning on his computer.

He had received an email from Cen Xiyu.

She said that she really looked forward to meeting that girlfriend of Zhang Ninglang’s. After she had returned, she would definitely treat them to a meal.

As Xu Tingsheng was about to send her a reply, a new mail notification popped up on the screen.

This was the first email sent by Cen Xiyu that had photos attached. In these photos, she wore sports attire, stretching her legs in some and resting in some. She was running in the greater part of them.

“Xu Tingsheng, do you know what the most blissful thing you left for me over those two months in the riverside residence was? You definitely won't be able to guess, because even I didn't know it myself at first. It's running, actually.

After arriving here, with you not by my side, only then did I discover that what I miss most everyday is how you would go running with me every single morning those two months.

Because of that, I run every day, and think of you as I'm running.

Have you seen the photos?

This is New York’s Central Park. It's very big and very beautiful, and a famed holy land for running worldwide. There are many people running here everyday, those who live here, tourists, and even those who specifically travelled here just to run.”

There are often some mini-competitions held here. You definitely won't believe me, but I just finished participating in an eight mile competition. I managed to complete it.

I can actually run for even longer.

There was once when I ran alone for over an hour, or maybe it was two hours. I used that time to think back on all the memories shared between us.

It was dark when I started running that day. Afterwards, a very beautiful sun appeared, and then there was a huge downpour. Next the skies cleared again, my clothes drying as I ran and ran. I felt very happy, and I didn't want to stop.

Look, how similar this is to my past experiences. Meeting you and falling in love with you is ultimately still that most blissful thing in my life. I don't wanna stop. You know that? Xu Tingsheng.

I’ve come to meet a group of people who’re very passionate about running. They come from all over the world, of various shades of skin and various ages, old people and young children included.

They are a bunch of very interesting and lovable people. I think that maybe because running is intrinsically less interesting as compared to other sports, people who love running are generally more interesting and full of passion.

I think that the same should apply for me as well.

I plan to sign up for a half-marathon next month.

I plan to go to more places to run in the future.

Still, my most important plan is running together with you, in New York’s Central Park, in the streets of Boston. Or perhaps we could go to the beaches of Seychelles, or Australia’s Gold Coast.

Come see me, Xu Tingsheng.”

From: Yours

……

Xu Tingsheng was feeling happy and reassured at Apple’s current condition. Just like she said, that was precisely the way she should be, interesting and full of passion.

Still, wait a second. Did she just say that she was going to be participating in a half-marathon?

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before sending over a reply, “I will come. But eight miles and a half-marathon, you say? I don’t believe you.”

A few minutes later, Cen Xiyu replied, “You still haven’t slept yet? Why don’t you believe me?”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “If your breasts are too big, won’t they get in the way of your running?”

This was one advantage of email. Even though it was transmitted instantaneously, it was still not as swift as phone calls, text messages or other communication mediums. Had the two of them been conversing on QQ, Cen Xiyu would probably have instinctively replied with a couple of angry or embarrassed emoticons already.

However, emails provided one some space to think.

This time, Xu Tingsheng had to wait nearly twenty minutes for a reply.

She said, “There’s sports innerwear, stupid. Cover them tightly to keep them from wobbling and everything’s fine.”

There were two photos attached to the email. In the first, Cen Xiyu was in her sports attire, covered up thoroughly apart from her long legs. The second showed the red sports singlet which remained after her upper outer garment had been removed.

She had typed, “See? Actually, many girls here just run in these singlets, even old women. There’s only me who’s an exception. I’m afraid you’d be jealous.”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Well done. But I would like to see the third photo. Please continue.”

Cen Xiyu replied, “I’ll let you see when you’re here...right, you can look however you want then. Still, I’m going to participate in a country folk party with some friends now. I’ve gotta go! I’ll be waiting for you. Right, Student Xu Tingsheng, there are exchange students and foreigners coming over to confess to me like every single day over here. Well, do as you see fit.”

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly replied, “Confessions? Any British royalty? Like a baron or something.”

Fortunately, Cen Xiyu had still yet to leave as she replied, “Not for the moment, it seems. What, you nervous? Get to it then! Anyway, I’ve really got to go now. Take care of yourself. Goodbye!”

Xu Tingsheng could only reply, “Okay.”

Next, he shut down his computer. Sitting there, he thought about the current Apple, Cen Xiyu.

Xu Tingsheng knew that she was learning the guitar, running, getting confessed to, attending jazz parties cheerfully and enthusiastically as she sang and danced, wearing a plain, simple skirt on the small stage of a country folk party as she peacefully sung a warm, gentle song…

Thinking of all this, a smile unconsciously appeared on Xu Tingsheng’s face.

Sometimes, one need only acquire a happy, flourishing state to bring an ease of mind and happiness to those they interact with and who care about them. The current Cen Xiyu still had Apple’s ‘demonic nature’, yet was slowly becoming different...this was because the way she saw herself and her way of living had already changed.

She was filled with enthusiasm towards life and herself.

Xu Tingsheng fell asleep with warmth in his heart.

At around 2 or 3am in the morning, a body lightly climbed into his embrace.

Startled awake, Xu Tingsheng had just been about to ask her what was up.

Lu Zhixin said, “I’m not feverish. Don’t you speak. You can’t speak. End of story. Move back to your dormitory tomorrow. Alright, don’t you speak anymore. I’m exhausted.”

Then, she reached out to hold him, leaning against his chest as she quickly fell asleep.

Xu Tingsheng believed that Lu Zhixin’s intentions weren’t anything to wonder about. That night as well as the previous, she needed some warmth and comfort in a bout of rare neediness that had descended upon her.

As she was Lu Zhixin, this really was a rare thing. Thus, this state of hers should be shaken off very soon.

The Cen Xiyu and Lu Zhixin whom he had seen that day were both in a different state than they were usually.

Xu Tingsheng did not fall back asleep so quickly. Currently, these past few days, he seemed to have been in a state that should be rebuked.

He had acted wrongly, yet it could also not be said that he had been completely in the wrong.

If he were able to push Lu Zhixin aside right now, he might not still remain the Xu Tingsheng who had won Apple by warmly carrying her on his back back then. He might also not be the warm Uncle whom Xiang Ning had fallen in love with in his previous life, because of whom their entanglements of love had lasted for so long, she having waited painfully for so long afterwards.

This was an unsolvable paradox, a conflict that could not be avoided.

Xu Tingsheng thought about the current Xiang Ning. Whenever he saw her, he would be unable to repress himself. When he could not see her, he would know that he had to repress himself. It had always been like this thus far, at the very least.

Ever since his rebirth, Xu Tingsheng seemed to have been walking further and further away from his former self.

……

When Lu Zhixin awoke the next morning, she found Xu Tingsheng just staring right at the ceiling. His teeth were bared, yet he dared not move even a single inch. She crawled up, shooting him an inquiring gaze.

Xu Tingsheng pointed at a half of his body, saying with great difficulty, “Numb, hurts. It’s like it’s gonna be permanently damaged.”

Lu Zhixin finally laughed a little, but quickly put on a stern face again as she said, “I’m already fine now. You need to return to your dormitory to stay today. No, I mean immediately. Go right after you bathe.”

Xu Tingsheng shamelessly joked, “Alright, but can you first pay me the expenses for the night?”

Lu Zhixin strode right out of the door, stern and unspeaking as though all this had nothing to do with her at all.

After bathing, Xu Tingsheng left.

Before closing the door, he said to Lu Zhixin who was sitting in the living room, “I know that your family has probably met with some kind of problem. Never mind if you can’t tell me about it, rest for a couple of days. Go out for a walk or just peacefully live as a normal university student for a while; that’s all fine.”

Looking at him, Lu Zhixin nodded, “Yeah.”

Xu Tingsheng closed the door.

“Xu Tingsheng,” Lu Zhixin asked through the door, “If I converted our relationship into money or conditions one day, would you feel a sense of release? Or would you actually be hurt by it too?”

This question had really come out of nowhere. Xu Tingsheng wanted to open the door and ask about it in greater detail, yet realised that it was being blocked by Lu Zhixin on the other side.

“Just answer me like this,” She said.

Xu Tingsheng considered this in silence for a while before finally replying, “I don’t know. Perhaps there’d be some of both.”

Chapter 268: This place owes me a beautiful house

Fang Yuqing drove his decrepit Volkswagen. In the car were sitting Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao.

Following the route indicated by Xu Tingsheng, the car had already stopped at four places.

For the past two hours, the English country folk song, Five Hundred Miles, had repeatedly played in the car. This was perhaps one of the easiest English songs, with the lyrics being understandable even at junior high level.

Xu Tingsheng knew that this song would eventually be sung by someone else in the movie <Inside Llewyn Davis>, after which it would be widely known throughout the entire world.

What Fang Yuqing was concerned with was that this was a song Yuqing liked. Just two days ago, Yuqing who was currently in her fourth year of university had returned to her city to intern at a company and find a job. She would still be coming back, but their separation...was already in the cards.

“Her leaving time and again, me sending her off time and again...it’s like she wants me to hurry up and get used to it,” Similarly in his fourth year of university, a melancholic Fang Yuqing said.

“You don’t seem to like accompanying her that all much even when she’s around,” Huang Yaming commented.

“I want to accompany her now. I’m actually very afraid that she will leave,” Fang Yuqing said.

It was seldom that they saw him speaking in such a tone and manner. After speaking, he slumped down against the steering wheel.

The first time Yang Jiang and Qian Zhongshu had met, Qian Zhongshu’s first words had been, ‘I’m not engaged.’ To this, Yang Jiang had nervously answered, “I also don’t have a boyfriend.”

This was a very enviable romance and marriage. Still, this is unachievable for most people. Most of us simply deal with things as they come, only suddenly discovering afterwards an inexplicable inability to be separated from that certain someone.

What remains then is only the question of whether we are still in time or it is already too late.

The relationship between Fang Yuqing and Yuqing wasn’t enviable most of the time. Some even often felt indignation on Yuqing’s behalf. They had been together for very long, and it was only in their third year that Fang Yuqing had slowly begun to change. Now that they were in their fourth year, he discovered that he was unable to be away from Yuqing...yet did not know if he could get her to stay.

The Fang family might not accept Yuqing. Even though his elder sister Fang Chen really liked her younger brother’s boyfriend, even though Fang Yuqing was ‘disobedient’ most of the time, this particular matter was not so easy to deal with.

Whatever the case, he was the sole male progeny of that branch of his family.

Fang Yuqing was still dreaming of joining the police force. There was a high chance of his family putting a stop to this. Even if they didn’t, so long as they had even the slightest connections with his future career path, he would definitely be forced to stay in Yanzhou, any and all applications to go to a wholly unaffiliated city being rejected.

Meanwhile, Yuqing was unwilling to stay behind.

Fang Yuqing had actually mentioned that he hoped for Yuqing to remain in Yanzhou, but she had refused. She wanted to return to her hometown, Suzhou. To ask a girl to stay alone in a foreign city to wait for an undecided man...this was already unfair in itself.

“How about going into business? Have you ever thought about that?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “There’s considerably greater freedom in that.”

Fang Yuqing shook his head, “I want to be a policeman.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “When you’ve become a policeman for real one day, you might discover then that things actually aren’t like how you think they are. If Yuqing leaves then, you would have missed out on what truly is important. Maybe when Yuqing marries, she will invite me, Apple, your sister. I wonder if she’d invite you.”

Fang Yuqing said, “Hey, stop it...stop scaring me.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Maybe she’d call you personally, or maybe she’d ask me or your sister to hand the invitation to you. I recall Yuqing saying that she will definitely get married before she turns 25. Do you think that was a threat?”

Fang Yuqing exclaimed, “The heck, what in the world should I do then? Would my family agree to me going into business? I can go to where she is if I go into business? If my family ignores me, I won’t have the money to buy even a single flat...what the heck, I just realised all of a sudden just how useless I am.”

In the backseat of the car, Huang Yaming interjected, “You idiot, don’t you know how much your shares in Hucheng are worth?”

“Oh, right,” Fang Yuqing said.

Xu Tingsheng said, “You needn’t worry about that, isn’t it just buying houses...let’s build the best house together, right in front of Yuqing’s family home in Suzhou. If that still isn’t enough, think of a way to get her house demolished. See if she can still refuse to stay with you then.”

The other three people in the car all looked at him.

“Of course, we should first start building ‘em up here in Yanzhou,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Those four locations that we passed just now are the four pieces of land that the government will soon be taking out for auction...I intend to obtain one of them.”

“You’re really going into real estate?”

“Yeah. Even if I ultimately don’t build any houses anywhere else, I must build a beautiful district here in Yanzhou at the very least.”

“Why?"

“This place owes me a beautiful house.”

“Can’t you just buy one then.”

“Not beautiful enough.”

The other three people were left completely mystified.

There were some things that only Xu Tingsheng himself would know.

In the year 2011 of his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had come to Yanzhou for the first time. Xiang Ning had brought him along in strolling through her favourite central park, passing the trees, the grassy lawns, the wooden bridge. There had been a beautiful housing district opposite the park. Xiang Ning had commented, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could live here? The park’s so close by.”

Xu Tingsheng had asked, “Why?”

Even as she continued daydreaming, Xiang Ning had said, “We can stroll here together every night after dinner! Especially when I’m pregnant, you’ve got to support me as I walk. Also, look. The lawns here are so thick and soft. When we have a baby in the future, we can let him play on them. It’ll be okay even if he falls down...”

Back then, the initial stage of his business start-up having gone rather smoothly, a high-spirited Xu Tingsheng had said, “Let’s buy it then.”

Xiang Ning hurriedly waved her hands, “No, no...I was just caught up in my fantasies. The flats here are all very big. They’re also the most expensive in Yanzhou. I hear they cost nearly twenty thousand yuan. My Mum and Dad came over to look at them several times right after they'd been built. We didn't have enough money to buy one then, and regretted it to death afterwards. As for us, we can just buy a small flat when we have money. It's fine even if it's a bit further away.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Right here. I will buy it for you, and for our child as well. Trust me.”

Never would the Xu Tingsheng of back then have thought that everything might turn out like that afterwards. While Xiang Ning might never have taken this promise to heart, this was such a grand mockery and utter joke to him.

Therefore, Yanzhou owed Xu Tingsheng a beautiful house.

As Fang Yuqing understood somewhat less about Yanzhou, he asked Xu Tingsheng, “Which one of them do you want? “

Four pieces of land.

No.1 was located in the central city district. It had formerly been a teaching school, but had already moved to some new premises.

No.2 was located close to the bus station. As bus stations were still yet to be viewed as installations which drove economy in the suburbs in this day and age, this was actually a great spot as well.

No.3 was located by the round city highway. Those with cars definitely wouldn't think it too out of the way. There were mountains there and a river nearby. Building a small villa district there would surely be good.

No.4 was located along the east coast of the Yanzhou River. A bridge had to be crossed to get there. As the locals put it: Cross the bridge and there's the village.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Of course it'd have to be the best one.”

Fang Yuqing asked, “Got enough funds?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Thinking of a plan.”

Fang Yuqing said, “If you want to do it with Hucheng, perhaps you'd still have to ask for Tianyi’s opinion, and that old demoness Fang Chen and Lu Zhixin too. You might even have to ask Old Wai and his wife for their opinions.”

“I don’t intend to do it with Hucheng. I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Register a new company. Call it something like Zhicheng(Extreme Sincerity), and as for the district, we can call it...Ningyuan(Ning Garden).”

Zhicheng Ningyuan(Extreme Sincerity, Ning Garden).

Hence did the other three all fall silent as they directed deep, meaningful looks at Xu Tingsheng.

“Ning Garden’s great, isn’t it! It’s got the meaning of congregating, gathering together. Whether those buying the flats interpret it as ‘reunion’ or ‘gathering treasures and accumulating fortune’, it’s all very auspicious!” Xu Tingsheng explained.

The three snorted disdainfully.

“Stop talking rubbish. Just talk about what you want us to do now. It couldn’t be that you asked us out to help inspect those plots of land. We wouldn’t know how to do that,” Fang Yuqing said.

Adopting an earnest expression, Xu Tingsheng said, “I want you guys to spread this news when you are hanging out at the usual places over this period of time. Then, try your best to take note of their reactions when they hear the news and tell me about it afterwards.”

“Why?”

“Yuqing’s position in his family is really too low. Therefore, in Yanzhou, be it in terms of money or connections, I’ll have to borrow the help of these people. You guys just mention it once and see how they react to it.”

“I’ll invite them to eat afterwards and mention it clearly again, after which I’ll look again at their reactions and attitude towards this. Through such a comparison, I’ll be able to better determine which of them truly wish to participate, having considered it seriously as they are willing to invest their efforts in it.”

Fang Yuqing felt rather despondent at Xu Tingsheng’s first sentence. Still, he indeed had a very low position in his family.

“Right, Yuqing, you should attend Hucheng’s meeting next weekend. There are some things then that will be pretty important. As a shareholder...you’ll have to be present even if it’s just sitting there,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Fang Yuqing had basically been wholly uninvolved in all Hucheng’s previous decisions and policies prior to this. Xu Tingsheng had always allowed him to do whatever he wanted. This time, however, he seemed really solemn...

“Will the meeting this time be very important?” Fang Yuqing asked in bewilderment.

“Yeah. Hucheng’s about to go full steam ahead,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 269: Fang Yuqing’s assault

Chapter 269: Fang Yuqing’s assault

Around 7pm, Xu Tingsheng felt hungry.

He couldn’t return to the riverside residence for the time being. At the very least, Xu Tingsheng couldn’t very well appear again before Lu Zhixin today. Huang Yaming and Tan Yao had driven off to have fun with some medical faculty chicks. They simply wouldn’t even bother inviting him for such matters now.

His remaining roommates were all busying themselves with matters pertaining to members of the opposite sex.

If it was the canteens, there should only be leftovers and cold dregs remaining by now.

The loner Xu Tingsheng wanted to find someone to eat dinner with. In the end, he could only think of Fang Yuqing who was currently just as much as a loner as he was. So he called him.

After hearing him out, Fang Yuqing said, “I’m driving right now. I’m on the way to Suzhou. I bought two dumplings from the service centre just earlier and I’m biting on them right now.”

Taken aback, Xu Tingsheng asked, “And what play are you staging?”

Fang Yuqing roared into the phone, “And wasn’t it you who frightened me? My head’s been filled completely with red ever since this afternoon...Yuqing’s wedding invitation. Whenever I closed my eyes, I would see her wearing a wedding gown and getting wed to someone else. In the end, I couldn’t stand it and just drove out here.”

“Where are you now?”

“I just got on the highway a while ago.”

Despite thinking this to be great, Xu Tingsheng could not resist teasing Fang Yuqing as he held back his rising laughter, asking, “To ask her if she will invite you to her wedding?”

“To tell her that I will definitely marry her before she turns 25,” Fang Yuqing said.

“Can’t you just call her and tell her that?”

“I…”

“You what?”

“I lost my mind just now and withdrew all my money to buy a ring.”

A ring. He had embarked on a quest of a thousand miles with a single-minded determination to propose? Xu Tingsheng was shocked by the sudden burning passion of the usually lackadaisical Fang Yuqing as he was unable to speak for a time.

Discovering after some time that no response was forthcoming, Fang Yuqing continued, “Hey, say something, will you…to be honest, I'm panicking a little right now...I keep thinking about turning back! What do I do?”

“You can't just turn back so easily on a highway, right?”

“Yeah, it's fortunate for that.”

“Scared of getting rejected?”

“I'm really kinda. You don't know this, but Yuqing has a soft exterior but a tough disposition. When she refused to stay in Yanzhou, she’d actually already mentally prepared herself for breaking up with me. I've got no confidence of succeeding at all now.”

“Don’t think about that first, “Xu Tingsheng said, “Won't it be night by the time you get there? Do you know where she lives?”

“Yeah, I’ve been then before…” Fang Yuqing said, “When her parents both weren't at home once.”

“You'll have to do it in front of her parents this time then. After all, it's their daughter you want to marry. You can't just propose to her never even having met her parents before.”

“Why is it that the more you say, the more I want to turn back…”

“Turn back and wait to receive her wedding invitation?” Xu Tingsheng breezily replied.

Immediately he heard that characteristic ‘vrroom’ of acceleration from Fang Yuqing’s decrepit Volkswagon. He was going all out.

“I'm hanging up then! Drive carefully, and call me if anything crops up,” He hung up.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng was still ultimately forced to eat alone. Switching buses twice, he found that traditional seafood noodle store that was Xiang Ning’s favourite, ordered the noodles that Xiang Ning had previously ordered for him, and sat down.

Over a year ago, there had once been a period of time during which he had come here to buy takeaway for her everyday.

Perhaps because the Xu Tingsheng of back then had liked to chat with the boss a little when standing in front of the counter waiting for the takeaway to be packed, describing Little Xiang Ning as Big Xiang Ning and his previous life as his present life, the boss who ran a thriving business actually still remembered him.

When the store was slightly emptier, the boss made use of this time to come over and greet him, “It's been a long time since you last came.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Yeah!”

“Your girlfriend doesn't like my noodles anymore?”

“She should still like them,” Xu Tingsheng replied, aware that the 22-year-old Xiang Ning had still loved eating these noodles.

“Then…” The boss stopped mid-sentence,saying in the end, “Never mind.”

Perhaps having seen too many people who had once come together with their partner coming alone before, he knew that he shouldn't be asking about this now.

Although Xu Tingsheng had always come alone back then, he had been able to tell that he came with happiness in his heart each time. He liked talking about that girl whom he had never brought over before.

After Xu Tingsheng had finished eating the noodles, the boss walked over, carrying a cup in one hand and a set of takeaway noodles in the other.

“The is strawberry wine personally brewed by my family. It's distilled from high-grade white wine; you're guaranteed to be dizzy with a single cup. These noodles are the same as what you just ordered. Choose one of the two; that'll be on the house.”

Give her the noodles or drink that cup of wine, drunkenly returning home alone to sleep.

Xu Tingsheng understood what he meant.

Seeing how he remained silent, the boss waited for a bit before putting down both the cup of wine and the noodles.

“You can only choose one. We're a small business,” The boss smiled as he offered.

…...

Staggering back to his dormitory, Xu Tingsheng found it already closed for the night. Unable to enter, he could only find a hostel to stay the night.

When Fang Yuqing’s call came in, he was already blearily about to drift off into sleep.

Xu Tingsheng gave him a random ‘hey’.

Fang Yuqing asked, “What's with you? Your voice isn't right?”

“I drank a little and ate two bowls of noodles, one of them by the roadside,” Xu Tingsheng said, “But enough about that already, let's talk about you first. I just love hearing stories about how fools throw everything aside and go all out before their stories then end in great tragedy.”

Fang Yuqing went ‘scram’ before saying, “I'm outside her home district now, but I don't dare to go over. What should I do?”

“Go find a provisions shop nearby, buy an Erguotou and bottoms up,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Okay,” Fang Yuqing said.

……

Fang Yuqing downed two whole bottles of Erguotou, because he discovered that just one wasn't enough. Then, he called Yuqing.

The first thing that Fang Yuqing said was, “Yuqing, don't you marry someone else.”

Taken aback, Yuqing asked, “Are you drunk?”

Fang Yuqing said, “I'm already outside your home district right now. I, I've bought a ring.”

Yuqing said, “Stop it, Yuqing. You're drunk.”

Fang Yuqing asked, “Don't believe me? I'll come and knock on your door in a bit then. Open the door for me if you dare. I wanna propose.”

Yuqing was silent for a long time, low sobs audible on the other end of the phone before she said, “I've thought about it, Yuqing. I’ve thought about it. But remember two semesters ago, when we ran into your parents out on the streets and I met them for the first time? I never thought about it again afterwards. The reason I'm still together with you now, unafraid of what others may say behind my back, is that I wanted to accompany you for another two years.”

Fang Yuqing was crying as well, “I know, but don't you care about them. You will open the door in a while, won't you?”

Yuqing stopped emphasising ‘you're drunk’ as she coaxed Fang Yuqing as she would a kid, smiling even as she wiped off her tears, “Alright, alright, I'll open the door for you. Is there anyone beside you right now? Hurry up and go home.”

Fang Yuqing hung up.

Yuqing called him again, but he did not hear it.

He knocked on the door of her home.

Then, at that very instant when the sound of the doorknob turning resounded, he knelt down on one knee, opened the box containing the ring and raised it up high.

The door opened.

“Wi, will you marry me?” The drunken Fang Yuqing was still feeling nervous, stuttering  flusteredly as he dared not raise his head.

When some time had passed and he still could hear nothing, Fang Yuqing looked up.

“Um…hi, auntie…” He said.

Next, a middle-aged man walked over as well. Just like his wife, Yuqing’s father was stunned silly by the scene before his eyes.

“My name is Fang Yuqing, and I want to marry your daughter, Yuqing,” Fang Yuqing said.

The sound of a door opening resounded before hurried footsteps could be heard. Soon, a pyjamas-clad Yuqing appeared behind her parents. As she stood there, she saw Fang Yuqing who was kneeling over by the doorway.

“You, you really came?” A blushing Yuqing asked.

“Heh,” A drunken Fang Yuqing laughed in a silly manner before looking up and saying to Yuqing’s parents, “That's her, it's her I want to marry. Your daughter.”

Chapter 270: The non-inheritors

Early the next morning, Xu Tingsheng was rudely awoken by a call from Fang Yuqing.

Fang Yuqing told him what had happened the previous night.

Xu Tingsheng gloated over his unfortunate farce, “The heck, you're really lucky! After you proposed to Yuqing’s Mum, her Dad actually didn't storm right over and kill you dead. He's really got quite the good temper.”

Fang Yuqing exclaimed, “Scram! Wasn't it all your fault in the first place?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “What happened then? The most important thing is-what happened then? What did Yuqing say? “

“She got me a wet towel and brewed me a cup of tea.”

“She didn't say anything? “

“She couldn't! Uncle and Auntie cornered me on the sofa and educated me for more than two hours, all the way till after 2am in the morning. Yuqing couldn't get in a word.”

“What did her parents say then?”

“They just asked me to properly concentrate on finding a job for now, saying that we should wait till after graduation before talking about these things. Anyway, it was crazy embarrassing.”

“Seems like Yuqing didn’t tell her parents about your family’s situation.”

“Right.”

“What happened afterwards?”

“Afterwards, I was put up in the guest room and so they went back to sleep. I’d already sobered up then. I didn’t sleep at all the whole night...I went to find Yuqing’s parents early in the morning and took my leave.”

“You didn’t sneak over to Yuqing’s room in the middle of the night?”

“Get lost! Can’t you teach me anything proper?”

“Where are you now then?”

“In my car, hiding in some bend right outside her home district.”

“Have Yuqing’s parents left?”

“Yeah. They probably went off to work.”

“What about Yuqing then?”

“I didn’t see her leave. She should still be at home. Still, she just refuses to answer my calls or reply to my messages. What do you think’s happening here? What does Yuqing mean by this? My ring’s still warming my pocket here.”

“She should be feeling conflicted, hesitant, lost.”

“So? What should I do?”

“Go back and knock on her door.”

“Huh? What for?”

“After the door opens, you directly go wall-blam.”

“Wall-blam? What’s that?”

“Just press Yuqing directly against the wall and forcefully kiss her. Be a bit fiercer, a bit wilder and a bit more domineering. If she pushes you, hold your ground. If she hits you, take it like a man. If she bites you...you’ll just no longer be able to speak in the future at most.”

“...You really don’t intend to teach me anything proper, do you?”

“As soon as women get conflicted and hesitant over something, their minds will just get more and more tangled up in it. They’ll only become more conflicted and hesitant and they’ll forever be unable to make up their minds. At times like these, there’s only a single method that works, which is to make up their minds for them, forcing them to accept your opinion...it’s your choice whether to listen to me or not.”

“Then...if I really do listen. That...wall-blam, how long do I go on with it?”

“When she stops resisting and falls limp, that’s when you carry her into her room.”

“Xu Tingsheng, I seem to remember that you’re the only virgin amongst the lot of us? Where did you learn all of these?”

“It’s your choice whether to listen to me or not. Anyway...when she’ll do whatever you ask, take out your ring, cry as is appropriate, and say whatever it is that has to be said. Right, remember to put on your clothes before kneeling.”

“...only a fool would listen to you.”

“Like I said, it’s your choice. I’ve got a call coming in. I’m hanging up.”

Xu Tingsheng hung up, seeing on the screen that he had a missed call from Lu Zhxin.

He called back, and Lu Zhixin said, “Old Wai came knocking just now. He said he thought that you were here...you didn’t return to your dorm last night. Where are you right now?”

“It was too late and I couldn’t enter. I stayed at a motel last night,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a while before asking softly over the phone, “Why didn’t you come back here to sleep? I don’t actually have the power to kick you out of this place. If you came back, I would still have opened the door for you.”

Xu Tingsheng laughed, “I was scared that someone might crawl onto my bed in the middle of the night.”

Lu Zhixin said, “The one that you washed-I already can’t distinguish which one it was anymore.”

After saying so, she hung up.

……

Xu Tingsheng returned to his university and attended two lessons. In the afternoon, he received yet another call from Fang Yuqing. The sound of his car speeding along the road could be heard over the receiver.

Fang Yuqing said, “I’m on my way back right now.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Oh.”

Fang Yuqing waited for a bit before asking, “Just...oh? You don’t wanna know anything else?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Not interested.”

Fang Yuqing said, “Don’t be like this! I’ll treat you to a meal when I get back. You can have anything you want.”

“Didn’t you withdraw all your money to buy a ring? You’re taking it back and pawning it?”

“The ring...heh...it’s already been given away. You can lend me the money first,” Fang Yuqing said, “Well, Yuqing said that she'll keep the ring first. She won't wear it, but she will wait for me for two years. Also, her parents’ impression of me actually isn't bad. Yuqing’s Dad told her afterwards that while the way I looked yesterday night was indeed rather foolish, it was foolishness for Yuqing’s sake at the very least.”

Fang Yuqing was laughing in a silly manner over on his end of the phone.

Seeing how Fang Yuqing who had habitually seemed lackadaisical and whimsical before this could actually foolishly go Erguotou for someone else and then be happy in a silly manner, Xu Tingsheng actually felt rather happy for him as well. He was always hoping to see more people around him being blessed by happiness, more happy events occurring.

“Forget about treating me to a meal first. I’ve invited those friends of yours to a meal tomorrow night. You, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao will all be accompanying me then.”

“Great!” Fang Yuqing exclaimed excitedly, “We should hurry and get that house built in front of Yuqing’s home as soon as possible. Her current house’s still in Soviet-style architecture. That's practically archaic.”

“You're not gonna join the police anymore? ” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I don't know, I'm a bit hesitant. I talked with my cousin about it yesterday afternoon. And you know what he told me?”

“What?”

“He said that for at least one out of every three of their cases right now, there will be various people from up above calling in to ask about it. Some even directly exert pressure on them. The time and effort that's being spent dealing with such things is even greater than that spent on cracking the cases themselves.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before saying, “You do as you think fit.”

…….

There existed immense potential for growth in real estate. By the time the second half of 2004 rolled in, many people had already realised this.

Still, there was something characteristic to real estate, and that was that it was high in quality yet low in quantity…because of that, while countless people knew of its potential, there were few who actually dared to try to get a slice of the pie, and even fewer who would ultimately end up seeing success.

Generally speaking, apart from the occasional major real estate company ambitiously coming abroad, the overall situation in real estate was considerably stable. From relationships to funding to the various smaller details, it would not be easy for anyone to break this stable equilibrium.

Even as local real estate companies were competitors, there would generally exist a tacit understanding between them as well.

It had been three days since Xu Tingsheng had asked the trio to spread the word. Over these mere three days, there were already many who had learnt of this matter. There were those who had come to mess things up for him. Of course, Xu Tingsheng was still sorely insufficient in their eyes. Many had not really taken this matter to heart.

In name, this dinner was for Xu Tingsheng to thank everyone for their assistance in that park incident which had happened during the summer holidays. The first half of it was to be held in Yanzhou’s sole five star hotel, while the afterparty would be held in Bro Kun’s nightclub.

Speaking of Wu Kun, Xu Tingsheng only recalled having received a call from him after that previous incident, saying that that other Bro Kun’s gang would be appearing in Yanzhou no longer.

There were more than forty attendees in total, consisting of both men and women alike. It was evident that some of them had not participated in that park incident at all. Instead, they had come due to the news that Xu Tingsheng had intentionally leaked.

Xu Tingsheng had a term that described their distinctiveness: the non-inheritors.

These people mostly had families which were rooted in business or officialdom. Even though they fell under the blanket term of ‘second gen’, most of them were not seriously valued and groomed by their families. They were not inheritors.

This was actually a very important distinction. It allows Xu Tingsheng to know how he should speak to them, what ‘bait’ he should prepare.

Their most distinctive characteristic was their intense desire to prove their mettle.

Chapter 271: Recognising and bestowing

A post-rebirth life with a greater mental age and a stronger foundation did not entail that a person would definitely be able to assimilate into the form of interaction at a different social strata within a short period of time.

At the core of his being, Xu Tingsheng actually still did not belong to such a social strata yet.

Of course, Fang Yuqing was an exception. This ‘outlier’ aside, Xu Tingsheng still preferred to casually hang out with that bunch of ordinary classmates and friends who hailed from simple, ordinary backgrounds and lived ordinary lives. He felt much more relaxed and happy this way.

Hence, at Tianyi’s cocktail party, he had maintained his silence as much as humanely possible.

If you are in a comparatively foreign setting and know full well that all your available cards are known to everyone else, yet are still just sorely insufficient, the best way of circumventing this would be to maintain a sense of mystery, letting others speculate about you.

They will speculate about you to the point that even you don’t recognise yourself anymore.

Cats will be magnified into tigers.

Xu Tingsheng’s greatest advantage was the sense of mystery surrounding him. Even though Hucheng was already laid out on the table, him hailing from a farming family in a small county and his sudden and rapid rise to prominence was still thought of as inconceivable by everyone.

Just this point alone was sufficient to cause people to fear underestimating him, thus constantly speculating about him....and the more they speculated, the more highly they came to view him.

Though Xu Tingsheng had ate, drank and made merry together with these people a few times before, the topic of business and money had never been broached between them. He actually could not be considered as having truly integrated into this social circle.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng’s greatest principle in interacting with them thus far had always been to keep as friendly and polite as possible whilst also abstaining from interacting too closely with them as much as possible such that that sense of mystery was maintained.

If Xu Tingsheng was currently waving the flag of Hucheng and telling everyone that a university student who had risen up with his own power and attained some results intended to go into the real estate market, there probably wouldn’t be many who would consider this in earnest. There definitely wouldn’t be this many people present here tonight, especially all these foreign faces.

Now, however, the feeling that Xu Tingsheng gave these people was that this inscrutable young fellow from abroad whom they had always been unable to see through despite their best efforts had revealed his intentions to venture into real estate in Yanzhou City.

They definitely had to go take a look then!

Xu Tingsheng briefly scanned all the forty plus people present even as he feasted on food and drink. While some of them might have come just to watch the commotion, there were definitely no unrelated, insignificant people here, those women whom he had not seen before included. Xu Tingsheng could tell with a single glance that they were not here as the women of some second gen. They had entered this place based on their own statuses.

It might even really be beneath some of them to come here.

This was the first half of the night’s event, mainly being for everyone to get better acquainted with one another and confirm the veracity of that matter, understanding the general situation.

Xu Tingsheng warmly and politely greeted and conversed with everyone who came up to him, also taking the initiative to greet all those people standing nearby. Some asked him about his real estate plans. He said that he indeed had the intention to get involved in this, saying that everyone would hopefully have a chance to cooperate in the future and not to be stingy with their help then.

The topic would generally end here. Those who truly intended to get involved in this main topic of discussion would naturally stay behind and attend the afterparty.

Feeling pained over the cost of the meal, whenever there wasn’t anyone whom he needed to greet, Xu Tingsheng would be eating very earnestly, eating back as much money as he could. He was the only person in this entire venue from start to end who seemed to have come here just for the meal.

Returning from a round around the area, Huang Yaming asked, “The abalone and birds’ nest both haven’t been served yet?”

Xu Tingsheng licked his lips, “They’re gone.”

Huang Yaming forced a smile, “Bro, you’ve already made it this far. Can’t you rein in your poor bastard act a little? Don’t you find it embarrassing?”

Xu Tingsheng shot back, “Didn’t you also ask about abalone and birds’ nest as soon as you got here?”

Grabbing some of the dishes on the table, Huang Yaming said, “I was poor in the first place. So, I’ve no idea at all what else is valuable besides abalone and birds’ nest. I could just have eaten one of those expensive things and I wouldn’t even have noticed.”

“Me too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

…...

Xu Tingsheng exchanged some simple pleasantries with a beauty in a long black dress who looked around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, her hair curled slightly at the back. Fang Yuqing then walked over with his wineglass that was already empty.

As this wasn’t any formal occasion, everyone present was dressed rather casually with the sole exception of Fang Yuqing. The collared shirt he wore was buttoned up right to the very top. As for the reason, it was that his neck and chest was filled completely with scratch marks...these were from Yuqing’s initial resistance and later heated passion the previous night.

“Isn’t it hot? Just unbutton your shirt then. It’s just a small thing, who here wouldn’t understand?” Xu Tingsheng teased him, “Just that who would have thought, huh? Yuqing looks so gentle, but she’s actually a female leopard.”

Fang Yuqing had already gotten used to being teased by Xu Tingsheng and the other two these past two days. He simply ignored the provocation, pointing towards the departing silhouette and saying, “The woman you just talked to-her name’s Ye Qing.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I know, she just told me.”

“She’s already thirty, but she doesn’t look it, right? She’s still single.”

“You’re right, she doesn’t look it. But so what?”

“How about you consider utilising your forte and sealing the deal with her?”

“Forte your sister! Still, what’s with this again?”

Because of Xu Tingsheng, Fang Yuqing and the others had already prematurely gotten used to the phrase ‘your sister’ and were widely promoting the fad. Whatever the case, this phrase was much easier for people to accept than the likes of ‘your mother’.

“Publicly acknowledged as the wealthiest in Yanzhou, the Ye family,” Fang Yuqing spoke in a hushed tone, “While Ye Qing has an elder brother above her, he’s not more competent as her. Because of that, her family should still be hesitating over the succession. She and her brother are still competing over it as well. I’m betting that she’ll win. I really hadn’t expected to see her here today.”

“And?”

“I’m wondering if she’ll go to the afterparty. If she’s ultimately willing to participate, our chances of success will be much higher.”

“Let’s wait and see then.”

“You won’t consider trying to net her?”

“Net your sister!”

“I only have one elder sister. Might you be interested?”

“...Never mind.”

…...

After the first half of the event had ended, Wu Kun called for them to continue the afterparty in his nightclub. He had already arranged a large VIP room for them.

While the afterparty would be held in the nightclub, they wouldn’t be heading there to have fun. Virtually everyone present understood that those who wanted to have fun could go have fun on their own. Those remaining who were truly interested in the proposition would naturally go over.

Xu Tingsheng and his three bros headed there via car. Tan Yao who had intentionally restricted his alcohol intake was in charge of driving.

This time that was spent travelling was the best chance for the four of them to communicate amongst themselves. After having gone inside that VIP room, there were many things which would become inconvenient for them to say.

“Tingsheng, how do you see it?” Huang Yaming asked.

“Some of them appeared much more enthusiastic and receptive than what you told me,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“That’s a good thing,” Tan Yao replied while driving.

“Can’t really say that for sure,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“There were a few just now who patted their chests and said that we’ll strike it rich together. They seemed really interested,” Tan Yao said.

“I had a few of those too,” Huang Yaming said.

“I had a few who didn’t guarantee anything at all, but asked about it very earnestly and in great detail,” Fang Yuqing said.

“Which few?” Xu Tingsheng asked before stopping Tan Yao and Huang Yaming who were about to answer, “I’ll listen to Yuqing’s first.”

“Chen Yan, Gao Yupo, Jiang Jin…” Fang Yuqing recited five names in succession.

Xu Tingsheng nodded, carefully thinking back on his earlier conversations and interactions with these five people.

“It it that those who looked all buddy-buddy with us all actually won’t participate?” Huang Yaming asked Xu Tingsheng.

“That’s not it. It’s just that these people tend to just go along with what the majority are doing. They aren’t the people whom we have to concentrate on grasping and succeeding with later. We just take down those we have to take down, and then they’ll naturally follow...it’s instead Yuqing’s lot who have ideas and doubts of their own whom we have to pay attention to,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“So that’s how it was…” Huang Yaming scratched his head before suddenly questioning, “Hey, Tingsheng, I’ve never understood when you learnt all this stuff. I was hanging out with you way back since tenth grade. Back then, you didn’t know about these complicated, messy things too!”

This question was something that Xu Tingsheng would definitely not be able to answer, because these things had actually mostly been learnt from his previous life, during those couple of years in which he had ran around all over the place in a bid to secure business success.

“Reading,” Xu Tingsheng found the most useable answer that he could think of and replied.

“Yeah, like real,” Fang Yuqing switched back to the main topic, saying, “Bro Kun will be participating. Also, the likelihood of him participating is very high.”

He said this with great certainty.

“Why?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Bro Kun likes to gamble,” Fang Yuqing said.

“Right! Dice, mahjong, cards, Bro Kun’s just awesome at all of them. With those hands of his, he’ll never starve to death wherever he goes,” Tan Yao interjected, having once worked at Wu Kun’s nightclub for a period of time before.

“Not this kind of gambling,” Fang Yuqing explained, “What I mean is that he loves to gamble in his life choices. Don’t forget that Wu Kun is the one out of all of us who truly had completely no background at all initially. From having not a cent to his name to achieving what he has now at the age of thirty, he’s bet all-in with every single step he’s taken. There are at least three times that I know of. He bet his life in the first, and all his assets in the following two...he’s won every time, thus having attained all that he has today. All of us guys have to call him (Big) Bro Kun.”

“Even having reached this point, he’s still gambling?” Having actually rather admired and worshipped Wu Kun all along, Tan Yao was rather emotional now as he asked about this.

“When one arrives at a new level, they see new things, and desire new things. Therefore, those who truly possess ambition will actually never be able to stop,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Though it doesn’t seem to be like that for me.”

“That still remains to be seen. You may not even know it yourself now,” Fang Yuqing said, “Still, what you say is definitely the case. If Wu Kun thought the way Tan Yao just did, after gambling for the first time, he was actually already in a position to start a peaceful life. And yet he didn’t, still continuing to gamble..that’s why I say that he loves to gamble, and may never stop at that.”

“Why do you think he will choose this time to gamble?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Wu Kun’s thirty-two years old this year. What he owns now is intrinsically no different from what he owned at the age of twenty-nine. This is to say that he has already searched for three whole years, yet has ultimately been unable to find a suitable space for that breakthrough. This is the first thing.”

Fang Yuqing said, “Secondly, he’s already been interested in real estate for quite a while. Still, he’s got no actual background at the end of the day. There’s no one who’s really led him into it.”

“I’ve got no actual background too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I know, but he doesn’t. None of them do. All the things that you and your family have achieved over this one plus year has left everyone feeling unable to see through your background. They instead believe that it’s surely very substantial. Our relationship, including the way we usually interact, has also caused such an impression of you to deepen for them,” Fang Yuqing said.

“Go on,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Actually, even I myself can’t stop from wondering sometimes. It’s surely the same for those two. Even we feel that we can’t see through you sometimes. You made a band, started a company, set up some training institutes and became a shareholder of Tianyi…always coming up with some weird stuff every once in a while, yet somehow always being successful every time. Could it be that there really is some great expert standing behind you?” Fang Yuqing mused.

Tan Yao and Huang Yaming both nodded repeatedly in agreement at this.

“That isn’t what I was asking about. Hurry and tell me the third reason."

Xu Tingsheng used a simple, rough method to get around this topic.

“Thirdly, Bro Kun was paying quite a bit of attention to you before this. Then, he came to admire you greatly. Don’t think that it was very easy to clean up that incident from before. Cleaning up is actually the most troublesome part of things like that. That he was willing to take things over for you itself already shows for something. Therefore, I’m guessing he will bet on you this time.”

After discussing Wu Kun who could basically be confirmed as a very desirable ally, Fang Yuqing then came to mention somebody else.

“One of them, Ding Sen. You should take note of him later,” He said.

“Is it a good thing?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“He’s trouble,” Fang Yuqing replied.

“Why? But I’ve never heard of this person before! Did I accidentally provoke him?”

“Ding Sen’s twenty-five this year. He’s been pursuing Lu Zhixin ever since he was twenty.”

Hearing Fang Yuqing’s words, Huang Yaming exclaimed, “That’s just too freaking shameless! Five years ago, Lu Zhixin should only have been in junior high, right?”

Shameless? Uh...Xu Tingsheng lowered his head and rubbed the area between his brows, smiling awkwardly at the floor as he hesitantly ventured, “This...isn’t that shameless, right? They...it’s only a five year difference.”

“It isn’t about that. Hey, when he started pursuing Lu Zhixin, she was still in junior high! Seventh grade? Eighth grade? He’s really a beast! How isn’t he embarrassed? Huang Yaming continued ranting on and on about it.

The other two people in the car nodded in agreement.

Here, they were unaware that it wasn’t just Ding Sen they were berating. They were berating Xu Tingsheng as well.

Xu Tingsheng felt completely lost. Hey, what if Little Xiang Ning were to be exposed in the future then? How would he still be able to continue living?

“He didn’t succeed, right?” Huang Yaming asked.

Before Fang Yuqing could answer, Tan Yao directly retorted, “Duh! If not for that, how could Lu Zhixin have come to follow Bro Xu like this, working so hard for him and even living together in the same house as him?”

Xu Tingsheng would originally still have been able to righteously explain the matter of the two of them living in the same house. Still, because of the matter two days back, considering what had happened those two nights...his basis for doing so fell pitifully short.

“Cough, cough,” Xu Tingsheng coughed twice before asking Fang Yuqing, “What’s Ding Sen’s background?”

“Both business and officialdom. His family has ties of cooperation with the Lu Family. He can’t compare to Chen Yan in terms of background in the bureaucracy, and can’t compare to Gao Yupo in terms of wealth, but adding those up together, he’s a little stronger than them both.”

Fang Yuqing told Xu Tingsheng of Ding Sen’s power by means of comparison.

As they were discussing Ding Sen, a red Ferrari raced by outside the window.

“That’s Ye Qing’s car,” Fang Yuqing said, “You can tell from the direction that she’s going to the afterparty.”

“Oh,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“You ain’t curious?”

“Just a little.”

“I just can’t think of anything that you could possibly offer her. Even if you really succeed and profit, the money wouldn’t be much to her family anyway. Don’t look down on our Yanzhou’s richest family. If the Ye family really flashed it all out, they’d even be able to get on Forbes.”

“It’s not a matter of money. It’s that I can give her a chance to prove outside of her family that she’s more capable than her elder brother.”

“But why you? If she wanted to prove herself by investing in real estate, aren’t Yanzhou’s local real estate companies more reliable than you? And they themselves are already connected to the Ye family. You’re not established at all.”

“It’s precisely because I’m not established at all, only just having appeared. Because of that, I am the most suitable choice.”

“Why?”

“Vision. Also, for those local real estate companies you’re talking about, since you say that they all have ties with the Ye family already, they’ve surely already chosen a side between her and her brother. The situation’s basically been set. Also, I believe that she should have come out worse off in that decision...therefore, me coming out now is just right. Bar any unexpected occurrences, we’ve got ourselves another powerful ally.”

“That makes sense,” Huang Yaming said.

“But she’s dangerous too. Take care not to be suddenly swallowed up by her later on,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Won’t it be fine if you just net her?” Fang Yuqing commented.

“Your sister!” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I’ll go!”

“I’ll go!”

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao both volunteered their services.

“Fine, you two can give it a go. Still, don’t be impolite...” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Hey, stop messing around,” Fang Yuqing said.

“I’m not messing around. Don’t feel that rich women are all that special. However rich she is, she’s still thirty and single. I don’t believe that the phrase ‘thirty and ravenous’ is completely unfounded. Good luck, the two of you! Do your best to conquer her,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Tan Yao’s and Huang Yaming’s morale instantly surged through the roof at this prospect.

…...

The car stopped outside the entrance of the nightclub as Tan Yao dropped the other three off.

Unexpectedly, Lu Zhixin also just happened to be getting off another car there.

“Xu Tingsheng? How, how is it that you’re here?”

Lu Zhixin was clearly rather taken aback, with a rare look of panic and nervousness also visible on her face.

“I’m here to discuss something,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “And what about you? A girl coming to a nightclub by herself to have fun? That’s hmm, you know.”

Still appearing rather flustered, Lu Zhixin replied, “Some, one of my friends, cousin...no, the son of my Dad’s friend…”

“Ding Sen?” Xu Tingsheng inquired.

“Yeah...huh? How did you know that?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“I saw him just now. Well, see you. I’ll be going in first,” Xu Tingsheng said mildly before turning to head in.

How to put it? Yeah, he was actually feeling just that tiny bit unhappy…perhaps it was because the place that Lu Zhixin and Ding Sen had arranged to meet at was a nightclub, probably. Also, she had come here alone.

Of course, Xu Tingsheng knew that this unhappiness was baseless. It was just his possessive tendencies as a man at work. Men usually only gave themselves free rein to act wantonly, not allowing women to exhibit anything remotely questionable to anyone else...not even the tiniest semblance of this could be easily condoned.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng already a distance away now, a dazed Lu Zhixin finally regained her wits as she ran over with a perturbed expression on her face.

Grabbing Xu Tingsheng’s arm, she hurriedly explained, “No, Xu Tingsheng, listen to me. He told me that he was here, but I said that I wasn’t coming originally. But then my Dad called and said that it’s for switching to a new contract...our families are business partners. Look, my contract…”

This was probably the reason why Ding Sen had been able to pursue Lu Zhixin for five years. If one of the two could have truly made it such that there was no chance for any contact occurring between them at all, the other party would definitely have been made to give up no matter what.

“Perhaps their parents have been secretly hoping for them to get together as well.”

Looking into Lu Zhixin’s eyes, Xu Tingsheng said earnestly, “It’s fine, I know how it is. He’s been pursuing you for many years, but you’ve always rejected him. Still...Zhixin, I want to tell you that you’re actually free to choose whoever you want.”

Xu Tingsheng’s words actually came straight from the heart upon some self-reflection. It was true that Lu Zhixin was free to choose. With Xu Tingsheng’s chaotic love life that was all over the place, what right had he to ask anything of anyone?

Especially Lu Zhixin.

Yet, this wasn’t the underlying meaning Lu Zhixin heard behind those words. She instead heard mockery, pain, restraint, resignation, and perhaps even more. Usually tough and composed, Lu Zhixin was rendered extremely flustered and completely at a loss.

“I...it’s not...I…”

“Zhixin, you’re here?”

Just as Lu Zhixin was feeling conflicted over how to reply to Xu Tingsheng, Ding Sen came out from inside to receive her. Seeing how she was holding onto Xu Tingsheng’s arm, a vicious light flickered within his eyes and was gone in a flash…

Immediately afterwards, pretending that he had not noticed a thing, Ding Sen nonchalantly walked in between Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin, separating the two.

“It’s been more than a year. You’re more beautiful than ever, Zhixin,” Ding Sen said.

“I…”

Lu Zhixin tilted her head to the side, wanting to look at Xu Tingsheng who was being obscured from her field of vision by Ding Sen.

“I’ve booked a private room. Why don’t we go inside?” Ding Sen reached out to take Lu Zhixin’s hand.

Lu Zhixin subtly evaded it.

Ding Sen showed no signs of awkwardness as he subtly switched to putting his arm around Lu Zhixin’s waist, next walking off. While such a gesture was generally viewed as gentlemanly and polite in high society, it was, in reality, a very ‘domineering’ one...as soon as the man started to walk, if the woman did not follow, the initially benign move would end up an accosting embrace.

Lu Zhixin still wanted to avoid him. Yet, it would be impossible for her to subtly extricate herself from this accostment. And if she were to just spring away from him...that would be too impolite, not giving him any face at all.

“Right, Uncle Lu seems to have had a bit of problem with his cashflow lately? It seems that in this new contract, Uncle Lu wants to extend the repayment deadline. It’s really rather troubling for my Dad. Let’s not even mention my brother. He continually opposed it, saying that business is business, and rules are rules.”

“As for me, I feel that with our two families having been partners for so long, the relationship that exists between us definitely should not be thought about from wholly the standpoint of business alone. Don’t you agree, Zhixin?”

Lu Zhixin immediately froze up as she heard Ding Sen say this.

After hesitating for a while, she followed Ding Sen and walked in.

Xu Tingsheng and the other two were left standing by the doorway.

As Tan Yao hurried over from parking the car, catching a glimpse of Lu Zhixin’s departing figure, he pointed, “Hey, wasn’t that Lu Zhixin? What’s the situation here?”

“Not sure,” Huang Yaming said.

When Ding Sen had walked over, Xu Tingsheng had retreated back slightly due to his conflicted thoughts. Therefore, he had not heard those words which had been exchanged afterwards, only having seen Lu Zhixin’s avoidance of Ding Sen as well as her hesitation.

Still, she had still left with him in the end.

“I’m not angry, I’m not angry, I’m not qualified to be angry,” Xu Tingseng recited over and over to himself like a mantra.

“Should we play him?” Tan Yao asked.

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, “They’re childhood friends. Let’s go.”

Still, Xu Tingsheng intentionally fell behind, walking a distance behind the other three. And upon seeing Wu Kun who had come to receive them at the door, he asked softly, “Bro Kun...that Ding Sen’s room, can you help me get someone to keep an eye on it?”

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Wu Kun smiled, not asking anything at all as he simply said, “Alright. Leave it to me.”

“Thank you, Bro Kun. Sorry for troubling you.”

After expressing his gratitude, Xu Tingsheng was consoling himself even as he headed up the stairs, “I’m not jealous, I’m just worried; I’m not jealous, I’m just worried; I’m not jealous…”

Chapter 272: Window and ladder

Wu Kun’s nightclub was called Starry Splendour. It was amongst Yanzhou’s top nightclubs.

Xu Tingsheng sat by a corner of the best private room in Starry Splendour. Although he knew that what was coming up next was incredibly important, he just could not get his mind to stop drifting regardless as he was just unable to focus.

With the state he was in right now, it would be best not to say anything first.

Of the forty odd people who had been at the meal earlier, around another eighteen people had successively arrived apart from Xu Tingsheng and the three who accompanied him. This figure had actually already surpassed Xu Tingsheng’s initial estimate.

Ye Qing sat by another corner of the room. There were at least three seats beside her which were empty. This woman was like a lion king as she occupied one corner entirely on her own.

As her gaze met Xu Tingsheng’s, she raised her wineglass, toasting him. Xu Tingsheng smiled and nodded, downing the wine in his glass.

Seeing that Ye Qing was in the mood for alcohol, there were instantly quite a number of people who went up to toast her. Sending inquiring gazes and receiving affirmation from Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao raised their wineglasses and headed over as well.

Of course, the two of them were both very polite. Ye Qing did not find fault with their statuses as well as she gracefully reciprocated, raising her wineglass and downing its contents without any hesitation whatsoever.

Fang Yuqing sat down beside Xu Tingsheng, telling him in a hushed whisper, “Adding on Bro Kun, we have nineteen people now. Is that too many or too few?”

“It’s not that many. Of those who’re sitting here, at least three of them are sent from local real estate companies to hear about what we’re planning, and five of them are ready to apologise and leave at any time,” Xu Tingsheng said mildly.

“That few?” Fang Yuqing sounded astonished.

“It’s already quite a lot,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Moreover, it’s not like those who are ready to leave definitely can’t be persuaded to stay.”

“What about those spies? Will they…”

“Relax, I’ve got it covered.”

As they were speaking, Wu Kun entered the room. After giving a round of greetings, he directly came to sit down beside Xu Tingsheng.

“Basically everyone should have arrived by now,” Wu Kun said.

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng responded.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Wu Kun gave him a knowing smile before patting him on the shoulder, saying into his ear, “You can rest assured, it isn’t someone just going in once in a while to take a look over there. Every single movement there is being monitored.”

With that, he pointed at the earpiece he was wearing.

With this, Xu Tingsheng knew that the private room Ding Sen was in was under full surveillance. So long as even the slightest situation occurred, someone would inform Wu Kun about it. With this, Xu Tingsheng was able to set his mind at ease somewhat, exhaling as he calmed down.

The two of them conversed in hushed tones for a while. After that, Wu Kun waved a hand, dismissing the waiters.

Xu Tingsheng decided to say a few words to start things off.

Yet, he was beaten to it by a guy opposite him who looked twenty-five to twenty-six and was dressed hip-hop style, “Has it begun? I say, Brother Xu...you’re serious, right? Such a major thing, it really moved me like crazy. Dontcha play with our feelings! I dumped a chick for this.”

Everyone laughed upon hearing his words, including the four women present and naturally Ye Qing as well.

Xu Tingsheng laughed as well. He already grasped some basic information regarding all these nineteen people currently present. The one who had just spoken was Hu Shengming. While he seemed like a coarse guy, his familial background was rather solid. Fang Yuqing had especially emphasised the point that he was generally on friendly terms with everyone else.

Someone who was able to achieve an amicable relationship with most of his peers in this social circle wouldn’t really be foolish.

He was only able to go on chattering like this because it was his established style. This was not something that, say, Xu Tingsheng could do.

Smiling mildly, Xu Tingsheng said calmly, “I will be securing one of those pieces of land.”

This was a declaration of intent which really could not be any plainer.

“Even if everyone else leaves later and only I remain, I will still secure one of them,” This time, Xu Tingsheng spoke in a bit of a joking tone.

“What’s your target? Which plot of land are you aiming for? I’d like to know more about that,” This was asked by Chen Yan whose familial background in officialdom Fang Yuqing had specifically pointed out earlier. He seemed a cautious man and spoke that way as well.

“Conservatively make do with two, competing for one,” Xu Tingsheng replied. He was referring to the two best plots of land, both of which occupied central positions. This especially held true for the second plot of land. If not for the school there having moved away, it would virtually have been impossible for such a large area of land to be made available in such a location. It was a rare, hard to come by circumstance indeed.

It is virtually the same for all cities that have some at least history to them. For buildings to be torn down and moved away from a city’s central district...the difficulty of such surpasses even moving away the City Hall. Therefore, before a city has attained a large scale central business district, we generally see that the closer one is to the city centre, the greater the number of old buildings there will be. Also, behind these old buildings are hidden old houses and deep alleys.

“Very difficult,” Chen Yan said bluntly, going straight to the point.

He should be one of the few people currently present who best understood the ties between the government and the local real estate companies. Therefore, if he said that it was very difficult, it must truly be very difficult.

“I am aware of that. However, if not for the fact that I desire the best slice of that pie, I wouldn’t have needed to invite you guys to join me,” Xu Tingsheng replied calmly.

“Do you understand the power and background of our local real estate companies? Even all of us combined might still end up being the weakest side. Also, we would be latest to arrive at the scene. Perhaps the pie has even been split by others already.”

Xu Tingsheng trusted that Chen Yan was not a pessimistic person. He was just being objective.

Raising his wineglass towards Chen Yan, Xu Tingsheng drank a mouthful of wine before saying, “I like listening to stories. The type I like the most basically goes like this. A magnificent banquet, and it is the person who is the last to arrive and the least well-dressed who comes away with the best slice of the cake in the end.”

Xu Tingsheng was already pulling out all the stops to exude that sense of mystery as he paused for a moment before continuing, “People always seem to feel relish at such stories. Why is that? Following a careful analysis of this, I ultimately found a common theme to all these stories. I call it ‘contra-attack’.”

The term ‘contra-attack’ was still not prevalent in the current era. As Xu Tingsheng threw it out now and the non-inheritors and ne’er-do-well second gens present thought about it, they all felt unanimously that this story truly did fill one with a great sense of relish.

These were the people who most desired launching a counterattack contrary to the usual flow of things. This included Ye Qing as well. However competent she was, because she was a woman, was the younger sister, she was also one of those who was not thought of as likely to succeed.

As for Wu Kun...his entire life had basically consisted of him ‘contra-attacking’ all the way.

“I like this story too,” A voice resounded, “Still, a few little brothers here maybe had best take their leave first for the upcoming discussion. We’re all friends usually, and you all still call me bro, right? Go to another room, or come over to have fun next time. I’ll personally act as host.”

It was Wu Kun who had said this. While he spoke in a calm, unruffled tone and with a smile on his face, there was a hostile look in his eyes.

Xu Tingsheng had already informed Wu Kun prior to this about the matter of some people having come here to sound them out on behalf of those local real estate companies, leaving it to him to deal with. Wu Kun was deeply experienced and had an acute, penetrating gaze. Having also been around in their social circle for so long, over the years, he had already long since come to be incomparably clear on the backgrounds and characters of all these little youngsters.

There weren’t many who were there, and even fewer whom they might have to worry about and doubt. This had too direct a relation with their backgrounds and connections such that making a judgment would not be very hard at all.

Also, Wu Kun had not participated at all in the earlier discussion, not even having paid detailed attention to the contents. He had continually been carefully focused on observing those people.

Therefore, he already basically knew which of these people the spies were at this point. It was only having grasped this information that he had spoken up.

Actually, he had already long since felt pretty confident that he had basically found them all out. Yet, Xu Tingsheng had secretly stopped him from speaking up just when he had been about to do so. Those words Xu Tingsheng had said earlier were ones which he was willing or perhaps even wanted to let them hear.

Four of those present now toasted him and left the room.

Their attitudes were all very pleasant as they politely drank their wine and said their goodbyes before saying to meet again next time. This sort of thing was actually very common at this level of society. After all, they were all of the same social circle. This was far from something which would have to see them abandon all civility and go for broke. The next time they met, they would still be friends.

Seeing these four people leave, Wu Kun shot Xu Tingsheng a glance, indicating that he could speak freely as he wanted.

The remaining ten plus people eased somewhat.

“Has anyone ever told you that you are very suited to being a public speaker?” The stern Chen Yan joked before continuing, “I have to admit that your words hit right home. But you’ve still got to tell us-just based on what will we be able to contra-attack?”

“Just me, Yuqing and you guys will be enough,” Xu Tingsheng’s answer was actually very vague as he did not speak of what he would be depending on, what kind of background he really had, because he actually had no backer in the first place...he still left this problem for everyone to speculate about as he spoke in a very confident manner.

Chen Yan did not press him about it as he just said, “You may be overestimating us, Yuqing included. Those providing funds might still be able to take out a bit of it. As for those of us with backgrounds in bureaucracy, to tell you the truth, we don’t actually possess much influence. It would virtually be impossible for our families to make use of too many connections and power in order to support us, Yuqing included.”

Chen Yan had said ‘Yuqing included’ twice because Fang Yuqing was a classic example of the aforementioned sort of person. He clearly possessed a sufficiently solid background, yet could not exert any power in actuality. If he truly went back and mentioned this matter, the most likely attitude of his family towards this would be...ignoring him completely.

“Oh, Bro Chen, just go on damaging me however you like.”

Fang Yuqing scooted over and drank a glass of wine with Chen Yan before admitting helplessly, “Still, the truth really is as Bro Chen says. It may be fine for something minor, but for major stuff, there actually really isn’t much power that we can draw on at all.”

Everyone directed their gazes at Xu Tingsheng. This problem which these non-inheritors felt the most pained and helpless about yet had to be frank regarding had already been thrown towards Xu Tingsheng now.

“I have a friend from another province. His uncle is a member of the Provincial Standing Committee…” Xu Tingsheng said mildly.

Everyone present was rather taken aback by his words. Huang Yaming and Fang Yuqing were puzzled because they had never heard Xu Tingsheng mention this before. As for the rest, they had thought that Xu Tingsheng was finally going to reveal his background, yet...another province? Would that be useful? ...Also, how was this related to their problem?

Xu Tingsheng pretended to be wholly unaware of this as he smiled and continued, “This uncle really hates that friend of mine. He really can’t be bothered about him usually, to the point that there isn’t even tea to drink when he comes to give New Year’s greetings. He never ever helps him at all. It isn’t that tragic for you guys, right?”

Everyone shook their heads. Their situations were basically not as serious as that.

“Once, this friend of mine got into a conflict with someone at a bar. After receiving a few blows, he was overcome by rashness and bashed the son of a District Chief on the head with a wine bottle. He dared not tell anyone at home about this afterwards, fearing mentioning it to his uncle even more. He hid at the house of another friend. Worried about the other party getting revenge, he even thought about running away for a while.”

“What then?”

“Then, the guy whose head got bashed went back home to complain. His District Chief father learnt who my friend’s uncle is. He next hesitated for a long while before sending someone to sound him out. The Provincial Standing Committee uncle did not give a hoot about this matter as he casually replied rather impatiently: Let him do whatever he wants, deal with him however. Get him into jail or beat him to death, whatever’s fine.”

Swear words resounded all around as righteous indignation arose.

Xu Tingsheng continued, “Then, after the words of the Provincial Standing Committee uncle were relayed, this District Chief employed endless means to find that friend of mine…”

“Sad life,” Hu Shengming remarked.

“That was what my friend thought as well. Yet, the District Chief was there bearing presents to express his apologies. He personally brought his son over to apologise and even recompensed my friend a whole thirty thousand yuan in the end,” Leaning back against his seat, Xu Tingsheng concluded, “Alright, my story’s over.”

To some people here, this topic was already over. Some of those present, Chen Yan included, were smiling as they nodded understandingly towards Xu Tingsheng.

“This, what in the world does this mean? Stop acting all cryptic, guys!” Hu Shengming who had a familial background in business pressed.

“You don’t actually have to understand that in detail. You can just wait and discuss the issue of funding later on,” Jiang Jin whose family was in the bureaucracy just like Chen Yan put an arm around Hu Shengming’s shoulder, smiling.

Hu Shengming leapt up, “You see that, Yupo? Those who’re officials look down on us who run stores down on the ground.”

Gao Yupo whose family similarly ran a business scratched his head helplessly. Everyone broke into laughter at that.

Xu Tingsheng could only explain, “As I am aware of, at least seven of us currently present have backgrounds in officialdom. There are also those who have ties to both corporate entities and the bureaucracy. Considering everyone here, there are at least five of us with backgrounds in the province, just that you have been forsaken and left behind here in Yanzhou, am I right?”

As no one refuted him, Xu Tingsheng continued, “Then, you can just let out word and go pay visits amongst a select group of people. Go intrude on them, have a meal together. You won’t have to ask your families to do anything much in actuality...things aren’t to the extent that they will come out to clarify things, right? If they aren’t especially close, no one will dare go ask for confirmation on what you’re saying, right?”

“Perhaps one person alone may not be very intimidating, but if it is a whole bunch of people, it can actually make for a very frightening sight. Moreover, it is also not that you really cannot do anything at all.”

“With this, your connections in Yanzhou are likely to be drawn into it as well. Even if they aren’t, they will still not block you at the very least, right? Following that, those few from the city would be able to mightily display your prowess.”

“Our opponents would more or less stop and hesitate for a while at this time, appraising our strength before considering whether or not they should ease up a bit and let us have one of those plots of land.”

“And that’ll be enough?” Someone asked.

“We’d still stand a chance for the No.2 plot of land,” Another person answered.

“It still wouldn’t be quite enough, actually,” Xu Tingsheng said, “As for the follow-up of this, I can only promise you now that it definitely would not be any more difficult. Also, isn’t there still me? I can’t just not do anything at all. Anyway, you only need to go around spreading the word now. Since they have already split the pie, what we’ve first got to do is mess up their organisation, churning the waters turbid.”

This topic ended here, with everyone naturally coming to make their own judgments on it.

Actually, Wu Kun aside, there were also others who had been silent throughout the course of the discussion thus far, with the four women, including Ye Qing, having been especially silent.

Women with ambition were generally rarer. Those rare women of ambition usually had great ambition. Women of great ambition were generally unordinary. It was impossible for women without ambition to be sitting here now.

“Xu Tingsheng? Twenty years old. You’re very interesting,” Ye Qing said, “Still, you aren’t personally involved in the industry, right? It’d actually be pretty troublesome too if you don’t understand the specifics.”

When someone begins asking about the specific details of your plan, checking its feasibility to make sure of its workability, this generally entails that they have already accepted your general framework, being truly inclined and interested in its prospects.

“I understand construction materials, especially imported ones, a lot. Therefore, we will build the most high-end district in Yanzhou, leading everywhere else by at least…approximately five to ten years,” Xu Tingsheng expressed himself in a manner completely lacking of humility.

“What about the costs?”

“They will be a little higher. Still, we actually shouldn’t overestimate the price of the imported materials. Those are used to convince buyers of the value that the flats are worth. Ordinary citizens wouldn’t be able to understand this. They only believe what their eyes show them.”

“For example, the facade. We can use imported stone and add a layer of granite to the exterior. This actually wouldn’t cost much more as compared to painting the outer walls, but the building would be several tens of times more visually stunning on the outside.”

Regarding a building’s facade, Xu Tingsheng had witnessed a real estate company, Greentown, which had done a very good job with it. The buildings of Greentown were tall and awe-inspiring, their facades grand and imposing.

Following this, Xu Tingsheng continually surprised everyone with his knowledge on the relevant countries and the names of those companies, his familiarity with construction from facades to Diatom mud and his understanding of transportation means with the comparison of prices.

At the current stage, his understanding of imported construction materials definitely surpassed that of most real estate companies.

It was this industry which Xu Tingsheng had entered when he had started a business in the year 2011 of his previous life. The country currently still lacked understanding of and did not sufficiently value imported construction materials. Most real estate companies had not reached the extent of caring about such things. Even being a little eco-friendly could already be considered pretty good.

“Very good, but just understanding construction materials alone isn’t enough, unless you are suggesting that we open a construction materials importing company,” Another woman, Shang Fangfei said.

“This can be considered after we’ve established the proper connections.”

“What about the other aspects? Such as the construction process itself.”

“Xihu City’s Dingcheng Real Estate’s Zheng Xiangshan is a good bro of my father’s. I call him uncle usually. Dingcheng will be our business partner this time. Of course, they will mainly be providing support on their end, not receiving too much of the shares.”

These were the words with the most substance that Xu Tingsheng had said thus far.

“The heck, really a ferocious dragon crossing the seas! No, Brother Xu’s killed his way over with a dragon following his bidding,” Hu Shengming yelled loudly what it was that most people were thinking at this moment, next leaping up before he continued, “Also, they’re not going to steal our limelight, not going to snatch our share of the pie...right, our company will be independent, right? Brother Xu.”

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“What’s the problem then? There’s no problem, let’s do it! At least I’m in,” Hu Shengming said.

Most of those present appeared moved, yet were still wavering indecisively.

“Mind if I make a few calls? Sorry, but it may be a little impolite,” Shang Fangfei suddenly asked.

“Go ahead. It’s only natural, really,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Shang Fangfei made three calls in front of everyone before keeping her phone and nodding in affirmation to everyone, “Dingcheng and Happy Shoppers are business partners, their bosses addressing each other as brothers.”

Happy Shoppers’ boss was Xu Tingsheng’s father, that many of those present were aware of.

Actually, Happy Shoppers and Dingcheng were still in the stage of communication in their partnership, the gap in their influence still being immense as well. Still, Mr Xu and Zheng Xiangshan had truly hit it off very well. The two had many shared experiences, and their relationship was very good indeed.

These three phone calls were like stabilising injections to the heart as they also raised their conception of the Xu Family’s power greatly.

“The heck, so you’re really also a rich second gen! That means that we’re on the same side. Those who’re officials were looking down on us just now, did you hear? Revenge! Let’s not gallivant around with this lot! The rest of us can just pool our money together and go for it.”

Hu Shengming seemed to have only learnt of and realised this fact now as he ran over to shake Xu Tingsheng’s hand.

He seemed to be the only one present whose any action was never seen as obtrusive at all he nonchalantly ignored the friendly jeers and the disparaging comments directed towards him. Everyone else, however, could not but be concerned. Hu Shengming’s words had actually subtly reminded them of one thing, which was that Xu Tingsheng really seemed like he completely possessed the qualifications to start this venture alone without them participating.

Then, had he placed the pie on the table in order to make friends? In order to establish a web of connections within Yanzhou? Wouldn’t it have been better for him to find those ‘inheritors’ then?

“People with foundations aren’t easy to shift. As for us...we’re easy to gather. If one of us manages a resurgence one day, it would then be possible for a second, and a third...then…”

Xu Tingsheng did not intend to further explain these words. He was not even planning to finish.

Hu Shengming was there to excitedly carry on his words, “Then we kill ‘em all, and all under the heavens would be our domain. This is...since we’re partying, how about a party name? Tycoon Party, Unloved Coalition, Handsome Men Pretty Women, Number One Beneath The Heavens, This Old Man is Freaking Awesome, If You’re Not Happy Than Just Do It?”

“Black Horse Club,” Ye Qing said mildly.

Partying had originally been something that Hu Shengming had just randomly come up with, but because Ye Qing who was the most important here had solemnly given a suggestion...suddenly, it was not a joke but a serious matter.

It had that vibe of sealing the deal.

The non-inheritors were moved. “We’re really partying up? There doesn’t seem to be any disadvantages. At most, we’ll just remain suppressed for our entire lifetimes like we are now. Partying...maybe we’d really be able to achieve a resurgence. Also, Ye Qing, Xu Tingsheng...it really does feel like we have a great chance of success.”

At this point, everyone was already looking at Xu Tingsheng in a different light, including Ye Qing who had just expressed her stance and Huang Yaming who was the most familiar with him. This was because no one could understand this: All of them here had, somehow, been unknowingly guided in this direction by Xu Tingsheng without even knowing how it happened.

“Too fast, too smooth...for me, I just cannot but feel worried whenever things go too quickly and smoothly. Also, Little Xu is just too remarkable. I was led along all the way and can’t acclimatise to the situation now. Can we stop for a while and ease down for a bit?”

The final person which had been silent throughout thus far spoke up. It was the oldest person in the room, a 34-year-old woman named Chu Lianyi.

“Let’s listen to Sis Chu. I too have this feeling. All of a sudden, I’m fearing that I’m being led into a ditch by him,” Ye Qing said.

“Yeah. I always thought that having been sold by someone yet still foolishly counting money for them is a joke. At the very least, I never thought that it was possible with me...now, I feel that if Little Xu so wants to, perhaps he can really abduct me and sell me off in some mountain ditch,” Shang Fangfei smiled.

The innate cautiousness of women was on full display at this moment.

Unable to say anything in reply to that, Xu Tingsheng could only smile.

“It’ll be as Sis Chu says then. Rest for a while, everyone. If there isn’t a problem, we should be discussing the details later on. Don’t force yourself in terms of funds. It definitely isn’t worth our relationship turning sour over that,” Wu Kun said.

They downed a toast and the meeting dispersed.

……

Actually, there was really only Xu Tingsheng who dispersed. With some awkwardness and Wu Kun’s permission, he hurried over to look at that security room monitoring that pinhole camera.

Everyone else was simply bunched up together.

“The thing that he enticed us here with at the start was money, right?”

“There’s also he himself. He’s pretty remarkable at such a young age, and so mysterious too. At least I came with curiosity and also to see if he’s handsome, whether or not to get him into bed.”

“What now? Still want to?”

“I’ll seduce him in a while.”

“Think about it-what did he say after that?”

“He started waxing lyrical in high spirits.”

“From his words, it’s called contra-attack.”

“What then?”

“Confidence. Our confidence towards him.”

“And our confidence towards ourselves too.”

“Most important were window and ladder. He opened a window for us, letting us see something different, something vaster. At least he made me feel that the me of before who simply knew how to bury my head in the affairs and connections of my family...was really very foolish.”

“I had that exact same feeling.”

“Then he moved a ladder over, asking if we’d like to climb. To stay below, or to climb up.”

“The allure is simply too great.”

“You’re right.”

“The problem is-might he actually lead us all into a ditch, selling us all away?”

"..."

Chapter 273: Stifled

Since their families were unwilling to draw on their influence to support them, they could simply make use of their authority and shamelessly wield it outside. Since they were being suppressed in their families and unable to rise up, they would just change their mindset for a resurgence. They would go out, stand up and return standing with a slice of the pie in their hands.

There was also a ladder, which would be supported by a bunch of people as they climbed up. Those who had successfully ascended would extend a hand, assisting those still down below.

The more they thought about it, the better they felt.

Somehow, this Black Horse Club thing seemed like it was going to be successfully established.

……

Xu Tingsheng who had totally led those people by the nose stood in the concealed room where the surveillance equipment was located.

Starry Splendour’s smaller rooms actually weren’t that small. While only Lu Zhixin and Ding Sen were sitting inside, with the two of them sitting on the same sofa, the distance between them still seemed to be pretty normal.

Or that would be the case if not for the rather romantic vibe given off by the music and the lights.

“The sound can’t be heard, right?” After watching for a bit, seeing their mouths opening yet just unable to hear what was being said, Xu Tingsheng asked the dude behind him a little frantically.

“Right, we can’t hear the sound. We can only see images,” That person said respectfully.

“Then...what happened just now?” Feeling rather awkward, Xu Tingsheng asked.

“That guy was really crazy hungry just now. He tried to get close a few times, shamelessly trying to hold her hand and whatnot. Still, you can rest assured, Bro Xu. Every time he tried to get closer to the lady, she would evade. He didn’t manage to take advantage of her at all. Otherwise, I would have long since notified Bro Kun before killing our way in.”

“Right, also, that lady has passed over a stack of papers several times already. I couldn’t clearly see what was written, but it always ended with the man unwilling to accept it, returning it to her.”

Xu Tingsheng had already said how weird it was to be addressed as (elder) Bro by someone who was a good many years older than him but to no avail. He could only stop harping on it. Hearing the guy’s narration, Xu Tingsheng knew that Ding Sen was here for matters of the heart, while Lu Zhixin just wanted to talk about the contract.

“That’s all?” Xu Tingsheng pressed.

“Right. Hey, has this chick caught your eye, Bro Xu? Relax, I can tell with a single glance that that dude’s got no chance. The chick’s not interested in him at all.”

Now, Xu Tingsheng noticed that the two in the room had started consuming wine at a much higher rate.

If they were competing in terms of drinking, he needn’t be worried about Lu Zhixin, right?

To intervene or not to intervene?

What right might he possibly have to intervene?

This was actually Lu Zhixin’s family matter. The relationship between Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin? Partners...who had an ambiguous relationship, having lain down beside each other twice before with the guy having been rascally for a bit and the girl having condoned him once.

He didn’t seem sufficiently qualified to intervene.

Xu Tingsheng rubbed his forehead, saying helplessly, “Please continue helping me to keep an eye out then. I’ll be returning for a bit.”

“Alright, Bro Xu. You can count on me.”

Sometimes, when people have been feeling conflicted over what to do for a very long time, a thought will suddenly flash through their minds which they will promptly act on in the heat of the moment. On the way back to the room where the others were gathered, Xu Tingsheng had to walk past the one that Lu Zhixin was in.

In the room, Ding Sen was currently smiling as he asked Lu Zhixin, “Competing in wine again, wanting to get me intoxicated so that you can leave, right? I always couldn’t beat you before. Hence, I’ve been training especially hard overseas during this past one over year. I don’t fear you anymore.”

Ding Sen clinked glasses with her, moving in a little closer.

Outside the room, at that instant in which Xu Tingsheng walked past the door, at just that one instant, he unconsciously reached out and wrenched it open. The entire process flowed smoothly as though he had been intending to do precisely that in the first place.

The door was pushed open. They all stared at one another.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Xu Tingsheng feigned calmness as much as possible, “Zhixin, there are a few friends over there who may be entering a partnership with our Hucheng. Would you mind going over together for a while to get to know them better?”

Lu Zhixin put down the wineglass in her hand.

“Zhixin isn’t free,” Ding Sen said, “Please go out, and close the door after you.”

Xu Tingsheng was not that kind of rash youth who would immediately gnash his teeth in rage upon encountering a matter such as this. He pretended not to have heard this at all as he just directed his gaze at Lu Zhixin.

It would be fine if he had not opened this door, but since he had, Xu Tingsheng would naturally not retreat as easily as this. At least, he had been able to tell from the surveillance equipment that Lu Zhixin did not want to remain here a second longer than was necessary.

It was only having confirmed this that Xu Tingsheng dared to forcibly intervene in this matter.

Lu Zhixin did not speak.

Had his mental age been lower by ten years, Xu Tingsheng would have stormed off in a huff. Still, he was already past that age. At the very least, he hoped to communicate with Lu Zhixin and understand more on her difficulties now, even though he had reminded himself not to get involved just prior to this.

Ding Sen stood up, walking over to stand in front of Xu Tingsheng.

“Hucheng, right? I’ve researched it...its value is okay, but from my experience, the funds you can deploy should not surpass ten million yuan in actuality. It would be twenty million at most, adding on the loans and whatnot.”

With that, Ding Sen jabbed Xu Tingsheng in the shoulder, chortling, “You’re too confident, my little friend. I think you definitely don’t know that the contract Zhixin and I are discussing now already surpasses twenty million in funds in total scope. You aren’t qualified enough to be concerned about it, got it?”

“Those who rose up from nothing are easily praised, but in reality...they’re very pitiful. You still aren’t on the same level as us.”

Some thunderous footsteps resounded. Swivelling his head, Xu Tingsheng saw the person who had been monitoring the screen hurrying over with a few burly black-clothed man. Knowing that they should have seen this through the monitor, Xu Tingsheng thought for a bit before raising a hand to call for them to stop.

Twenty million was a sum that indeed somewhat surpassed Xu Tingsheng’s expectations. It was also true that he currently still lacked the financial ability to immediately grab twenty million yuan and throw it straight into Ding Sen’s face.

Yet, it actually wasn’t this twenty million that Xu Tingsheng was really feeling troubled over now. Had this been a personal problem of Lu Zhixin’s, such as if she owed such a sum of money, Xu Tingsheng would assist her in settling the matter even despite the difficulties this might entail.

This was what he owed Lu Zhixin, what Lu Zhixin rightly deserved. This was a burden that he and Hucheng would totally be able to bear easily in the not-so-far future, this being something that he was confident of.

The current situation, though, had to do with the Lu family business and the cooperative relationship between Mr Lu and a long-term business partner. With this, the situation had become much more complex, perhaps even far surpassing that of the huge sum of twenty million as it concerned distribution channels and various other important things.

Therefore, unless Lu Zhixin herself had come to a decision, Xu Tingsheng would possess not even the right to intervene.

“I’m only showing concern for my partner,” Xu Tingsheng said calmly, this being the only thing he could use to justify himself with now.

Then, he directed his gaze back at Lu Zhixin who hesitated for a moment and then avoided it.

“Partner?” Ding Sen laughed, “Do you know the intentions of both sides’ parents? If we go by the intentions of the senior generation, Zhixin should be my fiancee very soon. I am willing to pursue her only because I want the process to be a little more fun. Still, I don’t find it fun now anymore.”

Ding Sen’s words were actually greatly exaggerated. The reason in the change in his attitude towards Lu Zhixin, with him having gone from pursuing her to exerting pressure on her, really lay with the predicament that the Lu Family was currently in which he could capitalise on. He would definitely not have dared to speak as domineeringly as this if this had been in the past.

While Xu Tingsheng was not clear on this, he felt very uncomfortable listening to Ding Sen’s words as some rage finally arose in him.

“Actually, the Great Qing Dynasty has fallen,” An angered Xu Tingsheng said.

Ding Sen was momentarily taken aback, unable to understand what Xu Tingsheng meant.

“You don’t understand? I’m saying that in this current era, arranged marriages...are illegal,” Xu Tingsheng smiled mockingly.

After having been played, the enraged Ding Sen was like a bull who was about to go bonkers, staring all wide-eyed as he continued jabbing his finger into Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder...then, he shoved him with his chest.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at him like he would a total retard, saying slowly, “Don’t make any rash moves. You can’t beat me, really. Rich kids like you who only know how to bully women and even like jabbing with your finger like a girl-honestly speaking, I can fight ten of you at once.”

Ding Sen had no way of rebutting as he clenched his fists yet dared not charge over. He knew full well that he had actually used quite a bit of strength in shoving Xu Tingsheng earlier. Yet, Xu Tingsheng had not even taken a single step back despite not having a very robust appearance.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng having said that he could fight ten of him at once, Ding Sen whose strength had been depleted by alcohol dared not even try him.

With that bad boy routine of his, Xu Tingsheng seemed finally to have gained the upper hand.

Xu Tingsheng turned towards Lu Zhixin, consoling kindly, “Zhixin, if you’re feeling troubled, why don’t you communicate with your father on this? If that really isn’t possible, we could try to think of something together.”

Lu Zhixin finally spoke in a cold and indifferent tone, “I’m fine. You should return first. As for the company’s matter, I will go over later if I have the time.”

At Lu Zhixin’s words, Ding Sen laughed uproariously.

Meeting with complete and utter defeat, Xu Tingsheng was forced to swallow his burning rage.

“Sorry for the interruption,” He closed the door and left the room.

This seemed to be the first time ever since his rebirth that he had been as humiliated as this. With Lu Zhixin having made her own decision, there was nothing that he could do even if he wanted to retaliate.

“Who asked you to be so nosy, Xu Tingsheng, foolishly going around taking yourself as the Messiah...women are trouble, are sick...Lu Zhixin you lousy woman, go foolishly force yourself all you want! Wooden fish face, robot, abnormal, pit in the brain, not knowing left from right...this old man would really be mental if he cares about your matters again…”

He felt awkward in having found needless trouble for himself, and stifled as well...Uncle felt very despondent as he started scolding himself and scolding Lu Zhixin incomparably childishly all the way back. Sometimes, one’s heart would be soothed somewhat by venting it all out like this.

……

Xu Tingsheng was much quieter after having returned to the room to resume the discussion. This was not because of Lu Zhixin’s matter. Instead, he was actually already pretty tired after having masqueraded for the entire night. Additionally, it was money that they would be talking about now. Xu Tingsheng was best suited to simply listen to matters such as this.

The more he was silent, the less others would doubt his financial capabilities. The Xu Tingsheng that they knew of was much more colourful and complex than the Xu Tingsheng Ding Sen knew.

Of course, there wouldn’t be anyone with designs on Xu Tingsheng’s portion now. His portion would definitely be the biggest one. This was something that was tacitly agreed upon by everyone, not being something that had to be emphasised or intentionally enforced.

Chapter 274: Star sign, Virgo

No one would actually flash their cash here. They simply began reporting their investment sum.

Xu Tingsheng sat together with Huang Yaming and Tan Yao. Although the other fella who was actually poor as a dog, Fang Yuqing, also wanted to join them, he was kicked away by Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming said, “At least put on the look of a second gen and leave us bros some face!”

Following that, the three who were seated together were shocked by the figures that were successively reported.

Slowly but surely, the figures finally ascended to the territory of seven zeroes.

Huang Yaming was no longer able to keep from uttering a tragic cry before he said softly, “Heck, Tingsheng, are there so many rich people now? I thought that Zhu Jun throwing that ten million was freaking crazy already. I thought that you were freaking crazy already.”

“Honestly speaking, I hadn’t thought that it’d be like this too. It’s crazier than I expected,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Sigh,” Huang Yaming sighed before saying, “I really can’t stand this kind of shock. Do you know what I’m thinking right now? I’m wondering-with Tan Yao and I opening bars like this, which lifetime will it before we can finally catch up? Before we can have a voice of our own.”

It had long since been agreed that Tan Yao would have a share in the bars, Huang Yaming having asked for this himself. Xu Tingsheng had agreed to it, and Tan Yao had not refused.

Tan Yao nodded as he heard Huang Yaming’s words. The two of them had been in the industry for quite a long time already, also having witnessed Xu Tingsheng’s rise to power as they had accompanied him for a long time as well…

The more they saw, the more they yearned to attain a status of their own at such heights.

The two of them had never hidden or concealed such thoughts and desires of theirs from Xu Tingsheng before.

Still, they received a very big mental blow now. As they saw it, bars...were fun to have and convenient for picking up chicks with, yet should not possess that much earning potential.

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Xu Tingsheng replied, “If you want to grasp a basic understanding regarding this, listen to the figure that Bro Kun reports later. Your industries are similar, after all. He still hasn’t made a move yet, haven’t you realised?”

In the end, Wu Kun reported a figure that left the two feeling incomparably excited. There was twenty million at the initial stage, and more could be added later on up to the total sum of four million yuan.

Although Fang Yuqing had already previously mentioned how Wu Kun dared to bet with all his assets, the assets of this 32-year-old who had started out with totally nothing at all still caused the few of them, Xu Tingsheng included, to leap up in fright. It was still the year 2004 right now.

Also, Xu Tingsheng had a feeling that...this shouldn’t be all of it, all of what Wu Kun possessed. He still hadn’t done enough for him to go ‘show hand’ yet.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao were excited and moved as they secretly pumped their fists in celebration. Still, everyone else accepted this calmly, as if all this was just perfectly natural.

Up next was Ye Qing who came from Yanzhou’s wealthiest family. She reported the exact same figure as Wu Kun, with even the latter sum being exactly the same.

She was actually expressing her stance with this, conveying that she did not intend to hold the majority of the shares and rise a head above Wu Kun in this. This stance of hers alleviated the worries and doubts of many, Fang Yuqing and the trio included.

Of course, this also caused others to realise that her status in her family was indeed not that low as it was not difficult at all for her to draw on such funds. It was no wonder that it was rumoured outside that she was still competing, that she still stood a chance to inherit her family’s assets.

Finally, there was only Fang Yuqing left.

He should not have stayed silent to the point of ending up as the very last guy. Sitting there with everyone’s gazes all on him, he was rendered speechless as he felt awkward beyond compare.

It would be impossible for Fang Yuqing to really dig into his own pockets now. After buying that ring, he actually lacked even the money to top up petrol for his car as he had been shamelessly borrowing money from everyone he saw like a damned beggar these past few days.

After exchanging a series of troubled looks with Xu Tingsheng, Fang Yuqing finally reported the sum of one million yuan.

“One million?” Hu Shengming threw back his head and laughed uproariously.

“This time, it’s the turn of us who run stores to look down on you officials, hahahaha...great, just great. This is too freaking awesome. Come, Chen Yan, Jiang Jin, Yuqing, let me interview you. How did you feel as you reported those figures? How did you feel as we reported our figures?”

Hu Shengming was instantly charged at, taken down and pressed against the sofa for a good beating.

Having basically finished discussing the important matters at hand, as they drank wine and conversed happily, the Black Horse Club also arrived at a general verbal agreement which included the rules for new members and such. Ye Qing was temporarily chosen as Chief with Chen Yan and Gao Yupo, from officialdom and business respectively, becoming Vice-Chiefs.

The two Vice-Chiefs were actually chosen this way in order to achieve a sort of equilibrium. If Wu Kun and Xu Tingsheng were to be the Vice-Chiefs, the Black Horse Club would then lean entirely towards the side of the businessmen. There would then exist the suspicion of it falling under the control of a small, relatively close-knit group of people.

As for Chen Yan and Gao Yupo, they now each represented a comparatively separate entity.

No one was too concerned about this. Firstly, all of this was only temporary. Secondly, no one had yet realised as of now the influence that the Black Horse Club might possess in the future.

That big sister who had wanted to seduce Xu Tingsheng did not make a move in the end. Hu Shengming proposed that Wu Kun call a few beauties over to drink with them. The four ladies present did not object to this.

Soon, more than ten model-tier beauties entered the room, coming over to stand in a neat row.

“Brother Xu, the greatest credit for the situation today lies with you. You get first pick,” His shirt having been pulled off during that little altercation earlier, Hu Shengming did not put it back on, leaving his upper half bare as he clamoured.

Xu Tingsheng glanced up at them, smiling as he enquired, “Which of you is best at drinking?”

“Boss, we...none of us is weak at drinking. We’d long since have been fired by Bro Kun if we were,” One of the women smiled, answering.

“I know that, but there’d surely be differing capacities. Who’s best?”

“That would be me,” It was that same woman who replied.

“I choose you then. Come on,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The girl joyfully came over to sit beside Xu Tingsheng. Having worked in this industry for quite a long time, she possessed quite a discerning eye as she could tell with a single glance that Xu Tingsheng’s status was not low. Even her boss, Wu Kun, had accompanied him throughout while he sat there.

Wealthy and with status and also young, handsome and a stranger who should not have anyone he liked at Starry Splendour yet-where was such a customer usually to be found? Additionally, from Bro Kun’s attitude towards him, if she managed to get on his good side, wouldn’t her future be bright and worriless then?

The others began choosing people as well.

“Hello, you are?” Xu Tingsheng moved slightly to avoid the woman’s body, asking her softly.

“You can call me Tongtong, Boss,” She said.

“Okay, so...Tongtong, your upcoming task is to help me block the wine. I’m entrusting it to you. I’ll be troubling you then.”

After saying so, Xu Tingsheng closed his eyes and leaned back against his seat.

“Just that?” Tongtong could not help but blurt out despondently.

“I’m a bit tired,” Xu Tingsheng said with his eyes closed.

“Tongtong, you’re so sly,” The woman beside Bro Kun immediately raised her wineglass.

Perhaps because she had stolen the march or because she had said that her alcohol capacity was the best amongst them, the other girls were unwilling to concede as Tongtong soon faced assaults on all sides by ‘allied troops’ whilst also having to intercept the wine for Xu Tingsheng.

The battle raged on intensely.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao began excitedly looking for people to discuss their bars with.

Wu Kun leaned over, whispering, “The lady over there seems to have drunk a bit too much.”

Lu Zhixin was a little drunk? Xu Tingsheng considered this for a moment before shaking his head, “It’s okay. No need to mind her.”

“I’d be a fool if I paid you any more heed,” Xu Tingsheng told himself in a fit of childish pique.

In truth, Xu Tingsheng had begun feeling somewhat unsettled.

Some time later, Tongtong, her courage boosted greatly by the wine, put a hand around Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, leaning in towards him.

“Your name is Xu Tingsheng?”

“Yes.”

“What are you doing right now?”

“Studying.”

“Studying?”

“Yeah, I’m in my second year of university.”

“Oh. Your family must surely be very rich then.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“What’s your star sign?”

“Star sign? You’ll definitely look down on it if I say it.”

“Just say it! I won’t.”

“Virgo.”

“...”

“Look, you’re looking down on it all right.”

“Like I dare,” Tongtong pulled a face before saying, “Virgo, seeking perfection, seeing faults. Are you a cleanliness freak?”

“Surely not. I’m pretty disorganised usually, just that I have a few compulsions.”

“Such as…”

“For example, I have to line up my clothes in neat rows after taking them off or I won’t be able to sleep well. Better if there’s a certain order or symmetry to things. You’re a big fan of star signs?”

“Yes. Are you going to laugh at me for being superstitious? It’s fine, many people laugh at me because of that anyway.”

“No I’m not. Believing in star signs is actually pretty good. We’re prone to be happier that way.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Such people are always able to console themselves. If their career or love life isn’t going well, they can tell themselves that it’ll be fine when the month’s over and the stars change. Or they can buy a crystal or a bouquet of flowers and place it somewhere good, thus becoming filled with confidence again...look, life is so full of hope this way.”

“Heh, that actually makes quite a bit of sense. Let me tell you, my horoscope says that romantic attraction is in the cards for me today.”

“Really? But isn’t that true for every single day...Sorry, I…”

“Whatever, it’s fine,” Tongtong said resentfully, “It’s actually very rare that I meet a customer whom I like. I seldom come out to attend to the customers...how about you take me out today?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, knowing that the ‘like’ she spoke of was actually to a greater extent due to the close relationship between him and Bro Kun. Having seen that, she was intentionally trying to get closer to him. Still, survival had never been an easy thing, especially for girls who worked in places such as these. There was no need for him to expose and find fault with her over this.

“Can I?” Tongtong pressed, sliding a hand towards Xu Tingsheng’s chest.

“I’m still a virgin,” Xu TIngsheng caught her hand, smiling as he said.

“Oh...you want a red packet? I’ll prepare one for you then,” Tongtong smiled charmingly, not minding it at all.

Really just unable to deal with this sort of girl, Xu Tingsheng shook his head and did not speak.

“But I’m clearly quite beautiful, and my figure’s even better! You’ll know when you see it. Do you want a look?” Tongtong asked resentfully.

Just as Xu Tingsheng was feeling troubled over this, yet another person came asking Tongtong to drink some wine.

Tongtong leaned into Xu Tingsheng’s ear and whispered slyly, “Anyway, you can’t forget about me when I’m drunk later.”

After saying so, she leapt up and rejoined the battlefield.

……

Back when Xu Tingsheng had closed the door and left the room, Lu Zhixin’s mind had been thrown completely into chaos.

A greatly perturbed Lu Zhixin could not stop thinking about his expression from earlier, guessing about how he was currently feeling and holding up. Wanting to go look for him, Lu Zhixin had no choice but to increase the rate of her alcohol intake to the maximum.

Back when Ding Sen had been bothering her the most intensely, Lu Zhixin had caused him to lose face through her alcohol capacity at various locations. This included him having ended up going forward to cuddle a waitress who had come to serve the dishes before a group of seniors.

Today, however, Lu Zhixin had already drunk a lot. The more she drank, the dizzier she got as she became more and more inebriated.

Lu Zhixin’s face was flushed a deep red.

As for Ding Sen, he actually still appeared perfectly normal, seeming completely unaffected.

Lu Zhixin knew that she could no longer persist as she held her bag and got up.

Just as she was about to utter words of farewell, Ding Sen spoke.

“Let me have a look at the contract,” He said.

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a moment before taking out the contract from her bag and handing it to him. She remained standing, not sitting back down.

Ding Sen flipped nonchalantly through the contract as he said, “Right, Zhixin. Look, my Dad’s discussed it with your Dad, and I’m also back in Yanzhou now. What about our engagement?”

With that, he retrieved a box that contained a ring from his pocket, placing it on the table and opening it.

“I’m only here to talk about the contract,” Lu Zhixin shook her head, raising a hand to support her throbbing forehead.

Ding Sen flung the contract to the ground, smiling mockingly,” Lu Zhixin, I actually didn’t want to say anything nasty, but you’re the one who’re forcing me now. You really shouldn’t view yourself on too high a pedestal. If your Dad goes on like this, you wouldn’t even have the qualifications to be engaged with me if you wanted to later on. A phoenix that’s fallen to the ground is none other than a man’s plaything. My advice is-you’d best consider this properly when you still can.”

Lu Zhixin did not stoop down to pick up the fallen contract. She looked down and smiled, a little disdainfully and a little bitterly as well.

She was clearest on her father’s situation, on that blind stubbornness that was becoming more and more serious an affliction…

Therefore, it could also be said that Xu Tingsheng was actually a straw that the drowning Lu Zhixin had clutched at. After she had discovered Xu Tingsheng’s potential, the initial good impression that she had of him had turned more complex with more things mixed within.

This was a man whom she recognised, whom she liked and in whom she saw a definite possibility of resolving the problem that she faced...there would not be a more perfect choice.

Therefore, Lu Zhixin had exerted all means, trying to get closer to him time and time again.

Therefore, Lu Zhixin had been even more diligent, hardcore and desperate in Hucheng’s development than Xu Tingsheng himself. She yearned intensely for him to rise swiftly in influence and power, because she feared that it might otherwise be too late.

Therefore, she had been able to tolerate humiliation, grievances, derision, negative gossip.

Even something as outrageous as Apple moving into the riverside residence without sparing a thought for her feelings-she had been able to tolerate it.

The existence of that rumoured, nameless woman who might be incomparably important to Xu Tingsheng-she had been able to tolerate it.

Despite being well aware that she was the one being overlooked the most at the moment, she had been able to tolerate it.

Lu Zhixin knew where her advantage lay. Her commercial capabilities aside, she was also Xu Tingsheng’s business partner, able to make him increasingly dependent on her. Her greatest advantage was actually time.

As compared to Apple, as compared to that woman who had never showed up before, and maybe counting in that girl who had come knocking on the door that day as well...Lu Zhixin knew that she was actually the one who spent the most time by Xu Tingsheng’s side.

Capitalising on this, Lu Zhixin had always been attempting to change as well as grasp him.

From an objective standpoint, there were actually many aspects of Xu Tingsheng’s which Lu Zhixin felt exasperated and disdainful about, such as his indecisiveness and his softness, such as how he put many things above career, wealth and authority...he was not the fierce, ambitious sort that she had once hoped for.

Then, Lu Zhixin had suddenly realised afterwards that she was actually the one who was being unconsciously changed by him. She was gradually changing, and she was also becoming more and more hopelessly enamoured with this man.

She discovered that she was becoming more and more like a subservient little woman, such as when she had agreed to his request and let him have his way that night.

Meanwhile, he still drifted a distance away from her as she was completely unable to grasp him.

Lu Zhixin walked towards the entrance of the room.

A savage expression on his face, Ding Sen howled from behind her, “Bitch, has that guy had his way with you?”

Looking back at him, Lu Zhixin smiled, “I’m living together with him.”

“A thing like him? You think he can achieve anything?”

“You should be a bit more respectful. His name is Xu Tingsheng, and he can defeat ten of you alone,” Lu Zhixin laughed before continuing, “Also, I was the one who moved in on my own accord, who slipped into his bed on my own accord. His charm’s just too great. You get it yet?”

Maybe because she was already drunk, Lu Zhixin was no longer so clear-headed and rational. She wasn’t even feeling embarrassed despite saying such things. Perhaps she was finally unable to tolerate her father an instant longer...Lu Zhixin decided to be wilful for once.

She remembered that Xu Tingsheng had once told her this:

“Zhixin, don’t let yourself get too tense. You’re still a girl, and youth is seriously short. If there’s anything that you can just toss aside, just do it. Set aside more time to do those things that you like to do. Being wilful once in a while is really fine.”

Ding Sen flung his wineglass towards the wall, smashing it in a fit of anger.

Lu Zhixin opened the door and exited the room, leaning against the wall to support herself. She wanted to go and look for Xu Tingsheng.

……

“You said just now to not mind her. Are you really not going to care about this?” Wu Kun asked Xu Tingsheng.

“I’m not caring,” Xu Tingsheng was angry with himself and angry with Lu Zhixin too.

“Well, never mind then.”

“...Something’s up? I...might as well hear a bit about it.”

“That girl appears to be extremely drunk. Ding Sen’s still fine,” Wu Kun told Xu Tingsheng.

“How is that possible?” Xu Tingsheng was aware of the extent of Lu Zhixin’s alcohol capacity.

“My people watching upstairs suspect that the wine Ding Sen gave himself to drink is fake. He really hasn’t budged a single inch. That girl’s almost unable to hold on anymore,” Wu Kun said.

“Haven’t we had people watching them all throughout?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Ding Sen was already in that room before that girl came, before you told me about this issue. The surveillance wasn’t turned on back then. We don’t usually leave it on,” Wu Kun explained.

Realising the severity of the matter, Xu Tingsheng was just about to speak when Wu Kun raised a hand to indicate for silence and listened intently.

“It seems they’ve started arguing,” Wu Kun said.

The next moment, Xu Tingsheng who had only just said ‘I’m not caring’ jumped up from his seat before directly leaping over the table beside him and charging towards the doorway.

Huang Yaming, Tan Yao and Fang Yuqing asked not a single thing as they immediately followed his lead, charging over after him.

Wu Kun spoke into his earpiece.

As he pulled open the door, Xu Tingsheng’s forward momentum immediately came to an abrupt halt...

Lu Zhixin was standing just outside.

Their gazes met.

“I, I wasn’t going to look for you. I’m going to the toilet,” Xu Tingsheng protested like a little kid.

Her lips pressed together, Lu Zhixin sniffled, “I’m sorry, Xu Tingsheng. I was wrong.”

After saying so, she fell right into Xu Tingsheng’s embrace, hugging him.

“How did you get this drunk?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“What is it? What is it?” The trio of Fang Yuqing, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao frantically asked as they too rushed over.

“Did Lu Zhixin get bullied?”

“The heck, let’s go off him!”

Lu Zhixin looked up, saying, “No, I’m fine. No need to worry about me.”

Xu Tingsheng was unable to ask anything in front of so many people as he supported Lu Zhixin, turning towards the trio behind him as well as the others in the room and smiling apologetically as he explained, “I’m sorry, it’s nothing. It’s just-she’s drunk.”

He supported Lu Zhixin over to the sofa to sit down.

An attendant soon sent over some hot water.

The woman named Tongtong stood by the side, appearing rather at a loss as to what to do.

“Sorry, Xu Tingsheng, I was wrong. Just now, I…” Lu Zhixin leaned against Xu Tingsheng, apologising repeatedly.

“It’s okay, I know that it’s your family’s matter. It’s been tough on you,” Xu Tingsheng was no longer angry by now as he asked warmly, “How’re you holding up? Are you really okay? You weren’t bullied, right?”

Lu Zhixin suddenly explained incomparably nervously, “No, no...I didn’t even let him touch my hand, really. Believe me, Xu Tingsheng, I really didn’t.”

Xu Tingsheng felt rather speechless as he said, “I’m not talking about this! What hand or not?”

“It’s not that,” Leaning over from Xu Tingsheng’s embrace, Lu Zhixin explained, “I really didn’t! Don’t be angry with me. I know that you definitely will mind it...because your star sign is Virgo.”

“Huh?” went Xu Tingsheng.

“Huh?” went Tongtong.

“Xu Tingsheng, are you still angry with me? I’m drunk, you can’t not care about me. Take me home,” The drunken Lu Zhixin murmured.

Tongtong was feeling very aggrieved at how those lines were clearly exactly the same as hers.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Okay.”

Tongtong went, “...Come, who still wants to drink some wine? This dame just might as well drink to death today!”

…...

Xu Tingsheng could not very well take his leave right away as he could only get Lu Zhixin to first lean against his body and rest.

Noisy footsteps resounded from outside.

The door was opened.

Ding Sen stood outside with more than twenty men behind him.

“Sorry, Bro Kun. I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m just here to find two people and take care of a little something.”

Generally speaking, those seeking revenge at a nightclub would inform the boss about it before going out privately to settle things...this could not be considered rare, much less anything rude.

Ding Sen would of course know that Xu Tingsheng was definitely acquainted with Wu Kun, with a bit of a relationship existing between them. Still, after weighing his importance against that of Xu Tingsheng’s, he believed that such a smart person like Bro Kun definitely wouldn’t stand on Xu Tingsheng’s side.

As for that so-called prospective real estate venture, Ding Sen had immediately dismissed it as a joke upon hearing of it.

He had come here for Xu Tingsheng today in the first place.

It was only that his method of humiliating Xu Tingsheng and looking for trouble with him would differ based on whether he could successfully secure Lu Zhixin.

For instance, Ding Sen had imagined appearing before Xu Tingsheng with Lu Zhixin in his embrace, humiliating and trampling on him as much as he liked as he completely vented his rage at all the rumours that he had heard about them on Xu Tingsheng tenfold, a hundredfold.

When Lu Zhixin had rejected Xu Tingsheng just a short while ago, Ding Sen had already felt that rush of joy as he yearned to win the beauty’s favour, yearned to get an even greater kick out of it.

Now, however, the situation was clearly not like that. Lu Zhixin had still gone to look for Xu Tingsheng in the end. She was currently right within his embrace.

Therefore, Ding Sen had chosen the most impetuous method.

Of course, he himself did not believe this to be the case.

Inside the room, Wu Kun frowned as he looked at that idiot by the doorway, “How can there be someone as nice and polite as this in this world?”

Hu Shengming secretly tugged at Chen Yan and Gao Yupo, saying, “Our gang’s being bullied right after its creation. What do we do?”

The Black Horse Club’s scope had yet to be defined. If one really wanted to do so, it should probably be called a club of elites? In the end, Hu Shengming had directly called it a gang.

“Aren’t you the one who gets agitated the most easily?” Chen Yan asked.

“The problem is that I may not be able to deal with all of them. You guys go too! If you go, I’ll definitely follow right along,” Hu Shengming said.

“It’s not that we won’t go. Bro Kun’s sitting there, and Sis Qing too. We should wait for them to speak first. Honestly speaking, I really sort of can’t bear to watch on any longer. I wonder how that idiot’s gonna die in a bit,” Gao Yupo replied.

Chapter 275: You really deserve to be scolded

Ding Sen felt rather awkward at how everyone was ignoring him despite him having domineeringly stalked over like this.

Wu Kun and Ye Qing had both yet to speak. Hu Shengming and the others did not seem remotely inclined to bring an end to this conversation of theirs.

Gao Yupo finished speaking.

Chen Yan suddenly said seriously, “Did you guys notice something just now? I kinda envy Xu Tingsheng a little because of that.”

“You’re talking about Lu Zhixin?”

Hu Shengming said, his face filled with envy, “That chick’s pretty, cold and capable. Her fame’s been there for quite some time already. If not for her being a little young and never ever coming out to play, there’d probably would be many trying to win her over. Who would have thought that she’d be acquired so easily, even acting like such a little woman. Brother Xu’s awesome alright.”

As compared to the 24-year-old Hu Shengming, the 27-year-old Chen Yan already had some experience working in the bureaucracy and was also engaged with the daughter of a Bureau Chief. Playing along as the situation demanded was normal, but he indeed paid much less attention to women usually.

Therefore, Chen Yan had really never paid any attention to Lu Zhixin before as he was momentarily speechless before he smiled, “That does seem to the case. That’s indeed something. Still, I was talking about something else just now. Did you notice that when Xu Tingsheng leapt up and charged out just now, Fang Yuqing and his other two friends also rushed out immediately after him without even asking anything at all when they realised?”

“I saw it. That’s brotherhood alright. Still, it isn’t like facing difficulties together is something that we’ve never done before,” Hu Shengming said.

“It’s different,” Gao Yupo who was of a similar age to Chen Yan said.

“How’s it any different? I even blocked a rod for you last year,” Pointing at his shoulder on which the scar had long since faded, the shirtless Hu Shengming told Gao Yupo, “Rod slammed down right here.”

“Yupo’s right. It is different,” Chen Yan said, “The key is how they asked nothing at all, knowing nothing at all about what the matter was and who they were up against. This means that it was simply a reflex action to them. Their reaction then was the most real, without any consideration and without any hesitation at all.”

Due to the rather abstract nature of Chen Yan’s explanation, Hu Shengming still seemed rather uncomprehending.

Gao Yupo sighed before continuing, “We’ve long since developed the bad habit of weighing the benefits and detriments carefully in whatever we do. Hu Shengming, honestly speaking, even if you’ve blocked a rod for me before, if something really happened to you one day, I’d definitely first look at who the opponent is and consider whether it’s worth it. The same applies to you as well; there’s no need to fool ourselves here.”

With Gao Yupo having directly brought this out into the light, Hu Shengming smiled awkwardly, nodding in agreement.

They had run into a mere bunch of insignificant hooligans, this being a significant factor in why Hu Shengming had been so courageous back then. Additionally, he had also more or less blocked that rod for Gao Yupo with improving the relationship between them in mind.

Both sides saw completely through this, yet neither minded it. They had not mentioned it prior to this because neither of them had ever felt as moved as they were by what they had seen today.

The three continued on this topic for a while, with Chen Yan eventually concluding, “Therefore, it’s probably impossible for such friendship and brotherhood to exist between us. Look at Fang Yuqing. We’ve hung out for a few years now; he can be considered to have brotherhood, right? But when has he ever acted like he has today? He isn’t a fool.”

Hu Shengming pondered for a while before saying in a rare earnest tone, “Since Fang Yuqing is still Fang Yuqing, it must be that Xu Tingsheng who’s different. Maybe he’s another kind of person. Say, what if we were the ones following him? Would we be such friends too?”

At Hu Shengming’s words, Chen Yan and Gao Yupo exchanged looks, falling into deep thought.

This question that Hu Shengming had inadvertently mentioned was actually very important. It concerned the attitude that Chen Yan and Gao Yupo would have towards both Xu Tingsheng and the Black Horse Club in the future.

And there was still this current incident.

Wu Kun still sat there, frowning. Those addicted to gambling who are also generally always able to win mostly aren’t actually as crazy as the impression which others have of them. They are, on the contrary, very calm people.

Truly considering their familial background, quite a few of those present surpassed Wu Kun who had started alone from scratch. He had only been able to attain his current status and influence primarily because his power base was comparatively broad, encompassing both the darker and aboveboard segments of society. Everyone had also been won over by his experience, methods and character.

People like Wu Kun who always consolidated an advantageous position with their every step did not like making too hasty a decision upon encountering matters. Just like Gao Yupo had said, such people would generally first ‘weigh’ the benefits and detriments in whatever they did.

Xu Tingsheng similarly knew this full well. Therefore, he held himself back as he simply waited.

On the contrary, Lu Zhixin who was usually the calmest was all flustered now, her mind thrown into chaos.

“This is my problem. I’ll handle it,” Lu Zhixin now clambered out of Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

“What are you doing? Just sit here. I’ll handle things,” Xu Tingsheng pulled her back over.

Lu Zhixin looked at Xu Tingsheng. She had always thought that she understood him very well. This might have be true half a year ago, but over the past half year, there had been more and more things which she did not understand regarding him. This was especially so for what had occurred over the past few hours which was something she had no way of knowing at all. Xu Tingsheng had never intended to let Lu Zhixin participate in the real estate venture in the first place, never even having mentioned it to her.

Therefore, she judged that Xu Tingsheng was going to lose out against Ding Sen, especially with the latter having come here prepared.

Due to this, Lu Zhixin even rather regretted her actions somewhat. She believed that she should have left directly earlier and given Xu Tingsheng a call upon reaching home, only explaining things to him upon his return. That way, she would not have brought him such trouble.

With all that in mind, Lu Zhixin said, “I don’t need you to care about me.”

“What did you say?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Stop caring about me, Xu Tingsheng.”

“I don’t care. I’m still gonna care.”

Lu Zhixin did not speak as she tried to get up again.

Xu Tingsheng pulled her back and held her in place, saying, “Zhixin, I really can handle it. Be good and stop kicking up a fuss. You’ve already failed badly enough tonight. It’s time to let me step it and deal with things.”

If this had occurred a few hours ago, Xu Tingsheng might really have had no way of facing Ding Sen in such a situation. He might really have suffered a loss at his hands. Yet, a mere few hours later, Ding Sen was already sorely insufficient.

In that discussion, Xu Tingsheng had talked everyone present into boarding his deviant vessel.

It would not have been proper of Xu Tingsheng to immediately request of these people to find trouble with Ding Sen together. Still, with him having sent himself to their doorstep, that was a whole different matter altogether.

Xu Tingsheng knew that quite a few of those present were still hesitating, weighing what this might mean for them. However, he felt confident that the final decision would be in his favour.

The only thing that Xu Tingsheng still felt a little worried about now was that contract of the Lu Family’s. He was not very clear regarding this, but knew that it could spell quite a bit of trouble.

“Does that contract definitely have to be signed?” Xu Tingsheng asked softly.

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a moment. She was actually well aware that there was really no further possibility remaining of the contract easily being signed. Ding Sen was bent on making things difficult for the Lu Family using it, hence exerting pressure on her.

The problem at hand was instead much more serious.

Clenching her teeth, Lu Zhixin said, “Forget about that. My Dad can go take care of it himself. I’m really feeling tired.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

Gazing at his eyes, Lu Zhixin said, “Xu Tingsheng, let’s run Hucheng properly together. If my Dad really can’t go on any longer one day and falls, we can help him in his retirement, okay?”

Xu Tingsheng did not notice the hidden meaning underlying her words as he just thought that she was feeling worried, hence nodding, “You can rest assured on that.”

“Now, I…” Lu Zhixin said.

“Now, you just sit still and watch,” Xu Tingsheng directly interrupted her.

The pleasant click of a lighter being used could be heard in the background as Ye Qing lit up a cigarette rather boredly in the far corner of the room, continuing to watch the show.

Only now did Ding Sen discover that Ye Qing was present as well. Still, he did not believe that she was on close terms with Xu Tingsheng. He was also familiar with most of the other people currently in the room.

These people had always been the kind who loved mucking around wantonly and gathering together where things were livelier. It was not surprising at all that they were currently sitting together with Xu Tingsheng.

Those women present caused Ding Sen to feel even more certain of this. In this social circle, there were many who could have fun together, yet those you could depend on to help you in facing your problems were few and far between. Moreover, did Xu Tingsheng even possess such qualifications?

Ding Sen discarded all his reservations, his courage mounting.

“You needn’t feel so troubled, right, Bro Kun? All you have to do is raise a hand.”

Ding Sen took the silence in the room as something in his favour as he hastened Wu Kun rather overbearingly.

Ever since having returned from abroad and gained the upper hand in the competition over his family’s succession along with much high-spirited confidence, Ding Sen actually rather looked down on Wu Kun. He was merely a successful thug, not being on the same level as him at all.

It was just that he had gone along with the flow and been polite to him just like everyone else. Also, he was currently indeed on the other party’s territory at the end of the day. He believed that he had already given him quite a bit of face.

Wu Kun and Xu Tingsheng exchanged looks.

Xu Tingsheng smiled and nodded.

“Ding Sen, you should take your people and leave. I can pretend that nothing ever happened.”

Wu Kun had been feeling conflicted not over whether he should protect Xu Tingsheng but over whether he should make a move on Ding Sen with this as a precondition. He had just asked for Xu Tingsheng’s opinion on this. After all, with Xu Tingsheng not actually having eaten any major setback, if he agreed to let it go and resolve the matter now, Wu Kun would naturally not have to feel troubled over how to resolve things.

Sadly, though, Ding Sen did not realise this. He was currently at the height of his arrogance.

“You’re joking, Bro Kun?” Ding Sen asked, “I’ll put it this way. I won’t be leaving today if that bastard couple doesn’t come out, if that little bastard doesn’t have his arms and legs broken.”

“Ding Sen, you…”

Xu Tingsheng had only just stood up when he discovered that Lu Zhixin was speaking again, and was about to stand up as well.

An exasperated Xu Tingsheng said, “Lu Zhixin, you shut up.”

Then, he turned to Wu Kun, asking, “Bro Kun, do you have a room here where she can rest?”

“Yes, upstairs,” Wu Kun said.

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng turned, pointing at Lu Zhixin as he told Tongtong, “Tongtong, I’ll trouble you to bring her upstairs to rest. Please help to look after her. I’ll head up to find you later on.”

Tongtong nodded as she extended a hand to support Lu Zhixin.

Lu Zhxin struggled, “Xu Tingsheng…”

Having already been somewhat tipsy in the first place, her mood not being all that good either, Tongtong directly broke out rebuking, “Stop being so troublesome, you stupid bitch! Stop being such a nuisance when the men are talking, get it? He’s said it so many times already but you’re still making a fuss! This dame’s never seen a woman as stupid and troublesome as you before!”

The chastised Lu Zhixin was rendered dazed and speechless.

Xu Tingsheng turned to look at Tongtong.

Tongtong was immediately flustered as she looked rather nervously at Xu Tingsheng, stuttering, “Sor, sorry, I…”

“Well done, well scolded,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Now bring this stupid bitch up.”

Chapter 276: Rise of the Black Horse Club

When Tongtong supported Lu Zhixin out of the room, Ding Sen who was really all bark and no bite hesitated for a moment. He watched on, but made no move to obstruct them.

After Lu Zhixin had left, Ding Sen suddenly realised that he had lost face as he quickly directed all his unhappiness at Xu Tingsheng.

“Bro Kun, if you’re not going to say anything, I’m going to settle my matter.”

With that, Ding Sen gestured, a few people now intruding into the room from behind him.

Huang Yaming, Fang Yuqing and Ding Sen were the first to step forward and block them. Then, Ding Sen was incomparably surprised as he saw Hu Shengming step forward as well, followed successively by a few other people.

“Go back to sit, all of you,” Wu Kun said, “Since we’re at my place, let me take care of this.”

With that, he spoke into his earpiece, “Please clear out all these people in the corridor.”

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud.

It was the pounding sound of footsteps.

Over forty burly black-clothed men ran over from both sides of the corridor, surrounding the twenty people that Ding Sen had brought over.

“Wu Kun, you…” Ding Sen said.

“Take them all away. If anyone resists, break their legs and drag them away,” Wu Kun said.

A short while later, Ding Sen’s legs trembled and lost all strength as he realised that he was the only one who remained.

Suddenly, one of the black-clothed men pushed Ding Sen straight into the room and closed the door from outside.

Ding Sen asked uneasily, “What do you want? You’re not going to make a move on me, right?”

“I won’t stop you if you want to settle your matter now,” Wu Kun said.

“Let me!”

“No, let me!”

Tan Yao and Huang Yaming were arguing over who would get to fight.

“Sit down,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Ding Sen surveyed the area, saying, “I really didn’t think that things would turn out like this. Fine, I’ve lost today. I’ll leave...is there anything else, Bro Kun?”

Wu Kun looked at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “You’d best sit down for a talk.”

Ding Sen tried hard to compose himself as he sat down and put up a brave front, “I’d like to see what you’d dare to do to me. Anyway, let me tell you-this matter isn’t over yet. The Lu Family’s matter definitely isn’t over yet. Tell that damned bitch to wait and see. If I don’t bring down her Lu Family…”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “The thing between us isn’t urgent. You only pushed me; just apologise and it’s all good. I’m not a petty person. I asked you to stay behind to talk about the Lu Family.”

Just as he finished saying this, someone brought in the contract that Ding Sen had previously thrown onto the floor in that other room.

Xu Tingsheng took a look at the contract, not focusing too much on its contents. He discovered that Mr Lu’s signature was already on it. It seemed that the contract had already basically been agreed upon beforehand. Lu Zhixin’s father had sent it over for her to complete the procedures.

Then, Ding Sen had made use of this chance to make things difficult for her. Or maybe...Mr Lu had tacitly allowed this to happen.

Hearing that Xu Tingsheng wanted to discuss the contract, Ding Sen felt again like he grasped all the cards in his hands as he propped up his foot and placed his arms on the sides of the chair he was sitting on. Bearing a domineering air, Ding Sen laughed contemptuously.

Someone nearby commented, “Is he stupid? Does he think he’s filming a movie?”

Seeking the source of the voice, Ding Sen saw that it was Hu Shengming.

After confirming that it was indeed Hu Shengming, Ding Sen laughed. The Ding Family mainly handled the importing and exporting of goods. The Hu Family was a business partner of theirs, being comparatively weaker as they had to rely on them in some areas.

Feeling confident now, Ding Sen said disdainfully, “Hu Shengming, since when have you been qualified to speak like this? I remember that many of your family’s raw materials come with my family’s ships? I’m sorry, but it may not be so convenient in the future. Perhaps we will have to adjust the shipping fees.”

Hu Shengming was rendered speechless.

Ding Sen said triumphantly, “Hmm, I wonder if it will be tough for you in your family from now on? Oh, I forgot, it was already tough enough for you before. Did you know, both your elder brothers call you trash when they mention you outside!”

“You think that you call the shots in your family?” Hu Shengming rebutted in a low voice.

Ding Sen seemed to have been waiting for him to say this, appearing even more full of himself now as he laughed loudly, “That’s right, my Dad aside, it really is me calling the shots in my family now. So, I will definitely be doing what I said I would just now. What about it, eh?”

This fella had a brother from a different mother who had been doing rather well prior to this. From the looks of it now, however, thanks to his mother being favoured on the bed, he had already successfully ‘offed’ him.

Seeing Hu Shengming hang his head in silence, Ding Sen directed his gaze at everyone else present whose families were also business partners with his. The upper echelons of Yanzhou were not all that extensive. Quite a number of them shared cooperative relationships, in truth.

Of course, this did not mean that the Ding Family would really be able to coerce so many business partners.

Currently, the main thing here was that everyone present was inferior to Ding Sen in terms of their position in their families. Ding Sen had the ability to make decisions, but they didn’t. Ding Sen was able to capitalise on the power and influence of his family to further his ends, but they couldn’t...also, if any one of them caused trouble for their family, things would only become even harder for them.

“You people are helping that guy so much-it can’t be that you really intend to go into real estate together with him?” Looking left and right, Ding Sen basically saw their silence as an admission.

“Him, really? What are you guys thinking?”

Ding Sen shook his head, “Let me put it this way. My family’s recently entered a partnership with Jinxiong Corporation. We’re prepared to get the land this time; there’s none of it that’ll be left for you. So, if you are truly interested, I’ll mention it to my Dad later on and let one or two of your families join in. Or if you intend to invest a bit into it, that’d be fine as well. How about it?”

The Jinxiong Corporation was one of Yanzhou’s biggest real estate companies. It was deeply entrenched in these parts as it possessed great power.

Having used this as a ‘killer move’, seeing how things had fallen rather silent, Ding Sen felt that he had pulled a major reversal. Smiling and talking and reversing the situation, truly Zhuge Liang reborn! Even Ding Sen could not help but feel rather admiring of himself now.

“I’m not interested,” Gao Yupo said before smiling and nodding towards Xu Tingsheng.

“I’m even less interested,” Hu Shengming imitated him, doing the same.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Wu Kun smiled, “I don’t like picking up someone else’s scraps.”

A few others spoke up in succession, all smiling and nodding towards Xu Tingsheng.

The current situation actually somewhat exceeded Xu Tingsheng’s expectations. He definitely would not have taken into account that very minute detail from earlier. When he had rushed outside without providing any explanation, Fang Yuqing, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao had immediately rushed out after him without even thinking to ask him what was the matter…

This minute detail had actually greatly moved many of those present.

The way in which they looked at Xu Tingsheng had changed as they were willing to and wanted to befriend him. Also, they had just found the feeling of being in a party. Gao Yupo had been the first to speak up, and right after that there had been a second, and then a third…

This caused them to feel excited, also giving them a sense of camaraderie. They seemed already able to see how they would be successively surging into prominence in the future.

His ‘major reversal’ having suddenly been ‘reversed yet again’, Ding Sen was greatly flustered.

And never would he have thought that his mention of Jinxiong would finally cause someone who had been silent thus far to finally speak up. Jinxiong’s ties with the Ye Family ran very deep. In the matter of the Ye Family’s succession, it firmly stood on the side of Ye Qing’s elder brother.

“Little Hu,” Ye Qing said.

“Huh?” Hu Shengming turned, “You called me, Sis Qing? What is it?”

Ye Qing seldom interacted with those of this social circle. Hu Shengming did not have much of a relationship with her, especially considering the great difference in their statuses. Hearing her actually addressing him now, Hu Shengming nearly didn’t react to his name being called.

Ye Qing smiled, asking, “Which harbours do you your family use for those raw materials?”

Hu Shengming answered, “We rely on harbours in both Beilun and Shenghai.”

“There’s no problem then,” Ye Qing said, “My family recently entered a partnership with Yuanhang Corporation. It just so happens that I’m in charge of this. How about this, you go back and tell your family that your materials can come with Yuanhang’s ships in the future. I guarantee that the prices will definitely be lower than before. Regarding transportation capabilities, your family would definitely know about Yuanhang.”

Hu Shengming nodded excitedly. Truly a blessing in disguise! He knew that his family would agree to this proposition for sure. Businessmen sought profit, wanting timeliness, efficiency, lower costs...those of them who didn’t want these would really be dumb.

And this would have been achieved by him, Hu Shengming whom they purportedly called ‘trash’.

“I’ll finally be able to raise my head high and show off for once,” Hu Shengming said emotionally, “Having a gang really is great. What a great gang, just that the name is a little bit lacking. What Black Horse Club...it’d be even better if it were called This Old Man is Freaking Awesome or If You’re Not Happy Than Just Do It.”

Suddenly recalling that it was Ye Qing who had decided on the name ‘Black Horse Club’, Hu Shengming immediately felt differently. Hey, this name was actually pretty good, wasn’t it?

“Thank you, Sis Qing. Thank you,” Hu Shengming said.

“What’s the relationship between us? No need to stand on ceremony,” Ye Qing said.

Hearing the former part of Ye Qing’s words, the other two people whose families had long-term shipping contracts with the Ding Family looked at Ye Qing.

Ye Qing nodded, “I can make you the same promise. That is still within my capabilities.”

Following Ye Qing’s lead, everyone knew that the bugle horn for the counterattack had sounded.

Gao Yupo said, “My family mainly does exports. A portion of it was previously done with an export company that is run by the Ding Family. Although I don’t have much of a position in my family, I can still try to get my Dad to switch to another export company. I seem to recall that Sis Chu’s family has also been developing in this industry? I’ll give it a go when I get back.”

“I’ll try to secure preferential conditions for you then. I’ll do my best,” Chu Lianyi replied.

Shang Fangfei smiled, “My family and the Ding Family aren’t business partners. Everyone knows that we loathe each other, actually. I’ll work hard on this. My family will definitely be happy in lending a hand to collectively push down the toppling wall.”

Chen Yan who had a cautious personality said, “My future father-in-law’s family has rather more connections over at customs. Unlike my family, he actually rather likes me. I’ll try to get some benefits for us guys in the future, while in the meantime...adding a bit of trouble for others.”

His manner of speaking had not been no-nonsense at all...they all laughed, except for Ding Sen.

Following that, everyone who might be able to get a little something done successively spoke.

Everyone suddenly seemed to realise only now that so long as they partied together, there was actually quite a bit that they would be able to collectively achieve. After all, even though they were mostly suppressed in their families, it wasn’t that they couldn’t stir up anything at all.

Xu Tingsheng watched on from the side. Seeing this endless wave of attacks battering down upon Ding Sen, he was reminded of a phrase: One wave push.

This one wave push of the Black Horse Club’s had directly comboed and pushed Ding Sen to the edge.

If everything that had just been said really happened, and happened because of him, he would basically be done for in his family. His father would not forgive him, and his elder brother would not miss this chance. Ding Sen who had been filled with confidence and triumph just earlier felt like bursting into tears.

“Young Master Ding? Are you still playing?” A vengeful Hu Shengming started whistling slowly.

Gao Yupo grabbed him, telling Ding Sen, “Actually, there are many things such as in my case that don’t have to be done right away. After all, as you told Hu Shengming, our families don’t think too much of us. We aren’t actually in a hurry to get in their good graces. We...can wait.”

“What, what do you mean?” Ding Sen asked rather blankly.

Gao Yupo looked around to seek everyone else’s opinions. Ye Qing was the first to nod as she expressed her approval. Seeing this, Gao Yupo walked over, took the contract that Xu Tingsheng was holding and placed it on the coffee table in front of Ding Sen.

A great favour was granted to Xu Tingsheng just like that.

“A debt, a debt! I can only properly lead you guys along in earning a sum now. Forget it, I won’t swindle you guys then,” Xu Tingsheng thought emotionally.

Seeing the contract in front of him, Ding Sen hesitated for a moment before arguing, “This, this is impossible. Don’t misunderstand, it’s not that I’m unwilling. It’s my family...my Dad and them haven’t agreed. There’s nothing I can do.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Stop it with your act, Young Master Ding. Your father’s basically agreed on things with Zhixin’s Dad. This is still something that I can tell.”

He pointed at Mr Lu’s signature on the contract before continuing, “You just need to give up on that additional clause. That isn’t so difficult.”

That additional clause, of course, was related to Lu Zhixin.

……

Lu Zhixin was currently pacing about the room.

Tongtong was leaning against the door. Her earlier chastising of Lu Zhixin came from her basic worldview. This was what she had gleaned from seeing all those men with their power and influence settling matters which entailed what sort of realisation women needed here.

As this was really what she felt, she had recklessly blurted it out earlier without even thinking.

Now, Tongtong felt that she regretted it a little.

Still, apologise to Lu Zhixin? No way. She was still unhappy with her. Regardless of what had happened prior to that, regardless of whatever relationship the two of them shared, Lu Zhixin had indubitably wrecked her plans earlier. Also, she had actually used the same lines as her!

Tongtong did not feel happy about that at all.

“She does look rather pretty. Fine, very. Her figure...fine, not worse than mine, and she’s even taller than me by a little bit. What use is there in women being so tall? It’s immoral! Xu Tingsheng definitely won’t like going out together with and walking beside her.”

“More importantly, she’s brainless, not knowing how to give men face. And her face that’s not smiling, cold and expressionless like a corpse! She’s definitely always fierce to Xu Tingsheng.”

“Most importantly, ha, I finally got it. Her clothes are so rigid. What in the world? She’s all covered up like she’s going to a funeral. A woman like this definitely holds no allure at all. Definitely can’t get the mood up on the bed...Xu Tingsheng will surely be cheating on her…”

Xu Tingsheng had claimed to be a virgin previously, but Tongtong had not believed a word of it.

As she looked at Lu Zhixin, dressed rigidly and without any makeup on due to having to meet with Ding Sen, Tongtong felt excited just thinking about it. So what if a woman was beautiful if they didn’t know how to deal with men?

Tongtong felt that she still had a chance, “This dame’s amorous and passionate. I can do it!”

Lu Zhixin had already lost her composure entirely at this point. She had already begun feeling flustered upon seeing Xu Tingsheng at the doorway...this had only intensified afterwards. Her thoughts were currently full of Xu Tingsheng who was still downstairs.

“I want to go downstairs,” Lu Zhixin said.

“No way. Xu Tingsheng clearly finds you troublesome. Don’t you understand by now? To be honest, even I find you a bother,” Tongtong said.

“I’m worried about him,” Lu Zhixin said frantically.

“What the hell are you worrying? Bro Kun’s there.”

“They may not necessarily help him. You don’t get it, the Ding Family’s rather influential in Yanzhou.”

“What the hell difference would you make if you went then...sigh, heck, this dumb bitch’s so strong. Don’t tell me, you trained in shot putting in school, right...sigh…”

Chapter 277: Rationality is a correct but hateful thing

Ye Qing was key to the combat power of the newly established Black Horse Club. She gave the others confidence and someone they could rely on. After she had acted, everyone followed suit.

Xu Tingsheng took the initiative to go over and toast Ye Qing.

“Thank you, Sis Qing. With you here, I feel that the Black Horse Club may really be able to succeed,” Xu Tingsheng said sincerely.

“Don’t just thank me. I expect results. I’m a very ambitious person, and I expect great results as well. Although I still can’t understand you, just based on all that you’ve achieved in the past one over year and your performance today, I’ve decided to bet on you, bet on your success.”

Ye Qing downed the wine, looking at Xu Tingsheng with a cold, beautiful smile on her face.

Her intentions were clear. She was not betting on how much revenue this piece of business would be able to generate. Instead, she was betting that Xu Tingsheng would rise to prominence hereafter, becoming an external source of assistance for her.

Now, Ding Sen who had been continually ignored by them finally took a pen, asking loudly, “Do your words count?”

He ultimately dared not test out what might result if he suddenly brought so much trouble to his family all at once.

As for the contract, perhaps it was just as Xu Tingsheng thought and it lacked only a signature.

“You can rest assured on that,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Ding Sen glanced again at Ye Qing for confirmation. She nodded.

And so, Ding Sen signed the contract and tossed the pen aside before getting up and heading straight for the door.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao moved forward to intercept him.

“What is the meaning of this?” Ding Sen halted, asking.

“How about a 1v1?” Huang Yaming shot back.

Ding Sen had an incredulous expression on his face as he spread his hands apart, asking, “1v1? Are you a small-time thug or have you not grown up yet?”

Huang Yaming smiled, “Both are fine. This is just how we village folk are. Suffering a wrong and bearing a grievance, we will only feel satisfied when our fists land on someone’s face. As for all that scheming behind the scenes, taking advantage or whatnot, it just doesn’t feel real enough.”

Finding no way to communicate with Huang Yaming, Ding Sen turned to look at the others.

Everyone ignored him except for Hu Shengming who, facing away from him, said one last thing, “Treat everything just now as official business and this now as a private matter. I feel that it’s perfectly normal for private matters to be settled with fists. Did you forget how you charged in with all those people just now? So, it was you who wanted to solve things with violence first. It can’t be that you fight when you want to and stop fighting when you don’t. Should we celebrate then? Warmly send you off?”

Huang Yaming went on, “I also seem to have heard that you pushed Xu Tingsheng earlier. And what’s more, you said just now that you wanted to break his arms and legs...break his arms and legs, break his arms and legs?! I heard it, and I remember it!”

Huang Yaming repeated those five words several times. At the end of it, his voice escalated into a roar.

Xu Tingsheng did not intend to stop him. This was Huang Yaming’s personality. Ever since senior high, he had been the most reckless, most vicious and most vengeful of the trio.

Whenever anyone had dared to treat Xu Tingsheng or Fu Cheng like this back then, he would always be the first one to charge forward.

Even when Xu Tingsheng had been derided by Class 7 during the first mock examinations in twelfth grade, he had already reacted to the mockery so intensely. Because Xu Tingsheng had already been punished with detention back then, he had even intended to charge forward alone.

Much less had to be said about now, when Ding Sen had brought more than twenty people over, saying that he wanted to break Xu Tingsheng’s arms and legs.

Xu Tingsheng believed that even if those twenty plus people had really charged in earlier, even without any backup whatsoever, Huang Yaming would still have charged forward heedlessly. Back when Ding Sen’s lackeys had entered earlier, he had gone forth to block their path...

In truth, he had not been as confident as Xu Tingsheng that Wu Kun would intervene. Having seen Wu Kun’s hesitation, he had mentally prepared himself for a scenario in which their side would only have four valorous combatants.

As the situation had changed afterwards, with Xu Tingsheng wanting to handle the Lu Family’s matter, Huang Yaming had repressed his anger up till now.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng himself was angry as well. Just as Huang Yaming said, Ding Sen had said that he would break his arms and legs. If the situation had not been reversed afterwards, Xu Tingsheng knew that he might truly have suffered that fate...Ding Sen had prepared those henchmen long beforehand.

It was impossible as well as unnecessary for him to reconcile with Ding Sen. Their interests might still conflict in the future over the acquisition of those plots of land as well as the sale of the flats afterwards. Xu Tingsheng did not believe that he would let things go just like this, and from how he had treated Lu Zhixin, it could also be seen that this was someone who was truly dishonourable and unscrupulous.

Therefore, why not inflict a good beating on him now? It would be fine so long as things did not escalate too greatly. 1v1? This was a pretty good idea. If Huang Yaming hadn’t been in such a vengeful mood, even Xu Tingsheng himself would feel tempted to go up there and beat him up.

Huang Yaming smiled coldly, “Since no one has any objections, I’ll be going up then!”

A swaying Lu Zhixin pushed the door open and entered the room.

Seeing the scene before her, Lu Zhixin who was still somewhat drunk looked a little dazed. Only when her gaze fell upon the completely unharmed Xu Tingsheng was she finally able to relax. Tongtong soon arrived from chasing after her, resting her hand against the door and panting heavily as she exclaimed, “Stupid bitch’s so strong...I let her get away.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “It’s okay, we’ve just finished settling the matter anyway.”

Huang Yaming continued, “That’s right! You can be responsible for cheering for me now. Let me beat up a bastard for y’all to see.”

Seeing Huang Yaming blocking Ding Sen’s path as he was about to advance on him, evading the latter’s glance that was on her, Lu Zhixin looked at Xu Tingsheng and enquired quizzically, “You...Xu Tingsheng, was this your idea?”

“It’s Yaming’s own idea. I feel that there’s no problem-1v1, it’s very fair,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Lu Zhixin shook her head, trying to persuade him against it, “Don’t mess around, Xu Tingsheng! You’re being just like a little kid. This sort of thing, you can’t…”

Even before Xu Tingsheng could speak, Huang Yaming had already interjected in an unfriendly tone, “What do you want Tingsheng to do then?”

“...Can you let him go? I don’t want you to get into more trouble on my account,” Lu Zhixin was looking at Xu Tingsheng as she said this.

A hopeful look could be seen within the eyes of Ding Sen who dared not interrupt now.

But he ultimately ended up disappointed, as Xu Tingsheng gave no reply.

“It seems to me that you’re just worried about your own family, isn’t that right?” Huang Yaming fumed, “Lu Zhixin, you...weren’t you right in front of them when he pushed Xu Tingsheng just now? What did you do then?”

“I…”

This represented the clash of two diverging systems of thought, Lu Zhixin’s mature, rational considerations versus Huang Yaming’s youthful righteousness, recklessness and anger. Lu Zhixin could give no reply now since it was true that she had not done anything at the time.

Huang Yaming continued, “I’ve already asked about it, and I know everything that happened. It’s only because of you that Tingsheng was so repressed, you know that? There were clearly more than ten people standing behind him at the time. He only held it in because of you, you know? I’ve never seen him so repressed before.”

“Also, are you acting dumb or did you really not see it just now? It was this dude surnamed Ding who came looking for Tingsheng with over twenty people in tow. And did you hear what he said? He said he was gonna break Tingsheng’s arms and legs.”

“No, I do know that. But what I mean is, don’t do anything rash! I’m afraid that…”

The current Lu Zhixin who was unable to beat even Huang Yaming in a verbal dispute was rare indeed.

She had still yet to comprehend the situation entirely. She was still all hung up about Xu Tingsheng offending Ding Sen and the Ding Family because of her. She did not want him to make an enemy out of them just like this. That would really be detrimental to his development right now when his wings had still yet to grow completely.

Of course, it was also necessary for her to consider the Lu Family and her father. Because of that, she did not want this matter to escalate.

This might have nothing to do with selfishness, instead being because she had become used to looking at issues in a rational way ever since young.

Fighting never really solved anything at all. Instead, this might cause trouble for the Lu Family as well as Xu Tingsheng himself. From Lu Zhixin’s usual perspective of looking at things, this was very foolish and very childish as well.

If she were to voice this out now, Huang Yaming would retort, “The hell are you talking about? This old man’s just gonna vent it out. What does anything else matter?”

Huang Yaming was in no mood for whatever bullshit rationality now as he let rip with a vulgarity before directly castigating Lu Zhixin, “Goddamnit, if he was holding the advantage now, do you think he would let Tingsheng go? What then? Would you tell him to let it go or just watch on as he breaks Xu Tingsheng’s arms and legs? The heck, he prepared for this long beforehand. Do you think he was just saying it and didn’t actually mean it?”

This was just how things were. Ding Sen had come specifically to deal with Xu Tingsheng today. Even calling Lu Zhixin here had been part of his plan to deal with him. Perhaps he had wanted her to watch how he trampled on Xu Tingsheng underfoot, giving him a greater kick out of his sweet revenge.

Thinking back on all that had transpired now, even Xu Tingsheng himself felt rather afraid of what might otherwise have happened here.

As Huang Yaming bellowed in outrage, Ding Sen cowered in a corner, not daring to utter a sound. However wealthy and influential he was, it really made no difference at all. If Huang Yaming could not be stopped, he would be beaten tragically into a dog.

“If it were Apple and someone wanted to break Xu Tingsheng’s arms and legs, she’d take a knife and stab that person for Xu Tingsheng.”

This was what Huang Yaming muttered at the end.

Due to these words, Lu Zhixin’s heart was shaken somewhat.

“Boss, this kind of...stupid bitch, what do you still want her for? She’ll literally anger you to death.”

Tongtong was stoking the flames from the side as with her worldview and temperament, she really couldn’t stand watching this go on any longer. She promptly decided that Lu Zhixin was retarded and mentally unbalanced, feeling so outraged that she truly looked down on her even disregarding her own private agenda.

Huang Yaming secretly flashed her a thumbs up.

Xu Tingsheng knew that from a rational standpoint, Lu Zhixin had actually said nothing wrong. Yet, he just did not feel like saying anything right now. Why in the world must he be so rational?

Lu Zhixin’s ringtone broke the tense atmosphere. She glanced at her handphone and hesitated for a moment, still answering her call in the end.

“Dad...right.”

Lu Zhixin said only one thing before beginning to listen from start to end. Xu Tingsheng saw how she was trying to hold back her tears but was still unable to do so in the end.

When she hung up, Xu Tingsheng told Ding Sen in a completely indifferent tone, “You can go.”

Because of this call, Xu Tingsheng had to calm down and consider the Lu Family’s situation. At the very least, the primary conflict had been shifted onto him now. With the contract also already having been signed, the partnership between the Lu and Ding families would still be continuing.

It was hard to say, but Mr Lu who had been ‘tacitly allowing’ this situation might even become hostile towards him as a result of today’s events.

Having yet to understand the Lu Family’s situation completely, Xu Tingsheng was truly unable to comprehend what kind of state and mentality Mr Lu was in right now. Still, because of Lu Zhixin, he allowed himself to get ‘kidnapped’.

Ding Sen’s gaze flickered as he glanced first at Huang Yaming and then at Xu Tingsheng.

“Go on,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Lu Zhixin too looked at Xu Tingsheng, her lips quivering though she did not speak. She knew full well why Xu Tingsheng who had initially been silent throughout had suddenly changed his mind. It was because of her and the Lu Family.

Huang Yaming scolded ‘heck’, turning and downing a big glass of wine before slamming it down on the table.

Ding Sen whose face had still been pale a moment ago was revitalised as he took a moment to compose himself before feigning calmness, “Well...farewell then. Let’s play again when it’s time to bid for the land. It wouldn’t be a problem that I caused then. However intense it gets, my father still wouldn’t be able to blame me for it. You won’t be able to threaten me with those things again. Still, honestly speaking, I feel that you guys aren’t qualified to compete at all.”

With that, Ding Sen who had found back some face pushed the door open and left.

He had spoken rightly. It would be an intense ‘business competition’ then. The Ding Family who stood with the Jinxiong Corporation held an incomparably great advantage. As for these people that Xu Tingsheng had found, it could actually be said that this was just their private business. They did not have much speaking power in their family and were unable to exert much power.

Xu Tingsheng tried to pacify Huang Yaming but ended up getting ignored. He could only turn towards Wu Kun, Ye Qing and the rest, saying, “Following on what Ding Sen said just now, in competing for the land this time, I feel that there are still some things that should be laid out on the table first.”

Wu Kun nodded, waving away the women there who were accompanying them in making merry.

They streamed out of the room. Tongtong who had been standing at the doorway was the last to leave. Despite feeling unresigned and unwilling to give up just like this, she could only helplessly follow them out.

“Tongtong!” Xu Tingsheng shouted.

“Yes?” Tongtong joyfully turned.

“Come here for a moment.”

“Alright!”

“Give me your phone.”

“Okay.”

Xu Tingsheng took Tongtong’s incredibly sleek phone and typed in his number even as he said, “I’ve troubled you today. I’ll ask Bro Kun to take more care of you in the future. Then, I’ve saved my number for you. If you meet with any problem where it’s inconvenient for you to look for Bro Kun, you can call me then. I’ll see if I can be of any help.”

“Oh...okay.”

Retrieving her phone from Xu Tingsheng, Tongtong was over the moon as she exited the room.

Just having wiped her tears away, Lu Zhixin felt rather at a loss as she continued standing by the doorway, not knowing whether she should enter or leave. The people in the room clearly had something to discuss that they did not want outsiders hearing.

“What about me? What am I considered as here?” Lu Zhixin wondered.

It was usually her who controlled the entire situation. Yet tonight, she felt completely lost.

“Find a place and sit down. Listening a little would also be good,” Xu Tingsheng said warmly.

As this meant that Xu Tingsheng still trusted her, some joy and relief surged in Lu Zhixin’s heart as she nodded, “Okay.”

Then, she found a nearby spot and sat down, trying hard to make her still rather dizzy self sober up as she listened intently. She had just heard about the matter of ‘competing for the land’. As she had never heard Xu Tingsheng mention this before, she got into ‘workaholic mode’ again.

Xu Tingsheng no longer paid her any heed as he said to the others in the room, “There was something that Ding Sen was right about. The upcoming competition may be intense indeed. The struggle for power is something that can happen anywhere. Everyone has to be mentally prepared for it. Also, an opponent like the Jinxiong Corporation is indeed much more powerful than us. As for us, just like I said to you earlier, we were the last to arrive at the scene, scruffy and unkempt…”

Everyone laughed at that.

Xu Tingsheng said earnestly, “I’m serious. Things won’t be easy at all. All of us may have to face various pressures from all around us. Of course, there may be temptations as well. The longer one lasts beneath the pressure, the greater these temptations would be. Therefore…”

While Xu Tingsheng did not finish his sentence, everyone understood what he meant.

This was a very difficult topic to answer.

“What do we do then? If I swore to the gods...would you believe me?” Hu Shengming asked.

Having a natural mood-maker was a good thing. Everyone laughed.

Yet, Hu Shengming himself did not laugh as he said, “Don’t laugh, guys. I’m serious. I really don’t know what’s to be done. What do you think can be done about this? Besides swearing. The problem is-is swearing really enough? It was so difficult for everyone to party together. It would be terribly sad if we fell apart just a while later over some pressures and temptations.”

Hu Shengming’s words caused many people to fall into a deep silence as they pondered.

“Anyway, I really wouldn’t like to give this up. Scheming truly gets tiring before long,” He added amidst the silence.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a bit before smiling, “It isn’t that serious, actually. I just said that the longer we hold under pressure, the greater the temptations will be. Everyone gets this, right?”

They all nodded.

Xu Tingsheng continued, “Therefore, if anyone really wants to back out later on, please hold on for a bit longer before backing out.”

While this sounded a bit like a joke, it was actually very practical and realistic. The best way to prevent ‘greed’ and ‘betrayal’ was ‘tying down’ and ‘tempting’ the people in question with even more enticing benefits.

Xu Tingsheng did not speak any further. As everyone was discussing this issue, he found a pen before casually grabbing a napkin from the table and beginning to write some things on top of it.

When he was done writing, Xu Tingsheng looked up, waiting for everyone’s gazes to fall on him before he smiled and enquired, “If I said that I can project, can predict what will be happening every step of the way and the entire upcoming sequence of events, would y’all believe me?”

Now this was really a joke. Everyone laughed, including Ye Qing and Lu Zhixin who was sitting a considerable distance away from him.

Of course, Lu Zhixin felt rather more moved by this. She clearly realised that despite his seeming nonchalance, this was actually the first time that Xu Tingsheng was expending his energies on controlling the entire situation. This was completely different from how he usually was in Hucheng.

Lu Zhixin was filled with anticipation at what was to come.

“I’m serious,” Xu Tingsheng said after the laughter had subsided, “I need you guys to trust me completely throughout on this, and there’s no other way about it. This is the only method that I can think of.”

“...So miraculous?” Hu Shengming extended a hand, “Can I have a look?”

“It actually isn’t that miraculous. I’ve just written down my approximate predictions regarding the various stages of this matter as well as the strategies I intend to adopt to deal with them. Still, I can’t let you look at this now or it would instead be pointless,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, explaining.

“It still does seem rather profound,” Gao Yupo said.

“It seems rather frivolous,” Chen Yan said.

“You’re really not giving me much face at all,” Xu Tingsheng leveraged on his shamelessness and smiled, “There really is no other way. The process will be very complex, and I will have to supply you with confidence and support at some crucial moments, obtaining your absolute trust. Can you guys accompany me in being frivolous for once? At least accompany me in playing out one stage of this. You won’t have to spend a single cent during this stage. How about it?”

Everyone smiled wryly as their feeling of having come aboard a thieving vessel only grew more and more intense.

Xu Tingsheng simply took this to mean that no one was against his idea as he turned towards Wu Kun, asking, “Bro Kun, do you have safes here?”

Wu Kun said that he did.

A safe was quickly sent over. Xu Tingsheng tore the napkin into three and put them in layer by layer.

“I’ll put in a passcode. Afterwards, Bro Kun, Sis Qing, Sis Chu, Chen Yan and Yupo should each set in a passcode as well, preventing me from making a switch. When all of you feel that there is a need for me to explain to you some decision of mine, we’ll open it together and confirm it once then. How about that?”

Since they were already aboard this thieving vessel, everyone could only accompany Xu Tingsheng in his little game now, though they knew not if they should be laughing or crying.

“If this isn’t a joke, it’s the epitome of planning. We’d definitely stand by you in the future,” The last one to set in a passcode, Gao Yupo, said.

The passcodes were fixed.

Everyone went off to do their own things.

Before they all scattered, Xu Tingsheng individually bid farewell to everyone before walking over to Lu Zhixin and asking, “Are you feeling better now?”

“I, I’m fine,” Lu Zhixin did not dare to look at Xu Tingsheng as she replied in a low tone.

“Let’s go then. I’ll send you home.”

“Okay.”

Lu Zhixin got up and followed after Xu Tingsheng rather uneasily.

Huang Yaming, Tan Yao and Fang Yuqing walked ahead of the two of them.

The pleasant tapping of high-heeled shoes halted as the cold, beautiful Ye Qing stopped by the distant staircase. Who was she waiting for?

The trio up front walked over.

Ye Qing looked at them and called for Tan Yao, asking him mildly, “Can you drive?”

Feeling rather nervous, Tan Yao said, “Yes.”

Ye Qing casually threw her car keys to Tan Yao with practised ease.

“I’ve drunk a bit too much. Send me home,” She said.

“Huh?” Tan Yao asked.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, no.”

“Let’s go then.”

Tan Yao left with Ye Qing just like that. He had definitely never looked this domineering when he had gone out with chicks before.

Huang Yaming was wide-eyed and speechless as he turned back and glanced at Xu Tingsheng, mouthing, “The heck.”

Fang Yuqing did the exact same thing.

Xu Tingsheng mouthed back, “Thirty and ravenous.”

The two replied, “You win.”

Fang Yuqing wanted to go home. He drove off and left first.

Huang Yaming was already in front of the car. Still, he hesitated for a moment before telling Xu Tingsheng, “I’m not going back. I’m going to go find a girl. You two leave first.”

From start to end, he had never even bothered saying a single thing to Lu Zhixin, ackowledging her presence.

……

The two were rather silent in the car.

Lu Zhixin struggled for a long time before finally forcing out the words, “Ding Sen’s matter…”

“It’s already settled,” Xu Tingsheng answered rather coldly.

As a result, Lu Zhixin could not continue talking about this.

After a while, Lu Zhixin found a new topic as she asked, “You intend to go into real estate?”

Xu Tingsheng answered, “Yeah, I think that this market has quite the potential.”

Lu Zhixin smiled, “I didn’t know about it at all.”

Xu Tingsheng explained, “I thought that you were already tired out from Hucheng’s matter. Because of that, I didn’t want you to have to worry about this as well.”

“I see,” Lu Zhixin replied, “And so you got those people together? The Black Horse Club?”

“Right.”

“How did you do it?”

“Bamboozling.”

“Huh? Then, that...napkin afterwards. Was it real?”

“That was real.”

“You can really do it?”

“You’re curious?”

“Yeah, I’d like to hear.”

Xu Tingsheng laughed, “I can’t tell you.”

Lu Zhixin said, “Alright, I’ll be waiting with bated breath then. What about Hucheng then? What’s your new plan? Didn’t you say that you’re going to hold a meeting? You said there’s something important that you are going to announce.”

Xu Tingsheng exhaled slowly, “Sorry, Zhixin. I’m a little tired today. I don’t feel like talking about business-related matters right now. I’m actually not that interested in business. Can I talk about this when the time comes?”

Lu Zhixin considered this for a moment before acquiescing, “Okay.”

Silence descended between the two of them once more.

However, Lu Zhixin clearly wished to find something to say right now. She was most proficient in talking about business-related topics, but Xu Tingsheng had just said that he did not wish to talk about these things right now.

“So, you gave your handphone number to that Tongtong.”

“Yeah, I troubled her quite a bit today.”

“She called me a stupid bitch.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled awkwardly.

“You said that she was right.”

Xu Tingsheng pretended that he hadn’t heard that.

“She asked you not to want me anymore.”

Xu Tingsheng continued smiling, not saying a word. If Lu Zhixin was smart, it didn’t matter at all what Tongtong had said. She could not mention that thing Huang Yaming had said about Apple.

Lu Zhixin was smart.

The words were ultimately not mentioned in the end. Yet, they actually continually reverberated in both their hearts.

Chapter 278: Chain reaction

After sending Lu Zhixin back to the riverside residence, Xu Tingsheng boiled some water and brewed some tea. After plugging in the water heater, Xu Tingsheng returned to the living room and got his bag before telling Lu Zhixin who was sitting stiffly on the sofa, “Rest well.”

As he was about to head out, Lu Zhixin suddenly got up, came over and blocked the door.

Then, she just stood there, woodenly blocking his way as she grabbed onto his clothes with one hand. She just looked at him, not letting go and also not saying anything at all. The current Lu Zhixin was like a child who had been caught doing a misdeed as she looked guilty, wronged, lost, with varying emotions of all kinds being present.

Meeting her clearly hesitant gaze, Xu Tingsheng had to prompt her ‘What is it?’ thrice before she finally showed a reaction.

Only then did Lu Zhixin say in a small voice, “It's too late. You can't go back into your dorm. You, you stay here for tonight.”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback, “I'd still better go stay the night in a motel. Mainly because…it might be awkward for us both.”

Xu Tingsheng was actually speaking in a very awkward manner. The things he had actually muddledly done before, how he as an Uncle had behaved toward a young lady like her…thinking back on it, he really could not but feel distressed.

Lu Zhixin understood what Xu Tingsheng was referring to, believing it to be intentional on his part.

While her face was flushed rather red, she still shook her head and blocked the door, “You stay here. Like…”

Xu Tingsheng could not hear the latter part of her words clearly as her voice was very soft, as indistinct as the buzzing of a mosquito. She seemed to have said something like ‘like…,..., is also fine.”

Perhaps feeling guilty over having caused Xu Tingsheng to suffer an injustice that night, Lu Zhixin wanted to recompense him for it, such as by allowing him to have his way with her one more time. This was despite the fact that she felt flustered and panicked just thinking about it. Lu Zhixin was completely different from her usual self now, having been like this the entire night.

An uncomprehending Xu Tingsheng went back over to sit on the sofa.

Lu Zhixin walked over rather hesitantly, asking, “Xu Tingsheng, are you angry with me? Huang Yaming was very angry.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m not. Alright, maybe I was a little angry at first, but it quickly went away. I should understand your rationale. As for Huang Yaming, it’s just that his fundamental standpoint for looking at matters is different from yours. Relax, his moods usually come as fast as they go.”

“Fundamental viewpoint?”

“Your fundamental viewpoint is directed by rationality, but ours, mine and Huang Yaming’s, aren’t like that most of the time. He may deviate a bit more in the opposite direction than me.”

Xu Tingsheng explained, “This is actually very normal. After all, even though rationality was the philosophical basis of the Age of Enlightenment, there also existed an anti-rationality movement over the same period of time that emphasised emotion above all, hoping that people will be able to live life to the fullest with liberating passion and thoughtlessness.”

“Rationality is a very tiresome thing. To me, a life that consists only of rationality lacks flavour. It’d be stifling, boring and unbearable. People who’re a hundred percent rational are terrifying.”

After speaking for a while, the senior high history teacher who had not surfaced for a long time had reappeared in Xu Tingsheng as he was about to go on a rant, mentioning Kant, Rousseau, Descartes, all those impressive names.

However, Lu Zhixin crushed his enthusiasm with a single sentence.

“I’m a Science student,” She said.

“...And why did you apply for English then?” The dispelled Mister Xu held his head and sighed. Despite having known previously that Lu Zhixin had done rather well in her university entrance examinations, he had really not taken note of this.

“I just filled it in randomly. I was intending to go overseas to study then. Also, there are actually quite a few Science students who apply for English,” Lu Zhixin earnestly explained before continuing, “Alright, you don’t have to show off. I know that you did great for Combined Humanities in the university entrance examinations. First in the entire province!”

The two of them finally started smiling a little again.

They continued chatting for a while. Xu Tingsheng was ultimately unable to keep from asking about the Lu Family’s situation in the end. He dared not ask directly about her father’s matter, instead probing, “Your family business hasn’t been doing too well in terms of liquidity recently?”

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a moment before saying, “It’s actually still pretty good. It’s just that my Dad has continually been transferring away too much funds from our Hong Kong business.”

As she halted here, Xu Tingsheng naturally couldn’t very well continue to ask about this as he switched to asking, “Then, is that contract very important?”

Lu Zhixin nodded, “Right. Because of that, I’m sorry, because what I did just now really put you in a spot. I actually really wanted to go with you then, just that I thought that I could quickly get him drunk. I was going to go and look for you after getting the contract signed. But in the end…”

“The wine he drank was fake,” Xu Tingsheng blurted out.

“Huh?” Lu Zhixin asked, “Really? How do you know?”

“Really...I know, because…” Xu Tingsheng hesitated.

“Because what?” Lu Zhixin pressed.

“Because ever since you entered that room, I felt a bit worried...so I asked someone to turn on the surveillance system and help keep an eye on you. Afterwards, I did go over to take a look myself as well. It was just that I still hadn’t discovered that the wine was fake back then, so I wasn’t able to remind you about it,” Xu Tingsheng concluded awkwardly.

The questioning that he had expected from Lu Zhixin never came.

Lu Zhixin did not ask about why there had been a surveillance system in that room or how he had been able to do this. Right now, all she could feel was happiness. Right, this minor matter brought her happiness, because she had been cared about.

Lu Zhixin wanted to convey these feelings to Xu Tingsheng. However, before she could do so, Xu Tingsheng took out the contract from his bag, placing it before her.

“You, you picked it up?” Lu Zhixin said a bit painedly, “It’s actually useless. Ding Sen won’t sign it. I’ll think of a way to explain this to my Dad later on. I don’t want to meet with Ding Sen again.”

“Really?” Xu Tingsheng looked into Lu Zhixin’s eyes.

“Really,” Lu Zhixin did not evade his gaze as he said, “I’ll be wilful for once. Hey, Xu Tingsheng. You know, you’re the first person ever since I was eight to tell me that I’m still just a young girl, that I can be wilful. All I heard the rest of the time was that I’m very sensible, that I need to be very sensible too.”

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while before he pushed the contract over to her, smiling, “Well, see for yourself.”

A puzzled Lu Zhixin carefully flipped through it before asking astonishedly, “How is it...signed?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Right.”

Now, he recounted the gist of what had happened to Lu Zhixin before unconsciously frowning, “Now that I think about it, I’m actually still a little worried about having offended that Ding Sen.”

Lu Zhixin responded rather guiltily, “Yeah, the Ding Family…”

“What I’m afraid of has nothing to do with the Ding Family’s power,” Xu Tingsheng explained, “I’m worried because I’ve found that Ding Sen is a fool. If he weren’t a fool, he wouldn’t have acted like this tonight, wouldn’t have been so easy to deal with. Still, I’d rather he wasn’t like this, really. I’d rather everyone slowly compete relying on our own methods.”

“Huh? Why do you say that?”

“Besides being a fool, Ding Sen’s character is lousy too, right? Otherwise, while you didn’t accept him as he’s pursued you these past five years, you still wouldn’t hate him so much. Based on the relationship between your two families, you could even have become friends.”

Lu Zhixin did not reply in a silent admission of his words.

Xu Tingsheng continued, “It’s precisely because of this and his method of handling things today that I fear there’s really no underhanded methods that he may not stoop too. So, you’d best be especially careful over this period. It’s best if you pay attention when going out and returning. Don’t leave the vicinity of the university and our company.”

“Got it,” Lu Zhixin said, “I think that your analysis should be right. You should be careful too.”

To be precise, this was really the first time Xu Tingsheng had a powerful fool as an opponent. Thinking about it, this sort of person was actually much more terrifying than the likes of Zhang Xingke who had brains as well as methods. This was because Xu Tingsheng could afford to play along, could afford to lose. He could afford his finances getting hurt. Still, he could not afford actual people being hurt. This applied to both he himself and those people around him.

The atmosphere grew much more solemn. Lu Zhixin lowered her head and was silent for a time.

Xu Tingsheng comforted her for a while, reciting a few anecdotes to coax her. Seeing that it was ineffective, he could only turn his attention to Dongdong, even though that slutty dog was simply sleeping as it ignored him.

A long time passed.

“Xu Tingsheng,” Lu Zhixin whispered loudly.

“Hmm?” Xu Tingsheng looked up at her.

“Mmm...”

Xu Tingsheng touched his face, looking disbelievingly at Lu Zhixin.

A flustered Lu Zhixin defended, “This, this is the first time I’m kissing a boy. I don’t know if I did it right.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “But, Lu Zhixin, you don’t seem like this kind of person.”

“I...just occasionally,” Lu Zhixin explained, “Sorry, and thank you. Yaming said that you’ve never been as repressed as today before. I put you in a spot. Also, knowing that you’re worried about me, I’m very happy.”

“He didn’t even see me when I was repressed,” Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly.

Actually, he too had drunk quite a bit that night, being a little drunk now.

After bathing, Lu Zhixin returned to her room and did not come out.

After bathing, Xu Tingsheng went to bed. Right when he was about to drift off into slumber, the sound of the doorknob being twisted could be heard. A half-asleep Xu Tingsheng clambered over in the dark to open the door.

“Xu Tingsheng, you, you actually locked the door?” Came the flustered, incredulous voice.

He had guarded against this cold, aloof powerful career woman just as he would a common hooligan? Lu Zhixin felt very angry and distressed, wanting very much to hit him. Biting him would also be fine.

“I...is there something?”

“I made some honey water for my headache. I made a cup for you too.”

Entering the room, Lu Zhixin placed a cup on the table.

Xu Tingsheng finished its contents. Then, turning back, he found that Lu Zhixin had already left.

“She’s probably going to ignore me for a couple of days again,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

He had been a ruffian last time, and he had not been a dirty ruffian this time. How was it that whatever he chose to do was always wrong?

Xu Tingsheng could not but regret it a little. With Lu Zhixin’s mentality of recompensing him that night, that most serious thing aside, everything else was virtually ‘obtainable as desired’. All this had actually already been demonstrated. How would Uncle with the accumulated experience of his previous life not understand this?

Having missed out on this chance, next time...there probably wouldn’t be a next time.

……

It was around 9am in the morning when Huang Yaming left the hotel with the girl he had gone out with the previous night.

At the entrance of the hotel, a car suddenly screeched to a halt in front of Huang Yaming. Then, two burly masked men got off, repeatedly bringing down the baseball bats in their hands on him.

The girl fled.

Huang Yaming blocked a few blows with his arms before hastily escaping into the hotel lobby.

The car drove off.

From start to end, less than thirty seconds had passed.

Xu Tingsheng had only thought of this when he had been conversing with Lu Zhixin the previous night. He had originally intended to remind Huang Yaming of it after waking up. However, it was already too late.

Upon receiving the call, Xu Tingsheng went to the university and picked Fu Cheng up before rushing over to the hospital. Huang Yaming lay on a sickbed with an arm propped up and his teeth bared in a grimace.

There were three fractures on his arm and several other flesh wounds elsewhere.

There was a light scrape on his leg as well.

“Man, it hurts to death. Lucky that I used my arm to block it, and 5 star hotel security guards are somewhat competent, not allowing them to barge in. Otherwise, I might have been lost there for good today,” Huang Yaming said, clenching his teeth.

Soon, Fang Yuqing arrived as well.

“Do we ask Bro Kun to send people or do we do it ourselves?” Fang Yuqing immediately asked.

“At a time like this, it wouldn’t be very convenient for both us and Bro Kun to it. I’d best make a call and try to get Du Jiang and Wang Xiao to come over for a while,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Du Jiang and Wang Xiao were those two people that Zhong Wusheng had brought over during that park incident back then. They were proficient in Thai Boxing and good at taking as well as dealing hits, having demonstrated this towards the end of that incident.

Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing began discussing how to get their revenge.

There was no way the legal route would work here. Ding Sen had not acted personally, and no incriminating evidence would be left behind for sure. It was probable that the two masked attackers had already left Yanzhou. As for the car, this was still not the era of CCTVs. They could randomly drive it a couple of streets away and hide it in a garage and it would already be very hard to find it then.

Therefore, it could only be an eye for an eye.

In the end, it was the injured Huang Yaming himself who spoke, “No rush. Take it slow.”

The other three all gazed bemusedly at Huang Yaming who was usually the most reckless.

Logically speaking, he should be the one who was the most desirous of swift, sweet revenge.

“Eating a loss, wisdom evolves. If we retaliate now, firstly, they will definitely be prepared for it, and secondly, they will definitely know that it’s us. For things like this, all they’re afraid of is accidentally getting someone killed. Otherwise, there’d probably be no end to all this.”

“He can hide, but we can’t. We’ve still got to go to school and attend lessons. If we fight with him now, we’ll definitely suffer a loss. I will wait, and I’ll remember! I’ll wait for a chance where I can render him directly dead not knowing what hit him,” Huang Yaming even smiled a little now.

This was a rather strange smile. Xu Tingsheng remembered how it had only first appeared in his previous life a year after Huang Yaming had started working. He had been suppressed due to being too reckless. It was after having twice fallen to scheming that this smile had surfaced.

In this life, it had appeared prematurely.

“The problem now is that I’m worried that he won’t stop with just this. For example, he may act against the rest of us too. So, while we can’t actually make a move on him, we still need to find a way to give him a warning. That way, he would think that since he had come out the victor in this exchange anyway, he might as well just stop for the time being,” Huang Yaming continued.

Huang Yaming’s words made a lot of sense. Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing exchanged looks.

Fang Yuqing said, “Let me handle this.”

“What do you intend to do?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I’ll ask my cousin to think of a way to have a chat with him,” Fang Yuqing said.

Xu Tingsheng considered this. Fang Yuqing’s cousin was a vice-captain of the Vice Squad. It would indeed be effective if he gave Ding Sen a warning in person.

Soon after Fang Yuqing had left, Tan Yao arrived.

After narrating the story again, tolerating the pain, Huang Yaming continued asking Tan Yao excitedly, “I couldn’t get through to you all morning. Quick, what happened yesterday night?”

Tan Yao hesitated for a bit before sighing slowly and dumping a wad of cash on Huang Yaming’s bed, next complaining mournfully and resentfully, “I was played.”

“...”

“Female monarch,” Tan Yao elaborated.

They all broke out into laughter at his miserable state.

“When I woke up in the morning, I was still thinking about whether I should treat her warmly. In the end, she directly dumped a wad of cash on the bed and recorded my handphone number,” Tan Yap said with a pained expression on his face.

Even as he continued wincing in pain, Huang Yaming laughed, “Weren’t you intending to take her down in the first place? She is indeed quite beautiful. Her face, her figure, none of it’s bad. And there’s that mature appeal too. And you even get money that way. What’s there to feel all pained about?”

“You’re right, but...Actually, I do rather like her. She is indeed a very charming woman. The problem is that I want to take her down, not be taken down by her. Playing someone and being played by someone really feel very different. I really can’t bring myself to accept this. I’m a playboy, experienced in love...not a gigolo! I’m a beast, a wolf, not a little white rabbit!”

Tan Yao was howling piteously at the injustice of it all.

“Well, how about you ask her not to pay you next time? Will you feel a bit better that way?” Xu Tingsheng proposed.

Tan Yao shook his head, “It’s useless. I already asked her that when she gave me the money this morning. In the end, she said that she quite likes how I look, that my background is rather more simple as well. She’s only doing this because she’s bored and lonely and wants to pass the time. If she didn’t give me money, more feelings may be prone to entering the relationship. Therefore, she definitely has to give me money.”

“...”

“She also asked me to take it as if I’m being upkept by her,” Tan Yao said in a small, awkward voice.

“Heh…” Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming laughed at that, ignoring Tan Yao’s resentful face.

“She was joking with you, right?” Fu Cheng who had not said anything earlier asked Tan Yao.

“She wasn’t,” Tan Yao said, “You guys didn’t she how she looked when she was speaking...she was completely expressionless. And her tone, it was completely flat, just cold and neutral. She said to me: Take it as if you’re being upkept by me. Take the money and don’t overthink things. I’m leaving first. I’ll call you next time if it’s convenient. Right, you cannot call me on your own.”

Tan Yao repeated Ye Qing’s words with that expressionless look and flat, neutral tone that he had described.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng laughed so much they were nearly rolling on the ground. Huang Yaming laughed so much he was crying out in pain from his injuries even as he did so.

“The heck you’re laughing. I tell you, this old man won’t go to see her next time,” Tan Yao said.

…...

While out buying lunch for Huang Yaming in the afternoon, Xu Tingsheng drove over to the hotel where he had been attacked and took a look around. A wedding was unexpectedly currently being held at the hotel where an act of violence had occurred just earlier that morning.

There, Xu Tingsheng saw someone whom he had not expected to see. It was Chen Jianxing, and he was the groom that day.

The bridal sedan and the wedding itself were both very luxurious. As Chen Jianxing who held the bride’s arm spotted Xu Tingsheng’s car from a distance away, he halted momentarily and waved in greeting.

Xu Tingsheng did not respond as he drove off and left.

Chen Jianxing was ultimately not turning back. What about that solitary mother and daughter then? Was he really not going to care about them?

A short distance away, Xu Tingsheng spied a mother and her daughter in a rather remote alley. The mother in her thirties wore plain clothes as she was gentle and beautiful. Her daughter had two braids as she was fair and lovable.

They were watching that wedding from far away.

The little girl was saying, “Mum, look, Dad. It’s Dad.”

The woman clasped the girl’s hand as she was silent.

Chapter 279: The philanderers

After eating outside, the trio bought back some food for Huang Yaming.

In the single ward, with an arm propped up and dragging around an injured leg, Huang Yaming was painstakingly shifting off his bed with much difficulty as he carefully packed his belongings.

“What’s with you?” Xu Tingsheng asked Huang Yaming as he placed the boxes of food on the table.

Huang Yaming was biting onto a plastic bag as he tried hard to put on his belt with one hand.

He muttered, “I want to leave the hospital.”

Xu Tingsheng was flabbergasted, “Stop messing around! You’ve only just entered. Also, your injuries are so serious. What are you all in a rush to get out of the hospital from?”

Huang Yaming took off the plastic bag, allowing his pants to drop freely as he said in an incomparably sincere manner, “I thought about it. You’ve been spending money in so many areas recently. Staying in hospital is too expensive. I should save some more money for you.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at him, “When have you ever felt pained about money on my behalf? Stop messing around and lie down properly. Eat your lunch first.”

Huang Yaming gave up on explaining things, shifting over towards the door bit by bit as he said determinedly, “I don’t care. Anyway, I’m leaving this hospital. Tan Yao, Fu Cheng, either of you come over and help me out of this place and this bro will remember how good you are for life.”

“The two of you, just ignore him. Something’s definitely up. Let’s see what play he’s gonna act now,” Xu Tingsheng said.

As neither of the two moved to assist him, Huang Yaming shot them a resentful look before lowering his head and heading outside step by gradual step on his own. Seeing his clenched teeth and resolute expression, the trio exchanged glances, unable to get their heads around it.

“What, the nurses aren’t pretty enough?” Tan Yao asked Huang Yaming, the two being the most emotively connected on this level.

It was a clear female voice that replied him, resounding from the doorway, “Bed 408, follow-up X-ray in the afternoon. If your bones aren’t connected properly, we’ll break them and go again.”

A tall nurse in white uniform and hat entered the ward. As her gaze swept across Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng, she halted for a moment, nodding in greeting.

“Figure’s great, eyes are so big and so beautiful. This isn’t right! When it’s like this, how could you bear to leave the hospital? Did you hit your head?” Tan Yao whispered to Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming just sighed, uttering not a sound as he went back to lie down on his bed.

Xu Tingsheng pulled Fu Cheng, saying, “Why is it that I seem to find her a little familiar.”

Fu Cheng said, “I find her familiar too.”

Hearing their exchange, the nurse hesitated for a moment before pulling down her face mask, next smiling and nodding to the both of them, “We’ve met before. My name is Chen Jingqi.”

Xu Tingsheng realised what was up as he stifled a smile and also his awkwardness, saying, “I remember now. Long time no see. How come you aren’t in Jiannan anymore, but in Yanzhou?”

A hint of bitterness flashed through Chen Jingqi’s eyes before she smiled, “Something came up with my health. I took a two month break and didn’t go back to work there. Then, this hospital just happened to be hiring, so I came. I’ve just been here for a while. I didn’t know that this hospital even doubles as a veterinary hospital. They even treat beasts.”

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng just nodded, not knowing what they should say to this.

Chen Jingqi walked over to the side of the bed, putting down the medical record before casually pinching Huang Yaming’s wounded arm, smiling as she asked him, “Does it hurt?”

Huang Yaming hissed in pain, smiling ingratiatingly as he guiltily dared not evade or answer.

“Yes, it’s good that it hurts. Otherwise, if your bones aren’t connected correctly, the nerves wouldn’t transmit sensation. Oh, right, I nearly forget-you can’t feel anything anyway,” An expressionless Chen Jingqi said.

Huang Yaming dared not retort.

The other three held back their laughter with great difficulty.

As she was about to exit the room, Chen Jingqi told Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng, “I’ll go for a round around the other wards. I’ll be back in a while. Coincidentally, I’m in charge of this ward. So, you can rest assured. I’ll definitely do my best. Also, you’ll need the doctor’s signature for getting discharged. I believe that he won’t approve of it.”

She placed extra emphasis on the words ‘do my best’ as they were really directed towards a certain person.

That certain person was now completely at her mercy.

A piteous-looking Huang Yaming looked pleadingly at Xu Tingsheng.

Chen Jingqi had only just exited the room when Tan Yao immediately closed the door, leaning against it as he asked excitedly, “There’s something, I can tell. Quick, what exactly’s up here?”

Huang Yaming tried to cover it up, “It’s complicated. Long story. You should really just forget it.”

“It actually isn’t complicated at all. Four words are enough to explain it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What four words?” Tan Yao asked.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Bedded her."

Fu Cheng finished, “Ran away.”

Tan Yao said, “...I understand. This...dang, enemies meet on a narrow path. Wow, this...no, I’ve got to go see our family’s Sis Nurse again.”

Tan Yao exited the room.

The original trio was left exchanging looks in the sick ward. Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng began to laugh.

What goes around comes around. Revenge inevitably follows.

After the cannon has sounded, an echo will definitely resound.

Chen Jingqi was the young, pretty nurse that Huang Yaming had shamelessly picked up in the IV infusion room back when Fang Yunyao had been hospitalised in Jiannan City. Afterwards, when Chen Jingqi had gotten serious, Huang Yaming had bedded her and run away, even changing his handphone number to that end.

Now, revenge was here.

Huang Yaming cocked his head, looking at Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng, “Stop laughing, you guys! What do I do now? I’ll die if I don’t change hospitals. You weren’t here earlier. When she came in here and saw me, she just stood there and stared quietly at me for at least five minutes. I think she was trying to think of how to render me dead.”

“You didn’t mistake her for another pretty young nurse and try to flirt with her?” Fu Cheng asked.

“How’s that possible? Those big eyes, how could I forget about them? I’ve even dreamt of them a good number of times,” Huang Yaming said rather unnaturally.

“You just can’t forget about her? Then, you…”

“Yeah, I like her! I’ve never met any girl just like her before. The problem is that she was serious, you know? Just one time in bed and she was fantasising to me about our future happy family of three. Look, how would I be able to settle down? How old am I, and what kind of person am I? Y’all know that the heavens decreed that I live a life of debauchery.”

Fu Cheng said earnestly, “Yaming, it was Tan Qingling who hurt you. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I think Chen Jingqi’s pretty good. She doesn’t look any worse than Tan Qingling. You hurt her to such an extent, and she didn’t come looking for trouble for you…”

Tan Yao who had just gone out to scout returned with a rather strange expression on his face.

“What is it?” Huang Yaming asked.

“Slumped over the desk in the shift rotation room, crying,” Tan Yao said, “Just crying and crying.”

They all froze.

After a while, Huang Yaming feigned a casual tone, “Ha, anyway, I didn’t see it, right? Who cares about her, time for lunch. Hey, with my arm like this, which of you three will feed me?”

The remaining three people exchanged looks. Male feeding male-they really couldn’t stand it.

Huang Yaming determinedly opened the food boxes on his own, painstakingly scooping up the contents with a spoon.

Footsteps resounded.

Xu Tingsheng dragged Fu Cheng and Tan Yao outside to smoke.

Right after the three left, Chen Jingqi returned with the face mask back on her face.

Huang Yaming was clumsy at using his left hand. Due to his nervousness, he spilled a spoonful of braised pork and yellow beans on his chest.

Chen Jingqi watched on for a while before walking over, expressionlessly helping him to clean up the food that had fallen. Then, she grabbed the spoon and sat down, bringing a spoonful of food over to Huang Yaming’s mouth.

Looking at her reddened eyes, Huang Yaming asked uneasily, “Did you just cry?”

“No,” Chen Jingqi said.

Huang Yaming opened his mouth and ate the food. Chen Jingqi brought another spoonful of it by his lips.

“How have you been doing recently?” He asked.

“Not bad,” Chen Jingqi said.

“Sorry,” Huang Yaming said.

Chen Jingqi spoke no longer.

……

In the afternoon, more people came to see Huang Yaming.

Song Ni came. Some of Huang Yaming’s classmates, roommates and friends came as well. Even an apologetic Lu Zhixin came over to visit Huang Yaming. Despite their awkwardness, they still managed to hold a civil conversation.

Chen Jingqi did not appear at all over this period of time.

Finally, the visits ceased as only the few of them were left in the ward.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng mentioning Chen Jingqi, Song Ni who had the greatest sense of ‘righteousness’ amongst them started relentlessly criticising Huang Yaming.

After this had gone on for quite some time, Huang Yaming got impatient as he retorted, “Hey, enough already! Didn’t this old man just bed her once?”

Chen Jingqi pushed the door and entered the room, walking over to Huang Yaming.

“I didn’t mean that. What I meant is…” Huang Yaming tried to explain himself.

“Bam.”

A slap flew in.

Taken aback, Huang Yaming asked in a small voice, “Can you be more civilised? Why are you hitting people?”

“Bam.”

Another slap.

Chen Jingqi began shedding tears.

Huang Yaming said rather helplessly and despondently, “Look, it was clearly you who hit me, but why are you the one crying? Does your hand hurt? Use this then, hit till you’re all vented.”

Huang Yaming passed Chen Jingqi the medical record.

Chen Jingqi said, “You bastard.”

Huang Yaming said, “Yes, I’m a bastard. Stop crying, okay?”

……

On the way back to the university.

“How do you see this?” Fu Cheng asked Xu Tingsheng, “If it’s really necessary, we should help Huang Yaming to change hospitals. I’m not worried about him, I’m just afraid that he might hurt someone again. That girl’s pretty good.”

Xu Tingsheng considered this before saying, “We should watch and see. I feel that he wouldn’t have avoided her if he didn’t like her in the first place. Also, I’ve never seen him fear any girl so much after Tan Qingling. We should give them two days. Let him give her a proper explanation at the very least.”

“What about dinner? If we all go back, no one will get him his dinner!” Fu Cheng exclaimed.

“Someone will make sure he gets it. That girl still likes him,” Xu Tingsheng said confidently.

Song Ni had come to know a couple of nurses in Jianhai City when taking care of Fang Yunyao. Calling them and asking about this, she learnt that Chen Jingqi had just graduated recently and was still not yet a full-time contracted employee. She had previously taken two months of leave for some unknown reason, also having refused to explain this. The hospital had found someone else to fill in her position and removed her from it.

Everyone felt rather uneasy as they learnt of this.

Fu Cheng sighed, “No wonder she came to Yanzhou.”

“Being all alone here, it’s definitely pretty tough on her. Being a nurse is very tiring, and if it’s as a part-timer, the pay also isn’t high,” Song Ni said.

Lu Zhixin who had still yet to completely get her head around the situation asked with a face full of puzzlement, “Why hasn’t she gone to look for Huang Yaming at his school then? Doesn’t she know where Huang Yaming studies at?”

“She should be able to find out even if she doesn’t. There are just these few universities in Yanzhou, and she also recognises us. Maybe she feels that Huang Yaming is still attending university and cannot afford to bear this burden, and so she bore it herself. Or maybe Huang Yaming’s actions have thoroughly hurt and disenchanted her.”

Fu Cheng closed his eyes and leaned back against his seat. Chen Jingqi’s appearance had clearly evoked clear memories of the past in him once more.

Those who had no wish to reunite had reunited. Yet, she who he was painstakingly searching for might never be seen by him again.

“What now then? If she isn’t contracted to an organisation, we can actually consider letting her come to Hucheng to work. Doing information checks is easy to learn, and the pressure is also much lower than in the hospital. The wages are also a bit higher. There’s even the five social insurance payments.”

Logically speaking, Chen Jingqi’s field of expertise and educational background did not fit the rules for Hucheng’s personnel applications. Still, Lu Zhixin ignored such principles this time. It was unknown if this was because she wanted to express her apologetic intent towards Huang Yaming or because she empathised with Chen Jingqi as a woman herself.

Looking at Lu Zhixin, seeing her nod earnestly, Xu Tingsheng turned and told Fu Cheng, “Send Huang Yaming a text and tell him about this incident and Zhixin’s idea. See what he thinks of it.”

Some time after the text was sent, Huang Yaming called.

“Have you eaten?” Xu Tingsheng asked him.

“Yeah,” Huang Yaming answered.

“How?”

“She bought it for me.”

“What are your intentions now?”

“I’ve told her about the job. She says she’ll consider it.”

“What about you? What are you thinking?”

“Well, I definitely can’t be in a proper relationship. Still, you guys should still help her to settle her job issue. Do it yourself, and not through me. I’ve asked about it from other nurses. These part-timers all stay in communal hostels with poor conditions and low wages. Also, the chances of managing to go full-time are very low.”

“Are you sure? If she’s at Hucheng, you’ll definitely have to meet each other from time to time.”

“I know. That’s fine. It really is very hard for her, working here. As a rookie and also not a local, she’s easily bullied. She has to work the night shift for several nights a week.”

“Your heart still aches at that?”

“I know that I’m inhuman.”

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before saying, “No one can force you in things like this. We won’t blindly interfere. Do as you see fit, and tell me if she’s decided on coming to Hucheng. If you do really decide to change hospitals, I’ll help you with it. You should account for things to her at least. Don’t hurt her anymore.”

Huang Yaming said, “I know.”

Fu Cheng took the phone, asking, “How are things between the two of you now? Most importantly, really, how is she now?”

Huang Yaming said, “I can’t say for sure.”

“What do you mean you can’t say for sure?”

“She’s fine one moment and erupts the next. I can’t keep up with her at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“She fed me food. She was pretty meticulous, and pretty warm too.”

“Isn’t that pretty good then?”

“After a while, she suddenly glanced over, then overturned the whole bowl of food on my face.”

Fu Cheng did not venture a reply as he turned on the loudspeaker.

“After a while, she cleared away the food and apologised to me. Because I’m in the wrong, I was just about to say nevermind. In the end, she glanced at me again, raised her hand, and overturned the whole bowl of food on my face, again.”

Everyone repressed their laughter as the entire car was literally shaking.

“This isn’t normal! Does she have split personality disorder?”

“It’s too normal. This is love and hate intermixed.”

……

This might be a day for reunions and past relationships.

It was a little after 2am in the morning that Xu Tingsheng received a call from Li Wan’er. Inside his dormitory, hearing that irrepressible sobbing trasmitted from the other end of the phone, he hurriedly clambered up and ran out to the balcony.

He listened to her crying for a long time.

When the sobbing finally subsided, knowing that it would be awkward for Li Wan’er to speak, Xu Tingsheng took the initiative and asked her, “What is it?”

“My mother’s condition worsened after the surgery. She’s gone. It’s just me now,” Li Wan’er said.

All alone in the world now, Li Wan’er remembered that little hoodlum. He had said that he would take her away. She also didn’t eat much.

Xu Tingsheng said, “...My condolences.”

Li Wan’er was silent for a long time before she mustered up all her courage and finally asked, “After everything is settled on my side, can I go and look for you?”

Xu Tingsheng told her, “You should leave and go back to Italy. That’s where you really belong.”

Hanging up, Xu Tingsheng stood alone on the balcony for a while. Tan Yao came over and handed him a cigarette before lighting up one of his own. In the early autumn, the morning winds were already getting rather chilly.

As soon as the commotion at a bustling place has quietened down, it always feels exceptionally quiet.

Tan Yao said, “Sorry, I just happened to overhear a little just now. I heard crying. What, another ‘bedded her, ran away’?”

“No. I didn’t ‘bed’ her. That was Li Wan’er,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Having met Li Wan’er before, Tan Yao said exaggeratedly, “You should have bedded her then!”

“It’s precisely because I fear that I may not be able to resist sleeping with her one day that I had no choice but to drop it and run,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “What about you? It’s so late, why aren’t you asleep yet? You still can’t bring yourself to accept it? Just totally ignore her from now on.”

Tan Yao hesitated for a moment and sucked in a deep breath of smoke before saying, “It isn’t just that. You definitely won’t believe it, but I’ve been thinking about that matter of Huang Yaming’s the entire night. Thinking about it, I just can’t help but envy him a little.”

“What’s there to envy him for? Getting slapped?”

“Hey, you’re actually right,” Tan Yao said, “I just wonder if there may also be a girl who thinks of me and hates me so much so that she gives me two tight slaps first thing she sees me the next time we meet. It would mean that she can’t stop thinking of me, at least.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at Tan Yao.

Tan Yao continued, “You must feel surprised, huh. I don’t know when it began, but those girls who roll around in the sheets with me all seem to understand the situation very well, having a sort of tacit understanding with me. Right after we wake up in the morning, they say goodbye, without any intent of being unwilling to part with me or wanting to harass me at all. In the past, that’s exactly what I would be afraid of. But now, I even feel a little depressed at times.”

“That’s just your thoughts running wild,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Tan Yao thought about it, “Perhaps. Still, I just cannot but wonder if there’s any girl in this world who likes me for real. Even if they hate me, it’d also be fine. Otherwise, there’s just this empty feeling inside. Just like how I mix with their bunch of people sometimes. It may be especially passionate and lively, but after the commotion’s died down, I always feel especially lonely, especially depressed.”

“I’m an orphan,” Tan Yao said, “Forget it, let’s not talk about this.”

This was the first time Xu Tingsheng was hearing about this, this actually being something that all their other roommates as well as Huang Yaming who had hung out with Tan Yao the longest were unaware of. Tan Yao had never mentioned it and exhibited no signs of it. With his cheerful and optimistic personality, he had always seemed to be living very happily.

Xu Tingsheng patted Tan Yao’s shoulder, changing the topic.

“What about you? Who do you like?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“You know, Yuqing’s big sister,” Tan Yao smiled bitterly.

“...”

“She’s a lesbian, right?”

“...You know?”

“Once, I got a room with a girl and left in the morning. Fang Chen just happened to be exiting the room right next to mine...seeing it, my heart just broke. In the end, it was another girl who followed her out of the room, a fourth year female senior from our university. I recognised her.”

“...”

“What the hell is this!”

“Then, Fang Chen saw you too?”

“No, I hid. And can you guess what I did next?”

“What did you do?”

“I slept with that female senior and broke them up completely.”

“So…”

“So, Fang Chen freaking got dumped, hahahahaha...when she finds another one in the future, I’ll bed her and break them up too. Don’t they all say that women like women because they’ve lost all hope in men? I’m going to make her completely lose all hope in women.”

…...

At the same time, in a sick ward of Yanzhou Central Hospital.

Huang Yaming rested his arm that had three whole fractures right across Chen Jingqi’s body, threatening, “Don’t struggle or move. If you do, my arm will break into five. At that time, it’ll be your heart that hurts.”

“It’s better if it breaks. I’d rather you were dead,” Chen Jingqi said.

“You move then,” Huang Yaming said.

Chen Jingqi straightened, but was ultimately unable to defeat Huang Yaming’s shamelessness as she frowned, “What’re you doing? I’m on duty now.”

“Duty my ass. I’ve asked, you aren’t even on the night shift today. You’re just worried about me, I know. You just lie here and sleep for a while. I can’t sleep anyway. I’ll sit here and look at you, and wouldn’t it be more convenient to call for you if anything happens?” Huang Yaming asked.

“There’s a bed in the shift rotation room. I’ll go back there to sleep.”

“I saw a nurse on duty bring her boyfriend in just now. You’re going back to watch the show?”

“...”

“Relax, I guarantee I won’t touch you.”

“I’ll kill you if you dare to.”

“I know.”

Silence descended in the room as Huang Yaming took out a cigarette and looked at it before putting it down again. Chen Jingqi pretended to be sleeping till tears soundlessly leaked out from the corners of her eyes.

“Why did you run away without saying a word back then? I called your number for half a month, you know?”

“I, I’ve never thought about being in a proper relationship before, about properly liking someone.”

“I got pregnant.”

“Huh? …You’re a nurse, don’t you know how to use aftercare preventive measures?”

“I did take the medicine. I don’t know why, though, but I still got pregnant.”

“...You aborted it?”

“Right, I ate the medicine, so I couldn't keep the kid. Also, you ran away.”

“Sorry.”

“I rented a flat and lived there alone to recuperate. I took two months of leave, but the hospital found someone and replaced me in the end.”

“...Why didn’t you come to look for me then?”

“I felt that you’re still attending university. I’m already working, at least. Also, you were already avoiding me. What use would there be in looking for you?”

“Sorry.”

“Actually, I thought that I would never see you again. In the end, entering the sick ward in the afternoon and seeing you, I thought: The heavens are really too much. Why have they got you appearing in front of me again? Also, why is it merely just a broken arm? Why aren’t you dead?”

“What, dead? So you hate me so much.”

“If you were dead and lying before me, I wouldn’t have to think about anything at all. I’d just cry there heartily for you, and then the hatred would be over, and the love would be over. What do you want me to do now that things are like this?”

Huang Yaming thought for a moment before asking, “Right, I hadn’t asked. How old are you?”

“Twenty-two, why? We graduate early,” Chen Jingqi answered.

“You’re still young, no rush. You should go to Hucheng to work. You won’t be bullied there at all,” Huang Yaming said, “If you meet someone you like in the future, just go ahead and like them. If you don’t find such a person, if it’s a few years later and I’ve grown up and am no longer such a bastard, you can see if you still want me then.”

Chapter 280: Hucheng’s crisis management

The day before the meeting, Xu Tingsheng gave Lu Zhixin a heads up on its upcoming contents in detail.

The next day, Hucheng had its most solemn and official meeting to date, the scale of which could be considered ‘grand’. The six shareholders, consisting of Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin, Fang Chen, Fang Yuqing, Old Wai and Li Linlin as well as Hucheng’s middle and higher echelons were all present, with a total of close to twenty people in attendance.

The training institute had just freed up an empty classroom for them not long ago, setting up the classic meeting room look long table and all that looked professional indeed.

Xu Tingsheng arrived neither late nor early. Just entering the room, he was rather taken aback to find a chair placed diagonally behind his seat. It was occupied by a young lady.

Though Xu Tingsheng saw her as a young lady, that was by his ‘Uncle’ standard. In actual fact, she should be a few years older than him, probably just having graduated from university a year or two ago complete with dark-coloured professional suit, strict hairstyle and professional smile.

The meeting had still yet to begin. The girl was currently typing away on her laptop as clicking noises could incessantly be heard.

Looking at the speed of her fingers as they flew across the keyboard, Xu Tingsheng suddenly very much wanted to suggest to her: With your typing speed, you shouldn’t be coming to work. Hurry up and start writing web novels at home, on some domineering CEOs or whatnot. Thirty thousand characters in a day and you’ll be a god in the future, and a beautiful goddess at that.

Seeing that some time still remained before the start of the meeting, Xu Tingsheng went and asked Lu Zhixin about her.

Lu Zhixin said composedly, “She’s a high-salaried assistant I’ve found for you. She graduated from a famous university and worked at a foreign company for half a year. She resigned from being harassed by her foreigner boss and has worked at Hucheng for more than two months already. She’s competent in all aspects, so I’ve just promoted her. Are you satisfied with her?”

Assistant? She was actually a secretary, right? This…a beautiful secretary…in a professional suit...black-rimmed spectacles...it stimulated the senses just thinking about it. Xu Tingsheng had heard many such stories before, having also seen many similar plotlines when watching movie clips in his dormitory...was he finally going to live this kind of decadent, blissful life? This...not even doing anything, just looking alone was already a cause for enjoyment in itself!

Looking at Lu Zhixin, Xu Tingsheng suppressed his straying thoughts and calmed himself, “A set-up, it’s definitely a set-up.”

Now, he smiled wryly and feigned calmness as he asked, “Stop joking, Zhixin. If anyone needs an assistant, it’s you! How would someone like me who spends three days fishing and the next two days drying the nets need one? Is it just for show?”

“It is indeed for appearances on the one hand,” Lu Zhixin said, “The key is those things you told me about yesterday. I found that you are usually working on more than I thought. What you’ll be doing next will be rather unsystematic. Your attention will probably be scattered across different areas. It’d be better if there’s someone to assist you on the side, making sure that nothing gets left out.”

“The problem’s that she’s female, and young, and quite pretty too. Aren’t you worried?” Xu Tingsheng half-joked with some unspeakable fantasies in mind.

“There’s nothing to be worried about. Even when you are...together with me, don’t you lock the door from the inside? ...Locking the door,” Lu Zhixin replied, repeating the words dissatisfiedly.

Just happening to enter the room at this time, Old Wai scanned the area before yelling, “Looks like everyone’s more or less here! Hey, should I lock the door?”

Hearing his words, Lu Zhixin angrily turned and glared at him, leaving him feeling all confused inside as he could only shrink back pensively and avoid her gaze. Xu Tingsheng aside, there was probably no one who was aware that Boss Lu had recently been very sensitive to the phrase ‘locking the door’ as it always left a bad taste in her mouth.

“Come, let me introduce you. Tang Yufei, a talent that Hucheng managed to win over with great difficulty. She’s temporarily deigning to assume the position of Boss Xu’s assistant. Right, Yufei is my senior from junior and senior high. We’re good friends,” Lu Zhixin called that young lady over and did some simple introductions.

“...What’s there left to fantasise about, what damn decadence?!” Only now did Xu Tingsheng understand that the reason Lu Zhixin was not worried was that this was her person in the first place.

She had planted a spy beside Xu Tingsheng in such an aboveboard manner, implementing it before even telling him about it. After she had shaken off her abnormal state, this Lu Zhixin’s domineering style still blazed strong indeed.

Also, following that previous incident, she seemed to have resolved herself in some way as she had become more swift and decisive in her policy implementations.

Xu Tingsheng said hi to Tang Yufei who had originally possessed great potential as a beautiful female secretary before silently shedding tears inwardly as he said with a composed smile on his face, “I’ll be troubling you. You should still go to work at the company as per usual. If you’re free, help Zhixin out more. She’s busier. I’ll go look for you if there’s really something that I have to trouble you with.”

The meeting officially began.

Lu Zhixin said the opening lines before ceasing to speak. This took the middle and higher echelon employees present somewhat by surprise because she usually took the lead in Hucheng’s usual meetings. Sometimes, Xu Tingsheng would simply not even show up.

In truth, it was not that these people had never seen Xu Tingsheng or interacted with him before. However, what they knew about him was really limited. As compared to Lu Zhixin’s intelligence and capabilities, everyone felt that this 20-year-old boss of theirs was really more like a typical university student, a mere kid still wet behind the ears.

If not for Hucheng offering a high salary, with its prospects also seeming bright in addition to Lu Zhixin’s capable performance winning everyone over, quite a few of these middle and higher echelon employees might really be hesitant to work in this company...it just really felt too unreliable.

As everyone was waiting for Xu Tingsheng to speak, wanting to properly witness the ‘true face’ of this boss of theirs, he took out his handphone and dialled a number, turning on the speaker.

The call connected.

Xu Tingsheng laughed as he rebuked, “You’re really unethical, Senior! I just turn around and you stab me in the back.”

On the other end, Zhang Xingke said without the least bit of awkwardness, “I just knew that you were going to call and blame me. Come on, scold me. When you’re done and you’re happy, we can happily speak of our old brotherly feelings together.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Scram! With these backstabbings of yours, any brotherly feelings are long since gone. My Shenghai training institute doesn’t even have teachers left anymore. Especially those two reputable teachers we were primarily advertising a while back-the students have all run over to your side, equivalent to me doing free advertising for you. You’ve got to account for this to me at the very least, right?”

Zhang Xingke chuckled a little before saying, “The situation now is like this. The market for training institutes in Shenghai has always been competitive. Then, you came in and stirred up the situation with Hucheng’s platform supporting you. They all view you as their number one competitor now. And so, the various big training institutes in Shenghai have all joined forces to suppress you, this mighty power from abroad.”

“Under such circumstances, which side do you think I should stand on? With just my little bit of power, in order to avoid being harmed by all their vested interests, I should definitely stand with them, right?”

“Ye rascal of no loyalty! If it weren’t for us standing in front of you, it’d be you getting destroyed by them now. Go on,” Xu Tingsheng said in ill humour.

“Right, right, that’s why I’ve got to thank you first,” Zhang Xingke said smilingly, “Still, for those reputable local teachers from your training institute, even if I hadn’t lured them away, others would! This is a definite thing. Rather than that happening, you might as well let me take advantage, letting me bolster my power a bit while also winning their trust. When the time is right, one internal and one external, us brothers will join forces and slay them so hard they won’t know what hit them, their pitiful cries flowing into a river of tears…”

With them both understanding each other completely, Zhang Xingke was shamelessly feigning innocence in an overt, blatant manner.

Still, the situation he narrated was true at the very least. This was precisely what Xu Tingsheng wanted to hear. After hearing the useful parts, not intending to continue listening to his bullshit, he directly hung up and turned off his phone.

Then, he smiled at the people seated before him, asking, “This is the current situation in Shenghai. So, any ideas?”

“Put in more money to entice the people back?”

“Dispatch some reputable teachers from Yanzhou over?”

“Suppress them with the platform’s recruitment of students?”

After a moment’s hesitation, the middle-echelon employees successively gave their opinions. Xu Tingsheng smiled and nodded to all of them, recording their ideas down with a pen before continuing to direct an anticipatory gaze at everyone present.

“Admit defeat and delay student recruitment.”

An unexpected, obtrusive opinion surfaced.

Many uncomprehending gazes converged.

The person who had spoken was a 37-year-old female employee named Wu Tong. She was an experienced career women who had returned to Yanzhou from aboard for her children, having hesitated quite a bit before entering Hucheng. She was one of the two new Directors who had ultimately been promoted to the position after Old Wai and Li Linlin had been ‘demoted’ some time back.

Facing those questioning gazes, Wu Tong spoke calmly, “Admit defeat and delay student recruitment. That is my opinion. We wait till their honeymoon period is over, including the honeymoon period between the training institutes themselves and the honeymoon period between the reputable teachers and the training institutes. With their batch of people having gotten high salaries, it will definitely evoke a huge chain reaction. The various tensions here will gradually rise to the surface on their own.”

“Therefore, we wait. Without a common enemy, their honeymoon period won’t last for too long. Afterwards, even if we don’t entice them, there will be people coming over to us on their own.”

“Go on, Sis Tong,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I...that’s all. We can only wait, or seek another path. As for what kind of path we could seek, I was only promoted not long ago. I’m not familiar with what sort of resources and preparations Boss Xu has, so I’m unable to give any specific suggestions.”

Just as many people were secretly thinking to themselves how Wu Tong had said a great deal but had basically said nothing worthwhile in the end, Xu Tingsheng pushed a folder across the table, saying, “For clear knowledge and precise judgment, the most important aspect is that one can candidly admit that we’ve got no way around it. This is hard to come by indeed. So, I’ll be troubling Sis Tong with the matter of our Shenghai training institute. I will go over when the student recruitment officially begins.”

As she received the folder, Wu Tong felt as if she had dug a pit for herself as she asked, “Didn’t I say that I haven’t a way?”

Still, after opening the folder and flipping through a few pages, her entire expression relaxed as she smiled and responded, “You can rest assured, Boss Xu.”

Xu Tingsheng made use of this chance to tell all members of Hucheng present one thing: As compared to forced, unrealistic displays of hard work, I prefer listening to the truth. I can also accept listening to the truth.

He was cultivating Hucheng’s company culture with this.

And that folder evoked the curiosity of many, “Boss and Wu Tong both seem very confident.”

“Now, the second topic,” Xu Tingsheng continued, “Actually, it’d be more appropriate to call it a notification. Hucheng Education Service Platform will immediately be resuming free-of-charge services towards both parents and home tutors. Of course, we will still be continuing to sell educational materials.”

“What, we earn so much as an intermediary. All gone?”

The shareholder Fang Chen exclaimed as her heart ached at the thought.

Xu Tingsheng shot her a look before turning towards the rest, “Just ignore her, everybody. She doesn’t understand the situation at all. The current situation’s that two similar platforms have already started operating. After so long, our competitors have finally come. Free services, abundant funds. They definitely intend to drag it out till we fall apart before considering profiting off this. Therefore, the first thing we must do definitely is to resume our free-of-charge services. Here, whatever strategies are not of any use, because to consumers, only money is the most practical.”

“Won’t they drag it out till we collapse then?” Ignoring how she had been looked down upon earlier, Fang Chen asked worriedly.

“That will happen for sure if we don’t have any new sources of revenue. Currently, what they are doing is analogous to coming to whittle us down with warehouses full of grain. It is different for us. Our foundations are weak. We can only cultivate new crops in the wilderness to continue surviving, dragging things out till they collapse instead.”

Now, Xu Tingsheng opened a powerpoint presentation, pointing at the projection behind him as he said, “Here’s my wilderness cultivation plan. Attached to the platform and targeting a similar target group-I’ve given it a name, ‘Are You Hungry?’.”

“Takeaway?” Fang Yuqing glanced at it before directly blurting out.

“Right, exactly. We Hucheng are most closely linked to the student body, and the relationship between university students and takeaway-need I even say it?” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“I know. Ever since our second year began, we basically haven’t gone from our dorm to the canteen much at all,” Fang Yuqing said, “The problem’s that takeaway is settled with just a call. Why would they use our platform?”

“More choices, with pictures and text, points and rewards and score evaluations. The cities that we encompass are mostly economically developed. The dorms and families generally wouldn’t lack computers, right? Also, capitalising on our consumer base on the platform, we will be able to save many resources in terms of promotion and advertising. At the present moment, getting this widespread and successful may be hard, but it definitely has potential.”

With the era of smartphones still yet to descend, Xu Tingsheng dared not set his expectations too high. Having finished his analysis, seeing that no objections were forthcoming, he directly continued, “Boss Lu will be in charge of this matter. Fu Xinyuan and Wang Tuo, you two Directors help to arrange for its implementation. Apart from Sis Tong, everyone in the other departments is to cooperate as necessary. Actually, all of you can actually treat this as a perk if you want. Go out, eat, drink and have fun. You're free to go with whoever you want, and even dating while you're at it is also fine…claim your expenses...I only ask that you guys bring me back an exclusive contract.”

“Remember, we've got to get an exclusive contract from the relevant companies. This is our only chance. When other competitors appear in the future, it will be impossible for us to have such a chance again. Therefore, we can let them profit more, but the contract has to be exclusive, and the cost of a breach in contract has to be high. The longer it lasts the better, all the better for us to…tie them down inseparably to us.”

Here, Xu Tingsheng spoke like in his previous life when teaching classes on victories against the Japanese invaders during WWII as he was fervent and emotional, confident and assured. Hucheng’s middle echelon employees were all feeling emotional at seeing this other side of their young boss for the first time.

Then, a ringtone sounded.

Prior to the start of the meeting, Lu Zhixin had stressed that all phones be turned off. Xu Tingsheng had also turned off his phone in front of everyone after his call to Zhang Xingke.

Therefore…

Lu Zhixin’s face was stern as she surveyed the room. Everyone checked their phones rather nervously. Where Lu Zhixin’s gaze passed, there would come a response: ‘Not me’, ‘Not me’...

As Lu Zhixin looked in Xu Tingsheng’s direction, he thought inwardly, “What’re you looking at? I turned...oh, wait…”

While Xu Tingsheng had indeed turned off his phone earlier, he had another phone which he never ever turned off. If that phone had rung...Xu Tingsheng leapt up from his seat with total disregard for his image, charging towards his bag which he had placed on a side table of the meeting room earlier and frantically digging out his phone in a frenzied haste...

Then, his face lit up brilliantly like a half dozen light bulbs.

“Excuse me, gotta answer a call.”

Ignoring Lu Zhixin’s killer gaze, Xu Tingsheng rushed speedily towards the door, shamelessly looking back and saying, “The rest of the meeting will be presided over by Boss Lu. You guys continue; no need to worry about me, yeah.”

With his expression that was nervous, flustered and frantic, he looked just like a young boy who had never been in a relationship before as he received a call from the girl of his dreams. Having received the call, he dropped everything on hand as nothing could possibly be more important…

Any remote image of a boss that ‘Boss Xu’ had just successfully established in the minds of his employees collapsed at once.

Fortunately, ‘Iron Lady’ Boss Lu’s unshakeable composure remained as she calmly resumed the meeting as if nothing had happened.

“Oh, right,” Just having exited the room, Xu Tingsheng now opened the door again and stuck his head in, “The last thing I was planning to say-not saying it would really be a waste. In the future, I will take you all to ring the bell at Nasdaq.”

If he had ridden on his earlier momentum and said this right at the end, it would definitely have invigorated everybody’s spirits, raising their morale…

Now, however, everyone could only feel that...ugh, my poor head...my company’s boss is just too unreliable.

Chapter 281: The little girl wants to confess

“Don’t you scold me. It isn’t me who’s looking for you this time.”

After the call connected, this was the first thing that Little Xiang Ning said as it was also accompanied by a little bit of uneasiness as well as a bit of long-accumulated emotions.

While Xu Tingsheng was thinking ‘How could I bear to scold you’, he outwardly feigned calmness as he asked, “Who’s looking for me then?”

“It’s Su Nannan! It’s her birthday today, and we’re outside singing now. She’s drunk some wine and insists on looking for you. Then she called that other phone of yours and found it turned off, so she asked me to help,” Little Xiang Ning carefully explained.

Xu Tingsheng was rather bewildered, “Su Nannan? Why is she looking for me?”

Ever since that park incident during the summer holidays, that girl who had matured early, Su Nannan, would frequently send some texts to Xu Tingsheng. After viewing their contents, Xu Tingsheng would sometimes reply and sometimes not.

Little Xiang Ning had still yet to answer when her phone was taken away by someone, Sun Nannan’s voice resounding prettily, “Mister Xu, it’s my birthday today. We’re singing now, can you come over? I, we all miss you.”

Indeed sensing some tipsiness in her tone, Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before saying, “You kids have fun together, no need for me to come. Remember not to drink too much! You’re still young, and you’re girls.”

But Uncle’s nagging was interrupted partway through as Su Nannan exclaimed, “But Ningning’s drunk some too!”

She shouted, “Ningning, Mister Xu doesn’t want to come. You agreed to help me. Quick, come and help me ask him over.”

Then, Little Xiang Ning’s voice resounded over the phone once more, “You, can you come?”

“You drank alcohol?” Xu Tingsheng asked sternly.

“Just a little bit! They’ve all drunk some too,” Little Xiang Ning said timidly.

“Are you feeling dizzy?”

“A little bit.”

“You…” Xu Tingsheng sighed helplessly, “I’ll go over then, and send you home in a while.”

“Huh? You’re really coming?”

“What, you…”

Xu Tingsheng could detect some abnormalities from her tone. Little Xiang Ning seemed like she actually didn’t really want him to go over.

He was just about to ask her about this when Su Nannan had already taken back the phone. She gave him the address of some KTV and no chance to renege as she directly hung up.

As compared to Little Xiang Ning, this girl had really matured too early. Xu Tingsheng actually didn’t really approve of Xiang Ning hanging out with her, yet could not very well interfere here. Such things really seemed out of his jurisdiction at the present moment.

Virtually right as Xu Tingsheng hung up, everyone began streaming out of the meeting room.

“The meeting’s over?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Half over. A break. You’re done with your call?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“Yeah, but something’s come up and I need to go out for a while,” With that, Xu Tingsheng headed downstairs.

Having been looked down on by him just earlier, Fang Chen blocked his path, saying in an unfriendly manner, “Xu Tingsheng, you’re clearly calling all the shots yourself! It’s rare enough that only I had something to say amongst the shareholders, and you just totally ignored it. What did you call us shareholders over for then?”

“I didn’t intend to listen to your opinions in the first place. The proceedings are just to make sure that the shareholders are in the know about what’s going on. Especially you, who don’t know anything at all and have the least shares. You really have no right to talk about anything.”

As the two were adversaries in the first place, Xu Tingsheng skilfully angered Fang Chen without any qualms whatsoever before shoving past her and heading straight for the stairs, ignoring the clicking of high-heeled shoes that resounded as she chased after him throughout.

Only when he had arrived beside his car did Xu Tingsheng realise that it was not Fang Chen but Tang Yufei who had followed him here.

“Hey, Miss Assistant, I’m going to settle a private matter now. How about you go back first? Actually, I don’t need a secretary, I mean assistant most of the time,” Xu Tingsheng asked somewhat awkwardly.

Tang Yufei smiled very calmly and professionally, “Zhixin’s, Boss Lu’s intentions are for me to follow you lest something comes up in the meeting that we need to ask you about and we are unable to contact you. She would be able to contact you through me.”

Xu Tingsheng could feel imaginary beads of sweat staining his forehead. Actually, this sort of situation had indeed arisen before, but…

Little Xiang Ning definitely couldn’t be exposed. For Lu Zhixin and his employees to know that he had dropped such an important meeting to go look for some young girls to sing songs with? That was even more of a no-no.

“Well, how about this then. You go back and tell Zhixin that I’m the one who told you to return,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Tang Yufei shook her head, smiling, “This is my first ever task since assuming my new position.”

“Well, could you go up and help me take my bag then?” Xu Tingsheng hatched another scheme.

“I already have it,” Tang Yufei held up Xu Tingsheng’s bag that she was carrying, having already brought it along with her when coming downstairs.

“Speaking of which, carrying a sports bag seems a bit inappropriate for a boss,” Tang Yufei said.

Xu Tingsheng recalled his previous image in which he had worn a high-end suit while carrying a sports bag. It actually wasn’t bad, right? When Brother Sharp goes viral, you guys will know the charm of incongruous matching.

Reaching out and taking his bag, looking at the stubborn Tang Yufei before him, Xu Tingsheng said in a stern, serious tone, “I’m your boss. You can’t offend me! Even if I don’t fire you, I can still make things difficult for you in the future.”

“I know,” Tang Yufei could not help but smile, “But everyone in Hucheng understands one thing, and that is that if we have to choose someone between you and Boss Lu to offend, choosing to offend you is really the wise choice.”

Tang Yufei seemed confident that Xu Tingsheng had no real temper and would not be targeting her over this matter. Therefore, she was not flustered in the least.

Seeing no way around this, Xu Tingsheng grumbled, “Good people are this easy to bully, huh?”

Tang Yufei just smiled at him.

“Alright, get on.”

Xu Tingsheng opened the front passenger door of the G500 in a very gentlemanly fashion. Tang Yufei thanked him, got on the car and fastened her safety belt. Xu Tingsheng walked over to the door on the other side of the car.

Then, he opened it and said, “Remember to call someone for help!”

“Huh? What?”

“The car keys are on the windshield.”

With that, Xu Tingsheng closed the door and locked the car from the outside, leaving the car keys on the windshield.

He took a taxi to the KTV, found the private room in question and knocked on the door.

Then, Uncle panicked.

There were more than ten girls of age fifteen to sixteen in the room and not a single boy at all.

Xu Tingsheng saw that he had taught a few of them at the training institute over the summer holidays before. There were also some he had never seen before who were probably Little Xiang Ning’s and Sun Nannan’s classmates.

Upon Xu Tingsheng’s arrival, the bunch of young girls began collectively cheering and applauding.

Xu Tingsheng found Little Xiang Ning sitting in a corner of the room. Seeing him looking at her, she smiled and waved.

Su Nannan wore a tiara and a white princess dress. She immediately rushed over joyfully and linked her arm around Xu Tingsheng’s.

The cheering in the room escalated as it was mixed with various kinds of suggestive laughter.

With the good living conditions in this day and age, children were growing very well such that were some of these girls of fifteen or sixteen to change their clothes, they would not be easily discovered even if they pretended to be twenty-year-olds. This applied to Su Nannan as well.

From what Xu Tingsheng knew, Su Nannan was actually half a year older than Little Xiang Ning, having started dating boys since a long time back. Also, it was also with some questionable youths of society. She had called one of those over during the park incident back then.

In the end, it had only made matters worse.

Ever since then, Xu Tingsheng hadn’t had a very favourable impression of Su Nannan. Still, he was helpless against the fact that she was Little Xiang Ning’s best school friend ever since that long-haired girl had left.

Of course, she might actually be rather good in how she treated other people.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had only ever met Xiang Ning’s friends from senior high and university, never having seen Su Nannan before. Still, he had heard Xiang Ning mention her a few times before. The twenty-year-old Su Nannan had apparently worked at Starbucks and as a part-time cover model as well. Though she was more casual and carefree in how she lived, whatever the case, her relationship with Xiang Ning had always been pretty good.

There was something else which had left a deep impression on Xu Tingsheng, which was that Xiang Ning had always felt Su Nannan to be very beautiful, more beautiful than herself, the reason for this being the countless boys who had continually been pursuing Su Nannan.

Currently, of the ten over girls in the room, there were around two or three more who were of the same kind as Su Nannan.

The remainder were all like Little Xiang Ning as they were immediately recognisable as students from junior high school.

Feeling rather uncomfortable, Xu Tingsheng tried to pull his arm free but to no avail. Su Nannan did not view herself as a young girl at all as she made use of her tipsiness to lean entirely on his body, clinging very tightly onto his arm.

He snuck a glance over. Little Xiang Ning was talking to someone else as she was not looking in his direction.

Finally, he entered the room and sat down.

Surrounded by a bunch of chattering young girls, assaulted by toasts and forced to sing, Uncle felt much more nervous than when he had been with that group of second gens as he seemed tense and restless, not even knowing where he should put his hands.

Young girls like this just loved to act mature as they performed ‘stiffly’ in front of Xu Tingsheng.

As for Su Nannan and those other girls, they seemed perfectly acclimatised to this kind of setting.

Little Xiang Ning went along and drank two glasses of wine. Unable to actually say anything, Xu Tingsheng shot her a warning look but was simply ignored by her. He knew of her alcohol capacity, especially for beer, where she definitely wouldn’t be able to finish a single bottle.

As if they had been waiting for Xu Tingsheng to arrive, Su Nannan’s birthday cake had still yet to be cut.

Someone turned off the lights.

The birthday candles were lit.

Xu Tingsheng just opened his mouth and mouthed the lyrics as they sang the birthday song.

Su Nannan properly did the classic routine of making a wish before blowing out the candles.

“Nannan, what did you wish for?” Someone asked even before the lights could be turned on.

Su Nannan cut to the chase, “I wished that I will be successful in my confession, because I’m going to confess today.”

With that, she turned and gave Xu Tingsheng a look. She actually already knew how to throw flirtatious glances at such a young age.

Xu Tingsheng felt his hairs stand on end. This girl was entirely taking him as someone of the same age as her! Alright, if Xu Tingsheng was really twenty, it wouldn’t really be outrageous.

But his mental age was that of an Uncle!

Uncle completely understood it now. These young brats had collectively dug a pit especially for him! The problem was that Little Xiang Ning was actually one of the accomplices, and one who had played a key role at that. Just thinking about this, Xu Tingsheng’s heart instantly ‘shattered’.

This felt just like if you finally managed to get a movie date with the girl you have a crush on, the goddess of your dreams, but just having arrived at the theatre, you learn that she brought along her bosom friend, wanting to introduce her to you…

Su Nannan looked at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng looked at Little Xiang Ning.

Little Xiang Ning did not look at him.

“So, I’ve been abandoned just like that?”

Chapter 282: What liking someone means

Hucheng’s training institute in Yanzhou was located in the suburban district between the academy city and the city district. For drivers, whichever direction they were headed in, they would definitely have to enter the national highway via the mud path outside the academy gates.

A short distance away from where the training institute and the national highway intersected, on a side road that was private property, hidden by tall trees, could be found a heavy-duty lorry loaded full of rocks and earth. It had already been parked there for nearly three hours.

The two burly men in the driver’s cabin exchanged a few words. Then, one of them who had a green tattoo on his neck took out his phone and dialled a number.

The call connected.

The burly man said, “Bro Sen, we’ve waited the entire afternoon, but we really haven’t seen that Mercedes-Benz G500 driving out...you said the meeting would end early. It ended over an hour ago at least. Many cars left, but we just didn’t see that Mercedes-Benz you were talking about.”

On the other end of the phone, a rather wild look on his face, Ding Sen hesitated for a moment before saying, “Wait another half hour.”

“No, Bro Sen,” The tattooed man explained, “I asked Dongzi to go take a look just now. Even the gates of the training institute are already locked. There’s only an old security guard who’s still there. See, should we still wait like this?”

Ding Sen had just been about to speak when a commotion resounded over at the other end.

“What happened? What is it?” Mentally picturing the two of them being discovered by the police, Ding Sen broke out in a cold sweat as he asked nervously.

“It’s nothing. It’s just the family whose road we parked on. The old woman’s especially fierce. She’s scolded us for the entire afternoon already. She’s probably scolding us for blocking their road and trying to shoo us away. She’s speaking some dialect and doesn’t understand common speech, so it’s useless however much we scold her and try to threaten her...She, the heck, she’s gonna splash a bucket of shit water at us…”

Hearing this explanation, Ding Sen relaxed slightly, wiping off his cold sweat as he said, “Never mind then, no need to wait anymore. You guys leave and stay clear of Yanzhou for a while. We can’t act again for the time being.”

“What’s wrong, Bro Sen?” The tattooed man asked.

“A vice-captain of the Vice squad has led his team over here a couple of times, asking around the place with photos. The two of you got caught on the hotel’s surveillance cameras. They’re probably suspecting me, just that they fortunately haven’t any evidence,” Ding Sen explained.

“No, but we wore masks!” The tattooed man’s body tensed up entirely.

“I know. If they had managed to capture your faces, they wouldn’t just be asking about you. They would be putting up an arrest warrant for you already. The surveillance cameras got the tattoo on your neck and that scar on Dongzi’s arm. You two should leave first. Don’t go too far, though. Find a nearby county and hide there for a while, and come back again when I say you can. I won’t be giving up on this matter. I’ll just have to tolerate it for a while.”

“Got it, Bro Sen. We’ll be waiting for your call then. It’s just that...the...money from that previous incident…”

“I’ll transfer you the money in a bit along with twenty thousand for your living expenses. Hurry and leave. Bring that phone along and wait for my call. Also, remember not to bring me any trouble,” With that, Ding Sen hung up.

The two people in the truck cursed at the old woman for a bit before driving onto the national highway with that dreadful stench and driving off in the opposite direction from the city district.

In the driver’s cabin, Dongzi said to the tattooed man, “Ding Sen was pretty generous this time. Thirty thousand plus another twenty, fifty thousand. Still, if we had really done this and escaped today, how do we know that Ding Sen wouldn’t have gone back on his word? Such a huge sum of money-what if he didn’t transfer us the money afterwards?”

“Relax,” The tattooed man passed his phone over, “I record all of our conversations. I’ve also never deleted any of the texts and pictures he sent me before. Keep this phone well. If we ask him for money next time and he refuses, we’ll threaten him with this and say that we’d drag him down together with us. He’d definitely give it then. These rich kids aren’t like us, whose lives are worth nothing anyway.”

Dongzi nodded, pressing a few buttons on the phone’s keypad. On the screen now appeared a photograph of Xu Tingsheng’s Mercedes-Benz G500.

“If the car had come out just now, would we really have rammed it?” Dongzi asked, a bit fearful as he thought about this eventuality now.

“Duh! 1.2 million! How many lifetimes would it take for us two to earn that?!” The tattooed man replied.

“Then, what if...what if we got caught?”

“Even if we got caught, it’d just be a car accident. They wouldn’t be able to give us the death penalty, I’m well aware of that.”

“Oh,” Dongzi calmed down before he smiled, “This Ding Sen’s pretty interesting. Lost a fight over a girl and he wants the other person dead. He’s even more scrupulous than me.”

The tattooed man said rather emotionally, “From what Ding Sen said, we’ll be handling this sooner or later. I’ve thought about it. After getting the money, we’ll escape over to Vietnam. From what I hear, the costs of living are low there. With just 1.2 million, we’d probably be bigshots already. At that time, you won’t have to camp on the internet and invite women everyday anymore.”

“Heh, I’ve already thought about that. When we find a hiding place, even if it’s the countryside, we definitely must have internet access! I don’t even know how long we’ll have to hide this time. I’m afraid I might not be able to hold myself back,” Dongzi said with a perverted look on his face.

“The hell you’re thinking. You’d better restrict yourself well for now, you hear me?” The tattooed man scolded him.

…...

Xu Tingsheng did not know how he had just avoided a major tribulation by the skin of his teeth.

If he had ended his meeting as originally scheduled today or if he had successfully fended off Tang Yufei earlier, when he drove off in his G500, the heavy-duty lorry which had been waiting for him would have rammed straight over…

Now, he was sitting inside a private room at a KTV, surrounded by over a dozen young girls of around fifteen or sixteen.

Uncle had just been confessed to.

Su Nannan said very bluntly, “Mister Xu, no, Xu Tingsheng, I like you. Can I be your girlfriend?”

Xu Tingsheng thought about this. Su Nannan’s ‘liking’ of him was likely related to that park incident during the summer holidays. In the eyes of a girl who liked to associate with those small-time hooligans, Xu Tingsheng had really been too cool and awesome that day, very befitting of someone she could rely on indeed…

Coupled with his more than decent appearance and his wealth, the little girl thought that if she had a boyfriend such as this, she would definitely feel especially prestigious, especially happy.

Upon reaching home that day, Su Nannan had sent over a text, apologising to Xu Tingsheng and informing him that she had already broken up with that small-time hooligan. Perhaps she saw Xu Tingsheng as a ‘big-time hooligan’ whom she could rely on.

Xu Tingsheng did not reject her straight out. Even though he was an Uncle, he did still have some feelings of his own regarding this. He was just like someone in a tiff with his lover, the target of his dissatisfaction naturally being Little Xiang Ning. Who asked her to have helped cheat him over to be confessed to?

“My heart has always been loyal to the bright moon, yet why does the bright moon illuminate a ditch?”

Who cared how old she was? Xu Tingsheng was still going to be in a huff with her. This was something that he had no way of controlling.

“But I’m five years older than you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It’s just five years! It’s very normal. Also, I’m turning sixteen soon,” Su Nannan replied.

“But I’m already in university, and you’re only in ninth grade.”

“I’ll be attending senior high very soon! Also, we’re both in Yanzhou, so this doesn’t matter anyway. We can meet during weekends, and you can come to school to see me often. I can also go to your university to meet you after school is over.”

“Cough, if you come to look for me, others will say that I’m abducting a little girl.”

“They won’t! I’m already 1.62 now. Also…” Su Nannan puffed out her chest, “Others wouldn’t be able to tell.”

Little Xiang Ning was actually the one who suffered the greatest impact from this conversation. Apart from Su Nannan having puffed up her chest at the end and she not having...didn’t she have everything else that had been said? It was exactly the same.

“So why is it that Su Nannan can think this way and I can’t? Uncle’s relationship with me is clearly best.”

“Also, from the looks of it, Uncle Liar does not intend to reject her...how can he do this?”

Little Xiang Ning began regretting it now. Su Nannan had previously asked her if she liked Xu Tingsheng, but she had said ‘as if I would like that hateful old man’. Today, she could actually have just refused to help call Xu Tingsheng over. She knew that if she had not called him, he would definitely not have come. Yet, she had called him in the end. She had regretted it a little midway through, but it had already been too late then.

Little Xiang Ning’s imagination was already beginning to run wild now:

After Xu Tingsheng becomes Su Nannan’s boyfriend, it will be someone else he dotes on from now on. Su Nannan loves showing off so much. She’ll definitely tell everyone about it, and she will definitely bring Uncle out every time she goes out. Will they hold hands, standing right in front of me? Will Su Nannan kiss him? Will she kiss him someplace where I kissed before?

So the next time he goes up on stage to sing, it will be for Su Nannan? He’ll definitely tutor Su Nannan too. He isn’t all that busy in the first place. Maybe Su Nannan’s Mum and Dad won’t treat him like how my Mum and Dad treat him…

As they conversed, Xu Tingsheng secretly shot a few glances in Little Xiang Ning’s direction till he saw her expression stiffening, “Who asked you to throw me over to your friend, cheating me over here and abandoning me…”

“Mister Xu, if you’re not going to say anything, we’re going to take it that you agree,” A girl said on Su Nannan’s behalf.

A few cheeky ones were already beginning to jokingly call Su Nannan ‘Ma’am’ now.

Xu Tingsheng was waiting.

There was someone who was sitting in between Little Xiang Ning and Xu Tingsheng.

Finally, just as the cheering was growing increasingly louder, a slender hand reached over, lightly clasping Xu Tingsheng’s hand that was on the sofa. Then, she gently shook it.

“Is she saying ‘you can’t’ with this?” Uncle felt triumphant.

Xu Tingsheng had just been about to speak when Little Xiang Ning stood up.

“Hey, you’re all taking too long. I can’t hold it in anymore. I’m going to the toilet,” With that, not waiting for a reply, Little Xiang Ning left the private room.

“So, she’s given up again? Saying that I can do whatever I want?”

Feeling a little despondent and a little worried as well, Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before saying to Su Nannan, “Thank you very much, but sorry! I already have someone I like.”

Su Nannan looked disappointed for a while before she asked, “Does she like you back then?”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, “Look, never having been confessed to by a girl so young before, I’m all nervous to death. I’m heading out to smoke a cigarette. You girls have fun on your own first.”

KTVs were not all that bustling and crowded in the afternoons. Xu Tingsheng quickly managed to find Little Xiang Ning who was standing by a corridor before a bend.

Xu Tingsheng walked over, asking, “Why aren’t you going back in?”

Seeing Xu Tingsheng, Little Xiang Ning tried hard to compose herself before she asked, “Why have you come out? Weren’t you going to be together with Su Nannan?”

“Isn’t that what you’re hoping for? Knowing what Su Nannan was intending, you even helped her to call me over,” Xu Tingsheng said exasperatedly.

“You be together with her then. Like I care,” Little Xiang Ning refused to give in as well as she said in a huff.

“Alright, I’m going back then.”

Xu Tingsheng made as if to return, then discovered that a hand was grabbing onto the back of his clothes.

He looked back.

Little Xiang Ning’s lips were pressed together as tears welled up in her eyes, “Xu Tingsheng, what does it mean to like somebody? Could you tell me that, please? I just don’t know at all.”

Xu Tingsheng considered it for a moment before saying, “If you like someone, when you have that person, you’ll never ever envy anyone else, because you’d feel that there’s no one who is luckier than you. And after you’ve lost that person, you’d only ever envy your former self then.”

Chapter 283: Little Xiang Ning’s requests

After saying so, Xu Tingsheng was filled with anticipation as he carefully observed Xiang Ning’s expression and reaction to his words.

In the year 2011, in a different context, he had once said virtually exactly the same thing to her.

Back then, Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning had been at Jiannan City’s newly opened Wandi Plaza waiting for a movie to start. The two of them had been seated right across from the escalators that directly connected the top and bottom floors of the plaza. Looking at the passer-bys travelling up and down atop them, Xiang Ning had been chattering away:

“Look, Uncle! That woman’s legs are so long.”

“Xu Tingsheng, look! Those...hers, are so big.”

“Wow, that woman’s dressed so sexily! Xu Tingsheng, do you like that type of girl? Forget it, I don’t even have to ask that to know that you men definitely all love that type. Well, I’m not that type, sadly.”

“Wow, wow! That one’s so beautiful...”

Xu Tingsheng helped her to carry the popcorn and the drinks, listening to nearly ten minutes of her chattering without saying a word.

He waited till Xiang Ning finally stopped before turning and looking into her eyes, simply gazing into them throughout as still he did not speak.

“What’re you doing, Xu Tingsheng? Looking at me like this, looking like you want to kiss me but not kissing. My heart’s all flustered, you know?” Xiang Ning said cheekily before pouting slightly, releasing a pouty noise.

“My heart itches,” Miss Xiang teased Uncle.

Xu Tingsheng remained unmoved as gazing into those eyes, he said earnestly, “Student Xiang Ning, there’s something I’d like to tell you.”

“What is it?” Feeling uneasy at being scrutinised for so long, this coupled with how earnest Xu Tingsheng looked, Xiang Ning asked softly.

“When I have you, I never ever envy anyone else,” Xu Tingsheng told her in his normalest tone directly and with no embellishments whatsoever.

Xiang Ning hesitated for a bit, suppressing her frantically beating heart as she looked up at him, “You’re lying.”

But her eyes were actually filled with anticipation as she looked at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng shook his head.

“Then...right.”

On the fourth ‘right’, Xiang Ning believed him as she smiled, feeling just so triumphant.

In the waiting hall that was filled with people, Xiang Ning openly gave her Uncle a kiss. Uncle wanted to evade it, wanted to resist, but to no avail. Then, she rested her arms on Xu Tingsheng’s shoulders, whispering into his ear, “Me too. Let’s go out and wait.”

“Go out? Why?”

“I still want to kiss you.”

Xu Tingsheng passed her the movie tickets, “We’re in the last row. It’ll be dark inside later.”

……

But the Little Xiang Ning before him was fifteen years old. While the discrepancy between she and her 22-year-old self was ever decreasing continually in terms of figure and looks, she was still just an ignorant little girl at the end of the day.

No kiss came. She frowned, carefully considering Xu Tingsheng’s words as she would a math problem that she had just heard.

“So, you don’t like Su Nannan?”Little Xiang Ning asked hesitantly.

This matter which Uncle Xu Tingsheng might just view as unbelievably trivial was viewed very seriously by Little Xiang Ning. If you fell in love with someone when you were fifteen or sixteen, thinking only for her before you started dating, believing that this would last forever, you would treat it seriously as well.

“I don’t. I already told her that just now. I already have someone I like,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Little Xiang Ning just smiled for a moment before she quickly suppressed it, trying hard to compose herself. Her good friend having been rejected, logically speaking, she should not be feeling happy. Also, if her happiness was too evident, wouldn’t a certain someone be triumphant beyond measure then?

“Who is it that you like then?” Little Xiang Ning asked, “Big Xiang Ning?”

Still submersed in his blissful memories, Xu Tingsheng smiled happily as he answered, “Yeah!”

He thought that Little Xiang Ning would definitely be happy, but she wasn’t. Her entire face fell as she puffed up her cheeks, “Oh. Only she’s good, huh. I don’t want to be like her at all now.”

So, Little Xiang Ning was feeling jealous of Big Xiang Ning?

What was this?

How was he supposed to coax her?

A momentary silence elapsed before Xu Tingsheng changed the topic, still feeling a bit angry as he inquired, “Why is it that you knew that Su Nannan was going to confess today but still helped her to call me?”

Xiang Ning hesitated for a moment before replying craftily, “I didn’t know that you don’t like her. Right, why don’t you like Su Nannan? She’s so pretty; many boys are chasing her. Really, she likes you but you don’t want her. Huh.”

“Is she very pretty?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah, she’s the prettiest in our class.”

“But I feel that you’re so much prettier than her.”

“Wha…” Uncle having praised her so directly, Little Xiang Ning was dazed for a moment, next looking bashful for a bit before she stuttered, “This, your Mum also said it to me before.”

This answer was kind of unexpected. Maybe underlying it was: Actually, I myself think so too.

As a result, Xu Tingsheng had a need for self-reflection now. Every time Xiang Ning spoke of how pretty her good friend Su Nannan was in his previous life, prettier than herself, he would always comment, “Wow, I’ve really got to meet her then.”

From the looks of it now, he had erred. He had completely erred.

That had actually been Miss Xiang repeatedly hinting to her Uncle: You haven’t praised me as pretty for so long. You haven’t said that you won’t envy anyone when you have me for so long.

So, such affirmations of love could never stop.

Thinking of how disappointed Xiang Ning must have felt then, Uncle decided that he had to hurry and try to make up for it now.

“Mum was right,” Xu Tingsheng said confidently.

“Right. But you already said that I don’t...have...that,” Xiang Ning thought for a moment before saying, “Su Nannan’s are very big, much bigger than mine.”

Xu Tingsheng carefully glanced over twice, appraising. Such a lie...really could not be given.

“But I feel that it’s already very good this way. Actually, those...don’t have to be very big. Also, you’re still young. You will still grow a little,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Just a little?” Disappointment could be heard in Little Xiang Ning’s tone.

Xu Tingsheng thought, “From your normal rate of development, it really will be just a little. Still, still, if you’re willing to let Uncle help you now when you’re still in your growing phase, just maybe, perhaps...it’s rumoured that constant massages are advantageous for growth.”

The scenes were about to play out in his head.

“What’re you thinking about, Xu Tingsheng?” Discovering that Uncle’s mind seemed to have drifted away, Little Xiang Ning asked.

“Oh, nothing. It’s nothing,” Xu Tingsheng responded nervously and composed himself before saying, “I was just thinking that Mum also seemed to have said something else.”

Just thinking about it, Little Xiang Ning understood as she said bashfully, her face all red, “It’s not like yours is a family of bandits. Why did she want to take me home as soon as she saw me? Also, I’m still so young.”

Xu Tingsheng wondered how he could help to defend his ‘bandit’ mum.

“Xiang Ning, Ningning...where are you? Can you hear me?” The voice of one of Xiang Ning’s classmates grew louder with her approach as she might be feeling worried about her, having already been away for so long.

Little Xiang Ning looked up at Xu Tingsheng, asking, “I’m gonna go back. Are you going back?”

“Yeah. You’re drunk, I’ve still got to send you home later,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Little Xiang Ning shook her head, “You can’t! If you send me and Mum or Dad sees you...they’ll bully you again. I’m already being lectured to and nagged at by Mum once every week now, saying that I’m not allowed to, not allowed to...it’s okay, I’m together with my classmates anyway. Relax, I’ll be going back soon.”

Xu Tingsheng’s footsteps halted.

He could only say, “Okay.”

Little Xiang Ning looked at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng tried his best to smile at her.

For just that one moment, the little girl’s heart ached. Xiang Ning turned back and walked over to Xu Tingsheng’s side before silently and gently hugging him at the waist, burying her face in his chest.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked in a gentle tone.

“I was wrong, Xu Tingsheng. Sorry. I shouldn’t have called you here today. Actually, I called you because I wanted to see you. Also, I felt very sad when I thought you were going to get together with Su Nannan just now. I don’t know why, but I just felt very sad. Don’t be her boyfriend, okay? You’re not allowed to.”

“Yeah, I won’t,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Also, what you said now about not envying anyone else. I don’t really get it...but I’ve thought about it, and it was that way when you were tutoring me and you treated me well. It was also like that when you came to celebrate my birthday for me. At that time, I didn’t envy anyone. I thought that I was the luckiest. I felt like everyone should envy me instead.”

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Actually, even the him of his previous life, despite his ordinariness, had been someone Xiang Ning felt that she should be envied for. She always magnified his good points, magnified her happiness.

A girl like this should really be happiest. Sadly, she had met with someone who had ‘fled’.

With her face buried just like that, Little Xiang Ning continued, “Now, I so wish I could go back to those times where you come every weekend. Just like you said, I’m envious and jealous of the me of back then, and regret all those times I threw tantrums and refused to speak to to you.”

“You even scared me very terribly once before. I broke out completely in a cold sweat that day,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Which time?”

“You don’t remember?” Xu Tingsheng narrated that incident, when it had been Valentine’s Day...

“I was wrong,” Little Xiang Ning said in a piteous manner, “So now, I will work hard to get into a first-tier school. Promise me two things, okay?”

“Go on.”

“The first thing is this. You’ve got to get Mum and Dad to like you again, okay? They actually really liked you before. I don’t know what happened afterwards, but you’re so capable. You’ll definitely be able to get to them to like you again, right?”

Xiang Ning looked up at Xu Tingsheng, who was actually able to understand what she must be feeling. She was feeling caught in between him and her parents, having to face a problem that even grown-ups would feel incomparably troubled by at the age of fifteen.

Xu Tingsheng’s heart twinged as he said, “Okay, I will definitely make sure to do that.”

“Yeah,” Xiang Ning said, “The second thing is-can you please not like Big Xiang Ning anymore?”

Indeed, it was still the later one minding the earlier one? She with herself! But Xu Tingsheng had no way of explaining this to her and no way of replying as well as he could only give a vague, ambiguous noise in reply.

“You’re not allowed to go back into that room. Su Nannan wouldn’t give up so easily.”

Xiang Ning did not question him as she just instructed him on that before moving away from him with a reddened face.

Now, shyness finally overtook her as she avoided looking at Xu Tingsheng and called ‘I’m here!’, running over in the direction of her classmate.

Xu Tingsheng raised a hand but refrained from saying anything in the end, just thinking, “I still hadn’t asked, but really, you call that a confession?”

Chapter 284: You actually feel worried now

On the way to the hospital, Fu Cheng asked Xu Tingsheng, “I find that your mood’s especially good today. Did something good happen?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “It’s not entirely that. The number of things troubling me have increased, actually.”

The truth was just that. Ever since Xu Tingsheng had made a move on Little Xiang Ning, apart from having his happiness meter explode, things had become much more troublesome for him, unable to stop and unable to get to the bottom of. No one was to blame for this. He was the root cause of it all.

“Let’s not talk about me,” Xu Tingsheng told Fu Cheng, “How’s that artistic female youth of yours?”

Fu Cheng smiled wryly, “I found that you were right. Artistic female youths are lifeforms that we normal people really cannot afford to provoke. I didn’t even provoke her, and here she’s already written a drama script of conflicted and pained, love and hate helplessly intermixed, entangled.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before venturing, “Ms Fang, she…”

In his previous life, after Ms Fang had gotten a divorce, Fu Cheng had stayed by her side and waited for her throughout. Now that Ms Fang was already married in this life, Xu Tingsheng felt that Fu Cheng would have to enter a new relationship and get married eventually. Of course, it didn’t have to be that artistic female youth. He just wanted to make use of this chance to try and persuade Fu Cheng a little.

In the end, just having started to speak, he was immediately interrupted by Fu Cheng.

“I’ll look for her for a bit more. I’ve got to know if she’s doing well at the very least. Who knows, her happy face might suddenly appear before me at some intersection someday, a child in her embrace. Then that child calls me Uncle, and I’d be able to move on then.”

With that, he feigned a relaxed, dauntless smile of bravado.

The two reached the entrance of the sick ward before stepping back again.

In the sick ward.

Huang Yaming was saying, “Chen Jingqi, Jingjing, Qiqi…”

Chen Jingqi’s face was like stone as she did not respond.

Huang Yaming said shamelessly, “How about I give something for you to guess? Okay, I’m starting...I emerge from the mountains, with the grass of orchids. Planting in a little garden, hoping the flowers will bloom…”

After humming the tune in a terribly wretched voice, Huang Yaming continued, “You can guess now. I’m not asking you to guess the name of the song...you can’t guess it? Let me give you a hint then. You often see this thing on the streets.”

Chen Jingqi said in a cold, indifferent tone, “I can’t guess it. I’m off to inspect the other wards.”

With that, she headed straight out of the room.

“Hey, don’t go! Alright, I’ll tell you. The answer is sprinkler trucks! Hahahaha…”

Huang Yaming yelled triumphantly as he lay down on his bed.

As she walked past them, Chen Jingqi greeted Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng before lowering her head and leaving.

Xu Tingsheng saw that she was actually smiling a bit. Such a lame joke-unless the one telling it was someone you really liked, it would really be impossible to smile at that.

As they entered, Fu Cheng said, “That’s a terribly lame joke you’ve got there. Sprinkler trucks…”

Huang Yaming said, “Scram! That kind of lame joke is precisely what makes girls happy. You don’t know, they don’t smile because the joke is funny, but because of how silly the one who’s telling the joke is, trying hard to make them happy. That is what moves them. Watch and learn, kid.”

Huang Yaming was an expert in this respect. Experts needed skills as well as a strong mentality, one of utter shamelessness.

Looking at the trash can, Xu Tingsheng asked, “You ate boxed rice again today?”

Huang Yaming’s boxed rice was different from those of others. These were ‘boxed’ right onto his face.

“It was much better today. It happened just once,” Huang Yaming said, “She reminded me about it, saying that she can’t stand my face that’s ‘feigning deep affection’. As soon as she looks at it, she’s reminded of how I cheated her back then, and then...by reflex, right onto my face. My face is nearly getting cooked already by now.”

Xu Tingsheng laughed, starting to help Huang Yaming pack up his belongings.

Huang Yaming stopped him, asking, “What’re you doing?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Getting you discharged! I’ve asked the doctor. For things like fractures, no one stays in the hospital till they’re completely healed. Also, you still have lessons. You should recuperate back in school. Because I’m afraid that it might be inconvenient for you living in the dorms, I’ve helped you to rent a small apartment next to the riverside residence.”

Huang Yaming said, “I’ll stay here for a couple of days longer. My condition’s still pretty bad.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Apart from your hand that’s still propped up, I see that you’re all lively and jumping about.”

Huang Yaming lay down and started groaning, “Really, my condition’s still very serious. Help me call the nurse.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Didn’t you want to leave the hospital long ago? Staying in hospital is very expensive. It costs several hundred yuan daily.”

Huang Yaming said, “It’s not like you can’t afford it now.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Be honest now.”

Huang Yaming said shamelessly, “The truth is that I still haven’t recovered yet.”

Hearing his words, Xu Tingsheng had no intention of wrangling with him as he turned and said to Fu Cheng, “Fu Cheng, help him to pack up his things. I’ll handle the discharge procedures.”

Huang Yaming said, “Someone’s pursuing Chen Jingqi.”

“Oh,” Fu Cheng paused momentarily before asking, “What does that have to do with you then?”

Huang Yaming was choked on his words now as Fu Cheng continued, “You actually feel worried now? ...Weren’t you going for debauchery? Chen Jingqi can’t even date someone? She doesn’t have to marry?”

Huang Yaming said, “But it’s different now! Now, she takes care of me everyday, morning and night. She’s getting thin as a reed already. Thinking how good she is in all aspects, I just can’t find it in me to let this be. I’ve got no way of helplessly watching her go off with someone else. The most difficult part is this word, helplessly, you know?”

“Do you intend to pursue her and win her back then? If you want to, you’ve got to treat her well. There’s a lot you’ve got to pay her back for. Really, forget about taking care of you, even if she breaks that arm of yours into another ten parts, it’d still be totally reasonable,” Fu Cheng said.

Huang Yaming hesitated for a moment before he said, “I’ve actually thought about it, but I just didn’t dare to in the end. I don’t know which day I’ll suddenly become a scumbag and hurt her again. I’m already used to a life of debauchery. I haven’t any confidence in myself.”

“You weren’t that way before,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Who’s pursuing Chen Jingqi? Say it first.”

“A doctor from their department. Probably 35 or 36, I think he’s a divorcee. Everything else aside from that’s pretty good. He has a car, a flat and prospects, and most importantly, the stability’s there,” Huang Yaming said.

“In staying here, you mean to spoil things for them?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“You intend to mind her and spoil things for her for the rest of her life?” Fu Cheng asked.

Huang Yaming hesitated for a while before saying softly, “Help me to pack up my things.”

……

When Chen Jingqi returned to the shift rotation room, she saw that the Head Nurse was also there. She took a step back, wanting to leave, but it was already too late.

“Dr Liu was just here a moment ago. Seeing that you weren’t here, he asked me to help ask you if you’re free for dinner tonight,” The Head Nurse said.

Chen Jingqi stuttered a little, trying to think up an excuse to reject him with.

Seeing this, the Head Nurse was rather infuriated as she asked, “You want to go serve the one in 408 again? Really, are you dumb? One’s still a student who can’t even upkeep himself, the other a doctor who’s the Vice-Head of a department. You can’t even weigh that for yourself?”

“I know the patient in 408 from before,” Chen Jingqi said in a small voice.

The Head Nurse got rather mad as she adjusted the duty schedule and threw it on the table, exclaiming, “Well then, since you love taking care of people so much, you should take a few more night shifts then...do as you see fit.”

After the Head Nurse had left, another nurse from the same shift rotation closed the door, pulling Chen Jingqi as she exclaimed, “Don’t be silly! The Head Nurse already guaranteed it before Dr Liu. If you don’t even give face and eat a meal with him, she’ll definitely torture you to death.”

Chen Jingqi smiled, “It’s okay. Actually, the night shift is less busy, really.”

“I think that even if it’s fake, you should still date Dr Liu for a while,” The other party continued, “Firstly, that would get the Head Nurse to stop targeting you. Your days would be a little better. Secondly, you’d have a chance of securing one of their quota to go full-time.”

Another nurse just happened to enter the room now as she she suddenly asked upon seeing that Chen Jingqi was there, “Jingqi, your guy from 408 is getting discharged? I saw that they were already handling the discharge procedures and packing up his belongings.”

Suddenly hearing this now, in front of her two colleagues, Chen Jingqi was rendered at a total loss as she wasn’t even able to act nonchalant, her expression instantly stiffening completely.

In truth, she had been in a extremely conflicted state these past few days regarding Huang Yaming himself and his offer of her going to work at Hucheng. Having looked Hucheng up afterwards, she had actually been rather tempted to go there. From a practical standpoint, working there would definitely be better than staying here to work.

Yet, for some reason, Huang Yaming had never mentioned this again afterwards. With their current relationship being how it was, Chen Jingqi also could not very well ask him about it straight to the face. She thought that perhaps he had just casually mentioned it in passing before.

As for Huang Yaming himself, how he had ‘fled’ aside, it could not be denied that he was a very adorable guy. If playboys like these did not possess some charm, did not know how to be gentle and romantic and interesting and doting...they actually really couldn’t be considered playboys in the first place.

Chen Jingqi’s feelings towards Huang Yaming were very complex. While hatred would definitely amount to a greater portion of it, the love she felt had ultimately still yet to dissipate completely.

Over the past few days, Chen Jingqi had constantly reminded herself not to go over, not to pay him any heed lest that concern draw her in again...Chen Jingqi wished that she could scold herself and strangle herself, but she had ultimately just been unable to control herself.

This had resulted in a very strange state of affairs between she and Huang Yaming. On one hand, there was her very meticulous care of him, while on the other, there had been the cold shoulder and those ‘boxed rice’ incidents.

If Huang Yaming had asked Chen Jingqi to give him another chance as she had been taking care of him these past few days, she would definitely have rejected him without the slightest hesitation right there and then.

Yet, he had not mentioned this at all, just having cared for her and tried so hard to raise her spirits every single day. Hence, Chen Jingqi had felt differently, even having had a sense of anticipation from time to time as she unconsciously forgave him for what he had done, after which she would feel an urge to give herself a good talking to.

Just like Xu Tingsheng had told Huang Yaming previously, Chen Jingqi needed him to account for things to her.

Now, still having yet to account for things, Huang Yaming was already leaving.

“He’s leaving, and he actually didn’t even tell me beforehand…”

At this moment, Chen Jingqi seemed to have returned to those days before Huang Yaming had suddenly vanished, and when she had been alone and bullied by others in a foreign city. This feeling was even more intense than it had originally been because she had actually already been slowly acclimatising to it. Now, that person had suddenly appeared and given her hope, then vanished again just like that…

“It’s my own fault for my wishful thinking.”

Chen Jingqi’s colleague came over and pulled her to the window, pointing to the trio downstairs who had just left the building, “He’s gone. You took care of him day unto night for so many days and he didn’t even tell you that he was leaving. Has his conscience been eaten by a dog?”

It was really already too difficult to conceal her emotions at a time like this as Chen Jingqi remained silent, tears welling up in her eyes.

Probably having learnt of 408’s departure from elsewhere, the Head Nurse rushed back to the shift rotation room. On seeing the state that Chen Jingqi was in, she immediately understood.

The Head Nurse walked over to the window, saying mockingly, “Are you dumb? What were you thinking? He doesn’t even think anything of you at all. Don’t you think you are just being slutty?”

Chen Jingqi’s colleague felt rather worried seeing her like this as she tugged at the Head Nurse’s sleeve, saying, “Head Nurse, Jingqi’s...how about you not talk about this for now.”

“Why can’t I say it?” The Head Nurse asked, “What is she if not a slut?”

……

Xu Tingsheng went to the garage and drove his car out.

Fu Cheng helped Huang Yaming to load up his things in the trunk.

Then, the two got on the car and the car moved off.

Less than ten metres out.

Huang Yaming said, “Turn back.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “What?”

“Turn back.”

“Are you sure?”

“Turn back.”

“Okay.”

Chapter 285: I won’t let you suffer anymore

Huang Yaming actually had an ‘entourage’ of women.

When he had been staying in the hospital, not a single one of them had asked if they could come over to take care of him. This was especially so when they found out that he had been injured after being ambushed by someone. Most of them could not have been more averse to the idea of visiting him as they had dared not even show their faces.

……

The Mercedes-Benz G500 directly drew to a halt in front of the inpatient building of the hospital.

Following that, a red Ferrari stopped behind it.

“What’ve you come over for?” Huang Yaming asked Tan Yao.

Tan Yao got off the car, coming over to help the ‘disabled’ Huang Yaming open his car door, “To pick you up. When I called Bro Xu just now, he said that you’re going to be discharged, and so I came over.”

“...The problem is, how did you end up driving Ye Qing’s car over?”

“I just happened to be at some weirdass concert with her. I nearly ended up crying just listening to it. And wasn’t I afraid that I might miss you? And so I got her to take a taxi back herself. Also, a red Ferrari! Picking you up from the hospital in a Ferrari-grand enough for the occasion, huh?”

“But,” Huang Yaming asked, “Why weren’t you two in bed together, but at a concert?”

“Actually, I don’t really understand it myself,” Tan Yao said rather uncomprehendingly.

Having originally said ‘This old man won’t go to see her next time’, Tan Yao had nevertheless still gone again in the end. Perhaps this was because Ye Qing possessed more charm than those girls of Tan Yao’s, also being able to provide him with a sense of triumph at having ‘conquered’ such a lofty, powerful women.

Initially, they had merely had relationships of the flesh over the course of the night. After they woke up in the morning, she would give him money before telling him ‘see you again’.

Afterwards, Tan Yao had really been unable to stand this kind of feeling anymore. Waking up one morning, he had thrown all the money that Ye Qing had given him thus far onto the table and told her, “Don’t look for me again.”

Two days later, Ye Qing had called Tan Yao.

Tan Yao asked, “What?”

Ye Qing said, “Let’s have dinner together, your treat.”

Afterwards, the two had eaten together, shopped together, gone mountain climbing together, attended a concert together…

“She’s probably feeling very empty inside,” Tan Yao said, “Actually, she isn’t such a cold person. She’s pretty fun sometimes. Even when wearing flat shoes, she can still walk in the night market for the entire night.”

“This isn’t right. You even dared to ask her to take a taxi back on her own,” Huang Yaming said.

“The heck, you’re right! I didn’t even realise it myself. How did I come to act so overbearing?” Tan Yao was shocked by his own audacity.

“The two of you aren’t dating, right?”

“That can’t be, right? She isn’t crazy.”

“Maybe she’s just never met your type before. She’s felt the novelty of love from you and finds it to be fun. You’d better not take it too seriously! She can have whatever fun she wants, but you can’t. You can’t afford to.”

“I know that. It’s impossible between us.”

As the two continued chatting, Xu Tingsheng pushed Huang Yaming, “Don’t you care about other people’s affairs now, and don’t you try to make use of this to soothe your nervousness. Stop hesitating. Either you get on the car or you go upstairs. Hurry up and decide.”

Huang Yaming took two steps forward before looking back at them, “Why aren’t you guys going up with me?”

“Call us only when you need help carrying things,” Fu Cheng said.

……

Two colleagues and the Head Nurse surrounded Chen Jingqi, jostling around the window as they watched Huang Yaming’s trio round the bend and vanish.

The Head Nurse had still yet to cease her mockery. Once in a while, she would also feign deep concern and talk about Dr Liu’s good points, such as his flat in the city district, his car, his salary and his prospects.

Then, she would go on ridiculing Chen Jingqi.

“Wow, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari!” A young nurse shouted.

The other young nurse scooted over for a look, “Where, where? Let me see.”

The allure of luxurious cars was ever present. Even men were unable to keep from giving them a few extra looks sometimes.

The yearning of young nurses was much greater than that. Having watched too many television dramas in their free time, especially Korean dramas, they would occasionally fantasise that some patient of theirs whom they had been taking care of was really a rich, handsome, domineering CEO or the scion of some major family.

Then, as they cared meticulously for him, the seeds of love would secretly sprout in his heart...a perfect drama scenario would unfold.

Tan Yao opened the car door. Huang Yaming got off the car.

These nurses who interacted more with Chen Jingqi had all secretly gone to take a look at Huang Yaming before.

“408’s back,” One of them told Chen Jingqi.

Chen Jingqi turned to face away from the window, her mind thrown somewhat into disarray.

“Is he back to say thank you? Or could it be…” The young nurse mused.

“Maybe he just forgot to take something,” Chen Jingqi tried her best not to get her hopes up.

When Huang Yaming finally arrived at the entrance of the shift rotation room, the entire space was already half-filled by female nurses who had hurried over to watch the commotion.

Huang Yaming stood by the door.

Chen Jingqi did not look at him. The other nurses were all watching on excitedly.

The ‘old hand’ Huang Yaming was actually feeling panicked as well.

“So...Qiqi,” Huang Yaming said softly, “I’ve been discharged.”

Chen Jingqi said, “Yeah, I know.”

“Thank you for taking care of me these past few days.”

“It’s nothing. This is only expected from me as a nurse.”

Faced with Chen Jingqi’s cold, indifferent tone, Huang Yaming did not really know how he should continue. As the room fell rather silent, he unconsciously retreated two steps back, hesitating over whether or not he should go on.

Because of these two steps, smatterings of conversation could now be heard throughout the room.

“Just a thank you? I thought she really managed it.”

“Yeah. Look at Chen Jingqi, she’s feeling so upset.”

“Isn’t that right? I say, no wonder she was feigning so much in front of Dr Liu!”

“Who would have thought that her scheming actually ran so deep? Did she tell anyone that 408 is a tycoon? And one so young at that. I say, no wonder she was so enthusiastic about it, taking care of him day unto night, feeding him, pouring water for him...everything.”

“She herself was secretly aiming for him; how would she be willing to tell you?!”

“Don’t say that! They already knew each other before.”

“Huh, and you even believe this?”

“Wasn’t it still totally pointless anyway?!”

Chen Jingqi was able to hear all of this. Huang Yaming was actually able to as well.

Huang Yaming inhaled deeply before he asked, “So, Qiqi, how’s that thing I asked you to think about last time? ...If you’ll agree to it, how about you leave together with me today.”

Leave together with me today.

As soon as this was said, all sounds of discussion were instantly quelled completely.

Chen Jingqi still did not speak.

Huang Yaming could only continue, “Rest assured, if you are bullied even a little over there, I’ll kneel down and carry you back. Come with me. Things over here are really too taxing on you.”

A scenario from the fantasies of countless people present played out in reality just like that.

Being a nurse, an angel in white, sounded fresh and all, but in truth, it was a taxing, pressuring job that did not pay well. Most of them wished that they did not have to live such a life…but for want of a better option.

Chen Jingqi was finally somewhat unable to control her expression which had remained cold throughout as she sniffed.

A colleague who was on good terms with her touched her back, saying softly, “Go on! Don’t be silly, he’s already gone to this extent. If he were to ask someone else like that, who here wouldn’t charge right over? If it were me, even I would want to charge right over.”

Her colleague’s stance was only natural. There were two luxurious cars parked downstairs, and Huang Yaming’s appearance was indeed not bad. As for attitude? There was really no fault that could be found with that.

Under such circumstances, what was there still left to hesitate about?

Seeing that someone was helping to speak up for him, Huang Yaming struck while the iron was hot, going up to her, “If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it that you agree. Which are your things? I’ll help you to pack them up.”

With that, not waiting for Chen Jingqi to respond, he dragged along a ‘crippled arm’, going straight over to help her pack up her belongings.

In the end…

He picked something up, but Chen Jingqi took it away from him with a cold look on her face.

Huang Yaming saw no other solution here as he used that ‘crippled arm’ to carefully grip a cup, saying shamelessly, “Snatch this if you can bear to...if you exert force, it’s five parts that this arm will be breaking into!”

Chen Jingqi was finally unable to keep from smiling as she laughed even as she cried, “Who’s snatching it? That isn’t even mine! It’s our...Head Nurse’s.”

Huang Yaming drew back his hand in an incomparably disdainful manner.

“...Stop it right there. You arm’s already like that! I’ll pack up myself,” After saying so, Chen Jingqi lowered her head and began packing on her own, sniffing, “You just know how to be shameless.”

Huang Yaming smiled sheepishly, “I can’t help it!”

And after saying so, he still went over to help her.

Chen Jingqi did not have many things in the shift rotation room. She kept them inside a plastic bag which Huang Yaming promptly took enthusiastically from her as he asked, “So, can we go now?”

“I still have things in the dormitory.”

“Right. I’ll go with you to pack up now.”

Chen Jingqi bid those colleagues that she was familiar with farewell, the Head Nurse included.

Then, she changed out of her nurse uniform and went downstairs with Huang Yaming.

Soon, a few people helped her to move her belongings out of her dormitory room, loading it onto a car.

The people upstairs continued watching as the ‘handicapped’ Huang Yaming helped to open the car door very obsequiously. Chen Jingqi got on the car. Then, the Mercedes-Benz and the Ferrari as well as their formerly most bullied colleague all left together just like that.

The Head Nurse curled her lips and walked away. The enthusiasm of the young nurses, though, was at an all-time high.

“So lucky! How come we didn’t manage to get one?”

“Looks like I should also treat my patients a little better in the future.”

“No...that 408 was originally allocated to me...I disdained that he was injured so bad, his arm broken into three whole parts...it would really be troublesome to care for...and so I pushed it over to Chen Jingqi...sob, sob…”

“Who asked you to bully the newcomer.”

Chapter 286: I too need a trusted aide whom I can rely on

On the car, Huang Yaming continued to act all enthusiastically, telling those really lame jokes, instructing Xu Tingsheng that he was not to let Chen Jingqi get bullied in Hucheng. When he said ‘this may be your future Sister-in-law’...

Chen Jingqi said bluntly, “Alright, the show’s over...still, thank you.”

She said this in the normalest of tones.

After saying so, not waiting for Huang Yaming to respond, Chen Jingqi turned to Xu Tingsheng and smiled rather awkwardly, “The vanity of girls-I’ve shown an unseemly side. And, I think I should call you Boss Xu now. Thank you, Boss Xu. I will definitely learn and work diligently when I’m over there. I really treasure this opportunity.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I think you should still call me by my name. When you’re there, if there’s anything that you aren’t used to, just tell me about it. There’s only one person in Hucheng that I cannot afford to provoke, and that’s Lu Zhixin. Still, it was actually her who offered to invite you over this time, so there’s no need for you to be afraid of her in this.”

Chen Jingqi was rather taken aback by Xu Tingsheng’s words, unable to get a clear grasp of the situation. Who was this Lu Zhixin? She had never met her before, nor did she know anything about her...so, the only person that even Xu Tingsheng had to be afraid of in Hucheng?

Chen Jingqi did not inquire further into this as she simply responded with an ‘okay’.

She would probably be meeting her soon anyway.

Now, Chen Jingqi swivelled her head and gazed quietly out of the window, smiling towards its surface that faintly reflected an image of herself. She told herself not to worry, that good luck was on its way.

After saying what had to be said, her emotions had eased greatly.

Chen Jingqi was naturally aware that these two cars actually had nothing to do with Huang Yaming at all. It could even be said that Huang Yaming was really still just a university student who was unable to even upkeep himself as he was only able to take advantage of Xu Tingsheng without reservation.

Huang Yaming had told her about this himself previously when he had had nothing else to talk about.

Huang Yaming’s earlier invitation had actually simply been an extension of the offer for her to work at Hucheng. In having said that he would not let her be bullied, he should have been referring to how she would have someone looking out for her when working in Hucheng.

He had intentionally spoken very ambiguously so as to make others misunderstand. Chen Jingqi had just listened and not exposed it.

Just as she herself had said earlier, this was the vanity and pride of a girl.

This was actually only understandable, especially in an environment where she had been bullied, which she hated and was afraid of. She had no way of refusing leaving in a ‘grander’, more ‘enviable’ manner for greener pastures before the eyes of those people who bore her ill will.

Now, she had made things clear:

Firstly, I know that you were acting just now, Huang Yaming. I won’t misunderstand, and I also won’t really forgive you just like this.

Secondly, I will be working at Hucheng. I will be to happy to change my environment, and I will also properly grasp this chance.

Xu Tingsheng felt greatly reassured at Chen Jingqi’s attitude. Regarding this matter, he was actually most afraid that Chen Jingqi’s attitude at work would heavily rest upon the uncertain relationship between her and Huang Yaming.

This was why he had expressly said earlier that that the person who had invited her to Hucheng was actually Lu Zhixin, while he was unable to call the shots with regard to her.

If Chen Jingqi was able to keep work and her private life separate, having the right attitude and taking this job seriously, she would actually just be one of Hucheng’s hired workers. However her relationship with Huang Yaming was in the future, this would not affect anything at all.

She would have a life of her own, maybe better and with better career prospects.

And it could have nothing to do with Huang Yaming at all.

Having gotten used to having children who were still studying around him, Xu Tingsheng actually rather admired Chen Jingqi who already had experience working, also having been tempered by the vicissitudes of life. He especially admired how how honest and down-to-earth she was.

Xu Tingsheng’s earlier judgment of her had been mistaken.

She had been foolish once with Huang Yaming. While she might not be completely over that yet, she had already grown.

……

Xu Tingsheng did not eat dinner with Huang Yaming and the others that night. When Lu Zhixin came over, Chen Jingqi could be handed over to her.

Huang Yaming? …There was no need to care about him.

It was Hucheng’s Director, Wu Tong, with whom Xu Tingsheng ate dinner that night.

Wu Tong had actually been rather surprised on being invited by to a meal by Xu Tingsheng. On one hand, Xu Tingsheng had virtually never asked out any of Hucheng’s directors for a talk before. On the other, the document regarding Hucheng’s training institute in Shenghai had been sufficiently detailed. It was really not that complex as well as it didn’t seem that there was a need to communicate like this.

At that restaurant where he had met with Chen Jianxing previously, Xu Tingsheng called for plain water and ate very earnestly across from Wu Tong. He asked her to eat more as well.

The ambience of this restaurant was great, the dishes also having a unique flair of their own. However, not being a big eater, Wu Tong had already long since eaten her fill.

After hesitating for a while, she ventured, “Is there something that Boss Xu would like my help with?”

Xu Tingsheng looked up at her, his mouth stuffed full of food in a very unrefined manner as he mumbled indistinctly, “Oh...you can tell?”

Wu Tong smiled. This boss…

“Was Sis Tong recommended to your position by Zhixin?”

After a while, Xu Tingsheng asked Wu Tong something which seemed a bit obtrusive and excessive.

“I’m not very clear on this. Still, it was Boss Lu who notified me,” Wu Tong answered.

“Were you acquainted with her before?”

“Before? We didn’t know each other before this.”

“So, you’re not considered someone of hers?”

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say this, Wu Tong was rather bemused, “Is it...a struggle over authority? This isn’t rare in companies, but I’ve never heard of such a thing in Hucheng before...they say that Xu Tingsheng is crazily afraid of Lu Zhixin, and apparently, the two are also said to be...a couple.”

“I am an employee of Hucheng,” Wu Tong smiled as she ultimately gave Xu Tingsheng a standard answer which could be taken both ways.

“Then, if I’d like to ask you to help me with something, Sis Tong, and Lu Zhixin cannot be allowed to learn about this,” Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit, “Well, would that be okay?”

Was there really going to be a struggle over authority? A bewildered Wu Tong asked, “What do you mean by this, Boss Xu?”

“I too need a trusted aide whom I can rely on,” Xu Tingsheng said sincerely and bitterly as well, as if hinting at the existence of some major enmity.

Having been working for many years, Wu Tong had experienced quite a number of methods in the past, whether it had been people trying to draw her over or ostracise her. It was even to the extent that while the reason she had left her former company was her child in name, it was actually because of some internal conflicts within the company which she had been unable to remain neutral in. She had been one of those who had backed the wrong team in that struggle over authority.

Yet, whether it had been the course of an internal struggle or an attempt to pull her over to their side, there had definitely never been anything like this before...could this even be considered trying to draw her over?

“What Boss Xu wants me to handle isn’t related to the company?” Wu Tong organised her thoughts before asking.

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng admitted.

“Does this matter have to do with a woman?”

“...How did you know?”

“Because Boss Xu just stressed that I am not to tell Boss Lu about this. Also, you’ve had a conflicted expression on your face ever since the start of the meal. You seem very troubled.”

“Oh...right.”

“How about you tell me about it in brief first, Boss Xu?”

“...It’s okay if I say it?”

“Boss Lu definitely won’t be hearing about it, at least. Of course, I cannot guarantee that I will definitely be able to help.”

“Great! I’m gonna say it then!”

“Right.”

After explaining the matter to Wu Tong, Xu Tingsheng carefully observed her reaction to it.

In truth, Wu Tong was feeling rather hesitant now. Getting involved in the private affairs of one’s boss was a very unwise decision in the corporate arena, especially when Lu Zhixin clearly held the greatest authority in the current Hucheng.

“Help me out, Sis Tong,” Xu Tingsheng begged.

A troubled Wu Tong said, “Something like this...also, Boss Lu actually truly works very hard. She’s very capable, and her contributions towards Hucheng are great as well. I think that…”

Partway through her words, Wu Tong stopped herself from speaking any further. If it weren’t for the fact that Xu Tingsheng was really too not like a boss, she would actually already have overstepped her bounds greatly in saying things to this extent. In reality, this already encroached on Xu Tingsheng’s way of life.

Wu Tong suddenly regretted it, wishing that she had never asked about this incident.

Because of how ‘unreliable’ and ‘unique’ Xu Tingsheng seemed, she had unconsciously fallen overly relaxed earlier, hence having overlooked the corporate principles which she had always abided by.

“That’s why we can’t let her know,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 287: Preparing to go overseas

“That’s why we can’t let her know.”

Wu Tong felt Xu Tingsheng’s words to be rather shameless, “Helping you to keep a woman outside and hiding things-and this is even for Boss Lu’s own good? Indeed, men are all like this? Boss is still so young, and he’s already…”

Being a woman herself, asked to consider things, Wu Tong would definitely stand on Lu Zhixin’s side in this matter.

Still, when she had calmed down, she was also a capable, rational and experienced career woman. Wu Tong thought highly of Hucheng’s prospects. With her current position and importance in Hucheng, she was virtually assured of getting options and shares when Hucheng had gotten listed…

Therefore, having heard about this matter now, she actually had no choice but to handle it, and handle it diligently too, even if this went against what she believed was right.

Wu Tong agreed to handle things for Xu Tingsheng.

A happy Xu Tingsheng instructed Wu Tong further on some things before finally handing her a name card and telling her, “If there are some things that Sis Tong find inconvenient or you are unused to, you can look for this person...having been in Shenghai for so long now, he should probably have sufficient connections already to handle some of these miscellaneous affairs.”

“Xingxin, Zhang Xingke? Isn’t he…”

Receiving the name card, Wu Tong was rather taken aback to find that it was Zhang Xingke’s.

After Xu Tingsheng had called him in front of everyone during the meeting that day, Wu Tong had tried her best to find out more about him.

At the present moment, he was Hucheng’s enemy.

“Enemy, yeah. You could say that there is deep enmity between us,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Still, an enemy is actually another sort of friend. If there’s anything you need help with, Sis Tong, you can contact him directly. Relax, this is my private affair. He’d be more reliable than if you were to look for locals of Hucheng working in Shenghai.”

At this moment, Wu Tong suddenly felt yet again that it really seemed like she should look at this ‘unreliable’ boss of hers in a different light.

……

Wu Tong soon left for Shenghai to prepare for recruitment for Hucheng’s training institute there.

While the bid to obtain one of those plots of land appeared calm and all on the surface, a storm was actually brewing beneath the surface.

The weight of those of the Black Horse Club began manifesting in various areas. At first, no one really thought much of this. Still, as the voices began coming from within the province, not just a single source and not just a single voice, the longstanding powers of the industry slowly realised that they had no choice but to take them more seriously.

They began slowly feeling nervous about their opponents who no longer seemed so insignificant and of no import to them.

……

A third year senior was pursuing the girl with the long plait, Ning Xia.

The occupants of Room 602 were filled with righteous indignation, all but Zhang Ninglang himself who was very composed.

The two lovers ate together at the canteens for every meal, alternating between Canteen 1 and Canteen 3. They took the self-study room and the library as the site for their dates. They ran together, went on strolls together, watched old movies broadcasted in the lecture theatre together. Quietly, they had embarked upon a love relationship envied by everyone.

Li Xingming had still been unable to take down Yayang. Of course, she had also never rejected him.

Yayang had entered the Student’s Union like she wished. There, she had smoothly secured her position as she waved around Tan Yao’s banner. Apparently, she had recently been in charge of getting sponsorship for the faculty’s freshmen welcoming party. Li Xingming took it upon himself to help her to ask Xu Tingsheng if Hucheng was interested in sponsoring them.

Since this matter was related to the university and a request from his roommate, Xu Tingsheng did not hesitate in the least as he got straight to the point, “How much money might you need?”

Li Xingming said, “Thank you, Bro Xu. I’ll ask Yangyang.”

After a phone conversation with Yayang, Li Xingming told Xu Tingsheng that she wanted to meet with him in person to discuss it.

Xu Tingsheng said that she should look for Lu Zhixin on this.

After relaying the message, Li Xingming appeared rather troubled as he said to Xu Tingsheng, “Bro Xu, how about you give me face and I arrange for us to eat a meal? It’s been quite a while since I last ate with Yangyang, anyway.”

Hearing his words, Xu Tingsheng frowned.

Li Xingming shouldn’t be this foolish, shouldn’t be this blind. Therefore, the only explanation had to be that Yayang was really too capable in having grasped Li Xingming completely, having him subtly under her sway.

Xu Tingsheng ate dinner together with Yayang and Li Xingming that night.

Hucheng would be sponsoring ten thousand yuan.

This actually wasn’t all that important. More importantly, Xu Tingsheng found that even he felt very comfortable around Yayang as they interacted at times, even though he had specifically gone there with caution in mind…

Therefore, this girl was truly capable indeed.

Xu Tingsheng was even tempted to recruit her into Hucheng, but thankfully managed to stop himself from doing so in the end. For some people, while they were indeed talents, they were more trouble than they were worth if one did choose to use them. Xu Tingsheng feared trouble greatly, especially troublesome women.

Having met Yu Yayang, Li Xingming was doomed. Also, there was no one who would be able to stop him from falling to his doom, no one at all.

Xu Tingsheng decided not to warn him too much about this. So long as the price of such was not too great, falling not to the abyss but just some ravine wasn’t actually a bad thing for men during their younger days. It would be a lesson worthwhile.

……

Chen Jingqi started working at Hucheng. She was very diligent and and a fast learner as well. Lu Zhixin was very satisfied with her.

After working hours, she still helped to take care of the injured Huang Yaming.

Soon, basically all Huang Yaming’s classmates and friends knew that he had a very good and very caring girlfriend. Only Huang Yaming himself knew that this wasn’t actually the case. His determination to win back Chen Jingqi’s heart wasn’t great enough, and things were also far more complicated and difficult than he had thought.

Of course, perhaps because he was temporarily crippled, the time he spent gallivanting outside was much lesser.

As for Chen Jingqi, she would not let him touch him.

The preparation for their bar was mostly left to Tan Yao, who would even have a meal, a movie or sexual intercourse with Ye Qing from time to time. What did this mean? Not relating this to those words that had previously been said, their relationship was actually no different from lovers.

When Tan Yao mentioned Ye Qing again, what he said was stuff like ‘this girl’s pretty good’ and ‘this girl’s pretty fun’.

Ye Qing circumvented Tan Yao and looked for Huang Yaming to invest in the bar.

Of course, Tan Yao abided by his principles of not taking things seriously as Ye Qing aside, he still did as he usually did and found girls like he usually did. He even casually helped to take down one of Fang Chen’s. This had already become a peculiar source of enjoyment for him.

Fang Chen took took the initiative to ask Tan Yao out for a meal in order to ask him about this.

Halfway through the meal, after the two of them had already been pretending that nothing was the matter for over half an hour, Fang Chen was finally unable to hold herself back anymore as she got straight to the point, “Tan Yao, what do you think you are doing?”

Tan Yao continued feigning ignorance as he asked, “Sis, what did I do?”

Fang Chen said, “You yourself are the clearest on this. Her, and her. Did you do it on purpose?”

Tan Yao said, “Her who? Sorry, I’ve slept with too many and really can’t remember offhand. Hold on, let me think.”

Fang Chen really went and waited as she thought back on those days when Tan Yao had been all ‘beautiful senior’ and ‘Yanzhou’s goddess’...it looked like time flipped not just calendars, but people’s attitudes as well!

After a while, Tan Yao feigned sudden realisation dawning upon him as he then said with a look of complete innocence on his face, “Oh, I remember now. Sorry about that. It was an accident!”

Fang Chen said exasperatedly, “Only a fool would believe that.”

Tan Yao smiled, “It’s up to you whether you’ll believe it. Actually, you wouldn’t be able to do anything even if I did it on purpose, Sis. Right, regarding this matter, how about I give you a piece of well-intentioned advice?”

Fang Chen simply asked, “What?”

Tan Yao smiled slyly, “Don’t snatch what work isn’t meant for you. If you can’t do it, don’t force yourself. Set it aside and let someone else who can do it do it.”

Fang Chen was utterly infuriated by what Tan Yao was insinuating. In truth, it was really as he had said. However extraordinarily skilled she was, she would still be unable to defeat Tan Yao here. She was innately at a disadvantage.

Fang Chen was trembling in rage as she hissed slightly before standing up and saying stubbornly, “Don’t you be too confident, Tan Yao.”

Even as he continued eating, Tan Yao asked, “Try me then?”

Fang Chen turned, replying as she walked away, “Oh, I’ll try you. You see if I dare.”

Tan Yao said, “What I meant was if you’d like to try.”

Fang Chen turned and stared at Tan Yao.

Tan Yao said calmly, “Wanna try? I’ll convert you too.”

Fang Chen turned, grabbed a plate of tossed cucumber and dumped it right in Tan Yao’s face.

Tan Yao pulled off a piece and chewed on it, smiling, “Even this is stronger than you.”

……

Xu Tingsheng gave Professor Yan Zhenyu a call.

“Professor Yan, um, could I trouble you to help me send an invitation email over to my school when you’re free? Just say that it’s to invite me to participate in the discussions regarding the verification of the Anyang Mausoleum,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Professor Yan was smiling as he said, “You finally feel like coming over now, kid? After so many times that I’ve asked you.”

Xu Tingsheng was chuckling as he explained, “No, Professor Yan, I actually won’t really come. I just want to make use of this to apply for extended leave with the university. It should be around twenty days or so. I intend to go overseas for a bit. Sorry for the trouble.”

Yan Zhenyu, “......”

Xu Tingsheng said, “When the excavation starts, I’ll definitely be there.”

Chapter 288: He will take me away

Shenghai City.

The mourning hall allocated to the Li Family in the funeral parlour.

The black and white portrait of her smiling mother was placed amongst some flowers arranged into the shape of an ingot. Just as at the top of the altar was written ‘features still remain’, the old woman in the photograph remained peaceful and benevolent as she gazed kindly and emotionally at her only daughter, evoking and conveying her thoughts that still lingered...

Yet, she was already no longer able to clasp Li Wan’er hands, repeatedly telling her: Wan’er, live on properly and well. Go look for him.

Her mother’s condition had deteriorated after the surgery. The doctor had checked a few times and confirmed that she was already beyond saving.

During the final days of her life, Li Wan’er’s mother who could not have been any clearer regarding her condition had instead smiled much more than she had in the past. She had constantly tolerated the pain, consoling her only daughter with a smile on her face, even teasing her from time to time as she deliberately brought up the man who had sent her back that day.

Mother and daughter had stayed by each other’s side all day and all night, holding the other’s hands with the former adopting a jovial mood as much as possible as she consoled her weak daughter, reminding her again and again of whatever came to mind. Her heart ached as she could not bear to leave her, could not stop worrying about her…

Still, there was inevitably no way around it as they constantly had to help the other to wipe off the tears that had unconsciously flowed down and stained their face.

Every time Li Wan’er said concernedly, “Mum, you should stop talking. Get a good rest.”

Her mother would always say ‘Alright, I’ll listen to you’ before soon saying again, “Wan’er, Mum’s done resting. Mum wants to talk to you. Mum’s afraid that I won’t have the chance to next time.”

Both of them were well aware that with massive upheaval having befallen their family with their close relatives all dead, Li Wan’er who had been meticulously protected by her parents for the past thirty-one years would soon be all alone...countless people existed in this world, yet she, would just be alone.

Alone, without a roof to shelter her amidst heavy storms and howling gales in a muddy swamp where every step posed great difficulty.

Li Wan’er’s mother wanted to personally entrust her to that person.

Every time, she would mention, “Wan’er, talk to him. Ask him if he can spare some time for a visit. Mum wants to see him, wants to talk to him. Mum wants to personally hand you over to him. That way, I would be able to set my heart at ease.”

Li Wan’er’s mother’s approval regarding ‘that person’ stemmed from Li Wan’er’s previous narration of him. More than that, it stemmed from Li Wan’er’s composure and manner every time she mentioned that person. Over the past thirty-one years, she had never once seen her daughter look like this before. Therefore, she knew that her daughter had really set her mind on that person.

Every time, Li Wan’er would fake an excuse, “He’ll be coming soon. He’ll be coming very soon.”

It was in the early hours of the morning that her mother had passed away. In her final moments, she had still constantly been repeating the words, “Wan’er, go look for him.”

Clasping her mother’s hand, Li Wan’er said, “Relax, Mum. He said that he will come to take me away.”

Actually, her mother had still vaguely sensed that something was off as she had ultimately still passed with lingering worries on her mind.

It was on that night that Li Wan’er had finally called that person who had personally told her ‘we’re even’, mustering all her courage to ask him, “Can I come and look for you?”

After making that call, at that corner in an empty corridor, she had broken down and cried.

Then, she had wiped her tears away and returned before her mother who was already breathing no more, smiling as she told her, “I just called him, Mum. He said that he will come and take me away. You can rest easy now.”

After saying all this, she helped her mother to close her eyes.

……

The obituary notice had already long since been released. There were quite a few people who had come to the mourning hall to offer their condolences today. This consisted of relatives as well as former business partners of the Li Family.

The flower baskets and wreaths were sent in one by one.

Li Wan’er already had no tears remaining. Her face was pale as she was dressed in white mourning attire with a black cloth around her arm and a white headband around her head, staying by the side of the mourning hall as she numbly expressed her gratitude to all those who came forward to offer their condolences and pay respects to the memory of the deceased.

Her elder cousin, the daughter of her paternal uncle, was accompanying her.

However things had been before, this cousin of hers had indeed helped her out quite a bit in this time’s funeral.

It was just that from how she repeatedly feigned nonchalance, asking why Xu Tingsheng had not arrived and if and when he would be coming, Li Wan’er knew what her actual motive was.

Actually, her cousin’s thoughts were similar to that of a sizable proportion of the people who had come to offer their condolences that day.

Ever since that previous party, Xu Tingsheng had already not shown up by the side of Li Wan’er and the Li Family for too long a time. He had not appeared even when an important member of the Li Family had been grievously ill and close to dying.

As for the promised investment, there had been not a single mention of it at all thereafter.

Therefore, many people had come bearing suspicions as they intended to probe into the matter. In conversing with Li Wan’er after paying their respects to the dead, aside from offering her their condolences and saying some consoling words, virtually all of them would bring up Xu Tingsheng whether directly or in a roundabout manner. So, he should be coming, right?

Only silence answered their queries.

In truth, Li Wan’er had already long since fallen to despair. Ever since her mother had departed, ever since she had called that number, she just felt that there was no longer anything left in this world for her to cling on to, that was still worth struggling for…

If you want to expose it, do it. If you want an auction, auction whatever you want.

Li Wan’er just wanted to help to complete this funeral for her mother, peacefully sending her off.

……

The ancients said: Women are pretty in filial piety.

After paying his respects, Zhu Ping did not leave as he stayed outside the door and gazed fixatedly at Li Wan’er, dressed in mourning white with a pale, sad expression on her face.

Zhu Ping felt that this this frail Li Wan’er was prettier and more delicate as well as more alluring than ever he had seen her as he lusted for her more than ever before.

When consoling her earlier, Zhu Ping had tried to make use of that chance to grab her hand. In the end, Li Wan’er had quickly pulled her hand away.

However, Zhu Ping’s mind had involuntarily been shaken by just that little bit of physical contact.

He wanted this woman, wanted her so much he could go mad. Zhu Ping knew that he definitely couldn’t let this woman go now when she was at her weakest and most helpless. This was the case even though she had just lost her mother and was in mourning, even though he himself would be marrying soon and his fiancee had just gotten pregnant not long ago.

Back then, due to his pressuring of Li Wan’er and his conflict with Xu Tingsheng, Zhu Ping had been viciously rebuked after getting home by his father who understood him very well indeed. His father had repeatedly warned him to stop aggravating Li Wan’er and Xu Tingsheng too.

Zhu Ping had stopped harassing Li Wan’er for a while, albeit rather grudgingly.

Now, however, he felt that his chance had come.

There was a number of people waiting there together with Zhu Ping, having already paid their respects and exited the mourning hall. Some of them had originally intended to leave but had been persuaded by Zhu Ping to stay behind.

“With everyone all here today, we should ask Wan’er to explain things to us later. This person is nowhere to be seen and the same goes for his money. I, for one, don’t believe it,” Zhu Ping said.

“This...Old Mrs Li’s only just passed away and we’re pressuring her only daughter at her funeral...if word of this spreads, wouldn’t others say that we are heartless, and…”

Someone hesitated.

“It’s precisely when she’s still here now that we have to ask her. If we wait, she might suddenly take off and no one would be able to find her. At that time, we would have been taken as fools and been made a total mockery of. Rather than that, we might as well be heartless for a bit. It looks like that Xu Tingsheng definitely won’t be coming. Don’t you want your money anymore?”

With his talk of money, Zhu Ping successfully persuaded the vast majority of them.

Li Wan’er’s cousin gave her a reminder.

As Li Wan’er looked up and saw that bunch of people outside the mourning hall, she felt greatly melancholic.

She was aware of what was going to happen in a while. Still, this being something that she had already given up on in the first place, it actually did not bring her all that much fear and sorrow.

Her heart only truly ached because of that person. She did not know how he could be this cold-hearted, not even coming to see her at a time like this, just allowing her to, all alone…

“But what does he owe me anyway? How is he obliged to do anything for me? He said that we’re already even...even...even…”

Just as the word ‘even’ was reverberating unceasingly within Li Wan’er’s mind.

A woman in a black professional suit walked into the mourning hall.

She was followed by two black-clothed men carrying a wreath.

After setting down the wreath and bowing deeply, the woman who seemed extremely capable and experienced at first glance took a white chrysanthemum and placed it respectfully before the portrait of the deceased.

Then, she walked over to Li Wan’er and said, “My condolences.”

“Thank you,” Li Wan’er looked up at her, asking softly, “And you are?”

There were actually quite a few unfamiliar faces that had turned up in the mourning hall today. Most of the time, Li Wan’er would politely ask about them and mentally take note of who they were. She remembered all the people who had come today: The daughter of her father’s old war buddy, an old employee of their factory…

It seemed that only these people were truly sincere in offering their condolences.

Outside the mourning hall, someone put a hand on Zhu Ping’s shoulder and asked the others, “Did you guys see the wreath that was just carried in?”

“What good are wreaths to look at? The place is full of them,” Zhu Ping said, “Hey, should we wait a little longer or is it about time that we went in? We’ve got to get things settled anyhow.”

He could already hold himself back no longer.

“It’s not that,” That person continued, “I just happened to catch a glimpse of it just now. That wreath’s sender seems to be, seems to be...that Xu Tingsheng.”

“He’s here?”

“Where is he?”

Enthusiasm overwhelmed the group as they now started tiptoeing frantically, trying to catch a glimpse inside.

“Hey, it really is him! The outermost one on the right...I see it, it really is written Xu Tingsheng!”

Inside the mourning hall, Li Wan’er’s cousin grabbed her sleeve and pulled her over, pointing towards the wreath which had just been set down, “Wan’er, look. See, it’s him, Xu Tingsheng!”

Looking where her cousin was pointing, Li Wan’er saw that name on the elegiac couplet at the wreath’s bottom corner. Her originally upright upper body immediately stumbled as her weight fell upon her ankles and she teetered momentarily.

Without any support, she had soldiered on. Yet, as soon as that name appeared, weakness instantly overtook her as a sense of tearful grievance just surged to the surface.

“So, in the end, he still couldn’t help but be worried about me?”

“So, this woman here is?”

……

Wu Tong had been rather unwilling to handle this. After Xu Tingsheng had entrusted her with this matter, she had investigated about it within Shenghai itself and chosen this day to appear.

Seeing Li Wan’er for the first time, Wu Tong’s first thought was, “This woman truly is...so beautiful...this, even one in ten thousand wouldn’t be enough to describe it. Even Lu Zhixin lacks some flavour and delicateness as compared to her. And she just happens to possess a frailty that causes one’s heart to twinge...it’s no wonder that Boss…”

Even as a woman herself, Wu Tong felt rather overwhelmed by it.

Her next thought was, “Considering Boss’s age...isn’t she a bit old? So Boss is into...no way…”

Wu Tong herself was in her thirties as well, being even older than Li Wan’er. Really, god forbid.

Wu Tong calmed herself before speaking more loudly, “Hello, I’m Wu Tong, Hucheng’s Director currently stationed in Shenghai. Sorry, but Boss Xu is really unable to make time this couple of days. He asked me to help him express his condolences and hopes that Miss Li Wan’er will be able to get over her grief and take good care of her body.”

Everyone outside pricked up their ears.

“Thank you,” Li Wan’er barely managed to keep herself from sounding like she was crying.

“Aside from that, Boss Xu also requested me to act as Hucheng’s representative for the Li Family’s factory. I’m sorry, but even though Miss Li must be grieving right now, I still need to understand the factory’s current situation. If it’s confirmed that there aren’t any problems, the first investment sum will immediately come in.”

“Boss Xu said that business is business and separate from personal affairs. Hucheng still has other shareholders and it is still necessary to go through the usual procedures. He hopes that Miss Li can understand this.”

“At the same time, as our side’s representative in our cooperation, I will be staying here for the time being to participate in the management of the factory for the short term and assist Miss Li in resuming production. I hope that Miss Li will not mind this.”

Having conveyed all that Xu Tingsheng had asked her to say, Wu Tong shot Li Wan’er a look to warn her against letting her overflowing emotions show.

Sorrow, gratitude, surprise, puzzlement...you can’t show any of it at all.

Li Wan’er tried her best to suppress her emotions, playing along, “No, I understand. How would I mind this? I’ll be troubling Director Wu after this.”

Wu Tong nodded, conversing with Li Wan’er in hushed tones for a bit before exiting the hall. There, she deliberately halted for a moment, waiting for the group outside to bombard her with questions. With how important this matter was, it was really impossible to expect that they would believe her as easily as that.

However, unlike Li Wan’er, Wu Tong was an corporate veteran who had started out in the middle echelons of a major corporation. She had a certain aura about her, also possessing substantial experience from her many years of work…

Therefore, dealing with these people was virtually effortless for her. Whatever they asked her, she was able to answer it appropriately as her words were logically sound, without any flaws whatsoever.

This was also the reason that Xu Tingsheng had previously chosen to look for her for help.

“Hucheng’s representative is here, and you can tell with a single glance that she’s from the higher management of a big company. Also, why did Xu Tingsheng dispatch a woman over?”

Some of them helped better the explanation in their own minds, “How would Xu Tingsheng possibly allow a man to come and assist his woman?”

With that, they were virtually certain about the relationship between Xu Tingsheng and Li Wan’er.

With even a representative from Hucheng having officially been stationed here, things were such that it was impossible even for Zhu Ping to doubt anything.

Seeing the others dispersing with smiles on their faces, Zhu Ping looked back and shot several vicious glares in Li Wan’er’s direction before helplessly suppressing his still burning desires as he left very unwillingly along with the rest.

Seeing that the crowd had dispersed, Wu Tong turned and walked back over. Li Wan’er found an excuse and shook off her overjoyed cousin beside her.

The two went around to the back of the mourning hall.

Wu Tong carefully appraised this woman before her once more and again sighed inwardly in admiration before she said in a calm, respectful tone, “Boss Xu knows that you won’t be able to manage what he taught you, so he asked me over here to help you, helping you to manage your assets to ensure your life thereafter as is possible without breaking the law. Therefore, you can trust me. Just leave this all to me.”

Hearing Wu Tong’s words, Li Tong felt a little despondent. Still, she was not a greedy person as she quickly calmed, asking Wu Tong rather worriedly, “Umm, will this affect Hucheng negatively in the long run?”

“There was no contract, no agreement. There was an intention to invest but things ultimately fell through in the end...that’s how it is. It’s perfectly normal, it happens every day,” The experienced Wu Tong explained.

“I understand,” Li Wan’er hesitated for a bit before continuing, “Then, he…”

“Boss Xu says that he will be going overseas in a while. He will first be flying to Italy. He said that if Miss Li needs it, he can send you there and see if he can be of any help in getting you settled down since it’s convenient and on the way.”

Wu Tong actually felt a little uncomfortable as she was relaying this. If it’s sending her overseas to be upkept, it’s sending her overseas to be upkept! What was the point in needlessly trying to hide things like this…

Wu Tong did not understand Xu Tingsheng’s intentions. Actually, Li Wan’er did not fully understand them herself. Still, there was at least one thing she was sure of. He had not abandoned her and stopped caring about her. They...would be meeting again.

After coming to grasp the general situation at hand, Wu Tong agreed with Li Wan’er on a time to meet again before she left.

Li Wan’er walked over to the portrait of her deceased mother, placing a white chrysanthemum before it before saying softly, “Did you hear that, Mum? He didn’t abandon me and stop caring about me. He said that he will take me away. You can properly rest assured now.”

Chapter 289: Give me a bowl of noodles, Boss

The old noodle restaurant had already in business for decades. The store was in a cramped old house with a rather low ceiling which had basically not been renovated at all. The tables and chairs had been weathered by the ages. The most unique feature about old things was generally their sturdiness and how they were still robust despite their surfaces already being mottled. Luckily, they were still considered clean.

Every time mealtime came, the customers would have to queue up.

Those who failed to get a bowl in time could only leave and rush over earlier next time.

Logically speaking, they should really open a branch store considering how things were, but they had not. Xu Tingsheng knew that they this would still be the case even in the year 2011. Also, the store would not even be renovated, the old tables remaining how they were even a decade later. Anyway, they hadn’t been ‘pretty’ in the first place.

It was just that in the year 2001, the tides had started to reverse and return. People began to value nostalgia, watching nostalgic movies of their youth and liking old things and old stores. They felt that playing with their phones and taking selfies before taking a snapshot of an old bowl of soup in such a place relentlessly weathered by the ages was even more stylish than visiting Starbucks or whatnot.

And so it was that the old noodle store had met all transformations with unflinching passivity, remaining greatly popular throughout.

When Xiang Ning had taken Xu Tingsheng here in the year 2011, they had been very fortunate in not having had to queue up. With the torrential rain that day, few patrons had visited the store.

Xu Tingsheng had carried Xiang Ning, wearing canvas shoes, off from the taxi. After they had finished eating the noodles, he had carried her again by the roadside in waiting for another taxi, holding up the legs of his pants as he stood in the rain for around half an hour.

Yet afterwards, during those three years, Xu Tingsheng had actually come alone again once, to her city and her favourite noodle restaurant to eat the noodles that she loved the most. Yet, he had...been afraid that she might show up then.

That day, the skies had been clear at first but a downpour had soon descended.

After that torrential rainstorm, having finished eaten his noodles, Xu Tingsheng had discovered that he ‘could no longer turn back’.

……

When the number of customers had lessened, Xu Tingsheng crossed the road and entered the old noodle restaurant, standing by the counter as he ‘domineeringly’ told the boss there, “Boss, give me a bowl of noodles. Add shrimps, takeaway.”

Looking at him, the boss smiled knowingly.

Back then, he had asked this person before him to choose between a cup of wine and a bowl of noodles. This person had taken the noodles away. Gazing over, he had then discovered that the cup was also empty.

That night, Xu Tingsheng had walked around the entire perimeter of Xinyan Junior High twice. In the end, he had sat all alone by the roadside and gobbled down that bowl of noodles which had already gone all cold. That night, as Fang Yuqing had bravely travelled a thousand miles for a proposal, Xu Tingsheng had been mere inches away yet had not dared to go forward at all.

Perhaps the boss had gone the extra mile for Xu Tingsheng as the noodles came very quickly.

“Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Bring her along to eat next time! Let me take a look at her,” The boss smiled.

Xu Tingsheng replied nervously, “Well, we’ll see, we’ll see.”

The boss had definitely seen Little Xiang Ning before. If he were to bring her along with him…

……

Carrying the noodles.

Xu Tingsheng placed a soft pack of premium Chunghwa cigarettes on the security guard’s desk.

When Little Xiang Ning emerged, Uncle was trembling slightly.

This was just like the love between youngsters, he going to look for her for the first time after coming to know of her feelings for him, feeling uneasy and out of his element in this first date, worrying greatly whilst also looking forward to it greatly as he inevitably felt nervous and tense.

This was the state that Xu Tingsheng was currently in right now. He was like a little boy who had managed to win the heart of the girl he liked with great difficulty.

Wearing her school uniform, Little Xiang Ning walked over from the distant stairwell.

She was nervous too, Xu Tingsheng could see that, because as she walked...her left hand was coordinating with her left leg and vice versa.

“Thank you, security guard uncle.”

Little Xiang Ning passed through the security room and left through the door. As if by tacit agreement, the two walked to a corner that was a blind spot for the security guard. Leaning against the wall, Little Xiang Ning smiled as she looked at Xu Tingsheng, also puffing up her cheeks as she just continued smiling throughout.

Xu Tingsheng smiled too, albeit nervously.

He was as nervous as he had been during their actual first date, when he had been the first to speak and blundered amidst his panic, “How come you’ve got pimples?”

Miss Xiang had bore him a grudge for a long time over that.

There was a period of time in which Miss Xiang had been harmed very badly by pimples. Uncle had virtually never had pimples since young, even during puberty. This made the damage even worse.

Once, they were out on what had originally been a very romantic date. All of a sudden, Uncle had clumsily taken out a necklace which he had specially chosen for Miss Xiang and put it on her from behind.

Miss Xiang had joyfully turned, asking, “Does it look good on me?”

Staring at it, Uncle had replied, “How come you’ve got pimples again?”

Miss Xiang had ignored Uncle for the rest of that day. She had taken out all the chillies in the dishes and thrown them into Uncle’s bowl, staring fixatedly at him as if daring him not to eat them. Tears streaming down his face, sweat profusely dripping down his back, Uncle was therefore forced into eating them all.

Yet, he had still not grown any pimples.

In order to make Uncle grow pimples, Little Xiang Ning had once devoted a great amount of time and effort, poring over a great amount of resources and carrying out many experiments. Still, she had ultimately been unable to succeed.

Eventually, Uncle had clashed with the dreaded ‘period’ for N consecutive times. Every time he managed to spare some time to return to Jiannan and go to Yanzhou with great difficulty, he would cross paths with Miss Xiang’s period which had been lying in ambush for him as it suddenly came ahead of time or was delayed.

Uncle finally grew pimples.

Miss Xiang had been so triumphant at that.

Xu Tingsheng had dubbed that period of time: period tribulation.

Xu Tingsheng looked unconsciously at Little Xiang Ning’s face.

“You, what’re you looking at?” Little Xiang Ning asked nervously.

Xu Tingsheng had grown smart this time as he said, “You look nice.”

Little Xiang Ning said, “Dirty ruffian.”

After a while, she saw the noodles that he was holding.

Little Xiang Ning gazed over at it, “It’s just like back then.”

Back then, Xu Tingsheng had still been Uncle Liar whom Little Xiang Ning felt curious whilst also afraid of. Back then, he had delivered noodles to her too. After that, he had become her home tutor. After that, he had come here and performed specially for her. After that, they had gradually drifted apart, because of Xu Tingsheng, and also because of Mr and Mrs Xiang...

Only this young girl before him had not done any wrong at all.

Even in his previous life, she had not done any wrong at all. Yet...she had been forsaken.

“Will you take it home to eat, or?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I’m having evening self-study now,” Little Xiang Ning said softly.

Little Xiang Ning brought Xu Tingsheng along and found a quartzite rock whereupon they sat down. Illuminated by the dim lamplight, the surrounding darkness was a little mild. He watched her as she quietly ate, raising a hand and pushing her stray strands of hair behind her ear from time to time.

“Why do you know all that I like to eat? Even knowing to add pure rice vinegar?” Little Xiang Ning suddenly asked.

Xu Tingsheng had no way of answering this question as he replied, “I guessed it.”

Little Xiang Ning did not pursue the matter as she continued, “Why didn’t you bring a portion along to eat with me then?”

Xu Tingsheng had no way of telling her that he did not like eating seafood in the first place.

He also hadn’t dared say it in his previous life.

“Next time,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Okay,” Little Xiang Ning said, “That day..."

“That day, were you actually saying that you like me?” Xu Tingsheng cut to the chase, the answer to this being something that was so important to him, something that he so looked forward to hearing.

“Hey, you…”

“You weren’t?”

“...”

“Return me the noodles.”

“...You shameless, ruffian.”

Little Xiang Ning caught a prawn between her chopsticks and hesitated for a moment before bringing it over to Xu Tingsheng’s mouth, asking, “Want it?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded and ate the prawn.

Then, Little Xiang Ning’s face was flushed entirely red.

Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before venturing, “Indirect…”

“Hey, you can’t say it! I hadn’t thought of it earlier.”

“Well, think about it now then.”

“You…”

Perhaps because she had just eaten dinner not long ago, Little Xiang Ning was unable to finish eating the noodles in the end. Xu Tingsheng looked down and gobbled up the rest of the food in a few goes. With that, her face turned even redder as she took her hand and fanned it.

Little Xiang Ning finally got up and said ‘I’ve got to go’.

Like a young boy on his first ever date, Uncle was unable to bear parting from her as he now asked very shamelessly, “Hey, can you, like that day...give me a hug?”

Little Xiang Ning said not a word as she walked over, silently and delicately hugging him.

“Will you be coming again soon? I won’t eat dinner then,” She said after a long time.

“I may be unable to come for quite a while following this,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Why? Because you’ll be too busy?”

“I’m going to go handle a couple of things. Wait for me.”

Right, Xu Tingsheng was going to go handle a couple of things. She was already walking closer towards him. Xu Tingsheng wanted to return to that simplest blank slate with nothing tying him down whatsoever such that when she finally arrived by his side, there would be nothing that could hurt her.

Chapter 290: Dispelling karma

There had actually been a similar problem as well in his previous life. While Uncle had been single when he had come to know Xiang Ning, he had not been lacking in ex-girlfriends and flirting partners then.

It was Miss Xiang who had single-handedly solved all of these problems afterwards.

Miss Xiang was a southern lady who really, really loved eating noodles. Therefore, when studying in Jiannan during her university years, she had also found a noodle store that she loved there. On their third date, Xiang Ning had brought Xu Tingsheng to that noodle store for the first time.

After entering the store, Miss Xiang had said to the Lady Boss of the restaurant in a familiar manner, “Lady Boss, give me a bowl of noodles. Give him a knife.”

Xu Tingsheng had been stunned silly, “What would I want a knife for?”

A calm, relaxed expression on her face, Miss Xiang had said as if it really could not be any more obvious, “Swift blades severing haphazard bonds! Go on. Handle it well before I finish eating my noodles. Otherwise, it can only be our bond that is severed for good.”

Perhaps the Lady Boss liked to joke around, for when she brought the noodles over, she really placed a vegetable knife on the table.

“Your boyfriend?” The Lady Boss asked Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning raised her head, glancing at Xu Tingsheng, “Can’t say for sure yet.”

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly whipped out his phone.

Xiang Ning reached out and took Xu Tingsheng’s phone, taking a photo of him along with half of the table before sending a message amongst a group of friends along with the words: Not used to eating dinner alone…

Then, she had just concentrated on eating her noodles.

Halfway through her meal, she had taken Xu Tingsheng’s phone again and counted the number of responses from the opposite sex amongst that group of friends that read ‘I’ll come’ or ‘A pity I can’t come’, telling him, “You can start with these.”

Forcing a smile, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Who taught you all these?”

Xiang Ning said happily, “It was Lu Min! Lu Min’s really awesome. She’s even the Chairman of our faculty’s Student Association.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “But didn’t you say that Lu Min’s never been in a relationship before?”

Xiang Ning said, “That’s right. But even though she’s never been in a relationship before, she’s a famous web presence on emo.tianya. She’s been helping people out with their relationships ever since back in junior high, giving them love advice. The people there all take her to be an expert.”

Xu Tingsheng, “...”

He pictured a bunch of young housewives in their thirties and forties looking for a junior high school student to teach them how to deal with their husbands, taking care of their mistresses…

No wonder this country’s people were becoming increasingly undependable in their love affairs.

As the fifteen-year-old Xiang Ning still lacked the mighty ‘Zhao Kuo-esque...expert...best friend’ Lu Min, if it were only she herself, she would probably be helpless in the face of such problems.

“Should I suggest to Little Xiang Ning to get to know Lu Min on Tianya after her senior high entrance examinations are over? She should already be rather well known on the forum now.”

“The chances of Xiang Ning still going to Jiannan University in the future aren’t high. I’ve already forcibly intervened in her life. Causing her to lose her bosom friend of her previous life, formerly her ‘guardian angel’ for three years in university and possibly her lifetime friend on top of that? That seems a little too much.”

On his way back from Xinyan Junior High, walking alone and feeling the breeze on his face, Xu Tingsheng’s mind was clear and tranquil as he was prepared to face whatever fate threw at him.

This was how he was feeling.

It was as if Big Xiang Ning was giving him a deep, meaningful smile with a hint of a threat hidden by the corners of her lips as she said to him, “Sweetheart, I’m back! So, swift blades severe haphazard bonds, or it’ll be the bond between us that’s severed for good. Also, I’m still so little now. Could you bear to let that happen?”

Xu Tingsheng had once caused this girl to shed too many tears at the age of twenty-two. He could not bear to let the her of fifteen cry again.

……

Xu Tingsheng finalised Hucheng’s upcoming arrangements with Lu Zhixin.

When Xu Tingsheng entered his office, Tang Yufei brought in a cup of coffee which she had brewed in the trademark attire of a ‘secretary’. It was so classic that Xu Tingsheng who had fantasised about it many times before was momentarily stunned.

“That’s…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It’s tailor-made for all the middle and higher echelon employees of the company. It’s a bonus that’s currently in the midst of being implemented. It was Boss Lu’s decision. Mine’s a bit special, though. For example, the skirt may be a little shorter…” Tang Yufei smiled.

“Are you trying to kill me!” Xu Tingsheng held his head, “The two of you’ve both got 110 on No.1 speeddial, right? Digging a pit for me to jump into and then preparing to arrest me at any time?”

Tang Yufei showed Xu Tingsheng her phone and pressed the number 1. The screen indicated that it was in the midst of dialling: 110.

“I didn’t set it like this because of you. It was already this way before. Having encountered bad people before, I’m rather more conscious about safety,” Quickly disconnecting the call before it went through, keeping her phone, Tang Yufei asked Xu Tingsheng with a solemn expression on her face, “I heard that Boss Xu’s going to go overseas? Am I going too?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “No need. What I’m going there to do is unrelated to Hucheng.”

Xu Tingsheng’s reason for going overseas was contacting construction materials suppliers. Many people, Huang Yaming included, felt this to be very laughable indeed. He hadn’t even obtained any plot of land yet, so what was the point of moving to acquire a source of imports?

Still, Xu Tingsheng had actually been speaking the truth, just that this was not the entirety of his motives for this trip. It was simply one of them.

As word of this spread, the members of the Black Horse Club as well as their competitors were inevitably taken aback by this: Xu Tingsheng was actually this assured, this confident that he was going to succeed?

……

13th November, Hedong Airport of Shenghai City.

A sudden rainstorm had replaced the glaring sun outside, the pouring rain obscuring one’s sight like a curtain. Water quickly accumulated on the wide, open ground. The other tourists were all worried that their flights might be delayed. Looking at his watch, Xu Tingsheng hoped that his flight could be delayed for as long as possible. Li Wan’er had still yet to arrive.

Finally, Li Wan’er entered, carrying a backpack and dragging along a suitcase.

Wearing a beige autumn overcoat and short black leather boots, Li Wan’er had tied her hair into a convenient ponytail with rainwater currently dripping down the remnant, dishevelled strands of hair by her brows.

As she tried to wipe it dry, her hair was plastered messily to her face and forehead.

Xu Tingsheng walked over, taking the suitcase for her, “Wipe it off first, or you’ll get sick.”

Li Wan’er looked at Xu Tingsheng, in a bit of a panic as she hastily adjusted her appearance.

She hoped for Xu Tingsheng to see only the best side of herself.

“No rush. Our flight might even be delayed. This rain’s really too heavy,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Li Wan’er nodded and made an affirmative noise in response.

The two found an empty spot and sat down.

Li Wan’er was silent for a while before she said, “I’ve troubled you. Thank you, and please also help me to thank Director Wu and your other friend who helped.”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “I will.”

Wu Tong and Zhang Xingke had both devoted quite a bit of time and effort to this matter. The figure that Wu Tong had reported to Xu Tingsheng in the end consisted of what remained after leaving behind the funds and material fees that were required for normal operations as well as the workers’ wages. Li Wan’er had left Shenghai this time with around two million yuan in total.

She had qualifications and skills, connections and capabilities, being familiar with Italy as well. Coupled with this two million, leading a stable life over in Italy should not be a problem for her.

She could live calmly and focusedly just like during those few years she had once spent there.

The entanglements between Xu Tingsheng and Li Wan’er did not run deep.

However, if he were to watch her helplessly plunge into the bitter sea like this without doing anything, it would instead become ‘karma’. Li Wan’er would become a memory that he would never be able to shake off, just like when one sees someone drowning in a pond and is able to save them yet does not.

It was not just an undoable ‘vice’, but also an act related to ‘karma’.

Moreover, the other party was also someone who had caused his heart to flutter before.

Xu Tingsheng had indeed also made a move on her before.

It could not be denied that Xu Tingsheng had been moved by Li Wan’er, recklessness also having arisen in his heart. To a man, these two things are really the basis of loving someone.

Xu Tingsheng dubbed this action of his ‘dispelling karma’.

Flying for thirteen hours from Shenghai to Milan, the timezone going from GMT+8 to GMT+1…

Time, space-these would all have changed.

Takeoff, landing, next seeing her get settled down. Xu Tingsheng would thus be able to wipe away this person from his life with an ease of mind. He mentally told Big Xiang Ning that the swift blades were currently in the midst of severing haphazard bonds.

Xu Tingsheng felt that this would not be difficult. What was difficult was...on the opposite shore of the ocean. Whether he headed east, or he headed west.

Chapter 291: A rainbow path

Li Wan’er had still yet to completely get over her earlier agony and pain.

She explained the reason behind her lateness to Xu Tingsheng. Having gotten on a taxi early in the morning, seeing that it was still early, she had decided on the spur of a moment to pay a visit to her parents at the public cemetery and bid them farewell one more time…

She had a feeling that having left this time, it might be a very long time before she next returned.

Then, this torrential rainstorm had suddenly descended.

The taxi had been caught in a traffic jam amidst the downpour, therefore being greatly delayed.

The torrential rainstorm battered on, seeming like it would not be diminishing anytime soon as loud booms of thunder could even be heard from time to time.

“Looks like I’m really going to be a bit late,” Li Wan’er said worriedly.

Meanwhile, on the way from Shenghai to Hedong Airport.

Zhu Ping was personally driving as he furiously rushed to the airport along with a few others, his expression frantic beyond compare.

The roads were all slippery from the rain, the cars in front generally driving very slowly. Zhu Ping impatiently honked again and again. A backseat passenger of the car in front of him rolled down the car window, looking over and giving him the middle finger.

Someone else on the car returned the middle finger and swore. Yet, Zhu Ping was not even in the mood for this now.

“The woman who’s on my mind every waking moment is flying off…”

Zhu Ping had been keeping watch on Li Wan’er the most closely of them all. He was also the first person to have discovered that she was leaving.

Sadly for him, though, he had discovered it too late in the end. Wu Tong and Zhang Xingke had handled this matter very discreetly. After realising that something was off, Zhu Ping had quickly rushed over. However, it was already virtually impossible for him to make it there before takeoff.

He felt unwilling to resign himself to his loss just like that as he wanted to try to remedy it.

“Don’t worry, Bro Zhu. With a storm like this, the flight will definitely be delayed. We can make it in time.”

Having forgotten about this in his earlier panic, hearing about this now, Zhu Ping was suddenly overwhelmed by excitement. He carefully watched the pattering raindrops as they fell upon his car window, nodding as the corners of his mouth rose and his eyes lit up, hope being rekindled within…

Then, within his fixated field of vision, the raindrops...had suddenly subsided…

Next, sunlight descended, shining down on the raindrops that were still condensed on the car window as they emitted a clear, sparkling glow…

While this was clearly the weather of November, it was actually as unprincipled as in June and July, raining in the blink of an eye with the skies then becoming clear again without so much as a by your leave...

“What the...heck.”

Young Master Zhu slowly said exasperatedly with a flabbergasted expression on his face before slowly slapping down on the steering wheel.

……

The aeroplane’s head rose as it took off. This was the first time since his rebirth that Xu Tingsheng was taking a plane. It was going to be a long flight.

While a beauty at the level of Li Wan’er was at his side, this did not diminish Xu Tingsheng’s interest in observing the air stewardesses.

Some occupations themselves enhanced women, especially when men viewed them in some special way. Their uniform, their bearing-some women whom you might not even turn back to look at out on the street might capture your gaze just like that.

Moreover, the quality of air stewardesses of international airlines was generally pretty good.

Their countrymen still placed quite some emphasis on the figures and appearances of air stewardesses, unlike some countries that dared to display even some gigantic women who would cause the plane to shake just by walking…

Noticing Xu Tingsheng’s gaze, Li Wan’er looked along with him for a while, feeling exasperated whilst also amused. Other men were looking at her, but the one she liked...that air stewardess wasn’t as beautiful as her...

The two were silent for a time before Li Wan’er who had the window seat tugged at Xu Tingsheng’s arm.

Xu Tingsheng looked over at her.

Li Wan’er lightly tapped the window, pointing at the rainbow outside.

The rainbow was round, emanating a warm glow and aura.

A round rainbow. Xu Tingsheng had travelled by plane quite a number of times in his previous life, but this was the first time he was seeing a rainbow from a plane. So seeing a rainbow from a plane would reveal its complete form, its original form.

“Have you ever seen a rainbow on a plane before?” Xu Tingsheng asked Li Wan’er, thinking that with how she had spent so much time overseas, having travelled by plane so many times, there should be a greater probability of her having seen one before.

Li Wan’er shook her head, smiling, “It’s my first time too.”

“Your life must be like this rainbow from now on,” Xu Tingsheng told her.

Li Wan’er felt rather uncomprehending as she did not really know how she should interpret this statement. It seemed like it could be taken in a number of ways, such as fullness, exuberance...

Happy to view things in an optimistic light, Li Wan’er looked up at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng also realised that his words had been a little wrong as he hesitated for a moment before elaborating, “Even if the colour is a little dull, having achieved fullness and completion, it would not be all that bad. If your mindset is good, there can be joy even in suffering. A peaceful, quiet life is actually great too.”

He was describing Li Wan’er’s future life and trying to provide her with some encouragement.

Li Wan’er’s mind strayed off trajectory again, virtually straying to another universe altogether.

“Fullness in dullness, a good mindset, joy even in suffering...is he hinting...for me to be mentally prepared to be a good ‘lover’? While life may be dull, it is also complete…”

Li Wan’er glared at Xu Tingsheng with ‘aggrieved indignation’, feeling wronged and vexed too.

This guy who was actually only twenty years old was actually...right, he was just twenty, and so successful too. Would he really marry someone like her who was so much older than him, also having been married before? Was that possible?

Perhaps this was the only way she could stay by his side…

Li Wan’er felt pained, conflicted. She was not willing to accept such a status. This frail woman actually possessed great self-respect as well as self-love. Otherwise, it would not have been possible for her to soldier on despite such dire circumstances. If only she had given up on persisting, any problem could have been solved. She could have had anything.

But...she still could not stop thinking about him, could not bear to part with him.

His shamelessness, how rascally, caring and powerful he was, including how he had once made a move on her which had ultimately ended in failure...they all caused Li Wan’er to be unable to bear to part with him. Actually, she had already given up on resisting him that time, wasn’t it?

Seeing that Li Wan’er had suddenly turned quiet, Xu Tingsheng thought that she was thinking about her life in her future, or perhaps even about the past...he remained silent.

The air stewardess began serving the food. Xu Tingsheng was the first to select from the menu. Then, Li Wan’er chose the same option as him.

After Xu Tingsheng had finished eating all of a certain dish, Li Wan’er would silently pick up the same dish from her food using her chopsticks and put it on his plate. Despite him telling her ‘no need’ or ‘thank you’, she said nothing at all.

The current state of affairs between the two was that of calmness and quietness now. There had been episodes of shamelessness, joy and sorrow between them before, but actually never once such calmness and quietness.

After the meal, Li Wan’er took the initiative to strike up a conversation. Perhaps she was trying to probe deeper into things.

“In going to Italy, you...have some other matters to handle?”

Li Wan’er meant: Is there anything else besides sending me over?

Xu Tingsheng thought about it for a moment, deciding that there was no need to tell Li Wan’er about his business-related affairs as he said, “You can take it like I’m going on a tour.”

Li Wan’er felt that his words should probably be an excuse and a poor attempt in hiding things at that. What he likely meant was: Actually, I only came along to accompany you. I’m worried about you, so I wanted to go over there with you to help you to settle down.

Xu Tingsheng had mentioned going on a tour. If someone had really designated Italy as their tourist destination, Milan would actually not be the best choice for this.

Milan was more suited for shopping. There were too many places in Italy that were more worth seeing for tourists. For example, Firenze, or Florence. Xu Tingsheng preferred the former name more. Also, there were other great locations like Rome and Venice, or even Matera and Lucca.

Having lived in Italy for six years, Li Wan’er tried to understand where Xu Tingsheng’s interests in Italy lay so as to help him better plan his itinerary.

“What are your greatest impressions of Italy?”

“Probably football and <Life Is Beautiful>.”

“I once lived in a street similar to the one in the movie <Life Is Beautiful>. It’s a bit old but very beautiful. If it’s football, I think that there are two especially famous football teams in Milan City. I’ve passed by the stadiums before, but I’ve never ever been inside. Do you want to go there?”

“Let’s decide after we’ve arrived,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 292: First night in Milan

Xu Tingsheng leaned back against his seat and fell asleep.

When Xu Tingsheng awoke, his head was tilted to the side as the fragrance of a woman drifted into his nostrils. He found that he was resting on Li Wan’er’s shoulder and covered by a blanket.

Li Wan’er was a little shorter than Xu Tingsheng. In order to make it more comfortable for him, allowing him to sleep better, she had tried hard to straighten her entire upper body. Then, she had raised her shoulder and not moved an inch from that position…

Xu Tingsheng looked at his watch. He had slept for around three hours.

This meant that Li Wan’er had been maintaining this posture for a whole three hours.

Feeling rather awkward, Xu Tingsheng raised his head and touched the corners of his mouth...thankfully, he was not drooling.

“You’re awake?” Li Wan’er asked in a soft, gentle tone.

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Xu Tingsheng said, “You...you must be very tired? How about you sleep for a while too.”

With that, he moved away from her and sat upright, next tilting his body to the side and looking straight ahead. Finally, he patted his shoulder and covered it with a corner of the blanket.

Looking at his side profile, seeing him feign composure, Li Wan’er could not help but smile as she felt all sweet inside. She did not refuse him, instead making a soft affirmative noise. She wanted to lean on his shoulder for a while.

In the end…

Just having moved, Li Wan’er could not help but utter a delicate moan.

“What is it?”

“I...my body’s numb. Ahh, I can’t move...haha…”

Looking into each other’s eyes, the two chuckled softly just like that.

After a while, Li Wan’er regained control of her body. Silently, gently, she rested her head on Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder. The two remained silent...you lent me your shoulder for a while, now I’ll return the favour.

It was just that someone wanted this to end, while the other just could not bear for it to stop.

With a beauty by his side, in order to divert his attention, Xu Tingsheng again directed his gaze at an air stewardess even though he could only see her side profile. Then, he started estimating some specific data…

With this ‘research’ in mind, Xu Tingsheng watched on very carefully, concentrating hard.

He was finally interrupted by Li Wan’er who said softly even as she leaned against his shoulder, “You’re not allowed to look. I look better than her.”

Maybe too much courage had been needed to say this as when Xu Tingsheng looked over at her and their gazes met, Li Wan’er frantically shifted away, hiding her face beneath a blanket that she was tightly clutching.

“You do look good, exceptionally good,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “In all your years in Italy, there must have been quite a number of people pursuing you, right?”

“There, there were some,” Li Wan’er stuttered, “Still, I didn’t go outside very often. Our school was composed mainly of girls, and as for the guys...actually, many of them were like girls too. As for inside the workshops, they were generally all old men there.”

Here, she started smiling on her own.

“You were pursued by old men? ...You really shouldn’t consider them,” Xu Tingsheng thought about this for bit, “Actually, now that you’re free, you can already start thinking about this stuff.”

The two of them were on totally different wavelengths as any one sentence could be construed in totally different ways. After Xu Tingsheng had finished speaking, Li Wan’er lowered her head and made an affirmative noise in response.

“Those who pursued you-were they mainly foreign students or locals?” Xu Tingsheng continued asking.

“There was a little of both,” Li Wan’er answered.

“Well, Italian men seem exceptionally skilled in riling chicks.”

“Riling chicks?”

“...It means picking up chicks, or hitting on girls.”

“Oh. I guess you’re also very skilled in riling...chicks, right?”

There seemed to be no way that he could deny this, because the one who was asking him this was someone whom he had personally ‘riled’ before. To be precise, Li Wan’er was the very first as well as the one and only girl that Xu Tingsheng had taken the initiative to tease and rile ever since his rebirth, even though he had been doing so jokingly rather than seriously at the time.

Clearing his throat, Xu Tingsheng answered rather uncomfortably, “I used to be, back in the old days.”

Hearing a twenty-year-old boy talking emotionally about the ‘old days’ in a distant, reminiscing tone, Li Wan’er giggled as she leaned against Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, her teeth all exposed.

“You can think about it,” Xu Tingsheng continued, trying to dispel the awkwardness, “Italian men are usually very handsome, right? That’s basically what I get from watching football. A figure like the statue of David, deep blue eyes, curly hair…”

“There are also those like Pavarotti who are great. They easily bring along good fortune when they’re middle-aged.” Li Wan’er smiled.

Xu Tingsheng laughed, “Right, you should find a younger one then. Old bull eating tender grass.”

“A younger one? You...what, you’re calling me...an old bull?” Feeling angry as well as embarrassed, Li Wan’er bit Xu Tingsheng on the shoulder.

Li Wan’er did not fall asleep in the end or lean on Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder for too long. The two chatted for a while. After things had quietened, Li Wan’er retrieved a notebook from her bag and started flipping through it.

Xu Tingsheng took at a look at it. It was filled with fashion designs.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to quieten down and think about these,” Seeing that Xu Tingsheng was looking at her sketches, Li Wan’er explained, “Actually, besides my parents, this was the only thing in my life before. You once said that I went to Italy as a form of escapism. That’s true, but there was also another reason, which is this. Maybe because Dad ran a factory for clothing, I’ve loved fashion design ever since young. This is the only thing I was enraptured by before. They said that other than this, I didn’t even have a life. Maybe that’s really true, or I wouldn’t be so useless.”

Actually, realisation dawned on Xu Tingsheng now that he had heard about this aspect of her life. People who were enraptured by something were more prone to forgetting about the pain and troubles of life, being able to better acclimatise themselves and adapt to a calm, dull life…

Therefore, maybe returning to that environment and again devoting herself to her passions in this area, becoming relatively numb to everything else, would enable her to live on very well.

After all, there were even some prospects in this. Who knew, she might even strike it rich.

Of course, this did not mean that Li Wan’er should have continued running the factory in the first place. Businesses were very complicated entities. However great a designer Li Wan’er was, it would still be impossible for her to run a factory. This was determined by her personality and socialisation skills.

Considering this, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Can you earn money with this?”

“Huh?” A puzzled Li Wan’er asked, “I had a salary when I worked in my former teacher’s tailor workshop before. Once in a while, when some of my designs were bought or won some award at a competition, I would get some money from that as well.”

Xu Tingsheng felt more reassured with that as he exhaled slowly, “That’s good then. Right, have you won many awards before?”

“A couple. For example, this, and this...I didn’t enter this wedding dress at a competition, but it was bought by someone. Also, there’s this…”

Li Wan’er flipped through the notebook in her hand, pointing out the designs to Xu Tingsheng.

She flipped to a wedding dress at the end. Xu Tingsheng found it to be very special and very nice, but it was only this that she did not explain and made no mention of. After reaching that page, she paused for a moment before quickly closing the notebook.

Taking the notebook, Xu Tingsheng asked as he flipped through it, “What material is this made of? Why don’t you use…If this collar is a little wider and sloped...How about adding a few folds and pleating this? This trouser pant, this skirt hemline, this shoulder, this collar...have you ever considered using another colour for this article of clothing…”

Tilting her head towards Xu Tingsheng who was currently gesticulating about wildly, Li Wan’er was left dumbfounded as she gaped at him.

“I don’t really get everything you’re saying right now, but...you’re familiar with fashion design?”

“Huh?”

Xu Tingsheng thought: The heck I’m familiar with it. Even my own clothes are the simplest kind that’ll never change in a hundred years.

Actually, he had just been momentarily filled with enthusiasm after seeing those designs. Xiang Ning had liked looking at fashion magazines from time to time in his previous life. To quote her, although she couldn’t afford them, the Paris Fashion Week and whatnot were still things that she needed to feign having done some research into…

Xu Tingsheng thought that the clothing in the Fashion Week was very ugly, the kind with very little fabric in it aside.

Still, when Xiang Ning had been reading the magazines while resting in his embrace, sharing her insights with him, while his attention had mainly been on those models, he had inevitably still seen a little and noted down some special details.

His earlier words had been him describing his rather indistinct impressions of that in an even more haphazard manner.

It was different for the listener, Li Wan’er. Having been captivated by fashion design for so many years, she was able to grasp many striking points from Xu Tingsheng’s words. A man might not feel much regarding changes in fashion trends of over seven to eight years, but for women...it wasn’t difficult at all for clothes to go out of season and out of fashion…

These changes might not be so obvious and immediate. As a whole, though, the clothing from those Fashion Weeks that Xu Tingsheng felt to be very ugly represented the progressing times.

Therefore, when Xu Tingsheng shamelessly said ‘I know a little about it’, Li Wan’er believed his words without question.

In the time that remained, Xu Tingsheng described and Li Wan’er drew. Xu Tingsheng would take a look at the finished sketch and point out the incongruent parts. Li Wan’er would draw again, changing the minute details…

One page after another just like this...

Seeing Li Wan’er’s enraptured, focused state as well as irrepressible joy and excitement, Xu Tingsheng felt a sense of accomplishment…

Actually, Xu Tingsheng’s memories were very blurry and his descriptions even worse. Many things had to be interpreted and expanded on by Li Wan’er herself. Not understanding much about it anyway, not being confident, Xu Tingsheng simply went along with what she grasped.

…...

The plane landed at Milan Linate Airport.

Xu Tingsheng got onto a taxi with Li Wan’er. More than an hour later, they arrived at the place where she had lived before. Just as she had said, despite being a bit old, it was very beautiful as there were slopes like those in Life Is Beautiful where one could ride their bicycles and just zoom all the way down.

“I paid the rent for this place for quite a long time. Because I was in a rush going back, I didn’t have time to un-rent it.”

Li Wan’er opened the door to the apartment. There were only two tiny rooms. The sights of a bustling city could not be seen from the window as there was only the tall spire of a church in the distance as well as old walls carved of stone…

This place was very suitable for her.

LI Wan’er was rather flustered as after opening the windows and turning on the lights, she put her things in order while saying awkwardly, “I was in a rush going back, so it’s very messy. Sit down for a while. I’ll tidy up.”

Actually, the room was very neat aside from some gathered dust. If one were to say that it was messy, the only thing that was messy were all those fabrics and designs lying around...this was actually a very beautiful kind of messy, just like visiting and viewing the workshop of a sculptor.

“You don’t have to tidy up,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Li Wan’er said, “It’s fine. I’ll be fast. I’m not tired.”

“It’s not that,” Xu Tingsheng said, “We should both stay at a hotel tonight. You go look for a new apartment tomorrow. You’ve gotta move house.”

“Huh?”

“Does anyone in Shenghai know your residential address here?”

“Yes, my cousin and a few others send things over to me.”

“I’m afraid that someone with malicious intentions might learn about this address,” Looking at Li Wan’er’s expression, Xu Tingsheng frowned as he continued, “So, you should still go elsewhere to stay. You look for a place tomorrow morning and then pack up your stuff. I’ll come over to help you with your move.”

Li Wan’er thought about it for a moment before saying, “Okay.”

“Let’s now go look for a hotel first then.”

On this first night in Milan, Xu Tingsheng went nowhere in this city that many aspired towards. He lay down alone on the bed in his hotel room. Perhaps it was because he had already slept on the plane and the time difference too, but he just could not fall asleep.

Soon, he would be able to return a person’s fate to her own hands.

Chapter 293: I never thought you were such a Xu Tingsheng

Actually, Li Wan’er was finding it even more difficult to fall asleep that night.

Logically speaking, with the many things that had happened over this period of time that had left her fatigued in both body and soul, also having not slept throughout the long distance flight, she should be feeling very tired and exhausted. Still, there was something on her mind, this matter also being one that she felt so very conflicted about…

Li Wan’er tossed and turned beneath her blanket for a while but was just unable to fall asleep no matter what. In the end, she got out of bed to do some yoga…

She stretched her body and moderated her breathing, relaxing her nerves…

Li Wan’er had been practising yoga for over a decade. Whenever she had been feeling lonely or troubled in the past, she had always been able to obtain some peace and relaxation from it. Yet, she was just unable to calm herself down that night.

“Since I can’t control it and stop myself from thinking about it, I might as well think deeply into it, think properly about it, think thoroughly regarding it. What’s there to fear?!”

Li Wan’er clenched her teeth resolutely, sitting on the bed as she hugged her knees…

All the scenes that had happened between them thus far played out a good number of times in her head. That flippant hoodlum, that cold-hearted, full-of-himself young magnate…

The two faces flickered intermittently in her mind.

As she thought about it, she would feel sweetness, shyness, helplessness. Thinking more about it, she then felt vexed, real vexation as she was angered to the point of grinding her teeth.

“Why does he have to bully me so?!!”

“I...what do I do...really be his lover? No, no, definitely not.”

“Twenty years old, and you’re already this bad. In the future…”

As she thought about it, led by some scenes, Li Wan’er’s mind drifted off in the wrong trajectory.

With her 31-year-old body, some things that had never happened over the years could just be ignored. But, last time...Li Wan’er’s body tensed up and shivered as she seemed able to feel that pair of hands again. She also saw her fingers undoing those buttons one by one, heard those words she had said…

She inadvertently spied that wooden hairpin on the nightstand.

Li Wan’er remembered full well that she had been wearing it at the time. The reason she had worn it then was to guard against him. In the end…

“If I had known that things would turn out like this, I should have pricked him a few times then.”

Perhaps because of her guilty conscience, every time footsteps sounded in the corridor outside, however faint they were, Li Wan’er would feel panicked and distressed, her heart racing quickly.

The footsteps this time were especially clear. Li Wan’er patted her chest and inhaled deeply, putting on her jacket as she prepared to look reserved and stern, putting on a cold front…

“If he dares to come over, I must definitely not appear pleased.”

Yet, the doorbell did not sound in the end.

Li Wan’er huddled against the door and listened for a while before gazing through the peephole, “Could it be that he’s gone back? That’s good then…”

The footsteps were still audible, just that they were becoming increasingly distant.

Momentarily overtaken by rashness, Li Wan’er opened the door. In the distance, a waiter was currently pushing the food trolley into the lift.

She gazed over at that room door. It was tightly closed.

……

The next day, Li Wan’er who had only fallen asleep with much difficulty the previous night slept till very late.

After waiting for a while, Xu Tingsheng had no choice but to press the doorbell and wake her up.

Rather flustered, her hair strewn messily all about, Li Wan’er blearily opened the door, forgetting even that she ‘had to put on a cold front’. Luckily, Xu Tingsheng showed no intention of entering.

Seeing this rare dishevelled, indolent side of hers, Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Both our meals were on the plane yesterday. I thought that you should be hungry. Also, I still have stuff to do today. Seeing that breakfast time is nearly over already, I had no choice but to come wake you up.”

“Right,” Li Wan’er nodded dazedly, still seeming half-asleep.

“You didn’t sleep well last night?” Xu Tingsheng enquired.

“No, no, I did. I fell asleep rather early,” Li Wan’er hastily lied, “Give me a moment. I’ll be quick.”

From the perspective of the lofty connoisseurs known as the Chinese, Italian breakfasts were truly comparatively dull. There was only coffee and various types of croissants, pitiful to the point that there wasn’t even a small bowl of porridge.

Speaking of eating, those of the Heavenly Dynasty aren’t targeting anyone specifically. Everyone, whether present or not, is trash.

The Americans who are enamoured with beef and burgers.

The British who are enamoured with potatoes.

The Koreans who are enamoured with Kimchi.

The…

They are all trash.

Actually, just speaking of food alone, France aside, there was still Italy amongst Western countries that could still barely be considered acceptable. Still, one could not compare it with China. Once you did, it was also trash. Pancakes, spaghetti, and also biscuits with fillings on the outside-pizza-that was its full content.

Fortunately, Xu Tingsheng was hungry, and Li Wan’er too.

The two wolfed down the food like there was no tomorrow.

During this time, Xu Tingsheng did mention one thing, “Bread should be coupled with soya milk! What’s with the coffee?”

But, frowning, he still ate anyway, alternating between a mouthful of coffee and a bite of bread.

Seeing him this way, Li Wan’er vaguely felt that he was very adorable. Then, her mind suddenly skipped far ahead to one morning in the future, on which the two of them were eating breakfast together. Perhaps this would not happen often, for one would be in Milan, and the other China. Still...there would be such moments between them, at least.

“Might there be...three of us? If there was a child to accompany me, maybe…” Just after this thought arose in Li Wan’er’s mind, she quickly suppressed it, feeling greatly panicked as she feared that she might commit a wrong due to an unjustified sentiment.

“I’ll make breakfast for you in the fu...I, I mean tomorrow,” Li Wan’er stammered as she hastily caught herself.

“You’ve got to hurry up and find a house then. Let’s try to get you moved in today,” Not having noticed anything at all, Xu Tingsheng said easily, “You’re more familiar with this place than I am. I won’t accompany you in finding a house later this morning. After you’ve found one, go back on your own and pack up your stuff. I’ll come over to help you move in the afternoon after I’m done with my affairs.”

Li Wan’er asked rather astonishedly, “You have...some affairs to handle in Milan?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “Right, some business-related affairs. I’ll be contacting two construction materials companies later.”

Li Wan’er looked at Xu Tingsheng. He was wearing a suit today...the one she had personally made. She had sewed it, stitched it herself.

“So he’s going to discuss business. I even thought that he’s deliberately wearing it for me, deliberately…evoking my memories…”

Li Wan’er thought for a moment before standing up and helping Xu Tingsheng to adjust his tie from across the table even as she said, “Let me accompany you there then. You aren’t familiar with this place and also can’t speak Italian. Also, I can accompany you to look at the stadiums. Finding a house won’t take long; I already contacted my classmates over here last night. They will be helping me to search for one.”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “It’s okay. We should still go about it separately. Let’s meet again in the afternoon. Actually, I came to Milan before and also visited the stadiums before. Also, the bosses of these two companies speak English...um, they should already be speaking it by now.”

Xu Tingsheng had already done some thorough research on these two construction materials companies before coming over. It was basically no different from what he understood from his previous life. Still, thinking about it now, there was still one thing he could not be certain of-had those two Italian dudes already learnt their lousy English at this time?

If there was really no way around it, they could just find a translator. Look, this ‘unfamiliar old friend’ is still helping to look after your businesses so many years ‘back’, also not forcing you guys to learn Chinese. Considerate enough, eh?

Xu Tingsheng suddenly thought of Zhang Fengping. He could speak Italian, just one word. Acclamazioni! Drink up!

In terms of alcohol capacity, he could take down a whole table of Italian dudes all by himself.

Thinking about Zhang Fengping, Xu Tingsheng recalled those days of his previous life, from when they had started out in high spirits to ultimately ending up tragically with nothing at all.

In his previous life, the three had partnered up to start up a construction materials import company, basically relying on the relationship of Zheng Fengping’s family with a certain construction corporation. Therefore, though the company was small, they had been rather high-end as they had been able to associate with various people and matters. They were the kind people would ask about, thinking at first that these three people must be really something.

“Italy, Germany, France...the whole of Europe, no matter...the construction materials will come in with Xiao Jian’s ships, saving a sizeable portion of the transportation fees, hence ensuring lower prices...right, yes, the deposit amount must be a little higher.”

This was what Zhang Fengping would say to everyone he met then.

Xu Tingsheng had visited quite a few countries during that time.

He had come to Italy twice before. Those two cunning yet soft Italians were actually not all that hard to deal with. Xu Tingsheng was aware of their bottom lines as well as habitual practices, including the problem that existed now...he could make use of their desire to break into the Chinese market considering their limited channels for doing so now and properly exert some pressure on them…

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng was actually very confident of succeeding this time.

As for the issue of transportation, Xu Tingsheng had already discussed it with Ye Qing. They would just have to make use of whatever available space was in the main ports, jostling with those long-distance voyaging ships.

Hearing that Xu Tingsheng had come to Milan before, a surprised Li Wan’er asked about this.

“Twice?” Li Wan’er’s eyes were bright with excitement, “Hey, maybe we’ve even brushed past each other on the streets of Milan before. Yeah, that might really have happened.”

Hearing her words, Xu Tingsheng’s mind wavered somewhat. Li Wan’er thought that his ‘before’ referred to before the year 2004, whereas he really had no way of asking: Were you still in Milan back in 2011 and 2012?

Even Li Wan’er herself could not possibly have foreknowledge of this.

How had her fate ultimately been in his previous life? Without him there, had she managed to surpass that tribulation? If so, how had she managed to do it?

If she had still been in Milan then, what kind of life might she have been living?...

Also, might it really have been that coincidental, with the two of them having inadvertently brushed past each other in his previous life before?

A woman living a quiet life in Milan, an ordinary youth working hard for a living. Maybe at some point in time, she had been wearing a beige windbreaker, carrying a brown paper bag with a few loaves of French bread, while his head had been lowered as he haggled over business issues on the phone. They had been at the same road in Milan City, perhaps standing across from each other at some traffic junction or zebra crossing.

Maybe when the light had been red, the two had just happened to be looking across the street, seeing others rather than each other. Then, as the lights turned green, they had crossed paths in a hurry.

Maybe Xu Tingsheng had actually glanced randomly at her as they passed, but had forgotten.

This sort of feeling was actually very subtly profound. Take for example some girl that you fell in love at first sight with in senior high or university. Actually, she could have been in the exact same train cabin as you before. You even walked past her then. Maybe there was once when you got off a roller coaster at an amusement park and she was actually just in the queue on the opposite side.

Wondering if the two had ever met on the streets of the ‘future’ Milan...

This sort of thing seemed miraculous yet without significance, causing Xu Tingsheng to smile as he thought about it.

“Who knows?” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “There are plenty of Chinese in Milan. Therefore, even if we were on the same street and walked by each other, we still might not notice each other, right? Already being overseas, I definitely would be looking mainly at Western chicks.”

Li Wan’er automatically overlooked that joke of Xu Tingsheng’s at the end, concentrating and thinking for a moment before she said, “But we still met in the end, at Angelo’s tailor workshop for the first ever suit of your life...that was also the first time I went to Mister Angelo’s workshop in Shenghai...everything afterwards too, it feels miraculous just thinking about it. Sometimes, I think that this may be fate.”

After saying so, perhaps to hide her awkwardness, Li Wan’er smiled, as if she had actually just been joking.

Actually, Li Wan’er was not merely saying this to Xu Tingsheng. She had also been saying this for her own sake. She was unconsciously trying to explain things to herself, maybe even trying to convince herself, though even she herself might not have realised this.

Xu Tingsheng did not think this way. To him, everything that was destined, that he was beholden to by fate, should have occurred or at least appeared in his previous life, even if it had been in a different form or state.

The him of this life was fundamentally moving against fate, resembling the battle of a caged beast as he continually worked to break through the fate that had originally been his...in that case, could such an encounter still be considered fate? An accident, more like.

“What is it?” Seeing that Xu Tingsheng looked out of it, Li Wan’er asked.

Xu Tingsheng snapped out of his reverie, saying, “It’s nothing. Thinking back on it now, I think that we shouldn’t have met before.”

Li Wan’er asked, “You’re still thinking about that? Actually, it was just a passing thought. I was just curious.”

“I’ll stop thinking about it then,” Xu Tingsheng stood up and asked, “Are you full? When you’re done eating, we can set off individually then.”

“Yeah, I’m full,” Li Wan’er stood up as well, “Well, I still think I should accompany you. Things aren’t that urgent for me...I’m surely more familiar with Milan than you. If you want to discuss business, how about I go as your assistant?”

Now, Li Wan’er looked at the clothes she was wearing, “Just give me a moment. I’ll go up and change to some younger clothes.”

“There’s really no need to. It’s fine, how you’re dressed,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Still, how come your side’s not urgent? You should be feeling urgent. If things are successful over on my side, I may be leaving Milan tomorrow afternoon or evening.”

“Tomorrow? You’re leaving tomorrow?”

Li Wan’er had not asked about Xu Tingsheng’s schedule and intentions at all. In her own mind, she was still considering where she might bring him to have fun, yet he...was leaving so soon?

Li Wan’er felt as if her heart was being mightily wrenched as that feeling of completely losing everything appeared and overwhelmed her. Even her voice had momentarily changed at this.

“Right, so it’ll only be one day. Don’t let it go to waste,” Xu Tingsheng did not notice anything as he simply smiled.

After saying so, Xu Tingsheng turned and left the table, walking towards the doorway. Li Wan’er stood there in a daze as she did not follow after him.

“It’ll only be one day. Don’t let it go to waste.”

As Li Wan’er ruminated on these words, that heart-wrenching feeling from earlier was gone as it was replaced by another feeling, a very complicated feeling. First, she felt reassured, heaving a sigh of relief as she felt rather fortunate. Then, this was replaced by anger and embarrassment.

“Is he forcing me? One day...to make my decision. Either I agree to what he says, accepting the fullness in dullness, also adopting a good mindset with joy even in suffering...or I refuse, and he leaves tomorrow, and we possibly never ever meet again.”

“He’s only twenty...so direct, domineering and forceful...so audacious...so hasty…”

“Is he really that confident? ...Fully assured of victory? ...Just knowing that I’ll definitely be unable to bear to part with him? …”

After reaching the door, Xu Tingsheng finally realised that Li Wan’er was not following him.

Returning to the table where they had eaten, seeing her still in a daze, he jumped in front of her just like how one would usually startle a close friend and joked, “Hey...what’s with you? What’re you all zoned out for?”

Li Wan’er leapt up in fright, her body shaking as she snapped out of it. She saw Xu Tingsheng who was currently smiling relaxedly at her. “He’s so relaxed? Does he think that he’s won for sure or is he just indifferent?”

With tears in her eyes, the 31-year-old Li Wan’er sniffed, “I’m fine. I just never thought that you...were like this…”

Xu Tingsheng could not understand what she was saying at all. Still, seeing the tears welling up in her eyes, he pointed at himself rather hesitantly, “I...what is it? What have I done wrong now?”

“Nothing,” Li Wan’er insisted stubbornly following a moment’s hesitation, “Anyway, I’ve got it. One day...I’ll be off finding a flat and packing up my things. You go handle your matters too.”

With that, Li Wan’er directly brushed past Xu Tingsheng and left.

Left there all alone, Xu Tingsheng just could not get his head around it, “Never thought that I’m like what? Never thought that I am such a Xu Tingsheng? …This phrase doesn’t seem to have become popular yet.”

Chapter 294: I never thought you were such an Inzaghi

The existence of the Mafia and the widespread popularity of two <The Godfather> movies had led to a fierce impression of the Italians for many. Actually, excluding the region of Sicily, most Italians were very easy to deal with.

During WWII, the allied forces had had it so easy capturing the Italian troops that it had felt numb, not possessing the joy and relish of victory at all.

They would even walk obediently into their POW camps and clearly report their own numbers.

As POWs in the North Africa battlefront, few soldiers had been needed to guard them. Of course, with such low vigilance, they had actually started an uprising inside a POW camp before, even having successfully escaped.

After escaping, the thousands of Italian POWs had run for a few dozen kilometres before, without being subject to any threat at all...joining another POW camp of their own volition.

Apparently, they had staged an uprising and fled only because they had heard that there was spaghetti to be had in this nearby POW camp, but none at their own...they had wanted to find someplace to stay in with better perks for them.

Be thankful to the Italians, for if not for Germany having such incompetent teammates, it would probably have been much harder for the allied troops to beat Hitler during WWII.

Xu Tingsheng found the address based on the Italian words that he had copied down on paper before smoothly and comfortably dealing with those two Italian dudes whom he was extremely familiar with, offering them some rigorous conditions precisely at their bottom lines and giving them time to consider things.

To the current them, breaking into the Chinese market was far more important than the current profit at hand.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng knew that they would definitely agree to the proposed conditions before he left the next day.

In order to exert pressure on them, Xu Tingsheng even deliberately got their people to bring him over to buy plane tickets to France for the very next day.

When Xu Tingsheng found Li Wan’er, she was already beginning to move her belongings on her own, her face stubborn as she ignored him and concentrated on moving her things downstairs…

Actually, Xu Tingsheng still didn’t understand at all how he had offended her.

Seeing that there seemed to be no way of asking about it now, Xu Tingsheng could only quieten down and diligently help to move her other stuff.

The new residence that Li Wan’er had found was not far away. It had virtually the same kind of architecture and rooms as it was in the exact same district, only two streets away.

Some people did not like having too much change in their lives. Li Wan’er was such a person.

Feeling rather worried about this, Xu Tingsheng inquired a number of times before Li Wan’er finally explained to him that after moving over, her route to both the tailor workshop and her school would have changed. If someone really did come, it would be impossible for them to intercept her on those streets that she used to walk.

Only then did Xu Tingsheng feel reassured.

Having stayed in Italy for six years, Li Wan’er had accumulated quite a number of things, especially fabrics and sketches. The two painstakingly moved these for nearly the entire afternoon.

When the last thing was set in an appropriate location, Li Wan’er told Xu Tingsheng that she had already contacted her teacher and would be resuming the work she had previously done.

If one were to say that settling Li Wan’er down in Milan was the timing that Xu Tingsheng had given himself to say farewell, now was actually the time.

There was no need to wait for tomorrow.

The room was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Exhausted as they lay flopped back on the sofa, the two were both hesitating on how to speak up.

Xu Tingsheng said, “I…”

Li Wan’er sucked in a deep breath before exhaling, saying rather unnaturally, “Let’s have dinner together. After that, I’ll bring you around Milan...as for what remains, that can come afterwards.”

This time, it was Xu Tingsheng who misunderstood. He thought that Li Wan’er already knew that he was going to leave, understood what he was going to say.

After a moment’s hesitation, Xu Tingsheng said, “Alright.”

<The Last Supper> was kept at Milan’s Santa Maria Delle Grazie.

Li Wan’er brought Xu Tingsheng over to a restaurant not far away from the church.

Finally, Xu Tingsheng discovered that Italian cuisine was actually pretty good…

Seeing his constant amazed sighs as he ate, Li Wan’er could not help but ask him rather curiously, “Haven’t you ever eaten at a better restaurant over here before?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “The main thing is that I don’t understand the menu.”

“What did you eat when you came to Italy before then?”

“McDonalds. That was what I ate for lunch just now.”

“...I’m thinking, what about if you went to France?”

“I went there before. Again, McDonalds.”

Here face having been gloomy that entire day, Li Wan’er finally laughed.

After dinner, Li Wan’er brought Xu Tingsheng in walking the flourishing streets of Milan. This might be the place in which she would be spending the rest of her life. She might still be here when she was forty, when she had turned old, yet she did not know if he would still be coming.

Just like most big cities, there were many tall buildings in the streets of Milan.

What was fortunate was that most of the buildings there were still built of stone. Coupled with the intricate furnishings, they still emanated an air of nobility and grandeur.

What truly let Italy live up to the name of the Renaissance was actually the churches. Having taught about it numerous times in class before in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng was greatly interested in this as he very much wanted to enter.

Yet, Li Wan’er who clearly had a copy of the Bible at home just refused to go in no matter what.

Xu Tingsheng was very bemused by this.

He asked about it, but Li Wan’er said nothing.

As he asked about it again, Li Wan’er said coldly, “I still don’t know if I will have to confess now.”

Then, Xu Tingsheng felt even more bemused.

The two walked for more than an hour and arrived at the famous Via Monte Napoleone street.

The architecture of Via Monte Napoleone was comparatively lower in height as the roads were narrower as well. Still, it was very beautiful as treading on the stone pavement, it felt as though one was walking in an elegant little street.

Of course, its greatest distinguishing feature was actually that it was expensive, very expensive.

The top fashion brands of the entire world were mostly all gathered here. In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had hastily come over here once and confirmed that he was indeed very poor before going back empty-handed.

Now, he discovered that he was actually still too poor.

Of course, he was actually much better off than he had been the last time. If he was willing to bear the pinch, he would surely be able to bring back some high-end goods from Milan for his family and friends. Still, Xu Tingsheng did not plan on buying anything this time. He would still be overseas for a few days longer and did not wish to travel around with such heavy luggage.

Li Wan’er stubbornly insisted on buying a suit for Xu Tingsheng in the Armani store. After wearing it, Xu Tingsheng said ‘The one you made still seems better’, and only then did Li Wan’er no longer insist.

At that moment, she had originally been going to say, “I’ll make a few more for you then.”

Yet, thinking about what these words entailed, Li Wan’er stopped herself from saying it.

…..

That night, Xu Tingsheng who had not been in very high spirits in the first place was made even more despondent by Li Wan’er’s strange mood. The two were silent throughout till he saw a car parking outside a high-end restaurant with someone getting off from it.

“The heck...Inzaghi! The heck…” Xu Tingsheng muttered to himself.

He was slightly dazed for a time before he excitedly yelled ‘Pippo, Pippo, Super Pippo…” at the top of his lungs while dashing over towards the entrance of the restaurant…

Inzaghi turned and glanced over before he smiled and entered the restaurant.

Xu Tingsheng was blocked by the burly attendant stationed at the entrance.

Whatever Xu Tingsheng said and gestured, the man would just point at his ears, smiling as he shook his head.

A panting Li Wan’er hurried over, putting a hand on Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, “What’s with you?”

“Inzaghi...have you heard of him?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Li Wan’er shook her head.

“...He’s actually living in Milan,” Xu Tingsheng sighed before surveying the area and pointing at a large advertisement on some tall building that portrayed Inzaghi, “That’s him. I really like him.”

“A football star?” Having asked Xu Tingsheng previously, Li Wan’er knew that a sizeable part of his impressions of Italy came from football.

“Right, a football superstar. An idol of mine.”

“...I say, why do you seem just like a little kid? Then now, you…”

“I want his autograph. Taking a photo together would be even better. So, can we go in and eat some more?”

Looking at Xu Tingsheng who suddenly seemed so childish, Li Wan’er could not help but smile rather dotingly as she turned and said a whole bunch of Italian to the attendant at the entrance...

“How is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked frantically.

Li Wan’er shook his head, “He says that you won’t be able to find that Inzaghi even if you go in. Also, the restaurant won’t allow other customers to interrupt his meal. That would be very rude.”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it for a moment, “I’ll wait here for a while then. All that walking was tiring, anyway. I’ll take it like I’m resting.”

“I’ll accompany you then,” Li Wan’er said.

The two found a bench and sat down a short distance away from the restaurant. They chatted as they waited on the bustling streets of Milan.

Perhaps what had just transpired with Xu Tingsheng’s childishness had alleviated much of Li Wan’er’s heavy mood and conflicted feelings as her mood had eased greatly, her eyes which were on Xu Tingsheng bearing a greater glow.

“I didn’t think that you would chase idols too. It felt very childish, not like you at all,” Li Wan’er smiled.

“It isn’t the same,” Xu Tingsheng explained, “Inzaghi and Henry, the main significance of these people for me, more than me liking their football, is actually that they are those who walk with me in the memories of my youth. When they get old and retire from football...that is also the time when I say goodbye to youth.”

In his excitement, Xu Tingsheng had actually let some things slip. Fortunately, these words could similarly be construed as him talking about the future.

Li Wan’er did not notice anything unusual as she smiled, “But you’re only twenty.”

Xu Tingsheng awoke with a start as he realised that there truly seemed to be no need for him to feel emotional at his departed youth. Twenty years old. He was currently at the peak of his youth, while Inzaghi and Henry were also running rampant in football just like before…

“When the time comes for me to bid my youth farewell again, how will I be then?” Xu Tingsheng wondered.

Li Wan’er interrupted his thoughts, “Do you play football too?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Yes, I do.”

Li Wan’er asked, “Are you good?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Of course.”

In order to prove that he really was good, Xu Tingsheng enthusiastically narrated to Li Wan’er his performance in Yanzhou University’s match against Jianhai Technological University, how mightily he had turned the tides with his own power. Hearing him endlessly chattering on in praising himself to the high heavens, seeing how triumphant and full of himself he looked…

Li Wan’er seemed to again be looking at that ‘hoodlum’ whom she found so difficult to forget, just him, that unreliable fella who was in no way at all related to a successful young magnate.

This ‘hoodlum’ was the Xu Tingsheng that Li Wan’er was truly unable to forget and unwilling to part with.

Because of this, when Xu Tingsheng suddenly discovered that he actually didn’t have anything for Inzaghi to sign and a pen too, Li Wan’er proposed, “I’ll buy these for you...relax, I’m very familiar with this place. And I know Italian too, so it’d be more convenient to ask around.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment. It seemed that this was indeed the only method currently available to him. He still had to stay here and keep a lookout.

“Okay then. Help me to buy a pen for the autograph and also a Milan jersey with the red and black stripes, No.9. Just look around nearby. Never mind if you can’t find it, don’t go too far.”

Xu Tingsheng described the jersey he wanted to Li Wan’er before giving her some instructions.

Carefully listening to his words, Li Wan’er then got up, “Got it. Relax, I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

Seeing her hurrying off into the distant crowd, looking at her back profile and her footsteps, Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt that this wasn’t Li Wan’er. How was this like the 31-year-old Li Wan’er!

While Li Wan’er had said that she would be back in a jiffy, she was actually gone for quite some time.

Fortunately, right when Xu Tingsheng spied Inzaghi walking over through the glass door, Li Wan’er just happened to return, huffing and puffing as she stopped to catch her breath.

“Am, am I still in time?”

Li Wan’er breathlessly asked Xu Tingsheng as she handed him a pen and a paper bag.

“Yep, just in time. Thank you.”

Xu Tingsheng uncapped the pen and took out the jersey.

Then, he was stunned silly.

Yes, it was a jersey, it was No.9, it was striped. Yet, it was not red and black, but blue and black. This was not the No.9 jersey of AC Milan’s Inzaghi. It was the No.9 jersey of Inter Milan’s...Cruz.

Xu Tingsheng would actually be happy to have a jersey of Cruz’s. He didn’t have any specific leanings towards either of these two diehard rival football teams from Milan. His first football jersey had been an Inter Milan one, whereas he also liked AC Milan’s Inzaghi, Luiz, Costa...

The problem now was that even if Xu Tingsheng didn’t mind, it did not mean that Inzaghi wouldn’t mind. It would be impossible for Xu Tingsheng to hand him a jersey of his team’s diehard rival to sign, and it would also be impossible to think that he might actually sign this.

“What is it?” Seeing that Xu Tingsheng appeared slightly dazed, Li Wan’er asked.

In this already cold weather, her face was filled with sweat. Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt that he had really been a little too childish as he extended a hand to help her wipe it off. She retreated half a step back, evading this motion.

“It’s nothing,” Xu Tingsheng said rather awkwardly as he did not explain things to Li Wan’er.

She did not know anything about football in the first place, not knowing who Inzaghi was and which football team he was from. Although Xu Tingsheng had described it to her, perhaps she had really been unable to find a store selling AC Milan jerseys in the vicinity and had also been too frantic to think properly.

Perhaps she had asked about it from bystanders and been hoodwinked by some ‘Nerazzurri’...

“Did I buy the wrong one?” Li Wan’er asked.

“No, it’s the right one,” Xu Tingsheng firmly denied, shaking his head.

He did not wish for her to blame herself. At this point, it seemed like he should be the one blaming himself.

As Inzaghi left the restaurant, the fans gathered at the door surged over, shouting ‘Pippo, Pippo’ as they held out their notebooks and pens. Inzaghi smiled apologetically, just waving to them as he walked towards his car that was parked not far away.

He did not sign any of those notebooks at all.

Xu Tingsheng thought that he might as well just ask Inzaghi to sign the shirt that he was currently wearing. Still, Inzaghi might be in a rush to go on a date or something today as he seemed to have no intention of signing any autographs for his fans at all. Pippo was almost as famous for his romantic habits as the goals he scored.

On seeing this, Xu Tingsheng gave up on getting his autograph.

In actual fact, he had actually just been overcome by recklessness earlier. For football players and celebrities, however much he liked them, he would actually not be that crazed considering his mental age...watching the football player play football, listening to the singer sing his songs, contributing to the box office for those who acted in movies-that was already enough.

He just stood there, not moving an inch.

“Is that him? That...Inzaghi, Pippo?” Seeing that Xu Tingsheng was not moving, Li Wan’er asked.

“That’s right,” Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“Why’re you not going over then?”

“He doesn’t appear to have any intention of doing autographs today. Look, so many people and he hasn’t signed even one. It isn’t that important, actually. It was just a spur of the moment thing for me,” Xu Tingsheng said, pointing at the football fans who were now in the midst of dispersing helplessly.

Li Wan’er said, “We should still try. I know Italian. I’ll help you try.”

With that, she took the pen and jersey that Xu Tingsheng was holding, running over towards Inzaghi who had already opened the door of his car. She first yelled ‘Pippo’ like Xu Tingsheng had earlier before uttering some words in Italian.

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, “Lucky that he doesn’t intend to sign autographs today. Otherwise, he’d surely be angered to death by that Inter Milan jersey.”

With that in mind, Xu Tingsheng did not call for Li Wan’er to stop as he just followed after her.

Then...inconceivably, Inzaghi who had already opened the car door stopped. Looking at his gradually dispersing fans as well as Li Wan’er who was standing a short distance away, he stopped in a very gentlemanly manner, smiled and nodded...before walking over to her.

The two conversed a little in Italian.

Xu Tingsheng saw Inzaghi receiving the pen from Li Wan’er…

Then, receiving the jersey, he clearly received a shock as he looked flabbergasted.

The two conversed some more in Italian.

“It doesn’t look like they’re arguing. It should be fine,” Xu Tingsheng thought, feeling a little like laughing.

Moments later, a scene which Xu Tingsheng would never have expected to see even in his wildest dreams played out. Inzaghi was looking left and right even as he signed on that Inter Milan jersey. This was a jersey of his rival team!

After signing his autograph, with a guilty conscience, Inzaghi vigilantly returned the jersey that was scrunched up into a ball and that pen to Li Wan’er. The two exchanged a few more words.

Then, he got on his car, waved and left.

“Did I buy the wrong jersey?” This was the first thing that Li Wan’er asked as she returned to Xu Tingsheng’s side.

“What, so you know?” Seeing Inzaghi’s autograph on an Inter Milan jersey, Xu Tingsheng didn’t know whether he should laugh or cry.

“He said so himself. He said that this is the jersey of an opposing team. He can help me to sign it, but he told me that I definitely can’t let anyone else see it.”

Xu Tingsheng began smiling, “He was telling the truth. You really can’t let anyone see this. This matter, how do I put it-it’s too inconceivable. He actually did sign it. Huh, what did you tell him?”

“I said that I come from the distant China. This may be the only chance I get to meet him,” Li Wan’er said.

“He’s a pretty good person then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Li Wan’er shook her head.

“What?”

Li Wan’e revealed a despondent expression, “After signing his autograph, he asked for my number...but I didn’t give it. I gave him my China number. He won’t be able to contact me.”

Xu Tingsheng did not know whether he should laugh or cry as he looked at the car as it vanished into the distance…

“I never thought you were such an Inzaghi. Hey, you really even signed that, even a jersey of your diehard city rivals. Your sister! No wonder there are reports on how much of a playboy you are in the news every other day.”

“This fella’s a real playboy. If you happen to meet him the next time, remember to stay far away,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Li Wan’er nodded earnestly, replying, “Yeah, okay.”

Chapter 295: Warmness come in the normalest places

The top commercial districts of Milan seemed to have been made for showing off and enjoyment as they lacked the vibe of normal living.

As Li Wan’er was about to take Xu Tingsheng along in continuing down that street, he asked her if there really wasn’t any district there in which people usually lived. Li Wan’er said that of course there was, and did he want to go see it?

Xu Tingsheng said, “I want to see you all settled down. After you’re settled down, I’ll be leaving.”

Li Wan’er was silent for a while before she looked up and sniffed, “You’re not allowed to pretend to be good to me. Hey, let me link my arm in yours. I’ve been thinking about this the whole night. I feel that I shouldn’t look like an auntie, at least.”

With that, she linked her arm through Xu Tingsheng’s, holding onto it tightly.

“How could you possibly look like an auntie?” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “You’re too confident, old auntie.”

Li Wan’er angrily pinched the inside of Xu Tingsheng’s arm. That place hurt easily as he could not help but cry out. Some foreigners who were nearby glanced over, smiling amusedly at this.

“We do look more like a couple, or at least that’s how they see it,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Fine, do it for a while then. I’ll help you to carry stuff later. That’s what men do when women shop, right?”

Li Wan’er thought about it. This did seem to be the case for others, just that she had never experienced it before. Therefore, she said, “Okay.”

Having returned to her home country to stay for some time, also just having moved, there were actually quite a lot of things that Li Wan’er had to buy. They even bought a bag of rice and and a few bottles of Chinese brand seasonings.

Li Wan’er was holding Xu Tingsheng’s jacket, this being the only thing that she was holding. As for Xu Tingsheng, he was carrying things on his hands, on his shoulders, between his arms too.

He could tell that Li Wan’er was very happy as they walked as she seemed to be brimming with joy.

It was nearly 10pm when the two returned to Li Wan’er’s new residence.

It was only in front of the door of her house that Li Wan’er tensed up once more.

After putting down the groceries, Xu Tingsheng went into the toilet.

Li Wan’er found a clothes rack and hung up his jacket. She carefully smoothed its creases and aligned it meticulously, as if it would be hanging there for very long.

She had forgotten that that person would actually not be staying behind.

As Li Wan’er was tidying up the jacket, her fingertips brushed past the air ticket that was inside a pocket. She hesitated for a moment but still took it out in the end.

15th November 2004, tomorrow, in the afternoon, Milan, Italy to Paris, France.

He was going to leave.

At this moment, Li Wan’er’s heart felt as if it was being stifled as she suddenly discovered that her greatest determination still seemed not a match for this tiny piece of paper which she held.

She was afraid that she would surrender just like that, losing the will to stand steadfast. Thus, she was instead even more in a rush to speak to Xu Tingsheng to express her determination, how she was definitely not going to cave in.

When Li Wan’er saw Xu Tingsheng, he was standing on a stool. Having dismantled the old light bulb in the toilet and placed it on the small windowsill, he was taking the small paper box which he was biting with his teeth, opening it and taking out a new light bulb…

“What, that...light bulb’s broken? When did you buy a new one?”

Li Wan’er forget what she had originally been going to say as she asked about a very normal thing.

“I tested all the lights here in the afternoon. The rest are all fine. This isn’t actually spoilt, just that it flickers from time to time. I don’t think it will last. I thought I should change it for you first. Otherwise, after I’ve left, you may not be able to do it yourself. The lightbulb? I bought it earlier when I was following behind you.”

Because there was no circuit breaker, Xu Tingsheng was cautiously installing the new lightbulb as he spoke normally.

The bulb lit up with a warm, gentle glow. Looking at it, he patted his hands before jumping off the stool and placing the old lightbulb inside the box, next throwing it into the bin. Wiping the stool which he had stepped on, he moved it over to the side of the wall.

This was a scene which could not be any more ordinary. Yet, Li Wan’er was deeply captivated by it as she watched on. This seemed to be the life that she wished for, a life with him around.

“So he had already helped me to test all the lights here in the afternoon…” Li Wan’er thought.

The seeds of reliance and longing had already long since been planted within her heart, next growing frenziedly like vines as they wound tighter and tighter around her.

This man before her had once displayed his shameless, lovable side. On him, Li Wan’er had found what she had yearned towards but missed out on as a young girl, the passion of loving someone and the wondrous subtleties of the fluttering heart.

Then, there was also his maturity and competence and her feeling of having someone to rely on, someone to protect her.

On that day, just having seen his name appear on a corner of that elegiac couplet, she had felt reassured as she had known then that she no longer had to tide through it alone. He was there for her.

Now, this scene, this simplest warmness, instead caused her to feel unwilling to part with him.

Li Wan’er was willing to be subordinate to this man even if she lost herself as a result, becoming a quiet, virtuous housewife, serving her man, cooking, washing his clothes, passing him slippers when he reached home, hanging up his clothes for him…

She would make him look so nice everyday. He already looked nice in the first place. She could think of how she was envied by everyone as she sat at home waiting for him to return everyday, next starting to plan out what clothes he would be wearing the next day…

Except…

Third wheel, outside woman, mistress..these phrases went against Li Wan’er’s ethical bottom line. She had never let herself act in an unbridled manner before. How was she to accept this?

Also, he had not given her any time and space to ease herself at all, allowing everything to flow naturally...he had just been so direct and domineering...Li Wan’er even felt a bit vexed over this.

Seeing Li Wan’er in a daze as he emerged, Xu Tingsheng waved a hand in front of her face, asking, “What’s with you, Li Wan’er?”

Li Wan’er said rather flusteredly, “It’s, it’s nothing.”

“That’s good then. Having lived on your own for so long, you shouldn’t have any problem taking care of yourself, right? You’ve got to take good care of yourself in the future,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Let’s see if there’s anything else I can do. It’ll cost money if you find someone next time.”

Li Wan’er said, “There isn’t anything else. Xu Tingsheng…”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “What is it?”

Li Wan’er said, “I want to say that I don’t know why, but sometimes, I just feel like you don’t seem to be twenty. I feel like you are the same age as me.”

“...You’re right. Actually, I’m even a bit older than you,” Xu Tingsheng smiled as he replied.

Li Wan’er thought that Xu Tingsheng was mocking her. Old woman, old auntie, old bull-she had heard all these from his lips before. He was really terrible.

She glared at Xu Tingsheng before entering the bathroom and handing him a towel, next looking at her watch as she stammered somewhat due to her nervousness, “It’s 10pm now. There’s, there’s still time...how about I cook some porridge for you? Are you hungry right now?”

Having walked the entire evening and carried so many things, Xu Tingsheng found that he was indeed a little hungry. Also, he had not eaten any rice for the past two days, and it seemed like he would not be having any for the next few days as well…

Moreover, leaving someone wasn’t actually that easy. “The heck...she’s still so beautiful, and all silly and so good to bully.”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Li Wan’er went into the kitchen. Xu Tingsheng sat down on the sofa in the small living room.

The narrow kitchen was not completely restricted from sight. Xu Tingsheng was able to see inside as he sat in the living room. Seeing Li Wan’er’s busy, focused figure, it was really like a goddess had descended, washing her hands and brewing you soup. There would actually be a real sense of accomplishment there.

Xu Tingsheng saw her push her long hair to the side as she bundled it up with her hands, using a wooden hairpin to pin it up.

Then, she washed her hands and opened the cover of the pot with one hand whilst dispersing the rising steam with the other and checking if the porridge inside the pot was already cooked.

This seemed to be the kind of life that the 31-year-old Li Wan’er should possess. The vibe that emanated from this scene and the pot, her bearing and mannerisms included, spoke of a calm and simple yet warm and fulfilling life.

As the two ate porridge, Li Wan’er did not look at Xu Tingsheng even once. Even while speaking, it would be Xu Tingsheng asking a question and she only then answering it.

Li Wan’er was actually feeling very angry, “How can he act so nonchalant, so normal?”

To Li Wan’er, Xu Tingsheng’s normalcy was like silent footsteps that steadily drew near, using this warmest method to achieve the most domineering feat of pressuring her into submission.

Despite Li Wan’er eating very slowly, the food would surely be finished in the end. Then, she cleared the table, and Xu Tingsheng washed the dishes...

After that, she brewed tea, and after that...there was finally nothing else left to do. Li Wan’er could only return to face Xu Tingsheng, to face that problem.

Sucking in a deep breath, Li Wan’er ventured, “Xu Tingsheng…”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Yes?”

Li Wan’er said, “I, I won’t be anyone’s lover. Not, not even if it’s you.”

After saying so, she gazed at him with her big eyes, perhaps expressing her determination, perhaps secretly hoping for an unexpected response.

Whilst taken aback, Xu Tingsheng could understand where she was coming from. Li Wan’er might indeed have been facing too many temptations and threats of this kind recently, while he...had done so much that he should and should not do. It was not like he had never once exhibited recklessness in that area before. Therefore, that she had thoughts and worries of this kind was actually very normal.

“That’s good then,” Feeling awkward, Xu Tingsheng felt that he had no way of remaining there any longer as he got up, saying, “I’ll be going back to my hotel then. I’m leaving Milan tomorrow afternoon. If there’s anything else that you need me to do, call me. It’s fine as long as it’s before noon tomorrow. Also, take good care of yourself in the future. If you meet someone who is very good, don’t be alone by yourself any longer.”

With that, cutting a rather solitary figure, Xu Tingsheng retrieved his jacket that hung from the clothes rack by the door and left.

As she watched Xu Tingsheng take away the jacket of his suit that she had carefully hung up just a short while earlier, Li Wan’er felt as if...he had taken and emptied the whole house with him. Right, it had all been completely emptied, even her heart.

Li Wan’er stood up and walked towards the door.

Xu Tingsheng pushed open the door again and looked over at her, “Li Wan’er, I won’t be caring about you in the future. You definitely must take good care of yourself. Don’t be so useless and silly in the future.”

Then, he paused for a moment, finding that he had run out of words as he closed the door and left.

“Clearly, clearly we agreed that I’d be making breakfast for you tomorrow. You’re throwing a tantrum just because you were rejected? Aren’t you very domineering? Won’t you...push me against the wall...why, this time…” Li Wan’er murmured to herself as she gazed at the already closed door.

……

Late at night, this old district resembled the surface of the calmest sea.

The wind was a bit chilly. Walking on the street, Xu Tingsheng put on his jacket, tugging it closer to him as his arms were brought close together…

“The heck! Such a pretty chick...gone just like that. Student Xiang Ning, hurry and give Uncle some encouragement! How about when you’ve grown a little older, you at least learn how to cook porridge too?”

……

Li Wan’er sat alone in the empty room. Actually, the small apartment was filled with her belongings. Yet, she still felt like it was empty.

This was the third time she was feeling like this.

The first time was when he had said ‘we’re even’ by the roadside.

The second time was when she had made that call, receiving a cold-hearted reply.

This was the third time. He had taken his jacket and left, and perhaps she would never see him again.

“Are we even? How are we even? I owe you so much, think about you...so much.”

The only thought in Li Wan’er’s mind now was that for her and this man to thereon be totally unrelated, having nothing at all to do with each other...was unacceptable. That definitely could not be allowed to happen. All her other thoughts had been suppressed by this issue as only this one thought remained, the thought that...this was completely unacceptable.

“Who asked you to rile me…”

Chapter 296: A moth to a flame

If there was a bystander here, that person would actually be able to see things very clearly.

Li Wan’er might be unable to see this so clearly herself. Still, she had actually already been mentally prepared, even having hoped...she had hoped that Xu Tingsheng would ask nothing, would simply force her like he had back then, pressing her against the wall. She would give up on resisting and accept it, thereby being able to console herself in thinking that she had had ‘no choice’ but to accept it.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng had not done anything at all this time.

Li Wan’er took a bath and changed her clothes.

She actually felt rather perturbed even taking a bath in the bathroom where he had just changed the lights. It felt just like he was standing there looking at her, the light being his gaze. This being so, how was she to manage when he was gone? Smash this light into ruination?

Li Wan’er intended to do an even more difficult thing.

Her cousin had taught and persuaded her on this before, tried to convince her many times...she had said that this was her only chance of success.

Despite having thought about it before, she had thought that she would definitely never actually do it.

Throughout Li Wan’er’s entire life, apart from the matter of her factory that Xu Tingsheng had instructed her on, she had virtually never faced and dealt with any matters by scheming and calculating the benefits and detriments before…

She had also never tried to fight for anything for herself before…

Otherwise, she would not have been so helpless against the wedding that her father had arranged for her back then, giving in in the end despite her unwillingness.

People always say that women in love are silly. Actually, the ‘intelligence’ that a woman possesses is displayed in full when she wants to conquer a man, even if she still looks very silly.

Li Wan’er’s ‘schemes’ looked very silly indeed.

“If we had a child...cousin’s right. He may have more than just a single woman right now, but he definitely still doesn’t have a child...if I had a child, his first child, I might win then. I don’t want to be a lover...I want to fight for it, I want to win.”

When they had been shopping earlier, there had been several times during which Li Wan’er had been talking to the store owners when she had seen Xu Tingsheng teasing those beautiful little kids of a foreign land. He had been smiling throughout with the most childish expressions and actions, so warmly and so into it as well…

She did not know why Xu Tingsheng liked kids so much, because she didn’t know that he was actually a 32-year-old man at heart. Men at this age often yearned more for such warmth. This wasn’t important, though. Just knowing that he liked kids...was already enough.

“I will give him a most beautiful child...he’s so good-looking, I’m good-looking too...that way, he won’t be able to leave.”

In another time, another place, such a thought might leave Li Wan’er feeling totally mortified. 31 years old and a divorcee, a woman who was used to living a mild, simple life, she still wanted to fight for a man with a method that was destined to be viewed scornfully by others.

Yet, Li Wan’er could not care for so much at this moment.

She put on some light, intricate makeup, bundled up her hair and let it down again, let it down and bundled it up again, before finally she chose to...cousin said it. I can’t compete with others in terms of youthfulness. I have to compete in terms of charm and flair.

……

All her preparations, mental or otherwise, were instantly dispelled right as Xu Tingsheng opened the door.

Only an unwavering resolution remained.

In the two hours after having returned to his hotel room, Xu Tingsheng had actually been in a relatively complex yet unexplainable mood. Then, the doorbell rang, and opening the door, Li Wan’er stood outside.

She was beautiful in the first place. After specially dressing up, she looked even more stunning.

“You…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Me,” Li Wan’er said, “I’m here from the workshop. I originally wanted to make you another suit, but there wasn’t time. I also thought of making a vest for you, but you seem to have mentioned not liking those before...I made you a scarf.”

Li Wan’er held out a scarf to Xu Tingsheng as if proving what she said to be true.

“The weather’s getting cold. Suits with scarfs aren’t good to choose, and also aren’t good to match. Really, scarfs don’t match easily with suits. So I made you one. You, you wanna try?”

Xu Tingsheng had already changed into his pyjamas.

He said, “Alright, I’ll go change into my suit then.”

He turned away.

Li Wan’er grabbed a corner of his pyjamas from behind him.

“What’s the matter?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

She entered and latched the door before telling him softly, “Actually, it’s not that. Actually, I didn’t come here to give you the scarf. I already finished the scarf some time before this, and it does fit you, but...I actually didn’t come here to give you the scarf.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at her.

Li Wan’er raised her head and looked into his eyes, biting her lips as she reached out and took off her hairpin, lightly tossing her long hair which descended and flowed down like cascades…

Xu Tingsheng had to admit that this simple action possessed so much flair as it was performed by Li Wan’er, affecting one’s mind so…

Li Wan’er flung her hairpin aside. She had once worn it in order to guard against him. Now, this action of throwing it away represented her having given up all form of resistance.

Shyness, embarrassment, inner conflict, maybe even humiliation...

Li Wan’er was currently doing something that was incomparably difficult for her. She shed tears even as she began undoing her clothes, her hands trembling somewhat such that she was just unable to undo her buttons.

“Why does it seem like I’m forcing her to do something?”

Feeling rather at a loss as to what was going on, Xu Tingsheng went forward and grabbed Li Wan’er’s hands before asking concernedly, “What’s the matter with you?”

Li Wan’er stubbornly wrenched her hands away from his, continuing to undo the buttons of her jacket as she sobbed, saying in a voice that was close to breathing, “I love you, Xu Tingsheng...you can bully me, however you want…”

This felt just like a perfect, untainted angel was saying, “Your wish is my command.”

Li Wan’er reached out rather stiffly and grabbed Xu Tingsheng’s clothes by his chest, pulling him over to the side of the bed…

All this had been taught to her by her cousin, how to bewitch him in that unique, charming flair. It was just that she was so clumsy as she did it now...

There was actually another sort of flair here.

The windbreaker which had still been tightly wrapped around her a moment ago slid down to the ground. Then...her silk shirt was removed, thrown to the side.

There was still another set of clothes inside. Her cousin had bought it for her. These clothes...they were flimsy as a cicada’s wings as everything could be seen within. However, it was also like they couldn’t exactly be seen...this sort of feeling was enough to leave any man feeling crazed.

Xu Tingsheng already resembled a block of wood at this point.

Li Wan’er’s courage was also in the midst of slowly fading away.

“Do I look nice?” She mustered up the last of her courage and asked him.

Xu Tingsheng nodded numbly. She...how did she just look nice.

“Bully me, Xu Tingsheng, just like you want to...however you want.”

Then, she cried out and buried herself entirely in Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

She took his hands and placed one of them in between them, the other behind her…

She was shivering in her entirety.

Xu Tingsheng could feel her hot breaths on his chest. Her long neck wound around his chest like a snake. She raised her head, bringing her dark red lips to the tip of his ear, “Where we stopped back then...let’s go on from there. I won’t say anything silly again. I love you, I’m willing...I want you.”

The moth was currently lunging into the flame without reservation.

Chapter 297: He’s weak against women

China, Yanzhou, second floor of the riverside residence.

When Xu Tingsheng had been in Yanzhou, even though he did not actually live in the riverside residence, Tang Yufei had adamantly refused Lu Zhixin even when she had invited her to stay there with her.

In her own words, “What if he suddenly comes back one day and wants to do something to you? If I’m there, am I supposed to help or would I end up spoiling things? Now, I know you wouldn’t bear to let me have him, right?”

Now that Xu Tingsheng was out of the country, Tang Yufei finally went over there to stay for a time.

There was quite a lot that the two girls for whom there was only a five year difference could talk about. Their alcohol capacities were also very good. They watched soap operas and talked just like that. Some time later, they had already unknowingly reached their second bottle of red wine.

“Right, did he count you in in going into real estate, asking you to participate?” Tang Yufei asked in a seemingly nonchalant manner while watching television.

Lu Zhixin shook her head, revealing no emotional fluctuations.

“I asked about it. He borrowed that project team to work on a now project. It also sounds like he won’t be putting it under Hucheng. He will be registering it under a new technological company.”

While Tang Yufei spoke in a very casual manner, she carefully observed Lu Zhixin’s expression after she had finished speaking, wanting to see how she reacted to the news.

Lu Zhixin said expressionlessly, “Oh.”

Tang Yufei put down her wineglass, raising her voice, “You’re just going ‘oh’?”

Lu Zhixin smiled, “It’s not just me other than him who owns Hucheng’s shares. Do you think that he should take everything out to share because of me? I think this is quite reasonable, anyway.”

Tang Yufei said, “Alright, alright. As long as you’re sure that the person he’s guarding against isn’t you.”

Hearing this, Lu Zhixin frowned. It did indeed seem that Xu Tingsheng had already realised more and more about her over this period of time. So he had started guarding against her?

She was silent for a time before she ended this topic of her own accord, saying, “Let’s not talk about this anymore. No more about work-related affairs tonight.”

Tang Yufei smiled craftily, “Who’s talking about work-related affairs with you? I’m talking to you about your man! Hey, how about, we talk about...that again. Have you two...done that already?”

She scooted over with a perverted look on her face, reaching out to stroke Lu Zhixin’s face before running a hand down her leg, “This figure, body. Even I, as a woman, would want to touch it more. I really don’t believe that he’d be able to resist...”

Lu Zhixin pretended to angrily push her away, “What nonsense is that...what do you mean? Nothing happened in the first place!”

Tang Yufei carefully examined her from head to toe a few times over.

Lu Zhixin unconsciously shrunk back, voicing emphatically, “Really.”

“Well, if you say so,” Tang Yufei smiled, asking, “The question is, has nothing of that kind really happened at all?”

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a moment, remembering his shamelessness that night and how she had let him have his way...but that couldn’t be said.

Feeling the heat rush to her face, Lu Zhixin shook her head firmly, declaring, “Nothing.”

Tang Yufei sighed, “Well, alright. I could have guessed it anyway.”

“What do you mean...guessed it?”

“I’ve been associating with him for quite a while already. From my understanding of men, your man is very weak and timid in terms of women. He’s the type that fantasises a great bunch but is really too afraid to actually do anything no matter what. Like when he looks at me, his female secretary sometimes. He only dares look over for a moment before looking away again. What’s on his mind at the time definitely wouldn’t be normal.”

“Still, I can tell that if I really tried to seduce him, he’d definitely panic and retreat without me having to do anything much at all. He’s very interesting. I’m feeling more and more intrigued.”

Tang Yufei mused with relish.

In this area, ten intelligent, competent Lu Zhixins would really still be incomparable to a single Tang Yufei who actually had a great deal of experience in this area. She continued listening on.

“Intrigue aside, relax, I wouldn’t be able to snag him. His situation is one of great wealth at a young age coupled with good looks. If he really wanted to fool around, the women willing to go to bed with him would would form an entire line. My turn wouldn’t come,” Tang Yufei elaborated.

Lu Zhixin asked rather sheepishly, as if embarassed, “Then, he...why?”

“He’s afraid of responsibility, afraid of trouble.”

“What do you mean?”

“If he meets one he would need to take responsibility for, he wouldn’t dare to touch her. If he meets a troublesome one, he wouldn’t dare to touch her too. He’d only ever think about it.”

“Well, but doesn’t this also mean that he’s always thinking about taking responsibility?”

“You could say that.”

“Hmm.”

“Hmm your head! I’m being serious here. Since you know this weak point of his, why haven’t you done anything at all? You clearly took the first step so resolutely that even I had to admire you. How is that you’ve been becoming more and more good-for-nothing now? It’s really...silly.”

“Also, I must remind you that you’re too fierce. You’ve got to change how you are in front of him. Otherwise, you’d only ever stand less and less of a chance in his mind.”

“You’re talking nonsense again.”

“What nonsense? Now, having come over to help you, my work is of secondary importance here. Helping you to fight the battles of women is the most important thing. These are what women truly have to win. Otherwise, you’d have been helping him just for the sake of some other woman in the end. It’d have been a complete waste.”

Lu Zhixin opened her mouth but instead hesitated for a bit.

Tang Yufei rolled her eyes, saying exasperatedly, “Oh, say what you will. I’m also not petty. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have told you about those matters. I know what you want to say. I’ve wasted two years of my life, wasted it completely being played.”

Tang Yufei let loose a vulgarity without a hint of awkwardness before she continued, “The heck to those who say that foreigners think differently. I’ve discovered that there are different kinds of men-at least two types so far, actually-such as like cats and dogs.”

“Cats and dogs?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“If they’re dogs, if you treat them well, feed them and raise them, giving them treats, they will think that this person is so good, she’s definitely a goddess. Then they will be loyal and reliant on you, guarding you and being good to you, feeling that it would be impossible for them to be without you.”

“Cats are different. However much you dote on a cat, it will only think that this person is so good to me, I’m definitely a god. Then it will become more and more arrogant and full of itself, treating you like nothing at all. Also, cats are just wired to be self-absorbed, considering things simply for themselves. They can completely do without you.”

Lu Zhixin found this theory a very novel and interesting one.

She asked, “Then he…”

Tang Yufei said, “He’s a dog.”

The two of them were delighted saying bad things about Xu Tingsheng behind his back as they ended up giggling happily together.

Lu Zhixin felt that Tang Yufei might really be able to teach her some things. Being too lacking in this area yet really feeling rather embarrassed, her face was red as she asked, “Anything else? You, you might as well continue teaching me.”

Tang Yufei glanced at her before smiling teasingly, “You want to listen now? The problem is-how am I supposed to teach you if you don’t tell me anything at all?”

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a long while before a hand against her chest, she finally spoke, "I’ll say it then. Don’t you laugh at me.”

“There really is something?” Tang Yufei’s excitement surged, her eyes virtually glowing as she looked at Lu Zhixin.

Lu Zhixin thought for a moment and was too embarrassed to mention the incident from that night as she first mentioned Apple, narrating about when she had been living in the riverside residence. After listening to all of that, Tang Yufei asked, “Are you sure he never touched her? He would stay by her side waiting till she fell asleep and then return to the sofa?”

Lu Zhixin nodded, “Right, I could tell.”

Tang Yufei nodded, “That proves that I judged him correctly. Also...he may really not have had any desires towards that female celebrity at all, because he’s so afraid of responsibility that he can’t think about anything else.”

After saying so, she herself broke out into laughter for a time, continually muttering ‘this lil’ man is really too interesting...classic.’.

It was a good while later that she finally pressed, “On to you now. You can’t hide anything at all, or don’t even think about asking me anything again after this.”

Lu Zhixin bit her lip, bashfully beginning to narrate the events of that night…

“You...gave it to him?” Tang Yufei asked.

Lu Zhixin’s face felt as though it was boiling as she clenched her teeth and nodded, “Yeah, I felt rather moved that day. Also, it may be because I was feverish and in a daze that...I thought that I should be a little better to him, dote on him a little...and so I gave it to him.”

“And after that?”

“After that, after that, some time passed, and he was finished,” Lu Zhixin said, “The next day, I took it and soaked it in a pail, and then he washed it. I don’t dare to wear it even now.”

“No, who cares if you dare to wear it,” Tang Yufei said, “What matters is that you gave it to him, and then he took care of it himself. You really didn’t...do anything at all there?”

A distressed Lu Zhixin shook her head in denial.

“I can’t believe you! At least...help a little? And really, he...you were all bare, and he didn’t even know to continue doing a little something…”

“I, I was still wearing pyjama pants.”

“And that’s even more alluring for men. I don’t get it. He’s actually this honest.”

“Then, I, how would I know why. Is it because I’m too fierce?”

“Nope, I’ve changed my mind now. You should continue being fierce. I can tell now. The fiercer and colder you are, the more intense his sense of conquest and desire to bully you will instead be. The feeling of conquest...all men need it.”

“They like fantasising about female secretaries who are wearing stiff, dull-coloured professional suits, yet are completely obedient to them in all aspects. What is that if not conquest? And this is especially intense in your man.”

“How do you know?”

“I know it from when you said that he refused to draw the curtains. He wanted to see you, a female powerhouse, looking all shy and distressed, because he’d acquire a great sense of accomplishment that way. And this is all the proof that is needed.”

Lu Zhixin thought about this for a bit before saying, “I see.”

She was listening earnestly in hopes of learning as in no way did she resemble a strong career woman at this moment. While she might not act on these things for sure, knowing about and understanding them would leave her feeling more reassured...and if such a day truly came…

Tang Yufei concluded the topic, “So, you can be fierce and cold to him however you like usually. Still, at that time, you must dote on him. The more you feel embarrassed to do it the better. And also, it is best if...you really do know how to do a little something.”

Lu Zhixin nervously shook her head, “No, I...I don’t want to, and also won’t be able to. I looked at some text and video resources, but…”

“Those are useless. Let me teach you.”

Tang Yufei got up and checked the lock on the door before drawing the curtains.

“No way,” Lu Zhixin said.

“Never mind then,” Tang Yufei replied.

Lu Zhixin had not thought that she would be so straightforward as she hesitated for a long while, feeling greatly conflicted, “But just describing it a little would also be fine.”

On Tang Yufei’s face appeared an ‘I knew it’ expression as she teased, “Just describing it hasn’t any use. Let me give you a practical session.”

The course of the session was ‘exquisite’ indeed. Lu Zhixin virtually felt even more nervous than she had that night. While the person before her was Tang Yufei, it was that face which appeared in her mind.

“Like this?” Lu Zhixin made an awkward motion as she asked.

“More or less. Still, you’ve got to know how to control the pace then. Next, I’ll teach you how to use someplace else.”

Tang Yufei pointed…

Lu Zhixin said, “Not that.”

Tang Yufei replied, “If you’re willing to do this, he’d definitely be so happy he’d go raving mad.”

Lu Zhixin said, “Then, well…”

The second floor of the riverside residence was overwhelmed by untold glory as the two women were both panting delicately at the end. This was so for Lu Zhixin because that person, that face was continually on her mind. As for Tang Yufei…

“You?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“I’m thinking about your man too. Can’t I?” Tang Yufei was totally not modest at all, “Hah, it’s no good, my reaction’s so great. Do you have any clean underwear that you haven’t used before? I’ll need to change one after taking a bath.”

Lu Zhixin said without thinking, “Yeah, I’ll go grab…” to be replaced by a shocked exclamation, “Huh? You, what’re you thinking?!”

Tang Yufei smiled cheerfully, “I’m considering wearing a bare-threaded one inside next time, a beautiful one, and directly go without once just for him to see...your man’s just too fun, and so charming too. Also, he’s very likely to be a virgin...nooo, I’m nearly drooling, I can’t, I just can’t take it anymore.”

“...You dare?!”

“Hah! You regret calling me over already, don’t you?”

Lu Zhixin directly made a move on her. The two giggled as they got all tangled up in a bunch.

Chapter 298: Never meeting again

Tang Yufei had actually been spot on in quite a number of things.

For example, Apple. Xu Tingsheng had been alone with her the longest before. The two of them also shared the closest relationship. This meant that it was most possible for something to have happened between the two of them. Yet, in reality...nothing had happened.

There had virtually been not a single situation of this kind at all.

Xu Tingsheng had been unable to resist Li Wan’er and had also acted inappropriately with Lu Zhixin before. Yet, he had just not done anything towards Apple with whom he was the closest.

The reason was actually just like Tang Yufei had said. The responsibility was too great. He was afraid of it, so afraid of it that he couldn’t think of anything else. If Xu Tingsheng had laid a hand on Apple, he would surely marry her…

He would accompany and protect her during her most difficult times. Yet, he was still not ready to completely accept this weighty responsibility.

Therefore, separated by distance, Xu Tingsheng could think whatever he liked about Apple, with her even having appeared in his dreams before. Yet, when they were together, he would restrict himself carefully to the point that he was virtually able to act completely naturally, without much rashness at all.

It was similar for Wu Yuewei.

Of course, the interactions between the two were just as pure as they had been back in junior high. Nothing remotely questionable had ever occurred between them.

If something like that really did happen, the answer would be the same as for Apple. He would be afraid, would restrict himself. Things were the same for this girl as well. If he laid a hand on her, he would have to marry her. He would marry her.

As for Lu Zhixin, she was different from Apple and Wu Yuewei.

For Apple and Wu Yuewei, if Xu Tingsheng were really to request it of them, they would give it to him. As for Lu Zhixin, she was independent and clear-headed. She was actually better than he was at controlling the situation.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng would occasionally dare to let loose the reins on himself and mess around with her without reservation, feeling assured in the knowledge that nothing would happen. Even if something were to happen, it would probably be her stomping him dead or calling the police…

As for Li Wan’er, hers was the most unique case.

If not for her having said that line back then, he would already have been unable to hold himself back...it could be said that Xu Tingsheng had a mindset that many other men had. Facing Li Wan’er at the time, he had virtually not thought about the concept of responsibility at all.

She had experience, had been married before. With that, the mental burden on him was much lower.

Also, it could not be denied that in terms of age and various other aspects too, Li Wan’er was really the most alluring one amongst all the women Xu Tingsheng had met, the one who most induced him into committing a crime.

Xu Tingsheng was able to resist those he thought to be young girls, but it was very difficult for him to resist Li Wan’er.

Li Wan’er had actually used this word very accurately: Bully.

Li Wan’er had said, “Bully me, Xu Tingsheng. Bully me however you like.”

Just these words alone were enough to cause Xu Tingsheng’s blood vessels to swell…

Coupled with her expression and tone…

And that satin-like material of the clothes she was wearing…

Her cousin’s taste was actually rather bad. The special underwear that she had chosen were very base indeed. Yet, some articles of clothing were actually more crime-inducing the baser they were. At times like this, who would care about intricacy, elegance? The baser the better.

Such ‘base’ clothing, worn by the elegant, gentle Li Wan’er who was akin to a descended goddess…

There was an incomparably vast discrepancy between Li Wan’er’s expression and what she was wearing.

She looked embarrassed, on tenterhooks, distressed, also bearing a humiliated feeling of accepting whatever was forced upon her as the tear stains on her face had still yet to dry…

Her clothing was beguiling, lascivious, shameless…

If this had happened half a month ago, Xu Tingsheng would not have hesitated any further at all. It was not that he would not be intending to accept any responsibility whatsoever. It was just that it would not be this serious at the end of the day…

However, this half a month had seen the occurrence of the greatest, most blissful event of Xu Tingsheng’s life ever since his rebirth. He knew how Little Xiang Ning thought about him now. His Xiang Ning was going to come back.

As for Apple, she seemed to have completely walked out of the shadow of depression.

Xu Tingsheng was currently making preparations for welcoming Xiang Ning back to his side.

……

Li Wan’er leaned rather dazedly against the bed, looking at Xu Tingsheng who was leaning back against the head of the bed and breathing deeply in and out, in and out.

She finally took that blanket and covered her own body.

Li Wan’er had used up all her courage.

It was actually two people that she had to face and resist. One was Xu Tingsheng, in front of whom she had to discard her self-respect and shyness. The other was she herself, the she of back then who had persisted in her original stance of being unable to accept actions like these.

Another voice inside her, the voice of her original stance, was already resounding lightly, talking about her, rebuking her, “What are you doing, Li Wan’er? Utterly shameless…”

“Am I being utterly shameless? ...But I really like him, and he’s going to leave. I want to fight for something for myself for once, and if it’s wrong, then so be it,” Li Wan’er defended herself thus.

Only she herself was well aware that if the alternative was letting this person before her go just like that, with them having no further contact at all in the future, she would really rather...end up the subject of society’s endless scorn.

Had Xu Tingsheng not been going to leave, had she not seen that plane ticket, also considering her mental preparation from the previous experiences between them, including that time where something had nearly happened...it would have been totally impossible for Li Wan’er to do this.

She was a reserved, mild, even overly modest woman who was used to living as such.

Having lived a mild life for so many years, even holding herself back already come completely naturally to her.

Perhaps there was also another reason, which was her cousin. Those things she had taught Li Wan’er caused her to blush every time she thought about them with her heart pounding as she was filled with embarrassment.

Yet, Li Wan’er had seen with her own eyes how her cousin’s husband was so obedient and loyal and loving towards her, even to the very extent of ‘lowering his head and bending his knee’. Her cousin told her that she had won all this on the bed, that in having done so, she had...enthralled his heart completely, making him unable to leave her.

Li Wan’er dared not hope for Xu Tingsheng to be so good to her. Still, she wanted to fight for it too and had no other way around it.

Hearing her sobs, Xu Tingsheng turned to look at her.

“Last time, you...now, is it that you don’t like me anymore, or are you angry with me...or do you disdain that I was married before and am impure?” Li Wan’er drew the blanket up to as high as her neck, grabbing it tightly with both hands as she asked with a difficult expression on her face.

Xu Tingsheng went over, bent down and helped her to wipe off her tears, “No, you’re the most enchanting woman I’ve ever met. You already saw how I reacted last time, and just now too…”

He smiled awkwardly after he had said this.

Li Wan’er said, “Yes, but then why…”

“You tell me why first, why you suddenly...you clearly said it earlier tonight. You definitely won’t be anyone’s lover,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I,” Li Wan’er hesitated for a while before she said, “I won’t be a lover. Actually, actually...I was thinking that if I could give birth to a child for you, I would be able to keep you by my side then. I won’t be a lover, I want to be your wife.”

LI Wan’er spoke frankly just like that. She was truly so far away from a scheming person indeed.

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, not knowing what he should say to that.

Li Wan’er said, “It’s your turn.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Do you remember how I told you that I once forsook the person who is the most precious to me? She…”

Li Wan’er asked, “She’s back?”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Yes, almost.”

Li Wan’er appeared slightly dejected for a time before she clenched her teeth, seemingly having made a very major decision as she shifted to the side of the bed and asked, “Can you lie down? Since you’ve said this already, definitely nothing will happen between us. I just want to...lie over beside you for a while. I’ve never before.”

Looking at her eyes, hearing her say ‘I’ve never before’, Xu Tingsheng who had originally been going to refuse instead felt a little hesitant now.

Li Wan’er shifted further inwards before making a boundary at the centre of that blanket, saying, “Like this...separated. Not touching.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, lay down and got under the blanket.

The two talked for a while.

Xu Tingsheng soon regretted it. He had overestimated himself. For some reason, Li Wan’er was not lying on her side like she had said. Instead, she leaned into his embrace. Separated by just that thin layer of satin...she leaned in against him.

“I fooled you up here,” Despite her awkwardness, a bit of triumph could clearly be heard in Li Wan’er’s tone, rather like a usually obedient student who suddenly skipped a lesson one day and even lied to the teacher.

Now, she extended a hand into Xu Tingsheng’s pyjamas, her slender fingers brushing over his chest.

“I thought you were thin. How is it that your body’s...so fit,” Came in a voice close to a murmur.

Xu Tingsheng was virtually about to implode as he managed, “Hey, Wan’er, I’ve just told you about my situation, and you have also said that you definitely won’t be anyone’s lover, right?”

Li Wan’er said, “Right.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “So, it’s not worth it! Even if you really did give birth to my child, it still…”

Li Wan’er shook her head, interrupting him, “I know. But I’ve changed my mind. What I want now is a child, our child. I won’t make use of him to fight for anything...and I also won’t be your lover. I won’t see you again in the future.”

Xu Tingsheng was flummoxed, “Huh?”

Li Wan’er said resolutely, “I won’t be marrying again. I just want a child, Xu Tingsheng, our child. I will bring him up and he will accompany me, just him and me. You don’t have to care about us. I won’t be lonely that way, and living would be meaningful then. I can take care of him myself. We will definitely live very happily, very well. You can just take it like we don’t exist. We will never meet again.”

A child of his own blood-Xu Tingsheng was actually affected incomparably greatly as he heard Li Wan’er saying this, because of his two lives, because of his past experiences, because of his mental age, because he actually liked kids so much.

If he were to wait for Xiang Ning...it might be another ten years.

Actually, it might be even longer than that. If things went like they had in his previous life, Xiang Ning would not consider giving birth until she turned twenty-nine. She said that she herself was still like a child.

As for Xu Tingsheng, he definitely dared not force her against her will.

Li Wan’er continued, “He or she will definitely look very nice, because you look so good, and I, too. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a boy or a girl. Xu Tingsheng, can you please give me a child.”

With that, Li Wan’er looked at Xu Tingsheng without shrinking back in the least, her gaze fervent and pleading and not shifting in the least. This was a rare instance of boldness from her indeed.

Her slender hand travelled about Xu Tingsheng’s body.

Xu Tingsheng’s throat felt dry. He was struggling, hesitating. It was physical whilst also mental too.

“If we really do have a child, it would be impossible for me not to meet him, not to care about him,” Xu Tingsheng said conflictedly.

“You meet the child then. You come, I’ll go...I won’t bother you. We’ll never meet again,” Li Wan’er said.

“That’s impossible. I actually like you too. I won’t deny that.”

“Yes, I know. I’m very happy. If I were five, ten years younger and never been married, however good she is, I definitely wouldn’t give up just like that. But I’m thirty-one now, Xu Tingsheng. I don’t want to be alone for ten, twenty more years, all the way till I grow old and die. I’ve only ever liked you before, and I definitely won’t be marrying anyone else...give me a child.”

Chapter 299: Li Wan’er’s unambitious dream

Yanzhou, second floor of the riverside residence.

Tang Yufei did not return to the guest room that night as she intended to stay in the same room as Lu Zhixin, continuing the private girls’ talk. When she finished bathing and entered with a towel wrapped around her, Lu Zhixin was already wearing pyjamas as she sat on her bed.

“Do you want to sleep on the inside or the outside?” Lu Zhixin asked Tang Yufei.

Tang Yufei smiled suggestively, “Did you sleep on the inside or outside that day?”

Lu Zhixin hesitated for a moment before replying, “...The inside.”

Tang Yufei ran over to the bed, lay down by its edge and smelled it, feigning an intoxicated look, “Well, you continue sleeping on the inside then. Think of me as him and properly relive those times. I’ll make use of this chance to get a feel of my boss...maybe his scent’s still here.”

A distressed, helpless Lu Zhixin said, “...No more about this, okay.”

Tang Yufei opened the wardrobe and flipped through it as she said, “Fine, I’ll stop. Anyway, your man’s a dog, not a cat. If you give him a bit of a treat, you definitely won’t lose out. Think on this yourself.”

“Not gonna,” Lu Zhixin whispered softly, “You’ve been talking about this the whole night. If I think any more about this, I won’t be able to sleep.”

Despite having said that she would not think about this, Lu Zhixin was actually unable to keep her mind off it at all that night. She leant against the wall and stuffed a pillow behind her waist before cushioning her hands behind her neck and stretching out her legs, sighing very slowly.

Seeing this, Tang Yufei switched to a serious tone for the first time that night, “Zhixin, let me say something serious. I quite envy you. Look at those I met-what kind of men are they?! You need to treasure how fortunate you are. Get what I mean? I’ve actually been hesitating for a long time tonight. I really think that you had better distinguish your Dad’s side and his side more clearly…”

“Don’t think about using his future development to help drag your Dad back. Your Dad’s already mad; it won’t be of any use however much you try to replenish him. It’s Xu Tingsheng who’s the vessel of your lifetime. If you drag him into it, either he’ll be done for together with your family or he’ll completely abandon you. I know this doesn’t sound nice, but I’ll say it just this once. Think about it.”

It was some time later that Lu Zhixin replied, “I will.”

She did not say this in a very heavy tone, but it was actually just so incomparably heavy indeed.

Not wanting the atmosphere to be spoilt just like that, Tang Yufei quickly changed her manner and expression, smilingly taking out some of Lu Zhixin’s underwear from the wardrobe as she asked, “Wow, I really didn’t think that you were as daring as this, Zhixin. Dressed so plain and rigid on the outside, but inside…”

“Huh?” Turning and seeing the bunch of cloth that Tang Yufei had grabbed, a blushing Lu Zhixin said, “Hey, put those down now.”

Tang Yufei replied, “Not gonna, unless you tell me...are these new, bought after you met him, or did you already have them before?”

Lu Zhixin glared exasperatedly at her and hesitated for a moment before swiftly and indistinctly saying, “They were bought after.”

“Meaning that you were already mentally prepared long ago?”

“No...it’s just a, coincidence.”

Tang Yufei continued grabbing onto her as she asked, “Which one was it that day?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Lend it to me to wear.”

With Tang Yufei’s words becoming more and more nonsensical, Lu Zhixin’s embarrassment turned into anger as she went over, grabbed them and stuffed them all back into her wardrobe, closing the door, “You’re not allowed to go through my stuff anymore. There’s a box of new ones there. If you don’t like it, just don’t wear it.”

Tang Yufei finally stopped, ceasing in her actions as she put on her pyjamas and squeezed onto the bed. Then, she mischievously inched over and hugged Lu Zhixin who was already facing the wall from behind, “Was he like this that day?...”

Lu Zhixin replied, “No. Stop talking about that already.”

Tang Yufei said, “Alright. I’ll teach you something else then.”

Lu Zhixin asked, “What, there’s still more?”

Tang Yufei said, “Time for an intermediate lesson on postures.”

Lu Zhixin pinched her, refusing, “I’m not learning that.”

“Really?”

“Really. Let’s sleep.”

“Well, fine. I’ll teach you a method that won’t be awkward then. When you’re free and have nothing to do, you should learn yoga. Doesn’t the training institute have lessons on that? If you’ve got some free time, you should learn it. It’ll be beneficial to you…”

“Yoga? Why?”

“You’ll understand in the future,” Tang Yufei laughed lasciviously.

Lu Zhixin exclaimed ‘oh’ and no longer spoke.

After a while, Tang Yufei asked her, “What is it? What’s on your mind?”

“I’m feeling a little worried. I’m worried that if he isn’t careful, he might have to take responsibility for someone one day,” Lu Zhixin said softly, “Then, I’m also afraid that he might meet someone he doesn’t need to take responsibility for, who isn’t troublesome and is beautiful...in that case, he might not be able to hold himself back.”

……

Milan.

Beside Xu Tingsheng was currently lying a woman who had just said that he needn’t take responsibility, that she wouldn’t cause any trouble for him. She was insanely beautiful too…

She had also trained in yoga for the past ten years…

Li Wan’er said that she had never lain in a man’s embrace like this before. Xu Tingsheng could not and was also unwilling to ask how her former marriage had been like.

Still, this little thing was actually a form of stability that every woman yearned for. For most, this was not hard to come by. The only thing was whether it lasted for a moment or an entire lifetime.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, whenever he had met with a setback and was in a dismal mood, Xiang Ning who hadn’t had societal experience yet wouldn’t actually do much, not even knowing how she might be able to comfort him with words anyhow...

She would let him rest his head on her thigh for a while, perhaps even take a nap.

Her slender fingers would brush through his hair, gently stroking it. That had been Xu Tingsheng’s ‘sanctuary’.

Even men needed sanctuaries, let alone women.

Currently, it was still the idea of a child that occupied Xu Tingsheng’s mind.

If he was truly able to get together with Xiang Ning in this life, getting married and having a child, going by her will, it would be a total of forty-six years counting both this lifetime and his previous that Xu Tingsheng would not have a child of his own.

It would still be fine if no one brought this up and he did not think about it. Still, as Li Wan’er mentioned it now, laid out such an offer before him...he would surely be moved somewhat.

Beside him, Li Wan’er ceased in all her movements completely as she simply leaned against his chest just like that. Her head was lowered slightly as she would glance up at him every once in a while in an incomparably alluring manner.

She spoke gently and weakly, delicately and carefully. Xu Tingsheng felt like Li Wan’er might have taken a ‘seductress’ course recently.

“Afterwards, I often thought about that day, when you pressed me against the wall. I was thinking: should I push you away or not...then I let go, thinking that I would let you be bad.”

“We women will always meet a man in our lives whom we would bear to let bully us, right?”

As she continued speaking, she carried off Xu Tingsheng’s entire train of thought with her.

“I’m thinking about how my stomach will slowly grow bigger, with all my hopes deposited within. I will talk to him everyday. I will wear warm clothes and proudly show my big stomach, bringing him to the workshop, to the school...through the streets of Milan.”

“I will be very careful, but I will still want to take him to look at scenery. The white church, the colourful Pinacoteca di Brera…”

‘I will prepare nutritious meals for myself everyday, happily eating myself fatter and fatter. I definitely won’t be afraid of getting fat then.”

“Then I will give birth to him. I think that things may be a bit difficult at that time, but that’s fine. I’ll prepare myself well for it. I will be strong, because he’d have come, and so I’d definitely be very happy in the future.”

“He will slowly learn how to walk, and soon I’ll be able to hold his hand and walk together with him.”

“When he starts learning to speak, I will teach him Italian first. That way, he’ll be able to find a whole bunch of playmates. Italian friends, Chinese friends, even dark-skinned friends are fine.”

“I’ll teach him Chinese too. That way, he will be able to loudly talk covertly with me. Also, when you come, he can call you Dad, and talk with you.”

“Will you like him?”

“He will slowly grow older and start attending school. I’ll send him to and from school every day. I’ll definitely dress him up very prettily, and there will be many who like him.”

“Oh, I still haven’t decided if he should be a boy or a girl.”

“Will he be like you, or will he be like me?”

“Whatever the case, he’ll definitely be very beautiful.”

Xu Tingsheng’s mind was full of the scenes narrated by Li Wan’er. He seemed able to see that mother and son, or perhaps mother and daughter as they held hands...they’d both be a sight to behold, whatever the case.

In Milan.

And in Xu Tingsheng’s heart.

In order to draw his thoughts back, Xu Tingsheng switched his train of thought, “But there may be a day when he asks you where his Dad is...why he isn’t with you. He will lose many things. That isn’t fair.”

Li Wan’er said calmly, “Trust me. I will take good care of him.”

Then, she smiled, continuing, “I think he’ll first ask me where he comes from, how he came to be. Every child will ask about that. I will tell him that he’s here because Daddy bullied Mummy.”

“Then, when he asks me where Daddy is, I’ll tell him that Daddy bullied Mummy and was afterwards chased away by Mummy. I’ll definitely never let him blame you, hate you, ever.”

Embracing Xu Tingsheng, Li Wan’er flipped over such he was now pressing down on top of her.

“So that Mummy will not lie to her child, bully me, Xu Tingsheng. Tomorrow...I’ll chase you away.”

Xu Tingsheng looked into that pair of warm, gentle eyes.

Those eyes slowly closed.

It was not intentional, for Xu Tingsheng really noticed a problem now. He shook Li Wan’er, asking her earnestly after she had opened her eyes, “Well, when you chase me away tomorrow...how do you know that one time will...definitely be enough for a child?”

While Li Wan’er had been married before, she had never wanted a child before.

Therefore, she too was stumped by this problem which came up all of a sudden.

A serious look appeared on her face.

“Then...how many times? Will you be tired?”

“It may still not happen for sure.”

“Then, how about I go to Paris with you tomorrow, and then on to the next place too, every day, all the way?”

“...”

“That’s not good? How about, once, then I wait and see if...if there isn’t, you come to Milan again, and I’ll wait again...and if there still isn’t, you come to Milan one more time…”

Xu Tingsheng laughed, “Then, would I have become a VIP of the airline?”

“Huh? Is this, very difficult?”

“I’ve also never gotten anyone pregnant before. I wouldn’t know about that!”

“I don’t know about this too. This was something cousin didn’t teach me about.”

Chapter 300: The translucent light of spring

Li Wan’er definitely wouldn’t have guessed this: At this moment, Xu Tingsheng actually desired this child more than she did, a secret child, unbeknownst by anyone, to inherit his bloodline.

Xu Tingsheng had a traditional mindset common to the Chinese people for millennia past, that of the importance of passing down their family bloodline. This was one of the greatest regrets of his previous life.

If his previous life was actually another world, that him would actually have been unable to account for things to his already deceased father-the only son unable to pass down his bloodline, a lineage hence broken.

Then, what about this post-rebirth life?

Ever since his rebirth, Xu Tingsheng had actually been living in constant fear. He had never been someone with an incredibly strong will in the first place. Otherwise, faced with the tribulations of his previous life, he wouldn’t have chosen to give up and shrink back.

Firstly, Xu Tingsheng’s fear was of being discovered and exposed...

If that happened, the best ending might be that he would be imprisoned and isolated from the rest of the world for the rest of his life-and this was only the best case scenario. There was a ninety-nine percent chance that he would be sucked dry of all his worth and then destroyed.

Despite the great care that he took, he inevitably still felt fearful, not knowing when bad luck might suddenly befall him.

Xu Tingsheng had actually already thought about and prepared for this. After establishing a solid enough foundation one day, he would make some erroneous decisions and experience some failures lest someone notice how he never did anything wrong, always making the right decisions.

Next, Xu Tingsheng also feared a particular point in time, that in the year 2015. His rebirth had stemmed from that particular point in time.

There was no way for him to know: When his reborn self arrived at that day, what might happen then?

Was it the irreversible fate of death as an anomaly that should not exist which awaited him? Vanishing into thin air? ...Or would it be the least severe consequence of him becoming mediocre again after losing his precognitive abilities…

After which he might be unable to keep hold of all he had gained these past ten over years, even facing danger simply due to the assets he had accumulated over this period of time.

Thus, when Li Wan’er had proposed her bearing Xu Tingsheng a child, it had really been equivalent to her reminding him there was such an important thing which he had still yet to do-passing down his bloodline.

As she described the clandestine, relative freedom that she and their child would have in Milan, Xu Tingsheng was moved without the least bit of hesitation remaining. More accurately, at that moment, he had already decided that he wanted that child.

He would give this child as much as he could in secrecy, and this child would be their eternal secret.

In the plan that flashed through Xu Tingsheng’s mind, besides him and Li Wan’er, there should only be one person in this world that could also know about the existence of this child, this being his father Xu Jianliang.

Everyone else, including Mrs Xu, his sister Xu Qiuyi, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng...he wouldn’t tell them about this. The fewer who knew the better.

Xu Tingsheng could not find a more appropriate person than Li Wan’er, a more appropriate time.

She lived overseas; she effectively had no relatives and would not be disturbed or manipulated; she did not intend to marry again; she was used to and willing to live a mild, solitary life; she did not have any other demands…

Also, she was a very good woman. Looks, personality, character...there was virtually no fault he could find.

Also, she loved Xu Tingsheng. Having a child who belonged to the two of them would be such a blissful thing for her. Also, Xu Tingsheng liked her as well to some extent. Missing out was itself a cause for regret…

Also, and of the utmost importance, was the fact that she wouldn’t affect and hurt Xiang Ning at all, aside from maybe how he would be bearing some guilt over this secret that he kept from her.

As for Xiang Ning, she was fifteen this year.

On one hand, Xu Tingsheng did not want her to be completely diverging from the life of a normal person, such as by giving birth to a child before she was twenty, such as by...she should attend senior high school and then university. Besides Uncle having appeared to protect her earlier in this life, she should live as happily and freely in his previous.

On the other hand, before that particular point in time in the year 2015, even if Xiang Ning was willing to, Xu Tingsheng would not dare let her have his child. It was destined to be impossible for him to hide Xiang Ning and their child like Li Wan’er, and he would not do so as well.

If something really happened on that day, Xu Tingsheng would rather Xiang Ning be in sorrow for a time, still having a long life of her own afterwards, as opposed to bringing along his child and suffering because of him for the rest of her life.

Therefore, at this moment, Xu Tingsheng wished for this child.

……

Now, however, they had met with a problem.

The problem Xu Tingsheng and Li Wan’er had met with was this. Pregnancy is often something that happens out of the blue with a couple ‘striking jackpot’ in a single go when they do not want it, even worry about and are afraid of it happening. In the end, bad luck befalls them as they end up with a whole lot of trouble.

And when you finally begin to look forward to it in earnest one day, preparing for and trying hard for it...it may well be that half a year will go by with nothing at all…

This matter is just as unpredictable as that.

The few suggestions that Li Wan’er had offered seemed to have gone against her fundamental stance...wouldn’t she be as good as his lover then?

Xu Tingsheng made use of when Li Wan’er was considering the profound topic of ‘life creation’ and retreated, lying down by the side. He then took a moment to calm himself down. Suddenly, he remembered something and asked her, “Right, have you calculated the timing yet?”

“Huh? What?” Li Wan’er regained her wits and looked over at him...looking from her expression, she seemed to be rather taken aback by this question of his.

“Your, that...timing, with the safety period and danger period and whatnot,” Xu Tingsheng said in a despondent tone, “You must surely know about that. Didn’t you calculate it when you decided you wanted a child and came over?”

“I, I never thought about having a child before. I never wanted one. Then, I fled soon after getting married...so I never took much notice of it at all. Just now, I…forget about it.”

This woman seemed to think that she could get pregnant and give birth as and when she liked. Even this decision of hers had only just been made.

“...” Xu Tingsheng was rendered momentarily speechless before he said, “You calculate it now then.”

Li Wan’er really concentrated for a while and carefully did the calculations before she said, “It seems like it should be coming in the next two days.”

Xu Tingsheng said helplessly, “Then, it’s the safety period...how can you even get pregnant?!”

Men were usually afraid of the danger period. This time, Xu Tingsheng was instead owned by the safety period...and it would come in the next two days, coming for a good couple of days, and after that would be the safety period again…

Xu Tingsheng was depressed.

Li Wan’er lost the basis for her courage.

While there had been twists and turns in her mentality that night, one thing had never changed, which was that all of it was founded on her desiring a child. Without this basis, going on with it…

It would have gone against her fundamental stance of not being anyone’s lover.

She had never been a courageous person in the first place.

Feeling greatly embarrassed, Li Wan’er hesitated for a moment before sitting up with the blanket over her and saying awkwardly, “I, I’ll be going back then. Will you...still be coming in the future? I’m referring to the matter of our child. Actually, it feels like I’m forcing you. I guess...you won’t be coming back again?”

She inevitably felt rather pained and vexed. Yet, there was only blaming ‘bad luck’ for things having turned out like this.

Xu Tingsheng smiled somewhat awkwardly.

Slightly puzzled, Li Wan’er looked at him, continuing to speak though she did not understand his actual meaning, “I know, you might not want to...because of her. Sorry, I clearly know that, but I still want to force you. Because thinking about it just now, I feel that having a child of the two of us to accompany me..might really make for the happiest days of my life.”

“I know. I actually yearn very much for that type of happiness myself, just like you described. I was completely drawn in by your words earlier,” Xu Tingsheng said sincerely, “I really like kids.”

“Yeah, I already noticed that before. Though you’re clearly still so young...I don’t get it...but I can still tell,” Li Wan’er said rather triumphantly.

Xu Tingsheng went on rather awkwardly, “Because of that, just now, I was actually...also hoping for a child. With you.”

“...You, you’re serious?” Li Wan’er felt joyful whilst bashful as well.

Yet, realising how Xu Tingsheng had said ‘just now’, Li Wan’er asked, “What now? Will you still come? Also...will things be okay with her? Rest assured, I definitely won’t affect you or hurt her. I also won’t see you again...you could come once or twice every year to visit our child, at most.”

Xu Tingsheng actually had no way of explaining Xiang Ning’s matter to Li Wan’er. He was unable to explain it clearly to even himself.

He avoided the topic of Xiang Ning, saying earnestly, “I’ve calmed down a bit now, but my decision hasn’t changed. From what I heard, your decision also sounded kinda spur of the moment. I’m thinking…”

Xu Tingsheng stopped and calculated the time and the arrangements.

“What’re you thinking?” Li Wan’er asked.

“It’s currently November 2004. I’ll be coming to Milan again around July next year. If you still wish for the same then, Wan’er, then bear me a child,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I can’t guarantee much else, especially how much time I can spare for you, but I’ll do my best to take care of you and our child under this precondition.”

“...Right. I’ll wait for you then. I don’t think that I’ll change my mind, I definitely won’t,” Li Wan’er smiled.

She did not bring up any time-related issues. Now wasn’t possible, and she would need time to consider matters properly afterwards. What Xu Tingsheng had said was completely reasonable.

Now that this matter had finally been agreed upon, the atmosphere in the room instead turned awkward...what next?

Continue? When a child definitely wouldn’t be produced, Li Wan’er had no basis for going on with that. Such would go against her fundamental stance. It was pretty much the same for Xu Tingsheng too...what, could he tell himself to treat it simply as practice? Taking a run-through?

Li Wan’er was the first to speak, “Well, I’ll be going back then. My...clothes...can you help me.”

As Li Wan’er spoke of her clothes, she tugged at the blanket around her, wrapping herself up more tightly. She actually felt very awkward in this get-up, especially with how things had ended up. She pointed at her blouse and jacket at the foot of the bed. Having no way of getting up and retrieving them herself, she could only ask Xu Tingsheng to help her with it.

Xu Tingsheng sat up and considered for a moment, asking as he checked the time, “It’s past 3am now...how about, you stay behind?”

Li Wan’er looked at Xu Tingsheng, hesitating for a while before she lowered her head, shaking it as she said distressedly, “No, I said it earlier...I won’t be a lover. I’ll only do that for my child. You aren’t allowed to laugh at me. I know that this may sound very silly and self-deluding, but I really have no way of persuading myself.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled and explained, “That isn’t what I meant. What I mean is sleeping, for real. Lie down in my embrace and sleep for a few hours, and then the sun will be up. Didn’t you say that you want to lean in my embrace, that you’ve never before?”

Li Wan’er looked into Xu Tingsheng’s eyes.

“I want to be good to the woman who will bear me a child in the future, to care for her. Can I?” Xu Tingsheng smiled brightly.

Li Wan’er smiled too. This sort of happiness was simple and self-evident. She nodded quietly before shrinking back beneath the blanket.

Xu Tingsheng lay down as well, moving an arm aside.

Li Wan’er did not lean in against him.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked her gently.

“My...clothes,” Li Wan’er answered softly.

“...They’re pretty nice. I already saw them just now,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Li Wan’er shot him a furious glare before saying, “I forgot to bring pyjamas. What do I do now?”

“I brought two sets. You can have one. It may be a little big, but just make do.”

Xu Tingsheng got up and fished about for pyjamas in his luggage, casually asking in the meantime, “Right, these clothes of yours...when did you prepare them?”

He had already previously discovered that Li Wan’er was different from last time.

She had learnt some new things. While she had still been unable to let herself go, compared to how she had been back in Shenghai previously, she was totally like a ‘demoness’ this time...be it in terms of her clothing, movements or tone, all of which had changed greatly.

“My cousin bought them,” Li Wan’er said softly.

Xu Tingsheng grasped some new information. Li Wan’er had already mentioned this cousin of hers twice that night.

“Apart from buying you clothes, what else did your cousin teach you?” A curious Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Um...noth, nothing,” While Li Wan’er was saying that there was nothing, her expression clearly showed that there was something.

After a while, she seemed to have resolved herself for something, made some decision.

Li Wan’er said, “Actually, there was also…”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “What else was there?”

“Some...movements,” Now, Li Wan’er glanced at Xu Tingsheng, first switching from upright to prone position before calling him back to the bed, carefully reaching out to grab a hand of his.

That hand was placed on her waist.

Then, the person under the blanket with a decade of experience in yoga was like a small boat amidst the waves, rising and falling and rocking along with the winds and tides...rocking about choppily...that vessel swayed, oh swayed amidst the turbulent waves...

She had originally wanted to let the youthful, hot-blooded him have his way for a bit, just a bit, not letting him see it, just letting him feel it…

Yet, the smooth blanket slid off her body...

Li Wan’er raised her head and glanced up at Xu Tingsheng. He was looking.

Li Wan’er was blushing a deep crimson. She looked discomfited indeed...embarrassed beyond compare. Still, she bit her lips, forcibly bearing these feelings of embarrassment and humiliation as she allowed that small boat to continue rocking, rocking to the point that one’s mind could not help but be shaken along with it.

Xu Tingsheng spoke in a hoarse, repressed tone, “Your cousin taught you very well.”

Li Wan’er finally stopped, panickedly pulling up the blanket to cover herself before she reached out and pinched the tender flesh at Xu Tingsheng’s waist, “Don’t laugh! I’m so old already...and yet I’m actually doing this sort of thing.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m not laughing. Is there anything else?”

Looking at him, Li Wan’er hesitated for a while before she nodded.

...Some time passed. She stopped, panting delicately.

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Your cousin taught you this?”

Li Wan’er buried her head in Xu Tingsheng’s chest, saying, “Helping me to compete with other women to win your heart. I’m not going to do that anymore…”

“Not going to compete, or…”

“I want to be good to the man I will be bearing a child for in the future, to care for him. Can’t I?” Li Wan’er looked up at Xu Tingsheng, mimicking his earlier tone as she smiled brightly.

“Your cousin’s awesome,” Xu Tingsheng said, “So...the way you spoke earlier, your expression and all that, I’m guessing that was her too?”

Li Wan’er nodded rather embarrassedly.

“Then, is there anything else?” Xu Tingsheng’s gaze was fiery hot.

“The rest were all words...those I can’t say,” Li Wan’er said nervously.

“Such as bully me, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Li Wan’er shook her head, “No, I thought of that myself. That wasn’t what she taught me. Those things she taught me are much more difficult to say…”

“Such as?”

“Devastate me,” The conflicted Li Wan’er struggled for a long time before she finally managed to force these words out of her mouth.

The originally heated atmosphere immediately changed. Xu Tingsheng was unable to keep himself from laughing as he clutched his stomach, “Well… your cousin and her husband are really valiant people indeed. Is there anything else?”

Li Wan’er angrily reached out and pinched him, pursing her lips as she vehemently shook her head to indicate that she definitely wouldn’t say it.

Xu Tingsheng pushed her a little, “Auntie Wan’er, don’t be so petty! Say it out and let me laugh!”

Li Wan’er glared at him for a good while before swiftly saying exasperatedly, “Abuse me.”

Xu Tingsheng nearly ended up rolling on the floor laughing with that. He raised his hand in surrender, proclaiming, “I’ve been conquered by your cousin.”

When he finally calmed down, Li Wan’er no longer seemed as awkward as before as she took this as a fun, relaxing topic, continuing, “You were right. There was conquer. Cousin also taught conquer me…,...me,...me dead.”

She said the final two phrases.

Xu Tingsheng’s breathing fell into disarray.

These two phrases were much in the same vein as they were actually very crude. However, his breathing became heavy.

He looked at Li Wan’er for a long while, the latter only then losing her teasing mood from earlier as she asked softly on sensing his rather strange mood, “What’s with you?”

Xu Tingsheng directly reached out and embraced her, pressing her close to his ear as he said in a commanding tone, “I want to hear you say those last two things again.”

Li Wan’er looked at him and could be certain that he was very serious, his expression no longer being that joking one from earlier.

“...me,” Li Wan’er hesitated for a long time before softly, slowly leaning into Xu Tingsheng’s ear and repeating that phrase.

With that, Xu Tingsheng seemed like he had been entirely lit ablaze.

Li Wan’er felt like she herself seemed to have been lit ablaze as well. Awkwardness, shyness, rashness...these feelings surged all at once. It was overwhelmingly different from when she had said this very same phrase earlier, the difference between the two instances being worlds apart.

Li Wan’er was unable to stop herself from breathlessly, slowly saying another phrase into Xu Tingsheng’s ear, “...me dead.”

This woman was shy, sometimes even seeming like she was aloof to the happenings of this world as she was mild, quiet, elegant...yet, she had said the crudest thing to a man who was eleven years younger than her.

Blaspheming...goddess.

Xu Tingsheng clenched his teeth and pulled the blanket off him in a single motion, saying, “I’ll take a bath.”

Li Wan’er knew what this meant. Back in Shenghai, he had taken a bath as well. She hesitated for a moment before reaching out and grabbing his arm, whispering, “No need. Let, let me help you.”

Xu Tingsheng was surprised as he asked, “I thought you didn’t know...well, I guess your cousin taught you this too?”

Li Wan’er bashfully nodded, “Yeah.”

“What about you? Do you need me to help you too?”

“Huh? But I’m not…” Li Wan’er shook her head vehemently.

“I can tell.”

“...”

Li Wan’er turned off the lights.

“To be good to the woman who will bear me a child in the future,” He said.

“To be good to the man I will be bearing a child for in the future,” She said.

The house was illuminated by the translucent light of spring.

Till things gradually fell silent.

“We seem to be deceiving ourselves,” Li Wan’er said.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Remember not to treat me too well.”

“You too.”

“Sleep then. Lean against me,” He said.

“Alright.”

Chapter 301: Taking a few bends in life

Though nothing had actually happened, in truth, when Xu Tingsheng awoke the next day, Li Wan’er had already left just like what often happened in movies.

Xu Tingsheng tried to look for a note. There wasn’t one.

Then, the doorbell rang. He opened the door.

Li Wan’er was dressed in her normal clothes, smiling brightly as she stood outside the door.

“I’ve made you breakfast,” She said.

This didn’t seem to happen in movies. Xu Tingsheng drew the curtains open. The two sat by the window, eating breakfast together beneath the incandescent rays of the sun. Li Wan’er said that the sunlight was great. She also asked: What’re you looking at me for?

Xu Tingsheng said, “You look even brighter than the sun today.”

Hearing him saying this out of the blue, Li Wan’er asked, “Huh?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “You’re like a little girl in the first ever relationship of her life.”

Having been called a little girl by a twenty-year-old guy, Li Wan’er did feel awkward. Still, she was filled with joy and satisfaction as she smiled, a standard French smile with the corners of her mouth upturned as it was bright and elegant.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before he said, “Actually, you still have a lot of time. If before July next year, you…”

Li Wan’er replied, “I know what you mean. You don’t have to say it. Relax, I’ll go by my heart. I definitely won’t make any decisions based on gratitude…”

After breakfast, Xu Tingsheng received a call. Like he had predicted, his conditions had all been accepted.

Li Wan’er accompanied Xu Tingsheng in going to get the contract signed.

With quite a bit of time still remaining before his afternoon flight, Li Wan’er asked Xu Tingsheng, “What do you want to do next?”

Xu Tingsheng considered this, “I want to look at the work you do, see how you live everyday."

Xu Tingsheng was surprised to see Angelo at the tailor workshop where Li Wan’er worked. With Li Wan’er’s introduction, Angelo remembered Xu Tingsheng as well as he now jabbered a whole bunch in incomprensible Italian.

Xu Tingsheng asked Li Wan’er what he had said.

Li Wan’er smiled, shaking her head as she refused to tell him.

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m leaving then.”

Li Wan’er said, “I’ll tell you then.”

“Go on.”

“Mister Angelo says congratulations for having found a woman who will put on your tie for you. He also congratulated me...the rest was all him praising himself, saying that he’s the avatar of the God of Love, Cupid. He’s misunderstood our relationship.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Well, it also can’t be considered a misunderstanding.”

He turned and told Angelo ‘thank you’ in English.

Angelo began jabbering again.

Xu Tingsheng looked at Li Wan’er.

This time, Li Wan’er resolutely refused to say anything.

Another woman with an Oriental face walked over, telling Xu Tingsheng, “Mister Angelo says that you’ve won the princess of this old street, plucked its most beautiful flower. Many people will feel jealous of you, such as those men who have already accumulated countless suits in their homes. She is strong yet also fragile. Please take good care of her.”

Xu Tingsheng was rendered momentarily speechless before he smiled awkwardly, “Thank you.”

In the time that remained, Xu Tingsheng watched on as Li Wan’er concentrated on her work. Her side profile as she was deeply absorbed in her work made for a pleasant sight indeed as even those occasionally dangling strands of hair were like thin lines illustrated from Da Vinci’s brush.

She was calm, maintaining that stable rhythm that was neither fast nor slow, her footsteps included.

It was only when she looked up from her work once in a while that she would appear rather flustered.

The mood here was simple yet blissful. It made one want to stay behind.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng was going to be leaving very soon.

The people in the workshop were mostly friendly and mild-mannered though some of them were a bit lacking in terms of social skills as even their manners and pleasantries felt rather unnatural.

Li Wan’er looked up, smiling at him, “They are the true legacy craftsmen. While Italy isn’t a very traditional place, you can always still find this sort of people who view their inherited legacies and persistence in it to be completely natural. For example, there was someone here who became a top grandmaster because of brushing leather shoes. On the flip side...we’ve lost a lot in terms of restlessness.”

Actually, whether a person thinks of themselves as successful is generally decided by society’s innate worth-bestowing power. Amidst the comparatively restless state of affairs today, money and status seem to have become the sole benchmark of success.

For example, for an outstanding teacher who has nurtured countless talents, so long as they were not in the higher rungs of their organisation or did not receive the special treatment and subsidies that others were entitled to, in the eyes of most people, he or she can never claim to be successful as they should instead be subject to mockery. In terms of success, everyone will generally view them as being far from comparable to a principal, chairman, or even Year Head.

This is because the basis of their judgments is that they do not grasp authority, whereas their wages are actually not much higher than that of people simply muddedly living out their days.

And whenever youngsters concentrate on a field of their interest which is not recognised by the general public, they are generally derided as being good-for-nothing, however outstanding they may actually be in that field.

Xu Tingsheng was similarly unable to change this prevailing value system. It had always been society changing people, and never people reversing society.

That afternoon.

Li Wan’er sent Xu Tingsheng to the airport.

The last thing Xu Tingsheng said to her was still, “You still have a lot of time.”

Li Wan’er said, “I’ll be waiting for you to come back.”

She had said ‘come back’.

After leaving the airport, Li Wan’er did not return to the workshop. Instead, she went off to the church, repenting and praying. When she finally re-emerged, her footsteps were much lighter than before...

Because of her marriage, she had left home for six years.

A crisis had befallen her family, and she had been in dire straits.

Then, Xu Tingsheng had appeared, once, twice…

This person had brought about so much change in Li Wan’er’s life. Presently, he had saved her from her predicament, re-securing for her the life and future that she was used to and loved so?

As Li Wan’er imagined this scene, a beatific smile hung on her face.

She had once thought that she would grow old and die alone. For six whole years, she had thought that her life would be like this, that there would be no further change to it. As a result, everything that had happened now caused her to feel blissful and filled with anticipation. There was not much in life that she asked for.

Taking a few bends in life.

How many more bends would there be?

……

From Milan to Paris.

There was no time for Xu Tingsheng to feel the least bit romantic as right after he landed and opened his phone, Lu Zhixin reported to him the latest news back within the country.

A day ago, Hucheng had announced that it would be resuming its free-of-charge services.

The next day, perhaps on this very same day that Xu Tingsheng arrived in Paris, the bosses of the two newly-created platforms that had arisen as Hucheng’s competitors, Xueyou Education and Youxin Tongcheng, successively spoke to the media.

There were two news articles.

The headline of one of them was: We made Hucheng free again.

The general idea was that their appearance had benefited countless consumers, saving them from being exploited by Hucheng any longer. For otherwise, Hucheng would never have gone back to not charging fees. Hence, they should rightfully receive the support of the consumers.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and felt that this actually made quite a bit of sense.

The headline of the other article was rather more openly antagonistic. It read: We will bring down Hucheng.

In an interview, the boss of Youxin Tongcheng likened the current situation to that of the ‘Three Kingdoms’ era in this particular field. Correspondingly, in terms of the troops and generals they possessed as well as the sufficiency of their field provisions, they believed that Hucheng would unquestionably be the first to leave the field in this longstanding war.

Hucheng did not possess substantial monetary resources and had lost an important source of income after announcing that it would be resuming its free-of-charge services...how were they supposed to tide through this?

As many people saw it, for Hucheng for whom all had been smooth thus far...there they were now, terribly vulnerable and exposed to the elements.

Yet, two days passed, and Hucheng had not given any response whatsoever.

Xu Tingsheng basically finished contacting the construction materials supplier here within the next two days. He walked alone in this 'capital of romance’ with nothing romantic occurring at all.

Forming a strong discrepancy with this was how Xu Tingsheng’s phone was virtually blown up with calls everyday.

Concern.

Worries.

Queries.

On the train to Nice, Xu Tingsheng chose to switch off his phone.

Chapter 302: This guy makes so much sense

The characters ‘尼斯’ were actually derived from the French pronunciation. In English, the place was called Nice. In the words of the Chinese, even the name of the place was very auspicious, in much the same way that Xi’an had once been called Chang'an (Long Peace). How nice it sounded, how great its meaning was.

Xu Tingsheng had gone to Nice on the spur of the moment, going to the train station on a whim before buying a ticket and getting on a train.

Xu Tingsheng simply wanted to head somewhere where no one knew him, where he could tour about completely free of goals and things to achieve, staying there in a most relaxed state for a couple of days on his own.

Xu Tingsheng had originally planned to spend five to six days handling the matter of contacting those construction materials suppliers in Europe. Actually...he had also planned to ‘deal with’ Li Wan’er while he was at it...in the end, however, things had ended up in such a manner.

He had originally been planning to fly to New York to face Apple after that.

However, following Li Wan’er’s matter, Xu Tingsheng discovered that the so-called swift sabres severing haphazard bonds seemed to be something that he wasn’t able to do on his own at all.

Even for Li Wan’er for whom he had thought it would be very easy, things had ended up becoming increasingly chaotic, the entanglements between them only growing tighter…

That being the case, how would it be like with Apple?

Apple had virtually been looking forward to Xu Tingsheng coming over to see her ever since she had gone to New York. At the end of virtually every email she sent, she would ask of him: Come see me, Xu Tingsheng.

Sometimes, she would ask this of him earnestly. Sometimes, she would act pitiful. Sometimes, she would threaten him using various methods. Sometimes...she would try to use enticement.

Whatever the case, she was always hoping that he would come to see her, see how she was now. She said: I’m in especially good condition now. Even I myself really like me...I think that you will definitely like me too.

And if he really went over, when the plane landed and she was full of joy at how he had finally come to visit her...he, on the other hand, would instead have to exert all means to try to let her understand in as harmless and amicable a way as possible that...this was the end of their story.

How vicious, how painful, how forceful these words would be...would he be able to steel himself to say them?

Xu Tingsheng had been feeling troubled in the first place, not being much confident in this. Now, his mind was thrown totally into chaos.

A hesitant Xu Tingsheng ended up fleeing from this.

Those who had taken high-speed rails before definitely wouldn’t be willing to praise the speed of France’s trains. The good thing about the lower travelling speed, though, was that Xu Tingsheng was able to relaxedly admire the scenery of this foreign country in peace…

After alighting at Nice, Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a long time before turning on his phone.

Human society would ultimately progress to a point wherein everyone would be unable to rein themselves in. The most representative phenomenon of this would be how most people would not be able to voluntarily, freely turn off their phones…

The screen was full of missed calls.

Xu Tingsheng sifted through them...there were a whole lot from America. He and Apple actually seldom exchanged calls now. They were used to communicating via email, giving a calm narration of things before simply patiently awaiting a response from the other party.

This was a form of communication that both sides felt to be very comfortable, especially with the somewhat ambiguous relationship between the two though they clearly cared and worried about each other despite this.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated a little, wondering whether he should go back.

In the end, she called him first.

“Were you on a plane before this? I just couldn’t get through at all,” Apple asked worriedly as the call connected.

“...Yeah, I was,” Xu Tingsheng answered rather guiltily.

“That’s good then. It’s good that you’re okay.”

“Yep. You shouldn’t worry needlessly next time.”

“I was worrying needlessly? Who asked you not to return my mail for so many days. I got worried and asked Song Ni to help me ask around, and only then did I find out that you’re overseas. Which country are you in now?”

“France.”

“Well, when you’re done, you can just conveniently come to New York.”

“Wait, can this really be called conveniently?”

“It’s on the way.”

“It’s across the ocean! The Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the East.”

“You see? You can get here whether you go east or west. It’s just one ocean.”

“...Well, I’ll see about that when I’m done with my affairs.”

“Will it take long? Around how many days?”

“It might take long. Can’t say for sure.”

“Just tell me: how many days?”

“I really can’t say for sure. Why do you have to know so specifically?”

“...Because I’ve got to calculate the time too.”

“You, calculate the time?”

“Right. There’s a pair of African exchange students who’ve rented the room on my left and a pair of Taiwanese exchange students who’ve rented the room on my right. They’re both really noisy every night. One side sounds all boorish and heroic and the other side so coquettish...I really can’t stand it...if you come, with me a professional singer, I just don’t believe we couldn’t be louder than them! You get it now?”

“Cough…”

“Hmm…”

“Change to another room, one with better soundproofing.”

“No way, I can’t admit defeat just like that. You don’t know, but just because I knocked the wall to remind them once, that black chick now says to me when I see her everyday: Hi, was it nice listening yesterday? Oh yeah! Then the Taiwanese chick: Oh, I am so sorry, we~disturbed~you. No, the seeds of hatred have already been planted in this sis’s heart.”

“Then, you…pretend that there’s someone in the room? Call out yourself. Take it like you’re practising singing.”

“No way! There’s no guy’s voice to play along. You’ll also have to call out a few times when you’re here.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly, “Why are you still just the same as before?”

Apple said, “I’ve never heard of anyone changing their good points.”

“That’s a good point?”

“Towards you, it is.”

“Cough...I’ve got some stuff to do now. I’ll contact you later.”

“Oh, fine. Remember to hurry and tell me the approximate timing, then. Right, you’re not allowed to hook up with French chicks there. I hear they are positively lustful all the time.”

“Right, I won’t.”

Xu Tingsheng hung up. Next, he gave Mrs Xu a call, telling her that his phone would be switched off most of the time for the next few days. As Mrs Xu asked and learnt that Xu Tingsheng was in Nice, she suddenly became nervous as she warned him time and again that he was not to enter the water.

Xu Tingsheng asked, “But why?”

Mrs Xu said earnestly, “I’ve seen it in movies. There’s a sea monster in Loch Ness. It’s a really big one, and it probably eats people.”

Xu Tingsheng, “...Alright, I won’t enter the water then.”

Nice (尼斯) did not have a Loch Ness(尼斯湖). Instead, it had a coastline known as Europe’s Gold Coast.

Xu Tingsheng found a restaurant whose Boss was fluent in English and settled down there. Then, he made use of when night had still yet to fall completely and hurried to the beach.

There, he discovered that the so-called golden beach was a scam in the first place. Most of the beaches here were actually filled with pebbles rather than sand.

The ‘beaches’ of pebbles were still not lacking in bikini-clad girls. There were even some who wore nothing on their upper bodies. Xu Tingsheng emitted a startled gasp as he saw that they were actually really able to lie on the ground full of pebbles without seeming to mind this at all.

Xu Tingsheng very much wanted to go up and ask them, “Aren’t they painful? Especially some certain areas, and girl, you’re even lying prone.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a long time over whether to go to the Old Town which was the most acclaimed in Nice or to simply remain at the beach before finally, he remembered that he would be staying there for quite a few days anyway. There was really no rush at all.

Sometimes, when people had gotten used to being busy, even being free instead felt a bit weird.

He sat down by the shore.

Unable to continually, openly stare at the bikini-clad girls, Xu Tingsheng directed his attention at the sea and sky ahead of him that was so blue it felt a little unreal. This was how the ocean and sky really looked. They were so beautiful they took one’s breath away, also causing one’s heart to feel expansive at the same time.

Not long after, the silence was broken as a father and son who carried a camera walked over from the distance. The father looked around thirty-five and the son six or seven. The SLR camera which could not be considered light was hanging around the neck of the son.

“Chinese? Ghosts(Japs)? Sticks(Koreans)?” Seeing Xu Tingsheng’s Oriental features, the middle-aged man came up to him and asked.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Chinese. Those two words you used-aren’t they a bit inappropriate? We’re outside, after all.”

The man laughed in a loud, relaxed manner, “Inappropriate my ass. If they aren’t Chinese, there’s no way they will understand it in the first place!”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback as he realised that his words actually made a lot of sense.

“Say, do you think those pebbles hurt or not?” Perhaps because it was easier for them to become acquainted in a foreign country, the man sat down in a very familiar manner, still speaking ever so loudly as he asked without any reservations whatsoever.

“I was just thinking that too,” Xu Tingsheng responded softly.

“I think that they probably do press in rather painfully. Otherwise, look. This whole stretch-there isn’t a single man who dares to lie on it,” He said.

“Huh?” Xu Tingsheng could not figure out his logic right away.

“It’s still fine for women. After all, they’re softer and bouncier. For men, it would be eggs banging against stone, chicken and eggs. Beneath such circumstances, any man would react, then bang onto it...kaboom, wouldn’t it be no eggs, dead man? ...Get it?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, nodding. That really made a lot of sense.

The little boy suddenly began kicking up a fuss, “Sob, sob, I want to see the sea monster, I want to see the sea monster…”

His father directly slapped him on the face, “Look at you, dammit...just because you clamour all day about wanting to see a sea monster, brat, this old man had to bring you to join a tour group. And his mother, how the heck would I know that flaming Loch Ness actually isn’t in Nice?! The goddamn tour agency didn’t even properly tell this old man about it.”

Xu Tingsheng was doubly shocked by this outburst of his. Firstly, it was because the phrases the father had used to scold his son with all seemed rather inappropriate. Secondly, there actually truly were people who came all the way to Nice to see the Loch Ness monster.

“Actually, maybe coming here really is more worth it. Even if you go to Loch Ness, you actually won’t be able to see any sea monsters there too. There’s also nothing else really worth seeing,” Xu Tingsheng tried to calm this old bro down.

In the end, after hearing his words, the father slapped his son again, exclaiming, “Ya hear that? What sea monsters? Look at all these big...sisters, aunties...how great is that? Go on, get lost and get to taking photos for this old man.”

Xu Tingsheng felt bemused.

The man continued instructing his son, “Remember, shoot those who’re wearing less. It’s even better if they’re wearing nothing. Go, go go!”

Then, camera in hand, the kid actually set off on his mission for real.

Xu Tingsheng regained his wits as he enquired, “Old bro, this, isn’t really very good?”

The man dismissed this with a nonchalant wave of his hand, laughing loudly, “It surely wouldn’t be good if we went. But a kid, six years old-what can they do to him? Hey, if anyone asks later, neither of us recognises my son, yeah? Remember that.”

It had to be said that Xu Tingsheng again felt that he really made a lot of sense.

The kid was truly going around very earnestly and diligently in taking photos. The women whose shots were taken mostly paid him no concern. From time to time, someone not wearing anything on top would just reach out and shield her important portions, not raising any voice of complaint.

A long time passed before someone finally asked in English, “Whose child is this?”

The man asked Xu Tingsheng, “Can you understand what she said?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I can.”

“What did she say?”

“She asked whose child this is.”

“Pretend that you don’t understand.”

“...Oh, okay.”

The man did not even look at his son as he continued admiring the ‘scenery’ of the beach while chatting with Xu Tingsheng.

“Right, young bro. Which tour agency did you come with?” He asked.

“I came here on my own,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Oh, great, huh. Being cultured is good. Unlike me, not understanding foreign languages. I came here with a tour group of over forty people.”

“Then, how are you…” Xu Tingsheng scanned the area and saw no other Chinese in the vicinity. What he meant was-where’s your tour group?

“I escaped out here alone with my child,” The man said in a very casual manner, “Being together with them is really meaningless. Getting on the bus, getting off the bus, going to the toilet, taking photographs.”

Xu Tingsheng was stunned by this. Meeting such a wilful tourist in his group...how unlucky must this tour guide be?

“This...isn’t really good? What if the tour guide can’t find you...and you also don’t understand the language here,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What’s so bad about that? There’s nothing to worry about. Don’t you be like those other people, getting scared and downed into obedience to death just with a few lines by the tour guide. Hey, if they really lose we father and son here in France, who should be more scared? I’ll just stay here with my son for a couple of days more at most. In the meantime, the tour agency will be freaking tearing-their-hair-out mad, right? So, I can just play what I want. If I can’t find my way back after this, I can just wait for the tour guide to come find me.”

Xu Tingsheng was already convinced by him. This guy...made so much sense. With his valiant philosophy of living, his life was one that should be very fun and satisfying indeed.

Chapter 303: Old Jin’s ways

The man was surnamed Jin (Gold). His name was Jin Shengxing.

The child was called Jinshan (Golden Mountain).

Xu Tingsheng had dinner with this father and son that night.

They didn’t seem to be in a rush to return, anyway.

Arriving at a restaurant near the beach, Xu Tingsheng thought that the time had come for him to utilise his language proficiency as he thought to find a waiter with better English to communicate with. In the meantime, however, Old Jin had already settled the matter completely with gestures and wads of cash that he clapped down on the table.

After the first waiter had returned with tips in hand, the other waiters successively came over to serve them.

“Thank you...hello...I love you…” Chinese phrases were thrown out crappily one after the other.

Who said that the French were arrogant?

After generously distributing the tips to everyone, Old Jin ordered a whole bunch of seafood and various types of wine. He turned and looked at the dazed Xu Tingsheng, saying, “See, problems that can be settled with money are not problems in the first place. Who needs culture anyway?!”

Xu Tingsheng had no words for that as he just casually asked, “Old Bro, what do you work in?”

Old Jin said, “Coal mining. I’ve got a few mines over in Shanxi.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that he had met a real tycoon.

Going by how Old Jin was spending his money, logically speaking, there should be no need for him to follow a tour group like this at all. Getting a private trip arranged should not be a problem. Yet, not only was he a tycoon, he was also a bumpkin, not liking all that high-class, elegant stuff as well as he neither understood nor cared about it. What he got a kick out of was good enough.

Such a valiant living philosophy, such a hearty, unrestrained manner.

“What about you? You’re still studying?” Old Jin asked Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng answered, “Right, I’m in my second year of university.”

Old Jin said, “So you really are still a student, huh. Well, just relax and eat, young bro. You probably don’t usually get much of a chance to eat like this anyway...well, go on. Old bro will pay. You’re still spending your parents’ money on school. If there’s nothing, don’t randomly run around and waste money in the future.”

While his words should clearly be described as very ‘self-righteous’ and even slightly show-offy, Xu Tingsheng just felt that he was very straightforward and sincere.

He replied, “Okay.”

The dishes were served very quickly.

For people who really love eating seafood or places where seafood is truly eaten, the cooking preparations are actually not complex at all. Virtually everything is simply thrown inside the pot and cooked in salt water, after which they are scooped up with their freshest, most original taste.

Sometimes, there are some dishes which are cooked using brandy.

For seafood restaurants who dare to employ such a cooking method, this only goes to show how confident they are in their seafood. No stunts, no tricks-they depend completely on the quality of their seafood, their freshness and their deliciousness.

As for those with all sorts of intricate ploys, drawing flowery images and whatever...if you actually look closely at them...their original ingredients mostly aren’t all that great, really.

As the large crab that weighed over a kilogram was split apart in the centre with a knife, the yellow interior of the crab all around, coupled with rows upon rows of oysters and enormous prawns...even Xu Tingsheng who didn’t really like seafood all that much ate with much relish.

This place should be heaven for Xiang Ning. Xu Tingsheng wondered when he might ever bring her here. If they came, there was no need to go to the beach or anything like that-after all, there was nothing much to show off with her figure-just finding a seafood restaurant and dumping her inside would be good enough.

Following that came the wine. Red wine, white wine, champagne, brandy, and even French beer that was not very famous. France actually even had a type of beer that was known as Louis XIII.

Xu Tingsheng wasn’t knowledgeable regarding this at all. As he was wondering if seafood went better with white wine, Old Jin had already gone ahead and poured one type for him. This still couldn’t be considered anything. Of real import was how he let his six-year-old son, Jinshan, have a taste of every kind.

“Let the kid broaden his horizons,” Old Jin said.

The meal lasted for more than two hours. Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin had both drunk themselves dizzy as they nearly left about the similarly drunken Jinshan behind in the restaurant. It was only after his father had paid the bill and they were at the door that he remembered…

“The heck, where’s my son? ...My camera’s still with him.”

Xu Tingsheng could only wonder if it was his son or those pictures in the camera that he had in fact suddenly remembered.

They took a taxi back to the hotel that Old Jin and his son were staying in. There, they found the tour guide, a petite girl, crying inside the lobby. Seeing that Old Jin had returned, she heaved a sigh of relief even as she felt all stifled inside, infuriated yet not daring to say a thing. Feeling aggrieved, she just sniffed over by the side, dabbing at her tears.

Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin exchanged their handphone numbers.

“Remember to give me a call when you pass by Yanzhou next time, Old Bro. I’ll be your host,” Having enjoyed such an expensive meal for free, one that had cost several tens of thousands, Xu Tingsheng felt that this was the least he should do.

“Will you be up to it?” Old Jin asked bluntly.

“I’ll do my best. Even treating Old Bro to a bowl of noodles would be a form of hosting, right?” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Interesting. Just based on what you’ve said, I’ll definitely come look for you,” Old Jin replied happily.

As the lift was about to ascend, pressing the ‘open’ button, Old Jin turned over to look at him, yelling, “Oh, right, tomorrow...let’s have fun together again?”

“Hmm? We’ll see, I guess,” Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, “I really don’t think I can drink much more.”

Then, he waved goodbye.

As Xu Tingsheng walked to the door of the hotel, the tour guide chased after him rather timidly, tugging lightly on his arm before she asked softly, “Hello, you must be here on tour too? Please, can I ask something of you?”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “What?”

The tour guide said, “I’d like for you to not bring him running around all over the place. I’ve been half-frightened to death these past few days.”

Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless as he thought: You’ve got it wrong, lady! It’s clearly him who brought me randomly running around all over the place today!

He thought of how Old Jin had been today. Despite not knowing a word of English at all, he had been blatantly unconcerned about anything at all as it really seemed like there was nothing that he dared not try. Based on that, he appeared truly able to relaxedly bring his son throughout the entirety of France on his own.

Ten, twenty years ago, everyone had been testing the waters and looking for a way to cross the river in a golden age of entrepreneurship. It could not be denied that there had truly been many people who had dauntlessly ventured out like this then and ultimately succeeded in their efforts.

Old Jin should have started out on such a journey in his teens, having luckily and necessarily been one of those who had seen success.

This had been decided by his dauntless, adventurous personality.

In contrast, some people would study for decades and get a Master’s degree in university. Next, they would feel troubled by this, feel awkward with that. Out in society, they were still, in truth, really very much incompetent as compared to their parents who had not received a lot of education and weren’t even fluent in the common tongue.

Seeing the tour guide’s big eyes on her tear-stained face that was full of makeup, Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Relax, I definitely won’t cause trouble for you. You just focus on keeping an eye on him yourself.”

While he had clearly spoken amiably, the tour guide ended up breaking down with that as she held her face and knelt down on the ground, “I...I can’t stop him from leaving...wah...gone in a flash, gone in a flash, not even answering his calls. There weren’t any like him before...others who’re overseas normally all follow very closely, afraid of getting lost.”

Logically speaking, tour guides should generally be experienced and well versed in the ways of the human heart. Even if she wasn’t able to handle Old Jin, she still shouldn’t be crying like this.

Xu Tingsheng appraised the girl carefully. She was a pretty, delicate and timid thing, not looking very much experienced at all. He asked, “You’re new to this tour guide thing?”

The girl first shook her head, but eventually nodded as she explained, “I’m not a full-time tour guide. I’m an exchange student here in Nice. Because the school fees and my living expenses are so high, I work part-time once in a while, helping out at the tour agency and acting as a tour guide to earn some money and upkeep myself. This, this is my third time.”

Not a full-time tour guide, this being her third time...and she had encountered Old Jin. This girl really was very unlucky.

“Well, good luck then,” Xu Tingsheng considered the matter, finding that there really wasn’t any solution that he could think of as he simply wished her good luck and exited the hotel, standing by the street as he waited for a taxi.

Taxis weren’t very good to hail at this timing. After a while, the tour guide came over again. She stood beside Xu Tingsheng, looking at him.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I just thought of a way you can help me,” The tour guide said awkwardly.

“So, what is it?” Xu Tingsheng could only ask.

“Did you come alone?”

“Yes.”

“Then, how about you travel together with our tour group from tomorrow onwards? I can introduce things to you, and you can also ask me if there is anything. I won’t charge you anything. I can see that you and him have a very good relationship. With you around, he probably won’t run off.”

“Travelling with a tour group is restrictive,” Xu Tingsheng straight out refused without even thinking, “Also, I wouldn’t be able to stop him anyway. In fact, I’d probably end up running off with him.”

The tour guide was depressed for a few seconds before her eyes suddenly lit up, “That’s fine too! If you run off with him, even if I can’t find him, I’d at least be able to find you. Is that okay? You can follow the tour group, and you can go off on your own too.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Can’t you just find someone in the tour group to move about with him?”

"He doesn’t enjoy their company.”

“...”

“Please help me out. I’m really afraid of something happening.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit before he asked, “Where are you scheduled to go tomorrow?”

“Mainly around Nice’s Old Town.”

Having originally been planning to tour Nice’s Old Town the next day anyway, Xu Tingsheng said, “Well, okay. Call me tomorrow morning. Still, I can’t guarantee that I’ll be following you people around all day. If I feel bored, I’ll just go off on my own.”

“Yes, okay,” The tour guide said emotionally, “My name is Gu Ying, and my phone number is...”

The two exchanged handphone numbers. Since one of his phones would be turned off most of the time, Xu Tingsheng simply gave Gu Ying the number of his old Libei phone which was never turned off.

He took a taxi back to his hotel.

Inebriated from all the alcohol he had drunk, Xu Tingsheng did not turn on his phone that night.

Falling into a deep slumber, Xu Tingsheng was rudely awoken the next morning by Gu Ying’s call. The tour group of over forty people waited for him for more than twenty minutes before setting off for Nice’s Old Town.

Xu Tingsheng soon regretted his decision. Travelling with a tour group really did feel terrible. It was really noisy with so many people around as he was unable to calm down and relax, feeling as if he was rushing around wherever he went. Yet, Old Jin seemed extraordinarily patient today and in a great mood as well as he chatted with Xu Tingsheng all throughout, leaving him unable to simply leave just like that.

Fortunately, Gu Ying who wore a black sweater and jeans made for a rather pleasant sight that day, and her narrative abilities were not bad as well. Most importantly, Nice’s Old Town did truly have a unique flavour as well as deep history and background.

From architecture of the Baroque period to churches of the Rococo era, from the sculptures of the Ancient Greeks to the relic sites of the Renaissance, Nice’s Old Town possessed a mix of Italian, Western and French flair, stimulating the senses of its tourists in the subtlest manner.

The Ancient Rome-style streets with cobbled pavements which were mottled alongside the passing of the ages-while it was clearly the sound of your own footsteps, it sounded like a medieval greeting from way back in the Middle Ages.

Xu Tingsheng who had majored in history in his previous life really liked this sort of feeling.

Besides the legacies of history, virtually every family in this city grew plants on their windowsills. Even though it wasn’t the season for flowers, the entire town was filled with the vitality of life as a result.

Squinting and gazing far into the distance, one would be able to see the famous Alps.

Nice was beautiful.

In the afternoon, the tour agency had reserved meals. Xu Tingsheng was not thick-skinned enough to enter with them as he decided to look for food elsewhere on his own, bidding them farewell while he was at it.

After settling the tour members down, Gu Ying came out and found Xu Tingsheng, “Thank you. Well...how about I treat you to lunch?”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Oh? You treat me?”

Gu Ying said rather flusteredly, “I just want to express my gratitude. I can’t afford anything too good. How about I treat you to Italian dough dumplings, Gnocchi? It’s actually delicious, really.”

Xu Tingsheng was deeply drawn in by this Gnocchi which was a Chinese-Western combination. He decided to give it a try.

In the end, it really was just dough dumplings with potato pieces added inside.

Still, the flavour and taste were not bad.

After eating, Xu Tingsheng paid the bill without question. He was really unable to accept being treated to a meal by a girl who still had to work part-time for her school fees. Gu Ying stood by the side, opening her bag and retrieving a small handful of small change with a very awkward expression on her face.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, asking, “Considering Old Jin’s personality, he would surely have given you tips?”

Gu Ying said troubledly, “He offered me some a few times, but I, I didn’t dare to accept them.”

Xu Tingsheng understood at once from her expression, “Scared that he has ulterior motives?”

Gu Ying hesitated for a bit but still nodded in the end.

“Encountered such people before, have you?”

“...Yeah.”

“Old Jin’s fine. Just take the money.”

“...He doesn’t seem like a good person.”

“Right. Still, if he really wanted to bed you, he would say it straight to your face before splashing money at you. Since he never said this, it means that he doesn’t want to. So, just relax and take his tips. It’d be a waste not to.”

As he spoke of Old Jin, the man himself came over with little Jinshan, exclaiming as he saw Gu Ying, “You’re not bad. Even I freaking forgot, but luckily, you still remembered to take care of my young bro.”

With that, he casually grabbed a 20 Euro bill and passed it over.

Gu Ying’s family could not be considered wealthy. Her parents had even mortgaged the flat so that she could study overseas. As for this current job of hers, it had passed a few hands before she had finally managed to get it, this being a rare allocation for her. In truth, one time as a tour guide also did not pay all that well.

Gu Ying was still rather hesitant as she cast a glance at Xu Tingsheng beside her.

Old Jin added a 50.

Xu Tingsheng gave her a slight nod.

With her head lowered, Gu Ying extended a hand and accepted the money, bowing deeply, “Thank you.”

Old Jin said pointedly, “That’s right! If I give it to you, just take it. What’s there to be afraid of! Like I’d want to bed you...let’s first not say that I’ve my son with me, even if I didn’t, with this whole country of Western chicks, I also wouldn’t want your type. Really, nothing to see at all.”

Gu Ying’s face was flushed beetroot red.

Being used to acting coarsely as he did not have the sensitivity to consider Gu Ying’s feelings, Old Jin turned towards Xu Tingsheng without noticing anything at all, “Wouldn’t you say so too, young bro Xu?”

Xu Tingsheng declared firmly, “You’re right.”

Her face all red, Gu Ying had tears in her eyes as she felt like she had been bullied. She looked down at the ground, not daring to let Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin see it.

Like father, like son. Little Jinshan earnestly nodded, saying, “Right. Really nothing to see at all.”

Old Jin slapped him, “And what do you know?”

In the afternoon, Old Jin, little Jinshan and Xu Tingsheng ran off again. Xu Tingsheng was to discover three things:

Firstly, being together with people like Old Jinshan and acting based on his line of thought was really awesome indeed. He was never conflicted or hesitant at all.

Secondly, though Old Jin clearly did not understand anything at all, as he brought Xu Tingsheng gallivanting about, he was always able to find some fun, interesting places.

The three gallivanted till nighttime.

Night in Nice was even more enchanting and colourful. The lamps glowed brightly against the backdrop of that bustling nightlife. Waves lightly patted the shore as the city was filled with colourful neon lights. Amidst the darkness of the night, the hustle and bustle formed a conspicuous yet perfect contrast with the tranquility of the surrounding landscape.

Walking along the Promenade des Anglais, they arrived by the Baie des Anges.

The three of them chose a small restaurant by the seafront to have dinner. The tables were laid out right on the shore, the mock silver utensils on the clean white tablecloths seemingly glowing beneath the rays of the setting sun.

Old Jin handed over the task of ordering food to Xu Tingsheng this time.

Xu Tingsheng communicated with a waiter whose English was rather good, no longer wasting money as he ordered five to six dishes, including Salade Nicoise, French-style baked lobster with butter as well as naturally, the big crab that little Jinshan liked so much.

As for alcohol, Xu Tingsheng really dared not drink any more with Old Jin. He also could not bear to see little Jinshan becoming a hardcore alcoholic at such a young age. In the end, he simply ordered the blueberry wine and apple wine that the restaurant had personally brewed.

Not long into their meal, Gu Ying called Xu Tingsheng’s phone, asking him where they were.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Just take care of the other tourists. No need to be concerned about us.”

Gu Ying said, “Because walking on the mountain slopes today was really too tiring, the other tourists are basically all resting in the hotel. I can almost knock off already. I only need to see when you guys will return.”

Old Jin took the phone over, telling her, “Ya stop hurrying us! You come over you want. We will treat you to dinner.”

Then, he returned the phone to Xu Tingsheng, letting him tell Gu Ying the address. After giving that English address, Xu Tingsheng told her, “You don’t have to come here if you don’t want to. No need to force yourself. I’ll send them back later.”

In the end, less than half an hour had passed when Gu Ying arrived.

By the Baie des Anges, any woman would look better than usual. Also, Gu Ying appeared to have specially dressed herself up somewhat for the occasion. Xu Tingsheng and little Jinshan both offered her words of praise.

Gu Ying appeared very nervous with that.

Old Jin found a new person to make drink wine with. Fortunately, fruit wine didn’t have very high alcoholic content.

It was Xu Tingsheng who paid the bill for this meal.

After taking a taxi back to their hotel and formally bidding Old Jin and his son goodbye, agreeing to meet back in the country, Xu Tingsheng was just about to leave after they had gone upstairs.

Yet, Gu Ying who was rather tipsy from all the wine asked, “Can you accompany me upstairs?”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “It can’t be that you want to bed me?”

Gu Ying frantically shook her head, taking out her phone and showing Xu Tingsheng some text messages. Glancing at these briefly, Xu Tingsheng discovered that some tourist in his forties had been harassing Gu Ying. The contents of the messages became increasingly direct as even a price had been directly offered.

The latest message had only just been sent. It read: Little sis, you aren’t in your room? I’ll be waiting for you at the door then.

Xu Tingsheng asked, “What’re you afraid of? Just sue him at most.”

Gu Ying hesitated for a bit before saying, “I wouldn’t be able to get work in this line anymore.”

Xu Tingsheng held out his arm.

Gu Ying looked blankly at him.

“Arm inside. I’ll accompany you up.”

“...Yeah.”

The two got on the lift and went upstairs. Gu Ying’s room was actually much worse than those of the other tourists. It was just a small room, before which was indeed standing a rather disturbing looking middle-aged man.

Xu Tingsheng had seen him that morning, and he had seen Xu Tingsheng together with Old Jin too.

Old Jin, this ‘reincarnated demon king’, was actually thought by all the other tourists in the tour group to be extremely terrifying. Having been hanging out with him, Xu Tingsheng appeared a little hard to grasp as well, thereby being someone he dared not provoke.

After smiling and exchanging greetings, Xu Tingsheng indicated Gu Ying’s arm that was hooked around his with his gaze, saying, “Sorry, but I got her first.”

As they talked, Gu Ying opened the door of her room.

Xu Tingsheng directly entered the room after her.

A few minutes later, Xu Tingsheng said, “He should be gone?”

Gu Ying said, “Yeah.”

“If anything happens again, just look for Old Jin.”

“Alright.”

“I’ll be going then.”

As Xu Tingsheng walked to the door, Gu Ying asked from behind him, “Oh, by the way…”

“What?”

“We’ll be going to Arles tomorrow. Will you be going there too?”

Xu Tingsheng considered it, then replied, “Nah, I’m not going.”

“Oh,” Gu Ying thought for a moment before asking, “Will you still be in Nice for a few more days then?”

“Probably.”

“After touring Arles tomorrow, they’ll be heading elsewhere, led by a professional tour guide of the agency. I’ll be returning to Nice the day after tomorrow,” Gu Ying ventured rather nervously, “What I mean is-if you’ll be alone after this, would you need a guide? I wouldn’t charge you, just like how I would a friend or ex-classmate who came over to play.”

Xu Tingsheng laughed, “Actually, I came to Nice to be alone for a couple of days. When you’re back, you should really just properly attend lessons in school.”

Sometimes, it was very easy to encounter someone else.

Sometimes, farewells were really very simple as well.

The probability of meeting again was low indeed.

……

Back in his hotel room, Xu Tingsheng turned on his handphone.

The first call he had received was rather unexpected. It was from Zhang Xingke.

Chapter 304: A most special friend

Zhang Xingke had helped quite a bit with Li Wan’er’s matter previously. Xu Tingsheng had not called him at all, not even having said a word of thanks, because it had not been necessary. As for Zhang Xingke, perhaps because he was too busy with his new company or because of a tacit understanding that this matter was not to known by others, he had not contacted Xu Tingsheng too.

He hadn’t even informed Xu Tingsheng that he would be stealing away some of Hucheng’s people or tried to justify this at all until Xu Tingsheng had contacted him during that meeting, because that was similarly unnecessary.

If one said that the two of them were friends, perhaps they were a most special breed of friends.

This was actually a relationship that was very hard to come by. Both sides had revealed every single thing, both not minding letting the other see their honest and deceitful, even shameless sides.

There was a very strange sort of mutual trust between them as well as a tacit admission and knowledge that they might be enemies someday, with both sides being prepared to show no mercy when the time came.

They were even more cognisant of the other’s personality, methods, strong and weak points than most of the other people around them.

In Xu Tingsheng’s case, Zhang Xingke actually understood him better than Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming, Fang Yuqing, Song Ni and Apple did to some degree. He was the first person to have accurately described Xu Tingsheng’s personality. At the same time, he also did not mind being honest with him regarding his principles in doing things and his views regarding life and society.

He had not reached the extent of nirvanic light instantly descending as he still grasped the blade in his hand. He also minded not struggling up the ranks in a most bullied state as he was able to bend his knees and stand back up again as circumstances demanded, being adept at swindling too.

He said that why the heck would someone who had not accomplished anything be concerned with great benevolence anyway. Saying lowering the ‘slaughtering blade’ or whatnot was just purely to show off his living philosophy. He still wasn’t quite qualified for acting like that yet.

The two of them had immediately started off as enemies in an irrevocable battle of wits.

Then, they had mutually admired each other and worked together, even having interacted as deeply as to chat about each other’s private lives. The relationship between Zhang Xingke and Yu Xinlan, his troubles and infatuation with this woman-there might only be Xu Tingsheng whom he had ever confided about this to before.

Now, they had become opponents of a sort again. Both sides were clear on the fact that if it became necessary and opportunity allowed it, neither would hesitate to ‘painfully deliver the killing blow’.

Actually, Zhang Xingke had already made his move. Also, in the eyes of the ‘honourable’, his methods had not been very commendable at all.

He had told Xu Tingsheng long ago that he would be taking some people away from Dexin with him. Of course, these were all people he had use for. Even though this was not a very nice thing to do as a friend, he had been very ‘frank’ about it.

This frankness had caused Xu Tingsheng to relax and lower his guard, not considering whether Zhang Xingke might still have anything up his sleeve.

In truth, this had precisely been Zhang Xingke’s goal. Otherwise, Hucheng would not have been taken so completely off guard, not even having signed a restrictive contract before investing so much effort and resources into promoting those two reputable teachers left behind by Dexin.

Xu Tingsheng had indeed been complacent, having been swindled as a result.

Zhang Xingke had probably contacted those two reputable teachers from Dexin at the same time that he had openly stolen all those other people away from their company. Then, he had revealed some things but withheld others, waiting for when Hucheng had promoted these two via their own platform to a certain level of popularity before finally officially stealing them away.

This trick of revealing some things yet withholding others was the ultimate method of stealing another company’s employees.

Stealing their people and scrapping their foundation, digging a trap and swindling them-Zhang Xingke had done all of these. This was not something which would harm others but not benefit himself as it would benefit him. Also, this was actually very important for him who had only just started his company and still lacked sufficient resources.

Seeing how those people had actually been willing to leave a large vessel like Hucheng and sail away with his decrepit little boat, one just had to be convinced by his methods and competence.

After learning of how he had been swindled, Xu Tingsheng had only been able to smile wryly, accepting his loss with good grace.

Xu Tingsheng remembered back when the two of them had still been addressing each other as brothers, pouring out their hearts to the other and even lamenting together on ‘the vicissitudes of life amidst tragic society’. Zhang Xingke’s attitude towards him had naturally been genuine then. It was just that this had not stopped him from setting up a trap for him even as he did so.

Following that incident, Xu Tingsheng had only come to increasingly admire Zhang Xingke even more. Otherwise, he would not have told Wu Tong that she could look for him for help if she met with any problems while handling Li Wan’er’s matter.

Also, seeking his help in this matter was actually also equivalent to Xu Tingsheng holding out a hand to him. One hand grasping a blade, the other hand in hand-they could be friends that way too.

As for other emotions, such as disappointment, hatred...and whatnot, he had really felt none of those at all. They were meant to compete based on their methods in the first place. Why was there a need to be so overly emotional; what’s the point in thinking that everyone has to treat you nicely?! Everyone has to be upright and aboveboard towards you, showing you mercy?!

‘Accepting your negative outcomes’ is an attitude that all those struggling whilst striving in this society should really possess above all else. Stop crying, making a scene, resenting others. Of course, this in no way stops you from retaliating in the future, sending your opponent flying and spinning a good couple of times in the air.

……

The call connected.

Zhang Xingke feigned sincerity as he started out by asking, “You’re still overseas? It’s been a long time since we talked. I was looking for you to talk and renew our brotherly ties.”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Get lost! I’ll hang up if you go on being disgusting.”

Zhang Xingke exclaimed, “No, no, no. Homie, brother. Alright, I want you to repay my favour.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I don’t owe you any favours. What homie?”

Zhang Xingke replied, “Hey, since when have you learnt to burn the bridges you’ve crossed? The matter of that auntie, Li something, I put so much effort into it, you know? As for homie, of course...I saw that Auntie Li from far away. The heck, too shocking...just that I never thought you would have such an interest. What, older, more flavour?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “...Get to the point.”

Zheng Xingke replied, “I’ve seen Hucheng’s new advertisement. The campus here at Shenghai, this wave of yours...is unstoppable.”

What Zhang Xingke spoke of actually referred to the relevant preparations that Xu Tingsheng had previously passed to Wu Tong in that file, regarding Hucheng’s forging of an alternative path, with it launching a counterattack in Shenghai which further extended into the nation.

The contents had already gradually been released starting from the very day after Xu Tingsheng had gone overseas. They had been displayed right on Hucheng Tongcheng’s main page before being reported on by the media, one piece of information after another, one wave after another.

The top scholar plan. Using the various top scholars for the university entrance examinations from the various top schools in Shenghai and using one-to-one, one-to-three educational tutor schemes to resist the large number of reputable teachers from the numerous training institutes.

Cooperating with those top schools. Specially hiring professors of Shenghai Music Institute and Shenghai Film Institute as guest teachers.

Surpassing bounds. Establishing a partnership with Tianyi Media and starting a training program and selection process for young stars. Represented by Tianyi’s superior idol, the Piano Prince as it was also guaranteed that he would be personally conducting at least six lessons at the training institute every year.

A ‘bomb’. Hiring two retiring Olympic Taekwondo champions as Hucheng Education’s head coaches for Taekwondo.

While Hucheng Education’s campus in Shenghai was still yet to officially recruit students, just the reservation list alone was already full...more than full, really, blasting right through the roof.

“You’re really playing it too high-level. All the training institutes in the whole of Shenghai are already in a complete mess now. Still, this scale of yours will probably only happen in a few places like Shenghai. There’re probably only five big first-rate cities that they’re feasible in.”

After saying so, Zhang Xingke waited to hear Xu Tingsheng’s response.

Zhang Xingke was actually entirely correct. The framework that Hucheng had used for its campus in Shenghai was currently only feasible in a select few cities that were flourishing economically and had a high population. This had too high a cost, resulting in high fees too. Also, some of the programs were too high-end as they did not target those ordinary citizens.

There were only these few cities where there would be sufficient demand for these services.

Thus, at the present moment, it was still impossible to implement this on a large scale. Still, in terms of influence and advertising effect, it was widespread and incomparably great.

Over these two days that Xu Tingsheng had spent mucking about in Nice, this series of wild moves by Hucheng and Shenghai Training Institute had entirely exceeded the long-standing impressions of training institutes as discussions regarding them had surged through the roof.

There were cheers of joy and startled exclamations by those who believed that Hucheng was about to give rise to a revolution in the education industry.

There were also disputes, controversy. Some believed that Hucheng was being frivolous and not serious enough as they were randomly stirring things up and causing chaos in the market.

With the calls unceasingly coming in. Xu Tingsheng turned off his phone. Tianyi maintained their silence on the reason behind their partnership and the relevant conditions. The two Taekwondo champions who had already signed a contract with Hucheng before the Olympics similarly had to abide by the contractual silence.

All explanations and clarification were left to the one in charge of Hucheng’s training institute in Shenghai, Wu Tong. If there was anything she could not say, it was just directly pushed onto Xu Tingsheng who was nowhere to be found in the first place.

“So...the reason you’re looking for me is?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Not receiving any useful response from Xu Tingsheng, without any affirmation or rebuttal at all, Zhang Xingke sighed.

“I want to see if there’s a chance to fish in turbid waters or do some overall adjustments in my plans,” Zhang Xingke said, “So, I’d like to know a little of your future roadmap..I said it before, I’ve discovered that you are exceptionally frightening in this area.”

Presently, Zhang Xingke’s training institute had already stabilised its footing in the short term. Thus, it was only natural and reasonable that he begin to focus on its long-term development.

“Senior, I seem to remember that we’re opponents. Why would I tell you?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“You owe me a favour.”

“I don’t.”

“I’ll tell that partner of yours about Auntie Li.”

“Go on.”

“...Fine, I’ll ask, and you’ll just tell me whatever you’re willing to say. After I’m done asking, whether or not you never said a thing, I’ll owe you a favour. Don’t say that my favours are useless. That’s really too hurtful,” Zhang Xingke said ‘resentfully’.

Xu Tingsheng smiled and waited. He was actually very curious as to whether Zhang Xingke would ask about the current state of affairs and Hucheng’s plans in Shenghai as concerning his short-term benefits or the grand, overarching trend of things that were to come in the future.

From what he asked, he would be able to grasp the scope of his vision as well as his ambitions.

At the very least, the manner of further expansion for Hucheng that he had just mentioned was actually extremely close to what Xu Tingsheng had in mind.

Zhang Xingke got started, his first question being, “What I mentioned just now regarding the limitations of widespread implementation of your current model for cities. Is it right, or is it wrong?”

He was indeed asking about the grand, overarching trend.

Xu Tingsheng pondered for a moment, formulating a response, “It’s right, presently. Still, I think that we should not underestimate the rate of growth of our country’s economy as well as the changes coming to city lifestyles in the next three years or even the next five to ten years.”

This was the most candid Xu Tingsheng could go, even though these words were actually always being said by the government and the bureaucracy.

The upcoming economic growth of their country and the changes in lifestyles of the people that were soon to come after the year 2004 had been personally experienced only by Xu Tingsheng before. Going back and slowly reliving the entire process now, he was even more certain of just how immense these changes were.

The number of cities that were able to sustain Hucheng’s current model for its training institute in Shenghai would rise manifold over the years to come, reaching a dozen, dozens, hundreds.

Also, the number of families that would be happy to, yearned to and had the ability to pay for things like Taekwondo, Yoga, performance, music, Western dancing...they would rapidly rise.

In the face of this grand, overarching trend...the significance of prior planning could not be overstated.

Chapter 305: On one side flames, on the other seawater

It is easy to come up with some minor schemes because they are very specific.

Grasping the grand, overarching trend of things is very difficult because it is very general.

One can certainly succeed with the former as well. To be exact, most successes that we see around us come from these. Yet, those who can truly succeed and become conglomerates or behemoths are mostly the companies of the entrepreneurs who have grasped the overarching trend of the times.

Xu Tingsheng could grasp this due to his rebirth and his constant, persistent analysis of all sorts of events happening around him as he delved into their basis and corroborated it with the future.

As for Zhang Xingke, he had already begun paying attention to this when he was still very weak. This should be an innate ability and talent of someone who was fated for success.

It was just like the future richest man in China. Even when he had been selling groceries to support his dreams, he had already expanded a roadmap of the online lifestyles of several hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens and begun planning for an online shopping empire.

What heights had Zhang Xingke actually attained in his previous life? What had befallen him then? Despite feeling very curious about this, Xu Tingsheng already had no way of finding this out now.

“Thank you. Now, the second question,” Zhang Xingke pondered for a while before continuing, “Your current situation is very good yet also no good. Can I say that? The competition you’re facing is not small. Anyway, you’re focusing on many areas, and some seem to have better prospects than others...why have you still devoted so much resources and efforts to your educational training institutes?”

This question was much easier to answer as Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I come from a farming family. To me, going into education and setting up training institutes is like farming. While it doesn’t seem all that fresh, giving returns that are all that great, I can achieve a very stable foundation with it. It is only with a plot of land that supplies stable returns that I can have the courage and resources to explore and venture into other areas, isn’t that right?”

Zhang Xingke might not understand this for sure. Still, Xu Tingsheng was actually expressing his truest considerations on the matter. Education was his starting point, the piece of ‘land’ he had planned for which was set to be the most stable foundation in his developmental blueprint.

This was because he knew that many future industries, especially those which were related to the Internet, were actually just built upon the foundation of speculation and trends. Losing vast amounts of money every year even as their stock market prices were also rising unceasingly…

In the future, it would be incomparably difficult for manufacturing and real economy to survive and develop.

There would be a dearth of funds and those looking to earn a quick buck as dangers would be lurking around every corner.

Xu Tingsheng had chosen education as his foundation, this being a relatively safe middle route.

Pushing up the prices of real estate had been another possible choice. Still, Xu Tingsheng had decided against it in the end.

The prices of real estate within the country were illogical and did not make sense. This was a fact. After the year 2015 which was as far as Xu Tingsheng’s foreknowledge went, could something like the bubble boom of Japan in the nineties suddenly occur in China?

Xu Tingsheng could not be absolutely certain that it would not.

Xu Tingsheng would also, of course, follow the trends and invest in those extremely popular industries. Still, his education empire which encompassed at least fifty training institutes and education brands was not amongst them. It would not be getting involved in that speculating.

This was what he had left for himself in the case that he failed, preparation that was more for the sake of his family and Xiang Ning.

To prepare for potential crises and retain a stable foundation...even if he failed or vanished or turned mediocre after losing his precognitive abilities…

Zhang Xingke asked his third question.

Xu Tingsheng answered it.

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng felt rather emotional.

Xu Tingsheng was generally able to see the entire process of Zhang Xingke’s upward struggles. As he met with setbacks in striving for greater heights, he was able to bow his head and bend his knees...he exerted all possible means, remaining wildly ambitious throughout...whatever happened in the future, this promised to be very interesting and was really something to consider deeply about too.

……

Xu Tingsheng took the initiative and gave Lu Zhixin a call.

“How did those two websites react to our training institute’s initiative?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“They basically believe that this will not affect their competition with us too much. Actually, I share the same opinion too,” Lu Zhixin briefly summarised.

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng acknowledged before saying, “Well then, let’s bring Are You Hungry online tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Right?”

“No further promotion needed?”

“No need for that. We won’t even have to advertise it ourselves this time, and the advertisement will be big enough already. Those websites have really been helping us by continually reminding everyone of our existence. When we announced our resumption of free-of-charge services, they leapt out and helped us to make such a reminder. When we remained silent and didn’t retaliate, they came out to mock us, helping us out again. With these initiatives from our training institute, the discussions should have been rather heated, right? They’ve definitely said quite a lot too...”

“Therefore, we should be the focal point of everyone’s attention now as they’re waiting to see if we just continue passively getting beaten or have a way of countering their blows. Even if we say and do nothing, they’ll be thinking about how they can dig up the information from us.”

Having explained things, Xu Tingsheng concluded, “So, just quietly bring it online and stay quiet. There will be more to talk about that way. There’ll naturally be people reminding everyone of our existence for us. The more we stay quiet, the stronger they’ll go.”

Lu Zhixin said, “Okay.”

Then, she paused momentarily before asking in a less businesslike tone, “You’re still not done over there? When will you be returning?”

Xu Tingsheng could only lie rather guiltily, “I’ll need a couple more days, perhaps. I’ll have to trouble you over there.”

“It’s fine,” Lu Zhixin smiled, “Actually, there isn’t much that I have to do at all. It’s virtually all planned out by you already. If this goes on, my implementation abilities will definitely become better and better, but my discernment of the overall situation will probably get worse and worse.”

“How could that be?” Xu Tingsheng laughed.

Lu Zhixin was silent for a while before she asked jokingly, “Say, Xu Tingsheng, if things go on like this, won’t I only be left with implementation skills in the end? Then, if there comes a day in the future when you no longer want me, what do I do then? Who am I supposed to go work for?”

These words had actually attained a deeper meaning due to the sentence added within, ‘If there comes a day in the future when you no longer want me, what do I do then?’

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit before sidestepping the topic, laughing, “How’s that even possible? Who’d possibly not want someone like you? I’m afraid that I can’t keep you. Also, you’re Hucheng’s joint second greatest shareholder!”

Lu Zhixin no longer mentioned this topic as she said, “Alright, so I’ll send you the data for ‘Are You Hungry’ tomorrow. You just relax and work on your matters over there.”

“Thank you. So…”

Just as Xu Tingsheng was about to hang up, Lu Zhixin seemed to have suddenly remembered something as she said, “Right, there’s recently been quite a bit of trouble for our training institute in Yanzhou. The Education Bureau, the Firefighting Bureau, Business Tax, Health Authority...all of those departments who can come have basically come, all finding some small problem and leaving word that we can expect a fine from them. Then, some also came to cause a ruckus.”

These were actually unrelated to the matter of the training institute and Hucheng by extension. Instead, they represented external pressure related to the competition over those plots of land, being an extension of that struggle...

Someone had already begun sending a threat by attacking Xu Tingsheng’s foundation, seeking to force him out of the competition.

From this, two things could be seen:

Firstly, the Black Horse Club’s strength and ability to compete had already been recognised as it was being seriously regarded as a foe. It could be said that their ‘guileful’ little battle tactics were already seeing initial success in the area of borrowing power.

Secondly, it was imaginable that others of the Black Horse Club should be receiving pressure as well. Of course, there might also be some who were facing temptations. The tough days were upon them, what Xu Tingsheng himself had termed as the ‘defiantly resisting dying period’.

“You don’t have to care about these things. Just accept whatever they say. Well, maybe you shouldn’t personally listen to what they say. Let Principal Tang go. He’s honest and won’t let matters blow up,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Well…”

“Relax, I will resolve these matters. Before I have, you guys should just ignore them.”

“Got it.”

Actually, Xu Tingsheng did not intend to resolve these matters in the first place, or all of them at least. This was what was meant by the ‘defiantly resisting dying period’. He had long since been mentally prepared for this.

The problems, pressure and threats that they might face during this period of time need not all be resolved...all they had to do was resist and tide through this, holding on for a period of time.

When the time came, things would naturally be resolved on their own.

After saying goodnight to Lu Zhixin, Xu Tingsheng dialled Huang Yaming’s number.

“How’s your arm?”

“Much better.”

“And Chen Jingqi?”

“Still the same. Taking care of me, and then not even letting me touch her at all.”

“That’s good then.

“Good your head.”

Having finished exchanging greetings, Xu Tingsheng told Huang Yaming about the situation Hucheng was currently facing before saying, “You should go to the Black Horse Club’s next gathering. Tell them about our situation and hear about what they’re facing too.”

“What then? Many people are going crazy being unable to get through to you. They’re all looking for me. The pressure on them is probably not low at all.”

“I’m aware of that. It’s precisely because of this that my phone has to be kept turned off most of the time. Otherwise, if they find me over every random matter, on one hand, it’d be frustrating to death and I also wouldn’t be able to do anything, and on the other, all the truths and falsehoods will affect feelings and unity...it’s still best if all of them continue being unable to understand me.”

“What if someone gives up and gives in?”

“That wouldn’t be very surprising.”

“What if someone tells?”

“It’s too late. No one would believe it now.”

“...Then, is there any more that you want to say to them?”

Xu Tingsheng considered it for a moment, “Tell them that I said that now is the defiantly resisting death period. I’m basically done contacting the construction materials companies. Just keep resisting, and wait till I get back...that’s all. Let them think and do whatever they want.”

“Alright.”

Xu Tingsheng did not intend to explain and account for things to the majority of the Black Horse Club, telling them what to do. They were neither fools nor kids, and they would definitely not be taken by surprise and totally helpless in facing such a situation.

Of course, Xu Tingsheng still called Wu Kun and Ye Qing. While he did not go too deeply into things, he still gave them the general idea. After all, these two people were important helpers indeed.

As they were conversing, Ye Qing asked Xu Tingsheng, “Someone’s helping you to disarm mines. I can’t find who it is, but there’s someone who’s helped your training institute to solve quite a number of problems without actually making an appearance...can you say who this is?”

Xu Tingsheng laughed, “Sis Qing, please let me leave myself with a sense of mystery, alright?”

Ye Qing did not press him regarding this.

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng thought about this and felt that this person was almost definitely Chen Jianxing. Even though Xu Tingsheng had refused his request back then, he was still doing it, and also in utmost secrecy at the present moment as even someone of Ye Qing’s background could not discover his identity…

What to do? Xu Tingsheng hesitated over this but did not call Chen Jianxing in the end, deciding to feign ignorance for the time being.

With all that done, Xu Tingsheng looked at the time. More than two hours had already gone by.

He turned off his phone and went to bed.

……

On one side, Shenghai, Yanzhou, Hucheng, land...intense as intense could be.

On the other, sunlight, beach, the great blue sea. Xu Tingsheng managed to find a real beach in the end as he rented a reclining chair and bought a bottle of wine, listening to the sounds of the waves...the better part of the day went by just like that.

If not for the fact that beauties were wobbling before him, if not for the fact that a whole bunch was lying prone and lying on their sides around him...if not for the fact that they were playing beach volleyball, wobbling and wobbling...Xu Tingsheng’s heart would surely be especially calm.

This feeling.

In a rather more artistic way: On one side flames, on the other seawater.

To act more cool: Sitting and watching the winds arise and the clouds surge, or grasping fate in the palm of a hand, the decisive battle a thousand miles away.

“Wah...beauties, I’m pretending to act profound right now! Can your volleyball stop smashing on my shorts? I’m already wearing bigger size beach shorts...could it be that even these are unable to hide my ‘overwhelming valour’?

Chapter 306: The troublemaker is sunbathing on the beaches of Nice

When Xu Tingsheng had been a teacher in his previous life, he had gone on a fully sponsored trip to Sanya once.

The sand at Longya Bay had been fine like powder, softer than skin. That day, Xu Tingsheng had wanted to wait for the sunset. Yet, the tour guide had said, “This is Longya Bay. Gather back here in thirty minutes. I’ll be bringing you people to view a crystal factory after this.”

Therefore, it had been with regrets that Xu Tingsheng had left Sanya then.

Ever since then, he had always hated following tour groups on tours, always having wanted to return to Longya Bay once without anything tying him down, staying at a hotel right by the bay and giving himself ample time there. He would stay there for a couple of days in an unhurried state.

Waking up naturally one fine morning, then eating lunch in his pyjamas in his room…

Afterwards, leisurely strolling to the beach and taking an afternoon nap, basking under the rays of the afternoon sun. Watching the sunset, then listening to waves pattering against the shore in the darkness as the night slowly went by.

Now that was a holiday.

After Xiang Ning had entered his life, he had fantasised about her fragrant kiss, her soft lips, her slender legs amidst the comfortableness of the shore in the night, light winds and gentle waves.

He would sing her a song along with the rhythm of the waves. Two songs were fine as well, so long as she gave him a kiss for it in exchange.

In his previous life, their dream tour had continually been delayed due to a lack of funds and also because he was still very busy...till finally this had become impossible to fulfil in the end.

Xu Tingsheng spent three days on the beaches of Nice just like that.

Relaxing, emptying the mind, trying to remain unmoved by most things. Still, the problems that could not be resolved ultimately still cannot be resolved in the end. Applying principles that you have heard of before to yourself, it might not be so easy to be at peace with it then.

People are faced with different things, are troubled by different things.

At least, Xu Tingsheng was most afraid of seeing missed calls from America when turning on his phone over this period of time.

Luckily, there weren’t any.

As for that person in Milan, there were still seven months before what they had pictured together was due. Regarding right or wrong in this matter and who was or was not letting down whom…

The calmer Xu Tingsheng became, the more he didn’t dare to let himself think deeply into such matters at all.

Sometimes, Xu Tingsheng really wished that he was Old Jin.

Old Jin was never hesitant or conflicted in dealing with matters as he would resolve them with a great flourish. This included him slapping little Jinshan. Xu Tingsheng had tried to persuade him against this once, saying that it wasn’t good to hit children since they might develop an inferiority complex.

Old Jin said, “Inferiority complex your head. You people really read too many useless books. Old man hitting son-this has been the case for several thousands of years! Why must all those weird rules come now? You just look at him. That brat’s so healthy, so lively, so extroverted, so daring, so capable!”

Little Jinshan stood beside him, his backpack stuffed full of presents given to him by foreign big sisters and aunties of all kinds. He had already learnt how to say in English and French: You’re so beautiful, I love you, marry me, thank you.

He had comprehended the first two phrases on his own. As for the other two, he had looked for Gu Ying and taken the initiative to learn them from her.

Xu Tingsheng really had to admit that there was actually really nothing wrong with little Jinshan at all. On the contrary, it was already evident at this time that this six-year-old brat would likely be growing up to be a capable person in the future. He would be able to navigate society with no problem at all, at least.

“Relax, I dote on my son,” Old Jin said, “How my fathers have you seen who’ve brought their sons out without further question just because they want to see some weirdass monster? In raising a son, waste less time on other useless matters, and never block them from gaining experience at all. This is my educational philosophy. If he wants to tour the moon next time, even then I’d immediately go to the tour agency and see if there’re any tour groups for that.”

Little Jinshan said, “I want to go on a tour of the moon.”

Old Jin slapped him, “Tour your freaking ass.”

Little Jinshan turned to Xu Tingsheng, “Uncle Xu, I want to go on a tour of the moon.”

Xu Tingsheng raised his hand.

Old Jin said, “Go on, slap him. It’s fine once you get used to it.”

Xu Tingsheng was tempted to try this for real.

Little Jinshan looked at him in a pure, innocent manner, “Uncle Xu, I love you...je t’aime.”

...Too shameless.

Just three days after their separation, Xu Tingsheng already rather missed them.

……

China. Winds were arising and clouds surging in Yanzhou and the internet.

The troublemaker in this incident was sunbathing on the beaches of Nice.

Every day, Xu Tingsheng spent an hour or two receiving information and handling issues.

Hucheng Education’s training institute in Shenghai had already officially started recruiting students. All was successful and going smoothly as planned.

Hucheng’s Director Wang Tuo and Tang Yufei, as a representative of Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin, had already left for Xihu City where they were to work on the acquisition of a training institute.

As it promoted student recruitment on its platform, Hucheng was constantly able to generally grasp the latest financial statuses of training institutes.

……

The Black Horse Club saw its first member leaving. He did not hide or obscure anything as he simply cut to the chase and said that he was unable to cope with the immense pressure. Then, he repeatedly assured them that he would never leak their secrets as their friendship should be maintained.

Actually, all this was already no longer important. Most crucial was how long the core members of the Black Horse Club would be able to hold out.

At least, it was currently Hucheng that was under the most pressure as it also faced the most trouble. It was still defiantly resisting those blows and remaining silent, however, silent to the point that even their boss had not shown his face and they had not even cried out that it hurt.

It was rumoured that the bigwigs from the various departments who had gone to ‘conduct checks’ were all very angry. That Principal Tang who went to receive them every time was a breed of ‘pedantic scholar’ who had nearly gone extinct. He never ever rebutted them or rose to challenge them, professing ignorance to everything as he was completely unable to understand those subtle hints they gave him as well.

“Isn’t Hucheng itself facing a major crisis in the first place? How is it that they still dare to resist to the death in competing for that plot of land? Is this that they’re not revising their faults or are they just stubbornly resisting regardless?”

“Perhaps they are in the midst of shifting the battlefield, and so have gone all in for that plot of land. Under such circumstances, how could they possibly give in?!”

Whatever the case, as those in the know regarding the acquisition of land in Yanzhou saw it, Hucheng seemed to have steeled itself for a fight to the death this time as the majority of the Black Horse Club was similarly going all out in defiantly resisting to the utmost.

The key thing now was that they did not lack money as funds were not a problem. While they could not be considered very powerful in terms of connections and capabilities, the lineup that they had shown was one that everyone had to be wary of as they dared not give a killing blow.

What was to be done about this?

With this in mind, the relevant competitors felt despondent yet helpless. Meeting these people who would not bow their heads no matter what, even if they ultimately obtained victory in this contest, the price that they would have paid was much greater than what it would have been otherwise.

Therefore, ‘offering conditions’ and ‘enticing with benefits’ gradually became the mainstream way of dealing with this, with the offered conditions gradually becoming better and better too.

Compared to the additional funds that would be required in the actual auction, all this was actually just a small price to pay. After all, the price they had originally been going to pay had come with a sort of ‘tacit understanding’ in mind, still being inexpensive considering their quality.

When Lu Zhixin reported the conditions the other side had offered Hucheng to Xu Tingsheng, he replied, “Let me have fun for two more days...I mean, I still have some work to do here, and it’ll probably take me around another two more days or so.”

Currently dabbling in real estate with the help of the Jinxiong Corporation was the Ding Family.

Ding Sen really regretted it. He clenched his teeth, thinking that he should have gotten Dongzi and the other guy to bear the risk and wait for another two more days, rendering Xu Tingsheng dead a little earlier.

Now, that ‘troublemaker’ was already nowhere to be found.

Chapter 307: Are You Hungry

Xu Tingsheng was mainly communicating regarding the matter of ‘Are You Hungry’ everyday.

Most people felt ‘Are You Hungry’ to be quite a strange thing at least right at the start of its implementation. In this day and age, it was still not commonly believed that even something minor like ‘takeaway’ would also require an online platform.

“There’s an online company that started out as an intermediary for education, recruitment and the renting and selling of houses etcetera but eventually couldn’t hold out like that. They could only turn to delivering takeaway part-time as a result. I hear that even their beautiful lady boss has to deliver takeawayl How very tragic indeed.”

“This strange thing is Hucheng Tongcheng’s counterattack? Who suffered a concussion and thought of it?”

“The dumbest ever move of the chaotic ‘Three Kingdoms’ set-up! Likely to accelerate their own deterioration...though they already couldn’t hold on the first place. Entrepreneurs are always just so weak and helpless in the face of capital.”

On the first day, there were twenty thousand orders throughout the fifty cities, mainly amongst student consumers. Not considering their earlier investments, Hucheng had earned around twenty to fifty cents from each of these orders.

Calculating it like this, their daily income was less than 5000 yuan. Just in terms of orders alone, it was insufficient to sustain their business model.

On the second day, the data was basically around the same as on the first day.

Therefore, the experts were rolling on the floor laughing.

Their business competitors were rolling on the floor laughing.

The netizens still did not know if they should laugh or not, because most of them had only just heard about this and had still yet to really understand the situation.

The experts analysed it from various angles, such as the unproven new model not being accepted and making calls being faster and more convenient than using the internet etcetera. The final verdict was actually a sort of rejection. Are You Hungry was doomed to failure. Even if it did ultimately manage to survive, it would only be able to go on operating in an awkward state.

Those business competitors were much more direct as they asked: Have your school canteens all closed down? Are families all not cooking anymore? And even if they do really call takeaway, are there really any homes that don’t have phones?...

“Only fools would try to make a business out of this.”

The conclusion that Hucheng’s counterattack was sorely lacking. Hucheng was grasping at straws...Hucheng might as well switch to delivering takeaway instead.

Some people who had not known of Hucheng beforehand actually began calling it: Hucheng delivery.

Besides the experts, their opponents and the general public, the employees of Hucheng were actually feeling rather pessimistic themselves, much of their joy from the previous grand victory for their training institute in Shenghai having been diminished as a result. Fortunately, with good news ultimately having preceded this, the company was not destabilised by this turn of events.

“Our boss hasn’t even come out and said anything. Really…” Someone secretly complained.

“He has always been like this. Still, he’s never lost before,” A more experienced employee replied, despite not feeling all that confident himself.

“This loss wouldn’t simply be a matter of straining our tendons!” Someone said worriedly.

Still, virtually everyone had actually overlooked something, which was that in truth, with so many forums and such discussing ‘Are You Hungry’, whether their opinions were positive or negative, supportive or mocking, most of them would take a look at Hucheng Tongcheng’s main website out of curiosity as a result.

……

As the sole decision maker who had proposed the project himself, Xu Tingsheng could not help but sweat nervously after the data for the first day had been consolidated.

Implementing Are You Hungry before the age of smartphones, relying completely on computers instead, Xu Tingsheng had already mentally pictured the worst case scenario...yet, never would he have thought that it would be tragic to this extent!

“If I knew engineering, I’d be off making smartphones. Totally useless, are Humanities students.”

The next day, after Lu Zhixin had sent over the relevant data and the reactions from the various parties, Xu Tingsheng told her to ask the IT department to check the number of pageviews their site had garnered over the past few days.

Lu Zhixin soon returned with the statistics. It had increased tenfold on the first day. It had been even greater on the second day as it had been twenty times how it had been originally.

Xu Tingsheng was reassured by this as he smiled, “That’s why I said-no worries.”

Lu Zhixin said, “Yes, I believe you. I’ll help you to watch over things here.”

“I’ll be troubling you,” Xu Tingsheng replied as always.

On the third day, the number of orders had increased to fifty thousand. While their actual income from this was still just a bit over ten thousand yuan, Lu Zhixin was clearly very excited and joyful when she reported this to Xu Tingsheng.

“It will still rise,” Xu Tingsheng could finally set his heart at ease on seeing this trend as he smiled, “They really underestimate the number of NEETs and their laziness. Also, people are generally unable to stop once they have been lazy the first time. For those who hold vegetable knives everyday, if they go three days without holding one, it would be very difficult to pick one back up again. Unless they’re doing so to try to make their boyfriend or girlfriend happy.”

“Also, in today’s data, while the number of orders from university students has increased, their proportion has dropped. White collar workers from the city have begun entering too,” Lu Zhixin elaborated.

Hearing Lu Zhixin’s words, Xu Tingsheng thought back on the data of the biggest takeaway apps in his previous life. White-collar workers had formed around sixty percent of consumers.

He considered this for a bit before saying, “Actually, they’re seriously busy and tired. Reaching home everyday, it’s hard for them to move even a finger. They really tire of having to cook. Also, basically all of them have computers and some money. In the long term, they can be considered our mainstay. Also, if they register, it’ll be greatly beneficial for the growth of our other services.”

“Then, how about a promotion targeted against this group of consumers?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“Nah. We’re one of a kind now. Our very existence itself is a promotion,” Xu Tingsheng said, “The crucial thing now is those people outside. Emphasise definitively to them that we want exclusive contracts and try everything you can to get exclusive contracts signed. People will soon discover that the winds have changed and try to follow us into this, I reckon.”

Lu Zhixin smiled, “You can rest assured on this, really. Actually, things have slowly progressed to the point that we don’t really have to take the initiative. The shops will come to look for us on their own, being very hearty and straightforward in agreeing to our conditions too.”

“Huh, for real? ...That’s good then.”

Hanging up, Xu Tingsheng felt rather emotional. In his previous life, he had seen ‘Are You Hungry’ gaining a large amount of copycats right after having seen some results. In the end, with the various companies all competing and making losses with promotions, smashing their opponents with money, the battlefront had truly been brutal indeed.

Exclusive contracts? Hah, no way.

‘Are You Hungry’ had managed to avoid such a problem, at least in the initial stages.

Also, Xu Tingsheng had shamelessly cheated away truckloads of exclusive contracts.

This is the benefit of grasping future trends. If your mind is sufficiently ahead of the rest, others won’t even be in time to keep up. While ‘Are You Hungry’ was not in an ideal flourishing state due to the current lack of smartphones, it correspondingly faced much less competition too.

……

On his fourth consecutive day at the beach, Xu Tingsheng was a little out of sorts as he spent the afternoon there. As night came, he suddenly didn’t feel like going there anymore. He felt like going somewhere else, perhaps visit a bar or something.

This showed that his desire to go relax alone somewhere had basically already been satisfied.

People do need a solitary, peaceful environment sometimes. Still, few people indeed are truly able to remain in such a state for so long.

Xu Tingsheng knew that it was high time he returned.

Nice housed France’s third largest Cote d’Azur International Airport from which he could return directly to Shenghai.

When booking a plane ticket, Xu Tingsheng coincidentally spied flight information for New York. He hesitated for a moment but still chose to buy a ticket for Shenghai in the end. While he had originally intended to satisfy Apple’s desire of running together in Central Park as he had once promised her, this could only be left for next time…

On the fourth day, the statistics for ‘Are You Hungry’ frenziedly surged to 150000 orders, their daily income nearing fifty thousand yuan. Even if the data itself wasn’t all that terrifying, it was the momentum that was scariest, also being the most convincing.

From the looks of it, this momentum would not be slowing anytime soon.

Hucheng’s employees were in high spirits, “I’ll never dare to doubt Boss again.” If not for their unreliable boss being nowhere to be found yet again, they would probably have gone into his office and lifted him up, throwing him to the skies in joy.

“Our future prospects are endless...hahahaha.”

“Boss once said that he’s going to take us to ring the bell at Nazdaq.”

“To be honest, I felt rather stifled before, thinking about how I was working for a child...I’m convinced now.”

All the mocking jabs and laughter were inevitably dispelled in the outside world.

People were already beginning to discuss how innovative and daring this was, how the era of an Internet-based economy was fast approaching…

More and more people registered on the website, adopting this ‘bad’ habit. More and more shops successively took the initiative to join in this venture for fear that they might miss out.

“Hucheng has found a new source of revenue, and it’s endless. Hucheng has already grasped the advantage in this chaotic battle of the ‘Three Kingdoms’.”

“I think they’ve basically secured their victory already, and not just because they’ve a source of income. More importantly, Hucheng has also gathered even more consumers. Really, passivity and all is well, but when that passivity ultimately switches to activity, you know you’re done for.”

“The other two companies were saying so many big words earlier. Look at them now! They’ve lost both face and the ability to compete all at once.”

“What if they’re copied again? Wasn’t their website copied in the first place? Who knows how Hucheng might be able to prevent it this time.”

“If they can make it through this, Hucheng’s worth will definitely skyrocket...doubling would also not be impossible. Despite competition appearing, its consumer base has instead increased as a result.”

“Why is it that we’ve never heard anything about Hucheng’s plans to get listed? It also seems like there’s been no activity with their shares at all internally.”

“ETFs aren’t worthy in their eyes?”

“Maybe even A-stocks are worth nothing to them, and they’re just waiting to get listed on Nasdaq in the future…”

Amidst the heated discussion of the netizens, the experts simply followed their usual style as those who had commented earlier remained silent, pretending that this had nothing to do with them at all.

Those who had not commented previously leapt out in a timely manner, righteously arguing on how they had always thought this new project very likely to succeed. Then, they analysed this from different perspectives and aspects...they had always been most proficient in overturning their previous conclusions.

The relevant contenders could not remain silent, especially considering such a situation.

Youxin Tongcheng cared not about copying at all as they swiftly came out and said: Youxin Tongcheng will be entering the takeaway industry in the near future. Also, we have abundant funds and a more professional team...we will definitely perform even better than Hucheng here.

You need only await.

……

Yanzhou.

Jinxiong Corporation included, the real estate companies were preparing to offer the Black Horse Club and Hucheng better conditions. They even felt that they should look for a chance and sit down for a meal with a few of them, Xu Tingsheng included, chatting with them for a bit.

Ding Sen opposed this twice. Still, not only did everyone ignore him, he was even rebuked badly by his father.

At home, Ding Sen smashed a cup on the floor, next taking out his phone and dialling Dongzi’s number, “You two, begin preparations. As soon as I receive news that he’s back, come back to Yanzhou to handle the deed. This time...I won’t rest till he’s dead.”

……

Back in Nice, Xu Tingsheng was currently in the midst of packing his luggage.

Chapter 308: The Fang Family’s invitation

Xu Tingsheng actually did not have much luggage with him. There was just a backpack, without even a single suitcase.

Speaking of packing luggage, it is actually around the same for everyone. Most of the time is spent trying hard to recall ‘did I or did I not miss something out’ before comparing each item mentally for confirmation.

Otherwise, it is very hard to feel reassured.

Xu Tingsheng finished packing his luggage, finished checking everything off in his mind. Then, he sat quietly by the window and admired the night view of Nice, the neon lights, flowing traffic and bustling crowds as well as the ocean not far away in the distance.

People are very strange sometimes. While they are clearly viewing images of great noise and commotion, they instead feel exceptionally calm in doing so.

Never would the calm Xu Tingsheng have thought that back in his native country, in Yanzhou, there was a killing tribulation just awaiting his return.

In his two lifetimes, especially this post-rebirth one, Xu Tingsheng had actually provoked quite a few people, attracted quite a bit of trouble. Still, speaking of those who truly would move directly against his life, Ding Sen might be the very first one.

It was not that Xu Tingsheng had never considered that Ding Sen might resort to more extreme methods. He had judged Ding Sen to be such a person, and something had really happened to Huang Yaming, further proving this.

Still, as a normal, law-abiding citizen in his previous life, in Xu Tingsheng’s subconscious mind, having ended up making an enemy out of someone, suffering a bit of retaliation was something which was really only to be expected. Yet, to say that someone would lightly target your life in a lawful society, hiring someone to kill you? This sort of thing only happens in novels or in dramas or movies, right?!

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng had truly never realised that things were already as serious as this.

After he had looked out of the window for some time, the phone in the room rang.

Xu Tingsheng was somewhat taken aback by this. He had stayed in this hotel for so many days, but the phone in his room had never rang before. It was also impossible that someone might be looking for him via this number.

His attention piqued, a rather curious Xu Tingsheng picked up the phone.

“Sir, want a lady? Golden-haired beauty, cheap.”

Some horribly-accented Chinese now resounded over the phone which he was only barely able to understand.

Xu Tingsheng felt flabbergasted. When had someone started paying attention to him? Also...such professional sales, with even Chinese having been said. While there had merely been a few phrases, they had been so direct and clear in their meaning...this was from practice!

“You probably only know how to say this, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Want, or don’t want?” The other party asked, apparently really being able to say more than that.

“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Want, or don’t want?” The other party asked.

“How much wood would a woodchuck chuck…” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Want, or don’t want?” The other party asked.

“Do you put in the mapo first or the tofu first for mapo tofu?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

The other party hung up.

It looked like they only knew those two lines. Other than that, they probably understood the answer to ‘want or don’t want’ too.

Xu Tingsheng laughed for a while before pondering on the matter. This should be related to the boss of this small hotel. Only he could have provided his room number and telephone number, also being aware that he was Chinese and had stayed here alone for quite a number of days.

Of course, there was no need to get mad and chastise him over it. He might even have done so with good intentions in mind...a solitary youth, long, lonely nights…

The French really loved their guests.

Xu Tingsheng took out his phone and turned it on.

There already weren’t many missed calls on the screen. Over the past few days, most people had already gotten used to his phone being switched off. Correspondingly, the number of text messages he had received were beyond number. Xu Tingsheng briefly glanced through them. One of them was actually from Fang Yuqing.

“When are you coming back? My Grandpa wants to meet you,” Fang Yuqing had typed.

Xu Tingsheng sat upright at once.

Xu Tingsheng did not have much connections in the bureaucracy. Presently, the Fang Family behind Fang Yuqing and Fang Chen was his greatest connection there. In truth, however, he had never truly interacted with the Fang Family before.

He desired this greatly. Still, he had never received such a chance.

Others might not know of this, such as those of the Black Horse Club who were unable to see through Xu Tingsheng, merely judging through his interactions with Fang Yuqing that he should have deep ties with the Fang Family, thereby mistakenly believing that he himself might possess a background with strength comparable to that of the Fang Family.

This ‘misunderstanding’ was actually very crucial for Xu Tingsheng. It decided the attitude and trust that many people had towards him.

Now, Fang Yuqing had told Xu Tingsheng that his Grandpa, the Fang Family’s Fang Guohou, former high-ranking member of the Provincial Party Committee, had personally asked to see him. After feeling slightly emotional and excited, Xu Tingsheng felt uneasy and doubtful, just being unable to get his head around this.

“Your Grandpa wants to meet me? Why?” Xu Tingsheng sent a reply.

“Heck, you’ve finally replied. I don’t know why he’s looking for you. He just suddenly found me and told me this. Then, when I said that you’re overseas right now, Grandpa told me to tell him when you’re back and invite you over to our house to meet him,” Fang Yuqing soon replied him.

Xu Tingsheng scratched his head and considered this but still could not make head or tail of this matter after a while as he eventually replied, “I’m a bit panicked. He isn’t thinking of blaming me for leading you into a ditch, right? Help me see what it’s about.”

Fang Yuqing replied, “Impossible. I didn’t stir up anything recently. I did ask about it, but my sis wouldn’t tell me.”

“Your sister?”

“Right. She probably knows but isn’t willing to say it. Recently, my Grandpa, uncles, aunts and my sister as well shut themselves twice in the study to discuss something. It seems like there’s something major going on.”

“Something major?” Related to me?” Xu Tingsheng was really panicked this time as from his usual interactions with Fang Yuqing, he had learnt that Old Mister Fang had formerly been a hardcore combatant in the Sino-Vietnamese war.

“I’m just randomly guessing, because there’s really no other explanation.”

“...Tell me what you’ve guessed then. What should it be about? Please.”

“Actually, I did guess something, but I’m afraid that it might scare you.”

“It’s fine, just say it.”

“I think they might be planning to marry my sister off to you, because when we were eating at home some time ago, my father suddenly strangely said to my sister that it wouldn’t be bad if she found someone who’s doing business. Also, it would be best if it isn’t related to our Fang Family’s sphere of influence. He even said that it’d be best if we didn’t put all our eggs in one basket. They never used to think this way before. I’ll also tell you, my sister herself also once mentioned this to me before. It’s not that she likes you, it’s just that she wants to make use of you to solve her problems.”

Xu Tingsheng was truly scared by this. This was Fang Chen…‘bitter enemy’ Fang Chen, old demoness Fang Chen, ‘love rival’ Fang Chen...if she had designs on someone, shouldn’t that be Apple...could it be that she truly had designs on Apple? It couldn’t be that the seniors of the Fang Family were helping her in this, right?

Waiting for a while and seeing that no reply was forthcoming, Fang Yuqing sent Xu Tingsheng another text, “Are you doing okay?”

His hands trembling, Xu Tingsheng replied with, “They don’t know that your sister…”

Fang Yuqing quickly sent the reply, “Of course they don’t know! Otherwise, all hell would have broken loose way back.”

Xu Tingsheng, “You’ve scared me.”

Fang Yuqing, “Don’t be panicked now. That was just a random guess. How about you ask my sister yourself?”

Xu Tingsheng, “Are you dumb? What am I supposed to ask your sister? Are you planning to get married with me?”

Fang Yuqing, “Well, there’s no way about it then. You’d better wait till you’ve seen my Grandpa. If that really is the case, it can’t be that he’d just force her onto you, right?”

Xu Tingsheng, “That’s true.”

Fang Yuqing, “Still, with my Grandpa’s personality, he might just force her onto you for real.”

Xu Tingsheng, “...”

Fang Yuqing, “When will you be coming back?”

Xu Tingsheng, “Flight’s tomorrow.”

Fang Yuqing, “Oh, great.”

Xu Tingsheng, “Don’t tell your Grandpa yet. Let me prepare myself first.”

After ending his exchange with Fang Yuqing, Xu Tingsheng carefully scrutinised its contents from top to bottom a couple of times over, also inserting everything he knew about the Fang Family as he sought to see if there was something which even Fang Yuqing had overlooked.

This was something that Xu Tingsheng had done most often ever since his rebirth, pondering over an issue and the clues surrounding it as he sought to see through what lay behind them.

The first possibility that Xu Tingsheng saw was the same as what Fang Yuqing had seen.

Still, this wouldn’t actually be very serious. As Fang Yuqing had said, these things could not be forced. Even if the seniors of the Fang Family really had such intentions, Xu Tingsheng could definitely resolve this by talking with Fang Chen. And if Fang Chen was adamant on playing him, he would just lose some things in rejecting them at most.

What truly caused Xu Tingsheng to feel fearful was the second possibility, which was that the Fang Family was facing an imminent crisis, a crisis so great that Old Mister Fang was already beginning to try to arrange a way out for his descendants.

“I really hope I am wrong.”

Chapter 309: Meeting in a foreign country

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Old Jin before he went to bed, saying that he and his son had already arrived back in China and that they should meet up if there was a chance. Little Jinshan yelled from the side, “I’m missing you already, Uncle Xu.”

Xu Tingsheng felt very happy.

To Xu Tingsheng, having met Old Jin and his son was actually not as simple a matter as having met new friends. To some extent, Old Jin’s personality and resolution in action had unceasingly given Xu Tingsheng cause for thought, stimulating his mind.

Xu Tingsheng usually found it rather hard to make decisions. There was just so much he was conflicted about in his life and his career. He envied Old Jin and yearned to be more like him.

This sort of person had actually never appeared in Xu Tingsheng’s life before, living in a most liberated, uninhibited manner.

Of course, Old Jin was no fool. Only a fool would think Old Jin a fool. If he were really a fool, it would have been impossible for him to succeed. For him to have a few mines in Shanxi, while it might have sounded breezy and casual when he had said it, he would surely have experienced a great deal in getting to this point.

Old Jin simply distinguished his life and other things very clearly. He acted just as he wanted to act, not letting down his life, using other aspects of himself to advance, strive, even battle. This was what Xu Tingsheng aspired towards so much.

For instance, it seemed as if he had befriended Xu Tingsheng in a very casual manner. Right now, Xu Tingsheng was just this youth he had met by chance who had hit it off well with him.

Still, if the day came when partnership and investments came into their relationship, this being something that Xu Tingsheng had actually considered as he needed funds and admired Old Jin too, things might be different then. Therefore, he had given up on making such a proposal in the end, because he was actually well aware that as soon as their relationship became like this, Old Jin might turn into another person with things becoming different between them.

This was unrelated to friendship and trust. Instead, Old Jin’s past experiences would have made him this way.

Old Jin aside, there was also another person Xu Tingsheng had met in France, Gu Ying. She was actually no different from any of the random girls whom he had walked past on campus.

If there was a difference, it would merely be that Xu Tingsheng was aware of her name.

Of course, this was from Xu Tingsheng’s point of view.

Gu Ying felt a little differently. Though not very much, Gu Ying had actually had the stirrings of something for Xu Tingsheng, also having been willing to see if this could develop. After all, the two of them were both young, the way they had met also being quite interesting. Xu Tingsheng had also left quite a good impression on her.

Adding on some feelings of being cared about and taken care of as well as a bit of a feeling of being protected...this had lightly drawn the heart of the young girl all alone in a foreign country.

Gu Ying had tried to take the initiative, first inviting Xu Tingsheng to Arles before asking him if he wanted a tour guide for his remaining time in Nice. Xu Tingsheng had refused both offers. As a result, Gu Ying had been feeling conflicted for several days running after returning from Arles.

The next day, Xu Tingsheng returned his room key early in the morning with his backpack on his back.

Thinking that his departure was related to that call the night before, the boss tried to explain this.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, showing him the plane ticket that he had booked and thanking him for the care that he had been shown over the past few days.

The boss said, “Bon voyage then. Do come again!”

Come again? Xu Tingsheng considered this before smiling, “If I come again, you’d better not let someone call my room again. I may bring along a very precious girl with me.”

The boss smiled awkwardly and repeatedly assured him that he was an honest man who ran an honest business. That sort of thing would definitely never happen again.

After leaving the hotel, Xu Tingsheng took a taxi straight to the airport.

There was actually still quite a bit of time before his flight. Xu Tingsheng decided to shop in the vicinity of the airport and see if he could find any souvenirs to buy.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated over whether to buy a bundle of small, handmade perfume bottles or some dried lavender to distribute upon his return. The former was quite heavy, and the latter lacked sincerity.

As for Little Xiang Ning, it also seemed like he could not actually carry back a basket of crabs for her. Eventually, he decided to buy a handmade necklace for her which cost just two Euros.

On the same morning.

Gu Ying was hesitantly fingering her phone just like she had been doing for the past few days.

There were few overseas students from China in Nice and even fewer reliable guys to be found amongst them...Gu Ying had never been in a relationship before. This time, in a foreign country, in a rather coincidental, rather romantic manner...she had met someone that she was attracted to somewhat, yet had had no further chance to interact with him. Currently being in the peak of her youth, Gu Ying felt this to be a real pity indeed.

People are like this sometimes. While we do not actually know how things might have turned out, letting that pass just like that is generally a real cause for regret as we feel that we might have missed out on something happy and great.

She paced around in her room, muttering to herself every once in a while.

She had actually already been in such a state for a good couple of days.

Renting the place with her was an exchange student from a Chinese university who had been in France for less than a semester. She would be studying in a university in Nice for a year, having moved in for the time being after Gu Ying’s former roommate had graduated, returning to China.

She had seen how Gu Ying had been like these past few days. Gu Ying had also previously told her about what had happened between the two as well as her tiny stirrings of something for him.

“Why’re you still hesitating, senior?” The girl asked.

“I don’t even know if he’s still here,” Gu Ying stomped her foot, “I’ve been walking the streets these past few days, wanting to coincidentally run into him, but I just haven’t met him at all. I don’t even know if he’s gone back or he’s hiding somewhere. I really regret not having asked him which hotel he’s staying in, or I could have continually passed by the place.”

“You’re so concerned about this, senior? Is that person really that great?”

“He’s the guy I’ve met who’s drawn me the most thus far, at least.”

It is always rare and blissful in life to find someone who can set your heart aflutter. Moreover, things had been so coincidental, just like the fate and destiny that were often written about in books.

The girl smiled, asking, “Well, don’t you have his number?”

Gu Ying said rather nervously, “I, I can’t bring myself to do it. It was already embarrassing enough last time...it’d still be better if it’s a coincidental meeting.”

“Alright, I’m going off for lessons then.”

“But this is the fifth day already! If we still can’t meet, he’ll definitely have left...wait a sec.”

“Huh?”

“How about this? You help me to call him. Call him with your phone, and...pretend that you called the wrong number but didn’t realise it. Just ask him directly where he is. If he’s still in Nice, I’ll go and try to meet him by chance again.”

“What?”

“It’s decided then. Hey, why didn’t I think of this earlier?!” A vexed, excited Gu Ying exclaimed, “Come on, hurry up. I’ll tell you his number.”

The girl felt rather awkward about this but could not exactly refuse. As Gu Ying recited that phone number to her, she was only able to numbly press the buttons...and dial the number…

After dialling that unrecorded number, it should really have been a string of digits that appeared. Yet, it was a name that appeared on the screen of the girl’s phone. This meant that…the person was in her contact list.

She had changed her phone and number after coming to France. Then, only the numbers of a select few people had been stored within, the numbers of people who were important to her…

“Hello?”

“...Xu Tingsheng?”

“Yes.”

“You’re in Nice?”

“Yeah, but I’ll be leaving soon. I’ll be flying off later today. Hey, sorry about that, but, you are?”

Finding this person’s voice to be kind of familiar, Xu Tingsheng knew that it was someone he was acquainted with. Also, this person knew the number of his old Libei phone and his name, also being aware that he was currently in Nice…

Xu Tingsheng knew for sure that this person wasn’t Gu Ying. Still, there was no name displayed beside the number as he could not ascertain who it was.

“I’m Ye Yingjing.”

“Hmm? ...It’s been a long time. I remember that I have your number. This is?”

“This is my handphone number in France. I’m in Nice,” Ye Yingjing said, “I came over as an exchange student for my second year. No, let’s not talk about this now. You’re gonna leave already?”

“Yeah. The flight’s in another two over hours.”

“Where are you now?”

“Next to the airport.”

“I’m coming over.”

Hanging up, Ye Yingjing no longer intended to go for her lessons and hadn’t the time to change her clothes and check herself in the mirror as well as she hurriedly grabbed her bag, preparing to go outside.

Gu Ying was already stunned silly.

“You guys...know each other?”

“Yeah,” Ye Yingjing said rather awkwardly though she was also unable to hide her excitement, “We’re from the same county. We went to the same senior high, only that we were in different classes. Also, my Mum and his Mum are very good friends…”

Up to this point, Gu Ying felt that this was not a bad thing. It might even be a great thing. So he was acquainted with her roommate. The problem now was that Ye Yingjing didn’t seem to have asked her to go along…

“Do I wait for her to ask me? Or should I just request it myself?” She wondered.

“Also, we even went on a blind date once,” Ye Yingjing said.

Gu Ying, “…”

What in the world…

Chapter 310: A hasty meeting every time

Due to the influence of Luc Bessons’ <Taxi> series, one might easily misunderstand that taxis in France are all very crazy.

Actually, French taxi drivers are generally dressed neatly, are gentlemanly and polite, and move very slowly. In a country where people spend almost as much time eating as they spend on working every week, you should really not expect them to be in so much of a rush at all.

The official weekly working duration in France is 35 hours. Next, around 30 hours are spent on eating every week in the southern district of Provence.

When one lives life at another pace, life can be especially long and carefree.

There is more time to look at your wife’s face that is like the sunlight, turning from bright to warm, watch your daughter grow up as her little plait gradually turns into a wedding veil.

The taxi traversed the streets.

Sitting up straight, Ye Yingjing extended her hand into her bag and felt around, confirming that she had brought money with her.

Then, she tilted her head and looked at herself in the rearview mirror, adjusting her hair that had been scattered about by the wind and rubbing her cheeks before making a marmot’s expression and smiling to herself in the mirror.

Her smile was a little awkward because only now did she finally remember that she had rather ‘let down’ her roommate and senior, Gu Ying.

Things were actually as coincidental as this. Following that sudden realisation back then, she had been overcome by excitement, her mind growing flustered as her wits had forsaken her.

“I wonder if Senior is angry right now and continuing to be conflicted about this or if she can already let go of this matter now?”

Ye Yingjing took out her phone and pressed a few buttons before just setting it down again.

When she picked it up again, she had already decided to leave this matter for when she got back. After all, there were difference in priorities. She sent Xu Tingsheng a message: What a coincidence.

Ye Yingjing was wearing a loose, plain-coloured denim jacket along with jeans and white shoes.

When she appeared in front of Xu Tingsheng, he was in the midst of setting twenty plus bottles of perfume in his backpack, carefully separating them using the cloths the boss had given him.

Just like she would normally when meeting any other friend, Ye Yingjing smiled, “Buying gifts?”

His head lowered as he set those bottles in his backpack, Xu Tingsheng said, “Yep. Here, you have one too.”

Xu Tingsheng casually handed over a bottle.

Not questioning his sincerity or lack thereof, Ye Yingjing placed it before her nose and sniffed it before putting it back again, taking a bottle that had the lightest colour. She shook and sniffed it.

She smiled, “I’ll take this one then.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Okay.”

The two sat down in a small cafe just across the street.

Finally seeing that text, Xu Tingsheng said, “Right, what a coincidence. I’ve been in Nice for a week, but I never knew you were here.”

“You aren’t contacting me anyway,” Ye Yingjing smiled, “Actually, now I’m feeling that it doesn’t really feel much coincidental.”

Despite how a minor relationship of the past had arisen from that call, if there was really such a thing as true coincidence between them, shouldn’t they already have met on the streets of Nice way back?

Then, they should have strolled together through the same streets and alleys, listened to the same wind by the bay. Even if nothing came out of this, it would still have been a story to tell.

Also, Gu Ying who lived under the same roof as her had already been worked up for so many days. Ye Yingjing had foolishly just listened mildly to her and watched her just like that, merely speaking up once in a while to console her on this. For some reason, she had never asked her what that person looked like, what his name was.

And when she finally ‘discovered’ the other party, he was already immediately about to leave.

A hasty meeting every time. During that lesson conducted by Xu Tingsheng after their mock examinations in twelfth grade, when handing in their aspiration forms, on the first day of the Chinese New Year, in France, Nice.

This so accurately described the tale between the two of them. While they had clearly been in the same place, nothing had come of it. First had been in Libei Senior High, and now it was Nice. Even though they were in the same place, they had just never ‘met’ earlier for some reason. And yet, they had still met.

The heavens are like a mischievous child who loves playing pranks. Has it ever arranged such a person for you in your life?

When going to work in the morning, you encounter a person in the lift, exchanging a few words. Then, your heart beats faster for the entire day and you think very far ahead. Then, getting off from work in the evening, he or she is carrying a paper box, also being in the same lift as you.

They say that they have been working in this building for three years. They have resigned to return to their hometown today, engaged to someone they met on a blind date just recently.

Actually, you have also worked in this building for over a year. Yet...you only just met today.

When they had been on a blind date during the New Year, speaking of living life once more, Ye Yingjing had said at the end, “If I could really start all over, maybe...I wish that I could have met a certain person earlier on. I would go look for him earlier, appear in his life a little earlier...before he had had the chance to fall in love with anybody else.”

She had even said, “Yeah. When things come too late, what might otherwise have been precious, happy times sometimes only live on in the form of one’s deepest, buried regrets.”

Xu Tingsheng had been completely unable to understand this back then. His mind had been fully focused on the inspiration Ye Yingjing had evoked in him. Having understood it a little afterwards, he had felt this to be inconceivable. In his previous life, they had never even conversed once before. He might have taken notice of her at one point in time. As for her, there was already no knowing this now.

Chatting about Gu Ying’s matter for a while, the two both felt a little like they knew not whether to laugh or to cry.

Then, they switched the coffee for liquor.

“Actually, I knew that you’ve been overseas recently,” Ye Yingjing said, “Your Mum told my Mum, and my Mum told me about it over the phone too. Still, they said that you were at Loch Ness(尼斯湖)...back then, I was wondering why there had to be an additional lake(湖) behind it. You’re so childish that you’re off seeking monsters...I didn’t even consider that you might actually be in Nice(尼斯).”

“You’ve been in Nice for a week. When we finally met, there were only two hours left. Now, we still have one hour and twenty-two minutes remaining,” Ye Yingjing said.

Looking at the sky beyond the transparent glass walls, Xu Tingsheng suddenly said, “I think it was in eleventh grade. We were split into the Science and Humanities streams. Your Class 7 was on the fourth floor and our Class 10 on the fifth floor, both on different corridors. The first time I saw your name was on the Red Chart. You were the top scorer. That was the first time I paid attention to the Red Chart.”

“Then, there was once when I was playing with a few friends on the field and you walked over from the running tracks. They told me-that girl is Ye Yingjing. I joked: How could the heavens allow someone to be the top scorer and so beautiful too? This isn’t fair? Give her a slightly worse boyfriend to balance it out, such as me.”

Ye Yingjing focused on Xu Tingsheng as she learnt of a story related to her which she could not have known of, could never have found out.

This sort of story might actually also have happened with you yourself, just that you will never have a chance to hear it. Therefore, you actually do not know that you are not without a tale.

It is just that this story lies with another.

This had actually happened in the twelfth grade of Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, close to his graduation. It had just been some messing around amongst friends, just like how countless other boys had once sat around with their friends, messing around and discussing that girl passing by.

Xu Tingsheng continued, “After I had said that, they all began making a ruckus, trying to instigate me to go flirt with you. I’m utterly shameless anyway, they said. I told them: Scaring her like that? I’d have a reason to go over if she sprained her ankle. Then, you sat down at a corner of the stands to rest. Then, I said: If she sits there for more than ten minutes, I’ll buy a bottle of water and bring it over to her.”

“What happened then?”

“In the end, you didn’t sprain your ankle. You only sat down for a little over eight minutes before going back to study again.”

“Just that one time?”

“Yeah.”

“...I’m thinking that even if I had really sprained my ankle then, you still might not have come over. Or if I had sat there for more than ten minutes, it might still have ended the same way. Only because it didn’t happen do we presume, assume how all this would have turned out.”

“And maybe I would really have come, but nothing would still have happened anyway. You might have said that you can walk on your own, or your classmate might have been passing by at the time. Or you might also have been scared off by me, not wanting the water that I offered you.”

“...Yeah. Time and humanity, winding and meandering…”

After the initial ‘yeah’, it sounded like she was simply murmuring to herself.

Chapter 311: It’s always you reminding me

It wasn’t easy to stop reminiscing on old times in a city like Nice.

The two chatted about their university lives for a while, including how Ye Yingjing had come to Nice. Unbeknownst to Xu Tingsheng, she had already lived within this city for several months.

Mrs Xu who had constantly been nagging him about Ye Yingjing had never mentioned this too.

Also, Ye Yingjing had still not entered a relationship with anybody. Of course, this did not stop her from living an exciting, fulfilling life. She was just this sort of girl with a sufficiently bountiful heart that kept her warm and stable, not necessarily having to rely on anyone else being there.

“How do you like Nice?” Ye Yingjing asked Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng said, “The beaches are a scam. The sky and the sea make it not a wasted trip. And the food. And, the streets are beautiful too. I think that the economic planning of this city isn’t bad. I found that virtually all the households here grow plants on their balconies, having displayed them too. Is that the government’s idea? It’s indeed very good at attracting tourists. The residents are very cooperative with the scheme too.”

Ye Yingjing frowned, asking slightly vexedly, “You’re doing this on purpose, right?”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Huh?”

Ye Yingjing asked, “Why must this be from economic planning? I believe that this comes spontaneously. It’s habitual, the city’s personality. The people here love and enjoy their lives. People in Nice are very proud. They believe that they have the most beautiful city and the best lives. They love this city with a passion.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled but said nothing, still not believing it. The personality and mood of tourist cities would not go into opposition with money at the end of the day.

Ye Yingjing asked, “Do you know? All the Mcdonalds in the world have yellow ‘M’s. But in Nice, it is white. The people of Nice believe that yellow clashes with the city’s style. They collectively requested for it to be changed to white or move away. Government persuasion didn’t work too. Mcdonalds could only helplessly give in in the end.”

An actual case study was given.

Having lost to fact, Xu Tingsheng said rather awkwardly, “My bad. Look at me, a businessman now and stinking completely of copper. You already almost can’t recognise me anymore, right?”

Ye Yingjing said calmly yet earnestly, “Actually, I’ve been paying attention to some news about you all along. My Mum also often mentions you. You’re very successful. Everyone feels happy for you, and pleasantly surprised too. But sometimes, I think that you may have missed out on many things. Do you have time to go to the library in your university life? Or have you ever lain on the grass in your campus before?”

Xu Tingsheng actually wished to rebut her. What she had said-he had experienced all that in the past before. And yet, his previous life had ultimately concluded so tragically. Now that he had a second chance, Xu Tingsheng did not want to relive such tragedy.

“There are some things that even I myself may already be unable to do anything about,” He defended himself.

Ye Yingjing nodded, “Perhaps. Actually, I just feel that a society which has multiple conceptions of what is most important is the healthiest and most complete. It should have many variations of the definition of success. A pity...you don’t have such an environment now.”

After a while, she added, “Sorry.”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “Why apologise? Actually, I should be the one thanking you, because...it’s always you reminding me. Thank you.”

Xu Tingsheng who was walking further and further away, Ye Yingjing whom he rarely got to meet. It was always...her reminding him.

……

Not much time remained.

“Right, why did you come to Nice? By yourself…” Ye Yingjing only thought to ask about this now.

“For fun. On tour,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Back in senior high, he had once said: This world is so vast, I wish to experience it. Therefore, it seemed that an answer like this was very reasonable. He couldn’t exactly say that he was really running away from something.

Ye Yingjing shook her head, “No, doesn’t look like it.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Why?”

Ye Yingjing said, “You didn’t bring a camera.”

“Even this can be considered a reason?”

“Yep. Ha, I brought one, actually. Because I’ll only be in Nice for a year, I bring a camera around with me everyday,” Ye Yingjing did not press him on this matter as she just pulled out a Polaroid camera from her bag.

“Using a Polaroid must be very wasteful, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked, aware that these cameras were very expensive as they were not for frequent usage.

Ye Yingjing lowered her head in adjusting the camera, “Although I bring it around with me all the time, I don’t frequently take photos, so it’s still fine. I use a Polaroid because it’s convenient this way for me to write down my thoughts and feelings by the side or at the back of the photograph right there and then…”

“There’s always something that spurs you to take a particular photograph. Your mood at the time, that thought, some emotions, are actually really easy to be forgotten, to change as time goes by. Perhaps that is a mood in itself. I want to record all that down.”

Xu Tingsheng felt that he could not simply classify Ye Yingjing as a simple artistic youth. While she indeed seem to possess such an side, her depth and breadth of thought made her different.

Ye Yingjing stood up, raising her head, “Let’s go outside. I feel like taking one for you right now.”

Xu Tingsheng who did not like taking photographs did not refuse her, because she had just said that there is always something that spurs one to take a particular photograph. Also, one’s mood at the time is hard to come by, and prone to change too.

The two found an old wall that was filled with green vines by the side of the cafe. The foot of the wall was covered entirely with fallen leaves and branches whereas the wall itself was still lush beyond compare.

Carrying his backpack, Xu Tingsheng casually leaned against the wall just like that.

He unconsciously brought his arms up before his chest.

Ye Yingjing said, “Open up your arms.”

She also said, “Smile!”

Xu Tingsheng smiled. It was that kind of bashful, awkward smile from his senior high days. He had constantly smiled this way back then, and had slowly seemed to pay less and less attention to this afterwards.

There was the sound of the shutter clicking. The photograph slowly came out from the camera.

Ye Yingjing held it, lightly flicked it and raised it against the sunlight. Then, she took out a pen and wrote something on it, on the white part. After having done so, she did not show it to Xu Tingsheng.

“Now, you take one for me too.”

Ye Yingjing passed the camera to Xu Tingsheng before casually going to the wall to stand.

Xu Tingsheng pressed the button.

He had not even looked properly at it when the photograph was already back in Ye Yingjing’s hand. She said ‘scared it’s ugly’ before writing a row of words on the top border, similarly not letting Xu Tingsheng look at it.

The third photograph was of them both. Ye Yingjing found some old Frenchman in the park opposite who was playing throw with a metallic ball and requested him to help them take it.

Xu Tingsheng leaned against the wall, looking at the spire of the church off in the distance.

Ye Yingjing stood beside him, her face tilted as she looked up at the side of his face, smiling.

Xu Tingsheng had not even glanced at the photograph when Ye Yingjing had already written words on it and kept it.

The two of them played two rounds of throwing the ball with four old Frenchmen in that park.

There was finally no more time that could be delayed.

Outside the departure hall, Ye Yingjing handed Xu Tingsheng a folded white paper envelope, telling him, “This is your present.”

Then, she smiled and waved goodbye, hence concluding yet another hasty meeting of theirs.

Tens of thousands of kilometres in the air on his flight from Nice to Shenghai, Xu Tingsheng opened the envelope. Inside it were two of the three photographs which had just been taken.

The first was of Ye Yingjing alone. She had written on the top border: This girl once liked you.

The second was of Xu Tingsheng alone. Ye Yingjing had written on the back: Back in eleventh grade, you had a sea-blue collared shirt. So long as you never forget how you were at the start.

She had kept the third photograph, the one of the two of them. As for the words she had written on that photograph and her mood then...Xu Tingsheng might never ever come to learn of them.

Chapter 312: How to choose

From Nice to Shenghai, then to Yanzhou. Switching from a plane to a car, Xu Tingsheng slept throughout the journey.

Before he could even put down his luggage at the riverside residence, Xu Tingsheng was directly driven by Fang Yuqing from the station right over to Starry Splendour Nightclub.

Everyone was waiting for him there, all clenching their teeth with unfriendly looks on their faces.

Xu Tingsheng said shamelessly, “Oh, you’re all here, I see? What a coincidence.”

The Black Horse Club had lost two people, and the remainder all had some grievances against Xu Tingsheng somewhat. Hu Shengming and a few others who were used to messing around just directly lunged over and knocked him down. They probably would not be any more riled even if it was instead a female artiste there.

After finishing mucking around, there was not the cheerful laughter of normal friends as the atmosphere still remained rather repressed.

They sighed, saying despondently, “Xu Tingsheng, you’ve set us up real good.”

While this might sound like a joke, it actually wasn’t. This virtually represented the collective thoughts of everyone present, finally being vented in a single breath. Over this period of time, virtually everyone who had managed to hold on had been resisting a great amount of pressure.

That KTV that Hu Shengming ran with a few business partners had been wrecked several times by some people looking for trouble. The police came by for random spot checks every couple of days. It was not just once or twice that Chen Yan’s lot had been called out for a discussion with some higher-ups.

Virtually everyone else was also resisting either internal or external pressure.

The more powerful and influential one was, the greater the pressure exerted on them.

In the meantime, Xu Tingsheng who had launched their ‘rogue ship’ had run off overseas on his own.

After respectfully apologising to everyone twice, Xu Tingsheng took out a bunch of wallets and belts and placed them on the table, saying earnestly, “I know that it’s been tough on everyone recently. I’ve brought you some souvenirs from overseas. These are all real leather, French branded goods. Help yourself...we’re all family, don’t stand on ceremony. Take it like I’m presenting you some tokens of my apology.”

As these were all piled up into a mini-mountain, their quality probably weren’t all that good. Everyone was well aware of this. Still, he had at least painstakingly carried them all the way back from France, right?

The sincerity was there.

While no one here lacked this money and would probably not be using these things even if they took them, at least...this showed that Xu Tingsheng still had a bit of a conscience. The key was this attitude of his. Seeing his sincere gesture, everyone would naturally feel that they had to reciprocate and give him a bit of face.

Taking it was a gesture too, a response. It expressed that they blamed him and could not understand his rationale but were still willing to listen to him explain himself rather than immediately ‘abandoning ship’.

“So you still have a bit of conscience...let me have a look,” Jiang Jin said as he walked over.

Hu Shengming and the others took the lead, with the remaining people, including the habitually serious Chen Yan’s lot, all being prepared to walk over and receive Xu Tingsheng’s sincerity too.

Sitting in a corner, Fang Yuqing hid his face behind Huang Yaming with an expression which indicated that he just couldn’t stand this. As Tan Yao leaned in and asked about this, he said, “He, just now, he asked me to stop the car…and bought all these at the roadside stall by the station. He got a big discount by buying these many, 20 yuan a piece.”

“...too shameless,” Huang Yaming muttered, “You wouldn’t know, but he was also like this back before twelfth grade. He’s never taken face seriously before. I still thought he already changed.”

“Is this enough? How about we three act a bit and help him out?” Tan Yao asked.

Fang Yuqing shook his head, “How’s that possible?!”

Indeed, Chu Lianyi and the other few ladies present now stood up and took a few steps over, glancing at the dimly lit bunch of goods a distance away. They immediately stopped with wry, helpless smiles on their faces, shaking their heads as they went back to sit.

Women need but a single glance to tell the quality of these things.

Jiang Jin who was a bit slow held up a wallet and sniffed it. He felt that something was wrong. He turned to look at the ladies...seeing their reaction, he understood.

“Xu Tingsheng, just go die already!”

Xu Tingsheng leaned against the sofa as he was pelted with a whole mass of wallets and belts.

The guys kicked up a storm.

Comparing this with that previous gathering and Xu Tingsheng’s vibe of having everything in his grasp…it really felt worlds apart.

Standing with a wineglass in hand, Ye Qing said softly to the other ladies as they watched on, “Have you all noticed? It’s like right after he pulled this, the atmosphere’s really eased greatly.”

“They feel like a bunch of very close friends and bros just mucking around together. In truth, everyone here isn’t actually this close, and...even less so with him, right?” Chu Lianyi smiled.

“He wants to create a relatively more relaxed environment, making it easier for some things to be voiced out. After all, all of us actually have many things weighing on our minds with various thoughts of our own and quite a few things hidden, right?”

“Let’s wait and see what he has to say then.”

Wu Kun was also watching from the side, smiling as he waited.

“Well, you’re all clear on my situation too. I seem to have had the most trouble. A while ago, our education license was even taken away as our training institute almost can’t operate anymore. I won’t go into the details,” After things had calmed down, Xu Tingsheng smiled, “How about...you talk about your situations? A bucket of tears and a noseful of snot as you say it-however is fine.”

Some time passed. Yet, no one had spoken, pouring out their grievances.

If Xu Tingsheng had returned a few days ago, there would have been a bunch of people pouring out their grievances without him even having to ask, saying that they nearly couldn’t hold on any longer and asking him to say something even if it was just for appearances.

But now, even though the pressure on them was still great and they were still suffering, the tides had actually already been changing these past few days.

There were some things that everyone present was fully aware of. What had really enabled these people to hold on up till now was not their trust in Xu Tingsheng. It was impossible for them to have such great, unwarranted trust in Xu Tingsheng.

The current Xu Tingsheng did not possess such qualifications.

The crux of the matter was that Xu Tingsheng had been right about something. Having survived that pressure, tiding through the ‘defiantly resisting death’ period, things would be different then.

Xu Tingsheng had not said what would follow that. Still, everyone had already encountered this now. They were ‘benefits’, conditions, enticements, promises...having survived Xu Tingsheng’s so-called ‘defiantly resisting death’ period, virtually all of them had been promised some things.

Meanwhile, all the other side had asked was that they give up on this venture.

The logic therein was strange indeed. Apart from them partying together and resisting a wave of pressure, they had actually not invested anything into this at all. Even if they gave up on this venture now, they would actually not have lost anything they had possessed at the start.

Yet, they would be able to receive a whole bunch of benefits.

Baiting bare-handedly, netting a profit.

Such as Hucheng.

One. Xu Tingsheng had gathered a group of people to participate in the acquisition of the No. 1 and No. 2 plots of land, next also demonstrating the capabilities and determination to succeed.

Two. Hucheng had faced threats and pressure from various entities. While it had been tough, they had still defiantly resisted this pressure and held on, gritting their teeth and not letting go.

Three. When the threats and the pressure had been ineffective and they also could not really give a killing blow, hence did enticements come. There was a vast plot of unused land behind their training institute that Xu Tingsheng had previously tried but failed to acquire a few times. Now, those bigwigs were respectfully offering it to him with open arms, promising to give it to Hucheng to expand their training institute at a low price.

At the same time, there would also be a series of preferential treatment and care from a few agencies, such as the education department who could bestow endless glory upon Hucheng’s training institute in Yanzhou. At the same time, Hucheng could also enter the list of enterprises that were specially supported by Yanzhou City, enjoying a series of beneficial, helpful policies.

And the sole condition was that Xu Tingsheng and those of the Black Horse Club agree on giving up on contending for the No. 1 and No. 2 plots of land.

This was the entire process of ‘baiting bare-handedly, netting a profit’.

The boundless power and ‘sacrificial’ spirit of these local snakeheads really had to be admired. After all, as compared to Xu Tingsheng unrelentingly raising the price of the land by two whole units...this was nothing at all, really.

Not hiding anything at all, Xu Tingsheng reported all the ‘enticements’ that Hucheng had received before saying, “Look at how smart it was for me to go into hiding for a while. What about you guys? Come one, what enticements have you received?”

Everyone had originally been hiding things, afraid that others might learn what they had been offered. Xu Tingsheng spoke candidly about the enticements he had received at once, breaking that deadlock.

Smiling, the beautiful Ye Qing was the next to speak, “Jinxiong, Dacheng and the companies under them will all use the ships of our shipping company the import of construction materials and some other items in the future. The three year contract is right there, just waiting for me to sign it. This matter is actually very important to me. Actual monetary gains aside, this concerns my importance in shipping and my voice in my family. After all, I advocated and am in charge of my family’s shipping business.”

“Vocation, office chairman. I just had a chance to compete for it before. Now, it’s more or less a guarantee.”

Chen Yan was the third to speak as he got straight to the point. Still, for him who worked in a government department, this was actually not a minor enticement at all. On the contrary, it was very enticing indeed. With the vocation of office chairman that was connected to both above and below...it was an ideal springboard to a higher position.

Following their example, everyone soon honestly reported the ‘promises’ and ‘enticements’ that they had received. Some were related to business, others connections and vocations, and some were even more direct…

“They just offered me money. The sum isn’t that big, but it’s still fine. If we take it, us guys will be able to open a branch for our KTV,” Hu Shengming smiled.

Hu Shengming’s words caused Xu Tingsheng to recall an incident in his previous life. Once, his cousin who ran a business had suddenly looked for him and asked him to sign up to participate in some auction thing run by a government body, assuring him that she would help him with the guarantor fee.

Not knowing what was going on, Xu Tingsheng had just went. In the end, having done nothing at all, he had claimed 800 yuan and returned.

Actually, he had received the least out of all the bidders...the final bidder who had succeeded had used different amounts of money to take care of all his competitors of varying strength. In this auction, he had still ultimately profited quite a bit, whereas everyone else had also more or less received some benefits.

The main reason behind things conceivably ending like this, resulting in a situation where ‘everyone is a winner’, was this: The target of the auction was owned by the government.

Now, those plots of land were owned by the government.

Besides the enticements offered to these individuals, the local real estate companies had even given the Black Horse Club a collective promise: If they agreed to give up on those two plots of land, they would be able to acquire Plot No. 4 at a low price. No one would compete with them or make things difficult for them.

The reason was a simple and clear one. They had already internally agreed on how to split the first three plots of land, this being their own matter. So long as Hucheng stayed out of this and did not mess things up for them...claim away all those benefits. Plot No. 4-you can have it too.

This was equivalent to accepting they of the Black Horse Club into the real estate business. Of course, they would just be a mere accompaniment.

The problem that remained was: How do we choose?

Everyone collectively looked at the one person who had orchestrated the current situation, Xu Tingsheng.

Chapter 313: The killing plot

Plot No. 4 was on the eastern riverbank of Yanzhou as one had to walk over a bridge to get there. In the words of the locals, after the bridge is the village.

This was the greatest problem. That aside, Plot No. 4 actually had its good points too. It was the biggest and the cheapest, also not needing anything troublesome like tearing down pre-existing structures. Now, it even seemed that there would also be no need to compete for it.

Therefore, it was just a matter of that bridge.

Everyone felt conflicted over that bridge. The bridge connected Yanzhou’s city district to what could only be considered a small town at most.

If it was a city was Shenghai, people would think that only needing half an hour to go to and come home from work was really great. Still, it was different for Yanzhou.

Of course, if this was three or four years later, Xu Tingsheng knew that people would definitely not face such an inner conflict in most of China’s second-rate cities. Sadly, this was 2004, even though it was really just a matter of time.

Xu Tingsheng met all those gazes, looking straight back at them.

No one expressed their opinion or deliberately hinted at the choice they wished to hear being made. Still, it was evident that quite a few people present were actually secretly hoping for Xu Tingsheng to give in and compromise.

While they might not be consciously thinking this, this was just how it was. Having borne that immense pressure for so long, anyone would look forward to what a relief and how wonderful things would be after it was gone. Moreover, so many good things had been promised to them.

Also, even if they really persisted to the end, they actually still did not have that great a chance of successfully obtaining Plot No. 1 or Plot No. 2...this being so, why did they have to continue resisting to the death then?

“What would you do if I say that we should resist to the death?” Xu Tingsheng smiled, asking.

Resist to the death?

But why do so?

“Doable,” Wu Kun replied frankly, not even considering these two questions.

Then, Ye Qing expressed her support too, even though she had just admitted that what had been promised to her possessed great significance.

Next, Chen Yan and Gao Yupo said that it was okay too.

They did not even ask Xu Tingsheng for an explanation at all.

Such a situation definitely would not have occurred during their first gathering. Still, things were different now. Xu Tingsheng had already demonstrated to them that he had the ability to predict and influence the flow of events, even though he was currently relying on their collective power.

Still, this power had actually always been available to them. Besides Ye Qing and Chu Lianyi, what most of them had done in the past was simply muddle their way through life. However, besides venting their unhappiness and getting into fights to preserve their face, also helping each other out once in a while, they had never used this power effectively and well before.

Therefore, that Xu Tingsheng had been able to gather them all and harness their collective power was actually already a show of his capabilities in itself.

Moreover, all of them still had that ‘misunderstanding’, believing that Xu Tingsheng had a trump card up his sleeve.

It had to be said that Xu Tingsheng having requested nothing of them and all those things that Chen Jianxing had helped to do for him in private had exacerbated such a ‘misunderstanding’.

Even Ye Qing had failed to find out which considerably influential power in Yanzhou had been protecting Hucheng. Also, as they saw it, the other party had not gone all out as they had only exerted slight power to help Hucheng secure its basic foundation, with concealing their identity seemingly being the greater consideration for them in this.

Those local real estate companies seemed to have noticed this too. This was actually also one of the reasons for them having changed their overall strategy.

Xu Tingsheng’s initial attitude regarding Chen Jianxiang and this matter was very clear-cut. He did not wish to get involved in those affairs in the slightest. Still, ever since the day of Chen Jianxing’s wedding when he had seen his wife and daughter at the entrance to the street, Xu Tingsheng’s thoughts regarding this had actually become rather complex. Now, he was feeling even more conflicted regarding this...

As there were still important matters at hand, Xu Tingsheng ceased thinking about this for now.

“So, maybe we can secure Plot No. 1 or Plot No. 2 for real? ...In that case, we should persevere however things play out...we can hold our heads high for once, rather than always being treated like trash who can only randomly fool around…”

They all had various considerations in mind as they resolved themselves, consoled themselves.

Xu Tingsheng headed straight for the safe and pressed the first digit, the code that he had set.

After a slight hesitation, the rest followed suit.

The second one.

The third.

……

After the safe had been unlocked, Xu Tingsheng took out the first piece of the paper napkin that he had torn into three.

Some people resisted the urge to laugh as they now recalled what Xu Tingsheng had done back then.They had all said that this was like a childish joke as it was like he was acting profound and not taking things seriously, having just helplessly played along with him in the end.

What about now?

Things were actually a bit different now. There was a renewed sense of anticipation as everyone began feeling curious as to what exactly was written on that piece of napkin. Xu Tingsheng had previously said that on it was written his rough estimate of the various phases of what would be happening thereafter and how he intended to act in response to this.

“He really...foresaw it? For real? ...Also, how does he intend to respond to this situation?”

Everyone’s gazes converged on that little piece of paper napkin which Chu Lianyi now held.

Chu Lianyi looked at it and took in a deep breath, exhaling before she recited, “We will all bear immense pressure for around a month or so. Some may quit. Therefore, I will be going away to hide for a while lest you exert pressure on me. For some things, too much discussion would only create more tensions and divisions. Having discussed it, our responses would become worse, fake even. I will just make use of this time to contact the construction materials suppliers.”

Chu Lianyi finished reciting the first segment.

“WTF!” Hu Shengming let loose a vulgarity, aptly expressing everyone’s feelings at this moment.

Chu Lianyi continued, “After making it through this, we will receive many enticements. Therefore, more people may back out. Then, if the situation is optimistic, we will be able to happily accept all these benefits before the end of December before giving up on competing for Plot No. 1 and Plot No. 2.”

“Resisting any further would really be asking to die.”

“That aside, we should be able to secure Plot No. 4 at a low price without any competition whatsoever. We’ll not look down on that. Go for it. The construction materials will have been ordered for Plot No. 4 in the first place.”

“……”

“...That’s all,” Chu Lianyi concluded, seeing that everyone’s gazes were still on her.

She placed the wrinkled piece of napkin on the table. Next, there were naturally some interested parties who came to analyse this.

“...This is just inhuman.”

“Crazy as hell.”

These startled exclamations aside, everyone present also felt like a great weight had been lifted off their shoulders, allowing them to heave a sigh of relief.

Due to what Xu Tingsheng had said earlier, everyone had believed that they would probably be resisting to the end, having also mostly prepared themselves for this. They would believe that Xu Tingsheng surely had some rationale for this, because he had always been right thus far.

Still, despite having prepared themselves, resisting to the end would be, to put it bluntly, not recognising the concessions that had been promised them, not giving the other side face and forcing them into desperation...would their lot still be able to hold on then? The pressure wasn’t small at all.

Now, no, not now, but over a month ago, apparently, Xu Tingsheng had already made a decision on this, just that he had only told them about it now. He would choose to accept the concessions during this time frame, giving up on competing for Plot No. 1 and Plot No. 2 in securing Plot No. 4 instead.

Everyone could feel relaxed now.

The very fact that this decision had been made long beforehand proved that they had not been forced into giving up. They did not even feel the stifledness of having been forced out of the competition now. They did not even feel so disdainful of Plot No. 4 like they had before…

The reason was the same. It was that...Xu Tingsheng surely had some rationale for this…and moreover, there were still two pieces of paper napkin inside that safe.

Obstructing all those inquisitive, prying gazes, Xu Tingsheng closed the safe again.

They did not re-set the passcode. The other five people of the Black Horse Club who possessed a number code were all relatively stable and dependable. They would not be so hasty as to rush to see how things would turn out, combining those digits they had to collectively unlock the safe.

Of course, things would definitely be different if the remainder of that code was in the hands of Hu Shengming’s group. That bunch would surely want to steal a look. As for the digit which Xu Tingsheng had, they could just test it out one by one.

“Hurry up and cash in all those benefits. Verbal promises don’t mean anything,” Xu Tingsheng said calmly, “Next, I feel that there is actually also much that can be done with Plot No. 4. Let’s just take it like we are accumulating some qualifications and experience going into real estate.”

Everyone else nodded.

Plot No. 4 was really not that bad, in truth. It might only be looked down on because the other three plots of land that had been taken out this time were really just too good, especially Plot No. 1 and Plot No. 2 which were truly hard to come by.

It was due to this that people might feel disdainful of it.

Actually, Plot No. 4 would just be a little cheaper with a little less profit to be made when the time came as its units would sell more slowly. When the price of the land had not been made too high by the overwhelming interest in it, there was really much that could be done with this. There had actually still been those who had been considering competing for this a little.

Yet, this was not the case any longer.

Also, they would get it at a low price.

Hence, everyone accepted Xu Tingsheng’s words. On one hand, they would still be able to make a profit. On the other, like he had said, they would be able to accumulate some qualifications and experience going into real estate, solidifying their foundation.

They would also receive so many benefits out of the blue.

“Let’s get Plot No. 4 done well and proper then.”

They reached an unanimous decision.

Many people were actually still wondering something. If it just was Plot No. 4, why did they need imported construction materials? Did it really have to be so high-end? They would have to ask Xu Tingsheng about this. Still, no one actually asked it now. They had already unconsciously become willing to trust Xu Tingsheng more and more.

At the same time, they were also looking forward to it. While things actually seemed like they were already basically set in stone, Xu Tingsheng’s so-called ‘predictions’ were only one-third revealed. It was impossible for them not to look forward to it.

Xu Tingsheng looked around, “Is everything fine now? Who has the time to stay here with me in getting over the jet lag?”

Most of the guys stayed behind.

As for the ladies, they successively expressed that they dared not stay awake the night through as they got up and prepared to leave.

When walking past Tan Yao, Ye Qing stopped, not looking at him as she spoke in a mild tone, “You’re not allowed to bring anyone out.”

Tan Yao stiffened his neck, saying softly but in an unfriendly manner, “Can you manage me?”

“I can’t,” Ye Qing said, “But I’ve always been an unreasonable person. I manage what I want. Also, I have many ways I can manage you.”

After saying so, Ye Qing stalked straight out.

Xu Tingsheng was rather taken aback as he turned, asking Tan Yao, “What’s with you two?”

Tan Yao sighed, with Huang Yaming answering on his behalf, “They quarrelled, several times. Something’s up with Ye Qing. She suddenly began managing Tan Yao a few days ago, not allowing him to go gallivanting around outside. Tan Yao refuses to be managed by her, so he argued with her. Tan Yao’s in a huff now, though it doesn’t seem like Ye Qing is really angry…I think that the situation is somewhat complicated. Let’s just watch the show.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at Tan Yao, agreeing, “Yep, let’s just watch the show.”

Hu Shengming looked at Wu Kun, asking, “Bro Kun, we can’t sit alone through this long night?”

Wu Kun called over a waiter and whispered a few words into his ear.

Soon, a group of flashily dressed women walked into the room. There were old faces and new ones too. Xu Tingsheng scanned these women once over and back, occasionally zeroing onto an unfamiliar face and asking a few questions.

Having looked very happy at first after coming in, Tongtong...was glaring petulantly at him.

Finally, Xu Tingsheng looked at Tongtong, smiling, “But my Tongtong’s still the best.”

Knowing that Xu Tingsheng had just been teasing her in actuality, Tongtong was over the moon as she frolicked and came to sit down beside him, pouting playfully, “You really angered me to death...also, I’ve nearly missed you to death.”

Amidst the ongoing ruckus, Xu Tingsheng took out a small perfume bottle from his backpack and secretly handed it to her, saying softly, “Those wallets are all fake. This is a real French Provence brand. I specially brought you a present back from France. Don’t let anyone know.”

Provence was a name that held infinite allure for females. Moreover, Xu Tingsheng had said ‘specially’ and ‘don’t let anyone know’. Tongtong nodded excitedly before carefully hiding the small perfume bottle.

……

Dongzi and the tattooed man returned to Yanzhou two days later. Xu Tingsheng had already resumed going to lessons, with Hucheng and those of the Black Horse Club currently being in the midst of properly grasping those benefits they had been promised.

Everyone keeping an eye on this incident knew that Xu Tingsheng had returned, next having chosen to give in as he had ‘uselessly’ given up on the competition for Plot No. 1 and Plot No. 2.

As outsiders saw it, he had single-handedly brought all the earlier efforts and persistence of the other members of the Black Horse Club to devastation…

Xu Tingsheng had turned into a joke amongst Yanzhou’s upper strata.

Ding Sen was naturally aware of this as well.

However, he still recalled Dongzi and the tattooed man, asking them to return to Yanzhou.

At 1am in the morning, a pickup and an ordinary Toyata stopped at some intersection in Yanzhou.

“Bro Sen, I heard the guy no longer dares to oppose you. That matter...do we still continue?” The tattooed man ventured.

Ding Sen laughed disdainfully, saying with a savage expression on his face, “It’s good that he knows how to be afraid. Still, this is already no longer related to me wanting him dead..this old man gets mad just thinking about him. I want him dead!”

The tattooed man nodded rather excitedly. After all, this meant that that sum of money was still theirs to be had.

“What do we do this time then? If it’s the school, we’d surely be seen if we enter…” The tattooed man said rather hesitantly as he carefully observed Ding Sen’s expression.

Ding Sen considered this, “There’d be too many eyes in other places. Let’s just use that same method. He netted a piece of land near the training institute recently. He’ll definitely make a couple of trips over, and there will surely be many chances. The two of you rest and make preparations for one day tomorrow, and then the day after...you just start waiting for him.”

“Understood,” The tattooed man sighed in relief, nodding.

That same old method was naturally better for the two of them. If they were truly unable to escape after this, between a premeditated murder and a car accident...they would definitely choose the latter.

“Remember, it ain’t over till he’s dead,” Ding Sen ground his teeth, breathing heavily, “That’s it then. Act on your own after this. Don’t contact me if there isn’t anything, and don’t cause trouble for me. I will contact you if there’s anything on my side.”

“Understood. Rest assured, Bro Sen, we definitely won’t get you into trouble no matter what.”

“Inform me about it when you’re done. Afterwards, just leave right away. I guarantee that I will definitely wire the money over...most importantly, don’t try to fool me. If I can’t confirm it, I’m not sending you any money.”

“That won’t happen. You can rest assured, Bro Sen.”

“That’s all then.”

The engines of the two vehicles revved up amidst the night, zooming off in opposite directions.

……

The wireless went off at 10.30 in the dormitory. When this happened, the night owls of the various dormitories would usually play Counterstrike on LAN. Leaning over a computer, Xu Tingsheng chastised Li Xingming’s incompetence while scoring a headshot with every bullet.

This was a game. Life and death was decided in a single round, and everything would restart thereafter.

Never would Xu Tingsheng have imagined that the shadow of death loomed so closely over him in the real world.

Chapter 314: Dongzi’s date

The tattooed man’s tattoo that extended all the way to his neck was actually a tattoo of a tiger. Still, due to the artist’s lack of skill, it looked more like a dog. Thus, his nickname was Old Dog.

Because he had been growing increasingly fatter these past two years, the flesh on his neck growing along with the body of a tiger, some would exclaim in astonishment once in a while, “Look! That guy has a Shar-Pei dog tattooed on him...”

The dog head on his neck rose and fell along with his breathing, raising its head and opening its mouth before shrinking back down again. Smoking a cigarette in the vehicle, Old Dog suddenly asked, “You feeling panicked, Dongzi?”

Dongzi nodded rather hesitantly, replying, “A little.”

“Actually, it’s the same for me too. I’ve become used to fighting and all that stuff these past two years, but to really kill someone, this is really the first time,” Old Dog deeply inhaled a mouthful of smoke, clenching his teeth as he said, “Still, fortune amidst adversity...I really don’t want such a life anymore. I want to go all in on this one.”

Dongzi threw the cigarette butt out of the vehicle, casually adjusting his hairstyle in the rearview mirror, “Same here...I’m in it with you. Either we’ll be rich dudes from now on or we squat together in prison. I’m definitely never going back to those days again, regardless.”

The two were actually not that close with Ding Sen. They were not the kind who would be able to earn a living by acting as his henchmen, at least.

Even Ding Sen would not dare to get people who were usually close to him to do something like this. Moreover, it would not be easy to find willing parties as well. In the end, he had found these two people, Old Dog and Dongzi, who were still not that well-known.

Old Dog and Dongzi had originally been seamen, the kind that would spend a whole four to five consecutive months on a ship to earn their keep. While the income was okay, it really was a bit stifling to spend their days like this. Once, the two had entered a scuffle with some people in a bar. Some rich people had taken notice of their ferocious manner as they would look for their help in settling matters from time to time in which it was improper for they themselves to act. With that, the two had begun acting as thugs for hire.

After having done so for a while, gallivanting for a while and seeing the life of the rich, the two had no longer been able to return to those law-abiding but painstaking days. Along with this, they yearned for the life of the rich even more, always wishing that they could strike it rich overnight.

Therefore, the two of them had not hesitated very much at all when Ding Sen had found them. To them, this was an opportunity, an opportunity to strike it rich overnight. 1.2 million yuan was not a small sum in the year 2004.

The two planned on going to Vietnam when the deed was done. They would be able to better spend their 1.2 million there. Dongzi had even done calculations several times regarding how many wives he should find.

Old Dog finished smoking his cigarette, turning the engine key as he said, “Let’s stop thinking about this then. We’ll go drive the truck over and get some food and drinks as well. We might have to wait a couple of days this time.”

Dongzi said, “Right. Well…”

Seeing his expression, Old Dog asked, “What is it? We’re already at this juncture now. If you have anything to say, just say it.”

Dongzi hesitated for a moment before saying, “I want to go to an internet cafe. I chatted up a crazy hot chick online recently. It also looks like it might work out…I want to ask her out today. If...this may well be my very last time.”

Old Dog frowned.

Dongzi innately did not have such a tough, vicious personality. Whether it was when they had been seamen or right now, he had always habitually treated Old Dog like his big bro, being in respectful awe of him somewhat.

Seeing his big bro frowning, Dongzi hurriedly exclaimed, “Don’t be so tense, Bro Dog! I’m just asking...it’s fine even if I don’t go…”

Old Dog tilted his head and looked at him for a while before suddenly letting his tenseness go as he grinned, “Well, off you go then! Leave the preparations to me.”

Dongzi looked at him.

“Seriously, go,” Old Dog said, “You’re right, this may well be your very last time. You’re always thinking about women all day long. I might as well let you have your fun. Got enough money?”

A moved Dongzi replied emotionally, “Yeah, I’ve still got one thousand plus.”

Old Dog counted two thousand yuan from his wallet and passed it to him, smiling, “Use this and make yourself look more decent, and find some high-class hotel when you’re at it, that kind with the big bathtubs...let yourself go comfortably for once.”

“Right, got it. Thanks, Bro Dog,” Dongzi nodded, smiling foolishly.

Old Dog waved a hand in dismissal, “Get off then.”

……

Dongzi earnestly dressed himself up well and thoroughly from his hairstyle to his clothes.

The crazy hot chick he had gotten to know recently was called Shasha. She had not been very willing to come out at first. Dongzi told her that he had already booked a room in a 4-star hotel.

Shasha asked, “Isn’t that pretty expensive?”

Dongzi said, “So what? I told you before. This bro is rich. If you come, I’ll take you shopping after we’ve met…”

Shasha said, “I’m not after things like that. It’s just because I’m unhappy after my breakup that...you also seem pretty good, and look rather handsome too…”

Dongzi straightened up and flicked his hair, saying, “I understand...so, I’ll wait for you then?”

The chat window was still for a while as Shasha seemed to hesitate for some time before she finally answered, “Yeah.”

The two exchanged their handphone numbers. Dongzi sent over the hotel name and the room number.

Actually having successfully asked such a beautiful woman out, Dongzi almost could not believe it. Suppressing his surging emotions, he quickly took a bath before beginning to wait impatiently.

Perhaps because waiting like this was especially difficult, ten plus minutes later, Dongzi rather impatiently sent over a text, carefully asking, “Are you coming?”

Shasha replied, “I’ll be there soon.”

Dongzi asked, “Why is it only soon? ...You aren’t regretting it, right? You will show up, right?”

Shasha said, “No, of course not. I should be the one feeling afraid that you’re cheating me.”

Dongzi thought for a moment before he took a photo of the room card and the interior furnishing of the room, including the bathtub that he had already filled with water. Sending it to Shasha, he said, “You’re so beautiful. How could I possibly cheat you?”

Shasha said, “Right, I’m hailing a taxi now. Let’s talk later. A taxi’s pulling up…”

Dongzi said emotionally, “Alright, I’m waiting.”

More than ten minutes later, the long-awaited doorbell finally sounded. Dongzi sprung up from the bed and dashed two steps forward before he stopped, calming his breathing and adjusting his hair in the mirror.

He opened the door.

The woman standing outside smiled. Shasha was even more beautiful than she looked in the photos and videos...joy surged to Dongzi’s head as he dazedly asked rather self-consciously, “You’re, coming in?”

Shasha softly affirmed ‘yeah’ before lowering her head and walking past him into the room.

The two sat by the edge of the bed. Dongzi poured Shasha a cup of water. Shasha said that there was no need.

Putting down the cup, Dongzi was just unable to hold himself back any longer as he turned and directly pressed Shasha down onto the bed beneath him.

Shasah struggled a little, exclaiming, “Don’t, don’t...don’t be in such a rush. Wait a while first.”

Dongzi stopped, asking, “What is it?”

Shasha asked, “Have you taken a bath?”

Dongzi said, “I just did. Look at the bathwater. I filled it for you.”

Shasha looked at the bathtub that could be seen through the transparent glass, “You…”

“What is it?”

“How about, how about taking another bath? ...Together.”

There was no suggestion that could be more alluring than this as Dongzi frantically nodded, “Okay! Then…”

“You go in first. Wait for me.”

“Huh?”

“I’m embarrassed to take my clothes off in front of you.”

“Alright.”

After stripping inside the bathroom, Dongzi snuck a peek outside. Shasha had not lied. She had almost taken everything off already, with just those few crucial articles still remaining...that figure and skin...Dongzi’s head spun just looking at her.

Feeling emotional, Dongzi lay down inside the bathtub, waiting for her.

Soon, footsteps slowly drew near…

Dongzi scooped a handful of water over his face…

The footsteps had stopped. She should be outside the door by now.

Creak.

There was the sound of the door opening.

But the door before him had not been opened…

The number of footsteps had also increased now…

There were at least four or five people walking outside…

The door of the bathroom was finally opened. More accurately, it was kicked right open as a big man who looked to be in his thirties rushed in with several others, directly holding Dongzi down as he tried to clamber up from the bathtub.

“What’re you doing?”

“What’re we doing? Your mother, what’re you doing to my wife!”

“Shasha?”

“Duh.”

Dongzi looked at their lineup. Wife your head...your mother, this was a set-up! Possibly the very last time for him, and such a beautiful woman at that…

Indeed, pies did not drop from the sky.

……

Some time later.

Shasha began feeling even more despondent than Dongzi, “Your mother, didn’t you say you’re rich? Just one thousand plus yuan in your wallet, and not even a bank card on you...heck, this was a totally wasted trip. And this dame even got hugged!”

Beside her, a man extended a hand into Dongzi’s pockets.

“You even use two phones?”

“Woah, this phone is good.”

Another guy reached out and grabbed that phone, fiddling around with it as he commented, “This phone must be worth several thousand yuan?”

Dongzi struggled frantically but still failed to break free in the end.

“You can take everything else, just not that phone!” Dongzi called.

That phone did not belong to him. It had been given to them by Ding Sen for communication purposes. Old Dog had left it in his care previously as proof of Ding Sen having hired them as contracted killers...lest he refuse to give them their money one day.

Dongzi was usually very careful. He had only brought that phone out today because it was really very expensive and good...Dongzi thought that since he was going to act like a rich dude in front of Shasha, bringing such a phone along with him would surely enhance his image.

The guy who was fiddling with that phone was much younger as he looked around eighteen or nineteen. Hearing Dongzi say this, he directly walked over and slapped him, “Is that even up to you? His mother, you dared to touch our boss’s woman...you’re lucky that you’re even still alive.”

With that, he slapped Dongzi a few more times and pressed him back into the water.

Dongzi knew that whatever he said would be useless.

“The problem is, how do I tell Bro Dog about this? He’ll surely kill me dead, won’t he?”

They continued searching for a while. Seeing that there really wasn’t anything else that they could reap as profit, the big man who was their leader took that phone and took a few naked photos of Dongzi.

“I’ll let you go today, but if you dare to look for Shasha again, you’re dead.”

They closed the door and left.

Before she left, Shasha took one final glance at Dongzi, saying, “You cheater, acting all rich.”

The gloomy Dongzi’s spirits fell completely, “Your mother, who’s the swindler?!”

Chapter 315: The death trap

Having successfully acted out that scheme, the group now headed to a rented house with three of the men leaving along the way. There were only their leader, a big man in his thirties, as well as the young teenager and Shasha who still remained.

The teenager played happily with that phone for a while before he suddenly recalled something, next getting up and handing the phone to Shasha as he said, “Sis Ling, you should take it. That phone of yours is too old and spoilt. It’ll be shameful, using it outside.”

Shasha had become Sis Ling now. She had several different names in actuality. For instance, she was called Shasha when baiting people in on the web. To her relatives and those of her hometown, she had a simple but lovable name, Zhang Shuiling.

She had one more name. This woman who was currently smiling as she carefully appraised a small perfume bottle on the windowsill beneath the sunlight, next carefully keeping it, was called Tongtong too. She worked in Starry Splendour Nightclub.

Tongtong’s younger cousin held out the phone to her.

Tongtong hesitated for a moment before she said, “Just sell it. I don’t need it.”

Then, she walked over to the entrance of a room and said to the man in his thirties who had gone off to sleep after having returned, “Brother, I think that we really shouldn’t do such things anymore. It’s been twice, but we haven’t earned much, and there’s a lot of pressure too...it’d be best if you found some work instead.”

The man waved dismissively, yawning, “It’s just based on luck. Who asked you to refuse to bring your rich customers out? Anyway, the money comes easily this way, at least. You want me to find work outside, but what work can I find? A factory? Hauling sacks? Driving a trishaw? Definitely not, hah.”

This man was Tongtong’s brother by blood. He had been a good man originally, simple and hardworking. Sadly, after having come over from their village for a few years, he had suddenly changed. It would actually still be fine if he was just a good-for-nothing loafer. Tongtong wouldn’t mind providing him with his basic meals. After all, she had already grit her teeth and chosen to work at Starry Splendour, her income there not being low...Yet, he took drugs, and gambled…

This was really a bottomless black hole.

Tongtong hesitated for a moment before gathering her courage and saying, “If we go on like this, the police will come looking for us sooner or later.”

“How many men would dare to call the police after experiencing something like this? Wouldn’t they all just swallow their anger and admit that they were unlucky? Relax, it’s all under control,” The man said breezily.

“Even if no one calls the police and they don’t come, what about Bro Kun? If Bro Kun learns that I’m doing this outside while working at Starry Splendour, and it’s discovered and it affects Starry Splendour’s reputation...Bro Kun definitely wouldn’t let me go. He’d literally beat me to death. If he knows that it was you who asked me to do this, even you…”

Tongtong was trembling slightly as she said this. She had previously seen Wu Kun handling a pair of sisters who had secretly taken photos and blackmailed customers. The remaining lot of them women had all been asked to stand in a line and watch on from the side as he ‘killed one to warn a hundred’...

Even now, Tongtong would still unconsciously shiver whenever she thought about what had happened that day.

Running a nightclub business, if one felt that they would be unsafe there, would be plotted and schemed against...that business definitely couldn’t be maintained for long and kept high-end. Wu Kun’s Starry Splendour was the most high-end and most trustworthy in Yanzhou. Even those people with important statuses could all feel reassured in patronising such a place.

Wu Kun was very particular about this…

Wu Kun could be very ruthless indeed.

Hearing Tongtong mention Wu Kun, the man was rather fearful as well as he hesitated for a moment before saying, “Let’s just try this two more times. See if you can get a rich one, and then get a few hundred thousand off him in one go. Next time you’re chatting on the internet, remember to ask more carefully and make sure you thoroughly understand their background…”

Tongtong shook her head, “What if we end up running into someone we can’t afford to provoke? What if I…”

“What can they do to you? Isn’t it just that? You sell yourself in the first place,” The man said.

Tongtong closed her mouth, tightly pressing her lips together as tears welled up in her eyes…

Over a year ago, she had still been working at an electronics factory. Since her family was poor, she would just save up some money for her own dowry. As girls grew older, they would surely come to think about marriage...at that time, there had been many people pursuing her too.

Then...her brother had suddenly come to look for her one day, directly tendering her resignation without even explaining why. He said that he had found a job for her that paid well and was also easy. Then, he had brought her to Starry Splendour.

Starry Splendour never forced or threatened people.

That day, Tongtong had run away...

Her brother had found her, threatened her, beat her, knelt down on the floor and begged her, been half-tortured to death by his drug addiction in front of her, been half-beaten to death by those wanting to collect his gambling debts in front of her…

“I’m the only son in our family. If I die, Mum and Dad won’t be able to live on anymore.”

That was what her brother had said. In that poor mountain village where males were still treasured over females by far, where even situations of brothers and sisters of two families marrying each other still existed, this was still how things worked. Even if Tongtong described the situation to her parents, amidst their agony, they would probably still only consider things on her brother’s behalf.

Tongtong hesitated for three days before she finally agreed.

Thereafter, Zhang Shuiling became Tongtong.

The first time, she had ‘sold’ herself to a Bureau Chief and earned 88000 yuan. Her brother had taken the money to settle his debts...in the end, he got to the gambling tables again and lost it all in a single night…

When Tongtong left the house, her younger cousin followed her out, stuffing that handphone into her bag and saying softly, “Sis, you take the phone. If he sells it, he’ll spend and gamble it all right away anyway. Right, I went out to look for a job a few days ago. I found a factory. There is a hostel there, room and board included. I’ll be moving to the hostel to stay tomorrow. Sis, I think that...you should also come over less often.”

Tongtong patted her cousin’s head.

He chortled happily.

Back in her rented house, putting the perfume bottle on the table and dumping the phone down too...Tongtong changed her clothes, preparing to leave for work. She had already accepted and gotten used to this kind of life.

Recently, she also looked forward to something else, “I wonder if he will come today...my Tongtong...heheh…”

Xu Tingsheng did not turn up that night. Actually, up till now, Xu Tingsheng had only ever appeared in Starry Radiance two or three times.

In the early hours of the morning, a rather despondent and fatigued Tongtong successfully shook off that customer who had been persistently hounding her to accompany him. After reaching home, she went to catch up on some sleep. It was already past 9am when she woke. She looked at the perfume bottle on the table which was currently illuminated by the sunlight…

After glancing at it a few times, Tongtong casually reached out for the phone on the table…

……

Because some people had been dispatched from the city to measure the soil quality that day, Xu Tingsheng skipped two lessons that morning. He took a trip back to the riverside residence, bringing along Lu Zhixin in heading for the training institute to receive them.

As a principal, Tang Guangyi was not suited to tasks like receiving these people.

Tang Yufei who lived in the city had already arrived. Still, it was best that Xu Tingsheng be there personally for such an occasion.

Because their destination was not far away, the G500 was moving along at a leisurely pace.

Xu Tingsheng looked at Lu Zhixin who sat beside him. This was his first time seeing her ever since having returned to the country.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated slightly before retrieving a perfume bottle from his bag beside him and handing it over to her, “A present from France. It isn’t expensive, but the sincerity’s there. I just had to get some souvenirs back. You see if you like it. If you don’t, it’s fine just to throw it away.”

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had already given away almost half of the perfume bottles that he had brought back. He had given them to his female classmates whom he was on better terms with, the girlfriends of his roommates and even female teaching assistants…

Whoever Xu Tingsheng caught, he would say, “This is high-end French perfume. You can’t buy it here. It’s crazy expensive…”

He did not say this to Lu Zhixin.

Lu Zhixin was someone with a discerning eye. With just a look at the labelling on the bottle and a light sniff, she would know if this perfume was high-end or not...French streetside stall goods...

After holding it and looking at it for a while, Lu Zhixin still said ‘thank you’ rather satisfiedly...she felt that she had been remembered, at least…

……

The heavy truck was filled with earth and rocks and parked at the same position as before, that same branch road.

In the driver’s cabin, Dongzi uncapped a bottle of water and passed it to Old Dog, looking at him rather uneasily. He clenched his teeth, swallowing those words back down again. Dongzi had not told him how he had fallen victim to a scam and lost that phone. He dared not do so...

Luckily, Ding Sen had previously said not to contact him for the time being.

“I’ll find another phone and tell him after the deed’s done. I’ll say that it’s to ensure safety. As long as Ding Sen doesn’t go back on his word, it really doesn’t matter if we have that phone…”

Old Dog clapped Dongzi’s shoulder, asking him, “What’re you thinking about? Keep an eye on the road...otherwise, the car may pass by without us even noticing. Let’s get this done as soon as possible and leave with our money...or it’ll just be day after day of worrying.”

“Right, yeah,” Dongzi nodded, throwing those stray thoughts to the back of his mind and staring intently at the main road.

As both sides of that small road they were on were filled with trees, their field of vision wasn’t all that great, in truth. They had to concentrate especially hard or the car might just zoom right past without them being able to react in time.

……

Dongzi completely rid himself of his hesitation as he was wholly fixated on the road before him.

Tongtong pressed the keypad, flipping the phone open.

Xu Tingsheng was already not far away from the training institute.

In the car, looking at Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin called out, “Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng glanced at her before turning back to look at the road, “What is it?”

Gazing at the road ahead, Lu Zhixin said in a calm tone, “How about we enter a proper relationship and see how it goes.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Huh?”

Lu Zhixin said, “I mean during university, the two of us...Hucheng, Zhixin. After that incident, you won’t be looking for anyone else in Yanzhou University, right? I won’t too. Since everyone thinks that we are together and knows that you treat me well, how about we enter a proper relationship and see how it goes, just like Old Wai, Zhang Ninglang and the others…”

Not knowing what was up with Lu Zhixin all of a sudden, Xu Tingsheng was momentarily rendered lost for words.

Lu Zhixin tilted her head and looked at him, continuing, “I’m thinking that it’d be such a waste to not date, even if we do split up upon graduation. Have you ever thought about it, Xu Tingsheng? When we graduate one day, when those couples are all bawling their eyes out, unable to bear parting with each other, the two of us might only be able to envy them. If you are going to bid someone farewell, that could only be me, right? The reverse applies for me as well. So...we should enter a proper relationship and see how it goes.”

Xu Tingsheng said rather awkwardly, “It’s actually more or less like that now, isn’t it? Everyone sees us as a couple, at least!”

Lu Zhixin smiled, “Before we got together, you ate together with me in the canteen four times. After we became partners, we’ve never eaten together. We have never walked the Student’s Square together, never gone to the library and self-study room together. I’ve never sat on the backseat of your bicycle, you’ve never held my hand...when thinking back on it one day in the future, we’ll surely regret this a lot, right? Those couples would have done all of these.”

“They really are many things that they do when dating…” Xu Tingsheng said.

Actually, he was not specifically referring to anything. Still, Lu Zhixin misunderstood him. Who asked Xu Tingsheng to have demonstrated such a side in front of her before?

After hesitating for a while, Lu Zhixin lowered her head, saying softly, “If everything flows along its natural course...maybe, it’ll be okay.”

…...

Tongtong bolted upright, frantically searching for her own phone.

She had been scared silly upon seeing the contents of that phone.

She saw that name and car...saw...that someone was out for his life.

……

Xu Tingsheng had not yet given Lu Zhixin a response when his phone rang, nicely helping him to avoid this quandary. He picked it up, “Hello?”

“Xu Tingsheng, don’t go out. Someone’s out to kill you! I’m Tongtong.”

The car screeched to a halt.

Xu Tingsheng stopped the car at a location less then two hundred metres away from that branch road.

“What?”

“They want to ram your car and kill you...don’t go out, hurry, hide, look for Bro Kun…”

“...Who wants to kill me? How do you know about this?”

“I found this phone. There’s your picture and one of your car inside, and a text too. 1.2 million for your life. The ones targeting you are Dongzi and Old Dog. This is how the guy addresses them.”

“...I’ve never heard of these two people before.”

“Let me see..there’s also a Bro Sen. He’s the one paying.”

Xu Tingsheng connected the dots together, confirming that what Tongtong said was true.

“...Got it. Don’t tell anyone about this first. I’ll contact you later.”

Xu Tingsheng turned the car around.

Lu Zhixin said, “I heard everything...I, I’m sorry. What do we do now?”

“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”

Xu Tingsheng said no more…

He felt shocked, panicked.

He also felt very relieved.

If not for his personality of wanting to repay everyone who did something for him, wanting them to be happy as his heart easily grew soft...he definitely wouldn’t have given Tongtong his phone number, also having casually handed her a bottle of perfume…

In that case, there would also not have been this call, this concern.

……

Dongzi yawned. Concentrating for long periods of time like this really took a lot out of someone.

“What the heck, why isn’t he here yet?” He asked.

“If one day ain’t enough, we wait two days. He’ll definitely be here sooner or later.”

“Could he have changed his car?”

“Well, Bro Sen will have people keeping an eye on him. If there’s a change in the situation, he’ll definitely inform us.”

Hearing his words, Dongzi thought of that phone…

“I really hope that there’s no freaking notification.”

…...

That night, within a private room at Starry Splendour.

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming, Tan Yao, Wu Kun, Fang Yuqing, Tongtong...that phone…

There was a great amount of information contained within that phone. While Ding Sen’s viciousness and stupidity was hard to understand, it was not difficult to understand why he wanted to deal with Xu Tingsheng. As for Old Dog and Dongzi, with Wu Kun’s power, he was easily able to find out their background.

Expressing his thanks for saving his life or whatnot could all come later. Xu Tingsheng thanked Tongtong verbally before she immediately exited the room. Wu Kun had arranged a place for Tongtong to rest for a few days...and asked someone to watch over her too. He had always been a cautious person.

“What do you intend to do now? If it’s those two people, taking care of them will not be hard. I can take care of it. More importantly, Ding Sen...how do we deal with him? Otherwise, he may always remain as a potentially lethal threat. Still, even if we really are going to act against him, we still shouldn’t be rash. We should make thorough preparations first,” Wu Kun said.

None of those present were fools like Ding Sen. They naturally knew that they could not be rash here.

Xu Tingsheng felt rather hesitant. Call the police?

Was there sufficient evidence?

A failed hired killing?

With the Ding Family’s background, it seemed like they might not be able to indict Ding Sen of anything for sure. Also, this might greatly affect the current optimistic situation before them too…

Render him dead with the same method? The risks were too high. If they ended up failing, the result would be wrecking their lives and futures. Xu Tingsheng did not want to go for broke with a fool. Also, he was not used to dealing with problems this way as well.

Having been stewing in silence for a long time, Huang Yaming suddenly spoke, “Leave it to me. I still have my revenge from back then. Actually, I did make some preparations beforehand...this is a good opportunity. Since things have already reached this stage, I’ll return him a death trap.”

Chapter 316: Car crash

A rainy night.

Amidst the rain of winter, one would easily feel like the winds were mournful and the rains bitter.

There were few pedestrians and cars out on the roads that night. Besides the sound of the rain, all felt extraordinarily calm.

……

At 8am in the morning, on a cold wintry day without sunlight. The wind blew to the northwest, causing the trees that had lost much vitality to shake in the wind, some scattered, dry leaves falling to the ground down below. The atmosphere was rather severe, gloomy and repressed.

There was little traffic on the road leading from Yanzhou’s city district to Xishan academy city, those public buses aside.

Still, the drivers were mostly careful and vigilant. As the academy city was still partially under construction, it wasn’t rare to see big cargo trucks, lorries and the like on this section of road.

Any driver would be scared when seeing such vehicles.

A dark grey sedan drove over from the direction of the city district, a brand new Nissan Lannia. It could not be considered expensive. Many families used it. These could be seen everywhere.

The car was fast at times whilst slow at others, frequently shifting from side to side as well. The driver was constantly gazing around as if looking for something.

The car passed by Hucheng’s training institute…

It passed by that branch road that was concealed by trees and shrubbery…

The driver of the new Lannia seemed to have seen something he could not comprehend as the car clearly braked abruptly. Still, it did not halt completely as it simply slowed down, continuing forward slowly as if in the process of confirming something.

The heavy lorry which had been awaiting its arrival abruptly sped out from the branch road.

The Lannia had not the time to avoid it, seemingly having never thought of doing so too.

“Bang!”

The heavy truck rammed into the Lannia from diagonally behind. The vast disparity in tonnage and the less thick exterior of Japanese cars...with that, half of the Lannia caved fully inwards…

Along with this, some earth and rocks plummeted down onto the car. The truck rolled forward once more, virtually crushing over the entire frame of the Lannia.

The brand new Lannia was virtually crushed flat, buried beneath earth and rocks and left in an incomparably tragic state. The person within the car...stood no chance at all.

Without any hesitation whatsoever, the heavy truck reversed a distance away before turning left, a portion of its front having similarly caved in as it it sped frantically off for the suburbs...

Car accident, hit-and-run, dead on impact.

……

The most secluded, secretive room on the fourth floor of Starry Splendour.

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming, Tan Yao, Fang Yuqing and Wu Kun were all inside, either sitting, standing, or lying down.

Besides Wu Kun who had the most societal experience, it was Huang Yaming who was calmest here. As for Fang Yuqing, Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao, their hands would unconsciously tremble at times, their breathing all uneven due to their nervousness and unease.

Right, faced with something like this, even Xu Tingsheng who had a higher mental age was less able to stay composed than Huang Yaming.

This was decided by one’s innate personality.

In his previous life, when the three of them had drunk together at the age of thirty, the trio had concluded: Fu Cheng could be a good guy for his entire life. Xu Tingsheng could be the most normal kind of person for his entire life, remaining ordinary and mediocre aside from all those unrealistic fantasies that filled his mind. As for Huang Yaming? Given the chance, he could be an ambitious and ruthless protagonist, an antihero.

After having heard out Huang Yaming’s plan the previous night, Xu Tingsheng had hesitated for a long time.

Back in the hospital last time, one of his arms broken from the fierce assault, Huang Yaming had told Xu Tingsheng, “No rush. I’ll wait for a chance to render him directly dead not knowing what hit him.” Xu Tingsheng had seen a different kind of smile from him that day. That unscrupulous, scheming Huang Yaming whom he had seen in his previous life had now arrived prematurely.

Unbeknownst to Xu Tingsheng, he had actually been preparing for this all this while.

Wu Kun had been very astonished by Huang Yaming’s performance, seemingly having seen a kindred spirit. Also, despite being just twenty, he seemed even more meticulous and careful in handling matters such as these than he was.

Then, Wu Kun had said only one thing to Xu Tingsheng, “I can’t think of any plan better than Yaming’s...a chance like this doesn’t come often...now, it all depends on your evaluation of Ding Sen.”

How did Xu Tingsheng evaluate Ding Sen?

Ding Sen was the first actual threat to Xu Tingsheng’s life that he had met in his two lifetimes, the first person who was adamant on seeing him dead and had also truly acted against him…

Xu Tingsheng’s heart that was ‘soft as a woman’s’ was not to the extent of a saint’s. Also, he was well aware that so long as he missed this chance, it would be equivalent to him constantly having to look over his shoulder wherever he went, the threat of Ding Sen just looming over him.

Also...those close to him would be subject to such a threat as well.

If Xiang Ning, his family members or Fu Cheng was next to him the next time Ding Sen made a move, even if it was anyone else, just a classmate or roommate…

In this post-rebirth life, what Xu Tingsheng treasured the most was not wealth but these people. Now, what he treasured the most was being threatened. This was something that Xu Tingsheng could not tolerate, dared not bear.

“Since he wants me dead, what else can I do?”

Xu Tingsheng made a decision. Huang Yaming made a call.

Facing this sort of thing for the first time, they all could not sleep that night.

Huang Yaming’s phone rang. Everyone jumped and turned to look at him. Huang Yaming waved a hand in dismissal, indicating that it was not about that matter as he answered the call.

Fu Cheng said on the other end of the phone, “Where are the two of you? I haven’t any lessons this afternoon and I’m bored. I’m coming over to hang out. I haven’t even seen Tingsheng since he returned.”

Huang Yaming looked at Xu Tingsheng. The two of them exchanged looks.

“We’ll look for you tomorrow. We’ve something on today. You go have fun by yourself.”

With that, Huang Yaming directly hung up.

For some things, they were already walking further and further away. Still, Fu Cheng…

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming unanimously agreed tacitly that they were unwilling for Fu Cheng to be dragged into this matter in the slightest. If only one of the three bros from senior high could remain pure and carefree in the end, they would leave that for Fu Cheng.

Soon, Huang Yaming’s phone rang for the second time.

Beneath the gazes of the other four, Huang Yaming nodded and answered the call. He listened and said two yes-es, one okay. Then, he hung up, retrieved the phone’s SIM card and broke it, next going to the bathroom and flushing it down the toilet.

Leaving the bathroom, meeting the gazes of the other four, Huang Yaming smiled in a rather strange manner, saying, “It’s over.”

By it’s over, he meant...everything had gone as planned.

Only the sound of breathing could be heard in the room.

“The heck, the day’s so cold and...just so sweaty,” Fang Yuqing muttered aloud, sitting down and lighting a cigarette, next lobbing over the cigarette box and the lighter to the next person. These were passed around so very slowly, one by one…

They were all silent as they silently pulled out a cigarette, lighting it up.

When the cigarette box came to Xu Tingsheng, he took a cigarette and stuffed it into his mouth with hands that were trembling slightly, next working hard to keep them stable as he lit it up and inhaled deeply…

Xu Tingsheng’s mind wavered momentarily as he shook his icy cold hands, holding the cigarette there as he rubbed his face forcefully amidst the ensuing smoke. He tried hard to wrest himself out of fear and unease as he asked, “Who exactly is the other party?”

“Ding Miao,” Huang Yaming said.

“Who?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Ding Sen’s elder brother from another mother.”

“When did you get in touch with him?”

“The day after my arm was broken.”

“...is he reliable?”

“The deed was done by him, wasn’t it? We just provided him information. Also, everyone knows that he gave his all for the Ding family, but when Ding Sen returned, he was just kicked aside…”

“And he hates Ding Sen so much because of that?”

“How is it just hatred?! He’s never been willing to give in. He’s been searching for a chance all along. He actually knew about Ding Sen hiring someone to kill you long ago. The underling who found those two men for Ding Sen is actually someone that Ding Miao placed by his side. Even before Ding Sen returned from overseas, he was already making arrangements and preparing.”

“Ding Miao didn’t tell me about this before. I guess that he probably intended to wait for Ding Sen to render you dead before thinking of a way to expose him, making him squat for a good few decades in jail. After I went to find him yesterday, he knew that his original plan couldn’t work anymore, so he didn’t hide anything and just quickly accepted the plan that I proposed.”

“With that brain of Ding Sen’s, he doesn’t know how to be vigilant at all even with such an elder brother behind him...even if this never happened, things would never have ended well for him.”

Wu Kun patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder.

Xu Tingsheng knew that he was actually consoling him.

……

The unexpected news was soon broadcasted.

The second son of the Ding family, Ding Sen, who had just returned from overseas not long ago as he had successfully inherited his family’s power and also represented the Ding family in cooperating with the Jinxiong Corporation in real estate, reigning at the height of glory…

Had met with a car accident that morning, having been crushed by a heavy truck in the suburbs of Yanzhou and died on the spot.

“The heavens have unpredictable winds, humans face the fickleness of fate...untimely death..."

The eldest son of the Ding family, Ding Miao, immediately rushed to the scene, crying and snivelling as he bore his grief and consoled his parents, surveying the scene with the traffic police and helping to keep the articles of his deceased younger brother to be dealt with later.

Ding Sen’s three phones were already in terrible condition, all having fallen apart somewhat.

Traffic police were not investigators at the end of the day. Those three phones along with the remaining items like keys and wallet were all passed to Ding Miao, smoothly changing hands. No one noticed that soon, one of the phones...was discreetly thrown by Ding Miao into the swiftly onrushing Yanzhou river following that night’s heavy downpour.

The remaining items were carefully sorted out by him and handed to his parents.

“Ding Miao should actually secretly be over the moon right now, right?!”

The local television stations reported the scene of the incident.

A car crash, the car driver dying instantly in a hit-and-run...the incident having been confirmed, the police was currently out in full force trying to apprehend the two drivers of that heavy truck.

……

The truck was parked at the foot of a hill not far away from the scene of the incident. A distance away from the vehicle, shrubbery had been trampled and pushed apart, the signs extending all the way to the top of the mountain.

The police dispatched manpower to surround the slope, searching around while yelling loudly.

The tracks leading to the top of this hill had indeed been left behind by Old Dog and Dongzi. They had really gone up this hill. Still...that had been a matter of the previous day.

The two of them had already long since meticulously planned out their escape route, including setting up false trails…

Currently, the two were over the Yanzhou river.

The river was flowing swiftly, its waters turbid. Still, having been seamen for many years, Old Dog and Dongzi were adept within water. The two of them had reed tubes through which they could breathe, moving along with the flow of the river. Where there were people along the river segment, they would sink down into the water.

At the point where the Yanzhou river flowed into the ocean, the two crawled onto the shore at the harbour that they were incomparably familiar with, finding a public phone and giving Ding Sen a call. Failing to get through to him, Old Dog called a friend for news. While the two had taken a quick glance after the deed had been done, being quite certain that they had succeeded, they still wished to confirm that Xu Tingsheng was indeed dead.

His friend mentioned before he could ask anything, “Hey, do you guys know? Bro Sen’s dead.”

“Bro Sen’s...dead?”

Old Dog turned to look at Dongzi. Having heard it too, Dongzi looked back at him…

Their friend said, “Yeah! Around 8am this morning, he was rammed to death by some big truck. He was totally crushed to shreds...the police are currently out looking for the truck drivers! How unlucky is he! Suddenly going to the suburbs for some reason early in the morning, even driving a new Japanese car that he just bought, some Lannia or something…”

The phone slid down from Old Dog’s hand.

“This…”

Dongzi looked at Old Dog.

Old Dog looked at Dongzi.

“We...killed Bro Sen,” Old Dog slowly said.

“..Why? Wasn’t it that Xu Tingsheng? What, what happened?”

“...I, I have no idea too!”

“Then, the money…”

“What money...the one paying it...we killed him dead.”

Was there anything more ludicrously mind-blowing than this in this world?!

Ding Sen had asked them to ram Xu Tingsheng, but in the end...they had rammed Ding Sen dead instead.

Actually, Old Dog and Dongzi would surely come to realise what had happened sooner or later. Still, there would already be no meaning to this. Having killed someone, could they expose the truth of the matter, reporting the actual turn of events?

Even if they were really captured in the end...for a premeditated killing, it would still have been premeditated even if the wrong person was killed...a premeditated killing or an accidental one?

In the former case, they would be shot dead. In the latter case, they would just be locked up for a decade at most.

They would surely choose the latter then, no matter how many grievances they had to swallow.

And as for the money...how could they still ask Ding Sen for it?

He had already been killed by them.

Was there anything more ludicrously mind-blowing than this in this world?!

The two just stared blankly at each other for a long time.

Dongzi shivered as he wept, “What do we do now, Bro Dog?”

Old Dog calmed down, pointing at a seafaring ship not far away in the distance, “On the ship, to wherever it leads us.”

The two were both incomparably familiar with the harbour and ships. They easily sunk into the water, climbing onto the deck and finding some consumables before they found a good hiding spot.

In the afternoon, the seafaring ship left Yanzhou for distant lands.

……

Returning to the rainy night of the day before.

At around 4am in the morning, someone had infiltrated Ding Sen’s villa, changing the number plates of Ding Sen’s two most inconspicuous cars.

At 6am in the morning, Dongzi and Old Dog had assumed their positions, continuing to wait for that Mercedes-Benz G500.

At around 7.10 am, Huang Yaming had sent a text to Ding Sen’s secret number using the phone that Tongtong had obtained.

Ding Sen had been awoken by the text by Dongzi and Old Dog. The text read: The deed’s done. Still, I can’t confirm if he’s dead. The two of us have already run off. How about you just casually drive by and take a look, Bro Sen?

Ding Sen hesitated for a moment. Imagining the tragic scene of Xu Tingsheng’s death, he cheered up at once, being incomparably excited as he laughed happily and got out of bed. Without even taking a shower, he changed his clothes and left his villa.

Ding Sen was going to drive by and confirm it. He believed that there should not be a problem. Also, he truly wanted to see the tragic scene of Xu Tingsheng’s death. That would really lift his mood greatly, putting him in high spirits. Ding Sen could not wait to see it…

Entering his garage, he thought for a moment before choosing an inconspicuous car. The two inconspicuous cars had both been prepared recently by him. He had driven the Toyota before when meeting with Old Dog and Dongzi previously. This time, he drove away the Lannia.

The brand new Lannia drove out of the villa at 0730 hours.

The person stationed outside the villa had confirmed this, quickly transmitting this news.

At 0750 hours, as Dongzi and Old Dog had been feeling rather dismal from waiting, someone of Ding Sen’s, Bro Zhao who had introduced this job to them, had suddenly appeared.

“Bro Zhao...what is it?”

Old Dog had not finished his sentence when Bro Zhao directly threw a punch at him, “Bro Sen’s unable to get through to that phone of yours. What’s the matter with you?”

Old Dog looked at Dongzi, “How come?”

“I, I lost it. That day…” Dongzi began stammering.

Bro Zhao directly interjected, “Forget it, there’s no time. I won’t pursue this matter. Just hurry up and get ready, you two. That Xu guy came by yesterday. He’ll probably come by again today…”

“Impossible. Our eyes were on the road the whole time…”

“He freaking changed his car! A grey Lannia, license plate…”

“Why isn’t the license plate local?”

“He isn’t a local in the first place.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“I’m off. Remember that license plate!”

Bro Zhao left. Old Dog had still yet to fully digest the information as he was about to rebuke Dongzi a bit, asking about the matter of the phone. However, Dongzi now opened his mouth, pointing at a brand new Lannia with tinted windows which was passing by on the road outside as he asked, “Look, Bro Dog! Isn’t it that car?”

Old Dog hurried looked, matching the license plate numbers.

Very ‘cooperatively’, the Lannia slowed down.

The plate number was confirmed.

Old Dog sucked in a deep breath.

Dongzi shivered, reaching out and grabbing the gear tightly.

“Ahh...on we go! Life or death, rich or poor-it’s all on this!” Old Dog howled loudly.

The heavy truck revved its engines, charging forth at its highest ever horsepower.

Chapter 317: When it’s over

The group did not leave Starry Splendour that day.

News was unceasingly transmitted over from the outside world.

At around 9pm, there had still not been any suspicion or anything at all which involved Xu Tingsheng. There seemed to be no logical connection at all between him and this car crash.

Some might know that there had been a conflict between him and Ding Sen before. Yet, Ding Sen had been arrogant and overbearing in the height of his glory, having gotten into conflicts with many people indeed. Xu Tingsheng did not really stand out amongst them.

Also, it was currently Ding Miao who was in charge of the affairs of the Ding family. He would be their first line of defence as he worked hard to get this matter over and settled. After all, if this matter was exposed, he would bear a much greater responsibility than Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming.

Gazing at the four youngsters in front of him, pondering for a time with a solemn expression on his face, Wu Kun finally said, “It should be fine now. We are the only ones who know about this, and the four of you are bros. So, the only ones you need to worry about now...are me, and that Tongtong. She doesn’t know everything, but if others learn of this, they would easily be able to guess at the truth. As for me, I know everything.”

They all turned to look at Wu Kun.

In the heat of the moment, they had not previously thought about this. With things having been settled now...actually, thinking about it, it really seemed pretty troublesome that Wu Kun was in the know about this.

Yet, no one would have thought that it would be Wu Kun himself who would speak up, directly bringing this matter into discussion.

“Find a time over this couple of days. Come over for a meal at my house, you four...meet my wife and kid,” Wu Kun smiled, meeting their gazes.

The four of them all stood up, because this exchange of goodwill, or rather revealing of their paramount interests, was just too complete and irreversible too.

“Bro Kun…” Fang Yuqing wanted to say something but ultimately refrained.

Wu Kun waved a hand, "It’s fine. I have thought about it. I’m a profit-seeking and intelligent person, so if I hadn’t carefully thought about this, how would I have made such a decision? Treat this as my token pledge of allegiance. You won’t refuse, right, Tingsheng?”

With Wu Kun having said things to this extent, Xu Tingsheng knew that he who, as Fang Yuqing put it, ‘loved gambling’...had finally decided to go all in in betting on him, putting even his family on the line.

Also, he wanted to wash himself clean. Even as he wished to board Xu Tingsheng’s vessel in venturing forth, he also wanted to wash himself clean.

Herein contained Wu Kun’s positive appraisal of Xu Tingsheng’s capabilities and prospective achievements as well as approval towards his character and personality.

“I’ve never registered with my wife, but we are no different from a married couple,” Wu Kun smiled, adding, “We also have a son. He’s eight years old this year.”

As a ‘successful character’ in his thirties, everyone knew that Wu Kun did not lack women. Still, those who knew if he was married were few and far between. Even those mere few who were aware of this had virtually all never seen his wife and son before. Virtually no one knew how they looked like, where they lived.

Fang Yuqing had not known about this before.

It could be said that in having climbed up to his position of power, Wu Kun had lived on the edge of bloodied blades. It was a sort of life where even tomorrow might not happen for sure, with enemies all around. He was very clear and cognisant regarding the lifestyle that he had.

In being ruthless and unscrupulous, he was prepared to be given ‘an eye for an eye’ at all times…

He headed valiantly forth towards those assaults, whether overt or covert, that he might face at any time. Still, he had always concealed and protected his wife and son extremely well for fear that they might be hurt because of him, that they might be used to threaten him in the future.

Therefore, in having invited the four of them to his house for a meal to meet his wife and child, he was actually revealing his weak point to Xu Tingsheng, much like a ferocious beast showing its softest, most vulnerable belly.

After Wu Kun had finished speaking, he looked at Xu Tingsheng. The gazes of the other three guys fell on Xu Tingsheng as well.

With the other party already having been so upfront and sincere with him, Xu Tingsheng could naturally not give ‘pleasantries’ to sound him out, playing ‘games of trust’ with him.

“Thank you, Bro Kun. We won’t stand on ceremony then. We’ll be imposing on you for a meal soon. We haven’t had a chance to greet Sister-in-law, anyway,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying.

Wu Kun nodded, “Good. Actually, your Sister-in-law’s great at cooking. It’s just that it’s flavour from the river areas and a bit on the spicy side. Can you all stomach this kind of food?”

They all expressed that it was fine. As people of Libei, Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming actually also preferred food that was on the spicy side.

“One more thing,” Wu Kun continued, “That brat of mine can’t study. He’s too mischievous. Tingsheng, see if you have any way of educating him for me. You’re specialised in this area.”

“If he’s too mischievous, it’s because you dote on him too much. I’ll deal with him good when I see him. Don’t feel pained then, Bro Kun,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Deal with him all you want,” Wu Kun laughed loudly, “Actually, my son’s been taking lessons at your training institute all along. My wife’s known about you since long ago too. When I told her about you, she didn’t believe me at first. How would a gangster possibly know you, she said. She’s actually wanted to meet you since then. You’re very famous, kid!”

Xu Tingsheng said, “That’s true.”

Everyone laughed.

The atmosphere eased at once.

……

This relaxed atmosphere only persisted for a short while. Soon afterwards, there was a knock on the door which disrupted the joking mood. At Wu Kun’s response, the door was pushed open. Tongtong walked in, the person who had brought her leaving and closing the door.

Before Xu Tingsheng could speak, Wu Kun beat him to it. He reported Tongtong’s actual name, specific situation, current address, hometown address as well as familial situation, including the circumstances of her close kin.

Then, he asked, “Did I get anything wrong?”

Tongtong shook her head nervously, “No, it’s correct.”

Wu Kun looked at her.

Just being looked at by him alone, Tongtong began shivering all over.

“Tell us about the matter of that phone. How exactly did you get it?” Wu Kun asked.

Tongtong had previously said that she had picked up the phone from somewhere. Due to the urgent nature of the situation, they had not had the time to ask about this previously. Now, it was necessary to make things clear.

“I picked it up,” Tongtong responded before immediately continuing, “No…not me, I…”

She succinctly recounted the entire process of that sex scam outside and how she had gotten her hands on that phone as well as how she had discovered the contents within. She narrated this in careful detail, not leaving anything out at all.

She dared not make Wu Kun have to investigate and find this out on his own, only being able to honestly account for everything now first before she bowed deeply, “Sorry, Bro Kun. I don’t dare, I’ll never dare to do this again.”

Wu Kun raised a hand to stop her, saying, “I can let you go regarding this for now. I won’t pursue the matter here.”

Hearing his words, Tongtong looked greatly emotional as she nodded non-stop, “Thank you, Bro Kun.”

“But there’s something else now, and it’s very troublesome,” Wu Kun said, “We don’t want anyone finding out about that phone. What method do you think guarantees safety here?”

For someone to keep a secret forever, what method guaranteed safety the most?

Beads of sweat unceasingly rolled from Tongtong’s forehead and the tip of her nose. There were also tears which trickled down her face on by one.

“After you die, I’ll get someone to send one million yuan to your family. How about that? Wu Kun asked calmly.

Tongtong collapsed to the floor, sitting on it as she said with great difficulty, “Bro Kun, I… I won’t tell anybody. Really, I won’t say anything even if I die. I…”

“And how I am supposed to trust you?” Wu Kun asked.

“I, I’m scared. I’m scared of dying, and I’m also scared of anything happening to my family. Also...I like him. I like Xu Tingsheng…I really do like him. I won’t harm him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been so nervous at the time,” Tongtong pointed at Xu Tingsheng, explaining desperately.

Xu Tingsheng could only force a smile.

Wu Kun leaned in, the two conversing in hushed voices for a while.

As Tongtong was Xu Tingsheng’s life saviour, Xu Tingsheng would definitely not repay kindness with enmity. As for Wu Kun’s words from earlier…

Firstly, it was a threat. It was not just Tongtong who had been threatened as her whole family had been as well. This was necessary in order to guarantee safety and just had to be done. Trying to stop it would instead be a foolish thing to do.

Secondly, it was to create a chance for Xu Tingsheng to better act as the ‘good cop’.

This was basically some version of ‘carrot and stick’.

Wu Kun spoke no further.

Only the sound of Tongtong desperately trying but just failing to suppress her sobs could still be heard.

After a while, someone delivered two hundred thousand in cash to the door.

Xu Tingsheng took the money and supported Tongtong up, reaching out to wipe the tears off her face as he smiled warmly, “Relax, I trust you. You saved my life. Thank you. Look, if not for how coincidental it was initially, with me having chosen you to block wine for me, afterwards…”

Listening to him speak and looking at him, the light slowly returned to Tongtong’s eyes.

She actually did not understand Xu Tingsheng all that much. Still, Xu Tingsheng’s way of handling things gave one an inexplicable feeling of warmth and trust. Previously, he had not treated her like a nightclub lady, never looking down on her or treating her as being of a lowly status. She had helped him to block wine and take care of Lu Zhixin, and he had thanked her sincerely in kind, leaving her his number...on meeting again, he had joked with her like friends, bringing her a present.

He had let Tongtong feel like she had returned to those days when she had worked at that electronic factory. She had been called Zhang Shuiling then, having foolishly and naively dreamed of better days.

As compared to Wu Kun, Tongtong trusted Xu Tingsheng more, believing that he would not repay kindness with enmity and ruthlessly harm her despite her knowing such a huge secret.

“I will take this to the grave with me, even,” Tongtong looked into Xu Tingsheng’s eyes.

“Yeah. Thank you for saving me. Also, thank you for saying that you like me,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Then, he passed her the money.

Her face red, Tongtong did not accept it as she said, “I don’t want it. I don’t want your money. I never thought of getting any money.”

“I know, you just wanted to save me,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Still, you can’t not accept this money. This is my thanks to you, but also the fee to keep things secret. More importantly, having taken this money, you will have participated in this affair too, henceforth never being unrelated to this matter. We will be able to feel more at ease this way. Do you understand?”

The last thing he had said was rather realistic and heartless. Still, Xu Tingsheng had to do this.

Looking at him, Tongtong nodded, reaching out and accepting the money, saying as she held it, “It’s good like this. I won’t harm you. Now that I’m in it with you, if something happens to you, it’ll get me involved as well. It’s good like this...”

While she was limited in expressing herself, the meaning conveyed here was really very simple. Even if Xu Tingsheng were to kill someone now, she would be happy to add in a stab, becoming an accomplice.

Xu Tingsheng led Tongtong over to a chair to sit down.

“After this, you have to stay here for a while. You don’t have to continue your original job. If you feel bored, just help to take care of some other things...I will increase your wages multifold. As for how to explain this to the others, think of it yourself,” Wu Kun said.

“They’ve always known that I’m not so willing to do this. I, I’ll just say that I got Xu Tingsheng to plead on my behalf, with you, Bro Kun, hence helping to arrange some other work for me. Then, in the future...I’ll only come over to accompany him when he comes next time.”

At the end, Tongtong spoke rather shyly. Still, the happiness on her face was evident to all. She was finally able to stop living that kind of life. Also, the meaning of her words was basically that she would be telling everyone that Xu Tingsheng was upkeeping her, just keeping her at Starry Splendour and not taking her away…

Even though this wasn’t real, Tongtong was still rather happy as she thought of it.

Quite a few people at Starry Splendour knew that there was a bit of a special relationship between Tongtong and Xu Tingsheng. Xu Tingsheng had been nice to her those two times, while he was also on very close terms with their boss, having an important status to Wu Kun.

Therefore, it was not difficult to believe something like this.

Wu Kun looked at Xu Tingsheng who nodded, turning to Tongtong as he said, “This is fine too. After this, you can take the time to learn about wine storage or management or whatever. We’ll be opening a bar at the end of the year. If you’re willing, you can go over there to work then and be a manager or something.”

“I, I’m willing,” An overjoyed Tongtong nodded, not misunderstanding at all that Xu Tingsheng just wanted to keep an eye on her.

“Actually, I think it’s high time you consider marriage,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Look for a good guy over there. I’ll prepare you your dowry and act on behalf of your family’s side.”

Tongtong was slightly despondent, but just slightly. She was well aware of some matters. Xu Tingsheng was already helping her to change her life, repaying her with a chance at ‘rebirth’. There might even be quite a decent future which awaited her. She dared not hope for more.

“Right,” Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Tongtong nodded and replied.

……

Leaving Starry Splendour, Fang Yuqing drove home alone. The other three borrowed a car from Starry Splendour, with Xu Tingsheng driving it. The cold wind blew through the window with a bit of a slicing feeling as it gusted straight to the chest. Light unceasingly trickled in, the pedestrians vanishing into the distance along the streets...

At this moment, that feeling of just having experienced a ‘conflict of life and death’ finally slowly sank in. In this first such incident in his two lifetimes, at this moment, he felt like a soldier on a battlefield pulling his blade out of the corpse of the enemy in this first ever battle, next leaving the battlefield.

His close shave with death replayed unceasingly within his mind.

There was not really the excitement and joy of victory. Xu Tingsheng seemed to see another version of himself that was becoming increasingly foreign to him. These two Xu Tingshengs waved goodbye to each other. Perhaps this was a necessary qualitative change he had to experience in this lifetime where he had stepped onto a completely new path.

“I hear that after policemen shoot someone dead for the first time, they all have to receive mental counselling. Say, does this count?” Tan Yao asked jokingly.

Huang Yaming said calmly, “I don’t, at least.”

Xu Tingsheng did not speak.

The car stopped at a traffic junction. When the light changed to green, Xu Tingsheng did not register it despite a long time having passed. Only when the cars behind began honking incessantly and Tan Yao shoved at him from the front passenger seat did he react.

He found a place that he could park at. Then, Tao Yao took over the wheel.

Chapter 318: Give it my all

Huang Yaming was not returning to his dormitory. Tan Yao decided to send him home first to the flat that Xu Tingsheng had previously rented for him to recuperate in. He still stayed there now.

Passing by the riverside residence, the car lights shone on the wall where a figure could be seen standing over by the front door.

Wearing a windbreaker, Lu Zhixin cocked her head as she carefully appraised this car which drove by, her eyes closing beneath the glow of the frontal lights of the car before she forced them open again, gazing into the car window.

Xu Tingsheng got off the car. Tan Yao continued sending Huang Yaming home.

“Waiting for me?” Xu Tingsheng walked over and asked.

“Yeah. You’re back,” Lu Zhixin nodded forcefully, her tense expression relaxing slightly as the corners of her mouth arched upwards, revealing a slight smile.

“Are you doing okay?” Lu Zhixin carefully appraised Xu Tingsheng, then asked.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Pretty good. Look, I’m so lucky. Even the heavens are on my side. Ding Sen wanted me dead, but ended up getting into an accident himself in the end. We won’t have to worry about him harming us again.”

This was a blatant lie that could not be any more obvious. In truth, both of them knew full well what had happened over the span of the past two days.

Xu Tingsheng was aware that Lu Zhixin felt worried and apologetic too.

Lu Zhixin already clearly knew what Xu Tingsheng had just gone through. She also knew that this was something that he was not accustomed to. She understood him very well.

He had still done it in the end, though. Even while feeling surprised, it was more of guilt and worry that Lu Zhixin felt.

Lu Zhixin walked over and hugged Xu Tingsheng, saying softly, “I’m sorry.”

This matter had arisen because of her, having resulted in such peril for Xu Tingsheng as a result as he had had to do something which he had initially been unwilling to do. Having always hoped to change Xu Tingsheng, making him more ambitious and ruthless in his methods, Lu Zhixin instead ended up worrying badly about how this incident might affect and change him.

Xu Tingsheng gave her a light pat on the back, saying, “It’s okay. It’s all over now.”

“Yeah,” After hesitating for a moment, Lu Zhixin asked, “Right, are, are you staying here tonight? I’m worried about you being alone. I want to accompany you. If you’re angry, you can scold me. If your state of mind is just too chaotic...I could accept...anything…”

Xu Tingsheng took a step back in retreat, letting her leave his embrace before he looked at her, deliberately asking in an easy, exaggerated manner, “Didn’t you only just say that we’ve never even held hands before? How can it be so fast?”

Lu Zhixin looked rather distressed as she rebutted in a small voice, “I...that day, you yourself…”

“You’re not to speak of that day again,” Xu Tingsheng feigned a stern tone.

Lu Zhixin smiled a little, raising her right hand and opening up her palm in front of Xu Tingsheng before saying, “I have scars on my hand because of you, from when I snatched the rose from you back then. Do you remember? The thorns pricked in, and they weren’t treated later. My hands also sweat easily, so scars were left behind. I see them every day.”

“Still, I think that if I had to choose again, I would still be willing to grab it like that despite the pain, tightly. And this time, too, because of me...anyway, it’s impossible for me to love anyone else again, Xu Tingsheng. I will give it my all…”

Xu Tingsheng held her hand, carefully examining that clear white palm of hers and smiling as he saw two inconspicuous notches, “Even these are considered scars? I have to take responsibility for this?”

Lu Zhixin had just been about to reply when Tan Yao drove past on his way back, seeing such a scene unfolding between the two.

“I really didn’t do it on purpose! There’s just this one road back. I can’t do anything about it!” He looked over and yelled.

Xu Tingsheng smiled as he swore, waving for him to stop as he called, “Wait for me! I’m going back too.”

He took a few steps towards the car before turning back and saying, “Relax, I’m fine. It’s just that I may come to the company less often for a while. Don’t tire yourself out too. Just make all the general arrangements. Our Directors are all pretty capable and responsible. Also, you’ve got to put in some effort in revising for finals. Don’t fail a module again...and embarrass Hucheng.”

With that, Xu Tingsheng left behind a peeved Lu Zhixin and got on the car.

Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao returned to their dormitory.

Li Xingming quickly leapt off from his bed, grabbing Tan Yao’s arm and clamouring, “The two of you were gone for two days. Where did you go? The heck...Starry Splendour, right? You clearly promised me that you would bring me along last time.”

Tan Yao smiled, promising, “Next time. We’ll call eight beauties for just you alone next time.”

The two began chatting.

Lu Xu was currently playing Counterstrike on LAN. Turning and finding that Xu Tingsheng was there too, he immediately pulled off his earphones in a very enthusiastic manner before getting up and pulling him over, “Bro Xu, you’re on! Help me kill that guy, qiangwang010. His mother, I can’t off him myself. I’ve been mocked by him for over an hour now.”

“You should have left the room then! Why’re you needlessly making things difficult for yourself?!”

Xu Tingsheng sat down as he replied, not putting on earphones as he just grabbed that mouse.

“That’s not cool. I’ve got to have it out with him. If I don’t vent it out now, I’ll be feeling terrible for a good couple of days afterwards.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, not replying. Situations such as these were actually very common in university. In the peak of one’s youth and having much time to spare, there actually wasn’t anything much for one to feel competitive about besides games.

Take Old Wai for example. Ever since gaining free time with the decrease of his duties at Hucheng, he had started gaming as well. Some time ago, he had been PK-ed when playing Fantasy Westward Journey. Having asked for the reason, he had instead gotten scolded and mocked. Ever since then, for the whole of the next month and more, Old Wai would go and wait in ambush for that person whenever he was online, lunging over as soon as he was alone…

Then, when the other side formed a party to capture him, he would simply log off.

Just two days ago, that person had finally been unable to stand it any longer and had changed servers.

Xu Tingsheng casually rushed out as soon as the new round began, crouching behind a wall in the middle of the map.

Very coincidentally, qiangwang010 leapt over him, leaving himself wide open to Xu Tingsheng.

“Off him, off him…” Lu Xu yelled from beside him.

Xu Tingsheng did not shoot. He stood up and followed after him...at the instant when the other party discovered him, he sliced at his head with a knife, scoring a headshot. In Counterstrike, killing someone with a knife was an extremely great humiliation. Another form of humiliation would be whipping a person’s corpse.

“You should do the whipping yourself?”

Xu Tingsheng returned the mouse to Lu Xu who stood beside him. The person on the screen began jumping, crouching, shooting, knifing, performing all kinds of ‘corpse whipping’. As the new round began, Lu Xu hurriedly returned the mouse to Xu Tingsheng.

For the next six rounds, Xu Tingsheng kept an eye out for qiangwang010, killing him four times. Lu Xu was put in charge of the corpse whipping.

“Feeling good?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Lu Xu replied, “Yeah.”

“Log out then.”

“Why aren’t we killing him anymore?”

“If you log out now and don’t go online for some time, or if you play on another account, he’ll be left angered for half a month, at least,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “If you want to anger someone to death, the best way is to beat him up good and then run, disappearing without a trace and not even giving him any hope of taking revenge.”

Xu Tingsheng got up from the seat. Lu Xu promptly typed in some trash talk before logging out.

Seeing that Xu Tingsheng was now free, Zhang Ninglang now sat up on his bed, telling him, “ Bro Xu, that Assistant Professor Zhang who teaches French Literature said today that if you aren’t there again next time, he will fail you.”

“That serious?” Xu Tingsheng grew nervous.

As a university student, there was nothing that could make one more nervous than the prospect of failing a module. Xu Tingsheng had already passed the fourth level and did not intend to sit for the sixth. Therefore, his goal now was very simple. It was to not fail anything throughout these four years, thus graduating successfully.

Upon realising that he was feeling nervous and worried over his grades, Xu Tingsheng actually rejoiced inwardly over this a little.

“Yeah...I’ll remind you earlier when it’s coming to his lesson next week,” Zhang Ninglang said.

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“Also, in the next two weeks, some of the professors will probably be going to lecture on the important points for finals. If you’re free, you lot should attend for a bit,” This was said to all those in their dorm room.

In the end, they all answered shamelessly, “Nah, so what? Don’t we have you, Lil’ Bro?”

“Right, is that third year dude still chasing your long plait girl?” Tan Yao suddenly asked.

Zhang Ninglang smiled, “Yes, he is. Still, it’s all fine. Things are pretty good between us.’

“Wasn’t he intercepting you when you were walking together some time back?”

“He hasn’t been doing so any longer, recently,” Zhang Ninglang said.

Having been overseas for a while, this was the first time Xu Tingsheng had heard about this as he asked Tan Yao, “Intercepting what? What’s all that?”

“I hear that the dude’s family is pretty rich. He drives a Porsche. There were several times when he directly stopped the car in front of Lil’ Bro and long plait, asking lil’ sister-in-law to get on his car,” Tan Yao said rather furiously, “Tingsheng, how about Yaming and I find someone to take care of him outside?”

Xu Tingsheng looked at Zhang Ninglang, “Why didn’t you tell us about it?”

Zhang Ninglang smiled, replying, “I was going to tell you, but you happened to be overseas. Also, he seems to have stopped doing it this week. Seeing that you guys are both so busy, I thought never mind.”

Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao exchanged looks. Since Zhang Ninglang had considered telling Xu Tingsheng about this matter even with his personality, that could only mean that the other party must have really gone overboard in his actions.

“You must tell me if it happens again. It doesn’t matter where I am. If I’m not in the dormitory, give me a call,” Xu Tingsheng said.

If Zhang Ninglang’s university life, his university romance included, could always remain this simple and blissful, Xu Tingsheng actually wished that it would go on like this. Thus, he did not wish to pursue that earlier matter. Still, if such a thing happened again, he was also not going to just stand by and do nothing.

“Righto,” Zhang Ninglang nodded.

The lights were turned off for the night.

Xu Tingsheng lay on his bed. He had been in Starry Splendour ever since yesterday, having met with total darkness. Now, merely an hour into returning to his dorm room, they had talked about women, games, taking attendance in class, failing a module, finals, a roommate’s relationship…

All at once, he felt like a university student again, his life having returned to how it originally was, the way he liked it. Just like this, Xu Tingsheng’s originally tense, repressed mood slowly calmed amidst the trivialities of university life that could not be any more normal.

……

It was actually Lu Zhixin who was feeling the least calm that night.

Lu Zhixin had said to Xu Tingsheng earlier that she would give it her all...Xu Tingsheng had interrupted her then, not letting her finish. Actually, even if she had not been interrupted, she still would not have fully conveyed all of it.

What she could say was that she would give it her all to compete for and treasure Xu Tingsheng as a person, regarding their illusory, ephemeral relationship.

What was to remain unspoken was that she would give it her all in protecting Xu Tingsheng, in definitely never allowing such a situation to occur again.

As Lu Zhixin saw it, at the end of the day, Ding Sen had only dared to act so audaciously and rashly, attempting a lethal blow, because Xu Tingsheng was still not powerful enough. If the wealth and power that Xu Tingsheng possessed was intimidating enough, even if he was similarly unprepared, the other side would still have to weigh the matter, hesitating as they feared what might come of this. Many would not even dare to have such dangerous thoughts.

If it was Ye Qing who had come into conflict with Ding Sen, he might never have thought about using a method such as this in the first place.

Lu Zhixin wanted Xu Tingsheng to develop and grow stronger more quickly.

“You shouldered such a great evil for me this time, such a deep sin. All future evils and sins-let me bear them.”

Early the next morning, when Xu Tingsheng was eating breakfast with Fu Cheng, Lu Zhixin began making calls to some of her people.

The first thing.

Despite Xu Tingsheng’s ‘Hucheng’s fifty schools’ dream, they would temporarily pause the proceedings of acquiring a training institute in Xihu City. At the same time, they refused to continue renewing the agreement for student recruitment. When the other side was totally helpless and was forced to approach them on their own, they would push down the price, acquiring them more cheaply.

Their current liquid assets were fully invested into advancing the Hundred Cities Plan.

As Lu Zhixin saw it, with the current turbulent advent of Internet economics, wasting their cash on actual schools was not a wise choice at all. Currently being supported by over four hundred thousand orders of ‘Are You Hungry’ everyday, Hucheng’s first task now was to snatch territory online.

Their core services encompassing fiftyish cities? That was far from enough.

A hundred cities in three years? Lu Zhixin intended to complete it in a year.

Here, Lu Zhixin would rather Hucheng not gain any more physical training institutes within this one year.

The second thing.

Getting the Principal of Hucheng’s training institute in Yanzhou, Tang Guangyi, to go into the logistics department to retire, making use of his total inability to give up on face and finding a way to get him to propose retiring into a backup department on his own accord.

At the same time, they had to prevent him from meeting Xu Tingsheng over this period of time.

Tang Guangyi had been repeatedly invited by Xu Tingsheng upon the initial establishment of the training institute, having finally agreed to stay due to his promises. As the Hucheng of back then had not had any talents available anyway, Lu Zhixin had not been opposed to this.

Things were different now, however. The current Hucheng was full of talents. Tang Guangyi was rigid in his handling of affairs, incapable and inefficient. Lu Zhixin had always believed that he as a principal actually severely hindered the profits and development of Hucheng’s training institute in Yanzhou. She had never brought it up before, though, being worried that Xu Tingsheng might disagree.

Now, she intended to take care of this problem without going through Xu Tingsheng.

The third thing.

Dialling the number, Lu Zhixin asked, “Sis Yufei, for the takeaway platform, are those lawyer letters for the two companies that violated the contract ready? How goes the preparations of lawyers Zhang and Niu?”

Tang Yufei answered, “They’re ready, the evidence sufficient. Both of your lawyers say that we’ve got victory securely in our grasp. Still, those two companies looked for us yesterday, hoping that we can settle. They’re willing to come back. As for why they registered for their operations on Youxin platform, they say it’s because we have too many consumers and too much competition. They only thought to give it a try because they’re not that familiar with the law...what do you think?”

“Reject the settlement. Reject coming back. Send out the lawyer letters for compensation. Get that lawsuit started, and best if things become big,” Lu Zhixin said, “I want to flay one to warn a hundred.”

“...Okay.”

Right after Tang Yufei had responded, the busy tone sounded on the phone.

Even though Lu Zhixin had addressed her as Sis Yufei at the start of the call, Tang Yufei was actually well aware that this Lu Zhixin was not her bosom friend Lu Zhixin who was five years younger than her, also not being that Lu Zhixin who had been teased into blushing by her that night. This was the Lu Zhixin who was tough and decisive, only seeking for efficiency in affairs.

Therefore, even though Tang Yufei actually had her own thoughts on the matter, she still held herself back from voicing them and persuading Lu Zhixin against this. Moreover, Lu Zhixin’s actions were actually correct when considering the spirit of business as well as contracts.

The fourth thing.

Lu Zhixin made another call.

“Have you investigated clearly? Can you confirm that it’s that person who registered with us before?” The person Lu Zhixin spoke of was that ‘fake teacher’ who had previously registered with Hucheng due to Apple’s oversight. He had once been jailed for violating students, having long since been stripped of his teaching qualifications. In the trouble that had ensued, Lu Zhixin had personally gone to rectify the tricky situation.

“Yes, we can confirm that that one who registered on Youxin Platform is indeed him,” The other party replied.

“Has he accepted a job?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“Yes, two. He’s already conducted lessons for both,” Came the reply.

“Contact the media that we are on good terms with and directly expose the matter. Spend money to get them to report on it in full force. Then, form a group and direct a public outcry on the internet...I want Youxin dead with this one.”

Chapter 319: An encounter with Tingsheng impedes living forever

The next few days were uneventful for Xu Tingsheng. When some professors called out ‘Xu Tingsheng’ during attendance taking, they were able to hear a righteous ‘here’ that was filled with conviction for once. Most of the time, they would glance carefully over for confirmation a couple of times.

There was even one who said, “Oh, he’s really here. Looks like I can’t directly fail you for this module then. How regretful.”

Actually, university classes on stuff like Chinese, History and Politics were comparatively relaxed. Virtually every group had a few students like Xu Tingsheng who usually skipped lessons from time to time, only becoming more obedient towards the end of the semester.

At 9.50am, Xu Tingsheng and Zhang Ninglang returned to Room 602 after two periods of ‘Ancient Chinese Literature’. Old Wai, Tan Yao and Li Xingming were all still sleeping there.

Although Lu Xu had clearly not attended lessons, he wasn’t here right now. He had probably gone to look for Chick Bao.

After a while, Li Xingming too was awoken by a call as he quickly left.

“Yangyang asked me to go with her to make the advertisement board for the new year party,” Li Xingming hurriedly emerged from washing his face, saying excitedly as he put on his clothes.

“Doesn’t the Student Union have anybody?” Blearily asked the drowsy Tan Yao who was the Vice Head of the Student Union in name but actually seldom participated in their affairs.

“But aren’t I more familiar with Yanzhou?” Li Xingming chuckled as he soon left.

After a while, Old Wai said, “The fella definitely boasted in front of his girl again, saying that he knows someone and that he can help get a discount or whatnot, paying the difference in price himself in the end. It’s nothing much, really. Men all like face. Who’s never slapped their face swollen and acted like a plump rich dude before?”

Zhang Ninglang smiled, saying, “I and our junior haven’t. We’re always calculating on how to save money together.”

Tan Yao asked resentfully, “Do you think everyone has it as good as you?!”

After sitting around leisurely for a while, Xu Tingsheng returned Apple an email on his computer, apologising to her and carefully explaining why it was that he had not ‘casually stopped by’ New York. Then, he surfed the Internet for a bit...it was on the Internet that Hucheng’s boss learnt the news that was related to his company.

The lawsuit.

The attack on ‘Youxin’.

Xu Tingsheng did not know the specifics of this and did not think too much about it. He thought that Lu Zhixin had probably not reported this to him in order to give him some space to recover.

Worried that Lu Zhixin might be too busy, being under too much stress, Xu Tingsheng gave her a call, asking briefly about the two things he had learnt about on the internet.

Actually, there were two other things which Lu Zhixin did not tell Xu Tingsheng about over the phone, this being the delay of the acquisition of a training institute in Xihu and Tang Guangyi having shifted to another department.

“Relax, I’ve already finished making all the arrangements. There won’t be any problems,” Lu Zhixin said, “Actually, all the remaining matters have been arranged for as well. I will be free after this to properly prepare for finals.”

“That’s good then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Yep. Take the exams in peace and then go home when the holidays come. I hope that you can go home happily for the new year. We don’t have to worry about Hucheng’s matters for the time being.”

Lu Zhixin had just hung up when Tang Yufei walked in.

“In an interview with the media yesterday, the boss of Youxin scolded us, saying that we are a gangster company, that the contracts we signed with the companies are tyrannical. Also, in the matter of that former teacher, he said that we intentionally arranged that, competing unethically,” Tang Yufei said.

Lu Zhixin smiled, saying breezily, “Get Lawyer Zhang to send him a lawyer’s letter. Sue him for libel.”

Taken aback, Tang Yufei asked, “But our chances of winning the lawsuit wouldn’t be high, right? Judges will generally mediate and play down things like this. Also, even if we win, we probably won’t get much in terms of compensation.”

“It’s just to make things difficult for him,” Lu Zhixin said, “I predict that over this period of time, those investors of his will already be starting to consider backing out, some of them. Let’s find some more trouble for them now. In this era where everyone is impatient to see quick success, investors generally aren’t very patient at all.”

“Understood. Then, is there anything else?” Tang Yufei asked before taking her leave.

Lu Zhixin retrieved an office key from a drawer, saying, “Sis Yufei, this is for you. For the upcoming time, come directly to this office for work every day.”

Tang Yufei was somewhat unable to get her head around this.

Lu Zhixin put the key in her hand, saying, “All the upcoming work has more or less been taken care of. Therefore, you as boss’s high-class assistant can just be charge of implementing it. Let’s see, you should give me an overall report everyday. I won’t be able to come to work everyday for a while.”

After this huge wave of activity from Hucheng, things would indeed be comparatively stabler for a time. It was fine that Xu Tingsheng did not manage their affairs. After all, everyone had long since gotten used to this. But to think that even a workaholic like Lu Zhixin could put things down so easily...Tang Yufei was rather taken aback by this.

“I changed my major this semester. It’s easy to fail mods like this. Xu Tingsheng expressly mentioned this before. I don’t want to be laughed at by him, so I intend to earnestly attend lessons and revise for finals.”

As she spoke of Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin’s tone and manner were totally different.

Knowing this, Tang Yufei entered the mode that she used for speaking with her bosom female friend, smiling slyly, “It’s not just that, right? The way I see it, it’s grabbing...with the company’s affairs more or less dealt with, your individual assault is about to begin.”

Lu Zhixin nudged her away, holding her hands as she smiled, nodding, “Yep, I intend to get him to go with me to revise at the library. Then, we can eat a meal and go for a stroll together, right?”

“University relationship...feels-style assault?” Tang Yufei asked.

“Right,” Lu Zhixin hid nothing as she nodded and admitted it.

“Not ******* anymore?”

“...no, that seems to be pretty ineffective. That day, I…”

Lu Zhixin recounted how she had asked Xu Tingsheng to stay at the riverside residence that night.

After hearing her out, Tang Yuxin smiled, “Stupid. Who uses talking for *******? My teachings were totally wasted on you.”

Lu Zhixin insisted, “Anyway, with my understanding of him, he instead yearns for simple things like this more. Actually, the same goes for me too! I’m just twenty. Xu Tingsheng even said that I’m just a young girl.”

“Don’t laugh, Sis Yufei, when I say this. Actually, I’ve recently been thinking: Those people who are in a relationship-how do they end up holding hands for the first time? Naturally, or do they ask first? Sis Yufei, how did you come to hold hands for the first time? Do you still remember?”

How was this the Lu Zhixin who had been going around decisively inflicting lethal damage for the past few days?

Tang Yufei thought about it for a while before replying, “I can’t remember. Still, I do remember the first time I slept with someone. I remember that the bastard said at first that he just wanted to lie down together and sleep for a while. He swore a deadly vow that he wouldn’t do anything to me. Then, he hugged me, saying that he just wanted to hug for a while as he fell asleep, that he definitely wouldn’t make any false moves…”

“Then, hugging for a while turned into touching for a while, looking for a while...and in the end, I somehow ended up giving it to him. Right, the first time’s pretty painful. You should be prepared for that. Remember to ask Xu Tingsheng to be gentler then.”

“Huh? He should be gentler...I...hey, Sis Yufei, why’re you always talking about such things…”

The two frolicked about for a while before Tang Yufei’s expression calmed and she said earnestly, “It’s actually great this way, really. Maybe I’m afraid that you’re always under too much pressure, but hearing you talking about all this, knowing that you’re thinking about such ordinary little things, I instead find this to be a very blissful thing for some reason. Go on, good luck! Take down Xu Tingsheng.”

Tang Yufei pumped a fist, cheering Lu Zhixin on.

Returning to the second floor of the riverside residence, Lu Zhixin removed her makeup, taking off that grey professional suit and putting on a warm-coloured blouse and sweater, white jeans and white canvas shoes.

When she let down her long hair and walked into campus with a radiant smile and a light gait…

“Doesn’t she always wear cold-coloured clothes and put on a cold face?”

While it was clearly winter, as those guys who rarely saw Lu Zhixin smile despite attending lessons with her saw this, they vaguely felt as though...winter had just set in, but why did it feel like spring had arrived so quickly?

The second and third year seniors patiently and painstakingly advised the first year juniors who were already all staring in a silly manner by the roadside, “New, don’t recognise her? Once the flower of the English faculty, now the goddess of Finance, that’s Lu Zhixin! Sadly...she’s taken.”

“There are only incompetents, no current ownership that cannot be transferred,” Some rather more confident junior declared confidently.

“You can just forget about it. Hucheng Zhixin, heard of it? ...A programme her boyfriend has sponsored to assist working university students-even that’s named after her.”

“...”

Seeing such a Lu Zhixin on his way back to his dormitory, even Xu Tingsheng suffered a fright.

“You...what’s this?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I…” A nervous Lu Zhixin turned a full round and examined her clothes even as she asked, “What is it? Is it...I don’t look nice?”

Xu Tingsheng examined her, smiling, “You do look nice, but it isn’t normal! How do I put it? It feels like Abbess Miejue suddenly put on a girly dress.”

Abbess Miejue, Lu Zhixin, glared at him.

“Where’s your Heaven Reliant Sword?” Xu Tingsheng continued messing around, not fearing for his life.

Lu Zhixin groaned tragically, “If I had the Heaven Reliant Sword, I’d hack you dead in one blow.”

“Abbess is vicious indeed,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Alright, stop messing around…”

“I...just who’s messing around?” Lu Zhixin was really feeling very pained now.

Xu Tingsheng chose to ignore this as he asked, “Right, what are you doing here dressed like this?”

Lu Zhixin replied, “I was...waiting for you.”

“Huh?”

“I wanted to ask you: Are you going to the library to revise tonight?”

“I’m not…”

“...But we’ve got exams coming up.”

“Right, but do you think that our Chinese is as crazy hardcore as those whatever Finance or Accounting stuff? We just need to memorise the primary content of a few books and prepare a few notes, and everything’s all settled.”

“...Take it like you’re accompanying me then.”

“Let me think about it…”

“Yeah.”

“Another day, perhaps.”

Lu Zhixin was finally unable to keep from sending a kick at Xu Tingsheng before she furiously turned and stormed off for the library.

A short distance away, Tang Yufei who had originally intended to send Lu Zhixin a document to sign smiled wryly for a while before she turned the car around, “I’d better not interrupt her today. This Xu Tingsheng, really…”

Tang Yufei recalled the girls whom she had learnt were related to Xu Tingsheng from Lu Zhixin. That beautiful artiste, Apple, a nice little junior who had come knocking on their door one day, and some unknown girl that no one had seen yet might hold the greatest place in Xu Tingsheng’s heart.

“With Zhixin’s looks, familial background, capabilities...she clearly should be pursued by countless people. It shouldn’t be possible that there’d come a day where she’s waiting for someone, fighting for him. Yet, in reality...things had turned out this way despite everything.

And those other girls...all seemed very outstanding too, didn’t they?!

An encounter with Tingsheng impedes living forever? ...God forbid!

Chapter 320: Someone else’s life

They had agreed upon eating dinner at Wu Kun’s house during the weekend.

That afternoon, the four of them got together and discussed the gifts they had prepared.

Tan Yao had bought toys, a remote-controlled car and a toy gun. Fang Yuqing had brought two purportedly very valuable bottles of wine from his house. Huang Yaming had bought fruits...

Xu Tingsheng couldn’t decide on what to buy even after a long time. Under such circumstances, he would be too embarrassed to take out that ‘valuable French perfume’ and go bluffing his way around with that…

In the end, he decided on the classic move of buying flowers.

Xu Tingsheng specially made a trip to that flower store where he had bought flowers when going to visit Zhang Yan at the hospital. The Lady Boss of the store had left an impression on him as a very gentle and down-to-earth person.

On the whole, Xu Tingsheng was a person who was very afraid of troublesome things, whether it was in associating with people, handling matters or whatnot. Anybody and any affairs that he did not find to be troublesome and complicated, he liked.

Xu Tingsheng briefly explained what he needed to the Lady Boss, who recommended to him a matching bouquet and potted plant.

As she was wrapping up the flowers, Xu Tingsheng played with a cute little boy inside the store.

Now, a din arose outside the door of the store. Hearing it, Xu Tingsheng led the little boy by the hand out for a look.

A young man threw a potted plant which had already withered to the ground, soil spilling out onto the ground as he demanded, “This potted plant cost over five hundred yuan, but it died before even a month had passed. What is this if not a scam? What can you say about this?”

Xu Tingsheng did not understand much about plants, being unable to distinguish what species this was. Still, it had cost more than five hundred yuan, which did seem to be rather expensive.

“Sorry, but you may have to wait for a bit longer,” The Lady Boss apologised to Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng said, “It’s okay. Go ahead and settle your affairs first.”

“Thank you.”

The Lady Boss put down the half-wrapped bouquet before walking out and smiling genially, “Simmer down. Let me have a look. I’ll compensate you if it’s a problem with the plant itself.”

With that, the Lady Boss took a small shovel and dug a small hole at the bottom of the potted plant, next holding a handful of soil in her hand and examining it before she looked up and said, “You shifted this plant after buying it, didn’t you? There’s a problem with the soil you used. Such a problem wouldn’t have occurred if you had used the soil from the original pot.”

Xu Tingsheng observed the expression of the young man changing slightly after the Lady Boss had said this. The Lady Boss had evidently hit the nail on the head.

Still, a moment later, that guy resumed his original ferocious manner as he roared threateningly, “What soil what? I don’t get this at all. You’re trying to push the responsibility away, aren’t you?”

“But this was really caused by the plant being shifted to different soil,” The Lady Boss rebutted in a still cordial tone, after which she stood up and washed her hands, wiping them dry before continuing to wrap up the bouquet.

The young man looked like he had nowhere to vent his dissatisfaction as he stiffened for a moment before casually reaching out and overturning a pot of kumquat that was displayed at the front of the store. Falling onto the ground, the porcelain pot instantly shattered, the kumquat left covered totally in soil as a result.

The Lady Boss glanced at him before putting down the bouquet again, saying, “Let’s be civilised and talk about this. Don’t be so hasty.”

“Me, hasty?” The young man seemed to have found her very good to bully as he reached out and toppled a pot of orchid, “I’m being hasty?! If I wasn’t in a good mood, I’d wreck this whole rotten store of yours, believe me? This bro’s a gangster, you know?”

Looking at the remains of the two potted plants on the ground, the Lady Boss was silent for a while.

As the young man reached out to topple a third potted plant, Xu Tingsheng extended a hand and grabbed his wrist, telling him, “Bro, you shouldn’t go too far.”

Looking at him, the young man jutted up his chin, “Mind your own business! Who do you think you are?”

Xu Tingsheng had still yet to reply when the little boy behind him rushed over, kicking the man’s ankle before raising his head to look at him and exclaiming, “Who asked you to bully my Mum.”

“Hey, you little brat!”

As the young man lifted a hand as if to hit the little boy, Xu Tingsheng pulled the boy behind him to protect him.

The Lady Boss hurried over, saying, “Sorry, the kid’s insensible. Let me just compensate you for that plant.”

With that, she went back into the store and counted out five hundred yuan, giving it to that man.

Receiving it, the young man nodded before saying, “Not enough. Gimme another five hundred.”

The Lady Boss was taken aback by this, “But the price of the potted plant is five hundred yuan.”

“Yes, the price of the potted plant is five hundred. Don’t you have to compensate me for your kid kicking me? Also, I gave this plant to my girlfriend’s parents, you know? And it died so quickly! Is that auspicious? Where’s all my face go? You don’t have to compensate for that?” He continued roaring loudly.

Xu Tingsheng was actually put in quite a spot by this. It was not that he did not want to step in and help the Lady Boss out or could not do so. In truth, during the two times that he had come here, there had only been the Lady Boss and a young female employee in the store at most. Xu Tingsheng feared that if he were to step in this time yet was not able to continue monitoring the situation here in the future, the flower store and the Lady Boss might continually be harassed.

This person here was clearly shameless and unreasonable.

As Xu Tingsheng was considering asking for the Lady Boss’s opinion, intending to step in and teach that guy a lesson if she felt that that was okay, the Lady Boss had already retrieved two hundred yuan and handed it over even before he could say anything, saying, “I’ll compensate you another two hundred then. Any more really won’t do.”

The young man cursed as he extended a hand and took the money, next kicking the soil on the ground as he walked away, proclaiming triumphantly, “Heck, if this old man does nothing, y’all won’t know my true abilities, where I’m from. Ya just had to force me...and only then did you know how to listen good. If you provoked me mad, I’d wreck your store, ya know?”

The Lady Boss did not speak.

After he had ridden his motorcycle away, the Lady Boss apologised to Xu Tingsheng, then thanked him.

“Sorry, I nearly dragged you into this,” The Lady Boss said apologetically, “Also, thank you for helping me to protect my son just now. Otherwise, things could really have gotten out of hand.”

“It’s nothing,” Xu Tingsheng said, “It’s just-if you give in to them so easily, Lady Boss, aren’t you afraid that they might get addicted to extorting money from you and come again in the future?”

“They generally won’t. This also happened a few times before, but they didn’t come again. I would like to avoid unnecessary trouble and just run this little store in peace. If he really does come again, I could just call the police or something. There’d surely be a way to resolve things.”

The Lady Boss finished wrapping up the bouquet as she packed it together with the potted plant and handed it to Xu Tingsheng.

Due to that earlier incident, the Lady Boss refused to charge Xu Tingsheng anything. Still, Xu Tingsheng insisted on setting the money down.

He even considered leaving his number there for the Lady Boss, asking her to look for him if that guy came again. Still, after hesitating a little, he ultimately decided against it.

Firstly, he was intrinsically unable to be concerned with so many affairs.

Secondly, it is best not to disrupt the ways of living that others are used to and love. While you may feel that others have been bullied, suffering an injustice, it may actually be that they really enjoy this kind of stability and normalcy, living very happily as a result.

Leaving the flower store as he headed for Starry Splendour to meet up with Fang Yuqing and the others, Xu Tingsheng was rather astonished to find that young man who had just been at that flower store and his motorbike toppled at the side of the road together, seemingly having fallen as his head was wounded, covered in blood.

“What goes around comes around.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled.

……

Wu Kun’s ‘mysterious’ home ended up being not far away from the back alley of Starry Splendour, a small bungalow with three and a half storeys that seemed rather aged.

They followed Wu Kun, entering the courtyard.

“Right, Tongtong has an older brother who does drugs. He was arrested and forcibly sent into cold turkey two days ago. Her younger cousin also already came to work at Starry Splendour since yesterday. As for Tongtong herself, she’s learning wine management just like you said. She’s a hard worker, very diligent,” Wu Kun said to Xu Tingsheng, then smiled.

Xu Tingsheng knew the meaning behind this smile. These matters should all be related to Wu Kun, having been arranged by him. He had put Tongtong and those around her completely under his control. Also, the most volatile factor, Tongtong’s drug addict brother, had been directly sent off into cold turkey by him.

“Although we may not have the purest of motives, this is actually a good thing for Tongtong,” Wu Kun said.

Xu Tingsheng nodded in agreement. In comparison to the terrible mess that it had been before, Tongtong’s life was at least heading in a good direction now.

“Let’s not talk about all this after we’ve entered. Your Sister-in-law doesn’t like hearing about these things. You guys should chat with her about other stuff.”

Wu Kun patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder and opened the door.

“Wifey, our guests are here! Four authentic university students, and that very famous Xu Tingsheng. Come on out! Hey, where’s our son? Where’s the little brat run off to again?”

“Alright, I’m cooking now. I’ll be out in a jiffy. Look after them and get them seated first. Our son’s probably upstairs. Try yelling for him!” Came the reply from what was likely the kitchen.

“You guys sit then. Let me yell that brat of mine down first.”

Wu Kun went upstairs. Just after the four had sat down and were in the midst of appraising Wu Kun’s home that could not be considered grand and luxurious, the door between the living room and the kitchen was opened. A woman in her thirties who could not be considered beautiful now emerged with an apron tied around her waist.

“Welcome to our home…”

She paused mid-sentence, looking at Xu Tingsheng. Xu Tingsheng was looking at her as well.

“So you’re Sister-in-law. Hello, Sister-in-law. I’m Xu Tingsheng,” Xu Tingsheng soon regained his wits and greeted her with a smile on his face.

“...hey, look, what a coincidence. So you’re Xu Tingsheng,” Sister-in-law smiled back at him.

“What? You’ve met Sister-in-law before? Hello, Sister-in-law,” Huang Yaming said.

Fang Yuqing and Tan Yao also greeted ‘Hello, Sister-in-law’.

“Well, hello. Welcome to our home. It’s rare that we have visitors. With four of you university students coming this time, I’m exceptionally happy. I’ve been preparing for this for a few days already,” Sister-in-law replied.

“Sister-in-law is from the incident that I told you about just now...in the afternoon, the Lady Boss of the flower store,” Xu Tingsheng turned towards Huang Yaming, explaining with a wry smile on his face.

Earlier, he had already told the trio about the incident that had occurred that afternoon.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say so, the three of them unconsciously shrunk back, shaking their heads. This was really too unimaginable. In Yanzhou, the wife of Yanzhou’s one and only Wu Kun who ran a flower store had actually been extorted by some random hooligan, threatened by him to have her store wrecked...

Yet...the extortion had really been a success.

What was the world coming to! Wasn’t the dude afraid of getting thrown in the river?

“He wouldn’t already be at the bottom of the river with a large sack of stones, right?”

Chapter 321: Two meals, three games (1)

“What is it?”

Carrying his son down the stairs and sensing the rather strange atmosphere in the room, Wu Kun asked.

As the little boy in his embrace saw Xu Tingsheng, he yelled ‘Uncle’ and leapt right down to sit beside him.

“...You’ve met?” Wu Kun asked.

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng confirmed.

Wu Kun’s wife smiled, nodding.

Then, Xu Tingsheng recounted the incident that had occurred at the flower store that afternoon.

Wu Kun was not infuriated after hearing about it as he smiled, saying, “This is the personality your Sister-in-law has. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be running a flower store. Just staying there quietly and growing plants in peace everyday, she already feels happy.”

Huang Yaming enquired, “But with Sister-in-law having been bullied like that, won’t she feel despondent, stifled? What about you, Bro Kun? How can you stand it?”

Wu Kun’s wife smiled, “When encountering this sort of thing, I just feel less happy for a while, just a while. If he comes and steps in, blowing up the matter or doing something to the person, I’d instead feel troubled and uneasy then, feeling sad for a long time. So, this way is still better.”

Wu Kun smiled too, saying, “Let me tell you something about the past, when I first came to know your Sister-in-law. If she didn’t have this temperament, wasn’t so easy to bully, I really might not have been able to shamelessly win her over.”

Their spirits instantly rose as they got ready to hear the story.

Wu Kun slowly reminisced, “Back then, your Sister-in-law ran a small noodle store with her sister. She was twenty. I was seventeen, a hotel attendant. Because I loved gambling but wasn't so good at it, I often ended up having no money for meals.”

“Then, there was once when I was really too hungry and just couldn't stand it. I disregarded everything and ate without paying at that noodle store…”

“In the end-considering your Sister-in-law’s personality, you can definitely imagine it. Ever since then, I often went to her place for a free meal…it must have been over a hundred times?”

In reply to Wu Kun’s question, his wife answered, “Definitely more than that.”

Wu Kun chuckled, “Forget about that. There aren't any debts between us, anyway. So, I ended up hounding your Sister-in-law after that. Actually, there were two things in my mind at the time. Firstly, this girl is so easy to bully. I can't let anyone else bully her. Secondly, this girl is so good to bully. I've got to marry her back where I can bully her all I want.”

The four broke out in laughter.

Blushing, Wu Kun’s wife clicked her tongue at him.

“Then…Sister-in-law agreed to it? She had to give agreement, right?” Tan Yao asked.

“You’ll have to ask your Sister-in-law about that,” Wu Kun smiled, replying.

His wife said nothing.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying to Tan Yao, “Actually, there isn’t a need to ask this in the first place. Just think about it. If Sister-in-law didn’t like Bro Kun, after tolerating it a few times, wouldn’t she have called the police rather than let him eat over a hundred free meals?”

After Xu Tingsheng said so, everyone directed their gazes towards Wu Kun’s wife, Wu Kun himself included.

She nodded gently.

Wu Kun smiled in a very blissful manner. He had still been young back then, not the later Wu Kun, the current Bro Kun.

Things had been exceptionally blissful back then.

Now, Wu Kun introduced Fang Yuqing, Tan Yao and Huang Yaming to his wife as well. They all took out their gifts. When Xu Tingsheng was taking his gift, looking at the house that was chock full of plants, he felt rather at a loss as to what to do.

“It’s okay. Your Sister-in-law can fear having too much of anything, including money, but just not plants,” Wu Kun rescued him from his dilemma, personally moving the plant to a better location.

His wife brewed tea for the four of them before returning to the kitchen to continue her cooking.

The little boy began playing earnestly with the remote-controlled car.

Falling silent, Xu Tingsheng looked at Wu Kun, remembering those two things his wife had said that afternoon. Firstly: This also happened a few times before, but they didn’t come again. Also: Thank you for helping me to protect my son just now. Otherwise, things could really have gotten out of hand.

He also recalled the scene of that young man and his motorbike crashed by the roadside as his head was dripping with blood.

Wu Kun was very frank with him as he whispered, “Actually, I already knew earlier about what happened in the afternoon. Someone reported it to me. I just didn’t think that you were the one inside the store at the time. That guy must have suffered a concussion at the very least. Anyway, he definitely won’t dare to go to your Sister-in-law’s store again in the future.”

This meant that a close confidante of Wu Kun’s had actually continually been keeping an eye on his wife’s flower store for him.

“Don’t let your Sister-in-law know about this,” Wu Kun earnestly reminded him.

Xu Tingsheng nodded, smiling, “Bro Kun, isn’t this too much? The ancients had signs warning others about tigers up on mountains. But the store that most cannot be touched in Yanzhou is actually made to seem completely innocuous and harmless...isn’t this just a great big pit trap?!”

Wu Kun smiled, replying, “Blame your Sister-in-law.”

……

This meal went on for over an hour. Because Wu Kun’s wife was present, the conversation focused mainly on kids, studying, and university. The ‘famous’ Xu Tingsheng was forced to narrate his past experiences in brief as he also interacted with the little boy for a long while.

Wu Kun’s wife did not speak much, but she did constantly reiterate, “You boys, don’t be led astray by Wu Kun!”

Wu Kun dared not rebut her at all.

The only minus point about this meal was that the dishes were really too spicy. Wu Kun had previously said that they were on the spicy side, being from the river regions. He should really have said that they were deadly spicy. Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming who both thought that they liked food that were on the spicy side were both stimulated so much they couldn’t stand it.

Tan Yao and Fang Yuqing had it even worse.

Yet, Wu Kun’s wife still asked, “I asked earlier, and Wu Kun said that you can take a little bit of spicy food, so I added in some spices, just a bit. How is it? It isn’t so spicy, right?”

Smoke emitted from their ears, blood flowing to their heads, the four withstood it and nodded, “No, it’s fine, it’s fine...hiss...it’s just right...hiss...hah…”

Just before they left, Wu Kun’s wife found a chance to talk to Xu Tingsheng in private.

“You have something to ask of me, Sister-in-law?” Xu Tingsheng asked, seeing that she appeared rather hesitant.

“I can tell that Wu Kun values you very highly, Brother Xu, and trusts you a lot too,” She said, “Sister-in-law looked up quite a bit about you and knows what you’re doing. I would like to ask something of you.”

“Just say it, Sister-in-law.”

“Could you guide him onto a path like yours as much as possible? ...Sister-in-law actually only has one wish, which is that I will be able to walk normally together with him and our son on the streets one day without having to worry that someone might suddenly chop at us with a knife…”

Now, she raised her arm. Xu Tingsheng saw two deep knife scars running down it.

“I have several on my back too...I’m mainly just worried for our son. He was kidnapped once when he was three...that’s why I have a wish like this, even if we move a few times, move to another city a couple of times, even. It’s fine even if we have less money,” As Wu Kun’s wife spoke, tears had already welled up in her eyes.

Xu Tingsheng now knew why such a powerful and ambitious person like Wu Kun was so afraid of his wife in private. Besides love, it was because of guilt too.

“You can rest assured, Sister-in-law. I’ll do my best. Actually, Bro Kun himself should be wishing for the same too. He’s currently working hard,” Xu Tingsheng said sincerely.

Chapter 322: Two meals, three games (2)

Leaving Wu Kun’s house, getting on the car.

“Tingsheng, come to my house for lunch tomorrow afternoon. My Grandpa knows that you’re back,” Fang Yuqing suddenly said.

“Huh? Didn’t I ask you not to tell your Grandpa?” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed.

“It was Fang Chen, that old demoness who told Grandpa.”

“...What will happen if I don’t go?”

“It’ll be very troublesome, I guess. My Grandpa has a pretty bad temper,” Fang Yuqing said.

……

The next day, Xu Tingsheng visited the Fang family with a bag of tea leaves that his mother had personally made. There, he saw the old man of the Fang family, Fang Guohou. He was a former provincial bigwig.

When eating lunch, the old man did not say anything. To be precise, no one at the dining table said a single word throughout the course of the entire meal, including the usually courageous Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing.

After lunch, Xu Tingsheng meekly followed the old man into his study.

Fang Yuqing wanted to follow them in but was shooed away with a wave of the old man’s hand.

Four whole hours passed.

Feeling anxious from the waiting, Fang Yuqing asked Fang Chen, “What exactly does Grandpa want with Tingsheng?”

Fang Chen replied, “How would I know?”

Fang Yuqing asked, “Could he...could he be asking him to marry you?”

Fang Chen was taken aback for a moment before she said, “That’s fine too! Who sleeps who? If I marry Xu Tingsheng, I may even have the chance to sleep together with Apple. He plays me, I play Apple...the hell, I feel so stimulated just thinking about it. No, I’ve got to go ask Grandpa to get things settled like this.”

Fang Yuqing had a pained expression on his face as he asked, “Fang Chen, can you not harm my bro?”

“How come you’re letting your bro harm me then?” Fang Chen shot back in exasperation.

“Who? Tingsheng?”

“Not him. It's Tan Yao.”

“Tan Yao? What’s he done to you?”

“He stole my women.”

“...I’ve observed and probed him a couple of times. He seems to like you.”

“...I heard that Ye Qing seems to like him.”

The two completely strayed off topic in their conversation till Xu Tingsheng respectfully exited the study. Next, someone supported Old Mr Fang back to his bedroom as the old man looked rather tired and spiritless.

Fang Chen rushed straight over, grabbing Xu Tingsheng’s collar, “You, you made my Grandpa mad?”

Xu Tingsheng ignored her and extended a hand towards Fang Yuqing for a handshake, after which he said, “Congratulations, Fang Yuqing, CEO of Zhicheng Real Estate. Also, one more thing. Your Grandpa asked me to tell you to bring Yuqing back to see him when you have the time. He’ll speak to your parents about this.”

Fang Yuqing was flabbergasted as he asked hesitantly, “Grandpa said that?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “Your Grandpa said that.”

Fang Yuqing had still yet to recover when Fang Chen came over and pushed Xu Tingsheng, saying, “Stop taking advantage of the two of us, yo!”

After a while, she asked, “Did Grandpa say anything about me?”

Xu Tingsheng considered this for a bit before replying, “No. With your status, you’re still not qualified enough to be mentioned in our high summit.”

“I don’t believe you,” Fang Chen said, “Did Grandpa ask you to marry me?”

Seeing her shameless face and knowing what it was that she was thinking, Xu Tingsheng replied mockingly, “He did mention it briefly, but I answered: I’m neither crazy nor a fool. How would I possibly do something like that? The old man knew that what I said was right, and so he didn’t force me.”

Fang Chen had just been about to blow up when Fang Yuqing regained his wits and pulled at Xu Tingsheng, asking, “How is it possible? I don’t get it. How would Grandpa agree to this? Also, why was it you of all people whom he said it to? Did he also tell you anything else?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “No, nothing.”

Actually, there had definitely been something else. It was just that he couldn’t say it, especially not to Fang Yuqing.

Xu Tingsheng had previously speculated on what the old man might say and how he might go about saying it. Contrary to his predictions, Old Mr Fang had spoken very candidly. The earlier conversation between the two had actually been a deal in which the Fang family had given Xu Tingsheng some benefits before asking some things of him.

Xu Tingsheng’s earlier guess had been proven to be true.

Xu Tingsheng had not refused what the old man had asked of him. He was willing to do so in the first place. After all, Fang Yuqing was his bro and Fang Chen could also be considered a friend. As for other people and other matters, just saying yes for now would not be a problem.

Still, this would not prevent Xu Tingsheng from shamelessly making use of this chance to fish for more benefits.

For instance, while it seemed as though letting Fang Yuqing be CEO at Zhicheng Real Estate really benefited him, the true beneficiary was none other than Xu Tingsheng. This entailed that he would truly have a powerful background and support for a period of time in the near future. Also, the support that was given to him would virtually be all out and with no strings attached.

“Impossible! This is the first time Grandpa has seen you. How could he possibly trust you so much? Letting Yuqing be the CEO of your new real estate company is equivalent to telling everyone that you are backed by the Fang family. Just how are you qualified?” Fang Chen asked.

“Right, that’s what it means. Still, it actually wasn’t so simple,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “After entering the study, the old man asked me to play three games of Chinese chess with him. He said that if I had the ability to win him once, he would trust in my ability, and if I lost, I should just scram.”

“You...won?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s impossible. Grandpa always played with those professional players before, and he was basically evenly matched with them. How could you defeat him? You’re that good at the game?”

“Just average,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I played the first game very earnestly, taking out all I had. That’s basically equivalent to the general standard of primary school students. I lost the game in three minutes.”

“I knew it. What then?”

“In the second game, knowing the gap in our strength, I actually only had one goal in mind, to exchange our pieces, randomly exerting all means and doing whatever I could to exchange our pieces and dwindle his forces. When two sides are far from evenly matched, this is the best way to draw their standards closer.”

“And then you won?”

“I lost. This game went on for around five minutes, I think. I held on for two minutes longer than in the first game. You need skill even to exchange pieces. My level of proficiency isn’t enough,” Xu Tingsheng answered honestly.

“So, you won the third game?”

“That's right!”

“But that's impossible! Didn't you say that there's a great gap in strength?”

“That's right, ultra great. But I still won anyway.”

“How did you win?”

“Your Grandpa has a hasty temperament.”

“Yeah.”

“He's getting on in years, his body tiring easily and his spirit insufficient.”

“Yup.”

“I'm still young and full of vitality.”

“Huh?”

“I took over twenty minutes to make every single move, suddenly releasing loud, abrupt cries of ‘aha!’ countless times in doing so before retracting my hand again when the piece was just mere inches away from the chess board…and then continuing to think.”

“...”

“Whenever the old man felt tired and wanted to close his eyes to rest a bit, I would go resolutely let out another ‘aha!’.”

“...”

“Then, I continued thinking…aha…and continued thinking…heh, aha…it's your turn, wait, no, let me think again…aha…”

“Stop! I can't listen on any longer…what happened then?”

“Your Grandpa surrendered.”

“...How could you be this shameless?” Fang Chen exclaimed.

Beside her, Fang Yuqing nodded, expressing his deep agreement.

Xu Tingsheng replied shamelessly, “That's exactly how your Grandpa praised me. Still, he also said that I’m courageous and resourceful too…and can accurately read the situation and act accordingly. Your Grandpa has a discerning eye indeed!”

“...Even this worked? How is that possible?”

“Of course it's possible. In playing chess with your Grandpa, however you look at it, this is the sole advantage that I possess. I was able to find this sole chance at victory and also had the courage to make use of this advantage to secure an upright and aboveboard victory. Your Grandpa was completely won over by my methods.”

“Tsk, there should be a time restriction when playing chess in the first place. If there had been a time restriction…”

“Maybe he forgot about it …or maybe he didn't say it on purpose. Otherwise, there would have been no need for these three games in the first place.”

“Tsk.”

“Tsk.”

The conversation inside the study had obviously not just been about their three games. For instance, during their second game, the old man had said, “Exchanging pieces, huh. I hope that when you have to do this one day, when what you grasp in your hands that is at stake aren't chess pieces, you will still have the courage and awareness to steel your heart and make these necessary sacrifices.”

Xu Tingsheng looked first at Fang Yuqing, then at Fang Chen…

Chapter 323: Plot No. 4

As news of Fang Yuqing becoming the CEO of Zhicheng Real Estate spread, many people felt uneasy and restless. Word from the Fang family was that this decision had not been made at Fang Yuqing’s own discretion alone.

‘Fang Yuqing joining in the party’ and ‘the collective attitude of the Fang family’ were two totally different concepts altogether.

This entailed that the people of Zhicheng had truly gained the ability to compete with all their opponents. They had not lacked money in the first place. Now, it seemed like they did not lack anything at all.

Some people began to worry that Zhicheng might go back on their word.

These worries and probing persisted till the day of the auction itself when led by Fang Yuqing, Zhicheng abided by their promise and acquired Plot No.4 which encompassed a whole hundred and fifty thousand square metres at a low price.

This time, Xu Tingsheng had it very easy as a tag-along. After Plot No.1 had been acquired by Jinxiong Corporation, he and Huang Yaming went outside the auction hall to smoke a cigarette.

A man who looked around thirty was walking by when he stopped and smiled at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng had never met Ding Miao before, not knowing who he was as he simply smiled in response. Smiling at someone who is smiling at you is the common sense of being street smart.

While there were some others in the vicinity as well, Ding Sen was very ‘straightforward’ as he walked over and extended a hand, “Xu Tingsheng? Hi, let me introduce myself. I’m Ding Miao.”

Huang Yaming extended his hand before Xu Tingsheng could, shaking hands with Ding Miao before saying loudly, “Hi, I’m Huang Yaming.”

Then, he moved closer to him, whispering, “He doesn’t know.”

Vaguely hearing these words, Xu Tingsheng stared rather dazedly at Huang Yaming’s back, at his shoulders which gradually seemed to have become broader than before.

Regardless of whether this ‘cover-up’ was too childish in itself, whether Ding Miao believed it or not, Xu Tingsheng knew that Huang Yaming was protecting him. He wished for an end to be put to that previous matter as Xu Tingsheng was left free from implication in this matter.

Huang Yaming would not have had any time to hesitate or consider matters upon Ding Miao’s sudden appearance. Therefore, this must be what he had decided previously, the attitude that he had decided on taking. He had already long since decided that he would be the one to bear the responsibility if anything happened.

Somewhere along the way, the people beside Xu Tingsheng had begun attempting to bear some things for him.

After the auction had ended, those of Zhicheng left the auction hall and descended the stairs together.

Another bunch of people stood there, clapping towards them. Some whistled, jeering loudly. If Xu Tingsheng were to call those on his side the ‘non-inheritors’, these people would be called the ‘inheritors’.

“Look, everyone! The new real estate tycoons are here…”

“Isn’t that so? They even got the plot of land with the greatest surface area.”

“Guys, most of us here are either relatives or friends of yours. If the time comes and no one wants to buy the flats, remember to promote it to our families! Maybe we’ll even consider it, building a little thatched hut down by the countryside and using it for barbecuing on outings.”

“It’s just that the price of each unit can’t be more than 2000 yuan!”

Xu Tingsheng could only helplessly walk past the storm of mockery with the others as no one rebutted or responded to their words.

“I just don’t understand. We’re nicely abiding by our agreement, so why’re they still so hostile?” Reaching the carpark, Tan Yao who had come over to join in the commotion wondered aloud.

“Two reasons for that,” Ye Qing said.

“I never asked you,” Tan Yao replied.

Ignoring his childish quibbling, Ye Qing continued, “Firstly, the person who led them in jeering just now is my older brother, Ye Tan. He’s also a shareholder of Jinxiong Corporation. Besides being born earlier than me and as a male, he’s never defeated me in any other aspects before. So, viewing this to be his first ever win, he naturally would be triumphant. Still, this is merely an appetiser. I have more to face when I get back home.”

“Secondly, look at us. Actually, there aren’t that many people who’re willing to see us underdogs working hard to make something of ourselves. If even we are able to do so, where will they get their sense of superiority from in the future? Also, they would have more competition that way.”

Many were silent as they agreed with her words. Hu Shengming who had been continually called ‘trash’ by his two older brothers felt it the most deeply. He who usually loved messing around gave a long, earnest sigh at this.

“Oh,” Tan Yao replied, “Then, if you know that you’ll be bullied if you go back home, why must you still go back anyway?”

Looking at him, Ye Qing asked, “You’re concerned about me? If you are, work hard and make something of yourself so that you’ll be able to take care of me in the future.”

Tan Yao exclaimed, “Who likes to care about you!”

After returning to Starry Splendour from the auction hall, half of those present in the private room directed their gazes at Xu Tingsheng while the other half stared at that safe.

The meaning concealed within their gazes was: Now that we’ve already acquired Plot No.4, what do we do next? ...We should be at the next step of your predictions and corresponding measures, right? It should be time to open the safe then.

They felt just like a party who had just returned from killing a boss monster.

“Things are finally settled. Whatever the case, everything went successfully,” Xu Tingsheng smiled relaxedly, next asking, “There’s nothing else, right? ...If there isn’t, let’s meet again after the new year. I wish you an early Happy New Year, everyone, and many happy returns. I won’t be calling and texting all you guys one by one when the time comes, then.”

“...”

After a short silence.

“That’s it? No follow-up arrangements?”

“I more or less have everything planned. As for whatever remains, it can wait till after the New Year. Let’s meet up again then. Right, the procedures. I’ll leave it to you guys to handle all the relevant procedures. I’ll be very busy for the upcoming period of time, after which I should be going home for the New Year.”

“You...what will you be busy with?”

“Finals!” Xu Tingsheng replied earnestly.

……

Xu Tingsheng made a trip back to his office at Hucheng that afternoon.

Taking out his key, Xu Tingsheng casually pushed at the door. He thought that as he wasn’t there and Lu Zhixin wasn’t there too, there should be no one in the office. He had never imagined that as soon as he pushed at the door, it would open.

Music, white blouse, short skirt, high-heeled shoes, stockings, messy hair…

Tang Yufei was actually dancing in there alone. He saw her in the midst of the most captivating segment of some sexy chair dancing.

“Excuse me.”

Xu Tingsheng closed the door and stepped back out of the room.

After a while, Tang Yufei said, “Alright, come in, Boss.”

As Xu Tingsheng entered his office, Tang Yufei had already packed everything up tidily and did not seem awkward or ill at ease at all.

“Sorry to interrupt you. I came by to get some stuff,” Xu Tingsheng said with a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth.

Tang Yufei covered her smile with the back of her hand, asking, “You wouldn’t fire me because of this, right?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I won’t. The company doesn’t seem to have a rule regarding this. When the company holds an annual meet in the future, you’re welcome to perform up on stage. After all, it’s said that as compared to individual enjoyment, collective enjoyment would be preferable.”

Tang Yufei shook her head, “No, I should just do this for individual enjoyment. Otherwise, I may not be able to get married in the future. Still, if Boss wants to watch, as your secretary, I wouldn’t mind throwing a private performance for you. Right here, right now.”

Chapter 324: Wrong place, right time

Looking at Tang Yufei, Xu Tingsheng automatically dismissed her joke, asking earnestly, “To be honest...what was that just now?”

“Woman, twenty-five, used to have a boyfriend but no longer...lonely, entertaining myself. While also telling myself look, how charming I am,” Tang Yufei earnestly replied.

“Aren’t you afraid that someone might suddenly come in?”

“I am! But things always happen where they shouldn’t happen. Still doing it even though you’re wary of being found out is even more interesting, even more stimulating. For example, if I do it in my bedroom with my door locked-how boring is that?! Actually, besides you, everyone else here would have to knock before entering. Zhixin said that you two have to properly prep for finals and handed this place to me. How could I have known that you’d come?”

“Well, true.”

“Still, when you saw me just now, I actually felt very stimulated...my heart was beating like crazy, so chaotically, so nervously. This sort of feeling is actually very good, you know? Life as a single woman is just too dull, like a stagnant pool of water. So, I’m actually fantasising now that earlier, you rushed in and pressed me down on the office table…”

Xu Tingsheng suffered a defeat. He would tease chicks in high spirits, yet end up totally helpless as he was teased back by them. Apple had bullied him just like this in the past.

He had a nervous expression on his face now.

Tang Yufei laughed, saying, “I know that you don’t dare. What a pity though! Actually, I don’t mind going to bed with a boss like you, next getting a sum of money or some other benefits.”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Oh? Aren’t you and Zhixin the best of friends?”

Tang Yufei replied, “That’s right, but these are unrelated. You should know that I worked at a foreign company before this and even dated a foreigner. My sense of values were influenced greatly as a result. It’s fine. I daren’t fall in love with you, anyway. Women who like you all end up very tragic, very pitiful.”

“Such a terrible evaluation, and so direct too?” Xu Tingsheng forced a smile.

“I’m just a little bit more intelligent and rational,” Tang Yufei replied.

Xu Tingsheng opened a drawer, searching for something.

“Should I go outside?” Tang Yufei asked.

“No, I’m leaving. You can continue…”

Xu Tingsheng stuffed a few items in his bag.

“Right. You’re welcome to suddenly push open the door and barge in again next time,” Tang Yufei said.

“Relax, I shouldn’t be coming over for a while,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Now where’s the fun in that? The caution and the tension’s gone. It’s gonna be boring,” Tang Yufei complained.

Xu Tingsheng closed the door, “Goodbye.”

From behind the closed door, Tang Yufei called, “Hey, you should treat Zhixin better. She used to be intelligent and rational too.”

……

Yanzhou University’s library was in the form of a clock tower. Xu Tingsheng had never taken notice of whether the clock on top accurately told the time or not.

The library had five storeys.

The first storey was a self-study room that was very, very huge. Still, with finals right around the corner, grabbing one’s seats beforehand was still necessary. The upper storeys contained some browsing rooms for books of different categories. Still, they could actually be used as self-study rooms too.

Half the room was filled with bookshelves and books while the other half was filled with tables and chairs.

In the browsing room of the social sciences section, Xu Tingsheng wore a black sweater as he sat opposite Lu Zhixin who was wearing a red down jacket.

“Look, I specially wore a black sweater to match with you today. Still, it turned out you changed your clothes,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Lu Zhixin shot him a look, “Have you ever seen a girl wear the same garment for four days in a row?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I just thought of something. Say, are people who seldom change their underwear or people who seldom change their jackets more dirty?”

“Huh? Why don’t they change them frequently? I…” Lu Zhixin paused for a moment before saying, “Don’t mention underwear. Stop making a ruckus, stop making a ruckus. Didn’t you come here to revise? If you continue making a ruckus, I really am going to flunk. I’ve some super difficult modules this semester.”

Xu Tingsheng could only quieten down and begin memorising the important points that Zhang Ninglang had copied down which he had photocopied.

After a while, looking at him, Lu Zhixin asked, “Xu Tingsheng, don’t you have to read things out when memorising them? How come your lips aren’t moving at all?”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “You’ve just noticed? I memorise things differently from other people. I just look through something once before immediately closing my eyes and trying to remember, trying my best to recall whatever I can. Then, I’ll look through it a second time before closing my eyes and trying to recall it again. It’s actually easier for me to focus this way. The efficiency is higher.”

Lu Zhixin said, “Let’s see...I’ll give it a go.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Don’t bother. It won’t work for you. This memorisation method of mine, I call ‘hardcore memorisation’. I tried teaching it to other people before, but it failed for all of them. This is because the vast majority of people don’t like the feeling of forcing themselves.”

“You taught it to others?”

“...My former students.”

Due to this matter, Xu Tingsheng suddenly recalled those students of his previous life. They should all be very young now, the bad apples still having yet to become bad apples, the living treasures still having yet to become living treasures. Those students who had once said to him, ‘Teacher, you changed my life’-who would their lives be changed by this time?

“Oh. I’ll try anyway,” Lu Zhixin said.

Lu Zhixin attempted using Xu Tingsheng’s memorisation method, looking through the contents once before forcing herself to recall them. She closed her eyes, raising her head slightly, biting her lips, furrowing her brows…

She looked really adorable.

Xu Tingsheng took her Hello Kitty mug and poured water for her, casually retrieving a magazine to read while he was at at it.

As she was concentrating hard, Lu Zhixin suddenly reached out and tugged at Xu Tingsheng’s sleeve. Then, when he looked up, she indicated with her gaze for him to look at two people off to the side, a couple who was seated side by side at a table along the wall.

Xu Tingsheng stole some glances at them before glancing back at Lu Zhixin and spreading his hands apart, indicating that he had not noticed anything abnormal going on there. The two had not kissed or hugged.

Lu Zhixin thought for a moment before throwing a pen on the ground and indicating for him to pick it up.

Bending down to pick up the pen, Xu Tingsheng glanced in the direction of that couple once more. Apparently, the two of them each only had one hand on the table, with the other being under the table as they felt up each other’s bodies.

Leaning horizontally down over the table and secretly observing them, Xu Tingsheng saw that the girl’s face was flushed red while the boy was breathing heavily.

Why did they have to do this in the library? Weren’t there fields and mini-forests outside? There were many small motels in the town too...it seemed to match with Tang Yufei’s words that things always happened where they should not, that still doing it despite one’s wariness of being found out was even more interesting, even more stimulating.

“Also...what does Lu Zhixin mean by this?”

Xu Tingsheng considered this for a moment before asking, “Student Lu, do you find this fun and want to share it with me or do you want to make use of this chance to play ruffian towards me or hint at something to me? ...Do you want me to come and move over to sit beside you then?”

Lu Zhixin vehemently shook her head, looking very nervous indeed.

Xu Tingsheng would generally accompany her in revising at the library these days. Not only did she change her clothes, the way she acted had changed too as she seemed like any normal girl from university who was in a relationship.

Only Tang Yufei was clearly aware of how when Lu Zhixin had left Xu Tingsheng’s side, she was still the same Lu Zhixin.

The first round of that lawsuit of ‘defamation’ against ‘Youxin’ soon ended, going not too well for them.

Lu Zhixin did not mind this as she said casually, “Send someone to negotiate with the parents of those two students. We could give them free tutoring or even cash. Then, we’ll arrange the lawyers and get them to sue ‘Youxin’. I want trouble to come endlessly for that ‘Youxin’.

Chapter 325: Going home

In the browsing room, as Xu Tingsheng pretended to shift his chair, Lu Zhixin extended an arm and blocked him in an incomparably nervous manner, exclaiming, “You...you...aren’t allowed to come over.”

The legs of the two accidentally touched beneath the table. Because they were thinking about strange things at the moment, both of them suddenly shivered, a feeling of numbness like an electric shock spreading through their entire bodies.

Lu Zhixin gingerly raised her head and looked up at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Why’re you spying on others? Can’t you diligently revise?”

He had raised his voice slightly as this was heard by the couple at the other table. The bodies of the two evidently jolted as their hands shot away from each other at rocket speed, being retracted and returned to the tabletop as they had awkward looks on their faces.

Not long after, the two packed up their things and left.

After this brief episode, Xu Tingsheng got up and went to the bookshelves to look for another book. Every time he retrieved one, he would lean against the bookshelf and casually flip through it lest he found out that he didn’t like it and had to walk back later on. In the end, he was left completely absorbed in a book as he simply forgot everything else and continued reading there by the bookshelves just like that.

Lu Zhixin had actually been rather focused after having gone in for revision. When she looked up again, she discovered that there were only a few people left beside her, Xu Tingsheng not being one of them.

When she finally found Xu Tingsheng amongst the bookshelves, she was already gasping for breath, feeling slightly pained with an extremely panicked and nervous expression on her face.

Looking at her, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Just where did you run off to to look for me?”

“The whole building,” Lu Zhixin replied, panting breathlessly.

“Why didn’t you look somewhere nearer first?”

“Maybe it’s because...I always have this feeling that you might suddenly...leave me behind and walk away. Go very far away.”

Xu Tingsheng thought inwardly, “Dang, so she’s gonna talk to me about the future? It hasn’t reached the point where I have to take responsibility, right? Why does it feel like a wife who’s speaking to her husband whom she suspects to be cheating on her?”

He asked, “What, you want to kick me away and claim Hucheng for yourself?”

Looking at him, Lu Zhixin calmed her emotions, “You scared? I’ve nearly made you redundant. Actually, there are many people in the company who say this. Most of the companies or the media entities that we’re working together with only know me, not knowing about you.”

“If you really need to do that someday, tell me about it,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Right, I’ve helped you to buy back your family’s villa. The relevant articles are below the coffee table in the living room. I was originally going to give it to you on your birthday, but now that I think about it, it would work as a New Year’s gift too.”

Lu Zhixin looked dazedly at Xu Tingsheng.

“It isn’t that expensive, just a few million yuan. Consider it your year-end bonus. It’s been tough on you this past year,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Due to the matter of that contract from back then, I knew that your family might face difficulties as a result. I got someone to check it out later and learnt that you had sold your house. I was overcome by sentimentality for a moment...and so bought it back.”

Lu Zhixin said, “Right.”

The cleaning aunty knocked the dustpan with the broom, shouting, “Are you leaving or not? If you want to flirt, go outside! I’m going to lock the door.”

The two awkwardly fled the browsing room in a haste.

There was a small forested area between the library and the dormitory district, with water, a bridge, and a small pavilion. Lu Zhixin had been staying at her dorm too recently. While her major had changed, she had not moved to another dormitory as she was still staying at her original one from English.

Ever since moving into the riverside residence and making that application this past year, Lu Zhixin had rarely returned there. As she had often been seen with Xu Tingsheng recently, the nighttime talk amongst she and her roommates and good friends often focused on this matter.

In asking about the two, they did not ask about Xu Tingsheng’s virtually legendary achievements in the business arena. Instead, they were more concerned with Xu Tingsheng’s private affairs, such as his likes and living habits and whether he had any eccentricities or maybe fetishes.

For that…Lu Zhixin was actually aware of some things. Still, she couldn’t say it.

There were more crude discussions about love affairs as Lu Zhixin had even been asked how good Xu Tingsheng’s performance was in that area.

The vanity of girls could never be avoided. Lu Zhixin did not reveal the actual state of affairs between the two as she neither affirmed nor denied things, tacitly hinting at some matters possibly being true. Once in a while, she even shared some interesting anecdotes about Xu Tingsheng, such as how he was great at cooking, and how he had washed all the clothes that one particular time.

Lu Zhixin felt that she was already getting more and more enamoured by this feeling of possessing Xu Tingsheng.

As they spied the pavilion in front of them, Lu Zhixin said in a very soft voice, “Let’s sit for a while.”

When the two were seated, Lu Zhixin said quite emotionally, “It’s been a year, Xu Tingsheng. I’ve clung to you for a year. I remember back when I gave you a scarf, when I duped you into confessing with me with a rose, when you said you minded when I proposed a plan for you to acquire that training institute...”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Hey, I’m actually not that handsome.”

Lu Zhixin smiled too, replying, “You’re just a little short, so much so that I daren’t buy high-heeled shoes anymore.”

“It’s you who are too tall, right? It should be a crime for girls to go over 1.7m,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Anyway, a young girl like you-why’d you even go buying high-heeled shoes anyway?”

“Do you know? Xu Tingsheng, I love you calling me a young girl the most,” Lu Zhixin brought her legs over and sat sideways with her back against Xu Tingsheng, “You’ve actually changed so much over the past year. You’re much more confident, and your...lofty bearing has also risen greatly. I went from thinking that I was helping you and guiding you to discovering that sometime along the way, I had actually already come to follow you and rely on you. There is a sort of blind trust towards you in our company, you know? Even I feel like I’ve been infected by it somewhat.”

Xu Tingsheng considered it for a moment before speaking like he was reading off a passage, “Actually, all my assuming of responsibilities stems from my sense of inferiority. All my heroic spirit comes from the weakness in my heart; all the confident proclamations are because my heart is filled with doubt and fear…”

“Huh?”

“A passage from a book. Nothing you need to know.”

Actually, there might only be Xu Tingsheng who had lived two lives on two diametrically different paths who could understand this. For example, his ‘ruthlessness’ in Ding Sen’s matter actually stemmed precisely from his ‘weakness’ and fear as an all-out, no-holds-barred counterattack from a former weakling who had suffered a threat to his life.

The valiant warrior who did not fear death as he raised his weapon and battled the giant fought because...he feared death.

“Right,” Lu Zhixin said, “Over the past year, everyone’s been thinking that I’m your girlfriend. Only I myself know that I’m just a little more than your employee. Xu Tingsheng, I really feel aggrieved. I feel aggrieved to death.”

The greatest injustice was that looking at all those who stood beside Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin was the one who had helped Xu Tingsheng the most, having put in the most effort in doing so. Yet, she had actually received very little in return, especially in the reciprocation of her feelings.

Not waiting for him to answer, Lu Zhixin said, “Sing me a song, Rebirth’s Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng turned to look at her, “Since when have you known?”

“A long time ago. I may have been one of the earliest to know. I knew it even before I gave you that scarf. I even knew then that you were in the midst of building Hucheng’s platform. So, you should understand what I want to be honest with you about, right, Xu Tingsheng?”

Lu Zhixin was being honest with Xu Tingsheng. She had once approached him with ulterior motives in mind as she sought to profit off him. This was why she had said it was a secret having been asked the reason by him.

The mystery was finally unravelled.

“Are you angry? Do you hate me even more now?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“Which song do you want to hear?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Lu Zhixin knew that she had wagered right as she said happily, “Hmm...you knit a woolen sweater for a freaking fool…”

“It wasn’t because of this that you knitted me a scarf back then, right?”

“I really hadn’t heard this song at the time.”

After Xu Tingsheng had finished singing the song, it was already very late.

“Walk with me to my dormitory building,” Lu Zhixin said.

Xu Tingsheng sent Lu Zhixin to the entrance of her dormitory building.

After saying goodbye, Lu Zhixin tugged at him, venturing, “Also…”

“Also what?”

“My roommates said that you haven’t invited them for a meal yet. All their boyfriends have invited our entire dorm room for a meal before. They’d like to have dinner at the riverside residence tomorrow night, is that okay?”

The next day.

Xu Tingsheng personally cooked a great many dishes.

Hearing her roommates praising Xu Tingsheng, even if they were trying their hardest to pick out tiny faults of his, Lu Zhixin was very happy. She consumed a lot of alcohol that night…

A year had passed.

……

After finals were over, Xu Tingsheng set off straight for Shenghai. He had quite a few matters to handle there which would take him around a dozen days or so.

When Xu Tingsheng was packing his things at the riverside residence, Dongdong ran over with a bead of dog food in his mouth and dropped it into his luggage. Then, he nudged him with his head.

Xu Tingsheng was greatly touched by this rare display of closeness.

Xu Tingsheng met up with Little Xiang Ning that afternoon. He told her that he was going home and narrated Dongdong’s lovable action from earlier. He also gave her the handmade necklace which he had brought back from France.

As the school did not allow her to wear accessories, Little Xiang Ning put it on and looked at it for a while before putting it inside her pocket and asking innocently, “Have you finished taking care of those things you said last time?”

Xu Tingsheng did not know how he should respond to this.

“What about those things I asked you to do then? Can you do them? Looking into his eyes, Little Xiang Ning asked.

Xiang Ning had previously mentioned two things. One of them was that she would not allow him to continue liking Big Xiang Ning. Xu Tingsheng only felt this to be interesting. He had no way of accomplishing this, nor was there a need for him to do so.

The other matter that Little Xiang Ning had asked of him was: Can you get my Mum and Dad to like you again?”

Xu Tingsheng told her, “It’ll be very soon. I’m working on it.”

……

Before he left, Xu Tingsheng terminated Hucheng’s contract with the team which had previously been given to him using the authority of Hucheng’s boss. Then, he brought these eleven people over with him to Shenghai.

Tang Yufei had considered asking Lu Zhixin about this before, but Lu Zhixin had been happy as a lark over this period of time. She eventually still decided against asking her.

Huang Yaming would be staying behind in Yanzhou to continue the preparations for his and Tan Yao’s upcoming bar. The design team which had been introduced by Tianyi had already arrived.

He might only be returning on the last few days of the year.

As for Tan Yao, few people knew that he actually had no home to return to in the first place.

Xu Tingsheng asked, “How have you passed the past New Years?”

Tan Yao forced a smile, “I return to the welfare institute for a look sometimes. Most of the time, I will work at a place where room and board is provided. People usually pay more during the New Year, and so I’m able to earn some money.”

“It’s the worst on the last day of the year. All the stores are closed and I can’t manage to ask any chicks out too. I can only eat some cup noodles while others are eating their reunion dinner and then go to the streets to watch the fireworks alone.”

“You should follow Huang Yaming back to Libei. Come to my house to pass the New Year,” Xu Tingsheng offered.

“I’ll think about it,” Tan Yao replied.

Fu Cheng took that sweater which had once been stained in blood and set off once again for Ms Fang’s hometown in Hunan.

“I think that she might go back to her hometown for the New Year. Now that she’s married, she’s got to bring her husband back for a look around, right? Relax, I won’t disturb her. If that really is the case, I’ll just watch on from afar,” He said.

On the train back home, Song Ni sent a text to Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng, Apple and Ms Fang’s old number which was already no longer in use now.

“It was the eleventh then, and there were six of us. There’s just me this time. The people sitting over there are playing cards. I want to play too…”

Chapter 326: Another year passes

It was the day before the eve of the Lunar New Year when Xu Tingsheng returned to Libei. Mrs Xu had called everyday to rush him at first. Seeing that it just wasn’t working, she had simply stopped calling him, being in a huff as she refused to answer even when he called her back.

It was around 4pm when Xu Tingsheng entered the courtyard of the small, newly-built villa which was located not far away from their old house.

Mr Xu sat on a small wooden stool as he was in the midst of fixing a hoe which was getting rather loose, using a hammer to insert a nail into where the head of the hoe met its wooden handle after which he waved it a few times to test it out.

Mrs Xu was peeling winter bamboo shoots as they covered the floor beside her.

His little sister, Xu Qiuyu, was lying back on a reclining chair, lazily flipping through a book. Actually, her attention seemed not fully on it as she looked like she might fall asleep at any moment.

How did this remotely resemble a scene from the home of a family whose wealth had reached the hundred millions? It was clearly just an ordinary, humble farming family. Of course, days like these perhaps weren’t actually many.

It was just that the New Year allowed one to return to their roots.

“Yo, I’m back!” Having been paid no attention, Xu Tingsheng enthusiastically gave himself a warm welcome.

Xu Qiuyi tilted her head and glanced at him before ignoring him and turning away with a very disdainful look on her face. As for whether this was because her brother had returned late or due to her beloved senior Wu Yuewei, Xu Tingsheng dared not inquire into it.

“Mum, I’m back.”

Xu Tingsheng put down his bag and went over to Mrs Xu’s side, squatting down and helping her with peeling the winter bamboo shoots.

Mrs Xu raised her head and glanced at him, muttering, “And I’d almost forgotten that I have a son.”

Xu Tingsheng shot a pleading glance at his father. Mr Xu just smiled, not saying anything.

He surely would not dare to speak up on Xu Tingsheng’s behalf at a time like this. As Happy Shoppers gradually developed, the time that Mr Xu spent at home had also diminished greatly. Currently, the state of affairs was such that he might be drawn into the line of fire if he wasn’t careful.

Overall, father and son did not have a very high position in their family at the moment.

Xu Tingsheng was ranked last, Mr Xu second last.

After a while, Zhong Wusheng brought Sis Jia back from a prenatal checkup. Only then did Xu Tingsheng find someone who was willing to talk to him.

Actually, Zhong Wusheng had already bought a house in the county two plus months ago, with the renovation having been completed as well. Still, as Sis Jia was expecting and Mrs Xu was afraid that he as a man would not be able to take care of her properly, she had persuaded the two of them to stay, only moving over to their new home after Sis Jia had spent a month or so recuperating from childbirth.

“Tingsheng, you should find one fast after graduating from university,” Holding her big stomach, Sis Jia smiled at Xu Tingsheng, “Auntie has treasured even me this much. She’ll definitely be even more diligent with her daughter-in-law then. As I see it, Auntie already really desires a grandchild.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying nothing. He secretly stole a glance at Mrs Xu, his mood instantly turning rather complex.

In his previous life, his father had died rather early on. Due to their deep relationship, his mother had staunchly held on, single-handedly and painstakingly raising her daughter and son.

As a traditional woman, she naturally hoped for the extension of the Xu family’s bloodline. Otherwise, she would not be able to account for things to Mr Xu.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng had not married even at the age of thirty-one. Mrs Xu knew that he was troubled and dared not press him. Still, that envious expression and those helplessly unsaid words every time she looked at other people’s grandchildren, that sigh every time she prayed to Mr Xu...Xu Tingsheng had actually seen and heard all of it.

It was deep guilt and pain that he was feeling.

Mrs Xu heard Sis Jia’s words too.

“But of course! When the year has passed, he will be twenty-one already. If he weren’t attending university, now would be the time for him to marry and have children. Those in the village of the same age as him who aren’t attending university-two of them already have kids,” Mrs Xu said.

“I hear that even university students can get married and have kids now? I remember hearing before that it’s allowed by the country,” Zhong Wusheng said.

“Really?” Mrs Xu rubbed her hands and stood up, looking enthusiastically at Zhong Wusheng.

Receiving a definite response, Mrs Xu waved a hand with a flourish, “Well, how great! Hurry up then, lest I’m so free at home everyday that I don’t know what to do. Anyway, with me watching over things, it won’t hinder you from attending university. Also, you father and son have forged such a large family business-isn’t it to be passed down generation by generation to your later descendants? What would it be for otherwise? ..There’s more than enough for we ourselves anyway.”

Mrs Xu did not seem to be joking. In this life, with the Xu family doing so well, she was already living a carefree, peaceful life very early on. It seemed like she really was ‘so free at home she didn’t know what to do’, hence desiring a grandchild prematurely now.

Also, Mrs Xu was a traditional woman, having lived all her life in a village environment where even the tiled house and tiny plot of land were things to be passed down from generation to generation. As she saw it, familial assets were meant to be passed down. Otherwise, they would be completely meaningless.

Moreover, the Xu family’s current assets were so great.

At this moment, Xu Tingsheng suddenly remembered that agreement with Li Wan’er who was far away in Milan, she who had personally said that she wanted to give birth to a child for him. Within his mind unconsciously surfaced scenes of her coming to Libei and sitting in this very courtyard with a bulging belly as she was then doted on by Mrs Xu like a precious treasure…

“Don’t you agree, Tingsheng’s Dad?”

Seeing that Xu Tingsheng wasn’t saying anything, Mrs Xu switched to asking Mr Xu instead.

Mr Xu said utterly without principles, “That’s fine too.”

……

Fu Cheng returned disappointed once more.

Soon, Huang Yaming returned too.

Xu Tingsheng did not go out to meet with them as he tried hard to put up a good performance at home. It was only on the night of New Year’s Eve that he had finally regained a bit of a position in his family and he was no longer completely ignored at the dining table.

As compared to last year, the atmosphere at the Xu family home was not so bustling this year. Still, it was warmer and much more comfortable this time.

They had invited Happy Shoppers’ core employees and their friends for a meal in the afternoon this time, not at a hotel but at their home. Mrs Xu personally cooked while Mr Xu and his two children were responsible for serving the dishes. This seemed to have gradually become customary for the Xu family’s Happy Shoppers, a sort of culture for their enterprise.

The Xu family ate their reunion dinner that night merely with Zhong Wusheng and Sis Jia.

Having seen them several times in his previous life anyway, Xu Tingsheng basically did not watch much of the New Year Gala after dinner. He was just exchanging texts as well as calls.

Apple was passing the New Year alone in America. As they spoke on the phone, she said that Chinese Americans had quite the atmosphere during the Lunar New Year too. Also, the team from Tianyi had already come over, locating the best recording studio in New York. She had already begun recording the songs for her album.

Xu Tingsheng had previously sent her four songs via email. Adding on the song that he had initially left for her at Tianyi, there were five of them in total.

Still, having already gained a rather complete conceptual understanding of her own music, in consideration of the numerous styles and overall concept of the album, Apple had given up on two of them.

There was actually another reason why she could be this ‘arrogant’. Tianyi had indeed spared no effort in collecting songs for her debut album as they were willing to spend the money and make use of their connections.

Xu Tingsheng had inquired a little into this and learnt that two of these songs had actually been written by Tanya Chua. He was also aware that one of them would definitely be super popular.

Remaining in Nice, Ye Yingjing sent over a simple New Year’s greeting, and Xu Tingsheng returned a simple response in kind. The two tacitly left the matter of those photos unsaid.

Instead, when Mrs Xu received New Year’s wishes from Ye Yingjing via phone, the two chatted enthusiastically for a long time. When Mrs Xu asked, “I heard that you can get married and give birth to children in university now. Is that true?”

Xu Tingsheng felt so on edge, not knowing whether Ye Yingjing might be feeling awkward over there and how she might have responded.

Chapter 327: Education bursary

Lu Zhixin had gone to Hong Kong to accompany her father for the New Year. The two exchanged simple greetings via text.

Despite having been invited by Xu Tingsheng previously, Tan Yao still remained in Yanzhou in the end. Perhaps watching another family’s warm reunion was easier to evoke sadness in him.

When Xu Tingsheng called him, Ye Qing’s voice resounded from the side over on the other end of the phone.

Xu Tingsheng was stunned.

Tan Yao explained that Ye Qing had argued a little with her older brother during their reunion dinner and left soon afterwards. Since they were both all alone anyway, they had somehow ended up together.

“Don’t misunderstand, Bro Xu. I’m actually bothered to death by her,” Tan Yao said.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, replying, “I’m misunderstanding nothing. Don’t argue on New Year’s Eve, you guys. Actually, being able to argue with Ye Qing is already crazy in itself, you know. You’re probably the only one amongst the hundreds of thousands of men in Yanzhou who can, man.”

After hesitating for a long time, Xu Tingsheng sent Li Wan’er a text: Happy New Year. Being alone by yourself outside, you’ve got to take good care of yourself. Remember to tell me if anything crops up.

Li Wan’er soon replied: Right, I will take good care of myself. Happy New Year! You’re a year older again. How good it would be if I wasn’t turning a year older too.

It was around 12am that he received Little Xiang Ning’s call. She made use of when they were standing by time and her parents were asleep to secretly make this call. Amidst the intermittent sound of exploding fireworks, the two chatted for ten plus minutes about just some minor issues in their lives and their studies.

As for Wu Yuewei, he had not expected that after that previous parting, there would really not be even a single greeting that was exchanged between then.

……

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Xu Tingsheng accompanied the elders of his family in playing a whole day of mahjong and lost more than ten thousand yuan.

It was just him who was losing the entire day. As everyone else was winning money, they were happy, and with that, he was happy too.

Just a year ago, he had still received red packets. This year, he was already beginning to give red packets to those children who were younger than him. As for the red packets for his elders, these were respectfully offered up to them at the mahjong table.

The only thing that Xu Tingsheng felt a little troubled about was this: His fortunes didn’t seem to be so great at the start of this new year. A year ago, just a few random hands by him had seen heavenly wins and earthly wins coming in.

He recalled the 2005 of his previous life. His life had just been simple and ordinary, with no real fortunes so to speak of.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Xu Tingsheng was woken up early in the morning by Mr Xu. Father and son raised their hoes and went to plant potatoes in the field.

Seeing the Xu father and son who had struck it rich personally weeding the soil, ploughing the field, digging the pits, planting the seeds and adding fertiliser...many had congregated on the footpaths between fields watching them farming, all flocking over as if going to the market.

Over the next few days, Xu Tingsheng was brought along by Mr Xu in doing various kinds of farming work, having even cultivated many new vegetable fields. Besides the area that was close to the foot of the mountain which Xu Tingsheng vehemently refused they go near to, basically none of the land belonging to the Xu family was left untended to.

After the final plot of land had been cultivated, father and son soaked their hoes in the river water, sitting on the embankment between fields.

This had actually happened too when Xu Tingsheng was young. Transplanting rice seedlings, beating the paddy-he had actually experienced a little of all aspects of farming work. From time to time, he could still remember the stinging feeling as his sweat trickled down his arms that had cuts left on them from the paddy.

They left for home with their hoes on their backs.

Mr Xu asked, “How is it? After doing a bit of farming, the pressure’s no longer that great, right? Your heart settles right down along with it.”

Only now did Xu Tingsheng understand Mr Xu’s motives. Thinking back on it, as he had trodden in the mud, gotten calluses on his hands and had sweat trickle down his body these past few days, he had returned home exhausted and sore all over everyday before devouring his food ravenously and falling dead asleep. He had not had the time to think useless thoughts at all, having lacked the energy to even dream as he had soundly slept all the way till daybreak.

The pressure and stress accumulated over this past year, especially in recent days considering the fear evoked within him by Ding Sen’s incident, was indeed gradually fading.

“Dad, your level of cultivation can nearly be compared to Tao Yuanming’s now,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Mr Xu stroked Xu Tingsheng’s head, “Your Dad doesn’t know this Tao Yuanming guy. I just know that developing too fast and changing too much, people will inevitably end up drifting somewhat. That being the case, we should let ourselves stand practically on the ground when we have the time. The emperors of ancient times even put their hand to the plough! We father and son have got to keep stable here.”

Looking at his father and that mountain in the distance, Xu Tingsheng said, “Dad, you’ve got to live to a ripe old age in this lifetime. Otherwise, I don’t know if I might stray off the path, walking far away. I really wouldn’t be able to manage without you.”

Mr Xu laughed heartily, replying, “Fine.”

On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, a few days before her expected date of delivery, Tao Jiaxiu successfully gave birth to a pair of twin sisters as Zhong Wusheng officially became a father.

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng argued over who would be their godfather for a very long time. In the end, it was Mr Xu who sealed the deal, decisively seizing this honour.

Logically speaking, there could be more than just one godfather. Still, with Mr Xu having become their godfather...Xu Tingsheng? He could only gain a pair of little sisters here.

Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng successively lost their qualifications as they could only obediently become godbrothers.

With such a lineup of godfather and godbrothers in Libei, how esteemed were these two little girls? How envious must one be of them?

Zhong Wusheng felt triumphant with the rising of his seniority as apart from looking at his precious daughter, he spent all his remaining time chasing Xu Tingsheng’s trio around and forcing them to address him as Uncle.

The few of them thought about it for two whole days before finally deciding on names for the adorable twins: Zhong Lin, Zhong Li.

That night, after Sis Jia and their two children had settled down in bed, Zhong Wusheng sat in the courtyard outside and began soundlessly weeping all alone.

His entire life after his adolescent years, from when he had retired from the army and met Tao Jiaxia at an insensible age, to when he had acted rashly and gone to jail, to that hard to come by reunion...the two had not had it easy afterwards as he had even helplessly been forced to participate in illegal boxing matches for a livelihood for a time…

Who would have thought that such a day would come, with such a twist in fate and such a blissful life.

“This life of mine belongs to the Xu family.”

……

On the eleventh day of the first lunar month, Huang Yaming returned prematurely from Libei to Yanzhou to continue preparing for the opening of his bar.

Having nothing to do anyway, Fu Cheng had originally been thinking of staying for a few more days. However, after his family suddenly arranged a matchmaking session for him out of the blue with the daughter of a Department Chief, he promptly escaped off with Huang Yaming.

Xu Tingsheng naturally wanted to go along with them. Still, Mr Xu asked him to stay till the sixteenth.

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, the Xu family would be officially launching an education bursary at Libei Senior High as a ceremony was to be held there.

The Xu family planned to take out five hundred thousand yuan for an education bursary every year, assisting the poor students of Libei County from primary school all the way to university as they learned and grew.

Libei Senior High would be receiving two hundred thousand of the funds. The remaining thirty thousand would be split amongst the various primary schools every year based on the actual situation on the ground.

Xu Tingsheng shamelessly kicked up a fuss and finally managed to worm his way out of going up on stage to speak. While he was very supportive of this matter, he did not want to participate too much in it. There was only one thing that he was insistent on, which was concentrating the funds of the education bursary on the children of single parent families, helping them out as much as possible.

Mr Xu was not against this. Still, he felt rather curious as to why Xu Tingsheng had such considerations and was so insistent on this too.

Xu Tingsheng could only use the situations of Apple and Lu Zhixin as examples in explaining things to Mr Xu. The two of them had both ended up in single parent families from around the age of ten.

While the trajectories of their lives were ultimately different as their personalities were different as well, it was indisputable that the two had actually both been influenced greatly by this kind of life. At a certain level, their mental health was not all that good and sound. For instance, both of them seriously lacked a sense of security.

In the face of this, Apple had chosen to look for someone to rely on to protect her, only having gradually experienced a qualitative change over the past half year.

As for Lu Zhixin, she was at the extreme of independence to protect herself as she sought to control everything, including people, for only then would she be able to feel at ease.

Mr Xu gave his agreement.

Chapter 328: The Xu family is very tyrannical

Xu Tingsheng planned to listen to the words being said from amongst the audience. He even insisted on having the seat that had been arranged for him up on stage removed.

This was not narcissism. Xu Tingsheng was very clear on the fact that if he were to go up on stage, Libei Senior High would blow up.

After all, everything about their ‘senior’ was just too legendary for this tiny Libei Senior High. Besides their ‘Qingbei senior’ Wu Yuewei, there was no one in the past twenty years of the school’s history who had the qualifications to be discussed alongside him.

In truth, in Libei Senior High, the two of them were indeed often discussed together…

It was said that...there was much that had happened between the two...that brick of love which feared not SARS...that Qingbei which was nearly given up on for love…

When speaking on the podium once, Vice-Principal Lou had even gotten carried away and said something wrong: That ‘Golden boy, Jade girl’ pair from our Libei Senior High...oh wait, what am I saying? Hey, you people aren’t allowed to enter a relationship early…”

“I heard that there was already an agreement between seniors Xu Tingsheng and Wu Yuewei in junior high. They should already be together now?”

“Probably. Still, I heard that senior is quite a playboy! There are more rumours than that in our school! Also, they are in different lands now, and men easily turn rotten when they’re rich, so there’s still no saying for sure.”

“Actually, we could ask senior Xu Qiuyi about it! She’s senior Xu Tingsheng’s sister and should definitely know.”

“You go, ask her if you dare...she’s the number one person in Libei Senior High that no one can afford to offend! Even all those hoodlums have to step aside when they see her…still, I hear that senior seems to be quite a friendly person.”

“Even so, asking her about her brother’s private affairs wouldn’t be good, right?”

“...”

Actually, besides Xu Tingsheng and Wu Yuewei, there was also another hot topic in Libei Senior High. Still, this topic was taboo in the eyes of Libei Senior High’s teachers and higher echelons, even though in actuality, they paid similar attention to it and brought it up every once in a while.

That male student named Fu Cheng and his Ms Fang.

The bloodstained ground at the back gate of the school, how he had knelt down on the podium…

And that day, when they had walked through the entire campus of Libei Senior High with their arms interlinked...this was publicly acclaimed as the coolest, most daring incident in the history of Libei Senior High…

“How are they now?”

Many people wanted to ask about this, yet had no one to ask...there were only those groundless rumors all around campus…

If Xu Tingsheng went up on stage, where there would be a free question segment...those things about himself, and those things about Fu Cheng and Ms Fang...chaos would probably descend in Libei Senior High.

……

Xu Tingsheng thought that this matter had basically been settled just like that.

However, when he arrived at Libei Senior High and read the documents of the education bursary in detail, seeing the name of the person in charge of dispensing all those funds...

Hu Xianyang.

The current chairman of Libei Senior High’s Student Affairs office. In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, he had later also become the principal of Libei Senior High and the vice-chairman of Libei County’s local bureaucracy. During his ten years in power, he had been corrupt and lawless, a scumbag who had been a scourge to around ten young female teachers and students.

In this lifetime, due to Xu Tingsheng, his rise to power seemed to have been temporarily stymied as he was currently still just the chairman of the Student Affairs office. He seemed to have been restraining himself in his actions rather well usually.

Still, what if he were to grasp the authority that came with the education bursary?

Xu Tingsheng recalled that shady scholarship site from his previous life. That so-called public welfare website had become a tool for profit and threatening poor female students. With the donations of the wealthy, those ‘benevolent altruists’ had utilised the scholarship and prize monies to threaten and violate numerous poor girls, several of whom had been underage.

This website had existed for nine years before being exposed...those were an incomparably filthy nine years.

As a teacher, Xu Tingsheng had been incomparably enraged as he had heard about it then.

In this life, Xu Tingsheng had always been keeping an eye out such that as soon as something like this seemed about to occur, he would destroy it at once, including its creator who had once been greatly renowned and respected by many.

Giving the authority for dispensing the funds of the education bursary to Hu Xianyang under these circumstances?

Xu Tingsheng’s benevolence might end up like the altruists of his previous life who, with their enthusiasm about scholarships, had ended up becoming the tools of all those utter scumbags.

Therefore, using him was out of the question.

Inside the meeting room, in front of the various important figures, Xu Tingsheng stood up, leaving the man no face at all as he cut to the chase, “Well, everything else is fine. Still, the person in charge of managing the funds must change.”

Everyone there looked at him, the higher-ups of Libei Senior High and the important figures of the Education Bureau, including the Vice County Head who oversaw education.

“Tingsheng...you...have to give a reason for this, right? Chairman Hu has experience in this area and is very capable too. He was approved as a candidate by our school and the various higher-ups of the Bureau. Previously, your father also...didn’t disagree to this.”

After a moment’s silence, it was Vice-Principal Lou who was the closest with the Xu family who asked Xu Tingsheng this. There was no one more appropriate than him to do so here. Even the Bureau Chief of the Education Bureau and the Vice County Head weren’t sufficiently qualified to speak before the Xu family now.

Having no evidence on hand, Xu Tingsheng actually couldn’t give a reason.

Therefore, he said, “Sorry, Uncle Lou, I cannot give a reason. Still, this education fund is established by my Xu family. I believe that I have the authority to decide on the one in charge.”

Everyone was stunned for a time. The humble and magnanimous Xu Jianliang and the genial and polite Xu Tingsheng-the Xu father and son had had always given off the feeling of being refreshing as the spring breeze. How was it that they were being just so overbearing now?!

As the one involved in the matter, Hu Xianyang stood up, feigning a joking tone, “Tingsheng, this wouldn’t be because of that punishment I gave you that year and those words I said to Boss Xu in the office, right? I did apologise for this afterwards! Look...it’s already been such a long time. You really shouldn’t make things hard for me here.”

He spoke deferentially here, not emphasising on how Xu Tingsheng had indeed committed faults then as he just apologised.

He, the Chairman of the Student Affairs office, had apologised to a student. However capable you are, however rich and powerful, you would be going too far if you refuse to accept such an apology, right?

Hu Xianyang successfully ‘attained’ a position which would be sympathised with.

Actually, if Hu Xianyang had righteously argued against this unreasonable decision even if it could mean losing this job, Xu Tingsheng might change his view of him a little as a result. He might feel that he was actually not all that decadent now when he had still yet to attain all that power and authority.

Now, though, it was clear that Hu Xianyang could not bear to give up on this opportunity. As he saw it, the position of the manager of this fund was a great stepping stone which he could use to climb higher.

He had even fantasised about thereby entering the good graces of the Xu family.

Therefore, he dared not as well as could not bear to offend Xu Tingsheng, thus ‘claiming submission to seek for safety’.

Facing Hu Xiangyang’s ‘wronged yet helpless’ as well as ‘magnanimous’ gaze as well as the puzzlement of everyone else who was clearly unhappy but worked hard to suppress it as they dared not show it, Xu Tingsheng smiled, replying, “Well, let’s just go with this reason then.”

Let’s just go with this reason then? This meant: That’s right, you offended me before. I’m petty and remember grudges, and so you can dream on.

How tyrannical!

How unreasonable!

Chapter 329: The popular Mr Xu

So tyrannical!

So unreasonable!

But so what? Like Xu Tingsheng had said, the money was from the Xu family. Was it that the Xu family had not the authority to even decide who the money was managed by?

Also, there was the Xu family’s power to consider.

In terms of wealth, the Xu father and son’s combined assets had already long since surpassed the concept of Libei’s richest.

In terms of power and background, who had forgotten how the Huang family who had ruled Libei for decades had fallen? Who had not heard of those rumoured calls from the provincial congress? Who could forget those all-encompassing fireworks which had illuminated half the sky of Libei during New Year’s Eve last year?

There had been no fireworks this year.

In Libei, besides many generous sponsorships and participating in the building of bridges and the paving of paths, the Xu family had kept a very low profile this year, never having flaunted their power or flashed their fists at anyone…

Still, as others saw it, this was only because the Xu family already no longer needed to do so.

No one was foolish enough to believe that they could really tug at the whiskers of the tiger that was the Xu family.

No one spoke.

“Pressuring others with power...you indeed feel much heartier than if you win others over with reason or virtue...the main thing is that I really can’t show that I’m on the side of reason now!”

While Xu Tingsheng had a calm expression on his face, he was actually inwardly smiling helplessly to himself.

“If Old Jin were here right now, he’d definitely say, Dang! You own them, kid! Hey, now that I think about it, how tyrannical will Little Jinshan, that little bastard, be in the future?”

No one knew what Xu Tingsheng was thinking.

Since they already had no way of communicating with Xu Tingsheng, everyone in the meeting room successively directed their gazes at Mr Xu who had been a silent spectator by the side.

Mr Xu drank a mouthful of tea, saying, “Let’s do as Tingsheng says then. We’ll handle the opening ceremony first. The person in charge of managing it can be decided later on.”

He said so mildly before standing up as he was the first to exit the room.

No one knows a son’s heart better than his father. As Mr Xu understood Xu Tingsheng’s character, even though there was no way for him to inquire about the specific reason now, he still believed that Xu Tingsheng would not have done this without a good reason.

A stunned silence ensued.

This was how everyone else reacted.

Like them, Hu Xianyang dared not utter a voice of complaint.

……

The ceremony had yet to begin. The students were still in the midst of streaming into the venue.

As Xu Tingsheng was standing outside alone and smoking a cigarette, Vice-Principal Lou walked over, putting a hand on his shoulder as he enquired in a low tone, “Tingsheng, what exactly is this about? Tell me about it, be honest.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before replying, “It’s nothing much, actually. It’s just that when I was still a student, I heard some things to do with Chairman Hu. They weren’t speaking too well of him. I’m afraid that if I were to hand this sum of money and authority to him...it might not be that appropriate?”

Unexpectedly, Vice-Principal Lou did not speak as he furrowed his brows, seemingly in deep thought.

Xu Tingsheng observed his expression for a time, “Could it be that you heard some stuff too, Uncle Lou?”

“I can’t really say anything when there’s no proof. Also, Chairman Hu’s usual performance is indeed not bad. He knows what to do and what not to do...the higher-ups all rather like him,” Vice-Principal Lou said.

“Then...investigate him in private first?” Xu Tingsheng ventured, not knowing if Vice-Principal Lou would be willing to do something like this which was risky yet would not benefit him at all.

Vice-Principal Lou did not disappoint him as he nodded in agreement.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it for a moment before reminding him, “It’s fine if you investigate him secretly by yourself, but you definitely shouldn’t try to probe him or set up some kind of scheme for him...to be honest, I don’t think that you are his match in scheming, Uncle Lou.”

After saying so, he hurriedly added, “No offence, Uncle Lou!”

Vice-Principal Lou grinned, saying, “Do I need you to tell me that? Do you know what the most important thing is in someone like me actually being able to rise up the ranks? It’s because I’m well aware of the fact that I can’t scheme and plot. In that case, I might as well act out a foolish person to the max.”

“In the end, guess what? It ends up that things usually go in such a way. Everyone else goes around conniving and scheming like there’s no tomorrow, neither giving in to the other. In the end, both sides end up in a stalemate. The higher-ups see that I am the most harmless...and the benefits end up falling to me just like that.”

“Uncle Lou has great wisdom,” Xu Tingsheng said flatteringly as he felt at ease now.

As compared to the people who schemed and plotted every step of the way, it was those who had sufficient self-awareness and knew to go with the flow who really possessed great wisdom. Also, while Uncle Lou had put it this way, wouldn’t he need the ability to seize opportunities too?

Those with great wisdom only appear foolish.

……

There were no corporate embellishments on the name of their education bursary at all as it was named ‘Xingbei’-flourishing Libei.

A few thousand students were at the venue. The handsome Mr Xu sat at the centre of the stage in formal attire. At forty-seven years old, he seemed to have only just turned forty. This was the orthodox handsome uncle look.

Xu Tingsheng moved a chair and sat at the very back, close to the door. Looking at Mr Xu, he saw that at some point in time, something called bearing had already appeared on his father along with a sort of aura which had developed naturally over time.

The Vice-Principal presiding over the ceremony spoke the opening lines. Next to speak were the Vice County Head, the Chief of the Education Bureau, the Principal...the traditional manner of meetings for the Chinese never changed. As long as one was a figure of authority, if they did not speak, it was as if they feared that their eminent positions would not be understood by all.

Fortunately, they were all well aware that they were not the leading actors in today’s event. Thus, all of them tried their best to make their words of officialdom and pleasantries succinct and effective, making sure not to steal Mr Xu’s limelight.

They had not thought that Mr Xu’s words would be even more succinct and effective than theirs.

The first sentence. “My son, Xu Tingsheng graduated from Libei Senior High. My daughter is currently still studying at Libei Senior High. Therefore, this is not bestowment. It is gratitude.”

The second sentence. “Libei is poor. We are viewed as the poorest in Jianhai Province, at least. That we have not lost our will to strive despite our poverty is great. Still, we cannot remain poor like this forever. My son, Xu Tingsheng, once said this to me: University entrance examinations are our society’s final fairness. It’s the greatest, best chance for poor kids to change their fates, rising above their statuses, throughout their entire lives.”

“I find that this is very true. When you’ve entered society, you will find that there are so many unfair things out there. Thus, I hope that you can grasp this opportunity of fairness and work hard. The most important thing is for you to change your own fates, such that you and your parents who worked so hard to painstakingly raise you can lead better lives. Then, perhaps even Libei itself can be changed one day.”

The third sentence. “The Xu family has money. It can’t be considered a lot, but it isn’t little too. Therefore, as long as you truly strive hard and excel in both character and studies, especially with a strong mindset and morals, you don’t have to worry about problems your family might face. Leave it to me. The Xu family and our ‘Xingbei Education Bursary’ will support you all the way through senior high, through university...if five hundred thousand isn’t enough, I’ll take out another five hundred thousand, a million. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about anything at all. Just go forth and strive for better.”

The fourth sentence. Mr Xu smiled, saying, “Right, I hear that you like asking around for stories on how our Xu family began our development. It actually all began when my son Xu Tingsheng got into university. Also, in the upcoming university entrance examinations, all who rank in front of my daughter will be rewarded heavily. I hope that it is the more the merrier.”

With these four sentences, Mr Xu let everyone know that spirit, generosity, practicality and togetherness could actually be combined so perfectly. While he had not said anything lofty, every single sentence had struck home.

The various higher-ups up on stage exchanged looks, nodding, “The Xu family’s rise to power was not baseless. Also, this sense of responsibility and character...it is hard to come by indeed.”

Thunderous applause resounded from the audience. There was laughter and tears that welled up in the eyes of some as the applause reigned for a long time.

Most of the children in this era were still very simple and rustic.

Xu Tingsheng clapped too, smiling as he thought, “I must say, Dad really is a crowd favourite!”

Chapter 330: Seeing Wu Yuewei once more

After Mr Xu had spoken, Xu Tingsheng thought that the ceremony should more or less be over. There would just be a speech by some student representative at most…

In the end, the Vice-Principal presiding over the ceremony said, “Next up, let us welcome our Libei Senior High’s former top scholar…”

“It can’t be, right? Wasn’t it agreed that I don’t have to go up on stage?” Xu Tingsheng felt greatly despondent.

The Vice-Principal continued, “Let us all put our hands together to welcome your senior. Top scholar in the Science stream in Libei County and Jianhai City and second in Jianhai Province, currently studying at Qingbei University, Ms Wu Yuewei.”

The Vice-Principal’s voice was filled with pride as he said this.

Xu Tingsheng felt rather awkward, “I nearly made a fool of myself...compared to her, can I still be considered a top scholar? But fortunately, no one noticed. Phew…”

His gaze fell on the stage.

Wu Yuewei whom he had not seen for over half a year walked over from the side of the stage.

Half a year later, Wu Yuewei’s clothes were still simple, a light coloured blouse, black jeans and booties. Her jet-black long hair was comfortably tied back behind her head. If let down, it should probably reach her waist.

There was no makeup on her face at all. Even without it, she still appeared elegant and pretty as before.

If there were changes to her, it might be that this half year at Qingbei had made her appear much more mature and composed. The shyness and bashfulness were also gone from her expression as there was an additional gracefulness in her smile.

She had grown up.

Also, she was thinner, much thinner.

For some reason, Xu Tingsheng felt a tinge of pain in his chest.

In his previous life, this girl had said during her wedding, “I will have a glass in Senior’s honour.”

Four years ago, this girl had blocked his path in this very school, asking him, “Senior, do you still remember me?”

Half a year ago, she had asked, “Senior, what if I can’t like someone else?”

Half a year ago, it was this girl who had come to Yanzhou full of anticipation. In the end, she had asked Xu Tingsheng for a huge stuffed bear as a present, carrying it as she had departed alone.

She had said, “Senior, if there is a day when no one else wants you, I will.”

She had even requested, “I’ll do fine; don’t worry about me, senior. In the future...will senior please...try your best...not to appear in front of me again. If we meet again, I’m scared that I will still like you.”

She had called him ‘senior’ time and time again, been disappointed by him time and time again.

……

Wu Yuewei had probably appeared at the ceremony to provide motivation to the juniors. A role model like this was not so easy to find.

That aside, she might also have already realised that the hundred thousand yuan prize money from last year had likely been from the Xu family. An anonymous local entrepreneur-who could this be if not the Xu family? Therefore, it could be said that she too was a beneficiary of the Xu family’s education bursary scheme.

Xu Tingsheng did not know if she knew that he was presently there amongst the audience.

Wu Yuewei appeared very relaxed up on stage. After thanking the school and teachers, she emphasised more on her experiences as she studied in senior high and her specific studying methods, not speaking carelessly in the least as all her words were practical and also sincere.

“I hope that you juniors will treasure this chance and work hard towards your goals,” Wu Yuewei simply concluded her speech.

The Vice-Principal who was still caught up in a feeling of ‘pride' said something which he was destined to regret like crazy.

“Is there anything that you would like to ask your senior, students? You’ll now have a few minutes for interaction. This chance is hard to come by, so don’t waste it, everyone!”

Maybe the original idea was for these students to ask in detail about some exam techniques and the like...right, this was definitely what he must have wanted. Still, he was just too ‘naive’.

This was not what the students were the most concerned about. Also, in a place such as this, how would the actual hardworking students be as enthusiastic as those mischievous, naughty fellas?

“Do you know senior Xu Tingsheng, senior?”

Someone yelled, hiding in some random corner of the crowd.

An uproar resounded…

These weren’t cheers but the ‘manifested high spirits’ of the crowd. This was one of the two great gossips of Libei Senior High!

Xu Tingsheng thought, “GG.”

The Vice Principal said, “Who asked that? You’re done for if I get my hands on you.”

“This question is inappropriate for this location. You can ask about study-relate…” The Vice-Principal took the microphone and firmly declared, wishing to put a stop to this topic.

“Yes, I do. Actually, everyone present should know him too, I believe,” Wu Yuewei answered.

The sounds of discussions could be heard amongst the crowd.

“Are the two of you together now?”

This time, it was a girl who spoke, similarly hiding amongst the audience as she kept hidden.

The higher-ups on the stage all felt so awkward…

Only Mr Xu remained composed as he looked smilingly at Wu Yuewei and listened.

Wu Yuewei was actually clutching the microphone rather too tightly. Still, no one discovered it because there was still a smile on her face as she replied, “No. It’s only that I once liked senior for many years.”

A frenzied uproar resounded.

It was like the world had literally blown up.

Senior Wu Yuewei had just admitted to liking senior Xu Tingsheng in front of everyone, and for many years at that…

“Then…”

The next question consisted merely of a single word.

Wu Yuewei smiled, saying, “We’ve already not kept in contact for a very long time now. Alright, we can’t continue with this topic anymore, or the teachers will be angry. Do study hard, juniors!”

Wu Yuewei waved goodbye, descending the stage.

Xu Tingsheng got up and left the venue as well.

He found a place on the stands before the field and sat down. As the ceremony ended, the students inside began streaming out, carrying their chairs and returning to the classroom buildings…

The din soon subsided, the noises gradually dying down as the students flocked to the cafeteria.

This was always how it was with mass gatherings in junior and senior high school.

At this moment, Xu Tingsheng heard two voices before the stands of the field which had gotten especially quiet.

One belonged to his sister, Xu Qiuyi. The other belonged to...Wu Yuewei. The two were below the stands where Xu Tingsheng was at. He was able to see them just by stretching out his head. As for them, they did not know that he was there.

“I tell you, that bastard Xu Tingsheng was there just earlier...then, he disappeared. He probably ran away out of a guilty conscience.”

Xu Qiuyi’s voice was filled with righteous indignation, her own brother having turned into ‘that bastard Xu Tingsheng’ here. Indeed, water was thicker than blood. Or maybe her brother had really been too much of a bastard.

“Huh?...It’s okay. He knows all of it, anyway. Let’s not talk about your brother anymore,” Wu Yuewei said, “What about you? How were your recent examinations? Were the materials I sorted out for you useful?”

Xu Qiuyi replied, “Yeah, they were useful. Sorry, Sis Yuewei...I apologise to you on behalf of that bastard brother of mine.”

Wu Yuewei said, “Hey, stop talking about that already. It isn’t much, actually. It’s not like I can force him to like me, right?. Maybe...he will end up marrying a beautiful female artiste. He’s so successful now. Or maybe it will be someone who is useful in his career. Whatever the case, it wouldn’t be someone like me...foolish and simple, not knowing anything at all besides studying.”

These words might or might not carry a hint of her resentment towards Xu Tingsheng. This was not exhibited in her tone, nevertheless.

Chapter 331: Ning Garden

Xu Tingsheng’s mood was complicated as he was drawn in by the conversation.

The disloyal Xu Quiyi continued scolding bastard Xu Tingsheng, saying that she just couldn’t understand him.

Wu Yuewei did not venture a reply to this.

The two circled out from before the stands. Xu Tingsheng had no way of avoiding them now.

Just like that, they looked on at each other in silence.

Xu Qiuyi looked first at her own ‘bastard brother’, then at Wu Yuewei.

“Hello, senior,” Wu Yuewei said.

“...” Xu Tingsheng stood up.

As he stood, Wu Yuewei took a half-step back. While they were clearly still very far apart, she still did retreat as if springing away.

This half-step caused Xu Tingsheng to understand that...she was afraid...she had hurt this past half year, so much so that she was afraid. Only just having been able to ease her emotions and come over with much difficulty, she dared not get close to him again now.

From those initial times, to a year’s waiting in ninth grade, and yet another year in twelfth grade. This girl had thought and thought about it, unconsciously recalled it over and over...that summer holiday in twelfth grade, waiting out every day of those three months…

Suddenly, it had all shattered.

She had left Yanzhou alone. The time that had elapsed since then...how had she gotten through it?

She still clutched the phone that Xu Tingsheng had given to her. She had only accepted it back then because he had said that it would make it convenient for them to keep in touch...yet, they had no longer kept in touch at all afterwards.

While they had agreed not to see each other, they had still met…

Xu Tingsheng had still said nothing at all when Wu Yuewei had already turned and left.

……

It was the 18th of the first lunar month when Xu Tingsheng left Libei.

On the long-distance coach, his phone rang incessantly. Many calls were coming in for him from Yanzhou. Also, what they wanted to ask him about was something he had no way of explaining.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng simply utilised that same old method, turning off his phone.

……

Yanzhou, a private room at Starry Splendour Nightclub.

All the other members of the Black Horse Club besides Xu Tingsheng were present. Actually, they had all been there since the previous night, having just slept on the sofa when they got tired. They had been loathe to even go out to the lounge lest they miss out on some news.

No one had been able to get through to Xu Tingsheng in the night. Huang Yaming had sent a few texts to Xu Tingsheng’s old Libei number but had not received a reply too.

When morning came and they discovered that Xu Tingsheng had finally turned on his phone, they all surged into action. In the end, though…

“The heck, he’s turned it off again.”

“Did you manage to ask anything?”

“No.”

They all exchanged exasperated looks.

“Such a major matter...and he’s dropped us here and hidden himself up again? Can’t he be reliable for once?! How many people currently have their eyes on us? Enthusiastic, familiar, suddenly caring, those clenching their teeth or staring with fierce gazes and those who look greedy, can’t make up their minds or are trying to sound us out…”

“...It seems, though, like no one is more reliable than him? If I hadn’t met him in person, I’d think that he’s half a deity!”

All this was actually regarding some news which had been spreading around like crazy recently.

The news had actually been revealed on the 5th. Still, few people had truly paid attention to it. Those of the Black Horse Club had not wanted to get their hopes up, while everyone else believed that it was fake news by Zhicheng Real Estate to stir up the property market…

Quite a few people had even been hoping to see them make a fool of themselves.

Yet, the news had gradually proven increasingly legitimate. Last night, it had virtually been confirmed.

It was like a bolt from the blue.

Gree Electric had chosen Yanzhou as the location of their new research centre.

A certain renowned company with Chinese and German investors had selected Yanzhou.

Also, the only place in Yanzhou that could house the vast infrastructure and personnel of these two companies was its eastern riverbank. Across the bridge is a village...that eastern riverbank.

This did not just entail population growth. As workers flocked into Yanzhou as new consumers, this entailed the coming of a great many white-collar and gold-collar workers who had a higher income and spending power. They would start working and living in Yanzhou for the long term.

More importantly, these two projects were not part of Yanzhou’s own plans to seek investment, instead being under an overarching masterplan Jianhai Province had decided on.

No one knew why they had ultimately selected Yanzhou of all places, as opposed to Xihu City. Logically speaking, even a total idiot would have selected Xihu City.

Perhaps it was because of the harbour there? Or was it because of the newly appointed mayor of the city who had suddenly come from the province to accumulate experience?

Whatever the case, with such a huge project having been given to them from the province, the city would definitely provide their full support, giving them due face.

Moreover, the new mayor would also be arriving very soon.

The roads were to be broadened. The third widest bridge within the province was to be built, connecting the eastern and western riverbanks. A large central park was to be constructed by the eastern riverbank...all the facilities had to be of the highest standard.

Yanzhou did not lack funds. This was almost like they were paving the way for a brand new city.

The above had gradually been confirmed whether overtly or tacitly.

“The villagers at the eastern riverbank have struck gold,” Many locals felt emotional at this, with the sense of superiority of those from the western part of Yanzhou having been wholly lost as they envied their relatives from the village at the eastern riverbank whom they had once not thought much of.

Others were more perceptive, with those who were more directly related to this matter suddenly realising: That Plot No.4 that was a whole one hundred and fifty metres large...was gonna blow.

As for who had successfully acquired it, it was none other than Zhicheng Real Estate...at a low price.

“A pie literally dropped from the skies?!”

About the news which could already more or less be confirmed, the rumours grew increasingly, growing more and more beyond belief.

“I heard that the new site for Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high will now be by the eastern riverbank instead. It’s already been decided, and will begin construction this year. The goal is for it to be completed within two years.”

“I heard that they want to create a technological hub...the number of companies and factories there will only rise...also, they’ll all be low-pollution, without even a single plastic factory.”

“If that’s the case, won’t the eastern riverbank be better than the western riverbank in the future?”

“Exactly! I heard that maybe even City Hall’s going to be moved over. The bureaucracy is already looking for a fengshui master to scout out the surroundings there.”

“Yanzhou’s first central business district is coming, and also by the eastern riverbank. I heard that it’s the Wanda Group or the Wandi group, definitely either one of them, perhaps even both.”

“There is this possibility. There is a lack of commercial facilities by the eastern riverbank. Such a great chance, and how acute are the senses of businessmen.”

“Will a new district be built there? Is there any chance of buying a storefront?”

“When...that Plot No.4...houses, stores...it will be one of a kind for the first wave, at least!”

“...”

Those of the Black Horse Club were stunned by this great ‘blessing’ that had suddenly emerged from nowhere. When they regained some clarity of mind, the first thing they unanimously agreed upon was that they had to capture Xu Tingsheng over, tie him up good and interrogate him well.

Still, they would be kneeling as they asked him, truly kneeling in acceptance...was that fella so lucky his fortune knew no bounds, or was it really that...he had already long since known about this? In which case, his background…?

Xu Tingsheng sat on the rather cramped seat of the long-distance coach, stretching rather uncomfortably. Actually, there wasn't much that he knew. Still, he knew for a fact that Xiang Ning’s favourite park would be by the eastern riverbank, that Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high would also be by the eastern riverbank…

The houses there would be just across from Yanzhou’s Central Park, also neighbouring a large central business district with a great many middle and high income families gathered there as it would be the most valuable stretch of land within Yanzhou over the next ten years and more.

“I once said that I would buy you a flat there, that I would accompany you for a stroll at the park everyday. I failed to fulfil my promise. Now, I will personally build the most beautiful homes there for you along a hundred and fifty thousand square metres of land. Choose whichever one you like.”

“It will be called...Ning Garden. ‘Ning’ as in Xiang Ning.”

“Also, just like in our previous life, your Mum and Dad have got to come…to view the flats! Such good houses, also sharing the same name as their beloved daughter. Also, the boss isn't Xu Tingsheng. Could they still possibly not come even then?”

Chapter 332: I knew that you guys would peek

Starry Splendour, a private room.

“He should have known about it long ago. Just think about it. Otherwise, just why would he have ordered the construction materials beforehand for a place like that? He already knew about the spending power of those white collar and gold collar workers long ago. Also, I predict that the middle and higher income families of the western riverbank will flock over as well,” Chu Lianyi suddenly said.

“That does…seem to be the case,” Reminded by her, everyone unanimously agreed on this.

“...Why did he have to go through so much trouble then? Couldn’t he have set our target as Plot No.4 in the first place? He still fooled us into competing for Plots No. 1 and 2, facing such high pressure before slinking away and getting mocked to death,” Hu Shengming said resentfully.

“Feeling good now, huh?” Gao Yupo asked.

“Well, yeah. In my family, it’s now ‘Shengming has pretty good foresight’ left, ‘Shengming has proven himself capable’ right. Even my Dad looks like he wants to lunge over and hug and kiss me at times now. As for those two brothers of mine...hahaha...they’ve completely become fools!”

They all laughed heartily and uproariously.

“Actually, have you ever thought about it this way? If he had proposed going for Plot No.4 from the start, and also couldn't tell us that the situation would turn out like it has today, would you guys truly have been interested in this venture, being willing to invest as much effort as you presently have?” Ye Qing asked, “At least, I wouldn't.”

“Sis Qing’s right. Actually, there are also all those benefits we received…at least, the notification of my promotion to office chairman is almost here,” Chen Yan smiled.

Everyone else smiled as well, “No wonder he said back then that we should properly grasp those benefits as soon as possible.”

“There's still one more thing, actually,” Gao Yupo said, “If we had set our target as Plot No.4 from the start, it actually wouldn't have been as easy for us to acquire it. There would still have been competition and contention, and this might have been very intense too. After all, it isn't like Plot No.4 didn't have any potential…in any case, it would have been impossible for us to acquire it at a low price without any competition at all as we have now.”

“He utilised this process to create a difference, which was for us to fight for Plots No.1 and 2 with all our might, in the process clashing terribly with those people to the extent that they took the initiative to give Plot No.4 to us, even yearning for us to accept it.”

“Also, in this process, some people left. Us remaining ones…whatever the case, there is really camaraderie between us now. We bore such immense pressure together, our relationships improving as a result as there is also more trust between us. We've more or less…’partied’ for real.”

“What you mean is that he was also testing us in the process even as he consolidated the Black Horse Club too?”

“Probably.”

“He also strengthened us in the meantime, with virtually every one of us having grown stronger individually. With that, we're clearly much stronger as a whole too.”

“Doesn't that mean that he truly intends to let us prosper alongside him in the future?”

“I guess so…”

“I think I'm very willing, anyway.”

“Ha...me too.”

Following their discussion, they were stunned as they now realised that…the fella they were discussing-he was just twenty? Oh, right. With the new year having passed, he was twenty-one now.

This fella who was merely twenty-one years old had planned and gained so much for a single matter and its single process, having taking every factor into account…

An indistinct trail of clues, extending over a thousand li.

Like a spider weaving a web, crisscrossing majestically into a single whole.

Was he really human? Not some demonkin in disguise?

Also, his background…it was no wonder that the Fang family had allowed Fang Yuqing to be Zhicheng’s CEO, hence expressing support for Xu Tingsheng.

Everyone was almost going to interrogate Fang Yuqing instead.

Wu Kun had virtually not said even a word. He was inwardly rejoicing over having put his entire family and fortune at stake here. With that, the relationship between him and Xu Tingsheng would undoubtedly be much closer than for all these other members of the Black Horse Club.

He had effectively pledged his allegiance. Also, having done so before the news regarding Plot No.4 were released and doing so now had a completely different significance.

Everyone else was naturally preoccupied by their own thoughts as well.

As they all pondered in silence, everyone unconsciously directed their gazes at that safe in the corner. Whatever guesses and whatever analyses-nothing could be more convincing that what he had written himself.

“How about we see what he says?”

Now, even Ye Qing, Chu Lianyi, Chen Yan and Wu Kun whom Xu Tingsheng felt could keep their cool well…even they could keep their cool no longer.

“Let's open it! We have five digits, and as for his, we can just try everything till it works,” Hu Shengming proposed.

With that, he cast his gaze in the direction of Huang Yaming, Tan Yao and Fang Yuqing, with everyone else gazing over as well as their intentions could not be any more obvious, “You three are the closest with him. You won't tell him we peeked, right?”

The three exchanged looks before Huang Yaming slowly said, “When I left on the 11th, he told me that his code digit is 5...do you guys think that…”

Everyone understood what Huang Yaming had left unsaid-he knew that everyone would not be able to keep themselves from looking, and therein was implied, “No need to try for the number. I’ll just tell it to you.”

“He couldn’t be that terrifying, right?” Hu Shengming asked.

“Let’s just open it first.”

The safe was opened.

The slip of paper that was placed on the second slot was retrieved and handed to Chu Lianqi who had the highest seniority of them all.

“Rejoice! Then, make preparations, for the actual pressure will soon be coming. Also, we will have no path of retreat this time.”

Chu Lianyi read out this one, simple line of words before handing the slip of paper over to the next person.

The reason for rejoicing was very simple. With the price of Plot No.4 having risen multifold, whether in terms of face or actual profit, this was definitely a cause for celebration. Also, this entailed that he had really already known about the news regarding Plot No.4 a long time back.

Therefore, everyone had not guessed wrongly. The earlier process had really been planned by him.

Therefore, his background...was even more freaking unguessable by everyone.

As for the actual pressure will soon be coming...no path of retreat...

“What he means should be that there will be an increased number of people who are greedily eyeing our fortune, wanting to profit off it or be divided a piece of it...those wolves are ready to spring.”

“Also, this time, unless we let them have a share of the benefits too, there really will be no path of retreat for us.”

After a momentary silence.

“The hell are we afraid of? We can’t give in no matter what. We fight!” Hu Shengming roared.

“I agree with Shengming,” Chen Yan said, “Still, there’s something I can’t really understand here. Now that the Fang family is standing behind us, will there really be so many people lunging over and so great pressure?”

“...We can only ask him this!”

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had really never thought that he would gain the support of the Fang family. He had just intended to push Fang Yuqing to try it without a care for the consequences. Still...everyone present would already not think like this. They would believe that he had truly not made any miscalculations whatsoever.

There was still the third slip of paper inside the safe. The answer may well be in there…

To look?

Or not to look?

“It’s already open anyway,” Ye Qing said.

Wu Kun took out the third slip of paper and passed it to Chu Lianyi.

“I knew that you guys would peek,” Chu Lianyi read out the first sentence.

Chapter 333: Godly Swindler Xu

“I knew that you guys would peek,” Chu Lianyi read out the first sentence.

A stunned silence ensued.

“...Was he always this inhuman?” Someone asked Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming forced a smile, replying, “It seemed like he was still human for a period of time.”

Chu Lianyi read out the second line, “Finally, I just want to remind you brothers and sisters not to eternally lose your initiative just for the sake of a moment’s ingratiation, those smiling faces.”

“That’s all,” She said.

“What...what does that mean?” Hu Shengming asked.

Gao Yupo considered this for a while before he said, “Fatty, if your Dad suddenly begins treating you especially well, giving you many benefits and promises, with your other family members, those two older brothers included, also beginning to get close to you, lifting you up on a pedestal, would you or would you not be happy then?”

“Well, I would surely be happy then, I guess?” Hu Shengming trailed off uneasily.

“Then, if they treat you so well, next asking you to transfer your shares in Zhicheng over to the family, you wouldn’t be able to easily reject them, right? If you did so, what if your father raged like there was no tomorrow?...”

With Gao Yupo’s explanation, everyone understood the meaning of Xu Tingsheng’s words. Those who were used to not being treated well were often more easily bewitched by concern and promises, even if it was only just a tiny bit of it.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng had said, “Don’t eternally lose your initiative just for the sake of a moment’s ingratiation, those smiling faces.”

“If one of us hands it over to our family, and then a second, and a third...ten of them, and Zhicheng would be done for,” Gao Yupo said.

“Also, we would all end up becoming trash again. While resisting external pressure is very difficult, it isn’t unusual. Resisting pressure and emotional schemes in our families is what’s really difficult.”

“If we really want to stand up, continue standing and seize the initiative...we need to have these things solidly in our grasp. It’s a plot of land now, and it will be much more in the future. When the day comes when what we possess is truly sufficient, we won’t need the charity of those smiling faces and benefits to acquire what we want.”

Jiang Jin curled his lips after saying so, smiling disdainfully. He had actually had a similar experience before. He had developed a company, only for it to have been given to his elder brother for no good reason at all.

His thoughts from having learnt this painful lesson were acknowledged by everyone. They were all not fools, being well aware of the fact that what he and Xu Tingsheng said was right indeed.

Thus did the ‘bedazzling’ performance of ‘Godly Swindler Xu’ finally end for the time being.

“Should we go back home to catch up on sleep or should we first celebrate for a while?”

“Celebrating for a while is also fine...it’s rare that we’re all in such great spirits.”

“With Godly Swindler Xu standing behind us, the future feels bright.”

“This name is good.”

“...”

In the end, the lot of them truly celebrated for a good few hours till they were finally unable to stay awake for much longer. Just as they reached home and were about to catch up on sleep, Godly Swindler Xu’s text arrived: Starry Splendour, we should meet up. Such a big matter, we really should discuss it for a bit.

So exhausted it felt strenuous even to keep their eyes open, the lot of them felt like they could even kill Xu Tingsheng.

“This old man’s gonna kill you dead…”

“Where were you earlier?”

“Weren’t we looking for you to discuss things all this time? But your phone was turned off, turned off…”

“You just wait. This dame’s gonna bed you.”

“...”

The texts came in one by one. Xu Tingsheng just looked at them, not replying to them as he instead smilingly chatted with Tongtong, asking her about how she had been doing recently. Tongtong looked very happy as she had become more positive and cheerful in her daily life.

Just like Wu Kun had said, while her brother had been forced into cold turkey, that might not actually be a bad thing.

The two chatted for a while. Finally, one by one, those of the Black Horse Club staggered into the room like zombies, dragging their feet with pronounced difficulty as they slowly trickled in.

Still, some of these ten plus people lived close by, while others lived far away. There were also differences in how long it took for them to muster, especially for those women who had just removed their makeup and bathed...how could they leave the house without putting on makeup? How could they leave the house without dressing up decently? Especially with their current fatigue which showed very visibly on their faces.

Therefore, over an hour had passed when everyone finally congregated at Starry Splendour.

“So? Applause, cheers anyone? Or are you guys about to prostrate yourselves before me?” Xu Tingsheng smiled triumphantly.

Perhaps there might really have been some of this originally.

Still, what remained now...was only ‘hatred’.

“Get lost! If you have something to say, say it. I haven’t slept in two days. I could even fall asleep on my feet now,” Exclaimed Gao Yupo who seldom made a fuss as he leapt about, looking really like he might fall asleep at any time as he could only exercise non-stop now.

“Agreed. Hurry it up!”

Drinking some of the strongest green tea or coffee or sports drinks to raise their conditions, everyone else was similarly rushing him.

“Really...I’ve led you guys for nothing,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Alright, actually, there isn’t much that I have to say. You’re all very clear on the general situation. You’ve read the notes, right?”

“Right. The problem is what we should do next. Do we let that plot of land rest for a while or do we start construction as soon as we can? You’ve got to plan and arrange for all these specifics,” Chu Lianyi said.

“Hey, you people aren’t serious, right? Can’t you think on your own at all?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Scram! Can you stop messing around?” Ye Qing had an elbow rested against the armrest of the sofa with her hand propping up her chin as she yawned incessantly.

“Alright, fine. I’ll make it quick,” Xu Tingsheng said, “We’ll get to work as soon as possible. Get all the relevant procedures settled, and take care of what we have to take care of. Then, we’ve got to try for establishing the foundation and setting up a showroom as soon as possible as the first to start selling.”

“Why the rush? What many developers do now is leave the land lying there for a few years, which ultimately nets them more money. We aren’t lacking in liquid assets, and we could even mortgage the land to the bank. We aren’t in a rush to get our funds back! This also wouldn’t stop us from acquiring other plots of land and making even more preparations in the meantime.”

Xu Tingsheng sorted out his thoughts, or more like readied his excuses, and gave his reply.

“Firstly, while we’re currently one of a kind by the eastern riverbank, there is actually quite a lot of land around there. So, we’ve first got to make use of our advantage of virtually not having any competition at all in the short term. We’ve got to hurry.”

“Secondly, this is the first set of buildings to be built by our Zhicheng. I am very confident that the earlier it is revealed, the greater our reputation will be. At the same time, we can also make use of this chance to accrue more experience and qualifications. This will be beneficial for us as we compete to acquire and develop more land in the future. As such, we’ve got to make it fast.”

“Thirdly, isn’t it also sell first and build later anyway? In this era, the earlier we eat the cake into our stomachs, the earlier we’ll have our peace of mind.”

Xu Tingsheng would certainly not tell them that those three reasons were actually all bullshit. It would still make sense even if their logic was reversed.

The real reason, the only reason was that Little Xiang Ning was about to enter senior high soon. Also, the first-tier senior high would really be constructed by the eastern riverbank as work was set to be started on it very soon. This was a long distance away from Xiang Ning’s home off in the suburbs of the city. He did not believe that Mr and Mrs Xiang would not be moved by this.

He would definitely make sure they got a flat even if he had to forcibly stuff one into their hands. Then, Little Xiang Ning would be able to go for strolls in the park on the way to and from school.

Therefore, not only was Xu Tingsheng in a rush to sell, he was actually in a rush to build as well, being very anxious at least for the sale of the first batch of flats.

Whatever the case, Godly Swindler Xu made use of the lofty trust which he had temporarily established and an utterly confident attitude as he thus successfully convinced everyone.

Chapter 334: Xingchen Weibo

“So we’re agreed then?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

No one rebutted him.

“That’s it then. You decide amongst yourselves on how to split the tasks. Don’t slack around! With documents here and documents there, this is a very complicated affair! Even contacting the suppliers of sand and stone will have to be handled by someone. We’ve got to interact with the media too. So, everyone must play a part. For example, Bro Kun. You’ve got to get all those things settled with those in charge. We can’t let accidents occur at our site of construction…” Xu Tingsheng said.

Wu Kun nodded in agreement, “You can rest assured on that. Also, the suppliers of the sand and stone and whatnot are actually mostly controlled by those in the trade. I can handle this.”

The remaining ten plus people continued the discussion. In truth, those documents that had to be signed were to be distributed by their own agencies. Thus, this could not be considered hard. Moreover, there were many here who were more familiar with this industry than Xu Tingsheng.

Even if they had not been the ones in charge, some had actually been involved in real estate development before.

This was very important to Xu Tingsheng. He did not intend to get involved in all the specifics regarding this plot of land. In truth, he hadn’t such capabilities. Besides construction materials, providing an overall direction and proposing plans…that was pretty much all he could do, really.

As for the specific implementation, there was virtually nothing at all that was appropriate for him to be involved in.

Suddenly, someone realised this as hence came the inquiry, “What about you?”

“I...I contacted the construction materials suppliers, and also gained the assistance of Dingcheng Corporation. Right, I will also be in charge of providing the full blueprints for the construction project…which of you has done more than me?”

No one could say anything to Xu Tingsheng’s rebuttal.

“Also, I still have to go to school,” Xu Tingsheng added before promptly concluding, “Well, that’s it then. You guys can slowly discuss this amongst yourselves. I’m heading back to school now.”

Looking at his watch, someone cried out in righteous indignation, “Five minutes…you called all of us who were on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion over, waiting over an hour for everyone to arrive, with the ladies even having to put on makeup. And in the end…just five minutes?! And you say you’re just gonna leave already?”

“But I really don't have anything else to say! As for what remains to be discussed, Bro Kun and Sis Qing will preside over it. Isn't Boss Fang here too?” Xu Tingsheng casually dragged Fang Yuqing into it.

“...”

“Also, I've been on a bus for the whole day. I'm really very fatigued and sleepy. Enough already! I'm going back to rest. You guys can just slowly chat amongst yourselves.”

“If it's just this, couldn't it have waited for tomorrow? Seeing that you called us over so urgently, we still thought that…”

“Well, it just happened to be on the way for me. Leaving the bus interchange, I just happened to pass by Starry Splendour…”

“I'll kill you dead!”

“This dame should really get you in bed.”

“...”

Amidst these voices of resentment, Xu Tingsheng simply waved, carried his bag and walked away, turning back and saying when he was at the doorway, “Right, something novel known as Xingchen(Starry Sky) Weibo should be appearing in a bit. Remember to register when the time comes! Also, follow me!”

“What?”

“What's this Xingchen Weibo?”

“You'll know when the time comes.”

Xu Tingsheng closed the door and left.

……

After taking a public bus from Starry Splendour to the entrance of the academy city, Xu Tingsheng first made a trip back to the riverside residence to put some things there.

Lu Zhixin just happened to be there as well, in the midst of sweeping the place.

On seeing Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin temporarily set aside her work on hand. Perhaps because they had been so close towards the end of the past semester, now that they were seeing each other again, there was instead a bit of tension and awkwardness in the air as they did not know what the proper distance between them should be.

“When did you get back?” Xu Tingsheng broke the silence.

“I've been back for quite a few days,” Lu Zhixin answered.

“Have things all been well for your father?”

Lu Zhixin responded with a simple ‘uhuh’.

When Xu Tingsheng emerged from his room after placing some items there, she had already placed a cup of water on the coffee table as she told him, “It's for you.”

Xu Tingsheng could only take a seat now.

Despite seemingly hesitating for a time, Lu Zhixin still asked in the end, “So, that new company of yours in Shenghai, I think it's called Xingchen Technologies…are you lacking in manpower? Youxin Tongcheng really doesn't pose much of a threat to us anymore. So, if you need it, you can send some manpower over to assist you for now.”

“These two…are separate entities at the end of the day, and Hucheng has many shareholders too. Because of that, I feel that it's still best to not bring them together as much as possible,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Right, Sis Tong will be going over there. Take it like I've lured her away from Hucheng. Sorry about that, Boss Lu.”

Lu Zhixin’s expression dimmed momentarily, but she quickly adjusted herself, smiling, “Why is it that you're luring people away from your own company, Boss Xu? You should be weakening Hucheng’s opponents instead.”

“You've gained a sense of humour,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Actually, I have been weakening our opponents. You dealt with Youxin Tongcheng, but I wasn't far behind. I waved a cheque straight in some people’s faces and lured them away, thus rendering Xueyou effectively useless.”

“You? Xueyou Education Platform?” Lu Zhixin was rather astonished.

“Yeah, I lured away Xueyou’s two most important people. I personally went to look for them several times, offering them triple their wages and promising them options, also showing my new project to them, only then luring them over successfully. One of them is currently Project Director at Xingchen Technologies while the other is a Deputy Head Executive.”

Xu Tingsheng next narrated the course of the incident to Lu Zhixin.

In truth, even as Hucheng and Youxin had been clashing on the internet like there was no tomorrow, Xu Tingsheng had already noticed the remarkable performance of Youxin Education.

It was not overly antagonistic and not overly passive too. In the so-called Three Kingdoms situation, Xueyou had expanded stably, always doing precisely what should be done as the situation demanded. Even as either Youxin or Hucheng would benefit from the competition, it would also exist profiting by the side.

Also, it had never actually ever fought in the battlefield, simply having reminded others of its presence and strength.

Also, this website had improved itself extremely well as it had virtually been improving rapidly everyday.

Upon noticing this, besides the prediction that Xueyou could become an actual opponent and the corresponding unease that came with this, Xu Tingsheng had also felt excitement as when ‘a hunter spots his prey’. These talents could not be any more suitable for his newly established Xingchen Technologies.

Through a headhunting company, Xu Tingsheng had investigated the two ‘pillars’ of Xueyou’s operations, Hu Chen and He Yutan. Since neither was the boss of the company, it was simple then. He would entice and lure them away.

While this had not gone especially smoothly, neither had it been especially difficult. Besides high wages, options and sincerity, what moved the two more had actually been the entrepreneurial abilities of the young Xu Tingsheng thus far. He had virtually been a step ahead every step of the way, innovating unceasingly.

Also, they saw such prospects from Xingchen Technologies’ new project too.

This was the main reason why they had ultimately shifted their allegiances to Xingchen.

During the ten over days he had spent in Shenghai towards the end of the previous lunar year, Xu Tingsheng had led the project team over and successfully lured away the two great pillars of Xueyou, finally successfully establishing the foundational framework of Xingchen Technologies.

As for the remaining workers, he had already started recruitment a long time back. As for the specifics of their duties, Xu Tingsheng left it to Hu Chen and He Yutan to handle. There is no point in doubting someone you have decided to make use of, and Xu Tingsheng trusted in the career desires of Hu Chen and He Yutan, trusting more in the draw of Xingchen Technologies and himself.

After Xu Tingsheng had finished speaking, Lu Zhixin was virtually rendered dazed. She had been trying hard to estimate Xu Tingsheng highly all along, yet he had still left her shocked every time.

“That Xingchen Technologies of yours-what exactly is its main specialisation? It isn’t some classified corporate secret that you can’t talk about, right?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“Weibo,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 335: Little Pert Waist

“Weibo,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Is that some kind of blog?”

“A microblog. It’s a sort of non-mainstream mini-blog that is more casual and free as compared to the blogs that we generally know of, forming more of a medium which has an extremely high interactivity and speed at which it broadcasts information. On it, news will be broadcasted even more quickly than when done by the media.”

After listening to Xu Tingsheng’s explanation regarding Weibo, Lu Zhixin pointed at her head, effectively conveying: I didn’t really get that.

Xu Tingsheng considered it for a moment before he said, “Actually, I haven’t any way of explaining it clearly to you all at once. You’ll understand the specifics when the time comes. Right, you’re welcome to register too. Somebody like you...you probably just have to upload a few photos, and followers will flock.”

“Followers will flock?”

“Right, you’ll draw them over in droves. Fans, I mean.”

“Fans? I’m not a celebrity.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Exactly. This is the primary allure of Weibo. It can allow everyone to have a taste of being a celebrity. Everything, whether major or minor, is subject to the attention of others, and then people will try their best to attract and maintain such attention. Of course, the real celebrities will ultimately be a part of this too. There are actually quite a few vested interests therein.”

Lu Zhixin was still rather befuddled as she decided to leave it for now, instead asking, “Well, when will it be coming online then?”

Xu Tingsheng considered this for a time before replying, “It's already in the final stages of adjustments. The team has actually been working on this project ever since finishing up ‘Are You Hungry’ back then. I think that it should only take two more months at most.”

“Well then, I guess I'll take a couple of photos and wait to register,” Lu Zhixin smiled and replied.

……

From February to March.

Xu Tingsheng virtually never skipped lessons at all. Little Xiang Ning called him once, reminding him again not to forget the matter that she had requested of him. She did so in a considerably wilful, bossy tone. This girl seemed to already have vaguely realised somewhat that her position was already very high.

Still, she was actually very busy too in the preparatory stages before the entrance examinations for senior high school.

Xu Tingsheng had previously asked Li Linlin and confirmed that Xiang Ning’s current results were easily good enough for a first-tier senior high.

Zhicheng’s Ning Garden had drawn countless gazes, but the Black Horse Club seemed extraordinarily determined and united. Well, who wouldn't be when they all believed that a godly swindler had their backs?

The project had gone on beneath immense pressure. Trouble had unceasingly cropped up, but trouble had unceasingly been resolved as the Fang family had displayed its might quite a number of times.

Xu Tingsheng had also already produced the blueprints and model for the construction of the first batch of build-to-order flats.

These were blueprints that were close to ten years ahead of their time, being of French-style homes that had later been powerfully promoted by developers in his previous life. The model even showed the light reflecting off the marble surface as a dazzling effect like that of a glass wall was even produced.

In this era of painting, there were definitely no houses which might be able to contend with this.

Also, the forest-style greenery, as well as the swimming pool that came with it…

“This is a villa, right?”

There would certainly be villas. For the second batch of Ning Garden’s homes, Xu Tingsheng planned to build some smaller riverview villas close to the bank of the Yanzhou River to satisfy the wants of different consumers…actually, it was primarily just in case Little Xiang Ning liked it.

“These are really normal flats. We aren't building villas for our first batch of flats,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Hmm, would it be okay if we reserve one of them for the each of us?” Hu Shengming muttered aloud as he stroked the model

“You can if you pay,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “No discount, you’ve got to wait for the second and third batches of homes for that. With the exception of me, because I’ve got to have one, no two from the first batch...otherwise, I’d just drop my load and quit.”

Being in a good mood, filled with yearning and anticipation, Xu Tingsheng had recently become increasingly shameless. Those of the Black Horse Club had already more or less gotten used to this. At times like this, it was best just to ignore him.

“I’m reserving one from the second batch then. I’m serious,” Wu Kun smiled.

“Me too. There’ll be villas in the second batch, you say? I’m reserving a villa too,” Ye Qing said.

“I…”

In the private room at Starry Splendour, these people who didn’t understand the construction blueprints at all were huddled around the model, looking at it.

Soon, someone finally discovered the peculiarity.

Shang Fangfei pointed at a piece of architecture in front of the entrance to the small district, yelling, “This...what is it? A pagoda?”

“Xu Tingsheng, you’re not building a pagoda in the district and placing a sarira inside, right? Have I given my approval for that?” Fang Yuqing asked.

“Get lost!” Xu Tingsheng laughed, scolding, “This isn’t the traditional Chinese pagoda, but a modern Western tower. Covered by an LED screen, it will glow in the dark. People can even leave words on it.”

“Is it expensive?” Someone asked.

“It’s pretty expensive, fully imported. Still, it’s actually quite good. The design isn’t tall, nor can it be considered big. The main thing is still its concept,” Xu Tingsheng explained.

“What do you want this for? Can it be eaten? Or sold?”

“I hope that Ning Garden can become an iconic landmark in Yanzhou, that this modern tower right across from Central Park can allow us to rise completely above and dominate other real estate ventures, also maintaining this sort of status over the long term.”

“I can responsibly tell you that our properties may all be the most expensive in Yanzhou over the next ten years, with every single one of them a hard bargain,” Xu Tingsheng explained earnestly with a sincere expression on his face.

In truth, this was actually from a thought that had flashed through his mind when he had been contacting the construction materials suppliers in Europe, just a small little mischievous prank.

Of course, it could be interpreted as a romantic confession from Uncle, a gift he had readied for that ‘Mulan has no elder brother (breasts grown) little girl whose waist was even so, very pretty.

For this, when Xu Tingsheng had been doing up the designs, he had almost literally come to blows with the designers…

The designers had been totally unable to comprehend: Someone whose other thoughts were all so ahead of their time-how was it that he had such baffling ideas?! Placing a modern tower in a small district...do you think you’re the local government or Central Park? Hey, want a Statue of Liberty?

Still, Xu Tingsheng was the one paying them: If you won’t let me build that tower, I’ll look for some other company.

The designers could only submit.

“Well, so it’s...called the Yanzhou Tower?” Hearing Xu Tingsheng going on about some iconic landmark of Yanzhou, Hu Shengming asked.

“It’s called Little Pert Waist.”

After saying so, Xu Tingsheng remembered the time when he had told Little Xiang Ning that it was her waist that looked the best. The little girl had asked: Want to touch, Uncle Black Bear?

Touching would definitely come sooner or later. When the day came when Little Xiang Ning was standing beside the modern tower and she heard its name, with Xu Tingsheng standing beside her, would she be embarrassed? Or would she be mad? She might send a few kicks at him...it would definitely still be the case that she felt happy whilst also bashful within, right?

On hearing its name, the ladies immediately gained interest as they gathered around and appraised it for quite some time while commenting on it.

“It really does look like it. Look at the curvature of the design.”

“Little Pert Waist. This name...it really does feel very interesting.”

“It does set up the mood quite well, giving off a bit of a romantic vibe. If I’m living here, it will feel like my boyfriend’s praising me everyday.”

Indeed, the romanticism of women was more easily felt. This design of Xu Tingsheng’s received the collective praise and unanimous strong support of all the ladies present…

From this, it could be predicted that when those bosses were standing outside Ning Garden with their arms around the waists of their wives, girlfriends or mistresses in the future, it would simply be impossible for them to venture the words: This is too expensive. How about we not buy this?

Chapter 336: Long time no see, Apple

In the middle of March.

Weibo had still not been launched. Xu Tingsheng’s next big move and Xingchen Technologies were still unknown to the world.

In the meantime, the situation with the education platforms across cities had basically been set, the battle drawing to a close. After its two pillars, Hu Chen and He Yutan, were lured away by Xu Tingsheng, Xueyou ultimately ended up losing its original stability and cool as expected.

The newly appointed Project Manager might have been in too much of a haste to prove himself, for he consecutively made a few risky and flawed moves which stranded Xueyou in dire straits.

Also, going by the performance of this new manager, it seemed like he had not the ability to overturn the raging tides, their defeat being a foregone conclusion.

Things were even worse for Youxin Toncheng. Lu Zhixin seemed to have entered a personal competition with Xu Tingsheng to see who could crush their opponent first as she relentlessly hounded them all throughout, tightening an invisible noose around their necks...some of their investors had already withdrawn their funds.

Besides facing one lawsuit after another, the boss of Youxin met unceasingly with trouble. He would deal with those problems, yet was ultimately helpless regarding operations.

As the capabilities and prospects of his company were called into question, he finally fell silent.

One must realise that it was he who had previously introduced the concept of ‘Three Kingdoms Contending for Supremacy', also having confidently declared that Hucheng would be dragged gradually into collapse. Also, he could not have expressed any more explicitly that Hucheng would be the first contender to leave the arena.

From the way things looked now, he might very well be the first player sent packing.

<<Three Kingdoms? Merely a one-sided slaughter>>

On March 14th, a fervent and heated yet still sound and logical post appeared on some major economic forum.

The post reminisced on the sudden appearance of Youxin and Xueyou as they aggressively caught Hucheng in a pincer attack, to when Hucheng had resumed its free-of-charge services and launched its mighty move ‘Are You Hungry’, to when they had set Youxin up for failure and directly lured away Xueyou’s key personnel.

The conclusion that it had never been like ‘Three Kingdoms’ in the first place. Before having even gained stable footing, Xueyou and Youxin had already been slaughtered one-sidedly without any way of retaliating at all.

Hucheng had even advanced as a result, with its scale, influence and earning power all increasing multifold.

The conclusion: Hucheng was like a tiger that resided in the mountains, and was never to provoke. If you ever provoke Xu Tingsheng, smack, smack! He will deliver you a good slap.

On reading this post, Xu Tingsheng thought, “Luckily, it’s still ‘smack, smack’ and not ‘smack, smack, smack’.”

The words in the post were inevitably rather more fervent and heated. The analyses into this by the media thereafter were more objective in comparison, also having more perspectives as well as layers of analysis. Still, whatever the case, they were all agreed that the so-called ‘battlefront of the Three Kingdoms’ had just been a one-sided slaughter in actuality with things having been comparatively relaxed for the victors.

Some media entities expressed frankly: If not for the fact that Youxin and Xueyou burned so much money in this, I’d really suspect that they were colluding to promote Hucheng’s name.

The strong advertising-like effect had been caused by the several intense discussions that it had evoked as well as the various twists and turns in the story. You might not have those even if you fully sponsored the New Year’s Gala.

As for why Hucheng who was at a disadvantage in terms of funds had ultimately been able to secure victory, besides some analyses on the overall course of events, such as those on the decisive effect of ‘Are You Hungry’ and Hucheng’s ‘covert operations’, there was one media organisation which played up the role of Xu Tingsheng’s personality in this entire episode.

Prompt and decisive action. Immediately after Hucheng’s opponents had appeared, it had promptly and decisively resumed its free-of-charge services. At the time, this had seemed like a move which basically cut off their own source of income. With Hucheng’s disadvantage in terms of funds, this was virtually equivalent to a valiant warrior dauntlessly severing his own arm.

Tolerance. Facing this tough predicament and their domineering opponents, being mocked and laughed at as the media all thought them doomed for failure, Xu Tingsheng had maintained his silence throughout, focusing on project development while also readying their plans to retaliate.

Ruthless. In the own words of this media dude:

“Boss Xu, please don’t sue me for libel. I really don’t want to use such a word on you who just turned twenty and are a role model for university entrepreneurs. Still, it’s true. I really can’t find any other word to make a more accurate description with. I hope you can see this as my praise, admiration and respect towards you. Out in the wide world, the strong has always presided over the weak, the victor reigning as king.”

Actually, how Xu Tingsheng had lured away and toppled Xueyou only contributed to a very small portion of these feelings of his. The greater part of it was because this dude did not know that there was someone called Lu Zhixin in Hucheng and her position, methods and capabilities.

Therefore, that series of actions executed by Lu Zhixin, including the merciless sueing of those companies for whom there had been a breach of contract that had directly led to the bankruptcy of two of them and her relentless hounding of Youxin-all of this was attributed to Xu Tingsheng.

Some even thought that the existence of that fake teacher with a bad record and even the two parents who had sued Youxin might have been carefully schemed by Hucheng from the start. Having been too full of themselves, Youxin had overlooked this and jumped right into the pit.

It was just that after Youxin’s Boss had said this once and been sued, no one had dared to mention this again...this was really malicious libel.

In truth, if Lu Zhixin did not expressly say that she did it, even Xu Tingsheng would not have such suspicions.

After this media dude had released his article, he was interviewed by other media entities, “You said such things about a youth entrepreneur idol. Is that really okay? Aren’t you afraid of being sued?”

This media dude expressed, “I trust in Boss Xu’s magnanimity. Moreover, he’s currently in the midst of ceaseless development and innovation, his future being unprecedented. There’s no need for him to come out of his way to deal with a minor guy like me.”

He thought that he would be fine if he praised Xu Tingsheng’s worth.

Yanzhou, Hucheng. Lu Zhixin said, “Contact our lawyers immediately. Send him a letter and sue him for personal attack and malicious libel, claiming for a compensation fee of five million yuan.”

Two days later, this media dude, “...”

……

With this precedent having been made, the later media reports mostly dared not focus on stuff like personality anymore. Concluding things from an objective viewpoint, the reason for Hucheng’s victory was still in its overall foresight and innovation in the first place.

Hucheng’s Xu Tingsheng was a heaven-blessed genius.

……

After a Physical Education lesson, Xu Tingsheng wiped off his sweat as he turned on his phone.

He had a missed call from the VP of Tianyi Media, Shao Jun.

Xu Tingsheng called him back.

Shao Jun spoke ‘painfully’ as soon as the call connected, “Boss Xu, Miss Apple’s album really can’t be delayed any longer. Do you know how badly Tianyi’s been scolded over the past half year? We’ve got to release the main song at the very least, alright?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Okay.”

In the latter half of May 2004 going into June and July, Rebirth had been a major hit as they had performed in public for the first time at Xinyan Senior High’s anniversary performance. Then, as they were going viral on the web and amongst the media, they had announced their partnership with Tianyi Media along with the transfer of copyrights of their songs.

One thing mentioned was this: There was a song which Rebirth had never performed which was soon to be performed by Tianyi’s new artiste that had their full support.

This incident had previously led to a major dispute due to Apple’s unfair treatment. Coupled with how Apple had been suppressed and kept from performing, the incident had become even more of a focal point as the entire Rebirth webpage and many music forums had totally blown up over it.

More than half a year had passed since then.

Nothing had been heard of that song. Nothing had been heard of Apple.

“When is this farce going to end?”

Anticipation turned into disappointment which in turn turned into fury. Rebirth’s fans and Apple’s fans ceased to argue as they banded together and rebuked Tianyu, “Return us Rebirth’s songs. Return us Apple!”

Some fans started an online petition. In just a single week, the number of signatures easily went over five digits.

The furious fans printed and mailed a thread several hundred pages long to Tianyi…“We protest! Let your new artiste die already! Please return Rebirth’s new song to Apple, and let Apple sing it to us.”

The fans seemed to have found the perfect solution, even though it seemed difficult to actualise in reality.

Tianyi felt bitter but were hard pressed to defend themselves. Previously, it was because Apple had chosen to study overseas for half a year with them being unable to publicise this fact that they had been forced to unfairly suffer these criticisms.

Afterwards, Apple had finally returned after all this time, also having recorded her new song. Yet, Xu Tingsheng had then staged a buyout of Apple’s new album-truly unheard of indeed! There was actually someone who staged a buyout of a singer’s album for their company’s project.

12th April 2005.

Weibo, Xingchen Technologies, soundlessly went online.

The first registered user: Cen Xiyu.

The first words in Weibo: <<Long Time No See>>.

As a singer who had once been extremely popular for some time, even if fans were not all that familiar with Apple’s Chinese name, they would still know it. The first fan who coincidentally discovered this wondered: Isn’t Cen Xiyu Apple? And what does long time no see mean?

Said fan dashed swiftly towards the base where most fans of Apple and Rebirth congregated, Rebirth’s small webpage.

Title of thread, with picture attached: Apple’s coming back.

“Apple’s back? Where?”

“Weibo.”

“So what’s this Weibo?”

“I can’t really explain. Just look it up yourself.”

In one short day, from noon till midnight, the fans and the random onlookers who amounted to nearly ten thousand people in total successively surged into the previously unheard of Weibo, with the real fans all beginning to register as they left messages beneath that post of Apple’s:

Is it you?

Is it Apple?

Really, truly?

Soon, Weibo’s customer service responded: Those with ‘v’s behind their names have all been verified as the actual person.

Thereafter, they began to guide the fans and the random onlookers in registering and leaving messages, starting their own Weibo.

Chapter 337: Another form of rebirth

Chapter 337: Another form of rebirth

Weibo’s affiliated company, Xingchen Technologies, gave no further statements on this.

Similarly, after leaving that first Weibo post, Apple gave no further responses at all.

Seeing the increasing number of inquiries and followers behind her original post, Apple called Xu Tingsheng from Shenghai and exclaimed in a spoiled manner, “I can’t wait, I can’t wait! Xu Tingsheng, I don’t want to be holier-than-thou! I so want them to hear my new song as quickly as possible, and watch the MV too. Maybe Ms Fang will see it too?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly, “We’ve got to let it brew for a few days first.”

This was actually just how people were. If the answer was definite to one thing, the attention would instead quickly quell. On the contrary, if there was an unknown factor, there would be increased speculation, discussion, contentions, with it becoming even more popular a topic.

This sort of phenomenon was growing increasingly evident in the internet age.

Apple’s return was doubtlessly the most popular topic on Weibo now. Apple definitely did not have such a standing considering the entire music industry. Still, she was one-of-a-kind in this newly launched Weibo.

More and more topics concerning Apple came up, and more and more things trended on Weibo.

<<Why has the returning Apple become Cen Xiyu? Because of that pain she wants to forget>>

<<Regarding whether Apple has already successfully terminated her contract with Tianle and signed with a new agency>>

<<Could it be the title of a new song? Wasn’t the ‘Long Time No See’ on Weibo in guillemets?>>

<<Stop. Just give me the release date of the new song>>

<<Where have you been this half year when they disallowed you from performing? Have you lived well, have you been unhappy? We, are still here>>

<<......>>

The rational lot and the emotional lot rallied together. Several of these posts caused Apple to cry as she had to desperately resist the urge to post a response and console these people time and time again.

At the same time, the impatient fans and the random onlookers who had nothing better to do started doing their own stuff on Weibo. Not needing any form of guidance whatsoever, random life stuff, random selfie stuff, random food stuff as well anecdotes that included confessions and feelings after breakups...these thus surged into existence.

“Hey, have you registered for Weibo yet? Let’s follow each other.”

These words increasingly began appearing frequently in various settings.

More and more people who did not know who Apple was in the first place began surging in. This meant that Apple was actually just an initial bait. Instead, she ended up receiving more attention due to Weibo.

These people came to know her from the most trending topic on Weibo before going to look her up on the internet, thereby beginning to anticipate her return whether out of curiosity, sympathy or plain interest.

When the number of registered users on Weibo hit the one million mark, Xu Tingsheng himself registered for his own account which had his identity verified with a ‘v’. Following that, those of the Black Horse Club as well as those around him, including his friends, classmates and football mates successively registered as well, following one another on Weibo.

The next day, Xu Tingsheng left his first Weibo post: Hu Shengming, your Mum’s yelling for you to go home to eat.

Many people took this seriously. Many were amused. Those who had nothing better to do decided to join in the fun as they successively shared it and commented on it as well.

“Who is Hu Shengming?”

“Why isn’t he going home to eat?”

“Hu Shengming, it’s been two days. Has your Mum found you yet?”

“Discussing the tragedy of youths’ addiction to the internet from Hu Shengming’s unwillingness to go home to eat.”

“I suspect that Hu Shengming may not want to go home to eat only because his Mum’s cooking isn’t good. Ladies, learn how to cook! Otherwise, let alone tying your husbands down, even your children will leave you and go.”

And so it was that as the platform known as Weibo arose in the year 2005, Hu Shengming was the first to shoot to stardom overnight.

In just two short days, Hu Shengming’s Weibo account had one of the most followers amongst everybody else’s aside from Apple.

Rolex, Lamborghini, Hermes, cigars...Hu Shengming basked in this sort of attention as he now began a new routine of showing off his wealth on Weibo, feeling triumphant amidst all the envy and curses that naturally followed.

When the Black Horse Club next gathered, Xu Tingsheng reminded him, “So many people have been looking at your Weibo for so many days, but why are you only just showing off your wealth and not making use of this chance to promote your three KTVs?”Most of those present were veterans in the business arena as they immediately understood. What a wonderful free advertising platform this really was! And it was free, too!

“Shengming, help me to promote my products too...I’ll give you a bottle of Lafite in return.”

Hearing Gao Yupo’s words, they all gained an even greater understanding of Weibo. Those with more followers were not just enabled to promote their own products or services for free, for they could similarly be paid to advertise for others!

Xu Tingsheng borrowed Hu Shengming to kickstart Weibo’s popular internet culture and major business functionalities.

……

22th April 2005, ten days after Apple’s first post.

Hucheng Tongcheng included, ten major websites posted on their front pages:

“Apple, Cen Xiyu, Long Time No See. 29th April, 8’ o clock. See you on Weibo.”

The same advertisement appeared not just on the internet but also in close to twenty popular newspapers and magazines, taking up entire pages on its own.

At the same time, in Shenghai, Yanjing, Xihu City as well as the other first-tier cities and higher, on billboards at bus and train stations, the LED screens on tall buildings...these advertisements were everywhere.

Xu Tingsheng had spent big money to pave the path for Apple amidst her resurgence while also promoting Weibo on a large scale in the meantime. These goals did not conflict in the slightest, instead complementing each other.

This was also exactly why Xu Tingsheng had staged a buyout of Apple’s album and acted in sync with Weibo’s launch. Since he could do these two things together, with it also being more effective that way, why would there be a need to act separately, spending two separate sums of money?

That same day.

There was a second post from Apple’s account, Cen Xiyu.

There was only a single word in the text: <<Rebirth>>.

The posted image was the cover of the album.

On it, Apple was wearing a T-shirt, blouse, jeans and cloth shoes as she carried a guitar and walked atop a grassy plain that was illuminated brightly by sunlight. Her head was tilted to the side as she gazed over and smiled radiantly, free and without restraint…

This was completely different from the image she had displayed to everyone during her time at Tianle. Back then, they had defined Apple like a ‘jade maiden singer’, deliberately establishing a gentle and affable image for her as she wore a white dress and smiled shyly and warmly...

How was that Apple? Xu Tingsheng had not liked that constructed image at all.

As for the current Apple, while one could not actually say that her image and style had been defined, looking at her picture on the cover of the album, besides youth and sunlight, there seemed to be only a single word which could describe her: Freedom.

Consolidating this along with the text, people analysed Apple’s intent:

She had rediscovered herself. The formerly restrained, repressed Apple had now returned to being Cen Xiyu who had regained her freedom. Such was her rebirth.

The title of the album was <<Rebirth>>.

What the netizens had guessed about the meaning behind the title of the album was basically correct.

Firstly, this was a rebirth of Apple’s own lifetime. As others saw it, this was a rebirth amidst her career as a singer as Apple became Cen Xiyu. And to Apple herself, following this rebirth now, what had returned to her might also be her mentality from before the age of ten as she was no longer lost, no longer fearful.

In addition, some netizens speculated:

Could this be Apple reminiscing on her time in Rebirth?

Is this a hint that her return is related to Rebirth?

Are the new songs all written by Rebirth?

……

What these netizens had no way of knowing was that the name of the album had actually been set by Xu Tingsheng.

That was another form of rebirth.

……

Whether it was those who were paying attention to Apple or those who really couldn’t be bothered, the number of Weibo users began increasing at the rate of a geyser spurting.

Having an acute sense for the management of his artistes, Shi Zhongjun quickly discovered Weibo’s value. After communicating with Xu Tingsheng, he announced that all Tianyi artistes would be entering Weibo…

The number of registered Weibo users skyrocketed yet again.

Chapter 338: Solitude overpowers restlessness

Prior to Weibo, regardless of whether it was his family’s supermarket, Hucheng’s platform or their service across cities, ‘Are You Hungry’ that had later come online included, Xu Tingsheng had never devoted so much funds and resources into promoting and operating them. Speaking of advertising, there had merely been a bit of it which took advantage of their fame as never ever had they truly taken out a whole bunch of money and spent it all on advertising before.

Why was Xu Tingsheng doing this with Weibo now then? Devoting immense funds, forming an all-encompassing net.

This was because Xu Tingsheng sought speed. He wanted to accomplish an absolute leading position in ‘Weibo’, a service would could actually be very easily imitated, at rapid speed as it was all brought out into the open. He had to accumulate a large consumer base and provide leading services.

The reason behind consumers being unwilling to leave a social media platform was service second, people first.

If someone’s social circle was all on a single platform as there were many people they were close with there, the possibility of them leaving the platform would decrease greatly.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng wanted to hook people and their real life social circles in as soon as possible. He drew them in, then their colleagues, their friends, their classmates, their relatives, all the way till all was achieved.

Moreover, many new friends you would be unwilling to part with would also be made amongst strangers.

The reason for Xu Tingsheng’s worry was that Weibo’s services were different. They formed a whole which represented ‘speaking power’. As soon as it was accomplished, it would threaten the positions of many large websites and online social platforms.

The education platform that Xu Tingsheng was currently running was single-minded in its scope. Those bigwigs might not be interested in it. While their service across cities had caused them to feel slightly panicked, they had decided against entering this unfamiliar industry. When Are You Hungry had appeared...dang, gangster-like methods like exclusivity contracts-how were others supposed to imitate that? Establish a whole bunch of restaurants just for the sake of a platform for takeaway?

Weibo was different, however. Weibo’s services would cause these bigwigs to feel threatened. Meanwhile, anyone who wanted to ‘recreate’ it could do it, and everyone would want to do so too. There were no restrictions whatsoever that came from culture and content.

Most crucial was still the site traffic and their speaking power. This was an area which would inevitably be contested.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng had to be swift and forceful in his actions to guard against them. He needed to quickly establish Xingchen Technologies’s status as orthodox, leading the race, possessing the highest number of consumers and possessing the richest content too.

This was just like what he had seen in his previous life. After XL’s Weibo had gained massive popularity, bigwigs like TX and SH had entered the field as well. However, speaking of Weibo, it was ultimately still XL’s that most people saw as the legitimate one.

Xu Tingsheng still did not possess the strength of XL, yet sought to equal their results. Thus, he invested big on this one.

As massive funds were allocated to this project, immense effects could correspondingly be seen. Moreover, Weibo had already been gradually gaining traction previously. When Tianyi’s artistes joined the site, bringing along numerous fans with them, other celebrities and famous people rode the trend as well...the number of registered users on Weibo skyrocketed crazily. Also, its own ‘biosphere’ was gradually being formed.

Hu Shengming’s existence had contributed greatly to the expansion of the possibilities on Weibo. The concept of fan economics was gradually comprehended by others from him. Apparently, this worked even for those who were not famous and supplied no products.

When something came on too quickly and too forcefully, one would easily feel uncomfortable, finding it to be precipitous.

Soon, someone who knew the internal situation of Xingchen Technologies pointed out, “Wildly throwing out funds really is ugly indeed. Xu Tingsheng is losing that stable, practical disposition from when he was developing his education platform.”

Xu Tingsheng thought nonchalantly, “You haven’t yet seen that ‘demented’ era that will arriving in a couple of years! They’ll all be wildly speculating on everything, hoping to strike it rich then.”

What Xu Tingsheng did feel rather guilty about was involving Apple in this. Right, because of how she was working in concert with the promotion of Weibo, Apple’s return appeared rather opportunistic and overly precipitous.

From a business standpoint, this definitely wasn’t a bad thing. Still, this was a negative thing when considering what Apple herself wanted and the way Xu Tingsheng preferred her to live.

In truth, some fans were already beginning to feel resentful.

……

29th April 2005, 8 o’ clock. The ‘Cen Xiyu’ account that currently had the most fans on Xingchen Technologies’ Weibo left its third post.

This might be the first time in history that a singer released the main song from their new album on social media.

Apple returned as Cen Xiyu’s <<Rebirth>> album’s main song, <Long Time No See>, was posted on Weibo.

The number of views quickly surpassed a hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, four hundred thousand…

Actually, <Long Time No See> definitely wouldn’t be the most popular song from the album <<Rebirth>>. The reason why it was the first song was none other than its name and the underlying meaning behind it as it was equivalent to Apple greeting everybody anew.

“Hi, long time no see.”

This sort of feeling was profoundly subtle as it would easily cause one to feel emotional.

Next, Xu Tingsheng had already long since predicted that the full-blown promotion of Weibo might cause people to feel apprehensive. Even as they clicked on this song, they might still be feeling impatient and on edge.

Meanwhile, <Long Time No See> possessed a solitary feel to it.

There was only the feeling of solitude which could bring an end to disquiet and tumult.

Another reason was in the MV.

The MV was shot in black and white, emanating the vibe of an old film.

The gentle opening sequence resounded, causing everyone to fall silent…

Against the black and white backdrop, Apple wore a sleeveless dress which went slightly above her knees. It was plain-coloured, having no patterns or complex embellishments at all. Her hair felt like it had not been carefully handled. There was no intricate makeup on her face at all as she wore simple, rather old-looking white cloth shoes, highlighted against her slender ankles…

Just like that, she walked through streets, alleys, old courtyards, passed by tall buildings and simple houses.

Everything within this city was black and white.

Apple’s vibe had changed. This was what all her fans immediately sensed.

If one said that the former Apple had been a sweet young girl, the current her might be a more invested singer, one who bore greater considerations as she expressed herself more deeply.

This was what the images conveyed.

As Apple opened her mouth, all restlessness faded.

The apprehensiveness from the abruptness, the disquiet from the opportunism...all was dispelled.

“I’ve come here to your city,

Walking roads you walked before,

Thinking about those days without me,

How lonely you must be…”

There wasn’t too much of a change in tone or upheaval in emotions as all was just that mild, the fans seemingly enraptured by the gradual narration of a friend on a journey of searching for that which had been lost. This was a search in which one dared not be too forceful, dared not be too deliberate.

This sort of feeling: I’ve come. I want to meet you, but I’m afraid that you’d be unwilling...if we could meet by chance, how perfectly reasonable it would be...

Once in a while, as Apple’s fans extricated themselves from this narrative, they would marvel at how even the quality of Apple’s voice had changed. While it was wholly impossible for someone to change the way their voice sounded in itself, Apple’s voice had qualitatively changed.

Those who were a bit more professional would discover that Apple’s singing had improved so, so much…

If the former Apple had relied solely on her beautiful appearance and her sweet singing voice along with those songs of Rebirth which really were too good and popular, she could now be considered a true singer.

A singer who had a unique flair to her voice and style to her work.

There was a scene change as the male lead of the music video now made an appearance.

Yet, as the scene changed from one to the other, there was no interaction between him and Apple in the slightest.

There he walked, alone, wearing a woolen sweater and carrying a backpack as he traversed numerous cities.

The camera did not give any close ups, not revealing the full features of the male lead to the audience.

Only those who truly were the most familiar with him would be able to recognise him as Fu Cheng.

The singing continued.

The male lead walked through a small town, standing and gazing not far away from a small campus and mottled school gate for a while before getting on a bus and leaving. Those of the audience might hence remember those small cities where they had grown up, those campuses where they had walked with their friends, their first love in their youth…

And in truth, that was Libei, Libei Senior High, just that it had become blurry and hard to identify in these black and white scenes.

Next was Jiannan City, the slope of the hill, forested paths and old houses behind the hospital…

During her recovery period, Fu Cheng had accompanied her in walking through these places every single day, walking very slowly…

Then came Yanzhou.

“Taking the photos you gave me,

That street which is so familiar,

Just that it no longer has you,

We can’t return to that day…”

Streets, restaurants, cinema, park, mountaintop, seaside…

Fu Cheng walked through all those places they had visited those two blissful days, every single place he had been to with Ms Fang…

Solitary was the figure in the scene, unable to return to that day.

Then came the slow journey of the green train, to a small mountain village, and then...one after another, cities which either were named or not...completely unfamiliar stations, streets, faces…

The scenes changed ceaselessly.

“Will you suddenly appear,

In the coffee shop by the street,

Smiling, I wave, strike up something,

I’ll sit down and chat with you.”

When Apple sang ‘Will you suddenly appear, in the coffee shop by the street’, the camera swept over a coffee shop. Through the glass window by the street, even the audience sitting by their computers could not help but anticipate, hoping that the person being sought could appear.

Yet, there were only pedestrians in the background. Ultimately, no one else showed up.

“How I want to meet with you,

See how things have been recently,

No more about the past, striking up a hello,

Saying one thing, just one thing to you,

Long time no see…”

The final scene was at night, in an unfamiliar city. The male lead sat in the back row of a public bus, leaning sideways against the window. The camera captured his indistinct side profile, that gaze forever fixated on all that was moving by outside.

All the way, all the way till the singing gradually subsided.

Words appeared on the bus window: It’s been over a year. My phone number’s never changed.

These words could not be more cheesy; this male lead had never even revealed his face. Yet, from this image, from him, everyone saw the deepest solitude.

Within this solitude actually also existed the solitude of everyone.

In this music video, Apple was the one singing, while the drama unfolded only with the male lead. He walked ceaselessly, searching, yet all was simply fruitless.

Xu Tingsheng received a call from a sobbing Song Ni who could almost hardly speak, “Xu Tingsheng, I miss Ms Fang so much. But how could she have been so cruel...Fu Cheng...”

Xu Tingsheng feigned nonchalance as he smiled, “That accursed Fu Cheng, it was so hard to convince him. This music video cost me so much money.”

On that same day, in some small city in the southwest, in the staffroom at some small private school, there was someone who watched all those scenes on the computer on the desk. Her heart ached deeply as she wept soundlessly, the tears streaming unceasingly down her face.

Seeing this, her colleagues asked, “Are you okay, Ms Fang?”

“I’m, I’m fine. I’m going back to the dormitory to cook now. If a superior asks, please help me explain it to them,” Fang Yunyao said.

And she took out her phone, hesitated, then put it away again.

Chapter 339: Aurora at the Tromso Midnight Sun Marathon

Fu Cheng’s story ultimately stayed within a very small range, even though his figure had moved countless people, having evoked similar emotions in many.

Those in the know were few at the end of the day.

As most people saw it, that had only been a performance. They did not know that the story was actually real, and the person in the scenes actually lacked even a chance to say ‘long time no see’.

Apple’s song went viral.

And because of the vibe of the song itself, with Apple’s performance and the atmosphere created by the music video, the earlier feeling of restlessness was completely dispelled.

The views on that post grew multifold, even quickly surpassing the number of people following her. Perhaps there were some who were listening and watching over and over again. Perhaps some had only just arrived, still not having yet had the time to click follow.

The comments below were similarly very exaggerated. Within a single day, there were over a thousand pages. If there were fifty comments on one page, the total number of comments that day had already surpassed fifty thousand. One must know that this was still the computer era, with the age of smartphones still having yet to arrive.

“His mother, this old man watched, listened, and ended up crying,” Someone said.

“This dame too,” Someone replied.

“Actually, me too. Don’t laugh. I’m nearly forty, and I thought that I’d long since experienced enough to remain unruffled by everything, but I still cried today.”

Someone replied, “What’s there to be embarrassed about? When you have experienced that sort of relationship before, have truly loved and cherished before, after you have lost it and come to meet that person again one day in the future, it will be very hard not to feel upset whether you still love them or not. Is a song just a song? It is a sort of mood, a sort of recollection, of a past that no one can ever erase from their minds. It’s very normal.”

Someone else said, “I’ve met her, five years after we broke up. Really, I only said one thing, long time no see. She said the same thing too. Still, it was pretty good. To me, that long time no see was like the sudden reduction of a life sentence. Things of the past have been accounted for.”

Actually, the song was not heart-wrenching or excruciating. Yet, the tranquility and pain that it exuded seemed able to pierce right into the core...when those listening had tales of their own.

If you had experienced it and you reminisced on it, all those scenes, all those streets, all those memories, of that former couple, of whom now only you remained.

If you had experienced heartfelt voices of concern and reminders when you got off the plane or got on a train and had once thought that she was being too naggy, yet no longer was it possible to listen to that again however much you wished to.

More and more people wrote about their own stories in the comments.

The shortest tale, “You’re gone, and I still live in this city that is full of memories. Even a tree can hurt me.”

Something which most promoted Weibo was this: “I dare not come to meet you. The only thing I can feel happy about now is that I can secretly look at your Weibo everyday, even though I dare not even follow you, have never sent a single word in reply.”

The tale with the greatest plot twist: “After listening to this song in the morning, I got off the train a stop earlier today, alighting before the entrance to your office. How I wished to run into you as soon as I got off the train, but how afraid I also was to run into you. For better or for worse, you didn’t appear in the end. I could still continue to imagine, imagining how lonely you are in these days without me...this old man doesn’t want you happy and blissful to the end of your days! No, I hope that you will grow old alone and lonely.”

Some more normal stories:

“He drives a taxi. We broke up over a year ago. I wasn’t wearing spectacles that day, and hailed a taxi on the road...I opened the door, said long time no see, and then closed it. I didn’t get on, but I remembered the days when I would stick around in his car all day, unwilling to leave. It always took so much effort before he could convince the passengers that this really was a normal taxi, not a pool taxi.”

“We were in university together. It’s been seven years. After listening to the song, I visited the university today. I visited many places, like the self-study room and the field, then went alone to the canteen by the school gates. As I was eating, hearing a voice, I abruptly raised my head. At that moment...I actually thought that you were right across from me.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng left no comment. His tale was the hardest to describe, and could also not be described.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had initially renamed <Long Time No See> and called it <Rebirth>.

Everyone on Tianyi’s team, Apple included, had rejected this. Looking at the lyrics, no one at all could understand-just how was this rebirth?!

To Xu Tingsheng, it represented none other than rebirth.

When he had come to Yanzhou for the first time following his rebirth, that line had resounded in his head: I’ve come here to your city...that street which is so familiar…

That was rebirth.

Following that rebirth, I know you, but you don’t know me. I’ve come here to your city...I want to meet with you...saying one thing, just one thing to you, long time no see…

I’ve come to see your past. Time has flowed twelve years in reverse, and I must say, separated by two worlds: Long time no see.

……

The main song, <Long Time No See> of Cen Xiyu’s album, <<Rebirth>>, began topping the charts on the various major radio stations and music websites the day right after its release on Weibo.

Xu Tingsheng actually couldn’t remember how this song had performed on the charts in his previous life. However, this time, with the song itself and that promotion on Weibo previously, <Long Time No See> had shot up to the top of several charts in a very short period of time.

The music scene and the media seemed unable to quickly acclimatize to this state of affairs.

Also, how were they supposed to judge Apple? Based on her current popularity and influence, she was indisputably first-tier. Yet, in terms of experience and foundation, in terms of products where she had merely re-sung a few of Rebirth’s songs prior to this, with only the first song of her first album released...how could they classify her as first-tier with just that?

Even as many were feeling troubled by this, more had already begun taking notice of Weibo’s influence. Whether it was any random artiste or famous figures from other fields, many began carefully working on their own Weibo.

It was just that they could not quickly hit on a correct method. Many appeared rather rigid, too fake and deliberate.

Actually, according to Xu Tingsheng’s knowledge from his previous life, it could be said that the advent of Weibo had changed the way celebrities, fans and bystanders interacted in actuality.

More interaction would appear amongst them as the distance between them was narrowed. As celebrities gained a platform that they could use to show another side of themselves to the rest of society, the ways in which they gathered fans correspondingly became increasingly varied.

A singer had become extremely popular from being good at telling anecdotes. This would have been very difficult to imagine prior to the appearance of Weibo.

There were also some people whose cats or dogs became popular before they themselves did.

Xu Tingsheng had seen these situations before, but this was not the case for everyone else. In his previous life, this Weibo culture and atmosphere had been naturally cultivated over time. In this life, however, in order to rapidly consolidate the position of Xingchen Weibo, Xu Tingsheng intended to manually guide it.

Apple was the first to reach five million followers on Weibo. In this era where one could only surf the internet with computers and not for a long time too, this was already an insane achievement.

The problem was that she was no longer updating her status.

Not only was Apple not updating her status on Weibo, she was nowhere to be found on television programs and on the radio too.

Logically speaking, she should be promoting herself during this time. What did it mean when nothing at all was being said?

Finally, when the comments inquiring into this were already upward of a thousand pages, Apple updated her Weibo.

There was a picture of her running in sports attire, an aurora illuminating the road and her body.

There were also words: Sorry, everyone. I’m currently where it’s perpetually day, participating in the Tromso Midnight Sun Marathon. It’s daylight 24 hours a day here. The aurora’s unbelievably beautiful.

This was just like someone telling an ordinary friend of theirs that they were going on a holiday.

Still, this was really too interesting. A singer releasing an album had run off to run a marathon.

“What in the world is the Tromso Midnight Sun Marathon?”

“You are my aurora.”

“The heck? What is this?”

“Apple, you can run a marathon? I don’t believe you.”

“What about the next song? What about the next song? Where’s song number two?”

“...”

Soon, Apple updated her Weibo again.

The picture was of Apple clutching a certificate while sweating profusely.

To summarise, it was totally unglamorous, with her hair and whatnot all being in a mess. Also, she might have flopped down on the ground before, for her body, hands and face were full of mud, all streaked black…

Only Apple’s most hardcore fans would say that Apple showed another form of beauty after these great physical exertions.

The words: 67th in the female category, out of not even two hundred people...I’ve really run too little because of song recordings recently. I swear that I’ll go at it again next year. If I can’t enter the top 30, I’m quitting the music scene.

The fans were instantly rendered speechless.

“Don’t scare me!!!”

“What’s this? Quitting the music scene if you can’t enter the top 30 in a marathon? ...Shouldn’t it be quitting the sports scene? What does this have to do with the music scene?”

“Agreed.”

“Same as above.”

Xu Tingsheng commented with an alternate account, “Even lying down harmlessly the music scene gets shot…”

Then, this sentence went viral. Various kinds of getting shot despite lying down harmlessly appeared on Weibo.

Then, Apple replied, “That’s true. Then, if I can’t make it into the top 30, I’m quitting the sports scene.”

“...You never were in the sports scene in the first place, okay?”

“Are you planning to participate in the 2008 Beijing Olympics?”

Following these two Weibo messages, Apple’s Weibo slowly increased in its quantity of pictures and words. These were wholly unrelated to her album and upcoming songs as it was only about her life in its entirety, come not through a filter.

Unlike that from her time in Tianle previously or that exhibited within the music video, due to her display on Weibo, Apple’s image grew to be increasingly unique, increasingly real, increasingly friendly, interesting and lovable…

Xu Tingsheng’s alternate account contributed a second popular phrase: I never thought you were such an Apple.

Yet another phrase began trending on Weibo.

Xu Tingsheng was helping Apple whilst also guiding Weibo to a more developed state.

Then, his alternate account inexplicably gained over a hundred thousand likes, looking soon to surpass his real, officially verified account...a successful young entrepreneur couldn’t compare to someone who had a way with words?

The answer was: yes. In the era of Weibo, that is.

The actual Apple, the Apple who cared not what others thought about her, the casual, liberated Cen Xiyu-her fanbase expanded at a terrifying rate. Six million followers, eight million followers, any casual Weibo message easily garnering several thousand, tens of thousands of comments.

“Not only has her song gone viral, the person herself has too!”

Without any advertisements on programmes or public notices, with just these Weibo messages alone, Apple’s <Long Time No See> solidly hogged the head of the various music charts. This was already no longer just a matter of the influence exerted by that one song itself.

As other celebrities saw that things actually worked this way, that they could gain a following like this, they successively got off their high horses as well, employing various intriguing methods...

A celebrity uploaded a video of himself performing magic and did excellently, thus gaining over ten thousand followers. Another did the same but messed up terribly, ending up laughing hysterically on the floor. But he ended up with a whopping thirty thousand followers…

Hidden experts emerged with various techniques of all kinds as pseudo celebrities soon emerged amongst the normal citizens.

Weibo rose to prominence just like that.

Xu Tingsheng’s guidance of Weibo’s culture had been a resounding success.

Opening his inbox, he saw that Apple had sent a new email:

“Dearest one, I’m in Tromso. This place is eternally bright, never needing any lights. I won’t have to be resting on your back, letting you carry me someplace bright...but I still miss you.”

Chapter 340: Everybody’s doubting

It was true that becoming famous would give rise to much contention. If someone was paid attention to and evaluated by many, there would naturally be more discussion and faults to be found. This was how it was for Apple. Moreover, there had already been much doubt regarding her reemergence this time in the first place.

The album <> was produced by Tianyi Media. So, how was it that despite having been suppressed by Tianle previously, having been wholly helpless to resist, Apple was suddenly now affiliated to a major entity like Tianyi now that she had reemerged?

While it was said that Weibo had staged a buyout of her album to use in concert with their new venture, just about anyone, in truth, could see that Weibo was supporting her despite the great costs. What was her relationship with the one running Weibo? Could a relationship like this still be guaranteed as pure?

Also, why was it that the songwriter of that song was anonymous?

Also, was it that she had already agreed on terms with Tianyi in the first place, with the entire process merely having been a performance to win attention and everyone’s sympathy, hence scoring better recognition?

If the song had been written by Rebirth, this went even further in proving that she had actually agreed on terms with Tianyi long ago, right? In that case, it could only be said that all that had transpired previously had been acted out. How deeply those schemes ran.

As doubts like these ceaselessly grew...

Someone made a move.

The other party seemed to have been preparing and waiting all this time, having waited for this exact moment to throw out the dirty laundry.

As Apple was still having fun beneath the aurora and daylight of Tromso, darkness was already encroaching on her.

Things were worrisome as rumours were rife and news was deliberately leaked. As it was the Internet era, even Tianyi had no way of suppressing this within a short period of time. The PR team also seemed unable to find any proper solution for the time being.

There was much contention regarding Apple as even her family background and how she had been growing up was investigated on. To sum it up, these past experiences did not at all make her look like a very good role model.

Yet, wasn’t a youth coming to their senses and growing up following their rebellious phase a praiseworthy thing too?

Tianyi’s PR team would guide public opinion along in this direction. Moreover, Xu Tingsheng possessed the homeground advantage of Weibo.

There were actually two things that people felt most astonished by or paid most attention to.

Firstly: Apple was suspected of having suffered from a mental illness, having once attempted to kill herself. It was precisely because of this that out of consideration for her safety, Tianle had temporarily stopped her from performing despite the economic losses that this might entail.

In the end, however, Apple had not acknowledged their kindness, instead having repaid it with enmity.

In that case, just how was it that she had been able to resist Tianle, terminating her contract and gaining the support of Tianyi?

And here came the second focal point.

Secondly: Apple had gained some figure of authority as a backer. It was precisely this person who had helped her to solve that series of problems, gaining the support of the mighty Tianyi and maliciously taking revenge on her former company. Now...that person was supporting her powerfully in her reemergence.

The ones leaking the scoop left some subtle hints that directed the nature of the rumours. As a result...this was quickly linked to things like questionable transactions of the flesh for the sake of wealth and authority.

It was hardest for fans to accept the ‘filthiness’ of their idols. Soon, Apple’s image took a big hit as comments of mockery and criticism often appeared on her Weibo.

The fans, the ‘dark’ fans and those onlookers who had nothing better to do and thus joined in the commotion began warring on Weibo and various other forums.

As they warred and warred, the haters attacked:

“If you hardcore braindead fans insist on saying that Apple’s sickness is made-up, that Tianyi is lying, explain it to me then. Which company would suppress their popular artiste who is capable of earning them big money? Unless they’re stupid?”

There were actually quite a few situations like this, mostly being related to whether artistes were obedient or not. Still, these things were generally corporate secrets. Ordinary folk would be hard pressed to give a convincing example as support of their claims.

“Well...in 2004, a man and woman individually won two artiste programmes. Weren’t Zhang XX and An XXXXX both prevented from performing too? Could it be that they can’t earn money for their agencies? Who knows what those agencies are thinking.”

The substantiation of these fans was rather forced.

The haters continued attacking, “Since you raised these two examples, the two of them are still suppressed and unable to retaliate. How is this like your Apple who managed to terminate her contract successfully in such a short time, gaining powerful support and killing her way back with such unstoppable momentum? Her background seems to be very ordinary, you know.”

The fans, “...”

The haters, “It’s too easy, isn’t it? What might this be if not gaining the support of some rich dude? He may even be in the bureaucracy. Stop protecting her. Look at her return, even those stardom queens don’t gain that much popularity.”

The fans, “...”

The haters, “Don’t be stupid. All this was just meant to gain your sympathy, fooling you and gaining traction for herself…”

It was impossible to know how many industry insiders with malicious intentions there were concealed amongst these haters or were perhaps even pretending to be fans. Still, with their deliberate manipulation, they quickly gained the advantage. The helpless fans could only leave comments beneath Apple’s Weibo, hoping that their idol could come out to clarify matters.

Sadly, Apple herself who was at the center of this tempest made no moves at all for a few consecutive days. Also, no matter who it was who called, she pretended to be unaware of it all.

……

Currently working hard towards being an agent, Apple’s former assistant and big sister Li Juan flew over to Tromso at once. Considering Apple’s previous sickness, she was incomparably worried as she feared that she might be unable to bear it, therefore walking the extreme.

The two met at the airport.

Seeing that Apple looked fine, Li Juan immediately asked exasperatedly, “All hell’s breaking loose back in the country. How are you still able to calmly remain here, simply hiding and not saying a single word?”

Putting her arm in Li Juan’s, Apple laughed mischievously, replying, “Say, Sis...is it that so long as Xu Tingsheng comes out and admits that he was protecting me, everything will be resolved?”

Li Juan thought for a moment before agreeing, “That’s true. Still, he hasn’t said anything! Have you mentioned it to him? Is he worried that news of your relationship will be detrimental to your career? You’re so popular right now, after all.”

The entertainment industry around the year 2005 was indeed not like how it would be around the year 2010, when fans would generally be supportive and give artistes their well wishes in their relationships, even taking the initiative in helping them to find suitable targets. In this era, there were fans who made crazy commotions over the marriage of their idols.

“No, I could care less about that,” Apple said, “It’s because I did such a silly thing. Sis, do you know what I said to him before I went to America?”

“What did you say?”

“I said that this time, I was going to wait for him to fall in love with me himself...so, it’s like…”

“So the two of you can be considered as having temporarily broken up, no longer being together?”

Apple bashfully nodded, “Sigh, those lines from dramas rushed to my head. Isn’t that what they usually say on TV? At that time, I thought that having been willing to accept me in such a state, sympathy would definitely have played a part. Since that was so...we should refresh things and start over. I seem to...have been overconfident.”

Li Juan shot Apple a look, sighing, “So you’re waiting to see his reaction now?”

Apple nodded, “Even if I have to act shameless, I’ve got to grab hold of him this time.”

“...This is too thoughtless.Your life and your career are at stake here, you know? How can you be so silly?” An angry Li Juan exclaimed, “Come, go back with me right away. You’ve got to give a statement as soon as possible.”

Apple shook the watch on her wrist, “There aren’t any planes anymore, heh.”

Chapter 341: Acting together in concert

On the same day that Li Juan arrived in Tromso via plane, Zhang Ninglang who seldom made an appearance specially made a trip to the riverside residence to look for Xu Tingsheng.

“Bro Xu, have you seen those things being said about Sis Apple on the Internet? They are pretty overboard. I have been trying to help defend her, but it’s been useless,” A worried Zhang Ninglang asked.

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“Well...aren't you going to stand up for Sis Apple and say something on her behalf? Actually, you just need to do so and all should be fine, right? While I don't know any insider news, I can guess that it was definitely you who helped her. That's nothing that can't be said, right?”

Zhang Ninglang looked at Xu Tingsheng with a rather apologetic whilst also somewhat anticipatory gaze.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng was unable to give Zhang Ninglang a reply regarding this matter.

He too was actually well aware of one thing. If he came out and admitted that it was he who had been shielding Apple and paving the way for her all along, or more directly told everyone that the two had been classmates in senior high and were a couple now, the problem would be resolved just like that.

Latching onto what rich dude? ...The guy handsome and the girl beautiful, they had fallen love in school as they had dated normally, alright? Then, they had individually developed while assisting each other. Was that wrong? Seeing his girlfriend bullied, the boyfriend who just happened to possess sufficient capabilities had stood up for her-was there a problem here?

With that, even if Apple might lose some more extreme fans, it would still be a proper one-time solution to the problem at the end of the day.

It might even become an awe-inspiring tale that others would marvel at, reciting with real relish.

However, Xu Tingsheng was most concerned with those two things that Little Xiang Ning had requested of him, that she was still waiting for him to accomplish.

He was indeed attempting to think up methods, including ‘very old-fashioned’ ones and ones that ‘appealed greatly to emotion’.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had already hurt Xiang Ning because of Apple once before. This was back when he had chosen to take care of her who had been afflicted with severe depression.

Even though Xiang Ning had still been very ignorant back then and had never truly understood that incident, to Xu Tingsheng, since he had chosen to shoo away Little Xiang Ning and raise his hands for Apple back then, he had indeed hurt that relationship and Little Xiang Ning by extension, also having hurt the ‘Big Xiang Ning’ in his heart in the process.

Also, things were different this time. If Xu Tingsheng were to show his support for Apple this time, it would have to be in public, in an official stance.

Little Xiang Ning liked and had been paying attention to Apple all along. She was definitely excited and joyful now that Apple had re-entered the music scene. Also, she knew of Xu Tingsheng’s identity as a member of Rebirth…

Therefore, she would definitely know it. This was surely not the same as just being classmates or members of the same band. Someone being willing to go so far for another person-whoever would believe that there was nothing going on between them?

Therefore, if she was hurt this time, it would truly be a grievous wound.

Also, she was just sixteen, perhaps only just awakening to the first stirrings of love. How was he supposed to explain things to her?

Tell her that this was in order to protect Apple? When the day came in the future when she was really, openly by Xu Tingsheng’s side, wouldn’t that mean that in the gossip articles or internet rumours, she was to be described as the substitute for a female celebrity or a third party who had swooped in and stolen him away?

Anyway, going by Big Xiang Ning’s personality from his previous life, she would never be able to tolerate this, definitely not…

She was not an angel whose brain circuits were all fried or some foolish saintess one might see in television dramas. Xiang Ning was just a normal girl who did not stand on ceremony at all in being petty when she had to...also, she had many other faults and deficiencies too.

It was because of this that she was truly lovable. Xu Tingsheng would not have fallen in love with a saintess.

Even if Little Xiang Ning was so understanding in this life that Xu Tingsheng didn’t recognise her, being able to empathise with even this...the problem lay with Mr and Mrs Xiang too. They were more or less able to understand Xu Tingsheng’s feelings towards their daughter, yet were able to comprehend this.

Their wariness of Xu Tingsheng had already been very high in the first place. To do something like this now?

Dating a celebrity whilst still having his eyes on their precious daughter?

In that case...any good impression that might still have remained would probably all fly away.

The sole conclusion they might come to was that rich people were all morally questionable indeed…

And what about in the future? Hey, what future might remain...really, perish the thought.

Xu Tingsheng sought a method which could satisfy both sides. He hesitated all the way till nighttime.

That night, the company running Weibo, Xingchen Technologies, released an official Weibo announcement.

“Xingchen Technologies is honoured to be able to work together with Tianyi Media and Miss Cen Xiyu. At the same time, we are extremely grateful towards Miss Cen Xiyu for her contributions in promoting Weibo.”

“Regarding those many speculations, we can reveal one thing. Boss Xu and Miss Cen were indeed classmates in senior high school. Therefore, our cooperation this time is very normal. Still, that’s all there is to it.”

Far away in Tromso, Li Juan immediately called Apple over after seeing this post on Weibo.

“That’s all there is to it? ...What does he mean by that? Clarifying their innocence? Or does it mean that other people are free to guess whatever they want? Why is he doing this?”

Li Juan rattled off a whole list of questions. Apple said nothing. She basically understood Xu Tingsheng’s actions and why he had done so.

It was pretty cruel. At least, from what she remembered, Xu Tingsheng had never been so ruthless towards her before.

“You’re afraid of hurting her this time, aren’t you? Right...you already gave her up once because of me. The me of right now should learn to face things myself. There’s no reason for you to throw everything away again.”

Apple lay on her bed, drawing her curtains, blocking off the daylight and aurora.

“Apple?” Li Juan asked carefully.

“He still helped me out of a portion of the encirclement, at least,” Apple said, “Sis, I feel like sleeping. Help me to book the air tickets. Let’s return to the country tomorrow, the two of us.”

……

Apple was still very quiet when boarding the plane the next day. The weather wasn’t good and there was no scenery above the clouds. She simply looked at the dense fog outside the window throughout the entire journey, not uttering a sound.

Li Juan had originally wanted to instruct her on what to say to the media after returning to China. On seeing this, however, she could only hold herself back, remaining silent throughout.

While in the hotel, waiting to change flights, Apple suddenly told Li Juan, “Sis, tell the company to change the song that will be uploaded tomorrow. Replace <Want To Sing You My Song>.”

Li Juan asked, “Why?”

Apple smiled rather piteously, “<Want To Sing You My Song> is sung by me and him together. Although he is wearing a mask and his figure is blurry...that person who knows him very well will probably still be able to recognise him.”

The final part of that sentence was said very softly, so softly that only she herself could hear it.

Actually, Little Xiang Ning would not mind Xu Tingsheng singing a duet with Apple. After all, she knew about Xu Tingsheng’s hidden identity as a member of Rebirth. If it was just singing together in a duet as fellow members of the band, she might even feel happy as a result.

Still, Apple was not aware of this. Not knowing anything about Xiang Ning at all, never having investigated this as well, she believed the problem to be more severe than it really was.

“Afraid that he’ll be swept into this? And so?” Li Juan asked.

“I’ll act together in concert,” Apple replied.

“Well, what song instead then?”

“<Performer>.”

Now, Apple puffed up her cheeks, suddenly smiling, “I’ll let you have your way this time. Still, I’ve got to at least vent my mood, right? Listen to the song, and feel guilty to death.”

The next day, as the plane was in the midst of flying eastward.

The second song <Performer> of Cen Xiyu’s album <<Rebirth>> simultaneously aired on various major television and radio stations in China.

Apple sang:

“I who should act together in concert with you pretend to see nothing

When forcing someone who loves you the most to take to the stage

……

But you once loved me so much why must I act out these scenes

……

When I must act together in concert I perform with all my might

It’s because I love you that I choose to perform, and fulfill you

Chapter 342: Press conference

It was evening when the plane landed in Shenghai.

Currently, <Performer> was already rapidly gaining traction on the various music charts as it was frenziedly broadcasted on the Internet.

Coincidentally, the plot of the music video was precisely this: The character played by Apple mustered up her courage and waited in front of the house of her former boyfriend. When she finally saw him, however, it was with his new girlfriend. In front of them, she played the role of some ordinary classmate who had just happened to run into him by chance…

She smiled at them, but as she turned, teardrops were trickling down her face.

“I who should act together in concert with you pretend to see nothing. When forcing someone who loves you the most to take to the stage…...When I must act together in concert I perform with all my might. It’s because I love you that I choose to perform, and fulfil you.

Each line evoked intense feelings, piercing deeply into one’s heart.

Tianyi had spent great effort on the music videos of all ten songs in the album <<Rebirth>>, having emphasised on either concept, storyline, or deep feels for each.

Singers were appraised on their songs at the end of the day. As soon as <Performer> was uploaded, the morale of the fans rose as they gained a killer trump card in the battles against the haters: We are the champions. Apple’s song is competing against herself at the top of the rankings…”

Just like that, amidst the many rumours, Apple’s popularity rose yet again with an unstoppable momentum.

At the same time, news about Apple’s return to the country began to spread.

When Apple emerged from the arrival hall at the airport, the entrance was already surrounded by the cameras of some dozens of reporters.

Li Juan wanted to obstruct them, but Apple indicated that there was no need and walked up without any makeup as she smiled, “I’ll speak to everyone during tomorrow morning’s press conference. Thank you.”

……

10am the next morning, Tianyi’s press conference in Shenghai City.

Apple was putting on makeup in the dressing room while listening to the PR team’s tips on how to speak to the media, “If you find that you can’t answer, say: We should really talk about music and the album instead.”

Apple suddenly burst out chortling even as she replied, “Got it.”

During a brief intermission, she sent Xu Tingsheng a text, “Who would have thought, right? The song that you wrote for me...is actually playing out in real life. When I must act together in concert with you I perform all my might...I’m going off to the press conference now.”

If this were ten years later, she might add, “Come, let’s hurt each other...ha!”

After sending the text, imagining Xu Tingsheng’s expression and mood as he read it, Apple felt some triumph amidst her bitterness. She knew that Xu Tingsheng would not be feeling good at all, yet sometimes, girls just had to keep score on even this, seeing if...does your heart twinge?

Yet, when she finally arrived at the site of the press conference, took a bow and sat down, faced with several dozen reporters who looked like they were raring to go, Apple still felt a bit uneasy.

The current Apple was in the midst of high popularity and with so many issues that revolved around her too. The excitement of the media was sufficiently stoked. And in their eyes, the concept of empathy and understanding did not exist whatsoever.

The first question came. A female reporter cut to the chase.

“I would like to ask Apple, or Miss Cen Xiyu. Is it true that you were previously afflicted with a severe mental illness, also having tried to kill yourself before? Reverting from your English name Apple to your Chinese name Cen Xiyu and starting out anew-is it related to this?”

Apple slowly nodded, then shook her head, finally replying, “Actually, I’m not very familiar with the idea of mental illnesses, but I can confirm that I had severe depression before. The idea of suicide did cross my mind, but I never actually attempted it before. As for changing my name to start out anew, it is indeed related to this, because I felt like I experienced a qualitative change in my life.”

Never having thought that Apple would admit to her former illness so candidly with no thought for her image, a commotion arose in the crowd as there were startled exclamations all around before heated discussion began.

After a while, another reporter continued, “Regarding that, rumour is that Tianle stopped you from performing precisely due to your illness, in order to protect you. Is that really the case?”

Apple had no need to answer this question herself. It seemed that anything she said regarding her former company could be found fault with.

Tianyi’s PR person who was presiding over the press conference took over, raising a piece of A4-sized paper and saying, “Please remain patient, everyone. A piece of paper like that in my hand will soon be passed down to all of you.”

The relevant personnel began handing out the document that Tianyi’s PR team had prepared beforehand.

“Everyone can see now that Miss Cen Xiyu, Apple’s schedule for commercial performances when at a certain company...calling it ceaseless would not be too much, right? According to Miss Apple’s former assistant, Miss Apple lost an alarming ten kilos over those two months.”

The PR person stopped at this point.

The reporters gripped the sheet of paper, either murmuring to themselves or discussing with one another, ‘That’s totally immoral…’, ‘Right, let alone a young girl, even an Olympic champ would collapse with this sort of intensity…’, ‘This is too much…’

When the voices had finally quelled, Tianyi’s PR person continued, “I should divulge another piece of news here. Miss Apple’s income from participating in each one of those commercial performances was 800 yuan.”

The reporters present were utterly dumbstruck. Whatever the case, Apple had been a popular new artiste at the time! The fee for inviting her should not have been low, and yet the company had actually paid her so little.

This might help them to understand why three years later, the champion of a certain broadcasted artiste competition would shockingly reveal that they had only earned seventy thousand in total over the past three years.

“Why was Miss Apple willing to suffer such treatment at the time? It was because they promised to quickly release a new album for her, then organise a concert after its successful release. That was her dream…”

“As for the result, you can understand half of it from that list. As for the other half, you have your own channels. You can simply ask around if there was any news at all at the time of a certain company collecting songs within the industry for Apple’s album.”

Here, the PR person paused and smiled wryly, “If it were me, I would be depressed too.”

While this had clearly been said in a joking tone, no one was able to easily smile.

Firstly, everyone already understood Apple’s initial situation. As for how her depression had come about, whether she had been protected or harmed, this could not be any more obvious, really.

Secondly, as depression was a illness that affected the masses, many present could empathise with it. Also, mocking an illness was always a no-no for sure.

Apple had already completely turned the tables in this incident. Some reporter uploaded a photo of that sheet of paper and a summary of the PR team’s words onto Weibo. Immediately, whether this was out of sympathy or there had already been ‘true love’ originally...public sentiment began shifting over to Apple’s side. Also, the outrage against Tianle and the ones who had previously leaked the erroneous news grew higher with each wave.

“You can rest assured, everyone. I’m in very good condition right now. To be exact, I already basically recovered half a year ago. There should be no problem at all now,” Apple clarified.

“Sorry, Miss Apple. From what I know, depression is very hard to cure. How did you recover?” Someone went along with the flow and asked.

“The care and concern of my family, my fans, Tianyi, and my former bandmates from Rebirth,” Apple answered.

Chapter 343: An unexpected person

“The care and concern of my family, my fans, Tianyi, and my former bandmates from Rebirth,” Apple answered.

“But when Rebirth sold their new songs to Tianyi previously, it was rumoured that there was a break in the relationship between you and the band…”

“We have always been on good terms.”

“In that case, why didn’t the band continue to support you back then?”

This question was answered by Tianyi’s PR person who expressionlessly spoke into the mike, “From our understanding, the songs that Rebirth previously gave a certain company the rights to were all for free. Also, they gave up on all royalties, just for supporting Apple...now, consider Apple’s predicament later on. Should the band still have continued doing so at the time?”

The gazes of the reporters simultaneously fell on Apple, who nodded, “It was free.”

The place erupted again. This sort of situation was really very rare indeed. Those songs had been pretty valuable too.

Therefore, Rebirth’s fans and Apple’s fans...what was there still left to argue about? This was ‘true love’!

A reporter smiled, asking, “So, your album this time is called <<Rebirth>>. Which of the songs there are contributed by your former band?”

“The ones without any names are, because there isn’t a need to, and those guys love acting mysterious too,” Apple smiled, “The two songs that have already been released now are both from them. There are three in total. Actually, the band wrote five songs this time. However, two of them were temporarily set aside by me for now.”

To enable Apple’s comeback, Rebirth had written half an album...what was this if not ‘true love’?

Rebirth’s fans and Apple’s fans, go crazy, scream, hug.

Apple continued, “I did so because there are also songs by many other renowned songwriters in the album, such as Sis Tanya whom I respect greatly. She’s helped me to write two songs this time; you’ll be hearing them soon. Here, I’d like to thank Sis Tanya for her care towards me. Thank you Tianyi too, for your staunch, unwavering support.”

The fans burst into rapturous cheers on the internet. Considering the success of the earlier two songs, many began looking forward to Rebirth’s remaining song. Others were sad about those two songs that had been set aside and filled with resentment...thankfully, Apple had said that this was only temporary. There should still be a chance to listen to them.

“This might be an album with a great many ‘champion’ songs,” Someone commented.

“One can only be afraid that there are too many good songs, such that she ends up suppressing herself in the end,” Came a reply.

At the press conference, the eternally insatiable reporters were already changing the topic now.

“There’s currently a rumour that the illustrious ‘Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng’ is actually also a member of the mysterious Rebirth…” A reporter smiled meaningfully, looking at Apple.

Apple hid her emotions very well as she smiled, “How would Boss Xu have the time to sing? Also, he’s from Libei just like me. As everyone knows, Rebirth’s guys all come from Yanzhou’s Xinyan Junior High. Nah, he isn’t. Still, it’s true that they know each other. We’ll see if they can invite him to join later on.”

What should be acted finally commenced as the play began. Apple tried to stay composed as much as possible.

The reporter was unwilling to give up just like that as he continued, “Miss Apple, you call him Boss Xu? It seems, it’s said that you are lovers. This is what many on the web are guessing.”

Apple shook her head, laughing, “We’re classmates from senior high and very good friends...in my re-emergence this time, his new project Weibo indeed provided me with a great deal of help. I am very grateful to him. Still, sadly, we really aren’t...ha, sorry to have disappointed everyone.”

Her expressions were spot-on as it was just like any normal girl talking about some rumours going around regarding her and a close friend of the opposite sex.

Those who were watching this play and knew full well what was the case were few at the end of the day. Even their former classmates generally only knew of some rumours between the two. Also, those who were in the know all seemed like people who could keep their mouths shut, even though some of them, such as Zhang Ninglang, might be unable to understand this.

“Can I understand it as: The two of you just do not wish to publicise your relationship for the time being?” Another reporter pressed.

“If it really was him, do you think that I would still have been so pitiful previously?” Apple smiled, rebutting.

The reporters were all shut up by this.

“I’ll mention it to him when I see him next. We should both give it some real thought…” A smiling Apple joked.

The atmosphere suddenly grew stifled.

“How about we talk about...running a marathon?” After a while, Apple took the initiative, asking.

There was low laughter from the crowd.

Actually, it wasn’t like there was nothing that could be asked, nothing that they wanted to ask. The key question...the question that was the hardest to answer, that would hurt the most, was still brewing in silence. It was just that a truly rare mood had arisen in which the reporters knew not how to bring up the topic.

Compassion, empathy? That did exist, but would ultimately never suppress the professionalism of these reporters.

“Apple, where were you this past half year?” Someone built momentum for asking that question.

“Mannes School of Music, New York. I participated in an overseas programme of Tianyi’s,” Apple replied frankly.

“In that case, Miss Apple, you must already have terminated your contract with Tianle half a year ago and signed with Tianyi?” The questions were built up upon one another.

What would come had finally come. Tianyi’s PR person looked rather worriedly at Apple, ready to emerge and shield her from the barrage as so necessary. At most, they would say that Tianyi admired Apple, having taken the initiative to invite and help her...yet no one would be convinced by such a reason.

This was a better-than-nothing method for when all else failed and they really could do nothing else at all.

“Yes,” Apple answered.

“In that case, may I ask how you came to terminate your contract with Tianle and got in touch with Tianyi?”

Apple fell silent.

“Someone said that you utilised improper methods in the process of terminating the contract in which the suppression of artistes of your former company was involved, thus forcing Tianle into submission. May I ask if this was the case?"

“From our understanding, Miss Apple, you hail from a single parent family with a comparatively simple background. May I ask how you managed to achieve this?”

Apple remained silent.

Some reporters who had accepted benefits and came with malicious intent successively made things hard for her now.

“Tianyi suddenly signed you, also supporting you so much and giving you better treatment than many first-tier singers. There must be a reason for this, right? If you didn’t manage this yourself, someone must have helped you.”

“Actually, is it that before you were stopped from singing, you had already agreed on terms with Tianyi through someone with power and authority, with the so-called suppression and quitting afterwards all just having been fooling your fans, gaining sympathy and building momentum?”

“Let me be more blunt. I would ask Miss Apple-who is your godfather? A rich one...or someone in the bureaucracy? Or a bigwig in entertainment? Some guess that he could be someone from the darker side of society...sorry, I’m just conveying what they’re saying on the web. No offence.”

There was no offence intended even with this?

Tianyi’s PR person was about to speak.

“We just hope that Miss Apple can provide clarification. After all, with rumours like this circulating around, the harm to Miss Apple is great. There are already many speculations regarding this online as the names of many people have been drawn into all those guesses.”

The reporter parried the words before they could be said.

Apple looked at the audience. She had thought that she could do it, but at this moment, other than the grievances which were piling up within her, she was actually unable to say anything at all to defend herself. So long as she did not say out Xu Tingsheng’s name, it was destined that it would be impossible for her to give any proper clarification on this matter.

Due to the pressure that was being exerted on her, things were already at the point where she definitely had to give a name or details on the entire process. The malicious speculations were also already at an insane level. Could there be someone instigating this? Well of course. It was just that now was not when they could go settle the score with them.

Looking at Apple’s silent back profile from the backstage, as if she was seeing her little sister bullied yet unable to say anything at all, Li Juan very much wanted to rush over, telling everybody, “It’s Xu Tingsheng! It’s that bastard who said that’s all there is to it.”

“Miss Apple, if you continue staying silent, we can only construe it as silent admission on your part…”

The reporter’s words were rudely interrupted.

A voice resounded from behind the reporters, “There isn’t any godfather. The birth father giving a piece of his mind on his daughter’s behalf-that’s okay, right?”

Chapter 344: That bastard who abandoned his wife and daughter

A voice resounded from behind the reporters, ““There isn’t any godfather. The birth father giving a piece of his mind on his daughter’s behalf-that’s okay, right?”

Everyone looked back.

If anyone had been paying attention, the speaker had actually already been sitting at the very back of the hall for a very long time, ever since the start of the press conference.

If anyone had been paying attention, the eyes of this man in his early fifties with a handsome, scholarly appearance who possessed both bearing and aura had been reddened when Apple had admitted to once having been afflicted with severe depression and nearly committing suicide, the veins all bulging as he clenched his fists.

Then, seeing Apple encircled by the reporters, attacked and helpless to defend herself, he had finally spoken up.

The reporters instinctively raised their cameras.

A great many security guards surged in from the back doors on both sides of the room, giving them a ‘friendly’ warning, “You are forbidden from taking photographs for the moment.”

“Birth father? Didn’t they say that Apple grew up in a single parent family?” Since they had been forbidden from taking photographs and not speaking up, someone mustered up his courage and muttered aloud.

With Apple having entered showbiz twice and being in the midst of great popularity, her familial background and growth had already more or less been excavated. Even the fans and netizens knew that she had a birth father who had forsaken his wife and daughter more than ten years ago, disappearing without a trace and leaving them with only each other to depend on.

As reporters, these people naturally knew about this, even having once written articles despising and criticising this totally heartless father somewhat.

“Yeah, I’m that bastard who abandoned his wife and daughter.”

The man responded in a self-deprecating manner before standing up and walking forward.

Apple’s field of vision had previously been blocked by the reporters and all their equipment as she had been unable to see that person.

Twelve years had gone by. Apple was already unable to confirm it through just his voice alone.

She thought that this might be a joke or perhaps an arrangement that Tianyi and Xu Tingsheng had made to extricate her from her predicament…

“This isn’t happening, this isn’t happening…”

As she told herself this over and over again in her mind, due to her intense pain and emotions that were running amok, she began trembling in her entirety.

Li Juan said a few words to the member of Tianyi’s PR team sitting beside her who got up and let her sit there instead. She drew her chair closer, tightly holding Apple’s hand below the table.

The reporters unconsciously made way, opening up a path.

The man walked towards Apple. Looking at her from far away, he opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to ask after her and also seeming like he was trying to smile, yet was able to do neither of these in the end.

While there was still some distance between them, Apple needed just one glance to know that it was him. Even though they hadn’t met for twelve years, even though he looked much older than Apple imagined him, with quite some change even having come to the way he carried himself…

Still, Apple only needed a single glance to recognise him. It really was him, he who had once loved to carry her on his back, he who had once doted on her so much yet had suddenly left afterwards, this man who was her father.

Over the past twelve years, there had been countless times when Apple had dreamed about how he was like now, how he was living now, fantasising that he would appear again as she imagined the scenes of their reunion.

The word ‘Dad’ had already not left her mouth for twelve whole years.

She had originally decided that when she saw him again, she would call out ‘Dad’ at the very least.

Her mother had always believed that he had been plagued by unsaid troubles which had forced him to do what he had done. Otherwise, she would not have persisted in bringing her daughter along in searching for him amongst the endless crowds.

Before being afflicted with dementia, her grandmother had often said that he might be dead. This was not her cursing him as there was love and also hatred contained within her words.

Both her mother and grandmother could be certain of one thing, at the very least. They had always believed that he was not someone who would ‘abandon his wife and daughter’ on his own volition. Yet, as traditional women who were not much proficient in culture, they were actually unable to imagine even a plausible scenario that could account for everything.

Due to her mother’s attitude, Apple’s hatred for him actually did not run that deep. After entering showbiz, she had even wondered if he would see her. Perhaps he would come looking for her.

If he was currently not doing very well, Apple would take care of him for the rest of his life.

However, from the bearing, clothes and wristwatch of this man before her now….Apple who had already acquired some experience and discernment was able to tell with a single glance that he was living very well, well to a point that she had previously been unable to imagine.

“In that case, for him to leave...for a total of twelve years and not return, how can it be justified? ...How can anything be said in his defence?”

Apple’s mind was completely thrown into chaos at this moment. Even she herself was unclear on what exactly she was thinking, what kind of emotions she was having now.

She sat there in shock just like that, just looking at him and not saying a word.

The man walked over to Apple, his lips quivering a few times before he asked in a rather croaky voice, “Do you still recognise Dad, Xiyu?”

As the tears soundlessly trickled down her face, Apple...shook her head.

Li Juan leaned over and hugged her from behind.

Next to the comparatively silent father and daughter, the mood of those reporters was a whole different thing altogether. They were already excited to the extreme now. Twelve years having passed, with the daughter having gained popularity in showbiz, shameless father had come to the press conference to reunite with her on the spot...could there be a greater scoop than this?

The hits, the sales...were before their very eyes. The reporters were able to stand it no longer.

“Who are you? Is this legit or fake?”

“This wouldn’t be a PR ploy of Tianyi’s right?”

“What right do you have to stop us from taking photos?”

“Yeah, what right do you have to stop us? On whose authority?”

Amidst the resultant din, the man shot Apple a hand gesture before turning.

The clamouring of the reporters was quelled.

Firstly, the first doubt was already dispelled. As the man stood in front of Apple now, one standing, one sitting... just a simple comparison of their faces lined up side by side was enough for the reporters to virtually be certain that this person was none other than Apple’s birth father.

There was a difference in gender and age, but the look between their brows was so obviously similar their relationship could be confirmed by this resemblance with merely a single glance.

“No wonder he was able to give birth to a daughter as beautiful as Apple. Observing more closely, this guy was definitely crazy handsome when he was young,” A female reporter murmured softly.

“It also isn’t too bad now. A charming Uncle, just that he looks a little frail,” Another female reporter said.

The more it was like this, the more the reporters’ hands itched. A scene like this...being unable to take photographs was virtually a form of agony in itself.

“What right do you have to stop us?!” A reporter with a more obstinate personality stubbornly raised his camera which was then immediately confiscated by a security guard beside him.

Someone tried to secretly capture a photograph with their phone from a corner of the room but was similarly unable to succeed.

The reporters’ emotions surged.

Tianyi had pretty much given the best to Apple in everything as the current location of the press conference was one of the most luxurious hotels in Shenghai, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel belonged to the Cesar-Carlton Corporation whose founder was hailed as the father of luxury hotels throughout the world. Just this alone was sufficient as evidence of its position and strength.

Now, the boss of Shenghai’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel rushed into the venue, coming over to stand beside that man. He first respectfully made some whispered inquiries before turning towards those reporters, saying, “Sorry, but this Mister Cen Qishan before everyone here is one of the investors of Shenghai’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Therefore, we cannot but abide by Mister Cen’s will as much as is possible.”

“If you are dissatisfied with anything, you can leave the venue now. Also, we do are unconcerned whatever evaluation you may give the hotel in your articles thereafter.”

After these words were said, the reporters dared not utter a sound. This was equivalent to saying: We daren’t offend this dude even if we die, so just let him do whatever he wants. As for you lot, if you make any more noise, we’ll just have to throw you out.”

Leave the venue now, with the press conference not yet over? With such a great scoop laid out before them, only a fool would do so.

“Also, the identity of Apple’s birth father is more interesting than any old news. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, a world-class enterprise. This isn’t something that anyone with money can be an investor of. It also entails sufficient status and capabilities.”

Chapter 345: Fate returning to its original trajectory?

Apple’s birth father who had left the family twelve years ago was one of the investors of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Even as many were shocked and more were excited and moved, Apple was totally infuriated.

If not for Li Juan hugging her tightly, she would grab the bottle of mineral water on the table, the branded goods, the microphone...grab everything and fling it all towards the back of that bastard before her.

Everything was shattered. All her empathy, even her laughable worries and thoughts of him-they were all shattered. He had been living so well, so well it was almost impossible to imagine.

Compare that to the rainy nights of her and mother in Shenghai as they tightly hugged each other in a dilapidated, leaking rented house. The happy Apple had turned into the constantly bullied Apple who had had to act like she was not at all times. Mother and daughter had only each other to depend on as they waited foolishly for twelve long years.

Therefore, could it still be that there was some unspeakable reason that had forced him to act against his will? How could anything be said in his defence?

Yet, at this very moment, right before her, he had actually...returned, with such a status, in such a manner.

“You...sob...go…” Apple wanted to cry out in grief, yet a hand covered her mouth.

She only wished that he would disappear as soon as possible, after which she would treat it like he had never appeared at all.

In that case, the two of them, she and her mother, could still live just like they had before. Her mother could still be magnanimous and empathetic. Sometimes, not being able to understand something was actually a good thing as well.

Also, she already had the ability to take care of her mother. She didn’t need this person to come back and do anything.

However, if this person, if this news was learnt by her mother...she would surely be overcome by despair.

……

At this moment, far away in Yanzhou, Xu Tingsheng was completely taken aback as he received the news from Tianyi’s personnel.

Apple’s birth father had appeared, and he was a super rich dude, someone even more wealthy than Xu Tingsheng...at the very least, if the current Xu Tingsheng wanted to invest in the Cesar-Carlton Corporation, everyone would laugh out loud as if it was a total joke.

This occurrence had already completely surpassed Xu Tingsheng’s expectations.

In his previous life, had this person returned in the end? Had he influenced Apple’s eventual fate? Her suddenly marrying far away, residing overseas with no news being heard of her thereafter...did these things have anything to do with this guy at all?

It was already impossible to know this.

Xu Tingsheng knew too little about Apple from his previous life. He had not been interested enough to ask around and investigate how she had lived thereafter. Everything had only been coincidentally heard from a classmate who was similarly no longer in contact with Apple, so who could verify truth and falsehood here? Who would even truly care enough to do so?

Also, with Xu Tingsheng’s social status at that time, the state he had been in, even if someone had reminded him of this, it would still have been impossible for him to imagine something so far-fetched…

Now that he thought about it, Apple had not been a singer in his previous life. As an ordinary girl from an ordinary family who had graduated from an ordinary university, even if she was beautiful, she had suddenly married a British noble who was remarkable in terms of both appearance and character, going far away to Australia and living a happy and blissful life.

Wasn’t this matter far-fetched in itself? Wasn’t it like a Cinderella story? Being from traditional nobility, wouldn’t the other party be concerned about bloodline and status? Purely falling in love with Apple’s beauty and sexiness just like that, next bearing his status as a noble and vast familial assets in...solidifying his marriage for life, heedless of whatever others all said?

Such a tale would only appear in the fantasies of girls, right?

Expanding on this, it was very likely that this person’s identity had still played a big part in Apple’s life thereafter. Whether it had been overt goodwill or the arrangements had been covertly made, he should still have done something for her in the process.

It was just that his appearance would definitely not have been like this as he showed up in such a setting and environment.

Yet, he had still appeared. So, how would things develop from here on out? Apple was already completely different in this life from in that previous one. What sort of choice would she make?

What about that person? Would he still make the same arrangements?

Xu Tingsheng did not know.

He called Huang Yaming who was nearly arriving at Shenghai, reminding him to stay unaffected by this matter as he did what he had set out to do. Also, he was not to disturb and disrupt Apple, who should make any decision on her own without any outside interference.

It was Xu Tingsheng who had arranged for Huang Yaming to go to Shenghai, this being the only feasible plan he could think of after thinking painstakingly for the entire night which he could use to help to free Apple from her encirclement as best he could without overly exposing his identity.

In the end, just as Huang Yaming arrived, such a twist happened to the tale.

In this life, Xu Tingsheng’s existence had already affected Apple’s fate by far too much. He had even virtually changed her life trajectory completely...yet even as this was so, he was unable to give assurance and show determination to take care of her for her entire life.

Comparing these two fates, which one was better for Apple herself, exactly?

Apple was not in the know and had no way of choosing. As for Xu Tingsheng...he actually had no way of determining it.

After all, her happiness from his previous life had only been a rumour that he had heard from someone else, with no one being aware of the full specifics. As for this life, subtracting those romantic entanglements she had with Xu Tingsheng, after the adversity, her future seemed bright now too, didn’t it?

The road to stardom had already been opened.

Whatever the case, Xu Tingsheng dared not interfere any more with the current situation...if Apple’s fate was destined to return to its original trajectory from his previous life, let it return then…

Despite feeling pained, Xu Tingsheng knew that he did not have the qualifications for such.

“If things really turn out that way, it should be a good thing too. I will give you my blessings…”

At this moment, Xu Tingsheng did not consider that as Apple’s father, since the other party had chosen to appear at such a time to protect his daughter, how would it be possible for him not to be aware of his existence?

……

In front of Apple, obscured behind a veil of mysterious affluence, the man named Cen Qishan faced the reporters, saying, “I think that all the questions you asked my daughter just now are now explainable?”

Actually, he still had a Japanese name that he hadn’t revealed as well as his identity as one of the nine members of the board of ‘Ruanjin International Investment Corporation’. Still, this was already enough. Just that little bit of the veil of mystery which he had just lifted off was already sufficient to prove that he had not just been speaking empty words.

If a birth father like this wanted to give a piece of his mind on his daughter’s behalf, paving the way for her...what stuff wouldn’t he be able to do? Which of those doubts weren’t explainable?

The reporters discussed this in hushed tones.

It was indeed true that many problems could already be explained.

If one were to insist that Apple had retaliated and taken revenge on her former company when terminating her contract with it, with this being an undeniable point, if there was no reasonable explanation for this, it would actually harm Apple’s image greatly. One could only guess at and analyse things from the standpoint of her character and ‘backer’.

A minor artiste gained the support of some magnate with power and authority, thus acting arrogantly and overbearingly, maliciously and viciously...it was very easy for those with malicious intentions to suggest and hint at this.

Tianyi’s PR team had carefully analysed this problem before this. They had believed that the only way the problem could be solved completely was Xu Tingsheng making an appearance as Apple’s boyfriend…

With a girlfriend having been bullied, a boyfriend had gained sufficient capabilities and helped her to deal with the problem, venting his fury while helping his girlfriend to make sure justice was upheld. It would still be totally reasonable even if the method he used was a bit more vicious as it would be easily understood and accepted...this might even be a tale which uplifted the mood inspiringly.

The logic therein is simple, really. It is like how the general public usually despises a man who hits someone in public, yet if that man does this because his girlfriend is maliciously harrassed and bullied for no reason, however viciously he may attack, everyone will only applaud for him.

Apple had not just been bullied. She had been pressured to the point of severe depression! Her furious boyfriend feeling pained and exacting revenge on her behalf...wasn’t this simply natural?

The proposal of the PR team had been rejected by Apple at this point. At that time, she had already understood Xu Tingsheng’s attitude and thoughts on this matter, not wanting to make things difficult for him.

Afterwards, the PR team had not been able to come up with another solution which could make everything appear ‘completely reasonable’.

Never would they have thought that a birth father with sufficient capabilities who bore guilt and had come late...seemed to have even more of a reason to do all this for his daughter. Also, it seemed even more reasonable and would be even more easily understood.

Now that he had really appeared, everything else aside, all the problems regarding Apple had already been resolved. Her image would also not be affected in the slightest.

Everyone, including the reporters present, would naturally have their minds drift in such a way…

Successful father who had left home for over a decade had seen his daughter grown up and now in showbiz, next silently paying attention to her. Then, after his daughter had been bullied and suppressed, being prevented from singing, because he was afraid that she couldn’t accept it, he had helped her to take care of her problems with her being wholly unaware. He had taken revenge on those who had bullied his daughter and made arrangements for her development…

In the end, when his daughter had been forced into a predicament which she had been unable to find a way out of...he had finally revealed himself…

The way Apple had acted earlier could not have been falsified. It should be true that this was her first time seeing her father in over a decade.

Everything felt perfectly reasonable now.

The only thing that didn’t make sense was this. Why had this successful father allowed his wife and daughter to be alone while suffering for so many years, only appearing after his daughter had suffered so many grievances? Maybe he didn’t have feelings for his wife, but this surely was not the case for his daughter? But then, why had he only appeared now?

This could only go to show how much said father sucked.

Still, this should be their ‘familial affair’, right?

Chapter 346: 4 million versus 60 million

The necessary explanations were basically finished, with the reporters free to write whatever they wanted now. Whether they felt pressure or were willing to show more goodwill in the articles that they would be writing would depend completely on their own judgments.

Tianyi’s PR team ended it while the mood was good as Apple left, and Cen Qishan left too.

The reporters began receiving the commemorations items and red packets (also known as carriage fees) from Tianyi. This practice had been going on within China ever since forever.

Tianyi’s emcee who had remained behind to preside over things cleared his throat, snapping himself out of that dizzying plot twist where he had pondered on the strength and background that Apple’s birth father possibly possessed. Tianyi had really struck gold this time.

“Friends from the media, please wait one moment. There is still one thing that we would like to announce.”

The reporters returned their attention to the front. Then, they saw someone who was virtually completely unknown to them taking a seat up on stage.

“Hello, everyone. My name is Huang Yaming.”

The thick-skinned Huang Yaming did not seem nervous or uncomfortable in the slightest. He was born to be a somebody in the first place.

That night, while Xu Tingsheng, Tan Yao and even the ‘official second gen’ Fang Yuqing had been nervous to the point of being unable to keep themselves from shivering, in that ‘first campaign’ of his, he had been utterly composed as he presided over the entire process, borrowing someone’s hand to set up a perfect ‘killing trap’ for Ding Sen…

Something of this scale wouldn’t be able to scare him…

Huang Yaming introduced himself with perfect composure, completely ignoring the befuddled looks on the faces of the reporters.

Xu Tingsheng had certainly not sent him to Shenghai to attend the press conference while pretending that he was Apple’s boyfriend or admirer. That would really be too much. Apple would probably be unable to stop herself from laughing, next coming to have it out with Xu Tingsheng.

Also, even if he were to claim to be her boyfriend out of the blue like this, there was probably no one who would believe it as it would lead to a whole series of future problems instead.

He had come here as another classmate of Apple’s from senior high, this being a completely authentic thing. He had originally been going to step in and ‘stir the waters turbid’ after Apple had been trapped by those questions, leaving the reporters and nosy people totally confused.

Scouring his mind and confirming that he did not know who Huang Yaming was, a reporter questioned, “And you are..?”

This ‘and you are’ was definitely not asking for Huang Yaming’s name or the like again.

Its meaning was really closer to: Who are you again? What hole did you crawl out of?

It was just that this reporter minded his manners and was not so blunt. After all, being able to sit at Tianyi’s press conference, the other party should probably not really be some mediocre dude.

After all, the reporters did not know that Huang Yaming who could not privately make use of the investment funds of his bar actually still owed Fu Cheng 3000 yuan which he did not seem to intend to return. Who asked Fu Cheng to have earned a great sum of royalties from ringtones previously?

“Apple’s classmate from senior high. To be exact, another classmate of Apple’s from senior high besides that rather famous dude named Xu Tingsheng,” Huang Yaming smiled, “I just happened to invest in a movie last year, having a bit of a partnership with Tianyi. So, making use of a press conference of my ex-classmate’s, I’m announcing this news at Tianyi’s scene.”

“A movie produced by Tianyi? This guy invested in it?...”

The reporters directed their attention back over, some starting to readjust their equipment again.

Huang Yaming put up a hand to stop them, saying, “No need for that. I’ll be brief. It’s like this. I heard that Tianle Media took out all their marriage money and funeral money and whatnot, this amounting to 60 million in total, to invest in a movie, which is scheduled to show in cinemas in early January next year. The movie I invested in was originally scheduled to be shown in June next year. Now, I’m adjusting it. As the New Year rolls in, we’ll play together.”

“Play together?”

The meaning of these words could actually not be any clearer. This...other classmate of Apple’s from senior high, in succession of Xu Tingsheng’s support for her on Weibo, had also come out in support of his ex-classmate, having a beef with Tianle.

In truth, everyone might already be well aware that Apple had initially been unreasonably bullied and prevented from singing by Tianle Media, also knowing that there were definitely people from Tianle behind this matter, relentlessly going all out to drag down Apple’s image.

Still, even as Tianyi’s team had constantly been retaliating against Tianle who was stirring things up behind the scenes in this press conference, they had actually still retained a harmonious stance on the surface. At most, they had simply referred to them as: A certain company.

What about this ‘ex-classmate Huang’? Saying the name out loud and directly lunging over... This was virtually barbaric! Blunt enough, unreasonable enough...also arrogant enough, confident enough.

The reporters did not know of the relationship between Xu Tingsheng and Tianyi. The fields they knew Xu Tingsheng to be involved to be in were Education, IT and the chain supermarket that his family ran at most. It was just wholly unrelated to the entertainment scene however they looked at it.

Therefore, they saw Huang Yaming as an independent entity, one who had the capabilities to enter a partnership with Tianyi as he invested in a movie.

“Wow, how inhuman are Apple’s classmates from senior high? As if an inhuman Xu Tingsheng providing support isn’t enough, another one has appeared now...Counterattack of the inhuman ex-classmates, all banded together?!”

“Well, isn’t Apple herself very special too, though? At 22 years old, she has already experienced hardship and made a comeback. Also, this time, everyone knows that...her road to stardom has already been opened.”

The reporters all grew excited.

“This...Mr Huang, I believe that we are all interpreting your meaning correctly. Since it is to vent for Miss Apple, I wonder what your relationship is?”

The reporters had not remembered Huang Yaming’s name from earlier.

“Classmates from senior high!” Huang Yaming replied matter-of-factly with a blank look on his face.

“Aren’t there any...feelings of admiration, intention to pursue her? The reporter smiled, asking.

“Hey, you can’t run off your pens with this, alright? Please, I already have a girlfriend, someone I like,” Huang Yaming feigned solemnity, “We really are just ex-classmates and friends. Maybe we who come from a poor place are a bit more united. Also, I just happen to have a little ability now. I naturally can’t just watch my friend being bullied for no reason.”

While there was actually no longer a need for the mission of ‘stirring the waters turbid’, Huang Yaming’s words did still feel somewhat random and nonsensical.

The reporters could not be bothered for him to explain this clearly as they continued, “Right, when clashing against a 60 million production of Tianle’s, how much did you invest in your movie, Mr Huang Yaming?”

This reporter at least remembered Huang Yaming’s name.

“4 million,” Huang Yaming said with a composed expression on his face.

Several reporters immediately covered their mouths with their hands, trying to stifle their smiles, “A 4 million movie that’s totally a small production, willingly adjusting their broadcasting date in colliding with Tianle’s 60 million production that they took out all their money to fund...is this a joke?”

A reporter calmed himself before saying, “Mr Huang, although you are very confident, well…”

“There’s a gap, right? Rest assured...I will invite my famous ex-classmate to help sing the theme song for the movie.”

Huang Yaming spoke in a very serious tone. Still, the reporters were rendered speechless once more. This made no sense! However popular Apple currently was, how much could singing the movie’s theme song affect things?”

“But, it’s like...that might not be enough?”

The reporters already didn’t know how to speak with Huang Yaming now.

Huang Yaming stared at this reporter, saying, “Look, how about I make a bet with you? During the fourth and fifth weeks that the movies are in cinemas, compare their stats twice. If my movie can win theirs once in the box office and in terms of ratings too, give me a free advertisement on the front page of the newspaper that you work in.”

“On the contrary, if I don’t win once in these two weeks, I’ll buy three front pages of yours, doing public service advertisements. What do you think?”

This guy being stared at was taken aback. The fourth and fifth weeks-the other party was clearly very confident in this smallish production of his, in terms of its ratings and persisting popularity in the box office...still, this was a collision of 4 million against 60 million. The total investment sum would probably not be enough to hire even a single one of the main leads of the other production, and much less had to be said about the production process itself.

For 4 million to win once, it was still possible in terms of ratings, but that and box office too? This was much too difficult, virtually impossible...such a bet was definitely advantageous to him, vastly advantageous in fact. Moreover, the stakes were also one to three in his favour.

“Are you serious, Mr Huang?” The reporter asked.

“Of course,” Huang Yaming replied.

“I’ll give my higher-ups a call then,” The reporter took out his phone, seeming afraid of Huang Yaming going back on his word as he called his boss on the spot, soon hanging up and telling Huang Yaming, “They’ve agreed.”

“It’s a deal then,” Huang Yaming smiled, “What about the other reporters? Anyone interested in this bet too? Quick, if you are, hurry up and give your higher-ups a call. I’ll be waiting right here.”

Huang Yaming acted just like when he had been ‘subtly enticing’ his schoolmates to play cards with him in the dormitory back in the past.

Whatever the case, there were really quite a few reporters who whipped out their phones then.

In the end, Huang Yaming accepted bets with a grand total of twelve media companies.

“It’s settled then, gentleman’s agreement. With so many witnesses here today, both of us cannot afford to be the side who went back on their word and reneged, right?” Huang Yaming smiled and got up, concluding, “That’s all for today then. Thanks for everything, and see you then.”

Huang Yaming prepared to take his leave.

Still, the reporters were nearly ‘falling head over heels’ for this straightforward, interesting, rash, muddled and loyal dude who had randomly sprung out from nowhere all of a sudden.

People like this were destined to be adored by the media, because they were full of topics which could be written about.

“Woah, hold up!” A smiling reporter called out, “Boss Huang, to be honest, I rather hope that you will do well in this industry, because we would probably have more chances to interview you that way. It would be interesting for sure…”

Someone agreed, “Yeah, Boss Huang. Your courage in earnestly hitting a stone with an egg is seriously something, man. How about this? Tell us the name of your movie. We will help you to advertise it more early…”

“You guys, just wait till you give me your entire front pages...what egg, this old man’s the stone. The movie’s name is <Crazy Stone>.”

With that, Huang Yaming waved and took his leave, next avoiding Tianyi’s employees as he hurried over to a corner and called Xu Tingsheng, telling him how the press conference had gone.

Then, he said, “Bro, it was you who told me that that movie’s freaking crazy great...4 million challenging 60 million...hey, if we lose this, you take care of it yourself.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, asking, “Who asked you to make that bet? ...Well, forget it, this could prove to be a very interesting bet. When the time comes, I’ll just really spend some money on a series of public service advertisements at most. Take it as if we’re...accumulating merit and good karma.”

“Fine. Anyway, as long as we can push the box office higher with that bit of speculation, what does losing a bit of face matter...moreover, it wouldn’t really be embarrassing. In a clash of 4 million against 60 million, losing is only natural in the first place. If we even just cause their 60 million to falter, Tianle would have become a joke, in fact,” Huang Yaming said.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying, “This is exactly what I meant. However bad the results are, we can give Jin Datang who’s pulled out all his money a bit of obstruction at least. Fighting their king with our pawn, we won’t be losing out no matter what.”

“We might even really have a chance to cause a major upset.”

Xu Tingsheng did not say this out loud to Huang Yaming as he just thought it inwardly.

Xu Tingsheng knew that that movie of Tianle’s had terrible ratings in his previous life, also having made a loss in the box office. From his impressions, it should not have been solely produced by Tianle as the investment funds should also have been far less than 60 million…

“Could it be that I somehow wrecked their real estate investment, evoking a chain reaction with this movie becoming solely funded by Tianle in this life in an all out attempt to recoup their loss? The investment sum has shrunk to a fifth as even the release date has changed...this wouldn’t cause it to turn good instead, right?”

“It shouldn’t be the case. The script was the same, the director was the same, the investment sum has decreased with the number of competent actors probably being lower. The special effects and the set would also have less funds...first without a plot and now without this, it should only get even worse.”

In contrast, <Crazy Stone> had an investment sum of 3.5 million in his previous life, with its box office earnings having been around 25 million with excellent ratings too. It had also spurred the director and quite a number of exemplary actors to prominence.

While box office results like this had already been viewed as excellent back then, Xu Tingsheng remembered that many years later, many people had still felt emotional at this. They felt that if this movie had been advertised a little more powerfully initially, the box office earnings should have been higher, and if it had appeared another ten years later, it might have been a result comparable to another <Lost in Thailand>.

Speaking of advertising and creating good ratings and awareness on it, there currently were close to 50 million registered users on Weibo. This was not against anyone in particular...

Adding on Tianyi’s strength, position and capabilities, in terms of advertising, operations and screenings in cinemas, the situation should really be much better than in his previous life.

Therefore, they had a real shot at it.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had also considered increasing the investment sum for ‘Stone’ a little before. Still, after some hesitation, he had decided not to interrupt the production process of the movie in the end, not making any unnecessary interventions.

The extra half a million had been used by him to give red packets to the director and the actors following the completion of filming.

That was a director and ‘film kings’ who would guarantee the box office earnings over the next ten years. What better time than now to improve the relationship between them, when their break to fame had still yet to come for real?

Also, right. The filming had already been completed swiftly and efficiently, just like in his previous life in which it had only taken four months to finish the production of ‘Stone’.

Xu Tingsheng had already looked through the movie beforehand. While there were unavoidably some changes in the minor details as compared to his previous life, they were very minor as the overall feel of the movie was not affected in the least. In a few aspects, Xu Tingsheng even felt it to be a bit better.

Under such circumstances, the ratings were already guaranteed. Next, the box office earnings in this life should also be guaranteed to surpass the previous. Everything considered, perhaps…

The 4 million ‘Stone’ might really be able to cause a major upset against Tianle’s 60 million.

With that in mind, Xu Tingsheng gave the ‘producer’, Huang Yaming, some words of encouragement before asking, “What about Apple? How is she doing right now?”

“I’m not sure,” Huang Yaming said, “I think she returned to the restroom. Then, that father of hers...went in too. How about I go in and take a look now?”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before replying, “You should probably wait outside. Let Apple come to a decision on her own.”

Chapter 347: When father and daughter discuss a man

In the restroom.

Apple tried her best to appear her calmest, apart from staying totally silent.

Tianyi’s employees successively called out to her before exiting the room.

Just as Li Juan was about to leave too, Apple grabbed her hand, gazing at her from the bottom up as she did not let go.

Li Juan patted the back of Apple’s hand, smiling, “It’s alright. You didn’t do anything wrong. Just do whatever you’d like to do. Give him a terrible scolding before running away at most. You can take part in marathons; he surely wouldn’t be able to catch up with you.”

Crying and also laughing all at once, Apple answered, “Right, yeah.”

“If you want to kick him, though, it’s best if you don’t use too much strength. He already looks quite old. Being emotional as just now wouldn’t be good,” Li Juan smiled, voicing her worries.

Yet, Apple instead pressed her lips together and cried at this.

In truth, when she had previously described her father whom she had not seen for twelve whole years to Xu Tingsheng, her impression of him had still been good. She had preserved her best memories, not attributing any difficulties and hardship to him, just being unable to understand.

Yet, she felt uncertain now, not knowing how she should be viewing all this.

When Cen Qishan entered the restroom, he tripped over the carpet at the doorway. This man who clearly presently possessed an extraordinary status appeared rather panicked as he now looked rather awkwardly at Apple.

Apple had already wiped off her tears as she stood up before he could speak, giving him a bow before saying, “Thank you for today’s matter, Mr Cen.”

Just this sentence pushed this man who should originally be addressed as Dad so far away. He was Mr Cen.

The hair graying on his temples, Cen Qishan’s eyes were reddened as he said, “Sorry, Xiyu. It’s been so many years that...I haven’t been taking care of you, only having returned now.”

This man had yearned to hear her call him ‘Dad’. At this moment, however, he already dared not hope for it.

He had imagined Apple maybe plunging emotionally into his embrace, laughing and crying at the same time. He had also imagined her yelling at the top of her lungs, filled with hatred. The only scenario he had not imagined might be her being as cool and composed as she was now.

This might just be the scariest of them all.

He had said ‘returned’.

Hearing this word, Apple fell silent for a time, a bit of an anticipatory glow appearing in her eyes as she said, “You, will you be going to Libei? Mum and Grandma are both there. Grandma can’t see anymore, and her mind has grown muddled too. Maybe...she still remembers you.”

Cen Qishan did not speak.

He only replied after a while, “I’m sorry, Xiyu. I have to go back to Japan later today. When it is so possible in the future, I will do all within my capabilities to provide you with help. There’s no need for you to worry any longer.”

Cen Qishan was clearly avoiding the mention of Apple’s mother and maternal grandmother.

Apple pointed at herself, asking hesitantly, “Only me?”

Cen Qishan slowly nodded, “Xiyu, Dad has already striven for twelve years to be able to do this. There are many things that I cannot explain to you. If your mother doesn’t learn about this, don’t tell her. If she does, help me to tell her that I’m sorry.”

Apple’s gaze dimmed, but she instead smiled, saying mockingly, “It looks like things are really not easy for you. Saying it like it’s so hard, you don't intend to tell me that you have difficulties that you cannot readily voice out, do you? Or maybe your new woman is really too powerful.”

Then, her smile froze as she finally asked, “You, have you been well?”

“...I have,” Cen Qishan answered.

“That’s good then,” Having received this answer, there seemed finally to be a resolution to Apple’s inner conflict as she said, “In the future, we, I mean I, Mum and Grandma, will all be living very well too. The most difficult days are already past us. I can take care of them. Next, you and we can live good, nice lives of our own...never appear again.”

Cen Qishan quietly placed a name card on the table, on which there were only his name and telephone number.

Apple said, “I don’t need it.”

Seemingly having many things he wished to say yet being unable to say them, Cen Qishan looked silently at his daughter all grown up in front of him, hesitating for a long time before asking, “That fella surnamed Xu-has he been good to you?”

Hearing Cen Qishan mentioning Xu Tingsheng, Apple was taken aback for a moment before she answered, “Yes. If not for him, I wouldn’t be who I am now. I don’t know what I would have become.”

“I’m a bit disappointed in him this time, though,” Cen Qishan said, “If he can’t be wholeheartedly devoted to you, Dad will help you to take care of it. He can’t choose; he can only be good to my daughter alone.”

Apple looked at him.

Cen Qishan suddenly seemed to have turned into a different person, a formless aura wreathing him yet again. He had been living on a whole different level these past years as he was already long since no longer that Language teacher from a senior high school.

“Xiyu, help me to tell him this. I am very grateful for how he took care of you before. If things go well between you, I would be willing to provide him all the help that is within my capabilities. But if he ever causes you to be disappointed again, just like this time...I’ll leave him with nothing at all all over again.”

Looking at Cen Qishan before her who suddenly looked even more of a stranger than before, Apple resolutely declared, “I won’t let you lay a hand on him.”

Cen Qishan could see the determination in Apple’s eyes, being totally heedless of all else.

“I don’t know whether what I’ll be saying next would be considered unfilial,” Apple said, “Just now, I cut off all ties between us, everything that happened in the past. You are a stranger to me. But if you really do something to him, I think that...you will become my enemy.”

……

Cen Qishan left behind his name card, regardless of whether Apple would take it in the end.

When leaving the restroom, this man shook his head, smiling bitterly. In truth, however badly the earlier interaction between them had gone, this might be his warmest smile over the past twelve years.

It was within expectations that he would fail to win over his daughter. In truth, the two of them could not be too close even if Apple was willing to.

What he had striven for and attained just amounted to this.

Still, that scene from earlier…

Cen Qishan had already not felt like a father for the past twelve years. Yet, in the circumstances from earlier, he had experienced the most conflicted and helpless emotions that every father, or perhaps every father who had a daughter, would have to experience.

While this emotion might be termed as helpless, to Cen Qishan, it was actually very fortunate too.

When father and daughter discuss a man, the man the daughter loves, perhaps every father will feel first jealousy and next worry, just wishing that they can handcuff that brat on a torture rack and give him a proper interrogation, next extracting the greatest guarantee which is possible.

Yet, his precious daughter was already on someone else’s side now.

Due to the unique circumstances pertaining to Cen Qishan, he lacked even the qualifications to feel jealous, it seemed.

“That fella surnamed Xu...what exactly are you doing? My family’s Xiyu isn’t good enough? ...From what happened before, it was like I should sit down and have a glass of wine with you. From the way things are now, it is like I should give you a good, painful beating. But the problem is that if I find trouble with you, Xiyu will definitely have it out with me. It may really end up in enmity. What’s to be done now?”

Cen Qishan was overwhelmed by a father’s emotions, feeling conflicted whilst also happy.

His bodyguard and personal assistant came over, saying, “Mister Kasai, it’s time to go to the airport.”

……

Apple gave Xu Tingsheng a call, asking amidst repressed sobs, “Can I come to Yanzhou? Will it affect you guys? I’ll just stay for two days before leaving, returning to Libei to accompany Mum.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “It won’t. Come on over then.”

Huang Yaming drove and brought Apple back to Yanzhou with him.

Xu Tingsheng hurried back to the riverside residence. There, he saw Fang Chen, Lu Zhixin and Yuqing all sitting on the sofa.

“Where’s Apple?” He asked.

Apple exited the bathroom, holding onto a shirt of Xu Tingsheng’s, “I’m helping you to wash your clothes.”

Chapter 348: Bright Brilliance

Yuqing had already signed an agreement for a job in her hometown of Suzhou. She had returned to Yanzhou for her thesis dissertation and to attend the graduation ceremony too.

Two days ago, Fang Yuqing had brought her to see his grandfather, having a meal with the elders of the Fang family. Things had apparently gone quite well in the conversation. Old Mr Fang really liked this granddaughter-in-law candidate too. Yet, Yuqing had ultimately decided that she would be returning to Suzhou. After all, she was the only child in her family.

Yuqing’s parents were down-to-earth, honest people as they had no ambitions of their daughter marrying into a rich family. Understanding the Fang family’s background and hearing about the initial attitude of Fang Yuqing’s parents, they were quite unwilling for her to remain in Yanzhou alone just after her graduation.

The only reason the two had not said that they should break up just like that was considering Fang Yuqing’s sincerity in having travelled a long distance to their home to propose back then.

Being unable to convince her to stay, Fang Yuqing had wholeheartedly devoted himself to their Ning Garden project, striving to be able to build a house right in front of Yuqing’s home one day, the faster the better.

Xu Tingsheng and Yuqing conversed for quite a long time. Apple had still yet to emerge.

“Do I have so many dirty clothes?”

When Xu Tingsheng pushed open the door and looked in on Apple, he found her in the midst of numbly scrubbing a T-shirt of his in the washbasin.

Seeing that Xu Tingsheng had come in to rush her, Apple wrung the final article of clothing dry before squeezing past him, saying, “I’ll go dry the clothes on the balcony.”

After hanging the laundry to dry, Apple began organising the things in Xu Tingsheng’s room, next mopping the floor. She got down on all fours, using a cloth to wipe every single corner of the room, the feet of the table, the feet of the chairs...she cleaned every spot meticulously.

Even after Xu Tingsheng had finished preparing dinner, she was still not done.

The three girls helped to call for her a few times but to no avail.

Xu Tingsheng entered the room, saying warmly, “Alright, Apple, it’s already very clean now.”

Kneeling on the floor, her face pressed against the floorboards as she extended a hand beneath the big cupboard in an attempt to wipe under it, Apple said, “Just a little longer. Some corners are hard to wipe, and you might not notice them when you’re doing the cleaning yourself. It wouldn’t be good if I missed them.”

Not yet reading the mood, Xu Tingsheng sat on the bed, smiling, “Look at how you look now. The fans definitely wouldn’t think that their beloved Apple would still be helping out with spring cleaning in someone else’s home even as her album was being advertised. How about I take a picture for you and upload it onto Weibo later?”

“Yeah, take it, and upload it if you will,” Apple said coolly, “After you’ve done so, everyone will know that Cen Xiyu is actually willing to be a housewife for her one and only Xu Tingsheng, doing the laundry, cleaning the floor...but sadly, she can’t do any of that.”

Xu Tingsheng finally realised her mood as he said softly, “Sorry.”

Apple knelt down by another end of the cupboard, meticulously wiping that part even as she continued, “This room used to be mine, but I won’t be able to live here anymore. If I dropped some hair, accessories or whatnot by accident, she might be unhappy if she sees it and then throw a tantrum at you. I’ll sweep it nice and clean before returning it to you.”

Xu Tingsheng walked over, reaching out as he tried to snatch the rag from her hand. Failing to do so, he could only capture her in his embrace, exerting force with both arms before only then managing to snag the rag and fling it away to a corner of the room.

Leaning in his embrace, Apple bit down on his shoulder, saying softly with repressed emotions, “Sorry, Xu Tingsheng. My first thought at the time was to come to Yanzhou to look for you. But when I finally saw you, I didn’t know what I should say to you. I was afraid of speaking to you.”

“I’m afraid that I might throw my temper at you. I’ve already found out that you lied to me. You helped to arrange everything for me just so that I would recover and then become independent, allowing you to shake me off. I’m so stupid. I should have stayed here and refused to leave back then.”

“I’m also afraid, afraid that you’re going to tell me that you’re already together with her now. I’m afraid that you would chase me away, next wishing that I will never show up again in the future.”

Xu Tingsheng hugged her, telling her, “That’s not going to happen.”

Apple was silent for a while before she flashed a consoling smile, “Sorry, Xu Tingsheng. You’ve actually done enough for me already. Don’t force yourself anymore. I’ve already raised my own umbrella, no longer being afraid of the winds and the rains and snow...well, we should eat now.”

After dinner, the two went for a stroll along the riverbank just like how it had been in the past.

On the riverbank, amidst the evening breeze.

Apple suddenly looked up, extending a hand to stroke Xu Tingsheng’s face as looking at him, she now said, “Trust me, Xu Tingsheng. Whatever decision you make, I would definitely never let you come to any harm because of me.”

In the end, she said none of the words that Cen Qishan had asked her to convey to him. When Xu Tingsheng asked her about this, she did not speak too much about it, only saying that it was merely that a new stranger had appeared in her life thereafter.

In the twelve years ever since he had left, he had never felt like a stranger, but upon his return now...a new stranger thereafter.

……

Huang Yaming shamelessly made use of Apple’s presence in Yanzhou to bring forward the opening ceremony of his bar by more than ten days, printing flyers with Apple’s smiling face before distributing them all over, promoting this even over the internet.

The name of the bar was: Bright Brilliance(Mingyao). The Ming from Huang Yaming, and the Yao from Tan Yao.

On seeing this, Wu Kun said that it matched very well with his Starry Splendour. It was indeed an inborn fate.

Thank goodness for this fate.

On the day the bar began operations, due to Apple’s current super popularity, a simple opening ceremony was somehow made out to feel like a concert as thousands of fans filled an entire half street, with the entire road thus being blocked.

Despite basically all being unable to enter the bar in the end, these fans were unwilling to leave for a long time. The security of the bar was totally insufficient as only with Wu Kun urgently dispatching more than fifty people from Starry Splendour was order barely maintained.

Sufficient popularity had already been accumulated, and sufficient word-of-mouth too. Going on like this could never be a sustainable plan.

Apple took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and greeted her fans before going to the balcony on the second storey alone and singing a song for them there, next patiently chatting with them, conversing with them, persuading them…

Only with much difficulty did she succeed in coaxing most of these people away.

Xu Tingsheng watched it all in silence. Apple was more composed and gracious in her singing as she had also become calmer and more dependable in dealing with issues.

She was really no longer that little girl who needed to mask herself at all times whilst actually being helpless, only being able to rely on Xu Tingsheng.

Going back inside, Apple went up on stage and sang two songs. She had initially adamantly refused to sing in bars no matter what, yet ultimately made an exception for Huang Yaming here. Of course, these were two different things altogether.

Apple’s performance lifted the atmosphere in the bar to a highest peak right from the start.

Next to take the stage were some celebrity friends whom Huang Yaming had gotten acquainted with during those two months in Tianyi previously. Now that his status was different as he was an official partner of Tianyi’s, the producer of a movie, there were naturally more people who gave him face and came.

Many people whom Huang Yaming had been afraid to invite due to potentially having to pay them to come came on their own, ascending the stage on their own accord.

Even the VP of Tianyi, Shao Jun, personally came, opening wine that amounted up to over a hundred thousand as a celebratory gift.

With a lineup like this, adding on the lines of luxurious cars parked outside, the level and scale of Bright Brilliance was hence consolidated as it stood at heights that other bars in Yanzhou would never be able to reach no matter what.

From now on, it would be Bright Brilliance that reigned at the top of Yanzhou.

Of course, it was not these people who were truly the mainstay in dispensing the fees that night. Those of the Black Horse Club and other second gens who were close with them also showed up to support them, with a few bottles of wine surely being necessary with that. Also counting those unfamiliar faces which included locals of Yanzhou who had come to join in the fun and maybe some rich dudes from neighbouring districts…

One hour into the bar’s commencing of operations, just in terms of wine alone, more than a million had already been spent.

On the next hour, Tongtong was emotional beyond herself as she ran over and told Huang Yaming, “Two million.”

“Another million’s been spent?” Huang Yaming asked excitedly.

“No, there was 2 million that came in this hour. It’s up to 3 million in total now,” Tongtong said.

“...Who’s so fearsome?”

“Sis Ye Qing. She brought a bunch of friends over and then spent 1.4 million all on her own.”

With this still being early 2005, even Xu Tingsheng felt rather dizzy upon hearing this figure. That money which had been spent on alcohol was already enough to buy his Mercedes-Benz G500. For those others present who had been patronising them, they had generally just spent a couple tens of thousands. For those who had spent a bit more, it amounted to around a hundred thousand at most…

Ye Qing alone had spent 1.4 million.

Taken aback, Huang Yaming asked, “...Has she gone mad?”

Meanwhile, Tan Yao too pulled Ye Qing over to a corner, asking the same question, “Have you gone mad?”

“It’s not that I’m lacking in money,” Rather tipsy yet still clearly in a great mood, Ye Qing was all smiles as she looked at Tan Yao, “Tan Yao, I’m very happy now that you have your own career, you know? I really am very happy.”

Having previously been in a huff as he refused to speak to Ye Qing for quite a long time, Tan Yao did not know how to react now as he only said, “Even if you do have money, you can’t spend it as thoughtlessly as this! Be careful of your family blaming you now. Besides, we opened this bar to earn money from outsiders. What are you doing, spending so much?”

Ye Qing leaned over, smiling like a little kid as she pointed at herself, asking, “So...I’m an...insider(wife)?”

Tan Yao was momentarily taken aback before he said, “Sis Qing, I live in a different world from you. I have always been well aware of this. If you want to mess around with someone, don’t do it with me, alright? I like to play around and hook up with women, but I can’t afford to do so with you.”

Ye Qing suddenly kissed him right on the lips.

Then, the two looked quietly at each other just like that.

Their initial relationship had begun on the bed. Still, after a few times, after Tan Yao had thrown that tantrum, the two had eaten together, watched movies together, attended concerts together, instead never even having held hands.

Afterwards, Tan Yao had grown unhappy once again.

Thus, there had actually never been a simple kiss like this between the two before.

“What, you’re so great because you’re rich?” Tan Yao feigned a stern face but was unable to stop himself from smiling immediately thereafter.

In contrast, Ye Qing suddenly grew serious as she told Tan Yao, “Stupid, I’m supporting you here. Look, the name of the bar is Bright Brilliance, with one word from you. However, of those who have come here in support today, ninety percent are the connections of Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng. I am different. Everyone knows that I am close with you. I don’t want you always being thought of as just some lackey.”

Tan Yao did not accept this goodwill as he asked rather angrily, “What do you mean? Are you sowing discord between us? Let me tell you, someone like me who’s got totally nothing at all. Huang Yaming and Bro Xu have never treated me as just some lackey. Actually, they clearly can do so. It’s totally within reason, and I could accept that too. Yet, they’ve always treated me like a brother.”

Ye Qing forced a smile, shaking her head, “Do you still not get it? Well of course I know how Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming treat you. Even how many shares of this bar they’ve given you for nothing-I’m basically aware of that too. They really do treat you well.”

“Still, what I mean is not with regard to them, but with regard to outsiders, do you understand? Regardless of how Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming treat you, if you have no abilities of your own, those outside will never seriously treat you as being on the same level as them. They will only ever see you as a lackey, get it? I want to tell them for you that they are wrong. Tan Yao is not all that simple too.”

Chapter 349: Some things just don’t make sense

Tan Yao chewed on Ye Qing’s words several times over. Upon realising her intentions, he felt rather moved.

They looked quietly at each other for a while. Tan Yao extended his arms and hugged this beautiful woman in front of him who had felt so unattainable no matter what at the start, yet whom he had ended up in a strange relationship with afterwards, sleeping out some tensions after which feelings had been born from them quarrelling with each other.

As he hugged her at this moment, he was no longer that little man.

“Thank you, I’ve got it,” Tan Yao said, “I will work hard. I’m off to work now. Don’t you buy wine again. I’ll go give you a discount in a while, and slowly return this debt in the future...the debt’s too great, I’m afraid I won’t be able to repay it all at once.”

Then, he released his grip, turning as he was about to walk away.

Ye Qing reached out and pulled him back, a complex expression on her face as she looked at him, “Tan Yao, your way of speaking...it’s just too much.”

Tan Yao did not speak.

“When are you going to stop with your childish tantrums? You can’t bully me like this because I’m always letting you have your way. I’m Ye Qing, the daughter of Yanzhou’s richest tycoon. In the eyes of everyone, I’m a powerful career woman, one who’s fighting over familial assets with her elder brother, a cold-blooded creature who’s domineering in all aspects and with no feelings so to speak of.”

Ye Qing had a difficult expression on her face as she said this, not knowing where she should place her hands as she was somewhat unable to control her words and express herself smoothly.

“I’ve already done things to this extent. When has it not been you talking with thorns in your words, and I pretending that everything’s okay? Even in front of so many people. Is it that you actually really hate me? Is it that you feel uncomfortable because of how we started out at first?”

These scenes, these words, played out in this corner. If it had been elsewhere and other people had seen and heard this, the entire Yanzhou would probably have imploded. That was Ye Qing!

Tan Yao asked, “Are you sure that you haven’t drank too much?”

“A little. I wouldn’t have said all this stuff otherwise. Still...it’s all honest and heartfelt,” Ye Qing said.

“You like me?”

“Um...I think so, a little, and maybe a bit more than that,” Ye Qing said softly, probably really being drunk at this moment as she was acting just like some young girl, with Tan Yao totally holding the upper hand.

“What about you?” Ye Qing calmed herself down before returning this question to Tan Yao.

“I...I primarily don’t get it, and also don’t dare to. Just as you said, you are Ye Qing! Isn’t this much too inconceivable? Whoever would believe it?!” Tan Yao forced a smile.

“But I’m a normal woman too. I too can fall in love with someone. Then standing in front of a younger guy, disregarding my face and saying all these. Some things just don’t make sense, perhaps,” Ye Qing defended herself with a greatly aggrieved look on her face.

Looking at the unimaginable Ye Qing before him, Tan Yao exhaled slowly before he said, “Actually, I think that I like you a little too. I’ve really liked someone else before. As for you...I never even considered this possibility, because it just felt completely unreal. Yet afterwards, you became more and more real, and I began feeling differently about you. This sort of feeling is very strange. The reason for me trying to stay distant from you as much as possible, and squabbling with you...it’s probably because I didn’t dare, didn’t dare to even think about things going that way.”

Ye Qing thought earnestly for a moment before asking rather naively, “Right, do you think that I’m too old? I devote quite a bit of effort to maintaining my looks, so it’s really not bad at all…”

“I know, it’s not like I haven’t seen it before,” Tan Yao smiled, “There’s nowhere I haven’t seen.”

A rather bashful Ye Qing smiled wryly for a moment before saying, “Of course, I actually hadn’t thought that back then. I was just too lonely. I also didn’t want to date or get married. I just wanted to find somebody, not any of those people who got close to me for reasons of their own. Then, you arrived. The sort of relationship that I originally wished for was very simple, so I insisted on giving you money…”

“Then, things changed. Just like you said, it became very strange. Because of this, I went for a few matchmaking sessions, but none of them worked out.”

“...What now then? Just a little bit careless and things became like this,” Tan Yao smiled wryly.

“I don’t know too.” Ye Qing said, “How about we forget it, and pretend that we were both drunk. We’ll have forgotten about it tomorrow. And then we’ll continue squabbling again.”

“I’m an orphan. I don’t have anything at all, not even a home,” Tan Yao suddenly said.

“I know,” Ye Qing said, “Others aren’t able to tell, but somehow, I just knew. That’s why I purposely got into an argument with Ye Tan on New Year’s Eve and came over to look for you…”

Besides Xu Tingsheng whom he had personally told this to, no one had ever been able to tell that Tan Yao was an orphan, because the feeling that he gave others did not seem that way in the slightest.

Ye Qing had been able to see through it, though. Only her.

Then, she had left her home and come over to accompany him on the night of New Year’s Eve, bringing along wine and dumplings. They had sat beside the pile of renovation materials for the bar which had still been under construction, speaking sarcastically to and squabbling with each other as they drank. Only when the clock had tolled at midnight as the sky was filled completely with fireworks had she finally departed.

The two looked at each other just like that. Neither of them was a clean, pure person. Still...this did not stop them from liking someone.

“Kiss me again, like you did just now...I like how you did it just now,” Tan Yao suddenly ordered.

Ye Qing was momentarily taken aback by Tan Yao’s request before she tried leaning closer and kissed him rather panickedly on the lips .

Tan Yao pushed her against the wall, forcefully and intensely kissing her back…

By the glass wall of Bright Brilliance,the two were kissing intensely while shifting about frenetically…

Sensing a door with his hand, Tan Yao pushed it open and pushed Ye Qing in…

Then, he closed the door and pressed her against it, continuing...

His lips inched towards her neck, her shoulder…

Ye Qing reacted abruptly, her hands touching his face and pushing him away a little as looking at their surroundings that looked like an office, she asked, “What’s this place?”

“Mine and Huang Yaming’s duty office,” Tan Yao said, “Relax, no one will come in now. I've locked and latched the door too.”

Breathing heavily, Ye Qing asked, “What is it that...you want to do?”

“What do you think?” Tan Yao lifted her up in a single go and placed her on the office table, “It's been so long since we last did it. Then, you've been managing me and not letting me play around...it’s not that you really have someone, right?”

“No, I don't, I don't,” Ye Qing shook her head in vigorous denial.

“Isn't everything fine then?” Tan Yao said.

Ye Qing pushed him, shaking her head even as she struggled, “No, not now.”

Looking at her, Tan Yao smiled, “It's not like it's our first time. Don't be shy.”

“It's different now,” Ye Qing said, actually appearing somewhat shy now.

“What's different?” Tan Yao worked both his hands and mouth simultaneously.

“We seem to be... in love now. So, don't you think of getting it so quickly,” A struggling Ye Qing told him.

“So you do know! Since we're in love, our relationship is no longer the same. You've got to listen to what I ask of you,” Tan Yao said as he kept her locked tight in his embrace, “Do you know the first thing I said when I first spoke of you?”

“What?

“I want to bed you.”

“Huh?”

“What happened before isn't counted. From now on…”

“No.”

“You wouldn't have gained some fatty meat recently? Afraid of me seeing it?”

“...Like I did.”

“Let me have a look then.”

Tan Yao stood before the dark brown office table, reaching over for the hands of Ye Qing who was sitting on the table as he grabbed them and put them on his shoulders…

……

“Wait, I suddenly remembered. You cheated me,” Breathing heavily, Ye Qing said, “When in a relationship...shouldn’t it be the guy who listens to his girlfriend?”

“We’re different. You’re too domineering usually, so it has to be the other way round here. You let me do as I please and listen to me. Otherwise, where would I go to find back my pride as a man?”

Similarly panting, Tan Yao looked at the flushed, alluring face of Ye Qing as he leaned over and whispered into her ear, “Also, I can’t be a playboy anymore. So...it’ll all have to depend on you.”

“What...will have to depend on me?”

“I’ll have to depend on you to satisfy all my fantasies of that kind...bring them alive...you must listen to me…”

“...That’s impossible. I’m Ye Qing...it’s impossible that I’d let you bully me however you want. I’m serious, Tan Yao. If you go too far, my stubborn temper will flare up. You...don’t think that I’ll just listen and obey…”

“Alright, you’re Ye Qing...come on, change a posture…”

“...Mmm.”

…...

“Why isn’t it over yet? I’m nearly dying,” Ye Qing asked, panting breathlessly.

“Maybe...it’s because I drank wine,” Tan Yao said.

“No, we’ve been away for too long. If we don’t go back now...they’ll probably come looking for me. Also, today’s the day of your opening. You can’t just stay here and not do anything at all…”

“What should we do then?”

“Timeout.”

“Timeout? There can be a timeout for this too?”

“Yeah. Anyway...I’m done.”

Ye Qing pushed Tan Yao away, smiling craftily as she raised her chin, saying, “I told you. Ye Qing isn’t that easy to bully.”

Thus, as the two held hands and returned to the private room Ye Qing had booked, arriving before her friends, Tan Yao’s back was slightly arched.

The two had already talked on their way over.

Ye Qing had asked Tan Yao if he was worried about how people might see him now that they were an item.

“Isn’t it just gigolo, sponger-off or whatever?” Tan Yao laughed, “This is very difficult to avoid for someone as handsome as me. Actually, in actual fact, there’s no way around this no matter how I try to explain now. I can only rely on myself to slowly prove it over time. Rest assured, that I will do.”

These words left Ye Qing filled with confidence.

Therefore, the two openly held hands and walked into the room just like that, with Ye Qing straightforwardly and gracefully announcing to her friends, “This is my boyfriend, Tan Yao.”

“It seems to have been five years? It’s been five years since we heard Ye Qing introduce someone like that.”

“Old cow eating tender...what were you off doing just now? Why is Ye Qing’s face so red?”

Amongst this group of similarly-aged girls who were close with one another, things shot easily out of their mouths. Ye Qing rushed over and got into a messy dispute with them...the current Ye Qing was really not much different from an ordinary girl in love.

Tan Yao had originally intended to greet everyone and toast them before leaving. After all, he was the boss tonight, having many things to take care of.

He casually scanned the area...Fang Chen was sitting there.

“How come she’s in Ye Qing’s private room?” Tan Yao was taken aback.

Fang Chen stood up, saying, “You didn’t know, right? Sis Qing and I are good friends,” Then, she passed Tan Yao a glass of wine and got one for herself too, saying as she clinked them, “Congratulations, and my blessings to the both of you.”

“Thank you.”

Tan Yao drank the wine and greeted everyone before whispering into Ye Qing’s ear amidst knowing laughter all around. Then, he hastily left.

Fang Chen sat in a corner, “His mother, wasn’t it that he’d always had a secret crush on me? The heck...this dame really does feel a bit unhappy now...filthy man, they truly are all like this…”

Chapter 350: Those who walk together after the ruckus

After leaving the private room, Tan Yao leaned against the banister on the second storey for a while, watching the performance downstairs. Still, he was actually unable to take in any of it at all.

It could not be denied that Tan Yao had felt rather flustered upon suddenly seeing Fang Chen in the private room earlier.

When he had first met Fang Chen in his first year of university, she had really been too dazzling such that she had somehow entered his heart.

This had already gone on for nearly two years.

It is just like one’s early years of school. You end up liking the girl speaking on the podium beneath the national flag at first sight. There might not actually be any interaction between you. Still, this will continually stay buried within your heart. Many years later, you will suddenly recall that you once liked such a person.

Such feelings are always one-sided, with no way of expressing them and no reciprocation at all.

Tan Yao and Fang Chen were just a bit more acquainted with each other than normal friends at most.

To do a bit of psychoanalysis, girls that Tan Yao would really end up liking would definitely have to be those he had to look up to at the start, maybe even made him feel a sense of inferiority. It was the case with Fang Chen, and with Ye Qing as well.

Still, things were different for Ye Qing.

If someone’s solitude that they had deliberately concealed could be seen through by someone, this meant that the way in which she looked at him was definitely different, definitely not being like how one saw another as a less worthy being.

Also, with what had happened on the eve of the Lunar New Year, when Ye Qing had suddenly appeared that night and so amusingly taken out a big packet of still warm dumplings from her LV bag, this tale was destined to be different.

Afterwards, they had sat on the pile of wood from the construction materials, squabbling and mocking each other with nothing good coming out from their mouths at all as they quarrelled and quarrelled…ending up being in a huff and not speaking to each other until they had finished listening to the New Year’s countdown bell and the sound of fireworks which filled the entire sky.

As he walked her to the door, she had hesitated for a very long time before saying, “I brought too little alcohol.”

There was also what she had said tonight, ‘I’m very happy now that you have your own career’, ‘Stupid, I’m supporting you here’, ‘Then standing in front of a younger guy, disregarding my face and saying all this’.

Tan Yao waved a hand in front of his forehead as if to signify dispelling some specific emotions, a particular person...setting aside Fang Chen whom he liked for no real reason, to properly love Ye Qing for whom him being in a relationship with was even more unthinkable yet was somehow truly happening now.

“That’s how it is,” Tan Yao took in a deep breath as he told himself.

Tan Yao had once smiled bitterly as he confided to Xu Tingsheng in the early hours of the morning that he did not know if anyone really cared much about him. He felt that he really lacked value in his existence.

Ye Qing had given him this existential value and feeling of being cared for by someone. Also, it could not be denied that she was a woman who possessed that much charm. “The heck, this is kinda freaking crazy.”

……

Huang Yaming had just finished going around toasting people as he was now sitting together with Shao Jun.

“When that article was published earlier, Jin Datang retaliated by yelling over the media that if he loses to you in one week of box office earnings when the time comes, he’ll wipe your shoes clean for you,” Shao Jue brought up this matter.

Leaning against the backrest of the chair, Huang Yaming grinned, “Jin Datang and I both know full well that coming together to stir up expectations and awareness isn’t a bad thing. If I really do win him for one week then, that would be some crazy luck on my part. And it just happens that I could really use someone to help clean my shoes.”

Hearing him speaking so calmly as if it was a matter that could not be any more ordinary, Shao Jun realised with a start: This guy actually really isn’t doing this out of youthful impetuousness at all. In betting with someone else, money is really his sole aim.

Looking at this young man who had still been enthusiastically ingratiating himself with all those aloof faces some months ago at Tianyi, shamelessly going around forming connections and trying to become closer with them as he completely ignored that mockery and indifference, Shao Jun remembered how Wang Zhongjun had said back then that if this guy gained a chance, he would definitely be able to climb up to success.

Now, success was truly about to come for him.

“News about the bar has already spread on the internet. With that press conference from earlier and today’s opening ceremony, because this is in closer proximity to the entertainment industry, you may well become more renowned than Xu Tingsheng very soon,” Shao Jun smiled, saying.

“That fits his personality, and fits mine too. He doesn’t like being exposed to the public eye as far as is possible, while I like it and am enamoured by it too much, that feeling of being above the rest with infinite glory,” Huang Yaming replied very candidly.

And this was how things were in actual fact. As Huang Yaming had been gradually coming to take center stage, Xu Tingsheng had been cautiously retreating backwards slowly but surely.

After Weibo had gotten on track, Xu Tingsheng had basically handed operations over to Hu Chen and He Yitan to handle, with the two frequently showing their faces before the media.

Fang Yuqing had been given the lead position of Zhicheng Real Estate as besides the upper echelons of Yanzhou who had been figuratively slapped by Xu Tingsheng, the ordinary folks basically only knew of Fang Yuqing when talking about Zhicheng, not knowing Xu Tingsheng.

As for Hucheng, it had primarily been led by Lu Zhixin in the first place. Recently, she too had revealed herself more to the general public. Young, beautiful, cool and shockingly talented-the domineering female CEO image had caused her number of followers on Weibo and discussion levels to rapidly surpass Xu Tingsheng’s.

There were even more women who loved her than men.

And she even also listened to Xu Tingsheng’s advice, uploading a few photos from time to time, of when she was at work, in the library, in the classroom, out on business trips, and even when she was at the main seat of the conference table during meetings, presiding over everything…

In actual life, who had ever since such a young woman before?

Lu Zhixin gained internet fame without even really knowing how it happened such that when news on the dramatisation of a popular workplace drama was revealed, votes on the female lead were frenziedly cast for her who was not even an actress in the first place.

It was to the point that the professional actresses were left totally angered and embarrassed.

The people who were by Xu Tingsheng’s side and could see all this unfolding vaguely had the sense that while Xu Tingsheng was merely twenty-one, he seemed already to have the feel of commandeering the entire world from behind the scenes in a leisurely and composed manner.

As for the reason, there was only Xu Tingsheng himself who knew it.

“Maybe he’s keeping something all to himself again. It’s always been like this. None of us can see through him,” Said Fu Cheng who had also been at the bar for the entire night yet clearly looked more or less like he had nothing better to do.

Wu Kun came over and said hello to Shao Jun. They agreed to head to Starry Splendour to continue the conversation later on.

Tongtong came and reported the earnings for the fourth hour to Huang Yaming. The figures were dropping, basically being around four hundred thousand. Still, this was very normal and did not hinder the overall situation. Bright Brilliance’s overall earnings were already nearing five million that night, this being a near unthinkable figure.

If this situation persisted for another two days, the seemingly vast investment sum that Bright Brilliance had received would be recouped at a virtually insane efficiency.

Of course, it was not like things would always be like this. There were too many connections and relationships involved in this five million. It was not like they could receive such support every day.

Xu Tingsheng and Apple walked over through the crowd.

They had also invited their friends over that night, with Zhang Ninglang and the girl with the long plait, Ning Xia as super guests of honour. However composed she was, Ning Xia still received a fright from this ‘Sis Apple’ of Zhang Ninglang’s.

Relationships between people really were strange. The two of them who did not usually interact much actually really had a relationship like that between an older sister and a younger brother. Meanwhile, even Apple and her ‘sister-in-law’, Ning Xia, interacted extremely harmoniously.

It was only that when Xu Tingsheng said that someone was pursuing Ning Xia, Apple was very nervous on Zhang Ninglang’s behalf for a bit.

Xu Tingsheng arranged for security to drive Zhang Ninglang and Ning Xia back to the university before coming over with Apple to find the ‘organisation’.

Tongtong was standing behind Wu Kun and Huang Yaming. As she looked at Xu Tingsheng and Apple who were walking over, she zoned out for a bit as she watched on, the expression on her face also beginning to change…

After Wu Kun stood up, he walked over to Tongtong’s side, telling her in a low tone, “Tongtong, though you aren’t under me anymore, Bro Kun advises you not to have wild thoughts. People have to learn to be satisfied with what they have. What Xu Tingsheng has given to you now, what you have gained-these are already things those former sisters of yours back at Starry Splendour cannot hope for no matter what. Look at these people around him, all their great prospects. Don’t be silly, and just be satisfied with what you have.”

Tongtong nodded, “I understand, Bro Kun.”

After saying so, she greeted Xu Tingsheng and Apple who had already arrived before them. Then, clenching her teeth, she claimed to be busy and hurriedly excused herself.

……

Bright Brilliance had one last surprise in store that night. After the emcee had announced it, the lights on the stage were all dimmed.

When the lights went on again, five guys and one girl could be seen in pyramid formation on the stage...Rebirth’s fullest, complete lineup came on display for the first time. This...might really be the one and only time this happened.

This immense surprise nearly caused the customers in the audience to fall into a stupor. How could this night be any more worth it?!

Regardless of the fact that anyone would be able to tell that it was her with a single glance, Apple had still playfully worn the same half-mask and air force jacket as the five guys...that suggestion of their matching uniforms had only been kept from Xu Tingsheng from the start.

Apple was especially enthusiastic and happy. She would be leaving Yanzhou the next morning, leaving Xu Tingsheng.

As for those dance steps, for she who had a foundation in dancing in the first place, they really couldn’t be considered very tough.

The music for <You Are My Flower> resounded as the stiff dance steps came on display once more. They were even stiffer than the last time, with the beats being messed up too. From time to time, they were even staggering around messily, nearly even stumbling down to the ground...

Still, because of Apple, they were ultimately much more ‘pleasing to the eye’ than previously.

The customers before the stage burst their sides laughing as applause and cheers resounded unceasingly…

After the song had ended, Fu Cheng performed a solo rendition of Apple’s new song, <Long Time No See>.

The emcee announced, “This member of Rebirth who just performed a solo, the male lead singer of the band, will hereby be a regular singer at Bright Brilliance, singing at infrequent intervals on stage in this bar…”

As soon as this news was revealed, the bars of Yanzhou, regardless of scale, all realised...there was really no way for them to compete.

The grand ruckus of that night finally drew to a close. The alcohol, the music, the bodies, the sweat, the cheers...hormones...all that had drifted in the air that night slowly settled down as everything quietened.

Right after Tan Yao descended the stage, he was pulled away by Ye Qing, who certainly was able to recognise him.

The two traversed the crowd, rushing back to the office from earlier. This time, it was Ye Qing who pulled Tan Yao along, dashing. When the door was shut, looking at Ye Qing who already looked much more drunk than before, Tan Yao asked, “What is it?”

“That just now was only a timeout,” Ye Qing replied, “The way you looked when dancing was really too handsome and too cute. I have no way of controlling myself anymore...you are my…”

Tan Yao smiled foolishly, deliberately pointing out, “What...weren’t you finding it forced just a little earlier?”

A blushing Ye Qing said, “I’ve thought about it. What you said was right. When you were willing to come inside the room with me and face those friends of mine despite clearly knowing what they might say afterwards...considering simply this alone, I really should be listening to you…”

“And so?”

“So...in the future...in bed, you are my king...I’ll be very obedient…”

With such words gently spoken into his ear from Ye Qing’s mouth, as he thought back on when they had met for the first time, with her elegant and lofty like a sculpture of ice, Tan Yao’s blood surged and bubbled in its entirety…

Ye Qing slowly slid her fingers down Tan Yao’s body…

Tan Yao emitted a muffled groan, “The heck, is this Ye Qing? Right...it is Ye Qing...can I not be this arrogant?! Whatever…”

……

The crowds had basically all dispersed.

Huang Yaming was actually already drunk beyond measure. Just as Xu Tingsheng was about to find someone to send him back, Chen Jingqi appeared at the doorway, smiling as she said, “Let me take care of him. I’m already used to it.”

Then, she supported Huang Yaming with her frail frame, sending him home along with security. Actually, she still lived there too.

Fang Yuqing sent Yuqing back.

Fu Cheng was unable to return to his dormitory. Having nowhere to go, he accompanied Xu Tingsheng in sending Apple back to the riverside residence.

Then, out on the streets in the early hours of the morning, they decided to go look for a motel.

Xu Tingsheng recalled Tan Yao who had stayed behind to watch over the bar, next calling him as he asked, “Has Sis Qing left?”

Tan Yao asked, “How did you know? I was actually planning on telling you about it later.”

“We all know about it,” Xu Tingsheng said, “There’s surveillance! Still, relax, there isn’t any in the office. We just collectively stood outside the door and listened for a while...it was very intense…”

“...She’s drunk like crazy. She was just sent back by her friend.”

“She was happy for you today.”

“I know.”

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng went to the bar. Then, the three of them sat together in the early morning and drank at the balcony that was exceptionally quiet now after the ruckus.

Tan Yao said, “If you guys hadn’t come today, I’d probably feel especially alone tonight. The silence after the commotion is always especially taxing on people…”

More than an hour later, Fang Yuqing reached the bar.

The better part of another hour passed before Huang Yaming arrived as well.

“Making use of my drunkenness, I took Chen Jingqi down again...I don’t know what I should do anymore...she’s actually pretty good,” He said, “Forget it, let’s not think about this now. I knew that you guys would definitely be here. After I sobered up, I found myself thinking especially about you.”

Therefore, it became five people who were consuming alcohol on the balcony.

They conversed, talking a lot, about each of their individual tales and dreams…

When the light of dawn had broken, Fu Cheng asked, “Want to take a walk?”

And so it was that the five of them really ended up walking for more than an hour from Bright Brilliance to the site of Zhicheng’s Ning Garden. An empty stretch of wilderness and countless work machinery...accompanied by the emergence of sunlight, their forms were slowly revealed, much like a vast swath of territory...appearing before the eyes of the warriors.

Huang Yaming threw away the can that he held, yelling towards the sunlight with all his might, “In this life...this old man must definitely soar to fame and glory…”

Tan Yao yelled too, “I, Tan Yao, am not unwanted by anybody, and much less a sponger-off…”

Fang Yuqing yelled, “I want to tear down Yuqing’s house. I want to build my villa before the place she lives...when you go home, it’ll have to be my house…”

Fu Cheng and Xu Tingsheng stood by the side, smiling as they watched the three go bonkers.

“What next after the fame and glory?” Fu Cheng asked Huang Yaming.

“Let’s talk about it after I get the fame and glory...I’m wishing especially to see that face of Tan Qingling’s now. She should already be looking down on that man’s BMW as too trashy by now, right? ...Soon, real soon,” Huang Yaming said.

The topic finally shifted to Xu Tingsheng. They all said that Huang Yaming and Chen Jingqi could be considered as having started out a relationship again, and Tan Yao had Ye Qing to dote on him, while Fang Yuqing was focused on Yuqing anyway. As for Fu Cheng? A person was already on his mind, at least…

“What about you, Tingsheng?”

Looking at Ning Garden that was presently still a vast, uncultivated stretch of wilderness, Xu Tingsheng closed his eyes. Before him now flashed the scenes of that year, wherein he had walked together with her in that park hand in hand, saying those words to her...

He saw the scenes of that year, as he had walked with her hand in hand in that park, those words he had once said to her…

“Me? I’m working on it, aren’t I? Very soon, really soon,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 351: Ning Garden that is soon to open

Fang Yuqing asked Xu Tingsheng if Zhicheng’s future project in Suzhou could be named ‘Qing Garden’, with the Qing from Yuqing.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “That’s your call, Boss Fang.”

Fang Yuqing suddenly realised that things had really been like this. After they had acquired that plot of land, the main subject of focus had already been slowly shifting away from Xu Tingsheng through his own efforts.

Now, when folks were in the midst of heated discussion about Ning Garden, ninety percent of them knew only about Fang Yuqing, not knowing of Xu Tingsheng.

While discussing this together, the few of them discovered that Xu Tingsheng was currently in the midst of hiding himself up.

He was slowly retreating from that limelight that he had been basked in, letting others replace him there. Also, for where he had not entered the limelight, such as in entertainment news which drew gossip the easiest, including his partnership with Tianyi and also that movie investment, he had simply not revealed himself at all, leaving it all to Huang Yaming.

That incident regarding Apple could be considered a significant turning point for him.

If one wanted to delve deeply into this matter, they could go into personality, how it was out of a desire to protect himself. Still, on the surface and more immediately, his goal was actually very simple and very single-minded too.

Little Xiang Ning was in the midst of drawing near. If she got together with Xu Tingsheng one day and the situation still persisted, she would be on headlines of entertainment news, would be secretly taken photos of and talked about. The day might even come when they needed a few sturdy bodyguards by their side at all times whether they were walking on the street together or out on vacation.

In that case, judging by Xu Tingsheng’s understanding of Xiang Ning's personality, she would not be happy.

Also, this would strip her of her freedom and her romantic youth, being even more unfair.

Xu Tingsheng certainly did not want Xiang Ning who was merely in her teens to have to bear those strange principles like 'how much you have is how much you have to bear’ or 'desirous of the crown, its weight you must bear’.

People are the happiest when we live how people of our age should be living.

In the years of our youth, even if we worry so hard that our hearts feel like they are breaking, what we are worrying about should still be what we should be worrying about at sixteen or eighteen. Although we cry, it should still be because of the ignorant love that we have at this age, the midterms or finals we flunk, the minor tensions we have as we play around with our classmates and friends...looking back so many years later, it will all feel so childish and laughable.

……

Early June arrived. News that Zhicheng’s Ning Garden would soon be opening its doors began spreading wildly through various kinds of word of mouth. Also, the information appeared increasingly believable and trustworthy.

This was because the beautiful and intricate sales building had already been fully constructed and renovated. All that remained was the opening of those glass doors.

Hidden behind the sales building was a three storey building which Ning Garden had built and newly renovated.

Right, in order to sufficiently display their standard of architecture, materials and design that were ahead of the times, Ning Garden had not just built a couple of showrooms. Instead, they had built an actual, intricately-renovated three storey building.

Elegant French-style architecture with quality and appearance like that of a European-style villa, coupled with its interior design that was said to be beautiful beyond compare. The building's design broke new ground.

With the project yet to officially launch, there were already quite a lot of people who were coming to leisurely stroll by or ask around about it every day. Everyone peered at the miniature model through the glass doors of the sales building, strolled about Building No.1 that was three storeys high and maybe went and asked around about its possible price…

In truth, everyone was aware that the homes built by Ning Garden would definitely not be all that cheap.

However, there were still those who were already impatiently drawing on their connections and looking for a way to secure a flat. After all, only around ten blocks of flats would probably be built for the first phase of the project. There were few who would be able to buy one at the end of the day.

Meanwhile, while Yanzhou was a normal second-tier city, it had an exemplary port and factories too. At the same time, it could be considered one of the more economically flourishing cities of Jianhai Province with its trading of imports and exports. The number of wealthy people hidden within was actually not low at all.

If the news was accurate, only around six months had passed from when the land had been acquired by Zhicheng to the present time when they were soon to start on the sale of flats for Ning Garden.

This would actually not be thought of as anything much if this was the year 2012 or 2013. At that time, it would really not be rare even to see a super quick one being completed in three months. Six months was just the normal timespan. After all, for a long time, people usually already had their houses bought before they were even built.

Still, in the year 2005, in terms of speed and in a second-tier city like Yanzhou, it was really a rather shocking thing. Along with that, people also had greater expectations of how soon the houses could be completed and handed over to all them buyers.

From testing the soil to laying the foundations and so on, Zhicheng had abided by the strictest standards and utilised the highest speed too...this had dispelled the worries of many regarding the experience and standards of this new real estate company.

Due to this, many people had actually been paying attention to the developments there all this time. After all, it was the first real estate venture in Yanzhou’s new city district that was destined to prosper, also being in the centre and most valuable part of the plot of land. It would face their central park, be right beside the central business district and be diagonally across from the new first-tier senior high of Yanzhou…

Ever since the Ning Garden project had started out after the Lunar New Year, many enthusiastic gazes had been drawn to it.

Under such circumstances, the advertisements in the local media that they had planned for and the ones on bulletin boards in the busy city district and at bus stops too...were they still needed?

Many from Zhicheng’s upper echelons felt that even if their advertisements were crushed at the bottom of beds, people would still be scrambling to dig them out. Therefore, how was there any need to spend this money?

When Xu Tingsheng was asked about this, he said in an incomparably resolute manner, “Do it!”

The very thing he feared most was those two people not knowing about it?

With the same considerations in mind, Xu Tingsheng also requested to specifically emphasise in the advertisement of the project that the school district for Yanzhou’s new first-tier senior high was already in the midst of development now. Also, this was progressing at a rapid speed…

Quite a few of Zhicheng’s higher echelons were bewildered by this. Did this real estate project of theirs even need to borrow the fame of the district of Yanzhou’s new first-tier senior high? Yet as Xu Tingsheng simply said nothing about this, no one pressed him about it. He had always been all ‘godly swindler’ anyway.

Whatever the case, those of Zhicheng were all in high spirits as they enthusiastically awaited the date of their opening. Even Ye Qing and Wu Kun placed most of their attention here. This was the most important event to take place in the short term for they of the Black Horse Club.

Money, raising their heads in triumph, proving themselves, the great harvest after having resisted countless enticements and pressure from their family and the outside world.

Yet to Xu Tingsheng, there was a matter which was clearly countless times more important. Little Xiang Ning’s senior high entrance examinations were right around the corner. Besides keeping in close contact with Li Linlin and keeping an eye on things at all times, Xu Tingsheng even analysed many past year papers for Yanzhou City, helping to prepare for several revision lessons with detailed notes that really could not be any more in depth.

Li Linlin simply gave Xu Tingsheng’s lesson plan to Xiang Ning at the end of her lesson, letting her use it as her own revision material.

Little Xiang Ning saw that handwriting which she could not be any more familiar with, with all of it written in such detail. It was just like he was standing right in front of her and teaching her in a warm, gentle tone, just like how it had been in the past.

With that, how would there still be a need for someone to supervise her and urge her to revise? Little Xiang Ning instead wished that she could memorise every single word on the lesson plan.

Seeing this, Mr and Mrs Xiang thought that their daughter had really grown sensible as they felt greatly reassured by this...when had these changes begun in her? It seemed like...that was ever since Xu Tingsheng had come to their house to tutor Xiang Ning…

Husband and wife exchanged looks, at a loss for words. Xu Tingsheng seemed to have become a taboo topic in the Xiang Family by now.

“The kid’s pretty good,” Mr Xiang was finally unable to stop himself from muttering.

“Sigh, enough about him already. I feel so confused whenever I think about him…” Mrs Xiang said, frowning.

Mr Xiang felt helpless as well. He actually rather liked Xu Tingsheng. Still, his daughter was still so young at the end of the day.

He considered it for a moment before changing the topic, “Right, Little Ning’s Mum. Say, if Little Ning really qualifies for a first-tier senior high with her results, she’ll probably have to go to the new school district when in her second year. That place really is far away from home. Already having to stay at school in her junior high years...it’s been pretty tough on her. Must this still go on even in senior high? In twelfth grade, especially. I heard that quite a number of families even go over to accompany their children as they study, helping to cook meals for them…”

Mrs Xiang sighed, exclaiming, “What else can we do then? If there’s really no other choice, when she’s in twelfth grade, I’ll resign from my job and rent a flat over there to accompany her.”

Mr Xiang hesitated for a moment before saying, “A few days ago, I heard someone talking about this new real estate project that’s about to begin its sales very soon. It’s only ten over minutes away from the fist-tier senior high. And the name-coincidentally, it’s called Ning Garden, the same Ning as our family’s Little Ning…”

“Ning...Garden, what a coincidence. It wouldn’t be that Xu…”

“No, don’t be so paranoid! I’ve asked around. The boss is surnamed Fang and is a local. Also, isn’t Tingsheng in the field of education, schools, the internet and whatnot...this isn’t related to building houses at all. If it really is him, that sincerity would really be too great. It’s been a long time since I ate one of his meals…”

Mr Xiang’s voice trailed off as Mrs Xiang’s gaze which was on him grew increasingly unfriendly. He could only swallow the words back down into his throat.

Mrs Xiang composed herself before saying, “Let’s go take a look at it then. I just wonder how the price of that Ning Garden’s like. The little bit our family has saved up-would it be enough to pay the initial deposit...and how much would we have to pay in monthly installments afterwards…”

“It will be expensive for sure. That’s what they’re all saying. If we haven’t enough, we’ve got to think of a way and borrow some,” Mr Xiang said earnestly, “I’ve decided. We’ll buy it, we’ll buy a flat there for sure. For one, it will be convenient for Little Ning’s senior high education. Secondly, everyone knows that that place is the new city district. The property value will definitely soar in the future. Let’s just take it like we’re preparing Little Ning her dowry early on...I only have this one precious daughter…”

Mrs Xiang squeezed her husband’s hands, laughing, “Look at you, cherishing your daughter this much. Little Ning is more attentive towards you too. Sigh, fathers are really closer with daughters. I should have disregarded everything and given birth to a son too.”

Mrs Xiang’s joking mood was then replaced by an earnest expression as she said, “Alright, I’ll listen to you in this. Let’s buy it. I’ll think of a way to borrow a bit of money from my siblings at my maiden home…”

Mr Xiang raised a hand to stop her, “Hold on. We should wait for Little Ning to get back her results first. Otherwise, if you say it prematurely and Little Ning then fails to get the required score, those brothers and sisters of yours will probably make a joke out of us for a few years.”

Hearing Mr Xiang criticising her family members, Mrs Xiang felt rather unhappy. Still, she could not really say anything about it.

This was because this was really how things were. While the Xiang family was not doing badly, it was doing comparatively ordinarily and lived in the suburbs too. As compared to her brothers and sisters, they were indeed inferior somewhat…

As for her examination results, Little Xiang Ning had previously been like a super flunkie student who had never even been close to the cut-off point for a first-tier senior high. She was indeed just that bit inferior as compared to her maternal cousins, all of whom had been to first-tier senior highs, with the better ones even already having gone on to first-rate universities.

Yet, the relatives on the maternal side of Xiang Ning’s family, though not being bad per se, just loved showing off, being unrelenting in their words…

On the whole, Mr Xiang hadn’t even been too willing to eat at the home of his in-laws all these years. It was only because of his filial piety and his mother-in-law cherishing Xiang Ning most that he had had no choice but to return every time before coming home stifled with repressed anger.

“Right, your elder brother’s youngest son is taking the senior high entrance examinations this year too, right?” Mr Xiang suddenly asked.

“Yeah, I think so. I heard that he was amongst the top few in the mock examinations too. He should probably be able to get into a first-tier senior high without much difficulty,” Mrs Xiang replied.

“..There shouldn’t be a problem for our Little Ning too,” Mr Xiang declared with exceptional certainty as he seemed to be venting his unhappiness.

Mrs Xiang laughed, “Look at you! It also wasn’t me who was talking about the off chance earlier. I just think that things should be fine for Little Ning. Ever since Tingsheng...sigh, I accidentally mentioned him again. Let’s talk about the matter of the flat instead. I don’t understand these things. You should find out more about it. You’ve praised it so much; it’d better not be hard to buy…”

“But it’s exactly that-hard to buy. You might not be able to buy it even if you have the money…” Mr Xiang said, “Still, Old Sun said that he has connections. I asked him to help me look into this…”

“You really believed what Old Sun said? Always going around exaggerating and freeloading.”

“What would I do if I didn’t believe him? At least he has a daughter who married a member of the bureaucracy, a minor official. Could it be that we ourselves can find this sort of connection? Could we ask for a favour from that real estate company? No, unless we look for Tingsheng for help...he’s currently…”

“No, no way. We definitely can’t look for him. If we do, I’ll feel panicked…” Mrs Xiang interrupted Mr Xiang mid-sentence.

A despondent Mr Xiang was silent for a moment before he pulled the blanket over, saying, “Let’s forget about this then. Let’s sleep. We’ll talk about this again when Little Ning’s examinations are over. If there’s really no other way, I’ll drag a stool over two days in advance and wait outside in queue before the door of that sales building…”

Chapter 352: Sweet sixteen

On the night of 11th June, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Little Xiang Ning.

With the senior high entrance examinations right around the corner, the little girl ultimately still felt nervous. This nervousness was due to to her own hard work over the past one, two years, the expectations of her parents as well as her promise to Uncle.

This might also be due in part to her hope that the memories of the happy times when Uncle had been tutoring her weekly could reach a perfect conclusion.

As they were chatting, Xu Tingsheng consoled Xiang Ning, “Relax, your luck bursts forth whenever an important examination comes, allowing you to perform exceptionally well.”

Little Xiang Ning asked astonishedly, “How do you know? I haven’t even taken an exam yet.”

Xu Tingsheng thought: Of course I know, you former super flunkie student. In the past, you were always saying triumphantly every time how you never needed to work hard at all, just erupting with fortune during the senior high entrance examinations to get into Yanzhou’s second-tier senior high and doing the same in the university entrance examinations to get into Jiannan University.

Back then, she had been triumphant and easily satisfied, not minding the fact that these two schools were actually not all that good at all.

“Hey, looking down on me? I already did pretty well as compared to some of my classmates, okay?” She would often say this shamelessly back then.

Even during the teacher recruitment examinations nearing university graduation, she had not taken it that seriously as she had ended up doing some last minute work. Even her graduation thesis had been hastily written with Uncle’s help.

In the end, as Xu Tingsheng had said, she had still managed to get in. While her score had not been the best, it had still been acceptable.

Anyway, the she of back then had always been easily satisfied, happiness coming to her easily.

Yet, there were already too many things she was concerned about now at a young age. As a result, the pressure on her would naturally be magnified as she grew nervous more easily.

Finally, she made a request of him: During those two days of the senior high entrance examinations, she had to see Uncle before and after every exam.

This was actually a very difficult thing because Mr Xiang would definitely be sending her to the examination venue before waiting outside for her those two days. Still, Little Xiang Ning didn’t care about that. Xu Tingsheng definitely had to do what she had asked.

Xu Tingsheng could only borrow an old Volkswagen Santana and give Xiang Ning its license plate number. He would drive the car over to the examination venue early on both mornings, camping there throughout.

When Little Xiang Ning appeared on the first day, she got off her father’s motorcycle and quickly gazed around the carpark as her father was parking it.

Xu Tingsheng pressed the horn, pressing out a heavy sound and a light sound.

Little Xiang Ning secretly gazed over in his direction. She saw Xu Tingsheng as he peeked out of the car, blinking towards her before raising his fist to cheer her on.

She smiled and blinked too, raising her little fist before taking in a deep breath and walking into the examination venue with a calm look on her face.

And that was how Xu Tingsheng waited outside the examination venue for two days. There was a close shave during this time. Mr Xiang stood outside his car window for over an hour, smoking till the floor was filled with cigarette butts. He appeared very nervous as well.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng was nervous too.

Usually, for an examinee with two ‘family members’ waiting outside for her, both of whom were so nervous, it would really be great if they could smoke and chat as they waited. Yet, Xu Tingsheng dared not even show his face.

When the two days of examinations were over, the naturally vivacious and cheerful Little Xiang Ning finally regained her usual liveliness.

She actually consumed some alcohol on the night of her graduation party before giving Uncle a call.

“Wow, wow. There’s a girl who is already sixteen this year and is about to enter senior high right away. Also, she’s grown to 1.64 m. Her legs are so long, and her waist’s nice too. What a grown up young lady,” She said shamelessly over the phone.

“So?” Xu Tingsheng resisted the urge to smile, asking.

“Well, did you know? Only those below sixteen years are called lolis. Those sixteen and above aren’t anymore…”

“What are they called then?”

“Ravishing young maid...hah...hahah...why aren’t you saying anything, Xu Tingsheng?”

“I’m just listening to you laughing for a while.”

“Huh? Do you find it very pleasing to the ear? Is it like, tinkling wind chimes laughter?”

“Barbell chimes.”

“...”

“Alarm clock chimes.”

“...I’m really mad now.”

“What should I do then?”

“Answer one question of mine then, Xu Tingsheng.”

“Alright.”

“Are you going to start pursuing me?”

“...Aren’t you still too young?”

“No, how could that be? Many of my classmates are already dating! I’m already sixteen, and in senior high. You can, you can make a move now...make a move, you.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly, deliberately saying, “Sixteen is really still too young.”

Over on the other end, Little Xiang Ning thought for a moment before saying, “Two eight sixteen, right? Have you ever heard of ‘two eight sweet sixteen supple delicate sweet’?...Hee...teehee…”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Student Xiang Ning, why are you playing the ruffian now?”

“Huh? I’m not! I was reciting a poem, really,” Little Xiang Ning defended herself.

“And where did you hear this verse from?”

“I can’t remember. I just happened to see it somewhere.”

“Do you know what the latter three verses are and where they come from?”

“No, I don’t.”

“This poem comes from <<The Golden Lotus>>. The entire thing reads: Two eight sweet sixteen supple delicate sweet, sword drawn from waist hacks foolish husband. Seeth not the head fallen on ground, yet covertly consigns husband’s marrows into decay.”

“...Is this about a female hero? Sword drawn from waist hacks foolish husband. Head fallen on ground, marrows into decay...is it about murder? How scary. But it’s not like I’ll kill you, though.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly, thinking: If you want to kill me that way, why, do it then.

Then, he solemnly replied, “Anyway, this is actually a poem that make girls sound like ruffians when they recite it. You should normally refrain from reciting it in the future…”

“It’s even more ruffianish than Mulan has no elder brother? ...Normally refrain? ...When can I recite it then?"

“Let’s not talk about that now,” Xu Tingsheng said helplessly, “How did your exams go? You feeling confident for a first-tier senior high?”

Actually, if he definitely had to, Xu Tingsheng actually had a way to get Xiang Ning into a first-tier senior high even if her results weren’t actually good enough. It was only that it was difficult to tell what Mr and Mrs Xiang might think of this. Also, Little Xiang Ning herself would probably lose quite a bit of happiness from this.

“Yup,” Xiang Ning declared confidently, “I am. I’ll tell you right away as soon as the results are out.”

“I should be the one to tell you. I’ll definitely find out earlier than you do,” Xu Tingsheng said.

He currently had quite a number of connections and familiar faces in the education bureau. Finding out about results for senior high entrance examinations would be a piece of cake.

“Okay then. I have a phone again now. Mum says that she’ll let me use it during the holidays. It’s not the one that you gave me, though. Mum says that that one’s lost...”

The two chatted for a long time. Little Xiang Ning talked about how she looked forward to life in senior high, how she would have to go to the new school district for Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high in the future which was so far away from home. She said that she wanted to come see Dongdong, and also that...she wanted to meet Big Sister Apple.

Besides the last thing which he quickly glossed over, Xu Tingsheng talked about everything else in detail with Xiang Ning till she said over the phone that her Dad had come to pick her up.

In the upcoming period of time, Xu Tingsheng awaited Little Xiang Ning’s senior high examination results as the advertisements for Ning Garden came onto display all around…

Xu Tingsheng could expect a call from Little Xiang Ning almost every day. However minor the matters they talked about, these days were just so blissful for him. In this post-rebirth life, he had gotten Xiang NIng to fall in love with him again. While it had taken quite a bit of time, it seemed that there weren’t so many difficulties besides that of her parents...if this was love.

Chapter 353: So and so’s kid

Xiang Ning possessed a forthright personality. As she would frankly express whatever came to her mind, many reservations simply did not exist.

For example, in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, she would tell the most obvious lies, shamelessly refusing to break up. She would hide a shirt of his and refuse to return it, would request a kiss inside a self-study room, would say that Xu Tingsheng definitely had to send her over to the door of her dormitory, causing Uncle’s heart to soften every time.

It was just like in this life. When she had begun considering whether her age difference of five years with Uncle was a lot, whether he liked her, she had begun muttering to herself in the car, bringing out her parents’ age difference to talk about. She had even asked Xu Tingsheng some silly little question like ‘What will Little Xiang Ning become when she grows up?’...

She was simple, pure and direct.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, Xiang Ning had once asked him this question: What does Uncle like about me?

Xu Tingsheng told her, “You make my world a simple and happy place.”

Then, Xiang Ning had said very disdainfully, “It’s clearly because I’m pretty! Hah, my legs are so long and my waist’s nice too...see, you’re looking...hey, no touching...oi, you dirty ruffian...you…”

Having conquered the pretty girl, Uncle was panting slightly, “...I was praising your inner beauty just now. You mean I can’t do that?”

Xiang Ning lazily cuddled into Xu Tingsheng’s embrace like a figurine of porcelain, saying shamelessly, “Like I want inner beauty. Just say that I look good...I want to be a vase,” Then, she turned and blocked her eyes with her arms, asking, “Look, nice, right? I’ll let you see it all.”

This was Xiang Ning. She made everything seem so simple and pure.

Take for example how Xu Tingsheng had built a Ning Garden for Xiang Ning before thinking of a way to ‘gift’ a flat into the hands of Mr and Mrs Xiang. Right, even as he was confessing, commemorating and making up for the regrets of his previous life, he also wished to make use of this to move and win over her parents.

Some people might find this to be materialistic, benefit-driven and scheming indeed.

Yet, this was not the case for Xu Tingsheng himself. There were no impurities mixed within his goal whatsoever, only a desire to treat their daughter well. While trying to do so, he also sought to prove to her parents how much he cared about and cherished her...working diligently towards such a goal-where was the fault in that?

Xu Tingsheng was already no longer just a young boy in his teens. He was no longer at the age where just buying a popsicle for a girl, he already dared to proclaim that he would give her the entire world.

This was not the case with Xiang Ning as well, because she was not a person who thought about these things in the first place. She might not even come to consciously realise them.

When Mr and Mrs Xiang had wondered why with Xu Tingsheng’s wealth, status and capabilities, he had actually still been willing to be a home tutor for their family for a year and had treated their daughter with such care, they had ended up feeling fearful about this. In contrast, Little Xiang Ning herself...had similarly never even considered such matters in the slightest.

This was because she did not care about these things in the first place, whether or not Xu Tingsheng had or had not acted in a particular way.

Unlike how others might see Xu Tingsheng, he was just special to Little Xiang Ning as someone who was especially good to her. That was all there was to it.

Even if someone reminded her of this one day and asked her to think about it, she would simply be even more confident as a result that Uncle liked her. At the same time, she would be more certain of what Mrs Xu had said before, that she was exceptionally cute and charming and pretty.

And when she learnt one day that Ning Garden had come about because of her, she might just say, “Wow, Ning Garden, what beautiful flats! But Uncle really is shameless! Yep, it must surely be the Ning from Little Xiang Ning, not the Ning from Big Xiang Ning.”

To express this profoundly, it would be ‘heart like a clear mirror, untouched by the mortal dust’. In a more mainstream, cheesy manner, it would be ‘she possesses a clear, transparent soul’.

Still, ever since the end of the senior high entrance examinations, even though they were communicating via phone every day for around a week, Little Xiang Ning never once requested to come over to see Dongdong.

If she requested to come over to see Dongdong, that would be equivalent to requesting to see Uncle. She was waiting for Xu Tingsheng to bring this up.

The little girl ultimately ‘squirmed uneasily about doing nothing’. As she saw it, after all, their next meeting should probably be considered a date. With Uncle set to become her boyfriend, that could be considered a student-teacher relationship. How embarrassing that was.

Also, there were the words she had told him after consuming alcohol back then, ‘You can make a move. Make a move, you.’ And there was ‘Two eight sweet sixteen supple delicate sweet’ too.

Little Xiang Ning had already looked up that poem as she was basically aware of what kind of book <<The Golden Lotus>> was.

This…

Anyway, Xu Tingsheng only had to briefly mention what had been said that night over the phone for Little Xiang Ning to be greatly flustered and panicked, immediately interrupting him before continuing to talk about the stories of her summer holidays, stuff like how many people Su Nannan had been confessed to by again.

Yet, why had Uncle still not suggested a visit yet?

“If he still doesn’t ask...what do I do?”

These days, Little Xiang Ning’s gaze was constantly hovering about the cabinet where Mr Xiang kept his wine…

……

19th June, the day before the release of the results for the senior high entrance examinations.

The Xiang family home.

Mr Xiang told Mrs Xiang rather unhappily, “I’m not going. Why go anyway? It’s not like it’s some festival, so why’s there the need for a meal? It’s probably that your older brother or sisters have something worth showing off again...you can go yourself if you want to. Anyway, I’m not going.”

Mrs Xiang said rather helplessly, “This is for a meal at my Mum’s house. It was my Mum who called-dare you not go? Besides, even if they show off a bit, aren’t we used to it already? It’s also not like you’ll end up missing a few whole chunks of flesh, right? What’re you afraid of?”

“Who’s afraid?” Mr Xiang retorted unhappily.

“That’s right! I know you’re not afraid. However well that nephew of mine did, didn’t you say that our Little Ning will definitely get into a first-tier senior high too? Relax, there’s nothing anybody can laugh at. Also, aren’t I looking for an excuse to borrow money? This can be considered a chance too. I intend to bring it up first and see how they respond to this,” Mrs Xiang ventured.

So and so’s kid. This topic seems to be a shared painful memory of all flunkie student buddies. In Xu Tingsheng’s impressions, the super flunkie student Xiang Ning hadn’t really cared much about this herself in his previous life. Still, it was evident that Mr and Mrs Xiang did mind that quite a bit.

Mr Xiang said nothing.

Mrs Xiang switched her approach, continuing, “If you don’t go, I won’t too. Since her Grandma called, Little Ning will definitely be going. If the two of us aren’t there, if anything’s really said, it will all be said to Little Ning. Little Ning…”

Mr Xiang rose to his feet and returned to his room for a change of clothes before he said, “Let’s go.”

Mrs Xiang just called for Xiang Ning who was doing some casual reading in the study before muttering as she followed Mr Xiang out, “Look at how you dote on your daughter. As soon as you hear that your daughter may get bullied, all reservations and fear just fly away and vanish.”’

Mr Xiang retorted exasperatedly, “Look at those relatives of yours. Comparing from primary school till now, from jobs to flats to whatever. I’d like to see them compare whose kid looks better! Which of their kids are even half as good-looking as my daughter, I’d like to know?”

Chasing after them, Little Xiang Ning clutched her Dad’s hand, saying, “Dad’s soo right…”

“Exactly,” Mr Xiang said.

Looking at that father and daughter pair, Mrs Xiang just shook her head, smiling wryly.

And so they went over for lunch.

As soon as the dishes were served, Xiang Ning’s maternal uncle, Shi Youshu, raised his wineglass, saying with a triumphant look on his face, “It’s like this. Actually, this meal should have been at night. Still, I’ve got to invite my son’s teachers for a meal tonight to thank them for nurturing him. So, it could only be lunch.”

He left part of his words unsaid, clearly doing so for people to ask more deeply into this matter.

Xiang Ning’s second aunt inquired at the appropriate moment, “Brother, what’s the occasion?”

Shi Youshu smiled, feigning his composure, “I got someone to help check early for me. My son scored 726 points and got into a first-tier senior high. I even heard that these results should be enough to enter an experimental class. Still, that’s not for certain. You can just take it as some baseless speculation on my part...haha…”

Amidst voices of congratulations, the first glass of wine was downed.

Shi Youshu waved his hand, saying, “It’s nothing. This was expected, really...considering his usual results...it’s just that with something good happening, it’s only right for us all to gather.”

“More like get together to show off,” Mr Xiang thought to himself.

Still, he was actually feeling a bit of unrest because of what had been said about checking results early. If that was the case, could Xiang Ning’s results be checked now too?

As he was hesitating over whether to ask this question, Xiang Ning’s eldest aunt beat him to it as she asked, “Checking early? Can you check university entrance examination results then? My daughter’s taking it this year. Logically speaking, those results should also nearly be out.”

Shi Youshu chuckled for a bit before replying, “Well, it seems that you can only check results for the university entrance examinations in the province. With my connections in the city, I probably wouldn’t be able to do it for you. I’ll help ask later.”

That aunt looked slightly disappointed for a moment before she said, “Forget it, there’s no rush. My daughter said that she’s never gone below the line for first-rate universities during her mock examinations. She estimates that she’s probably going to surpass it once again. No rush, really.”

Therefore, another wave of congratulations came as the second glass of wine was downed.

Actually, the children were at the table as well. The two who were praised looked overjoyed as they raised their drinks together with the adults...from time to time, Little Xiang Ning raised her glass that contained orange juice too.

Then, she would continue eating the dishes on the table very earnestly.

Sadly, the conversation topic went around and soon landed on her. Even though Mr and Mrs Xiang had stifledly kept themselves from asking if Shi Youshu had a way of helping to check Xiang Ning’s results too, Shi Youshu eventually thought of this himself.

“Oh, look at me. Isn’t Little Ning taking her senior high entrance examinations this year too?” Shi Youshu held his forehead, “Look at that memory of mine! I forgot to ask them to help check Little Ning’s results too.”

“It’s okay. It’s just one day, it can wait,” Mr Xiang said.

“Nah, better for a peace of mind earlier,” Shi Youshu’s wife interjected, “Well, Little Ning should still be able to get into a second-tier senior high, right? That’s not bad too. They do still produce quite a few undergraduates every year.”

Mr and Mrs Xiang had kept Little Xiang Ning’s gradual improvement over the past one over year to themselves, having repressed themselves from saying it. One one hand, they were afraid that they might accidentally end up exaggerating. One the other, to be honest, they did indeed have a bit of the intention of giving these relatives a shock when the examinations results came out.

Thus, when that aunt predicted Xiang Ning’s results based fully on past performances, it was really raising Xiang Ning’s capabilities to say that she could make it into a second-tier senior high. As for whether this had been done with good intentions or bad, that was difficult to tell.

The person in question was still focused on the meal, thinking, “Uncle’s food still tastes better! Sigh, stinky Uncle, why aren’t you looking for me yet…”

Her phone now vibrated as a text came in. So she took a look at it.

The ‘very cultured’ eldest maternal uncle looked at Xiang Ning, saying, “Little Ning, don’t play with your phone when in the middle of a meal...everyone’s asking you now! How do you feel your exams went?”

Little Xiang Ning kept her phone and put an eggplant into her mouth with her chopsticks as she mumbled indistinctly, “Oh, it looks like I got into a first-tier senior high too. I got 727 points.”

Chapter 354: It isn’t that Xu

Student Xiang Ning was actually jumping for joy inwardly as she felt very triumphant. Her efforts had not been in vain. Her parents and her grandmother would all feel very happy. Also, she had fulfilled her promise to Uncle as well. How good a thing this was!

Still, it wasn’t good for her to just leap and frolic about in front of so many relatives or seem too full of herself. Moreover, Uncle had added at the end of his text: Stay cool, my little flunkie girl.

“Your what, your what...huh, Uncle really is shameless!”

Therefore, Xiang Ning immediately went for the eggplant after setting down her phone...otherwise, how would she be able to keep from smiling?

The cool little flunkie girl was actually inwardly over the moon and trying hard to keep from showing it. This was really a difficult thing for she who loved to smile.

She still did not know that in a certain office of the same city, a certain person who had given another advice to stay cool and who usually loved to act cool himself too was already unable to stop himself from whooping for joy. Uncle was smiling in a truly foolish manner as he was so happy that he had already leapt away and thrown himself onto the sofa.

Zhicheng’s employees on that level felt chills as their hairs stood on end…

In truth, however composed Xiang Ning herself was acting, there was no way for the others around the table to remain composed. Over ten pairs of eyes were successively fixated on her.

Grandma who had always loved and been biased towards Little Xiang Ning the most, who had secretly given her money to buy a phone and would lie for her when she went out to play, was the first to break out in a wide smile as she was very happy indeed.

Chuckling happily, she picked up a chunk of fish with her chopsticks and brought this towards Little Xiang Ning’s bowl.

Little Xiang Ning stood up, receiving it with her bowl as she said sweetly, “Thanks, Grandma.”

As Xiang Ning who was 1.64m tall with a pair of bright black eyes on her little beautiful face and jet-black hair that passed her shoulders stood up now amidst all those gazes which were concentrated on her, her relatives seemed to realise only now that Little Xiang Ning who still had a skyward plait in their impressions had already grown up into a fine young lady, one who looked so pretty too.

So pretty, and you suddenly know how to study too? Unfair, unfair!

Eldest uncle’s wife felt rather uncomfortable with this.

As for the remaining uncles and aunties, their kids included, most of them were also not truly happy on the Xiang family’s and Xiang Ning’s behalf.

This did not mean that they were bad people per se who usually had bad conduct. It was just that they were far too accustomed to comparing themselves with others and being superior in whatever aspects. Suddenly seeing the one they had always showed off towards becoming so outstanding, vaulting over their heads to overshadow them...it would surely feel uncomfortable somewhat.

727 and 726, just a single mark’s difference. If not for this one point, eldest uncle’s wife would not be feeling so despondent...

Just this one point difference was so infuriating to death as she almost felt like vomiting blood.

Who asked her to have been comparing the results of Little Xiang Ning and her youngest son at least once every year from primary school to junior high, having been doing it for so many years while being all triumphant?

Just why had she even said ‘Little Ning should still be able to get into a second-tier senior high, right? That’s not bad too…’

Really...how embarrassing was that?

“No, how could she have improved so much all of a sudden...also, aren’t the results not out yet? Maybe she just gave some random number,” Eldest uncle’s wife consoled herself.

She immediately spoke, trying hard to make it sound not so deliberate, “Little Ning, isn’t it still not time to check your results yet? How do you know your score? You can’t just report any random number! Otherwise, it would be bad if your parents and Grandma are happy for nothing.”

Next, she stared at Little Xiang Ning with a greatly desirous gaze just like a beggar’s, hoping against hope that from that pretty little mouth could emerge the words, “Oh, I was just joking…”

There were actually quite a few others who had similar doubts, such as the two people here who most wanted to jump for joy, her parents.

When they parents had first heard their daughter announcing her results, they had basically been totally flummoxed. Even Mr Xiang who had been all convinced that his daughter could make it into a first-tier senior high had felt rather disbelieving upon hearing her score of 727.

After all, they had just heard a ‘726’, which her eldest uncle had said was enough to enter the experimental class of a first-tier senior high. Meanwhile, he had originally thought that it would already be a real cause for rejoice if she could just enter the first-tier senior high.

Also, Mr Xiang too could understand that simple mathematical sum, 727=726+1.

Jubilation.

The two forcibly resisted the urge to jump for joy before they clutched each other’s hands under the table as if by some unseen rapport. This was no affirmation of their love. It was more like the mentality of ‘Dear comrade, we suddenly won in our war of resistance. Dare you believe it?’

It was also precisely because of this that the two of them who should be the most excited about this were rendered speechless, simply directing their hopeful, yearning gazes at their daughter.

Mr Xiang even silently located the wine bottle with his other hand, filling up the cups of he and his wife to the brim.

“If this is true, I’ll have to toast everyone, and ‘humbly’ add on some words too,” Mr Xiang thought.

After such a long time, this day had finally come. Having listened for so many years, it was finally his turn to speak.

Facing all these gazes with their various underlying intents, Little Xiang Ning hesitated for a moment, not daring to say that it was Xu Tingsheng who had helped her to check her results. She stammered, “It was, it was a classmate who helped me check it…”

Just because of this stammered line of hers, the hopes of eldest uncle’s wife were rekindled.

“Classmate? But that isn’t very reliable,” She said, “Does your classmate’s family have some connections in the education bureau?”

Little Xiang Ning who was not proficient in lying said rather uneasily, “I think so. Maybe. I’m not really sure.”

Eldest uncle’s youngest son who was in the same batch as Xiang Ning, being less than a month younger than her, had never ever treated his older cousin as an opponent before. Always accustomed to emerging victorious, he was unable to hold himself back any longer.

This ‘study king’ cousin retorted, “Cousin, I don’t think there are any students in your school whose families are from the bureaucracy, isn’t it? They seem more like farmers and workers.”

The feeling of superiority from potentially getting into the experimental class of a senior high blatantly showed itself now. The cousin who had picked these things up from his parents real good even had a hint of mockery in his words. After all, he had just been feeling stifled to near death.

Xiang Ning smiled and simply focused on eating.

Eldest uncle’s wife’s confidence returned as she continued, “In that case, don’t I have someone I know in the education bureau anyways? I’ll call him and ask him to help check and verify Little Ning’s results, how about that? ...Well, if it’s true, everyone can feel happy for Little Ning, right?"

She directed her gaze at Mr and Mrs Xiang.

Xiang Ning’s eldest uncle agreed, “It’d be best to check.”

Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged looks, thinking: Why didn’t you help check earlier then? Acting all enthusiastic now, would you really be happy for us?

Still, it would not be appropriate to show such feelings now as Mrs Xiang nodded, “That’s alright too. I’ll be troubling Sister-in-law then.”

Eldest uncle’s wife quickly dialled the number. A man’s voice could be heard on the other end. It was not loud. Eldest uncle’s wife said some things and the other party said that it was fine. Next, Little Xiang Ning reported her examinee number to them…

The other party said: Hold on for a bit!

Actually, this wait was not a very long one. Still, apart from Little Xiang Ning herself who trusted Uncle incomparably greatly, everyone else was rather nervous and anticipatory as they instead felt like more time had passed.

Eldest uncle’s wife carefully rushed the guy over the phone, “How is it? Have you checked it?”

“Ah, is it Xinyan Junior High? Name’s Xiang Ning…” Came the pleasant voice over the phone that everyone could hear over the speaker, “Not bad, 727 points! Another first-tier senior high. One stronger than the other, your family really is!”

The other party had surely meant this as well-intended words of praise, but this ‘one stronger than the other’ almost had eldest uncle’s wife in tears.

Mr Xiang clapped his thigh, smiling as he sighed, “Ohh...so happy.”

This father was truly tempted to lift his precious daughter up in the air like when she was little.

Beside him, Mrs Xiang was even more emotional as tears were almost welling up in her eyes.

Eldest uncle’s wife had only just hung up when Mr and Mrs Xiang’s wineglasses were already upraised.

“Well, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, look, thanks for helping...Little Ning was lucky, really lucky. Nah, we just feel happy. There’s only been good news in our family today, and Little Ning has benefited off this luck too. Come, we’ll give a toast first to show our sincerity.”

Not being such a habitual show-off like Xiang Ning’s eldest uncle was, Mr Xiang did not know how to leave questions overtly unanswered for people to follow up on as he simply finished it just like that before chuckling happily as he downed the wine. That smile on his face already spoke volumes of how triumphant and overjoyed he felt.

The other relatives basically downed some wine as well before setting down their wineglasses.

Grandma was especially happy as even at her age, she still happily drank a small cup of red wine, constantly praising, “Wah, my Little Ning. She’s just so obedient, always sensible since young.”

Who asked Little Xiang Ning to be pretty, a sweet talker and attentive too? However poor her results had been in the past, Grandma had always been biased towards her so deeply it was in her very bones, this being something no one could do anything about.

Eldest uncle smiled ingratiatingly, showing the flair of an elder brother, “Yeah, this is great. Little Ning’s become sensible too. She’s grown up...Whether this was by luck or your improvements, this is great nevertheless. Little Ning, let Uncle tell you, you’ve got to continue working hard in senior high! In a first-tier senior high, if you only depend on luck, you could just accidentally fall to the bottom if you’re not careful.”

Unconcerned with however many layers of meaning there might be in her eldest uncle’s words, the simple Little Xiang Ning simply replied, “Yep.”

Xiang Ning’s female cousin who was also from a first-tier senior high and had just finished her university entrance examinations truly felt happy on her behalf as she raised her cup that was filled with Sprite and asked Xiang Ning, “Little Ning, how did you suddenly improve so much? I was still thinking of finding time and tutoring you in senior high material when your results came out. In the end, you did so awesome, scoring even better than I did in my own entrance exams.”

Xiang Ning was on pretty good terms with this cousin of hers. Just as she was about to reply…

Eldest uncle’s wife appeared to have found a topic again as she interjected, “Right, Youmei, I think that Little Ning has had a tutor for the past one over year, right? Look, the two of you grit your teeth and spent the money, and it did turn out to be somewhat effective in the end, with it now effectively recouped.”

Mrs Xiang was the ‘Youmei’ eldest uncle’s wife spoke of, Shi Youmei. She was the youngest of the siblings.

Hearing her sister-in-law say this, Mrs Xiang thought to herself, “Like your son doesn’t have any tutoring. He’s even had this since primary school...my Little Ning has just been receiving tutoring for over a year...also, what do you mean by gritting our teeth?”

In other words, the Xiang family was not so well off as compared to them. Still, the money for Little Xiang Ning’s tutoring was really not much of a problem at all. Moreover, whether it was Li Linlin or Xu Tingsheng, both had always been receiving the lowest standard hourly wages for all university home tutors.

These two people, this price-if it was widely made known...other parents would just cry to death.

“Oh, right, I remember. That home tutor of Little Ning’s seems to be pretty famous. He’s called Xu…” Second Aunt interjected.

She held no malicious intentions as she was actually thinking that since this home tutor was so great, it would be a good idea to ask Mrs Xiang to help introduce him. Afterwards, her youngest son could have him as a tutor as well.

Eldest uncle’s wife suddenly had the same thought too as she hurriedly added, “Yeah, that tutor. Will your Little Ning still be receiving tutoring in senior high? If not, we can hire him...if you’re still continuing with it, well...together is also fine.”

Mrs Xiang was the most awkward person now. As soon as the word ‘Xu’ had emerged from the mouth of her second sister, she had begun feeling uneasy and guilty all over…

Little Xiang Ning really felt happy now, because: They’re praising Uncle...they want to look for Xu Tingsheng for tutoring. Ahaha, really...apart from me...let’s see if he’ll dare to not tutor me when he’s my boyfriend next time.

In the end, Mrs Xiang frantically denied, “It isn’t that person, it isn’t that Xu! You’ve got it wrong, he stopped teaching long ago. We also haven’t been in contact. It’s a female tutor who teaches our Little Ning. Her name is Li Linlin. It’s all thanks to her that Little Ning has improved so much.”

Mrs Xiang emphasised many things in that outburst. ‘Stopped teaching long ago’, ‘haven’t been in contact’, ‘female tutor’, ‘all thanks to her’...there was a strong vibe of wanting to clarify things.

Little Xiang Ning’s face fell all at once as she looked rather disbelievingly at her mother.

“How can Mum say that? What exactly did Uncle do wrong? ...What, how can you be such a bully? You were both just feeling happy and triumphant. Does this have nothing at all to do with Xu Tingsheng? Hasn’t he done enough? Also, don’t you know that Teacher Li Linlin doesn’t tutor anyone else in the first place, only having come to teach me because of Uncle?”

“Actually, you both know it, but you’re bullying Uncle like this...Just why is that?”

Biting her lips, Little Xiang Ning took out a few sets of revision materials of Uncle’s which she always brought around with her from her backpack, placing them on the table and deliberately saying very loudly, “My tutor’s really great. Just these final revision materials-he probably went some nights without sleeping to write it. It’s so detailed and helped me to score so many points. If not for this, I might not even have made it to a first-tier senior high, let alone scored this high.”

After saying this, Little Xiang Ning pursed her lips, looking like she wanted to cry as she met her mother’s eyes with an aggrieved, stubborn gaze and pointed at the lesson plans on the table, “If you don’t believe me, look at it yourself.”

Little Xiang Ning was rising against her mother now. You’re my Mum, but that sure doesn’t mean you can bully people like this?!

She could still remember how Xu Tingsheng had taken a beating and vomited blood to protect her back then. After he had sent her home, without even saying anything at all, he had been shooed away by her mother with a cold ‘You should go home’.

With her mother even saying things like this now…

The lesson plans were laid out right there and then. While Mr and Mrs Xiang might not be able to recognise Xu Tingsheng’s handwriting, they could both tell that that was not the handwriting of a girl. In that case, it could not be Li Linlin’s handwriting. Whose could it be then? He…

But these were several dozen sheets of paper, the words so clear, the sentences so detailed…

Mrs Xiang’s complexion turned pale.

The other relatives exclaimed in startlement as they looked through the lesson plans, especially Xiang Ning’s elder cousin who had just taken the university entrance examinations. She claimed that all this was even more meticulous than the revision materials of teachers from senior high…

Mrs Xiang was looking increasingly uncomfortable.

Mr Xiang sighed.

Xiang Ning’s Grandma said, “Since your tutor’s so good, you definitely must thank him properly.”

Little Xiang Ning nodded, replying, “You’re so good, Grandma. Not like…”

She ultimately dared not say anything against her parents in the end.

After carefully folding the lesson plans that had been passed around the table and keeping them in her backpack, Xiang Ning left the table, saying in a huff, “I’m full.”

Chapter 355: Regarding buying a flat

Little Xiang Ning left the table, diagonally carrying her small backpack and puffing up her cheeks as she stalked off towards the living room.

Mrs Xiang said softly but still sternly, “Come back and sit.”

Xiang Ning glanced back at her mother before turning away and leaving.

Despite her fear, Xiang Ning actually did have her own stubborn side as she could not really be considered an obedient young girl. At least, Xu Tingsheng was aware that in his previous life, Miss Xiang had once angrily left home in a huff before…

Even though this had ended up with her walking one round around the city area and finally crying very spinelessly as she made her way back.

Mr Xiang tugged at his wife’s hand beneath the table, saying in a hushed tone, “What’re you doing? Little Ning scored so well, and you were smiling too earlier. How can you immediately turn cold and heartless now? Get a grip on yourself.”

Mrs Xiang pinched his hand hard, venting all her anger on him.

Their daughter had grown up, and was so pretty too...mothers would generally think and worry more about what had to be worried about than fathers.

Some words could not really be said out loud to her husband.

Such as when she as a mother would teach her daughter to use sanitary napkins and the like. What the hell would a father know about this…

Still, Mr Xiang’s words, ‘Get a grip on yourself’, still proved effective. Mrs Xiang suppressed her anger and no longer continued pressuring Little Xiang Ning.

In actual fact, she also dared not continue to do so, because two eyes were currently staring at her from across the table. Little Xiang Ning’s grandmother who doted on her the most, her own mother, was already looking very unhappy. This was precisely the ever-familiar prelude to the old woman blowing her top.

While Mrs Xiang was very fierce as a mother, she was, in truth, much more submissive as a daughter than Xiang Ning was. She looked guiltily at her mother before looking down at the floor, no longer daring to utter a sound.

Xu Tingsheng did not witness this scene, but if he had done so, he would know where the ‘breakthrough point’ was. He should ingratiate himself with this Grandma with all his might! Moreover, he had always been especially well-liked by his elders and old people in general.

Meanwhile, not actually having dared to go far away, Little Xiang Ning was sitting alone in the living room, casually watching the rerun of the 2002 version of The Eleventh Son on television.

Not long later, her cousin, Liu Yingru, came to the living room too as she sat down and accompanied her for a chat.

Liu Yingru had just graduated from Yanzhou's first-tier senior high while Xiang Ning would also be entering it very soon. Therefore, the conversation basically revolved around this school, its teachers, its canteen and whatnot. As they talked and talked, Xiang Ning's mood eased greatly.

Soon, however, the topic shifted to that of Xu Tingsheng.

Liu Yingru intended to attend university in Yanzhou. Xiang Ning's eldest aunt thought that if her daughter studied at their local university, there would be a much lower risk of her marrying far away. For the locals of Yanzhou, at least, there was still a strong emphasis on marriage being with others from their hometown.

Actually, besides the comparatively backward Jiannan City, this was also generally the case in most other parts of Jianhai Province, this being especially so for Jianan City which was renowned throughout the entire country for wild speculation in housing prices. Xu Tingsheng had studied at Jianan University in his previous life. During his four years there, he had personally witnessed parents descending to separate starstruck lovers several times.

Since she had decided to attend university back here in Yanzhou, the undergraduate schools actually only consisted of medical school, Yanzhou University and Jianhai Technological University. Next, regardless of which one she chose, it would be in Xishan Academy City for sure.

With that, having previously done research on which school to attend, it would have been near impossible for a certain person to escape her notice, this person being 'Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng’.

“That Xu Tingsheng, is he handsome or not? There were pictures online of him in a fight, but those were rather blurry,” Liu Yingru asked, full of curiosity.

In truth, Xu Tingsheng had never once appeared at any official event or spoken with the media before. Thus, pictures of him really couldn't be found easily on the internet.

What people mostly saw were still those blurry photos from before of Xu Tingsheng and co fighting in the dormitory. Zhang Xingke had sent someone to provoke them. Huang Keshen had sneakily captured the photos and Zhang Xingke had uploaded them onto an internet forum, using them to attack Hucheng.

Next, for girls, whether you discovered the Anyang Mausoleum or established some company, this is really still the first thing they will notice.

Xiang Ning thought: Again? What now?

She had already experienced another female cousin of one of her aunts, Li Meng, coming over to her house and blatantly trying to hook up with Uncle. Mrs Xiang had even been accomplice…

As a result, Little Xiang Ning was especially sensitive toward this...it was still best for lifeforms like female cousins to stay further away from Uncle.

“Oh, he's super ugly,” Little Xiang Ning declared with firm conviction.

On hearing this, her cousin looked slightly disappointed for a moment but soon recovered from this. For some men, their achievements could overshadow the issue of their outer appearance.

“How's he like then? How's his temper? Is he fierce when he teaches you? Liu Yingru continued with her questions.

“He's very fierce and hateful,” Little Xiang Ning became submersed in her memories as she distantly said, “Still, no way I'd be afraid of him. He’s the one who's afraid of me…”

……

The two female cousins continued chatting in the living room.

In the dining room, the topic around the dinner table had already changed. The faces of eldest uncle and his wife stung like they had been slapped as they were unwilling to speak any more on the topic of the senior high entrance examinations. It so happened that the auntie who was Li Meng's mother and lived nearby now arrived with her daughter in tow. Sitting down, they filled the empty spaces that Little Xiang Ning and Liu Yingru had left behind.

“Bro, what were you just discussing?” This auntie asked eldest uncle Shi Youshu warmly after sitting down.

This auntie had actually been closest with Mrs Xiang originally. Still, after the incident back when Mrs Xiang had been a busybody and arranged for Li Meng and Xu Tingsheng to meet, this having gone badly in the end, their relationship had ended up souring.

Li Meng had been completely unwilling to consider how perfunctory Xu Tingsheng's attitude had been towards her as her embarrassment was converted into rage and she blamed it entirely on the Xiang family.

After going home, she had added fuel to the fire regarding the specifics of her meeting with Xu Tingsheng at the Xiang family home. As she would tell it, she and Xu Tingsheng had hit it off very well at first. Afterwards, however, Little Xiang Ning had ruined things for her after coming home while Mrs Xiang had stood by her own daughter and not her…

With that, this auntie had come to hate the Xiang family. The more she went online and saw news of how well Xu Tingsheng was doing, the deeper this hatred ran as she ground her teeth. It was as if this Xiang family had robbed her family of a ‘golden goose husband’.

The things which had been said behind their backs and those truly unpleasant things Mrs Xiang had heard, such as 'The Xiang family are just profound schemers. Their little slut’s only fifteen or sixteen and they're already thinking of selling her to a rich guy…’ and 'forcefully hogging him for herself, not even letting my daughter say anything at all…’ had mostly come from this auntie's mouth initially.

It could not be denied that apart from her own unease and worries, a major portion of Mrs Xiang’s 'terrible’ attitude towards Xu Tingsheng thereafter could be attributed to these remarks.

Mrs Xiang could not bear for her daughter to be spoken of like this at such a young age, could not bear the Xiang family being spoken of as badly as this. She could only maintain their innocence with a definite display of ‘determination’ in drawing that line between they and Xu Tingsheng.

This auntie greeted everyone except for Mrs Xiang, who pretended not to have noticed anything as she remained silent.

Shi Youshu replied to her question, “We were just talking about houses. Isn’t a new city being built over by the eastern riverbank? It just happens that my little son and Little Ning have both made it into a first-tier senior high. The new site for the school is over there, and the old site is also closer to the eastern riverbank. Talking about this, we ended up discussing buying houses there, to better take care of our kids as they prepare for the university entrance examinations on one hand. On the other, we may even get to see its value rise.”

“Exactly,” Eldest aunt interjected, “When my daughter was in twelfth grade, I had to stupidly rent a flat next to the school for that year. Because of that, I think that it’d be best if both their families can buy a flat.”

Li Meng’s family was quite well-off financially as her mother could be considered the person who was most familiar with investing in flats to make money here. She usually paid quite a bit of attention to this topic as she instantly adopted the air of a professional in talking about this.

She said, “Oh, I’ve been to see that place a couple of times. I couldn’t be any clearer on it. It’s just this small district with around ten buildings in its first sale. It uses imported materials and will be sold only after thorough, intricate renovation. Word around is that it will be our Yanzhou’s number one small district, ranked highly even within the entire Jianhai Province itself.”

“I predict that the price will definitely not be low. Also, the flats there are all not small. All combined together, their overall price will definitely be unspeakably high.”

Now, eldest uncle Shi Youshu asked enthusiastically, “Price is not a problem. From what you just said, there’s no way we’d be making a loss, right?”

Being of the ‘real estate speculation gang’, that auntie was really rather more knowledgeable in this area as she just laughed, “How could that be? Bro, really, if you can buy one of those flats, you’ll definitely profit. It’s lucky that you asked me. Let me ask you, what’re the surroundings there? It’ll definitely surpass the western riverbank in the future. Right now, the only thing to be afraid of is not being able to buy one. I’ve even finished preparing the money. All that remains is requesting the help of some connections.”

Chapter 356: Grandma

Hearing Li Meng’s mother saying so, Shi Youshu and his wife exchanged glances before nodding together, the former immediately smiling enthusiastically, “Wah, I almost forget how capable you are, cuz. Look, in requesting help from your connections, can you help me out too? I just want a flat. As for how much it costs, that doesn’t matter at all.”

That final sentence was already hinting at the ‘bribes’ being okay.

Hearing this, that auntie immediately smiled, “That’s fine. I’ll help you to ask...the person I’ve asked has wide connections. There shouldn’t be much of a problem. Still, this is basically all I can do! I’ll help get one for myself and one for your family too. Any more and I wouldn’t be able to help.”

These words...were clearly being said to Mr and Mrs Xiang. Whether or not they had wanted to request this of her, she would shove it in their faces first.

Full of herself, that auntie paused for a moment before looking at Mrs Xiang, a fake smile plastered on her face, “So, you intend to buy one too, Youmei? That’s right, your Little Ning managed to get into a first-tier senior high too. You should consider it...seems like your family has accumulated wealth hidden away? And quite a bit of it too?”

Mr and Mrs Xiang had their originally good mood greatly wrecked by this. They both felt stifled and despondent beyond measure, yet could not just confront them directly and put everything on the table right there and then with all these relatives around...

Mr Xiang was already nearly unable to suppress his rising fury.

In the end, eldest uncle’s wife who had already sensed something in the air seemed to have suddenly found a way to vent her unhappiness from earlier as she said, “What a coincidence. Youmei was just talking about this, asking if her eldest sister and second sister can help with it to some extent. My family definitely wouldn’t be able to help, though. How about you help, cuz?”

That auntie was really satisfied with this, relishing in the joy of revenge as she laughed loudly, “Even if we are kin, I’ve got to say something here. In this day and age, for something where buying can definitely net you a profit, how would someone not earn the money themselves, instead lending it to someone else just for them to profit, right?”

After hearing this, the expressions on the faces of Mrs Xiang’s two older sisters instantly changed as they both pondered over the matter of helping her.

The siblings of the Xiang family mostly did not lead hard lives, yet were not all that wealthy too. If one of them were to take out their savings to help another, that would be a big favour for sure.

This eldest sister and second sister had still been thinking earlier that they should at least help their little sister out a little. Still, hearing those words, their own interests entered the picture. Both having their own families at the end of the day, it was inevitable that they had further considerations.

“This should be a family matter of ours, right?” Xiang Ning’s Grandma who was sitting at the head of the table said in a low tone.

“Mum, look at you. She’s just speaking honestly…” Eldest uncle’s wife argued.

Grandma glanced at her before leaving the table, saying, “I’m also full. I’m going to watch television with my Little Ning.”

With the old dame having made clear her stance, Xiang Ning’s eldest aunt and second aunt could not very well wash their hands off this matter as they instead proposed, “How about our families all go together to look at the flats over there first?”

“Alright. There’ll be an early enquiry day there soon anyway. We’ll bring you over when the time comes,” Their cousin replied.

Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged glances. As this had been suggested by Mrs Xiang’s eldest sister at the end of the day, and they were requesting something of them too, they really had no basis to be angry...so they said nothing, expressing their tacit consent.

With that, Mrs Xiang and her three siblings along with Li Meng and her mother agreed for their families to go flat-viewing together soon before hastily departing.

……

Little Xiang Ning cozied up with her Grandma for a while, telling her about that very good tutor of hers, how good he truly was…

Cupping the small cheek of her precious granddaughter in her hand as she looked at her, this grandmother soon came to a decision.

Mr and Mrs Xiang entered the living room. Seeing how they both looked unhappy, Little Xiang Ning wisely chose not to be stubborn as she feigned a very obedient look, remaining silent as she watched the television. After sitting for a while, she bid her Grandma goodbye and quietly followed her parents out of the house.

What should have been a very happy occasion at first ended up totally ruined as the family of three were left not in the mood to speak at all.

The three of them had not walked far when Xiang Ning’s Grandma rounded the bend, hurrying to catch up with them with small, rushed steps.

Glancing back and confirming that no one had followed her, Grandma retrieved a bank account book and placed it in Mrs Xiang’s hands, saying, “Take it. I don’t have that much money, just this twenty thousand that I’ve saved up over the years. Use it to help with your funds. The passcode is Little Ning’s birthday.”

Hearing that even the passcode for her Grandma’s savings account was her birthday, although she did not understand what was going on, Little Xiang Ning was still very moved as she went closer and latched onto her Grandma before looking at it curiously.

“No, Mum, I can’t. I can’t accept this,” Mrs Xiang’s eyes were red as she pushed out her hands in rejection, unwilling to accept the savings book from the old woman.

“Yeah, Mum. However incompetent I might be, I really couldn’t take your money. Rest assured, we’ll think of something ourselves for the money…” Mr Xiang was both moved and agitated as he decided to lower himself and ask for help from his friends and relatives.

Grandma made a face, saying exasperatedly, “Do you think that I’m giving it to you? This is for my precious Little Ning! I was originally leaving it for when she goes to university, but isn’t it still for her anyways? Since you’re in need of money now, it’s still the same if you take it to use first.”

Next, Grandma looked at Little Xiang Ning beside her, gesticulating at a low height as she said, “I remember that Little Ning was only around this tall when she graduated from primary school? Both small and thin, but such a small child and you two let her stay at school just like that...I’ve been feeling agonised about it all these years.”

“Now, Little Ning has done us proud and made it into a first-tier senior high. First not mentioning how happy I am, it’s about time you two finally learn how to cherish this precious granddaughter of mine. If I don’t help out now, when then?”

Little Xiang Ning was still rather bemused, but dared not ask and could also care less as she just hugged her Grandma who cherished her so much, shedding tears as she said, “Don’t be agonised, Grandma. I am very tall now.”

Xiang Ning had started residing at school in her first year of junior high. Her Grandma who did not know how to take taxis had cooked very delicious food for her every week and taken public transportation from far away to deliver it to her. This had lasted for an entire year, only stopping when her body could really no longer permit it.

Little Xiang Ning would definitely not have forgotten all of this.

Grandma dumped her savings book in Mrs Xiang’s hands before turning and wiping off Little Xiang Ning’s tears for her, coaxing her precious granddaughter. In her eyes, there was only Little Xiang Ning as she really couldn’t be bothered at all to pay attention to her daughter’s attitude.

“Mum…” Mrs Xiang hesitated for a moment before asking, “Didn’t you hear just now? It’s still in question whether we will even be able to buy one. Keep the money first. I’ll ask it from you later if I really do need it.”

“Well, there’s no difference if you take it now then. If you can’t buy it, leave it for Little Ning when she goes to university. My body’s still great. I won’t have need of it in the foreseeable future. Also, I’ll help to speak with your Big Sis and Second Sis later on.”

Mr and Mrs Xiang were rendered at a total loss for words.

Only Little Xiang Ning remained unperturbed, simply cozying up with her Grandma.

Chapter 357: Regarding offering up little white cabbages

On the way home, Xiang Ning finally learnt what the matter was about.

Still, buying a flat was still a very distant concept for her. She simply listened to it once before it basically slipped out of her mind.

Back in her room, after her parents had turned off the lights in the house, Little Xiang Ning secretly gave Xu Tingsheng a call. Her thoughts were actually very simple. Having faced an incident which had occurred, she naturally thought of that person, wanting to tell him this tale.

Although Little Xiang Ning was full of tears and snot over the phone as she virtually only talked about the relationship between she and her Grandma ever since young, Xu Tingsheng was still able to apprehend ‘viewing flat at eastern riverbank’ from her words.

“Yes, capture success! Where can you run to, mother-in-law?!” Xu Tingsheng thought to himself rather deviously.

“I will definitely be filial to Grandma in the future,” Little Xiang Ning declared over the phone, her thoughts on a completely different frequency from Xu Tingsheng’s.

“Yeah, I will be filial to Grandma too,” Xu Tingsheng said warmly.

“Huh? You...how shameless! My Grandma, why’re you calling her Grandma too? Why must you be filial to her?” It could vaguely be sensed how Little Xiang Ning had stopped snivelling slightly as she was instead smiling.

Xu Tingsheng was caught unawares by this question. Still, it also didn’t seem to be the most pressing issue at hand.

He changed his tone, asking, “Right, Xiang Ning, will you be going to view the flat with your Mum and Dad then?”

“Like I’d go. I told them not to buy it...it’s not like I’m scared of staying in school. I’m already used to it,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“Erm...actually, it wouldn’t be anything bad if they bought it, right? I heard it’s guaranteed to rise in value and earn a profit. Like this, before you’re grown up, your Mum and Dad might not have to work so hard…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Is that how it is?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I’ll think about it then. If my cousins all go and Mum and Dad ask me to go too, I’ll go take a look then...it’s not like I have anywhere to go during the summer holidays. Sigh, I’ve nothing to do everyday. I want to take a look at senior high material to prepare, but there’s no one to teach me…”

This hint was really a little too obvious.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng’s current goal still had Mr and Mrs Xiang as the foremost priority. Before that, the most important thing was to avoid their wariness of him going up. This was why he currently dared not meet with Little Xiang Ning...on the off chance that they were discovered...it might just be game over for good…

As for why Xu Tingsheng hoped that Xiang Ning could go along and view the flat, his rationale was this. If this matter could be settled directly through Mr and Mrs Xiang, it would naturally be best if Little Xiang Ning were unaware of it…

But if that was truly impossible, he would still have a partner to coordinate with at the very least.

Little Xiang Ning was still young and pure in her thoughts. She should not have any reservations regarding material possessions or whatnot…

……

In another room, Mr and Mrs Xiang who had turned off the lights were actually still awake. Of course, they were not in the mood for anything else as they were just lying down and chatting. Today, they had felt pleasantly surprised, stifled, despondent and moved too.

“There’s 130000 that we have saved up ourselves. We can’t use Mum’s twenty thousand; we’ll safeguard it for her. I’ll try to borrow some later on. Gathering around 200000 or so shouldn’t be a problem,” Mr Xiang said.

His determination was high this time, especially after tonight as he instead just felt as though he definitely had to buy it no matter what. Actually, in this day and age, the Xiang family was really doing rather well if it had over a hundred thousand yuan in savings. This still fell short, though, when considering the money needed to buy a flat.

“Yeah. If we have to pay thirty percent up front as the deposit, it’s hopefully not too expensive, and we can hopefully buy one. We’ll just have to work a bit harder to return the housing loans and the money in the future at most,” Mrs Xiang said breezily, her tone sounding very normal.

Still, her resolve was actually even firmer than Mr Xiang’s. Firstly, women like to vindictively obtain victory in arguments more by nature. Secondly, her mother’s gesture and words that night had pierced right into the core of her being.

“Right, didn’t they say that it can still rise in value? Seeing the property value rise over the next few years, we can take working that little bit harder as accumulating more money with our flat.”

Mr Xiang inadvertently hit on a ‘true principle’ here. Those who could think of ‘accumulating more money with their flats’ over this couple of years would generally all earn a hefty sum.

“Yep,” Mrs Xiang responded before silently burrowing further into Mr Xiang’s embrace.

She had really been much too mentally exhausted today. There was also an aggrieved, helpless feeling as she just wanted to rest in the embrace of her husband, gaining warmth from this simple, honest relationship between husband and wife.

As she lay there, some time later, tears soon started trickling down her face.

Mr Xiang rubbed Mrs Xiang’s back, asking, “Feeling aggrieved?”

“Actually, it’s more that I was moved by my Mum. I feel guilty too. It’s like we aren’t treating Little Ning as well as my Mum does. I am feeling aggrieved too. I hate that cousin of mine to death now. It’s clearly Tingsheng himself who didn’t like her daughter Li Meng. I helped her out of goodwill, but why is she being like that? Saying even those things? Targeting me in every single aspect too. I clearly only set things up for them back then because they themselves begged me so shamelessly and desperately.”

Mrs Xiang was just like a little girl too as she spoke badly of others and poured out her grievances to her husband.

Mr Xiang considered this for a moment before saying, “It's also understandable, actually. Such a realistic person like your cousin-with Tingsheng's merits, failing to snag him, wouldn't it be like slicing off a piece of her flesh? People also stomp on the ground after suffering a fall, scold the heavens when they lose money.”

“But she's even thrown the blame on me! What, can I do anything about which girl Tingsheng likes?” An infuriated Mrs Xiang exclaimed.

“Who says you can't do anything? Isn't doing something exactly what you're doing…” Mr Xiang muttered softly.

Thinking about this and realising what Mr Xiang was saying, Mrs Xiang hit her husband's chest in exasperation, saying, “Do you find that all the gossip isn't enough? Don't go around randomly saying these things.”

“You can't always go around paying attention to other people's gossiping. This is just because it's our family. If it were Li Meng's family or someone else's, would they even care about that? It'd long since be on the headlines. With Tingsheng's merits, if this really came to something, be it relatives or neighbours, wouldn't all the gossiping turn into toadying? Even if they had malicious intentions, they'd have to suppress it and put on a smiling face.”

Hearing Mr Xiang's words, Mrs Xiang sat bolt upright, questioning severely, “Hey, Xiang Guoliang, what are you thinking? How old is Little Ning this year?”

“Sixteen.”

“Sigh, that was just a figure of speech. What I really meant is…”

“When you were sixteen, didn't you hide and kiss in a pile of straw with me?”

Mr Xiang was actually trying to jokingly cheer his wife up. Yet, it turned out that...he had stirred up a hornet's nest.

Mrs Xiang was really infuriated by this as she sat cross-legged, saying severely, “Make it clear, Xiang Guoliang. What do you mean? Do you really want to sell our daughter? Since when did you become like this?”

Mr Xiang immediately felt despondent as he sat up as well, replying, “Hey, Shi Youmei, aren't you being too much? I'm just stating things as they are. Selling my daughter how? Let's not talk about Tingsheng's qualifications. There's no use thinking about that; if you did, you wouldn't have married me in the first place. The question is: How does he treat Little Ning? Besides thinking for her, has he ever laid a hand on her before? Just those study materials that Little Ning took out today-do you think they wouldn't have taken several days and nights? Do you think he's really so free?”

“He's got ulterior motives.”

“By that logic, I also had ulterior motives in treating you well before. All men have ulterior motives when they treat women well. Say, if this was a few years later, like when Little Ning is in university or has maybe even graduated, if a kid like Tingsheng were placed before you, how would you feel then?”

Mrs Xiang thought about it. If this were when Little Xiang Ning was attending university or had graduated, with Xu Tingsheng's qualifications and how well he treated Xiang Ning, there really was nothing for her to be dissatisfied with... not only would she not be dissatisfied, things really could not be any better.

If things had really been this way, she knew she would definitely have been overjoyed.

When a mother-in-law appraised her prospective son-in-law, hoping that her daughter would have a good life, it was really inevitable that she would consider how well-off the guy was. Of course, that he treated her daughter well was still of foremost importance. Xu Tingsheng lacked neither of these. On the contrary, he could not excel any more in both areas.

“But the time still isn't right yet! It would have to be in another three years at least. Three years later and I'd agree,” Mrs Xiang had relaxed her tone slightly.

“See?” Mr Xiang said, “If not for these considerations, why do you think I'd be with you on this? We're really going rather overboard here. Think of Tingsheng's expression those few times. It just froze all at once. How he’s suffered...and has he rebutted even once? He accepted everything we said, never once putting up a fight.”

After an awkward pause, Mrs Xiang asked softly, “What do you mean by saying all this then?”

“There's no need to go so overboard. Treat them like just any ordinary teacher and student or take it as if Little Ning has an older brother-that’s still okay, right? Isn't it just a couple of years? During these three years-no, four, a year's already passed-you can't just treat him like an enemy for four whole years before permitting him to return with a wave of a hand afterwards? Would he still come back then?”

Hearing Mr Xiang propose not managing the relationship between Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning so strictly, Mrs Xiang thought for a moment, next realising something as she immediately said nervously, “No way, definitely not!”

Seeing her fickle attitude, Mr Xiang asked helplessly, “What is it now?”

Mrs Xiang hesitated for a bit. While the two were husband and wife, it would still be awkward to say things too explicitly in matters regarding their daughter. After thinking for a while, she found an analogous way to say it.

Lying down, she said ambiguously, “A perfectly good little white cabbage, still yet to have grown. Aren’t you afraid of it...being offered up and harvested by someone?!”

Hearing these words, Mr Xiang too felt worried as he thought for a moment before smiling wryly, saying, “I’m just afraid that our family’s little white cabbage herself could bear for it to happen...”

“Huh?”

“Can’t you tell how Little Ning feels about Tingsheng? Let’s not talk about before. Today, she was nearly going against you because of Tingsheng, her face all stubborn and aggrieved. This is still when she’s young too. If it were a few years later, perhaps she might even up and run off.”

“...That’s why I must manage her more strictly,” Mrs Xiang said helplessly.

Mr Xiang had nothing to say regarding this as he too felt worried.

“Actually, what I can’t understand most is still this-what does Tingsheng see in our Little Ning? This doesn’t make sense! With his age, appearance and qualifications, it shouldn’t be difficult to find someone who’s better and prettier than Little Ning, right?”

“It wouldn’t be hard for him to even marry a celebrity,” Mr Xiang said.

“So…”

“I can’t make sense of it too. This is what I’m most worried about.”

“Yeah. Little Ning’s sixteen now. If it really happens, with so many years up ahead, how can we guarantee that Tingsheng will always be faithful to she and she only? What if Tingsheng treats her badly, abandons her and finds somebody else...aren’t many rich people all playboys? If such a thing happens...what can Little Ning do?” Mrs Xiang finished, her voice full of worry.

Mr Xiang sighed, throwing down his stance, “You’re right. You should continue managing this...if they really are destined for each other, and Tingsheng is able to wait, we’ll just apologise to him then.”

Parents would inevitably be conflicted for a long time over and over again regarding this issue.

“Let’s sleep. I’ll go borrow money tomorrow, and we’ll check out that flat next time. Right now, what’s most important is for us not to let Little Ning’s life be tough. They all say to raise a son if you are poor and raise a daughter if you are rich. While we aren’t rich, we can’t always have our daughter feel inferior in this regard,” Mr Xiang said.

“Right. Actually, Little Ning doesn’t care about such things at all right now. That makes me feel a bit more reassured,” Mrs Xiang said.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“She won’t try to approach Xu Tingsheng for whatever or feel that she’s inferior as compared to him in terms of background, getting all troubled over it...so whether she likes him or not, it’ll all be real. However well Tingsheng treats her, such things will just never seep into her mindset.”

“You can rest assured on that. Our daughter is very brainless in this aspect,” Mr Xiang smiled.

The lights in Xiang Ning’s room came on. Little White Cabbage had had a dream. She got up and rubbed her ankles...waist...legs...smiled triumphantly...she opened her collar and glanced inward...her face instantly fell.

Thinking about how she was soon to enter a relationship with Uncle, Little White Cabbage was being very ruffian-ish herself...

Chapter 358: Ordinary employee Lin Yixian

Lin Yixian was twenty-five this year. She had majored in sales in university and worked at several jobs in Yanjing over the course of half a year following her graduation.

One night, returning home all fatigued, she had suddenly asked herself, “Why must I be here, packed like sardines in the trains, staying like moles in underground chambers?”

It just so happened that Zhicheng Real Estate had been recruiting workers on Hucheng Tongcheng on a large scale back then. Lin Yixian who hailed from a county under Yanzhou had thus returned to her hometown, joining Zhicheng Real Estate and becoming a member of their sales personnel.

A little over two months later, Li Yixian felt very fortunate at having made this decision.

She was very satisfied with the way things were now. In terms of treatment, Zhicheng was treating her quite well by Yanzhou's standards, enough for her to live a life where she could 'treat herself a bit better’ as a woman.

More crucially, the job itself was not physically or mentally exhausting, with the company thriving as they seemed to have a bright future ahead of them.

Speaking of selling flats, Lin Yixian had heard many things about the lengths that agents had to go to in order to successfully do so before. It was not that she had never worried about it. Yet, for Zhicheng, with their sales still yet to commence, there were already people enthusiastically looking for her regarding this.

“At Zhicheng, even selling flats sells us a sense of superiority,” This was what her colleagues had jokingly said.

That being so, in Zhicheng, most employees were happy to tie their career plans and future together with the company.

Also, being a new real estate corporation, Zhicheng’s internal structure was still yet to be fixed. This entailed that there was plenty of room to rise higher...everyone gave it their all, preparing to make use of this chance and do it good.

The problem was that Lin Yixian felt herself to be much too ordinary. She was not especially pretty or exceptionally capable. She did not even say much usually. To sum it up, there was nothing special about her. This was what she was feeling the most despondent and uneasy about as she did not see where her chance might lie.

“Are big breasts considered a special characteristic?” Lin Yixin could only smile wryly while analysing herself when bored.

After some time in Zhicheng, as Lin Yixian came to understand more about it, she felt that this company was really very special. Firstly, their boss, Fang Yuqing, was very young, being only 23 years old as he was still yet to graduate from university. She had also heard that he was an ‘official second gen’ with a prominent background. Because of that, whatever government documents or policies that had to be approved had never been obstructed and impeded before.

As for Ye Qing who spoke the most in meetings for their actual delegation of tasks, one need only ask to find out about her. In this city of Yanzhou, who would not know who she was?

The more ‘foxy’ ones in the company joked around in private, quite a few of them having their eye on their boss, Fang Yuqing. Yet, there was no one who really dared to try that, let alone Lin Yixian who did not believe herself to be very outstanding at all.

Also, Boss Fang had brought his girlfriend over to their company a couple of days ago. Seeing that he already had such a pretty girl with him, quite a few women gave up at once on cozying up with the very qualified Boss Fang.

As for Ye Qing, though they all knew her to be unwed, Zhicheng’s male employees had never even dared to entertain the thought before as even raising their heads and speaking in front of her was quite a scary experience for them. Who could have thought that a domineering woman like this had recently been bullied like crazy by some young dude, though she was crazy blissful too.

There were actually many rumours floating around within Zhicheng too.

For example, the fatty local magnate Hu Shengming who was very popular on Weibo was also one of the company’s shareholders.

For example, the company’s biggest shareholder actually wasn’t Boss Fang, nor was it Ye Qing and definitely not Hu Shengming too. Instead, it was that very famous Xu Tingsheng. Lin Yixian had a Weibo account and had also located this job via Hucheng Tongcheng. How could she possibly not know who Xu Tingsheng was?

The problem was that Xu Tingsheng had never once made an appearance in the company’s meetings or whatnot ever before. As compared to Hu Shengming who had leisurely visited a few times before, this rumour was clearly not very credible.

When the manager came over and found Lin Yixian, telling her that the company’s boss was looking for her, amidst her surprise and puzzlement, Lin Yixian unconsciously started walking towards Fang Yuqing’s office.

In the end, the manager pointed her towards another office on the second storey of their sales building which belonged to neither Fang Yuqing nor Ye Qing.

When Lin Yuxian secretly asked about who this boss who was suddenly looking for her was, the manager answered that she too did not know.

Lin Yixian knocked on the door.

The person who opened the door went straight to introducing himself, “Hi, you must be Lin Yixian, right? I am Xu Tingsheng. I’ve been watching you on the surveillance feed for a few days. I have checked your information too. I’m only impudently looking for you with that.”

“It really is Xu Tingsheng? He’s so young, and much better-looking than in the photos on the web. Right, he said that...he’s been watching me, and checked my information too. What does he mean by that?...”

Lin Yixian grew nervous all at once as she forget even her basic manners, not even greeting him back.

Xu Tingsheng closed and latched the door before turning back and sitting down behind the office table, now saying, “I’ll get straight to the point. I hope that I looking for you can stay a secret. Also, I hope that what I hope that you’ll do, whether you’re willing to do it or not, can remain a secret too. That’s okay, right? I’ve found that you don’t usually speak much. When those colleagues of yours are messing around, you are used to standing by the side, simply watching and listening. You’re more on the quiet side.”

“I...yeah,” Lin Yixian’s throat was rather dry. She had actually always thought this to be a fault of hers. Someone had said that it would not be easy for her to fit in like this.

“Relax, this matter will be in no way detrimental to you. It doesn’t break any rules and isn’t hard too. I only request that this stays a secret between the two of us. Even the other shareholders and bosses of the company don’t know of the specifics. All they know is that I want to handle something, and they’re fine with that.”

At this point, Lin Yixian was actually very panicked as guesses arose in her mind one after another, “This...it wouldn’t be a hint in that direction, right? But it does really sound like it…”

Lin Yixian’s hands gripped the skirt of her uniform as she felt very nervous indeed. Still, raising her head to look at Xu Tingsheng who was seated before her, she decided to continue listening to what he had to say.

“I, I will keep it a secret,” Lin Yixian said as she looked at Xu Tingsheng.

“That’s good then,” Xu Tingsheng continued from behind the office table, “Well, if you are willing, I will naturally do all I can to help you out in the future as is within my abilities, be it in terms of treatment or chances for promotions. After all, it’ll be a secret between us, right? I won’t treat you badly.”

These words were spoken rather ambiguously.

Still, Lin Yixian thought that they were meant to be ambiguous in the first place. ‘I won’t treat you badly’... As soon as these words were said, Lin Yixian became convinced of her earlier guess, having once heard these same words from her superior when working in Yanjing in the past.

Back then, Lin Yixian had not given in. She had splashed water right on the face of that superior before resigning and leaving. In Lin Yixian’s self-perception, she was still not that kind of person who would sell herself in exchange for such benefits.

Yet, this person in front of her right now was Xu Tingsheng! A legend, young, and good-looking too...however she looked at it, wasn’t she the one getting the better end of the deal? Moreover, there were those benefits he had spoken of too…

“Why is this happening? It doesn’t make sense! There are many more women in the company who are prettier than me! Could it be like he says, that he’s seen that I am rather more quiet and believes that I can keep this a secret? So it’s safe and not troublesome? ...Or could it be that he prefers big-breasted women? ...That should be it. Otherwise, it makes no sense that it’s me.”

Lin Yixian lowered her head and looked down at her chest, not daring to look at Xu Tingsheng any further.

Chapter 359: Top secret mission

Countless thoughts were flowing through Lin Yixian’s mind.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng who liked a certain ‘Mulan has no elder brother’ little girl was still unaware of the situation as seeing how she was not saying anything, he simply asked, “How about it? If you feel that there’s no problem and can keep it a secret, I’ll voice the matter straight out.”

“Voice it straight out?”

Lin Yixian’s mind blanked out as caught in a fierce inner struggle, she ventured cautiously, “Um, Boss Xu, I, I’d like to go out and consider it, is that okay? I need to think about it for a bit…”

“Huh?” Taken aback, Xu Tingsheng replied, “Okay…”

“Is this really such a scary thing to ask?” Xu Tingsheng was wondering to himself.

After exiting the room, Lin Yixian headed straight for the female washroom. Seeing that there was no one inside, she stood before the mirror and looked at her own reflection in it, “I didn’t do my makeup well today. Otherwise, I could still look a bit better...wait, what am I even thinking?”

Lin Yixian took a deep breath and looked at herself.

After a long inner struggle, she finally told herself, “How about I treat this as love for which there cannot be an eventual happy ending? I’ve never had such a remarkable boyfriend before...there are no detriments to me, the only thing’s that the relationship cannot be publicised. Well, to keep it a secret isn’t anything much...if it was any of those foxy women downstairs, how many of them would refuse? ...Right, that’s how it is. They’d probably be willing even if it wouldn’t benefit them in any way at all...”

Lin Yixian had had a boyfriend back in university, and had been in a very short relationship after having graduated too...she had cohabited with the one from university before. This was also the case with the short-lived one.

As compared to those two with whom there had been no eventual happy ending too, this guy was much more outstanding. She would benefit from this and receive chances too...so long as she could convince herself to do so, this would be no different from a windfall from the heavens.

Lin Yixian came to a decision. She returned to the office, pushing the door open and standing by the doorway.

“Boss Xu, I, I’m done thinking...I’m willing. I will keep it a secret too,” Lin Yixian said, breathing rather heavily.

“Are you sure? If this matter got out and spread everywhere, it would be very troublesome for me…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I know. I’m sure,” Lin Yixian nodded.

“That’s good then,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “In that case, come on over…”

“Come over?” Lin Yixian felt momentarily at a loss as she asked in a tone rather like she had been bullied, “Here, right now?”

“Yeah, it’s kinda urgent for me...I’ll be quick about it,” Xu Tingsheng said before lowering his head and searching for something inside a drawer.

“Urgent...this...he’ll be quick? Whoever says that about themselves?”

Lin Yixian was rendered rather speechless as she also felt a bit aggrieved and even a little embarrassed and angry. Still, since she had already decided to do it, she did not intend to renege now...She walked over towards him with rather heavy footsteps.

She walked over to the table where Xu Tingsheng was still ransacking his drawers.

Lin Yixian bit her lip and began undoing the buttons of her uniform even as she asked cautiously, “Boss Xu, this, this isn’t my first time...you wouldn’t mind that, right?”

Looking up, Xu Tingsheng realised what she was thinking. He was KO-ed.

“Hey, I think…there could have been a bit of a miscommunication. You may have misunderstood. Please, just button up first…” Xu Tingsheng told her awkwardly.

Li Yixian’s body shook in its entirety...she was KO-ed too.

After Lin Yixian had finally managed to regather her composure with great difficulty, the two communicated again to confirm if Xu Tingsheng’s request was indeed acceptable for her. With an awkward expression on his face, Xu Tingsheng retrieved several photos that he had secretly taken of Mr and Mrs Xiang.

He said, “What I want you to do is to cooperate with my arrangements and give a flat or at least sell it at half the price of one to the two people in these photos. Relax, I’ve already talked about this with the other shareholders. Regarding money, we have an agreement and a receipt too…”

Xu Tingsheng let Lin Yixian see a few receipts to set her mind at ease. This was equivalent to him having reserved a flat for himself. Still, the flat in question remained unspecified as the procedures had also not been carried out with a flat being allocated under his own name.

Then, he continued, “Still, I cannot reveal myself in this matter at the present time. Even my name cannot be exposed. Because of this, I must rely on you for the implementation. All the relevant procedures, from ushering them onwards, will be handled by you too. No one can be allowed to interfere in this matter. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Lin Yixian tried to calm herself down as much as possible, “But why, though? ...Sorry, I shouldn’t be asking about this.”

“Right, you just need to do as I say. Don’t ask anything, and don’t say anything. This matter is very important to me...so, you…”

As Xu Tingsheng employed a bit of a threatening tone, Lin Yixian immediately reacted, hurriedly reassuring him, “You can rest assured, Boss Xu. I understand. I assure you that no third person will learn about this.”

“That’s good then. Now, remember their faces first. After that, I’ll tell you what you have to do…”

Xu Tingsheng carefully described and accounted for the arrangements which had been made.

Walking out of the office, Lin Yixian exhaled as she recalled the images of Mr and Mrs Xiang, “What exactly is this? Even a good thing like giving someone else a flat has to be kept hidden like this, being all fearful? ...Grudges between wealthy families? ...Whatever it is, I’ll just do as tasked and keep it a secret and it should be fine. This is an opportunity for me…”

Back in the office, Xu Tingsheng too exhaled slowly. This matter had really needed too much meticulous planning…

Firstly, he himself definitely could not appear. If Mr and Mrs Xiang knew that Xu Tingsheng was Zhicheng’s largest shareholder, they would definitely suspect it. Then, they would likely refuse to accept this ‘windfall’ that had fallen from the heavens.

Next, if this matter was ever exposed in the slightest and spread all over the place and Mr and Mrs Xiang heard gossip and rumours about that in the future, while he could not predict what exactly they might do, they would definitely feel even more hostile and guarded towards him…

Finally, even then, Mr and Mrs Xiang and Little Xiang Ning still could not be exposed to others within the company right now. Fang Yuqing and the others were really crazy curious about that mysterious woman surnamed Xiang…

If someone accidentally guessed it, then logically followed this line of thought…

Those guys had actually even secretly checked the namelist at Xinyan Junior High before, having failed to find a teacher called Xiang Ning in the end...whoever would consider that she might still be a student...he would literally be a beast!

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng rather dared not even show himself in Zhicheng. As for the specific implementation, he could only leave it to a total stranger to help him. He had hidden in that office and observed Zhicheng’s employees for a couple of days, finally choosing Lin Yixian.

And so he had communicated with her one-on-one.

……

The name and method of ‘Ning Garden’s open enquiry day’ were rather novel. Actually, many actions of Zhicheng’s were viewed as very strange by the other real estate corporations. They deviated from the rules and the norm, such as how they had forcibly rushed out a three storey showroom building, such as the breakneck speed at which they were rushing the construction, such as many other things…

The logic here is actually really simple. If you return to ten years ago and intend to show others your refrigerator technology that is more than a decade ahead of their time, you can’t just show them a storage space.

Standing at the forefront of modern real estate, Zhicheng needed a full scale demonstration of its capabilities.

Of course, in terms of the procedures, paperwork and pricing as well as communication with the government etcetera, the existence and full support of the Fang family had saved Xu Tingsheng a great deal of trouble.

The ten over members of the Black Horse Club who all had their own strengths, including Ye Qing who was involved on the ground with the real estate venture, were also his strength.

Chapter 360: Ning Garden’s open enquiry day

25th June 2005, a weekend.

Ning Garden’s open enquiry day.

Outside the sales building hung a large banner which demonstrated the layout of the entire real estate project. It was visually intricate and stunning.

On the other side was the advertisement which read:

“Find a person, find a place. Release your tender love.”

Literature-ness was a kind of illness as Zhicheng’s shareholders felt goosebumps to the point of wanting to vomit blood, being unable to stand it no matter what. Yet, Godly Swindler Xu was just such a person...also, he was especially adamant on this…

The large glass doors that had been peered at by numerous people countless times were finally opened as that massive model there was unveiled as well.

Despite the fact that it was bustling with people inside the sales building, Lin Yixian paid careful attention to things outside through the glass doors.

Finally, in a flat-viewing group composed of adults and children that numbered up to twenty people in total, Lin Yixian found those two faces that she had memorised in Xu Tingsheng’s office that day. Upon confirming this, she sent a text to Xu Tingsheng who was watching the surveillance footage in his office upstairs: They’re here.

Then, she went over and greeted the group as soon as they entered the building, serving as their guide.

“Hello, welcome to Zhicheng’s Ning Garden. If you don’t mind, I can take you inside for a look around. If you have any questions during this time, just feel free to ask me about it whenever.”

……

Mr Xiang went around outside for a few days, sometimes returning gloomily, sometimes with a smile on his face.

Things like borrowing money were not all that easily done at the end of the day.

Little Xiang Ning did not partake in her parents’ discussion. Still, her heart ached as she found fault with the ones selling the flats. When conversing with Uncle on the phone and via text, she was filled with righteous indignation as she scolded those ‘heartless corporations’ several times.

On the open enquiry day, Xiang Ning went out with her parents early in the morning and waited a long time for the rest of her relatives to arrive.

Upon seeing that three storey showroom building, hearing the admiring sighs beside her, Little Xiang Ning’s eyes lit up as well. The flats here were very beautiful indeed…

Next, they walked past the showroom building and arrived before the sales building.

Apart from the visual shock that she received from that big banner that displayed the layout of the area, Xiang Ning also involuntarily muttered aloud, “Ning Garden? Oh, it really is the same Ning as mine…”

Xiang Ning did not immediately relate this to Xu Tingsheng. Despite being slightly low in spirits, she felt this to be rather interesting too.

Standing there with Li Meng, that auntie turned and said to their Xiang family of three, “Look, this Ning Garden has the same character as your girl...if you don’t manage to buy one, that would be a real pity indeed.”

She was definitely trying to make things difficult for them somewhat.

Having tolerated her time and time again, Mr Xiang was really unable to stand her any longer. Mrs Xiang could only grab his hand tightly, saying softly, “Forget it. Don’t quibble with the likes of her…”

The two walked slightly off to the side.

Mrs Xiang smiled consolingly, “She knows a bit about real estate. Let’s just take it as if she’s introducing it to us. Still, isn’t it a little too coincidental? This place is really called Ning Garden. If you hadn’t checked before and found out that the boss is surnamed Fang, even I might think that this might actually have something to do with Tingsheng.”

“Yanzhou’s Fang family is very famous in the bureaucracy. This is called cronyism,” Mr Xiang said.

Mrs Xiang said, “That’s good then. If the flats are really related to Xu Tingsheng, I’m afraid that my relatives, especially my cousin and her daughter, will probably be gossiping a whole bunch again after they’ve gone home.”

“The hell,” Mr Xiang cursed, “If these flats were really built for Little Ning by Tingsheng, if you would only admit it, how would she even still be talking behind your back? They’ll be trying to get in your good books, treating you like a grand madame back at home, do you believe that?”

“Huh, I’d just ignore her,” Mrs Xiang joked.

“Of course! If that happened and you were willing to be his mother-in-law, you would be on a completely different level from her. Even if you acknowledged her, you’d still be gazing down from high above at those grovelling souls…”

Having been angered earlier, Mr Xiang was being rather merciless in his words here. Also, they were just ordinary folks in the first place. Facing malicious relatives who were making life difficult for them at every turn, it was really natural to think this way.

Seeing how Mr Xiang was continually hinting at her willingness to acknowledge Xu Tingsheng or lack thereof...after smiling, Mrs Xiang felt rather unhappy as she was just about to chastise him.

“What mother-in-law?” Little Xiang Ning who was already a little taller than her mother leaned over, asking curiously.

Husband and wife exchanged looks before forcing a smile, the latter saying, “It’s nothing. Your Dad was talking about your Grandma. Right, Little Ning, how do you find the houses here? They’re beautiful, right? The old school district for the first-tier senior high is just across the bridge, and the new one’s even nearer. It’s right there; just look and you can already see it.”

Mrs Xiang pointed towards a construction site over in the distance where work was currently in full swing before asking, “Do you like it?”

Little Ning shook her head, “It is beautiful, but it’s too expensive. I don’t like it. How about we go home?”

“Expensive?” Mrs Xiang asked.

“I heard some of those people who’re leaving discussing it when you were talking. They were all saying that it’s really expensive, nearly 8000 yuan per square metre on average...8000 yuan per square metre, that’s very expensive, right?”

Little Xiang Ning did not understand what this amount entailed. Still, having heard others deem it as expensive, she felt that that should be the case.

As for Mr and Mrs Xiang who had somewhat done a preliminary analysis, however, their hearts both fell as they heard the reported figure of 8000...it really was too expensive.

In this era when the average value of newly built houses in Yanzhou was still around 5000 yuan per square feet, however high they had estimated it, they had still underestimated the rumours about the real estate prices here which might be very high indeed...they surpassed even that.

This was just like how they were unable to accurately foresee that in a mere six years, the property prices here would shoot straight up to a whopping twenty thousand.

The only one who knew how it would be like in the future, Xu Tingsheng, had actually also clenched his teeth and decided that they would not build so many homes for the project’s first phase of flats as it would be relatively standalone. This was completely because of Little Xiang Ning, for whom he had sacrificed immense potential for profit...in terms of establishing the price, much effort had also been required on the Fang family’s behalf.

As for the second and third phases of flats that were to come in the future, he would do it slowly then.

Whatever the case, with this, the Xiang family of three all came to begrudge the ‘heartless developers’ of Ning Garden...Xu Tingsheng truly baselessly suffered many grudges here.

“Youmei...come on, let’s go in and take a look,” Called Mrs Xiang’s eldest sister who was walking in front.

Mr and Mrs Xiang gazed over, “Well, since we’re already here, we might as well take a look...” Mrs Xiang said.

The Xiang family of three caught up with the group and squeezed their way into the crowded sales building.

An employee of Zhicheng’s appeared very enthusiastically before the group of people. To be exact, she was standing in front of Mr and Mrs Xiang.

Still, the others did not see it that way. Li Meng’s mother had been boasting of her connections earlier...as Xiang Ning’s eldest uncle Shi Youshu and the rest saw it, there were really too many people here as the employees were all busy with the rest of the bustling hall to specifically come greet them. Yet, someone had come for their group...was this really not evident enough?

“Your connections really are wide, cuz...” Eldest uncle Shi Youshu said rather ingratiatingly to Li Meng’s mother.

While this auntie actually had no idea why this was happening too, having already received the praise, she simply feigned her composure and smiled, acknowledging this merit.

Chapter 361: Where are you, you dirty ruffian?

Following Lin Yixian around, the group was introduced to the flats at length.

Xiang Ning had heard outside earlier that Ning Garden cost around 8000 yuan per square metre on average. As this figure was confirmed by Lin Yixian, Mr and Mrs Xiang’s moods were already sort of completely spoilt…

It just so happened that eldest uncle Shi Youshu asked about the size of the flats now.

Lin Yixian introduced, “For our flats, the current smallest are 120 square metres. For the big ones, they go up to 220...there are also 140, 180 etcetera in between...if you want something which is bigger or smaller, you may have to wait for the project’s second or third phase of flats.”

Mr Xiang made a quick calculation of this and was left sorely disappointed. They didn’t have enough money. Even for the smallest flat that was 120 square metres, they would still lack money for the down payment somewhat.

Seeing the tightness in her husband’s expression, Mrs Xiang hesitated for a moment before venturing, “When would your second phase of flats be ready then? Your company’s predicted completion date for the building of the first phase flats will be very soon, right? In that case, the second phase shouldn’t be too far behind?”

“Well…” This was the first time Lin Yixian was receiving enquiries from her targets, the two of them having been comparatively silent earlier.

Lin Yixian hesitated for a moment, thinking: Why are the two of you even asking about the second phase of flats? This slice of the pie is just waiting to be stuffed into your pockets!

She immediately said firmly, “I’m very sorry, but the company has yet to decide on the schedule for the second phase. There’s probably still quite some time before it’s set to begin…”

“Oh, I see…” Mrs Xiang shook her head rather helplessly before sighing softly.

Eldest uncle’s wife expressed her stance, “Well, it isn’t that big. Any smaller and we wouldn’t even consider it.”

“That’s right,” Mrs Xiang’s cousin said rather derisively, “I was still thinking that it’d be best if there was a bigger one.”

It was really more like she was scrambling for words. She already knew that the biggest one here was just 220 square metres anyway. Actually, her family wasn’t really that wealthy. If she were really offered a bigger flat, she too would not be able to come up with that down payment.

Still, whatever the case, Mr Xiang was made to feel tragically despondent today. Ning Garden’s price and scale caused him to feel frustrated yet also helpless...those barbed insinuations made him feel even more stifled...he had never felt so stifled in his life before…

Mrs Xiang too could only helplessly remain silent…

Seeing how discouraged her two targets were looking, Lin Yixian feared that they might just turn and stalk off at any moment.

She hurriedly said, “Well, that’s more or less everything there is to see. Would you be interested in registering your purchase inclinations with me?”

“Purchase inclination? What’s that?”

“Oh, this isn’t any form of agreement in itself,” Lin Yixian hurriedly explained, “It’s simply doing a survey for our company for us to understand the needs of our potential customers. You’ll fill up a form expressing your preferences, after which we will give away some little gifts. There will even be a lucky draw in a bit.”

“Lucky draw? What are the prizes?” Hearing that there would be a lucky draw, the kids who had come along all asked enthusiastically.

“We’ll announce the specifics later on when the lucky draw begins,” Lin Yixian explained.

The group followed her excitedly, with Mr and Mrs Xiang walking at the very back.

Mrs Xiang’s eldest sister and second sister came over, telling her, “Youmei, we’ve talked with Mum about this already. How about this? Aren’t the flats here hard to buy? Here’s what we’re thinking. If we can’t get a flat, we’ll gather some money to help you. If we truly manage to get one but you don’t, though, we might even need you to help us out a little. Then, whichever of our families manages to buy a flat here, we’ll let you live there for a year when Little Ning’s in twelfth grade...what do you think?”

Mrs Xiang looked at Mr Xiang, seeking for his opinion with her gaze. The proposal of her two older sisters actually wasn’t about somebody helping somebody else in the first place. Instead, they would all be helping one another out in a fair manner. Still, it was precisely because of how perfectly reasonable this was that they could really find no fault with it. Also, it seemed to be the only feasible solution that they could think of, dissatisfying though it might still be.

Mr Xiang nodded.

Mrs Xiang said, “That’s fine too. Thank you, Big Sis, Second Sis.”

Little Xiang Ning was blankly holding onto Mr Xiang’s sleeve as she followed along.

As she walked, it was just crowded and jostling throughout, so much so that she felt all dizzy as the heart of Xu Tingsheng who was sitting behind the surveillance monitors ached incomparably greatly. Also, he noticed from her expression that she didn’t understand what was being said at all, also not being in the mood to listen as she was just glancing randomly around everywhere.

The group followed Lin Yixian in passing through the hall, circling past the model of Ning Garden.

Now, someone just happened to be pointing at that modern tower there and asking one of Zhicheng’s employees, “What’s this tower?”

“It’s a modern European-style tower. We believe that it will become one of Yanzhou’s iconic landmarks in the future.”

After saying so, the employee introduced in a slightly more awkward manner, “Its name, well, is Little Pert Waist.”

Coincidentally hearing it as she walked by, Little Xiang Ning did not think too much at first as she just thought that it was pretty interesting.

“Why is it named like that?!” One of the onlookers wondered aloud, laughing as he asked.

“It’s very interesting. Little Pert Waist. I like it, anyway. Hey, this wouldn’t be your boss making use of this chance to confess by praising his girlfriend, right? Your boss’s a real romantic. Just look at what was written on the advertisement,” A young woman exclaimed rather interestedly.

Next, she turned towards that man whose arm was linked with hers, calling to him in a delicate tone, “Hubby, let’s just buy this! I really love it.”

Little Xiang Ning stopped in her tracks, unconsciously loosening her grip on her Dad’s collar as she was rendered dazed.

“Ning Garden...Little Pert Waist...confess by praising his girlfriend...advertisement, find a person find a place, release your tender love…”

“Actually, to be honest, the best-looking parts of your body are actually your legs, as well as your waist...then, do you want to touch? Black bear…”

“I’ll definitely make it into a first-tier senior high...The old school district for the first-tier senior high is just across the bridge, and the new one’s even nearer. It’s right there; just look and you can already see it…”

Little Xiang Ning felt that she understood it all now...she hurriedly raised a hand and covered her mouth for fear that she might cry out in astonishment.

“Little Ning...Little Ning? Why are you standing there? Come on,” Discovering that her daughter was missing, Mrs Xiang turned back and called for her.

“Huh? Mum, I, I feel a little dizzy inside here...can I go stand by the entrance for a while? You can look for me when we’re gonna go back...if you can’t find me, you can just call my phone.”

Mrs Xiang considered it for a moment, deciding that it really was too crowded inside the sales building as she said, “Wait by the entrance then. Don’t go too far away.”

“Yep, okay.”

As there was no sound from the surveillance, all Xu Tingsheng could see was that Lin Yixian had successfully brought Mr and Mrs Xiang over to register. Yet, Little Xiang Ning suddenly stopped next to that large model of Ning Garden and said something to her mother before leaving the hall of the sales building…

Just as Xu Tingsheng was puzzling over what might be going on with her, his handphone rang.

He answered the call.

“Xu Tingsheng...hey, you...where are you, you dirty ruffian?” Little Xiang Ning sounded as though she had caught Xu Tingsheng up to some mischief as she immediately exclaimed furiously whilst also triumphantly over the phone.

“I…”

“Here, upstairs? Which office is that?”

“...The rightmost one upstairs, 2011.”

“Just wait right there.”

“Be careful that your Mum and Dad don’t see you!”

“Yeah, I’ll get up there sneakily…”

Chapter 362: Conspirators in crime

Excitement could be sensed in the knocks on the door.

Xu Tingsheng opened the door.

Little Xiang Ning entered the office and closed the door. She stood there just like that, her two little hands behind her back as she looked up and smiled at Xu Tingsheng, not saying a word…

Her short skirt revealed her two long, supple legs.

This was the first time that Xu Tingsheng was seeing Little Xiang Ning in a short skirt ever since his rebirth. So the little, sixteen-year-old her was already this tall. She wouldn’t be growing much more over the next few years.

Xiang Ning had been 1.67m tall in his previous life.

Her legs were so beautiful.

Xu Tingsheng could not stop himself from sneaking a glance at them. He was apprehended in the act.

Xiang Ning shot him a look before immediately smiling, her smile being full of triumph.

Then, her hands behind her back, she snuck over quietly, putting her forehead on Xu Tingsheng’s chest and saying softly, “I miss you a bit. You must really miss me, right?”

She said that since she missed him a bit, he must really miss her a lot. She was the kind of person who was very certain of her feelings and happiness once she had confirmed the status of the relationship.

Xu Tingsheng had not been that much of a devoted, fully enamoured person in his previous life. In the end, however, he had still met utter defeat at the hands of this girl whose mind lived in an independent world of her own yet could somehow integrate and merge perfectly with reality too.

“Very much,” Xu Tingsheng admitted before continuing, “You looked very tired walking around downstairs. Here, take a seat.”

Xu Tingsheng let Xiang Ning sit on his office chair and conscientiously poured water for her, next coming to stand by the office table.

“You said you were watching me just now? How?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

“Surveillance monitors,” Xu Tingsheng switched to the surveillance feed on his computer screen.

Filled with curiosity, Xiang Ning looked at it for a while before pointing at one of the grids, exclaiming, “Hey, I can see my Mum and Dad.”

Xu Tingsheng magnified that grid for her as the images of Mr and Mrs Xiang as they stood in line in the inclination queue came clearly into focus.

“You were watching me like this just now?”

“Yeah.”

“All throughout?”

“Uhh...yes.”

“You dirty ruffian.”

“...Right, however did you manage to guess? I went to such great pains to hide it.”

“Ning Garden...Little Pert Waist...waist looks the best...first-tier senior high…” Little Xiang Ning slowly recited the key phrases which had given her that sudden realisation one by one before saying as she looked at him, “Is this a confession, Xu Tingsheng? Hmm, it’s a little romantic.”

To be precise, in the eyes of the little Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng’s gesture of building this Ning Garden for her was really not much different at all from him forming a heart shape and an ‘I love you’ with candles on her front lawn…

Xu Tingsheng rejoiced inwardly that she was still young, her soul still so bright and transparent.

Because of this, Xu Tingsheng had no reservations as he revealed the entirety of his plan to Xiang Ning before reiterating over and over that she was not to tell this to her parents. Afraid that she might not get this, he explained to her what Mr and Mrs Xiang might think of this and what that might result in.

“Are we going to team up to fool them now then?” This was Little Xiang Ning’s first thought as she asked Xu Tingsheng with shining eyes.

“Yeah, is that okay?” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Yep…” Xiang Ning smiled too, as if she was co-conspiring with Uncle to do something bad.

Since they had become conspirators in crime, Xu Tingsheng changed his original plan to one with a lower difficulty. He sent Lin Yixian a text. A short while later, a slip of paper was pushed through from beneath the door.

Xu Tingsheng picked it up and passed it to Xiang Ning, carefully instructing her on what to say and what to do afterwards.

Xiang Ning’s first thought was that this was fun. Perhaps she had found a bit of the feeling of being a spy or undercover agent as she was so excited that she was just chuckling out loud.

The next thing she did was kiss Xu Tingsheng gently on the face as he was poring over the computer screen.

Next, she smiled a bit shyly, explaining, “This isn’t for Big Xiang Ning. This is Little Xiang Ning’s...you really are good, Xu Tingsheng. Thank you. I, I actually really like you a lot.”

Xu Tingsheng zoned out momentarily, still reliving that earlier feeling.

And now Little Xiang Ning, perhaps channelling her embarrassment into rage, lightly kicked Xu Tingsheng, putting on an angry look, “Keeping this from me, you baddie. If I hadn’t guessed, you’d have kept this from me too, right? You’re even selling my house at such a high price, making my Mum and Dad all worried for so long, sighing everyday…”

Xu Tingsheng could only force a smile and patiently explain what had held him back.

He also made use of this chance to do a bit of indoctrination. Uncle still needed to earn some money off others for the lofty goal of upkeeping her in the future.

It was with much difficulty that Little Xiang Ning finally decided to forgive ‘Uncle Liar’.

“Must we really wait till my Mum and Dad agree?” Xiang Ning asked rather dismally.

“Yeah. They can’t be opposed to it, at least,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“But I have classmates who date too, and they seldom tell their parents.”

“...It’s different for us.”

“Right, I know, because ours is a student-teacher relationship.”

“...”

……

Feeling restless, Mrs Xiang gave Xiang Ning a call while waiting in line to make sure that she was okay. Xiang Ning told her Mum that she was waiting obediently by the entrance.

After hanging up, Mrs Xiang filled the inclination form rather mindlessly with Mr Xiang.

Never would she have thought that Little Xiang Ning who was ‘waiting obediently by the entrance’ was currently watching their every move from behind a computer screen, being together with that ‘suspicious character’ Xu Tingsheng whom they were constantly vigilant against. The two of them were excitedly discussing how to execute their ‘grand conspiracy’.

They even simulated and rehearsed it a few times.

“Mr Xiang, I think that you should fill in at least 180 square metres. There are penthouse flats that are 180 square metres, and you can renovate a small loft. That space all comes for free,” Lin Yixian who had been following Mr and Mrs Xiang all throughout hurriedly advised as she saw Mr Xiang filling up 120 square metres on his inclination form.

Mr Xiang appeared rather hesitant.

“It’s just about your preferences anyway,” Lin Yixian said.

“Fill that in then,” Mrs Xiang said from beside him.

Thinking that it didn’t really matter anyway, merely being a survey of their preferences, Mr Xiang casually filled in a 180 square metres penthouse.

Mrs Xiang’s cousin felt like she had been slighted. How could this employee be so undiscerning that she had been following the ones who might not be able to afford it all throughout, meanwhile actually leaving ‘VIPs’ like her aside?

“Mum, let’s fill in 220 square metres. We can afford it anyway,” Li Meng who had had a displeased expression on her face the entire day glanced at Mr and Mrs Xiang, then said.

While this was just to show their preferences, mother and daughter were still able to find that sense of superiority.

Lin Yixian had already been thoroughly disgusted by this mother and daughter pair’s attitude by now. She forced a smile before turning towards Mr and Mrs Xiang who had already filled up the inclination form.

Smiling enthusiastically, she said, “Well, Mr Xiang, I’ll first take the two of you to view the 180 square metres flat…”

Mr and Mrs Xiang hesitated for a moment. They actually believed that this 180 square metres flat was completely unrelated to them. Still, facing Lin Yixian who had been attentive and enthusiastic and thinking highly of them all throughout, they found it difficult to refuse.

“We’ll be troubling you then. No harm in taking a look. We can also take a look at flats of other sizes along the way,” Mrs Xiang said.

“This way, please,” Lin Yixian led the way.

Li Meng and her mother had had it by now as they kicked up a huge fuss, “What? What about us?”

“The size of your preferred flats are different. You can wait a bit for other employees to guide you later,” Leading Mr and and Mrs Xiang away, Lin Yixian said without even so much as a backward glance.

Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged looks, smiling relaxedly at each other as their grievances vanished into thin air.

Chapter 363: The special lucky draw prize

“Miss Lin, to be honest, we actually can't afford a 180 square meters flat. How about you take us to see a 120 square metres one? Or if you're busy, you don't have to show us around,” Mrs Xiang confessed to Lin Yixian in a rather awkward but sincere manner as they walked.

Lin Yixian felt a headache coming on as she thought: Not show you around? Do you want me dead? Please stop it, will you? While I don't know what exactly this is all about, you're definitely the greatest VIPs of Ning Garden. That's definite. Don't smash my rice bowl, oh great VIPs!

“It's fine, let's just take a look at them all! We can begin with 180 square metres.”

Lin Yixian could not be denied as she stubbornly brought Mr and Mrs Xiang over to the 180 square metres home.

As they passed through the intricately designed rooms that had basically already undergone renovation, Mr and Mrs Xiang were incomparably satisfied with what they saw. They thought about how they could even install a small loft upstairs in the future, where Little Xiang Ning could sit and study or do her homework while looking at the starry sky outside the window…

However much they understood that they actually couldn’t afford it, Mr and Mrs Xiang were still left rather unable to move away from this place.

The two of them looked at this, stroked that...coupled with Lin Yixian’s enthusiastic, detailed introduction and explanations, more than an hour had already passed before they knew it.

“Well, we should be getting back to the hall to participate in the lucky draw for the inclination survey,” Lin Yixian eventually said.

At that instant when they left the place, Mr and Mrs Xiang both unconsciously sighed in unison, their eyes filled with longing and regret as they simultaneously gazed back at the flat which they had just thoroughly viewed.

……

Arriving back in the hall, Mr and Mrs Xiang saw that there were already throngs of people there that numbered into the several hundreds. Their relatives were there as well.

The emcee stood up on stage, announcing the details of the upcoming lucky draw.

The lucky draw actually appeared totally legit. On the surface, at least, even Fang Yuqing and the others could not tell how there might be something else behind this process. They just thought that Godly Swindler Xu was mad. As for what exactly he wanted to do and how he was planning to do it, even if he had rigged the lucky draw, he could just do whatever he wanted…

After all, they were already used to believing in Godly Swindler Xu. They thought that however he might appear to be messing around, there should still be a deeper meaning behind it. Blind faith kills! Of course, with the Black Horse Club and the Fang family around, there was nothing to worry about even if a little something cropped up.

The process was so rigorous that even officiators were there to make sure that everything was all fair and just...but there were officiators for lottery tickets too, and whoever even trusted that?

As for what Xu Tingsheng felt about this, since this simply consisted of additional giveaways in the first place, he did not believe that there was anything wrong with manipulating it. He wasn’t some saint or anything.

Only the first 800 potential customers who had filled in the inclination survey were allowed to participate in the lucky draw. As soon as the number was reached, this ended right away.

Still, there were actually merely around 300 of these families who had stayed behind.

While they all knew about the lucky draw, many had chosen to take their leave after viewing the flats and filling up the forms.

While the prizes had not been announced, they were placed right there for all to see. A few stuffed bears, a pile of pencil cases, notebooks and small bags...many people actually saw these as being useless to them.

The emcee awaited further confirmation, giving time for telephone notifications to be made as he waited for those who had left to return. Still, those who did return were few and far between.

Afterwards, the employees present checked the names on the inclination surveys against those present. Each family only had a single person remaining within the area. Mrs Xiang was amongst them. Since these were all minor goods anyway and since they were there anyway, she and her husband felt that it would be nice if they could manage to get something which Little Xiang Ning would like.

The emcee spoke while the officiators verified that everything was fair and proper.

From the fifth-tier prize to the first-tier prize, the prizes announced by the emcee really did not hold much allure. From pencil cases to stuffed toys, they were all things which cost a few to a few dozen yuan.

Most of the people present were devoid of enthusiasm as they listened on, with someone even complaining out loud, “This old man ain’t drawing anymore! What a waste of time! Can I leave?”

“You can,” The emcee answered.

A few of those present really began walking towards the door.

“Now, I will announce the sole special-grade prize of the day. More than 800 tickets, and 300 of you here. I really hope that you will be able to draw it out. Even if you fail to do so, we will still invite the officiators present to unveil all the tickets for everyone to see to prove that we did indeed place this grand prize inside.”

The emcee dropped the bait.

“An electric rice cooker?” Someone yelled from amongst those in the midst of walking away.

Laughter erupted amongst the crowd.

“Even an electric rice cooker would be thinking too highly of them! So stingy with their prizes…” Another guy complained loudly.

This was just how people were. While these were clearly additional items which Zhicheng did not actually have to give to help get their flats sold, they still felt as if they had been robbed of something due to the prizes not being valuable enough.

“There is just one of this special-grade prize. One lucky friend will be able to buy the flat which you just filled in in your inclination survey at a fifty percent discount. Only one flat,” The emcee finished composedly.

Deathly silence descended, the previous hubbub subsiding at once.

This quality gap...wasn’t it a little too great? From pencil cases to some hundreds of thousands in cash? A fifty percent discount! Whichever of Ning Garden’s flats this was eventually used for, this special-grade prize would still be worth some hundreds of thousands, with this going higher the more valuable the flat.

“Is this for real?” Someone asked hoarsely.

The emcee smiled, “I’ll say it again. There is just one of this special-grade prize. One lucky friend will be able to buy the flat which you just filled in in your inclination survey at a fifty percent discount. Only one flat. Zhicheng is a new real estate company, and we’re treating this as a fortuitous opening to our commencement. You’re all invited to participate in this game that is based completely on luck.”

All hell broke loose.

After the emcee had repeated and confirmed the news, a grand commotion erupted in the room.

Some were even already sighing that they had selected too small a flat in that inclination survey earlier as though it was already certain that they would manage to draw the grand prize for sure.

Some were praying.

Some were both laughing and cursing at the same time…

Mrs Xiang turned and looked towards Mr Xiang who stood outside the door. As their gazes met, the same thought resided in the minds of this husband and wife: How good it would be if we could draw it, that 180 square metres flat we yearn for...for our dreams to become reality…”

Still, with this being something that was completely luck-based, Mr Xiang smiled comfortingly, conveying to Mrs Xiang not to be too concerned about it.

How could Mrs dXiang not be concerned about it? She felt stifled, pressured, moved by her mother, worried for Little Xiang Ning...all at the same time. Wishing to draw the special-grade prize just so much, her hands were all dripping with sweat.

That cousin of hers was present too. While she too was filled with joy, as she saw Mrs Xiang, she still mocked derisively, “Oh, maybe your family will really be able to afford it now! If it’s at half price, you should be able to afford it, right?”

Eldest uncle’s wife added, “Yeah, maybe you really will draw it.”

Mrs Xiang simply ignored them as she began following the queue for drawing the lucky draw tickets.

Those who had already drawn their tickets could go around freely, leaving the room to scratch and unveil them. Some impatient ones were already starting to fill the room with sighs as they checked their tickets on the spot. Mrs Xiang thought that this was good, since this also meant that the grand prize had not yet been drawn away.

Mrs Xiang was conflicted for a long time as she put her hand in the box. Only at the urging of the employees did she force herself to select and grab one. Then, she left the room, hurrying over to Mr Xiang’s side.

……

In the office upstairs, Xu Tingsheng told Little Xiang Ning, “007, you’re on.”

“Oh yeah!”

Chapter 364: Natural-born Fuxi bones

“Will you open it?” Mrs Xiang extended the ticket tightly clenched in her hand to Mr Xiang.

Mr Xiang hesitated for a moment, “You should do it. You’re luckier.”

“Half-half! I draw it, you open it,” Mrs Xiang sounded rather frantic.

Mr Xiang knew that the pressure on her was too great. Buying a flat had originally just been a mere idea. Now, though, too many things were already mixed in with this. Be they good or bad, all of them were tied together on the foundation that was this flat.

They still did not know that in the future, the relationships of many lovers and spouses and even kinships too would be dragged down to death due to flats.

“Fine.”

Mr Xiang took the lucky draw ticket and inhaled deeply before carefully readying himself to scratch and reveal its contents.

“I’ll do it then?” He looked at his wife again, asking for confirmation.

“Yeah, do it,” Mrs Xiang shot him a look, wanting him to hurry and get this over with.

……

A short distance away, the Xiang family’s relatives had already unveiled their tickets.

None of them had managed to get the grand prize.

They fumed a little, with Mrs Xiang’s dear cousin even ripping apart her fifth-tier prize ticket and stomping it underfoot a couple of times for good measure. She simply gave up on a pencil case just like that. Rich people would be rich people…

“I think probably no one will manage to draw it at all,” She said.

“Yeah, almost everyone’s checked theirs already,” Eldest uncle’s wife agreed.

“Forget it, Mum. It’s not like our family lacks this bit of money anyway, unlike some people who must place their hopes fully on this,” The image that Li Meng had previously feigned in front of Xu Tingsheng was nowhere to be seen at this moment as she was but a nasty, spiteful woman.

……

Mr Xiang scratched and revealed the first character.

He wondered why he had not begun from the back. He should have done that! If he had done so, his hopes could have lasted for a little longer.

“First.”

“The first character was ‘一’, meaning one or first. This meant that they had only won a first-tier prize...Mr Xiang sighed, forcing a smile…

Receiving the lucky draw ticket from him for a look, Mrs Xiang too could only sigh helplessly.

……

People sometimes possess this sort of mentality. When they cannot possess something, they hope that others cannot obtain it too, especially those people closer to them.

This mentality existed between Mrs Xiang’s cousin and eldest uncle’s wife, and it was how they thought with regard to others too. They directed their gazes towards Mr and Mrs Xiang. Actually, merely from their expressions alone, they already knew that the Xiang family had failed to obtain that ticket.

The odds of winning were already low in the first place. This was only natural, really.

Still, these two people seemingly felt a sense of joy and consolation at once.

“Woah, it can’t be that you actually managed to draw it for real, right?”

“It sure looks like it! Standing that far away, why so secretive?”

The two joyfully let their acid tongues run amok again.

“Are those two wrong in the head?” Mr Xiang said furiously.

“Forget it,” Mrs Xiang said, “I think the first-tier prize is a bear. Let’s just claim it and give it to Little Ning to play with…”

Mr Xiang could only nod helplessly as he said, “Let’s go.”

Husband and wife were just about to walk away when a hand tugged at the clothes of them both from behind.

They halted and looked back, next trying their hardest to smile, “Little Ning? When did you come over?”

Xiang Ning drew her parents to the side, inquiring secretively, “What’s this lucky draw about? Is it just one ticket per family?”

Mrs Xiang was not in the mood to talk about that special-grade prize right now, and did not want to show Little Xiang Ning her disappointment too.

She tried her hardest to sound calm as she said, “Yeah, just one ticket per family. Look, Mum and Dad just drew a first-tier prize for you, a stuffed bear. We’re on our way to claim it now.”

Little Xiang Ning directed a piteous, innocent look at her parents, saying softly, “But I, I drew one too…”

She held up a lucky draw ticket on her palm which was blocked by the sturdy frame of Mr Xiang.

Xu Tingsheng had complimented her on her acting skills earlier. Such was really as befitting of that Miss Xiang of his previous life who was always asking Uncle to act out some scenes from dramas with her!

Mr and Mrs Xiang were both taken aback, “What? How did you manage to draw it?”

“I came in because it was too hot outside. Then, seeing that there were few people on the second floor, I went over and waited for you on the stairs. I waited there for so long! When I came down the stairs, I saw many people queuing up for a lucky draw. It looked fun, so I went and drew one too,” Little Xiang Ning piteously explained.

“No one stopped you?”

“There were two big sisters at the stairway with their backs to me. I’m thin, so I slid through the gap between them and they didn’t notice me. Hey, I didn’t do it on purpose...what do I do now?”

There were actually quite a few families who had left their children here to draw the lucky draw tickets. Thus, Mr and Mrs Xiang really believed that Little Xiang Ning had come down the stairs unbeknownst to the employees who had also not considered that this might happen. That being so, there was no problem then.

“What do we do now?”

Mr and Mrs Xiang looked at each other.

“It’s not like we’re snatching or picking up someone else’s anyway. When Little Ning drew the ticket, there already weren’t many people inside. Since it was at the end anyway, if Little Ning really managed to draw it, she was only drawing out what would have been staying in the box.”

“Right, it’s all money belong to those black-hearted corporations anyway. Also, they’re the very ones who’re offering it up.”

Husband and wife consoled each other like this. They were both just ordinary people, not being so very principled morally that there was just no further story to be considered at all at this point.

Very soon, though, the two were just smiling wryly at each other again.

“Overly far-fetched expectations again…”

Their chances of drawing the grand prize had only increased by one out of a couple hundred, and yet they were speaking as though they would really be able to draw out that one ticket.

They both understood that this was because their expectations were really just too high.

The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment. This was usually how things went. Still, the two were just unable to rid themselves of that yearning. They both looked at that lucky draw ticket in Xiang Ning’s hand before trying to push the responsibility away with their gazes, wishing that the task could fall to each other rather than they themselves.

“How about you scratch it, Little Ning?” Mrs Xiang asked.

Little Xiang Ning had nearly burst out laughing when she had heard Mr and Mrs Xiang criticising the ‘black-hearted corporations’ while trying to justify and console themselves earlier. Poor Uncle! Getting scolded for doing something good, even having gotten kicked by her earlier.

Xiang Ning made use of this chance to let loose her smile even as she stuffed the lucky draw ticket in her mother’s hand, saying, “No, you do it, Mum. I’m scared of this stuff sticking onto my nails. It’s dirty…”

Mrs Xiang looked at Mr Xiang.

“Go on,” Mr Xiang said.

Mrs Xiang readied herself.

“Start from the back,” Daring not to look, Mr Xiang said.

“I’d rather get it over with in one shot,” Mrs Xiang clenched her teeth, replying.

“Well, that’s fine too.”

“Yeah.”

Little Xiang Ning watched on from the side, feigning a look of immense anticipation.

Mrs Xiang placed the lucky draw ticket on her left palm before carefully scratching and revealing the first character with her right hand…

“Xiang Guoliang…”

“Hm?”’

“Hold me.”

“What?”

“Look at this. Am I hallucinating?”

As Mr Xiang took the lucky draw ticket and glanced at it, husband and wife immediately ended up having to mutually support each other as they stood.

His hands trembling slightly, Mr Xiang carefully scratched and revealed the entire thing…

“Special-grade prize.”

It really, truly was. The two stared at each other disbelievingly for a long time.

“Is this really happening?”

“How, how is this…”

Mrs Xiang abruptly hugged and kissed Little Xiang Ning before she whispered, “My darling daughter, you’re just too awesome.”

“Did I draw it?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Wow, I really am awesome! No wonder that auntie said that I have natural-born Fuxi bones, highest grade under the heavens, representing great wealth and fortune…”

Mrs Xiang asked blankly, “What Fuxi bones?”

Little Xiang Ning pointed at her forehead, proclaiming triumphantly, “Highest grade under the heavens.”

“Really? ...Who told you that?”

“Just some random auntie.”

Husband and wife held hands. A daughter who was fated for wealth and fortune? They really could not but believe it. This was really too much of a coincidence this time. Also, the winning lucky draw ticket was tangibly in their possession.

“Also, Xu Tingsheng...does he also apply to this? We should ask someone about it next time.”

Mr Xiang abruptly thought of something as he covertly took the first-tier prize lucky draw ticket and double-checked its identity before tearing it to shreds and stomping it into the mud beneath his feet.

“Hey, what’re you doing? That gives a bear,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“It’s just one ticket per family, Little Ning. Remember, you can’t tell anyone that you drew one too!” Understanding Mr Xiang’s rationale, Mrs Xiang drew Little Xiang Ning over and carefully instructed her in a low tone.

Xiang Ning nodded.

Mr Xiang hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath and walking before that crowd of relatives, holding the hands of his wife and daughter on either side.

Smiling, he asked, “Hey, what were you two asking us about earlier?”

“We were asking whether you managed to draw it! What, could it be that you really did?” Eldest uncle’s wife asked innocently.

“Hahahahaha,” Mrs Xiang’s cousin laughed, “How’s that even possible? Didn’t you see how they looked like earlier?”

“That’s right, we did draw it,” Mr Xiang said mildly.

Then, he waved the ticket in front of their faces before turning and leading his wife and daughter away.

Leaving those relatives totally dumbfounded, staring after them with blank looks on their faces...

Chapter 365: Student-teacher relationship your sister

Mr and Mrs Xiang were confirming the winning lucky draw ticket with Zhicheng’s employees and the officiators.

Hiding at the back, Little Xiang Ning secretly sent Xu Tingsheng a text, “It’s all your fault that the bear’s gone. You owe me a bear now.”

“What bear?”

“The first-tier prize is a bear.”

Understanding what she meant, Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly before sending a reply, “Alright, but that’s got to wait for next time, when it’s convenient. If you also go back with the bear now, your Mum and Dad will suspect something.”

Some time passed before Xiang Ning sighed, replying, “Sigh, student-teacher relationships really are pitiful.”

This was already the second time that Little Xiang Ning had mentioned student-teacher relationships. Just how did she define those? Xu Tingsheng was already bearing the disreputable name of a beast who picked up young lolis. Was ‘student-teacher relationship’ going to be added to the list too?

“Ours shouldn’t be considered a student-teacher relationship, right?” He refuted rather weakly.

Then, Little Xiang Ning sent back a reply, “Forget it, Sir, Mr Xu.”

Xu Tingsheng was tearing out his hair in the office. Student-teacher relationship your sister?!

……

The personnel and officiators verified the lucky draw ticket as well as the inclination survey.

Mr and Mrs Xiang’s tense nerves had relaxed completely by now, to be replaced completely by overwhelming joy. It was still better for Mr Xiang. After all, he was a guy. Mrs Xiang’s eyes were already rather moist by now.

Their hardship, stifledness and yearning over this period of time had ultimately concluded with a happy ending. Also, things were even better than what they had hoped for.

Lin Yixian immediately went over, smiling, “Mr Xiang, Mrs Xiang, congratulations! Look, just how coincidental it really was! I’m really happy for you two.”

Mr and Mrs Xiang treated Lin Yixian extremely warmly as they felt deeply grateful to her.

Lin Yixian had never once looked down on them that day as she had been enthusiastic and attentive. Also, it was precisely because of her advice that Mr Xiang had changed 120 square metres to 180 square metres on the inclination survey, one on the top storey that had a loft too.

The special-grade prize was such that the winner could buy the flat that they had filled up in the inclination survey earlier at half the original price.

This was equivalent to saying that Lin Yixian’s earlier advice had caused this prize of the Xiang family’s to rise several hundred thousand yuan in terms of value.

“Well, how about we go together to handle the procedures now?” Lin Yixian asked.

“Okay,” Mrs Xiang naturally agreed to this.

As they walked, Mr and Mrs Xiang thanked Lin Yixian repeatedly. The two discussed secretly and decided that when they came to sign the official purchase contract next time, they should give Lin Yixian a red packet as thanks.

“Right, have you brought your identity cards with you?” Lin Yixian asked, not having to wonder conflictedly about whether or not she should take the red packet for now.

“Yeah, we have,” Mr and Mrs Xiang replied.

“Whose information will be recorded on the form?” Lin Yixian asked before she explained, “This actually isn’t anything much. It’s just a simple document and will not affect the actual sale of the flat later on where all the documents will be filled in and both your names will be on the housing deed.”

Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged looks.

“Well, how about we fill in Mrs Xiang’s information? I think Mrs Xiang was the one who drew the prize…” Lin Yixian smiled.

“Right, we’ll fill in her information then,” Mr Xiang said.

Unlike some future couples who would machinate madly over flats, Mr and Mrs Xiang naturally did not possess such reservations, even though in truth, if Mrs Xiang were to dump Mr Xiang after the document had gone into the records, that half price perk would belong only to her.

“When you decide to kick me away and live in a big house next time, remember to bring Little Ning along…” Mr Xiang joked and was met by a fake slap by Mrs Xiang, laughter thus arising.

The form in question was, to be precise, more like a ‘power of attorney’.

It specified that Mrs Xiang, Shi Youmei, had the right to buy a 180 square metres penthouse flat of Ning Garden’s at half price. The Xiang family could choose to give up on it, while Zhicheng could not make any excuse to refuse them this privilege. No extra conditions were attached.

The procedures were handled very quickly and smoothly. After the signing and stamping had all been done, Mrs Xiang put the power of attorney carefully in her bag. Next, she adjusted her bag such that instead of hanging from one shoulder, it was slung sideways with her gripping the top with one hand. At a time like this, she could not be much concerned about how she might look.

Lin Yixian escorted them out of the room.

“Hey, Miss Lin, I would like to ask. When the time comes, which penthouse flat of which building will be available for us? Will we be able to pick? Or will you choose and specify one for us?” Mrs Xiang lowered her voice and asked.

This was actually a very important question. Even if both flats were of the same size and on the same floor, being in different buildings, how comfortable and valuable they were could actually be very much different indeed.

Lin Yixian was still unclear on this as she told Mrs Xiang to wait a moment before walking a distance away and giving Xu Tingsheng a call.

After having received confirmation, Lin Yixian returned to the Xiang family of three, smiling, “I’ve asked, Mrs Xiang. You will be able to pick whichever one you want. Still, I personally advise you to come and pick as soon as the sales of the flats officially begins. Otherwise, it would be a real pity if others had already picked the best flats. Even we wouldn’t be able to do anything then…”

Mr and Mrs Xiang both agreed very much with what Lin Yixian had just said.

“Right, I forgot to mention this earlier. We will also be gifting you a free garage. This is for free, not at half price,” Lin Yixian said.

“There’s a free garage too?...”

Even Mr and Mrs Xiang themselves had not considered this, never even having enquired about it earlier. Instead, it was actually the black-hearted corporation that was bringing it up themselves...with that, the total expense would really amount to quite a bit.

It looked like this Zhicheng was not that black-hearted after all…

“Yes, our Boss himself expressly said it on the phone earlier. He said that this flat comes with a garage,” Lin Yixian said.

Mr and Mrs Xiang’s impression of this boss rose again by quite a bit.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had only just thought of the matter of the garage. Since he had thought of it, he would definitely be giving them one.

Lin Yixian gave Mr and Mrs Xiang her handphone number and saved theirs before saying, “Relax, I’ll make sure to notify you one or two days in advance when the time comes.”

Mr and Mrs Xiang’s impression of Lin Yixian really could not be any better at this point.

“I would also like to request something of Mr and Mrs Xiang,” Lin Yixian said, “See, when you come to make the payment and sign the contract, can you just look for me and not any other sales employees? It’s like this. While this flat is discounted, I just asked my manager and he said that if I manage to sell it, it will still be counted towards my sales.”

Actually, she was just abiding by Xu Tingsheng’s arrangements and preventing others from interfering in the relevant procedures as much as possible.

Such a tiny request was, of course, no problem at all for Mr and Mrs Xiang who were currently filled with gratitude towards her. They repeatedly promised that they would do so without any hesitation whatsoever. Next, they thanked her one final time before finally taking their leave.

Lin Yixian stood in the great hall just like that, gazing at the departing figures of the trio. She frowned as she thought and thought, yet was just totally unable to get her head around it all...

Chapter 366: A daughter who is destined for great wealth and fortune?

The Xiang family of three exited the sales building.

After confirming that the Xiang family had really drawn that special-grade prize, Li Meng and her mother had already left unhappily. Eldest uncle’s family suffered the prickliness of eldest uncle’s wife who wore a gloomy expression on her face as they too found an excuse and took off after greeting and congratulating them.

These women really had no way of not feeling despondent. What was it with the Xiang family recently? Everything was just going their way, fortunate things befalling them one after another.

First had been that sudden immense improvement of their daughter whose results had always been ordinary. Her senior high entrance examination results had been shocking to death. With that one mark margin, she had well and thoroughly swept the pride which eldest uncle and his wife had been constantly flaunting all these years into the dirt.

Next was their luck which rivalled the heavens as they had netted a 180 square metres penthouse flat of Yanzhou’s most popular, most expensive real estate project at half price…

But who could they pour out their grievances to about that?

The families of Mrs Xiang’s eldest and second sister remained. They did not possess any ill intentions in the first place. If there was anything, it would just be a bit of selfishness at most which was really only understandable. With such a great thing having happened, it would naturally not be hard at all for them to offer their sincerest congratulations and goodwill.

After the round of congratulations was over, the daughter of Xiang Ning’s eldest aunt, her cousin Liu Yingru, said as she latched onto Mrs Xiang’s arm, “Auntie, you should prepare a guest room especially for me when the time comes so that I can help with Little Ning with her studies, right?”

“It’s 180 square metres, how would there be not enough room for you?” Second auntie joked, “Still, Little Ning probably won’t need you to help her. Don’t they still have that Xu…”

“It really isn’t that Xu guy. It’s Li, Li Linlin, a female teacher,” Mrs Xiang guiltily emphasised.

After this brief episode.

Little Xiang Ning’s mood was no longer as good as before. She was feeling aggrieved on Xu Tingsheng’s behalf...Uncle had really been bullied too greatly. He had done so much and yet was being treated like this.

“He’s so remarkable. If not for him liking me, he wouldn’t have to suffer such an injustice in the first place, right? Sigh...I should treat Uncle a bit better…” When a girl feels that she definitely has to treat some guy better, things have reached a very ‘dangerous’ stage then.

Finally, Mr Xiang announced that their three families should eat a celebratory meal together, with them the hosts.

Because of how happy they were, they drank quite a bit of wine and chatted quite a lot too.

At one point in time, Mrs Xiang who was already rather tipsy suddenly asked as she supported her forehead with her hand, “Big Sis, Second Sis, have you ever heard of something called Fuxi bones?”

“Fortune-telling of the face?” Her second sister asked.

“Yeah,” Mrs Xiang nodded.

“I think I heard someone mention this before,” Their eldest sister said, “I heard that it signifies a life of wealth and fortune…”

The three sisters of the Xiang family all possessed a certain level of faith in their religion. One might also say that they were all somewhat superstitious, with the eldest sister being the most knowledgeable in this field.

Hearing her eldest sister’s words, Mrs Xiang pulled over Little Xiang Ning who was in the midst of chatting with her cousin Liu Yingru, parting the messy strands of hair around her forehead as she pointed and asked, “Well, Big Sis, look. Does Little Ning have these Fuxi bones?”

Seeing Mrs Xiang pull their daughter over, Mr Xiang was worried that she might accidentally reveal the matter of the lucky draw ticket as he tugged at her from behind, indicating for her not to say anything wrong in her inebriated state.

Mrs Xiang shot him a look, conveying that she had not forgotten what was not to be said.

Still, this matter had truly been weighing continually on her mind as if she did not ask it, she would just feel stifled and panicked.

Just as others believed, things had really been going so smoothly for the Xiang family recently as good luck had befallen them time and again. The superstitious Mrs Xiang was unable to find any good reason for that. Now that she had happened to hear Xiang Ning saying that she had natural-born Fuxi bones, such naturally became the explanation and justification in her mind.

Her eldest sister looked and said, “I can’t tell. I’ve never seen any before too. What, did someone say that Little Ning has that?”

“Yeah, someone just happened to mention it to her.”

“Who?” Eldest aunt pressed, probably wanting to find out which ‘half-deity’ had said this.

Little Xiang Ning hurriedly said, “Just some random auntie I happened to run into outside. Looking at me, that was what she said. She may’ve been joking. I was joking with Mum too.”

Finishing her explanation rather panickedly, Xiang Ning thought: It’s not like I can tell you that she’s my future mother-in-law, right? Yeah, that’s right, mother-in-law. It’s they themselves who said that they wanted to get me home as a daughter-in-law, and Xu Tingsheng likes me anyway. Well...she’s definitely my mother-in-law then...”

Mrs Xiang had no way of knowing that her cherished daughter had now already acknowledged a mother-in-law.

The three sisters sat together and discussed for a while, finally deciding that they would take Xiang Ning to look for a ‘renowned half-deity’ after their meal.

And so it was that Little Xiang Ning was helplessly forced into being stared at by some strange old man for a long time as her forehead was even touched.

The half-deity confirmed Mrs Xu’s analysis that Little Xiang Ning had Fuxi bones. His words were not much different from Mrs Xu’s. Highest grade under the heavens, great wealth and fortune, great fame and longevity, and even more abstruse stuff were all proclaimed by him.

When Mr and Mrs Xiang returned home, their minds were in a slightly chaotic mess despite their persisting joy.

The half-deity had previously raised an example for the Xiang family, that of Guo Jingjing. At this point in time, Guo Jingjing had just obtained two diving gold medals in the Athens Olympics for 3m women’s singles and doubles. Along with her appearance that was pretty good, her fame had been quite high recently as she could even be seen in many advertisements on television.

Mr and Mrs Xiang certainly knew of Guo Jingjing. While they really could not know now that she would end up marrying a wealthy man whose familial wealth surpassed the ten billion mark in the future, as they saw it now, a famous Olympic champion could already be considered as being blessed by great wealth and fortune.

“The thing is that our Little Ning can’t be an Olympic champion anymore! It’s already too late for her to start training. As for studying? I think that it already can’t be any better than this. There’s probably no way for her to become a top scholar even if she studies,” Mrs Xiang smiled wryly.

“How does this fit in with the two of us?” Mr Xiang asked, “The two of us can make Little Ning not want for food or clothes, but just how is this great wealth and fortune?”

“Still, Little Ning is prettier than that Olympic champion,” He added.

Then, husband and wife both fell silent for atime. Actually, both of them understood that there was only one thing they were getting at. There was merely one way through which Little Xiang Ning could truly be blessed with great wealth and fortune, and that was: marriage.

Mr Xiang actually did not believe all that much in such matters of fate. Actually, it was the same for Xu Tingsheng too. After having heard Xiang Ning jokingly speak of this in his previous life, he had casually looked this up on the net. The so-called Fuxi bones had been mostly talked about after the people in question had achieved wealth and success. If one were really to go by the face, there were actually quite a few people with Fuxi bones in the past as well who had lived ordinary, even unlucky lives.

Still, Mrs Xiang believed these things. She believed thoroughly and wholeheartedly in them.

“Actually, if it really is like that, I can instead feel relieved then,” Mrs Xiang suddenly said.

“What do you mean?” Mr Xiang asked.

“What do you think?” Mrs Xiang shot back.

Mr Xiang considered this for a moment before smiling as he pointed at Mrs Xiang.

If Little Xiang Ning would truly be able to marry into great wealth and fortune in the future, that person, actually...was already before their very eyes. As they saw it, Xu Tingsheng had already more or less met the benchmark for this. Moreover, he had only just started out in life, still being so young too.

Most important was that he was good to Xiang Ning. Mr and Mrs Xiang were actually aware of all this.

“What I mean is that if this really is fate, it all makes sense then. I can understand why things are like this,” Mrs Xiang said, “Also, I no longer have to worry about Little Ning being looked upon as inferior and thus getting bullied and suffering grievances in the future.”

There were at least two layers of meaning here.

Firstly, Mrs Xiang had found a reasonable explanation for Xu Tingsheng liking the young Xiang Ning.

Secondly, as parents, they naturally hoped that their daughter married into a better family, yet would also fear that said family was too much superior to them, in which case their daughter might be viewed as an inferior. They would be powerless to help her if she was bullied then.

Still, if one were to say that their daughter was fated for a life of wealth and fortune in the first place, there was no need to worry about all this then.

Through a coincidental, unplanned twist of fate, the hardest to deal with mother-in-law seemed to have been moved somewhat...

Chapter 367: Auntie watched a segment of <The Smiling, Proud Wanderer>

Eldest uncle’s family had come over for dinner.

Not long afterwards, their cousin came as well. Still, she had not brought Li Meng along this time.

Seeing her, Xiang Ning’s Grandma did not say anything as she just went to the living room to watch television.

Mrs Xiang had already called her over the phone to tell her about them having won a half-price flat in a lucky draw. The old granny was in a very good mood now as she was filled with joy. As for certain people who would only spoil her mood, it was best to just pretend not to see them.

Regardless of her jealousy at how lucky the Xiang family had been, eldest uncle’s wife was more concerned with the matter of buying a flat for herself.

Firstly, it was really necessary.

Secondly, she just could not afford to be embarrassed like this. After having subtly harassed the Xiang family regarding their buying of a flat for a long time, if it ultimately turned out that when her son was in twelfth grade, it was she who had to rent a flat instead…how embarrassing would that be?

Moreover, if she really managed to buy a flat, she could then switch modes and ‘arrogantly’ declare, “Even without needing a half-price discount, my family is still able to afford this flat.”

Seeing that her comrade had arrived, eldest uncle’s wife immediately welcomed her warmly. They were both joined in the common cause of hating the Xiang family now. Moreover, eldest uncle’s family was still relying on his cousin to find a way to obtain a flat.

“How is it? Any news on our flat, cuz?” She asked rather hastily.

‘Comrade cousin’ sighed, answering, “It’s fallen through.”

“What? How, how did it fall through all of a sudden? Didn’t you say that…”

“There’s nothing we can do. I’ve never seen any developer like this before! This afternoon, they threw out the housing speculators band from Jianan. These were major customers who were intending to buy five of their blocks! Elsewhere, they would be worshipped as lords...but in the end, this real estate company...his mother, there definitely is something wrong with their brains.”

Zhicheng Real Estate had indeed been visited by a housing speculator band from Jianan which was said to possess abundant power at their sales building for Ning Garden that afternoon. They had immediately declared that they wanted five blocks, with no discount required too.

One must know that there were only around ten blocks of flats that Ning Garden would be building for its first phase. This amounted to around half of that, selling them all in one fell swoop as it would effectively save both time and manpower.

Yet, when the news had been reported to Xu Tingsheng, he had not hesitated even in the least before expressing his firm refusal.

Next, the entitled ‘lords’ and ‘ladies’ who had been ‘discriminated’ against had begun stirring up a ruckus inside the front hall, making threats and cursing. Xu Tingsheng had simply called for a team of security personnel to be deployed, unceremoniously throwing them out of their building.

This scene had been witnessed by the thousand plus Yanzhou locals who had come to view the flats. When the housing speculator band had been sootily kicked out of the sales building, those of the general public who were inside at the time had all rejoiced as thunderous applause hence resounded…

Those who wanted to buy flats either now or in the future mostly hated these housing speculator bands from other cities to death.

Yet, the real estate corporations were always happy to collude with them, controlling the supply of their flats while also raising their property values.

Therefore, this move of Zhicheng’s deeply won the hearts of the people as their resentment at how truly expensive the flats were was also diminished greatly.

Xu Tingsheng did not truly have such a strong sense of responsibility and civic-mindedness, actually. He had only done so out of consideration for Little Xiang Ning. After those housing speculator bands had bought their flats, they would just leave it there to sit or wait for their prices to go up. Such could easily create a district which was empty and ghost-town like.

This was the case for many small districts in China which had been visited by housing speculator bands. The few lights that did shine in the night were like the fires of ghosts.

Yet, due to her studies, Little Xiang Ning would definitely move in as soon as possible. Xu Tingsheng was definitely unwilling to see her living in a desolate district where no one was anywhere to be seen, in which even walking through at night was a frightening prospect. He hoped that the first phase flats of Ning Garden would be bustling with people and filled with life.

And so, get lost, you dumb housing speculators...

Boss Xu was trying to pick up a girl, make the little girl happy. In the process, from the name of the district to the wording in the advertisement to the vehement insistence of placing that tower there and calling it Little Pert Waist and now to him gifting a flat this morning and throwing out a band of people this afternoon...he would simply be this wilful in doing so.

Eldest uncle’s wife’s heart fell greatly as with that lingering bit of hope, not wanting to accept it, she continued, “Well, what does the housing speculator band being thrown out have to do with us?”

‘Comrade cousin’ did not continue putting up a front as she confessed candidly, “My connection and those two flats that we were hoping for were all bought from that housing speculator band from Jiannan. I know one of their higher-ups and have been helping him with coming up with schemes and whatnot. They promised me one or two flats from the blocks that they would be paying fully for at the original price,..but now, sigh.”

That final ember of hope in the heart of eldest uncle’s wife was extinguished too.

“I previously heard the analysis of somebody from that housing speculator band. They said that this Ning Garden is believed by them to be the piece of real estate with the greatest potential to rise in value within Yanzhou. The location is extremely good, and the flats are built very well too. Also, our Yanzhou isn’t lacking in rich people. So, don’t get hung up about how expensive it may look now. That is actually just small money. This piece of real estate alone is set to rise multifold in value in just a mere couple of years,” ‘Comrade cousin’ explained.

Eldest uncle’s wife whose mood could already not be any worse at this point in time exclaimed exasperatedly, “What’s the use in saying all this now? If we can’t manage to buy it, it doesn’t matter at all however good it is and however much it can rise in value.”

While this was what she was outwardly saying, actually, eldest uncle’s wife’s heart too had been stoked crazily on hearing these words. If she could really manage to buy one...let alone the fact that she would be able to boast and how this would also be convenient for when her son was in twelfth grade, when he had graduated and sold the flat off, with it having risen multifold in value by then...that would amount to over a million yuan!

Despite her rather unpleasant tone of voice, ‘Comrade cousin’ was not infuriated as she smiled and said, “Isn’t this why I’m looking to discuss this with you now? Actually, there’s still a way…”

“There’s still a way? What’s that?”

Eldest uncle’s wife blazed with enthusiasm once more as even eldest uncle got up and walked over, their fiery gazes both fixated completely on his cousin.

“We look for the Xiang family,” ‘Comrade cousin’ said.

“Look for the Xiang family? Hey, is that a joke? They themselves were already so troubled by it before, it’s not like we didn’t see that. It’s not like just by winning that one lucky draw, they now have a connection within that real estate company, right?” Eldest uncle’s wife shook her head, with eldest uncle too having a greatly disbelieving expression on his face.

“No. Actually, they had this connection in the first place. I hadn’t realised it myself either, at first. But while eating just now, watching the television as I ate, I saw that Linghu Chong walking the world of the martial fraternity along with his famous master and his wife. Yet, when someone came over with greetings and gifts, it was only he as a disciple they looked for...it was only afterwards that I realised why this was the case. Some other bigwig nearby had instructed that they take care of him…”

‘Comrade cousin’s’ narration of <The Smiling, Proud Wanderer> left eldest uncle’s family completely bemused.

“I don’t get it,” Eldest uncle’s wife proclaimed.

‘Comrade cousin’ smiled, asking, “Do you guys remember that young lady from this afternoon, the sales personnel from that real estate company? The entire morning, there was only her who was walking around the entire venue, following us around. Still, she had her eyes only on the Xiang family the whole time, treating them as ultra VIPs. How do you think that might have happened?”

“From their appearances and their speech, there doesn’t seem to be any logical reason at all why she was treating them like they were so important, right? Don’t you think so?”

Eldest uncle and his wife pondered for a time before looks of realisation appeared on their faces and they said, “Now that I think about it, you’re right.”

“And in the end, it was their family who drew that special-grade prize...don’t you find it strange?” ‘Comrade cousin’ added.

“...”

A momentary silence descended amongst the trio.

Eldest uncle’s wife ventured, “The Xiang family must have been keeping it from us? In that case, they definitely wouldn’t be willing to help us. Would looking for them still serve any purpose then?”

“And that’s why I’ve come to look for you! It definitely wouldn’t be of use if I went by myself. I’ve offended them before,” ‘Comrade cousin’ smiled, “Actually, the two of us probably wouldn’t be able to do much. As the big uncle, you should go. They would naturally have to respect you more…”

Having been called out, eldest uncle was rather hesitant as he said awkwardly, “With how we were acting before...if we look for them now, I don’t think even I would be able to say much...”

‘Comrade cousin’ decisively advised, “Just think about the money. Over a million. Over, a, million…”

Eldest uncle’s expression relaxed just like that.

“Just think about the money. What’s so hard about that? Even I whose son-in-law was robbed have to resolve myself to do this. What do you two even still have to consider? Money...money, money…”

Hearing his cousin’s words, eldest uncle nodded.

‘Comrade cousin’ cast an appreciative gaze at eldest uncle with the underlying intent of ‘this talent can be moulded yet’ as she continued, “Still, you’ve got to remember that when we’re there, we can’t mention the proof that I mentioned just now, much less the relationship between their little demoness and that Xu guy. If we do...the Xiang family will probably flip the table over.”

“That Xu guy?” Eldest uncle’s wife pressed.

“Who else could it be if not him? How else could the Xiang family have such great capabilities? If not for him, would the Xiang family have to sneak around and hide things to this extent? This is them wanting the perks but then still their reputation too, get it?...”

“To be honest, these prospects should actually have belonged to my family! That Xu guy and my daughter Li Meng hit it off right away at first. But in the end, this was forcefully hindered by them. Aren’t I still lowering my head now, though? Circumstances dictate it so...money, money, money. It’s all about the money.”

‘Comrade cousin’s’ words really distorted the facts. Actually, it was very easy to spot the flaw in her logic. About almost anyone would be able to retort immediately that if this was really what Mrs Xiang had been thinking, couldn’t she simply have not arranged that meeting in the first place?

“We won’t mention it then,” Eldest uncle’s wife ignored these off-topic things as she hastily asked, “But how are we supposed to ask if we can’t mention this?”

“Just plain plead with them, requesting their help. We needn’t say anything more than that.”

“That works?”

“Maybe not today. We’ll be going to offer our congratulations today. Still, what about tomorrow, or the day after? Can’t we go then? And…” ‘Comrade cousin’ secretly pointed in the direction of the living room, saying in a hushed tone, “If all fails, the two of you can just pour out your troubles to the old woman and get her involved…”

Chapter 368: A ravenous den of relatives

The Xiang family was under attack from all sides.

The first time this happened was at night. Eldest uncle’s family and that 'wondrous’ cousin of theirs claimed that they had specially come over to extend their congratulations. Yet, they seemed to have forgotten what they had set out to do before even having begun as time and time again, they either hinted at or openly requested for the Xiang family to help them to inquire about their acquisition of flats, which they hoped they would be able to receive a discount for.

Mr and Mrs Xiang were left totally befuddled by this. Unable to openly express their frustration, they could only explain time and time again that they really did not possess any such connections and methods and therefore could not be of help. The only person they were acquainted with regarding Zhicheng was that young lady from the sales building, Lin Yixian.

How would that trio of adults believe it? Despite not going into further detail regarding the matter, they simply refused to give up throughout.

This was how it had always been since ancient times. Amongst relatives, those who believed they were not receiving what they should logically be entitled to easily expressed their dissatisfaction.

The next day, many people came. Beside the trio from the previous night who visited again, even the families of Xiang Ning’s eldest aunt and second aunt were persuaded to come. They even brought all their kids with them. Even Xiang Ning’s Grandma came, though the old woman did not get involved in anything at all as she simply watched television and chatted with her.

Even so, the pressure on Mr and Mrs Xiang was still great.

Little Xiang Ning felt even more ticked off by this. As someone who was true to her emotions, unable to stand it any longer, she eventually found a chance and went back to her room to call Xu Tingsheng.

“My family’s attacked by relatives on all sides…” Xiang Ning complained vexedly.

“...Why is that so?” Xu Tingsheng asked curiously.

“What else if not for you!” Xiang Ning retorted.

“Huh? They know that it was me? Have your parents found out?” Xu Tingsheng felt frantic.

“Well, no. But even though they haven’t mentioned you, they all still believe that my family has some connections. Why would that be if not for you? Others might not know, but I do.”

Xiang Ning smiled, next relaying everything that her relatives had said, both overtly and covertly, to Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng felt a headache coming on. This was Ning Garden, not the ‘Shi Family Village’...

Moreover, Little Xiang Ning had complained about the words and ways of some of these relatives to him before…

And to ask for a discount-wasn’t this a blatant rip-off? It was daylight robbery! Any ten percent or fifty percent discount or whatever would already mean tens of thousands of yuan…

Also, there was only a limited number of flats in Ning Garden’s first phase. While those of the Black Horse Club had resisted the pressure and refused quite a number of people who had connections with them, as a member of society, giving others face and promising them perks was sometimes really an inevitable, unavoidable thing. Therefore, quite a few of Ning Garden’s flats had already been internally reserved by now…

There was no way that they could let the sales of their flats end up being totally replaced by internal reservations, right?

If such were really to happen, Zhicheng would be drowned by a sea of saliva in Yanzhou.

But what was to be done then?

Xu Tingsheng was caught in an inner struggle for a while before he finally mused, “There’s definitely no way to satisfy all those relatives, because there would be no end to them wanting more then. Human beings are insatiable creatures. How about we try to think of something for a few relatives of yours that you feel are better while keeping it from your Mum and Dad?”

Because of this phone call of Little Xiang Ning’s, Xu Tingsheng had already completely discarded all his principles.

But who knew that Little Xiang Ning would immediately object vehemently, “No way! That’s not okay at all.”

“...Why not?” Xu Tingsheng thought there was some factor he had not taken into consideration.

“This is all our money! I don’t want to waste it like that,” This was what Little Xiang Ning said in the end.

“Our...money?”

“That’s right! You said that you're selling the flats to earn other people's money and upkeep me. Have you forgotten?”

“...No, I haven't.”

“Isn't that right then?!”

“...”

“Also, we, we'll have kids to raise in the future,” Little Xiang Ning said somewhat awkwardly.

“Student Xiang…” Xu Tingsheng feigned a stern tone as he held back the urge to smile.

“Yes?”

“You're only sixteen! Have you no inhibitions?” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“You…” A bashful Little Xiang Ning exclaimed furiously, thoughts flashing through her mind at lightning speed as she then immediately put a smile on her face and asked slyly, “Oh, so you were aware of that?”

“Huh? I’m aware of...what?”

“You...why don't you go ask that great big liar, Xu Tingsheng! The year before last, I should only have been fourteen! I think you can go ask Xu Tingsheng's parents, too. When I was just fifteen, they apparently already wanted to take me back home as their daughter-in-law…” Little Xiang Ning was chortling throughout as her tone was both triumphant and threatening.

“...”

“And that dirty ruffian Xu Tingsheng is also in a student-teacher relationship…”

“...”

“Anything else you want to say?”

“Mercy…”

“Heh…”

While Little Xiang Ning had successfully defeated Uncle, Mr and Mrs Xiang were unable to obtain victory over all those relatives. It took a whole lot of effort which included both lunch and dinner as well as an entire day's worth of work before they finally succeeded in temporarily sending them away.

The two sat down, feeling exhausted in both body and soul.

“What do you think is up with them this time? Why won't they just believe it no matter what we say? ...Also, they have been going and and on about it without giving any reason or basis at all…” Mrs Xiang complained with a helpless expression on her face.

“It’s probably because we won that prize. Because of that, they believe that we definitely have connections of some sort...then, there’s Li Meng’s mother and the wife of Little Ning’s eldest uncle. They’ve constantly been stoking things up from behind the scenes…” Mr Xiang said rather furiously.

“Actually…” Mr Xiang stopped before saying anything else.

“But didn’t you say that you asked about this before? The boss of that company is surnamed Fang. It’s really totally unrelated to Tingsheng…” Mrs Xiang’s words showed that she too had actually long since thought of what Mr Xiang was thinking as well yet dared not voice out loud.

“But that’s not what they think…” Mr Xiang said helplessly.

“What do you think we should do then?”

“Promise not to be angry if I say it out.”

“Just say it first.”

“I originally told Tingsheng that we’d invite him for a meal after Little Ning’s results came out…”

“Cough...go on.”

“...It just so happens that our family has been blessed with double happiness. We’ve definitely got to invite our relatives and friends for a meal. I think that we might as well call Tingsheng and that Miss Li over when the time comes.”

“If Tingsheng is present on that day, with how that cousin and eldest sister-in-law of yours are, they’ll definitely gather around him and ask about it on their own. Then, with the words having come out of Tingsheng’s own mouth, they’ll probably have no way of bothering us anymore whether they believe him or not.”

“Will that work? Aren’t you afraid of even more things being said?”

“It should. Since that’s what they all believe and we’ve got to do something about this, let’s just call him over in an upright, aboveboard manner then. That could shut some of them up instead.”

“Let me think about it,” Mrs Xiang whose attitude had already changed quite a bit over the past few days following the matter of the Fuxi bones hesitated for a while before saying, “That’s fine then. You can notify him when we’ve decided on the timing. I just don’t know if he’d still be willing to come...actually, I feel I was pretty harsh with him before...it’s been tough on the boy…”

“He’ll come for sure,” Mr Xiang smiled.

Little Xiang Ning joyfully snuck back into her room from the stairwell, covering her mouth as she dared not let out any noise. Still, she was smiling happily as she sent Xu Tingsheng a text: Mum and Dad want to invite you over to our house for a meal…”

Chapter 369: The release of shares

Little Xiang Ning sent that text over.

Xu Tingsheng had basically entered a frenzied state as he was excited and nervous as if he was to make an appearance at the Oscars.

He who usually didn’t pay much attention to his outer appearance was trying on article after article of clothing like a woman who was going to attend a dinner party, though he did not actually have all that much clothing in total.

His custom-made suit was definitely out of the question, for one. Firstly, it was too formal and would easily scare people off. Secondly, it was the middle of summer right now. He would easily be stifled to death by the atmospheric heat.

Also, the role that he would be playing at the Xiang family was very important. He was not going over to propose or meet with his prospective in-laws this time. He would be appearing in the capacity of a teacher. This was not that major a role.

However, he still had the underlying goal of preparing for that significant occasion for when it did finally arrive one day.

Therefore, it was very difficult.

It was a long, long time before Xu Tingsheng finally decided on what he would be wearing on that day.

Up top, he would wear the half-sleeved collared shirt which Little Xiang Ning had given him back then. It was more on the formal side and better corresponded with the image of a 'teacher’, anyway. Also, this article of clothing could also assist him in secretly winning Little Xiang Ning’s affections by expressing how he had not forgotten her present.

Down below, he would be wearing dark-coloured jeans and white shoes. Even as he would be looking more 'teacher-ish’ up top, this would enable him to appear more sprightly and youthful, proving that Uncle actually wasn't old. And that was the truth, in fact. At twenty-one, Uncle really wasn't old.

After meticulously folding up the articles of clothing he had chosen, placing them neatly in a standalone pile and brushing his shoes clean, Xu Tingsheng changed into a set of clothing that he had already been wearing for a few days and rushed out to buy presents before all the shops had closed for the night.

Buying a book for Xiang Ning would be very much like a teacher, and Mr and Mrs Xiang would definitely be able to accept it. Still, Little Xiang Ning would probably be dissatisfied.

If he were to purchase some expensive item such as wine, tonics or whatnot, that would totally be the poise of a future son-in-law coming to visit. Mr and Mrs Xiang would probably throw him out as soon as opportunity allowed for it.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a long time before finally buying a book and a bear. The bear was what Little Xiang Ning had requested that day. The book was <<Full marks compositions for University Entrance Examinations>>.

In terms of how deeply and thoroughly he had analysed this matter, Xu Tingsheng’s efforts this time surpassed even that from when he had decided to create Weibo previously.

The preparations finally seemed complete after much fuss and hassle.

Xu Tingsheng clutched his phone in his hand, rehearsing the possible conversations that he could think of and preparing everything that he would be saying. Yet, he still felt uneasy.

He was still in such a state even during Hucheng’s important meeting the next day.

Fortunately, the meeting itself was basically handled by Lu Zhixin. Xu Tingsheng’s presence was not much different from the portrait of the president hanging from the wall of the meeting room as he was more like a figurehead.

Hucheng was the organisation with the greatest scale amongst Xu Tingsheng’s current businesses. Still, it was also the one with the most unorthodox internal system in reality. Knowing nothing about it at all in the first place, Xu Tingsheng had basically been going haphazardly about this all along.

The current Hucheng was already at the point where it required a long-term scheme to motivate and encourage its employees as well as refine its organisational structure further.

After seeking the opinions of some specialists and analysts, Lu Zhixin and the others decided to use what was also the most common method.

“To adapt to the company’s developmental schemes, with building and consolidating our core team as the starting point, to allow Hucheng’s creators and core team to enjoy the fruits of our labour together, to boost the tolerance of the company’s shares structure, better motivating our core team to work for the enterprise while also making for greater cohesion and efficiency…”

Lu Zhixin went on and on before finally announcing the decision that the company had actually already been discussing internally and enthusiastically looking forward to for a long time.

“Hucheng’s share-motivated scheme has officially commenced.”

There was applause, whistling, cheers, pounding on the table, howling towards the skies...all decorum was lost at this moment as the entire meeting room erupted completely in madness.

This entailed that Hucheng was beginning its preparations for becoming a listed company.

This entailed that apart from the original shareholders, there were to be another forty of Hucheng’s higher and middle echelon employees as well as those ordinary employees who possessed more outstanding contributions who would be obtaining the initial shares, becoming the company’s new shareholders.

When the company had developed smoothly to the point of getting listed, these people were likely to become millionaires with the initial shares that they possessed. Also, their futures and fates would officially become tied tightly together with Hucheng’s.

Also, this was a long-term motivational scheme. It also entailed that more people would have a chance of obtaining the company’s initial shares in the future, becoming Hucheng’s shareholders as battle buddies of the same trench.

This would be an immense motivational force for Hucheng’s unity and development as well as a greater draw for talents from outside.

Of course, this also entailed that the shares possessed by the original shareholders would be reduced.

Xu Tingsheng was naturally standing at the forefront here, bearing the brunt of the impact.

Following the whimsical distribution, gifting and sale of shares in the initial stages, the exchange of shares with Tianyi afterwards after a certain level of development as well as this time with the necessity of their motivational scheme, Xu Tingsheng currently already possessed less than 35 percent of Hucheng’s shares.

From a numerical standpoint alone, if someone managed to acquire all the shares that were not his or a greater percentage of shares than him, Hucheng might no longer belong to him then.

This sort of possibility indeed existed. Still, Xu Tingsheng was not so concerned about this.

Firstly, this was virtually a necessary thing for modern enterprises. For the bigwigs and leading figures of those internet companies, their shares percentages were merely in the single digits. On the contrary, Hucheng had never executed any such schemes before. This was why Xu Tingsheng still could possess so many shares even today.

This share percentage was actually already very shocking for a single individual.

Secondly. Xu Tingsheng did not believe that this possibility did exist. He did not believe that anyone might be able to acquire sufficient shares from the others to be able to surpass him.

Acquiring shares from Hucheng’s employees would already not be easy. After all, everyone could basically see Hucheng’s speed of development and bright prospects. Whether it was out of economic considerations or because of their loyalty towards the company, an acquisition like this would be very difficult to actualise.

Moreover, even if this problem really occurred, Xu Tingsheng still possessed the firmest allies in Old Wai and Li Linlin, Fang Yuqing and Fang Chen as well as Lu Zhixin. If these people truly all sold him out one day, perhaps what remained for him from Hucheng would truly only be money and memories.

Another consideration was that Xu Tingsheng himself knew that the baskets in which he put his eggs were increasing. Hucheng had gradually already become less of a priority for him. The effort he spent on it would definitely be decreasing alongside his ‘perks of foreknowledge’.

Hucheng would be relying more on its own development from now on.

Under such circumstances, allowing those who could actually contribute to obtain more benefits was not only reasonable but also necessary. Otherwise, the company would just become a pool of stagnant water.

Considering Old Wai and Li Linlin who were participating less in the company, the Fang brother and sister who basically did not participate in it at all and Tianyi, if even Xu Tingsheng were to devote less and less time to Hucheng now...how would the others be motivated to work hard?

Therefore, the shares motivational scheme was already absolutely necessary. When Lu Zhixin and the others had proposed it, Xu Tingsheng as well as Fang Yuqing, Old Wai and the others had not objected to this in the least.

Chapter 370: The time has come to put their acting skills to the test

At Hucheng during the weekend, at around 9am in the morning, Xu Tingsheng learnt that Li Linlin had received a call from Mrs Xiang to have dinner at their house that night. Li Linlin had thus enquired if Xu Tingsheng had received an invitation too. If he had, they could go together…

Xu Tingsheng gazed piteously as his phone which looked as if it was dead. What could he say?

Closer to 11am at Zhicheng, Lin Yixian specifically came informing Xu Tingsheng that the Xiang family had invited her for dinner that night. She asked Xu Tingsheng if she should attend or not.

Whether it was so as not to be exposed or because he really felt deeply jealous, Xu Tingsheng replied ‘mercilessly’, “Think of an excuse and refuse them. I’ll treat you to something next time.”

If not for phone calls frequently coming in from others, Xu Tingsheng would really suspect that his phone might be malfunctioning.

Close to 5pm in the afternoon, when Xu Tingsheng thought that even the sun was going to set soon, he had still yet to receive any news.

He secretly sent a text, asking Little Xiang Ning about this. She said that many people had already arrived at her house. Even her form teacher from junior high, Liu Xueli, was already there. As for why Xu Tingsheng’s invitation had not been conveyed, she too did not know why this was the case. She dared not ask her parents about this as well. After all, she had secretly overheard the news at the time as they had also not mentioned it to her afterwards.

Xu Tingsheng recalled that between himself and Liu Xueli, there existed the fake relationship of ‘distant relative’ behind his having become Little Xiang Ning’s home tutor back then. Hopefully, it would not become a problem.

Those who lied were destined to be unable to portray a full, unblemished story on all sides, only being able to constantly lie more and more. Xu Tingsheng had been lying his way through it all...

Xu Tingsheng was getting impatient. Any later and he would be late for sure. Uninvited, he now ‘piteously’ changed his clothes and brought his presents along, driving over to the vicinity of the Xiang family home and parking in an obscure spot. Finally, he sat in his car, grasping his phone as he awaited that invitation call.

Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng was truly put in a rather pitiful, tragic state over this single dinner.

……

Back at the Xiang family home, Mr Xiang entered the kitchen and asked Mrs Xiang, “The others have already arrived, like that Miss Li and so forth. What, haven’t you called Tingsheng? What did he say? He can’t make it?”

“...How come I’m the one who’s supposed to call him?” Mrs Xiang asked, wiping off her sweat as she cooked the dishes.

“You were the one who said you’d call him! Yesterday, you said that you acted a bit overboard towards him before. If you called, it would appear more earnest and sincere…”

“I was only saying how I felt, how it should be. I never said that I’d call him, though. I’d feel a bit awkward if I had to call him. Oi, can’t you see that I’m busy now? You’d better call him yourself.”

Mr Xiang said rather despondently, “You want me to call him right now? He might not even be able to make it here on time. Also, won’t it appear a bit too insincere?”

Despite him saying this, Mr Xiang still made the call as soon as he exited the kitchen.

The call was answered right away.

“Tingsheng, this is Xiang Ning’s Dad…”

“Oh, hi Uncle.”

“Well, I have a piece of good news for you. Little Ning scored 727 points in her senior high entrance examinations and made it into a first-tier senior high. I heard that she may even be able to enter an experimental class.”

“Really? Wow, that’s great! Congratulations! Good, good. Right, it’s been a while, so I forgot. Xiang Ning has already taken her senior high entrance examinations, huh?” Xu Tingsheng’s acting was really a bit too exaggerated here.

Mr Xiang thought: Hah, I don’t believe you didn’t know about this.

Still, both of them had to keep up surface appearances at least.

“Thank you, thank you for your tutoring sessions with Little Ning from before. Otherwise, she would not have been able to achieve these results...hmm, you haven’t had dinner yet, right?”

“I haven’t.”

“Well then, are you free to have dinner at our house now? We’re basically celebrating Little Ning’s results today.”

“Okay.”

“Cough…” Mr Xiang cleared his throat, thinking: This kid, don’t you know how to at least put on a bit of a front? Making me have to pretend like everything is normal like this.

He said, “We’ll wait for you then, if you’re free. You may have to hurry up a bit. I thought that Little Ning’s Mum had made this call, while she thought that I had. It ended up coming rather late as a result, but we hope you don’t take it to heart...”

“No, no. I’ll be there soon. I’m coming over right now.”

Three minutes later, three minutes after the call had been hung up, Mr and Mrs Xiang, Little Xiang Ning, Liu Xueli and Li Linlin saw Xu Tingsheng standing outside the doorway, holding onto a book and a bear.

So emotional was ‘old, experienced swindler’ Xu Tingsheng that he completely failed to pay attention to the details. Really...flaws could be spotted everywhere in the story!

Not understanding the actual current state of affairs, Liu Xueli and Li Linlin only felt curious as thoughtful looks appeared on their faces.

Still, Mr and Mrs Xiang were well aware...he had arrived much too quickly, even having brought along presents too…

Driving to the Xiang family home in three minutes? Fine, even if you coincidentally happened to be nearby for real...how many minutes did it take to buy those presents?

…...

Mrs Xiang shot a glare at Little Xiang Ning who stood behind Mr Xiang, knowing that she had something to do with this for sure. This daughter of theirs…

Little Xiang Ning would not be scared off by this. She was very happy now, though she dared not do or say anything excessive as she was simply smiling throughout.

Mr Xiang coughed dryly, forcing a smile as he felt emotional...hey, Xu Tingsheng, Xu Tingsheng! Someone like you who could successfully establish such a big company, why is it that...whatever, this old fella has to act on with you, whatever the case.

Four of those present were in the know as to what was really going on. Yet, none of them could voice it out directly, whatever their varying thoughts on the matter.

A major play was set to unfold right before everyone’s eyes!

The time had come to put their acting skills to the test.

“Congratulations, Uncle, Auntie...and Student Xiang too, congratulations. Long time no see.”

Hearing Xu Tingsheng’s ‘long time no see’, Little Xiang Ning was trying so hard to suppress her laughter that her entire body was trembling…

Xu Tingsheng thought: Don’t! Please do put on a good show, Miss Xiang.

Mrs Xiang replied, “Yeah, it’s been a long time…”

Mr Xiang said, “Yeah...long time no see. A busy person like you-we usually wouldn’t even have the chance to have you here.”

“...Right, I have presents for Student Xiang. I just casually bought these from a street stand, but I hope that you will like it,” Xu Tingsheng feigned greetings to Little Xiang Ning before extending the book and bear over, continuing, “Congratulations for entering into a first-tier senior high! You scored so well too...teacher is very proud…”

Little Xiang Ning received the two items. Hugging the bear, she buried her face in it, chortling endlessly…

“Even ‘teacher is very proud’ is out. Even Miss Liu didn’t say that...you’re acting way over!!!”

“Uncle’s acting is really too terrible.”

Mr Xiang replied, “No, we should be the ones thanking you. And you even bought Little Ning presents...and you’re Little Ning’s teacher too…”

Little Xiang Ning was really suppressing her laughter so much she felt like tears were going to leak out from her eyes, “Dad’s acting is so terrible too…”

Mrs Xiang was truly unable to watch this farce go on for much longer as she said, “Hurry up and thank Mr Xu, Little Ning!”

Little Xiang Ning only managed to hold back her smile with great difficulty as with a face which was totally red from suppressing her mirth, she raised her head earnestly and said innocently, “Thank you, Mr Xu. Hey, Mr Xu...how did you know that I like bears?”

The words of this little girl were the most arrogant and unbridled amongst the four present who were in the know.

“Uh, is that so? I just happened to buy it by chance...really, what a coincidence.”

Xu Tingsheng’s legs very nearly went weak and gave way at this as he dared not even shoot her a threatening glare right there and then…

“Hmm, yep, what a coincidence,” She said.

Mrs Xiang felt that if this act were not wrapped up now, this play would really be unable to go on any longer. Feeling slight exasperation and an inexplicable sense of amusement, she helplessly wrapped up the awkwardness for them.

“Don’t just stand there by the door, Tingsheng! Come in and sit. Dinner will be served soon. I’m going back to the kitchen. Little Ning’s Dad, serve the guests. Set up the tables too while you’re at it...Little Ning, you, move the stools.”

Little Xiang Ning smiled, “I’ll put my presents in my room first then. Well, come on in, Mr Xu…”

Chapter 371: Return you a life of destined fortune

Little Xiang Ning was in a very good mood such that she had not even felt bashful at all. Only when she was back alone in her room did the overjoyed little girl lie sprawled on her bed and chastise herself again and again for a time as she lay there…

“Where is your modesty! You can’t be that happy, Student Xiang...you’re still young. A young lady like this, why does it feel like you’re going to marry someone…”

Mr and Mrs Xiang’s moods were rather more complex. They had rejected Xu Tingsheng so strongly before, yet this was in the midst of slowly dissipating away now. If was fine if they refrained from thinking about this, but as soon as they did, it inevitably felt quite troubling.

Actually, the two of them were really deceiving themselves right now, pretending not to see what was glaringly visible before their very eyes. They dared not consider at all what their complete reversal in attitude entailed for the relationship between Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning. Were they actually tacitly granting them permission by doing this…

Even when they accidentally thought of this from time to time, they would automatically shield themselves from this thought, discarding it from their minds.

They stubbornly told themselves that it was simply that they had no need to act like they had before…

Whatever the case, though, besides some unavoidable awkwardness, Mr and Mrs Xiang’s first impression of Xu Tingsheng as they saw him again after such a long, hostile time was actually pretty good. They had liked this kid extremely greatly in the first place, having once cultivated feelings that were close to that of family members...

Just like Mr Xiang had said, “The kid is actually pretty good. He also never did anything wrong before…”

It was because of their worry, anxiety and unease later on that not having been able to think of another solution, they had requested themselves to act like that, adopting such a tough stance.

Faced with such a situation, they themselves had actually been unable to feel comfortable and at ease too. Now that they were finally letting it go somewhat, they felt much more relaxed than before.

As for Xu Tingsheng, he was feeling both joyful and on tenterhooks.

While he was unable to ascertain why Mr and Mrs Xiang had invited him to their home, also not daring to hope for too much, this was actually a positive change in attitude at the end of the day.

Why was he on tenterhooks? This was his first time at Xiang Ning’s house after close to a year. Also, this was happening with Mr and Mrs Xiang aware of his intentions...how could he not feel uneasy?

Xu Tingsheng sat together with Liu Xueli and Li Linlin. Fortunately, Liu Xueli still remembered that she was supposed to be his distant aunt. The three generally chatted about Xiang Ning’s studies and how immensely her results had improved over this past one over year.

Xu Tingsheng heard a quite a few interesting stories about Little Xiang Ning’s time in school from Liu Xueli. He had heard some of these before, others being mortifying anecdotes that the little girl would definitely not mention herself.

For instance, Liu Xueli said, “Even now, in Xinyan Junior High, whenever someone accidentally hits a volleyball over the wall, they will still joke of what Xiang Ning did before, saying solemnly: Relax, the ball will fly back on its own.”

After a while, Little Xiang Ning walked over, her arm linked in that of her Grandma who had been smiling happily the entire day. Apparently, the old woman wished to acquaint herself with and thank the ones who had taught her granddaughter.

Xiang Ning introduced them to her Grandma one by one. The closeness of Liu Xueli and Li Linlin with the old woman was such that it could not be considered handshakes. Instead, she held their hands in a familiar manner and thanked them before chuckling happily as she said a few words to her precious granddaughter.

Liu Xueli held the old woman's hand, speaking of how she had come over from far away to visit Xiang Ning at her school every week during her first year there. At this, the eyes of Little Xiang Ning who had originally been smiling cheerily by the side involuntarily reddened.

Li Linlin ended up simply addressing the old woman as Grandma just like Little Xiang Ning did.

This seemed to perfectly adhere to propiety. What else could she call her otherwise? Old granny, old auntie?

Thus, when Xiang Ning introduced Xu Tingsheng and told her Grandma that this was her home tutor, Mr Xu, Xu Tingsheng simply stood up and called her Grandma as well. Then, he carefully conversed with the old woman with a glib tongue as he had her chortling in laughter, exclaiming ‘what a good kid’...

Looking at the shameless Uncle, Little Xiang Ning did not know whether to laugh or to cry. As she passed by Xu Tingsheng when helping her Grandma down into a sitting position, she secretly stomped on his foot.

Xu Tingsheng dared not even groan in pain.

The old woman was big on propriety, having grown up in a different era from theirs. After chatting for some time, she suddenly remembered that Little Xiang Ning should rightly bow deeply to her teachers in appreciation and thanks.

A bunch of relatives crowded over to watch the commotion as Little Xiang Ning obediently bowed to her teachers and thanked them one by one. Be it Liu Xueli or Li Linlin, both helped her up at once before giving her a hug along with some words of praise.

Arriving before Xu Tingsheng, the little girl felt greatly amused as she stole a glance at him. Next, she exaggeratedly bowed deeply towards him, enunciating clearly, “Thank you, Mr Xu, for being so good to me…”

She had clearly not said 'for being so good to me’ to those two from earlier…

Xu Tingsheng was getting nervous. He wanted to help her up and hug her too, but that was really out of the question.

“What do I do?”

Amidst his panic, Xu Tingsheng's mind totally blanked out. He bent his waist and bowed deeply back towards Little Xiang Ning. This action of his left those onlookers positively gaping in amazement.

“Please, get up, Student Xiang,” His tone was already extremely awkward as well as pleading now.

The Xiang family’s relatives were already bursting their sides with laughter by now. Li Linlin and Liu Xueli could not bear to watch on anymore as they just smiled wryly at each other.

Little Xiang Ning felt triumphant, also thinking that today's dazed, foolish Uncle was very adorable indeed.

After a while, more of the Xiang family’s relatives arrived. Also arriving were a few of Little Xiang Ning’s classmates whom she was closer to, Su Nannan included. They accompanied her and helped her to distribute the stools as well as the bowls, chopsticks and wineglasses all while laughing and frolicking about happily.

With more of the Xiang family’s relatives present now, Xu Tingsheng, Liu Xueli and Li Linlin who were unfamiliar with all of them ended up speaking much less than before.

In the meantime, apart from returning a simple greeting when Su Nannan specially came running over to say hi to him, he spent most of the time listening to other people as they talked.

Actually, in the eyes of those relatives, Little Xiang Ning’s results were not the main issue here. If it were only that she had made it into a first-tier senior high, even if she had scored very well, this meal that the Xiang family was hosting would really be much too grand for the occasion.

Little Xiang Ning could only be considered an accompaniment here. The main thing that everyone was really concerned about was still the flat they had obtained at half-price.

Having had to bear all those people coming over to their house to congratulate them before then eating there over the past few days...the Xiang family thought that they might as well host them all in one go.

Xu Tingsheng listened to them discussing the good luck of the Xiang family in envious tones.

He was listening as Xiang Ning’s eldest aunt, second aunt and Grandma put mysterious looks on their faces and exaggeratedly told their other relatives, “Half Deity Niu took a look and said that our Xiang Ning possesses Fuxi bones on her forehead, features which are the highest grade under the heavens. She is destined to be blessed with great wealth and fortune…”

He was listening as Xiang Ning’s Grandma crowed triumphantly, “All this is the fortune of my precious Little Ning!”

Xu Tingsheng turned and looked at Little Xiang Ning who was currently running to and fro in the distance with a light gait and a smile on her face even amidst her menial exertions, “In our previous life, even with these treasured Fuxi bones, you encountered such a me and were unwilling to let go...in the end, be it when we were dating or when you were waiting, I dealt you so many injustices, caused you to suffer so much hardship…”

“In this life, I will return you a life of destined fortune.”

Beside Xu Tingsheng, Li Linlin who had constantly been paying attention to him apprehended this gaze.

Chapter 372: Sorry, you are?

Beside Xu Tingsheng, Li Linlin who had constantly been paying attention to him apprehended this gaze.

Actually, she should be the one who most suspected this in the first place. In truth, she had indeed been feeling curious all along as to Xu Tingsheng’s concern for and treatment of this ‘student’ of his which had already long surpassed ordinary bounds as well as common sense.

Earlier, she had also heard about Ning Garden, special-grade prize, half-price flat…

Li Linlin knew of Xu Tingsheng’s relationship with Zhicheng Real Estate…

Now, coupled with this gaze which was clearly out of the realm of the ordinary, she vaguely sensed that an answer had finally come to what she ha.d always been guessing yet had thought to be impossible.

She feigned nonchalance as best she could, looking downwards and covering her mouth with a hand.

There were just too many things that she could not understand here, too many mysteries and too many inconceivable things...after all, she was acquainted with Lu Zhixin and knew Apple.

“Just like that, they’ve...lost to this young girl?”

Having interacted with Little Xiang Ning for a very long time, Li Linlin really liked her a lot as they shared a very close relationship. Still, if one were to say that she who was just sixteen right now was comparable to the beautiful and competent Lu Zhixin whom one could not help but admire, or Apple who was currently at the peak of her popularity and looked set to become a legend in showbiz...

Li Linlin had no way of rationalising this through.

She secretly tilted her head and stole a glance at Xu Tingsheng. However much she was unable to comprehend this, however shocking the matter was, since Xu Tingsheng wanted to keep it a secret, she would not tell anyone about it, Old Wai included, although he too had been curious about it before.

He was someone who had saved her life before, next having wholly changed it for the better.

……

Xiang Ning’s cousin Liu Yingru, the daughter of her eldest aunt, had already deliberately walked past Xu Tingsheng a couple of times.

Now, secretly tugging at Little Xiang Ning, she whispered into her ear, “That Xu Tingsheng clearly looks quite nice…”

“He does?” Little Xiang Ning asked with a solemn expression on her face, “I feel that he doesn’t look very nice at all! Also, he’s really very fierce and very hateful too.”

The Xiang family had set up four tables for they and their guests for dinner that night. In truth, just like Liu Yingru, there were actually quite a few people who had heard of Xu Tingsheng before who had been secretly paying attention to him ever since learning of his presence.

This was mainly thanks to ‘Comrade Cousin’ and that laughable gossip which had emerged from her mouth regarding her daughter Li Meng, the Xiang family and Xu Tingsheng, which she had spread around with a vengeance.

It would be difficult for the Xiang family’s relatives to not know of Xu Tingsheng.

Now, the Xiang family that had constantly been avoiding this topic before had actually invited Xu Tingsheng to their home in such an upright and aboveboard manner to express their gratitude to him as one of those who had taught their daughter…

In the end, just like Mr Xiang had predicted, most of these people were shut up by this as their opinions on the matter changed too.

On one hand, they became increasingly sceptical of this auntie of Xiang Ning’s who was a well-known gossip.

On the other, having learnt of Xu Tingsheng’s background and witnessed him in person, a portion of them privately felt that it wouldn’t be a loss even if this matter was real. Wouldn’t it be a heavensent blessing whichever family it was that managed to ‘acquire’ him? Who would willingly see him fall into the hands of another?

“As I see it, it’s okay if it isn’t real, but if it is, even I feel that he should really pick the little girl of the Xiang family. All that means is maybe waiting another year or two at most.”

“Right, the Xiang family’s little girl is much better looking than that Li Meng.”

“Setting appearances aside, just look at Li Meng’s mother and how that child has been learning from her, her mouth becoming more and more toxic by the day. With that, who would dare want her daughter?”

“What she said was that her daughter caught the eye of this Mr Xu right away. I guess we’ll see about that, huh…”

Discussions were rife as more and more gazes were directed over now. While Li Meng and her mother who were currently also present felt quite uncomfortable, it was more of excitement that they felt.

The mind of Li Meng’s mother was filled with what Li Meng had conveyed to her. She believed that Xu Tingsheng might indeed have been interested in her daughter initially, believed that this might just be another chance that had come…’a golden goose’ son-in-law! If she had previously known that this might happen, she would not have spread all the gossip that she had.

Li Meng thought that it might really just have been the little girl being wilful at the time. The so-called questionable relationship between the two had merely been a baseless claim on her part due to her anger and shame from back then…

Thus, Li Meng also believed that it seemed like she should try to strike up a conversation with Xu Tingsheng again.

Admitting that her previous words had been totally unwarranted and apologising to the Xiang family for them...that would really be impossible...

Her mother pushed her forward, egging her on.

Li Meng spiritedly stood up and adjusted her clothes and hair before walking gracefully towards Xu Tingsheng.

Being in the midst of conversing with Xiang Ning’s Grandma, Xu Tingsheng did not notice her.

Everyone else, however, directed their gazes at him and Li Meng who was currently walking towards him. Having heard so many rumours before, now was finally the time to see if it was really like how her mother said it was, that they had had a matchmaking session before, thus having rather positive impressions of each other.

The atmosphere suddenly quietened greatly.

Arriving in front of Xu Tingsheng, Li Meng plastered a sweet smile on her face and called out, “Xu Tingsheng...oh, you’re here too! I didn’t see you just now. It’s been a long time, huh.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled apologetically towards Xiang Ning’s Grandma before looking up rather blankly.

Seeing a young woman in front of him, he appeared momentarily confused before he asked with an apologetic smile on his face, “Hello...um, sorry, you are?”

Deathly silence descended.

A pair of chopsticks fell onto the ground. Even this little sound was obtrusive indeed, contrasted as it was against an utter silence.

In actual fact, when Li Meng had come to talk to Xu Tingsheng, whatever the two talked about, however Xu Tingsheng acted towards her, she and her big-mouthed mother would have been able to construe it to their benefit in some way nevertheless.

If Xu Tingsheng was very cordial and friendly towards Li Meng, that would naturally be best. ‘Comrade cousin’ could say, “See, I told you. The two of them hit it off well since way back.”

If Xu Tingsheng was very cold to Li Meng, she could similarly say, “Sigh, look! Could it be any more obvious? The Xiang family said bad things behind her back, creating a misunderstanding.”

Who would have thought that Xu Tingsheng might actually start with a...it caused all their hopes to dissipate into nothingness. He, he doesn’t even know who your daughter is in the first place…

“It doesn’t look like he’s faking it?”

“Right, it looks like he really can’t remember her.”

“Then, doesn’t this mean that…”

“They hit it off well...ha...what a joke. The Xiang family really suffered wrongfully then, having been at the brunt of so much terrible gossip.”

“He doesn’t even remember her face. How could they really have hit it off? The Xiang family is really too nice. If it were me and I made arrangements to get them to meet out of goodwill, and she dared to fabricate things like this and blame it all on me just because it failed, I would have ripped off her mouth long ago…”

Low laughter, scornful, disparaging noises and sounds of discussion arose.

From Xu Tingsheng’s expression, they judged that he really didn’t seem to remember Li Meng.

That’s right, Xu Tingsheng wasn’t faking it. His acting skills weren’t that great; he had really been unable to recognise her at first glance. As people often came over to say hi to him too whether he was at school or outside, he had gotten used to politely enquiring who they were.

Xu Tingsheng bore no ill will towards Li Meng.

Mr and Mrs Xiang had dared not let Little Xiang Ning learn about the nasty gossip spread by that auntie of hers as even she was not aware of it. With that, there was naturally no way Xu Tingsheng could have known about this.

Thus, how could he possibly have felt hatred towards Li Meng as a result?

While Little Xiang Ning had said that she did not like that cousin of her mother’s, she had simply said that she had been very bothersome regarding the matter of the flats. The little girl had only complained about this, not having spoken more on the matter. Not being some little kid, there was no way Xu Tingsheng would feel anger towards Li Meng as a result, hence deliberately causing her to lose face.

He had really failed to recognise her.

Chapter 373: Eloping

Xu Tingsheng had really failed to recognise Li Meng.

Their previous meeting had been intentionally arranged by Mrs Xiang. Li Meng had meticulously put on heavy makeup and dressed herself up...this time, however, not knowing that Xu Tingsheng would also be here, she had not made any such preparations at all.

Women look very different indeed when they have or do not have makeup on, are or are not dressed up. Moreover, Li Meng had not left a deep impression on Xu Tingsheng previously…

There were just too many people who would jokingly call out to Xu Tingsheng in greeting when at school or in the academy city. He would not recall their faces as a result, however beautiful they were. As for Li Meng? A brief meeting which had not been all that special. He had long since forgotten about her.

Failing to recognise Li Meng, Xu Tingsheng had politely enquired about her identity.

And just like that, inadvertently…

All the lies of Li Meng and her mother were exposed now as they thoroughly lost their face along with it.

“She’s the daughter of Little Ning’s Mum’s cousin, Li Meng.”

A relative helped to jog Xu Tingsheng’s memory.

“Oh, Li Meng...I remember now. Student Xiang’s cousin! We met before, at her house, and even talked a bit about football too, right?” Xu Tingsheng who still did not understand the situation felt apologetic as he frantically apologised, “Sorry! It’s been so long that I’d forgotten. I really didn’t recognise you at first there, sorry, sorry…”

Xu Tingsheng was apologising very sincerely. After all, as he saw it, she was a relative of the Xiang family like everyone else present. He would not want to mindlessly offend any of them.

As a result, there was a sense of panic and helplessness visible in his apologetic expression.

People could naturally judge the veracity of it for themselves.

Moreover, Xu Tingsheng really wasn’t acting.

Still, ‘We met before, talked a bit about football. I’d forgotten, really didn’t recognise you there…”

Could things be any more obvious?

The answer to this was no.

Li Meng glared hatefully at Xu Tingsheng, yet dared not erupt in fury as she turned and stomped off, finding her mother and departing from the Xiang family home at once…

The malicious slander that they had spread had already come back to make a joke out of them. Out of those present, who would not tell others about it after going home? Who would not say that they thoroughly deserved it?

For a period of time afterwards, at least, this mother and daughter pair would have to shut their mouths and refrain from randomly going around stirring up gossip everywhere…

Xu Tingsheng was totally befuddled as he felt awkward and greatly uneasy too.

“I’m done for. In coming as a guest, I’ve offended the Xiang family’s relatives. What am I to do from now on? It’s finished...heck, why didn’t I recognise her? I wrecked the atmosphere which was totally great at first. I really hope Mr and Mrs Xiang won’t blame me for this…”

Having come to the Xiang family home for a meal, he had angered their relatives to the point of upping and leaving. The innocent Xu Tingsheng, he who had already been on tenterhooks in the first place...was so frantic he really felt like crying now.

Meanwhile, eldest uncle’s wife sighed. It seemed like ‘Comrade Cousin’ had been talking utter nonsense before. She had probably just randomly linked the totally unrelated Xu Tingsheng to the matter of that flat for no good reason...how was she to ask about that then?

There were many who shared the same thoughts as her.

The atmosphere at the scene was actually still not bad as they chatted and laughed happily. It was just that many discussions had arisen, with Mr and Mrs Xiang also smiling joyfully despite having appeared slightly awkward at first.

Still feeling rather uneasy, Xu Tingsheng went over to the dinner table. Of the three teachers, Liu Xueli was sitting at the main table while making use of their relative youth, Xu Tingsheng and Li Linlin had requested to sit together with the kids.

In the meantime, other than when Mr and Mrs Xiang came over to offer a toast and he drank a glass of wine too, Xu Tingsheng had a dismal expression on his face as he ate mechanically, his face buried over his food.

Little Xiang Ning felt rather worried upon seeing this. Not knowing what the matter was with Uncle, her expression turned rather panicked too.

Su Nannan who was at the same table as her relentlessly went over pressuring Xu Tingsheng to speak with her after having drunk some wine. Xu Tingsheng really felt that he was not up to the task as he gave an excuse of having to go to the toilet and hid by the road outside whereupon he found a dark corner and secretly lit a cigarette.

A short while later, a tender voice resounded behind him.

“What's up with you? Why're you unhappy?”

Xu Tingsheng looked back and saw Little Xiang Ning standing there with a worried look on her face.

He hastily flung the cigarette away.

“I offended your relatives into leaving angrily right away, that cousin and aunt of yours…” Xu Tingsheng explained a bit uneasily, “Your Mum and Dad probably blame me for it...look, it was so difficult for them to invite me here to your home already. I also remember that you asked me to work hard for your Mum and Dad to like me again...but in the end...I'll go look for them and apologise for it later.”

Little Xiang Ning frowned and considered it for a moment before looking up and saying, “Why do you have to fear them, Xu Tingsheng? My relatives. With how awesome you are, it should be they who daren’t offend you, right? But why are you the one who's afraid?”

Xu Tingsheng looked at her, not knowing what she was getting at.

Before he could say anything, Little Xiang Ning continued, “It's because of me, right? Because of me, the awesome Xu Tingsheng is afraid to even offend a random one of my relatives, worrying even though you clearly did nothing wrong. Because of me, whatever my Mum and Dad say, however they bully you, you daren't even argue with them. Because of me, you were beaten up to the point of vomitting blood, yet dared not even tell my parents that it was for the sake of protecting me. Because of me, even gifting my Mum and Dad a flat is like something wrong that you must do sneakily, like some robber or thief…”

Now, Little Xiang Ning pursed her lips, starting to cry, “I don't want it to be like this, Xu Tingsheng. I don't want you to have to suffer so.”

With that, she hugged Xu Tingsheng from behind.

Xu Tingsheng was very moved. Yet, his first instinct was still worry, “Don't! Be careful that someone doesn't see it, afterwards telling your Mum and Dad about this…” He said rather panickedly.

“I just want to let them know. I'll tell them about it later, tell them all that I told you just now...they’re too much! Like I'd be afraid of them.”

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, thinking, “Well, hats off to you...but I can't do that!”

Also, Xu Tingsheng was actually very much able to empathise with Mr and Mrs Xiang. Considering that they were parents of a girl who was only fifteen, sixteen years of age, what they had previously done was actually not wrong.

Moreover, things were already starting to take a turn from the better now…

“Little Xiang Ning.

“Yes?”

“You can't wreck things for me! Don't be wilful. Let me gradually work on it myself.”

“I’ll help you.”

“How’s that even helping? It's more like you're getting ready to toss a grenade, shoot a bazooka…”

“I don't care. Anyway, I don't want you being bullied like this anymore. At most, right...we can just elope at most. Then, we can come back to take care of my Mum and Dad when I'm a bit older and have given birth to a child. Worst come to worst, I'll give them a call every week.”

Elope? Xu Tingsheng was thoroughly confounded.

“Student Xiang, where did you learn all this?”

“From my Mum and Dad.”

“Your...parents?”

“Yeah, that's right. That's exactly what they did! They even told me the story very triumphantly. They said that when they returned and carried me in front of Grandma, I smiled at her, and her heart softened all at once. She carried me right away and then just focused on kissing, coaxing me, no longer opposing their being together. She even treats me exceptionally well and is very good to them too…”

Miss Xiang had never mentioned this in his previous life before, perhaps having forgotten about it since she had never really thought that there was any need for them to elope then. It was only with how difficult the situation was now that she had come up with such a plan, learning from the ‘role models’ that were her parents.

If this were really to happen…

Xu Tingsheng imagined the expressions of Mr and Mrs Xiang. Should they be crying or laughing at that?

Despite finding the thought amusing, Xu Tingsheng definitely dared not do such a thing for real. There was no need to do so, and he wouldn’t be able to bear doing so...he carefully explained things to and lectured Little Xiang Ning for a bit before footsteps resounded from not far away...

“Tingsheng, are you outside?”

It was Mr Xiang’s voice.

Xu Tingsheng quickly got Little Xiang Ning to hide behind a wall. Just as he was about to reply, Mr Xiang had already walked over to him.

“I guessed that you’d come out, Tingsheng. You didn’t seem quite right in there earlier. Are you feeling worried because of what happened with Li Meng and her mother?” Mr Xiang got straight to the point.

“Sorry, Uncle. I…” Xu Tingsheng tried to explain himself.

“It’s got nothing to do with you. Actually, Uncle should even thank you…” Mr Xiang explained to Xu Tingsheng some things that were not awkward to say and could be said, finally concluding, “

It’s more or less like that, anyway. So, you’ve actually helped to clear us of that slander and saved us from a difficult predicament. Also, Li Meng and her mother leaving is their own problem. It was totally not your fault in any way at all.”

Xu Tingsheng was finally able to rest assured at this.

The two talked for a bit more before Mr Xiang said, “I still have to play host to the guests. I’ll be going back in first. You should hurry back in too! Let’s drink a couple of glasses together.”

“Okay.”

Chapter 374: Seeing Tan Qingling once more

Mr Xiang left.

Little Xiang Ning cautiously stepped out from behind the wall, her hand on her chest as she appeared very nervous. Still, she was smiling as she looked at Xu Tingsheng, as if she was saying: See, everything’s fine.

Xu Tingsheng too relaxed alongside this.

Still, because the young girl was feeling moved by the expression of genuine feelings from earlier, Xu Tingsheng walked closer to her, raising his arms if to hug her. He next retracted them, wanting to stroke her little face, wanting to kiss her on the forehead...

He had actually done all these things countless times before. Still, facing the young Little Xiang Ning at this moment, he hesitated, not daring to do anything.

Little Xiang Ning was able to tell what was happening. She leaned over, tiptoeing and kissing Xu Tingsheng on the cheek before resting her chin on his shoulder and saying softly, “You’ve fooled me over already anyway. You don’t have to continue being afraid...if you’re like this, it looks very much like I’m some kind of ruffian.”

Xu Tingsheng inwardly agreed with her as he smiled, saying, “When I’m being ruffian-ish, you’ll probably be scared off into running away.”

The little girl shook her head, pulling Xu Tingsheng’s hand over and placing it by her waist. She trembled slightly in all her nervousness, not uttering a sound.

Uncle Black Bear finally got his hands on the Little Pert Waist of Little Miss Honeybee.

Still, it was separated by a T-shirt. Xu Tingsheng was now unable to stop himself from sliding his hand downwards.

“Hey...you…” A small hand pressed down on a big hand, those watery eyes looking at Uncle to ascertain if he was being serious.

As their gazes met, the little girl nervously swallowed her saliva, finally still succumbing to her shyness in the end as she ran away, chuckling happily.

“Xu Tingsheng, Xu Tingsheng! It’s because I saw that you were starving so much that you even built a Little Pert Waist at Ning Garden that I rewarded you a bit. In the end, you’re indeed acting like a dirty ruffian. I’ll go back in first! You should hurry up too.”

Xu Tingsheng returned to the Xiang family home a little while after Little Xiang Ning had gone back in.

He drank a glass of wine with Liu Xueli, and then with Mr Xiang. Soon, many relatives of the Xiang family had come looking to drink wine with him.

Xu Tingsheng dared not have too much to drink. For someone who did not want to drink so much, there were only two methods. One was to not speak, and the other was to talk a lot.

With these people all being relatives of the Xiang family and Little Xiang Ning’s elders, Xu Tingsheng dared not put up a front in front of them. He could naturally only go with talking a lot.

Fortunately, he had a vast repertoire of knowledge and could enthusiastically put an arm over the shoulders of all those uncles, with them coming to address each other as bros. He could also calm down and chat about the education of the kids with the aunties who were present…

Xu Tingsheng was very well-liked by his elders.

When Little Xiang Ning’s friends from school as well as Liu Xueli and Li Linlin had departed, the four tables were condensed into two tables as they continued with their drinking.

Most of those present had already drunk quite a bit by now.

After a while, an uncle who was really quite inebriated could not help but ask Mr and Mrs Xiang, “Guoliang, Youmei…let’s set aside the gossip, everyone knows that it’s false...but why is it that I feel like it would be good if it were real?”

“Yeah,” A couple of new bros of Xu Tingsheng’s, Xiang Ning’s own paternal Uncle included, all began to cheer now, “How about we just let it be real.”

Having drunk quite a bit too, Mr Xiang smiled, “Well, you’re right. Tingsheng is a pretty good kid…”

Mrs Xiang pinched his waist, saying, “Hey, don’t you guys talk nonsense. Little Ning’s still young.”

“Young? What do you mean? Didn’t you run off with Guoliang when you were seventeen?”

It was Mrs Xiang’s big sis, Little Xiang Ning’s eldest aunt, who said this. As she brought this matter up now, Mrs Xiang was shut up completely by her.

Little Xiang Ning was sitting on an empty table a short distance away. As she heard this, her face reddened as she said nothing.

“If your family really doesn’t want him, I can introduce him to others then. I have a niece…”

“Hey, I have a younger sister too!”

The random aunties became enthusiastic in wanting to introduce girls to Xu Tingsheng, who saw Little Xiang Ning gnashing her teeth as he happened to coincidentally glance over at her.

When the drinking party finally ended, it was already a bit after 9pm at night.

Mr and Mrs Xiang had been a bit worried initially. Still, seeing that Xu Tingsheng really hadn’t drank much, they could rest assured in letting him go back on his own.

Standing behind her Mum and Dad, Little Xiang Ning called out with a face full of worry, “Drive carefully! And when you get home, remember to give...Dad a call…”

There really wasn’t any fault that could be found in this statement. Still, however one listened to it, it just seemed like a girlfriend calling out to her boyfriend.

Mr and Mrs Xiang could not flare up as there was really also nothing that they could say. They could only helplessly shake their heads, smiling wryly.

……

Less than half an hour after Xu Tingsheng had left, Xiang Ning sent over a text as she had probably already returned to her room: Are you home yet? I’m a bit worried.

Xu Tingsheng replied to her that he had already gotten back before giving Mr Xiang a call to report on his safe return.

When he hung up, another text had appeared on his phone. The little girl said out of nowhere: I’ll let you put your hand in next time, but you can only leave it there. You can’t move it around.

Xu Tingsheng sent back a text: What a female ruffian.

Little Xiang Ning was furious at her good intentions having been distorted as she sent back an expression composed of punctuation marks, no longer saying anything.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had still not reached home yet. Being in too good a mood that night, he would not be able to fall asleep so easily anyway. He parked his car by the roadside and rested for a while, eventually deciding that he might as well head over to Bright Brilliance.

After entering and going upstairs with the intention of looking for Huang Yaming, Xu Tingsheng discovered him in the midst of furiously berating a male employee.

Only upon seeing Xu Tingsheng did he wave his hand to shoo the person away, concluding, “If this happens again, you can just get lost.”

Xu Tingsheng sat down, asking, “What is it?”

“What is it if not Rebirth...Fu Cheng sings here. In order to hear him sing, some women who usually don’t come to bars sometimes come here, elderly ones and even young ones too,” Huang Yaming explained.

“Isn’t that a good thing then?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“You could say that,” Huang Yaming replied, “Still, I’m afraid too. They let a bunch of underage ones come in last time, you know? A group of young girls, and they drank a lot too...what would I have done if something had happened?”

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng nodded. Bars were complicated places at the end of the day. It was very difficult to guarantee one’s safety for sure. Therefore, it was still better to first ensure that the customers all possessed the responsibility and the capability to take care of themselves.

“It was even more ridiculous today,” Huang Yaming continued, “They let a mother in, one carrying a child who was just a few months old...I only learnt about this from the waiter. Fortunately, that mother just sat for a while before leaving.”

Huang Yaming began ranting for a time.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Forget it, just be careful in the future. Come, drink with me outside and listen to Fu Cheng sing.”

Huang Yaming hesitated for a moment, looking at Xu Tingsheng as he did not speak.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Huang Yaming hesitated for a bit before standing up and clenching his teeth, “Let me take you to see an ex-classmate of ours.”

Xu Tingsheng followed Huang Yaming. By the corner of the second floor of the bar, he saw someone whom he would not have expected to see no matter what. It was Tan Qingling.

She was indeed an ex-classmate of theirs. They had been on rather good terms initially due to Huang Yaming.

Afterwards, Huang Yaming had suffered because of her for a long time, having become weak and depressed. Besides having sung <You Knit A Woolen Sweater For A Freaking Fool> to spiritually rebuke her, Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng had naturally broken off all contact with her.

Whatever the case, as they were ex-classmates and former friends at the end of the day, Xu Tingsheng maintained the necessary civility and exchanged greetings with Tan Qingling. He learnt that she had scored even worse when retaking the university entrance examinations, having gone to a third-rate school at Xihu City in the end.

Having gone gallivanting with a young boss during the year when she had retaken the examinations, it would instead really have been strange if she had scored well then.

Tan Qingling, though, appeared very enthusiastic as she constantly reminisced on their days in senior high together.

After chatting for a while, Xu Tingsheng found an excuse and walked away. Huang Yaming followed him, leaving somewhat awkwardly.

“What’s this all about?” Xu Tingsheng asked him.

“She said that she wanted to find a place to work during her holidays. Then, she found on the internet that I had opened a bar, and so she contacted me…” Huang Yaming explained weakly.

“She probably also learnt that the movie you’re sponsoring is coming out soon?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “What about that young boss of hers who drives a BMW?”

“She says that they broke up long ago.”

“And so? You became a freaking fool again?”

“When she first contacted me, telling me that she was coming over, I didn’t agree to it and even humiliated her, asking her to scram. In the end, she came alone carrying her backpack to look for me...at the moment that I saw her, I realised that I actually still seem to like her somewhat.”

“...”

“She’s been here for three days. I haven’t arranged any work for her to do. Still, she’s found some things to help out with on her own, wiping the tables, sweeping the floor, washing the toilets, basically anything that can be done…”

Xu Tingsheng already had a fixed evaluation of Tan Qingling from his previous life. As it was Huang Yaming whom he was speaking with now, he unreservedly repeated, “Tan Qingling is that kind of person with a very definite goal. It was like this when she persisted in retaking the university entrance examinations before, and it was like this afterwards...even now, she’s still…”

Huang Yaming remained silent.

“What about Chen Jingqi? Does she know?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah. I was drunk the day before yesterday, and Qiqi came to take me back. And they met.”

Ever since Huang Yaming had started out on his career with this bar, he who loved to gallivant in the first place now had a legitimate reason for messing around outside. He virtually got dead drunk once every few days. Chen Jingqi would diligently wait till the bar’s closing time every day before coming over to bring him home, taking care of him as he took a bath and went to bed…

She would prepare a nutritious breakfast for him the next day to take good care of his stomach and liver before going to work.

Because of this, Lu Zhixin had even mentioned to Xu Tingsheng before that Chen Jingqi was constantly dozing off at work, having made a couple of mistakes as a result…

“What happened then?” Xu Tingsheng pressed.

“How would I know. I was drunk!” Huang Yaming forced a smile, “Anyway, I think they talked for a while and brought me back together. When I woke up the next day, Qiqi had moved away, and Tan Qingling was making me breakfast.”

“The heck! Then…”

“Tan Qingling’s been staying at my place. Still, I’ve been going back to my dorm to sleep these past two days.”

“Have you looked for Chen Jingqi yet?”

“I did. Still, she wouldn’t speak to me.”

“When will Tan Qingling be leaving?”

“Well, probably not anytime soon.”

“What do you intend to do then?”

“I’m not really sure. Still, I told Tan Qingling that Qiqi is my girlfriend now. She said that it’s okay, that she’s only come here to work over the summer holidays. If she’s taking care of me, we can just treat it like she’s trying to make up for what happened before…”

Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless.

Downstairs, carrying his guitar, still wearing his mask, Fu Cheng announced, “Next up, I’ll be singing for everyone: You Knit A Woolen Sweater For A Freaking Fool.”

Some customer yelled, “Bro, this is the third time you’re singing this tonight!”

Xu Tingsheng looked at Huang Yaming, asking him, “How does Tan Qingling find this song? What about you?”

Huang Yaming said nothing.

Xu Tingsheng waited till Fu Cheng had finished singing this song before grabbing him and going elsewhere to drink some alcohol together.

Chapter 375: Opening day

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng left the bar and sat at a meat skewer store by the roadside where they drank beer and ate meat.

Huang Yaming had not dared to inform Xu Tingsheng about Tan Qingling’s matter. Fu Cheng too had only learnt about this today. He did not actually have to go to the bar to sing everyday as his contract was such that he could choose to go whenever he wanted.

Therefore, after singing <<The Brightest Star In The Night Sky>> to kick things off that night, he had sung <<You Knit A Woolen Sweater For A Freaking Fool>> thrice in succession.

Whilst being related to Huang Yaming, this song was actually related to Fu Cheng too. It was just that one sweater was instead worn by another guy, while another was stained in blood.

If one were to consider that scarf of Lu Zhixin’s, this song was related to even Xu Tingsheng.

Because of this, Xu Tingsheng earnestly toasted Fu Cheng.

That was actually all they would do about Tan Qingling’s matter. Xu Tingshneg had said what needed to be said, and Fu Cheng had sung the same too. For some affairs, like matters of the heart, it was inconvenient for even the best of bros to get too involved.

The two did chat about Chen Jingqi, though.

Chen Jingqi who already possessed societal experience was clearly not the kind of girl who would feel infuriated and aggrievedly back out of the relationship on her own. Moreover, being acquainted with Song Ni, she knew about what had previously occurred between Huang Yaming and Tan Qingling.

Song Ni had previously explained this to her to account for that wild, decadent period of time in Huang Yaming’s life.

Therefore, she should actually know full well that whatever the case, she currently still grasped the advantage. Also, her relationship with Huang Yaming had been great recently as they very much gave off the ‘married couple living together’ vibe.

Huang Yaming had even brought her over to his bar where he had publicly introduced her to everyone as Bright Brilliance’s lady boss.

Thus, the only possible explanation was that something had happened on that night that Huang Yaming had been dead drunk and Chen Jingqi and Tan Qingli had helped him back home. Because of that, Chen Jingqi had chosen to give up and back out on the relationship.

Meanwhile, Tan Qingling had blatantly, righteously moved into his place to stay just like that.

The two drank together till the early hours of the morning whereupon they found a motel to rest for the night. Seeing two guys with rather good looks supporting each other and staggering into a room, the receptionist was even looking at them rather strangely.

After Fu Cheng had fallen asleep, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Apple.

She was still in Libei where she was running, posting on Weibo and accompanying her mother and grandmother everyday, living, leading a very leisurely life. This was despite the fact that the songs in her album were currently being released one by one to rank at the top of the various music charts. It was freaking awesome how out of ten top ranked songs, five could be hers.

The county’s officials had personally visited and requested for her to be their ambassador for tourism. Ones from the city had come too...afraid of constantly being interrupted, Apple had ultimately chosen to rent a house, moving there together with her mother and grandmother.

“Mum knows that that person came to look for me. It appeared so much on the news there was no keeping it from her,” Apple said, “Still, Mum seems to be very calm. She said that it’s fine if he’s doing well. With so many years having already passed, it can be considered good news.”

Xu Tingsheng had no reply to that as he changed the topic, “What about you? Aren’t you bored, perpetually being in the same place?”

Apple said, “It’s not bad. I have someone to accompany me. I’m on pretty good terms with Shu Yan now. We’re often together when she comes back during the holidays.”

Xu Tingsheng tried to recollect that name. There was naturally no need to think deeply for this life. They had been classmates in senior high, and only two years had passed since then. Xu Tingsheng was trying to remember the events of his previous life, specifically that classmate gathering. That ‘close friend’ of Apple’s who had told them about her affairs should have been this very Shu Yan.

Because of that, Xu Tingsheng felt rather worried.

“Since when were you so close with her? I don’t seem to remember you being so close back in senior high…” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah, we were just ordinary classmates back in senior high. Still, during our first semester in university, because our universites are very close to each other and I’m familiar with Shenghai, we often went out together then. Our relationship can be considered pretty good,” Apple replied.

Xu Tingsheng finally knew how Apple had become well acquainted with this ‘dear friend’ of hers.

After hesitating a little, unable to express it too explicitly, Xu Tingsheng said, “You must know that you’re a public figure now. There are some things that you can’t say even to your closest female friends, understand? If they said it out loud, it could stir up a storm...it could potentially prove very troublesome.”

Apple hesitated for a moment before replying, “Understood.”

……

Meanwhile, the Xiang family home.

Mr and Mrs Xiang who were in a great mood did a bit of something which is not to be described.

The two individually took a shower before going back and lying down on their bed.

“It can’t be stopped any longer. Do you believe me when I say that?” Mr Xiang suddenly said out of nowhere.

“Huh?” Mrs Xiang asked.

“Your daughter herself wanted to elope with Tingsheng. She even said that after giving birth to a child, she would come back to take care of us…” Mr Xiang smiled wryly as he said.

“She what?” Mrs Xiang was rather infuriated.

“She said she’d learnt that from the two of us.”

Mrs Xiang was rendered speechless, “...What do we do then? That won’t really happen, right?”

“No, Tingsheng knows what can and is not to be done, unlike me who caused you to suffer so much out of a moment’s rashness that year. He told Little Ning so many things, like how we’re better and how her Grandma would be unable to bear that happening. Little Ning cried at that.”

So, Mr Xiang had actually seen Xu Tingsheng and Little Xiang Ning together at the time, having even heard the latter part of their conversation. It was just that he had totally feigned ignorance.

Of course, if he had heard that earlier part when Xiang Ning had mentioned the matter of their flat, he might really not have been able to feign ignorance then.

……

Zhicheng’s Ning Garden finally officially opened for sales in mid July.

The members of the Black Horse Club had basically all come. They had clientele whom they would be receiving personally, for one. Also, they had come to help watch over things.

Xu Tingsheng was there as well, sitting in his office upstairs.

The doors of the sales building opened at 9am in the morning.

The glass doors were jostled to the point they seemed like they might shatter at any moment.

The entirety of Zhicheng was busy, with the sole exception of Xu Tingsheng. There weren’t many who would know to look for him here, and not many things that he would have to be consulted on too. If there was anyone who did truly come looking for him here, they would surely be someone whom he had to pay attention to and receive personally.

A knock on the door resounded.

“Come in,” Xu Tingsheng said.

First to enter the room was a beautiful woman with heavy makeup on her face. Behind her, Xu Tingsheng saw a old acquaintance, Chen Jianxing. So, this woman should be the daughter of Yanzhou’s deputy mayor.

The woman introduced herself before drawing Chen Jianxing over and asking, “You should know each other, right? I seem to remember that Jianxing once interviewed you before.”

After having been in the bureaucracy for some time, Chen Jianxing already looked somewhat different from before as he nodded and smiled towards Xu Tingsheng now.

That he had interviewed Xu Tingsheng before could not be kept from anybody. Still, this wasn’t a problem. It wasn’t that Xu Tingsheng might be implicated in the future as a result just because of this, didn’t mean that it was absolutely necessary for the two to cut off all ties right away so as to be safe.

Therefore, it was actually perfectly fine that Chen Jianxing had come along with his wife to meet Xu Tingsheng right now.

“Yeah, Bro Chen always took very good care of me before,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“It’s your turn to take care of us this time round,” The woman said sweetly.

“What is it? A flat? With the capabilities of Bro Chen and Sister-in-law, who would dare not give you face? It shouldn’t be difficult, right?”

“That’s right. We already reserved a 180 square metres flat from one of you beforehand. The problem now is that after coming over to view the flat this time, I wanted the penthouse on the sixth floor, but it turned out that that flat was long since drawn away in a lucky draw by a family of plebeians. Then, your underling was even exceptionally arrogant, refusing to switch it for me no matter what,” The woman gesticulated angrily with an exaggerated expression on her face.

Xu Tingsheng understood what had happened. Someone chose it beforehand, and yet they should accommodate you and let you switch it? It looked like she was really used to acting tyrannical and having her way. Also, daring to address his future in-laws in such a manner…

As for the underling in question, it was most probably Lin Yixian. Having been ‘tasked with a decree’, she would naturally put the Xiang family first in everything.

Controlling his emotions, Xu Tingsheng smiled, asking, “Another block of flats wouldn’t be that different, right?”

“Well, that is true. But the more that underling refused to switch the flat for me, with even that plebeian daring to oppose me...I won’t have let them have their way. How about it? I’ve even come to look for you here. This shouldn’t be very hard to settle, right?” Flinging her handbag, the woman said as she looked at Xu Tingsheng.

“Well actually, that would be pretty hard,” A smiling Xu Tingsheng said.

“What do you mean?”

“We can’t switch it. You can choose any other flat you like, but the paperwork for this flat has probably been completed. There’s really nothing we can do about that.”

The woman’s expression turned very ugly all at once. Chen Jianxing pulled her over to the side, consoling her in a low tone.

Actually, Mr Xiang’s paperwork had still yet to be completed. This was unrelated to Lin Yixian. It was her supervisor who had been intimidated by the daughter of the city’s deputy mayor, having held back the final stamp of approval as a result and requested instructions from the higher-ups.

Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged looks. There was no way they would not know who that person who had been slamming her fist on the table and requesting a switch of flats was. She had announced it a good several times already.

Mr Xiang had adamantly refused to switch to another flat because not only did this one have the best location, Mrs Xiang had also sought advice from a fengshui master. The half-deity had said that this flat fit very well with Little Xiang Ning’s fate as she was just guaranteed to enter a good university if she stayed there.

Seeing how Lin Yixian was in a tough spot in front of her supervisor, Mrs Xiang hesitated for a moment, asking Mr Xiang, “How about we let them have it?”

“Nope,” Mr Xiang said.

“But look at Little Lin, how she’s all anxious…”

As she was speaking, Lin Yixian walked back to them, saying, “Don’t you worry. I’ll go give our boss a call. He can definitely get it settled for you at once.”

With that, Lin Yixian went out to an empty spot and gave Xu Tingsheng a call.

As his handphone rang, seeing that it was Lin Yixian’s number, Xu Tingsheng knew that it was definitely related to the Xiang family’s matter.

He apologised to Chen Jianxing and his wife, saying that he had to step outside to take a call. Xu Tingsheng left the room and picked up that call. He heard Lin Yixian out before instructing her on what to do.

Lin Yixian walked back to Mr and Mrs Xiang, saying, “Relax, it’ll be done in a jiffy.”

Then, Mr Xiang and Mrs Xiang saw her walking over to the supervisor and saying something in a low tone. The supervisor dialled a number, hung up and stamped the seal of approval at once.

Mr and Mrs Xiang sighed in relief as they clutched the official contract.

Leading Lin Yixian over to a corner, Mrs Xiang stuffed the red packet that she had prepared long ago in her hand, saying, “We don’t have much money because we just bought the flat, but this is just an expression of our sincerity. Please do not stand on ceremony with us.”

Lin Yixian was rendered entirely dazed. How would she dare accept this red packet?

“No, no. I can’t. Our boss will fire me if he finds out I accepted a red packet in private,” Lin Yixian said panickedly.

“Just don’t let him know then! Relax, there’s no other meaning behind this. We just really want to express our gratitude towards you,” Mrs Xiang said.

Having previously been standing by the side, not saying a word, Mr Xiang suddenly asked, “Well then, can we meet your boss and thank him in person?”

“No,” Lin Yixian unconsciously came off as rather too emotional here.

Mr Xiang frowned and hesitated for a moment before he grabbed Mrs Xiang and exited that sales building right away.

“What is it?” Outside the sales building, a curious Mrs Xiang asked Mr Xiang who was acting rather strangely all of a sudden.

Mr Xiang hesitated for yet some time longer, next seemingly having come to some sort of decision as he finally ventured, “Don’t you think that this boss of theirs is just too good a person?”

“He is pretty good. And you even scolded him for so long, about corporation-bureaucracy collusion or whatnot.”

“This corporation-bureaucracy collusion. When the daughter of our deputy mayor wants to switch flats, how is it possible that he stood on our side?”

Chapter 376: Before that infinite love, what can you do? (1)

With Xu Tingsheng’s mentality, he would avoid offending anybody as much as possible unless it was absolutely necessary.

He saw Mr and Mrs Xiang leaving with the official contract in hand through the surveillance. The matter had been settled successfully.

Xu Tingsheng then patiently explained and clarified things to the infuriated, tyrannical daughter of the city’s deputy mayor. He said that with how Zhicheng was a new real estate company and how this lucky draw was something which so many people were paying attention to, there really wasn’t anything that he could do at all.

At the same time, he also promised her that the villas from Ning Garden’s second phase of flats would definitely not be sold before she had first taken a look at them, regardless of whoever the other party might be. He had given her enough to satisfy her bruised ego with that.

With that, along with Chen Jianxing’s efforts in helping him to persuade her, the rich lady finally accepted his offer, albeit rather grudgingly.

He personally walked them out of his office.

Chen Jianxing turned and exchanged glances with Xu Tingsheng, smiling.

Ning Garden’s second phase of flats would be coming in 2007 at the very earliest. At that time, this would probably have nothing at all to do with that rich woman anymore.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng was actually not conflicted about this. What really caused him to feel somewhat conflicted was the current condition of Chen Jianxing, as well as that mother and daughter pair whom he had seen in that alley then and how they might presently be doing…

Amidst his hatred, even as he was resolved to sacrifice himself, was it really worth it?

By what benchmark could one judge that it was so?

Xu Tingsheng knew Chen Jianxing’s home address. In the afternoon, he unconsciously drove to the vicinity of that district without realising it and parked there for a time. Chen Jianxing’s ex-wife rode by his car on a bicycle with simple clothes and dishevelled hair, her face expressionless…

Only when the little girl on the backseat called ‘Mum’ did she turn back, a smile appearing on her face.

Chen Jianxing had previously requested that Xu Tingsheng help him protect this mother and daughter during that torrential storm that was to come in the future…

……

Mr and Mrs Xiang got home to find Little Xiang Ning watching a television drama in the living room.

“Mum, Dad…”

Xiang Ning had actually been in a great mood as she leapt up rather joyfully, about to ask her parents if they had already bought the big flat. Still, as soon as she drew near, seeing that the two of them had rather unhappy looks on their faces, she did not speak further, just trailing off.

“Little Ning…” Mrs Xiang sat down, speaking in a rather dismal tone.

“Yes, what is it, Mum?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

“Oh, we didn’t manage to buy the flat,” Mrs Xiang said.

“Huh? Why?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

“Little Ning, tell Mum where exactly you got that lucky draw ticket, okay? When we went over today, they said that they checked and found out that our ticket was invalid. So, they couldn’t sell that flat to us at half-price anymore.”

If Little Xiang Ning had been a bit older and more experienced with the ways of the world, she would find that there were actually many discrepancies in Mrs Xiang’s statement. For example, the lucky draw ticket had actually been checked on the spot and then taken back. What Mrs Xiang had returned with was the letter of attorney. And how was it possible that that was invalid?

Yet, she was still young, and definitely would not have imagined that even her own parents might be intentionally setting her up like this.

“But that’s impossible! How could that be?...” Little Xiang Ning became distressed.

“Did you really draw it out of that lucky draw box?” Mr Xiang pressed.

“I...yes, I did. Uh, I’m going back to my room for a bit.”

Little Xiang Ning went to her room upstairs.

Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged looks, knowing that their suspicion was definitely not far from the truth.

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Little Xiang Ning, who urgently explained how her Mum and Dad had told her that they hadn’t been able to buy the flat as something had come up with the lucky draw ticket...he immediately realised what was up as he decisively told her, “Xiang Ning, hang up the phone. Just ignore their words.”

But it was already too late.

On the second floor of the Xiang family home, having secretly followed Little Xiang Ning up and hidden outside her door earlier, Mr and Mrs Xiang now pushed it open and came into her room.

…

“Oh, so you were actually cheating me just now? How could you do that?”

Sitting on a small stool in the living room, Little Xiang Ning who was the one being interrogated made the preemptive strike, expressing her immense dissatisfaction towards her parents actually fooling her in such a morally questionable manner.

“You, and you’re even questioning us now?” A rather emotional Mrs Xiang rebutted.

“Of course! You're the ones who cheated me,” Little Xiang Ning declared with firm conviction.

If this had been any other time, Mr or Mrs Xiang might be amused, smiling wryly at this. Still, it was different today. Whether it was from the standpoint of their pride or their wariness, their mood and their thoughts were not in a good spot at all right now.

“Give me your handphone,” Mrs Xiang said.

Seeing her mother's fierce expression, Little Xiang Ning felt rather fearful. Yet, she still shook her head stubbornly and brought her hand behind her back.

“Will you hand it over or not?” Mrs Xiang hollered.

“Sob…” Tears gushed down Little Xiang Ning's face as she bit her lip, continuing to shake her head.

“It's looks like I've been spoiling you too much…” Mrs Xiang raged.

She shot up to her feet and lunged over, pulling Little Xiang Ning's arm as she tried to wrest her phone away. Little Xiang Ning was crying as she got up, attempting to stay out of her grasp. Mrs Xiang grabbed her wrist with one hand while trying to wrest the phone away with the other…

“It hurts…” Little Xiang Ning yelled.

Mrs Xiang halted momentarily but still refused to let go. As the two struggled with all their might, the phone slipped out of Xiang Ning's grasp and flew…

Crack!

The flipscreen phone landed on the ground, the screen and keypad immediately breaking apart.

Little Xiang Ning crouched down on the ground, crying as she gripped the two halves of her tragically broken phone.

Mrs Xiang's eyes were reddened too as she turned rather awkwardly to look at Mr Xiang.

“I, I'm afraid of you getting cheated. You're still little, you know?” Mrs Xiang ventured guiltily.

“Is that also what Grandma told you last time?” Xiang Ning continued rebutting her mother even as she still sobbed.

Xiang Ning did actually have a very magnanimous, forgiving side towards the mistakes of others. She also had a shameless side as she would be willing to ingratiate herself and try to remedy things after having done something wrong. Still, if she felt that she had been wronged, having done nothing wrong, she could be very stubborn as well.

“You…” An infuriated Mrs Xiang was almost leaping up in rage.

Fearing that his wife might really use force against their daughter, Mr Xiang hurriedly pulled her back, consoling her and getting her to sit down. Next, this 'devious mastermind’ who was the one behind them plotting against their own daughter personally entered the fray…

“No matter what, Little Ning, you're still young. Mum and Dad will surely worry and want to get to the bottom of things...right?” Mr Xiang ventured very tactfully.

Little Xiang Ning sniffed, not saying anything.

“Let me ask you then. So, the lucky draw ticket was given to you by Xu Tingsheng, right?” That Ning Garden was also built by him, right?” Mr Xiang asked.

“Well...what's wrong with that anyway?” Little Xiang Ning retorted in what was basically equivalent to an admission.

Mr and Mrs Xiang had actually already come to this conclusion earlier, just that they could only be a hundred percent certain of it now. Still, seeing her daughter's rebellious expression and tone, Mrs Xiang's temper flared up again.

She burst out chastising, “What's wrong with that? What's not wrong with that? Is he trying to show off that he's rich? Does he want to exchange a flat for my daughter? You, do you think that you're just worth a single flat?”

Frowning, Mr Xiang spoke gently, “That's going too far, Youmei.”

Little Xiang Ning's eyes were blurry with tears as she looked as her parents and declared, “The two of you, you're too much! You're big bullies, treating Xu Tingsheng like this. He's so great, there's no one else who can bully him. But however the two of you bully him, he just takes it all, even having to try to get on your good side…”

Mr and Mrs Xiang said nothing.

“Just because he wants to be good to me, he has to suffer so.”

Chapter 377: Before that infinite love, what can you do? (2)

Mr Xiang stopped his wife, asking rather helplessly, “If you won’t say anything at all, how can you know that it’s us who are bullying him and him who’s wrongfully suffering, as opposed to him being the one who is cheating you?”

“He would think of even such a method…” Mrs Xiang took the contract out from her bag and threw it on the table, questioning as she pointed at it, “You are worth just this? A single flat?”

Under such circumstances, it would be easier to accept if Xu Tingsheng was poorer. Yet, the current Xu Tingsheng was relatively wealthy...as a result, the pride of Mr and Mrs Xiang was wounded as their wariness correspondingly rose greatly too…

Meanwhile, their impression of Xu Tingsheng naturally worsened.

Little Xiang Ning had already admitted that Xu Tingsheng was related to their acquisition of that flat. She was actually willing to explain the situation to her parents in detail too...still, Mrs Xiang had spoken like this again and again, implying that Xu Tingsheng wished to exchange that flat for her.

Little Xiang Ning’s self-esteem was hurt as a result. Feeling that Xu Tingsheng was really suffering too great an injustice, her stubbornness now rose completely to the surface.

“I’m worth a hundred flats.”

Little Xiang Ning got up and walked over to their house’s landline phone, dialling a number and turning on the speaker...

Not knowing what she wanted to do, Mr and Mrs Xiang simply watched her.

Previously, Xu Tingsheng had just heard the sound of Mr and Mrs Xiang entering the room and questioning Little Xiang Ning over the phone. Right after that, Little Xiang Ning had hung up. Anxiety had overtaken him as he was stressed out and hesitant over whether he should give Xiang Ning’s parents a call and explain things to them or even go straight over to plead guilty.

As his ringtone sounded now, he picked up the call at once.

“Hey, Xu Tingsheng,” Little Xiang Ning said into the phone as she sobbed, “Mum says that I’m worth more than just one flat. How about a hundred flats then?”

There was no way Xu Tingsheng could know that Xiang Ning was making this call in front of her parents. He thought that after having taken a scolding, she was seeking solace from him behind her parents’ backs.

“Okay, just calm down. Don’t be mad with your Mum and Dad. First, tell me: what’s the situation like now?” Xu Tingsheng asked gently.

Little Xiang Ning anxiously pressed, “No, I’m being serious here. If you have to trade a hundred flats for me, would that be fine?”

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng could only coax her.

“Do you have that many?” Xiang Ning was in no way jesting at all as she asked him earnestly.

“I do,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Will you willingly trade them for me then? I, I don’t think I’m worth so much money…” Little Xiang Ning was crying like some child who was really going to be sold away by her parents.

“I would do it. I have 23 percent of the shares of this real estate corporation. That amounts to more than a hundred flats, actually. How about I use them all to trade for you?” If Xu Tingsheng knew that Mr and Mrs Xiang were listening to this conversation from the side, he would probably throw himself into the wall headfirst to die.

“You’d really be willing?”

“Really.”

“Prepare the flats then. I’ll come look for you in a while.”

Little Xiang Ning hung up and returned to sit down across from her parents.

“Ask whatever you want to ask. When you’re done with that, I’ll be off to look for Xu Tingsheng,” Little Xiang Ning said with a serious, solemn expression on her face.

Believing that she was really about to leave for good, she felt sad and burst into tears at the thought of having to leave her parents, sobbing, “I’ll come back to look after you and be filial to you in the future. I’ll call you every week too...well, I can come back to visit you every week...will you, will you miss me?”

Mr and Mrs Xiang were helplessly taken aback by their daughter’s abrupt outpouring of genuine emotions and rendered at a loss as to what to do.

Affected by her emotions, Mrs Xiang began shedding tears as well.

Seeing his wife and daughter like this, Mr Xiang blinked as it felt as if he really was going to sell his daughter. He smiled wryly, wiping away the moisture from the corner of his eye as he said, “Stop being so hasty in selling yourself away. Tell us what the matter of the flat is about first…”

Little Xiang Ning was very forthright in revealing all she knew about Xu Tingsheng’s plans now as she ultimately concluded, “He didn’t want the two of you to find out about it. It was you who fooled me and found out about it yourselves...just how did he have any bad intentions…”

“Not wanting to let us know and only letting you know, isn’t that also because…” Mrs Xiang paused, realising with a start that Little Xiang Ning seemed to have no actual sense of money and whatnot at all, meaning that if Xu Tingsheng was doing so to cheat her and get on her good side, this seemed like a pretty stupid method…

Maybe even that bear was preferable to Little Xiang Ning, being better used in winning her over. There was no need to pay such a steep price at all.

“What could he be thinking then?”

Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged looks, just unable to wrap their heads around it. Could it be that he intended to use this flat to metaphorically hold them hostage in the future? But that wouldn’t make sense! The contract was in their possession, and he should also be aware that they could simply give up on the flat at most…

The smart, brilliant Xu Tingsheng had such a blatant, gaping loophole in his scheme?

The two of them were left perplexed.

“He didn’t even want me to know about it. He tried to hide it from me too. The lucky draw ticket was originally supposed to be switched out with the one drawn by you with the help of that Lin whatever Xian person. Then, it was only because I guessed that he was behind this that he let me be his spy,” Little Xiang Ning said, very liberal with her information now that she would soon be leaving this place.

“He wanted to hide it even from you? You mean that he originally hoped that all of us would not know about this at all?” Mrs Xiang asked.

“Yes,” Little Xiang Ning nodded.

“How did you find out about it then? And when?” Mr Xiang asked.

“On the day we went to view the flat. I guessed it, and then I called him,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“You guessed it? How?”

Little Xiang Ning hesitated for a time at this. Little Pert Waist was a no-go as was all that other mushy stuff.

Little Xiang Ning sorted out her thoughts, venturing, “That place is called Ning Garden...then, I promised him before that I would definitely make it into a first-tier senior high...then, outside the sales building on that day, Mum said that the old school district for the first-tier senior high’s just across the bridge, with the new district being even closer and visible with just a single glance...I then realised it at once. Our house is very far away from there, right? You didn’t want me to tire myself out too much, and he can naturally think of that too.”

“You could guess it from just that?”

“Yes, because I know that he will treat me that well,” Little Xiang Ning said with utter certainty.

“I know that he will treat me that well?” Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged looks.

“Could it be that it was only to make it more convenient for Little Ning to attend senior high? For such a simple reason, he built Ning Garden, next maneuvering tirelessly behind the scenes just because he was afraid that we would be unable to accept it?”

If this really was the case, Mr and Mrs Xiang could understand why he had kept it totally under wraps like this. The two of them had still held a tough stance towards him then. Not doing so would, on the contrary, mean that this might likely fall through as a result.

“Why does it feel like we’ve been rather harsh on the kid…”

Whatever the case, it was a definite thing that the Ning from Ning Garden was the very Ning from Xiang Ning as he had built such beautiful flats in dedication to her. Even Mr Xiang himself had previously said that if this real estate venture was really by Xu Tingsheng for Little Ning, that would truly mean a great show of sincerity indeed.

“Xu Tingsheng really treasures Little Ning to this extent?”’

Seeing that her parents were no longer saying anything, Little Xiang Ning dabbed at her tears and stood up, new tears immediately falling to replace them as she said miserably, “Well, now that you’re done with the questions, Mum and Dad, I’ll be going now. I’ll come back to visit you next time…”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Mrs Xiang did not know whether to laugh or to cry, “You’re going nowhere.”

“He will deliver the flats as promised. We keep by our promises.”

“...We don’t want them. Even a thousand flats wouldn’t be okay.”

Looking at her mother, an aggrieved Little Xiang Ning asked indignantly, “Why are you suddenly upping the price?”

Chapter 378: Before that infinite love, what can you do? (3)

Mr and Mrs Xiang hastily stopped Little Xiang Ning who was again walking towards the house phone.

Otherwise, she might really inform Xu Tingsheng, “They’ve upped the price. Are a thousand flats okay?”

Xu Tingsheng was currently in a muddled state too. He had already been flustered beyond measure before. In his panic, he thought: What if this was actually real? Even if it wasn’t and they just wanted to take a look at his sincerity...in the off chance that it was real…

Xu Tingsheng was unable to come up with a hundred flats right there and then. The first phase flats had already been sold, while the second phase of the project had not yet taken off…

Xu Tingsheng called over the head of the company’s accounting department and got him to calculate approximately how many flats his shares entitled him too. He made use of this chance and also enquired about matters regarding the transfer of shares.

The head of Accounting had only just stepped out of the office for a short time when madness overtook the entirety of the Black Horse Club.

Everyone rushed over and blockaded Xu Tingsheng’s office. The current situation was clearly great as there was no need for them to fear anything going wrong with the land at the eastern riverbank as well as Ning Garden. Yet, they feared that Godly Swindler Xu wanted to disband the party and abandon them poor souls.

This was currently the most severe period of the ‘blind faith’ status condition.

“Just what did we do wrong? Why won’t you say it!” A despondent Hu Shengming exclaimed.

“Have you met with some sort of difficulty? Tell us! Whatever it is, we’ll help you deal with it together,” Ye Qing said, “If we really can’t resolve it, we’ll bear its weight together with you.”

The remainder of them nodded in agreement.

“Don’t you dare stand in the way of me buying my wife,” Xu Tingsheng thought inwardly.

……

“What do you still want to ask about?”

Little Xiang Ning looked at Mr and Mrs Xiang with a ‘this young lady is definitely leaving today’ vibe.

“There’s nothing more to ask about. We can basically understand what happened with the flat. Besides that, though, is there still anything you want to tell us? Let us properly listen and see how we have wronged and bullied Xu Tingsheng regarding any other issue besides this one.”

“Right, what is it that made you feel so aggrieved you don’t even want Mum and Dad anymore, wanting to leave with someone else instead,” Mrs Xiang elaborated on what Mr Xiang had said.

Sniffing, Little Xiang Ning said aggrievedly, “It’s not like I don’t want you anymore. I said that I’ll be filial and take care of you, and that I’ll come back to see you every week too...hey, isn’t that basically the same as living at school?”

Mr and Mrs Xiang tried hard to keep a straight face as they almost burst out laughing at that.

“Well, you do know that my revision materials were written by him, right?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

“Yes, and we’re very grateful to him for that.”

“Then, do you know that Miss Li Linlin is also a boss, that other people wouldn’t be able to hire her no matter how much they might offer? Anyway, without him, I definitely wouldn’t be able to make it into a first-tier senior high.”

Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged glances.

“Then, do you know that he’s only so helpless in our family, that he’s actually very awesome outside?”

“...”

“Then, was it ever since that incident at the park that you started treating him this way?”

Mrs Xiang nodded. This was precisely what had mainly been gnawing at their hearts.

“What happened that day was this…”

Little Xiang Ning narrated how Dongdong had caused trouble, how that woman had adamantly refused to let the matter go, how Su Nannan had called some hoodlums over and caused even greater trouble in the end. She had called her parents and then Xu Tingsheng too, and then her phone had been flung to the ground and broken…

Then, Xu Tingsheng had arrived on the scene alone…

“He reasoned with and apologised to them, said that he was willing to pay them compensation. But they insisted on snatching Dongdong from me, wanting to beat him to death in front of me. As I started crying, he stood in front of me and shielded me from them, also asking me to turn around and cover my ears…”

Mr Xiang was overcome by a heart-wrenching feeling as he imagined how things might have gone if it had been he and his wife who arrived there at the time, what they could conceivably have done then...the other side clearly hadn’t comprised of ordinary, law-abiding citizens at all.

It seemed like...they would truly have been utterly helpless…

Actually, at this point, Mr Xiang could already basically guess why Xu Tingsheng had acted in such a manner then and what had happened next.

“What happened then?” Asked Mrs Xiang who still couldn't get why Xu Tingsheng had done so.

“They seemed to be hitting him, but he just refused to step aside no matter what...he also said that it was fine if they beat him, but things would get very troublesome if they laid a hand on me,” Little Xiang Ning did not properly understand the underlying connotations in this exchange as she was only truthfully narrating the events then.

Still, these words struck right into the core of Mr and Mrs Xiang: 'He also said that it was fine if they beat him, but things would get very troublesome if they laid a hand on me.’

These words could touch a father's heart very greatly.

“He was afraid that Little Ning might be frightened,” Mr Xiang explained to Mrs Xiang.

Despite feeling quite moved too, Mrs Xiang still said, “But it was clearly he who had superior numbers when we arrived there.”

“They only arrived afterwards. If not for that, he may have died otherwise,” Little Xiang Ning had tears in her eyes as she said exaggeratedly, “We can be bullied by bad people, but we can't bully them back? You have to blame him because of this? Am I still even your daughter…”

“...In that case, why didn't you tell us about it afterwards?” Mrs Xiang asked.

“He was worried that you’d be frightened and afraid.”

Mr and Mrs Xiang could say nothing to this. From what they had heard thus far, it really was like Xu Tingsheng had done no wrong at all.

“Afterwards, he brought me to buy a new phone. Right, where is that phone?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

Mrs Xiang said rather awkwardly, “I got your father to return it to him.”

This was actually a pretty hurtful thing to have done, but Little Xiang Ning ignored its implications as she said, “Well, that's fine too. My current one’s been broken by you anyway, and I'm also going to look for him now.”

“Dream on!” Mrs Xiang was like a kid squabbling with her daughter as she exclaimed exasperatedly at her now.

“I’m not even done talking about you yet,” Little Xiang Ning got in the mood as well as she said, “Can you guess what you were like at the time? ...Go home first...go home first…” Little Xiang Ning stood up and imitated Mrs Xiang’s cold manner of speaking from back then as she had refused to even look at Xu Tingsheng.

Recalling how she had acted, Mrs Xiang felt a bit awkward.

“He vomited blood then, you know? When he sent me back, he vomited blood by the roadside. He was beaten up to the point of vomiting blood in order to protect me...and in the end, he was even bullied by you like that…” Little Xiang Ning added.

Mr Xiang looked over at Mrs Xiang.

Mrs Xiang looked down at the floor.

The two were actually feeling the same way at this moment. To put it a bit more harshly, they both felt mortified.

They could both be considered innately kind-hearted people. Yet, never had they thought that they had unknowingly treated someone like this before…

“No wonder Little Ning says that we’ve been bullying him, that we’ve wronged him. Really, how can it be that the kid’s so remarkable outside, yet does not even dare to explain a thing in front of us?” Mrs Xiang wondered aloud.

“Why? Because of your daughter, obviously,” Mr Xiang commented softly.

“After that, he got angry and refused to teach me,” Little Xiang Ning complained aggrievedly.

“It was Mum and Dad who didn’t allow him to continue teaching you,” Mr Xiang came clean as well as he said rather awkwardly, “Because we were afraid that you’d throw a tantrum at us, we even told him not to tell you that it was us who requested this...to claim that he was very busy…”

One of Little Xiang Ning’s misunderstandings was alleviated as well, “So it was actually like this. Uncle was actually suffering on both ends. I even threw my temper at him and kicked him...oh no, what should I do? Even though it turns out it’s still my heart that’s aching more in the end.”

Looking first at her Dad and then her Mum, Little Xiang Ning stood up and asked, “Well, I guess I can leave now then?”

“What’re you all in a rush to leave for! You’re only sixteen!” Mr and Mrs Xiang did not know whether to laugh or to cry as they only managed to calm Xiang Ning with great difficulty.

“Look at you, all crying and exhausted,” Mrs Xiang guiltily helped to wipe off her daughter’s tears, her heart aching as she said, “Rest for a while first. Give Mum and Dad some time to discuss things, okay?”

Little Xiang Ning stared incredulously, “You want to up the price again?”

“No...we don’t want the flats. We just need to sort our thoughts out. Anyway, don’t you worry. We won’t bully him anymore.”

They only managed to coax Little Xiang Ning back upstairs with much difficulty.

Mrs Xiang lent her her handphone and asked her to get in touch with Xu Tingsheng first...now that things were already like this, it was definitely a bad idea to prevent them from contacting each other, not that they would even do so at this stage. No, the real problem was: What should they do?

Husband and wife remained seated in the living room. They wanted to discuss the issue, yet knew not how to start going about it. In the end, Mr Xiang turned on the television. Clicking through the channels on the remote, they chanced upon a channel that was broadcasting <<Emperor Ming of Tang>>...

In the words of this television drama, this was called ‘infinite love all unto a single soul’…

Recalling all those past events, thinking of the constructed Ning Garden...before that infinite love, what could one do?

Chapter 379: So long as you want it, as long as I have it

On seeing Mrs Xiang’s number indicated on his phone screen, Xu Tingsheng was overwhelmed completely by nervousness.

He shooed away those of the Black Horse Club before carefully answering the call, only to find that it was actually Little Xiang Ning calling.

Little Xiang Ning narrated the entire process of how she had talked with and stood up to her parents, including how they had ultimately expressed that they had to discuss this for a bit.

Xu Tingsheng had no way of digesting this information all at once. In such a short span of time, so many things had been fully exposed. He was currently in a state similar to that of awaiting a final verdict as the jury came to a decision on the matter.

Still, fortunately, Xu Tingsheng was able to tell from Xiang Ning’s words that Mr and Mrs Xiang were actually in the midst of calming down from their previous fervent, antagonistic resistance. The conclusion which they ultimately arrived at might not be that terrible at the end of the day.

Little Xiang Ning’s bravery was very laudable indeed, having played a significant role therein.

“But I’ve already finished preparing the flats on my end, several hundreds of them. How can they suddenly just change their minds like this and refuse to sell? What am I supposed to do now?” Xu Tingsheng joked.

Able to tell that he was joking, Little Xiang Ning laughed, saying with her voice that was a bit hoarse from crying, “So I was actually this valuable.”

“That’s an understatement,” Xu Tingsheng said.

It was a candidate for world’s greatest understatement indeed. Of course he would really be willing to do so. Let alone a hundred flats or Ning Garden, he would be willing to offer up even more, in fact. This might appear rather juvenile and foolish, as they were unlike the actions of a ‘successful’ man, an antihero or even a hero. Still, Xu Tingsheng had never been one of these in the first place.

While money still had to be obtained in this second chance at life, without being too capable or competent, not possessing powerful methods, he was already able to possess immense wealth with just his foreknowledge alone. Yet, in actual fact, people were more important than money in Xu Tingsheng’s worldview, much more important in fact.

This was already so for other, normal people, much less Xiang Ning.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say that it was an understatement, Little Xiang Ning laughed proudly, asking happily, “How much am I worth then?”

Even though she was laughing, as he listened to her voice that was hoarse from crying, Xu Tingsheng’s heart could not help but ache as he said tenderly, “There’s no way of calculating just how much you’re worth...anyway, so long as you want it, as long as I have it. All that I can give to you, I will.”

Some soft laughter resounded from the other end of the phone before Little Xiang Ning said shyly, “Hey, Xu Tingsheng, why’re you suddenly saying so mushy stuff?”

“Is it mushy?”

“Yeah,” Little Xiang Ning said, “Well, so, are we going to enter a relationship now? Will you be very good to me in the future?”

“The answer to this is very long,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I’m prepared to spend my entire lifetime answering it to you. Are you prepared to listen to my answer? Are you willing?”

“Yep,” Little Xiang Ning answered in the affirmative before chuckling aloud, no longer thinking of chastising Uncle for having become more and more mushy now.

Still, after laughing, she thought of another problem, which had actually cast quite a big shadow over her heart. She had been exerting quite a bit of effort over this, just that it had always never seemed much effective before.

“Um, so…” Little Xiang Ning stammered for a bit before she got over her hesitation and asked, “Well, if that one place never grows and there’ll never ever be anything to look at, will you look down on me in the future?”

“What place?” Xu Tingsheng did not get this right away, having merely meant it at a joke at the time after all.

“There, those two...there,” Little Xiang Ning said nervously, “Where you said Mulan has no elder brother.”

Finally realising what she was referring to, Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Oh, there! It’s fine. I think that they’re already pretty good the way they are.”

“You even said that you wouldn’t look for me even if you wanted to act ruffian-ish,” Little Xiang Ning pressed unrelentingly.

“Is it that you just can't wait for me to act ruffian-ish towards you?”

“Hey, you, you...you wish! Dirty ruffian,” Little Xiang Ning said, “I just really feel like hugging you now.”

“Me too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Well then, do you want to touch my waist? ...You can extend your hand in…”

“...”

The two chatted for a long time till a knock on the door resounded on the other end of the phone.

Mrs Xiang had come to look for Xiang Ning.

In their earlier discussion, husband and wife had concluded that there was no way to impede this relationship. Also, because of various things which had happened, it also seemed that it would be inappropriate to continue taking such a hardline stance against this.

Since letting Xiang Ning interact with Xu Tingsheng was an unavoidable thing, it seemed that they should find a suitable state between the two for them to at least get through this three year buffer period first. This seemed to be the most important problem at hand.

This had to be clarified specifically to Xiang Ning, and of course Xu Tingsheng too.

Not long after the call was disconnected, Xu Tingsheng received a text from Mr Xiang, “Tingsheng, let's have a meal together tomorrow, just the three of us.”

Little Xiang Ning would definitely not have been included in this 'three of us’ as it could only be Mr and Mrs Xiang as well as Xu Tingsheng then...from the looks of it, the verdict was about to be dealt. They might first ask him a couple of questions before saying a few things.

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng sent a reply.

Even as Mr Xiang was texting Xu Tingsheng, Mrs Xiang was also telling Little Xiang Ning some things that only a mother could convey. Still, in truth, even a mother would feel somewhat awkward in saying such things to their daughter who was merely a sixteen-year-old.

Little Xiang Ning's face was flushed beetroot red as she listened on. Some things which she herself had not thought about before rose to the surface now as her mother spoke of them.

“I’ll be obedient and listen to you. And he wouldn't do this too!”

Little Xiang Ning actually very much wanted to tell her mother that he was actually very timid. She had kissed him three times already, but he had never even kissed her back once. Oh, though she did not know if his hand that was on her waist sliding downwards could be considered as something on his part…

Forget it. Anyway, one doesn't get pregnant just from a little touching.

Due to nervousness and excitement and just that little bit of awkwardness, Xu Tingsheng feared that he might not be able to sleep that night, that his tossing and turning about in bed might affect his roommates if he returned to the summer dormitory to sleep.

“It looks like I've got to get myself a flat first. Better still if it's closer to the first-tier senior high.

Xu Tingsheng considered this for a time. Still, this wasn't something that could be settled right away at the end of the day. He would simply have to find and make do with a hostel for the night.

……

The location for their meal the next day was decided by Mr and Mrs Xiang as it was not at their home. Some things just should not be said in front of Xiang Ning, after all.

Xu Tingsheng arrived at the place rather early. This was an old local restaurant which seemed to have a rather long history to it. The four-storied, old- fashioned building was rather run-down, and there weren't really many people there now as it was in the afternoon.

After approximately half an hour, Mr and Mrs Xiang arrived too.

The three all felt rather awkward as they sat in a private room on the third storey of the restaurant. Before the dishes had all been served, none of them felt able enough to start out on the main topic as they simply exchanged greetings and some random, meaningless bits of conversation.

“How about we start eating first?” Mr Xiang asked.

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

Right after the trio had picked up their chopsticks, the door was pushed open.

“Aha, I managed to find you!” A smiling Little Xiang Ning held the doorknob and peered into their room, next shamelessly feigning an innocent look of having been invited in the first place as she gracefully walked into the room and sat down.

Mr and Mrs Xiang were rendered speechless.

Little Xiang Ning glanced over at Xu Tingsheng, blinking as if to say, “I was worried that they might bully you, so I've come to protect you.”

At this time, Xu Tingsheng who was in the position of weakest authority would definitely not dare give her any support.

Mrs Xiang put on a stern face, saying, “Go home first, Little Ning. Mum and Dad...have stuff to talk to Tingsheng about.”

“But I'm very hungry…” Little Xiang Ning's shamelessness came into play here as not having any bowl and utensils herself, she picked up Xu Tingsheng's chopsticks and began eating the dishes on the table first.

“Go back, I said! Why are you so disobedient?”

Mr and Mrs Xiang were already making a very big concession in the first place as they felt very awkward too. If even Little Xiang Ning were to be present for this, they would feel greatly discomfited as it would feel as if they were handing their daughter over to Xu Tingsheng in person...even if they did really do so eventually, now was still far from it.

Mrs Xiang got mad.

Little Xiang Ning looked at her Dad who also said, “You should go back first.”

Little Xiang Ning looked at Xu Tingsheng who could, of course, only concede, “You should really go back first.”

“Fine!” Little Xiang Ning hatefully stuffed a final chunk of food in her mouth before throwing down the chopsticks on the table and pushing the door open, storming away.

Chapter 380: An unexpected occurrence

Little Xiang Ning had been 'ostracised’ as even her ‘ally’, Xu Tingsheng, had 'cruelly bitten the hand that fed him, knowing not human benevolence’.

“I wouldn't even have come if it wasn't for the fact that I was afraid of you being bullied,” Little Xiang Ning felt aggrieved as she angrily exited the private room.

Watching the door as it was closed from the outside, Mr Xiang next turned and looked at Xu Tingsheng, smiling as he said, “Look at the girl...Little Ning, she's still young, huh.”

This sentence contained double layers of meaning as it finally brought them to the main topic.

“You can rest assured, Uncle. I’m aware of that,” Xu Tingsheng said.

As she was still young, there were many things that could not be done as Xu Tingsheng would have to control himself. As she was still young, she could often be insensible as Xu Tingsheng would have to be understanding. As she was still young, she still had to study and go to university as Xu Tingsheng should be cognisant of what could and could not be done. As she was still young, Xu Tingsheng would first have to ask himself whether he really was willing to wait for her…

“For the next three to five years, at least, you’d have to be more like Little Ning's older brother…” Mr Xiang trailed off, feeling awkward and some heartache too.

“Relax, Uncle. Actually, I’d already be very satisfied, being able to watch Xiang Ning as she slowly grows up and doing a bit of something for her as is within my capabilities, just like how it was before.”

These words were a bit on the 'politically correct’ side. While not insincere and fake per se, it would be obvious to anyone that however much Xu Tingsheng wished to be resolute and sincere here, it was actually pretty much impossible to fully achieve this in reality.

Still, as Xu Tingsheng had basically still acted with propriety earlier, Mr and Mrs Xiang were generally still able to set their hearts at ease somewhat.

Mrs Xiang was rather more open with her feelings as compared to Mr Xiang's furtive attempts at hiding his awkwardness as looking down at the table rather than at Xu Tingsheng, she said with a rather disgruntled tone, “I’m just afraid that one day, Little Ning might be crying after returning home from school.”

It was only inevitable for a mother to worry like this. This was especially so from Mrs Xiang’s perspective. Little Xiang Ning was still little. Even if she was a little prettier, there were many good-looking girls out there as she was not exceptionally outstanding amongst them overall. Meanwhile, the Xiang family was also perfectly ordinary.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng was not ordinary, was five years older than Little Xiang Ning and also had many positive traits to attract girls with. Little Xiang Ning would very easily be hurt as a result.

Li Meng was a living example of this…

Xu Tingsheng had simply ignored Li Meng as the blame should not technically lie with him. If someone were to blame for this, Mrs Xiang was really more responsible for it. Still, this same principle still applied. What if there came someone more outstanding than Li Meng, who was talented and beautiful and whose family had a reputable standing in society? What if one of these days, Xu Tingsheng himself changed his mind and no longer loved Little Xiang Ning?

Mrs Xiang worried greatly about this.

Also, she who was just a mere, ordinary citizen felt that the lives of rich people would surely not be so simple and reliable.

Mother-in-laws are always harder to deal with than father-in-laws. Xu Tingsheng could only converse and clarify things to Mrs Xiang with great difficulty.

The trio conversed amidst a mood of immense awkwardness for a while. Finally, they arrived at the topic that Mr and Mrs Xiang were the most perplexed about, which was how exactly Xu Tingsheng had come to like Little Xiang Ning.

Such a question would definitely create a somewhat awkward atmosphere, if asked. Still, Mr and Mrs Xiang just had to ask it. Unable to wrap their heads about it however much they tried, they would be unable to set their hearts at ease if they could not hear Xu Tingsheng personally explaining this.

Xu Tingsheng had actually already expected this as he had put together a rather mystical tale the night before. Despite the heavy awkwardness and guilt that was threatening to overwhelm him, he opened his mouth to speak…

A racket resounded from the corridor outside.

The fire had started in the kitchen on the first storey. It had not been huge at first, nor should it have been very hard to control. When cooking inside a restaurant, that some tiny sparks would be flying about was really an inevitable thing.

Yet, on this very afternoon, business in the restaurant had not been all that good as the dishes had basically all been served too. The old, experienced cooks had snuck off to rest earlier on, leaving the new apprentice there alone to cook the two remaining dishes which consisted of some shoots and vegetables.

The oil pan suddenly caught ablaze in its entirety, flames shooting skywards as some grease on the wall was quickly ignited too.

It was a pretty intimidating scene.

In truth, had there been an experienced cook here, they would have been able to take care of it simply by covering the pan with its lid and beating at the embers on the wall with a wet towel.

Yet, this new apprentice did not not know all these. Startled by the sudden occurrence, he immediately threw some water inside the pan. Next, discovering that the fire had instead intensified, he was overwhelmed completely by panic.

He yelled, but no one answered. Maybe he was afraid of losing his job or maybe he really had a great sense of responsibility, for he actually...reached out and, bearing the immense pain, grabbed and raised the entire burning pan, intending to bring it out to dispose of it…

Yet, the intense pain surpassed his tolerable limits, forcing him to give up partway through and let go as the hot, burning oil splattered everywhere, a portion dripping onto the warehouse for miscellaneous goods where the solid fuel for hotpot was usually kept. The solid fuel that was stacked up into a small mountain was hence ignited…

A great fire blazed rampantly just like that.

The old building was unable to bear the intensity of the roaring flames as it instantly spread to the second storey, then the third storey…

The room that Xu Tingsheng and Mr and Mrs Xiang were in was quieter as there were fewer of them inside. Also not having consumed much alcohol, they were amongst the earliest ones who heard the warning shouts. The three of them immediately ran out of the building along with the rest. As the fire had still yet to spread greatly, the three managed to escape from the building without injury.

“Wah, how did we end up running into something like this,” Mr Xiang said rather awkwardly, being the one who had booked the restaurant.

“It’s good that nobody’s hurt,” Mrs Xiang replied, feeling rather fearful of what might have happened.

“Right, most important’s that we’re safe. It’s good that nobody’s hurt,” Xu Tingsheng agreed.

Aware that someone had already notified the fire department, the three stood in the crowd outside the restaurant along with a whole bunch of spectators who had quickly gathered. As they talked and watched those fiery flames, they heard the boss of the restaurant crying as he stood with his employees and yelled towards the building upstairs, “Fire, fire! Hurry up and run! Is anyone still up there?”

A loss for the restaurant itself was already an unavoidable thing. Rather than that, what the boss was most afraid of now...was a human life being lost as well.

If, by any chance, this really did happen, he would be completely done for.

Fortunately, the first twenty, thirty over people who emerged from the site of the fire, Mr and Mrs Xiang as well as Xu Tingsheng included, were basically all unharmed. Instead, the one who was most injured was that cooking apprentice who had been carrying the blazing pan with his hands, thus having led to that fire. His arms and chest were already burnt tragically beyond recognition.

He should really be sent to the hospital at once. However, he was already in shock at the events that had transpired whereas his boss was just scolding him furiously upon seeing him...unable to stand the sight of this any longer, Xu Tingsheng helped him to dial 120 for the ambulance.

Over the next few minutes, a few people ran out of the building. Perhaps because they had been too caught up in their drinking games and had realised the danger late, or perhaps because of some other reason, they had exited later, being relatively more injured too.

In these mere few extra minutes that had elapsed, the fire had grown more and more intense.

The boss was on tenterhooks as he grabbed a woman who had just dashed out from inside and asked her panickedly, “Hey, did you see anybody else still up there? There’s nobody else, right? There’s no one, right?”

“I don’t know!” That woman exclaimed, still half in shock, “Right, there was a young girl who ran down from the fourth storey like me. But I think she was frightened, because she ran onto the corridor on the third storey right away. I don’t know if she’s come out...has anyone seen her?”

The woman now tiptoed and raised her head, looking around in all directions.

Xu Tingsheng’s heart abruptly tensed.

“Uncle, Auntie, hurry up and call Little Ning’s phone,” He said.

Chapter 381: So nothing was that important after all

As Xu Tingsheng said this, the look on his face had already changed completely as he rushed forward, grabbing that woman’s arm as he was about to enquire about the young girl she had seen inside.

“I broke Little Ning’s phone yesterday,” Mrs Xiang said from behind him.

“Calm down, Tingsheng. Little Ning should have returned home,” Mr Xiang said.

In truth, the two of them were feeling worried too.

“How did you say the girl inside looked like again?” Xu Tingsheng pressed on that woman’s arms, asking loudly.

“She looked fifteen or sixteen...she was tall and thin...with long hair...she wore...that colour…”

The woman recalled and described that girl from upstairs. With every phrase she said, the hearts of the trio would sink somewhat.

“It couldn’t actually be Little Ning, right?” Not having paid attention to how her daughter was dressed earlier, Mrs Xiang tugged at Mr Xiang’s arm, asking as she trembled in her entirety.

“I…” Stunned by the rampant fire before them, Mr Xiang was already unable to speak now.

Perhaps they might have rushed inside the very next moment.

However, Xu Tingsheng had already rushed into the site of the fire without any reservations whatsoever before they could even react.

He was certain of it.

His analytical ability was greater than theirs. When he had previously heard the woman saying that the girl had come down from the fourth storey and run towards the third storey corridor, Xu Tingsheng had already felt that that was likely to be Little Xiang Ning. It was not because of her fright that she had randomly run off in the wrong direction...she had gone to look for her parents and Xu Tingsheng…

Now, coupled with that description, Xu Tingsheng was already certain that it was her.

“So long as you want it, as long as I have it. All that I can give to you, I will.”

This was the mushy stuff that Xu Tingsheng had said to Little Xiang Ning the previous day.

Now, he wanted to add, “...My life included.”

Without any hesitation or further consideration whatsoever, Xu Tingsheng realised now that at a time like this, nothing was really that important after all, besides Little Xiang Ning. There was simply no time to waste on any pointless thoughts too.

“Hold them back!” Xu Tingsheng yelled at the boss of the restaurant without so much as a backward glance even as he dashed towards the burning building.

The boss of the restaurant had an uncomprehending look on his face as he only realised what Xu Tingsheng had meant on hearing those tragic cries behind him.

“No…”

“It’s Little Ning…”

At that moment when they saw Xu Tingsheng dash inside, the sole remaining doubts and hope in the hearts of Mr and Mrs Xiang collapsed all at once. The two let out heartrending cries even as they charged forward, wanting to dash into the burning building along with Xu Tingsheng.

“There was already one inside, and another’s gone in...for another two to enter? ...If it really ends up...that would mean four whole lives…”

The boss of the restaurant immediately spread his arms wide and blocked Mr and Mrs Xiang from going forward, additionally calling for his employees to press them down. The two were apprehended just like that as the employees dared not let go however much they struggled, however much they wailed and cursed…

“If she can be saved, the one who just went in will save her. If she can’t be saved, we can’t just...hand another two lives away...”

……

Little Xiang Ning had really been very angry upon leaving the private room, having loathed Xu Tingsheng greatly as she had been thinking, “I won’t care about you anymore.”

Still, she had halted on the staircase even before reaching the second storey.

Little Xiang Ning was still unable to set her mind at ease as she decided to wait for that meal to end. That way, if things really ended on a bad note, she would still be able to intercept them and try to remedy the situation then. After wandering around the restaurant for a time, she reached the fourth storey whereupon she sat down at the stairwell which led to the balcony, deciding to sit and wait there for a while.

The people on the fourth storey reacted latest to the incident, especially Little Xiang Ning whose mind had drifted away as she pondered about Xu Tingsheng and what might occur in the private room. As her location was rather out of the way as well, she only heard the noise and reacted to the fire several minutes later as part of the latest, final batch of people to have been alerted of it.

Little Xiang Ning was really frightened as she hurried along after those frantically fleeing people before her.

As she reached the third storey...Little Xiang Ning was spurred on to dash to the corridor there at a sudden thought as she sought to locate the private room that Xu Tingsheng and her Mum and Dad had been in.

The person who had been with her seemed to have yelled at her to stop, but she did not pay any attention to that, having not the leisure for such now.

The little girl was frightened as she immediately thought to find someone whom she could rely on, who could protect her. This was an instinctual process that was completely understandable.

Yet, this was actually still secondary in her mind. The foremost, most prominent thought in Little Xiang Ning’s mind was that a fire having started, she had to grab her parents and Xu Tingsheng and flee the area together…

Little Xiang Ning had not been aware of the situation at the time. She did not know that she was already amongst the last ones to flee from the burning building, having no way at all of judging that. Amidst the pandemonium, worried and frightened, she instinctively thought to inform her parents and Xu Tingsheng about this, getting them to hurry up and run…

She had not even analysed the situation, considered the possibility that her parents and Xu Tingsheng had probably already fled the building.

Only when she discovered the door of the private room ajar with no one inside did Little Xiang Ning realise what must have happened.

Alone in the empty room, Little Xiang Ning was instantly overwhelmed by a strong sense of solitude and helplessness. She wanted to look for her Mum and Dad, wanted to look for Xu Tingsheng, but they were just not there…

“They must think that I already went home.”

Xiang Ning reached for her handphone, but realised that she didn’t even have that.

Holding back her tears, Little Xiang Ning resolutely turned and ran back to the stairwell alone. Yet, the flames were even more intense than before. Roiling waves of heat assaulted her that were so terrifying, so intimidating…

She was still just a young girl, after all. She felt shocked, fearful, lonely, helpless…

Little Xiang Ning’s legs grew weak as she sat weakly on the ground just like that.

“Mum, Dad, I’m still here…”

“Xu Tingsheng, I’m still here…”

“Sorry for not listening, for not going home yet...please don’t not care about me…”

The fire had actually not blazed for too long at this point in time as it had not spread over to her yet. However, the fear of death had already overtaken her as she wept while shouting inwardly, “Xu Tingsheng, Little Xiang Ning is still in here! Please don’t not care about me…”

Despair had actually already seeped into this desperate plea of hers. Xiang Ning knew that her parents and Xu Tingsheng definitely already believed that she had returned home. They might be standing outside at this very moment, yet there was just no way they would think that...she was still inside.

The fire was fiercer on the exterior as even the windowsills on the rooms had already started burning. She was unable to even go to the window and call for help.

“Mum and Dad, Xu Tingsheng...your Little Xiang Ning won’t be able to come out…”

“You won’t be coming to look for me, right?”

……

Fortunately, the staircase was not made of wood. It could still be passed through.

Little Xiang Ning heard footsteps. Then, through the flames, she saw someone running towards her...Xu Tingsheng, Uncle, Uncle Liar, Uncle Black Bear, dirty ruffian…

“Xu Tingsheng!”

Xu Tingsheng heard her. He was most worried that Little Xiang Ning might be hiding in some corner due to fear, in which case he would have to search everywhere for her. He was already prepared to begin yelling as soon as he rushed up the staircase, even if he kept choking on the pungent smoke.

Hearing the yell, he sprinted over, and saw her.

The heavens were watching over them. Xiang Ning was standing at the stairwell.

Xu Tingsheng turned back and glanced around at their surroundings. The fire was blazing the most intensely at the exterior of the building. The staircase...they should still be able to make it.

Chapter 382: I've still got to marry you

“Crouch down!”

Little Xiang Ning pitiably extended a hand, but Xu Tingsheng had not the leisure to console her right now as he yelled this out loudly even as he reached out and pushed down on her back, getting her to crouch down closer to the ground where there would be slightly less smoke.

Then, he rushed into the nearest private room and and found two towels. He opened a pot of herbal tea and poured it out completely on the towels.

He immediately turned and charged back out from the room.

“Cover your nose and mouth! Cover mine too,” Xu Tingsheng handed Little Xiang Ning the two wet towels that he had folded.

Little Xiang Ning was still in a daze as she did not receive them. She did not know what had just happened, not knowing why Xu Tingsheng was behaving this way as she had even thought for a moment that Xu Tingsheng no longer cared about her, or had not appeared in the first place, merely being a figment of her imagination…

“Little Xiang Ning? Don’t be scared, I’m here...come on, let’s go,” Xu Tingsheng spoke loudly as he wiped Xiang Ning’s face once with the wet towel.

Little Xiang Ning finally regained her wits. As tears appeared in her eyes once again, she nodded towards Xu Tingsheng and took the towel from him, next covering her mouth…

Xu Tingsheng bent down and scooped her up in his arms, running down the stairs…

“Xu Tingsheng, are we going to die?”

“No, I’ve still gotta marry you. Cover your mouth tightly now.”

……

Mr and Mrs Xiang were still being tightly held down by several people and rendered unable to move. They already did not have any real strength left to struggle. They simply flailed their limbs about pointlessly as they howled tragically. At some instances, they could still be heard shouting ‘Little Ning’. At others, only incomprehensible sounds remained…

They had plunged into the depths of endless despair.

They just regretted it so deeply. They had clearly already come to a decision the previous day. There was no real need at all for a conversation, no need for that meal together…

If they could choose again, they would definitely not have shooed their daughter away prior to this. They had clearly known that she had come because she felt restless, being unable to set her mind at ease. In that case, would she have left even if they had shooed her away? ...Since this matter was related to her, it was actually only reasonable for her to be allowed to listen…

“I even broke her phone...damn me, curse me…” Sprawled out on the ground, Mrs Xiang sobbed piteously as she painfully rebuked herself over and over again.

As she saw it, if Xiang Ning had had her phone with her, they would have been able to know that she was still inside the building a little earlier. They would have had ample time to resolve the situation then.

Yet, it was already much too late for regrets now, however much she wept.

From the exterior of the restaurant, flames were already visibly surging into the skies all about its base skeleton. This was even more terrifying than the actual situation in the interior, terrifying to the point of inducing utter despair.

There was only despair that still existed within their minds now.

The abject eyes of the couple were dull and lifeless, devoid as they were of any remaining hope.

“Somebody...somebody’s coming out!” Someone yelled.

“It’s true! Someone’s coming out.”

“Hurry, somebody help him! He can’t run anymore.”

Some people with sharp eyes noticed that Xu Tingsheng was already quickly nearing his limits.

No one moved.

“Boss, if anyone dies, the responsibility will be on you.”

The boss of the restaurant dared not move.

It was that cooking apprentice who had suffered tragic, severe burns who reacted at once, immediately scrambling up from the ground and dashing towards the entrance of the building.

Next, hearing the voices and being released of the grips on them, Mr and Mrs Xiang who had originally already been totally devoid of strength sprang to their feet at once. The scene which immediately entered their eyes was that of Xu Tingsheng, carrying Xiang Ning in his arms…

As he charged out from amidst the roaring sea of flames…

Amidst the turbulent sprinting, Little Xiang Ning had been unable to properly cover Xu Tingsheng’s mouth and nose at all times as he had inhaled too much smoke as a result. A problem had already appeared for his breathing as his muscles were drained of energy and his footsteps were slowing, his consciousness too beginning to waver like a flickering candle…

That cooking apprentice ran inside and reached them.

Xu Tingsheng handed Little Xiang Ning over to him.

“Get her out of here, hurry!”

The cooking apprentice received Xiang Ning from Xu Tingsheng’s arms before glancing at him.

“I can go on,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The cooking apprentice turned and ran.

“Xu Tingsheng…” Little Xiang Ning swivelled her head and looked at him.

Xu Tingsheng was still fleeing the building. He could already no longer run…even though he was no longer carrying Little Xiang Ning, he could already run no longer. Still, all was fine, for he was conscious of the fact that Xiang Ning was already being swiftly carried to safety…

The entrance was already in sight, almost within reach…

He staggered towards the door…

From the ceiling that was riddled with wounds from the fire, the blazing half of a wooden beam took a plunge, smashing down onto Xu Tingsheng’s back…

Mrs Xiang took hold of Little Xiang Ning.

Mr Xiang ran into the building, dragging Xu Tingsheng out.

Outside the building, Little Xiang Ning coughed intensely as she looked at Xu Tingsheng’s lifeless, unmoving body that would already show no reaction no matter how Mr Xiang tried eliciting one, patting frantically at it…

“Xu Tingsheng, are we going to die?”

“No, I’ve still gotta marry you.”

“Xu Tingsheng, you’ve still got to marry me…”

The ambulance finally arrived at the scene. It was Xu Tingsheng himself who had called 120 for emergency services earlier, and now he was the one being wheeled away.

……

Outside the ward at Yanzhou Central Hospital.

Huang Yaming was pulling the doctor in charge of Xu Tingsheng who had just finished his treatment.

“How is he?”

Beside him were Fu Cheng, Tan Yao, Fang Yuqing, Lu Zhixin...as well as Wu Kun and Ye Qing of the Black Horse Club. The gazes of the seven were all fixated unblinkingly on the doctor.

Fortunately, it was currently the holiday period. Otherwise, there would probably be even more people here…

“It’s pretty serious. He took a heavy blow to his back, and also breathed in too much smoke…” The doctor said.

“Is there any danger to his life?” Huang Yaming interrupted, cutting to the chase.

He had asked this in a tone so dispassionate it sounded slightly sinister.

“He, he should be okay,” The doctor stumbled over his words.

“What do you mean should?”

“He still hasn’t woken up yet. If…”

“No ifs!” Huang Yaming tightly gripped the doctor’s coat.

Unable to break free of his grasp, the doctor sent the others a pleading gaze.

“Let go, Yaming...let go, this has nothing to do with the doctor,” Tan Yao persuaded him softly.

Huang Yaming numbly released his grip, and the doctor hurriedly fled. Huang Yaming’s gaze and tone from earlier had left him involuntarily trembling all over.

“Who did it? Who did it?” Huang Yaming spoke very softly as he knelt down on the ground, his tears pattering uncontrollably onto the ground one by one.

Fu Cheng just stood there numbly.

“No, nobody did anything. No one tried to harm Xu Tingsheng. I asked about it. This was really just an accident. Calm down, Yaming. It isn’t what you think.”

While Fang Yuqing also didn’t understand much about the situation, he needed to persuade Huang Yaming and calm him down now. It could be said that Huang Yaming had killed for Xu Tingsheng before, in a way. It was he who had single-handedly induced the death of Ding Sen.

Lu Zhixin cut a rather solitary figure as she stood there. Her nails were virtually embedded in her palm as her tears could not stop flowing.

Still, she had to remain calm.

“You guys can only notify those who are closest with Xu Tingsheng. Besides that, we have to seal off all news to the outside world before Xu Tingsheng wakes up. I will talk to the hospital about this,” Lu Zhixin said.

Hucheng, Weibo, Zhicheng…

Xu Tingsheng alone was related to so many significant, high profile organisations.

As soon as the news was leaked, not only would discussion amongst netizens be rife, even media organisations would likely come flocking to interview them and report on this incident.

Hucheng had just finished the distribution of shares. As soon as the news of Xu Tingsheng’s accident had been leaked, there would surelythen be people setting their eyes on his fortune. Tianyi who possessed quite a bit of their shares could not be trusted, and their own employees would definitely waver to some extent too…

Xingchen Technologies, Weibo. Hucheng was still being managed by Lu Zhixin, at least, but as for Xingchen, there was no one who could give them instructions besides Xu Tingsheng himself, no one who could effectively supervise and manage Hu Chen and He Yutan who were much too individualistic…

As for Zhicheng, many were still drawn to and unable to forget this vastly profitable organisation. With the Black Horse Club without their almighty leader, some might just try to eat them up even with the Fang family supporting them. Most horrifying would be if...a turncoat appeared amongst their ranks.

Xu Tingsheng’s parents and his younger sister Xu Qiuyi were already in the midst of rushing to Yanzhou with Zhong Wusheng at the wheel.

Song Ni and Apple were rushing over too.

When Mrs Xu had fainted earlier and Mr Xu had been busy taking care of her, not having had anyone to pour out all her pent up feelings to, Xu Qiuyi had called Wu Yuewei, “My brother…”

“Didn’t we agree not to talk about him?”

“He’s met with an accident.”

Chapter 383: Deeply connected and interwoven

Startled and fearful as she was, while Little Xiang Ning had been physically protected very well, the psychological harm she had suffered and her unavoidable inhalation of some smoke still caused her to lapse into unconsciousness after a simple treatment.

“Dad, where’s Xu Tingsheng? Where’s Xu Tingsheng?” The girl had tearfully asked non-stop before she fell asleep.

At the time, Mr Xiang who had initially been taking care of Xu Tingsheng but had just handed him over to Huang Yaming and the others had just been unable to answer her, the words totally stuck in his throat.

Mr and Mrs Xiang were currently standing vigil by their daughter’s bedside. While Little Xiang Ning was still asleep, the doctor had expressly affirmed that she was basically unharmed from the incident. She was simply too exhausted right now, also having suffered too intense a shock.

While this diagnosis itself should really be a cause of celebration, Mr and Mrs Xiang just could not feel happy no matter what. As they saw it, this had only come at the cost of Xu Tingsheng currently being caught in a perilous state between life and death, his life hanging by a thread.

“How do you think Tingsheng’s doing now?” This was already the nth time Mrs Xiang was asking this.

Throughout the afternoon, she had been constantly rebuking herself deeply as she unceasingly recalled the scenes of Xu Tingsheng charging into the burning building without any hesitation whatsover, ultimately emerging from the sea of flames with Little Xiang Ning in his embrace…

As for how Xu Tingsheng had asked the boss of the restaurant to prevent the couple from entering as only his own life was put at risk, it was not difficult to understand his intentions therein.

The more she thought about it, the more it tugged at her heartstrings as she regretted it deeply indeed.

Just what was the point of me going to such lengths and making things so difficult for everyone in the first place? Mrs Xiang rebuked herself unceasingly.

Now, doubts, worries, quandaries-all could be cast aside without reservation. Having met someone like this, someone who had silently done so much from the sidelines and who was willing to sacrifice his very life for her daughter-what did it matter that it was hard to understand?

Yet, just when she had finally come to accept him, he might already be no more…

Mrs Xiang dabbed at her tears.

“I’m not sure about that too,” Mr Xiang said rather helplessly, “After those friends of his came over, they seemed to be guarding against something. I went over a few times, but they didn’t allow me to see him, didn’t even let me ask about his condition.”

“You didn’t tell them about…?” Mrs Xiang asked.

“The thing between Little Ning and Tingsheng,” Mr Xiang hesitated for a moment before saying, “There’s no way of saying this to others right now. I just told them how the restaurant caught fire and how he then saved our daughter. They said they will investigate this incident themselves and even reminded me not to ask about Xu Tingsheng’s injuries and his condition specifically, and not to tell others about this too.”

“What about his family members? Are they here? Are they also so difficult to talk to?” Mrs Xiang tried a different approach.

“I don’t know about that. I don’t even know if they’ve already arrived. We had no chance to meet in the first place. Still, they’d probably not be in the mood to talk about much even if they’ve arrived. It would be the same for us too if something like this happened,” Mr Xiang said.

Mrs Xiang pondered for a while before pulling at Mr Xiang and asking, “How about you ask the doctor? Maybe you can get something from him?”

Mr Xiang shook his head, “I tried that long ago. That doctor clearly saw me watching over Tingsheng before, but when I looked for him later, he actually said that there was no such patient in this hospital...it looks like they’ve also been requested to keep their mouths shut.”

Mrs Xiang was rather befuddled as she asked worriedly, “Why is there a need for such secrecy? What do you think this is about, Old Xiang?"

“How would people like us know this,” A troubled Mr Xiang replied, “What I’m afraid of is that this means that if something really happens to Tingsheng, trouble will arise in many different areas as it is not just about he himself.”

The likes of Mr and Mrs Xiang would definitely be unable to wrap their heads around this no matter what.

Mrs Xiang sighed helplessly.

“Cough...cough…” The slumbering Little Xiang Ning coughed a few times, her brows knit tightly as tears were constantly seeping out from the corners of her eyes, her hands moving as if unconsciously grabbing for something, wanting to grab hold of that tangible something…

After that came another bout of intense coughing.

……

Mr and Mrs Xu finally arrived at Yanzhou Central Hospital at around 6pm in the evening.

Xu Tingsheng’s back was a real sight to behold indeed as there was a thick scar that was over half the breadth of his arm running gruesomely across his entire back, having been inflicted by the momentous descent of that burning beam. There were also countless other burns, scrapes and other smaller wounds all over his body...

In his unconscious state, the hospital personnel was helping to suck the phlegm out of his body. What emerged was a completely pitch back substance…

Mrs Xu was sent off for an emergency IV drip on the spot.

Mr Xu sat on the chair beside the bed. Besides greeting them and asking about the situation at the start, he had not said even a single word.

While the doctor in charge had reaffirmed to Mr Xiang that Xu Tingsheng should not be in any danger of dying, as he had been in a comatose state thus far and was so gravely injured too, there was really no one who would be able to rest assured with that.

The lifeline of the current well-to-do Xu family lay not with money, not with Happy Shoppers that had already become a franchise corporation and the three companies under Xu Tingsheng’s name. Instead, it lay solely with the one lying on the sickbed, the Xu family’s only son Xu Tingsheng.

If something happened to him, all would be rendered void and meaningless.

In his silence, Mr Xu who had already long since come to adopt a stoic attitude in life emanated a helplessness that others would never be able to comprehend. At least, this was the first time that Zhong Wusheng who had already been by his side for more than a year now was seeing him like this.

Apple and Song Ni hastily rushed over, finally managing to arrive at around 8pm that night.

Apple had not applied make-up from the start. She also removed her sunglasses and surgical mask before entering the sick ward, not wishing for herself to have such an image when in front of the Xu family and Xu Tingsheng.

As soon as she entered the room and saw how Xu Tingsheng looked on that sickbed, with just a single glance, tears gushed uncontrollably down Apple’s face. Still, she immediately covered her mouth with a hand, not daring to cry out loud…

Huang Yaming had previously reminded her that the news had to be prevented from leaking. As she was a celebrity, she was actually the person who should least be appearing here.

Apple had given him her word time and time again, insisting that she came.

Now, she saw it.

So her superman, that person who had always shielded her from the winds and the rains...he himself could be hurt too.

It was not that Apple had never felt agonised over this period of time. Ever since Xu Tingsheng had failed to show up at New York as promised, she had already had a premonition that she was to suffer a complete defeat. Xu Tingsheng’s sudden change in attitude in evading the problem in the later media-related incident had proven that premonition to be legitimate.

It definitely was not the case that she hated him, that he had let her down and done her wrong, for it had been Xu Tingsheng who had been actively giving in the relationship all along in taking care of her. He had already done so much for her. Still, it was only inevitable that she would feel hurt, saddened, unwilling to accept it.

Only now did Apple realise that all this was actually no longer that important after all. So long as he was fine and well, that would already be enough.

Finally, Apple found a spot on the other side of the bed across from Mr Xiang and took a seat.

Mr Xiang had met Apple before. He said nothing, just nodding to her.

She too would be standing vigil that night.

Mr Xiang knew that if he did not allow her to do so, this girl who was currently weeping soundlessly as she tried hard to suppress her agonised feelings would break down.

The next morning.

Mr Xu went to meet the doctors and specialists that the hospital had helped him to get hold of as early as he could.

This was exactly how invaluable Xu Tingsheng was now.

Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Fang Yuqing went downstairs and talked for a while, “Him being a purely good samaritan? Impossible. Xu Tingsheng’s still not noble to that extent. I don’t believe it, anyway. Because of that, I definitely must get to the bottom of this matter.”

Huang Yaming repeated this several times, growing increasingly restless and vicious in his tone.

The comatose Xu Tingsheng alone was deeply connected with and interwoven into the hearts of so many people...the primary source of their varying moods and emotions.

Chapter 384: The young miss who’s come to see Xu Tingsheng

There were presently many people both inside and outside the sick ward.

Besides the ten odd people who had already been there initially, Mrs Xiang had already come over following the IV drip the previous night. Old Wai and Li Linlin had learnt of this incident rather late as they had rushed over and only arrived not long ago. Fang Chen had arrived slightly earlier than them. After returning home for the night, Wu Kun and Ye Qing had come again early that morning.

Them aside, because of Huang Yaming, it was really inevitable that Tan Qingling and Chen Jingqi knew about this incident as the two of them were currently also present.

When Huang Yaming returned to the sick ward, a nurse was in the midst of conducting a checkup for Xu Tingsheng.

As Xu Tingsheng could not be shifted carelessly considering his current condition, Chen Jingqi went up to assist that nurse. Tan Qingling went over too, acting all concerned and also zealous.

After watching for a while, Lu Zhixin frowned, saying, “The situation now is that Xu Tingsheng is injured. Now isn’t the time for you to fight for affection in front of your man. Jingqi was a nurse in the first place. Don’t you go brewing additional trouble here.”

Knowing how important Xu Tingsheng was to Huang Yaming, Tan Qingling was indeed trying to score points in front of him.

Hearing Lu Zhixin’s words, aware that her relationship with Chen Jingqi was not bad, Tan Qingling shot her a slightly venomous glare. She then turned, her expression immediately different from before as she gazed at Huang Yaming with a very innocent look on her face.

Huang Yaming said rather helplessly, “Just sit down. Otherwise, you can just go home first.”

Despite that remark, Tan Qingling was unexpectedly not enraged at all as she did not flare up and storm off in a flash. She did not even try to defend herself as she apologised with a guilty look on her face before going back to sit down in a quiet, obedient manner.

Tan Qingling had always been this sort of person who determinedly strove towards her goal.

After more than a year with that small-time boss, this had not changed. Still, she had learnt how to appraise the situation and formulate a plan accordingly, utilising various methods to actualise her goal.

Huang Yaming was her current goal.

If she had only known that Huang Yaming would change so quickly in a truly qualitative manner, changing by so much too, she would surely not have acted this way back then. Still, she did not regret this one bit, because there was no need to. Tan Qingling was very confident that so long as she wanted to, even with Chen Jingqi standing in her path, Huang Yaming would ultimately be hers regardless as it would merely mean having to spend some more time on him, utilising some more methods.

Furthermore, Chen Jingqi was not a difficult opponent at all.

……

Wu Yuewei arrived a little before noon. She had taken a plane from Yanjing to Xihu City early in the morning, next having commuted to Yanzhou before taking a taxi to the hospital.

Xu Qiuyi went downstairs and guided her over.

The specialists had just finished their first session of diagnosis as Xu Tingsheng had just been sent back to the sick ward.

Everyone was gathered outside the sick ward as Mr Xiang recounted what had been said by them. Things appeared very optimistic as Xu Tingsheng’s vital functions were all extremely stable. It could firstly already be confirmed that his life was not in any danger whatsoever.

At the same time, the specialists had virtually agreed unanimously that Xu Tingsheng should be waking up very soon.

Everyone collectively heaved a sigh of relief, Mr Xiang himself included.

Wu Yuewei heard the good news as soon as she arrived as much of her worry was thus dispelled. However, she still wished so much to take a look at him.

Wu Yuewei went up and told Mr and Mrs Xu, “Uncle, Auntie, I, I’m here to see Senior.”

Mr and Mrs Xu both recognised Wu Yuewei. Mr Xu smiled and nodded in approval.

Xu Qiuyi accompanied Wu Yuewei inside.

At the instant when Wu Yuewei saw Xu Tingsheng, Xu Qiuyi could sense how the hand that she was holding tightened so much all at once, becoming both cold and stiff. The way Xu Tingsheng currently looked was really just much too heart-wrenching a sight to behold.

Brushing Xu Qiuyi’s hand aside, Wu Yuewei walked over to the side of the comatose Xu Tingsheng, crouching down and carefully gazing at his body that was riddled in wounds.

She reached out, yet knew not where to place her hand as she could only retract it.

She had already constantly been so afraid to meet this person again, fearing that her heart would ache as a result. Yet, while her heart clearly ached so much right now, she just hoped so much that he would just open his eyes and take a look at her.

The way she saw this man was different from how everyone else saw him.

The Xu Tingsheng in Wu Yuewei’s eyes was not as capable and mature as others saw him to be. The Xu Tingsheng she recognised was childish, unruly, rash, a little bad, always messing around and getting fun out of it like a little kid.

He was the Xu Tingsheng who had shamelessly refused to perform eye calisthenics in order to attract her attention, having tried to flirt with her time and time again. He was the rash fella who didn’t even know how to be afraid in the face of SARS. He had told her some dirty anecdotes, even having requested her to tell him some back...and in the end, she had really still done so.

One must know that she was the first Qingbei University student from Libei County over the past thirteen years, Wu Yuewei.

She always called him Senior, yet saw him as a little boy...it was even more so with the frail him currently in front of her.

Returning before Mr and Mrs Xu, Wu Yuewei requested, “Uncle, Auntie, I’d like to stay behind until Senior wakes up. When arranging for shifts to look after Senior, please count me in too.”

Knowing that they should not stand on ceremony here although they actually already had sufficient people, Mr and Mrs Xu replied, “Okay. We’ll be troubling you then.”

Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng, Tan Yao and Fang Yuqing were watching on from the side.

Because of the results of the specialists’ diagnosis that Mr Xu had just announced, their worry had been replaced by relief all at once as they were already in a much more relaxed mood than before. It seemed that all they had to do was wait for Xu Tingsheng to wake up.

Along with that came the mood to think about some other things as well.

“There’re already three now…” Stealing a few looks at Lu Zhixin who had originally had a stern look on her face and was also exhibiting some joy at this moment, Apple who stood at a corner with a mask over her face and Wu Yuewei who had just arrived, Huang Yaming said with a few meaningful glances at the other three.

“Only the final, crucial one’s still missing. I wonder if that one will come,” Fang Yuqing said with a greatly anticipatory look on her face, “If she does come, it’ll be enough for a table of mahjong. Say, who do you think will win?”

“Let them fight out a few rounds first,” Tan Yao said.

Fu Cheng smiled, joking, “I think that if he were to wake up and see what’s going on now, he’d probably wish that he could stay unconscious for a few more days…”

As the foursome was in the midst of their conversation.

A young girl who wore a white hospital gown with light blue stripes walked over.

The girl was thin, her hair rather dishevelled and her eyes reddened. She didn’t seem to be doing so well. Even as she walked over, she was even coughing out loud from time to time.

Also, she appeared rather fearful and anxious too, with her mouth constantly pursed and her lips tightly pressed together, trembling slightly...it was like she might just burst into tears at any moment.

“Hello,” The girl said fearfully to all these people whom she didn’t recognise in a sobbing tone, “I’d like to see Xu Tingsheng.”

Little Xiang Ning had just awoken. She had not been able to learn of Xu Tingsheng’s current situation, yet had already learnt from her father that no one was being allowed in to see him.

Still, as she had insisted on coming, Mr and Mrs Xiang had only been able to escort her over to the nearest bend. After all, Mr Xiang had already tried to visit Xu Tingsheng a lot of times. Were he to appear now, not only would it just be useless, it would only bring additional trouble instead.

“You…want to see Xu Tingsheng?” Huang Yaming questioned rather blankly, “Could you be the person he saved?”

“Yes, I am,” Feeling anxious, Little Xiang Ning nodded forcefully.

Mr Xiang had already tried to use this very reason several times, but Huang Yaming had simply refused to allow him in nonetheless. The reason given by Lu Zhixin aside, he was currently also filled with suspicion as he believed that this incident was abnormal and intended to investigate it as soon as Xu Tingsheng had awoken.

“You should go back,” Since this was a young girl, Huang Yaming tried to keep his tone cordial as much as possible.

Chapter 385: My name is Xiang Ning

Of all those present, there were four who had seen Little Xiang Ning before.

Of all of them, Li Linlin was the only one who was in the know. When she had seen Xiang Ning walking over from the distance in her hospital gown, she had actually already understood what Xu Tingsheng’s self-sacrificial act had been all about.

If she had learnt about this and come over earlier, if she had only just seen Mr Xiang who had come a few times and been sent away, actually, she would have realised everything long ago.

The problem was that she did not know what she was supposed to do now. She was determined to help Xu Tingsheng to keep his secret, but for her to stop Xiang Ning?

This would be wholly unreasonable from both a rational and emotional standpoint.

After hesitating for quite a bit, Li Linlin was still unable to decide on a course of action. Actually, this was itself a course of action too. She chose to let things play out naturally. Not wishing for Xiang Ning to see her and complicate matters even more or reveal that the two of them were related, she even secretly went and hid behind the back of Old Wai.

On hearing Huang Yaming shoo Little Xiang Ning away, even as Li Linlin did feel sorry for her, she was also secretly heaving a sigh of relief inwardly.

She did not know that just Xiang Ning’s name alone already meant so much to quite a number of those here. In other words, she did not know that Fu Cheng, Huang Yaming, Fang Yuqing, Tan Yao, Apple, Song Ni and even Mr and Mrs Xu could actually easily recognise her name.

As long as this name was spoken out loud, even a mere mention would already be enough.

Fang Yuqing was another of those who had seen Little Xiang Ning before. When he had pulled Xu Tingsheng off to the side to speak with him during the previous incident at the park, he had actually seen Xiang Ning then. It was just that he had thought at the time that besides being a student at Xu Tingsheng’s training institute, she might just be slightly related to Xiang Ning as well at most.

“Could it be that this is why Xu Tingsheng risked his life to save her? Going this far, though...is she really only a student of that Xiang Ning’s? Maybe they’re slightly related by blood too? She wouldn’t be her little sister or something? If that really is the case, going by her appearance, the older sister should probably be quite pretty too.”

What everyone else did not know was that Mr and Mrs Xu had actually seen Xiang Ning before, back in Xu Tingsheng’s office in the past.

While Mr Xu might have forgotten about this, Mrs Xu had never forgotten Xiang Ning. Those ultra rare Fuxi bones had been spotted and identified by her on the spot as she had waxed lyrical for a long time over that pretty little girl with the first grade facial structure under the heavens.

Mrs Xu looked at Little Xiang Ning.

Little Xiang Ning was feeling incomparably frantic as well as helpless and despondent due to Huang Yaming having refused to let her see Xu Tingsheng. Now, she spotted Mrs Xu as well.

“Auntie, do you still remember me? I want to see Xu Tingsheng,” In her panic, Little Xiang Ning completely forget to call him Mr Xu.

“Yes, I remember you. You’re…” What Mrs Xu really wanted to say was: You’re the student that I saw in my son’s office before, right?

Yet, she got interrupted as seeing that she still remembered her, believing this meant that she should be able to see Xu Tingsheng, Little Xiang Ning nodded frantically, exclaiming, “Right, Auntie! My name is Xiang Ning.”

If there was music, this would be the equivalent of a sudden, abrupt halt, the straw that broke the camel’s back with a dramatic flourish after a tumultuous running of notes.

If there was thunder, a boom should resound as the most powerful bolt of lightning struck the ground directly before their eyes.

The absence of sound was pretty good as well. Utter silence reigned.

“You said...your name is?”

“Auntie, my name is Xiang Ning. I want to see Xu Tingsheng.”

After obtaining confirmation, Mrs Xu looked at Mr Xu, who looked back at her too.

Apple and Song Ni exchanged glances.

Fang Yuqing, Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Tan Yao gazed back and forth at one another.

Even the others who were not in the know knew now that things were definitely not that simple.

For example, Lu Zhixin and Wu Yuewei who were relatively smarter could basically already guess what was currently the matter. After all, they had basically heard before that there was already someone in Xu Tingsheng’s heart. Everyone’s reactions right now reminded them that this was her.

Yet…

Old Wai shot an enquiring gaze at Li Linlin who was clearly in the know as she currently looked extremely worried.

While Li Linlin did not understand the specifics of this, on seeing everyone’s reactions right now, she knew that the cat was already out of the bag. She could only heave a sigh for Xu Tingsheng while also beginning to feel worried for Little Xiang Ning. She did not know what turn this matter might take and what events might hence unfold, being especially uncertain of how Mr and Mrs Xu would view and deal with this matter.

Also, there were three other girls who liked Xu Tingsheng standing right there, and all of them were so outstanding too.

“It couldn’t be someone with the same name, right?” Fu Cheng muttered aloud disbelievingly.

“What do you think?” Huang Yaming retorted with a forced smile on his face.

That was clearly impossible! Putting his very life on the line to save her and suffering grave injuries of this degree-and you say that it’s just a coincidence?

It was obvious now why they had gone to Xinyan Junior High on such a great scale to celebrate someone’s birthday yet failed to find a teacher who was named Xiang Ning afterwards no matter how they tried. What the hell...so she was actually a student!

Why had Xu Tingsheng hidden his ideal partner so secretively, adamantly refusing to let his bros see her? It was obvious now. He himself knew that he was too much of a beast...the lot of them had even speculated before that the rumoured Xiang Ning might be a married woman, feeling that to already be too much...they had not considered that he could be even more of a beast than that.

It was no wonder that when he had first mentioned her and they had said that they wished to meet her, he had replied: Next time...no, in a few years...yeah, it’d have to be a few years later.

It was no wonder that even with such results in the university entrance examinations, he had still applied for Yanzhou University. It was all in order to be close to her…

It seemed like the lofty Boss Xu had even personally gone off to be a home tutor at one point in time. She must have been the student then.

More than two years had passed, several beauties appearing one after another. Yet, he had been so abnormal in not wanting anyone, not touching any single woman. They had nearly almost come to question his sexual preferences, yet it turned out that this was actually all because of a little girl.

And then there was also Zhicheng’s Ning Garden…

…...

To sum it up, how was 2012 the end of the world? It should be 2005 when Earth exploded into smithereens right there and then…

“We’ve seen her before, during that time at the park when Xu Tingsheng asked me to call for people,” Fang Yuqing said softly to Tan Yao.

Tan Yao, “...”

Fang Yuqing mused aloud, “What a fool I’ve been. We’ve even seen her already, getting a firsthand opportunity, but we only believed that she was a student or relative of that Xiang Ning’s...whereas she was actually that living, one and only Xiang Ning in the first place...”

Perhaps Xu Tingsheng should rejoice at the fact that he was currently in a comatose state.

Now was a good time to be unconscious. Otherwise, his ‘beastly’ ways would be looked down on as he would be interrogated to death.

As for Little Xiang Ning, she was actually still doing fine. She was indeed a bit bemused by the strange reactions of everyone else. Still, greatly worried about Xu Tingsheng as she was, such considerations never entered her mind at all.

“Auntie, can I go in to see Xu Tingsheng?” Little Xiang Ning asked again with tears in her eyes.

Despite having lived for over forty years, Mrs Xu had never been posed with a question tougher than this before. She glanced at Mr Xu, who seemed at a loss too...he was never at a loss even when managing his supermarket franchise which was worth over a hundred million, yet was left feeling conflicted and bamboozled right now.

“Let her go in for now,” He finally said after a long time.

“Well, go on in then,” Mrs Xu said.

“Thank you.”

Little Xiang Ning entered the sick ward.

The floodgates immediately opened as her repressed sobs resounded.

“Xu Tingsheng...sob…”

On seeing Xu Tingsheng’s unconscious state and those wounds on his back, Little Xiang Ning lost all strength in her legs as she just collapsed limply to the ground. Gazing at him, she dared not cry loudly as she repressed her sobs as much as possible, sniffing loudly.

She reached out and gently stroked his face.

She rested her face by the edge of the bed, placing his hand lightly on it.

“Sob…”

“It must really hurt, right? Sorry, it’s all my fault for being disobedient.”

“Are you angry? Will you still want me, Xu Tingsheng?”

Tears unceasingly trickled down her face, descending.

“We were nearly about to start a relationship.”

“You yourself said that you want to marry me.”

“Xu Tingsheng, do you want to touch my waist...just wake up, you can if you wake up…”

“What am I supposed to do in the future…”

Chapter 386: After the inconceivable revelation

While Xiang Ning was speaking very softly such that those outside were unable to make out her words, all one needed was a single glance, but a single glance to know that this little girl was truly feeling pain, down to the very core as her hurt was no lesser than that of anyone else present.

Really anyone who was seeing her would all realise that perhaps they should not consider this matter through a ‘dirty’, unreasonable perspective.

This girl was so pure. Those tears were so pure…

She was so pure it caused one’s heart to ache.

“How about we try to coax her? Tell her that Tingsheng’s fine. Otherwise, I think she might just faint at any moment,” Sensing Little Xiang Ning’s sorrow, Mr Xu asked Mrs Xu rather worriedly.

Mrs Xu felt sorry for Little Xiang Ning too as she nodded and entered the room, walking over to her and speaking to her in a low tone.

Little Xiang Ning’s emotions finally eased somewhat.

Feeling greatly reassured, she asked, “Can I still accompany him then?”

Facing those teary eyes that were swollen from crying and that oh so pure gaze...how could Mrs Xu possibly say no?

……

Outside the sick ward.

Li Linlin finally caved in to Old Wai’s pestering as she uneasily revealed, “I think Bro Xu had a crush on her...and Little Ning probably came to like him too. Still, I don’t think they have been dating or anything. There was one whole year back then when they possibly never even met.”

“Crush?” Old Wai’s attention was focused completely on this word as he asked in shock, “You’re telling me that Xu Tingsheng had a crush, and on such a young girl too...what? How is that even possible?”

“That’s not it. Apart from being a little young, Little Ning is really very good in all other aspects, like her personality. I myself super like her too,” Li Linlin unconsciously defended Little Xiang Ning whom she truly did like a lot.

“But you say he just had a crush on her…”

“Yeah! It should be the kind where he wanted to quietly take care of her while doing something for her. That’s why he became her home tutor, and asked me to take over for him afterwards. Before Xiang Ning’s exams, when that Ning Garden was nearly about to begin its sales, he even wrote some dozens of pages of revision materials and passed them to me. I think he probably must have spent a few days and nights writing them…”

“Oh hey, wait a second...Ning Garden..the hell…”

Old Wai was already completely flummoxed by now.

Similarly unclear on the situation were Ye Qing, Wu Kun and Fang Chen. They went over to Huang Yaming and the other three to see what was going on.

After listening for a while, Fang Chen laughed.

“What the heck are you laughing for? Your...we can understand even that, so what’s this now?” Fang Yuqing sacrificed kinship for brotherhood as he retaliated firmly against the old demoness.

“But, really?” Ye Qing asked.

“What’s there to be so surprised about? Even you and Tan Yao can be together. The difference in their ages is much smaller than for you two, okay? It’s just five, six years at most. If even the two of you being together is fine, aren’t they perfectly normal then…” Huang Yaming said, thus earning a kick from Ye Qing.

They were still very protective of Xu Tingsheng in front of others.

Despite that, though, they were actually really thinking: Really too much of a beast...when Xu Tingsheng’s woken up, a trial’s inevitable! It wouldn’t be acceptable otherwise! Really...beast, beast, what a beast he was!

Yet, as everyone thought about it, consolidating everything that had just been said, coupled with the news that Old Wai had just transmitted over on what Li Linlin had done for Xu Tingsheng and what she knew about this, especially that ‘Still, I don’t think they have been dating or anything. There was one whole year back then when they possibly never even met’...

A pure, innocent crush? Despite not even meeting her, he had quietly put in effort and cared for her from behind the shadows…

While they thought that it was crazy freaking insane, they could already more or less understand that Xu Tingsheng should be serious about this, and wholly serious at that. He was not cheating a little girl to satisfy a fetish or something like that...

If it had really been something like that, there would have been no need for him to go to such lengths at all. All that had transpired over the past two years...really, even the very heavens would be moved.

The sole problem that remained was that the more Xu Tingsheng was devoted to Xiang Ning, the more they were unable to wrap their heads around it as the same question plagued them as did Old Wai: Just what had overcome Xu Tingsheng? Was that young girl really worth it?

“I really can’t think of anything. We can only ask Tingsheng after he’s awoken,” Fu Cheng said.

“The problem is that he’s Xu Tingsheng, the guardian of our rice bowls! What can we do if he just refuses to say anything no matter what?” Tan Yao asked.

“...” Huang Yaming was rendered totally speechless as he could still remember how Xu Tingsheng had previously threatened him when he had wanted to drop out of university.

“I suddenly realised something,” Fang Yuqing said.

“What?”

“It’s still fine with me, it’s more about you. Won’t you have to call her (elder) sister-in-law in the future? Or is it little (elder) sister-in-law?”

“Hmm…”

The other four began imagining themselves addressing that young girl as (elder) sister-in-law…

Old Wai thought about how she and Li Linlin might address each other in the future…‘Hi, Ms Li’...‘Hi, little (elder) sister-in-law’...ohmygod…

He felt like vomiting blood just thinking about it!

There was actually someone who was basically considering the same issue as Fang Yuqing. It was Xu Tingsheng’s little sister, Xu Qiuyi.

“She should be younger than me, right? Little (elder) sister-in-law?” Xu Qiuyi blankly asked Wu Yuewei beside her before immediately realising her mistake as she now exclaimed, “Sorry, I…”

“It’s okay. I’m actually still fine right now,” Wu Yuewei forced a smile.

She was really doing okay. This was not because she had really already moved on completely from Xu Tingsheng. If that had truly been the case, she would no longer fear seeing him again, no longer fear the aching of her heart.

It was just that it unexpectedly did not hurt as much as she had thought it would. It was strange. She had previously believed that with Xu Tingsheng’s newfound success, he would choose the celebrity Apple or the capable career woman Lu Zhixin. As compared to that...this now actually felt a little easier to bear in all its mystique…

That girl who might be an ordinary girl just like her made Wu Yuewei willing to believe that Xu Tingsheng was still Xu Tingsheng, that he never bore underlying motives in his relationships.

And the more inconceivable a relationship was, the more one would easily feel that it might indeed be deep and unshakeable underneath.

Of course, the study queen Wu Yuewei had no way of knowing that not only was Little Xiang Ning an ordinary girl like her, she was even a ‘study flunkie’.

Wu Yuewei had already previously come to accept the ending between she and Xu Tingsheng. At this point in time, while she inevitably felt despondent, the pure pain from before had been replaced by an urge to just smile wryly at the absurdity of it all as it was no longer so painful.

She shook her head, smiling wryly, “If senior wakes up, even I would feel like asking him.”

Apple too knew not whether to laugh or to cry as even though Song Ni pulled her far away, she was repeating over and over again that she did not believe it.

Apple did not know how she was supposed to get herself to believe and accept this. When that little girl called Xiang Ning had suddenly appeared before her just like that, it had not been pain but rather an uncomprehending daze that had primarily overcome her.

Actually, Apple had already been faced with the idea of ‘Xiang Ning’ for two years. Even as she had never actually seen her before, she had already mentally prepared herself to painfully face this woman one day, potentially suffering the high-and-mightiness of a victor.

Ever since she had come to love Xu Tingsheng, over these two years, this name had always been like a mountain, a shadow over her heart that she was unable to surmount or get rid of.

Apple had once considered simply waiting for him, always. She had also once been okay with the fact that Xu Tingsheng who had been by her side over that period of time actually also had someone hidden within his heart. She would have no justification in requesting even more from him…

Afterwards, after having suffered and then recovered from depression, she had actually already become a much more optimistic, cheerful person.

Yet, she really felt like crying now, also wanting to laugh hysterically.

She had fantasised countless times what sort of woman ‘Xiang Ning’ would be like. She could imagine a thousand faces, a thousand figures, a thousand personalities...after all, that was a woman whom Xu Tingsheng loved but was unable to obtain!

Yet, never would she have imagined that things were actually like this. This was really too inconceivable…

Her broken heart was temporarily replaced by not knowing whether to laugh or to cry.

There would definitely not be any ‘high-and mightiness of a victor’ that appeared.

Even the sense of defeat that she felt was a little strange, no longer wholesome.

Apple already did not know how she was supposed to view and face this matter.

“What a time to be unconscious. I definitely can’t let him go so easily after he wakes up. If he can’t explain even this, that would really be too much.”

“Right, she looks like she still doesn’t know anything at all! It looks like I properly ‘threaten’ Xu Tingsheng a little.”

Because of how ‘inconceivable’ it was, along with the fact that Xu Tingsheng was injured at the end of the day, amidst his comatose state, countless varied emotions, everyone around him-all was tinged with a subtle elusiveness.

Chapter 387: Hidden undercurrents

Everyone was waiting for that bastard to wake up.

Yet, the experts’ diagnosis seemed to be have been erroneous as Xu Tingsheng who had been supposed to wake up very soon showed no signs of waking up even after two days had passed.

“This, this is impossible…”

“His vitals are really all very stable! How is it like this?”

“If he doesn’t wake up soon, it will be very detrimental for his followup treatment.”

However much the specialists felt surprised and expressed their inability to comprehend things, everyone had already grown tired of it.

Huang Yaming very nearly began quarrelling with them a few times.

Tension gradually mounted again, the prevalent mood becoming one of great worry. This was the case for those of the Xu family, for Huang Yaming and co, for Apple and Wu Yuewei too.

Little Xiang Ning looked like she was about to burst into tears as she walked into the room.

“Auntie, why hasn’t he woken up yet?”

Little Xiang Ning would come every day without fail and remain there for a long time, even though she could already sense how the gazes of everyone on her were very strange, even though Huang Yaming would sometimes mutter, “Damn unlucky, freaking fool, self-sacrificing whaddaheck…”

She still came every single day, pretending to know nothing at all, not caring about how other people might view her as she just wanted to accompany him while waiting for him to wake up.

Lu Zhixin received a phone call.

Afterwards, she found Mr Xu and told him, “Uncle Xu, my Dad’s returning to Yanzhou today. I may have to go home for a while. If anything changes with Tingsheng’s condition or you need me for something, just call me and I’ll come right away.”

Mr Xu nodded, replying, “It’s alright, off you go. It’s been tough on you.”

In the eyes of Mr Xu, if anyone currently bore the most on their shoulders, it could be none other than Lu Zhixin. The time she spent looking after Xu Tingsheng was no lesser than anybody else here, and yet she was single-handedly supporting all Hucheng’s operations even amidst all this.

Rumours had already begun to spread, but the more intense the pressure, the harder and the more diligently she worked.

In order to maintain a normal appearance in front of the employees, she would virtually come only during lunch hours and after office hours, knocking off from work at her usual timing so as to leave everyone with the impression that everything was simply normal and as they should be.

After getting into her car, Lu Zhixin rested her forehead against the steering wheel for a while.

As compared to Apple and Wu Yuewei, Xiang Ning’s appearance had actually affected Lu Zhixin the most. As she possessed the greatest mental fortitude, being the calmest and most objective of them all, while she felt it to be inconceivable too, she would simply zero in on that main topic at hand.

Lu Zhixin had once lived under the same roof as Xu Tingsheng and Apple for more than two months. Having seen how they usually interacted before, she was confident of beating Apple.

While she did not understand Wu Yuewei, she did not seem to pose such a great threat as she was already close to voluntarily exiting the picture. Also, her method of love could not stand on the battlefield.

As a genius in the business domain, Lu Zhixin saw love as she did her career. One had to make calculations and put in effort to build and maintain it. At the same time, she also did not mind competition. While many girls disliked such a feeling, she did not mind it. Competitors could be found everywhere in the business arena that was exceptionally brutal. As for love...it was merely switching to another battlefield.

She had also found a method of her own. Ever since the start of the previous semester, she had been gradually cultivating the relationship between them as they had increasingly come to seem like a couple, at least on campus.

Still, the sudden appearance of that young girl named Xiang Ning had dealt her an incomparably heavy blow as she was overwhelmed by a sense of defeat.

She had actually already long since known that such a person existed, that there was someone hidden in Xu Tingsheng’s heart. Still, the inconceivable feeling that came with her appearance did not leave her not knowing whether to laugh or cry like for the others. In her logical system, the stranger and more illogical something was, since it was able to persist over the long term, that actually went to show how powerful and unsurmountable it really was...this included love.

Consolidating all the information on hand and verifying the time that had elapsed and the series of things that Xu Tingsheng had done for Xiang Ning, Lu Zhixin discovered that she could find no chances of victory whatsoever, sensing no way by which she could make a breakthrough.

Still, whatever the case, despite these emotions of hers, she had still given it her all over the past two days, whether it was by Xu Tingsheng’s side or over at Hucheng.

Jerking her head up, Lu Zhixin revved up the engine of the car and drove home.

It had already been a very long time since her father, Lu Pingyuan, had last returned to Yanzhou, had last returned home.

Thinking of how her father was back, an inexplicable sense of warmth filled Lu Zhixin’s heart.

……

Father and daughter looked at each other.

Having gone from joyful to emotional to helpless over a short span of time, Lu Zhixin was sitting rather numbly on the sofa at this moment.

The man who was currently smiling as he stood across from her was her father, Lu Pingyuan. Never would she have thought that he who was finally willing to come back to Yanzhou from Hong Kong for once had actually come because of this.

“Think about it again. This is a rare opportunity. Hucheng’s scale and prospects are inestimable. This isn’t just an opportunity for you; it’s also the hope of our Lu family,” Lu Pingyuan continued trying to persuade his daughter.

“You mean hope for that insane revenge plan of yours?” Lu Zhixin asked rather exasperatedly.

“That’s right, Zhixin. You’ve got to help Dad! Father and daughter, of one mind,” Lu Pingyuan actually used a bit of a sincere, pleading tone here.

“Impossible. However much the shares have been divided, it would still be impossible for us to take over Hucheng. You don’t understand Xu Tingsheng’s character and his relationship with the other important shareholders. I can assuredly say that at least three of them would not hesitate in the slightest even if they were asked to gift him back their shares for free.”

The people Lu Zhixin was referring to were Old Wai, Li Linlin and Fang Yuqing. She felt that Fang Chen could possibly be included amongst them too.

“You’re overestimating character...fine, even if what you say is true, we can make us of this chance to purchase the shares of those in the middle and upper echelons. I’ll find someone to take possession of the shares for the time being, allowing for us to become the second greatest shareholder in the shadows. As for after that, there are naturally other methods that can come in handy too.”

Lu Pingyuan continued, “For example, now that he’s in a coma and you’re single-handedly in control of Hucheng, we can make use of methods like a swift expansion of services or a large scale investment etcetera, whatever we can think of, to induce a financial problem in Hucheng. Afterwards, we can request for an increase in investment and thus further distribute the shares.”

“From how his family is doing now and the fact that I know his father to be a farmer by birth who doesn’t know anything about finance in the first place, they would likely give up on increasing their investment sum...this would be equivalent to them giving up on yet another portion of shares. We will do it instead. Meanwhile, we can also diminish the confidence as well as enthusiasm of the other shareholders, forcing them to sell the shares in their possession…”

Lu Zhixin found that Lu Pingyuan’s scheme was actually very detailed as he had clearly been planning this for a long time.

As this person was her father after all, Lu Zhixin felt just that bit uneasy as she asked mockingly, “You’re wrong. That is impossible. They all think very highly of Hucheng’s prospects. Who would sell their shares?”

“What if the news that Xu Tingsheng is in a coma becomes widespread? Or if they conclude that it’s very likely that he’s already dead? If a financial problem appears then, would they still feel all that confident? Wouldn’t some of them waver and wish to get some cash inside their pockets? Relax, I raised a sum of money recently. The price we’ll offer them will definitely not be low.”

The corners of Lu Pingyuan’s mouth arched upwards.

“You...you’re the one behind all the rumours outside?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“Not only that. The media will be reporting on this very soon,” Lu Pingyuan laughed.

Lu Zhixin’s chest heaved intensely as she looked at this man before her, her father. She was the one who had previously told him the news over the phone, in order to ask for advice on how to better handle such a situation, in order to better ensure Hucheng’s stability...yet this was what he had done.

“He gave me my shares for nothing, you know?”

“This flat was originally already sold. It was he who helped our family to buy it back, you know?”

“It was he who helped to get the Ding family’s contract signed, you know?”

Lu Zhixin stood up amidst that furious tirade, “I like him, you know? This is your daughter’s first time liking someone, who’s perhaps the only guy I’ll ever have feelings for in my life, you know?”

“That’s exactly why we have a chance,” Lu Pingyuan replied calmly.

“Don’t you even think about it,” Lu Zhixin turned and stormed towards the door.

“It’d be fine too if you could take him down, because what’s his would be our Lu family’s that way. I’ve also given you time to work on that. Sadly, according to the people I arranged in Hucheng, you cannot be confident of taking him down…” Lu Pingyuan silently took two wineglasses and filled them up.

“Girl, Dad has got to tell you this. Making someone else’s bridesclothes...this certainly does apply to you too, you know? It may well be that even his woman’s wedding dress in the future was effectively painstakingly earned by you for him.”

Lu Zhixin stopped in her tracks.

“The one in the wedding dress really won’t be you,” Lu Pingyuan continued.

“He’s already began guarding against you. Xingchen Technologies is living proof of this. While it would clearly be possible to do this in Hucheng, he just had to go start a new, independent company alone…”

“Maybe you’d instead have a chance if he became destitute and penniless…”

“You shouldn’t depend on men. You have to control men. This is what Dad taught you before.”

“My daughter.”

“Don’t forget. The two of us only have each other. Ever since that woman abandoned us, there’s only been us two, only having each other to rely on. Hmm, ten over years would have passed by by now?”

“...”

Chapter 388: Returnee from Milan

Leaving her tailor workshop at 8pm, wearing a faint green dress that bordered on white, Li Wan’er was walking alone on a quiet street, feeling shy as she smiled to herself in a foolish manner…

For a woman to be able to smile this way, it was definitely because her heart was filled with happiness and anticipation.

Over the past half year, her colleagues at the workshop, Mister Angelo as well as her teacher would often joke, “The most beautiful designer on our street has finally started liking to dress herself up. Hmm, let me think. I know, this is probably related to that handsome oriental guy from last time...”

“Definitely! Haven’t you noticed! She’s even smiling much more now! She’s looking younger and more beautiful too,” Some others said.

“She’s being winning more prizes too, even several big ones. I think that this place of ours won’t be able to house her very soon.”

“It’s better if she soars higher! If she continues staying here, refusing to accept the invitations of all those big companies, I think that I will really have to play the bad guy. I’m considering how to fire her right now.”

Li Wan’er’s teacher was not just joking about this. In fact, he had approached her and earnestly discussed this with her a few times before, having expressed that he hoped she could leave the tailor workshop, accepting the invitation of those well-known brands.

The situation was that Li Wan’er’s designs had been spurting out as if from an endless well over the past half year as she had won so many prizes it would make one’s arms ache. She was already beginning to receive attention from Milan’s top fashion brands and personages.

To obtain recognition in Milan or Paris where the fashion industry was virtually dominated completely by westerners was actually not easy at all for somebody of Oriental descent.

Some were already predicting that this beautiful woman named Li Wan’er was set to be the most influential Chinese fashion designer for mainstream fashion in the future.

“Aren’t I doing magnificently? Part of the credit lies with you, too…”

Li Wan’er recalled that person. During their flight to Milan back then, Xu Tingsheng had randomly described some designs to her. While unsystematic and haphazard, these had provided her with many new elements, tracks of thought and leading modern concepts too.

Having begun sufficiently exerting her abilities atop this foundation, Li Wan’er had soared up to win several major prizes for fashion, both internationally and in Milan. She had shocked Milan’s entire fashion industry within a mere half year.

Yet, such a talent who was also a beautiful female designer who was destined for success was actually still working in a tiny tailor workshop...various major companies had begun offering her high annual wages in a show of their sincerity, with higher individual prices for her designs too.

Actually, Li Wan’er would not mind accepting the invitations of those major brands. Her entire life had consisted of her aspiring towards a larger stage in her dream as a designer. She had once experienced the pain of not having any money. If she could obtain greater wealth even while striving towards her dream, she would feel very blessed indeed.

Moreover, she would have a child to raise too. She wished to give him or her only the best.

Right, this was about that very child. In Li Wan’er’s mind, the foremost thing right now was to give birth to a child with that ‘little hoodlum’. Only afterwards would she accept the invitation of those renowned brands, pursuing her dreams.

As for money, there was no need to worry for the time being with what she had originally saved up coupled with the proceeds from the designs that she had sold off at medium to high prices over the past half year.

Yet, it was already the 20th of July now…

The two of them had actually still communicated via text every once in a while previously, with the occasional call too...neither had changed their minds. Yet as the fateful day approached, Li Wan’er had instead gotten shyer as she had ceased to text him or call his number.

Why’s that guy also stopped contacting me recently all of a sudden? It’s already time now.

Opening the door, entering her house, closing the door, locking and latching it.

Li Wan’er looked at the furniture that had just been changed over the past half year to ones that were more pregnant woman-friendly and more toddler-friendly too…

“This actually seems kind of overly hasty. He’ll definitely laugh at me when he’s here and he sees it. That mouth of his is just so bad...oh, I remember. He actually used to call me old woman, Auntie Wan’er before...alright, Auntie Wan’er is gonna become the mother of your child. Let’s see what you call me then…”

“Though, that big bed...at least that shouldn’t be considered hasty, right?”

“He himself said that it’s not like the first time will definitely succeed. Because of that, he should be staying here for a period of time. In that case, besides trying for a child, we’d surely have to do something else, right? Like taking a stroll together or something...or could it be that it’ll just go on all day and all night…”

Li Wan’er felt like she was nearly unable to stand herself at this point as she exclaimed inwardly, “Hey, Li Wan’er, since when did you become like that?!”

She placed a few beautiful sets of underwear that she had specially bought to make him happy at the lowest level of her wardrobe. When buying these, she had been imagining her satin-clad self, his fiery-hot gaze…

“But with his personality, he clearly holds the upper hand. He’d probably just laugh at me again. I should just hide this till he begs and requests them of me.”

She stacked up the neatly folded towels and pajamas which she had prepared for him. Actually, she did this again and again an undefined number of times.

“Alright, if you won’t send me a message, I’ll send you one…”

Li Wan’er clenched her teeth and whipped out her phone. Yet in the end, she became conflicted over what she should send. It couldn’t be: ‘Hurry up and come make a child with me’, right? How would that be any different from what had been said that night, ‘hurry and...me’?

After pondering for a long time, Li Wan’er finally sent the following text: I’ve calculated the time. It appears that there may be a higher chance of success if it begins two days from now.”

How perfectly nondescript a message this was. Anyone not in the know might even think vegetables were to be planted or something.

“No, I want to delete that...no, it’s too late...right, that’s fine.”

Li Wan’er flopped down on the large bed, sprawled out on it like a little girl. This bed really was large….she had dreamed of it many times already…

Breaking out of her reverie with a somewhat reddened face, Li Wan’er found that Xu Tingsheng had still yet to send a reply. She cast all thoughts to the back of her mind, not giving herself any time to hesitate as she rode on the momentum and dialled his number straightaway…

“His phone’s turned off? ...Is he regretting his decision and avoiding me?”

Her inner monologue’s mood turned from sweet to sorrowful.

A perturbed Li Wan’er sat in front of her computer and turned on a Chinese search engine, entering his name within...she had found herself missing him so many times over the past half over year. Whenever she read news about him, which was virtually all good news, she would feel happy every time.

“Hucheng Tongcheng’s and Xingchen Technologies’ Xu Tingsheng...civic-mindedly rushing heroically into the flames...comatose, on the brink of death...companies shaken…”

Li Wan’er stared blankly at the computer screen, freezing up completely.

“It isn't real. It definitely isn't real…”

Li Wan’er checked the source of the reports. They were all from official publishers, and quite a few of them as well. Published on official mediums, they were full of praise for Xu Tingsheng’s heroic, self-sacrificial actions.

It seemed an indubitable truth.

Discussion was rife on the internet too. There were various scoops and speculations, though there certainly were well wishes and encouragements too. Someone had even kicked off a collective prayer for Xu Tingsheng on Weibo...

Yet, Li Wan’er cared not about all these. The only words visible to her on the screen were: Comatose, on the brink of death.

“Comatose...on the brink of death…”

Tears streaming uncontrollably down her face, she frantically dialled his number all throughout that entire night...yet no one would answer whether she called once or a thousand times. She just could stop herself, though. She felt like she might really go crazy if she did not cling on to that meagre scrap of hope.

Early the next morning, the exhausted, agonised Li Wan’er boarded a plane heading from Milan to Shenghai City.

She had to see him.

So it had never been about a single child in the first place. She was in love with this young man.

Chapter 389: Trust

Where had the news been leaked from? No one knew, and there was no way to investigate too.

It was not like this was some back alley incident. It had occurred in broad daylight. There were also just too many channels through which news could be spread. However much one locked them down, it would still be impossible to thoroughly conceal this matter.

Yet, media reports had suddenly appeared on a large scale as everyone just vaguely felt this: while it was unknown who the perpetrator was and what their goal might be, somebody was definitely ambitiously making a calculated move from behind the scenes.

Even if this was only a blow from a business competitor, trouble and crisis did indeed exist.

Coincidentally, in the year 2004, a major dairy corporation, ‘Junyao’, had just fallen into a crisis following the death of its leader. After making it through this crisis, while the corporation would still have some ventures in other areas, its performance in its main industry which had seen a boom afterwards would plummet due to the missed opportunities. One of the most renowned dairy brands coming into the 21st century had hence become an obscure, unknown name in less than a decade.

With this precedent, as many saw it, the future looked bleak for Xu Tingsheng’s two ‘superstar enterprises’ as well as Zhicheng Real Estate for those few in the know.

It had actually only been slightly over two years since Xu Tingsheng had embarked on his career. Also, he had never run a large scale modern enterprise in his previous life before. Considering their experience and expertise in the internet and real estate, the management of his companies was virtually under a select competent few. Their prospects and connections were tied fully to him as an efficient management system had never been set up for them.

Now that he had collapsed, a problem unavoidably rose to the surface.

The Black Horse Club was virtually like ‘a band of merry men’. Now that they were leaderless, the worst thing that could happen was actually an internal conflict. Fortunately, Fang Yuqing, Ye Qing and Wu Kun were currently still partying together with them. With two bigshots from commerce and the bureaucracy along with Wu Kun who was somewhat more related to the darker side of society, there should be no problem keeping everyone docile for the time being.

Of course, this was only temporary. In the long term, let alone maintaining the integrity and unity of the group as they stably suppressed any dissent with absolute authority, there was just no guarantee that the trio would not fall out before going their separate ways in the first place.

Xingchen Technologies was the most recent of all Xu Tingsheng’s enterprises to have been established. While Hu Chen and He Yutan who had been poached by Xu Tingsheng formed their most powerful team, their relationship with the company was the most professional as a sense of comradeship did not run deep in comparison.

They had pledged their allegiance to Xu Tingsheng due to what they saw in him and his Weibo project. Now that one of the two had been lost and Weibo itself was not difficult to replicate, with their future uncertain, there was no way of saying for sure that no such thoughts would come to mind for them.

Comparatively speaking, Hucheng appeared to be in the best state right now, at least as Mr Xu and the others saw it.

Firstly, Hucheng had been operating for longer and had established a comparatively wholesome management and supervisory system under Lu Zhixin’s rule. It could thus operate efficiently and stably.

Secondly, Hucheng was more like a closely knit community. Most of the shareholders saw one another as one big family. Even their employees, especially those from the middle and higher echelons, had a higher sense of belonging and loyalty due to having collectively faced some setbacks and tough predicaments in the past.

Therefore, the situation was still fully under control even despite the previous distribution of shares.

Thirdly, they had Lu Zhixin. As everyone saw it, this was the greatest reason that they could rest assured.

Due to her innate desire to be in control, Lu Zhixin had unconsciously bestowed herself with a powerful grasp of as well as influence over Hucheng when building its management structure.

In fact, Lu Zhixin was generally the one in charge of Hucheng most of the time as it was often the case that Xu Tingsheng did not really have any value, except for when it came to deciding on the future direction of their policies and crisis management.

Lu Zhixin should also be absolutely reliable as Xu Tingsheng’s most trusted longtime business partner.

On the fourth day, led by Mr Xu, all Xu Tingsheng’s close associates gathered around him who was still lying comatose on the hospital bed. They analysed the current situation and what dangers might exist, considering the plans they could conceivably execute in response.

Currently, a public notice sent out by Hucheng and a post on Xu Tingsheng’s own Weibo page had already expressed this: The media had made a mistake. Xu Tingsheng had never saved anyone in a fire. His civic-mindedness was really an erroneous praise as he had to express unworthiness at this. Meanwhile, he was merely suffering from a minor ailment as was prone to befall youngsters as it was no real problem at all.

Even so, the netizens and especially those media entities who claimed that they had to uphold professionalism for their articles unanimously declared: Just walk out of the front door, then, if you’re fine...didn’t you say you’re okay? In that case, just walk out of the front door and wave.”

Yet Xu Tingsheng was truly unable to walk!

Of course, some netizens also expressed their doubts: Courage and civic-mindedness is a good thing! Why would they deny it if it’s true?

A response would immediately come: Is money or social reputation more important? Didn’t you read the news on how his companies are currently in a state of unrest? They have to prioritise maintaining their stability, of course. We should tone it down a little too.

But in fact, who would tone it down? The uproar would only grow, the matter just intensifying.

Considering the current situation, from Xu Tingsheng’s standpoint, after Hucheng and the Xu family had released a public notice, there was already no way for them to further clarify things.

They could only maintain their silence.

The truth was just not on their side.

It was a fact that Xu Tingsheng was currently still in a comatose state.

Therefore, even if the Xu family let the specialists publicly announce the results of the diagnosis and prove that Xu Tingsheng’s vitals were all extremely stable as his life was in no danger at all, how would the general public who already had an extreme lack of faith in ‘experts’ in the first place and were also prone to strongly doubting everything they heard believe it?

Therefore, admitting that he was in a comatose state but explaining that his life was in no danger at all? In that case, they might as well let things go on as this current quagmire.

Actually, even some amongst their group were already themselves beginning to feel doubt now. All vitals stable, life in no danger at all? No danger...get him to wake up then. Didn’t you say that he should wake up very soon? And how many days has it been already?

Little Xiang Ning knew nothing about this at all as she said rather timidly upon knocking on the door and seeing everyone’s sombre expressions, “Uncle, Auntie, I’m, I’m here again.”

In truth, she had already been discharged. She still persisted in coming everyday, nevertheless. Having arrived, she would stay by Xu Tingsheng’s side for the entire day.

Huang Yaming was currently in a terrible mood. He thought about how Xu Tingsheng had ended up in such a state just because of a juvenile girl like her, resulting in a major career crisis as it was even unknown whether he himself could recover.

“What’re you looking at? How the heck is that going to help? Isn’t it all because of you that things are like this? Get out!” Huang Yaming hollered.

Little Xiang Ning dared not speak as she looked at Huang Yaming. Facing Huang Yaming’s clear hostility and violent air, she actually felt a bit scared, or very scared to be precise. Still, glancing at Xu Tingsheng who lay on the sickbed, she stubbornly stayed at the doorway, her head lowered as she adamantly refused to leave.

To be honest, those presently in the room who could still maintain goodwill and enthusiasm towards her right now were already getting fewer and fewer.

When she had said her name that day, as the results of Xu Tingsheng’s diagnosis had been extremely positive, everyone had mostly just felt surprised and intrigued as negative thoughts had not really sprung to mind.

The way she had acted then had caused everyone’s hearts to ache.

Therefore, their attitudes towards her had still been pretty much okay at the time.

Things were different now. Xu Tingsheng was still in a coma and a career crisis had befallen…

Having actually been in high spirits before, their mindsets had now changed to: Isn’t this all because of this little girl? Just how is she worth it?

They had virtually never interacted with Xiang Ning before this as their prior relationship points with her were literally zero. Additionally, they were unable to understand why Xu Tingsheng was so enamoured with Xiang Ning, why he cared so much about her.

Little Xiang Ning stood at the doorway for a while and listened to the ongoing discussion. While she couldn’t understand much, she grasped one thing, which was that they had to let everyone outside think that nothing had happened to Xu Tingsheng.

“Uncle, Auntie, everyone…”

“What do you want now?” Huang Yaming asked exasperatedly.

“Don’t be like this, Yaming. Let the kid come in,” Mr Xiang said.

“Yeah, be careful that Tingsheng doesn’t find trouble with you when he wakes up,” Li Linlin added.

“No, it’s not that,” Little Xiang Ning said, “I just wanted to say that some reporters wanted to interview my Mum and Dad yesterday. They were afraid of saying something wrong, so they refused. Do you think it would be better if I ask them to accept the interview instead?”

“You think that things aren’t chaotic enough?”

“No. I can ask them to say that it wasn’t Xu Tingsheng.”

“What do you plan on saying then?”

“When we were downstairs, Xu Tingsheng already couldn’t run any longer. It was someone from the restaurant who came in and carried me out. Can we just say that it was him? Someone took a photo of it at the time.”

No one had captured an image of Xu Tingsheng amidst the roiling smoke. Someone, however, had taken a photograph of the cooking apprentice who had rushed out from the entrance with Little Xiang Ning in his arms.

Mr Xiang considered this for a moment. It seemed like the best plan for obscuring the vision of the general public. Also, it would be able to win them quite a bit of time.

“Zhixin,” Mr Xu called in a low tone.

“Zhixin,” Mr Xu raised his voice slightly.

“...Huh?” Lu Zhixin finally showed a reaction.

Seeing this, Mr Xu thought for a moment before saying, “Sorry, the burden on you has really been great recently. Still, we’ve got no choice. There are many things we’re all just not as familiar with as you are...because of that, we can only request of you to persevere and persevere on.”

Glancing at Mr Xu, Lu Zhixin shook her head, replying, “It’s, it’s fine.”

“Arrange for some media company that we have a relationship with for an interview like what the young lady has said. Next, you should settle things properly with the person from the restaurant, getting him to accept an interview. The featured photo on the article will just display him. As for the young lady’s family, there’s no need to show them,” Mr Xu said.

Lu Zhixin nodded, “Alright, I’ll go get that settled then.”

“Yep. After this matter has been settled, I’ll authorise two people to come over from Happy Shoppers to accompany you to Shenghai. I hope that you can watch over Xingchen Technologies. It’d be impossible for the truth to be hidden from those people.”

“Huh? ...I, here, what about Hucheng?”

“We have many of our own here at Hucheng. We’ll have to depend on you over there.”

“Uncle Xu...you trust me?”

“Of course! You’re Xu Tingsheng’s best business partner. However things may go elsewhere in the future, the Xu family will definitely repay you. I as a father will definitely make sure of it, that is a promise.”

‘However things may go elsewhere in the future’- everyone could basically understand what this referred to.

While it was impossible to promise things regarding relationships, the repayment that Mr Xu was promising would definitely be substantial.

“I...got it.”

Lu Zhixin exited the room. Getting into her car, her mood was a complex one.

As she received a call from her father, Lu Pingyuan, and heard him endlessly chattering on and on about his master scheme, Lu Zhixin forced a smile, saying, “I’ll be heading off to Xingchen Technologies immediately. Hucheng...will temporarily be taken charge of by someone else.”

“What, they suspect you?” Lu Pingyuan who was happily scheming to induce a financial problem for Hucheng was stunned.

“No, it’s because they trust me too much,” After saying so, Lu Zhixin hung up, feeling very much tempted to just raise her head and laugh out loud, and then a few times more for good measure.

Trust. Her steeled resolve which had only been set after an incomparable inner struggle, all her father’s scheming. They had thusly been broken, just by that one thing- trust.

Chapter 390: Unless he himself isn’t willing to wake up

A rather uneasy Mrs Xu carefully asked Mr Xu when they were finally alone, “Are we really trusting that Miss Lu just like that? See, Tingsheng’s already found a girl. What if because of that, she just can’t accept it and hates him instead...that’s always what happens in the dramas.”

Mr Xu thought about it before he admitted frankly, “Actually, I’m sending her away, putting a distance between her and Hucheng for the time being.”

“What? She can’t be trusted?” Mrs Xu naturally concluded at once.

“Actually, I really don’t know that.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I don’t know if she can’t be trusted, but if there is even a one percent chance of that being true and it happens, the result would be the same as if it were a hundred percent. To safeguard that ninety-nine percent of the full hundred percent, the best bet is to never bet on that one percent.”

Mrs Xu still didn’t get what her husband was saying.

Mr Xu could only explain, “To put it simply, and also more severely, this is seeing the worst in everyone out in this dangerous world of business. As someone who has experienced failure before, I’ve seen many things. Whoever it is, whatever it is, we cannot just have faith in the goodwill and conscience of others, depositing our hopes there. Moreover, we are all complex beings living in this world as there are many circumstances surrounding us. Good people, with consciences and feelings, can also have times where they commit bad deeds.”

“So sending her away will solve all of that?”

“This is the best option right now. Also, it’s a peaceful method that won’t harm anybody. At least, I feel that Hucheng is actually facing the riskiest situation right now. With the shares distributed, there now exists the possibility of someone taking control of them. We cannot allow anyone to wrest away primary authority. Secondly, Xingchen Technologies’ shares, for the time being, have still yet to be split apart. If Zhixin goes over, whether she has good intentions or is scheming something, she would only be able to contend with those two from higher management with the company suffering some losses in its operations at most.”

“...Just now, you were telling everyone that Hucheng’s the safest, with the least to worry about…”

Hearing his wife’s words, Mr Xu sighed a little awkwardly.

“Am I wrong? Since when did you also become calculating like this?”

“Over the past two years, you don’t think that it is just conscientiousness that has enabled me to make Happy Shoppers what it is today, right? Feelings are just for a select few. Outside exists a battlefield.”

Mrs Xu sighed, “If both father and son are like this, farming back at home might be more stable and reliable. We won’t be able to finish spending the money we have now, anyway. Tingsheng and his current condition...I’m already regretting it. I’d rather he was an average, incompetent person and just marry a wife and have children back at home.”

“A few years later. I’ll come back to plow the land for you then,” Mr Xu extended a hand and patted Mrs Xu on the back.

“Okay,” Mrs Xu said, “Well then, is our Xu family really going to recompense Miss Lu like you said?”

“Of course we will. I’ll tell Tingsheng about it after he wakes up. While being wary of others is necessary, treating others well is essential too. Zhixin is entitled to all this in the first place. All that she has done for Tingsheng-he definitely owes her. Even if Tingsheng can’t give her what she most wants, he can’t treat her badly in other areas…”

“That’s true. I’m just afraid that we can’t give her enough. That Miss Lu isn’t like the other two. It’s like she could be a tribe leader even in the Amazons,” Mrs Xu frowned, saying, “Actually, pretty much nobody would be able to take this well. If you like someone, being willing to do anything for them, doing it with all your heart, yet in the end, his mind is completely filled with thoughts of how to be good to someone else and all that you have worked so hard for falls to someone else...It’s not like she’s a Bodhisattva. Just who can be so generous, magnanimous…”

Mr Xu nodded, “Exactly. Because of that, I can empathise with whatever it is that Zhixin might be thinking. While there is a need to guard against her, we must also pay back what we owe her. As for afterwards, let Tingsheng think about it himself. I’m not caring about his troubles related to women.”

Mrs Xu sighed rather mournfully, “Sigh, this kid, provoking so many...it’d be so much easier if we were in ancient times. He could just marry them all then, it’s not like our family can’t afford them...some years down the road, I’d have grandsons, granddaughters everywhere…”

Mr Xu simply smiled wryly at this.

“But why hasn’t he woken up yet? It can’t be that...”

“No.”

……

Actually, all this would no longer be important and necessary as long as Xu Tingsheng woke up.

Yet, he remained in a coma nevertheless.

In the afternoon, the specialists ran another series of checks on him.

They discussed the matter for a long time but were just unable to come up with anything new. It was still that his vitals were very stable as his life was in no danger at all...logically speaking, he should be waking up very soon.

Unable to take it any longer, Huang Yaming suppressed his rage as he stepped forward, asking coldly, “By your logic, he should have woken up long ago, right? Stop talking rubbish. Give us a definite timeframe or at least explain just why things are like this…”

The specialists were rendered speechless for a long time before one of them glanced at Xu Tingsheng and muttered aloud, “Well, maybe...unless he himself isn’t willing to wake up…”

It was not just Huang Yaming as everyone’s tempers collectively flared now.

“What? Do you think there can be someone in a coma who isn’t willing to wake up?”

“Well, it’s possible,” The guy explained weakly, “It could be that due to certain reasons, he doesn’t want to wake up as he is frantically repressing his own awakening. If he has a strong and resolute will that is very good at resisting, this is indeed a possibility...otherwise, there’s just no other explanation we can think of.”

An argument broke out in the room. Mr Xu calmed both sides down, but in truth, he was actually already considering sending Xu Tingsheng overseas for treatment.

Still, the specialist had actually spoken rightly.

Xu Tingsheng was unwilling to wake up as he was unconsciously struggling resolutely against it. At the present moment, he was incomparably firm and adamant in his resistance.

Actually, he should have woken up long ago. He was quite physically fit. Considering his physique, he should actually already have been able to wake up the day after the incident.

Yet, as intense pain had coursed through his body with his senses returning to him, within Xu Tingsheng’s still chaotic subconscious mind...had appeared two possibilities.

Has this just been a very long dream of mine, with this being the pain after the car crash? Or is it that the fire was real, and this life is real, with my father alive and Xiang Ning sixteen? As we meet and fall in love again, with everyone peaceful and safe…

These two blurry, indistinct possibilities entailed two completely different lives, causing him to feel fear as he was afraid to face the truth of reality.

Thus, when his regained physical faculties pushed him to wake up, he was frantically trying to repress this in his subconscious mind, powerfully exerting all his willpower just so not to face it.

He did not know that the sixteen-year-old Little Xiang Ning was truly there, sitting by his bedside everyday as she had already shed countless tears. Having always been thin in the first place, the little girl looked frail beyond compare now.

He did not know that his father had also been right next to him all this time. Not only had he been worrying about his health everyday, he was also busy worrying about and exerting immense effort over his career.

He did not know that they were all waiting for him to wake up.

If only he would wake up, he would be able to see his father, would be able to hug Little Xiang Ning. All the good times would be able to resume then.

……

Lu Zhixin finished the arrangements for interviews and made a trip home before dragging her tired self back to the sick ward. There, she got a rare chance to be alone with Xu Tingsheng.

The comatose Xu Tingsheng had his eyes tightly shut as he inhaled and exhaled slowly.

“I won’t be able to accompany you after this. I will be going off to Shenghai.”

Lu Zhixin extended a hand, gently stroking Xu Tingsheng’s face.

“Sorry, I really don’t have such a big heart. I really can’t willingly accept it. I hope that you won’t hate me when the day comes.”

She kissed Xu Tingsheng lightly on the forehead.

Once, Wu Yuewei had said she wished that Xu Tingsheng could have nothing. Even if nobody wanted him any longer then, she would.

Lu Zhixin wanted to personally make Xu Tingsheng lose everything. Afterwards, regardless of whether other people still wanted him, she would.

Just an hour ago, at the Lu family home.

“Just some fake trust, and you’re swayed just like that?” Lu Pingyuan hollered at his daughter.

“I’m not. It’s just that now’s not the right time. Also, I’ll be leaving for Shenghai right away. I haven’t had the time to finish my preparations here at Hucheng,” Lu Zhixin replied calmly.

“What do you mean? When could there be a better time than now?”

“There will be many chances. As long as I am still in Hucheng, there’s a lot that I can do. Although Xingchen Technologies’ Weibo appears to be very successful, it has actually been suffering a loss ever since its inception. I believe that this will continue for another two years at least, unless he is willing to sell it. It’s even more impossible for him to move money away from his real estate venture. So, Hucheng is his foundation…”

Lu Pingyuan thought about it for a bit before he smiled, feeling reassured, “That’s fine too. It’s good that you’ve properly thought it through.”

Lu Zhixin smiled.

She had properly thought it through. Not only had she thought about how she would face Xu Tingsheng, she had also thought about how she would face Lu Pingyuan, making use of the money in his possession to take away everything Xu Tingsheng possessed. Still, she would never allow this to fall into Lu Pingyuan’s possession.

With Xu Tingsheng being in possession of all this, Lu Zhixin would be unable to control him.

Hand it over to Lu Pingyuan? It would only be ruined then...that belonged to Xu Tingsheng, formed with the joint efforts of the two of them. Lu Zhixin would never allow such a thing to happen.

Chapter 391: Reactions

After the two interviews scheduled by Lu Zhixin had been published, the situation became a bit chaotic.

The media entities that had previously reported on this issue remained silent, no longer feeling confident of things. They had merely received information and benefits from a good-intentioned person. Since they were going to create some positive news anyway, it had seemed acceptable and okay to do, really. This was what they had been thinking.

Sometimes, something that appears to have been done out of goodwill can really still harbour malicious intent and additional motives.

Zhicheng was the stablest. Someone gathered a few dozen people and caused a scene at its construction site, wanting to check the falsity of things and see if it really was the case that the Black Horse Club had already fallen out and no longer cared about anything as was rumoured.

In the end, they were ambushed by a few dozen of Wu Kun’s burly security guards as around half of them were sent into the hospital as a result.

It was not hard to guess who was behind this. The next day, a shirtless Hu Shengming came over to the construction site with a few chicks in bikinis, treating the piles of sand there like it was some beach. He lazed there for the entire day with the full assortment of parasol, music and alcohol.

He uploaded photos of it on Weibo, entitled: If the ocean is in your heart, everywhere is the Maldives.

The underlying meaning here was: Wanna see who can be more shameless? Heh, come on.

The very same day, an uncle of Fang Yuqing’s went to the hospital to visit the injured, calling this a pernicious incident that they definitely had to get to the bottom of.

The ones behind the incident did not show up as it was the underlings themselves who said, “Thanks for your concern, sir, but it isn’t actually like that. We were just drunk and unable to control ourselves. Because of that, we ended up charging over and causing a ruckus there.”

These people were not dumb. If those of the Fang family wanted to investigate the incident, would it end up pointing at Zhicheng? The Fang family’s own Fang Yuqing was just right there.

In having come here, this was equivalent to brandishing a sabre and riding over on horseback, declaring: My Fang family’s here. If you still want to play, come on then.

As people who were merely seeking profit where it might be found, they would definitely not risk aggravating the Fang family that had suddenly gone crazy recently.

Old Mr Fang had previously asked twice about Xu Tingsheng’s situation. As his own condition was already getting worse, during the third time that he thought about it, the person whom he asked to go pay a visit to him was not Fang Yuqing but Fang Chen.

The old man took out a 300-year-old ginseng that some subordinate had gifted to him in the past, handing it over to Fang Chen and asking her to give it to Xu Tingsheng.

A 300-year-old ginseng might not really be able to extend one’s life as it was said in the legends. Still, how valuable was it? It had been used as tributes even in ancient times.

Fang Chen said, “Grandpa, you aren’t in such good health yourself. You should keep it. Why benefit that guy?”

The old man said, “It’s destined for me. When the time comes, it won’t matter whatever I eat. That kid, though, still has a long way to go. Well, how about you take it as a dowry? Grandpa can make the decision and get you two married…”

Fang Chen exclaimed, “Gah! No, Grandpa, I’m not gah-ing you. I’m saying I’m not interested in him. He’s not interested in me too. You wouldn’t know this, but right now, there are a grand total of four of them staying by his side all day round.”

“So what,” The old man said, “Send it over and invite his parents to our house for a meal. If I say that you will get married, then he must marry you. If he won’t, put a gun to their heads. You only see people charging forth in waves when fighting wars in movies. Behind these are the ends of guns.”

As the old man gradually approached the end of his life, he was becoming more and more like how he had been in his youth, wanting to flick his sleeve and act recklessly whenever a matter cropped up. An old boy, an old boy. That might be a name for it.

An embarrassed Fang Chen clarified, “But I really don’t like him.”

“Go snag someone then! Not someone in the bureaucracy. If it’s business, someone well-known. Otherwise, someone overseas would be good too. You could leave with him. Grandpa would like to see you get married before he dies. Actually, the Xu family kid is pretty good...forget it, let’s not talk about him.”

“Anyway, I acted too ruthlessly in the past and left behind many seeds of trouble for our Fang family. Once I pass, our family’s roof will start to leak. Hail or fireball-whatever there is, hell will break loose. Your Dad’s generation is already too deeply involved to avoid this. You young ones should protect yourself and live out your lives peacefully. Don’t look back.”

The old man spoke very candidly.

Fang Chen said, “Grandpa.”

The old man inhaled deeply, saying, “Off you go then. I’m tired."

When Fang Chen was at the doorway with the ginseng box in her hand and about to leave, the old man said, “Sole yin doesn’t last. It probably also doesn’t persist when paired. At the end of the day, it’s still better when yin and yang are twinly coexisting.”

Fang Chen stumbled, nearly hitting her head against the door.

She had to find a man to marry. She did not want her grandfather’s final wish to end a regret. Yet, going by his benchmark, who the heck could she choose?

If it was someone who was a bit more fun and was unrelated to the bureaucracy and those many social circles, someone who still might miss the benchmark by a bit but would meet it sooner or later, with a crucial point being that he would bring no attachments...there was Tan Yao.

Nothing should have come of the relationship between him and Ye Qing, right?

It was fine if they just got married and then fooled around individually.

……

That cooking apprentice’s name was Zhao Sishan.

Things had initially been going quite badly for him over this period of time. His family was not well-off as he had only found a job as a cooking apprentice with much difficulty. Wasn’t it said that chefs never went unemployed? Their wages after having graduated were not low too. He had truly intended to cherish this chance well.

Yet, just a couple of days into his new job, it was precisely because he cherished it so very much that he had gotten himself scalded terribly, even setting the restaurant itself on fire.

Actually, speaking of burns, his were the most serious. His arms and chest had truly been a sight to behold after the fire. Despite being hospitalised too, he had had no money to pay the bills and the medical expenses anymore. The small sum that the Xiang family had helped him with before had nearly run out.

The hospital had been pressing him for their fees.

His boss had ignored him. It was already very good that he was not suing him. The reason for that was that...he had no compensation money to give even if he suffered a lawsuit. The boss had said: I can only just take it that I was unlucky. You can only do the same too.

His bad luck had suddenly undergone a full reversal.

Money had come in. A very beautiful woman had inexplicably come and paid a huge sum of medical fees for him in advance, having additionally given him twenty thousand yuan. Zhao Sishan had really doubted things, thinking that perhaps he had suddenly turned handsome. Finally, the other party had proposed him a condition.

She wanted him, Zhao Sishan, to be a hero.

Wouldn’t he be a fool if he said no?

Pointing at his body that was riddled with burns, Zhao Sishan told the reporter, “If it wasn’t me who saved the victim, then who? How else would I be this badly injured?”

The article was published, and Zhao Sishan made headlines.

Various people from varying places came to offer this hero their well-wishes. There were many who chipped in with money and items too. The fruits and flowers by Zhao Sishan’s bedside were nearly piling up into a mountain…

Zhao Sishan very much wanted to say, “I want all cash.”

After sending away yet another batch of people with some difficulty, Zhao Sishan decided to take a nap.

Yet another person came. It was another unreasonably beautiful woman. She was a bit older than the previous one had been, though.

“Hello, how do you do. I’d like to ask. Was it really you who saved someone that day and not that Xu Tingsheng?” The woman asked.

Zhao Sishan immediately grew vigilant.

“Who are you? A reporter? Of course it was me! Look at how badly injured I am. Also, I don’t know this Xu Tingsheng you speak of.”

Li Wan’er could not find Xu Tingsheng anywhere. She was all alone and unfamiliar with Yanzhou and was unable to even find where he was currently warded.

“I won’t say anything to anyone. I just want to know what happened to Xu Tingsheng.”

Just as Zhao Sishan was about to curse.

A wad of cash dropped on the table.

Ten thousand, twenty thousand…

“You won’t tell anybody?”

“I promise I won’t.”

“I think that you’re probably asking about the person from that day. He…”

Zhao Sishan recounted the events from that day, including how Xu Tingsheng had been smashed by that broken, blazing beam and how he had not shown any reaction however much they tried to elicit one from him after he had been dragged out.

In order to demonstrate his bravery and the perils of that day, Zhao Sishan soon found himself exaggerating things greatly without realising it...it was literally like corpses were strewn across the ground as everywhere was an endless field of blood.

“I think he’s dead. He probably died right there on the spot,” Zhao Sishan said, “Otherwise, it wouldn’t be me who’s benefiting like this. Of course, I did save somebody too. As for why his side’s totally silent, it seems like that’s because his family’s very rich and owns a few businesses...they probably have to make some arrangements for those first…”

Li Wan’er fainted dead away on the spot.

Zhao Sishan hurriedly called for the nurse.

After regaining her consciousness, Li Wan’er refused the advice of the doctor and nurses to remain in the hospital for further observation.

She unsteadily staggered out of the hospital.

Chapter 392: Ah, I’m fainting again

Lu Zhixin had been in Shenghai for two days, during which the expected power struggle had not occurred. It could be said that the mode of interaction between she, Hu Chen and He Yutan was one of mutual recognition and respect.

Both of these elders greatly admired and thought highly of this young girl who was rumoured to be keeping Hucheng stable and mighty on her own.

Moreover, she had even come with people from the Xu family’s Happy Shoppers which was said to belong to Xu Tingsheng’s father. Thus, the rumour that Lu Zhixin was the Xu family’s future daughter in-law seemed not to be unfounded.

There was not much resistance as Lu Zhixin came to understand the current state of Xingchen Technologies and Xu Tingsheng’s intended developmental pace, the thoughts of Hu Chen and He Yutan included.

Lu Zhixin was rather joyful as she looked at the two financial sheets in her hand. The situation was even ‘better’ than she had thought. Of course, this referred to how Weibo was really very good at ‘burning money’.

Also, it was most crucial that Weibo’s ‘money-burning prospects’ seemed to be bright indeed.

Xingchen Technologies was currently still on the most simplified version of Weibo as they were still in the initial phase of the plan that Xu Tingsheng had shown to Hu Chen and He Yutan. It was also limited to computers for the time being as Xu Tingsheng tried his best to lower the costs needed to create and maintain it.

Also, ever since the first wave of advertising, Xu Tingsheng had virtually been cutting corners all throughout as he had been as thrifty as Scrooge.

All this indicated that the financial pressure on him was great.

At this point in time, setting aside the initial investment amount, just considering daily operations over the past few months alone, Xingchen Technologies had already lost more than ten million.

If they were to simultaneously upgrade Weibo and promote it on a larger scale, their rate of burning money would increase exponentially.

Also, Hu Chen and He Yutan deeply desired to see these two steps finally being implemented. Having previously argued with Xu Tingsheng over this many times before, they mentioned it to Lu Zhixin again now.

Lu Zhixin simply had to yield to the flow of the current and proceed.

“Xingchen Technologies, Zhicheng Real Estate. Where did his money come from? ...There’s only one possibility, which is that he used Hucheng’s funds. He thinks of Hucheng like his own family too much, making use of its funds like he’s borrowing money from his family, thinking that it’ll all be fine if he returns it later.”

The ‘extraordinary genius’ Xu Tingsheng who was known to be deeply proficient in innovating and analysing situations in the eyes of others was but a greenhorn in terms of corporate rules.

This deduction caused Lu Zhixin to feel as if she was clutching the ‘Heaven Reliant Sword’. Xu Tingsheng had once joked that Lu Zhixin resembled Abbess Miejue, to which she had retorted…

“If I had the Heaven Reliant Sword, I’d hack you dead in one blow.”

“A single strike, fast and true…”

Within Lu Zhixin’s mind immediately arose the face of the comatose Xu Tingsheng as various scenes from the past flashed by...her steeled resolve softened for just an instant...but no more than that.

“If you hand it to me, it’s actually no different from it still being yours. We can still be like how we were before, working hard together. It’s just that you’ll stop all that messing around. Don’t blame me for this.”

‘Forced abdication’ could not be performed by she herself.

The most ideal borrowed blade would be Tianyi.

The only question was when she did so.

It would be best if this could occur when a monetary crisis befell Hucheng, when funds could still not be drawn out from Zhicheng. The former required Lu Zhixin to carve out an opportunity while the latter was like a deadline.

Along with that, it would be best if Weibo was in a precarious state due to its business competitors and burning money at a greater rate, its value decreasing...that was ideal.

As soon as Hucheng had no choice but to seek a large scale inflow of investment funds.

Old Wai and Li Linlin would almost certainly be helpless and simply able to watch as their percentage of the shares was diminished.

There was also at least a fifty percent chance that Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing would give up their chance.

The chances that the middle and higher echelon employees were either incapable of or dared not risk investing more money into Hucheng were over seventy percent.

How might the Xu family deal with this?

With their chain of funds broken and a massive deficiency existing, if they were dead set on preserving Xu Tingsheng’s position as Hucheng’s majority shareholder, it would be like this.

The first step: They would have no choice but to sell Mr Xu’s Happy Shoppers’ to remedy their deficiency of funds.

The second step: Stuck between a rock and a hard place, they would have to give up Xingchen Technologies and their Weibo venture at a comparatively low price.

All their funds and areas of development would return to Hucheng. Their debt crisis would have been caused by Hucheng’s powerful development. Thus, things would end with a hegemonic, unrivalled Hucheng, the empire that they had spent two years building together with all their blood, sweat and tears.

Everything which belonged to the Xu family and Xu Tingsheng would return to Hucheng.

Meanwhile, facing Tianyi’s forced abdication, Xu Tingsheng should feel safer in leaving Hucheng in the hands of her, Lu Zhixin.

“Should I be hoping that he wakes up a bit earlier or later?”

Her handphone rang.

She answered the call.

“You’ve worked hard, Zhixin.”

“Uncle Xu, is there anything…”

“Tingsheng’s woken up.”

“...That’s good then.”

The instant Xu Tingsheng woke up, the environment of howling gales, sandstorms and gloomy skies with dark clouds looming overhead...seemed to dissipate with the forceful emergence of the sun to vanquish all darkness.

Yet, the repressed winds and rains as well as thunder and lightning that had still yet to erupt inevitably remained.

The storm was brewing, this being but a lull.

Lu Zhixin pondered for a while before having a short discussion with Hu Chen and He Yutan and setting off back for Yanzhou.

……

Just half an hour ago, the day after Fang Chen had delivered that 300-year-old ginseng over, with Xu Tingsheng having been in a coma for yet another two days.

Mrs Xu was arguing with the specialists over at the doorway.

Mrs Xu’s opinion was that this aged ginseng was like a ‘heavenly elixir’ and had to be downed.

The specialists patiently and earnestly tried to persuade her against it, saying that the ginseng and its medicinal effects were really too mythical. With Xu Tingsheng’s current state, really...he should not just be given any random thing. They were already being very careful with whatever medications they were giving him.

“You people get my son to wake up then…”

“We've really never seen a case like his before. That’s why we have to be even more cautious here…”

“I’ll stew it for him and pour it down his throat.”

“You have to respect science. You…”

Mr Xu went over to mediate.

A voice resounded from behind him, “Dad.”

It was just like when his son had been in twelfth grade, when he had returned home that day and he had rushed over wanting to hug him. It was that kind of tone…

“Oh,” Mr Xu responded reflexively.

He turned.

He hurriedly turned back around again. Hmm, it was better not to look right now.

Xu Tingsheng was hugging Little Xiang Ning who was clearly smiling yet had tears streaming down her face. He leaned in and kissed her.

Seeing his son acting in so ‘beastly’ a manner, Mr Xu felt it to be very awkward indeed.

Xu Tingsheng had awoken. With his bodily functions having recovered to a certain extent, however much he wished to repress it with his consciousness and his will, however much he was fearful and unwilling, he would simply naturally wake up just like that.

Previously, as the sensation of pain had returned, coursing through his body, Xu Tingsheng had repressed himself from awakening due to fear.

He remembered the intense pain that had come with the car crash. He had been afraid that not having died from the resultant impact, he had simply had a very long dream during his coma.

In that dream, his father was still alive, spirited and at his peak. Xiang Ning had never waited alone for three years, never been hurt with her hopes dashed and turned into despair. With her sixteen, they had met again, fallen in love again...they had gone through some hard times and experienced much happiness together as they were soon to be entering a relationship proper…

As for everyone else, everything was also going all well and good because of Xu Tingsheng.

Therefore, he was afraid of waking up, afraid that he would find himself impoverished and wasted, helpless to change anything, with his father gone and Xiang Ning far away too. He might also have suffered grave injuries which would cause his mother and younger sister to suffer for the rest of their lives.

When his vitality could finally no longer be suppressed, at that moment when Xu Tingsheng awoke, what first entered his field of vision were two figures, those of Mr Xu and Xiang Ning.

Seeing his father’s broad, straight back right there before him, Xu Tingsheng called out ‘Dad’.

The sixteen-year-old Little Xiang Ning was right by his side, looking at him, smiling while also crying. Xu Tingsheng leaned in and kissed her.

“Hey, you…”

Little Xiang Ning who was unable to keep herself from smiling and similarly unable to hold back her tears covered her face with one hand, speaking shyly as she looked over at Mr and Mrs Xu.

The next instant, those who had originally been outside the sick ward began streaming into the room. Xu Tingsheng saw Huang Yaming and the other guys, his little sister...woah, Apple was there too…and his junior…

“Ah, I’m fainting again!” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed loudly, and he went back to playing dead.

Chapter 393: It’s trial time

Xu Tingsheng was given half a day’s buffer as he was checked and ‘analysed’ by the specialists as he also got to sleep after that.

The next day, the courts of family, relatives and friends awaited him.

Xu Tingsheng said utterly shamelessly, “What a real happy occasion, me waking up. How about we celebrate for a couple of days first?”

Mr Xu coughed, ignoring him as he turned towards Little Xiang Ning and said, “Well, young lady, how about you go home first?”

Little Xiang Ning shook her head, saying, “I can see that you guys are going to scold him. Scold me too then. It’s all my fault.”

In her mind, Xu Tingsheng had wrongfully suffered and tolerated so much to get her parents to agree to their relationship. Now that it was her turn to face her in-laws, Little Xiang Ning would naturally not falter and shrink back.

Her innocent, pitiful eyes were so resolute as she looked at Mr and Mrs Xu, her mouth pursed as it was as if she was ready to burst into tears at any moment.

Mr and Mrs Xu exchanged glances. Despite not having done anything at all yet, it already felt like they were great villains, the villainous in-laws to be precise.

“Tingsheng, you’ve got to at least tell us what this is about, right? You almost died, you know,” Mr Xu said to his son.

Xu Tingsheng very much felt like yelling loudly, “Ah, I’m fainting again!”

Yet, it seemed like it would be very unchivalrous of him to leave Little Xiang Ning in the lurch.

“Okay, well…” Xu Tingsheng was going to fabricate a story which began from the time when he had skipped classes in twelfth grade and left his school. He could narrate how Little Xiang Ning had so very kindly helped him out of goodwill when he had fainted dead by the roadside due to hunger…

In the end, he did not even get a chance to do so.

“It’s probably because he listened to you that this happened. That’s why you can’t blame him,” Little Xiang Ning said as she secretly squeezed Xu Tingsheng’s wrist to get him to play along.

“Listened to us?” Mrs Xu asked in puzzlement.

“That’s right, Auntie. Remember that time back in his office, at the training institute? When you saw me, you said I have Fuxi bones, highest grade under the heavens. Then Uncle said: what, you want to take her as your daughter-in-law? ...At that time, me and Mr Xu were right outside.”

Little Xiang Ning argued eloquently, insinuating that it was clearly Xu Tingsheng’s parents who had instigated him to hit on her, and so how could they be blaming him now?

Husband and wife discussed this in a low tone and realised that something like this did indeed seem to have happened.

They directed their gazes at Xu Tingsheng, awaiting his answer.

“That’s right, that’s how it was,” Xu Tingsheng said firmly.

“Well, I didn’t exactly intend it at first. Actually, I just found it interesting at the time. But as time went on, I came to learn more and more good things about her, just how great she is. Then, unknowingly...it’s really just a five years age difference. That won’t matter in a few years.”

Having already decided to be shameless till the end, Xu Tingsheng built up on this with that partial tale he had fabricated, bringing their first meeting back to when he had skipped classes in twelfth grade. With that, he reinforced the notion of ‘fate’ existing between them.

Little Xiang Ning did not even blink as she nodded in agreement, indicating that his words were indeed true.

Xu Tingsheng very much wanted to add, “Mum, this is the daughter-in-law you were constantly nagging me to go look for but I dared not look up for a whole three years in my previous life. In that case, shouldn’t you grab on to her and not let go now that she’s right in front of you?”

In his previous life, his mother and Xiang Ning had once had a brief encounter.

Mrs Xu whispered something to Mr Xu, tugging at his arm.

Actually, there was one aspect in which she was very similar to Mrs Xiang, maybe even surpassed her. They were both superstitious people.

She had been the first one to notice that Little Xiang Ning possessed inborn Fuxi bones.

“Tingsheng’s Dad, do you remember when Tingsheng changed all of a sudden?” Mrs Xu enquired, “If I remember correctly, he fled school to play for a few days, and when he had returned, you told me ‘the child’s grown up’, right?”

Mr Xu thought about it and replied, “I think so. I was even called to the school then.”

“Isn’t that right?” Mrs Xu asked, “Afterwards, be it him becoming sensible and doing well in the university entrance examinations or our family rising up so quickly...why do you think this is so?”

“Mmm?”

“Because of the Fuxi bones! After our Tingsheng encountered them, our fates veered towards wealth and fortune. Didn’t he just say that it was on that very trip that he met this young lady? Well, after that...you can see what happened for yourself.”

Mr Xu was rendered somewhat confused by Mrs Xu’s abstruse explanation and unable to immediately accept it.

Still, the sudden change in Xu Tingsheng and the Xu family’s sudden rise to prominence, considered from their first bucket of gold and producing a top scholar till now, was itself extremely abstruse and undecipherable in the first place. No other explanation seemed anywhere close to being able to explain this.

“Could it really be?” Mr Xu wondered aloud.

“I’m sure that’s basically it. Come, let’s talk outside.”

Mrs Xu dragged Mr Xu out of the room. It seemed they had survived the first trial just like that.

Huang Yaming and the other guys entered.

“Woah, beast…” Huang Yaming said.

The others laughed, taking delight in his unfortunate plight.

“What’s the age difference between you and Sis Qing, Tan Yao?” Xu Tingsheng launched a preemptive strike, first targeting Tan Yao.

“Nine, or maybe ten…” Tan Yao answered.

“What right do you have to judge me then? No, disqualified,” After vanquishing the first, Xu Tingsheng turned towards Fu Cheng, smiling at him, “Oh, Fu Cheng, must we be so overt?”

“Seven,” Fu Cheng smiled, “Fine, I’ll shut up.”

Huang Yaming looked left and right before he crowed triumphantly, “Hey, looks like there’s nothing holding me back…”

Little Xiang Ning tugged on Xu Tingsheng’s wrist, eyeing Huang Yaming as she complained, “When you were unconscious, this person was so fierce to me. He even asked me to get lost…”

Telling on him? And looking so very pitiful too.

Huang Yaming was distressed. Bullying a young girl, and his future (elder) sister-in-law at that…

While Xu Tingsheng could basically guess how Huang Yaming must have been feeling at the time, he still deliberately put on a grave expression and asked, “Really, what should be done about this?”

Huang Yaming decisively straightened himself and bowed deeply, “I’m sorry, sister-in-law!”

Now it was Little Xiang Ning’s turn to feel distressed. She had never met anyone half as shameless as this before.

“It’s, it’s fine. I know you were just worried about him. Also, it really was my fault too,” Little Xiang Ning incoherently replied.

Then there was only Fang Yuqing left.

Xu Tingsheng looked at him.

“If even sexuality isn’t a problem,” Fang Yuqing laughed, “What does age matter?”

In other words: Hey, I’m already able to accept my sister, much less you?

The second trial was also not that hard to pass.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to give Little Xiang Ning a high-five.

Yet, if there came a third trial which consisted of Xu Qiuyi, Song Ni, Apple and his junior Wu Yuewei…

“It could literally prove fatal...if they don’t say anything, I’ll feel guilty to death. But if they let something slip, I probably won’t be able to explain things to Little Xiang Ning…”

Xu Tingsheng was on tenterhooks.

Huang Yaming went and surveyed the area outside before coming back and reporting, “The four girls are out shopping.”

Xu Tingsheng heaved a sigh of relief, thinking: So they intend to let me go with this?

“Right, I saw Sis Apple,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“Gah…”

“Sis Apple told me yesterday that when you’re better and before school begins for me, she’ll take me to Yanjing to watch an award ceremony for music. She’ll definitely win a prize, and I’ll be able to see many celebrities too. I’m so happy! Sis Yuewei also said that she can take me to Qingbei University to play. When my Mum and Dad heard that she was a big sis from Qingbei University, they very happily agreed. Xu Tingsheng, will you also be going together with us?”

Xu Tingsheng broke out in a cold sweat as he thought: Oi...Apple, Wu Yuewei, which nerve of yours is connected wrong? Shouldn’t you be hurt and grieving and angry and resentful? What exactly are you trying to do?

Chapter 394: Bye, Ms Fang

The four girls returned in the evening with shopping bags of varying sizes in tow. This seemed like proof that they had really gone shopping.

This did not make any logical sense at all. Even though there should already have been enough time for them to accept reality during his coma as the most agonising stage should already be past, even though this matter should not weigh so heavily on them due to Little Xiang Ning’s age as some amount of curiosity and novelty should instead be evoked…

The way Apple was acting now was already extremely abnormal. Xu Tingsheng could still remember how she had cried her heart out amidst the snow back then.

Wu Yuewei? She was acting even more strange. Even meeting him usually evoked fear and pain in her as she would unconsciously take a half step back. What exactly was up with her?

When things diverge from the norm, they are definitely never that simple.

There was no way Xu Tingsheng would not feel panicked.

The gazes directed at him by Song Ni who had always possessed an ‘overflowing sense of righteousness’ regarding this matter and Xu Qiuyi who had always ‘disdained’ and ‘had a low opinion of’ her brother were still not so friendly.

Still, Xu Tingsheng already cared not about that. With the sixteen-year-old Xiang Ning having already been overtly and conspicuously brought out into the open before his parents, in front of everyone, his ‘thick skin’ and shamelessness was the only weapon he had.

Now, Xu Tingsheng was only concerned with whatever might be up with Apple and Wu Yuewei.

Of course, first and foremost, Xu Tingsheng could be reassured from their personalities that they would definitely never scheme to bring Little Xiang Ning harm. Still, it was precisely because of this that he felt more befuddled, not knowing what he should do about it.

Little Xiang Ning who was ‘unable to distinguish between friend and foe’ walked over, joining in their conversation.

Xu Tingsheng felt like entropy was starting to reign over this world.

Once in a while, Apple would shoot Xu Tingsheng a few glances before smilingly perking up the corners of her mouth. This smile of hers revealed everything going through her mind. There was some triumph, a dash of a threat and a pinch of slyness.

It felt just like back when she had been flirtingly teasing Xu Tingsheng around the time of the university entrance examinations, when she had been fully able to deal with him as it was like he was clutched firmly within her grasp.

Wu Yuewei’s gaze collided with Xu Tingsheng’s for a moment. She did not shrink back, simply smiling a little awkwardly and unnaturally before turning away from him again.

Still, Xu Tingsheng could clearly detect that within that smile of hers was a sense of her having accomplished something tremendously praiseworthy. It was like the irrepressible excitement and nervousness of a child who had always played by the rules mustering up her courage before finally doing something naughty for the first time.

“Are they thinking to slowly torture me to death like this? One knife, one stab, slowly but surely exacting vengeance at a time?”

Xu Tingsheng looked at Little Xiang Ning, standing amongst them. Visually speaking, she was just like a ‘hostage’! Yet, she herself seemed totally oblivious to this.

Song Ni’s handphone rang. She answered the call and said ‘hello’. Then, her expression immediately changed.

Covering the speaker, her eyes were wide open as she exclaimed to all, “Ms Fang”.

Fu Cheng shot to his feet.

Everyone fell silent. Little Xiang Ning who was unclear on the situation remained quiet as well, curiously watching all this.

“Hello, Ms Fang. Oh, Tingsheng? He…”

At this point, everyone realised that Fang Yunyao had probably called because she had seen the rumours and contention regarding Xu Tingsheng on the internet, that he was unconscious and on the brink of death and whatnot. She had called simply because she was worried about his current condition.

Song Ni directed her gaze at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng mimed a slicing motion across his neck after which his head dramatically cocked down to the side.

“He’s...dead,” Song Ni said slightly unnaturally.

Huang Yaming ran over and covered Xu Tingsheng completely with a blanket, next bowing deeply and solemnly towards him.

Understanding what he meant, Song Ni continued, “Umm, can you make it to his funeral?”

Little Xiang Ning was rendered dumbstruck by this, her mouth gaping wide in shock. After managing to wake up after all this time, Uncle had...went and died again? Even his funeral preparations had been completed.

Very obviously, Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming were scheming to trick Fang Yunyao over.

From Song Ni’s expression and how she was repeatedly nodding and saying yes, the scheme seemed about to succeed.

Fu Cheng took the phone.

“Tingsheng’s fine. He’s woken up,” Fu Cheng said, “I...you, are you well?”

It was so quiet in the room you could hear a pin drop. Still, everyone was still unable to clearly discern what Ms Fang was saying and what tone of voice she was using.

Whatever it was, Fu Cheng’s face dimmed after hearing it as he feigned his composure and said, “Alright, I won’t look anymore. I won’t go anymore. Don’t worry. Actually, I just want to know how you’re doing...when I went over last time, I heard that you have gotten married?”

Fu Cheng had evidently received an answer in the negative as his eyes turned dull and lustreless.

“Alright then. Then, I’m hanging up. See you, Ms Fang.”

Always making the situation awkward whenever he spoke, Fu Cheng still awkwardly called her Ms Fang on this final occasion. He had said ‘see you, Ms Fang’, that normalest greeting which he would use whenever her lesson ended or he met her at the school gates back in the past.

Yet, with this ‘see you’, they might never meet again in this life.

Yet, this was the woman he had loved for the best five years of his youth, after which he had spent two whole years searching all over for her. The happy times between them had merely lasted for two days, despite all this.

After hanging up, Fu Cheng numbly returned Song Ni her handphone.

Sensing everyone’s worried gazes on him, Fu Cheng tried his best to smile and said, “Ms Fang is married now. She says that she’s doing very well, that she’s very happy...that’s what’s most important. Right?”

No one knew how they should respond to this.

“Oh, right, I forgot to wish her happiness,” Fu Cheng looked skyward, “I’m gonna go take a walk.”

Huang Yaming followed after him from a distance.

After a while, Xu Tingsheng narrated the tale of Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng to a curious Little Xiang Ning in its entirety. Little Xiang Ning sighed sorrowfully, saying, “So theirs was a student-teacher relationship. Student-teacher relationships really are very pitiful.”

She seemed to have decided that their relationship was also one, and Xu Tingsheng had no way of rebutting her on this.

“He should have fooled her over,” The shameless Little Xiang Ning said, “Let’s make sure of this first! If you run off in the future, I’ll fool you back over. If I’m the one who runs off, you fool me back over. We’ve both definitely got to bite the bait!”

Hearing what was basically equivalent to her ‘style’ in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng said, “Got it.”

……

After close to twenty days in the hospital, Xu Tingsheng had basically recovered fully from his injuries.

Little Xiang Ning came virtually everyday, bringing her senior high textbooks along as well. Just like that, she began to receive tutoring from Xu Tingsheng before senior high even commenced.

“There are advantages to student-teacher relationships too. We can both study and be together at the same time!” Was what she said.

Apple and Wu Yuewei both returned to Libei to stay for a while, saying that they would return to take Little Xiang Ning to Yanjing.

Mr and Mrs Xiang never did come to the hospital to visit Xu Tingsheng, perhaps because either Mr or Mrs Xu would basically always be there at any one time. When the parents of both parties met, there would be the feeling of this having become official. The Xiang family was not mentally prepared for that yet.

Still, the shameless Little Xiang Ning got along very well with Mr and Mrs Xu as she buttered them up nicely.

She seemed naturally gifted with the ability to get on the good side of others, never having to intentionally put in extra effort at all.

After her return from Shenghai, Lu Zhixin spent less time visiting Xu Tingsheng at the hospital. Still, she was more diligent in pushing forward Hucheng’s agenda, spurring its development. Xu Tingsheng felt rather guilty such that when she refused the Xu family’s ‘compensation’ and only requested for a financial securities department to be set up in Hucheng which she would be in charge of, not having all that much interest in shares in the first place, he virtually approved it without any hesitation whatsoever.

As Lu Zhixin had switched courses to Finance for her second year of university, this seemed perfectly reasonable a step to take.

Chapter 395: Plastic surgery knows no bounds

19th August.

Possibly the two most outstanding and famous girls to have come out of Libei in recent years, the superstar Cen Xiyu and the top scorer Wu Yuewei travelled from Libei to Yanzhou together. Little Xiang Ning happily packed her red backpack as well.

Because the two were Xu Tingsheng’s friends and ex-classmates, also considering how Wu Yuewei was a top scholar who studied at Qingbei University, Mr and Mrs Xiang showed no intention of stopping her at all. It was as if simply by going to stay at the dorm of a Qingbei study queen for a few days, experiencing the library there, this little study flunkie would also be able to attend Qingbei in the future.

Xu Tingsheng finally confirmed that those two were serious.

After hesitating for a long time, he texted Apple. It wouldn’t be good to say this out explicitly, for surely it would sound awkward then. Thus, his message simply read: Apple…

While this consisted of just her name followed by ellipses, feelings were actually conveyed too, those of troubledness and awkwardness.

A reply soon came: Scared now?

Apple’s feelings were similarly evident as there was a crafty, triumphant vibe therein.

“I’d almost thought that you really weren’t going to say anything to me at all,” Apple added.

“Yanjing, it’s really better if she doesn’t go there…” Xu Tingsheng sidestepped her words.

“Let’s not disappoint Little Xiang Ning. We won’t hurt her, and you as well,” Apple replied.

“I know that, but I just can’t understand why.”

“Just don’t think about it then. It’s always been you overthinking things. This time, let us consider things properly for ourselves.”

Xu Tingsheng was still unable to understand what she meant by this.

“I won’t let her go,” He proclaimed.

“Oh, aren’t you afraid of us letting anything slip then?”

“What?”

“Such as, how Little Xiang Ning actually watched my last performance before Tianle suppressed me and stopped me from performing, and met you there too. It was in Xihu City, remember? Do you think she knows who the Superman that I spoke of on stage that day is? Also, what did Xu Tingsheng do afterwards on that day…”

“Such as, how someone once forced Libei’s top scholar, his junior from Qingbei, into telling him some dirty stories. We were wondering if we should teach Little Xiang Ning a few, lest a certain beast wants to listen to some again.”

“......”

Xu Tingsheng replied with a string of ellipses. This threat really was very potent. Also, it seemed like even Wu Yuewei had been ‘corrupted’ by Apple.

“You can already drive, right?” Send us to the airport tomorrow morning,” Apple requested.

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

……

Xu Tingsheng had never experienced anything quite as excruciating as this trip from Yanzhou to the airport at Xihu City before.

After finally making it to the airport in one piece, he was ordered around like a footman, carrying bags and buying drinks for the girls till he was exhausted and sweating profusely. Wu Yuewei wanted to help, but was stopped by Apple. Little Xiang Ning was feeling so excited that Xu Tingsheng simply wasn’t on her mind at all.

The three girls leisurely stood together and drank their drinks while chatting just like that.

They all wore white T-shirts and sunglasses, with the addition of a surgical mask for Apple.

Next were black, white and pink shorts and three pairs of long legs, coupled with little pink shoes, little white shoes and little red shoes as well as beautiful ankles.

They were also all sporting buns on the top of their heads, revealing bright, clear foreheads along with long, slender necks and pale, pink tenderness behind their ears…

This was a style which was designed by Apple and had been long in the works.

As the men in the airport saw this scene and Xu Tingsheng who was fortunate enough to be accompanying them, they all had envious looks on their faces, not knowing that Uncle had never ever felt so stifled in his life before as he was just completely at the mercy of others…

Finally bearing the torment till the trio were past the security checks, Xu Tingsheng gazed worriedly at Little Xiang Ning.

“I’ll text you when I’m there!” Little Xiang Ning waved the handphone she held, this being that very one which Mrs Xiang had returned to Xu Tingsheng back then as it contained their selfie even now.

As for Dongdong, it was already back with the Xiang family now.

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, waving goodbye from the distance.

……

The very day after seeing Little Xiang Ning off, Xu Tingsheng flew off to America.

He was going for plastic surgery.

That huge scar on his back was really pretty frightening, and there were also many other scars and blemishes besides those.

Xu Tingsheng was not really that concerned about them. Intuitively speaking, there was nothing wrong with men having a few scars here and there.

Still, they troubled Little Xiang Ning. Every time she saw these scars of Uncle’s, tears would well up in her eyes as she felt incomparably guilty. Xu Tingsheng thought that it definitely couldn’t go on like this. When the time finally came for their happy first night together and...the clothes went off, and the young girl burst out crying all of a sudden...how could he ever allow that to happen?

Therefore, the only option was plastic surgery, or the restoration of existing scars to be precise.

The private plastic surgery hospital that Xu Tingsheng was heading to was said to be very high-end. The Black Horse Club had made use of many contacts in order to get in touch with them. Almost half of the members of the Black Horse Club had been abroad for a period of time before.

Most of them had been abroad in America.

A few of these fellas who were accompanying Xu Tingsheng for treatment in name dumped him at the hospital and individually went off to find their old flames after arriving.

After three uncomfortable days at the hospital, Xu Tingsheng began to sincerely admire women. Stuff like carving their bodies, adding and subtracting things from them...while it was said that men had to be a bit crueler to themselves, women were actually the cruelest if they willingly desired to undergo this.

When the nurse told Xu Tingsheng to come again in another two months, at which point in time his scars would be able to disappear completely, Xu Tingsheng shook his head incomparably firmly. This right now was already sufficient. He was never going to suffer this torture again, ever.

The chubby nurse who had auburn-coloured hair was pretty talkative now that she was better acquainted with Xu Tingsheng as she spoke unreservedly and informally with him.

“You’re scared of the pain, right? That’s so not manly at all,” She said with a disdainful look on her face.

“It’s not just about the pain. It’s mainly how just the mere thought of it sends shudders down my spine...thankfully, that scapel didn’t make it anywhere near my face,” Xu Tingsheng said, feeling very relieved indeed.

“So men aren’t as brave as women in the East,” The chubby nurse observed dryly.

“...What do you mean by that?”

“Alright, I’ll tell you a secret, but you mustn’t tell anyone. You know how our hospital is obligated to protect the privacy of our clients,” The chubby nurse said secretively in a hushed tone.

“Well, no need to say it then,” Xu Tingsheng said, not being a gossipy kind of guy.

Yet when someone is in a gossipy mood, there is actually no stopping them whatever one says.

“It’s fine, actually. I don’t know anything specific about her, anyway,” The chubby nurse glanced at the doorway before saying, “Our most important client here is a woman. She comes from the same country as you.”

The nurse’s eyes were virtually shining as she spoke in a mysterious manner. Xu Tingsheng did not feel strongly about this at all, though. Merely an Oriental woman who loved plastic surgery-it was much too common. In a few years’ time, newsworthiness would instead come from how an outlier female celebrity from his country had actually never ever gone for plastic surgery before.

“And?” Xu Tingsheng gave a perfunctory reply.

The chubby nurse gesticulated enthusiastically, “Ten years, it has already been ten years since she’s come here annually for plastic surgery. She’s never once stopped. She’s even sponsored Professor Wayne’s research in plastic surgery for this purpose, you know? The amount that she invests each year surpasses 1 million USD.”

Xu Tingsheng finally showed some interest as he nodded, exclaiming from the very bottom of his heart, “What a rich lady this is.”

“Shh, this isn’t the main point,” The chubby nurse declared with an exaggerated expression, “What’s most shocking is that I feel she isn’t doing this to make herself more beautiful, you know? It feels like she wants to turn herself completely into someone else, you get my drift? Every single area, from head to toe and even some more private portions, a totally different
person is produced.”

“Anyway, the way I see it, she was much better the way she was before. Still, she’s extremely adamant about this, not caring about money, pain, or damage to her body. There’s virtually nothing else she cares about at all...because of this, even Professor Wayne is hesitant in voicing too much of his unwanted opinions.”

The chubby nurse looked too triumphant and excited as she gossiped on. In order to prevent this from going on and on and on, Xu Tingsheng said nothing in reply to this topic. Considering this, he thought that perhaps this was because beauty was subjective, like how the West valued the shape of Chinese people’s eyes the most, whereas the Chinese themselves did not feel that much about this.

Because of that, her judgment that the woman had become uglier after her plastic surgery might merely be because of her subjectivity. A few years later, when many female celebrities had gone through plastic surgery, there would also be a whole lot of people thinking they looked better the way they had been before.

“It’s a pity that you’re leaving. Otherwise, you might have a chance of seeing her in a couple of days,” The chubby nurse sighed regretfully to herself, as though feeling sorry for Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng thought ‘no thank you very much!’. Whole-body plastic surgery addicts were just never-ending phenomenons. It was not like he had never read about them before. There were even those who had suffered hundreds of cuts just to make themselves look like ‘Barbie dolls’.

If one was really to be a perfectionist about this, the realm of plastic surgery knew no bounds.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had even heard about some British singer who would have plastic surgery recurrently to modify the size of her breasts, coordinating with the style of her latest album.

Chapter 396: I will be good in the future

No one accompanied Xu Tingsheng in leaving America as he flew straight to Milan, Italy.

The appointed time was already over and Xu Tingsheng had also constantly been unable to get in touch with Li Wan’er over this period of time. Feeling worried about her, he went to Milan to make sure that everything was okay.

He first went to Li Wan’er’s house in Milan which he had helped her to move to. In the end, despite knocking the door for a very long time, no one answered. It was an old lady from next door who, with a series of incomprehensible sounds and hand gestures, basically helped to get the message across that the person inside had already moved away.

Xu Tingsheng decided to look for her at the tailor workshop where she worked.

Li Wan’er was still nowhere to be found at the tailor workshop. Old Mister Angelo was absent too as he was perhaps off earning some extra income in Shenghai City again. There were still others in the workshop who had seen Xu Tingsheng before, though.

He had even conversed with some of them during his previous visit there.

An old tailor retrieved a letter and passed it to him.

Sitting by the roadside in the darkness of Milan’s night, Xu Tingsheng had a cigarette gripped in between two fingers of one hand and a letter clasped in the other.

Xu Tingsheng:

If you’ve come to find me, you will see this letter. I have left it here rather than mailing it to you or simply calling to notify you because I actually don’t want you coming here to look for me.

Or maybe I do, actually, because that would at least mean that I am still in your mind.

Regardless of that, I’m sorry, Xu Tingsheng. I’ve come to regret my decision.

I no longer wish to abide by our earlier agreement. So, I’ve run away.

I’ve experienced your death once, you know? I fainted dead away in the hospital, then left soullessly like all the life had been sucked out of me.

They told me that you were dead, and only then did I finally realise that I am actually a woman who does not even possess the qualifications to show up at your funeral. I even had no way of finding out where your grave would be located so that I could go to visit you.

Can I or can I not be considered your woman? Perhaps you have never once thought so before in the first place, Xu Tingsheng.

Afterwards, upon returning to Milan, I had no idea how I should continue living. Everything which had supported me over the past half year, all the joy and the anticipation, was no more. It had all vanished alongside you, with nothing remaining whatsoever.

I wasn’t even able to look for someone to cry with over you, because there was simply no one I could tell.

These were the feelings I experienced that loomed over me like a boundless darkness, leaving me afraid.

Yet afterwards, when I finally mustered up the courage to search for your name online again, wishing to just calmly look at photos of you and reminisce, I learnt the news of your recovery.

I was over the moon, overjoyed. I wanted to come to look for you right away.

I packed my luggage and rushed out of my house, hurrying off to the airport…

Then, I regretted it.

Sorry, only after experiencing you leaving definitively for good once did I realise that I actually can’t do it. I can’t live with being with you for some time and then losing you, can’t live with us having a child of our own and then losing you.

Forgive me for my cowardice. I really can’t stomach ever bearing that kind of pain ever again.

Thus, regretting my decision, I’ve run away. I’ve decided to leave Milan.

I will always remember those times that belong to only the two of us, from our first meeting to when I did your tie for you, to the round rainbow in the skies back then, to the agreement that we made that day...

The only fault lies with how:

I fell in love with a young hoodlum who liked messing around, but you gave me Xu Tingsheng, extraordinaire…

In truth, I personally feel that it would be great if only you were just a minor hoodlum. I don’t eat much anyway; it wouldn’t be that tough on you.

I’m leaving now. If we ever do meet again someday, it will be my turn to tell you: We’re even.

From the ends of the world and beyond, till I die of old age, somebody is thinking of you everyday. I love you, Xu Tingsheng.

- Li Wan’er.

……

Perhaps it would be possible for him to find her if he really wished to do so.

Still, Xu Tingsheng was not qualified to look for her.

……

28th August.

At Yanjing International Airport, Xu Tingsheng picked up Little Xiang Ning who was still caught up in the the excitements of her trip. It was Wu Yuewei who had accompanied her over. As for Apple, having jointly attained the best newcomer award, the best album award and the best single award in the important award ceremony, it had been difficult for her to even go out recently.

Xu Tingsheng said ‘thank you’ to Wu Yuewei.

Looking at Little Xiang Ning, Wu Yuewei said, “Her life is really full of joy. One’s got to be envious…”

Xu Tingsheng did not know what to say to that.

Little Xiang Ning was chattering on throughout the flight back as she described the music award ceremony to Xu Tingsheng. Apple had gone up on stage thrice to receive her awards, during which time her fans had competed with the other singers’ fans to see whose cheers were loudest. She had cheered till even her throat was hoarse.

“Luckily, we managed to win…” She said.

She was returning with a whole big bag of clothes and whatnot. Some of them she showed to Xu Tingsheng, while others she did not.

She spoke of how Qingbei was very beautiful, how big the library there was. She even took out a senior high study plan that Wu Yuewei had written for her which included study methodologies and things to take note of. It encompassed an entire small booklet.

She also recounted how they had joked together about how Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng and Qingcheng Mountain’s Bai Suzhen(Lady White Snake) were so alike...both were devilspawn.

She was super happy.

Xu Tingsheng wondered how much pain Apple and Wu Yuewei must be suffering in secret as they talked like this. Maybe they were truly over him? ...But if so, why were they still doing this?

It was close to evening when the plane descended at Xihu City. Xu Tingsheng’s original intentions were to rent a car and hurry back to Yanzhou.

“But I’m very tired,” Little Xiang Ning looked at him, asking, “How about we go back tomorrow instead?”

How was Xu Tingsheng supposed to refuse her?

After eating dinner by the lake of Xihu (West Lake) and touring the area for a while, Little Xiang Ning waited till it really was ‘too late to return’ before giving her parents a call, telling them that she wanted to rest in Xihu City for the night.

Soon, Xu Tingsheng received a text from Mr Xiang that read: Little Ning is still young.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly sent a reply: You can rest assured, Uncle. I know that.

The two followed the perimeter of the lake for a long time. In his previous life, they had once spent entire days walking along it. Those were the three most blissful days in Xu Tingsheng’s memories. She had came to Xihu City to see him, wearing his big T-shirt and flitting around the whole house like a little bird.

As they walked and walked, Little Xiang Ning eventually grew unhappy.

Xu Tingsheng didn’t know what the matter was. Xiang Ning indicated with her eyes at the other couples that were passing by. Xu Tingsheng still didn’t get it.

“Wah, Xu Tingsheng, your hand’s so big…” Little Xiang Ning said, “Let’s compare and see how much bigger it is than mine…”

Two palms, one big, one small, connected, and they were holding hands just like that.

The uncle and the young girl ended up feeling a bit awkward after joining hands as they smiled foolishly to themselves and walked on in silence for a long time. In the end, having gone too far, Little Xiang Ning ended up running out of energy as Xu Tingsheng had to carry her back.

Arriving at the motel, the most crucial trial had arrived. Uncle solemnly and majestically declared to reception in an upright and righteous manner, “Two rooms...”

Little Xiang Ning tugged at his sleeve, whispering, “But I’ll be scared if I sleep alone.”

Uncle decisively informed the front desk, “In that case, two beds.”

Perhaps to conceal her awkwardness, Little Xiang Ning began chattering non-stop after entering the room. She was able to continue talking on her own even when Xu Tingsheng would not entertain her, or she could also watch drama series while telling him all about the plots.

In any case, she showed no intention of going to take a bath at all as she simply rolled and leapt about her bed incessantly…

“She’s really too childish…” Uncle felt greatly pained, knowing that there was no hope for a brief romantic subplot here.

“In that case, I should probably go to bed earlier to spare myself the torture. Xiang Ning should sleep too. If she continues making a ruckus, she’ll probably not be up even by noon tomorrow.”

Xu Tingsheng momentarily adjusted his emotions before feigning a desire to hurry up and go sleep, “Little Xiang Ning…”

“Hmm?”

“Can we not go to bed yet?”

“Huh?”

Maybe Xu Tingsheng had said something wrong, for the frolicking, chattering Little Xiang Ning suddenly fell silent, sitting still on the bed and hugging her legs with her furiously blushing face buried between her knees. And how she hesitated, how she struggled…

“No, not yet,” Finally, very softly, she forced out the words with great difficulty.

“What do you mean not yet?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“We can’t yet. I still can’t let you bed me. I’m still little. Mum said that.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng collapsed onto his bed with an agonised moan, feeling greatly bitter within. While I may be a ruffian, this really isn’t the kind of going to bed I was talking about! His mother-in-law really was overly abstract and insufficiently rigorous in her definitions in educating her daughter.

Seeing his pained face, Little Xiang Ning said rather nervously, “Hey, no need to be so worked up! I’m just scared, and I’m too young too...I, I will be good in the future.”

Chapter 397: Some happy times of youth (1)

Xu Tingsheng flipped over and hid inside his blanket with his back facing away from Little Xiang Ning as he pretended to be asleep.

For one, he really had no way of staying on the topic of ‘when he would finally be able to bed her’ which had already completely diverged from the right area of conversation. Rather than being dishonest, it was best if he simply stayed silent and out of harm’s way.

He knew full well that she was sixteen as it was still too early to do anything. That was fine. However, all his memories and sensations were still fresh in his mind, and her delicate self existed right there before him. If he said that he felt nothing...Xu Tingsheng was still not so hypocritical a person.

Secondly, he thought that the young girl might be able to calm down and go take a bath this way. After she had fallen asleep, he would be able to pass the remainder of the night through tolerably.

Little Xiang Ning called hey ‘twice’ before exclaiming tentatively again, “Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng showed no reaction as there was only the sound of him breathing.

Xiang Ning had decided that she must treat Uncle a little better. Her heart ached greatly as she too had a heart that wished to ‘lovingly dote on’ Uncle. However strong he might look on the outside, she had seen him suffering wrongs before, also having seen him comatose and vulnerable…

The meaning of ‘lovingly doting on’ him was basically equivalent to ‘letting him have his way’.

Her hands pressing on the bedframe, she leapt off her bed with a cry that seemed to boost her own courage while also serving to remind Xu Tingsheng, “I’m coming!”

She stood barefooted by her bed for a while, hesitating as her slender frame shook slightly. She clenched her teeth and stepped onto the bedframe with one leg as she climbed up onto the bed. How courageous a feat was that?

Little Xiang Ning took a deep breath before steeling herself, not saying a word as she hugged him through the blanket, thinking, “You dirty ruffian who refuses to speak to me just because I won’t let you bed me-this is fine already, right?”

Yet, as Xu Tingsheng continued to ignore her, Little Xiang Ning was overcome by a feeling of helplessness.

“Are you still angry, Xu Tingsheng?” Hiding her face behind the blanket, Little Xiang Ning asked carefully, “Then, although I can’t let you bed me, I can lie down together with you. Is that okay?”

She sounded just like she was coaxing a child. I can’t let you eat ice-cream, but stop kicking up a fuss if I give you sweets, okay?

Xu Tingsheng had no way of pretending to be asleep any longer. Why did it feel as if Uncle was being shameless and acting coy to cheat a little girl?

He turned and shook his head, saying, “No need. Nope, go back to your own bed. Hurry up and take a bath before going to bed. I’m not angry. I’m just tired, really.”

Little Xiang Ning gazed at Xu Tingsheng’s expression for a while, confirming from the awkward expression on his face that he was embarrassed as she hesitated for a while before helping to raise a pedestal for him to step onto, “But I’ve already come over.”

Xu Tingsheng felt greatly pained as he thought to himself: Do you really think I don’t want to, my dear Miss Little Xiang Ning? Do you think I don’t want to lie down together with you, to hug you from behind as we fall asleep together? ...It’s not like we’ve never done that before. How long has it been already? But Uncle’s really afraid that he wouldn’t able to bear it!

As soon as he allowed for that, there was no saying that he would be able to continue holding himself back for sure.

“Go back to sleep,” Doing his best to suppress the ‘evil demon’ within him, Xu Tingsheng said while putting on a stern expression.

“Okay,” Little Xiang Ning whose good intentions had been cruelly trampled in the dirt answered meekly as she removed her hands and returned to her own bed.

Soon after, the sound of the trickling of water resounded from the bathroom. Xu Tingsheng had no way of staying calm with that. Not fantasising about it was one thing. Yet, those memories in his mind were just too vivid as it was really too difficult not to think of them.

The design of this motel’s bathroom was very special. Though the walls were made of frosted glass, everything below knee level was transparent for some reason.

Xu Tingsheng cautiously flipped over and snuck a peek, even though from this angle, he was only able to see her slender legs and delicate feet along with the water that dripped down her soft, tender skin…

Amidst his thoughts, the water suddenly ceased to flow.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

Through his eyes that were open just a crack, Xu Tingsheng saw Little Xiang Ning exiting the bathroom. She was already wearing white pajamas with tiny blue apples printed on them with her hair tied up high behind her head...

While she clearly looked sprightly and youthful, there was somehow a tinge of an alluring flair about her.

Standing between the two beds, Little Xiang Ning looked at the calm face of Xu Tingsheng who seemed to be slumbering peacefully for a long while as she smiled happily. She bent down, next lightly tracing the air above his face, first his left and right brows, then his nose, then his lips…

As she meticulously drew with her finger, Little Xiang Ning’s clear white teeth were visible as she smiled joyfully. It was apparent how she viewed Uncle sleeping peacefully before her like this as a very happy thing.

If she had only gotten onto his bed to lie down with him so as to coax him earlier, looking at this person who was in a restful slumber right now, Xiang Ning really wanted to lie down beside him, peacefully leaning into his embrace.

“But I was just shooed away by him. How shameful.”

She got up, poured herself a glass of water and drank a mouthful of it. Her throat ‘rumbled’...Little Xiang Ning hurriedly covered her mouth, glancing at Xu Tingsheng’s sleeping face as she dared not utter a sound for fear of waking him up.

Fortunately, Xu Tingsheng moved not an inch.

Gazing at the cup of water in her hand, the little girl looked deep in thought for a time as was mirrored by her constantly changing expression. Only after a while did she purse her lips, seemingly having come to a firm decision.

She stood up and blocked Xu Tingsheng’s field of vision. Even though it seemed that he was indeed asleep, Little Xiang Ning moved her hand that was clutching the cup of water behind her.

Her expression was bashful yet also determined and resolute as it was as if the sixteen-year-old girl was about to do something big.

Xu Tingsheng gazed curiously at her from his slightly opened eyes.

“...So it was like this.”

She turned her wrist as the cup of water was overturned, the water inside falling onto the bed.

A portion of the bed was drenched. Little Xiang Ning turned and felt it. It was like the wet part was too little, and a bit too near the edge of the bed too...the young girl frowned, looking a bit disappointed.

Since she had decided to do this, she would not stop till she had seen it through. Little Xiang Ning clenched her teeth and tiptoed to the cabinet by the door. She poured another cup of water, yet hesitated as she then set it down again. She lifted up the entire electric kettle…

Little Xiang Ning took a few steps with the rather heavy electric kettle before hesitating yet again as she turned back around.

“Looks like she’s given up,” Xu Tingsheng felt a bit like laughing out loud, and was also just that slightly disappointed.

In the end, it turned out that it was not like that. Little Xiang Ning turned back and grabbed that cup of water that she had just put down as well...she really wasn’t afraid of having too much of it…

Carrying a cup of water in one hand and an electric kettle in the other, Little Xiang Ning did not intentionally move to block Xu Tingsheng’s vision now. He seemed in a deep sleep, anyway.

Swish! With a flourish, the water from that cup in her left hand was first poured onto the pillow. Next, her slim wrist shook a few times as she made sure to get those last few drops of water out as well.

Putting down the cup, Xiang Ning grabbed the electric kettle with both hands, watering her bed as if she were watering plants. She sprayed it to and fro, ever so happily, ever so triumphantly.

Xu Tingsheng looked at her side profile. She seemed so cute with that earnest expression on her face and that slight crafty upward curling of her lips.

He suppressed his laughter, but a brief sound was still emitted from his throat.

Hearing it, Little Xiang Ning leapt up like a startled hare. She turned and looked at Xu Tingsheng while clutching the electric kettle just like that.

Having no way of pretending to be asleep any longer, Xu Tingsheng simply opened his eyes, smiling as he looked at her.

Panicked, distressed, anxious, with an expression like that of a first-time thief who had been caught in the act and wanted to cry and also seemingly trying desperately to think of what she should say to explain her actions, Little Xiang Ning’s brain froze. She was unable to do anything else but simply look pitifully at Xu Tingsheng.

Chapter 398: Some happy times of youth (2)

Panicked, distressed, anxious, with an expression like that of a first-time thief who had been caught in the act and wanted to cry and also seemingly trying desperately to think of what she should say to explain her actions, Little Xiang Ning’s brain froze. She was unable to do anything else but simply look pitifully at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng looked at her, smiling as he said calmly but with certainty, “It’s alright. Sometimes, I also spill water on the bed when lying down and drinking. This actually happens to many other people too.”

Little Xiang Ning was taken aback for a moment before she nodded, saying softly, “Right, that’s it. I wanted to drink water just now...but then, I accidentally spilt it.”

Nodding along with her, Xu Tingsheng then seemed to suddenly realise, “Oh no, your bed’s all wet. What to do?”

“Yeah, this is really...what to do...it’s all my fault for being so careless when drinking the water.”

Little Xiang Ning frantically hid the empty electric kettle behind her as even she knew that no one drank water straight from the kettle. She stammered as she agreed with Xu Tingsheng’s words, those last few words of hers virtually being inaudible.

Xu Tingsheng simulated a ‘frowning in deep thought’ look as best he could, seemingly realising after a while, “Oh well, at least we still have another bed.”

Xu Tingsheng shifted to the side and freed up half of his bed before he patted the mattress and looked at Little Xiang Ning.

Seeing how the corners of Xu Tingsheng’s mouth were curled up in amusement, Little Xiang Ning’s face reddened at once. Looking down at the floor, she sneakily put the electric kettle down before responding as she tugged at her clothes, “Yeah.”

Then, she stood there in a helpless daze, not knowing what she should be doing.

They say that experience comes with age. Uncle still grasped the initiative at the end of the day.

Xu Tingsheng smiled at Little Xiang Ning, then reached out and turned off the entire row of lights at the head of the bed.

The breathing of two people was audible amidst the darkness.

Finally, the bed quivered slightly…

Along with it, a delicate, slender figure leaned into Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

There she lay, hand on his shirt, forehead against his chest, her little face buried in his embrace...her warm breaths tickled…

“You aren’t allowed to laugh at me over this in the future, okay?” Came a voice that was soft as a mosquito’s.

“Okay,” Came the warm reply.

“You can’t tell anybody.”

“Okay.”

“If we have a baby in the future, we also can’t tell him or her, okay?”

“Okay.”

She leaned further in, rewarding Uncle who had helped her to cover up her embarrassment with a gentle kiss. This was the fourth time. Perhaps she had actually meant to kiss his face like before, but unable to see in the darkness, she ended up kissing him on the lips instead.

Instant bliss flooded in at that moment as Xu Tingsheng was just unable to stop himself from kissing those soft, tender lips back.

While she had clearly been able to secure a full retreat those past three times, why was it that this time...Little Xiang Ning was taken aback, but she did not escape as her hands which were gripping Xu Tingsheng’s clothes tightened abruptly, gripping onto his flesh.

Still, what did that bit of pain matter?

This youthful freshness, carrying a bit of unripeness, a tinge of hardship...it was the happiness of youth.

……

Little Xiang Ning was virtually sprawled out across Xu Tingsheng right now, having frozen right there as her lips were pressed tightly together with her teeth clenched. Besides her lips that were trembling slightly, she was totally stiffened up, not responding or shrinking back, just tightening her grip more and more.

The gusting wind lifted up a corner of the curtains, light filtering in from the streetlamps.

Xu Tingsheng saw those sparkling, dark eyes fixated on him, the meaning within difficult to tell. Shouldn’t one’s eyes be closed when kissing? Feeling both guilty and vexed, Uncle went back to lying down.

“So, that was a kiss?” Little Xiang Ning asked somewhat interestedly after composing herself.

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, answering, “Kissing, no clenched teeth. People use tongues.”

“Is that so?” Little Xiang Ning stuck out her tongue as long as she could, cheerily pulling a ghastly face and even making a ‘scary’ noise before she chuckled, feeling greatly amused.

Truly, a generational gap existed! A defeated Xu Tingsheng could only sigh helplessly.

Little Xiang Ning pushed him, enquiring, “Then, is it like this...”

The tender tip of her tongue slid lightly across her lips...

“Is it like this?”

Xu Tingsheng was unable to hold himself back.

“Wha...oh…”

The young girl had no way to pull herself back in time.

Yet, as Uncle lunged over, her teeth clenched down again.

It was only a long time later that they were slightly unclenched. Still...that soft tip of her tongue was like a newborn pup coming into contact with a new, unknown world. Every time it touched, flee at once it would...till finally it was caught, and unable to flee no matter what...her little fists pounded on Uncle’s chest…

Powerlessness ensued.

Although Uncle made sure to be very gentle and very careful, as the ‘devil’ inside of him grew increasingly ‘unbridled’, he forcibly stopped himself at once, helping Little Xiang Ning to lightly wipe her lips before he awkwardly went back to lying down.

“What is it? Is there still something wrong?” Little Xiang Ning asked after resuming her normal breathing.

“No,” Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment before making a crappy excuse, “I need to rest a bit.”

“Right, I need to catch my breath too.”

So someone had been nervous to the point of unconsciously forgetting to breath as they had kissed earlier.

She was still resting against him, her desperately blushing face buried in his shoulder. It was just that both of them were breathing rather heavily, their chests heaving as they lay there...

After a while, the one whose head was buried asked softly, “Are you done resting yet?”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Why?”

“I still wanna kiss,” The shameless little girl had to force out the words a little but was just as frank as ever.

“...”

“It’s soft, and numb, and I’m clearly feeling so very nervous, but I feel so happy too…”

So she had enjoyed it, and wanted to get a taste of it again. What a truly enticing request this was. Yet, how would Xu Tingsheng dare to go at it again? Any more false moves and he might really be unable to suppress that ‘devilish’ Xu Tingsheng inside of him any longer.

“We should sleep now,” Xu Tingsheng said.

So, Little Xiang Ning had...been flat out rejected...disappointed, bashful, embarrassed, despondent...Xiang Ning got angry as her two rows of teeth bit down on Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder.

Embarrassed as she was, she bit down rather heavily on that one as the new, tender flesh where his wounds had only recently healed broke, blood leaking from within.

Pained, Xu Tingsheng groaned.

Little Xiang Ning touched the blood.

The two hurriedly scrambled for the lights.

It was not a big wound, but blood was gushing continually from it…

Little Xiang Ning burst into tears, repeatedly apologising amidst her panic and unease, incessantly saying sorry as she sobbed as it was simply impossible to calm her down.

Xu Tingsheng applied pressure to the side of that wound and managed to get the bleeding to stop. Then, he wiped off her tears and pulled her over into his embrace as he comforted her softly...just like that, Xiang Ning cried herself into exhaustion till finally she fell asleep in his arms.

“In these two lives, just how many years has it been...finally, I can hug you as I fall asleep.”

……

Xu Tingsheng had thought that Xiang Ning would sleep in till very late. Yet, when he awoke the next morning, there was already a pair of beautiful eyes fixated on him. Little Xiang Ning lay prone across the bed with her hands resting against her cheeks as she just gazed at him…

“Does it still hurt?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head.

“Can we play for one more day before going home?”

“...No.”

“Oh...well then, let’s not waste this time now.”

“What do you mean let’s not waste it?”

Her small hand trembled slightly as it extended over, taking hold of Xu Tingsheng’s hand and guiding it to her back. She reached in below her pyjamas, hand coming to rest on her slender waist. Their eyes met for just an instant, but quickly darted away at once.

“Weren’t you thinking about it for a very long time...dirty ruffian,” Little Xiang Ning’s expression was one of suffering torture.

Xu Tingsheng ignored it as all his energy was spent restricting his palm from randomly moving upwards. It was some time later before Little Xiang Ning asked, “Is it good to touch?” What the heck turn of phrase that was.

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng affirmed.

“You, dirty, ruffian...are you going to spend the whole day touching…”

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly retracted his hand.

If this described every night, every morning, how goodit would be.

Chapter 399: Cash is king

Throughout the journey from Xihu City back to Yanzhou, the eyes of the little sixteen-year-old girl were all teary as it suspiciously corresponded with how a newly married wife would look after the night of consummation, complete with bashful delicateness and lingering affection.

Yet, such a thing had clearly not occurred! There had just been a bit of kissing and a bit of touching, and only the waist.

Xu Tingsheng very much felt like saying: Yo, if you return home like this and your parents see, Uncle’s pretty much a goner.

As they arrived at the doorstep of the Xiang family home, Xiang Ning asked, “Are you going to my house?”

Xu Tingsheng answered, “I daren’t go.”

Xiang Ning asked, “Why? Are you still afraid of Mum and Dad?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m afraid that you’ll keep on looking at me like this.”

Little Xiang Ning showed her teeth in a grin, saying, “School’s about to start. It’ll be hard to see me then even if you want to, hmph.”

Carrying her red backpack, she energetically hopped off the car. The young girl who was already evoking nostalgia in Xu Tingsheng whether in terms of personality or looks waved daintily at Xu Tingsheng.

She scooped up some water by the clothes-washing basin in the courtyard and washed her face.

Xu Tingsheng watched as she entered her house and waved goodbye. Then, he drove to a few real estate companies and chose a second-hand flat on the top floor located close to the district of Yanzhou’s old first-tier senior high. At 120 square metres in total, it also came with a small balcony.

The flat itself had not been renovated much and was not all that aesthetically pleasing. Still, it was simple, and simple things were generally easier to accept. In order to move in as soon as possible, Xu Tingsheng did not intend to renovate the flat once more. Still, as other people had previously lived there before, using their old furniture just felt kind of strange. After receiving the house keys, Xu Tingsheng immediately made arrangements for cleaning, disinfection as well as the changing of most of the furniture.

After completing the relevant procedures and paying the money, checking his card, Xu Tingsheng found that he had less than twenty thousand yuan still remaining.

The sales lady from the real estate company chased after him and knocked on the car window, asking respectfully, “Sir, if we are able to get flats from Ning Garden at the eastern riverbank, would you be interested? While it may cost a bit more, I feel you should be able to afford it.”

“The flats there are very desirable properties,” She added.

Due to the high pricing of Ning Garden’s flats, quite a lengthy process was needed for the real estate companies to get their hands on them. Additionally, the flats would cost around twenty percent more. Most people could never accept this. Seeing as Xu Tingsheng had so readily dished out this amount for a flat, this real estate company saw him as a potential customer.

Someone wanted to sell Xu Tingsheng a flat from Ning Garden.

“Thank you. I know about that. Still, I can’t afford it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“How could that be? What a sense of humour you have, sir,” The sales lady said.

“Really, I’m absolutely serious. That Ning Garden is really too expensive for me.”

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile before revving the engine of his car and waving goodbye.

The more he strove, the ‘poorer’ he got. The harder he worked, the more he lacked money.

While he controlled Hucheng, Zhicheng and Xingchen Technologies and his family also had the Happy Shoppers franchise, Xu Tingsheng had never had sufficient liquid assets on hand before.

Zhicheng had still not reached the point where money could be transferred away from it. Xingchen Technologies was still burning money to sustain Weibo. Coupled with his investments in a bar and movie, the initial sum of money possessed by Xu Tingsheng and Tianyi’s bonus were already no more.

Happy Shoppers itself had never ceased in its development as it still required funds. Xu Tingsheng would feel embarrassed to ask for money from his family.

Thus, it was only Hucheng from which he currently still derived a stable income, acquiring his funds. While Hucheng had resumed its free services as a platform, some hundreds of thousands came from ‘Are You Hungry’ every day, and there was also a big market for the sale of supplementary educational materials. Hucheng was already in the top three in the educational materials market, with much income flowing in from it everyday…

The problem was that Xu Tingsheng could not always keep on taking from Hucheng. Many of Hucheng’s development plans were still being delayed due to insufficient funds.

“Sometimes, I’m really tempted to sell Weibo, saving up a sum of money and some real estate before receiving bonuses from Hucheng and Zhicheng and living stably till old age just like that,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

Yet, he had been satisfied simply with stability in his previous life, thus missing out on the years when he could strive freely towards his own career. He had thought that he could just live out his life till old age just like that...yet in the end, he had been unable to remain that way throughout his life, having taken a risk once and suffered multiple losses as a result.

The heavens had given him a perfect opportunity in this life to start over again. Xu Tingsheng was unable to know if there might come a day when having given up, he wished to pursue his dreams once more, yet the chance for that was already past.

“There’s still time. I should give it at least two more years.”

……

Early September.

Senior high started for Xiang Ning. She actually really made it into the experimental class. With her talent and foundation in studying, Xu Tingsheng felt that letting her stay in the experimental class might not be such a good thing. It was very possible that it would hurt her confidence and self-esteem instead.

If Xu Tingsheng could be the decision-maker, he would switch Xiang Ning over to a normal class. That she could be a bit happier was still more important.

Still, Xu Tingsheng had no say in it. Little Xiang Ning was still under the authority of her parents, who were currently over the moon and full of confidence at their daughter having entered the experimental class. Xu Tingsheng was not even qualified to go with her on the first day of school, let alone dish out such an opinion that was virtually equivalent to courting death.

Standing on the balcony of the newly bought flat, he was able to see the school field of Yanzhou first-tier senior high’s old campus. Holding a glass of wine and standing there, Xu Tingsheng recalled those days when he had sat at the hill behind Xinyan Senior High for some entire afternoons.

The house was bustling with activity. As the university semester began a bit later, his friends who were about to enter their third year of university and some of those from the Black Horse Club bought their own alcohol and food and came over, claiming that they wished to celebrate him buying a house whereas what they really desired was just someplace to hang out together.

“Come back in, Xu Tingsheng.”

“Yeah, ya beast, hurry up and come in.”

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng returned to the interior of the flat upon which he was pulled over before the computer to sit down.

They said, “There’s an article here saying that your Xingchen Technologies has continuously been burning money, that your capital chain is going to break.”

Xu Tingsheng looked and saw: minor farmer mentality, rejection of joint investment, lacking in funds, troubling predicament, prospects bleak.

“The media’s great at talking rubbish.”

“Just treat it like they’re farting.”

Such were the comments.

Xu Tingsheng lit a cigarette, smiling as he said, “What’s being said is right.”

Cash is king. What Xu Tingsheng lacked most right now was none other than cash. It was not that he had never considered or discussed joint investment before. Still, perhaps it was really his ‘minor farmer mentality’ at work that with merely 32 percent of Hucheng’s shares and 23 percent of Zhicheng’s shares in his possession, Xu Tingsheng naturally wished to fully own Xingchen Technologies.

He had to rely on Weibo for a lot of things. As the time of his rebirth was late, he had missed out on QQ as the possibility of toppling it was also low indeed. Xu Tingsheng’s hopes lay with being able to create a Weibo that was different from that in his previous life. To be precise, he wished to create a Weibo that was more QQ-like. There was much that could be done based upon that foundation.

Therefore, to allow joint investment in the current Weibo...in terms of valuation, it was too much of a loss.

“I have to think of a way to earn quick money in the short term. Even though the longevity of the projects may not be all that long, reaping in the cash is the most important.”

This was not the first time he had thought about this.

Yet, as he was basically a total scrub with regard to finance, Xu Tingsheng actually didn’t have many methods for this. His did not possess that much knowledge from his previous life, merely being a normal person. Hence, what he could think of were only games...even if he had to start from the simplest.

If he were to develop games on the foundation of Weibo’s customer base, while there might not be much that he could do, it would also not be little.

Chapter 400: Stealing cabbages, how childish

Over a decade later, people would think that QQ was already outdated. Many would find that Tencent’s ways were not that classy. Some would also believe that if someone had done a powerful mobile platform of Wechat earlier, they might have had a chance of taking down Tencent.

What was most erroneous with this belief was that with the foundation of QQ already existing at this point in time, even if someone had created Wechat beforehand, Tencent could simply make a ‘mountain shack’ or imitation application, thereby smashing Wechat into smithereens with that.

Tencent had already proven this with QQ Dance, GKart...countless imitation versions. What you do, I can do too. Even if I do it worse, I still win.

The basis of this was its very foundation of QQ.

QQ entailed an incomparably huge user base, ranging from young kids to the elderly and encompassing the various stratas of society as it had virtually integrated completely into their lives.

Admittedly, there were also many people on Tieba and online forums. Free online platforms like 360 as well as the current Hucheng and Weibo had also been created with accumulating a user base in mind, having been quite successful in this.

Yet, they were still unable to operate like QQ, unimpeded in all domains and achieving victory in all its campaigns. The reason behind this was that there was still a large gap, or one might say difference between them and QQ. It was the coexistence and coreliance of their populations.

Friends, family, colleagues...it enabled close bonds between people that were integral to the point of them being unable to abandon it. Such was QQ’s greatest advantage, lacked by all its other competitors. This also made it such that other platforms were destined never to be able to match it.

Letting go of a habitual QQ account was far more troublesome than losing a forum account, because there would be far too many people that one was close to and had to keep in touch with on it.

Only in later times with the appearance and prevalence of Wechat had QQ’s dominance been diminished as Wechat had replaced it to some extent. Wechat belonged to QQ too, though, as could only be the case. Only Tencent was capable of offing itself.

Of the eventual ‘BTA hegemonic trio’ that would consist of Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba, Alibaba had been the most eminent as countless flocked to it while Baidu had been thought of as being the most monopolistic in nature, bearing the most contention too. Still, in actual fact, it was Tencent with its mountain shack tactics that was often mocked for cheating the money of little children in selling them QQ coins that was the largest, the most valuable and the stablest, being the toughest to overthrow.

In terms of influence, it surpassed the other two companies by far, far too much. Its foundation that was QQ allowed it to be completely dauntless, possessing full confidence in all its actions.

Having missed out on the times before QQ’s rise to prominence, Xu Tingsheng had considered being the future Wechat instead.

Yet, just like he thought, if things followed their current progression, anyone who did Wechat in the future would be offed by Tencent unless they possessed a user base similar to QQ’s, with the enabling of social bonds being most essential, before the era of mobile platforms arrived...

With that, even if they were inferior to Tencent, they would still have a shot at surpassing it eventually as the era of mobile platforms arrived.

Also, while the current QQ already had a few hundreds of millions of registered users, with tens of millions of concurrent users, it was still not completely unshakeable like it would become in a few years.

This was the reason behind Xu Tingsheng frenziedly burning money in producing Weibo now. Also, he hoped that he would be to make a few changes to Weibo, with the ultimate goal of facilitating social interactions between relatives, friends and fellow students who were the foundation of such a platform. Only after that came strangers, allowing them to also have deeper connections on Weibo such that it would be very difficult for them to give up on it.

This was what the Weibo of his previous life had failed to do. While achieving it would be very difficult indeed, if he was really able to succeed, it would pave him a smooth path forward, especially in the future when mobile platforms might replace ones on computers as the mainstream.

……

Difficult problems do not necessarily require complicated methods. Sometimes, the correct way to resolve difficult situations is through the slow accumulation of the simplest things.

Considering his long-term goal and how he was always urgently lacking in funds, Xu Tingsheng thought of a game-Happy Farm.

While this game seemed childish as it also would lose its popularity after not all that long a time, it was like a virus in how it could get countless people addicted and frenziedly engaged within a short period of time...

It could earn him much money, earn small sums of money from a great many people with these meagre amounts stacking up to mean a lot.

It would also be able to cultivate a healthy user base on Weibo which would hence be different from the Weibo of his previous life. This was because while very few would be able to call their parents and grandparents and virtually everyone of all ages to play WOW together...they could all steal cabbages together.

To allow their grandchildren to have a place to steal cabbages and be happy, grandparents would soundlessly join in and plant some yet not harvest them...but when the time came for these to be stolen, having already played for some time, they themselves would be addicted, hence finding some other elderly people to play it together. And in the end, they would just be unable to keep themselves from stealing the cabbages of their grandchildren too in the middle of the night.

Xu Tingsheng had seen many a case of this before.

There had even been some dozen news reports about public servants being punished because of stealing cabbages.

When Xu Tingsheng had been a teacher in his previous life, many of his colleagues who lacked familiarity with QQ had joined because they wished to steal cabbages. There had been this teacher who had painstakingly instructed the others in the staffroom to help harvest his cabbages for him as he had a lesson next period and they were already nearly ripe.

His colleagues had easily agreed. Yet, when the time arrived, they had gone on a wave of stealing first before helping him with his harvesting. In the end, at his complaints, they said ‘labour fees’.

This game had caused the whole of society to be collectively ‘childish’ for around half a year.

This was precisely the effect Xu Tingsheng wanted to achieve. He wanted to do so with Weibo, earning money and accumulating a closely knit community of users.

His project team had already been preparing for this for a long time. As the upgraded version of an ordinary flash game, Happy Farm itself was actually not that difficult to produce as the initial investment sum had merely been around two hundred thousand. Its success and failure were predicated on the platform-his foundation, Weibo’s user base, had already reached over 80 million registered users.

……

Happy Farm’s first testing was done internally in Xingchen Technologies. At the same time, in order to obtain the relatively more objective opinions of ‘outsiders’, Xu Tingsheng gave those of the Black Horse Club as well as Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng, Song Ni and the rest test accounts.

In the end, Huang Yaming, Fang Yuqing and the other guys threw their mouses aside as soon as they saw the plots of land and the cabbage seedlings in their inventories.

“Bro Xu, this is really too childish! I can’t do it...hey, how about you find some primary school kids to test the game instead? Though I don’t know if they use Weibo or not,” Tan Yao said.

Even they exhibited such a reaction, let alone more mature ones like Ye Qing and Wu Kun. Their feedback to Xu Tingsheng basically consisted of some ‘wry smile’ emoticons via text.

Godly Swindler Xu had run out of ideas and was really done for this time...was what many people thought.

Childish, a waste of time. Xu Tingsheng had actually felt the same way before in the past. It stemmed from the fact that he had started playing this game much later than most people, his level always having been comparatively low as a result...he had even been disdained for a long time due to the cabbages on his land not being valuable enough.

Of course, even so, those people had still stolen whatever they could. Wasn’t sesame still food?

A negative reception also came from Xingchen Technologies’ internal testing...this is our boss’s trump card? Is this a joke? Is this still that same boss who led us to create Weibo?

No one thought well of this game, Hu Chen and He Yutan...as well as Lu Zhixin who did not know how she should feel included. She should actually be happy to see Xu Tingsheng at his wit’s end, because it entailed a greater possibility of her plans succeeding. Still, she had mixed emotions.

Xu Tingsheng gave no explanation at all. Whether by pressure or coercion...he got everyone who was involved in the internal testing added to his friends list, next planting the cabbages…

“Two days later, everyone must have planted some. Give your feedback after stealing,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Why could a little game like this see everyone enthralled?

Pettiness, an unwillingness to see their property being taken away by others without getting back at them. Greed, earning without labour. These were two weaknesses of human nature. Capturing these weaknesses and fulfilling them, satisfying them, was the name of the game…

Getting stolen from once, feeling pained once. Stealing from others once, obtaining that corresponding joy once. People just had no way of stopping before they found this totally flavourless.

“Two days later, the top three in the rankings will get prizes. First prize, 8000. Second prize, 5000. Third prize, 3000…” Xu Tingsheng relayed the news in the relevant private group chat.

Chapter 401: Accidentally becoming first

Lu Zhixin’s emotions had been unstable over this period of time as her work efficiency had decreased greatly. Still, Xu Tingsheng was basically already no longer getting involved with matters in Hucheng as most of the final decisions were left to her. Hence, her working hours were getting dragged longer and longer.

It had been especially so that night.

Lu Zhixin had similarly received a game account from Xu Tingsheng earlier that day. She was rather curious as she logged into Weibo, downloading and loading the little game called Happy Farm. Immediately afterwards, her mood became rather complex.

She was the clearest on how Xu Tingsheng’s cashflow was virtually broken right now. On seeing him produce such a childish measure to salvage the situation, Lu Zhixin inevitably felt rather like smiling at first. It felt just like when they had faced their opposition side by side in the past.

Together, they had once been unstoppable, turning Hucheng from a little education platform to the behemoth it was today. Even the most conservative estimate priced it over 300 million.

Once, in order to help pave the way for Apple, he had taken Hucheng’s shares and performed an unprofitable exchange of shares with Tianyi. She had not been angry, having pretended not to know anything about it. When he had set the company’s matters aside and gone gallivanting about outside, deploying funds away for his own matters, she had not been angry, even having helped him to cover it up…

Time and time again, she had chosen to empathise with and understand him, putting in more effort to help remedy things for him…

Yet, things were irreversible this time. Lu Zhixin could sense that he was destined never to return to her side.

Therefore, she had chosen this path, not looking back.

Right after she had solidified her determination, when that face which she could not be any more familiar with appeared before her, as she thought of how he had been able to direct the overall flow of things, cheerfully overturning the frenzied waves time and time again, when she thought about him acting shamelessly, acting all ‘ruffianish’, looking embarrassed and helpless...

That tinge of pain and an innate unwillingness to be so cold-hearted towards him could not be wiped away however she tried.

“How good it would be if we could be like how we were before. I’m not greedy. Just like before, neither close nor distant. I’d still be fine with that,” At one point in time, Lu Zhixin had very much been tempted to go to him and tell him this.

Yet, she was Lu Zhixin! Lu Zhixin could never be someone who ‘begged’ like this. Whatever she wanted, she herself would strive for it, whatever the means.

After looking through their recent ‘Ten Cities Progression Plan’ and sending it to the mailbox of the manager, Wang Tuo, Lu Zhixin raised the half-filled glass of red wine beside her laptop and downed it in one gulp, intending to retire for the night soon.

She turned and entered the living room, turning on the lights.

This house was already all but empty now.

A very long time had passed since Xu Tingsheng’s last visit.

“I heard that he bought a new flat. He won’t be coming anymore, right? Even Dongdong was already secretly taken away by him.”

Lu Zhixin had previously helped Xu Tingsheng to take care of Dongdong for a very long time. She had not been present when he had returned to take Dongdong away.

She had searched for Dongdong for so very long that day…

……

She took a cold shower before returning to the living room, wrapped in a towel. Inadvertently, she remembered how he had walked in on her here back then. She had just taken a shower too, and he had looked at her while in a daze. He had looked so foolish, yet somehow cute.

“You fool. It could clearly all be yours, so long as you want it. You’d only have to ask for it.”

Facing the empty room, Lu Zhixin felt rather desolate. Even though he had not stayed there often in the past, hadn’t it at least been possible that he might then? At least, if she fell sick or something, he would feel sorry for her and take care of her…

But in the future? No more.

Lu Zhixin felt bitter within as pain penetrated unceasingly into the core of her being. She ended up pouring herself yet another glass of red wine. After pouring it, she shook the wine bottle and found it empty. So she had already unconsciously ended up drinking an entire bottle of red wine that night.

“Sometimes, having a high alcohol capacity...really isn’t a good thing.”

She poured the majority of the red wine in the glass down her throat, unable to forget how he had given all his love and doting to that young girl...Lu Zhixin instinctively wiped off the tears which were accumulating at the corners of her eyes, taking a deep breath as she sat down.

She casually turned on Weibo, clicking on the game that he had made, Happy Farm. Upon entering, she saw a whole row of already ripe radishes.

She smiled self-deprecatingly before mindlessly clicking to harvest these radishes.

Radishes x3, radishes x4…

“Wa, that’s a lot...ha.”

After harvesting her radishes, she actually inexplicably felt like she had gained a sense of fulfilment somehow. Lu Zhixin dug up the dead roots and planted a new batch, carrots this time...because she had levelled up.

She checked the leaderboards and found that as the sole Level 2 player, she was presently ranked first.

Ranked below her was a long list of Level 1s. It looked like no others amongst the fifty plus people in the first testing really cared about harvesting their cabbages. Lu Zhixin herself so happened not to have slept yet, whereas everybody else was sleeping, utterly defenceless.

“I think he said that it’s also possible to steal from others. He said that it’s necessary, even.”

In order to fulfil the task that he had handed down, Lu Zhixin randomly clicked on somebody else’s farm. The screen was similarly filled with already ripened radishes, exactly the same as for her own farm as there was nothing new here…

Yet, when the mouse pointer turned into a small hand and fell upon the radishes of others, there was suddenly a bit of nervousness and a slight rush of thrill that overwhelmed her...as she clicked lightly and on the screen appeared notifications of ‘Radishes x1, radishes, x1’, somehow...this evoked exhilaration, as if she had picked up some actual money.

Lu Zhixin had only exhaled in relief upon taking down Youxin Tongcheng, smiling relaxedly. Yet, as she stole her first bunch of radishes now, she actually felt an inexplicable sense of pleasure, joy surging within her.

There was probably no one who could imagine how their cool-headed, professional-looking boss, Lu Zhixin, would actually be laughing in joy in the middle of the night over a couple of virtual radishes, even clenching her fist unconsciously as she revelled in her small victories.

The second plot of radishes...the third…

After robbing all fifty plots of radishes clean, gazing at her profits which far surpassed what had been planted by she herself and seeing the flash of light as she levelled up yet again, Lu Zhixin was beyond herself with excitement. She was already two whole levels beyond everybody else.

“It looks like they have notifications saying that I was the one who stole their cabbages? What do I do?”

Lu Zhixin felt slight awkwardness at how this felt much too incongruent with her usual image.

“Early morning cabbage thief, Lu Zhixin? Alright, laugh all you can. The game is about stealing from one another anyway. Y’all can steal mine too...right, what if they steal mine? My carrots are much more valuable than their radishes.”

After checking when her carrots would ripen, Lu Zhixin took her phone and, very carefully, set an alarm such that she would be able to harvest her crops in time, lest an instance of thievery occurred with her the victim.

Only then did she turn off her laptop and go to her bedroom to sleep, her mind still lingering on those earlier thrills.

By thinking how she had better not oversleep the next day, Lu Zhixin was distracted from other, potentially more troubling issues as she fell asleep. This was a good thing.

……

Awoken by the glare of the bright sun, Lu Zhixin blearily opened her eyes…

“Wah...oh no, why didn’t that alarm sound? ...Oh no, my poor cabbages!”

Chapter 402: Childish but all the rage

Her hair dishevelled and in a total mess, Lu Zhixin sprang wildly up from her bed. Clambering from the front of her bed, extending as far as she could, she barely managed to reach the ‘on’ button of her laptop.

“Why is this suddenly turning on so slow? This can’t do! I’ve got to ask a technician to take a look at it later…”

After the system finally managed to boot up, she turned on Weibo and logged into the game.

What met her was a sight of desolation and ruin…

Her carrots were already stolen to the point that they could not have been stolen any further.

Lu Zhixin pursed her lips, despondent, unhappy.

She despondently harvested the tragic remnants and planted seeds again...she seemed to have suffered a loss in terms of coins. Luckily, though, she had still gained a bit of experience. After scanning over that list of thieves who had stolen from her, Lu Zhixin gnashed her teeth and clicked on the group chat for the testing group.

A few hundred messages flashed past her eyes. Lu Zhixin began reading them from the beginning.

“Wa, Goddess Lu stole my cabbages. I’m so honoured...Please steal moar, Goddess…”

This had been posted by some IT geek from Xingchen Technologies and was followed by a long string of ‘two eyes emitting hearts’.

Lu Zhixin had previously registered an account on Weibo too. A joking remark by Xu Tingsheng had inadvertently turned her crazy popular on the internet. Having once been nicknamed ‘cool, domineering female CEO’, she had gained an additional nickname, ‘goddess’, on the internet.

“Mine was stolen too. Come often, Goddess Lu! I’ll get to planting right away. You’ve got to visit again!"

“I discovered that Goddess Lu actually stayed up till after 2am, netting it all up in one fell swoop with no stone unturned.”

“Is there a need to be so hardcore, Goddess? Remember to pay attention to your health!”

Lu Zhixin felt a guilty pleasure from reading the hundred over posts, feeling a little embarrassed too.

Next, the discussion gradually grew unrelated to her as everyone was chastising one another, about who had allied and who had betrayed, who had stolen whose, who was watching over theirs too vigilantly...higher-ups or employees, male or female, they were all noisily involved here.

“Little Sis Li from the front desk, my carrots are nearly ripe! Come on, I’ll harvest them when you’re done stealing,” Some IT geek thereby began using this game to try to pick up chicks.

After a while, there was something from him again.

“Oi, you lot...Little Sis Li hasn’t stolen from me yet.”

“Heck, this bunch of bandits...I’ve made a total loss…”

Lu Zhixin scanned all the messages before typing a line of words and pressing ‘enter’.

“I only stole your radishes, but you guys stole my carrots,” Lu Zhixin said earnestly.

“Wa, Goddess is awake! Why don’t you come and steal them back, Goddess.”

“I didn’t steal any, Goddess! I wanted to, but there was already none left…”

“I did steal some, I admit it. But, Goddess, you’re still ranked first, alright?”

A bunch of replies immediately came in.

Lu Zhixin hurriedly opened the leaderboards whereupon she promptly heaved a sigh of relief. She was indeed still in first place.

These people had wasted too much time from when their first batch of cabbages had ripened. That chaotic battle that had ensued thereafter had also been far messier than for Lu Zhixin as she had happily stolen everything away late at night...

Because of that, she was still in first place right now.

Still, everyone else was basically already at Level 2 as the highest few seemed set to level up soon. The gap in their total experience values was already very small…

Lu Zhixin saw that her own crops were still far from ripening. “Stealing? That’s the only way. Otherwise, I’ll be overtaken.” She began checking other people's’ plots of land, going through them one by one as she casually helped to water the crops and exterminate the pests there. It appeared that they were basically all carrots this time…

“Alright, this guy’s should be maturing the earliest. I’ll wash my face, brush my teeth and eat breakfast, and then I’ll come back to steal you.”

Lu Zhixin was blissfully unaware of how she, the ‘cool domineering female CEO’, was so invested in this childish game as she was just like a little girl.

……

Xiang Ning’s school had a rule against students using their handphones.

Xu Tingsheng slept uninterrupted till noon, whereupon he turned on the computer and bought takeaway and drinks through ‘Are You Hungry’. As he ate, he accessed his virtual farm in a lacklustre manner, collecting the few radishes that remained and planting some new ones.

He checked the leaderboards. Just as he had expected, he was in last place.

He really couldn’t get his enthusiasm up for the game. Regarding most games, Xu Tingsheng was only ever able to muster up some short-term passion for them. After playing Happy Farm for two months in his previous life, he had quickly gotten tired of it to the point that he couldn’t get very immersed in it at all now.

His third year of university had yet to begin and there was nothing else he had to do...getting this game successful was his main task at hand. Xu Tingsheng ended up spending the whole day at home. He didn’t steal anyone’s cabbages, simply watching the commotion in the group chat growing crazier and crazier.

He would see mentions that so-and-so’s cabbages were ripening soon, and he would smile at that. Besides occasionally mentioning that the project team should adjust this a little, tweak this a bit, he basically stayed silent.

In the evening, Hu Chen and He Yutan both individually texted him in expressing their thoughts in a frank and concise manner.

One was: Definitely becoming the rage. I admit it. You win.

The other joked: From now on, you are my one and only lighthouse. If you say we can make a fortune from mud, I’d believe it.

Besides these two, everyone else was basically too immersed to give Xu Tingsheng feedback.

Xu Tingsheng had set the timespan as two days. After the first 24 hours had ended, looking at the leaderboards, Lu Zhixin was still ranked in first place. She had grasped the preemptive and played very seriously too afterwards. Along with that group of male nerds who were just waiting sillily for her to steal from them, she was still in an advantageous position, though not by much.

In second place was ‘Little Sis Li’, a front desk receptionist of Xingchen Technologies. She had a very sweet appearance and a similarly sweet voice to match it, earning her the affection of a whole bunch of the company’s IT geeks.

Of course, being IT geeks, it was basically impossible for them to try to act provocatively so as to earn her attention. They usually just showed their concern for her, with most not even daring to flirt with her. Due to Happy Farm, they finally got an alternative means to express their affection this time as they were all lining up happily hoping to be stolen from by her.

Just like this, Little Sis Li came to be ranked second.

In third place was a rather unexpected person, this being none other than Hu Shengming. This tycoon who was individually valued at several million and was well-known for it on the internet was actually also incomparably immersed in the game. After camping the entire day through, the position of third place was finally attained by him.

Going down the leaderboards, Xu Tingsheng found that Ye Qing was actually ranked very high as well as even Fu Cheng was ranked upper average…

So iceberg-cool female tycoons and male artistic youths were childish too, huh.

After a while, Xu Tingsheng refreshed the leaderboards and was astonished to find that Hu Shengming had already surpassed Little Sis Li and climbed up to second place.

“It can’t be? What’s this?”

After opening and checking the group chat, Xu Tingsheng immediately understood. Hu Shengming had directly offered Little Sis Li a new bag worth at least 3000 yuan in the chat, hence successfully bribing her.

Hu Shengming had harvested his crops first. While Little Sis Li should next have harvested her own crops to surpass him once more, she had waited until he had stolen from her before doing so. With that, their rankings had swopped.

The prize money for second place was 5000 yuan while the person in third place would receive 3000 yuan. In promising her 3000 yuan, this was equivalent to Hu Shengming making a loss of 1000 yuan in climbing from third place to second place.

This sort of ‘rich and wilful’, show-offy act demonstrated the great ‘monetary’ future that Happy Farm had in front of it, causing Xu Tingsheng to feel very satisfied.

Yet, Hu Shengming himself was dissatisfied. He looked at Lu Zhixin above him. The difference in their total experience values was not small. Also, she definitely could not be bribed as there was also a group of male nerds supporting her…

“Sigh, if this wasn’t the test version, I’d call my underlings and girlfriends to plant some crops just for me to steal. Sure win.”

“My number one spot, nooooo…” Hu Shengming howled in anguish in the group chat twice successively.

Chapter 403: Weibo’s General of Fortune, Hu Shengming

Hu Shengming howled in anguish in the group chat twice successively.

From his resentment, it seemed probable that this fellow would immediately charge aggressively into the game with a whole bunch of people as soon as it was officially launched.

From that, Xu Tingsheng saw hope in attracting those much-needed closely knit communities to register on Weibo through this game.

Rather than ‘monetary profit’, Xu Tingsheng was actually more concerned about this, in truth.

Without the mutual assistance of and competitiveness in these closely knit communities, this game would never be able to grow as popular as it had been in his previous life. Additionally, as these communities coexisted on the same platform, using it often, it could truly make it essential in their lives as its longevity was hence ensured.

In other words, this enabled Weibo to ever so slightly get closer to the strongest attribute of QQ.

The future was bright. Xu Tingsheng revelled in satisfaction for a time. Suddenly, the thought struck him that Hu Shengming was wasted at Zhicheng. He should be dumped at Xingchen Technologies. The dude was literally Weibo’s General of Fortune.

Back when Weibo had first been created, he had unwittingly contributed greatly to it as he became the first super-popular ordinary citizen, the first trending topic, the first brand with advertisements on Weibo. In the testing of this small game now, he demonstrated to Xu Tingsheng the ‘monetary future’ of Happy Farm and how it could ‘draw over closely knit communities’.

The enthusiasm for the game was still persisting the very next day. It could be easily affirmed that there were quite a few of them who had stayed up late or set alarms at unearthly timings.

Still, twenty minutes before the end of this trial run, the top three ranks remained unchanged. Being better able to stay up through the night, Hu Shengming had caught up quite a bit to Lu Zhixin. Still, due to the lack of time, it was already basically impossible for him to overtake her.

Xu Tingsheng gave Hu Shengming a call.

“Tired?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I’m alright. I really couldn’t take it anymore in the middle of the night, so I invited a chick over and got her to watch my farm for me...I took a nap for a while,” Hu Shengming said, yawning.

Xu Tingsheng was rendered totally speechless by that. He imagined the chick thinking that she had been asked out on a date as she dressed herself up nicely and rushed over to his place in hopes of enjoying their time together...in the end, she had been dispatched to ‘steal cabbages’, all the way till dawn. Really, how terrible was this?

“Relax, she’s totally happy...all jumping up and down, wanting to play too. I think inviting her out won’t go so smoothly in the future. After all, she’d have to keep an eye on her computer, mouse in hand…”

“Right, why did you call me?”

Hu Shengming seemed to have read Xu Tingsheng’s mind as he explained that things were not like he thought, next asking what the matter was.

“Wanna win? Do you want to overtake Lu Zhixin?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

There was a momentary silence before Hu Shengming leapt up, “Do you have a way?”

“The game has items, just that these haven’t been released yet,” Xu Tingsheng said, “How long more before your next batch of crops ripens?”

Glancing at the screen, Hu Shengming said rather despondently, “There’s still 2h13min more to go.”

“Low-grade fertiliser, each bag accelerating growth by ten minutes. Everybody will be gifted one on opening Weibo everyday. After they’re used up, they can be bought directly, though there will of course be an upper limit. Mid-grade fertiliser, each bag accelerating growth by an hour. Of course, these ones must be purchased too,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m considering releasing ultra-grade fertiliser to you now, each bag accelerating growth by two and a half hours. That is to say that your crops will ripen within mere seconds...how many plots of land do you own now?

“...Ten.”

“Well, it just so happens that the upper limit for ultra-grade fertiliser is ten bags per day. So, how about it?”

“Gimme! Bro...you treat me so well...I definitely won’t call you Godly Swindler behind your back again in the future…”

“Between us bros, this is nothing, really,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Eight hundred per bag...heh.”

“That’s so expensive! Who would buy them?”

“It definitely won’t be sold this expensive when the time comes. It’s not like I’m stupid.”

“So you can scam me now?”

“Why would you say that…”

“...Understood. Eight hundred per bag, eight thousand for ten...nicely evening out with the prize money for first place...that’s what you want, right?” Hu Shengming asked resentfully.

“But you’ll have the glory! First place-you’ve never gotten that before, right? It’s not like you lack the money,” Xu Tingsheng admitted freely to his scheme, not feeling awkward at all.

“...I’ll be making a bag’s loss over there…”

“It’s just one bag, so what…”

“......”

“So you don’t want them anymore? That’s fine too. I’m hanging up.”

“...Fine, fine, fine! Hurry up and give me the fodder, no, the manure...fertiliser…”

Xu Tingsheng got the technicians at the back end to send Hu Shengming ten bags of ultra-grade fertiliser through the items function.

One minute later, Hu Shengming overtook Lu Zhixin to take first place.

The prizes for the top three had been a last minute decision on Xu Tingsheng’s part. Hu Chen and He Yutan had already put their foot down and refused to pay this from what little remained of Xingchen Technologies’ funds. Thus, Xu Tingsheng would have to pay it from his own pocket.

Ten bags of virtual fertiliser had saved him eight thousand yuan...thinking of the meagre eighteen thousand yuan remaining inside his card, Xu Tingsheng heaved a sigh of relief.

In the end, his very exhalation was interrupted by his handphone ringing. He picked it up, discovering that it was actually Lu Zhixin who was calling.

“How did Hu Shengming suddenly overtake me? Did your people help him to cheat?” Lu Zhixin angrily demanded an explanation.

Xu Tingsheng felt defeated. He had thought that with Lu Zhixin’s personality, she should not be too concerned about things like this. Yet...she sounded even more dissatisfied and severe than when he had ‘acted ruffianish’ towards her back then.

“No, it’s not that! He bought a special item, ultra-grade fertiliser, ten bags costing eight hundred per bag. He put all his prize money into it, whereas you’ll earn that full 5000 from second place. Great, isn’t it?”

“No, I want to win. No matter what that is, I can never accepting persisting in something for so long yet finally seeing what belonged to me getting taken away by someone else…” Lu Zhixin said with the utmost seriousness.

Xu Tingsheng did not sense that she was trying to insinuate anything.

“And so?”

“I want ten bags too. Free, and I still get the prize money.”

“...”

“If you don’t give them to me, I’m going on strike. You handle all Hucheng’s affairs yourself.”

“...Fine, you win.”

“Well, you’d better hurry up then! Time’s nearly up.”

A helpless Xu Tingsheng could only privately ask the technicians at the back end to send Lu Zhixin ten bags of ultra-grade fertiliser as well.

Soon, Lu Zhixin was back in first place. Finally, time was up. The top three were: Lu Zhixin, Hu Shengming, Little Sis Li.

Still on the line with Lu Zhixin, unaware of the situation, Xu Tingsheng asked rather triumphantly, “Well? This game of mine is super low-cost but vastly profitable, right? Daring to say that this old man’s gonna run out of cash...hehe.”

Lu Zhixin suddenly fell silent, only now realising how ‘great’ a thing this was. This game was virtually assured of its success. To her, it wasn’t exactly all good news...Xu Tingsheng would henceforth be getting further and further away from her…

“Well, that’s great. Congratulations.”

Lu Zhixin said this mildly, then immediately hung up on him.

Xu Tingsheng was left bewildered.

His phone immediately rang again.

Hu Shengming hollered, “What happened? How did Lu Zhixin overtake me again?”

“She bought fertiliser too!” Xu Tingsheng answered calmly, “I didn’t say that I would only sell it to you. She could also buy it if she wanted...if she were willing to pay, that is…”

“...What, you can do it like that too? ...The heck! Godly Swindler Xu, you scammer!”

A despondent Hu Shengming posted an image of the final rankings on Weibo, with the attached words: The darkest moments in your life, of being scammed by someone…

The dude was an ultra VIP who was super popular on the internet…

The netizens swiftly mobilised to understand the situation.

“Bro Hu, what is it?”

“What happened, richie bro?”

“It looks like a game. But why haven’t we seen it before…”

“It does seem like it. Introduce it to us, richie bro! What game is this? Where can we play it?”

“Who scammed you? Us bros will help you get your revenge.”

“Us too, the richie bro babe squad…”

Hu Shengming gave a collective reply: It’s a game that will be released on Weibo soon...bros who wanna play together, follow me! This bro doesn’t lack money. When the time comes, our team will trample over all sinister ploys and machinations that stand in our path…

Wasn’t this a little too hot-blooded for ‘stealing cabbages’? After seeing this, besides wanting to laugh, Xu Tingsheng really ‘liked’ Hu Shengming too. Even after having been ‘scammed’ like this by him, he was still foolishly promoting the game for him unintentionally in his actions.

“General of Fortune indeed...Hu Shengming and Weibo...if so able, the two of you should just be together..."

Chapter 404: Earnt in a month

9th September 2005, the night before Happy Farm officially launched on Weibo.

Xu Tingsheng sat alone in his room, feeling rather excited but a little uneasy too.

His excitement stemmed from anticipation as he challenged a hegemonic entity that he had previously witnessed in person and he could once never ever have dreamt of competing with.

This was also where his unease stemmed from. All the preparations were already complete as there seemed to be no real problem with earning a tidy sum through this short-term project. What truly concerned and worried him was how the competition between Weibo and QQ regarding the accumulation of ‘closely knit communities’ seemed about to commence.

As a rebirthee who had witnessed the empire of Tencent and a former normal person, even failure, Xu Tingsheng’s awe and fear towards this future hegemonic entity surpassed the imaginations of all.

This included Hu Chen and He Yutan.

Even they had no way of realising that right now, Xu Tingsheng was competing for a user base which could grant them blessed winds and advantageous tides in all future campaigns. In contrast, the other party possessed an innate advantage and grasped the upper hand.

Even though Tencent was ranked only 25th out of ‘China’s Top 100 Software Enterprises’ this year, it was this year too that the number of registered users on QQ had surpassed the 300 million mark, with more than ten million people online at any one time as it was seeing an exponentially increasing amount of activity. This year, its scope of influence had already expanded from youngsters to the elderly and middle-aged and even little children.

It was currently accumulating the ‘closely knit communities’ that Xu Tingsheng valued most greatly at a frenzied rate, cultivating their reliance on QQ in their daily lives.

This was the very foundation of that future empire.

In contrast, there were 80 million registered users on Weibo, with countless ‘zombie’ accounts that easily surpassed the perpetually active ones.

Weibo was temporarily still unable to measure the number of users it had concurrently online. It was obvious, however, that this statistic would be vastly inferior to their competitor’s. Also, they had no way of competing whatsoever in terms of the composition of their registered users and how essential the platform was in their daily lives.

Weibo’s user base was basically still limited to youngsters right now. Additionally, most of them could abandon and forget about their Weibo accounts whenever they wanted.

This was the most terrifying thing.

Many people had simply registered on Weibo for fun, using it for a couple of days before totally dumping it aside. Most people would simply recall it once in a while whereupon they would leave comments for the real-life celebrities or web celebrities they liked or participate in discussions that they were interested in for a bit.

Many people had even already long since totally forgotten their registered accounts.

‘Enthusiasm towards something or someone’ would never be able to compare with ‘living habits’ in terms of long-term stability.

What was most important right now was whether he could get most of these people to retrieve their accounts through Happy Farm, calling their friends and dragging their families into being frequently active on Weibo. A social group that was hard to forsake would thereby be created. Through numerous instances of this, Weibo would be empowered for good.

At the same time, Xu Tingsheng had searched and verified a piece of information on the web that was somewhat blurry within his memories. News on one of Tencent’s earliest successful web games, QQ Fantasy, was already available online as it would commence in late October.

In rebirth novels that he had read in his previous life, the rebirthee would easily win over some bigwigs in his post-rebirth life, taking them under his wing one by one as his underlings. Just thinking about this caused Xu Tingsheng to cringe as he wanted to laugh...this was just too overly self-delusional.

While the power to foresee future events was indeed mighty, the person themselves would remain unchanged. Xu Tingsheng had not gained the ‘air of a sovereign’ from his rebirth, a simple flick of the sleeve granting him means and capabilities which sprang out of nowhere.

In truth, whether it was in terms of ambition or his innate awe and fear towards them as a rebirthee, the current Xu Tingsheng had never even considered the prospect of defeating or even slaying Tencent. If he had returned to a few years ago, this might still have been possible. However, it was already very difficult in the year 2005.

To be precise, Xu Tingsheng currently sought only to imitate them, hoping that he could have a piece of the pie.

He even hoped that Tencent would not notice this potential threat to their monopoly too quickly. It would be best if they themselves had still not realised how important this matter was to them.

Happy Farm was merely Xu Tingsheng’s first step as he sought to accumulate ‘closely knit communities’ and turn using Weibo into a ‘daily routine’. There was still a long road ahead of him. Still, this step concerned them making a fundamental breakthrough for Weibo as it was so very important and indispensable.

……

It was evening when Huang Yaming paid him a visit.

“Are you so free? Things aren’t busy over at the bar?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Things are busy. I’ve something I need to talk to you about,” Huang Yaming sat down, pouring himself some wine as he saw some conveniently sitting on the coffee table.

“What can’t be said over the phone?”

“It’s too much to say over the phone. By the way, did you receive a call from Tianyi?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head.

“They’ve called me, asking me about the investment money for the movie. You previously told them at least 4 million, right?”

“Yup,” Xu Tingsheng said.

He had not invested excessively in the movie, being worried that an exorbitant amount might instead wreck the original quality of <Crazy Stone>. Still, he did not intend to be stingy in promoting it. 4 million was merely the base amount.

“Where’s the money?” Huang Yaming asked as he downed half his glass of red wine as if drinking water.

“There’s temporarily none available,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“That can’t be?” Huang Yaming was stunned, “For real? ...Money has been rolling in from Hucheng everyday...Hasn’t Zhicheng sold a batch of flats too? ...You lack this teensy sum?”

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, replying, “The movie is a joint collaboration between you and Tianyi and not one between companies. There are many other shareholders in Hucheng and Zhicheng. Whether they have any money or not, I can’t just use it for our movie unless I borrow it. Moreover, both companies are actually lacking in money right now.”

“What about over with Weibo? It’s at least just you over there right now, right?” Huang Yaming asked.

“That’s true. Still, we’re so poor over there right now that we don’t even have enough for their monthly wages,” Xu Tingsheng drank a mouthful of wine too.

As Huang Yaming saw it, this was an ‘agonised drink’ on Xu Tingsheng’s part. He had never actually believed that Xu Tingsheng was currently really in such a ‘tragic’ state.

“What do we do? I don’t have that amount over at my bar right now too,” Huang Yaming said despondently, “If Tianyi calls you, what do you say? Or if they don’t call you, what do I say? I said just now that I’d ask you about it.”

“First things first-who was it who called you again?”

“Shao Jun,” Huang Yaming reported the name of Tianyi’s VP whom Xu Tingsheng was most familiar with before enquiring, “Right, why didn’t they call you? And why not Boss Shi himself? ...Is it because it would be potentially awkward talking about money?”

In business and its money-related conversations, awkwardness was really never ever a factor.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and realised that Shi Zhongjun was attempting to probe him in order to see if he was really already out of funds as per the rumours. Those many articles and their analyses could never have escaped his attention...moreover, he was an ambitious person who was always looking for a chance to expand his percentage of the shares in Hucheng.

Therefore, if Xu Tingsheng was ‘in trouble’, he would be extremely happy to lend him a hand in exchange for purchasing some of Hucheng’s shares. He might even ‘think up a plan’ to acquire some more of these shares.

This was really nothing at all like hatching sinister schemes and whatnot as it would definitely not affect their cooperative relationship, turning them into enemies. In business partnerships, one was really always neither friend nor enemy. This was simply how all business people naturally thought. If you possess the shares of a company with immense money-making capabilities that has high potential, you would obviously wish to own more of its shares.

The reason behind Shi Zhongjun not asking Xu Tingsheng about this in person was that he actually feared the latter, rather than himself, feeling awkward. Also, most crucial was the fact that he could not be certain if Xu Tingsheng was really ‘in trouble’ right now. Thus, he had gotten someone to ‘scout’ for him.

Xu Tingsheng explained this rationale to Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming was just about to curse when his phone rang again.

After chatting for a while, Huang Yaming covered up the speaker as he turned to Xu Tingsheng and said, “Boss Shao says that if we have any short-term monetary problems, they can cover the promotion fees. Afterwards, we will just even it out in terms of our percentage of shares owned for the movie. Are they also so confident that this movie will definitely make it big?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, replying bluntly, “Tell him that we will send over our portion of the promotion fees over within a month.”

He spoke very confidently, and Huang Yaming relayed his words faithfully.

After hanging up, Huang Yaming looked at Xu Tingsheng, asking, “If we can’t move any money from Hucheng and Zhicheng, where can you get some within a month? Also, if we try to drag it out, isn’t it equivalent to admitting that your cashflow has really been broken?”

“There are actually many ways. Of course there are. Still, they aren’t necessary,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Don’t I still have Xingchen Technologies? My flow of money, even if broken now, will soon resume once again. Boss Shi will be able to see this.”

Huang Yaming was rather bewildered by this, “...Didn’t you say that you’re poor to the point of surviving on tree roots over there?”

“That’s how it is right now. Still, I’ll be able to earn that sum very quickly,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“How?”

“Through this.”

Xu Tingsheng pointed at Happy Farm that was running on the computer screen a distance away.

Chapter 405: A minor piece’s meritorious services

The original owner of the flat had given it a four room, one living room layout. Xu Tingsheng had arranged a bedroom for himself and one for Xiang Ning as well, in case she decided to come over for an afternoon nap once in a while. At least, he rather hoped that she would do that.

As for the two remaining rooms, one became the study while the other was the guest room.

After finishing the remaining red wine along with Huang Yaming and arranging for him to go sleep in the guest room, Xu Tingsheng returned to his own bedroom and slept all the way till daylight.

10th September 2005, Teacher’s Day in China and World Anti-Suicide Day too. These two put together really seemed to rather imply something.

It looked like something happy was necessary to uplift the mood.

At 11am, Happy Farm was officially launched on Weibo. The relevant download link appeared on the left side of the page that maintained Weibo’s functionalities and the layout of the entire page even as it allowed Weibo’s users to decide whether to download and play on their own.

Xingchen Technologies’ advertisement had a very self-assured tone: New era leisure game, number one for all citizens.

Subheading: Games are for leisure.

Of course, whether this subheading was accurate and the game really was leisure would necessarily depend on the attitude of the players themselves.

In order to keep his cool, Xu Tingsheng asked He Yutan to report on the data to him hourly.

In the first hour after the game went online, those who downloaded Happy Farm on Weibo numbered 120000. Amongst them, there were 70000 who had started planting their crops, amounting to just a little over half their number.

Considering Weibo’s user base and the kind of game this was, this result was far from what could be considered satisfactory. One might even call it disastrous.

Weibo itself possessed a young user base. At this point in time, most people were playing big online games or battle games as it was only natural that a childish leisure game like Weibo did not catch their eye at first.

Them aside, there might also be those who had launched the game but found it childish like Xu Tingsheng in his previous life, thus setting it aside and not playing it.

Xu Tingsheng calmed He Yutan down over the phone, asking him to remain patient and have faith. He was actually boosting his own morale too. While he was very familiar with the game’s crazy popularity in his previous life, at a different time, on a different platform, would things still go the same way?

Xu Tingsheng was feeling rather on tenterhooks too.

The foundation of a game’s high popularity was its high, collective influence. Xu Tingsheng was waiting for this effect which had still yet to be exhibited now.

With every hourly report, whether or not He Yutan was getting more and more excited or if the number of people playing the game was rapidly increasing, Xu Tingsheng only looked at the data, sending no reply. He was refreshing Weibo, refreshing it till nighttime, when he finally found that the hottest trending topic on Weibo had become: Follow me, will be reciprocated, let’s steal cabbages together…

As the VIP who had been on Weibo longest and also possessed the most fans there, Apple also posted a new message at the top of her Weibo page, “Follow me, let’s steal cabbages together.”

This was even Apple’s first time requesting followers.

When everyone was calling their friends, when the players had taken the initiative to refer to Happy Farm by the most fitting term of ‘stealing cabbages’, only then did Xu Tingsheng exhale in relief. He gave He Yutan a call, notifying everyone to go home to sleep besides those on duty.

The desired high, collective influence had finally been achieved. The drama from their internal test played out once more but on a greater scale. Without any obstruction whatsoever, Happy Farm led to an influx of new users that was like a tsunami. It was out of boredom that some tried it out yet ended up unable to stop themselves from playing, while for others it was curiosity...and then there were those who had been dragged in directly by their family and friends...

With the ‘half-year nationwide childishness phase’ unavoidable and destined, Xu Tingsheng fell into a restful sleep.

When he woke up the next day, the number of downloads for the game had shot to a whopping 2.7 million with over 80 percent of them having begun planting their crops.

One day, 2.7 million players. In this era, what did this entail?

Even though they had benefited from Weibo’s vast user base, with the game also being for leisure and not having an independent game client, this was still an incomparably shocking number.

Xu Tingsheng knew that it would soon be even more shocking.

After telling He Yutan who was constantly howling over the phone that there was no further need for his hourly reports, Xu Tingsheng went out and bought some groceries. After cooking and eating lunch, he began packing his things in preparation for his return to university the next day.

Hu Shengming called several times that day, urging Xu Tingsheng to hurry and release those fertiliser items into the game.

Still, Xu Tingsheng was adamant, “I’ll only do it when the number of active users has reached ten million. I want to make it such that even if I lose a third of the user base as a result, things will still be unaffected overall. Only then would I dare execute this move.”

“Huh, you’re actually waiting for more people to get addicted first,” Hu Shengming saw through what Xu Tingsheng was really thinking right away.

The next night, those of Room 602 all gathered back in their dorm. Having been away over the summer holidays, some of them had not yet heard about Xu Tingsheng’s accident as they now surrounded him and peppered him with questions, requesting that he take off his shirt for them to have a look at the scars on his back…

“You say you were in a coma for several days? But it doesn’t look that serious?” Lu Xu asked, looking at the scars that had undergone plastic surgery.

“This has been treated, through plastic surgery. He went to America specially to do it. It was horrendous then, all completely burnt up and dead…” Tan Yao lit a cigarette as he explained.

Regarding the matter of Little Xiang Ning, perhaps because they feared that a certain ‘beast’ might be unable to withstand it, he and Old Wai were temporarily withholding their knowledge.

A worried Zhang Ninglang earnestly told Xu Tingsheng to take note of his safety in the future.

Across from them, Li Xingming suddenly yelled, “The heck, this old man’s crops have ripened!”

Dashing back to his laptop, he groaned tragically, “Old Wai, you ***** stole my cabbages! Why didn’t you remind me to harvest them even after stealing them?!”

Old Wai smiled, replying, “You’d better hurry up then.”

Holding onto his mouse, Li Xingming hesitated for a moment before saying, “Hold on, I should notify Yangyang to steal it first before I harvest it.”

Xu Tingsheng found that in doing his ‘notification’, it was still QQ that he used. It was indeed a very difficult thing to change a habit like this.

Over the next five days, Xu Tingsheng attended lessons in school. There, from his classmates, teachers and schoolmates, he experienced the widespread popularity of Happy Farm firsthand, whether it was in the form of verbal disdain, enthusiastic discussions or requesting mutual support…

The atmosphere of the nationwide cabbage-stealing movement had really emerged.

At 11am on Saturday, He Yutan consolidated the week’s worth of data for Happy Farm and sent it to Xu Tingsheng.

23 million downloads, active user base over 70%, continually trending at the top of Weibo…

Screenshots of Happy Farm and requesting followers became the most prevalent Weibo content.

Weibo’s fans and usage rate shot up as the average number of followers per account skyrocketed too.

In a simple search of the internet, Xu Tingsheng found various tales and photoshopped images regarding the stealing of cabbages. News regarding public servants stealing cabbages while working began appearing on the media as well. There was much praise; there was much reproval. Some began trying to benefit from this craze, and some professionals started providing their ‘valuable’ opinions in criticising Happy Farm’s effects on ordinary life…

Everything was just as it had been in his previous life.

“Start adding in the fertiliser items,” Xu Tingsheng called He Yutan, saying calmly.

“Don’t you think this might be a little hasty?” He Yutan sounded rather hesitant.

“We’ll definitely lose some of them no matter what anyway. Also, these items of ours have low prices and those who launch Weibo will be gifted free ones everyday. There’s a fixed chance to randomly obtain some and a daily upper limit too. Having diminished the gap caused by utilising these items, I believe that the overall impact won’t be too great…” Xu Tingsheng explained.

Xu Tingsheng remembered that in the Happy Farm of his previous life, there had existed dogs that had anti-theft functionalities, capturing thieves and acquiring money...should he have that? Just a slight hesitation had been enough before he had decisively decided against it...this was something which severely impacted the enjoyment of the players, being a complete perversion and ruination of the game itself.

Only nearing the end of Happy Farm’s lifespan when he sought to profit off the ailing game for the last time would he consider this.

As for items like automatic pest-removers and crop-waterers, Xu Tingsheng similarly decided against them.

An increasing number of items to just to earn a little more wrecking the longevity of the game and their reputation-this was a lesson Xu Tingsheng had learnt from QQ’s Happy Farm in his previous life...

In fact, from what Xu Tingsheng remembered, a great many people had given up on the game due to the appearance of the dogs. With the enjoyment of stealing cabbages turned into worry and stress, the pleasure they had once gained from playing the game had declined drastically…

It was only inevitable that they would abandon the game with that.

Xu Tingsheng had completely given up on the game at this stage in his previous life. Before that, however he had felt disinterested in the game, he would still plant some crops and then harvest them for leisure when he was bored, this being a habit that had still been maintained.

“Right, Bro Tan, sort out and send me the data on Weibo’s new user base, categorised by age group...yes, I know that some people may have given false information. Just an approximate is fine. I’ll be troubling you then.”

One hour later, Happy Farm’s item shop went online.

Much dissatisfaction could be seen. And then, much money came in...the accumulation of all those miniscule amounts of money made it such that one hour later, their income had already surpassed a hundred thousand yuan…

After his initial excitement, Xu Tingsheng set the issue of money aside for the time being. What he was really most concerned about, the data on Weibo’s new, expanded user base, had finally been sorted out and sent over to him.

In the one week since the launch of Happy Farm, the number of people using Weibo itself had risen. Adding on those who had been drawn over by Happy Farm, they had gained over 20 million users over the past week as Xingchen Technologies had finally hit the grand one hundred million in their registered user base.

More than half the new users were eighteen and under, while the number of people over 45 years of age who had newly registered unexpectedly comprised 18 percent of them too...

This entailed that the brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, classmates...boyfriends, girlfriends, ‘spare tyres’, exes...father, mother, uncles, aunties, grandfathers, grandmothers, cousin x-removed, random relative Y...they had all entered together.

“Closely knit communities...finally, here you are.”

Xu Tingsheng pumped his fist in triumph, laughing heartily all alone in his room.

Whether or not these people were participating on their own accord or had been dragged into it, the crucial next step was to wait for more of such people to enter while thinking of a way to get them to stay. If they were able to retain these people, making them used to and reliant on this Weibo which was already gradually becoming different from that in his previous life…

In the future, just like the QQ of his previous life, Xu Tingsheng would be boosted greatly in whatever he did based upon this foundation…

Along with that, he would be able to completely grasp the preemptive and initiative when the turning point that was the era of wireless internet came.

At the same time, there were many others who were also paying attention to these underlying levels of meaning in front of their computers, such as those of Tianyi, such as Tencent and the other internet platforms, such as web portals and companies with similar upcoming projects..Lu Zhixin too was inevitably paying attention…

While they were unable to get precise data, they were able to perform a prediction through their teams on the sales situation, how they were profiting, how their user base and activity levels were increasing, even the composition of their new user base and the changes to Weibo’s biosphere...

Whatever these industry insiders deduced left them all feeling very amazed indeed.

“He wouldn’t have invested more than 200k in developing this game, right?”

“I think it should have been more like 150k.”

As they discussed this, these industry insiders began feeling very emotional and rueful indeed.

“So you could do it this way too...we invested some tens of millions on our user bases, yet the effects were probably less than half of his…”

“A minor piece’s meritorious service, this is already the second time...it was takeaway last time, and now it’s stealing cabbages. This Xu Tingsheng is skilled at the unorthodox and forging out alternate paths, yet somehow he is always able to succeed...really, it’s like there’s nothing that can stand in his way.”

“Do you think he will sell that copyright?”

“Only a fool would sell it! I think that whoever tries to imitate it even a little, he’ll lunge over and put up staunch, vehement resistance...don’t you remember? That Hucheng he first established was a company that dished out lawyer’s letters like they were poker cards. Nicknamed ‘number one lawsuit demons’ in the country’s field of commerce…”

“...”

Intellectual property was not very well protected within China at the current time. Still, what this meant was that the weaker were basically helpless against stronger, domineering opponents. If this involved a battle between enterprises who possessed similar high levels of influence, things might not be so straightforward then.

Adding up all Xu Tingsheng’s companies, who would dare say he wasn’t heavyweight enough?

Someone considered it for a bit before saying rather helplessly, “Even if someone doesn’t mind that hassle, with Weibo’s current user base and the time needed to produce a similar game, it would be at least three to four weeks before it could go online. It doesn’t look optimistic at all…”

In truth, this was how things were right now. The state of affairs now was already completely different from how the Tencent of Xu Tingsheng’s previous life could simply do whatever it wanted without a care for the consequences.

After answering call after call, having received virtually an entire virtual mailbox’s full of congratulatory texts, Xu Tingsheng grew fatigued.

“The crucial upcoming step is how to retain these people and tie them down to us.”

That previous scene of Li Xingming using QQ to notify someone about stealing cabbages had impacted Xu Tingsheng greatly.

Chapter 406: An awkward situation

For Weibo to retain these ‘closely knit communities’, the largest problem right now was that it was at a major disadvantage as compared to QQ which was currently the mainstream online messenger platform.

While Weibo had instant private messaging as well, it lacked many corresponding functions. Even its message notifications were soundless.

This would easily lead to a lack of trust amongst the user base who would feel that unless they kept a close eye on the page at all times, they would miss some important messages. This sort of psychology made people easily temperamental as they would secretly think to themselves in urgently trying to get hold of others that the other party would not be able to see the message in time via private messaging.

It was precisely because of this that while those who were playing Happy Farm were clearly on Weibo, even their notifications to remind them to harvest and steal cabbages were generally executed via QQ instead as they habitually abandoned Weibo for it, despite it also having private messaging.

Also, people were actually already not so used to chatting over webpages at this point.

There seemed to be only one solution that was currently available to Xu Tingsheng-developing their own communication software for their user base. Simply put, they had to produce software for chatting that was like QQ’s, even if what was to be produced was purely an imitation of QQ’s.

Xu Tingsheng was unsure on what kind of money might be required for this in the year 2005. This included development costs as well those for promotion, operations and maintenance etcetera.

Would the amount of money required for this, coupled with Weibo that was itself quite a monetary black hole, surpass his current bearable limit, once again breaking his cashflow that he had only recently regained with quite some difficulty?

At this point, Xu Tingsheng felt that he rather understood why he always seemed to be lacking in money. There was always something that he had to do. Just having finished one, a new one would immediately crop up. Meanwhile, even as these things were gradually propelling him forward slowly but surely, they were also sucking him dry of all the funds he had on hand.

After concisely discussing this issue with Hu Chen and He Yutan via phone and asking them to get a team to draw up a proposal along with a cost estimate, it was already nearing noon.

Being highly skilled in the culinary arts, Xu Tingsheng really did not feel like eating takeaway. He went out and bought some groceries, intending to come back and do his own cooking.

Generally speaking, the most common issue during home renovation, which was also one of the most important issues, was how people generally felt that there was no need for air conditioning in the kitchen...as for Xu Tingsheng, the very thing he had made sure to do as soon as he could after buying this flat was installing air conditioning in the kitchen.

Therefore, cooking could not really be considered torturous labour at all.

After all, he had once been a long-term bachelor in his previous life who cooked his own meals.

September in Jianhai Province was unbearably hot as ever. As Xu Tingsheng returned from his grocery shopping, his T-shirt was already drenched completely with sweat. Since he was in no rush and simply cooking for himself anyway, Xu Tingsheng placed the groceries in the kitchen and went to take a bath.

Just as he was nearly done with his bath, the doorbell rang.

Xu Tingsheng did not think twice as he simply covered his lower half with a towel and went out to open the door.

The usual visitors to his flat were simply the same old Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng, Fang Yuqing and Tan Yao...they were all guys, and had even stood in a row to compare the range of their ‘streams’ multiple times before. Just seeing each other topless-really, would it even matter?

He opened the door.

Little Xiang Ning stood outside in her school uniform, with its white top with short green sleeves along with wide pants of the same colour. Her ponytail was tied back with a ribbon this time as it looked crisp and lively indeed…

They looked at each other.

“Hey, you dirty ruffian...go put on some clothes!” Little Xiang Ning hurriedly covered her eyes and turned to face away from him.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to yell ‘injustice!’. Yes, he had indeed given Xiang Ning this flat’s address and the doorplate number. She had not come last week, though, and Xu Tingsheng had thought that even if she did come to visit this week, it would probably only be on Sunday. She might stop by for a while before going to school for evening self-study.

Today was only Saturday. Xu Tingsheng had not expected her to come, without even telling him about it beforehand too.

“Is this a surprise visit? But it’s only Saturday, why is she out already? And with her bag too…” Xu Tingsheng decided to set this aside for later. More importantly, he should get dressed first…

“Hold on,” Little Xiang Ning suddenly said from behind him, “Stop there, but don’t look back.”

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked rather uneasily.

“Let me take a look at all those wounds…” Little Xiang Ning requested in a rather heavy tone.

There was the sound of the door closing and light steps across the hallway. She leaned over, and then only the sound of breathing remained amidst silence along with the soft, occasional sniffle.

The little girl was sad.

If the scars on his back had not undergone treatment, Xu Tingsheng believed that Little Xiang Ning would surely blame herself and burst into tears on the spot. Now, while it was not to that extent, these scars were still clearly visible at first glance…

A small hand gingerly touched the scars, little by little, carefully stroking, fingering them.

“Hey, does it still hurt?”

“Of course not! It healed long ago,” Xu Tingsheng tried his best to stay calm, controlling his breathing, thoughts and tone as best he could.

One’s body...really could not be touched so casually! And in such a way too...Really, it felt too much like ‘the calm before the storm’...Xu Tingsheng really wished to say this to Xiang Ning, but facing a young sixteen-year-old girl, how was he supposed to say it?

If he could not say it, he could only run...Xu Tingsheng was just about to run when…

A light breeze tickled Xu Tingsheng’s back. This...was she imitating an adult trying to coax a child who had miserably fallen down? Blowing on it? ...But he had to say that it did feel great…

It was so much so that Xu Tingsheng couldn’t bear to run anymore.

The result of this was that not long afterwards, something showed a reaction. A portion of the towel before him ended up protruding outwards.

“It’s lucky she’s behind me…” Xu Tingsheng thought.

“Turn around. Let me see if there are still any scars in front,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“...There aren’t any, not at all. There’s no need to look. I’ll go put on some clothes,” A flustered Xu Tingsheng said.

Before he knew it, a figure had sprung in front of him.

“Even if you don’t turn, I can still come over myself!” Little Xiang Ning said, “Are you afraid that I’ll feel pained from looking? But I’ve definitely got to look. Let me take a look...right, there’s one here...and one here too...here...you…”

“Damn it,” Seeing Little Xiang Ning’s gaze suddenly stiffen as she scanned him from the front, a blush overtaking her face along with a distressed expression, Xu Tingsheng knew that it was not good.

Xiang Ning was already sixteen years old. She had definitely attended sexual education lessons before. From her classmates’ relationships, she would definitely have heard about some things already. Moreover, this was the internet era. Even if she only visited normal, mainstream sites, these sites were also full of advertisements regarding the two genders. There was simply no way for her to be totally ignorant.

Therefore, she should know what this meant.

“Your mother, should I just go for it or what?” Xu Tingsheng was sweating profusely from anxiety.

“Wow, it’s, it’s hot in here. I’ll go sit down for a while. Hurry up and put on some clothes.”

Little Xiang Ning made an excuse before beating a hasty retreat, her head lowered as she walked to the sofa. She put her bag down before sitting down with her back to Xu Tingsheng.

Chapter 407: The Xiang family’s backbone

Looking at the back figure of Little Xiang Ning who was shivering slightly out of nervousness, Xu Tingsheng felt rather mortified indeed. He pinched himself good and went into his room to put on some clothes, taking the chance to clear his brain and rid it of wrong, improper thoughts.

Only when he felt that he had calmed down somewhat did he emerge from his room, pretending that nothing at all had happened.

Little Xiang Ning too pretended that nothing at all had happened. She was having a look around the house while casually avoiding eye contact with Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng followed her silently. He opened the door and showed Xiang Ning the room that he had prepared for her.

As she had not said that she wanted to live there yet, Xu Tingsheng could not very well say it expressly and treat it like a given.

As for Xiang Ning? Feeling shy, it was only natural that she too would not say anything openly.

Even so, the room was chock full of girly things. The flower-patterned curtains, the white and apple-green desk and chair with their cute design, intricate desk lights, slippers for females by the door...along with girly cartoon bedsheet and blanket, and finally that bear placed on the end of the bed, with another at the front…

Could it have been any more obvious?

The two both revelled in the feeling of shared bliss and slight awkwardness, their hearts being in sync despite the external silence.

Little Xiang Ning was smiling as she hugged one of the bears and kissed it, thereby expressing how much she loved it.

If not for what she had witnessed earlier, this kiss might have been planted on Xu Tingsheng’s face, even.

After touring the place for around twenty minutes, Xiang Ning finally sat down again, mustering her courage as she looked up at Xu Tingsheng, saying softly, “Our house is pretty nice. It looks nicer than my house.”

Our house? My house?

Little Xiang Ning had reminded Xu Tingsheng of something.

“Right, I still haven’t asked you. Why have you come over on a Saturday? Do your Mum and Dad know? Have you eaten lunch yet? What if they look for you?” Xu Tingsheng launched a barrage of questions.

“They know about it! It was they who said I could come. There was only me at home anyway,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“You were alone? Are your Mum and Dad busy with something outside?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah,” Little Xiang Ning nodded, “It’ll just be me at home on the weekends in the future. They’ll both be busy, leaving in the morning and only coming back very late at night. Sometimes twelve, sometimes even 1, 2am…”

A befuddled Xu Tingsheng asked, “Why? What are they so busy with?”

“They’ve started a restaurant with Uncle Niu’s family. They have to work during lunchtime, dinnertime and even suppertime...they’re positively swamped with work,” Xiang Ning sounded rather saddened as she said this.

How long had it been since they last met? How was it that Mr and Mrs Xiang had gone off to open a restaurant just like that? And they were working so laboriously too…

Bemused, Xu Tingsheng asked Little Xiang Ning, “Is your family in tough straits right now?”

He was worried that their flat was the problem. While they had bought it at half-price, it amounted to a 200000 yuan deposit nevertheless. The Xiang family would surely have borrowed some of that.

Having caused problems as a by-product of his good intentions, Xu Tingsheng wished to remedy it as he really wanted to help. Still, it was actually very difficult for him to talk about things like money with Mr and Mrs Xiang, much less take the initiative to execute something without consulting with them first. He might very well end up accidentally hurting their pride in trying to help.

“Are they being pressured to pay back some money?” Xu Tingsheng asked Little Xiang Ning the first thing that came to mind.

Little Xiang Ning shook her head, replying, “No! They actually even borrowed more to open their restaurant. Everyone seemed very happy to lend it to them. Even eldest uncle’s wife came over and lent us the money herself. All of them are suddenly treating our family soo nicely right now.”

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng basically understood what had happened. The Xiang family's relatives must have caught a whiff of the relationship between they and Xu Tingsheng. Because of that, they were hastily altering their attitude, hoping to mend their relationship as soon as possible.

In that case, should he consider helping the family of Xiang Ning's eldest uncle with his housing purchase? There were actually some flats left over from Ning Garden's first phase which had been privately kept in reserve.

Additionally, seeing how laboriously Mr and Mrs Xiang were working, should he help them out a little?

It would actually not be difficult to handle this matter. He could simply put a word in over at Hucheng and Zhicheng and get those of the Black Horse Club to bring their employees there for some company dinner or whatnot. If a dozen companies went to Mr and Mrs Xiang's restaurant to eat, it would be difficult for their business not to be booming even if they wished for otherwise.

The problem was-what if Mr and Mrs Xiang saw through this? Would they accept it?

“Is your parents’ restaurant doing well?” Xu Tingsheng asked after a moment's hesitation.

“It's doing great! It's doing too great, in fact, so much so that I've nowhere to sit even if I go there to eat. I even had to help serve the dishes, and then they wouldn't let me go anymore. I wanna go, actually, because it's really too tiring for them,” Little Xiang Ning said somewhat aggrievedly.

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng temporarily cast that earlier idea aside for the time being. Since their business was already doing so well, there was no need for him to add in to the commotion.

“Well, since their business is doing well, why don’t your Mum and Dad hire more employees as opposed to taxing themselves out like this?” Xu Tingsheng asked uncomprehendingly.

“They're afraid of not being able to earn enough money in time,” Xiang Ning said, “I overheard the two of them discussing it. Let me tell you, what Mum and Dad are thinking is that before I, I, I...marry you, they should finish repaying their loans for the flat at Ning Garden. Next, they also want to save up the half-price discounted for the flat and buy a car or something with that money when the time comes, giving it to me along with the flat as a dowry. They even said that while this surely wouldn't mean much to your family, they still have to do it. They don't want me to be looked down upon.”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback by this as he immediately chastised himself somewhat. He had not thought that Mr and Mrs Xiang were so stubborn, had so much pride and 'backbone’. As much as they could, they wished for Xiang Ning to be able to raise her head and jut out her chest proudly as she married into the Xu family which, in their eyes, they could not be considered a worthy match for.

They had never once brought up refusing and returning the flat. Yet, they had already long since made up their minds that they could not just easily accept this windfall from nowhere. Not only would they not do so, they would even pay that money for their half flat discount, all this just being for the sake of Little Xiang Ning.

On the one hand, Xu Tingsheng was actually rejoicing inwardly somewhat. It seemed that they had truly placed their trust in him as they intended to hand Xiang Ning over to him.

On the other hand, he was feeling rather troubled too...what should he say about this? Should he pretend that he didn’t know and simply let Mr and Mrs Xiang suffer so?

“Mum and Dad said that I can stay at your place sometimes in the future…” Little Xiang Ning suddenly said.

“Huh?” A startled Xu Tingsheng nearly sprang to his feet. Hadn’t they said that she was still young?

“When I return for the weekend, they’re both especially busy, and they don’t feel safe leaving me all alone at home till so late at night...that’s what they said,” Little Xiang Ning explained somewhat bashfully, “They also said that since you can even give up your life for me, you definitely won’t hurt me.”

Sensing how her mind seemed to have drifted off somewhat as she said this, Xu Tingsheng ventured a guess, “The last sentence was something your Mum told you you definitely had to say to me, right?”

Little Xiang Ning was all wide-eyed as she stared at him, visibly wondering: How did he know?

Xiang Ning nodded slightly hesitantly, replying, “When I went home last week, Mum asked me to sleep together with her and asked me a whole bunch of questions, especially about the day we were in Xihu City...don’t be nervous, you! I know what can’t be said. After that, Mum, she...I’m not telling you. Anyway, Mum told me afterwards to say this to you. Also, I heard her telling Dad the next day that ‘Nothing happened. Tingsheng’s willing to risk his life to be good to Little Ning at the end of the day. We should be able to place our trust in him’.”

Hearing Xiang Ning’s words, Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt a real headache coming on. What a ‘lofty reputation’ had been granted to him, that forced him into compulsory sainthood! Faced with such great trust, he really did not dare to have even the least bit of improper thoughts.

Additionally, since Xiang Ning’s mother had deliberately asked Xiang Ning to mention this to him, there was definitely a ‘threat’ underlying it too.

“This is too tragic…” Xu Tingsheng wailed inwardly.

Seeing his pained expression, Little Xiang Ning suddenly smiled, “But you wanted to hurt me just now, right?”

“Me? I...no! Right, I’ll go cook for you. After eating, you can take an afternoon nap, and when you’ve woken up, you should go study properly...you can ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand…”

Xu Tingsheng beat a hasty, panicked retreat.

Little Xiang Ning was chortling behind him.

Chapter 408: Just lying together again

Xu Tingsheng untied his black apron and carried out two little bowls of rice, one with each hand.

Little Xiang Ning moved the chopsticks that she had prepared for Xu Tingsheng, propping it against the plate opposite. She held her own pair of chopsticks, smiling as she looked at Xu Tingsheng and reached out to take a bowl of rice.

As he had not known earlier that Xiang Ning would be coming, Xu Tingsheng had not bought much groceries. There were just two simple dishes on the table, along with a bowl of azure vegetable soup. Besides those, there were only the bowls of jadelike rice which they had.

A simple life it might be, but this would actually make for a very blissful picture, if not for the one who should be feeling awkward and afraid chuckling out loud from time to time and the one who should be acting ruffian-ish generally having an awkward expression on his face.

After lunch, Little Xiang Ning was self-disciplined as she took her bag and went into the study.

After washing the dishes, Xu Tingsheng went in and said, “Take an afternoon nap before you start studying. It’s better to maintain the same routine as in school.”

Little Xiang Ning who was clearly sitting right beside the computer stood up and said without exhibiting any awkwardness whatsoever, “Right, but the room is so pretty and the bed is cute too. I sweated a lot when walking in the morning and I can’t bear to lie down on it like that...I, I think I should take a bath first.”

Xu Tingsheng’s mind buzzed. Each phrase evoked a mental image! After all, having witnessed all that personally in his previous life, he knew about the happiness potentially contained within.

One was not a man if this did not come to mind, yet even if this came to mind, one could not do ‘stuff men did’ nevertheless. Even as he was agonising over this, Xiang Ning had a despondent look on her face as she rummaged through her bag.

She looked up, saying, “Man, I forgot to bring my pyjamas.”

“Hm? What, what to do then?” Xu Tingsheng snapped out of it.

“I have shorts. I can wear these shorts to sleep,” Xiang Ning took out a pair of light yellow cotton shorts and showed it to Xu Tingsheng. Those were shorts which could technically be worn outside, but would probably just be worn at home considering their length and material.

“How about I wear some shirt of yours?” Little Xiang Ning continued.

With that, Xiang Ning began going through Xu Tingsheng’s wardrobe. Xu Tingsheng hadn’t brought many clothes over. He didn’t own that many clothes in the first place. Xiang Ning ultimately selected a white T-shirt which she draped over her arm as she looked at Xu Tingsheng.

After leading her to the bathroom where he taught her how to turn on the heater and laid out the towel, bathing cap, toothbrush, slippers, soap for women and whatnot that he had prepared for her beforehand, Xu Tingsheng exited the bathroom.

Afraid to hear the sound of running water, he returned to his own room and lay down to sleep.

After a while, the door of his bedroom was slowly pushed open.

“Xu Tingsheng!” Little Xiang Ning called.

She stood at the doorway in an oversized T-shirt with a neckline fallen down to her shoulders, exhibiting her long, slim neck even as it revealed her jadelike, intricate collarbones as well as part of her soft shoulders.

The white T-shirt was on the long side as it covered part of her thighs, virtually hiding her light yellow shorts completely.

“What the...this couldn’t be intentional, right?!” A frenzied Xu Tingsheng felt like pulling his hair out in frustration.

This scene was much too alluring, and just like in his previous life too. Miss Xiang had loved to wear Uncle’s big T-shirts like this, just that Xu Tingsheng had been able to pull her over for some ‘ravaging’ anytime he wanted then. Right now, however, he dared not even move.

“I’m going to sleep!” Xiang Ning told him without the slightest bit of self-awareness.

“Right, I’m sleeping too!” Xu Tingsheng said, trying his hardest to calm himself.

As the door was closed, Xu Tingsheng felt frenzied to the point of nearly biting his pillow.

The sound of the cupboard opening resounded from the living room along with the sound of glass clinking.

Xu Tingsheng got up and went out of his room to find Little Xiang Ning carrying a high glass that was filled to the brim with water as she walked towards her room.

On seeing him, she paused momentarily before saying defensively, “I’m drinking water...really! I won’t pour...I mean spill it on the bed. I’ll be careful.”

Reminded of his lingering memories from that night, Xu Tingsheng could not help but chuckle. Seeing this, a distressed Little Xiang Ning glared at him. Then, she glugged down the entire glass of water before him right there and then before forcefully setting it down on the table.

Next, she stomped back to her room in a huff, shutting the door forcefully.

“When did I say that you were going to pour it…” Xu Tingsheng mumbled to himself as he closed the door to his room and tried to sleep.

After tossing and turning about in bed for the greater part of an hour, Xu Tingsheng’s desire to sleep had gradually decreased instead. He was considering the problem of whether Little Xiang Ning coming over to stay once in a while was really a good, happy thing or just a form of torture.

When the door was opened once again, slight noise audibly resounding, Xu Tingsheng promptly and decisively closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

“Are you pretending to sleep? I could hear you tossing and turning all the way over,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“Oops…” Feeling rather embarrassed, Xu Tingsheng sat up, asking, “What is it? Is it that you’re not used to the bed, or is it uncomfortable? Whatever it is, I can change it…”

For some reason, Little Xiang Ning too looked deeply embarrassed and wronged as well, as if Xu Tingsheng was bullying her or something.

She sniffed, saying nothing as she entered the room and closed the door. Then, walking over to the side of the bed, she pulled aside the blanket, climbed onto the bed and wrapped herself up. There she lay on her side, facing away from Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng turned the air-conditioning down a little lower. Feeling that he should not touch the blanket, he got an article of clothing and covered his midsection with it.

Some time passed in silence.

The young girl who was wrapped in the blanket mumbled distinctly as if talking to herself, “Lying together is fine. We did that in Xihu City, and wasn’t it fine? Acting all proper now, even wanting a young lady to come and say: Xu Tingsheng, I want to lie down together with you. Hug me as we sleep, just like that day! I like resting in your embrace. It’s been on my mind for just so long.”

After saying so, Little Xiang Ning flipped over, raising the blanket and covering Xu Tingsheng with it too. Then, slightly nervously, that slender body entered Xu Tingsheng’s embrace again.

Perhaps it was because the sense of security Xu Tingsheng provided Little Xiang Ning was just too strong, or perhaps she was too confident in him, too certain of their future together. Perhaps she had an insufficient ‘danger level’ estimate as she did not understand some things well enough...

Whatever the case, besides staying firm to her bottom line, this life’s Miss Xiang was much easier to ‘bully’ than the one from his previous life.

At the start of their relationship in his previous life, Uncle had only been able to do well with much shamelessness. The first time he held her waist-through her clothes!-just because his hand slid down slightly and he praised her, Xu Tingsheng got beaten. During their first kiss, there ended up being two bruises pinched out on his thigh and arm respectively...that had actually been taken by force.

The current Little Xiang Ning more closely resembled how they had been at the phase when they were already very familiar with each other. Once she had shed her vigilance and her outer clothes...Miss Xiang was actually a little ruffian-ish herself.

Whether it was deliberate or inadvertent, Miss Xiang did not like beating around the bush or trying to hide things.

This made sense, actually. In this life, it had technically been more than two years since they had first met and gotten to know each other. This was even longer than in his previous life. In terms of feelings and trust, the events that had occurred would have left Little Xiang Ning much, much more moved and able to be certain of their relationship that in the case of his previous life.

She wanted to rest in the embrace of a man who could give up anything for her, who, beyond all else, would never allow her to be hurt in the slightest. Really, just what was there to fear, to have reservations about?

Well, Xu Tingsheng was unable to bear it, though...

Chapter 409: Three years are very difficult

Some problems just had to be voiced out. Otherwise, there would be no way of living this day through.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a while before shamelessly saying in a tone of imparting wisdom to Little Xiang Ning, “So, Little Xiang Ning, I want to tell you that you’re still young, so there may be many things that you don’t really understand. Still, if it’s like this...I’ll be in a lot of agony. I’m a 21-year-old male, and I love you…do you get what I mean? What if, and I mean if, I end up making a mistake and hurt you? So, this actually isn’t fine. You’ve got to be especially on your guard, really.”

There was actually something that he had to withhold, which was...maybe it’d be fine if we didn’t before, but we clearly did! Those blissful days-Xu Tingsheng remembered every part of Xiang Ning’s body, being so familiar with it as it was all fresh in his mind even now. What she liked, those sensitive spots, where she would resist, how she might react sometimes: bashful and passionate, lovable and ruffianish…

Everything, he had clearly once possessed. Five years had passed since, and at this very moment, there she was, in his embrace...just how was he supposed to bear it, tolerate it?!

Little Xiang Ning raised her head and looked at Xu Tingsheng, considering his words for a while.

As realisation dawned in, she bit her lips, asking softly, “Is it really very agonising? I only know a little, not a lot. Really, does it really feel very terrible?”

Xu Tingsheng sincerely met her gaze and resolutely nodded with the utmost conviction.

“Well…” Little Xiang Ning hesitated for a moment before asking, “If we need another three years, what will you do?”

Three years? That was when she would graduate from senior high. It looked like Xiang Ning had already long since come to a decision on some matters.

Technically, this wasn’t that long. Still, if he had to live through these three years like this, how tragic it truly would be. Xu Tingsheng added the three years for which they had been separated during his previous life to the two years that had elapsed in this current life. Add another three years to it and…

“Eight years,” Projecting the sum total, Xu Tingsheng could not help but murmur out loud.

Little Xiang Ning heard him say this. A flabbergasted expression appeared on her face as she stared dumbfounded at Xu Tingsheng, “Eight years...oh my god! I was only...eight then. You?!”

Xu Tingsheng really felt like slamming his head against the wall and dying right there and then.

After this brief episode, Xiang Ning crawled up unwillingly. Uncle looked too pitiful and his words seemed completely reasonable too. She could only accept the reality of her being shooed away.

“How embarrassing.”

Little Xiang Ning got up and started walking away before gazing at Xu Tingsheng, asking softly, “So we can’t be too close for the whole of the three years, lying together, I falling asleep in your embrace? You wouldn’t know, but during the fire, when I was all alone inside and couldn’t come out, I felt very scared. I thought that I was going to die for sure. I feel very scared even when I sleep alone now. I still have nightmares...only when lying in your embrace do I feel especially safe and not scared at all, not even the least bit. When I’m alone, that’s what I have to think about before I dare to sleep. I’ll roll myself up in the blanket, hugging it, leaning against it...”

Tears were welling up in her beautiful eyes as she spoke in an increasingly pitiful, aggrieved manner, with both her eyes and expression filled with panic.

Xu Tingsheng too was growing increasingly alarmed as he listened to her. He now understood why Xiang Ning desired so very adamantly to lie in his embrace, being willing to take the initiative and act shameless in the process. This was no mere playacting on her part.

She had once been plunged into solitude and despair, and when her very life had been compromised, Xu Tingsheng had appeared. She had found a haven, a site of refuge in this person’s embrace where she feared nothing, had no need to fear anything, fleeing into life and safety.

Alongside the trauma that still loomed over her from the fire that day, his embrace was her safe harbour.

Xu Tingsheng was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Just what should he do?

Seeing him conflicted as his resistance fell, Little Xiang Ning shamelessly climbed back in and buried herself in Xu Tingsheng’s embrace, “Just bear with it! You’re so capable-you surely can do it.”

Capable as he was, he should be able to bear it? Xu Tingsheng had never seen anyone praised like this before. It should clearly be: So capable! So mighty!

“Three years-is that what you’ve decided?” Xu Tingsheng shifted his focus elsewhere, enquiring.

“Yeah,” Little Xiang Ning nodded shyly, not looking at him as she said softly, “Three years-you can bully me then.”

She had already rewarded Uncle with ‘Little Pert Waist’. She herself had decided on that. She had also had her first kiss taken away. That had really been stolen. She had just kissed him a bit, and then he had lunged over. Besides those, what her mother had talked about, what Su Nannan had mentioned...that was too serious. Little Xiang Ning knew what her bottom line should be. Her mother had told her that she would not be respected otherwise…

“Is there still anything else besides those?” Little Xiang Ning wondered.

Xu Tingsheng’s head felt ablaze.

“Also, there is a condition too, Xu Tingsheng,” Little Xiang Ning suddenly said, “Besides needing three years, you’ve also got to know one thing at the time. I’ll already have grown up then. You’ll have to know if the one you like is really me or Big Xiang Ning…”

So this had always been weighing on her heart. Xu Tingsheng thought for a moment. It seemed like there was no way of explaining it so easily, and not just to Xiang Ning. Even he himself was somewhat unclear on this issue as it was something that he had always been trying not to think about.

Little Xiang Ning seemed to be in no rush to hear his reply. At sixteen years of age, it seemed she already had some of the big-heartedness and tolerance that the 22-year-old Miss Xiang would possess.

She stole a glance at Xu Tingsheng.

Another glance.

Another glance.

“What is it?” Seeing her furtive manner, Xu Tingsheng asked in a low tone.

“Um, umm, if you really are in agony, how about something else, anything else apart from that? Would that be a little better?” Little Xiang Ning whispered in Xu Tingsheng’s embrace, forcing out the words.

Xu Tingsheng felt like he was going to explode.

“What’s this, this anything else that’s also fine?” Xu Tingsheng forced a smile and asked her.

Looking at him, Little Xiang Ning said, “I don’t know! You’re so old-you should know, right?”

Being so old, of course Xu Tingsheng knew, “How about I teach her a bit first? Such as...but there’s no way I could say these things out loud,” Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a good while on just what should be done about this.

“Well...how about you go ask someone else?”

Little Xiang Ning’s mood fell as she exclaimed exasperatedly, “Huh, who am I supposed to ask? If it’s Su Nannan, she likes you too. How could I ask her? Unless you want me to ask my Mum?”

Xu Tingsheng nearly choked to death at her words. Ask your mother...ask your mother to kill me?

Someone came to mind at this point in time. Xiang Ning’s bosom friend in university in his previous life, her guardian angel of three years. A completely self-taught relationship advice consultant and expert on the two sexes, a reputable love advice counsellor on the web forum Tianya…

Xu Tingsheng wished for Xiang Ning not to miss out on this person. The two of them had been so very close in his previous life. Xu Tingsheng thought that he could not let her miss out on this best friend just from having changed the trajectory of her life.

“Come, let me tell you who you can ask.”

Xu Tingsheng got out of bed and held Little Xiang Ning’s hand in leading her to the study. He turned on the computer and logged onto Tianya.

Lu Min had indeed entered the world of Tianya in junior high, and was really very well-known too. Her ID was not hard to find: My Sensitivity(Min) All The Way. It was really a no-brainer to ascertain her identity with this. Xu Tingsheng had already followed and zeroed in on her prior.

Chapter 410: Surprise inspection

Clicking on the profile of ‘My Sensitivity All The Way’, Xu Tingsheng told Xiang Ning, “Look at the stuff that she has posted first. After that, register an account and chat with her. When the two of you have gotten familiar with each other, get a mode of communication with her. With that, you’ll be able to discuss anything you want with her in the future.”

Puzzled, Little Xiang Ning asked, “Who is she? Is she very old? How does she know so much? Will she chat with me?”

Xu Tingsheng had no way of explaining all this as he could only feign certainty, “You should be able to become friends with her very easily.”

It turned out that his guess was right. Just an hour later, as Xu Tingsheng was reading a book, Little Xiang Ning who had been using the computer suddenly ran over and told him, “You were right, Xu Tingsheng! We’ve already added each other on QQ. We’re getting along really well. She’s actually the same age as me, did you know that? She really knows a lot...it’s so fun chatting with her…”

Perhaps some people were just fated to hit it off and become good friends as soon as they met.

Xu Tingsheng felt happy on Little Xiang Ning’s behalf. No matter what, however he doted on her, Little Xiang Ning would sometimes need someone she could pour her heart out to with regard to her feelings, whether it was because she felt troubled and wronged or could not understand something.

“Have you asked her what anything else is yet?” Xu Tingsheng teased.

“No! I can’t ask something like that so quickly! Also, she’s gone offline. I’ll ask her about it next week,” Xiang Ning said rather self-consciously.

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng nodded, then asked, “In that case, will you be sleeping or studying now?”

“I’m so tired!” Little Xiang Ning exclaimed before glancing at Xu Tingsheng, pointing first at her own room and then at his room, as if to ask where she should sleep.

“Anywhere’s fine. I’ll be reading,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Right, right,” Whether deliberately or not, Little Xiang Ning misconstrued the meaning in Xu Tingsheng’s words as she pulled him along by the hand, “Come on! You can read, I’ll sleep…”

This time, it was to Little Xiang Ning’s room that they went.

Resting on the girlish bedsheet, pillow propped behind his back, Xu Tingsheng half-sat as he tried his best to ignore Little Xiang Ning who was lying sideways across the bed with a hand resting on him and concentrate fully on the book which he was reading, Civil Disobedience.

Just when he was fully immersed in the book, believing that Xiang Ning had already fallen asleep…

“The way you look when reading like this, it’s so nice…” The young girl suddenly told him.

Xu Tingsheng turned to find her eyes fixated on the side of his face even as she smiled. Miss Xiang from his previous life hadn’t been very liberal with her praises. Xu Tingsheng felt happy.

Still, he feigned a strict tone and told her, “Hurry up and go sleep! You still need to study later.”

Little Xiang Ning pursed her lips, “Okay. Yes, Mr Xu...student-teacher relationships really are troublesome…”

Xu Tingsheng stifled his amusement and his despondence too as he just ignored her.

Not long afterwards, some light laughter resounded from behind his book.

Xu Tingsheng put the book down to reveal that pretty little face.

Little Xiang Ning puckered up her lips in a kissing motion, saying shamelessly, “I want a kiss. Just like last time...can you kiss me? I still haven’t gotten used to it yet.”

Her little tongue neared his lips, venturing a greeting.

This...little ruffian.

Xu Tingsheng pressed her shoulders and drew her closer in.

Ever so inexperienced, still trying to flee, with a sense of rejection audible in those occasional light noises. Yet, she was clearly trying hard to suppress her shyness and her embarrassment, trying hard to learn and to coordinate with him. Once in a while, she would even work up some courage and take the initiative to ‘challenge’ him.

As their breathing deepened, Xu Tingsheng exerted greater force and drew her in as she came to rest entirely on his body.

His hand slid down her body, going into her clothes to touch Little Miss Honey’s Little Pert Waist.

This was Xu Tingsheng’s first time reaching in on his own initiative.

Perhaps she sensed his intense passion and inability to stop himself as well as some physical sensation too...Little Xiang Ning’s body suddenly tensed.

Xu Tingsheng sensed this but could already do nothing. All he could do was control that hand, preventing it from moving elsewhere, from randomly wandering.

After acclimatising to it a little, Little Xiang Ning bit down lightly on Xu Tingsheng’s lips, burying her heatedly blushing face by his ear. She looked like she wanted to say something for a while but resisted it in the end.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly suppressed his instincts and drew his hand back.

Little Xiang Ning grabbed that hand, saying into his ear, “Wait, don’t be scared. You must be feeling very agonised now, right? I’ve discovered it.”

Xu Tingsheng could say nothing to this. With their current close proximity, he had no way of denying it.

“I’ve been feeling a bit strange too, actually. It’s like I don’t want to stop…” Little Xiang Ning trailed off for a while before finally mustering her courage and saying, “What we talked about just now-besides that, anything’s fine. Don’t be scared.”

Xu Tingsheng thought inwardly, “The hell I’m scared of! It’s you being scared that I’m scared of...fine, I’m scared.”

Any more of this and he would really lose control. Xu Tingsheng clambered off from her bed with all his might, abandoning the ‘resentful maid’ and fleeing her room. After taking a cold shower and resolving the issue, Xu Tingsheng righteously marched back and knocked on that door, asking Xiang Ning to put on her own clothes and go to the study.

Perhaps she was expressing her dissatisfaction with Xu Tingsheng as Xiang Ning remained in the study that entire afternoon, not talking to him.

Xu Tingsheng would not dare to aggravate her. After finishing the book in the living room, seeing that dinnertime was fast approaching, he went out and bought some more groceries before putting on an apron and beginning to wash the vegetables.

The doorbell rang. Xu Tingsheng gazed through the peephole and saw...Mrs Xiang.

“Tingsheng? Open the door!” Mrs Xiang called.

Xu Tingsheng dared not allow for the slightest delay.

Entering the house, Mrs Xiang first sighed in relief as she saw Xu Tingsheng’s apron and the vegetables in his hand. Next, after walking around the house and seeing Xu Tingsheng’s own room along with the room that he had specially prepared for Xiang Ning, she heaved a second sigh of relief.

“Where’s Little Ning?” Mrs Xiang asked.

“She’s in the study, studying,” Xu Tingsheng gingerly opened the door.

Mrs Xiang took just a single glance inside and turned to look at Xu Tingsheng. Xu Tingsheng took a look too...studying? Pfft! She was sitting in front of the computer with earpieces on and mouse in hand, listening to music while going through farm after farm...catching pests she met, stealing cabbages she encountered…

So immersed she was that she had not even noticed their presence at all.

“Sorry, auntie. I will set a password on the computer next time,” Xu Tingsheng said awkwardly.

“It’s fine. It’s her fault for not being self-disciplined, not yours,” While this was what Mrs Xiang actually said, Xu Tingsheng clearly saw her sigh in relief for the third time as she could finally feel completely reassured.

After going in and chastising Little Xiang Ning a whole bunch, Mrs Xiang exited the room and told Xu Tingsheng rather awkwardly, “Little Ning told us that you stay here on weekends. It so happens that we just opened a small restaurant, and so I thought that maybe I’d deliver some food over...look at me, forgetting that you’re already such a good cook yourself.”

Mrs Xiang somewhat awkwardly put down those two packets of food and enquired after Xu Tingsheng’s health for a bit. Next, she reminded him to supervise Xiang Ning in her studies, explained that things were busy over at the restaurant and took her leave.

Launching a sudden assault without calling Xu Tingsheng or Xiang Ning beforehand, coming inside and interestedly observing the place, only remembering her excuse for coming right before she left. That along with the changes in Mrs Xiang’s facial expression from earlier…

Xu Tingsheng could be certain that her primary purpose in coming here had not been to deliver food. It was a surprise inspection beyond the shadow of a doubt...see, I knew it! How would they have been able to feel completely reassured so easily.

He felt a lingering, fearful relief now: Whew...it’s fortunate that we stopped earlier! It’d have been difficult to assuredly keep anything from showing, otherwise.

Chapter 411: Waters of forgetfulness or pill of regret

It was a little before midnight that day that the doorbell rang again. Wearing his pyjamas, Xu Tingsheng opened the door with bleary eyes.

It was Mr Xiang who had come this time. Entering the house, he placed a bottle of wine and some dishes to go with it on the table.

“You were sleeping, huh? Sorry to disturb you. My store just closed for the night, so I came looking for you for a drink together. How’re you doing? Are you fully recovered from before?”

“Oh, I’d just been lying down a little. I’m totally fine now, Uncle. Thank you for your concern,” Xu Tingsheng carefully responded.

“That’s good then. Woah, this place looks pretty good. I’ll just have a look around,” Mr Xiang said.

As Xu Tingsheng led Mr Xiang along in a tour of the place, he discovered that the latter’s attention actually wasn’t on the house at all. Entering his room, Mr Xiang pretended to nonchalantly pat his bed...he was confirming if the bed was hot, if Xu Tingsheng had really been sleeping there just earlier…

After touring all the other rooms, Mr Xiang asked, “Where’s Little Ning? Is she asleep yet?”

“Yes, she is,” Xu Tingsheng carefully opened the door.

Mr Xiang peeked in, muttering to himself, “This girl, not covering herself properly with the blanket even with the air-conditioning on.”

With this excuse, Mr Xiang entered the room, pretending to cover Xiang Ning up with her blanket. In truth, though, he was observing carefully to see if she truly was asleep, having indeed been sleeping here all this while.

After leaving the room and closing the door behind him, Mr Xiang’s expression had clearly relaxed.

Launching a sudden assault in the middle of the night this time, observing and probing and faking yet again without any prior warning whatsoever, in what was clearly another surprise inspection…

Mr and Mrs Xiang were probably only making this compromise because they were really too busy with the restaurant and did not feel good leaving Xiang Ning alone at home...still, when she was at Xu Tingsheng’s...they still could not feel reassured.

Indeed, Mr Xiang was not actually thinking of drinking alcohol with Xu Tingsheng for real. He should be dog-tired and yearning for sleep right now. After sitting down for less than twenty minutes, having ingested only a few mouthfuls of alcohol and basically no dishes at all, Mr Xiang claimed to have to go to the market to buy groceries early the next morning and hurriedly took his leave.

Two inspections in one day, with one of them even having been in the middle of the night. They might finally be able to set their minds at ease a little now.

Xu Tingsheng took another shower before returning to his room.

Right after lying down, Little Xiang Ning entered the room, leaping onto the bed as she exclaimed excitedly, “Wow, you’re so smart, Xu Tingsheng...my Dad really came to check on us in the middle of the night! We almost got caught.”

“What do you mean we almost got caught? Nothing would have happened in the first place,” Xu Tingsheng rebutted before continuing, “Hurry up and go back to sleep.”

Little Xiang Ning looked at the time, then said, “Wait, let me go steal some cabbages first. There surely will be many left unharvested at this time.”

Xu Tingsheng asked exasperatedly, “Hadn’t we agreed on this? Leave your farm to me. You can only look at it once a week, during the weekends.”

“You aren’t stealing any, and you won’t let me steal too. And you said still that you’d guarantee my level being the highest of all my classmates,” Little Xiang Ning said, looking very distrustful.

Xu Tingsheng sighed, “Miss Little Xiang Ning, I made this game, alright? Rest assured, I have my ways.”

“Are you going to cheat?”

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng nodded in affirmation, “Now hurry up and go to sleep.”

“Kay, goodnight,” Little Xiang Ning obediently responded.

Then, she shot into Xu Tingsheng’s embrace, snugly cuddling up and closing her eyes. Next, she moved not an inch, as though she really had instantly fallen asleep…

Now this was really cheating.

“Back to your room to sleep…” Xu Tingsheng said sternly.

“They already came to check on us,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“And after they’ve done so, you still have to go back to sleep.”

“...I’ll feel scared if I sleep alone.”

And so Xu Tingsheng ended up reading while Little Xiang Ning lay there restfully with her eyes closed and one hand resting on him. Perhaps simplicity and bliss induced calmness as this time, there were easily no carnal urges like there had been initially.

Little Xiang Ning rolled over. Just when Xu Tingsheng thought that she was already asleep for real, he spotted her creeping furtively towards the doorway through the corner of his eye.

“What’re you doing?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Little Xiang Ning rose to her full height, replying, “Going to the toilet?”

“What’re you acting so sneaky in going to the toilet for?”

“I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Well, go on then.”

Half an hour later, she had still not returned.

Xu Tingsheng caught Little Xiang Ning sitting cross-legged before the computer in the study, eating some tidbits that he had bought for her in the afternoon while making her rounds in stealing cabbages.

Having gotten self-owned by a game, the ‘unethical businessman’ Xu Tingsheng asked helplessly, “What’s so fun about this broken game?”

Looking at him, Little Xiang Ning said, “I’m playing it to support you! Look, I’ve managed to steal so much.”

“Right. So now that you’re done stealing, how about you go back to bed?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“No, let me wait just a little bit longer. This girl’s cabbages will be ripe in a bit,” Little Xiang Ning clicked on a plot of land, saying, “Her level’s high, so stealing her cabbages is more worthwhile.”

“But after you’ve done so, you’ll find that another person’s cabbages are nearly ripe, and then the cycle will repeat itself. You’ll end up being awake the entire night,” Xu Tingsheng analysed.

Little Xiang Ning actually had the audacity to nod as she said, “Right, there really is another, it seems. I’ll go to bed after these two classmates’ cabbages have ripened then.”

Xu Tingsheng put on a stern expression.

“I’ll just wait for this one then,” Little Xiang Ning said timidly.

And there they sat, one reading, one eating tidbits while playing an online game.

After a while, Little Xiang Ning suddenly turned to look at Xu Tingsheng, “Would you choose the waters of forgetfulness or a pill of regret?”

A nonplussed Xu Tingsheng instinctively asked, “Huh?”

“Waters of forgetfulness or pill of regret? Someone asked it on Weibo.”

“...”

“So?”

“Pill of regret.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t bear to forget. Because if it’s possible, I would still want another chance.”

“Me? Heheh.”

“Yeah.”

“Hey, why do you look like you wanna cry? I never said that I don’t want you anymore.”

“Yeah.”

Perhaps sensing the fluctuations in Xu Tingsheng’s emotions, seeing how he looked rather disturbed right now, Little Xiang Ning walked over and hugged him, asking, “Is something the matter?"

“It’s nothing,” Xu Tingsheng dabbed at his tears before reaching out and hugging her tightly, “It’s just great that you’re still here.”

How many missed chances were unknowingly passing one by in this world? Due to a lack of self-awareness, how many cases were there in which one wanted to return but it was already too late, with things being set in stone as regret was impossible...there were that many people who wished for this pill, this elixir of regret.

If a pill of regret existed, who would want the waters of forgetfulness?

……

They ended up sleeping very late that night.

Little Xiang Ning coaxed Uncle Liar as she would a young child.

The images of her from both his lifetimes overlapped. The final scene of her in his previous life resolutely turning to leave at the very end replayed itself unceasingly, and then there was her in this life, her slender arms cushioning the back of his head, her young face insistently trying hard to feign the atmosphere of an adult.

“So long as you never choose the waters of forgetfulness, I will always give you a pill of regret,” Little Xiang Ning said.

Chapter 412: The four ‘routines’

The next day, a Sunday.

Xiang Ning slept all the way till noon. Even during lunchtime, Xu Tingsheng had to physically carry her and plop her down in the chair by the dining table wherein she blearily half-ate, half got forced-fed by Xu Tingsheng.

She rushed some homework in the afternoon and had dinner. Only then did she wistfully head off to school for evening self-study with a large bag of tidbits.

After washing the dishes, Xu Tingsheng carried the trash downstairs. He would only return in a week and it would really smell otherwise.

Xu Tingsheng decided to return to his university to sleep. For one, he had lessons on Monday morning. For another, having entered his third year, that feeling that little of university life still remained was already getting increasingly intense for him. He had wished to properly relive university life again, but so much of it had ultimately been lost to him thus far.

He wished to properly treasure what little of it still remained.

While driving back to school, Xu Tingsheng took a little side trip to see the Xiang family’s restaurant.

The restaurant had a very ordinary name: Home-cooked Food.

It was not all that big, with around ten tables, four as well as six-seaters, laid out in the main hall. While Xu Tingsheng did not go in for a closer look, from how customers were leaving and entering, there should still be a few private rooms inside.

The location of this restaurant was not bad as being right by the central district, it attracted many customers.

The restaurant was doing very well, just like Little Xiang Ning had said. There were virtually no empty seats as even if someone had finished eating, new customers would immediately come to take their place. Xu Tingsheng could even see the active, busy figures of Mr and Mrs Xiang amongst them from time to time. Really, they just weren’t treating themselves as bosses at all.

In contrast, Xu Tingsheng saw that the two restaurants beside it were somewhat deserted in comparison. Having nothing to do, their chefs were all slacking by the doorway and smoking cigarettes while chatting with the female waitresses.

This sort of situation seemed quite common for restaurants. When placed in close proximity to each other, the discrepancy between such stores was generally more pronounced due to the clear contrast between them.

Also, people had the sort of mentality that in eating outside food, they should go wherever things were noisier and more bustling with people, even if the queue was longer there. In contrast, if a store was empty, no one would dare to enter as they would suspect that the ingredients used there were not fresh.

Therefore, this sort of discrepancy would generally become more pronounced with time.

Xu Tingsheng was unconcerned about this. After watching for ten plus minutes, he just satisfiedly drove off and left.

……

A short while after Xu Tingsheng’s departure.

A group of six men in their twenties or thirties sat around a table in a small restaurant. The floor surrounding the table was scattered with numerous bottles of wine and the many dishes on the table were nearly empty too as these people were all full and rather inebriated.

“So, is everybody done eating?” A man in his thirties asked the others while picking at his teeth with a toothpick.

“I’m done eating, Bro Jun.”

“I’m done eating, and I’m done drinking too. Heh…”

“That was plenty awesome...”

The other five people successively responded to his inquiry.

The man they addressed as Bro Jun smiled, making a flicking motion with his hand, “Let’s start then. Who brought ‘em?”

“I, I did…” A young man with his twenties who had an Ekin Cheng hairstyle but not the looks to go with it raised his hand, smiling ingratiatingly, “I’ll do it, Bro Jun…”

With that, he retrieved a dead cockroach from his pocket and threw it into a leftover pot of soup on the table.

If one wanted to act, they had to do the full set. The more tragic it was, the easier it would be to inflame others. The long-haired guy raised that remnant soup to his lips...closed his eyes, and chugged it down...he wanted to bolster the impression of accidentally drinking that cockroach...

That was disgusting? Right, that was exactly the intended effect. He would be able to incite more money to hand, running to a good many tables to complain.

The dead cockroach floated in the remainder of the soup as the long-haired man looked set to finish drinking it. It had still yet to enter the mouth…

“You’ve got to suck it in a bit!” Bro Jun impatiently urged him on.

The long-haired man obediently did so, drawing in the dead cockroach...glug…

“Spit it out! And then start shouting…” Bro Jun said.

That long-haired man glanced around the table before his gaze came to land on Bro Jun as he said timidly and rather piteously as well, “I can’t...I used too much strength and, and swallowed it down...”

“...”

The rabble broke out into guffaws before Bro Jun asked flusteredly, “Who else brought some?”

“Me…” The long-haired man raised his hand yet again, “I still have some…”

He scooped out a handful of them from his pocket, “There are many cockroaches in my house.”

He chose one of them and threw it into the final bit of soup that remained.

This time, he finally succeeded.

Spitting the cockroach onto the table along with the soup, the long-haired man yelled, “Boss, get over here...what the hell? Why are there cockroaches in your soup? I very nearly swallowed one down, you know?”

“Right, how could this happen?”

“Boss…”

“Hey, this is just too disgusting…”

“Look, everyone! How can you still be eating when the hygiene here is like this?”

The rest of them slammed the table and stood up, beginning to clamour.

“This is the third time already! Damn it, this old man’s had it with them!”

The Xiang family’s partner, the Uncle Niu that Little Xiang Ning spoke of, was a pot-bellied, wide-shouldered man in his forties. Just as he had said, this was already the third time that same bunch of people was intentionally creating a scene and inflaming people here like this…

The first two times, they had tolerated it, admitted their negligence, apologised, compensated them, acting as meek and submissive as was conceivably possible...

The hot-tempered Old Niu could really tolerate this no longer as he grabbed a vegetable knife from below the shelf, glaring angrily as he looked ready to lunge at those people at any time.

Mr Xiang hastily grabbed him before he could do anything rash.

“If you really go over with a knife, not only would this restaurant be finished, you would be finished too...everyone knows what’s going on, and the customers in the vicinity are all fully aware of what kind of people these are too. Rest assured, nobody will believe them. They’re merely seeking money and nothing more. We should bear with it for now and slowly think of a solution afterwards…” Mr Xiang tried persuading him in a low tone.

“What solution could there be? This Devilspawn Jun is the most notorious gangster boss in the vicinity. Who doesn’t know that he was hired by the two stores beside us? But we even made a police report before, and what did the police say? They said that there’s nothing they can do for us. We’ve got no evidence. What other solution do you think we could find? If things go on like this, they’ll topple us sooner or latter. We might as well end it once and for all right here, right now!”

His knife having been wrested away from him, an infuriated Old Niu cracked his knuckles.

These people were here to topple the restaurant belonging to the Xiang and Niu families. Their business had been doing so well after its opening as it had virtually robbed the other two stores of all their regular customers in just a mere month’s time...the two of them were joining forces in employing underhanded methods behind the scenes here.

Mr Xiang had asked around about this before. This was definitely not the first time they were employing such distasteful methods to topple a new store. That had occurred several times before, in fact.

“If only we’d known! Since we were curious before as to why the rent here is so unusually cheap, we should have done some research on it then,” Mrs Xiang said rather helplessly.

“We were just too happy at the time. Opening our own store, becoming first-time bosses-just how would we even know to consider all that stuff?!” Old Niu’s wife, Auntie Liu simply sighed.

In the end, the two women brought Old Niu and Mr Xiang out to apologise together. Only after compensating 300 yuan did they finally manage to get rid of all those scum of society.

Bro Jun’s gang was openly whistling in triumph as they exited the restaurant.

In one of the stores next door, there was a pot of tea on the table where two middle-aged men sat. They waved in greeting to Bro Jun’s gang as they passed by before exchanging glances.

“Who would have thought...their tolerance level is pretty high,” One of them smiled and said.

The other chuckled, replying, “Yup, it is pretty high. Still, if one was able to get by simply by tolerating things, this wouldn’t be the world of business anymore.”

“The problem is that this is already the third time, but the business at their place hasn’t visibly dropped much at all! How about we ask Devilspawn Jun and his men to just wreck their store outright next time?”

“We can’t do that. It wouldn’t work too. Just some broken tables wouldn’t be able to shake their very foundations. I’m thinking...let’s get this done over the next few days. I’ll exert some means and get their doors closed in a few days…”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Same old, same old...the four ‘routines’ all at once..it’s just that we’ll inevitably have to spend some...how about this? Half each, that alright with you?”

“That’s fine, that’s fine...wow, four routines all at once. You think quite highly of them, don’t you!”

The two cackled maliciously together for a bit as if they could already see Home-cooked Food of the Xiang and Niu families closing shop.

The so-called four routines consisted of:

Hooligans, brawlings, creating ruckuses.

Urban Management Bureau, pulling down signboards, fluorescent lights.

Rather than these, the governmental bureaus for hygiene and commerce were the true, ultimate aces up their sleeves...

Chapter 413: Typical fighting in school

Many roommates in university would have had innumerable meals together, having even been dead drunk in randomly walking the streets together before. They would even have collectively skipped classes in playing overnight at internet cafes, but very seldom indeed would they have breakfast together.

Some people basically never ate breakfast, some liked to sleep in and cared nothing about missing lessons while some would often stay outside for the night and not return to sleep.

This was an exceptionally difficult thing for those of Room 602. Not long after their first year of university had begun, Tan Yao had already started not returning at night while Xu Tingsheng had been busy and gotten ‘addicted’ to skipping lessons. After that, someone had gotten a girlfriend….and then another, and another…

On Monday, following Xu Tingsheng’s forceful planning, the six guys from Room 602 very spontaneously woke up and went for breakfast together before going off for lessons with required lesson materials in hand.

If they all entered the classroom together, what a grand and lofty occasion it would be.

Xu Tingsheng had not expected that the first to separate from the group would be Zhang Ninglang. The junior with the long plait needed only to glance over from the entrance of C district and start walking off with an indifferent look on her face for Lil’ Bro to just decisively forsake his bros and leave.

The rest of them followed from a distance away, watching and commenting: So out of all of us, Lil’ Bro is actually the one who prioritises girls over friends most! How did we not see it before?

Whatever they might outwardly say, however, they all envied those two people up ahead from the bottom of their hearts, giving this ‘model couple’ from university their sincerest well wishes.

This was not just because one of the two was their simple, kind-hearted little bro. It was also because they could see much happiness that should be looked forward to in life from him.

“What the heck, junior’s plait is almost reaching her butt,” Li Xingming now commented.

The others took turns to send a few pretend kicks his way, rebuking even as they laughed, “Who gave you permission to look at little sister-in-law’s butt?”

“It’s the plait I’m looking at!” Li Xingming evaded the incoming kicks while saying defensively, “We’re following after them, so how could I possibly look at their faces? It’s normal, alright?”

“......”

A white BMW glided past the five of them who were about twenty metres behind. Then, it slowly decelerated while nearing Zhang Ninglang and his junior. Finally, the car turned and intercepted the two in the area between the road and the shrubbery.

The car window was wound down as someone stuck his head out, waving at the girl.

The girl with the long plait ignored it, while Zhang Ninglang went and stood in front of his girlfriend.

A relatively short distance behind them, the five guys stopped. This was Xu Tingsheng’s first time seeing that rumoured BMW that would intercept Zhang Ninglang and his girlfriend by the roadside. The person in question seemed to be a senior too.

“If he’s in his fourth year, shouldn’t he be out on an internship, looking for a job? Xu Tingsheng wondered aloud.

“I asked around and learnt about it. This fella’s name is Xu Sheng. His family is pretty rich and he’s pretty uninhibited in playing around. He brings around his faction of people in gallivanting about and having fun all day in school. It doesn’t look like he has to worry about something of this kind,” Tan Yao replied, having previously done his research with dealing with him in mind.

“Well of course! Someone who can drive a BMW and randomly muck around in university-how would they even have to worry about this?!” Lu Xu exclaimed rather resentfully.

University students who owned cars were rare existences indeed in the year 2005. Besides that Mercedes-Benz G500 which would infrequently appear on Yanzhou University’s campus, this BMW could definitely already be considered high-end. Even Fang Yuqing had just driven a decrepit Volkswagen on campus previously.

“BMW? That still depends on who he’s competing with,” Looking at the arrogant Xu Sheng and that car in the distance, Li Xingming commented rather triumphantly, gloating at the impending misfortune that would soon befall him.

He knew that since Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao were both here today, things were never going to end with just mere spectating.

“There’s no competition. I’m driving the Volkswagen,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying.

Ever since Fang Yuqing had graduated, his decrepit Volkswagen had been given to Xu Tingsheng. As for the G500, Huang Yaming had been using it ever since getting his license.

To be honest, this decrepit Volkswagen was actually pretty sturdy and dependable. The famed Santana was the greatest car brand in Xu Tingsheng’s memories of his youth. At one point in time, it had even been synonymous with cars themselves.

In truth, Xu Tingsheng seldom drove to school unless it was utterly necessary. He had even bought a secondhand bicycle for this very purpose.

Following his example, Lu Zhixin basically never drove to the university as well.

Therefore, this BMW seemed to be the most famous car on campus as most would choose to take a detour when seeing what was going on up ahead.

“There’re so many pretty girls in our school and he’s rich. He shouldn’t lack women, right? Why has he set his eyes on junior? Hey, it’s been more than half a year already, right? His patience-where is it coming from? Sincere love?” Old Wai asked uncomprehendingly.

“Sincere love my foot. Those who play around more in school basically all know what this is really about. The guy said it himself. He’s already gotten tired of playing with those easy-to-get women in his first three years of university. He is set on playing a pure one before graduating, and a purest one at that. That, and how that junior with the long plait is very well-known and attractive...he chose her as his target. The harder it is to get her, the more fired up he gets.”

Tan Yao had managed to learn quite a bit about this person’s motivations. Hearing his words, his roommates were all rather infuriated.

As they were talking, four people, Xu Sheng included, got off from the car up ahead. They did nothing physical, just hemming the two in. Zhang Ninglang grabbed his girlfriend’s hand, trying to lead her away, but they repeatedly moved to block his path.

“Junior, I heard that you’ll be performing in the upcoming freshman welcoming party?” Xu Sheng asked.

Ning Xia said nothing.

“Our band will also be perfoming. I’ll devote a song to you then...I only have one year remaining. I hope that us two will not let it go to waste,” Xu Sheng continued before turning towards Zhang Ninglang and pointing at him, “You should come along too. Take a good look at whether or not you are qualified or it’s all just wishful thinking on your part…ugly toad!”

Zhang Ninglang’s face visibly stiffened at the insult. Having a stronger temper than him, Ning Xia took the book in her hand and mightily swatted at Xu Sheng’s finger that was pointing at him.

“Woah...what’s she doing?”

“Wow, fiery…”

Xu Sheng himself said nothing, but his three lackeys were already clamouring behind them.

Zhang Ninglang got in front of Ning Xia, saying, “I’m used to living peacefully and don’t like causing a commotion. Still, if you guys continue to do this…”

He was interrupted mid-sentence as the person beside Xu Sheng shoved him, exclaiming arrogantly as he was sent stumbling backwards, “Woah, you threatening us? Haven’t you always been very useless?”

“If you’re useless, just admit it! Don’t try to do the impossible,” Another lackey chimed in.

The remaining one reached out and continued pushing Zhang Ninglang, advancing as he unceasingly asked, “So, we’re continuing. What’re you going to do now? What can you do? Well, come on…”

Not far away, Zhang Ninglang’s five roommates saw this.

“It’s showtime…” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed rather cheerfully.

“Aren’t we going to call anyone?” Tan Yao asked.

“Six versus four, we’ve enough!” Xu Tingsheng said.

“But you don’t have to do it personally, right? You don’t even have to get anyone else. You can just get Bro Yao to call a couple of security guards over from their bar, right?” Li Xingming said.

“You’re an esteemed person now…” Old Wai mused aloud.

“Want to ask my wife to join in?” Lu Xu pulled out his phone, asking.

This here was an aspiring dude indeed. Before getting into a fight, he actually even remembered to call his Chick Bao, a Taekwondo black belt, to come help him.

“Pffft! Aren’t schoolyard fights all like this? Let’s us bros all charge forward together, and think it over again afterwards only if we can’t beat them...onward!”

With that, Xu Tingsheng simply dumped his school stuff by the roadside and charged headlong into the fray ahead of the others...

Chapter 414: Let’s play something cultured

Xu Tingsheng charged headlong into the fray.

The remaining four could only dump their school stuff by the roadside as well, charging in...

“For some reason, it seems to me like Bro Xu is a bit excited?” Old Wai asked as they ran.

“It does...seem that way,” Tan Yao admitted helplessly.

“What sickness is that? Violent mania?” Li Xingming added.

Xu Tingsheng was indeed feeling rather excited, in truth. Such too could be considered a part of reliving his university life! Entering a fight for a bro-even if he took a few hits, it would invigorate him with a youthful, hot-blooded romanticism whenever he thought back on it many years later.

What a total killjoy it would be, getting some random outsiders to suppress these prospective opponents.

Whenever he thought of how he had to be mature in the outside world and at home too...he would be graduating from university very soon, yet could not be granted even that final bit of immaturity...merely two years remained, and deducting the internship period and whatnot, he really did not have much time left. He wished to live in a rather more free, uninhibited manner.

The three lackeys menacingly stood in front of the frantic Ning Xia, blocking her view of Zhang Ninglang and preventing her from rushing in. Xu Sheng smiled sinisterly like some typical rich young master from television dramas, posing a little before he raised his hand and pointed at Zhang Ninglang again, “What an ignorant fool. If not for…”

He raised his other hand as if to hit Zhang Ninglang’s face.

“If not for what?”

Smack!

Xu Tingsheng arrived as did his voice, making use of the momentum from his run-up as well as the swinging of his arm to land a solid punch on Xu Sheng’s cheek as the latter was knocked straight to the ground. The overall force of their collision terminated his forward momentum.

“The heck? Who’re you?”

Those remaining three foes immediately charged over.

Afraid that Xu Tingsheng would be ganged up on and left at a disadvantage, Zhang Ninglang flung out his arms and grabbed one about the waist.

Tan Yao made use of his forward momentum and tackled one down, sending them both into the shrubbery.

The short and stout Li Xingming raised his knee and slammed it towards the back of the final person.

Old Wai and Lu Xu shot towards their foe who was was currently flinging an elbow towards Zhang Ninglang who was hugging and locking him down from behind.

Six versus four, and it was a sneak attack too. Those of Room 602 grasped the initial upper hand. Still, the other side was clearly composed of experienced fighters. While Xu Sheng ate another blow of Xu Tingsheng’s immediately after getting up and was knocked down again, aside from the greatly experienced Tan Yao who got into a mounted position and cleanly suppressed his foe, the remaining two groups did not have it easy at all…

Li Xingming’s strike did not connect effectively as his opponent just stumbled a little before regaining his balance and punching him in retaliation. Luckily, the sturdy Li Xingming did not fall...his opponent capitalised on this and launched a kick at him…

Xu Tingsheng charged over and launched a kick of his own, intercepting and solidly contacting the guy’s leg that was kicking towards Li Xingming…

That person groaned painfully, forcibly toppled as he collapsed to the ground…

Li Xingming leapt right up and threw himself on him, pressing down on his back with a knee and hooking his neck with his sturdy elbow even as he raised his other hand and struck down with an unforgiving flurry of blows…

“Don’t hit the back of his head!” Xu Tingsheng reminded even as he turned and charged off towards the 3v1.

Logically speaking, three versus one should be a huge advantage. Still, this trio did not know how to fight. Their goal actually seemed to be...keeping him locked in a bear hug with all their might so as to render him immobile. In the end, trying their best to secure him in their clutches, they all ended up getting bashed by his elbows instead.

The person who was fighting one versus three realised that the other side was composed purely of rookies. Feeling rather excited after managing to break free, he was just about to put his true strength on display when...Xu Tingsheng rushed in, leapt and kneed him right in the abdomen.

Poor ‘Mr Expert’ clutched his stomach as he doubled over in agony…

Their spectators stayed a comfortable distance away, watching on in their individual groups.

“The heck...that’s crazy awesome! Who’s that?” Some guy asked his classmates beside him.

“You only have to look at the car to know. It’s that Xu Sheng’s lot!” A classmate pointed at the white BMW and replied.

“Well, it was long coming then. It’s just…” Someone else seemed about to say that Xu Sheng and his gang were not to be provoked easily, being relatively well-known even in those fights which would occur in university from time to time.

“No, who’s that other guy, I mean? He’s crazy awesome…” That first guy asked once more.

Before he could receive a reply, a female student a distance away was already crying out, “Xu Tingsheng, that’s Xu Tingsheng, right?”

“Wah, senior knows how to fight too...so cool!” Another girl had an infatuated expression on her face as it seemed like him knowing how to fight had added yet more points to her impression of the legendary entrepreneur, Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng.

“Xu Tingsheng is fighting too? That’s not good, right? The principal’s even spoken of him as a role model…”

Those more rational girls were rather more politically correct in their areas of consideration.

The spirited voices of discussion grew increasingly louder along the road connecting the C district and the teaching buildings.

Standing together with a few of her roommates, Lu Zhixin’s heart twinged slightly. She could not help but smile wryly at this. Just which version of Xu Tingsheng was the real one, exactly? The many sides that he had already shown previously-were they not enough? How was it that that he was even involved in fights now…

“This is how you’re supposed to fight, get it?”

Xu Tingsheng was currently in high spirits as he gave the trio who were unschooled in the art of fighting some pointers. Immediately afterwards, he found himself locked in a bear grip from behind as even his arms were caught...crawling up for the second time, Xu Sheng had immediately gone for him from the back…

That person whom Xu Tingsheng had just mightily bashed with his knee followed up at once as he got up and punched Xu Tingsheng right in the face.

Blood leaked out from the corner of Xu Tingsheng’s mouth.

Startled cries could be heard from the crowd.

Some people winced in empathy.

Xu Tingsheng kicked that guy in front of him away before sucking in his stomach and wrenching his right hand back, trying to strike Xu Sheng behind him with his elbow. Still, clearly also being experienced in fights, his opponent wisely kept his head lowered below shoulder level, leaving him securely locked down and rendering that retaliation meaningless.

As his elbow skimmed over his opponent’s head and struck nothing but air, Xu Tingsheng’s heart tensed in apprehension.

Fortunately, the guy in front of him was suppressed by Zhang Ninglang’s trio once more.

“What! Damn!” Xu Sheng who had been concentrating solely on exerting strength with his arms suddenly yelled tragically.

Damn, really? Xu Tingsheng mightily stomped on the sandal-clad Xu Sheng behind him without so much as a backward glance...this was the footpower of the mainstay of Yanzhou University’s football team.

As Xu Sheng reeled in pain, Xu Tingsheng made use of the chance to break free of his clutches.

The two of them were left face to face once more. Xu Tingsheng prepared to charge in once again…

“Wait!” Xu Sheng raised his hands defensively before his face, saying, “Stop, timeout! ...You, you’re Xu Tingsheng?”

Having had his name called, with the other party ceasing his resistance, Xu Tingsheng could only grudgingly stop as well as he rubbed his face and nodded, replying, “Yes, I am. Still, this has nothing to do with anything, right?”

“No, how is this matter related to you? You just suddenly charged in and attacked,” Xu Sheng asked uncomprehendingly, feeling rather wronged.

“Zhang Ninglang is my roommate and bro. What you did before, and what you just did. Need I say more?” Xu Tingsheng pointed at Zhang Ninglang and said.

Only then did realisation dawn upon Xu Sheng as a chill overwhelmed him. If the other party had been anyone else of Room 602, he would probably not have overlooked it. Still, Zhang Ninglang was usually too low key and lacked a sense of presence such that no one on Xu Sheng’s side had even stopped to consider if he might have anyone standing behind him…

Xu Tingsheng was obviously not so easy to deal with…

Thoughts flashed through Xu Sheng’s mind before he composed himself and said, “I know how great you are. Still, I’m not afraid...if you really want to fight, we can. Still, I’m just chasing a girl here. Is chasing girls illegal?”

He worded this in an intelligent manner, wanting to preserve his image even as he expressed his desire to stop the fight so as to not look like a wuss.

Xu Tingsheng earnestly thought for a moment before replying, “I wouldn’t know if it’s illegal. It isn’t like I’m a policeman, anyway.”

Xu Sheng was rendered speechless by this. Still, being an intelligent person, he was adept at switching his strategy as he pondered for a moment before thinking up a way to get out of the fight.

Deftly avoiding the topic, he instead said, “Fine. Let’s neither of us let the school interfere over what’s happened today. Even if they investigate, I have my ways, and I believe that you’re surely more than capable of that too...I’ve long heard of Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng. Considering how it’s talent that you’re famous for, how about we play something more cultured?”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback by his proposal, “From martial arts to the refined arts?”

“I started a band last year,” Xu Sheng said, sounding full of himself, “And my band can be considered rather famous in our university. So, anyway. I will be performing in the freshman welcoming party in a few days. I’ll be singing an original to confess to junior over there...that’s well within my rights, isn’t it? It’s not like you can charge up on stage to beat me up.”

Ever since Rebirth had appeared from Yanzhou University, bands and music had been really pretty popular within the school.

Xu Sheng was wealthy and loved the limelight. The band which he had formed was really relatively well-known, even though he and his guitar were a bit more like an adornment.

“Let’s compete in this then. With so many audience members there at the time, they’ll naturally know who’s best. Right, if you yourself can’t do it, it doesn’t matter even if you pay money and hire Rebirth,” Xu Sheng said as he looked at Xu Tingsheng.

As Xu Sheng saw it, however rich Xu Tingsheng might be, Rebirth was famous for not caring about money.

In spending most of his time gallivanting, Xu Sheng had truly overlooked quite a few things...Xu Tingsheng had previously admitted to some of his classmates and friends that he was acquainted with Rebirth. Still, Xu Sheng was clearly blissfully oblivious of this.

“Ah...whatever, fine,” Robbed of his fun, Xu Tingsheng rather reluctantly agreed.

Chapter 415: Women like these must be governed

On seeing that Xu Tingsheng’s matter had been peacefully resolved, with her mood rather complex, Lu Zhixin finally called for her roommates to be on their way.

“Aren’t you going to go see how he’s doing?” One of her roommates asked.

Lu Zhixin hesitated slightly. Whatever her stance might be now, it was true that she was still concerned about Xu Tingsheng. In the eyes of others, the relationship between them had never changed too.

“Our lesson’s starting. Let’s go! Huh, who cares about him, acting so immature,” Lu Zhixin gave a bit of a perfunctory reply, with blame evident in her tone.

“Hey, Xu Tingsheng, our Zhixin says you’re too immature! She’s not caring about you anymore!” An exceptionally cheerful roommate of hers yelled towards Xu Tingsheng far off in the distance.

Xu Tingsheng smiled and waved to show that everything was fine.

It was truly an unprecedented occasion indeed as those of Room 602 collectively showed up to class without exception, all marked by the traces of a fight. Some of them had swollen faces, while others had bloodstains at the corner of their mouth. Even the most intact ones were basically all dishevelled from the earlier conflict.

Only now did Xu Tingsheng feel a bit awkward as he hunched up in the corner of the room, not daring to raise his head too much.

After attending the two morning lessons, a little before 10am, Xu Tingsheng called Fu Cheng on the way back to his dormitory and told him about Zhang Ninglang’s matter and what Xu Sheng had decided on. Then, he sent Fu Cheng Zhang Ninglang’s mobile number, basically leaving things all to him.

This artistic young man and Zhang Ninglang could now discuss their handling of this matter between themselves.

When lunchtime came, Xu Tingsheng and his roommates sat there loafing around, casually chatting.

Li Xingming called Xu Tingsheng out alone and requested to borrow some money from him while appearing truly reluctant and unwilling to do so.

“How much?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Twenty thousand,” Li Xingming said.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before replying, “I can lend you the money, but you have to give me a reason first. From what I know, your family is quite healthy financially and provide you with quite sufficient living expenses too. I think you also had a sum saved up earlier...why are you in need of money? You’ve got to tell me that.”

“My, my family is in urgent need of money. I want to help them out a bit,” Li Xingming explained.

“That’s not what I’m asking,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Li Xingming gave no reply.

“What about your own money then? ...This is related to Yu Yayang, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked two consecutive questions.

Li Xingming’s expression turned unnatural all at once as he explained rather desperately, “She, she previously said that she wanted to open a store in town but didn’t have enough money. I, I lent her the twenty thousand that I had saved up.”

Being able to save up twenty thousand yuan as a university student was actually quite a laudable feat in this day and age. Still, Xu Tingsheng was surely not going to praise him. The fool had withdrawn the full twenty thousand just like that.

“What happened then? How did the store go?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“In the end, she didn’t open that store,” Li Xingming said.

“What about the money? She never returned it?”

“I…”

“You felt embarrassed asking for it back?”

“With my family urgently trying to gather money everywhere, I could really care less about face, actually. I did ask her for the money back...the texts are still here…”

Li Xingming took out his phone. Xu Tingsheng grabbed it at once.

The conversation between the two was very long. The silly Li Xingming had saved the several hundred texts that had been exchanged between them, not bearing to delete a single one. Xu Tingsheng just skipped straight to the final part.

Li Xingming pleaded for Yu Yayang to return him the money very awkwardly and desperately, with his attitude virtually like that of a beggar’s.

What Yu Yayang constantly repeated was:

“I never once asked to borrow money from you. It was you who insisted on giving it to me as soon as you heard me mentioning it.”

“Do you have an IOU?”

“I’ve spent it all.”

This girl might already have realised that it was impossible for her to latch onto Xu Tingsheng or Tan Yao through her relationship with Li Xingming. She had already extracted all the benefits she could out of Li Xingming. And so, there was no need for her to feign niceties anymore.

Twenty thousand yuan was not a small sum in this era.

Li Xingming continued pleading like a beggar, “Can you return me ten thousand then? My family is really in urgent need of money! Please, I really need it. Just ten thousand. I can give up on the other ten thousand. I’ll never mention it again in the future, alright?”

Yu Yayang’s reply to that was, “I won’t transfer you a single cent. Let’s put it this way. Stop bothering me already! My conscience is clear, anyway. Oh, and by the way, it’s really too disgusting, how you actually even have the face to ask for the money back. Thank you, for finally letting me see what kind of man you are.”

She was actually righteously criticising Li Xingming’s manhood now...this woman was just so shameless and self-absorbed one could not help but shake their head.

Xu Tingsheng returned Li Xingming his phone, telling him, “I’ll lend you that money. After that, you have two options regarding this matter. The first is to accept that you were a freaking fool and learn from this experience. Alternatively, I’ll get my company’s lawyer and sue her for you.”

“Sue her?"

“You have transaction records and these text messages. With our legal prowess, you’ll have a good chance of winning.”

“No, that’s not what I’m worried about. I’m afraid that if things blow up...could her reputation be damaged as a result?”

“That’s exactly what we want! Whether we win or lose the lawsuit, her reputation will be in tatters. This kind of woman fully deserves it.”

“I…” Li Xingming dared not look Xu Tingsheng directly in the face as he scratched his head, stammering, “Let me think about it a bit more…”

The dude was actually hesitating even at this stage. Xu Tingsheng really felt like slapping him.

“Sorry, Bro Xu, I…”

Li Xingming looked rather timidly at Xu Tingsheng.

While this matter was clearly unrelated to him, Xu Tingsheng just felt greatly stifled, like a blood clot had formed in his chest...damn it! Having been thoroughly played by some bitch, he was going to accept it just like that?

“If there was a third option, would you consider it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Li Xingming immediately looked up, his eyes shining as he looked hopefully at Xu Tingsheng, “There’s still a third option?”

“Accept the loss of that twenty thousand yuan. I’ll find back your face for you and get her fully subservient to you for a while. How about it?”

“What? Can you do that?”

“I’ll pretend that I don’t know anything at all and casually mention entering Hucheng to her when I happen to run into her. I’ll say that my assistant position is vacant and connect this to you. She will definitely come looking for you...after that, you grasp the opportunity yourself.”

“Then, if she really turns good, that assistant position of yours…”

“Assistant your sister. Don’t make me sick!”

“So…?”

“I only mentioned it. Is there a contract or an agreement? Sorry, the position has already been filled. Even if she does enter, there’s still an internship period. We can still get rid of her then ...anyway, tell me when you’ve seen her true colours and have gotten tired of her. You can tell her: thank you for finally letting me see what kind of woman you are...get her vomiting blood!”

Xu Tingsheng was actually following the very same logic Yu Yayang had used to stymie and mock Li Xingming in her texts.

Hence giving her a taste of her own medicine.

Li Xingming was still rather hesitant.

“This kind of woman will only ever desire more and more. You won’t be able to satisfy her,” Xu Tingsheng struck the final, heavy blow.

Li Xingming thought about it before saying, “In that case, I’ll wait for her to come look for me.”

“You won’t fall for it? You won’t end up getting totally fooled and owned by her again, right?”

“Never again.”

“Good.”

Xu Tingsheng ‘very coincidentally’ ran into Yu Yayang during lunchtime. He smiled and greeted her, next continuing on his way before suddenly pretending to recall something.

He called for Yu Yayang to stop and told her, “Right, Miss Yu? I heard that you previously said that you were interested in coming to gain experience at Hucheng? It’s like this. My assistant was recently transferred away to become a Director. I wonder if...never mind, you have your meal. I’ll just tell Li Xingming about this. He is the most enthusiastic regarding your matters, anyway.”

With that, without giving Yu Yayang any time to react at all, Xu Tingsheng exited the canteen.

Less than half an hour later, Li Xingming told Xu Tingsheng that he had received a text from Yu Yayang. Besides expressing her feelings of guilt, she had also invited him for dinner that night.

……

When a woman was too greedy, they would have a weakness to capitalise on.

Greed itself was not all that wrong. If one acted too shamelessly, however, they had to be governed.

Chapter 416: Shop for sale

Wednesday, 7pm. While there should have been many customers coming in for dinner, no lights could be seen in the Xiang family’s Home-Cooked Food. Seeing the pitch blackness from the distance, those potential customers could only leave dejectedly, looking for someplace else.

“Why aren’t they open? Their business is clearly doing very well,” Someone inquired curiously.

“You don’t know about it? They’ve been targeted out of jealousy. A few waves of people came today. They couldn’t go on operating,” A frequent customer helped to explain their situation.

All this had happened within the span of a single day.

First, the city management had come claiming that the restaurant's signboard and lights were not in line with regulations. Without giving any advice regarding how to remedy this at all, they had directly removed and brought these items all away...a while later, Devilspawn Jun had come looking for trouble with his gang and beat up one of their chefs.

In the afternoon, some people from the commerce and hygiene bureaus had respectively come knocking and stripped the restaurant of its operating permit and hygiene certification.

Within the span of a single day, Home-Cooked Food had collapsed.

The door of the restaurant was shut tightly as Mr and Mrs Xiang along with Mr and Mrs Niu were sitting inside with gloomy looks on their faces.

There was a lot of food on the table. They wouldn't be able to resume operations that day anyway, and it seemed that the next day was just as unlikely. As the groceries they had bought that morning would go to waste otherwise, Mrs Xiang had ended up simply cooking it all.

Still, none of the four had any appetite at all.

This meal had a bit of the 'before we go our separate ways’ vibe.

Old Niu and Old Xiang opened a bottle of wine, not eating as they simply drank to forget about their troubles. Soon, the two were quite inebriated.

Old Niu's face was full of despondence and unwillingness.

Old Xiang's face was very visibly conflicted.

Their expressions were mirrored by their wives as Mrs Niu looked despairing and Mrs Xiang seemed conflicted.

“To have it end this way…” Old Niu sighed helplessly.

“But what can we do anyway? Be it underworld influence or power in society, we've got neither...just why is it that doing business is so difficult?!” Mrs Niu exclaimed before getting up and whipping out her phone, “Whatever, anything's better than doing nothing. I'll call around, see if we have any friends or relatives with connections.”

Mrs Niu walked outside, phone to her ear.

“Nope! My family's been farmers for eighteen generations,” Old Niu sighed, next asking, “Right, does your family have any connections, Old Xiang? Now's not the time to be holding back on such things. This is not just about earning money. Everything our two families have has been invested into this. Also, if we have to swallow this blatant oppression just like that, we'll surely never be able to get over it!”

Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged glances very unnaturally before helplessly turning away, lowering their heads and remaining silent.

Of course the Xiang family did have connections. Also, it was the kind that would virtually be able to resolve the problem for sure. The problem was that right now, they just could not get themselves to ask Xu Tingsheng for help no matter what. Such would really wound their pride too much.

Whatever it was that Xu Tingsheng had done for the Xiang family before, Mr and Mrs Xiang had never actually asked it of him, not even once. In the case of that flat, the two were even clenching their teeth and working their socks off...they would pay him back the money for sure.

The two of them were very stubborn and firm in their convictions. This could be a double-edged sword.

“Sigh, never mind. It seems there's really nothing we can do then.”

Old Niu poured and downed a glass of wine. The eyes of this forty-year-old man were actually rather red at this point, both from sorrow and from anger.

“I'm gonna go to the toilet. Let's get dead drunk tonight, the both of us. We can talk about how to get the store sold tomorrow...I don't even know if it's still possible now…” Old Niu rose.

Old Niu encountered his wife in the toilet.

As they were husband and wife, this should logically be nothing. Still, for some reason Old Niu could not understand, his wife's expression turned very strange all of a sudden. Besides worry, excitement was actually visible on her face too.

“What? Did you take the wrong medicine?” Due to his anger, Old Niu’s tone was naturally a bit unhappy.

“No, that’s not it,” His wife leaned over and whispered into his ear, “I heard something just now. There’s hope…”

“What? Did we have relatives like these?”

Old Niu had spoken a bit loudly here. His wife immediately covered his mouth with a hand and indicated for him to speak more softly.

Old Niu was left confounded by this.

“Not us. It’s the Xiang family,” Mrs Niu said.

“The Xiang family? That’s impossible! Their relatives are not doing all that much better than us. Also, if they really had connections, would the Xiang couple still keep them hidden and not use them at this stage?” Old Niu did not believe it.

“It’s true! The guy’s surnamed Xu, you’ve seen him before. That teacher of Little Ning’s when the Xiang family treated everyone to a meal…” Mrs Niu said.

Old Niu recalled it as he commented, “So young, and just a teacher...what use would he be? And even if this person really has the capabilities, isn’t it that even people who’re especially close might not be willing to try their best to help in such matters?”

“He’ll definitely be able to help, and he’ll definitely help too,” Smiling excitedly, Mrs Niu declared confidently, “I would never have known about this if someone hadn’t told me about it. Really, the Xiang couple. What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

The couple had never heard about those rumours about the Xiang family’s relationship with Xu Tingsheng before. As everyone knew that their two families were on very good terms and Old Niu was known for his quick temper, no one had dared to mention this matter in front of them.

“What exactly is this about? Speak clearly, don’t beat around the bush,” Feeling increasingly bemused, Old Niu asked impatiently.

“It’s that young Mr Xu from that day! He’s a big boss and famous in the entire country. Who would have thought? Let me tell you…” Mrs Niu excitedly narrated what she had just learnt about Xu Tingsheng.

Old Niu clicked his tongue in astonishment before enquiring, “And he will definitely help us?”

“Yes, definitely,” His wife next whispered into his ear, “Why do you think the Xiang couple is embarrassed about making use of this connection? ...Their future son-in-law’s cherishing their precious daughter like a princess…”

Old Niu’s mouth was wide open for a long time before he finally broke out of his daze, asking, “How old is Little Ning?”

His wife thought about it before answering, “Sixteen, I think? Maybe the Xiang couple isn’t willing to make use of this relationship because they think that their daughter is too young.”

“Well, she isn’t that young. Wasn’t Youmei around the same age when the two of them got together?” Old Niu hesitated for a while before venturing, “So this...is actually a good thing.”

“Right, it is a good thing. Based on our relationship with the Xiang family, it’s a wonderful thing for our family too,” Mrs Niu exclaimed excitedly.

“Let’s get this matter settled first. I’ll go find Old Xiang. Really, he...the issue is so serious that even my tears felt ready to leak. And he still wasn’t going to say anything! I’m off to settle this with him.”

Old Niu was just about to stalk off when his wife pulled him back.

“You can’t do it this way! The Xiang family would just be even more embarrassed and unwilling. Here, watch how I do it.”

Mrs Niu pulled out her handphone battery.

The Niu couple returned one after another.

A short while later, Mrs Niu claimed that her handphone had run out of battery and borrowed Mrs Xiang’s, saying that she wanted to contact more people to ask around for any potential solutions.

Mr Xiang did not find this any strange. Mrs Niu had really made quite a few calls that night. It was only understandable that her phone had run out of battery. What he was perplexed about, really, was how Old Niu’s mood seemed to have improved greatly ever since returning from the toilet. It was not just better-Mr Xiang had even spied him smiling secretly to himself a few times.

……

“Hello, Auntie?”

“Hello. Oh, I’m not Youmei. Are you that Xu Tingsheng?”

“Yes, I am. And you are?”

“I’m from the Niu family. You may not know, but we opened a restaurant with the Xiang family.”

“Oh, hi, Auntie. Yes, I know about that. Is there…”

“It’s like this…”

“...Got it. You can rest assured, Auntie. I’ll take care of this matter.”

Hanging up the call that Mrs Niu had made from Mrs Xiang’s phone, Xu Tingsheng pondered for a time before helplessly forcing a smile. Mr and Mrs Xiang’s temperament really was somewhat troublesome. He definitely could not get on their bad side again.

And then Xu Tingsheng dialled five, six numbers consecutively…

If he had still needed to borrow the power and influence of others before, those of the Black Horse Club could mostly be considered as having become part of his own power base now.

This was actually one of the reasons behind him having previously invested so much effort in this.

Regardless, those were no ordinary figures that night who were alerted over the troubles of a small, simple restaurant in Yanzhou City.

……

Early the next morning, the four bosses of the Xiang and Niu families had only just congregated when the bosses of the restaurants next to them entered together and exclaimed exaggeratedly, “Wow, what happened? We’ve only been neighbours for a while; we haven’t yet interacted for as long as we’d like. But you’re closing down already?”

Mr Xiang immediately glanced at Old Niu, afraid that he would be unable to suppress his fury. Unexpectedly, however, Old Niu did not seem enraged at all.

“We’ve come bearing a little present for you this time. Don’t stand on ceremony; just treat it as a parting gift to a neighbour.”

Having blatantly come to rub salt into their wounds, the two bosses arrogantly went on with their playacting as they were full of themselves.

One of them pulled out a piece of red paper and opened it. On it was written large characters in calligraphy that read: Shop For Sale.

Even Mr Xiang was somewhat infuriated by this as he shot up from his seat.

To his surprise, Old Niu actually smiled as he stood up, taking that piece of paper and pasting it on the door before jovially exclaiming, “Why thank you! There’s nothing much we can serve you, sires, but please sit down for a cup of tea...or wine if you’d like.”

Chapter 417: We’re family

The bosses of the two restaurants next door sat down for real, perhaps wishing to revel in their ‘victory’ and slowly relish the tragic ending to the family business of the Xiang and Niu familities.

Just after the tea had started to boil, Devilspawn Jun entered Home-Cooked Food with his gang in tow.

The two bosses both straightened their backs confidently on seeing them. These were their people.

“Bro Jun!” One of them waved a hand and rose to greet him, “Really, let me put in a word for the bosses of this restaurant. Please be lenient and tolerate their former insensibilities, Bro Jun.”

It was just as though he was speaking on behalf of the Xiang and Niu families who should even be grateful to them.

“Your mother, hoodwinking this old man. I’ll look for you two later!” Devilspawn Jun ground his teeth and said in a barely audible tone.

Then, he modified his expression and turned towards Mr Xiang and Old Niu, saying in a very respectful tone, “Sorry for what happened before. I was blind and ignorant. Please, spare me."

After saying so, Devilspawn Jun pulled out a wad of cash and placed it on the table before the bemused, quizzical gazes of the two bosses from next door.

“This is twenty thousand in compensation for your chef. We will come by to apologise in person when he returns.”

Another wad was dropped.

“This is what we cheated from the store before, repaid tenfold.”

Yet another wad.

“This is compensation for affecting your business.”

Finally, Devilspawn Jun lowered his head and forced out an apology to Mr Xiang and Old Niu, “Please be merciful, bosses. I really didn’t know before...I was instigated by these two. I was a damned fool.”

Now, Devilspawn Jun pointed at the two beside him, saying, “I will definitely settle the score with them later.”

Those two shivered a little at this, still in an uncomprehending daze. Really, what in the world was going on here?

Mr Xiang was even more bemused as he looked quizzically at Devilspawn Jun’s gang, asking, “What do you mean be merciful and spare you? We should be the ones saying this to you, Bro Jun. And this money…”

Old Niu kept quiet and watched on in amusement.

Mr Xiang was actually speaking sincerely and not being sarcastic at all. He was on tenterhooks right now, not knowing what kind of trick the other party was trying to pull in suddenly acting like this.

Still, Devilspawn Jun took this as Mr Xiang intentionally refuting him, being unwilling to spare him.

A conflicted Devilspawn Jun hesitated for a while before, against everyone’s expectations, gritting his teeth and bowing deeply to Mr Xiang, his head reaching knee level. As for his lackeys behind him, they were basically all kneeling by now.

“Boss Xiang, Boss Niu, state any conditions you want. Please, just give us a way out!” Devilspawn Jun pleaded in a low tone.

He too wished to be stubborn and unyielding. It was not like he had never risked his life before as he navigated the dark side of society. Still, as he had come to be doing pretty well, his spirit of bravely putting his life on the line had naturally faded over time. Moreover, the one who had contacted him yesterday had been Starry Splendour’s Wu Kun.

In Yanzhou, this entailed an existence that gangsters of his level could not hope to stand up to at all.

Just last night, somebody had suddenly come looking for them, saying that Wu Kun wanted to see them.

As a street thug in Yanzhou, it was impossible to not know Wu Kun. No one would dare to not know of him too...if one wished to survive in the long run, they naturally had to know who they absolutely could not provoke.

It was with doubt and unease that Devilspawn Jun’s gang had gone to Starry Splendour. Along the way, in order to ease their nervousness, they had even comforted one another for a while, “We’ve always been very careful. It’s impossible that we’d aggravate Bro Kun...maybe it’s a good thing? Bro Kun intends to give us an opportunity?”

That fantasy of theirs had been dispelled very quickly. Right after stepping into Starry Splendour, they had all been soundly beaten up.

Wu Kun knew of and had seen Little Xiang Ning before. Thus, after learning that one of the bosses of Home-Cooked Food was surnamed Xiang, he had immediately realised the severity of this matter. If not for the fact that Xu Tingsheng had repeatedly instructed him not to blow this matter out of proportion, it would have become very major indeed. It would not just have ended as easily as with a mere beating and warning.

When Wu Kun had finally told Devilspawn Jun that the reason for this lay with Home-Cooked Food, that they had provoked someone whom they could afford to provoke even less than him, Devilspawn Jun’s mental state had just fallen apart completely.

He was very much tempted to find the two bosses of Home-Cooked Food and have a good chat with them.

“If your background is so crazy, what are you doing, running a small restaurant? Also, why didn’t you say it earlier? You should have done that! What’s with the suffering of injustices, apologising and compensating us time and time again? Just to dig a pit for us to fall into and get us buried?”

This was the reason behind them all having come to Home-Cooked Food early in the morning and speaking in such a deferential, submissive manner, caring not even for their own image.

No one knew if Wu Kun had really buried people before, if he often threw people into the Yanzhou River for real. That was how the rumours went, anyway. Ever since he had started rising to prominence by betting with his very life in his early twenties, countless versions of his viciousness had circulated. The more these stories had spread, the more terrifying they had become.

Having no way at all of ascertaining if the other party was serious, Mr Xiang directed an enquiring gaze at Old Xiang…

Old Niu simply got up and said politely, “Well, Bro Jun, it’s good that this misunderstanding is resolved. We will still be doing business around here in the future. Please take care of us.”

Devilspawn Jun looked up, his eyes radiating light, “That’s for sure! I will look after this restaurant like I do my own house in the future. If you have anything, just say it! Um…”

Old Niu straightened his back and laughed, suddenly feeling a bit like he was speaking loftily from a position of superiority as he made sure to say in a cool and magnanimous manner, “It’s fine. It wasn’t that serious anyway.”

“Thank you, thank you very much! ...Um, can we take our leave first? These two…”

Devilspawn Jun was pointing at those two bosses from next door who were sitting there uneasily, wanting to leave yet not being able to.

“See you, Bro Jun. These two bosses would like to stay behind and have some tea,” Old Niu said.

Devilspawn Jun’s actions left the two bosses from next door feeling ill at ease and totally out of their element by the time he left. Still, having heard Old Niu’s words earlier, they knew that they could not leave, having to stay behind to ‘have some tea’.

Sitting back down, Old Niu looked at them, asking, “How about some wine instead? Don’t worry, there’s more…”

Right after he had said that, the team from City Management that had removed and taken away their signboard and lights just the previous day arrived.

Two representatives of theirs came in and apologised. The ones who were outside readied their tools and got to work connecting the lights and putting up the signboard.

Since when had City Management started serving the public like this?

The ones inside and the passers-by outside were all dumbfounded.

The two bosses from next door were on the verge of bursting into tears.

Two of the ‘four routines’ had been resolved in so short a time. Also, the people in question had lowered their heads so meekly, as if bowing helplessly to authority that could not be challenged. The two bosses were already basically aware now that they had stirred up a hornet’s nest. The situation was already totally out of their control by now as they were fully at the mercy of these two couples.

They too could not understand how these two families which had clearly seemed so easy to bully before were actually such bigshots, possessing both underworld influence and power in society.

Also...they were truly very adept at suffering in silence.

Some things just could not be forgone no matter what. The two poured some tea, intending to get up and express their apologies.

The people from the commerce and hygience bureaus arrived together. The same two groups of people who had arrogantly taken away their permits just yesterday now respectfully returned the operating permit and hygiene certification to them.

While there was naturally no need for them to worry about their livelihoods like Devilspawn Jun, their future prospects...would still cause them to lower their heads. Moreover, receiving bribes and acting unethically also inevitably weighed on their conscience.

Those from the bureaucracy were already deigning to lower their statuses and respectfully apologise. Normal citizens like Mr Xiang and Old Niu would naturally reciprocate with due respect.

The fact that Old Niu and Mr Xiang had not made things difficult for them caused the three groups of people from City Management as well as the commerce and hygience bureaus to collectively heave a sigh of relief. This tiny little resaurant had led to numerous calls from their higher-ups in the city…

...That had really been too terrifying.

The three groups of people all apologised repeatedly before leaving behind their numbers and promising that anything which happened to the restaurant in the future would be their problem, which they would definitely try their best to help resolve as quickly and efficiently as they could.

When all was said and done, they left.

And so it was that on this morning, in less than two hours, the situation had undergone a total reversal.

Yesterday, four groups of people had come, virtually causing Home-Cooked Food to collapse overnight.

Today, four groups of people had come, and the restaurant had regained its footing. Also, all who knew about this incident understood that it would be an unshakeable entity in the future.

Finally, only the six of them remained.

This included the joyful Mrs Xiang, Mr Xiang who was frowning in deep thought, the Niu couple who were smiling inwardly with the corners of their mouths arching unconsciously upwards and the two bosses from next door, whose faces were ashen and bitter as they knew that they were really in for it this time.

“Well, so many things have happened this fine morning. What a real spectacle, huh?” Old Niu smiled, saying.

“We, we…”

“Goodbye now. The tea’s cold, and we still have to notify our employees to come to work,” Mr Xiang said in a cold, indifferent manner, his temper not sated.

“Boss Niu, Boss Xiang, please...is there really no room for discussion here?” The two bosses from next door asked woodenly.

“Did you ever give us room for discussion? ...Goodbye. When you came over this morning, a jolly good mood you were in! Haha, who would have thought, huh!” Mrs Niu exclaimed angrily too, never having been the sort of person to say things in a roundabout manner.

The two sighed and walked towards the exit while cursing inwardly.

Even if the Xiang and Niu families did not act against them after this, the days ahead of them would not be good. Those four groups of people from earlier had previously been under their employ in a sense. Whether to win impression points before the Xiang and Niu families or to take revenge on them over this matter, they would immediately end up becoming devils that hastened their own demise instead from here on out.

“Right, please help to tear off that piece of paper on your way out, you two bosses!” Old Niu yelled.

Hearty laughter erupted behind them that caused the two to grit their teeth. Still, they lacked sufficient courage to not tear it off…

‘Shop For Sale’. It had been they who had delivered the words here just over an hour ago. And now, even if they pasted this on their own doors as soon as they got back, it might not be able to resolve the problem fully.

……

With the two having departed, those of the Xiang and Niu families sat there with bright smiles on their faces.

The only difference, though, was that Mr and Mrs Xiang still looked puzzled.

“Which of your relatives is so capable, Old Niu? How about we stay closed today, and you invite the person over for a meal so that we can properly thank him?” Mrs Xiang said earnestly.

The Niu couple were barely holding back their laughter as they looked at each other.

“If we want to invite him, it should be you who does it. Our family isn’t in position enough to do that,” Knowing that this matter definitely had to be told to them sooner or later, Mrs Niu simply decided to reveal it now.

“It’s no stranger at all. You’re family, “Old Niu glanced at Mr and Mrs Xiang and said in a meaningful tone.

With that, Mr Xiang who had already previously considered this possibility got it at once.

“Is he surnamed Xu?” Mr Xiang asked for a final confirmation.

Mrs Niu nodded rather awkwardly.

“How did you get in touch with him?” Mr Xiang asked rather resignedly.

Mrs Niu smiled and pointed at Mrs Xiang’s handphone on the table.

Mrs Xiang grabbed it and looked through it. The phone records were still there. A call had been made with it to Xu Tingsheng last night...Mrs Niu had borrowed her phone at the time.

“You two…”

The expressions of the Xiang couple turned unnatural all at once.

“What’s wrong with that?” Old Niu grinned, “This is a good thing! Youmei’s right. We can stay closed today and invite him over for a meal. Our family has to thank him, and as for yours...there’s really no need to stand on ceremony! You’re family, after all.”

Mr and Mrs Xiang could not very well throw a tantrum at their old friends as they could only force a smile.

They were family, huh? Mr and Mrs Xiang were instantly overcome by the same emotions, “We’ve been through a lot together over the past two years. Even if there were dark clouds before, they’ve all dispersed now…it seems it is high time we see Tingsheng this way, right?”

Chapter 418: The feeling of discussing marriage

The doors of Home-Cooked Food were still closed despite the fact that the lights were on. Pasted on the door outside was a piece of paper which read: Resuming business tomorrow, eighty percent discount. Below that row of words was written the time as they also expressed their apologies to their customers both regular and new.

This piece of calligraphy had been done by Xu Tingsheng, being simply of average standard.

Speaking of calligraphy, Xiang Ning had been much more skilled in it than Xu Tingsheng during her fourth year of university in his previous life. According to her, as she had not been in a relationship during those earlier three years and had had nothing better to do, she had painstakingly trained specifically in it.

She had joined a calligraphy club in her first year of university. Half a year later, the chairman of the calligraphy club had written a ‘thousand character script’ and hung it from a classroom building in his confession to her. That had encompassed the surface of an entire wall.

She had drawn an ‘X’ beneath it and quit the club.

Afterwards, she had simply self-learnt calligraphy.

Xu Tingsheng hadn’t believed her at the time, thinking that Xiang Ning was really not the kind of person who could quieten down and practise calligraphy in the first place. An angry Miss Xiang had taken brush to paper and demonstrated her abilities to him right there and then.

She had employed the ‘Slender Gold’ style of calligraphy that had been created by Emperor Huizong of Song, Zhao Ji, that possessed a very high level of difficulty. While Miss Xiang’s calligraphy was not at the level of an expert’s, she had indeed attained a certain level of proficiency in it.

This was why single girls were usually more likely to be more on the talented side. There was no other reason for this but that they just had too much free time.

Xu Tingsheng naturally still remembered what Miss Xiang had reproduced at the time had been <> that had been penned by Lu You for his ex-wife. This piece of calligraphy had later remained with him, accompanying him over the next three destitute years of solitude.

A cupful of melancholy, several years of separation; Our oath to each other remains, yet I can no longer profess my love. These two sentences of ominous prophecy had sadly been fulfilled.

……

They had dinner that night not in one of the compartmented private rooms but in the hall of the restaurant itself. As there was too much food, four whole square tables were needed to contain all of it, though there were clearly only five of them.

Xu Tingsheng had actually received the notification in the afternoon. Still, being just too nervous, it had not even been 5pm when he had arrived at the restaurant.

Since there had already been more than enough wine and food there at the time, Mrs Xiang and Mrs Niu had continued with their work in the kitchen while Xu Tingsheng had helped with that bit of calligraphy before sitting down with Mr Xiang and Old Niu. There, they had consumed alcohol as they waited.

This meal was actually more troubling for Xu Tingsheng than all the previous ones. Little Xiang Ning was not by his side this time. Although she was just a young girl, when she was absent and he had to face Mr and Mrs Xiang all by himself, the discrepancy really was quite great.

The feeling of a sole soldier striving bravely in battle…

He even had to undergo his alcohol battles all alone.

The friendly Old Niu patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, saying, “You should call me Uncle Niu like Little Ning does.”

Then, he laughed heartily, unceasingly downing wine with Xu Tingsheng having no choice but to follow suit.

Mr Xiang also seemed very prepared to get drunk that day.

Speaking of wine, if this had been anywhere else, Xu Tingsheng might not be willing to drink excessively even if it was one of Yanzhou City’s top government officials who had raised their wineglasses. Yet, whenever either of the two raised their glasses, he dared not but drink along with them…

53 degree white wine, swallowing at least close to half a glass each time…

When Mrs Xiang and Mrs Xiu came and got seated, the three men at the table were all already somewhat inebriated.

Xu Tingsheng and Old Niu had an arm around each other’s shoulders, chatting enthusiastically and addressing each other as bros.

Actually, he was already more or less talking uninhibitedly with Mr Xiang now. Xu Tingsheng was fortunately still sober enough, though, that he was not calling him 'bro’. Otherwise, their seniority would have become completely messed up as Little Xiang Ning’s Uncle Liar would literally be of ‘Uncle’ seniority in relation to her.

Most of the food on the table was destined to be wasted. Soon after sitting down, Mrs Xiang picked some dishes that were laid out relatively further away with her chopsticks and placed these in Xu Tingsheng’s bowl, saying, “Don’t keep on drinking with them like that, Tingsheng. Have some food first.”

“Heh, it’s still the mother-in-law who knows to dote on her son-in-law…” Mrs Niu said without thinking, not holding back at all.

Mrs Xiang and Mrs Niu then began bickering in dialect. Not knowing how he should react, Xu Tingsheng ended up lowering his head and shovelling food into his mouth.

Mrs Xiang chuckled as she looked at him, exclaiming, “Slow down, slow down! Really, just like Little Ning…”

She could not have been any more overt in her words.

“Good, this is a good kid!” Old Niu said emotionally, “Cultured, capable, all that aside. Even with his identity, he’s able to drink and chat like this with a coarse person like me, not being any fake at all. This shows that this kid’s personality and character are also very good. Your Xiang family is fortunate! Come, Old Xiang. Let me toast you.”

Mr Xiang raised his wineglass without any hesitation whatsoever and clinked glasses with Old Niu before saying emotionally from the bottom of his heart, “Yes, our Xiang family is fortunate.”

Soon, Mr Xiang poured another glass of wine and raised it, telling Xu Tingsheng, “Tingsheng, Uncle’s not going to say ‘thank you’ to you regarding this matter then. We’re family, after all.”

We’re family. Finally hearing these words from the mouths of Xiang Ning’s parents for the first time, Xu Tingsheng felt exceptionally comfortable within.

“Thank you, Uncle. If there’s anything you guys need help with in the future, whether it’s big or small, you can just yell for me. It’s fine even if it’s that you’re too busy in the kitchen. I can help here too. I’m a pro at peeling potatoes, and also slicing fish…” Xu Tingsheng said shamelessly.

Amidst the ensuing laughter, Xu Tingsheng and Mr Xiang downed a glass of wine.

Mrs Xiang rubbed the back of her husband who had consecutively drunk two glasses of wine, exclaiming, “Look at you! It’s still early. Go easy on the wine now, or you’ll get drunk real fast…”

Mr Xiang stubbornly waved a hand in refusal, pouring himself another glass and pouring some wine for her too as he indicated for her to raise it with him.

Then, he said quite awkwardly, “This glass, Tingsheng, is on account of how Uncle and Auntie treated you unfairly before…”

“Right, Little Ning said that you ended up vomiting blood that time, and I even...did you have a checkup at the hospital afterwards? What did they say?” Mrs Xiang asked concernedly.

“I did. It was nothing major. Don’t worry about it, Auntie,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

The three downed another glass.

By this time, Mr Xiang was already starting to lean back against his chair, muttering repeatedly, “Let me take a break, a break…”

Xu Tingsheng’s head was getting heavy too. Still, he stabilised it with all his might.

There was only Mrs Xiang who was getting increasingly enthusiastic and talkative. Now that that final bit of awkwardness between them had been eliminated, Mrs Xiang was just an ordinary housewife. How could there be nothing that she was concerned and curious about at all?

“I heard from Little Ning that your Mum was the first to spot her Fuxi bone on her forehead?” She asked.

“Ah, right. It happened by coincidence,” Xu Tingsheng answered rather nervously.

“How was it when they met Little Ning afterwards? That girl wasn’t disliked, right?” Mrs Xiang enquired interestedly.

She was already starting to be concerned about the attitudes of her future in-laws. In the eyes of parents, this was a matter that was secondary only to their son-in-law himself. Moreover, with the Xu family’s vast fortune, they were naturally concerned that his parents might be rather difficult to get along with due to wealth and such.

While Xu Tingsheng had never actually asked his parents about this before, he still said unhesitatingly now, “No, Mum and Dad really liked Little Ning. When she often came to accompany me at the time, Mum and Dad said they felt pained too seeing her like this.”

Mrs Xiang exhaled in relief, pondering aloud, “That’s good then. If Little Ning weren’t so young…”

Now, Mrs Niu laughed and interjected, “Heh, isn’t this...the feeling of discussing marriage?”

Only now did Mr and Mrs Xiang suddenly feel self-conscious as they appeared awkward. Wine was a great thing which could break through many barriers. The words that Mr and Mrs Xiang had said today after having rid themselves of their inhibitions with wine virtually entailed that unless Xu Tingsheng committed any major mistake...this thing was virtually already settled.

Chapter 419: Gutter oil

After easing their intake of wine and simply chatting instead, this dinner was still ongoing at 8pm.

Two middle-aged men wearing large leather aprons entered the restaurant.

As the main door was still closed at this time, they should have entered from the small back door. They were clearly acquaintances, though, not strangers.

“Having a drink, Boss Xiang, Boss Niu?” One of them asked.

“Yeah. How about sitting down and having a drink too?” Mr Xiang smiled and asked politely.

“No need, no need,” The two waved their hands in refusal, “We just came to congratulate you on what happened here in the morning. It’s spread everywhere outside! The capabilities of your two families is something that no one could ignore...those two definitely won’t dare to cause trouble for you again.”

“Oh, it’s just enough that our store can continue doing business,” Mrs Xiang said politely.

“Well, why wouldn’t it? Of course it can! And your business will definitely boom!” They said enthusiastically, “We came because we thought that since you will be resuming business tomorrow, how about we help to clear up the stuff in the kitchen? Also, can we continue collecting it in the future?”

“Well of course! Why not? Go on then. Please do a clean job of it! We’ve all had quite a bit to drink, so we won’t be helping you out,” Old Niu waved and responded.

The two thanked them before going to the kitchen with two large buckets in tow.

Finding someone to dispose of their hogwash was actually very normal for restaurants as virtually all of them would be approached regarding this. Xu Tingsheng did not find it any suspicious at all. Still, he just casually inquired, “Are they running a stock breeding farm?”

“...I don’t think so. I’ve never heard them say anything about that,” Old Niu frowned and answered after a moment’s thought.

“What are they collecting that swill for then?” Xu Tingsheng asked curiously.

“God knows. Not only do they collect the swill everyday, they even collect the oil slick from the grease traps in the drainage systems below...I don’t know what it’s used for...but who cares, anyway. It isn’t worth anything anyway. It’s fine since it’s convenient for both us and them.”

Mrs Niu then added, “The swill of quite a number of restaurants here are all collected by them.”

“Not running stock breeding farms, yet collecting swill...more importantly, they even collect the oil slick from grease traps…” A faint thought suddenly flashed through Xu Tingsheng’s woozy head as something now came to mind…

“This couldn’t be, right? The large scale media reports seem to have come during around 2009 or 2010...could it be that the industry already exists now? And in Yanzhou too?” Xu Tingsheng wondered.

What had come to mind for him was gutter oil.

As this was something which concerned everybody, Xu Tingsheng had naturally paid attention to the relevant articles in his previous life. He did not know much about it, though, only knowing that it actually went on in quite a few cities. Several reports on it had continually been published in the years ahead as a reporter had even died because of this.

He did not know that this hidden industry had actually already existed some decades ago, just that it had not yet been exposed by the media at the time.

“They wouldn’t happen to be selling oil too?” Xu Tingsheng feigned casualness as he asked.

“They don’t sell it themselves,” Mr Xiang said, “Still, they did introduce us to someone who sells oil at a very affordable price.”

It was highly probable that this was the case then. This bunch of people was not really covering things up much at all with this still hidden industry of theirs. The ones responsible for collecting the swill had introduced those who sold the oil...there was merely a single step that existed in the chain.

“Are we using the oil that they introduced then?”

Xu Tingsheng had already begun feeling a bit nauseous on hearing Mr Xiang say that the other party’s price was very affordable. Also, this was not a minor problem that just concerned him alone...forcibly tolerating his nausea, Xu Tingsheng rather hastily enquired further into this.

“No, we’re not using that,” Mr Xiang said, “We were indeed moved when hearing the price, but I took a look at it afterwards and it didn’t even have a brand…I daren’t use it. After all, we’re using it for food that goes into people’s mouths.”

Xu Tingsheng sighed in relief, exclaiming, “That’s good then. It’s good that youre not using it. Better not use it, really.”

While he himself did not consciously realise it, Mr and Mrs Xiang and the Niu couple all found his reaction somewhat strange.

“What is it, Tingsheng? Do you think that there is something wrong with that oil? Mrs Xiang asked.

Xu Tingsheng opened his mouth but closed it again, hesitating for a time. It was already basically confirmed now that there was a group of people making gutter oil here. Still, it was precisely because of this that, thinking of that dead reporter and considering the potential risks, Xu Tingsheng dared not let Mr and Mrs Xiang participate in this matter. At the present moment, he did not even wish for them to learn of the gist of it.

“No, it’s nothing. I just agree with what Uncle said. Being in the food business, even if we have to spend a bit more, it is really most important that our customers can eat healthily and with a peace of mind,” Xu Tingsheng said, relaxing his expression somewhat.

“You can rest assured on that,” Mr Xiang smiled and replied, “The two restaurants next door both seem to be using that oil, but we don’t. Still, haven’t we always been earning anyways? Our business is better than theirs too.”

“They’re both using that oil?” Xu Tingsheng sought confirmation again.

“Yeah. When these two people introduced it, they said that those two restaurants are both using it. They’re very satisfied with it too as no problem has cropped up for them when using it,” Old Niu chimed in.

On hearing this, Xu Tingsheng’s knowledge on the situation changed somewhat once again.

Three restaurants at one road junction, and two of them were using it. Even if this was only a special case, it was still sufficient to show that there might already be quite a few businesses currently using gutter oil.

The conclusion: Of all the businesses that Hucheng was linked with via ‘Are You Hungry’ in Yanzhou and the various other cities, a portion of them would almost certainly be related to this…

Their takeaway, Hucheng’s platform...gutter oil…

“We became unwitting accomplices without even realising it...I wish to expose this filthy hidden industry prematurely,” Whether it was out of civic duty and societal responsibility or Hucheng’s own sake, Xu Tingsheng did not have to hesitate very much at all. He would not be waiting for that courageous reporter. He would utilise his own abilities to expose this dark side of society earlier than would otherwise occur.

As for the potential risks, the vengeance of these bands of criminals was already virtually of negligible threat to Xu Tingsheng now.

With his abilities, he would be able to resolve it relatively easily. As for his ability to expose things, as he had Weibo whose user base already surpassed 120 million and was extremely active, Xu Tingsheng virtually surpassed the government and any media entities completely in this respect.

Xu Tingsheng resolved himself inwardly, though no sign of this could visibly be seen on his face.

Meanwhile, the Niu and Xiang families had sensed nothing, having already changed the topic.

“When those two restaurants cannot operate anymore, I say that we rent their places and expand, making a huge restaurant,” A rather inebriated Old Niu proclaimed ambitiously.

“What for? It’s just the same couple of dishes anyway. Wouldn’t it still be the same if the place is bigger? There’re only so many potential customers; and it’s not like they can increase by all that much. It isn’t economical,” Mr Xiang clearly disagreed with Old Niu.

“But bigger is surely better, right? You can’t be thinking of running such a small restaurant your entire life, not wanting to grow all? I still want to be a big boss!” Old Niu rebutted dissatisfiedly.

“If we haven’t anything novel, it doesn’t matter even if it’s big. You’re just thinking too far over your head,” Mr Xiang was dissatisfied too.

The two inebriated men clashed in their differing opinions.

Chapter 420: Braised chicken rice

Old Niu and Mr Xiang argued about this for a long time, both refusing to give in. Fuelled by the alcohol in them, things got more and more heated.

Mrs Xiang and Mrs Niu could do nothing about it but smile wryly as they said, “Alright, stop arguing, the two of you. In terms of business, both of you added together can’t compare to a single finger of Tingsheng’s. With him here, what are you foolishly fighting for? Ask Tingsheng about it and see who’s right!”

“Yeah, what do you think, Tingsheng?” Uncle Niu turned to look at Xu Tingsheng.

“It’s fine, Tingsheng, just say what you think. It doesn’t matter even if I’m wrong,” Mr Xiang added, though the look of anticipation in his eyes clearly showed how this future father-in-law hoped for his viewpoint to be validated.

Now Xu Tingsheng was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Firstly, he definitely could not afford to offend his future father-in-law. Yet, it seemed like Uncle Niu could not be offended too.

“So,” Xu Tingsheng considered this for a moment before saying, “Actually, Uncle and Uncle Niu, the two of you are both right. Firstly, after a business has reached a certain state, an expansion would be necessary for its growth. So, Uncle Niu wasn’t wrong. Still, I feel that a restaurant like ours would actually expand best not by increasing its physical size but through a franchise in opening branch stores elsewhere, even in other cities. Letting others join the franchise is an option too. Otherwise, in the same district where the total number of potential customers is basically constant, just the mere physical expansion of the restaurant alone would not hold much significance.”

His words already somewhat surpassed what Mr Xiang and Old Niu knew of. The two pondered on it for a time. Branch stores, franchises, stores in other cities...whatever. What Old Niu was most concerned about here was that Xu Tingsheng had judged that he was right, that their restaurant should expand.

“See, I was right!” Old Niu exclaimed as he looked triumphantly at Mr Xiang.

Before Mr Xiang could reply, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly interjected, “Actually, Uncle Niu, Uncle is right too. We’re just offering some common dishes right now with nothing very special at all. Ambitiously expanding without any specialities of our own is unfeasible. It’s just too risky.”

Only with that did Mr Xiang’s complexion improve somewhat.

Xu Tingsheng’s ambiguous answer ultimately hinged on the fact that they would need some novelty dishes if they wanted to expand.

“How about noodles then?” Mrs Niu asked.

“In that case, we might as well make dumplings,” Mrs Xiang said.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s anything special that we can try,” Mr Xiang looked crestfallen as he considered it for a while but just could not come up with anything.

“Don’t look at me. I definitely can’t think of anything,” Uncle Niu gave up on using his brain without even bothering to venture an attempt.

As he listened to their conversation, Xu Tingsheng was suddenly reminded of something for which even franchises would not be a problem...braised chicken rice. This thing had suddenly risen overnight over those two years before his rebirth, coming to encompass the entire country as it could be found in streets and roads everywhere.

While it was unknown how long this popularity boom might last, it had indeed been crazy popular over that period of time. Some people had even lumped braised chicken rice with Shaxian’s street food and Lanzhou’s beef noodles, jointly hailing the trio as Chinese food’s monarch trio.

The other two food varieties were already more or less widely available now. Braised chicken rice was still relatively obscure in comparison.

If they could learn the relevant culinary skills and incorporate it into their restaurant, creating hype and starting a franchise...it would literally be the broad, majestic road to a food empire.

With that in mind, Xu Tingsheng said, “Uncle, Auntie, I feel that special things definitely wouldn’t be so easy to find on the market. They may even need considerable effort on your part to learn them, and even after you have done so, it will still take considerable time and effort to succeed.”

Xu Tingsheng was trying to ease them into his suggestion.

“If there’s really something good, we would definitely be happy to learn it! It’s not like we’ve never suffered hardship before. That’s not a problem,” Mr Xiang said, naturally having some gradually mounting anticipation now that he had ended up becoming the boss of a flourishing business.

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng hesitated no longer as he inquired, “Uncle, Auntie, have you ever heard of braised chicken rice?”

“What’s that?”

The other four all had quizzical looks on their faces.

Xu Tingsheng knew that he had misspoken as he hurriedly tried to cover it up, “Maybe I got the name wrong. Maybe it’s really called Fragrant Pot Chicken, Richly Scented Pot Chicken Rice or whatnot. Anyway, I know that this thing exists and that people know how to make it in Jinan. You could try to look into this first. Then, if somewhere there is willing to teach you, whatever the conditions they ask for, you definitely wouldn’t make a loss if two of you were to go there.”

“Go to Jinan to learn it?”

“What if it costs a lot of money?”

While Xu Tingsheng said nothing in reply, he believed that it would surely be worthwhile. While he himself did not like eating braised chicken rice all that much, from a commercial standpoint, it would surely be worthwhile even if they had to spend some tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands on this.

It was not just a restaurant that he was thinking about. It was a brand.

He did not say this out loud to Mr and Mrs Xiang, giving them a full business proposition along with overly great enthusiasm for the idea. It was just a mere idea for them to consider as any and all decisions would have to be made by both the Xiang and the Niu families themselves.

As for whether they would act on it or not, could learn it or not, it was actually not so important.

“In that case, we’ll get someone to look into it for us when we’re free. If someone is really willing to teach it to us, two of us will go try it out. If it’s delicious, it’s fine even we have to pay some,” Mr Xiang expressed his thoughts as he was evidently not that much enthusiastic about this.

This was basically the case for both the Xiang and Niu families. After all, in their eyes, this was merely a single dish at the end of the day.

Xu Tingsheng spoke no further on this matter. It was already enough that he had brought this up. As for what remained, it would have to depend on fate. When all was said and done, this might not affect him and the Xiang family very much at all.

……

Lu Zhixin had lessons the entire Friday morning. After the fourth period had ended, she walked away from the classroom buildings with her roommates, intending to have lunch at the canteen.

Xu Tingsheng pulled up by the roadside with his decrepit Volkswagen.

There was no way Lu Zhixin would not recognise this car. As her ringtone sounded, she answered the call.

“I see you. Do you see my car?” Xu Tingsheng cut to the chase.

“Yeah.”

“Come on, hop in. I’ll treat you to lunch.”

“Huh? Is something the matter?”

“No, I’m just treating you to lunch.”

“...Alright.”

Facing the good-intentioned laughter and disparaging ‘prioritises men over friends’ remarks of her roommates, Lu Zhixin got on Xu Tingsheng’s car.

They went to a restaurant in Xishan where Hucheng had previously had its victory celebration. Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin sat at the corner table and ordered five dishes.

Lu Zhixin had been feeling puzzled throughout, in truth. Still, Xu Tingsheng said nothing as he simply talked and ate normally with her. Lu Zhixin’s reaction had been the calmest after Little Xiang Ning had been exposed. This had caused Xu Tingsheng the realisation that she had already managed to steadily accept it and move on.

“She’s such a calm and objective person, with both high IQ and EQ. There shouldn’t be a problem, right? Having no stance is itself a stance,” This was what Xu Tingsheng thought.

When the meal was nearly over, Xu Tingsheng finally gestured towards the remaining soup and food on the plates and asked Lu Zhixin, “What do you think this remaining foodstuff can be used for?”

Chapter 421: Holding the government and media hostage

What could the remaining foodstuff be used for?

Lu Zhixin looked puzzledly at Xu Tingsheng, venturing hesitantly, “Feeding pigs? Or maybe just pour it away?”

“It also has another use. Some people collect the swill and the oil slick from the grease traps in the drainage systems and boil them in a huge pan. And so, they are able to refine and produce new oil…”

Xu Tingsheng basically narrated the process of how gutter oil was refined.

Lu Zhixin’s brows were tightly furrowed as she asked, “What would such dirty oil be used for?”

“After a bit of work, it can be sold to some small eateries or restaurants…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“...To cook food?” Lu Zhixin’s stomach began to churn as she stared at the dishes in front of her.

Xu Tingsheng nodded composedly.

“Wah…” Lu Zhixin immediately clutched her mouth and dashed out of the room in the direction of the toilet.

“So fragile?” Xu Tingsheng wondered aloud, having only wanted to describe it more vividly as he had not thought that Lu Zhixin would show such a big reaction.

When he grabbed Lu Zhixin’s bag and finally caught up with her, she was already more or less done vomiting. She was on the floor before the basin, retching heavily and wiping her face with water.

Xu Tingsheng patted her on the back and passed her a paper towel, forcing a smile, “Why such a big reaction?”

“Urgh...disgusting! No, I’ll sue them for sure!” Lu Zhixin coughed, saying through clenched teeth.

“No, not this restaurant! I know the boss here. I went to their kitchen and took a look at the oil they’re using. While it isn’t some very famous brand, it’s still good oil...do you think that I’d still take you here to eat if they were using gutter oil? If so, I would have to eat the food myself too!” Xu Tingsheng explained cheerily.

Realising her blunder, Lu Zhixin turned and slapped Xu Tingsheng on the face, glaring furiously at him with a face full of water droplets. She had really been terribly put off by his words earlier, to the extent that she had vomited all the food she had just eaten back up.

“How about we order a few more dishes? Or we could also eat somewhere else,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I didn’t know that your reaction would be so great. Indeed, you’ve lived a treasured life.”

“I’m not eating anymore!” Lu Zhixin coldly replied and pushed Xu Tingsheng away, snatching her bag from him before stalking off.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly chased after her, cheerfully admitting his mistake and apologising.

“Although this restaurant doesn’t use it, this gutter oil really does exist!” Xu Tingsheng said, rushing to keep pace with Lu Zhixin, “Take Xishan here. Of all those stores and restaurants here, there would probably be at least ten of them which are using gutter oil, in my estimate.”

“You say that thing’s called gutter oil?”

“Right.”

“It exists here in Xishan?”

“Definitely.”

Since this hidden industry existed in Yanzhou, Xu Tingsheng believed that they would definitely not have overlooked the town of Xishan that was also filled with stores and restaurants.The projection of ten was already with him having lowered his estimate as much as possible.

“Yanzhou must have it too then.”

“Yes.”

“What about other cities?”

“It’s also highly probable.”

Lu Zhixin stopped in her tracks. The speed and ease at which she adapted to matters both far surpassed the norm as she immediately realised why Xu Tingsheng had told her all this, had invited her out to eat. She felt a little desolate inwardly...of course this had been because of work-related affairs…

Still, now was not the time to think about this.

“That is to say that of the companies taking part in Are You Hungry, it’s virtually definite that some of them are using that gutter oil?” Lu Zhixin looked earnestly at Xu Tingsheng, asking.

If someone else got to this matter first, they would definitely be able to accumulate sufficient strength to take Hucheng down in one shot.

Xu Tingsheng nodded earnestly.

“What do you intend to do?”

“Let’s not expose it for now. Choose a team of absolutely trustworthy people and get them to investigate it in secret. This has to be done no matter how much it costs,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Next, I want to expose and uproot the entire hidden industry. So, even if we have to hire a PI from Hong Kong or something, I want to collect the full evidence, especially pictures, including how the gutter oil is refined and where it is then sold...everything.”

Lu Zhixin considered this carefully before saying, “You will offend many people because of this. Hucheng may be drawn into it too...black-hearted businesses aside, the bureaucracy will also lose face. Viewing you as creating additional trouble for them, they will find trouble for us too. They may even interfere with Hucheng’s operations through their local policies...that would be the most terrifying.”

The quick-witted Lu Zhixin immediately latched on the most worrying part of this matter. What she was speaking of did exist in the bureaucracy of the various cities and could be seen from how they would keep the death toll a secret in mine accidents and whatnot.

“I know, but I still want to do it,” Xu Tingsheng said resolutely.

“...Leave it to me then. You focus on your affairs over at Xingchen. I’ll make the arrangements for this matter,” After hesitating for a bit, Lu Zhixin decided to support Xu Tingsheng’s stance.

“Right. Thank you then,” Xu Tingsheng said, “The entire process must be kept tightly under wraps. There’s no rush to expose it immediately, much less for just one or two places at once. We should handle the investigative work first, persuading the companies to desist as we gather evidence from all over the country. It’s fine even if it takes quite a long time. We have to expose this in many different cities all at once.”

Lu Zhixin momentarily contemplated on this before staring at him, “You want to hold the stance of the bureaucracy hostage?”

Xu Tingsheng had to admit that Lu Zhixin was really extremely smart.

“To be precise, I intend to forcibly tie the bureaucracy with us. The bureaucracy and the media habitually hide whatever they can. Therefore, I want to make it such that this matter definitely cannot be hidden or perfunctorily whiled away as soon as it is exposed. They would have no choice in such a scenario, and definitely would not be able to stay silent too. The only choice available to them would be to stand on our side and harshly rebuke those people even more forcefully than us,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Even Lu Zhixin rather admired the current Xu Tingsheng she saw. He was in the process of becoming increasingly mature and dependable.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, next continuing, “As for the various local governments, let me make an analogy. If they were a bunch of people, and someone pointed out that one or two of them had fleas, they would be embarrassed and enraged. But if the whole bunch of them was pointed out to have fleas...their mentality would change. They would be in a haste to exterminate the fleas on them to prove that they are actually very clean and hygienic people. They will become my allies then.”

Lu Zhixin nodded.

“So, there’s no need to worry about that. It’s fine,” Xu Tingsheng patted her on the shoulder.

“Yes, this is a good thing. Also, if it’s handled well, it will also boost Hucheng’s reputation and operations greatly,” Lu Zhixin smiled awkwardly after saying so, realising how it was like she was simply unable to look at a problem without relating it to the area of commercial benefits.

This might be the result of her environment ever since young. She had grown up under her father’s influence as it was embedded into her very bones and really impossible to remove.

Xu Tingsheng parked his car at a carpark outside the academy city. The two walked back to the university together.

Back at the dormitory district, Lu Zhixin called for Xu Tingsheng to stop as he was about to walk away, saying, “Your Weibo should switch over to instant messaging. This is a rare opportunity.”

Chapter 422: The party’s uninvited guest

Xu Tingsheng exaggeratedly cupped his hands towards Lu Zhixin in praise, sighing in admiration, “Wah, amazing! Lu Zhixin, the one and only. You’re really a genius, Zhixin.”

“Shouldn’t you treasure me better then?” Lu Zhixin replied jokingly before immediately switching to an earnest expression lest things got awkward, “If you lack funds, you can consider deploying some away from Hucheng first. We’re making a profit in several of our operations now, including investments. The funds which can presently be drawn away from Hucheng at any time exceeds thirty million.”

While tempted by this, Xu Tingsheng said rather hesitantly, “I still owe Hucheng some money. I think…”

“Only the two of us know about this anyway. Tianyi usually just looks at our reports. It’s not like they would come to do an audit. And it’s even more impossible for the others,” Lu Zhixin said while averting her gaze from Xu Tingsheng, “This is a golden opportunity. Just return it later, alright?”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it, “I’ll call you about this later.”

“Yep,” Lu Zhixin said, “Right, I heard you’ve backed up your roommate and made a bet with someone for the upcoming freshman welcoming party?”

“Weren’t you there? I even fought with them!” Xu Tingsheng bragged without the least bit of embarrassment.

“Rebirth? Will you be performing? If you are, I’ll go watch the performance,” Lu Zhixin smiled.

“Not me. Fu Cheng will be performing, and my roommate himself too,” Xu Tingsheng told her.

“I won’t attend then. I’ll go back to my dorm and eat some fruits. Bye.”

“Bye.”

……

Yanzhou University’s freshman welcoming party was held on the night before National Day as per usual.

Since this was a freshman welcoming party, it truthfully had not so much to do with the seniors. There were four kinds of second to fourth year students who would attend. The first kind would be taking to the stage and performing to welcome their juniors. The second kind either adored these artistic performances or loved the buzz and excitement and were always to be found at events such as these. The third kind was just plain bored…

The fourth kind were a rather unique case. They would be attending not for the performances but for their juniors in the audience, whether male or female. They would be attending to ‘hunt’.

Those of Room 602 would be collectively attending with their ‘households’ for another reason, however. They had a ‘war’ to fight and would be bolstering Zhang NInglang’s base of support.

The freshman welcoming party would begin at 7pm.

5pm, Room 602.

“Bro Xu, have you really managed to invite Rebirth?” Li Xingming asked.

“I got one of them,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“The heck! Xu Sheng is really a freaking fool. Doesn’t he know that you know Rebirth? They even perform in the bar that’s run by Tan Yao and your friend…” Lu Xu exclaimed in wonder.

Actually, the likelihood of Rebirth’s true identity remaining a secret was already really very low. Right now, Xu Tingsheng simply had the mindset of ‘what will be will be’. While he would neither reveal nor admit it, it would not matter to him even if others saw through it. It was all the same to him anyway as he could simply feign ignorance.

Actually, most of these people close to him had already more or less realised something. It was just that respecting Xu Tingsheng’s desire for privacy, they had not voiced it out loud.

“What time do we leave? How about we go now?” Old Wai got up and asked.

“Now? It isn’t even 5 yet,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“We won’t have anywhere to sit if we’re late.”

“It isn’t to that extent, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked disbelievingly.

“Why would you think that?” Old Wai asked, “It’s already spread throughout the entire school now that a timeslot has been left for you in tonight’s party and that you will most likely invite Rebirth. Along with the bet between you and Xu Sheng and also Lil Bro’s ‘marriage battle’, basically everyone from the first to fourth years is waiting to see what will happen. There probably won’t even be enough space left to stand later.”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback by this. It seemed like he had accidentally caused something big without even realising it.

“If they want to listen to Rebirth, they should just go and wait in the bar! Really,” Tan Yao said resentfully.

“Do you think just anyone can go into that bar of yours? You think everyone can afford it?” Li Xingming exclaimed exasperatedly, “The last time I went, I was just slightly late, and wasn’t I already stopped by your security then? I literally had to call you in the end to get inside.”

It was a fact that it was not easy to enter Bright Brilliance, and it was also a fact that it was expensive. Pressured by their resentful friends and classmates, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao were already working out a day on which they would be exclusively hosting all their friends and classmates.

Even this was not so easy to work out, however, since the reservation dates were already so far-reaching.

“There’s actually another reason,” Old Wai said, “After recently learning that you may really have invited Rebirth, Xu Sheng has been going around saying that they will be singing an original. Even if Rebirth comes, it’d be unfair if they sing an old song...because of that, a lot of people are going in the hopes of hearing a new song from Rebirth. After all, Apple aside, Rebirth hasn’t had any new songs for a pretty long time.”

“A new song, huh?” Xu Tingsheng was actually unclear on this, not having been involved in the planning process.

Still, he had indeed given Fu Cheng some new songs previously that had just been lying around randomly. Had Fu Cheng chosen one for the occasion?

Looking at Zhang Ninglang, Xu Tingsheng asked, “New song?”

Zhang Ninglang nodded, stuffing Rebirth’s signature mask in his bag.

“Even Lil’ Bro will be wearing a mask?”

Even Xu Tingsheng was unclear on how Fu Cheng was planning to go about it here.

The six roommates, along with their ‘household members’ that consisted of Li Linlin, Chick Bao and Ning Xia, had an early dinner at the second floor canteen before walking towards Yanzhou University’s big music hall together.

Li Xingming scooted over and asked Xu Tingsheng, “Bro Xu, can Yangyang come along too?”

Xu Tingsheng refused him outright, “Of course not! How am I supposed to answer if she asks me about that management position directly in front of you? Right, why are you Yangyang-ing again? You can’t bear to break up with her?”

“No. I, I bought a condom,” Li Xingming said rather awkwardly, “It looks like she’s willing. She’s really rather good to me now. I think that she may really have changed for the better.”

He was clearly back to being unwilling to break off his ties with her for good despite his previous experience.

There were some things that Xu Tingsheng had no way of saying to Li Xingming. For instance, it actually meant nothing even if Yu Yayang was really willing to let him have his way with her. That too was a calculated move, being more like an trade which she had decided upon unilaterally.

She was already a popular candidate for the succeeding PR head for both the university’s student council and the faculty’s student association. As soon as the year four senior retired, she was basically already assured of that position.

It was just the start of her second year of university and she was already presiding loftily over a batch of seniors who had been waiting for two years.

As for the reason, it was rumoured that she shared a special relationship with the two chairmans of the student associations, both the school student council’s and the faculty’s too...Tan Yao had investigated this and heard both of them bragging about it. He had no way of breaking the news to Li Xingming, though.

“Has she returned you the money then?” Xu Tingsheng could only try another route.

“She’s really spent it all. She didn’t tell me before, but because her family member fell sick, she wired all the money that she was planning to open the store with back home,” Li Xingming said, “Anyway, I can tell that she actually feels very guilty about this. She told me that she’ll definitely think of a way to return me the money. I…”

Xu Tingsheng could only force a smile, shaking his head.

“How about I be honest with her and tell her the truth, let her make her own decision?” Li Xingming wondered.

“Do as you please.”

Xu Tingsheng walked away, deciding that he would just let things run their natural course.

He went over and put an arm around Zhang Ninglang’s shoulder, asking, “Feeling nervous?”

Zhang Ninglang smiled and nodded.

“Whatever the case, we’re winning for sure, right? However badly you sing, it’s fine as long as junior finds you good and chooses you. Moreover, there’s even Fu Cheng supporting you. Right, what’s the plan later? You’re wearing a mask too?” Xu Tingsheng enquired.

“Yes, this I know. But as for that, they said that I can’t tell you about it first,” Zhang Ninglang said haltingly.

“They? There’s someone else besides Fu Cheng?”

“...There’s someone you wouldn’t guess. Still, I can’t tell you about it now,” Zhang Ninglang said, “Please don’t ask me about it anymore, Bro Xu. Don’t make things difficult for me right now. I’m practising singing…”

Zhang Ninglang broke free of Xu Tingsheng and walked to the side, humming indistinctly in a low tone.

Xu Tingsheng’s handphone rang.

“Why aren’t you at home?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

She had a set of Xu Tingsheng’s house keys that he had previously given to her.

“It’s today and you’re already here?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah. It’s the holidays! There was a mock test yesterday and today. I handed in my test paper early and then came over. But you’re actually not here…”

“You’re not planning to go home for even just one day?”

“Are you shooing me…” Came the aggrieved voice.

“No! I just think that you should at least go back to see your parents, right?”

“I’ll go help out at their restaurant in the daytime!” Little Xiang Ning said, “What about you? Are you still in school?”

“Yeah.”

“What’re you doing?”

“We’ve got a freshman welcoming party.”

“Are you going to perform?”

“Not me. Fu Cheng and my roommate will be performing, though.”

“I wanna come watch. Will I take a public bus over myself or will you pick me up?”

“Huh?”

“Can’t I?”

“...”

So it was just having a younger girl beside him anyway, and it was also not like Little Xiang Ning had never come to Yanzhou University before.

“Okay. I’ll come pick you up.”

“Help save me a seat, guys! Two seats! I’m going to pick someone up!” Xu Tingsheng called out to his roommates before dashing towards the carpark.

“So zealous...who is Bro Xu going to pick up?”

The trio of Lu Xu, Li Xingming and Zhang Ninglang who did not know about Little Xiang Ning all felt rather curious.

Tan Yao and Old Wai exchanged glances, “It couldn’t be...little wifey, right?”

Chapter 423: Xishan Tower’s dirty ruffian

Xiang Ning had a nickname amongst that bunch of Xu Tingsheng’s friends who had seen her before: Little Wifey.

After picking Xiang Ning up, partway through their journey, Xu Tingsheng suddenly realised as he looked at his little wifey on the passenger seat, “Oh my...Miss Little Xiang Ning, why are you still in your school uniform?”

Actually, with Xiang Ning’s height, while she looked a bit on the young side, it was to the extent that her age could not be determined with a single glance. After all, there were quite a few girls in university still with the ‘babyface’. There were even those who would not look out of place in junior high school.

Still, things were different now that she was wearing her school uniform.

Short-sleeved blouse, sports shorts, little white shoes and fresh ponytail. It really looked great, actually, emanating that freshness like a forest after the rain…

But that ‘Yanzhou first-tier senior high’ by her chest…

All would be exposed.

“I didn’t know that I have to change! Do I go back and change now then?” Little Xiang Ning said as she looked at Xu Tingsheng, “Oh, I know! You’re afraid of others learning that you swindled a fine young lassie...hah, daring to do it but not daring to admit it.”

She was saying it like she felt like it was very glorious to have been ‘swindled’ by him...

Xu Tingsheng was totally owned by this as he just felt so helpless.

“Fine, I won’t expose you! It’s too late to go back and change now anyway,” Little Xiang Ning shook Xu Tingsheng’s arm and acted cute.

How would Xu Tingsheng be able to resist this? He immediately said, “It’s alright. It’s fine even if you expose me.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

As the two hurried to the music hall after parking the car outside the university’s side gate, Little Xiang Ning was tugging on Xu Tingsheng's sleeve and frolicking happily throughout as she chanted:

“Look, everyone! Xu Tingsheng's swindled a fine young lassie.”

“Look, everyone! I'm Xu Tingsheng's little wifey.”

“Xishan Tower's dirty ruffian.”

“...”

“Xishan Tower's dirty ruffian?” Xu Tingsheng felt on the verge of a mental collapse, “Miss Little Xiang Ning, you've also been getting more and more deviant, alright?”

Surrounded by countless curious gazes of varying kinds, Xu Tingsheng could only increase his pace.

Only when they entered the music hall where the lights had already been dimmed did Xiang Ning quieten down. Xu Tingsheng made two calls and finally managed to find the others of Room 602 with much difficulty. He led Little Xiang Ning over and sat down.

As Xu Tingsheng did not introduce Little Xiang Ning, those who had never seen her before, such as Lu Xu, Chick Bao and Li Xingming were all left totally bemused.

Xu Tingsheng had spent more than an hour going and coming back, all just to pick up a younger girl. What was this all about?

Xu Tingsheng was a well-known figure in Yanzhou University and the entire Xishan Academy City at that. Those who recognised him mostly came to pay a bit of attention to him. Immediately, their gazes then came to fall on the pretty little girl beside him.

Fragmented snippets of discussion could be heard.

Back when Dongdong had been 'kidnapped’ by some female seniors in their fourth year, some people had caught a glimpse of Little Xiang Ning from the distance. They would basically believe her to be his little sister or something. Having no such basis to work off, others were heatedly discussing this matter.

This predicament caused Xiang Ning to finally learn of the influence Xishan Tower's dirty ruffian had at school as she became flustered as a result.

In order to hide her awkwardness and nervousness, even though Xu Tingsheng did not introduce her, Xiang Ning still took the initiative to greet others, such as Tan Yao whom she had met before and Li Linlin whom she was very close with.

After calling Li Linlin big sis, she looked at Old Wai who was sitting beside her and greeted him sweetly, “Big brother-in-law.”

Old Wai was invigorated all at once as he happily responded before covertly jabbing Xu Tingsheng in the side and blinking as if to say, “Come on, call me big brother-in-law.”

“This old man's gonna kill you!” Xu Tingsheng waved his fist at him indignantly.

Having come with his girlfriend to watch the performance, a fellow member of the university's football team waved at Xu Tingsheng from the row before them, asking him, “Who’s that young lady beside you, Tingsheng? She a cousin of yours?”

Xu Tingsheng pretended not to have heard him.

Her status had actually not been acknowledged? The dissatisfied Little Xiang Ning smiled craftily and answered on his behalf, “I’m his little wifey.”

Repressed chuckles resounded all around as those few in the know such as Tan Yao were basically doubling over in their chairs with laughter, clutching their stomachs.

“What an adorable young lady,” His teammate did not know what to say to that, not knowing whether to interpret this as the joke of a mischievous little cousin or if...this was actually...truly the relationship between them. After giving a perfunctory reply, said teammate hurriedly turned back to face the front.

Xu Tingsheng did not know if he and the other people surrounding them had actually believed it for real.

Still, a sense of foreboding overcame him: It seemed that Xishan Tower’s dirty ruffian...would be seriously validated.

Fortunately, the emcees were already up on stage and just beginning the programme by now as everyone’s attention finally turned to the stage.

The first programme was some folk dancing by the female seniors. This was the performance in which Zhang Ninglang’s female junior was participating. Bare-footed and garbed in distinctive flowery traditional clothing, the female dancers surged onto the stage and got into position.

As the music started, the girls began dancing gaily.

Ning Xia was not the lead dancer and was even standing relatively more to the side. Yet...she just unknowingly ended up the focal point of attention somehow. While her looks were pretty good, she was not the most outstanding of all the girls there. Still...no one could match that flying long plait of hers.

Especially in this sort of traditional setting, as her long plait swayed casually about, hence appeared a beautifully pleasant scene. She so perfectly combined the classic qualities of beauty, purity, simplicity and freshness of a traditional Chinese female.

The girls began envying that single long jet-black plait.

The boys began sighing regretfully at how they had only realised the existence of such a previously overlooked kind of blissfulness now.

“I heard that her boyfriend doesn’t look all that outstanding. He’s pretty much average too,” Someone said.

“He’s surely still better than that Xu Sheng, right? That dude’s a bastard,” Someone replied.

“What does this has to do with Xu Sheng?”

“Haven’t you heard? Xu Sheng wanted to snatch his girlfriend, that girl with the long plait...he even drove to obstruct them on the road a couple of times, calling her boyfriend an ugly toad. In the end, he was beaten up soundly by Xu Tingsheng.”

“Huh? And what does this have to do with Xu Tingsheng?”

“I think the guy is Xu Tingsheng’s roommate. That trash Xu Sheng finally encountered someone who can properly make him eat dirt.”

“...How complicated.”

“Yup. Anyway, just wait for the show’s that coming. Xu Sheng is going to confess later. I heard that there’s gonna be a performance from the boyfriend’s side too, that they intend to compete through this. Everyone’s also saying that Xu Tingsheng helped to invite Rebirth, and they may even sing an original!”

“Wa…”

Amidst all that discussion, Xu Tingsheng turned and patted Zhang Ninglang who was currently sitting at the back row as it was not yet time for his performance. He was trembling slightly. To ascend the stage to perform was indeed hard for him. It would have been unimaginable once.

Still, Xu Tingsheng had seen and also heard from Fu Cheng that he had never shrunk back once throughout this entire undertaking.

“Is it this big brother?” Little Xiang Ning whispered into Xu Tingsheng’s ear.

“Yup,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“You got into a fight for him?”

“Yup.”

“Did you win?”

“Yup.”

“That’s good then.”

Next, Little Xiang Ning turned and looked at Zhang Ninglang, pumping her fist, “Good luck, big brother!”

Zhang Ninglang smiled and nodded, replying, “Thank you.”

At this point in time, another performance had already finished since the end of that dance.

Returning to the stage, the emcees had an uninspired exchange before they announced, “Coming up next, Xu Sheng and his band, Blue Storm, with the original song You Are My Destiny, Love At First Sight.”

What long names. The length of the band’s name which was four characters enabled Xu Sheng’s name to stand out. The name of the song was very long too...and overly cheesy.

“Hi, how’s everyone doing?” Ascending the stage with his band, Xu Sheng struck a cool pose with his guitar and said hi.

As he and his band ascended the stage, along with them came 999 roses that were delivered over by a few boys. The bouquets were placed neatly at the front of the stage, lining up nicely…

“The heck! Those filthy rich…” Someone cursed.

“But girls dig this stuff! And they love money…” Another guy complained helplessly.

“I’m going to confess to a girl today. Embedded in these nine hundred ninety-nine roses is my sincerity. The upcoming song was personally penned by me. Within is embedded my feelings towards you…” Xu Sheng said a very nineties phrase.

The opening sequence of the song resounded.

Chapter 424: A bit of closure

Yanzhou’s freshman welcoming party was actually a very special event. Ever since Rebirth had popped up for the first time in the year 2003 with that ‘borrow this joint for a confession’ phrase and sung that modified version of <Fairy Tale>, it was already destined to be extraordinary.

As Rebirth had surged to crazy levels of popularity online twice and Apple had entered showbiz twice over the past two years, more and more story versions of and speculations regarding that performance and confession that had been the start of it all had been born.

Those who knew the truth were still limited to that original few. Still, more and more people had been moved by the tale.

It seemed people were always better disposed to remembering and giving their well wishes for tragic stories.

No deliberate interpretation was needed for ‘the beauty of tragedy’ to naturally be romanticised.

Therefore, confessing on such a stage...seemed to have attained much more significance in its extent of emotional depth.

The higher-ups of the university already had no way of stopping this and were pretty much just turning a blind eye now.

Xu Tingsheng had not attended the 2004 freshman welcoming party, but it was rumoured that there had been three confessions then. This time, the first confession took place close to the start of the programme. Xu Sheng was not all that popular a person in Yanzhou University. As the confession was from a fourth year to a second year student, it also seemed totally unrelated to the freshman welcoming party itself.

The audience was still filled with excitement, however.

For many of Yanzhou University’s freshmen, in watching these confessions at their freshman welcoming party, they would fantasise about how they would probably walk past their seniors from Rebirth on campus without realising it, how they might personally see them graduating in their fourth year and witness the end of that tale. This was actually something to look forward to in their university lives.

As they saw it, the girl who had been confessed to by a member of Rebirth should be studying in Yanzhou University too. Their seniors should be in their third year now, and it was probably the same for her too?

Their grand finale was fast approaching.

They had no way of knowing that this finale had actually already come to pass. The figure who had been roaming unceasingly in Apple’s <Long Time No See> music video had finally given up on wandering and searching for her, just because that person had said, “I’m doing very well. I’m very happy. Please don’t look for me anymore.”

Just how many devoted men in this world are blocked by words similar to these, able to do nothing besides bear the pain and feign their composure as time passes by excruciatingly.

Fu Cheng had not shown any sign of rejection towards helping Zhang Ninglang out in this performance. Rather than that, he had even told Xu Tingsheng this, “If the most appropriate, most common scenario in stories is that where it began is where it will end...since she chose Libei Senior High, I’ll choose Yanzhou University’s freshman welcoming party.”

After receiving a call from Ms Fang when Xu Tingsheng had been injured and listening to her talking about how she had been doing recently, it was true that Fu Cheng needed a farewell of sorts.

“You aren’t off crying somewhere, right?” Xu Tingsheng sent a text to Fu Cheng who was not sitting with him and the others.

“Nah. I’m not today’s main character. Everything is centred around Lil’ Bro today,” Fu Cheng sent a reply.

Just as he had said, it was not his tale that would be presented today. He simply needed a sense of closure for himself along the way.

Xu Sheng and his band had already finished singing the chorus once up on stage. It seemed best that he stop talking about Ms Fang now. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng changed the topic.

“How’s this band’s quality like? Feeling any pressure?” Xu Tingsheng asked via text.

Fu Cheng had devoted most of his time over the past two years to music, having become increasingly professional and proficient. As for Xu Tingsheng, he had not even touched his guitar in a very long time.

Whatever path one walks in life, however splendid and magnificent it may be, they will still lose some things at the end of the day.

“The music is good, the band is very professional and the equipment is very expensive and very professional too,” Fu Cheng praised.

Since it was him who was saying it, they should really be pretty good then.

Xu Tingsheng sent a reply, “So you must be feeling a bit of pressure then?”

Xu Tingsheng knew that Zhang Ninglang really wasn’t all that great at singing. It would probably be more dangerous if he were to ascend the stage to perform.

“Nope. Even if Lil’ Bro is unable to sing a single line when the time comes and we fall apart completely, we would still be able to totally crush them into smithereens,” Fu Cheng said.

“You have a trump card?”

“Yeah. The trump card really could not be any more terrifying too.”

After turning his attention back to the stage, Fu Cheng sent another text over, “A perfectly good tune, but the lyrics are just so disgusting. And why is the lead singer constantly jumping up and down? This is an emotional song!”

Up on stage, Xu Sheng was really carrying a guitar with one hand while holding the microphone stand with the other, not swaying, but jumping. From time to time, he would even ask, “Where is the excitement? Come on, everybody!”

This was a freaking emotional song!

Could a rock and roll band be so unreasonable?

“Why is he always jumping up and down?” Little Xiang Ning also asked Xu Tingsheng.

“Umm, maybe because he has a very lively and animated personality,” Xu Tingsheng told her.

The lively and animated Xu Sheng continued to jump up and down.

“Unless he’s really being paid well enough, Wang Yu will probably be angered to death,” Xu Tingsheng’s phone vibrated as he received another text from Fu Cheng.

“Who’s Wang Yu?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“The one who wrote the music for this song. The one at the back of the stage, playing the keyboard. With a hat blocking his face,” Fu Cheng sent a reply.

“You know him?”

“Yeah. He’s helped out at the bar before. I’ve seen him twice. He’s an eccentric but pretty talented guy.”

“Why is he together with Xu Sheng’s band then?”

“He isn’t from their band. Xu Sheng probably bought his song for him to be willing to help.”

“He sells songs?”

“Occasionally. Once in a while, he helps some bands out for a sum too. His nickname in the industry is ‘Hardcore moneylover’. Ha, no one really knows what else he does. That’s why he’s known as eccentric. I feel that he should actually leave Yanzhou and go to the capital. Even if he goes to some other tourist city that is a bit more on the artistic side, he would do very well there too. Yanzhou simply lacks such a conducive environment.”

“Why hasn’t he left then?”

“How would I know? Still, for a city to be able to keep someone for no apparent reason, it would surely be because of someone else.”

Xu Tingsheng was not so interested in artistic youths and their circles. He kept his phone after chatting for a bit more.

Coincidentally, Xu Sheng’s performance also ended at this time.

“Ning Xia, I like you,” Xu Sheng picked up a bouquet of roses from the stage and proclaimed grandly.

His friends began cheering madly from amongst the audience as many random people happily joined in as well. After all, in the eyes of most people, such fun commotions were the best. Also, the freshmen, especially, were not aware of the underlying story behind this.

“I like you, Ning Xia,” Xu Sheng picked up another bouquet of roses and held it in his arms.

The nine hundred and ninety-nine roses were divided into over a dozen bouquets. Each time after picking up one, Xu Sheng would repeat his confession. Finally, his arms full of flowers, he said emotionally, “Can you please give me a chance? I’m already in my fourth year now. I don’t want to, just can’t miss out on you.”

One had to admit that this fella was indeed very skilled in playing romantic and picking up girls. An expert, that he was.

Chapter 425: Uglie

Xu Sheng was an expert at picking up chicks. Besides utilising his wealth, he also loved to act romantic and devoted.

It was rumoured that right after entering the university, in order to conquer a female senior, he had once tied roses and photos that he had secretly taken of her along the length of a rope. One end of this rope had appeared at the entrance of a classroom where the girl had just finished her class while the other had extended four whole storeys to the door of his car where he had been waiting for her downstairs…

That female senior had been moved by this, tears of joy having streamed down her face as she plunged into his embrace. Then, after having played with her for two months, he had grown tired of her and just dumped her.

“Say yes, say yes.”

Many of the audience members were already following Xu Sheng’s gang and randomly cheering them on just for fun.

The scale of this seemed...hard to match…

Xu Tingsheng turned to look at Zhang Ninglang. While the latter actually looked rather nervous, he still tried his best to smile at him. Who would have thought that someone quiet and dependable like him who was used to living a simple, low-key life would end up in a situation where he had no choice but to step into the spotlight and be romantic.

Fortunately, no reply was forthcoming from the female lead, and the emcees eventually had no choice but to return to the stage and resume the proceedings.

Ning Xia was not angered as she simply sat there with some of her classmates, smiling and chatting as she appeared wholly unconcerned.

She was in a pretty good mood too, for it was really something else, somebody else whom she was concerned with. Zhang Ninglang, he whose hand would be all sweaty from his nervousness whenever they held hands, would actually soon be ascending the stage and performing for her. She was filled with happiness and anticipation just thinking about it, with a smile unconsciously hanging on the corners of her mouth.

Xu Sheng clearly misunderstood this smile of hers.

“I know that it is very difficult to expect you to make such a decision now. There will also be another performance put on for you later,” Xu Sheng concluded in a very gentlemanly fashion, “I'll wait then. I’m aware that they may have found a very good band. After all, his roommate, that Student Xu, is very rich...still, I just want to say that I hope this will not be a performance completely lacking in sincerity.”

Xu Sheng was really quite smart. He knew that if Zhang Ninglang's side had really managed to invite Rebirth, he would surely never be able to match them in the quality of their performance. Therefore, with a few simple sentences, he adroitly shifted everyone's standard for judging the performances to this: sincerity.

He even hinted that even if Zhang Ninglang's side had managed to invite Rebirth, however great the ensuing performance might be, all it would be able to prove was ‘wealth’...it would simply have nothing to do with sincerity.

With that, even if he was unable to win the heart of Ning Xia in the end, Xu Sheng would still be able to win approval, recognition and also reputation.

To him, this sort of victory was actually very important too. Moreover, with one of his opponents being Xu Tingsheng, if he managed to obtain more approval and recognition under such circumstances, the sense of satisfaction and massive reversal in his image would entail a sizeable accomplishment on his part.

Obviously manipulated by his words, many of those present forgot that it was clearly Xu Sheng himself who loved flaunting his wealth most, having been doing so just moments earlier too.

Sincerity?

What was sincerity?

If Rebirth came and sang a pre-existing song here, of course it would be a brilliant performance. Still, it would be lacking in 'sincerity’, right?

Xu Sheng was pressuring Rebirth to the point where they definitely had to perform a new song, and one that corresponded with the mood at that...

He did not believe that Xu Tingsheng would be able to get Rebirth to do this much. Rebirth was well known for being hard to control.

The audience was clearly very happy to support Xu Sheng just based on this, bearing witness to the debut performance of Rebirth's new song.

Also, while the audience was most certainly looking forward to Rebirth's performance, where there would hopefully be a new song, the crux of this 'relationship struggle’ was actually not Rebirth but that male lead himself. Was he really relying mainly on the fact that Xu Tingsheng was his roommate to get things solved with money?

Where would be the sincerity in that?

Therefore, regardless of the quality of Rebirth's performance, whoever Ning Xia chose, few of them who did not know the truth of the matter would even try to grasp it as was the social norm. Instead, on Yanzhou University's campus, it would all fall to Zhang Ninglang to win their approval and recognition.

Unaware of the specifics of the upcoming performance, Xu Tingsheng felt that the situation that Xu Sheng had induced was indeed rather troubling. There would really be some pressure on Fu Cheng and Zhang Ninglang with this.

Beside Xu Tingsheng, Little Xiang Ning turned to look at him, saying, “I want this too.”

“What?”

“A performance, to confess?”

“...I have done it. I went to your school for its ten year anniversary and nearly made it into a mass nationwide celebration, remember?”

“But you didn't confess then.”

“...”

…...

The freshman welcoming party finally resumed its usual trajectory as various performances unfolded and laughter and applause unceasingly resounded. There were even two confessions between freshmen in the meantime which basically ended in success...

Everything was going pretty well.

Yet, it was just like something was missing.

Not much time remained before the projected end of the party.

“Could it be that the other side is simply not going to accept and respond to the challenge?”

“Huh? That would be too weak, right? Even if the girl still follows him, he surely wouldn't look good? Maybe cracks will even arise in their relationship.”

“Well, I heard that the guy is very ordinary in the first place, yeah? Many even say that he cannot match up to that long-plaited girl Ning Xia at all...”

“Who cares about that. More importantly, what about Rebirth...are they not going to perform?”

“I believe they really weren't on the programme schedule in the first place! In the first place, the rumours were only that there was a possibility of senior Xu Tingsheng inviting Rebirth. This was all just mere speculation…”

“No, please, no…”

“Senior Xu Tingsheng's sitting right there! Go ask him yourself if you want.”

“I daren’t…”

Right now, every time the emcees went on stage, the eyes of the audience would be fixated intently on their mouths as they yearned to hear Rebirth's name being called out next.

If it wasn't, sighs would again resound.

The emcees went on stage again, bantering a bit as usual before pausing momentarily. The audience fell silent, awaiting with bated breath to hear what the next performance would be.

“Up next…” The female emcee looked at the note in her hand that she had just received.“<Uglie>.”

And they left the stage without even saying who the performers were.

Boos resounded all around.

What was <Uglie>? Was it a comedy routine? Skit? Verbal sparring? Clowns fooling around? ...“Can you stop messing with us?” ...“Please override it!” ...“We want Rebirth!”...

The lights on the stage suddenly dimmed completely.

Footsteps resounded.

A momentary silence.

Two spotlights came on.

Illuminating two people.

...Thunderous applause, cheers, yells of ‘Rebirth, Rebirth!’...

So <Uglie> was a song, originating from Rebirth...it had to be a new song then.

“Rebirth!...”

“Rebirth!...”

They were not carrying guitars.

They were not wearing those cool air force jackets.

They were just two guys wearing ordinary clothes, standing in the spotlight amidst the darkness.

Still, it was fine. All that was unimportant.

This was Rebirth.

Everyone recognised those signature half-masks on their faces.

Additionally, after the opening sequence, one of them sang:

“If only the world is pitch black, I am actually very beautiful.”

The voice of Rebirth’s lead singer was warm and clean…

Everyone was familiar with it.

If the world is pitch black, I am actually very beautiful-this was the starting verse of ‘Uglie’, the voice of someone denied by others. It asked: Why are you judging me like this? Beneath my ordinariness and ugliness that you can see, there is an underlying beauty that you overlook.

Zhang Ninglang was not ugly. He was just ordinary in all aspects. Talent, looks, personality...it was all just so ordinary with him.

Still, he had indeed been scorned. When he stood beside Ning Xia, the girl with the long plait, as she grew increasingly dazzling and well-known, his ordinariness had become a sort of sin. People were always commenting how he was too ordinary, how he was not qualified to stand beside her…

Actually, it was not just Zhang Ninglang who was in such a position. There were many other boys and girls who were similarly normal and ordinary. They were generally used to receiving more disapproval than approval from other people as they gradually came to feel inferior about themselves.

Which of them would not want a fairer, non-judging gaze?

In that case.

I wish this world were pitch black. In that case, everyone would come to better understand and appreciate one another.

Just that single sentence accompanied by Fu Cheng’s warm voice moved many people as they fell into a deep silence.

It was actually the majority of people in this world who were not dazzling, merely being ordinary.

Chapter 426: Some people are not habitually brave

“If only the world is pitch black, I am actually very beautiful.

Striving tirelessly amidst love, just being exploited at most.

Matters that you may deem irrelevant and uninteresting

Even so, how are they wrong? You can have your way.”

The stage was still basically pitch black.

There were only two spotlights.

And two guys they illuminated.

They wore white shirts that were buttoned up to the highest button at the collar, causing them to look a little stiff and rigid.

One was lowering his head and singing into the mircophone while the other was waiting. The two did not do much else beyond that. This caused them to seem rather stiff and rigid too.

Yet, this feeling corresponded very well with the mood of the song.

Even the half-masks on their faces fit in so well with this <Uglie>.

Those who habitually would not receive affirmation from others would also not be used to acting in an overt way. Even when they were pouring out their feelings or arguing about something, they would tone it down to the lowest level when doing so. Especially with how they were standing on stage right now…

Due to some special quality of his voice, Fu Cheng’s singing had a trait of ‘evoking empathy’. It was as if someone was standing before them and slowly speaking in a calm, warm manner, “See, differences can actually be overlooked. If only the world was completely pitch black…”

It was not that Xu Tingsheng had specially taken out this song for the sake of this performance. Around a year ago, when Rebirth had still been selling ringtones and they had been nicknamed the ‘ugly band’ due to a refusal to show their faces, Xu Tingsheng had been struck by inspiration and supplied Fu Cheng this song.

The two had stopped producing ringtones afterwards, and their myth of ugliness had also been dispelled after Apple had entered showbiz and they had performed at Xinyan Junior High. As a result, this song had naturally been set temporarily aside.

Coincidentally, it fit in so well with this time’s theme.

Fu Cheng finished singing the first verse. There were many who were familiar with his voice. As they listened, they immediately found that he was already becoming increasingly professional as he wielded his voice with ease. His voice’s unique flair had once been praised numerous times by those in the industry as being a godsent gift…

Everyone was enthralled by Fu Cheng. They dared not applaud for fear that his singing might be disrupted as some people even lightened their breathing as best they could.

That atmosphere of a heartfelt outpouring of one’s soul persisted…

Zhang Ninglang opened his mouth.

“If I were like you, always receiving outsiders’ praise…”

Just a single line.

The audience was jolted out of their reverie as a buzz resounded.

“This one isn’t from Rebirth?”

“The physique already isn’t right. The voice isn’t right too.”

“There’s such a gulf in quality. What’s he doing? Spoiling the performance…”

Xu Sheng’s bunch was already beginning to break into jeers…“Get off, Get off…”

Zhang Ninglang’s hands were trembling slightly as he clutched the microphone tightly.

His voice was trembling too.

He was not so talented in singing in the first place and lacked experience too. Coupled with nervousness from being up on stage...his first line just felt rather like ‘the scene of a car crash’...

He would surely have heard the ongoing din amongst the audience.

Still, he continued to sing.

“If I were like you, always receiving outsider’s praise

The inferiority that surrounds me, maybe it would fade

I don’t mind it, in truth. Really many chances to

Stand fearless like a rising giant

Give my inner demons free reign

But still I’m simply unworthy!”

As Fu Cheng put a comforting hand on Zhang Ninglang’s shoulder, that girl in the audience was smiling the most brilliantly, waving her arms as she hoped that he would see this. Ning Xia had previously said to him that he had no need to prove anything to anyone. She had no need for him to go out and compete with anyone, whoever it was. He had said: I can’t always only be decent. I want to give it go.

Zhang Ninglang had always been a very decent, great guy. Still, there were some things which he had always been lacking, which he was seeking to find.

Although sometimes, it was simply sufficient for two people to stand by each other with all else being unimportant, the truth was that as social creatures, love never came without obstacles for human beings.

His voice was growing increasingly firm, penetrating through the din and the gossiping crowds.

If the song was a monologue, Zhang Ninglang’s words were actually even more heartfelt than Fu Cheng’s. Fu Cheng was not an ordinary, average person. His voice was already unordinary, and if he were to remove his mask right now, all those girls in the audience would probably start screaming.

In reality, Zhang Ninglang was the person who was most used to being ordinary. It was to the extent that he had always been the one most easily overlooked. He was the kind who would seldom be mentioned by former classmates in their graduation photo many years later, that male student least likely to be remembered.

Then, his long-plaited junior, Ning Xia, had come to stand beside him.

And so his ordinariness had become a ‘sin’.

These lyrics were a heartfelt emotional outpouring that brought his soul bare.

“If I were like you, always receiving outsiders’ praise…”

This was referring to Ning Xia. Perhaps she might not be as pretty as the top beauties in their university. Still, due to the unique flair she possessed, more and more people were coming to admire and appreciate her.

Regarding this matter, afraid that this might negatively affect Zhang Ninglang, she had even thought of cutting off her long plait before…

Still, Zhang Ninglang had stopped her from doing so. When a boy loved a girl, it should never ever be by letting her lose her radiance and glow that she continued to stay by his side.

“The inferiority that surrounds me, maybe it would fade…”

The inferiority had not faded. There was more and more talk of how being too ordinary, he was unqualified and unworthy of her...there are always many people in this world who have nothing better to do. While jokes like ‘flower stuck on dung’ or ‘ugly toad lusting for goose’s flesh’ might appear humorous to some when they are being made, it can also be greatly damaging, in truth.

This had been exacerbated by the appearance of Xu Sheng. He was tall, rich and handsome. If not for the fact that he was a real scumbag, people might instead believe that he was a better fit for her…

“I don’t mind it, in truth. Really many chances to

Stand fearless like a rising giant

Give my inner demons free reign

But still I’m simply unworthy!”

His voice came on too strong at the end. To be exact, he had gone off-key…

Zhang Ninglang sang that last line with all his might. While it was clearly unrelated to anyone, never having hurt anyone, he had heard that phrase just too many times. He said, “I’m simply unworthy.”

While he was still not singing well, only singing more resolutely than before, the mood of those listening to the song had actually already changed from just these few lines. Everyone could tell that this rendition came straight from the heart.

This was especially so for those privy to some background information. They better understood why he was singing this song so very forcefully.

His classmates, friends, people who had once overlooked him, strangers, Little Xiang Ning...the applause was thunderous.

“Uglie...could you not turn on the lights

The love I want lingers on a pitch black stage

Uglie...in these romantic times

My existence, an unseemly surprise”

Fu Cheng took over from the high note, singing: The love I want lingers on a pitch black stage...

Zhang Ninglang then continued to sing…

“For some, a single tear stirs mesmerised tides

……

I can say nothing, beauty was never a crime

……

Fearless like the endless dust of the earth

When we’re ashes who knows who’s who

Who cares how worthy or not he is

Uglie…

Stomping on that vulnerable purity

……”

The second time round, while there were no singing techniques employed whatsoever, the most resolute will was conveyed.

Faced with gossip, faced with Xu Sheng’s overbearing, superior attitude…

He had once met this with silence, continually stepping aside.

Now, he was saying: Who cares how worthy or not he is.

Go on, do your worst...stomp on that vulnerable purity…

Since I am like the earth’s endless dust, does it really matter?

The final line arrived.

“That I don’t exist-would be the surprise!”

Amidst thunderous applause, Zhang Ninglang ripped off his half-mask after that last word. All was revealed as the audience simply saw an ordinary build, an ordinary face, an ordinary boy from university…

Having been unordinary in his singing earlier, he regained his normalcy now.

The audience, especially the female students, were actually more looking forward to whether the other mask would be removed as they did not really care for this.

Still, that mattered not at all. There was only one person Zhang Ninglang wished to speak to.

“Sorry, I didn’t sing very well,” He said.

His gaze was fixed solely on Ning Xia.

Still, everyone else began to fall silent, listening to him speak.

“Do you like it, though?” He asked.

Ning Xia smiled brilliantly, nodding emphatically.

Beneath the gazes at all, she cupped her hands at her mouth, yelling, “I like it! I really like you, Senior Zhang Ninglang…”

“Wa…”

“Oh…”

After a momentary silence, there came whistling, laughter, applause. Actually, if they were reminded of it, if they could set aside their prejudices and were emotionally moved, who would be unwilling to admire this unfolding blissfulness, give this couple their blessings?

“So many people say that I’m unworthy of you. Actually, I myself also doubted it before, marvelled at my luck. Just take it as luck then. What kind of fortune is this, to have you beside me, such a wonderful you…”

Zhang Ninglang was already no longer flustered.

“Who said that Lil’ Bro is too honest and so can’t speak romantically?” Li Xingming wondered aloud.

Li Linlin and Chick Bao directed meaningful looks at their respective boyfriends as if to imply, “You see this! Watch and learn…”

Little Xiang Ning was leaning against Xu Tingsheng’s arm.

“Some people are not habitually brave. For me, it isn’t often that I am brave, but virtually every single time I am, it is because of you. I still remember how so many people asked you for your number that day. I didn’t even have a handphone. You wrote down your number on a piece of paper and gave it to me…”

“I still remember how I woke up at 5am the next morning and went out to buy a handphone. Then, our entire dorm came together to think about what kind of message I should send. They discussed it quite a bit. Did you find what I eventually sent you very silly? Did you laugh? Actually, I thought about it afterwards and felt that I was acting just like a tour guide.”

“I still remember our first date. I was basically stammering as I taught you Level 4 English through the evening. I could tell that you were holding it in then. You were actually dying to laugh…”

“I still remember how the movie we saw was in the lecture theatre. Eating outside for once, we walked through Xishan’s night market several times…”

Xu Sheng and co had already left the hall. Whether in terms of music or the ‘sincerity’ that he spoke of, he had suffered a complete, utter defeat. Nine hundred and ninety-nine roses were unable to compete with that single sentence: I am not habitually brave. Every time I am, it is because of you.

Tonight, Lil’ Bro was virtually like a saint of romance, just for that one person.

“I will continue to be brave,” He said.

“Yes,” Ning Xia nodded emphatically.

Zhang Ninglang smiled and said, “Other people can have many tales in their youth, all colourful, topsy-turvy and spectacular...for me, there were once only exams and rising to a higher grade, the cycle continually repeating. Up till now, only a single important thing has happened to me, which was meeting you. Only then did colour start to fill my youthful world…”

“Thank you, junior.”

The ordinary Zhang Ninglang hence completed a conquest. Everyone, both ordinary and unordinary, similar ones with grey lives, different ones with lives of colour-they were all conquered without exception.

Since when has the question of being unworthy existed in this world? There is only ever the question of whether people are right for each other.

“It’s our first anniversary today. I have a gift for you.”

Chapter 427: Anniversary gift

“It’s our first anniversary today. I have a gift for you.”

Zhang Ninglang and his junior, Ning Xia, had been together for a year.

Those of Room 602 came to this sudden realisation as they exchanged looks and all started smiling. Right, a year had already passed. Their little bro’s university relationship had quietly unfolded like a little stream in a clearing, calm and without incident as everyone had thereby unconsciously overlooked the passing of time.

Simple yet stable happiness-how many people had once wished for this?

He was holding no roses, much less some ring or necklace or whatnot…

Were those empty words? However heartfelt, that just couldn’t cut it!

“Where’s the gift?” Someone called out good-naturedly.

“Let it also serve as compensation for me spoiling Rebirth’s performance earlier,” Having sung that song, after that initial booing and nervousness, Zhang Ninglang was unusually composed that night as he smiled calmly.

And so, the appetites of the audience were all hooked.

An emcee walked over rather hastily in ascending the stage, looking both excited and flustered. Zhang Ninglang handed her the microphone and descended the stage, going over to sit beside Ning Xia.

This couple had given the most powerful answer after their initial peace in staying by each other’s side had been broken.

This couple-on hindsight, how were they not made for each other?

The female emcee was clearly insufficiently prepared, her mood being unstable too. After finishing what she had written down on the paper, she did not stop as she stammered on. Anyone could tell that she was delaying and trying to buy time.

Still, the anticipation was evidently too great this time as a portion of the audience was already starting to grow impatient, with low boos beginning to resound.

……

There was no way Xu Tingsheng did not know what was going on.

Just earlier, right after <Uglie> had ended, Fu Cheng had returned backstage as Zhang Ninglang had been speaking. Xu Tingsheng had received such a text from him then: Come backstage. The clothes and mask are ready for you. Apple is here. <I Want To Sing Me To You>.

Apple was here. With her current status, for her to appear at a freshman welcoming ceremony in university was already very much overkill. It was no wonder that Zhang Ninglang and Fu Cheng had previously said that they had a trump card. It could not have been any more terrifying, really.

Of course, this actually made sense if one thought about it. Apple was virtually under no contractual restrictions at all in Tianyi. Having a freer personality too, she had gone to hide in Libei after releasing that album, also having participated in marathons in various countries worldwide. As a popular first-tier singer, she was living wilfully and in a relaxed manner.

Also, Zhang Ninglang and Apple knew each other from before. He had been a spy for her as a sort of brother-sister relationship had hence formed between them. Even without Xu Tingsheng, the two of them had always been in contact.

Now that her younger brother had been bullied, this bigwig big sister had come to help vanquish his foes.

Maybe she had initially intended to lend him some crucial aid, but as it had turned out, Zhang Ninglang himself performed so well tonight. With that, lending crucial aid had become adding icing to the cake. And so, the low-key Zhang Ninglang’s anniversary gift had become so high profile it was scary.

Xu Tingsheng had not expected that he would be included in their plan too, whereas they had probably not expected that Little Xiang Ning would be here.

“You sing with Apple. I won’t be coming,” Xu Tingsheng texted Fu Cheng back.

“What’s the situation?” Fu Cheng replied rather urgently.

Xu Tingsheng considered it before replying as calmly as he could, “My little wifey’s here.”

A reply came from Fu Cheng after a momentary lull, “It’s fine, actually. It’s just one song, and it’s also for Zhang Ninglang...she shouldn’t mind, right? I remember that her relationship with Apple is pretty good.”

“She won’t mind it. Still, I really don’t want to sing,” Xu Tingsheng no longer said anything after that.

This was the reason behind the emcee evidently trying to delay things and buy time on stage.

Little Xiang Ning really wouldn’t mind this, in truth. Xu Tingsheng knew that she might even be very happy about it. Still, he himself knew that he really could not do it, had no way of doing so.

Ever since that concert in Xihu City when she had brought along a shirt for him and rolled and buttoned up his sleeves, with him shaking her off and raising his hands for Apple instead...he had already been wracked by guilt.

Even if it was unfair, if he really had no choice but to see one of them hurt again, that person could only be Apple.

Just as he was feeling troubled, Tan Yao leaned over.

“Xu Sheng’s lot has left. Huang Yaming arranged for some people from the bar to be waiting outside tonight. Should they make a move now?”

Xu Tingsheng looked astonishedly at him, asking, “No need, right? Isn’t this an overreaction?”

“Didn’t you take a few blows from them when we were fighting that day?” Tan Yao explained.

“But still, it’s just a fight between university students! It’s perfectly natural to take a few blows. Don’t needlessly complicate things,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“We’re letting that bastard go just like that?”

“Right. Help me apologise to him and then step aside,” Xu Tingsheng said, “He isn’t that awful a person, actually. He’s pretty interesting and he has the capabilities to back up him loving to play around like that.”

Tan Yao could only helplessly make the call to convey Xu Tingsheng’s instructions.

There were actually words that Xu Tingsheng had left unsaid. If Xu Sheng who had simply flirted with several girls in university and engaged in a few fights could be considered a scumbag, what about those truly ruthless and black-hearted people in society like Ding Sen, who would even go after someone else’s life?

In reality, how many of those who possessed wealth were harmonious, rule-abiding people?

Xu Sheng was rich, drove a high-end car and had a decent appearance too. Him liking to play the domineering CEO was actually a very normal thing. Moreover, in having spent over a year on this, he had never sneakily acted to harm Lil’ Bro or used underhanded means on Ning Xia.

The messy fight that day had been started by Xu Tingsheng, in truth.

Therefore, Xu Sheng could actually be considered decent. Compared to Ding Sen’s selfishness and Chen Yulun’s shameless, disgusting manner, he was really much, much better than them. Of course, Xu Tingsheng could not be considered in the wrong too. This had simply been a perfectly normal conflict.

Xu Tingsheng really did not wish for something which was perfectly normal for students to be mixed in with too much societal-level stuff, hence becoming overly complicated.

Xu Sheng was actually a rather interesting guy too. This playboy never forced himself on girls like Ning Xia who could resist his glamour, and as for all those vain girls flocking for his money, they were ultimately still willing parties.

Some women in this world accept their ‘weaker status’ much too readily. While chastising men for being scumbags, they never reflect on whether their benchmarks for evaluating men are so justified in the first place.

Some men are also becoming more and more servile.

There are surely many good women in this world. Still, in reality, there are many more faithless women than men. While extending a hand and requesting for money, for cars, for flats, they are making comparisons between a few men and hesitating while scolding all these bastards for not being devoted enough-there are actually quite a few women like that.

Moreover, Xu Sheng’s romantic deeds were really pretty interesting and effective. That tactic from his first year of university when he had made a long rope with several hundred photos secretly taken of a girl, extending from the first to fourth storey-how could the average girl possibly resist this dedication, the romantic nature of it?

Also, he was willing to part with the money to form a band to attract girls. He was perfectly free to do so as it was just a matter of the willing fish biting the hook.

Perhaps things outside had already been settled as Xu Tingsheng next unexpectedly received a text from Xu Sheng.

“I’m Xu Sheng. I just got your number. I didn’t know that you are so aboveboard in your actions. I guarantee that I will not harass them in the future. It’s not like I lack girls anyway, just that this time was really quite tragic. Still, thinking about it, this pitiful image should also be pretty useful in helping me to get girls in the future.”

Xu Tingsheng replied with ellipses. This fella was really a rare, ultimate breed.

“Still, you really went a bit too crazy here. I just heard that you may have invited Apple too?”

“I really didn’t invite her. They themselves are acquainted.”

“...This is no fun. You people are really playing it too high-level.”

……

After a very long wait, the female emcee finally descended the stage.

The lights dimmed and spotlights swept intensely about to raise the hype.

Finally, the lights came on again as Zhang Ninglang’s heavyweight ‘anniversary gift’ finally ascended the stage.

Chapter 428: Yes please

Still dressed in white and with that half-mask on his face, Fu Cheng returned to the stage.

Behind him was a girl, similarly wearing a half-mask and looking very much like a student too as she sported a fresh, simple ponytail, T-shirt, white jeans and sports shoes.

Little Xiang Ning was already very familiar with Apple now. Seeing the figure on the stage, she was already vigorously shaking Xu Tingsheng’s arm, yelling happily, “Wow, Big Sis Apple! It’s Big Sis Apple! Did you know about this, Xu Tingsheng? You never told me about it.”

“I had no idea,” Xu Tingsheng replied helplessly.

“Alright then. Hey, why aren’t you singing together with her? What a pity,” Xiang Ning said regretfully.

Xu Tingsheng looked at her earnest expression. She was really looking forward to that.

At this moment, Xu Tingsheng reaffirmed his determination that there were some things he should try his best never to let Xiang Ning find out about. It was just like a white lie. Sometimes, the less one knew, the easier it would be for them to remain pure and happy.

Actually, it was not just Little Xiang Ning who had guessed Apple’s identity as most of the others had too. Some of them were Apple’s fans in the first place as they recognised her just by looking at her. As for the others, relating this to Xu Tingsheng and Rebirth...they could naturally guess who the girl on stage was.

From start to end, there had been five guys who had performed for Rebirth, but only ever a single girl.

“Apple…”

“Apple…”

People were still more used to calling her by this name despite her going by Cen Xiyu now. Still, there was really nothing Apple could do about this.

Accompanied by a hint of hesitation, cheers next reverberated throughout the entire venue.

However certain they were that the person up on stage was Apple, the audience was still feeling somewhat doubtful within. This was really much too inconceivable. Even Yanzhou University’s higher-ups who had come to watch the event stared incredulously, looking left and right with gaping mouths…..

“Yanzhou University’s freshman welcoming party is going to go viral…”

“Yanzhou University is going to go viral…”

Apple was just crazy popular right now. In terms of her position in showbiz, if five chart-topping songs from a single album was not sufficient to set her as first-tier, she was ultimate first-tier in terms of popularity right now.

The songs were the basis of it all. Apple’s album, <Rebirth>, had been unimaginably popular. At the same time, having newly re-entered showbiz, Apple herself who was finally able to show her true personality was so likeable too. She was a goddess of showbiz and marathons, and even the free-spirited girl next door on Weibo who was friendly, interesting as well as cute.

Coupled together, all these factors created an unstoppable momentum such that the path to the top was all but paved.

Yet, despite such great popularity, Apple virtually never participated in commercial performances as she could basically only be seen participating in marathons or in her daily life on Weibo...how much would it cost to get her to perform?

Some had already offered her the price of a million for a commercial performance.

This value surpassed even that of the queens of showbiz. Still, she had not accepted the offer.

In terms of earning money, the few advertisements that she had been in already made for an incredible sum.

“To actually invite Apple. Xu Tingsheng really is willing to spend,” Someone said emotionally.

“He may not even have had to pay anything, okay? They know each other. They were once classmates and are still friends. When Apple returned to showbiz previously, while his Weibo said that it was a cooperative relationship, it actually spent quite some effort,” A rebuttal came.

“Who cares? It’s just great that we can watch this performance. Speaking of which, the most tragic would still be Xu Sheng. Oh, he’s gone...well, it’s a good thing he left. It would be like absolutely-no-mercy crushing to death otherwise.”

“......”

Up on stage, Apple did not prolong the suspense as she pulled off the mask and smiled brightly, saying, “Aw, did you all guess it already? And I still wanted to act mysterious for a bit.”

“We did...ha,” Everyone replied in unison, accompanied by laughter.

“Well, hello, everyone. I’m Cen Xiyu. I’m very happy to be participating in Yanzhou University’s freshman welcoming party tonight,” Apple waved, “Well then, do you all know why I’ve come?”

“Xu Tingsheng?” Someone yelled from amongst the audience.

“Like he’d be able to get me here,” Apple smiled, a prideful look jokingly appearing on her face.

Xu Tingsheng did not just know how Fu Cheng had conveyed his refusal to sing with her. Perhaps he had withheld the truth, for Xu Tingsheng could not see any desolation or unhappiness in Apple’s expression at this moment.

Was it that she was concealing it too well? Or had she truly managed to get over him already?

“Rebirth?” The audience continued to guess.

Apple shook her head again before saying, “Actually, you may not know this, but I have a very good friend in Yanzhou University. He’s just like my little brother...Zhang Ninglang. I am here to celebrate the first anniversary of him and his girlfriend being together...speaking of which, it was not long ago that I met her for the first time.”

A commotion arose.

Everyone was startled and disbelieving. If most people had previously believed Zhang Ninglang to be normal and ordinary, this mindset was corrected right there and then. How crazy low key he was!

They did not know going upward to its source, all this was originally related to Xu Tingsheng, only then having come about.

Therefore, as they saw it, Yanzhou University was really too special and wondrous a place. Besides the legendary Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng, there was the mysterious, inconceivable Rebirth that could bring forth a top artiste with just a few songs. And, and, there was still more.

The freshmen all grew excited as they felt that the university they had chosen was truly much too inconceivable and interesting.

“My little brother sang a song to his junior earlier. My gift will be <I Want To Sing Me To You>. This song is for everyone here too. I hope that everyone will have someone they can pour out their heart to, whom they will listen earnestly to in turn...right now, when our hearts are like buds to bloom…”

Thunderous applause resounded as the opening sequence played.

“I want to sing me to you

Right now when our hearts are like buds to bloom

Let us blossom to our fullest

Fill my sprouts with years of you”

Apple started to sing, her voice naturally clear. This was a song that fit very well with campus life as its theme was youth. I want to sing me to you, right now when our hearts are like buds to bloom. Everyone who walks by in our years of youth, fills up the lifetimes of us all around.

For these young boys and girls present, they were akin to flower buds that had just obtained their freedom and were waiting to bloom. Filled with yearning, they were waiting for that special person.

Fu Cheng raised his microphone, preparing to sing.

At the same moment, Little Xiang Ning pushed Xu Tingsheng, requesting, “You sing too! You sing too!”

Unwilling to get on stage to sing, Xu Tingsheng could only sing softly amongst the audience.

“Who is it who can replace you

Let us love to the fullest in our youth

The person oh closest oh dearest to me

On this long journey please will you join me”

This song was not split between the male and female singers like in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life as his memory of it had not been clear enough. This line which should originally have been sung by the female singer was thus sung by Xu Tingsheng alongside Fu Cheng.

Xu Tingsheng: “On this long journey please will you join me.”

A rather shy yet very sweet voice resounded beside him, “Yes please.”

While it wasn’t loud, it was soft but firm.

So it was because of this that Little Xiang Ning had insisted on Xu Tingsheng singing along as well. It was for this, this very line.

She had said, “Yes please.”

Uncle: The road ahead is long. Shall we go together?

The little girl: Yes please.

“Listen please as I sing me to you

Can your pure, guileless smile stay with me”

Her little face leaning in, Little Xiang Ning smiled brightly, saying, “Yes please.”

“Listen please as I sing me to you

Can this blazing heart of mine move you

The times are worth remembering, thinking back

Your bashful, blushing face

Who is it who can replace you

Let us love to the fullest in our youth

The person oh closest oh dearest to me

On this long journey please will you join me”

One singing on the stage.

One singing softly amongst the audience.

To every question, Little Xiang Ning would reply sweetly, “Yes please!”

The happiness that was within his grasp made Xu Tingsheng overlook many things.

Up on stage.

Fu Cheng pretended to deviate from his position and momentarily blocked Apple from view.

Apple made use of this chance to wipe away the tears that were unconsciously welling up at the corners of her eyes, a bright smile reappearing on her face as she sang, “The person oh closest oh dearest to me, on this long journey please will you join me?”

Those were some of the happiest times within her memories. Back then, she had thought that Xiang Ning would not appear, that all would be good.

This song had originally been sung by the two of them together.

Back then, in the recording studio, she had often been mischievous as every time he sang to lines like these, she would say, “Yes please.”

That song had taken a long time to record. Xu Tingsheng had said that she was deliberately fooling around, to which she had said, “But, really. Yes please.”

Chapter 429: Forcing someone who loves you most to put on a show

In the year 2003, Rebirth had appeared for the first time, borrowing their joint for a confession in singing <Fairy Tale>. Someone had once said that Yanzhou University’s freshman welcoming party that year was simply destined to be impossible to surpass. In terms of explosive effect, this had actually already been solidly surpassed tonight.

As for whether 2005 was superior to 2003 overall, as everyone had different experiences and perspectives, they would naturally come to differing conclusions on this.

Thunderous applause and cries for encore resounded as <I Want To Sing Me To You> ended. Apple and Fu Cheng gave deep bows and left the stage. The female emcee returned. Yet every time she spoke, her voice would be suppressed by the din from the audience.

It was five minutes or perhaps even longer when she finally got a chance to speak again.

“Crazy…” This came unscripted as it was like a genuine outpouring of her emotions.

“Cen Xiyu is my favourite singer too. Did you know? I nearly went crazy when I saw her backstage just now. Just now, do you know how tempted I was to stop her for everyone, requesting one more, two more songs…”

“Zhang Ninglang, we’re all counting on you for your second anniversary next year!” She smilingly said.

But Zhang Ninglang and Ning Xia were nowhere to be seen, having already left at some point in time.

The emcee spread her hands apart helplessly, “Classmates of Zhang Ninglang present, please remember to help convey this to him. Next, the programme will continue. Up next, this junior is also a fan of Miss Cen Xiyu’s. The song that she will be singing is…<Performer>...”

The lights dimmed as she left the stage. Then, a first year female student ascended the stage as the opening sequence for <Performer> resounded.

“I just got an autograph. I really hope Big Sis Apple will be able to hear this song,” The girl said, holding the microphone.

……

Actually, it was not just Zhang Ninglang and Ning Xia who had exited the hall. Xu Tingsheng, Xiang Ning, Tan Yao, Old Wai, Li Linlin...these people had all already left too. To them, this freshman welcoming party was actually as good as over.

Right after returning backstage, Fu Cheng sent Xu Tingsheng a text.

“It’s fine just seeing each other, right. Off we go. Let’s meet at the side entrance and have a meetup at the bar.”

Xu Tingsheng did not refuse to do so. Moreover, Little Xiang Ning wanted to see Apple too.

They waited at the side entrance for a while. Apple had still yet to emerge when Fu Cheng arrived.

He said, “Apple’s changing. She has to go in disguise lest she’s swarmed by all those fans…”

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

Little Xiang Ning went to the toilet, led by Li Linlin.

Fu Cheng passed Xu Tingsheng a cigarette, telling him, “I didn’t tell Apple that your little wifey’s here.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded again.

Apple emerged from the side entrance, having changed her clothes and put on a hat.

On seeing Xu Tingsheng, she stopped for a bit before finally walking over. The brim of her hat was pulled very low as her expression could not be seen clearly.

Fu Cheng feigned casualness and walked off, leaving the two alone by the corner.

Xu Tingsheng smiled apologetically but did not speak.

“Why didn’t you sing?”

“I…”

“Xu Tingsheng, you...can you please not be like this? I know that I can’t continue asking things of you, including how you treat me. Still, I’ve been trying very hard! Little Xiang Ning and I are on great terms. I’ve handled our relationship very well...you can see it, right? Can you please not push me so far away? I won’t hurt her.”

Some sniffling was interspersed with her voice as she had evidently just been crying.

“You don’t have to do this,” Xu Tingsheng said in a low tone.

Apple raised her head and looked at him. There was a bit of a lost, misty look in her eyes.

She shook her head slowly, saying, “I know. Still, it doesn’t have to be that serious, right? Leave me some imagination. Leave me some space. Leave me some time. On my own, I’ll slowly...is that okay? Actually, I don’t know what it is that I myself want. I’ve also tried to persuade myself to properly accept it. Look, in bringing Little Xiang Ning to Yanjing, I was telling myself to face reality and give the two of you my blessings, in return for all you’ve done for me. But even so, things don’t have to be serious to such an extent, right?”

Xu Tingsheng actually had no way of answering this question at all. Maybe Apple was right and things really weren’t as serious as he was making them out to be. Yet, there would always just be that sense of worry and fear, perhaps even a foreboding feeling within him due to the guilt that he felt.

“Is that alright?”

Apple gingerly came closer, reached out and hugged Xu Tingsheng. Her tears fell onto his shoulder.

“Please don’t be like this, okay?”

She had just sung the song that evoked the happiest memories in her. She had looked forward to this day for so long...even though Fu Cheng had not told her that it was because Xiang Ning was present that Xu Tingsheng had refused to perform, she understood it. He had rejected her.

This was really unrelated to pride. It just stung so very badly.

It had hurt too when she had first met Xiang Ning. Still, she had ignored it, trying her best to get herself to accept it. Still, some things would not happen just because one willed them so. She only hoped that there would still remain some form of relationship between herself and that person, formerly her Superman…

Yet, he sought to push her so far away.

The pain that had been suppressed for a long time was brought to the surface by that song, thereby erupting. She had no way of hiding it any longer.

Holding hands with Li Linlin, Little Xiang Ning rounded the corner around that stone pillar. She saw Xu Tingsheng, and then Apple too. Excited, she was just about to call out a greeting when she abruptly stopped in her tracks. There was a lost, helpless look in her eyes as her hand that was clutching Li Linlin’s unconsciously fell…

“Big Sis Apple is hugging Xu Tingsheng…”

Little Xiang Ning’s mind had still not come to any conclusion as she had no way of accurately pinpointing her feelings. Still, it was more of a sense of bewilderment that she felt, alongside which came a faint stabbing pain from something else…

She turned to look at Li Linlin.

Li Linlin pulled up her hand. She was the person Little Xiang Ning was closest to here, Xu Tingsheng aside.

“Cough…” Li Linlin made a deliberate noise.

Xu Tingsheng saw Xiang Ning. He was rendered at a loss.

Apple saw her too.

There was a momentary pause alongside her startlement.

“Yeah, performance success! Victory!” She yelled loudly.

Pushing Xu Tingsheng aside, Apple turned and strode towards Fu Cheng who was closest to her, saying, “Nice working with you…”

Then, she hugged Zhang Ninglang, exclaiming, “You did awesome out there!”

Hugging Ning Xia, she asked, “How is it? You must be super happy right now, right?”

She acted very enthusiastically as even her voice was bright. Whether or not everyone else was a bit befuddled by this, finding it to be very sudden, she made it feel as though the hugs were like when a singer thanked her accompaniment, honoured guests and band at the end of a concert…

This actually seemed...completely reasonable too…

Little Xiang Ning’s expression finally eased.

“Big Sis Apple…” She called.

“Little Xiang Ning?” Apple exclaimed in an astonished tone, “So you were here too?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s been a long time!” Apple hugged Little Xiang Ning and led her by the hand while talking to her.

The voice of the first year female student could faintly be heard as it emanated from the music hall.

“Don’t design more sequences like these

No opinion, just want to see how you smoothen things out

Your sorrowful exterior like a talentless performer

The audience can tell with a single glance

I who should act together in concert with you pretend to see nothing

When forcing someone who loves you the most to take to the stage”

Having unfortunately been intruded on, not wishing for anyone to be hurt, Apple had worked hard to smoothen things out. With all her might, she had taken to the stage in an impromptu performance. Even so, all those in the know could actually tell that her act was very surface level.

Smiling brightly, she was talking to Little Xiang Ning about her earlier performance. That song...Xiang Ning said that she liked it too.

“If you can still tell I have these lingering affections

Please erase those sequences, let my dignity stay

……

It’s because I love you that I choose to perform, and fulfil you.

Chapter 430: A lie

Xu Tingsheng was able to see Apple smiling as she conversed cheerfully with Little Xiang Ning.

He was also able to hear someone singing, “When forcing someone who loves you the most to take to the stage...if you can still tell I have these lingering affections, please erase those sequences, let my dignity stay...it’s because I love you that I choose to perform, and fulfil you.”

It was Xu Tingsheng who had forced someone who loved him most to take to the stage in an impromptu performance, the resulting sequence being mediocre with not a care for their dignity at all.

Yet, there was already no path of retreat available to him.

The entrance and side entrance of the university were indeed both very crowded. There were those from Yanzhou University itself, those from other schools in the academy city, those from town and those who had rushed over from the city district. Yet, currently loved and envied by a great many people, this girl, Apple, dared not even display a sorrowful expression after the pain.

The lot of them scaled the wall and split into two cars, both headed to Bright Brilliance. While Xu Tingsheng thought that it would be inappropriate for Little Xiang Ning to go there, feeling that she should get some rest instead, before he could say anything, she had already excitedly followed Apple up a car.

She just loved novelty, loved where things were happening.

Huang Yaming was waiting for them at the bar. While business was booming and many people were unable to get in, he still reserved the best private room for them, drinking alone as he waited.

Having stayed here for the entire summer holidays, Tan Qingling had finally returned with the start of the new semester.

Xu Tingsheng had not interacted much with her over this period of time. Once, he had randomly asked out of curiosity, “Why did you come back?”

Tan Qingling had replied, “After being outside and seeing some people, experiencing some things, I realised that he’s really still the best after all.”

Xu Tingsheng had ceased speaking right there and then.

It was just like how some women would say in a few years, “I'm had my fun. No more breaking hearts. It's time to find an honest, simple guy to marry,” While Huang Yaming was not an honest, simple guy, he could be foolish in his devotion to love. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng still remembered those words: The heck, did we simple, honest people dig up your ancestral graves in our previous lifetimes?

Ever since Chen Jingqi had moved out from that house, she and Huang Yaming had become no different from strangers…

Some people might still choose to forgive after having been hurt once, but let it happen a second time, and over my dead body.

Regarding what had happened that fateful night before she had proactively withdrawn from the relationship, it had taken many tries from Song Ni before she had finally been willing to reveal it.

Song Ni had relayed this to Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng. According to Chen Jingqi, after having wrung a towel and returned to the bed to help wipe Huang Yaming’s face, the drunk Huang Yaming had repeatedly hollered Tan Qingling’s name, saying that he really loved her.

Xu Tingsheng had looked for Chen Jingqi afterwards because of this, asking her, “Before Huang Yaming said those words, did Tan Qingling say or do anything?”

“I think she was talking to him for quite a long time,” Chen Jingqi said, “About stories about you and them from your days in senior high. There were many things that happened between them.”

Xu Tingsheng considered this for a time, “It’s no wonder then. Huang Yaming was already so drunk that he was no longer lucid then. If I remember correctly, Tan Qingling is a psychology major in university. She deliberately reconstructed scenes of our senior high days in Huang Yaming’s mind, causing his wandering mind to unconsciously return to those times. It was because of this that he reacted how he did. He really liked her back then. Back then, she had still yet to hurt him like that, show him her other side…”

Chen Jingqi forced a smile and was silent for a long time before she finally said, “Forget it. Even if that’s the case, he was awake afterwards, and he...forget it. Boss Xu, I will continue working properly in Hucheng. Please treat me like any other employee. As for me and him, there will henceforth be nothing at all between us.”

After having bid Chen Jingqi farewell that day, Xu Tingsheng had leapt up in fright at his conjecture. If things were really as he imagined, Tan Qingling had been able to deliberately manipulate and induce such a situation that day, before...intentionally letting Chen Jingqi hear those things…

In that case, this girl had clearly already long since ceased to be that familiar ex-classmate from senior high after her experiences from her time with that minor boss.

There was nothing that had to be kept secret between bros. Xu Tingsheng had informed Huang Yaming about his conjecture and gotten someone to get in touch with that minor boss too. The other party was actually relatively young and had treated Tan Qingling very well too. He could additionally be considered a victim who had been thoroughly played by Tan Qingling. Things between them had ultimately concluded with Tan Qingling breaking up with him without any hesitation whatsoever after learning of how well Huang Yaming was currently doing as she departed to look for him at once.

Huang Yaming himself was aware of all of this. Still, his only response to this was silence.

Matters of the heart never had any easy solutions.

……

No one mentioned any of this tonight. Everyone worked together to get the blissful Zhang Ninglang intoxicated with wine. Unexpectedly, Ning Xia’s alcohol capacity turned out to be relatively high. Things were very boisterous as everyone seemed to be having a great time.

Fu Cheng got on stage and sang a song. Out of nowhere, Little Xiang Ning proposed for Xu Tingsheng and Apple to sing a duet too. This time, it was Apple who refused.

After a while, a security guard on duty outside came in to give a report. Apparently, due to rumours that Apple was in Yanzhou, with the fans also having been unable to find her at Yanzhou University from before, they had all come and massed outside the bar instead.

They rushed to Huang Yaming’s office and turned on the computer, checking Weibo. Only then did they realise that news about Apple appearing at Yanzhou University’s freshman welcoming party, along with some photos, was already spreading quickly on the internet.

And since she was nowhere to be seen at the university, some had naturally guessed that she might be at the bar, Bright Brilliance.

“What now? How about you show your face and persuade them to go away like last time? I’m afraid they might storm in…” Huang Yaming said, feeling a bit apprehensive.

Apple shook her head breezily. Now, she posted a picture of leaving in a car in the night, with the words: Sorry, left suddenly as I came. It’s late, so don’t wait anymore, everyone! See you next time~

She had prepared it in advance when coming over yesterday.

So she was already able to easily cope with situations like this. Yet, there were ultimately still some things that she could just do nothing about...

Unable to bear going on like this, Xu Tingsheng forcibly took the still high-spirited Little Xiang Ning along in leaving the bar beforehand. On the way back, Little Xiang Ning looked at him a couple of times, looking like she wished to say something yet ultimately never voicing this out...

It was the same even at home.

After bathing, she just sat on the sofa in the living room.

“What is it? Aren’t you tired?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Little Xiang Ning shook her head.

“Shall I carry you in?”

Xu Tingsheng scooped Little Xiang Ning up.

Xiang Ning struggled violently, jumped down and returned to her room on her own…

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for some time before eventually returning to his room as well.

More than an hour passed before the door of his room was opened.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have shown my temper at you,” Little Xiang Ning said, standing by the doorway.

“Nah, it’s nothing. Come on up!” Came the gentle reply.

Little Xiang Ning climbed up the bed and went snugly into Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

After what seemed like a long internal struggle, she enquired softly, “Xu Tingsheng, were you formerly in a relationship with Big Sis Apple? She seems to like you.”

Perhaps women are especially sensitive in this area, even though this was just a sixteen-year-old girl.

Xu Tingsheng fell silent.

“That would be okay, actually. You, you’re so old. It’s only normal if you were in a relationship before. I wouldn’t be angry. Tell me, is it like that? The two of you were together before, right? Why did you then break up afterwards? Why me?”

Despite her saying that she wouldn’t be angry, Xu Tingsheng could sense some strain in her voice as well as a sense of loss and perplexion that permeated her words.

Sixteen, in her first relationship, feeling that she had the best boyfriend, was surrounded so wonderfully by sweet happiness. The young girl could actually have no impurities sully her heart. Even if she was able to accept it, her heart would still be throbbing faintly with pain.

Especially when he had already been close to her at that point of time, where she thought that he had already loved her. If she found out…

“There’s no such thing! Really,” Xu Tingsheng lied.

“Oh,” Little Xiang Ning said happily, “I won’t let my thoughts run wild anymore. I believe you, Xu Tingsheng. Though, that would actually also be fine...heh.”

Chapter 431: Why do I have to study properly?

On the first two days of the November holidays, Little Xiang Ning went back to help at her parents’ store, carrying the dishes, taking the orders, a bit of everything. As business was considerably good at the store, Xu Tingsheng naturally ended up going along with her.

It really felt a bit like the future son-in-law was working hard to demonstrate himself.

Just because of this, having previously been unwilling to dish out the cost for additional employees all along, Mr and Mrs Xiang hired someone and asked Little Xiang Ning to stop coming over. Additionally, they instructed Xu Tingsheng to make sure that she studied properly.

In the end, with her time freed up, Little Xiang Ning spent all her time either using the computer or watching television and munching on snacks.

Back when Xu Tingsheng had been her home tutor, he could still be fierce to her and manage her actions. Now that he was her boyfriend, however, his position had really been weakened.

On 4th October, the dutiful form teacher of the first-tier senior high sent the results for the first examination in the adjustment period before National Day to Little Xiang Ning’s QQ account. Xu Tingsheng was sitting beside her at the time and thus saw this.

Sixth from behind.

While it was an experimental class, to be in sixth last place…

As for the five people ranked behind her, having been a form teacher himself in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng was well aware that there were many rich or powerful people out there who might forcibly insert their good-for-nothing kids in the experimental class, making up the bottom of the pile.

Now that he thought about it, perhaps he should really have requested that she go to a normal class back then.

Xiang Ning had neither been so gifted in studying nor all that hardworking in his previous life. In this life, it was only thanks to the combination of two years of tutoring, the revision notes that he had prepared for her and her good luck as she had fortunately hit on quite a few key points that she had achieved such frightening results.

At the end of the day, though, she was really just not top scholar material.

Worried that she might have suffered too great a shock from her results, Xu Tingsheng dared not make a sound as he sat there beside her. He carefully observed her expression.

Xiang Ning took a potato chip and put it in her mouth. Crunch, crunch…

“Don’t tell my parents about this,” She said expressionlessly.

That was all?

Taken aback, Xu Tingsheng asked, “But I really should?”

“If you do, I’ll tell them that we sleep on the same bed sometimes.”

“Hey, Little Xiang Ning, you shameless…”

“Hey, Xu Tingsheng, you dirty ruffian…”

Defeat.

Xu Tingsheng changed his approach and went into teacher mode. He told Little Xiang Ning about the importance of the senior high stage and the significance of getting into a good university. At the end of the day, his words could be summed up into a ‘study properly’.

Looking at him, Little Xiang Ning asked, “But why do I have to study properly?”

Was this really being asked?

“To get into a good university and find a good job,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“And then? Earn income? But however hard I work, I wouldn’t be able to earn in a lifetime what you earn in a short time...so, why must I study hard and get into a good university? ...Will you not want me and not upkeep me otherwise?” Little Xiang Ning rebutted with great conviction.

Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt that…this really made a lot of sense. Actually, did Xiang Ning really have to study so hard?

“I feel that it’s fine as long as I don’t do too badly,” Little Xiang Ning continued.

“And this isn’t considered bad?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I’d still be ranked in the top fifteen in a normal class. I just asked,” Little Xiang Ning said, “And that’s already enough for me to enter a university. Oh, how I wish I was in a normal class...can you help switch me over, Xu Tingsheng?”

Xu Tingsheng was thinking: I’ve really never seen anyone with lower aspirations than you, girl.

But in truth, the merry Xiang Ning of his previous life had just been as lackadaisical as this. In the end, she had only barely managed to get into an ordinary second-rate university. Even so, however, she had still grown up with such an enviable personality and disposition…

In that case, was there really a need to change this?

Xiang Ning took Xu Tingsheng’s silence as an indication to press further.

“Also, I can start working hard again in my second year, just like when in junior high. You can help tutor me then. I’ll study Humanities just like you, and so you’ll be able to teach me then. You can even help me prepare a set of revision materials for the university entrance exams…”

What the...why did it feel like these words made perfect sense?

In fact, Xu Tingsheng would be able to provide much more help in senior high than for in junior high. Moreover, he had once led twelfth grade classes as a teacher in his previous life. Back then, it had not just been history alone that he had repeatedly researched, especially when leading classes that studied the arts.

As had taken the university entrance examinations recently again in this life, that part of his foundation was even more solid.

It really did not seem like getting Little Xiang Ning into university would be very difficult at all…

“You find that my words make a lot of sense, right?”

“Urgh…”

“So, there’s no need for me to study so hard. I’ve also agreed with Lu Min to attend the same university as her. Her results aren’t so good. She says she spends too much time studying relationship problems. Sadly, there isn’t such a major in university. It’s really too bad, huh…”

“...”

Xiang Ning was like a victorious rooster that day as she crowed around triumphantly.

It was only when Xu Tingsheng was preparing dinner that evening that she came over to the kitchen with a face full of panic.

“Dinner’s not ready yet. What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked as he poured the prawns out of the pot.

“Parent, teacher, meeting,” Little Xiang Ning bemoaned with a tragic expression on her face.

“Ha, ha...hahaha…”

“Don’t you laugh!”

“...”

“Can you go, please? Xu Tingsheng, I’ll tell my teacher that Mum and Dad aren’t free. Well, they really aren’t free! So, could you go on their behalf?” Little Xiang Ning shook Xu Tingsheng’s arm and pleaded.

“Nope…”

“Then I’ll tell Mum and Dad that we sleep together sometimes.”

“...”

……

After the 11th, the afternoon Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high resumed its lessons, Xu Tingsheng wore clothes as old-fashioned as possible and went to the parent-teacher meeting for Little Xiang Ning. He had certainly attended these before, but only in the capacity of a teacher.

Besides a few who helped to serve tea, students were restricted from being present at these meetings.

Little Xiang Ning’s form teacher was a young female teacher of twenty-seven. She had average looks and was surnamed Bao.

For her to be the form teacher of an experimental class at this age, she must have led her first batch of twelfth grade students in a very outstanding manner. Xu Tingsheng sat at a corner of the room and listened. This Miss Bao did not embarrass anyone outright as she praised those who should be praised and left those who should be criticised for later.

Only when the teachers for the other subjects came in to speak and better acquaint themselves with the parents did she begin looking for the parents of those ‘problem students’ and engaging them in private one by one.

Little Xiang Ning was most certainly considered a ‘problem student’ as well. In a place like the experimental class of a city’s first-tier senior high, inferior results were themselves problematic.

“Hello, may I ask how you are related to Xiang Ning?” Miss Bao and Xu Tingsheng sat across from each other by her office desk.

“I’m her Uncle, no, I mean brother…” Xu Tingsheng said.

Miss Bao looked doubtfully at Xu Tingsheng.

“I’m her big brother,” Xu Tingsheng declared confidently and reaffirmed, “Hello, Miss Bao.”

“Ah, I see. Well, you’ve probably seen Xiang Ning’s results?” Miss Bao asked.

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“Actually, Xiang Ning is extremely good in all other aspects. I really like her,” Miss Bao smiled, adding, “This is not obligatory speaking.”

Xu Tingsheng also smiled. He believed that these were not pleasantries, though he himself had once used a lot of that. When teachers talked to parents about their children, they would surely have to start off by saying that they were actually pretty smart, that they had potential etcetera…

“She just isn’t very diligent and focused in her studies,” Miss Bao looked left and right and, upon confirming that there were no other teachers nearby, lowered her voice and told Xu Tingsheng in what was virtually a hushed whisper, “I suspect that Xiang Ning is...in an early relationship.”

Xu Tingsheng gulped and swallowed his saliva.

“That shouldn’t be, right…” He said with rather great difficulty.

“Shocked, right? I know. Actually, whether it is you parents or we teachers, it’s always this that we’re most worried about. This already isn’t just a matter of studying alone. Xiang Ning is a girl, and pretty...it would be likelier for somebody to cheat her, and then...you catch my drift?”

“Ah...yes, I do.”

“So, you should really pay more attention to this when you get back. Let’s keep in touch.”

“Alright.”

“I’m actually quite certain of this. Sometimes, Xiang Ning falls into a daze when attending lessons, smiling to herself. As a teacher, I know that look is a hundred percent indicative of young girls in a relationship...you know what I mean, yes? You’ve been in a prior relationship?”

“Oh, yes...yes, I know what you mean.”

“Well, according to Xiang Ning, your parents are busy running a store. In that case, we will have to communicate more on this, work closely together to resolve this problem once and for all. We must not let this impede Xiang Ning’s future.”

“Huh? Resolve? What do you mean by that?”

“Split them up!”

“...Right, yeah.”

When Xu Tingsheng narrated his interactions with Miss Bao to Xiang Ning afterwards, she was clutching her stomach and laughing as she rolled around on the ground...haha, asked an Uncle, and it was hilarious, hilarious!

Chapter 432: 4 kilograms heavier

Little Xiang Ning finally agreed to put in a bit more effort in her studies on the condition that Xu Tingsheng would allow for a weekend fully planned by her, no nos allowed, no wild thoughts allowed and definitely no laughing at her. Having so many provisions in this, the matter in question that she had in mind seemed not that simple.

Saturday, eating noodles.

Actually, Xiang Ning had proposed going together to that noodle store many times before, but Xu Tingsheng would always find an excuse and refuse her. He would even rather go out and buy the food back himself rather than show up at that noodle store together with Xiang Ning.

Because...there was too much that the boss there knew.

The old restaurant had been there for the past decade and would still be there the next. With its unchanging old-fashioned furnishings and utensils, the low, short building gave Xu Tingsheng a surreal feeling of it existing outside of time. It was as if his two lifetimes could truly overlap.

Here, the distance of time seemingly no longer existed.

That couple in the year 2011, this couple in the year 2005, the same place, the same table...Xiang Ning asked Xu Tingsheng what noodles he would like. He said: Since you’re familiar with this place, why don’t you choose for me.

The conversation played out the same, and Xiang Ning also ordered the same kind of noodles for Xu Tingsheng.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng was already very satisfied just sitting here, seeing her smiling face as he sat across from her at this table. In those three years when he had been striving madly towards success, he had once come to Yanzhou, to this place. It was just that alone in her city then, he had feared running into her.

Perhaps having been all alone and waiting for him over those three years, Xiang Ning too had actually come alone to sit here time and time again.

Then, perhaps she had walked into the pouring rain that had descended at the time, all alone, wishing that she could know where he was.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“Because I like you.”

One batch of customers after another left. Then, a sudden torrential storm arrived with no new customers arriving as the number of people in the store dwindled and it became increasingly empty. Xu Tingsheng found that the boss’s gaze was already beginning to drift unceasingly towards the small square table that the two of them were at.

For fear that the boss would see him, he had entered with his back facing the boss when entering earlier, and it was also Little Xiang Ning who had ordered the food.

When the place had been crowded and the boss had been busy, there had been no need to worry about this. Yet, there was no one nearby to block the boss’s line of sight right now as a single glance would be sufficient to spot him. And word had it that once, a youth of twenty had sat in this very noodle restaurant, heartbroken. At the time, the boss had offered him a glass of wine and a bowl of noodles. Now…

“What, you should have come over and said hello, right?” The boss sat down beside Xu Tingsheng about the square table, directing him a meaningful look in the meantime.

“You looked rather busy just now,” Xu Tingsheng explained rather awkwardly.

“Hi, Boss! Do you know him?” Little Xiang Ning was actually better acquainted with the boss than he was, having come here virtually every week back in junior high.

“I know him, and I know you too. It’s just that I never thought it’d be you two,” The boss smiled, having actually been flabbergasted and quite unable to believe it too when he had first spotted them.

Still, as someone who could stand loyally by an old store for twenty years, he would naturally have a more amiable and open-minded mindset in life.

The awkward part finally arrived. Something like a twenty-year-old guy being so depressed because of a fifteen-year-old girl just sounded a little discordant, and the couple in question were both present at this moment.

Xu Tingsheng said nothing as he just focused intently on eating his noodles.

The thick-skinned Little Xiang Ning smiled at the boss, not feeling any awkward at all.

“It was probably over two years ago. For a period of time, a boy would often come over here and order takeaway seafood noodles…” The boss said.

“Those were for me,” Little Xiang Ning said rather shyly.

So more than two years had already passed. While they had not yet been on close terms then, with Xu Tingsheng even being some strange guy who had suddenly popped out of nowhere, Xiang Ning had not had rejected him intensely from the start as she had an unexplainable feeling that this person would not harm her.

Actually, she had had a vague feeling sometimes that this person would know her very well.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, the boss laughed, continuing, “Yeah, right? While I clearly know the two of you well, I would never have thought it. Anyway, he would come frequently from time to time, until one day when he stopped coming for a very long time…”

Here, Little Xiang Ning’s heart ached as she gazed at Xu Tingsheng. During that period of time, he had suffered an injustice in being ‘exiled’ by Mr and Mrs Xiang…

“It was during that time. One night, he suddenly came here, drank a cup of my wine and left with a packet of noodles…” The boss said.

“What happened to the noodles?” Little Xiang Ning asked Xu Tingsheng.

“I walked around outside your school for a while, but didn’t dare to give it to you. In the end, the noodles had turned cold. I ate them alone by the roadside,” Xu Tingsheng was finally forced to answer.

Little Xiang Ning imagined that scene, how he must have felt at the time...she reached out and gently stroked Xu Tingsheng’s face.

It was the boss who felt awkward with that as he coughed lightly, getting up as he said, “Come often from now on!”

The rain had not stopped despite a long time having passed. The boss lent them an umbrella. The water on the pavement soaked over one’s ankles. Xu Tingsheng got Xiang Ning to carry that umbrella and carried her up himself.

“You seem heavier,” Xu Tingsheng commented.

Because of that comment, the two ended up making a side trip in the car to buy a weighing scale before going home.

47kg.

“I’m, I’m...4 kilos heavier,” Little Xiang Ning looked at Xu Tingsheng, astonished at how much weight she had gained in less than two months, “It’s all your fault! You cook for me and buy me so many snacks too…”

“But you’re 1.64 metres tall. 47kg is very normal, isn’t it? You were too thin before.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“But it’s been less than two months. Will it stop?”

“Well...how about we don’t buy snacks anymore? As for meals, we’ll stop eating sweet stuff and fried stuff too. How about that?”

“...”

“Is that okay?”

“I think you’d better get a refund for that weighing scale.”

“Huh?”

“Just don’t let me see it anymore, and you also aren’t allowed to talk about it.”

It had been agreed beforehand that Xu Tingsheng could not say no to anything that day. He brought the weighing scale to the garage downstairs. When he returned home several minutes later, Xiang Ning was seated cross-legged on the sofa, watching television while clutching a bag of potato chips…‘crunch’…‘crunch’…

And so, the crisis of a 4 kg weight gain in a month was dispelled just like that.

For dinner, Xu Tingsheng fried some drumsticks and cooked some sweet and sour pork ribs…

“Actually, being a bit fatter may also help you in growing bigger. Just as Lu Min and Su Nannan said, the flesh improves the sensation,” Rubbing her belly, Xiang Ning mused aloud on the sofa.

Washing the dishes in the kitchen, Xu Tingsheng did not hear her words clearly as he came out with a half-washed plate in hand and asked, “What did you say?”

“I mean, does becoming fatter mean growing bigger too?” Little Xiang Ning jutted out her chest, adding, “Improving the sensation when touching.”

“...Um, the sensation isn’t important, right?” Xu Tingsheng replied awkwardly, feeling like Xiang Ning was literally looking for an excuse for him to gobble her up uninhibitedly and unreservedly.

“How is it not important? You even touched before, but...you know? No, you don’t know! Just, only tiny, almost like there is nothing at all...you probably thought you were touching my waist…”

“Seriously?” Xu Tingsheng almost dropped the plate in his hand.

“Yeah. One morning, I woke up earlier than you. Your, your hand was in my clothes here. And moving too…” Little Xiang Ning indicated the location with her eyes before saying aggrievedly, “Then, I was feeling so embarrassed the whole morning...but it was like you didn’t know about this at all.”

“Huh? Are you sure? But I really didn’t feel anything…”

Xu Tingsheng had made an unwise choice of words.

Little Xiang Ning glared at him, “What did you say?!”

She looked very wronged as she complained, “Even papaya soup is useless. They won’t grow together with me. Sigh, what do I do from now on…”

Chapter 433: First capital increase

Around 8pm, having taken a bath, Little Xiang Ning sat on the sofa in the living room in a set of yellow pyjamas with watermelon patterns on it. Her long hair was still partially wet.

She was exceptionally well-behaved for once as she even seemed slightly bashful.

Wherever Xu Tingsheng busied himself around doing stuff, her eyes would follow. Finally, “Xu Tingsheng…” came her pretty voice as she bit her lip and played with her fingers, a rare sight for her indeed.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Come here, sit down,” Little Xiang Ning patted the sofa next to her.

Xu Tingsheng sat down.

“Um, I just twisted my ankle,” Little Xiang Ning cast a sidelong look at Xu Tingsheng, a hint of flusteredness in her eyes as she raised her foot with her fingers knit together.

How was this the look of someone who had twisted their ankle?

Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Xiang Ning shot him a glare.

So when she had said no nos allowed, no wild thoughts allowed and definitely no laughing at her, this was what she had been aiming for? As the little episode from the taekwondo training room some time back now came to mind, Xu Tingsheng approached her, asking, “You liked it?”

Little Xiang Ning hastily shook her head and hesitated for a time before finally nodding, her head lowered.

So that was it. Based on his accumulated understanding from both lifetimes and that pair of heated palms, Little Xiang Ning ended up breathing heavily just like the last time till she said, “Alright, Xu Tingsheng, I can’t go on anymore.” She was especially delicate and gentle tonight as she hugged Uncle tightly.

Really, a sated chick does not know a starving man’s hunger.

“Do you want to bully me, Xu Tingsheng?” The person in his embrace suddenly asked softly.

“Huh? No.”

“It’s fine. What I heard at the restaurant today really got me. My heart aches. I just can’t stop thinking how stupid I am. You were walking around and around outside my school, but I just didn’t know to look outside. I can just imagine you alone sitting by the roadside late at night, gobbling up the noodles that had already turned cold...can I dote on you some?”

His palm was guided along by her small hand, shivering slightly as it came into her clothes.

Xu Tingsheng drew his hand back.

“What is it?”

“You don’t understand. This is potentially lethal. It’ll only make it even harder to bear.”

“Huh? What’s to be done then?”

“I’ll take a bath and go to bed.”

When Xu Tingsheng awoke the next morning, there was breakfast waiting for him. The porridge was too clumpy and the egg was burnt and split into several portions...also, there was the little girl, some sooty streaks on her face and mild redness on the back of her hands where oil had splattered...and finally, there was the anticipatory look in her eyes.

Xu Tingsheng’s happiness was just as simple as that.

“I see Little Xiang Ning has learnt how to dote on others. Thanks!”

“Heh, I’ll make some for you everyday then.”

“...Nah, I think I’ll do it. This kind of thing is the guy’s job anyway.”

While he knew that this would probably never happen, Xu Tingsheng still dared not respond as he swallowed the ‘fragmented salted charcoal egg’ as best he could before kissing Xiang Ning’s forehead with oil still on his mouth.

……

Many individuals and organisations had actually contacted Xingchen Weibo, expressing their goodwill and a desire to invest. Hu Chen and He Yutan were mentioning this to Xu Tingsheng every other day as they virtually seemed about to cling to his leg and beg him to quickly agree.

Xingchen Technologies was indeed progressing very well, with the sole obstacle being money…

In fact, some of the investment companies had indeed given quite good valuations and would also be of help to them.

However, Xu Tingsheng had still refused them.

If a company possessed sufficient potential, it was far from just money that had to be taken into consideration when accepting outside investment. It also had to consider the background and assistance that the investors could provide.

Still, when the investors in question were too powerful, they might end up obstructing them instead. It would also be tough to handle if things turned sour between them in the future.

This was one of the reasons behind Xu Tingsheng’s refusal.

Another reason was that Xu Tingsheng could not bear to part with Xingchen Technologies’ shares.

If Weibo could obtain closely knit communities like those on QQ and retain them, forming a positive cycle, that would be equivalent to owning a ‘peerless weapon’ like QQ in his previous life even if he could only achieve half, even a third of that. Whatever valuations there were in the market right now, they were actually all too low.

Also, there were many other things that Xu Tingsheng still wished to use it for.

Of the three companies that Xu Tingsheng was currently related to, it was only Xingchen Technologies that he currently still had full possession of. In the near future, besides giving some promises and only promises to a limited few like Hu Chen and He Yutan, he would not allow any shares to be given away at all.

While Xu Tingsheng was the biggest shareholder of Zhicheng Real Estate, he only had twenty three percent of its shares. This was not because he had given some away. Instead, be it funds or connections, these had all been supplied by those of the Black Horse Club with Xu Tingsheng merely having been the one managing things. In truth, having lacked money and background at the time, there had not been much that he could do in these areas.

In simple terms, without those of the Black Horse Club, Xu Tingsheng would never have been able to obtain a piece of land in Yanzhou which was not his hometown. Similarly, he would never have been able to preserve the land after its price had skyrocketed and finish its construction.

Therefore, he had actually already benefited in the allocation of Zhicheng’s shares as it had nothing to do with generosity and such.

Meanwhile, he was also not very interested in real estate as it was more to obtain funds that he was involved in it. He would not devote his full energies into this area.

While Hucheng was where Xu Tingsheng had started out, he only had thirty four percent of its shares remaining. One of his good points was that he cared about people and relationships more than money, knowing to be grateful and repay others. He could be called generous regarding this trait of his.

Hucheng’s shares had been dished out by him just like that.

Old Wai and Li Linlin had been with him at the start as the founding trio as they had experienced their most difficult times in the establishment of Hucheng together. The time and effort and late nights that they had invested in this was actually no less than Xu Tingsheng.

Ma Yun had had the chivalry to give shares to all his companions after Alibaba had become mighty, and it was the same for Xu Tingsheng. Thus, he had not hesitated in the least when allocating those shares to Old Wai and Li Linlin.

The shares of Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing of the Fang family had come when the Xu family had been facing a crisis. Rather than saying that Fang Chen had staged a robbery amidst the fire, it was far more accurate to say that she had delivered timely firewood amidst the snow. She had bought fifteen percent of the shares of a company which had not yet been worth a million at the time at the price of two million, even having given up part of this in the end. Speaking of this, Xu Tingsheng still owed her for that.

Tianyi’s shares had been because of Apple, and also because of Huang Yaming who wished to develop in the entertainment industry. Having made this exchange, Xu Tingsheng had received shares of Tianyi in return as this was purely commercial in nature.

As for Lu Zhixin, her contributions and efforts towards Hucheng virtually surpassed his own. For Hucheng to be where it was today, with its future prospects being how they were, she had been an all-important player. Therefore, gifting her ten percent of Hucheng's shares was just a matter of conscience as it was actually still lower than it should be.

In the shares motivational scheme that had come afterwards, virtually all the shareholders had let go of some of their shares, with Lu Zhixin being the sole exception. Xu Tingsheng had filled up her portion for her.

Unless they went into finance, there was actually no longer much room at all for Hucheng to expand into new industries. The only thing it could do was expand in scale and improve its strength. What had happened to Ganji and 58 from his previous life in the end? They had ultimately been expanded and then sold, earning from speculation which drove up prices.

Having expanded into different industries, Hucheng’s prospects already surpassed theirs greatly.

Thus, there was actually no longer a need for Xu Tingsheng to participate a lot in Hucheng’s affairs. In terms of expansion in scale and steady development, Lu Zhixin would essentially be much more outstanding than him.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng’s focus was completely on Xingchen Technologies now as even his dream of establishing fifty educational training institutes could only be set aside for the future.

As for Xingchen Technologies’ most pressing matter at hand, it was to create its own instant communication software before promoting and finally implementing this. They might have to battle QQ too...money was required for this, a lot of money.

In early November, Xu Tingsheng ultimately chose to take 35 million from Hucheng and start work on Xingchen Technologies’ instant communication software.

Five days later, Hucheng Tongcheng was selected by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to enter the list of internet enterprises that they would be backing strongly through several policies. In order to capitalise on this wonderful opportunity and develop further, it was rather hastily that Hucheng saw its first capital increase.

The increase in investment required was too great.

Poor as a pauper and severely in debt, Xu Tingsheng gave up the opportunity.

Old Wai and Li Linlin could only give it up.

Fang Yuqing and Fang Chen could only give it up.

Some higher echelons of the company who held more shares could only give it up.

Giving up on participating in this capital increase did not entail that their wealth would lessen as each share would correspondingly magnify in value after the increase. Therefore, they were not suffering a loss from an economic standpoint.

What they would be losing out on was the percentage of shares they held in Hucheng, or rather the voice they had in its decision making.

Those shares that were given up on were respectively purchased by Lu Zhixin and Tianyi.

And so, Xu Tingsheng’s percentage of shares in Hucheng was reduced to 29 percent while Lu Zhixin’s and Tianyi’s respectively rose to 22 percent each.

“How fortunate that your family suddenly has the money, and is also willing to support you! Right now, the two of us combined still hold a majority of the shares,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and said to Lu Zhixin when the meeting had ended.

“My father does finance in Hong Kong. Shares and funds, futures, this is just how money is. It comes quickly and goes just as quickly. I actually thought that you don’t care about Hucheng anymore,” Lu Zhixin replied.

“Of course I care about Hucheng! It’s where I started out, and my foundation too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Lu Zhixin nodded, “Right.”

“How’s the gutter oil investigation going?”

“It’s ongoing. We have findings, but it still isn’t enough.”

Chapter 434: Silver tongue

The advertising costs for <Crazy Stone> had actually been in place since mid October.

The earning power of Happy Farm was actually not bad. It was just that saddled with Weibo which was constantly burning money, it could only sustain and not strengthen the cashflow of Xingchen Technologies in the short term.

Xu Tingsheng virtually had to forcibly dig out the 5 million advertising costs from non-existing coffers.

This was 1 million more than the cost of the movie itself. Xu Tingsheng’s thoughts were very simple. Even if the wine is fragrant, one must fear that the alley is deep. In the business era, advertising and creating hype was really an absolutely necessary thing.

Be it in terms of actors, director or artistic value, <Crazy Stone> was a movie that would contribute greatly to China’s domestic movie industry. It rightly deserved a better box office, greater praise and recognition.

There were not that many movies that would be coming in early 2006 during the New Year. Tianle’s all-out 60 million production, <Endless>, could already be considered the biggest local production. Comparatively speaking, <Crazy Stone> which had cost 4 million was still somewhat inconspicuous.

What was good was that there was hype, that there was conversation.

The shots fired between the producers of the two movies, Huang Yaming and Jin Datang, had never ceased. The media had even joked that this ‘Huang-Jin(gold) combination’ was working together merrily, tearing into each other to raise hype for their movies.

Jin Datang had realised this too. Still, stopping it was not an option. After all, advertising fees were not needed whatsoever in a verbal dispute between them.

It was just that sometimes, when he thought about how his 60 million production was being talked about alongside the 4 million <Crazy Stone>, it just felt kind of beneath him. It was equivalent to promoting the movie for his opponent for free too…

A despondent Jin Datang did not understand just how he had fallen into Huang Yaming’s trap. Still, there was nothing he could do about it.

The hype continued as the shots fired grew increasingly frequent nearing the end of November. With only a month left before they went onto the big screen, the most crucial period had arrived.

The verbal contention with Huang Yaming aside, Tianle was going the usual route of promoting movies, which was stirring up rumours. There were several good-looking actors and actresses in the movie, and they went through this list. As long as there was conversation, even if those rumours were negative ones, it was all good.

Whether or not the passion of the fans and bystanders had been stimulated, they all knew that such a movie would soon be released at the very least.

Huang Yaming would have liked to do so too. Yet, he looked at the cast of his movie...and gave up...rather than stirring up rumours about them, it would really be more practical to stir-fry some food…

At this time, the popularity of <Endless> had already been achieved. There was already no need for Jin Datang to continue conversing with Huang Yaming to stir up the hype.

Yet, how could Huang Yaming be denied as easily as that? He sent Jin Datang a pair of shoes via parcel. It was Jin Datang himself who had said it back then. As long as <Endless> lost to <Crazy Stone> in the box office for any one week, he would help Huang Yaming to polish his shoes.

Rather tragically, the most discussed topic by the reporters during the press conference for the movie’s release was thus set.

“Boss Jin, have you received the shoes sent over by Mister Huang Yaming?”

“Are the shoes dirty?”

“Are they leather shoes? Sports shoes? They wouldn’t be army shoes, right? ...Don’t tell me they’re high-heeled shoes?”

“...”

The person in charge of the press conference was forced to say, “Please do not ask any questions unrelated to the movie, such as...those shoes…”

A reporter immediately raised his hand, “In that case, Boss Jin, can I ask if your wager is still valid? Some say that you are actually the ‘Gold Duo’, merrily working together to raise hype for your movies. What do you say to that?”

Jin Datang’s face turned dark.

“Mister Huang is new to the industry. I don’t know him very well, actually, and don’t like the way he does things. Of course, if you must mention that wager, having been the one to say it back then, I can tell you that it is still valid. That will be all. Please, let’s have no more questions of this sort.”

The reporters ignored that last part, of course. As they saw it, this was even more riveting than the contents of the movie itself.

Another reporter stood up and asked, “But, Boss Jin, have you ever thought about it? If this 60 million blockbuster of yours truly loses to a movie that only cost 4 million in terms of reputation and box office, what would you do then?”

“What would I do? Jump off the building, you mean?” Jin Datang had no way of answering this question, for having gambled all they had on this movie, Tianle would fall if the box office failed.

“This possibility does not exist.”

Having been ignored for a very long time, the bigwig director of the movie who was surnamed Chen was finally able to stand it no longer. He slammed the table and stood up, exclaiming furiously, “Be more respectful! Discussing this topic is disrespectful to an epic production.”

He was venting after having been stewing in silence for a very long time.

The movie’s investment sum had been constantly diminishing, and he had tolerated it. Still, however much it fell, how could his production be challenged by a mere 4 million movie? It really was intolerable!

Also, as a famous director, along with a bunch of celebrities...he was being overshadowed by a pair of shoes, not even having the opportunity to say anything at all...how could he stand for it?

“This is an epic production, you know? You lot are being disrespectful to a movie of historical worth. This is one of the most visually perfect movies in the history of local productions, you know?” The director continued to holler.

“Some minor director who crawled out of some corner, a bunch of actors from who knows where-have they ever made a movie before? A movie is a real art form and not something ordinary people can understand. It’s not something that they can randomly mess around in doing, get it? People cannot be shameless to this extent.”

Meanwhile, the press conference for the upcoming release of <Crazy Stone> was quite empty in comparison with not many reporters present.

As the director and actors were yet to become famous, it was Huang Yaming who ‘carried’.

A reporter asked, “Boss Huang, over at the press conference for <Endless>, Director Chen looks quite emotional right now. He thinks that putting these two movies side by side and discussing them is disrespectful towards him and an epic production. What is your opinion regarding this?”.

“Makes sense! It's an epic production. Actually, I'd like to film an epic production too. Sadly, I haven't the money,” Huang Yaming replied earnestly.

“It's not like you're a director! The heck you'd film one,” A reporter he was acquainted with joked.

“Why did you ask me this then? The heck I know,” Huang Yaming said nonchalantly.

Everyone laughed.

“He even said that art like movies isn't something ordinary people can possibly understand. It's not something you should mess about in randomly doing...we feel that this is a bit discriminatory. What's your take on this?” Another reporter inquired.

“It's true that we aren't so high-end. We're ordinary people ourselves, and our movie is also meant for ordinary people to watch,” Huang Yaming replied.

“Director Chen also said that people shouldn't be shameless to this extent,” Some reporter smiled, asking, “Who do you think he was talking about, Boss Huang?”

“Well, definitely not me,” Huang Yaming said, “Still, I feel that his words make a lot of sense. I myself hope that they will stop leveraging on us to create hype for their movie. Bullying a small production, discarding it after making use of it and then even stomping on it for good measure... truly, people shouldn't be shameless to this extent.”

In a war of words, the silver-tongued Huang Yaming feared no one.

A few days later, <Endless> released its first promotional video. The visuals were beautiful as promised.

At around the same time, on the Weibo pages of Apple and Tianyi's other artistes simultaneously appeared a random animated clip: One scruffy, long-haired guy was sprinting frantically while munching on a long stick of French bread. Behind him, someone who looked like a chef was chasing him and hitting him non-stop on a motorcycle…

With the span of just one day, this animated clip was shared countless times with others.

“Oh my god, I nearly died laughing…”

“Who is this?”

“Source requested!”

Chapter 435: Randomly intruding

Xu Tingsheng too was laughing as he shared this animated clip.

It really felt quite interesting sometimes. At this point in time, who would think that this unknown, ordinary-looking person might be a king of acting with a 6 billion net worth in the future?

Discounting his looks, there was just so much that the heavens had bestowed this guy. IQ, EQ, acting skills, and even talent in singing and dancing.

Xu Tingsheng himself had liked Huang Bo a lot in his previous life. If it was possible, he hoped to be able to propel him faster forward, even.

A conference request appeared on the computer screen.

Having been waiting for its arrival, Xu Tingsheng clicked accept. A moment later, on the screen appeared an image of the meeting room of Xingchen Technologies within which were Hu Chen, He Yutan and most of Xingchen Technologies’ higher echelons.

This meeting was evidently very important as Xu Tingsheng should be attending it in person. Still, who asked them to have this meeting during the weekend? Not even allowing it to be delayed for just two days too.

Really, Xu Tingsheng had more important things to do during the weekend...like cooking.

He Yutan reported the progress on Weibo’s external instant communication software to Xu Tingsheng while Hu Chen took out a proposal for the expansion of operations. Following that was more than an hour of heated discussion.

There was already no problem with the software functionality itself.

The problem that ultimately stumped them was something that seemed minor at first glance but was actually quite major. It was the name of their new software. For instance, Xu Tingsheng felt that MSN was already destined to lose to QQ just in terms of its name alone. It was much more comfortable to vocalise and rolled off the tongue.

This was always a major factor when promoting products.

As for Xingchen Technologies’ instant communication software, it could not be called Weibo as well but had to be related to Weibo. It also had to roll off the tongue and be easy to popularise…

Xu Tingsheng was actually at a loss over this too. After all, there had not been any famous instant communication software besides QQ in his previous life that he could copy from.

His employees reported the names that they had thought of one by one, such as Hengheng and Haha...then, these were rejected one after another…

The door of the study was pushed open.

As he was wearing a headset, Xu Tingsheng did not notice this.

Little Xiang Ning entered with a bag of potato chips, saying even as she munched on them, “Xu Tingsheng, I’ve thought of it. I know why I like eating snacks so much now...it’s because I’m still in the process of growing.”

Xu Tingsheng looked back at her and removed his right earpiece, asking, “Hmm?”

“I said that I’m still in the process of growing. So, it’s really very natural that I love to eat,” Little Xiang Ning said earnestly.

In Xu Tingsheng’s left earpiece.

“What, in the process of growing?”

“Who’s this?”

“Boss Xu’s little sister?”

“Boss Xu…”

Only then did Xu Tingsheng remember that he was still in the middle of a meeting. He put a finger to his lips and made a shushing noise before pointing to the screen to indicate that he was busy…

“Hm? What is it? You should be cooking, Xu Tingsheng, and you’re still playing the computer. And you still complain about me sometimes…”

Little Xiang Ning curiously glanced at the screen.

“Hey, why’re there so many people? Oh, are you in a meeting? Munch...munch…”

Xu Tingsheng nodded helplessly.

His employees were already laughing uproariously into his left ear at this young girl who had suddenly intruded randomly.

“Boss Xu, who is this pretty young lady?”

“So Boss Xu knows how to cook too? How about you go cook first? Haha…”

“Yeah! Stop playing the computer and go and cook. We want to eat too.”

“Cook? This isn’t lady boss, right? Wow, keeping a little lady at home?”

“Hi, pretty young lady? Nice to meet you, I’m...remind Boss Xu to work hard, please!”

“Get him to raise our wages…”

Little Xiang Ning could not hear their voices. Still, seeing someone waving as if to greet her, she well-manneredly waved back rather nervously towards the camera and smiled before going off to the side and sitting down…

As this was the first time she was seeing Xu Tingsheng having a meeting and it was a novel video conference too, Xiang Ning felt it to be very interesting as she decided to spectate it.

While those people were no longer able to see Xiang Ning, they could still hear those noises outside of the screen. Munch, munch munch…

Everyone looked like they were trying hard to suppress their laughter.

Xu Tingsheng sighed and made a serious expression, coughing once before he said sternly, “Alright, let’s continue the meeting...if anyone has any suggestions, just say it. The one who comes up with the name we ultimately use will get a reward sum of…

“How much?”

“Ten thousand.”

“Meh~”

“A hundred thousand.”

The topic finally returned to the matter of choosing a name. Still, everyone’s thoughts were clearly restricted by QQ’s naming scheme as they basically revolved about some repeated syllables. It was the same for Xu Tingsheng himself too…

Another limitation was Weibo.

Xu Tingsheng had to constantly remind them, “Remember, our instant communication software is established upon the foundation of Weibo. It’s best if the connection is visible from the name.”

Everyone groaned and sighed. Naming could actually be a very difficult thing sometimes.

Xu Tingsheng felt helpless too, but nothing could be done when there was no inspiration, “How about we end it for today. Let’s go back and…”

Partway through his words, a voice resounded from beside him, “Why not call it Weixin(Wechat)? Weibo, messaging...call it Weixin then.”

Little Xiang Ning had been listening by the side all this while. Xu Tingsheng had repeatedly emphasised Weibo and communication software...maybe she had heard it as messaging technology instead…

Xu Tingsheng was still in a daze.

Meanwhile, his employees were already beginning to quietly recite it in their minds or animatedly discuss it.

“Sounds good, Boss Xu. It rolls off the tongue and has the ‘Wei’ of ‘Weibo’. For communication, it’s through the transmission of messages…”

“It feels like a very good fit…”

“I agree. I wouldn’t be able to think of anything better, anyway.”

“Awesome.”

“Those who agree, raise up your hands…”

This name had already passed through by an unanimous vote over at Xingchen Technologies’ meeting room.

Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly. There had actually been a fundamental error in his thinking earlier. As this was still not the age of smartphones and Xingchen Technologies was working on a PC based instant communication software, he had never even considered that this software could actually be called Weixin too.

In his subconscious mind, Weixin was something that would only happen when the age of wireless internet arrived. Therefore, he had never even considered this possibility earlier…

Whoever said that computer based software could not be called Weixin?

It was very fitting for Weibo’s communication software to be called Weixin, actually.

This would not hinder Xingchen Technologies from also releasing a chatting software called Weixin during the wireless internet era. Not just that, it would even help with its propagation…

“We’ll call it Weixin then,” Xu Tingsheng said with finality.

Everyone cheered in joy. This troubling question had finally been resolved.

“Thank you, little lady!”

“Come out and say hi, little lady…”

When Xu Tingsheng had confirmed that they would use the name she had come up with, Little Xiang Ning had already scooted over triumphantly once more, wanting to see if the people over there liked it.

Everyone smiled and waved at her.

Little Xiang Ning smiled and waved too. Still, while they were clearly speaking, she couldn’t hear anything.

She plucked the headset off from Xu Tingsheng’s head and put it on herself.

“You’re welcome! I just randomly chose it,” She said rather embarrassedly.

“Does Boss Xu know how to cook?” Those people there got enthusiastic.

“Yes,” Little Xiang Ning answered.

“Is his cooking good?”

“It’s pretty good.”

“How old are you? You’re still studying, right?”

“Yeah. I’m sixteen. I’m in tenth grade.”

“Right, you’re still in the process of growing. Erm, then, you are his…”

Xu Tingsheng had a bit of a guilty conscience as he saw Little Xiang Ning chatting with the guys from Xingchen as he reached out to grab the headset...he said into the microphone, “Alright, no more talking. The meeting’s over…”

Little Xiang Ning was denied the chance to answer that final question.

A bunch of people reminded her over the earpieces:

“Don’t forget about the reward money…”

“Right, a hundred thousand. You must get it from him!”

“Come over to Shenghai to play when you’re free!”

“...”

……

As Xu Tingsheng was cooking, Little Xiang Ning was looking at him from the side.

“Xu Tingsheng, where’s my reward money?”

“What reward money?”

“You used the name I came up with, so I’ve a reward sum of a hundred thousand.”

“Was there such a thing?”

“You…”

Chapter 436: Agglomerating the stars

The desire of male engineering graduates and especially those IT males to protect little lolis was very difficult to imagine.

Having randomly intruded into that one meeting, somehow or other, a support base for Little Xiang Ning had finally appeared amongst Xu Tingsheng’s elite generals and companions.

As those of Xingchen Technologies saw it, their little Lady Boss was fated by ties of destiny with their company. Their greatest and most important upcoming project, that instant communication software, had even been named by her.

Moreover, the young girl was beautiful and pure. Even if she really made a few minor mistakes here and there, these people would only find it to be very adorable. In that short exchange, her sweet smile, delicate voice, how she had tried hard to speak gracefully despite her bashfulness and her shy yet sincere and docile manner had conquered the hearts of Xingchen Technologies’ IT males.

Previously, Xingchen Technologies had actually been less close to Xu Tingsheng as compared to Hucheng, Zhicheng and Tianyi. After all, these were all related to Xu Tingsheng’s friends as there was even a rumoured love affair…

This had caused those of Xingchen Technologies to feel like outsiders in that big family, thus lacking a sense of security.

Now, they had little Lady Boss…

As for Little Xiang Ning’s age, Xu Tingsheng was actually still merely a university student. They were not going to stick their noses into Xu Tingsheng’s love life, not that they might be capable of interfering with it. Really, their boss already had such accomplishments at such a young age. It was like his prospects were limitless.

Still, they were all able to tell how much their boss doted on their little Lady Boss. With that, it felt as if they ‘finally had someone up above’.

From Little Xiang Ning’s perspective.

Honestly speaking, Little Xiang Ning had never obtained that much recognition and acceptance from Xu Tingsheng and those he was affiliated with, besides Apple and Wu Yuewei if they could be counted.

Most people, like Xu Tingsheng’s bros, still found her existence and appearance in his life to be somewhat inconceivable, next feeling intrigued, then helpless, then curious...before just smiling wryly and silently accepting it, acting neither enthusiastic nor antagonistic but just neutral.

Due to that fire from before, some were even a bit resentful towards this young girl who had sprung out of nowhere as they just could not understand how she was worth it.

It was this bunch of people from Xingchen Technologies who were her true fans, and elite ones at that.

Even now, these future pillars of Xu Tingsheng’s business empire were already new nobility in Shenghai’s commercial sector, especially in the internet industry. Everyone understood the principle that when water levels rise, the boats sailing on the surface will also rise higher.

Even as Xingchen Technologies was swiftly rising to prominence, the importance of these people was also rising unceasingly.

This now was the modern day. If it was in ancient times, like palace conflicts, Xu Tingsheng’s own will aside, there would also be some ‘factions’ and their opinions.

Hucheng would undoubtedly lean towards Lu Zhixin. Their support for her was no weaker than their support for Xu Tingsheng himself.

As for Xu Tingsheng’s friends like Huang Yaming, Song Ni and Zhang Ninglang along with Tianyi that he had some shares of, they would definitely lean towards Apple. It might be the same for Zhicheng too. For Fang Yuqing, Yuqing was good friends with Apple and then there was Fang Chen too.

In his family, Wu Yuewei had her most loyal and also high-ranking ally in his sister, Xu Qiuyi. Mr Xu admired her a lot too.

There was only Little Xiang Ning who was all alone, pitiful and with no support. Fortunately, she was still young, naive and ignorant as she would not worry about such things. It was enough as long as Xu Tingsheng was good to her.

What did the current situation count as? Perhaps it counted as a batch of Xu Tingsheng’s major generals beginning to stand on her side, becoming loyal members of the Xiang Ning faction.

Of Xu Tingsheng’s enterprises, there was actually some intention to compete going on between the respective factions his elites were divided into. They were competing for their position in Xu Tingsheng’s heart, for priority in their future development in terms of resources, profits, etcetera.

While all under the same person’s wing, if they saw another being first to become a listed company, becoming millionaires one by one in the blink of an eye while they continued to consume soil...that wouldn’t feel very good.

This was especially so when both Hucheng Tongcheng and Xingchen Technologies believed that they should be the core, foremost entity of that future business empire that could already be seen in the horizon.

When Xu Tingsheng had been in a coma, Lu Zhixin had gone to Xingchen Technologies as the in-charge of Hucheng and fully supervised their activities. However much Hu Chen and He Yutan admired her and clicked with her, it would actually be difficult for them not to feel dissatisfied.

It felt just as if Xingchen Technologies was being suppressed by Hucheng Tongcheng.

In the words of Xingchen Technologies’ employees: “What’s so great about the main lineage’s firstborn son?”

Whether it was intentional or not, Xingchen Technologies held another important meeting that concerned the final details before the official implementation of Weixin on a weekend.

The meeting had yet to officially begin. The video connection was secured.

“How about you ask the little lady to come out and say hi?”

“Requesting little Lady Boss…”

“Boss Xu, have you cooked yet?”

“Have you given the reward sum yet?”

“Little Lady Boss, we’re all family!”

Little Xiang Ning was really sitting by the side, a pile of snacks beside her. She had quite a lot of interest in Xu Tingsheng’s video conferences now. The matter of choosing a name last time had left her in high spirits and with a great sense of accomplishment. She felt as if she was also one of those participating in the Weixin project.

Therefore, she was definitely paying it a lot of heed.

A helpless Xu Tingsheng could only take off his headset and turn on the external speaker, also giving Little Xiang Ning a microphone.

“Hello! You don’t need to call me that...my name is Xiang Ning,” Little Xiang Ning said, “The reward...he didn’t give me the money...he said that he’ll help me to keep it.”

“What! Isn’t this how parents cheat away red packet money?”

“That’s right! This is really too shameless…”

“A boss he is, but he doesn’t follow up on his promises…”

Xu Tingsheng immediately fell prey to the rebukes and chastising of his employees. As he did not habitually put up a front and very much lacked the cool, high-and-mighty CEO look, those people under him still dared to mess around a bit from time to time…

“You lot are too lax! Bro Hu, Bro He, you should keep them in line better…” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed helplessly.

Hu Chen and He Yutan both smiled at the screen but said nothing, enjoying his plight.

“So, Little Xiang Ning, are you the little Lady Boss?” Justice was still defeated by gossip in the end.

“I, I…” Little Xiang Ning’s face was beetroot red as she stammered a little before turning to look at Xu Tingsheng, signalling with her eyes, “You do it! I want to see what you say…”

Xu Tingsheng felt awkward, being rendered at a momentary loss for words.

Little Xiang Ning covered both the microphones with her hands.

“Miss Bao treated me especially well this week,” She said.

“Well, isn’t that nice,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“One day, she asked me while blushing if you’re married, if you have a girlfriend.”

“...Maybe my get-up was too oldish that day. I did that on purpose.”

“Yes, but I’m still very unhappy now.”

“...Got it.”

Little Xiang Ning released the microphones. Xu Tingsheng answered that earlier question on her behalf.

“Ahem, regarding that question just now. In the future, yes,” Xu Tingsheng said into the screen.

“Alright, let’s start the meeting,” Xu Tingsheng immediately added to suppress the discussion.

The meeting lasted more than two hours. Little Xiang Ning obediently listened from the side until it was over. Besides pouring water for Xu Tingsheng every once in a while, she also added some sound effects to the meeting, like ripping, like munch, munch and crunch, crunch…

Everyone, Xu Tingsheng included, looked like they were trying hard to suppress their laughter with doting expressions on their faces every time they heard this.

Beneath this relaxed atmosphere, the meeting seemed to go much more efficiently as everyone’s minds seemed to work better.

At the end of the meeting, the usually serious Hu Chen asked on behalf of the rest, “Boss Xu, can you ask little Lady Boss to come on screen?”

And so Xu Tingsheng could only call Xiang Ning over.

“It’s like this. We want to notify Boss Xu and Little Xiang Ning.” In saying notify, there was a rare hint of amusement in Hu Chen’s normally stern features as he smiled, “So, about the name of that public crowdfunding project that Boss Xu instructed us with last time. Earlier, we already discussed and decided on a name for it, Agglomerating The Stars (Ningju Xingchen).”

Ningju Xingchen, the Ning character of Xiang Ning. It was also the Ning of agglomerating power, signifying working together hand in hand. The Xingchen of Xingchen Technologies, the Xingchen of a sky filled with stars. It signified countless people all playing a part.

This name was very well thought out and meaningful, that was undeniable.

This was a crowdfunding channel that would see people helping one another. At the same time, Xingchen Technologies would also grant a certain amount of additional funding to the projects purely related to the public good depending on the amounts raised. With that, they would be donating to things like disaster relief and personal relief and education etcetera…

It was an image of the starry sky. At the same time, it was a representation of Xingchen’s conscience and sense of civic responsibility.

It would be called: Agglomerating The Stars.

“Remember to get the reward money from Boss Xu, little Lady Boss!”

“Come play in Shenghai during the holidays! It’s your territory here…”

“We’re on the same side, we’re family! Please help to speak more on Xingchen’s behalf, little Lady Boss!”

Chapter 437: A war of two posters

The date on which Weixin went online would be the same as when <Crazy Stone> was released in cinemas, 1st January 2016.

Happy Farm was still going strong, with everyone still nicely addicted to it. Based on such a foundation, Xingchen Technologies carried out a series of measures to attract their user base during this period of time, frequently coming up with various activities and projects. One of them was ‘Agglomerating The Stars’ which had recently gone online. A pioneer of Internet-based charitable acts, this innovation won much acclaim and praise for Xingchen Technologies.

Of course, Weibo benefited from this as well. Weibo’s user base had been skyrocketing ever since Happy Farm had been launched in mid September, not having slowed at all towards the end of the year. Its total user base had already reached 180 million too with a huge increase in activity as well.

Xu Tingsheng’s much-desired closely knit communities had gradually come to find their home at Weibo, though they were still far more used to communicating and interacting on QQ rather than through private messaging on Weibo when online.

At the same time, Xingchen’s legal department successively sued two internet enterprises which had infringed on their game copyrights.

Tencent had not touched the farm game. Its own game, QQ fantasy, was also extremely popular as it had additionally launched its own recreational games too.

The two sides had yet to truly collide so far.

Still, this was really the calm before the storm.

Whether they had judged it themselves based on their own acuity or it was from insider information, rumours were already spreading that Xingchen Technologies would be releasing its own instant communication software in the near future. The war between Xingchen and Tencent in the communications domain was unavoidable.

In early December, Tencent announced that it had received another 40 million USD from its investors.

In contrast, the media reported that Xingchen Technologies had refused yet another investment offer…

Xingchen seemed to have fallen at a disadvantage in the preparatory stages of this war. Where its scale and foundation had been inferior in the first place, now this...more and more people believed that they would lose.

Many of Xingchen Technologies’ employees were feeling worried as they waited for Xu Tingsheng to come up with a solution or countermeasure.

Still, Xu Tingsheng himself was not all that concerned about this. He was not delusional. To take down Tencent, take down QQ, replace QQ completely? At the current stage, at least, there was absolutely no chance of that happening at all. It was also not this that Weixin was tasked with.

Right now, as long as Weixin could stir up some tides in the domain of instant communication software and obtain a sizeable user base, even if it was only half or a third of what QQ had or even lower, even if others felt that Weixin had seen defeat, it would actually still be a success.

While the current Tencent might not yet be as powerful as it would be in the future, QQ was already an indisputable hegemon in the domain of instant communication technology.

Therefore, this war was like a small wolf challenging a massive beast in the latter’s territory. It should not strive to completely kill the other party. Instead, it should try to protect itself as best as it could, clamping its jaws on a piece of meat before running away. Only when it had grown stronger should it return...this was the correct strategy.

Those who were bare-footed did not fear those who wore shoes. He would grab any miniscule scraps that he could, and that would still be a profit anyway…

Xu Tingsheng was not flustered.

As for the movie, Huang Yaming had been the one in charge of it all along.

In early December, <Endless> was the first to release its promotional poster. The handsome men and beautiful women in ancient garb were indeed pleasing to the eye.

Meanwhile, as discussion on the animated clip reached its peak, Huang Yaming gave his answer on Tianyi’s side. The first poster for <Crazy Stone> was released.

This poster spread like wildfire as pretty much everyone knew that that animated clip was actually from a movie that would soon be screened, <Crazy Stone>. Through this, their interest in the movie grew as well.

Yet, Huang Yaming still felt despondent.

People are always saying that this is an era in which looks matter. Actually, which era isn’t like this…

Huang Yaming looked at his cast, and then at theirs. His side didn’t depend on their looks in the first place. Additionally, they all had on bizarre makeup and beggar getups…

The general public generally shared Huang Yaming’s view.

“Where did these demons crop up from?”

“What are they trying to do?”

“Don’t scare me…”

“Looking like this, and still acting in movies?”

“...”

Celebrities generally looked better when they had gotten more famous. It actually mattered not even if their looks weren’t so great. It was really not malicious for people to say things like this before even witnessing the acting skills and inner qualities of an actor. This existed in all eras.

Fuelled by certain people behind the scenes, jeering, mockery, ridicule...they all successively came.

“If I’d known that it’d be like this, wouldn’t it be better to just preserve that sense of secrecy…” A despondent Huang Yaming complained to Xu Tingsheng.

At a time like this, it was Jin Datang who was happiest. Every day, he basically spent some time looking at the conversations of the netizens and their jeering and ridicule of <Crazy Stone>'s actors. However much he read them, he still felt entertained.

Jin Datang used Weibo too. As the boss of an entertainment company, he very much liked to make his presence known to the public.

His newest Weibo post.

There were the posters of both the movies. Below this was written: Good looks, epic production versus queer fruits, unsightly view...how would you choose? Forgive me if I am not sympathetic enough.

Whether or not such words were excessive, the majority of people still liked this post. Moreover, the celebrities acting in his movie had their fanbases.

The one good thing about this was that many people came to know of <Crazy Stone> and also hold some curiosity towards it. Still, the losses were also great: Many people, especially females, expressed: Like I’d go watch a beggar gang legend movie…

Many in the industry felt that <Crazy Stone> would definitely make a profit in the box office and earn some. Considering the initial investment sum and how so many people knew about it, this was basically already set in stone.

Still, they also felt sorry for Huang Yaming. There had virtually never been a chance of <Crazy Stone> winning in the first place, not in any aspect whatsoever. Right now, even winning just a single week seemed a tall task indeed.

Just a few days after the poster was released, Huang Yaming hosted some of the cast and crew of <Crazy Stone> in Bright Brilliance.

Xu Tingsheng was present too.

So many future bigwigs of the industry were here right now, a little tense as they sat in front of their investor while still having yet to become famous. It actually made for quite an interesting feeling.

“Would you mind going up to sing a song, Mr Huang?” Xu Tingsheng pointed at the stage.

It was generally Huang Yaming who interacted with these people. His identity now being different, Xu Tingsheng had thought for a long time before finally coming up with this tactic. Mister Huang here referred to Huang Bo.

“You can sing?” Huang Yaming asked astonishedly.

“Not only can he sing, he can dance too. He was a singer once, right? Singing regularly...Blue Sandstorm,” Xu Tingsheng smiled as he revealed the name of Huang Bo’s former group.

Everyone present was taken aback, Huang Bo himself included.

Xu Tingsheng thought inwardly: I saw a lot of your interviews on the computer in my previous life.

Having much experience from his many years of singing, Huang Bo was not flustered as he went to the stage downstairs and sang a <Love and Anxiety>. He was a capable singer indeed.

In asking him to sing, Xu Tingsheng was really paving the foundation for another matter.

Upon Huang Bo’s return, he immediately asked, “That was really good, Mister Huang. I wonder if you might be interested in singing the movie’s theme song?”

“Oh, really? I thought that Miss Cen Xiyu…”

“It’s also fine to have two theme songs!” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Her image may be too high for this movie too. Oh, no offence, everyone.”

“Well…”

“<Uglie>, Rebirth’s new song. There’s only a relatively crude live version of it on the internet. I feel that this song fits in quite nicely with the public sentiments we’re facing now. We can take it as a counterattack as well as advertisement. It’s just that-I wonder if Mister Huang would mind doing it…”

At this point in time, being able to sing Rebirth’s song was actually a very lucky thing for Huang Bo who had aspired towards music yet lacked the ability to fulfil this dream. He had been in the industry for many years and performed in various places throughout the country, having even run a factory too. He had experienced a lot and had high EQ. With all that considered, Huang Bo did not appear too emotionally agitated as he smiled, shaking his head.

He said sincerely, “It’s okay. My friends, fellow directors, production crew...many people...I got used to it long ago, anyway. Also, I’ve heard the song before. It’s very deep and meaningful. I find it can be considered as speaking up for ordinary people like me. I’m very willing. Thanks!”

“You’re welcome. Just give more opportunities for us to work together with you when you’re famous in the future! That goes for everyone else too. Let’s work together in the future,” Xu Tingsheng raised his wineglass, “Here’s to a killing in the box office, and to all your futures!”

Xu Tingsheng built a foundation for the future. As for whether they could make use of this to sign a couple more movie contracts with these artistes, that was Huang Yaming’s task. These people would probably not refuse. After all, these future box office machines could surely never imagine right now just how much influence they would have in the movie industry in the future.

……

With Tianyi supporting and aiding them, the song was recorded very quickly.

In mid December, the Huang Bo version <Uglie> was released on various media channels. Coupled with a few scenes from the movie, the music video had mainly been filmed within the studio itself. Remarkable singing prowess, sincere voice, heartfelt outpouring of emotions, the lyrics that fit in so well with the current public sentiments and also left such a deep impression…

Riding on the current trending topic and Rebirth’s popularity, this song spread extremely rapidly.

Just as Xu Tingsheng had said, this was an advertisement and counterattack too. Most people in this world were inevitably ordinary. As more and more people resonated with this song, as more and more people empathised with the feelings within…

All that ridicule and mockery became a real eyesore indeed. Everyone began reflecting on themselves, wondering when they had become so shallow, lacking compassion in simply randomly hurting others in their words without justification.

All those arrogant people began getting stomped on, including the unwary Jin Datang who, taken entirely off guard, was mercilessly rebuked for a few hundred pages.

The hard work of ordinary people as they silently tolerated what life dealt them and strove on earnestly started to be appreciated and cheered on, because it was actually more difficult for ordinary people to succeed, to be given opportunities.

Thus began a complete and utter reversal in public sentiments.

At the end of the music video, the full cast of <Crazy Stone> appeared. Sincere smiles on their faces, they said earnestly, “We may not look that good. Still, our movie is good to watch.”

From all around the country, people wrote their replies to this on Weibo, on the various forums…

“Just based on this song alone, I’ll definitely watch it...”

“Thank you for being the representative of ‘we, the ordinary’.”

“I owe you guys a movie ticket. I’ll definitely return it.”

“Sorry.”

“...”

Chapter 438: Two battles

The first crowdfunding of ‘Agglomerating the Stars’ was for a village teacher in a remote southwest mountain district. After sending the kids home after school amidst a torrential downpour, he had been half-buried after a sudden avalanche of rock and soil that night.

Employees of Xingchen Technologies had gone to check out the situation and obtained the permission of the person in question before launching its official first ever public crowdfunding.

The total amount to be raised was two hundred thousand. This did not just include the medical bills as it also took into consideration his daily life thereafter. Having stayed at that mountain for almost twenty years, this village teacher was unaffiliated to any organisation.

As a result, he was not entitled to many perks and safeguards.

The day after this went online, thirty thousand was raised six hours into the crowdfunding. The prices of goods as well as wages had still yet to take off for good in this era as every dollar and even cent mattered.

The total given duration was ten days.

Xu Tingsheng felt that there should be no problem in attaining the target sum. He certainly had the means to pay it himself, and it was not that he was unwilling to part with the money. Still, if he did so, the benevolent character of crowdfunding would seem to have been lost somewhat.

What he wanted was to establish a platform, a mindset even as a collective consciousness and concerted initiative was formed. This would be a long term thing, and it would be impossible for him to bear all the costs himself in the long term. It would need the power of society as a whole.

The modest dollars and cents of countless people would collectively signify the direction of their society. It was in this way that public crowdfunding could truly be meaningful.

Still, Xu Tingsheng’s intentions were foiled that very night.

When the total sum raised had reached fifty thousand, Apple alone donated a hundred thousand. Her fans surged in thereafter, some tens of thousands of people working together as the remaining fifty thousand was gathered in less than an hour.

Xu Tingsheng grabbed his phone and hesitated for a while, eventually deciding against dialling her number.

Just this weekend, Little Xiang Ning had received her reward money which amounted to a hundred thousand yuan. She looked at all the crowdfunding schemes that were currently ongoing before choosing ten of them and donating ten thousand yuan to each of these.

“That’s so much money! I feel the pinch a little, but I feel very happy too,” Sitting on Xu Tingsheng’s lap, Little Xiang Ning said as she leaned against his shoulder.

Xu Tingsheng only hoped that she was not doing this in order to compete with Apple.

Whether it was this life or his previous one, Xiang Ning was pure, big-hearted and kind. Yet, she was still an ordinary girl. In matters of the heart, she too would feel jealous, would kick up a fuss and be unreasonable...not even a speck of dust was allowed to taint her eyes, to taint her heart.

……

1st January 2006.

<Crazy Stone> was broadcasted in cinemas.

Weixin went online.

Two battles commenced that very same day, at the start of the new year.

Both movies were screened for the first time right on the dot of midnight, launching their campaigns. While Tianyi had put in much effort in scheduling their movie, with such a big difference in investment sum existing, the number of times that <Crazy Stone> would be screened was less than a quarter of the total number of times for <Endless>.

At around 2am in the morning, the first batch of cinemagoers returned home. Some of them were still energetic as they successively began posting their views online.

On Weibo and the various forums, the first batch of reviews appeared.

<Crazy Stone>:

“Whadda, I nearly laughed to death! The entire cinema went crazy.”

“Entertains throughout.”

“The acting is really good.”

“This is gonna be so popular.”

“Recommend to watch it!”

<Endless>:

“Yes, it was indeed nice to look at, that’s true, and good. But, the heck, what exactly is the plot about? This dame couldn’t get it at all! Don’t say I’m uncultured, I graduated with a doctorate. Could it be that I’m too cultured?”

“It wasn’t just you. I graduated from primary school, and I equally couldn’t understand it too!”

“No wonder it’s a crappic...I mean epic production. Sorry, typo.”

“What a waste of my money! Look forward to polishing shoes.”

“Curses and damnation be upon you!”

“Going to bed. Watching Stone tomorrow.”

Huang Yaming stayed by the computer till 3am and read most of the comments posted online. The ratings on Weibo were 8.1 for <Crazy Stone> as compared to 4.3 for <Endless>. A desperate, angered Jin Datang posted on Weibo: Someone is controlling the scores and so misleading the public. I hope no one is fooled.”

Then, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Huang Yaming at around 3.30am in the morning.

“Wanna come to the bar and drink some?” Huang Yaming sounded very excited.

“Drink your sister! Can’t you see what time it is?” Xu Tingsheng rebuked.

“But I’m happy! The movie couldn’t have been any more well received. Jin Datang’s probably going to have to polish my shoes,” Huang Yaming did not give up, “How about I come find you?”

“All part of the plan,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Now stop disturbing me already. I still have a battle to fight tomorrow.”

With that, he hung up, yet was just unable to fall back asleep for some reason.

Beside him, Little Xiang Ning blearily opened her eyes and asked, “Are you nervous?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, confessing, “A little.”

He really did feel a little nervous. He had once been impoverished, watching over a small store down a small street. Now, he was actually beginning to try to challenge Tencent. Not having so strong a mentality, Xu Tingsheng was on edge as he still found it a bit inconceivable even now.

Little Xiang Ning extended her hand and rubbed his chest gently.

“There’s no need to be scared. Actually, it doesn’t matter even if you aren’t this awesome and successful.”

She hadn’t said ‘you’ll definitely win’ or ‘you’ll see success for sure’. She had said: Actually, it doesn’t matter even if you aren’t this awesome and successful...just like in his previous life, a request that he had to be this or that much successful had never come from her.

It was just that in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had not been able to provide her with even that most simple and basic life together.

Whereas he had always believed that she was meant for a better life.

In this life, going by the standards of his previous, the current Xu Tingsheng could actually already have ceased in his footsteps at this point. He was never an ambitious person or high achiever in the first place. To him and to Xiang Ning, all that he had now was perhaps sufficient.

Still, in actuality, it was already very difficult for him to stop.

He bore the weight of so many people on his shoulders, with many having placed their futures in his hands. What would those of Xingchen do if he were to stop? They had put in so much hard work, toiled through countless nights, all so because they were filled with anticipation towards their future prospects, filled with confidence towards Xu Tingsheng.

How could they possibly stop at this point?

“Actually, I myself? While I can dispel any growing ambition, I cannot dispel the greed that is innate in human beings. Having been reborn, a huge opportunity lies ahead of me, seemingly within reach and all but attainable...would I really be willing to give up this chance just like that?”

It was often that there were some completely contradictory desires present within human beings, even for the same person.

“How about I chat with you?” Looking at the frowning Xu Tingsheng whose mind seemed to have drifted off somewhere, Little Xiang Ning asked concernedly.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng’s inner processes regarding Little Xiang Ning were the same too. There were always two little people fighting inside of him…

Only when he gazed at her eyes and young, ignorant gaze was he still able to persuade himself to be in control.

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said, “What shall we talk about?”

“Let’s talk about when you came to my school to celebrate my birthday. Did you already like me then?”

“Yes.”

“Actually, I already liked you too then. It was just that I still didn’t know it myself.”

“And how do you know it now?”

“That night, I dreamt that, I dreamt that…”

“What did you dream?”

“I dreamt that we got married...”

“And then…”

“And then you ran away, and I couldn’t find you no matter how I tried. I was so panicked I burst into tears...and then I woke up.”

Xu Tingsheng hugged her, coaxing gently, “I won’t run away again this time. I’ll never run away.”

“This time? So you’ve run away before?”

“...Inside your dream!”

“Oh. Who asked you to come and be good to me? I already can’t do without you. Xu Tingsheng, you can never, ever not want me!”

“Of course.”

……

1st January 2006, 8am. Weixin went online.

The greatest battle in the domain of instant communication software within the country in recent years thereby finally commenced.

Chapter 439: Emergent conflict

The propagation of Weixin was basically founded upon Weibo and Happy Farm itself. Xingchen added a link to Weibo and Happy Farm on the Weixin client, also making it such that those who logged in to Happy Farm through Weixin would obtain a small amount of free fertiliser everyday.

The target group of this strategy was obvious, and it worked quite well too. Although there was indeed some loss in the income obtained from Happy Farm, it was still within acceptable limits.

Of course, it was absolutely impossible for Weibo to off QQ just based on this. QQ’s user base surpassed both of theirs by far too much with many of its users also being wholly unaffected by their maneuvers. A lengthy process would be required for this.

On the first day, over 8 million people downloaded and registered accounts on Weixin.

Meanwhile, Tencent had still yet to mount any direct response to this challenge.

As for results in the box office.

<Crazy Stone> attained 3 million in its first 24 hours of screening. Going by this trend, there should be absolutely no problem at all for it to recoup the 9 million investment sum spent on filming and advertisements. Also, from the ratings, it seemed that there might be a further upward trend if the total number of times the movie was screened was later increased.

<Endless> was the undisputed winner on their first day at the box office. On the first day of the New Year, this major production that claimed to have spent 100 million but had an actual investment sum of 60 million attained a total of 6 million at the box office. This was twice of <Crazy Stone>’s results.

Yet, a comparison of numbers actually still revealed an inkling of crisis for <Endless>. There was more than a ten times gap between the total investment sums of the two movies. As for how many times either movie would be screened, there was a five times difference as well.

The cinemas were a reliable benchmark with which to measure box office in terms of tickets sold. It was really a perfectly normal thing for cinemas to adjust the number of times a movie was screened based on how full the theatres were.

Due to this matter, Tianle was already launching an urgent press release in guaranteeing that the number of slots allocated for their movie would not decrease.

Still, behind <Crazy Stone> existed another organisation which was monetarily invested in this and would benefit from the box office results and continued perks. Tianyi would definitely not sit back and do nothing.

They were to be competing in terms of connections, capabilities and influence. Xu Tingsheng had great confidence in Tianyi here.

Rather than the box office, more worrying for Tianle and Jin Datang were actually the movie’s reputation and ratings.

Over the course of the day, the reputation of <Endless> had already plummeted to an all-time low on the Internet as the worst and most totally undecipherable movie ever as its ratings had plunged to 3.7. The bad impression netizens had of Jin Datang had surely played a part too.

In contrast, due to the positive image that it had previously established which connected them to the hearts of the ordinary citizen and the remarkable quality of the movie itself, the reputation and popularity of <Crazy Stone> had far surpassed that in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life. Alongside all those praises which virtually had no need for logic, all and any voices still attempting to find fault with it were duly quashed.

It had an astonishing rating of 8.4 on Weibo.

Xu Tingsheng was busy working on the computer till the middle of the night. As his entire body ached, he ended up doing a few simple exercises on the floor of the study. As he did sit-ups, Xiang Ning helped to press down his legs. When he did push-ups, she just sat on his back.

Amidst all the activity and cheeriness, Xu Tingsheng’s mood eased greatly.

He cooked some noodles for supper. After their meal, Xu Tingsheng shooed Xiang Ning back to her room to sleep, after which he returned to the study and lit a cigarette. It was a rare occasion on which he was smoking at home.

Afterwards, Xu Tingsheng took a shower, and it was only around 2am that he finally fell asleep.

The next day, he was still in the midst of dreaming when Huang Yaming’s call arrived.

“At the cinemas, those watching <Crazy Stone> have been forced to wait in line for more screenings to be had. News from Tianyi is that our screening instances should immediately rise.”

Next, Hu Chen’s call arrived.

“Tencent has begun its counterattack.”

Tencent’s counterattack:

Firstly, Tencent’s Weibo had gone online.

Secondly, all the games and platforms related to Tencent, QQ fantasy and QQ Games included, had given out free gifts to attract gamers. This was accompanied by its same old, always effective method of giving away QQ coins.

Both moves were targeting them head-on.

Tencent’s Weibo went online with this in mind: If you won’t let me have it easy, I won’t let you have it easy either. Of course, herein could also be seen Tencent’s usual ‘mountain shack’ spirit of imitation.

As for giving away coins, such was a blatant competition of resources. While some might feel that giving away things like virtual currency and goods was really okay, it would actually still affect a company’s operations. When this surpassed a certain point, there would naturally, correspondingly be fewer users who bought them.

Therefore, this was actually another form of resource competition, competing in terms of their income before competing in terms of their reserves.

The mighty Tencent was very generous in this area, much more so than Weibo’s Happy Farm with their few bags of fertiliser.

Right after Xu Tingsheng had got up and turned on the computer, before he could even make any adjustments, a higher-up of Tencent could already be found online saying in an interview: Tencent has never been afraid of competition.

Of course Tencent was not afraid. At this point, at the start of the year 2006, they had virtually never seen defeat in their use of the mountain shack strategy.

In the year 2003, QQ’s mountain shack had defeated ICQ as it had become the monarch of instant communication software in China. As QQ had rapidly risen to prominence, all other instant communication software in the country had slowly faded away into oblivion with a monopoly hence being formed.

In the year 2003, Tencent had imitated Lianzhong in promoting QQ’s gaming platform, focusing mainly on stuff like gambling and chess games. In a mere short year’s time, QQ’s platform had virtually completely toppled what had once been the world’s largest leisure multiplayer gaming platform.

In the year 2005, Tencent had used the mountain shack approach against Kugou as criticisms of it had spread throughout the entirety of the Internet.

……

Thanks to QQ’s massive user base, it was virtually just like a battle god reborn, fated to obtain victory in whatever battles it partook in. Also, it wanted to as well as was able to do everything. Or rather, it could ‘learn from’ others and do the same in everything, and it would win too. This was the fearful aspect of QQ’s user base. With its ‘human wave tactics’, no one was Tencent’s match.

This way of doing things would only intensify in the future. After reaching their initial success, most Internet entrepreneurs would be unable to sleep soundly at night in fear of that pair of greedy, beady eyes which might zero in on them at any time.

Also, the majority of the ones who were targeted would ultimately had no way of avoiding defeat.

Like games, browsers, virtual keyboards…

Xu Tingsheng knew of the meagre few defeats their mountain shack strategy had seen:

The mountain shack Souba versus Baidu’s Tieba, defeat.

The mountain shack Paipai versus Alibaba’s Taobao, defeat.

Most importantly, Tencent’s Weibo versus Sina Weibo, defeat.

How had Sina Weibo defeated Tencent’s Weibo in his previous life? At the end of the day, the one thing Xu Tingsheng had learnt was this: He definitely had to emerge from those things Tencent was proficient in, facing the abundance and quantity with content and speciality.

QQ was mighty in its numerous users and the interactions between them. Xu Tingsheng had been working on this very thing since a while back, and it was going quite well too. In other words, he was in the midst of encroaching on this domain that presently belonged to QQ.

Meanwhile, Xingchen’s Weibo had its own unique interactions amongst its users as well in a manner which QQ simply lacked. An easy example was this. One had no way of adding their idol on QQ as a friend, but they could still follow their Weibo page and leave comments. Then, these comments could even be seen and replied to.

Therefore, a major advantage of Xingchen Weibo was the large amount of VIPs that was using it.

Apart from that, there was also its content and Weibo’s role as a self-media platform. Then there was also its speciality as a ‘verbal sparring’ platform. These were all things the current QQ could not provide.

Chapter 440: Engagement

Tencent’s Weibo had simply come too late. Before its arrival, Xingchen’s Weibo had already had a swift accumulation of its user base through the popularity of those VIPs and celebrities. As a result, it would be difficult to overthrow it with everyone now having already adjusted to it.

You want those VIPs with several million fans to shift over? Impossible. There’s too much at stake for them here.

You want the exact same content that already appeared on Xingchen Weibo to appear on a completely empty Tencent Weibo? Even more impossible. Content is the most difficult thing to accumulate. This was why in his previous life, however mighty Tencent was, it had still not been able to defeat Douban, to defeat Baidu Knows. These entities possessed content that had been accumulated over many years.

In much the same way, it was presently just as unable to shake the position of Xingchen Weibo.

In terms of its user base, Weixin would profit no matter what when before it had been zero. As Xingchen also had no intention whatsoever of entering a bitter and protracted battle of life and death with QQ in going all out at this juncture, Xu Tingsheng was not at all anxious about this.

He explained his thoughts to Hu Chen, telling him that Xingchen had no need to respond to Tencent’s counterattack in any way.

“Some celebrities just opened accounts there,” Hu Chen called again half an a hour later, “Do we intensify this or deescalate?”

Intensifying referred to specifically targeting the enemy. All the celebrities who had opened accounts on Tencent would have their accounts on Xingchen terminated at once. While this would lead to much censure and even lawsuits, it would definitely be effective. Those people would definitely be unwilling to let go of their millions of fans, for all this had to be accumulated over the long term as well. It was not like if they moved to another site, their fans would all move over with them.

Presently, with Weibo having appeared prematurely and the importance of maintaining internet popularity correspondingly having arisen early on, they would naturally have to weigh the potential consequences of doing so.

Deescalating referred to sitting back, doing nothing and simply observing the situation.

Xu Tingsheng recalled the situation in his previous life. It seemed that the same kind of thing had happened then. He said, “Let’s just wait and see. They will come back on their own. Also, we should keep from overly antagonising Tencent for the time being. Right now, the longer this drags on, the better it is for us.”

……

One week, the first week of the year 2006.

<Endless> had earnt 22 million at the box office, surpassing <Crazy Stone> with a lead of 3 million. In this first week, the victory had gone to <Endless>, to Tianle and Jin Datang. Still, virtually everyone was well aware that it would not be long before Jin Datang had to polish the shoes of Huang Yaming.

<Endless> was on a downward trend at the box office, plummeting alongside its wretched, terrible reputation. As for <Crazy Stone>, it was continuing to rise day by day despite the New Year holiday having passed. Now, perhaps the only thing that could restrict this movie which had forged a miracle despite its low cost of production might be the total number of screenings.

The cinemas were already working to improve this as a major change was in the works. The following week, it would be very likely for <Crazy Stone> to come up tops over <Endless> in terms of the total number of screenings.

Some began yelling the slogan of <Crazy Stone> surpassing a hundred million in the box office. One must know that this was not an era in which box office records gushed out like a spring. Such would only come in a decade or so. For this movie which had cost a mere four million to produce to achieve a hundred million in the box office would be nothing short of a miracle in this day and age.

Meanwhile, Jin Datang had ceased further comment on Weibo. He could already care less about that bet and having to polish someone else’s shoes. For him, this war was already a matter of life and death. With 60 million having been invested into <Endless>, they needed at least 250 million in the box office to break even...

Right now, this figure was in the midst of gradually drifting away from him.

Movies were usually screened for 20 to 35 days. Most of the time, those which were not all that remarkable would have more than half of their income entering in the first week. Moreover, this batch of movies had been screened for the first time during the New Year period.

In contrast to Jin Datang’s silence, Huang Yaming and the main team of <Crazy Stone> began frequently appearing on various media channels. Even as the cast gained popularity, as an extremely young, bold, interesting and discerning producer, Huang Yaming’s fame was really not any inferior to theirs at all.

He was the favoured child of the media, the new royalty of the movie industry.

As more and more women paid attention to him, his former philandering ways also came to the attention of more and more people. Yet, when Huang Yaming could now finally look forward to having young female artistes crawl into his bed...it was like he had suddenly become celibate.

Because of the queen-level Ye Qing, the philandering Tan Yao had changed his ways.

Formerly a philanderer too, Huang Yaming had changed. Who could it be for?

“Of course it’s because of you,” Huang Yaming naturally said in response to Tan Qingling’s query.

It was because of this very woman that the former devoted youth had turned philanderer. Yet, it was also because of her now that he was renouncing those ways?

In a moved yet sorrowful, troubled tone, Tan Qingling said, “Thank you. It’s just, do you know? Actually, the more successful you become, the more I come to lack confidence in myself. I feel insecure everyday, with no sense of security...I can’t fall asleep everyday for fear that you might leave me at any time.”

In saying all this, Tan Qingling seemed not to consciously realise at all that the one who had previously left all of a sudden and inflicted grievous harm had been naught but she herself.

“What would you like me to do then?” Huang Yaming asked.

“You, don’t you have any suggestions?”

“I’ll listen to yours.”

“Okay, alright then. I’d like, I’d like...how about we get married? Would you be willing? I’m afraid of missing out again. I want to be with you forever. Two people holding hands from senior high till the end of our days-what a beautiful story, isn’t it?” Tan Qingling asked softly in a perfectly calibrated shy yet anticipatory voice, sounding like she had only managed to muster up her courage with much difficulty.

Once, after their university entrance examinations when the two had been closest, thinking that this meant forever, Huang Yaming had actually really naively asked that Tan Qingling bring him to her house to meet her parents. He had also mentally prepared to meet them in that capacity.

At the time, Tan Qingling had only found this laughable.

Now, however, it was her who was bringing this up, the matter of their engagement. Perhaps the next step would be marriage. In her eyes, besides still being head over heels to the point of infatuation with her, the current Huang Yaming was already not much related at all to his previously ordinary self.

The current Huang Yaming was already more or less amongst the ranks of high society as he was steadily walking the path of a tycoon.

Tan Qingling had witnessed all this with her own eyes, and she yearned for it all. She looked forward to being called Lady Boss at Bright Brilliance, looked forward to appearing alongside Huang Yaming at parties, at film festivals, on the red carpet…

And perhaps there would be even more.

This satisfied her both her material and vainglorious sides to a very high degree. It was something the minor boss who owned a BMW could never give her no matter what.

Actually, that BMW had already come to amount to pretty much nothing in Tan Qingling’s eyes over the past two years. This was also why she had so resolutely come back to look for Huang Yaming.

She wanted to capture this man, being very confident of doing so too. She had seen him hiding in a corner before, dazedly watching as she got off from someone else’s car. He had been so infatuated it was laughable.

Therefore, however successful this man became, however much he changed, he would still be utterly within the grasp of her, Tan Qingling.

“You know, we’re both still in university,” Huang Yaming sounded quite taken aback.

“Oh, you’re unwilling...it’s okay,” Tan Qingling said, sounding like she was forcibly repressing her tears.

“No, don’t be like this,” Huang Yaming considered it, “How about, give me time to think about it?”

“...Alright,” Tan Qingling said gently, “Yaming, I’ll wait right here, for you to marry me.”

Chapter 441: Utter defeat

In the same week.

The number of registered users on Weixin reached 46 million, with the highest number of users simultaneously online nearing 4 million. These two statistics were approximately ten and twenty percent of QQ’s respectively.

This entailed that:

Firstly, QQ was still the monarch of instant communication software. Still, the concept of ‘number two’ had begun to appear. With Weibo as a foundation, Weixin’s user base was expanding at a very shocking pace.

Secondly, more of Weixin’s users were frequently active.

Presently, it was not in terms of user base where QQ had been disturbed by their presence. It was even the case that the growth of QQ’s own user base in the past week far surpassed the norm due to all the reactionary policies that it had implemented. Rather than that, what really caused Tencent to feel threatened was how things might go in the future with their monopoly broken.

The absolute majority of Weixin’s users were QQ users as well. Even without any data, it was quite obvious that most would have made the choice to use both of them simultaneously at the present stage.

Of course, they would definitely still be more accustomed to using QQ.

As the latecomer to the party, the bare-footed one, Weixin was happy to see such a situation as they would be able to joyfully accept it without difficulty. Still, it was different for Tencent. Having once monopolised the market, this was equivalent to somebody having come to take a share of territory that had solely belonged to them.

From having no opponent to an opponent having appeared, and competition arising. They who had formerly monopolised the market would naturally have to worry.

Meanwhile, Tencent’s Weibo was simply unable to gain traction. Even with artistes making an account there, the number of fans and activity levels on their website were extremely worrying.

The two moves used by Tencent were basically attacking using their Weibo and defending with the free gifts to their users.

Right now, their attack had met an immovable object.

As for defence, they were in too vulnerable a position. Even though the current situation was not actually that bad, some people were already feeling a sense of crisis, for even an embankment spanning hundreds of kilometres could really be potentially destroyed by a single nest of ants.

Xu Tingsheng wished to drag things out and not overly antagonise Tencent. Like he had said earlier, it would be more beneficial for them the longer the time that passed. It was much like how someone who went to a fruit garden with an empty basket would surely be able to pluck some given enough time.

Moreover, he was also worried that Tencent might be overly sensitive and have an over the top reaction, leading to a premature decisive battle as things immediately reached the point of no return in all-out war.

In his previous life, this was what had happened between Tencent and 360 in the year 2010. The two had fallen out irreparably and become sworn to see the other’s demise. That was sufficient to show that Tencent was indeed capable of and willing to perform such a deed.

Of course, the chances of them doing this right now were not high.

Tencent had dared to and chosen to do so in the year 2010 because it had already been an empire then. It had believed that it would be able to crush its opponent, with what would be a battle for survival for the other party leaving their own foundation essentially unharmed.

Right now, in early 2006, Tencent was still a ways of from that future Internet empire. If it wished to do so, utilising the same method, it would really be engaging in a taxing battle that would also leave them coming out worse off for sure.

Under what circumstances might they still choose to do so considering how things were now?

It would only happen if Tencent’s highest echelons were discerning enough and realised that they were actually facing an existential crisis in terms of their foundations. Otherwise, it might also be a mere overreaction on their part as they were unable to tolerate a shred of resistance and would see the other party dead even if they themselves were badly burned in the process.

Capabilities, scale, foundation, funds, talents, experience…

Xingchen Technologies, Weixin and Xu Tingsheng were at an absolute disadvantage in all these aspects.

Xu Tingsheng did not wish for this war to start too early on. Therefore, he chose not to counterattack for fear of overly antagonising Tencent. He wanted to take it slow, with the decisive battle only coming perhaps in the wireless era or the mobile era some years later.

Before that happened, he did not mind being suppressed. So long as he had some breathing space, he would be able to slowly accumulate his power and develop. That would be enough.

Yet, he had underestimated the vision, decisiveness, resolve and decision-making of a future business empire.

13th January 2006.

Without that ‘A letter to users’ of Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, without that ‘placing the choice in your hands’, a certain higher-up of Tencent’s expressed his stance directly through the media in rebuking Xingchen Technologies for copying and imitating QQ. Meanwhile, when there had been no choice but for Tencent to retaliate, Xingchen Technologies had threatened the celebrities on its Weibo against entering their Weibo in a malicious form of competition.

Immediately afterwards, the users discovered that they were no longer able to simultaneously launch both QQ and Weixin. Those who had already been getting used to having both these instant communication software on at once suddenly discovered that Weixin would turn off whenever they logged into QQ.

It had arrived.

This battle that should really have occurred between Tencent and 360 in the year 2010, that melee which would be later evaluated as one of the top five malicious, destructive conflicts in China’s business industry, arrived prematurely.

While the form, process and combatants were different, it was intrinsically the same. Tencent was drawing on its user base and their habitual usage of its software to suppress its opponent.

Xu Tingsheng had no way of judging and no need to judge whether it was Tencent or 360 who had been in the right or wrong. There was never any meaning to that. When things had reached such an extent in the business arena, whatever excuse one might provide, it was essentially a conflict of interest that existed between them.

Actually, neither Xingchen nor Tencent could be judged by moral standards. They were engaged in a battle to secure their commercial interests-that was all.

Xu Tingsheng also had no justification in looking down on and feeling superior to Tencent. Ever since his rebirth, he too had essentially been using the mountain shack strategy of imitation all along, just that what he had been imitating came from the future.

At the end of the day, things had not gone as Xu Tingsheng had thought they would as Tencent had decisively, virtually unreasonably pounced to slay Weixin in the cradle whatever the costs. So long as their foe fell, a little minor reorganisation and the road to empire would be in sight.

Xu Tingsheng knew of an interesting tale. Two years later, 51’s Pang Dongshen and Baofeng’s Ma Xin would both publicly say in succession that they would choose to defeat QQ even if their lifespans were reduced by 20 years as the price.

These were the representatives of those who had been mercilessly hunted down and ‘killed’ by Tencent.

Xu Tingsheng did not know if he would be one of them. Still, if asked to choose, he would definitely not be willing to give up that twenty years. After all, he was actually not such an ambitious person. He was five years older than Little Xiang Ning, and, reportedly, women generally had longer lifespans than men.

As for threatening the VIPs on Weibo, Xu Tingsheng found that it was just some employees of Xingchen who were closer with them who had given them a bit of friendly advice in their personal capacity. They had not utilised any forceful means at all. Still, under these circumstances, there was no one who would reason with you.

Much denunciation occured on Xingchen Weibo, chastising Xingchen Weibo.

Of course, there were also a great many people who criticised Tencent.

Anyway, this incident had already blown up into a complete mess.

In the six hourly report from 9am to 3pm, while the number of registered users on Weixin did grow by a million, the number of active users on it plummeted. In these six hours, the highest number of people simultaneously on Weixin was less than four hundred thousand, less than a tenth of what it had originally been.

It was observed from the data that many users would first log onto Weixin and enter Weibo and Happy Farm through it before logging onto QQ, thereby allowing Weixin to be turned off.

This also meant that Weixin’s communication function had been effectively forsaken.

Xu Tingsheng’s primary goal in launching Weixin had been thoroughly stymied.

It was utter defeat.

A mere six hours. As a direct competitor of QQ’s, Weixin was far less sturdy than 360 which really hailed from another domain. Six hours, utter defeat, no way of retaliating whatsoever.

Chapter 442: An opportunity not to be missed

Weixin and QQ, Xingchen and Tencent.

The two of them were actually never in the same weight class in the first place. Having existed for eight years and experienced several great battles, QQ possessed more experience as well as a bigger user base that was more closely tied to them. It was indeed also better in terms of research and development, content and service as well as its accounting and finance systems…

More crucially, usage of it had since developed into a long-term habit. The power of habits was a scary thing.

For all he had considered, Xu Tingsheng had ultimately miscalculated Tencent’s determination and thunderbolt-like methods.

He discussed this problem with Hu Chen and He Yutan via video conference for two hours but was simply unable to come up with any solution at all. Against actual competition, if foreknowledge was useless, Xu Tingsheng was really just an ordinary person.

With how things were right now, the three unanimously agreed that they could only prioritise in preserving Weibo with all their might.

Xu Tingsheng reiterated that as long as Weibo was not harmed, Xingchen should view Weixin with the spirit of the empty basket. It would be a profit however much they plucked, even if an overall loss was made.

It just so happened that this was a Friday. Nearing school dismissal time, Xu Tingsheng ended the meeting, turned off his computer and went to pick up Little Xiang Ning at Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high. Chancing upon that Miss Bao, he said hi and exchanged a few words with her. From her, he learnt that Xiang Ning’s performance had improved by quite a bit recently.

After dinner, Xu Tingsheng did not let Little Xiang Ning on the computer as he led her outside for a stroll.

The two crossed the neighbouring bridge and arrived outside the busy construction site of Ning Garden’s first phase flats. The central park opposite was already undergoing construction too.

Xu Tingsheng pointed at where the still non-existent flats would be, asking, “If there was a beautiful flat here…”

He pointed just opposite, “And there was a gorgeous park here…”

“Huh?” Little Xiang Ning asked in puzzlement.

“Just like that, living here for many, many years. Would you like that?”

Little Xiang Ning nodded and said, “Yes, I’d like that. We could go for a stroll together everyday.”

……

At around 9pm, the lights in Lu Zhixin’s office were still lit up. She had dealt with a whole bunch of things since returning to the company after afternoon classes that day.

After that, she had started paying attention to Xingchen’s situation. She had unconsciously begun thinking how she would try to handle things, standing by Xu Tingsheng’s side amidst Xingchen’s crisis…

Such considerations seemed virtually second nature to her. She was used to thinking for him, not wanting him to have it so hard. This could be seen in how she, a girl, had once consumed alcohol to the point of internal bleeding when he had said the larger the loan amount the better. They had also faced Zhang Xingke together in the past, rising together to meet the challenge of Youxin Tongcheng…

She had already long since grown accustomed to fighting side by side with him.

This sort of habit was very hard to change. Without consciously realising it at all, Lu Zhixin had unknowingly spent more than two hours working on this even though everything had already changed. She had written down three detailed plans on paper, ranging from crisis PR to an accumulation of funds to a counterattack proposal…

“I wonder what he will suddenly come up with this time, mightily reversing the crazed tides. That’s what he always does. He’s never lost once…”

Actually, just like the very first batch of Hucheng’s employees, Lu Zhixin had a sort of blind faith, even worship of Xu Tingsheng’s capabilities. Yet, with this time’s matter being a head-on clash, a battle of attrition, they did not know that Xu Tingsheng actually did not have a better method.

It was an indisputable fact that purely in terms of talent in commerce, Lu Zhixin was by far his superior.

Lu Zhixin's handphone rang once. Her father’s text consisted only of these words: Opportunity not to be missed.

Lu Zhixin flung her handphone away.

A moment later.

She tore up the three pieces of paper in her hand, gnashing her teeth alongside the ripping, “Who asked you not to like me, not to like me...I could care less, I don’t care at all...you just happily play house with that little girl of yours, you good-for-nothing…”

A creaking noise resounded as the door was pushed open.

Lu Zhixin hurriedly caught herself.

“What’s wrong, Zhixin? No, I mean, why haven’t you gone back yet?” Tang Yufei asked rather awkwardly, “I just happened to drive by and saw that the lights were still turned on, so I popped in to take a file and also check on things...”

“Oh,” Lu Zhixin controlled her expression, replying, “I was just about to leave. What about you?”

Tang Yufei hesitated a little before asking, “By the way, Zhixin, I actually have a question I’d like to ask you. Are you acquainted with anyone from Tianyi? I remember that they also hold shares in our company.”

Lu Zhixin was taken aback for a moment as she looked at Tang Yufei before she said resolutely, “No, I’m not well acquainted with any of them. Is anything the matter?”

“Nah, just asking,” Tang Yufei said, “I’ll just go back to my office to grab that file then.”

“Alright. Remember to look the main door! I’ll be leaving first. You take care.”

“Right, you too.”

Tang Yufei said nothing more. Actually, she had felt Lu Zhixin seemingly turning into a stranger over this period of time. It was like she was deliberately maintaining a distance from everyone, including this big sis of hers, Tang Yufei, who had been close enough to teach her ‘stuff’ once.

……

When Tang Yufei reached home, it was already 10 pm. Her parents and little sister were still sitting in the living room, waiting for her.

“Sis~”

Her sister, Tang Yumeng, came forward and latched onto her arm, swinging it as she gazed adorably at her.

Actually, Tang Yufei was already no longer a young girl. She was already in her fourth year of university at Shenghai Drama School. Having the same genetic heritage, she was only slightly inferior to Tang Yufei in terms of looks. She single-mindedly aspired to be an actress, an artiste.

Yet, her family had no connections and her looks were not outstanding amongst her peers. She had never gotten an opportunity before. Being soon to graduate, some of her classmates in university had already long since started acting in shows and advertisement. Some were gradually on the road to stardom, even. Meanwhile, she could only be a side character occasionally, one face out of many to fill up the numbers…

Time was running out. She was getting anxious, and so were her parents.

Tang Yufei had previously advised her sister to give up her dream and find a good, stable job after graduating. She could help her out here. Still, her sister was adamant in refusing to give up her dream of becoming a star.

This issue had previously been over at this point as there was nothing that could be done about it. Tang Yufei had thought that since her wages were pretty good, even if her sister decided to roam about aimlessly…she would be able to help provide for her. It mattered not even if her sister pointlessly wasted a few years away with nothing to show for it.

Still, the release of stocks previously and the capital increase thereafter had not just given Tang Yufei the position of Hucheng’s shareholder. She had also learnt that the reputable Tianyi was actually a shareholder of theirs, with Xu Tingsheng also being a shareholder of Tianyi in turn.

This was actually an opportunity for her younger sister. Still, after some hesitation, Tang Yufei had ultimately decided to remain silent, believing that she was simply not of sufficient status to request this.

Yet, accompanied by Huang Yaming’s rise to popularity alongside <Crazy Stone> for which Tianyi was the producer, more and more people were beginning to pay attention to this issue. How could a mere university student have achieved this?

After investigating Huang Yaming, these probing people naturally learnt of his relation to Xu Tingsheng.

Tang Yumeng was one of these people who had looked into this issue. In doing so, she had received an incomparably pleasant surprise.

In her own words to Tang Yufei: Everyone in the industry is saying this. Apparently, he was the one who raised Cen Xiyu up. It’s him who is standing behind this movie too. He’s a secret mogul, you know? Your boss, Xu Tingsheng, is a shareholder of Tianyi, and you’re his assistant...come on, please help me out, big sis…

Chapter 443: Eradicate the ground beneath

“What do you know about everyone in the industry? Are you even in the industry?” Tang Yufei had immediately poured cold water on her younger sister.

“If you’ll help me, won’t I be able to enter it then…” Her sister was not discouraged in the least as she asked, “Sis, are you really willing to watch me have my dreams shattered, only able to play mob characters my whole life? I played a maid last time. I didn’t even have a single line throughout, and I had to suffer a slap. That was a real, forceful slap! My face got all swollen. And the one who slapped me...was even my classmate too.”

Tang Yumeng’s acting skills were indeed not all that great. Such a tragic plotline, and not even a single tear.

Yet, her parents’ hearts still ached at this.

“Look, Yufei, your younger sister can’t be persuaded to stop anyway. You might as well help her out,” Mr Tang said.

“Right! You’re that Boss Xu’s assistant. Just a minor role-that shouldn’t be a problem, right?” Mrs Tang asked.

At her own parents’ request, Tang Yufei had had no choice but to promise to try to help. Embarrassed to look for Xu Tingsheng directly, she had tried looking into this through Lu Zhixin. Sadly, though, Lu Zhixin had replied in the negative.

Afterwards…

“Bis sis?”

“...Yes, what is it?”

“What is it? You seem kind of in a daze. Sis, have you helped me to ask yet?”

“I’ll do it tomorrow. It’s already so late today.”

“Yep! Best if I’m the female lead. The second female lead’s fine too. Alright, since it’s my first movie, three four five six seven, anything will do. Just get him to sign me...sigh, if only he were my brother-in-law. A diamond bachelor! You’re his assistant and see him everyday, but you don’t put in the effort…”

“...Any more of that and I won’t help you ask.”

“I’ll stop, I’ll stop. Good night, sis. Remember to help me ask tomorrow!”

Despite having promised to cease and desist, Tang Yufei soon found her younger sister entering her room and jumping onto her bed right after she came back from taking a bath.

“What’re you doing?”

“Let’s sleep together!”

“Go back to your room.”

“Sis~but I wanna chat.”

“What’s there to chat about? Don’t tell me it’s about that ‘everyone in the industry’ of yours again…”

“Not that, not that. Kay, let’s chat about Xu Tingsheng.”

“Hmm?”

“According to the internet, he’s very handsome. Is he really so handsome in real life?”

“...His looks are pretty okay.”

“Is he fierce then?”

“I’ve never seen him being fierce before.”

“Wow! Perfect! Is he perverted then?”

“...”

“Sis, has he ever ‘unspoken law’ you before? Tyrannical CEO and sexy female secretary...in the office...wow…” Her sister deliberately spoke very softly yet very exaggeratedly, probably having heard quite a few stories about this from ‘everyone in the industry’ before.

Tang Yufei grabbed her by the collar, dragged her off the bed and unceremoniously shoved her out of the door, locking and latching it for good measure...

……

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Tang Yufei before lunch. However much he had slacked off, he had necessarily interacted quite a bit with this assistant of his when at Hucheng previously.

Tang Yufei ventured, “Boss Xu…”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Don’t you always just call me Xu Tingsheng?”

Tang Yufei smiled awkwardly. The distance between she and Xu Tingsheng had grown too. It had actually already been quite a long time since they had last met.

“Hey, are you free? I’d like to invite you to lunch.”

“Is something the matter?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“...Yeah,” Tang Yufei hesitated for a bit and said.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it before replying, “Well, I have to cook lunch at home. How about after lunch, during afternoon nap time? We can find a spot and have some tea, and you can tell me about it then.”

“Alright. So, I’ll text you after I find a good location.”

“Nah, I”ll do it. I’ll find someplace close to my house. I’ll call you in a while.”

“Okay.”

……

Half an hour after lunch, Xiang Ning was curled up on the sofa, seemingly asleep.

Xu Tingsheng accounted for everything and then went out.

He found a teahouse in the very close vicinity and sat down before calling Tang Yufei. Less than ten minutes later, Tang Yufei’s car pulled up outside the building.

As the two saw each other, Xu Tingsheng commented, “That was fast.”

“I heard that your new house is around the area, so I came over earlier to wait,” Having studied the art of the tea ceremony before, Tang Yufei was more competent than the waiter as she got to work right after sitting down, pouring tea for both herself and Xu Tingsheng.

Glancing at Xu Tingsheng and seeing him still the same harmless, innocuous guy, Tang Yufei visibly relaxed somewhat as she said while sipping on some tea, “Right, you’re such a family person...I even heard that there’s a young lady.”

Finding it awkward, Xu Tingsheng said nothing.

Finding that Xu Tingsheng was still that same old Xu Tingsheng whom she could tease, Tang Yufei was emboldened as she asked, “So you like young ones, huh?”

Xu Tingsheng exclaimed vexedly, “I’ve never even touched her! I mean...”

“It must be quite excruciating for you then?”

“...So, as I understand it, you came looking for me to ask about my sex life?”

“Oh, I was just asking out of concern. I’d also be happy to help,” Tang Yufei laughed, “Actually, there’s something I’d like your help with. I find it kind of awkward, asking for a favour out of the blue. So, if you want to invoke some unspoken rule, I can…”

“Any more of that and I won’t be able to stand up. Please, just get to it already.”

“It’s actually about my little sister. She’s studying drama…”

Tang Yufei narrated her sister’s predicament and request before saying frankly as she looked at Xu Tingsheng, “Actually, I personally feel that her acting skills aren’t all that great…”

“Actually, most young actresses also aren’t that good,” Xu Tingsheng considered it, next replying, “Well, I’ll get Huang Yaming to contact you. I’ll give him your handphone number. I can’t promise you anything, much less give her some major role right from the get-go. Still, if it’s a minor part, I believe there shouldn’t be a problem...by the way, you wouldn’t have any more relatives who want to become artistes, right?”

Tang Yufei shook her head and asked, “So, it’s settled then? As easily as that?”

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“And I still hesitated for so long, afraid that I’d put you in a spot,” Tang Yufei put on a pitiful expression.

“Well, take it that I’m in a slight spot then. After all, it’s no good to set such precedents. I’ve reminded Huang Yaming about that too,” Xu Tingsheng laughed, “Still, we are friends. This is the first time you’re asking me for help, and it’s about your own sister too. I should naturally help as best I can.”

Tang Yufei had actually never thought that Xu Tingsheng might think of her as a friend.

The two sat there for a while longer, with Tang Yufei uncharacteristically silent.

Finally, Xu Tingsheng got up, “So, it’s all good? I’ll take my leave first.”

“Oh, you’re in such a hurry?” Only now did Tang Yufei snap out of her reverie.

“Some stuff over with my company in Shenghai. Let’s chat again next time.”

Xu Tingsheng footed the bill and left.

Looking at his departing figure, Tang Yufei hesitated...it was a very long time before she got up and left for home.

When she got home and recounted Xu Tingsheng’s words, her sister jumped for joy in the living room for a bit before finally patting her chest and saying, “Oh, what a relief! Oh, phew. I was still thinking that you’d receive a scolding instead.”

“Receive a scolding? Why’s that?” Tang Yufei was rather taken aback.

“Don’t you know? He’s been in a very bad predicament lately,” Tang Yumeng evaded the gazes of her parents as she whispered into her elder sister’s ear, “So, it looks like the two of you really have quite the special relationship. Even in such a state, he can still pay attention to your affairs. How did it go? Come on, tell me!”

Tang Yufei ignored her younger sister as she returned to her room and turned on her computer. She had always lived a healthy lifestyle. Since her work involved a lot of computer stuff, it was very seldom that she would use the computer during the weekends.

Without requiring much investigation at all, she learnt of Xu Tingsheng’s current predicament.

“That means that even under such circumstances, he still...he, truly thinks of me as a friend?”

No hesitation was present whatsoever as Tang Yufei immediately gave Xu Tingsheng another call.

……

There was a piece of A4-sized paper on Lu Zhixin’s table which she had requisitioned from the photocopying machine. She liked using A4-sized paper as draft paper when she was earnestly contemplating matters as it felt more formal that way.

Right now, there were four short phrases on the piece of A4-sized paper in front of her:

Gutter oil; 50 million; box office; Xingchen’s crisis.

After gazing at them for a while, Lu Zhixin picked up a pen.

She drew a dash beside ‘gutter oil’ and wrote: Resign to bear the blame.

Below ‘50 million’, she drew a vertical stroke and wrote: The sufferings of prison, betrayed by all and separated from kin.

After a moment’s thought, she drew an ‘X’ over it and wrote: Tianyi forces abdication.

Beside ‘box office’, she drew a vertical stroke and wrote: Breathing space existent-no room allowed for any further delay.

Beside ‘Xingchen’s crisis’, Lu Zhixin hesitated for a while before ultimately drawing a big circle that enveloped the contents of the entire piece of paper, finally drawing an arrow: Eradicate the ground beneath.

Chapter 444: A bundle of twine

Little Xiang Ning came knocking on his bedroom door early in the morning.

“Are you awake, Xu Tingsheng? I’ve made you breakfast. Also, are you really okay?”

There was a plate in her hand and a glass of milk. The egg was also fried much better than it had been the last time.

When Xu Tingsheng had been out yesterday, she had heard from her classmates about what had happened to Weibo and Weixin. In their words: Xu Tingsheng’s lost terribly, and a couple million people are scolding him too.

Because of that, Little Xiang Ning had been very well-behaved yesterday as she had helped wash the dishes, gone to study herself and returned to her room to sleep. Then, early in the morning, she had woken up and made him breakfast. The twenty-three year old Miss Xiang never once did that before in his previous life.

Xu Tingsheng stroked her head and said, “It’s nothing. It’s just the fans of those celebrities. They think their idols have been bullied, and so it’s only natural that they’re easily agitated.”

“Is it really okay? What about Weixin?”

“It’s really okay. Weixin? We can just lose one at most. We can simply win again next time.”

“Right. We could open a restaurant too!”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Alright, let’s have breakfast first.”

After breakfast and heaping praises on Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng pulled her to the computer and said, “I have to go out in the morning. Be good and stay at home. Don’t you look at Weibo, and don’t you look up news on me and Weibo. Just play games and take a nap if you’re tired. I’ll be back to cook lunch.”

“Okay. This...what game is this?”

“Three Kingdoms Kill. Come, I’ll teach you a little. You can play with the computer first, and when you’ve gotten good at it, you can play it with your classmates and friends on Weibo and Weixin next time. This game can be played by many people at once. Still, you can’t get addicted to it! It’s very time-consuming.”

As compared to Happy Farm in which one could simply plant some crops and steal some crops before taking a break, Three Kingdoms Kill was really very time-consuming. Game after game would pass, and one would easily get addicted to it. So, they would be unable to just log onto Weixin for a short time.

A single game could, of course, not help Weixin to reverse the tides of the war. Still, it would definitely be able to deplete their opponent’s online activity levels somewhat. Therefore, this was what they would do. Really, the sole question was how great Tencent’s determination was…

In any case, from start to end, Xu Tingsheng had never thought he might be able to win.

……

Lu Zhixin was late for work.

She had slept very late the previous night. In that room where he had once stayed, she had sat on the floorboards and consumed two bottles of red wine. Still, she had found it very difficult to fall asleep even then...in some matters, one would lose their rationality as soon as stubborn notions came into being. This was true regardless of how rational the person usually was.

All her plans, every single step, were actually established upon a single foundation: Xu Tingsheng trusted her.

She was overcome by a profound sense of sorrow just thinking about it: How had things become like this between the two of them?

Since when had trust become a weapon?

A knock on the door resounded.

“Boss Lu, are you there?” This was the voice of Lu Zhixin’s assistant.

“Yes.”

The girl entered her office and said, “Boss Lu, Boss Xu is here. He’s in his office, and he’s looking for you.”

“...Boss Lu.”

“Yes, I got it. I’ll be there right away. You go out first then.”

It had already been a very long time since Xu Tingsheng had last come to work.

It had been even longer since he had last looked for her, communication via phone aside.

“He’s come to ask for help? In the monetary sense?”

“Or is he looking to discuss measures with me?”

“I…”

Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin sat across from each other in his office. This kind of situation was actually very rare, because it was too formal. Xu Tingsheng always habitually made everything not so formal, besides during Hucheng’s meetings. Afraid that he would greatly wreck propriety,

Lu Zhixin would always give him constant reminders about this.

“Have some water,” Xu Tingsheng poured a glass of water and set it in front of Lu Zhixin.

“When was the last time I paid attention to Hucheng’s affairs?” He said, “Thank goodness you’re here.”

Lu Zhixin glanced at Xu Tingsheng.

“The reason you’re looking for me…” She trailed off.

Xu Tingsheng retrieved a document and placed it on the table.

“This is a share transfer agreement. Take a look at it. If you find that everything’s in order, sign it. I’ve already gone ahead and signed it first,” He said.

Lu Zhixin was left somewhat dazed. Next, she spied the following:

Xu Tingsheng, unconditional, 7%, Lu Zhixin.

“You…”

Xu Tingsheng wanted to unconditionally transfer 7% of his shares to Lu Zhixin. This meant that Lu Zhixin would become Hucheng’s biggest shareholder.

“Sign it! It’s actually the same, really. The two of us combined still hold a majority of the shares. Hucheng is really under your management rather than mine. You’ve done much more than me for Hucheng to be how it is today. Going into the future, I’d like to leave Hucheng in your care…”

“But in that case, I along with Tianyi would also hold an absolute majority of the shares,” Lu Zhixin argued, an unknown fire rising within her.

She felt that her words were already clear enough. Could Xu Tingsheng truly have failed to consider this problem?

Or was it that he clearly knew of it, thus having deliberately chosen 7% to prove his stance?

“How would Tianyi support you as much as I do?” Xu Tingsheng smiled cheerfully, “Right, in order to prevent Tianyi from capitalising on it, I’ve already replaced all those funds that I previously diverted away. Just so you know, that matter’s already been taken care of.”

“You did? Where did you get the funds from? Your Xingchen…”

“I sold 10% of my shares to a friend of mine. He’s a mine owner in Shanxi. He’s surnamed Jin, and he’s a very interesting fella. Still, you can rest assured. His portion of the shares is presently still under my control. Based on our agreement, there will be a five year buffer period. We still hold an absolute majority of shares. Also, I trust that Hucheng’s middle and higher echelon employees who hold shares will all support you too.”

“...”

Lu Zhixin realised now where that inexplicable, so very vexing sensation came from. It was the feeling of having missed the mark and been thoroughly thwarted.

Like a bundle of twine, Lu Zhixin had been working towards this for a long time, having resolved herself countless times and steeled herself to act ruthlessly. Her greatest goal was to cause Xu Tingsheng pain, because from the standpoint of her environment and values, that was something which no one could conceivably bear to part with without a struggle…

And yet, in the end, she discovered that he really cared not about it at all.

All she had done having been for naught, she felt immensely hollow.

The problem was that he was not retaliating, or counterattacking.

While neither of the two had openly said it, with all that had been said, they actually both knew full well all that was going on. So, after eliminating the crisis, Xu Tingsheng would be fully justified in and was completely capable of retaliating against Lu Zhixin, this scheming, backstabbing woman…

Yet, he had not done so.

He had even decided to unconditionally transfer some of his shares to her, completing at least the first step of her plan.

All this would actually make sense if he loved her. Yet, Lu Zhixin could not fool herself. Xu Tingsheng did not love her. If there was anything, it was just a lingering sense of tenderness.

They were not the same kind of person. Therefore, Lu Zhixin was simply unable to comprehend Xu Tingsheng.

“You don’t care about Hucheng at all,” Lu Zhixin seemed like she had been wronged as she appeared slightly hysterical, “Actually, you may not even care so much about Xingchen Technologies, right? In that case, what exactly do you care about? Xu Tingsheng.”

“Actually, I do care about it. Such as Hucheng. I’ll feel safe with it in your hands. Be it from a past or future perspective, I believe that there is nothing wrong with this decision at all. If it is Tianyi, though, I’d definitely never allow them to take control of Hucheng.”

Lu Zhixin was actually unable to fully comprehend this ease of mind that Xu Tingsheng spoke of.

“But, I still don’t understand…” With her diametrically different worldview, Lu Zhixin asked, “Xu Tingsheng, I don’t understand…This is something that countless people will compete and bleed for, you know? Be it family, friends, lovers, it can all turn into enmity in the blink of an eye, you know? ...Why is it, why is it that you can treat all of this so lightly...”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before finally replying, “Just take it that I’m lacking in my drive for success, or that I’m simply too self-assured.”

To the current Xu Tingsheng, whether or not he controlled Hucheng through shares was actually really no longer that important. Handing it over to Lu Zhixin...whether in terms of emotions or practicality, it was unquestionably the best choice.

……

Lu Zhixin left Xu Tingsheng’s office, her entire life trajectory having suddenly taken a curious bend.

Tang Yufei walked out from an inner room in Xu Tingsheng’s office. She stared at him.

“What are you looking at me like that for?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Because I cannot understand you too,” Tang Yufei said.

Chapter 445: Gain and loss

No one knew of Xu Tingsheng’s identity as a rebirthee. Therefore, there was no one who could truly understand him in the fullest sense.

Even as this made him self-assured, it also made him able to better understand the true nature of reality. That he was striving for many things was such that he would not let down this lifetime. And even as he lived it well, he would also not let down those he cared for.

Therefore, he had used his hard work to create an opportunity for his father, allowing his former youthful ambition which had been stifled for many years to be revitalised. The helplessness and stagnation from his previous life beneath the cruel ravages of time had finally been reversed.

He would also support those two good friends of his who had accompanied him for over a decade.

Huang Yaming yearned for power, wishing to rise above others. Yet, he had not possessed a sizeable background in his previous life and had lacked a fortuitous stroke of opportunity too. All his hard work had not brought him the success that he so sought. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng had created the necessary conditions and given him an opportunity, supporting him to become that tycoon of his desires.

Fu Cheng was satisfied with a simple, ordinary life. An artistic youth, emotions mattered over everything else for him. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng always made sure to keep him out of things like business, and conflicts. Since he was interested in music, Xu Tingsheng would give him a peace of mind as he pursued it.

Sadly, that failed relationship from his previous life had still not blossomed in this one. Xu Tingsheng had tried hard to smoothen the path for him, having tried to get the two of them together too. Still, even with foreknowledge, the human heart simply could not be predicted easily at all.

His little sister had once asked in his previous life: Why do I have to be more sensible than all the other children? ‘The children of the impoverished gain early competence’ seemed to be a kind of praise. Yet, in actual fact, how much bitterness and hardship was encompassed within?

Therefore, in this life, Xu Tingsheng would allow her to remain insensible.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, his father had been in so many stifling parent-teacher meetings because of him. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng had returned him a Libei’s top scholar. On that day, at least, he had been high-spirited and laughing heartily. Even when drunk, he had still been happy and triumphant.

In his previous life, Xu Tingsheng had pointed to a tall building and a park and made Xiang Ning a promise. Yet, he had failed to deliver on this in the end. Therefore, in this life, he would return her a Ning Garden in the exact same place.

In his previous life, Xiang Ning had painstakingly waited for him for three years. Therefore, he had come to stay beside and protect her in this life from when she was at the age of fourteen…

Xu Tingsheng naturally had his own dreams and attachments too as he would not be able to break free of all of them. Still, he was definitely able to see beyond what the ordinary person could, allowing him to avoid needlessly caring about and delving into some issues too much.

In this post-rebirth life, feelings were more important than money, and people were more important than feelings. Such was Xu Tingsheng’s philosophy in life. Here, feelings were naturally not just limited to romantic feelings alone.

As someone who had tasted death before, if the current Xu Tingsheng still did not know that everything would ultimately return to the soil, did not understand where the meaning of life was to be found, and he devoted everything to achievement, money and power, how truly pitiful that would be.

He also wanted to use that success and glory to pave the way for a previously unimaginable life, such being what he had once striven for painstakingly his entire life yet failed to obtain. Still, he was more concerned about not being restrained by this success and glory, trapping himself in an imaginary web of his own creation.

Up till now, in the three years following his rebirth, Xu Tingsheng had already lived a period as a talented, successful youth. While what followed might be something resembling the leaving of talent to stagnate as nothing further came out of it, this had inevitably still been an enjoyable, interesting experience.

Persisting through one’s pennilessness and studying painstakingly for decades, only to be greatly accomplished when topping the scholarly charts in old age...now that was sadder, unquestionably.

Anyway, what Xu Tingsheng had obtained over the past three years, he could part with. Ultimately, above all else, he would navigate life such that he would not have any regrets.

……

This willingness of Xu Tingsheng to give things up seemed way over the top as he ceased to have the highest voice in Hucheng. In essence, it was like he was standing there, saying, “You want it? Here you go. No need to scheme and plot.”

In the eyes of ordinary people, this action simply did not make any sense. Therefore, Lu Zhixin had said that she could not comprehend it. She had meticulously engineered everything for no other reason than to inflict pain on Xu Tingsheng at the end of the day. It was best if that pain could jolt him to his senses, causing him to compromise as he realised what should be most important to him, what he should logically cherish.

What she ultimately wished for was not to wreck Xu Tingsheng’s life, but to drag him back over. She wanted to forge him in the image that she preferred, not letting all that talent go to waste. At the same time, she wanted him to belong to her.

Still, the outcome only left Lu Zhixin feeling lost and empty inside.

She would much rather Xu Tingsheng take up arms against her, for them to fight intensely using whatever methods. Even if she were the one who lost in the end, she would still be able to smile as she was forced to pack up and scram. Even that would be a hundred times more comfortable a scenario.

Lu Zhixin sat inside her own office with the share transfer document lying on the table.

Xu Tingsheng was in another office, packing up some belongings that he had to take away.

There was actually still a sort of synchrony and tacitness between them. Others would not know of this, and even they themselves might not really be certain of it, because they would ultimately not be candidly discussing this matter in its entirety.

Still, such a state of affairs did exist.

For one, that night, Lu Zhixin had drawn that ‘X’ to cancel out ‘The sufferings of prison, betrayed by all and separated from kin’ that she had linked over from ‘50 million’.

This was the most vicious killing move amongst all her schemes, and it was not that Lu Zhixin had insufficient time to carry it out, for Xu Tingsheng had long since fallen into that trap. Still, she had drawn that ‘X’, ultimately still being unwilling to destroy him, ultimately still bearing affection for him.

Next, after Xu Tingsheng had learnt of Lu Zhixin’s plan and guessed the gist of the methods she could potentially use, after he had remedied the situation to preserve himself, what he had decided was not to retaliate but to grant her wish with that unconditional share transfer document.

Based on the foundations of their feelings, their actions had been subtly in sync.

Yet, there still a sizeable lack of understanding as Xu Tingsheng ultimately could not understand Lu Zhixin’s fundamental motive and the feelings concealed amidst her actions. He even felt liberated somewhat due to Lu Zhixin’s choice, no longer needing to feel indebted to her.

There was just no way of denying that in this life, amongst all the girls that Xu Tingsheng had encountered, it was Lu Zhixin who had exerted the most effort and helped him the most. As for him, he owed her the most.

Xu Tingsheng packed a small cardboard box as he looked a bit like an employee who had been fired.

Looking at him, Tang Yufei asked, “I only heard a little outside her door that night and guessed a few things...how much were you able to guess, exactly?”

“Everything, perhaps,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Doesn’t this mean that you clearly knew that Zhixin was scheming to wrest away Hucheng and even threaten another business of yours and even then, your choice was to give her Hucheng?”

“She’s the one who’s been managing Hucheng in the first place. She’s been doing so for a very long time, almost since the very beginning. She’s done a lot for Hucheng and for me, exerted a great deal of effort. She deserves this, really. I don’t have enough time and energy for Hucheng too. So, handing it to her is the best choice.”

Xu Tingsheng spoke very calmly, choosing to omit some things in the process. For instance, Xu Tingsheng felt that Hucheng already necessarily needed to make a choice at this point in time. Should they develop in scale or expand into other domains? Objectively speaking, the former option was the appropriate course of action. With that, there was very little that Xu Tingsheng would be able to do.

“Is this a form of compensation? Even feelings can be compensated? Is it that with this, you’ll have your heart set at ease?” Tang Yufei asked.

Xu Tingsheng considered it for a moment before forcing a smile, “If you want to put it that way, yeah, something like that.”

Tang Yufei blurted out a vulgarity which Xu Tingsheng didn’t quite catch.

Then, he was stunned as…

“Do you lack women? I mean the kind that you can get on. A lover would be fine, even a tool...you can’t touch that young lady of yours, right? ...Don’t you want to? Your mother, I’ve realised that as long as I can make you feel indebted, my whole life’s basically smooth sailing.”

Tang Yufei was not simply joking here as she looked like she could really muster the determination to disregard all else. The person before her could not be judged by common logic anyway. Dressed in professional attire with short skirt, she removed her stockings, also removing the inner fabric within. Hands on the office table, she arched her waist…

“Give me some face, Xu Tingsheng. This sis has been enraptured by you.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Your sister.”

Tang Yufei said, “My sister’s not as pretty as me. She’s more troublesome too. If you make an advance on her, she’ll probably be asking for female lead roles from you everyday...you aren’t as evil as to want both us sisters together, right?”

Xu Tingsheng: “...”

……

Xu Tingsheng exited the building.

Lu Zhixin signed the document.

In the year 2004, Lu Zhixin had consumed alcohol to the point of internal bleeding for the sake of getting a loan for Hucheng. Xu Tingsheng had stayed by her bedside till the early morning and proposed that he give her a portion of Hucheng’s shares. She had replied, “Add this as another debt that you owe me…”

In that same year, Lu Zhixin had presided over the situation in Zhang Xingke’s incident in suffering much grievances in school. Upon his return, Xu Tingsheng had thanked her. A near-identical reply: You owe me another one...

Afterwards, the incident with Apple and the confirmation checks...

Back then, someone had once asked Lu Zhixin, “What’s the point of accumulating so many debts of gratitude? It isn’t practical at all!”

At the time, Lu Zhixin had replied, “Maybe it would be useless with other people, but if it’s Xu Tingsheng, they’ll definitely be useful…”

At this point, she knew that all those debt coupons she had formerly held had just been spent in a single go.

Chapter 446: The farewell of a king

The news that Xu Tingsheng would be resigning as Hucheng’s CEO and leaving the company soon spread like wildfire, as if a nuclear bomb had been dropped. In just a mere few days, Xu Tingsheng received calls from many people, including Old Wai and Li Linlin and Tianyi too. A call even came in from Zhang Xingke…

Most frenzied were naught but the reporters who exerted all means to contact Xu Tingsheng through various channels.

The most legendary black horse of China’s business arena in the past two years silently left, departing from Hucheng where he had started out on his career from scratch. There could literally be no scoops more newsworthy than that, no topic more gossip-worthy than that.

Everyone was speculating on this massive upheaval occurring within the company.

Was it related to certain people? Was it related to money? Was it related to Xingchen’s crisis? ...Some more observant ones felt that it might be related to love. Having found that the succeeding CEO would be Lu Zhixin, those rumours would naturally come to mind.

Xu Tingsheng rejected the interviews of the media. As for everyone else, he would patiently explain:

Due to lacking of energies, I will be temporarily leaving Hucheng. Whatever it is, no matter when, I will always be a part of Hucheng. All my companies are joined on united ground with Hucheng, and I will support Zhixin fully. I hope that you will give her your full support, everyone.

“Is this related to some internal conflict?”

“No.”

“Disloyalty in the relationship?”

“Your sister…”

However Xu Tingsheng tried to explain, no one fully believed him as various malicious rumours started spreading outside. An air of uncertainty was even predominant within Hucheng itself.

Granted, they were already used to Lu Zhixin being the one managing Hucheng on a daily basis. Still, looking back on Hucheng’s rise to prominence, they would inevitably feel an inexplicable reliance on Xu Tingsheng that was akin to a sort of blind faith and worship.

It was he who had established Hucheng, he who had led Hucheng in its advance, he who had dictated the overall flow time and time again, mightily reversing the frenzied tides...he was the creator of Hucheng, the uncontested ‘king’.

Even though they could not usually see him as they knew him to be doing other stuff outside, merely knowing that he was in Hucheng gave everyone an ease of mind as they felt that the horizon ahead was bright, with clear skies.

Yet now, he was going to leave...that sense of security vanished. Coupled with the various rumours that were going around outside, the thousand plus employees of Hucheng began feeling anxious and uncertain of the future.

Lu Zhixin booked a hotel and a large reception hall before calling and notifying Xu Tingsheng. Not considering coming together to eat hotpot and meat skewers, this should be Hucheng’s first even large-scale employee gathering in the two plus years since its establishment. Yet, it was to be Xu Tingsheng’s farewell and send-off.

Xu Tingsheng did not refuse to attend it.

From both the standpoints of feelings and practicality...he should rightly give Hucheng a proper farewell.

……

This gathering was scheduled on a weekend. All of Hucheng’s shareholders would be present, including the new shareholder Old Jin who was rushing over all the way from Shanxi with Little Jinshan. Most of Hucheng’s employees would be present, including Tang Guangyi who was, in actuality, no longer working, as well as some of Hucheng’s old guard who were also retired. Some more important business partners would be present too…

Following a round of selection, twenty-three media entities would be attending as well. Perhaps this could be seen as the first time Xu Tingsheng was publicly accepting a media interview.

Even before this employee gathering, or rather Xu Tingsheng’s farewell gathering, commenced, people were already beginning to talk about it online: This was the farewell of a ‘king’. The legendary Xu Tingsheng would henceforth be leaving where his dreams had all started…

Perhaps they would see a forlorn, solitary departing figure. The reporters had decided to take such a picture no matter what. It seemed there was virtually no better cover image to be had.

This occurrence had come too suddenly, at too important a time-it was when Xu Tingsheng’s Xingchen Technologies was being rocked by a storm. Therefore, people unconsciously linked these two events in their minds and subjectively assigned the departing Xu Tingsheng a tragic, stirring backstory.

The road ahead turbulent, a fire arising in one’s own backyard. This was the summary of some people from the media.

In this gathering of over a thousand people, the reporters waited with their equipment prepared while the employees looked downcast. Old Wai and co had blank, lost looks on their faces...the business partners of Hucheng appeared uncertain…

Lu Zhixin had personally assumed the role of the event’s emcee despite being a heated topic of debate herself in recent days. She had been as much the subject of rumours as Xu Tingsheng.

Even so, she maintained her usual composure as always. She had even taken extra care to dress up today, because it was actually the same for her too. She too was to be bidding farewell to the man named Xu Tingsheng.

Only those who had had all connections to another severed would understand that actually, any miniscule bit of connection was always preferable, however small.

After some simple, standard phrases to kick things off, Lu Zhixin left the stage amidst prevailing silence. Next, Xu Tingsheng ascended the stage from the side. He was wearing that most expensive suit of his, tie and all. It looked very formal, and he looked very handsome.

Lu Zhixin had said earlier over the phone, “It’s the last time. You’d better do it properly!”

“Long time no see,” Raising the microphone, Xu Tingsheng smiled and started to speak.

A little laughter resounded amongst the audience. Hey, it was true. Where else might any company’s boss ‘not see’ their employees for so long?

“Really, long time no see,” Xu Tingsheng continued, “Actually, for some new colleagues, or perhaps even some of our mid-level employees, this may be the first time you’re seeing me?”

He paused. Quite a few people nodded in affirmation.

“So, how is it? I hope you’re not disappointed?” Xu Tingsheng spread his arms apart and joked.

The atmosphere was a bit less solemn than it had been at the start as some began to laugh and others responded amongst the anonymity of the crowd, like this girl who yelled, “Boss, you’re so hot! Xu Tingsheng, I joined in order to date you! I even gave up on the world’s top 500 for it, and you’re actually running?!”

More people burst out laughing.

Xu Tingsheng smiled too, next continuing, “Actually, this is one of the reasons why I’ve decided to temporarily leave Hucheng. I don’t have enough time and energy to focus on Hucheng, and I don’t want to delay our progress. And Zhixin, Boss Lu...I trust that everyone here is very familiar with her, far more than you are with me. In truth, she has been the one leading Hucheng forward for a very long time. How she has been doing, and how hard she has been working-I trust that everyone should know it as well as I do. We should all be filled with confidence towards her.”

“Apart from that,” Xu Tingsheng paused momentarily to let everyone process their thoughts before continuing, “Everyone, I’d like to ask you a question. With Hucheng’s current structure, should we expand into new domains or should we develop further on our present ones in terms of scale, becoming an incomparable hegemon within the industry?”

Amongst the audience were a batch of Hucheng’s elites as well as some business partners who were all experienced in the business arena. They were naturally able to judge this.

After listening to a few responses, Xu Tingsheng raised the microphone again, saying, “Well of course! First in our domain, big boy of our industry, reasonable structure, sufficient room for growth...only a fool would risk continuing to expand into new domains, right? The current Hucheng, first and foremost, should aim to become mighty. That is the true, ideal path forward...and to achieve this, Boss Lu is most definitely a better candidate than me.”

“I love to roam around and take risks, I like to constantly try new things...” Xu Tingsheng smiled, evoking laughter from the audience, and then he continued, “I’ve roamed around and created a Xingchen Technologies outside. You guys know about it, right?”

Everyone nodded.

“In that case, you should also know that Xingchen’s been fighting a war recently…” Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly, “The opponent’s too strong, and we aren’t so able to beat ‘em...”

At how he had expressed the rather dire situation in a relaxed manner, they all laughed.

“This is also the second reason behind me temporarily leaving Hucheng. I am going to fight a war. That’s all. It’s just these two reasons. Don’t worry, I’ll still be Hucheng’s shareholder and a part of Hucheng. If anything happens to Hucheng, if we are facing any difficulties, I will definitely be there for us. I will definitely return...if I don’t lose everything outside, I’ll even return with a big squad of troops…”

Xu Tingsheng sat at the boundary of the stage, his legs dangling in mid-air.

“I hope that all of you can like Hucheng…”

Having previously been smiling, even having purposefully jested a little in order to ease the mood, Xu Tingsheng’s expression now shifted as there was a bit of melancholy amidst that calmness. Everyone actually hoped that he would be saddened at leaving Hucheng, not so relaxed at the very least…right now, this reluctance to part with them was visible on his face…

“In the year 2003, my roommate Old Wai, also known as Wa Aiyi, who’s sitting right there,” Xu Tingsheng pointed at Old Wai, next continuing, “One day, Old Wai asked me: Xu Tingsheng, can you help me to find a part-time job outside? I want to take care of my girlfriend. Her family isn’t so well-off...his girlfriend’s name is Li Linlin. She’s sitting over there. The two of them are still together.”

Applause resounded.

Then, Xu Tingsheng continued, “Everyone may not know, but Old Wai is actually a fallen angel who fell from Computing to Chinese...Hucheng’s first code was written by him. Then, the three of us began constructing Hucheng together…”

Chapter 447: The king’s departing figure

“I still remember that the first registered home tutor on Hucheng was a friend of Linlin’s who also had to work to support her own studies…”

“I remember how one day, I woke up to find that there were finally two registered home tutors on the platform…”

“I also remember the first day our platform achieved our first home tutor application. Linlin called me at once, she was so excited...even though in reality, we had still yet to earn a single cent back then…”

“Hucheng’s first official meeting. The three of us ate hotpot together. It was cooked by me.”

Here, Xu Tingsheng put down the microphone and rolled up his sleeves a little, as if he was really going to spontaneously start cooking just like that even as he wore such a high-end suit…

Low laughter resounded amongst the audience.

Xu Tingsheng remained at the boundary of the stage, his legs dangling in mid-air. He casually tugged at his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. His tie became rather crooked and slightly sunken…

He looked much more casual this way as it also seemed to hit upon everyone how in truth, he was really still just a third year university student.

The 22-year-old Xu Tingsheng already had so many things that he could reminisce on. Having always been a feeling kind of person, he actually often thought back on those days.

“It snowed the day we were distributing flyers. Afterwards, we built a whole line of snowmen in the city square…A friend of mine rushed over from out of town to help us. She stood amidst the ever-descending snow, picking up the flyers that others had thrown on the snowy ground, wiping them clean with her sleeves and distributing them again with a bright smile on her face…”

If those present knew that this friend Xu Tingsheng spoke of was Apple, Cen Xiyu, a great uproar would probably ensue, with the reporters positively moved to death. Still, those in the know were ultimately a small minority.

And this small minority comprised of people who were not in the mood for gossip and hoo-hahs now.

Old Wai and Li Linlin gazed upwards at Xu Tingsheng with smiles on their faces. They knew that many would be observing their reactions at the present moment.

Of the thousand plus people present, most had never experienced Hucheng’s initial phase. As Xu Tingsheng also seldom spoke publicly, this was truly their first time hearing of these stories.

Yet, while the two were clearly smiling, their eyes were already completely red with a faint wet mist visible about them. Whether it when they had worked together amidst adversities during Hucheng’s earliest days or when they had later been forced out of Hucheng’s management, never had they felt as they were feeling now...

They trusted Xu Tingsheng, having resolved themselves to follow him to the end. They had considered the possibility that they might cease to be useful to him one day. Still, that was inconsequential. Even then, they could work hard, starting from the very lowest echelons…

Yet, they had never considered that such a day might come in which the one departing was none other than Xu Tingsheng himself.

If not for Li Linlin having called Xu Tingsheng in time, Old Wai would already have gone and thrashed Lu Zhixin’s office a couple of days ago…

“How many of you here have been to the riverside residence?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

A smattering of people raised their hands, most of Hucheng’s middle and higher echelons as well as a small minority of the employees.

Xu Tingsheng nodded and indicated for them to put down their hands before saying, “That old, dilapidated flat was later bought by us. Still, we chose to reinforce its foundations rather than rebuild it entirely...it still seems old today. I hope that it can always remain in such a manner, because it represents Hucheng’s past…”

Many amongst the audience nodded, even though most of them had leapt up in fright on seeing that building of seemingly questionable structural integrity for the first time.

“How much is Hucheng worth now?” Xu Tingsheng inquired.

“1 billion.”

“1.5 billion.”

“...”

The sums yelled out were getting higher and higher.

In truth, Hucheng’s current market valuation was around 1 billion. Still, most within Hucheng disagreed with it. They were clearest on the potential their company had. They knew that as soon as Hucheng got completely into stride, this figure would skyrocket at a frightening pace.

Also, all of the above had actually happened within the span of a mere two over years.

“At the start of 2004, because I met with some difficulties, someone used 2 million and purchased...15% of Hucheng’s shares,” Xu Tingsheng said, putting a hand on his head.

A slight uproar ensued along with much discussion in hushed voices.

This was because, really, truly...they just felt so much envy, jealousy and self-loathing. 2 million from 2 years ago equated to near 200 million in profit in the present day. Whether it was really due to their sharp insight or it had only been dumb luck, people would still grit their teeth and clench their toes in amazement.

Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing were present too. The former was looking triumphantly at him.

Not pointing Fang Chen out, Xu Tingsheng continued, “Actually, this investor herself was basically not important at all. After taking the 2 million, all she did was lay about, loafing…”

Fang Chen clenched her teeth and glared at Xu Tingsheng, secretly pointing the middle finger.

Xu Tingsheng pretended not to have seen it as he continued with an earnest expression on his face, “Still, she also brought someone to Hucheng. Up till today, I still believe that this person’s appearance was the weightiest, most significant event in Hucheng’s overall development. This person is called Lu Zhixin.”

Applause and exclamations resounded as everyone’s gazes congregated on Lu Zhixin.

The process of Lu Zhixin entering Hucheng was indeed related to Fang Chen. It was just that Xu Tingsheng had omitted an earlier portion. These words of his actually dispelled the doubts many people had: Were there any ongoing conflicts or tension between Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin, exactly?

Lu Zhixin smiled, but quickly resumed her previous expression with its calm, silent composure.

She knew why Xu Tingsheng was saying this, knew what he was trying to do. With such a thing having suddenly occurred in Hucheng, she was actually the subject of much suspicion both within and without...Xu Tingsheng was trying to dispel that crisis, stabilising her situation.

The more that he did so, the more she was hurting inside.

“I believe that I do not need to speak much on Boss Lu’s contributions towards Hucheng. For instance, the first major challenge Hucheng faced came from a bastard named Zhang Xingke. You’ve surely heard about this before?” Xu Tingsheng smiled and asked.

Everyone nodded. The wars that Hucheng had experienced were often proudly brought up by their old employees. Therefore, most people would surely have heard about it. Some of them even knew of how Zhang Xingke had later come to ‘steal’ people from Hucheng’s campus in Shenghai on site.

Therefore, for everyone of Hucheng, this guy, Zhang Xingke, was definitely that most hated, detestable, teeth-gnashing-worthy enemy.

“I wasn’t there at the time. It was Boss Lu who oversaw the overall situation,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had only left after making all the arrangements. Still, in pushing that credit all onto Lu Zhixin now, he naturally had the same motive in mind.

Lu Zhixin already dared not look at Xu Tingsheng by now.

“Then, there also came Xueyou Education and Youxin Tongcheng...Hucheng faced multiple difficulties, but we tided through them all,” Xu Tingsheng paused momentarily before saying gravely, “Thank you, Zhixin. Thank you, Old Wai. Thank you, Linlin. Thank you, Fang Chen. Thank you, Principal Tang...thank you, everyone.”

He stood up.

“Alright, enough of an old fella’s rambling,” He said.

Everyone’s gazes were on him. Everybody was silent.

“I really like Hucheng,” Xu Tingsheng paused momentarily before raising the microphone and emphasising slowly, “I hope that all of you can like it too.”

Today, he had been speaking in a light-hearted manner prior to this, up till this simple sentence. Finally, everyone saw the tears that had welled up in his eyes. This company had been single-handedly established by him, was where he had embarked on his dreams…

He was bidding this place farewell today.

Some began shedding tears as well, such as Old Wai, Li Linlin, even Fang Chen...Hucheng’s old guard...the more sensitive girls...many people…

More began to clap as the applause did not stop for a long time.

“Zhixin.”

Xu Tingsheng gestured for Lu Zhixin to come over.

Lu Zhixin ascended the stage and arrived beside him.

The two clasped their hands in a sort of passing the baton.

“Keep up the good work in future,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I”ll work hard to not let you down,” Lu Zhixin said.

Due to the reporters present, the two maintained their composure as much as possible.

He relased his grip and brushed past…

Lu Zhixin simply stood where she was, unmoving.

Xu Tingsheng waved and headed off for the side of the stage.

The reporters raised their cameras, anticipating that long-awaited photograph of his departing figure...it would be solitary, forlorn…

Yet, as they were about to click on their shutters, as he continued walking towards the exit, Xu Tingsheng raised his right fist up behind him, leaving it ever so firmly upraised as he continued walking till he was out of sight. He did not look back.

His departing figure was clearly so firm and resolute.

The young ladies in the company all felt it crazy cool.

While this was not what they had expected, the reporters...still clicked their shutters anyway. In truth, this might make for an even better cover picture…

“We do like Hucheng.”

Chapter 448: New VP

Most enterprises would have it harder for a period of time in their initial stages. During this time, intelligence and diligence aside, a kind of romanticism was generally needed too.

Such as Jack Ma and the other seventeen founders of Alibaba, squeezed and striving together in a small house. Without the fulfilment derived from the process, it would actually not be as easy to persist.

If Xu Tingsheng's presence was representative of Hucheng's romanticism, even heroism, Lu Zhixin was representative of Hucheng's solemnity and steadfastness, even strictness. Such was her prevailing image and management ideology.

Recovering from her daze, she reiterated to herself that Xu Tingsheng had already completed his farewell, for which she was also ultimately responsible.

Sitting amongst the audience, Old Wai, Li Linlin and the others could freely let their emotions run their course, shedding tears at their reluctance to see him go.

Still, Lu Zhixin could not do so, even though it was really the ties between she and him that had been completely severed. There would still be contact between Xu Tingsheng and Hucheng, with Old Wai's lot and even some of Hucheng's former employees...all but her, Lu Zhixin. With that unconditional transfer of shares, a sort of 'redemption’ had already occurred as no longer would Xu Tingsheng owe her anything at all. All that had happened between them was, effective from that moment, void.

She actually very much wanted to say a little something to Xu Tingsheng, also imagining weeping like a frail maid...still, she had to properly conduct herself in overseeing the overall situation. She was very clear-headed, because she was Lu Zhixin. Xu Tingsheng's own words: Lu Zhixin, the one and only.

Standing before the podium, Lu Zhixin maintained her calm, a smile hanging on her face.

“Hucheng will encompass the majority of China’s cities within a year and will get listed within two years,” This was the first thing said by Lu Zhixin in the capacity of Hucheng’s succeeding CEO as it was concise and firm. It instilled in everyone’s minds the image of a domineering female CEO.

Yet, it was due to this very sentence that she now remembered that guy cheerily popping back into the meeting room that one time, saying, “Right, I’ll take you all to ring the bell at NASDAQ.”

Her mind drifted off for a moment.

“Also, one more thing. Xu...Boss Xu once had a dream regarding Hucheng. He hoped that in the future, Hucheng will be able to establish at least fifty actual educational training institutes. Here, I promise that this will definitely come to fruition.”

Actually, Lu Zhixin herself had once been most against Hucheng establishing too many such training institutes. There was even a period of time during which she had interfered with Xu Tingsheng’s training institute acquisition plan. Now, however, this appeared to be the sole remaining connection she could find which remained between herself and Xu Tingsheng. Henceforth, she would complete his dream for him…

Having finished saying this second thing, Lu Zhixin found that everyone was looking at her with rather unusual expressions on their faces. The reporters were clicking their shutters like crazy.

“Next up, I will…”

An inadvertent sniffle cut her off. Only now did Lu Zhixin realise that...she had been choking back on her emotions a little earlier. Feeling her eyes stinging somewhat, Lu Zhixin looked downwards and wiped them with the back of her hand before forcibly composing herself.

She said, “Next up, I will be announcing a couple of changes with regard to personnel.”

“Originally the operations director and business director of ‘Are You Hungry’, Wang Tuo will be assuming the role of VP while retaining the role of ‘Are You Hungry’s’ business director. The former CEO’s secretary, Tang Yufei, will be taking charge of the operations department. In addition, the company’s shareholders, Wa Aiyi and Li Linlin, will be returning to management. They will be temporarily in charge of the soon to be established internal supervisory division.”

Lu Zhixin announced the reshuffling of positions following her inauguration. Old Wai and Li Linlin, soon to enter their next semester in their third year of university, would normally have gone the route of internship, finding a job and writing a thesis. Yet, they had evidently already deviated from this track.

It was not Xu Tingsheng who had requested for their return. Instead, it was Lu Zhixin who had proposed it and sought Xu Tingsheng’s approval. As for Old Wai and Li Linlin, both possessing a sort of determination to guard Hucheng to the bitter end for Xu Tingsheng, they did not reject the offer out of pride or whatever as well.

Such an arrangement, while being perfectly reasonable, also conveyed Lu Zhixin’s intent: She would not ostracise and suppress those loyal to Xu Tingsheng.

Still, forming an internal supervisory division? ...Everyone now began heatedly discussing this amongst themselves.

Lu Zhixin said nothing and waited for silence to resume before she continued, “Next up, let us all welcome Hucheng’s new shareholder, Mister Jin Shengxing.”

Amidst polite applause, Old Jin got up and greeted them.

As Little Jinshan was tugging on his arm, Old Jin could only lift him up too. Little Jinshan was not nervous in the least as he waved and greeted the thousand plus people present. A father who lived as he liked, a son just as unique. He had never feared anything since he was born.

Someone passed Old Jin a microphone.

Old Jin took it and said, “In the future, with me around, Hucheng will never be in need of money. If I alone am not enough, it’s okay. I still have around 30 bros over there, half a city of bosses of mines…”

He smiled.

Little Jinshan leaned over and chimed in, “Yeah, my family’s especially rich!”

Everyone burst out laughing.

After this brief episode, Lu Zhixin coughed lightly and continued, “Next up is the final thing on today’s agenda. I’ll be introducing everyone to a new colleague of yours, who’s also to be the second VP of Hucheng…”

“Huh?”

“What!”

Hucheng’s middle and higher echelons and everybody else released startled exclamations as a buzz ran through the room. Who? Did you guys hear anything about this? Everyone shook their heads.

Hucheng had only ever had a single VP at once before. It had previously been Lu Zhixin, and now it was Wang Tuo. While this was rarer in big companies, everyone was already used to it.

Now, they suddenly had an additional VP, and it was a newcomer too...everyone inevitably felt surprised and curious.

Lu Zhixin continued calmly, “Everyone, please put your hands together to welcome Hucheng’s new VP...Zhang Xingke.”

Having called for applause, Lu Zhixin was leading by example up on stage. Yet, there was no applause amongst the audience as everyone was questioning either inwardly or out loud, “Who? Could I have heard wrong? Zhang Xingke? Same name? ...No, right? Not that bastard?...”

Amidst the racket, a person walked over from the side of the stage, waving as he was full of smiles. He looked pretty ordinary in terms of stature, looks and clothes...most of Hucheng’s employees did not recognise this face. So, was it really him?

“It really is him, Zhang Xingke. That’s right, it’s him,” Old Wai looked back and affirmed the suspicions of Hucheng’s middle echelons with certainty.

So, it really was Zhang Xingke who was to be Hucheng’s new VP.

He had once been Hucheng’s number one enemy as he had nearly driven Hucheng to the brink of the abyss in its initial stages. He had even swindled Xu Tingsheng afterwards. He was the most hated, detestable, teeth-gnashing-worthy enemy for everyone of Hucheng doubtless.

“Hello, everyone. My name is Zhang Xingke. I’m very happy to be joining Hucheng,” In a manner that rendered all emotions that might presently be directed at him invalid, Zhang Xingke calmly gave his first official greeting as Hucheng’s VP.

“I guess you all must have heard of me before?” He smiled and enquired.

Chapter 449: The reigning three pillars

“I guess you all must have heard of me before?” Zhang Xingke smiled and enquired.

Murmurs ensued amongst the crowd as they all found this situation a bit difficult. Logically speaking, this was an enemy that they should be disdainful of. Yet, for some reason, he would also be this company’s VP in the future. They could not afford to offend him. And so, most of them had pretty much the same reaction as they could neither seem too welcoming nor too antagonistic.

“Wow, this guy really isn’t afraid of dying,” Xu Tingsheng murmured to himself backstage.

Unlike things with Old Wai and Li Linlin, it had been Xu Tingsheng’s suggestion that Zhang Xingke enter Hucheng. It was just that he was unclear on what Lu Zhixin was thinking as she had given him the position of VP right off the bat.

Perhaps she saw Zhang Xingke to be the future representative of Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin in Hucheng, representing their power and voice in the company.

Going by such an understanding, along with Zhang Xingke’s position as VP, a brand new power balance had been created in Hucheng in which three forces reigned supreme.

One side consisted of Zhang Xingke and Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin whom he represented as well as the likes of Old Wai, Li Linlin, Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing. Another consisted of Lu Zhixin and some of the company’s middle and higher echelon employees whom she had hired and promoted. And finally, there was Tianyi which was relatively isolated for the time being yet possessed the weightiest background and the most funds.

A tripartite power balance had always been thought to be the stablest organisational structure.

This tripartite structure was different from when Xu Tingsheng had still been in Hucheng. While Lu Zhixin and Tianyi had also possessed 22% of the shares then, Xu Tingsheng along with Old Wai, Fang Yuqing and the others had still possessed much more shares than them. More importantly, Xu Tingsheng’s influence in Hucheng was too high...thus, that had not been a stable tripartite structure since one side had been too outstanding, possessing the absolute leadership authority.

In contrast, things had basically reached an equilibrium now. Even for Lu Zhixin who had the most shares, she was actually unable to dictate Hucheng’s policies on her own. Under these circumstances, it was not so easy to lean towards anybody...and so, Hucheng was to enter a relatively checked and balanced state.

Xu Tingsheng was happy to see such a situation, but not because he was reluctant to part with his power. If that had been the case, he would not have given away that 7% of the shares. He had indeed originally wanted to pass Hucheng on to Lu Zhixin completely without reservation.

In the end, what had caused him to feel that it was necessary to take some precautions and keep Lu Zhixin in check was something that Tang Yufei had informed him about.

Mr Lu, Lu Pingyuan. Xu Tingsheng had only heard about him in brief before, having always been curious as to what kind of person he was. And now, this was revealed to him by Tang Yufei.

The Lu family owned far more than just a few electrical appliances companies in Yanzhou. To be precise, these companies in question were more or less built around 1995 or 1996. Afterwards, Mr Lu had started going around the entire country, accumulating wealth that might amount to hundreds of millions. As for their businesses in Yanzhou, Lu Zhixin had started familiarising herself with them since young and had come to take full charge of them at the age of sixteen.

Meanwhile, she had needed to live on her own while also keeping an eye her father who was gradually growing more frenetic and erratic.

It was these factors that had created this one and only Lu Zhixin of Xu Tingsheng’s words. Her talent in commerce and leadership abilities, her unique personality and her sense of values and way of handling issues that Xu Tingsheng did not approve of so much-they had originated here.

She was someone who zeroed in right on the ends, not caring so much about the means and the process. While this might not be wrong per se, it diverged greatly from Xu Tingsheng’s personality.

In that case, what exactly had caused Lu Pingyuan to become so frenetic and crazed?

Tang Yufei told Xu Tingsheng about something that had already been ongoing for many years. After Mr Lu’s wealth had reached a certain level, he had come to all but settle down in Hong Kong wherein he focused on the finance market, including stocks, funds as well as options…

He had actually earnt quite a bit, also having accumulated much funds from others through various means…

“But,” Tang Yufei said, “He’s bonkers. All his hard work is for a single thing. All these years, he’s been continually attacking an equity fund company known as Lingshan whatever the cost. Wherever that company appears, he deploys funds and charges into a war with them…”

“Facing defeat time and time again, seldom obtaining a victory, getting close to bankruptcy several times. Then, he will accumulate funds unscrupulously, such as when he tried to ‘sell’ Zhixin to the Ding family then...and when he has enough, off he goes to battle that equity fund company relentlessly again…” Tang Yufei said.

“Why?” Xu Tingsheng had asked Tang Yufei, completely unable to understand this.

Sadly, Tang Yufei had not been able to answer this question, “I don’t know. Maybe there’s no one who knows, not even Zhixin. That’s why all of us who know what’s been happening say that he’s already gone bonkers. The only thing I can be certain of is that he’s very dangerous. What Zhixin did this time is very likely related to him. If Zhixin...I mean, they are father and daughter, after all, having only each other to rely on...I fear that Hucheng might be ruined at his hands.”

This was why Xu Tingsheng had decided to restrict Lu Zhixin’s authority. He could not take that risk, with Hucheng potentially being used as a tool and sacrifice in Mr Lu’s insanity. Such would be completely different from handing Hucheng over to Lu Zhixin.

And so, Zhang Xingke had entered Hucheng.

Facing that uproar, Zhang Xingke smiled as he continued, “You must be very curious. Why is it me? How am I qualified? Well, let me tell you this. Before that bastard Xu Tingsheng appeared, I was the most capable earner in this academy city. In my first through third year of university, utilising some little tactics, I started out from scratch and earnt the first ten million of my life.”

Startled exclamations resounded amongst the audience. For a university student of this era, this figure was shocking indeed.

Sounding rather full of himself, Zhang Xingke continued, “Also, I’m the first person who had Xu Tingsheng driven virtually to the brink, or at least that’s what I believe. In the end, I lost. Still, a mere few months later, I successfully earnt a few million from him and even casually dug a pit for him to fall into in the meantime…”

Here, he even shamelessly revelled in triumph for a bit.

“With that few million that I earnt from him, I walked my own path. In over a year’s time, I turned my newly established training institute into one of Shenghai’s top five, even establishing the first video training website, Xingxin Classroom…”

“......”

Zhang Xingke continued to speak.

“Why’re you even coming to Hucheng then?” Derided Fang Yuqing who was an old acquaintance of his, with the two of them even nearly having come to blows before.

Zhang Xingke did not take that hollered remark to heart as he smiled, “While being jointly suppressed by half of Shenghai’s training institutes...I was betrayed by my partner, a woman, too. How tragic is that? Please, have some sympathy.”

“It’s fine, though. I didn’t lose everything. I didn’t come here empty-handed. I’ve come to join the alliance with the website, Xingxin Classroom. So, I’m also a shareholder of Hucheng.”

After saying so, Zhang Xingke continued with a bitter look on his face, “You would definitely be wondering-why am I willing to do so? Actually, I’m not! Still, there’s nothing I can do. Lu Zhixin, this...oh, I mean our most respected Boss Lu, already has her eyes on my website’s model. With Hucheng’s strength, reputation and platform as well as their advantage in education training, I wouldn’t be able to run if she wanted to decimate me. So, after considering it, pledging my allegiance to Hucheng for now it is. Fortunately, I’m old acquaintances and good friends with Xu Tingsheng and Boss Lu.”

Hearing his words, the audience members all did not know whether to laugh or to cry.

“And that’s it. So, some applause to welcome me now, please?” Zhang Xingke asked.

This time, applause finally resounded about the hall. Many of those present had already been convinced of his abilities. They understood now that this guy up on stage was also not an ordinary person. Not only was he unordinary in terms of talent, he had an extraordinary temperament and fortitude too…

If not for Xu Tingsheng, his accomplishments might just have been immense. Yet, even with Xu Tingsheng, he had not succumbed to hatred and self-imposed misery. Time and time again, he had fallen down, and each time, he would get back up on his feet, resuming his onward march.

Chapter 450: An expert wielding a blade

Zhang Xingke was not a good person. He was someone who believed that evil was the route to nirvana. He had said ‘Lower your slaughtering blade, hence descends the light of nirvana. Thus, I must first raise my slaughtering blade’.

He had swindled Xu Tingsheng, had swindled the former owner of Hucheng’s campus in Shenghai, had swindled who knew how many of Shenghai’s training institutes, how many people…

As Xu Tingsheng had given him advice regarding things in Shenghai and reminded him to remain wary of that woman before, Zhang Xingke had not gone into detail on his defeat with him. Still, Xu Tingsheng could be certain that with his personality and methods, those training institutes in Shenghai would not have had it easy despite having emerged victorious in the end.

Fighting a battle in which both sides took substantial damage before taking his website, turning around and leaving, decisively latching onto the mighty Hucheng whose power he would later use in exacting his vengeance...and coming up with such insatiable demands right when Xu Tingsheng was in need of his services...this was all his doing.

When Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin and Tianyi had discussed the matter of the shares with him, they had been sorely tempted to take a gun and shoot him dead.

He had privately approached Lu Zhixin with Xu Tingsheng as a bargaining chip to obtain that VP position…

How aboveboard was his ‘shamelessness’.

Finally, he had even been honest when expressing that he had had no other choice in joining Hucheng, even having used the words ‘for now’...he had not concealed the fact that he might have other intentions about the future.

This was just the kind of person Zhang Xingke was. He was the best candidate for Hucheng given the current situation. Of course, with his talents, he would definitely be of assistance in Hucheng’s development too.

He was also a very rational person. Therefore, over the next one or two years, at least, when their momentum was nigh unstoppable and they shared a common interest, he would give his all to push Hucheng forward …

It was hard to say what might happen afterwards.

Whatever the case, though, Xu Tingsheng dared to use him, and Lu Zhixin dared to too.

Amidst the applause, Zhang Xingke bowed deeply towards Hucheng’s employees before he turned towards the reporters and said smilingly, “Don’t mention me when writing your articles! Especially not what I mentioned earlier...otherwise, you can wait to get a lawyer’s letter sent to you for defamation. You haven’t forgotten how our Hucheng’s a suing devil, right.”

The reporters could only force a smile. They would not have made Zhang Xingke’s arrival their primary focus in the first place. In comparison to Xu Tingsheng’s departure from Hucheng, his arrival was something that could be covered in a single line.

Therefore, they did not mind Zhang Xingke’s ‘threat’. Also, Hucheng’s reputation, ‘suing devil’, did truly exist, and was really quite frightening.

Hucheng’s employees and shareholders were smiling wryly too. Zhang Xingke had gotten into role very quickly, having already started saying ‘our Hucheng’. What a shameless dude! Just a short while ago, he had still been talking about how he had almost driven Hucheng to the brink.

“I will be here in Yanzhou for an upcoming period of time, familiarising myself with operations and management and getting to know everyone too,” Zhang Xingke continued up on stage, “And afterwards? After a while, I will be heading out to take charge of Hucheng’s expansion in the southwest...I’m planning to bring 25 people over.”

Here, he halted for a while, giving his audience some time to consider and discuss this matter.

“Who is willing to go with me? Who can go with me? All this is still too early to say now. I just hope that you’ll know about this ahead of time so you can give it some careful consideration…”

“You don’t need me to explain how great an opportunity this is, right? I will be the only one from upper management going over. What does that mean? It means that for our branch company in the southwest, we will lack people in all the leadership positions. When we have conquered that land, you will be the meritorious generals, with your own positions in Hucheng.”

Zhang Xingke gave a rousing, stirring end to that speech. He was someone with high leadership capabilities in the first place.

Faced with the countless fiery, passionate eyes that were fixated on him, Zhang Xingke smiled, saying, “Anyone who wants to and possesses the capabilities...you’re welcome to recommend yourselves to me. Middle echelons, okay. Normal employees, okay. New employees, okay too. Everyone is welcome. Till we meet again!”

The meeting ended as Zhang Xingke left the stage.

On her way out, Tang Yufei who was heading for the office for a handover of duties asked Wang Tuo why Zhang Xingke had publicised his intentions to lead a team to the southwest so early on as he had even stirred up everyone’s moods so.

Wang Tuo laughed and replied, “From the time those words were said, he has already begun to possess his own influence and faction in Hucheng. Expert, powerful.”

Tang Yufei pondered on it for a while and understood.

With Zhang Xingke’s speech, their new VP who had originally been all on his lonesome as he seemed destined to suffer doubt and alienation for a time had become a harbour. The normal and middle echelon employees with ambition, aspirations as well as capabilities...they would thus gravitate towards him.

Meanwhile, the rest of the company’s higher echelons would naturally be less guarded against him because he had clearly stated that he would be leaving. There would be no need for them to compete with him, suppress him, make him an outcast or scheme for him to make a fool of himself, etcetera.

Therefore, it was as Wang Tuo had said. Expert, powerful.

Zhang Xingke was an expert who always wielded a blade.

……

Like Zhang Xingke, Old Jin and Little Jinshan remained in Yanzhou, treating the trip as a tour. While there actually wasn’t a lot of fun stuff to do in Yanzhou, the overall experience was still pretty good as they simply gallivanted around.

Father and son would roam the city randomly during the day before spending their nights at Bright Brilliance, enjoying themselves greatly.

“Can you imagine a young child looking for pretty ladies to talk to in a bar, then saying, “Lady, your bill, this Young Master shall pay?” Tan Yao did not know whether to laugh or to cry as he told Xu Tingsheng of Little Jinshan’s exploits.

“That’s pretty normal,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Doesn’t Little Jinshan go to school?” Tan Yao asked.

Old Jin and Little Jinshan just happened to come over at this time as the former answered on hearing Tan Yao’s question, “He does! Don’t we have our own training institutes? If he misses on some days, he can just make up for it afterwards.”

“Make up for it? Hah! My Dad hardly spent any time in school, but doesn’t he still earn the dough anyway?” Little Jinshan interjected.

Old Jin threw out a slap, rebuking, “Get lost! The times are different now. You must learn from your Uncle Xu. Don’t learn from me, understand?...Can’t you see how I’m even giving him money to help me come up with ideas now? You little weaselly rascal, you are studying tomorrow!”

While Xu Tingsheng was unclear on the extent of Old Jin’s wealth and would not ask about it too, he knew that Old Jin had a very abundant cashflow that was strong to a shocking extent. This was very hard to come by indeed, especially for someone like Xu Tingsheng who had gotten used to clearly having assets amounting to a few hundred million yet was in debt everywhere.

Another thing that took Xu Tingsheng by surprise was Old Jin’s vision. While the coal mining industry’s decline was still far off right now, he was already starting to consider spreading his assets. Thus, after he had returned to China and found out that the kid he had met in France, Xu Tingsheng, was actually so famous and talented, the two had been keeping in touch ever since.

It was he who had first come looking for Xu Tingsheng with a bunch of brothers, looking for something to invest in. Only then had the matter of Xu Tingsheng selling Hucheng’s shares arisen. Of course, those shares of Hucheng’s still had no way of satisfying the appetites of wealthy mining bosses like these as Old Jin and his brothers remained open to even more.

Chapter 451: To stack bandages on a wound

Xu Tingsheng invited Old Jin and Old Jinshan to a meal and called Zhang Xingke along as well. He was basically all alone in Yanzhou now as he was also suffering from heartbreak. Nowadays, he could more or less be found at Bright Brilliance every night too.

Xu Tingsheng let them choose the location.

In the end, Old Jin said, “Let’s eat noodles then.”

They had agreed on this back when parting in France. Xu Tingsheng had said that he would host Old Jin and Little Jinshan if the chance arose, and Old Jin had said that he would give him that chance, even if it was just a bowl of noodles.

Therefore, despite their assets all amounting to quite a bit, Old Jin still chose noodles.

“I say, are you really not gonna let anybody invest in that Xingchen Technologies of yours?” Old Jin asked Xu Tingsheng as he added vinegar to his soup.

He had already expressed his desire to invest in Xingchen Technologies many times before, just that Xu Tingsheng had never agreed to it. With his plans for Xingchen Technologies and the foundation it already possessed, he was very reluctant to release Xingchen Technologies’ shares considering their current valuation.

This was already no longer like Hucheng’s founding stages. Xu Tingsheng was able to conceive of much more than he had back then.

It was precisely because of this that Zhang Xingke had previously said that he believed himself to be the only one who had pushed Xu Tingsheng to the brink...in other words, he did not believe that Xu Tingsheng was really cornered in the current battle between Xingchen Technologies and Tencent.

Facing Old Jin’s enquiry, Xu Tingsheng shook his head yet again.

“That crummy company of yours has nearly been run through. And you’re still holding on to it like a treasure? Don’t you need money? Let’s make this clear first. If it’s lending money, that’s totally out of the question. This is such a great chance; I’ve been constantly waiting for you to open the lid to the wok and beg me to invest! Only a fool would lend you money at a time like this!” Old Jin exclaimed dissatisfiedly, but very candidly.

His personality was as Xu Tingsheng had previously judged. While he was usually very easygoing and chivalrous, no one was more invested and focused on every detail than him when it came to money. He would never have reached his present accomplishments, otherwise.

“Makes sense,” Zhang Xingke shot him a thumbs up, his voice rising in pitch as he exclaimed, “Well done! Trap him and wring him dry!”

Zhang Xingke and Old Jin really saw eye to eye with each other due to their commonalities and how they were both always hoping to take advantage and profit off Xu Tingsheng in a righteous, aboveboard manner.

“Like how my Dad does things, seeing money and never seeing people.”

Little Jinshan immediately got a slap upon saying that.

“Don’t I still have some money left from selling you Hucheng’s shares?” Xu Tingsheng smiled, then continued, “Relax, I won’t starve to death. That money alone is enough for me to slowly play attrition with Tencent for a bit.”

“Play attrition for a bit? Just playing attrition? Don’t you want to win?” Old Jin questioned in genuine puzzlement.

“I never once thought of winning from the start. I’ve always known that I can’t possibly win,” Xu Tingsheng confessed breezily.

“What was the point of you doing all this then?” Old Jin continued to ask.

“My intentions are just to forcibly maintain a second largest instant communication software no matter what. I’ll be fine with it even if it’s just a tenth, a fifth of what Tencent has. Weixin simply has to survive. I want to plant my flag in the ground, take a hammer and nail it in. In the future, there’ll be me in this domain, the number two...anything will be possible then…” Xu Tingsheng explained.

These were indeed his current thoughts. He would work on breaking Tencent’s monopoly as his primary goal. Even if he would only possess a smaller piece of the pie in the domain, he would at least make sure to enter it as a ‘number two’. He did not mind waiting, biding his time as he slowly developed and waited for an opportunity.

Even if they had ultimately failed to usurp Tencent’s position in a few years, when Jack Ma really felt greatly troubled by their position in the domain of instant communication yet just couldn’t do anything about it, that would be when the position of Weixin, number two, was sold off to them. Xu Tingsheng would happily accept this and Xingchen would definitely be better off as a result.

As for Jack Ma’s own ‘Laiwang’ chat app that Alibaba had later launched...he should really just forget about it.

“Look at Xingchen now. Hasn’t Weibo’s position basically been secured? I’ve heard that people are already being drawn out from operations at Tencent’s Weibo. In that case, my foundation is basically sound.”

Xu Tingsheng continued explaining, “As for Weixin, while we are indeed being chased and beat, it would be impossible for Tencent to just keep on doing so too. There’s no way for them to keep on ignoring the voices on the internet forever. Also, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology isn’t just for show. I’ve already started a lawsuit against them for malignant competitive practices.”

“The problem is whether you can hold up till then. It’s not like you don’t know how slow those bureaucratic procedures are,” Zhang Xingke figuratively poured cold water on Xu Tingsheng.

“I am holding up, and holding up okay too. We can definitely make it,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Xingchen was indeed holding up okay. While Weixin was equivalent to a boxer covering his head with his fists and just receiving blow after blow in its fight with QQ with counterattacks being virtually non-existent, this did not mean that they had given up.

In the words of Xingchen’s employees, this method of fighting was akin to stacking bandages on a wound. So, I may not be able to beat you, but I can still hound you good and piss you off like crazy, yeah?

The existence and popularity of Happy Farm guaranteed that Weixin’s user base would rise continually, at least, though many would just log on to Weixin momentarily every day. They would redeem those few bags of free fertilisers before turning on QQ in its place.

As a result, Weixin could still ‘barely sustain its shallow, gasping breaths’.

As for Three Kingdoms Kill, it had also already gone online. With Weibo as a foundation, Xu Tingsheng had established a battle platform along with victory rate, accumulated points and corresponding levels, ranging from bronze, silver and gold...to diamond, master…

There was also an overall ranking system that could be checked at any time. Players could even choose to display their level as well as ranking on their main Weibo page and by their Weixin profile image, showing off their skill.

How important was showing off, exactly?

Xu Tingsheng remembered that during the era of LOL in his previous life, he had once had a classmate who was at the strongest tier, Master. That person would virtually be mentioned by his classmates every other day. From time to time, he would be also called upon to help wreak vengeance on their unsuspecting foes in their place.

It had cost Xu Tingsheng a bomb to build the platform and the relevant systems. Still, the costs were well worth it, because Xingchen Technologies had installed a very disheartening system on Three Kingdoms Kill. The battle accounts were tied to Weixin, and as long as one turned Weixin off or it went offline, they would be automatically disconnected from the game in an effective defeat.

Three Kingdoms Kill was not Happy Farm which could be settled in a matter of minutes. This game was rather more addictive as it was even possible to play it for a couple of hours. Hence, the gamers would have no choice but to remain on Weixin and not turn on QQ.

With that, most of the rooms on Three Kingdoms Kill’s battle platform were thusly named: Those without QQ on, enter.

Although this game presently did not encompass a wide percentage of the population, Weixin was already seeing an increase in the total number of users simultaneously online. Its current record was a million simultaneous users online, this being more or less 5 percent of what QQ had.

As for QQ, it was finally beginning to know what hurt felt like.

Xingchen’s morale was recovering. The overall mood on the Internet was gradually shifting in favour of Weixin. Additionally, more and more people began to realise that it actually seemed like Weixin would truly be able to tide through this…

……

Old Jin was quite despondent at not having a chance to invest in Xingchen as he asked Xu Tingsheng with a bunch of noodles still in his mouth, “Well, you’ve got to find me something good to invest in, right? I helped you by investing in Hucheng. You can’t demolish the bridge after crossing the river!”

Xu Tingsheng thought: How excited you were when I asked you to invest in Hucheng...really, your face means nothing to you, right.

“Uncle Xu, think about it. If you don’t help, and in the off chance that Old Jin wildly goes off speculating himself and loses the entire family fortune, without my inheritance...what am I supposed to do in the future? How would I be able to provide for my super harem?” Little Jinshan drank a mouthful of soup and asked earnestly.

Old Jin slapped his son into his soup, “Inheritance? Whaddya mean inheritance? It’s good people who don’t live long. Your Dad’s a calamity. Calamities live on a thousand years, you know? You little no conscience bastard son…”

“You fool! I was placing Uncle Xu in check, couldn’t you tell?” Little Jinshan looked up, his face full of soup.

This legendary father and son…

Xu Tingsheng pondered for a time before saying helplessly, “So, two things. One’s ours. As for the other, it’s investing in someone else.”

A full smile immediately blossomed on Old Jin’s face as his eyes radiated light, “Which is good?”

“Both are good. Invest in both. But you can’t have too big a share for either,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“The first is our own. I’m preparing to make a game, not that kind of small game that is affixed to Weibo,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m been talking to a game company in Korea recently for the rights of one of their games...we’re nearly done, it’s basically only money that I lack. You interested?”

“What game is that?”

“Crazyracing Kartrider.”

“Find a day and I’ll have a look at it, get my son to go for a few rounds,” Old Jin replied.

Here, Old Jin demonstrated his prudence again on the most critical issue. While he appeared very enthusiastic on the surface, as if he would readily invest in pretty much whatever Xu Tingsheng proposed, he actually still always abided by that most basic principle of a businessman, which was to be ever cautious and vigilant.

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Actually, whether Old Jin was willing to invest or not in the end, Xu Tingsheng would persist in securing this game even if he had to go borrowing money everywhere. Crazyracing Kartrider had been ranked amongst the top 3 games in the years 2006 and 2007. If Tencent had not employed the ‘mountain shack’ strategy against it afterwards, this could have gone on for longer.

Internet games were often a great source of income. This was what Xu Tingsheng presently lacked most.

“What about the other one?” Old Jin asked.

“Qihu, 360…”

Old Jin and Zhang Xingke had blank looks on their faces as Xu Tingsheng said this, having never heard of it before.

While Qihu had already been founded at this time, it had still yet to release 360 Safeguard, be evaluated as one of the top 50 enterprises with the highest investment potential, and receive the joint investment of America’s Highland Capital Partners, Redpoint Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Matrix and IDG.

Therefore, possessing a big promotion platform like Weibo and having the support of Hucheng, Xu Tingsheng was very confident of getting the other party to accept his investment, even though the total share amount would definitely not be so high...Zhou Hongyi was an experienced businessman who was not so easy to deal with.

He had two goals in mind here.

For one, it was naturally to have a piece of the pie in this company which would soon be rising powerfully to prominence as it would even be able to compete with a giant like Baidu in terms of internet traffic in the future.

Secondly, it was to rear a tiger…

By giving it funds and promoting it, Xu Tingsheng hoped that 360’s rise would come even quicker. This was a real tiger. While Xu Tingsheng would definitely not be able to direct Zhou Hongyi’s actions, his personality was such that he would definitely pounce on Tencent when the time came.

Therefore, that battle which had only come in 2010 in his previous life-let it arrive as fast as possible.

Being unable to defeat Tencent, Xu Tingsheng had decided to rear a tiger to help him out...

One must know that after the battle, Mr Ma had personally called it the greatest crisis in Tencent’s history.

Some media analysts believed that even though there had been quite a sizeable gap in scale between them at the time, 360 had actually still been equipped to possibly drag Tencent down to ruination alongside it. This was also why that battle had ultimately ended inconclusively.

Chapter 452: Little Aunt

Having invested in Hucheng, Old Jin was still considering other areas of investment.

The news spread…

It was as if their bank cards had ‘manifested’ in real life, coming out to take a walk with a string of ‘zeroes’ trailing off behind it which brightly emitted light, visible to all.

First and foremost, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao were immediately unable to sit still.

Bright Brilliance was really doing very well. Yet, it was limited by its size, having no way of doing better and profiting more in that sense.

Therefore, the two had constantly been thinking about how to replicate Bright Brilliance’s success. Maybe not a franchise, but opening a few branches in Shenghai City and Xihu City, at least, was a very real concern for them.

Huang Yaming had mentioned this to Xu Tingsheng, but the latter had no money to spare. As for Tan Yao, he had been exceptionally sensitive and cautious on the topic of money with Ye Qing ever since having hooked up with her.

And from the heavens doth Old Jin descendeth.

After remaining at Bright Brilliance for a few days, Old Jin felt pretty interested in it as well.

And so, the two wheedled Old Jin over to Xihu City with the intention of also going to Shenghai afterwards. As he had to go for tuition, Little Jinshan was dumped in Yanzhou by Old Jin, dumped in the bar. Apparently, he had simply handed him over to Tongtong on an afterthought...Little Jinshan seemed only 7 years old.

Xu Tingsheng only learnt about this the next day when Tongtong called him at night, asking him if he could come to the bar for a bit.

Xu Tingsheng asked her what was up.

She said that she was unable to manage Little Jinshan.

When Xu Tingsheng arrived, he found Little Jinshan sitting at the bar counter on the first floor, playing with the spinning chair as he said to a woman who had just sat down, “Beautiful lady, mind if I treat you to a drink?”

The barista at the counter looked at Xu Tingsheng, saying helplessly, “This is the twelfth one already.”

Xu Tingsheng grabbed the kid, exchanged a few words with Tongtong and left.

Half an hour later.

“Uncle Xu, I can’t stay here. Your place is too boring. Right, do you really live like this? Time wasting is equivalent to murder. Time is the most valuable substance. If one does not live flamboyant in youth, they have wasted their lives. Things that can be settled with money basically shouldn’t require you to use time…”

Little Jinshan rested against the door of the study, ranting unhappily to Xu Tingsheng.

“You talking to women in a bar-isn’t that a waste of time?” Xu Tingsheng asked him.

“That’s all for enrichment. You gain experience by interacting with other people,” Little Jinshan said, “My Dad says so. He even gets me to check in and out and handle the luggage when at international airports. Back home, I’ve even followed them going to transport goods out of the province. He says that all that is gaining experience...how is hanging at a bar not enrichment? Different religions, different social stratas…”

“You’re only seven,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What you see at three, what will be when old. My uncles all say that I’m destined for the grand marshes of the heroic fraternity,” Little Jinshan said in a deep, faraway tone.

Seeing no way of winning the argument, Xu Tingsheng could only resort to threats, “Get lost! Go watch television, read, whatever. Just stay here....if you dare run, I’ll truss you up and hang you there like a chicken.”

Looking at him, Little Jinshan mimicked the movements as he said, “It’s no use, Uncle Xu. It’s not like I haven’t been hung before. With my two hands tied up like this, upside-down by my feet...Old Jin’s done them all before long ago. These can’t frighten me.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Well then, I will truss you up by your little jj and hang you up there…”

Little Jinshan pictured it in his mind, and spoke no longer.

……

The next day was a Wednesday. Xu Tingsheng took a leave of absence for two lessons and stayed at home, communicating with Hu Chen and He Yutan in his study via video conference.

A grumpy-looking Little Jinshan sat in the living room, watching television and eating snacks.

“Those people from the ministry came to talk to us. They should also have talked with Tencent's side,” Hu Chen told Xu Tingsheng, the two being more experienced at handling such matters than he was.

“From their words...it seems like our lawsuits, that malignant competition one and the anti-monopoly one, will probably both fail,” He Yutan said rather helplessly.

Xu Tingsheng did not hesitate at all as he replied, “I know! We'll definitely lose. It's okay, though. We can still appeal. We'll just go on with it till they have no choice but to acknowledge our existence.”

If even QQ wasn't a monopoly and Tencent's practices were not malignant, these two things basically did not exist as concepts in the market.

Still, Xingchen would definitely lose. Xu Tingsheng had long been prepared for that, because this was what was dictated by ‘convention’.

Meanwhile, as the victor, Tencent would actually not have it that easy too. The ministry would still exert the necessary pressure on it.

This was the tried and tested method of conflict resolution in the many millennia of Chinese history. How many important officials of the historical annals are not 'Taiji experts’? You cannot pronounce an absolute right or wrong, because sometimes, it is true that most important is still the overall picture, always.

Meanwhile, what Xu Tingsheng sought to achieve was mainly Weixin's continued existence and not mere victory as was thought by the outside world.

……

Little Xiang Ning unlocked the door with her key.

Little Jinshan had her snacks in his clutches.

“Who are you?”

“Who are you?”

“This is my Uncle Xu’s house. I’m called Little Jinshan. What about you, beautiful young miss?”

“Me? I don’t see a need to tell you. But just so you know, all the snacks that you’ve eaten are mine. Hey, you ate so many..."

“Oh! Never mind, I’ll buy some more for you later. My Uncle Xu is rich, and my family has lots of money too. Right, do you have a boyfriend, beautiful young miss? ...Ah...hey, what’re you doing, Uncle Xu? What did I do wrong?”

Xu Tingsheng had just emerged from the study upon hearing the disturbance outside. Hearing Little Jinshan ask Xiang Ning if she had a boyfriend, he did not know whether to laugh or to cry as he grabbed him right by the ear.

“She has a boyfriend,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Little Xiang Ning came over and linked her arm in Xu Tingsheng’s, asking, “Who is he, Xu Tingsheng?”

“Just some little rascal,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Hurry up and call Aunt, Little Jinshan…”

Little Jinshan responded, “Huh? Uncle Xu, you...no, stop pulling...hello, Little Aunt.”

“Hi,” Being addressed like this for the first time, Xiang Ning responded happily to it due to the association with Xu Tingsheng therein as she adopted the bearing of a senior, saying genially, “You can eat the snacks. There’s more in the cabinet...kid.”

Xu Tingsheng let Little Jinshan go and led Little Xiang Ning to the balcony.

“Don’t you have lessons? It’s not the weekend yet, but why are you back?” Xu Tingsheng asked rather anxiously, “Are you not feeling well? Or were you bullied in school?”

Little Xiang Ning shook her head before looking up at him with a downcast expression on her face, “It’s not that. I was worried about you! I saw a teacher using the internet in the staffroom. There was a picture of your back there, and it said that you were chased away by your original company and are facing a lot of difficulties at Weixin now…”

Next, Little Xiang Ning reached out and hugged Xu Tingsheng, asking, “Are you finding it very tough? You didn’t tell me anything at all.”

“Wow...they’re hugging. Kiss, kiss, kiss…” Resounded Little Jinshan’s voice.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at Little Jinshan who was peeking over from the corner, chastising and laughing both at once, “You scram back inside...right now.”

After getting rid of Little Jinshan, Xu Tingsheng began coaxing Little Xiang Ning. In truth, what she had said was true. He virtually never told him anything about his work-related affairs at all, because he felt that there was no need to...it was just that he had not thought she might worry...

Xu Tingsheng had no choice but to explain the current situation and his complete take on it to her, telling her that he was actually in a very good situation.

Regardless of how much of that she had understood, Little Xiang Ning was finally able to rest assured.

When the two returned to the living room, they found Little Jinshan in the study, wearing Xu Tingsheng’s headset and conversing good-humouredly with Hu Chen and He Yutan.

“Something like money-why not just tell me about it? Things that can be settled with money really amount to nothing...if you lack money, why not get my Dad to invest? Really, don’t be bullied but fearful and silent. Do you know how many mines my family has in Shanxi? How many bros there are on our mines? Do you know that my Dad and Uncles added together…”

Xu Tingsheng dragged him off his seat by the scruff of his neck.

Chapter 453: Awaiting an accumulated eruption

The boundaries between the four seasons were less distinct in Shenghai. Shenghai’s climate did not vary much between spring and autumn, which did not last for very long too. People generally felt like the blazing heat of summer had only just passed when winter had then descended in the blink of an eye.

Fortunately, along with it also came the winter holidays.

The government ministries were prudent as usual, bringing along with it that habitual ultra-low efficiency. The contest between Xingchen and Tencent continued with no end in sight, with the former’s two lawsuits remaining stuck in procedures. It seemed that the Lunar New Year would come and go before this affair was settled.

Still, as the holidays arrived, the influx of the student population meant that the number of registered users and people online for Happy Farm and Three Kingdoms Kill skyrocketed.

Along with this came a mass increase in Weibo’s user base. It was the same for Weixin too as slowly but surely, the highest number of users simultaneously online had already climbed up to nearly a tenth of what QQ usually saw.

Without uttering a sound, Xingchen was slowly climbing back up where it had been one-sidedly pummelled while pinned down to the ground. While it was still too early to call it a reversal, the media entities and netizens who had previously predicted the fall of Xingchen, Weixin and Xu Tingsheng were already beginning to change their verdicts.

“It seems like they still haven’t lost yet…”

“So great at stacking bandages on a wound.”

“Weibo itself is unrivalled in its foundation. Since Xingchen has already basically won the battle of Weibo, it is hence effectively enabled to keep holding on. As for how they operate Weixin on top of Weibo as a foundation, while two small games might not seem like much, there is simply no way to underestimate them. Look at how popular those are, even becoming a societal issue.”

“Always forging an alternative route. All those new-fangled moves back at Hucheng before, and now this…”

“How do I put it? While Xu Tingsheng definitely isn’t a business expert, he’s definitely a genius in terms of innovation and grasping the overall flow.”

“That’s so true. His self-awareness and insight are so accurate it’s scary. The most important thing one can have is self-awareness, and yet it’s the most difficult to attain too. Yet, he has it despite still being so young. He is self-aware, and so he poaches people and hands out those operations-related affairs while focusing on innovation, direction and the overall situation…”

“Indeed, Hu Chen and He Yutan are rare talents in running a business. I heard that he poached someone called Shao Yanshan from overseas recently too. I wonder what he’s up to this time.”

“...”

“There’s another key point too. Have you noticed? When starting to do something, he always begins with the mindset of a ‘resigned loser’. It’s not just once that he’s first kept a low profile, taking a beating. Many people used to deride and mock him for this. Now, I can only say that truly, this is very hard to come by.”

“Before planning for victory, first planning for defeat...it’s true. And yet he is only 22 years old. Well, technically, almost...logically speaking, he should be full of arrogance because of youth…”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng confounded many people.

In truth, Xu Tingsheng was clearer than anyone else on his deficiency in the area of running a business. The methods, experience, capabilities and even intuition for running a business were all not things that his rebirth could grant him.

As for those main characters in rebirth novels who transformed completely into ‘Super Saiyan+ Zhuge Liang+ tyrannical veins of steel CEO’ in the blink of an eye, they should be taken with a pinch of salt.

The greatest wealth that rebirth had bestowed upon Xu Tingsheng was, of course, none other than foreknowledge. Next was the change in personality that experience had brought to him. This included the confidence that came from foreknowledge, the steady reliability that came from age and the easygoingness that came from failure and death…

Finally, there was his knowledge of and attitude towards failures and setbacks.

And so he had been willing to give up the leadership of Hucheng. And so he was able to plan for defeat before planning for victory, calmly maintaining his pace and rhythm despite the mockery. And so he was able to not lose himself amidst fame and wealth, looking at his weaknesses as well as flaws in the face.

Without Lu Zhixin and those managers whom she had found, Hucheng would probably not have reached its current state. If Weibo was run by Xu Tingsheng himself, it would definitely be full of flaws too...

It was precisely due to his self-awareness that he was not blindly arrogant and self-confident in attempting to do everything himself. He did not even know how to stop their traffic from being blocked by Baidu. Here, Hu Chen had already forged a harmonious relationship with Baidu. Their relationship right now was great, at least.

……

While Xingchen Technologies was not yet a listed company and had no need to show its financial situation to the outside world, its current state of losing money should be known by all.

What people did not know was that in fact, just a day ago, not long into the winter holidays, Xingchen had finally ceased its ‘money burning’ model, entering a money-generating state thanks to the popularity of its two games.

Calculating their overall finances for that day, they had a revenue of 302.4 yuan.

This meagre 302 yuan sent the entire Xingchen into an excited frenzy.

Meanwhile, after five days at Xingchen’s headquarters in Shenghai, Old Jin had already officially decided to invest in Xu Tingsheng’s game. The creation of a branch company of Xingchen’s that would operate independently in terms of finances and such, Xingchen Games, was announced.

On the day that Xingchen Games was established, Hu Chen announced to the public that the company had already secured the rights for a racing game produced by the Korean company Nexon, Crazyracing Kartrider. The game was currently undergoing server formation and internal testing as it was projected to be released for beta testing in March 2006.

As for that Shao Yanshan whom it was rumoured Xu Tingsheng had found from overseas, he was officially revealed to the public as the one who would be in charge of Xingchen Games.

The public had differing opinions on this, while those in the industries mainly reached two conclusions. Firstly, Xingchen had actually been secretly maneuvering even when it was at its most tragic. Secondly, Xu Tingsheng had once again firmly and decisively handed things over to someone who knew the industry.

Xu Tingsheng was winning more and more approval from the business world with his methods.

As for the opinion of the public, the netizens and the media, just the existence of a charitable venture like ‘Ningju Xingchen’ alone coupled with his usual low profile lifestyle already gave many extra impression points to his image.

And that departing figure from before…

Xu Tingsheng’s upraised fist after his farewell at Hucheng and how he had shown a wild, unruly image even in a high-end suit gained him a large amount of female fans after widespread use by the media.

The media seemed to be intentionally forging his image in the vein of a handsome, carefree youth too. Xu Tingsheng’s departure speech had also left a very good impression on them.

“A pretty good guy, a loyal and warm-hearted person, an interesting fellow.”

This was what some female reporter who had been present had concluded after seeing Xu Tingsheng for the first time. This had virtually nothing to do with his business characteristics whatsoever.

Who asked the reporter to be a female? The way they looked at things were different.

This phrase of hers was later used as a headline. And so, the core content of the article had gone from ‘Xu Tingsheng’s departure from Hucheng’ to ‘the one known as Xu Tingsheng’.

Still, little was actually known about the actual Xu Tingsheng, in truth. After some enthusiastic discussion, people would generally come to realise that they truthfully did not understand him. All the public knew of him was virtually only his companies.

People were also unaware that even as Xu Tingsheng came so intensely under the public eye, he was totally unconcerned as he had already began working hard on another matter in secret.

Unbeknownst to all, ‘Endless Stars Investment Company(Wujin Xingchen)’ that was led by Xu Tingsheng and gathered the funds of Hucheng, the Black Horse Club and Old Jin was in the midst of approaching Qihu 360 and negotiating on their investment in a methodical fashion.

Some companies and projects could not be invested in just on the basis of money alone. Still, the current Xu Tingsheng had more than just money. He also had platforms, two ultra popular, far-reaching platforms.

Finally, as Old Jin left Yanzhou to spend the Lunar New Year at home, their negotiation team sent word that the two sides had basically already established common ground for cooperation. Many minor details still remained that had to be ironed out, however.

That aside, Old Jin had decided to invest in a Bright Brilliance branch in Xihu City. This too was set to happen after the Lunar New Year.

Over these winter holidays, if felt as though everything was stacking up, awaiting an imminent, accumulated eruption.

Chapter 454: Song Ni's graduation trip

Chapter 454: Song Ni’s graduation trip

In the words of Huang Yaming and co, the current Xu Tingsheng felt like he was going from the finance pages to the entertainment pages.

Still, it was really Huang Yaming who went onto the entertainment pages.

WIth the ultra-high ratings and evaluation of the media and the netizens, in its second official week, <<Crazy Stone>> successfully topped <<Endless>> in their joust with a shocking 31 million in the box office as compared to their 12 million. This was thanks to them previously securing a reversal in terms of screening times too.

The movies would be screened for at least another two weeks. With this being the ideal period with the winter holidays having started and the Lunar New Year soon to come, it could be foreseen that <<Crazy Stone>> might very well create a box office miracle for a small production.

As for that bet and those shoes.

Jin Datang had ceased to mention it. He was not saying anything at all now...as compared to the looming crisis of bankruptcy, what did this embarrassment matter?

Huang Yaming had ceased to mention it too except for that one time when he had been asked about it repeatedly by reporters. He had answered, “Boss Jin may really need that pair of shoes after this. He can keep it! Well, I don’t know if the size is right, though.”

As compared to Xu Tingsheng, it was a completely different kind of image that Huang Yaming portrayed to the media and the public. Ruthless, unbridled, brutal...so fearsome in terms of both his verbal arsenal and actual ‘capabilities’.

In terms of newsworthiness, he was the golden boy of the media. Even with the widespread popularity of <<Crazy Stone>> which had propelled its director and artistes to fame, it was still Huang Yaming alone who actually made the headlines.

The reporters asked him which actress he most wished to get to act in his next film production.

His reply was: How the hell would I know? It’s not like I know anything about acting or whatnot. Now if you asked me which actress I’d most like to sleep with, now that’s something I can tell you.”

“Well, which actress would you most like to sleep with then?” The reporters were abuzz with excitement.

A new hotshot producer, effectively nobility of the film industry, and he was about to reveal the name of the actress whom he most wished to sleep with...could there be any more gargantuan a topic?

“Monica Bellucci. That <<Malena>> she acted in, I couldn’t sleep for a few days after watching that,” Huang Yaming said.

“......”

If Huang Yaming had uttered the name of a Chinese actress, his reputation would have plummeted at once. When the time for him to select actresses for casting in his next movie, many would have reservations in deciding whether or not to participate. Still, while he always appeared rash and thoughtless, he was really very crafty…

He was always creating news, yet never leaving behind anything that could be used against him later on.

A long-suffering reporter summed this up thusly:

“We always think that he’s said a lot. It’s only after enthusiastically going back to write up on it that we realise it’s really equivalent to not having said any heck thing at all. But he’s somehow able to magically hoodwink that enthusiasm out of us every time.”

Huang Yaming acted as Xu Tingsheng’s representative in the entertainment industry where one was most inevitably in the public eye and susceptible to gossip and rumours, and he was more than happy to do so.

The box office of <<Crazy Stone>> was galloping unstoppably towards the grand 100 million mark.

If all went well, there would soon be a one-time influx of a couple tens of millions into Xu Tingsheng’s bank account, bolstering his cashflow substantially.

Meanwhile, it was already confirmed that Tianyi would be hosting the film’s celebratory banquet
after the Lunar New Year had passed.

During this time, Tan Qingling brought up visiting Yanzhou again during the winter holidays, but Huang Yaming refused her. Despite her hinting several times that she wished to attend the banquet at his side when the time came, he would adroitly sidestep and dismiss the topic whenever it came up.

And so it was that feeling a strong sense of impending ‘crisis’, Tan Qingling made a covert trip to Yanzhou a few days later. Rather than Huang Yaming, it was Chen Jingqi to whom she paid a visit.

No one knew what exactly the two talked about that day. Still, one day later, Chen Jingqi looked  Xu Tingsheng up and requested that he assist her with a certain matter. She expressed her willingness to follow Zhang Xingke’s team to Xinan after the Lunar New Year.

This was the first time she had requested something of him in all her days at Hucheng.

Rather than her future and career prospects, Xu Tingsheng was more inclined to believe that this was truthfully escapism on her part...

……

Yet another year was nearly past. As third year university students, Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming were still a year and a half away from graduation.

Still, someone was already about to graduate.

Song Ni was an Accounting student at the Yanzhou Economics Institute which ran a three year programme.

Her last university semester was right around the corner. Generally speaking, there was already no need for these students to spend so much time studying at this point. For them, finding a job was actually the most crucial thing at hand.

Unlike the majority of her peers, Song Ni did not have to look for a job. The reason for this was none other than Xu Tingsheng, a friend who was like an older brother to her. Thanks to him, she would be officially joining Mr Xu’s Happy Shoppers Franchise Corporation where she would be groomed as a future candidate for higher management. After the Lunar New Year, she would be starting out as an assistant finance manager there.

This path had long since been arranged for her. Long before Happy Shoppers had attained its current scale, it was virtually every semester break that Song Ni would intern and help out at Happy Shoppers, familiarising herself with her future workplace. She had previously done manual labour there and stood as a cashier, eventually entering the finance department.

Such was the promise that Xu Tingsheng had previously made her. It had to be acknowledged that Song Ni had indeed worked very hard these past three years. Not only had she long since attained various educational certificates, she was virtually ranked first in her cohort every year. She had even unexpectedly clinched the second prize at the Shenghai Provincial Accounting Competition against a whole bunch of elites from top universities some time back.

Her diligence, personality, drive and abilities were very much recognised at Happy Shoppers.

Song Ni seemed to have had three very fulfilling years at university. Others would probably think her very lucky too. If there was anything not so good, it was that she still lacked the courage to embark on a relationship.

Be it the guy whom she had been slightly attracted to and very nearly entered a relationship with back in her first year or any of those handsome dudes who had taken the initiative to approach her after learning of her background, there had never yet been anyone who had given her the courage to take that final step, embracing love.

Song Ni had burned all her youthful love from seventh to twelfth grade, naively and blindly as even her most necessary rationality had been lost in spoiling him and letting him have his way. Yet, what had come to her in return was that most disgusting, malicious and blatant harm. As a result, she actually had no courage and drive left to love someone.

Song Ni’s view on love had become a bit extreme. On the one hand, she was extremely fearful and sceptical of it. On the other, she was overly subjective and enthusiastic towards her notion of ideal, wholesome love when it came to the relationships of Xu Tingsheng and co.

She hoped that they would treasure the happiness that she herself had lost.

It was because of this that Apple’s treatment evoked righteous indignation in her, that she was conflicted about and unable to accept Fu Cheng and Ms Fang not being together, that she was most resolute and unwavering on her stance regarding the love triangle of Huang Yaming, Tan Qingling and Chen Jingqi. She was the most straightforward about it as she let fly disparaging remarks about Tan Qingling.

Song Ni said that she wished to have a premature graduation trip these winter holidays.

Only now as they suddenly discovered that Song Ni was actually going to graduate very soon did Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng realise how badly they had overlooked this ‘little sister’ of theirs these past three years. Having all been busy, they had basically never taken the initiative to ask about and show their concern for Song Ni’s state of affairs at all…

Therefore, the trio was unanimous in their decision this time. However busy they were, however much money there was waiting for them to earn, they would still not decline Song Ni’s request nevertheless. Moreover, it seemed like it was high time for them to take a break and relax too.

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Chapter 455: Upcoming trip to Xinan

Chapter 455: Upcoming trip to Xinan

This was Song Ni’s graduation trip. All her three bigwig big brothers who would be travelling with her had to do were show up and foot the expenses. The itinerary and such would be decided and planned solely by she herself.

Song Ni decided on Xinan. They would first go to Chengdu, then the surrounding regions.

The ancients said that the youth doth not go downriver to the backwater. The Chengdu region was acclaimed for its relatively slow and leisurely pace of life, and this was said to easily cause one’s willpower and drive to diminish, hence the saying.

Still, for Xu Tingsheng’s trio, it was precisely a break that they needed right now. If this meant that they could truly extricate themselves from life and sit down for some afternoon tea at a teahouse, watching the unhurried footsteps of passers-by and listening to the clattering of mahjong tiles for the better part of the day, this actually did seem like a pretty good choice.

Moreover, that particular region was also famed for its cuisine.

Having decided on the destination, next were the participants. Song Ni said that it would of course be best if it could consist of the six of them who had taken the train back to Libei that year. Sadly, this wish was already destined to be unfulfillable. It was only certain that Ms Fang would not be going, at least.

Song Ni called and asked Apple about her schedule.

Apple really wanted to go but just couldn’t. She divulged that she had received an invitation to perform in the annual New Year’s Gala just a few days ago. She would soon have to rush over to Yanjing to participate in rehearsals.

As she grew increasingly popular, it was inevitable that she would correspondingly be bound by more obligations however transcendent her contract was. Still, things could definitely not be any better for her. However much time passed, the New Year’s Gala always remained the most influential stage which countless people envied and yearned for. Just based on a single appearance on this annual show alone, some performers were basically set for life.

If Apple performed dazzlingly on this night of the eve of the Lunar New Year, her momentum in the entertainment industry that already seemed nigh unstoppable would definitely be bolstered considerably, her place in showbiz likely henceforth being solidified.

Xu Tingsheng now took over the phone call and initiated a conversation with Apple on his own, a rarely seen thing indeed.

“What song do you plan on singing at the New Year’s Gala?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Rather taken aback on suddenly hearing Xu Tingsheng’s voice, Apple stuttered “Ah, Xu, you…” before falling silent.

Xu Tingsheng could only repeat his question, clarifying himself as calmly as he could, “Did the production team give you permission to sing your own song?”

“I applied for it on my side, but I think they won’t,” Finally regaining her wits, Apple smiled wryly, “Perhaps it’s because my songs don’t fit the theme. They’re all about love, feelings and whatnot. They also said that most of my songs are in too sad keys that don’t fit the festive atmosphere of ushering in spring.”

Xu Tingsheng considered it for a bit before saying, “That does makes sense. Well, what do they have arranged then?”

“Don’t they have some ‘imperial’ songwriters for use over there? Maybe they’ll write one for me last minute,” Apple said rather helplessly.

“No way! You might as well not go in that case. It’s not like you don’t know the quality of those songs. How many of them have any real substance and actually become the least bit popular?”

Apple was definitely not going to the New Year’s Gala for the sake of becoming recognisable alone. She was already long past the stage of being a lesser known figure.

Xu Tingsheng said decisively, “Alright, I’ll tell you a song, and you go to the production team. After applying for this, if it really can’t go through, get Tianyi to negotiate for it on your behalf.”

Apple sounded rather excited at that, “Are you going to write a new song for me?”

Xu Tingsheng laughed, replying, “No, it’s somebody else’s song. It’s a singer called Li Jian. A song from his 2003 album <<Flowing Years Like Water>>, named <<Legend>>. You can look for and listen to it first.”

“I know that song. I’ve heard it before...he’s a singer that I really like too. I also really like this song,” Apple replied at once, the excitement audible in her voice.

“That’s good then. Hurry up and think of a way to contact the original singer and his company then. If the other side agrees, we can utilise everything within our means to get the production team to accept it. There shouldn’t be a problem for this song to feature at the New Year’s Gala.”

“Right,” Apple said, “Thank you, Xu Tingsheng.”

To her, knowing that Xu Tingsheng still cared about her was perhaps more important than the New Year’s Gala itself.

Not dragging on the conversation further with meaningless chatter, Xu Tingsheng soon ended the call. What he had just proposed to Apple was really a spur of the moment thing on his part too, having come in a sudden burst of inspiration.

It seemed to be in the year 2010 that <<Legend>> had attained widespread popularity in his previous life, after the famous artiste Wang Fei had sung it at the New Year’s Gala. The song also seemed to have become one of her works that people were most familiar with afterwards, being representative of her in that sense.

In truth, though, <<Legend>> had already been released way back in the year 2003, having been written and performed by Li Jian. It was just that it had not become super popular back then as it had later.

Xu Tingsheng rather liked this singer, and really liked this song too.

“A casual glance at you in the crowd

Never again able to forget your features

……

I’d believe we’re fated from our last lifetime

That our present romance won’t change again

……

I will willingly wait a lifetime for you to discover

I’ve always been by your side, never gone far

While the lyrics of <<Legend>> were very short, the feelings within just resonated so much with everyone.

From Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, ‘fated from our last lifetime, (in the) present (it) won’t change again’. From that love at first sight on first entering senior high for the young Fu Cheng, with the  glance in the classroom corridor that he had henceforth never been able to forget. ‘As I dream, that one day we can happen to meet each other again’...

And perhaps there was also Apple’s present state of mind ‘wait a lifetime for you to discover, (I’d) never gone far’.

If Apple could sing this song at the New Year’s Gala and it could go viral prematurely, that should be a good thing whether it was for her or for the song’s original singer.

……

Ultimately, only four still remained from their original six-man team.

Song Ni called along a good friend of hers from university. Still, after all of them had met, it was not difficult for everyone to sense how shy and nervous that girl was feeling at all. It was such that things would inadvertently become awkward and stiff much of the time as everyone fell silent.

Having no other way about it, Song Ni could only change her mind and open up their group, allowing for more people to come.

She decided to bring along three of her best friends from university.

Xu Tingsheng too released the news on his side.

Old Wai and Li Linlin wanted to go, after which Old Wai planned to follow Li Linlin back to her hometown to meet her parents and celebrate the Lunar New Year. It looked like he wished to hereby make things official.

The two had already clicked very well in all the time that had passed, having long since become inseparable too. Also taking into account their common career routes as there were no barriers obstructing them, physical or otherwise, Xu Tingsheng would almost definitely be able to bear witness to their wedding soon after their graduation.

Rather unexpectedly, Zhang Ninglang and the long-plaited girl wanted to go too.

Next was Fang Yuqing. Having painstakingly acquired Yuqing’s consent, he wanted to join in and partake in their plans. The two were currently in a long distance relationship whilst busy with their own affairs as it really was not easy for them to meet up at all.

Yuqing had originally planned on breaking up with Fang Yuqing after graduation, in truth. She had literally been unable to withstand his romantic pursuits, however, that had moved the heavens and shaken the earth. That had won Fang Yuqing three years. A year had already passed since then. Perhaps fearful of being too deeply ensnared in their relationship, Yuqing had been maintaining a rather distant attitude towards him as he literally needed legitimate reasons to ask her out.

His excuse this time was accompanying Xu Tingsheng and co in making up for their own graduation trip that had not come to fruition. Yuqing agreed.

Then, as Fang Yuqing’s elder sister and Yuqing’s bosom friend, the shameless Fang Chen wanted in too.

The tour group expanded to a party of twelve, the twelfth member being Little Xiang Ning. Since they were already adding people anyway, it was the winter holidays and Mr and Mrs Xiang were busy, it was naturally well within reason for Xu Tingsheng to bring the fun-loving her along.

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Chapter 456: Room allocation

Chapter 456: Room allocation

Just one day before the trip, Tan Yao approached Xu Tingsheng and said that he and Ye Qing wanted to go too. Apparently, Ye Qing had suddenly gone mental and said that she wanted to experience the romantic feeling of a young university couple on tour.

The group expanded to a party of fourteen.

“With this scale, we might as well book a high-end tour group from the tour agency, right?” Xu Tingsheng said rather bemusedly.

Glancing at him, Ye Qing said rather despondently, “Boss Xu, could I trouble you to pay a little more attention to your career? One of the three high-end franchise hotels that Zhicheng is investing in alongside our expansion of services just happens to be right there in Chengdu.”

Xu Tingsheng, “...”

Ye Qing continued, “Also, the families of quite a few people from the Black Horse Club have branch companies or offices over there, like mine does. You can consider Chengdu partially your own territory already. Right, I heard you’re bringing that young lady along?”

Xu Tingsheng joked, “Well, if Tan Yao can bring along an old one, why can’t I bring along a young one? Hey, the two of you, one old, one young, should really be communing more on this trip. It’s only you two who have a generation gap with the rest of us in this bunch of people, anyway.”

Having lost much of her former cold, unapproachable air since officially entering a relationship, Ye Qing smiled craftily, “Alright then! I’ll definitely work hard at teaching the young lady how to be jealous, compete for attention and manage her man.”

Xu Tingsheng, “...”

……

They all congregated in Yanzhou whereupon they were driven by Zhicheng’s employees to Xihu City. From there, they took a plane straight to Chengdu.

The guys there were basically all acquainted with each other in the first place. Even if they lacked familiarity for some, they had all still met one another before.

As for the girls, they had a mainstay in the form of that big boss sister Ye Qing, thereby enhancing their cohesiveness. Even Song Ni’s lot quickly entered a joyful conversation alongside the rest of them.

Little Xiang Ning was still a bit nervous at first as she remained by Xu Tingsheng’s side. She was called over by Li Linlin afterwards, though, and soon melded into the group thanks to Ye Qing’s mindful care.

She seemed to possess an innate ability to get people to like her as no deliberate effort had to be put in on her part whatsoever. Halfway into the three-hour-long flight, even Song Ni who had previously held some hostility towards her could not help but start to get closer to her.

The aeroplane landed at Chengdu’s Shuangliu International Airport at 4pm. Employees of Zhicheng’s hotel in Chengdu had long since been waiting outside for them with placards. They sped towards the hotel in three separate cars.

As there was nothing arranged for the first day, they could do whatever they wanted after eating the dinner prepared by the hotel. They could stay at the hotel and rest if they were tired or go out exploring on their own if they so wanted, with people from the hotel accompanying them.

Since there were no time constraints for this particular period, there was really no need for everyone to rush things as haste makes waste. Most of them decided to stay and play card games or just talk. The sole exception was Song Ni who imperatively went off along with her three classmates right away, only returning at almost 10pm that night.

They must have travelled a hellish distance during this time, for the three of them all began sorrowfully bemoaning to the high heavens as soon as they got back.

Some trouble cropped up with the room arrangements on the hotel’s side. It was not that a shortage of rooms was burdening them. Instead, the constitution of their party was just too complex. With a few bosses simultaneously gracing them with their presence, all the hotel employees from bottom to top management were deeply fearful of making any mistakes.

Therefore, they dared not make any such decisions on their own as they went to ask Xu Tingsheng about the room allocation.

After hesitating for a while, Xu Tingsheng told the manager, “Okay, first make arrangements for three big suites, two for the girls and one for the guys. Then, give me five room cards for single rooms with large beds just in case.”

Soon, the manager delivered all the room cards to Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng gave the room card for one of the suites to Song Ni and another to Ye Qing. As the remaining one was for the guys, it naturally stayed with him.

After calling all the guys upstairs, Xu Tingsheng placed the five extra room cards on the cabinet by the door, next saying, “Room allocation is not so easy. After all, everyone didn’t come alone. Whether you’d feel embarrassed or thirsty, it’s not like I can go around asking one by one. So, this is how it’ll be for now. In name, the girls will stay together in two big suites and us this one. Sleeping arrangements are however...now, everyone see this? These are five room cards that grant access to large beds...take one if you want and go yourself...no need to be embarrassed.”

They grinned knowingly at one another.

“Lil’ Bro, you can secretly take one when we’re not looking if you feel shy,” Xu Tingsheng told Zhang Ninglang who was easily the most bashful of them all.

Old Wai just enthusiastically grabbed one and stuffed it into Zhang Ninglang’s bag, exclaiming, “Whatever. You just keep it! Whether you use it or not is up to you.”

“But it would be a waste even if you give it to me,” Zhang Ninglang said.

“Really? Who knows, maybe junior wants it,” Tan Yao said, next grabbing a room card right off the cabinet without the least bit of awkwardness, “I won’t be standing on ceremony then. That one, her level isn’t the same. She’s at the age where she’s like a wolf, akin to a starving tiger...”

He triumphantly stalked out of the door amidst the hoots of his buddies.

Not long afterwards, he returned with his head hung low, “The heck, served to the doorstep, then rejected. My old lady wants to sleep with your young lady...can you take a room card to remove her from the equation?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head. It was destined that he would not get to use one of these cards.

The second to leave with card in hand was Fang Yuqing, and the third was Old Wai...in the end, they were all shot back without exception as they sootily slunk back to the suite.

The spearhead swung towards Xu Tingsheng. “It’s all your fault, Old Xu! The way you arranged things! Girls are easily embarrassed. When they’d fear being laughed at after leaving the group, who would still be thick-skinned enough to come out?”

Xu Tingsheng had actually considered it earlier. Still, he had thought at the time that Ye Qing would not have such reservations. With her taking the lead, the remaining girls would naturally not be so shy. It was just that he had not thought that Ye Qing would really have set her mind on ‘educating’ Little Xiang Ning.

As the sinner supreme, Xu Tingsheng was made to redeem himself by also going to ‘die’ once.

After being mercilessly ‘beaten up’ twice, Xu Tingsheng helplessly went over to the girls’ side with a room card in hand. He knocked on the door.

It was Yuqing who opened the door.

She looked and saw Xu Tingsheng, “Wah, Xu Tingsheng, you, you actually…”

“Which shameless one is it this time?” Fang Chen sped over and took a look before she yelled, “The heck! Xu Tingsheng, you beast!”

“Didn’t you say never just now, Little Xiang Ning?” Ye Qing asked Little Xiang Ning in the room.

“But really, never,” Xiang Ning insisted bashfully in a small voice.

“Well…”

Her face beetroot red, Little Xiang Ning dashed over to the door and exclaimed, “Hey, Xu Tingsheng, why are you here too? They already scolded three of them back just now. I…”

“I was forced to! And so I came over to see if you’re doing okay over here,” Xu Tingsheng complained unhappily.

“I’m really doing great! They’re all very good to me and teaching me…” Little Xiang Ning said.

“Teaching you what?”

“Teaching her how to protect herself, how to deal with a certain shameless beast, of course!” Ye Qing retorted before firmly closing the door, through which she said, “Bye, beast! You can see yourself out!”

The party’s first night in Chengdu marked a time of great calamity for the guys of the group.

Chapter 457: A dam solidified millennia

Chapter 457: A dam solidified millennia

The first three days of their vacation would be spent in Chengdu. The fourteen of them moved as a group on the first day, visiting acclaimed tourist destinations like Chengdu’s Panda Base, Wide and Narrow Alley, Wu Hou Shrine and Jinli Street etcetera. They had two big feasts of local delicacies in the process.

After daringly trying some ultra-spicy local food the next day, the moaning and complaining became incessant.

Little Xiang Ning had it better. Aware that she would be having pimples in a few years, Xu Tingsheng kept a watchful eye on her as he dared not let her eat too much of that.

And so the enthusiasm levels went downhill for the guys from the second day onwards, their party hence starting to disband.

Besides the conscientious Zhang Ninglang who accompanied his girlfriend to shop and even helped her carry her handbag, the rest of them found a teahouse where they sipped tea, played cards and listened to music. So it was said: Stealing a half day’s rest from this empty, hollow life.

It was also from the second night that the five room cards started to be of use.

Xu Tingsheng paid this heed. So long as Old Wai and Tan Yao did not vanish together, this meant that at least one of Li Linlin and Ye Qing was still accompanying Little Xiang Ning. It hence meant that there was no need for him to worry.

On the third day, Xu Tingsheng went out alone with Little Xiang Ning. In truth, he was really somewhat worried that she might be uncomfortable while on this tour. After all, she was the youngest of them all and knew no one there besides Li Linlin.

Fortunately, Little Xiang Ning still had the exact same optimistic, cheerful personality as in his previous life.

On the fourth day, the main character of this tour, Song Ni, proposed that they go to Dujiangyan.

Dujiangyan was itself a historical site while also being a county...for some reason, although they could travel straight to the tourist sites by car, Song Ni insisted that they get off in the city district and tour around for a bit first before going to that world-famous hydraulic engineering site.

They walked and walked, going from a simple town to a place filled with greenery as their faces felt cooler and the air fresher. Directions were actually unnecessary here. One only needed to follow the crowd or simply head where it felt cooler and fresher and they would not go wrong.

‘Water worship, Dujiangyan’ - this was the tenor of water.

The legendary Dujiangyan soon appeared before their eyes.

While approaching, the water was not too loud. After all, much construction had been done over the years. The phrase ‘having seen Gezhouba, spectacular’ was pretty much not much related to this place.

As they finally gathered and followed the crowd up ahead, they were suddenly startled by the sound of water. They had arrived in front of Fulong Temple. Fulong Temple was a temple built in commemoration of Li Bing. Legend had it that Li Bing and his son once subdued a dragon of Minjiang before sealing it in the dragon pond beneath Lidui in their controlling of the waters.

On the left was the mouth of the river where the turbulent waters surged momentously. At the highest point of the temple was constructed a pavilion that had two levels and eight corners. Gazing into the distance, one could see a suspension bridge and a ‘fish’s mouth’, Minjiang rapids and Xiling snowy peaks.

They stopped there for a look around.

Most people were either taking photos, watching the scenery or playing around in high spirits…

Xu Tingsheng’s mind had drifted off somewhat. Having studied history in his previous life, he would naturally be more overcome by emotion than others when at historical sites like these. Considering that Li Bing, that massive undertaking and the intelligence behind it under such conditions-what a dam solidified millennia it was.

Song Ni tugged at his arm.

Xu Tingsheng turned to look at her.

Next was Huang Yaming, then Fu Cheng…

Asked what was up, Song Ni replied, “Shh, look.”

Up top, three people.

An auntie in her fifties, a young woman and a teensy little girl in the woman’s arms.

The three were walking at the very end of a group of people.

The baby girl was crying. The woman hesitated for a bit before passing her to the old woman. Next, she took a supersized thermos flask and left, probably going to look for some hot water.

The old woman held the child in her embrace and stayed there, coaxing her and trying to calm her down...

That woman who had just walked away was called Fang Yunyao.

Xu Tingsheng realised why Song Ni had chosen Chengdu and this location for her trip. When Ms Fang had called her, even the public telephone used had revealed the local district. That time’s call would surely have been from her current general whereabouts and not elsewhere..

Xu Tingsheng realised why Song Ni had dragged her classmates outside and roamed about everywhere right after they had arrived in Chengdu, why they had toured the city district first after arriving in Dujiangyan.

This graduation trip was a continuation of that strange doggedness of hers...even though this was really no different from searching for a needle in a haystack…

“I just thought that since we were going out to play anyway, along the way, maybe, who knows…” Song Ni muttered aloud in a daze.

Right. Fu Cheng had spent over a year painstakingly searching for her but to no avail. This time, though, whether it was out of doggedness or a mere coincidence, right here, right now...having been nowhere to be found for almost two years already, here Fang Yunyao was just like that…

Yet, did it still matter at this point? Or was it simply for Fu Cheng to have another look at her?

“I just can’t believe it. Sorry...I didn’t know that it’d be like this, that she’d already have a child,” Song Ni said mortifiedly.

Fu Cheng said nothing. He had seen her.

White jacket, brown pants, black shoes, hair tied into a ponytail with a band, some stray strands dangling by her forehead and temples. She was walking forward with a very big thermos in hand as she swept her messy hair back behind her ear…

She was dressed very simply. Perhaps women with children just easily overlook themselves, no longer dressing up so intricately.

Ms Fang was still beautiful, but looked much frailer than before.

At 26 years of age, sitting amongst the audience at the freshman welcoming party, no one had been able to tell that she was truthfully no longer a university student. Back then, she had been moved to the point of tears as she had smiled like a young girl, blushing as she asked Fu Cheng who had just confessed to her, “What am I to do now?”

Right now, while her face was calm, the years had left their mark. When looking at her child, she still had a beautiful, warm smile on her face. Yet, she was really much frailer than before, with less than two years having passed.

Fu Cheng was trembling, still not saying a word.

“What should we do?” Huang Yaming asked on his behalf.

At this point, of the three besides Fu Cheng who were in the know, they were virtually all rather dazed and at a loss. Song Ni was feeling guilty, Huang Yaming was asking for thoughts, and Xu Tingsheng’s mind was totally blank.

Go, or stay?

Ask after her, or pretend to have seen nothing?

After all, Fu Cheng had once gone to her home village where he had heard that her family had distributed wedding sweets, that she was already married. Afterwards, she had also personally told him, “I’m married. I’m very happy. Please don’t look for me anymore.”

“Let’s go,” Huang Yaming said.

“Can any one of you tell approximately how old that little girl is?” Having been trembling slightly all this while whilst lost for words, Fu Cheng suddenly spoke.

“Huh?”

“Can any one of you tell approximately how old that little girl is?” Fu Cheng’s gaze did not shift even an inch as he repeated numbly, soullessly, still looking at the baby girl in the old woman’s embrace.

Tell how old the child was? This was really very difficult for a bunch of people in their twenties. Having absolutely no experience in this area, they had naturally not taken notice of this earlier.

This was especially challenging with it being winter and the little girl wrapped up thoroughly too.

“At least a year old,” The girl with the long plait, Ning Xia suddenly said, not knowing exactly what was going on but still sensing the gravity of the situation.

“Are you sure?” Fu Cheng turned to look at her, his gaze completely different from usual.

“Yes, I’m certain. My Mum and Dad secretly got me a little brother the year before last. He’s so much younger than me. Because of that, I was the one taking care of him when I was at home. That’s why I know the approximate age of little children…” Ning Xia explained earnestly.

Fu Cheng looked at Xu Tingsheng, at Huang Yaming, at Song Ni...

“Say, does that little girl look like me?”

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming, Song Ni...they all understood at once...their hairs stood on end…

“Fu Cheng’s kid.”

“Ms Fang gave birth to a daughter for Fu Cheng.”

“How can we tell from looking? Let’s go straight and ask.”

……

“Kaka...lalala...dadada…”

Little Xiang Ning made funny faces for the little girl, trying to get her to laugh.

“Granny, she’s so pretty,” Little Xiang Ning said.

“What’s your name, little precious?” She imitated a toddler’s voice and asked the little girl, her head tilted to one side.

“My name is Niannian,” Old Mrs Fang answered for the little girl.

She would naturally not be guarded against a young girl like Little Xiang Ning. Moreover, Little Xiang Ning was really very lovable and good at cheering up little children too.

“Come on, tell this big sis. Precious is called Niannian, Niannian…”

Encouraged by her grandmother, the little girl chuckled as she repeated indistinctly in a childish yet clear tone, “Niannian...Niannian…”

She was already able to articulate simple sounds. This seemed to prove that Ning Xia was right.

“Granny, Niannian is a pet name, right? What’s her full name then?”

“It’s Fu Qing…”

Niannian(念念)...unable to forget(念念不忘)…

Fu Qing(付晴)…Relationship Forsaken(负情)?

She was surnamed Fu.

Fu Cheng choked on something and fell to his knees, his hold on Xu Tingsheng’s arm so tight he felt it might leave a bruise.

Chapter 458: What no one knew (1)

Chapter 458: What no one knew (1)

The year she graduated from university, Fang Yunyao attended a recruitment event. Back then, she had actually already had an initial contract with a school from her hometown. She had only accompanied her roommates there.

It was at that recruitment event that she had seen a booth and banner for teachers for Jianhai Province’s Libei County. The banner had read: Talents wanted, birthplace unrestricted, family register and housing matters handled...

While Libei was not famous, Jianhai Province was renowned as an economically developed eastern province.

Fang Yunyao had thought that Libei should be quite good too. Upon asking about it, she had found out that her wages for teaching would be more than twice that in her hometown. There would also be various perks, subsidies and such…

She thought about her father’s ailing health, her mother’s toil, her backward hometown...Fang Yunyao signed up for it.

From the time of her graduation to when she turned 26, Fang Yunyao’s life in Libei and Libei Senior High could actually be considered still as the surface of a lake, aside from that bit of unavoidable loneliness as someone abroad and away from home, like that empty dormitory building…

Still, this was actually nothing considering the few hundred yuan she could send back to her family every month and her own gradually increasing savings.

The 26-year-old Fang Yunyao was still like a female university student in front of her students and colleagues. Still, her family was already starting to get frantic. Her female colleagues were also enthusiastically starting to help her search for somebody.

Fang Yunyao was actually not averse to this. If she was introduced to someone and felt that that someone was okay, she would still go to meet him. After all, as a girl, she did have that yearning for romance and marriage within her.

Sadly, her wish went unanswered as such a person never appeared.

It was during that year that she finished teaching her first ever twelfth grade class. A boy called Fu Cheng whom she had taught for three years had confessed to her at their graduation dinner, drunk. Fang Yunyao had not known whether to laugh or cry at that.

Speaking with her good friend from university over the phone that night, she had confided, “Do you still remember the boy of my dreams that I described to you back in university?”

She said, “I met a boy. He has a warm voice and clear eyes. I don’t know much about him. Still, my impression of him over the past three years is that he has a warm, gentle personality with a bit of shyness and a little artistic talent. Right, he plays the guitar very well and is great at singing too. He’s also very good-looking.”

Her friend replied, “Well, why are you still here talking to me then? Go for it!”

Fang Yunyao said, “He just confessed to me two hours ago.”

Her friend said, “...I see, so you’re showing off.”

Fang Yunyao exclaimed, “That’s not it! I already said it’s a boy...he’s my student. He graduates this year, I’m seven years older than him.”

Unbeknownst to her, that actually marked the start of their tale. There was no way for Fang Yunyao to know of the long, difficult road that awaited her, a story as cruel as it was blissful.

Afterwards, he had helped her to stave off an erroneous relationship, a frightening person. He had gotten into a fight for her that day and stood guard outside her door that night. That was the first time they had sat together and talked.

After she had restfully fallen asleep in front of him, he had gone outside again, waiting there till dawn.

He had said: I just hope that you can find a really good guy, Ms Fang...Yet, her parents aside, he was clearly the very first person to have ever cared about and protected her to this extent.

Yet afterwards, when again inebriated.

She said: A pity you’re much too young.

He said: I’ll grow up if you just wait a bit.

Perhaps they should not have had alcohol that day, for it had granted him so much courage. His audacious confession at the football pitch really startled her greatly. Fang Yunyao felt that she had really suffered a great shock, for never before had her heart beaten as intensely as that.

As for that confession out of the blue at his university’s freshman welcoming party, Fang Yunyao actually felt very vexed just thinking about it sometimes. The awkwardness of it! In fact, she could just have not attended. And yet, she had ‘delivered herself to the doorstep’...to be honest? He had entered her mind. At some point in time, she had started involuntarily thinking about him.

He had sung a song called <<Fairy Tale>> that day. Tears streaming down his face, he had asked repeatedly that she believed him, that they would have a happy ending like in those classic fairy tales.

That night, she had decided to believe in a fairy tale, to gamble the end of her youth, her reputation and so much more...waiting for him to grow up. She knew there would never be another person like this in her life.

She secretly arranged to be transferred over to his city.

She knit him a black woolen sweater.

Afterwards, this woolen sweater had been stained in blood. In those nightmarish memories, he had been the only light. He had fallen to his knees on the podium of his former school and told everyone that he had made a mistake, that his mistake was falling in love with a woman, Fang Yunyao, his teacher.

She thought that in that case, she would make that mistake along with him.

The very first thing she had seen upon waking from that boundless darkness was him. At that moment, Fang Yunyao knew that it was impossible for her to fall in love with another person in this life.

While the recovery period had been very difficult, those had been happy times indeed, despite the fact that that silly guy still always called her Ms Fang, not even daring to hold her hand too.

“This fella can clearly be so brave sometimes, but can be so useless too...if you won’t hold my hand, I’ll be old before you know it,” Fang Yunyao got vexed sometimes.

She wanted to forget about all the consequences, fearing nothing. Yet, when she heard that his parents would be coming to visit her at the hospital, Fang Yunyao felt so very nervous. Looking forward to being accepted, she was willing to put in the effort to that effect, even if it meant she would have to suffer some as a result.

……

Mr and Mrs Fu arrived at the sick ward, all smiles, genial and concerned. They set down a fruit basket and asked Fu Cheng to go help them book a hotel. In the meantime, they would chat with Ms Fang.

Seeing how his parents were clearly sending him away, Fu Cheng felt rather nervous and uneasy. Fang Yunyao smiled and blinked, telling him that everything was okay.

Fu Cheng left the ward. Fang Yunyao pushed herself up from her bed with some difficulty.

“Uncle, Auntie, I’ll pour you some water,” She was actually very nervous.

“No need. Also, you’re nearly thirty. It’s a bit too much to call us Uncle and Auntie,” Mrs Fu’s attitude was completely different now that Fu Cheng had left as Fang Yunyao’s heart sunk to abyssal depths.

“I, I’m twenty-seven, East Asian age,” Fang Yunyao explained earnestly like a helpless child.

“Whatever. Anyway, the reason we have come...just take it that we’re begging you to let Fu Cheng off,” Mr Fu said.

“Yeah! You can’t be so selfish, Ms Fang,” Mrs Fu continued, “You’re seven years older than Fu Cheng, you know? Just based on this alone, I would never agree to this. Moreover, you’re also his teacher! How could that do?”

“I…”

“You’re even linked to a homicide.”

“That’s got nothing to do with me, Auntie…”

“Flies attack not the uncracked egg. Outsiders won’t listen to your explanation, just as these scars of yours will never fade no matter what.”

“...”

“The entire Libei is already in an uproar because of you. It’s fine that you’ve wrecked your own reputation, but you have even involved our Fu Cheng. Even our Old Fu has been affected...he’s already Chief of the Trade and Industry Bureau now, but he can’t even properly raise his head outside because of you, you know that? When outsiders see him, all they talk about is things between you and our Fu Cheng behind his back.”

“I...sorry.”

“Let me put it this way. Old Fu’s family, Fu Cheng’s grandfather was the head of Libei County before. His father has also already gone from Vice Bureau Chief to Bureau Chief in the Trade and Industry Bureau. Considering his age and the current relationship between us and the Xu family, it’s not impossible for him to become County Head in the future…”

“What about our Fu Cheng? He has our Fu family, and as you know, his relationship with that child of the Xu family. Basically, he’ll definitely surpass his father and grandfather in the future.”

“If he marries you? A woman seven years older than him, his teacher from senior high, and involved in a homicide...how is he to live his life respectably? What about his future? He even entered a jail cell for you already. It wasn’t easy at all for us to wipe that off record. How else do you want to ruin him?”

“I, I understand.”

“You just can’t be so selfish. If you really like Fu Cheng, let him off. Take it that I’m begging you, okay? How about I get on my knees and beg you?” As Mrs Fu looked like she was really going to do just that, a tearful Fang Yunyao hurriedly stopped her, shaking her head.

“Fu Cheng’s only twenty, actually. Do you think he really likes you? He’s just insensible. It’ll be different in a year or two,” Having previously been silent, Mr Fu suddenly spoke, “Don’t hinder him, and don’t hinder yourself.”

Fang Yunyao fell silent.

“Ms Fang, we’re all acting for Fu Cheng’s sake, right. Have mercy, don’t ruin Fu Cheng, please,” Mrs Fu said.

Mr Fu dialled a number and told Fang Yunyao, “Fu Cheng’s grandpa hasn’t been in very good health these past few years. He was even angered to the point of hospitalisation recently too. Their generation cares much more about status and reputation. Listen to what he has to say…”

Fang Yunyao took the phone and heard an old man’s voice, “Ms Fang, is it? Actually, I concede that you aren’t entirely to blame for this. I also don’t mean to blame you. Our Fu family has also helped in this time’s incident. All this is fine, except for between you and Fu Cheng...anyway, if you enter our Fu family, this old man...cannot die in peace.”

And that was it, a bolt from the blue.

Reality ultimately differed from the stuff of fairy tales. What she had chosen to believe in...was so cruelly shattered…

“Uncle, Auntie, I’ll do as you say,” Fang Yunyao said with tears flowing down her face, “It’s just, it’s just...could you give me and Fu Cheng two months’ time? A month and a half would do too. Please?”

She wanted to love him properly for once, even if this time was short, even if the fairy tale was only enacted once. She had to do this relationship the least bit justice.

Mr and Mrs Fu pondered in silence.

“Please! I’ll definitely do as I said,” Fang Yunyao got on her knees, her wounds aching intensely from the resultant tearing exertion.

Mrs Fu wanted to say something.

Mr Fu stopped her, saying in a gentler tone, “Fine then. I hope you can understand our heartfelt intentions...Fu Cheng is our only child. You should think about your own future too. If there’s anything that you need help with, just give me a call. I promise that I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“Also, our Fu Cheng didn’t grow up by our side since young. We didn’t teach him well, his personality is wanting..so, we hope that he doesn’t learn about what we just said here. You understand, right?”

Fang Yunyao nodded.

“We’ll take our leave then.”

“Uncle, Auntie, if you go out and see Fu Cheng coming back, can you delay and talk to him for a bit first? Just say that we had a nice chat. I...I want to wash my face and compose myself...I’m afraid he might be able to tell, otherwise.”

“...Thank you for being attentive,” Mr Fu sighed, appearing somewhat uneasy and guilty too.

More than twenty minutes later.

Fu Cheng returned to the ward.

Fang Yunyao smiled as she saw him.

“How did the chat go? My Mum and Dad said...it went pretty well,” Fu Cheng asked, sounding a bit nervous whilst also anticipatory.

Fang Yunyao smiled sweetly, nodding rather bashfully as she said, “Yes.”

So did the foolish Fu Cheng believe that all had truly gone that smoothly...

Chapter 459: What no one knew (2)

Chapter 459: What no one knew (2)

The recovery period afterwards was blissful and heartwarming. Fang Yunyao let nothing slip. She made herself look happy, filled with hope and certain of their relationship. She wished to leave Fu Cheng with only the happiest memories of their romance.

The time eventually came for her to be discharged. This also meant that the destined parting was nigh.

Upon leaving the hospital, Fang Yunyao made a trip back to Libei and Libei Senior High along with Fu Cheng. That was the place which had bestowed her what she most cherished, yet had also brought her the most harm.

It was time to say farewell to the fairy tale that had begun there.

Having stared death in the face, in the face of that imminent parting, it seemed that there was really nothing to be afraid of. She decided to be wilful for once, telling everyone that yes, Fang Yunyao had fallen in love with her student, that boy called Fu Cheng...who cared about Mr and Mrs Fu, who cared about whatever gossip flying around.

She had never been this brave before.

That day, Fang Yunyao walked gracefully through the entire Libei Senior High with her arm latched onto that of her student, Fu Cheng. That day, the two of them traversed the campus together hand in hand, also traversing the rumours, traversing the years.

Afterwards, in Yanzhou.

Fu Cheng moved Fang Yunyao’s belongings from the hospital as well as Libei upstairs to that hotel room they had booked. Fang Yunyao poured him a cup of water. Being alone together in this sort of place, looking at the big bed before them, they were both overcome by nervousness.

Fu Cheng downed the water in one gulp before getting up a little awkwardly and saying, “I’ll go book another room.”

Fang Yunyao tidied up the blanket, saying nothing.

Fu Cheng stole a few glances at her face, finally venturing very hesitantly, “Ms Fang.”

“Hmm?”

“Can I, can I sleep on the floor tonight? I won’t do anything, I’m just afraid that you might be afraid alone, and...I want to remain by your side. There’s a rug here, really, a rug.”

Fang Yunyao did not look at him as she focused on tidying up the blanket…

Fu Cheng just looked at the beautiful her from the side, waiting…

She bit her lip before nodding lightly as she said, “Ok.”

That day, they ate dinner together and then watched a movie. Fang Yunyao had her arm linked in Fu Cheng’s as they walked, conversing happily. They were like any other happy couple on the street.

She bought a set of couple pyjamas at the pyjama store.

Fang Yunyao took a bath first.

When Fu Cheng finished bathing and exited the bathroom, there they were, wearing the same style of pyjamas in the room yet both saying nothing. Even the flow of time in the room seemed to have slowed as all that remained was the barely audible sound of breathing.

Fu Cheng opened the wardrobe and found a spare rug which he promptly spread out across the floor.

Fang Yunyao turned off the lights.

The silence of the darkness and the sound of two people breathing persisted for ten minutes, or maybe more.

“Come up here and sleep,” Fang Yunyao said.

Her tone of voice was just like when she would say during lessons: Student Fu, you answer this question. Fu Cheng could not help but laugh.

Ms Fang said, “No laughing.”

Lying on the same bed, covered by the same blanket, Fu Cheng was shivering slightly, nervous.

Fang Yunyao’s tinkling laughter resounded by his ear, as if feeling a sense of accomplishment at his panic. She was indeed feeling much less out of her element than him, even though she too had zero experience in this.

This could be because she had already made up her mind long beforehand to give him the utmost that was within her capabilities, to grant him whatever fleeting happiness she could.

“Fu Cheng…”

“Hmm?”

“I’ll never fall in love with anyone else.”

“Yes, me too.”

“You’re still young. In the future…” Fang Yunyao trailed off.

She was actually thinking: After I’ve left, you’ll meet someone else. You’re still young, you definitely will. You should love her well.

“I won’t. I’ve never liked anyone else at my age, and this won’t change however much time goes by…” Fu Cheng hastily defended himself in great earnestness, till he felt the person beside him suddenly approach.

Fang Yunyao did not continue discussing this topic. She had actually only said those words to tell Fu Cheng that he could have her.

Still, that guy was an idiot.

A kiss was underway amidst the darkness, the two parties both inexperienced.

Fu Cheng’s hands involuntarily sought to investigate places.

He hastily tried to withdraw them…

Fang Yunyao pressed down that slightly trembling hand that was already beneath her clothes, consoling in a low tone, “It’s fine.”

The sound of breathing grew heavier and heavier.

“Fu Cheng…”

“Yes?”

“Do you like it?” She asked despite her shyness.

“Yeah,” Fu Cheng dared not say that it felt great.

“In that case, go on...I’m willing,” She whispered into his ear.

At this moment, Fu Cheng was wholly certain that this woman beside him was his bride-to-be. And so...he did not stop…

“Ms Fang…” Fu Cheng was breathing heavily.

“Hey...you...still with the Ms Fang…” Fang Yunyao was the same, though her voice was also filled with a vexed embarrassment.

“I want to turn on the lights.”

“No.”

“I want to look at you.”

Fang Yunyao hesitated for a moment. She thought: Alright, so you can remember me by it.

“Hold on a second,” Fang Yunyao groped for a pillow and covered her eyes before saying, “Done.”

The lights clicked on. A slight glow permeated her eyelids…

Slowly and cautiously, Fu Cheng lifted the blanket.

“I’ll give you my everything.”

……

Another day passed.

The morning of the third day came…

They were like the happiest, most blessed couple that day, trekking, strolling through a park, going to the seaside…

That night, Fang Yunyao cracked a rare joke, “Where’s your rug? Why aren’t you sleeping on the floor now?”

Looking at her, Fu Cheng smiled.

“What, what’s with that?”

“You’re going to be my wife anyway.”

“...And you still always, always call me Ms Fang.”

“Ms Fang.”

Despite two days having been the original plan, Fang Yunyao had deliberately tried to avoid thinking about it. She had already stayed for an extra day. In truth, how she wished that these days could continue forever. How she wished that she would never have to leave…

In the end, she still made Fu Cheng go back to his university.

Not daring to look at him, she deliberately spoke to him through the bathroom door, “Fu Cheng, you’ve got to properly attend lessons from today onwards. I’ll feel guilty, otherwise. Also, you’ve got to learn how to take care of yourself from today onwards. I’ll worry, otherwise...”

Enveloped in a bubble of bliss, Fu Cheng sensed nothing unusual at all. He knew not that the person speaking to him through that door was leaning back against it with her head upraised, the tears gushing uncontrollably down her face.

“I’ll listen to you then. I’ll go to school and come back in the evening.”

After Fu Cheng had left, Fang Yunyao numbly packed up her belongings in that empty room. That couple pyjamas of his, she brought along with her too.

The train was on the move.

Fang Yunyao sent him a final text:

Goodbye, my little boy. To me, this risk of a lifetime has thus come to an end. The story is already beautiful enough. Promise me not to look for me. Your Ms Fang. Your Fang Yunyao.

And she took out her phone card and flung it out of the window, into the neighbouring winds…

“Thereon severing the past,

To allow a proper tomorrow…”

……

She ultimately never revealed why it was that she had to leave.

That day, a boy who could not understand why he had suddenly been abandoned wept sorrowfully, wondering unceasingly, “Why?”

He could not know of the greater pain that the one who had chosen to leave had suffered.

Chapter 460: What no one knew (3)

Chapter 460: What no one knew (3)

After returning to her hometown, Fang Yunyao cried in her mother’s arms for the next two days.

Afterwards, she brought her parents to Chengdu without telling anyone. A relative of theirs had opened a small store there. Since she had some money saved up, Fang Yunyao thought that it would work out there.

She intended to find a job in Chengdu and henceforth settle down there.

Still, things did not go as smoothly as she had thought. Most public schools in the provincial city had restrictions based on place of origin. Even in those schools in which this was not required, most had actually already reached agreements under the table with teachers originating from their province’s counties.

Having no connections whatsoever in Chengdu, Fang Yunyao gave up on entering a local public school after two failed attempts.

Private schools did not care where one hailed from and generally paid more too. Having both her parents to support, this was an option that she naturally would consider.

With a relatively influential thesis in hand as well as her name on some important university entrance examination supplementary materials, it should not be difficult for Fang Yunyao to enter a private school.

She soon contacted one of Chengdu’s local private schools. The feedback was great as she just needed to sign and she would be good to go.

Even as the principal of that school felt joyous and pleasantly surprised at this first-class teacher who had suddenly cropped up of nowhere, he also felt curious as to why she could be so easily acquired. Didn’t private schools usually offer sky-high prices in trying to poach talents such as this one?

Out of curiosity, he did some research on Fang Yunyao on the internet.

Those rumours...student-teacher relationship, and that incident...he discovered the discussion on all of that on the internet.

“No wonder…”

On the same day that she was rejected by this private school, Fang Yunyao suddenly vomited while having a meal…

She was pregnant with Fu Cheng’s child...

She felt joyful when she found out, but also conflicted.

Far from her hometown, without a stable job, poor and in dire straits...now she was to be a single mother too? Her parents were resolute on this, wanting her to abort the unborn child.

“How will you provide for the child after you’ve given birth?”

“How will you ever get married with a child?”

“He’ll be laughed at for not having a father.”

“...”

Fang Yunyao broke out of her mother’s grasp at the final moment, after her number was called in the hospital. She fled, for the sake of her and his child.

“Mum, Dad, if they abort this child...I won’t be able to continue living,” Fang Yunyao got on her knees and begged her parents.

All parents love their children. Her uneducated mother could only weep, gnash her teeth and curse that she must have owed him something from a previous life. Afterwards, though, she wholeheartedly, diligently concentrated on taking care of her pregnant daughter nevertheless.

Their relative also let Mr Fang who was getting on in years and was limited in his mobility work in his store, thus providing for the family.

Life gradually took shape for them once more.

Often, rubbing her gradually protruding tummy, Fang Yunyao would think of that person, his face filling her mind...how she wished she could tell him: Do you know? We have a baby! Heavens, you haven’t even graduated from university and you’re already a father.

And then she would want to laugh, and she would cry too.

“You shouldn’t cry when you’re pregnant. It’s bad for the child.” Her mother would tell her.

As the schools were afraid of her taking maternity leave after she had been hired, it became even more difficult for her to get a job. This was despite her pleading with them time and time again, saying that she could persist till her delivery date and return to work as soon as possible afterwards.

Unable to get a teaching job in Chengdu, Fang Yunyao could only try the neighbouring counties.

Finally, it was with immense difficulty indeed that she managed to find a job at a private school in Dujiangyan. Even though the school itself and the wages were not that great, Fang Yunyao still returned to the classroom with her protruding tummy.

The school gave her a small dormitory room to stay in. Her mother followed her to Dujianyan, continuing to take care of her. Her father remained in Chengdu.

Having to upkeep herself, her mother and her unborn child with her not-so-high wages, also having to set aside a sum of money for the delivery, Fang Yunyao’s days became extremely tough and strenuous.

Even so, she did not look for Fu Cheng or Xu Tingsheng and co.

“Miss, where’s your husband?” Sometimes, the students would ask Fang Yunyao because of her stomach that was gradually increasing in size.

“He’s in another part of the country,” Fang Yunyao would always say.

“You’re pregnant, and yet he still hasn’t returned to take care of you? Really!” Her students felt greatly indignant.

“He’s really busy,” Fang Yunyao would always say.

“Introduce him to us when he comes back,” Her students said, “We will help you reprimand him.”

Fang Yunyao smiled but did not speak. She thought: Actually, many of you may know him...well, not exactly, maybe, because he also withholds his name and dons a mask. But still, most of you will surely have heard his songs before.

She actually knew how Fu Cheng and Xu Tingsheng were doing. It was readily accessible on the internet how their band was getting more and more famous, how Xu Tingsheng was also very successful in his career.

There was a video of their band performing at some school anniversary performance. When alone in the office, Fang Yunyao would often be unable to resist the urge to watch that. She would look at that half-covered face and listen to him sing <<The Brightest Star In the Night Sky>>. Meanwhile, she would rub her stomach and tell her unborn child who that man was.

The first time she watched it, she heard him say:

“Come back, okay? Let me take care of you.”

“Or, allow me to look for you...when I’ve found you, you’re not allowed to run again.”

Her heart was in anguish that day, its barriers overwhelmed by this sudden assault.

From then onwards, she would have a hand tightly gripping the mouse every time she watched that video in order to make sure that she would be able to turn it off in time.

She dared not hear him say that again, afraid that the sorrow and tears would be detrimental to their child.

She dared not hear him say that again, afraid that just one more time and she would be unable to stop herself from listening to him, from going to look for him.

“It’s not just me now. There’s our baby too!” ...Sometimes, the number was already entered on the keypad on her phone, but that call button was just horizons away.

He was looking for her, she knew that. He even went to her hometown once…

Upon learning of this, her mother asked her what was to be done about that.

Fang Yunyao knew that he would go there again if he was not made to give up. Thus, when her mother proposed distributing wedding candies to their relatives and neighbours in their village, she did not oppose it.

Her mother had done this such that if they had to go back one day or on the off chance that Fang Yunyao’s pregnancy or child was coincidentally spotted by a fellow villager here, they could cover this up and prevent it from being known that this child was born out of wedlock.

This would be laughed at to death in the village. One could be drowned dead by the saliva…

As for Fang Yunyao, she only wanted him to give up so that she would not hinder his future.

The days passed one by one just like that.

Perhaps not having fully recovered from her major injuries or perhaps because life had been so difficult during her pregnancy itself...Little Niannian was born prematurely, mother and daughter only barely managing to survive childbirth.

Fang Yunyao had used up all her savings.

She never dared think back on how she had managed to get through this period of time. When infrequently looking at the mirror, though, she realised how much more haggard she appeared. Time and hardship had left their mark on her face. “...Would you still like me the way I am now?”

Her daughter’s pet name was Niannian...Niannian, as in unable to forget...while a bit thin and weak, she was still growing up healthily and well. She was very smart and pretty. She looked like her. She looked like him too.

However tough life was, Fang Yunyao’s face always regained her happiest, warmest smile whenever she saw this child of theirs…

When the time came to choose an official name for the kid, Fang Yunyao said, “She’ll be Fu Qing.”

Her mother looked at her but said nothing. She just sighed, tears in her eyes as she exited the room.

“Fang Yunyao almost died giving birth, but that husband of hers never even appeared.”

“What husband? That child’s most certainly born out of wedlock…”

More and more rumours started to circulate.

Once in a while, people would probe and ask if she needed help finding a man.

Fang Yunyao rejected them all.

When Little Niannian was a little older, Fang Yunyao would sometimes bring her to the office, turning on that video for her to watch and listen to on the computer… “Will Niannian be good at singing in the future? Look at how great your Dad is…”

“Come on, Niannian, take off Dad’s mask…”

“Do you want to see Dad, Niannian?”

“...”

Afterwards, the number of videos they could watch increased by one.

He could be seen inside Apple’s music video for <<Long Time No See>>, searching all around.

So much time had passed. He was still looking for her…

When Little Niannian was a bit more grown, an unimaginable change happened. She actually always smiled towards those two videos, chuckling as she extended her little hands to touch them.

She decided to bring Little Niannian to the bar, Bright Brilliance, where Fu Cheng sang as a member of Rebirth. Information on this had surfaced on the internet along with pictures and videos thanks to Apple showing up there.

Fang Yunyao did not want Little Niannian to never once see her father, even if...she was only able to stare at him from a faraway corner, unable to stand in front of him. Now, Niannian was still just a baby too.

As the plane ticket was too expensive. Fang Yunyao carried Little Niannian and rode a train for two days and three nights, going from Chengdu to Xihu City. There, she took a bus to Yanzhou where she lodged in a small hotel, waiting for Fu Cheng to perform at the bar.

She was stopped at the door of the bar that day. The security guard denied her access as she was carrying a child.

It was a young lad who had obstructed her. Fang Yunyao pleaded for a long time and finally managed to be let in.

She sat in the darkest corner.

Fu Cheng went on stage, wearing a mask.

He sang two songs that night, <<Fairy Tale>> and <<The Brightest Star In The Night Sky>>.

“Are you listening, Niannian? Look, that’s your Dad…”

“Can you see him? Take a good look and remember, Niannian. We won’t be coming here again. You also can’t blame Dad when you’re older! All this is Mum’s fault...Mum will take good care of you.”

“...”

One of the bar’s security guards appeared in front of her, blocking her line of sight.

“What’s the problem with you? Why did you come in here with a kid?”

Fang Yunyao stared distractedly at him for a moment before she replied, “Sorry. We’ll leave right away.”

“Go on, hurry up!”

At the doorway with her daughter, Fang Yunyao stopped short.

“Take another look, Niannian…”

Actually, she herself desired just as much to take another look.

The security guard asked, “Hey, why did you stop? Go on...if our boss finds out, we’ll be scolded to death.”

“Ah, right.”

Fang Yunyao took one final glance, then raised Niannian’s little hand and waved it towards that person up on stage…

She turned and left.

Niannian in her embrace, Fang Yunyao had only just crossed the road when a Mercedes-Benz pulled up at the bar’s entrance. Now Huang Yaming got off from within...he walked into the bar...

Chapter 461: Face to face

Chapter 461: Face to face

That phone call when rumors of Xu Tingsheng being in a coma had been all over the internet-Fang Yunyao had steeled herself to deal one final, brutal severing blow then.

On hearing Fu Cheng’s voice again after two years, she had said that she was married and living happily, asking him not to disturb her again.

Most men of a certain age would surely have such a tale in their pasts: Wanting to look for someone, yet never able to do so through the passing of decades.

Stories like these actually generally have nothing to do with determination. If you know that she is faring poorly and she still holds a place in your heart, you will definitely go. The only thing to fear is that she may no longer need your good faith, that your concern has already become a disturbance.

When women resolve themselves to be brutal, they are generally much more resolute than men.

That particular call had finally gotten Fu Cheng to give up.

……

Little Niannian began to voice her first words. She could take a few wobbly steps before toppling headfirst into her mother’s embrace now.

Much more laughter and chatter could be heard in that small dormitory room, their impoverished state thereby banished from mind.

During the winter holidays, Fang Yunyao finally had some free time. She suddenly remembered one day that the renowned Dujianyan was right close by, and yet she had actually still yet to bring her mother and Little Niannian there.

That morning, she prettied Little Niannian up and put all the things that her daughter needed, such as diapers, milk powder and towel etcetera, into a backpack along with one full thermos.

“Let’s go, Mum,” Fang Yunyao said.

Mrs Fang still retained that habit from going out in the village as she wore the new clothes that Fang Yunyao had bought her and brushed her hair neatly.

“You’re going out like this?” Seeing her daughter, once a high-grade village beauty, dressed in such an awful, non-feminine manner, Fang Yunyao’s mother scolded exasperatedly.

“Yes,” Fang Yunyao smiled, “It’s enough if Niannian’s pretty. Who will still look at me? I’m already a mother.”

“Niannian’s the prettiest, right?” Fang Yunyao playingly asked her daughter in her arms.

Mrs Fang hesitated for a moment but said nothing. As she saw it, her daughter would surely have to marry again eventually. Though she had never been married before, technically. Could a single mother really provide for herself and her child her entire life?

The few times she had brought it up, however, Fang Yunyao had adamantly refused. Mrs Fang could only temporarily set this aside for now and wait for when Niannian was a little older.

They took a bus to the scenic destination and strolled about aimlessly. When tired, they would find a place to sit down and play with Little Niannian. The hot water spilled once while walking, little of it remaining. When they got to Fulong temple and Niannian began to cry, Fang Yunyao knew that her daughter was hungry.

“Mum, hold onto Niannian and wait here. I’ll find some hot water to make milk for her,” Fang Yunyao passed her daughter to her mother and took the thermos, leaving to find hot water.

Ten plus minutes later, ascending a flight of stairs with filled thermos in hand, the returning Fang Yunyao looked up. She did not find her mother and Little Niannian as she had left them.

Instead, they were being blocked from her view by a crowd of people.

Feeling somewhat nervous, Fang Yunyao hastily walked over. She heard the voice of a girl playing with a child.

This was not such a rare occurrence, to be honest. Niannian was pretty and liked to laugh. She was like a little elf. People often came over to tease and play with her when her mother brought her out.

Still, this was a scenic destination and contained all sorts of people...Fang Yunyao still felt a bit worried.

“Sorry, excuse me,” She said at the edge of the crowd.

……

Mrs Fang had previously met and had some interactions with Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming, Song Ni and Fu Cheng before.

At this moment, she was standing quietly by the side and dabbing at her tears. Song Ni was speaking quietly, consoling her.

Niannian was in Fu Cheng’s arms. His movements weren’t standard at all as he was a bit out of sorts. Still, he was treating her with the utmost care, as if she was the most precious treasure in the world.

Be they scumbags, tycoons, typically cold and indifferent or usually silent, everyone else here were acting a bit like clowns at this moment, pulling various faces, imitating little animals and adopting babyish voices, all so to win the laughter of Little Niannian in Fu Cheng’s embrace.

“Niannian’s really so pretty…” Even Ye Qing who usually resembled a queen was using a very cute, youngish tone as she exclaimed before hurriedly glancing at Tan Yao and turning away.

Those relatively well acquainted with Fu Cheng basically all knew what was going on. As for the remainder, Huang Yaming had already explained things to them too.

This tale could not be any more moving, any more dramatic and gut-wrenching.

There were so many feels, so much passion within.

“I can’t, my heart is melting...a daughter, I’ve decided I want a daughter,” Old Wai turned and said to Li Linlin.

Wiping the tears from the corner of her eye, Li Linlin said, “That’s all you guys know...why don’t you also consider just how pitiful Niannian is...and that Ms Fang too.”

“Yeah, yeah,” The other girls all agreed.

Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng were standing together.

“Freaking great. We look away for one moment and he’s already a father. What are we to do?” Huang Yaming said.

“Be godfathers!” Xu Tingsheng rubbed his eyes and smiled, replying, “We better think of how to abduct Ms Fang back fast. You saw how she looked just now, what she was wearing...these two years have not been easy for her.”

Huang Yaming nodded, “It will have to depend on Fu Cheng himself. I told him just now. He’s got to be a bit more forceful this time. You can’t always go reasoning with women. Sometimes, you really just throw them over your shoulder and go.”

A sobbing Song Ni walked over, “Auntie said that Ms Fang’s currently teaching at a private school. She and Niannian...were at the cliff’s edge at childbirth. She nearly didn’t survive…”

……

“Sorry, excuse me.”

A voice was heard.

Fu Cheng turned.

In his arms, Niannian reached out towards the direction of the voice, “Mum, Mum…”

Everyone else stepped aside, opening up a path.

“Niannian, Mum’s bac…”

Bang…

The thermos flask in Fang Yunyao’s hands fell to the ground.

She froze for a few seconds.

Fang Yunyao unconsciously made to pick up the thermos flask on the ground, but stopped midway through the motion as she turned to flee…

“You’re still running?” Fu Cheng yelled.

“Must I really come tie you up?”

“Niannian’s right here!”

Fang Yunyao stood stock still.

Little Niannian suddenly burst into tears.

“Be good, be good...I wasn’t being fierce to you, I wasn’t...I was wrong, sorry, I was too loud,” Fu Cheng frantically tried to coax Little Niannian, but how would he be able to do so…

Niannian’s cries grew louder and louder as she snivelled, “Mum, Mum…”

“Hey, don’t just stand there? See how our daughter’s crying. Come on and help!” Fu Cheng said to Fang Yunyao who was facing away from him.

A very ordinary sentence that could not be any more common between a husband and wife, yet tears were furiously trickling down his face as he said it.

Wiping her tears, Fang Yunyao turned and walked over.

“Give her.”

Fu Cheng passed Niannian over to Fang Yunyao.

She gently coaxed her, and the crying subsided.

“Hi, Ms Fang,” Song Ni said.

“Hi, Ms Fang,” Huang Yaming said.

“Hi, Ms Fang,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“...” Fang Yunyao tried her best to smile and nodded, asking, “Oh, you came over here to play?”

“I’ve come to take you and Niannian home,” Fu Cheng said, “It’s been two years. I’m sorry, Ms Fang. I’m sorry...”

Chapter 462: Barriers of the heart

Chapter 462: Barriers of the heart

Fu Cheng said, “I’ve come to take you and Niannian home.”

She had heard these words more than once in her dreams before, and looked forward to them. Yet, she would always then have to remind herself that it was impossible. Feeling like it was all somewhat surreal, Fang Yunyao bit her lips as she turned to look at Fu Cheng...

She forcibly resisted the urge to say what she just could not: Okay.

“Let’s go home, okay?” Fu Cheng asked once more.

Fang Yunyao finally closed her eyes, not saying a word as she shook her head slowly but firmly. Then, she buried her face in Little Niannian, still sobbing slightly in her embrace as she mumbled indistinctly, “Mum, Mum…”

No one spoke. They all waited for Fang Yunyao to look up again.

Still carrying Little Niannian with one hand, she wiped her tears and adjusted her hair rather uneasily with the other, forcing a smile.

Then, she said earnestly, “Fu Cheng...I, I was telling the truth. Ms Fang is really married. Sorry, you’re too little. I can’t afford to wait for you. I’m not that silly. So...it was my fault for leaving without a word back then. I’m sorry for that.”

Fu Cheng was taken aback, feeling rather exasperated at Fang Yunyao’s earnest yet childish ways. She was...still lying? Who could that fool?

“No, I really am married,” Seeing how everyone was looking at her, Fang Yunyao insisted rather flusteredly.

Fu Cheng’s heart ached. Even though there were still many things he did not understand, there was clearly so much helplessness hidden in the background of this mediocre performance. She said that she wasn’t that silly. Over the past two years, she had struggled painstakingly, insisting on giving birth to their child despite it being totally irrational to do so. What was this if not silly?

Even without knowing the truth and the greater hurt that lay behind this, Fu Cheng was already dead furious at himself.

Still, now was not the time for self-blame. Just like Huang Yaming said, it was best to be forceful at a time like this.

“In that case, tell me how old Niannian is. Also, what’s her full name?” Fu Cheng demanded.

Fang Yunyao opened her mouth but could say nothing.

“She’s over a year old, yes? Our daughter, Fu Qing,” Fu Cheng said, “Did you get married immediately after leaving back then? And just so coincidentally, the person you married is surnamed Fu too?”

At this point, everyone felt that Fang Yunyao could simply no longer deny it.

Yet, she still nodded, saying, “Right, exactly. It is rather coincidental.”

One had to admit that this childish side of her was also adorable and innocent.

Fu Cheng concluded that Huang Yaming was right and there was simply no reasoning things through here. He walked over to Fang Yunyao and Niannian, leaned down towards the latter and said, “Just look for yourself. Niannian looks like me more than she looks like you.”

Fang Yunyao was audibly crying a little as she shook her head, firmly insisting, “Does not.”

Fu Cheng was crying too as he looked at her, saying with the utmost earnestness, “She does.”

Fang Yunyao persisted, “Does not.”

Fu Cheng persisted too, “Does so.”

Everyone was left speechless as the tearstained couple began to argue...if this could even be considered an argument.

Little Niannian was befuddled as she looked left and right, thinking that they were playing with her.

The spectating gang could no longer stand to watch on. Huang Yaming exchanged glances with Xu Tingsheng and smiled wryly before he stepped forward and said, “I say, Ms Fang, Fu Cheng, can you not be so childish? Come, I’ll be your judge. Let me take a look…”

“She does look like him. No one would believe it if you said this isn’t Fu Cheng’s child,” He said decisively.

Alone and without reinforcement, Fang Yunyao was still about to protest when Song Ni walked closer to them and reached out, requesting, “Let me carry Niannian for a bit, Ms Fang. No one was a match for Fu Cheng just now.”

She received Niannian from Fang Yunyao.

Then, she asked, “Who picked up the thermos? And who knows how to make milk?”

Zhang Ninglang raised the thermos flask. Ning Xia raised her hand.

“Here, Ms Fang, pass your backpack over…” Song Ni got Fang Yunyao’s backpack and called everyone else over, saying, “Come, let’s make milk for Niannian. Niannian’s hungry…”

They all scooted over to a corner where they made milk and played with Niannian, even sang.

Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng were standing face to face.

Xu Tingsheng smiled as he walked over, saying, “There’s a place to sit there. You two should have a good talk.”

Then, he leaned in and whispered into Fu Cheng’s ear, “It’s related to your parents.”

Xu Tingsheng was able to deduce this based on the events in his previous life. He had actually already had his doubts and worries back when Fu Cheng had mentioned his parents going to the hospital to visit Fang Yunyao. What had transpired afterwards had proven this to be true.

He had not told Fu Cheng about this before because he did not wish for him to get estranged from even his parents when Fang Yunyao had already left. That would be very difficult to bear.

Now, though, he had to say it.

Fu Cheng turned and stared incredulously at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng nodded firmly.

This now was the most painful moment for Fu Cheng. Previously, despite the hurt, there was much he did not know and much that could be the case. He had once thought that maybe Ms Fang ultimately still minded the age gap between them, believing that it was unrealistic as she dared not entrust her entire future to him.

It was because of this that when Fang Yunyao had said she was married over the phone...Fu Cheng had believed her…

Now that he knew where the root of the problem lay, things now were evident for all to see. Having been rejected and pressured by his parents, Fang Yunyao had suffered in silence, gifting him his happiest memories before leaving to suffer, toil and give birth to their child…

Looking at Fang Yunyao’s haggard face, Fu Cheng extended his hand but retracted it, saying, “Sorry, dear. I’ve let you and Niannian down. Give me a chance to redeem myself. Give me a chance to properly take care of you two.”

A bashful look appeared on Fang Yunyao’s tearstained face.

“You, you...watch what you say.”

He had called her Fang Yunyao, even jokingly Yaoyao before when they were closer...still, Ms Fang remained his most preferred and habitual form of address for her. This was the first time he was calling her dear. It was not a joke.

“Watch what? This is just how it is. There are many of us, Niannian is still in our hands and you’ve got nowhere to run. You can’t still say that you don’t like me anymore and already married somebody else, right?” Fu Cheng continued, “Let’s get everything settled here.”

Looking at Fu Cheng, Fang Yunyao asked indignantly, “What do you mean there are many of you, Niannian is still in your hands and I’ve got nowhere to run…”

“Actually, we’ve already discussed it earlier. We’ll abduct you back first if that’s what it takes,” Fu Cheng didn’t look at all like he was joking.

“You’d dare?”

“Yes, I’d dare,” Fu Cheng paused momentarily, then asked, “Life must have been really difficult for you and Niannian these past two years, right?”

He finally reached out towards her. Fang Yunyao flinched, but did not evade it in the end. Fu Cheng stroked her face, wiping the tears beneath her eyes with his thumb.

She raised her head and looked at him.

“What is it? What do you want to tell me?” Fu Cheng asked.

He was waiting for her to pour out her grievances.

Fang Yunyao looked at her clothes and adjusted her messy hair as she asked rather panickedly, “I’m, I’m much older than before, aren’t I? All haggard. Have I turned ugly?”

Indeed, women are always inevitably concerned about this aspect, especially in front of the one in their hearts.

“You’re still so beautiful. You and Niannian are both so beautiful,” A smiling Fu Cheng answered.

“Nonsense.”

“Really.”

“Niannian is very beautiful.”

“That’s right. That’s because you are.”

“Didn’t you just say that she resembles you more?”

“She takes after both of us,” Fu Cheng pondered for a moment before he asked, “Is Niannian from unable to forget(念念不忘)?”

Fang Yunyao was overcome by bitterness, her eyes reddening once more as she was finally unable to keep up her facade.

Looking at Fu Cheng, she nodded, “Yeah...I really miss you. Niannian and I often watch your videos. I always tell Niannian that this is Dad. When Niannian was a little bigger, I carried her and took a three day train ride to that bar in Yanzhou to see you. We hid in one corner but still got chased out by someone...they were so fierce...I just wanted to let Niannian look at you…”

Fang Yunyao was crying and venting loudly here in a heartfelt outpouring of emotions.

So such a thing had happened.

Xu Tingsheng looked at Huang Yaming and said, “You’re a goner.”

Subject to a whole ring of furious gazes, Huang Yaming said, “I really deserve to die.”

Imagining that particular scene, they were all involuntarily overcome by emotion.

And much less Fu Cheng.

Two years ago, Fang Yunyao had been incomparably strong, quietly soldering on unwaveringly in the face of the sudden drama that had then consumed her life. At this moment, however, the barriers of her heart collapsed. She finally returned to being that fragile, not so courageous girl she was in truth, leaning against Fu Cheng’s shoulder as she poured out the grievances of her past two years…

“It was so very difficult to find a job when I was bearing Niannian. And then I conducted lessons with a bulging stomach all the way till I was sent to the hospital.”

“Because of me, Niannian was born prematurely. She was so tiny when she was born...Niannian and I, we both nearly died, you know?”

“So many people laugh at me. They also laugh at Niannian for not having a Dad.”

“...”

Fang Yunyao beat her fists down upon Fu Cheng’s chest, sobbing hysterically.

Fu Cheng…

Stabbing, stabbing, stabbing...one by one, blades were piercing into his heart.

Chapter 463: Fang Yunyao's decision

Chapter 463: Fang Yunyao’s decision

Fang Yunyao was sobbing as she poured out her pent up grievances and feelings of the past two years upon the shoulder of that person who was seven years younger than her. She was just like a little girl who had been wronged as she lamented to the one she had once relied on.

The gas delivery man had demanded 3 yuan for carrying the bottle of gas upstairs. Unwilling to pay that money, she had tried to carry it herself, yet had simply been unable to lift it with her strength…

Her injuries throbbed whenever the sky was overcast and it rained. It really hurt and gave her many a sleepless night.

Niannian had fallen sick in the middle of the night a few times, but she had not been able to get a taxi. She had carried Niannian with her mother holding an umbrella, braving the torrential rain.

……

Overcome by emotions, Fang Yunyao laid bare whatever came to mind, be they major or minor. Only those words which Fu Cheng’s parents had said back then, the root of all that had befallen her, she withheld.

Even as could be seen her kind nature, worry and helplessness were also manifested herein. The weighted scale measured thus. On one side was she and her daughter. On the other was Fu Cheng’s parents, and maybe even Fu Cheng’s future as they claimed. Fang Yunyao did not know how she could request this of him.

She did not wish to force Fu Cheng to choose and also had no real confidence of successfully convincing Mr and Mrs Fu.

Meanwhile, the others had already finished feeding Little Niannian the milk and were happily taking turns to carry her, snatching here and there. Huang Yaming and the others believed a happy ending was nigh.

Rubbing away her tears and snot, a red-faced Fang Yunyao pried herself off Fu Cheng and faced the whole gang.

“I…” Being unfamiliar with some of those present, she was inevitably left at a loss for words.

“No need to feel embarrassed, Ms Fang,” The ever-sociable Tan Yao said cheerily with a hand on Ye Qing’s shoulder, “It’s just seven years. I’ve found one who’s ten years older than me...see, isn’t it perfectly good anyway?”

Ironically, as Tan Yao and Ye Qing had never thought about their future together, no obstacles had appeared in their relationship as of now.

Ye Qing shot him a glare before smiling at Fang Yunyao, “Hi, Ms Fang. We can hang out more next time, when you’re in Yanzhou.”

Fang Yunyao nodded awkwardly. Being a woman, she recognised that Ye Qing was completely adorned with branded goods that might amount up to a few hundred thousand...her ex-students, Fu Cheng included, were associating with people of an increasingly higher level.

She did not exactly feel inferior, but she still did hesitate slightly.

It was more awkward for Xu Tingsheng, but he really had no way around it. In the end, he called over Little Xiang Ning who was playing with Little Niannian and said to Fang Yunyao, “Ms Fang...this is Xiang Ning. I suppose you’ve heard of her before?

Fang Yunyao had once heard from Fu Cheng that Xu Tingsheng liked someone named Xiang Ning. Seeing the young girl before her at this moment, she hid her startlement and composed herself, smiling, “Oh, yes.”

Little Xiang Ning greeted sweetly, “Hi, Ms Fang.”

Then, she said, “I really like Niannian, Ms Fang. Can Niannian stay at our house when she’s come to Yanzhou?”

Fang Yunyao had no way of giving a direct response as she diverted the topic.

Xu Tingsheng told Little Xiang Ning to get back to playing before he turned back and asked Fang Yunyao, “Can we talk, Ms Fang?”

Earlier, he had noticed that regarding the most fundamental problem of Fu Cheng’s parents, Fu Cheng had not known how to bring it up while Fang Yunyao had also said nothing about it. This was just not something Fu Cheng could ask and get an answer to, in truth.

Xu Tingsheng had to do it.

Deductions aside, Xu Tingsheng still wished to know about this in greater detail so he could better come up with a solution. If this problem was not resolved, Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng would never be able to live a stable, peaceful life together.

As the two of them walked downslope, it was Fang Yunyao who first spoke, “So, to think that in the end, you and Apple still...at that time, I thought that…”

“We are still good friends,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Right, she’s about to perform in the New Year’s Gala. She’d have come along this time, otherwise.”

“Yep, you’re all becoming more and more remarkable,” Fang Yunyao smiled.

The way she spoke with Xu Tingsheng was actually different from the rest. Whether subconsciously or through real judgment, she knew that Xu Tingsheng was more mature compared to them. It was he who had constantly taken care of the others, and all those major, qualitative changes that had happened to them, including Fu Cheng, were also related to him.

It was also precisely because of this that when Xu Tingsheng finally asked, “Ms Fang, what did Fu Cheng’s Mum and Dad tell you back then? What is it that they’re concerned about? Can you tell me?”, Fang Yunyao eventually told him everything that had been said at the hospital, the call from Fu Cheng’s grandfather included.

“Don’t tell Fu Cheng about this. I don’t want him to be put in a spot. Also, there’s no way of resolving this. If they had left me with but the slightest bit of hope that day, I would have persisted. But there’s really no way. I can’t really be that selfish…” Fang Yunyao said.

“What are you planning to do now then? You definitely won’t be able to get rid of Fu Cheng however much you try,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Also, what about Niannian? Can you really let her be without a father just like this?”

Fang Yunyao did not answer as tears flowed down her face.

“With Niannian, it might be different,” Xu Tingsheng said calmly but earnestly.

Fang Yunyao raised her head and looked at him before nodding, “I, I’ll consider it again then.”

Obtaining the forgiveness or compromise of Fu Cheng’s parents in this way would actually not be a happy thing, because it was more like a form of ‘begging’. Still, a glimmer of hope was evidently visible in Fang Yunyao’s eyes now. While she was clearly the person suffering numerous injustices, she was still willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of Fu Cheng.

……

Fu Cheng was mentally exhausted to the point of breakdown from all he had learnt. He learnt what Ms Fang and Niannian had suffered, that when he had been basking in the limelight up on stage, soaking in the applause, they...had been suffering in a dark corner, having come all the way just for a look at him.

Fu Cheng rested his head on his knee. He had never hated himself with such a vengeance before.

Fang Yunyao was also worn out from crying.

It was the same for her mother.

Little Niannian was tired from playing and was feeling sleepy.

After some consideration, Xu Tingsheng asked for everyone else, Little Xiang Ning included, to continue on the tour while he, Song Ni, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng drove the trio back home.

In the car, Huang Yaming proposed eating lunch together. Ms Fang said no.

Knowing that she needed time, Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng did not force her.

They pulled up at the side gate of the private school. Song Ni and Fu Cheng sent the trio up while Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming stayed in the car. “Think it’ll all be settled?” Huang Yaming asked. “If only it could be that easy,” Xu Tingsheng said.

After a while, Fu Cheng and Song Ni returned.

“How did it go?” Huang Yaming hastily asked.

His face deathly ashen, Fu Cheng replied, “She said, she said that she wants to continue living here. She won’t go back with me...also, I can come to visit she and Niannian when I’m free. She won’t avoid me again.”

What was the meaning of that? Why?

Huang Yaming didn’t get it, Song Ni didn’t get it, but Xu Tingsheng did. This was Fang Yunyao’s compromise. While she could not chase Fu Cheng away again, she was also helpless in the face of his parents. Therefore, she chose to give up a part of it, the marriage and daily life…

She meant to treat Fu Cheng as the husband who would only return home on occasion…

“Have you prepared yourself to face your parents?” Xu Tingsheng asked Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng nodded, “I wanna be with Ms Fang and Niannian, even if it means death.”

“Abduct ‘em,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 464: You can't not leave

Chapter 464: You can’t not leave

Fang Yunyao ultimately still decided that she would give it up. Still, this was more because of her kind nature than anything else.

Huang Yaming and Song Ni went to buy food while Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng remained at the side gate of the school. It was without any reservations whatsoever that Xu Tingsheng revealed to Fu Cheng all that his parents had said and done to Fang Yunyao back then.

Fang Yunyao’s age, her formerly having been Fu Cheng’s teacher, that incident and those rumours…

At the end of the day, Fu Cheng’s parents believed that Fang Yunyao was unworthy of their son, that he and their family would be put to shame if they were married with his future compromised as a result.

Caught between his parents and Fang Yunyao and Niannian, while determined, Fu Cheng was also suffering.

As for his future prospects, he had never had any intention of entering the bureaucracy in the first place. All and any rumours and whatnot meant literally nothing to him too...all this was evident from Xu Tingsheng’s previous life.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Abduct ‘em.”

Fu Cheng asked, “Really?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Yeah. Let’s make preparations.”

……

Little Niannian was asleep. Her fatigued grandmother was also resting.

Fang Yunyao forcibly kept herself upright and made lunch.

The dormitory building was so old it actually did not have a kitchen stove. There was only a board erected along the corridor outside with a stove placed atop it. Beside it was a coal ball stove that helped to save on gas when boiling water or whatnot.

As Niannian was still little, they often had need of hot water for like when she peed the bed or her pants and such.

Fang Yunyao ignited the coal ball stove and placed a kettle of water on top. Next, she turned on the normal stove and began to cook. Not having bought groceries that morning, she grabbed a few eggs and potatoes, intending to cook just two simple dishes.

With her chaotic state of mind, Fang Yunyao zoned out somewhat.

Fang Yunyao had actually acknowledged it when Xu Tingsheng said things might be different with Niannian. It was also not that she had not been moved. Still, she had ultimately chosen to give up. She truly lacked the courage to face all this with Niannian and was also unwilling to see Fu Cheng in a bind.

The decision she had informed Fu Cheng of was one that had the best interests of others rather than herself in mind.

After pouring the potatoes onto a plate, Fang Yunyao tasted one. She had forgotten to add salt.

“Cooking, Ms Fang? Not going back for the New Year?” A rotund man in his forties with permed hair, a suit, leather shoes and a black wallet under his arm walked over.

Fang Yunyao glanced at him and furrowed her brows, greeting, “Hello, Chairman Liu.”

This person was the head of teaching in this school, the brother of the principal.

“Where’s Niannian?” Chairman Liu asked.

“She’s sleeping,” Fang Yunyao answered.

“Oh, it’s rather late, huh. It’s past 1 o'clock,” Chairman Liu looked at his wristwatch, “It so happens I haven’t had lunch too. You won’t mind if I join you for lunch, right, Ms Fang?”

Fang Yunyao hesitated for a moment before replying, “Sorry, Chairman Liu. I haven’t anything prepared for today. I’m just cooking casual. How about next time?”

“How many next times has it been already? Relax, I don’t mind that,” Chairman Liu said as he walked forth.

“Sorry, Chairman Liu, but really, no,” Fang Yunyao removed the boiling pot from the stove and clasped it, blocking his path forward.

Chairman Liu ground his teeth. Some time passed before his expression eased and he forced out a smile.

“Look, Ms Fang, you know what I want...this isn’t my first time raising it. It must’ve been ten times already, right?” Chairman Liu said, “I’m divorced, my child following her mother. Aside from that, I pretty much score well in all other aspects. You aren’t married, and must support your mother and your child. It can’t be easy for you. I think we’re rather well suited for each other. Relax, I don’t care about any gossip outside. I also wouldn’t mind bearing your load…”

“Sorry, Chairman Liu. I’ve also said it a lot of times. I really have no such desires. I’m thankful, but please don’t bother me again,” Fang Yunyao interrupted him.

“Don’t forget who it was who hired you back then,” Chairman Liu grit his teeth and threatened.

Fang Yunyao lowered her head and did not speak.

“If I could hire you in, I can also make you scram at any time!” An infuriated Chairman Liu kicked the bricks that were supporting the wooden board. One of them fell, causing board, stove and all to topple onto the ground.

That plate of potatoes also ended up scattered across the ground.

Fang Yunyao silently bent down to clear up the mess.

“Give it some careful thought. If it’s a no, get lost. Pack up your things and scram,” Chairman Liu threatened menacingly.

“Alright,” Fang Yunyao said.

As if triggered by this firm ‘alright’, Chairman Liu finally stripped away his previous facade, “I’m giving you face but you don’t want it. Do you think you’re a goddess? A goddess, unwanted by anyone, giving birth to a bastard with no father? Damn, what a joke! Who do you think you are?”

“Do you think I don’t know about your reputation? It’s all over the net, all the teachers in the whole school know about it. That bastard in your house came from you and a student, right? And in the end? This old man was pitying you, seeing that you can still do a bit decent...slut…”

Chairman Liu continued to holler.

“Ah.”

Bang!

That massive ninety-kilogram frame received a full-powered kick by Fu Cheng from behind, plunging headfirst into the ground.

Fu Cheng, Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Song Ni had come to deliver food to Ms Fang.

Fu Cheng had heard the last part of Chairman Liu’s words...yes, he had heard it all. He dashed up those stairs, dumped the packet food by the side and lunged forward in a frenzy, bringing his target down with a single kick and throwing himself on him.

Each and every punch was targeted at the face.

Fu Cheng usually had the mildest personality of them all. Yet, he was like a man possessed at this moment as he howled, raining blow after blow on the person beneath him without any care for the consequences…

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming had wanted to help at first but saw that there was no need to now.

Soon, the downed Chairman Liu’s face was all bloodied.

Huang Yaming stood at the back and added in a few kicks for good measure. Xu Tingsheng did nothing and simply watched.

“Fu Cheng!” Ms Fang yelled.

“Fu Cheng, stop! Stop hitting!”

But nothing seemed able to get in to Fu Cheng at all.

He did not know what injustices Fang Yunyao and Niannian had suffered, how hard it had been for them. He could not exact payback for that. Right now, though, right before his very eyes, someone actually dared to speak to Fang Yunyao in such a manner, to threaten her and humiliate she and Niannian like this.

It was on this unlucky bastard that Fu Cheng vented all his hatred, self-blame, guilt and pain.

He was already tired, but still, he punched, and he punched...bashing downwards unceasingly…

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming had no intention of stopping Fu Cheng due to what they had similarly just heard. They felt anguished at what Ms Fang would have suffered over the last two years. Since this person had dared to act like this today, there would definitely be a precedent…

It was no wonder that Song Ni had found a knife when searching for milk powder in Ms Fang’s bag. Under most dire circumstances, she had resorted to extreme measures to protect herself.

Soon, though, there was no way for Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming to not stop Fu Cheng. Fatigued from his exertions, Fu Cheng grabbed a large brick from the floor and raised it high, seeking to smash it downwards…

“Fu Cheng, calm down!”

Xu Tingsheng grabbed him.

Huang Yaming tried unsuccessfully to snatch away the brick in his hand.

“Waa…” A child’s cries resounded.

Both roused by the racket, Mrs Fang came out carrying Little Niannian, asking frantically, “What is it? What’s happened?”

“Fu Cheng, don’t scare Niannian, okay?” Fang Yunyao said, pulling Fu Cheng’s hand.

Fu Cheng finally relaxed his grip.

“Sorry that you had to suffer for so long...I swear, I won’t let you tolerate the least bit of it again, including from my parents…” He seemed to be muttering aloud in a daze.

Huang Yaming transported the brick away. Xu Tingsheng supported Fu Cheng up.

Chairman Liu made use of this opportunity and scrambled for the stairwell.

“The heck, you’re that student who got together with this slut, right? Well, you’ve got guts. You lot stay right where you are if you dare. This old man will show you who’s boss around here...I will make you regret the day…”

Huang Yaming made as if to pursue him.

Chairman Liu gave up his bluster and fled in a panic.

“This might be a good thing. You can’t not leave now, Ms Fang. Ha, Fu Cheng’s beaten up the chairman of your school…” Xu Tingsheng laughed as he saw the mess on the floor and the blood on Fu Cheng’s hands.

“Right, you guys hurry up and leave. I’m afraid…” Fang Yunyao sounded rather nervous.

“It’s fine. Pack up your stuff. We’ll wait for him,” Huang Yaming said in a relaxed tone.

To the current him, this was truly too small a cause for concern. Whether it was from that matter with Ding Sen, managing a bar, the movie industry or interacting with Wu Kun...there was much that he had experienced over the past one over year which had caused him to develop an air of poised self-confidence and invincibility somewhat.

“It’s not that,” Fang Yunyao still felt uneasy as she hastily explained, “I know that you’re all doing very well right now, but you’re not familiar with this area. In running a private school here, these guys have connections with both the legal and the criminal. That Chairman Liu especially, he’s party to that and doesn’t actually teach…”

“Relax, Ms Fang, everything’s fine. Go pack up your things. I’ll make a call and get people over to help with transport. Trust me,” Xu Tingsheng said in a kindly manner, “Song Ni, Fu Cheng, go help.”

He dialled Ye Qing’s number.

Chapter 465: Fang Yunyao's man

Chapter 465: Fang Yunyao’s man

As compared to the brash, domineering attitude that Huang Yaming had gained over the past one plus year, it seemed like Xu Tingsheng’s maturity and composure were better able to set Fang Yunyao’s mind at ease. She went back inside, with Fu Cheng and Song Ni helping with the packing as her mother carried Little Niannian.

Just like Xu Tingsheng had said, she had no choice but to leave now regardless of whatever her final decision was. There was just no staying there any longer.

“Don’t stand here. Go pack the books on the table over there.”

“Oh, right.”

Fu Cheng had stood beside Fang Yunyao for less than a full three seconds when he was dispatched elsewhere to do something else. Song Ni could not help but chuckle at this.

Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming sat at the stairwell and smoked a cigarette.

“Will things get too exaggerated later?” Xu Tingsheng mused aloud, thinking how things always easily blew out of proportion around him.

During his earlier call, the usually cool Ye Qing, Fang Yuqing, Tan Yao-all of them had been so triggered…

They had only just been moved to tears by Fu Cheng’s and Ms Fang’s tale, sympathising with the laudable Fang Yunyao and feeling sorry for the pretty, adorable Little Niannian...

And the next thing they learnt, Ms Fang and Little Niannian were actually being bullied.

Their rage meters were instantly maxed out, the prelude to ultimate moves being unleashed…

Hucheng’s hotel in Chengdu could be considered pretty high end, with their manager being a local and experienced with such dealings. Ye Qing’s family had a branch company in Chengdu. A portion of the Black Horse Club also had companies or offices here…

“All who’re human, mobilise. Those with people in Dujiangyan, rush there first.”

Such was what Ye Qing had instructed even as they rushed back.

Going from Chengdu to Dujiangyan usually took an hour by car. Right now, these people were all going all out, speeding forth as if there was no tomorrow. Whoever they were, an opportunity for them to show their worth in front of their boss had arrived.

No one dared to be remiss. Really, they only wished that they could be the first to arrive.

“The bigger things get the better. The more it’ll mean that Ms Fang has to leave. Also, we should let these people know that Ms Fang isn’t someone they can casually mock, bully or gossip about,” Huang Yaming said, “The gossip is probably underway now.”

The truth was that they would not have been able to leave earlier even if they had wanted to.

Right after escaping downstairs, that Chairman Liu had gotten the school’s three security guards to watch over the gate and prevent Fang Yunyao and co from leaving. If not for Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng both appearing somewhat capable and Fu Cheng having just demonstrated what he was capable of, Chairman Liu would probably have come charging over with the three of them who were a bit on the old side.

As for the reason, his bloodstained face and a bit of cursing were basically enough to inform the security guards of the situation.

This private school had a senior high division and a retaking examination class.

As it was only a few days into the winter holidays, there were still a few hundred students from twelfth grade and the retaking examination class doing revision in the school along with a few dozen teachers. Some of them, having witnessed or been alerted to what had just transpired, snuck a few glances before going from the staff dormitory to the classroom building.

After gossiping in the office, the teachers began crowding along the corridors…

“Chairman Liu? That hooligan deserves it. He’s met a tough one this time. It’s not the first time he’s harassed our school’s female teachers. It’s just that they mostly daren’t openly show their outrage and fight back…”

“I heard that the father of Fang Yunyao’s bas….her daughter Niannian has come, that he was the one who beat him.”

“Is it really as they say, that he’s a student?”

“Well, I’m not so sure, but they did look pretty young. Three guys and one girl came, university students from the looks of it. They’re still here, packing. Ms Fang’s job is definitely done for this time. It’s just a matter of what else may play out here…”

“It definitely won’t go well. What sort of guy is Chairman Liu? He’s actually just a gangster. Those out-of-towners university students, alongside Fang Yunyao, are in for a rough time.”

“Well, maybe not. See how they aren’t panicked at all. Maybe there really is something backing their confidence.”

“Ha! If that person really had such capabilities, would Fang Yunyao still have to suffer so much before? Alone and taking care of her child and her mother, how pitiful is that? Just look at Little Niannian. She’s so pretty and adorable, anyone’s heart would ache just looking at her…”

“Who’s fault is it? It can only be Ms Fang’s own fault for being muddleheaded and not choosing the right person. Otherwise, with her looks, she’d probably have no problem marrying some rich dude. Yet now, she has the baggage of a fatherless child…”

“How silly. I’ve never seen anyone sillier…”

“Things would never be like this otherwise…”

“...”

The teachers continued chattering away.

The students nearby naturally took in some of this. The corridor became filled with people.

“It seems that pretty teacher has aggravated Chairman Liu. It doesn’t look so good…”

“Wa, Niannian’s Dad is here? I wonder if he’s handsome, if he’s wealthy…”

“Wealthy my arse. Didn’t you see how tough their lives usually are?”

“......”

Two cars sped over, halting with a screech at the school gate.

Ye Qing and co were the first to arrive…

Ignoring those onlookers from the classroom building, pushing past the security guards at the gate, the lot of them made their way right to the staff dormitory. Fang Yunyao was almost done packing by now. She did not have many possessions in the first place.

Ye Qing located Xu Tingsheng and asked, “Our people are almost here. Do we wait or go down first?”

Xu Tingsheng took a quick scan of the area and replied, “We should head down first. Everyone should help with the carrying.”

And so, gawked at by two full stories of students and teachers, some carrying things, some empty-handed...a group of ten plus people arrived at the empty space before the classroom building.

Fu Cheng was carrying Little Niannian. Fang Yunyao had wanted to carry something at first. Still, it had been ‘snatched’, leaving her empty-handed. Finally, Song Ni was supporting Mrs Fang…

“Are you leaving, Ms Fang?” Someone yelled from upstairs.

As it was not good to ignore a colleague, despite her somewhat chaotic frame of mind, Fang Yunyao still looked up at them and smiled, nodding.

“Has Niannian’s Dad come?” Came another question from upstairs.

After hesitating for a bit, Fang Yunyao nodded.

“Which one is it?”

“Which one is it?”

Teachers and students alike were all enthusiastically speculating at this moment.

“Is he handsome?” Someone behind jostled forward.

“I can’t see clearly. They’re facing away,” The person in front answered.

No one did yell out this query directly to Fang Yunyao as they were just happily guessing away…

Now, Fu Cheng turned, “Dear, I think Niannian’s wet herself...what to do?”

From his voice, from his expression, this seemed like some monumental occurrence. Niannian had wet herself….

Feeling rather exasperated, Fang Yunyao shot Fu Cheng a look.

Fu Cheng smiled sheepishly, gingerly apologising.

Startled exclamations resounded upstairs.

“So young, and so handsome…”

“Yeah, he is! Much better-looking than the guys in our class.”

“Even better when carrying his child.”

“And cute too.”

“He seems very afraid of pretty teacher.”

If these girls knew that this fella was the legendary lead singer of Rebirth...even without Chairman Liu, Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao would also not be able to leave easily in a while.

“It looks like she really did find a young, good-looking one,” Some female, middle-aged teachers smiled.

Immediately, some unhappy male students as well as those teachers who had not harboured goodwill towards Fang Yunyao in the first place and often gossiped about and slandered her began commenting.

“What use are his looks? They won’t save him from being beaten to death later. Just these ten plus people, some guys and some girls, what the hell can they do?”

“It’s just empty decoration. Being rich is much more practical than being handsome.”

“Right, look at the clothes Fang Yunyao are wearing...the poverty.”

“......”

As if proving their words, three vans now zoomed straight into the campus. The first to get off was Chairman Liu who had tidied up his face somewhat. If not for that, he would have arrived even quicker. Yet, with the guards there to keep an eye on things and prevent his targets from escaping, he could still spare that time.

Thirty odd people got off the vans and stood behind him, all youths or sturdy men with clubs in their hands.

Fang Yunyao was rather nervous.

“It’s okay. Change Niannian’s diapers first,” Fu Cheng said calmly.

“Oh? ...You’ve called girls over too?” Chairman Liu enunciated in a suggestive manner, “Where is that earlier defiance of yours? So you know how the word death is written now? ...You, come over, kneel down before me…”

He pointed his club towards Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng was raising Little Niannian as Fang Yunyao changed her diapers.

“Look, your handsome guy’s about to have a broken head," Someone said upstairs.

“Only good for his looks.”

“Looks like Fang Yunyao did really find an incompetent.”

People started throwing in sarcastic remarks at once.

Fu Cheng was fully focused on learning how to change diapers for his daughter.

Huang Yaming took a step forward, “Are you sure of what you said?”

Fang Yuqing stepped up. He had trained together with Zhong Wusheng for a period of time and made sure to continue training afterwards. If anyone was most capable of fighting here, it was him. The other guys stepped forward as well…

“What, you all don’t want to live anymore?” Chairman Liu raised his club.

Right after he said that, the first car, a 7-seater Mercedes-Benz, zoomed into the school…

The school gate had been opened earlier when Chairman Liu’s vehicles had entered.

Next followed a BMW.

A third car.

A fourth.

……

Soon, there was no longer any space for cars inside the school as a whole line of them was parked outside. Everyone from Zhicheng and the Black Horse Club in the vicinity of Chengdu who could be deployed had been activated. Some wore suits, some were brimming with killing auras and quite a few were bespectacled, desk personnel too…

Still, they did indeed amount to over a hundred people.

The main thing was still those cars…

Chairman Liu knew that he had kicked a hornet’s nest.

Everyone on the corridors was speechless too…

Those who had said strange things earlier dared not utter a sound.

Those who loved to give disparaging remarks about Fang Yunyao were even more at a loss.

Chairman Liu was trembling.

“Bro Liu, they’ve more people. How about you contact your friends in the police?” An underling suggested.

“Fool! Look at these cars. Do you think we can outdo them?” Chairman Liu still had his rational faculties.

“What do we do then?”

Chairman Liu grit his teeth and stepped forward, “Look, Ms Fang, I did help you when you were in dire straits. Even if I’m at fault here, you already beat me earlier...now that you’re leaving, you must have at least a bit of lingering attachment for our school, right? It would be unnecessary to go so far, right? What do you think?”

He knew that Fang Yunyao was softhearted.

Fang Yunyao indeed wavered a little, especially with how she was unused to situations like these.

She looked at Fu Cheng, looking rather lost...

“Leave this sort of stuff to Huang Yaming. He’s better at dealing with it,” Fu Cheng said.

Now, a Rolls Royce drove over.

This car was used by Zhicheng’s hotel to escort VIPs and such. The manager had previously asked Xu Tingsheng and the others if they wished to use it. They had declined, however, finding it too ostentatious and oldish.

This, however, was the perfect occasion to use it.

As the car pulled over horizontally, Fu Cheng opened the door and half-turned, saying to Fang Yunyao, “Get in first, dear.”

Fang Yunyao could do nothing but accept his audacity here. She went inside rather nervously.

Fu Cheng passed Little Niannian to Fang Yunyao before opening the car door on the other side and saying respectfully to her mother, “Auntie...Mum, get in first.”

Mrs Fang could only shoot him an exasperated look before entering the car.

After closing the car door, Fu Cheng walked over and exchanged a few words with Huang Yaming before getting in the car himself.

The Rolls Royce slowly drove out of the school gate.

That day, Fang Yunyao, poor, helpless and frequently subject to mockery and disdainful looks without any resistance on her part, along with her pitiful but adorable daughter Little Niannian…

Were escorted away by a handsome young man, the father of her child, with more than thirty cars and close to two hundred people on an ultra flashy Rolls Royce…

This might be the most surreal day in the history of that school.

The whole two stories of people were all speechless…

Some had just called her silly, muddleheaded…

Some had…

“Both handsome and rich, afraid of his wife and loves his kids…” A girl murmured in wonder.

Chapter 466: Communication failure

Chapter 466: Communication failure

More than thirty vehicles had arrived from Chengdu. There weren’t so many BMWs and the like, actually. Those were utilised by those of the higher echelons, like managers or whatnot. The remaining cars were mostly just ordinary ones. They had come here to fight, after all, with numerical superiority being key. Therefore, there were quite a few vans and such amongst them.

As for that Rolls Royce that Zhicheng’s hotel used for escorting VIPs, that was thanks to Ye Qing who had arranged for it.

In having done so, Fang Yunyao would be able to gloriously depart from a place of unpleasant memories, for one. More importantly, this was really also for the sake of appeasing her mother.

Regarding Fu Cheng’s and Ms Fang’s affair, the two elders of the Fang family should rightfully be furious. After all, it was their own daughter who had painstakingly suffered, and it was their entire family who had been forced to move away from their hometown as a result.

It would actually be understandable even if they gave Fu Cheng two tight slaps on sight.

Yet, due to Fang Yunyao’s firm resolve, her fool’s stubbornness, they could only suppress their fury.

Now that Fu Cheng had managed to reunite with Fang Yunyao, the two of them having become his parents-in-law, it was necessary for him to appease them and alleviate their anger. The best way to do that was actually to let them see how esteemed Fang Yunyao and her mother were in the eyes of he and those around him…

Only then would Fang Yunyao’s parents feel comfortable and be able to set their minds at ease.

The usually low-key Fu Cheng comprehended the good intentions therein. His shameless ‘Mum’ when he opened the door for Mrs Fang and that look she had shot him in response was the very first time she had acknowledged his existence this time around.

That Mrs Fang had gotten on the car was a very good beginning. Whatever the case, that such a scenario could unfold when her daughter had initially already steeled her resolve was surely comforting and heartwarming to her as a mother.

The car slowly drove towards the school gate.

Chairman Liu’s face was turning pale. Fang Yunyao was like a lifesaving straw that he had to desperately clutch at right now, for only then might he be able to bypass this grave tribulation.

When he had pleaded with her earlier, Fang Yunyao had clearly wavered somewhat.

Yet, even without saying anything, she was already leaving just like that?

Leaving behind Huang Yaming who did not look so kindly at all.

“I’m done for...no, I can’t just wait here to die,” And so Chairman Liu did a very awkward thing that would leave everyone holding their heads in incredulity.

With the car still yet to fully leave the premises, he flung his club behind him, took a few steps forward and opened up his arms.

“Students, fellow teachers, listen to me,” Chairman Liu raised his hands high, “Ms Fang is just about to leave our school. At this moment, I believe that everyone feels the same as me. While unwilling to part, we are also happy for Ms Fang and happy for the cute Little Niannian.”

What was he up to?

The students and teachers, Xu Tingsheng’s lot, those people Chairman Liu himself had brought over...everyone was rendered dumbstruck.

“Come, I propose a round of applause to thank Ms Fang for her service to the school this past year and more. At the same time, we send her our well wishes for the future...clap, clap, clap…”

Now this was really very awkward.

But Chairman Liu seemed not to notice it at all as he started clapping enthusiastically. Next, the teachers who were his lackeys and the people he had brought over had no choice but to follow along and clap...and then the students began to do as asked as well…

They were clapping while looking totally stupefied…

How had a good old group fight turned into something like this?

The atmosphere wasn’t right!

Xu Tingsheng and co exchanged blank looks. More lost were the almost two hundred people who had just rushed over. They all stared at Ye Qing, Fang Yuqing, Xu Tingsheng…

Huh? Should we clap too? Didn’t we come here to fight?

In the Rolls Royce that was still moving forward slowly, the driver turned and asked Fu Cheng, “Boss, do you want me to stop the car?”

Fu Cheng turned to look at Fang Yunyao.

Fang Yunyao hastily shook her head. How awkward would it be if she got off the car under these circumstances? While Chairman Liu could stand it, that didn’t mean that others could!

Fu Cheng understood this as he turned back and told the driver, “Drive a bit faster, please.”

The students upstairs exclaimed softly in startlement as they saw the car accelerate away.

Chairman Liu turned and saw this. His heart sank at once.

“As a representative of the school, let me send Ms Fang off…goodbye, Ms Fang, goodbye…”

Chairman Liu galloped towards the gate as he gesticulated.

“What a talent this is,” Fang Yuqing said, “Is he running away?”

“Looks like it,” Xu Tingsheng agreed.

Huang Yaming chased after Chairman Liu and put a hand on his shoulder.

“Let’s send them off together,” He said, “There are so many twelfth graders upstairs, it’s also right for you to come out...it’s not so good for them to see this. So, where shall we go to talk?”

“Sigh…” A deflated Chairman Liu accepted his fate.

“What kind of luck is this… just what in the world?!” Chairman Liu pointed at the rear end of the Rolls Royce in the distance and gestured towards the ring of people and cars nearby, sounding as though he wanted to cry.

“It shouldn’t have been like this. You people...what was that?! Say it earlier!”

Chairman Liu really felt very aggrieved, as if he had been set up. It had clearly been a helpless, easy-to-bully, beautiful female teacher in dire straits. But the twist...it was all too sudden, all too sudden…

……

Ms Fang, Little Niannian and Mrs Fang moved into a high class suite at Zhicheng’s hotel in Chengdu. This suite would hence become the centre around which everyone gravitated.

Song Ni had missed Fang Yunyao from the start. Then there were those like Ye Qing who were trying to get familiar with Ms Fang for fear that she might be uncomfortable in her new environment. Finally, the younger girls had all their attention focused on the adorable Little Niannian.

It could be said that everyone harboured the greatest goodwill towards the mother and daughter based on they themselves as well as their past experiences.

Fu Cheng was often chased out by Ms Fang, though.

Having persisted against smoking these past few days for the sake of carrying Niannian, Fu Cheng got a cigarette from Huang Yaming. Then, he called his parents in front of the two of them after he had finally finished and mustered his nerve.

This was an unavoidable matter that he had to face.

“Dad, is Mum there?” Fu Cheng asked, “Right, good...I want to tell you guys something. I’ve found Ms Fang. Also, you have a granddaughter. She’s named Fu Qing, pet name Niannian…”

Fu Cheng’s parents said something in reply which Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming did not quite manage to catch.

“I must marry Ms Fang. Niannian is my child,” Fu Cheng said.

They seemed to say something along the line of disowning him if he did so.

“No,” Fu Cheng said, “As your child, I must fulfil my filial duties. Even if you say that, I can’t agree with it.”

“...” His parents were both speaking at once.

“Still, I’m definitely marrying her. Right, Niannian is very pretty and adorable. I’ll send some photos to Dad’s QQ later.”

Fu Cheng hung up.

As expected, his attempt to communicate with them had failed.

Chapter 467: Superstar godmother

Chapter 467: Superstar godmother

Fu Cheng was a relatively gentle person who valued relationships greatly. This was true for not just with Fang Yunyao but with his parents too. While he surely resented them for having brought about such a situation, he still did not wish to resort to too extreme a method.

Moreover, marriage was not a minor matter that just concerned their family of three. It was long and complex and was intertwined with many other things.

And so, when Fu Cheng’s parents had ruthlessly spoken of disowning him, he had replied, “No. As your child, I must fulfil my filial duties. Still, I’m definitely marrying her.”

Despite being gentle, he was also the most stubborn. He would always use the gentlest method to stubbornly live by his core principles, and no one would be able to change his mind. This had already been apparent to Xu Tingsheng in his previous life.

While such people were great and all, they would easily be caught between a rock and a hard place. It was thus in both lifetimes for Fu Cheng.

“If there’s really no other choice, I can only offend my Mum and Dad first. I think they will be able to accept it in time,” After hanging up, Fu Cheng said rather helplessly to Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming, “Whatever the case, I definitely cannot let Ms Fang and Niannian suffer anymore.”

Fu Cheng called Song Ni outside via text and entrusted her with the task of taking photos of Niannian. He reminded her to find a suitable excuse so as not to alert Fang Yunyao about it.

Fu Cheng hoped that Fang Yunyao would not have to participate in his efforts this time to get his parents to accept her. It would be best if she were completely in the dark about it.

Xu Tingsheng was with him on this point. Mr and Mrs Fu must have factored greatly in how Fu Cheng had failed to win Ms Fang over in his previous life despite having waited for her all those years.

If she were to have to face things with Fu Cheng again now, things would probably end up even worse. Ms Fang would likely choose to give up from the start rather than persevere.

She would definitely be fearful, at least.

If she were made to face his parents again two years from their initial meeting, to endeavor and even plead...it would be too difficult. The pain and hardship these past two years were still fresh in her mind.

For now, Fu Cheng placed his hopes on Little Niannian, hoping that they would be moved and change their minds upon seeing her pictures. This pretty, adorable and clever little girl who had been suffering outside was their granddaughter at the end of the day.

After all, blood is thicker than water. It would naturally be best if problems caused by familial ties could be resolved through familial ties.

At some point in time, Huang Yaming had already poured out and readied three glasses of red wine.

“Alright, stop looking so gloomy, Fu Cheng. The heck...Ms Fang’s birthed you a daughter. Ms Fang’s birthed you a daughter! Thinking about us back in senior high, and thinking about the present, it’s really too freaking inconceivable,” Huang Yaming exclaimed very emotionally.

“True! Someone you love most. She loves you too, and has done so much for you. And now, she’s right by your side. How hard to come by is that?! How marvellous!” Xu Tingsheng agreed.

Xu Tingsheng had actually been deeply affected by Fu Cheng’s and Ms Fang’s reunion along with the appearance of the angelic Little Niannian. Two romances of two lifetimes, past and present, that were despairingly fated never to come to fruition-this was something that had always been at the back of his mind, that had even caused him a bit of fear.

He had once witnessed the two caught in an endless entanglement that was doomed to failure, having also been overcome by despair himself at one point in this life…

Everything now was already so wonderful compared to that.

Fate had already been subverted in one of these two romances which had now blossomed. As a result, Xu Tingsheng was also feeling much more confident with regard to things between him and Xiang Ning.

“You even have such a cute daughter...huh, just based on this alone, we’ll never ever be able to catch up with you, Tingsheng especially. If he has already decided, he’ll still have to wait a long, long time,” Huang Yaming raised his wineglass, “To sum it up, what more could a man wish for, what more could a man wish for...come, let’s have a toast first.”

As he was smiling, Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng were unable to tell if he had suddenly thought of Chen Jingqi and the child she had aborted.

Still, Xu Tingsheng actually did not believe him when he said ‘what more could a man wish for’. People seek different things in life. A simple, mundane life with a virtuous wife and a filial child definitely wasn’t what Huang Yaming truly desired most.

He had also said, “Tingsheng especially. If he has already decided, he’ll still have to wait a long, long time…”

Xu Tingsheng had received a critical hit at a vital spot.

He had lived for two lifetimes, yet be it failure or success, ordinary or unordinary, he had never actually been a father before...he so looked forward to it, but would that day ever come? As a result, whenever Xu Tingsheng looked at Little Niannian these past few days, he was always filled with much envy and desire…

A glass of wine, a moment’s reverie. Xu Tingsheng’s mind flashed back to the streets of Milan, to a picture a certain someone had once painted for him. “If I had not been so selfish back then, things might have turned out differently from how they did…”

There was indeed much to feel wonder at as after downing glass after glass of red wine, the trio finally ended up lying drunkenly together on a bed.

“Do you still remember the first time Ms Fang came to class?” Huang Yaming suddenly asked.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it but was unable to remember despite having been wowed too then.

“White T-shirt, green stripes across the top left, pale white jeans, white sports shoes and a ponytail...she was just like a young student that day.”

Fu Cheng had the lowest alcohol capacity and was most inebriated...but could still recall it perfectly.

“Did you ever remind her of how she caught the three of us smoking on the rooftop in eleventh grade? Xu Tingsheng and I begged for so long but she still reported it to Old Zhou. Thankfully, Old Zhou has brotherhood and let us off…”

“Never would she have thought that she’d also caught her own husband then, huh?” Huang Yaming recounted.

The three sat up and laughed loudly, finding this very amusing indeed.

“I didn’t dare ask. I’ll do it next time,” Fu Cheng replied.

“While you’re at that, you can also ask her if she remembers how you looked like when you couldn’t answer her questions in her lessons! And do you still remember how we squeezed together into a table with her at the cafeteria…

As they talked, and they talked, there were only the happiest memories.

……

At the same time.

Having already ascertained that she would be singing <<Legend>> at the upcoming New Years’ Gala, in the midst of frantically rehearsing, Apple updated a new Weibo post.

“A few minutes before going to rehearsal, I just heard the most wonderful news. What to do, what to do? I’m so excited, so moved...what to do, I just wish I could fly over right away…”

Out of nowhere came these words, followed by a slew of emoticons and a flying kiss.

Song Ni had finally managed to get through to her on her phone earlier, telling her the news:

“We found Ms Fang in Dujiangyan...right. Overjoyed, huh? Nah, stop yelling, you can do that later. There’s more! How about you take a guess...forget it, I’ll just tell you, you surely wouldn’t guess it...it’s Ms Fang’s and Fu Cheng’s daughter, she’s called Little Niannian...yeah, she’s over a year old already, she’s just beside me right now...let me tell you, Niannian’s super pretty…”

Apple was over the moon, moved to the point of frenzy, both crying and laughing.

Her bewildered fans pressed in the comments:

“What’s gotten you so worked up, Apple? To the extent of the most wonderful news?

“Is Apple in love? Noooo, I hope not! My heart will break.”

“Whatever it is, if Apple’s happy I’m happy.”

“...”

Apple sent a reply: “I’m going to be a mother.”

The entire Weibo...blew up.

Fortunately, before the media blew up as well, she quickly elaborated, “Heh, a godmother, I mean. I’m off to rehearsals! It’s just that I’m so happy, so moved and it just won’t go away…”

Apple was fast...in the meantime, the godfathers hadn’t even officially made a move yet.

Therefore, Little Niannian’s first godmother...was the music industry’s newest superstar.

Chapter 468: Xiang Ning feels troubled

Chapter 468: Xiang Ning feels troubled

It was already almost 10am when the trio woke up the next morning.

Those who needed to accompany their girlfriends like Zhang Ninglang, Old Wai and Tan Yao and those who had their own amusement outside like gambling or whatnot had already gone out.

There was a text from Song Ni on Fu Cheng’s phone:

We girls have all gone shopping for clothes for Niannian. The camera and the data cable are both in the drawer of the suite. As for the room card, you guys think of something yourselves. Ms Fang actually hasn’t made her decision yet. I feel like she’s been deliberately avoiding thinking about this problem. Maybe you should bring her back to Yanzhou when she’s still confused and uncertain. Mrs Fang has gone back to accompany Mr Fang. Perhaps Ms Fang said something to her, because she was looking pretty relaxed these past few days. The two elders may be thinking of taking a trip back to their hometown first.

The three hastily got up and showered. Xu Tingsheng got the spare room card for Ms Fang’s suite from the Housekeeping department and opened the door. Fu Cheng quickly found the camera, in which were over a dozen photographs of Little Niannian.

The photographs were very well taken. There was Niannian’s adorable smiling face, of her looking up and into the camera with her big eyes, and of her wobblingly attempting to walk.

Fu Cheng turned on QQ using the computer in the room. Amongst the older demographic, Weibo and Weixin of Xu Tingsheng’s Xingchen Technologies were still far from QQ’s match.

Fu Cheng’s parents had their icons dimmed, indicating that they were offline. Rather than going through a selection, Fu Cheng sent all of Niannian’s photos to his father in one go before typing:

“Mum, Dad, this is your granddaughter. Full name Fu Qing, pet name Niannian. These past two years have really been tough on them.”

The they here naturally referred to Ms Fang and Niannian. Fu Cheng did not elaborate, leaving it to their own imagination as they looked at Niannian’s little frame and big eyes.

If that connection of blood that was thicker than water truly existed, there was probably no one grandparent alive in this world who would not like her, feel sorry for her as their heart softened…

“My heart aches just looking,” Huang Yaming sighed, “I don’t believe that your parents’ hearts are really made out of stone!”

Xu Tingsheng nodded in agreement.

“Let’s hope so,” Fu Cheng said rather helplessly, “If they won’t let up, there will definitely be a lot of trouble in the future. Ms Fang will probably also be unable to set down her determination. She could refuse to go back with me then.”

By going back, he naturally did not mean for Fang Yunyao and Niannian to return to Libei where his parents were. She would definitely be unwilling to go back there, after all, and Fu Cheng himself would also be residing in Yanzhou, the same being true for Xu Tingsheng and co.

It was just that even if they resided in Yanzhou together, things would hold a totally different significance altogether, especially for Ms Fang’s psychology, depending on whether Fu Cheng’s parents approved.

…...

Meanwhile, in the streets of Chengdu, a bunch of women was also chattering about this matter.

“Ms Fang, are you still going to do something related to education after going to Yanhzou?” Ye Qing asked.

Her relationship with Fang Yunyao had improved quite a bit over the past few days. This could be partially attributed to their ages being closer, which made it easier for them to communicate.

“Oh, I still haven’t decided yet,” Fang Yunyao answered.

Actually, Fang Yunyao might really mean that she had not yet decided if she would return with Fu Cheng. Still, Ye Qing and the others were unable to sense this underlying layer of meaning.

“You don’t have to worry about that. If you want to continue a career in education, just go to Xu Tingsheng’s Hucheng, or the training institute. If you want to try something new, you could give internet education a try...he definitely wouldn’t dare to not treat you well, at least,” Ye Qing said, “And if you want to switch your career path entirely, Zhicheng does real estate as well as a hotel business. I have a shipping business along with some other miscellaneous things. Sis Chu has a trading company...anyway, there are a lot of choices. No rush. You can try them one by one…”

“Well, I…” Fang Yunyao did not know how to respond to that.

“It’s just the bar that’s not okay, right?” Fang Chen gesticulated, “Remember what we discussed last night? The first thing we’re going to do when we get back is tear down Huang Yaming’s bar together...that dastardly bar actually dared to chase Ms Fang and Niannian away? They’re just asking for it!”

All of them had been present when Ms Fang had poured out her grievances to Fu Cheng at Dujiangyan. On hearing of what Ms Fang and Niannian had experienced at Bright Brilliance, their hearts had all been filled with righteous indignation.

There is really nothing as scary as offending a woman, more so a group of them. While Bright Brilliance was clearly derived from a combination of Huang Yaming’s and Tan Yao’s names, with the latter having a stake in it too, Ye Qing was also an eager participant in this scheme.

“Right, we won’t be satisfied until we wreck the place good. Whenever I imagine how Ms Fang took a train with Niannian in her arms for two days and three nights to see Fu Cheng, but was actually chased out of the bar less than ten minutes after sitting down...I really feel like ripping Huang Yaming and Tan Yao to shreds,” Ye Qing said.

“We can’t let Fu Cheng off too. He’s still the root cause at the end of the day,” Someone said.

“That’s right! So he was actually part of Rebirth! In that case, since he was singing up on stage at that time, shouldn’t he have glanced over and taken a few good looks? Shouldn’t he be able to sense her presence somehow?” Someone replied.

Carrying two bags of branded clothing, Little Xiang Ning patted her chest as she thought: Luckily, this has got nothing to do with Xu Tingsheng.

Just like Little Xiang Ning, virtually all of them were carrying shopping bags of varying sizes, with less than two hours having passed too...such was the scariness of girls when their innate natures cease to be suppressed.

After coming to Chengdu, Xu Tingsheng had handed Little Xiang Ning a card for use when she was out alone with the others.

Little Xiang Ning was a bit of a money grubber as she loved to lean against Xu Tingsheng after spending some, snapping her fingers as she said dramatically, “Wah, my heart aches a little.” That day, however, Little Xiang Ning would rush to proffer the card first for everything they bought for Little Niannian and Ms Fang.

The current Little Niannian had a completely different look from head to foot. Also, everyone was holding bags that contained Little Niannian’s clothes, hats, gloves, even shoes and socks…

As for Ms Fang, after multiple refusals, she too had finally bought some new clothes and a few pairs of shoes. Women love to look beautiful by nature. It was just that the difficulties of the past two years had resulted in her forgetting about herself as she had virtually never bought herself any decent clothes at all during that time.

In Fu Cheng’s last two years at Libei, Fang Yunyao had actually loved plain-coloured skirts.

Once in a while, even as she walked to the front of the room, she would naturally sweep back and insert a hairpin into her long hair before smiling as she said, “Alright, let’s begin the lesson.”

The hearts of all the male students would be made to sway…

She had already changed into a white-coloured long trench coat that day, her beauty leaving all the younger girls in awe.

Little Xiang Ning had seen so many girls trying on and changing clothes that day. She had taken more notice of Ms Fang, and had been left feeling very conflicted as a nagging question popped up that she could not quite bring herself to ask…

“If they’re too small, won’t that mean that there’s no way to feed the baby...Ms Fang’s aren’t small, but even so, Niannian still needs milk powder. Sigh, how troubling, how depressing.”

Chapter 469: As you guys wish

Chapter 469: As you guys wish

“All this walking is wearing me out. Where are we going next?” Someone asked.

“We’ll get our hair done first and then do some skincare...afterwards, a good meal,” As their mainstay and the one who made decisions, it was not in Ye Qing to give a simple ‘whatever’.

Ye Qing seemed to have changed a lot over this period of time. Nowadays, whenever she was not at her company, her image was totally different from that of the domineering, lofty boss lady.

While such might be due to romance and Tan Yao somewhat, as she had privately confessed to him, it was more because she felt that interacting with this group of people was relaxing rather than tiring and left her feeling young.

She had decided on this mainly for Fang Yunyao. It was really too long since she had last properly attended to her personal grooming. The other girls teased that Fu Cheng would probably faint in amazement on seeing Fang Yunyao later.

Fang Yunyao was left feeling rather bashful. Still, she did not argue against it. She too harboured expectations towards how Fu Cheng would react, in truth.

As a woman, Fang Yunyao naturally cared a lot about her own appearance too, especially after they had reunited. Despite having given birth, Fang Yunyao’s figure had not been warped as it had even improved somewhat. Still, the condition of her skin and her mental state had indeed deteriorated.

That day, despite things being as they were, she had still asked Fu Cheng very concernedly, ““I’m, I’m much older than before, aren’t I? All haggard. Have I turned ugly?”

Fallacious though it was, she had even come to regret not listening to her mother and dressing up nicely that day. “I went out dressed like some tomboy. Who knew that I...would meet you...”

Fang Yunyao agreed, and everyone else agreed as well aside from Little Xiang Ning who asked, “Big Sis Qing, must I do skincare too?”

Ye Qing reached out and pinched her cheek, smiling, “You don’t have to. Your skin is still so young I can squeeze out the water from it...huh, Xu Tingsheng, that beast.”

And so, while everyone else was doing skincare, Little Xiang Ning was left in charge of looking after Little Niannian whom she finally had all to herself. Over the past few days, she had actually noticed Xu Tingsheng’s extremely envious, yearning look every time he carried Little Niannian…

“Uncle looks like he really wants a child, but I’ll still need many more years...what can I do?”

Meanwhile, the women were talking about Little Niannian, such as where she would stay after going to Yanzhou and which kindergarten she would attend afterwards. Those they compared one by one.

Next, they discussed the skills or languages Niannian should acquire and where she should attend primary school. Yanzhou, Xihu or Shenghai? Ye Qing felt that the primary schools in Yanzhou were not so good, whereas there were a couple of international schools in Shenghai that were pretty good.

Above all, Xiang Ning wanted Niannian to stay with her at first before moving to Ning Garden as a neighbour.

Finally, a major ‘dispute’ broke out over the topic of Niannian studying overseas. This included how old she should be at that time and what country she should go to, like England, France, America…

Then there were also what she would major in and what company she would work at after graduation...even as Little Niannian was toddling under Xiang Ning’s supervision, they were already thinking so far ahead.

Fang Yunyao lay there quietly, listening as everyone bickered happily. On her face appeared a smile that was filled with anticipation for the future. As a mother, while she did not really desire such a high-class life, when she heard them describe and thought about how things would be for Niannian in the future, considering the inevitably woefully limited extent of her own abilities…

Fang Yunyao began to waver, began to rather look forward to it.

“Shall I go to Yanzhou? Right, for Niannian’s sake, be brave, Fang Yunyao! Even if you have to tolerate a bit,” She silently told herself.

She could be sure of Fu Cheng’s feelings towards her and Niannian. That combined with Xu Tingsheng, Apple and co as well as all these new friends she had made also granted her a warm, safe harbour which provided respite from the hardship and loneliness of the past two years.

That aside, though, she truly wished to be by Fu Cheng’s side, never again to be separated.

She wanted to go to Yanzhou.

It would be alright even if she did not rely so much on Xu Tingsheng and the others. Fu Cheng had tried to give her a card the previous day, saying that it contained two million plus yuan. It was saved up from the ringtone business with Xu Tingsheng and singing at Bright Brilliance.

Fang Yunyao had not accepted the card from Fu Cheng at the time as she had sternly shooed him out. Still, if she truly thought about their future, that should be enough to get them a house and a life, supporting Niannian through her studies...

“Fu Cheng can continue doing what he likes. I can go to work at Xu Tingsheng’s school or do something else...it’s more important that the whole family is together, even if our conditions are a little lacking as compared to others...”

Somewhere along the line, Fang Yunyao had already begun conceptualising their uneventful but happy and peaceful life together.

“Alright, stop bickering already! Ms Fang hasn’t even said anything, but we’ve already mapped out Niannian’s future path for her! How does that work?” Ye Qing said, “What do you think, Ms Fang?”

“I, I don’t know,” Fang Yunyao said, feeling rather awkward, “I feel that education aside, there may not be a need for Niannian to have it too extravagant. There’s no need to pick up too many skills. Niannian’s health isn’t so good; I don’t want her to be tired out. If it’s languages, I guess English would be better. French is very hard. I’m just afraid that she might have inherited Fu Cheng’s language learning genes. I don’t think he ever passed English back in senior high…”

Such was equivalent to her having indirectly given her consent. Meanwhile, amidst her shyness, she grew increasingly earnest in her musings.

Everyone could not help but hold back their smiles as they listened to her.

Ye Qing and Fang Yunyao were allocated the same room for body maintenance. Ye Qing could not help but gasp as she saw the dozen odd scars on Fang Yunyao’s body that were horrifying indeed…

“You’ve really suffered a lot,” Ye Qing said, her eyes rather reddened, “You should recuperate well after going to Yanzhou. As for those scars, how about getting them dealt with in America? Get Xu Tingsheng to help you with the arrangements. He went to a private clinic there before…”

Fang Yunyao nodded. She truly wanted to be rid of those scars. They were psychological as much as they were physical.

“We’re sisters from now on. I’ll stand up for you if there’s anything. Fu Cheng, Xu Tingsheng, they all don’t dare to provoke me,” Ye Qing joked.

Fang Yunyao smiled a little.

“By the way, does giving birth hurt?” Ye Qing tentatively asked Fang Yunyao in a low tone.

“You want to have a baby?” Fang Yunyao questioned.

Ye Qing hesitated for a moment before nodding rather awkwardly, “I never thought about it before, but after seeing Niannian this time, I’m a little tempted...still, it’s just a thought. To me, too many things are involved in this...I’m not as brave as you, able to disregard everything else like that...”

Ye Qing spoke a bit obscurely as Fang Yunyao could not grasp the full meaning of her words.

In reality, if Ye Qing chose to get married and have a child, it would basically mean that she would have given up on the succession of the Ye family’s assets. This had previously been everything she had aspired and been striving towards.

To make such a choice would be very difficult indeed.

……

Song Ni knocked on the door from outside.

“What is it?” Fang Yunyao asked.

“It’s Apple! She says that she wants to video call Niannian when she’s free during lunch...she’s almost tearing her hair out thinking about it already...so?” Song Ni asked, “How about you chat with her for a while?”

Fang Yunyao received the phone and chatted with Apple for a while. She could tell that this self-anointed godmother was truly raring to see Niannian.

“What do you think?” Fang Yunyao asked Ye Qing.

“How about we go back and rest for a bit? Have lunch at the hotel and let Niannian take an afternoon nap. We can continue in the afternoon,” Ye Qing said.

Fang Yunyao nodded.

“Alright then,” She said, “In that case, you eat first, Apple. After that, wait a while on Weixin! We’re going to go back to the hotel right away.”

Ye Qing called the hotel and got them to send some cars over. They hastily returned to the hotel.

“You guys...why did you come back?” Chatting casually in the room as they awaited Mr and Mrs Fu’s reply, Fu Cheng’s trio was interrupted as the door suddenly opened and a bunch of women entered.

Then, Fu Cheng stared dazedly as he looked at the post-makeover Fang Yunyao.

“And we haven’t even asked how you lot came in...anyway, move aside!” Ye Qing said.

Fu Cheng only barely managed to secretly stuff the camera back in the drawer before he was shooed away from beside the computer.

“I…” Fang Yunyao looked rather helplessly at Fu Cheng, saying softly, “Stop looking! There’re so many people here...there’ll be all the time you want  for you to look in the future…”

Her feelings had changed greatly over the course of that morning as she was virtually decided on going to Yanzhou with Fu Cheng together with Niannian.

Sensing what this meant, Fu Cheng nodded excitedly, smiling foolishly.

A rather bashful Fang Yunyao smiled too and explained, “Apple wants to see Niannian. She’s having rehearsals for the New Years’ Gala, but she’s really looking forward to this. So we came back first, to have a video call with her.”

Fu Cheng nodded, “Oh.”

Fang Yunyao logged onto Weixin and added Apple.

As the call connected, the popular new superstar yelped in excitement with a packet of food in her hands. Everyone present who recognised Apple, Little Xiang Ning included, said hi to her through the screen. Apple too waved enthusiastically even as she was also holding a pair of chopsticks.

After exchanging a few words with Fang Yunyao, Apple finally got to set eyes on Little Niannian as she was carried over and placed on Fang Yunyao’s knee, coming to face the screen camera.

Little Niannian felt very curious as she reached out from her mother’s knee to grab the camera while looking on in bemusement at that ‘strange fella’ on the screen who whooped and yelped, laughed and cried...

As Niannian bestowed her with a smile, Apple was over the moon.

“Niannian, Niannian...call godmum, call godmum…” Apple shamelessly egged her on through the screen.

Niannian turned to look at her mother. On seeing her smile and nod, she turned back, reciting unconsciously, “Mummy, mummy…”

“She called me? Niannian did! Ah...Niannian likes me!”

While Niannian had clearly just said Mummy, Apple leapt up, packet of food in hand and all.

“Be good, Niannian. Godmother will definitely come to see you very soon…”

“......”

Over on this end, everyone did not know what to think as they saw this. Over on the other end, Li Juan and the various other personnel present could not help but smile wryly too, shaking their heads in the background...

“Beep...beep…”

It was the QQ message notification.

The chat window that Fu Cheng had not been in time to close turned a deep blue and flickered.

Fang Yunyao instinctively clicked on it. The chat window popped up…

It was already too late to prevent it.

Mr and Mrs Fu had somehow chosen the worst of times to respond.

As Mr Fu’s font was pretty big, everyone at the back was able to distinguish it too, much less Fang Yunyao who was viewing it directly. She dragged about that bar at the side and saw Niannian’s photos and what Fu Cheng had said...and then there was Mr Fu’s response…

There was a lot that Mr Fu had said, but the crux of it was in the last few sentences.

“We can accept the child. Bring her back. We’ll say the two of us adopted her. Since she’s our granddaughter, we’ll definitely take good care of her.”

“But as for that woman, it’s really no good.”

Another new message popped up, “Fu Cheng, it’s Mum. Listen to me when I say it’s really for your own good that I can’t agree to it. You’re still young. Really, don’t be silly. As for Niannian, Mum likes her a lot too. Bring her back, won’t you…”

Everyone fell silent.

The oblivious Apple was still asking, “What is it? What is it?”

The uncomprehending Little Niannian turned to look at her mother, reaching out to shake her arm.

Fang Yunyao seemed to have lost her soul all of a sudden as she froze like a statue. Then, she shot to her feet, carrying Niannian and hugging her tight. Leaving her seat, Ms Fang tightly embraced Niannian with one hand while frantically packing up her things with the other…

“It’s not like that, Ms Fang! Let me explain…” A nervous Fu Cheng moved to intercept her.

“It’s just what Fu Cheng’s parents think, Ms Fang…”

“Right, you should trust Fu Cheng.”

“Calm down, Ms Fang…”

Everyone exclaimed in succession.

They now took a few steps forward.

Seemingly feeling threatened, Fang Yunyao shrunk back and retreated to the corner of the room with her child in her arms. She now broke down...she had run away and avoided things for two years. It was only that morning that she had finally slowly mustered up her courage. And it all collapsed at this one instant…

Her hurt from facing Mr and Mrs Fu alone two years ago was still there. And now...even her mother had just left her side as she was all alone…

Tears trickled down her face.

Ms Fang embraced Niannian tightly, shrinking back helplessly in the corner of the room.

“Please don’t snatch Niannian away, okay?”

“I can’t do without Niannian…”

“I don’t want anything anymore.”

“You can go too,” She told Fu Cheng.

“Please don’t snatch Niannian away, okay? I beg of you…”

“Wa”’ Niannian burst into tears.

The piteous cries of mother and daughter shattered everyone’s hearts.

……

Fu Cheng’s heart ached as he stared blankly at it all.

Behind him, the QQ message notification beeps were still sounding. Mr and Mrs Fu were still typing in the chat window.

Fu Cheng looked at Fang Yunyao and Niannian. He looked at Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming. He looked at every face, and then he turned back, looking at Fang Yunyao and Niannian again. He raised his hand and gave himself a resounding slap on the face…

Then, he whipped out his phone.

The call quickly connected.

“As you guys wish. In the future, if the day comes when you really need me, I’ll return to do my filial duties. If the day comes when you’re truly willing to accept our family, I’ll also welcome you. Other than that, I think that there’s nothing else for us to talk about for the time being. Mum, Dad, it’s been two years. Aren’t you done already? Why can’t you just give us a chance?”

Ignoring all the hollering on the other end of the phone, Fu Cheng decisively hung up.

“Trust me, dear. I definitely won’t let you and Niannian suffer anymore in the least. Let’s go home,” Fu Cheng crouched down and said.

Chapter 470: Diverging worldviews

Chapter 470: Diverging worldviews

Fang Yunyao sat limply in the corner of the room, appearing so fragile at this moment despite being seven years older than Fu Cheng. After turning 26, she had really experienced too much hardship, dark times, helplessness and loneliness as she needed a sense of security as well as protection.

When one feels secure and allows their guard to slip, that is when they are also more vulnerable to being hurt.

After reuniting with Fu Cheng, Fang Yunyao had been slowly bringing herself to believe that she possessed a safe harbour once more. The belief, however, was tentative, doubt-ridden and thus fragile like glass.

Landing on the ground, Little Niannian wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck, snivelling all over. While she might not be aware of the circumstances, since her mother cried, she was crying too. She was crying so loudly that her breathing became rapid, her voice turning sore with constant sobs and hiccups. It was truly pitiful no matter how one looked at it.

Fang Yunyao and Niannian had both very nearly died during her unexpected premature childbirth. Afterwards, they had lived together in a small place, both the other’s support. Mother the daughter’s roof, daughter the mother’s rainbow…

They had tided through the toughest times together.

Even in the darkest of times, Fang Yunyao had never viewed Little Niannian as a burden before. Her daughter was her sole support, making her, not a brave person by nature, independent and strong.

As a result, when Fu Cheng’s parents had said ‘bring Niannian back, but that woman’s really no good’...her mental barriers had instantly collapsed.

The scene of mother and daughter hugging each other and weeping together exemplified the phrase ‘both the other’s support’ to the absolute fullest. Everyone felt a stinging pain in their hearts that ached on their behalf…

Everyone was feeling heartbroken for them, much less Fu Cheng.

Because of this, he made the most difficult decision, then crouched down, opening his arms wide as he said, “Let’s go home.”

In order to give them a family, he decided to give up on his family.

The notification beeps on QQ stopped. Fu Cheng’s ringtone started to sound again and again.

Fu Cheng ignored it as he just looked at Fang Yunyao. It was not that Fang Yunyao did not have faith in Fu Cheng, in truth. That had never been the case. Still, since this matter concerned Fu Cheng’s parents, she had been constantly been shrinking back, wanting to run away from it.

She had never been the sort of woman who would determinedly fight for what she wanted.

Now, Fu Cheng had already given his answer.

The scene was seemingly frozen in time amidst the incessant ringing of Fu Cheng’s phone. On one side were mother and daughter, sobbing. On the other was Fu Cheng, waiting with his arms outstretched. No one else dared utter a sound…

After a long time, Fang Yunyao finally ceased crying. She coaxed Niannian in a low tone, wiping the snot and tears off her face.

Then she turned Niannian around to face Fu Cheng and relaxed her grip, letting go.

No one knew what Fang Yunyao might just be thinking as this very moment.

As for Niannian, she was ultimately a kid. After crying, everything might return to being a blank slate again. As she had been learning to walk recently, this sort of scenario of standing within someone’s embrace while another person waited with their arms outstretched was really not rare or infrequent at all.

Perhaps she thought that it was just a game like the usual.

Niannian toddled over unsteadily, then plunged headfirst into Fu Cheng’s embrace before she could lose her balance.

Fu Cheng tightly embraced the little one in his arms.

……

The incessant ringtone sounds finally ceased.

The QQ notifications beeped once again.

A photograph appeared in the chat window of a girl standing by a lake on a campus. The girl wore a white dress, her arms crossed before her. She had a sweet smile and appeared very classy and pretty too…

This was followed by three messages from Mr Fu.

“This is Deputy Mayor Ju’s youngest daughter. She’s in the same year as you and is studying in university too. Deputy Mayor Ju saw you before when we attended the wedding of Dean Zhao’s son in the city last year. At that time, his daughter was sitting at the neighbouring table and saw you too.”

“Your mother mentioned your situation when talking with others afterwards. Anyway, Deputy Mayor Ju and his daughter both rather like you. Also, his family ultimately has some ties with ours from the past.”

“It isn’t that your mother and I are insistently aspiring out of our league. Deputy Mayor Ju himself mentioned to me that we should arrange a time for you two to meet after the New Year, to see if you’re suited for each other. If you are, after you graduate…”

“This is only because they’re honouring the old relationship between us and really took a liking to you...if it really works out, it can be considered as them marrying beneath their status. This here is our family’s chance, son.”

“Weigh between it yourself. How should you choose? You’re still young, son, and there are still many things you do not understand. Don’t be so muddleheaded. Even if you don’t think for your own sake, you still have to think for the sake of our family.”

The girl in the photo was really very beautiful. Mr Fu’s words could also be considered heartfelt.

It was actually very difficult to define right and wrong here. There was only a clash of ideologies. Xu Tingsheng had thought about this problem before in his previous life. If Fu Cheng had grown up by his parents’ side, would he have become another person altogether, all these problems no longer to happen?

Because his parents had begun their journey in the bureaucracy in some faraway place, though, he had grown up in his auntie’s house instead. His auntie was a primary school teacher in an experimental county school while her husband was a romanticist senior high music teacher.

Fu Cheng’s personality and worldview had been shaped growing up in such an environment. When he had gone back to stay with his parents, his way of life had already diverged from his family’s.

The Fu family’s situation was a bit special. It was actually not exactly correct to call them a bureaucratic family as they somewhat lacked the background for such. Still, their ambition towards this had never changed.

Fu Cheng’s grandfather had still been quite young when he had become the head of Libei County, with a bright future existing ahead of him...yet he had been toppled by his enemies.

This had not dampened the Fu family’s enthusiasm towards officialdom, though, as it had even intensified instead. Whether it was because of a hunger for authority or simply because it was just something he had to see done, Mr Fu was truly resolute about this. He had virtually been climbing up step by strenuous step from the very bottom with naught but his own abilities. He was only in his early forties. There was still a chance…

Therefore, in their estimates, Fu Cheng’s starting point would only be higher. The Fu family’s hopes rested on his shoulders.

It was because of this that Mr Fu had said ‘This is our family’s chance’ and ‘Even if you don’t think for your own sake, you still have to think for the sake of our family’.

Those in the room all looked silently at the messages and pictures on the screen popping up one by one…

Fu Cheng lifted Niannian up and went over to turn off the computer.

The others left the room, leaving it to Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao to sort things out between themselves.

……

In the afternoon, the party split into their various groups and went off individually.

Xu Tingsheng went out on a walk with Little Xiang Ning too. He was sitting by the riverbank when she hugged him from behind, resting against his back.

“Uncle,” She said, looking a bit troubled, “What if your Mum and Dad don’t want me too?”

“That won’t happen,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“But I’m very scared. I’m not of any use at all, and I’m still so little. Why do you like me?”

“There is no why. I already liked you in my previous life,” Xu Tingsheng replied jokingly.

Chapter 471: Situation not impossible

Chapter 471: Situation not impossible

Xu Tingsheng had thought such an answer would make Xiang Ning happy. Didn’t things like destiny and past lives always move the girls to tears in the movies? Wasn’t inexplicable love more profound than loving for you for so and so reason?

Yet, after hearing his answer, she clapped a palm on his shoulder before storming off in a huff.

Xu Tingsheng went after her, feeling a bit bemused. He pulled her arm, but she shrugged it off. He grabbed her hand, but she flung it off. He blocked her path, but she walked around him. He frantically tried to hug her to get her to stop but was pushed away…

From the look on her face, she was really pretty furious.

“What did I do wrong?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“What did you do wrong?” Xiang Ning asked.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and replied, “I really don’t know!”

“Well, I think that what you mean is,” Little Xiang Ning said earnestly, her head tilted to the side, “You only like me because of Big Xiang Ning. How is it possible that you already liked me in your previous life? That’s only because you once liked someone like me, wait, no, it’s me actually who’s like her…”

Xu Tingsheng did not know what to say to that.

“But I really do like you, not because of anyone else, but because it’s you, you know?” Little Xiang Ning emphasised in an aggrieved tone.

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng nodded happily.

“But what about you?”

“It’s also you that I like. It’s you, really.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“What is it that you like about me then?”

“Everything.”

“No, that’s too vague.”

“I like how you’re beautiful.”

“Right, anything else?”

“Cute, kind, big-hearted, optimistic, energetic, cheerful, money-grubbing but also willing to help people, authentic, straightforward, muddleheaded but earnest, silly, believing that something is the absolute best after coming to love it…”

“Right,” Little Xiang Ning shamelessly accepted the compliments as she asked, “Anything else?”

“...Shameless.”

“Huh~Alright, that counts too.”

Xu Tingsheng finally scooped up the smiling Xiang Ning, carrying her back to the riverbank as she chuckled happily. There she comfortably resided just like that, hands wrapped around his neck as she leaned towards his ear and whispered, “Uncle, it has been so long since we last…”

“So long since we last what?”

She looked at him with watery eyes, her lips making a ‘smuck’ sound.

“...Close your eyes,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Mmm,” Her long eyelashes trembled atop her closed eyes, the corners of her mouth raised slightly in anticipation despite her nervousness.

She did not flee this time. While she was breathing a little quickly from nervousness, she was still very brave. The tip of her tongue slid around gently, her two rows of teeth ‘gnawing’ lightly about Uncle’s lips. From time to time, there would be a bit of pulling. This sixteen-year-old girl, from some unknown source...seemed to have gained a tinge of wildness.

Xu Tingsheng’s feelings were stoked. Just as he was about to passionately reciprocate, his mouth was covered by a small hand. The person in his embrace moved away a little.

“Do you like it a lot...that way?”

“What way?”

“Bite.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah.”

“Where did you learn it?”

“Move over a bit,” Little Xiang Ning switched to sitting on Xu Tingsheng’s lap as she drew him in and said, “Big Sis Ye Qing taught me.”

“She taught you that?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Not exactly,” Little Xiang Ning said, “I often stay with her, right? One day, her phone was on her bed and her chat history with her boyfriend was open there…”

“And so you peeked?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I just happened to see it,” Little Xiang Ning explained somewhat awkwardly, “And then I looked just a little bit more.”

“And what did you see?”

“Ye Qing’s boyfriend said he really couldn’t bear it anymore. She replied that her relatives were still there. Then, her boyfriend replied ‘then...bite’. She replied ‘You!’. Her boyfriend replied with a very happy emoticon. That’s all…”

“And then you asked Ye Qing?”

“Yeah. She taught me that I can bite softly like this when kissing.”

“That swindler…” Xu Tingsheng ground his teeth.

“What? Was she fooling me?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

“No, she didn’t. It’s alright,” Xu Tingsheng said.

This was only late 2005, nearing the start of 2006. Actually, in a few years, especially when ‘impure’ culture would proliferate, it would instead be strange for people to not know of this.

Xu Tingsheng remembered that in his first year of university in his previous life, he and his roommates had once cheerily discussed skin removal as one of them had had undergone circumcision before. This had been in the midst of a lecture...

In the end, a girl from the same class who had been sitting in front of them had turned back and asked, “Remove what skin?”

His roommate had hesitated for a bit and then replied, “The skin of buns.”

The girl had then said, “Oh, I don’t like eating the skin of buns too. Those in the canteen are too hard. So I will always shred them off…”

This girl had thereafter gained a nickname, ‘hand shredding bun skin’. It was to the extent that every time they went out for a meal together, so long as she was present, there would always be someone who would order a portion of shredded cabbage. This never failed to send them into peals of laughter.

“There’s something else, too. ‘餓’, the traditional character for hungry ‘饿’ -what does it mean?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

“So I’m guessing you saw that from Ye Qing again?” Xu Tingsheng asked helplessly.

“Yeah, Big Sis Ye Qing sent it. Relatives left, ‘餓’. She didn’t come back to sleep that night. I didn’t ask her about this.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before forcing a smile as he replied, “Well, it’s probably because having relatives over really does take a toll on one’s health. Because of that, Ye Qing asked Tan Yao to have a meal together to replenish her nutrition.”

“Is that how it is?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Oh. And I thought it might mean something else,” Little Xiang Ning paused, next asking, “Also, are you really super pitiful? They all said that you’re the most tragic.”

“Ahem…”

“I,” Little Xiang Ning fumbled for words a little, “Actually, I do want to quickly give you a baby, a pretty one like Niannian or even a boy that we could betroth to Niannian. But I’m still not grown up yet. Sorry.”

Xu Tingsheng pinched her nose, “You’re still just a little thing yourself.”

……

After Mr Fu had sent the picture of the Deputy Mayor’s daughter and said those words, most of them felt that they weren’t in a position to say anything as bystanders. Additionally, the winter holidays were not long and the New Year was just around the corner. The party soon began diminishing in size.

Old Wai and Li Linlin went to the latter’s home. The trip could more or less be considered a proposal already.

Zhang Ninglang left with his girlfriend.

Song Ni’s three friends went home as well.

Fang Yuqing, Fang Chen and Yuqing left together.

While their numbers had dwindled, it seemed like the family of three was developing their relationship well. While Fang Yunyao had not expressed anything on the topic, she had unexpectedly become exceptionally kind and gentle after seeing photo and messages…

As they interacted more and more, Niannian and Fu Cheng grew closer and closer till she would not wail and weep even when Fang Yunyao was not around. Fang Yunyao even taught Fu Cheng how to choose milk powder, make milk, change diapers, coax their kid to sleep...

Fu Cheng was immersed in bliss and could not be happier…

Everything seemed great, though Fu Cheng would sometimes mention to Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng after returning that he was a little worried as to why Fang Yunyao had not brought up the events of that day.

Still, as time passed and harmony and joy reigned in the air, his worry and the frequency of him mentioning this correspondingly fell.

Huang Yaming went out everyday to scout Chengdu’s local bars and examine the possibility of opening a Bright Brilliance there too. Of course, it was difficult to know if this was but an excuse for him to go to the bar to hit on girls everyday.

Song Ni naturally had her own area to investigate as well. She was truly earnest in scouting the large scale supermarkets in Chengdu and the surrounding localities, for instance.

Xu Tingsheng’s daily life truly entered a slow rhythm. Every day, he would sleep till he naturally awoke. Once in a while, he would leisurely hang out with Little Xiang Ning. Once in a while, he would snatch Little Niannian over for a hug and a tease.

While he looked carefree indeed, Xu Tingsheng was actually also operating behind the scenes.

Xu Tingsheng actually had a different take on Mr and Mrs Fu’s determination from everybody else. It was just that he was keeping it to himself for now, not even mentioning it to Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao.

On the surface, it might seem like it was absolutely impossible to change the minds of Mr and Mrs Fu.

Still, Xu Tingsheng believed that in reality, they should be very conflicted and hesitant, perhaps not truly being as determined as they seemed. One thing didn’t quite match up...they hoped for Fu Cheng to marry the Deputy Mayor’s daughter, yet had also agreed to and even expressed a bit of a desire for him to bring Niannian back. The two were actually completely incompatible desires.

Even if they seemed to have found a good reason, saying that they could accept Niannian adopted, that would still entail a huge risk. That Deputy Mayor and his daughter were not idiots...how could they not suspect anything at all whatsoever?

Behind this self-contradictory act, Xu Tingsheng could sense how hesitant and indecisive they truly were behind that uncompromising facade...their thoughts were on their family’s ambitions. Familial ties, though, actually still had a place in their thoughts.

In reality, Mr and Mrs Fu should not be that averse towards Fang Yunyao as a person. After all, as they knew the truth behind that incident and had gotten involved in it, they would surely have investigated Fang Yunyao before.

There should be two primary reasons for their actions. First was their family’s prospects alongside Fu Cheng’s future. Second was reputation and face, not just their own but also especially that of Fu Cheng’s grandfather who was rather well-known in Libei. There was a chance that that would lead to a lot of gossip and people talking beside his back, leaving him mortified and unable to show his face in public there.

While the problem of face might sound like nothing, it palpably hinders and harms the lives of countless people.

Looking at all these problems straight in the face, Xu Tingsheng felt that this situation was not impossible to resolve.

He had actually already embarked on the first step, having privately made arrangements for Xingchen Technologies and Hucheng to make use of their influence and connections on the internet to contact Tieba and the local forums to delete or edit those threads that concerned Fang Yunyao.

Most of these threads had actually already sunk to the very bottom. No one should notice it as long as they did not float up after this intervention.

Those that were suited to be changed would be changed to correspond with the truth of the matter rather than the rumours and speculation of the time.

Those that were not suited to be changed would simply be deleted.

This was a preventive measure such that people would only see the truth in the future if someone decided to look up and verify this matter when it came to their attention again.

Directing public sentiment has actually never been a very difficult thing. As more and more people grasped the truth, the misleading rumours would naturally be slowly shattered.

This was not difficult for the current Xu Tingsheng. The greatest trial was the yearning towards officialdom of the two older generations of the Fu family back in Libei.

Chapter 472: Fang Yunyao’s childish martyrdom

Chapter 472: Fang Yunyao’s childish martyrdom

Actually, with Mr Fu’s current position and age, he could only attain the level of Vice County Head at most in his lifetime unless a major stroke of fortune descended.

It was most difficult for Xu Tingsheng to deduce his considerations and intentions. Next, Xu Tingsheng had never aspired towards political authority himself, which also made it nigh impossible for him to understand the Fu family’s yearning for it.

In the afternoon, just as Xu Tingsheng was wracking his brains for a solution, Fu Cheng appeared before him with Niannian in his arms, his face deathly ashen.

He was also holding a note.

That morning, Fang Yunyao had passed Niannian to Fu Cheng, asking him to look after her while she visited her relative’s house to say goodbye. Fu Cheng had wanted to go with her. Having never met that relative before, he wished to thank him in person for his help in the previous hardships that Fang Yunyao had faced.

Additionally, as Fang Yunyao had said that it was to bid them goodbye, Fu Cheng had been quite excited as he believed that she was doing so in preparation for moving to Yanzhou with him.

Fang Yunyao had refused, instead asking Fu Cheng to bring Niannian to play in the grassy area behind their hotel. She had said that she would be back very soon. Fu Cheng had not doubted her or insisted otherwise...in the end, noon arrived but Fang Yunyao was nowhere to be seen.

Feeling a bit frantic, Fu Cheng had called only to find that Fang Yunyao’s phone was switched off.

Scanning the room, he had discovered that everything everyone had bought for Fang Yunyao these past few days, clothes included, was laid out neatly on the table. She had departed with merely her original luggage alone while leaving all these behind.

She had also left behind all of Niannian’s belongings, including her clothes, diapers, milk bottle and toys etcetera.

And finally, there was a note:

“Fu Cheng, I’m leaving, without Niannian. I do actually feel very safe leaving Niannian with you. I believe that however unwilling your parents may be, with you, Xu Tingsheng and the others around, Niannian will still receive the best life and education, this being something I cannot provide Niannian with no matter what. It’s destined that things between us will never work out. Also, I thought about it for a long time. I’m too useless. If Niannian is with me, it’ll only hamper her life. I also know that it may be difficult for you to raise Niannian when you’re still so young. Still, please allow me to be selfish for once, for the sake of our child. I’ll exchange it...with my being unselfish, in not hampering or interfering with anything. Fu Cheng, forgive Ms Fang for truly lacking the courage or the confidence...I really dare not face your parents again. I also don’t want to see your relationship becoming like that because of me. They’re your parents, after all.”

“There’s already no way around this anymore, isn’t it? Actually, I’d like to remain by your side too. I fantasised a lot about our happy future together these past few days. I actually cannot bear to leave Niannian too. But I’ve still decided not to take her away with me… Fu Cheng, please don’t blame me. Take good care of Niannian. Tingsheng, please help take care of Niannian too. Thank you. Song Ni, I may be troubling you often with Niannian from now on. Finally, my Niannian, don’t blame Mum. Just forget about Mum when you’re older. Mum’s too useless...sorry.”

It was signed off by Fang Yunyao.

So, she had chosen to run away once again. And this time, she had even left Niannian behind.

Perhaps this was the actual reason that she had stayed even after seeing Mr Fu’s messages that day. She had actually long since given up on her and Fu Cheng’s future together. It was actually Niannian whom she had been thinking for, unable to stop constantly worrying about.

“When she suddenly often let me get closer to Niannian, deliberately creating opportunities for me to look after her by myself, teaching me how to take care of her, like making milk, changing diapers, coaxing her to sleep...I should have realised something was up...but I didn’t,” Fu Cheng hugged Little Niannian, saying helplessly.

The contents of the note were written as calmly as possible as Fang Yunyao evidently did not wish to pressure and destabilise Fu Cheng’s mentality too much. Still, one could only imagine how much pain she must be in from leaving Fu Cheng again and leaving Niannian behind too…

She had once said that she would be unable to live on without her child. She had also begged them not to snatch Niannian away from her recently, saying that she could not do without her…

Niannian was the entirety of Fang Yunyao’s spiritual support.

Yet, she had now left, leaving Niannian to Fu Cheng. Her rationality had triumphed over her emotions, forcing her to make such a choice. While she had been quietly guiding Fu Cheng in taking care of their daughter...she might have been in heart-wrenching pain every moment of it, wishing with every fibre of her being to give up on her plan...but ultimately, she had still done so.

When doing skincare that day, Ye Qing and co had described to her Niannian’s future and life after going to Yanzhou. This was something Fang Yunyao would never have dared to dream about before. After hearing about this, she wished that Niannian could possess it, and yet it simply was something she herself would never be able to provide-herein existed the purest intentions of a loving mother.

She had witnessed the changes which had befallen Fu Cheng and Xu Tingsheng, even Song Ni and the others these past few years. They were already on a totally different level from before. In that case, they would be able to give Niannian a higher quality life as well…

Therefore, this decision might be Fang Yunyao’s greatest, noblest self-sacrifice as a mother.

Still, at the same time, it was actually just so childish too.

Fang Yunyao came from a relatively poor village family. Still, her doting parents and outstanding looks and grades had somewhat caused her to live a life of sheltered jade.

She had become a teacher afterwards, transiting from school life to another type of school life. Her societal experience was relatively low as she had not changed so much from growing up.

It was precisely because of this that she had fallen in love with Fu Cheng so blindly and bravely, choosing to disregard all the consequences. She had eventually also persisted in giving birth to Niannian even if it meant having to raise her alone. Had she been a woman primarily guided by rationality, all this could never have happened.

She was fresh, gentle, emotional...but also cowardly and weak. Even though she might appear strong and brave on the surface due to her past two years of hardship, she was actually still so weak. She had no means or methods, simply wanting to have a stable, honest job that enabled her to raise her daughter as she voicelessly tolerated and toiled...

Therefore, her mentality had always been one of independently holding on, letting herself suffer at the expense of others and running away from things...

Still, leaving Niannian behind just like this...how childish was that? Not to mention that she had yet to even truly sort out her own feelings yet.

“Accompany me to her hometown. Mr and Mrs Fang returned not long ago, they shouldn't have left yet. When I find her this time, I’m gonna tie her up for real…” Fu Cheng said rather piteously.

He was indeed quite pitiful, having suffered one blow after another.

“You won’t find her at her hometown. Also, it won’t be any use even if you find her. It’s useless if she herself doesn’t understand and isn’t determined,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“But,” Fu Cheng was somewhat at a loss as to Xu Tingsheng’s somewhat cold words, “But I’ve got to find her. Actually, it’s my fault for not supporting her enough this time. I was too hesitant and couldn’t give her confidence.”

“There’s no need to look for her,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Everyone looked at him.

“Ms Fang’s hiding in the small motel just opposite. She’s able to see over here from her room. Maybe she wants to see if you can take good care of Niannian, or maybe she wants to take a few more looks at you two. I’ve got someone keeping an eye on her,” Xu Tingsheng explained calmly.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had already sensed that something was wrong when Fang Yunyao had begun teaching Fu Cheng how to look after Niannian while not mentioning what had happened with Fu Cheng’s parents that day at all. Even as Fu Cheng had been immersed in happiness and totally oblivious, he had actually had someone keep an eye on Fang Yunyao all along.

“How would she possibly truly be able to bear letting Niannian go...really, so old already, but still so childish,” Xu Tingsheng commented rather helplessly, being a little older than Fang Yunyao in truth due to having lived two lifetimes.

Fu Cheng perked up at once as he said, “I’ll go look for her now.”

“You shouldn’t,” Xu Tingsheng stopped him, “It won’t mean anything if you do it this way. You’ve got to let her acknowledge herself that running away like this is never going to happen again, that you and her, and also Niannian, are already inseparable however insurmountable the difficulties. She’s got to come to that realisation herself.”

“Well, what should we do then?” Fu Cheng asked.

“We take Niannian with us and return to Yanzhou at once.”

“Huh?” Everyone, including Little Xiang Ning and Huang Yaming, Song Ni and Fu Cheng, exclaimed in startlement.

“She’ll definitely follow to Yanzhou within a day, trust me. I already purposely told her my address in Yanzhou the day before yesterday,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Fu Cheng was taken aback as he hesitated a little, “You knew this would happen? But what if she doesn’t follow over?”

“That possibility doesn’t exist. Also, those people I’ve sent will follow her. If she really doesn’t come, I’ll abduct her for you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Everyone pondered on this in silence for a while.

“Will she still hide after coming to Yanzhou?” Song Ni asked.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Then…” Fu Cheng trailed off questioningly.

“Force her to come looking for you herself. That’s the only way she will realise that she simply can’t do it, can’t let it go. She’s been viewing the matter of your parents way too seriously, not having the courage to face it and fight for it. She’s never even tried to do it. She’s never even properly considered what you and Niannian might think, and respected your opinions. She’s only been thinking about things on the two of your behalves.”

Xu Tingsheng gave his most objective analysis of the matter.

“How do I force her?” While Fu Cheng might have understood, his mind was only focused on a single thing right now.

“Are you mentally prepared to extinguish the dreams of your Mum and Dad for good? That Deputy Mayor’s daughter really does seem pretty good,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, asking.

Fu Cheng shot him a frantic, exasperated look, conveying: Stop it! Hurry and tell.

“Well, let’s go with the forceful, direct route then,” Xu Tingsheng smiled radiantly, “I want you to be the All-Citizen’s Nanny-Dad.”

Chapter 473: All-citizen Nanny-dad (1)

Chapter 473: All-citizen Nanny-dad (1)

In speaking of a ‘forceful, direct route’, Xu Tingsheng was most certainly not advising Fu Cheng to actually force himself on Fang Yunyao, thus resolving the matter. He lacked the qualifications to advise anyone in this aspect in this life.

The forceful aspect of his method lay with ignoring resistance, preventing resistance, making it such that resistance was simply impossible.

Firstly, they would have to render Mr and Mrs Fu unable to resist. You’re planning for your son to marry the Deputy Mayor’s daughter to pave the way for you in the bureaucracy? In the end, your son already has a daughter himself, and all the citizens of this entire nation have seen it and voiced their resounding approval.

Do you take the Deputy Mayor and his daughter to be fools?

It was as devastatingly guileful as that.

Fang Yunyao too would not be able to escape.

Don’t you like to run off? Once, twice...well, when you see your husband and darling daughter living happily and lovingly together, captivating the hearts of tens of millions who also bemoan their tragic, pitiable state...

Let’s see how you can still bear to let them go then.

……

Now that Fang Yunyao was not by her side, it was actually not easy to take care of Little Niannian. Every time she woke up, was tired, had urinated or was hungry, Niannian’s first instinct was to look for her mother. Unable to find her, she would then burst into tears.

They all took turns to carry and calm her down, just feeling incomparably pained.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng knew that times like this were most effective as he would always ruthlessly say, “Quick, carry Niannian to the balcony when she’s still crying. Let Niannian cry for Ms Fang to see. Ravage her heart, make her regret it to death.”

And so, the day after the gang had returned to Yanzhou with Little Niannian, the person Xu Tingsheng had sent to keep an eye on Fang Yunyao reported that as expected, she had followed them to Yanzhou.

Perhaps she would never have thought that Fu Cheng would simply leave so quickly along with Niannian without even looking for her. Even though she had already made her choice, it would surely still sting somewhat. However, the primary reason was that she was worried and could not set her mind at ease.

Every time she saw Niannian crying on the balcony, it was very difficult for her to resist the urge to rush over at once and cuddle her daughter in her embrace.

Xu Tingsheng’s home in Yanzhou was in a small district with restricted access. Unable to enter, Fang Yunyao could only stay in a small motel outside the district.

While she was still very close, she was unable to see or hear anything this time. Xu Tingsheng had also deliberately asked them not to go out of the district with Niannian. Soon, the mother’s heart was all but empty.

In that case, it was time to give her a platform, for her to see and to listen.

The ‘All-citizen Nanny-Dad’ scheme officially commenced with Xingchen Technologies the basis. If Niannian had been a little older, Xu Tingsheng would definitely have given her a <<Where’s Dad Gone>> or <<Mum is Missing>> no matter what.

That night, a good number of VIPs, led by Apple, simultaneously shared a video.

In the video, Little Niannian was wearing a small yellow hat and slightly oversized cartoon pyjamas as she rested on a cushion inside her cot. Fu Cheng was wearing pyjamas too, though only his back and side profile were revealed within.

He sat by the cot, gently singing to his daughter as he strummed the guitar:

“My precious precious

Give you a little sweetness

Let you fall asleep happy tonight

My little imp, my little imp

Stroking your little lashes

Let you love this whole world

Hualalalala, my precious

…”

He did not show his face, but neither did he wear that half-mask. Fu Cheng’s voice emanated warmth rather than the usual deep and heartfelt pain and emotions as it was just like a lullaby.

Little Niannian was already very close with Fu Cheng now. She also seemed to love his singing voice as she smiled happily, her large eyes shining. She would join in with a few yells from time to time, also extending a hand towards Fu Cheng non-stop. It was both amusing and adorable.

The simple scene was suffused with warmth.

If this was an MV, it would basically be a contender for the number one such MV of the year.

In truth, many people were inevitably wondering if this was a marketing strategy for some new singer who was about to enter showbiz. Still, the video’s description was: Young father singing to his one-year-old daughter, Little Niannian.

Within the span of a single night, this video went viral throughout Xingchen Weibo as hundreds of thousands of people shared it on their accounts.

While Apple and the other VIPs should be credited for helping it to gain widespread popularity, the MV itself had many focal points as well.

Firstly, Niannian was very pretty and adorable. Even though only Fu Cheng’s back figure and side profile were visible, his image as he carried his guitar was still very sellable as the scene was a sight to behold.

As a result, it was easier for that doting warmth to be sensed and liked, tugging on the heartstrings of many women especially.

That aside, this father’s voice...why did it sound a bit familiar?

Heated discussion ensued regarding the MV.

“The daughter’s so pretty and cute, but...is that really her Dad? He looks quite young.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t look very old.”

“By the way, is this song an original? I’ve never heard it before, but it’s nice! I’d like to sing it to my child too.”

“You can also sing it to your girlfriend. There literally can’t be anything more suitable than this.”

“Why did so many VIPs help to share it? Is he entering showbiz? This wouldn’t be some new singer putting on a show for the sake of entering showbiz, right? If so, it’d really be too much, cheating our feelings like that.”

“...”

“You bunch of fools, all that isn’t important, you know? More importantly, pay close attention to this voice. Isn’t it familiar? If not, hurry up and go listen to <<Fairy Tale>> and <<The Brightest Star In The Night Sky>>...”

“The heck, I just listened...Rebirth’s lead singer?”

“It’s definitely him!”

“He wouldn’t need this to enter showbiz right? If he wants to, he only need say it!”

“Is it only a resemblance? Someone imitating him?” Many people had always been imitating Rebirth on the internet. Their songs had long since been sung by countless others. Thus, it seemed like this was a very real possibility too. With that, more people were left befuddled.

“It probably isn’t him. Don’t the members of Rebirth wear masks?”

“...”

Rebirth’s fans who had already been waiting for so long a time blazed with enthusiasm at once, their firepower revving to the max as they began analysing from various professional angles or  plain joining in for the fun of it. The topic was soon hotly debated throughout the entire internet.

Apple’s fans joined in enthusiastically as well.

“Apple, is the person in the video really Rebirth’s lead singer?”

“Is that Little Niannian your goddaughter whom you mentioned a few days ago?”

“...”

As Apple’s Weibo account was filled with upward of a hundred pages of comments by netizens and fans, Fu Cheng’s verified Weibo account, 'Little Daddy’, miraculously gained upward of a million views in a single night. This could be considered the quickest ever record of a normal citizen becoming an internet celebrity.

Fu Cheng did not answer any of those questions, especially those concerning Rebirth. When consulting Xu Tingsheng earlier, they had already agreed that he would remain silent on this. They could guess all they want, and he would simply retain his silence, neither affirming nor denying anything.

Chapter 474: All-citizen Nanny-dad (2)

Chapter 474: All-citizen Nanny-dad (2)

In truth, Fu Cheng simply did not have the time to answer all these questions. He was far too busy to deal with all that.

A boy suddenly ending up having to take care of a one-year-old baby all on his own-this was actually not an easy thing to do at all. From Fu Cheng’s perspective, the difficulty level might even be higher than being the president.

The next morning, a few new photos were posted on Weibo. They had been altered slightly to blur out Fu Cheng’s features as he washed Niannian’s face, changed her diapers, made and then fed her milk...

Fu Cheng was clearly a little overwhelmed and inexperienced. Still, everything was just so authentic. Xu Tingsheng had not asked him to act or anything, merely recording him as he completed these tasks all on his own.

Authentic images, authentic feels. If people had been concerned more with the looks of this father and daughter, the beauty of the scene, the quality of the song and whether that voice resembled Rebirth’s lead singer’s before…

From the next day on, more and more people were moved by the simple yet heartwarming relationship between this father and daughter. And perhaps a tinge of ‘pity’ and ‘heartache’ could be felt too…

“Where’s Little Niannian’s Mum?”

“Right, where’s her mummy?”

“How can a young man like him raise his daughter alone? And she’s still so little too...my heart aches just looking at it.”

“I actually wouldn’t mind being the stepmother here.”

“…”

Ms Fang was left both crying and laughing in front of her computer, feeling guilty, relieved and pained all at once.

Meanwhile, Mr Fu walked into his unit at work that morning only to find close to half of the people under him gathered in front of a computer, watching and discussing some video.

Someone commented, “This young dad looks just like Chief Fu’s son! I’ve seen him many times before, and it really does seem like him, though I can’t say for sure.”

Mr Fu coughed in a nonchalant manner. The crowd hurriedly scattered in a panic.

Mr Fu himself was inwardly panicking even more, though. Upon hearing young dad, looks just like Chief Fu’s son...the first thing he had thought was: We’re doomed. It’s probably Fu Cheng.

After entering his office, he immediately called Mrs Fu to inform her about the situation before hastily turning on his computer.

The video was really easy to find. The images appeared.

While others might not be able to say for sure, Mr and Mrs Fu could certainly ascertain the identity of their own son. They needed but a single glance to confirm that...it was really Fu Cheng.

They were overcome by panic and fury. Even if that Deputy Mayor and his daughter were unable to tell right now, when they had met and the marriage had gone through...with this familiarity, how would they not be able to tell?

If they were to continue pushing for this marriage, it would be a scam. Scamming the Deputy Mayor?

What they had been striving towards was destroyed irreparably just like that without any hope of salvation whatsoever.

With their desires denied, the two’s first reaction was to furiously dial Fu Cheng’s phone number.

Still, Fu Cheng would not pick up their calls at all.

When they had calmed down somewhat, they casually watched the video a couple of times and scanned through the uploaded pictures. Soon, their emotions turned quite complex and strange. Was that little girl their granddaughter? Truly, she was pretty, adorable yet pitiful...where was Fang Yunyao, though? Had she really thrown their child to Fu Cheng and left just like that?

“Really, this Fu Cheng! He’s still a child himself, how can he possibly take care of one?!” Mr Fu messaged his wife on QQ.

“Actually, he can be considered as doing somewhat decent. It’s like our child’s suddenly grown up,” After some time, Mrs Fu sent a reply.

“What do we do now?”

“What do we do now?”

The comments on Weibo, how their hearts ached and they felt concern for Fu Cheng and Little Niannian-every single sentence gnawed away at the conscience of Mr and Mrs Fu. It was they who had single-handedly inflicted these circumstances, leading to the state of the helpless Fu Cheng and the pitiful Little Niannian...

And yet, as their son and granddaughter-those two should clearly be their closest, dearest kin, wasn’t it?

……

The next day and the day after, new pictures were uploaded on Weibo.

There were some of Little Niannian riding on Fu Cheng’s back, the latter acting as a big horse for his daughter as he traversed the living room. Of father with his daughter upon his shoulder, spreading her hands wide apart as they walked towards the sunlight…

Of Niannian crying, with Fu Cheng looking helpless and at a loss as he held a whole bunch of toys in his hands.

The photos aside, Fu Cheng would sometimes earnestly ask for help from the mothers on Weibo. For example, what kind of egg was most suitable for a one-year-old? What kind of washing powder was best for baby clothes? What to do when she kicks her blanket in her sleep?...

The mothers all felt for them, their hearts aching. They passionately responded to Fu Cheng’s every query, their guidance all specific as could be...along with concern, questions, reminders…

Fu Cheng and Little Niannian were cared for by countless people…

Just the ‘stepmother squad’ alone filled a good several pages daily.

Actually, there was a newly registered account amongst all those who replied that always answered the most earnestly and detailedly, because the person in question was actually clearest on everything about Niannian.

After merely these few days, the number of people following them on Weibo had already surpassed three million as more and more people came to like the affectionate yet pitiful father-daughter pair.

They liked the young dad who knew how to write songs and play the guitar, with his gentle voice and limitless affection for his daughter. They liked the pretty and adorable Little Niannian who had a pair of bright jet-back eyes, tried to grab everything she saw and loved to kick about whenever she started to fuss and cry, pitiful as she was without her mother by her side.

Soon, ‘All-citizen Nanny-dad’ began to appear on the internet as a form of address.

Soon, this came to be accepted and commonly utilised by the general public.

“What next?” Seeing that Fang Yunyao had still not caved in, Fu Cheng asked Xu Tingsheng.

“It’s time to wreck some hearts,” Xu Tingsheng said ruthlessly, “The fans’, Ms Fang’s, and your parents’ too.”

……

A new video was uploaded on Fu Cheng’s Weibo page the next day.

As usual, father and daughter were the only ones inside. Fu Cheng did not strum the guitar this time as he only gently sang a song.

When Xu Tingsheng had proposed singing this song, Huang Yaming had only said three words, “Too damn ruthless.”

“In this world only Mum is best,

With a mother a child can rest

Like a treasure lie in Mummy’s breast

Happy limitless everlast

In this world only Mum is best

With no mother which child can rest

Leaving my Mama’s sweet caress

Where is happiness alas?”

This was a song that everyone could not be any more familiar with, though they might not usually think too much about it. When Xu Tingsheng had first asked Fu Cheng to sing this, Huang Yaming and the others were mostly focused on ‘taking care of’ Ms Fang through it.

Yet, when the image came to rest on the two and that voice resounded…

Everything just fit in like a sleeve, so much so it even hurt.

Lying on her small blanket, Little Niannian turned rather blankly to look at Fu Cheng who was sitting beside her on the floor as she listened to him gently singing, “In this world only Mum is best, with no mother which child can rest…”

Whatever reason there might be, however unwilling it had been...her mother had indeed ruthlessly abandoned her when she was merely a year old.

Even Fu Cheng himself almost reached the point of choking as he sang.

Perhaps he had shed a tear, for just so coincidentally, Little Niannian suddenly extended a hand...and stroked his face.

As this little girl who was merely a year old reached out and comfortingly stroked her father’s face, accompanied by the warmth of the song, countless people before their screens also felt a stabbing pain in their hearts…

Who knew how many people shed tears.

Song Ni and Little Xiang Ning had long since started crying. Even Huang Yaming whose heart had been growing increasingly unshakable over the years and the ‘perpetrator’, Xu Tingsheng, could not help but blink away a tear as they felt helpless…

While things could barely still be considered as being within control up till now, thinking back on it all, while it was true that Mr and Mrs Fu were most responsible for what had happened, how did Fu Cheng himself hold no responsibility? How was Fang Yunyao not responsible for this too?

There was only Little Niannian, this little girl who was merely over a year old-how utterly innocent was she? Before, she had no father. Now, she had no mother...when she was still oblivious to everything due to her age, other people were already making her decisions for her.

……

On the screen, Niannian extended a hand and stroked Fu Cheng’s face.

Having lost so much weight these past few days, Fang Yunyao started crying like there was no tomorrow. As compared to her daughter and Fu Cheng, as compared to the whole family being together, was making all those sacrifices really necessary? Was all that fear really so difficult to conquer and overcome? Should she truly be running away?

So what if other people did not approve of her? Could she not even trust Fu Cheng?

So what if they were Fu Cheng’s parents? Couldn’t she be selfish for once?

She knew where Xu Tingsheng lived, where Fu Cheng and Niannian were…

Fu Cheng now posted again on Weibo: I think Niannian’s a little bit feverish…

Fang Yunyao flung her mouse down, throwing everything aside in her haste as she dashed out of the house.

Frantic knocking resounded on the door.

A smiling Xu Tingsheng opened the door.

Fang Yunyao saw Fu Cheng carrying their child, waiting for her.

“You’re here?” Fu Cheng said gently and calmly, “Hurry up and carry Niannian.”

“Mummy, Mummy…” Niannian was leaning far towards her even as she rested in Fu Cheng’s embrace.

Fu Cheng bent down and set Niannian down on the floor.

Niannian wobbled a little unsteadily as she toddled towards Fang Yunyao.

“Sob…” A weeping Fang Yunyao hurried over and swept her daughter into her embrace, “Niannian, Mum was wrong!”

Placing her hand on her daughter’s forehead, Fang Yunyao nervously felt it…“Didn’t you say that Niannian’s a little bit feverish?”

“How is that possible? I’m the All-citizen Nanny-dad! How could I possibly let Niannian get a fever? It’s true that Niannian and I really can’t do without you, though!” While Fu Cheng was smiling, there were tears in his eyes.

Fang Yunyao pondered on it a little and sniffed as she fully realised what had happened, “Just you bully me…”

“Alright!” Fu Cheng smiled, replying.

Fang Yunyao hugged Niannian and did not speak. She looked at everyone in the room. They were clearly all younger than her...and yet, she was the most insensible one. After thinking on things properly and realising just how weak, cowardly and childish she had been, she felt quite awkward just being there.

Of course, more of it was guilt…

“Choose one,” Fu Cheng suddenly said.

“Choose what?” Fang Yunyao asked quizzically.

What next appeared before her eyes was a rope in Fu Cheng’s left hand and a bundle of keys in his right.

Tie you up?

Or take this as your home?

Choose.

“I’ll really tie you up this time,” Fu Cheng warned.

Fang Yunyao was silent for a time. Then, she walked over resignedly, her head lowered as she took that bundle of keys from Fu Cheng’s hand.

“We will be occupying Tingsheng’s house for now. I’ll look for a house in the vicinity soon,” Fu Cheng said.

“Mmm,” Fang Yunyao nodded like an obedient little wife.

“Give me your room card. I’ll go help you carry your luggage and check out,” Fu Cheng said.

“Mmm,” Fang Yunyao nodded.

Fu Cheng left. Xu Tingsheng and the others hurriedly let Fang Yunyao sit down and poured some water for her. Having missed her mother for a few days, Little Niannian huddled in her embrace, unwilling to come out…

“Look, how Niannian misses you,” Song Ni said.

Fang Yunyao nodded awkwardly in response.

“You can’t run again!” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Fang Yunyao continued to nod.

After a while, though, she finally snapped out of it as she realised the incongruence of the scene.

“Hey, you guys! You’ve been plotting against me all this time, right? You people, you people only know how to gang up with Fu Cheng and bully me. It’s always like this. At that football match, at your school’s welcoming party…” Fang Yunyao said, “Don’t you forget that I’m your teacher…”

“Isn’t it?” Huang Yaming laughed, “Sweet revenge! Do you remember how you caught the three of us smoking back then? You wouldn’t let us go no matter how we pleaded...you never thought it then, right, Ms Fang? You actually caught your own child’s Dad...hahaha…”

And the room was filled with laughter.

Chapter 475: Niannian's sweet

Chapter 475: Niannian’s sweet

Upon Fu Cheng's return, everyone cleared out a sofa for their family of three.

Niannian sat in the middle with Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng on either side.

The current Fang Yunyao still looked overly taxed. She seemed a little shy and awkward too as she did not speak much. Fu Cheng was evidently in greater spirits, being more mature and reliable too. Young though he might be, he would be 22 with the passing of the new year. He would soon commence his fourth year of university and then graduate.

Regarding looking for a house, Fang Yunyao's career and the arrangements for Little Niannian, Xu Tingsheng had said that it could all be left for after this Lunar New Year.

Looking at the comfortable scene before him right now, eyeing the sweet in Little Niannian's hand, Xu Tingsheng felt a little envious. He had never been the ambitious, competent sort of person. Rather than that, he simply sought a stable, happy life.

Still, for Fu Cheng, all this was well deserved. As compared to his unwavering persistence of two lifetimes, Xu Tingsheng was far inferior to him.

As warm, happy vibes filled the air, Niannian decisively wet herself again.

"I'll do it," Fu Cheng got up and said, "I can do all of it now.”

“Stop bragging! You’re always flipping Niannian around like an athlete. I commented so many times on your Weibo, teaching you the steps and the posture, but you just wouldn’t go read it…” Fang Yunyao chided exasperatedly as she scooped up Niannian.

“So you were watching all along? And commenting too. But how could I know which was you? So many people, how was I supposed to read them all?!” Fu Cheng retorted.

As his handphone vibrated a few times, Fu Cheng took it out for a look. Reading the text messages, his expression turned a little strange.

He had already ignored his parents’ calls for the past couple of days. As a result, he had received texts this time.

Mr Fu’s text read: What happened? Why did Niannian get a fever? Have you seen a doctor? Is her temperature high?

Mrs Fu’s text read: Little kids can’t randomly get injections! Better speak to the doctor properly. Also, how’s Niannian’s condition now?

The two of them should be at work now rather than together. Therefore, the texts had been sent individually.

Fu Cheng’s feelings were actually quite complicated at this moment. Earlier, Xu Tingsheng had said that they would wreck the hearts of the fans, Fang Yunyao and his parents. From the looks of it now, his parents had indeed been watching, and had most likely suffered an emotional blow as intended.

They were blood-related kin, after all. If they had still been able to suppress their concern and pain before due to their anger and pride, when they saw the latest Weibo post which said that Niannian had a fever, these two elders of the Fu family were finally defeated. A child having a fever was no minor matter.

“It’s nothing. Her temperature isn’t high. We’ve already seen the doctor, and he says she’ll be fine very soon,” Fu Cheng told his parents, this being his first time interacting with her in a bit.

After a while, Mr Fu offered, “How can you take care of a child alone? Bring her back home for the New Year. It’s just around the corner. We can find a nanny for her.”

This might be the greatest concession that Mr Fu was willing to give. He had even chosen to forgive Fu Cheng for destroying his ‘glorious masterplan’ and refrained from mentioning it.

Fu Cheng hesitated a little. He did not send a reply.

Remembering that his Weibo fans might still be feeling worried, he posted something immediately: Everything’s okay. Niannian’s mother is back. Thank you, everybody.

Not long after he posted this, another text arrived from Mr Fu: In that case, you don’t have to come back. We’ll never allow that woman to take a single step into our family.

After learning that Niannian was fine and Fang Yunyao was back...Mr Fu’s attitude completely changed once more. Once again, it was anger, fury and resentment which got the better of him.

“Alright. Happy New Year,” Fu Cheng texted back.

There was no further reply from Mr Fu.

……

The master bedroom in Xu Tingsheng’s flat was not that big. Thus, the guest room was actually not small. Previously, he had already changed the bed for a larger one and put a cot beside it.

Even so, Fu Cheng still slept on the sofa in the living room at night.

This situation persisted for the next few days. Xu Tingsheng did not ask if he wanted to sleep together with him, because it was actually obvious what any guy would be thinking here. The more Fu Cheng slept pitifully on the sofa every night, the more of a chance he would have of moving into ‘that room’ a little earlier.

As soon as Fang Yunyao could not bear to let him suffer so anymore.

“Also, I’ll be able to lend a hand whenever Niannian is crying in the middle of the night a little more than usual,” Fu Cheng said.

Xu Tingsheng got up from bed that night and went to the living room, giving Fu Cheng a kick.

“Do you really intend on spending the New Year here?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yes. When are you going back?” Fu Cheng asked Xu Tingsheng.

“In a few days,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Your parents called me and asked for my address here. I think they’ll probably be visiting before the New Year. You have to face it sooner or later. Do you think you can handle it?”

“I, I can still handle it,” Fu Cheng hesitated for a bit before continuing, “But I’m not so sure about Ms Fang…”

“She also has to face it sooner or later. Relax, it’s fine. Your parents can’t do anything serious in my house,” Xu Tingsheng patted Fu Cheng’s shoulder and smiled.

……

In 2006, the last day of the lunar year fell on the 29th. It was on the 28th that Fu Cheng’s parents arrived in Yanzhou.

Xu Tingsheng picked them up at the station.

It was Fu Cheng who opened the door.

He opened his mouth to ask after them…

“Before things are settled, watch your words,” Mr Fu extended a hand and stopped him.

Fang Yunyao was carrying Niannian as she stood beside the sofa in the living room.

Mr and Mrs Fu did not sit down too as they just stood there.

Fang Yunyao hesitated for a moment. She did not speak, only setting Little Niannian down on the ground. As Niannian turned to look at her, she smiled as she pushed her shoulder, urging her forward. Niannian had seen so many strangers who cared for her and loved her recently. Thus, she was actually not so scared of unfamiliar faces.

Still, everyone was rather surprised when she now started walking towards Mr and Mrs Fu.

An even greater surprise was waiting for them.

“Grandpa…”

“Grandma…”

They were indistinct and garbled, but it was definitely those two words.

Everyone felt at a loss as to when Niannian had learnt them. Even when calling Dad, she only did so when she was playing with toy cars as she let out a long string of Dadadadada.

Even so, Fu Cheng would be over the moon and acknowledge her every time for however long the car drove. It was like he wanted to catch each and every single one of them, afraid that they would fall onto the floor.

Hearing what Niannian had uttered, Fu Cheng turned to look at Fang Yunyao, his eyes turning red in an instant.

Regarding his parents’ visit, Fu Cheng was most worried about Fang Yunyao. He was afraid that she would feel afraid and thus avoid the problem. Unbeknownst to him, however, Fang Yunyao had actually been teaching Niannian these two words for quite some time.

“Grandpa, Grandma.”

This was not an easy feat to have accomplished. Just teaching Niannian the words alone posed a challenge, and she even had to say them at the right time and place. Fang Yunyao’s mentality was really commendable here. One could see how courageous she was in fighting for what she wanted despite the fact that she should be feeling wronged too.

Today, Little Niannian was still wearing her yellow woolen hat. Besides that, she was wearing a red down jacket, black pants and white cotton shoes...she looked just like a beautiful little genie.

She also had a pair of big, bright, jet-black eyes.

Her head was raised upwards as she gazed with her beautiful eyes at the slightly fierce-looking Mr and Mrs Fu…

It was quite obvious that Mr and Mrs Fu were forcibly suppressing their emotions to prevent anything from showing on their faces.

“Carry,” Niannian opened her arms wide and requested.

Mr and Mrs Fu’s defences evidently wavered for a bit. Still, they adamantly persisted in not showing any response.

“Eat.”

Niannian proffered a sweet which had been in her mouth. She only ate one of these at most everyday...now, she took the sweet out from her mouth and held it out, her palm raised high.

Now this had definitely not been taught by Fang Yunyao. Children couldn’t learn such things.

The scene fixed on this moment, Little Niannian’s hand extended as she held out her sweet…

Mr and Mrs Fu averted their gazes, simply refusing to look at it…

“Mummy…” Her hand still raised, Little Niannian turned back to look at Fang Yunyao a bit sorrowfully and pitifully, perhaps thinking just how fierce these two people were…

Over this period of time, who had not joyfully picked Niannian up when she asked to be carried? Who would not act super enthusiastic when she said ‘eat’? The answer was no one. Even Xu Tingsheng, even Huang Yaming, even Ye Qing who would frequently drop by here, they all would do so…

Feeling like she had been bullied, Niannian pouted, pouted again as she looked just so pitiful...tears started flowing down her face.

Whose heart wouldn’t ache like this?

Even Little Xiang Ning was pinching Xu Tingsheng’s arm in anger.

“This…”

Feeling guilty, Mr Fu was just about to bend down and pick Niannian up…

Mrs Fu grabbed him before he could do so.

“Don’t you fall for that,” She said.

Chapter 476: Libei's greatest legend

Chapter 476: Libei’s greatest legend

Fang Yunyao had chosen to set aside her grievances of the past and two years of hardship to secure their future, irregardless of where justice lay. She would be fully justified in hating those two, in truth.

Facing Mr and Mrs Fu who had once hurt her and were presently still making things difficult for she and her daughter, she was no longer cowardly, no longer running away.

She was actively trying to get on their good side.

For that purpose, she had even taught Little Niannian to say ‘Grandpa, Grandma’ unbeknownst to all. Such a choice actually required greater courage than unflinching resistance as she would have to suffer and swallow so much injustice.

Niannian was still standing in front of Mr and Mrs Fu with tears flowing down her face.

Fang Yunyao did not go to pick her up and hug her, however.

She had no other choice besides hoping that her daughter’s obedient, adorable manner could cause their hearts to soften.

She was willingly doing so because she and her daughter were unable to part from that person and wished that their family could be together.

However much she had to bow her head and suffer in silence, she would still be willing to do so.

Mr Fu sighed as he averted his gaze, ultimately refusing to pick Niannian up.

Little Xiang Ning frantically pinched Xu Tingsheng’s arm, gnashing her teeth as she said into his ear, “I can’t do it, Xu Tingsheng. My heart’s breaking. I’ve got to go hug Little Niannian and carry her back. They’re big bullies. If those people on the internet saw this, they would definitely scold them to death.”

Xu Tingsheng could not let her go over. This was Fang Yunyao’s earnest, heartfelt plea. While she had not said anything at all, this plea right here required more courage and determination than when she had got down on her knees and begged Mr and Mrs Fu.

It was humiliating, even.

What Xiang Ning had said was true, though. If this was posted on the internet and viewed by netizens, coupled with a bit of insider information, Mr and Mrs Fu would probably be doomed.

One must know that Little Niannian was actually even more popular than All-citizen Nanny-dad Fu Cheng on Weibo. Two completely identical trending threads had even appeared there these past few days, entitled ‘Nation’s favourite Little Niannian’.

Having been spoiled with too much love over this period of time, Little Niannian felt so wronged as clear, distinct tears trickled down her face.

Fang Yunyao could still bear to watch on with tears in her eyes.

Fu Cheng, however, simply could not stand for it any longer.

“No one’s forcing you!” He growled furiously, his tone low but resolute.

So be it! He was going to hug and carry his daughter, not letting her be bullied like this anymore.

……

“How impressive, Chief Fu. Able to hold up so well against such a cute one-year-old,” A vibrant, vigorous voice resounded in a joking tone from the doorway.

Fu Cheng had not bothered to close the door earlier.

Mr Xu, Xu Jianliang strode straight into his son’s house, followed by Mrs Xu.

“Mum, Dad, you’re here!” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed happily.

“Hello, Uncle, Auntie,” Little Xiang Ning greeted a bit nervously.

“Hi, Uncle Xu…”

“Hi, Uncle Xu…”

Everyone else, including Fu Cheng, Fang Yunyao and Huang Yaming etcetera, stopped and greeted Mr and Mrs Xu.

“Oh, hi,” Mr Xu smiled and responded in kind.

Mrs Xu ignored this as her eyes were already fixated on Little Niannian. “Wa, this pretty little thing, why are you crying so hard? And no one’s doing a thing? Come, poor thing, Grandma wants you...Grandma will carry you.”

She bent down and picked Little Niannian up, coaxing her gently like there was nothing else worthy of her attention in the room.

Niannian was not afraid of strangers in the first place and was feeling so very wronged too. As soon as she was carried, it was like she had finally found a harbour as she pitifully cuddled in Mrs Xu’s embrace and wept like there was no tomorrow.

“Wah, look at this pitiful child. And you people can actually still stand to watch on?”

While Mrs Xu was chastising everyone on the surface, she was actually implying something underneath. Still, no one could do anything about that, Mr and Mrs Fu included. Accompanied by the Xu family’s domineering momentum these past two years, Mrs Xu had naturally grown to become more imposing along with her increased status.

After crying for some time, Niannian looked up at Mrs Xu, “Eat.” The little girl obediently handed her precious sweet to Mrs Xu, the ‘only’ one here who sympathised with her.

Seeing this, Huang Yaming nudged Song Ni, smiling as he got closer and whispered, “Niannian really is smart, immediately figuring out who’s the one that’s most awesome here. If she follows up and cozies with Uncle Xu later, she’ll really be super blessed.”

Song Ni smiled, “How would a child know about that? Niannian only knows who dotes on her.”

As Niannian passed over her half-eaten sweet which was full of saliva, Mrs Xu was delighted.

She smiled triumphantly at everyone in the room before joyfully exclaiming, “Wa, Niannian is such a good girl! Grandma will eat it...yum, okay, I took a bite...now it’s Niannian’s turn."

Mrs Xu really did like children. Moreover, Niannian was so pitiful and cute. As she carried and coaxed her, she was fully immersed in the role of a grandmother as her face was full of doting.

Mrs Xu happily carried Niannian off to the side to sit.

Mr and Mrs Fu who had looked a bit awkward ever since Mr and Mrs Xu had appeared finally found a chance to speak.

“I didn’t think that I would meet Boss Xu here. Boss Xu, you are here for…?” Mr Fu, Fu Qizhi, asked.

The two were actually acquainted, firstly because of work-related matters and secondly as a result of the friendship between Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng. The two had also been jointly involved in the incident when Zhang Junming had attacked Fang Yunyao, their relationship hence having improved quite a bit.

As many people in Libei saw it, their two families should be allied. The Xu family had assisted in Fu Qizhu’s promotion from Vice Chief to Chief of the Trade and Bureau Industry. Meanwhile, Fu Qizhi had also continually taken care of the Xu family’s business in Libei.

Yet, this relationship was actually completely one-sided now, because the Xu family and Mr Xu, Xu Jianliang, were already far more influential than before.

The Xu family’s Happy Shoppers was presently involved in mid and large-scale supermarket franchises, hotels, real estate and investments etcetera as it had grown into a massive entity.

In terms of business assets, the Xu family was the indubitable number one in Libei. Even then, though, they could still rank in the top three in the entire Jiannan City even when not taking into account Xu Tingsheng’s individual portion.

In terms of status, Mr Xu had gone from an honorary member of the county bureaucracy to holding this position in the city, then province...his acquaintances had long since come to surpass the extent of a mere, tiny Libei.

Mr Xu was actually completely different from Xu Tingsheng in that he had personally experienced those passionate but chaotic post-reform, entrepreneurial times. He thus possessed the unique mentality and worldview of an entrepreneur coming from that era.

In other words, Mr Xu was more goal-oriented and realistic than Xu Tingsheng as he was better able to consider the big picture for achieving success in this era.

His acquaintances included loyal brothers like Zheng Xiangshan of Dingcheng Real Estate and mutually beneficial relationships with some government officials and business partners. He had also worked very hard at cultivating these relationships.

With the Xu family’s constantly increasing financial might, his own capabilities and charm, and those mysterious calls which had come from the provincial government back then which gave him an air of mystery, Mr Xu had actually covertly woven a huge web of influence for their Xu family.

He was altruistic too. From education to disaster relief, the Xu family donated several million annually. Such had also raised Mr Xu’s public reputation, paving his way in the bureaucracy.

In Mr Xu’s own words to Xu Tingsheng, this was like a protective talisman.

He could also be as vicious and unflinching as when he and a few of his old bros had wielded blades and defended their factory way back in the past. One of Happy Shoppers’ franchises in another province had been wrecked by a local snakehead, their employees all suffering injuries. Mr Xu had personally brought along Zhong Wusheng, Wang Xiao and co in rushing straight over to pacify the employees and give them some compensation before marching straight for the local snakehead. Refusing to mediate, he had duly repaid what had been dealt them tenfold.

That single battle had secured the safety of Happy Shoppers’ branches all around the country.

While Xu Tingsheng might be more well-known than his father on the internet and in the entire country, it was Mr Xu, Xu Jianliang who had more legends in Jiannan and Libei. He was Libei’s greatest legend.

Chapter 477: The Xu family's daughter

Chapter 477: The Xu family’s daughter

Fu Qizhi’s attitude towards Mr Xu was naturally affected by this. While it was not to the extent of being subservient and servile, that he respected him was a given.

Mr and Mrs Fu treasured that minor relationship between them and the Xu family a lot despite the fact that it was becoming increasingly irrelevant and more difficult for them to make use of.

Still, due to the relationship between Fu Cheng and Xu Tingsheng, they still saw the Xu family as their greatest potential source of assistance in planning the future of their Fu family and Fu Cheng’s prospects.

It was just their hopes here rested on Xu Tingsheng.

……

A rather awkward-looking Fu Qizhi asked Mr Xu about the purpose of his visit.

Mr Xu smiled and answered calmly, “I’m here to take in a goddaughter and bring her back home for the New Year.”

“Huh?”

Xu Tingsheng aside, everyone else was inevitably bemused. Could it be that…

“Ms Fang, Fang Yunyao. You should know her too, right, Chief Fu?” Mr Xu did not beat around the bush as he turned towards Fang Yunyao and continued, “See, Ms Fang, pardon our thick skin, but Tingsheng’s Mum and I would like to take you as our goddaughter. I wonder if you would do us the honour of accepting?”

Fang Yunyao felt dazed.

Fu Cheng felt dazed.

Mr and Mrs Fu felt dazed. They were certainly aware that Fang Yunyao had some ties with the Xu family. After all, the Xu family had gotten involved in that assault incident back then.

Still, as they saw it, this should be because Fang Yunyao had been Xu Tingsheng’s teacher. It would have been the same had it been any other teacher as the Xu family would still have lent their aid.

“So, the Xu family and Fang Yunyao...do the ties between them really amount to so much?” Mr and Mrs Fu were inwardly wondering.

They did not know that when the Xu family had just started out back then, with Mr Xu having been framed and imprisoned and the Xu family pressed by hundreds of debtors close to the New Year, that girl, Fang Yunyao had taken all her accumulated savings and personally put them uncompromisingly in Xu Tingsheng’s hands at the most critical moment.

This was a poor girl who still had to send money back to her family every month. For her to have accumulated such a sum of money, it would have been from painstakingly saving every dollar and cent she could on a daily basis. That money might be the dowry she had prepared for herself.

At the time, from the looks of things, it had seemed virtually impossible for the Xu family to make a comeback. This entailed that they might well not be able to return her this sum of money in the future.

Yet, she had still taken it out and given it to them.

The Xu family’s way was: The gratitude of a drop of water, to be repaid with a gushing spring.

Li Xiu, Happy Shoppers’ first manager who had accompanied them through these tough times, remained in the higher echelons as an influential employee no matter how big Happy Shoppers grew and how many talents it recruited.

Wang Jinfang had applied for leave from his army camp and transferred eight thousand yuan to Xu Tingsheng upon hearing the news. He too had later joined Happy Shoppers after leaving the army.

Having previously joked then that he was placing all his bets on the Xu family and lent a helping hand, Vice-Principal Lou and Mr Xu now addressed each other as brothers. There was probably only him in the whole of Libei who could still slam the table and glare at Mr Xu at present, yelling unreasonably that he would blow Happy Shoppers up…

Because Fang Yunyao had suddenly left, Mr and Mrs Xu had been sighing regretfully these past two years as they did not know if they would have a chance to return the favour.

And now, the time to return the favour had come.

Because of Fang Yunyao herself, because of his son Xu Tingsheng, and maybe also because it was Fu Cheng, after receiving a call from Xu Tingsheng a few days ago, Mr Xu had discussed it with his wife and decided upon this solution.

You disdain Fang Yunyao for being involved in that incident, afraid that her reputation in Libei will affect your Fu family? Well, I’ll use the name of Xu Jianliang in Libei to quell it. If anyone feels like they have a problem with that, they can come look for my Xu family.

Where they were clearly in the right, he would like to see who dared talk nonsense.

You disdain that a marriage with Fang Yunyao will hinder your Fu family from climbing higher? Well, I’ll tell you that if the Fu family manages to wed Fang Yunyao, that will truly be obtaining support from up high. Behind her lies the entire Xu family.

Your son has a relationship with Tingsheng, but your son doesn’t have a relationship with me, Xu Jianliang...Fang Yunyao does, though.

And that’s in no way worse than trying to get on the good side of a Deputy Mayor, right?

Mr Xu would surely not be forceful and domineering and try to interfere directly. With his life experience, he knew that intervening in another family’s matters based on his strength was sure to evoke fury and resistance…

He had not even mentioned things between Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng at all, including the Fu family’s previous attitude towards Fang Yunyao.

Still, he had adroitly averted the problem with just a few words, uprooting the fundamental basis for Mr and Mrs Fu’s resolute stance on Fang Yunyao.

While some problems naturally still remained like their age gap and former student-teacher relationship, those were no longer so significant when otherwise entailed losing their son, Fu Cheng and their pitiful, adorable granddaughter Niannian, for good. There was assistance from the Xu family to look forward to as well...and Fang Yunyao herself was actually not bad, in truth.

Mr and Mrs Fu began feeling rather hesitant, just that their pride prevented them from immediately caving in.

“Uncle Fu, Auntie, look, don’t stand on ceremony! Sit down, I’ll make you some tea.” Xu Tingsheng enthusiastically struck while the iron was hot, successfully getting the two to sit down.

Together, Xu Tingsheng and Little Xiang Ning prepared tea for Fu Cheng’s parents as well as his own.

“Have some tea, Uncle. Have some tea, Auntie,” Xiang Ning said very politely and obediently, with Xu Tingsheng having intentionally gotten her to serve his parents tea.

“Thanks. Xiang Ning should be in tenth grade now, right?” Mr Xu asked in a cordial manner.

“Right,” Xiang Ning nodded, replying nervously, “I’ll be in university really soon, and then graduate.”

While it might seem that there was no real link here, what the young girl wanted to express was actually very obvious. Just as Mr and Mrs Fu felt that Fang Yunyao was too old, Xiang Ning too feared that Mr and Mrs Xu might find her to be too young.

Having recently witnessed the drama-ridden hardship in the relationship between Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng, Little Xiang Ning’s sense of crisis skyrocketed.

Mr Xu was taken aback slightly before he smiled and replied, “True.”

To be honest, Mr and Mrs Xu did not really know what to think about their son’s little girlfriend who had suddenly popped out from nowhere. It was certain that she was pretty good as could be seen from the period of time Xu Tingsheng had been unconscious, and Mrs Xu did love her Fuxi bones. Her age, though...really left one feeling helpless.

Mrs Xu, especially, wished that Xu Tingsheng could get married and produce some offspring as soon as he graduated from university, giving her some grandchildren while ensuring that the Xu family would have a successor to their vast businesses.

If they had to wait for this young girl, how long would they have to wait, with how much time wasted away?

“Uncle Xu, Auntie...by the way, I’d like to ask-Are you wanting of a godson, by any chance?” Huang Yaming shamelessly interjected, causing everyone to burst into peals of laughter.

Everyone in the Xu family was very well acquainted with Huang Yaming.

Mrs Xu exclaimed, “You, you’re getting more and more mischievous!”

Placing Niannian on her knee, she smiled, saying to Fang Yunyao, “Look, Ms Fang...I’m carrying my granddaughter already.”

By now, Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao were no longer feeling perplexed. They understood why Mr and Mrs Xu had shown up all of a sudden and done such a thing.

Fu Cheng recalled when Xu Tingsheng had told him that his parents would be coming to Yanzhou that night, patting him on the shoulder smilingly as he reassured him that everything would be fine...so he had already long since been working to resolve the problem.

Fu Cheng nodded firmly towards Xu Tingsheng.

As bros of two lifetimes, there was no need for words between them.

Fang Yunyao was feeling much more emotional. As Fu Cheng and Xu Tingsheng were bros, it was really natural for them to share a close relationship. In contrast, she herself did not actually have all that deep a relationship with Mr and Mrs Xu, in truth.

If the Xu family was repaying the favour from back then, what was being repaid was really far too great. It was an entire lifetime’s worth of kinship, love and concern from Libei’s Xu family.

Having been trying hard to keep strong all this while, Fang Yunyao involuntarily teared.

“What do you think, Ms Fang? Is that okay?” Mrs Xu gazed over and asked again.

With tears in her eyes, Fang Yunyao nodded vigorously.

“Isn’t it all fine then? What’re you crying for?” A smiling Mrs Xu waved her over, “Come, sit here.”

Fang Yunyao obediently walked over and sat down beside Mrs Xu.

Mrs Xu helped to dab away her tears and opened her bag, retrieving an intricate wooden box. She opened the box to reveal a smooth, lustrous jade bracelet.

Not giving Fang Yunyao a chance to stand on ceremony and refuse the bracelet, Mrs Xu slotted it right onto her wrist.

“From this day forth, you are the Xu family’s daughter.”

Chapter 478: The dust settles, all is well

Chapter 478: The dust settles, all is well

A dramatic grand reversal thus unfolded for the Xu family’s daughter as impoverished girl instantly turned into rich young lady.

“Now that Ms Fang has found such a towering tree to shade her, it really is bitterness ends, sweetness begins. How fortunate. The current Xu family is something that so many can only gaze wistfully up at,” Huang Yaming told Song Ni emotionally, “I’m feeling envious to death.”

“Why are you always thinking about this stuff? It’s the same for everyone, really. Mr Xu’s generous. He won’t mistreat anyone,” Song Ni smiled and replied.

“How is it the same for everyone? Just take that bracelet, for instance. It’s got to cost a hundred thousand yuan at the very least, alright. How about you give me one too?” The current Huang Yaming actually did not lack this hundred thousand yuan, in truth, just that he liked messing around and commenting randomly especially when the atmosphere was lively like this.

Hearing this, Fang Yunyao immediately wanted to blurt out something. Mrs Xu clutched her hand and patted the back of it, calming her down.

This was followed by another box, a little smaller than the previous.

Mrs Xu opened the box and retrieved a longevity lock which she carefully hung around Niannian’s neck, “This is for my dear granddaughter, healthy, happy and blessed with longevity…”

Niannian chortled with joy, waving her arms and legs. Fang Yunyao, meanwhile, was simply unable to repress her tears any longer. Ever since she had given birth to Niannian, there had come those two years of loneliness and hardship. No one had ever doted on and treasured she and her daughter so before.

“Come, let me carry our granddaughter for a bit,” Mr Xu leaned over and extended his arms.

Everyone’s gazes congregated on Little Niannian. If this little girl was as clever as before, she would really be boundlessly blessed. This was Mr Xu, the actual towering pillar of the Xu family. His own achievements notwithstanding, even Xu Tingsheng had to humbly listen to his words.

“Ah…” Little Niannian made a sound and joyfully opened her arms, leaning towards Mr Xu.

“Eat,” Entering Mr Xu’s embrace, out came the half-eaten sweet again. The same tactic…

Mr Xu laughed happily, putting on no airs at all as he played along with Little Niannian.

"This little genius of yours is going to overturn the heavens. So much better than you, who's just like a block of wood," Huang Yaming told Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng smiled radiantly, feeling very happy indeed. What his parents had not given to Fang Yunyao and Niannian, he had seen in Mr and Mrs Xu.

"Xiang Ning, you come over too," Mrs Xu suddenly waved Xiang Ning over.

Little Xiang Ning raised her head and looked at Xu Tingsheng.

"Go on," Xu Tingsheng said.

Mrs Xu retrieved a third box from her bag, within which was a jade necklace.

"For safety and protection, a custom-made Fuxi idol necklace. You're blessed with great fortune. Study hard and eat more."

Mrs Xu personally put on the necklace for her. However, she was only able to say these more common things to her. While Xiang Ning was Xu Tingsheng's girlfriend, she was honestly still a little far off from becoming the Xu family's daughter-in-law right now.

"Right, thank you Auntie...I'll be sure to eat more," Clutching her jade necklace, Little Xiang Ning joyfully went back to Xu Tingsheng's side.

Everyone was all smiles and in high spirits, Mr and Mrs Fu being the only exceptions. While they were also smiling, they were pretty much not saying anything as their expressions were a little awkward.

Lunch was cooked by Xu Tingsheng.

Fang Yunyao scooped some rice for Mr and Mrs Xu as well as Fu Cheng's parents and brought it over to them.

In front of Fu Cheng's parents, she opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. Perhaps she did not know how to address them. The world of hurt she had suffered had all begun with a simple ‘Uncle, Auntie’.

In front of Mr and Mrs Xu, Fang Yunyao felt much more at home. “Uncle Xu, Auntie, do eat,” She said.

“You got to change your way of calling them, Ms Fang,” An enthused Huang Yaming urged.

Fang Yunyao paused awkwardly for a moment, then said, “Godfather, godmother, do eat.”

“Oh, alright!” Mrs Xu responded happily.

“Good,” Mr Xu picked up the bowl and smiled, “You can take your time to get used to it, actually. I was thinking earlier that it would be better to make this a bit more formal. So, we’re planning to host a few tables after the New Year, inviting our acquaintances and some higher-ups from Libei along with some friends from the city and province over for a meal.”

With that, he calmly started eating.

Everyone was left musing on his words.

It was especially so for Mr and Mrs Fu who nearly dropped the chopsticks they had just picked up.

What did Mr Xu mean by making it so formal? Firstly, the Xu family wanted to forcibly quell the public opinion in Libei, expressing their stance and diminishing the pressure on the Fu family. Secondly, the Xu family wanted to prove how much they valued their goddaughter, entailing support for her in the future. Thirdly, the Xu family was giving the Fu family a chance to be recipient to their support...the only question was...did they want it?

“Chief Fu, and Fu Cheng’s Mum, if you’re free then, I’ll get Tingsheng to send an invitation to your house,” Mr Xu added.

With the Xu family having gone to this extent, Mr Fu thought about it and smiled, “Okay. My unit will be on holiday during that time. I’ll definitely be free.”

The meal left everyone feeling rested and happy.

After the meal, Mr Xu sat in the living room and drank tea with Mr and Mrs Fu.

“Right, Tingsheng has a real estate project over here. I haven’t seen the actual site yet, though,” Mr Xu suddenly said, “I heard that it’s not so far away from here, just past the bridge. I’d like to have a stroll and take a look around. Chief Fu, Fu Cheng’s Mum, how about we all go together?”

Mr and Mrs Fu did not hesitate as they immediately got up and agreed.

There was some advice concerning Fu Cheng, Fang Yunyao and Niannian that would definitely be inappropriate for Xu Tingsheng and co to say to Mr and Mrs Fu. Even if Mr Xu were the one to say it, in truth, it would do no good to say it in front of the kids.

If he did so, due to their pride, Mr and Mrs Fu would naturally not be able to concede anything.

Therefore, Mr Xu purposely got Mr and Mrs Fu outside where it would be convenient for them to speak in private.

No one knew what words were said. Whatever the case, when they returned more than an hour later, Mr and Mrs Fu’s expressions had changed greatly as they looked much more comfortable and relaxed than before.

Little Niannian had spent most of the day in Mrs Xu’s arms. A clever, adorable one-year-old like her-anyone would love her.

Mr Fu, the authentic grandfather, looked on smilingly for a while. Finally, he could hold himself back no longer.

“Well…” Mr Fu trailed off, “Can I carry you for a bit?”

He extended his arms.

Yet, Niannian averted her gaze, cuddling deeper into Mrs Xu’s embrace.

Now this was really awkward. Who asked them to have treated her that way earlier? How proactive had Niannian been then? And you guys? Sorry, you hurt Little Niannian’s feelings. Before? Now? Huh!

Mr Fu laughed a little awkwardly.

Fang Yunyao walked over, taking Niannian from Mrs Xu and coaxing her softly before carrying her rather nervously over to Mr Fu. “Be good, Niannian. Grand…” She stopped short before she could finish.

“Grandpa will carry you,” Mr Fu finished for her and carried Niannian, placing her on his knee.

Niannian was indeed magnanimous, for after Mr Fu coaxed and teased her for a while, she began smiling again.

Mrs Fu was sitting beside Mr Fu, gazing over with a blazing desire in her heart. Yet, Mr Fu had already been about to carry Niannian that morning in the first place. It was she who had stopped him from doing so. Thus, she was inevitably feeling rather more awkward than he was.

After holding it in for a long time, her urge could finally no longer be repressed.

“Let me carry her too,” Mrs Fu requested of Mr Fu in a hushed tone.

Somewhat mysteriously, all the conversations in the room unexpectedly stopped simultaneously the very moment Mrs Fu said this, her voice ringing exceptionally clear amidst the silence.

“What now...isn’t it perfectly natural for a grandma to want to carry her granddaughter?!” Mrs Fu shot defensively, forgetting everything else as she snatched Little Niannian over from Mr Fu and hugged her.

It was time. Xu Tingsheng nudged Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng walked over to his mother and asked, “Hey Mum, Niannian doesn’t have any anklet or bracelet or whatnot yet. I hear that these things are better made with silver. Is there any old silver at home?”

Fu Cheng figuratively made a pedestal for his parents to step down from.

Mrs Fu glanced at her son, feeling greatly emotional and tearing as she nodded, “Oh there is. Mum will get one made for Niannian as soon as I get back.”

At this point in time, while it had not been said overtly, things were really already crystal clear. This matter was, basically, successfully settled.

Beside her, Mr Fu looked at Fang Yunyao and asked rather awkwardly, “Oh, Ms Fang, since you’ll be going to Libei with Niannian for the New Year, come eat at our house if you’re free...after the New Year, we’ll find some time and head over to meet your parents.”

Fang Yunyao secretly wiped away her tears before turning back and smiling as she nodded, “Okay.”

Chapter 479: Lunar New Year's Eve, 2006

Chapter 479: Lunar New Year’s Eve, 2006

Since the next day was the Lunar New Year’s Eve, they decided to return that afternoon.

Having originally intended to spend the Lunar New Year in Yanzhou, Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao were going to return to Libei too. Thus, of everyone present, only Little Xiang Ning would not be going with them. As everyone else packed their luggage, Xu Tingsheng drove Xiang Ning home.

Mr and Mrs Xiang would be closing shop for a few days during the festival period. Today was the first day of their break.

On the car, Little Xiang Ning requested, “Play that song, please.”

So Xu Tingsheng found that old album and pressed the play button.

The deep voice of Jonathan Lee began to reverberate in the car as he sang <<Infatuation>>.

“Someone asked me what’s so good about you, that I still can’t forget you after so many years. The spring breeze can’t match up to your smile however beautiful it is, those who’ve never seen you wouldn’t understand.”

“Just like me,” The sixteen-year-old girl suddenly mused aloud, “It’s just like me. Many people will surely have asked you why it’s me. Sadly, even those who’ve seen me won’t understand.”

“I’ve never done anything for you before, Uncle, but still you dote on me,” Xiang Ning said.

Xu Tingsheng naturally had no way of revealing how he had let her down in his previous life, how she had willingly waited so long and tragically for him but to no avail.

He said, “But you’re just sixteen. The world can’t just ask someone to radiate like a supernova and do a lot for another person when they’re only fourteen or fifteen. There’ll be lots of time for that in the future. Right now, allowing me to be good to you is the best you can do for me.”

Xu Tingsheng had said this in a dramatic, heartfelt manner.

Yet, Xiang Ning said, “Again with the sweet nothings. You must be really good at cheating girls, Uncle.”

Miss Xiang had said this too in his previous life, and Xu Tingsheng had been unable to rebut it. While he had not been a philanderer per se, he had spent some years roaming about fields of flowers. In the end, though, he had ended up falling at the hands of inexperienced Miss Xiang.

Whether one is used to fooling around or single-minded devotion, be they ordinary or not, everyone will inevitably experience a serious, important relationship at least once in their life. Oftentimes, this ends in hurt…

Hopefully, there would be no such thing in this life.

“I’ll be seventeen after the New Year,” Xiang Ning said.

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“You must come back quickly!”

“Alright.”

……

On their return journey, Mr and Mrs Fu travelled in Mr Xu’s A8I.

Song Ni travelled in Huang Yaming’s G500.

Carrying Little Niannian, Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao insisted on squeezing onto Xu Tingsheng’s decrepit Volkswagen.

“Really, why not take my Dad’s car? The car’s good, and there’s a professional driver too. It’d be safer for Little Niannian,” Xu Tingsheng asked helplessly, “And yet you must squeeze into this decrepit car of mine.”

Fu Cheng smiled and did not speak.

Fang Yunyao said to her daughter whom she was carrying, “Niannian…”

Receiving the signal, Niannian raised her head and yelled with all her might, “Godfather!”

“...Yes!” Xu Tingsheng responded vigorously.

Then, filled with satisfaction, he smiled to himself for a long time.

“When did you teach her that?” He asked curiously.

Fang Yunyao answered, “When you were sending Xiang Ning home! It’s strange, she picked it up right away. Tingsheng, we...thank you.”

“Why thank me? Your relationship ultimately depends on yourselves. If he wasn’t stubborn and you didn’t persist, this day would never have come. You should thank yourselves, and Little Niannian too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Fu Cheng patted Xu Tingsheng on the back, saying, “Niannian’s done it. Your turn now.”

“I...what?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Call me (big) brother-in-law!” Fu Cheng laughed.

“...Dream on.”

“Is Ms Fang your big sister now?”

“...That’s right.”

“What does that make me then?” Fu Cheng asked.

“...So I dug such a great big pit for myself. Do I get a red packet if I do it?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, Big Sis.”

“Yes,” Fang Yunyao smiled and responded.

“(Big) brother-in-law.”

“Yes. Hahahahahaha…”

“Ha your sister. Where’s my red packet?”

“You gotta give Niannian a red packet for the New Year, right?”

“Right.”

“Deduct ten yuan from it. Consider it my red packet money for you.”

“...”

……

Upon reaching Libei, Fu Cheng would be going home whereas Fang Yunyao was going to bring Niannian to the Xu family home. Just like Fu Cheng, Mr and Mrs Fu both wanted to carry Niannian for ‘just a little while more’ as they simply could not bear to part from her…

After settling Fang Yunyao and Niannian down, the members of the Xu family all slept very early that night, Xu Qiuyi who was about to enter a new semester in twelfth grade included.

They awoke very early the next day, buying groceries, washing groceries, making preparations…

It would be the third year now. Ever since that year where fireworks had enveloped the sky, the Xu family had had such a tradition, just that it had thereafter been changed from dinner to lunch. On the eve of the Lunar New Year, the Xu family would invite Happy Shoppers’ middle and higher echelons as well as some outstanding employees over to their house for a meal.

Who could step into the Xu family home and eat this meal on this day...this had spiritually  become the greatest reward and recognition an employee of Happy Shoppers could have. Everyone really aspired towards this great honour.

As per usual practice, everybody was not allowed to bring presents or offer any assistance today.

As the Xu family’s honoured guests, all they had to do was sit there and pleasantly enjoy it.

Mrs Xu was the chef for this meal. Mr Xu, Xu Tingsheng and Xu Qiuyi served the dishes. As soon as you had yelled that there was no more wine at the table, Boss Xu or his son would be there with some right away. This unique company culture originated from Mr Xu’s personality. Those who put in effort would definitely be repaid for their hard work. This was practical and also heartwarming.

Once in a while, Xu Tingsheng would muse that perhaps he should learn from this over at Xingchen.

The sole problem was that as Happy Shoppers grew in scale, there were more and more ‘honoured guests’ coming over for this banquet every year. When the time came for their reunion dinner, the four members of the Xu family were dog tired from all these exertions.

The Xu family home was exceptionally lively on this last night of the lunar year. Besides Fang Yunyao and Niannian, Zhong Wusheng who had already bought a house in the county brought his wife and two daughters over to attend their annual reunion dinner as well.

The three little ones brought great life and joy to the proceedings.

Mrs Xu would constantly glance at Xu Tingsheng while playing with the kids with a meaningful look in her eyes.

“Did you have a kid outside by any chance? If you do, hurry up and carry him back!” She said.

Xu Tingsheng secretly thought to himself, “That actually nearly happened.”

At the same time.

Little Xiang Ning and her parents had their reunion dinner at her grandmother’s house along with her eldest uncle’s family and her two aunties’ families. Having earned over two hundred thousand after starting a restaurant in the past year, Mr and Mrs Xiang were feeling more assured of themselves.

It was just that while Little Xiang Ning had started working a little harder, her results were ultimately unable to match up to that of her eldest uncle’s son.

Mr and Mrs Xiang were considering getting Xu Tingsheng to help with tutoring Xiang Ning after the Lunar New Year.

Still, while they were concerned about this, those aunties and uncles simply weren’t interested in talking about results at all now.

The way they treated the Xiang family had changed completely now. They were always acting nonchalant while trying to pry into the state of the current relationship between the Xiang family and Xu Tingsheng.

As they looked at the family of three, their gazes always carried ‘envy’ and ‘words that they were only barely managing to repress’.

Little Xiang Ning’s necklace dropped out while she was lowering her head and taking rice.

The eyes of second auntie’s husband who was sitting opposite her instantly shone.

“Little Ning, who gave you that necklace?” This was also Mr and Mrs Xiang’s first time seeing this necklace. Xiang Ning had forgotten to mention it to them when she had gotten home the day before.

Little Xiang Ning wanted to hide it, but it was already too late.

“It’s okay, Little Ning, just say it. Grandma wants to know too. Listening to your uncles and aunties guessing here and there everyday, grandma feels so curious too,” Her grandmother continued smilingly, “You’re already seventeen, it’s fine...I had your eldest uncle at seventeen.”

Little Xiang Ning’s face flushed beetroot red. Still, since her beloved grandma had asked her, she had to say it.

“It was, it was that person…” She said.

“Xu Tingsheng?” Eldest uncle’s wife interjected.

“It, it was his mother who gave it to me,” Xiang Ning said.

As Mr and Mrs Xiang and those from Mrs Xiang’s maiden home saw it, between Xu Tingsheng or his mother having given the necklace, the latter was so much more significant due to what it also entailed.

“Can I have a look at it?” Second auntie’s husband requested.

Little Xiang Ning could only take the necklace off.

“Ooh…” Second auntie’s husband said.

“What are you oohing at? Do you really know this stuff?” His wife asked.

“A little. My company’s lady boss loves jade the most. She loves talking about it and showing off in the company, and I just listened a little. Last time, she showed off to us a Guanyin idol that she said cost over a hundred thousand and spent such a long time explaining all about it…”

“Over a hundred thousand?” Everyone exclaimed in astonishment, this still being 2006.

“Yes. The quality is still a far cry from Little Ning’s piece here, though,” Second auntie’s husband said.

Everyone fell silent. Mrs Xiang’s chopsticks fell onto the table with a clatter.

“Such a small little thing, and yet it costs almost as much as me tiringly running a restaurant for so long,” Mr Xu said rather despondently.

They had been working their socks off in a bid to lessen the gap between their familial statuses for Little Ning...but it looked like the gap was just growing wider and wider.

“Don’t try comparing yourselves with them,” Second auntie’s husband said, “This is merely the cost of the raw materials. There’s still the crafting, and wastage...the crafting is so much better than our Lady Boss’s. I’ve never seen anything like it before…”

Little Xiang Ning had actually heard the price of the bracelet Mrs Xu had given Ms Fang back then. It cost perhaps a hundred thousand. As she had no good concept of money, she had thought that hers should be cheaper since it was much smaller than a bracelet. She had therefore not been bothered by it.

Now that second auntie’s husband was saying this, even she felt rather embarrassed as she hurriedly elaborated, “Auntie said that it was custom-made.”

Second auntie’s husband was astonished as he muttered, “In that case, it’s one of a kind. It might even be the handiwork of a grandmaster. I really have no idea, no real concept of this…”

“So, how much does this cost, exactly? (Elder) Brother-in-law?” Mrs Xiang pressed.

“You ask me, but I don’t know too! Anyway, it’s high-end and ridiculously pricey. If it’s really good, really favoured, maybe, just maybe...it might even cost a million.”

Everyone was mindblown.

While Mr Xiang had suffered a shock, a thought immediately came to his mind.

“No, it’s too expensive. We’ve got to return it,” He said over and over.

“Are you silly? If it was Xu Tingsheng himself who gave it, you would still be able to return if it you are polite,” Eldest uncle said exasperatedly, “But didn’t you hear what Little Ning said? His mother personally gave it to her. Return it, you say...you do know what that means, right?”

Mr and Mrs Xiang spoke no longer. Indeed, the necklace could not be returned.

“Keep it, keep it well. You two keep it for Little Ning. You can’t let Little Ning wear this out again,” Xiang Ning’s grandmother suddenly said urgently.

“Also, if you people dare to talk about this outside and anyone finds out that Little Ning has this, don’t blame me for what I’ll do to you,” She warned, looking at the rest of them.

Old people were cautious. That one could not let their wealth be known was a textbook principle.

“Little Ning.”

“Yes, Grandma.”

“Bring that Xu Tingsheng over to have a chat with Grandma after the New Year."

“Okay.”

Chapter 480: That conniving old dame

Chapter 480: That conniving old dame

In the end, second auntie’s husband clenched his teeth and estimated, “It’s got to cost three to four hundred thousand at the very least.”

Holding a piece of jade that had got to cost at least three to four hundred thousand, Mrs Xiang felt a little panicked.

Right now, Xiang Ning’s eldest uncle made perfect sense. It was Xu Tingsheng’s parents who had given Xiang Ning the necklace, signifying the Xu family’s acceptance of her. Since Xiang Ning had accepted the necklace at the time, for them to return it now...would not be polite at all.

This object which everyone was staring so enviously at was something they could neither return nor put on. The Xiang family felt so helpless at that.

“You can’t return it. Just keep it for now,” Xiang Ning’s grandmother passed over a handkerchief with a white base and blue sides.

Mrs Xiang took the handkerchief and wrapped up the necklace securely, tying two dead knots on the handkerchief’s four corners. She carefully placed it inside her bag before zipping it up.

Before even taking her next bite, Mrs Xiang unzipped her bag, taking the object out again.

“I’m scared I might lose the bag. What if I accidentally misplace it...” She said uneasily.

“Maybe I should keep it,” Mr Xiang extended a hand and said.

And so, the necklace eventually ended up in Mr Xiang’s inner shirt pocket.

After personally helping to zip up that pocket, Mrs Xiang asked, “Is it safe?”

Mr Xiang nodded, “It’s right over my heart. I can feel it even when it moves just a bit. Relax, it’s safe here.”

Mrs Xiang finally heaved a sigh of relief. It was the same for everyone else too as it was like they had all just experienced some major affair. Their voices were hushed as they acted all solemn and mysterious.

Little Xiang Ning felt so helpless. She was thinking: Should I tell everyone how I donated Xu Tingsheng’s ten thousand last time? Nah, I’d better not say it. From the looks of it, I’d probably be beaten up.

Then came something even more vexing. While watching the New Years’ Gala in the living room after dinner, the whole family was looking at her forehead rather than the television screen. She had not discovered anything very special when looking into the mirror, but her family members seemed to be very enthusiastic about this.

“Truly blessed with great fortune and wealth, these Fuxi bones…”

“Little Ning is so blessed.”

“Isn’t she? Maybe some of it will rub off on us. Don’t you think, Little Ning?”

“Huh? Right.”

Xiang Ning was thinking: If only it weren’t so expensive. Now I can’t wear it anymore.

“...”

……

The sixth act of the New Years’ Gala started. The song <<The Sun Over The Plains That Never Sets>> played.

Mrs Xu patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder from behind him. As Xu Tingsheng turned to look at her, she indicated with her chin for him to go outside to talk.

With his mother suddenly acting so mysterious, Xu Tingsheng really felt a bit panicked.

“What is it, Mum?” After following his mother to the kitchen, Xu Tingsheng asked rather nervously.

“Nothing much. Mum just wants to ask you...having you really decided on that little girl? Tell Mum the truth,” Mrs Xu cut to the chase.

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback, “Why are you suddenly asking about this?”

“Don’t you mind that. Just tell me-Yes, or no?”

“Well, yes, I guess.”

“Got it. I’m not a picky person. I won’t care so much like Fu Cheng’s parents. It’s enough if you like her,” Mrs Xu nodded straightforwardly, “She’s actually not bad, just that she’s a little thin and needs to put on some weight. Her personality and character are pretty good too, and she’s not fake at all. I saw all this at the hospital. The only thing is that she is...too little. Really too little.”

“Well, there’s nothing that can be done about that. I’ll just have to wait,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Wait? Maybe you can wait, but I can’t,” Mrs Xu said very sternly, “Next year will be your fourth year of university, and then you’ll graduate. But how old is she now? She will only graduate after another five, six years, right..and no way that’s okay! How am I supposed to wait that long?!”

“But there’s really nothing I can do!” Xu Tingsheng smiled ingratiatingly while thinking to himself: You think that I’m not frantic?

“Says who? There is a way. I found this out long ago,” Mrs Xu declared rather triumphantly and with a lot of conviction too.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked curiously.

“After graduating from senior high, send Xiang Ning abroad to study, to that, that America...then, you go there too. I heard that the legal age for marriage there is eighteen. There are also many girls who give birth before the age of twenty there; it isn’t uncommon at all. Go over there, get married and give birth to one first before anything else.”

To such a crazy notion, Xu Tingsheng could only remark, “Huh?”

“What huh? Can’t you see how Mum is longing for those three crawling on the floor inside the house? Mum even wishes you could learn from Fu Cheng and secretly give birth to one,” Mrs Xu exclaimed rather emotionally, “Anyway, I’m just telling this to you. It’s settled, no argument allowed. Wait till she graduates from university? Wait till you’re twenty-eight, twenty-nine? Ha! Definitely not. Most definitely not!” Mrs Xu chopped down decisively with her hand in one swift motion.

In a flash, Xu Tingsheng thought back to those three years in his previous life when his business had failed and he had yet to marry. He recalled the envious gaze when his mother looked at other people’s grandchildren and how she would sometimes stare at him, wanting to say something yet holding it back.

In his previous life, afraid of putting even more pressure on he who was having a tough time, his mother had repressed all her innermost feelings and desires.

This life was different, though. With their current glorious state, there was nothing Mrs Xu had to be concerned about. Therefore, her stance was naturally completely different from before.

“No, Mum. Your idea’s not bad,” Xu Tingsheng pacified his mother and got her to sit down before venturing cautiously, “But we can’t act just based on how our family feels, right? We must also respect what Xiang Ning’s family thinks...they only have one daughter, so going overseas is pretty…”

“Even the betrothal gift has been accepted…” Mrs Xu muttered to herself with a triumphant look on her face.

“What? What betrothal gift?” Xu Tingsheng asked in bewilderment.

If his parents had delivered the betrothal gift and the Xiang family had accepted too, how was it that the two related parties, he and Xiang Ning, both did not know about it?

“That necklace,” Mrs Xu said, looking at him.

“...That’s considered a betrothal gift?” Xu Tingsheng felt a little like laughing as he thought: Old woman, how petty of you. Our family is so rich, you just gave a small piece of jade, and it even counts as a betrothal gift?

“Something that costs over three million as their first betrothal gift-isn’t that enough? Whatever else can still be discussed. However much they want, they can have it,” The way Mrs Xu was acting ‘rich and boastful’ here was actually kind of interesting to watch.

Seeing that his mother did not look like she was joking, Xu Tingsheng asked hesitantly, “No, Mum. You said it cost...over three million?”

“Well of course!”

“But it’s so small.”

“How would you know? The materials that I bought from your Dad’s friend alone already cost over 2.6 million. Adding the crafting fees from the grandmaster...I tell you, over three million is already putting it mildly.”

The current Mrs Xu was of a completely different status from in his previous life, hence knowing this stuff better than he did for real.

“Two top quality materials in a single piece of natural jade-have you ever seen that before? With a transparent base and an emperor green, and yet in that emperor green is perfectly carved out the likeness of a being-do you think that is so easy to find?”

Xu Tingsheng thought back on this. That necklace around Xiang Ning’s neck seemed really like his mother had just said, its base transparent and without a single hint of impurity and the green portion fully concentrated in perfectly carving out the likeness of Fuxi…

Xu Tingsheng had thought at the time: This thing might also cost over ten thousand.

Now he knew...over three million...hanging around Little Xiang Ning’s neck…

“What the!” Xu Tingsheng immediately felt frantic.

He was not so worried about it falling and getting damaged as he was this-what if she ran into a bad guy who recognised its worth?

Mrs Xu was still muttering, “Since they have accepted it, they will have no choice and no voice. Either they return it...but that would mean that they look down on you, look down on our family. Or they don’t return it, and when I bring this up to them then, how would they be able to refuse us?”

This was basically equivalent to bullying the ignorant Little Xiang Ning and burying a trap for her. Indeed, Little Xiang Ning had foolishly fallen hook, line and sinker just like that. That conniving old dame...Xu Tingsheng patted his forehead helplessly. It was fortunate that he had not told those of his family about that flat in Ning Garden.

Of course, as a woman who came from a village family, it was actually only natural that his mother thought this way. By that logic, she should be lauded for her wit, even.

“Mum, I still have to think about this. I’ll go make a call first,” Xu Tingsheng said frantically.

Before his mother could react, he dashed out of the house and dialled Little Xiang Ning’s number.

The call connected.

“Xiang Ning?”

“Yes?”

“That necklace, the one my Mum gave you, you can’t wear it outside. Get your Mum and Dad to keep it for you, and keep it safe...I’ll buy one for you that you can wear outside later.”

Xu Tingsheng did not feel so good openly reporting the price of the necklace.

“Why is that so?” Xiang Ning asked laughingly, but then answered before Xu Tingsheng himself could, “Because it’s very expensive, right? I know that! My family was all nervous earlier. Relax, Mum and Dad have already kept it properly.”

“That’s good then,” Xu Tingsheng heaved a sigh of relief.

“Still, that really is expensive!” Xiang Ning exclaimed in wonderment, “Second auntie’s husband said that it might cost three hundred thousand! Is it really that expensive?”

Xu Tingsheng froze for a moment. Ten percent? They had been swindled, yet they did not even know to what extent they had been swindled. How sad was that...what would that conniving old dame think if she knew about that, he wondered.

“More or less,” Xu Tingsheng thought that this was a good thing as he decided not to report the actual value.

Instead, he reminded her, “Still, if anyone tries to buy it for that price, you definitely can’t sell it! Get your Mum and Dad to keep it safe and hide it well.”

“Right, I won’t sell it. It’s your Mum who gave it to me. I won’t sell it no matter the price.”

“That’s good then…”

“Auntie is just too good to me. I feel a little embarrassed.”

“Uh...right, my Mum...is pretty good.”

Xu Tingsheng was feeling a bit guilty...well, she’s good, but she fooled your eighteen-year-old innocent little self.

Chapter 481: On women

Chapter 481: On women

Xu Tingsheng did not have any intention of living outside the country for a period of time, much less ask Xiang Ning to do so. He had already experienced too much of that solitary, homeless feel from those three years drifting about in his previous life. He did not wish to experience it again in this one.

As for his mother, Xu Tingsheng was not going to tell her the truth for the time being. He would delay it for as long as he could until there was really no other choice but to discuss the matter.

After chatting with Xiang Ning for some time, he returned to the living room. That conniving old dame sat triumphantly beside him, glancing at him with a meaningful look as if to ask how things had gone.

Afraid to ruin his mother’s good mood, Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying, “Her family has helped to keep it.”

Mrs Xu’s smile widened.

As fireworks began resounding outside the house, the emcee on screen announced Cen Xiyu, with <<Legend>>. Apple was dressed very Gala-like this time with red dress and makeup and her long hair coiled up…

“Oh, she…” Mrs Xu suddenly exclaimed as she pointed at the television.

Even Mr Xu was rather surprised as he turned to look at Xu Tingsheng and smiled.

Back when they had met this girl, she had been at the darkest point of her life. That day, she had been filled with panic and unease, constantly afraid that she had done something wrong…

Yet now, she was this dazzling and radiant.

“She’s performing in the New Years’ Gala?” Mrs Xu asked blankly, this being a relatively big accomplishment in the eyes of the older generation.

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

On the sofa, Fang Yunyao lifted up the roving Little Niannian and set her on her knee as she pointed, “Look, Niannian, it’s godmother. Godmother’s singing in the New Years’ Gala!”

Xu Tingsheng and Apple-one of them was Niannian’s godfather and the other her godmother…

It was still fine when they were not together. If they were together, it would inevitably feel a little strange and awkward.

After the opening sequence, Apple competently sang:

“A casual glance at you in the crowd, never again able to forget your features. Dreaming of…”

The current Apple was already able to easily exert control over the song and stage calmly, gracefully, reliably. This rendition of <<Legend>> was virtually destined to take the nation by storm after tonight’s New Years’ Gala, its popularity encompassing the various age categories.

After the first verse, fans were already beginning to chime on Weibo:

After today, a queen of showbiz?

Of course, there were many more who were unconcerned about this status. Most of the time, whenever anyone slandered or insulted Apple, they simply threw out a ‘look at her popularity levels’ and the matter would be easily resolved just like that.

“This one was actually not bad too,” Mrs Xu muttered aloud.

Realising what she meant, Xu Tingsheng asked rather astonishedly, “Really? You didn’t treat her very kindly at all back then.”

“It’s nothing to do with her, I was angry at you,” Mrs Xu explained, “Actually, I felt that she was still okay. Do you know why?”

“Why?”

“One look and I know she’s good for children.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless.

Indeed, it was still about all this at the end of the day. Fortunately, his mother was not uncouth enough to go on about other people’s breasts and butt. Otherwise, her motive in acquiring her daughter-in-law would really be too freaking blatant.

“Still, I wouldn’t agree now even if you wanted that,” Mrs Xu announced leisurely after a while.

“And why’s that again?”

“When I, your Mum, was young, I sang the opera well. One day, I was chosen to join the county cultural team. A few days later, your grandma came and dragged me back,” Mrs Xu reminisced, “She said that for girls to act and have older people kneeling to them, their longevity will lessen.”

Xu Tingsheng felt like rolling his eyes.

“Yours is all superstition. Besides, Apple sings. She doesn’t act,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Still, no way. If the daughter-in-law is too well-known outside, she’ll always be talked about and have her characteristics debated. It’s no good.”

“...”

At this moment, Apple had already left the stage amidst thunderous applause from the audience as heated discussion on that song was also underway on the internet. Apple aside, the netizens were also enthusiastically discussing the lyrics of the song as well as its original singer.

Soon, Fang Yunyao’s handphone rang.

It was Apple who was calling.

“Did you see godmother, Niannian?” Apple continuously asked over the phone.

Even a casual ‘ah’ from Niannian was enough to leave her jumping for joy.

Finally, the phone was passed to Xu Tingsheng.

“Did I sing well?” Apple asked.

“You did great,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year.”

……

That banquet of the Xu family was held on the fifth day of the new lunar year. Although there weren’t many who came, aside from old acquaintances like Vice-Principal Lou and Old Zhou, most of the attendees weren’t your average person.

Mr Fu, Fu Qizhi, was allocated a seat in the VIP room. His complexion was all ruddy when he emerged.

It was before the banquet began that Mr and Mrs Xu had announced that they had taken in a goddaughter. When Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao appeared together with Niannian at the end, there was actually no longer any need for words.

With Mr Xu and all these other people present, there was nothing that could not be suppressed.

On the sixth day of the new lunar year, Fang Yunyao and Niannian went to eat at the Fu family home. After dinner, Fu Cheng sent them back to the Xu family home and picked Xu Tingsheng up. Then, the two went to find Huang Yaming and the three went to drink at the little restaurant called Looking Back that they had visited that year.

The first glass was to Fu Cheng who had finally found happiness after so many trials and tribulations.

The second glass was to one of them having suddenly become a father in the days of their youth, when there was still so much to look forward to.

The third glass went to <<Crazy Stone>> that had eventually acquired 140 million at the box office in a miraculous, black horse feat that once again propelled Huang Yaming to prominence.

The fourth glass went to Xingchen Games, having officially announced the open beta date for the game <<Crazyracing Kartrider>>. Xu Tingsheng’s money-printing machine was soon to begin its operations.

The fifth glass.

The sixth.

They gradually ran out of reasons.

When Xu Tingsheng had gone to the toilet, Huang Yaming asked Fu Cheng, “How do you do it?”

“Do what?” Fu Cheng asked.

“Truly deciding on a single person for the whole of your life? It’s impossible to understand for me.”

Fu Cheng laughed, “We were never the same kind of person. While we may choose differently, there actually isn’t any true right or wrong.”

“What about Tingsheng then? Is he the same as you, the same as me, or the same as neither?”

“I don’t know.”

“Fickle-hearted or solely devoted?”

“I don’t know.”

“Alright then. Do you think he has really decided on that little girl?”

“So it would seem.”

“How can that be?”

“You can ask him yourself later.”

“I wouldn’t dare to. But if I were him, though, Apple, junior, Lu...I’d take them all.”

“Take them all? Do you think this is a webnovel? Take this one, take that one. Loved to death by many girls who are willing to share a man with other women, happily and harmoniously?”

“It happens in real life too! Some bosses and officials-they do just that, don’t they?!”

“If the women love your for your money or your power, it’s true that it can happen...because their mentality is different, and they see it only as a trade. But if they love you for who you are, that’s absolutely impossible. The love of women should actually be the most selfish, least accepting impurities kind of thing in this world. Even you probably wouldn’t guess, but Ms Fang even privately asked Song Ni a few days ago if I was in any relationship in the past two years…”

The two drunken guys had gone more and more off-topic till it had become like a philosophical enquiry of sorts. On women.

Huang Yaming was silent for a while before he asked, “So you think that Apple wouldn’t accept it too? Look at how well she’s treated that little girl after Xu Tingsheng had her. And outside the music hall that day...treating herself so cruelly. I think these are probably her intentions?”

“I don’t think so. Even she herself may not know why she’s acting like this, but I think it’s just that she likes Tingsheng too much and doesn’t want to give up. She’s waiting, not fighting or stealing...after all, that girl’s still little. She still thinks Xu Tingsheng may change his mind one day. As for your question, if he does, it’s probably that little girl whom Apple will be wariest of.”

“What about Lu Zhixin? She can be considered the type that loves money, right?”

“It’s even more impossible for her. She’s the type that’s like: Since you aren’t mine, I’d rather you be homeless on the streets, unwanted by anyone.”

“Junior seems pretty obedient.”

“This sort of obedience is established upon her trust towards Xu Tingsheng, based on her knowledge of him. In other words, if Xu Tingsheng really asked for her to accept a harem...it would go against what she knows of him. She’d definitely leave quietly however much she can’t bear to lose him.”

“...”

“It’s actually pretty cruel.”

“Right, what a pity. Is there really no hope then?”

“If everything is normal, there shouldn’t be any.”

“And what if things aren’t normal?”

“How in the world would I know?!”

Leaning against the door, Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Done already, you two? Exactly how many women do you want me to marry? ...Also, you both didn’t consider Xiang Ning. What would become of Xiang Ning?”

“Who cares about you? Me, I want to marry a whole bunch, anyway,” Huang Yaming said.

Chapter 482: Policewoman cousin's request

Chapter 482: Policewoman cousin’s request

Fang Yunyao, Fu Cheng and Niannian set off for Fang Yunyao’s hometown along with Fu Cheng’s parents on the seventh day of the new lunar year.

If all went well, the wedding would take place after Fu Cheng’s graduation. At that time, Niannian might already be able to help carry the train of her mother’s wedding gown.

The primary purpose of the Fu family’s visit was for Mr and Mrs Fu and Fu Cheng too to obtain forgiveness and understanding from Mr and Mrs Fang. While things had already been decided, it was still necessary for them to show their sincerity.

Song Ni directly joined Happy Shoppers.

Huang Yaming returned to Yanzhou on the same day, helping Tan Yao to look after the bar for a few days before rushing to Shenghai to attend the celebratory banquet of <<Crazy Stone>>.

Xu Tingsheng stayed at home, accompanying his parents and younger sister.

……

On the seventh day of the new lunar year, Xiang Ning sat in a car, heading east from Yanzhou’s city district.

The one driving was a woman with short hair in her mid-twenties. While not that pretty, she was very refreshing and seasoned.

She was one of Xiang Ning’s cousins, the one who had been a policewoman in Xihu City. When Xu Tingsheng had been in Xihu City for Apple’s last performance before exiting showbiz, he had encountered her and even been interrogated by her.

“Look, I wasn’t wrong, right? With his background and capabilities, him becoming your home tutor was already abnormal. It literally screamed ulterior motive. But he still simply refused to admit it to me then no matter what,” Her cousin said as she drove along.

When girls turn seventeen, it just feels very different for them from when they were sixteen. It feels like: Wow, seventeen! I’ve really grown up!

When Xiang Ning’s cousin had questioned Xu Tingsheng in the past, she had done so without alerting her to it. Despite having her suspicions from hearing about the two of them from relatives thereafter, she had also not asked her directly or said anything to her face.

Still, with the start of this new lunar year, she no longer had any reservations when speaking of him.

Mrs Xiang’s cousin’s family returned to Yanzhou to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Little Xiang Niang had originally been going to pay some house visits as per tradition with her parents. In the end, however, she was dragged out by her cousin right after lunch.

Hearing her cousin talk about Xu Tingsheng and evoking memories of when he had been her home tutor, although Xiang Ning felt it to be a bit awkward, she still lowered her head, smiling blissfully to herself.

Then, she averted her gaze and stared out of the window as she said, “Cousin Yanan, can you please not think of him as a bad guy? He, he isn’t bad. His ulterior motives aren’t bad motives.”

“Aren’t bad motives? And he started cheating you at such a young age? Even your Mum and Dad weren’t able to guard against it,” Her cousin, Zhao Yanan, smiled wryly.

Consolidating the previous rumours, some things Mr and Mrs Xiang had just said and Xiang Ning’s reaction, she could already basically deduce and ascertain the current state of affairs with her experience as a policewoman.

“You can’t say he was cheating me…” As she was young and felt embarrassed, Xiang Ning could only defend Xu Tingsheng in a small voice.

“That’s not important. Actually, I still can’t get it,” Zhao Yanan frowned, but then relaxed as she said, “But then again, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything wrong with that. For now, at least, I’ve really never seen many men treat a woman as well as he treats you before, putting in so much thought, time and effort. Even if he is cheating you, it’s the most sincere cheating the world’s ever seen.”

She paused for a moment before saying slowly, “If it’s like this, most women in the world would probably even be willing to be fooled.”

A joyful Xiang Ning nodded emphatically, as if feeling very proud of having gotten cheated.

Then, she said, “Cousin Yanan, actually, you put him in a real tragic state before! After you reminded my parents, he wasn’t able to see me for over a year! My Mum and Dad were so fierce to him during that time.”

“That happened?” The car screeched to a halt before the bridge as Zhao Yannan enquired rather nervously.

“Yes,” Xiang Ning now recounted to her what Xu Tingsheng had faced and done over that period of time.

Zhao Yanan was silent for a while before she extended a hand and gently stroked Little Xiang Ning’s head, “Looks like you’re really lucky. He was able to persist even when treated that way, and still do so much for you too...still, I’m probably doomed now.”

“What? Why? Sis Yanan, why are you doomed? He has a very good temper; he won’t try to take revenge on you,” Xiang Ning felt rather perplexed.

In her impression, Xu Tingsheng was not some petty, bad guy, especially not when the other party was her cousin.

Zhao Yannan turned to look at Xiang Ning and smiled. She stepped on the gas pedal again.

The car crossed the bridge. Within a few minutes, it was in front of the showroom area for Zhicheng’s Ning Garden.

Winding down the window, Zhao Yanan peered outside before saying a bit dazedly, “That actually really is your Ning. Ning Garden, built for you...the design is great, beautiful, and construction is speedily underway as well…”

Just a short distance away, the basic form of over a dozen buildings could already be seen.

“Yup,” Xiang Ning nodded happily, feeling blissful as she always did when thinking of how it followed her name, “He said that this place must already be renovated by the time my school moves to the new school district. Because of that, however fast the school is being built, he will do it faster.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yanan’s mind drifted off again: Was that young man a fool or smitten? Was her cousin here really that pretty as to warrant such doting and love that transcended all else?

She could not really tell Xiang Ning some too ‘real world’ stuff, like how rushing the construction like this would actually have a much greater toll and also put more pressure on Xu Tingsheng’s finances.

As her cousin stayed silent, Xiang Ning did not speak too. Her finger outstretched, she counted down the block that she would be residing in in the future.

“Do you know why I said just now that I’m doomed, Little Ning?” Zhao Yanan eventually asked after hesitating for a time.

“Huh? I don’t.”

Zhao Yannan pointed rather awkwardly out of the window, “I’d like to live here too. This first phase of flats.”

“That’s great!” Xiang Ning was excited, but then felt doubtful, “But don’t you work in Xihu City, Big Sis Yanan?”

“I’m going to be transferred back here. My boyfriend is a Yanzhou local, a classmate from senior high. He works in the civil service here. Also, his family doesn’t really like me being a cop...so, I may be transferred back here after the New Year holidays, then switch to another unit. Then...marriage.”

“Wah, a senior high classmate…” Little Xiang Ning’s focus was clearly on the wrong place.

Zhao Yanan smiled, “Yeah, it really wasn’t easy, persisting for so many years. That’s why I’m willing to come back and change jobs. And then, and then we’d like to buy a new house for our marriage...your future brother-in-law decided on this place way back. I’m also very satisfied after seeing it today.”

“Right. Here is the best. Teehee,” Xiang Ning nodded.

“But he didn’t manage to buy it back then...the flats here are too difficult to buy, and he is only a minor employee,” Zhao Yanan said as she looked at Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning had basically gotten the gist of it.

Zhao Yanan struck while the iron was hot, “We were going to give up at first. After all, we don’t know when the second phase of flats might come, and we can’t afford to wait. But then I came here this time, and I heard that the Ning here, and you…”

Xiang Ning nodded.

“And your brother-in-law asked around and heard that Zhicheng’s higher-ups may have some first phase flats remaining...so I asked you out today. I actually wanted to ask...rest assured, we’re not asking to pick a location and we also don’t need a discount,” Zhao Yanan looked rather awkward as she requested this.

“Still, you said just now that I have put him in a real tragic state before...what should I do?”

Her cousin was already putting it across very explicitly and evoked sympathy with how awkward she looked. Still, Xiang Ning did not dare to say yes in Xu Tingsheng’s stead for such a matter.

It was not that she was afraid Xu Tingsheng might be petty and bear a grudge against her cousin. Instead...she had actually known long ago that a few flats still remained. Fu Cheng would definitely be buying one, and Xu Tingsheng might also have a need for the remainder.

“I’ll ask him about it later, okay?” Xiang Ning looked at her cousin.

“Alright,” Zhao Yanan nodded happily.

Perhaps Xiang Ning did not know her own worth, but as Zhao Yanan saw it, if Xiang Ning was the one asking, as long as Xu Tingsheng really had some flats left, there shouldn’t be much of a problem here.

As for why the flat that Xiang Ning’s eldest uncle’s family wanted had never come to fruition, it was because they despicably only had discounts on their minds. Xiang Ning was unwilling to ask on their behalf, and her parents were also not thick-skinned enough to do so.

“Make haste when he comes then?” Zhao Yanan asked.

“Yeah, he should be coming to Yanzhou in a few days,” Xiang Ning said.

Chapter 483: Lend you a fierce tiger

Chapter 483: Lend you a fierce tiger

Having originally been going to accompany his parents for a couple more days, Xu Tingsheng eventually had no choice but to set off back for Yanzhou on the tenth day of the new lunar year.

This was not because Xiang Ning was pressuring him regarding the matter of her cousin buying a flat. Instead, it was a combination of two other factors.

Firstly, Xu Tingsheng had only casually mentioned it before, but Mr and Mrs Xiang had actually really contacted an old chef in Jinan who was willing to teach them how to make braised chicken rice. Making use of the new year holidays, they intended to quickly go there to learn it.

Mrs Xiang had personally given Xu Tingsheng a call as it was already all so natural now. With her parents going on a business trip, Xiang Ning was virtually left in Xu Tingsheng's hands without an afterthought.

This could be primarily attributed to Xu Tingsheng having done Xiang Ning no wrong whatsoever over the past year. Mr and Mrs Xiang already trusted him completely, having lost all their apprehensions.

Secondly, the gutter oil affair had finally entered the public eye in its full, horrifying scale at the start of the year 2006, encompassing thirty-two cities of the nine provinces.

Hucheng had notified the police beforehand. When the news had still yet to be broadcast and when the materials were most abundant and sellable following the Spring Festival, with the factories working overtime to produce the stuff, a joint operation had been launched. At least fifty factories and lesser operation points had been destroyed, with more than 300 people arrested all around the country.

One of the biggest 'gutter oil criminal networks' was connected to a certain officially listed oil company in a certain province. Its influence spanned six whole provinces as its annual profits amounted to over a whopping 50 million yuan.

Hucheng had virtually provided the tipoffs for all the operation points, factories and platforms.

Lu Zhixin had actually had two options here.

First, stay hidden behind the scenes. The police were already handling the matter, anyway, which would remain at a standstill for the time being.

Second, come out and face the public and media, admitting the role the company had played in the matter and how important a role it had been at that.

The benefit of the second option was that it would almost definitely win Hucheng widespread recognition from the public, boosting its reputation. This could prove to be especially significant in the takeaway market where they were represented by 'Are You Hungry'. Having proven themselves with their actions, they might become the only choice the public felt safe with, thereby securing eternal hegemony with their conscience and brand.

The detriment was that Hucheng, Lu Zhixin herself especially, was very likely to suffer retaliation by those who were out for revenge.

Because of Xu Tingsheng, the gutter oil affair had been exposed several years earlier than in his previous life. It was on a much greater scale too. Still, there was one thing that was very bad about this period, which was that the operational costs for crime with regard to gutter oil and its relevant industries were extremely low.

As the country did not have any specific laws that governed this, they could only rely on some more relevant ones. Even then, some parts were totally untouched upon.

This was equivalent to many loopholes existing in the system.

After the joint operations that had looked mighty and imposing, the enterprises and individuals involved would generally not be punished too severely. Those who had not been too deeply involved or possessed a sufficiently powerful background or connections were mostly able to go home after a bit of detention, some fines and the like.

Amongst the remainder, punishments like higher fines, short-term jail sentences and suspended licenses could already be considered as being on the severe side.

There were even some provinces and local public security organisations that declined to broadcast the names of those individuals and enterprises involved in the matter.

The vengeful mindset of these people was not to be underestimated.

Still, without informing Xu Tingsheng beforehand, Lu Zhixin nonetheless stepped forward without any hesitation whatsoever in following her intuition and business sense. She held a press conference and, in her own capacity, publicised a list of individuals and enterprises involved in the affair, explaining the hard work and sacrifice Hucheng had put into this. The vast amount of manpower and funding for the investigation amounted to nearly ten million in total.

Acclaim for Hucheng was indeed attained in the span of a single night, its momentum second to none. Hucheng's valuation hence rose to a new peak. Civic duty aside, Hucheng's sacrifice and effort and Lu Zhixin's hard work had not gone to waste.

Even so, that very night, vengeful proclamations and even death threats started to appear on Lu Zhixin's Weibo's page.

Xu Tingsheng took the initiative to call Lu Zhixin for the first time since leaving Hucheng, reminding her to take note of her safety. While Lu Zhixin said that she would, Xu Tingsheng could deduce from their conversation that she was not all that concerned about it, in truth.

Even as she was a corporate genius, she was but a 22-year-old girl at the end of the day.

In contrast, Xu Tingsheng had witnessed the news on the death of the reporter who had exposed the gutter oil affair in his previous life, though the authorities had admittedly not found any clues linking these two things together. According to them, at least.

That had ultimately been classified as an isolated incident.

The scale of this time's affair and those individuals involved were so much greater than in his previous life that Xu Tingsheng could not help but worry about this kind of 'isolated incident' occurring again.

Therefore, he had brought someone with him in coming to Yanzhou this time. Upon reaching Yanzhou, he headed straight to Hucheng's headquarters without even a detour home. After that, he brought Du Jiang, with just a black luggage bag in tow, to Lu Zhixin's office.

Xu Tingsheng had borrowed one of Mr Xu's three 'fierce tigers', Du Jiang who was proficient in Thai boxing.

It was not himself but Lu Zhixin whom this tiger was for.

"This is Bro Du, one of my Dad's men," Xu Tingsheng cut to the chase, "From now onwards, for half a year to a year, Bro Du will be your driver. He will send you to and from work, as well as other places."

"This...hey, are you giving me a bodyguard?" Lu Zhixin was unable to immediately come to terms with how Xu Tingsheng was taking this so seriously.

"No need for this or that. It's decided," Xu Tingsheng said firmly, not allowing for any disagreement, "Right, Bro Du's salary is very high, as is his bonus. My Dad will never fail to give him what he’s owed. Still, you should also give him some as you deem fit, depending on how things go here."

Xu Tingsheng smiled. Lu Zhixin looked at him rather exasperatedly.

Whatever the case, though, this stemmed from Xu Tingsheng's concern for her, which was virtually a luxury for the current her. Also, the fact that Du Jiang was Mr Xu's employee entailed a deeper level of meaning.

Therefore, Lu Zhixin did not refuse him. She walked over from behind her desk and then personally poured a glass of water.

"Do sit, Bro Du, and have some water," Lu Zhixin smiled, "It looks like I'll really be troubling Bro Du for a period of time. My thanks in advance."

Bro Du received the glass with both hands and spoke for the first time since entering the office, "Thank you, Boss Lu. Actually, Boss Lu doesn't have to be too polite with me. That would instead pose a problem afterwards. Just treat me as one of your employees. In fact, for the next half year, I will be exactly that-one of your employees."

Chapter 484: Really wants to catch me?

Chapter 484: Really wants to catch me?

Lu Zhixin felt a lot more reassured after hearing Du Jiang’s words. This stern, intense-looking man before her was not one of those foolhardy, brawl-loving people.

Having followed Mr Xu for some time, been in the ring and experienced life in prison, the fierce and agile Du Jiang still had a unique aura that made it hard for other people to get close to him. Still, his performance had proven very satisfactory as virtually no fault could be found in how he conducted himself at all.

As for his wages, Xu Tingsheng had not exaggerated. His current income was on a whole different level from even that of Hucheng’s middle echelon employees.

“Bro Du is right. Just treat him normally, Zhixin,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Got it,” Lu Zhixin passed him another glass of water.Xu Tingsheng accepted it and raised it towards Du Jiang.

“We’ll be troubling you then, Bro Du.”

Substituting wine with water, he downed it in a single gulp.

Du Jiang nodded, saying, “Rest assured.”

“I’ll be leaving first then. Don’t forget to keep yourself safe,” Xu Tingsheng turned, preparing to head out.

“Hey, you…” Lu Zhixin yelled from behind him, sounding a bit hesitant, “You haven’t had lunch yet, right? How about we eat together?”

“Maybe next time. I’m a little busy right now.”

He opened the door, exited and closed it behind him.

There was the sound of footsteps descending the staircase.

A long time passed before Lu Zhixin snapped out of her reverie.

Du Jiang said nothing while she was staring blankly at the door in a daze, not even moving at all as it was like he was not even in the room. While he could tell that Lu Zhixin’s behaviour was a little odd, he would not get involved in it or give any indication of his thoughts. He was already accustomed to what his role should be.

Lu Zhixin turned towards Du Jiang and smiled, “In that case, Bro Du, I’ll get someone to bring you to eat and make arrangements for your lodgings.”

“I’ll be troubling you then, Boss Lu,” Du Jiang carried his bag and stood up, handing her a sheet of paper, “These are my three handphone numbers. Please save all of them, Boss Lu. Normally, all three of these numbers should be able to get through at any time. If one of them is unable to get through, Boss Lu, please immediately call the other two numbers. Please also give me your public and private numbers, Boss Lu.”

As keeping her safe was Du Jiang’s job, Lu Zhixin could not very well refuse him. She grabbed a name card and wrote her private number on it before handing it over to Du Jiang.

Du Jiang received the name card from her.

“Also, please pass me your car keys, Boss Lu,” He requested.

“Huh? But what if I…” Lu Zhixin was rather hesitant.

“I’ll be in charge of driving and waiting for you, whether you’re shopping, having tea or anything. Also, I will not leak your information to anyone, Boss Xu and Tingsheng included. This is as per the instructions of Boss Xu and Tingsheng.”

The Boss Xu that Du Jiang spoke of was naturally Mr Xu. He spoke matter-of-factly while calmly opening up his palm.

“Like I can do whatever to you,” Lu Zhixin felt aggrieved as she helplessly placed her car keys in Du Jiang’s palm.

“My car is…” Lu Zhixin started to say.

“I know. Tingsheng already told this to me earlier. He also borrowed a car from Zhicheng which will be sent over in a while. In the future, we can take turns using either car, as decided by me,” Du Jiang said, “I’ll be going first. See you later, Boss Lu.”

Du Jiang went out.

“Making it seem so serious...and then still acting cool,” Lu Zhixin stood there, muttering aloud, “Not even willing to have a meal...afraid I’ll poison you?”

“Linlin said that you suddenly have a goddaughter now, Fu Cheng’s child. I looked on Weibo…”

“She also said you seem to really like kids, really like kids a lot. How can you find a little girl…”

“That, that Ms Fang. She should be coming to Hucheng, right? Let’s see if you’ll call me or not.”

“It’s very troublesome on my Dad’s side, but I will protect Hucheng. He’s currently treating me like an entry ticket, consorting with all those rich people everywhere, talking nonsense and giving my number away. Because of that…so many men have begun bothering me now.”

“But I feel like I won’t be able to get married...Xu, Ting, Sheng…”

“My alcohol capacity is getting better and better, and it’s more difficult for me to sleep at night.”

“...”

Musing aloud with those fragmented thoughts, this was not a commonly seen side of Lu Zhixin at all.

……

Xu Tingsheng did not have anything to do that day, in truth. As Mr and Mrs Xiang were going to leave soon, Xiang Ning was accompanying them at home.

He grabbed lunch alone somewhere and went back home to sleep.

After sleeping for almost the entire afternoon, Xu Tingsheng had a simple video conference with Hu Chen and He Yutan. With that, it was already nighttime. He next sat alone in the living room to watch a game of football as a lonely person, but as Niannian had just stayed in the house for a few days, there was still a baby smell in the air as loneliness simply would not descend at all.

Fu Cheng called and said that they would not be returning to Libei after leaving Hunan. Instead, they would be coming straight to Yanzhou. It would be better to settle the matter of their flat and Ms Fang’s job as soon as possible.

It would also be better to find a professional nanny as soon as possible lest the good ones were all snatched up.

Having become a father, he was indeed no longer like any typical boy now.

Before going to bed, Xu Tingsheng received a call from Xiang Ning.  She would be sending her parents off the next day and could only look for him in the afternoon. It was decided that they would meet with her policewoman cousin and her future husband some time before dinner.

“My cousin said that she would like to treat you to a meal…” Xiang Ning said rather guiltily.

“We should look at the flats first. There are only two left that she can pick from,” Xu Tingsheng said, really feeling a bit apprehensive about potentially eating with that cousin.“Yeah, that’s fine too. I’ll tell her,” Xiang Ning said and hung up.

In truth, Xu Tingsheng actually had four flats remaining. Yet, two of these were rather unique in location. When the Xiang family had previously decided on their flat, Xu Tingsheng had reserved both the ones beside it for his own purposes.

From the looks of it now, one of these should be left for Fu Cheng. Firstly, they were bros. Secondly, as Xiang Ning liked Niannian a lot, she would surely be happy about this.

The other flat was for himself.

Xu Tingsheng would never be able to bear taking these two flats out, period.

……

The next evening, after crossing the bridge, Xu Tingsheng stopped the car with Xiang Ning inside a distance away from the sales building.

Xiang Ning’s policewoman cousin was standing by the entrance. Rather than police attire, she was dressed rather gender-neutrally in a slick, efficient manner. Beside her was a bespectacled, rather thin-looking man.

“Are you sure your cousin isn’t here to catch me?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Huh? Why would she do that?” Little Xiang Ning asked.

“For cheating a young girl, and lying when questioned by the police.”

“Teehee…”

As the car stopped, Xiang Ning got out first and ran towards her cousin.

Xu Tingsheng followed her at a distance of four or five paces behind.

As he was thinking about how to offer his greetings, he suddenly saw...Xiang Ning’s cousin move. Decisively, agilely, her gaze cold and intense, Comrade Cousin dashed towards him, barrelling forward at full speed.

“She really wants to catch me? Or is this some kind of setup?”

Xu Tingsheng was stunned silly.

Chapter 485: Revenge two years later

Chapter 485: Revenge two years later

Xu Tingsheng was stunned silly, wholly flabbergasted by the sudden actions of Xiang Ning’s cousin.

“Xu Tingsheng, this old man will kill you dead!”

A voice resounded very close behind him. It sounded a bit tearful and very aggrieved. He thought he had heard it before, though he wasn’t that familiar with it.

At this crucial juncture, the figure of Xiang Ning’s cousin flashed by.

Zhao Yanan parried that person’s brick-wielding hand from the inside with her right arm. Pressing down upon the back of his head with a palm, she exerted force while hooking sideways with her foot.

“Bam!”

The brick fell, the person toppled.

A takedown secured in a single move.

Xiang Ning’s cousin twisted one of the other party’s arms with an elbow robustly pressuring the back of his neck and pressing his face entirely into the ground. With a knee pressing down securely on his back, she instinctively sought out the handcuffs at the back of her waist...

She had not brought them.

“Call the police,” While keeping that person locked down, she said coldly.

“Huh?” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Call the police!” She repeated, sounding a bit impatient.

“Hold on, let me have a look at that person...I think I know him.”

Xu Tingsheng bent down, gazing at the face that was a little contorted due to Zhao Yanan pressing it down. Not recognising him on first glance, he scanned him carefully for a while.

“Huang Gui?”

Xu Tingsheng was a bit bemused. The person on the ground was actually the young master of Libei’s former top dog, the Huang family. He was the son of the tyrant Huang Tianliang, Huang Gui.

“No, it’s been two years. You’re only coming for revenge now?”

Xu Tingsheng picked the brick up from the ground and weighed it in his hand.

“And also, with just this?”

His face pressed to the ground, Huang Gui hissed. It did not resemble a lion as it was more like a cat, sounding a little wronged and pitiful.

The Huang family’s Huang Tianliang had been the Xu family’s first ever opponent in the truest sense of the word. He was a fearsome fellow whom Xu Tingsheng still rather respected even now for what could have been. Despite having possessed such a great hand at the time, Xu Tingsheng had still been well and properly suppressed by Huang Tianliang. It was only by luck and chance that he had managed to topple the Huang family in the end.

This was a man who had dealt Xu Tingsheng a massive setback and really hastened his growth. He had virtually changed Xu Tingsheng’s modus operandi in the ‘conflicts’ thereafter completely.

Truthfully speaking, it would technically be right to consider him Xu Tingsheng’s half-mentor.

Yet, unexpectedly, such a person had a son who only knew how to gallivant aside from acting arrogant and tyrannical based on his father’s power and influence from time to time, Huang Gui.

This was a problem which had once eluded and troubled Xu Tingsheng greatly.

The Huang family had ultimately collapsed mightily on a grand scale, with half of Libei’s bureaucracy and most of the Huang family’s close relatives drawn into the matter. This included Huang Tianliang’s mistress and bastard son from outside…

Yet, it happened that nothing at all happened to Huang Gui whatsoever. He had played no part in the Huang family’s illegal activities at all.

After the Huang family’s collapse, Huang Gui had had a very difficult time in Libei. Many who bore grudges with the Huang family or had been bullied by him before had made use of the chance to kick him while he was down. After being sent to the hospital twice within a short period, Huang Gui had suddenly vanished from Libei.

Xu Tingsheng had initially been wary of him after his disappearance. Yet, Huang Gui had never come for revenge. He did not seem like someone brave and decisive enough to seek revenge, honestly, his ambitions and will having long since been whittled down by decadence and time…

Xu Tingsheng was close to forgetting this person by now.

Yet now, two years later, here he was, wielding a brick.

……

At this point in time, the security guards and personnel of the sales building and construction site had already come over.

Huang Gui looked up and saw the crowd. He then closed his eyes rather despairingly.

Two security guards replaced Zhao Yanan in keeping Huang Gui suppressed.

Zhao Yanan got up and adjusted her clothes. Xu Tingsheng got up too.

“Bring him to my office. He’s an old friend. I’ll go up for a chat with him later,” Xu Tingsheng instructed.

“You should call the police,” Zhao Yanan tried to dissuade him.

“How long might they lock him inside for just this?” Xu Tingsheng pointed at the brick on the ground.

Zhao Yanan glanced at him and said in a heavy tone, “Meting your own punishment is illegal.”

She had clearly misunderstood Xu Tingsheng, believing that he thought calling the police was not punishment enough for Huang Gui.

“I know. I really just want to have a chat with him,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Zhao Yanan looked suspiciously at him.

“Relax. You just choose your flat first.”

With that, Xu Tingsheng turned and called Lin Yixian over, also getting the crowd to disperse and return to their positions. As the two security guards escorted Huang Gui into the sales building, he had a frightened, panicked look on his face…

“Take me to the police station. I wanna go to the police station!” He struggled and hollered, clearly having heard what Zhao Yanan had said.

“Let’s talk about old times first,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and replied.

After Huang Gui was taken away, Xu Tingsheng led Lin Yixian over to Zhao Yanan.

“This is...my cousin,” Xu Tingsheng told Lin Yixian, “Introduce to her the two flats that I told you about earlier. After that, help with the procedures for whichever she picks. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Alright,” Lin Yixian responded before turning and smiling towards Zhao Yanan in greeting.

“If there’s anything you wish to know, you can ask her,” Xu Tingsheng told Zhao Yanan.

Zhao Yanan nodded rather blankly. Xu Tingsheng had been too composed throughout the entire process, not getting worked up, not getting frightened or panicked. He totally did not look like someone who had just nearly gotten assaulted...though that object was admittedly a brick.

Also, he had just introduced her as his cousin...this was no ordinary level of thick skin he had.

Just what kind of a person was this, exactly?! At first, Zhao Yanan had been worried that he was some rich kid who felt bored and had decided to cheat a young girl...it was becoming harder and harder to see through him now.

Looking at the brick on the ground and Xiang Ning who was clutching her chest as she looked at him just a short distance away, Xu Tingsheng grit his teeth and said in a low tone, “Twenty percent off. Remember, don’t tell anyone.”

These words were for Lin Yixian as well as Zhao Yanan. After saying that, Xu Tingsheng felt heartburn. He had really not been going to give Zhao Yanan a discount originally. A discount here, a discount there-such generosity was not feasible however vast his family fortune was…

Now that he had said this, that meant nearly two hundred thousand gone. He would have to make this sum up to Zhicheng himself.

Zhao Yanan was a bit stunned too. While feeling flustered, she worked hard to repress her delight and prevent it from showing. Twenty percent off...the money saved amounted to a couple of years of wages for the two of them.

Therefore, despite her pride, she had no way of refusing him here.

Xu Tingsheng turned and walked towards Xiang Ning. The young girl immediately plunged into his embrace with tears in her eyes. She carefully stroked here and there, examining him. The park incident aside, this was the first time she had witnessed danger befalling Xu Tingsheng.

“Are you okay? Sob…”

As she lay sobbing in his embrace, Xu Tingsheng raised her little head, smiling. He looked into her eyes and shook his head.

“I’m okay! With your policewoman cousin here, what's there to be afraid of?! Now, please don't cry,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 486: Huang Gui feels so wronged

Chapter 486: Huang Gui feels so wronged

Xiang Ning was resting in Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

Zhao Yanan coughed and turned, pretending that she had not seen anything.

“Indeed, since one has accepted another’s benefits, they’ll have no choice and no voice. My mother’s philosophy…” Xu Tingsheng mused inwardly, “If, before, I had dared to hug around with Little Xiang Ning like this, wouldn’t she have torn me apart?!”

“Be good. See the flats with your cousin. I’ll go meet with that person,” Xu Tingsheng coaxed Xiang Ning out of his embrace.

Facing away from them, Zhao Yanan secretly signalled to her soon-to-be husband.

“Twenty percent off?” The man stared all wide-eyed, mouthing in disbelief.

Zhao Yanan nodded emphatically.

The man very nearly leapt up, emotional as he was.

“This must be cousin-in-law?” Xu Tingsheng went over and extended his hand in greeting.

Having already called Zhao Yanan his cousin, this cousin-in-law was simply natural. Zhao Yanan could only accept it voicelessly.

As the two shook hands, cousin-in-law was still a bit emotional as he repeatedly exclaimed, “Thank you, Boss Xu. Thank you, Boss Xu…”

“No, no, just call me by my name, cousin-in-law. My name is Xu Tingsheng,” Xu Tingsheng dragged him over to the side now, secretly pointing at Zhao Yanan before asking him softly, “Truly, a first-rate policewoman? Super at fighting?!”

Cousin-in-law nodded, saying rather mournfully, “From the Vice squad.”

“...It must be hard, huh.”

“I can only be careful. If anything seems wrong, bend the knee right away…”

“I see. Good luck with that.”

The two fraternised in hushed tones for a bit, their relationship improving significantly. Next, Xu Tingsheng went upstairs while Lin Yixian and Little Xiang Ning followed the couple to choose a flat.

Cousin-in-law covertly grabbed Zhao Yanan, exclaiming in a hushed but urgent tone, “Ask your cousin to hurry up and get married! Only a fool wouldn’t…”

Zhao Yanan shot him a look.

“Did I say something wrong?” Cousin-in-law asked blankly.

“Little Ning’s still just seventeen,” Zhao Yanan replied coldly.“I was wrong!” Cousin-in-law promptly admitted his wrongdoings, putting his head between his hands.

……

Once in his office, Xu Tingsheng poured Huang Gui a glass of water and got him to sit down. Next, he asked the two security guards to leave. If it was someone of Huang Gui’s calibre, as long as it was not an ambush, he could fight off ten of them at once.

Right now, Huang Gui was destitute...or perhaps fatigued and dishevelled would be a more fitting description.

“Why did you suddenly think to come find me for revenge after two years?” Xu Tingsheng questioned calmly, in much the tone of ‘Bro, why have you only come to see me now?’.

Huang Gui looked first at the glass of water before him and then at Xu Tingsheng.

“Xu Tingsheng, are you a jinx in my fate?” He voice was a little shaky and tearful, as if he had been dealt an immeasurable injustice.

“Hey, do you know what you’re saying? Between our two families, it was your family that first pushed my family to the abyss’s edge,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Right, that was the first time…”

His throat parched and his eyes dry, Huang Gui paused and licked his lips. He was actually extremely thirsty.

He grabbed that glass of water on the table and ferociously gulped it down…

Huang Gui stared incredulously at Xu Tingsheng, his mouth hanging open…

“Arghh..it’s hot?!”

He grabbed his mouth and leapt up, howling in pain.

“It’s winter…” Xu Tingsheng explained rather guiltily.

As Huang Gui finally managed to calm down, Xu Tingsheng hastily searched for a bit of something cold. As he seldom came to his office, there weren’t many things in the small refrigerator. Finally, he managed to find a bottle of Coke which he poured for Huang Gui.

Receiving the glass of Coke, Huang Gui touched it. It was icy-cold.

He then ingested it…

“Ah…”

Huang Gui’s mouth which had just been scorched by the hot water was stimulated by that icy-cold Coke...Huang Gui leapt up once more…

Some time later, he finally sat back down with tears in his eyes which were reddened as he glared at Xu Tingsheng.

“I’ll kill you dead…”

Finally, he ended up crying.

“Actually, I did think about what happened with my family at the time, but I really didn’t have so much determination as to find you for revenge. You know, I’m pretty useless and don’t have very much ambition. As I could no longer stay in Libei, I had no choice but to leave. Afterwards…”

After crying, Huang Gui began narrating his experiences.

It was basically this: Lazy good-for-nothing, used to acting all tyrannical and prideful, exceptionally inept in surviving self-sufficiently.

So Huang Gui had suffered quite a bit.

“Afterwards, somebody finally introduced me to a new line of work. I was doing pretty well too,” Huang Gui said.

“In that case, why did you suddenly come here to take revenge on me?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Why but your ruthlessness? I was already keeping away from you, but you still wouldn’t let me go…” Huang Gui complained aggrievedly.

“Me? What did I do?” Xu Tingsheng pointed at himself, feeling lost.

“Gutter oil...wasn’t it you people who did it? Isn’t that Hucheng yours? They arrested me! This old man was happily going back to work after the New Year, and ended up getting put in jail, detained, fined...after this and that, I’ve got nothing left! If not for how my factory was small, maybe I wouldn’t even have gotten out!” Huang Gui yelled in tears.

Realising what had happened, Xu Tingsheng said rather helplessly, “Unintended casualty. Right, why were you doing that anyway? It’s illegal, you know?”

“Illegal my ass. When you weren’t busting us, how many people were doing it? Who wasn’t peacefully and abidingly lining up their wallets?”

“But it’s illegal...also, shouldn’t that be pretty tiring? With a bad work environment too.”

“I was a supervisor, okay? Hiring a few workers, then wearing a mask and getting a bottle of wine, and all I had to do was lie there everyday. Once the stuff was made, some boss on top would naturally come to collect it. How relaxing is that? I even thought that I could pass my whole life by just like that, and yet I got jinxed by you again. You’re the jinx in my fate, Xu Tingsheng.”

“So, you decided to come take revenge on me?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yes. I really can’t stand you anymore,” Huang Gui answered earnestly.

“But I already left Hucheng previously.”

“I don’t care about that. We already had enmity between us, and looking for you is more convenient too. While everyone else is looking for that Lu Zhixin person...I’ll look for you. I’m more familiar with Libei anyway…”

“You went back to Libei?”

“Right.”

“Why didn’t you make your move there?”

“You ask why? I hurried back to Libei and barely managed to crouch down outside the courtyard of your house...when you bastard got on your car with your bag, bringing someone with you too. I could only watch as you drove off before my eyes just like that…” Huang Gui said aggrievedly.

“Then, because I know that you’re studying in Yanzhou, I had to chase you all the way over. Right after you left, I immediately headed off to the station.”

“And you arrived yesterday? You’ve been waiting here for me for a day?”

“I only arrived today.”

“Right, you had to change trains.”

“Change? Hah! This old man took the train to Jiannan, but when I wanted to change trains, I realised that I had run out of money...I had to walk all the way over from Jiannan to Yanzhou…”

“You...walked? How far is that!”

“Yeah, it took me more than one day of walking to get here. I’m dead tired.”

“...How did you find me afterwards?”

“I simply couldn’t find you! I was freaking hungry, so I thought of finding a construction site and working for a few days to fill my stomach...and in the end, right after I got here, I saw you getting off from your car.”

“So you grabbed a brick and came over?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, are you still looking for a job now?”

“A job?”

“Yeah, a job. This place belongs to me.”

Huang Gui asked dazedly, “What do you mean? You’ll give me a job? At the construction site? I can’t do it. I’m a lazy good-for-nothing.”

No one could declare themselves a lazy good-for-nothing as righteously as Huang Gui.

“True,” Xu Tingsheng thought about it for a while, “How about you be a security guard then? Security guards at construction sites spend most of their time sitting and lying about, walking around with the others every once in a while. If there’s no work in the evening, you can even go for meat and wine with the bros...how about that? If you’re interested, I can introduce you to the supervisor here.”

Huang Gui looked at Xu Tingheng.

“What do you think?”

“...At least I won’t be going hungry.”

“We’re decided then.”

Xu Tingsheng called over the person in charge of security and gave him some instructions. He was to keep an eye on him while indeed keeping him fed too. Like Huang Gui himself had said, he might truly have no ambition for revenge anymore…

Having settled Huang Gui’s affairs, Xu Tingsheng began to worry about another matter. Huang Gui had said earlier: ‘While everyone else is looking for that Lu Zhixin person…’.

Chapter 487: Savage dragon crossing the seas

Chapter 487: Savage dragon crossing the seas

As Zhao Yanan and her soon-to-be husband were not greedy like Xiang Ning’s eldest uncle’s family, the proceedings of getting a flat went very smoothly for them.

It was a win-win situation that left everyone happy and satisfied.

Xu Tingsheng, though, was still a bit worried. It was he who had asked Lu Zhixin to investigate the gutter oil affair, but everything seemed to have fallen squarely on her shoulders right now.

He called Du Jiang and was assured that everything appeared fine for the moment. Still, he reminded Du Jiang to raise his caution a bit. After all, even somebody like Huang Gui had been unable to rein it in. Like he said, their wallets busted, their livelihoods impeded, it was likely that there were many people out for revenge.

Some of them might be vicious enough that they licked blood off the edge of blades. They might also lack awareness of or heed for the law. These people were all threats.

Also, while many people might think nothing of gutter oil, it was truthfully so profitable it was scary. Therefore, some relatively big companies had actually also been involved. These individuals, with their money, their power and influence, their methods...were scariest.

This scale of this incident was so, so much greater than in his previous life.

He hesitated for a bit. In the end, however, he did not call Lu Zhixin.

……

On 10th February 2006, Lu Zhixin was on the way home from work when her car was forced to pull over on an empty section of the road by two minivans, one in front and one behind. Knives, metal rods...eight people got off from the two vehicles, all of them armed.

In the car, an unhurried Du Jiang opened his black luggage bag and donned some protective gear.

“Boss Lu, you just stay in the car and call the police. No need to worry. If you need evidence, you can take some photos. I probably won’t be able to leave all of them here,” Du Jiang said calmly before getting off the car.

Encountering something like this for the first time, Lu Zhixin did not know whether to feel scared or fortunate that Xu Tingsheng had had the foresight to send Du Jiang over. Only when she saw Du Jiang smash a knife-wielding opponent to the ground on first contact did she break out of her reverie. She called the police and began taking photos with her phone.

Ten plus minutes, one versus eight.

Six people escaped on their vehicles with injuries. Two more remained immobile on the ground.

Du Jiang had suffered one fractured arm, three knife wounds and countless other minor injuries.

Lu Zhixin opened the door and got out of the car.

“Boss Lu, can you call the police again? An ambulance too, if you please,” Bloodstained all over, Du Jiang smiled.

……

While Du Jiang’s injuries were not very severe, he was still hospitalised. In the meantime, Wang Xiao came to Yanzhou.

The incident was classified by Yanzhou’s police as the February 10th incident. An investigation squad was established.

On 12th February, five remaining assailants were arrested before they could flee Yanzhou.

Xu Tingsheng called Fang Yuqing’s cousin from the Vice squad. These people were all out-of-towners. This meant that they would have to work together with other police forces in order to get to the bottom of the incident.

“We’ve already sent over all the evidence and deployed people to investigate. Rest assured, the city is viewing this with the utmost importance,” Fang Yuqing’s cousin said.

Yet, a week later, there was still no update on the matter.

Xu Tingsheng called him again.

“Across provinces, a bit of a problem cropped up with coordination,” Fang Yuqing’s cousin said rather sheepishly.

“That is to say that the investigation will very likely stop here?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“...It is very likely,” The other party admitted rather helplessly.

“It actually isn’t really difficult to investigate, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It’s not. Some have already spilled,” Fang Yuqing’s cousin said in a hushed tone, “Don’t say it was me who said it.”

“Got it.”

The next day, Lu Zhixin’s photos depicting the February 10th incident were all uploaded by her and shared by Xu Tingsheng on Weibo. Having frequently been receiving threats to her personal safety over that gutter oil affair, that Lu Zhixin had encountered this now...

Who would dare call this a coincidence? A standalone incident?

The collective rage of the netizens thus erupted...

Lu Zhixin received a few calls regarding deleting the photos from Weibo.

Lu Zhixin refused.

Xu Tingsheng refused.

Lu Zhixin had Hucheng, and Xu Tingsheng had Weibo...the other side’s protective umbrella was not mighty to this extent.

This was a classic case of public sentiment forcing the hand of legislation which was to be often seen in the years to come.

Within three short days, the masterminds behind the eight assailants, the boss of a certain city’s acclaimed biotech company included, were taken into custody, amounting to a total of seven people. This so-called biotech company had precisely been the supplier of gutter oil to that largest oil company involved.

As the truth came to light, so as to appease the flames of fury of the public, these people’s sentences would probably not be light.

This blow seemed to demonstrate the capabilities Lu Zhixin possessed as everybody else retreated into the shadows all at once.

The following days proved uneventful.

Just as everyone believed the storm had blown over, in a certain city in H province, three of Hucheng’s ‘Are You Hungry’ employees were injured in the span of a single day. The next day, another was beaten up...the following day, all of Hucheng’s food delivery employees from said city collectively resigned.

This entailed that Hucheng’s operations within that city had been effectively paralysed.

That night, someone PM-ed Lu Zhixin on Weibo: Next, the neighbouring cities.

This was a pure gangster-like method. What can you do even if you know someone is targeting Hucheng? If the police really arrests them, fine. All you can do is charge them for brawling…

Rather than gunning for Lu Zhixin’s life and blowing the matter up, this kind of small-scale, shameless method was scariest. While not major, it could hurt Hucheng’s foundation.

Hucheng’s legal department got in touch with the local police a few times but to no avail. The second time delivery people were deployed to that city from elsewhere, they were beaten up midway. While the police did make some arrests this time, the lackeys were quickly released…

Their explanation was: Just an altercation on the street. No one was badly hurt.

It was not easy to handle this matter, but it had to be done. Others from elsewhere might emulate it otherwise, causing a subtle but sure collapse in Hucheng’s foundation. Therefore, not only did they have to do something about this fast, they also had to ruthlessly quash all other would-be instigators in their cradles, quaking in their boots.

The question was-what should they do?

It meant nothing however outraged the public was. Where the law was ineffective, it was not like they could step forward to defend Hucheng’s food delivery personnel. On the contrary, it should be less likely for them to use Are You Hungry lest they bring harm upon themselves as a result.

This was just how things worked in reality.

Therefore, since underhanded, shameless means were being employed, perhaps one could only fight fire with fire, using something even more underhanded and shameless to retaliate.

The next day, Lu Zhixin posted on Weibo: I, Lu Zhixin, hereby declare to friends, Hucheng’s employees and all concerned about Hucheng. If I do not pursue this incident to the fullest! I don’t deserve to stay Hucheng’s boss!

The domineering female CEO won countless likes.

Xu Tingsheng shared the post.

Soon, he received a call from Old Jin.

“Look at that little lady acting cool. I am also Hucheng’s shareholder. Ten percent should be considered quite important, right? Something as flashy as this, I should be the one to say it…” Old Jin said over the phone.

“Why don’t you just say something on Weibo too then?” Xu Tingsheng asked exasperatedly.

“I don’t have any fans on Weibo…”

“...”

“Still, I’ll be the one handling this.”

“What do you plan on doing?”

“That city is right beside mine! Right on my shipping route for coal.”

“And so?”

“And so? You surely haven’t seen how we snatch mines over here, right? Something of this extent is really nothing to speak of.”

“Snatch mines?”

“You know how running mines is like picking up money nowadays, right. So, do you really believe that just anyone can do it? While you can’t see it on the news, you can check the forums. Us bros are pretty legendary, you know…”

“I’m too lazy to check. Just tell me what you intend to do, alright?”

“Tomorrow, at least a hundred heavy coal trucks will be stopping by in that city for a few days. Wanna check it out? That little lady...no, Boss Lu, she’ll be there...come on, I still want to go with you to visit Yanzhou afterwards.”

A hundred heavy trucks, pulling definitely not coal, but a lineup sufficient to vie for possession of coal mines. Armed clashes between people numbering in the thousands...Xu Tingsheng had actually heard of this before…

Go take a look, would he?

And see what was truly meant by...a savage dragon crossing the seas.

Chapter 488: You're not of the community

Chapter 488: You’re not of the community

Old Jin asked if Xu Tingsheng wanted to take a look. Xu Tingsheng decided that he would. Fu Cheng’s family had already returned to Yanzhou, and he was free too.

There were basically two reasons why he wanted to go.

Firstly, he wanted to see what exactly the ‘community’ looked like. He had lived thirty years in his previous life and several more in this one. Even so, having watched numerous works of fiction depicting the gritty underside of society in cinemas in his youth, he still possessed curiosity and yearning for that rumoured unseen brotherhood, rather idolising it at that.

In the meantime, he also wanted a good look at the other side of Old Jin, the side of Old Jin which belonged to said community.

Just as Wu Kun was a member of it, Old Jin was one too, albeit one with much more worth.

Wu Kun had been wholly incomparable compared to Old Jin before he had placed his bets on Xu Tingsheng. To be precise, he was more like those gangsters in movies, possessing territory, a reputation and a few smaller but thriving entertainment centres which guaranteed him income.

Under those circumstances, if someone from the city committee suddenly made a move on him, giving him no room to squeeze out of it, his base of power might collapse completely as a result as he lost the ability to protect even himself.

As for Old Jin’s lot, they might already be close to the level of To be Number One and Lee Rock.

They seemed to have a collective nickname which should be ‘Binzhou’s Thirty Conquerors’. Old Jin had boasted this before while he was drunk. Of course, this should only be the polite form of address. There were probably more who called them the thirty wolves or thirty mutts in secret.

These people grasped the lifeline of local economies as their power was interspersed and all-encompassing. Even if someone from a provincial committee wished to move against them, they would have to weigh the merits and meticulously plan their moves first.

Savage dragon crossing the seas-he had seen this in movies and read it in books before…

Some were great fighters, other versatile schemers.

Still, who would ever imagine something as imposing and majestic as a hundred heavy trucks openly and directly barrelling into the local snakehead’s territory just like that?!

Still, this was actually also related to Xu Tingsheng’s second reason for wanting to go there.

Hucheng was currently a celebrity enterprise that countless people were paying attention to. Paying heed to their image was definitely a must. Even with Old Jin’s substantial experience and despite the fact that Lu Zhixin would be there too, Xu Tingsheng could not help but worry somewhat.

He mentioned this over the phone.

“We must still give them face, of course,” Old Jin said, “Our vehicles really pass that city every once in a while. It’s actually normal even though the scale is a bit bigger this time. It’s also very normal for those of the ‘community’ to clash a little with the local members. I won’t go so far that the authorities can’t stand for it.”

As Xu Tingsheng was contemplating this, a young voice resounded from the other end.

“Come on, Uncle Xu, I’ll bring you to chop someone...I discovered before that you’re awesome in all areas, just that you’re lacking some viciousness and guts. Fraternising in the community, those who aren’t vicious, are all buffoons…”

The seven-year-old Little Jinshan…pulling all sorts of things out of his hat...Xu Tingsheng felt despondent.

“Scram back to do your homework, yeah?” Xu Tingsheng interrupted him.

“Oh,” Little Jinshan said helplessly, “Fine, you win.”

He returned the phone to Old Jin.

Having gone into ‘teacher mode’, Xu Tingsheng questioned, “I say, Old Jin, what’s with you? I don’t mind if you let Little Jinshan hit on chicks and throw money around, being a bit craftier or whatnot...but you even tell him about all those violent things, instilling these values in him? He’s only seven years old.”

Old Jin laughed bitterly, “You don’t understand.”

“What?”

“You’re not of the community.”

“What?”

“In the past, though I am uncultured, I did love listening to stories. Once, I heard this. Cao Cao said: A son to be born like Sun Zhongmu (Sun Quan)! Be they sons of Liu Jingsheng (Liu Biao), pigs and dogs! Why? In different circumstances, one’s considerations will naturally be different. That’s why Cao Cao admired that young man who could contend with him.”

“Take me for example. If you gave me a scientist son, it’ll be useless. When I die one day, he’ll quickly be shredded by others till there’s not even bones left of him.”

Xu Tingsheng said nothing. He could hear Old Jin shooing Little Jinshan out of the room.

“When my son is suddenly faced with something major one day, he surely can’t just wet himself and burst into tears.”

“My son will be the local warlord of this stretch of gold in the future. This is in his fate. Ordering others about, letting them down...he has to learn everything. Still, he’s learning English right now. After coming back from Yanzhou, I hired a female student from a teaching school to instruct him at our house. The girl’s looks aren’t bad, so he’s still absorbing it quite well.”

They both laughed.

……

Xu Tingsheng got on an aeroplane the next morning. After the plane had landed, it was a black Bentley that came to pick him up. The driver said that Lu Zhixin had already arrived before him. More than an hour later, the car arrived in C City of H Province.

Everything looked calm and uneventful.

He met Old Jin in a luxurious suite of a hotel. Inside were Old Jin, Little Jinshan and a woman. Lu Zhixin was not there.

“What, she hasn’t arrived yet?” Xu Tingsheng asked inquiringly.

“I chased her back to her room to sleep,” Old Jin said, “Little lady hindering things...I thought about it and maybe you’re even more of a hindrance. So, I’m wondering right now if I should chase you away to sleep together with her or sleep by yourself.”

“Well?” Old Jin asked.

“Huh?”

“You guys can only watch. Jinshan, go have a chat with your Uncle Xu.”

Little Jinshan walked over and yelled happily, “Uncle Xu!”

The two moved a short distance away and sat down.

Xu Tingsheng looked at that woman beside Old Jin. She was in her thirties and very intricate in terms of both appearance and clothes. She even exuded a bit of a unique disposition, far from the kind of woman that were said to hang around nouveau riche...even though Old Jin always seemed to act like one.

“My Dad’s woman…” Beside him, Little Jinshan said.

“Where’s your mother?”

“She became a nun.”

“Huh?”

“It’s true! Like my Dad says, those of a different path do not mingle. Still, it just happens that my Mum got married to him and doesn’t like the way he’s living now. My Mum wanted a simple and mundane life, but my Dad couldn’t give it to her. In the end, she left...she still acknowledges me, but not my Dad.”

“She wanted to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures, so my Dad built a small temple for her and got a few old nuns to come over. I can still stay there for a few days from time to time. My Dad, though, can’t even step past the threshold.”

Taken aback, Xu Tingsheng asked, “So, this is your stepmother?”

“She’s just my Dad’s woman. She can’t be considered my stepmother. My Mum and Dad aren’t divorced. My Mum wanted to, but my Dad just shamelessly refused to get divorced no matter what. My Mum made a fuss at the Civil Affairs Bureau and courts before, but no one dared accept the case. After a few tries, she eventually gave up on that.”

“Right, it seems this woman graduated from some 985 university or whatnot. Her qualifications are much higher than yours.”

Xu Tingsheng was unable to immediately venture a reply.

A knock on the door resounded.

Someone entered and passed Old Jin a stack of photographs and several pieces of paper.

“This is the namelist. HK company, C City’s supporting pillar enterprise. Connections with both the bureaucracy and the criminal underworld. They were most involved with gutter oil last time, and they’re continuing to finance it now. The boss is surnamed Peng. A stake in every industry including gambling, prostitution and drugs. Bunch of underlings under him quite a complex mix.”

“Let’s begin tonight then. Going by the namelist and photographs, capture as many as you can,” Old Jin said.

“Understood,” That person responded.

Xu Tingsheng finally got to meet with Lu Zhixin. Together with Old Jin, they stood at the top of the building. Gazing down, from the national highway outside the city, a hundred heavy trucks zoomed thunderously in like an enormous dragon…

A phrase involuntarily arose in Xu Tingsheng’s mind: Dark clouds looming overhead, the city doth quake…

“But this, this is too much,” Lu Zhixin frowned.

“We’re just coming into the city to have a meal and rest up. We always do it; the businesses here have always loved us,” Old Jin said.

Chapter 489: Forcefully challenging the local snakehead

Chapter 489: Forcefully challenging the local snakehead

It was drizzling that night in C City, evoking a greater sense of calm than the usual nights.

The passing vehicles on the national expressway would turn on their headlights from time to time, not because they did not know proper propriety on the road but because they just could not help but want to know who exactly that bunch of heavy trucks parked by the roadside was affiliated to.

"Coal trucks, turning our roads all pitch black. Having to wash the car after each trip, really freaking troublesome," A driver complained.

He did not notice that while unrefined coal was indeed visible from some of the trucks, others were covered by thick tarpaulins.

Inside the room, Xu Tingsheng had yet to fall asleep.

It was the same for Lu Zhixin.

A text arrived: Are you asleep?

Xu Tingsheng sent back: Not yet. You?

This was kind of a no-brainer question.

Still, Lu Zhixin earnestly sent back a reply: Same here. I can't fall asleep without drinking nowadays. I just ordered a bottle of red wine...anyway, do you drink?

Xu Tingsheng replied: Not me. I seldom drink.

Lu Zhixin sent back: I see.

After a while.

A text arrived again: Right, I almost forgot. I'm still worried about Old Jin causing too big a scene. He told me earlier that a permanent solution can only be going in hard here and intimidating everybody so bad they won't try anything again.

Xu Tingsheng replied: It fits his style, and actually makes a lot of sense too. Many rascals are hard to tame. Stick your flag into the ground, string one up and they're all quelled.

He added: Do we have any other choice, anyway? We should say that it's lucky we have Old Jin. We aren't proficient in handling things like this, and yet we can't not handle them...you've already staked it on this too with your major declaration.

Lu Zhixin said: I know, but I’m afraid it could affect Hucheng’s reputation. If we’re associated with illegal, untoward activities, it could completely wreck Hucheng’s image. You should have stopped him at the time, restricted him a bit at least...why didn’t you stop him?

Xu Tingsheng sent back: Shouldn’t it be why didn’t you stop him? Hey, you’re Hucheng’s boss.

Lu Zhixin sent a helpless emoticon: But he just wouldn’t listen to me...don’t you think that I don’t know. Behind my back, he calls me...little lady. And he also doesn’t work at Hucheng.

Xu Tingsheng: I took a look outside the window. C City is calm and peaceful.

A city of a few hundred thousand people, located on a hub for transportation-even if 300 people entered, they really wouldn’t cause very much of a ripple.

That night, everything was as per usual for the ordinary citizens.

Only those who liked to visit the various entertainment centres and casinos at night would feel that something was wrong as they saw conflict after conflict which seemed to have suddenly appeared from nowhere.

“It’s like an eradication...directed towards HK!!!”

“Who could be so wild? Forcefully challenging the local snakehead?!”

“I don’t know. All I know is that there are over a hundred coal trucks parked by the national highway.”

……

4am. Those who woke up this early might be those working in the market who had gone to stock-take their fresh goods. The breakfast stores had already been open for a bit, their first batch of customers mostly consisting of environmental workers.

There was a chill in the air.

The rain had already stopped. Still, as coal mines were located just over an hour away by car, there seemed to be ash drifting in the air. The sunlight was unable to penetrate through and all was hazy.

An environmental worker arrived at a garbage collection point with his garbage truck.

A van passed by. Someone was thrown off it, wailing…

“Put that down. This is none of your business. Don’t call the police.”

Having just taken out his phone, the environmental worker was stopped by him.

The person took some time to calm down before taking out his phone, “Big Bro, my place was wrecked...right, we’re not sure where they came from. They just showed up last night.”

Just last night, in the span of a single night.

As many as over a hundred and seventy of HK’s underlings were either beaten up where they were or taken away.

Their illegal joints had been swept through like a storm.

At 5 am, the private villa was filled with people, some wounded, the remainder rather panicked too. The other side had come with too fierce a momentum and too forceful methods. They were basically as panicked as they were furious.

Everyone’s gazes congregated on Peng Wu, still in his pyjamas.

At forty-seven years of age, Peng Wu was the boss of HK company. Of course, this so-called oil company was merely a front, to give the city face, pay tax and keep the good land theirs. The real money all came from elsewhere, illegal sources always having been the most profitable.

The oil company’s sole profits came from producing gutter oil. This had actually caused them losses instead recently, however.

Due to the joint operation which had transcended the level of cities, even Peng Wu himself had spent a couple of days in jail. In the end, a Vice CEO in name had taken the blame and received a three-year jail sentence while HK had been fined over ten million yuan.

Since over a decade ago, the local warlord of C City, Peng Wu, had ceased to tolerate slights to himself like when he had initially entered the community in his youth.

Nowadays, he did not allow anyone to cross him.

Hucheng was mighty. Some fool had charged straight to them, blown up the matter and met a tragic end. Still, Peng Wu did not mind that. He had his own territory and his own methods to play with them. As he saw it, Hucheng could not afford to and would never be able to resist these means anyway. Also, such had no chance of damaging his foundations whatsoever.

He was waiting for Hucheng to approach him to negotiate, for that beautiful little lady known across the entire country to experience the abilities of him, Peng Wu.

In the end, Hucheng had not arrived, and trouble had arisen on his own territory. HK had no opponent of sufficient abilities in C City and no one would dare do such a thing here. Hence, those people were out-of-towners. Had they been invited over by Hucheng?

Peng Wu lit a cigarette, narrowing his eyes, “Inside my territory, even if you are a dragon, you can only coil.”

While kind of old school, this was a very realistic mindset too.

“Boss Peng, after investigating...we can at least be certain that the incidents of last night were related to the hundred plus coal trucks outside the city. Should we continue to investigate who exactly it is over there who wants to make a move on us?”

Peng Wu nodded, “Go on.”

‘Over there’ naturally referred to that bunch of fellas who were associated with mines. With many people from over there having passed by over the years, there would be some minor conflicts every now and then. Since this was their territory, HK had generally had the upper hand.

Everyone present was clear on the fact that however powerful that place was, they were simply unrelated to them...without any direct conflicts of interest, things would never go all-out between them.

“Hold on…” Peng Wu suddenly called for the person who had walked to the door to stop, “Hold off on that investigation. I don’t need to know who he is now, nor do I want to know. Retaliation can come first.”

This meant a few things. Firstly, they would first vent their anger and restore HK’s dignity in C City. Secondly, it didn’t matter who the other side was; HK was that mighty and resolved. And thirdly, since I don’t know who you are, this is all a misunderstanding. Unless you really want me to die, we’ll simply be sitting down to negotiate in the end. In that case, beating you up before the negotiation would surely be more comfortable than negotiating after getting beaten up…

“How many of their people entered the city last night?” Peng Wu asked.

“Around 200 plus people. It was mainly because we were unprepared or we wouldn’t have eaten such a loss,” An underling replied.

Over a hundred trucks, two hundred plus people. This should be basically the total sum for two drivers per truck taking turns. In that case, it seemed that they really had not come here for the express purpose of going against HK to the death.

“Right now, how many people can our side move at most?” Peng Wu asked.

“If we count them all, it’s around 600 plus people.”

“Everyone goes. Surround them, just don’t get anyone dead,” Peng Wu waved a hand rather tiredly, “We’ll talk later, later...go on. Old Three, if you guys aren’t badly injured, stay a bit for breakfast.”

Chapter 490: Jin Twenty-four and his son

Chapter 490: Jin Twenty-four and his son

Xu Tingsheng entered the room and looked around. Old Jin was nowhere to be found.

He pulled Little Jinshan up from bed, asking, “Where’s your Dad?”

“What the, I overslept...come on, let’s go upstairs.”

On the top floor of the hotel.

Little Jinshan sat by the railing, his legs dangling in the air as he drank milk. Having a fear of heights, Xu Tingsheng gingerly shifted towards him, trying to look far away rather than down.

Lu Zhixin asked, “What’re you looking at?”

“Watching Jin Twenty-four’s plans flawlessly come to fruition, ruthlessly, unforgivingly,” Little Jinshan replied smilingly without looking back at her.

“Jin Twenty-four?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“That’s Old Jin. My Dad,” Little Jinshan said.

“Why is he twenty-fourth?”

“Binzhou’s thirty, ranked according to age...he’s ranked twenty-fourth which is pretty young. There haven’t been many newcomers popping up in recent years. Grandpa Jiang said that if those youngsters don’t seize this opportunity, there won’t be anything for them when I’ve grown up…”

Despite the fact that a little brat was saying this while drinking milk, no one was surprised by this incongruity at all.

The sky was overcast and misty. Far off in the distance, the trail of trucks appeared majestic and imposing, like a coiling dragon.  It was just too calm, really. Solemnity was not calmness. It was truly calm as some people got off from time to time, washing their face or brushing their teeth.

Vehicles congregated inside the city from all around, whizzing through the streets...ferociously charging out.

The local snakehead was retaliating.

Xu Tingsheng found the scene somewhat surreal as youthful hot-bloodedness surged to his head and he looked forward to seeing what would happen…

Lu Zhixin wondered aloud, “There seems to be a lot of people. Can Old Jin handle it?”

Little Jinshan turned and glanced at her, “A lot, you say? Don’t be shocked later.”

“Is your Dad preparing to take them all down in one fell swoop?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah,” Little Jinshan replied, “Uncle Xu, do you know why Jin Twenty-four dares to do this?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head.

“It’s precisely because they’re the local snakehead. Because of that, many things are different with them. For instance, over three hundred of our people came yesterday, wrecking more than a dozen of HK’s joints and beating up over a hundred seventy of their men...were they normal people, the police would receive over a hundred calls from people getting beaten up in a single night. That would be a mass violence incident. Maybe even the armoured police squad would come over to resolve it. My Dad would only be able to run away with his tail behind his legs.”

“It’s different for local snakeheads, though. This isn’t about face, it’s their custom. If they face anything, they’ll report it to their higher-ups. If they can resolve it, they’ll resolve it on their own. If things are just too major, they’ll get their Chief to communicate with the people on top. HK definitely has connections with the local government and police...if a hundred and seventy people report, the Chief of HK will definitely go communicate with C City’s government.”

“Come on, guess-what do you think those people will think then?”

Little Jinshan answered his own question, “Those people will sigh in relief, believing it to be fortunate that it’s a matter of the community. Rather than a societal matter, they actually very much prefer this to be the case. The former could very well cause them their positions. As for the latter? For matters of the community, they can settle it amongst themselves as long as they don’t go overboard.”

Xu Tingsheng did not say anything as it was Lu Zhixin who worriedly asked, “Will they send out the police then?”

“First,” Little Jinshan raised a finger, “If things really go to that extent, would the Binzhou Thirty really be afraid of just a mere city like this?”

He raised a second finger, “Secondly, If you’re the bureaucracy of C City that’s related to HK, what would you do now? You’d wait and see. It’s not like they’re underlings. Where they don’t understand something, why be rash? If there’s no chance, they won’t act. These dudes are sly.”

“Thirdly,” He said, raising a third finger, “HK will not request them to make a move too. Their advantages of being a local snakehead and their long-term supremacy will always make them more confident of themselves...look, aren’t they going now? So, do you now understand why we only sent three hundred people in last night?”

“What about afterwards? What happens after we take them all down in one fell swoop?” Lu Zhixin was most worried about the bureaucracy getting involved here, even if it was just the aftermath.

“Having overturned him, he’ll be finished. Who can protect him? What’s there left to care about? At this point, those of the government will definitely stay out of this matter. Also, they probably have found out my Dad’s identity by now. Since it’s a matter of the community that does not harm societal peace and the lives of ordinary citizens, in the end, they will only be thinking: Leave, just leave! Don’t stick around here any longer than you have to.”

Little Jinshan laughed, continuing, “Therefore, to topple the local snakehead, the most important point is speed, precision, brutality. Before it has fully awakened and musters up all its strength to deal with you, slam them apart.”

“Why do people often say that it’s difficult for mighty dragons to suppress local snakeheads? That’s because the snakeheads always have complex networks running locally. Activating all those networks would be very troublesome-trapping the dragon, whittling down their strength till it collapses if they have to.”

“What we have to do is to get them to unconsciously choose to forget about this network at the start, coming in for a head-on clash. When they’ve fallen apart and the rope pulling the net is gone, the net can naturally no longer be of any use.”

Finishing up what he had to say, Little Jinshan drank a mouthful of milk and shook his head.

“Speaking with those not in this trade is really tiring.”

Xu Tingsheng glanced at him rather despondently, “Did your Dad explain all that to you?”

“Half-half. In the past, he would say it all. Now, he says half and asks half. I guess half and answer half. Uncle Xu, aren’t I fated to be a member of the community? Grandpa Jiang says I am a genius bastard,” Little Jinshan said.

“Scram! Has the genius finished doing his homework yet?!” Xu Tingsheng laughed and scolded.

Now that a new year had arrived, Little Jinshan was already eight. Still, the heck...shouldn’t it be said that he was merely eight? He inexplicably recalled Old Jin’s words: ‘My son will be the local warlord of this stretch of gold in the future’.

Little Jinshan’s life was fated to be this way, colourful and at the head of a wave. As for whether he would enjoy it, perhaps only he himself would know when looking back on it someday in the future.

……

5.40am. The city was still calm, with few people out and about.

Outside C City, by the national highway, several dozen vehicles of various kinds stormed fiercely towards the long dragon of over a hundred heavy trucks. Used to their supremacy in C City, going with so many people this time...many were filled with confidence and raring to go.

“Boss Peng said that it’s fine as long as nobody dies. Onward! Dammit, even daring to act against us HK…”

They charged.

Those brushing their teeth and washing their faces alongside the trucks began to run away.

With that, the confidence of HK’s people skyrocketed as it was like a wind had arisen beneath their feet, propelling them onward in a race to their prey...

Everyone charged into the long dragon of heavy trucks.

One second later, the long dragon seemed to have suddenly awoken as it shivered, its scales exploding…

Watching from a distance, the originally tranquil and normal squad of vehicles had changed all of a sudden. Those doors covered by tarpaulins were pushed open as people began streaming out like a torrential flood, instantly enveloping the entire national highway...drowning the people of HK that had just charged in, all six hundred odd of them…

Actually, from the vantage point of Xu Tingsheng and co, these people were barely the size of fingertips. Yet, it was precisely this indistinct sight that was shocking, majestic and stimulating.

The corners of Little Jinshan’s lips curled upwards.

Xu Tingsheng’s blood was boiling in excitement.

Lu Zhixin was all wide-eyed and tongue-tied.

Old Jin’s woman had a look of total adoration and worship on her face…

……

At the villa, Peng Wu was in the midst of eating breakfast with his old buddies.

They were reminiscing on the intense battles of the past, exclaiming emotionally at how they were unable to personally take to the battlefield nowadays.

Someone now slammed open the door and charged into the restaurant…

“How is it?” Peng Wu wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin and inquired calmly.

“We were, ambushed! Everyone, all...toppled. So many people, so many…”

Peng Wu shot to his feet, his chair toppling with a bang.

“There were two thousand five hundred people at the very least.”Peng Wu sat down dully. Still, the chair had already fallen...he ended up sitting onto the floor. Instinctually grabbing the tablecloth, he dragged down all the plates, fruits and whatever food there was on the table. As a result, they all slammed down upon his body with an awful clatter.

The few people present all gazed blankly at him, forgetting even to help him up. It had been a very long time since they had last seen Peng Wu in such a harried state.

……

They uneasily sat and watched Peng Wu call around for assistance.

The first.

The second.

The third.

……

The phone was flung onto the ground.

No help was coming...this logic was very simple. If this was an entanglement scenario, even if HK had fallen to a slight disadvantage, due to their ties built up over the years and the mutual benefits existing between them, HK would surely have allies. This embodied the full extent of their capabilities.

Right now, however, this one mere blow had resulted in HK’s instant collapse within the shortest frame of time. It was like they had aggravated someone they should never have defied...and so, no help would come.

Like Old Jin had said, that actual area in which local snakeheads were most tricky foes was not their actual combat capabilities but the interspersed local network of connections that amounted to their foundation.

Sadly, this local snakehead, HK, had no chance to use their actual full strength whatsoever...the fact was that they themselves had fallen, the rope that was used to pull that net correspondingly becoming nothing.

“Jin Twenty-four…” Peng Wu said.

Jin Twenty-four’s reputation in the community had been very great these past few years, though it was not all that good a name he had built for himself. Twenty-four was merely an age ranking. In terms of worth, it was said that this person was already in the top five of that Binzhou Thirty despite not even having turned forty.

“No, I just don’t understand. If it’s him, he should at least give us face if there’s anything, right? How did we offend him? Is there a need to go all out against us from the get-go like this?”

“Actually, if he didn’t do this, I’d be able to play with him in C City even if he’s Jin Twenty-four. Even if I lost, it wouldn’t be so major a loss,” Peng Wu said dully, “But alas, he didn’t want to negotiate at all…”

“Why?”

“Remember what I said when deciding to move against that Hucheng? I said that they will definitely be afraid, because the scariest part about us is that others can follow suit. In the meantime, they would be wholly unable to deal with it…”

“Jin Twenty-four’s goal is for others elsewhere to be scared upon viewing our outcome, no longer daring to move. He wants to hang us up on his flagpole, hence suppressing them all.”

Chapter 491: High up on the flagpole

Chapter 491: High up on the flagpole

Peng Wu acutely detected that this matter was connected to Hucheng. As for why it was Jin Twenty-four, that seemed unimportant in the grand scheme of things when everything was basically already settled.

HK and him, Peng Wu, had to fall. As they were the instigators, they had to be strung up, adorning their flagpole.

If Jin Twenty-four had only wanted to resolve Hucheng’s problems in C City, this was overkill. It was also risky and wholly unnecessary. Simply by negotiating alone, he would be able to get Peng Wu to stop. Even if he absolutely wanted make Peng Wu pay a price, he would have alternative methods available too.

Yet, he had chosen the riskiest, most forceful method. Even as the bureaucracy might target him and intervene, the more people knew about this the merrier.

Peng Wu’s greatest error was what he had once been most triumphant about. Not only would he be taking revenge on Hucheng himself, this would also serve as an inspiration to the other people Hucheng had offended. They would be able to exact vengeance at little cost.

Even a small group of individuals could manage it.

The gutter oil affair encompassed approximately thirty cities across seven provinces. As soon as this was emulated on a wide scale, Hucheng might be done for good.

Therefore, the thought of negotiating had never crossed Old Jin’s mind from the start. In truth, he would have refused even if Peng Wu had tried to approach him to negotiate regarding this.

This battle where the savage dragon crossed the seas and thrashed the local snakehead was essential, and it had to be big. It was to let those people who were raring to go know that truly, the cost of doing so would not be low at all. It was not that Hucheng could do nothing about it.

A meticulously planned blitzkrieg of such a great scale and on away territory, involving such characters...it was destined to become a legend within the ‘community’ that would hereafter spread like a wildfire.

This situation was one Old Jin was happy to see.

To put it simply, Old Jin’s goal was to intimidate by borrowing Peng Wu to suppress all who would seek to emulate him and go against them.

Of course, just this battle alone was not enough to resolve the problem.

The significance of this battle was like the drumbeat before the fall of the sabre in Peking operas as it was more for the dramatic effect of shock where all hopes of resistance had been lost.

Here, Old Jin had used his reputation in the community and domineering methods to make it feel as though HK was unable to withstand a single strike and had rapidly collapsed. As others saw it, having aggravated someone they shouldn’t have and suffered such a heavy blow, HK no longer seemed to have any hope of surviving.

This kind of mentality and atmosphere was scariest. The price of HK making one single misstep had been too great.

In this world, it had always been thus:

When the tree falls the monkeys scatter, when a wall topples everyone propels it to its doom.

Having suffered this tragic defeat and come to know who their opponent was, most of HK’s affiliated powers were unwilling to return to help them tide through it. This was itself problematic.

Aside from this, with their allies not doing anything, their opponents or enemies would definitely be raring to go. Having reigned supreme in this place for over a decade, HK and Peng Wu had many hated foes and sworn enemies for sure.

……

People were entering and exiting Peng Wu’s villa. All of them had hurried footsteps and frantic looks on their faces.

All of it was bad news without exception.

“Those who caused trouble at our joint this time seems to be that bunch of hooligans who used to run a casino machine hall...there’s been trouble elsewhere too. There are some foreign faces that seem to have come from a neighbouring county…”

Younger people who had just started out often knew not the extent of their limitations as they were more eager to ascend to positions of power and more willing to take risks. With such a rare opportunity having arisen in C City, they were all charging over without any care for the consequences.

Perhaps their next target would be Peng Wu himself.

“Just this trash alone have a death wish?” An arm in a cast, Old Three stood up and roared.

He liked visiting the entertainment centres. Having unfortunately been out last night, he had become HK’s highest-ranked tragic casualty.

Peng Wu looked at him, “Will you handle it?”

If it was normally, Old Three who had a bad temper would happily make use of this chance to relive the heroism and imposing might of his youth. Now, however...after looking left and right, he ceased to speak. There were simply no underlings he could command.

“Close them all for now. Get everyone back,” Peng Wu said defeatedly, “With so many people suddenly gaining the courage to move against us, it can’t be anything other than Jin Twenty-four being long prepared, inciting and giving them confidence behind the scenes. In other words, he must already have planned for this before acting against us. No wonder word around is that of the Binzhou Thirty, the scariest is Jin Twenty-four.”

“But that’s admitting weakness!” Old Three exclaimed furiously.

Peng Wu glanced at him, “Do you think we even have to admit anything? Does anyone still not know?”

“That’s true in principle. Still, if we do this, those people will only get more full of themselves. It wouldn’t be easy to take care of things then. How about using the government? At times like this, face doesn’t matter anymore. No one cares about rules these days anyway,” Another old-timer said.

Peng Wu forced a piteous smile, “I tried it long ago...they won’t move now. It’s easy to offer a little goodwill when times are good, but to expect aid during harsh times is often wishful thinking. What I’m most afraid of now is people kicking us when we’re down.”

As he had said, as soon as HK’s protective umbrella deemed that they were done for, giving up, retreating and drawing a clear boundary between them, just any one or two of the things he had done in the past would be sufficient to render him dead.

One underling who had already run in and out several times by now panted as he reentered the living room once more.

“What now?” Old Three roared angrily, as if the bad news was all his fault since he was the one reporting it.

“Well, a car sent just sent this to our door...they said it’s an invitation card from Jin Twenty-four.”

The underling handed an envelope over.

Who still sent invitation cards in this day and age? Was this still before the revolutionary era?

So, it was not an invitation card.

Peng Wu held three photographs, with words behind all of them.

The first one was of a man in his thirties with numerous scars across his face. The words read: You should recognise this guy, right, Boss Peng? In 1999, his wife unfortunately died of a ‘car accident’. He alone managed to fortunately escape...he is in Thailand right now...he probably would really like to come back.

The second…

The third…

Three photographs, three people. So long as they had a chance, any of them would bear a smile on their face as they sent Peng Wu to his grave even at the cost of their own lives. Having managed to find these people, Jin Twenty-four would naturally be able to provide them with suitable opportunities too.

A piece of paper remained. Prostitution, gambling, drugs, assault incidents, homicides etcetera…

One by one, case by case, Peng Wu’s crimes were all listed here, bearing proof.

These had actually not been so great a secret before as there had been many rumours in C City as well as those who understood what was going on. When Peng Wu was flourishing and had a protective umbrella to shield him as he dictated his surroundings, all this had not actually posed a problem at all.

Now, however...with everyone gathered to propel the toppling wall to its doom, this had become potentially fatal.

By now, Peng Wu was well aware that he would not be able to escape Jin Twenty-four’s grasp.

The sole point of contention was that the information on this piece of paper was too detailed…

Both the crimes and the evidence were listed out in so much detail. This had to mean that…

Peng Wu scanned the old-timers who were in the living room with him. They had all fought with him and attained glory together, and he had treated them well as befitting that. Still, as monkeys scatter after trees fall, one of them had made the ‘rational’ choice to sell him out to save himself.

His gaze finally came to rest on Old Three...he had appeared too rash and too full of righteous indignation earlier...too much like a buffoon. While everyone knew of Old Three’s rashness that had been there ever since his youth, Peng Wu had always known that he was no buffoon, really. He was only ever rash in the times that he should be rash.

Earlier had clearly not been such a time.

Peng Wu closed his eyes, leaning backwards as he thought about it...forget it, he decided.

“In the future, my family...for the sake of old times, please do take care of them,” Peng Wu suddenly said.

……

It was nearly ten o'clock when Old Jin returned to the hotel.

After a bath and a change of clothes, he appeared in the living room.

Lu Zhixin said, “Thanks for all the trouble.”

Being an intelligent person, while she had been muddled about many things at first, she already understood everything now like why Old Jin had chosen to do this and the risks he had suffered in doing so.

“We’re all in it together,” Old Jin grinned widely, “Just make those shares of mine become more valuable, yeah?”

“That’s for sure,” Lu Zhixin smiled.

Someone now entered and reported, “Peng Wu’s here.”

“Invite him in,” Old Jin sat down and said.

After entering, Peng Wu immediately spotted Lu Zhixin whom he had looked up on the internet before. He smiled and nodded, maintaining the necessary image as befitting him. Next was Jin Twenty-Four.

“Jin Twenty-four?” Despite never having met him before, it was not hard for Peng Wu to deduce this.

“Hello, Boss Peng. Your reputation precedes you,” Old Jin got up and said.

“I thought it was just a minor matter,” Peng Wu said.

Old Jin said nothing.

“Sadly, though it is a minor matter, the effects it could cause are too great,” Peng Wu continued without any prompting.

Old Jin nodded.

“So…”

“What do you think is most extravagant for those of the community, Boss Peng?” Old Jin suddenly asked.

Peng Wu raised his head and looked at him.

“That nothing happens to their family.”

Peng Wu nodded.

“Themselves...a restful death, a peaceful burial.”

Peng Wu nodded.

He understood that this was a promise Old Jin was making him.

Old Jin hesitated for a while, looking at Xu Tingsheng and Lu Zhixin…

“Let’s have it this way,” Old Jin retrieved that piece of paper listing Peng Wu’s crimes and placed it in front of him, “Choose one yourself. For a period of five to ten years, go turn yourself in...you will still be able to see your descendants when you’ve come out, living out the rest of your days.”

Peng Wu’s eyes suddenly shone, the glow in them reviving. Things had ended so much better than he had originally expected.

“Thank you. I’ll go settle things at home.”

Peng Wu bowed deeply and left the hotel.

Old Jin looked at Xu Tingsheng.

“This ain’t my style...while that may be so, I am an important shareholder of a celebrity online  enterprise now, right?” He laughed uproariously and jokingly as Xu Tingsheng felt like he was once again seeing that Old Jin back from Nice.

Chapter 492: Tongtong's opportunity and choice

Chapter 492: Tongtong’s opportunity and choice

The next day, two reports appeared on the news.

First: the boss of HK oil company, C City, H Province, had turned himself in to public security.

Second: Hucheng announced the full resumption of its services in C City.

Neither of them hinted at any direct connection to the other.

Still, placing them side by side, it was not hard to sniff something out. They had the same location, C City. HK was one of the enterprises involved in the gutter oil affair and C City was where Hucheng’s employees had been attacked for a couple of days, effectively paralysing their services.

Therefore, things actually could not be any more obvious.

Hucheng had suffered revenge in C City from exposing the gutter oil affair, and its domineering female CEO had vowed to pursue the matter...now, in so short a time, it had been resolved. A storm had blown over just like that, with Hucheng’s thunderbolt-like methods and the rumours coming from the community in C City intimidating countless people.

Beneath the Weibo post that Lu Zhixin had previously made:

Boss Lu rocks!

Justice always wins!

“......”

Various words of praise, carrying joy and affirmation, filled several hundred pages.

Hucheng’s capabilities, Hucheng’s willingness to step up, Hucheng’s conscience, even Lu Zhixin’s own acclaim and image...the image and value of Hucheng’s brand rose to the max.

“Can this be considered justice?” Lu Zhixin smiled and asked while on the way to the airport.

“Of course! With your reputation of exposing gutter oil despite the dangers, the public will all stand on your side,” Old Jin said.

“Thank you,” This was the second time Lu Zhixin was giving her thanks to Old Jin.

Old Jin was about to say something in reply.

“Rest assured,” Lu Zhixin continued at once, “I will make use of this chance to get Hucheng listed as soon as possible. Your shares will at least double in value...of course, I don’t advise that you cash them out. They will only be more valuable in the future.”“I believe that…” Old Jin patted the head of Little Jinshan beside him, “I’m not selling them. My son still has to enter the Director’s board in the future.”

Little Jinshan looked at Lu Zhixin, “Would you sell your shares?”

Smiling, Lu Zhixin shook her head.

“Well, how about you marry me then?”

“Why?”

“Because I wanna be head of the Director’s board!”

They all laughed.

……

Xu Tingsheng departed a day later than Lu Zhixin. He accompanied Old Jin home before flying to Xihu City the next day. That day, while leaving Little Jinshan at home, Old Jin still brought a whole squad over.

Of the Binzhou Thirty alone, twelve of them came. At the end of it all, there were twenty plus people in total.

Their purpose of their current trip was primarily entertainment.

That aside, they were also going to consider franchising Bright Brilliance and buying flats too. It seemed a perfectly natural thing for coal bosses to go around buying flats everywhere with their money. According to Old Jin, they had already set their eyes on Ning Garden’s second phase of flats which had still yet to be announced.

Before getting on the plane, Xu Tingsheng gave Huang Yaming a call.

“Money, a lot of money’s flying over…” Xu Tingsheng said, “Get things ready over at the bar and find some people who can hold their drink better. Tonight’s going to be world-bendingly crazy.”

When the plane arrived at Xihu City, cars from Hucheng and Bright Brilliance were already waiting outside the airport.

Huang Yaming and Tan Yao personally received them at the airport.

As Xu Tingsheng had expected, after reaching the hotel and taking a bath, the coal bosses all energetically charged to Bright Brilliance.

This place did not lack women. There were hundreds available from Wu Kun’s side. It did not lack wine too as Bright Brilliance was itself somewhat high-end. Huang Yaming was giving it unreservedly his all with all these ‘gods of fortune’ here.

The main thing was that it was not easy to find people who could hold their liquor. There existed an innate gap between the alcohol capacities of northerners and southerners. Moreover, their opponents that night would be a bunch of coal bosses who had ‘long roamed the battlefield’.

The other side had more than twenty people. Huang Yaming could not very well produce fifty, sixty people and use human wave tactics, though.

Close to thirty people awaited them in the private room.

Xu Tingsheng spied Tongtong amongst them.

“I know that you aren’t willing to drink too much at times like this. Still, you probably will have to tonight. You can’t ask men to help you drink. Ultimately, there was only Tongtong I could think of,” Huang Yaming explained.

Xu Tingsheng nodded and walked over to Tongtong, smiling, “So you got a replacement at work?”

Tongtong smiled radiantly, nodding as she answered, “My younger brother came here to be a security guard originally. Then, Boss Huang gave him a chance to learn wine management from me. There aren’t many customers today; he’ll be fine.”

“I’ll be troubling you. Right, you seldom drink nowadays. Will you be okay?” Xu Tingsheng asked in a low tone.

“I, I’ll be fine,” Tongtong hastily emphasised before lowering her head and saying, “Also, it won’t be any trouble. It’s always been me who helps you to drink. Ever since the first time we met...I can’t do anything else for you, just this. I hope that...it’ll always be me. Don’t let anybody else help you, alright? Don’t let anybody else snatch away my happiness.”

Xu Tinsheng smiled, replying, “As expected of someone who became a manger. You’re so adept with words now...in that case, make sure not to overdo it later.”

While Xu Tingsheng was aware of some things, he could only pretend that he was not aware of them.

“Yep,” Tongtong nodded and sat down happily beside Xu Tingsheng.

They did not discuss business the entire night.

In the words of Liu Twelve of the Binzhou Thirty, he was very satisfied from one glance at Bright Brilliance as there was nothing to look into. What remained on whether to invest and cooperate was primarily character. From where could one’s character be seen? Well, from the wine table.

This was the common understanding in this era, from the bureaucracy to businesses to ordinary citizens.

Witnessing one’s true abilities on the wine table, thereby developing relationships.

Excepting Lu Zhixin, this was Xu Tingsheng’s first time witnessing what alcohol capacity really was. It was not just one or two people too but a whole bunch. Did coal bosses do nothing but drink everyday? Was there nothing else they had to do?

Even though they had gotten some girls over from Wu Kun who were already openly helping Bright Brilliance by now, even despite their numerical advantage, Bright Brilliance still had a hard time fending them off.

People were falling like flies.

Time and time again, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao had to beg for mercy, “The two of us still have to oversee things. We’ll drink later...we’ll only fall later, we’ll fall for sure. We definitely won’t run.”

Xu Tingsheng drank quite a bit too. Still, the majority of it was drunk by Tongtong on his behalf. As she was a beauty and one of the bar’s managers, the coal bosses mostly gave her face as she substituted for him.

It was evident that Tongtong’s alcohol capacity had truly declined as compared to the past. Still, her bearing had not deteriorated in any way. Her magnanimous, forthright and graceful style along with an intelligent manner of speaking in her professional attire won her continuous applause and cheers from both sides.

She seemed to have truly merged the manner of a woman of an entertainment centre out in the community and the bearing of a manager of Bright Brilliance perfectly.

She was the Tongtong who had once admonished Lu Zhixin at Starry Splendour: ‘Stop being so troublesome, you stupid bitch! Stop being such a nuisance when the men are talking’.

Meanwhile, she was also Bright Brilliance’s manager, Tongtong, who was becoming increasingly experienced and reliable.

Once in a while, she would sit down beside Xu Tingsheng, making use of her inebriated state to lean on his shoulder and smiling happily as she daringly gazed straight at the side of his face. Wu Kun had told Tongtong to know to be satisfied with what she had...still, certain thoughts simply could not be suppressed even if one wished for it.

“I know that I’m unclean, that I shouldn’t have wild thoughts...in that case, I’m fine like this,” Tongtong thought.

The lategame arrived as a few of the coal bosses finally toppled too. Whatever the case, the drinking session had been a successful, joyous one as Bright Brilliance had properly fulfilled its role as host.

He Twenty-seven, in his early thirties, walked over with a glass of wine in his hand.

Xu Tingsheng stopped Tongtong who was already very inebriated and got up, raising his wineglass to receive him.

He Twenty-seven smiled, shaking his head, “I already drank with Boss Xu earlier. For this glass, I wonder if it would be convenient for me to specifically toast Miss Tongtong?”

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback.

“Forget it, I’ll be direct. I wonder if Miss Tongtong is Boss Xu’s woman?”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit and shook his head.

“Great. In that case, I’ll shamelessly say this. Miss Tongtong, I was enraptured by you tonight. I’ll toast this glass first; it’s easier to speak when drunk,” He Twenty-seven downed that glass of wine before continuing, “I wonder if Miss Tongtong can consider leaving together with me?”

Everyone’s gazes were drawn by this audacious confession.

Hoots and cheers resounded…

“Little He’s famous for being generous with the women he likes. If you follow him for a few years, you’re guaranteed of tens of millions even if nothing comes of it in the end,” Someone from Binzhou spoke on his behalf, “That would be more than you working here for two lifetimes, right?”

“Yeah. What kind of life wouldn’t you be able to lead then?” Another person added.

Those remaining, still somewhat sober girls that Wu Kun had sent over to accompany them in drinking wine looked at Tongtong with gazes full of envy and jealousy. How they wished it was they who had caught his eye.

This was actually the best way out for girls who worked in entertainment centres, what many of them yearned for.

Tongtong got up to stand beside Xu Tingsheng. She did not immediately give a reply.

Someone from Binzhou said, “I say, stop pretending! What the heck do you have to think about? I just heard from the girls that you used to be one of them as well. What’s there for you to…”

“Shut your trap!” He Twenty-seven ordered coldly.

“Miss Tongtong, I am really serious about this. How do I say this? You’re the kind of woman in my imagination, the kind I want. The feel and vibe both feel very right. Because it’s so hard to come by, I was a little too direct. Still, I’m actually not a dastardly person. You can learn more about me before deciding,” He said sincerely and humbly, his tone not overbearing in the least.

“I…” Tongtong raised her head and looked at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng shifted his gaze away.

This was Tongtong’s own decision to make. While Xu Tingsheng had changed a part of her fate, allowing her to leave the entertainment centres and make it to where she was today, he had no way of giving her more...such as a man who truly loved her, etcetera…

Tongtong was not a young girl who had not experienced the way of the world. There was much that she had gone through. This might actually be a good thing for her. She should be the one deciding on her own.

He Twenty-seven’s gaze was very sincere. Though it was too early to talk about devotion what with this only being their first meeting and all, one could tell that he was not lying when he said he liked Tongtong a lot.

Actually, that he was willing to come forward and speak in such a manner at a place like this was already sufficient to show a lot of things.

Everyone’s gazes converged on Tongtong.

“I...if I refuse, will you be angry? Will it affect the cooperation?” Tongtong asked carefully.

“...No. I’ll just be sad,” He Twenty-seven smiled wryly.

“In that case, I...I want to apologise. I really like my current life. This place has the...has so many things that I like. I don’t want to leave it. So, I’m so sorry.”

He Twenty-seven sighed despondently and refilled his glass.

“You’ll still accept this wine, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Chapter 493: Seeing the universe, seeing all life, seeing oneself

Chapter 493: Seeing the universe, seeing all life, seeing oneself

The drinking party lasted till nearly 1am. The fallen and semi-intoxicated people were sent off in batches.

Tongtong had her own little domain at Bright Brilliance. There was a small bed there where she could rest a little when tired. Xu Tingsheng got a female employee to help him support her over, settling her down for the time being.

“Help look after her for a while. I’ll send her home later,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Xu Tingsheng could not leave right away. He needed to sober up a little first.

He ran into Huang Yaming and Tan Yao.

“Where’s Old Jin?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Old Jin had not gotten excessively drunk that night and had not left too.

Leaning on the banister for support, Huang Yaming pointed downstairs.

Old Jin was sitting on a chair not far away from the entrance. He had a wineglass in his hand as he looked rather interestedly at the crowds who were still here at this unearthly hour. While he was simply people-watching, it seemed to provide great enjoyment for him.

Not far away from him, a young woman was dragging a man, entrapped amidst a bunch of women, home. She first tolerated it and tried to persuade him out of here in a low tone. In the end, however, she gave up on keeping quiet and began yelling as virtually everyone could hear her.

This might not be some novel event as it might even be an entertaining show to watch. Also, it was not so nice to interfere in the household affairs of others. Huang Yaming, Tan Yao and the security guards downstairs all showed no intention of stepping in.

Yet, her man was probably drunk and full of himself as he simply refused to leave, clamouring, “You stupid bitch! You can’t work up the mood at all. Just like a dead frog. It’s been five years. Every time I think of going home, I feel sick to the core...”

As he spoke of feeling sick to the core, he really vomited.

The woman suddenly fell silent as she quietly watched the man yelling hysterically without holding back...she knew him so well. He usually gave up in arguments, but he was actually resolute to this extent today over this kind of matter?

That woman grit her teeth. Then, she turned, scanning the area.

She walked over to Old Jin and said, “You, come home with me.”

Even if she could not get her husband back, she was going to claim one home nevertheless?

The place was immediately filled with laughter, applause, cheers.

“Don’t want your husband anymore? Changing one on the spot?”

“Nicely done, little sis…”

“How about me, big sis? I’ll go home with you.”

“A valiant lass indeed…”

Having been nourished by alcohol through the entire night, everyone’s passion and enthusiasm blazed on exceptionally rampantly. Such might be the inevitable byproduct of nighttime, alcohol, and these rowdy people.

“I’m not going. To tell you the truth, I don’t like dead frogs too,” Old Jin smiled.

This was much too hurtful.

That woman seemed to have suffered an immeasurable injustice as her chest heaved intensely and her eyes bored holes into Old Jin.

Old Jin returned her gaze, saying earnestly, “There’s nothing to feel wronged about. Dead frogs, white belly flopping up, four limbs splayed out, unmoving. After some time, pretty much anybody would feel disgusted. The mood-if you can’t work it up, it’s a crime.”

If you can’t work up the mood, it’s a crime?

The DJ present played a long note and shouted.

“What we want…”

All the men and women there yelled simultaneously in reply, “Work up the mood!”

“If you can’t work it up…”

Everyone’s spirits seemed to have been lit ablaze as they yelled all at once, “It’s a crime!”

Right after getting bullied by her husband, the woman had been bullied by Old Jin, and now she was being bullied by the entire room of people.

“You’re all a bunch of disgusting people… Boohoo…” She cried.

“While it may be true that you should get rid of this man, you yourself also have to change in the future. Don’t think that it’s illogical. The logic is like you only know how to make plain porridge, and you request for the man to love and only ever eat plain porridge his entire life...now that actually is illogical, and self-delusional too.”

Old Jin got up and said, “Learn some other dishes.”

She looked up and said coquettishly, “You teach me then.”

Old Jin fled in a panic. Those three upstairs all burst into laughter.

……

“It is said everywhere that love is gradually dying out. What exactly do you lot think is it that has killed love?” Sitting in Huang Yaming’s office, Old Jin who had not even graduated from primary school asked a philosophical question.

“I don’t know about this sort of stuff.”

“Money and authority? Sense of values?”

“Convenience of information and socialisation?”

The three consecutively answered.

“Condoms,” Old Jin said.

“Hah…”

“Before this thingy existed, love should still have been a serious and important affair. People would take longer getting to know each other, and the determination needed to love someone would be greater. When two people get together...it would also be easier for the relationship to bear fruit.”

The three exchanged looks. Old Jin...are you a philosopher?!

“I went to the coal mines without graduating from primary school,” Old Jin said, “Afterwards, when I got a bit of money, I believed studying in university to be beneath me like many others around me. There was no need to be cultured. But afterwards, when I got richer, my thoughts on this changed again.”

“You look even more cultured than we do now,” Tan Yao commented.

“No real foundation, just relying on shortcuts here and there. If you want me to read books and whatnot from the start, I can’t do it,” Old Jin said slowly, “At the start, I listened to people talking about book contents. I listened to everything from ancient to contemporary times that there was and learnt many things. Afterwards, I started listening to people talk about principles, Buddhists, Daoists, even that Christianity from the West. Still, the teacher said that I warped the principles that I heard to fit my own. He said that there was no need for me to listen any longer.”

“Then, I started trying to read...I really couldn’t do it. So I found a woman, one who graduated from some famous university. Tingsheng’s seen her before, that’s the one. Why did I find her? Because her reading voice is especially nice to listen to…”

"At first, she would read while explaining it to me. After listening for half a year or so, I didn't let her do any explaining anymore, only allowing her to follow the original text word by word. She asked me why. I said: If you tell me your principles and I listen to them, won't I become as dumb as you?! So, better for me to comprehend that myself."

The trio did not say anything to that.

The first time Xu Tingsheng had been won over by Old Jin, it had been because of his temperament. Even as he was free and unbridled, it suited his humanity and values so well. The second time could be attributed to his methods. A heroic character who brought down thunderbolts, typhoons with but a wave of his hand-it had been Xu Tingsheng's first time seeing such a thing. The third time was tonight, over his personal cultivation.

Despite never even having graduated from primary school, Old Jin already surpassed the majority of human beings by so much.

"In my teens, I stepped past the threshold and saw the extent of the universe. In my twenties, I saw all life, learning of the ways of people. In my thirties, I began to see myself, fearing that it was too late…" Old Jin asked, "What about you guys?"

This question seemed to be the actual purpose of Old Jin having said so much that night.

"Us?"

"You don't know the extent of the universe, the height of the heavens and the depths of the earth on which you stand," Old Jin told Huang Yaming.

"You're one level lower than him," Old Jin told Tan Yao.

Both of them dared not say anything in reply.

It was a rare chance for them to receive words of wisdom in earnest from Old Jin.

"What about me?" Xu Tingsheng asked.

"I can't understand you. That's why I value you so highly," Old Jin said.

Xu Tingsheng was feeling a little full of himself.

"Still, I know that you have definitely yet to see yourself."

Chapter 494: The faces of all beings

Chapter 494: The faces of all beings

“In my thirties, I grew to live like what you are seeing now,” Old Jin said, “As for the current you, you still do not know what you live for and how to live. So, I say that you have still yet to see yourself. You’re still living beneath the sights and expectations of others...there’s still time, though. No rush.”

The topic of Xu Tingsheng ended there.

“As for the two of you,” Old Jin turned to look at Huang Yaming, “When sitting downstairs just now, I was actually thinking if I should cold-heartedly watch on as you are swallowed whole and eaten alive or do a little something...”

The answer to this question was obvious. Had it been the former, he definitely wouldn’t be here right now, saying these words.

“Did you really think tonight was just a drinking party, to see whether the bar is good and worth investing in? Do you really think that people who can secure their foundations in a place like Binzhou are just a bunch of rough, reckless men? Let me tell you, we actually would invest in you for sure without even having to come to Yanzhou. What we truly prize is your foundation, a large part of this being Xu Tingsheng.”

“We want to borrow your foundation to pave the way for us, because this is something we lack.”

“The main reason we came was to see whether you are easy to deal with...after tonight, at least ten of the twelve will have concluded that you’re easy prey. After the path has been paved, we’ll gobble you up. We’ve already gobbled up countless people who came to invest in Binzhou’s mining industry. We have once treated every one of them as bros, giving them our fullest assistance…”

This was directed towards Huang Yaming.

"How many franchises and how much dough did you talk about with Twelve and the rest earlier?”

“Twenty franchises, three hundred million.”

“Do you really think that the money of people like us is so easy to take?”

“I know it isn’t easy.”

“What are you being so anxious for then?”‘

“I want to...stake a bet on it. If it succeeds, it’ll be able to save me many years of time.”

“Are you really lacking of time? You’ve already made it this far in your early twenties. With Xu Tingsheng as your foundation, your future ahead is smooth sailing, with countless chances. Why do you have to stake a bet? ...You read it in a book? Heard some twisted principles?”

Huang Yaming was rendered speechless because he really could not give a reason. Where did such a mentality originate from? It seemed like a worldview that had unknowingly been imparted to many within society. In life, a few rare opportunities will come within grasp. Life is a series of gamble after gamble. How invigorating and stimulating that sounded…

“Do you know anything about management? Twenty franchises?”

“I…”

“Do you have sufficient trustworthy people you can rely on?”

“I…”

“Financial power, strength, methods-in which area can you stand against the likes of us?”

“I…”

“You are still in the stage of accumulating experience. If you had totally no foundation in life whatsoever, I wouldn’t mind if you staked a bet. But now, since you have a foundation, you shouldn’t bet it all on one thing. Whatever you do now, you should do so stably such that it guarantees that you can extricate yourself and make a comeback. The aspect I acknowledge you for exceeding Xu Tingsheng in is that you are more ambitious than him. Still, you must know the extent of the universe around you and your own limits within it.”

Huang Yaming closed his eyes and pondered on it for a while. He seemed worried while unwilling to give it up too.

“Do you know what the sole rule of the Binzhou Thirty unit is?” Old Jin suddenly asked.

Then, he answered his own question, “Not to let outsiders know of our inside conflicts.”

The trio knew full well that these men lived in a lawless grey area. Still, that this overt, unconcealed rule was the sole rule still took all of them by surprise.

“What do you lot think of Twenty-seven?” Old Jin eased down somewhat and asked.

“His vibe feels different than the rest of you. A bit gentle and refined,” Tan Yao said.

“From how he acted towards Tongtong, he felt pretty sincere, and pretty magnanimous too,” Xu Tingsheng added.

Old Jin looked at them, “Did your minds ever suddenly try to look at it from another perspective? If he really is such a person as you believe, how could he have gained stable footing in Binzhou and rise to this position at such a young age?”

The trio exchanged looks. All of them including Xu Tingsheng had naturally gained high opinions of Twenty-seven earlier, gaining goodwill for him that was inferior only to Old Jin out of everyone present. They had felt that they could get closer to him.

Their minds...not having been reminded, they had indeed not come to change their perspective and consider such a question.

“We call him ‘devil’ in private. He rose from the bed of his godfather…”

The first description already left everyone shivering in disgust.

“Afterwards, when his godfather happened to enter a mine for once, the mine collapsed. He married his godsister and looked after his godmother...three years later, these two women suddenly applied for emigration. Afterwards, nobody ever saw or heard from them again…”

“He’s sick towards women. There are women who died on his bed before and were buried in the mines.”

“He’s sick towards other people too...it’s just that not that many people know about it.”

“Why did he set his sights on Tongtong? Maybe there really are some feelings involved, like him liking her in that way...more importantly, though, he might already have judged from observation that if he controls this woman, it’ll be useful whether to get closer to or threaten Xu Tingsheng in the future. He wasn’t wrong, was he?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded. In some sense, Tongtong could even be considered as having saved his life before, hence her importance to him.

“When the benefits are sufficiently high, one’s determination will also be sufficiently great. That’s why he is able to lower his posture and slowly work at it even after being rejected.”

The trio broke out in a cold sweat, becoming sorely sober all at once.

“I was still feeling a little regretful for Tongtong earlier, thinking that since it’s impossible between her and Tingsheng anyway, she should be considered lucky having met such a man. It would be a real pity to miss out on this…” Tan Yao slowly murmured aloud.

“Try one, the one at Shenghai. You do it with them,” Old Jin told Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming forcefully shook his head, “Still work together? With a bunch of devils? No game, not playing.”

“If you never play with devils, how can you grow your experience? If the price is within controllable limits, take it as an experience. Henceforth, I won’t be giving you any further reminders whatsoever or helping you out in any way...you learn on your own,” Old Jin said.

Huang Yaming hesitated for a while. Finally, he nodded.

“Send me to the hotel, Tingsheng,” Old Jin got up and said.

Xu Tingsheng got up after him.

Reaching the doorway, Old Jin suddenly looked back and enquired, “Right, how do you lot see me?”

What was the trio to say to that? He was Old Jin, but he was also Jin Twenty-four. Throughout the entire conversation, he had unabashedly been saying ‘us’...he was one of those devils too.

“People have ten faces. One of my faces is the terrifying guardian deity, yet benevolent as the bodhisatta. That’s for my son and wife. One of my faces is humanity, that which I leave for myself. You saw that earlier. The remaining eight faces are Yamaraja, the lord of death.”

……

On the way to the hotel.

“Do you know why I was willing to tell Huang Yaming all this?” Old Jin suddenly asked Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng shook his head.

“The two of your personalities make up for what each other lack. He’s the only one I’ve seen by your side who can become a wolf or tiger. I fear his fangs might be broken before he can reach that state. While it’s convenient, I’ll help you to rear him a bit, tame him a little...I know that you won’t agree with the words that I’m using. No need to say anything, I don’t need your approval.”

They drove on for a while more.

“Also, if the day comes in the future when it’s necessary, you support your nephew once. Just once is fine.”

“Alright.”

……

After sending Old Jin back to the hotel, Xu Tingsheng sent Tongtong home.

The semi-drunken Tongtong pointed out the path and took out her keys to open the door.

It was a very small rented apartment.

Xu Tingsheng helped her onto the bed. He inadvertently glanced and saw that from the ceiling was hung a small bottle of perfume...Xu Tingsheng had bought that in batches from a street stall in Nice.

Being hung there, one would see it first thing in the morning when they opened their eyes. Once in a while, when the rays of the sun penetrated through the window and illuminated it, it might be very special, very beautiful, as though it was not just one of many mass produced goods.

Tongtong vomited a few times. Xu Tingsheng helped clear it up, pour water, wring towels.

As he was in the midst of walking off.

“I rejected that person today. Do you think that’s a good thing?” Tongtong asked from behind him.

Had he not heard Old Jin’s words earlier, Xu Tingsheng would actually not be able to answer this question. Still, now that he had, having suffered that bone-piercing disgust, Xu Tingsheng could only feel fortunate with regard to Tongtong’s earlier choice.

“Yes,” He blurted out.

“Mm,” Tongtong responded.

Carrying that basin while walking out, Xu Tingsheng did not know just how happy he had made that person behind him just because of a single ‘yes’.

He took care of everything and left Tongtong ready to sleep.

When Xu Tingsheng was once again about to head out…

“Are you leaving?” Tongtong asked.

Xu Tingsheng looked at his watch and said, “It’s past 4am. I’ll lie on your deck chair outside for a while and leave at daylight. Call me if there’s anything.”

Tongtong hesitated for a bit and nodded.

Xu Tingsheng lay on the chair, thinking back on what Old Jin had said that night...

Tongtong was struggling.

Perhaps it was because Xu Tingsheng had decided to leave some room for her thoughts to run wild, or perhaps it was that ‘yes’ which gave her a bit of confidence.

“I don’t want much...I’m drunk, I will...be brazen for once…”

“But, I’m so smelly.”

The door opened, footsteps resounded.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng looked over and asked.

“I, I want to take a bath. I’m very smelly,” Tongtong said nervously, her head lowered.

“Can you do it? I mean, you’re still drunk,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It’s fine. I’m much more sober now.”

“Alright then.”

As that water drenched down upon her, Tongtong scrubbed herself very forcefully, desiring to wash herself squeaky clean, for just once at least...she washed for a long time, did it so very forcefully, finishing off an entire bottle of soap…

She washed herself over and over.

Memories of the past, from when her first time was bought away by that Bureau Chief with eighty-eight thousand yuan...face after wretched face unceasingly appeared, unceasingly reminding her…

She squatted down.

“I’ll never ever be able to wash myself clean...Xu Tingsheng.”

The water was still gushing down upon her. Thus, it was hard to tell if there were any tears.

She never did do, never did try anything in the end. Tongtong finished her bath, put on her clothes, quietly passed through the living room while simply acknowledging Xu Tingsheng. Finally, she returned to her room to sleep.

Daybreak.

Xu Tingsheng went out to buy breakfast and returned.

As they were eating, Xu Tingsheng asked Tongtong, “Why’re you still renting a flat? What about that two hundred thousand I gave you? I remember I told you to pay the downpayment for a flat with it.”

Tongtong hesitated for a time before replying, “I gave my parents a hundred thousand in the beginning. They said it was to build a house in our hometown. Then, my elder brother came. Our family wanted him to get a wife, so he took away sixty thousand.”

“So, is the house built? Did you get a sister-in-law?” Xu Tingsheng questioned exasperatedly.

Tongtong timidly shook her head.

“You couldn’t save enough with your wages too?” Xu Tingsheng knew that Tongtong’s current wages were not low, and yet she was still living in such a small rented apartment.

In that case, her wages definitely weren’t with her. That druggie elder brother was a bottomless pit.

Tongtong dared not answer.

“You still have forty thousand left?”

“Thirty thousand plus…”

“Return it to me.”

Tongtong obediently took out the remainder of the sum.

Xu Tingsheng drove her to withdraw the remaining money and went to a housing intermediary.

He got Tongtong to wait in the car. When accompanying Fu Cheng to look for a flat previously, they had almost decided on a second-hand flat but ultimately given up on it because it was far away from Fang Yunyao’s workplace.

This flat suited Tongtong very well. Additionally, there was also a lot of room for its value to rise.

Xu Tingsheng quickly completed the procedures.

“Of your thirty thousand plus, there’s only a thousand remaining. It’s enough for you to eat before you get your paycheck. As for the remainder, I’ve helped you out with the rest of the downpayment...so, you’ve got to pay for your own flat in the future. I only applied for five years  for your housing loan...meaning that in the future, you won’t have much money left every month after paying the installment for your flat. You won’t have any left to give away to other people.”

“I…”

“No yous. Let’s go take a look at your flat.”

Chapter 495: A sort of learning

Chapter 495: A sort of learning

Xu Tingsheng spent the entire day accompanying people in looking at flats.

It was Tongtong in the morning.

Faced with Xu Tingsheng’s tough, uncompromising stance that left no room for discussion, though it was more of happiness and joy that Tongtong felt, she inevitably still felt desolate somewhat.

Xu Tingsheng opened the door and asked, “What are you daydreaming about? Come on in and see your new home!”

As they stepped inside, Tongtong almost behaved like when she had shamelessly pestered Xu Tingsheng to take her out of Starry Splendour in the past, commenting, “Xu Tingsheng, so you want to keep me hidden, fed and clothed here for your own unspeakable purposes…”

Sadly, for some things...even a willingness to accept wasn’t enough.

Most of the downpayment for the flat had actually come from Xu Tingsheng. As Tongtong did not think of herself as his life saviour, she inevitably felt rather guilty. Still, looking at this from another perspective, this was equivalent to a house that Xu Tingsheng had purchased for her...

As he was the one who had bought it, even if she lived here alone, she would still gradually be able to feel the warmth of two.

The former owner of this four-room flat had left most of the furniture behind. Thus, it looked like a complete home.

As her feelings of joy and security overshadowed all others, Tongtong sprightly traversed all the rooms, already unable to resist the urge to clean and tidy it up.

In a certain sense, she was someone who had not had a home for a long time. Her so-called home, with such parents and an elder brother, did not provide her with so much a sense of family aside from their relation of blood.

While a flat belonging to solely her alone might still not be considered a complete home, Tongtong’s sense of security and freedom here was incomparable to her life prior to this.

“I want to change the curtains. These are too old-fashioned.”

“Add a small red sofa here.”

“Got to buy a new shoe cabinet.”

“A metal flower stand on the balcony...actually, inside the living room would also be fine.”

“...”

Tongtong went on and on about her thoughts regarding her new home, smiling brilliantly through it all.

Xu Tingsheng stood by the side and watched for a while before smiling as he asked, “It’s good that you know what you want. Like this, you also won’t have money to give away for others to spend, right?”

While wiping away the dust from the television cabinet, Tongtong replied earnestly and quite frantically, “No, no! I have to save up for myself. There are so many things that I want to buy.”

To this girl, happiness and a goal were actually so easy to find…

When someone’s mind is filled with wonderful hopes, motivation and joy naturally come more easily for them.

Xu Tingsheng discarded his original intention of taking out another sum of money for Tongtong to change her furniture with.

“She can slowly save up on her own and change it then. Maybe it’d be better the longer the process takes. Once, a few new curtains. Another time, a new sofa or a new shoe cabinet. A flower stand, a flowerpot...every single change will fill her with joy and satisfaction. How good is that…”

He did not linger there for too long.

“When the procedures are all complete in a few days, get someone to change the lock and move in. You can slowly save up and refurnish the place while you live here…” Xu Tingsheng said, “Here are the keys and the agreement. If there is anything regarding the procedures which you cannot understand, feel free to ask me about it anytime.”

He placed the keys and agreement on the table, concluding, “I’ve got to go entertain the bosses from Binzhou. I’ll be leaving first.”

“Yep,” Tongtong said, “I’ll slowly save up and pay you back for the downpayment.”

Xu Tingsheng turned back, smiling at her, “I can’t repay my life to you, you know.”

“Don’t, don’t talk about that!” Tongtong suddenly shook her head nervously and agitatedly, “You shouldn’t mention that no matter where the place. Somebody could overhear. You got that?”

Tongtong had embedded Xu Tingsheng’s reminder deeply in her heart as she remained constantly alert not to let this matter slip. She was even more concerned about it than Xu Tingsheng himself simply because the things that this matter was related to could harm Xu Tingsheng.

You got that, she asks? Xu Tingsheng could only nod.

“I won’t speak of it even if I die. You can’t say it again too.”

When Tongtong had previously said that she would not speak of this even if she died, she had mustered up her courage before Wu Kun and pointed to Xu Tingsheng, declaring that she would never do so because she liked him, because she liked Xu Tingsheng.

This time, she let her words lapse here. The remainder, she buried within her heart: ‘I don’t want your life. I could even give you mine.’

…..

That afternoon, Xu Tingsheng accompanied the people from Binzhou To Zhicheng. He got some employees to introduce Ning Garden’s second phase villas and demonstrate the initial projected layout and conception.

Still, Xu Tingsheng declined the offer to pre-order a whole twenty flats in one go that would even see their deposits paid right now.

“What’s the relationship between us? A verbal agreement is more than enough. How is there a need for these things?! We’ll definitely leave some for you when the time comes,” He assured them.

He saw He Twenty-seven again.

Just like Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao previously, anyone who had been present yesterday night and witnessed that scene would most probably feel some goodwill towards this coal mine boss who was a breath of fresh air and a willingness to get closer to him.

A wealthy, handsome, young billionaire, he had confessed when drunk last night and ended up being rejected.

This had not caused him to lose face, however. Because of the ‘silliness’ and ‘foolhardiness’ which he had shown at the time as well as his humble attitude even after the rejection, he actually evoked positive vibes in seeming honest, sincere, straightforward and authentic…

If not for Old Jin having enlightened them, Xu Tingsheng and co would actually feel the same way as well.

Seemingly nonchalantly, this person had comfortably shaped everyone’s impressions of him through a mere simple act, with a few expressions and words. He had eased all feelings of alienation and erased any guardedness.

For instance: Before voicing the confession, he had downed a glass of wine and said ‘I’ll toast this glass first; it’s easier to speak when drunk’.

That act and those words had made people feel like he was like any simple, ordinary guy who would feel nervous in front of the woman he liked.

In order to protect Tongtong, he had coldly asked his companion to ‘shut their trap’, appearing ‘foolhardy’ and more likely to rely on good old physical force rather than schemes.

Finally, he had sighed and asked despondently ‘You’ll still accept this wine, yeah?’.

It was relatively easier for sorrowful characters to gain the goodwill of others. The magnanimity he displayed, with its discrepancy with the typical mine boss who was depicted as arrogant and full of themselves, also made him feel rather friendly and approachable.

These little details had allowed him to easily establish a ‘good guy’ image within a short period of time, unconsciously winning the trust as well as goodwill of most.

Meanwhile, no one had detected or been led to consider anything as they had all been taken with him and thoroughly led around by the nose.

“Just how terrifying is this person?!”

When they were alone, Huang Yaming told Xu Tingsheng, “Did you know? Last night, I actually considered looking for Tongtong if there’s time and helping them to get together...god knows why I would think that. So willing to be a nosy parker?! In conclusion, the guy’s an expert!”

While this was what he said, as opposed to Xu Tingsheng who only displayed the necessary manners and enthusiasm, not acting overly close, Huang Yaming had perfectly reproduced that sense of goodwill and willingness and desire to get closer to He Twenty-seven.

Over the course of the afternoon, the two had already gotten very close and were even already acting like best buddies.

“Since they all think I’m a fool and easy to deal with, how can I as their anointed prey disappoint them?” Huang Yaming said, “I should best make use of this opportunity to learn how to act devil against devil.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at Huang Yaming. Perhaps what Old Jin said was right, and Hung Yaming was indeed a person with a high chance of becoming a wolf or tiger, because of his ambition and how he was far more enthusiastic and interested in these more ‘murky’ things than he himself was.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Don’t you stray too far off the path.”

Huang Yaming said, “Men cannot live lacklustre lives. Maybe not leaving behind a name in the annals of history, but a blank slate is just too pitiful. Actually, even if one ends up reviled as villainous for millennia to come, it’s still better than coming here all for nothing, nameless evermore.”

Chapter 496: Another sort of learning

Chapter 496: Another sort of learning

They hosted this bunch of people for dinner again that night. After this, they would be heading to Shenghai. Huang Yaming would be going with them to view the locations which they had narrowed down to and discuss the matter of opening a Bright Brilliance in Shenghai.

It was already past 10pm when Xu Tingsheng reached home.

He opened the door, turned on the lights…

He kicked Fu Cheng who was lying on the sofa.

“What’s this? I’ve been gone for so long, and you’re still sleeping on the sofa?”

Fu Cheng sat up rather helplessly, pointing towards the guest room, “I tried...just when it looked like there might be a chance, Niannian suddenly cried out and woke up. And then I was chased out. I even got scolded…”

“What about afterwards? You accepted your fate?” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Ms Fang is probably just shy. You can’t expect her to take the initiative, right?”

Fu Cheng considered it intently for a bit before looking up as he replied, “I almost believed you for a second there. I almost forgot...like hell you’d know.”

Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless. This Uncle was a longtime warrior of the battlefield in his previous life, alright?

“So you’ve just been sleeping here? Playing for sympathy everyday?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “Why didn’t you sleep in my room while I was away?”

“Your room? Apple was sleeping in your room up till a few days back.”

“Huh?”

“She came to see Niannian and stayed for three days,” Fu Cheng hesitated for a bit, “She was in a hurry to leave before the weekend, said that she had to go run a marathon. Actually, I feel it’s because she saw that Xiang Ning has a room over there. Right, she washed all the sheets, blankets and whatnot in your room before she left, even scrubbed the floor several times. She said it was to make absolutely sure that not a trace of it is left behind…”

Fu Cheng had said all this while observing Xu Tingsheng’s expression.

“What’re you looking at me for?” Xu Tingsheng was feigning calmness.

“Looking at your heart that’s made of stone,” Fu Cheng answered just as calmly.

That night, as Xu Tingsheng lay on his bed, smelling the freshness of pillow and blanket, he recalled the lights from back then, that female hooligan, that snowy day, running together, him coaxing her into falling asleep…

Was life destined to be like this? Firmly standing by some things meant losing others; treasuring someone meant hurting someone else.

At the same time, in another city.

Their ex-classmate from senior high, Shu Yan, looked at Apple’s rather desolate expression after having drunk some wine and tugged at her hand, asking, “What is it, Apple? It’s rare to meet you now that you’re getting more and more famous, but why is it that you are unhappy instead?”

Looking at her, Apple suddenly said, “I used to like Xu Tingsheng.”

Shu Yan replied, “I know!”

Apple said, “Actually, I still like him now. I always have.”

Shu Yan asked, “Then, how’s it going between you two?”

“We…”

“Tell me about it. You’ll feel better that way.”

……

The next evening, on break for the weekend, Xiang Ning returned home.

After Niannian had fallen asleep, she too was chased back to her room.

Fu Cheng was pitifully left to sleep on the living room sofa as per usual.

Fang Yunyao emerged with a set of pyjamas, patting him and saying after a bit of hesitation, “I, I’m going to take a bath...go in and help me look after Niannian. I’m afraid she might suddenly wake up and start to cry, disturbing Tingsheng and Little Xiang Ning.

Fu Cheng nodded and went inside the room.

Actually, Niannian was in a deep sleep on her little bed, seeming comfortable and refreshed.

After watching for a while, Fu Cheng felt at ease and settled down against the bed for a bit. Soon, Fang Yunyao returned. Her pyjamas weren’t so thick and didn’t cover up all that much, revealing her skin that was tinged with redness after the bath. She seemed like a spring breeze gusting across the lake’s surface, rippling with effervescence...

Having lost all her troubles and worries over this period of time in addition to frequently doing some skincare with Ye Qing and the others, Fang Yunyao appeared to have returned to her former youthful, endearing state both physically and mentally.

Fu Cheng was staring at her rather foolishly, in a bit of a daze.

Fang Yunyao shot him a look, exclaiming softly, “What are you looking at…”

“Can’t even look at my own wife. We’ve even had a child already,” Fu Cheng mumbled softly, “And I still got to sleep on the sofa…”

He did not notice that on Fang Yunyao’s averted face, her lips were involuntarily twitching as she felt both aggravated and amused at once.

“Do I really have to say ‘look, look all you want, it’s all yours anyway’?” Fang Yunyao thought, “Aren’t all women like this? You don’t get it? And of course I have to get used to the idea. We haven’t met in two years, after all.”

Fu Cheng helplessly began heading outside.

Fang Yunyao felt a bit helpless and vexed. She looked down and twiddled her thumbs.

“It isn’t healthy to always be sleeping on the sofa,” She said while facing away from him.

Fu Cheng dispiritedly nodded, saying, “Oh. I’ll buy a spring bed then. I can fold it up in the daytime and open it up to sleep on at night.”

“This...even this isn’t enough?” Fang Yunyao really felt like beating him up.

“It was just like this the first time...and he’s still like this now. No, he dared to try staying in the room the first time...he’s even more useless now.”

When the two shared a past and a definite future, Fang Yunyao really wondered what he was afraid of sometimes.

“Am I really so scary? Or is it because...I was his teacher? Too much respect, or does he fear me still?” Fang Yunyao wondered exasperatedly, getting more vexed the more she wondered.

“I’ll help you turn off the lights,” Fu Cheng turned off the lights as the sound of him softly closing the door could then be heard.

Amidst the pitch darkness, Fang Yunyao furiously lay down on the bed. She reached out and grabbed a stray pillow, pinching and hitting it.

She griped softly, “Fu Cheng, idiot! You, you, you’ll be the death of me. Timid like a mouse. Even calling me wife. You’d better call me Ms Fang for the rest of your life...idiot, stupid…”

“Are you talking about me? My dear wife,” Someone said from beside her.

If not for the fact that she could not be any more familiar with Fu Cheng’s voice, were Niannian not asleep beside her, Fang Yunyao might really have yelled and leapt up in fright.

After the fright, realising that he had heard all of what she had just said...Fang Yunyao took the blanket and buried herself underneath it.

“No, nothing at all. Didn’t you go out? Why…” She asked from beneath it.

“I turned off the lights and closed the door from the inside. I’ve been here ever since. I’ll not be sleeping on the sofa anymore. It isn’t healthy and if I get sick, it’ll be your heart that aches,” Fu Cheng smiled and said.

Not knowing whether to laugh or to his cry, feeling incensed from all that embarrassment, Fang Yunyao exclaimed furiously, “Who, whose heart will ache?! Get out! Back to your sofa with you!”

“Not going.”

“Then, you...Hey! You...don’t come up here.”

“Give me a pillow.”

“No.”

“Never mind then.”

“You get...oh.”

“Pant...pant...pant...no, Fu Cheng, you let go of me! Don’t disturb Niannian…”

“It should be me saying that to you, right? Ms(Teacher) Fang, in a little while, remember not to disturb Niannian! Also, be careful that no one hears.”

“You...nonsense, when did I...ah.”

“I'm remembering that day…”

“...Me, me too.”

“Ms Fang.”

“Hey, Fu Cheng, do you feel like...I’ve gotten old?”

“Not in the least.”

“Mmm, that’s good then.”

……

The door of Xu Tingsheng’s room was pushed open.

Little Xiang Ning lightly entered.

“Why did you come?” Xu Tingsheng asked nervously in a hushed tone.

Because Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng were in his house and Xiang Ning was still little, Xu Tingsheng was actually rather afraid of them accidentally catching a glimpse.

She went snugly into his embrace.

“Fu Cheng’s in Ms Fang’s room already,” Little Xiang Ning said softly, “I heard on the way to the toilet.”

Xu Tingsheng gave a small ‘wa’.

“Let me ask you,” Little Xiang Ning leaned into Xu Tingsheng’s ear, “Why is it that Fu Cheng will sometimes call Ms Fang, Ms Fang...and then Ms Fang will softly say don’t call me that, but Fu Cheng still does it...and Ms Fang says you’re done for, you actually dare to press down your teacher and bully her, wait for your punishment…”

So Fu Cheng was actually this mischievous, and the mood was as such between the two. Xu Tingsheng literally shook from laughing. Of course, the eavesdropping little girl was really too much...that was no good at such a young age…

“Mister(Teacher) Xu…”

The little one beside him called softly, a little coquettishly in all her youthfulness. Xu Tingsheng felt like he could understand Fu Cheng a bit now…

“Mister(Teacher) Xu…”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why?”

“Just no. Don’t learn bad stuff from other people.”

“Oh.”

……

Early the next morning, before six o’clock, Xu Tingsheng thought to let Xiang Ning creep back secretly to her room as he got out of bed and opened the door to review the situation.

And it so happened that Fu Cheng slunk out from the guest room at this time….

Their eyes met.

“Go on pretending, beast…” Xu Tingsheng said in a low tone.

Fu Cheng’s face was filled with embarrassment.

“What is it?”

Her hair dishevelled, her eyes still yet to open, Little Xiang Ning’s bleary face appeared behind Xu Tingsheng. She hugged Xu Tingsheng’s waist from behind, half her face resting against his shoulder. Xu Tingsheng’s expression froze entirely all at once…

Fu Cheng stared. As he watched on, an ‘enlightened’ expression flashed across his face as he now burst into exaggerated, soundless laughter.

“Go on pretending, beast…” He said.

Chapter 497: Not much conscience

Chapter 497: Not much conscience

“Fu Cheng dared to make a move on even his own teacher.”

“Tingsheng can’t even make a move on a little girl.”

“The victor is readily apparent.”

Huang Yaming laughed as he said over the phone.

Having spent three days in Shenghai, he told Xu Tingsheng that everything had gone smoothly.

Only when Old Jin mentioned it nonchalantly over the phone did Xu Tingsheng learn that the shares of Shenghai’s Bright Brilliance had been split evenly between ten odd people. Huang Yaming had no plans to ask all these investors to invest any cash whatsoever in the venture.

He had invested all the profits of Yanzhou’s Bright Brilliance thus far and taken a bank loan, hence bearing the load all on his own.

“What did he request from them in return?” Xu Tingsheng asked Old Jin, knowing that Huang Yaming was definitely not the type to wimpishly lose out.

“He asked them to give him a mine in Binzhou. They were very happy to do so, of course. The mine isn’t very big, but it entails that Huang Yaming has officially entered this circle,” Old Jin was speaking as per usual as there were no fluctuations in his tone whatsoever.

“Of course they were happy to do so. Won’t that make it even easier for them to control him in the future?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“That’s definitely what they’re thinking. Still, Huang Yaming definitely doesn’t think it’ll be the case,” Old Jin said smilingly.

“Hey bro, why didn’t you help stop him?” Xu Tingsheng asked helplessly.

“For one, I did advise him once. I already put it out in the open, and I said that it would only be that one time. There would be no more reminders or help. What I said will stand absolutely true, even if...his spirit, energy and mind are eventually destroyed and meet their demise in Binzhou.”

He paused momentarily before continuing, “Secondly, do you think Huang Yaming himself has not carefully considered this? While clearly knowing the truth, he still steeled his determination. With his personality and ambition...change his mind? I don’t think so.”

Huang Yaming’s ambition in his previous life, in his own words, was as such: My starting point’s too low in this life. Just hearing a Chief Huang one day would be enough for me.

A mere Bureau Chief would have satisfied him.

However, in this life, accompanied by the change in his status and circumstances, his ambition had been growing frenziedly, thoroughly unchecked...maybe it would have no limit now.

Xu Tingsheng already no longer had a grasp of it, at least.

“Since he was the one who chose it, he should accept whatever happens,” Old Jin said after a while.

Xu Tingsheng suddenly recalled that he spoke of his eight remaining faces depicting Yamaraja. He also recalled that this was the same Jin Twenty-four whose strength could be ranked in the top five, whose methods and reputation were both not all that pretty.

“If Tongtong had chosen to leave with Twenty-seven that night, would you still have said what you did afterwards?” After hesitating for a time, Xu Tingsheng decided that he should not ask this.

Without question, Old Jin would definitely not answer that. He had been just like any other guy at the time, smilingly watching, drinking and cheering as he watched the girl who might have a unique relationship with Xu Tingsheng make that life decision.

Xu Tingsheng suddenly recalled something he had once said.

That was when Xu Tingsheng had accompanied him to his home in Binzhou. Pointing to a vast range of mines, he had told Xu Tingsheng, “There are a few hundred mines here. Ask anyone, and casually mention that a mine will collapse this year, burying people alive. With conviction, it’ll happen for sure. No one here doesn’t know it, but they still have to choose one to go into…”

“And with that, they have handed their meagre lives off to fate.”

As Xu Tingsheng pondered quietly.

Old Jin leisurely said, “Actually, I’m coming to think that he might actually do okay now. It’s one thing when someone does not know the extent of the universe and another altogether to be able to not fear it in spite of that.”

The phone call ended.

Xu Tingsheng wondered if he should call Huang Yaming and intervene in this matter or wait for him to tell him about it himself. Even for Xu Tingsheng who did not like things to be too cheesy, he was actually still pretty concerned about such things.

Fortunately, Huang Yaming called him an hour later.

“I thought about it, and I there’s something I think I should tell you,” He said.

Huang Yaming cheerily told Xu Tingsheng about what he already knew.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a while before saying, “Well, tell me if you meet with any difficulties.”

Huang Yaming said, “Okay.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Actually, so long as you’re okay and your mentality doesn’t collapse, I can still let you start over even if you lose it all.”

Huang Yaming smiled and said, “I know, but I hope that it’ll never have to come to that. It’s not that I hate people saying that I rely on you for everything. It’s that I hope that I can be of use if you have need of me one day. You’re already supporting too many people, Tingsheng. Also, I don’t want to see a second Ding Sen.”

“I’m less kind a person than you and Fu Cheng. I don’t have much conscience. I gave it to a woman before, and she flung it on the ground...so it’s reserved for family, and my only bros.”

……

The day before Xu Tingsheng came to Shenghai, Huang Yaming went with those from Binzhou to see his mine. In his own words: This bro’s gonna be a coal mine boss too in a flash.

Old Jin remained behind. There were still two important things he and Xu Tingsheng had to do.

For one, Xu Tingsheng, Old Jin and Xingchen Technologies’ core team that included Hu Chen and He Yutan would be meeting with the team of 360 which had only just started out not long ago.

Xu Tingsheng’s investment team this time also included Hucheng and Zhicheng. Still, these companies had not sent any others over as Xu Tingsheng acted as the sole representative.

This was seen as the first collective venture of all the enterprises under Xu Tingsheng. He existed as the absolute core of the team.

Still, the process was mainly carried out through He Chen and He Yutan along with a specially hired negotiation team. Xu Tingsheng had been a mere normal teacher who had run a small unsuccessful business in his previous life. Foreknowledge did not make him a professional.

The most valuable part of self-knowledge was knowing one’s own weaknesses. The wisest course of action was finding a way around these weaknesses when they could not really be remedied.

Xu Tingsheng never expected that his first official exchange with the famed Zhou Hongyi might actually take place inside the toilet. Fortunately, they simply nodded in acknowledgement when standing side by side, not actually doing a handshake or whatnot.

As Xu Tingsheng was washing his hands, Zhou Hongyi came out and stood at the basin beside his.

“Why did you choose to invest in our company?” Zhou Hongyi asked.

Xu Tingsheng knew at once that the answer he wanted to hear was not like those things which had already been repeated countless times by those people outside. This answer could be the most important, for it concerned personal philosophies.

“I hate monopolies. I like having a go at them,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Looking at him, Zhou Hongyi said, “What a coincidence, me too.”

Xu Tingsheng was thinking: Well of course! You were the one who said that, and you did it too.

“Right now, we look at Baidu for traffic and Tencent for users.”

While wiping their hands, the two of them looked at each other and smiled.

“You’re already locking horns with Tencent. Such a big opponent; jumping into your pit would be more or less jumping into an inferno,” Zhou Honyi said resentfully seemingly out of nowhere.

“You’ll lock horns with Baidu sooner or later too,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and calmly replied.

At this point in time, 360 Security had still yet to emerge as Zhou Hongyi’s battle strategy had yet to be exposed to the public. Therefore, Xu Tingsheng’s words were naturally interpreted as the strategic foresight of this young genius of commerce.

He was taken aback for a bit.

“You’re intending to go for a round with Baidu too?”

“That is your battlefield. Before you’ve risen up, I definitely won’t go and aggravate Baidu,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “After you’ve risen, you will definitely find Tencent quite an eyesore too…”

Zhou Hongyi was basically able to judge two things from these words of Xu Tingsheng’s.

Firstly, a partnership between their two enterprises would be perfect.

Secondly, Xu Tingsheng was wise and clear-headed.

“Can’t manage Tencent?” Zhou Hongyi asked.

“Staying alive first,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Zhou Hongyi extended a hand.

“Welcome. Here’s to a happy cooperation.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at him.

Zhou Hongyi said, “I’ve washed my hands and wiped them too.”

Xu Tingsheng extended a hand.

“At least before we become monopoly opponents, here’s to a happy cooperation.”

The two returned to the meeting room and terminated the meeting, announcing that they had reached an agreement as an independent company under Xingchen, Xingchen Investment, would be officially investing in Qihu 360.

Amidst bemusement and astonishment, Xu Tingsheng approached Zhou Hongyi and said, “Say, Old Zhou, I’m a little worried. Do you think that our cooperation this time will be termed a toilet negotiation by the media in the future? Or a pee-pee negotiation?”

Zhou Hongyi thought about it, “We’ve got to tell them that we washed our hands first.”

Chapter 498: Uncharted life

Xu Tingsheng did not rush to ask about the next day’s open beta immediately after returning to Xingchen.

Instead, he followed He Yutan to his office and said, “Get your assistant over for a second, Bro He. I need her help with something.”

Feeling rather bemused, He Yutan asked, “Why do you need my assistant’s help? What is it?”

“You wouldn’t understand. Just call her over first.”

He Yutan called the internal line and his assistant arrived. She was a beauty in her late twenties. That said, this beauty was on the tall, robust side as the contours of her muscles could be seen. In her professional garb, she felt a bit like a female secretary from one of those Western movies.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at He Yutan, thinking to himself: Quite the unique taste.

Regardless of any intentions they might have, the higher-ups of most companies would have to make sure to choose an assistant or secretary that was comfortable to look at for them. Thus, the secretary or assistant of a boss generally also depicted their ‘tastes’ to a certain extent.

Somebody had taught him this when he had been in the construction line in his previous life. When trying to secure projects, he would inevitably have to invite and entertain people. There was much knowledge that could be had on this.

Fortunately, Xu Tingsheng would not have to learn about that stuff in this life.

“Your esteemed surname is?” Xu Tingsheng smiled and asked.

“Esteemed it’s not. It’s Niu. Hello, Boss Xu,” The assistant replied.

Xu Tingsheng nodded and took his sports backpack off from his back.

His style of wearing a high-end suit along with a backpack had once earned him who knew how many rebukes by Lu Zhixin. Still, quite unexpectedly, it had actually influenced quite a few programmers who had originally preferred Silicon Valley-style with pullover and jeans.

Most of them might lack fashion sense as much as Xu Tingsheng did and were hence able to admire it.

And so, they had muddleheadedly ended up following Xu Tingsheng’s unique style.

Wearing a suit or woolen sweater with a single cool colour accompanied by a sports backpack.

A fashion magazine had once mocked this strange style of dressing and concluded: If you see someone dressed like this in Yanzhou, it’s someone from Hucheng Tongcheng. If it’s Shenghai, it’s someone from Xingchen Technologies.”

The two internet enterprises under Xu Tingsheng had thereby gained such an iconic feature.

After the magazine article was published, the male employees of the two companies had expressed that the chances of them getting hit on by random girls outside had risen from zero to some, and then to many…

In truth, it was not that women appreciated this kind of style all that much. Rather than that, they knew that men who dressed like this, be they from Hucheng or Xingchen, almost definitely had high incomes, options and prospects without exception…

These were the two newly risen internet enterprises that were most in the limelight right now.

The ‘perpetrator’ pulled out a stack of papers from his bag. “So, Assistant Niu, I’ll need you to help me fill up this form and write a report. After that, get Bro He to write an evaluation before stamping it.”

“Huh?” He Yutan was bewildered, “What is this, that even needs me to write an...evaluation?”

He took and flipped through the documents Xu Tingsheng was holding.

“Internship report?” He Yutan asked a bit exasperatedly.

“Yeah, you haven’t noticed, right? I’m graduating soon,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Our university allocates our second semester of year three as our first internship. I didn’t go...why do you otherwise think I’d be so free?”

He Yutan looked at him and exclaimed, “But you’re a teaching student!”

“That doesn’t matter, right? Some of my classmates also don’t intend to teach, and not all of them do their internships in schools. Teaching teams actually bury quite a few talents. Many people who were pretty talented in their youth enter and are eventually stifled to death by it because of its repetitiveness, becoming unable to keep up with the times. I won’t be joining.”

Xu Tingsheng thought: I already had that experience once before. When I came out, I was severely disjointed from society.

Things were just that tragic sometimes. Those who taught kids to grow up and face society were actually generally enclosed and static themselves, disjointed from society and unable to keep up with the times.

“It’s the same for public servants too, actually. They generally don’t learn to be flexible, and those with other talents or abilities mostly end up getting nowhere,” Assistant Niu suddenly added rather emotionally.

“Makes sense. Were you a public servant before?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Assistant Niu resigned from the district government’s office,” He Yutan explained on her behalf.

“It’s not easy to do that nowadays. You’re very brave,” Xu Tingsheng looked at Assistant Niu and said, “In that case, you should be very proficient with this sort of documents. Help me handle them, and help Bro He to draft his evaluation while you’re at it. Thank you.”

Assistant Niu nodded. She took the report on the table and exited the office.

“It’s good that you aren’t intending to teach,” He Yutan said quite emotionally, “With how unreliable you are, Old Hu and I are worried that you may really leave on a whim after graduating and not come back to properly run Xingchen.”

“I don’t intend to come back,” Xu Tingsheng said matter-of-factly.

“Huh?”

“With you and Bro Hu at the helm, make a managerial squad. Xingchen is and will still be led by the two of you in the future. I decided on this long ago,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“...What will you be doing then?”

“I still haven’t decided yet.”

He Yutan was already speechless at this point.

Actually, it was true that Xu Tingsheng had not decided on what he would be doing in the future. He only vaguely had the notion that he should experience more things as much as possible, making this life which had been granted to him by the heavens more colourful and fruitful.

Firstly, his career would be more fruitful.

Next came fun. He didn’t know windsurfing, skiing, rock climbing, diving...maybe flying a plane would be too much to expect, but he didn’t even know how to sail a yacht...just what was this?

In his previous life, he had not had the time, the money or the attention to spare. Could it be that a successful life now could only mean wine parties, luxurious mansions, Forbes rankings? Xu Tingsheng did not want that.

In this life, he had already had at least two close brushes with death. Then there was 2015 which continually weighed on his mind as he did not know if he could successfully pass it…

If everything really suddenly came to an end one day, Xu Tingsheng did not want to look back on it and find that all he had done was earnt a lot of money.

And then there was...how he longed to be a father.

Such a desire had actually been intensifying since his two close brushes with death and since Niannian had appeared. He even saw it in his dreams sometimes.

The mindset of a man in his thirties was ultimately different from one in his twenties or younger. His yearning for a family would only be higher.

As he was thinking about this.

“Right, when you came over this time, many people asked why Little Lady Boss isn’t here, and will she be here?” He Yutan suddenly said.

“Huh?” You people really want to see her?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Of course! She’s much more popular and looked forward to in Xingchen than you are. Rather than you, going around messing aboutveryday, our employees feel that it’s Little Lady Boss who’s family with our Xingchen...Agglomerating(Ning congregates) the stars,” He Yutan said.

“How is it? I’ll send a car to pick her up?” He asked.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and replied, “Let’s do it this way then. For the first two days of the open beta, if the highest number of users simultaneously online surpasses a hundred thousand, we’ll treat it like making up for last year’s annual gathering and hold a celebration. I’ll get her to come too.”

“We’ll hold you to that,” He Yutan said as he got up and went outside.

Xingchen Technologies was actually composed of only a hundred plus people right now. While Xingchen Games was financially independent, the two were actually in the same work area as many of their employees overlapped, taking care of both sides.

“I have some news to announce,” He Yutan stood at the door of his office with arms akimbo, declaring loudly, “Boss Xu has said…”

He repeated Xu Tingsheng’s words.

‘Annual gathering.’ This entailed prizes, cash and maybe even more.

‘Little Lady Boss.’ Akin to their family member, seen in conference videos a few times before, was she finally going to come now?

As everyone’s spirits rose, He Yutan yelled in a very incendiary manner, “A hundred thousand online, is it achievable?”

“Yes!”

“Can we do it?”

“Yes!”

“Time is of the essence, people. We’ve got to do all the preparatory work to the best of our abilities, with the utmost care. Also, if you come up with any ideas, hurry up and propose them...scatter, off to work now.”

Looking at that bustling scene outside the door, Xu Tingsheng felt rather desolate and ‘wretchedly abandoned by this world’.

“Why are you guys so calm when seeing me?!”

Chapter 499: Curiosity kills the cat

The open beta for Xingchen Games’ first game, <<Crazyracing Kartrider>>, was scheduled to start at 10am in the morning. Still, when Xu Tingsheng went from the hotel to the work area at 6am, everyone was already gathered.

“Many people stayed overnight last night,” He Yutan told Xu Tingsheng.

“Huh? I see…” Having gone home to sleep way earlier and having arrived last too, Xu Tingsheng felt a bit guilty as he said, “In that case, I’ll go buy coffee for everyone.”

He Yutan nodded in agreement. Xu Tingsheng was seldom at Xingchen and not very close with the ordinary employees here. Gestures like these were therefore necessary. For their boss to personally buy and hand them a cup of coffee might be like a stimulant for many employees, akin to a source of satisfaction after a night of fatigue.

The sense of belonging that employees had towards their companies stemmed in large part from day-to-day, little things like these.

“That’s a lot of people. I’ll ask someone to help carry them,” He Yutan said.

“I’ll go with him,” Old Jin said as he appeared by the side.

Old Jin was one of the bosses of Xingchen Games. While his interactions with his employees  might be completely different than in Xingchen, he was actually more proficient in controlling people than Xu Tingsheng was.

Also, he was more adaptable and able to accept different forms of interactions in different environments.

Today, he had arrived earlier than Xu Tingsheng and had been talking happily with the employees.

This was actually Old Jin’s greatest skill. The him in Binzhou, the him in Nice, the him in C City, the him in Bright Brilliance and the him at Xingchen today-be it callous or carefree or vicious or affable...he was always able to slip perfectly into the role he had to play.

With the workers of the coffee shop downstairs, the two brought over a hundred cups of coffee up.

They left them on the table at the entrance. After that, Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin asked about their favour preferences and personally delivered each cup to the employees’ hands with a ‘thank you for your hard work’. Xu Tingsheng also personally delivered coffee to Hu Chen.

Hu Chen smiled, “I’ve waited a long time for these words. Truthfully speaking, it really feels a bit like I was swindled somewhere. Everything else is pretty good, just that our boss isn’t so reliable.”

“Well, it’s a good thing that you guys are reliable then,” Xu Tingsheng replied cheerily.

Actually, all the preparations for the open beta were already complete at this point in time. The employees looked at their watches as they drank their coffee. There were still more than three hours to go. How were they to pass this time?

“It’s okay. Don’t be reserved, everyone. Have a nice chat. We’ll participate too,” Xu Tingsheng said smilingly.

There were only a few people tentatively talking in hushed tones at first. Gradually, their higher echelons, Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin included, came to be enthusiastically chatting with everyone, cups of coffee in hand. The atmosphere was even like a house on fire.

“Why can’t you find a girlfriend?” Xu Tingsheng asked as he sat on a table in the midst of a bunch of young employees, “Aren’t those from our company often hit on outside? Also, our Xingchen’s wages can be considered high, right?”

“It’s their own fault,” He Yutan joined in, saying angrily, “Firstly, many of the companies in this building have a higher female to male ratio. They aren’t for want of women. Secondly, upstairs is Shenghai’s largest yoga studio. They aren’t for want of beauties. Thirdly, just because they were always complaining, Old Hu and I actually shamelessly took the initiative to approach them and organised a gathering with several companies...things were pretty good at the time, but they all ended up bringing about their own downfall.”

“Why? How did that happen?” Old Jin joined in too as did the remaining crowds.

“Ask him,” He Yutan pointed at a shy, respectable-looking employee.

This person lifted his glasses and smiled awkwardly.

“What did you do?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It’s nothing, really. Boss He is exaggerating,” That employee forced a smile.

He Yutan shook his head and pulled an employee beside him out from the crowd, saying, “Come on, you tell Boss Xu and Boss Jin how exactly he led you all down into the ditch.”

This person might be relatively more eloquent as he prepared himself before he smilingly explained, “Little Zheng is a hacker. We’re all programmers, so it’s only natural that we’ll associate with these things a little sometime or other. And that’s where the problem lies…”

Xu Tingsheng nodded and indicated for him to continue.

“Anyway, not long after joining our company, Little Zheng hooked up with a yoga instructor in the lift. That figure, that face, that suppleness...um, it was a real blessing, anyway. He liked her a lot and we were all happy for him.”

“But after a while, Little Zheng discovered that that woman’s expenses were a little exaggerated, not seeming like something she could support with her income level.”

“So, he decided to check it out. Little Zheng’s investigation method was to directly hack her computer...QQ chat records, our private data on Weibo and Weixin...he pulled it all out…”

“Then, everything came to light. Apparently, that woman had a part-time job in private. Very expensive, several thousand for a night.”

At this point in time, Xu Tingsheng did not know what to say.

“I must add,” Someone chimed in, “Actually, from the records, it had already been over two months since that woman got together with Little Zheng, and she never did it since then...it really seems like she was going to quit and be a good woman, devotedly following Little Zheng. The contacts and their chat logs were actually all deleted too...Little Zheng only managed to recover them with a lot of difficulty. Really, people, why make life so difficult for yourselves…”

That last bit was accompanied by an emotional sigh.

Xu Tingsheng looked at the person in question, Little Zheng.

Little Zheng smiled awkwardly and said, “Actually, I was very conflicted too. Sometimes, I think it’s good that I checked. Sometimes, I wonder if foolishly not knowing anything at all could be better. It was all in the past anyway, and I liked her a lot too. Those were happy days indeed. Still...I did check, after all.”

“After Little Zheng asked to break up, this woman even waited for him at the entrance of our company more than ten times. She begged him, cried, even knelt several times,” Someone added, “Afterwards, I heard all of a sudden that the woman resigned and left. We’ve heard nothing more of her since.”

“It’s really my fault as well. I was too furious at the time. I simply couldn’t calm down at all.”

Seeing how Little Zheng looked quite pained, Xu Tingsheng changed the topic. There could actually be no satisfactory answer to this, especially for the person himself, Little Zheng.

“What about you guys then? Don’t tell me you all did the same?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

They all nodded timidly.

“Actually, what they found wasn’t the same. How could it all be like that, right?” He Yutan said rather exasperatedly, “The problem is that they were already fully possessed by the devil. Ever since then, every time they met someone it seemed they might have a sliver of a chance with, it would be hack, investigate. Hey, in this day and age, in a big city, how many girls, especially beautiful, outstanding ones, who have experienced university life and work...can have no history?”

“But they just can’t stand it. The girl said some sweet nothing to their ex-boyfriend before. They find it, they can’t stand it. Intimate photographs, they can’t stand it. Anything a bit past the limits, they can’t stand it even more...leaving behind those who used to really like someone, they can’t stand that, someone who’s been in a few more relationships, they can’t stand that either...in the end, investigate one, break up with one. Breakup galore. And even now they’ll investigate every one they meet.”

“They’re done for,” He Yutan waved his hands helplessly.

“Actually, we do know that this isn’t good, that it’s wrong. But we just can’t stop ourselves…” An employee said.

“If the water is too pure, there can be no fish living in it,” Old Jin said.

“Curiosity kills the cat,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“And I assume you people don’t have any histories yourselves?” Assistant Niu asked furiously in a huff on the behalf of women everywhere.

Coughs resounded. Nobody said anything.

Chapter 500: Million dollar prize, a nation drifts

Chapter 500: Million dollar prize, a nation drifts

“Hackers are destined for solitude.”

In the end, Little Zheng himself concluded the topic with this sentence. His tone when saying this was like Ouyang Feng in Wong Kar Wai’s <<Ashes of Time>>, muttering into the wind at horizon’s desolate end.

Tragic, bleak, and with the feeling of having seen through all with the cycle of rebirth.

Everyone yelled that they could not stand it.

Next, the conversation started to revolve around Old Jin. The male and female employees surrounded him, asking this and that.

These people had mostly had outstanding grades all along, having studied in a famous school or overseas. While Xu Tingsheng was legendary to them, it was not so far out of their understanding, because his deeds and his path were closer to their trajectories.

It was different for Old Jin. While one might often hear of the exploits of wealthy coal mine bosses, virtually none of them had actually ever met one before. Also, Old Jin’s temperament as an august member of that community was actually very intriguing too.

“Boss Jin, is it true that you never even graduated from primary school?” A young employee asked, her eyes shining like stars.

“Yes, it’s true. I’m the only person here who never went to university, right?” Old Jin laughed straightforwardly.

“But I can’t tell at all when listening to you speak,” The female employee hurriedly replied, “I really admire you, anyway. You’ve already caused my impression of mine bosses to change completely.”

Old Jin smiled and said earnestly, “Actually, because of our origins, most of us will inevitably become a bit arrogant after earning a bit of money. We’ll feel like we want to make up for our past suffering, those who looked down on us. So, it’s actually normal that society has such an impression of us.”

“Can you tell us about your experiences?” The female employees gazed at him, enraptured.

Old Jin smiled, seemingly liking Xingchen’s atmosphere a lot too. Compared to that ‘world’ he lived in, no longer was there that darkness, harsh brutality, treachery and distrust, scheming and deceiving…

“My parents died when I was little,” Old Jin reminisced, “When I was thirteen, I was brought to the mines by my uncle and auntie. That was a private mine. I still remember it clearly, standing by the side back then as I listened to them talking with the boss of the mine. They mainly asked just two questions that day."

“First: How much can this child earn in a month?”

“Second: How much will the compensation be if he dies?”

While Old Jin spoke very calmly, what he had recounted, these two questions, actually inflicted immense shock on all these privileged heaven’s favoured here. This was survival and life in its foremost, barefaced state.

“Can anyone guess how much the boss said they would compensate if I died inside that mine?”

No one answered.

“Three thousand,” Old Jin said.

Hushed murmurings resounded.

“My uncle and auntie nearly did get their hands on that money in the end. Not one month after I started working in the mine, I encountered a mine collapse and was buried. Just a section of the mine collapsed, actually. I didn’t die. However, the boss only organised the team to dig for a day. Without digging thoroughly...they simply stopped digging. Perhaps because it was only me and another person trapped in the mine at the time, he might have thought that compensation was more worth it.”

“One of my arms was broken. I used my other arm to dig my way out myself. There was also someone outside who didn’t give up, who continued digging inside...this was a girl who would later become the mother of my son, Jinshan. She and her family were in charge of cooking at that mine. She was two years older than me. Everyone else had given up except for her. With rain pouring down, bearing the risk of another collapse, she dug little by little from day to night till her hands were full of blood…”

“At the moment that the tunnel connected, I looked at her, and she looked at me. I said: When I’m rich, I’ll marry you. She said: It’s fine even if you don’t get rich.”

“Clap…”

“Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap…”

To everyone present, Xu Tingsheng, Hu Chen and He Yutan included, while such a tale was very brutal and fraught with hardship, it was just so romantic too. Thunderous applause now resounded…

“After I climbed out, that boss came to see me. He threw 500 yuan at me and asked me to come back after my hand had healed. At that time, since there just happened to be a safety squad at our area, I went all out. I told him: I won’t be coming anymore. Give me ten thousand. I nearly died, and there’s one dead inside...if you don’t give it to me, I’ll go find the safety squad and report you. He said: What, do you think they’ll do something to me? I said: I know they won’t. Still, you’d have to spend more money that way.”

“You got that ten thousand yuan?”

“Yes. I told him that aside from these two options, there was only one other way out of this, which was for him to bury me back in. He really dragged me to that abandoned entrance, wanting to bury me. I stood there and watched him filling up that soil. When the soil had accumulated beyond my chest level, he said: Get up here. I’ll give you your ten thousand.”

“I started out with that very ten thousand yuan. One year later, I had made my first million. I  returned to the mine and invited the boss to a meal. Then, I gave my wife’s parents a hundred thousand and took her away.”

Everyone cheered, filled with delight and really looking forward to what came next.

Old Jin looked at his watch and said, “Another time, perhaps. It’s almost time now.”

……

The open beta for Xingchen Games’ first online game, <<Crazyracing Kartrider>>, officially commenced. The server colours turned from grey to green all at once as they now opened.

Right after entering the page, one would be assailed by images of drifting karts.

Above the podium, one could see the huge words: Million dollar prize, a nation drifts.

There was a row of small words below as well: For more details, check the official website.

Shao Yanshan was in charge of this activity. He did not usually speak much, was very devoted to his work and also seldom interacted with Xu Tingsheng. Still, when he did speak, everything he said was of value and to be taken seriously.

When he had approached Xu Tingsheng with this proposal, the latter had nearly been stunned.

While the concept of game competitions did already exist at the present time, there were virtually no games that also organised single-event competitions. Xu Tingsheng, meanwhile, knew that even as Crazyracing Kartrider had leagues in his previous life, it also had the tradition of organising single-event competitions.

He had been going to propose this himself, but Shao Yanshan had beat him to it. This might be the acuity and insight of a professional elite.

“Give me reasons,” Xu Tingsheng had said at the time.

“First, the game will be very popular. Second, this game is itself very suited for such competitions. Third, this game will be even more popular with a competition,” Shao Yanshan replied.

The total prize sum on his proposal had been 500000. Xu Tingsheng had drawn a stroke across it and changed it to one million.

The words on their advertisement had correspondingly been brilliantly modified to: Million dollar prize, a nation drifts.

“At the end of August this year, a live competition right in Shenghai, splitting million dollar prize money. The first prize for team matches is 180000. For individual matches, first prize 100000, second prize…”

Possessing 180000 would already be enough to buy a flat in some places in the current era.

Xingchen Games was playing it very big here. There were those who voiced their approval as well as those who scolded them, but the topic...undoubtedly went viral. As this was a new game, it meant that everybody stood a chance…

Sitting in front of the projector, Xu Tingsheng, Old Jin, Hu Chen, He Yutan, Shao Yanshan and the rest watched on nervously but calmly as the server colours turned from yellow to red to an even deeper red.

At 6.30 pm, the first batch of servers for the game had all turned red.

At 7.30, some of the servers were crammed full as the programming team turned the queues on.

Champagne bottles opened and at hand, they waited.

At 9pm, there were a hundred thousand people online.

Xu Tingsheng did not know what the statistic for this game had been in his previous life. In having proclaimed a hundred thousand in two days, he had actually been exaggerating a little so as to give everybody confidence. From his impressions, a hundred thousand online would be a considerable achievement even in post-2010 times.

Xu Tingsheng had not thought that in this life, bolstered by the user base of Weibo and Weixin, with the reputation and popularity of Xingchen’s two previous games...along with the collective propagation by online celebrities and the high-spiritedness from the million dollar prize money…

Within the span of a mere day, they had actually broken past the one hundred thousand mark.

“You underestimated us,” Shao Yanshan sounded a little gloomy and unhappy as he said this.

Still, Xu Tingsheng did not mind this in the least as he cheerily said to Hu Chen and He Yutan, “I’m finally gonna have money.”

The champagne glasses clinked.

“Then it looks like I’m going to have even more money,” Old Jin said.

Hu Chen, He Yutan, Shao Yanshan and the rest looked at Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin.

“The car has already been dispatched. Help us to tell Little Lady Boss later, Boss Xu...now, we won’t interrupt our two bosses as they discuss the prizes for our annual gathering.”

“Right, we trust that our two bosses will definitely live up to our expectations.”

They all left the meeting room, leaving Old Jin and Xu Tingsheng behind.

Deafening cheers could be heard from outside. Even though some people had not slept for two days, they had still climbed up onto the tables, jumping, yelling, hugging, hi-fiving, beating their chests like they were on steroids…

Xu Tingsheng looked at Old Jin.

Old Jin looked at Xu Tingsheng.

They were going to bleed here...

Chapter 501: Annual gathering

Chapter 501: Annual gathering

As a financially independent subsidiary of Xingchen Technologies, Xingchen Games effectively had two bosses, Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin.

While it did not generate wealth for the other members of Xingchen Technologies besides Xu Tingsheng, much of Xingchen Games’ work was actually finished with the help of the talents and manpower of Xingchen Technologies.

What did this mean?

It meant that Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin were receiving a favour from Xingchen Technologies.

While Hu Chen, He Yutan and the other employees of Xingchen Technologies might not be especially concerned about this at this point in time, it was something that Old Jin and Xu Tingsheng had to take into consideration.

“First, we must repay the favour. I’ll do that. Second, we can’t always take advantage of them like this. You should consider taking out some shares,” Old Jin said very candidly and directly.

Old Jin left to discuss the venue, programme and prizes with a hastily established preparation squad.

Xu Tingsheng remained by himself in the meeting room.

Having a hundred percent of the shares as he did now was intrinsically unfeasible, especially with internet enterprises where such a situation was virtually unheard of.

From what Xu Tingsheng knew, Zhou Hongyi had just 18% of Qihu 360’s shares whereas his employees had 24% of its shares in total. This was standard for internet enterprises right now.

As capital flowed in like a torrent amidst the internet era, countless companies were springing up everyday like bamboo shoots after a downpour. This competition was incomparably tragic. Meanwhile, the bulk of the competition revolved around talents.

Unless one was a cheat MC-like figure, a so-called ‘Dragon Proud Sky’ who was able to win everyone’s hearts with their valiant haloes, if one did not give shares and options, tying their gains and benefits together, one would not be able to retain their core talents and form their core team.

Xu Tingsheng was not a ‘Dragon Proud Sky’. He did not have a halo and could not radiate omnipotence.

Therefore, it was only a matter of time before he parted with some shares.

The problem was that he presently still could not distribute the shares of Xingchen Technologies as even his promises to Hu Chen, He Yutan and the rest were only verbal. Xu Tingsheng was not in a hurry to fulfil it yet. His plans for Xingchen Technologies were too great whereas its initial authorised capital was simply too low.

“I’ll distribute the shares of Xingchen Games first then.”

Using a subsidiary company to ‘split the pie’ was actually more or less the same as what many large-scale enterprises did. Even as this tied their gains and benefits together, it left their control fundamentally unaffected.

Earlier, Old Jin had been suggesting precisely this too. Xingchen Games, this pie that was fresh out of the oven, could not be produced of the effort and toil of others yet be enjoyed solely by its two bosses.

As an independent company, Xingchen Games’ authorised capital actually far surpassed that of Xingchen Technologies as it amounted to a hundred million. Old Jin owned 30% of this and Xu Tingsheng 70%.

From the standpoint of financing, this share allocation truthfully did not correspond with their investment sums at all.

There were two crucial considerations here. Firstly, Xu Tingsheng’s resources and his leading role in his company’s projects had been majorly counted as an investment by Old Jin. Secondly, they had actually already considered rewarding and incentivising their employees with shares at the time. The portion of shares that would be allocated for this had temporarily been allocated to Xu Tingsheng.

As Old Jin had said, now was the time to take out some of it.

Of Xingchen Games’ current hundred million shares, Xu Tingsheng grit his teeth and took out eight million of it in one shot. Of these, five million was for Hu Chen, He Yutan, Shao Yanshan and the other higher echelons as well as a portion of the middle-echelon employees based on their contributions to the company.

As for the remaining three million shares, a million would go to outstanding ordinary employees, a million would go to official employees who passed the criteria...and finally, a lucky draw for the remaining million.

As Xingchen Games was still not a listed company, if an employee got ten thousand shares right now, it would correspondingly be equivalent to having acquired ten thousand yuan.

Still, anyone who had the slightest bit of knowledge on the topic would know that this entailed something different altogether. Ten thousand yuan would always amount to ten thousand yuan. Ten thousand shares of a company that was not yet listed, however, would very likely amount to hundreds of thousands, even a couple million yuan in the future.

Xu Tingsheng had a dazed, pained look on his face as he threw the ‘Annual Gathering Shares Incentivising Scheme’ onto the meeting table of the preparatory squad. The back of his hand raised as if to shield a ‘tragically weeping face’, he turned and left…

The meeting room erupted as once as cheers shot through the roof…

Following that, on the entire first storey, in the entire work area of Xingchen Technologies, cheers shot through the roof…

Not having an omnipotent halo, Xu Tingsheng took a blade to his flesh and sawed off some meat, winning the hearts of Xingchen’s core entrepreneur team and these hundred plus people.

“All hail Boss Xu!”

“All hail Xingchen!”

“Xingchen is my home.”

“Boss Xu is my Mum.”

“Scram!”

……

Xu Tingsheng had already called the dormitory and told Xiang Ning about that annual gathering.

Being fun-loving and vivacious by nature, with this also being the annual gathering of Xingchen Technologies which she felt a great sense of affinity with and had been invited to several times, Xiang Ning did not hesitate in the least as she joyfully agreed.

Xingchen had dispatched a car, one driver and Hu Chen’s assistant to pick Xiang Ning up.

Still, they would have to wait until Xiang Ning was released from school the next day.

Xu Tingsheng was pretty active over these two days too. As everyone was busy preparing for the annual gathering, he could only pay more attention to work-related matters. Still, this was actually not something he was proficient in. Rather than managing and participating, it would really be more accurate to call what he was doing learning.

Fortunately, Xingchen’s employees seemed like they were on steroids during this time. Xu Tingsheng literally had to force some of them back home to rest such that they would not be working overnight for two consecutive days.

That afternoon, he put two sofas together and took a nap in the meeting room. When he woke up, it was already past 4pm. He called and found that Xiang Ning had taken leave for music, her last period, and was presently already on the way over.

Past 6pm, having taken a bath and changed, Xu Tingsheng rode in He Yutan’s car and reached the 5-star hotel that was the venue for their annual gathering.

He had previously not participated in the planning for the gathering and had not tried to find out the specifics too. He had estimated that in such a short amount of time, with but a hundred odd people, Xingchen should not be able to make this so grand an affair…

Therefore, he was somewhat overwhelmed when he arrived at the venue.

Lined with red silk, four BMWs were neatly parked at the entrance of this hotel.

“These are from Boss Jin. They’re prizes. Three of them are for me, Old Hu and Old Shao. The remaining one is a reward for the most outstanding employee of the year that we chose...he’s a technician and most of the difficulties we run into when programming were resolved by him. Old Hu and I wanted to elevate him before, but regretfully, he is single-mindedly devoted to his work and isn’t interested in management.”

“Right, for the shares-based reward, we also allocated him as first amongst the employees. It’s to establish a positive example on the whole, both within and without. We need to attract more outstanding personnel in this field,” He Yutan explained.

Such talents were actually the most important for program-based enterprises. They were the likeliest to be poached too.

“Boss Jin is open-handed and knows how to tame people. That guy was holding invitations coming from so many headhunting companies. He was called over for a talk by Boss Jin yesterday. When he came out, his eyes were all red...he immediately rejected all those invitations, even deleted them.”

He Yutan looked full of admiration as he said this even though he had actually vehemently opposed it back when he had learnt that Xu Tingsheng was going to get a mine boss to invest in Xingchen.

“The main thing’s that he’s rich!” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed emotionally, feeling it a bit unfair.

While Xu Tingsheng did not know much about cars, these 4 BMWs together had to cost two million at least. Indeed, Comrade Old Jin, a ‘mine boss’ is really a synonym for nouveau riche...

“So riche it’s inhumane!”

“I understand the cars, but the four long-legs standing beside them...what’s with that?” Xu Tingsheng asked as he saw some skimpily-clad beauties with model-like figures standing beside the cars.

Xu Tingsheng knew that Xingchen had just around twenty female employees and whose ‘quality’ was merely average too.

He Yutan’s gaze came to linger on the models as he casually explained, “This is as per Boss Jin’s instructions too. He got us to contact a very famous model agency. Not just here, there are some inside too. There will even be a catwalk and some easter eggs later...in Boss Jin’s own words, the purpose of this is to invigorate the spirits of these programming males who are oblivious to the ways of the world.”

“Alright then,” Xu Tingsheng mentally prepared himself for a little more stimulation.

Immediately afterwards, he witnessed He Yutan’s ‘there are some inside too’.

Right after entering, a veil-wearing female model who was even taller than Xu Tingsheng came over, leaned in and put a wreath of flowers around his neck.

It was the same with He Yutan and all the other employees who entered…

There were six of them who were standing by the entrance, accounting for all attendees.

It was still fine for the female employees who just felt a bit unused to it. The programming males had it real tragic. A sizeable majority ended up breathing heavily at once, dazed and stunned. It took them a long time to regain their wits after which some even ended up awkwardly hunching as they walked…

The problem was that even then, the female models would cover their mouths while looking at them bashfully, seeing them off with their gazes…

“This is really bad! Calm down! Everything’s resting on my shoulders here. I can’t be a disgrace,” Xu Tingsheng inhaled deeply, stabilising himself mentally and physically.

He composedly greeted everyone while walking quickly to sit down beside Old Jin who had arrived a little earlier than him.

“Hey bro, you’re playing it real…” Xu Tingsheng paused midway through his words, unable to think of a fitting adjective.

He was playing it real...to sum it up, it was plain rich and crass.

Adding in the prizes for the upcoming programme, the money Old Jin had flung out tonight definitely surpassed five million. This did not just demonstrate his capabilities as it also demonstrated how highly he thought of Xingchen after his two days of participation.

Tonight should really be considered Xingchen Games’ celebratory banquet, in truth. Thus, for Old Jin to lead it could not be considered a guest usurping the role of host...it also fit perfectly with Xu Tingsheng’s intentions and his usual style of handling matters.

Xingchen’s people had already long since sought Xu Tingsheng’s approval on this.

“Crude, isn’t it?” Old Jin asked without the least bit of awkwardness, “That’s exactly the point. At the end of the day, what people seek is always basic and crude. Without the enjoyment of gold’s glitter, how will there be fervent, hot-blooded fight and strife…”

“There’ll be something even more crude later,” Old Jin said.

Xu Tingsheng already saw no point in trying to rebut this. Old Jin always made a lot of sense. It had been this way ever since their first meeting in Nice...

Though Xiang Ning had not arrived, the employees were basically already gathered.

The photography team also assumed their positions. As this was Xingchen’s first annual gathering, it had to be recorded for posterity.

The personnel from the planning company they had hired came over to ask Xu Tingsheng if they could begin.

Xu Tingsheng thought about this. Xingchen’s employees and the distinguished guests whom they had invited numbered more than two hundred people in total. For them to wait for Xiang Ning together with him would just be inappropriate.

“Let’s begin then,” He said.

Hu Chen personally assumed the role of emcee for this annual gathering.

As he walked over from the side of the stage, before he even said anything, eight huge words appeared on the enormous electronic screen before the audience in the style of couplets.

On the right: United, together we strive.

On the left: Drinking wine, eating meat.

Without question, this was Old Jin’s handiwork again. He was already giving a lot of face by not writing ‘Bandits, together we rob. Mega loot, we split’. Hey, this was an internet enterprise, okay. Why was it that it was like some syndicate now…

Xu Tingsheng put a hand to his forehead, incomparably pained…

Still, the employees here were all in high spirits.

While they had never experienced and felt it before, that did not mean that they did not yearn to hot-bloodedly strive together as a single cohesive unit...battling for the heavens, enjoying glory and riches together…

Up on stage, Hu Chen picked up the microphone and spoke.

“Because I was chosen to be the emcee, I was wracking my brains for a way to start off and motivate everyone for the past two days. Then, Boss Jin told me: Think the heck! Just tell the bros how we of Xingchen should live.”

“I asked him how I should put it.”

“Boss Jin said: You don’t need a lot. Just eight words are enough.”

“Just these eight words,” Hu Cheng stepped aside and pointed at the huge words behind him, proclaiming with valiant fervour, “We of Xingchen-this is how we live.”

“We of Xingchen-this is how we live.”

United, together we strive, drinking wine and eating meat...it was simple, crude, but sweet as the employees’ enthusiasm and hot-bloodedness were stirred.

Cheers, applause, yells.

Hu Chen smiled and indicated for everybody to quieten down.

“I think that our current Xingchen should integrate two types of dispositions, two cultures,” Hu Chen continued, “Thus, besides Boss Jin’s eight words, I also asked Boss Xu for a few words.”

He pointed towards the screen behind him once more.

“Faraway where our expedition seeks...Xingchen, Dahai(Starry Expanse, Vast Blue).”

Xu Tingsheng had been inspired and copied this well-known line when Hu Chen had looked for him. Having happened to think of ‘Xingchen’, the latter part had naturally come to mind.

Now that he thought about it, just as Hu Chen said, it seemed very able to display another disposition of Xingchen’s. It was deep, broad, majestic...classy, deep, better able to resonate with the minds of the employees of Xingchen who were rather more cultured.

As if their heroic loftiness was all hidden within that calm narration…

If the previous eight words had caused one’s blood to boil, this line caused the undercurrents to surge within one’s chest.

“Faraway where our expedition seeks…” Hu Chen clenched his fist.

“(Xingchen)Starry Expanse...roar!”

“(Dahai)Vast Blue...roar!”

“Faraway where our expedition seeks…”

“(Xingchen)Starry Expanse...roar!”

“(Dahai)Vast Blue...roar!”

As compared to the flying saliva and whoops from earlier, Xingchen’s employees had solemn expressions as they said this, their gazes deep and distant and their tones firm and resolute…

While they were not howling it out with all their might, it seemed to contain an even greater potential and might…

The atmosphere here instantly transformed into one akin to a troop before an expedition, resolved and deathsworn to expunge all that might stand in its path.

Chapter 502: The old hand He Yutan

Chapter 502: The old hand He Yutan

As this was not an actual company meeting, the emcee Hu Chen adjusted the mood after the hot-bloodedness and high spirits at its commencement. He concisely summarised what Xingchen had done over the past year and what its target for the coming year was.

He did not speak much, not listing statistics or exaggerating anything as he simply expressed everything as they were.

Xingchen had done pretty well in the first year since its establishment, powerfully rising to prominence. It was hoped that they could do better for the next year, for which there were basically two goals: Staunchly, unwaveringly standing strong and expanding their territory.

As soon these two goals were mentioned, those of Xingchen amongst the audience were naturally led to think of the battle between Xingchen and Tencent which had still yet to reach a conclusion even now.

Faced with that destructive competition as both sides had virtually thrown out all semblance of civility, it had not been easy for Xingchen at all. Still, they had soldiered on…

Xingchen was tough and brave.

Xingchen was also stifled, its future even seeming a bit bleak. After all, all the enterprises that had clashed head-on with Tencent or tried to challenge it before thus far had met bad ends.

Furious voices resounded amongst the audience as well as bits and pieces of discussion containing considerable unease.

Seeing this, Hu Chen gazed at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng nodded and took over the microphone.

“I know what you’re discussing, what you’re all worried about.”

Xu Tingsheng cut to the chase and said to his employees and the distinguished guests in a heavy tone, “Regarding this problem, I would like to say three things to everyone here today. Firstly, an interesting piece of information. To date, Tencent has attempted to poach a total of seventeen of Xingchen’s programmers and management personnel, more than ten percent of our numbers. Even our esteemed Boss He is counted amongst them. I feel very happy about this, because it shows that you are very valuable, very desirable assets…”

Xu Tingsheng intentionally eased the atmosphere a little.

Amidst the ensuing laughter, He Yutan appreciatively got up and cupped his hands smilingly.

“Sigh...who asked me to be second fiddle?! See, they just won’t try to poach Hu Chen. Why’s that? Because he’s the main. I also have no way of knowing if Little Ma would give up his seat for me if I really went over,” He Yutan jokingly feigned an aggrieved tone.

“Actually, the main reason I didn’t go is that I’m afraid Little Ma would bear a grudge, hating me for going around and criticising him and suing him. He might cheat me over and then take revenge...Boss Xu and Boss Hu, these black-hearted fellas, both left the task of offending others to this shameless old man.”

“There’s no way around it now. These old bones of mine can only stay to sink or swim together with Xingchen’s vessel, all paths of retreat abandoned…”

While that earlier part could simply be thought of as a joke, this last sentence of Old He’s could actually be considered a proclamation of his stance, an expression of his determination.

While He Yutan who was in his fifties was not all that old, he was unquestionably an old man in terms of experience and seniority in the internet industry within the country.

He was part of that first batch of people who had pioneered the internet markets in the nineties. In the many years of his career, he had been in many internet enterprises which had once been or were even now still greatly renowned. He knew many people and could get many things done as many people had to give him face.

Some people within the industry slandered him in private, sometimes calling him Old Slickhead or even Old Scoundrel.

Yet, this Old Scoundrel had gone around and around and ultimately entered an unexpectedly effective partnership with Hu Chen who was more than ten years younger than him and had a relatively cultured air about him. He also seemed to have a pretty high opinion of Xu Tingsheng.

In contrast to how he would simply leave for other pastures at the slightest whim in the past, Old He had painstakingly invested his time and effort to the utmost ever since Xingchen had been established.

Asking for favours, cursing and cussing...Old Scoundrel had been leaping about doing just about anything for Xingchen. In choosing the 2005’s top ten newsworthy figures for internet enterprises, Xu Tingsheng and Hu Chen had not entered the media’s list. It was only Old He who had been selected as he represented Xingchen Technologies.

On the category of reason for nomination, another old hand of the industry, albeit one who had already retired to the backlines, had personally penned: People often say that amongst us old fellas, regardless of result, it’s only Old He who’s never tried to take an enterprise to the peak before. As on old friend, I can tell that he is serious this time. Be more mindful, everyone. An old hand’s blade is still very sharp.”

And he was right, really. Only those truly within the industry and close to the pinnacle knew how irreplaceable and essential He Yutan’s accumulated experience, knowledge and connections were for the newly arisen Xingchen.

At his words, the laughter at the scene escalated. Still, it was all positive and admiring. Any slightly deviant, angered or worried feelings from earlier had since begun to slowly revert.

This was the advantage of having an old hand by their side.

“All ended in failure,” Xu Tingsheng struck while the iron was hot, declaring these four words when the laughter had still yet to subside.

“They attempted to poach seventeen people. Of these seventeen attempts, all ended in failure,” Xu Tingsheng explained and emphasised.

Everyone burst into applause as cheers resounded. The guests who had been invited to witness the gathering realised with a start that while there had been a hint of chaos and disunity earlier, all that remained at this moment was that rousing vigour of battling against a common enemy.

After today, others might still try to poach those of Xingchen. Some might even succeed. After all, such a thing was really too common in the internet industry. Still, it was probable that no one would be able to bring themselves to even entertain the thought of possibly joining Tencent.

Xu Tingsheng nodded and indicated for them to be silent before he continued, “The second thing. Xingchen will be stronger. Weixin will not die. The domain of instant communication-it definitely will see our flag stamped within.”

While his tone was not rousing, it was reliable and utterly sure, evoking confidence in others.

Those of Xingchen in the audience silently clenched their fists as they gazed at Xu Tingsheng.

This was probably also the first time the invitees were witnessing Xu Tingsheng in his entirety, this young man who had soared to great heights over the past few years. They also felt rather emotional now, thinking to themselves that it was really ‘no wonder’...

“The third thing. Strong as strong may be, we’ll breathe and we’ll live. Don’t forget, tonight’s our celebration banquet. Please enjoy yourselves!” Xu Tingsheng concluded as he smiled brilliantly.

Then, he waved and returned to his seat.

After the applause was a stretch of relaxed, smiling faces.

The proceedings continued.

The first programme was a catwalk.

Old Jin had originally wanted this to take place after the employees had had some to drink and were rolling in high spirits. Still, Hu Chen and He Yutan had immediately rejected this proposal.

This was the annual gathering of a legitimate celebrity internet enterprise. It’s okay if you go in playing the rich guy. Still, it’ll be no minor matter if some dude acts inappropriately when drunk and causes a scandal.

While there was still a distance between the performance up on stage and an underwear show, it was already not that far from it. As Old Jin was the one organising the annual gathering, Xu Tingsheng’s tolerance level was already very high at this point in time. He decided to just sit back and ‘enjoy’ it.

Beneath the beguiling music played by the DJ, there came the elegant poise and strutting.

Some only had eyes for the faces and beautiful features.

Some only had eyes for the breasts.

As for those with a leg fetish like Xu Tingsheng, there were only the legs, all those long legs…

“Wah, this one’s big, this one’s good for children…”

“Well, that one isn’t bad too, right? Round, white, protruding…”

Men of different backgrounds and ages admired the bodies of women differently. The two old hands, Old Jin and He Yutan, sat together and unabashedly murmured to each other, pointing here and there every so often.

They were quite obviously looking at the same region.

“Pay attention to your image, sirs,” Xu Tingsheng felt like he had to remind them.

During the catwalk, two of Xingchen’s employees were traversing the crowd while distributing number plates. Everyone from Xingchen would get one of these for the upcoming lucky draw.

As the models left the stage, He Yutan’s Assistant Niu walked over to Xu Tingsheng and said, “Little Lady Boss is here.”

Chapter 503: Can't be hidden

Chapter 503: Can’t be hidden

Assistant Niu walked over to Xu Tingsheng and said, “Little Lady Boss is here.”

Only now did Xu Tingsheng panic a little, worrying that Xiang Ning’s life and studies would be affected if her identity were to be exposed to the public here.

He immediately turned and glanced at the six cameras erected at various locations around the room.

“There aren’t any reporters here today, right?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“No. Boss He already instructed this before,” Assistant Niu answered.

“Well, make sure that the images from this time’s annual gathering will only remain within the company itself,” Still not feeling assured, Xu Tingsheng next added, “Also, tell all the reporters not to take photos of Xiang Ning.”

“Alright.”

“Also, don’t make it too conspicuous. You and Boss He’s assistant only have to shield her together as she enters. She’s just here to look around; we’ll find a chance for her to get acquainted with everyone later.”

Assistant Niu nodded and left.

He Yutan and Old Jin exchanged looks, both rendered rather speechless by Xu Tingsheng’s mother hen-esque behaviour. In what way did he resemble the leader of an internet enterprise which was currently soaring frenziedly to prominence, challenging the pre-existing bigwigs?

He was clearly just some young man who was trapped in the clutches of love and overly cautious about everything as a result.

While Old Jin had met Xiang Ning in Yanzhou before, He Yutan had only ever seen her on screen. Right after Assistant Niu left, he stood up and walked towards the entrance as well.

“Where are you going, Bro He?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I’ll help shield her in case the two ladies can’t handle it,” He Yutan said as he adjusted his clothing, “You can let Little Lady Boss sit here later. I’ll have to distribute prizes up on stage anyway.”

With that, he left.

Up on stage, Hu Chen was in the midst of announcing Xingchen’s list of outstanding employees for the past year.

As the scale of the event was not that great and it was less official and grand and more about celebrating, Hu Chen announced the names for the third-tier to first-tier prizes in a single go.

There were twelve people in total. As Xingchen had less than two hundred employees, this actually was already a pretty high ratio.

The outstanding employees whose names had been called happily got up and walked towards the stage.

Under these circumstances, that He Yutan was walking out by himself naturally seemed a little strange.

“Where are you going, Boss He?”

The one asking this was a middle-echelon employee who was on pretty good terms with He Yutan and had also seen Xiang Ning in video conferences before.

He Yutan thought about it and scooted closer, whispering, “Keep it low-key. I’m going to see Little Lady Boss in.”

Virtually all of Xingchen’s employees knew that Little Lady Boss would be here and were also wondering why she had not arrived yet.

“Little Lady Boss has arrived?” This guy asked, sounding a bit excited.

“Shh,” He nodded.

“In that case, can I go too?”

“...Okay, you can help to shield her. Little Lady Boss is still in senior high, so Boss Xu doesn’t want this to be too conspicuous.”

“Got it. I’m big-sized, I’m perfect for the job.”

As he got up, two people nearby raised their hands, “Sorry, Boss He, we...accidentally overheard.”

And then they stood up, “Together, together. She’ll be shielded better that way.”

“...”

And so Old He continued walking, the squad’s numbers swelling the entire way. After just two or three minutes, this strange squad was already starting to attract everyone’s attention.

Some of them did not know what was going on at all and wanted to find out about it, while there were also some who joined in just for the fun of it.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to challenge Old He to a duel. How was this low-key?

The door opened as Xiang Ning entered the venue with Assistant Niu and Hu Chen’s Assistant Liang.

“Hello, Little Lady Boss.”

“Do you remember me, Little Lady Boss? We met in the video before.”

“Little Lady Boss, you’re so much taller than you look on screen…”

They chatted away noisily, drawing over all the gazes in the surroundings, the stage included.

“Oh, hello. Hello, Uncle He. Hello, everybody,” While a bit nervous, Little Xiang Ning was still relatively composed.

“Alright, let’s go in. Boss Xu doesn’t want it to be too conspicuous, so we’ll shield you as you walk,” He Yutan smiled and said.

“Okay.”

They were indeed shielding her well enough as Xu Tingsheng could not spy her through the crowd.

Still, regarding keeping things low-key...the award ceremony up on stage had already halted temporarily as everyone was looking this way. They all rose as the squad passed, peering in frantically as they asked what was going on…

Coupled with the hushed exclamations of ‘Little Lady Boss? Little Lady Boss?’ resounding all the way, it was positively pandemonic.

Those twenty odd invitees were left feeling utterly bemused, having no idea of what was going on at all.

Fortunately, the distance was not that great as Xiang Ning eventually appeared in front of Xu Tingsheng.

Her hair reaching her shoulders, a deep blue silk headband, a thin white windbreaker...her clothes were brand new from head to foot as she had even applied a bit of light makeup.

Fortunately, this getup made her seem a little more mature.

Xu Tingsheng’s mind wavered for a second there as such a Xiang Ning truly seemed not that much different from in his previous life.

Xiang Ning was tall in the first place and might already reach 1.65m by the end of the year. Just two centimetres away from her lifetime peak and dressed like this, if one did not know the actual situation, they might just think that she looked pretty young at most. There was simply no way of deducing her actual age.

Xu Tingsheng basically understood why Xiang Ning had been so late now.

He glanced at that Assistant Liang beside her, thinking: Considerate and clever. She’s a talent.

After bringing Xiang Ning to Shenghai, not having received any instructions whatsoever, she had still known to do all this. Especially noteworthy was how she had thought of how to most effectively conceal Xiang Ning’s age...the intelligence and thoughtfulness herein were indeed befitting of the assistant Hu Chen had expressly requested to bring over with him from Xueyou.

He gazed at that smiling girl in front of him, thinking: How wonderful it would have been if I could have granted you such glory in my previous life.

Feeling a bit bashful from how he was looking at her, Xiang Ning asked softly, “Do I look nice, Xu Tingsheng? Sis Liang brought me to buy these clothes and helped me to apply some makeup. Well, it’s the first time I’m all dressed up like this, I don’t know...praise me.”

“You look great. Invincible-level great. Come on, sit down,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and said.

Then, he turned to Assistant Liang and said, “Well done. Find a place to sit down and rest. I owe you a glass of wine for later.”

“Thank you, Boss Xu.”

Xiang Ning greeted ‘Uncle Jin!’ and sat down in between him and Xu Tingsheng.

The ‘escort crew’ respectively called out in greeting and scattered.

Seeing many others who had sadly failed to be part of this raring to come over to say hi, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly signalled to Hu Chen up on stage.

Hu Chen understood his meaning as he quickly waved to Xiang Ning before requesting for everyone to be silent as he continued giving out the prizes.

The two female employees who were distributing the number plates seemed to have been deliberately delaying earlier as they nicely happened to reach this first row now, where the higher-ups of the company were. They capitalised on this and greeted the Little Lady Boss.

Everyone took a number plate, Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin included. Xiang Ning got one too.

“What was the performance earlier? Was it nice? I heard music outside, but I couldn’t see it. What a pity,” Xiang Ning leaned closer to Xu Tingsheng as she finally got a chance to speak with him alone.

Xu Tingsheng thought: How lucky that the catwalk is over! Could I really tell you that I just saw one procession of long legs and was oh so excited? And the way they were dressed…”

Now, before he could answer, Hu Chen said, “Next, a round of applause for Boss He, who will be presenting the outstanding employee award up on stage…”

Then He Yutan reappeared, his arm raised high as he walked over from backstage. Applause resounded as everyone finally returned their attention to the stage.

Next, swoosh.

Behind He Yutan, ten models entered in a fan-shaped formation. They were dressed similarly with shiny silver coats on the outside that reached down to their thighs and indisputable bikinis inside...the coats weren’t buttoned, of course.

Yells resounded.

“Was this what you just watched earlier?” Xiang Ning feigned an aggrieved look as she stared at Xu Tingsheng, “Was it nice?”

“Uh, so-so.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“...”

Fortunately, everyone’s attention was soon drawn away by the things the models were holding. Twelve models, each holding a silver briefcase, with the cases placed before their legs in quite prominent positions.

“What’s inside? The prizes?”

Xingchen’s employees had heard that outstanding employees might be rewarded with shares. Still, they were unclear on the specifics. The invitees were even more uncertain. With the impression Old Jin had given them today, they guessed that they might be full of cash.

He Yutan raised his hand as the models then simultaneously opened their cases.

Each case contained sheets of paper. Some already understood. Others were still feeling curious…

“Shares,” He Yutan cut to the chase.

“Woah…”

While they had heard this could be the case, many people let out startled exclamations on confirming its veracity now. Those receiving the prizes on stage were excited; the audience members who were not receiving the prizes were excited too but somewhat regretful as well…

As members of Xingchen, they were clearer on what getting their hands on Xingchen’s shares entailed...their company’s prospects and potential were such that numerous millionaires would surely be born the day it got listed.

Thirty thousand shares, fifty thousand shares, eighty thousand shares…

As they received the shares, those on stage were so stirred up they could cry while those off it were so sad they really could cry.

There was nothing better than this which could incentivise and spur people on.

He Yutan elaborated at the opportune moment.

“Those who felt sad and regretful, continue working hard and there will always be a chance. We can only guarantee you fairness. What remains will have to depend on you yourselves.”

That was the first line. Some in the audience silently clenched their fists to motivate themselves.

Then came the second line, “Actually, every single one of you can get shares.”

“What?”

“There are two conditions. You must pass the criteria in the tests and reach a designated time. So long as you achieve both of these, a year later, every single one of you here can get shares,” He Yutan calmly produced an authorisation photocopy and declared, “There are a million shares here. One year later, you can split them.”

The happiness of a few turned into the celebration and cheers of all. From employees to ‘owners’-henceforth, even as Xingchen was Xu Tingsheng’s, it was also all of theirs.

“Long live Boss Xu!”

“Long live Xingchen!”

“Little Lady Boss…”

Amidst the cheers, Xu Tingsheng pondered silently before he nodded to himself.

He had originally intended for the one million shares to be distributed during this annual gathering lest the employees who had not been evaluated as outstanding feel disillusioned as it would also boost Xingchen’s unity.

Still, Hu Chen and He Yutan had modified this to a year later and added two conditions, thereby changing ‘readily attainable’ to diligence, steadfastness and anticipation.

‘Anticipation’ was always the greatest motivating force.

Comparing the two methods, the latter would unquestionably be countless times more effective.

Such was the difference between Xu Tingsheng and true management elites like Hu Chen and He Yutan.

Chapter 504: Family-style performances

Chapter 504: Family-style performances

Shares were distributed one after another which all but prophesied the coming of numerous millionaires. There were a million shares waiting in the horizon, so long as one worked hard…

Xingchen’s employees were quite young on average. There were quite a few who had either just graduated or returned from overseas.

Just as it was better to get famous early, it was actually better to get rich early too. What one could enjoy from striking it rich in their old age was assuredly inferior to being wealthy in their youth.

There would be a difference in mobility that dictated how much one could enjoy themselves.

A sixteen-year-old top scholar and a sixty-year-old top scholar-which would you rather be?

Now, with the route to becoming a millionaire placed right before their eyes, virtually within reach...who wouldn’t be crazed?

That everyone was in high spirits was an understatement.

From the row behind Xu Tingsheng, the guy in charge of human resources passed him his phone. Scrolling through it, Xu Tingsheng saw an entire column of inquiries on Xingchen’s vocations as well as plans.

Some people here had clearly just broadcasted the news. Within the same industry, news travelled very quickly.

All under the heavens live for gain, strive towards gain. Greed stirs up human hearts. More and more people began to be interested in Xingchen. A good number of these were even elites and generals of well-known internet enterprises.

For most young people with talents and dreams, there wasn’t actually much room to rise up in the ranks in a large enterprise with a complete organisational structure. They were overloaded in terms of bosses and higher echelons already.

In such enterprises, those who did work but did not have a certain degree of connections were mostly in the lower echelons. However well they performed, it was generally very difficult for them to be recognised and noticed...it was very difficult for them to climb up the corporate ladder.

It was virtually impossible for them to reach the higher echelons.

Comparatively speaking, an up-and-coming enterprise with great prospects and limitless potential that also lacked a complete organisational structure would undoubtedly give them much more space to show off their skills. It would be more likely for them to be recognised and entrusted with greater responsibilities, rising up the ranks and perhaps even shooting up to the peak in one go.

Xingchen was such an enterprise, being ranked first amongst the new enterprises of 2005 that were most worth paying attention to and investing in. It was a future empire which had finished establishing its foundation and already drawn its blueprint.

Also, from the way Xingchen was doing things and how it was facing Tencent head-on, it could be seen that this future empire had a lot of ambition.

Also, from tonight’s situation, this legendary young boss seemed very willing to share and was not going to forget about those who helped him…

Those with insight were all cognisant of the fact that in the seemingly uneven clash between Xingchen and Tencent, the underdog Xingchen had actually already won half the battle as Xingchen Weibo had already won.

As for the other half, the domain of instant communication, this was not Xingchen’s territory in the first place. If Weixin lost, it would not be that condemning for them. If Weixin did not die, it would be a small victory for them, which would actually equate to a huge victory.

Counting through their fingers all the many enterprises that had collapsed to Tencent over the years...everyone suddenly realised that it was only Xingchen who had managed to push them so far and still not fall apart.

What did this entail?

This entailed that there was virtually no better choice to place their bets on than Xingchen as many people saw an opportunity here. Wealth and fortune lay right before their very eyes. A chance to build an empire together and share their dividends lay right before their very eyes.

Even as Xu Tingsheng was scrolling through the texts, new ones were constantly pouring in.

With the mailbox of their HR Head already overflowing to this extent, one could only imagine how the mailboxes of Hu Chen and He Yutan would be flooded with similar inquiries or even direct job applications.

“Finally no more having to go everywhere showing how desirous we are of talent. No more of carrying money and plastering a smile while asking headhunter companies for help. No more inviting people to meals and getting eaten dry with just a mere ‘I’ll think about it’ to show for it…”

The HR Head retrieved his phone and smiled happily. He closed his eyes and leaned back against his chair, swaying his head slightly as he looked leisurely and triumphant.

In the past, for the newly started Xingchen, the Xingchen that people did not think stood a chance, it had really been very difficult for them to poach true elites over.

Everything now had come at an opportune moment when Xingchen was indeed in need of expansion.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and reminded him, “Don’t rush things. If we don’t really need them, don’t get a whole building over at once...slower is better. As for their conditions, don’t provide the fullest at the start. Rather than giving them a box of gold once, it’s better to give them a tree of gold they’ll have to climb up on their own before coming down when enough.”

He was applying what he had just recently learnt from Hu Chen and He Yutan on the spot.

“You can rest assured, Boss Xu. I understand. Also, all of those true, prized talents will be decided by Boss Hu and Boss He,” The HR Head replied.

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

……

The stage performances continued.

Almost ninety percent of the company’s hundred plus employees were male. Also, ninety-five percent of them were from science and engineering as programmers, habitual shut-ins and dullards were a dime a dozen. No one could really expect too much for their programmes.

Frequently forgetting their lines in skits, leading to everyone laughing more than they would if they had said it correctly.

Dancing to the point of moving the same hand and leg, two guys colliding with each other and collapsing onto the ground. That was very interesting too…

The hacker, Comrade Little Zheng, sang <<Tibetan Plateau>>. He mightily sang his lungs out until he was like “Oh, that’s the Ti...be...tan...the hell, wait, gasp, I need oxygen…”

He promptly sat down on the ground with a thud, shaking his head.

“I need oxygen, I need oxygen...the heck, I can’t do this. My vision’s fading. High atmospheric pressure, high atmospheric pressure…”

The audience was slapping the tables to the point of rolling on the floor laughing. His bunch of close friends all yelled that their stomachs hurt.

“You sing about a plateau and you get high atmospheric pressure. Won’t you be seasick if you sing about the sea?”

“If the sea can take me away...woah, I really did feel a bit dizzy there…”

“Do you need an ambulance? Hahaha…”Xiang Ning was chuckling away non-stop by Xu Tingsheng’s ear.

“Having fun?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Xiang Ning frantically nodded, laughing uncontrollably as she flopped against Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, “This is, this so much more fun than our school’s top ten singers, parties or whatnot.”

“That’s good then. I actually really like it too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

As Xu Tingsheng saw it, this was just how an annual gathering should feel like. It did not need to be all that grand, all that professional. It should be a casual and friendly event where everyone enjoyed themselves whether while performing or watching. It should be like being with family, not having to be too restrained in paying attention to such things.

Such an atmosphere could better draw people closer together.

The task of professional performances was mostly handled by the model agency Old Jin had invited. Hot dancing, chair dancing, squat dancing, various sexy dances of all types as those guys who seldom went out of their houses had blood shooting to their heads…

Sadly, Xu Tingsheng who was sitting beside Xiang Ning could only feign righteousness and avert his head, not watching it.

As for Xiang Ning herself, she was watching them in relish.

“You’re not watching, Xu Tingsheng?” The little girl deliberately asked.

“I don’t really like these things,” Xu Tingsheng said solemnly.

“Oh~really?”

“Of course it’s true.”

“Wa, but that one has such long legs, and those, they’re so big…”

“...”

The most enthusiastic applause and cheers were given for the collective dance of Xingchen’s twenty ladies. Even the robust Assistant Niu participated. While their performance might be somewhat inferior to that of the professional models, their looks and figures not being that outstanding too…

Still, these were their comrades on the battlefield, that dash of red against the backdrop of green. They were the sisters who still smiled when the inexperienced guys of Xingchen were bullied…

In Xingchen’s most dire, crucial and painstaking times, they had battled alongside the men with their all as well. Without the time to put on makeup, without the time for beautiful hairstyle, even lacking the time to go shopping for clothes outside, they had not treated themselves like women.

A casual grab and a twist was the hairstyle they were most often seen in at the office, with ease of working at the computer being the utmost priority.

That night, they had dressed up in earnest for once, displaying their womanly charms…

“So XX’s were actually that big?! How did I not notice before?”

“I couldn’t tell normally, but XXX is so sexy.”

“So XX is rather beautiful too when she puts on contacts and dresses up. I’ve decided, I’m making her mine. Have you noticed? She smiles at me sometimes, and very nicely too. There were even a few times when she threw me clear seductive looks…”

“Rubbish! She’s clearly more interested in me! When we worked through the night together...this can also be considered spending the night together and sleeping together, okay?”

“Huh! She just received an outstanding employee award, fifty million shares. A future millionaire, ya know? ...You guys, you should really concentrate on working hard first.”

The private murmurings aside, there were also loud yells.

“Brilliant, Auntie Niu!”

“Auntie’s hardened steel has achieved the higher realm of suppleness.”

“Auntie Niu, I love you…”

“...”

“Whoever dares to call me Auntie, I’ll flip you over my shoulder later!” Assistant Niu grit her teeth, danced her way out of the group and declared into the microphone at the side of the stage.

From the audience, many males shouted in unison, “I’m so scared, auntie!”

The performance by Xingchen’s pretty ladies drew to a close.

Next was the second prize-giving ceremony. The prizes here were for Xingchen’s middle and higher echelons, including Hu Chen, He Yutan and Shao Yanshan. It naturally fell to Old Jin and Xu Tingsheng as the two bosses to distribute the prizes.

The first three were all given over a million shares, with not much of an individual difference between them. This entailed that when Xingchen Games’s value surpassed ten billion and successfully got listed in the future, the three of them would thereby be actual billionaires.

Could the value of Xingchen Games surpass ten billion? No one of Xingchen present would doubt this at all.

The remaining middle echelon employees were given shares amounting from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands based on their positions, work performance and contribution.

Even a portion of the invitees here could not help but feel a fiery passion at that.

Chapter 505: How did these butterfly's wings flap?

Chapter 505: How did these butterfly’s wings flap?

Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin finished awarding the prizes. Old Jin raised the microphone.

“Before you stand a bunch of millionaires, billionaires even,” He said.

Applause resounded as the venue was filled with fiery gazes and passionate hearts.

“Also, I’m sure everyone saw earlier the four BMWs parked outside. Three of them are for Hu Chen, He Yutan and Shao Yanshan.”

Old Jin handed the trio their car keys and continued, “Some of you may feel that the three of them aren’t lacking such a BMW, whereas quite a few people here don’t have cars. From the standpoint of necessity, it would mean much more to give you cars. Indeed, I know that Boss He drives a Bentley. Having gotten this BMW, it’s very probable that he can only give it to his friends or relatives…”

“Still, I need you all to understand one thing. The wealth they possess is their own business. Whatever they have, we will still give them what they deserve. We will also not give you anything just because you need it.”

“Wealth and rewards have never been related to necessity. They are related only to worth.”

“For those who contribute and show us your worth, we will give you what you deserve. If you have no contributions, though, and no worth, please don’t ask me for a half piece of bread even if you are on the verge of starving to death. I wouldn’t give it to you.”

“This is the greatest principle regarding wealth and money. You may think it isn’t fair, but it’s actually the fairest.”

While these words were a little blatant and overly frank, they could not be refuted whatsoever. Old Jin was also far more suited than Xu Tingsheng to say them. Therefore, he took on this task on his own initiative.

“I believe everyone knows that I’m not so cultured. A good phrase to describe me would be the nouveau riche. I’m both flamboyant and prodigal. So, I’ll promise to everyone here-as long as you are outstanding enough, I’ll definitely be nouveau riche enough.”

Old Jin was well suited to being a bandit chief by nature. He was always able to induce the greatest motivation and rile the highest passions with the most blatant, direct and material things and words…

People like these were actually all freaking geniuses.

The entire venue erupted in ear-splitting cheers, fists pumped in the air…

Their yearning towards wealth need not be concealed...this was actually the greatest sincerity for a human being.

“Boss Jin, what car will I get if I get the best employee award next year?”

“There are more than twenty cars in my garage. I seldom drive, take your pick.”

“Waa!”

“Yup, just don’t choose Boss Xu’s garage. He only has a decrepit Volkswagen.”

“Huh? Ha…”

As if to prove that his were not empty words, Old Jin produced the fourth set of car keys.

“Xingchen’s most outstanding employee of the year 2005, Li Mo. Team leader for Xingchen Weibo, team leader for Xingchen Games who helped develop Weibo’s Happy Farm and Three Kingdoms Kill...Li Mo, please come up on stage,” Hu Chen helped to narrate from the side.

Li Mo, a bespectacled guy with messy hair who was a bit on the chubby side, went on stage with a shy smile on his face.

This was a person who didn’t speak much and was much more devoted to programming than management. His single-minded devotion was almost to the point of neglecting everything else.

Hu Chen and He Yutan had wanted to promote him a few times, but he had refused each time, only wanting to stay on the programming team.

A headhunting company had approached him some time back, offering him an annual salary that was three times what Xingchen was paying him now. Though he had hesitated, with an ongoing project on hand, his professionalism and sense of responsibility had kept him here.

He already had no intention of leaving now, even though he did not know what exactly the reward waiting for him was.

So, a BMW?

Li Mo felt very satisfied and very happy. Sometimes, being recognised and valued actually meant a lot too.

Xu Tingsheng personally placed the BMW car keys in Li Mo’s hands.

“Thank you, Boss Xu,” Li Mo said rather shyly.

“It should be me who’s thanking you. It should be Xingchen that’s thanking you,” Xu Tingsheng said sincerely.

During the handshake, Li Mo’s hands were even trembling a little with how agitated he was.

Being rather less adept in social situations, Li Mo bowed deeply towards the audience after collecting the keys as he was about to walk off the stage.

He Yutan held him back, not knowing whether to laugh or to cry.

“What’s the rush? It isn’t over yet,” Old Jin smiled, “There’s also…”

A model ascended the stage, handing over a share authorisation document.

Holding it, Old Jin smiled, “The car is only to round it up. I hereby announce that over the next three years, Li Mo will gradually receive a total of 460000 Xingchen Games shares. Of course, there could possibly be more.”

There was no applause this time, no cheers...everyone fell silent.

They were all stunned silly.

What had just happened?

The most outstanding employee, a programmer, had been awarded an amount of shares that surpassed most of the company’s higher and middle echelons. It was inferior only to that of Hu Chen, He Yutan and Shao Yanshan. Xingchen valued its programmers greatly. That they looked only at contributions and not qualifications was not empty talk.

His wealth was thus destined to be in the tens of millions, perhaps even hundreds of millions. That those with worth in Xingchen would be rewarded with wealth was also not empty talk.

Everyone was shocked.

Everyone would thereby be motivated.

……

Only when the two bosses and the remaining higher echelons led the applause did thunderous applause instantaneously break out amongst the audience. Li Mo bowed deeply again, inhaling deeply as he secretly rubbed his eyes.

The microphone was brought to his mouth, “Any thoughts?”

“I, I belong to Xingchen,” Li Mo said.

A simple sentence, a socially inept programmer. It evoked the greatest resonance...because he was one of their number, ordinary, yet not so ordinary too.

“All of us belong to Xingchen! Faraway where our expedition seeks, Xingchen, Dahai(Starry Expanse, Vast Blue)! We all belong to Xingchen, united, striving, drinking wine, eating meat…”

Another heated wave of enthusiasm came and went.

Li Mo had learnt his lesson this time as he stayed on the stage, looking a bit awkward as he inquired with his gaze, “I can go back now, right?”

Old Jin shook his head.

“There’s more.”

“There’s more?” The audience was already about to blow up as this was really too stimulating.

“This one isn’t a material reward. A lady backstage said earlier that she would like to give you a hug,” Old Jin smiled roguishly, blinking towards Li Mo.

“Who?”

“Who is it?”

“A model, I guess?”

“If it was just those models from just now, it wouldn’t be this momentous a thing, alright?”

“Who could it be then?”

“Let us now welcome an important distinguished guest we had originally still wanted to hide for a while,” Old Jin looked at the prompt card and found that he did not know this person as there was English on top too.

He passed both the microphone and the prompt card to Hu Chen.

Hu Chen glanced at it and said, “Let us put our hands together to welcome China’s first model ever to enter the ranking of the world’s top ten supermodels. She is an international model who first took to the stage in an underwear show for Victoria’s Secret, You Qinglan.”

With that, the svelte renowned model who was nearly 1.8m tall walked in gracefully with a sweet smile on her face.

“Woah...yeah…”

Applause, yells, whistling.

Going by the reactions of the audience, this person was indeed very famous.

But Xu Tingsheng truly did not know who she was. Of the Chinese models who had entered the international stage that he had heard of in his previous life, she had not been there at all?!

Also, from her features, she should be considered a classic Oriental beauty from an Eastern perspective which was wholly different from the other Chinese models well known internationally in his previous life. Logically speaking, she should not fit the Western perspective of beauty...how was she an international model here?!

“The butterfly effect? But this person should not be related to me in any way!”

Xu Tingsheng felt a bit of a cold sweat coming on. Where had this previously non-existent world renowned model sprung up from? From a logical standpoint, it was very likely for this to be related to the only ‘changed variable’ in this world, Xu Tingsheng…

“But if that really is the case, how did these butterfly’s wings flap all the way over to her?”

Chapter 506: Lucky draw

Chapter 506: Lucky draw

As Xu Tingsheng’s mind was wandering off, that renowned model, You Qinglan who had suddenly sprung out of nowhere, had already arrived at the centre of the stage. After some simple greetings, she fulfilled her words from earlier as she leaned over and gave Li Mo, who seemed to be having a little difficulty breathing, a hug.

There was the sound of the audience collectively sucking in a breath of air, which was then followed by enthusiastic cheers.

You Qinglan was approximately 1.78m tall. In her high-heeled shoes, it surpassed 1.90m. Meanwhile, Li Mo was approximately 1.70m tall. Thus, that hug…

“The heck. This is really too enviable…”

“What a bully.”

“Why?”

“She’s almost using her breasts to slam Old Mo’s face.”

“The hug is a bit long. Old Mo probably feels dizzy.”

“...”

Fortunately, You Qinglan released her grip before Li Mo fainted.

She rose and received the microphone from the emcee, saying, “I just love programming males who are shy but skilled. I wonder if Mr Li Mo would be willing to accept my handphone number?”

“Wa!”

Amidst startled exclamations all round, Li Mo nodded rather dazedly.

You Qinglan seemed to be ready for this as she took out a name card and placed it on Li Mo’s palm, instructing nicely, “You can’t give anyone else my number! Also...I’ll wait for your call. If you will be nervous, a text is fine too.”

“Ah, alright,” Li Mo was already numb to the world now.

“What act is this?” Xu Tingsheng was rather bemused, “Even if Li Mo is destined to have a fortune of hundreds of millions, she doesn’t have to be so passionate with her status as an internationally renowned model, right?”

He didn’t get it.

Because of this small interlude, those on stage got in the mood and began teasing Li Mo together.

The audiences’ reaction was very heated too as Li Mo was soon left sweating profusely.

Meanwhile, the other person involved, You Qinglan, had already extricated herself and walked to the side of the stage at some point in time, coming to stand beside Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng’s height was originally more or less the same as hers. Still, because of her high-heeled shoes, he could only raise his head and gaze upwards, smiling in greeting.

He found that this model’s gaze seemed a little too direct as she continuously stared at him just like that, the corners of her mouth curling upwards.

From her gaze and smile, Xu Tingsheng could distinctly sense something unusual. There was craftiness, amusement and a bit of interest within as it was as if she was thinking: Oh, so this guy is like this…

Xu Tingsheng had only just retracted his gaze when You Qinglan’s gentle voice resounded by his ear, “Xu Tingsheng, Boss Xu? Your reputation precedes you.”

Generally speaking, this ‘Xu Tingsheng’ should not appear under such circumstances in such a formal setting.

As for the ‘your reputation precedes you’, while it might be a pleasantry by nature, Xu Tingsheng sensed from You Qinglan’s tone that she had really heard his name and exploits often and was finally getting to meet him only now.

He really wanted to ask: Do we know each other from somewhere? Or do we have a common acquaintance?

Still, Xu Tingsheng resisted the urge to do so.

The more it was someone who had been inexplicably flapped out by his butterfly’s wings, the more he felt like he should avoid them as much as possible.

“This person, these people, we’re clearly not acquainted, and I clearly never did anything to them directly...still, the truth is that they’re all connected to me by fate?!” As this felt a bit terrifying, it seemed best that he did not see such things and pretended not to see it nevertheless even if he did so as to not get involved.

“Thank you for gracing Xingchen’s annual gathering, Miss You,” Xu Tingsheng eventually replied in a normal fashion and turned the other way, ignoring her.

You Qinglan no longer spoke, just that her gaze still continually flitted towards Xu Tingsheng.

Li Mo finally managed to extricate himself amidst a sea of laughter as he returned to the audience. Old Jin, Hu Chen and He Yutan consulted each other and gave the event people some instructions.

Soon, invigorating music once again played.

All the models who had participated in the earlier performances returned to the stage amidst the rousing music and flashing lights. This time, each of them carried a silver briefcase.

It was a grand affair.

The audience could already basically guess what segment was up next. They successively stood up and yelled while waving their number plates. Indeed, Hu Chen verified this now.

The annual gathering had entered the lucky draw segment.

“What are the prizes?”

For those who had not been evaluated as outstanding employees and could only get their hands on some shares the next year, they all placed their hopes on the lucky draw now.

Looking at the audience, Hu Chen smiled and said, “Rest assured, everyone. Today’s probability of getting a prize will be extremely high. Almost everyone will score one.”

“Wah!” Some people were incomparably excited.

“Sigh!” Some people felt deflated...the reason for this was that generally speaking, the greater the probability of scoring a prize in a lucky draw, the more likely it was that the quality of these prizes would correspondingly be lower due to their increased quantity.

People would not usually be so concerned about this. Still, the series of rewards from earlier had already whet their appetites greatly as they all could not help but look forward to a big surprise with abundant loot to be shared.

“There are only two kinds of prizes today,” Up on stage, Old Jin took the microphone, saying, “First, shares…”

The audience erupted once more.

At the same time, Hu Chen approached Xu Tingsheng and explained that after some careful consideration, they had decided on reducing the amount of shares for the lucky draw from a million to three hundred thousand. This was because the significance of being outstanding would diminish if the amount of shares for this lucky draw was too high across the board.

This was another instance where they were wiser than he was. Xu Tingsheng naturally approved of this.

With three hundred thousand shares split into over a hundred goodies, ranging from a thousand to a couple thousand shares, it was more of a gesture than anything. Still, if Xingchen Games truly became listed in the future, the value of these shares alone might also not be very low.

This further spurred the sense of ownership and initiative of all of Xingchen’s employees. Summing it up: The better Xingchen does, the better everyone does. Also, the rewards assuredly existed as they were not empty words.

“By the way, let me tell you that the special prize for this time’s lucky draw is also shares...fifty thousand of ’em.”

Old Jin waited for the gasps to subside before he continued, “Originally, everyone felt that it wouldn’t be so good for the shares won in the lucky draw to surpass the share rewards for the third-tier prizes from earlier. But I insisted. My view has always been that luck is something which should definitely be respected. Moreover, the chances of the employees who also received prizes earlier scoring this prize is also the same!”

Everybody was left rejoicing with that.

“Apart from those shares…”

As Old Jin stepped to the side, all the models behind him simultaneously opened the briefcases…

“The heck...freaking gold bars!!!”

“This is really, overtly blatant.”

“But why is it that I feel so excited?”

“Classic nouveau riche…”

Old Jin had told Xu Tingsheng earlier that there was something even more crude waiting. Apparently, here, in the briefcases held by the sexy models, were gold bars of varying sizes. With the crudest, most direct method, stimulating the nerves of all present...few people had truly had the opportunity to tangibly be in possession of gold bars before, whether they were worth a few thousand, over ten thousand, or several tens of thousands!

The more direct, the more stimulating.

This...was very Old Jin.

He had christened his son Jinshan, meaning Mountain of Gold.

Chapter 507: Don't ask why

Chapter 507: Don’t ask why

The love of the Chinese for gold was millennia old as it had seeped into their bones. Old Jin had been crude in the right area. Everyone’s eyes shone as they were excited beyond themselves.

‘Nouveau riche’ had been used as a derogatory term for so long. Actually, though, only when one had truly experienced it would they know how truly refreshing this phrase actually was.

If one has never lived unbridled and madly in life before, they should really not shamelessly claim to have cultivated their personalities and seen through it all. Of those who truly live in grand mansions, lording above all yet no longer thinking much of these worldly things, how many of them would not have dictated the winds and the rains, waved gold like soil, held a significant authority or traversed the line between life and death before…

Xu Tingsheng himself still valued those worldly things and deeds, just not as much as the average person. After all, he was probably the sole person in this world who had truly experienced death before, at which point everything was reduced to insignificance.

At tonight’s annual gathering, with the distribution of Xingchen Games’ shares and Old Jin’s expenses, the total cost was approximately around ten million.

Of course, the shares were actually not dispensed all at once. The two minor changes that Hu Chen and He Yutan had made made it such that the motivation evoked by these shares would last for longer and be more effective.

While ten million really might not seem like much to some major enterprises, it really felt a little like waving gold around like soil to Xu Tingsheng and Xingchen who had only started making a profit not so long ago.

“If I had this ten million in my previous life, I should have planned out our mundane little days in peace very well, right? I wonder if I really would have felt satisfied with that.”

He glanced at Miss Xiang who was staring angrily at him from the audience, still unsure of how he had offended her.

Xu Tingsheng felt sweet inside as he smiled and thought to himself: Those were the mundane little days that I once wanted to give you. Things have come to be different in this life. Which kind of me, which kind of life would you prefer, I wonder?”

A light push on the arm by Assistant Liang beside him broke him out of his reverie.

“What is it?”

“Boss Hu,” Assistant Liang pointed towards the centre of the stage.

As Xu Tingsheng gazed over, he saw Hu Chen saying into the microphone, “Before the lucky draw officially begins, I’ve thought of something. Our performances this evening seem to have mostly been treats for our male compatriots...that’s no good. We need to even things out a little.”

He appeared to have been planning it from the start as he easily drew everyone’s attention before he smiled and continued, “Fortunately, we also have quite a handsome-looking young man...if Boss Xu does not perform at Xingchen’s first annual gathering, that just won’t do, right? Don’t you agree, everyone?”

“Yes!”

While Xingchen only had twenty female employees, their momentum had reached the extent of shocking the heavens and shaking the earth. Even Assistant Liang and Assistant Niu who were standing not far away from Xu Tingsheng had their hands cupped around their mouths in yelling out loud like your typical fangirl.

Xu Tingheng was visibly astonished.

He had previously felt a bit resentful in private at how his employees were not excited at seeing him when he was in the company for an extended period for once. They had looked so normal and calm. Only now did he learn that there were actually some people at least who had acted neutral as best they could due to feeling overly excited in truth.

In fact, it was precisely because of Xu Tingsheng’s youth and the legends surrounding him that these ladies of Xingchen who seldom got to see him had been restraining themselves greatly. However interested and excited they might feel, they dared not proactively approach him to better get acquainted with him or let it show too much.

With the girls finally making use of this chance to release their passion and that gang of cheering dudes too, Xu Tingsheng could not refuse them, especially in such a setting.

“I remember seeing that a colleague brought a guitar here?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Here!” One of the audience members raised their guitar.

“Let me borrow it.”

Xu Tingsheng received the guitar and tested and tuned it slightly. By now, a high stool and a microphone stand had already been set up on the stage.

“Boss Xu can actually play the guitar too?”

“Wah, an artistic young rich handsome guy...my little heart can’t stand it.”

“...”

Amidst the amazement and comments, Xu Tingsheng sat down, raised the guitar into position and smiled, “I didn’t prepare anything, but a song comes to mind. It so happens that our company is called Xingchen. And so I’ll sing <<The Brightest Star In The Night Sky>>.”

“It’s a song by Rebirth.”

‘Wah, I really like this song! I play it over and over in a loop everyday.”

“Shh, be quiet. Listen to Boss Xu sing.”

The opening sequence resounded.

In most annual gatherings, the employees would ‘listen respectfully’ when their higher-ups sang, not having too many expectations of them. In more extreme cases, using ‘tolerated’ wouldn’t be an exaggeration too.

Upon learning that Xu Tingsheng could play the guitar, everyone had unconsciously raised their expectations of him a little now. But still not too high, of course.

Gazing at a certain person amongst the audience, he opened his mouth, and began to sing, “The brightest star in the night sky, can you clearly hear, of that person gazing upwards, the solitude and sighing of his heart...”

Xiang Ning smiled brilliantly, waving her hands energetically by her cheeks.

Yet, she was actually the sole person present who was in the know as to Xu Tingsheng’s identity as a member of Rebirth, having heard him sing this song before. Thus, in contrast to her, everyone was momentarily taken aback before they slowly put to words the extreme astonishment in their hearts.

“I…”

“It’s just like it!”

“The original version?”

“Shhh…”

More and more people were actually already aware of Xu Tingsheng’s identity as a member of Rebirth now, and there were yet more who had guessed it. There were already too many clues that had gradually been exposed.

Regarding this, he adopted a ‘think whatever you want’ kind of attitude...you have the freedom to guess whatever. I just won’t be admitting it straight out, anyhow.

Therefore, he sang freely, making no effort to conceal his voice at this time and place.

A portion of those who were familiar with the original version were immediately shaken by it as the thought flashed through their minds: Is it just very similar? Or is it the original version? Could Xingchen’s boss be the other member of Rebirth? If the famed young general of the business world is also from the mysterious Rebirth...wouldn’t it be a bit too legendary to make sense?!

Whatever the case, as the singing was great and evoked the greatest vibes, the incomparably excited crowd quickly calmed down and began to immerse themselves in it.

“Every time I can’t find meaning in living, every time I’m lost amidst the night, the brightest star in the night sky, please guide me to draw closer to you...”

Xu Tingsheng sang this song to Xiang Ning in an official setting or the second time, singing to she who always guided his path and way back, the brightest star in the night sky that enabled the reborn him to never be lost.

He sang earnestly, with his emotions.

The audience were all captivated by it too.

As the song concluded, Xu Tingsheng got up and gave a bow. In the meantime, he secretly pucked his lips and sent Miss Xiang a flying kiss from the stage. Miss Xiang looked left and right, and seeing that no one was paying attention to her, happily sent one right back at him.

Only now did the applause resound, unabating.

As for any suspicions they might have, they simply had no way of asking. He was their boss!

Amidst the applause, You Qinglan who was standing off to the side a distance away quietly pressed a button on her phone, terminating the connection. Then, she texted: Heard that? But..really, why torture yourself so.

Seeing that no reply was forthcoming after a while, she feared that she had been too severe.

“Say, if this were to be leaked, wouldn’t it be the greatest gossip of the year?” She texted again.

This time, there was finally a response: Don’t play around. Remember to think of a way to take that girl’s measurements. Don’t ask why.

Chapter 508: Illusion of being manipulated by Fuxi bones

Chapter 508: Illusion of being manipulated by Fuxi bones

After returning to his seat, Xu Tingsheng found a chance and, secretly pointing to You Qinglan up on stage, asked in a low voice, “Is this international model expensive? How much?”

Old Jin looked at him for a while before replying, “For a night? I haven’t asked.”

Xu Tingsheng sighed and said, “What I mean is that it must have cost a lot to get her to appear at our event, right?”

“Oh,” Old Jin thought about it, “I think it was free.”

“Free?”

“Right. I don’t even know who she is, so how would I pay so much to get her here? It’s just that after I agreed on terms with that model agency, they told me themselves that they had a famed one who could come here as a special guest for free. Since it would spice things up and is free anyway, I naturally said yes.”

“...”

Things seemed to have turned even stranger somewhat.

Could she have set her sights on me? Grandly descending to make a move on me? Xu Tingsheng deluded himself for a bit. Yet, he then recalled the way she had looked at him and the hint of amusement in her eyes then. Those had not been the eyes of an admirer.

Now, the service personnel had already moved the lucky draw box to the stage. The box was transparent and contained half a box’s worth of number plates.

Perhaps to emphasise their fairness and transparency, they make sure to shake that box real hard several times as everyone could see the number plates rolling about through that plastic.

Quite a few people released low exclamations as they saw the exact same numbers as theirs appear.

You Qinglan was not participating in any performances. The original plan had been for her to draw the final, special price as the VIP guest. Still, because of that earlier interlude, she had appeared on stage prematurely.

Hu Chen approached her, asking if she could be in charge of the entire lucky draw process.

You Qinglan happily nodded.

It would obviously be much fairer for an outsider to handle this segment.

A service personnel delivered an eye mask which You Qinglan wore.

She then smiled in the trademark classic way, saying, “Good luck, everyone.”

She fished around for number plates from the transparent box. The lucky draw began.

Lucky draws generally began with someone grabbing a huge handful of numbers. People would exclaim when they saw their numbers being grabbed and exclaim again followed by a long sigh when they saw their numbers next being dropped.

Generally speaking, people had two conflicting mentalities in lucky draws like these. Firstly, they would hope that they would win something. Secondly, they would hope that it did not come so early. The best prizes were always saved for the last, and having their numbers picked later rather than earlier was definitely best if they were assured of getting a prize.

One group after another went up on stage to receive their prizes.

At a time like this, people came to appreciate the notable difference between gold bars and shares. Of the same small gold bar and shares that were both worth three thousand yuan right now, the former was flashy while the latter was more practical. Yet, from a long-term perspective, the latter possessed just so much more inherent value in terms of potential.

The preparatory squad for the annual gathering appeared to have been well aware of this. Thus, for the prizes they had prepared, small gold bars that were worth 3500 yuan corresponded to only a few hundred shares.

Whatever the case, though, virtually everyone present was all smiles whether on or off the stage. Where there was much to be looked forward to, the difference between 600 and 800 shares, even the difference between 3000 and 5000 shares didn’t seem that very significant. Instead, what everyone truly looked forward to most was who would win those huge prizes at the end.

The price of gold was still around 150 yuan per gram in the year 2006. A gold bar that was worth 200000 was still rather substantial. Meanwhile, that special prize, 50000 shares also attracted the passionate gazes of all.

The number plates were still in the box. They were still harbouring anticipation.

Those who had already attained prizes just hoped that the people who drew the top prizes would be one of their company’s big bosses: Hu Chen, He Yutan, Xu Tingsheng or Old Jin.

When bosses drew the top prizes at their annual gatherings, it was common practice in many enterprises to have them donate it out. Here in Xingchen, so long as any of these few scored any top prize, they would then be able to yell righteously as much as they wanted, “Donate it! Donate it!”

Whether they would split it evenly, redo the lucky draw or leave it for future perks, everybody would benefit.

Sadly for them, their hopes were dashed.

Hu Chen, He Yutan and Xu Tingsheng all drew but a few thousand shares. Without needing much urging from anyone, they immediately announced that it would be incorporated into the million shares for the upcoming year. Old Jin drew a ten thousand yuan gold bar which he also donated to pay for the upcoming coffee money in the office.

As the lucky draw continued, Xu Tingsheng began to panic a little. Xiang Ning had still yet to get a prize.

He felt an illusion of being manipulated by the powerful fate of Fuxi bones!

“Fuxi bones, first grade under the heavens-so you’re indeed at work again? ...If only I’d known, I’d have persuaded Miss Xiang to go buy lottery in my previous life.”

How awkward would it be if Xiang Ning scored it! Although the number plates were randomly drawn, his countrymen had a strong spirit of doubting. Would they feel that there was some problem?

After hesitating for a while, Xu Tingsheng decided against talking to Xiang Ning about this.

Seeing how happy, filled with anticipation and nervous she was, so very engrossed and invested, Xu Tingsheng really had no way of requesting: can you donate it if you clinch it? Performing such an action would be appallingly dampening for her.

Xiang Ning should be the one to decide about her own luck. In this post-rebirth life where he possessed such a foundation, Xu Tingsheng would definitely not make things difficult for her if he could help it.

If she really did land that prize and it made her happy, what could be more important than that?

After a middle echelon employee and an ordinary employee had walked away with large gold bars amounting 200000 yuan, there were already not many number plates left inside the box.

Hu Chen announced, “And now for the special prize.”

Everyone held their breaths.

You Qinglan repeatedly swept her hand about the box’s interior, not getting to it immediately…

As she was intentionally dragging it out, the audience were all on tenterhooks yet dared not utter a sound.

Finally, she grabbed a number plate…

Coincidentally, the number plate was facing the outside.

The audience sighed mournfully.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at it and closed his eyes helplessly.

No 137.

“Who’s number 137?” Hu Chen asked.

Miss Xiang stood up and waved the number plate in her hand.

“Little lady boss?”

“Little lady boss!”

“Woohoo…”

There were startled exclamations. Then, to Xu Tingsheng’s surprise, applause broke out throughout the entire venue.

It was though this final prize falling to their Little Lady Boss was a result everyone was happy to see and could most readily accept.

Xingchen’s love for the Little Lady Boss seemed to be real indeed. Also, rather than seeing the grand prize acquired by some colleague of theirs, evoking envy or jealousy, it seemed that the prize falling to Little Xiang Ning who was family to everyone in Xingchen was actually the best result.

“Please come on stage to receive your prize...” Being a higher echelon, it was not proper for Hu Chen to call Xiang Ning Little Lady Boss in front of everyone like this as he simply did not use a form of address here.

As Xiang Ning looked at Xu Tingsheng, he smiled, saying, “Go on, don’t be scared.”

“Yeah.”

Xiang Ning’s ascent to the stage was accompanied by applause throughout.

No one raised any objections whatsoever.

With the fifty thousand shares document in hand, You Qinglan leaned in and exchanged some words with Xiang Ning. Then, Xiang Ning took the initiative to get a microphone from Hu Chen before turning to face the audience.

While she looked a little nervous, her smile was bright as she was still composed and graceful overall.

“Hi, everyone. I’m Xiang Ning,” One hand holding the microphone, the delicate Little Lady Boss smiled brightly and waved with her other hand.

Everyone of Xingchen, whether on stage or amongst the audience, responded enthusiastically.

“Hi, Little Lady Boss!”

“Little Lady Boss, you’re so pretty.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng felt completely helpless.

“I finally get to see everyone,” Xiang Ning said from the bottom of her heart.

Having been invited by those of Xingchen several times before, she had long since come to accept and agree with the notion that she was a part of Xingchen too.

Therefore, Miss Xiang had actually mentioned coming to Shenghai a couple of times before. Still, Xu Tingsheng had never made the relevant arrangements.

Only now had this long-intended trip had finally come to fruition.

What Miss Xiang who held the shares next said left Xu Tingsheng feeling very reassured and happy. This also left everyone else feeling astonished, pleasantly surprised, a bit awkward and rather embarrassed all at once.

“Hey, why aren’t you guys yelling donate it?” Xiang Ning asked earnestly.

“Huh? Well…” The audience was lost for words.

Xiang Ning was the youngest person present here. As for her status...there didn’t seem to be a way to quantify it. The hundred plus members of the audience all thought to themselves: How could we possibly ask that of you? Logically speaking, we should be the ones doting on you, right?

Indeed, Xiang Ning was still that same Xiang Ning. While she might seem childlike, her pure, kind and benevolent side aside, she was intelligent as she could intuitively understand many things without having to be told.

Xu Tingsheng had not said anything regarding the handling of this special prize. She herself, however, had thought of it.

“That’s right,” Xiang Ning continued, “Just now, Uncle Jin, Uncle He, Uncle Hu, and that guy…”

“That guy? Which guy?” The audience yelled.

“That, it’s that Xu Tingsheng…” Xiang Ning sounded rather bashful as it was rather adorable.

Even whistling came out now.

Xiang Ning earnestly composed herself and said, “When they got their prizes, you all yelled donate it and they did. You’re not doing the same with mine, but I want to donate it too...my prize beats all of theirs by far.”

Now, Xiang Ning stopped and looked left and right, seemingly wanting to ask Hu Chen and company how she should donate it.

Not receiving an answer, she thought about it herself and reopened her mouth, saying, “I’ll donate it to be split up amongst everyone. Yes, that’s right.”

With that, she stuffed the microphone and shares document in Hu Chen’s hand and put her two hands behind her back, using her body language to express her firm attitude on the matter: Little Lady Boss is generous. If she says that she’ll donate, that’s what she’s gonna do.

There was good-intentioned laughter. Then, what was to be done here? Everyone was at a loss.

Hu Chen was the first to collect himself as he smiled and raised that microphone, saying, “Since Little Lady Boss says donate, donate it she will. I’ll split it up evenly for everyone later. Everyone is entitled.”

Having already called her Little Lady Boss anyway, he added, “Little Lady Boss is our family. No need to feel shy, everyone.”

Xiang Ning leaned in to the microphone and said, “That’s right.”

By that, she meant: Right, we’re family.

The audience mightily erupted in cheers, applause…

“Long live Little Lady Boss!”

“Long live Xingchen!”

“Ningju Xingchen(Ning gathers the stars)!”

“Ningju Xingchen(Agglomerating the stars)!”

“...”

Split between over a hundred people, everybody would actually only receive a few hundred of these fifty thousand shares. Still, everyone here seemed as moved, thrilled and over the moon as if they had received Li Mo’s four hundred thousand plus shares…

“Indeed more well received than me!” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed slightly dispiritedly.

Xiang Ning smiled and waved before descending the stage as Hu Chen announced the start of the feast.

“Hah, my heart actually aches that teeniest bit. Is that worth a lot?” Secretly leaning against Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, Miss Xiang finally regained her money-grubber look as she asked rather mournfully in a low tone.

Xu Tingsheng consoled her for a bit before asking, “Right, will you come here again next year?”

“Yes, I’m coming,” Xiang Ning nodded determinedly as both her eyes shone.

“Well, can I discuss something with you then?”

“What is it?”

“Can you, can you not participate in the lucky draw?”

“Huh? Why? ...I can donate it out if I win it. No, I want to take part…”

“...Okay then,” Xu Tingsheng immediately conceded.

Yet, he was thinking to himself: It’s right to donate it if you win it, but in the off chance that in the next year and the following year too...you’re always scoring the top prizes, however can that be explained?

While he did not believe in fate from face-reading and whatnot all that much, Xu Tingsheng still sometimes felt that he really could not help but accept its awe-inspiring validity. With that, there would inevitably be some worry that such a situation might really come to be.

“Hey, it’s not like I’ll definitely win anyway. Don’t worry! I just wanna play, alright?” As if knowing what Xu Tingsheng was worrying about yet unable to comprehend why this was so, Miss Xiang acted cute and said.

Xu Tingsheng nodded numbly. He had no way of telling Xiang Ning that while he would be very willing to believe that this was a coincidence, Uncle really felt now like he was under the illusion of being completely led around by the nose by the powerful fate of Fuxi bones.

Chapter 509: A huge '???' is approaching

Chapter 509: A huge ‘???’ is approaching

As the annual gathering reached the drinking segment, things started to get a bit pandemonic. Be it the usually herbivorous males or the easily shy females, the employees were all injected with courage.

For things like toasting wine, where there was a first, there would be one after another coming.

The most outstanding employee, Li Mo, was pressed by public pressure to lead the charge.

Being toasted by a meritorious general, Xu Tingsheng had no valid reason to refuse him.

Following that, the wine came non-stop.

The female employees who had toiled for a year came in droves, raising their full wineglasses with shy looks in their eyes as they walked over with lowered heads and small steps. Anybody would find it nigh impossible to have the heart to refuse them like this…

As a prime target, Xu Tingsheng drank quite a lot. It was the same for Old Jin, Hu Chen and He Yutan. Just as it was difficult for two fists to fend off four hands, one could not help but succumb to the incessant infusions of wine however great their alcohol capacity was.

When men were drunk, they usually did two things: Brag and talk about women. And these two things themselves were actually often linked together.

And so, He Yutan and Hu Chen started talking all about their romantic exploits in their youth, a good seventy percent or eighty percent of it being narrated to all. It was hard to say if they had exaggerated in doing so. Still, however one might exaggerate, no one would be able to hold a candle to Old Jin’s ‘words of wisdom’.

Old Jin said, “That woman of mine, the one who studied in a famous university and has a nice reading voice, told me something before. She said that all those years of mine are actually not strange at all. Even a prestigious old professor of our country’s academia thought the same as me when he was young.”

“That old man wrote in his diary when he was studying in university ‘I have no other dreams for this life. All I hope for is to have a few more women’. This diary was released to the public word for word in the future. Therefore, men are actually mostly like this. It’s only that some manage it, while others don’t.”

Everyone present naturally knew of which old man Old Jin was talking about. That was really an undisputed heavyweight kind of figure.

“I actually admire that old man a lot. It’s really no wonder that he can be such a lofty figure,” Old Jin said with some admiration, “Do you guys know why?”

“Why?”

“Just think about it. That’s a diary, something private. He could totally have altered it or simply erased it. With him also being such a prestigious figure, he should logically all the more have hidden it, right?”

“But the guy just didn’t do so. He dared to frankly admit to his other side as a man just like that, openly revealing everything. This magnanimity, this honesty, it’s so much better than those guys who have actually done everything and yet always go around acting righteous and holier-than-thou, scolding here and there. If anybody’s authentic, it’s him.”

“Makes sense...come, a toast to the old man.”

“Drink!”

“...”

It would be fine if it was just their employees, but they were getting themselves to drink too. Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless.

In the meantime, Xiang Ning was accosted by the employees to chat at every table. There was nothing much Xu Tingsheng could do about that.

When the gathering ended and he went to get her, seeing how her little face was rather red, he stroked it and asked, “Did you drink?”

“...I drank a little bit of red wine,” Little Xiang Ning said timidly.

Xu Tingsheng scanned the surroundings. Everybody was toppling over and helping to support one another. There was no way to find the culprit now. And when even he himself was a bit unsteady in his footsteps, there was no way he could righteously rebuke Xiang Ning here.

As Uncle and Miss Xiang supported each other with their arms about their shoulders like bros while leaving the scene, this actually did feel a little special somewhat.

The company had arranged a few drivers and cars. When Xu Tingsheng reached the parking lot, he could not help but squat down and vomit in the shubbery for a bit. As he returned, he happened to meet Old Jin and co who, with a few of the models who had performed earlier, seemed to be in a hurry to go to the next place to party.

After first escorting Xiang Ning to the car, Xu Tingsheng asked about how the drunk employees would be sent back and was assured that everything was in order. Then, he could finally get on the car himself and return to the hotel with a peace of mind.

……

Xiang Ning was chattering away to Xu Tingsheng throughout this entire journey. Besides talking about Xingchen’s employees, she also mentioned interacting with the friendly You Qinglan. Apparently, the latter was going to teach her how to dress or something along that line.

Xu Tingsheng’s head was spinning so much that he basically wasn’t listening properly.

Not daring to let Xiang Ning sleep in the same room as him at night, he got Assistant Liang over to stay with her.

Xiang Ning had a tour of Xingchen’s headquarters the next day. She stayed there the entire day and played several games of Crazyracing Kartrider.

The following day, she was sent back to Yanzhou to resume her studies.

Xu Tingsheng stayed on for a few days longer, on one hand to observe the data and operations for Crazyracing Kartrider and on the other to prepare for the release of yet another of Xingchen Weibo’s online games.

<<Crazyracing Kartrider>> was doing very well and growing at an astonishing rate. Their daily income from selling the equipment also caused Xu Tingsheng and the entire Xingchen to feel like the storm had ceased and the long-awaited morning dew had come. It had been a heavy thunderstorm too.

Weibo’s upcoming online game was <<Plants Vs Zombies>> which had been greatly renowned in his previous life. Logically speaking, when <<Happy Farm>> still maintained a certain level of popularity and interest in <<Three Kingdoms Kill>> had yet to wane, it was actually unnecessary for Xingchen to release a new game so quickly. In fact, some might say that they should not be releasing a new game now since this would sort of mean creating competition for themselves.

Still, Xu Tingsheng had his own thoughts and considerations. He intended to sell the overseas copyright while expanding the reach of Xingchen’s influence...in the meantime, he might just be able to bait out one or two investment opportunities too.

Xingchen’s version of <<Plants Vs Zombies was generally similar to but not completely the same as that in his previous life.

There were quite a few things that had been changed about it. There were two main points.

Firstly, as Weibo Games was a subsidiary for Weibo at its very core that helped to establish and solidify its user base, the Xingchen version of <<Plants Vs Zombies>> had a co-op feature. Besides a basic single-player mode, players could choose to team up with their friends.

A yard being attacked by zombies could be changed with this co-op option to a neighbourhood being simultaneously attacked by zombies. Next, the players would collectively defend against their foes while assisting one another.

For this purpose, they implemented a new team level system so that good friends would battle together over the long term.

The second change to the game was something Xu Tingsheng had felt slightly unhappy about in his previous life.

When playing this game in the past, the system would always notify: A huge wave of zombies (一大波僵尸)is approaching. Yet...where was that ‘huge-bosomed zombie’? Never seen them.

Therefore, this change-that Xu Tingsheng was adamant about however much his employees shook their hearts and said ‘this boss is so perverted’-was that every boss would be a single huge-breasted pretty female zombie.

As a company of integrity, Xingchen had to be true to their word. If they said that ‘一大波僵尸’ was fast approaching...then yes, a huge-bosomed zombie would definitely be there, just that it would not be so easy to deal with.

On the day that <<Plants Vs Zombies>> was released to the public, it immediately went viral.

This was a game which had also been a nationwide sensation in his previous life. It had a style and enjoyment that had previously been virtually non-existent in local games. With Xingchen possessing a larger user base and a better, more effective platform, it was soon discussed throughout the entire internet as a standard Xingchen miracle.

‘A huge-bosomed zombie is fast approaching’ became the most trending topic on Weibo.

Xu Tingsheng set off on his journey home.

Chapter 510: Victory in defeat

Chapter 510: Victory in defeat

Hailed the most influential new game of 2006 by many media entities in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, <<Crazyracing Kartrider>> demonstrated its immense potential within a short period of time. On the night Xu Tingsheng returned to Yanzhou, the highest amount of players simultaneously online had reached 300000.

One of the most popular racetracks was called ‘Mount Haruna’.

This track was unique to the Chinese version of the game. After much communication with the developers in Korea, Xingchen had independently developed and added it to the game.

The reason behind this decision of Xu Tingsheng’s was a movie released in 2005: <<Initial D>>.

The popular Jay Chou, Edison Chen in his prime before he had fixed his computer...the invigorating visuals, the legendary racetrack and the godly car and racer had caused racing to become something that virtually all youngsters aspired towards.

Even if they could not do it in reality, they could still do it in the game.

More importantly, this movie had created a coolest phrase of the year: Drift.

Xingchen had borrowed and further emphasised this concept as the advertisement wording for <<Crazyracing Kartrider>> had been: A nation drifts.

The game had provided a chance for these youngsters who had only been able to experience this frenziedness and stimulation in the movies to do it themselves. Everyone could drift, even drift infinitely, just that they differed in terms of skill and quality.

That aside, as per Xingchen’s usual style, the game department recognised the importance of the ‘showing off’ mentality as the development team even implemented a unique ranking system for the game.

This ranking system was only for the mightiest.

For example, the record holder for Mount Haruna in each server would possess the unique title: Racer God of Mount Haruna.

It was the same for the other tracks.

These show-offy titles would appear above the cars of the racers, who would also be able to choose to let them appear above their Weibo and Weixin profile icons, infinitely showing off.

One would feel so much prouder of themselves than being ranked first on the server of another game.

Such a lofty ambition, such an honour to strive towards to would make players more invested in the game, causing it to be more popular and more long-lasting.

Xu Tingsheng deliberately entered an internet cafe to scout the situation. In the end, the entire bar was filled with people. He had no choice but to stand by the side and wait for someone to complete their session. In the meantime, he quietly watched a row of kids who looked around ten frantically mashing buttons on the keyboard while swaying entirely left and right alongside the images on screen.

They were yelling stuff like:

“This old man will drift you to death! This old man will drift you to death, drift till even your Mum can’t recognise you...the heck, I lost.”

“Mistake...just you wait, next time...next time, I’ll definitely drift you to death. This old man is the true Racer God of Mount Haruna.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng stood and watched for almost an hour. He could not help but think to himself now: Things like games are really: Those who obtain the primary school students obtain the heavens! The things that Mr Ma taught me are correct indeed as I thought.”

As he was about to leave, a parent rushed into the bar and caught her kid, dragging him outside by the ear.

This kid was crying and causing a scene even as he furiously rebuked, “Hey, don’t you want money? At the end of August, I’m going to compete in Shenghai and win you a few hundred thousand, okay? I’m going to buy us all a flat, okay?...”

“Buy a flat, is it? Go home and do your homework first!” That mother shouted furiously back.

And so an aspiring Racer God was destroyed by homework just like that.

Xu Tingsheng turned on the computer left behind by the aspiring Racer God and looked at the online discussion on both the games. <<Drifting Strategy>>, <<How To Turn Corners>>...as well as <<Huge-Bosomed Zombie-The Perfect Strategy>>.

Xu Tingsheng clicked on it. The purpose of this post wasn’t to teach others how to pass levels at all.

Instead, it taught the time difference between planting the cabbages and the positions to place the cherry bombs.

As for the reason…

Xingchen’s development team had called their boss perverted, but they themselves were really even more perverted. Its stature aside, they had designed this big-bosomed zombie to have these characteristics specific to zombies: full of holes in their clothes, pale features, sharp, pointy teeth with blood dripping from the corners of their mouths and mottled stripes on their skin that looked very much like tattoos…

Besides all these, this was completely Angelina Jolie.

People could basically view this as either a bigger, exaggerated zombie version of Angelina Jolie or a beautiful beggar vampire.

Even more untoward were the movements of the big-bosomed zombie.

Facing the attacks of the pea shooters, it would simply trudge on like any other zombie. There was no problem here. Still, when attacked by the firing arcs of the cabbages, they would...raise their clothes to protect their heads…

When the cherry bombs exploded, they would be sent flying by the ensuing explosion, the hem of their skirts flipping as they spun a full round in the air before landing on the ground.

Actually, one could see nothing even when their clothes were raised or their skirts were flipped after being sent flying by the explosion. Really, why would one look at zombies for this anyway? Wouldn’t watching romantic action films be better and more direct?

Yet, the gamers just enjoyed this process and never tired of it for some reason.

The post detailedly analysed the time difference between planting the cabbages down to the second. It even planned for how to accumulate sunlight and leave enough space to engineer a seven-consecutive cherry bomb explosion. Then there was the distance between explosions, how to ensure that they would not fall to the siege and how to better observe in close proximity.

The author of the post guaranteed: If you do as I say, her hand will definitely hurt from all that flashing. Also, she’ll be flipping non-stop in the air all the way till she’s right before your eyes.

So, stay-home men had infinite powers of creation in some matters-even if the target was a zombie.

Xu Tingsheng was not worried that this little bit of mischief might affect Xingchen negatively or break some law.

Female characters in games were already more defined and wearing less and less. Their combat cries were becoming more and more like in romantic action movies. The design, big-bosomed zombie, did not amount to anything in front of that. It was truthfully minor, especially when there was nothing much besides mere pixels beneath those clothes.

……

At the end of March, the court proceedings for Xingchen versus Tencent were held.

Xingchen’s complaint of destructive competition against Tencent-dismissed.

Xingchen’s complaint of monopoly against Tencent-dismissed.

There were those who mocked Xingchen and those who felt indignant on their behalf. Whatever the case, as most people outside the industry saw it, Xingchen had lost in this confrontation with Tencent. Their defeat was set in stone.

Still, someone suddenly discovered the next day: After logging into Tencent’s QQ, one would no longer be logged out from Xingchen’s Weixin.

What did this entail?

At face value,  entailed that people could resume their original habit of having both QQ and Weixin running on their computers at the same time.

On a deeper level, it entailed that Xingchen Technologies had ultimately succeeded in sticking their own flag in the domain of instant communication. Weixin had survived. Even if it currently only had a tenth of QQ’s traffic, QQ’s previous exclusiveness had thereby been broken.

Those in the know all understood that this was victory in defeat for Xingchen, and a massive victory at that.

The Ministry of Industry and Information had dealt Xingchen two sticks before feeding it a carrot. Meanwhile, it had given Tencent two warm hugs and asked for a tiny favour: We’ve ruled in your favour already. It’s not destructive competition anymore. So, do us a favour. That forcibly logging offline...please stop with that already.

So Xingchen had never thought of winning in the first place. Those with insight grasped now that Xingchen had actually attained their desired result from this defeat. Weixin had gained stable footing in this domain of instant communication where QQ had once been that sole hegemon.

There was now another fish inside the big pond. Someone could begin to compete with Tencent for their user base.

That day, as Weixin gained stable footing, the valuation of Xingchen by the public...increased manifold.

A great many would-be investors swooped over, enthusiastically waving big wads of cash.

Chapter 511: The joke is just too much

Chapter 511: The joke is just too much

Outside, he was the boss of Xingchen who stirred the winds and summoned the rain in the IT industry. At home, no one would probably expect that Xu Tingsheng who was not doing an internship was basically your classic house husband, buying groceries, washing clothes, cooking, mopping the floor...

He even casually cultivated several potted plants, handling them for a bit before sitting on a rocking chair on the balcony and reading a book to bolster his knowledge on economics and management. With that, it was already an entire morning gone.

This just felt wrong somehow!

Once in a while, Ye Qing, Fang Yuqing and the others would visit. They would always say: It feels just like you’ve retired.

Thinking of how long he had lived in his two lifetimes combined, Xu Tingsheng panicked a bit: Could it be that my mentality has really gotten old so fast? But it really seems like I’m always thinking about how to live out my days in peace! I haven’t got the slightest bit of hot-blooded ambition pulsing through my veins at all.

His pace was indeed not harried in the slightest.

He had already basically entrusted Hucheng fully away. He did not have any new plans for Xingchen for the time being. As for Zhicheng, besides acting a few rounds of ‘godly swindler’ with his absolute foresight as he participated in the decision-making for which piece of land to buy next, he basically did not have to participate in any actual work.

In truth, even if he desired to participate, he would still be far less useful than the experienced Ye Qing and the increasingly reliable Fang Yuqing.

The completion date for Ning Garden’s first phase of flats was basically set at the end of July, more or less the same time as Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high.

Fu Cheng and Ms Fang had accepted his goodwill and opinion and bought the flat next to the Xiang family’s. They had also rented a flat in the same building as him downstairs. They were going to stay there for half a year before moving into their new flat.

And now, Little Xiang Ning would finally no longer have to sneak into Uncle’s room in the middle of the night. She would also gradually lose her curiosity on why Fu Cheng was always saying at night: Ms(Teacher) Fang, Ms Fang…

Regarding work, Fu Cheng was interning at Hucheng’s investment department. Fang Yunyao had deviated from her usual routine as rather than teaching at their training institute, she was working at Hucheng’s internet education department. Her mother came over to help look after Niannian.

While they were no longer living together, most of the time, Fu Cheng and co would come over when Xu Tingsheng cooked.

Little Niannian was getting increasingly adorable. Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao were also increasingly lovey-dovey and natural together. Fu Cheng was getting more mature while Ms Fang seemed to be getting younger and more like a young girl who was being doted on...other than when she scolded Fu Cheng.

A teacher was a teacher after all! Fu Cheng was already used to snapping to attention when Ms Fang yelled his name before listening obediently to her lecture.

Once in a while, the two would talk about their future wedding, being lovey-dovey for a bit and bashful for a bit and oozing honey in front of Xu Tingsheng. Then, Xu Tingsheng would take a sidelong glance at his silly little cabbage and feel so sorrowful inside.

……

On Saturday, Xu Tingsheng got up early. He brushed his teeth and washed his face. Then, he prepared breakfast and went to the room to wake Miss Xiang up.

Xiang Ning was not lying haphazardly with her limbs sprawled out in all directions for once. She was lying straight and face up with the blanket covered all the way up to her chin.

Her eyes were teary and she was biting her lips, looking ever so pitiful.

What’s up with that?! Taken aback, Xu Tingsheng said, “Get up. Breakfast is ready.”

Miss Xiang shook her head bashfully and said, “Come over, Xu Tingsheng. I have something to tell you.”

Xu Tingsheng walked over and was requested to sit down.

Then, Xiang Ning leaned over, beckoning him in as she whispered a little nervously into his ear, “I’m, I’m not wearing anything under this blanket.”

Xu Tingsheng’s breathing immediately turned heavy.

“Xu Tingsheng.”

“Huh?”

“Do you, do you want to look?”

Xu Tingsheng forcibly swallowed the ‘yes’ back in and forced a smile, “It’ll be very tragic for me if I do.”

Miss Xiang sniffed and extended a hand to stroke Xu Tingsheng’s face, saying sympathetically, “I know that you’re very pitiful. I already know a lot now. I’ve decided. I will let you bully me...no more waiting until graduation.”

With happiness having come too suddenly, Xu Tingsheng blurted out, “Are you sure about this?”

Xiang Ning bit her lips and nodded, “Yes.”

“...Calm down, calm down,” Xu Tingsheng muttered to himself and forced himself to refuse, “No. I promised your parents, and you, you’re still…”

“I’m seventeen. I’m not little anymore,” Xiang Ning said confidently, “It’s fine now. I don’t want to see you so pitiful, Xu Tingsheng. Also, actually, actually, I also want to be bullied by you.”

“I…”

“Is it okay?” This was accompanied by some slight panting.

While this little girl was clearly not versed in any seductive arts at all, the killing power of this was just so shockingly great. Xu Tingsheng’s blood vessels pulsed, reacting intensely to that.

“Close the door, draw the curtains.”

While she had drawn up the blanket till only her eyes could be seen and was speaking quietly beneath it, it was like adding oil to a fire.

Xu Tingsheng could not stop himself from closing the door and drawing the curtains.

While the room was much darker now, they could still distinctly see each other.

Xu Tingsheng sat on the bed and engaged in a battle of wills with himself.

A small hand reached out from beneath the blanket, poking his side.

“Go on, Xu Tingsheng. I don’t know how. I’ll be obedient.”

I’ll be obedient...by that, do whatever you want?!

Boom.

Xu Tingsheng was breathing heavily as he loomed over Xiang Ning. He raised the blanket a bit. They were very close, so close the tips of their noses were nearly touching as they breathed.

One pair of eyes contained nervousness, shyness and a hint of amusement. The other was on fire.

If there had not been a blanket between them , Xu Tingsheng would probably not be able to harbour any thought. Right now, all he could think of was what Xiang Ning had just said, that she was wearing nothing at all beneath that blanket…

“Not wearing anything…” Having detailedly witnessed that so many times in his previous life before, those images were fresh in his mind.

“But, but…”

His heart wavered non-stop as there was just that final bit of futile resistance in his mind.

Little Xiang Ning raised her head slightly and kissed Xu Tingsheng gently on the lips. Afterwards, she landed back on the pillow and closed her eyes.

Her long eyebrows fluttered, her voice trembling slightly as she said, “Take, take off that blanket...I’ll show you.”

While this sequence seemed a little wrong, it was reasonable too if he thought about it. Miss Xiang had covered her face with an arm in his previous life afterwards, asking: Look...is it nice?

Xu Tingsheng raised his body and slowly pulled the blanket away

Fair neck…

Collarbone...

Erm, this was…

“Haha!” Using both her arms and legs to throw the rest of the blanket off her at once, the person beneath it exclaimed, “Happy April Fools, dirty ruffian!”

There were clothes, the kind for girls that exposed their bare shoulders and went down from the area about the breasts. Long pyjama pants tightly covered up the rest.

“Success! Haha…”

Little Xiang Ning roared in laughter, rolling about the bed as she clutched her stomach.

Xu Tingsheng really wanted to die. The mortification was secondary. This fire...how was he to extinguish it?

“You can’t play like that…” Shaking his head in agony, Xu Tingsheng got up and left the room.

He gave her the cold shoulder that entire morning. Only after Miss Xiang shamelessly apologised time and time again did he helplessly sigh, “The joke is just too much.”

“I was wrong. I know I was wrong, because I nearly also…” Xiang Ning lowered her voice, “I’ll think about it. Next time, I won’t cheat you anymore…”

……

On April Fools Day, Xu Tingsheng said that Xiang Ning’s joke was just too much.

That evening, Huang Yaming called him and said, “Tingsheng, I’m getting engaged.”

“Scram,” Xu Tingsheng retorted at once.

“It’s true.”

“Oh. Who with then?”

“Tan Qingling.”

“Scram.”

“It’s true. I’ll find you tomorrow to talk about it.”

“...It’s true?”

“Yes. You know I don’t play this kind of little kids stuff.”

The joke was just too much.

Chapter 512: Forcing marriage with one's life

Chapter 512: Forcing marriage with one’s life

Having said at the start of the new year that he wanted to marry a bunch of women in this life, Huang Yaming was actually getting so hastily engaged now.

The next evening.

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng.

Leaning against the wall, Huang Yaming had gotten himself very drunk. Still, he had yet to broach that topic on his own.

Xu Tingsheng did not know how to broach it unless he himself did so.

If you asked him, Xu Tingsheng definitely disapproved of this union. He did not have a very good impression of Tam Qingling's ilk at all. Usually all pretentious and holier-than-thou yet ruthless, slutty and decisive enough when the opportunity arose.

To use a phrase from later years, this was a classic 'green tea bitch'.

Still, there was actually not enough justification for Xu Tingsheng to just oppose Tan Qingling straight out. After all, Huang Yaming himself knew full well what he knew about her.

Even if Tan Qingling truly did not love him and had come back to look for him only because of his current status and success…such was life! How many marriages were not of love, being merely for convenience or benefit?

As for that betrayal, if even Huang Yaming could bring himself to forget about it, what more could bystanders say?

Therefore, he had to first confirm if Huang Yaming was resolved about this before deciding whether to intervene.

The trio tottered rather unsteadily through the streets, just like that summer vacation when graduating from twelfth grade.

Huang Yaming who was walking in front suddenly turned and grabbed Fu Cheng who still remained oblivious to the situation even now.

He laughed and asked, “I’ll ask you something. Me getting engaged...what do you think?”

“With who? Fu Cheng swung his head to confirm he had not heard wrongly and asked.

“Tan Qingling,” Huang Yaming said.

“...What’s this about?” Fu Cheng asked, feeling rather complex inside.

“It’s not me who wants it. She’s the one who asked for it.”

The logic here was a little strange as the other two could not really understand it in their inebriated state.

They sat down by the roadside.

“Didn’t I ask her not to come to Yanzhou for the winter holidays? When she asked to accompany me in the movie’s celebratory banquet, I also said no...afterwards, when returning home before the New Year…”

Huang Yaming leaned against the Chinese parasol tree by the pavement and lit a cigarette before beginning to recount his past experiences to Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng.

After Tan Qingling had first mentioned getting engaged to Huang Yaming, the latter had deliberately distanced himself from her for a time.

As for why Tan Qingling was in such a rush? Simple. Huang Yaming’s upward rise was too fast. She wanted to tie him down now and avoid any future worries.

On the 28th, just days before the Lunar New Year, after Huang Yaming had sent Song Ni home.

Huang Yaming lived in a village on the outskirts of the county just like Xu Tingsheng, only a little further away. After earning some money, Huang Yaming had enhanced his parents’ lives but not changed them completely.

After entering the courtyard that day, Huang Yaming had been astonished to find Tan Qingling in his home, helping to clean up the place with rubber gloves on.

After asking his parents, he learnt that she had already come many times this winter holidays. She would repeatedly remind them not to tell Huang Yaming about this every time, however.

His parents smiled knowingly as they asked him who she was. Huang Yaming replied that she was a classmate from senior high whom he had dated for a period of time around graduation.

His parents said, “She looks pretty good and is quiet, sweet, obedient and hardworking too. Both of us like her a lot.”

If not for that betrayal in between, if their relationship had extended till the present day, Huang Yaming might be filled with happiness and bliss upon hearing and seeing all this.

Yet, this was not the case. Some things that would have left one very happy before would just appear wholly different as they tranispred at another interval in time.

Huang Yaming towed Tan Qingling out of the courtyard, stuffed her in his car and sent her back home, not saying a word.

Tan Qingling said many things regarding both the past and the future in their sweet temptations.

When she once again mentioned getting engaged.

“Don’t force me…” Huang Yaming said.

“I know I did wrong, but can’t we go back?” Tan Qingling instantly began weeping, “I want to go back to how we were before. I’ll do anything you ask. Can you please give me a chance?”

“Okay!” Huang Yaming chortled, “You tell me, how about that woolen sweater you knitted when retaking the university entrance examinations?”

“...I, I can knit it again.”

“During that New Year period, did you see me when you got off from his car at the school gate?”

“I didn’t.”

Huang Yaming laughed.

Some time passed before Tan Qingling said, “I’m not going home tonight.”

Huang Yaming said nothing and just continued driving towards Tan Qingling’s home.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Tan Qingling leaned down towards Huang Yaming’s hips and gave it her all...

That time didn’t change too much.

Huang Yaming resisted it as he still maintained, “Don’t force me.”

……

The turning point happened after the celebratory banquet of <<Crazy Stone>>.

As the ‘golden boy’ of the media, Huang Yaming received treatment akin to a main character that night. Even as a newcomer in the entertainment industry, he received a lot of enthusiasm and attention from all around. This included some artistes who were ‘working hard’ to seek out opportunities, especially actresses.

The next day, a media outlet published a photo of Huang Yaming bringing a new actress back to a hotel after the celebratory banquet. There was another photo of that actress leaving the hotel the next morning too.

Things were very clear-cut. Whether or not this was someone who did not find him favourable trying to set him up, Huang Yaming did not even bother defending himself, even disdaining it.

He actually totally did not mind his playboy image at all.

“I’m still going to marry a bunch of women in the future. Just this? Hah?”

“As for that, yes, I did do it. They didn’t malign me.”

This was what Huang Yaming said regarding everybody’s queries.

His relaxed attitude set everyone’s minds at ease, Xu Tingsheng’s included. These things between men and women were really common for successful people. Why should Huang Yaming be an exception to the norm?

Xu Tingsheng still did not think of himself as a saint, caring about even things like these. There was also no reason for him to force his friend to be one. It was already very rare for there to be a Fu Cheng in this world.

“The very next morning, I received a call from Tan Qingling’s roommate. She said that she was crying in the toilet the whole night. The next morning, her friend found her about to slit her wrists. She only barely managed to stop her. There was still a cut left across her hand.”

Huang Yaming recounted the tale as he smoked.

“This…” As this sounded pretty frightening, Fu Cheng did not know what to say.

“And so you decided to get engaged with her?” Xu Tingsheng questioned.

Huang Yaming laughed, “I called her that day and spoke pretty harshly to her. She kept on crying and apologising. I spoke harsher and harsher too. In the end, she swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills that night…”

This was literally forcing marriage with one’s life! Just as Tan Qingling had been ruthless to Huang Yaming that year, she was indeed just as mercilessly ruthless when it came to herself.

If these were ancient times and she was fighting for supremacy in the palace harem, she would surely carve out a bloody path for herself without fail!

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng exchanged looks and wiped their sweat, feeling much more sober all at once.

Chapter 513: Tan Qingling, assured of victory

Chapter 513: Tan Qingling, assured of victory

“I hurried to Xihu City to see her that very day. She’d just woken up from getting her stomach pumped,” Huang Yaming laughed rather sardonically, “She said a lot that day. Looking at her lying on that sickbed in a hospital gown, her face pale as she kept on crying and apologising and pleading...how do I say it? You know how much I liked her back then, right? So, I simply couldn’t help but give in in the end.”

A certain person seemed not to come to mind for him at all as he said this. She had once lain on a hospital bed and had a surgery because of him, hiding alone in a rental house to recuperate and hence losing her job. Yet, she had not even told him about this matter, much less forced him to take responsibility...she was Chen Jingqi, that girl who, having once been hurt by him, had taken care of him day and night by the hospital bed again and had been hurt completely again by him afterwards.

At this point in time, there seemed to be no way out of this. Tan Qingling was sufficiently determined and ruthless, and Huang Yaming seemed to be aware of this. Even while remembering what had happened before, he had decided to accept it nevertheless.

What could be done at this point? Xu Tingsheng was just Huang Yaming’s bro, not his father...actually, not even his father might be able to dictate his actions in a matter like this.

Xu Tingsheng threw his cigarette away and gave it one final go, “You can’t have her trying to kill herself once every few days, right? You’re in that industry and you like playing around. Can you properly manage yourself or will I have to get Tan Yao to substitute you?”

This could be considered a strategy as Xu Tingsheng still wished to prevent this if he could.

“Nope, that isn’t necessary,” Huang Yaming waved a hand dismissively, “I told her about that before. It was when we went to look at the mines afterwards. She went along with me. On the flight back, I told her exactly that. She said that she’ll feel assured so long as we get engaged now and marry after graduation. She’ll trust me no matter what other people outside might say.”

Huang Yaming looked at Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng.

“Say, is she actually saying that she won’t mind however I go gallivanting about outside so long as the one I marry is her?” Huang Yaming laughed, “Well, since she’s so keen, considering how much I liked her back then, I might as well marry her and dump her at home…”

“...” Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng were both speechless as they could not help but marvel at Tan Qingling’s methods.

“I’ll be heading off then,” Huang Yaming waved as he walked away, “Don’t mention Chen Jingqi. She’d be done for if we got married. The woman is too silly and too pure. She can’t handle it. Hurt her once and she’s practically half-dead...with me, she’d go crazy if she didn’t die first.”

……

To Chen Jingqi, relationships were more important than money and material goods. She would not have chosen to suffer in silence the first time otherwise. She would also not have chosen to leave Huang Yaming due to having been hurt too painfully much the second time.

That night, Tan Qingling had only manipulated the dead drunk Huang Yaming to say a few things, yet had so easily compelled her to give up. Afterwards, when Huang Yaming had been rather distant to her for a period of time, she had gone to look for Chen Jingqi again to probe things out.

Actually, Chen Jingqi had told Xu Tingsheng long ago that she wished to go to Xinan with Zhang Xingke, requesting his help in this matter.

While this might be her trying to avoid things, her desire for a fresh start in life was also manifested therein.

It was just that due to the upheaval in Hucheng over the gutter oil affair, the company’s intended development in Xinan had been delayed. Rather than the start of the new lunar year, it was only recently that preparations for it were properly underway.

Chen Jingqi had been making preparations for going to Xinan over the past few days in the midst of routine work.

While leaving the workplace, she saw Tan Qingling who was waiting a short distance away.

Still in her second year of university, Tan Qingling had applied for leave from classes to come to Yanzhou where she was to be engaged.

Huang Yaming’s engagement arrangements were very hastily underway. It was scheduled for a weekend, not in their hometown of Libei but in Yanzhou.

Tan Qingling totally did not mind this at all. Huang Yaming’s parents would definitely be coming anyway. Also, as compared to those poor relatives from Libei, she actually preferred for people in Yanzhou, including Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng as well as Huang Yaming’s acquaintances and business associates, to know of how her relationship with Huang Yaming had progressed. She wanted them to know that she was practically assured of victory.

Also, amongst them all, she felt it most important that Chen Jingqi was informed.

After some simple, surface-level pleasantries.

“Right, Huang Yaming and I are getting engaged. Did you know that?” Tan Qingling smiled.

Chen Jingqi was visibly stunned by this. Even though she had actually given up long ago, a stabbing pain still inevitably gripped her as she suddenly learnt of this. She had loved Huang Yaming before, maybe still did...just that she dared not continue to associate with him again.

Tan Qingling observed her for a while before deliberately asking, “What, didn’t he tell you?”

Chen Jingqi shook her head, “No, he didn’t.”

“Look at him, forgetting even that!” Tan Qingling exclaimed in an exaggerated tone, “Well, how about this? Let’s treat it like I’ve specially come to invite you today. I especially hope that you can be present at our engagement party...after all, you once took care of him day and night, right? Just think of it as my thanks to you.”

Tan Qingling told her the time.

“Sorry, I may not be free on that day,” Chen Jingqi said as calmly as possible as she lowered her head and turned to leave.

Tan Qingling called after her, “What? Don’t tell me? What’re you still thinking of?”

Chen Jingqi stopped in her tracks, not looking back as she said, “Rest assured, I gave up long ago. I will give you two my blessings.”

“Come over and have a glass of wine then?”

“I have an evening flight to Xinan on that exact day.”

“Hah…”

“There’s really no need for you to keep on seeing me as an opponent. Rest assured, I really won’t do anything at all.”

Somehow or other, this sincere, heartfelt statement aggravated Tan Qingling.

Perhaps because she felt assured of victory and was thus in too good a mood, Tan Qingling forgot to keep up that usual facade now. It could also be because keeping up the act was too tiring for her that she would happily rip off her mask and vent after ascertaining the success of her plan, just as she had done to Huang Yaming after getting together with that small-time boss.

“Since when were you qualified to be my opponent?!” With her mask thoroughly off now, Tan Qingling mocked arrogantly.

“I don’t want to talk anymore. Sorry,” Her head lowered, Chen Jingqi walked away.

“Right, you don’t seem to be very well-educated? So brainless…” Tan Qingling continued, “I remember learning something when investigating you before. You got an abortion for Huang Yaming? Really, how dumb. Do you truly not see see how good a role model Fang Yunyao is?”

Chen Jingqi stopped in her tracks.

Tan Qingling got more and more into it, “Do you know why I called you brainless? Just look at Fang Yunyao. You know her, right? Just how is an elderly woman like her whose reputation is smelly to death qualified to marry Fu Cheng, even becoming the Xu family’s goddaughter?”

“It’s all because of that brat. Get it?”

“Why do you think she shamelessly insisted on giving birth to her child if not for this? Do you really believe that she was avoiding Fu Cheng and only met him by chance? That woman’s a deep, patient schemer. Look at how she’s played Fu Cheng, Xu Tingsheng and the rest…”

“How’s her life like now? How will it be like in the future? What doesn’t she have? That’s why I said that you’re dumb. If you’d learnt from her and shamelessly insisted on giving birth to your child, maybe it really wouldn’t have been so easy for me…”

Chapter 514: Resentment is born

Chapter 514: Resentment is born

Perhaps because Fu Cheng had always been distant and cold to her, showing his dislike for her on his face as he did not even show that surface courtesy that Xu Tingsheng did, Tan Qingling had come to dislike and resent him at some point in time. Along with that, she came to dislike Fang Yunyao too.

Besides that, there should also be some envy and jealousy on her part.

Libei’s Xu family had thrown a banquet to accept her as their goddaughter! In the current Libei, who still dared speak of those rumours? Everyone just said that Fang Yunyao was fortunate as all that suffering had been worth it.

Tan Qingling was jealous because she actually also knew that Xu Tingsheng did not really care much for her too. Even that surface courtesy was only perfunctory as she would not be able to get a share of any fruits of his success at all.

“We were all friends back when we graduated, right? And now that you’re successful, you no longer care to entertain me at all?!” Blaming others where her hopes fell short, Tan Qingling’s resentment...was great indeed.

Her earlier outburst had been extremely vicious and venomous both to Chen Jingqi and Fang Yunyao.

“Are you done? If you are, I’m leaving,” Chen Jingqi strode away.

While Chen Jingqi might be purer in the area of relationships, she was actually not lacking in societal experience as she had been tempered by society. She was neither weak nor a saint…

The reason she had stopped earlier was that Tan Qingling had just mentioned Fang Yunyao, whereas Fang Yunyao just happened to be at the stairwell of the second storey. Having chanced upon this altercation while leaving after work, she had stopped in her tracks.

……

If it had been the previous Fang Yunyao, perhaps she would have kept this matter to herself.

Still, things were different now. Now...she was already a little spoiled by Fu Cheng. Also, because of her unique identity, virtually no one had made things difficult for her in her employment at Xingchen thus far. She had not suffered any grievances whatsoever.

Her ability to bear injustices and hide things...had dropped a lot.

Before this, in meeting with her former student Tan Qingling once or twice, Fang Yunyao had been polite and enthusiastic, treating her with sincerity. She had even lectured Fu Cheng for putting on a long face after going home.

Never would Fang Yunyao have thought that this refined, graceful-looking girl might actually truly have such a side, such a mentality. Those words had been too dirty, too venomous, all piercing maliciously into one’s heart.

She clenched her teeth and stood steadfast till Tan Qingling had left before leaving herself. Even at dinner, Fang Yunyao was still trying to suppress it. She looked down, saying nothing, not picking the dishes as she just ate rice…

Still, she just felt more aggrieved the more she thought about it. Chewing repeatedly on that mouthful of rice, her tears dripped into the bowl.

“What happened? Who was it?”

The good-tempered Fu Cheng was amiable and open to discussion on just about anything, just not this.

In those past three years, he had already let Fang Yunyao and Niannian suffer too much, bear too many injustices. His greatest wish left in this lifetime was to take good care of his wife and child, not letting them suffer any more in the least.

Fu Cheng leapt up at once, asking straight out who had done what.

Then, he cautiously ventured, “It wasn’t me who did something wrong, right?”

Fang Yunyao shook her head, “No, it’s nothing...sob…”

That night, Fang Yunyao ultimately succumbed and lay weeping in Fu Cheng’s embrace as she told him all that had transpired. Then, she repeatedly instructed him not to tell anyone else about this, and most definitely not to confront Huang Yaming or Tan Qingling about it.

The next day, while Fu Cheng did not actually say anything, he found an excuse and got into a big fight with Huang Yaming as the two nearly came to blows.

Unaware that she had been exposed, Tan Qingling hypocritically came over to mediate, to which Fu Cheng discourteously yelled, “Scram!”

Xu Tingsheng very seldom saw Fu Cheng get as mad as this, even in both his lifetimes.

Not having seen Fu Cheng like this before, Huang Yaming got a shock as he asked rather dazedly, “No, Fu Cheng...we’re bros! If there’s anything you’re not happy about, just say it?”

Fu Cheng strode outside while scolding, “Dumbass.”

As Fu Cheng saw it, Huang Yaming was really a dumbass. That engagement banquet was a joke.

……

Xu Tingsheng stayed out of the entire argument. He knew full well that for Fu Cheng to have been so infuriated, it was definitely not a minor, much less baseless thing.

In the meantime, Tan Qingling’s resentment towards Fu Cheng and Xu Tingsheng deepened.

While discussing the details of their engagement banquet with Huang Yaming that night, Tan Qingling feigned nonchalance and enquired, “How much did you guys earn from that <<Crazy Stone>>, exactly?”

“Some tens of millions, probably. We had to split it with the cinema and Tianyi,” Huang Yaming casually replied.

Tan Qingling’s eyes shone, “How much did you get then?”

“Me? I didn’t get anything!”

“...What? Why’s that?” Tan Qingling’s heart sunk greatly as her estimation of Huang Yaming’s financial assets dropped greatly, though this certainly did not diminish her resolve to snag him.

“The investment was all Tingsheng’s. I don’t have any shares at Tianyi too. I was just helping out, and I even gained reputation, connections and a foundation from that. What more could I ask for?!”

Tan Qingling rolled her eyes, “Even so...really, Xu Tingsheng actually didn’t give you one single cent. I really wonder if he thinks of you as a bro or as free labour…”

Huang Yaming looked at her, “What did you say?! Us bros, none of us will mind something like that. Also, Tingsheng’s Xingchen Technologies was in urgent need of money at the time. I wouldn’t have accepted it even if he had offered me a split.”

“So you have shares in Xingchen Technologies then?” Tan Qingling’s eyes lit up again.

“Nope,” Huang Yaming said.

“Hucheng?”

“Nope.”

“Zhicheng?”

“Nope.”

Thank god they were not yet married, for if they were, Tan Qingling would probably have strangled Huang Yaming right there and then.

"Oh, you're just too honest," Tan Qingling said rather dramatically, "If Xu Tingsheng is busy sometimes and forgets to think on your behalf, you should still mention that yourself. Otherwise, your effort would really have been pointless. Fu Cheng still knew to get a sum of money and even a flat."

Actually, that sum of money that Fu Cheng had came from ringtone royalties. He had earned it himself, technically.

As for the flat, he had used part of that money to buy it. Xu Tingsheng had merely given him a discount.

Other than that, he had had no part in Xu Tingsheng's businesses and owned zero shares.

Huang Yaming could not be bothered to explain this to Tan Qingling.

He pointed to himself, laughing rather darkly as he asked, "Me, honest? Of the few of us, I'm the most scoundrelly, you know? When you broke up with me back then, do you know how much of their money I wasted away? They were the only ones who cared to look after me, you know?"

Huang Yaming mentioning that incident from back then was what Tan Qingling was most worried about. She could only suppress it, no longer speaking of it for now.

In the bar the next day, Tan Qingling utilised a different avenue of attack and learnt about the share allocation of Bright Brilliance from Tan Yao. Huang Yaming only had 30%. Xu Tingsheng was still the major shareholder at 45%...

"The bar at Shanghai is still not built yet. That mine at Binzhou hasn't truly been acquired yet...even when it is, there's no saying how much of its shares Huang Yaming will hold. Going by that calculation, not considering inherent potential, Huang Yaming's assets...are actually only worth a couple million?!"

Actually, a couple million was already quite a sum in this day and age. Bright Brilliance was raking in the cash everyday, which was already much better than that minor boss she had once latched to. Moreover, anyone could see Huang Yaming's potential.

Still, Tan Qingling's appetite had long since eclipsed what it had been in the past.

Having previously overvalued Huang Yaming, Tan Qingling felt thoroughly dissatisfied now that she knew the truth. Along with that, her resentment towards Xu Tingsheng intensified.

"That mine in Binzhou will be registered under our name, right?" Tan Qingling 'casually' enquired again that night.

"Right, they won't touch this stuff. It'll be completely under my name," Feeling a little woozy, the inebriated Huang Yaming answered.

Tan Qingling's mood finally took a turn for the better. That was an actual mine that she had seen! She had also heard quite a bit about wealthy mine owners who waved money about like dirt these past few years…

"That's good then," Tan Qingling muttered aloud.

The drunken Huang Yaming closed his eyes and murmured, "Actually, at the end of the day, all my stuff belongs to Tingsheng. I'm just looking after it for him, helping him to expand his territory."

The roller-coaster ride of emotions left Huang Yaming virtually tearing out her hair in a frenzy.

"You can't not have any career of your own at all!" Tan Qingling calmed her emotions before saying in a relatively serious tone, "It feels like you're doing even worse than Xu Tingsheng's employees. You have nothing at all."

"I feel that while we're getting engaged, how about you propose that Xu Tingsheng gives us...gives you the shares or the bar? Just treat it like an engagement present. You've done so much for him. It's only right that he gives you a foundation for establishing home and career?"

Huang Yaming seemed to be asleep as he did not utter a sound.

Tan Qingling nudged him.

A half-asleep Huang Yaming said, "Do you think that I have anything that was not given by Xu Tingsheng? Do you think that I ever invested a single cent into it myself? You don't understand him. He won't mistreat anybody. The boat surges high along with the tide, get it? Now be quiet or just get lost."

And Huang Yaming fell asleep for real.

Tan Qingling hesitated for a while before sending Xu Tingsheng a text, deliberately asking in a joking manner: My old classmate, Huang Yaming and I are getting engaged. So, what present do you intend to give us? A big boss like you surely wouldn't be stingy!

Xu Tingsheng casually sent a mere smiley face in reply.

Tan Qingling grit her teeth and slammed her phone on the table. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got as she did not get a wink of sleep that night.

Chapter 515: Engagement banquet

Chapter 515: Engagement banquet

Tan Qingling was not foolish. She had actually been doing very well for a period of time before this. First, she had easily caused Chen Jingqi to give up with a clever, effortless method. Then, she had acted enthusiastic and obedient at Huang Yaming’s home before this Lunar New Year. There had also been those pitiful tears as she lay on a hospital bed afterwards…

It was actually fine even if a certain degree of this had an observable acting component to it.

Women would generally use three weapons against men: Feels, physical attraction and tears.

She could basically effectively utilise them all.

Virtually all her brainless actions had transpired after Huang Yaming had agreed to and started making preparations for their engagement. Feeling that she was practically assured of victory, Tan Qingling’s true character began to show through.

Her triumph had really made her overwhelmingly full of herself.

For instance.

She had crowed to Chen Jingqi from the seat of the victor, announcing her resounding win.

She had begun to feel ‘entitled’, becoming furious and outraged over not having received sufficient care and attention in the form of monetary benefits and such.

On the surface, she seemed to be thinking for Huang Yaming’s sake, even showing some dissatisfaction towards Xu Tingsheng and having probed him too. But really-didn’t this have some inciendiary vibes to it?...

In daring to do so, also having returned to find Huang Yaming in an incomparably natural and non-awkward manner after that past blatant betrayal, one could see how thoroughly confident she was. At the end of the day, she remained ever certain of this: Huang Yaming still loved her, loved her so hopelessly it could not be remedied. As long as she stirred up those feelings within his heart, everything would simply return to its original state with him blind.

As for all the pain she had once inflicted upon him, while it would indeed be a troublesome impediment, it actually went further in proving how she had an important place in his heart…

Having accompanied Huang Yaming through both those happy and dark times and witnessed his turmoil, Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng more or less acknowledged this too. It was precisely because of this that despite having a lot they wanted to say, they were unable to say it to him.

……

Despite having fought with Huang Yaming and called him a dumbass, Fu Cheng still came with Fang Yunyao and Niannian when the day of the engagement banquet came.

Whatever the case, this person who was getting engaged today was his bro.

While Xu Tingsheng, Song Ni and the rest had smiles on their faces, their moods were actually not all that good.

Tan Qingling’s goal was just too blatant, like how she had hinted that so long as the one Huang Yaming married was her, she could accept however he played around outside...while this might seem magnanimous, it actually only went to show that what she truly sought was not the person himself.

As for whether Huang Yaming did not know this or was fine with it and willing to accept it, only he himself could know this.

While there was usually no topic they bros could not discuss, Huang Yaming seemed reluctant to say more about this. And as Xu Tingsheng saw it, with Huang Yaming’s current wisdom and societal experience, how could he possibly not have realised that? He was actually fully aware…

It was precisely because of this that Xu Tingsheng too could only choose to remain silent.

This was just like how one knew that there was marshland up ahead, yet still chose to walk forward...it really went to show how determined they were to walk that thorny path. No matter how others tried to dissuade them of its dangers, they would simply not be able to stop them.

The engagement banquet had been organised a bit hastily and was not on that great a scale too. Still, it was definitely grand enough. Yanzhou’s best hotel, most luxurious banquet hall, a top-level planning team…

And the guests in the carpark before the hotel that was stuffed full of luxurious cars.

If not for this engagement, some of these university students who came from ordinary families in small counties would really have no way of knowing that their social circles had already attained this level at some point in time.

Two representatives flew over from Binzhou. There were people from Tianyi and the production team of <<Crazy Stone>>. Most of those from the Black Horse Club, including Ye Qing and Wu Kun, had also come...Huang Yaming’s connections that Tan Qingling knew of were basically all present.

Huang Yaming had forgotten to inform some of them at first, but she had made sure to remind him and promptly remedy all those.

The only thing Xu Tingsheng found a bit fortunate was how Apple was recording music overseas and had been unable to come due to the sudden nature of the engagement.

Celebrities, wealthy people…

Xu Tingsheng did not spend much time exchanging pleasantries with the VIPs as he spent most of his time reminiscing with his ex-classmates from senior high.

Quite a few of their ex-classmates from Libei had come this time. Those who were nearby or could make it had basically all come.

Having personally witnessed the relationship between Huang Yaming and Tan Qingling as classmates for two or three years, it seemed especially significant that they be present.

If there was anything that was not so perfect, it was that three of these classmates here, having retaken the university entrance examinations with Tan Qingling, had actually personally witnessed that betrayal. They had seen even more than Huang Yaming had…

Tan Qingling had not wanted to invite them at first. Still, after all the notifying around, the whole class had come to know of this engagement. With that, Huang Yaming had said to invite them as well.

Them aside, quite a few of Huang Yaming's classmates and friends from university had come too.

On Tan Qingling's side, there was unexpectedly only one roommate who had come. It was the person who had previously helped her to call Huang Yaming twice. Tan Qingling had also requested that this benefactor receive a big present...Huang Yaming had said he would prepare it.

That aside, what Tan Qingling was most insistent on was that both their parents and some relatives be present.

Huang Yaming had originally wanted to refuse this. He said that since he had yet to visit Tan Qingling's parents and relatives, it might be better if he did so during the holidays and complete all the formalities before holding an additional ceremony in Libei to make up for it.

Yet, Tan Qingling would not have it no matter what as she wept and caused another scene. Huang Yaming eventually succumbed and conceded.

Early that morning, Huang Yaming had dispatched a few cars to Libei to pick them up. They were currently on their way and would be here very soon.

Amidst some romantic piano music, Tan Qingling was filled with satisfaction as she walked around tonight in her elegant gown, smilingly exchanging pleasantries with everyone and introducing herself.

Unlike Xu Tingsheng, she mostly approached those whom she had previously not been acquainted with, be they rich or esteemed. Perhaps as she saw it, what was truly valuable was that these people knew of her identity.

As for ex-classmates and the like, while she remained enthusiastic enough, just a smile and quick exchange would actually suffice.

Most tragic were actually still those three who had retaken the university entrance examinations and been classmates with her for another year. They were basically overlooked and treated as air.

Similarly dressed in a suit, Huang Yaming approached Xu Tingsheng and tapped his shoulder, saying, "Accompany me for a cig."

The two walked to the entrance of the hotel and lit a cigarette.

Xu Tingsheng started to speak.

"Tingsheng...don't say anything," Huang Yaming said, "Let's talk when this is over."

Xu Tingsheng had not been going to say anything too important, actually. At this point in time, it was already too late for that. It was just that Huang Yaming's attitude gave Xu Tingsheng such a feeling:

It was as if he was treating this engagement banquet as a memorial of sorts…

For the girl he had once loved deeply, Tan Qingling.

For the him of the past who could love a person so deeply.

For he who had once experienced happiness, yet had also struggled in hell.

"I was no longer able to love another person afterwards, you know?" Huang Yaming said suddenly beneath the streetlights, "I am not unwilling, and it's not that I never met a good girl, but I just couldn't do it...heck, I freaking just can't love anymore."

Chapter 516: Memories

Chapter 516: Memories

"I was no longer able to love another person afterwards, you know?" Huang Yaming said suddenly beneath the streetlights, "I am not unwilling, and it's not that I never met a good girl, but I just couldn't do it...heck, I freaking just can't love anymore."

While this might sound a bit like an excuse, it might really be more of sorrow that was contained within.

Xu Tingsheng knew that the good girl he spoke of should be called Chen Jingqi. Over the past few years, there was no other woman who had treated Huang Yaming as she had. Meanwhile, Huang Yaming might really have wished and tried to properly love her. Sadly, he couldn’t do it.

A big bus pulled over by the roadside.

Zhang Xingke got off and waved to Huang Yaming, “Sorry, bro. I can’t attend your engagement banquet. It so happens that we’re departing today. We’re heading to Xihu City to catch a flight to Chengdu…”

The two exchanged a few words, after which Zhang Xingke walked over to Xu Tingsheng.

“So courteous, you specially stopped by here?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Looking at him, Zhang Xingke smiled wryly and shook his head, “The way I see it, because of Chen Jingqi, we should have made a detour even if here was on the way. But that silly girl...in fact, it was she who asked the driver if he could help make a detour over here.”

As he spoke, Chen Jingqi got off the bus. She stopped on the stairs a little, seemingly making great effort to get her emotions under check.

Xu Tingsheng and Zhang Xingke looked at each other as they could do nothing but be silent.

Walking over to Huang Yaming, Chen Jingqi neither cried nor caused a scene as she simply smiled and said, “I was afraid I might not be able to get through to your phone. Good, you’re here, huh. I...offer you my congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Huang Yaming nodded a bit stiffly.

“When you’re there, remember to take care of yourself. If you really can’t get used to it, just...if you meet with any difficulties, you can…” Yet Huang Yaming was able to complete neither of his sentences in the end as he ended up caught on his words.

He had been going to say to return to Yanzhou if she really could not adapt and tell him if she met with any difficulties...yet, he was actually the least qualified person to say these two things to her.

Look for you? How was Chen Jingqi supposed to do that?

How was Chen Jingqi supposed to return to Yanzhou?

What was this girl leaving to avoid in the first place?

Huang Yaming himself was well aware of all this.

Xu Tingsheng recalled that he had previously said, “Don’t mention Chen Jingqi. She’d be done for if we got married. The woman is too silly and too pure. She can’t handle it. Hurt her once and she’s practically half-dead...with me, she’d go crazy if she didn’t die first.”

This might just be the reason why Huang Yaming had never gone to look for Chen Jingqi after Tan Qingling had successfully compelled her to move away.

No words had to be said for the intent to be grasped.

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me,” Chen Jingqi said.

As for whether she was saying that she would be fine with regard to going to Xinan or his engagement...no one knew.

She produced the hand that had been behind her back, revealing a bag.

“This is the ointment that I prepared for you after your arm got hurt last time, in case it hurts when it rains...I just happened to chance upon it when packing up my things. You should keep it just in case.”

“Ah,” Huang Yaming received the bag in a nearly numb manner, “Thank you.”

Chen Jingqi forced out a final smile and said, “In that case, I...I’ll be off then. You shouldn’t drink so much in the future.”

Huang Yaming already dared not speak now as he could only nod.

Chen Jingqi turned and returned to the bus. Zhang Xingke and Xu Tingsheng shared a goodbye hug.

The engine of the bus revved up once more...soon it was but a dot on the horizon.

“You can give that to me. I’ll help you put it in the car. Also, it’s high time you get back. It’ll be getting busy later,” Xu Tingsheng pointed at the bag in Huang Yaming’s hands.

Huang Yaming said, “It’s okay. I’ll bring it over myself. Go on in first. Don’t wait for me.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

“Alright.”

Thinking that Huang Yaming might need some alone time, Xu Tingsheng did not wait for him as he returned to the banquet hall.

……

The engagement ceremony was soon to begin. As per Tan Qingling’s request, this engagement itself was to be even more complex than a normal wedding.

Yet, the cars dispatched to Libei to transport the relatives of the Huang and Tan families had yet to arrive.

More importantly, where was the male lead, Huang Yaming?

Tan Qingling dialled his number a few times but could not get through. And so everybody began scanning the area for a glimpse of him.

“Could he be nervous?”

“Anyone checked the toilet? I always go to the toilet when I’m nervous. Maybe Huang Yaming’s like this too.”

“Haha, he’s too young. A few more times and he’ll be fine.”

“...”

Bored, a portion of the guests started chatting and joking around.

Xiang Ning and Niannian were already stealing bites of the food on the table.

Fu Cheng was buttering up Ms Fang.

Song Ni was instructing some supermarket manager on some stuff…

Xu Tingsheng, however, was already beginning to feel a strange premonition.

“This fella wouldn’t have suddenly changed his mind and gone chasing after the bus, would he?”

This thought merely flashed through his mind for a second.

Xu Tingsheng then immediately recalled what Huang Yaming had previously said to him and Fu Cheng regarding his engagement with Tan Qingling: It’s not me who wants it. She’s the one who asked for it.

Xu Tingsheng had felt the logic in his sentence to be rather strange somehow. It just seemed so incongruent with the idea of getting engaged.

Still, he had not pondered further into this at the time.

Now that he thought about it, it felt a bit off. Why did it sound so much like: It wasn’t that this old man wanted to harm you. It’s you who’ve got a death wish!

Also considering how the two families’ relatives, Tan Qingling and Huang Yaming’s parents especially, were still not here even now, also considering how Tan Qingling had insisted on inviting many guests Huang Yaming had not wanted to invite whereas he had invited those three particular students she had been unwilling to invite…

Along with how Huang Yaming had been unwilling to speak further on this engagement even with Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng and not further tried to get to the bottom of his fight with Fu Cheng, seeing how Huang Yaming had only laughed when Xu Tingsheng had jokingly brought up how Tan Qingling had asked him for an engagement present…

“There’s something wrong. He has been up to something all along,” Xu Tingsheng could already more or less come to a conclusion.

Tan Qingling walked over and inquired, “You went out with Huang Yaming just now. Is he back?”

Xu Tingsheng did not give a direct response as he said, “I’ll try calling his phone.”

“I’ve already tried. No one picked up. No, but you went out with him just now...my parents are still on the way. The car still hasn’t reached yet,” Tan Qingling became a bit emotional.

Xu Tingsheng raised a hand to dissuade any hysterics as he whipped out his phone and dialled Huang Yaming’s number. No one picked up. He tried a spare number Huang Yaming had which few people knew about. Yet still no one answered.

“The dude’s not even telling me anything. Looks like he’s really hardened his heart this time…”

There was already a bit of a stir in the hall now.

As Xu Tingsheng was racking his brains over how to answer Tan Qingling, the emcee picked up his microphone smiling mysteriously, “Everyone, I’ve received a note. There’ll be an additional segment to our ceremony today...please enjoy a short video which Mister Huang Yaming has prepared for Miss Tan Qingling.”

“Oh~so that’s what it is.”

“Whew!”

“Haha...so he’s playing the romantic!”

Cheers and applause resounded as everyone relaxed, including the female lead Tan Qingling who had just been a bit worked up. Everyone felt that it was really obvious why this male lead had still yet to arrive. So it was for the sake of a romantic confession…

So, it was a video?

Images began to appear on the screen.

Still, unlike what they had thought, it was not actual recorded footage in which Huang Yaming appeared. Instead, what appeared should perhaps be considered a simple animation…

The images gave off the vibe of simple sketches.

The first scene depicted a campus. Their ex-classmates recognised it at once as Libei Senior High.

Amidst applause.

As the boy in the animation entered the classroom for the first time, a girl by the window just happened to turn her head...their eyes met. The girl’s gaze quickly shifted away, whereas the boy was rooted there momentarily.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng both knew that this was Huang Yaming’s and Tan Qingling’s first meeting.

Everyone believed that this was an incomparably romantic gesture, with Huang Yaming having specially produced an animation recounting the full process of him and Tan Qingling meeting and falling in love…

Amidst much envy and congratulations all around, Tan Qingling joyfully nodded non-stop in acknowledgment.

The boy in the animation confessed time and time again yet was rejected time and time again, evoking laughter from the audience.

Finally, he succeeded…

At the moment the girl nodded and they held hands, the entire venue burst into applause.

The images depicted many things in their relationship, all minor. Still, just like at the start of every love relationship, every little thing was actually sweet and so very memorable indeed…

The girl in the animation was a bit proud and hard to serve. The boy tried hard to make her happy...laughter resounded, but Tan Qingling did not mind...this seemed better able to convey to everyone here just how deep Huang Yaming’s love for her was.

More than half of the video had passed. The university entrance examinations were over…

Tan Qingling’s relaxed, smiling face suddenly froze the instant the next scene appeared.

The image was that of the girl knitting a woolen sweater…

The accompanying music changed from the original gentle, romantic music to a song.

Most of the youths here had heard this song before. One had even sang it...the original version.

This song was called: <<You Knit A Woolen Sweater For A Freaking Fool>>.

Fu Cheng looked at Xu Tingsheng. Fang Yunyao looked at Fu Cheng. Song Ni, Xiang Ning…

“Turn it off! Enough already!” Tan Qingling suddenly yelled without any heed for her image whatsoever, “Enough already! Turn it off!”

Chapter 517: My former beloved

Chapter 517: My former beloved

“Turn it off! Enough already!” Tan Qingling suddenly yelled without any heed for her image whatsoever, “Enough already! Turn it off!”

When the scene of knitting a woolen sweater and that song appeared, Tan Qingling realised that something was wrong before everybody else. Naturally, she was clearest on what she had done.

Therefore, she could not let the broadcast continue.

Still, the images did not stop despite the fact that the one yelling was tonight's female lead.

The one in charge of broadcasting seemed to have received instructions from a higher authority as he fully ignored Tan Qingling's cries, paying them no heed.

The uncomprehending emcee got up, wanting to ask what the matter was, but somebody pressed him back down.

As the video continued playing, a frantic Tan Qingling ran towards the stage, looking a bit overwhelmed as she did so in her gown.

Two men in black suits  obstructed her, saying expressionlessly, "Sorry, Miss Tan. Although you are...Boss Huang has instructed that this video be played in its entirety today regardless of whoever tries to stop it, whatever their means. We can do nothing about it too. Please understand."

Although they were speaking politely and ceremoniously, their attitudes were firm and unyielding.

These two security guards were Huang Yaming's right-hand men in Bright Brilliance and were absolutely loyal to him. This was clearly a deliberate move on Huang Yaming's part.

And Huang Yaming had specifically instructed: Regardless of whom, whatever their means.

Without question, this referred to Tan Qingling. It was equivalent to Huang Yaming telling her through the security guards: Today, it won't be of any use even if you cry, make a scene, and attempt to hang yourself.

Tan Qingling’s face was deathly ashen as she recalled with a start how Huang Yaming would use the same line previously every time she had desperately tried to get him to give in: Don’t force me.

Did this line of rejection mean don’t force me to love you? ...But how could love be forced?

So, Huang Yaming’s don’t force me...it was really: Don’t force me to take revenge on you.

He had desired to forget about that earlier relationship, love and hatred, happiness and betrayal all returning to nothing as they became strangers forevermore. This was actually magnanimity on his part. And yet Tan Qingling had come looking for him, wracking her brains and exerting countless means.

Realisation suddenly dawned upon Tan Qingling. Sadly, it was already too late. She slumped defeatedly to the ground. While there was resentment on her face, more of it was despair and derision as there was self-mockery in her smile.

She had been overestimating herself all along, having underestimated Huang Yaming too.

She actually did not understand the current Huang Yaming at all. She only saw his glory and fame, his authority and his rule...yet had forgotten to think about what this entailed, how Huang Yaming would have qualitatively changed alongside that.

How could the current Huang Yaming who was able to laugh and chat with the Binzhou Thirty as they all privately schemed against one another still possibly be the silly boy from back then?

Her intelligence had been her own undoing?

She had schemed and schemed, yet…

Just like the meaning behind Huang Yaming’s ‘don’t force me’, Tan Qingling knew that she had brought his vengeance upon herself.

……

The expression of the joyful female lead had suddenly changed so drastically. Everyone was inevitably bemused as they stared at her in puzzlement.

Actually, only a very short time had passed, and the images on the screen still gave off warm, happy vibes. The girl was secretly knitting a woolen sweater for the boy in her dorm. The boy was clearly aware of this yet pretended not to know, happily and silently awaiting her present…

“Even if the accompanying music is too thoughtless and the joke’s a bit too much...there’s no need for such a big reaction, right? Can’t she just lecture him back home later?”

This was what some people thought as they saw how Tan Qingling was acting. Then, their thoughts were immediately interrupted by shocked exclamations and murmurs all around…

Their gazes returned to the screen. Soon, everyone could tell that something was up.

"The sweater wasn't for Huang Yaming?"

"It seems so."

"A shifting of affections?"

The images on the screen answered them. The girl got on somebody else's car and gifted it to another.

The guy received a call and slumped limply to the ground…

"Clinging to a rich guy?"

"Looks like it! The girl's a senior high student, but just look at that other guy. He isn't young, right. And that car too! It's a Don't (B) Touch (M) Me (W)!"

"So, something's definitely wrong…"

Everyone understood that if he truly was playing the romantic and reminiscing...this scene would definitely not have appeared.

Much less the following scenes.

On a winter night, the boy stood at a corner of the school’s main gate, waiting. The female lead got off that BMW and glanced at that corner. Then, she turned and kissed the person in the car goodbye, smiling sweetly as she waved farewell.

“The heck, bitch!” A youngster present was infuriated by this as he growled angrily.

Perhaps he was simply unable to help himself as this tale was narrated to him. Yet, right here, right now, these words were clearly a bombshell on Tan Qingling’s reputation.

The images continued to unfold. The boy’s dispiritedness and period of gallivanting were not avoided as they were shown in their entirety.

Song Ni tugged at Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng, questioning, “You’re not going to mind this?”

“Mind what?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “We can’t stop it either. Huang Yaming never told us anything about this. By that, he clearly means for us not to get involved in this matter.”

“Could something happen to her?” Song Ni pointed rather worriedly at Tan Qingling, “Didn’t she try to kill herself twice before…”

"Well...actually, I don't think she's the sort of person who would kill herself," Fu Cheng said.

The implied meaning was: Somebody who can be so besotted with status and wealth from such a young age, who can abandon a person for money and shamelessly go back to look for that person, exerting all means for the sake of again money...how would this sort of person who loves themselves so much possibly bear to kill themselves?

So, those two events should only have been performances and nothing more. She had merely been a bit harsher on herself.

Tan Qingling had only invited one of her classmates today, and that was the one who had helped her make those two phone calls...this seemed to perfectly substantiate this point.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng had actually already thought of this beforehand. It was just that they had no way of telling it to Huang Yaming. After all, as Huang Yaming had just said he would be getting engaged, Tan Qingling would soon be his fiancee. Meanwhile, both Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng were well aware of how much he had once loved Tan Qingling.

Towards the end of the video clip, a row of words appeared on the screen for the first time.

“I gave my conscience to a woman once. She threw it on the ground and stomped on it repeatedly. It hurt a lot. Still, that was fine. It was in the past. We would simply be strangers forevermore. After all, before I hated her, I once loved her.

Still, you just can’t treat me like a fool, my former beloved…

Since you forced me to be a scumbag, how could you still dare to trust me? Play me as a fool? I’m a scumbag now, my former beloved…”

After a sea of exclamations came silence.

In showing others these past affairs, while Tan Qingling would indeed lose her reputation and fall into despair, how would Huang Yaming himself have it good too?

Tan Qingling’s handphone buzzed.

“For our parents and relatives not to be present is really my final leniency. Leave. Henceforth, we’re strangers forevermore…”

Chapter 518: A mere blank stare

Chapter 518: A mere blank stare

Huang Yaming had previously said that he did not have much conscience remaining…

Now, he said: I’m a scumbag now, my former beloved.

‘My former beloved’ was a phrase that few ever used. Still, in reality, how many people did not have these? Once beloved, yet no more, two people who once held hands only able to look awkwardly at each other when next they met once more…

Perhaps it would be even more intense sometimes...not all breakups ended amicably, after all.

For example, those who met again years later in senior high and university class gatherings.

One might ask genially, “How’s it going?”

The other might composedly answer, “Pretty good. What about you?”

This is already good, for it demonstrates that both parties are over it as all emotions, positive or negative, have dwindled down to nothing over time. You can still smile and exchange pleasantries in this case, though it will just not be advisable to overthink things.

“How’s it going?”

“None of your damn business.”

This is actually not as bad as it might sound. It at least demonstrates that somebody remains unable to put the relationship behind them, even if it only means gnashing their teeth. In this case, if you are shameless enough and stand steadfast, you might actually be able to relive those cherished times for a bit after the alcohol amidst all the tears, complaints and weakly pummelling fists.

“How’s it going?”

“...”

If they say nothing, avert their gazes and walk away, no longer wishing to pay you any heed, you had best take note of their expression. If they do not secretly dab at their tears after passing you by, you should really give up on speaking to them already.

“How’s it going?”

“Sorry, who are you again? I kind of forgot.”

This one...is a little tragic. It could be deliberate, but that is just as tragic. Do yourself a favour and don’t overdo it.

“How’s it going?”

“Great, of course. I’m waiting for you to die first.”

This one...probably hates you so much they’re waiting to set off fireworks and jump in joy at your grave.

“How’s it going?”

“Swimmingly your arse. This old dame will claw you dead!”

This one...not only does she hate you, she also hates all her other men who came later. To summarise: It’s fortunate that you broke up when you did.

“How’s it going?”

“Scram! You’re in charge of picking up the kid later.”

These are the ones which did come to fruition. A pity that they are ultimately few in number.

……

‘Former beloved’. Some want to see them but cannot; others want to see them but dare not.

‘Former beloved’. This evokes nostalgia and gloom for some, induces waterworks for some, continues to bring some happiness and relish, yet leaves some only feeling hatred.

Huang Yaming definitely hated Tan Qingling. Her betrayal from back then was definitely a factor here. Still, more crucial might be her returning to look for him this time as her motive and her means had completely sullied the final bit of happiness in Huang Yaming’s mind which still remained.

She had caused the passion of his teenage romance to finally become truly for naught.

As the drama drew to a close, Tan Qingling left the hall accompanied by her classmate, headed back to her room to pack up her belongings. A car was waiting downstairs to send them back to Xihu City. She appeared relatively composed throughout, which was pretty reassuring.

If someone who was a very good schemer lost hope in something, they would terminate that particular scheme before letting things settle down as uneventfully as possible.

“Yaming was really...too ruthless this time, both to himself and to Tan Qingling,” Song Ni said, “Well, I just knew it. How could he possibly still have feelings for Tan Qingling? Let’s not talk about last time. Her motive in returning this time was just too obvious. It’d be impossible for Yaming to be fooled.”

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng exchanged glances, smiling but not saying anything.

Song Ni pressed, “What? Isn’t that right?”

Xu Tingsheng replied, “No, it’s nothing. You’re right.”

Perhaps only Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng understood Huang Yaming. Song Ni believed that he no longer had any feelings for Tan Qingling, and maybe Tan Qingling herself thought so too now that such a thing had happened.

Yet, that was not actually the case in reality.

Huang Yaming had personally arranged for the cars responsible for transporting their relatives here from Libei. He was definitely behind the two families both having failed to show up in time.

This was his leniency towards Tan Qingling, the residual reluctance following that inner struggle.

Having gone to the extent of a public washing of dirty laundry, vengeance was unquestionably a part of it. Still, there was also a second goal here, which was for Tan Qingling to completely lose hope such that their relationship would be irreparably beyond salvation.

That Huang Yaming had chosen to do so demonstrated that there was actually still a spark left within his heart. After all, what Tan Qingling was offering him now was what he had once most looked forward to. Hence he was afraid, afraid that he might not be able to resist it, afraid that even knowing that it was fake and not love, he would still come to accept the relationship…

This sort of thing does exist in this world. Some people are so head over heels that even knowing that they are being cheated as the other party does not actually love them, they willingly accept it nevertheless. They pretend to be oblivious...willing targets of deception.

Huang Yaming would not allow himself to become this sort of person, reaching such a point. Even if only a mere spark remained, he would see all embers extinguished. And so he had utilised this farce of an engagement to push their relationship off the cliff, cutting off all his wishful thinking for good.

Tan Qingling was gone and Huang Yaming had not appeared. Things seemed kind of strange now as everyone did not know whether to stay or to remain.

Xu Tingsheng got up and raised his glass, “Let’s take this as us bros treating everyone to a meal today, alright. Thank you all for your continued support and care. A toast to show our gratitude!”

After this glass of wine, things got lively in the hall again.

Most of those present were either rich or esteemed. It was really not often that they got to gather together on such a scale. And so, accompanied by wine, they happily mingled and discussed possible cooperation etcetera.

Fu Cheng went to the tables where their ex-classmates were. Tan Yao entertained Huang Yaming’s classmates from university.

“Just think of this as a class gathering.”

“Just think of this as a meal together.”

With that, the engagement banquet had deviated to a whole new trajectory.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng returned to their seats. Then, they consecutively received texts from Huang Yaming. The contents were more or less the same, just a bit different in wording.

To Fu Cheng: Can you forget about your wife and child and come accompany this fool for a while?

To Xu Tingsheng: Can you forget about your little wifey for a bit and come accompany this lonely soul?

Fu Cheng texted back: Where?

The reply came: In the garden downstairs where you guys live...bring a few cans of beer.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng lived in the same building and Huang Yaming often came over to play. On this special occasion when he had fled from his own engagement banquet, he had gone to the place where Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng lived...a lot could be seen from this.

After entrusting the happily eating Xiang Ning to Ms Fang and Song Ni and handing things over to Tan Yao, Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng departed early from the scene.

“Hah, I’m so tragic,” Huang Yaming said cheerily right upon seeing them, “The two of you: One’s gonna revolve around wife and kids for the rest of your life, and the other attracts girls all around and acts out whatever ‘only a single flower will I partake of this hallowed garden’. How cliched to death..."

“How tragic. It wasn’t easy that one came for me. It’s still okay that her goal was too direct, but did she really have to act so freaking lousily...how great would it be if she could fool me with it?!”

“How tragic. Even the two of you have forsaken me…” Huang Yaming continually gave those mock sighs as he complained.

Fu Cheng retorted, “Scram! Haven’t we come to accompany you now?”

Huang Yaming pointed at him and said aggrievedly, “Right, you even called me a dumbass.”

Fu Cheng smiled.

“Smile your arse,” Huang Yaming said, “Nowadays, I feel like calling you two out to drink sometimes but daren’t even do so.”

Huang Yaming cupped his face with both hands and rubbed it.

At this moment, with old romance having turned into enmity and his bros all having found their own happiness, it was only he alone...infrequent bouts of weakness, yet nowhere to voice it to.

All was empty all of a sudden.

All presence was lost, a mere blank stare.

But maybe it was exactly this that could produce a legend-one would do well to remember that kings and emperors of yore...all referred to themselves as ‘this solitary/widowed one’(孤家寡人).

Chapter 519: Condemned, therefore solitary

Chapter 519: Condemned, therefore solitary

The three sat in the garden downstairs, drinking the cans of Tsingdao beer that Xu Tingsheng had bought on the way here. It didn't matter that the banquet tables they had paid for were all filled with the best wines.

“Right, when did you make up your mind?” Fu Cheng asked.

“When you both started keeping things from me,” Huang Yaming exerted force on an empty can, which made a crackling noise, “When both of you clearly knew what was going on yet couldn’t bear to say it. Like you, Fu Cheng. You’d rather start a quarrel with me than say it directly. At that time, I knew that I definitely could not let myself reach that point.”

Your bros advising you painstakingly, or them believing that there is already no way of doing so...these two are totally different concepts altogether.

“Why don’t you ask me when and what it was that made me see through it all?” Huang Yaming asked instead.

“Well, when was it and what made you see through it all?” Xu Tingsheng obligingly enquired.

“When someone really doesn’t love another, however carefully, however much effort they put into the act, it really just can’t cut it anyhow,” Huang Yaming first said something abstract and profound before continuing, “You know that I often get drunk, get sent home and puke all over the floor. It used to be Chen Jingqi who looked after me. Then, Tan Qingling came and she left. Tan Qingling looked after me for a period of time…”

“Three days. It took just three days for the difference to show.”

“When I got drunk in the past, however late I got sent home and helped up the stairs...I could always feel than on one side was a woman’s arm and shoulder, Chen Jingqi’s. Whenever I got home, however late it was and whether it was necessary, she would always come downstairs to meet and help me. Sometimes, there would be two security guards who sent me home, and she would take over one of them. Hey, how silly is that? How can her strength match up to a security guard’s?”

“Three days into Tan Qingling taking over, I no longer felt a woman’s arm supporting me. While I was very drunk, I know that she must have been standing far, far away, because I was very dirty and smelly, because the bar’s security guards would be escorting me up anyway.”

“Also, I never felt Chen Jingqi helping me to wipe my face in the past. Only when Tan Qingling had done it a few times and it really hurt even though I was dead drunk did I know how gently and carefully she had done it.”

“Also, I would always be squeaky clean in the past when I woke up the next day. Later on, there would still be stuff that I puked out on my clothes sometimes, sometimes even on my neck...”

“So when someone really doesn’t love another, however carefully, however much effort they put into the act, it really just can’t cut it anyhow. Especially when I looked to be wholly unaware.”

With that, Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng basically understood what Huang Yaming meant. When an act did not truly come from one’s heart, it would actually never be possible for it to resonate with the receiver, especially in the case of those more obscure, subtle details.

Still, it was unknown whether the slight blurriness welling up in Huang Yaming’s eyes at this moment was due to Tan Qingling’s fakeness or Chen Jingqi’s authenticity.

“She’s so good but you’d neither try to get her to stay or chase after her...really, Chen Jingqi’s too pitiful. You’ve hurt her too much,” Fu Cheng said.

“It’s because I hurt her too much that I’m afraid of hurting her more...there seems to be nothing I can do to stop that. So, I thought maybe I should just let her go,” Huang Yaming said.

“Why don’t you change then?” Fu Cheng asked.

“A leopard can’t change its spots.”

Fu Cheng was left speechless for a time.

Then he asked, “Have you asked Chen Jingqi about it then? What does she think? Maybe she’d still be willing?”

Huang Yaming stood up and said, “I’ll go ask her then.”

……

Maybe because his state of mind tonight let him know that there was a person who loved him so much and was so hard to come by, Huang Yaming made such a decision.

As they did not have much time, the car raced across the expressway throughout.

“Drive slower! Aren’t you afraid of an accident?” Fu Cheng said a bit nervously in the backseat.

“I’m really not afraid of that,” Huang Yaming said, “I’m just afraid there’d be no one to take care of me when I’m lying on the sickbed.”

“Let me drive. I’ll make sure you get there in time,” Xu Tingsheng stole the wheel at a rest point.

When they arrived at Xihu City’s airport, there was still more than half an hour before the plane took off. Chen Jingqi and the others had already passed through security. Xu Tingsheng dialled her number and called her out…

When Chen Jingqi saw Huang Yaming, they were separated by about a dozen metres or so by the security zone. She stopped walking.

“I didn’t get engaged,” Huang Yaming said as he looked at her.

Chen Jingqi smiled and nodded, not knowing what to say though she seemed not to find it any unexpected.

“I’ve actually known all along who really treats me best,” Huang Yaming continued.

Chen Jingqi nodded as tears began to soundlessly trickle down her face.

“How about you stay behind and we give it another go?” Huang Yaming finally asked.

Chen Jingqi was visibly taken aback.

As what resembled a scene from a drama played out in real life at this moment, the tourists at the airport enthusiastically gathered around, whistling and cheering, “Stay, stay…”

Chen Jingqi shook her head, answering, “No.”

Like a child’s stubbornness, a simple, obstinate word.

Huang Yaming was conflicted for a time before he asked, “I’ll try to change?”

Chen Jingqi shook her head, “You won’t, Huang Yaming. Why didn’t you look for me before this? ...Was it to take revenge on her? ...Actually, you’re so smart I know you would definitely know everything, be able to see through all of it. Because of that, I was waiting for you to make your own choice.”

“Not for you to choose either her or me, but for you to choose whether or not to heed my pain.”

“But you didn’t look for me in the end. Even if it was only to expose her, to take revenge on her, you must know that you still did make a choice in the end. Whatever the reason, you ultimately still chose to hurt me.”

“I…”

“I’d rather you gave up on taking revenge if you really cared about my pain. But you didn’t...for the sake of doing one thing, you were willing to sacrifice others, including me. Without having asked me, you helped me make the choice of being sacrificed. Even if it was only temporary, that’s already enough to show a lot of things.”

Chen Jingqi was absolutely right. Knowing that he was in the wrong, Huang Yaming could offer no further words.

The current him was no longer that Huang Yaming who could make her happy with but a mere expression of care and concern.

She would no longer be subject to his fancies.

This woman had indeed loved him a lot once, devoting all she had to him. He had run away before, but she had not pursued the matter. He had hurt her before, but she still cared for him. He had made a mistake, but she chose to believe in him one more time...

Sadly, things had not changed in the end.

Some girls are willing to suffer hurt, injustices etcetera for the sake of love, refusing to let go no matter what. Generally speaking, in the case that they completely lose faith in the other, they’re never going to turn back...because never again can they dare to do so.

Huang Yaming opened his mouth.

“Did you know? My happiest times were when you were in the hospital then, and the recovery period afterwards. Unable to move, you couldn’t hurt anyone. You became very cute and very obedient. When you wanted to smoke or anything, you’d always look pleadingly over...a pitiful expression on your face.”

Earlier, Huang Yaming had said ‘I’m really not afraid of getting into an accident. I’m just afraid there’d be no one to take care of me when I’m lying on the sickbed.’ Now, Chen Jingqi was saying that her happiest times were when she had taken care of him on the sickbed then.

Chen Jingqi had been smiling as she said this.

Still, her smile quickly vanished as she said, “Sadly, only in that state are you ever harmless. The rest of the time, whatever you say or do, it always ends up hurting somebody, not just me.”

“Maybe you’re destined to be very successful like this. Still, I’m just a very ordinary girl. It’s enough for me as long as somebody loves me, dotes on me and won’t hurt me. And so, actually, you really aren’t suitable for me.”

“Please don’t hurt me again.”

With that, Chen Jingqi turned and left. She did not falter, and neither did she look back.

What does it mean to completely lose faith? When someone clearly loves, remembers, holds dear...yet no longer yearns for, envisions, no longer has the courage to try...desires yet dares not. At that point in time, one truly has completely lost faith in another.

Walking out of the airport, Huang Yaming smiled, saying, “I deserved that. She’s right.”

In olden times, 孤(solitary) was equivalent to 辜(condemned).

The original meaning of 辜 was ‘punishment according to olden customs’. Its meaning had later changed to ‘crime/criminal’.

Condemned, therefore solitary.

Not all mistakes could be forgiven and pardoned. Not everything could return to square one.

Chapter 520: Thank you

Chapter 520: Thank you

When Zhang Xingke called Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming had just parked the car by the road next to the airport. From this position, they could see aeroplanes leaving through the windows.

“The heck, she’s crying so much it’s like she could faint any moment over here,” Zhang Xingke told Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng looked at Huang Yaming and said, “Over here, this one’s saying nothing and just waiting to watch the plane take off.”

“How about giving this another shot?” Zhang Xingke suggested, “Look at how she’s crying like an eternal separation of life and death! I almost daren’t bring her up the plane. How about it? ...Hello? I’m asking if you want to give it another shot. Ask Huang Yaming to try again? Hey? Hello? Say something, yes or no? ...Time’s almost running out…”

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had already long since brought the phone to Huang Yaming’s ear as Zhang Xingke was saying this. So, his every question had really been directed to the person himself…

“Nah,” As Zhang Xingke reached the passageway that connected airport to plane, he finally heard Huang Yaming break his silence, “No need. Over there, please help look after her as needed...she’s a girl living all alone outside.”

With that, Huang Yaming hung up.

“Thankful that she didn’t agree. Otherwise...who knows how many more times she’d have to cry like this the rest of her life,” Huang Yaming smiled and commented like an objective bystander, purely happy on Chen Jingqi’s behalf for finally having completely broken free of a scumbag’s influence.

And then he no longer spoke.

There is a kind of tragedy in life, which is forcing someone who once loved you so much to the point that they aren’t even willing, don’t even dare to listen to your remorse and pleading anymore.

The plane left the runway, soaring into the air…

Huang Yaming watched it appear in his field of vision, lift, rise, going higher, further…

Finally, it was but no more than a twinkling speck of light in the distant night sky.

Zhang Xingke had said earlier that Chen Jingqi had been crying like it was an eternal separation of life and death in the waiting room. Actually, that was precisely what it was to Chen Jingqi. All matters of the past, everything in Yanzhou, had dissipated into the winds as the plane took off.

No longer would she love, no longer would she hate. Thereafter, in her heart, Huang Yaming would simply be...dead to her.

This tale had finally reached its conclusion.

After returning to Yanzhou, Huang Yaming soon recovered his spirits and his way of life. It was just that he would no longer return home every time he got drunk. Also, when he woke up the next day, he would sometimes not be so familiar with the woman whom he found beside him.

He would return to the days of not getting drunk.

Xu Tingsheng had helped rent his flat for him when he had gotten injured such that it would be convenient for Chen Jingqi to look after him. Afterwards, because it was close to the bar and moving would be bothersome, Huang Yaming had continued to rent this flat which had thus become his ‘home’.

Chen Jingqi had once stayed in this home, and so had Tan Qingling. Now, only Huang Yaming alone remained.

He sat alone in the living room at 3am in the morning, looking at the sole photograph of Chen Jingqi in his phone. On her birthday, an inspired Huang Yaming had secretly prepared a cake and surprise for her…

Chen Jingqi’s smile had looked very nice that day, just like when they had met in Jiannan for the first time. A bit wilful and self-absorbed, it had been so adorable, authentic and natural as it was.

Girls are really most like themselves when they are happiest. That was the original Chen Jingqi. Sadly, she had experienced too much after meeting Huang Yaming. It would be very difficult to again witness that version of her.

As the first rays of a new dawn shone through the window, Huang Yaming deleted that photo.

“Thank you, for having loved me.”

……

The days passed uneventfully. One day, Fang Yunyao punctually left work, headed for home.

Just like when she had been a teacher, Fang Yunyao was earnest and diligent in her work. Still, unlike how she had often done overtime in the past, the current Fang Yunyao would never work overtime unless it was absolutely necessary.

On occasions when she just had too much work and could not get it all done in time, she would rather bring her work home with her than be delayed in the office.

Having experienced the despair of loss and knowing how precious being together was, nothing was more important than returning home to the current Fang Yunyao. There was nothing more important to her than seeing that big boy and that little girl everyday.

Even on days when she brought her work home and those two were oh so noisy, frequently coming over to disturb her and hindering her from properly doing her work, she just could not summon a stern face and rebuke them. She was always unable to keep from laughing the very next moment.

“Niannian, keep your Dad in line."

"Fu Cheng, keep your daughter in line."

"Niannian, your Mum's being fierce to me."

"..."

Afterwards, Fu Cheng taught Niannian to join in this game by saying, "Ms Fang, keep your husband, your student in line."

The young girl spoke in a childlike tone with lots of mispronounced sounds. Fang Yunyao instantly got triggered...yet was never able to do anything about this father-daughter pair.

“Go on, teach her whatever you want. When Niannian goes out and says this next time, the whole world will know that I was your teacher,” She said unhappily to Fu Cheng.

Fu Cheng called mischievously, “Ms(Teacher) Fang, Ms Fang…”

That day, Ms Fang had just descended the final flight of steps from her workplace and turned when she stopped in her tracks. She saw Fu Cheng standing there in the distance with his guitar.

Fu Cheng opened his mouth and began to sing an old English song: Right here waiting.

“If I see you next to never,

How can we say forever?

Wherever you go, whatever you do,

I will be right here waiting for you;

Whatever it takes,

Or how my heart breaks,

I will be right here waiting for you.

I took for granted all the times

That I thought would last somehow.

…”

This song actually fit their tale so very well. Their fate had undergone several twists and turns in just three short years. After surmounting the many obstacles to get together, they had been separated again, one going far away and the other waiting...both their hearts had previously shattered time and time again.

They had both once believed that it would be difficult to meet again in this life, staying by the other’s side…

Fortunately, wherever one of them went, whatever they did, the other would still be right there waiting.

Fang Yunyao smiled with tears in her eyes.

She knew what Fu Cheng was doing. Previously, she had believed that this step would be or had already been overlooked. After all, the two were already living together right now and even had a child.

Although she would inevitably feel a little desolate once in a while, Fang Yunyao had neither expressedly requested nor hinted at this to Fu Cheng. For such matters, their significance decreased if they were voiced out directly.

Fortunately, her little man had never left her disappointed before.

In the approximately twenty metres between Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng, there stood two columns of people, including Xu Tingsheng, Xiang Ning, Huang Yaming, Tan Yao and Fu Cheng’s other friends and classmates.

Every single one of them was raising a picture.

Fu Cheng had drawn them all in the two years after being separated from Fang Yunyao. Although they differed in terms of size and paper quality, they all depicted Fang Yunyao.

When they saw her for the first time, she capturing the heart of a youth as she walked from the other end of the corridor with textbook and teaching plans...when she casually flipped her hair as she walked up to the lectern in a dress...when she was nervous, when she was shy, when…

Upon reuniting, the two had already long since poured out their hearts and longings to each other...this here was the sole exception. Fu Cheng had never once mentioned this matter, this art, to her.

He had been planning this proposal since way back.

Fang Yunyao walked forward. She walked very slowly, carefully looking at every one of these pictures of herself that had been drawn by Fu Cheng, dated from April 2004 to January 2006. She could not help but reach out to trace those lines, crying and laughing as she walked...as much as the stream of tears flowing down her face could not be stemmed, the corners of her mouth were continually arched upwards.

Walking towards her, Fu Cheng sang a final ‘waiting for you’.

And he got down on one knee and retrieved a small red box from his pocket. His hands trembled slightly as he opened it, proffering a ring to Fang Yunyao.

“Will you marry me? I’ll listen to you like when I was a student; I’ll be a man who can protect you; I’ll be like the little boy you can bully…” Fu Cheng went on and on.

Fang Yunyao suddenly stared incredulously as she exclaimed vexedly, “Hey, why did you buy such a big diamond? Did you spend all our remaining money on this? You, you’ll be the death of me. What will we do about our renovation? Also, when Niannian goes to school in the future, we’ll have to choose the best one. That will need a lot of money! And then the wedding...really, what were you thinking? You could just have gotten any decent one! Did you think I might possibly refuse?...”

And then she felt embarrassed at having accidentally become too naggy, totally slipping too much into the role of a woman post-marriage...which simply did not fit the present occasion!

Also, what exactly had she meant by ‘did you think I might possibly refuse’?!

Fu Cheng smiled, asking as he looked at the adorable woman who had suddenly lapsed into awkwardness, “As for Niannian’s education, leave it to her godfather to worry about. You still haven’t answered me yet. Will you marry me?”

Fang Yunyao broke out of her awkwardness, biting her lips and leaking tears as she nodded forcefully, “Yes, I will. In truth, I’ve really wanted to get married to you all along, just so much.”

The ring was slotted onto the middle finger of her left hand.

“Thank you, for always loving me.”

…...

Xu Tingsheng watched two separate endings to romances, one of separation and one of fruition.

In this post-reborn life, while he might still be closer to Fu Cheng in terms of psychology, the path he was walking was actually closer to Huang Yaming’s.

During the weekend, feeling a bit chaotic and uneasy, Xu Tingsheng brought Xiang Niang on a trip back to Jiannan. Of course, this ‘back’ was applicable only to Xu Tingsheng. To Xiang Ning, it was still her first time going to Jiannan...if one only counted this life.

“Why are we suddenly going to Jiannan? Is there anything fun in Jiannan?” Miss Xiang asked on the way, still a bit unhappy from having been woken up so early in the morning.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and realised that there really seemed to be nothing especially exciting in Jiannan.

“There is! Like, like...anti-flood dams…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Anti-flood dams? Are those fun? Those can be found everywhere, right?” Miss Xiang asked.

“Relatively fun. There’s an ancient city gate that we can go and see,” Xu Tingsheng replied helplessly while thinking to himself: That is where we first met! So do you think it’s fun, and worth going to, Miss Xiang?

“Is there anywhere else?”

“Of course!” Realising that the first motel where they had stayed together could not really be called fun, Xu Tingsheng said, “For example, we can go take a look at Jiannan University! Who knows, you might study there next time…”

“Huh, like I’d want to. It’s not like Jiannan University is very good. It’s not that pretty too,” Miss Xiang objected.

Xu Tingsheng sighed, thinking: Please, this was not what you said in our previous life. Back then, you claimed that our school is not bad, that it looks pretty good. And...so many things happened between us there.

Xu Tingsheng could only say, “We can go to Jiusong Temple too.”

“A temple? To draw divination sticks? Is that Jiusong Temple efficate or not?” Miss Xiang was finally somewhat interested.

As Mrs Xiang was superstitious, Little Xiang Ning had correspondingly always been a little interested in this area as well.

“To draw divination sticks?” Xiang Ning had asked. Xu Tingsheng instantly recalled the divination stick that had been hidden by her in his previous life as she had hidden and adamantly refused to reveal anything about it. Even now, he did not know its contents.

“Not drawing. We can just look around,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Oh, but that’s even less fun,” Miss Xiang said, “How about we draw a marriage lot to see if you will have a change of heart.”

“Not drawing. I won’t,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Miss Xiang was taken aback, “Uncle’s so serious all of a sudden.”

……

The two’s first stop was the ancient city gate at the anti-flood dam. As the dam spanned quite a long distance, Xu Tingsheng ended up carrying Xiang Ning as he walked. Then, he sat down in front of the ancient city gate and took a photograph for Miss Xiang as she made a pose there…

It had been this very place in his previous life.

That day, she had been in a white dress like a lotus fairy, pitifully carrying a large lotus lamp as a backdrop to the Lotus Festival. Even more pitifully, she had met a dirty ruffian that day…

Thereafter had been a blissful relationship for over a year and solitary waiting for over three years.

The second stop was Jiusong Temple.

There weren’t many visitors here that day. Xu Tingsheng led Xiang Ning in carefully walking around the rustic temple.

Seeing other people praying for divination sticks, Xiang Ning made a fuss about drawing one as well. Yet, Xu Tingsheng adamantly refused and ended up making her mad. She ran off in a huff. Unable to find her inside the temple and with her refusing to pick up his calls, he could only go to the entrance of the temple to wait for her in the end.

More than ten minutes later, Xiang Ning who never got angry for long walked towards Xu Tingsheng with a smile on her face. Beside her was a girl who looked just two or three years older than her. The two were chattering away happily as they walked. This was probably a new friend Xiang Ning had just made during her earlier escapade.

Seeing that she had already come back on her own accord, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly smiled and went over to apologise and appease her.

“Hey, you, aren’t you Xu Tingsheng?” In the end, before Xiang Ning even said anything, that girl beside her had already yelled in astonishment.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at her. It felt a bit like he knew her, though the memory was just too faint.

“Hello. I’m...do we know each other?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“No. Um, it’s you who don’t know me. I know you, though. I’ve seen you before, on the internet,” The girl appeared very excited, “God, you really are Xu Tingsheng. I’ve actually seen my idol! I really really super idolise you. I usually devour all kinds of news, and then I came to learn so many things about you...right, my name is Liang Qin. Can we be acquainted? Xu Tingsheng?”

“...Can we?” Seeing that Xu Tingsheng was not saying anything, Liang Qin asked again after a while.

Xu Tingsheng was still in a daze. While she had said that he didn’t know her, why did he feel a vague sense of familiarity? Had he seen her before? But where? In his previous life, in this life? Was it at another age that he had seen her?

“Hey, she’s talking to you!” Xiang Ning nudged Uncle who was acting impolitely.

Xu Tingsheng finally snapped out of it and raised his head, “Hello…”

“Ah…”

As a bug flew by, the girl hurriedly stepped back as she nervously covered her face with both hands...

At this moment, two images superimposed as Xu Tingsheng recalled where he had seen this person before. In an Audi, on that final, fateful night in the year 2015 when Xu Tingsheng had been roaming the streets after seeing Xiang Ning for the last time.

As he had crossed the road, a speeding Audi had barrelled towards him. The very last thing Xu Tingsheng had seen was a woman screaming in the passenger seat with a nervous expression on her face as she brought up both her hands to cover her eyes…

Xu Tingsheng lapsed into darkness.

She was her. To be precise, she was her from nine years later. So she was called Liang Qin.

“In that case, can I be considered to have died at her hands?”

Xu Tingsheng surely would not consider taking revenge or whatnot. He only suddenly thought of something: Will I die at her hands again? If such a tribulation is destined to be in my fate...what should I do about this person? Get close to her, distance myself from her, make her disappear?

“Sorry, sorry. I was frightened by the bug just now...it’s a pleasure to meet you, Xu Tingsheng. I’ve been following your Weibo page. It’s been a very long time since you last updated…”After dodging the bug, Liang Qin regained her enthusiasm.

Xu Tingsheng gave a brief nod but said nothing, rather panickedly pulling Xiang Ning away as they quickly left.

“Hey, what’re you...what is it? Xu Tingsheng, Uncle, are you okay? Your face is so pale, you’re sweating...are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere? Sorry, I shouldn’t have thrown my temper at you. I won’t draw a divination stick anymore...you...” Xiang Ning asked nervously and concernedly even as she was pulled briskly along by Xu Tingsheng.

“Draw a divination stick?” Xu Tingsheng stopped in his tracks, “If there really is fate…”

“Alright, draw it...go on, I’ll accompany you to draw one.”

Xu Tingsheng wanted to see that divination lot, see what exactly was written on it that Xiang Ning wanted to hide and conceal...

“Hah, I knew that you were angry. I already said I won’t draw one! Don’t be mad,” Xiang Ning thought that Xu Tingsheng was only saying so in a huff.

“I’m not angry,” Xu Tingsheng tried to ease his expression as much as possible, “I’d like to see the lot you draw. So, let’s draw one, alright?”

Xiang Ning gazed hesitantly at him.

“Really, alright?” Xu Tingsheng requested sincerely.

“Okay,” Xiang Ning nodded.

The two entered the temple. Xiang Ning knelt down devoutly as Xu Tingsheng stood behind her.

“Kneel down! If you are disrespectful and insincere, it won’t be efficate…” Xiang Ning reminded in a low tone.

This had played out virtually the same as in his previous life.

Just like in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng knelt down beside Xiang Ning.

Little Xiang Ning brought her hands together, closed her eyes and prayed devoutly...and finally she raised the container of divination sticks…

“Swish, swish, swish...”

In his previous life, the stick had fallen to the ground. Xiang Ning had immediately snatched it over, glanced at it and run off to get it deciphered. Xu Tingsheng remembered that she had not looked too good upon returning. Only after he asked had she forced a smile, saying that their lot had been deciphered very well…

“I’ve definitely got to see it this time,” A tense Xu Tingsheng had his eyes fixated on the leaping divination sticks in the container.

Swish, swish...clack.

A divination stick landed on the ground. Xiang Ning set down the container, preparing to retrieve it...Xu Tingsheng’s eyes zeroed in with laser-like focus.

“So you guys were here. Were you feeling uncomfortable just now? Or did I say something wrong? Sorry...” Liang Qin strode over swiftly as she was saying this.

Bang, swish!

She slammed into the container as the divination sticks all scattered onto the ground.

“Oh no!” Xiang Ning nervously fished for the lot she had drawn, but in the end...she ended up mixing it even more with the rest as there was really no way of knowing which one theirs was.

“Do you remember which one is ours?” Xiang Ning asked Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng shook his head numbly, his head lowered as he sat down on the mat, “This is fate?! I still wasn’t able to see that lot, and this was related to that woman whom I eventually died to...this is fate?!”

“Sorry, sorry…” Liang Qin repeatedly apologised nervously from beside them.

“It’s okay. I can just pray for one again,” Xiang Ning said before returning all the divination sticks to the container as she was about to do it again.

Still, to Xu Tingsheng, it would already not be that same divination stick even if she prayed for it again.

“Forget it. Let’s go.”

Xu Tingsheng rose, pulled Xiang Ning along and left that temple...Liang Qin was speaking and apologising behind them, but Xu Tingsheng did not look back. He led Xiang Ning straight back to the car and departed from the area.

It took him a whole day and night to get over it.

Only the next day did he manage to barely pull himself together and bring Xiang Ning to look around Jiannan University.

As they toured the campus together, Xu Tingsheng brought Xiang Ning to all the places they had left their mark at in his previous life.

After leaving the university near noon, Xiang Ning said that she was hungry. Xu Tingsheng asked her what she would like to eat, to which she pointed at the Kentucky in the distance.

Xu Tingsheng’s mind drifted off for a moment. In his previous life, it was here that he had waited for Xiang Ning on their very first date. He had waited for very long, because Miss Xiang had been covering up her pimples on that day…

When the two reached the entrance of Kentucky, Xu Tingsheng suddenly stopped short.

Xiang Ning turned back to look at him.

“Hello, I’m Xu Tingsheng,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Xiang Ning was momentarily taken aback before she played along, thinking that it was a game, “I’m Xiang Ning.”

“A real pleasure to see you again.”

“Again?”

“Thank you, for loving me again.”

Chapter 521: Rumours

Chapter 521: Rumours

Xu Tingsheng returned to his school for a visit. Knowing that he had been in Yanzhou over this period of time, Vice-Principal Niu had asked that he come over to chat. Yet, upon his arrival, he was instead dragged off by Old Niu right away to participate in Yanzhou’s opening ceremony for this year’s National University Football Competition.

Yanzhou University presently took its football team very seriously.

Thanks to Xu Tingsheng’s killer sure-hit goals back in his first year of university, Yanzhou University had solidly suppressed Jianhai Technological University for the first time in the qualifiers for the Yanzhou district. While they had lost to Jianan University in the following match and unfortunately failed to make it to the main round, it had still been a historic breakthrough for them.

Last year, Yanzhou University had easily defeated Jianhai University whose entire midfield had collectively graduated in the preliminaries and managed to draw a weak seed in the next match. For the first time in the university’s history, they had carved out a path to the main round of the National University Football Competition.

Xu Tingsheng had been one of the team members back then. Still, after that game, he had ceased to participate in the school team’s training and competition because he was busy.

While not expressly stated, he had already effectively withdrawn from the school team.

Their first appearance in the main competition had not been all that outstanding as they had been eliminated in the group stage with two draws and one defeat. Still, like China gaining a place in the World Cup for the first time, this was already consolation enough for their elders back in Yanzhou.

The spirited higher-ups of Yanzhou University had made a pretty unexpected decision this year. They had applied to host the main competition for Jianhai Province in the National University Football Competition. Then, they had actually succeeded.

Xu Tingsheng had learnt about this way back. The school had approached him straightaway after their successful application, expressing their hope that he would return to the school team and represent Yanzhou University in participating in the competition this time.

In the words of Vice-Principal Niu, if Yanzhou University could not even make it out of the group stage as the host, they would have no face so to speak of.

Having been relatively busy back then, Xu Tingsheng had made the excuse that the competition schedule clashed with his internship and declined to participate.

The hot-tempered Vice-Principal Niu had adamantly refused to budge.

Vice-Principal Niu had said that he would exempt him from the internship. Xu Tingsheng had replied that this was no good as he had to accumulate experience. Vice-Principal Niu had said ‘hah, I don’t believe you’ll really go to a school for an internship’. Xu Tingsheng had said that he had to right to choose where to go for his internship. Vice-Principal Niu had said that he had the right to judge if he had passed or failed his internship. As for entering a student in a competition, that was also well within his rights.

And so, the young dude and the old dude had engaged in a lengthy discourse, all till...Xingchen Technologies and Hucheng Tongcheng had joined hands to sponsor the matches for this year’s National University Football Competition in Jianhai Province.

This was effectively killing two birds with one stone.

Firstly, what was presently most noteworthy as a source of pride for Yanzhou University were two of their current students, Lu Zhixin and Xu Tingsheng. Due to Lu Zhixin’s actions in the gutter oil affair, her reputation and recognition in society even surpassed Xu Tingsheng’s somewhat right now.

A huge wave of public discussion resulted as the enterprises of these two students who had yet to graduate sponsored the competition for Yanzhou University together. It was akin to an epic tale as bureaucrats from the country’s Education Ministry even expressly praised Yanzhou University in calling it the cradle of youth with aspirations and promoted it as a model for university entrepreneurship.

In other words, not only had Yanzhou University tangibly benefited, it had gained face too.

Next, Xu Tingsheng finally found an excuse not to participate-it was still okay if the sponsor came, personally participated and then lost. But what if he won? How much contention and speculation might arise as a result?

The honest, upright Old Niu was most averse to happenings like that. He was truthfully much more afraid than Xu Tingsheng himself with regard to possible support by the committee and the contention and speculation that might arise afterwards as a result.

It was because of this that Comrade Old Niu had let Xu Tingsheng off the hook.

Having believed that he had completely circumvented this, never would Xu Tingsheng have thought that he might be fooled by Old Niu into attending the opening ceremony. Yanzhou University’s higher-ups were truly meticulous when it came to showing off their students.

Even the matches themselves would be a pretty major event for Yanzhou University as many turned up at the opening ceremony. As the fourth years were off looking for jobs and those in the third years were doing their internships, with most of them also not being very enthusiastic about such things, most of the attendees were juniors in their first or second year of university.

The absolute meritorious general of two years ago, the mainstay and assist king of a year ago and the sponsor of this current competition...most importantly, he was actually still a third year student here, having yet to graduate.

What an inconceivable university life indeed.

Be it students from their university or school teams or cheerleading squads from the various other universities, whether they had seen him before, the most gazes and most enthusiastic discussion were all directed towards Xu Tingsheng who was hiding in a corner, an awkward expression on his face.

“Hmm, I wonder if Senior Xu Tingsheng has a girlfriend yet.”

While most of the female freshmen present had heard of Xu Tingsheng before, this was nevertheless their first time seeing him in person. Also, girls were often more prone to romanticism at this age.

One of them had just wondered this aloud.

Someone beside her who knew a bit more said, “Wasn’t he together with Senior Lu? Confession on the football field, starting a company together…”

Someone else said, “That ended long ago, alright? Didn’t you hear? To make up for the breakup and him breaking her heart, Senior gave her Hucheng…”

“How I wish I could be in a relationship with Senior, and then break up! How rich would I be!” Another female freshman’s eyes shone with dollar signs as she mused yearningly aloud.

“Hah, dream on. Senior has already had a girlfriend since way back. Otherwise, how would it even fall to you bunch of little vixens to dream about this?” A second year female senior joked, mercilessly dealing her juniors a mental blow.

“Huh, he does? Who?” The other party did not mind as she inquisitively enquired at once.

“A young lady, around sixteen or seventeen of age.”

“Apple.”

“A young lady. Senior brought her to our school to attend an event before.”

“Apple. People were already talking about it on the internet before, alright?!”

“...”

Hence commenced an argument.

Actually, whether Xu Tingsheng’s girlfriend was an unknown younger girl or Apple, both were hot topics for discussion. One was difficult to understand, which often came when things felt kind of inconceivable. The other was obvious, Apple being a superstar in the music industry.

More and more people joined in the discussion which was continually expanding in scale…

Till finally the emcee on stage announced: this year’s image spokesperson for the National University Football Competition, Apple Cen Xiyu...will now come to the stage and sing a song.

“Wah…”

“Apple, Apple actually came?!!!”

“Those who didn’t come today are probably going to regret it to death.”

“They probably didn’t inform us beforehand because there’d be chaos.”

“I’ve got to hurry up and call my roommate. She’s Apple’s diehard fan.”

“Outside...seems to have been cordoned off by security. They’re not letting anyone else in.”

Being extremely popular amongst university students, Apple was actually still one herself. Besides that, she also loved sports and was hailed a marathon goddess by many. It was appropriate indeed that she was their spokesperson for the National University Football Competition.

Still, shouldn’t she only appear in the final stage of the national competition? Was she, somehow or other, going to every single district where it was held...was she that free?

Really, that was out of the question and much too far-fetched. In truth, only Jianhai Province was blessed with this fortune. It was because the school running this year’s competition here was Yanzhou University, and Yanzhou University had a student by the name of Xu Tingsheng.

Everyone knew that Apple had a special affinity with Yanzhou University. She had even deigned to perform at their freshman welcoming ceremony before.

Apple  had been continually embroiled in a fierce inner conflict over whether she wanted to see Xu Tingsheng or not. Therefore, she had decided to just take a gamble and leave it to the heavens to decide this time. She would go to his school, and whether or not she would see him there would be left to the will of the heavens to dictate.

The chance of this had originally been low, what with Xu Tingsheng technically currently being in the internship stage and all. Still, coincidentally, this had truly come to pass. Thanks to Old Niu's craftiness, at this exact timing...he had returned, and appeared on the main stage too.

And so, beneath the gazes of thousands, both concerned parties of the rumours were on the same stage.

Xu Tingsheng had not expected Apple to be here.

It had already been a very long time since the two last met.

Was this not the will of the heavens? This was fate.

Apple was over the mood as she took to the stage with a radiant smile on her face and sang a theme song which was more sports-oriented. The cheers from the audience never ceased throughout.

Then, unavoidably, the two exchanged greetings as the opening ceremony finally drew to a close.

Apple attended the dinner party that night. Xu Tingsheng, however, did not attend.

After returning to her hotel room, Apple was a bit drunk and also felt a bit bitter and pained inside.

Was this the will of the heavens? It was like nothing had changed, and nothing could be done.

Sitting alone in the room, she turned on her laptop and searched for news about him. This was a daily habit of hers, a drug that she could not be weaned from-first a search on Baidu, and then one more on Weibo.

Today was somewhat more special. Apple was in a hurry to see if there were any pictures online of earlier that day. She wanted to look at those photos that had captured the both of them...to see where his gaze was directed within.

Her mind in a bit of a daze, her vision a little foggy, Apple typed 'Xu Tingsheng' in that empty space and pressed enter.

...

Ring, ring...Bang, bang, bang, bang!

The doorbell rang, and soon frantic knocking ensued.

Apple clambered up in a bit of a daze. She rubbed her eyes and went to open the door.

Seeing her agent Li Juan outside with a frantic expression on her face, she inquired, "What's wrong, Sis Juan?"

Li Juan angrily shoved her back into the room, closed the door and replied, "What's wrong? You still dare ask me what's wrong?! Do you know what you just did?!"

"I, I was sleeping."

"And before you fell asleep?"

"I...searched his name," Apple did not conceal the facts as Li Juan knew all of this, being virtually the only person whom Apple could confide in and pour out her troubles to regarding Xu Tingsheng.

Raising her head to look at her, Li Juan sighed, feeling exasperated yet also sympathetic, "Did you get drunk?"

"Yes, a little," Apple admittedly quite awkwardly before she asked, "What exactly did I do wrong, Sis Juan? You look so worked up."

"You posted on Weibo just now. There were only three words you typed…" Looking at Apple, Li Juan revealed exasperatedly, "Xu Tingsheng."

The newly ascended celebrity queen Apple had posted on Weibo in the middle of the night just three mere puzzling characters: Xu Tingsheng. Xishan Tower's Xu Tingsheng, young, handsome business magnate Xu Tingsheng...what exactly did this mean? It seemed everything was gonna blow?!

"Huh?! I…" Apple dashed frantically towards the laptop that she had not shut down or closed.

An hour ago, the bleary Apple had booted it up and erroneously taken the Weibo posting block for the search bar before entering the same three characters as always: Xu Tingsheng.

She had pressed enter.

And fallen asleep.

"I already helped you to delete it," Li Juan said from behind her.

As Apple's agent and most trusted confidante, she knew the password to Apple's Weibo account.

Apple stopped and sighed in relief, "That's good then, that's good then.

Li Juan shot her an exasperated look before walking to the screen and starting up Weibo, saying, "Still, it was already too late by then."

She pointed at the Weibo bar for most trending searches. Ranked first were two names: Apple Cen Xiyu and Xu Tingsheng.

"When I learnt of this, more than twenty minutes had already gone by. Then, I contacted our company and liaised with Xingchen too before coming over to look for you," Li Juan said.

She immediately clicked on the topic and the page refreshed. The entire screen was filled with various threads on the topic…

Some, thinking that they were going public with their relationship, congratulated them.

Some speculated that Apple was hinting at something.

Some consolidated this with Apple's earlier programme and thereby attached numerous photographs of when they had been on stage together.

Gossip was dug up…

Some exposed scoops…

Some broke out in rebuke…

……

Apple sat lethargically on the bed.

"What should I do now, Sis Juan?"

As she looked at her, a hint of slyness could be seen at the corners of Li Juan's mouth, "Whose opinion do you want to hear?"

"Huh?" Apple was a bit bewildered.

"Xingchen is preparing to forcefully suppress the matter, deleting posts on a large scale to diminish the effects of the matter...they're probably reporting it to Xu Tingsheng right now, making the final decision regarding the actual implementation."

"Our company's stance is that if you and Xu Tingsheng don't mind, we can completely treat things as using rumours to drive up knowledge on you. Xu Tingsheng's image is very good, and the two of you go way back and are very suited to each other. So, even the rumours can still be positive, not being harmful to you in any way."

"The company is probably communicating regarding this issue with Xu Tingsheng now."

Apple hesitated for a while, "He's definitely very angry."

"Well then, you can release a clarification post on Weibo recounting your relationship as ex-classmates and friends, highlighting that you know his girlfriend with whom you are on good terms. Finally, give a plausible enough explanation for what happened tonight. In coordinating with the PR of Tianyi and Xingchen, redirecting and suppressing public opinion on the internet, this affair should die down very quickly," Li Juan said.

Apple hurriedly nodded after hearing this, "That's good then, that's good then. In that case, I'll post on Weibo right away...no, Sis Juan, you should help me to do it. You're more meticulous with words."

Li Juan looked at her like she was a wastrel, "No rush. Before you post on Weibo, I'd like to ask: What if you don't take him into consideration? What I mean is to not be concerned about him and just be concerned about yourself. How do you wish for things to develop?"

"Me?" Apple thought about this and shook her head, answering in a low tone, "I don't know."

Her eyes were filled with bewilderment and helplessness.

"Would you like to hear my opinion then?" Li Juan's rather crafty smile reappeared.

Apple nodded and replied, "Okay."

She had already lost her own initiative at this point. Li Juan was her initiative.

“If it was me, knowing that I would never be able to give up on a man no matter what, rather than being hesitant and conflicted everyday,” Li Juan paused and looked at Apple, finding that the latter’s gaze was fixated beseechingly at her, “In that case, I would make a gamble in forcing his hand…”

Li Juan didn’t want to pay Xu Tingsheng’s little girlfriend, or even Xu Tingsheng himself any concern. She was concerned merely about Apple, who was even closer than a sister to her. Having already witnessed too much of her pain, she hoped that she could find happiness.

Apple hesitated for a moment before asking, “What do you mean by that, Sis?”

Li Juan got a bit vehement, “Prick at his heart a little, and force him to express his stance. See if his heart aches or not...we’ll both do nothing, turn off our phones and vanish somewhere to play for a few days. Let’s see how he deals with it.”

“But won’t that…”

“Won’t what what? Could the relationship between you and him be any worse than it is now? Don’t you want to know if he still has a soft spot for you? If he truly doesn’t, we can put this behind us...on the contrary, so long as he wavers for the least bit, you should just go for it.”

“I…”

“Alright, stop you-ing. I already know your answer, you want to,” Li Juan walked over to Apple, took her phone and turned it off, “Come, have a good sleep. I’ll accompany you tonight. I’ll get someone to buy plane tickets for tomorrow and turn off my phone too. From tomorrow onwards, the two of us are on vacation.”

Li Juan flung their phones to one side and climbed onto the bed, hugging the still uneasy Apple as she comforted her, “Relax, don’t overthink things. Who cares if the heavens overturn and the earth flips over? We’re women! What need is there to be so rational?!”

Chapter 522: What more do you want me to do (1)

Chapter 522: What more do you want me to do (1)

Huang Yaming, Fu Cheng and Xu Tingsheng had previously had a conversation about life, death and rebirth.

In the process, they had talked about crossing the Bridge of Helplessness and drinking the Waters of Forgetfulness, bringing an end to their worldly matters of this lifetime.

After each pondering on it individually for a time, Huang Yaming was the one who ultimately voiced the conclusion.

“First, Tingsheng,” Huang Yaming said, “It will probably be like this for Tingsheng. He will cross the bridge and accept being reborn, but he won’t be able to bear forgetting. He’ll dodge the soup if humanly possible, and there is really no helping it, he’ll spill half and hold the other half in his mouth while drinking it, finding another chance later to spit it out. This is how he is. What he owes, what he cares about, he’ll always want to take care of them, burdened life unto life.”

“Then there’s me. I’m that kind of person who will say to Granny Meng: ‘Hey, pretty lady, gimme another bowl, wouldya?’.”

“What about Fu Cheng?”

“Him? He’ll just sit at the head of the bridge and not go anywhere. Someone said ‘Waiting three years at the Bridge of Helplessness of Life and Death’, or something like that. That refers to his kind of person.”

This was quite an accurate conclusion that Huang Yaming had come to as it left Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng with no further need to speak.

Still, while this matter was wholly hypothetical for Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming, it was indeed somewhat more applicable to Xu Tingsheng. While he had not seen Granny Meng, a bowl of soup and the bridge, not having become another person, he had come for a do-over with his memories of a previous life.

Huang Yaming had not been wrong to say that he was burdened life unto life. The matters of Xu Tingsheng’s previous life had indeed continually been occupying the bulk of his thoughts. Still, things weren’t actually like this in reality. Even in this current lifetime, his concerns had been accumulating as there was too much he wanted to get involved in, too much he could not let go of.

Xu Tingsheng had lived too cautiously in this life, seeking to secure a peace of mind in his interactions with others above all else. Even if he consequently suffered and invited a little trouble over, it would ultimately be okay so long as he made sure to account for all factors.

In doing so, he had attracted many events, many people, and unavoidably as well, some hearts.

In this post-rebirth life, Xu Tingsheng had been able to influence many things thanks to his foreknowledge, and had done a pretty good job of that too. He had appropriately accounted for everyone’s affairs as much as possible from family to friends. For example, he had given his father a foundation, given Huang Yaming a battlefield, given Fu Cheng an untainted land…

Yet, matters of the heart were the one thing he could not influence and give appropriate consideration to in satisfactorily taking everybody into account.

Fortunately, Xiang Ning had basically been protected up till now, doted on by all and not suffering any hurt or injustice as she was happy and joyful.

Even then, it might be inevitable that he had still hurt and let down the others somewhat.

Regarding this, the accident in which Xu Tingsheng had fallen into a coma and Xiang Ning’s identity had been exposed after he had rushed into a burning building to save her could perhaps be considered a swift severing of those haphazard bonds. Xu Tingsheng had had no choice in the matter, not having had to make any decision at all as events had simply unfolded just like that…

Lu Zhixin, Wu Yuewei, Apple and even Li Wan’er who had returned from and returned to Milan again had all reached their respective resolutions following that affair-or at least, this was what Xu Tingsheng had believed at the time.

The hearts that he had previously not dared and wanted to hurt had all already been hurt by the time he regained consciousness.

“Since things are already as they are, they may as well stay like this.”

Such was Xu Tingsheng’s decision at the time. Since the swift blades had already fallen and all the necessary pain had already been suffered, he should let those bonds stay properly severed.

And so, he had not tried to look for Li Wan’er after she had left a message and left. As Lu Zhixin had become vengeful, he had simply relinquished his shares and left Hucheng. Apple and Wu Yuewei were unexpectedly very close with Xiang Ning and treated her very well even as they began keeping a distance from Xu Tingsheng. While this was a little strange, it could not be considered a bad thing too.

Xu Tingsheng had actually been working hard to maintain this sort of distance and state for some time now, not daring to let it decrease.

Yet, all of a sudden, Apple had posted something like this on Weibo which had thereby become a trending, highly-discussed topic. Xu Tingsheng had been somewhat bewildered and bemused, also feeling a little troubled as he did not know how he should deal with this.

Therefore, whether it was Tianyi or Xingchen who called to seek his opinion, Xu Tingsheng had not been able to give too definite an opinion at the time.

What Li Juan had thought of, Xu Tingsheng had naturally thought of as well. Whatever Tianyi or Xingchen did, the effect could actually only be secondary. Only Apple’s own stance could be the main driver that dictated how this matter progressed.

Having posted on Weibo and then deleted it...you’ve at least got to say something afterwards, right? Even if it’s nothing but copying others in claiming that your account was hacked!

And so Tianyi, Xingchen and Xu Tingsheng had waited the whole night...with no response forthcoming from Apple’s side whatsoever.

“It can’t be that she’s still asleep. Her manager knew about it before; we were even in contact.”

It was actually not mainly because of Xu Tingsheng that Hu Chen was personally involved in a matter like this. Rather, it was primarily because of their Little Lady Boss who was loved by all of Xingchen.

“If we don’t do anything about this, the employees will be very troubled!” Hu Chen said.

“What if Little Lady Boss sees it? And she feels miserable?” He continued.

In contrast to Xingchen’s impatience was Tianyi’s exceptional composure. If one treated this incident like the entertainment industry using the power of media to promote an artiste, it would virtually be a contender for best hype of the year in this common practice.

Firstly, the other party was a great choice. A handsome guy and a beautiful lady-there was no fall in value.

Secondly, this matter was not obtrusive as there had been a history between the two of them from the start, in the first place.

With that, it would be easier for people to accept in thereby raising their artiste’s newsworthiness and popularity. What was most important for artistes? Newsworthiness, popularity, exposure to the public eye...as Tianyi was better aware of than anybody else.

Beneath this wave of popularity, it would be easy to negotiate the price for performing or promoting a product so long as Apple wished to do so.

Therefore, Tianyi would actually be very happy to see things continue as they were. They were not bothered at all in seeing the matter as something that had to be quickly resolved.

Xu Tingsheng had no choice but to make a move himself. His first choice was to contact Li Juan. If there was a third party to bypass him having to discuss things with Apple directly, everything would be so much less awkward.

He gave Tianyi a call, but was told that they were temporarily unable to contact Li Juan too.

“Well, there’s no way about it then,” Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a while, thought about how to express himself and dialled Apple’s number.

While the topic was indeed a little awkward, it seemed like he had no choice but to mention it.

“Sorry, the number you have dialled is currently switched off…”

“What?!” Having been feeling somewhat uneasy at first, Xu Tingsheng heard this and was left totally bemused, “Switched off! Just what’s the meaning of this?”

Xu Tingsheng had no way of knowing that in another city at this very moment, Apple, who had already left Yanzhou in the morning was wrapped up tightly, and, half-dragged and half-pushed by Li Juan, getting onto a plane to Hawaii.

“Sis, I still feel worried. How about we go back and post on Weibo?” Apple began feeling uneasy not long after sitting down as she said helplessly, “I’m not really worried about anything else. I’m just a bit afraid that Xiang Ning may think it to be true when she finds out, and then…”

“Useless,” Li Juan glanced at her and said exasperatedly.

Apple thought about it and meekly dared not say anything further.

The air stewardesses were going around reminding the passengers to turn off their phones.

Li Juan smiled, saying, “It’s too late, anyway.”

“Right, it’s too late, anyway,” Having finally found a good reason and an external factor that could not be circumvented, Apple inhaled deeply as the plane began gliding across the runway.

She set aside her inner struggle, closed her eyes and leaned back against her seat, attempting to calm herself as much as possible.

The entire incident had indeed started out as an accident.

While it might appear like Li Juan had instigated all that had happened afterwards, the truth was that Li Juan would never have been able to force Apple to do so had she been resolved enough.

Right, the truth was that Apple herself was actually not all that resolved. She was still unable to put it behind her, unwilling to give up...she still wanted to take a look at Xu Tingsheng’s attitude, see if there was still a chance for the two of them.

It was actually not strange at all that Apple was unwilling to give up, possessing the mentality of probing and waiting a little longer. It was natural, in fact, for besides her just loving that person too much, there was actually another belief which had been hidden within her heart all along: This cannot be.

She did not believe that Xu Tingsheng could fall in love with a girl in her teens just like that, forsaking all else as he was so firm...because this just did not make any sense whatsoever.

If Xu Tingsheng had ultimately selected Lu Zhixin or Wu Yuewei, however much pain Apple would have felt, she might still have forced herself to accept it and put it behind her.

Such would be perfectly logical and within reason, after all.

But when Xu Tingsheng’s final choice had appeared before everyone’s eyes, the Xiang Ning whom she had long heard of had actually turned out to be a girl of sixteen who was about to begin attending senior high school...Apple had simply been unable to wrap her mind around this.

Apple understood Xu Tingsheng, knew that he was not the sort who would play with the feelings of women...yet the more this was so, the more she could not understand it.

Little Xiang Ning was indeed pretty, cute and likable. Still, all these clearly weren’t enough. Lu Zhixin, Wu Yuewei, Apple herself-which of them wasn’t outstanding in these aspects?

Also, they all had their various haloes. Wu Yuewei was a study queen, Apple herself was a singer, and Lu Zhixin, with her business acumen, could really not be any more suited to Xu Tingsheng.

There was a basis for all their relationships with him, in the form of events that had occurred in the past.

As for Xiang Ning, she was just sixteen at the end of the day, having just graduated from junior high school. There was also nothing else that was special about her. In that case, just where was the basis for her relationship with Xu Tingsheng? Apple did not get it, and thus did not believe it.

It was precisely because she felt that ‘this cannot be’ that Apple had decided to bring Xiang Ning to Yanjing at the time. She had wanted to seek the truth in her interactions with this girl such that these doubts of hers could finally be alleviated.

So long as these doubts were not alleviated, she would never truly be able to put it behind her.

After their trip to Yanjing, Apple had no way of denying that she had come to like Xiang Ning a lot too. Still, from Xiang Ning’s narrations of how she had come to know Xu Tingsheng and all which had elapsed afterwards, Apple still had no way of grasping the logic of Xu Tingsheng’s affections at all.

It was all too sudden, overly deviating from reason.

The more muddled she got, the more Apple could not believe it as she hypothesised countless scenarios.

Yet, however much she hypothesised, there was simply no way for her to guess at the basis of Xu Tingsheng’s relationship with Xiang Ning with his understanding and familiarity with her that came from his previous life. Thus, she was destined never to be able to figure this out.

Regarding this, there was absolutely no one who could besides Xu Tingsheng himself.

Being unable to figure it out, Apple had no way of fully accepting it. It was for that very reason that she would harbour hope and expectation, speculating that things might really be different somehow, that another version of the tale might still exist yet...

Chapter 523: What more do you want me to do (2)

Chapter 523: What more do you want me to do (2)

Xiang Ning reached home earlier than usual today. Even before Xu Tingsheng had departed to pick her up, she had already entered the house herself.

Xu Tingsheng came out from the kitchen with the vegetables that he was washing, asking her what was up.

Xiang Ning said that she was slacking off, having taken leave from their last period, physical education.

Upon returning each week, she was usually always all smiles and bouncing about with energy, recounting to Xu Tingsheng all that had happened in school over the past week. Fun or boring, major or minor, she would still be chattering happily away regardless.

Yet, Miss Xiang was uncharacteristically silent this time.

She put her dirty clothes in the washing machine, did her homework, put her clothes out to dry and quietly ate dinner before continuing with her homework. Her lips were pressed together all throughout, whether because of stubbornness or a sense of aggrievedness or both.

When Xu Tingsheng was washing the dishes in the kitchen, Xiang Ning leaned against the door and asked, “I’ve finished my homework. Can I play the computer for a while?”

She had requested this in a piteous tone. Already basically able to deduce what the matter was, Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before saying yes.

Xiang Ning went to the study. Distracted, Xu Tingsheng’s mind drifted away as his dish-washing speed fell greatly.

At some point in time, Xiang Ning had soundlessly snuck out of the study. She now hugged Xu Tingsheng from behind without prior warning.

There was a momentary silence.

“When are you going to not want me anymore, Xu Tingsheng? When will you be shooing me away?” Grabbing onto his apron from both sides, the person behind him was forcibly holding back tears as she asked softly, in a tone and manner that really...caused one’s heart to ache.

“I was actually going to ignore you today, to not come back to our home but return to my house instead,” Xiang Ning continued, “But I also couldn’t bear to do so. I also really missed you and very much wanted to come here. And then, after I came here, you still ended up ignoring me.”

Xu Tingsheng set the dishes down, washed his hands and turned back to hug the little girl, saying comfortingly, “How could I possibly not want you? I only didn’t say anything because I didn’t know what I should say and also felt a bit guilty. Ask me whatever you want to ask, and I’ll answer all of it, alright?”

Little Xiang Ning raised her head to look at him in his arms, a light mist visible over her eyes…

“When I was eating lunch in the cafeteria, many people were saying that Big Sis Apple has a boyfriend, that it’s even been announced. I very happily went over to ask them: Who is it? Who is it? I also wondered why Big Sis Apple didn’t even tell me about it. Then they said that the guy is called...Xu Tingsheng.”

“They were actually saying that you are Big Sis Apple’s boyfriend. How is that possible, right? I didn’t believe it at first. I felt that you are just good friends and everybody had misunderstood. But they all said that Big Sis Apple wrote this on Weibo herself, that everybody knew about it.”

“Then...I didn’t eat afterwards. I secretly went back to my dormitory room and cried for a while.”

“I wanted to call you at first, but then I was afraid that you would admit it outright and I wouldn’t even be able to come to look for you. So I went to attend lessons after I had finished crying before applying for leave and hurrying here straightaway, even if it’ll only mean… getting shooed away by you.”

Xiang Ning spoke of her excruciating afternoon, how she had forcibly reined in her sorrow and confusion as she thought that they definitely had to meet.

His heart aching and feeling guilty as well, Xu Tingsheng gently but forcefully kissed her forehead before cupping her cheeks and asking, “Did you look it up on the net earlier?”

Xiang Ning nodded, “Yeah.”

“You must have seen it too then. It was actually just a name. There was nothing about a boyfriend. Also, it was deleted very quickly.”

“But...that’s very strange too.”

“It was a little strange. That’s why I’m a bit bewildered too.”

“You’re bewildered too? Have you asked Big Sis Apple about it then? I wanted to ask, but I didn’t dare to call her number.”

“I did try calling her. I wanted to ask her about this, but her phone was turned off.”

“Huh?! Oh...then?”

“The situation now is like this,” Xu Tingsheng recounted the stances of Xingchen and Tianyi as well as he himself before adding, “I think that rather than me actually stepping forward to say something, it would probably still be better if Apple does so herself. I fear I may accidentally produce a ‘Absolutely no gold is buried underfoot at this very spot’, exacerbating the issue…”

“You’re also afraid of hurting Big Sis Apple by wrecking her image, making it seem like she’s a liar,” The ever-intelligent Xiang Ning guessed.

“That’s right,” Xu Tingsheng nodded, then continued, “But the person I’m more afraid of hurting is really you. So, I wanted to wait for you to come back to discuss this matter together with you, just like...a couple planning their everyday contingencies together.”

The slightly bashful Xiang Ning smiled despite her tears as she now asked, “Big Sis Apple likes you, doesn’t she?”

Xu Tingsheng was nonplussed by this bolt from the blue as Xiang Ning gazed straight into his eyes.

“She used to,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Do you like her then?”

“When I knew her, I had already started coming over from far away to see you, giving you noodles, delivering dumplings to you, shamelessly getting close to you. You were merely fourteen then. So, who do you think I like? ...I like you.”

Xu Tingsheng’s answer was actually equivalent to sneakily maneuvering past this question.

Little Xiang Ning glanced doubtfully at him before making a mental calculation of times past.

She deduced an unoccupied period…

“Were the two of you in a relationship before? After we had met, the two of you were together before, right? Why did you break up then?”

Xu Tingsheng had no way of knowing how Miss Xiang had deduced this. Shock, panic, and an absolute resolve overcame him...he definitely could not reveal the truth here. Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning had actually already been very close during that period of time, both vaguely able to sense their feelings for each other.

How was Xu Tingsheng supposed to admit to the three months he had taken care of Apple for under those circumstances?

No, that would be too much of a sucker punch for their relationship, wrecking the happiness in Xiang Ning’s heart…

“Please tell me the truth. Don’t lie to me, okay? ...I may feel sad for a while, but I won’t blame you, really. My Mum and Dad were treating you that way then, and we couldn’t meet too. So, even if you entered a relationship then, it would actually be very normal. Su Nannan and her boyfriend did not enter the same senior high, so they broke up and found new people. It’s all really very normal. It would be unreasonable if I blamed you over something like that.”

As Xu Tingsheng hesitated, Xiang Ning gave him space, expressing her magnanimity and understanding.

Still, Xu Tingsheng ultimately chose to persist with his lie, “But really, nothing happened.”

Xiang Ning looked at him, “Really? I already said that I won’t blame you. Actually, I’m already very happy that you still want me.”

Xu Tingsheng laughed and replied, “Really, I know that you wouldn’t blame me. Still, it is true that nothing happened. You can’t force me to admit something where there’s nothing, right?”

“So…” Xiang Ning lowered her head in deep thought for a moment, “You’re being honest?”

“Honest.”

“I’ll believe you then?”

“Believe me.”

“Right,” Xiang Ning nodded happily, patting her chest as tears slid down the arching corners of her mouth, “Wah, I was devastated and scared to death. I was so afraid that you wouldn’t want me anymore...Big Sis Apple is so beautiful, and she is a famous celebrity too. I would never be able to snatch you over her…”

Xu Tingsheng wiped her tears and smiled, telling her, “So long as you still want me, no one can possibly outsnatch you.”

As she considered this, Xiang Ning’s gaze suddenly changed slightly as she said earnestly, “In truth, I have many admirers too.”

Xu Tingsheng was momentarily taken aback before he understood and laughed, “I know, I know. Our Xiang Ning is so pretty and adorable. She definitely has many admirers. Luckily, shameless Uncle swooped fast...otherwise, he might not even have been able to get in the running.”

Xiang Ning was not happy at all to hear that as she pouted, exclaiming quite furiously, “Don’t you dare laugh! You make it sound like I’m boasting or something…”

“Huh?!” Xu Tingsheng panicked, “There really are?”

He really meant: There really are? In that case, I’ve got to fix’em, take up some precautions.

This was not what Xiang Ning heard, though. She felt like Xu Tingsheng’s stunned tone and expression clearly showed that he had totally disregarded and not believed her words earlier…

“Look at you, look at you...what do you mean there really are? So, you really didn’t believe it. Huh, you don’t know the words that I said most often in the past.”

“What’s that?”

“You guys stop fighting over me already. Any more of this and I’ll go tell teacher.”

Showing off unintentionally and matter-of-factly is the most fatal. These words...were actually some unholy status-bragging.

Girls who usually have the chance to say them have surely been the centre of attention since young, receiving the admiration of countless others...moreover, they were ‘most often said’ too.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng visibly stunned, Little Xiang Ning made a triumphant noise and feigned an emotional tone, saying, “Sigh, I really couldn’t stand those childish little boys...hey, what are you doing...don’t you laugh! ...Hey, why are you still laughing! It’s true...I really have many admirers!”

Miss Xiang got angry as the two started messing around for a bit. Xu Tingsheng hugged her to keep her from moving, keeping her trapped against the sofa as he undid his apron with his other hand.

“Alright, I believe you, I really do,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Now, how about we sit down together as a couple and discuss what exactly we should do about Apple’s Weibo post?”

Xiang Ning looked at him, “Didn’t you say it’d be better if Big Sis Apple says it herself?”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before replying, “But she’s uncontactable at the moment.”

“We can just wait a couple more days then.”

“Huh? Is that fine?”

“It’s fine! Why would it not be? I’m fine with it, so everything’s fine. We don’t have to care about anyone else,” Xiang Ning paused before switching her tone, “I’ve thought about it. The methods you talked about and you saying something on Weibo would actually all hurt Big Sis Apple who is a public figure. Also, I’ve already snatched away the person she likes...I don’t want to hurt her any more than that.”

“It’s fine if I just suffer a little. I, I can just get back at you by bullying you.”

It could actually be seen from her face how she was feeling wronged. Xu Tingsheng brought the benevolent, magnanimous girl into his embrace, hugging her tightly.

“How are you going to bully me then?” He asked.

“Hm...send me to school on Sunday night. Also, you can’t drive. You always hide inside the car. They all think that the one sending me over every week is my Dad. Also, I want to hold...hold your clothes. Everyone else’s boyfriends send them over, and they’re all holding hands...I’ll simply be holding your sleeve...is that okay?”

In truth, Xu Tingsheng had always been hiding the relationship between him and Xiang Ning as much as possible in Yanzhou save with close friends. This was to protect her as she grew up. Thus, he was always very careful about this as Xiang Ning’s protests were simply overruled.

Still, faced with these wronged, pleading eyes, Xu Tingsheng’s heart ached. He knew why Xiang Ning was currently requesting this of him. Having to hide her boyfriend, it was still fine if a bit pitiful normally. Yet, when the entire school was talking about the relationship between Xu Tingsheng and Apple now, she really needed to raise her own morale. She would refuse unhappily to talk about it usually while harrumphing to herself: Xu Tingsheng’s clearly here in my clutches...otherwise, she would really feel too aggrieved.

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng agreed.

“Yeah,” Xiang Ning nodded happily but was not super excited as she furtively cast Xu Tingsheng a sidelong glance before stammering, “Also…”

“Also?”

“Also,” Xiang Ning clenched her teeth and opened up her arms, “Lift me up...horizontally…to the room...yours...place me on the bed…”

Xu Tingsheng did as per her instructions.

“Bully me, Xu Tingsheng,” Lying on his bed, Little Xiang Ning suddenly said bravely and resolutely as she looked at him.

“...” Xu Tingsheng was unable to respond to that.

“I’m serious this time. I’ll really give it to you.”

There was the sound of swallowing saliva.

Xiang Ning closed her eyes, “Come on.”

She opened her eyes again, “What’s the matter?”

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, “I’d like to ask-what’s with you?”

“I, I want you to like me more.”

Xiang Ning looked at Xu Tingsheng, explaining, “If you bully me, Xu Tingsheng, will you like me more then? Even if it’s only a little more, I’d be willing...”

Xu Tingsheng’s heart felt like it was about to dissolve.

“I was afraid today, afraid that you had lied to me, afraid that you’d run off with someone else. Xu Tingsheng, you’ve been by my side for very long. Only today when I thought I was gonna lose you did I realise that I’ve long since grown used to and come to like having you with me.”

“My heart wants to contain you, my mind wants to think about you, my hands want to hold yours, my mouth wants to kiss yours.”

“My nose smells your scent, my ears hear you.”

“My eyes take photographs of you, my feet walk towards you.”

“If you went away, Little Xiang Ning wouldn’t know what to do. I feel like I might even die.”

There could not be nothings sweeter than this. Xu Tingsheng felt as if he would dissolve.

“So I’d like you to like me a little more. I think, I just thought you may if I let you bully me."

Xiang Ning regained her bashfulness. She was already seventeen, tall and thin, beguiling. A seventeen-year-old girl saying such things in such a manner-it was actually very hard to resist.

Yet, under such circumstances, Xu Tingsheng just couldn’t.

……

She had been rejected, and yet Uncle’s words seemed to make perfect sense. Miss Xiang could only give up on her ‘sacrifice’ for now. Concealing her embarrassment with rage, she hassled Xu Tingsheng for a long time…

Fighting on the bed, the two ended up in a tangle.

Xiang Ning flipped over and landed on Xu Tingsheng. Suddenly...she stopped, and looked at him.

A hint of slyness flashing across her eyes, feeling as if she could finally get back at him, Miss Xiang deliberately emphasised, “Someone was still all righteous and justified earlier. He even said that he didn’t want to, and...say, what’s with this then?”

For surety’s sake, she moved and indicated where she was referring to. Then...she was shell shocked as she froze.

Feeling that some things already no longer had to be hidden with Xiang Ning being seventeen and all, Xu Tingsheng said very blatantly, “Whatever do you mean? It’s a normal reaction.”

Xiang Ning hesitated for a while before leaning over and whispering into his ear, “Are you suffering then? Do you, do you need...me to help you?”

“You know how to?!”

“...Yeah.”

“Who taught you?”

“Big Sis Ye Qing. On our third night in Chengdu...I slept with her. She asked me if you really haven’t done anything to me. I said yes. She said you’re pretty pitiful then. Then, she, she...took out a banana.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled and shook his head, exclaiming, “That Ye Qing, really…”

He suddenly realised something, “Did you say, the third night in Chengdu?”

Xiang Ning felt puzzled as to his enquiry but still replied honestly, “Yeah.”

“Are you sure?”

Xiang Ning thought about it, “Yeah.”

Xu Tingsheng could be certain about something else regarding that third night in Chengdu. He was certain that Tan Yao had taken the room card to one of the big double rooms that day, not having stayed in the suite. Also, having finished his ‘tools’, he had borrowed two from Old Wai. That being so...how could Ye Qing have stayed with Xiang Ning?

“Was anyone not in your suite that night?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Xiang Ning thought intently on this, “Big Sis Fang Chen. She said a classmate asked her out to play.”

Xu Tingsheng thought: The heck, what’s up with this...

Xiang Ning asked, “Is there something wrong?”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before answering, “No, I was just curious. Ye Qing looks so respectable, so I thought it must have been someone else who taught you.”

He had dodged the question, and as for what exactly was up here, he could only speculate for the time being.

Actually, even if this was certain, Xu Tingsheng would still have no way of talking to Xiang Ning about it. In fact, it was not just Xiang Ning to whom this was hard to raise. Even Tan Yao...could outsiders get involved in matters like these?

“Oh,” Xiang Ning looked to be quite intrigued as she ventured, “Then…”

“Then what? Off to bed.”

“You...huh, fine...I won’t agree even if you beg me next time. Also, no buying bananas at home.”

“What’s this got to do with bananas?”

“Humph! I hate bananas.”

“...”

……

Apple completely relaxed herself for three days in Hawaii. She would get up in the morning and go for a run before lazily basking in the sun for the entire day. At night, she would watch some local performances with their unique flavours. All in all, she was in a pretty much comfortable state.

She forced herself not to think about it.

Awaiting the result.

Unbeknownst to Apple, Li Juan had secretly paid attention to the situation back in the country for the first two days. She had found that Xu Tingsheng, Tianyi and Xingchen had not reacted to this matter in any way as things seemed to be going down the path of gradually dying down just like that…

This was somewhat out of her expectations.

If Apple would habitually think non-stop about things that she could not accept and get over, Li Juan’s habit was much better as she would generally just not think about them. She turned off her phone completely as well, accompanying Apple in relaxing on vacation.

On their fourth evening in Hawaii, after disembarking a yacht, they heard two girls discussing something near the wharf.

“Have you heard the new single Apple released today?”

“Not yet, but I will later. Is it good?”

“Of course! That’s Apple, alright? The quality’s guaranteed as always.”

“Well, that’s true. Right, what’s the new song called?”

“<<What More Do You Want Me To Do>>.

Apple and Li Juan exchanged glances, both momentarily shaken. The release of a new single-it logically concerned the two of them the most, but they had actually both forgotten about it.

Over a month ago, the company had already decided on today’s date for this song’s release.

While Apple wasn’t around now, her new single was still released as per their original schedule.

How could Tianyi possibly not capitalise on this opportunity?

This <<What More Do You Want Me To Do>> should originally have appeared in Apple’s first album. Still, seeing as there was already an abundance of sorrowful songs in that album, the company had left it for later to try and holistically round things out.

In releasing this song as a single now, the company’s considerations were that it was difficult to collect songs for Apple’s new album due to the quality of her previous one having been too high. While they could not rush things, they should also release songs to maintain her popularity...and so they were using this single as a stopgap of sorts.

One would be mistaken to say that Apple had not had singing this for Xu Tingsheng in mind...of course, the underlying meaning should only be understandable by the two of them in the original plan.

Yet, the current situation seemed a little wrong somehow.

The appearance of this song, along with that Weibo post from a few days back, perfectly came together to construct the following sentence: What more do you want me to do, Xu Tingsheng?

One’s mind could not help but make wander at that. Many would even feel that these two were self-evidently and indisputably connected...

“Sis, we’re done for. I’ve got to post a clarification on Weibo right away,” Apple said panickedly.

Li Juan sighed, “If you post it now...who would still believe it?! We’ve really sparked a bushfire this time.”

……

Just as Apple worried.

<<What More Do You Want Me To Do>> went viral.

More viral was: What more do you want me to do, Xu Tingsheng?

Even as fans and netizens alike erupted mightily.

Cheers could be heard throughout all of Tianyi as they were all but going to open the champagne bottles to celebrate. If this had been an intentional manipulation...it would be classified grandmaster grade without question. No conceivable arrangement could have been more subtle, more effective, more bedazzling in raising those popularity levels.

As a result of Apple’s influence, coupled with Xu Tingsheng, coupled with the divine might of ‘gossip’, this song was possibly being enthusiastically heard and discussed by upward of ten million people across the entire country right now.

Xu Tingsheng too was listening to it, helplessly, bemusedly…

“Could this really have been an intentional manipulation? But it’s Apple! That’s impossible!”

While feeling dismal, he was not infuriated.

Yet, at the very same moment, somebody else who was listening to this song was hopping mad.

The handsome, elegant middle-aged man stood up and flung the cup in his hand on the ground.

His assistant entered the room.

“Mister Kasai…”

“I’m surnamed Cen.”

“Yes, Mister Cen…”

Cen Xishan drew in a breath to ease his emotions before saying, “Go, bring over the materials that I asked you to gather last time.”

His assistant snuck a glance at him, asking a little timidly, “Sorry, may I ask if you are referring to…”

“The one concerning that person called Xu Tingsheng.”

“Yes, I’ll go fetch it right away.”

His assistant strode briskly towards the door.

“Wait,” Cen Xishan said, “Make a copy before you bring it over. Then, you lot convene a meeting with that copy. Come up with a proposal for suppressing all Xu Tingsheng’s industries as quickly as possible and show it to me.”

An all-out suppression of all the industries of a commercial black horse? Why? An irreconcilable conflict of interest? A personal grudge?

Despite being taken aback, the assistant immediately checked himself. This was not something that he needed to know or enquire about. He simply had to fulfil his duties as were asked of him.

“Yes.”

The assistant left the room.

Cen Xishan looked at the MV that was playing on the screen…

“It’s okay, Xiyu. Leave it to Dad.”

Chapter 524: A trip to America

Chapter 524: A trip to America

The MV for <<What More Do You Want Me To Do>> was acted out by an unknown actor and actress.

Apple appeared in the images as a bystander. With different clothes, makeup and hairstyle, she would stand at some bend on the street, the window of a hotel, on the platform at a train station.

It was like she was a local inhabitant of each city, unrelated to this over a long span of time yet somehow witnessing every scene.

From the couple’s sweet romance and trip together to their separating, distanced back figures…

She also witnessed one of them returning on their own afterwards, standing at the entrance to the street where they had once held hands and walked. Yet, they hesitated, not daring to enter.

She sang:

“...” At least when we split up, I was graceful and magnanimous.

I would always choose to steer clear from that street afterwards,

Yet how much I hope that we can meet on another street

My thoughts still stubbornly insist, refusing to forget…”

To be honest, there had actually not been such a clear breakup process between Apple and Xu Tingsheng. There had been no argument, no hysterics, no proposing that perhaps they should end it there, no stubborn, unhappy retort. It was great.

There had been none of that breakup drama whatsoever.

Yet, the two had still split up. There had not been any intense, ultimate snap. Instead, it had been like an elastic sweet strand being pulled, becoming thinner and more fragile till finally, connectivity had been lost...and so, the sweetness had gone to another.

If there had really been a breakup, it must have been the moment Xiang Ning had said her name in the hospital. Indeed, Apple had behaved gracefully and magnanimously back then.

Yet, it is generally the case that when a couple breaks up, the one smiling and saying ‘I feel this is pretty good. It’s fine, don’t worry about it’, compared to the one who is filled with guilt, is...far less able to forget about it. It is also likelier for their sorrow to persist in the many days ahead.

Having felt guilt for a period of time, Xu Tingsheng was already enjoying his long-awaited happiness. In the meantime, the graceful, magnanimous Apple remained trapped there.

“What more, what more do you want me to do?

...Loving you, it was certainly worth it.

I’m asking nothing of you, really.

The roads I walked with you, you mustn’t forget

Because those were the happiest times of mine

…”

In the MV, the boy and the girl were jogging together by the riverbank, running, running...till finally only the lone figure of the girl remained, running alone. Towards the sunset, sunrise, spring, autumn, short hair, ponytail...the images interchanged.

The same words repeated over and over: What more, what more do you want me to do?

This was like someone after they had broken up being stubborn and antagonistic, expressing their dissatisfaction and grievances as they indirectly blamed the other party...in truth, though, in having said these words, she had already become the losing, pleading party.

“What more, what more do you want me to do?”

“Please tell me what I should do...and I’ll do it.”

These two sentences were actually exactly the same. It was just that the latter which seemed kind of servile, as compared to the former, stubborn one...harboured a little bit more hope.

I’m asking nothing of you, really-the one speaking was still refusing to be honest. Still, while seemingly speaking in a commanding tone the next moment, it was still pleading in all actuality...

“The roads I walked with you, you mustn’t forget. Because those were the happiest times of mine.”

“Please, oh please do not forget the roads we once walked together. Because those were the happiest times of mine.”

These two sentences were actually exactly the same. It was only that the former was like when someone who had already reached the end of the line and was no longer being doted upon still pretended that they were cared about. Deluding herself in thinking that she could still be haughty and unreasonable, giving orders as if she was still...that formerly privileged.

While actually, she knew full well that she no longer possessed such an authority.

At the end of the MV, a girl stood alone as she faced the ceaselessly beating waves...and there was Apple off in the distance, sitting on the rocks, hugging her knees as she gazed into the sky.

And she concluded, “One night, I had a dream. Your hair white, you said you would bring me off to wander. Still I didn’t hesitate, and off I followed you to heaven.”

……

They had an early dinner on Sunday. After that, Xu Tingsheng helped Xiang Ning to pack her bag, putting in her books and clean school uniform before stuffing it to the brim with snacks. Finally, he put the backpack on his own back.

He grabbed his car keys, but set them down again as he remembered that Xiang Ning had said that there should be no driving this time.

Fortunately, their home was not far from the present, soon-to-be-forsaken site of Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high as it was nothing more than a twenty plus minute walk.

The two descended the building one after another.

Yanzhou was actually already becoming rather hot as April drew to a close. Fortunately, beautiful, gentle rays of light were emitted from the setting sun through the leaves of some towering parasol trees. From time to time, it even gave off the impression of the Tyndall effect.

Most of the old streets of the southern cities should have histories with London Planes. But as the old streets had later turned into new streets, so had the trees disappeared along with them into wherever.

While these trees seemed to already be somewhat aged with thick, robust branches and some mottled black spots and cracks on their surfaces that marked the passing of the ages, they still remained lush with greenery.

As Xu Tingsheng recalled, these should be disappearing in a few years. At the very least, when he had come to Yanzhou in the year 2011 in his previous life, this had already become a bustling, modern street…

Still, the trees were still here now, and the pavement they walked on was still made of that oldest grey brick. Some were loose in a corner and would accumulate water on rainy days. A single misstep and mud and water would splatter one all over.

Xiang Ning held Xu Tingsheng’s sleeve as the two walked leisurely towards the school beneath the scattered rays of the sun, tall trees hanging overhead.

This was Xu Tingsheng’s first time sending Xiang Ning to school like this. There were many young couples walking beside them. Some were holding hands, others with arms around the shoulder. From time to time, when a teacher drove or rode past, they would hurriedly separate.

Xiang Ning was not afraid of this. She said: I’m just holding a sleeve.

Once in a while, when Xiang Ning’s classmate or friend passed by, they would feigned normalcy as they pulled over and call out with one foot on the ground, “Xiang Ning, going to school?”

Xiang Ning would smile as she answered them, “Yeah, that’s right! You too, I suppose?”

An utterly meaningless exchange.

Xiang Ning’s classmates and friends actually merely wanted to make use of this chance to take a few more glances at Xu Tingsheng who was walking beside her and helping her to carry her red bag. After appraising him, they would smile and blink knowingly at Xiang Ning, say ‘I’ll be going on ahead then’ and be on their way on their bikes.

Every time this happened, Xiang Ning would steal a few glances at the side of Xu Tingsheng’s face after that person had left, feeling bashful but happy too.

The twenty plus minutes went by in a flash. Reaching the school gate, it was actually still early as the young couples were reluctantly saying goodbye to each other on either side of the road. Then, those in the same school entered one after another, while those from different schools waved to each other from either side of the gate. One said ‘hurry up and go back’ while the other said ‘I’ll leave after I see you go in’.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Xiang Ning said, “Pass me my bag.”

Xu Tingsheng gave her her bag, helping her put it on her back.

“It was great,” Xiang Ning said, “If only it could be like this every weekend. You stand here later. When I’m inside, I’ll turn back and say goodbye to you. Then, you’ve got to act like you really cannot bear to part with me. You’ve got to wait till I’ve gone very far away and waved many times before you can leave.”Xu Tingsheng said, “Okay.”

Finally, Miss Xiang passed the threshold, turned back and waved, said goodbye...went very far away, waved a good many times.

As he walked home alone, Xu Tingsheng suddenly wondered: Why don’t I just stop? Actually, I’ve long since gotten enough. I definitely will be able to afford houses and cars in this life. Life won’t be just abject poverty again. In that case, why don’t I stop? To enjoy the simple happiness that I could only dream about in my previous life, having the days pass just like that…”

What Xiang Ning wanted was actually very simple.

When Xu Tingsheng got home, he received a text from her.

Gotta hand our phones over to the teacher for safekeeping. I’m starting to miss you already.

……

On the long Golden Week holiday, Xiang Ning went to help out at her parents’ newly opened braised chicken rice store where the food was selling like hotcakes. Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng went to America as originally planned.

Going with him were Fang Yunyao, Fu Cheng and a small team from Xingchen that was led by Hu Chen.

There had originally only been one purpose for this trip, which was to bring Fang Yunyao to the private clinic where Xu Tingsheng had previously fixed his scars. Getting rid of the scars on her body was something that they had decided on since way back.

Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng were both unwilling for those scars to remain, especially when Niannian was gradually growing up. With so many shocking scars across her mother’s body, this was something that would surely bring down one’s mood, maybe even cause fear. It was very difficult to explain too.

As for why Hu Chen and a team from Xingchen was accompanying them, it was because Hu Chen had received an email from the West some time ago. The other party had expressed a desire to purchase a copyright from them.

It was the overseas copyright for <<Plants Versus Zombies>>.

The company that wished to purchase Xingchen’s copyright was called Facebook. The email had been sent by a person called Mark Zuckerburg.

In truth, with <<Plants Versus Zombies>> having rapidly gone viral soon after its launch, as the backdrop of the game was slightly on the Western side, those within the industry could tell at once that there was a market for it in the West. Thus, Xingchen had received quite a few of these copyright purchase requests over this period of time.

Yet, most of them weren’t Xu Tingsheng’s ‘fishing’ targets and had been frightened off by Xingchen’s asking price too.

Xu Tingsheng actually felt that his asking price was not high at all. This was set to be a mega intellectual property in the future. Also, as soon as something concerned IP in the West, its profit-generating power would far surpass that in China where IP was far less recognised.

Letting the foreigners have it so easy? No way.

Following his countless refusals and seemingly unreasonable requests, when the situation they knew of was different, all of Xingchen, Hu Chen included, believed mistakenly that Xu Tingsheng did not want to sell this copyright in the first place, or at least not right now.

Thus, Hu Chen had been much less enthusiastic when conveying such things to Xu Tingsheng.

He had only casually mentioned this at the end of a particular conversation after everything else was concluded...and Xu Tingsheng on the other side of the phone...had been beyond himself in excitement.

“Who did you say wishes to buy our copyright?” Xu Tingsheng pressed, seeking confirmation.

“Facebook, a social networking site from America. Its current user base is approximately one million. It’s an internet enterprise that seems to have potential. I think they probably want to borrow our model, earning a little profit via this game while primarily borrowing it to rapidly attract more users to the platform,” Hu Cheng replied earnestly.

Right now, in terms of user base and maturity rate, Facebook and Xingchen were actually still in completely different weight classes. Of course, the difference between the population of the two countries also factored in here.

Really, Facebook indeed wished to learn from Xingchen’s development model here. Otherwise, as a social media platform, it could simply provide others a platform for games when it was big in the future. Why would they have to hungrily seek their own copyrights?

Xu Tingsheng had originally planned to ‘fish’ around for a bit, seeing if he might be able to use this to come into contact with and invest in any overseas companies that were still starting out but would be big players in the future, fleece some shares.

What he had not expected was...just how big was this fish!

This was none other than Facebook, a future gold mine whose estimated worth would be 350 billion USD in the future...no, no, more like a diamond mine…

Xu Tingsheng was invigorated, his hopes rekindling intensely.

“Have you responded to them yet?”

“Not at the moment.”

Hu Chen was a little bemused by the rare enthusiasm that Xu Tingsheng was showing for once.

“They...definitely can’t afford it,” Hu Chen ventured a bit hesitantly.

Indeed, the current Facebook could not afford to buy the overseas copyright of <<Plants Versus Zombies>>. Actually, even if they could, Xu Tingsheng would raise the price till they could not at which point he would smilingly, benevolently say, “Although you guys can’t afford it, I have a little proposal…”

This proposal was: Copyright for shares.

Xu Tingsheng had never had a chance to see such a huge pie in both his lifetimes combined...it would simply be unreasonable if he did not try to get a piece of it.

“I know that they can’t afford it, ha!” Xu Tingsheng continued with his enthusiasm that was leaving Hu Chen increasingly befuddled: Why’re you so happy that they can’t afford it?!

“You tell them this. They definitely can’t afford the copyright, but we’re willing to consider…negotiating on shares. Shares for copyright,” Xu Tingsheng told him.

Hu Chen was taken aback for a time, “You want to acquire Facebook’s shares?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Yeah.”

“You want to gobble it up? Doing social media overseas-let me tell you, I came back from overseas, and it actually isn’t as simple as that…” Hu Chen tried to dissuade him.

“Gobble it up?” Xu Tingsheng was a bit confused, “Why would I gobble it up? No! I just want some of its shares. I don’t need too much...of course, best not too little too. For instance, we could consider letting them pay half or even a third of the copyright’s price with their currently valuated shares...hmm, a fourth or a fifth...would actually be fine too.”

Xu Tingsheng thought: Gobble it up? Where would I look for Zuckerburg then? Is he someone who would be willing to work for another? If he leaves and builds a similar platform, what would I possibly do then to build Facebook up? I’m simply not cut out for that!

This matter reached a stalemate for a while as Hu Chen was simply unable to comprehend Xu Tingsheng’s intentions…

Still, Xu Tingsheng was the boss. If he insisted on doing it one way, Hu Chen could not stop him.

As per Xu Tingsheng’s instructions, he made initial contact with the other party in a more skilful way...and soon, a reply came: they were willing to negotiate.

Xu Tingsheng woke up laughing in his sleep a good several times for a while.

Chapter 525: An unexpected person

Chapter 525: An unexpected person

While Xu Tingsheng’s English proficiency was not bad, he definitely did not possess the talents and capabilities for talks of this level. Thus, he had brought along a team led by Hu Chen.

When Hu Chen had heard about the exchange of shares Xu Tingsheng had carried out with Tianyi when in Hucheng, he had laughed and said that this was the queerest and most childish business exchange he had heard of. Because of that, he was even less able to rest his mind at ease with Xu Tingsheng.

In truth, even Hu Chen still believed that for a company to successfully complete the acquisition of shares overseas, they would have no choice but to seek the help of those Wall Street banks most of the time.

“We can talk about it again after,” This was what Hu Chen had said when boarding the plane.

In China’s internet industry, Hu Chen was known as the scholarly general. As Xu Tingsheng saw it, this probably referred to someone who was polite, genial and with the look of a scholar yet was also a ‘mass murderer’ who could cause people to perish comfortably and refreshedly.

On the battlefield, physical or otherwise, those whose reputations were known far and wide as they achieved one great merit after another-how could there truly be a warm, scholarly general amongst them?

In truth, it was only that some of them seemed a little less savage. It was actually still the same, though. Coldly disregarding the millions of bare bones, fully ready to strike like a viper no holds barred as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

Those who were truly kindly and respectful would long since have been reduced to bare bones themselves.

Before heading off to America, Hu Chen had already whipped up several negotiation proposals, each containing layer of layer that left Xu Tingsheng shaking his head in wonder.

…...

They had already contacted the plastic surgery clinic to make an appointment before coming to America. Looking a little chubbier than before, the chubby nurse looked quite visibly excited to see Xu Tingsheng as she enthusiastically gave him a hug like they were old friends reuniting.

The two asked after each other and chatted for a while. Despite learning that Xu Tingsheng had not come this time to undergo a second procedure, she still insisted on him removing his clothing as she helped him to conduct a proper check on the condition of his scars.

Fu Cheng watched on bemused, joking that Xu Tingsheng should have two more titles added to his already substantial repertoire: ‘Emotional bonds everywhere, Xu Tingsheng’ and ‘Never fear loneliness, Xu Tingsheng’.

Xu Tingsheng bore such teasing as he accompanied Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng at the clinic for three days. It was resting for the first day, some relevant checkups on the second and the actual surgical procedures on the third.

For a private clinic like this which was virtually able to change one’s whole face and type, dealing with stuff like Fang Yunyao’s scars was but a minor surgery requiring little effort.

While the entire surgery still took a bit of time, it went extremely smoothly and successfully.

Leaving behind an interpreter and Fu Cheng to take care of the recuperating Fang Yunyao who was still under post-surgery observation, Xu Tingsheng got Hu Chen to contact Facebook, informing them that they had already arrived in America as negotiations could commence.

As he was not the host this time, Xu Tingsheng had to wait for the other side to make the arrangements.

On their first day waiting in the hotel, Hu Chen held a mock negotiation just so that Xu Tingsheng would not randomly butt into the negotiation and make a mess out of things.

Hu Chen did not really agree with this cooperation in the first place, even having fiercely opposed it at one point. Still, when Xu Tingsheng had insisted and the decision was set in stone, he was able to immediately put aside his disagreements, becoming the most thorough, decisive strategist.

It was really the fortune of the rookie genius Xu Tingsheng that he possessed the likes of Hu Chen and He Yutan.

For this entire day, there came nothing whatsoever from Facebook’s side.

It was only the next afternoon when Xu Tingsheng and Hu Chen finally got to see someone representing Facebook. Still, it was not Mark Zuckerberg or even Peter Thiel or Breyer who visited them. Instead, only an assistant-level personnel had come from Facebook.

This assistant only came with one piece of news too.

“I’m very sorry, but after careful consideration, Facebook has decided to cancel negotiations along with the entire cooperation.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng felt a sudden impulse to rush over and sock him good.

He had heard quite a bit about Zuckerburg’s arrogant and deviant attitude during his initial rise to power in his previous life. For example, he had once told a representative from Yahoo at the very start of their negotiation: You people only have ten minutes. The discussion ends when the ten minutes are up…

And when he had said this, Facebook’s might had actually still been less than that of Yahoo’s little finger.

Xu Tingsheng had actually already been mentally prepared to meet an arrogant, unbridled genius. He had not thought, however, that he would not even get even one single minute, especially when the other side was hungrily eyeing their IP.

And the dude left, leaving the entire room feeling naught but bewilderment.

Why had Facebook had such a sudden change in attitude? They had even given up directly without even communicating about it first. Not only did Xu Tingsheng not get it, the more experienced Hu Chen did not too. This was just not in accordance to logical reasoning.

After the bewilderment came fury.

“Do you have that Zuckerburg’s number?” Xu Tingsheng asked Hu Chen.

“I do,” Hu Chen said but did not immediately relay it to Xu Tingsheng as he instead looked at him a bit puzzledly, “Still, Boss Xu, I hope that you can understand that if we take the initiative and request to continue the negotiation when the other side has already rejected it...that would entail us losing virtually all our footing and chips.”

Virtually everyone here agreed with Hu Chen’s words. Be it out of fury or practical considerations, no one wanted to proceed with the cooperation this time.

Xu Tingsheng raised a hand to stop the several pairs of eyes looking dolefully at him as he explained, “No, not to continue with the cooperation. I’d just like to say something to Zuckerberg...ask after him, your mother, are you wrong in the head or something?!”

They all laughed, following which Xu Tingsheng said with a great sweep of his hand, “Fine, everyone just think of this as me inviting you to a holiday in America. It’s fine. Off to play with you lot. Those who like to buy stuff can go buy them, those who want to go shopping, to bars or wherever, feel free...just don’t get into any trouble, and remember to stay contactable.”

There were foreign students on their team. After they had led the squad off, only Hu Chen and Xu Tingsheng remained in the living room of the suite.

Only at this moment did Xu Tingsheng ask, “Someone obstructed our plan this time?”

Hu Chen pondered for a moment before nodding, “Probably. I can see no other possibility.”

“But there are very few who know about our negotiation this time.”

“Someone from our own team leaked the news.”

“Who?”

“We can basically exclude those three youngsters who have been in Xingchen ever since they graduated. Amongst the remainder, this guy is whoever has the most haphazard ties with both the internet industry and America at the same time.”

“Isn’t that you then?!”

“...Tingsheng, no, Boss Xu, can we not joke for the time being?”

“Just lightening up the mood,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Then, shall we do nothing to this person for the time being?”

Hu Chen nodded, “Right. There is a clear target right now, at least. This is more beneficial to use than if the other party bribes someone who is harder to discover later on. Also, looking at this ‘spy’ from another angle, he is actually also our only visible clue to tracing that perpetrator.”

“True,” Xu Tingsheng thought about it, “In that case, do you have any idea on who exactly wanted to obstruct Xingchen?”

“I’m currently looking for someone for help regarding this.”

“Who?”

“In the internet industry and finance for both America and China, this person truly...has connections that could not be more all over the place.”

The person that Hu Chen spoke of was called Wayne Yang. He was Hu Chen’s university classmate from when he had studied abroad at Stanford. Half Chinese and half American, Wayne was an active fellow who had taken care of many Chinese students on their arrival, enthusiastically, though he had certainly swindled quite a bit of money from them too.

Hu Chen had formed a friendship with him even in the midst of being swindled and retalitative swindling. Still, he had quit university in his second year.

Having quit university, Wayne Yang had not followed in the footsteps of predecessors like Bill Gates by achieving immense success in the path of entrepreneurship and being a role model like figure afterwards...it was another kind of life he had chosen-the extreme of being chummy with everyone.

His capabilities in this aspect were really too high.

It was to the extent that many rich and famous who usually had good images would temporarily lose their composure when mentioning him, instinctively retorting: Wayne? Shit, that xx bastard.

Still, however they might curse at him, this same bastard was still the first person they would think of whenever a problem arose. This was despite the fact that they knew they would be subsequently taken advantage of as soon as they approached him.

This bastard’s network of connections was simply too massive and complex. He could virtually get involved in anything, provide reliable intel concerning any one matter.

This was his rice bowl, the source of all his mansions, branded watches, race cars and beautiful women.

It was actually not easy to achieve such a thing. Not anyone could do this, just as not anyone would have had insight enough to spend virtually all their time chumming about Wall Street, Silicon Valley, Shenzhen and Bengaluru etcetera since several years back...

He was able to sit in a small restaurant and enjoy the cheapest food and drink along with entrepreneurs from various countries who were only just starting out, merrily discussing their dreams as he granted them heartfelt advice and aid that actually required no investment. At the same time, he was also able to shamelessly appear frequently at various high-class parties and forums, coolly holding a glass of red wine as he mingled with various tycoons, CEOs and ladies.

And so, when an Indian company wanted to seek tech support from Silicon Valley, it was Wayne Yang they would first look for.

When a Wall Street bank wished to grasp the investment outlook for China’s internet industry, it was Wayne Yang they would look for.

When a young entrepreneur received word from a big company that they wished to acquire their company, it was Wayne Yang’s advice they would seek.

If some major figure from Wall Street wanted to know if their wife, a young model, was sleeping with someone...it was still none other than Wayne Yang he would look for.

More than an hour later, Xu Tingsheng met this well renowned Wayne Young whose distasteful reputation preceded him.

This was a ridiculously handsome fellow. Xu Tingsheng felt that those tycoons from Wall Street who approached him to find out who their wives had affairs with…just had to be absolute idiots.

After enthusiastically embracing Hu Chen and exchanging greetings with Xu Tingsheng, Wayne sat down and said, “Five hundred thousand grand.”

“One hundred thousand,” Hu Chen said.

“Four hundred thousand, on account of us being classmates.”

“Two hundred thousand, on account of us being classmates.”

Seeing the two bargaining with each other seriously, Xu Tingsheng interrupted, “Does it have to be like this between you old classmates? Money hurts relationships.”

The two simultaneously turned to look at Xu Tingsheng, retorting, “It’s your money we’re talking about.”

Finally, Wayne Young used three minutes and one piece of information to take away  Xu Tingsheng’s two hundred and fifty thousand USD.

“Just two days ago, a large investment consortium approached Facebook and discussed an investment and cooperation with them. Whether in terms of capital or technology and resources, this consortium’s power is still far beyond yours right now…”

“They don’t necessarily have to be averse to me, right?”

“Of course they have to. They weren’t coming for Facebook in the first place. It’s you they were targeting...from what I understand, there was a clause in this consortium’s contract with Facebook which prevents them from cooperating with merely one sole party alone…”

“Xingchen?”

“Yes, but also no. To be exact, they are averse to...you. Everything related to Xu Tingsheng is the sole target in this contract’s exclusion clause.”

Xu Tingsheng was bewildered, “No, exactly who have I offended?”

Wayne Young smiled, “I’m not so clear about that. The final clue is that my informant heard someone addressing that investor as Mister Kasai in private. Or there could be another too, Mister Cen…”

Xu Tingsheng sat there dazedly for a time, murmuring woodenly to himself, “Apple, it’s your Dad?!”

Chapter 526: Someone even more unexpected

Chapter 526: Someone even more unexpected

Cen Xishan’s manor in America was decorated in the traditional Chinese style, plates, plants, paintings, furniture and calligraphy all arranged according to feng shui in an elegant manner.

He sat there in a silk robe, slowly and unhurriedly brewing tea. From time to time, he would move his hand and pass a cup to his assistant beside him.

“This time’s Facebook investment are my personal assets. Hurry up and get my lawyer to specify on my will that it’s to be left to Xiyu.”

Cen Xishan raised his brows slightly as he said this, observing his assistant’s reaction in having deliberately emphasised on the words ‘personal assets’.

This assistant who was said to be an orphan was someone she had placed beside him. He had actually been fully aware of this matter all along as it was truthfully an open secret.

Cen Xishan knew that his assistant would definitely report this to ‘that person’. He was waiting to see her reaction.

Ever since he had met his daughter again at that press conference last year, Cen Xishan had actually been testing the waters: More than ten years had passed. From a man’s perspective, he should actually long since have become redundant to her. It seemed like the last time they met had been more than a year ago, and they had not spent the night together too...yet, there was no way of knowing if her bottom line had abated, if her crazed possessiveness was a little better now.

While it was indeed true that Cen Xishan wished to probe her bottom line, he dared not be over the top in his movements...because he would not be able to bear the consequences.

‘Her’ current wealth and capabilities had actually already come to far exceed even Cen Xishan’s estimative capabilities by now.

Still, he was fully aware that ‘she’ had already had sufficient capabilities to cause his wife and daughter to vanish off the face of the earth more than a decade ago. That was precisely why Cen Xishan had ultimately succumbed, forsaking his wife and daughter in going off with her.

The thing Cen Xishan had been most unable to understand at the time was just why he was the one...he had generally come to grasp this afterwards, however strange though it might seem.

Showing no desire to enjoy the tea, his assistant quickly drank it before lowering his head, replying, “Yes, I’ll get it done tomorrow.”

“You’ll get it done tomorrow?” Cen Xishan’s eyes shone as he asked.

“Yes,” Sitting in seiza by the side, his assistant bowed as he answered firmly.

Some words did not have to be said for them to be understood.

Cen Xishan closed his eyes, releasing an extremely gradual sigh of relief before taking a sip of tea. At this instant, he felt as if even the air had become freer as the pressure on him was gone.

The simple exchange that had just transpired between the two of them had actually determined something very important.

Regarding Cen Xishan’s intention to leave the investment for Apple, his assistant had answered ‘I’ll get it done tomorrow’-while he originally should not have the authority to answer like this, this was precisely what he had done.

This entailed that he had no need to report this, because with how busy ‘she’ was, if reporting was necessary, it was impossible that an answer might come by tomorrow with the assistant correspondingly unable to confirm if it was doable.

Thus, the deeper level of meaning therein was that ‘that person’ had actually long since given an instruction regarding him. Meanwhile, this instruction at least included giving the green light regarding him being concerned about Apple, allowing him to generally do as he wanted.

“Could it be that it’s actually not just that? Could it be that I can actually also already…”

As the thought of one whole happy family reuniting flashed through his mind, Cen Xishan immediately caught himself and perished the thought. He feared that if he thought any more deeply into this, he would no longer be able to keep control of himself...instead screwing things up.

The scenes of more than a decade ago reappeared in his mind. That day, as his wife had gone to buy groceries with his daughter, a stranger had walked past them, a blade sliding by the back of their necks. No one had been injured with only a few strands of hair cut cleanly off, everybody fully oblivious to what had happened. This included his wife and Little Xiyu themselves, who had still been smiling cheerfully…

Different people, different scenes, the same kind of situation a dozen times. As Cen Xishan watched through binoculars from ‘that person’s’ car, he found himself drenched in sweat.

She asked, “How about you try to make a police report?”

Cen Xishan dared not do so.

He had only been a mere county-level teacher at the time as what he had experienced with ‘her’ had already far surpassed the scope of his knowledge and imagination.

Afterwards...he had gradually ceased to be ordinary, and yet the gap between them had not decreased. She had increasingly come to confound his expectations.

“Why me?” Cen Xishan had asked back then.

“Because I like you! I have for a long time. Now that I finally have the power to make you mine, I’m very happy,” ‘She’ had replied.

Cen Xishan had been bemused and perplexed by that, simply unable to comprehend it.

Afterwards, having seen a few things, he had gradually come to understand...and thereby become even more unable to comprehend it.

……

Whatever the case, things seemed to be generally moving in a good direction as his heart lightened as well.

Cen Xishan made a rare joke to his assistant, “What do you think of that future son-in-law of mine?”

His assistant thought about it and said, “Very talented, but I can’t see through him.”

Cen Xishan nodded, replying, “At least he’s a good person. Xiyu chose well.”

“In any case…” His assistant started.

“Even if he’s good, it only means anything if he’s my Xiyu’s. What’s good good for, otherwise?”

His assistant looked down and responded in the affirmative.

“In that case, should we give him something like a hint? I mean...as to our goal,” His assistant ventured.

Cen Xishan laughed, “He’d really be too useless if he can’t even investigate this. Also, it’s not like I want him to come find me. What hint?! If he gets it, he’ll naturally go look for my daughter.”

“Yes,” His assistant said, “Still, he doesn’t seem to be taking any action right now. It might appear that this matter itself was not sufficiently impactful on him. So if that’s the case…”

Cen Xishan nodded.

“Youngsters are easily too full of themselves...self-absorbed, unwilling to bow down their heads, putting up a struggle the more pressure you put on them...still, I’ll give him an unassailable gap.”

…...

Xu Tingsheng had indeed taken no action whatsoever.

Hu Chen and his team had returned to China when the holiday ended. Xu Tingsheng, though, had stayed behind to help Fu Cheng as Ms Fang still needed to undergo her second surgery.

On 10th May, Ye Qing called and told Xu Tingsheng that Zhicheng had failed to secure the plots of land it had been aiming at the auction in Xihu City.

“The other side was very fierce in raising the bid, far surpassing the highest sum you set. And even then, they still showed no sign of wanting to stop. We had no choice but to give up,” Ye Qing said.

“What about our backup?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“The same,” Ye Qing said, “The other side was clearly focused on our bids...they accepted every challenge, the false, probing moves included.”

The two plots of land that they just had to get their hands on had both been lost as they had been targeted?

Xu Tingsheng was rather despondent...having stayed in Xihu City for quite some time around 2011, he was crystal clear on the future development of this city and those plots of land with potential. Had they successfully secured these two plots of land, Zhicheng would have had nothing to worry about for the next five to ten years at least.

Zhicheng had definitely had abundant preparations beforehand whether in terms of connections with the bureaucracy and society, strategy or money...yet, they had been targeted, and had just been no match.

“Have we provoked somebody? Someone very powerful too...in all aspects,” Ye Qing enquired.

Realisation struck Xu Tingsheng at once.

“Just work on the plots of land that we currently have for now. As for bidding, we’ll stop that for the time being.”

Xu Tingsheng did not explain very much about that as he soon hung up.

“Your Dad’s luck, Apple! By attacking unrelentingly...somehow or other, he struck the jackpot too,” Xu Tingsheng thought helplessly.

He next suddenly realised, “No wait, there’s Hucheng too! It’s impossible that he’ll just leave Hucheng alone...he just hasn’t done so for the time being?”

He dialled Lu Zhixin’s number.

“How’s the plan to get listed going?” Xu Tingsheng cut to the chase.

“It’s in the preparatory phase. It’s been going very smoothly,” Lu Zhixin answered.

“Set it aside for the time being.”

“Why?”

“I can only tell you that Hucheng will be attacked as soon as it gets listed.”

“Huh?”

“I’m certain of this.”

“Alright, I’ll slow it down then, and bolster the preparations while I’m at it,” Lu Zhixin hesitated for a bit before adding, “I have something else I’d like to tell you about.”

“What is it?”

“Does Old Jin still want Hucheng’s shares?”

“...Who wants to sell?”

“Me.”

“...Why?”

“My Dad was set up. In a few days, he lost five hundred million on the futures transaction market, and it’s still ongoing. Of all this, three hundred million came from uncertain sources. Blood will be split if I don’t help him fill up the sum. Either he kills himself, or he kills someone.”

The difference between the futures transaction market and stocks...if no one received the goods in said person’s place, they might not be able to extricate themselves even if they were willing to make a bitter sacrifice.

“...” Xu Tingsheng did not know what to say to this.

Not only was Apple’s father targeting him with this, he sought to completely kick Lu Zhixin out of the picture too.

“Sorry. He’s my Dad, after all. I can’t just do nothing and watch him die,” Lu Zhixin said.

“You should contact Old Jin yourself,” Xu Tingsheng hung up.

Should he call Apple? What would he say? Because of your sufferings, or to force me to be with you, your Dad is currently going all out in exerting pressure on me. I’m not his opponent, and I can’t do that...say, could you help me get your Dad to stop?”

How could he possibly say this?!

“Can I retaliate? Since your Dad attacked first, it should be fine if I retaliate, right?” After making an excuse for himself, Xu Tingsheng pondered on this and discovered, “That’s very difficult.”

From Xu Tingsheng’s estimations, firstly, that network of connections Apple’s father had definitely far exceeded his. The funds he could move basically reached a billion...USD, assuming he was that determined.

As for him, the total value of his three companies could not even reach five hundred thousand…RMB, and it was just the estimated value, not the sum Xu Tingsheng could deploy.

How could he attack? Using technique? The other side was clearly resolved to break technique with might, comparing whose fist was the biggest and toughest. Pure brute force...technique, in your dreams!

Temporarily setting the matter aside, with the thought that he would just pack up and retire early at most, Xu Tingsheng returned to the ward.

Unexpectedly, there was someone else in the ward besides Fang Yunyao and Fu Cheng. A woman from China, to be exact. Looking at her back figure, Xu Tingsheng did not recognise her...perhaps because they were coincidentally meeting far out from their birthplace, the two women got on like a house on fire as they were chatting merrily away.

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng stood by the side for a while. Unable to join in the conversation, they then promptly exited the clinic and found a place to smoke a cigarette.

“Who’s that?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“She used to be the music teacher at our school. Don’t you remember?” Fu Cheng asked.

“No, I don’t,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I think she suddenly left the year we took the university entrance examinations. You should have seen her before...back then, we heard she left all of a sudden without even resigning. It turns out that she actually went overseas, and it seems she’s doing quite well right now too…”

A while into their conversation, the woman appeared in the carpark. A bodyguard opened the door for her.

She stood at the door of her car for a while, gazing at Xu Tingsheng from far away as she smiled…

Xu Tingsheng suddenly felt all his hairs stand on end, even though he clearly couldn’t remember having seen this person before despite searching through his memories.

When the car had driven off, Xu Tingsheng asked Fu Cheng, “The way she looks now, is it any different from in your memories then?”

“I don’t think so. I wasn’t all that familiar with her too,” Fu Cheng replied before considering it again, after which he said a little hesitantly, “Maybe...it feels a bit unnatural, and also, too young? ...Well, she’s rich now. Maybe she maintains herself well, or plastic surgery or something. It’s still reasonable for her to be a bit young.”

Xu Tingsheng’s mind was instantly thrown into some chaos as a chill ran down his spine, “If she’s the person the fat nurse talked about, the one who surgically changed everything, the situation must be...murder, and completely taking over another’s identity? For what reason?”

A slight, momentary thought about investigating was forcibly quelled in a flash.

“I should stay away from this person. This has nothing to do with me…”

Chapter 527: A big harmonious family

Chapter 527: A big harmonious family

The red Ferrari stopped on a road far on the suburbs of Yanzhou. Beside it were weeds and a small rivulet. Along the small rivulet was a field. Still, only an endless stretch of darkness could be seen at this time of night.

One could barely make out the form of anything.

Still, it was possible to hear the sound of wind blowing the leaves of those rice plants, of various little creatures and insects crying out in their habitats.

The front lights of the car were turned on. Various insects could be seen flying about beneath its illumination.

Tan Yao lit a cigarette, plucked it from his lips and passed it to Ye Qing before lighting up one himself.

“Fang Chen.”

Rather than sounding like a confession, his tone had more of the vibe of a calm ultimatum. Some time had already passed since he had naturally drifted apart from Ye Qing. Ye Qing sensed it, and Tan Yao knew that she knew too.

Ye Qing avoided looking at Tan Yao, gazing into the distance as she asked, “So you ultimately still like her more then? You’ve never forgotten her?”

Tan Yao considered it, “I don’t know, actually. Maybe it’s her...but perhaps it is you I like more.”

Ye Qing said, “Then…”

Tan Yao asked, “Would you marry me?”

Ye Qing furrowed her brows, not saying anything. The two had previously avoided bringing up this matter for a long time, maintaining a relaxed, easygoing relationship. Still, Tan Yao had once jokingly hugged her from behind as he said into her ear: How about we get married?

Ye Qing had laughed and said, “Are You crazy, Tan Yao? Do you know what you’re saying?”

In saying that Tan Yao was crazy, Ye Qing was not alluding to their age difference of over ten years. More primary was the fact that if she chose to get married with Tan Yao, be his wife and birth him children, it would entail...her giving up on assets that might surpass two billion with the succession rights to the entire Ye family along with it.

Afterwards, they had often argued because of this.

“Is it because you feel I’m an orphan anyway that I’m probably not concerned about such things?” Tan Yao asked, “On the contrary, it’s the exact opposite. A family, a wife, kids...are really what I want most in this life. While this may sound very corny and unlike me, that’s just how it is. I want a family, because I’ve never had one before.”

Ye Qing should be virtually speechless at this point, silently accepting the result of her own choice...especially being the aloof woman that she was.

Yet, she still struggled for a time as she asked, “And Fang Chen will? She will marry you?”

Resisting like this made her seem very unwilling to accept this conclusion as Tan Yao was somewhat taken aback. He had not thought that someone might actually care so much about him.

“She will,” Tan Yao answered, “Fang Chen told me...if there’s a day, maybe next year, when I’ve graduated-She may have slept with a few, dozens of men even by that time. Then, if she luckily hasn’t died, got sick or gone crazy by that time...she asked if I’ll still be willing to want her, to go overseas with her, find a small town in Northern Europe with a fireplace and live together. She’ll give birth to a few children for me and learn to be a wife...I thought about it. I’d be willing.”

Tan Yao had once thought that beneath his usual facade, only Ye Qing could sense that he was an orphan. Only afterwards had he learnt that Fang Chen...had discovered it too.

This sort of feeling was very miraculous. It was like his soul was being earnestly stroked and soothed. It had brought Fang Chen back to the table...and then, she had raised her chips with something Ye Qing would surely never bring to the table no matter what.

Ye Qing was silent for a while before she said, “Oh.”

Some time passed before she added, “What if I were willing too?”

Tan Yao was dazed and lost for words. He had actually never considered this before. If Ye Qing were also willing, how would he choose?

“Relax, I’m not,” Ye Qing said before he could say anything.

……

Fang Chen and Apple were chatting on Weixin. The ‘Xu Tingsheng, what more do you want me to do’ incident was already over. Both parties having chosen not to express anything on this matter seemed to have been an okay decision too. Things like these would naturally fade, disappearing into obscurity.

Of course, this seemed to be an okay result also because Apple did not know what her father was currently doing to Xu Tingsheng. Those two men had both not told her about it.

They were talking about Fang Chen’s affairs right now.

“Why Tan Yao? Isn’t he together with Ye Qing…” Apple asked in puzzlement.

“It’s impossible for anything to come out of their relationship anyway. It’s impossible that Ye Qing would marry him. I know this better than anyone. So, it can’t be considered stealing. Also, of all the men who like me, Tan Yao is the only one whom I still have a little bit of liking for. His looks are great at least, right? You don’t know, but he actually has a cool, distant side beneath all of the apparent slickness, noisiness and worldliness that rather attracts me. So, who else if not him?” Fang Chen said matter-of-factly.

Apple continued, “Why do you have to choose a guy then? For you, well, aren’t girls fine too?”

The two were already on close enough terms that they could freely discuss such matters now. Fang Chen had even confessed directly to Apple, and not just once too. It was just that Apple had never succumbed.

“It’s actually not that girls are fine too,” Fang Chen said, “In truth, I only liked girls before. As soon as guys touch me, I puke.”

Apple asked, “Huh? Why then does everyone say that...?”

Fang Chen answered, “Pretending to be a ‘bi’ gives you greater tolerance in the market. It’s easier to be accepted too. How would I have had so many convenient suitors otherwise? How would these past few years have been so interesting? I found that guys actually don’t really care that girls are fine with both types. It makes for quite an exotic imagination.”

Apple replied with a string of ‘......’.

Fang Chen happily said, “So, maybe Xu Tingsheng is like this too, with this sort of interest...say, you wanna try?”

Apple went with another ‘......’.

“Try it!” Fang Chen said.

“But you still haven’t said why you must choose a guy...didn’t you say that you puke when guys touch you? In that case…” Apple changed the topic.

“It’s Grandpa’s wish...very likely his last wish,” Fang Chen said, “Also, I didn’t want my first man to be someone I completely don’t like at all. So, I seduced Tan Yao.”

……

Tan Yao continued accounting for things to Ye Qing.

“It was when we were in Chengdu,” He said.

“She puked, right?” Ye Qing asked.

“Huh?” Tan Yao sat bolt upright in astonishment, “How did you know?”

Ye Qing looked at him and just smiled.

Tan Yao said a little tragically, “Yes, she did. She puked all over me...still, she said that it doesn’t matter. We can persist and she’ll get used to it eventually. She also said that I’m her first man…”

Tan Yao’s voice trailed off weakly.

Ye Qing continued looking at him, the corners of her lips upturned.

“What is it?” Tan Yao asked guiltily.

“I was her first woman,” Ye Qing said.

Tan Yao’s worldview flipped over.

……

“I used to be together with Ye Qing,” Fang Chen told Apple.

Apple’s worldview flipped over.

……

“So, a threesome would actually be fine too.”

Ye Qing said to Tan Yao, and Fang Chen said to Apple.

Apple completely did not know what exactly was going on anymore.

Tan Yao rubbed his hands together in glee and smiled vilely, “Well...that’d be great?! For sure.”

The scene of a big harmonious family surfaced in Tan Yao’s mind, to the extent that he forgot the precondition Fang Chen had spoken of: If she luckily had not died, got sick or gone crazy…

Chapter 528: There’s not much time remaining

Chapter 528: There’s not much time remaining

According to Ms Fang, the female teacher she had coincidentally run into at the clinic was named Zhou Yuandai. The two had been colleagues for a few years. Despite having taught different years, specialised in different things and been in different offices, they had still interacted somewhat nevertheless.

Meeting again in a foreign country caused this originally simple relationship to turn rare, increasing its significance greatly. The two chatted happily and even exchanged contact details.

As for whether there were any obvious changes and differences with this woman, Xu Tingsheng had not asked Fang Yunyao about it after he had asked Fu Cheng, though she was surely more of an authority on this.

Xu Tingsheng had an innate fear and aversion towards this person and this matter. He hoped to avoid her as much as possible. Also, the less he knew the better.

People tend to feel uncomfortable when things are uncertain and abstract. In contrast, being wholly ignorant or completely in the know are both much better alternatives.

Another thing that Xu Tingsheng was unable to understand was this: Fang Yunyao knew this person, Fu Cheng had seen her too, and even Huang Yaming and Song Ni back in China had an impression of this music teacher from their former school, having remembered her when she was brought up…

Song Ni was even certain that that person had suddenly stopped coming to class when Wu Yuewei was in her second year, though for some reason, the disappearance of this music teacher had not stirred up any fuss whatsoever.

“Right, she was even a substitute teacher for us once when we were in eleventh grade. She sang very well, and played the guitar very well too,” Fu Cheng suddenly recalled another fact.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng searched through his memories countless times and found that he actually truly had no memory or impression of such a person at all. It was like she had never appeared or existed, though she must have.

This exacerbated his fear and escapism to a very huge degree.

In fact, if he wished to, Xu Tingsheng could definitely go verify some things with that chubby nurse. For instance, was that woman the rich customer who sponsored their clinic and had previously undergone full-body plastic surgery or not?

Still, Xu Tingsheng quashed all such thoughts. He found that he simply did not want to verify or understand this.

“So what if I prove it? Investigate her? Put her in jail? Expose a shocking secret?” Xu Tingsheng thought, “I don’t want that. Everything is already wonderful enough for me now. I don’t want to risk anything, break this balance…”

Despite having been reborn, Xu Tingsheng was ultimately not like many of those reborn main characters from novels, superhumans who possessed a sense of justice and curiosity. There were very few things that he wished to protect and grasp, yet these were all very precious to him, hence his caution.

He himself being a variable factor, what he was most afraid of were actually variable factors.

The woman did not appear over the next few days. Only on the day of Fang Yunyao’s return flight did she unexpectedly show up at the airport to see them off.

Xu Tingsheng’s first reaction was to pull Fu Cheng aside and then escape. The two smoked a cigarette outside the airport. The woman chatted with Fang Yunyao inside for a very long time. Then, she passed by Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng as she exited.

“There’s not much time remaining. You shouldn’t dawdle,” The woman said.

This could be considered the very first thing she had said to Xu Tingsheng, during which she was smiling and speaking in a natural tone. Logically speaking, she should be reminding Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng who were still outside not to dawdle as it was nearly time to board their plane. They should hurry through the security checks…

It could not be any more normal a sentence, truthfully.

Yet, for some unknown reason, Xu Tingsheng felt like: These words were meant for him and him alone, while ‘not much time remaining’ did not actually refer to the matter of boarding the plane.

“Alright, we’ll be heading in then. Bye, Ms Zhou,” Fu Cheng replied politely and headed away.

The woman nodded to Fu Cheng.

Xu Tingsheng unconsciously raised his head to look at her.

The corners of her mouth curled upwards.

Xu Tingsheng swiftly averted his gaze, turned and followed Fu Cheng into the airport. He was very much tempted to turn back and take a look...but he didn’t.

His heart beating frantically, a tight sense of unease filled his chest as his panic only began to slowly subside when the plane left the ground.

“It must have been a mistake, I was thinking too much...that’s a very normal thing to say. Right, my mind was playing tricks on me.”

“Actually, even if there is really anything strange about her...the plane has taken off normally with nothing abnormal happening at all...it should have nothing to do with me; it’s good that henceforth, there will be no interactions between us...”

……

Around fourteen hours later, the plane landed in Shenghai. Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao went on ahead back to Yanzhou while Xu Tingsheng stayed on for a day.

Using that one day, Xu Tingsheng held a day-long meeting at Xingchen Technologies where he virtually decided everything on his own authority in changing the company’s original expansion route to a more conservative one of stabilising their foundations.

Xingchen would cease its diversification of services for the time being, focusing on consolidating and strengthening its current services. They would excavate their potential and profit-generating capacity while also accumulating funds and training their teams.

On one hand, this was because of how antagonistic Apple’s father was being, whacking everything he saw like whack-a-mole as Xu Tingsheng had no choice but to lay low.

Next was something Xu Tingsheng had suddenly recalled after his bid to invest in Facebook had been obstructed in America this time-the impending financial crisis that was to begin in America in 2007 and thereafter engulf the entire world.

In terms of expanding their sectors and efficiency of funds, the best opportunity was there.

From the ‘ruins’, he would be able to obtain many things for the cheapest price and most unequal conditions.

There was less than a year remaining before this happened. What Xu Tingsheng had to do before this disaster befell others and his time to profit arrived was accumulate sufficient funds and room in which to maneuver as much as possible.

They could, should cease their expansion for the time being. The more they had on their plate, the lower their agility would be when the time came.

After setting the tone for Xingchen’s development over the next half year, it was already night by the time Xu Tingsheng arrived back in Yanzhou.

After leaving the highway, as he was very close to the university, he dropped by his dormitory to pick up some clothes.

Xu Tingsheng had thought that Old Wai and Tan Yao who were already living outside of school aside, his other roommates who had gone on an internship should not have returned as the room should be empty. In the end, he was surprised to find their lights on with Li Xingming inside. Knees raised, he was resting against his pillow that was propped up, a large book in front of him.

He seemed to be asleep, not having noticed Xu Tingsheng entering.

Xu Tingsheng was cheered up by ordinary little scenes of daily life like this. Returning from an inconceivable fantasy to simple, ordinary life caused one to feel more grounded in reality.

After collecting his clothes, Xu Tingsheng glanced at Li Xingming a few times. He thought that his sleeping posture was very awkward and might cause his body to ache all over after waking up the next morning.

Out of concern for his roommate, Xu Tingsheng slowly walked over. He carefully pried the book from his hands as he was just about to help him set his pillow and lie down properly.

“What are you doing, Bro Xu?” Li Xingming looked up and asked.

Xu Tingsheng was taken aback, “You weren’t asleep?”

Li Xingming shook his head, “I was too immersed in reading and didn’t notice you’d returned. Still, I really didn’t fall asleep.”

“...”

“You can’t do this even if my eyes are small! No matter what, there’s still a slit open, right?” Li Xingming muttered and tried hard to open his eyes wide, though still not managing to produce more than a slit.

Xu Tingsheng laughed and flipped through the book, commenting, “Administrative ability, huh? Are you aiming to be a civil servant?”

Li Xingming nodded, “After going out for an internship for some time, I found that I’m really not cut out to be a teacher and didn’t enjoy it too. And so, I came back early. I’ve been here for half a month already, but none of you returned. Then, I was bored, so...I thought I might as well start to prepare for taking the civil servant exam early. My Mum and Dad hope that I will, and I myself also feel that this is the path most suited for me after I graduate. What could I do, otherwise?”

“Being a civil servant is pretty good. It’s stable, has a decent social status, makes it much easier to find a wife and even promises great prospects if you do well,” Xu Tingsheng agreed.

“Right. Still, I’m not really aiming towards great prospects or anything, only...a good, stable position,” Li Xingming sat straighter and said, “Do you know, Bro Xu? In the past, I actually never had the realisation of looking for a job after graduating, depending on myself to earn money. I was used to just going through my days haphazardly just like that. Returning to our dormitory that day, I didn’t feel lonely at all despite being alone. As usual, I happily opened my laptop and started playing <<Fantasy Westward Journey>>...do you know what happened afterwards?”

“Your account was hacked? Disillusioned, you decided to study instead?” Xu Tingsheng answered, smiling.

“No,” Li Xingming calmly got out of bed, turned on his laptop, logged into the game, opened the items tab and said, “I created a ‘no level’…”

“...The heck! Shouldn’t you be overjoyed then?!”

Xu Tingsheng scooted over and looked at the stats bar that had appeared with the mouse hovering over the item. Below the Level 120 weapon ‘Slaying Demon Weeping Blood’, the words ‘no level restriction’ could clearly be seen.

Even though from a financial standpoint, it would be easy for the current Xu Tingsheng to buy a complete set of ‘no level restriction’ equipment, he could not help but be excited by having such godly luck in a game.

It was just like how having played <<Fantasy Westward Journey>> in his previous life, while he had been the slowest to act, he had luckily captured his first ever mutated Furong Fairy in a single go. At that time, Furong Fairy had been a godly pet that only rich people were able to afford.

“Crazy, right?” Li Xingming said, “That day, I randomly identified it, clicked and froze for a second...then I leapt up, cursing while yelling: Guys, get over here, look what I’ve got?! Look what I’ve got?! I was really crazy overjoyed at the time, wanting to show off good in front of you all. I even thought that you guys would swoop over, restrain me while cursing at my luck before forcing me to sell it and treat you to a meal…”

“I yelled, yelled, danced in joy...there was no response at all. Then I turned and saw that the entire room was empty. Only then did I remember that...you all weren’t here. I had no place to show off to. No one would swoop over to restrain me, forcing me to treat them to a meal. Can I be sentimental for a bit, Bro Xu? I really felt very lonely at that moment.”

Here was someone who had previously graduated, entered society and been lonely listening to a silly, libido-driven youth admitting that he was lonely for the first time...Xu Tingsheng patted Li Xingming’s shoulder and passed him a cigarette.

Li Xingming lit the cigarette and continued, “So I sat alone in front of my laptop for a long time, thinking about stuff. So, I would graduate. So, I’m already in my third year, soon to be fourth. There shouldn’t be much time in our fourth year that everyone is together...then we’ll all be heading our various ways, working, being busy, seldom getting to meet.”

“Actually, it should be very similar to how it is now. Bro Xu, you, Old Wai and Tan Yao all have your own careers. You’re very busy, though this also means you don’t have to worry about your futures. As for Lu Xu and Lil’ Bro, they both have girlfriends. Even as they do their internships now, they’re already beginning to think about where to work after they graduate to continue being in the same place as their girlfriends. They already started working hard towards it, discussing things with each other...even if they have worries or differing opinions and argue for a bit, they still have someone at the very least.”

“As for me, though? There’s only me who doesn’t know who to look for, doesn’t know what to do, doesn’t know how it’ll be like when only I alone remain…”

“...It’s not like we can’t see each other after we graduate. And besides, there’s still one more year,” Xu Tingsheng comforted.

He seemed to realise only now that in the entire Room 602, it had actually always been Li Xingming who was loneliest. It was just that as he was always being shameless and messing around, never showing this side of himself, no one had ever noticed and paid any attention to it.

“Right,” Li Xingming nodded, smiling rather awkwardly, “Didn’t I catch up that day though? Even I thought deeply about things for once. Anyway, it was then. I thought that I have to find a path, a path that I can see...and then I logged out of the game, went out and bought a book for studying to be a civil servant. Over the half month that has passed since, besides eating and sleeping, I’ve only been reading and doing practice questions everyday. With that, my heart has slowly felt reassured. I have a feeling that I’ll definitely pass the test. With that, I no longer panic, and can feel stable and at ease.”

He looked at Xu Tingsheng who nodded, saying ‘definitely’.

Li Xingming locked the item, turned off the game and casually pressed uninstall.

“I’ll sell this sword for a meal when us bros graduate...let it be my treat.”

“Alright.”

Li Xingming hesitated for a while before saying, “Also, regarding that matter, don’t worry about it anymore, Bro Xu. Even I’ve put it behind me.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that Li Xingming was referring to the matter with their junior, Yu Yayang. He had participated in this affair, baiting her with Hucheng’s internship assistant position to help Li Xingming get back at her. Still, when even Xu Tingsheng himself had left Hucheng afterwards, he had ultimately not followed up with this matter.

He had heard that Yu Yayang’s attitude towards Li Xingming had ‘naturally’ reversed again. Ultimately, he had failed to reach that superior position.

“Actually, if you’re really unwilling and want to do something...it’s just an internship position. Even now, I still can manage it at Hucheng,” Xu Tingsheng said.

...In crude terms, Li Xingming had been treated as a fool for so long. Even if it was only for him to lord over that woman for once, Xu Tingsheng would still be willing to do him this favour.

But Li Xingming shook his head.

“I’ve already deleted all her contact details...it’s impossible that she’d like me, I’m fully aware of that. So, even if you help me and she is actually with me for a while, I think that for such a woman to be by my side...I would probably only be more lonely, feel more empty inside.”

Xu Tingsheng naturally felt that it was a good thing that Li Xingming had properly thought things through. With that, there was truly no need for him to intervene.

As he himself had said, to beg and keep someone who doesn’t love you in the first place by your side...there actually won’t be any warmth at all, only a much higher degree of solitude.

The two chatted for a while more before Li Xingming looked at the time and said, “It’s getting late, Bro Xu. You should leave first if you’re busy.”

“I’m not, really. How about I stay in the dormitory tonight?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Don’t,” Li Xingming smiled, “I still have to read...there’s not much time remaining.”

Chapter 529: Unfazed by worldly occurrences, tides surge sky high

Chapter 529: Unfazed by worldly occurrences, tides surge sky high

Li Xingming’s university experience is really not that much different from many others. Ordinary, with many far-fetched dreams yet no way of attaining them. Leisurely breezing through those happy and relaxed times with no care in the world, only to find one day that so, entering the chaotic torrents of society alone is simply inevitable at the end of the day...

It is a little better if your family background can pave the way for you.

It is a little better for those who are mentally prepared beforehand.

The majority of the remainder will go through an extremely lonely stage, struggling even.

At some point in time, there seems to have been a great divergence in the value system of our society as few recognise the ‘little things’ that bring them happiness, many instead seeking the success indicators set by their environment-people live not on their own terms, but on those of others.

Many people feel inferior as a result.

Xu Tingsheng had been far from meeting these indicators in his previous life, but had already far exceeded them in this one. He was the type that was very easily satisfied, like an old man gazing serenely at a lake with a fishing rod in his hand, unfazed by most worldly occurrences.

The car entered the district, headed towards a unit building. More than twenty metres away, Xu Tingsheng spied the figure of Fang Yuqing standing there.

Xu Tingsheng jokingly flashed the headlights of the car at Fang Yuqing, who merely raised a hand instinctively to shade his eyes before putting it down again. Uncharacteristically of him, there was no jolly, good-natured cursing in response.

Xu Tingsheng parked the car and emerged, asking, “You were looking for me? What great timing.”

Fang Yuqing shook his head and said, “No, I’ve been waiting here for you for more than two hours.”

“Why didn’t you go up first then? It’s not like you don’t know where Fu Cheng lives,” Xu Tingsheng said a bit astonishedly, “Why didn’t you call me? ...Something’s gone wrong?”

The first two questions were actually redundant. From Fang Yuqing’s expression and appearance tonight, it was clear that something was up.

“My Grandpa was finally still hospitalised three days ago. The old man is still putting up a tough struggle, but his days are numbered.”

“The news was somehow leaked two days ago. Yesterday, my eldest uncle was taken away for investigation,” Fang Yuqing said.

Xu Tingsheng fell silent for a time upon hearing this. The massive tempest with the Fang family at the eye of the storm and the worsening of Old Mr Fang’s condition as the fuse, that which he had previously been speculating and wondering about, had finally come.

People seek to be unfazed by worldly occurrences...but when tidal waves are fast encroaching, there can just be no staying out of it.

Xu Tingsheng looked at Fang Yuqing.

Fang Yuqing looked at Xu Tingsheng.

After a moment, Xu Tingsheng said, “Let’s talk upstairs.”

At what was truly a very normal invitation, Fang Yuqing visibly hesitated as the inner struggle was visible on his face. These words of Xu Tingsheng’s actually represented a stance in much the same way as how he had not called or gone upstairs but only waited downstairs earlier had also been a stance.

Fang Yuqing’s stance was: I’ll tell you about this, but I don’t think that you have to get involved. I definitely wouldn’t try to force this on you. You can choose to extricate yourself and pretend you heard nothing, while I can also turn and leave and pretend I said nothing.

Meanwhile, this reply of Xu Tingsheng’s meant: I’ll listen, and I’ll try to do what I can to help...it represented a high probability of him getting involved in this matter.

“Come on, let’s go upstairs! We’ll have a bit of wine first before talking slowly about it. Right now, I’m still completely in the dark here,” Seeing Fang Yuqing’s hesitance, Xu Tingsheng dragged him a little.

The two went upstairs and entered Xu Tingsheng’s flat.

Fang Yuqing sat down on the sofa.

Xu Tingsheng dumped his luggage in a corner and retrieved a bottle of whisky from the wine cabinet. He then took two glasses, pouring half a glass for Fang Yuqing and some for himself as well.

The two each drank a mouthful respectively, one a large mouthful and the other a small one.

Fang Yuqing set down his glass and spoke as Xu Tingsheng helped to refill it, “In the eyes of outsiders, your ties with our Fang family run deep...still, we ourselves know in reality that aside from me, aside from some policy conveniences and a bit of smooth sailing, you actually do not have that deep a connection with the Fang family. Thus, if you wish to extricate yourself at the cost of some benefits, you should still be able to do so.”

“I’m well aware of this,” Xu Tingsheng raised his brows, indicating that he switch his mode of logic in this narration.

“Grandpa says he’d like to meet you,” Fang Yuqing said.

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Fang Yuqing hesitated for a moment before saying, “Still, I actually can’t understand why Grandpa is doing this, why he thinks of you as the one who can unravel this tough knot. The way I see it, you aren’t qualified enough for something of this scale. If you get involved, you can only end up dying together with us.”

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile. He knew his own worth, and he knew of the power structure within the country. He was indeed not qualified enough.

“I actually don’t understand too. So, I want to hear what the old man has to say,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“After you’ve heard it, though, it’d probably be too late to extricate yourself,” Fang Yuqing said, “The old man is no pushover, you know, and that’s an understatement.”

The two laughed.

They clinked glasses again.

“What kind of enmity is it, exactly?To what extent must the consequences go? Tell me about it,” Xu Tingsheng requested.

“Consequences? They possibly hope to see the end of our Fang family line,” Fang Yuqing said.

Xu Tingsheng instinctively sat straight.

“An eye for an eye,” Fang Yuqing said.

“During the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1997, my Grandpa led a squad on the frontlines. His two old combat buddies weren’t drafted, so they assigned their sons to my Grandpa’s squad. They wanted them to gain some battle experience and battlefield merits so that their futures would be smoother.”

“The two families entrusted their sons to my Grandpa with an ease of mind, two sons for one and three sons for the other. The oldest was twenty-seven, and the youngest was  nineteen.”

Having studied history in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng was actually clearly than most on the brutality of that border war that virtually all history textbooks tended to omit. While that war had not been long, it had actually been far more brutal and difficult than what most people were able to imagine or had experienced before.

“Someone didn’t come back?” He asked.

“None of them came back,” Fang Yuqing said,

“...”

Five words, five lives. ‘None’, he said? Xu Tingsheng was struck by surprise.

Fang Yuqing continued, “It was a crucial mountain base they were attacking. They fought on for three days but couldn’t take it down...the style of my Grandpa’s old squad was to clench their teeth and push through, even at the cost of their teeth shattering. This time as well was no exception. Maybe it was the only one my Grandpa knows. Sentries, cook, administrative staff...without exception, all to the frontlines to fight to the death. Like this, the kids from the two families who were supposed to be in charge of only telegrams and whatnot were included too.”

“You can’t account for every life on the battlefield. It’s actually not really your Grandpa’s fault,” Xu Tingsheng defended Old Mr Fang with some common sense logic.

Fang Yuqing looked at him and smiled bitterly, not replying to that right away as he continued narrating, “In that battle, a death command was invoked. Whoever turned back would be killed.”

“The old man himself carried a machine gun and stood on the mountainside.”

“One wave after another charged. One wave after another fell…”

“Then, those five, perhaps scared out of their wits, maybe thinking that my Grandpa would give them special treatment and not shoot...they turned back.”

Fang Yuqing stopped here.

There was already no need to go on any further.

Two old combat buddies with five sons-not only had Old Mr Fang not taken care of them probably as entrusted, they had...perished at his very hands.

This hatred had lasted for more than two decades.

It was no wonder that Fang Yuqing had said: Consequences? They possibly hope to see the end of our Fang family line.

“After that battle, my Grandpa became a hero. From then on, wherever he went, he was always a head up over his two old combat buddies. Those two suffered this outrage in silence while cautiously rising up the ranks...still, revenge is inevitable here. Both sides know it full well.”

“The old man may have been too wild and arrogant in his early days, or perhaps he felt guilty about it. Whatever the case, he let down his guard...only when he had retired did he discover that the power that the other side displayed was already at a level that he could not suppress.”

“Based on his remnant aura, he has kept them at bay these past few years. Sadly, the time wasn’t enough, and the descendants of the Fang family aren’t decent enough...now, he has collapsed. On the day my eldest uncle was taken away for investigation, somebody came to deliver a note at the hospital. There, four words were written: Watch on helplessly, powerless.”

“...”

Chapter 530: Bring an end to things

Chapter 530: Bring an end to things

After Fang Yuqing had finished recounting the exploits or rather bull-headedness of his Grandpa in his early days, Xu Tingsheng did not say anything as he merely drank his wine in silence. His head lowered, he sipped mouthful after mouthful... the sound of his throat gurgling was the only thing that could be heard in the room.

It was a sole, steady rhythm.

Fang Yuqing was silent as well as he accompanied him in drinking and helped with pouring him wine. He had grasped the flow very well, pouring the wine in when Xu Tingsheng’s wrist was down and bringing the bottle away when he raised his hand. The rhythm was uninterrupted throughout.

After a long time, Xu Tingsheng looked up and said, “I’m hesitant.”

Fang Yuqing smiled, “It’s right to be hesitant. You’ve always been careful and meticulous...indeed generous when you foolishly roll up your sleeves and intervene, making everyone feel hearty and comforted. Still, this isn’t the time for that. Such a person would only make things even more messy at a time like this rather than being able to be of any actual help.”

Xu Tingsheng said ‘thank you’ before continuing, “I just made some calculations and weighed this matter…”

Fang Yuqing said, “It won’t be worth it for you no matter how you calculate.”

“That’s right. As I weighed it, I set up a balance beam in my head. The debts I owe, the benefits I’ve obtained, the price I might have to pay, I placed them all on one by one. In the end, one side remained ever pressed against the ground with the other pointing towards the skies. From the looks of it...it’s really just obvious what decision should be made.”

Fang Yuqing nodded in agreement.

The tides this time were truly too great. The current society was totally unlike the Warring States period where a bit of appreciation, favour or debt could cause another to willingly give up their lives for another in repayment.

Right now, when even Old Mr Fang’s former subordinates and old friends and the Fang family’s friends and relatives were all busy looking for a way out and de-emphasising their relationship, there was actually no good reason for Xu Tingsheng to dip himself in these turbid waters at all.

As Fang Yuqing was thinking this.

“How heavy is your tombstone?” Xu Tingsheng suddenly asked.

Fang Yuqing was caught by surprise as he remarked, “Huh?”

“Very heavy. Heavy to the extent that when placed on top, the side which was originally tilting skyward...touched the ground all at once.”

The meaning therein was obvious. Someone who feared the volatility of conflict would be entering straight into a massive wave that could originally have been avoided.

Fang Yuqing no longer stood on ceremony as he just averted his gaze from Xu Tingsheng, exhaling deeply, “Heck, how good it would have been if you didn’t randomly butt in back then. What a busybody.”

He was referring to how the two had met. Xu Tingsheng had run into Fang Yuqing and Yuqing who had yet to experience many things arguing by the roadside. He had butted in and added his opinion into the mix. Thereafter, the two had somehow or other come together and become bros.

Xu Tingsheng smiled, rubbing his face.

“Now I’ll calculate how to preserve myself after being swept into all of this,” He said.

“Right,” Fang Yuqing said.

“I’m very famous, young, talented and handsome with a positive image...people generally wouldn’t think of making a move against me unless they’ve really run out of patience, or it would be very uncomfortable for them.”

“Right.”

“I have something known as Weibo. This means that...my voice is very big, able to resound beneath all the heavens. I believe some would be afraid of this. Even though it may only be efficate once.”

“Right.”

“I’ll stand a bit more to the back.”

“As should rightly be the case.”

“Now I’ll calculate the extent to which I have to go,” Xu Tingsheng switched his perspective.

“Alright,” Fang Yuqing said.

“With the great tower on the brink of toppling, I can’t support it. I daren’t even lend a hand to prop it up.”

“Yes.”

“Guaranteeing a peaceful burial for the old man, guaranteeing...that some people, like you, can find a place and live on properly and well.”

“Even this is already very difficult.”

“That’s as far as I go then. I’ll have a talk with the old man tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

“Notify your family.”

“Okay.”

In an independent ward for veteran cadres at Xihu City’s first hospital, Fang Yuqing’s father, the third son of the Fang family, walked carefully over to the side of his father with various tubes embedded in him, bending down as he said in a hushed tone, “Dad, I just received news. Yuqing said that that Xu Tingsheng will be coming tomorrow.”

The wrinkles at the corners of the old man’s eyes and lips tightened on his deathly pale face as he had probably just smiled.

“Good,” The old man said.

His son hesitated for a while, asking, “I still don’t get it, actually. He’s just a kid. However godly talented he may be, he’s still just a newly risen businessmen whose foundation still isn’t stable yet. Why do you have such a high opinion of him, Dad?”

As he asked this, a saying popped up in the mind of Fang Yuqing’s father: To treat a seeming lost cause as a potentially salvageable affair.

The old man caught his breath through the tubes and said, “In the three plus years since he started out...he has not made a single misstep. I wish for him to take a step for our Fang family...optimistically, treating a seeming lost cause as a potentially salvageable affair.

……

When Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing were done drinking at the former’s home, they drunkenly took a taxi to Bright Brilliance.

The two requested for a small private room in a corner area, not looking for Tan Yao or Huang Yaming.

Fang Yuqing said that there was something he needed to do which he feared he could not do alone. He asked Xu Tingsheng to accompany him.

Tongtong took in a breath to calm herself outside the door before happily pushing it open and entering. It had already been quite a while since she last saw Xu Tingsheng.

“You, you are looking for me?” Tongtong asked rather nervously, having immediately run over upon receiving the call.

“Do you have any friends from Starry Splendour in the bar right now? Those who can keep a secret,” Fang Yuqing asked in his place.

While Bright Brilliance did not allow women who ‘sold’ themselves to ‘conduct business’ there, they did not stop the ladies from Starry Splendour from coming over to play in their free time, getting to know some rich customers or something.

Firstly, this was because Bright Brilliance was allied with Starry Splendour. Secondly, these women were mostly of high quality. When following the rules, they actually drew people to Bright Brilliance too.

As time passed, the girls forgot that they had originally come with snagging rich customers in mind as they mostly truly viewed Bright Brilliance as a place where they would go to relax and have fun once in a while. Here, they were often no different from other girls with leisure in mind.

Tongtong naturally understood what Fang Yuqing meant by ‘your friends from Starry Splendour’ and the reason he was looking for them. As he and Xu Tingsheng both already looked a bit drunk now, this appeared even more reasonable too.

Whether male or female, people are often able to let themselves loose more easily after drinking.

Still, Xu Tingsheng?

Tongtong glanced rather quizzically at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng smiled and nodded.

“Yes, two of them just got here a while ago. We were on pretty good terms before,” Tongtong grit her teeth and said.

“Call them both over then,” Fang Yuqing said.

Tongtong looked again at Xu Tingsheng, “Is it both, two?”

She was puzzled. She felt that she knew what Fang Yuqing wanted, but...really, Xu Tingsheng too?

Already rather drunk and not knowing much about the inside stories in the first place, Fang Yuqing immediately answered rather impatiently, “Right, two...don’t ask so many questions.”

Tongtong reflexively answered ‘alright’ before looking rather pitifully at Xu Tingsheng.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Tongtong actually very much wanted to say: Since you are looking for...I, I could...how about me? Can you not look for someone else? You never did so in the past…

Still, she could tell that Xu Tingsheng had no such thoughts whatsoever as even his gaze did not linger excessively on her.

“Maybe he’s afraid that I’d become a bother in the future, that I’d harass him...would I? Maybe I really would not be able to stop myself from doing so.”

Tongtong thought disconsolately for a time before saying, “It’s nothing. I just wanted to say that I...have already decorated the house very nicely. How about you come take a look when you’re free?”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Now, go and call them over then.”

“Okay.”

With a gut full of stifledness, Tongtong brought them over and pushed open the door.

Her two old girlfriends had actually seen Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing before. As they discovered the two young handsome guys in the private room to their surprise and confirmed the fact, they both immediately blinked excitedly at each other, pinching their waists in delight with smiles on their faces.

“A big fish has come in.”

Tongtong knew what they meant.

She again looked ever so pitifully at Xu Tingsheng...ah, how unhappy she was.

Looking again at the two girls whom she had been on pretty good terms with before, Tongtong just found the sight of them a little unpleasant now…

There was the feeling of the monarch of the Women’s Kingdom watching the flesh of Tripartika land in the mouth of some minor demon, feeling just so stifled, resentful, aggrieved and mad.

“Look at how excited they are. How are they qualified?! They’re not as good-looking as me, not as familiar as I am with him...how can it be you?! A’Lin, or Yingying, who will he choose? No, Yingying usually goes too wild and over the top. Will it mess up the place?” She wondered.

“Come in, the two of you...you, close the door,” Fang Yuqing said, in quite a terrible mood.

Tongtong took a final, unwilling glance at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng smiled and waved at her.

The door closed.

Bright Brilliance’s soundproofing was very good. Listening from outside the door, Tongtong was unable to make out the conversation inside...still, she soon heard a faint sound. She certainly knew what that sound was. It was something that could only be heard from women on beds.

“So it’s A’Lin? I just wonder if it’s him who…”

Tongtong’s chest hurt as she felt almost like crying.

A’Lin was indeed producing that noise, that kind with drunkenness and happiness. Besides that, while Tongtong could not hear this, the other girl, Yingying, was currently holding Fang Yuqing’s phone…

“Hello, who are you? Me? Don’t you care about that,” Her voice was quite loud, as was characteristic of those who were drunk.

“Looking for Boss Fang? ...He’s here, but he isn’t free,” She laughed, unbridled, suggestively.

The ebb and fall of A’Lin’s cries was audible just by the side. The person on the other side of the phone could surely hear them.

Fang Yuqing had previously told Xu Tingsheng that Yuqing would call him before going to sleep everyday now. It might not really be checking up on him. Rather, she could fall asleep better after chatting with him a bit...the person Yingying was talking to now was none other than Yuqing.

She would definitely be able to hear those noises.

“Boss Fang...some girl insists on speaking to you. She says that she’s called Yuqing,” A dainty voice resounded.

“Who?” A drunken reply came.

“She says that she’s called Yuqing.”

‘Who? Yu...the heck, who the hell let you pick up my call...you shut up, be silent.”

Fang Yuqing created an impression of frantically scrambling to answer the phone before very drunkenly, extremely panickedly saying, “Hey Yuqing, let me explain...no, can you please hear me out first?”

Xu Tingsheng could not distinguish what Yuqing said in reply.

Fang Yuqing said abysmally, “Yes, I admit it. I don’t want to lie to you. But…”

“...”

“But I’m running a business now, and it’s growing. It’s really inevitable that I have to entertain business partners sometimes. You’re not by my side, and so when I’m drunk sometimes...hey, Yuqing, can we not mind all this? Think about it. I’m a guy! Before I met you, I also…”

“...”

“No, it’s really just because I’m drunk. You know, ever since I met you, I’ve never thought that I might marry someone else. But...but things like this, these bosses-how many of their women at home do not know? They’ve all accepted it! Why can’t you just forgive me this once? I’ll change! I’ll definitely change. Or you can come over here to my side, keep an eye on me, alright?”

“...”

“Please, Yuqing...hello, hello…”

Fang Yuqing turned to look at Xu Tingsheng.

“...She said to break up and hung up.”

Yuqing was too silly, yet also too smart…

Silly as she was, if Fang Yuqing told her frankly about the crisis which he and his family was facing, asking to break up, she definitely wouldn’t make the rational choice of agreeing. It was likely that she would be burdened as a result.

At a time like this, she would definitely choose to accompany him.

Smart as she was, if Fang Yuqing made things up and said that his affections had changed...he wouldn’t be able to fool her. After all this time, she was very clear on Fang Yuqing’s feelings for her.

Fang Yuqing had staged a play, accidentally being discovered after drinking wine to entertain clients and committing a mistake after. This was in line with his current lifestyle. Yuqing would even feel a bit worried about it sometimes as she would occasionally threaten and remind him…

The regret and unwillingness to part that he followed up with...made the whole drama even more convincing.

“Her idea of relationships is too pure. So, she definitely won’t be able to accept something like this,” Fang Yuqing said.

This was the end to things that he sought.

Fang Yuqing who was over 1.8m tall, Fang Yuqing, a rich second gen who was used to being arrogant and domineering, Fang Yuqing who seemed not to care about anything at all...held his phone and sat limply on the ground against the wall, his arms on his knees with his face buried within as he sobbed…

He was a little boy from primary school.

Xu Tingsheng had not stopped him throughout the entire process, because Xu Tingsheng himself...was this kind of man as well. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen to flee in his previous life.

A’Lin and Yingying had already long since lost that excitement from earlier as they were still somewhat unable to grasp the situation. They had simply blankly done as they were asked.

Of course, they knew at the very least that things were definitely not as they had originally thought.

As Xu Tingsheng walked over, the two hurriedly stood up straight.

He retrieved a wad of cash from his wallet and passed it to them.

“Tell no one about what happened tonight,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Yes, yes. You can rest assured, Boss Xu.”

“We know. Rest assured, Boss Xu.”

The two nervously chimed in agreement. They knew Xu Tingsheng’s relationship with Wu Kun, also knowing of the Black Horse Club and Fang Yuqing.

“Off you go then. Go back to having fun.”

“Alright. See you, Boss Xu.”

“See you, Boss Xu.”

The two opened the door.

Tongtong did not have time to move out of the way.

As their gazes met, A’Lin and Yingying who had just been instructed by Xu Tingsheng not to say anything swiftly averted their gazes and scooted off from the side, leaving without providing Tongtong with any information whatsoever.

Tongtong looked at Xu Tingsheng who was still properly dressed in the private room. She looked at Fang Yuqing who was sitting on the floor.

Xu Tingsheng looked at her too.

“Why is it that your eyes look like you just cried?” Xu Tingsheng walked over and asked.

“No, no I didn’t.”

“That’s good then,” Xu Tingsheng casually closed the door, “Let’s find a place and sit down.”

Tongtong gazed rather bemusedly at the private room where Fang Yuqing was still sitting alone on the floor.

“Let him be alone for a while.”

Xu Tingsheng and Tongtong sat by a corner on the second floor, listening to music and occasionally sipping on wine.

“If a man is afraid of burdening a woman over his own problems and chooses to let her go, fleeing...do you think that that’s the wrong or right thing to do?” Xu Tingsheng suddenly asked Tongtong.

“You guys make the choice?” Tongtong replied, “Have you ever asked us?”

Chapter 531: He was a general at the time

Chapter 531: He was a general at the time

“You guys make the choice?” Tongtong replied, “Have you ever asked us?”

Xu Tingsheng had not asked Xiang Ning in his previous life. Nor had Fang Yuqing asked Yuqing in this one.

Regarding Xu Tingsheng giving up on his relationship due to love in his previous life, Fu Cheng had said such a thing afterwards: What you think is a man’s noble act might really only be you being overly chauvinistic instead.

Because Xu Tingsheng was there, Tongtong had a bit more to drink despite the fact that she was still working.

“Though I’m not well educated, I did still read stories in magazines when bored in the past,” Tongtong said, “I remember something I read before. Can I tell it to you now?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Sure.”

Tongtong said, “Alright. About what dynasty and country it was, well, I actually forgot. Anyway, there was once a handsome, valiant general who achieved countless merits and always returned victorious, triumphantly traversing the streets on his horse. He was admired by countless women in the capital.”

“One of these women was a girl in charge of chores in his courtyard, who could not be any more ordinary. While the general seldom visited the courtyard and she was only able to see him once or twice a year, much less speak to him, she still liked him so, always…”

“Afterwards, the general finally suffered a crushing defeat in war. Almost his entire army was wiped out. When he himself returned, one of his legs was crippled, one of his eyes blinded…”

“Those who once admired him all began mocking him, scolding him, looking down on him. They said that he should have died there, should not have returned. Yet, that girl said to herself: What can be more important than him returning?”

The Emperor had originally wanted to execute the general. Still, on account of his past merits, in the end, he just confiscated his assets and exiled him.

Down and out, a ragged bag on his back, he limped off on the path to exile. The girl was there, waiting for him by the roadside. After, she accompanied him on the journey of a few thousand kilometres, serving him to the end of his days no matter the hardship.

Before his death, the general asked her: Why is it that you were still willing to do this despite how I became?

The girl said: What? If you never became like this, it wouldn’t matter what I wanted. How would I even have had the chance to accompany you like this?”

And so the story ended. Tongtong might have memorised it when she read it as she used a whole bunch of idioms. While a bit unnatural and smooth in recounting it, she was earnest, leaving nothing out.

“There are basically many sorts of love women have for men in this world. One sort is where she likes him to the point that she wishes he is not so successful and outstanding, not so high and unreachable. That way, there will not be so many people fighting over him...that way, you’ll be able to see that I’m there, and you can possibly be mine.”

Tongtong said this fuelled by the courage of wine, daringly gazing straight at Xu Tingsheng as she did so.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng did not notice this. It was another girl who was currently on his mind. That girl had once said to him:

“Senior, if there’s a day when no one else wants you, I will.”

“But, how is that possible, right? I have this unfair thought...if only you were very useless. Hehe.”

This girl was called Wu Yuewei. Regarding how she had said that she would love a him who was not so outstanding, even she herself did not know that she had truly done so...loved a down and out Xu Tingsheng. For many, many years, too.

As Xu Tingsheng said nothing, Tongtong’s courage quickly dispersed as she said bashfully, “I, it’s really Boss Fang I’m talking about. Isn’t that right? Something’s happened. And then…”

“How did you guess?” Xu Tingsheng enquired somewhat puzzledly.

“I saw what happened just now. I think that you put on a show. Also, with what you just said, I can basically guess,” Tongtong said.

“You’re right. But don’t tell anybody else about it.”

“Okay. Still, I think that you shouldn’t do this. I met Yuqing once. Fang Chen was there too. They were drinking and talking, and I could hear it. That Yuqing said that she actually wishes so much that Boss Fang doesn’t have some great family background and far-reaching prospects, that he was just an ordinary university student...she would be able to rest assured in following him then. So, you guys should at least ask her first.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, then shook his head.

Seeing him like this, Tongtong did not continue speaking her opinion as she instead asked, “You haven’t told me yet. What do you think about that story?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “When she fell in love with him, he was a mighty general. Say, if the him she met at the start was the down and out him, would she still have fallen in love with him?”

“...Tongtong had evidently never considered this matter as she could not immediately answer.

As Xu Tingsheng’s phone vibrated, he picked it up and checked it.

Huang Yaming asked, “When didn’t you tell me that you came? And what is Yuqing doing alone in a room now?”

As the boss of the bar, Huang Yaming naturally had his ways of knowing who had come to the bar and what they had done. Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing had also had no intention of keeping this from him. Otherwise, they would not have decided to come to execute this operation at Bright Brilliance.

Xu Tingsheng replied, “Something’s cropped up with his family.”

Huang Yaming replied, “The Fang family...is facing a crisis?! That’s no minor matter. Tell me in detail.”

After typing a little, Xu Tingsheng felt that texting was too troublesome and difficult to explain with. He got up and bid Tongtong goodbye before heading straight to Huang Yaming’s office.

The door was not locked. He did not knock either, going straight in.

Huang Yaming was sitting on the swivel chair behind the large office table. Looking up and seeing that it was Xu Tingsheng who had entered, he looked slightly bashful for a moment before he smiled, “I thought you were going to tell me via text. Hold on, hold on a moment first.”

“What? Is something the matter?” Xu Tingsheng looked around and enquired rather blankly as he saw that there was no one else in the office.

“Nah, not really…”

Huang Yaming extended a hand and patted the underside of the table.

Soon, a woman in a professional suit scrambled out from beneath the table. Looking first at Huang Yaming and then at Xu Tingsheng, she frantically wiped her mouth with the back of her hand before adjusting her hair, looking out of rather sorts.

“It’s okay. You can go out first,” Huang Yaming said calmly.

The woman nodded and went out.

Huang Yaming glanced at Xu Tingsheng, looking rather awkward but still smiling shamelessly, “The new female secretary I just hired. Pretty useful.”

Having experienced a Tan Qingling and missed out on a Chen Jingqi, Huang Yaming might really no longer have so much heart left to love or to hate. This...might actually not be wrong.

Xu Tingsheng would never denounce someone on grounds of morality, forcing them to be devoted and gentlemanly. If Cao Cao could love young married women and Liu Yong could frequent brothels, Huang Yaming naturally had his freedom as well.

Not everybody needed to uphold the sanctity of love. Not everybody had it in the first place.

“Bastard...put on your pants first,” Xu Tingsheng laughed and scolded.

“I have been wearing them,” Huang Yaming muttered, “See how I didn’t even lock the door. Once, two supervisors suddenly came in front of me and started arguing. She didn’t have time to leave. So, she was stuck squatting under the table for more than an hour…”

Seeing how Xu Tingsheng did not seem interested in listening to this at all, Huang Yaming commented arrogantly, “Those who walk not the same paths cannot mingle.”

After a while, he said, “This is just how it’ll be for me. Actually, it’s pretty good too. I don’t have to be like all those little youths, complaining resentfully about how love is becoming less and less. I don’t want that. I only want to be able to tell people one day: The exact reason my women love me is my money and my power...that doesn’t make me disconsolate. On the contrary, it gives me relish, makes me feel domineering.”

“Well. May you always be a mighty general,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What mighty general?”

“...It’s nothing.”

Chapter 532: A blade piercing into the heart

Chapter 532: A blade piercing into the heart

Huang Yaming said that he’d rather women love him for his money and his power. Still, this had not been possible with Tan Qingling, because he loved her.

He had been young, pure and innocent at the time. Whatever had happened afterwards, this part of his life would always remain in his memories, like a precious gourd of fine wine kept under the ground.

It was possible to retrieve it and savour its taste many years down the road, or it could be left there till the very moment before one died, scenes of two young, happy faces flashing before their eyes.

This part of his life should not have been sullied.

There was no reason to keep this from Huang Yaming as Xu Tingsheng narrated the Fang family’s situation to him in detail.

Huang Yaming was taken aback for a moment before he ventured slowly, “Why is it that I suddenly feel so insignificant and powerless? It’s like I’m a dog that believes I have sharp teeth, going around and baring it everywhere, showing off. But in the end, I instead come face to face with two tigers...what should I do, Tingsheng? Say it, and I’ll do it.”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “You don’t have to be a part of it. It wouldn’t change a thing.”

Huang Yaming thought about it and nodded in acknowledgement before saying, “I’ll go to Bingzhou tomorrow then.”

There was a bit of a leap in logic here as Xu Tingsheng enquired, “Go there to do what?”

“To secure that mine.”

“Getting a mine at a time like this?”

“Yes, and fast. My current position is like splitting meat with a pack of wolves. They’re sitting in a circle, watching me cut the meat as they look as if they have no intention of trying to fight with me over it. But their eyes are actually all not on that meat, but me...so long as I expose the slightest bit of flaw or weakness, they’ll pounce and swallow both me and the meat whole.”

“Also, right now, whether I’m weak or strong actually depends all on you. If you get the flu here, I’ll get a cough there. Since you’re going to be involved in the Fang family’s affair, you’ll definitely sustain damage. We cannot give them the time to notice this vulnerability.”

“Won’t it be more dangerous if you take it?”

“I’ll be a bit stronger when I do. I’ll be able to play a round with them at least. Relax, I won’t mess up and make even more trouble for you instead. Just leave it to me.”

“...”

“Rest assured. Really, if Su Wu can tend sheep by the lake Baikal, I can just cook hotpot with a briquette at Bingzhou at most.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Who cares about that? I was just thinking that finals are just around the corner. If you go to Bingzhou now, can you still get through them?”

Hearing this, Huang Yaming opened his office drawer and retrieved a pile of cards.

“Bar card, supermarket card, cosmetic card...three thousand stored in each of them. My teachers often have their own pick. Do you know? I even accidentally got a scholarship last year...so, I intend to give them a reminder this year not to overdo it. I actually just need to pass.”

“...Alright.”

As Xu Tingsheng exited the office, he suddenly turned back and said to Huang Yaming, “Right, don’t tell Tan Yao about all this with the Fang family.”

“Why? It should be fine even if he knows, right? Even though he can’t get involved in it just like me,” Huang Yaming asked curiously, finding this request rather strange.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it. He was actually not so clear on the current relationship between Tan Yao and Fang Chen, having no idea how much Tan Yao had invested into it too. Still, the way things were now, Fang Chen was actually in a more precarious position than Fang Yuqing. She was the most well-known in the Fang family’s third generation, being the person people thought most probable of succeeding. Also, she was a woman, a beautiful woman whom countless people might lust for.

As for Tan Yao, there was no way at all he could get involved in something of this level, whether in terms of smarts or strength...so, if he insisted on getting involved in it, he would only suffer an utter defeat and totally lose everything in the end.

“Anyway, just don’t say anything,” Xu Tingsheng reiterated, with no way of explaining all this to Huang Yaming.

Xu Tingsheng returned to the private room to find Fang Yuqing fully drunk and curled unmoving on the ground like a shrimp. He left him to Huang Yaming to take care off and departed. He still needed to go home to make some preparations for meeting old Mr Fang the next day.

He went down the stairwell, heading for the exit.

A figure brushed by him, colliding a little with his shoulder.

Xu Tingsheng turned and looked at the back figure of this person. He saw him sit down at the very edge of the bar table where it was darkest and order a glass of wine. Then, he drank from the glass and twirled it in his hand.

Xu Tingsheng went over as well, going to the position beside him and politely requesting that the woman presently sitting there move away before sitting down himself and similarly ordering a glass.

“Long time no see.”

“Long time no see.”

“I’ve been wondering when exactly you will accept our deal.”

“I thought that you’re doing so well you’d have long given up on that idea.”

“Give up? Here…” That person gestured at his chest, “There’s a blade here everyday, not pointing towards me, but all but piercing out from my chest.”

Xu Tingsheng glanced at Chen Jianxing.

In this one plus year since they had last met, just in terms of appearance and image alone, this son-in-law of the Deputy Mayor had actually changed very greatly. From a reporter at a news agency who wore a cap and carried a camera, secretly accepting two packets of cigarettes along the streets, he had acquired the classic bureaucrat image with neat hair and figure, expression steady and unruffled by all…

Only in his eyes did Xu Tingsheng see the Chen Jianxing who, drunk, had told him of his family tragedy in a small private room that day, even saying that he was a mad dog who was prepared to go all out no matter the cost. All he asked was that he help take care of his wife and child.

“That bastard has still been continually harassing her, even using forceful means...slamming on the door when drunk, when my daughter is at home too,” Chen Jianxing had an incomparably murderous look on his face as he said this.

Perhaps because of the variable that was Xu Tingsheng, that big incident which should have occurred in the year 2005 in his memories, shaking up Yanzhou’s bureaucracy greatly, had not occurred in the same time frame as his previous life. Chen Jianxing had grit his teeth and bore it for longer...it was already mid 2006 right now.

Xu Tingsheng had believed that with his great prospects and the bright future in front of him, he had long since given up amidst the clinking of glasses and the promises. He had not thought that he might have become even madder, such that he seemed now as if there was a knife about to pierce out from his chest at any moment.

Xu Tingsheng guessed that the scale of the storm he could summon now would be much greater than in his previous life.

“I was promoted thrice this year and changed departments twice. As I’m also pretty good socially, there are quite a few things which I know...I may be considered the second batch of people in Yanzhou to learn about the Fang family’s matter. Knowing of your relationship with the Fang family, I thought that this could be a chance…”

“Then, I saw that kid from the Fang family look for you and saw you guys coming drunkenly to the bar. He did not come down together with you.”

“You will get involved in this matter. I can be of use then. The main battlefield between the two sides is currently still in Yanzhou...the other side has long been prepared. They have a robust net here in Yanzhou and are prepared to make their move.”

“Do you think it’s worth it?”

“Since when do crazed people consider what is worth what?! I just hope that I can laugh maniacally in front of those people one day. This old man’s sent you all to hell! Haha…”

“You trust me that much? Just to keep your wife and daughter safe.”

“I do, and not just to keep them safe. So long as you’re willing to give the go-ahead, I believe that my wife will definitely have the rest of her life easy, that my daughter will definitely study in the best school with the best life and a famous, father-like brother figure. She’ll be very blessed. That is the sort of person you are.”

“Why do you have such an impression of me?”

“I’ve been observing you. Also, I secretly drove to see them once and discovered that your car was also parked there. You went to see them too. Even when you don’t need me, you still feel for them...much less now, when I can be of use to you.”

“...”

“Ning Garden is about to hand over its first phase flats, right?”

“Yes.”

“You won’t be able to get the housing certificates, not unless you kick the kid of the Fang family from the board at once and provide sufficient benefits. The other side will latch onto you based on the charge of unfair prices and insider transactions. You lot will be put in a very tough spot.”

“...”

“I’ll wait for your call.”

……

Xu Tingsheng went home and listed down everything related to the Fang family as well as what he currently grasped on a piece of paper.

Soon, this piece of paper was dotted with lines, arrows, crosses and circles.

This was Xu Tingsheng’s favoured way of sorting out his thoughts regarding an issue. He would present all the points and clues before taking them into consideration one by one...till finally he came to figure out the final line, the most crucial line, the final point, the point which broke that line.

Sadly, that night, he was ultimately unable to figure out that line, that point.

Chen Jianxing was evidently still insufficient to serve as that most critical point…

At the same time.

In the home of Chen Jianxing and the Deputy Mayor’s daughter.

The woman frowned as she fiddled about Chen Jianxing’s nether regions for a long time. Suddenly, she got up and slapped him with a cold look on her face.

“You useless piece of trash!”

Chen Jianxing put on a smiling face and reined in his disgust as he frantically apologised, “Work is really too tiring...sorry, sorry.”

“Where’s the drugs?”

“Finished. I forgot to replenish it.”

The woman glared at him before sitting up. She found her phone and dialled a number.

“Little Zhao...it’s me. I’ll be coming over in a bit.”

“...”

“Alright. Call Master Li over as well.”

The woman hung up and turned to look at Chen Jianxing.

“You have no objections, right?”

“No.”

“Right, how would you have any?!” The woman laughed coldly, “I almost forgot. You’re used to being a cuckold. Well, it can’t be helped. Who asked you to be a piece of trash?! That ex-wife of yours…”

Chen Jianxing said not a word. While facing this woman, there were many acts that he could put up, he was really getting more and more unable to feign things in this area...because every time he saw that face, his first instinct was to puke out the contents of his roiling belly.

“Get up,” The woman said.

“What is it?” Chen Jianxing asked.

“I’ve drunk too much. You can drive me over.”

“...”

“You’re not willing?”

“I am.”

Chen Jianxing went out, waiting for that old woman who actually looked even scarier than a female ghost after removing her makeup to apply her makeup. He waited for her to put on that black dress which rather than making her sexy, left those bulges and bulges of fatty meat on the verge of exploding outwards…

As the car sped along.

“Right, a squad from the city will be entering the capital in a few days. Could you help me put in a word with Dad? I’d like to go too,” Chen Jianxing feigned calmness and asked as he drove.

“Why would you go?” The woman commented disdainfully.

“Get familiar with some people, rub off their shine...don’t I still want to climb a little? Otherwise, I would continue to embarrass you and Dad, right?” Chen Jianxing said in an ingratiating tone.

“Wow, so you do know that you’re embarrassing our family?”

“Heh, heh…”

“Alright, I’ll mention it to my Dad later on.”

“Thank you, thank you my dear.”

“Shut up. We’re here, pull over.”

Chen Jianxing stopped the car and saw the woman enter the district...he turned the car round.

On the return journey, the car window was open as a cool breeze flowed in amidst the night...Chen Jianxing felt refreshed and energised.

The sharp blade that pierced through his chest rumbled non-stop…

Chapter 533: The righteous, the devilish and the wild

Chapter 533: The righteous, the devilish and the wild

The amenities for the hospital wards for veteran cadres were pretty good. They were split into an interior and exterior room too. When Xu Tingsheng entered behind Fang Yuqing, there were four people seated in the exterior room. All of them had their heads lowered frustratedly. Even if one looked up and glanced at him, their heads would very soon be lowered again.

It felt as if they were collectively ready to release a sigh at any time, a sigh that scattered ash across the ground without even the slightest spark.

The atmosphere and vibes here seemed so very representative of the Fang family’s current situation.

The great tower was on the brink of toppling. The sole person who could possibly have become the mainstay of the Fang family in terms of position and capabilities, Fang Yuqing’s eldest uncle, had been incapacitated from the get go.

The other side was swift, ruthless and decisive. The Fang family was like a snake which had its vital spot hit before it could even turn, collapsing into a limp mess. Everyone was left to fend for themselves helplessly.

As their sole purpose of this trip was to meet old Mr Fang, even Fang Yuqing who was walking in front did not stop to greet these elders of his family. Xu Tingsheng, too naturally did not take the initiative to exchange pleasantries with them for no reason.

The two entered the interior room.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng, old Mr Fang did not utter a sound as he simply knocked on the side of his bed with two fingers.

Fang Yuqing’s father went outside.

He knocked again.

Fang Yuqing looked at his grandfather and pointed at himself.

The old man slowly nodded.

Fang Yuqing looked a bit hesitantly at Xu Tingsheng before going outside too, shutting the door tightly.

Only the outsider Xu Tingsheng and the decrepit, dying man who was thin as a branch and had so many tubes embedded in him all over remained in the room.

The old man was sick. Xu Tingsheng had come to understand this the last time they had met. Even so, his spirit and vigour had still been present back then at least as his aura from years on the battlefield and several decades in a high position had still been visible.

He had still appeared robust at that time.

Regarding the robustness of old people, it refers to their bodies for some and their souls and minds for others. Old Mr Fang had only had the latter remaining at the time, yet was mighty enough to appear in the state of the former even despite that.

In Fang Yuqing’s words, with the old man’s physical condition, he should probably have searched for a bunch of specialists three years ago or even earlier. Still, he had forcibly tolerated it at home just like that, relying on Traditional Chinese Medicine to regulate his condition and appearing a few times every year when his condition was best to intimidate potential enemies.

He had been buying time for the Fang family till he ran out of fuel.

Xu Tingsheng thought about how he had once charged on the battlefield while carrying a machine gun with a single hand, his healthy, fierce momentum the last time they had met. Well...old man, with just a dried up skin over your bones remaining, who can you possibly intimidate still?

“What’re you looking at, kid?” The old man asked slowly.

Next, he raised his hand and pointed at the patches and patches of mottled brown spots on his own arm. These could be seen all over his body now, including on his face.

“Are these what you’re looking at? Don’t you think that they’re old man spots. No, they’re dead men spots…”

“What, you don’t believe me?”

Xu Tingsheng thought: Hoho, who’re you trying to scare again? Huh.

“You must believe me, because you’ve never seen them before. I have. I’ve seen too many corpses that couldn’t be buried in time, filling valleys and strewn across the wilderness in neverending, stacked piles. People rot when they are dead, just like how I am right now.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled helplessly, conceding, “Fine, you’re great.”

“That’s true,” The old man said without any humility whatsoever, “Most people only grow dead men spots when they’re dead. I’m different. People like me, we can’t die unless we’ve rotted fully...I’ll live however long I want.”

Xu Tingsheng calmly listened to this old man showing off. It was not that he did not believe these words, though. Some people had an iron-like will such that they could not die unless thoroughly rotted.

It was just that such people generally died very painful deaths.

“Actually, it’s really freaking painful. I’ve taken bullets before, and it’s even more painful than that. It wouldn’t be so painful even if you shot me a hundred times with a machine gun.”

“Got it.”

“Still, that actually isn’t the darndest thing. The darndest thing is that having lived for decades, this old man actually can’t even urinate now that I’m dying. I have to use a tube everyday. That old bird in my pants must be seen by all those young girls, them little nurses, this one today, that one tomorrow.:

“Like a limp loach, getting played with by them. Now if I was young, no, it was the same just a few years ago too, if they dared to do this then, they’d be looking to ‘die’. With my indomitable lance, I…”

“Sometimes, I’m thinking: I damn well can’t let those lassies look down on me. I’ve got to stand up tall and let them know how mighty their Grandpa was before, scare them to death.”

“It’s just too bad…”

The old man ranted on, treating Xu Tingsheng like one of those old war buddies whom he would show off to with a cigarette in his mouth as they crouched amidst the trenches against the sound of gunfire. It was just that most of them were dead now. Two were even enemies.

While these words of his might sound dirty, playful or shameless, they weren’t like that in actuality. The old man was really pouring out his mind, not to his family but to Xu Tingsheng.

It was best for generals to die on the frontlines. Having been powerful their entire lives, some people were most unable to stand being weak and helpless, vulnerable and at the mercy of others. It was not sickness and death they most feared.

Just as the hair of beauties turn white, the eventual twilight of heroes is a sorrowful fact of life.

Xu Tingsheng believed that he would actually rather say all this to his two old war buddies with whom he had become enemies. He probably wished to drink some wine with them and reminisce. They had crouched together in the trenches, chatting about whatever was on their minds, such as the young widow of the Li village, the little lass from the Zhang village…

What else was there when men were young? Especially for a bunch of youths who did not know if they would be alive the next day.

Xu Tingsheng did not interrupt as he calmly heard him out.

Then, he said, “You haven’t that much energy. Let’s talk about the important matters first.”

The old man seemed to be offended by that as he suddenly exclaimed, “What important matters? What’s there to talk about? My Fang family has helped you so much. Now that we’re in trouble, it’s only right that you repay us. Just do it! What? You’re still looking for credit? Or could it be that you’re prepared to be an ungrateful wretch?”

Xu Tingsheng gazed at him as he would a shameless scoundrel.

“I want to entrust you with something before I die,” The old man resentfully switched his tone and said earnestly.

“Say it first,” Xu Tingsheng got serious as well.

While this was ‘entrusting before one’s death’, he still did not leap to promise the old man anything. In having said ‘say it first’, it was equivalent to leaving his path of retreat open.

“Marry Fang Chen. This is my dying wish.”

Xu Tingsheng stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the old man who had a sombre expression on his face. If this was fishing, the hook was too straight. If this was a setup, it was much too blatant. If he were to marry Fang Chen now, how would it be any different from leaping into the tiger’s den!

The old man wanted to drag Xu Tingsheng completely into the fray, sharing the Fang family’s fate as it rested wholly on his shoulders. That was far too damaging. Were he not filled with tubes all over, Xu Tingsheng would definitely pounce over and duke it out with him at once.

“Far. Too. Freaking. Shameless,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Actually, the two of them both knew full well that if the old man wished to drag Xu Tingsheng completely into this, those past debts and benefits actually amounted to nothing whatsoever. What truly could tilt the scales was none other than Fang Yuqing.

Otherwise, there would be no need for Xu Tingsheng to get involved in this at all, which was really an irrational move.

What the heck did the Fang family have to do with him?!

Also, although he might get involved now, he still did not intend to get involved completely.

Having used up much strength in his words earlier, the old man had to rest for a bit before he slowly said, “I never cared too much for raising my children before. I didn’t do well with that, and produced no talents amongst them...only when it came to my grandchildren did I put in a bit of mind.”

“Raising the righteous. Yuqing’s cousin-I sought to imbue him with righteousness, ignoring how this might make him unable to fit in at times and waiting till the situation changes for somebody who utilises the righteous to give him power and responsibilities...you have probably seen him before.”

“Raising the devilish. My granddaughter Fang Chen-of the three generations of the Fang family, there’s only she who can become a fox. If she is developed, my Fang family will have no worries for at least several decades.”

“Raising the wild. I allowed Yuqing to run around town, be lawless as his wildness grows. If he has an epiphany one day, the Fang family will have no worries for a hundred years.”

Xu Tingsheng could vaguely guess where the old man was going in suddenly talking about all this. Still, he said nothing, waiting to hear out the rest of it.

“The Fang family’s second generation-their life or death can be ignored.”

“The third generation-the rest can be ignored.”

“Even if my bones are ground and my ashes scattered, there is no need to pay it any mind.”

“I just want these three to live, to have a path out.”

So, this was his actual dying wish. He had fooled everyone, his own sons and daughters included, because they too were pieces to be discarded. He had placed all the hopes of the Fang family on these three.

All the Fang family’s remaining resources and strength, along with Xu Tingsheng, would not be concerned about the remainder in the least.

Some people, having previously seen neverending, stacked piles of corpses filling valleys and strewn across the wilderness...knew that life was always only ever obtained from the midst of death.

Chapter 534: Pull the trigger, then take aim

Chapter 534: Pull the trigger, then take aim

It was good if one had intelligence and keen foresight. Besides that, though, one still had to have a sufficiently strong heart. Otherwise, just making a few of those hard decisions would pretty soon send one to meet their maker.

Such people were actually not cut out for these kind of decisions. After hearing out old Mr Fang’s heartfelt words, Xu Tingsheng’s first thought was: I’m not cut from this kind of cloth.

What this meant was that if he were in his shoes, he would never be able to steel his heart like this however pressing the situation.

Now that he thought about it, before the old man had pulled the trigger on those five brats from the families of his old war buddies that year, he must have been conflicted too. Still, in the end, he had steeled his heart and resolutely pulled the trigger.

Before a battle’s victory and defeat, what were five mere lives amidst the bloodied struggle of tens of thousands?

Xu Tingsheng thought that if it had been his three own sons who had forsaken their fellow soldiers and turned tail and run, the old man would probably have done the same. He might even have been even more resolute in pulling the trigger.

And now, when the Fang family was like a ship out at sea facing a severe incoming storm, the old man who was at its helm had once again made another difficult decision. How difficult was this decision for him? He would not let others tell.

Still, he was sacrificing eighty to ninety percent of the vast Fang family with this, allowing even his own sons and daughters to be cast into the tides, their fates left to the heavens.

Xu Tingsheng could not know how much consideration had gone into this, how many things it concerned. Still, there was one thing he could be very sure about- those of the Fang family’s second generation were probably all guilty of underground transactions. Thus, in sacrificing them, whilst being calm and brutal, it was probably the only choice available to the old man.

With its remaining strength, the Fang family already could not protect them. Therefore...the effort should simply not be wasted.

Even he himself, in the end, was actually a discarded piece. In discussing with Fang Yuqing previously, one thing Xu Tingsheng had mentioned was guaranteeing a peaceful burial for the old man. From the looks of it now, however, the old man had already cast himself into the storm.

“Of the three I spoke of earlier, if even they must be sacrificed in the end, do it in the order that I said,” The old man seemed to have hardened his heart to the max today, fully treating everyone as pieces even though they were actually all of his flesh and blood.

The order that the old man had spoken of? Xu Tingsheng recalled: The righteous, cousin. The devilish, Fang Chen. The wild, Fang Yuqing.

So the one the old man prized the mostly greatly was actually Fang Yuqing whom everyone previously believed the Fang family had already more or less given up on.

Sadly, Xu Tingsheng could not tell Fang Yuqing about this. It was not something to be happy about at a time like this anyway. As for why Fang Chen was ranked behind Fang Yuqing, Xu Tingsheng speculated about it but could not say for sure if this was related to her being a girl.

He was far from able to guess at the considerations of an old man who was used to looking at life and death and had once been in a high position.

“Yuqing’s cousin is in the Vice squad. You know about that, right?” The old man suddenly switched to the casual tone used when ordinarily discussing family matters.

“Yes, we’ve met. I’ve also been helped out by him before,” Xu Tingsheng also used a normal tone.

“It’s like this...he can be removed from the picture for the time being,” The old man coughed, like there was phlegm in his throat.

Xu Tingsheng got up to call the nurse, but the old man raised a hand to stop him, saying, “Two days ago, he suddenly received an urgent assignment on the squad. They said it wasn’t major, so he just brought two people over. In the end, just having gotten there, he was shot.”

“What?! An ambush?”

“Luckily, he was agile and the bullet only hit his shoulder. Knowing that they were targeting him, he was not rash either as he returned fire while retreating, escaping safely. Afterwards, he went to the hospital and got the bullet removed. Those from my family inquired, but they actually said that the bullet was nowhere to be found…”

Everything was clear with that.

“He didn’t remain in Yanzhou. Now, he’s already at Jiannan City First Hospital.”

“I see.”

“I heard that your family is in Jiannan. In your family, your father…”

“My family will not be participating in this matter.”

The old man laughed, “I was just saying. I’ve had many proteges and underlings, but I didn’t help them much. Most of them won’t take sides now. One of them who can be counted on and has great prospects is from Jiannan. He went to the Ministry of Defence a few years ago, but he said something wrong there and broke off his chances of advancement. He’s also in Jiannan now. I’ve left the child under his care for now.”

“He said something wrong?”

“Externally, he was too uncompromising in his words. It would have been fine if he had said that a few years earlier, and perhaps fine too if it were a few years later. So, I’m thinking that at his current age, he might still have a chance for a comeback...all that is needed is for the hawk faction to preside over politics, and then remember that there is such a person.”

Here, the old man gazed probingly at Xu Tingsheng, who could only feign ignorance and surprise as he asked, “Could it be that there’s a hawk and dove faction in China too?”

The old man smiled, “No, I was just kidding with you.”

“Oh. That person, what’s he called?” Xu Tingsheng asked ‘casually’, pricking up his ears.

“...” The old man said a name.

Xu Tignsheng was rendered dumbstruck. While others might not know of this name, with his ten years of foreknowledge, there was really no way not to know about it. He would be the greatest topic for those for Jiannan to boast of in the future. How would this person simply be making a comeback?

A large tree, a great shade! Yes, he definitely had to lean on it, grab onto it.

“What is it?” The old man asked curiously.

Xu Tingsheng composed himself, “It’s nothing. I’m just thinking that I should go visit cousin sometime. Is there any message you would like me to deliver to that Uncle on your behalf?

“No need. I got someone to send the child to Jiannan. His car was waiting at the hospital’s entrance...that was our conversation.”

“Fine, you’re freaking great, tacit, you can communicate without words…” Xu Tingsheng inevitably felt a little bit down as he thought this.

“I suddenly remembered. When we were battling the Vietnamese monkeys that year, he was by my side, helping me to carry a flask of water. That flask helped block a bullet for him once,” The old man seemed able to tell something from his expression as he now said, “The flask is at my house. I actually kept it as a souvenir, but I have no use for it now. I’ll get someone to bring it here, and you can deliver it to him for me.”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng tried not to let his happiness show too plainly.

With the relationship between the old man and that person, were this to have happened a few years down the road, what the Fang family was facing might not be considered a crisis then.

“Now, tell me what you think,” If what was said earlier was the strategy, the old man had now begun discussing tactics at long last.

“Not me acting as per your instructions?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

While it should logically be the experienced old man setting up the tactics, he might already have thought up a hundred tactics over the past three years and found all to be lacking. So, such was the justification behind his words to Fang Yuqing’s father. Xu Tingsheng had never made a single misstep thus far. He wanted him to take a step for the Fang family...optimistically, treating a seeming lost cause as a potentially salvageable affair.

The old man said nothing. His intent could not be any clearer as he gazed at Xu Tingsheng.

“Well then...I’ve already sorted out my cards very cleanly. I’ll say them out now,” Xu Tingsheng did not hide anything as he told the old man about everything he could and everything he was willing to take out, including the ‘suicide warrior’ Chen Jianxing. He also frankly spoke of what he was unwilling to part with.

Then, he finally said, “I want to take a look at your hand.”

The old man nodded, “I have two last big cards. The first is that I am still alive. While I may look like I’m almost gone, I can actually still hold on for some days. Even if I really do die, you’ve got to make me alive when I have to be. Remember, it’s all fine even if I’m left to rot to nothing. The next card is to see if there is a funeral after I die, and who will come then.”

“Who will come?”

“We’ll only know after we do it. Wait, no. You might know then, after we do it. I almost forgot, I’ll already be dead then. It’s me who will be buried.”

As they spoke of doing, Xu Tingsheng took out the piece of paper that he had organised the previous night, saying very frankly, “I don’t know what I should do, where to plunge the knife, how to retaliate, how to untie the knot...I can’t find that line, that point.”

The old man glanced at that piece of paper which was dotted densely with points.

“I can’t teach you that. You’re the one who will be fighting this battle. Still, from what you say, isn’t it that you are at a stand-off on the battlefield, yet do not know where your enemy is and where to aim?”

“More or less.”

“Pull the trigger, then take aim.”

Chapter 535: Wild volley

Chapter 535: Wild volley

Xu Tingsheng said, “I don’t know what I should do, where to plunge the knife, how to retaliate, how to untie the knot...I can’t find that line, that point.”

By this, he did not mean that he did not know who his opponents were. After all, from the Fang family’s perspective, those two were out there in the open, not hiding anything at all. Still, things were not as simple as that. It was not like if they were feeling oppressed, they could simply spend a bit of money and hire two fugitives to see if they could stab those two to death.

It was the same for those two with their hatred that had accumulated over decades. They too had not tried to secretly send someone to kill old Mr Fang, alleviating their emotions all at once.

It simply did not work like this for people of this level. Each and every one of their actions were tied to too many things. Those people above them could not disapprove, and they also had to consider those under them...making such indirect actions inevitable.

At Xu Tingsheng’s current level, he could not reach or see through these things.

Right now, the three people who had once held important positions were actually all retired. Since a very long time ago, while retiring from the bureaucracy in this country after attaining certain heights entailed giving up on the authority one directly held, it served as a protective talisman as well.

Generally speaking, no one dared to act directly against them for revenge. Such would induce a mass panic, very likely leading to the dissatisfaction and collective antagonism of everyone else.

Hence, what remained was a contest of their networks and their pieces.

Here, the Fang family was at an absolute disadvantage.

In the words of the old man himself, he had been opinionated and full of himself in the past, not good at associating with others. Thus, his net was very dispersed. Even those who had been under him could not be considered loyal. As for colleagues, they were in no way allied at all.

Therefore, those who were still willing to stick their necks out for him had either long since perished on the battlefield or were non-existent.

Despite how things were, Xu Tingsheng still detected a hint of arrogance in the old man’s words, feeling admiration as a result. Actually, at the level the old man had once been at, establishing one’s own net really depended primarily on mutual benefits as personality or loyalty might be secondary or even insignificant.

This old man had been in a high position, yet had little such relations with his old friends and those under him and virtually no alliances of mutual benefit with his colleagues. This was the main thing: To achieve this, while very foolish, was also not easy at all.

As for his two opponents, if that net that they had painstakingly spent twenty years building up were to be fully expanded, it would probably leave many people shocked. This could be seen in what had happened to the eldest son of the Fang family a couple of days ago.

The current Fang family had no illusions of winning whatsoever. They only hoped that the other side would spare them, give them a way out.

The point that Xu Tingsheng spoke of was the point to disentangle the net. No net could not be broken. And as soon as it was, those two old men would really only be able to try to physically exact revenge on old Mr Fang.

Also, the line that he spoke of was the other side’s boundary line. As soon as it was pressed and hurt, different sounds would resound from the interior of that net, causing one to again calculate if it was worth it as they felt pressure. It might cause them to change their minds.

All ties of mutual benefit had a breaking point. In simple terms, when things reach a certain point, some people will feel that it’s not worth it and won’t be willing to play on for any longer.

This point and this line were not easy to grasp. Xu Tingsheng could not do it, and neither could the old man.

And so, the old man who had fought in wars before said: Pull the trigger, then take aim.

……

When Xu Tingsheng exited the sick ward, the exterior room was filled with people looking troubled, most of them probably having rushed over after having heard the news of his visit.

Those of the Fang family now gazed in unison at Xu Tingsheng. Rather than looking forward to him actually doing something, it was more like they wanted to learn from him when the old man would finally retaliate and what he intended to do.

They still harboured a bit of hope, just that this hope was all on the dying old man in the room. One had to say that the state of this bunch was very pitiful, yet also very infuriating.

It was no wonder that the vast majority of them were pieces to be discarded.

It was no wonder that Fang Yuqing had said that the descendants of the Fang family were failures.

What the old man would never say usually, they were hoping to hear from Xu Tingsheng.

But Xu Tingsheng only smiled and took his leave.

A man and woman blocked his path.

Fang Zhong and Fang Ying had just returned from overseas. They were Fang Yuqing’s cousins, the children of his eldest uncle. Because something had happened to their father a few days ago, they were inevitably rather more emotional.

“What did Grandpa say? As an outsider, how are you qualified to keep it from us of the Fang family?” Fang Zhong pointed in Xu Tingsheng’s face.

“I think Grandpa must be losing his wits,” Fang Ying agreed.

As Fang Yuqing moved to interrupt, Xu Tingsheng raised a hand to stop him.

“Who do you think you are?” Fang Zhong asked, though it was unknown whether he was addressing the still expressionless, uncaring Xu Tingsheng or Fang Yuqing who had been going to stand up for him.

The third child of the Fang family’s second generation, Fang Yuqing’s father, walked over. After Xu Tingsheng had left the interior room, he had gone in to see the old man. He was the only one of the Fang family’s descendants whom the old man allowed to freely enter and leave it.

Slap!

Fang Zhong clutched his face, looking in bewilderment at his Third Uncle.

“The old man asked me to do this. He said that this will be the rule in the future.”

“The old man asked for all of us to enter now.”

Those of the Fang family surged into the interior room.

Xu Tingsheng left.

In the corridor, Fang Chen caught up with him.

“Xu Tingsheng.”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you.”

“No need to stand on ceremony. I’m totally not used to that.”

“I, I wanted to ask you-what can I do?”

“You can’t, you mustn't do anything at all. Especially not move on your own accord.”

“Huh?”

“Also, break up with Tan Yao.”

“...You knew?”

“Yeah. Off you go. The old man dotes on you a lot. Go speak with him.”

“Right.”

……

The day after Xu Tingsheng met old Mr Fang.

A wild volley of shots was fired from the Fang family who had previously been silent.

Fixated on the attack on Fang Yuqing’s cousin, seemingly set on rescuing the eldest son of their family, all the power which was still available to the Fang family was collectively unleashed all at once.

And so the suppressors came.

In response to the old man’s wild volley, those people in the opponent’s net, those pieces, were forced to step forward one by one.

On Xu Tingsheng’s side, Zhicheng Real Estate prematurely sprung the ambush for Ning Garden which had been waiting for them in virtually ‘asking for it’, taking the initiative to start the conflict. Soon afterwards, Fang Yuqing pounced in a meeting between the government and local entrepreneurs, spending an hour on a prepared speech bombarding their governmental departments for harming local entrepreneurship.

As compared to the earlier two incidents which were only known amongst the upper echelons still, this incident with Ning Garden evidently caused much more societal upheaval.

After dinner, Xu Tingsheng sat before the table in his study with the piece of paper before him, adding one point after another which had just been exposed, drawing line after line.

For the first step, he had to sort out and ready a list.

This list would eventually end up in the hands of Chen Jianxing.

Chapter 536: Resisting the strongest with the simplest

Chapter 536: Resisting the strongest with the simplest

The Fang family and Zhicheng Real Estate had simultaneously released a wild volley of shots. This trickled down the social hierarchy in Yanzhou as within a few days, it was more or less common knowledge.

Those of the higher echelons were still unable to comprehend this while the normal citizens were simply finding this intriguing.

The son and daughter of Eldest Uncle's family were more or less caught between these two states of mind, somewhat understanding but mostly feeling dismal.

Fang Zhong and Fang Ying had their pride and arrogance as elites who had returned from overseas. They looked down on Xu Tingsheng, just as they looked down on Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing who had only gotten into a third-rate local university.

As for Xu Tingsheng's accomplishments, they were like all of those young overseas returnees who loved utilising a mixture of English and Chinese alongside obscure vocabulary, believing that with the ideas they had returned with from America that were ahead of their time, succeeding was simply a given. Such was common in this generation.

Having virtually lost all confidence in their grandfather and Xu Tingsheng, the two blindly took it upon themselves and placed their hopes on participating in societal events to seek out a way to save their father.

They began frequently appearing at various events of at least a certain level.

One day, Fang Zhong happened to hear something at a drinking party. Someone teased the recent crisis management of the Fang family as he concluded such: If the enemy doesn't move, I won't move. If the enemy moves, I still won't move. One day, I suddenly clap my forehead, then I begin to swing my arms around wildly.

Very descriptive and very fitting.

The ensuing laughter deeply pierced the heart of he who had eminently returned from overseas.

That day, after requesting to meet his grandfather but being rejected, Fang Zhong held his head and wept bitterly, snivelling as he sat at the entrance of the sick ward.

"Why am I crying?! My heart really hurts! The lofty Fang family, becoming a laughingstock just like that. Woe betide me! Our vast family, these elites, actually having to listen to the wild gesticulations of an outsider, doing whatever he wants…"

His tears somewhat gave off the vibe of a pleading, loyal minister in the annals of history, desperately wishing for the good of the country. Fang Zhong, being too immersed in this play, got up and pulled the collar of Xu Tingsheng who just happened to have come to see the old man. He pressed him against the wall, tearfully questioning just what right he had to intervene in the affairs of the Fang family and why exactly he wished to harm them.

Empathising with how worried he must be about his father, Xu Tingsheng let this go without any dispute.

Fang Zhong took his silence as an admission of guilt. Seemingly having the feeling of a competent person having his talent buried, he soon started going around everywhere moaning of his troubles, describing the problem the Fang family was facing and how he wished to but was heart-wrenchingly unable to do anything about it.

He thus received a lot of 'sympathy' and 'consolation', which made him feel very good about himself. Yet, what he did not know was that others instead viewed this as the true joke of the Fang family.

In truth, those who have reached a certain level will actually never come to a conclusion quickly on things that they cannot comprehend. Rather, Fang Zhong childishly going around everywhere pouring out his heart without knowing the weight of matters more easily pushed all to the conclusion that 'there is no able person in the Fang family'.

A side-effect of Fang Zhong's actions was that more and more people began paying attention to Xu Tingsheng in connection to the Fang family and what they were facing.

There is generally such a mindset amongst the Chinese. In seeing one succeed, their first thought will be: He has a background! How else could he have succeeded otherwise?! As outsiders saw it, the ties between Xu Tingsheng and the Fang family ran deep, the latter having served as his support in the government all along in protecting his smooth upward rise.

That Xu Tingsheng's figure had indeed appeared in the Fang family's crisis this time seemed to solidify these views. And so, they saw his foundation as currently being shaken.

They saw him as being in the eye of the storm.

Hearing many such rumours, Mr and Mrs Xiang set aside some time and found an excuse to invite Xu Tingsheng to their home for a meal. There, away from Xiang Ning's ears, they carefully hinted, "Actually, the two of us have no expectations that Little Ning must be rich and prosperous in the future. So...worst come to worst, you can come and sell braised chicken rice with us, or find a stable job...at the end of the day, everything's fine, so long as everyone is here."

Xu Tingsheng was very moved and heartened by this.

In truth, though, he was still very far from the storm. In order to see things more clearly, Xu Tingsheng had mostly been placing himself outside of the situation in recent days, resting and attending lessons as he should outside of the necessary daily analysis.

The little sense of urgentness he felt stemmed from his trust in the old man. While the old man had not told him like he had told his son in private that he was really treating a seeming lost cause as a potentially salvageable affair, he had openly handed things over to him.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng felt much like pointing to a chessboard, someone had suddenly said to a mere hobbyist: Go, go have a game with Ma Xiaochun. My life is in your hands, so..

After feeling lost and directionless for two days, Xu Tingsheng began to read. Such a last minute thing might be laughed at by others, but this was the only thing he could think of and do right now.

Once, he coincidentally recalled such a saying: Using the simplest, most basic to resist those stronger, with more experience, more genius.

This had been used by a basketball commentator to describe Deng Ken not long after he had begun his career. Xu Tingsheng felt that its usage was not just limited to the domain of sports.

Xu Tingsheng had cultivated quite a good habit of reading in his two lifetimes. Also, the scope of what he read was wide. This included books like <<Caigentan>>, <<Sketches by the Little Window>> and <<Fireside Chat>> that were once obscure but had become classics as well as the likes of <<Thick Black Theory>> and <<Home Letters from the Marquis Zeng Guofang>> which everyone knew about. He had read all these books more than just once before.

Still, these books were actually still unable to meet the benchmarks of 'simplest' and 'most basic'

somewhat. After all, they were consolidations of the subjective experiences of others, creating a wall between them and the concept of 'most.

Because of this, Xu Tingsheng borrowed a book from Yanzhou University's library that records showed had actually been borrowed less than five times before, Alfred Adler's <<Understanding Human Nature>>. He did so rather than borrow <<What Life Could Mean To You>>, a book by the same author.

The fundamental starting point of this founder of individual psychology was the inferiority complex in shaping personality. This was generally equivalent to Xu Tingsheng's personal view on human nature.

While Xu Tingsheng's usual reading speed was very fast, he was very slow in reading this book. As he saw it, the difficulty of reading a translated, famed Western book on psychology was about as high as eating a whole turtle raw.

He called Hu Chen and entrusted him with buying an original English version.

Right after he had put down his phone, it vibrated again.

Huang Yaming had sent him a text. There was a picture of a gun, accompanied by the words: God created men, guns made men equal.

Xu Tingsheng recognised this sentence. Its original version was: God created humans, Colt made humans equal.

A Colt was a type of gun too.

A gun could make a weak twelve year old girl and a stout 28-year-old man stand on equal ground. It was an equality in killing, as well as of being killed.

"Don't touch that stuff," Xu Tingsheng replied rather hastily, not knowing what Huang Yaming meant by suddenly saying this.

"Chill! I was just joking," Huang Yaming breezily sent back.

This was soon followed by, "Just treat this thing with the Fang family as a sort of exercise. Whatever happens to Yuqing, he can always retreat to Bingzhou. Old Jin and I will be waiting over here."

Chapter 537: I have pawns that have crossed the river

Chapter 537: I have pawns that have crossed the river

Huang Yaming sending over that gun and those words caused Xu Tingsheng some worry.

There are some things in this world that can bless those who were once weak and inferior to possess power and influence, thus becoming addicted to them. These things include authority and money, as well as the camera and the pen.

Guns fall under this category too, representing the influence of violence. Some have called it the blessing of the weak.

In the year 2002, Fernando Meirelles had expressed through <<City of God>> that once people begin to have faith in the power of the ‘gun’, relying on violence, their mindsets will change too in a process that is difficult to reverse.

The weaker the person, the stronger the allure and the addiction.

Huang Yaming might not originally have felt himself to be weak and powerless, but when he was nineteen, Tan Qingling had pushed such a mindset onto him through a callous betrayal, and but for a mere BMW at that.

His pursuit of wealth and authority had thus become more crazed because only these things could give him the sense of security he needed.

Xu Tingsheng had known all along that Huang Yaming was changing. Still, he was clearer on the fact that he should set a bottom line for him. This was not South America or the former Italy as while some things that could not see the light of day still existed, they could only ever be in some dark corners behind the scenes. If anyone still openly followed those paths, they would perish miserably in the end for sure.

Setting this unease aside, Huang Yaming’s text at the end caused Xu Tingsheng to feel much more assured. This showed, at least, that his current position in Bingzhou was not all that bad. Not only could he take care of himself, he could also provide protection for others if that turned out to be necessary.

As for treating the situation with the Fang family like an ‘exercise’ as he said, this could not be easily disputed as well.

Lacking experience, thus using only fundamental human nature and ponderings to go against those two wily, experienced foxes in accumulating experience. No matter what, Xu Tingsheng would grow from this overall.

“Right, there’s something else I want to tell you,” Huang Yaming texted him again after a while.

“Go on,” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly replied.

At a time like this, when Huang Yaming was bringing something up in such solemnity, Xu Tingsheng surely had to take it seriously. He even felt a bit nervous and anxious.

“I’m thinking of finding someone to give birth to a child for me after I graduate from university. Best a son.”

“...” Having been paying serious attention, Xu Tingsheng was left nonplussed.

“I’m going to have to father a child anyway. My parents won’t let me not. Then, I definitely won’t be able to find another person that I especially want to have a child with in this life. So, I might as well find a high-level one and give birth to a better one. Sister-in-law’s helped me to get in touch with a girl, a third year at Qingbei. The time matches perfectly. She looks pretty good too, and only accepted this because her family has no other option. The asking price is a bit high, a million. I thought about it and think it should be worth it. I’m preparing to go sign the agreement in a few days, pay some deposit too.”

Xu Tingsheng was completely thrown by how surprisingly serious Huang Yaming was. This guy had really seen through life too thoroughly, lived with full clarity, he really had to admit.

“Well, say something. What do you think of it?” Huang Yaming pressed.

“That’s not a bad idea,” What else could Xu Tingsheng say?

“Right. I’m just feeling a little conflicted now. Should my son marry Niannian next time, or should he wait for your daughter? If it’s Niannian, it will be more or less when she’s in her third year of university that she’ll get a gold mine. If it’s yours, there is a long time to wait. But...your assets are vast! That pauper Fu Cheng…”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng glanced a few times at the screen of his phone that had a picture of Xiang Ning on it. Reconsidering things, his crafty mother’s idea...perhaps it really wasn’t all that bad!

……

The wild shots of the Fang family continued.

As the counterattack came, the daughter of the Fang family and her husband were imprisoned due to financial reasons just like her elder brother had been. Next, the second and third sons were shifted in their vocations one after another as they left their original departments, roles…

Many understood that this was the prelude to making a move on them. It was similar to how people scooped fish out of the water and placed them on the chopping board to make things more convenient.

Under these circumstances, the Fang family’s random shots continued firing away. It was just that there were already fewer and fewer people they could rely on. Most of those who had still had hopes of the Fang family or had not understood the situation before had already retreated from the battlefield, hurriedly showing that they were unrelated. It was obvious that those in the front would all be cannon fodder. No one was a fool.

The Fang family was laughed at, thought of a joke till some suddenly wondered, “Moving about without any organisation whatsoever, messing up their own formation and using up their own power-why exactly are things so chaotic in the Fang family? What are they so frantic about?”

“From the looks of it, could it be that...the old man has actually already passed on?!”

This seemed to be the sole explanation. The chaos was because they had lost their mainstay and strategist, now being unable to stay composed and act calmly. With the tree having fallen, all the creatures living on it had to scatter anyway. Thus, even if chaos ensued, they might as well use the power they still had at their disposal when they were still able to make use of that.

This sounded the more likely the more one thought about it as more than half of Yanzhou’s upper echelons soon had this as their theory.

Some tried to find out through the hospital and found that indeed, the Fang family’s sick ward had virtually become a forbidden ground these past days, not allowing outsiders inside. The doctors and nurses in charge of tending to the old man had also become fixed and virtually within the grasp of the Fang family without exception.

All the signs seemed to point to the same conclusion-that old man Fang might be well and truly dead, just that it was not being announced.

……

Xihu City’s First Hospital.

“What do you have in mind? Basically everyone outside should be beginning to think that I’m dead by now, right?” The old man asked Xu Tingsheng.

“I think even some of your grandchildren may believe this,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Go on.”

“Since it’s like this, you’ll still be able to ‘live’ for some time after you really die.”

“Oh, makes sense. Anything else?”

“It’s also to make those two guess a little, act a little. Otherwise, I’d have no way of guessing at their minds.”

“True. Anything else?”

“Nope.”

“You’re being dishonest, kid.”

“What?”

“You have one more goal. The person I’m waiting for, whom I don’t know if will attend my funeral-you want to see if he will care about whether I’m dead. Also, about his identity…

“Gramps is Zhuge Liang reborn.”

“I advise you not to think too much. It’s useless. I can tell you that the way things are now, even if you stage a grand funeral for me tomorrow, that person will still be thoroughly uninterested.”

“Why?”

“Actually, two old war buddies and I, we’re all his men. About how they’ve tolerated this matter for over twenty years and how I too didn’t suppress them prematurely, it isn’t because of their willpower or that I truly am that weak-hearted. It’s because it wasn’t the time. That person-he suppressed the matter, but left behind a sentence. When this day comes, he definitely won’t intervene.”

“So things were like this.”

“So you have to make it such that he definitely has to intervene.”

“I still can’t think of how to do this yet.”

“Do something else first then. Slowly is fine.”

“I have been. Do you think those two will come personally to try to get to the bottom of this?”

“What do you want me to do if they come?”

“Tell them that you have pawns that have crossed the river.”

“Oh. I have pawns that have crossed the river. What good will that do?”

“Treating a seeming lost cause as a potentially salvageable affair-actually, isn’t that what you’ve been thinking?”

“...When did you realise?”

“This morning, when I got up and looked at my reflection in the mirror.”

“Ha.”

Chapter 538: Ling Xiao

Chapter 538: Ling Xiao

With his grasp of basic psychology and human nature, while Xu Tingsheng was still unable to guess at the minds of his opponents, he had first succeeded in doing so with old man Fang.

When things were severe enough that all seemed lost, it was best not to find someone with experience to try to alleviate the situation. Something that could be remedied with experience, after all, would virtually never reach that state where all seemed lost in the first place.

“Having an entity like the Fang family to practise and gain experience with is a once in a lifetime chance for sure,” Old Man Fang smiled, “The Fang family’s Fang Yuqing-this name will definitely resound more resplendently than mine in the future. What do you think?”

The old man had an optimism that should actually not be seen on those about to die. While it was said that people had a period of renewed, vigorous vitality before their deaths, it was rare for these to last so long. The old man had been in good cheer these past few days as he could even survive without using all those breathing mechanisms for the time being.

He seemed confident that some things the Fang family had presently lost would all be seen on Fang Yuqing in the future, perhaps even surpassing that.

Hence, some advantages which could not be passed to Fang Yuqing at the moment were first given to Xu Tingsheng. That person in Jiannan right now, and that person who might come to his funeral-both of these were ‘gifts’ for him.

Of course, this entire situation itself was a ‘gift’, to grind the jade and temper the sword as Xu Tingsheng was spurred onward.

Xu Tingsheng gave no reply. One’s own path was sometimes forged by they themselves. Yet, sometimes, they would be pushed forth...by people and events, time and tide.

“Right, what about that flask you were talking about?” When leaving the sick ward at the end, Xu Tingsheng spoke casually, “I’ll be going back to my hometown the day after tomorrow for some important matters. As I’ll be passing by Jiannan, I can go visit cousin and bring that item over.”

“At a time like this...what’s so important?”

“My little sister’s university entrance examinations.”

“Oh, that’s really important then. I’ll get Yuqing to deliver it to you later.”

After he left, the old man was full of himself. Since Xu Tingsheng had ultimately taken the initiative to ask for the flask, it meant that he had decided to accept the Fang family’s final goodwill.

Since he had requested it, it meant that he was ready to return the favour.

……

Xu Tingsheng had an examination the next day. It was the first subject required at the end of his third year of university, Philology.

After photocopying several important points and notes from Lil’ Bro and doing some hardcore memorisation for an entire night, he felt after the examination that he should be able to pass.

At 9.30am, Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao exited the examination area together.

With how much of an uproar the Fang family’s matter had caused, Tan Yao had found out about it too. Under these circumstances, it no longer mattered if Fang Chen proposed a breakup. It was only that Tan Yao’s optimism and blind faith in Xu Tingsheng left even the latter himself somewhat unable to believe it. As he saw it, since Xu Tingsheng was already participating in this matter, Fang Chen and the Fang family would definitely be safe.

As the two exited Block 12, they found quite a few people crowded by the steps at the entrance.

At the bottom of the steps was a Maserati.

While it was a good car and a rare find in the campus, it was more of the woman inside the car that people were looking at. Wearing a white blouse and sunglasses, her hands were clutching the steering wheel as she gazed upwards.

She looked like Yu Feihong, just that the gentleness was replaced by coldness. A woman like this was usually more eye-catching for guys in universities than their female peers.

Amidst much discussion and unconscious swallowing of saliva, Xu Tingsheng and Tan Yao descended the steps.

As the two moved to walk around the car, the Maserati moved forward a few paces, blocking their path. As they headed further forward, the Maserati moved again, continuing to block them. Whistles and cheers began to resound amongst the people on the stairs behind them.

“You know her?” Confirming that he did not know the other party, Xu Tingsheng turned and asked Tan Yao.

“I shouldn’t have done it with her before,” Tan Yao lowered his voice and replied.

“Hello, my name is Ling Xiao,” The woman introduced herself in a formal tone, though her voice was admittedly nice to listen to.

“Lingxiao...treasured pavilion?” Tan Yao joked.

“Nothing that special. Just the surnames of two families put together,” The woman said, “You are Xu Tingsheng?”

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“I’m looking for you,” Said the woman called Ling Xiao.

Xu Tingsheng got into that car amidst startled exclamations. This was his first time sitting in a Maserati. He had never had high standards with regard to this area. The woman said nothing, only accelerating non-stop after they had left the vicinity of the academy city…

“You’re not scared?” This was the first thing she asked Xu Tingsheng after slowing down.

“I’m not. Because I know that you have a good grasp of things,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Why?”

“Because you should treasure your life more than mine. The Ling and Xiao families, together...they only have you remaining.”

The woman’s expression changed for the first time as she looked interestedly at Xu Tingsheng in the co-driver’s seat.

“You’re twenty-two?” She asked.

“Right. Twenty-two,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“I’m twenty-nine. You’re right. The Ling and Xiao families together only have me remaining. I basically can’t remember how those brothers of mine looked at all. I was still very young at the time. Still, I remember how my Mum and Dad and Uncle Xiao looked after that.”

Xu Tingsheng did not know how to reply to that as he fished for a cigarette and asked if he could smoke it.

The woman nodded.

Xu Tingsheng lit one up before passing the lighter and box of cigarettes over, asking, “Do you smoke?”

The woman shook her head, “I used to, but no longer.”

“Being able to quit is a good thing.”

“It’s not that,” The woman said, “I quit smoking in order to give birth to a child. I’m twenty-nine this year. I promised my family and the Xiao family to start giving birth when I’m thirty. I think I will start when this incident is over. I need to give birth to quite a few.”

Xu Tingsheng was rendered lost for words again.

“Your relation to the Fang family is actually far lesser than the outside world believes,” The woman got to the point, “I think you should understand that there is no clear standpoint of standing on the side of justice in this matter. It is a moral grey area, but it must be settled.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Can I take this as advice to surrender?”

The woman gave a rare smile, “To be precise, yes. I do not wish for you to participate in this matter.”

“I think that I should actually be inconsequential.”

“That’s how it seems. Still, I don’t want to underestimate someone whose every move is right. I can’t understand how it is that someone can succeed so easily. Our understanding of you is far deeper than you can imagine.”

“Your?”

“Don’t misunderstand. In saying I, I am referring to Lazard Bank. I started working at Lazard at the age of twenty. We have been analysing you ever since over two years ago while hoping fervently to invest in you. Right, we have been rejected by Xingchen Technologies before. Lazard-have you heard of it?”

“Of course,” Xu Tingsheng said.

There was actually a book on his reading list known as <<The Last Tycoons>>, introducing the history and glories of Lazard Investment Bank.

“Mysterious, powerful, successful, with a long history as well as massive power,” Xu Tingsheng demonstrated his understanding of Lazard.

“That’s right. So, we were very surprised at being rejected.”

“I don’t seem to remember this. Does Lazard invest in Chinese companies too?” Xu Tingsheng asked rather interestedly.

“There is nowhere money can’t go.”

“...That’s true.”

“Our strength in Yanzhou is actually not as high as you think. Still, many people are now willing to stand on our side and help us, because we offered them a piece of pie...Zhicheng’s Ning Garden, that land. How much does it cost? A few hundred million? Billions? Say, so much money. How many lifetimes would they have to enact corruption for that?”

The woman smiled as she continued, “I’ve already persuaded my families. We won’t touch that piece of land so long as you withdraw from this incident.”

Xu Tingsheng had not expected that she might go to a show hand so openly, without trying to hide anything.

“I think that I would actually be happy to chat about Lazard with you. Or some other aspects, other business matters,” Xu Tingsheng answered after a short silence.

His refusal caused the woman to fall silent for a while.

It was a long time before she said, “In the future, I’ll just be a woman in charge of giving birth.”

“In that case, should I get down now then?” Seeing that negotiation talks had broken down, Xu Tingsheng asked.

“No need,” The woman drove onto the highway before saying, “Let’s go watch a game of chess.”

“Where?”

“Xihu City’s First Hospital. It’s currently 2 v 1. Adding on the two of us...that’s 3 v 2.”

Chapter 539: A person without a name

Chapter 539: A person without a name

“I lived by the seaside when I was young. I saw fishermen going out to sea. Sometimes, people would be unable to escape the winds and the tides. When the boats didn’t return, their family members would know that something had happened to them because this sort of thing was always happening. I saw many women, elderly and children weeping sorrowfully by the seaside. So, why must you enter the eye of a storm that you can clearly avoid?”

The car sped along the expressway, maintaining that maximum speed below the speed limit. Ling Xiao was very good at driving and also, as Xu Tingsheng had guessed, was very serious when doing so, cherishing her life greatly. Gazing forward, she suddenly muttered this out loud as if to herself. This way, her words would not sound threatening to anyone.

As their opponent, it was impossible that Ling Xiao did not understand the relationship between Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing. Therefore, he felt that he had no need to reply to her words.

“You won’t stop even if we don’t touch that plot of land?! There’s really no motivation for personal gain?” Ling Xiao muttered again, sounding rather down and uncomprehending.

Might he be motivated by personal gain? Perhaps not initially, but afterwards? Xu Tingsheng was brought to consider this question for the first time. He pondered for a while and ultimately concluded that yes, he was.

He wished desperately to grow. Experience, composure, methods...he wanted them all. He had previously felt that he was not this sort of person, not pushing himself to be like this too. Yet, he suddenly wished so much now that he could be like those fully confident people who were ever unfazed by what befell them. If he was defeated, he wished to fall because of his lack of ability and not because he had not grown or was ignorant. He also sought a stronger background and foundation. The Fang family aside, he had never made any efforts in this area before this. It was different now.

Xu Tingsheng could not deny that the reason for this was what that mysterious woman, Zhou Yuandai, had said at the airport: There’s not much time remaining. You shouldn’t dawdle.

While the phrase itself was common, it inexplicably felt like a threat or warning, having remained on Xu Tingsheng’s mind throughout like an indelible stain.

“Did she guess something? What does she want to do? What can she do?...”

……

Ling Xiao fell silent following her two failed attempts. Xu Tingsheng was also simply unwilling to speak due to all that was weighing on his mind as he just smoked one cigarette after another. The two were not friends in the first place as they were enemies even. This seemed natural.

The journey from Yanzhou to Xihu City was around an hour by car. Time flew by in silence.

As the wind blew some ashes that Xu Tingsheng failed to flick away in time onto her white blouse, Ling Xiao finally turned and said, “Hey, you…”

Regaining his wits, Xu Tingsheng was momentarily dazed before he instinctively threw that cigarette out of the car window and said rather awkwardly, “Sorry, it was my oversight.”

“No. I just wanted to ask-Can you give me one too?” Ling Xiao asked earnestly as she drove earnestly too.

“Huh?! Didn’t you say that in order to give birth…” Xu Tingsheng looked at her rather puzzledly.

“To be honest, I actually don’t really believe all that. I remember that my mother once told me: With my family already having three sons that year, my father actually had no plans of birthing another. It was just that one day, he and two war buddies smoked and drank till very late. Only drunk...did he have me. But look, I’m still very smart and very healthy,” Ling Xiao chuckled a bit exaggeratedly to transit over that self-praise before continuing, “I only listened because that was what they said and I just followed it. But I suddenly feel like smoking now. Give me one then, will you.”

Xu Tingsheng held out the box of cigarettes and a lighter.

“I’m driving,” Ling Xiao said, “Light it for me.”

Xu Tingsheng could only take out a cigarette, making as if to stuff it in her mouth.

Such an action left both parties feeling a little awkward and at a loss.

Ling Xiao shot him a look, saying despondently, “Forget it, you take over the wheel at the rest stop up front.”

The two stopped at the rest stop to smoke. Afterwards, it was Xu Tingsheng’s turn to drive. Ling Xiao watched on very nervously for a while. As this was his first time driving a Maserati, Xu Tingsheng dared not drive fast as he drove very cautiously. Ling Xiao was very satisfied with this attitude of his.

And so the latter half of the journey comprised of Xu Tingsheng driving and Ling Xiao smoking one cigarette after another.

“Something on your mind?” Xu Tingsheng ventured.

“Focus on the road,” Ling Xiao reminded before saying, “It’s just that I suddenly feel rather envious after seeing you. I once hoped and thought that I would become someone like you…”

While speaking, she brought a cigarette over to Xu Tingsheng’s lips.

Only after clamping his lips over it did Xu Tingsheng realise that the cigarette was alit. As it would be too impolite to spit it out on the spot, he could only smoke it just like that.

Ling Xiao turned to gaze at the side of his face before suddenly bursting into laughter, bending over in amusement. If Xu Tingsheng were to step on the brakes right now, she would literally end up toppling headfirst...she was wearing a skirt.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng felt rather bewildered at being laughed at.

Ling Xiao straightened, one hand covering her mouth as she laughed while retrieving the cigarette that was in his mouth.

Then, she pointed out a spot of redness to him and said triumphantly, “I purposely applied very thick lipstick just now...and imprinted it on the cigarette. Now, you...haha, your lips are so red…”

She happied away like a little girl who had just pulled off a successful prank. Only afterwards, noticing Xu Tingsheng’s rather awkward expression, did she realise the intimacy of that act.

After a short silence, Ling Xiao broke the air by jokingly saying, “Ah, maybe I shouldn’t have told you. See how you explain to your little girlfriend afterwards…”

Surprised, Xu Tingsheng asked alertly, “You people know even this?”

“Of Yanzhou’s higher circles, who doesn’t know this?” Ling Xiao retorted before saying, “It’s just that you’ve never offended anyone, so everyone left it alone and gave you face. Still, it looks as if a group of people has wasted their time. Over the past few months, there’s a group of people who’ve been eating specifically at your father-in-law’s restaurant rather than elsewhere, merely hoping to run into you there and let you know that they’re giving you face, thus improving their ties with you. It’s not that your status is really to that extent, but that you’re really too good at earning money. It’s like the new gambler at Vegas who always wins every hand. Who won’t follow in hopes of rolling in the dough?”

Xu Tingsheng pondered for a moment before asking, “Is this one of the reasons you lot would like for me to stay out of this affair?”

Ling Xiao answered frankly, “Yes. Under circumstances like this, so long as the slightest event happens on our side and we fall at a disadvantage, there will be people frantically leaning towards you in the hopes of giving timely assistance and getting you indebted to them.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“Actually, you had best pay attention to this. I think that if someone really wants to fish in turbid waters and do something underhanded, they may target the young lady. We won’t, but that doesn’t mean others won’t,” Ling Xiao added.

Whether these words were false or true, sincere or insincere, a reminder or a distraction, good-intentioned or a threat...Xu Tingsheng had no way of judging it, and naturally could not respond too.

Remembering this but not letting his expression change, Xu Tingsheng deliberately changed the topic, asking, “Right, you said that your current name is just the surnames of the two families put together. What was your original name then?”

While this was just a topic he had randomly found, Ling Xiao seemed to visibly deflate in response, looking downcast.

“I think that I’m actually someone without a name. From ever since I can remember, I’ve always been called Ling Xiao. This was used to signify the coalition between the Ling and Xiao families. Ever since I was very young, everyone always emphasised to me that I’m called Ling Xiao, like because I’m the shared daughter of the Ling and Xiao families, with two Mums, two Dads, and no other degree of separation.”

“You must have had a name before that.”

“Maybe, but no one’s ever told it to me before. Even if I asked. They’d never say.”

“You guess one then.”

“Huh? Guess? ...Okay. Well, I guess...Ling Xiaoqing? ...Ling Xiaocui? Ling Xiaohua?”

“Ling Lingqi.” (007)

“Pfft...stop it.”

“Well then, hello, Ling Xiaoqing. Making your acquaintance, my name is Xu Tingsheng.”

“Huh? I...hello. I am Ling, Ling, Ling...Ling Xiaoqing.”

Ling Xiao had a name. Having come from her enemy.

Chapter 540: Attacking the weak point

Chapter 540: Attacking the weak point

Ling Xiao had become Ling Xiaoqing. While this name was originally a joke, Xu Tingsheng clearly observed a slight trembling of her shoulders and change in her eyes as she herself vocalised it.

Ling Xiao’s arms were across her chest as she looked over, as though giving a hug to Ling Xiaoqing whom she was meeting for the first time.

As Xu Tingsheng gradually got used to driving a Maserati, his speed rose. The sensation of driving a high-end race car somewhat moved even him who did not have much expectations regarding cars and usually drove a decrepit Volkswagen.

The subtle equilibrium between the two enemies changed very quickly too. After calming her emotions, Ling Xiaoqing began talking about her experience in Lazard. This might be the most appropriate, least awkward topic possible between the two now.

After listening for a while, Xu Tingsheng commented rather emotionally, “At twenty, I just started attending university, yet you were already at Lazard.”

The gulf in talent really left him shaking his head somewhat. Some people were true geniuses, whereas he merely had a cheating device.

“Well, not really. Actually, in order to obtain this chance, I wrote a thesis and sent it to Lazard. The primary content of the thesis concerned the operational characteristics and model of the national investment council in China. I also slightly revealed some insider information that I knew of, being a descendant of high-ranking families,” Ling Xiaoqing explained very frankly.

“Selling your country for your own benefit? You!” Xu Tingsheng joked.

Ling Xiaoqing did not mind this as she smiled and replied, “Nah. Do you believe me if I say that the country itself actually wishes for them to understand all this? We’re actually hoping very much for an influential investment firm like Lazard to participate. They’ll offer money and experience, while we offer them chances.”

“More importantly, for our capital on hand to be internationalised, we’ll need them to provide a bridge for us. RMB will definitely be internationalised in the future, and we’ll surely need their approval and support then. The factors involved are very complex. If you continue with your current pace, you will understand it in the future.”

“Moreover, you may not know, but the words and actions of descendants of high-ranking families like us overseas are always monitored to some extent. Things that will really be detrimental to the country cannot be leaked easily at all.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded thoughtfully. He virtually knew nothing at all about things at the level Ling Xiaoqing was currently speaking of.

“I should remind you,” Ling Xiaoqing smiled, “My path after Lazard was carved out with my own abilities. My analysis and reports regarding the prospects of enterprises in China are looked upon highly in Lazard right now. If you’re willing, I can help you out independent of the other matter now, to forge a connection or get a better deal. Don’t be quick to say you don’t need it. For instance, somebody sold news on Wall Street before, saying that you were obstructed in an attempt to invest in Facebook. Actually, if you had given this overseas investment venture to a professional investment firm like Lazard from the start, there would have been a much higher chance of succeeding.”

Xu Tingsheng had no way of explaining to Ling Xiaoqing that his failure to invest in Facebook was not really a straightforward business affair because of the role Apple’s father had played. He was really more concerned right now about what she had just mentioned, that somebody had sold information about him on Wall Street.

“The person that you’re talking about is Wayne Yang?”

“Right.”

“That bastard!” Xu Tingsheng cursed.

Not mentioning how he had already been swindled out of a sum when buying information, he had even been used as information to be traded. Wayne Yang truly lived up to his reputation of being shameless.

“Is information about me worth any money anyway?” He asked.

“Let me put it this way,” Ling Xiaoqing thought about it, “Because of your favour, Facebook is soaring atop the waves now. It’s being pursued by many entities with roots in China. In other words, many people are actually secretly paying attention to your direction in pursuing your footsteps. At the same time, you yourself are also rapidly becoming more attractive to Wall Street enterprises. All the reports and analyses on you by the Wall Street investment and analyst firms might be enough to fill a shipping container. Accurate every step, leading with every step. Too many people have been astonished by and thereby came to focus on you.”

Xu Tingsheng’s heart tensed at this.

“How about I make a loss and misdirect them for a few goes, getting them to stop paying attention to me?” He wondered.

“What’s with you?”

“Nothing,” Xu Tingsheng composed himself a little and smiled, “I was just thinking that Comrade Wayne Yang will definitely try to get closer to me after this. I’ve got to think of a way to dig some pits for him. He swindled me of a sum before, then even sold me.”

Xu Tingsheng’s tone was rather resentful and furious at that final sentence. The pettiness that he expressed was found to be very interesting by Ling Xiaoqing who laughed for some time.

Then, she casually mentioned, “Actually, he’s really a talent. From what I know, of the few investment firms under the national investment council, one actually tried inviting him as a consultant before. They were rejected, though. His way of making a living has been set. He cannot have a stance.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, unable to dispute this. Indeed, Wayne Yang did not have the strength or background to reign over Wall Street. It was precisely because of this, though, that he could become a channel everyone could use. It was just like how famed prostitutes were always booked by major figures and it would only be those who were slightly enchanting but still moderate in level who could truly have customers from all walks of life patronising them numerous times.

“He even pursued me in America two years ago. Of course, it was definitely not to marry me as his wife,” Ling Xiaoqing smiled.

“He failed?”

“I’ve never been in a relationship before. It wasn’t allowed. I liked a boy back in senior high before. I think that he liked me too. Then, he suddenly changed schools one day, because his parents were transferred in their jobs.”

“...”

“Right, Wayne Yang. In truth, if he wasn’t of mixed blood, he should have a chance to get on my bed and become the father of one of my children. Uncle Xiao met him once before. He admires him greatly.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng was stunned silly. The father of one of my children? What the hell does one of mean? Isn’t the script simply getting married to one person, and then giving birth to a couple?

“I’ll say it, but don’t you feel sorry for me,” Ling Xiaoqing hesitated for a while before clenching her teeth, her expression a little abnormal as she explained, “Like if someone catches the Xiao family’s eye and they approve of and want him as their son-in-law, I will go and give birth to one with that person, giving the child to the Xiao family. Then, if someone else catches the eye of our Ling family, I will give birth to another with that person, giving the child to the Ling family. Perhaps it will be more than one person that catches the Xiao family’s eye. Same for the Ling family.”

Occupying the speeding lane, the Maserati Xu Tingsheng was driving let out intense revving noises. The car up ahead became a bit panicked and hurriedly gave way. Still, Xu Tingsheng had actually only been venting the rage that had piled up in his chest in that instant.

“I heard that the Xiao family already has one ready, a kid who isn’t even twenty yet. Sometimes, I wonder how many exactly I will have to give birth to, and till what age. Maybe forty? Forty-five? How many times will I have to be the older preying on the tender in this lifetime?” Ling Xiaoqing tried very hard and forced out a laugh after saying this.

“There’s no reason for you to be sacrificed,” A mad Xu Tingsheng exclaimed indignantly before remembering his own stance and saying, “Sorry, it’s just because I don’t know about investing and Hu Chen and He Yutan over at Xingchen are not specialised in it too. So, I’m actually still thinking about poaching you over to Xingchen. How about you come to Xingchen when this is all over? You can decide on the salary, as long as it is not any higher than Hu Chen and He Yutan. I’ll promise you options as well. Xingchen doesn’t have an investment section right now. I can set up one just for you...”

Xu Tingsheng could tell from Ling Xiaoqing’s expression and body language that she was greatly moved by the offer. This was truly the life that she loved and wished for. She was devastatingly talented and longed for a stage to display her talent...overflowing ambition.

Still, what she said was, “When my three elder brothers died that year, it was already destined that I would be sacrificed.”

This was a woman who was bound by fate.

“Looks like we’re nearly there,” Ling Xiaoqing said rather desolately.

Xu Tingsheng nodded as the car left the expressway.

Soon, the tall outline of Xihu City’s First Hospital appeared before their eyes.

“Can I say one final thing to you as Ling Xiaoqing? Ling Xiaoqing wishes to say that if I could choose, I’d wish for you to be the father of my first child. Sadly...it’s only Ling Xiaoqing who is able to say this. Ling Xiaoqing lived for less than half an hour.”

The car parked. Xu Tingsheng got off. Ling Xiaoqing did too. The two exchanged glances over the roof of the car.

“From now on, I am Ling Xiao.”

“I know. Let’s talk again when this is all over...Ling Xiaoqing.”

Ling Xiao or Ling Xiaoqing...she stiffened, but did not rebut him.

The two maintained a distance between them as they walked to the high-status sick ward together.

Xu Tingsheng tried not to look at her as much as possible. He felt rather triumphant, and rather guilty too. He admired and sympathised with Ling Xiao and was very happy to have met Ling Xiaoqing, being very grateful for her two reminders as well...yet, in terms of psychology and personality, he had actually just done something else too-attacking via the weak point.

She was the first person from the opponent’s camp whom Xu Tingsheng, through his most fundamental strategy, believed that he already had an initial grasp of.

Chapter 541: Observing chess, a true gentleman does not speak

Chapter 541: Observing chess, a true gentleman does not speak

In order to ensure soundproofing, there was a passageway between the interior and exterior rooms of this high-status sick ward of Xihu City’s first hospital. It was not long, less than five metres. It was these five metres, however, that ever separated old man Fang from all those descendants of the Fang family.

Only his third son could enter the interior room. He was the spokesman for old man Fang over this period of time. There was also an outsider, Xu Tingsheng, who could enter. Apparently, the old man had placed his hopes on him. Still, some of the Fang family members were speculating that he had merely been invited by old man Fang and his third son to coordinate with their performance, and was doing so out of friendship.

Besides those three, there were only a few doctors and nurses who were allowed in.

The remainder, despite being the children and grandchildren of the Fang family, did not know if the old man inside was actually dead or alive.

They had asked the doctors, the nurses, his third son. The answer was always that the old man was in pretty good shape, much better than before. It was only that the veracity of this was hard to confirm under the current circumstances.

Everyone understood that too many cooks spoil the broth. Despite sometimes feeling rather despondent, the second son of the Fang family who knew what he should and should not do had never once crossed the line thus far.

It was different today, however. Today, he was pacing incomparably frantically about the exterior room. He had reached the door of the sick ward a few times, wanting to knock but then hesitating and stopping again. Rather than being afraid that the old man might get mad, what he was afraid of was the old man not getting mad-for the dead could obviously not get mad.

“Third brother is inside now,” This was the reason he was panicking, the news he wanted to report to the old man.

Still, he did not knock on that shut door and say it. He was lost, but he was scared too. If he now knocked it and found...that the old man was really no longer here...he would feel even more lost.

The second son of the Fang family had always been like how Fang Yuqing of their third generation had formerly been, viewed by outsiders as most incapable and incompetent.

He wondered if he should get someone to call a doctor over, thereby transmitting the news.

As he looked at that shut door, the door of the exterior room was pushed open from the outside.

It was two old men of a similar age to old man Fang who entered. White shirts tucked in, sleeves rolled up, it was the standard for old-style military men when not in their uniform.

The Fang family had assigned people to guard the outside. Thus, these two who could freely enter were most definitely no random people. The second son of the Fang family recognised them. Not only did he recognise them, he had even been very familiar with them in his youth. He had been familiar with them to the point that they had been like his own elders. He had been patted on the head and praised by them, also having been placed over a knee before getting his butt smacked by them.

“Uncle Ling, Uncle Xiao,” Whatever the two had come for today, however tempestuous the relationship between the three families had been over the past two decades, he greeted respectfully as he was used to.

The two old men looked at him as if to identify him before one asked, “You must be No. 2?”

“Yes, Uncle Ling,” He responded.

Old man Ling turned to old man Xiao and said, “I remember this one. He’s from the same year as my No. 3 and your No. 2.”

The Ling family’s third son and the Xiao family’s second son were already dead. Standing there, the second son of the Fang family did not know what to say.

Also in the room were two women and a bunch of third generation children. The gazes of the two old men swept over the third generation of the Fang family. In their eyes was pain, fury, sorrow, resolve…

The Fang family had children and grandchildren abound, whereas they…

Facing these gazes, Fang Chen smiled politely while Fang Yuqing nodded expressionlessly in acknowledgement. Because of this, the two old men took an extra glance at them.

A pretty girl of fourteen or fifteen years of age fearfully shrank back in her mother’s embrace.

There was a formless, intense pressure.

Fang Zhong was the oldest of the Fang family’s third generation. He suddenly stood up, clenching his fists and staring furiously at the two old men as his body trembled slightly. While this might make it seem as if he was the bravest of the Fang family’s third generation, anyone intelligent could tell, really, that this was actually him being first to give way and buckle under pressure.

“Don’t think that you, you...I won’t let you get away with this. Just you wait. I…” He spoke, the only way he could find some sort of mental support for himself, but it was truthfully incoherent.

Rudeness was actually an exhibition of fear. How ignorant and ludicrous these words seemed.

The door of the interior room opened at this moment, a shrivelled hand on the handle. Dressed the same way as the two in the exterior room, old man Fang stood at the doorway complete with tucked in white shirt and rolled up sleeves…

The three had dressed this exact way when sitting and drinking wine together in the past.

The second son of the Fang family went over and whispered something in his father’s ear. The old man nodded slightly, his expression not changing in the least as his gaze remained on his two peers.

He smiled, “You’ve come?”

“You’re not dead yet?” Old man Xiao asked.

“Yeah,” Old man Fang smiled.

The dark green leaves in the porcelain cups floated to the surface as the chessboard was set.

The three old men exchanged some perfectly casual words for a short time.

Then, old man Fang said, “It’s fine, I can accept it. It’s all fate.”

“You still believe in fate?” Old man Ling asked.

“Yes, I can’t not believe in it...after someone has had bullets brush across their scalps a couple of times, you can’t but believe in it. I think that you two do too. All those leaders up top, however many times they’ve said it, they actually believe it too.”

Old man Fang successfully rebutted them.

It was at this time that Xu Tingsheng and Ling Xiao entered.

Standing behind old man Fang, Xu Tingsheng smiled relaxedly beneath the searching gazes of the two old men. He had arrived just in time. Really, it was fortunate that Ling Xiao had come to his university to pick him up. He casually asked after the two old men.

Ling Xiao stood on the opposite side, behind the two old men.

Three versus two?

Old man Xiao extended a hand and wordlessly removed an entire side’s worth of car, cannon and horse from old man Fang’s side of the chessboard. This was not requesting an advantage. Rather, it corresponded with the actual situation presently. In reality, the Fang family already had less than half of its empire remaining.

Old man Fang extended a hand too, retrieving a piece and placing it back in its original position. It was a car. After doing so, he turned and glanced at Xu Tingsheng behind him. Exchanging looks, the two opposite him did not object.

In the overall battle situation, old man Fang was lacking a horse and a cannon.

“How about you play?” He asked Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Since when can I play chess?”

“That technique of yours…”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, thinking of how he had won old man Fang at a game of chess by simply ‘breathing’ and dragging things out, “That technique of mine is impolite against old people. Things are also apt to go wrong that way…”

Old man Fang smiled, “In that case…”

“Observing chess, a true gentleman does not speak,” Xu Tingsheng rebutted, before truly not uttering a sound as he watched the clashes on the chessboard.

So it was still two versus one, with one side having a horse and cannon less. Still, old man Fang was a little more skilled in chess than the other two. While the trio had all liked to play chess in their youth, the two simply ‘liked’ it while old man Fang was ‘addicted to it’...and that changed things greatly.

At the endgame, old man Fang was left with his general and an advisor remaining along with two pawns that had crossed the river, each two steps away from the baseline. The other side had a car and a sole general remaining.

Then, old man Xiao suddenly reached out and took away the final advisor on old man Fang’s side. He took it, rather than captured it.

Someone knocked on the door.

Someone from the provincial committee took away the second son of the Fang family. As of now, the second generation of the Fang family...only had its two daughter-in-laws remaining.

As the door closed, old man Fang surrendered the game of chess.

The two old men opposite him stood up.

Old man Fang tapped on the chessboard, pointing at the red pieces that were scattered about. He had forcefully captured these pieces earlier with the pieces afforded him despite the innately disadvantageous situation.

“People are not chess pieces. We’ve led troops before, and know that actual wars aren’t like it is written in books. It’s really rare to see armies that don’t collapse or retreat when the majority has fallen. Think on that.”

Chapter 542: City Toppling Little Pert Waist

Chapter 542: City Toppling Little Pert Waist

This was old man Fang’s first ‘check’ throughout the entire game.

The two pawns that had crossed the river were especially eye-catching, positioned right outside the four-squared box as they were. The two old men Ling and Xiao stood there and looked for a while before turning to leave, saying nothing.

As the door closed, the man within collapsed.

Old man Fang was carried in on a stretcher. The doctors and nurses rushed in, embedding tubes and various other equipment all over his body again.

After the door had closed, that shrivelled figure finally vomited blood over by the bedside. Xu Tingsheng realised that as a father, old man Fang was definitely not apathetic to the fates of his children after having seen too much bloodshed in life. It did hurt, just that he was truly already helpless to do anything.

“The brats are disappointments. They all had wrongdoings to catch. The Ling and Xiao families have actual evidence on hand, just that they’re going in a little more strongly than usual. My second son may have it a bit better, but the other two will probably never be able to leave.”

The old man looked abjectly piteous for the first time in days.

“In Hebei in 1978, someone weighed my bones and divinated my life, saying that I would not have children to see me off in this lifetime. I trashed his stall, saying that he was talking trash. Wonder if he’s still here now...I guess I should apologise to him.”

Xu Tingsheng did not answer as he walked closer and helped him wipe off the bloodstains by his mouth before asking softly, “Wait till you have the energy before speaking. I’ll call someone in...Fang Chen or Yuqing?”

The old man opened his eyes and said, “Yuqing, no, Fang Chen.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded and walked out.

Behind him, the old man said, “Hold on. I’ve changed my mind. You should speak your mind and ask whatever you want to ask now. I should still be around a few days later when you come, but I might not be able to speak then.”

Xu Tingsheng stopped.

“In that case, don’t get mad when I ask you this,” Xu Tingsheng ventured cautiously, “The two of them look smarter than you. Why were you always higher ranked than them? And they can’t even beat you in chess.”

The old man seemed to laugh, “Let me tell you about the past.”

……

When Xu Tingsheng left the interior room, he unexpectedly found that Ling Xiao who had left earlier was there too.

On seeing him, she stood up and said, “My families asked me to tell you that you’re welcome to go over and visit any time you feel comfortable.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled and nodded, replying, “I’ll definitely find a time to visit and pay respects.”

“You should get in touch with me first at the time,” Ling Xiao left a name card behind and exited the sick ward.

Xu Tingsheng put the name card in his pocket and looked for Fang Chen, whom he spoke to. She went to the interior room. Now, he found that everyone in the exterior room was looking at him, some with unfriendly looks on their faces.

“Rest assured, the old man is fine,” Thinking that they were worried, Xu Tingsheng consoled.

A girl of around fourteen or fifteen stood up, walking over to him and exclaiming, “Huh! Traitor. Lackey who bows and scrapes before the enemy. Country bumpkin lecher, unable to move with a woman before you.”

Her rebuke itself was a bit old-fashioned. She had probably seen it on television or just heard it being said by someone else, now using it for herself.

Xu Tingsheng and Ling Xiao had entered together and not acted like strangers. With Ling Xiao specifically waiting for him and inviting him to their home as their guest...it was actually normal that some members of the Fang family would feel rather offended by this.

“What is your name?” Xu Tingsheng smiled and asked this youngest member of the Fang family’s third generation.

The young girl stubbornly looked at him, making a disdainful expression, “Tsk, tell you my name? How disgusting?!”

Seeing this, Fang Yuqing walked over to Xu Tingsheng and introduced on her behalf, “This is my younger cousin from my second uncle’s family. Of all our family’s names, it’s her and her brother’s that are the most interesting. He is called Fang Ruju while she is called Fang Ruli.”

The girl glared furiously at Fang Yuqing, blaming him for telling Xu Tingsheng her name. It looked like she was usually spoiled by everyone and therefore did not have good manners.

A woman present stood up, walking over to stand between Xu Tingsheng and Fang Ruli. She looked at her palm, then glanced at Xu Tingsheng, seeming rather troubled and pained.

As per old man Fang’s earlier rules, of the Fang family’s third generation, anyone who was disrespectful to Xu Tingsheng and offended him was to be punished with a slap. Fang Zhong had been a previous offender. At the time, it had been Fang Yuqing’s father, the third son of the Fang family, who had dealt the slap...now he had already been sent to prison.

The woman clenched her teeth and raised her hand towards the young girl.

A shocked Xu Tingsheng hurriedly grabbed her wrist. Despite knowing that the other party had glanced at him and acted slowly just so that he could stop her, Xu Tingsheng still made sure to cooperate the best he could.

“This is my second aunt. Ruli’s mother,” Fang Yuqing introduced.

“Don’t, auntie. Ruli is still a child. If you slap a girl’s face, they’ll have no dignity,” Xu Tingsheng advised.

The second daughter-in-law of the Fang family brought her hand down like he had asked.

But the little girl would not back down as with tears in her eyes, she still rebuked, “Mutt! No need for you to pretend to be a good guy.”

Xu Tingsheng helplessly forced a smile, bidding his farewell and leaving the sick ward.

He took Fang Yuqing’s car key and looked for the car downstairs. Fang Ruli had run out at some point in time as she leaned over the railing on the second floor and yelled as she held her face, “Mutt. Traitor! You only know how to harm our family...don’t ever come again! I’ll scold you every time I see you. Even if I get beaten.”

It seemed she had been slapped in the end. Xu Tingsheng wondered if it was Fang Zhong or Fang Ying who had indoctrinated her with the viewpoint that he was harming the Fang family.

The little girl seemed pretty good at scolding people as she seemed to know no need for rest. From the looks of it, she had also been serious when she had said she would scold him every time she saw him.

Xu Tingsheng looked up exasperatedly and asked, “You’re fourteen?”

“How’s that any of your business, mutt.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled and said earnestly, “Did you know? I have a girlfriend who’s only a little older than you. I just remembered. I think she was only fourteen when I started to chase her. Get what I mean? I, you know…”

The fear in Fang Ruli’s gaze slowly intensified...meeting a pervert was so much scarier than getting hit.

“Your looks are pretty good too. Maybe still a bit underdeveloped, but it’s fine…”

Before Xu Tingsheng could finish, Fang Ruli who had been scolding him relentlessly despite having been slapped ran away.

……

It was already evening when Xu Tingsheng reached his home in Yanzhou. He hurriedly opened the door as thick smoke roiled all around, as if an explosion had just occurred.

His girlfriend whom he had started chasing when she had been fourteen, the seventeen-year-old Xiang Ning, came out from the kitchen, wiping her sooty face with tears in her eyes, “I wanted to cook for you...then I don’t know what happened, it somehow ended up like that.”

Xu Tingsheng settled her down on the sofa and rushed into the kitchen to tidy up the scene.

When he emerged, he forced a smile and asked, “How is it that you suddenly thought of cooking for me?”

With streaks of soot across her face, Xiang Ning said earnestly, “Mum said that you met some difficulties recently. With many things bothering you, you may be tired and troubled. She asked me to be more sensible and learn to take care of others rather than always being like a little kid.”

Xu Tingsheng leaned in and kissed Miss Xiang on the forehead, saying, “Thank you. You’re the best.”

He wrung a towel and carefully helped her to wipe the soot off her face and hands. While eating dinner afterwards, he deliberately acted like some food connoisseur as he sampled her dishes.

While eating a mouthful of charcoal of what might originally be eggplant, he concluded in praise, “This dish of yours should be the peak possible amongst those cooking for the first time. As only befitting of someone whose family runs a restaurant.”

Understanding what he really meant, Miss Xiang menacingly chased him from the living room to the bedroom, then to the balcony and back again.

On the living room sofa, Uncle Black Bear lay there shamelessly enjoying a lap pillow from Miss Bee as he felt full of himself. The two spoke for a while. Xu Tingsheng spoke about some things without elaborating clearly on the circumstances, talking about what to and what not to do.

Uncharacteristically obedient, Miss Xiang agreed to all of it. Then, she stroked Uncle’s face that was a little tired and moved her legs together for him to rest a little more comfortably.

She asked him, “How do you feel, lying like this?”

“It feels as if the entire world turned wonderful.”

“Hehe. Then, will you also accompany me and wait for me outside the venue when I take the university entrance examinations?”

“I will.”

“I just knew you would.”

“Why?”

“Because, after the examinations...you know, I don’t have to say it.”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it, “You mean that after the exams, I’ll carry you straight home, and then…”

Miss Xiang poked his face, “Dirty ruffian, dirty ruffian…”

“Right, there’s something I wanted to show you. I nearly forgot,” Xu Tingsheng got up and went to the study, where he retrieved a stack of papers and design sketches.

He separated and took some design sketches which he passed to Xiang Ning, asking, “Renovation for the house will be beginning soon. What do you think about this sort of design?”

While Xu Tingsheng had found someone to produce it, these ideas had come from he himself.

It was a style that gravitated towards wood, virtually copying from a design that Muji would use some years in the future...that was just to the level he could appreciate.

Xiang Ning looked at a few design sketches and excitedly expressed that she really liked them.

Xu Tingsheng had known that she would like them, actually. In his previous life, when they had thought that they would surely be together forever, the two had once analysed and discussed this in detail before. This was the version of their ideal home that Miss Xiang had personally decided upon.

The home that he owed her that lifetime was finally soon to be realised.

“But…” Xiang Ning trailed off.

“But what?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Say it.”

“They were saying that Ning Garden doesn’t have the housing certificate, that they can’t hand out the homes. They were also saying that you could see from the rooftops a few days ago some people sitting at the entrance of Ning Garden, afraid that you guys would run away…”

What Xiang Ning said was the truth. Due to the increasing amount of rumours recently, it was true that the sales building of Ning Garden was kind of being besieged.

Without giving further explanation, Xu Tingsheng glanced at the time and proposed for them to go out for a walk together.

The sky was already dark at this time. The two held hands as they walked towards the east of the river. The further they walked, the more the cars and pedestrians there were. When they reached the bridge, gazing into the distance, Ning Garden was visibly crowded with people.

“This is?” Because of all those stories she had heard, Miss Xiang looked up and asked Xu Tingsheng rather uneasily.

Xu Tingsheng smiled and stroked her head, letting her turn her gaze in the direction of Ning Garden…

A huge piece of cloth that was wrapped entirely around slowly descended in mid-air.

“The skirt’s coming off!” Someone yelled, in what was a pretty good description.

Amidst the darkness, ‘Little Pert Waist’ slowly revealed its form. Startled exclamations hereby resounded.

Regarding this modern tower, Xu Tingsheng’s original design was Guangzhou Tower which was not even in the works now. He had relied on his memories and worked together with designers to make a mini, intricate version together.

Guangzhou Tower had an outstanding design with slim contours, really resembling a girl in a skirt which highlighted her intricate little pert waist.

Ning Garden’s Little Pert Waist was unveiled this very night.

Having heard the news earlier, citizens had congregated from all around to witness the face of this ‘future iconic landmark of Yanzhou’ that Zhicheng so claimed as well as verify with their own eyes if Zhicheng was really about to fall apart like in the rumours.

At this moment, as that cloth fell, the half-lit tower attracted countless gazes. Because it was night, it was difficult to see when far away. What was visible were only the contours and some lights that reflected off it from the other side of the river. The crowds could not help but exclaim in wonder while flocking closer to get a better look.

“Quick, let’s go over too…” Tugging Xu Tingsheng’s hand, Xiang Ning excitedly made to squeeze into the crowds.

To her, this Little Pert Waist had so much more significance than it had to others.

She knew that what everyone was feeling wonder at was actually just a shameless confession by a certain ruffian Uncle. That was her...Little Pert Waist.

Xu Tingsheng exerted force and pulled her back.

“We’re not going over?”

“No need.”

Xu Tingsheng held his phone with one hand and said, “Light it up.”

The tower amidst the darkness instantly radiated light…

“Wow! Man!”

“Too pretty!”

“It’s like she’s wearing a colourful long skirt.”

“What a magnificent sight.”

“Little Pert Waist...how supple and beautiful.”

Xiang Ning turned and looked at Xu Tingsheng, “It’s beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you.”

“Huh? Mm.”

“Meeting you is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“What?”

“Turn back and look.”

Xiang Ning redirected her gaze at Little Pert Waist. The tower was still resplendent, but a row of words was now additionally visible on it: Meeting you is the best thing that ever happened to me. Everyone was reciting this line.

“Uncle’s actually confessing like this…”

“Can I have a reward from Miss Xiang?”

“Yes. Okay. What do you want?”

“I want to kiss you in the crowd.”

“Huh? ...Okay.”

Xiang Ning mustered up her courage and nodded forcefully. She closed her eyes and raised her head slightly.

That night, in Yanzhou, Little Pert Waist shook a city...City Toppling Little Pert Waist.

Chapter 543: You must marry me

Chapter 543: You must marry me

The resplendent modern tower, the noisy, jostling crowds.

The two of them stood there, their distance between their figures slowly diminishing.

All-encompassing fireworks exploded in the sky, illuminating that sentence on the tower.

Love-while everybody is gazing up at the fireworks, you are looking at me. I kiss you in the endless, surging crowds. You bashfully flee, but come back and take my hand.

Yes, there is always a ruckus in this world, people going back and forth...if hands aren’t held, a pair might accidentally get separated.

“Come, I’ll lead. Follow closely!” Mis Xiang said.

Still wanting to get a little closer, she pulled Xu Tingsheng’s hand as they navigated the crowd like an agile fish. She asked: can I still touch it when it’s already lit up? The waist, that tower, I mean.

Xu Tingsheng pulled her back to his side.

“Don’t run astray. Come with me.”

As Zhicheng’s true boss, he did still have such special privileges. Xu Tingsheng brought Xiang Ning into the sales building through the side door and arrived at the empty third floor balcony. The tower was right before them…

Xiang Ning excitedly spread her arms wide as if to embrace it. Gesticulating, she asked about this and that.

“Look, there’re people everywhere! It’s so lively. But there’re only the two of us here,” She suddenly looked back and exclaimed, the glow within her eyes reminiscent of stars in the sky.

In a romance movie directed by Wang Jiawei, this would basically be: There are many people in this world, yet also only the two of us.

The fireworks were still unfolding in thunderous booms and bursts.

“Do you like being together with me?” Xiang Ning tiptoed and said into Xu Tingsheng’s ear.

“I do,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Will we get married then?”

“We will.”

“For sure?”

“For sure.”

“Yes. I’d be willing.”

“Yep. We’re agreed then.”

“Mmm. Xu Tingsheng, you must marry me. You must marry Little Xiang Ning. I wouldn’t be able to marry anybody else. Sometimes, I suddenly feel scared that you could be stolen away by someone else. I tried thinking about it before, but it’s really not possible. If you leave, if you no longer want me, I’ll be alone by myself forever, even though I’d still be waiting for you then.”

As it was too noisy, she had to exert herself and shout out every word.

Having already not cried in a long time, gradually no longer influenced by his regrets and memories of his past life, the smiling Xu Tingsheng, so successful in life, leaked tears.

“Those three years in my previous life, in the days afterwards, was she similarly unable? Was it always the same person? Yet never able to say those things to the person called Xu Tingsheng.”

……

Though the fireworks performance had ended, people remained at the tower, taking photographs and talking.

Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning sat down.

Xiang Ning wanted to sit down at the railing, but even though this was only the third storey balcony, Xu Tingsheng shuddered slightly as he dared not approach the edge. Xiang Ning, having only discovered his fear of heights after having dragged him to a Ferris wheel in his previous life, discovered this again now.

“Come on, I’ll sit in front. You sit behind me. You can hug me too. Don’t look down. If you’re afraid, you can bury your face in my back. I’ll protect you.”

Right after the valiant Miss Xiang had patted her little chest and said this, she let out a little shriek and bolted behind Xu Tingsheng.

“Wah! Look...there, there’s a white shirt that’s moving by itself.”

Xu Tingsheng looked where Xiang Ning was pointing. Indeed, there was really a white shirt at the bottom of the tower. Amidst the darkness on the other side of the sales building, it was moving about...or running about, to be exact, before it stopped and just froze in mid-air.

Soon, the crowds down below  noticed this too, startled, fearful exclamations arising.

Supernatural activity?

A haunting?

It wouldn’t be good if word of this got out!

Then, amidst a racket, music resounded.

“The girl is dangerous…”

Clang. Whoosh!

At the same time, a dozen circular spotlights rained down from above.

In the pitch black corner was now revealed a stage whose canopy had just been removed.

That white shirt which could move and run on its own was revealed to be worn by someone, a black person.

Xu Tingsheng sent to Hu Shengming: The heck, this black guy you found is so black.

Hu Shengming replied: You’re welcome. He imitates MJ for a living. Just watch, it’s crazy awesome.

Zhicheng had set up a performance in concert with the unveiling of Little Pert Waist. The first programme was a classic MJ song that fired up the crowd. The dude’s performance was very energetic and sent the surrounding atmosphere to a peak as applause and cheers resounded.

Miss Xiang completely forgot about her earlier blunder as she ‘protected’ Uncle while watching on excitedly.

The second programme saw an experienced first-rate male singer singing some of his classics.

The third programme was an acrobatics performance that had just appeared in this year’s New Year’s Gala.

The fourth programme…

This would be overkill even for the opening ceremony of Zhicheng Real Estate. Yet, it was unfolding now for the mere unveiling of a modern tower. Was there really a need for this magnificence of scale?!

Would this be in the news tomorrow?

At the very least, Weibo was already full of things about Yanzhou’s Little Pert Waist now.

A group of people dispersed into different segments of the crowd. The first thing they said, without exception, was, “Brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties...do you know? Have you heard?”

The crowd asked, “What?”

Then, they would discuss Little Pert Waist, discuss the current performance, mysteriously divulge Zhicheng’s present shocking financial backing as well as Fang Yuqing’s furious outburst in the meeting with the city government.

Before they left, they would conclude, “How could Zhicheng possibly lack the money to deliver their flats? Aren’t they all there? I heard that even the keys are ready. It’s just that people from the government are envious and corrupt...you get my drift? It’s them who’re forcibly preventing the flats from being delivered.”

The crowds burst into righteous indignation, “Damned things. Just because of their envy...they want us to have spent all our money for nothing?! Such great flats…”

By a road that could hold eight cars travelling side by side, opposite the entrance of Yanzhou City’s Central Park that was soon to finish construction, a few high-end sports cars pulled up amidst the darkness. Some people got off, smoking as they looked at the modern tower and performance along with the crowds in the distance.

“When was news that Zhicheng’s tower would be unveiled tonight broadcast?” Someone asked.

“Around today afternoon. There was no prior news. At 3 plus today, a great many well-known figures collectively put it on their feeds, making it blow up on Weixin. The main broadcast time should have been dinnertime. Many people heard the news while eating dinner and came over right after, just in time to see it. Then, as soon as that Little Pert Waist appeared, along with those fireworks, more and more people rushed over to see it,” Somebody answered him.

“Was this to prevent the Fang family’s opponents from moving to obstruct them? Aren’t they being investigated regarding suspected internal trading? This...forcibly resisting it head-on?”

“The element of surprise was definitely intended. Still, head-on, you say? It’s not as though Zhicheng is forcibly delivering the flats now. It actually doesn’t flout anything, giving anyone leverage against them.”

“This timing is very interesting...in making things so big, the intention is actually very evident too.”

Chapter 544: A century's cultivation for Xu Tingsheng

Chapter 544: A century’s cultivation for Xu Tingsheng

Xu Tingsheng had turned an ordinary night special and earnt the happiness of Miss Xiang. To him, the latter was evidently a little more important.

The seventeen-year-old Xiang Ning said she would marry Xu Tingsheng who had started entangling with her when she was fourteen. This was like the lamb finally falling prey to the wolf.

From the standpoint of the bureaucracy, Xu Tingsheng’s actions this night had greatly heightened knowledge on Yanzhou as a part of Jianhai Province.

Through Weibo, many people learnt about this place that might threaten Xihu City’s position in terms of total economic capacity in the future, gaining interest in it.

And all of this was solely because of a modern pagoda called Little Pert Waist. Not only was it beautiful, it was interesting too. Being interesting is a very interesting and profitable thing, and has and will always be.

No bureaucracy would generally do this as they were usually inflexible, rigid, image-conscious.

Xu Tingsheng had helped with this matter, and it was apparent how this would benefit Yanzhou. Logically speaking, he should really be commended.

Still, as compared to the ordinary citizens who only gained a lively night, some pride, and even some righteous indignation, those at another level of Yanzhou City were not calm, and showed no intention of giving Xu Tingsheng an award too.

It was from a totally different standpoint that they were looking at this matter.

In a private clubroom in the suburbs of Yanzhou City were gathered many elites of the second or third generation who were based in Yanzhou, or nearby, such as Xihu City, and were being groomed as inheritors of their family businesses. There had originally been another person in their circle known as Fang Chen. They were already keeping a distance from her now, though. Even those who had once passionately pursued her, or been close as sisters to her, were now similarly totally bereft of sympathy or an intention to help as they merely discussed it objectively.

The cold, hypocritical nature of this circle had never been concealed. There was only making use of one another for mutual interest, no helping another out in their greatest time of need.

“The Fang family’s second generation has just been wiped out, defeat seeming imminent. At this point in time, such a big disturbance on the land of Ning Garden that’s being targeted...it wouldn’t be that that trash, Fang Yuqing, is retaliating?”

These people acted like analysts and eventually discovered to their astonishment that with the old man on his deathbed and their second generation having been wiped out, the sole person from the Fang family who might still have the opportunity and ability to retaliate was actually none other than Fang Yuqing. They, along with the entire upper echelons of Yanzhou, had previously looked down upon this person the most.

Someone objected, “Don’t you guys feel that it’s actually not Fang Yuqing who did this, but that guy instead?”

“That guy? By that, you mean...Xu Tingsheng? He’s really rushing to the forefront for the sake of the Fang family?”

As Ling Xiao had said, amongst the higher strata of Yanzhou, Xu Tingsheng had influence and an appraisal that he himself was completely unclear on. He was Xu Tingsheng who had never made a misstep and lost before, the mysterious Xu Tingsheng that no one could see through.

“What makes you think so?”

“Whatever the case, Fang Yuqing’s upbringing is evident. A child from a family of officialdom, very unlikely not to have been influenced by China’s bureaucracy. For example, if a fight was really to occur between us lot, we would still tacitly do it under the table...no one would be so open in fighting.”

“Apart from...that person who may truly be born from peasant roots, but some people believe actually has a deep background, Xu Tingsheng. If any one of you has carefully analysed him before, you would know that this is just his usual approach of doing things.”

“What approach?”

“If you put it unpleasantly, he likes to hold to ransom and make use of the will of the people.”

“If you put it nicely?”

“He has always firmly believed in the power of the masses.”

“How does he do it then?”

“Public sentiment. His emphasis, passion and control with regard to public sentiment...is very rarely seen. Also, don’t forget that he has Weibo in his hands now. Truthfully speaking, amongst us all, we who know that we are still unable to bring it down-who isn’t afraid of it?!”

“You’re exaggerating,” Someone curled their lips and pointed upwards, “What are we afraid of? There are review committees up there!”

“That’s exactly right. In truth, however, they generally can’t pin him down with it because he never moves head-on. Look at him this time. Did he mention that Zhicheng is being targeted? Half a whisper about the Fang family or bureaucracy conflicts? No, not at all. Yet, in him doing what he did, things will naturally come to light, no one able to conceal it.”

“What could be his motive be then?”

“From the surface alone, there are two levels to it. The first is to protect Zhicheng’s land. That piece of land is equivalent to him having urinated and left his marking on it, the entire nation watching on. Anyone who touches it will come off smelling bad. Second, protect the Fang family’s third generation. He’s simply accepted that the Fang family’s entire second generation has fallen. This now is equivalent to him moving the contenders from hidden to in the ring to duke it out before the eyes of all. He is not afraid of the Fang family’s swollen face to be seen. He’s letting the fate of the Fang family’s third generation be placed in the public eye, not giving anyone a chance to move against them in secret.”

“Really mentioning the bureaucracy, this is a shameless fighting method. Our families have so many fragile things inside which are secrets that cannot see the light of day. We can’t learn from his approach even if we want to. Right, you said the surface...is there a deeper level then? What is it?”

“How would I know? If I could see through even this, it would be I who never made a misstep.”

“In that case, we shouldn’t be in a rush to get involved. We should wait for the reaction of the Ling and Xiao families and his next step. What do you think he will do next? Could there be a killing move hidden somewhere?”

“Who knows? Just wait. That dude’s always been very patient.”

This was the general consensus from Xu Tingsheng’s couple of business conflicts thus far. Still, if Xu Tingsheng himself were present now, he would definitely laugh and curse: Bullshit.

Xu Tingsheng’s greatest flaw was actually that he was unable to keep his patience. This had been so when he had been facing Huang Tianliang previously and also when he had pursued Little Xiang Ning later. Thus, he now always liked to find something else to do after establishing his stance to occupy himself with.

For example, this time, he would be going home the day after tomorrow in preparation for accompanying his sister in her university entrance examinations. He would let the public sentiment bubble and escalate, giving some space for the Ling and Xiao families to act.

“What do you guys think he’s doing now?” After reaching a consensus on the topic, someone soon changed to another topic that still had to do with Xu Tingsheng.

It was a girl who spoke, on the young side in this circle and not all that reliable too. Still, as her family background was very solid, she was doted upon greatly in her family and she was pretty, many people paid attention to and aimed for her in this circle.

Before long, she answered herself as she smiled, “Do you lot know what Xu Tingsheng himself is doing even as you guys are busily analysing him here? He’s diligently accompanying his little, seventeen-year-old girlfriend in watching the performance. Home tutor, Little Pert Waist, Ning Garden, ‘Meeting you is the best thing that ever happened to me’...you men, now, if any of you were half as romantic as him, I’d marry him.”

It was as Ling Xiao had said. While Xu Tingsheng believed that he had concealed Xiang Ning carefully, she was no secret at all to the higher strata of Yanzhou who wished to know about him.

Everyone gave her face and laughed before some guys who had burning questions or were unwilling to admit defeat began to speak.

“To be honest, in not being able to see through him, it’s this matter that I most can’t see through. I didn’t think much of it initially. After all, it’s not like there’s no one amongst us who like young, tender ones...who knew that after looking into it, he seems to be in it for real! Also, that little girl’s family is really completely ordinary, without any background whatsoever,” A guy said puzzledly.

“Pfft. Taking a fool as devoted. It’s actually inevitable, this. Wherever one is born is wherever their eyes are set. The most a farmer can dream of is marrying their landowner’s daughter. Much less a princess, even dreaming of a county official’s daughter is enough to shock himself awake,” Another remarked disdainfully.

Some people agreed and they all burst into sniggers.

“The heck you know,” That girl who had spoken earlier did not give them any face at all as she chastised, “You guys just think that because you are this way, everyone else must also be like this. Do you know what all the women of the second and third generations in the bureaucracy and businesses about Yanzhou said after all those things he did for that girl were uncovered?”

“Hmm? What did they say?”

The girl put on a solemn expression and held out a palm, “Accumulate merit, accumulate merit, accumulate enough merit for a Xu Tingsheng to have him dote on me from fourteen in my next lifetime,” She recited this like a high monk would.

The guys present all exchanged looks.

“There’s more,” Another girl happily entered their conversation and added, “It’s also said: A decade’s cultivation for a good birth, a century’s cultivation for Xu Tingsheng.”

“There’s more…”

The ‘elite’ women present seemed to forget their statuses all at once as they began chattering away excitedly.

Their births had determined to a great extent that they would probably be married to these men or ones who were more or less similar in status to them. Still, they were women too. They too had likes and yearning: such was the devoted, romantic Xu Tingsheng who gave other men simply no chance.

Chapter 545: Associating when still undeveloped

Chapter 545: Associating when still undeveloped

Some said a century’s cultivation for Xu Tingsheng. Xiang Ning had only used three years. Yet, Xu Tingsheng had not been this successful at the time, having even been destitute too. If those women who were talking about accumulating enough merit for a Xu Tingsheng were to see that version of him, they probably wouldn’t look twice at him.

So, how precious were those three years? Miss Xiang who claimed to have had a lot of suitors since young, which was probably true, had waited for a coward that ran off for over a thousand days and night.

Fu Cheng said he had an economics teacher who liked to talk about life with his students during lessons. Once, a girl asked him, “What do men with a ten million annual salary look for in women? The teacher smiled and answered, “What do you all think?” The students gave many responses, such as a good figure, someone beautiful and smart, with high educational qualifications, a good family background, even being good to upkeep…

The teacher simply said, “What he looks for: it’s best that when you fell in love with him, he still did not have that ten million annual salary.”

Sometimes, men actually need more love, more proof than women do, however hearing this might cause heartburn.

The Xu Tingsheng of this lifetime did not need Xiang Ning to prove anything again. He had long since been fully convinced. All he needed to do now was dote on her, giving her everything that he had once been unable to give her tenfold, a hundredfold.

It might take others a century, but it had taken him two lifetimes of cultivation for a Little Xiang Ning.

The performance on stage was still ongoing. Considering how uncles and aunties were actually an important part of the customer base for Zhicheng too, they had even arranged opera. Hu Shengming, the one in charge of arranging the performance, had chosen a local opera in inviting one of Jianhai Province’s most famous Yue opera troupes. He had invited a relatively less mainstream Wenzhou opera troupe too.

That Yue opera troupe sang <<A Sister Lin Fell From The Sky>> and <<Romance of the Western Chamber>>, operas that aged audiences were most familiar with and younger audiences also more or less understood.

Following that was the performance by the Wenzhou opera troupe that the audience comparatively found more foreign.

At this point in time, Miss Xiang who was still not the person who would occasionally quote ‘Leaving the hometown to save Sire Li, yet who knew somehow aceing the exams’ to Uncle after studying Chinese literature in university got bored. She leaned in Xu Tingsheng’s arms, counting stars.

Xu Tingsheng counted them with her, messing up her count. She counted 12345, and Xu Tingsheng would stick in a 9. She counted 31, 32, 33, and Xu Tingsheng would stick in a 44. Miss Xiang would exasperatedly exclaim, “Oh no, now where was I?”

“Somewhere around two thousand,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Hu Shengming sent over a text: Do you know why I invited over a Wenzhou opera troupe?

“Why?”

The reply came: Let me tell you, that woman on stage, the one who’s singing now, is crazy beautiful. It’s completely, utterly crazy. I’m curious. If a beauty of this level isn’t being ‘hidden’, how could a non-mainstream troupe like them keep her?

This coincidental? Xu Tingsheng suddenly remembered something as he mumbled inwardly to himself.

“You have designs on her?” Xu Tingsheng gazed upwards to confirm something before asking.

“Is it okay?” Hu Shengheng sent a reply.

“No,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Why?”

“You can’t afford to provoke her boyfriend. The swiftest rising star in politics of Jianan and the entire Jianhai Province over the past two years, his background involving military bigwigs and amazing to oblivion.”

“...How is that possible? Isn’t she just a member of a small troupe?”

“You don’t understand.”

Xu Tingsheng did not explain. He had seen this woman in Jianan University in his previous life before, when the government had promoted Wenzhou opera on campus. There hadn’t been many people willing to go at first. Having been in his fourth year and found a job as he was simply waiting around for graduation, Xu Tingshneg had been forcibly recruited to attend it.

In the end, when that day had come, the entire lecture theatre had nearly been bursting with guys, all because of this woman.

In terms of appearance alone, this woman might be one of the most beautiful of all those Xu Tingsheng had seen in his previous life. That combination of classic class and modern beauty appraisal standards and the switch between gentleness and valour had caused her to appear in his dreams for a few years afterwards.

Considering this life too, in terms of figure, looks and quality, she was inferior only to Li Wan’er.

Of course, Xiang Ning did not fall under these appraisal standards. To Xu Tingsheng, as she was flat-chested, flat was true justice-other standards of appraisal were all sorely mistaken.

The reason Xu Tingsheng understood this in his previous life was because some wastrels had blocked the path of the Wenzhou drama troupe’s vehicle after the activity had ended, insisting on treating her to a meal.

Besides their foul language, because others from the troupe blocked them, they even utilised violence.

Afterwards, this was broken up by a few cars whose brands alone were frightening enough. All those wastrels whose families were said to have some background were also expelled without exception. The next time Xu Tingsheng had seen her had been in the news channel of Jianhai province. She had accompanied the political superstar in greeting the American representative squad from Boston.

This is actually not strange. We see those actresses or singers getting married to rich dudes, but almost never see them  getting married to bureaucrats. Beauties who can enter such families based on their looks often originate from various government-related troupes. Correspondingly, these are the actual bases for the beauties of important families and officials.

So, when you are watching news sometimes and wonder why such a beauty is doing something so non-mainstream and why they don’t act in a drama or sing popular songs, becoming super popular, please remember that those female artistes, for all their worth and popularity, might really not measure up to them at all.

“Give the Wenzhou troupe the best treatment. Be polite, don’t have any wrong designs and try to befriend her as much as possible. Also, definitely do not mention the person behind her,” Xu Tingsheng thought about it and sent Hu Shengming a final text.

He had been close to graduation when he had seen her in his previous life. Now, he was still in his third year...if she had coincidentally not met and sparked off anything with that guy yet, now would be a perfect opportunity for some investment in the political scene.

‘Associating when still undeveloped’. This is basically the best reason for the ancients investing in and placing their bets on those with potential. Xu Tingsheng did not need to invest any actual thing here and had not placed too many hopes on this as well. It was just like firing off wild shots and hoping to luckily strike a fowl.

The unveiling ceremony and performances that began at 7.30 sharp persisted till 10pm. Xu Tingsheng accompanied the happy Xiang Ning on the balcony till nearly 12pm before going home.

After bathing, Xu Tingsheng rested on his pillow and lay down on the bed.

Wearing her pyjamas, Xiang Ning pushed open the door and leaned against it, gazing at him with a face full of anticipation.

“What is it? You’re not going to sleep?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Ever since Miss Xiang had often gotten those brain short circuits and not been averse to offering herself, Xu Tingsheng had really not dared to sleep together with her any longer.

Xiang Ning replied, “Well, your reward...do you still want it?”

“...I’ve already received it.”

“Yes, but I can reward you again.”

“I don’t want it.”

“...You do want it!”

“I don’t want it.”

“...You do want it!”

“I don’t want it.”

“Xu Tingsheng, you dirty ruffian. Are you tired of playing me and don’t want me anymore?”

“...I haven’t even played you yet.”

“Then…”

“What?”

“Do you want to play?”

“...”

“Wah, long legs. Wah, little pert waist…”

“..Hah, and a flat chest too!”

“You...Xu Tingsheng, you dare to shut me outside the door? You’re even locking and latching it? You…”

Miss Xiang felt like this scene was just totally wrong somehow!!!

Chapter 546: Three days return

Chapter 546: Three days return

Having been harassed till past 2pm by a furious Miss Xiang the previous night, Xu Tingsheng’s head throbbed a little as he woke up early the next morning. As Xiang Ning had laid her weight upon him as they slept, his limbs also hurt somewhat.

He had indeed been facing much more pressure than usual over this period of time. Adding on the exertions of running around, it had taken quite a toll on him despite his youthful age.

After breakfast, he drove Xiang Ning to Ye Qing’s office at Yuanhang Corporation as previously agreed upon.

“For the next three days, you’re to follow your Sis Qing. While she’s working, you can read and do your homework at her office. After work, go home with her and stay at her house. Basically, you’re simply to follow her around. If Tan Yao looks for her, tell him to get lost-say that I said it.”

In front of Ye Qing, Xu Tingsheng pulled the seventeen-year-old Xiang Ning along and carefully instructed her like a seven-year-old. Ling Xiao had previously warned him to be careful in case someone fished in turbid waters and tried to target Xiang Ning. While he could not confirm the veracity of this, he was still worried about it.

Xiang Ning nodded obediently, displaying her attentiveness. She could tell from Xu Tingsheng’s words that things were not right.

When Xu Tingsheng grabbed the doorknob, Xiang Ning said from behind him, “If you’re going to fight again this time, remember to call some people along, and tell them not to be late like last time. My heart will ache again if you are beaten.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Relax, now that I’ve already swindled you to hand, I no longer have to deliberately make your heart ache. I’ll never let anything happen to myself. I’ll be back in three days.”

After his departure, Xiang Ning asked Ye Qing, “What exactly is up this time? I’ve heard some people talking about it, my Mum and Dad included. It sounded very major, but it was not clear too.”

Ye Qing thought about it and, feeling that there was no need for Xiang Ning to know, simply said, “I only know that this is related to Fang Yuqing’s family. I’m not clear on the specifics.”

“Could something happen to him then?” Xiang Ning looked nervously at Ye Qing.

“Of course not,” Ye Qing smiled and extended a hand to comfort her.

“Really?”

“Of course it’s true. Little Ning…”

“Yes?”

“I want to tell you that the Xu Tingsheng you see is actually one of a kind. Others will never see it. For you, he will buy groceries, cook, do laundry, act cute, pitiful, ruffian-ish, shameless, make you happy. He will be afraid of your parents because of you, receive a beating without daring to retaliate because of you...just like any ordinary, very good boyfriend.”

“But you don’t know that in the eyes of others, he’s actually not just that...in the eyes of others, he’s not easy to approach, he’s never made a mistake, and others can’t see through him. As some would have it, he’s virtually a legend.”

“I know. He’s super awesome.”

“He is. Maybe even more awesome than you think. Awesome to the point that whatever he does, others still believe that he will definitely succeed. Whatever he does, we all feel that there’s definitely a good reason for it. Just like when we still didn’t know about you, and he decided that that district would be called Ning Garden, with a Little Pert Waist being built, all seeing completion by July this year. We just listened to him, thinking that there must surely be some special considerations behind this.”

“Only afterwards did we learn that he actually did all of it just to make you happy, as a joke with you and for you to attend school more conveniently. Little Ning, having you ever heard the story of the king who would ‘light the beacon tower and fool the vassals’, all to win a single smile?”

Xiang Ning nodded.

Ye Qing commented emotionally, “If not for how the ending is different, he’s actually not far from King Zhouyou already.”

Xiang Ning felt a bit bashful but could not stop a sweet smile from showing. Lighting the beacon tower and fooling the vassals...while this narrated an incompetent king failing his country, which woman did not wish to be treasured such? Wish to be viewed by that person who loved her...as more important than the world itself.

“Anyway, remember this. Unless they have no other choice, nobody is willing to provoke your man, Xu Tingsheng. He is awesome to the point that something whose end result was initially clear-cut becomes uncertain to everyone just because of his decision to participate in it alone.”

“Oh. Yesterday, he was still bullied to half-death by me…”

“...Look at me, saying too much. Little Ning, what I said won’t change the way you interact with him, right?”

“Nope. Anyway, when with me, he’s mouse-timid dirty ruffian, Uncle Liar, mischievous without constant supervision...I’m not afraid of any Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng.”

Ye Qing smiled and touched her forehead, “Really so blissful it makes one envious. You don’t know how many women of very good birth in and outside of  Yanzhou are envying you now.”

Xiang Ning smiled and shook her head, “I don’t want to know.”

Looking at Xiang Ning’s radiant smile, Ye Qing seemed to grasp a bit of the truth behind what everyone was puzzled about, why Xu Tingsheng liked this young girl opposite her.

“If it were any other woman who possessed Xu Tingsheng, could she be like this? All of it’s so authentic, natural.”

……

After leaving Ye Qing’s place, Xu Tingsheng knew that he was not in the right state of mind to drive back to Libei. Because he would be back home for at least three days and he could not just borrow a driver from someone, Xu Tingsheng simply took a coach back to Libei for once.

As the coach reached the highway, sitting by the window, Xu Tingsheng spotted the side road where Ding Sen had once hired someone to collide with and kill him.

His heart suddenly tightened as he thought, “If someone wanted to kill me, now would be the best opportunity where the risk is lowest. People would naturally connect this to the Ling and Xiao families instead. Could there be someone like this?”

Scanning through a list of people in his head, Xu Tingsheng did not think of anyone who might find doing so necessary.

Meanwhile, in Shenghai, two people whom Xu Tingsheng had previously met but had no way of connecting to each other were sitting together. Ding Sen’s elder brother of another mother, Ding Miao who had formerly colluded with Huang Yaming to kill his own younger brother, was saying exactly what was on Xu Tingsheng’s mind.

“I have no need to kill Xu Tingsheng at all. Even if we have some conflicting interests in real estate, it’s still not to that extent,” Ding Miao said to He Twenty-seven sitting opposite him.

He Twenty-seven smiled, “If you learnt that just so coincidentally, those two fools who worked under your schemes to kill your younger brother ended up returning to China and happened to work at a mine in Binzhou, and then were found by my people, which led to me finding out what probably really happened...would you still think there is no need for this?”

He recounted what he believed to be the entire account of this incident, which actually more or less matched with what had really happened.

“I heard that your father’s nearly handed the entire family business to you. That stepmother of yours seems to be against it, and there seems to be something wrong with her head as she’s always going around saying to everybody that she believes your brother’s death is related to you...and those two people just happen to be in my hands.”

He Twenty-seven was smiling brightly and warmly, but Ding Sen felt his hairs standing on end.

Ding Miao secretly wiped away the sweat on his forehead as he said with a severe look on his face, “Don’t threaten me. I’m warning you, I only accept offers of cooperation, not threats. This matter being so risky, what’s in it with me if I work together with you?”

“Firstly, let me correct you,” He Twenty-seven slowly drank a mouthful of wine. The risk...is not high. The current situation has given us the best opportunity. I wouldn’t have chosen this method otherwise. I’d have used those two people to directly threaten Xu Tingsheng…”

“I’m guessing that it is because you’re scared of him, right? You’re scared of him, scared to the extent that you daren’t go at it slowly with him and only dare to think of rendering him dead in a single go. Even then, you’re afraid of doing it yourself. That’s why you’re looking for me. I would just have been another of those threatened by you, otherwise.”

Having regained some of his calm, Ding Miao quickly made such an analysis which caused He Twenty-seven’s evaluation of him to rise.

“That’s exactly right. I don’t want to go at it slowly with someone who’s never made a misstep before. I want to quickly get it over with. I’ve always believed that those people in the movies who clearly had the upper hand but ultimately die because of too much trash talk deserve it utterly,” He Twenty-seven admitted frankly before saying, “You’re very good. I like working together with smart people, and someone who could personally set up and kill his own brother at that. You are very much to my liking.”

“Stop wasting my time. What’s in it for me? If it’s not enough, what’s there stopping me from choosing to stand together with Xu Tingsheng and slowly play with you? That’s Xu Tingsheng who’s never once lost before, whereas you only have those two people, far from having enough evidence,” Ding Miao said.

“That’s probably not what your Dad would think?”

“He only has me, a single son, left. As long as nothing ultimately happens to me, is it important what he thinks? ...Don’t you know of Li Yuan?”

“Alright. I’ll speak about the benefits then. Benefits, benefits,” He Twenty-seven nodded a little maniacally as he said this a few times before cocking his neck and saying, “Those two people will be buried in the mines after they’re used. Your stepmother will die. Does your Dad have to die? How about they die together. That way, you will be fully in charge of your family. Also...the projects in real estate. And...a mine, a mine in Binzhou. It’s Huang Yaming’s now; it’ll be yours in the future. Also, what can be gained through Huang Yaming after Xu Tingsheng dies-I’ll give you a portion of it.”

“Huang Yaming...right, Huang Yaming. What about him? He knows about this incident too. He’ll definitely be able to guess afterwards that it was me.”

“He’s in Binzhou now, at the height of his glory and too triumphant to consider what’s happening back here. When Xu Tingsheng has been compromised, Huang Yaming will naturally fall under my control, and will finally...die.”

“You’re lying. From what I know, Xu Tingsheng is on very good terms with your Jin Twenty-four. Whereas you should not be a match for Jin Twenty-four.”

“A good relationship? Haha…” He Twenty-seven suddenly burst into laughter,” This is the best joke I’ve heard all day. Do you know how many ‘friends’ Jin Twenty-four has gobbled up. Of all of us in Binzhou who can reach our extent, who truly speaks of relationships? All that’s caught his eye now is Xu Tingsheng and what he can still bring to him. I guarantee that so long as Xu Tingsheng dies, he will definitely not care about what happens to Huang Yaming. Also, like us, he’ll be in a rush to get even more out of this. Having more shared interests with Xu Tingsheng, perhaps he can even get more than we all do in the end. To be honest, if I weren’t afraid of him gobbling me up, I’d be looking for him to work together this time.”

Ding Miao calmed himself as best he could and pondered for a while before he looked up and said, “The most important question. Why do you so wish to see Xu Tingsheng dead? Profiting aside. Don’t tell me it’s only because of profiting.”

“You’re too smart. How hateful.”

The tone He Twenty-seven suddenly switched to caused goosebumps to rise on Ding Miao’s body, coquettish as it was.

“First, either I or Jin Twenty-four will definitely be gobbled up within the next few years. I don’t want him to have a force like Xu Tingsheng assisting him. Second, I just purely...very much wish to render someone like this dead. A great reputation, a great personality, values relationships greatly, with many women sincerely head over heels for him...isn’t everything just going too smoothly for him? Just how is it okay?! Third, there’s this slut called Tongtong by his side. I want to play with her and then kill her. That slut was actually willing to be a lowly manager under him just because of this, can you believe that? She rejected me...she rejected me…”

Ding Miao did not speak, his body trembling slightly. He knew that this He Twenty-seven here was a madman…perverted. A true devil.

Chapter 547: Smart people

Chapter 547: Smart people

Ding Miao held his head with his hands, not uttering a sound. He should originally be allied with Xu Tingsheng in this matter. Still, He Twenty-seven had approached him. While carrot and stick definitely had to be taken into consideration here, there was actually also a suggestion that was ever so tempting-to personally defeat and then render Xu Tingsheng dead.

Three years ago, the youth that Yanzhou’s higher strata had most approved of and praised had been called Ding Miao. When Ding Sen had returned to China and snatched his inheritance, many people, both inside and outside of the family, had felt sympathy and found this unfair.

Afterwards, people had begun frequently discussing somebody else.

The Ding family’s core businesses, shipping and foreign trade, were currently being suppressed by the Black Horse Club. In the area of real estate that they had invested much in, they were being suppressed by Zhicheng to the point of being unable to raise their heads. Ding Miao certainly knew that all this was actually because of Xu Tingsheng.

“Without Xu Tingsheng, the Black Horse Club will collapse and scatter. He’s an obstacle that must be removed.”

He Twenty-seven gazed immersedly at his hands. His hands looked very nice. Long fingers, small joints, smooth white skin, meticulously trimmed fingernails. They weren't like a typical man’s hands, much less those of a mine boss.

Fingers soft like that of a skilled pianist, immersed in himself, He Twenty-seven would sometimes display such a feminine nature. He was honestly beautiful, in that sort of way.

While it was June, his sleeves were still buttoned. So long as they were rolled up slightly, the scars on his arms would be revealed. There were teeth marks there, incomparably visible even today.

He Twenty-seven had countless such scars all over his body, some left from other objects, like whips, blades, hot metal…

A story from before He Twenty-seven was He Twenty-seven: His family down and out, a pretty young man of fourteen had accepted a famous man from Binzhou as a godfather and gone off to his home to live. Thereafter had been clothes of brocade and meals of jade...suffering a fate worse than death.

But he had lived. At the age of twenty, He Twenty-seven had buried his godfather alive in a mine, leaving him alive as he shouted into the breathing hole, “Godfather, are you still alive?”

There was sobbing from the former legendary figure.

“Rest assured, godfather. I’ll definitely save you,” He smiled.

That day, beneath the setting sun, the wind had billowed and dust swirled. He Twenty-seven had sat atop the pitch-black cave, his fearful godmother and godsister standing before him.

An intricate flower outfit, singing the songs his godfather liked hearing him sing most, He Twenty-seven, fingers like orchid, slowly, deliberately, had poured molten iron...into the breathing hole by his feet.

With every bit he poured, a tragic scream would resound as the two beside him wailed.

He Twenty-seven closed his eyes in relish, “Well sang. Good cries too. This was how you used to praise me too, godfather. You haven’t forgotten, right? That’s good. Rest assured, godmother and godmother still have me to take care of them.”

Afterwards, he had diligently ‘taken care’ of his godmother and godsister to the utmost till they were no longer heard of.

Yet afterwards, looked down upon by all and thought of as fresh meat to be gobbled up, it had only taken him three years to become He Twenty-seven.

Not many knew about the actual details of what had happened. Still, there was this saying amongst the Binzhou Thirty: I’d rather provoke Twenty-four than provoke Twenty-seven.

There are some things that leave the hairs of normal people standing just thinking about it.

He Twenty-seven glanced at Ding Miao. He knew he was struggling internally. He also knew that his proposal would definitely be accepted in the end. The intelligent are actually easier to fool than the idiot sometimes.

It’s like you want to bluff sometimes when you’re playing cards. The intelligent guy looks at your remaining cards and considers again and again, ultimately letting you deal all your cards successfully in a single go. Meanwhile, the idiot will definitely ‘bomb’ you.

If you lie and get exposed, the idiot will say: You bluffed me. I won’t listen to you anymore. Meanwhile, the intelligent guy will think: I caught you once, I can certainly catch you again.

So, to fool an intelligent guy, you only need to let him verify his intelligence successfully. Lie once, let him see through you and admit it. After that, you can lie a second, maybe even third time if it’s really necessary.

In their earlier conversation, He Twenty-seven had been exposed once and seen through twice, and he had also lost control of his emotions and inadvertently revealed quite a bit of truth...he had already successfully let Ding Miao ‘see through’ him.

What he truly needed to conceal.

Firstly, of the Binzhou Thirty, He Twenty-seventy was actually in the top three in terms of how well he understood Jin Twenty-four. While he had swallowed many ‘friends’ and ‘bros’ before, He Twenty-seven was ninety percent certain that this time, Jin Twenty-four would similarly targeted anyone who targeted Xu Tingsheng’s life.

With his inferior strength, He Twenty-seven did not wish to give him a reason to target him, directly facing his fury and retaliation. This was why he did not dare to make a move on Xu Tingsheng himself. Jin Twenty-four was keeping a very close eye on him. If Ding Miao wasted a few days and the news was even leaked slightly, in order to show his ‘sincerity’ and stabilise the situation, he would have to personally deliver those two people in his hands to Jin Twenty-four.

Secondly, the Ding family possessed some capability in Yanzhou, both financial and otherwise. If they fought, they could definitely enter a standoff with the away side, Jin Twenty-four. This would create a very good chance for him. He Twenty-seven’s goal, most primarily, was not entertainment and the bars Xu Tingsheng had left with Huang Yaming but Jin Twenty-four himself.

Therefore, if Ding Miao agreed, he would be cannon fodder whether or not he succeeded.

Previously silent, Ding Miao finally moved, reaching out and pouring himself a glass of wine before clinking glasses with He Twenty-seven’s glass on the table and downing it in one gulp.

“Hand those two people over to me. This...I’ll do it.”

He Twenty-seven downed the wine, “Very well. I’ll send them over.”

“Right. Afterwards, stay out of what I do. I’m not into those car accidents and assassination stuff like you people. You may be afraid of slowly playing with Xu Tingsheng, but I’m not. A mere third-grade university student,” Ding Miao who had graduated from a famous Ivy League university sat up straight in pride.

He displayed his hostility and dislike for Xu Tingsheng fully, not fearing that He Twenty-seven would be able to tell, for that was really the intention. While these emotions were real, Ding Miao was not Ding Sen. He had already long since passed the stage where he could be easily led astray by temptation or swayed by his feelings.

He had actually not made any decision yet. If things looked beneficial for him, he would really grab the chance and target Xu Tingsheng. Otherwise, he would unhesitatingly choose to stand together with Xu Tingsheng. He, along with Xu Tingsheng, and very likely Jin Twenty-four, would be an immovable rock for He Twenty-seven.

As for those two people, it was best if he could get them, but fine otherwise too. He had only casually mentioned it to ‘show’ his determination, not thinking that He Twenty-seven might actually agree just like that.

Ding Miao left.

A tall, elegant woman walked into the room, sitting down beside He Twenty-seven and placing a hand on his knee.

“You’re handing those two people to him just like that. Aren’t you afraid that he has no intention of targeting Xu Tingsheng in the first place and is just going to get rid of those two people and bring an end to this matter?” The woman asked gently.

He Twenty-seven extended a hand and raised her lower chin.

Were a bystander present, they would easily spot at this moment that this beautiful woman...had an Adam’s apple. ‘She’ had something on her that ‘she’ had once wanted to get rid of as well during the surgery, but He Twenty-seven had not allowed it. “In that case, I might as well have found a woman, right?” He had said.

At this moment, He Twenty-seven violently pressed that intricate face against his thigh.

The ‘woman’ arched her back, revealing a large area of skin. There were teeth marks, lashes, burns…

He Twenty-seven looked up, closed his eyes and inhaled.

“You’ve become smarter. This is what Ding Miao is thinking, having two hands prepared. Still, it’s fine. Someone as smart as him can surely think of a very good plan, find a very good chance...it would be a real waste if he didn’t act. This is the good thing about smart people.”

“You’re really becoming smarter and smarter.”

The ‘woman’s’ entire body trembled abruptly. ‘She’ knew how He Twenty-seven had risen to his current position. ‘She’ also knew how many of the mine accidents all these years, officially announced or not, were actually accidents and how many were actually his handiwork.

If she got any smarter, she was not far away from being dumped in an abandoned hole.

“I’ve found a very good Dan role teacher. I don’t think I’ll be able to go around with you all the time anymore. I’ve thought about it, and I want to concentrate on learning opera,” She looked up at him with big, watery eyes and said.

“Alright,” He Twenty-seven patted her head like he would a dog’s.

Chapter 548: Mother White Cloud

Chapter 548: Mother White Cloud

Sitting in a coach for a few hours was never an enjoyable experience. The yellowing seats, the lack of legroom and the not-so-pleasant smell all felt rather uncomfortable to the current Xu Tingsheng.

He recalled how he had taken a few two-way trips in his previous life to see that girl. Those times, he had been so excited that all this was at the back of his mind.

His handphone vibrated.

It was Hu Shengming calling.

“The Wenzhou opera people just left. I specially hired a bus to send them back,” Hu Shengming said, “We were really blessed by lady luck. A few dumb hooligans blocked the path. I covered my face to hide it from them and personally went to the frontlines where I successfully bled.”

He sounded so triumphant about having gotten injured. Even today, however dismal the state of the Fang family, most of those from the Black Horse Club still had absolute confidence in Xu Tingsheng unlike those of the outside world. They would virtually abide by his every word.

This might be because they had personally bore witness to more than others, like those three pieces of paper and the entire process through which Xu Tingsheng had secured Ning Garden’s land. Of course, Xu Tingsheng had also never let them get involved in the Fang family’s matter whatsoever.

“Those of the troupe are all but lauding me as a hero. We agreed to have more co-operations in the future. We’ll help to promote for them if there’s the chance. They want to find time and thank you in person. That beauty seems to bear some goodwill towards us too...speaking of which, she’s definitely a fatale-tier kind of woman. Exceeding the level that most men can digest.”

“That’s good then. Keep in touch more if you have the chance. It won’t cost much, anway. Remember not to do anything inappropriate, though,” Xu Tingsheng reminded.

“Relax, Tingsheng. You and Yuqing just focus on your stuff. I can’t help much with the Fang family’s matter, but as for the rest, just tell me what you need,” Hu Shengming smiled.

“Thank you for your hard work, Bro Hu,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Wah, this ‘bro’ is so fulfilling...bye now, I’m going off to brag,” Hu Shengming said.

Hanging up, Xu Tingsheng felt rather emotional. Most of those from the Black Horse Club were unable to participate in this matter. While some of their families might have some capabilities, they themselves lacked influence in their families. It was already very good that they could continue associating and working together.

Wu Kun had similarly called two days earlier and said, “Sorry, Tingsheng. I already can’t help out much at the level that you guys are at. Still, remember that if it’s anything that cannot see the light of day, let me do it. I don’t wish for you to touch that stuff.”

The second call.

Huang Yaming said that he had seen the girl from Qingbei whom he had agreed to have a baby with.

“How is she?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Pretty good. An ultra beauty thirty metres away, her features distinct and beautiful. Only after going near did I realise why her features were so distinct...her face is a bit big. You can’t fully see it up close. Still, sister-in-law said this is an auspicious look which brings luck. I can still accept it.”

“Isn’t that great then.”

“It would be pretty good. There’s just one little problem. I have a bit of difficulty accepting it.”

“What?”

“Never mind.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Not exactly...her name is Song Dandan.”

“...pfft…”

“She walked over and said ‘Hi, I’m Song Dandan’. I…”

“You what?”

“I stood up and said, ‘Hi, I’m Zhao Benshan’. Is the second season out yet?”

“...It’s actually not that bad. It’s a pretty good name.”

“Yeah, it’s just that I can’t close my eyes or it’ll be Mother White Cloud giving birth to one for me.”

“...”

“Tingsheng.”

“What?”

“I want to stay here for a while. There may be a ‘washing of hands’ here soon. I want to see if I have a chance. This right now is really a profitable business. Of the Binzhou Thirty...there’s still no one surnamed Huang.”

“Keep an eye out for your own safety.”

“Got it. Also, I want to say that if you’ve got any rough work over there, tell me and I’ll send someone to do it. I don’t want you getting your hands dirty. It’s okay if I alone take this path…”

“Rest assured, I got it.”

“Alright.”

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng narrowed his eyes in focus for a bit.

After hanging up, Huang Yaming told Old Jin who was sitting nearby, “I want to off He Twenty-seven.”

If an outsider wanted to squeeze into the Binzhou Thirty, getting rid of one of them yet still being accepted, the target least likely to evoke mass outrage should be He Twenty-seven. Although these people themselves were akin to wolves, they too did not desire to associate with him.

Still, Old Jin could not help him to do this without any rhyme or reason. Everyone knew Jin Twenty-seven. He had risen too fast, his reputation too resounding...if he did so, everyone would feel uneasy and insecure.

Xu Tingsheng made the third call.

He used Ling Xiao, over at the Ling and Xiao families, as the point of breakthrough.

“Ling Xiaoqing, I’m Xu Tingsheng.”

“...I’m not Ling Xiaoqing. Are you going to come over now?”

“No, I’m not in Yanzhou.”

“You’re intentionally telling me this? For what purpose?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to say that the Fang family’s second generation is completely done for while the old man is also more or less gone. Is there any possibility of your family letting those kids of the third generation off? The two old men had good reputations as officials and are also getting on in years...There’s no need to go to that extent.”

“I know. Still, just think about it. They’ve prepared for this for more than twenty years. At an age where others have halls full of descendants, they have never heard a single ‘Grandpa’ before.”

“...”

“Actually, my Dad could have given birth to another son at the time, you know? Still, he didn’t. He wanted to think about my three brothers everyday. He was afraid that he would have reservations like that, that his feelings towards the incident would slowly grow milder…”

“But the Fang family’s third generation is unrelated to politics.”

“So what? From what I’ve learnt in the two years after coming back to China, as long as someone wants it to be so, there is nothing here that can be unrelated to politics. Moreover, my two fathers might not care so much anymore.”

Not able to come to an agreement, the two soon hung up. Though Ling Xiao’s attitude was cold and resolute, she had actually still revealed a lot. She might truly be an elite, but her capabilities were not in the area of politics and scheming. Also, she was ultimately a woman.

……

There was no direct bus from Yanzhou to Libei.

In between changing buses in Jiannan City, Xu Tingsheng went to see Fang Ruju. He also saw that major figure who was temporarily a dragon trapped in shallow waters. When Xu Tingsheng passed the flask to him, he only said one thing as he held it, “So the old man still has so much confidence in me.”

From start to end, the topic never reached Xu Tingsheng or the Fang family’s current situation. This person also did not ask about the old man’s current physical condition. Maybe like the old man had said, this give and receive was all that was needed for communication to be executed between them.

As for things regarding Xu Tingsheng, this flask said it all.

Chapter 549: White hair knot

Chapter 549: White hair knot

People from Jiannan and the vicinity were travelling to Yanzhou to see Little Pert Waist. Zhicheng had announced on its official Weibo page that Little Pert Waist would be lit from 7 to 10 pm every night over this period of time.

Someone contacted Zhicheng, saying that they wanted to propose in front of the tower. There were probably few women who could resist a romantic kneeling confession in front of the tower, accompanied by those words.

The news was relayed up the chain of command to Xu Tingsheng, who agreed at once without hesitating in the least. Finding a new way to make money while also fulfilling others-who would say no to such a thing?

Soon, Zhicheng’s employees reported that in just over an hour, more than ten people had already signed up for this. It looked like this was going to become a sacred love ground.

Under these circumstances, there was no way for the local media to fully stay silent. Also, their reports along with what had previously been leaked about Zhicheng was no different from a young child peeing all over the face of an adult, or Yanzhou City’s government in this case.

Those who had previously been camping outside Zhicheng’s sales building were now sitting in rows outside City Hall. Some had banners: ‘So it’s you lot who want to rob us of our houses!’.

Who did ‘you lot’ refer to? While this was not certain, they were definitely sitting inside that government building. Since Zhicheng had already proven that they fully had the ability to deliver the flats as promised, they were naturally looking for trouble with whoever was blocking the way.

Someone from City Hall called Zhicheng.

Ye Qing said, “May I ask what Zhicheng has done? Zhicheng hasn’t instigated, perpetrated, or participated...we merely lit up some lights. It surely isn’t the responsibility of us little startups to maintain public order and stability, is it?”

They had no reply.

Xu Tingsheng was at the station, looking at his ticket from Jiannan to Libei. There was still more than half an hour. Wearing a T-shirt, jeans, canvas shoes and a backpack like any other youngster, he found a place to sit down at while waiting for the checking of tickets.

Some youths beside him were looking at the pretty girls in the waiting area, discussing them and egging each other on.

“Look, how’s that one?”

“Not bad. How about you go ask for her number?”

“Why don’t you?”

“I’m leaving the chance to you out of the kindness of my heart. You gutless worm.”

“Haha.”

“Shut it! I’m serious here. She isn’t my type. Yup, that auntie type, big and round, black stockings, high heels, everywhere seemingly at the brink of bursting. Those that cause your blood to immediately rush to your head-now those are women.”

“Since you sound so passionate about it, go on then!”

“The heck! Can’t you see that her husband’s there?!”

Talk they did, but none of them really dared to go up, flirt and ask for numbers. Listening to them, Xu Tingsheng felt as if he was seeing himself and Huang Yaming back in the day, similarly all bark but no bite.

Not long after Huang Yaming had entered university, they had once sat on a public bus in Jianan, using dialect to discuss the girl in front of them for a long time as they hypothesised ways to conquer her. In the end, the girl had turned back and replied in the same Libel dialect, “So which of you wants to pick me up exactly? Also, you’re probably mistaken. I’m C.”

It was such a good opportunity, but the two of them had actually still fled in a panic.

Actually, close to ninety percent of men were once this gutless kind. In affairs between men and women in this world, the courageous suffer from indigestion while the gutless starve to death.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng constantly smiling by the side, someone from that group said, “Stop smiling, bro. You go if you dare?”

Xu Tingsheng laughed and said, “I’ll go if there’s really one who’s pretty enough.”

A girl entered with a shoulder bag, wearing a hemp-coloured blouse, tight-fitting jeans and white shoes. Her gaze on the ticket entrance, she walked past the crowd.

They all stayed silent till she sat down, Xu Tingsheng included.

“This one is pretty enough…” The one who had just said he liked aunties said slowly, unable to retract his gaze.

“But she isn’t so hot?! She’s not the type you like,” Someone rebutted.

“At this level, there’s no need to consider all this,” That person said blankly.

That made sense. The group now discussed her enthusiastically for a long time, but it was still the same as none of them really got up and walked over. Finally, the guy beside Xu Tingsheng remembered him.

“Bro, you said that the girl must be pretty enough. This one is, right?” He asked.

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“How about it then? Dare you go? Don’t just laugh. Give us bros a demonstration.”

“I’m just afraid that if I go, you lot will no longer have a chance.”

This drew everyone’s attention, the show-offy level exceeding their comfort levels. They all began egging Xu Tingsheng on, telling him not to worry about and stand on ceremony with them…

Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly, “I’m going for real then?”

“Go on…”

“Off you go…”

“Alright.”

Xu Tingsheng got up and went to the station’s small shop, buying two bottles of water. Then, he blinked at the bunch of boys as he passed them and walked over to the girl, who was immersed in a book. As he passed her a bottle of water, she raised her head and looked at him.

“Senior.”

“How come you’re free to come back?” Xu Tingsheng sat down beside Wu Yuewei.

“We have finals. The teacher gave us a few days to prepare, so I just happened to be free,” Wu Yuewei said.

Finals, free...these two words that should not be associated together only sounded reasonable coming from a study queen like Wu Yuewei. While she was drinking, Xu Tingsheng turned and secretly waved to those guys who were all staring wide-eyed in disbelief.

They had aggrieved, incredulous looks on their faces.

“Just buying water is fine?”

“The key is that he’s shameless enough! See how he just sat down.”

“What’re you doing?”

“I’m going to buy two bottles of water. The one we saw over there was pretty good too. Off I go!”

“...”

“Why are you back so fast?”

“She said she’s not thirsty.”

“...”

Wu Yuewei kept the bottle of water after taking a sip from it. She was probably not thirsty too.

“Why didn’t you drive this time, Senior?” Wu Yuewei asked.

Xu Tingsheng pointed to his head and said, “I felt dizzy when I woke up this morning. I didn’t dare to drive.”

“Oh,” Wu Yuewei said, “You’re pushing yourself too hard. You should take better care of your health.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded and said after a time, “Got it. Also, thank you for specially taking this trip.”

Wu Yuewei averted her gaze, saying a bit wrongedly, “It’s also not because of you. Qiuyi and I are good friends. From her mock results, getting into Jianhai University should be no problem for her. I thought I’d come back to accompany her. Maybe she can perform better than usual and come to Qingbei to accompany me. It isn’t because of you, anyway.”

“I know.”

Wu Yuewei’s phone rang in her bag, but she didn’t answer it. After the opening sequence, singing could be heard. Her ringtone was <<The Brightest Star In The Night Sky>>. Xu Tingsheng listened and found that there was quite a bit of background noise as the effects were not that good too. This should be the version from when he and Fu Cheng had performed at Xinyan Senior High’s school anniversary back then.

The ringtone persisted. Wu Yuewei did not answer it as she remained silent.

“Why don’t you answer your call?” Xu Tingsheng pretended not to have noticed the ringtone as he asked.

Wu Yuwei looked at him and took her handphone out of her bag...it was the same one he had given her back then.

The caller was Xu Qiuyi. The two chatted for a bit before Wu Yuewei hung up. She did not mention running into Xu Tingsheng, only saying that she had already arrived at Jiannan station.

“I…” Holding the phone, Wu Yuewei said, “It’s just that it’s still working.”

“I know,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Wu Yuewei’s eyes suddenly turned a bit red, “Then, do you know this, Senior? When Apple and I brought Xiang Ning to Yanjing back then, she looked at my phone and happily said that you once gave her one that’s exactly the same as mine. She didn’t choose to accept it, though…”

Xu Tingsheng lowered his head, “Sorry. At the time…”

“So, it’s this one, right?”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I just want you to know. Senior, even if unwanted by others, I’d still accept. But I won’t snatch.”

Ticket checking began. The two got on the train. They were not sitting together. Wu Yuewei was somewhat diagonally behind Xu Tingsheng. They could look at each other, but they didn’t.

There were many hills between Jiannan and Libei as it was very rocky terrain. Having felt rather uncomfortable in the first place, Xu Tingsheng felt worse now. He rested his head on the seat in front, exerting pressure with his hands on his forehead and temple.

A cool hand touched his forehead.

“There’s no fever. Maybe heatstroke,” Wu Yuewei said.

Xu Tingsheng turned to look at her.

“I changed seats with someone.”

“Let me massage it for you. My Mum gets headaches too. I can do it,” She said.

Wu Yuewei turned, her hands cupping the sides of Xu Tingsheng’s face with her thumbs in front of his forehead and gently massaging from his brows to his temples repeatedly.

Her fingertips gently penetrated his hair.

Xu Tingsheng might have slept for a while. When he awoke, he was leaning on Wu Yuewei’s shoulder, and she was looking at him.

“You have white hair, Senior,” She said.

“Huh?” Xu Tingsheng grew nervous all at once.

“It’s fine,” Wu Yuewei smiled, “It’s just one. I was waiting for you to wake up before asking: Do you want to pluck it off?”

“Of course!” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“Okay,” Wu Yuewei parted his hair on the right side and plucked a strand off before saying, “Look, Senior.”

Xu Tingsheng took it and found that it was actually a white hair for real.

“Don’t overexert yourself normally,” Wu Yuewei said.

Agreeing, Xu Tingsheng rather despondently made to throw that white hair out of the window.

“Hey, no!’ Wu Yuewei grabbed his arm, saying, “You can’t just throw it away like this. Give it to me.”

Retrieving that white hair from Xu Tingsheng’s open palm, Wu Yuewei carefully gazed at it and soon tied it into a knot, murmuring something softly as she did so.

“Alright,” Wu Yuewei showed Xu Tingsheng the knot on that white hair and said, “After plucking a white hair, you’ve got to tie it into a knot like this before throwing it away. More will grow, otherwise.”

Still, Xu Tingsheng clearly saw her clutching that tied white hair in her palm, not throwing it away.

Perhaps there was also a knot in her heart which she could not bear to throw away as well.

Chapter 550: May things always be better with no regrets

Chapter 550: May things always be better with no regrets

Xu Tingsheng having white hair caused him to feel a bit of panic. As someone who had lost his youth before, he was concerned about and cherished this period of time in life more than those ignorant, unthinking youths did by a long shot.

This is the best time in life. It is reminisced on countless times by those who have lost it, much more splendidly and colourfully than it really was.

In those final years of his previous life when he had pointlessly overworked himself with nothing to show for it but regret, Xu Tingsheng’s hair had all turned grey.

The morning he had realised this, he had woken up in a cheap hotel in Vietnam. Washing his face and looking up at the cracked mirror, he had seen his own weathered face and that grey stretching across his temples.

Then, he had sat limply on the ground in front of the washbasin, weeping without any regard for his image whatsoever from the bottom of his heart, “Xiang Ning, it’s too late. Sorry, I can’t make it...I can’t make it.”

It was on that fateful day that he had ceased his final struggle. He had dealt with the last batch of high-end accessories from Yiwu market without caring about the initial investment cost, then returned to Jiannan where he opened a small store. Despite the legal action, curses or physical violence of the debtors...he had simply given up for real.

Afterwards, it was in that very store that he had seen Xiang Ning for the last time. At the time, he had still been in several million yuan worth of debt.

“What is it?” Wu Yuewei dragged Xu Tingsheng back from his miserable memories.

“It’s nothing,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Did you look properly? Is there really just one?”

“It’s really just one. I looked properly. I looked really carefully,” Wu Yuewei tousled his hair, smiling brightly.

Xu Tingsheng spoke without thinking for a moment, “Whoever marries you will definitely be very happy.”

He had said similar words in his previous life, at her wedding where she had been drunk. That day, feeling awkward, Xu Tingsheng had left the venue prematurely.

It was more or less the same thing this time. Xu Tingsheng nearly slapped himself at once. He was the last person who should be saying these words-anyone could say it but just not him.

Unexpectedly, Wu Yuewei did not get angry or sad as she raised her head slightly, replying, “Well, I’ve always had a good temper and don’t get angry for long. I’d probably be the kind of woman who, after getting angry and leaving the house, would go buy groceries and come back home to quietly cook. How good am I?!”

Xu Tingsheng relaxed as he quipped, “Getting angry and leaving the house? You may not even reach the point of quarreling in the first place.”

“I will quarrel too,” Wu Yuewei said earnestly, “If a woman does not quarrel with a man, how would she know if the man loves her or not?”

“...Where did you hear all these strange principles from?” Xu Tingsheng got in the mood for chatting.

“My roommate said it,” Wu Yuewei said.

“Do girls from Qingbei behave like this in relationships as well?”

“All girls do it this way. What else would you expect?”

“I thought you’re all so high up that you’d be discussing and theorising on how to run the country well. Look, if even you talents are like this, when can the nation truly be powerful and wealthy?”

“I see you like talking rubbish as much as you did in junior high.”

“Well, don’t you still like me though?!”

Xu Tingsheng had accidentally retorted without thinking..he immediately felt like slapping himself.

Wu Yuewei looked at him.

“I’m silly, right?” She asked, “Actually, when I was upset in the past, I also fumed like a child and told myself that if I continued to like you, my surname wouldn’t be Wu anymore.”

They reached their stop. Zhong Wusheng was waiting nearby in a car.

Xu Tingsheng walked in front, Wu Yuewei behind him.

“Senior,” She said.

Xu Tingsheng turned back to look at her.

“Actually, I made such vows many times. Once in ninth grade, once in tenth grade, once after graduating from senior high, everyday in university...so, I actually stopped being surnamed Wu long ago, just that nobody knows. What is my surname then? I probably want it to be Xu, but...it doesn’t seem the country would allow it.”

Her words caused Xu Tingsheng to freeze in his tracks.

“Let’s go, Senior. Pretend you didn’t hear it, and I’ll pretend I never said it.”

Sitting in the backseat, the scenery of yore flashed by, signifying the passing of the days. He had left behind too many regrets in the thirty-one years of his previous life.

Since having been reborn in this life, he had tried to make up for his regrets as best he could. The remainder...just like how the waves would always sweep the seashells on the beach back into the sea, may things always be better with no regrets.

……

While he had rushed all the way over here, the one who would be taking the university entrance examinations tomorrow was still happily watching television.

Xu Qiuyi looked at Xu Tingsheng.

“Why did you come back too?” His younger sister asked.

“That’s too hurtful, Qiuyi! What do you mean why did I come back too? Your brother came back specifically to accompany you in your examinations. It’s fine that you’re not moved, but you are actually disdaining it?!” Xu Tingsheng feigned an aggrieved tone.

When Xu Qiuyi had taken the university entrance examinations in his previous life, he had been waiting outside the venue for her. His younger sister had already been too sensible at the time. Comparatively speaking, while he seemed to be grudging it, Xu Tingsheng actually preferred this sister who could be wilful and insensible.

“Well, not exactly,” Xu Qiuyi hesitated, “It’s actually not that I really oppose you coming back. It’s just, it’s just that I don’t think someone wants to see you.”

“But I’ve already seen him,” Wu Yuewei revealed herself from behind the door and smiled, saying, “Let’s go, we’ll ignore him. I’ll help you brush up on some knowledge for tomorrow…”

“I’ll go too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What’d you go for? You’re a Humanities student, you don’t understand the material.”

“I...I can at least analyse compositions with you two.”

“But...we’re of Qingbei level.”

“...”

Wu Yuewei accompanied Xu Qiuyi while Xu Tingsheng sat down with his father, narrating the Fang family’s situation and his attitude and position regarding this matter. Mr Xu was someone who valued relationships greatly. The Fang family had lent a hand in the matter between the Xu and Huang families previously, and the Xu family owed them one for it.

“If you chose to stay out of the Fang family’s affair, Dad would think that you’ve grown up and feel at ease. Still, I know that that’s not you. If anything happens to Yuqing then, it’d weigh on your mind for the rest of your life.”

“Go on then. If you really can’t handle it, tell Dad. Dad will also help you to think of a way...we might not be able to help much with anything else, but sending a few people overseas should still be okay. What do you think?”

“Sending them overseas? With what’s happened to their family, it’d probably be difficult for the family members to leave the country.”

“It’s alright. I was in contact with a batch of foreign merchants previously. They were led over by people from the American embassy.”

“Woah, crazy!”

“No need for this with Dad. Just see if you need it or not.”

“Right, I’ll tell you if I really do need it.”

“Alright. Now that you’re back, you should take a good rest. Actually, Qiuyi rather misses you too. She was still complaining a few days back that she’s going to have her university entrance examinations, but you didn’t even call her once. Also, while she may seem to disdain you on the surface, she actually loves to listen to her classmates discussing you and read news articles about you too. When she comes home every weekend, she’s always chattering on about you...she’s very proud of you.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Actually, Dad’s the same too,” Mr Xu said.

Xu Tingsheng found some wine and clinked glasses with his father.

“Dad.”

“Yes?”

“Actually, the thing I’m proudest of in this life is that my Dad is Xu Jianliang. With you around, I don’t have to be afraid of anything.”

“And that’s the way it should be. You are my, Xu Jianliang’s, son. Have courage and start your campaign, commence your battle. Dad will always be standing behind you.”

Chapter 551: Rich second gen

Chapter 551: Rich second gen

For Libei senior high, one was to enter by the main entrance and exit by the side entrance for the university entrance examinations. Those concerned had been given so many reminders it was annoying. After his sister had entered the venue, Xu Tingsheng simply parked by the side entrance.

Actually, while the language exam was two and a half hours long and it was technically fine to go home for a while before coming again, just like the parents who were waiting outside in the hot summer sun, this was really the common mentality. However unbearable it is, here I’ll wait. This is the true meaning of accompanying one in the examinations. The more painstaking this was, the more the parents felt like they were fighting side by side with their children inside the examination venue.

Ask them to go back? No can do. They’re frantic and anxious like there are ants in their pants.

Xu Tingsheng too had the same mentality. Still, as they were waiting in the car, it was naturally much more bearable.

Left inside the car, Xu Tingsheng and Wu Yuewei tried hard to continue the conversation for a while before he eventually ran out of topics and said, “I’ll get off and smoke a cigarette.”

Just like this, he did not get back inside the car for the remainder of those two and a half hours, instead smoking cigarette after cigarette. One inside the car, one outside, the two quietly waited till the bell signifying the end of the first examination finally rang.

With Libei’s two most outstanding graduates in over a decade standing with everybody else and waiting by the side gate, the gazes of many teachers and parents were drawn by them. Xu Qiuyi walked over and held Wu Yuewei’s hand while privately exchanging words with her, ignoring Xu Tingsheng completely. Even then, Xu Tingsheng felt reassured on seeing the smile on her face.

Hastening his footsteps and opening and closing the car door for them, Xu Tingsheng next returned to the driver’s seat to drive, not daring to ask too many questions and serve as an annoyance. He adopted the role of a dutiful driver for the two days of the university entrance examinations.

After the final examination was over, his sister finally walked over to him before anybody else.

“How was it?” Xu Tingsheng smiled and asked cautiously.

Xu Qiuyi hit her forehead on Xu Tingsheng’s chest, saying aggrievedly, “It’s all your fault. Now, it’s like if I don’t perform well, it’ll be like our family produced a good-for-nothing. They’re all saying: The brother’s so awesome. No matter what, the sister shouldn’t be that bad...huh?!”

“Exactly. Huh!” The guilty Xu Tingsheng hurriedly chimed in in agreement.

Xu Qiuyi raised her head, looking earnestly at him, “You can rest easy, brother.”

Xu Tingsheng had a flashback of when his younger sister had gotten married in his previous life. She had said exactly this after Xu Tingsheng had finished walking the aisle with her.

“At least, I definitely won’t enter a half-baked university like yours,” Xu Tingsheng had only just felt slightly moved when his sister mercilessly said such a brutal thing.

They had come all the way here simply to accompany her for those two days. Wu Yuewei still had finals while Xu Tingsheng had a bunch of stuff besides finals, being even busier. The two had to return at once.

Still, Xu Tingsheng wanted to drive back unlike how he had come. He was going to borrow a car from his father.

After packing his stuff and going out, not having yet requested anything, he saw a brand new 2006 Land Rover parked by the entrance. Du Jiang was at the wheel with Zhong Wusheng beside him. Xu Tingsheng was already extremely familiar and close with both of them. He smiled and waved at them.

“How is it? Is this car to your liking? Dad’s giving it to you,” Mr Xu smiled and said.

The Mercedes Benz was being hogged by Huang Yaming. Having always been driving Fang Yuqing’s decrepit Volkswagen, Xu Tingsheng had the feeling of owning a good car for the first time. It had been gifted to him by his wealthy father. He could not help but smile to himself in a silly fashion.

His mother asked, “What is it? My son of a big boss.”

Xu Tingsheng said with a face full of satisfaction, “I almost forgot...I’m a rich second gen.”

The whole family laughed.

“Don’t laugh! This was my actual aspiration back then. To be a loafer, a wastrel…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“If you really want to, get tired...you’re welcome to come back and be a wastrel anytime,” Mr Xu said.

Zhong Wusheng and Du Jiang seemed prepared to go to Yanzhou with Xu Tingsheng. Two of the Xu family’s three fierce tigers were being mobilised at once for the first time ever. This was sufficient to show how concerned his father who was all relaxed and casual on the outside was about this incident.

“Is this necessary?” Xu Tingsheng asked his father.

“I helped you analyse the situation last night. Your situation now is too chaotic. You may face challenges both overt and covert. So, even as you guard against cannons, you must also be wary of daggers. Whatever the case, having this outward appearance may at least dissuade others from having such thoughts. If they really do act, we will also be prepared,” Mr Xu said with a lowered voice to Xu Tingsheng, not letting the women hear it.

What outward appearance was Mr Xu referring to? To put it simply: Whatever moves you make, underhanded or otherwise, I’m ready for it.

Xu Tingsheng could not let his father’s good intentions down. Moreover, the experienced Mr Xu was clearly better at analysing the situation. He noticed that there was a woman standing at the back door of the car too.

Seeing that Xu Tingsheng had spotted her, the woman who looked twenty-three or twenty-four acknowledged him, “Hello, young master. I’m Du Jin.”

So it was not just Zhong Wusheng and Du Jiang. Being addressed as young master for the first time, Xu Tingsheng turned and looked rather blankly at his father.

Mr Xu looked like he wanted to say something but was refraining from doing so. He had wanted to say: Du Jin will help you take care of your little girlfriend. After all, a female would be more convenient. Still, with Wu Yuewei there too, he could only stop and make a motion with his eyes.

Du Jiang got out of the car and said, “Tingsheng, let me introduce. This is my younger sister. She’s not too good at speaking, please bear with her.”

Xu Tingsheng asked in a hushed voice, “Bro Du, can you ask her not to call me young master anymore then? I cringe at it.”

“This...I’ll suggest it to her later then,” Du Jiang smiled, “Still, she received professional training before. These are all rules she was taught. She may not be able to change it at once.”

“Professional training?”

Du Jiang nodded.

Zhong Wusheng put a hand on Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, whispering into his ear, “If we fight while barehanded, Bro Du and I should be able to beat her. After all, this isn’t television or a wuxia novel. Men and women have differences in physical strength. Yet...if firearms are also included, Little Jin can easily wreck ten of me and Bro Du in a minute.”

Although Zhong Wusheng’s voice was virtually inaudible at that final part, Xu Tingsheng still managed to hear it. The shock that the word ‘firearms’ brought to him was difficult to express.

“You mean that Du Jin has…” Xu Tingsheng thought as he turned to look at Zhong Wusheng, Du Jiang and his father.

While none of them spoke, they also did not deny it.

Xu Tingsheng did not intend to press them further on this topic.

Du Jiang drove, the group speeding towards Yanzhou.

Xu Tingsheng called and arranged for a place of residence for the trio in Yanzhou. It was in the same district, the very same building as him.

Following this, Du Jin would be in charge of Xiang Ning’s safety and trips to and from school during the weekends. As for the specifics, Xu Tingsheng did not need to worry about that. Clearly, she was the expert in this area. Xu Tingsheng specifically instructed Du Jin to refrain from affecting Xiang Ning’s studies even as she ensured her safety as it was also best if she did not feel restricted or nervous. Du Jin expressed that there was no problem.

As for Du Jiang and Zhong Wusheng, Xu Tingsheng’s plan was to leave Zhong Wusheng to watch over the overall situation and remain on standby for whatever might arise. The current Zhong Wusheng had already followed Mr Xu for quite some time. Whether in terms of strategy, knowledge, wit or insight, he was already long since no longer that simple martial artist he once was.

He would leave Du Jiang by his side.

As compared to Du Jin who was a woman and no one knew of, it was more suitable to have Du Jiang by his side where everyone could see him. In Yanzhou and the surrounding vicinity, the current Du Jiang was actually far more famous as a bodyguard than Zhong Wusheng was. During that battle to protect Lu Zhixin, he had, barehanded and alone, made short work of nearly ten armed assailants in a few minutes. Many had thus heard of the Thai boxing expert Du Jiang.

Some even speculated in private if Du Jiang could make it to K-1 and beat Buakaw Banchamek...Du Jiang could only smile wryly at that.

Xu Tingsheng would naturally not be so childish. Still, he was curious as to whether Du Jiang or Zhong Wusheng would win in a one versus one match. To this, Du Jiang had answered, “In a normal spar, I can still win. In an actual fight where we put everything on the line, he will win.”

Him bringing Du Jiang back was a really obtrusive thing. Seen by those who had schemes in mind, it would evidently serve a much greater effect of intimidation.

Chapter 552: Mine aren't big too

Chapter 552: Mine aren’t big too

Wu Yuewei’s flight was the next morning. She would have to stay the night in Yanzhou or Xihu City.

Xu Tingsheng decided to bring her home. They had a guest room. Xiang Ning also knew about the two of them accompanying his younger sister for her university entrance examinations, with the two girls being acquainted as well. If she did not stay, it might instead seem like a deliberate attempt to avoid suspicion, implying something untoward.

Perhaps out of the same considerations, Wu Yuewei did not refuse the offer.

Having called Ye Qing earlier, when Xu Tingsheng got home with Wu Yuewei, Xiang Ning was already there. Ye Qing was waiting at the door. She bid them farewell and left. Xu Tingsheng opened the door to find that once again, the house looked like a bomb had exploded within.

Xiang Ning walked over from amidst the smoke, saying, “I thought that I had experience.”

Xu Tingsheng dotingly shot her a look, sighing helplessly, “A little suggestion. How about you wait till we switch to a better kitchen hood before you continue accumulating experience? Otherwise, I’m afraid that our good neighbours will end up dialling 119 sooner or later.”

He went over to take over the work in the kitchen. It was actually already way past dinnertime now, and he had a guest over too. He had to efficiently show his skills.

Wu Yuewei walked over from behind him, greeting the excited-looking Xiang Ning before she pulled her into the kitchen and said, “Come, I’ll teach you. I guarantee that he’ll see you in a different light.”

The two beauties wore matching black aprons of Xu Tingsheng’s and cheerily got to work, chatting energetically in the meantime. While such a scene should originally be relaxed, easygoing and pleasant, Xu Tingsheng who was sitting in the living room intentionally eavesdropped a little and broke out in a cold sweat.

After taking a bath, Xu Tingsheng found a few simple homemade dishes already laid out on the table. Beneath two gazes that were filled with anticipation and waiting to be praised, he gingerly sat down.

Wu Yuewei passed him a bowl of rice, which he accepted. Xiang Ning smiled and passed him a pair of chopsticks. Then, the two looked at him with those anticipatory gazes, urging him to taste the dishes.

This...very much felt like a bigshot’s treatment! It was very easy for one’s mind to drift off. It was very easy...to drop dead!

Xu Tingsheng took a taste of each dish as quickly as he could, praising them in turn. Then, he quickly quit the potentially dangerous conversation and focused on eating the rice in his bowl.

“Why are you only eating rice but not the dishes?” Xiang Ning asked.

“Yeah, do you actually find that it’s not delicious?” Wu Yuewei added before smiling at him.

“It’s delicious! I am eating it,” Xu Tingsheng picked up some dishes to eat along with his rice.

The two girls both shot him deep, meaningful glances before turning back and giggling as they picked up some rice. Xu Tingsheng understood that Wu Yuewei clearly knew his feelings of guilt and nervousness, but...what was up with Little Xiang Ning?

After dinner, Xu Tingsheng insisted on washing the dishes. After that, he holed up in his study and half had a meeting, half chatted with He Chen and He Yutan.

Throughout all this, Xiang Ning and Wu Yuewei sat together on the living room sofa, eating, watching television and chatting.

Wu Yuewei had originally been going to stay in the guest room. Still, Xiang Ning insisted on sleeping together with her. When in Yanjing previously, the two had shared a small bed at her dormitory in Qingbei for quite a few days. As Apple had been preparing for an award ceremony at the time, it had actually mostly been Wu Yuewei accompanying Xiang Ning then.

The relationship between the two was actually rather good.

When bedtime came, Xu Tingsheng returned to his room and rested on the bed, reading. As Wu Yuewei was taking a bath and preparing for bed, Xiang Ning lightly pushed open the door.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I’m not very smart. I can’t get into Qingbei,” Looking at him, Xiang Ning suddenly said.

“That doesn’t matter.”

“I’m also not very sensible.”

“That doesn’t matter too.”

“Actually, I’m also not super, super pretty.”

“I feel that you’re super pretty.”

“I can’t cook.”

“I can.”

“I’m not very gentle.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“My breasts are too small.”

“...”

“Finally something that you find fault with?”

“Mine aren’t big too.”

“Pfft…”

Xiang Ning finally laughed, next seeming like she was about to cry as she plunged into Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

“Xu Tingsheng, I really like you. I really, really do. So, please don’t be snatched away by anyone else, alright? Especially...some people, even I feel that they are so, so good.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that she knew. He did not ask any questions, only carefully pacifying her.

“In Yanjing last time, once, I thought that I had the flu, so I asked Sis Yuewei if she had any medicine. She said she did. So I opened the drawer and looked. And guess what I found. A stack of face masks and a box of isatis root...but the isatis root had already expired.”

“I found medicine from elsewhere and told Sis Yuewei that the isatis root had already expired. I’d throw it away for her. She said that she would throw it away herself, but in the end placed it back again.”

Xiang Ning blinked towards Xu Tingsheng.

“I didn’t think anything of it then. Then, after she walked out from behind you today, I suddenly thought of it. I actually also received a box of isatis root before. There were also white vinegar and masks. Just who would give others isatis root? Why would someone treat isatis root as a treasure, carrying it with them and not even throwing it away when it’s expired? Strange, right?”

Xu Tingsheng did not know how to answer.

As the sound of the bathroom door opening could be heard from the living room, Xiang Ning pulled Xu Tingsheng’s ear, saying softly, “It seems...that it is not really your fault. Forget it, I’ll spare you this time.”

She ran out, pretending that she had been sitting in the living room all this time.

Xiang Ning’s bed was very cute, and there were two pillows there. As the two lay there, it was far from as cramped as on that small bed in the Qingbei dormitory. They seemed to be chatting about even more now as the pleasant laughter could be heard even from Xu Tingsheng’s room.

Till when they had both said goodnight to each other.

The lights were off, the room pitch black. Their eyes were closed as they faced the ceiling, breathing evenly and not moving an inch. It was as if they were already asleep.

“Actually, you like him too, right?” Xiang Ning could not help but ask in the end.

“Right,” Wu Yuewei said.

“What’s so good about him! Actually, he has a whole range of wretched faults that you don’t know about. Let me tell you, he smokes, and drinks, and also…” Xiang Ning deliberately said in a very earnest tone.

Wu Yuewei smiled, replying, “If he were mine, I’d definitely say so too. And it’d only be worse than how you described him.”

Her little scheme having been seen through, Little Xiang Ning seemed quite embarrassed.

“I won’t fight with you over him anyway. Actually, I’ve liked him since way earlier than you…” Wu Yuewei said afterwards.

“Huh?”

“So, there’s no need to worry about me.”

Xiang Ning thought about it and said, “Right. In the first place, I’ve never…”

Wu Yuewei smiled craftily, “Still, you have to remember to guard against other girls in the future! He’s so terrible, with a whole bunch of wretched faults. You can’t let him drag anyone else down.”

“Yes. I’ll definitely be on guard,” Xiang Ning clenched her little fist.

“Then…”

“Hmm?”

“If you find that you don’t like him anymore, remember to tell me.”

“I won’t.”

“You don’t want to tell me, or you won’t not like him?”

“I won’t not like him, not ever.”

“How can you be so sure? You’re still little. You’ll grow up in the future, you’ll meet many people…”

“But so what if I meet many people? How is it possible that there’s anyone better than him?! Sis Yuewei, youe studying at Qingbei, which is such a good school. Have you seen anyone who’s better than him?”

“...I have. Actually, if we compare item by item on the list, there are tons of people better than him.”

“Huh?”

“But as he’s the best in your heart, he’s the best. No one can compare to him. He’s the same in mine.”

……

The trio got up very early the next day. Xu Tingsheng sent Xiang Ning to school and introduced Du Jin to her.

Then, he drove Wu Yuewei to Xihu City to catch her plane.

A text quickly arrived from Little Xiang Ning: I just had a dream. In my dream, the two of you eloped and aren’t coming back.

How could someone have a dream three minutes after disembarking a car? Xu Tingsheng laughed.

Feeling rather puzzled, Wu Yuewei pointed at his phone, asking if she could take a look.

Xu Tingsheng passed it to her.

Wu Yuewei took one glance at it and began laughing too.

“Actually, it feels so relaxed now that everything is in the open,” She said.

Chapter 553: The final path

Chapter 553: The final path

Xu Tingsheng sent Wu Yuewei off at the airport in Xihu City for the second time. The mood was not as heavy as the last time. Wu Yuewei had exhausted all her strength the last time, yet could smile and wave goodbye this time.

Rather than because of time and how things had changed, this was really more because of Wu Yuewei’s own growth. Having studied at Qingbei for two years, this girl’s enviable intelligence in studying and other areas had finally began to slowly affect how she saw relationships.

This might be similar to her mentality after studying in graduate school in her previous life. Some things were to be preserved. Even as there was no need to force herself to forget, she should also not try to force what could not be forced.

On the return journey, as Xu Tingsheng was still not used to sitting in the back of the car like some bigwig, he sat in the co-driver’s position, feeling rather out of sorts as he looked at Du Jiang beside him who had actually accompanied them and witnessed everything.

“Stop smiling like that, Bro Du,” Xu Tingsheng said guiltily.

“I’m not,” Du Jiang said, but he actually was.

“Actually, those of us in this line all know the rules. We always pretend not to see this sort of thing and don’t tell anyone about it. Rest assured, I won’t say anything even if your Mum and Dad ask me. Du Jin even said she had a former employer who went at it directly in the car. As she’s a girl after all. It was because of this that she quit that job in the end, after which she came to our family,” Du Jiang seemed to realise that there was something wrong with his manner too as he elaborated.

“Didn’t she still tell you about it then? Also, what’s with the example you raised? As if there is really something going on between us in the first place,” Xu Tingsheng thought to himself.

Still, there seemed to be no need to explain and argue about this. Xu Tingsheng just said yes and kept quiet.

The car left the highway, turning towards Xihu City’s First Hospital.

Leaving Du Jiang outside the door, Xu Tingsheng ignored the bunch of deathly pale ‘zombies’ in the exterior room in his haste and knocked directly on the door of the interior room.

It was Fang Chen who opened the door. Xu Tingsheng glanced at the sickbed as soon as he entered. The old man seemed to be asleep, with all those tubes and devices stuck within him the only indication that he was still alive.

“How’s the old man?” Xu Tingsheng asked hopefully.

With the old man being so tough, he hoped and believed that he was still holding on strong, that there would be someone he could discuss things with.

Fang Chen carefully closed the door and looked rather helplessly at Xu Tingsheng, “He still wakes up from time to time, but only his eyes can still move. He only blinks, and can’t speak. Everything else, he’s basically unable to do.”

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while, actually feeling a sort of helplessness too at this moment...at this point in time, things seemed to have finally fallen completely onto his shoulders.

“Did the old man have anything else to say to me?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“No,” Fang Chen answered.

“Damn...that shameless old thing,” Xu Tingsheng turned and glared at the old man on the bed before looking down and smiling tragically for a bit.

What did the old man mean by this, not leaving anything for him at all? It was very simple. He was leaving it all to Xu Tingsheng.

A surprised Fang Chen asked a little angrily, “You...are scolding Grandpa?”

“Right. He’s really left a whole mess of things for me. I couldn’t help it earlier.”

“You…”

“I’m done scolding. Off to work now,” Xu Tingsheng turned and headed outside.

Fang Chen followed behind him.

The exterior room was filled with women and children. Well actually, Fang Zhong and co should not be considered children originally. They were even older than Xu Tingsheng. Still, how they had acted and handled things over the course of this entire incident might make them inferior even to children.

“So, what should be done now? The brothers and sisters are all already in prison. And the childrens’ safety…” The wife of the Fang family’s second son stood up and asked blankly. Holding the back of a chair for support, she looked like she might just fall at any moment.

It was not a nice feeling, being stared at by a pair of eyes like this. In front of him was a helpless wife and mother, yet he had no way of giving her any response. He could not promise her anything much less reveal the truth: You guys have long since been discarded pieces.

The entirety of their Fang family’s second generation, along with part of its third generation, would be given up on, even sacrificed, to appeal to the sympathy of that person of high status. The plan was to wait for him to appear, and leave a path for the three ‘seeds’ whom the old man had personally chosen-a path of life, that enabled the Fang family’s resurgence.

Xu Tingsheng had been requested only to protect and secure those three ‘seeds’ and to think of a way to blow things up to an extent where that person would not be able to simply ignore it.

“I…”

“What use is there in asking him?” Fang Zhong suddenly stood up and bellowed, pointing towards Xu Tingsheng, “Have you seen him do anything at all? He’s not of our Fang family. Even if everyone from our Fang family dies, what does it have to do with him? The old man’s muddleheaded. Are you lot all going to be muddleheaded along with him?”

If this had been two days earlier, he should have received a slap for this. Still, most of all those present evidently agreed with his viewpoint now.

It was not only those directly related to the Fang family by blood who were currently present. Some who were closer with the Fang family had also been dragged into the matter by now, many having been jailed as a result. And all their wives and kids could come up with was come look for the Fang family.

“Cousin, don’t get so worked up,” Fang Chen advised.

“I’m not worked up? It’s fine that my face is gone, but my life is almost gone too. How can I not be worked up?” Fang Zhong propped a leg on a chair and raised a trouser leg to reveal a scrape around the size of a palm, “I was very nearly killed in an intentional car accident yesterday. They want to exterminate our Fang family.”

“What happened?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“My brother was just walking out of the hospital yesterday when a car sped by him at a very high speed, pushing him onto the opposite end of the road. If my brother hadn’t reacted fast enough and immediately scrambled out of the way, he...he would have been killed by an incoming car.”

It was Fang Ying who said this.

“I was watching this by the side. The driver clearly spun the wheel when beside my brother, meaning for the car to strike him. And they didn’t even get off their car to check afterwards…”

“This was clearly a premeditated murder. They...want to move against us remaining ones.”

“When I was out with my brother a few days ago, somebody started a quarrel with him. Not only did he resort to violence, he even...said that not one of us from the Fang family will remain...the family line will be cut off for good.”

This seemed to be outside of Xu Tingsheng’s original evaluation of the Ling and Xiao families. When dealing with the Fang family’s second generation, they had actually walked some ‘legal’ channels, making a big deal out of existing problems at most. Yet like Fang Ying said, such an incident here seemed more like...murder.

The Ling and Xiao families were resorting to extreme modes of action?

“What do you guys intend to do then? I’d like to hear it,” Feeling momentarily helpless, Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I’ve discussed with my brother. We want to go back to America,” Fang Ying said.

“There’s no point in staying anyway…” Fang Zhong added.

“Leaving the country…” Xu Tingsheng pondered.

The wife of the Fang family’s second son approached, saying in a low tone, “About that, we think so too. I think that we should send the kids overseas. Since we can’t afford to provoke them, we should hide from them...considering the current situation, this could be the final path available to us.”

Xu Tingsheng surveyed the bunch of women and children in the room...they would be useless if they stayed, and it would be dangerous for them too...perhaps it was true that only the option of leaving the country to avoid danger remained.

“It’s just that…” She continued, “Now that so many things have happened with our family, I fear that it will be difficult to get the required documents for the kids done. Our family is also unable to find anyone to help with this now. Can you do anything about that?”

“Everyone leaves the country?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yes. The kids will all go. I’ll stay,” The wife of the Fang family’s second son said.

“I’m not leaving.”

“I’m not leaving.”

It was Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing who had said this.

“You’ve got to go too,” The woman said firmly, “All your cousins, so many kids are depending on you to take care of them.”

While saying so, she purposefully avoided looking at the reactions of Fang Zhong and Fang Ying.

“If the two of you really feel unresigned to this, you can return after a few years have passed,” She added, her tone pleading.

“With so many people going, what will we live on?” Fang Zhong asked, looking awkward for a moment before he continued, “What I mean is, Fang Ying and I are both still in graduate school. We haven’t graduated yet...we can’t bear this load. Our parents’ assets are probably all frozen. We can’t withdraw them...unless the old man…”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” The wife of the Fang family’s second son interjected.

“That’s good then. I won’t have to give up on my studies. I was originally intending to give up on my studies for the sake of our many young ones, going out to find a job…” Fang Zhong seemed to be explaining himself, but anyone could tell that he was just making excuses.

All the remaining gazes fell on Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng inhaled deeply. While this might not be in line with the old man’s original scheme, it might be able to preserve the safety of more people and bring a swift resolution to this matter, taking the load off his shoulders. Also...in truth, was there any other option available to them?

“In that case, you guys discuss among yourselves a bit more. If you are sure about such a decision in the end, I’ll think of a way and get your documents signed,” Xu Tingsheng said before directly leaving the room.

Feeling an inexplicable sense of unease yet unable to grasp the reason for this, after going outside, Xu Tingsheng dragged Du Jiang and went to the connecting balcony where he lit a cigarette.

His phone rang.

Rather unexpectedly, it was Ling Xiao who was calling.

“Hey. Miss me?” Xu Tingsheng feigned a relaxed tone.

It was silent for a while before a rather troubled, dismal voice responded, “Xu Tingsheng, if I am Ling Xiaoqing now...I mean, what I’m going to say now, Ling Xiao won’t say. Only Ling Xiaoqing will. You...do you understand?”

“Yes. Ling Xiaoqing.”

“I, I, Ling Xiaoqing wants to tell you. Can you start distancing yourself from the Fang family henceforth? Please, I beg you, just don’t stay so close to the Fang family…”

Urgency could be heard in her tone, even traces of crying...which then terminated all at once.

The busy tone could be heard from the speaker, indicating that the call had been disconnected.

“Why is it that Ling Xiao can’t say it, whereas Ling Xiaoqing would advise me to stay away from the Fang family?” Considering her earlier tone and state too, it was not difficult for Xu Tingsheng to come to a conclusion.

The Ling and Xiao families were really going to resort to extreme methods and move against the third generation of the Fang family. She was worried that he might be implicated as a result.

“In that case, leave the country? ...Leave the country.”

Chapter 554: Half a city's allegiance

Chapter 554: Half a city’s allegiance

Far away in Binzhou, having previously obtained a vast portion of Lu Zhixin’s shares, Old Jin was actually Hucheng’s largest shareholder now. Still, Xu Tingsheng had been entrusted the shares for the next five years as he would control them on his behalf.

This had also been part of the earlier agreement. This time, Old Jin himself had proposed it.

The two had once talked about the matter of trust, regarding which Old Jin had said: Rather than purely relying on loyalty and unconditionally trusting another, why not have things set distinctly, both sides holding things which place them on the same boat. This way, there is simply no need to worry about the relationship.

This was what he had said, as well as what he had done.

In truth, Old Jin had made only one request of Hucheng as their largest shareholder: Opening a private school which could reach Hucheng’s standards in the Binzhou mining district regardless of the required investment and corresponding profits.

In terms of hardware, besides their campus which could only be modified from a preexisting structure for now, everything was of the highest standard. In terms of software, outstanding teachers from Hucheng’s other campuses like Yanzhou, Shenghai and Xihu City had been transferred there of their own accord in return for wages and bonuses that were increased multifold.

This was virtually the standard of a high-end school for nobility. Yet, it only asked for basic fees from children who lived in the mining areas.

The city commended Old Jin as an outstanding individual who was passionate about education. Xu Tingsheng called to congratulate him with a bit of an intention to tease him.

Old Jin said noncommittally, “So what? I’ve even gotten a Model Worker award before, and was lauded as one of Binzhou’s top ten philanthropists…”

Listening to him reciting a whole bunch of important-sounding stuff that he had never even considered before, Xu Tingsheng rebutted, “I’ve been a county top scorer before. And you?”

Old Jin smiled, “There will be some. In the future, the mining district will also produce county, city, maybe even provincial top scorers. Do you know why is it that I’ve set up a school there?”

“Why?”

“First, to let ordinary kids learn to read, do some accounts, follow manuals, speak the common tongue...these are all the simplest matters. It’s best if they don’t only know how to stay cooped up in the mines. Everything will change in the future. Even mining will definitely be different from how it is now. I don’t want them to starve to death after leaving the mines."

“This is not a matter of a generation, but can be traced back for so many generations. They say that someone like me who came out of the mines and reached my current position is only seen once every hundred years. While it may sound like they’re praising me, that’s actually scolding the entire Binzhou mining district for being rotten like a still, dead pond.”

Xu Tingsheng pondered for a bit and said, “In the future, the people there definitely won’t remember you only as Jin Twenty-four. You’ll at least be leaving your name in history, ha…”

“All that is not important. For someone like me, it’s best to scatter my ashes after I die, not even setting a grave marker. Otherwise, enemies will come to find and curse at me all day…” Old Jin asked, “Do you know what my second goal is, what I’m looking forward to?"

“What?”

“Speaking of this, it is actually because you’ve totally changed my view on scholars. I know that your background is pretty average. You are from a farming family, and you’d never really done anything extraordinary. Your personality and whatnot too...everything is just normal...and yet, look at what you have achieved.”

“Then, I wondered: Could a future Xu Tingsheng actually be hidden in a place like the mining district of Binzhou?! Appearing normal and no different from the rest, but suddenly popping up like you one day. Say, can studying really cause one to be enlightened on the ways of the world or illuminated like in Buddhism?”

Xu Tingsheng wiped his sweat, offering no answer...smart as Old Jin was, he had been misled completely by him this time.

“I’ve got to at least give that future Xu Tingsheng in the mining district a chance, right. Otherwise, I fear he’ll meet a premature end or never get a chance to see himself clearly.”

Whether it was in the present or the future, there might be very few people who were able to understand Old Jin.

The principal of Hucheng’s campus in the Binzhou mining district was Old Jin’s woman. She was the principal there not just in name but in actuality too as she was involved in management and also teaching. She was happy there, as if she was finally back to being a talented graduate from Qingbei. In her own words, this was the best present Old Jin could have given her, the greatest doting as well as gentleness.

As a talented Qingbei graduate, she was technically suited for any role. Still, in the eyes of some from the mining district, this was simply about Old Jin making his woman happy.

Others saw something different-the human heart.

In the jungle that was the Binzhou mining district, might was needed to survive. Even as one relied on their strength and methods, they were also competing for the hearts and support of others. This was only natural-the more those who submitted, the more solid one’s foundation.

Many people employed various means to win the hearts of others. Still, Old Jin’s sudden move exceeded all their expectations. Their limited circumstances made it such that they would never have thought to set up a school.

Still, they now saw that a school had caused Old Jin’s reputation to shoot up to the max. Some people half sincerely, half probingly raised the saying: Old Jin’s move had won him half a city’s allegiance.

In how a single school had won the hearts of many, two points could not be discounted.

First, all parents love their children.

Second, hope. Old Jin had given these people who had worked in mines for generations hope, hope that their descendants could one day be successful and escape this bleak fate.

Old Jin was neither pedantic nor a hypocrite. Where doing a good deed could also earn him some benefits, he would happily receive them all. He said that the next step of his plan was to build a public welfare home for seniors. If he really succeeded in doing so, perhaps...it would be more than just half a city whose hearts were won.

“Still, this matter probably has to be delayed a little. While this progression of events is surely a fortunate thing, it has actually propelled some things to start prematurely. They won’t just watch on as I grow stronger like this, achieving hegemony.

……

Fang Yuqing exited the sick ward.

“How did it go?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It’s more or less been decided,” Fang Yuqing said, “My sister and I may have to go over for a time too, to settle the kids down and all.”

With Fang Yuqing having said so, Xu Tingsheng could not very well remind him that he actually had another path of retreat in Binzhou, at least for now. The Ling and Xiao families should not have any influence there. Old Jin and Huang Yaming were also there. If Fang Yuqing went over, he should soon be able to take over Huang Yaming’s position in Binzhou, that place which was darker yet filled with opportunities. There, he might transform into a dragon, thunderously returning as a powerhouse.

Would the enmity between the Fang family and the Ling and Xiao families persist into the future? That was not important. After this incident had ended, Xu Tingsheng would no longer stay involved in it. This would be the private affair of Fang Yuqing, Fang Chen, Fang Ruju and the remaining descendants of the Fang family. It would be between them and Ling Xiao, or even between the next generation consisting of their children.

“Are you going somewhere?” Xu Tingsheng quelled these thoughts and asked, pointing at the car keys in Fang Yuqing’s hand.

“My aunt asked me to go to school to pick Ruli up. Since we’ve decided to leave the country, there’s no need for her to study there anymore. She’s also worried that her daughter may be bullied in school...and it may be dangerous too,” Fang Yuqing explained.

Xu Tingsheng said, “In that case, you’d better let me and Bro Du go instead. You should avoid going outside as much as possible around this time. I’ve nothing better to do anyway, and I am also acquainted with that little girl…”

Fang Yuqing laughed, asking, “It’s not that dangerous, right?”

“Better safe than sorry.”

“Uhh…”

“What is it?”

“I’m afraid that Ruli might run upon seeing you. After last time, she secretly told my sister that you’re a pervert.”

“...In that case, I might as well spare the effort and directly kidnap her. After all...I’m already a pervert in her eyes anyway.”

Chapter 555: He's a pervert

Chapter 555: He’s a pervert

At fourteen years of age, Fang Ruli was studying at a private junior high in Xihu City.

This school was such that one could pick out any random one of their students, and they would either be rich or have an exalted status. Du Jiang stopped the car outside the French-style gate of the school which showed off its class. Xu Tingsheng rolled down the car window, waiting until Fang Ruli came down after receiving a notification from her family.

When the afternoon bell signalling the end of class rang, the area around Xu Tingsheng had at some point in time become filled with various luxury cars. It seemed like these well-to-do families had higher standards as quite a few brought their kids back home for lunch.

Fang Ruli was not tall. While having a bit of baby fat in her cheeks, she was on the thin side. As compared to the fourteen-year-old Xiang Ning, the main difference was her long hair. She was wearing a white blouse along with a checkered skirt as she exited the school gate along with everyone else. Her school bag seemed very heavy as she was gritting her teeth while pulling down on the straps.

Xu Tingsheng could sense the rejection from the distance between she and her classmates. It seemed that whether it was because of warnings from their parents or the childrens’ inherent nature, Fang Ruli whose family faced a major tribulation was already an outlier at the school.

It was no wonder that Fang Yuqing had said that his aunt was worried about the little girl being treated badly in school. They were too familiar with the ecosystem in this social strata in which even young children were not spared.

It was Fang Yuqing who had called Fang Ruli and asked her to go home. He had not told her that Xu Tingsheng was the one coming to pick her up. Standing at the school gate, Fang Ruli stood on tiptoe, gazing around for a time. Still, she could not catch a glimpse of Fang Yuqing’s car.

Xu Tingsheng got off the car and waved at her.

Fang Ruli turned and saw him.

She opened her mouth wide, wide-eyed in astonishment...and she clutched her heart, her face turning deathly pale.

She turned and fled.

“Am I really so scary? So much...like a pervert?!” A helpless Xu Tingsheng gave chase, calling out to her.

Still, the young girl ignored him as she had already returned to the school premises. If Xu Tingsheng did not push past the guards and rush in, it would be more difficult to find her after she had run further away and hidden herself in some building or classroom.

Seeing her vanishing around a bend, Xu Tingsheng thought ‘oh man’.

Then, Fang Ruli’s figure unexpectedly popped up again from around that corner.

“What happened? She didn’t go to call a teacher, right?” Xu Tingsheng soon discovered that something was wrong as he saw a hand grabbing Fang Ruli’s long hair.

Then, a boy whose figure was almost on par with a senior high student appeared in his field of vision, leading a band of around four or five other boys.

“Let go of me…” Fang Ruli grabbed her hair with a hand and put up a fierce struggle.

The boy pushed her towards the side as the group ended up at the corner of two walls behind some shrubbery.

“Hurhurhur, not so mighty now, huh?” The big boy said, “We couldn’t touch you before because your family was big and powerful. Now...you see? Even the teacher who cared most about you before clearly saw just now, but walked around and totally ignored you…”

Fang Ruli did not reply as she continued clenching her teeth and struggling, yelling, “Let go of me! Don’t touch my hair!”

“Is this hair? ...It’s a tail. Have you forgotten? Back then, everyone said that your tail was nearly pointing towards the skies. How proud you were back then. Now, this little tail of yours has fallen flat. That’s so sad...I’ll lend you a hand.”

While saying so, he made use of his height and tugged upwards on Fang Ruli’s hair.

“Let go of me…” Fang Ruli wanted to resist, but could not even turn because of the grip on her hair.

At this moment, perhaps because it hurt or perhaps because she was this helpless, the young girl who had always stubbornly grit her teeth and not bowed down submissively finally started crying, “Sob, my big brother will never let you go. He definitely won’t forgive you people...sob…”

Fang Ruli and and Fang Ruju had more than a decade between them. Fang Ruju was a stubborn guy who dared to go against his entire family’s wishes and enter the police force. However, he virtually doted on this little sister of his in a full, completely unprincipled manner.

As an example, when Fang Ruli had made a scene about wanting to play with his gun, Fang Ruju had even taken off his clip and presented it to her. There were countless times that this vice-leader of the Vice squad had intimidated hooligans and would-be rich suitors for her, wearing his police uniform in the meantime.

To Fang Ruli, her brother Fang Ruju was her superman, protector and male maid too.

At this moment, how she wished that her brother could suddenly appear, be by her side.

It looked like the intimidation effect served by Fang Ruju still existed as the young boys all looked rather hesitant. However the Fang family was like, Fang Ruju was still the same person...someone who was very scary and would go mad if anyone bullied his sister.

“Don’t be afraid, everyone. I heard that that brother of hers has already been shot to death,” Another boy said, “Right, I heard it from my uncle. Her brother was shot to death.”

The spirits of the boys instantly rose.

“We can do whatever we want then. There are many people here. Now, where shall I touch…”

As the tall boy reached out to put a hand around her waist, Fang Ruli struggled despite the pain. While her family had hidden from her the fact that her brother had been shot, she had still found out about it after some time. She had never seen her brother since then.

“Big brother...sob...big brother…”

“Hey.”

A voice resounded in response as a hand held her shoulder and adjusted her out of the boy’s grasp. Fang Ruli rested on the crook of that arm which, though not as strong as her brother’s, gave her a sense of security all the same at this moment.

Fang Ruli looked up.

Xu Tingsheng was suppressing the wrist of the boy who had just pulled Fang Ruli’s hair. He flipped it over now to force the boy into a kneeling position even as he supported her with his other arm and smiled warmly at her.

“Don’t be scared. Everything’s fine.”

Not waiting for her to respond, Xu Tingsheng delivered a forceful kick to the leg of that boy who released a muffled groan, subjugated. Seeing this, the remaining little boys all froze up in shock.

“How about a few from you as well?” Xu Tingsheng gave him another kick and asked Fang Ruli.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Fang Ruli suddenly...grit her teeth and rushed forward. Xu Tingsheng wanted to say that she couldn’t kick there...but it was already too late as that kick landed solidly between the boy’s legs.

There was already no need to lock down his wrist. That boy lay down on the ground, howling in pain as he was shrivelled up like a shrimp.

Fang Ruli stopped and was taken aback for a moment before she looked at Xu Tingsheng quite helplessly with a bewildered look on her face.

Xu Tingsheng smiled rather suggestively, saying exaggeratedly, “Awesome. Well done.”

‘Perverts’ should never smile like this. As soon as they did...it was very perverted. Seeing that smile of his, Fang Ruli instantly felt a chill run up her spine to the top of her head…

Out of the tiger’s cave, and into the wolves’ den?

“You, who are you? Busybody, you dare to touch me? Do you know…” The boy on the ground recovered somewhat, writhing as he asked.

“Me? I’m a rich second gen,” Xu Tingsheng was certainly not so foolish as to actually report his name in order to look cool, potentially provoking a family with a powerful background.

“Rich second gen?” Quite a few of the boys here were actually rich second gens, but never had they introduced themselves as such, nor seen anyone do so before.

Not having wiped off her tears and snot, Fang Ruli did so now while sobbing, “No, you guys, let me tell you, he is...a pervert. Are you afraid? Do you still dare to provoke me? What doesn’t a pervert dare to do? Killing without blinking, raping, robbing, drinking, gambling in associating wantonly with all kinds, peeking at girls bathing, and…”

Xu Tingsheng, “...”

Chapter 556: You block them, I'll run

Chapter 556: You block them, I’ll run

Being a ‘pervert’, Xu Tingsheng did not dare to reach out and grab Fang Ruli for fear that she might be frightened into running off again. Xu Tingsheng had revealed how he had moved against a fourteen-year-old girl in order to scare her back then, untameable as she had been. Fang Ruli had asked Fang Chen about this afterwards and received confirmation from her.

Then, thinking about how she just happened to be fourteen too, Fang Ruli had been alerted to the seriousness of the matter: Right, the pervert definitely finds that that one is already too old and wants to switch to a new one. Meanwhile, I…

“Let’s go. Your brother asked me to come pick you up,” Xu Tingsheng said in a low tone.

Truthfully speaking, Fang Ruli naturally did not wish to go off with Xu Tingsheng at all. Still, if she did not do so, would that person lying on the ground let her off? She had no other choice. The young girl cautiously maintained her distance, walking diagonally in front of Xu Tingsheng as they exited the school gate.

“My car is parked over there,” Seeing how she was walking towards the roadside, Xu Tingsheng reminded her.

“Like I’d ride in your car,” Fang Ruli turned away from him.

“How will you get back then?”

“I have money. I’ll take a taxi.”

“...Fine. You do that then,” Having no way to clear his name right now, Xu Tingsheng thought that he might as well let Fang Ruli take a taxi while he and Du Jiang followed behind.

Noises resounded from behind them as a group of guys yelled, “Yes, it’s that guy. Right, stop him! Don’t let him get away. This old man’s gonna kill him dead.”

Xu Tingsheng turned and saw that gang of boys from earlier pursuing them.

“Yikes, I forgot about that,” Having forgotten that these were not the typical delinquents usually seen in school but a bunch of rich princlings, Xu Tingsheng had not even assumed that they might have the courage to come looking for revenge earlier.

A swarm of people got out from six to seven cars, coming to bear down on Xu Tingsheng.

Those who could be chauffeurs for that bunch of rich princelings were all stout and sturdy men if not professional bodyguards. If he was surrounded by the seven big men at once, Xu Tingsheng would be in a very precarious situation.

The remaining cars nearby stayed where they were, the kids and drivers thinking to witness this spectacle.

Xu Tingsheng pulled Fang Ruli behind him.

Du Jiang got out of the car and walked over to stand in front of Xu Tingsheng.

The tall boy rushed over with his entourage in tow, gesticulating furiously at Xu Tingsheng and Du Jiang, “Get them, till they are handicapped and disabled...your mother, daring to attack me...get the both of them for me! Break their legs. I will give you ten thousand for each.”

The remaining boys did not lag behind as they all directed their chauffeurs as well.

The seven big men were raring to go. They were culpable too as their young masters had been bullied. It was hard to say what might happen to them when they got back. Now, not only could they be absolved of blame, they could even receive a monetary reward. If they did not act now, and viciously too...they would be idiots.

Having been entrusted to protect these special kids, they were naturally not stupid. They had also been instructed about how to take care of the problems of these kids in school. Normally, they would actually have reservations as they feared bringing trouble to their employers. After all, they knew that this was no ordinary school as there was risk of offending important families.

Still, these chauffeurs were actually all familiar with their peer from the Fang family responsible for chauffeuring Fang Ruli. Upon seeing that it was Fang Ruli beside Xu Tingsheng, they had felt assured at once. They all knew what situation the Fang family was in...weak target? Ha, more like punching bag. Thus, there was no need for any reservations...they should attack harder, seeing how their young masters had even suffered grievances.

They slowly advanced.

Xu Tingsheng exchanged glances with Du Jiang. He then nodded, taking a step back.

“Don’t be scared. Just hide behind me…” Xu Tingsheng turned, wanting to comfort Fang Ruli for fear that she might be overly shocked by the turn of events.

“Shh...don’t look back. Stand properly and block their view...I’ll secretly run off first.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng was astonished, “Hey...Fang Ruli, where’s your sense of loyalty?”

“Why do I need a sense of loyalty with you? You’re not a good person. You’re a…”

“Pervert. You’re right.”

“Right. Anyway, I’m not together with you. And they also didn’t say that they want to break my leg. What’s wrong with me running first?” Fang Ruli now hesitated for a bit, thinking about how Xu Tingsheng had helped her earlier and was on her side even though he was indeed a pervert.

Not willing to admit that she was actually a bit worried for this pervert, she mumbled, “Well...You shouldn’t forget to think of a way to escape yourself later. Don’t get killed. I, at most, I’ll help give a call to your family.”

“Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and said.

Then, he shifted to the side.

Fang Ruli arched her waist, her arms outstretched before her as she carefully tiptoed…readying herself for retreat. Then, she happened to look up and realised...hey, where was the back which should be shielding her from view?

And the young girl discovered that across from her, a bunch of boys and many burly men...had their eyes fixed on her.

The eyes of the big boy shone, “Right, and that girl too...don’t let her get away. Fang Ruli, you freaking dared to kick me...just you wait.”

“You…” An outraged Fang Ruli turned to look incredulously at Xu Tingsheng.

“We aren’t together anyway,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Now, let’s see who gets away first.”

“You? Sob...I miss my big brother...if my big brother were here, he’d definitely protect me...”

“Stop acting, Fang Ruli. How about this? At most, after I escape, I’ll help give a call to your family...I just wonder if they’ll be in time! Hey, if they come late and something has already happened to you, it’d be quite a waste...see, when this pervert here hasn’t even got to do anything yet.”

“...” Fang Ruli wanted to cry but felt like she did not know how to anymore.

Seeing how the two were still squabbling with each other, the boys across from them could not take it any longer as they shouted, “Go on! What’re you guys still waiting for?”

“There are too many of them. I may have to add more lethality to my blows,” Du Jiang told Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng nodded. Since the Fang family had already reached this sorry state, it surely had the courage to engage in such confrontations. As long as they did not really do anything to these boys, it should not really force any powerful family to step in and mess with them. Everyone feared a savage wild beast that was pushed into a corner.

Afraid that he might hinder Du Jiang, he took two more steps back.

Seeing this, Fang Ruli thought that this sick pervert was surely thinking to abandon her and his chauffeur and flee first...she knew that she could not outrun him. If she ran after him, it would actually result in her serving as an additional layer of protection for him since she would be caught first, like that last lamb running at the end of a herd that was being chased by some hungry lions.

Thinking of this, the girl embraced her imminent downfall as she retrieved her little blade used for sharpening pencils from her bag, clutching it tightly. She was trembling as she set her resolve: Fang Ruli, you be brave! You must protect your dignity even at cost of death…”

“Hey, if you do manage to escape, remember to help me tell my big brother that his Little Carp (Xiao Liyu) is dead...ask him to take revenge for me in the future.”

“So you’re called Little Carp? Alright, I’ll definitely tell your brother for you.”

“...You can run now then.”

“I think I’ll watch for a while first.”

Fang Ruli was speechless, “I really hope they catch him!”

Chapter 557: My girlfriend's a hundred times more beautiful than you

Chapter 557: My girlfriend’s a hundred times more beautiful than you

The first person to charge towards Du Jiang had not mentally readied himself to face an expert. It was a perfectly straightforward, direct attack with great momentum…

This might still work in ordinary fights, but against those who had undergone training, it was like asking to die.

As they had superior numbers, if some of them maneuvered around him to target Xu Tingsheng and Fang Ruli, Du Jiang might not be able to protect them however good a fighter he was. Under these circumstances, the situation could not devolve into chaos as it had to be immediately decided from the get-go.

Therefore, Du Jiang had already told Xu Tingsheng that he would employ more lethality in order to serve the effect of intimidation. Xu Tingsheng had agreed to it.

If this was usually, faced with such a challenge, Du Jiang would have enough time to easily dodge out of the way, kicking the person aside. Still, he gave up on that method this time…

Facing his opponent’s incoming right fist, Du Jiang stepped towards the left and used his right wrist to capture the other party’s arm. Then, he violently punched his elbow with his left arm…

A firm crack resounded as the other party’s joint was bent at a virtually ninety degree angle, bone piercing into his skin and flesh.

White bone, red blood...

Shocked shrieks resounded.

The next moment, the second opponent sent a kick towards Du Jiang’s waist...it managed to solidly connect, but...it could not be retracted.

Receiving this kick, Du Jiang quickly locked the other party’s leg in place, next turning even as he raised his left knee and smashed...he sent another joint the wrong way, but it was the knee joint this time, and at a rapid speed too.

Another crack resounded as this time, a leg was broken.

This time, however, nothing else could be heard beyond the mournful wails of those two men.

The extremely violent, bloody scene was really too intimidating. The five remaining men dared not charge over anymore...but they dared not run away too. They stood in a row, shielding the young boys who were too frightened to even cry out. Their bodies trembled slightly as they looked nervously at Du Jiang, wondering what exactly they would do if he charged over.

Du Jiang did not charge over. He just stood there, turning back to glance at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng tried hard to appear composed as he slowly walked forward to open the car door before turning and saying to Fang Ruli who was still holding that little blade, “Will you get in my car, or will you take a taxi?”

“Huh? I…”

“If you want to take a taxi, I’ll be off then.”

“...” Fang Ruli looked down as she passed Xu Tingsheng by and got into the car, not looking at him.

Xu Tingsheng went back a few paces and bent down to pick up the school bag that Fang Ruli had dropped and forgotten out of nervousness. He placed it in the car beside her.

“Why is your bag so heavy?” Xu Tingsheng casually asked.

Fang Ruli answered without looking up, “I heard that I won’t be studying here anymore. So I brought them just in case.”

“It seems like you have a passion for learning.”

“My results have always been good.”

“Right.”

Xu Tingsheng got into the car, separated from Fang Ruli by that school bag.

Du Jiang surveyed the surroundings before slowly opening the car door and getting into the driver’s seat. The engine revved. As the car turned right, no one dared to stop it. Having appeared to be in quite a precarious situation earlier, the trio thereby left just like that.

……

Xu Tingsheng said nothing at all inside the car.

Fang Ruli was also silent for a long time before she suddenly said of Du Jiang, “He’s so awesome. If not for him, you’d be dead for sure.”

Xu Tingsheng thought about that. It seemed this girl was basically unwilling to accept the fact that he had saved her and was thus fully attributing the credit to Du Jiang. He too had merely gotten saved from what she was saying.

“And so you don’t have to thank me anymore, is it? Xu Tingsheng smiled and asked.

“I...why do I have to thank you?” Fang Ruli asked in a panic.

“You have to. I saved you...otherwise, who knows what might have happened to you today.”

“...Don’t even think about it. Like, like I’d marry you in gratitude.”

“Oh? Marry me in gratitude? Right, I wouldn’t have remembered if not for the reminder. For saving your life, there is nothing you can repay me with but yourself...is it like this? And you thought of it yourself. Thank you.”

“I...like I want you to save me, you sick pervert.”

“But I’ve already saved you…”

“...Let me off right now then. Stop the car, I want to get off…let me down…”

Fang Ruli made as if to open the car door.

“Sit tight. Safety belts on,” Du Jiang spoke in a deep tone from the driver’s seat.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly pressed down Fang Ruli and helped her to put on the safety belt.

“Don’t touch me, you sick pervert,” Fang Ruli had still not realised the gravity of their situation as she was throwing a temper and struggling to push aside Xu Tingsheng while undoing her safety belt.

As she undid her safety belt, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly clipped it for her again even as he yelled furiously, “I’ll beat you if you continue moving!”

Pervert he may be, this was the first time he was raging like this as he was usually all smiles with her...Fang Ruli was shell shocked for a bit.

At this moment, the car suddenly accelerated, shooting forward with a whoosh…

A jeep suddenly skidded in from behind, high-pitched sounds resulting from the friction of its tires with the ground.

In the car, Xu Tingsheng was caught in the posture of helping Fang Ruli clip her safety belt with his own still undone. Caught by the acceleration, he was slammed heavily against the back of the chair as he fell at Fang Ruli’s feet.

Fang Ruli understood a little now. She turned back and looked, seeing two SUVs also there accelerating in chasing them along with that skidding Jeep.

“I...sorry. Are you okay?” The young girl asked fearfully.

Then, she extended a hand to pull Xu Tingsheng up.

As the car continued maneuvering about and changing speed, swaying wildly, Xu Tingsheng asked as he looked at that proffered hand, “Aren’t you afraid of me being a pervert anymore?”

“I…”

Xu Tingsheng waved her hand away, unsteadily sitting up with the support of the hand rest before putting on his seatbelt.

“Stop deluding yourself. I wouldn’t like you even if I were a pervert. My girlfriend’s a hundred times more beautiful than you.”

“You…”

The car made an abrupt turn, stopping whatever Fang Ruli had been about to say.

Xu Tingsheng looked and saw that there were two cars up ahead which were evidently also aiming for them.

“They’re just aiming to force us to stop. They’re not aiming for our lives. They were probably called by those kids and chauffeurs from earlier...they’re not the Fang family’s enemies,” Du Jiang explained as he drove, “Still, more and more of them are coming. I’m not an expert in driving...it’d probably be quite troublesome if they manage to force us to stop.”

Xu Tingsheng acknowledged this as he waited for him to continue. Beside him, Fang Ruli was pale as a sheet...she did not want to end up in the hands of those disgusting fellows again. What if they really did something to her like that pervert said? They would not have any reservations facing the current Fang family.

“The two of you, find a chance to get off the car at that crossing up ahead. Head back first. I’ll take those guys for a ride…”

“Okay.”

Xu Tingsheng readily accepted this. He knew full well that if the car was really forced to stop and fell into an encirclement, he and Fang Ruli would only serve as a burden for Du Jiang. If only Du Jiang himself was surrounded, he fully possessed the ability to easily ‘kill’ his way out and escape.

“Take off your safety belt. Grab on to me later,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Fang Ruli dared not add on any more trouble as she hurriedly nodded.

The car pulled to a drastic stop after another abrupt turn. Xu Tingsheng immediately leapt out of the car, pulling Fang Ruli along. The car instantly zoomed off once more...it was fortunate that it was no longer that decrepit Volkswagen.

Three cars sped past the bend and shot after it in hot pursuit...Xu Tingsheng hurriedly hugged Fang Ruli who was still in a daze and turned.

“What’re you doing…”

“Don’t make a sound.”

Only when the cars were far away did Xu Tingsheng let go. He seized the initiative, patting down his clothes with a disdainful expression on his face...as if he had hugged a stinky pig.

Fang Ruli felt embarrassed, vexed and aggrieved...she had clearly been hugged by the pervert. Yet, not only could she not rebuke him, she had actually even been disdained.

“What do we do now?” She asked in a huff, her expression cold.

“Didn’t you want to take a taxi? Flag one then! You have money anyway,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Okay.”

Chapter 558: Departure overseas confirmed

Chapter 558: Departure overseas confirmed

In the taxi, Xu Tingsheng sat in the co-driver’s seat while Fang Ruli sat in the backseat.

“Hey…” She suddenly broke the silence and called out to him.

“What?”

“Will he, will that uncle be fine? Aren’t you calling for people to help him?”

“So you do know how to care about people? That’s a good thing,” Xu Tingsheng joked before adding, “Relax, without this stinky fish there to act as a burden for him, no one can keep him there against his will.”

Fang Ruli nodded, “Right, he’s awesome. Hey, who’re you calling a stinky fish?”

Xu Tingsheng did not answer as he smiled, asking, “Even more powerful than your brother?”

Fang Ruli thought about it. She had seen her brother fighting before, and Du Jiang did seem stronger than him from her impressions. Still, unwilling to submit in front of Xu Tingsheng, she snorted and said, “My brother has a gun.”

“A gun? Right, Fang Ruju has a gun, so what he met with was a gun as well,” A voice suddenly resounded in Xu Tingsheng’s mind, “If you choose to use fists, you will have to meet with fists. If you have a gun, you will have to meet with guns...am I departing further and further away?”

“Hey, what’s with you?” Seeing Xu Tingsheng suddenly falling silent, Fang Ruli asked.

“Nothing much. I was just thinking that since you weren’t saved by me, that would mean that that Uncle Du Jiang has saved you twice, right?”

“Right.”

“Your Uncle Du Jiang isn’t married yet.”

“Huh? ...Oh, you sick pervert.”

“For saving your life, there is nothing you can repay him with but yourself…” Xu Tingsheng smiled and recited.

While however childish Fang Ruli was, she must also be aware that Xu Tingsheng was joking, she still felt somewhat unhappy inside, “This sick pervert actually asked me to wed with that Uncle. Isn’t he, towards me...no, no, who’d want him to have designs on me...sick pervert.”

Fang Ruli had actually looked up Xu Tingsheng online after meeting with him previously. Still, the results of her investigation had left her very disappointed. No one knew about the true face of this sick pervert at all.

“Huh, what Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng. And there are still so many silly people online who wanna marry him...isn’t he just good at earning money? Tsk, even if a bit good-looking too...but what you people don’t know is that he is actually a pervert...huh, I must definitely expose him on Weibo next time. Who will still want him then?”

For the remainder of the journey, Xu Tingsheng closed his eyes and rested. Fang Ruli was on the verge of saying something a few times but ultimately refrained…

The taxi stopped at the entrance of the hospital.

“24 yuan, thank you,” The driver said.

“Ask that stinky fish at the back for it,” Xu Tingsheng opened the door and got out of the car.

“...The sick pervert is actually so petty? He actually, truly has the face to ask a young girl to pay?” Fang Ruli angrily paid up and got out of the car to chase after Xu Tingsheng.

“You aren’t to call me stinky fish again.”

“You aren’t gentlemanly at all.”

“A petty man is good-for-nothing.”

“A pervert is really a pervert…”

Xu Tingsheng simply ignored her.

“Hey…”

“What?”

“Didn’t you say earlier that your girlfriend’s a hundred times more beautiful than me?”

“Yes, I did say that.”

“Braggart.”

Xu Tingsheng just smiled, not saying anything.

Fang Ruli peered at him curiously, “It’s true?”

Xu Tingsheng glanced at her, “It’s false.”

“I knew it,” Fang Ruli raised her head triumphantly.

“To be honest, it shouldn’t just be a hundred times.”

“You…”

Unable to verbally outwit him, Fang Ruli gave up. The two ignored each other for the remainder of their journey to the sick ward.Sounds of an intense argument could be heard from inside.

Xu Tingsheng waved, indicating for Fang Chen who was leaning against the wall and had already spotted him to come outside.

“What is it? You can’t decide regarding going overseas?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“No, that was decided long ago. Everyone agreed to it,” Fang Chen answered.

“In that case...why is it so noisy?”

“Fang Zhong is arguing with Aunt. He says that he’s the oldest of the third generation, and he should be in charge of everyone’s money. Aunt wouldn’t agree...she means to hand the money to me and Yuqing. So, they started arguing.”

“I see. Is it a lot of money?”

Fang Chen shook her head, “It’s not that much. Just enough for everyone to live on for one or two years. It’s just that all our assets have been frozen now, with only this sum of money from Grandpa remaining. That’s why...all eyes are on it.”

Xu Tingsheng understood, harmoniously getting along with Fang Chen for once as he reached out and patted her on the shoulder, “If you find yourself lacking money over there, just tell me.”

“Right. Yuqing and I won’t stand on ceremony with you.”

“Like I’d spend his ugly money...huh!” Fang Ruli glared at Xu Tingsheng and entered before plunging straight into her mother’s embrace, crying and sniffling as she spoke of the tragic events that had transpired that day...

It was just that in her version of events, she had not been bullied by those boys as the incident had been triggered by Xu Tingsheng, with her being the victim.

Fang Chen smiled apologetically, “Ruli’s misunderstanding of you is pretty deep...it’s your own fault for saying that you like young girls, even emphasising how you moved against Xiang Ning when she was just fourteen...it frightened her.”

“Didn’t you say anything?” Xu Tingsheng cut her off and went in too.

“It was him...he caused me to nearly get beaten, even get into a car chase. He even…” Fang Ruli innocently, aggrievedly complained about Xu Tingsheng from the haven of her mother’s arms.

No one knows a daughter as much as her mother. Knowing her daughter’s personality and Xu Tingsheng’s situation, Fang Ruli’s mother knew that there was no way he would really have gone to bully some boys from junior high and cause an incident for no reason. Thus, it almost definitely had to have been caused by her daughter. It was also probable that Xu Tingsheng had intervened because her daughter had been bullied.

“About that, little children are insensible. Don’t take offence...thank you for all your help today,” She said.

“Don’t mention it. It’s only natural,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“Mum?! Why are you thanking him? It was clearly him who…” Fang Ruli persisted stubbornly.

“Ruli, stop talking nonsense. Do you take your mother for a fool?” Her mother’s face sank.

Looking a bit embarrassed, Fang Ruli said softly, “Then, even if it wasn’t him who caused it, there’s still no need to thank him. It’s not him who helped me. He’s not that mighty. It was a very awesome Uncle who helped me.”

“Right, that Uncle still hasn’t come back yet. Could anything have happened to him?”

“He’s fine,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and responded.

Du Jiang approached from the other end of the corridor, carrying Fang Ruli’s bag. While there were some residual signs of battle on him, these were nothing serious. He walked over to Xu Tingsheng and said a few things to him in a low tone.

Xu Tingsheng nodded and turned, saying to those in the room, “It’s like this. The two of us were indeed involved in something. So, I may have to return to Yanzhou first tonight. As for your side, if you have already decided on going overseas, just leave it to me to take care of it. Try to avoid going out as much as possible if there’s no need to.

“You, you’re leaving just like that?” Fang Zhong stepped forward, full of dissatisfaction.

“If I stay, will you handle the procedures for going overseas?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I...if I want to leave, I can leave at any time,” Fang Zhong’s words caused everyone to feel shocked and disillusioned: This was the oldest of the Fang family’s third generation? Who’d harbour hopes of him taking care of all the young ones? Who’d still dare hand that final sum over to him?

“You can try then. I know that you have the documents...you can very well try leaving yourself first.”

“I...isn’t it for the sake of taking care of them.”

Xu Tingsheng was very clear on the fact that Fang Zhong actually dared not even leave this building now. Still, he did not intend to be further involved in the Fang family’s internal affairs.

“How about this. I’ll leave Bro Du here.”

“Yes, good, good,” Fang Zhong happily nodded in succession.

“Tingsheng, come out for a bit,” Du Jiang pulled Xu Tingsheng aside before telling him in a low tone, “Tingsheng, about that...Uncle Xu’s instructions, apart from Du Jin taking care of your little girlfriend, were that Wusheng and I are to be concerned about nothing but you and you alone.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “We’ll just not tell my Dad about it then. Relax, no one will move against me in Yanzhou. Moreover, isn’t Bro Zhong there too?”

“Still, for the return journey...I can’t let you go alone. Otherwise, Uncle Xu definitely won’t let me off,” Du Jiang insisted.

Knowing that he could not win this argument, Xu Tingsheng suggested, “How about this? Aren’t I only leaving at night. I’ll ask Bro Zhong to drive over to fetch me. I’ll be switching to another car as well. That’s okay, right?”

Du Jiang hesitated for a while before conceding helplessly, “Well...fine then.”

Xu Tingsheng flicked him a cigarette, “Get Yuqing to call for a doctor to see to your wounds later. Then, while you’re here, remember not to think of yourself as the Fang family’s bodyguard. If anyone abuses their power, ignore them. If they’re too much, beating them up is fine too.”

Du Jiang smiled and let Xu Tingsheng light the cigarette for him as he responded, “I know.”

One thing the Xu family father and son had in common was that the way they treated people was akin to a refreshing spring breeze. They never treated them as underlings or allowed them to be bullied by others outside.

“Also, don’t go outside,” Xu Tingsheng said in a hushed tone, “Just stay here. The sick ward here may be the most sensitive place in all of Jianhai Province right now. So long as that old man inside is still breathing, I’ll wager no one would dare directly kill their way over, not even those Ling and Xiao families.”

“Right. I understand.”

“But just in case, though...on the off chance that anything happens, you should be flexible. It isn’t everyone here that we have to protect. If something like that really happens, if you can bring them along, bring along Yuqing, then Fang Chen...and that little girl too, I guess,” Xu Tingsheng added Fang Ruli to the list as an afterthought, “As for the rest, no need to care.”

“What about old man Fang then?” Du Jiang committed it all to memory before asking.

Xu Tingsheng took a deep puff of his cigarette, exhaling, “There’s no need to care about him too.”

“Alright.”

Du Jiang ceased asking questions. He knew that he should not pry deeply into some matters. He simply needed to know what he should do.

After smoking the cigarette, Xu Tingsheng returned to the room.

“We’re agreed. Bro Du will be staying. Still, I hope you all can understand something...even I myself call him bro too,” Xu Tingsheng said and glanced at Fang Zhong before continuing, “Since it’s been decided that you will be going overseas, you should prepare the relevant documents and give them to me as soon as possible. I’ll make haste in getting it all done.”

“I must reiterate. No one is to say the slightest thing about your going overseas. Don’t blame me for being merciless otherwise,” Xu Tingsheng threatened coldly as Du Jiang stood menacingly behind him.

They were all silent. Their current circumstances were such that their Fang family was asking a favour of Xu Tingsheng. Thus, however unhappy they might actually be feeling, they still had to hold it in.

“Like I’m scared of you…” Someone muttered.

Xu Tingsheng helplessly glanced at Fang Ruli whose mother had covered her mouth with a hand...he really could do nothing about her.

“Yuqing, wanna go eat?”

“Alright.”

With Fang Yuqing soon to leave, Xu Tingsheng suddenly very much wanted to chat with him. It was not just for the important matters. More of it was...only for the sake of speaking with him alone, however inconsequential it might be. The world was fickle. Who could know when it would be when they next met...

Chapter 559: Hope that you're well, and I oblivious

Chapter 559: Hope that you’re well, and I oblivious

Xiang Ning was someone who always approached life with a pure, untainted mindset. She was also magnanimous, enthusiastic and direct. Whether in this life or the previous, Xu Tingsheng was deeply influenced by this personality of hers.

Xu Tingsheng had been in a painful relationship with his former girlfriend, Qiao Ying, back in university in his previous life as they had tortured each other for a full three years. After getting together with Xiang Ning, though, he had very seldom gotten angry, whether towards individuals or society itself.

She was his sunshine and his ocean.

Still, there were some things which a seventeen-year-old girl just could not help but worry about, such as relationships. That morning, ever since Xu Tingsheng had sent Wu Yuewei to Xihu City, Xiang Ning had felt rather perturbed and ill at ease.

At the end of the day, this was because Wu Yuewei was just too outstanding in her eyes, with the two of them also sharing a very good relationship. Outstanding people might not be good, and good people might not be outstanding, but Wu Yuewei was a mixture of both. Coming to this conclusion from within, Xiang Ning could not help but worry.

The result of her looking out of it the entire morning was that the female teacher who had suspected Xiang Ning of being in a relationship all along now finally felt certain of these suspicions. Having failed to properly engage Xu Tingsheng in a cooperative investigative relationship back then, much less having seen any results, she decided to employ her ‘ultimate’ move this time, inviting Mr and Mrs Xiang to the school.

This move virtually never failed her. She had already seen too many parents, especially those with daughters, getting all nervous, furious and even hysterical upon doing so. Having herself been single all these years, this female teacher had found herself taking quite some pleasure from this every time, thus always looking forward to it greatly.

In the office.

The female teacher said, “Let me tell you something. From my observations, Xiang Ning seems to be in a relationship in school.”

Mr Xiang replied, “That’s impossible. Her boyfriend is not from the school.”

The female teacher, “...So she has one? You guys know about it?”

Mrs Xiang, “Yes, we have even met. He’s pretty good. Rest assured, teacher, we definitely won’t let Little Ning be in a relationship in school. We know that would be bad for her studies.”

The female teacher was stumped.

There was already basically nothing more that could be said at this point. Being in a relationship was definitely not illegal. Moreover, it wasn’t even happening in the school. So long as she was unable to instigate the parents, she as a teacher was basically helpless to do anything about it.

She definitely did not have anything out for Xiang Ning too. Xiang Ning was already likeable by nature. Xu Tingsheng had also casually taken a whole bunch of various supermarket cards, beauty parlour cards, you name it from Huang Yaming...and asked Xiang Ning’s policewoman cousin to, unbeknownst to her, go to the school and give them out. The teachers had long since been battered silly by them.

The sole thing this caused was that in between classes that afternoon, a boy from the same class or a neighbouring one would intermittently walk over, either feigning nonchalance or exuding clear despondence as they probed, “Xiang Ning, are you really in a relationship?”

The shameless Xiang Ning would simply smile and nod happily.

If there were sounds of hearts shattering, the classroom should be like a frozen lake come spring that afternoon, crunching and cracking…

Du Jin would be making a simple report to Xu Tingsheng everyday. On this very first day, the contents were as follows:

As of now, I’ve discovered at least two groups of people with different origins observing as well as analysing Young Mistress. As they show no intention of harming her, I judge that their actual intention is to analyse you, Young Master, through her. I have not alerted them to knowing their presence for the time being. Besides that, there seems to be quite a few boys who like Young Mistress. Also, Young Mistress wasn’t too good emotionally this morning. While it was better when afternoon came, she was still a bit out of sorts. You had best return earlier, Young Master.

After receiving the text, Xu Tingsheng had no time to worry about how Du Jin was referring to him as his thoughts were completely drawn by those two groups of people that she spoke of. One of them might be the Ling and Xiao families, their current opponents. What of the other then?

However he racked his brains, Xu Tingsheng could not find an answer to this. He posed this question to Fang Yuqing whom he was with the entire afternoon as well as Zhong Wusheng who had just rushed over from Yanzhou, asking them to help to analyse the problem.

Sadly, quantity alone could not overcome the height of the problem. They simply had no clue of who those people might be.

Helpless, they could only set this matter aside for the time being, calming themselves. As least, Du Jin had said that the two groups of people showed no intention of wanting to harm Xiang Ning for the time being. Thus, there was no need to speculate about very malicious intent.

After who knew how many cigarettes, the final packet was already empty. Xu Tingsheng crushed the box and accurately threw it into the dustbin a short distance away. Then, he unconsciously continued talking about matters of the past.

Those days seemed to have been much simpler than this. Fang Yuqing had still been a low-key wastrel at the time, enthusiastically learning boxing from Zhong Wusheng with the aspiration of being a policeman and upholder of justice in the future.

Later on, he had been led askew by Xu Tingsheng to become the boss of Zhicheng.

Right now, a forced departure to a faraway place was imminent for him, the return date unknown.

“Tingsheng, I have a favour to ask of you,” Fang Yuqing suddenly requested very earnestly.

“Say it.”

That afternoon, Xu Tingsheng and Zhong Wusheng had refrained from talking about Yuqing as much as possible while Fang Yuqing himself had not mentioned it as well. Now, however, Fang Yuqing who had tried to appear cool as much as possible was being earnest for once. With that, Xu Tingsheng knew that he was finally going to mention her.

“I want to say that if Yuqing gets married one day...and I haven’t come back yet. I think she will definitely invite you guys. In that case, please don’t tell me about it, but help me pack a big red packet for her.”

“Alright.”

“I don’t want to cry alone in the streets of America like a fool.”

“Find a Western chick to accompany you as you cry and tell her your story in Mandarin. She won’t be able to understand it anyway.”

“Yeah.”

“Hey, don’t you cry now. We aren’t Western chicks.”

“I’m not crying. What would I cry for? If anyone should cry, it’s her. That future man will definitely not be as handsome, as skilled, as good at fighting as me anyway...she’ll definitely cry to death, don’t you guys say?”

“Right.”

“But he’ll definitely treat her better than me.”Between lovers in a breakup, one might say: If in the future, I know that you’re very happy and doing better than me, I’ll be able to rest assured. This mostly only appeared in novels or television dramas. Otherwise, one was probably actually only feigning a brave front.

One really cannot be so big-hearted in relationships. If one truly loves another yet they have to split apart, the most they can do is: I hope that you’ll have a good life, but that I’ll never know of it.

……

At the same time, a plane from Tokyo to Shenghai had just landed. A luxuriously-dressed woman left the airport alongside an entourage of a dozen, getting on a car. Her secretary passed her a document.

“This is the analysis of that girl. Please look through it.”

Swiftly scanning through it, the woman’s lips curled as she wondered aloud in a low tone, “Really doesn’t have any background, any unique point. Suddenly appeared when she was fourteen, staying steadfast regardless of the other’s background and status. Unmoved by the beautiful celebrity, the competent career woman, the gentle first love...doting to the point of extremity. Do you all think that there can truly be such love in this world that comes out of nowhere?”

The others in the car all looked around nervously, unsure how to answer that question.

Fortunately, the woman seemed not to require an answer as she mused aloud in amusement, “Deep love from a previous life? It’s getting more and more interesting.”

Chapter 560: Seeing them off

Chapter 560: Seeing them off

The Fang family had long since been prepared to leave the country. Xu Tingsheng received the required documents that night and set off back for Yanzhou.

Xu Tingsheng had called and borrowed a white BMW from Hu Shengming. Zhong Wusheng was driving, with Xu Tingsheng in the co-driver’s seat. In the backseat was a sulking young girl with her school bag who was stubborn as stubborn could be.

“If my Mum didn’t cry, I would never go along with you. You should know, and remember, that I really hate you,” Fang Ruli said disdainfully towards the back of Xu Tingsheng’s head.

Xu Tingsheng turned back exasperatedly, “I got it. This is the fifth time you’re saying it now.”

“Once over there, I’ll stay at that training institute. I have money, so stay out of my business.”

“Alright. I will.”

“Anyway, it’d be best if before going overseas, I don’t have to see you anymore. Sick pervert.”

“Right.”

After responding till that feisty girl was finally satisfied, Xu Tingsheng turned to face the front again. Zhong Wusheng glanced at him and the two exchanged looks, smiling wryly.

Fang Ruli’s mother, who had married the second son of the Fang family, was relatively unique within the Fang family. She held no job, much less any position in the public service. She was simply a full-time housewife at home.

This dutiful wife and mother had now become the only person of the Fang family’s second generation who still had their freedom. She rationally knew that she could not hold the fort. Therefore, she had neither put on airs nor decided things unilaterally as if she knew best.

After sending the children overseas to ensure their safety, she would remain behind to accompany her father-in-law and send him into the next life. She would also calmly await judgment on the fates of her husband and the others of the Fang family’s second generation. This was her courage, her fulfilling her responsibility.

Still, as a mother, she would inevitably still have her own agenda. In order to let Xu Tingsheng bring Fang Ruli to Yanzhou to spend the rest of her time before going overseas, she gave two reasons in front of everyone:

Firstly, Fang Ruli was too young. It would be bad for her to remain cooped up in the depressing atmosphere of the hospital all day long.

Secondly, Xu Tingsheng’s Hucheng had a training institute in Yanzhou. Since Fang Ruli was to go overseas, it would also be good for her to go there to acquire some language skills etcetera.

While both reasons sounded ever so reasonable, Xu Tingsheng was actually aware that Fang Ruli was proficient in English to the point that she could rant on at someone for half an hour in different scolding forms each time, even using more obscure language for fear that they might understand.

Therefore, it was actually not that difficult for him to grasp her mother’s mindset.

Right now, with the Fang family having already been defeated and with the old man already no longer able to speak, what little Xu Tingsheng owed the Fang family could fully be overlooked. To put it another way, Xu Tingsheng’s sole connection to the Fang family right now was really only Fang Yuqing, and perhaps Fang Chen too. This was to say that he could definitely only take care of the two of them and ignore the fates of the rest of their family.

By some stroke of fortune, Fang Ruli had had some interactions with Xu Tingsheng. While inferior to that with Fang Yuqing and Fang Chen, he was still more familiar with her than the remaining Fang family at the end of the day. She wished to increase the contact her daughter had with Xu Tingsheng, obtaining some brotherly feelings, friendship, even just sympathy. This was enough as long as it could bring an added layer of security to her daughter’s future.

This was one of her considerations. The second one was this. As compared to the Fang family’s base camp, where else could possibly be safer than remaining by Xu Tingsheng’s side?

Such was the simplest ‘scheme’ of a woman, the purest ‘selfishness’ of a mother.

Therefore, Xu Tingsheng had not refused her.

Fang Ruli had wanted to refuse, but just as she had been about to cause a scene, she had been pulled off somewhere by her mother. After talking for a while, the two had returned with reddened eyes, Fang Ruli obediently walking behind Xu Tingsheng with her school bag in tow. Her head had been lowered, she saying nothing.

She had only regained her true, noisy colours after getting onto the car.

Xu Tingsheng opened the door to find Xiang Ning and Du Jin sitting in the living room and watching <<Autumn In My Heart>>. The two of them were all teary-eyed from it. This was normal for Xiang Ning who always cried, but what was with their burly bodyguard, Du Jin?

On seeing Xu Tingsheng, Du Jing frantically wiped her tears and tried hard to regain a cool expression. Despite clearly having had things weighing on her mind for the entire day, Miss Xiang, in contrast, acted nonchalant and did not even look back as she simply said, “You’re back.”

“Yep,” Xu Tingsheng said to this very normal response, “Why haven’t you turned on the air conditioning in this heat?”

“Big Sis Du Jin has a stomachache. She can’t have air conditioning,” Xiang Ning explained.

“A stomachache? ...Oh, I get it,” Xu Tingsheng spoke like he had had a revelation.

“You’re so disgusting, you sick pervert.”

Fang Ruli emerged from behind Xu Tingsheng with a disdainful expression on her face.

Having long since known that there was someone behind Xu Tingsheng, Du Jin was simply watching on objectively at this moment. Xiang Ning, in contrast, was astonished and curious as she looked at Xu Tingsheng.

“I’ve found an added burden for you two. Let me introduce: This is Fang Yuqing’s cousin. She’ll be having some lessons for going overseas over here. I’ll be leaving her to the two of you after this. Xiang Ning has to go to the training institute for tuition anyway, so Du Jin can help to look after her too while you’re at it.”

Du Jin nodded. When Xu Tingsheng had said that this young girl before her was from the Fang family, she had already understood what this ‘looking after’ truly entailed.

Xiang Ning smiled, expressing her goodwill.

“I’m not an added burden! I can take care of myself,” Fang Ruli retorted.

“Right, y’all can call her stinky fish,” Xu Tingsheng added.

“I’m not a stinky fish. You’re the stinky fish,” An aggravated Fang Ruli retorted and went inside to put her bag down before she walked over to Xiang Ning and asked, “I’m Fang Ruli…you’re his girlfriend?”

Xiang Ning nodded rather awkwardly, saying, “Fang Ruli? Hello, Little Carp. I’m Xiang Ning.”

She tried hard to look like a mature big sister.

“She clearly isn’t a hundred times more beautiful…” Fang Ruli muttered to herself before saying to Xiang Ning, “Alright, you can call me Little Carp. Hey, do you know that your boyfriend is a pervert?”

She seemed to bear no hostility towards Xiang Ning.

Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Xiang Ning held back her laughter, saying earnestly and sincerely, “Yeah, I know. He is a pervert.”

“Right. Isn’t it?!” Fang Ruli’s eyes shone.

Her grudge towards Xu Tingsheng ran deep, whereas Xiang Ning was similarly unhappy due to Wu Yuewei’s matter. Not being angry with Wu Yuewei, she planted the score fully on Xu Tingsheng’s head.

The two quickly found a common topic in putting down Xu Tingsheng together.

From that night onwards, Fang Ruli ended up staying with Xiang Ning.

With the two little connivers as well as Du Jin who only knew how to show Xu Tingsheng a neutral, respectful face, Xu Tingsheng was isolated by the three in his home just like that.

…...

The finals for prospective teachers in their third year of university was as relaxed as Xu Tingsheng expected. As compared to that, the ease of the relevant procedures for going overseas somewhat exceeded his expectations...with money opening the way, there was absolutely no obstruction at all as the Ling and Xiao families appeared to be fully oblivious.

He asked his father about this.

Mr Xu simply explained, “It is a major taboo for local officials to be overly close with or have private contact with members of overseas embassies.”

Xu Tingsheng was enlightened with that.

Everything went just as planned.

In early July, after weeping sorrowfully with Xiang Ning in a gut-wrenching farewell, Fang Ruli left Yanzhou with Xu Tingsheng. Amidst the night, the two travelled to Shenghai International Airport to meet with the remainder of the Fang family’s third generation, including both direct and branch lines.

Outside the security check passageway, Fang Ruli stood with the pink luggage that Xiang Ning had helped her choose, not looking at Xu Tingsheng.

“Sick pervert, I wasn’t going to talk to you at first,” She said, “Still, I thought about it, and I have to remind you not to hook up with other women behind Big Sis Little Ning’s back, got it? She’s even been willingly cheated by you. You’ve got to treat her well.”

“Alright. Thank you, stinky fish,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“You’re not to call me stinky fish again,” Fang Ruli said, “Forget it, you can call me Little Carp once today.”

“Alright. Thank you, Little Carp,” Xu Tingsheng patted the head of Fang Ruli, who unexpectedly did not dodge.

She raised her head and said, “I promised Big Sis Little Ning that when you’re married, I will come back and be her bridesmaid. But as you know, I really don’t want to see you, so I might not be able to keep my word too. You had better prepare a few more bridesmaids. There is no need to definitely wait for me to come back.”

“What if your Big Sis Little Ning, not seeing you return, refuses to marry me? So, you’ve got to come back. There’s still a lot of time anyway. You should be a little older and be able to wear a formal gown by then,” Looking at her raised face, Xu Tingsheng stopped smiling and earnestly said, “When you’re over there, you’ve got to take good care of yourself. You must study hard and be strong...if there’s anything, tell your Big Sis Fang Chen or Big Bro Yuqing about it. If there are really some difficulties, you can also call me and your Big Sis Little Ning.”

“Right...wrong, like I’d call you. I’ll definitely be fine. Even if my Mum and Dad and my big brother aren’t with me, I still won’t be afraid, because I’ve already grown up. I’ll get into a very good university and become very good at earning money after I graduate, even better than you...that way, I’ll be able to take care of my mother,” While Fang Ruli spoke like she was already grown up, tears were flowing down her cheeks as if she was still merely a child.

Xu Tingsheng handed her a piece of tissue paper.

Fang Ruli held it in her palm.

“I’m leaving, sick pervert. I finally won’t have to see you anymore. How great is that,” Fang Ruli said as she turned and walked into the security check passageway.

Xu Tingsheng looked at her gradually diminishing back figure, watched her refusing help and stubbornly insisting on lifting her luggage up on the platform herself. Strenuous though it was, she grit her teeth and refused to give up.

Along with her big suitcase, this thin fourteen-year-old girl was about to begin a long, solitary term of study in a foreign country. Fang Ruli was well aware of the fact that she was no longer that little princess who had been doted on to the heavens by her parents and elder brother. She was no longer that free, uninhibited Little Carp.

“I’m off,” Fang Yuqing said.

“I’m off,” Fang Chen said.

The two were the last to pass by Xu Tingsheng. What should be said had all already been said long ago. As he calmly watched the figures of brother and sister vanishing behind the security check passageway, Xu Tingsheng’s mind was full of scenes of the past, with Fang Chen’s craftiness and deviousness and Fang Yuqing’s silliness and enthusiasm.

Feeling rather emotional and unwilling to part, finally free of a major burden, Xu Tingsheng turned to leave the departure hall.

As he walked, he suddenly halted, “I just feel like something is wrong...but I can’t grasp that exact point. Where exactly is this coming from?”

Chapter 561: That sense of unease

Chapter 561: That sense of unease

“They’re even going overseas to hide already. What else could they do? What, stay in the country and and directly face the Ling and Xiao families, acting from the shadows? That’s completely illogical!” Xu Tingsheng tried to comfort himself.

Still, the more he could not get at the gist of it, the greater his sense of worry and unease.

He described this inexplicable sense of worry to two people via text. One was Old Jin, the other his father. He also asked the two of them this question: What do you do when you feel unease of this sort?

Soon, Old Jin replied: When things are going too smoothly, I will stop and revert my thoughts back to zero, redoing every single thought process.

Following that, Mr Xu replied: Everyone may think that a business deal has to be done, or it would really be too much of a loss. Meanwhile, all the conditions for completing this deal are ready as there seems to be virtually no difficulty at all. At a time like this, I will stop. I definitely must find the negative conditions and effects and weigh them before making the final decision.”

Xu Tingsheng vaguely grasped at the gist of the problem. When all the factors and conditions pointed towards the same direction, the entire process being unexpectedly smooth...that itself was a problem.

That inexplicable sense of worry stemmed from this. Everything that had happened over this period of time, specific or not, seemed to be pushing the Fang family’s third generation to choose to leave the country to avoid danger. It was all just too smooth and convenient.

Still, with how things were now, Xu Tingsheng had no way to stop...the plane would not stop for him to slowly sort his thoughts out from the start.

He gave Hu Chen a call and cut to the chase, “Bro Hu, remember when I asked you to help me get people to dig up information about Ling Xiao’s time in America? Are you sure you didn’t leave anything out?”

Slightly puzzled, Hu Chen hesitated for a moment before saying, “Regarding her education, work experience, appraisals and such, there shouldn’t be too much of a discrepancy. We conducted a very thorough investigation and obtained quite a few primary sources. Still…”

“Still what?”

“If it’s really as you say and this was a recruitment investigation for a prospective high-ranking member of our company, I believe that this is already sufficient. Ling Xiao is very outstanding, and I truly look forward to her being able to join Xingchen, everything else being unimportant.”

“What if it’s not just that?”

“...To truly understand someone, and I’m referring to more internal, intrinsic qualities like their mindset and personality, I think that the best route is actually not through these statistic-like objects but through details and emotions. For example, the first time you met me and Old He and wanted to poach us over to Xingchen, do you know what you said the most then? Honestly speaking.”

“What?”

“I mean, the words you said the most that day were honestly speaking. Less than two hours into our conversation, you’d said this approximately around twenty times. It made the two of us feel as if you were ready to bare your heart at any time, but actually...even as you were honest so often, you lied a lot too. There was a sort of contradiction about you, extreme confidence yet extreme lack of confidence as well. As a youngster who should be at the peak of his triumph, arrogant and unbridled as the new ultra dark horse of the business world, you even seemed extremely nervous in front of us.”

“You’re right,” Xu Tingsheng responded, but actually had no way of explaining this in detail.

His extreme confidence originated from his foreknowledge that came from rebirth, whereas he lacked confidence because the failures of his previous life made him doubt his own capabilities to some degree. Facing actual elites like Hu Chen and He Yutan, he had even felt somewhat inferior and lacking self-esteem, like he was unable to preside over them.

“Why did you two still decide to come to Xingchen in the end then? Xu Tingsheng enquired.

“Firstly, your ability to plan the overall situation, create new things and always stay ahead of the times caused us to determine that your future is bright, and that we might be able to personally establish a mega empire if we follow you. Second was our judgment of your character. Old He and I both found ourselves liking you a lot, when you are nervous and lie included. As I said earlier, this evaluation cannot be obtained through statistics and objective reports. Making a judgment through the details of our conversation with you, we decided you were trustworthy, worth following.”

“I get what you mean.”

“That’s good then. I remember you saying last time that Wayne Yang pursued that Ling Xiao before...call that bitch for me and chat with him. That fella is most proficient at grasping the specifics, observing personality and mentality. Oh, and also. Old He and I have wanted to remind you all along to keep work a priority. While saying it might not be of any use, we still have to...I, bastard, you hung up?! Keep work a priority!!!”

As even the usually refined Hu Chen could not help but curse, He Yutan felt a slight sense of schadenfreude as he patted him on the shoulder, “I told you long before, it’s useless. Though, if he truly throws himself fully into work, our pace might just become too great. An empire which is established within a night will inevitably have an unstable foundation. Forget it, let nature take its course.”

“I just feel that he’s...really, it’s unbecoming. Literally a waste of his own genius,” Hu Chen shook his head helplessly and sighed.

Xu Tingsheng who completely lacked that self-awareness dialled Wayne Yang’s number as fast as he could.

The same enthusiastic, mercenary voice could be heard, “My dear Boss Xu, I really missed you so much. Even though you always reject my calls, I still love you all the same. So, what is it that you want to enquire about this time?”

“It’s about Ling Xiao.”

“I remember that I’ve already given you guys all the data about her. You accidentally lost it? I’ll have to charge you again then…”

“I want to hear about how you pursued her, all the details.”

“Wah...alright, I think I get it. So Boss Xu’s taste is so similar to mine. Still, you know. To push a beloved sweetheart into the arms of another, the fee will inevitably be a bit higher. Otherwise, it will not be able to heal and remedy my wounded heart.”

“Don’t talk rubbish. I promise you that within this next half year, I’ll meet an investor introduced by you once. You should be clear on the value of this.”

“Of course. My immense gratitude.”

“Hurry up and begin then.”

“Alright, let me see...it was six years ago. I met her for the first time at a Chinese student gathering. That day, she walked with utter ease amidst the crowd, evoking laughter and admiration wherever she went. Literally a genius at socialising, you know? I felt like she could even hold election talks for the president or emcee for the Oscars. You know, I quite like this type of woman. So, I was gonna go up, but everyone around me said no man can handle her.”

“What happened in the end?” Xu Tingsheng pressed.

The Ling Xiao that Wayne Yang narrated was already gradually drifting off from Xu Tingsheng’s original judgment of her: An elite at studies and business, but relatively closed off and tender in terms of relationships.

In reality, it seemed that she was not like that. Still, in order to truly grasp that vague, blurry point in his heart, Xu Tingsheng still lacked a clearer piece of the puzzle.

“In the end, just like everyone expected, I was very quickly defeated. She smiled, was extremely polite...then rejected me a thousand yards away without the slightest difficulty,” Wayne Yang continued, “Of course, it’s not so easy to get me to give up. I tried hard and made several attempts, even chased her to her school a few times. Then, can you guess what I found out?”

“What?”

“A finance student, the rising star of Lazdaq Bank, actually frequently showed up at psychology lectures, even graduate ones at that. In a lesson, she went on a back-and-forth with a famous American psychology professor, receiving great praise and recognition there. I thought at the time...heavens...If I had known that it would be like this, I would never have set my sights on her. I would be mad if I thought I could handle a psychology expert! Do you know? All my tricks were nothing in front of her...hello? What is this? You’ve hung up?!”

Right, Xu Tingsheng had hung up. What he had found out was already sufficient for him to come to a conclusion. While the specifics still had to be sounded out, some decisions could already be made.

……

Fang Yuqing had just boarded the plane, stowed his luggage and sat down.

His handphone rang. Just a bit later and he would have turned it off.

“Tingsheng? What is it?”

“Get off the plane. You, and everyone. Get off that plane. Right now.”

Chapter 562: At the critical moment

Chapter 562: At the critical moment

When everything points towards a certain direction, when something is incomparably smooth and by extension simple, yet has seemingly great effects...the matter is generally not reliable.

What ultimately led Xu Tingsheng to make a decision was the fact that there was too great a discrepancy between what he knew about Ling Xiao and her true self...in that case, that weak and soft-looking Ling Xiaoqing with her apparent vulnerability-what exactly could she be quietly working towards behind the scenes?

While she seemed to have been following Xu Tingsheng’s predictions all along, if one thought about it carefully, they would realise that all these predictions had actually been influenced by her before she simply showed him what he wanted to see.

While he could not understand what exactly her intent was, Xu Tingsheng could be sure of at least one thing: Doing what the enemy wanted him to do was definitely a mistake.

The Fang family had been planning their overseas departure for quite some time as Xu Tingsheng himself had participated in virtually the entire process as well. Witnessing this drastic turnaround in Xu Tingsheng’s attitude and the urgency in his voice at this moment, Fang Yuqing felt a little bemused.

Clutching his phone, he asked, “What is it? Has something gone wrong?”

Unable to immediately give a precise, certain answer right now, Xu Tingsheng could only say, “I feel that something’s not right here. Get everyone to get off, and we can analyse it then. If there isn’t anything, it makes no difference even if you go a few days later. I feel that leaving could be dangerous.”

“Alright,” Without asking anything further, simply because the other party was Xu Tingsheng, Fang Yuqing responded decisively.

“I’ll be waiting for you guys outside the airport then,” Xu Tingsheng hung up.

Next, similarly urgently, Fang Yuqing got up and turned to face the direct and branch members of the Fang family’s third generation, narrating Xu Tingsheng’s stance.

Fang Chen immediately got up, beginning to retrieve their luggage from the rack above. Fang Yuqing received them one by one. Then, he turned to discover that everyone else had not budged an inch. Still sitting where they were, they simply looked at him and Fang Chen.

“What is it? Get off the plane. A little later and it’ll be too late,” Fang Yuqing said.

Looking at him, Fang Zhong smiled, “You believe it just because Xu Tingsheng said it. How do you know that he hasn’t suddenly decided to sell us out? You can’t not know that he’s so close with that daughter of the Ling family, right? ...Maybe as soon as we leave the airport, we won’t be able to go anywhere anymore.”

His words frightened many people.

“He won’t,” Fang Yuqing said resolutely.

“How do you know he won’t? Just based on a feeling?! I say, you’d best think of another reason, a reason that going to America would be less safe than staying in China. Otherwise, why would we possibly get off the plane with you?” Fang Ying questioned.

To her, America was like the only light amidst an ocean of darkness and fear. The moment she sat on the plane, her heart had been filled with the joy and relief of liberation from danger.

“I...we can just get off first today. Afterwards, we’ll see, and if there’s really no problem, there’s no difference even if we go a few days later,” Unable to find a very good reason, Fang Yuqing said somewhat compromisingly.

“Nope. I don’t know if we’ll still be able to go in a few days, but I know that right now, at least, we’re already on the plane. Truthfully speaking, Fang Ying and I definitely won’t be getting off,” Fang Zhong said, “If the two of you want to get off, do as you please. As for the others, let them choose for themselves if they are willing to leave with the two of us or stay with you two.”

“You…”

“Be respectful, Yuqing. You should call me older cousin. Don’t forget, I am the oldest of the Fang family’s third generation. With things as they are, my words count.”

With the doors of the plane soon to close and Fang Zhong’s attitude seemingly irreversible, Fang Yuqing and Fang Chen exchanged glances before the latter stepped forward and said, “We’ll listen to older cousin’s words then. Everyone, would you rather go to America or get off the plane with us?”

With that, Fang Yuqing’s gaze swept across the remaining descendants of the Fang family on the plane with anxiety and anticipation.

Yet, he was answered by only silence.

Over this period of time, Fang Zhong and Fang Ying had been closer with these kids of the Fang family. They had continually described to them their ‘wonderful’ lives in America as they  worked hard to establish their positions as the leaders of the Fang family’s third generation after arriving in America. Their intentions therein were obvious.

“Trust me. Get off the plane with me, okay? We need to get off! Time’s running out!” Too worried and anxious, even Fang Yuqing’s voice had changed as it carried a pleading tone.

What greeted him was still silence.

Indeed, just Xu Tingsheng’s words alone were sorely insufficient to combat the relief of these people from finally escaping and no longer having to live in constant fear, along with the anticipation and joy of being able to have a free and wonderful life in the near future.

“Big brother Yuqing, I’ll get off the plane with you,” A small hand was raised.

“Good. Come over here, Ruli,” Fang Yuqing happily extended a hand.

“Yeah,” Sitting at a window seat, Fang Ruli stood up, preparing to walk over.

Unexpectedly, Fang Zhong and Fang Ying who were sitting on the two seats beside her suddenly stood up and blocked her, not letting her come out.

“Fang Zhong, what’s the meaning of this?” Fang Yuqing was frantic.

“Nothing...still, since the two of you aren’t going, there’s no reason to leave the family’s money in your hands, right? Do you want the rest of us to go hungry over there? How’s this. Hand me the two cards that Ruli’s mother gave to you two and tell me the password. Do it, and I’ll let Ruli out.”

“You…” Seeing that for the sake of that money, Fang Zhong was actually shameless to the point of holding Ruli, the youngest of the third generation of the Fang family’s direct line, hostage, the enraged Fang Yuqing was prepared to resort to physical force.

“Yuqing,” Fang Chen grabbed him, “How about this, older cousin...I’ll keep the money for now. I’ll go to America with you guys. The two of you both need to study. If I go, at least there’ll be another person to take care of everyone. As for the remainder, we can discuss it over there. How about that? For now, just let Yuqing take Ruli off the plane.”

Fang Zhong slowly shook his head, “No. Give me the money. You get off the plane too.”

“You…”

“Sir, Miss, the plane doors are about to close. Is anything the matter?” An air stewardess who had heard part of their conversation came over to remind them.

Fang Chen hesitated for a moment, then said, “Yuqing, give him what he wants.”

“Ruli, come over to big sister.”

“In that case...older cousin, remember to keep an eye out for your safety and take good care of everyone over there. Also, we must stay in touch.”

Having gotten what he wanted, Fang Zhong smiled and said, “Alright.”

Having gotten their hands on the two cards, whatever became of the Fang family in China, regardless of the fates of the rest of the Fang family, the brother and sister were assured at the very least of smoothly remaining in America till graduation, getting their green cards and then living pretty decent lives.

“All fly away in the face of danger...there’s nothing I can do about it. Can only hope that their luck’s good,” Looking out of the window, Fang Zhong murmured to himself.

“Brother, let me keep one of those two cards,” Fang Ying leaned over and said in a hushed tone.

Fang Zhong turned to look at his younger sister, “You? You’ve always been clumsy. If you randomly lose the card somewhere, what would we do then? No, let your brother keep it. Should you require money, just ask Brother for it. Relax, we’re siblings by blood after all…”

Chapter 563: You're welcome to come again

Chapter 563: You’re welcome to come again

From far away, Xu Tingsheng saw Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing walking towards him with their luggage in tow. He hurriedly went over to receive them.

“Why is it just the two of you?” He asked.

“Fang Zhong and the others weren’t willing…”

Xu Tingsheng cut him short, saying urgently, “I don’t care about Fang Zhong’s lot. But what about Little Carp? What’s with the two of you? How could you not bring her with you? She’s…”

“Humph! Who let you call me Little Carp?!” Fang Ruli peeked out from behind the two of them, feeling a bit moved as she saw Xu Tingsheng’s frantic expression, “Calm down, I’m here.”

Xu Tingsheng heaved a sigh of relief and smiled at her.

Seeing him smile, Fang Ruli was aggravated, “Sick pervert, you’re not to feign concern about me. Are we on very good terms?! You already have Big Sis Little Ning, and you still...anyway, you’re really a pervert. I’ll definitely tell Big Sis Little Ning when I get back.”

Xu Tingsheng did not answer. His latest strategy for dealing with the feisty girl was to simply shut up and leave the battlefield when her spirits were soaring and she was ready for battle. Unable to beat her in an argument, he would simply refrain from responding.

The four of them went to the carpark and found Zhong Wusheng.

The plane took off before their eyes.

Zhong Wusheng congratulated Fang Yuqing for returning from America so quickly and asked for the watch on his wrist that he had gifted him back.

Fang Yuqing dodged to the side, smiling as he exclaimed, “Return it to you? Do you think I’m silly? This is Royal Oak…”

Their self-awareness of being in a crisis was evidently not as deep as Xu Tingsheng’s.

Fang Chen gazed at Xu Tingsheng, asking, “What exactly is the matter? How serious is it?”

Xu Tingsheng answered frankly, “Actually, I’m also not so sure as of now.”

“You are not sure too. Then…”

“Relax, it won’t be long before I can be sure. I’ll go and ask in the morning.”

“You’ll...go and ask? Ask who?”

“Ask Ling Xiao, ask the Ling and Xiao families.”

……

They returned from Shenghai to Xihu City and rested till daylight. Then, after sending Fang Yuqing, Fang Chen and Fang Ruli back to the hospital where he entrusted them to Du Jiang and giving Fang Ruli’s mother a brief explanation, Xu Tingsheng brought Zhong Wusheng out.

The Ling family home in Xihu City was not hard to locate. Zhong Wusheng parked the car nearby before Xu Tingsheng took out his phone and called Ling Xiao.

“I remember you saying last time that the two elders asked me to drop by your home for a visit if I have the time. I’m here,” Xu Tingsheng said.

There was a short silence before Ling Xiao said rather hesitantly, “Why is it that of all times, you are only coming now? My family is not feeling happy at all with you right now. I’m worried that…”

“Worried for me, in a tough spot...is that what you mean? So, is it Ling Xiaoqing on the phone now? Miss Ling Xiao can indeed switch roles smoothly at will,” Xu Tingsheng interrupted her.

“...” Ling Xiao did not speak.

“Forgive me for overestimating myself before.”

At this point in time, some things were already out in the open.

Ling Xiao took a moment to come to terms with this before she smiled, “If you definitely must come, I’ll open the door for you. What you want to ask, you can ask me.”

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng immediately dialled Fang Yuqing’s number.

“Calculate the time the plane will reach America. After that, spam call Fang Zhong, Fang Ying and the slightly older kids and make sure you get ahold of them. Then...ask them not to leave the airport for the time being.”

“I don’t have any way of explaining in detail right now. Just do as I say first. If there’s anything, send me a message.”

Xu Tingsheng had just returned his handphone to his pocket when the door opened.

Ling Xiao was in mere home clothes, without makeup and with her hair bundled simply up.

“Welcome. If there is anything, tell me about it here. I believe you should understand that our Ling and Xiao families do not wish to make things difficult for you,” Ling Xiao said as she looked at Xu Tingsheng.

“I know. Thank you. Still, since I’m here already, aren’t you going to invite me in to sit? I’m looking for the two elders for a chat. If I really must back off in the face of difficulty, I will do it then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

At this point, the point of potential breakthrough was already not with Ling Xiao. Some answers could not be obtained from just speaking with her. Xu Tingsheng had to see the two old men of the Ling and Xiao families.

“I’ve just asked them. Sorry, it is not so convenient today. How about another day. Another day would be fine,” Ling Xiao smiled and said.

Xu Tingsheng ignored her words completely, squeezing into the half-opened door and walking inside. Zhong Wusheng followed after him.

The Ling family was big. Beyond the door was a courtyard. In the middle was a pavement of stone. At the sides were old trees, bamboo plants, stone tables, bamboo chairs, a little pond.

Ling Xiao did not stop him, following him for a while before slowly sitting down at a stone table and pouring herself a cup of tea.

A youth of around twenty came from the direction of the main house, blocking Xu Tingsheng’s path.

Xu Tingsheng turned to look at Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao retrieved another cup and poured tea into it as she said, “Coming from the military, our family likes going by some old rules. Come, have a cup. If you can make it over, my two fathers will meet you. If you can’t, let’s just chat here for a while.”

Ling Xiao gestured to him in invitation.

Zhong Wusheng arrived in front of Xu Tingsheng and said, “Go on. Happens that it’s been a long time since I last had a good bout.”

“Just give it a go. If you can’t, there’s no need to force yourself,” Xu Tingsheng instructed in a low tone even as he walked away.

Much less understand their intensity, he had never experienced these things before. Modern society’s concept of being good at fighting rested mostly on sports competitions. While he did know that Zhong Wusheng was good at fighting and Du Jiang was good at fighting, being able to easily go against a dozen ordinary thugs, Xu Tingsheng was less certain about this youth who had been dispatched by an old-school military family.

Since some things had so many legends, were legacies that went way back, one could not but believe in them however many jokes there were about them.

As Xu Tingsheng drank his first cup of tea, the fighters had already exchanged blows.

In terms of gaining experience and being an eye-opener, this was actually a bit of a letdown. The two combatants were fighting with arm and foot in an organised fashion. While not the disorganised, haphazard style of amateurs, it was far from as entertaining as K1, or MMA.

Once in a while, one of them would receive a blow and take a few steps back, seemingly no worse for wear.

Xu Tingsheng was not an expert in this field. Were an expert watching here, he would discover that Zhong Wusheng’s style was based more on boxing, relying on punches and agile footwork. Meanwhile, the youth who was his opponent had the style of China’s military as it was relatively more single-minded and ruthless, seeking to incapacitate in a single strike.

There was no break in between, but the fight persisted. As time went by, a slit appeared by the wooden window on the second floor of the main house.

“Your friend’s pretty good at taking hits,” Ling Xiao refilled Xu Tingsheng’s cup while saying, “I heard that apparently, Junwen’s blows are very heavy. Most people are unable to sustain that level of damage at all. Still, your friend has already taken nearly ten blows.”

A hint of puzzlement flashed through Xu Tingsheng’s eyes as he looked at that rather skinny youth.

“I’m not lying on this. Junwen has been training since young. He spars with people from the military quite frequently the past few years, and there are few who can beat him,” Ling Xiao explained.

“So, you’re admitting that you’ve lied to me quite a lot on other things?”

“What do you think?” Ling Xiao smiled, “Still, you probably won’t have the chance to verify it today. If this is the extent of your friend’s abilities, he’s about to fall...next time then. You are welcome to come visit again when this matter is over.”

Chapter 564: Half step break

Chapter 564: Half step break

After Ling Xiao had said that, two people came and took Xu Tingsheng’s phone away from the tabletop.

Xu Tingsheng would surely not be so silly as to resist.

Ling Xiao raised her wrist and checked her watch before saying, “Relax, it won’t take too long. Just drink tea for a bit more. If your friend gets injured, we have a doctor at home.”

Meanwhile, as if tacitly acknowledging Ling Xiao’s words or having finished checking his opponent out and knowing that his current methods were insufficient to take him down, the youth got in the mood. After receiving a direct punch of Zhong Wusheng’s and stably retreating a couple of steps…

Fists changing to palm, accumulated force extended from the centre line. Right palm in front, elbow bent, fingers tilted upward. Left hand behind, palm’s centre facing the inner right arm protectively.

This was the basic stance, set to receive any incoming blows.

“The heck...Ip Man?” Xu Tingsheng was stunned on seeing this scene which he had seen before in the movies, “Is this really happening?”

Not far away, that youth spoke for the first time, reporting his sect name, “Yong Chun.”

Xu Tingsheng clearly saw Zhong Wusheng who was facing him directly falter in astonishment for a moment.

The first Donnie Yen’s <<Ip Man>> movie had only been released in 2008, and Wong Kar Wai’s <<The Grandmaster>> had been released even later. Yuan Heping had also directed a <<Yong Chun>> in 1993, with Yang Ziqiong having starred in it...still, ‘Yong Chun’ had yet to completely shoot through the roof in popularity in the year 2006.

“I wonder if it’s really as incredible as they say…” Xu Tingsheng thought.

Zhong Wusheng might be thinking the same thing. Still, Xu Tingsheng found that his eyes were actually glowing as he was filled with excitement...he now took the initiative to launch a probing attack of his own…

The two exchanged blows once more.

Not knowing much about fighting, only having seen movies before, Xu Tingsheng could not tell all that much about what was going on...all he could vaguely tell was that the youth’s temperament seemed to have changed from ruthless to slick and in control.

While he was the one defending, just based on the agility of his palms along with his footwork, one actually felt like no attacks could go through. Zhong Wusheng was repeatedly repelled by his counterattacks that seemed totally relaxed. From the looks of it, he was doing much worse than before.

“It’s coming!"

As a moviegoer, like most others, Xu Tingsheng’s greatest impression of Yong Chun techniques was that tempestuous flurry of little, watertight punches. As soon as it was unleashed, while it would definitely seem girlish, that firecracker-like chain attack did possess a momentous air about it.

Just a moment ago, in order to avoid his opponent getting into close range, Zhong Wusheng who had rarely used kicks earlier had executed a snapping kick to the side.

In reaction to this, the youth lowered his left arm, blocking it even as he slid it down to exert force in a third direction. Zhong Wusheng’s centre of gravity was altered as he stumbled forward…

With that, the other party got into close range.

In the blink of an eye, that relentless flurry arrived.

It consisted of about a dozen punches.

Managing to parry fewer than half of them, Zhong Wusheng was continuously sent back in retreat till he ended up near the entrance.

The youth stepped back and resumed his stance. Zhong Wusheng wobbled and looked down, a trickle of blood appearing by the corner of his mouth.

“This technique damages the internals. How about we leave it at that?” Ling Xiao asked Xu Tingsheng.

“Enough, Junwen,” A somewhat triumphant-sounding voice resounded from upstairs too to restrain that young man who was stepping forward once more.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly got up and went forward to support Zhong Wusheng as he asked, “How are you, Bro Zhong? Can you still walk? If so, let’s go home first for today.”Zhong Wusheng smiled tragically and patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, saying, “You’ve forgotten what I said to you before. My greatest skill isn’t hitting people, but getting hit by people. I got this from a whole four years of getting hit. I’m okay…”

“I’ll try again,” Zhong Wusheng yelled, to Xu Tingsheng, his opponent, and those upstairs watching as well.

The fight was not over yet.

“Junwen, hold back a bit,” Ling Xiao said.

Zhong Wusheng said, “Don’t. I’m not forcing myself, but you definitely shouldn’t hold back in a bit. I coincidentally picked something up from somebody a few years back. I don’t know if it’s legit or not, I’ve never used it before. Since I have probably encountered orthodox Chinese martial arts today, I might as well test it out...I’m but a beginner at it, so I can’t hold back. So, please don’t hold back as well.”

The young man raised his palm, “Fortunate to witness it. I won’t hold back.”

While Zhong Wusheng’s words had attracted everyone’s attention, the resumed spar…really seemed no different at all from earlier.

Till once again, the youth saw an opening to use that flurry of fists and launched himself into it.

Having already suffered from it once, Zhong Wusheng did not evade, dodge or even block as he instead moved first his left leg and then his right leg forward. While it seemed only like normal walking, he only moved half a step as he forcibly contained the energy of that latter half step. Next, his body shook as he twisted his right fist and unleashed it from his chest area to his opponent’s midsection.

This punch was short, forceful and extraordinarily fast, feeling as if the momentum of that fist had been forcibly halted before all of it could be released.

Arrows grow weaker after having flown far from a bowstring. It is far more dangerous if a person gets hit at close range by a shot put than if they are struck during its downward trajectory...

The feeling Zhong Wusheng’s punch gave off was like when an arrow had only just been released from a bowstring, striking the enemy at its most violent, explosive moment.

And so the two exchanged punch for punch, striking each other’s chests.

Three loud thuds resounded as at that same instant, Zhong Wusheng ate two punches while his opponent ate one...he had already been injured earlier. Xu Tingsheng stood up at once with the intention of calling for a halt to the battle.

Yet, it was the other party who retreated.

The tip of his toes slid half a step back across the ground as that punch combo was naturally terminated.

Zhong Wusheng advanced alongside his retreat, but a mere half rather than a full step. He seemed to be woodenly repeating what he had done just earlier, apart from having switched from his right fist to his left.

Another punch.

The other party brought his palms together to parry the might of this punch. Yet, the momentum of Zhong Wusheng’s palm was like the eruption of a massive rock as his palms were pushed back to his chest, the mighty force penetrating straight through his palms and into his chest.

The youth emitted a muffled groan as he leaned forward as much as possible to prevent himself from falling. There was a jarring noise as his feet were pushed back across the paved ground...

Zhong Wusheng took another half step forward and sent forth his right fist.

Clenching his teeth, his opponent crossed his arms to parry the incoming punch…

“Fall! If you do receive it, you’ll be crippled…”

A voice resounded from upstairs. This battle had already drawn to a close.

Zhong Wusheng drew back his stance.

The youth named Junwen did not try to exert himself beyond his means as he made use of the collision between arms and fist to fall backwards, avoiding the brunt of the impact...just like the voice upstairs had said, he actually no longer dared to forcibly receive the full force of the blow this time.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng still did not truly understand what had transpired even now. In his eyes, Zhong Wusheng’s actions had clearly seemed much stiffer than his opponent’s. He had taken the force of many more blows too…

Whatever the case, though, the result was already clear: His opponent had fallen, but he was still standing.

Xu Tingsheng had not yet said anything, and Ling Xiao too had only just stood up when an aged figure rushed over from a path passing through the bamboo forest.

“Don’t move, Junwen,” This person who looked quite old streaked over, stopping the youth who had just been about to struggle to rise to his feet.

Hearing this, the youth dared not move as he lay there obediently.

Coming to his side, after a quick glance, the newcomer crouched down and consecutively beat on various spots around his body...

Spurt!

Finally, a mouthful of blood spurted out from the mouth of the youth named Junwen. Only then did the old man heave a sigh of relief, slowly supporting him to stand up.

“Half step break fist?” The old man asked.

Rubbing his chest, Zhong Wusheng smiled with a streak of blood at the edge of his mouth, “I guess so. Still, I’m actually not that sure...I just coincidentally happened to learn it someplace some years back. When I had nothing to do, I trained in it for a few years...relying fully on my brute strength. I hope I did not make a fool of myself.”

“Your brute strength? Do you know, you nearly crippled Junwen earlier,” The old man said with a severe look on his face.

“That serious?! Hey, how’d I know that?” Zhong Wusheng continued to smile as he said slowly, “I don’t even know the exact nature of my technique, so how would I know its intensity? Since senior has this discerning eye, why don’t you personally get over here and block a fist, letting me know its veracity?”

“...Huh!” Fearing the young’s might, the old man snorted coldly and ignored Zhong Wusheng’s words despite looking a bit  furious.

Actually, Zhong Wusheng himself was actually teetering on the edge of collapse at this moment. So, this was him gambling, gambling that the other party would not dare to receive his fist in the arena.

He had gambled right.

An order came from upstairs, “Xiao’er, bring Little Xu up for a cup of tea.”

Chapter 565: The longest road walked

Chapter 565: The longest road walked

Ling Xiao personally arranged for Zhong Wusheng’s treatment before asking Xu Tingsheng, “Where did you invite such an expert from?”

“I ran into him,” Xu Tingsheng said.

‘Inviting’ and ‘running into’ were actually two totally different concepts in human interactions.

Ling Xiao next comforted that injured youth in a gentle tone.

Seeing how the youth was looking at her and how his expression changed as she comforted him, Xu Tingsheng asked Ling Xiao as he was following her upstairs, “If what you said weren’t completely lies, this Junwen should be that person prepared by the Ling family, right?”

“That’s right,” Ling Xiao said expressionlessly, “I didn’t lie about that. Lies with bits of truth mixed in them are the most believable. Also, it is best that they contain negative events or emotions such as pain, helplessness or sorrow. People are unconsciously more inclined to believe in tragedy and pain as opposed to happiness and everything going well.”

“Knowledge from psychology?”

“Common knowledge. Human nature.”

“...” Accidentally being looked upon disdainfully by a professional, Xu Tingsheng asked, “So, everything else was a lie?”

“Yes,” Ling Xiao said, “Oh, there’s one more thing that wasn’t…”

“What?”

“It was when I asked you if you’d like to have a baby with me. My Dad would agree to this. I think that things will more or less be ending today. How about I get someone to arrange our consummation now?” Ling Xiao’s smile was somewhat sly and provocative.

“...If I do that, your younger brother Junwen will definitely crawl up and render me dead even if it kills him,” Xu Tingsheng rebutted.

Ling Xiao stopped and looked at Xu Tingsheng for a while before she asked, “You could tell? Actually, before he turned fourteen, he thought all along that I was his older sister. Then, after somebody told him what the old men are planning, he has seen himself as a husband, the very sticky and inseparable kind. I think he might really like me.”

“Won’t that be very troublesome then?”

“Right. So, after I’ve given birth to a child, he’ll be sent to Dongbei to enter the army.”

After a momentary silence, Ling Xiao reverted to the original topic, “Actually, I didn’t have such intentions at first. I wasn’t planning to expend so much effort on you. It was only in the car that day that I discovered you trying to use me as a point of breakthrough...so I gave you what you wanted.”

Ling Xiao’s words were like a martial expert saying to a frail scholar, “I wasn’t going to originally, but who asked you to brandish your claws at me?” Xu Tingsheng felt rather awkward here.

“Gave me Ling Xiaoqing?” He asked.

“Right. Actually, I sometimes feel that this name is pretty cute. If Ling Xiaoqing actually existed, maybe I would like myself more,” Ling Xiao resumed walking up the staircase as she said, “As compared to Ling Xiao, your guard towards Ling Xiaoqing was about ten thousand times lower. If I didn’t have Ling Xiaoqing’s identity, you probably wouldn’t have believed what I said afterwards at all.”

She turned back to glance at Xu Tingsheng, smiling. He said nothing in a silent admission of her words.

Ling Xiao explained, “Those in a position of power often more easily believe information coming from those in a weaker position. If they obtained that information through analysis, it is even more effective. This is because people in power are more likely to believe that they are in control of the overall situation. The relationship of power between Ling Xiaoqing and you just happens to be like this. I very seldom have the chance to play the role of a weak woman. Thank you for giving me this chance.”

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, “I should thank you for teaching me.”

At this point in time, the two had already arrived upstairs.

Combining both Western and Eastern styles of architecture, the second floor was an open, wide space. There was an old tea table in front of the window. The two old men of the Ling and Xiao families were sitting there, brewing tea.

Xu Tingsheng asked after them before sitting beside Ling Xiao by the other side of that table.

Old man Lin passed Xu Tingsheng a cup of tea and poured another for Ling Xiao as he said, “We heard you talking happily as you were walking up. It seems you’re not done yet. Go on, we’ll listen.”

Xu Tingsheng was rather hesitant.

Ling Xiao shot him a reassuring look and nodded.

“What I want to know is-how did you induce the third generation of the Fang family to collectively leave the country?” Xu Tingsheng cut to the chase before patting his pocket, indicating that his handphone was not with him and he could not transmit information away.

In truth, he had already done all he could do, having managed to get Fang Chen, Fang Yuqing and Fang Ruli to stay. Adding on Fang Ruju who was recuperating in Jiannan, those that old man Fang most cared about were all still here. As for those currently still on the plane, Xu Tingsheng had already asked Fang Yuqing and co to get in touch with them and salvage the situation.

It was just that Ling Xiao and the two old men before him did not know about this.

Ling Xiao gazed at the two old men and received approval from them before speaking, “Actually, you shouldn’t blame yourself too much. Your responsibility in this matter isn’t great. Also, what I did to you was just so that you would not be the final obstacle in this matter. In other words, I only hoped to guide your thoughts to be mentally prepared such that when the Fang family themselves propose this, you’d feel that this is very reasonable and perhaps the best solution to the matter.”

“Indeed, when the Fang family said that they wanted to leave the country, I could find no reason to oppose them. Instead, there were many factors leading me to choose to support them,” Xu Tingsheng nodded, indicating for her to continue.

“In terms of mentally preparing you for this, Ling Xiaoqing’s existence was the most essential,” Ling Xiao’s words came out in a frank, natural fashion as if this was a mere exchange in class.

To her, after Xu Tingsheng was here for two more hours, this affair would basically be settled. Thus, there was no need to hide it any further.

“Her image was basically like this, strong yet weak. Regarding the Fang family’s matter, she did not hold very intense hatred, rather even being somewhat helpless and tired of it. It was just that she did not have any thoughts and determination to go against this.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded in agreement. Being at neither extreme, this profile was instead more believable. It had also been easier to, without it seeming intentional, convey to Xu Tingsheng the relevant information, guiding his mentality and thoughts.

“You actually overlooked one thing. Generally speaking, as the sole daughter in a family, and even the youngest, one would be treated by their older brothers like a princess, giving her all their love. It was like this for me. I used to have older brothers. They all doted on me,” There was a light mist covering Ling Xiao’s eyes as she continued, “I have a harmonica. My older brothers made it with bullet shells when they were in Vietnam...later, it was returned along with the belongings of the deceased.”

“So, whether right or wrong, I actually only know that I definitely have to do something for them. Do you know? My third brother was only nineteen that year. He looked the nicest, and he loved playing with me the most…”

From where Xu Tingsheng stood on this matter, he could not say anything to these words.

Silence fell.

Ling Xiao averted her face and closed her eyes for a moment. When she turned back, there was already a smile on her face. The old men opposite them were still as a pool of dead water. More than twenty years having passed, that volcano had long since sunk to the bottom of the pool. It was just that its flames...had never been extinguished.

At this instant, Xu Tingsheng understood: There was no right or wrong in this matter. There was only where one stood on it.

Chapter 566: That road was your setup

Chapter 566: That road was your setup

“Back to Ling Xiaoqing. Her existence, her image, and her goodwill towards you,” Ling Xiao smiled slyly, “All these together can make the inner conflict she demonstrated afterwards alongside what she said and did totally, logically reasonable. Such as…

“Such as making me understand how determined you all are about this, making use of all available resources within the country. This was achieved with the first phone call after our meeting. You even emphasised on ‘within the country’ when narrating your thoughts on the matter, burying a seed in my mind,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Right.”

“During the next call, Ling Xiaoqing sounded so troubled as she ‘pleaded’ with me to stay further away from the Fang family. These emotions revealed an inner conflict between being afraid of revealing your family’s plans and being worried about me due to that sense of goodwill...at the end of the day, it was only to make me believe that you were right about to move against the Fang family’s third generation, and almost definitely through violent, illegal means.”

“Right.”

“Anything else?”

“After going with you to the sick ward and then leaving that day, I returned and invited you to our home as a guest in front of everyone.”

“Your goal was to create a rift between me and the Fang family, making them grow suspicious of me?”

“This was actually secondary. After all, they can’t affect your actions. So, it was primarily about you. The greatest psychological undercurrent that the Fang family’s third generation’s distrust could create was that with them about to leave the country, you’d naturally feel ‘this old man finally can wash his hands off you’, that sense of relief. Facing two or more options, people automatically tend to choose that which makes them feel more relaxed and relieved.”

“So, my first thought at the time was...that’s good, at least the burden will be off my shoulders. An end can be brought to this matter. I also won’t owe anyone anything.”

“Right. So, everything naturally flowed to completion. I had already helped you to prepare the pressure from the external environment and all the relevant conditions and motives. With that, you’d definitely choose to support them leaving the country.”

“Were you involved with that foreign commercial group my Dad was hosting?” Xu Tingsheng suddenly thought of something.

“Yes,” Ling Xiao admittedly freely, “Still, they’re indeed here to do business. If your family finds them suitable, you can rest easy and collaborate with them. I actually only helped with their recommendation through a friend at the embassy. Also, it was naturally that friend of mine from the embassy that I wanted to recommend to you. After all, the Fang family’s third generation required so many documents. Under normal circumstances, it’d not be so easy to handle.”

This was probably the first time following Huang Tianliang that Xu Tingsheng had failed terribly at every step in terms of mentality and strategy. Also, this time, more completely, even his own movements had virtually all been manipulated by the other party.

“I take my hat off to you,” Xu Tingsheng forced a smile, “Anything else?”

Ling Xiao was not full of herself as she instead smiled rather awkwardly, saying, “No. I am very sorry. Our remaining work primarily all targeted the Fang family…”

“Like, say, Fang Ruju’s shooting incident?” Xu Tingsheng asked with a rather hostile look on his face.

“This...it’d be better if my older Dad speaks about this to you,” Ling Xiao replied.

Across the tea table, old man Xiao looked up, “You must know that we are all veterans of this country. We have all protected it with our blood and lives before. All we did throughout this entire process was completely legal. The Fang family’s second generation were all guilty themselves. As for the shooting incident, it was basically the only thing we did that bordered on illegal…”

“Bordered?”

“We grasped the movements of an armed fugitive and pushed his mentality to the brink of collapse, ready to engage in the battle of a caged beast at any moment...then found a time when that kid of the Fang family was on duty with rather low manpower on hand. Hiding the actual situation of that fugitive in part, we next transmitted the information to the Yanzhou Vice Squad. That’s it. Do you think that what we did went against the law?” Perhaps because of Xu Tingsheng’s earlier doubt, the old man asked rather furiously.

Xu Tingsheng had to admit that no fault could be found from the entire implementation process.

“Actually, we didn’t necessarily have to have that person from the Fang family get shot,” Ling Xiao explained, “So long as he was suddenly dispatched late at night, heard a gunshot and faced danger. Following that, the Fang family would feel like their kin was victim to a deadly trap...thus determining that we would resort to illegal, violent means to reap their lives. A mindset like this would greatly affect and influence the Fang family’s mentality. It’s virtually fundamental to all psychological manipulation, the most fundamental being fear.”

“The basis of these arrangements of yours was your analysis of Fang Ruju’s personality?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Right. His confidence, recklessness, hatred of injustice. So, he would definitely go. And as long as he went, it would already be enough,” Ling Xiao said frankly.

Xu Tingsheng’s eyes were emotionless as he stared at Ling Xiao in earnest for a good while, “So, the entire process was scripted and directed by you?”

“Right.”

“Is there anything else?”

“Afterwards, I found an even better target to exert pressure on.”

“Fang Zhong?”

“That’s right. When I learnt that he was going everywhere telling people about how much he had done and his frustrations, seeking some totally meaningless sympathy and recognition, I knew just how weak the eldest of the Fang family’s third generation is. Also, it just happens that he  returned from overseas. So, what do you think he will think of when he feels fear and despair, deciding to give up?”

“Fleeing back overseas.”

“That’s right. It wasn’t difficult to break him...no, in fact, it was very simple, too simple indeed.”

“Such as...a few public humiliations and a near-miss accident?” Xu Tingsheng said what he knew regarding what Fang Zheng had encountered recently.

Ling Xiao could not help but laugh before she slowly asked, “So he told you guys that he nearly met with a car accident?”

“Murder,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Ling Xiao shook her head, gesticulating, “That was indeed arranged by me. Still, it was actually more like this. For instance, walking on the road one day, a car brushes by you. Frightened, you scramble backwards. In the process, you fall out of panic. As you fall, two vehicles from the opposite end of the road, around twenty metres away, are heading towards you. Merely that.”

“...”

“So, crushing the mind of this eldest of the Fang family’s third generation was actually the easiest out of everything. Still, the effect was the greatest. His weakness outside and his hysteria and schemes in front of his family...were the greatest pushing force that spurred an end to this incident.”

Ling Xiao’s words were like the victorious side in a team game consoling their opponent, saying basically this: Actually, it’s not your fault. It’s all the fault of your incompetent teammate.

Still, Xu Tingsheng did not feel relaxed because of this.

“So, can you tell me now? Racking your brains to force the Fang family’s third generation out of the country like this...where is the fundamental difference between inside and out of the country to you guys?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

It was Ling Xiao’s birth father who answered this.

Old man Ling pressed on the tea table with one hand while saying in a heavy tone, “The fundamental difference is...we actually don’t mind breaking the law outside the country, even if it’s in the form of a gun assault case.”

“...”

“My father hates America a lot,” Ling Xiao added, “A coincidental shooting by local terrorists in America where guns are prevalent...wouldn’t have anything to do with our families at all. Right?”

Xu Tingsheng knew that Ling Xiao was actually totally right. Having personally heard these words, he knew and believed them. Still, if he said that, not only could it not be evidence, it might not even be believed by anyone.

“Capitalism itself is a mess,” Old man Ling raised his hand and looked at his watch, saying, “Soon now. Have another cup of tea.”

While the tea was warm, Xu Tingsheng’s hands instantly felt chilly. These things had originally been so far away from him...

Chapter 567: Twenty-seven years

Chapter 567: Twenty-seven years

Fuelled by more than twenty years of accumulated hatred, the Ling and Xiao families had set a deadly trap for the third generation of the Fang family.

The one who had orchestrated every step of this scheme was the sole daughter of the Ling and Xiao families, Ling Xiao. While Xu Tingsheng did not know how many steps ahead a top Weiqi player could calculate, Ling Xiao’s meticulous planning still exceeded all his expectations of a conflict like this.

When watching Romance of the Three Kingdoms in their childhood, of all the tacticians there, most would want to be Zhuge Liang. Xu Tingsheng was no exception. Still, this time, even he had completely played into the hands of another who had predicted his every move.

Apart from the fact that at this moment, the trio before Xu Tingsheng still did not know that after the third generation of the Fang family had collectively boarded the plane to America, there had actually been three of them who had got off.

At this point in time, there was not much more to speak of as the situation was already more or less settled. The reason that the Ling and Xiao families were willing to candidly speak of their entire plan and motives in front of Xu Tingsheng was really very simple...he could not leave.

Having been in an intense fight earlier, Zhong Wusheng would not be able to rush out with Xu Tingsheng no matter what. This might be the actual reason behind the Ling and Xiao families following the ‘old rules’ and sending the youth to block their path.

Ling Xiao looked up and asked, “Can we still be friends in the future? Xu Tingsheng.”

“Still, you say?” Xu Tingsheng made an exaggerated gesture, as if highlighting an aggravating matter from the past, “I made a friend some time back. She was called Ling Xiaoqing. But one day, she suddenly disappeared.”

Xu Tingsheng raised his hand and mimed fireworks exploding, indicating that...everything had vanished all at once.

Ling Xiao smiled rather helplessly.

Across the tea table, old man Xiao gave a snort while old man Ling smiled warmly and said “That’s fine too. This saves me much worry. Xiao’er put in quite some effort for us not to get angry and take it out on you. So, this is for the best.”

‘Zhuge’ Ling Xiao was like a young girl for once, glaring at her father before she silently wiped that trace of desolation off her face.

The person who had taken away Xu Tingsheng’s phone earlier came over with it, asking, “Mr Xu’s phone has constantly sounded. First were calls and then two texts came. Will he look at them?”

Ling Xiao nodded, indicating for him to pass Xu Tingsheng’s phone to him.

Of course, at this time, Xu Tingsheng could merely look and not respond.

The missed calls came from Xiang Ning, Huang Yaming and his roommates. Xu Tingsheng checked his texts.

Xiang Ning asked, “Little Carp’s gone? You know, I find myself missing her already. I’ve found another drama which is super good...was she using the luggage I gave to her? Did it look nice?”

Huang Yaming said, “Little Jinshan got a home tutor. In the end, he got him to do his homework for him everyday. In the meantime, he secretly ran out to play mahjong with a bunch of young richlings. Less than half a month into the holidays, he won over four hundred thousand. Old Jin wanted to beat him, but then thought that having won money, it doesn’t make sense to do so. Old Jin and I spent a whole meal discussing, but still haven’t been able to come to a conclusion on this.”

“I’ve been frequently associating with He Twenty-seven. We’re nearly becoming sworn brothers already.”

Beneath the gazes of the trio, Xu Tingsheng straightforwardly set his phone down on the table. The person who had delivered it inquired with his eyes if he needed to take it again. Ling Xiao shook her head.

Old man Ling looked at his watch and asked, “There’s still time. How about a game of chess?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Okay.”

The chessboard was soon set.

Xu Tingsheng played black and started. He moved a pawn forward.

Wielding the pieces, old man Ling moved forward the red pawn on the other end.

Like a contest between two people who were cautious to the extreme, neither side crossed the river before they were done shoring up their defences. It was looking like this game would take forever…

At least, this was what the trio of the Ling and Xiao families thought.

Then...as if he had turned mad, Xu Tingsheng started exchanging pieces like crazy. It was as if the intention of his every move was not to gain an advantage over his opponent, but only to die together with them.

Actually, his skill in chess was inferior to the two old men. Even playing like this, defeat was still surely inevitable.

Still, old men Ling and Xiao unexpectedly seemed extremely averse to falling into such a situation. They tried hard to avoid exchanging pieces, choosing to retreat every time after a long period of consideration even if that meant paying a bit of a price.

Just like this, Xu Tingsheng relied on brute force alone to turn what had originally been a sure-lose game into one where neither side could kill the other…

“Looks like it’s a draw,” Ling Xiao said.

……

Tennessee, Orlando.

A twelve-seater vehicle was toppled over on the road, still emitting thick fumes from the big explosion that had just occurred. Its window and body were riddled with bullet holes...this vehicle had just been shot at by two armed black men while traversing the expressway.

The police was in the midst of tracing the perpetrators…the preliminary verdict was that the perpetrators were two illegal immigrants who had used force after failing to get what they wanted in a robbery. Meanwhile, the victims were Chinese.

……

The Ling family.

That old man who had appeared earlier rushed to the second floor before whispering something into the ear of old man Xiao.

Old man Xiao’s expression relaxed greatly for a time before his brows knit up again.

“What is it?” Old man Ling asked.

“We succeeded,” Old man Xiao said in a heavy tone, “But there were three missing.”

Their gazes all fell on Xu Tingsheng.

A message notification sounded from Xu Tingsheng’s phone.

At this specific timing…

Xu Tingsheng wanted to take his phone, but old man Xiao opposite him beat him to it.

It was Fang Yuqing who had sent the text, which read: They should have touched down a while ago, but we haven’t been able to get in touch with them. The phones of Fang Zhong and the rest aren’t on at all. What to do? Could something really have happened?

Old man Xiao slapped the phone down on the table and glowered at Xu Tingsheng.

“So you thought of it. When did you realise?” Ling Xiao asked.

“The very moment before the plane took off,” Not able to hide things, Xu Tingsheng simply admitted it frankly.

“Those on good terms with you stayed behind?” Ling Xiao asked, “Using those remaining to let our Ling and Xiao families vent our anger, resolving this incident?”

If it was really as she said, Xu Tingsheng had hopes of becoming an ambitious, lofty character in this lifetime. Still, it wasn’t.

“Those that remained were those we couldn’t persuade,” Xu Tingsheng said candidly, “Still, I think that it should be enough...can you let things end here?”

“What do you think?” Ling Xiao asked, “Let alone my family, just the people of the Fang family who remain-can they let things end here?”

There was actually one thing she had not said. The two old men here were getting on in years and might die at any time. At that time, only she would remain...with how things were now, she still had to worry about even passing down the family line.

“If I can get those of the Fang family who remain to promise that both sides will avoid each other for another twenty-seven years, would that be okay?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

He could not guarantee that those of the Fang family would not take revenge. As for the period of twenty-seven years, it had also been twenty-seven years the last time.

“Severing the tree at its roots is still the best option,” Leaning back into his chair, old man Ling slowly said as he opened his eyes.

Xu Tingsheng retrieved his phone with its shattered screen.

“It’s probably also not as simple now,” He said.

Ling Xiao looked at him, “I finally understand now why you had clearly thought of it but still had to come visit. You’re here to probe the thoughts and bottom line of our Ling and Xiao families. So, what you’re saying is that you feel our two families still won’t resort to illegal means within the country, bringing both sides down together?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “That’s what I think...that’s what I hope too. More than ten lives! Even if this matter can’t be linked to your two families in terms of the law, even if the public cannot see the truth, I believe that it will still be clear in the eyes of some.”

“You’re so sure?”

Xu Tingsheng began pouring the two old men a cup of tea, slowly saying, “Before this, after the chess match that you had with the Fang family’s old man, I actually asked him one thing. I said: The two of you are clearly smarter than he is. Yet, why have your positions never exceeded his as you can’t even beat him in chess?”

“He told me something about the past. When leading troops, he dared to charge in and do battle whereas the two of you were prudent and cautious. In the end, he had high casualties and high merits whereas you two had low casualties and also low merits.”

“He said the two of you are petty. I said that you love the soldiers like your children, unlike him whose merits are piled out of a heap of corpses.”

“He said that’s rubbish. The two of you are petty. He also said what you two most loved to do at the time was count bullets, count guns. Managing to obtain a cannon with great difficulty, you’d love to hug it to sleep.”

He placed the teacups in front of the old men.

“He told me that the reason you two have never acted over the past twenty-seven years is that there’s somebody on top pressuring you. He was in need of people at the time, so there was to be no infighting.”

“Actually, since they were in need of people, if he privately and swiftly suppressed the two of you to death, or the two of you against him...before stepping forward and claiming the blame. Besides having to suffer some anger, you’d very likely be okay...after all, it is when they’re in need of people. Isn’t that so?”

It didn’t feel good to be suddenly seen through by the youth before them. The two old men were silent.

“This is logic. His brain is not good, so he didn’t think of it. The two of you would definitely have thought of it. Still, due to your personalities, you didn’t dare to try,” Xu Tingsheng looked straight at the two old men across from him, demonstrating such an aura for the first time.

“I have been wondering about this, yet could not ascertain its identity. I vaguely seemed to understand, but it was like there was a cloud obscuring my vision. Only when I heard those earlier words, along with that game of chess...did it click all at once for me.”

Xu Tingsheng raised a hand and gestured, “Please have tea.”

“How do you know we will not take the dangerous route this time? Even within the country, we still have other means…” Ling Xiao said.

“Since someone can stand at the edge of a suspended bridge and stare across it for a whole twenty-seven years, I believe...they probably won’t cross it,” Xu Tingsheng finished.

Next, he retrieved two black pawns from the ones that the two old men had captured earlier.

“Moreover…” Placing them back on the chessboard where it had originally been a draw, the situation had instantly changed.

“Moreover, the Fang family still hasn’t retaliated yet,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Not so long ago, the two old men of the Ling and Xiao families had played a game of chess against old man Fang. In that game, all old man Fang had been left with at the end were two ‘pawns that had crossed the river’.

“I take my leave,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 568: Invitation

Chapter 568: Invitation

Xu Tingsheng supported Zhong Wusheng as they left the Ling family home and returned to the car.

During their journey, he described all that had transpired to Zhong Wusheng in detail.

Zhong Wusheng asked, “Are you really so confident?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Half-half. I was mainly bluffing...earning more time to hurry back and think of a plan, make some preparations. If nothing else, while the Ling and Xiao families are feeling hesitant and doubtful, those who should run should run. Those who should hide should hide…”

“This is my first time seeing you so troubled on a matter,” Zhong Wusheng said with some difficulty.

The two returned to the hospital. Xu Tingsheng found Jiang Wusheng and got him to bring Zhong Wusheng for treatment before going to the sick ward alone.

All was mournful within.

Xu Tingsheng thought at first that they already knew what had happened in America. Still, Fang Chen told him that no, an hour ago...old man Fang had fallen into a state of unconsciousness for good.

The doctor had let slip that it was impossible for the old man to wake again. Also, any breath might be his last.

He went in and narrated all that had happened to the old man, earnestly apologising to him.

Only when the branch relatives of the Fang family had all left did Xu Tingsheng leave the interior room.

In the exterior room, only Fang Chen, Fang Yuqing, as well as Fang Ruli and her mother remained.

“Are we returning to Yanzhou now?” Fang Ruli was still pulling her big suitcase,” I thought about it. How about I just stay at that run-down school of yours to study. I am so smart anyway.”

Xu Tingsheng reached out and stroked her head, saying, “Sorry, Little Carp. You have to go somewhere else.”

“Where?” A frantic Fang Ruli very nearly cried, “Isn’t Yanzhou pretty good? If you find me troublesome, I can stay at the school by myself at most. Why must I go somewhere else?”

“Sorry, Little Carp,” Xu Tingsheng refused to give her an explanation.

Fang Ruli sat at a corner of the room in a huff.

Facing away from her, Xu Tingsheng told the remaining three in a hushed tone, “Over in America, there’s been an accident.”

He told them all that had transpired.

Relief.

Silence.

Tears.

Fear.

Hatred.

Panic.

“What do we do now then? What’s Ruli to do?” Fang Ruli’s mother asked, gripping her clothes tightly.

“You should go to Binzhou. Today,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I don’t want to go to this Binzhou place. I want to go to Yanzhou…” Sitting at a corner, the young girl interrupted loudly again.

“You must go,” Xu Tingsheng hardened his expression as much as possible, “Not only you, your mother will go too. Also, you’ll study at the school there. Also, you must remember that there’s a boy called Jinshan there who’s six years younger than you...I want you to be his close childhood friend.”

“...You, Xu Tingsheng?! You pervert. I don’t want that...I’m telling Big Sis Little Ning, I…”

“You have no choice on this matter.”

Xu Tingsheng turned towards Fang Ruli’s mother, saying softly, “Sorry, Auntie. This is the only way at present. I’ll get Du Jiang to send you guys over today…”

Looking at him, the woman nodded in acceptance, “I know. It’s just that over here, the old man…”

“I’m here,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Relax, we’re here too,” Fang Yuqing and Fang Chen said.

The woman nodded.

After Du Jiang had returned, Xu Tingsheng asked him to bring Fang Ruli and her mother back home to pack up their belongings, preparing to leave for Binzhou. He also contacted Old Jin and Huang Yaming whom he asked to be ready for them.

Fang Ruli was dragged along, crying and mumbling incoherently as she went, “Sick pervert, Xu Tingsheng...I don’t like you in the least...I’ll ask my big brother to beat you to death.”

She also pleaded incoherently, “Xu Tingsheng, I beg you, let me go back with you to Yanzhou, okay? I won’t call you sick pervert again...I’ll be very obedient. Sob...I still want to be Big Sis Little Ning’s bridesmaid. I’ve seen others be bridesmaids before. Their clothes are also like wedding gowns...I don’t like boys younger than me. I don’t want to be his close childhood friend…”

……

After Fang Ruli and her mother had left.

Zhong Wusheng post-treatment, along with Fang Chen and  Fang Yuqing remained.

“What should we do now?” Fang Yuqing asked.

“Actually, the two of you have to leave too,” Xu Tingsheng said, “The reason you’re not going together with Little Carp is that you’re bigger targets and more troublesome...your destination is actually the same as theirs. It’s Binzhou too.”

“We? Then, Grandpa…”

“He knew long ago that he wouldn’t have descendants to send him off.”

“I’m not leaving,” Fang Yuqing said.

Fang Chen hesitated for a while before venturing, “Do we have to leave right away?”

“Is there something else?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Rather hesitantly, Fang Chen retrieved a stack of something from her bag. It was red.

“I got Tan Yao to drop off some of them in Yanzhou...this is yours,” She passed one to Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng received it and took a look at it before closing it again.

“This is Bro Zhong’s.”

“What is it? I have one too?” Zhong Wusheng was surprised as he took it and glanced at it, his expression turning bad all at once.

Holding the remaining two, Fang Chen hesitated for a while before ultimately still passing one to Fang Yuqing, “Yuqing, this is yours. You…”

Having seen the reactions of Xu Tingsheng and Zhong Wusheng as well as how Fang Chen had looked at him, Fang Yuqing had already basically guessed it. He looked at it...sadly, he had guessed correctly.

It was a wedding invitation.

The person to be wed was called Yu Qing.

This was the first wedding in Xu Tingsheng’s environment. He had originally guessed that it might be Fang Yuqing and Yu Qing first, or maybe Fu Cheng and Miss Fang. In the end, unexpectedly, it turned out it was Yu Qing...but with someone other than Fang Yuqing.

Fang Yuqing tried very hard to smile as he was momentarily rendered speechless.

Then, he forced himself to speak, “Wow, crazy. That’s fast. She wouldn’t have randomly found someone to marry just because I didn’t want her, right? That would really be dumb. This dumb woman, this dumb woman...what a fool...lucky that I didn’t marry her, right, you guys?”

He smiled, cursed...slowly crouched on the floor with his hands over his head.

“I’m not going. Like I’d want to go see a fool like her get freaking fool married…” He was crying as he said this.

“I called Yu Qing. She said he was her classmate in senior high who liked her since before. He is pretty good too. They met on a blind date some time back. Since they were familiar with each other already, it didn’t take long,” Fang Chen said.

“What’s that got to do with me?!” Fang Yuqing hollered.

“She said that she hopes you’ll be there. I looked at your invitation. Apparently, she has something that she wants to return to you in person…” Fang Chen said.

Xu Tingsheng knew that that was a ring. Once, Fang Yuqing had dashed a long way to propose to Yu Qing. While she had not agreed, she had accepted his ring, saying that she would keep it in safekeeping for him. At that time, everyone had felt that it was only a matter of time that they got together.

Afterwards…

Fang Yuqing fell silent.

In truth, however hysterical and determined he had acted earlier, Xu Tingsheng knew that he would go regardless. He would want to see Yu Qing in a wedding gown, would want to see the man she was marrying, would...not be able to set his heart at ease.

Some time was probably still needed before the Ling and Xiao families could react.

Yu Qing had sent the invitations to Fang Chen’s address at Yanzhou University. After lying on her desk for a while, she had finally received it. As quite a bit of time had passed in between, the date of the wedding was actually just around the corner too. It was literally the day after tomorrow.

“We should be in time. If you want to go, Bro Zhong and I will accompany you,” Xu Tingsheng passed Fang Yuqing a cigarette.

Fang Yuqing asked, “Why do you think she’s in such a hurry?”

“Maybe because she was too heartbroken. After all, what you did at the time…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Hey, do you think that she will rush over and give me a slap when the time comes? That would be interesting...ha,” Fang Yuqing said, “Now that I think about it, I should go take a look, see if I can wreck things for her too.”

“You won’t,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“If you feel like you just have to go, just say it directly,” Zhong Wusheng said.

“Then, if I’m drunk and kick up a ruckus at that time, you two had better stop me,” Fang Yuqing smiled, “You know, with my skills, if Bro Zhong isn’t there, ordinary people are no match for me.”

“What, you really want to snatch the bride?” Zhong Wusheng asked, “Need any help? If the two of us join forces, no one will be able to stop us.”

Fang Yuqing leaned against the wall, lightly hitting his head against it, “If things were different, even if it were the emperor she’s going to marry in a few days, I would definitely go snatch her regardless...really, I definitely wouldn’t let Yu Qing marry anybody else. Still, considering how it is for me now...could I ask her to flee to the ends of the world with me? I daren’t even ask her to wait two years for me.”

“Maybe I will quietly, peacefully have a glass of wine with her. I definitely can’t shrink back...can’t let her see through me.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “In that case, pack up your things. I’ll get someone to look after the old man...we’ll go there together. Afterwards, we won’t be coming back anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“When there are many people, amidst the chaos...you and your sister go to Binzhou.”

Chapter 569: Your wedding

Chapter 569: Your wedding

That night, Fang Ruli went to Xibei. Fang Chen and Fang Yuqing could not send her off. Xu Tingsheng didn’t either.

He really could not bear listening to a fourteen-year-old cry so hysterically, calmly watch the originally feisty, proud and stubborn girl weeping as she admitted defeat and said ‘I beg you’.

In this world, the greatest paradox regarding growing up is that one should be sensible. Is it a good thing? Or is it a bad thing? To be honest, this being ‘sensible’ is actually one learning to compromise and go against their own will.

Henceforth, Fang Ruli would inevitably slowly turn sensible.

When going out for duty, an ambulance brought this mother and daughter pair along with Du Jiang out of the city district of Xihu City. Then, it switched to a Shenghai license plate on the highway and headed for Binzhou.

“Drinking here isn’t good, right?” Sitting in the exterior room of the sick ward, holding a half-empty beer can, Zhong Wusheng asked rather guiltily.

Whatever the case, old man Fang was already on his last legs over in the interior room.

“He won’t wake up anyway,” At some point in time, Xu Tingsheng had gained a sense of camaraderie with the old man as he alone was able to speak of him like he would a friend of the same generation.

He said, “If the old man is really awoken by all the noise we cause, wouldn’t that be a good thing? We can give him a can too.”

And so they drank. Due to the alcohol, their tense nerves were relaxed for the first time in a long while.

Drunk people were all the same. Whether it was Fang Yuqing, Xu Tingsheng or Zhong Wusheng, all of them were fighting to get a word in, just like at the small eatery at Xishan that year.

While Fang Chen who had the highest alcohol capacity was not drunk at all, she pretended to be drunk as she asked, “Xu Tingsheng, what did you mean when you asked Ruli to be close childhood friends with that Little Jinshan? Getting our Little Carp to cozy with a mine boss following her family’s failure?”

Xu Tingsheng had yet to reply when Fang Yuqing said, “The heck you know.”

“You dare to speak to your Sis this way?” Fang Chen asked, “I know that Old Jin. Isn’t he just a little bit more successful? He’s still a mine boss. Back in school, Little Carp always most looked down on the children of the nouveau riche.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “That’s because you’ve never seen Little Jinshan...that brat, I think he’ll be Binzhou’s local tyrant at the very least. There’s a high chance that it’s not just that.  Little Carp and him, one wilful and sharp-tongued, one shameless and rich, they’ll at least be acquainted after two years pass and sparks have flown. If coincidentally, something does happen between the two of them...be it in terms of wealth or power, the days of that mother and daughter will be incomparable to that of your Fang family in the past.”

Fang Chen stared rather disbelieving at Xu Tingsheng, “But he’s only eight.”

“It’s precisely because he’s only eight!” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed, “I’ve never seen an eight-year-old like him before.”

Fang Chen was still somewhat doubtful of this. Still, after a moment’s hesitation, she ceased to contest in this debate.

“Actually, to be honest, I should be feeling the most lost now,” Fang Chen said in a rather melancholic tone, “If things go well over there, if it’s really this way, Yuqing may still have a position for his talents over at Binzhou. As for me, though, I really have no idea what I can do.”

“Marry someone, educate your kids,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Fang Chen glared at him.

Xu Tingsheng said, “No, really, listen. Actually, what I’m most afraid of is that you’ll be unwilling to give in, unwilling to hide behind the back of others and insisting on doing something. Do you know about demons cultivating? It has always been that only those who can patiently bide their time in their caves for hundreds and thousands of years can become major demons. And as for those who love to come out for amusement after some mere decades or centuries of cultivation, ninety-nine percent of them perish.”

Fang Chen said, “Right.”

Xu Tingsheng stared at her, saying, “Don’t just right. Remember.”

Fang Chen said, “Right.”

Having once been totally at her mercy in his first year of university, at some point in time, Xu Tingsheng had become like an elder to her. This time, for she and her brother, and even for their family...he had been like an umbrella, shielding them from the winds and the rain.

Actually, Fang Chen still wanted to ask about her parents in prison. Some might already have accepted their fate and given up. Xu Tingsheng too had never mentioned it. Still, Fang Chen had no way of letting this go.

She was always wondering if there was still some hope that things could be reversed for them.

It was just that with how things were right now, it was already not easy for Xu Tingsheng to keep them safe. In the past day, if not for him, she and her brother would probably have lost their lives.

Fang Chen had no way of asking more from him for the time being.

……

When Yu Qing had been together with Fang Yuqing, she had made quite a lot of friends amongst those who were close with Xu Tingsheng, including Xiang Ning and Apple.

A whole group of them departed from Yanzhou.

Xu Tingsheng arranged for someone to look after the old man. Next, he, Fang Yuqing, Zhong Wusheng and Fang Chen openly set off for Suzhou. If the Ling and Xiao families were keeping an eye on them, they would naturally check and be fully cognisant of where they were going and why.

Therefore, there was no need to hide anything at all.

On their way there, Xu Tingsheng and Fang Chen took turns driving while Fang Yuqing in the backseat had his head buried and said nothing at all. Maybe he had never imagined, would never have thought that there might be a day he attended Yu Qing’s wedding with another.

Fang Yuqing had met Yu Qing in their first year of university. At the time, he had still been an official second gen and playboy with a bad reputation. With her ordinary background and her worldview, Yu Qing had not been attracted by his status in the slightest as she had even felt rather put off by it.

In the end, because of this, Fang Yuqing had been attracted by the beautiful her and unrepentantly, shamelessly harassed her all the way from her first to second year.

Yu Qing had finally discovered his authenticity.

After the two had gotten together, Fang Yuqing had still not been all that sensible. Still, Yu Qing knew that he loved her. Over the course of their relationship, Yu Qing had continually utilised love and intelligence to forge a better Fang Yuqing.

Yu Qing had once given up on their relationship when she had returned to Suzhou after graduation. Due to the difference between their families, having coincidentally met Fang Yuqing’s parents once before, she did not believe that their relationship would bear fruit.

Afterwards, Fang Yuqing had decided to walk the path of commerce and shrug off those fetters of his family. Rushing a long distance to propose, he had rescued their relationship.

Everything had looked so wonderful…

Until…

The hotel for the wedding was not so grand. It seemed like just as Yu Qing had said, the person she was marrying was just an ordinary ex-classmate from senior high. His family background might be just as ordinary as hers.

Xu Tingsheng stopped the car a distance away and asked Fang Yuqing, “Are you going? There’s still time to back out now.”

Fang Yuqing checked the buttons of his shirt and adjusted his hair before asking, “Say, how do I look? I...still look pretty normal, right.”

“Normal.”

“Let’s go then.”

After parking the car, the four went to the front door of the hotel.

From a distance away, they could see Yu Qing welcoming the guests in her pure white wedding gown at the entrance of the hotel. Beside her was the groom in his black suit.

Fang Yuqing stopped.

“What is it? Regretting it?” Fang Chen asked.

“No. I suddenly remembered that I didn’t prepare a red packet,” Fang Yuqing explained.

Xu Tingsheng passed him a gigantic red packet, saying, “I’ve prepared one for you.”

Fang Yuqing touched it and sensed that something was off as he asked, “What’s inside?”

“A flat,” Xu Tingsheng said frankly, “The developer is my Dad’s friend. The site is right beside Yu Qing’s unit. I got someone to reserve it yesterday. It’s already been paid for. Yu Qing can simply bring her identification card over when the time comes to get the procedures handled.”

“This…”

“This is what you dreamt of doing for her before. Sadly...we don’t have the time to build a Qing Garden.”

Fang Yuqing turned around and secretly wiped his tears before turning back and smiling as he said, “Back then, I said I’d buy it for her, but she simply refused to accept it no matter what. I said I’d buy her a car, but she refused too. In the end, she spent so much time everyday on public transport, her hands and ears frozen by the wind in winter…”

“It’ll be all good from now on. There’ll be someone by her side to take care of her.”

He started walking over.

Yu Qing was wearing a pure white wedding gown. Her hair was bundled up as she was wearing a silver tiara and silver high-heeled shoes. Her white, bare shoulders, her radiant smile...today’s bride possessed an otherworldly beauty.

She had just finished exchanging pleasantries with a group of guests when she turned and suddenly saw Fang Yuqing walk in front of her.

“You...came?” After a pause, Yu Qing asked.

“Yeah. We were classmates after all,” Fang Yuqing smiled and passed the red packet over before using all his strength to say, “Congratulations on your wedding...a hundred years, a match made to last.”

“Thank you,” Yu Qing averted her gaze, trying hard to suppress her emotions.

“Congratulations on your wedding,” Xu Tingsheng and Zhong Wusheng stepped forward and blocked Fang Yuqing from view, he seeming like he might break down if he took another look.

“Yu Qing...you look so beautiful in that wedding gown,” Fang Chen stepped forward and pulled Yu Qing’s hands.

Yu Qing hugged Fang Chen, saying, “Thank you, Big Sis.”

Right, she should originally have been her big sister.

A rather despondent, unhappy voice resounded from the side, “You must be Fang Yuqing?”

It was the groom who had spoken. Everyone now directed their gazes at him. Decked in a black suit and red tie, he wasn’t that tall and definitely not as handsome as Fang Yuqing. Still, to be honest, this person’s looks were indeed not bad as he was refreshing and valiant, having a warmth that Fang Yuqing lacked.

“Right. Hello, I’m Yu Qing’s classmate from university. Congratulations,” Fang Yuqing extended a hand.

The groom did not take it as he curled his lips slightly mockingly, shaking his head, “You don’t have to act in front of me. I know you. Actually, I don’t mind that. It’s just...why did you come? Honestly speaking, I really don’t welcome you here!”

Rather than sounding domineering or hostile, these words of his were full of helplessness and despondence.

Fang Yuqing could naturally not reveal any dissatisfaction as he bowed slightly, saying, “Sorry. I’ll sit for a while before leaving.”

“Even sitting for a while…” The groom muttered pretty unwillingly out loud.

Yu Qing pulled his sleeve before turning and saying to the four of them, “Go on up to sit. I’ll be there in a while. And...Yuqing…”

“Yes?”

“I also invited some of our classmates and friends from university...your former friends, Cao Qing’s lot also came. About that, I’m afraid that you, you…”

“Relax, it’s your wedding today. However they...kidding. I won’t create any trouble for you.”

“Thank you.”

Reminded by Yu Qing, Xu Tingsheng realised that actually, besides Yu Qing’s wedding itself, there was another difficult situation in Fang Yuqing having come here today. It was his and Yu Qing’s common friends and classmates.

Some of them, like Cao Qing, had previously gallivanted with him, and a portion of these people were aware of the current state of the Fang family. Fang Yuqing was a direct person and had actually inadvertently offended many in the past. Those people could tolerate it and act as inferiors in the past because of the Fang family’s authority. With Fang Yuqing’s complex relationships in society, now that his status was lower than theirs...it was very difficult to predict what they might say and do.

“Relax. I’ll just ignore them,” Fang Yuqing said as he saw the worried gazes of Xu Tingsheng and Fang Chen.

He had once been someone who could not tolerate any grievances at all.

The four of them passed through the hotel lobby that was not so wide. Looking at that crowd before the lift entrance, they decided to take the spacious, empty staircase.

Less than halfway up the first flight of steps.

“Yuqing…”

The four looked back.

The bride, Yu Qing, was standing at the stairwell below, carrying the train of her dress. She looked up at Fang Yuqing.

“That incident was fake, right? Because something happened with your family, you did it on purpose so as to not be a burden to me. Right?”

Chapter 570: Your ring

Chapter 570: Your ring

The beautiful bride Yu Qing was standing at the stairwell below, carrying the train of her dress. She looked up at Fang Yuqing.

“That incident was fake, right? Because something happened with your family, you did it on purpose so as to not be a burden to me. Right?”

The other three all turned to look at Fang Yuqing, even though they very much wanted to ask: At a time like this, is that still important?

Even if it was not important, even if things were irreversible...everyone present was filled with anticipation all the same, hoping that Fang Yuqing could say ‘right’, could tell Yu Qing the truth...in bringing proper closure to his relationship with her.

Fang Yuqing opened his mouth but did not say anything.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” Yu Qing asked.

“...You’re wrong. I made a mistake, and that’s that. I can’t change what I did,” Fang Yuqing said.

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not. The time doesn’t match! Something only happened to my family afterwards. Anyway, don’t delude yourself,” Fang Yuqing suddenly smiled, “If anyone’s to blame, it’s Xu Tingsheng. It’s him who let me see what true wealth is, getting bewitched by gold. Let me put it this way. I must tell you that there is completely no need for you to think so highly of yourself and pity me. Even if my family has fallen, in terms of money, in terms of social status, what I have is still far from what normal families like yours can possess.”

“Yuqing…”

“Put away that laughable pity of yours, and that even more laughable love...fine, fine. Alright, go live out that simple, uneventful life of yours. The two of us are ultimately from different worlds. I didn’t understand it when you said it before, but now I do.”

Fang Yuqing turned, placing his arms on the shoulders of Xu Tingsheng and Zhong Wusheng on either side as he walked upstairs. Those words he had just said...based on merely his own strength alone, he was unable to stand on his own two feet.

“What is this then?”

Fang Yuqing turned and saw Yu Qing holding an opened red packet...inside were documents related to purchasing a flat.

“Charity...compensation for your lost youth. I already said, don’t think that I’m very pitiful now. A dying camels’ still bigger than a horse...whatever the case, I’m still incomparable to you people. Keep it. We were classmates after all. It’s not been easy over the past few years; you suffered quite a few grievances. Now that the party’s over, don’t stand on ceremony with me, you hear.”

Fang Yuqing smiled and turned back before tears flowed uncontrollably down his face.

“He’s sick in the head!” Xu Tingsheng and Zhong Wusheng cursed as they supported this fool up the stairs.

Eight flights of stairs...the four of them walked very slowly, giving him enough time to recover and adopt the same manner and appearance as he had earlier.

It was just that maybe the person who was most put off by this appearance of Fang Yuqing’s was he himself.

Xu Tingsheng did not see Apple in the hall. She had known Yu Qing from virtually the same time that Xu Tingsheng knew Fang Yuqing, and the two had always been on great terms. It might be that she was attending Yu Qing’s wedding, but whatever the case, she was surely not going to show up in the hall just like this. Otherwise, chaos would ensue.

Soon, Xu Tingsheng saw those who had arrived from Yanzhou. They had arrived earlier than them. Xiang Ning who was having her summer holidays was there too. She ran towards Xu Tingsheng and grabbed his hands, before...seeing Fang Yuqing, her originally bright smile faded at once.

Besides the bride and groom, no one would be more a focal point today than Fang Yuqing.

As soon as he stepped into the hall, the din within slowly subsided as everyone turned to look at him. Many people here knew of his past with Yu Qing, and many knew of his current situation. Many had not expected that he would come.

Fang Yuqing pretended not to see them as he feigned nonchalance and smiled, next stably walking in.

The four were brought by Xiang Ning to their table.

“Yuqing, not greeting your old friends?” Someone raised a hand in greeting from far away.

It was Cao Qing, someone who had once hung out with Fang Yuqing and Fang Chen’s admirer. His family was similarly in the bureaucracy in a city subordinate to Jianhai Province. In the past, though, it had totally not been on the same level as the Fang family at all.

“Nah, I only just got here, so I’m pretty tired. We can meet up next time,” Fang Yuqing replied.

“Huh? Now that you’re the boss of a real estate company, you’re looking down on us?” Some provocative jeers resounded from the crowd.

“What are you saying?” Someone intentionally rebutted, “As if Young Master Fang thought anything of us before.”

“Stop messing around, guys. Young Master Fang’s not in a good mood today. After all, his beloved’s marrying another...we should empathise with him.”

Xu Tingsheng patted Fang Yuqing’s rather stiff back, “Come on, just ignore them. They’re just a bunch of clowns. Those who bark the loudest in this world are always the petty losers.”

Fang Yuqing nodded and followed Xu Tingsheng to their seats.

Those seated at the nearby tables were all their allies. They were all careful not to agitate Fang Yuqing. Fang Yuqing himself also worked hard to put up a nonchalant front. Those of the Black Horse Club reported Zhicheng’s situation from recent days to him. Whatever the case, he was currently still Zhicheng’s boss in name.

Fang Yuqing was also working to shift his attention. To him, apart from Yu Qing, Zhicheng could be considered his second lover. The effort he had invested in Zhicheng and the corresponding sense of achievement was something unprecedented in any other matter for him.

Cao Qing came over with a few others, carrying their wineglasses.

Hu Shengming and a few others from the Black Horse Club moved to intercept them, asking, “What do you want?”

“Looking for an old friend for a drink. What?” Cao Qing asked.

Fang Yuqing turned, “Yu Qing’s getting married today. I really don’t want so many things.”

“I never said I was looking for you! Relax, I know you’re not in a good mood,” Cao Qing smiled.

He turned towards Fang Chen, “It’s been a long time. How about a drink?”

Fang Chen straightforwardly downed a glass in one gulp before asking, “Is there anything else?”

“Why, there really is something…” Cao Qing leaned in and murmured something into Fang Chen’s ear before asking, “Is it convenient to chat outside?”

To Xu Tingsheng’s surprise, Fang Chen’s expression changed drastically as she actually left with Cao Qing and co.

“I’ll be back in a bit,” She said.

When Fang Chen finally returned to the table, the lights in the hall were already dimmed as the ceremony was about to begin.

“What happened?” Xu Tingsheng asked while it was dark.

He could not see Fang Chen’s expression but could sense her hesitance before she ultimately answered, “It’s nothing. He just spoke about some things from the past, then feigned concern about my current situation.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that Cao Qing had been infatuated with Fang Chen in the past. Thus, he believed Fang Chen’s words.

Now, lights dazzled the red carpet and stage...the groom had already assumed position there.

Everyone’s gazes congregated on the entrance, awaiting the bride’s appearance.

“Walking the red carpet that day, face behind the white veil

Tears flowing amidst the smile, definitely very beautiful

Walking the red carpet that day, wearing the ring of blissSomeone to accompany till forever, a lifetime’s wish…”

The first to appear was not Yu Qing but a singing Apple, holding a microphone and dressed in the attire of a bridesmaid. She smiled like a flower, walking gracefully over…

The scale of this wedding was not great. The hotel wasn’t so good. Everything was average…

Yet, this bridesmaid-cum-VIP…

The entire hall burst into thunderous applause.

“Apple! It’s Apple!”

“Is that really Cen Xiyu? How, how did they manage to invite her?”

The current Apple was an ultra-celebrity with immense popularity. It had long since reached the point where her arrival at any one event would elevate it to heights that an ordinary person would only be able to dream of.

Those who had come from Yanzhou were not shocked. They had long since suspected that Apple might come.

Even Yu Qing’s closest relatives were not shocked. They had long since heard her mention it…

Those who were shocked were Yu Qing’s classmates from junior and senior high and her colleagues and higher-ups from her workplace in Yanzhou. They had never known that this ordinary girl near them actually had such a supreme celebrity as a bosom friend.

Some female colleagues had still been comparing this wedding in their hearts, thinking quite triumphantly that their wedding would be much grander than Yu Qing’s in the future. Now...this whole bunch was stunned silly.

Halfway down the red carpet, Apple stepped to the side as she continued to sing.

Her arm through her father’s, Yu Qing appeared at the doorway.

Decked in suit and tie, Mr Yu was very handsome today as his back straightened, he walked his daughter down the red carpet...it was just that his expression…

“Her father doesn’t seem to be very happy?” Someone remarked.

“It’s perfectly normal! Which father doesn’t get jealous when marrying off their daughter...it’s already pretty good that he’s managing not to cry on the spot,” A bystander analysed.

The father and daughter walked very slowly.

After watching for a while, Fang Yuqing secretly turned away.

“Will you snatch her? There’s still time,” Zhong Wusheng asked.

Would he snatch her? Like in the movies. This question might have flashed through the minds of many men at some point in their lives before. They would not have voiced it to others, though, with many helplessly watching on as the love of their life was lost.

“Say something,” Zhong Wusheng urged.

“It’s not completely impossible, actually. See what Yu Qing asked you just now,” Xu Tingsheng analysed, “Also, in two years...things might have recovered for you. You’d only regret it then.”

“Yu Qing…” Fang Chen said.

“Fang Yuqing.” That was Yu Qing’s voice.

As they were discussing this in earnest, no one had noticed that at some point in time, Yu Qing had already stopped in her tracks in the middle of the red carpet.

“Fang Yuqing,” She said.

Fang Yuqing looked up.

Yu Qing extended a hand that was curled into a fist.

“I’m returning it to you,” She unfurled that fist, “Your ring.”

Chapter 571: Will you marry me or not?

Chapter 571: Will you or marry me or not?

On Yu Qing’s outstretched palm lay a shimmering ring. While the diamond wasn’t big, it had cost almost all the money Fang Yuqing had saved up at the time. When he had been doing well in Zhicheng afterwards, he had wanted to change it, but Yu Qing had not let him. She had said that however big the diamond he was now able to afford, it could still not compare to this one.

Now, she said that she was returning it to him.

Actually, things were already completely wrong at this point in time. It was very normal for women to invite their ex-boyfriends when getting married, even allocating a table for them. It could not be considered a very strange thing at all. Still, who would stop and shout the name of their ex-boyfriend halfway down the red carpet, returning him a ring?

Xu Tingsheng pulled a local guest at the neighbouring table and asked him, “Are you a relative of the male side or the female side?”

“The female side.”

“Have you seen any relatives from the male side?”

That person stood up and scanned the area, “They’re all our people...hey, what’s with this?!”

At some point in time, the groom on the stage had sat down. A cigarette in his mouth, he looked melancholic as if he had lost his wife and kids.

At this moment, virtually everybody knew that something was up.

Aside from Fang Yuqing himself. He was still in pain as he stared at the ring in Yu Qing’s hand. He felt like he had to take it, but if he did, it would be like taking a knife and stabbing it into his heart.

Oh, and there was still another person who didn’t know the situation.

As Xu Tingsheng was wondering if reminding Fang Yuqing might instead spoil things, Little Xiang Ning tugged at his arm, saying, “Looks like Big Sis Yu Qing is actually a bit reluctant…”

“Far from a bit,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Then, if I were going to marry someone else one day, would you come snatch me?”

“Would you want me to?”

“Yes.”

“Why would you want to marry someone else then?”

“Right!” Xiang Ning pondered, “It’s just very interesting. I want to watch you panic, snatch me back. I also want to stop halfway down the red carpet, yell ‘Xu Tingsheng’! Next tell you: I am returning her to you, your wife! Hehe…”

Miss Xiang laughed very happily, as if she was already seeing such a scene play out.

Xu Tingsheng dared not let her harbour such mischievous thoughts any longer as he put on a strict face and said, “You’re not to think this way. I can’t bear you marrying anyone else, even if it’s fake. Got it?”

Looking at his trademark teacher face, Xiang Ning obediently said, “Yes, got it.”

“Just prepare to be a bride for me. What you said before must count. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“You’re not to stop from now till you walk the red carpet, because I’ll always be waiting anxiously, got it?”

“Got it.”

As if afraid that Xu Tingsheng might be unhappy, or perhaps full of it because of his earlier nervous look, Miss Xiang was very cooperative as she waved her small fists and answered emphatically with each reply of ‘got it’.

Xu Tingsheng was very satisfied.

“I’m just worried about two things…’ Leaning back against her chair, Xiang Ning looked a bit dismal and resentful, this sudden 180 degree change in mood making Xu Tingsheng rather befuddled even as he found it cute.

“What two things?”

“First,” Xiang Ning cupped a hand by Xu Tingsheng’s ear, “If I’m wearing a wedding gown like Big Sis Yu Qing’s, I don’t know if it will, if it will...fall down on its own…”

Looking at her small chest, Xu Tingsheng understood at once. He smiled rather evilly before receiving a hard pinch to his waist.

“Don’t laugh…” Xiang Ning glared at him before saying, “The second thing. I’m thinking...about that, should I go back on what I said before? Leaving it for our wedding night-now that I think about it, that seems the most romantic.”

“...Xiang Ning.”

“Yeah?”

“You can’t do that.”

“Hehe…”

She stretched, “Oh, how I wanna get married!”

The two had very unchivalrously cozied in their own little world for a time. Around two to three minutes had passed, and things were still at a standstill. This was probably two to three minutes during which one could even hear a pin drop. Yu Qing’s hand was still stubbornly outstretched, tears having welled up in her eyes.

Fang Yuqing was not much better, being too involved in and thus oblivious to the situation. With Yu Qing already about to marry someone else, she was even going to cut off that last thread of what had transpired between them? Cleanly severing it in front of everyone.

While this could be considered what Fang Yuqing wanted, for him to truly face it and accept it was very difficult.

Whatever the case, Fang Yuqing had stood up and walked like a mindless zombie in front of her, yet not extending his hand.

Looking at her, his eyes were full of pleading, “Can you please not do this, Yu Qing?”

“Why is it that you can just do whatever you want? Since you like me, you can harass me. Not willing to break up, you run over to my house drunk and propose with a ring. If you want me to wait, I have to wait. If you want me to break up, I have to break up...must I always listen to you?”

This strong castigation narrated a heartless man, though the narrator should never have been a bride. Fortunately, Yu Qing’s voice wasn’t loud and people mostly couldn’t discern what she was saying.

Actually, Yu Qing had always been an intelligent girl with views of her own.

When she had rejected Fang Yuqing, many people had said that she was silly or feigning it. When she had accepted him later on, many had said that she gravitated towards wealth and status. She had ignored it all. She had always been sure that the two had no future together as after finishing their time in university together, she had returned to her hometown to work and proposed a breakup. Even when she had been most moved, she had only said that she would keep that ring in safekeeping for him for the time being, acting calm and rationally. When Fang Yuqing had entered commerce and performed splendidly there, she had not been influenced to the point of prematurely agreeing to anything, much less quit her job before rushing to Yanzhou to be by his side.

This girl had always had her own firm, steady pace in life.

Fang Yuqing was rendered speechless by her words.

“Take it,” Yu Qing said.

Fang Yuqing clenched his teeth and took that ring from her proffered palm.

“Put it on me.”

…A massive uproar...

Fang Yuqing was stunned silly.

Yu Qing turned before kneeling down and bowing to her father, “Dad, I’m sorry. Thank you.”

While her father looked pained, he still helped his daughter up with tears in his eyes.

Then, she got up and extended her hand towards Fang Yuqing.

“I’m already in my wedding gown. Will you marry me or not?”

What was not said was this: With her parents, relatives, former classmates, colleagues and friends all present, Yu Qing too had no path of retreat should Fang Yuqing not marry her.

“After working for a year, I’ve just saved up this bit of money. I couldn’t book a good hotel; I know you’ll surely be dissatisfied...at most, I’ll save up again and make it up to you with another in the future. Just make do for today, okay?” Yu Qing said, as if she was the one bringing a wife into the family today.

Fu Cheng got an invitation from a relative of the Yu family seated nearby. It read: Bride, Yu Qing. Groom...Fang Yuqing.

So, only those of them who knew Fang Yuqing had received a different invitation.

So, Yu Qing had made the preparations for this wedding on her own, her wedding with Fang Yuqing. One could only imagine how hard it had been for her to convince her parents, how she was resolved to deal with the rumours and nasty comments after this wedding.

One could see how she was resolved to accompany Fang Yuqing in going through these difficult times. In truth, the darkness that stretched out before them could be incomparably long. They might never be able to break free of it.

No one understood Fang Yuqing better than Yu Qing did, understood how stubborn he was and how much he loved her. Therefore, she knew mere understanding wouldn’t work, consolation wouldn’t work, pleading wouldn’t work…

Wait for him? With the entire Fang family having fallen, what assurance was there that she would definitely be able to wait till Fang Yuqing had made a comeback? He might just be doomed to such a fate. He might not even have a future of any kind…

Wait for him? Who would accompany him as he traversed this darkness then? Darkness for which there was no end in sight.

Yu Qing’s decision was the most reckless, yet also the most firm. When Fang Yuqing had been at the height of glory, she had hesitated about marrying him. Now, however, at his darkest hour, here she was, forcing him to marry her.

“I’m already in my wedding gown. Will you marry me or not?”

Chapter 572: The universe's number one spare tyre

Chapter 572: The universe’s number one spare tyre

“Wa. So cool.”

“Wa…”

Miss Xiang was delighted by the astonishing plot twist as she felt like she was watching one of those Korean dramas. After sighing in amazement for a bit, she still could not grasp the situation as she asked Xu Tingsheng just what was preventing them from getting married. Why did things have to be this way?

Fang Yuqing’s choice this time was actually a bit similar to how Xu Tingsheng had left without saying anything in his previous life. He had not had the chance to ask Xiang Ning’s opinion at the time. Now, he thought that he could use this chance to listen to her thoughts on this.

Xu Tingsheng told Xiang Ning about Fang Yuqing’s situation and why he had had no choice but to give up on Yu Qing, awaiting her reaction.

He had thought at first that she might be amazed by Fang Yuqing’s deep feelings, mourn at the helplessness of the two and be roused by Yu Qing’s firm decision. Yet, all these did not happen as Miss Xiang just gazed incomparably earnestly at Xu Tingsheng.

“Must they split up just because of this? It’s not like they don’t like each other anymore…” She said, unable to comprehend it.

“...So this was what she thought. So to her, love is just as simple as that.”

At that instant, Xu Tingsheng’s self-justification for having left in his previous life...vanished. A self-inflated sense of responsibility, a feeling that ‘I’m doing it for her sake’, the thought that ‘letting go is the final act of love’-all of them collapsed before these words of Xiang Ning’s.

“Since they still like each other, how can they be apart?”

Xu Tingsheng had tried to console himself in his previous life in thinking that Xiang Ning might be able to guess why he had left without saying anything. As he had lost his company, he had thought that by extension, she might be able to understand and leave it behind her.

Still, the way it looked now, she had neither understood him whatsoever nor looked forward to his comeback during those three years. There had only been the purest feelings-I still like you, and I think you still like me too.

So, I’ll wait for you to come back and look for me.

“What’s with you, Xu Tingsheng?” Xiang Ning looked at Xu Tingsheng who was suddenly in a daze.

“Nah, nothing,” Xu Tingsheng reached up and pinched the tip of her nose, a slight mist obscuring his eyes as he smiled, “I think that your words are right.”

Xiang Ning shook her head, “No, your reaction was too great. You don’t seem to think this way…”

She tilted her head and thought about it, “Oh, I know. You also think this way, right? You think the same way as Fang Yuqing.”

Xu Tingsheng fell silent.

Miss Xiang was unhappy, “So it’s really like this, Xu Tingsheng. Then, if you lose all your money or face difficulties in the future...will you do the same as him? Abandon me? Thinking that what you did was very noble?”

She dejectedly kicked Xu Tingsheng under the table, pursing her lips, “I tell you, if you really do that, I’ll hate you...you, you’ll never be able to find Little Xiang Ning again.”

Xu Tingsheng thought back to that final scene from his previous life, them meeting again after three years. On that day, Xiang Ning had said at the end: No. I just wanted...to see you again, and, tell you I always believed that you would come and find me.

With that, she had walked into the night in the pouring rain, umbrella in hand, not turning back.

She had truly despaired then. If he really still liked her, how could he have left? If he really still liked her, why had he not looked for her? So, it turned out that he didn’t like her enough after all.

Xiang Ning did not want Xu Tingsheng’s noble act at all. What she wanted was but the affection that existed between them. Yet, Xu Tingsheng himself had chosen to give up on it.

“That isn’t moving at all. It will only hurt, a lot,” Xiang Ning said.

“I won’t do that again,” Xu Tingsheng said, the ‘again’ going unnoticed.

“Hmph.”

Xiang Ning turned away from Xu Tingsheng, hugging her arms like an aggrieved lady who had been abandoned. She shed tears silently in a huff. As Xu Tingsheng touched her, she just said, “Don’t mind me. I’m feeling very terrible now.”

That manner of appearance and tone was cute, yet hurt.

Fang Yunyao watched helplessly as the two messed around. Then, she passed Niannian to Xu Tingsheng, indicating with her eyes.

Carrying Niannian, Xu Tingsheng teased Xiang Ning, “Look, Niannian, who is Little Godmother angry at? Did you snatch some food from her earlier? Or did you bully her?”

Xiang Ning looked back and said, “Huh, don’t let him carry you, Niannian. Be careful that this kind of person doesn’t lead you astray. Come, Little Godmother...pfft, what Little Godmother? What’s next, Old Godmother?!”

Niannian looked quizzically left and right before her gaze fell on Xu Tingsheng and she said, “...Old Godmother.”

“What? Niannian...you’re calling me Old Godmother?!” A pained voice, a shell-shocked face.

The unwitting victim was Apple who had shown up at the most inopportune of times.

Standing behind Xu Tingsheng, Apple exclaimed, “Hey, why’re you guys still sitting around here? Come on, get up…”

“Us? ...What for?”

“To be the best men, of course!”

So it was like this. It seemed that Yu Qing had previously discussed this with Apple and the two had long since been prepared. Immediately, besides Zhong Wusheng who was already married, Fu Cheng, Xu Tingsheng, Tan Yao, Hu Shengming...all the guys at this table stood up as Apple distributed them ties.

“How much more embarrassing do you want to make it for me? Must I get down on one knee and ask you to marry me?” Her outstretched hand sore, this person before her only knowing how to cry, Yu Qing stomped on and glared at Fang Yuqing.

She had once said that Fang Yuqing was like a combination of a prideful man and a small boy. One would often fail to convince him and have to coax him. Here, the best way to do so was praise him and make him full of himself.

This time, she knew she would be able to neither convince nor coax him. And so, she had devised this plan which left no path of retreat open.

“Your lifetime will really be done in by me,” Fang Yuqing said.

“Right…” Yu Qing’s tears all overflowed, “Isn’t it just a lifetime? I’ll accompany you.”

Fang Yuqing got down on one knee.

At this moment, via word of mouth, everyone present had more or less heard of the story between the two.

Amidst applause and uncontrollable tears, Fang Yuqing gingerly slotted the ring on for his bride.

The two approached along the red carpet.

At this time, Xu Tingsheng and the other best men had already assumed their positions by the stage. That now off-duty ‘groom’ scooted over, distributing a cigarette to each of them.

Next, he assumed familiarity with them as he said, “The heck, so freaking unlucky…”

The bros all looked on at him with a bit of sympathy in their eyes, though more of it was curiosity, “Bro, what exactly is up with you?”

“The universe’s number one spare tyre!” The groom clapped his thigh.

“...”

“I chased Yu Qing for three years in senior high, you know?”

“Wow. What about after?”

“After graduating from senior high, my entire family emigrated. I went to study in an overseas university. Then, during my second year, when I heard that Yu Qing had a boyfriend...at that time, I felt like going down in flames with the entire capitalistic society, you know? So, I was back in the country recently, and someone told me hahahahahaha, Yu Qing is single again! Single, you know? Say, could I possibly miss this chance?”

“So today was fake for Yu Qing but real for you?”

“Rubbish! I had to shamelessly beg for even this acting role,” The ‘groom’ sighed, “I was thinking that so long as the fool doesn’t show up, when Yu Qing is sad, I’d definitely have a chance to advance then. I’d turn make-believe into real, you know? Tonight, I’d really marry her, then bring her out of the country right away, leaving that fool to eat dust!”

“But in the end, that fool came.”

“Right, I forgot that he’s a fool! How could he not come?! He’d come even if it meant the death of him!”

The person on stage asked if Yu Qing was willing. She said ‘I do’. He then asked if Fang Yuqing was willing. Yu Qing said ‘he does’. Tonight, it was basically Fang Yuqing who was wed to Yu Qing.

Chapter 573: I just want you to be okay

Chapter 573: I just want you to be okay

At this point in the ceremony, the best men had nothing specific left to do. Their utility was more like building up the atmosphere with their mere presence alone.

Having finished his cigarette, Bro ‘Groom’ looked left and right, muttering, “It looks like I’m about done here.”

“Right, I heard that that fool’s predicament isn’t that good...forget it, I don’t want to talk to him. Anyway, those of you who’re close, please help look after Yu Qing in the future,” He threw the cigarette away and stood up, saying, “I’m leaving then.”

“How about some wine?” Hu Shengming asked.

“Drink your grandfather!” Comrade Groom exclaimed indignantly, “What would I be drinking too? My own celebratory alcohol or somebody else’s? The heck...this old man can’t tell anymore.”

This guy was not bad. On the contrary, he was pretty good as his disposition was to everyone’s tastes, Xu Tingsheng’s included. It was just that at this point, maybe there was really no other way it could end for him.

“Don’t want Yu Qing to feel troubled on seeing me later. I should leave first. Also, how could I drink with you lot? You’re all together with that fool, a bunch of sluts…” He walked away while muttering resentfully, “My clever Little Qingqing, how could you be so foolish this time...it’s my own fault for not keeping an eye? Forget it, just take it that fools should be rightfully matched with fools.”

While his words all seemed derogatory, everyone could tell that they held no malicious intent whatsoever. On the contrary, much worry and reluctance could be heard within.

He coolly waved towards those gazing at him, just like a convoy that had fulfilled its duty. Having willingly cooperated in acting his part and fulfilling others, he took his bow and left the stage, not carrying untoward emotions of any sort.

He walked straight out of the door. Still, no one saw how this cool figure actually froze for a moment at the entrance, turning back and taking a careful glance...at his bride from earlier.

“Oh it hurts...my Little Qingqing. Damn, I can’t stay on in China any longer. Off to terrorise Western chicks!”

……

On stage were the overwhelmed Fang Yuqing and Yu Qing who was gently coaxing him.

“Tonight, it’s definitely Fang Yuqing who was wed.”

“Yu Qing looks like she’ll treat him well.”

“Well, it also depends on whether his belly is up to the task?!”

Everyone was cheerily talking nonsense. With that, even if Fang Yuqing had to leave tonight, his return date unknown, even if he might not be able to make it back all of a sudden one day, even if…

Who cared about all that? That could wait. For tonight, now at least, was his wedding with Yu Qing.

His long-distance excursion to see her, his desire to build a Qing Garden for her had not gone to waste.

Her cutting off all her own paths of retreat, reaching out by the cliff’s edge and not letting go had not been wasted.

Xu Tingsheng’s bunch accompanied Fang Yuqing for a while before, having nothing to do, they returned to their seats. After a while, having changed into another set of clothes, Yu Qing came over for the toasting. Pulling Fang Yuqing to stand in front of her parents, she knelt and knelt again.

It would truly have been difficult and painful for Mr and Mrs Yu to support her decision. This was virtually equivalent to seeing their daughter leap into a pit of flames yet not being able to stop her…

Yu Qing’s tears stained her makeup.

“Yu Qing looks especially beautiful today!” Hu Shengming commented.

The remainder collectively nodded.

Actually, Yu Qing was different from any other girl in this social circle. Compared to them, she was more mature and calmer and less easy to be swayed. She had not been swayed in the least by immense wealth and bright prospects, having firmly stayed true to her own stance: working a simple, honest job, living a normalest life.

When a person like this chose to ignore rationality, breaking everything to pursue one relationship...the beauty Yu Qing exuded tonight was something none could match.

“Other people’s brides are great, huh,” Hu Shengming commented.

Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng, Tan Yao...nodded again in agreement.

“Ah!” Xu Tingsheng was elbowed by the very indignant Xiang Ning.

Fu Cheng was also elbowed. Miss Fang too was not so magnanimous.

Tan Yao received two elbows. It looked like it was not so easy to share the love of others.

After a while, Miss Xiang’s anger seemed to have dispersed as she leaned over and said into Xu Tingsheng’s ear, “I’m staying with you tonight.”

“What do you mean?” Xu Tingsheng looked at her.

“Right,” Xiang Ning nodded, indicating that she was saying what he thought she was.

“Why all of a sudden?”

“I’m afraid. Just imagining that if one day, you vanish somewhere and I don’t know where you are...I haven’t properly loved you yet,” Xiang Ning said, “Also, haven’t you noticed? The time you spend accompanying me has grown lesser and lesser...I want you to come home more.”

Xu Tingsheng reached out and stroked her forehead, bringing her over to lean on his chest.

Several glasses of alcohol later, Xu Tingsheng ran into Lu Zhixin in the corridor on the way back from the toilet. Being acquainted with Yu Qing, she had come too. It was just that as she was seated at a different table from Xu Tingsheng’s lot, they had not greeted each other earlier.

“What a coincidence,” Xu Tingsheng said after an awkward pause.

“I’ve been waiting for you here,” Lu Zhixin said.

“Oh. Is there something?”

“Yes.”

“Pray tell.”

“Could you stop concerning yourself with the Fang family’s affairs? Immediately, at once, withdraw and stay out of it. Just continue to be your Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng. Don’t involve yourself in those things.

Xu Tingsheng had thought that it would be something about Hucheng. Taken by surprise, he raised his head to look at her rather quizzically.

“I already know about what happened to the Fang family’s third generation in America. I don’t think that was an accident...so, I won’t allow you to be involved in that matter again,” Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin’s eyes were filled with worry.

“It’s actually not that serious. Also, look at Yuqing and Fang Chen...you’re good friends with Fang Chen too. Also, they helped a lot when Hucheng was just starting out…” Xu Tingsheng explained.

“I don’t care about what happens to others,” Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Lu Zhixin declared with unyielding resolve, “I just want you to be okay.”

After a pause, she said with tears in her eyes, “Xu Tingsheng, I’m so afraid that something might happen to you…”

Lu Zhixin had indeed made some mistakes, hence increasing the distance between her and Xu Tingsheng greatly. She was indeed not so soft and feeble too. Still, Xu Tingsheng knew that the concern she was showing at this moment was fully authentic.

“Thank you. I know. But…”

“Actually, I knew from the start that I wouldn’t be able to convince you,” Lu Zhixin suddenly smiled, “I was looking for you just to say this. Whatever happens later, don’t worry. You can blame me, but don’t worry. I won’t harm you again.”

Xu Tingsheng was rather bemused as he questioned, “What? What will happen later? Zhixin…”

By this time, though, Lu Zhixin had already turned and walked off into the distance.

Filled with puzzlement that he could not voice out to anyone, Xu Tingsheng returned to his seat.

When the police officers suddenly appeared at the wedding banquet, virtually everyone present thought at once that they must have come for Fang Yuqing…

Even Xu Tingsheng was thinking, “The Ling and Xiao families reacted so quickly? So viciously?”

“Which of you is Xu Tingsheng?” The policeman’s gaze had actually already zeroed in on Xu Tingsheng as he seemed to be asking just for confirmation.

“I am,” Xu Tingsheng stood up rather blankly.

“Well then, please make a trip back with us,” By this time, two policemen were already standing by either side of Xu Tingsheng.

Everyone, Yu Qing and Fang Yuqing included, congregated around them.

“If you’ve got anything, take it out on me,” Fang Yuqing said.

“Who are you? This has got nothing to do with you,” A policeman said.

“May I ask what this is all about?” Xu Tingsheng inquired.

“The current CEO of Hucheng, Lu Zhixin, has filed a report with the relevant authorities. Hucheng’s previous CEO, Xu Tingsheng, is suspected of misappropriating the company’s funds during his tenure, many sums of money having gone missing to places unknown...the evidence that Miss Lu has taken out is very substantive. We are already officially looking into this matter. Mister Xu, you are suspected of a financial crime. This is the arrest warrant. Please cooperate with us.”

Xu Tingsheng turned to look at Lu Zhixin.

Xiang Ning was already about to cry…

“Lu Zhixin?! Do you have a conscience?”

“Biting the hand that feeds you.”

“Venomous heart of a scorpion.”

“Please get the hell out of here…”

“We can’t let her go.”

“Just you wait, Lu Zhixin. I won’t let you off!”

Curses, rebukes, even threats of violence...all the fury was directed at Lu Zhixin.

She just sat there, not uttering a sound.

Xu Tingsheng basically understood now what Lu Zhixin had meant earlier. Knowing that she would not be able to convince Xu Tingsheng to ignore the Fang family, she had actually thought of such a method.

From both the perspectives of the actual situation and Lu Zhixin’s actual motive, this case would ultimately leave Xu Tingsheng untouched.

Still, it would cause a delay, and it might be a very long delay too. Lu Zhixin wanted Xu Tingsheng to completely break out of the turbulent whirlpool that was the Fang family, also forcing him into doing so in front of Fang Chen, Fang Yuqing and everyone else. With that, he would have wholly no choice in the matter…

When all was said and done, everybody could chastise her, Lu Zhixin, but no one would be able to rebuke Xu Tingsheng in the slightest.

Chapter 574: I'll wait for you

Chapter 574: I’ll wait for you

With Lu Zhixin’s personality and principles, Xu Tingsheng knew that probably nothing he said now could work. Still, he turned to look at her, saying in a low, usual tone as if only the two of them were present, “Zhixin.”

Calling her name was equivalent to asking her.

Lu Zhixin expressionlessly stood up from her seat. Even though she was expressionless, the current her looked colder and more aloof than the Lu Zhixin from the stands.

Many people felt that it was a good thing that Lu Zhixin had met Xu Tingsheng. They all felt that Xu Tingsheng had given her a stage to realise her dreams. Lu Zhixin herself felt this way too, in fact.

Behind the scenes, unbeknownst to others, Xu Tingsheng had even enabled her to save her father.

Yet, it might not be the case that a powerless Lu Zhixin would not be more well off, if she had hypothetically never met that person called Xu Tingsheng.

Still, she had met him. She had once ingested alcohol to the point of internal bleeding for him. There had been times where he had planned and she had implemented. There had been times where she had helped him to do things he could not do...she would be dissatisfied with him before, wanting to change him. Still, in hindsight, she found she was actually very happy.

At the end of the day, of the two of them, one wanted to retain those days where they worked hard together, youthful days of passion and spirit. The other had actually aspired elsewhere from the start.

The one who had tried to get the other to stay had used a wrong method. Still, this did not change the fact that she was ultimately still that Lu Zhixin on the stands, he the Xu Tingsheng in her heart.

The way this girl loved was just like her manner of doing things, akin to the sharpest blade. She had thought of making him lose everything, returning to her side to apologise. She thought that she did not care about the fate of others at all, so long as he was okay.

“Sorry, I’m only being impartial,” Lu Zhixin got up and grabbed her bag, saying, “I’ll be returning to Yanzhou first.”

Some had ridden in her car when they had come. There probably would not be anybody on the return journey.

“Big Sis Zhixin, can you please not get people to arrest him?” Xiang Ning cried.

“Don’t be like this, Zhixin…” Apple, Yu Qing, Fang Chen said.

“Lu Zhixin.”

“Boss Lu.”

Whoever it was, Lu Zhixin ignored them all as she strode away calmly.

This was already not a matter of profits and feelings. As many people saw it, her very morals were being called into question as she was shameless to the extreme.

“Bitch! Backstabber.”

It was unknown who spat the first glob of saliva. Hiding in the crowd, someone threw a bunch of noodles at her. Following that, someone threw a prawn, and others more things...this wedding banquet suddenly turned into the public shaming of a villain.

Those policemen called for them to stop but to no avail. This was not violence, and the law could not stand up against the outrage of the masses.

Lu Zhixin’s white blouse and hair were filled with filth. She did not wipe it off, did not even glance at Xu Tingsheng as she simply left just like that.

One could only imagine how after she had returned to Yanzhou, Old Wai would flaunt his seniority and kick up a mess in the company, as well as what sort of gossip, rebukes and disdain she would face on campus...still, Lu Zhixin would definitely not explain herself to anybody whatsoever. It did not matter even if Xu Tingsheng ultimately rejected what she one-sidedly had done for him.

After learning of the fate of the Fang family’s third generation and asking someone to verify the Fang family’s situation and opponents, Lu Zhixin had only had one thought on her mind-she could not let Xu Tingsheng be dragged down together to share the Fang family’s sad fate.

……

Lu Zhixin got into a lift. The door closed.

The door of the other lift opened. Those who emerged were again policemen.

“Let’s go, Mister Xu.”

After the mess that had just occurred at the wedding banquet, the policemen spoke a bit more genially and did not whip out handcuffs on the spot. It might be that they were being careful not to incur the animosity of the masses.

Whatever the case, it was impossible to openly enact violence against the country’s enforcers. It seemed that there was no helping it then. Xu Tingsheng turned, wanting to have a few words with Xiang Ning. Amidst many varying emotions, the one that stood out most was fear that Xiang Ning might be badly startled by what was happening to him.

“Xiang Ning…”

“Sob.”

“Don’t be scared. In a few days…”

He had just started speaking when the other batch of policemen walked in and asked, “Who is Xu Tingsheng?”

It was just that they next asked for another person as well, Fang Yuqing.

“I don’t want to have my importance highlighted by being simultaneously arrested by two batch of policemen! It’s not like this is the world of pirates, wherein having a bounty is an honour,” Xu Tingsheng felt so lost.

Right, this batch of policemen was here for him too. The reason was that Ning Garden was now being officially investigated for bribery and internal deals. As a result, Zhicheng’s boss, Fang Yuqing, as well as Zhicheng’s largest shareholder, Xu Tingsheng, were being arrested to cooperate with the investigation.

Then, the two batches of policemen began to chat. Oh, let’s communicate. Probably, maybe...I think we should arrest him. No, I think we should do it. We came first. We’re from the province. How about one each? No. What’re you showing off for? At least give me one…

This batch of policemen, almost certainly, was the handiwork of the Ling and Xiao families. If this was a contest between Xu Tingsheng and Ling Xiao, in this conflict between the families thus far, Ling Xiao had already reeled in her scheme yet had failed to succeed in a single go. With that, the rhythm was actually being grasped by Xu Tingsheng.

After basically grasping the bottom line and reservations of the Ling and Xiao families, there were now more choices available to him.

Therefore, Ling Xiao’s first countermeasure was to incapacitate them, not just Fang Yuqing but Xu Tingsheng as well. First, this was to disrupt Xu Tingsheng’s rhythm and plan. Even though she did not know what he would do next, not letting it go his way was definitely correct. Next, this would also cause a lull in the incident. Since she did not have a next step, pressing the ‘pause’ button would simply suffice…

Third?

Xu Tingsheng could only think of these sole two points for the time being. Ling Xiao? A headache-inducing woman indeed. It’s hard for women who are too clever to be happy. Accursed bitch...hurry up and go concentrate on giving birth already!

While the two batches of policemen were engaged in a discussion, Xu Tingsheng coaxed the crying Little Xiang Ning and reminded Du Jin to take good care of her.

Next was Fang Chen.

“Don’t do anything,” Xu Tingsheng instructed Fang Chen, “Whatever your understanding of the situation, don’t do anything at all.”

“I…”

Xu Tingsheng indicated to Tan Yao with his eyes, “Keep an eye on her.”

As expected, the officers of Yanzhou City did not prevail against those of the province in the end. Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing were restricted by two policemen each, to be escorted away and imprisoned.

This was Fang Yuqing’s wedding night.

The entire event hall had already devolved into chaos: Yu Qing’s disheartened, grieving parents, the jabbering relatives and colleagues, the furious friends from Yanzhou, the weeping womenfolk.

Yu Qing did not cry.

“I’ll go to work at Zhicheng after this. I don’t know anything at all, but I’ll slowly learn,” When Zhicheng had been at its most glorious, despite Fang Yuqing’s and Xu Tingsheng’s multiple invitations, nothing had been able to make Yu Qing give up on her job in her hometown of Suzhou that paid 2000 yuan a month. Now, as Zhicheng was under assault and faltering, however, she was saying that she would go.

“I’ll wait for you,” She said.

While this was no joyful moment, many people inexplicably found themselves counting blessings for Fang Yuqing now: With a wife like this, what more could a man wish for?

Chapter 575: Movements all around

Chapter 575: Movements all around

Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing were brought from Suzhou to Xihu City that very night. Zhong Wusheng drove and followed after them for a bit, his phone ringing incessantly. The impact of this incident surpassed the predictions of many, Xu Tingsheng himself included.

Arresting a person like Xu Tingsheng in such a public setting was clearly not a very rational move. This person who had seemingly appeared from nowhere had seemingly achieved all glorious feats in a mere two years. Moreover, he was so young too.

The rousing, motivational achievement of starting out with nothing, his legendary experiences and schemes...oh right, and his looks were good too.

Recently, China’s media had been rejoicing over finally having an entrepreneur idol who could combat the entertainment industry.

Suddenly arresting a person like this? Even a fool would be clear on the various implications of this. Therefore, with such a thing still having occurred, one had to think deeply about what might be going on behind the scenes.

Thinking deeply might not produce a correct answer. Sometimes, they were wild guesses all the same.

The next day, as another piece of news also spread amongst the higher echelons of Jianhai Province, the meaning behind this arrest was infinitely magnified. While an official lawsuit had yet to come, the sentence of the eldest uncle of the Fang family had basically been decided. He would face the death sentence or a reprieve.

Connecting the two incidents together, many people were flustered. Many people...acted.

Various people, various mindsets, various motivations, various actions.

Yanzhou.

Mr and Mrs Xiang had originally wanted to bring Xiang Ning back home to stay and accompany her, even if it meant closing up shop and resting for a few days. Still, Xiang Ning stubbornly insisted on staying in that flat of hers and Xu Tingsheng’s, waiting for him to come home.

While the young girl put on a brave front, she was actually hugging her blanket and crying alone quietly, hugging her books and crying, crying quietly even as she watched the comedies that Du Jin had put on for her…

In the end, Mr and Mrs Xiang had no choice but to move over themselves.

Like this, all the details of Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning living together were displayed in front of them. All of them were prepared with Xiang Ning in mind, including fridge stickers, carpet, couple toothbrushes, towels, even tissue paper boxes which could not be any more girlish…

Having stayed here for so long, Xiang Ning did not even know where the mop and rags were placed. This was because she had actually never even cleaned up her own room before. This had all been taken care of by that guy who was probably entitled to say that he earned a couple hundred thousand every minute.

What followed was Mrs Xiang hugging her daughter and weeping silently with her. It looked like it indeed made sense that mother-in-laws doted on their son-in-laws. A melancholic Mr Xiang felt like smoking, but looking around the entire house, he could not find a single ashtray...Xu Tingsheng virtually never smoked in this house. Now, as he looked at his weeping wife and daughter, the eyes of this big man in his forties could not help but redden as well.

“However this turns out, when Tingsheng comes out, let’s get their engagement done,” Mr Xiang said.

“I’ll go call our in-laws,” Mrs Xiang said.

Xiang Ning’s lips trembled as she asked, “Can’t we just directly get married?”

“...”

Hucheng.

Hearing of what had happened at the banquet, a furious Old Wai beat heavily on Lu Zhixin’s door, having come to vent his anger. Lu Zhixin opened the door. Old Wai didn’t cause a scene anymore, because he discovered that Lu Zhixin was already utterly soulless at this point.

The two founders of Hucheng who had once been friends and ‘battle buddies’ but had later become estranged sat together.

“Since you were doing this for his sake, why didn’t you do it earlier?” The first person to guess Lu Zhixin’s motives was actually Old Wai, just that his first words were still of blame.

“I got used to it. He was always able to deal with anything before. Only after the Fang family lost so many lives did I think of stopping him,” Lu Zhixin said numbly.

“What now? Aren’t you very resourceful?” Old Wai pressed.

Lu Zhixin shook her head, saying nothing. Having reached a certain level, fighting with the bureaucracy as a merchant was akin to throwing an egg at a rock.

Binzhou.

The clothes behind him jutting out, Huang Yaming rushed into Old Jin’s room, exclaiming, “Give me a few people. I’m returning to Yanzhou.”

Looking at him, Old Jin walked to his side and untucked that part, “Going back like this...what are you planning? Breaking him out of jail? Taking revenge for him? What’s with your brains?”

Huang Yaming roared, “Over a dozen people from the Fang family already died overseas! Now, they’re acting against Tingsheng. Who is to say they won’t do anything inside? I told Tingsheng before: I’ll take care of all these underhanded things.”

Old Jin pondered for a while before sitting down as he said, “Give me a few days to consider it.”

“A few days?!”

“Three at most.”

Tokyo.

Ruanjin Corporation’s Director, Tadashi Kasai, was presiding over a meeting.

This higher-up of the company who had always been thought of as being too scholarly and not so interested in company affairs before had suddenly changed a lot recently. Participating more in the affairs of the company, he  appeared increasingly enthusiastic too. Also, he had proposed many measures which they could not get their heads around.

Still, as his superiors were allowing this behaviour, they as subordinates could naturally not say anything to object.

A ringtone sounded.

As a strict corporation, it was a grave transgression to not turn off one’s phone at a meeting of this level. Fortunately, it was Mr Kasai’s own phone that was ringing today.

Cen Xishan took it out and glanced at it.

“Dismissed.”

The meeting suddenly stopped partway through the discussion of such an important topic. Then, the employees all witnessed their higher-up’s eyes glowing like a beggar who had just picked up a golden ingot. He incomparably excitedly ran off with his handphone, nearly colliding with the door in the process.

This was Cen Xishan’s first time receiving a call from Apple.

“Hello, Xiyu…” The incomparably nervous Cen Xishan only greeted her, not knowing how to continue.

“Hello,” Cen Xiyu’s voice resounded from the other end.

“Is there any reason you’re looking for Da...for me? Actually, it’s okay too if there’s no particular reason…”

“There is one. I’d like your help.”

“Alright. What is it?”

“Something’s happened to Xu Tingsheng…” Apple explained the situation she knew of.

“If it’s the government…” Cen Xishan mused aloud.

“You can’t help?”

“I can. I’ll immediately think of a way.”

“Right, please make haste. I don’t want him in there for any longer than is necessary. Thank you.”

Having received an ‘imperial edict’, Cen Xishan was greatly regretting having interacted too little with China’s government in the past.

“Ask for her help? ...I was clearly dealing with that brat! Why must I suddenly switch to helping him now?! Xu Tingsheng, if you don’t marry my daughter after this, see how I take care of you.”

Binzhou.

He Twenty-seven picked up his phone, hesitated for a bit and put it down again, “I was nearly too hasty.”

He called someone in and instructed, “Keep a close eye on all Jin Twenty-four’s movements.”

Yanzhou.

Ding Miao was making calls the entire morning.

After closing his eyes and not moving for more than half an hour, he suddenly opened his eyes, “Xu Tingsheng, oh, Xu Tingsheng, since somebody has already incapacitated you, if I don’t capitalise on this opportunity and help to nail you dead...it’d really be too much of a pity.”

He immediately got up and made a trip to his private villa in the suburbs of Yanzhou.

Old Dog and Dongzi had already been waiting there doing nothing for some time.

“What? You’re saying that it’s because of a woman that Xu Tingsheng knew your plans before?” After hearing Dongzi’s narration, Ding Miao asked.

“Yes. They...set a beauty trap, taking away the phone that we were using to contact Bro Sen.”

“You didn’t delete the contents of the phone?”

“Yes.”

“Idiot.”

Dongzi dared not say anything.

Ding Miao made a brief calculation. If this woman was willing to cooperate, it should not be hard to connect Ding Sen’s death to Xu Tingsheng. The problem was just how to place himself here…

So, firstly, he had to find that woman. Secondly, someone had to disappear. This was the person he had initially placed beside Ding Sen and later used to mislead Old Dog and Dongzi.

Ding Miao’s efficiency had always been very high.

That afternoon, that subordinate of his was tasked to help with a business deal in Binzhou. Of course, he did not know that the person he was meeting was called He Twenty-seven.

At the same time, Ding Miao threw a stack of photographs before Dongzi, picking out one and showing it to him as he asked, “This woman is called Shasha. Is it her?”

Dongzi took a look and shook his head.

A rather irritable Ding Miao glared at him, “All the women who have been going in and out of Wu Kun’s nightclub over the past two years are here. Look carefully and find her…”

Dongzi hurriedly nodded before looking through those photographs.

“It’s her...she’s Shasha,” Dongzi raised a photograph.

Ding Miao glanced at it, “A bit familiar...where have I seen her before,” He concentrated, “Bright Brilliance, right. That manager...is called, Tongtong? No wonder. No wonder that somebody like her could become Bright Brilliance’s manager. She even caught He Twenty-seven’s eye before.”

“Xu Tingsheng’s woman? It shouldn’t be. Doesn’t he have many? That young girl, celebrity, Lu Zhixin...it wouldn’t fall to her no matter what, right? In that case...it shouldn’t be hard…”

Ding Miao’s lips curled as he enunciated, “Women are merciless.”

Yanjing.

The team from Yanzhou, a city where the housing prices were being kept from rising too quickly, had already been in the capital for three days.

As one of the members of the team, Chen Jianxing actually had no task. What he had to do was memorise all the contents and statistics that were being reported and listen while being ready to answer all the questions from the higher-ups.

He had a document in his bag.

His target higher-up was seated not far away.

Should he hand it to him or not?

He had long since heard of Xu Tingsheng’s imprisonment. Under these circumstances, should he continue to trust that he had the ability to help him take care of his wife and daughter, doing what had been weighing down on his chest for over two years? Or should he wait a while more, thinking of another plan and alternative arrangements?

Yanzhou.

A hand against the doorframe, Tan Yap blocked Fang Chen.

“Tingsheng told you not to do anything at all.”

Tears in her eyes, Fang Chen glared furiously at him.

“Since Xu Tingsheng said that it’ll be okay, it’ll be okay. Relax.”

“It’ll be okay? Those from the Fang family are all dying. It’ll be okay? Even if he and Yuqing are safe for the time being, what about my Dad? Right after eldest uncle is my Dad, you know?”

Fang Chen pushed Tan Yao, but he would not budge.

“Get lost,” Fang Chen bit down on his arm.

While blood flowed, Tan Yao neither evaded nor let go as he tried to hug Fang Chen, saying gently, “Fang Chen, calm down. Let’s believe in Tingsheng, okay?”

Fang Chen pushed his hands away.

“Believe in Xu Tingsheng. That’s all you know how to say. Why won’t you let me believe in you then?” Suddenly flaring up and losing control of herself, Fang Chen slapped Tan Yao, “Besides sleeping with women and following behind Xu Tingsheng like a dog, what else can you do? Do you have any bit of use at all?!”

As Fang Chen hollered, Tan Yao lowered his head, then raised it again.

“I know I’m very useless. Still, calm down first. Wait at home for me for a while. I’ll go look for Ye Qing. Her family’s connections are definitely not simple. She…”

“As expected, you only know how to look for women. Let me tell you, Tan Yao, I’ve also slept with Ye Qing before...but do you think she’ll be willing to get involved in these turbid waters? Do you think anyone in this industry is like Xu Tingsheng?” The overwhelming pressure was really getting to her as Fang Chen unconsciously vented it all on Tan Yao, saying such hurtful things.

Tan Yao tried hard and smiled, “I’m really useless, huh. Sorry. Still, I don’t have any other way now. Let me try. I’ll beg her.”

An hour later.

Tan Yao dumped the only present he had accepted from Ye Qing, a yellow string of beads, at the door of her office.

Ye Qing asked, “Can’t you try to understand me, Tan Yao? I am not the decision-maker in our family. I…”

“I understand. I know that you still have to fight for the family inheritance. Sorry for putting you in a tough spot,” Tan Yao said as he left.

It had always been this way between them. Ye Qing was used to letting Tan Yao have his way, while Tan Yao was used to letting Fang Chen have her way…

While she had never complained about it before, at this moment, the feeling of not being understood and never being empathised with, not even once, caused her heart to turn cold.

She was Ye Qing. Before she had liked someone...she had been the loftiest, most unattainable woman in Yanzhou whom no one had any means against!

Libei.

Mr Xu smoked a cigarette, feigning normalcy as he chatted with Mrs Xu about that game of mahjong she had played the previous day. There was one game where she had discarded a wrong tile which was really vexing, and another which was even more vexing, where just a little bit more and she would have won with a full flush.

“Have an afternoon nap. Then, tonight, kill them all to kingdom come,” Mr Xu smiled.

Mrs Xu happily nodded and returned to the bedroom.

After stubbing out the cigarette in the ashtray, Mr Xu took out his handphone.

“Has that meal in Xihu City tomorrow been properly arranged?”

“It’s all been arranged, Boss Xu.”

“Alright. Send a car to pick me up. Also, that joint investment plan that Zhongliang mentioned last time...get them to send someone over to discuss it.”

The little elephant from the small hills was going off to stomp its feet on the wide plains.

Chapter 576: Reverse scale

Chapter 576: Reverse scale

Xu Tingsheng was separated from Fang Yuqing since Suzhou and placed in a holding cell for the first time. It was pretty good, as it was a single cell and the policemen were not fierce. Still, he was somewhat worried, worried that Xiang Ning would be scared, worried that those outside could not remain patient, worried that his parents would be worried, worried that…

Xu Tingsheng did not sleep that entire night.

The next morning, after two official interrogations, seeing the policemen not at all in a rush with the investigation, Xu Tingsheng could more or less confirm: This jail stay itself was not perilous.

Where exactly did the peril lie then?

He thought that he should be able to meet with his lawyer in the afternoon but it unexpectedly never happened. China’s relevant institutions and transparency regarding financial crime had never been high. Many of the procedures were decided by people in a more arbitrary manner.

This time, Xu Tingsheng was probably being intentionally suppressed. Somebody wanted to temporarily cut off all his connections with the outside world.

Only that night did Xu Tingsheng receive his first visitor. When a policeman informed him about it, he thought that perhaps it was his father who had come and he better get ready to apologise. Still, in the end, it turned out that the person waiting for him was Ling Xiao.

“Wouldn’t have thought, right?” Ling Xiao smiled, “I’ll have to apologise to you first. This time, I have no choice but to have you stay in here for a few days. The case regarding the land is but an excuse. Relax, it’ll be okay in a few days.”

Seeing how candid she was, Xu Tingsheng did not really know how to respond. He could not possibly thank her, right. After all, she had schemed against him and put him in jail!

Ling Xiao did not mind that Xu Tingsheng wasn’t saying anything as she continued, “I’ve brought you clothes and some food. There’s also a few packets of cigarettes. They’ll give them to you in a while. If there’s anything else you need, you can just tell them, and I’ll take care of it.”

“No need.”

“It’s necessary,” Ling Xiao smiled, “I know that your Dad has come to Xihu City. There are probably many people helping you to think of something outside. Actually, I really don’t want such a conflict between us and your family. Still, we have to hold on for a few days, and we will be able to do so too.”

Xu Tingsheng sighed rather helplessly, asking from the bottom of his heart, “Is there really no other way to bring an end to this matter?”

“There is one. Still, I’m afraid you won’t be willing to listen.”

“Just say it.”

“I’ll say the preconditions first then. Actually, there is already no point in continuing to get revenge now. After venting it out, the elders no longer have it weighing on their minds. What really is their concern now is to eliminate the threat before it can grow. After all, it is likely that in a few years, only I will remain of the Ling and Xiao families, along with one or two kids who haven’t had time to grow up.”

Ling Xiao glanced at Xu Tingsheng before continuing, “No longer being supported by that strong desire for vengeance, the health of my two fathers have taken a sudden plunge. After all, they have never truly lived properly for the past twenty over years as their spirits and bodies have actually long since been permeated with wounds.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded quietly.

“So this matter has become another dead knot. As long as one person from the Fang family remains, my two fathers will not be able to rest at ease,” Ling Xiao said, “There is actually a solution, though.”

“Oh?”

Ling Xiao’s eyes shone with a crafty glow as her lips curled, “Marry me.”

Having been proposed to out of the blue, Xu Tingsheng said, “You’re crazy.”

“The initiative now lies with me. What do you think can let my two fathers rest easy, not fearing those from the Fang family taking revenge in the future? The sole possibility is you. Your own future accomplishments aside, even if you are destitute, could the Fang family possibly take revenge against your wife and children? You’d just have nothing to do with each other at most.”

Ling Xiao got up and flicked her hair before asking gracefully, “Doesn’t it sound logical to you?”

Xu Tingsheng could not say that it was illogical. He also could not say that her looks were not good enough or that she was not outstanding enough. Still, all these were actually meaningless. Others might not know, but this was what would trouble him most in this world. Marry another woman? This was something Lu Zhixin, Apple and Wu Yuewei could not achieve...was she more able than them?

And what the hell, wasn’t this a political marriage?! Having only heard of princesses and such marrying the leaders of some minorities far away for the sake of peace, Xu Tingsheng had not thought that there might come a day when he faced such treatment too.

“Say something meaningful, please,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Ling Xiao forced a smile, “That’s all. Sigh, sadly, that was actually...my only chance of breaking free of fate too.”

After sighing, Ling Xiao asked interestedly as if having suddenly thought of something, “Xu Tingsheng, aren’t you afraid that this might fuel my hatred instead as I move against that little girl of yours to remove the obstacles in my way? Thinking about it now, it should be a good plan. I’d be able to threaten you too…”

She was smiling while saying this...suddenly, she felt a chill run down her spine, like prey that was being stared down by a predator which was a tiger, a wolf or a venomous snake…

This was Ling Xiao’s first time seeing such a Xu Tingsheng. The darkness he exuded was like that of a demon from the depths of hell, his gaze cold and filled with killing intent.

Ling Xiao knew that she had said something wrong. She knew where Xu Tingsheng’s reverse scale lay now. While she held the advantage in this situation and should not need to be afraid, the truth was that she was afraid.

“Nobody should be willing to aggravate such a Xu Tingsheng, right?! A genius turned crazed because of hatred…” Actually, it was not that no one had proposed making a move on Xiang Ning as Ling Xiao could only feel relief at not having chosen to implement that plan now.

After hesitating slightly, Ling Xiao decided to admit defeat on this, “I was joking. Sorry. Right now, I’m more afraid than you of something happening to her.”

With that, the pressure and looming threat enveloping her finally slowly relaxed. Ling Xiao sighed in relief. She was far more adept at grasping one’s psychology and nature than Xu Tingsheng was and had always properly kept from being too provocative in her words and actions. Yet, she had not expected that just because of such a sentence, she might actually come close to breaking that subtle equilibrium.

The Ling and Xiao families had reservations and dared not wantonly run amok, at least within China...this was something that both sides were already well aware of now.

“I already intend for the Fang family to stay back and out of harm’s way. Even if you force them to stay, you actually can’t do anything to them,” Not wanting to engage in a psychological battle with Ling Xiao, Xu Tingsheng ultimately still succumbed to his worry and his curiosity.

“You’re right. After you came by a few days ago, I thought about it for a long time. It’s true that I can’t think of what I can and should do next and how to do it,” Ling Xiao admitted frankly, “Then, it suddenly came to me. At this stage, I actually cannot do anything. Anyone who does anything will be making a mistake. The more they do, the greater the mistake they’re making. So, I put away you and Fang Yuqing of the Fang family who trusts you most and is actually also most fearless and the most difficult to scheme against…”

“Then?”

“Get those of the Fang family who’re outside to act on their own, seeking their own deaths. Also causing those with schemes but who originally still had reservations against you and the Fang family to sniff a chance and pounce…” Ling Xiao found her momentum as she sat down and said, “I don’t have to do anything after this but wait and see.”

Chapter 577: A shocking question

Chapter 577: A shocking question

Xu Tingsheng shuddered inwardly...Ling Xiao’s grasp of human nature and ability to control the overall situation was godly indeed.

Ling Xiao looked at Xu Tingsheng, “According to my sources, that Fang Chen of the Fang family has already booked a plane ticket to America. Can you guess what she wants to do?”

Xu Tingsheng could certainly guess. One of Fang Chen’s motives should be to gather evidence linking the deaths of the Fang family’s third generation to the Ling and Xiao families. Still, she should be well aware that the chances of succeeding in this venture were incomparably low…

So, she was not aiming to come out of this alive.

The Fang family’s third generation having already met with an accident, if it occurred again at the same location, even a fool would know that this could not be a coincidence. The methods of the Ling and Xiao families would be revealed to all, not just the higher echelons...this would definitely fall under the scrutiny of the entire country, maybe even evoking mass outrage.

Fang Chen wanted to use this method to force the Ling and Xiao families to act more cautiously later on, with regard to her parents’ sentencing as well. Under the watchful gazes of millions, the Ling and Xiao families would surely not dare to exert too much pressure.

As for the few remaining members of the Fang family, much attention would surely fall on them, ensuring their safety much more.

Xu Tingsheng’s heart first tensed before it relaxed. Since Ling Xiao could see through Fang Chen’s intention to sacrifice herself for the sake of her family, she would definitely not let it succeed. So, in other words, Fang Chen would conversely be safe if she went to America.

While the two were silent, many thoughts and connotations had actually already flashed through their minds.

“Still, even if I don’t do anything, it also doesn’t mean that some other people can rein it in and also do nothing at all. When even the last bit of reservations are gone, many are often really eager to kick others when they’re down,” Ling Xiao continued, smiling, “I am rather looking forward to it, really. Who will do the deed for our Ling and Xiao families, serving nicely as scapegoats?”

What Ling Xiao had done was actually simple. She had created a new environment where Xu Tingsheng was not present, getting the remaining members of the Fang family along with those harbouring schemes against the Fang family and Xu Tingsheng to gradually act. Meanwhile, by imprisoning Xu Tingsheng, it would seem as if the Ling and Xiao families were finally acting against him as those who had originally had reservations would spy a chance and swoop…

Following this, she only had to quietly wait as human nature and greed naturally pushed everything towards the extremity of chaos.

Xu Tingsheng was thoroughly at a disadvantage again. What was different this time was that he might not even have a chance to make any reminders and get the situation under control. Meanwhile, he himself and what he possessed were likely officially embroiled in this.

“I’m telling you this because I think that even if I don’t say it, you should also realise it by yourself very soon. So, what I want to do now is keep you out of the game as much as possible, for as long as possible.”

Ling Xiao glanced at her phone, “I seem to have underestimated your father’s capabilities and determination...it looks like our net must act in its entirety this time to secure a few more days.”

She got up and walked towards the exit.

“What if your net breaks?” Xu Tingsheng asked behind her.

Ling Xiao stopped in her tracks and looked back...she hesitated for a moment but did not speak as she directly left.

In truth, the two old men of the Ling and Xiao families no longer held any direct authority. Their advantage lay with the net that they had spent the past twenty plus years building up. That net was sufficiently well-woven as they could wield it as they would their fingers.

Even so, the ‘fingers’ of the woven net were all intricately connected to one another. If their net was stabbed through, the damage this would bring was sufficient to carry severe repercussions.

…..

The next day, Xu Tingsheng did not have any visitors at all.

On the third day, there were still no visitors from morning to evening. He could not get any news out or receive any news from outside. He began to feel rather anxious and uneasy.

That night, he had a visitor that definitely surpassed all his expectations.

At the same time, Apple received a call from Cen Xishan.

“Xiyu, regarding what we talked about, Dad has already found someone to help,” Cen Xishan made use of his role as a carrier of good news to call himself Dad, “Rest assured, Xiyu, since she’s personally gone to handle this matter, there’ll definitely be no problem.”

“Thank you,” Apple said, “Who’s she?”

“...A friend.”

“Got it.  Anyway, thank you. I’ll get ready to leave and pick him up.”

“Wait a moment. Hey, Xiyu…”

“Hmm?”

“Do you want Dad’s help?”

“What?”

“That Xu Tingsheng, Dad knows you sincerely like him. Actually, we can think of another way…”

“...He’s already given me enough. Everything I have now was actually given to me by him. It was he who accompanied me through my darkest times. I won’t, and don’t have the right to force him to do anything. So, please don’t try to do anything, much less go and harass him.”

Apple hung up, preparing to depart for Xihu City.

Xu Tingsheng watched as that woman named Zhou Yuandai sat down opposite him in a natural manner.

While it did not make sense that she had come, it at least proved one thing-the forces of the Ling and Xiao families were unable to hinder her, and she could simply come if she wanted. Also, there was not even a single guard present as they met right now. The power that she possessed felt somewhat inconceivable to Xu Tingsheng.

“Hello, Ms Zhou,” Xu Tingsheng tried hard to maintain normalcy and his composure.

Zhou Yuandai looked at him, seemingly finding this form of address rather foreign as she smiled in self-derision, “I haven’t been a teacher for a long time...right, it’s really been too long. Forget it though. You can call me that if you wish.”

Had it been very long? It should only have been a little over three years, right? Of course, it was technically not wrong to call it long.

“Well, Ms Zhou, are you here this time because Ms Fang asked you for help?” Xu Tingsheng probed.

Zhou Yuandai shook her head, asking a question of her own, “Aren’t you anxious now? I’m not talking about you, I’m talking about the situation outside.”

This proved that the situation she knew of far exceeded Xu Tingsheng’s predictions. She was even clear on the actual state of affairs which he had thought only he and Ling Xiao grasped fully presently.

In that case, it seemed that there was no need to hide anything as Xu Tingsheng answered frankly, “I am rather anxious. I wonder if Ms Zhou can…”

“I can’t,” Zhou Yuandai cut him off directly, “It’s true that someone asked me to help you. Still, I having come does not mean that I’ll definitely do something. I came to look for you because I’d like for a trade with you.”

“A trade?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Right, a trade. Answer one of my questions, and I’ll help you take care of all the trouble before you,” Zhou Yuandai said.

If she had not mysteriously appeared out of the blue to meet him in jail, Xu Tingsheng would definitely feel that this was just a bad joke. An answer in exchange for taking care of all his problems? How profitable was that?

He said calmly, “In that case, Ms Zhou, tell me your question, and I’ll listen. I may not be able to answer for sure, though.”

Zhou Yuandai gazed straight into his eyes, “I have a friend who started accumulating wealth very quickly from the nineties. Still, the greatest breakthrough came in 1997, when the Asian Financial Crisis elevated her to heights even she found inconceivable at the time. In terms of both wealth and capabilities. I think you can probably understand that for some people, crises are actually the best opportunities…”

As she narrated this calmly, her attention was fixed on Xu Tingsheng’s expression throughout.

“When do you think the next crisis will be? And where?” She asked.

Xu Tingsheng’s mind spun.

If this question arose between two economists, two hobbyists, two businessmen...it would not be obtrusive. It was not obtrusive in itself. Still, when Zhou Yuandai asked him this, Xu Tingsheng instantly felt like he was in a cave of stalactites or at the edge of a cliff…

“2007, America,” Such a simple answer, and perhaps he could never go back.

The other party might not have the answer to this question, or perhaps...she actually had it. It was not important either way. The crux was who was asking, and who was being asked.

While his frame of mind had actually instantly collapsed, having begun to maintain vigilance and fear towards Zhou Yuandai ever since the first time he met her, Xu Tingsheng had made sure to remind himself to be calm and reveal nothing from the start of this conversation...thus, he barely managed to maintain his facade.

“Huh? Is this regarding...economic cycles? I learnt it in junior and senior high before, but I can’t remember it clearly. If it’s the location, could something happen in the EU where they’re all tied together?” Xu Tingsheng asked rather blankly.

Looking at him, Zhou Yuandai did not speak as she hesitated for a bit before getting up, “Why didn’t you just randomly say one? I actually don’t know the answer! This way is also good. I’ll leave now.”

In his dreams that night, Xu Tingsheng crossed the streets alone. The crowds...everyone was saying, “Look, a rebirthee!” Xiang Ning, his parents, Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng were asking, “Is it really true?”

Zhou Yuandai stood at a glass window, staring down at him from a tall building overhead as he scurried frantically to flee but to no avail.

Chapter 578: If there is still a chance

Chapter 578: If there is still a chance

Fang Chen had been like a fox when she had been in power, wielding it with ease. This was because the environment that had raised her had been there ever since she was a child. As a result, when she had no choice but to struggle in hard times, she was actually inferior to Fang Yuqing who had been allowed to live however he wanted. He was a fearless person who was able to continue to survive day by day however harsh the circumstances.

While such a humble form of survival might not seem very glorious, it was actually a sort of skill.

While Fang Chen was intelligent and crafty, she simply lacked the courage for such.

When people are under high pressure and at the brink of mental collapse, they are used to venting it on the person whom they most rely on, who dote on them the most. Tan Yao was Fang Chen’s outlet. Having been entrusted by Xu Tingsheng to keep an eye on Fang Chen, there he would be every single day, sitting by her door and smoking. Despite getting scolded for no reason, even insulted pretty badly, he would simply smile, neither getting angry nor rebutting.

Still, he was actually unable to successfully guard that door.

Tan Yao knew about Fang Chen’s impending trip to America but was unable to stop her from going as every time he did, she would ask him, “If I don’t do anything, what about you? What can you do?”

Tan Yao was rendered speechless every time.

Then, Fang Chen would emphasise, “Don’t ask me to believe in Xu Tingsheng. I trust him, but we can’t even get in contact with him now. I can’t just wait like this. I must do something myself.”

Tan Yao could do nothing about it at all. He had not considered this as deeply as Xu Tingsheng and Ling Xiao had. There was no reason for him to disbelieve Fang Chen when she said she was going to America to try and find some evidence. It was just that he would inevitably be worried for her safety.

He wanted to go, but unfortunately did not have a visa.

As Fang Chen went into the airport, inside the car, Tan Yao began to feel at a loss. In truth, he was definitely not a useless person. Most people would have no way of understanding how hard it must have been for an orphan like him to attain his current status.

It was only that things now were at a level that completely exceeded his status. However much he wished for it, he was simply helpless. In Wu Kun’s words, things that could be solved using brute force and desire alone were technically not truly difficult things.

When that blurry figure was finally out of sight, Tan Yao suddenly began crying very uselessly. He was very scared, scared that he might never see that figure return again.

Tan Yao had liked Fang Chen ever since the freshman welcoming ceremony during his first year of university. It had been a deep first impression too. He had hidden his feelings for a very long time, till he found out one day that Fang Chen actually liked women. That had been like some kind of outlet for his feelings being located as he had joyfully begun to steal away all of Fang Chen’s women.

While he had had many ladies because of this, few people knew that the lady he truly desired was the one who was his competitor.

On the surface, there was enmity between him and Fang Chen as the two had ‘battled’ with a vengeance for a very long time.

Yet afterwards, when Ye Qing had come into his life, Tan Yao had tried to discard these thoughts, forget that he liked Fang Chen. There was a period of time when he had told Xu Tingsheng that he seemed to have succeeded. Even when he had seen Fang Chen, his heart had not wavered at all.

He had believed that he had already shut that door. Yet, in the end, when Fang Chen had gone crazy and wanted to try out men, she had merely coughed slightly outside the door and it had automatically opened, its contents not any less than a few years back.

Fang Chen might be unfated for America. Last time, she had gone up the plane but later gotten off and escaped with her life. This time, she was also called back by a phone call after having passed through security.

As Tan Yao lay slumped over the steering wheel, crying, he heard somebody knocking on the car window and turned to see the frantic Fang Chen.

He hurriedly turned and wiped off his tears, enquiring, “You aren’t going anymore? Or did you leave something behind?”

Fang Chen got in and told Tan Yao to send her to a particular club.

As he drove, Tan Yao asked hesitantly, “What do you want to go there for?”

Fang Chen replied, “Be quiet for a while.”

She closed her eyes, as if sorting out her thoughts.

Tan Yao did not say anything throughout the entire journey as he drove her to a villa that was halfway up a hill.

As Fang Chen opened the door and got off, he asked, “How about...I accompany you inside?”

Fang Chen said, “What would you do inside? No, you can go back first.”

Tan Yao said, “I…”

Fang Chen said, “If you were Xu Tingsheng, I’d be damn glad if you accompanied me…”

Tan Yao, “…”

After walking for a bit, Fang Chen looked back, getting Tan Yao to roll his car window down as she apologised, “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. What’s this all of a sudden?” Tan Yao smiled.

“Weren’t you crying earlier at the airport?”

“Huh? No.”

“You were crying.”

“I’m too useless, right?”

“Not that. Now I know that if I die, there’s a man who’d cry for me. It actually feels pretty good. Thank you, Tan Yao,” Fang Chen leaned over and kissed him on the lips.

Tan Yao dared not respond. From past experience, it was the face at most. Any more, like the tongue, and Fang Chen would puke.

‘

Yet, it was Fang Chen who actively extended her tongue over this time. He was nervous like a maiden having her first kiss as he carefully opened his mouth. Then, as the other party slid her tongue in, she no longer fled.

After the two had separated, they smiled at each other as Fang Chen commented, “Why did it feel like you were nervous? We’ve even done it already.”

Tan Yao said, “Scared of you puking all over me.”

Fang Chen arched her waist and laughed till tears were nearly flowing.

“Wait for me here. I’ll be out in a bit,” Fang Chen said.

“Alright,” Tan Yao replied.

“If anything happens to me…”

“Call my number, and I’ll rush in…” Tan Yao smiled warmly, “I can die here.”

Fang Chen was taken aback as she knew he wasn’t lying. While she was unhappy over the fact that Tan Yao could not do much for her, he was actually willing to give it his all for her sake.

“What’s this about dying?! Wait for me.”

“Okay.”

“If this incident comes to pass, if there’s still a chance then...I’ll properly be your woman.”

……

Fang Chen had received a call from Cao Qing at the airport. Just based on Cao Qing alone, even with his father thrown into the mix, it would still be completely insufficient to get Fang Chen to stay behind. At the end of the day, he had only been a messenger.

It was a group of people that had asked to meet Fang Chen. Some of them were from the Fang family’s former network of connections, while others were allies of the Ling and Xiao families, having been in the list of names that Xu Tingsheng had given to her.

“The uncles say they can think of something regarding your father’s matter. Will you come to meet them?” Cao Qing asked.

“Cao Qing, do you think I’m an idiot?” Fang Chen shot him down.

However bad Fang Chen’s current state, however muddle-headed she was, she could still judge if these people could be of help, were even willing to help.

“I’ll be honest then,” Cao Qing shed that final pretense, “Yes, it is indeed impossible for the uncles to help to get your Dad out. They can help with a lighter sentencing at most. Still, you know, everyone wants to stick a blade in, helping the Ling and Xiao families to nail Uncle dead. It’s actually as simple as this...everyone is in possession of something.”

“So, that’s basically it. If you come, you can have it...if you don’t, there are places they can send it too.”

“I’ll come.”

“As expected of Fang Chen…” Cao Qing laughed.

While chasing Fang Chen around everywhere in the past, he had most loved saying this, “As expected of Fang Chen…”

“Right, do you know what I said my wish was when I got drunk during graduation?” Cao Qing asked, “The heck, this old man’s wish is to definitely get Fang Chen on my bed in this lifetime.”

Chapter 579: She's my woman

Chapter 579: She’s my woman

Fang Chen felt like she was like a fish which had been eyed by a bunch of hungry cats for a long time. Unable to continue in the shallow waters, only now did she discover that there were so many of them.

They had first acted kind, like they would dispense charity. After being exposed, they had ripped off their masks and resorted to threats straightaway.

Fang Chen recognised most of the people here. Some were on the same tether as the Ling and Xiao families. As they were in the same circle, they had inevitably had some interactions. As for the others, she would basically see them visiting their family come every festival over the past decade and more.

They would come with gifts and smiling faces, acting gingerly as they dared not impose too much on their hosts.

She had even called some of them Uncle before.

One of them said, “Fang Chen...the first time I saw you, you were only thirteen or fourteen. You were sitting there, back straightened and playing the piano. I glanced over...haha, I dared not look for too long. Still, I thought: When this girl grows up, it’ll be so nice if I can **** her once.”

Someone who usually showed a dignified, upright image and had once been a bootlicker now shed all his pretenses. Under the influence of a little wine, triumphant as he was, his true nature as flagrantly expressed here left one feeling disgusted.

The people in the private room laughed uproariously.

They looked like a group of low-class soldiers surrounding a princess after the collapse of her country. Once lofty and unattainable, now that they could finally act on the target of their desires as they liked...it brought them a warped, evil satisfaction.

“What an imagination you had. At that time, Fang Chen was the princess of the Fang family! From what I heard, it seems that that old thing liked her the most,” Someone else chimed in.

“Yeah! We had to be so careful around her back then. I remember that even when that dog that she raised barked at me, I still had to smile! I watched you growing up, Fang Chen. I can’t even remember how many times I’ve driven to pick you up,” Yet another said.

It was very difficult to imagine that this man had once been Fang Chen’s father’s secretary for so many years. Even if his modest, courteous outward exterior had been feigned, it had been feigned to a degree where one could not help but admit his supreme skills…

How much did he possess that could be used against her father? Now, it could be used to blackmail her or pledge his allegiance to the Ling and Xiao families.

Fang Chen stood solitarily there, looking at these peoples’ frenzied, distorted expressions.

Some of these people had indeed been suppressed, even humiliated by the Fang family before. Others had sucked up to the Fang family on their own accord. Now, they were all using revenge and trampling on the Fang family to obtain pleasure in what might seem like a success, but was actually a depressing way of living.

“Sorry, I still have something on today,” Fang Chen suppressed her emotions, turning and gripping the handle of the door.

The people in the room also seemed to have no intention of forcing her to stay today.

“That’s alright,” One of them said, “We’re not in a rush. Moreover, this isn’t a good place! The day after tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, we’ll be organising a yacht trip to wherever. Maybe if we’re happy, we’ll go all the way to Qinghai, Tibet...you will come, right?”

“Go back and think about it. We’ll be waiting. Anyway, we’ll all go for a happy trip together, and no one will be any the wiser...do as you deem fit.”

Seeing Fang Chen emerge from the entrance so quickly, Tan Yao’s tense nerves finally relaxed.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Come on, let’s go home,” Fang Chen got into the car and said.

The car travelled along a public road on the hillside.

“Go that way,” Fang Chen pointed at a split in the road.

After driving for a while, Tan Yao stopped in front of a lush forest and said, “It’s a dead end.”

Fang Chen said, “Here then.“What?”

“**** me.”

Even though they had done it twice before, having been puked on by Fang Chen both times, Tan Yao still did not feel their relationship was at the stage where they could do it in a car here.

“What is it?” Tan Yao carefully paid attention to Fang Chen’s expression.

“Are you a man, Tan Yao?” Fang Chen asked as she looked at him.

“Yes.”

“Cut it with the talking then. **** me. Haven’t you been wanting to?”

Fang Chen lunged over, her tongue boiling as she set Tan Yao’s face and neck alight.

“No, Fang Chen, there isn’t that in the car.”

“What?”

“A condom.”

“No need.”

It wasn’t necessary? Following this, her head went lower and lower...this definitely wasn’t that Fang Chen who seemed like she was experiencing torture when lying in front of a man.

Tan Yao knew that something was wrong for sure.

“Fang Chen,” Tan Yao called.

Fang Yao abruptly looked up at him, her eyes furious like a lioness’s. The next moment, her fury crumbled and was replaced by tears…

“I beg you, don’t say anything.”

Tan Yao relished something he had never even thought of before and was puked all over again.

Fang Chen said, “Let’s go home.”

“Oh, okay.”

Tan Yao drove back with great difficulty in an extremely chaotic state. He wiped off the contents of Fang Chen’s stomach that stained the car before going up for a bath...Fang Chen opened the door of the bathroom.

“**** me.”

That night, along with the entirety of the next day, Tan Yao never got off the bed. Fang Chen seemed crazed as she did everything she could think of...having puked till there was nothing left to puke, she fell into a deep sleep.

Tan Yao got up early the next morning before day broke. He found her phone.

……

When Fang Chen got up the next morning, Tan Yao had already left. He had left a note, saying that something had cropped up at the bar that required his attention.

Fang Chen thought that this was good too. She packed up her things and went out, going downstairs and hailing a taxi.

Cao Qing called and asked if she had departed.

She said, “I’ve hailed a taxi.”

Cao Qing said, “That’s good then. We’re all waiting for you. Fang Chen, actually, towards you, these few years, I…”

Fang Chen said, “There’s no need to put on an act like this anymore.”

The group of six cars formed two rows along an empty spot of land by the national highway. Some were inside their cars. Some stood outside, smoking. None of them had brought their drivers...some had brought their mistresses.

Cao Qing had been praised for his idea of going out on a yacht. These were all people who had had many women before, and this method was evidently much more interesting than doing it in a motel, being safer too...

A small truck which was covered by a tarpaulin slowly drove over before squeezing in between the two rows of cars.

The lot of them evaded it, then surrounded it. Feeling that cursing at it should be beneath their dignity, they stopped.

Cao Qing who had the least need to care about his image amongst them went over and kicked it, asking, “Are you freaking sick in the head?”

The door opened and Tan Yao hopped out.

“The heck, you…” Cao Qing said.

“Hello, senior. I’m Tan Yao. I wonder if senior still remembers me?” Tan Yao smiled.

Cao Qing suddenly laughed, “I remember you.”

Then, he turned to the others and said, “A junior from school. Right, and a ‘prince’ there too. Oh, and it seems you like Fang Chen too, right?”

“Right. A lot,” Tan Yao was still smiling warmly.

Amidst the knowing laughter, Tan Yao lit a cigarette and puffed on it slowly.

“So, the reason you’re here today?” Cao Qing had a mocking look on his face as he felt that Tan Yao would not be capable of anything.

“She’s my woman now. I’m saying, Fang Chen is my woman.”

“Hah…”

“Really.”

Tan Yao looked especially sincerely at Cao Qing before surveying the rest, “It’s true?! Don’t you believe me?”

Even his eyes were smiling.

Tan Yao turned and waved towards the incoming vehicles from the city district although he could not be sure that Fang Chen was in one of them. Everyone’s gazes fell on the direction he was waving towards in puzzlement.

“**** your mothers,” Tan Yao said.

Then, he lightly flicked the cigarette butt into a slit in the tarpaulin covering the small truck.

“What did you say, kid?”

Cao Qing said, “Your mother, you’re looking to die.”

Tan Yao smiled, “I said, **** your mothers...you dare to have intentions on even my woman.”

In the taxi that Fang Chen was on.

The driver asked, “It’s there, right? There’s a bunch of cars parked there.”

Fang Chen looked up...she saw Tan Yao there, smiling, waving at her.

She immediately whipped out her phone…

Bang…

The driver slammed his foot on the brakes, cursing and spewing vulgarities.

Bang...bang…

Amidst the sounds of explosions, flames lit the sky as cars flipped in mid-air and landed again.

Seeing the flames, Fang Chen began to tremble in her entirety.

Her handphone vibrated, a notification appearing.

It was a timed reminder that read: Tan Yao likes Fang Chen. Sorry, I’m still very useless.

Chapter 580: The bedsheets flew that day

Chapter 580: The bedsheets flew that day

Tan Yao’s handphone that he had placed behind the cushion on the living room sofa rang incessantly.

Ye Qing did not have the habit of sleeping in late. She had two habits when waking up every morning. One was an uncompromisable cup of water, and the other was to check her phone as soon as possible. She was used to being busy and always stayed on alert in case any situation cropped up at work that required her immediate attention.

She opened the curtains, standing in front of the window with a cup of water and her phone in hand.

Seeing that Tan Yao had texted her, the corners of Ye Qing’s mouth curled into a brilliant arc. The two had effectively lapsed into a cold war before as some of Tan Yao’s words had really been very hurtful…

Still, since he was taking the initiative to contact her, whether he was apologising or not, Ye Qing had still decided to forgive him. This was how it usually was between them.

She opened that first message: Sis Qing, I’ve still decided to call you this way at the end, maybe because you are the person most tolerant of me who care most about me in this world. I want to apologise for what happened a few days ago. I want to say that if I could relive it all, or if there really is a next life, I would choose...to meet you first.

The second message: Actually, I’ve had a thought recently. I was thinking that after getting to the end of this matter with Fang Chen, I would break up completely with her. I would properly cherish you and work hard towards one day having the ability to let you choose me unreservedly over your family’s businesses. Sadly, I no longer have that chance.

Crash.

Her cup of water fell to the ground.

She called him over and over, but no one answered.

Ye Qing switched to sending texts.

Tan Yao, don’t do anything stupid. I’ll help, I’ll help Fang Chen. Say something, won’t you? What’s with you, Tan Yao? Tell me what’s happened!

I choose you. No need to wait for next time. Right now, come back here. I won’t hesitate anymore, I won’t want whatever family businesses. I want you, Tan Yao. Answer my call, okay?!

I know you’ve always really envied Fu Cheng and Ms Fang. I know you’ve always especially longed for a complete family. Come back, and I’ll give birth to a child for you, okay? The three of us, a whole and happy family.

“...”

Finally, a completely distressed Ye Qing called Fang Chen’s phone instead.

The call connected after a few tries. It was cacophonous on the other end. Police sirens, noise from rowdy crowds, the crackling of a roaring fire and the sound of metal plates bending under high temperatures could be heard…

“Where’s Tan Yao?”

“He’s...dead.” The voice was as soulless as a wandering, untethered soul.

……

The texts that Huang Yaming received were different.

Tan Yao said: Old Huang, you always say that in this lifetime, you’ve left the peace to Fu Cheng and the glory to Xu Tingsheng. Our lives are to help Xu Tingsheng with this darker underside of society, freeing him of potential weaknesses and preventing him from being stained with karma as much as possible.

You said that as us bros roam the world together, repaying gratitude and enacting vengeance, you should be the big bro, and I the second bro...I thought about it. What do you mean second bro? No way, you should be the second bro! So, sorry, but this bro is finding fault and quitting. It may be tough, but I believe in you.

Right, I won’t be returning my shares in Bright Brilliance to you guys. You’re not in need of this much anyway. When funds are more readily available later on, help me to set up a scholarship fund for orphans, okay. Just call it ‘Qingchen’. Our annual bonuses should be able to help quite a few orphans go to school.

I was raised on donations from society at the end of the day, even went to university. While I am a bit of a bastard, I have always hoped that I can pay this back in some way someday. And with that, I think I should not have any more unfulfilled wishes.

After reading the first message, Huang Yaming casually sent a reply: Heck, Tan Yao, don’t tell me you're off to be the prince consort of the Ye family? So, ain’t gonna play with me anymore?!

After reading the second message, he stared blankly into space as he felt cold all of a sudden.

Of all those around Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Tan Yao were actually the closest and most compatible. They had also hung out the most. They had hit on girls, messed around, started a business together. When making out with girls before, they had even been in neighbouring rooms. They were a two-man Casanova team, the Ming (Bright) from Bright Brilliance and the Yao (Brilliance) from Bright Brilliance…

Tan Yao had deserted from their playboy ways as he had been ‘converted’ by Ye Qing. Once in a while, Huang Yaming felt like something was lacking as he felt a bit lonely. Of course, that did not mean he could drag his friend into the hole with him as he could only give him his blessings.

In the end, not only had this dude gotten addicted to being a deserter, he was even going to bail out of their career together?

Unable to get through to Tan Yao on his phone, Huang Yaming sent via Weixin: Tan Yao, try to run, why don’t you! Heck, someone like you who only ranks second actually dares to have your own bright ideas?! Heck, if there’s anything, just tell your big bro about it...I’ll bear that weight for you!

When the news came, he sat at a corner of the coal mines, bawling uncontrollably.

“I told you long ago to stay away from Fang Chen...you fool, you wouldn’t listen...you didn’t even listen to your big bro...look, now you’ve even lost your life to this.”

……

Later, when university reopened after the summer holidays and their fourth year commenced.

The remaining five people of Room 602 were all gathered...wrong, those of Room 602 would never all be gathered again.

Ye Qing took some of Tan Yao’s belongings from the dormitory. As for the remainder, the five of them helped to tidy them up neatly, even neatly folding and placing the blanket on the bed...there they would remain thereafter, at least till the end of their fourth year.

Little Bro, Zhang Ninglang, carefully tidied up Tan Yao’s still brand new textbooks while sobbing. With tears in his eyes, he earnestly begrudged Xu Tingsheng for the first time.

“There were several times when I asked for us to take a picture together. You and Tan Yao both said that men need not be so cheesy, that it could wait till graduation. What now? There’ll just be the five of us when we graduate. How can we still take it? I’m not doing it anymore...do it yourselves, you jerks.”

“You’re seldom in school, usually. Tan Yao always said: Lil’ Bro, tell bro if you’re bullied. Bro will look after you. I never even got who exactly bro is.”

“Can’t you just study properly? Why must you get involved in all these things…

The remaining four, Xu Tingsheng included, cried as they listened, no one daring to rebut. That night, those of Room 602 who remained sat there all the way till day broke…

The next day, a bedsheet was hung from the top of C district’s Block 13.

“Tan Yao, **** me again.”

The entire Yanzhou University was thrown into upheaval.

As the five from Room 602 went to class together and saw it, Li Xingming said, “Right, because we were living in the same dormitory all this time, I totally forgot. Tan Yao’s the prince of our Yanzhou University!”

Lu Xu said, “Yeah. My wife’s friends were always asking me to get Tan Yao out for a meal with them.”

Old Wai said, “You surely wouldn’t have thought, but those very docile friends of Linlin’s...got me to secretly take some photos of Tan Yao in the bath.”

It was already long since impossible to keep count of how many people Tan Yao had been involved with before he had reformed. Even he himself could not keep track of the specific number.

Yet, one thing was definite. This Casanova had established a fresh brand image for himself as he unceasingly traversed the field of flowers - if you get together with Tan Yao, you’ll definitely be dumped.

Therefore, the chicks who threw themselves at him were actually largely mentally prepared. Even if they gave themselves to him, it was when they felt it was worth it. In Tan Yao’s own words: I’m actually the one being slept.

Therefore, the incredible thing about Tan Yao was that while he clearly had uncountable exes, he never incurred their animosity. They seemed only to remember him only for how handsome, gentle, romantic, valiant, capable he was…

He had been voted most ideal lover in an anonymous poll in Xishan Tower’s forum. After all, his support base was incomparably strong, Rebirth was mysterious and Xu Tingsheng too detached from the masses.

The university requested after breakfast for people to remove that bedsheet, which ‘stained the university’s culture’.

Then, after school that afternoon, everyone left the various teaching buildings and returned to the living areas to find...entire buildings, the entire sky full of floating bedsheets. Also, it was not just limited to Yanzhou University too. This phenomenon similarly occurred in other universities of this academy city, Jianhai Technological University which was nicknamed a ‘temple’ included...after all, this entire academy city had once been Tan Yao’s hunting ground.

“Senior Tan Yao, I was still saying that I’d definitely get you done in your fourth year here.”

“I still thought that at least for a year longer, I’d be able to meet you on the roadside. With how thick-skinned you are, you’d surely cheerfully come over to say hi anyway.”

“Oh how I regret being so reserved.”

“Slept me once and ran...Tan Yao, you asshole.”

“I still have the present you gave me, even though I know you bought the same bracelet in a whole shipment from Yiwu, and maybe over a hundred girls in this academy city have one.”

“I never told you before, but you were actually my first love. Even though it was only for a few short days...you said you didn’t touch virgins, that’s why I lied to you.”

“It was just a period of fun for you, but it was years of longing for me.”

“A single blissful night solidified our union. Go well, Husband.”

“Milord.”

“...”

The bedsheets flew that day.

Tan Yao ended his journey in his youth, imprinted in the youthful memories of countless sisters and aunties for decades to come.

Chapter 581: The silent sea and wild waves behind (1)

Chapter 581: The silent sea and wild waves behind (1)

When one has passed away, it is akin to them slipping out of existence. No longer will you be able to see them, hear them again. Meanwhile, you too will be out of their sights.

Having slipped out of existence, Tan Yao would no longer see the tears, witness the laughter. He could not know about the silent sea as well as the wild waves back where he had passed.

……

That evening, Old Jin carried a bottle of wine and went to look for Huang Yaming at the mines. He poured half its contents onto the ground in a single go.

Then, he took a swig from it before passing it to Huang Yaming, saying, “In his lifetime, he got to know the best bros, enjoyed the most unattainable women, died at the best age. It actually isn’t that bad.”

Huang Yaming set it aside, saying, “I know. Still, I never forgive any slights. Now that my bro is gone, I’ve definitely got to do something. Otherwise, I’ll simply never be at peace with myself.”

Old Jin knew that he could not stop him this time. If he did so, or if he refused to help, Huang Yaming might do something rash, and he might very well be the next Tan Yao then.

While under some pressure regarding the overall situation, Old Jin lent Huang Yaming three people. One was a woman with a tattoo of a snake on her back, another an old lawyer whose license had been revoked for blatantly breaking the law and the last an assassin who could not see the light of day.

As for who Huang Yaming would choose and what he would do, it was none of his concern as he did not give any suggestions at all too.

It was later recorded that there were fifteen casualties in that explosion outside Xihu City. Two had survived the blast. One was the former secretary of Fang Chen’s father, the other being Cao Qing. Having been blasted by the impact that day, the two had unexpectedly survived despite being heavily injured.

The secretary named Song hovered at the brink of death for three days and was finally saved after much effort.

He awoke and rejoiced that he was still alive. The first piece of news that awaited him was that his three mistresses who had good relationships with him that went many years back had jointly reported him. The second piece of news was that his only son, studying abroad in America, had been found in possession of drugs and jailed.

It was the same person who had orchestrated these two incidents. It was that old lawyer who looked almost sixty but was actually fifty, lacking a front tooth. This had only taken three days.

Afterwards, Huang Yaming paid him the money and rent to upkeep two girls studying dance in university for a year along with two hundred thousand yuan of pocket money.

According to the nurses, Secretary Song had spit out a mouthful of blood on the spot and then returned to death’s door...from which he had never come back again.

The other fortunate survivor of that blast, Cao Qing, stayed in the hospital for over a month till fully recovered. During this time, Cao Qing’s parents and he himself all lost their official positions. Still, he fortunately managed to preserve his life and avoid going to jail.

In his destitute state, all his friends who had associated with him for the sake of money and power, his girlfriend included, left him. There was just one classmate from senior high who reached out to him.

Cao Qing thought back on how he had actually never thought much of this classmate who possessed an ordinary background in the past, having been cold and indifferent towards him too. Who would have thought that in his time of dire need, he would actually extend a helping hand.

When they were drinking together once, the drunk Cao Qing very emotionally teared, declaring, “Only in troubled times does one know who their bros truly are. Thank you. Look, I, Cao Qing, will definitely make a comeback one day. At that time, I definitely won’t forget you.”

Cao Qing still harboured hope at this time, just that he could not find a direction for the time being. In his depression, he hung out and played with this classmate from senior high. While feeling a bit numb, he thought less about the tragic events that had befallen him, and was still able to pass the days by.

The senior high classmate loved gambling and was pretty lucky in that aspect too. For a period of time, the expenditure of the two virtually all came from here. After accompanying him to gamble for a few times, the bored, idle Cao Qing finally ended up placing bets one day…

He won twenty thousand that day. For the first time after his fall from grace, he invited his ex-classmate buoyantly to a meal.

He still won the next day. The third day, he lost a little, but not a lot. The fourth day, he won everything back. The fifth day, he lost a bit too much...in a week, Cao Qing lost all that he had saved up and the final sum of money that his parents had secretly left for him.

“Let’s get dead drunk while we can,” Cao Qing’s senior high classmate withdrew the final bit of money from his account and invited Cao Qing to drown his sorrows in wine.

Cao Qing got drunk that night. He even hooked up with a woman. The tail of a snake could be seen on the woman’s half-naked back as it was incomparably attractive. Snakes were lascivious by nature. Cao Qing was turned on by it as he forcibly dragged that woman who was putting up some resistance to the back alley of the bar.

When he took off his pants, the woman went from pushing him to yelling loudly and putting up violent resistance.

Still, Cao Qing was already all ready to do it…

When people arrived at the scene, the trembling woman still had a sharp rock raised in her hand as she cowered in a corner. There was blood on the rock...there was blood in Cao Qing’s pants too. His important thing had been half cut off by the rock.

His senior high classmate rushed over and said he would call the police, but Cao Qing grit his teeth and said, “Don’t, don’t call the police. Send me to the hospital…”

Cao Qing’s appendage could not be reattached in the end. Still, his ex-classmate went around everywhere to borrow money and ultimately managed to preserve his life.

Without a dime to his name, having become disabled, Cao Qing was still determined to continue living.

When he was discharged, he was about to thank his classmate, saying: Just wait. When I, Cao Qing, make a comeback one day…

His senior high classmate, having already ‘loyally done everything that could be expected of him’, told him exceptionally helplessly and sincerely, “Forget it! It’s not that bro isn’t willing to continue helping you. The main thing is this: I’ve found you’re really too damned unlucky! This bro really doesn’t dare to hang out with you anymore!”

This ‘sincerity’ actually had a greater impact on Cao Qing than when all his fake friends had abandoned him in the past. Cao Qing began wondering: Just how unlucky am I, exactly?!

It turned out he was really very unlucky. Afterwards, he found three jobs in a row, and even though he had already lowered his requirements to the point where pure physical labour was fine too, Cao Qing was actually still fired three consecutive times just when his probation period was nearly over.

The third time Cao Qing was fired, as he was walking on the streets, a car drove past. He saw Huang Yaming inside, smiling as he looked at him.

That same day, Cao Qing who felt utter despair from his worst luck leapt off a bridge to his death.

As he was overcome by the water, scenes from this final segment of his life unceasingly assailed him. Full recovery...ex-classmate...gambling...bar...woman...eunuch...surviving...jobs…

It suddenly all clicked for Cao Qing. The reason he had managed to live till now was only that someone wanted to send him a round of torture and despair unto death.

Huang Yaming read about Cao Qing’s suicide in his office at Bright Brilliance. He lit three cigarettes and stuck them in, offering respects to that person who had once established Bright Brilliance together with him, shared this office with him.

“Those who were there that day have all been sent on their way. Even you didn’t make it. How could others?!”

Of the three people Old Jin had given Huang Yaming, there was still one who had never been used, that assassin. He should originally have been the swiftest, most convenient choice.

Chapter 582: The silent sea and wild waves behind (2)

Chapter 582: The silent sea and wild waves behind (2)

Tan Yao’s funeral was only conducted after Xu Tingsheng left the detention centre. Before that, he was left totally in the dark.

That day, his family dispatched a thirteen-seater vehicle to pick him and Fang Yuqing up. Most of those who should be there had come.

When Xu Tingsheng got back his handphone, it was already out of battery. He started charging it in the car. Seeing the charging icon on his handphone screen flash, everyone was fully silent.

Soon, he successfully turned on his phone.

Seeing Tan Yao’s name in the notifications, Xu Tingsheng smiled and asked, “Right, where is Tan Yao? And Fang Chen’s not here too. It can’t be that he’s still accompanying her in doing whatever, right?”

No one spoke.

Xu Tingsheng opened the message.

“Bro Xu, Tingsheng, you’re the one I most daren’t say this to. This bro is leaving. Let’s be bros again in our next lives.”

As he held his phone, Xu Tingsheng turned to look at everyone. Amidst their utter silence, his expression that found it absurd slowly turned to astonishment, then helplessness, then agony.

His body trembled slightly, tears flowing down his face. His burning questions were choked in his throat.

“Don’t be unhappy, Bro Xu. Don’t be depressed. Thinking back on it now, the one most fortunate thing in this lifetime was still on that first day of university, when you walked into Room 602. That was when I met someone. He is Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng.”

“Sadly, I won’t have the chance to see you summon the winds and control the elements again. I won’t have the chance to be your best man, dancing that very stiff and very messy flower dance for your little girlfriend together again at your wedding. I won’t be able to help you rule over an area. I won’t be able to reach a ripe old age, telling my children and grandchildren tales of the good old days when I accompanied Xu Tingsheng in his grand exploits…”

“I still remember that you were the first person to know that I was an orphan. In this lifetime, I came alone, and I’ve been alone for many years. In the end, I’m still leaving first, alone. Still, I came to know some people who truly see me as their bros, with two women who’re so hot also unable to forget me for the rest of their lives. It’s actually worthwhile. Right? Big bro.”

“Two final requests. First, don’t do anything rash to destabilise yourself because of what happened to me. Think long-term. With your capabilities, there is no enmity you cannot pay back in a few years. Second, if I have a grave. Every five, ten years, could you take some time off to see me, narrating your later exploits? I’ll want to know just how legendary Xu Tingsheng became in the future. I will also want to hear you talk about how many kids you’ve sired, how many wives you’ve married (don’t let little sister-in-law see this part!).”

…...

“Who can tell me exactly what the hell happened? How can he suddenly be gone just like that?!”

“Huang Yaming, your mother, how do you look after your bros?”

In front of his entire entourage, Xu Tingsheng howled, broke down and wept.

Huang Yaming beat down on his head and cried painfully too.

……

There was no complicated funeral ceremony as the situation was still not yet over at the time. The dozen or so of them sent Tan Yao into the ground together.

He remained in Yanzhou.

Someday, Xu Tingsheng would leave, Huang Yaming would leave. Everyone might leave for greener pastures, but Tan Yao would forever remain here. He would forever remain in the place where a group of youths in their twenties who did not know the limits of this vast world began their journey, remain in the precious memories of their youth that could never be wiped out.

Many years later, those sweeping the public graves of Yanzhou would see an inconspicuous grave marker. The youth in the picture was incomparably handsome, a bright smile on his face. Most would sigh at how unfortunate it was. Then, they would recognise the person who had come to offer his respects before that grave and be all wide-eyed, finding it inconceivable.

And so, they would go and ask around about it, learning of an old tale, about someone named Tan Yao and his story.

Some said, “It is too foolish and an utter waste. If he had been able to clench his teeth and bear it at the time, letting that woman whom no one still knows go off with that group, he’d definitely be one of the legendary magnates beside Xu Tingsheng today. Have you noticed? Wherever Huang Yaming opens his top grade bars, they’re still called Bright Brilliance to this day. This Yao(Brilliance) is the Yao of that Tan Yao.”

Someone said, “Whether it’s silly and whether it was a waste depends on the individual. For some, let them choose again, and they would still be smiling as they make the same choice.”

A kid who was still studying heard the story and searched on the internet before exclaiming astonishedly, “Are you talking about this Tan Yao?”

After receiving confirmation, he said, “He’s the founder of the Qingchen fund!”

“The Qingchen fund?”

“Yeah, the biggest scholarship fund for orphans in the country. Every year, it helps so many orphans complete their education. There’s one such case amongst my classmates.”

“He’s a good person! Still, I find it even more of a pity now.”

“Yeah. Still, do you guys know who the one currently managing the Qingchen fund is?”

“Who is it?”

“It’s Ye Qing!”

“Ye Qing? That Ye Qing from our Yanzhou?”

“Right, that’s her. It seems like there’s a story between them! Ye Qing has never married anyone, right? Though according to the internet, it’s said she adopted an orphan in 2008.”

“Right...Qingchen, if Qing is referring to Ye Qing, who does Chen refer to?””

“Chen? Never heard of that! There’s no such person on the namelist of those managing the fund.”

Just like what people could find online afterwards, other than the character ‘Chen’ of Qingchen that had been personally coined by Tan Yao, Fang Chen was completely wiped out of existence.

On the day of Tan Yao’s funeral, Ye Qing openly followed it from start to end in plain clothes, not avoiding potential suspicion at all. It was just that she said nothing throughout, not crying as well as she virtually seemed numbed and soulless.

In Tan Yao’s final text to Ye Qing, he had said: If I could relive it all, or if there really is a next life, I would choose to meet you first.

Also: Actually, I’ve had a thought recently. I was thinking that after getting to the end of this matter with Fang Chen, I would break up completely with her. I would properly cherish you and work hard towards one day having the ability to let you choose me unreservedly over your family’s businesses.

That was what he had been thinking before going off to die. Tan Yao had no need to fool anybody. Thus, he must really have been thinking of this. The person he chose was Ye Qing.

Still, whatever the choice he had made, he could still not let Fang Chen go on that cruise, even if it cost him his life.

Perhaps only Ye Qing understood Tan Yao. She knew that Tan Yao had actually always known that actually, it was not the case that the sole man whom Fang Chen who liked women truly liked was Tan Yao. Yet, he had still died for her…

“If I could have chosen to give up on my family businesses a little earlier, choosing to get married with you and have your kids just like Ms Fang and Fu Cheng...would you still have the heart to leave me like that?” Ye Qing would think this sometimes, resenting herself at the end of it.

The ladies of Yanzhou University had later written on the bedsheets hanging up high: ‘It was just a period of fun for you, but it was years of longing for me’. ‘A single blissful night solidified our union. Go well, Husband’.

It was like this even for them, much less Ye Qing who had doted on, loved and let Tan Yao have his way for so long! How many years would she have to long for him for?!

That day, Ye Qing’s silence persisted all the way till sunset when Fang Chen appeared.

Carrying flowers, Ye Qing approached from far away.

Ye Qing stood up and went forward to intercept her, “Stop it right there. Otherwise, I won’t be able to convince myself to let you go. Leave. You have no right to send him off. I’m also not willing for him to see you again...from now on, you will have nothing to do with Tan Yao.”

No one persuaded Ye Qing otherwise in the least.

Everyone already knew the contents of the timed reminder on Fang Chen’s phone by now. Fang Chen had also cried and repented on the hurtful words she had said to Tan Yao in his final days.

Therefore, as Ye Qing saw it, at least, it was Fang Chen who had forced Tan Yao to make such a choice.

Eventually, Fang Chen set the flowers by the roadside and left solitarily that day.

Many years later, Xu Tingsheng and co had virtually all broken off connections with her, besides Fang Yuqing who was her brother. Once in a while, Fang Yuqing would say, “Don’t blame her anymore. In this lifetime, she’s only had a single man.”

That night, Ye Qing made a trip to Room 602 and quietly packed up some of his belongings, including his shaver, his lighter, his photo album, the pyjamas, underwear, socks she had bought for him...she said, “I want to keep some things of his.”

In the latter half of 2008, Ye Qing adopted a child. It was said that the child was an orphan just like Tan Yao. Also, the child took on the surname Tan.

As for Ye Qing and Fang Chen, they only met one time afterwards, and then never again in this lifetime.

……

Tan Yao turned, and left.

The wild waves surged turbulently for a time. Yet, the silent sea was long decades of tranquility.

Chapter 583: Chaos in Yanzhou

Chapter 583: Chaos in Yanzhou

In Ling Xiao’s plan, she was standing outside the ring while paving the way for things to slowly develop. She was waiting for the wild animals and villains from all around to sniff a chance and act against the remainder of the Fang family, even Xu Tingsheng.

Just as she wanted, someone took the first step as the Fang family was indeed targeted. Those who wished to render Xu Tingsheng dead were raring to go too.

Then, the sudden explosion outside Xihu City disrupted the entire situation.

The list of names of those who had died in the explosion included more than eight well-known officials from Yanzhou and Xihu City. While they might not be in very great positions of power, the shock and upheaval this brought about was inevitably great.

If Tan Yao had not died, had fled or been arrested, the situation would very likely have been distorted to target the Fang family and Xu Tingsheng. If things reached that point, it was not something that Tan Yao taking sole responsibility might be able to resolve.

Still, by dying together with them, he had established this to be the rash action by a youth for love. His lover having been threatened...the blood rushed to the youth’s head as he furiously resorted to violent, extreme means.

Thus, the turbulent currents which had originally had a clear direction began sweeping through everything indiscriminately.

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng was still in the detention centre, completely cut off from the outside world.

Some thought of this as the desperate struggle of a cornered Xu Tingsheng. Some sniffed a chance. Some began to feel restless and uneasy…

Some began to pull out their blades in their hidey holes. Some were in a rush to make their moves. Some were put in a situation wherein they had no choice but to assert themselves.

Yanzhou fell into chaos.

Rumours spread that Zhicheng’s Ning Garden would be taken back by the government and auctioned off again.

Rumours spread crazily that Xu Tingsheng and Fang Yuqing would soon be officially charged.

The squad from Yanzhou City returned to the capital, but with one person missing. For some unknown reason, Chen Jianxing had stayed behind. Speculations were rife for a time.

Tongtong emerged from Bright Brilliance in the early hours of the morning. She rubbed her shoulders and stretched, greedily sucking in a deep breath of the night sky’s cool, clear air.

The current operations of Bright Brilliance had virtually fully fallen on her shoulders. That it was tiring was still secondary. Scariest was how Bright Brilliance’s morale had suddenly taken a plunge, with its prospects uncertain. That was pretty taxing, both physically and mentally.

As she lived not far from Bright Brilliance, Tongtong walked home. This home was like a harbour to her, giving her sweetness, happiness and hope. Every time she bought something and placed it in her home, looking at it...she would be filled with a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.

She was always thinking that Xu Tingsheng might pop in for a visit one day, and he would like this place.

Still, currently, Xu Tingsheng was in jail, Tan Yao was dead and Huang Yaming off somewhere unknown...in Bright Brilliance which had been calm and powerful, that former sense of security had suddenly disappeared.

She did actually feel panicked and pained. Tongtong had worried over Xu Tingsheng and cried for Tan Yao. She very much wanted to call Huang Yaming and tell him to hurry back, that Bright Brilliance wasn’t able to hold on for much longer. Yet, she was worried that that might negatively affect him.

She took out her key and opened the door, took off her shoes and placed them on the shoe rack, put on her slippers, looked up…

There were three people sitting on her living room sofa, looking at her.

At the time like this, asking them how they had entered already had no meaning. Tongtong recognised Ding Miao at first glance. He was well-known in Yanzhou and had attended the opening of Bright Brilliance, having come again afterwards too.

As a manager of a bar in Yanzhou, Ding Miao was one of those who had to be recognised immediately lest they risk offending him.

“Boss Ding? You…” Tongtong was just about to inquire as to what was going on when she suddenly found another person there very familiar.

He was...that hotel scam, and the accident afterwards...Tongtong remembered Dongzi now.

Tongtong’s first reaction was to turn and run.

Dongzi dashed over, swiftly closing the door and physically blocking it as he obstructed Tongtong’s path.

“You, what do you want?” Knowing that the other party was very likely here for revenge, Tongtong tried hard to maintain her composure.

“Still remember me, bitch? You freaking scammed me,” Dongzi ground his teeth, saying resentfully.

“You can ignore him, Miss Tongtong,” Ding Miao who was still sitting on the sofa interrupted and smiled, saying, “Relax, with me here, your safety is definitely assured...come over for a chat?”

Knowing that she would definitely not be able to escape, Tongtong could only walk over to Ding Miao as per his request.

“Sit,” Ding Miao smiled and gestured graciously as if he was the owner of this place.

Tongtong nodded and sat down, “Boss Ding, this…”

Ding Miao smiled in a very genteel fashion, “In coming uninvited, I’d like to request our collaboration in a matter, Miss Tongtong.”

“Collaborate? Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“You’re surely joking, Boss Ding. I’m only an employee, what can I do…” Tongtong tried to maintain her composure as much as possible, “If it’s collaboration with regard to the bar, how about you wait for Boss Huang’s return? I’ll help you mention it to him…”

“On the off chance that he does not return…have you ever thought about that?” Ding Miao stared at Tongtong, seeing her open her mouth yet not saying nothing, gradually growing panicked and helpless.

“Not only will Huang Yaming not be back, Xu Tingsheng too will basically be unable to come out. Tan Yao is already dead and the Black Horse Club and Zhicheng will soon collapse…” Ding Miao unceasingly exerted pressure on Tongtong before finally asking loudly, “Have you ever thought about what you’ll do then? Work somewhere else, or go back to the clubs? Have you offended anyone during your time with Xu Tingsheng? Will you be able to live peacefully in the future?”

“I…” Tongtong broke down just like Ding Miao wished for as her entire self seemed to deflate in an instant.

Ding Miao smiled satisfiedly, switching to consoling warmly, “Actually, you don’t have to be so scared. As a woman in the industry, you need to find a harbour. In the past, Wu Kun was your harbour. Afterwards, it was changed to Xu Tingsheng...now that Xu Tingsheng has been taken down, it’s actually nothing more than switching to another harbour for you.”

Tongtong looked up, “What do you mean, Boss Ding?”

“Taking over Bright Brilliance or establishing another Bright Brilliance in the future is actually no problem at all for me. I can hand the bar over to you to manage and give you shares...along with two additional million,” Ding Miao extended two fingers.

Astonishment could be seen in Tongtong’s eyes, but she maintained her silence.

“Are you Xu Tingsheng’s woman?” Ding Miao pressed.

Tongtong shook her head.

“Even if he fortunately manages to survive, do you think he will want you?”

Tongtong hesitated for a moment and shook her head again.

Ding Miao spread his hands apart, “So, why don’t you think for your own sake.”

Tongtong looked up, “What do you want me to do, Boss Ding?”

Ding Miao laughed, indicating with his gaze, “The two of them are both here. I don’t think it’s hard for you to guess...my younger brother died as a result of Xu Tingsheng’s plotting, right?”

He was actually probing here to see how much Tongtong knew about this matter, see if she knew that actually, he had participated in it too.

Tongtong first looked puzzled, then panicked...her reaction left Ding Miao very satisfied,

“Relax, you won’t be held accountable for this. I know you only provided a message,” Ding Miao comforted, then said as he gazed into Tongtong’s eyes, “Help me to be stand witness, make Xu Tingsheng pay for my brother’s death. Do just that, and what I promised earlier will all be yours.”

Tongtong shook her head, “No, he’s helped me before…”

Ding Miao chortled, “Wrong, it’s you who saved his life, while what he’s returned to you is far from enough. You like him? Let me tell you, at the end of the day, you’re just a woman from a bar and someone he must keep controlled. Does he treat you very well? Don’t be silly. It’s very easy to say a few nice words, and very economical too...does he like you? Has he ever looked at you properly before? Touched you? ...He looks down on you for being dirty, get it?”

What Ding Miao was saying was the greatest sore point in Tongtong’s heart. She always had an inferiority complex in front of Xu Tingsheng precisely because of this. Silence, inner struggle, unconsciously revealing a sad expression-Tongtong’s reaction was really wholly authentic.

Therefore, Ding Miao felt like he already had a high chance of succeeding with this…

“How about this. I’ll give you some time to consider. Give Bright Brilliance a call and take two days of leave. You can also answer the calls that normally come in,” Ding Miao got up, “Still, in order to prevent you from doing anything stupid...the two of them will be here, accompanying you. After you’ve finished considering this matter, tell them. They’ll inform me, and I’ll come over.”

Leaving an opportunity and actually a threat too, Ding Miao took his leave.

He was not afraid of waiting a day or two. He was very confident of success...first was because from his earlier research, the relationship between Tongtong and Xu Tingsheng was not that deep. At least, she had not gotten the bar’s shares and was not Xu Tingsheng’s woman too. Second was Tongtong’s reaction. Third was because he felt women were merciless. Moreover, the life of this woman was in his hands too...how would she choose?

After Ding Miao’s departure, only Tongtong, Dongzi and Old Dog remained in the house.

“It’s this woman who stole your phone?” Old Dog asked.

Dongzi ground his teeth and glared at Tongtong, his eyes virtually spewing flames as he nodded, “It’s her.”

“Tongtong, innit? Do you know how sorrowful a state you put us in…” Old Dog said to Tongtong before turning to Dongzi and asking, “Before she stole your stuff and took off, which step didya reach?”

Dongzi’s face turned red at once, “She took off her jacket...I hugged her a bit.”

Old Dog forced a smile and clapped the back of Dongzi’s head, “Doesn’t that mean you didn’t get a single taste? Hey...say, wouldn’t it be great if she doesn’t agree to Boss Ding’s scheme? Before we kill her, you can have all the fun you want.”

Dongzi directed a fiery gaze at Tongtong before looking away again.

Tongtong got up and asked, “I’m hungry. I’m going to cook. Do you want any?”

Dongzi was rather dazed, “Me?”

“Yes. You want to eat?”

“...”

Tongtong cooked noodles, ate and went to catch up on sleep. Old Dog slept in the guest room while Dongzi slept in the living room to prevent Tongtong from running away. Tongtong handed her phone in before returning to her room and lying down on her bed.

Actually, Ding Miao was not wrong. Tongtong was already very clear on the fact that she would never be able to possess Xu Tingsheng, not even as a lover... in terms of benefits too, what Xu Tingsheng had given to her for saving his life was also far from enough...it was also undeniable that part of the reason for Xu Tingsheng keeping her by his side was to keep her controlled.

Along with the fact that Xu Tingsheng was currently in a crisis...Ding Miao’s confidence was not baseless.

Still, there was something others did not know.

At the head of Tongtong’s bed, strung with a string, was a small, intricate perfume bottle. Xu Tingsheng had given it to Tongtong as a gift after coming back from France before as he had purportedly taken great care in choosing it.

Tongtong did not have the heart to use even a single drop. She had tied the perfume bottle at the head of her bed as it was the first thing she saw when waking up every morning...

At that time, Tongtong had really just been an accompanying lady at Starry Splendour who had merely helped Xu Tingsheng to fend off two rounds of alcohol.

At that time, she had still yet to save Xu Tingsheng’s life.

The little perfume bottle sparkled beneath the light. Tongtong looked at it, looked at it for a long time...biting her lips, she smiled blissfully.

Chapter 584: Chaos in Binzhou

Chapter 584: Chaos in Binzhou

In terms of women, He Twenty-seven was an outlier amongst the nouveau riche. While he might have had many women before, those whom he truly had stable, long-lasting relationships with, who stayed by his side...were few indeed. Half, to be precise.

He Chunhua was this half.

It was very difficult to imagine that such a tall, elegant nineteen-year-old ‘woman’ who was fashionable and likeable might have an old-fashioned name like He Chunhua (Spring Flower). Also, it had been deliberately changed. He Twenty-seven had helped ‘her’ to change it.

“In the past, in a village, I had three women all named Chunhua. So...you can be Chunhua too. That way, it’ll be easier for you to remember that you’re a woman.”

When he had said this, ‘she’ had been sixteen, just having become a woman.

At this moment, in a pavilion by a lake, He Chunhua was dressed in opera clothes, resembling a woman in terms of looks and expressions even more than some women did.

The icy full moon on the island’s horizon, seeing that jade hare, seeing that jade hare and rising east again. Its icy contours departing the shore, lustre exceptionally evident. The bright moon in the sky, resembling Chang’e departing the moon palace, oh so like Chang’e departing the moon palace. Behold, Chang’e descending to the nine realms…

In front of He Twenty-seven, He Chunhua was daintily singing the passage known as <<Hundred Flower Pavilion>>. It was actually known better as <<Drunken Concubine>>.

He Chunhua had put in hard work in this area. Her current skills were such that even if an expert came, a word of praise would surely be had. Still, it was actually lacking as compared to He Twenty-seven in the past.

Sitting on a chair, He Twenty-seven was unconsciously performing the same graceful movements with his hands as he lightly sang along from time to time…

Most of the time, he was unwilling to show this appearance in front of others. Thus, there were few who dared to interrupt him in this state.

Someone directly entered the pavilion.

He Twenty-seven frowned.

“Jin Twenty-four has left,” That person said.

He Twenty-seven’s brows relaxed as he asked, “How many people did he bring? Which group of people?”

“More than forty people, basically all of them his elite troops. His base is just an empty shell now,” His subordinate answered.

His index finger between his brows, He Twenty-seven rubbed it lightly for a bit before he said, “Make sure our people keep a close watch on them. Tell them to see Jin Twenty-four get on the plane with their own eyes before reporting to me.”

“Understood,” His subordinate said and took his leave.

He Twenty-seven inhaled deeply, the corners of his lips slowly arching upwards.

Everything had been going ever so smoothly for him over this period of time.

First, Xu Tingsheng had been imprisoned. Next, Tan Yao had died. Yet afterwards, Huang Yaming had left, bringing with him three of Jin Twenty-four’s people. Especially prominent in his considerations was that assassin who was said to be like a shadow and was incomparably hard to deal with.

Even the heavens were fulfilling He Twenty-seven’s scheme. It would really be a travesty not to implement it.

Just yesterday, that crucial chess piece that he had planted in Yanzhou, Ding Miao, had finally succumbed to the urge to act just as he had expected. How could there be a better chance?

Now, in Yanzhou, rumours were already beginning to spread unceasingly within a certain proximity that Ding Miao had evidence that Xu Tingsheng had schemed to kill Ding Sen and was looking to avenge his brother...with how things were now, let alone Ding Miao, everyone would be looking to bring Xu Tingsheng down. The Ling and Xiao families along with all those powers which had conflicts of interest with Xu Tingsheng-how would they not capitalise on this chance to team up and nail him dead together?!

He Twenty-seven actually hoped that Ding Miao could be more direct and forceful in terms of means, best skinning Xu Tingsheng alive...there was no good reason for it. He Twenty-seven just really hated this person, perhaps akin to how demons hate the sunlight.

Still, in terms of the end results, just about any method would be good so long as Ding Miao could lure Jin Twenty-four and his elite subordinates away and delay them back in Yanzhou.

“How rare, this...that even you, Jin Twenty-four are being so loyal and sentimental for once,” He Twenty-four raised his head and closed his eyes, seemingly muttering to himself, “In that case, why not join him on a trip to the Yellow Springs together.”

He opened his eyes. He Chunhua had already stopped singing long ago as she was standing cautiously by the side.

“Come here,” He Twenty-seven waved her over.

He Chunhua came over in little dainty steps.

“Turn.”

He Twenty-seven got up, flipping her opera attire to reveal the bare skin beneath…

After venting his excitement and fervour.

He Twenty-seven calmed down and went back to sit, “Help me with some makeup.”

“Which one do you want, Sir?” He Chunhua asked.

He Twenty-seven thought about it and said, “That final bit of <<Legend of the White Snake>>, the makeup for Madame Bai.”

“Okay,” He Chunhua nodded, trying to ingratiate herself with him as she said, “I heard...Third Sir Jiang likes this act the most.”

Bam! He Twenty-seven slapped her. He could do it, but he wouldn’t allow others to say it.

He Chunhua looked down, not daring to clutch her face or utter a sound as she silently helped He Twenty-seven put on his makeup.

“Get someone to invite Jiang Three. Invite him to come at 7pm. As for the remainder, eleven, eight, twenty, along with twenty-nine, ask them to come at...eleven,” He Twenty-seven now instructed his subordinates off by the side.

……

He Twenty-seven actually still acted the part of a woman from time to time these past few years. In front of the one ranked third amongst the Binzhou Thirty, for example. He was sixty and weighed around 100 kilograms, having been his godfather’s best bud...Third Sir Jiang.

If not for him, He Twenty-seven’s position that year would not have been secure.

Halfway through the selected section of <<Legend of the White Snake>>, a subordinate panted as he rushed in to report, “It’s confirmed. Jin Twenty-four has got on the plane.”

He Twenty-seven stopped and moved gracefully to Jiang Third’s side, saying, “Third Sir, with a chance like this, if we don’t topple Twenty-four in one go, we simply won’t have any standing in Binzhou in the future.”

Jiang Three said, “If we startle the snake but fail to kill it, the repercussions will be endless. As soon as we act against Twenty-four, it can only be one or the other who survives...that bastard’s not easy to provoke. Are you really confident?”

He Twenty-seven said, “Jin Twenty-four places great importance on that Xu Tingsheng. He’ll definitely save him. Still, in Yanzhou, Jianhai Province, he has no power in the government. Thus, there’ll only be two ways to save him-killing off the Ding family’s three witnesses or directly threatening the Ding family.”

Jiang Three looked up.

He Twenty-seven struck while the iron was hot, “Yanzhou is not Binzhou. It’s too far away. The Ding family is a local snakehead. Having been there for decades, they have good connections with both criminals and the government, especially the latter...this matter is connected to Ding Sen’s death. Even if Ding Miao eventually wants to step back, his parents will definitely not be willing. Therefore, there will surely be a conflict between the two sides. Though the Ding family may not be able to bury Twenty-four in Yanzhou, they’ll definitely be able to drag things out in a battle of attrition for some time.”

“Go on.”

“Twenty-four’s base is an empty shell right now. So long as we act, he will lose his base and be trapped between two sides. Also, he’ll very likely place his hopes on Xu Tingsheng in the end, resorting to illegal means to combat the Ding family to the end...under these circumstances, even retreating properly intact will be difficult. Even if he manages a tragic win, he will lack strength to retaliate against us.”

“How can you know he will not immediately kill his way back to Binzhou when it happens?”

He Twenty-seven smiled, “Probably because he feels it’s more dangerous there, his son, praised so and marvelled at by all...he didn’t bring him along.”

Jiang Three smiled .The Binzhou Thirty all knew of the devilish wonder that was Little Jinshan, understanding his place in Jin Twenty-four’s heart too. Usually, no one dared to set their sights on him, because no one had the confidence to take down Jin Twenty-four in a single go...yet, it was different this time.

“How about it, third sir?” He Twenty-seven asked.

“Who else will be moving with us?” Jiang Three asked.

“Eleven, eight, twenty, twenty-nine.”

Jiang Three pondered for a while, “When shall we act?”

He Twenty-seven said, “Whenever Twenty-four acts in Yanzhou, that’s when we’ll act.”

Jiang Three closed his eyes...he opened them, “I’ll take fifty percent. Split the rest amongst yourselves.”

He Twenty-seven shot him a look, pouted, flung her arm, stomped her foot…‘her’ prowess was unrivalled as even He Chunhua who was watching had to admit her vast inferiority.

“Alright, alright, I’ll give you ten percent more after everything’s done,” Jiang Three held her from behind and coaxed her.

Chaos, was coming to Binzhou.

Chapter 585: Coldness

Chapter 585: Coldness

After much effort, Xu Tingsheng who had been isolated from the outside world for so many days finally got to see his father.

For the first part of their conversation, the guard from when Xu Tingsheng had met Ling Xiao previously was standing nearby. Father and son were speaking about those typical matters.

They consoled each other. Then, Mr Xu hid what had happened to Tan Yao as he revealed how Mrs Xu still did not know of his situation even now. Everyone was working together to hide it from her as she believed that he was making use of the holidays to go overseas and relax.

Besides that, apparently, the results of Xu Qiuyi’s university entrance examinations had already been released too. It was rather unbelievable how she had performed above her usual standard. Just a year later, Libei had actually produced another Qingbei student.

“Everyone’s over the moon in the county. Your Mum too,” Mr Xu said.

This should have been a major cause for celebration as everyone rejoiced and cheered. Yet, due to Xu Tingsheng’s current predicament, it felt as if there was a dark cloud hovering over it.

“Qiuyi must be worried. And she still has to coax Mum over there, acting happy...it’s too hard on her,” Xu Tingsheng said guiltily.

“You do realise that?!” Mr Xu sounded a bit exasperated, “I assume you know your limits. Tingsheng, actually...nothing’s really more important than letting your family have peace of mind...forget it, I won’t scold you. Anyway, your sister may be worried now, but when you are really out, don’t even think she will let you go so easily.”

As they spoke of Xu Qiuyi, father and son exchanged looks and smiled wryly at each other. This princess of the Xu family was doted on beyond principles by the two most famous men in Libei, her father and her brother. With how they had spoilt her, it was really not easy to deal with her now.

“One more thing,” Mr Xu said, “Your Mum received a call a few days ago. It was from Xiang Ning’s mother. From what your Mum said, the Xiang family...appears to want to let you and Xiang Ning get engaged once you’re out.”

“Huh? Engagement? Now?” Xu Tingsheng was rather taken aback.

Mr Xu nodded, saying, “Anyway, your Mum is over the moon...you know, right. Your Mum has long been full of wily schemes, just wishing to get a grandchild sooner. The Xiang family has walked themselves into the net now. Anyway, we can discuss it when you’re out. Dad won’t intervene.”

“Got it.”

In the latter half of their conversation, the guard changed. Mr Xu indicated to Xu Tingsheng that they were now safe to freely speak.

After briefly talking about what had happened to Zhicheng’s land, Mr Xu went to the important matters. His eyes were full of worry as he spoke of that rumour concerning the Ding family in Yanzhou.

This matter was out of Xu Tingsheng’s expectations. While he had thought that someone might make use of this chance to target him, he had not thought that it would be Ding Miao.

“Why is it Ding Miao? It just doesn’t make any sense,” Xu Tingsheng just couldn’t wrap his head around it…

“Right, Huang Yaming gave me a call before this, saying that your friend in Binzhou, Old Jin...he has already brought people to Yanzhou because of this matter. He probably intends on resorting to wayward means to resolve the matter. You should think deeply on this…”

As Mr Xu said this, Xu Tingsheng’s originally messy, disorganised thoughts suddenly became clear and connected all at once.

After smoking a cigarette and sorting out his thoughts once more, Xu Tingsheng entrusted his father with two matters to help carry out.

……

Binzhou.

There is a sentence in the geography textbooks saying that China’s temperature is high across the entire nation in summer.

Located in the north, Binzhou was no exception to this sweltering summer. Also, especially in the mining districts where the earth was bare, black dust would swirl alongside the hot, irritable winds as it was unbearable indeed.

Every year, there were people who got heatstroke and collapsed in the mines where the oxygen levels were low. Some of them never woke up again.

Human lives actually had little worth here. Some black-hearted miners even schemed to kill. They would work to cheat some distant relatives or some from the same hometown over, and after working for some time, they would kill them, take their wealth and cheat the compensation sum.

These people could kill for a mere ten, twenty thousand yuan.

Therefore, this place was actually full of fugitives. As long as their bosses gave them money and an opportunity...there were countless who would risk their lives for profit and prospects anytime.

He Twenty-seven did not use these random people.

First was because he was afraid of the news leaking. Second, he had elites of six members of the Binzhou Thirty all under his command.

To deal with a mere empty shell, its elite troops absent…

He did not lack manpower. The respective groups in charge of the various routes were already in place.

Today, having schemed for many years, sensing an unparalleled opportunity, He Twenty-seven made his move.

He had already received confirmation on the situation in Yanzhou, and even by Ding Miao himself too. He had called early that morning, sounding furious and panicked as he was dissatisfied as to why He Twenty-seven had done nothing at all in Binzhou to help stop Old Jin.

Still, right now, He Twenty-seven could hardly be bothered with Ding Miao anymore. Everything was fully under control as his scheme had already reached the final phase of ‘dragon slaying’.

According to Ding Miao, after coming to Yanzhou, Old Jin had failed to find the three witnesses whom he had already hidden. Then, just as he had expected, he had walked the perilous route of directly looking for the Ding family. Old Jin had sent people to sneak into the Ding family last night and had made his first round of probing and threats.

Still, Ding Miao’s father was very determined to take revenge for his son this time as his stance was incomparably firm. He had even seized the preemptive as since early that morning, he had been using both governmental and underworld forces to search the city and seize Old Jin’s men

In retaliation.

To He Twenty-seven, whether things succeeded or failed in Yanzhou was already no longer important at all. He just needed to be sure that Old Jin and his batch of elite troops were currently trapped in Yanzhou and would not be able to extricate themselves anytime soon.

He Chenhua drew the curtains, saying excitedly, “Sir, news just came in that our people are already all in position. At your signal, we can take control of the five mines where Jin Twenty-four’s people are currently most concentrated.”

While it was true that Old Jin had brought close to forty elites with him, there were still people guarding the mines, maintaining order and watching over its operations...while their quality wasn’t enough, their quantity was not low. It would be trouble if they were left unchecked, serving as a foundation for Old Jin to kill his way back to Binzhou.

He Twenty-seven wanted assurance of taking them down in one fell swoop, taking control of the entire situation.

“What about that little brat? Is his position confirmed?” He Twenty-seven still asked cautiously.

“It’s confirmed. He’s in that villa of Twenty-four’s at the back of the hill,” He Chunhua answered.

“How many people are guarding it?”

“Over thirty.”

“Oh...Twenty-four has not been careless...still! It isn’t enough! Twenty-four, you underestimate me.”

He Twenty-seven got up, “We leave when it’s dark.”

Glancing at him, knowing that he was in a good mood, He Chunhua asked carefully, “Sir, can I go with you?”

He Twenty-seven turned, “You? Why?”

“I want to see Sir win. I want to see everyone in Binzhou know that the well-reputed Twenty-four is actually inferior to Sir.”

“Hahaha…” He Twenty-seven laughed, “Well said. Well, you can come then. Stay beside me.”

“Yes. Thank you, Sir.”

……

The sky turned dark.

They set off.

The summer night was unexpectedly rather chilly.

He Twenty-seven rubbed his chest hard, calming himself, rousing himself…

He saw no possibility of himself losing whatsoever.

Chapter 586: Bait

Chapter 586: Bait

He Twenty-seven would first personally lead a team to subjugate Little Jinshan and that batch of people around him. This included some of Old Jin’s deputies whom he had always relied heavily on. With Old Jin absent, these people formed the core strength of their opponents.

This was their most crucial step. As long as it succeeded, Old Jin’s people in the five mines would be leaderless and scattered. After receiving news of their success, the five squads that He Twenty-seven had assembled would charge in under the cover of night, subjugating those in the five mines.

This might be Binzhou’s largest battle in the past decade.

The media had previously reported on some underworld boss in Binzhou driving Ferraris and Land Rovers and bringing along more than two hundred lackeys to violently steal a mine. A video of this had even been uploaded on the internet, leading to a wave of contentions and startlement. Still, in the eyes of the Binzhou Twenty, all that was actually non-mainstream.

Of course, in He Twenty-seven’s mind, it was the lesser resistance and casualties the better. He believed that if everything went smoothly, the physical disturbance from this large-scale conflict could actually be very low.

Territory would just change hands in the course of a single night. Old Jin and his remaining forces would lose their base of operations, no longer having a chance to return to Binzhou. It would be better if he insisted on coming back, for he could eliminate all future troubles that way.

There was another piece of news about the Binzhou mining district. Apparently, there were two mine bosses whose mines neighboured each other. Digging around, they dug into each other...so both sides threw explosives and blew up the whole place, burying many.

As He Twenty-seven saw it, this was incomparably dumb.

Some of his mines neighboured Old Jin’s. Along with Eleven’s and Eight’s, they virtually surrounded Old Jin’s five most active mines.

In terms of mines, territory division above ground was very straightforward. As for underground, though...it was not so clear cut. Most mine bosses felt that whoever dug there first could profit, with many conflicts having arisen as a result.

Still, He Twenty-seven and the other two had never let such a thing occur. Whenever their mines were about to connect to Old Jin’s, they would take the initiative to stop, giving way.

This was the respect that they showed Jin Twenty-four. Leaving that thin wall intact was actually akin to preserving the face of the Binzhou Thirty, as well as group ‘unity’ and ‘cohesion’.

“Bro Twenty-four, you wouldn’t have thought, right...those five walls will be gone after tonight.”

He Twenty-seven had actually had his eyes on these five walls for very long. He was a smart person. Even if he had the upper hand, he was still unwilling to create a disturbance as all his troops charged in together.

His five squads in charge of the respective five routes were currently waiting in the five mines, waiting to dig out those walls at any time before soundlessly accessing Old Jin’s bases above ground through them…

Let alone resist, the people that Old Jin had left behind would not even have the time to react.

……

Everything was as well-planned as this, only awaiting He Twenty-seven conquering that villa.

From their previous scouting report, Old Jin had left around thirty people in that villa. Besides that, there were merely a few women, maids and the two deputies he had left behind at most.

He Twenty-seven had brought sixty people. More than half of them were his most loyal, elite troops. The rest were the elites of the elites of the other five. Finally, there were Jiang Three, Eleven, Eight, Twenty and Twenty-nine themselves alongside their most trusted bodyguards, numbering over eighty in total. This was sufficient.

The other five had not wanted to be here initially. The people they had provided were each in charge of a route and mainly located at the five mines. In having suddenly joined personally now, this showed how they were indeed very confident of success as they wanted to make certain already that they did not fall behind in terms of spoils.

“Get people to round the hill and check carefully again,” Reaching the foot of the hill, He Twenty-seven said heavily.

He had always been known for his cautious, calm nature as he would never dare to arrogantly look down on Jin Twenty-four. While virtually everyone felt that victory was virtually assured, He Twenty-seven was still worried about a potential ambush as he needed to verify it again.

He was the one in charge of today’s operations. Also, the substantial shadow of Jin Twenty-four loomed heavily over these people. Thus, no one rebutted him or got ahead of themselves.

The scouting team moved along the base of the hill, heading partway up it, to the top, along its foot...searching every area.

“After tonight, the most famous of Binzhou’s new generation will no longer be Jin Twenty-four. Instead, it’ll be our Twenty-seven. Twenty-seven, you can’t forget us when that happens!” Eleven suddenly said humorously.

He Twenty-seven looked coldly at him before smiling respectfully, “You shouldn’t joke like this, Bro Eleven. You are all seniors. Also, Third Sir is here too...surely this would not fall to me? Or does Bro Eleven think that I will be like Twenty-four, having no bros in my eyes?”

While Eleven’s words from earlier had seemed like an attempt to get on his good side, it was actually equivalent to pushing He Twenty-seven onto a barbeque rack...he parried this easily.

“Haha, that was a joke, a joke,” Eleven laughed and changed the topic, “Still, I wonder what those few will think after tonight…”

He was referring to the most powerful of the remaining Binzhou Thirty. Because they were teaming up, they had to worry about these peoples’ attitudes.

“Relax. The sole rule of the Binzhou Thirty is to best not let others know of our internal conflicts. It isn’t that we aren’t allowed to privately team up,” Jiang Three said, “Also, not only are those people old, their hearts have long aged too...they ignored how Twenty-four was reigning all above their heads before this. So, how could they possibly have that determination to act against Twenty-seven this time?!”

The remaining five were all reassured by this.

Jiang Three was left in a leisurely mood. At a time like this, it was not good for him to make a move on He Twenty-seven who was directing the overall operation. Instead, he fingered He Chunhua who was of the ‘same make’ by the side, hugging her, raising her chin and lightly stroking it and touching her ‘perfectly-made’ chest area.

After a while, the scouts returned.

They confirmed that there was no ambush.

He Twenty-seven surveyed everyone and took a deep breath...he waved a hand.

“Let’s go.”

How many would dare imagine that He Twenty-seven might really act against Jin Twenty-four?! Binzhou’s Jin Twenty-four was resourceful and ruthless, never having made any miscalculations before…

They met with no obstruction at all on their way...

They did not even see a single person.

He Twenty-seven knew that they had been discovered. Then, everyone had retreated to the villa.

Borrowing the villa to put up a stubborn resistance? Still, what could that change?

Having the absolute upper hand, He Twenty-seven did not hesitate in the slightest. First, he dispatched a group of people to surround the villa lest Little Jinshan be whisked away amidst the chaos. Next, he concentrated his remaining forces and prepared to charge the gate directly.

Little Jinshan appeared on the second floor balcony.

“Uncle Twenty-seven, you’re here? Oh, and Eleven and Eight too...forget it, not counting. Are you all looking for me?” The eight-year-old was tiptoeing over the banister, cheerily shouting downstairs.

To be honest, it really felt like he was asking for a beating...how could a kid like this be so cocky?!

“What guts. The brat indeed doesn’t disappoint,” He Twenty-seven did not respond, but Jiang Three cheerily did.

Little Jinshan turned his gaze towards him, saying happily, “Oh, so Gramps Jiang is here too. How dare I disappoint? I still remember Gramps Jiang praised that I’m a genius bastard once. You also said that if these youngsters don’t grasp their chance, there’ll be nothing for them when I’ve grown up…”

He pointed, “Look. They’re frantic.”

Jiang Three laughed, “Little Jinshan, you’re playing the Stratagem of the Empty City with Gramps Jiang? ...There’s an ambush?”

Little Jinshan shook his head, “No, there are really just thirty of them...they’d never be able to hold you people back. Also, if you weren’t sure that that bastard, Jin Twenty-four’s not here, would you have dared to come?!”

“Haha, that’s right,” Jiang Three was indifferent to Little Jinshan’s sarcasm as he laughed, asking, “You intend on being a brave warrior then?”

Little Jinshan said sincerely, “No! I’m the bait.”

“Bait? Where’s the ambush then?”

“There’s none.”

“What are you being the bait for then?” Eleven yelled impatiently.

Little Jinshan smiled brightly, “Have a guess?”

“...”

Now, Twenty-nine approached He Twenty-seven and the rest, saying in a hushed tone, “One of the maids inside is mine. She just sent news and confirmed that the situation inside is exactly as we understand it to be. There’s no horseshit ambush at all...she said that the brat just came up with this on the spur of the moment and sneaked onto that balcony. Those people downstairs are already going out of their minds with panic by now…”

“Maybe he wants to muddle along and buy some time for the people at the mines to react,” Eleven said.

“They’ve probably called them. Still, notifying as well as assembling will still take quite some time...how about we act simultaneously?” Twenty-nine asked, “We simply need to charge in anyway.”

He Twenty-seven hesitated slightly. He nodded, taking out his phone as he prepared to inform the other five squads to embark on their respective routes.

This side, elites. That side, numbers...if they failed to get the element of surprise, that side might fall into chaos even if they had the numerical advantage…

Boom! Boom!

Two muffled booms resounded.

They came from a distant mine.

Chapter 587: Blatant scheme

Chapter 587: Blatant scheme

Two muffled booms resounded. The figurative arrow that had already been strung suddenly paused as everyone was rather bemused.

“Haha, shall I blow it up or not?”

The brat on the second floor balcony mimed throwing out an explosion in a card game, next drawing another card and signing that he was ready to unleash another explosion at any time.

“I still have more. Believe me?”

More than one person downstairs had the urge to pull out their guns. Still, the problem was that this brat could not die tonight, or the embittered Jin Twenty-four would lose all reservations, becoming a vicious wolf with only revenge on his mind.

He Twenty-seven too was bemused. Could Jin Twenty-four be here? Had he long been prepared?

Still, he very quickly regained clarity of mind. He knew that with how things were right now, nothing else was important. He also did not have to get to the bottom of anything. He simply needed to bring people and charge in, capturing Little Jinshan...victory would be assured with that.

“Ignore everything else. First, let’s…” He Twenty-seven said.

“Hold on,” Jiang Three raised a hand to stop him and picked up a call.

The situation entered a stalemate once more.

“Come back, little pervert...don’t stand there,” A crying voice could be heard.

Little Jinshan heard the voice behind him and turned to see Fang Ruli trembling slightly as she stood there.

He grinned, saying softly, “Oh, how come my little wife is suddenly concerned about me? Didn’t you say that I’m second most disgusting under the heavens? Who’s the first? It’s my Uncle Xu, right.”

The first day Fang Ruli and her mother had come to Binzhou, they had met an intricate, cute, harmless-looking little boy. The little boy had shyly called her big sis to which she had joyfully responded. The little boy had held her hand and led her into the house. She had followed. He had acted cute and asked for a hug, and she had hugged him. Then, the little boy had kissed her and asked, “Can you sleep with me tonight, Big Sis? I’m afraid of ghosts.”

Fang Ruli had very nearly agreed...she would have had she not discovered in time that the little boy was peeping at her collar, sighing as she shook his head.

Then, just as expected, Fang Ruli had swiftly forged a relationship with Little Jinshan. This was a relationship that was like cat and dogs, incompatible as water and fire, like some deep enmity existed between them with bullets flying everywhere…

A fourteen-year-old girl had been teased by an eight-year-old rascal to the point where she had no tears left. As Fang Ruli saw it, Little Jinshan’s level of detestableness was nearly catching up to Xu Tingsheng’s.

She and her mother had both been in the villa today. When they wanted to leave, it had already been too late.

Tears in her big eyes, Fang Ruli entered combat mode on reflex, retorting, “You! Who’s your wife? How old are you? Hmph.”

“Hmph your ass. Uncle Xu sent you to Binzhou to raise you as my wife, you know? Your looks satisfy, a pity you’re a bit unruly...still! I like it. Hah, Uncle Xu truly understands me indeed,” Little Jinshan said in the manner of a lordling.

Fang Ruqing glared at him for a bit but eased her tone as she thought of the current situation, “I won’t argue with you. Come back first, okay? A little kid like you…”

“If I come down, will you sleep with me?” Little Jinshan asked.

Ever since Fang Ruli’s first day here, he had already asked this same question who knew how many times. He had been violently beaten up a few times but simply refused to reform himself.

“I…” Fang Ruli hesitated for a moment.

He was only eight and weaker than her. What could he do?

Nodding, Fang Ruli rolled her eyes and said, “Alright. Come down first.”

“Can I hug you to sleep and touch you anywhere then?”

“You...alright. Touch wherever. But you must know, you can’t touch anywhere if you’re dead…”

Fang Ruli had experienced too much separation and even death over this period of time. While this little pervert was indeed very detestable much of the time, it was precisely because he shamelessly messed around everyday that Fang Ruli and her mother had fit in very well whether it was at school or at home. It virtually did not feel like they were being dependent on others in living under their roof at all.

She did not want to see him die. He was only eight.

Little Jinshan was taken aback slightly before he calmly said, “Go back. Auntie…” He indicated towards Fang Ruli’s mother behind her before saying in a hushed tone, “Bring her back. If they really do charge in later, Auntie, you must remember not to reveal your identities...just mingle with the rest.”

“And you, stinky fish, that’s enough! Women shouldn’t interrupt when men are doing things.”

Little Jinshan waved towards Fang Ruli before turning and cheerily facing the crowd below.

Downstairs.

He Twenty-seven saw Jiang Three’s expression slowly collapse, his chest heaving intensely.

“What happened? The route that my people are in charge of had the mines collapse on both ends. They’re all trapped inside…”

“...” Everyone was stunned.

Upstairs, Little Jinshan yelled, “Relax, Gramps Jiang, they’re all still alive! You can still dig them out...still, that’s only now. You won’t know for sure if it’s later. I still have explosives! Any more explosions, and it won’t just be two of ‘em!”

He drew Jiang Three’s attention over completely.

Little Jinshan continued, “Think about it, Gramps Jiang...after tonight, even if Jin Twenty-four loses and is finished, what about afterwards? Five players win big, while you, Gramps Jiang, will have peanuts left. How are you still to maintain your position in Binzhou in the future?”

This was not some underhanded scheme. It was blatant, in the open as he tried to create discord amongst them. Still, while Jiang Three clearly knew this, he could not simply wave it off.

Jiang Three’s expression slowly turned gloomy. He had originally been the strongest of them six as it had been agreed that he would take fifty percent when splitting the loot. Still, if all his people met their ends in the mines tonight, how would he still be qualified to take that fifty percent?

Based on brotherhood? He had stopped hearing this kind of joke decades ago. Just as Little Jinshan was saying, it was unknown if he could even still maintain his position then.

He Twenty-seven glanced upstairs, his thoughts swiftly circulating.

“Everything else can wait. Capture that little brat first before anything else,” He Twenty-seven waved his hand, preparing for them to charge in.

Jiang Three stopped him with his bodyguard, “What is the meaning of this, Twenty-seven? Do you find me useless or are you thinking you might as well off me too tonight?”

He Twenty-seven glanced at him, thinking that he was in fact useless as the remaining people were also sufficient, “Third Sir, I’ll give you a proper apology after this. Please don’t hinder me now. We can’t let this drag on anymore…”

“What if I must hinder you? Those trapped there are all my people. You love that, right?”

With Jiang Three’s subordinates trapped, he was resisting using the weight of his past achievements. Otherwise, he would be dying with Jin Twenty-four after tonight.

“Urgh…”

A dagger pierced through Jiang Three’s heart from behind, penetrating out from his chest.

The hand that was holding it was slender and white like jade.

While everyone was dazed, He Chunhua slipped out from behind Jiang Three’s big body and hid behind He Twenty-Seven, her lips trembling slightly as she said, “Sir, since...anyway…I...”

Amidst the chaos, He Twenty-seven’s first thought was that while He Chunhua’s method had been a bit extreme, Jiang Three had already been out of the picture anyway. At this point in time, they could succeed even without him...also, he would have done this sooner or later anyway.

“Some of you keep an eye on Jiang Three’s people. The remainder, charge in with me before reconvening,” He Twenty-seven said decisively.

He charged forward.

Then, he discovered that there were fewer than twenty people with him.

“Eleven, Eight, Twenty, Twenty-nine. You guys…” He Twenty-seven said.

He suddenly realised only now what He Chunhua’s backstab had caused. What she had stabbed was not a person, but hearts. Who of the Binzhou Thirty truly trusted somebody?

If they had only pushed Jiang Three aside and charged in earlier, the remainder would definitely have followed his lead for the time being. Still, Jiang Three had been killed in front of everyone’s eyes, and by someone He Twenty-seven had ‘planted’ by his side too…

Now that was different.

Little Jinshan yelled from the balcony, “Eleven, Eight, Twenty, Twenty-nine, Uncles...Jin Twenty-four will be here soon. He says: Rather than six splitting one, we’ll have five splitting two instead. How about it?”

“Or do you guys want to take a wager? Bet that the mines your people are hiding in don’t have explosives. Bet that tonight might not actually see a one swallowing six. Bet that there are no daggers primed at your backs.”

Chapter 588: Counterattack

Chapter 588: Counterattack

“Before Jin Twenty-four arrives, you had better not think of reminding your people to retreat. Get them to stay where they are. Any ideas and I’ll blow the place up,” Little Jinshan said, “You can take a gamble if you don’t believe me.”

The sole rule of the Binzhou Thirty was not to let outsiders know of their internal conflicts. They had many internal conflicts in which they swallowed up what they could. If they could not, though, there was still a chance of them sitting down and talking together, even addressing each other as bros as long as they could be sure that they would not have the tables turn and be swallowed instead.

Therefore, Eleven, Eight, Twenty and Twenty-nine all hesitated. It was probable that Twenty-four and Twenty-seven could no longer coexist as blood had to be spilled. Still, it was not that there was no chance for them to turn back.

Moreover, Jiang Three was currently lying in front of them, blood still gushing from his chest.

Therefore, take a gamble that Little Jinshan was bluffing and charge in?

Or wait to sit down and have a discussion with the tiger that was Jin Twenty-four?

“How can we trust that Jin Twenty-four won’t blow up the mines when he returns? How can we know that he won’t swallow the four of us up as well?” The youngest present, Twenty-nine who was a second generation inheritor, asked.

“Jin Twenty-four may be an asshole, but he isn’t a fool or a madman, Uncle Twenty-nine,” Little Jinshan said, “If I didn’t have a way out, I would definitely have dragged you lot down into death together with me tonight. Still, if the situation is pretty good and there are still two thick pieces of meat waiting to be split...would Jin Twenty-four dare to swallow six in one go? He was already too high key over the past two years. Wouldn’t he be afraid of getting surrounded and attacked by everyone else that way? And would he dare to take so many lives in one go? This is a lawful country.”

The four people downstairs exchanged looks and silently nodded.

It was still Twenty-nine who spoke, “What do you need the four of us to do now then?”

“Just maintain the present situation. Don’t touch anything, and help to ensure that Uncle Twenty-seven cannot do anything too. Then, wait for Jin Twenty-four to return and split the meat. Of course, some of these two pieces of meat must be split and given to others too. You guys should understand this.”

The situation had changed now as Little Jinshan was earnestly in negotiations, saying the most practical things.

While the four had yet to come to a decision, their underlings were already beginning to draw away from He Twenty-seven’s people, slowly coming to encircle them as even Jiang Three’s people were released.

This showed how easy it really was to calculate matters of profit here. Even their underlings were very clear on how they should choose.

“Having a discussion with Jin Twenty-four? Aren’t you lot afraid of consorting with a tiger?” He Twenty-seven asked.

“Don’t say that, Bro Twenty-seven,” Twenty-nine smiled, “Speaking of consorting with tigers, isn’t collaborating with you the same? We dare to do it. Also, he’s vicious, while you’re mad.”

“Moreover, there’s more meat to be split and the risk is lower,” Added Eight who rarely spoke.

“Aren’t you afraid of Twenty-four dealing with you after everything is over?” He Twenty-seven asked.

“The four of us will join forces and get through this period. Anything else can really wait for later. Everyone is well aware that amongst us, there’s not much distinction whether there’s enmity or not. It is only about whether there’s a chance, whether we dare to swallow one another up and whether we’ll be able to do so,” Eight had uncharacteristically spoken a lot here.

He Twenty-seven closed his eyes defeatedly before opening them again and smiling bitterly.“You’re right…” He sat down on the ground where he was, next lighting a cigarette and asking, “But my mind’s still in a total mess right now. How exactly did I lose? I prepared so much, but I didn’t even get to use any of it.”

“I guess I’ll wait for Twenty-four with you lot. I’ll ask him about it.”

The situation right now was actually already very clear-cut. He Twenty-seven stood no chance at all. Those who would still risk their lives for him in this sort of situation numbered fewer than ten. Just these people alone could not win against the subordinates of Jiang Three who were angrily eyeing a chance for revenge and were even prepared to pledge their allegiance to Jin Twenty-four, requiring something to prove their loyalty.

He Twenty-seven had lost for no rhyme or reason. Still, he at least had the courage to admit his defeat.

Upstairs, Little Jinshan said, “I’ll go back to take a rest first then. Next, some guys will be coming with chairs and tea for Uncles.”

Right after returning to the house, he went everywhere looking for Fang Ruli.

“I’m back! Does what you say earlier still count?” Little Jinshan asked.

Fang Ruli looked bashfully at him, saying softly, “Come over a bit...and then I’ll tell you.”

She indicated with her gaze at her mother who was standing not far away as if to say that she was afraid of her hearing it.

Little Jinshan’s eyes shone as he hurriedly leaned over to listen.

Fang Ruli came and...wrenched his ear.

“Dream on, little pervert. What are you learning, being a ruffian like this…”

“Ow, it hurts, hurts...softer,” Little Jinshan wanted to cry, “This old man can even suppress six of the Binzhou Thirty, but I actually can’t handle a little lass like you. I...hmm?”

“What?”

“I feel like besides the age that is inverted, aren’t the two of us like Uncle Xu and Little Aunt Xiang Ning? Uncle Xu’s the same. He can take care of anything else, but he’s just simply useless in front of Little Aunt Xiang Ning.”

“Huh? Is it similar? I...like I want to be like that...with you.”

“How about you wait for me to grow up?”

“...No.”

“Wait for me.”

“I already said no.”

“Wait for me.”

“...Talk about that can wait.”

……

Little Jinshan had said that Jin Twenty-four would be arriving soon. In fact, Jin Twenty-four had actually only just landed at the Binzhou airport.

Xu Tingsheng had entrusted his father with two things the previous day. One of them was to convey his analysis to Old Jin.

Old Jin had received this message from Mr Xu: Trust Tongtong, withdraw at once. Incident occurring in Binzhou, He Twenty-seven.

Xu Tingsheng was only capable of a primary analysis, simply connecting everything together. As for what exactly He Twenty-seven could do, upon receiving a reminder, Old Jin was much clearer on it than Xu Tingsheng. Still, he could not determine many specifics as well.

Under these circumstances, the easiest, most direct method was for Old Jin to leave that very night and speedily rush back to Binzhou with his people. Meanwhile, he should think of a way to secretly send Little Jinshan away or concentrate his forces to guard that villa, awaiting his return to Binzhou.

The two necessary conditions for He Twenty-seven to act were: Old Jin being delayed in Yanzhou and Little Jinshan being speedily subjugated.

If neither condition was satisfied, He Twenty-seven would not have the courage to act. All the problems would be solved and vanish into formlessness. The situation amongst the Binzhou Thirty had never reached that extent where they truly brought their underlings to steal a few sites of territory. Moreover, that way was useless too.

Still, Old Jin had given up on this choice. A crisis was actually an opportunity in disguise. Having long since been too sharp and conspicuous, such an opportunity was very hard to come by for him.

Between breaking the scheme outright and falling into it and landing a counterattack, Old Jin chose the latter.

The latter entailed a risk.

Old Jin himself had to create the false impression that he was stuck in Yanzhou before secretly returning. Meanwhile, Little Jinshan had to act as bait and be at risk of capture, for the enemy would not come otherwise...thus, there were really only around thirty people with him. Those who were in the know about this, Little Jinshan included, numbered fewer than three.

At the same time, Old Jin could not be so overt or prematurely deploy too many forces and manpower lest he alert others to the situation.

Who amongst the Binzhou Thirty did not have spies in one another’s camps? It was only that most did not reach the level of confidantes.

This entailed that there would not be much time for Old Jin to react. Also, his every step would be behind He Twenty-seven’s.

Even so, father and son were brimming with excitement.

Chapter 589: Hole card is a dud

Chapter 589: Hole card is a dud

Late that night, the Jin family’s villa.

The travel-worn Jin Twenty-four was smiling brightly. Little Jinshan stood beside him, stably carrying the tea that their grandmaster had brewed to the various seated uncles.

Eleven, Eight, Twenty and Twenty-nine were all seated openly, not seeming awkward because of what they had attempted to do earlier. They were only curious, much like gamblers who had given up on calling an all in and really wished to see their opponent’s hole card, learning if their earlier choice had been right or wrong and if they should rejoice or feel regret.

“Uncle Twenty-seven. Have some tea,” Little Jinshan said respectfully.

He Twenty-seven was seated too, not having been restricted in any way.

“Thank you,” He Twenty-seven’s smile was conversely sincere and honest at a time like this.

Maybe it was because his death was imminent...having always lived a very tiring life, He Twenty-seven now actually felt relaxed for once.

Twenty-nine knocked the wall, smiling as he asked, “No one’s hidden, right?”

“No one’s hidden,” Old Jin said.

“So, what if we had really charged in earlier?”

“I wouldn’t be standing here serving Uncles tea now then,” Little Jinshan smiled, “Actually, I nearly wet my pants. Luckily...uncles ultimately doted on me and refrained. It’s really you guys who’re good! Can you guess what Jin Twenty-four said to me? He said, son, only your current state of being protected but vulnerable to capture too can lead them to make a move. If I don’t protect you, the hook will be too straight. They won’t bite the bait. If I protect you too well or hide you, they might give up without even trying.”

In order to hide his awkwardness, Old Jin slapped him, “Kids shouldn’t imitate what the adults are saying. It’s annoying.”

“Jin Twenty-four...am I adopted? I just secured great merits, but you still hit me,” Little Jinshan begrudged.

Amidst much laughter with varying undertones, Old Jin pulled him back beside him and rubbed his head. Anyone would be able to see the pride on his face, really.

There was already completely no need to say something like a tiger of a father begets a tiger of a son. The remaining five forced a smile, unable to find any suitable words to describe Old Jin’s ruthlessness, much less this eight-year-old’s unparalleled brilliance.

Of this father and son, one could let his own son be placed in danger while the other could stay unflustered amidst chaos, relaxed and composed to a terrifying extent.

Still, the other four besides He Twenty-seven were actually still mostly relaxed at this time. After arriving, Jin Twenty-four had indeed not made things difficult for them as their subordinates had also successfully retreated from the mines, returning to their respective camps.

Even He Twenty-seven’s people had retreated, just that they were being suppressed and kept watch over. It was the same for Jiang Three’s people as well.

Therefore, despite the massive scale of tonight’s situation, it was actually merely Jiang Three alone who had perished.

He Twenty-seven drank a mouthful of tea and said, “Other than the five of us, everyone was only notified to enter the mines when they were in their vicinity. Also, only a few of them were contactable by phone. So, I actually don’t really understand: When exactly did you get wind of this matter?”

He glanced at He Chunhua who was standing a distance away, “She only knew that I was going to act. She couldn’t have known of the specific plan. Also, my most trusted subordinates were all keeping an eye on one another these past days. She should not have been able to notify you.”

Old Jin smiled and said, “Actually, I only learnt of it after your people had all entered the mines. There is someone by Third Sir’s side who is on pretty good terms with me. He requested to be the leader for that squad. He had his phone with him...he’ll be coming over to my side after this anyway, so we’re not afraid of you knowing.”

“Then, without sufficient time at all, without even an opportunity, how could you possibly have thought of a way to plant the explosives in time?” Eleven straightened and asked.

“It’s true that there was no time. There was no way too. So, actually...there were no explosives.”

“Huh?! I…****!!!”

The hole card was revealed. It was a dud.

The gamblers hugged their heads in regret...sadly, regret meant that it was already too late and hence utterly meaningless.

“Wait, that’s not right. What happened on Third Sir’s end then?” After feeling vexed, Twenty-nine pressed.

“I got people to secretly throw two bundles of explosives in a ditch for you guys to hear. Then, my person from Third Sir’s retinue called him, saying both ends of the mine had been blown up,” Old Jin said.

“Just like that?” Eleven asked.

“Just like that,” Old Jin answered.

“I...no, wait,” Eleven said rather unresignedly, “Impossible. Weren’t you afraid that Third Sir might think of another way to confirm it? As long as he checked for confirmation, you would…”

“Did you think of getting Third Sir to check and confirm at the time?” Eight who had not spoken throughout and had only listened attentively up till now now spoke, cutting Eleven off.

Eleven froze for a moment before shaking his head.

“It didn’t cross my mind at all too,” Eight turned towards the others, “Did the thought cross your minds? Even as a passing thought.”

Twenty-nine, Twenty and He Twenty-seven all shook their heads.

“Why is that so?” Twenty was bewildered beyond himself.

It was such a simple thing, yet not one of them had thought of it, not even the slightest hint of doubt permeating their minds...it had been the same for Jiang Three himself too.

Eight explained, “First was because it was too chaotic at the time. Our minds fell into chaos along with us. To be honest, we were actually all very nervous then, Twenty-seven included.”

The remainder nodded in agreement.

Eight continued, “Still, that’s not the most important. Most important is the second factor. It’s because he’s Jin Twenty-four. We are all used to Jin Twenty-four never having made a mistake, being ruthless and in control. We overestimate his power. So, when suddenly happened on Third Sir’s end, we subconsciously thought ‘here it is’ as if it was the natural thing for Jin Twenty-four to be prepared. Who would doubt it? Maybe on the contrary, if everything went smoothly, our thoughts would instead run wild as doubt, hesitation seeped in…”

There was a short silence for a time before everyone felt like they had been enlightened.

He Twenty-seven sighed slowly, shaking his head before he lowered it and ceased speaking.

This was really too depressing.

“A person’s reputation, a tree’s shade,” Twenty-nine commented in wonder at Jin Twenty-four’s huge shadow that loomed over them.

“Who knows? Maybe it’ll be for real next time?” Now, Old Jin chuckled and added from the side.

Despondence stifling their chests, everyone else was clear that he was right. Even if they had everything explained to them this time as they saw through it...if there really was a next time, they would still be stuck in the same situation, similarly unable to circumvent this problem.

Maybe they would suffer from even more fear and doubt, being even more hesitant and uncertain.

“What about that dagger?” He Twenty-seven looked up and asked.

“It’s not convenient to say,” Old Jin replied.

He Twenty-seven nodded and fell silent once again.

Just like this question, precisely because everything that had been revealed was really just too intricate, they actually very much wanted to ask if Old Jin had any backup plans in case one of these steps had gone wrong.

They guessed that he definitely had some. It was just that they held other costs. Otherwise, it would be impossible for Old Jin to relaxedly walk a wire tightrope like this.

Still, they had no way of asking this since it concerned the future. While frankly revealing what had come to pass did not matter at all, they just could not ask about things that concerned the future. Even if they did, they would not receive an answer from Old Jin anyway.

Who knew when there might be another round amongst the Binzhou Thirty?

It might be tomorrow, or it might be the day after tomorrow...

Chapter 590: Minor character

Chapter 590: Minor character

These people who had still been contending for supremacy a few hours ago were sitting together and drinking tea.

“Right, Twenty-seven was sold by that whoever in Yanzhou, right?” The talkative Twenty-nine asked.

He Twenty-seven also raised his head, waiting for the answer.

“No, he didn’t fool Twenty-seven. What he said was the actual situation,” Old Jin said.

He Twenty-seven was taken aback, “But you came back.”

“Some of my people are still over there, playing cat and mouse with the Ding family. That night, most of my people left first, while the few who remained went to stir things up at the Ding family in the early hours of the morning, ensuring that Ding Miao would call you the next day to tell you the situation there...providing you the ease of mind to act,” Old Jin said, “Then, I and the rest only boarded a plane after leaving Jianhai Province. We specifically waited till very late too. I was fearful that you might have people keeping an eye on the Binzhou airport and might just give up on your operation if you realised I came back early.”

“...You win,” Twenty said.

Just like they had thought earlier, whatever Old Jin might say this time, however candid he was, regarding what was real and what was false, afterwards, they would still not be able to overcome the fear of he who was ruthless in his methods and had never made a miscalculation before.

He Twenty-seven suddenly laughed out loud.

Everyone looked at him.

“Hey, Jin Shengxing, is it that I’ve overestimated you or underestimated you?” He Twenty-seven laughed till he had stitches in his side as he said, “Do you know? I actually, actually thought that you really had a deep relationship with that Xu Tingsheng and would even risk yourself to save him...that’s why my scheme was based around him and I went all in on it. But I was still wrong. You are Jin Twenty-four! Ruthless, never making a miscalculation...I truly never thought that you would give up on him so decisively. You even capitalised on it as an opportunity instead to make a killing. Hahahaha...Xu Tingsheng will be following me to the grave, right?!”

Understanding what he meant, Eleven and the others felt like it was only natural. Now this was Jin Twenty-four.

Little Jinshan looked at Old Jin, “Jin Twenty-four, tell me, is what he’s saying true? Did you give up on saving Uncle Xu?!”

Seeing Old Jin momentarily silent, tears rolled down his face as he looked disbelievingly at his father, still looking lost and unable to accept it.

Old Jin reached out and helped him wipe off his tears. He pushed him away.

Old Jin could only smile helplessly, “Yes, it’s true that I didn’t save him. Still, your Uncle Xu will be okay!”

“Really?”

“Really. Your Uncle Xu has ties with me and with you too. So, Dad won’t lie to you on this.”

He Twenty-seven interrupted, “Impossible. Based on the time, Ding Miao should already have called the police and begun handing in the evidence by now. He said: with both material evidence and witnesses present, Xu Tingsheng is doomed for sure.”

Old Jin looked at him, “Do you know who it was who said Xu Tingsheng will be okay?”

“Who?”

“Xu Tingsheng himself.”

“And you believed him just like that? Maybe he said only this because he truly places weight on relationships and doesn’t want to drag you down.”

“Of course I believe him. Because the very first thing he told me was: Trust Tongtong.”

“What does that mean?”

“You’ve seen Tongtong before. She’s a woman. Women by Xu Tingsheng side-so long as their hearts are stirred, who can escape it?! Everyone says Xu Tingsheng is a genius in commerce. Few know that he actually has a greater, more enviable and detestable talent...in reaping the hearts of women. So, if Xu Tingsheng says we can trust a woman, of course I’ll believe him.”

He Twenty-seven smiled, “Is that so? But I happened to hear that a woman similarly reported him to the police some time back. That woman is called Lu Zhixin, right? Because love is unattainable, feeling hatred and personally destroying him-surely Tongtong’s the same?!

Old Jin said, “Do you know why Lu Zhixin did so then? For a woman to be willing to be cursed at by all and incur a man’s hatred for the sake of protecting him, I think...there aren’t many in this world who can do that. I just hope that Tongtong doesn’t do even more. Xu Tingsheng’s debt here-how many lifetimes of being a bachelor must he need to pay it back? He was surely a bachelor in his previous life…”

Old Jin had inadvertently hit upon one thing here. In terms of marriage, Xu Tingsheng had indeed been a bachelor in his previous life.

He Twenty-seven defeatedly slumped against the back of his chair at this joke.

After a long time.

Looking at the time, he got up calmly and said, “I guess I should more or less be getting on my way now. The abandoned mine should be chosen from my own territory, right? It’ll be easier to explain a mine accident that way.”

Old Jin got up.

He Twenty-seven took two steps forward, looked back and asked, “Could I request two things of you at the end?”

Old Jin said, “Say it.”

“Thank you,” He Twenty-seven said, “The first thing. Please throw Jiang Three’s corpse as far from me as possible. It’s disgusting when he’s close. I was already disgusted enough when I was alive. When I’m dead...I don’t want to see him again.”

Old Jin said, “Alright. You can rest assured on that.”

He Twenty-seven nodded, “The second thing. I’d like…” He indicated with his eyes at He Chunhua who was standing a distance away, asking calmly, “Can I speak a bit with her?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Old Jin said, “Go on.”

He Twenty-seven stood before He Chunhua. She originally hadn’t been called He Chunhua. No matter how one saw it, amongst all the people present, He Chunhua was but a minor character. Whatever the case, though, it was undeniable that this minor character had actually influenced the entire big picture this very night.

“You were one of Jin Twenty-four’s people from the start?” He Twenty-seven asked her.

“No,” He Chenhua answered.

“When did he win you over?”

“I took the initiative to contact him the year before last.”

He Twenty-seven was clearly a little astounded as he gazed earnestly at He Chunhua’s eyes before asking in a hushed tone, “Will you be one of Jin Twenty-four’s subordinates after this?”

He Chunhua shook her head, “I don’t know either.”

He Twenty-seven asked softly but with added emphasis on every word, “Want to be the next He Twenty-seven?”

“Huh?”

“You can stay as one of Jin Twenty-four’s subordinates for the time being and slowly look for a chance,” He Twenty-seven said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, “If you want, I actually still have some hidden resources that I can tell you about...think of a way to use ‘em. Remember my lesson, and do better than me.”

It was actually not because of the feelings between them that he was doing it. Having already seemed to gain major enlightenment earlier, before his death, He Twenty-seven still wanted to plant a land mine for Jin Twenty-four. This land mine was an ambitious He Chunhua who was in possession of some resources.

He Chunhua looked at him, “Are you serious?”

He Twenty-seven asked, “What do you think? I’m about to die.”

“Well then...okay.”

As there was not much time, not beating around the bush, He Twenty-seven faked a goodbye hug while whispering everything to He Chunhua. Finally, he told her, “ Remember my fate. You have to be more patient and able to tolerate, more ruthless than me.

The two separated.

He Chunhua began speaking loudly, “Boss Jin, He Twenty-seven still has three people amongst your subordinates who have not been exposed. They are...he said he has evidence against the three of them to prevent them from betraying him. You can investigate it. Also, he has one mine where they dug to the side, sealing it as they went. It’s well-hidden; it’s already within a hundred metres of that mountain road when you most like taking a stroll. Also…”

He Twenty-seven stared incredulously at her, blood surging to his throat as he panted intensely.

Finishing up, He Chunhua now spoke to him, “Sorry. Actually, I don’t want to be a magnate in the first place, much less the next He Twenty-seven. I don’t want to live my life like this. If it’s possible, I’d rather live a peaceful life.”

“But why are you still fooling me at this point? I’m about to die! Don’t you even have a bit of feelings…” He Twenty-seven exclaimed resentfully.

“Probably because I hate you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have done that the year before last,” He Chunhua broke him off.

“The year before last, I remember that you and I were still fresh. I treated you pretty well. When doing the surgery, you even took the initiative to…”

“Now this is an awkward matter. Bro, don’t laugh, but it’s actually like this. I was thinking that if I proposed it in that surgery and you agreed, ultimately even getting rid of that part, afterwards and today’s matter may not have happened. I might really have properly been a woman for you. Sadly, you didn’t agree, so...you left me hope. Actually, I still can be a man, right?! Taking out that stuff in my chest, adjusting here and there...and I’ll be a man again!”

He Chunhua’s voice became much rougher all at once. Primarily, the tone had changed to become very masculine.

He Twenty-seven looked at him, “It’s because of this that you betrayed me? To be a man?!”

He Chunhua nodded.

“Impossible. Impossible! You clearly like men,” He Twenty-seven shook his head, “When we first met, it was even you who approached me to hook up in the bar…”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“Then?”

He Chunhua bellowed in rage, “But your mother, this old man is a seme! When I tried to hook up with you for love, it was completely because...this old man thought you were an uke. In the end, you know! I couldn’t beat you, and I couldn’t run after knowing your secret. I am afraid of dying, but I simply couldn’t dampen my powerful desire for ‘attack’...so I could only render you dead.”

So...at the end of the day, it had really been a matter of this…

That mouthful of blood in He Twenty-seven’s throat finally spurted out.

Chapter 591: Huang Twenty-four

Chapter 591: Huang Twenty-four

While He Twenty-seven tried hard to maintain his composure, he still broke down at the end. Crying, begging for mercy, struggling, cursing hysterically...he did all that could be done.

Some said that this was actually not so surprising. Someone who could tough it out and survive in an environment where they were treated worse than dogs and could not see the light of day, having an ambitious heart as they climbed up to the top-how could someone like that truly not cherish their life?

That did not change his sorry fate, though. When he had personally meticulously planned and executed this scheme, it was destined that there would be a victor and a loser, those who lived and those who met their ends.

Jin Twenty-four was not a Bodhisattva. There was simply no way he could be merciful against someone who schemed to see him dead. Otherwise, there was no way he could have had his current achievements and have any prospects.

Similarly, if the victor and loser of this battle had been different, the fates of the Jin family’s father and son would also have been irreversible.

Daybreak.

Another mine had collapsed in Binzhou the previous night, killing two people. Still, this was usual fare in the mining district in the first place as the media had no interest in it whatsoever.

Only those in the industry were aware of just how much upheaval was hidden behind this small scale mine collapse for the entire Binzhou mining district, just how prominent the two casualties had once been.

They were two famous figures who had reigned since the expansion of the mining district. One had crawled up from the depths of hell, a newcomer who most struck terror in the hearts of others. Still, whether in representing the past or the future, their journeys had ended here.

“If someone acts against you but doesn’t have to pay a price for it, very soon...there will be countless people acting against you. While benevolence looks and sounds good, sometimes, having it attributed to you is no different to handing your head out on a silver platter.”

“It actually isn’t scary if your capabilities outshine that of those above you. You can just rebel. The problem’s that some people are dumb. Not yet having the strength and a proper plan for rebelling, they already outshine the big guys. Hegemony is also not scary. What is scary is those who try to kill you midway. So, it’s best to rise to hegemony at once in a single go so others can’t swallow you up.”

When Old Jin was telling Huang Yaming this, with splitting the territories of Jiang Three and He Twenty-seven as the starting point, a large scale contest had just occurred beneath the table.

A massive reshuffle, with another five people kicked out of the game...some died, some left.

The seven pieces of territory were mostly divided. Old Jin unquestionably profited the most from it. Still, precisely because he was already too powerful, powerful to the extent that others almost could not stand for it, some of the others teamed up and decided to put up some of the mines from the seven parties on sale.

That would disperse and even out their power while allowing in fresh blood for the Binzhou Thirty.

Having clearly been targeted by their combined efforts, Old Jin flipped his lid but still acquiesced in the end.

Many people sighed in relief.

Finally, this portion of the mines was split and sold to seven newcomers. Many people said that thereon, the new gameboard of the Binzhou Thirty had finally taken form.

Then, suddenly, one day...after handling all the procedures, these seven people all transferred the mines they had acquired to a single person.

The identity of the newcomer was soon revealed. As he appeared in the mining district, many realised that...they actually knew him. He was called Huang Yaming.

Some had previously speculated about where exactly this guest of the Jin family might have been the day Jin Twenty-four’s villa had been attacked. Eleven and the others too had also similarly very much wished to ask Old Jin if he had any backup plans for if things had gone wrong that night.

It was destined that this mystery would not be unravelled for them.

Only some of the second gen of the Binzhou Thirty still remembered a strange incident. That day, they had ‘sent invitations amongst themselves’ and participated in a gathering. There had been handsome men and beautiful women alore at that gathering. Everything had gone very smoothly and all of them had really enjoyed themselves...it was just that no one could say who the first person who had sent the invitation was.

Now things had truly changed for the Binzhou Thirty.

“Look, all of a sudden, we’re so big that nobody can swallow us up,” Old Jin told Huang Yaming.

The Binzhou Thirty who now had fewer than thirty people was still called the Binzhou Thirty. Jin Twenty-four became Jin Nineteen, and the Binzhou Thirty produced their youngest member and the first to be surnamed Huang, Huang Twenty-four.

…...

When newcomers were entering the Binzhou Thirty, they would have to undergo a very old-school ceremony which really gave off the atmosphere of the martial fraternity.

Because so many parties were struggling to accept the state of affairs, Huang Yaming’s entry was delayed for rather long.

In the end, it simply had to happen. In order to participate in the ceremony, Xu Tingsheng specially made a trip to the Binzhou mining district.

He arrived a day earlier and stayed at Old Jin’s home.

Seeing him, Little Jinshan said, “Something’s lacking, Uncle Xu. Do you know? Recently, I’ve been feeling especially like something’s lacking.”

Xu Tingsheng asked him, “What?”

Little Jinshan said, “It feels like before I’ve grown up, my empire has already been conquered by Old Jin. I was pretty happy at first, but then I realised. If they do this, what am I to conquer in the future?!”

Xu Tingsheng slapped him, “Brat, is the world so small in your eyes? There are swathes of territory to be conquered outside...have more ambition! Broaden your horizons and eye something bigger.”

Little Jinshan rubbed his head, saying, “True. I’ve got to at least do better than Old Jin. Still, does our style work in the outside world?”

“At its essence, anywhere is the same: Human hearts, human nature, knowledge, posture…” Xu Tingsheng said, “Still, you’d best learn some more styles.”

Right there and then, he began conversing in English with Little Jinshan about energy sources.

Little Jinshan had not let down the home tutor Old Jin had found him. He could still somewhat grasp some of what Xu Tingsheng was saying.

So long as he wished to and was happy to learn, this child’s learning ability was definitely at a terrifying level.

Still, Xu Tingsheng soon switched back to Mandarin. At the end of the day, he intended to use this to broach another topic.

After guiding Little Jinshan to speak a bunch about the detriments of coal as an energy source, Xu Tingsheng switched to asking Old Jin and Huang Yaming, “Old Jin, Yaming, what do you think?”

Huang Yaming hastily asked, “What do you mean...shut down shop? This right now is a money-printing machine!”

Xu Tingsheng said, “It’s fine. Still, everything has its ebb and flow. It’s the same for industries too, especially for coal which intrinsically has too many problems. It’s impossible for it to always do this well. I hope that while you’re raking in the cash, you can start allocating your funds for the future, keeping your eyes open for opportunities. It’s less significant for Yaming who’s involved in both entertainment and mining, but you must still take note. As for Old Jin, while you’ve dispersed much of your funds, your wealth is still rather concentrated. You should make preparations to be able to turn away from it easily.”

Old Jin looked thoughtfully at Xu Tingsheng.

Huang Yaming asked directly, “There’s at least got to be a few more years, right?”

If it were in the past, Xu Tingsheng would have ceased speaking at this point.

Still, after meeting Zhou Yuandai, his mentality had changed a lot.

“There should still be a few years,” Xu Tingsheng thought back hard on it and recollected that the golden age of the coal mining industry was approximately the ten years between 2002 and 2012.

“It’s probably not for another four, five years,” He said.

“This is your analysis?” Huang Yaming asked, his joy at having become a magnate diminishing quite a bit after hearing that the good times in the industry would only be for four to five years more.

“Just a random guess. You don’t believe me?” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

“I do! You’re Godly Swindler Xu now, after all!” Huang Yaming said, inadvertently leaving Xu Tingsheng lost for words.

“Can it truly decline to the extent that I must extricate myself? Also, if it’s four or five years, that’s actually still early! With you around, our progress is unparalleled...why are you in such a rush to say this now?” The previously silent Old Jin suddenly asked.

Xu Tingsheng composed himself, “I don’t want you two to feel too secure sitting on your empires. If you’re too invested in it, you’ll naturally overlook other things happening nearby. Sinking ships are usually only discovered when water has flowed in. The larger the vessel, the more this applies. Especially Huang Yaming...I guess you aren’t really thinking much of Bright Brilliance right now. Isn’t that right?”

Huang Yaming flashed a ‘I’ve been caught’ smile.

After a while, he said in a heavy tone, “Bright Brilliance will always be around.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Not only must it always be around, it must be made the best possible.”

……

The third time Fang Ruli ‘casually’ passed by in the living room, Xu Tingsheng finally went after her.

“Miss me, stinky fish? Xu Tingsheng intercepted her and asked.

“Why’re you in Binzhou?” Fang Ruli asked, “Hmph! Who’d miss you! Sick pervert, self-delusional as always.”

Three days later, Xu Tingsheng left Binzhou.

She did not send him off.

Little Jinshan sent a text, saying that she was standing at the second floor balcony and bawling.

Xu Tingsheng sent a reply: You’ve got to help take good care of her, Little Pervert.

Chapter 592: Spring flowers(Chunhua) falling to the ground

Chapter 592: Spring flowers(Chunhua) falling to the ground

The day after Huang Yaming’s inauguration ceremony, Xu Tingsheng heard him, Old Jin and Little Jinshan properly narrate the events of that night for the first time.

After listening to them, Xu Tingsheng realised that he had not seen the meritorious general of that night, He Chunhua.

In truth, He Chunhua could not really be considered Old Jin’s subordinate. She had been unrestricted under He Twenty-seven, without any official position as well. In other words, He Chunhua herself had had the autonomy and independence to decide what to do and how to do it.

She had contacted Old Jin the year before last via a conversation with Little Jinshan. How old had Little Jinshan been then? No one would suspect anything.

She had also very seldom contacted Old Jin in the two years afterwards, much less provided him with any intel.

“Actually, she chose not to speak of a lot of things, such as He Twenty-seven looking for Ding Miao. I came to know afterwards that she was actually long aware of this but didn’t say it,” Old Jin said.“Why?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Because she was never my subordinate at the end of the day. She was her own person, acting for her own motives...why didn’t she say it? It’s because she feared He Twenty-seven wouldn’t have a chance, wouldn’t dare to act against me. In other words, if He Twenty-seven never got any opportunity, did nothing, she would even have helped him to create an opportunity, egging him on. Amongst the Binzhou Thirty, it was only possible for He Twenty-seven to thoroughly meet his doom if he acted against me. Only then would she have a chance to fully be free, escaping his clutches.”

“Wow,” Xu Tingsheng said before asking, “Then, what about the dagger that night? You didn’t communicate about it before then?”

Old Jin shook his head, “We didn’t. There wasn’t any chance for us to communicate in the first place. Still, I guessed she could think of it, and she also guessed I could think of it. That night, the sole person who could be used to dispel the situation was Jiang Three. All the other four were insufficient. If she acted against He Twenty-seven, she would surely die, so she wouldn’t choose him too. That night, it could only be Jiang Three.”

“Also, who would she have the greatest opportunity to stand beside that night? Jiang Three, of course. He has that fetish and was free, also having a status where he was free to do whatever he liked. So, of these five, my ‘explosives’ scam also targeted Jiang Three.”

The tacit understanding between intelligent people left one feeling amazed.

Xu Tingsheng was not surprised that Old Jin had this level of capability. Conversely, he was now very interested in taking a look at He Chunhua whom he had never once met before, seeing exactly what kind of figure she was.

“That kind of intellect-given the chance, couldn’t she be another He Twenty-seven?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“She had the chance, but she herself wasn’t willing to take it,” Old Jin said.

“Where is she?”

“She took a few million and left.”

“Right. From her perspective, since she wasn’t willing to be the next He Twenty-seven, maybe only leaving and going far away to start over was the best choice.”

“Starting over is true, but leaving and going far away is not. She isn’t afraid of this in the first place,” Huang Yaming suddenly said in a strange tone, “She’s still in Binzhou. In a county not too far away from the mine district, it seems she has just opened a hotpot shop.”

“Invite me for hotpot then. Take me to see her. Just looking, not interrupting her,” Xu Tingsheng said excitedly.

Huang Yaming shook his head in a panic, saying awkwardly, “No, I’m not going.”

“Why?” Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin were both curious.

Huang Yaming was conflicted for a while before he gave up and asked, “Wasn’t I acting dumb and always hanging out with He Twenty-seven before? At first, when I saw her, I didn’t know of the situation and no one told me too. That tempting creature! Her looks, so bewitching…”

“Of course, I mainly wanted to make He Twenty-seven a cuckold, try to conquer her and insert a spy while I was at it…”

“You made a move on her?” Goosebumps rose on Xu Tingsheng’s entire body.

“I secretly tried to seduce her several times,” Huang Yaming wanted to cry but lacked the tears for such, “There were a few times when I invited her to dance, then touched...she also didn’t resist...argh, I so wanna die! Luckily, I didn’t find a chance to make an appointment for that step.”

Xu Tingsheng and Old Jin were nearly rolling on the floor in laughter.

“Now that you say that, I’ve really got to see her,” Xu Tingsheng said, laughing till he nearly ran out of breath.

……

After locating the hotpot shop, the three all made themselves less conspicuous a bit, especially Huang Yaming.

They sat down and ordered hotpot. Not long after they began eating, a group of youngsters entered the restaurant. Their leader was wearing sunglasses, a toothpick in his mouth. He brought twenty underlings with knives and rods with him, making for an intimidating lineup.

The customers were all so scared they couldn’t move.

Xu Tingsheng asked Huang Yaming and Old Jin if they were going to help.

Old Jin said to watch for a while first.

Huang Yaming asked someone from the neighbouring table, “What’s the matter? Just a few days after opening, they’ve already provoked someone.”

That person whispered, “That bunch of people takes ‘protection fees’ from these few streets. Just earlier, not long after we sat down, two underlings came in and asked for eight hundred every month from the boss.”

“The boss wouldn’t give it to them?”

“Actually, he insisted on giving three thousand a month. Still, he had to give it to their big boss in person. Say, is something wrong with his head?”

“...What happened then?”

“They started arguing. Then, the two underlings said they would go find their big boss...and here they are now. It looks like it’s gonna be messy.”

The whole gang walked menacingly towards the counter.

Still, the boss of the restaurant, He Chunhua, was very calm. His back to the counter, he was slowly and meticulously arranging the wine cabinet. While he had not yet seen his face, Xu Tingsheng had to admit that his back figure after becoming a man again was very handsome and elegant too.

An underling slammed his knife on the counter as the boss sat down on a high-seat chair and lit a cigarette, saying in an unfriendly tone, “Bro, what’s the meaning of this? I asked for eight hundred, but you insist on giving three thousand? Are you showing off how rich you are or deliberately looking for trouble?”

It was obvious that no one would want to hand in more protection fees for no reason, even requesting to see the gang boss. The boss felt that he should be here to find trouble and also very likely had some enemy organisation behind him.

He Chunhua did not utter a sound.

The big boss slammed the table, “The heck, this old man’s asking you a question!”

After a short silence, still facing away from the counter, He Chunhua finally said slowly, “No. It’s just that I once had a very good friend. As we were looking at the meat in other peoples’ bowls and eating soy sauce with rice, he told me-when he could earn three thousand a month in the future, he would take me to live with him, eating meat everyday.”

He suddenly recited a tale. As everybody was feeling perplexed, unexpectedly, that big boss suddenly got up to leave...also, he clearly appeared rather frantic and flustered.

“What? Running? A big boss like you daren’t even dare chat a little after meeting?” He Chunhua yelled behind him.

The big boss stopped in his tracks but did not look back. He did not speak too, his shoulders trembling slightly.

He Chunhua continued saying slowly, “Once, we were bullied. Two versus over a dozen, sustaining injuries all over. We hid at the back hill behind the school. Crying, he took the red ointment and helped me to apply it to my wounds from my body to the corner of my mouth. He was very focused, very gentle, very thorough…”

The big boss looked back and said in a severe tone, “Stop it, or I’ll hack you.”

He Chunhua turned back too, still looking a bit feminine as there were tear stains on his pale, beautiful face, “Come on, hack me. If you dare to do it, how can you be afraid to listen? Just who was it who, while rubbing ointment that day, actually turned it into a kiss all of a sudden?”

A kiss? A kiss, he said? Suddenly mindblown now, all the customers and underlings nearly collectively collapsed right there and then.

The big boss froze for a moment before rebutting furiously, “Your ass! It was clearly you who initiated it!”

So they had really kissed. The restaurant’s boss and the gang’s big boss…

He Chunhua said, “See? So many years, and you still daren’t admit it like always. Just like that time, when I returned to school the next day and somebody’s seat was empty. Unable to find you afterwards, I neglected myself and fell into a downward spiral...do you know how much suffering it took before I managed to return?”

The big boss was clearly in the wrong here as he had no way of refuting it.

Capitalising on his momentum, He Chunhua continued unrelentingly in a bit of a feminine manner, “Did you think that by avoiding me and leaving to be the big boss of a gang, you could run away from yourself and hide the fact that you love me and are an uke?”

The big boss raged in a panic, “Your ass! You, who are you saying is an uke? This old man licks blood off blades in the dark underworld...the uke is clearly you…”

Simply from outward appearance alone, Xu Tingsheng would definitely choose to believe the words of the big boss. Still, Huang Yaming and Old Jin had both said that He Chunhua was a seme! Also, it was because he could not accept being an uke that he had been determined to render He Twenty-seven dead and escape his clutches.

The restaurant boss smiled gently as he looked at the panicked big boss, waiting for him to finish before he said warmly, “But you didn’t deny that you love me! Little Chun, it must be really tiring for an uke to be a big boss, right? How about you quit?”

The big boss chortled lightly, yet as everyone thought that he was going to continue refuting He Chunhua, he actually only asked, “What will I eat if I quit?”

A smile blossomed on He Chunhua’s face as he said, “Protection fees from me! Three thousand per month.”

Everybody fell silent. This really just too resembled Stephen Chow saying to Cecilia Cheung: I’ll upkeep you.

The big boss was conflicted as he resembled a young girl having her first love, fidgeting and lovable. While it was very hard to accept, everyone began to believe He Chunhua’s words.

He Chunhua emerged from behind the counter, walking over to the big boss as he said, “We have money now. So, do your words from last time count or not?”

“What words?”

“Living together!”

The big boss shook and hesitated for a while, giving up on his struggle.

However, he still shook his head and said, “Sorry, I can’t leave these brothers alone. Also, it has not been easy for us to reach where we are today. I really can’t give up just like this.”

Looking at him, He Chunhua was initially silent before looking like he had made a difficult decision, he asked, “How about this? In the future, I’ll be the big boss for you. I’ll take care of the bros.”

While he wasn’t even willing to be the next He Twenty-seven, he was willing to be the big boss of a gang.

Surprised, the big boss looked up and said, “Huh? No…”

He Chunhua smiled and broke him off, “What no? Relax. Wasn’t it always me taking care of you in fights before? Even if you can do it, why can’t I?”

At this point in this whole farce, the underlings finally got a grip on themselves. They quit listening, grabbing their blades and howling at He Chunhua about who he thought he was and what the hell he wanted…

Someone made as if to charge over…

“Nobody move!” The big boss spread his arms wide to block everyone, surveying his band of brothers before he finally clenched his teeth and averted his gaze, saying, “Go on. Call him big boss!”

His underlings were stunned. Having been gangsters for so many years, they knew that it was not easy to find a good big boss. The one they were following now happened to be one.

Unwilling to separate, his underlings asked sorrowfully, “What about you, big boss? You won’t care about us anymore?”

“I will!” The big boss lowered his head, his face red as he bit his lips and said, “I, you...how about you call me big sister-in-law then.”

Who knew how many chopsticks and ladles dropped on the floor throughout the entire venue at this moment.

Huang Yaming appeared disbelieving as he blankly drank a ladle of the hotpot’s spices as soup.

Yet, some underlings were still unable to accept it as pandemonium ensued. There was crying, kneeling, even those who wanted to resort to violence…

The big boss pursed his lips, saying with tears in his eyes, “Do you guys think that someone with as girlish a heart as mine can really be happy as a big boss? Sorry, your big boss...is an uke! Sob...it’s been so many years. I thought he had totally vanished. Actually, I really miss him…”

……

That day, Xu Tingsheng’s trio really didn’t interrupt Hu Chunhua...maybe he wasn’t called He Chunhua anymore.

Anyway, spring flowers (Chunhua) fell to the ground...as lovers reunited, had a happy ending.

Chapter 593: I don't want such things to happen again

Chapter 593: I don’t want such things to happen again

The day Old Jin sneakily left Yanzhou, there were many more policemen and roaming loafers out on the streets of Yanzhou. Their movements starting from early that morning caused the city to seem to have devolved into chaos. Ding Miao gave He Twenty-seven a call and gave him confidence as a chaotic situation that was more dangerous unfolded in the Binzhou mine district.

The future local tyrant of Binzhou, Little Jinshan, stood at the balcony of his villa that day, facing enemies head-on for the first time. He was eight that year. That fateful night was destined to be narrated unceasingly in the years to come, spoken of as a legend, much like a king in Western historical epics taking the first step out of their village in their youth.

The starting point of this chaotic battle for supremacy in Binzhou was actually in Yanzhou. If it was said that the Jin father and son had won in terms of tactics and directly facing the enemy, Xu Tingsheng had at least provided them with some strategic guidance.

Still, the actual process of this upheaval was actually very far away from him. Xu Tingsheng was still in the detention centre that day, more or less feeling a little numb. Some nights, facing those icy cold walls, he could not help but wonder: Ultimately, had he unknowingly taken an erroneous path?

Sometimes, his desires and goals were actually not that clear. Xu Tingsheng had never been someone who could only be satisfied by being the wealthiest man around or a billionaire. He was even willing to believe that what Jack Ma had later said, that the greatest mistake in his life was establishing a company like Alibaba that was ostentatious to the extreme, came truly from the heart.

Having been reborn, Xu Tingsheng had initially not wanted to let down what fate had gifted him. There were some things that were easily attainable and some people whom he would like to see have a better life. Thus, he had set out on those paths, then been unable to extricate himself as he slowly but steadily came to where he was today.

Some envied him, but some were jealous of him too. He had access to more, but he had to bear a greater burden too. People would always meet new problems when finally leading the life that had previously been ideal in their minds.

Xu Tingsheng felt that what his father could do was actually already enough. Perhaps he should settle down and be a rich kid. He didn’t have to be so outstanding; it would be good enough if he was not too much of a wastrel. If unwilling, he could still work on Hucheng’s affairs, passing it on to Lu Zhixin when it had reached a certain stage.

I can take my annual bonus and my family’s money to buy many flats, buy flats in Yanzhou, Xihu City, Yanjing, Shenghai, Shenzhen. I can be a parasite then, having the freedom and countless time to accompany my parents, bring Xiang Ning on tours, become a dedicated father, raise my children, accompany them to play football on the field outside our house, bring them on outings, participate in joint parent-children activities…

Once in a while, such a thought would pass through his mind. This thought has passed through everyone’s minds before, whether they are rich or poor, successful or failures, short or long-lived...there are no exceptions.

Still, Xu Tingsheng actually did not have the right to dream like this. Fate had already given him this chance, this chance to start over again.

Life is never perfect. Whatever kind of decision you make, however many times you ponder over it and change your thoughts, you will always have regrets. Even if you have multiple opportunities to start over again.

……

It was on this day that Ling Xiao came to visit Xu Tingsheng in the detention centre for the second time.

She came early in the morning, not wearing makeup as her long hair fell to her shoulders. She carried fruits and cigarettes, even a bottle of red wine and a glass. There wasn’t even a single guard accompanying her.

“The police station seems a bit chaotic today,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“They’re lacking manpower. Some have gone out. Then, there’s also that person who came reporting a case in the morning and stole the wallets and handphones of two policemen in the meantime…” Ling Xiao smiled and said, “Your friend from Binzhou is very loyal. They came. That’s why Yanzhou is a bit chaotic today, with even Xihu City affected. Those from my family are also helping the Ding family.”

She put her phone on the table and said, “Many things will definitely be happening today. I’ll be bored looking at them alone, and you may be anxious if you can’t get any news. So I decided I would come find you. It’s very probable that I’ll be accompanying you all the way from morning till night.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled but said nothing. As of now, he still did not know what had happened to Tan Yao.

“Don’t you want to scold me? I know that your Dad came to see you. So, you should be aware of the situation outside,” Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Ling Xiao hesitated for a while before saying, “Actually, I never thought that...this would end with your very life at stake.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that she was talking about Ding Miao’s matter. Here, it was not the Fang family who was targeted but Xu Tingsheng. Also, others still did not know, but this was also related to another city, Binzhou, where a conflict of an even greater scale was playing out.

As He Twenty-seven saw it, this crisis of life and death for Xu Tingsheng was but a segment of his scheme.

“I thought of giving up last night. I truly did, because from start to end, I’ve only ever thought of persuading you to stop or preventing you from doing anything, making it convenient for me and others to act against the Fang family. I just wanted to make you pay a price. I never thought that the danger before you might instead come to exceed the danger before the Fang family...”

Her goal was to create the atmosphere and necessary conditions for people to unreservedly act against the remainder of the Fang family. Some people had indeed done so, setting their sights on Fang Chen. Over a dozen lives had been lost in the aftermath. Many had also acted, some directly targeting Xu Tingsheng and the remainder virtually all appearing happy to see this happen.

The situation did not seem optimistic at all. Ling Xiao opened the box of cigarettes, placed a match on the box and pushed it to Xu Tingsheng as she continued, “It seems like people are always willing to exert themselves for you. Xu Tingsheng, how enviable your life is. Still, sorry. I won’t be one of them. Maybe in another situation, I would. One of the most attractive proposals I’ve received over the years was you saying that you would like to invite me to your Xingchen Technologies, opening an investment department for me. Still, I won’t now. I am very lucid. It would be impossible for me to hinder a matter like this...this is a good thing for me. From the start, I should have focused on you...with you out of the picture, the remainder is no problem whatsoever.”

“You don’t have to apologise,” Xu Tingsheng lit a cigarette.

“What are you thinking?”

“I’ll tell you in a bit.”

Ling Xiao nodded and said, “If you can make it through this, I mean...if we still haven’t made any headway after this, we won’t initiate a bitter, unrelenting struggle with you. This matter, including with you and the Fang family, will be brought to an end for the time being. My family will try hard to preserve itself, exerting all means. As for what the days ahead will bring, it will have to depend on whether the Fang family’s remnants can survive, which step they can achieve.”

“Actually,” Xu Tingsheng said in response to these words, “Actually, there may already be no easy way out of this.”

Ling Xiao looked at him, “You aren’t willing to end the struggle? ...Right, now that things have reached this point, it’s only normal that you’re thinking this.”

“I just don’t want such things to happen again,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What are you saying?” Ling Xiao asked.

“I don’t want people to be able to arrest me and lock me up for a few days anytime they want. I don’t want people to have the guts to make a move against me so easily. I don’t want people to scheme around me again. I don’t want people to have to exert themselves tirelessly for me…” Xu Tingsheng said.

Sometimes, you are only thinking to play by the riverbank, yet accidentally stand at the head of a tide. In that case...you can only stand better, let the tide heed your command. Unparalleled in its momentum, smashing everything in its path.

Chapter 594: To strike a rock with eggs

Chapter 594: To strike a rock with eggs

“Also, I can’t let my little girlfriend be worried and frightened again. I can imagine how she’s cried these past few days, unable to sleep and study properly. She’s only seventeen...to me, this is the most serious thing.”

“Also, I really don’t want to see my Dad angry. Many people were already afraid of this when he was still just a farmer...it’s just that you people don’t know.”

Xu Tingsheng sat opposite Ling Xiao, telling her this.

Ling Xiao’s handphone buzzed.

Looking at the message, she said, “Sorry, I feel a bit confused about what position I should take now...it’s just, many people seem to have underestimated your father’s capabilities and determination.”

Just this morning, Zhongliang Corporation, fully owned by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, had announced that they had reached an important agreement in taking their first step into investment.

Zhongliang Corporation had officially acquired forty percent of the shares of Happy Shoppers that was owned by Libei’s Xu family...they would thereon be involved in all aspects, be it funds, products or mediums.

Mr Xu, Xu Jiangliang. As compared to his virtually godlike son, people knew very little about him outside of Jiannan. Yet, just as Ling Xiao had said: Virtually everyone had underestimated the capabilities and determination of this farmer-turned-magnate.

More than two years ago, he had pointed at the mountain outside the village, telling his son, “Your Dad, currently at 45 years of age, still have it left in me...I want to uproot that mountain for you, lay the path ahead for you...then hand it over to you. You go to the outside world and make a killing. If you succeed, Dad will be proud of you. If you fail, just come back to Dad’s place.”

He had actually always been doing so.

Only when the partnership between Happy Shoppers and Zhongliang Corporation was officially achieved and the news was announced did some people suddenly discover that so, such a low-key massive entity had actually existed amongst the supermarket franchises in China.

The Xu family’s Happy Shoppers was perhaps the supermarket franchise in China below the city level that encompassed the greatest area, holding the greatest influence. Unbeknownst to others, at some point in time, Xu Jianliang had successfully completed a ‘village encircling city’.

Faced with such a grand accomplishment, it was no wonder that Zhongliang Corporation which was seeking to change their approach and make a breakthrough in their organisational structure had taken the initiative to seek their cooperation.

What did the cooperation between Happy Shoppers and Zhongliang Corporation entail?

“Who would have thought? In the space of a single night, your Xu family’s status has changed,” Ling Xiao said, “Royal merchants, official merchants, red-peaked businessmen in ancient times too and then red capitalists afterwards. Now…”

“It actually isn’t as complicated as that. To my Dad, all this means is that...in the future, no one will be able to just casually arrest his, Xu Jiangliang’s son and imprison him for a few days,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Unless the Xu family completely collapses.”

Ling Xiao froze.

“No one know how bullish, how vicious and stubborn my Dad is,” Xu Tingsheng smiled just like a little kid, “Actually daring to bully his son…”

As if corroborating Xu Tingsheng’s words, Ling Xiao soon received a second piece of information.

The CEO of Libei’s Happy Shoppers Corporation, Xu Jianliang, had just...officially sued the government of Yanzhou over his son, Xu Tingsheng, receiving unfair treatment in the handling of the conflict over Yanzhou’s Ning Garden, that belonged to his son’s company, Zhicheng Real Estate.

Truly, Ling Xiao seldom had a flabbergasted expression like this.

While the law did allow for citizens to sue the government and such cases did happen somewhat frequently...everyone was clear that this was just to demonstrate the spirit of the law and citizens’ rights.

For instance, Shenghai City’s government got sued several hundred times every year but had  never suffered a single successful lawsuit thus far.

Still...it was different this time. This time, no one dared to claim that the Yanzhou government would be able to solidly remain secure in its position.

“Did your Dad reach an agreement with Zhongliang Corporation on this? The news came one after another. This is...a citizen enterprise dragging along a Central enterprise to resist a local government?” Ling Xiao asked somewhat blankly.

Xu Tingsheng lowered his head and took a puff of the cigarette before smiling wryly and shaking his head, “No, my Dad did it intentionally. He...tied down Zhongliang Corporation with him. I already told you! I really don’t want to see my Dad angry. Old Xu’s more vicious than me. Besides that, he’s also stubborn as a mule, has a bad temper, audacious in his actions…”

Xu Tingsheng did not mind being upfront with Ling Xiao. The result of this matter would not change because of it. Even if Zhongliang Corporation was caught unawares, was actually very unwilling...it would still be impossible for it not to let its power be borrowed.

Having just announced the news, Zhongliang had to accept this as fact and also consider its face and interests. Others had to be mindful of the shift in status of Happy Shoppers, who was now a partner of Zhongliang’s.

At this moment, Xu Tingsheng and Ling Xiao still did not know of another matter. The despairing Ye Qing had threatened her family with the consequence of potentially losing the inheritance rights of her family’s corporations and obtained their full support. Under her own name as well as that of Zhicheng Real Estate, she was officially suing the government of Yanzhou City along with the eight officials who had perished along with Tan Yao.

True, they were dead...still, Ye Qing felt that this wasn’t enough. She could not see Tan Yao die with his name tarnished even as those people had grand, proper funerals. She did not want the instigators behind this matter to be able to remain smug and comfortable.

It was just as she would say at Tan Yao’s funeral. If Fang Chen had dared to take another step forward at the time, had she dared to walk before Tan Yao’s grave...she would not have let her off, even if it was her.

As others saw it, she who had once been Yanzhou’s most intelligent, cold-blooded and unattainable woman...was already mad. What she had cared about most before, she did not care about even in the slightest now.

She was also helping Xu Tingsheng, Tan Yao’s best bro in this lifetime.

For Yanzhou’s bureaucracy, the pressure brought about by the Ye family was actually greater than that by the Xu family. As everyone knew, the Ye family was the richest in Yanzhou. Still, it was far from limited to just that.

This was a family with an extremely substantial background. As far back as 1900, the ancestors of the Ye family had already purchased land in Yanzhou, establishing the first local Western school there. The school had hired a principal from America, teaching all their lessons in English. Afterwards, they had given it all to the government and it had become Yanzhou’s first specialised university. During the revolution and drive for liberation, the ancestors of the Ye family had all given them a lot of support as a patriotic corporation. After the country was established, a daughter of the Ye family had been married to one of their founding generals…

Even if the Ye family was already not in as glorious and prominent a state as back then...facing a family that had stood tall for over a century, no one would be foolish enough to underestimate it and take it lightly.

In this country, a concept that had always been indoctrinated in the people was that for corporations to fight with the bureaucracy was no different from striking a rock with an egg. However, they might really be going to witness two eggs that could break rocks at this juncture.

As those of Yanzhou City’s government who knew the ramifications were striking their tables in their offices, howling ‘what exactly are they thinking to achieve’.

Ling Xiao too was asking Xu Tingsheng, “Your family, what exactly are you and your father thinking to achieve?”

Xu Tingsheng looked up and glanced at her, not saying anything.

“If it’s only to get you out, it seems like it needn’t be so public. If it’s to suppress the matter with Yanzhou’s Ding family, the move is too vague and unspecific...” Ling Xiao said, “Actually...if things can be settled over at the Ding family, it’s true that you’ll have a way to get out now.”

“Why?”

“Our Ling and Xiao families spent over twenty years building a net. You weren’t enough to shake it originally. I admit that the current you can already smash through one or two points. After smashing through a hole in it, you should have sufficient space to extricate yourself then.”

“Why can’t I just rip the entire net apart?” Looking at Ling Xiao, Xu Tingsheng asked her.

“Have you seen the net? Breaking just a few points can’t pierce its surface,” Ling Xiao said, meeting his gaze.

“I’ve seen it. If sufficient points are broken through, its surface can be pierced. Your net’s too dense. The benefit of this is that it’s stable. The detriment is that when it’s ripped, a whole patch falls apart,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 595: Ultra massive quake

Chapter 595: Ultra massive quake

After a standoff that did not seem like a standoff.

Ling Xiao said, “You should consider the Ding family’s matter first. While Ding Miao claims that he has sufficient evidence, he still hasn’t produced the witnesses yet. He’s probably waiting for more people to reach out to him with benefits...such as those eyeing Ning Garden’s land, such as my family. He wants to get as much out of it as possible.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “If others don’t infringe on my things, I won’t infringe on theirs. This already doesn’t seem like the correct logic and principle.”

Ling Xiao said, “In this world, there is only gain which completely aligns with logic and principles. As for what exceeds it, there is only emotion. Familial relationships, love, brotherly ties...hatred, gratitude...whichever kind. It’s just that emotions are increasingly losing to gain and profit now. Gradually, only one principle will remain in this world.”

The enemies continued their conversation. Before long, it was already noon.

There was still nothing over from Ding Miao’s side. News of the Ye family’s intervention, though, had spread...Yanzhou’s bureaucracy was rendered even more chaotic now.

At the door of the visiting room, Ling Xiao glanced inside. It was lunchtime, and Xu Tingsheng was earnestly and calmly eating the allocated food as per the rules.

Ling Xiao grit her teeth and headed outside.

There were some things in which she simply had no choice. She could laugh and talk with Xu Tingsheng like fishes in water, talking calmly and warmly. It was also oftentimes when she felt she had met her match, hitting it off incomparably well with him.

Still, this did not mean she would not think of ways to make things difficult for him.

To be precise, she had no choice but to do so.

The nature of the situation had already changed. What Xu Tingsheng sought now was not to extricate himself, but to strengthen himself...if he succeeded, it was very likely that the Fang family’s matter would end just like that.

The Ling and Xiao families were definitely unwilling to see this. They had spent over twenty years preparing for this. If they did not sever the threat at its root, they would run the risk of suffering vengeance from the remnants of the Fang family in the future.

Calls were made one after another as the net that the Ling and Xiao families had spent the past twenty over years weaving was forced to open and circulate at full strength for the first time.

She had to resist the pressure from Mr Xu and Ye Qing’s family, protect those within the net and give confidence to Ding Miao who was holing up who knew where. In the stalemate between the two sides, what Ding Miao possessed had become the crucial element that would decide victory and defeat.

They and Ding Miao both needed each other now. They would give Ding Miao help and support before using Ding Miao’s ammunition to forcibly dispel the pressure on them-it was not just that, actually. If Xu Tingsheng was convicted of murder, the lawsuits of the Xu and Ye families would actually become totally meaningless.

As long as Xu Tingsheng fell, the remainder of the Fang family would be like roaming lambs on the plains, just waiting to be slaughtered. Lions were unnecessary as even hyenas and wolves would be sufficient to shred their flesh till not even dregs remained of them.

Ling Xiao finished her calls, and Xu Tingsheng finished eating lunch.

She didn’t return to sit opposite him like before, but neither did she leave. Standing at the little surveillance window, Ling Xiao saw Xu Tingsheng get up and stretch for a while before calmly closing his eyes and resting. All throughout, she was wondering unceasingly: Why must I see him dead?

From a personal standpoint, Ling Xiao could not find any reason for it at all.

The word she should use to define him was interesting. She had to admit that he was filled with allure for women. Sometimes, he was very simple. He had once been totally played by her too. Yet, she somehow felt like she was unable to see through him. For instance, how could he be so calm right now?

“He should know what I’m trying to do...I’m thinking of a way to get him convicted of murder.”

Xu Tingsheng was aware of this, of course.

Still, all the steps and arrangements had actually already been completed when he and his father had met.

He had asked his father for help with two things at the time. One was to give Old Jin a reminder, letting him return to Binzhou to handle things with an ease of mind. The other was to retrieve a mother and daughter pair from a certain district in Yanzhou.

Ling Xiao received the first call in response to earlier.

“Minister Meng from the Promotion Ministry has been arrested,” A rather frantic voice resounded from the other end.

Things had been very chaotic since this morning as everyone had tense nerves and were all too jumpy and on edge.

This Minister Meng from the Promotion Ministry was that same person who had been Vice Chief of the Yanzhou Nightly a few years ago, having been promoted at insane speeds due to his substantial background. He had once been Chen Jianxing’s boss. The Ling and Xiao families had exerted a lot of effort these twenty years in secretly raising a batch of people in Yanzhou where the Fang family’s base was. In the end, their manpower and connections had virtually come to encompass all the various ministries of Yanzhou.

It was impossible that the illegal exchange of benefits did not exist in such a group. Otherwise, it would be impossible to establish and maintain it.

“Was it the Xu family or the Ye family?”

Ling Xiao was still relatively composed. If it was the two families who had done it, she could simply treat it as an act of intimidation. Just a Promotion Minister alone was not sufficient to affect the overall situation.

“I’m not sure. It seems to have been an investigation squad from up above.”

“Up above. The province?”

“Yanjing, it seems.”

“...” Ling Xiao’s heart sank abruptly, “Are you sure? Stay calm. Think of a way to check first.”

“Alright.”

Thinking that some time should be needed to investigate and verify this matter, Ling Xiao was just about to put her phone back in her bag.

Her ringtone sounded again.

“Hello.”

“Deputy Mayor Ma.”

“What?”

“Deputy Mayor Ma was out of town in a meeting when he was directly cuffed.”

“...”

“I couldn’t get through to Chairman Zhang. Head Secretary Zhao gave me a call earlier. I picked up, but there was no answer...and then the call ended. They should have come from Yanjing…” The other person said in a defeated tone.

“I got it,” Ling Xiao said sombrely.

There was no further need for investigation here. Had it been an investigation squad from the province, it was impossible that no news would have leaked whatsoever before this operation. They also could not have acted at such a speed and scale in such an important city of Jianhai Province. So, the squad had definitely descended high from the capital of Yanjing.

Also, the province should share the same stance as up above, being happy to see this happen. Otherwise, judgment would never have come down speedy as a descending thunderbolt.

“They’re still making arrests…” This time, the person on the other end reported no names as his voice was filled with fear and despair, “It seems...we’re going to be overturned entirely.”

“What’s the reason?” Ling Xiao was still disbelieving and somewhat unable to comprehend it.

Even in a central area, such a quake amongst the bureaucracy was very rarely seen...be it the Xu family or the Ye family, neither should be capable of unleashing such huge waves with their background alone.

“It should be related to that person.”

“Who?”

“Chen Jianxing. He previously entered the capital with the report team, reporting sickness and thus staying behind…”

“Chen Jianxing?” Who’s that?” Ling Xiao didn’t even recognise this name.

“Deputy Mayor Ma’s son-in-law. Someone from our group. If he had the desire to, he should know everything. More than two years would have been more than enough for him to collect evidence. If he is willing to be used as a lance and people above happen to be willing to use him, we…”

“What? Hello, hello? ...Beep...beep, beep…”

There was only silence from the other end.

Ling Xiao stood defeatedly…

Some had previously likened the Fang family’s instant collapse to an earthquake in the bureaucracy of Yanzhou. In that case, now...an ultra massive quake had suddenly come. Besides the new mayor who had come to Yanzhou with two new, big projects yet been left without any actual power over the long term, everyone in Yanzhou’s bureaucracy was left fearing for their positions.

Ling Xiao abruptly rushed back to the surveillance window.

Xu Tingsheng gazed at her. While he clearly shouldn’t be able to see her, he was looking in this direction. Ling Xiao felt like his gaze was tangible as it fell on her.

Slowly, the corners of Xu Tingsheng’s mouth bloomed into a brilliant smile.

In his previous life, an inconsequential person like Chen Jianxing had been able to stir so great a tide, overturning so many people...however much evidence he might possess, he definitely wasn’t the sole reason for it.

The truth of the matter was that he was willing to be a lance, which someone also happened to need.

While no one knew who the harbour behind the mayor of Yanzhou whose power was being diminished was, Xu Tingsheng knew it. Looking at the time, it was now time to completely stabilise Jianhai Province as their territory. How could as important a city as Yanzhou fall behind?!

“Officer! Is anyone there? I think it should be time for me to pack up my things,” Xu Tingsheng got up and said.

Ling Xiao zoned out for a moment as two scenes reappeared before her eyes.

The first scene: Xu Tingsheng visited the Ling family manor, playing a game of chess with the two old men. That game should originally have been a draw...still, at the end of the game, Xu Tingsheng had taken two pieces and returned them to the chessboard-those were two pawns that had crossed the river.

Pawns that had crossed the river were equivalent to warriors pledged to their deaths. They would only die, they could only advance.

Ling Xiao had always thought that that was Xu Tingsheng bluffing, overstating his assets…

The second scene was from just earlier. Xu Tingsheng had said this: Why can’t I just rip the entire net apart? If sufficient points are broken through, its surface can be pierced. Your net’s too dense. The benefit of this is that it’s stable. The detriment is that when it’s ripped, a whole patch falls apart.

Ling Xiao knew now that he was right. The net of the Ling and Xiao families was too dense...once ripped, it was a whole patch.

Chapter 596: The boat capsizes

Chapter 596: The boat capsizes

A whole patch of the Ling and Xiao families’ net had been ripped apart. While it had still not reached the extent of collapsing completely, it was actually only a matter of time as it was beyond saving.

The powerful stance of the Xu and Ye families, coupled with this sudden massive quake, generated pressure that was great enough to overload the entire net, bringing it down.

Meanwhile, virtually unavoidably, people would link this massive quake to the Xu family’s ‘mysterious background’ that had already been very hard to discern in the first place-more and more people would join the Xu family’s side, coming with tangible pledges of their allegiance.

This snowball would build up very quickly, increasing rapidly in size till it crushed everything.

Just as Ling Xiao herself had said, emotions were increasingly losing to calculations of gain.

Right now, the Ling and Xiao families did not have any actual authority. While they had helped to groom many people before, with the onrushing waves before them that surged to the heavens, no one would continue to protect this ship of theirs that was soon to sink.

If they struggled on their own, more people might be dragged down with them.

Another call came in.

Ling Xiao already had no mood to listen to it.

“Why hasn’t there been any news at all from Ding Miao?” She asked.

This was the only thing that could break people’s fear and exaggerated understanding of the Xu family right now, preventing the snowball from accumulating and becoming bigger.

No one could give her an answer. For Ding Miao was missing, and even the Ding family’s own people were looking for him.

……

This morning, a few hours ago, Ding Miao had just called He Twenty-seven and informed him about the current situation in Yanzhou, including Old Jin’s actions there and the Ding family’s resolute response.

He hung up.

Anger, nervousness, excitement, frenziedness...various emotions intermingled on Ding Miao.

“Bro Miao, shall we bring them away now, or?” His subordinates asked.

“Wait a bit more. You guys go out first,” Ding Miao waved them away as he sat down on the sofa.

“Bro Miao…”

“I asked you to go out first.”

“Yes.”

After calming down slightly, Ding Miao raised his head and looked up at Tongtong, Dongzi and Old Dog.

“Don’t worry. I guarantee that you two will only have to go to jail for two or three years...when you come out, you will get a large sum,” Ding Miao first said to Old Dog and Dongzi before turning to Tongtong and saying, “It will be even better for you...in the future, you will have achieved success in life.”

Tongtong nodded, then lowered her head again.

Ding Miao suddenly discovered that she was actually rather attractive, especially after she had lost her gaudiness and gained the experienced, confident manner of Bright Brilliance’s manager.

“No wonder even He Twenty-seven wanted to have some fun with her,” Ding Miao thought.

Right now, his emotions were in a chaotic state and he was feeling high. In situations such as this, he was used to venting his emotions and calming himself down using such a method.

“Want to go with me?” Ding Miao pointed at the bedroom.

Tongtong looked up at him in puzzlement.

“I’m in a good mood now. Play with me, and I’ll give you an added hundred thousand on top of what was previously agreed upon afterwards,” Ding Miao was shocked by his own generosity here as having once been a lady at a nightclub, this woman should merely be worth about a thousand per night at most.

Tongtong shook her head and retreated two steps back.

“Stop pretending. You’re actually very happy, right?” Ding Miao asked straightforwardly.

In his heart, this was nothing more than another merciless, mercenary woman. This could be further seen from how she had agreed to betray Xu Tingsheng.

Ding Miao smiled disdainfully, “Relax, what I say counts. Xu Tingsheng looks down on you for being dirty, but I don’t. Me, I’ve always understood womens’ hearts the most.”

He got up and pulled Tongtong towards the bedroom.

He opened the door, leaving the field of vision of his subordinates outside.

A hand covered his mouth from behind while another hand restricted his neck.

Squeezed into the bedroom with the other three, Ding Miao was pressed down in a corner and had his arms and legs tied up.

Dongzi pressed a wooden wedge against Ding Miao’s throat, slowly loosening his hand that covered his mouth.

“Boss Ding, your life’s valuable...you won’t resist and see us all die together, right? We’re agreed then? Be quiet, don’t let the people outside notice anything.”

Tongtong found Ding Miao’s handphone. She went to the small balcony outside the bedroom to make a call.

Ding Miao looked rather blankly at Dongzi and promptly gave up on this fool who was smiling in a silly manner.

His puzzled, furious gaze falling on Old Dog, Ding Miao asked in a hushed tone, “Are you a fool?”

“He’s the fool,” Old Dog pointed at Dongzi, saying, “His mother, he thinks he’s a devoted lover. Of course, I didn’t agree at first. Still...having been a big bro for so many years, I’ve only had this one follower. I haven’t been able to let him live decently at all yet. So, I’m sorry, Boss Ding.”

“...What do you plan to do now then?” While Ding Miao felt that it was very difficult to communicate with Old Dog, it was at least a bit better than talking to Dongzi as he thus decided to keep at it.

“Wait for a while first,” Old Dog said.

“Wait? You fool, have you thought about the consequences? Even if I don’t kill you, you’ll have no way to live. Wait?”

“It’s like this, actually,” Old Dog lit a cigarette and sat down, saying earnestly, “There’re two more reasons. First, we heard the call you made just now. Us bros were in the Binzhou mine district before, and you weren’t, so it’s very normal for you to not know. Still, you should actually listen to more appraisals and legends regarding Jin Twenty-four in the mining district. No one can off Jin Twenty-four, definitely not. So, He Twenty-seven’s done for. So, if we get in the same boat as you and see Xu Tingsheng dead...what then? Wait for Jin Twenty-four to take revenge, be buried in the mines?”

Old Bro made an ‘like I’d be that dumb’ expression.

“The second reason’s this. Actually, in this matter, the process is the same for us if we help you render Xu Tingsheng dead or help Xu Tingsheng render you dead, right? But the result may not be the same. You both rendered the same person, Ding Sen, dead. But, Xu Tingsheng rendered an enemy who was after his life dead, while you rendered your own little brother dead. Dongzi and I believe in loyalty. So, we feel that that Xu Tingsheng is probably a bit more trustworthy.”

“Your mother, he’s in jail right now!” Ding Miao exclaimed disdainfully.

“I know. But I heard that Xu Tingsheng has never lost before. Jin Twenty-four too. Also, there’s this old adage: not dying to calamity, definitely blessed with fortune...that time, Ding Sen wanted us to smash into his car, but he even managed to get himself killed instead. I’d be a fool if I tried to provoke someone like this,” Old Dog said.

Ding Miao suddenly felt like even he himself had nearly been persuaded. Yet, Old Dog and Dongzi clearly lacked such brains and the ability to reason with logic.

“Did you think up all of this on your own?” Ding Miao asked.

Old Dog pointed at Tongtong who was on the balcony outside, “Most of it was said by her.”

“She said it, and you believed it?”

Old Dog pointed at Dongzi, “She said it, and he believed it.”

Ding Miao had to face this idiot now, “This woman cheated you, remember? You aren’t thinking that she might like you, right? Go look in a mirror…”

Dongzi turned and looked at the balcony, smiling a bit before he said softly, “Actually, I don’t think so. Still, she is the most beautiful woman that I kissed and hugged before. She’s also the most beautiful woman who talked to me on QQ the longest, praising me for my looks...heck, she even asked me that day if I was hungry and wanted to eat anything, said she'd cook for me. This old man broke down at once. These past two years, from hiding below deck in a boat to leave the country to returning from overseas to the mines, there’s never been a woman who asked me this before. Wrong...actually, ever since my mother died, no one’s asked me this.”

Ding Miao couldn’t listen on any longer as he was already almost lost for words, “Fool, she seduced you to cheat you of your money!”

Dongzi nodded, “Yeah, she did...I really hated her to death at first, constantly thinking of taking revenge on her. Afterwards, when we were overseas, we were sleeping in the cement pipes in the day and going out to steal food at night. We couldn’t speak foreign languages too. And with nothing to do, I started to think about random stuff...thinking about it, I found that it was still this thing that was the most interesting. I could think about it to the point of laughing out loud, you know? Many times. That is to say that when I thought about women, the one I thought about most...was her.”

Ding Miao slumped down against the wall, “...Just that? You’re the greatest fool I’ve ever seen.”

“It does seem pretty silly, I know,” Dongzi smiled, “Still, stuff like this that looks very simple, very easy...rich young masters like you would never have lacked it. You wouldn’t understand. But for people like us, it’s actually very hard to come by. How great it is, that a beautiful girl is willing to patiently chat with you, looking at your super old-fashioned photo and saying that you’re very handsome and cute, saying that the lame jokes you found online are very funny...also even asking if you’re hungry and want to eat, saying she’ll cook...so, I guess being silly is better, really.”

Ding Miao had already given up somewhat, “I was a fool to put you two fools in charge of watching over her. So, this was planned long ago?” He gestured at his bound limbs as he asked, “In that case, shouldn’t you have tried to think of a way to escape two days ago? Did you wait till today just so you could capture me and give me to the enemy for merit?”

“You’re right. If we wanted to escape, we shouldn’t have waited till today. Still, there’s no way for us to escape, right? You have people secretly guarding this place,” Dongzi said, “Actually, I was hesitating too before...I only just steeled my resolve.”

“Just? Why?”

Dongzi exclaimed emotionally, “Right! Just earlier...you pointed at the bedroom, saying that you were in a good mood and wanted to sleep with her. Hey, you can freaking sleep with her so easily?! Do you know that in order to sleep with her, this old man had my stuff stolen and fled overseas without a penny to my name? In the end, I didn’t even get to do it. Thinking about this, the blood rushed to my head. I’ve got to render you dead…”

Ding Miao, “...”

The boat had capsized...in a blind spot that was really way too unreasonable.

Chapter 597: Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng

Chapter 597: Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng

As Tongtong returned from the balcony after making a call, Dongzi hurriedly shut his mouth.

“Do you mind if I ask who you called?” Looking at Tongtong, Ding Miao tried hard to regain his calm before he asked, “How about I take a guess? Xu Tingsheng is locked up, Tan Yao is dead and the police is keeping an eye on Wu Kun...it can only be Huang Yaming, right? He’s not in Binzhou?”

Tongtong did not deny it.

“It really is Huang Yaming?!” After his initial panic at the changing circumstance, Ding Miao had already regained his calm and intelligence as he now said, “In that case, we have a real problem on our hands. You will all die, not just the two of you…” He indicated at Dongzi and Old Dog before staring at Tontong, “Don’t think that you will be safe. You’re no exception too.”

The three all gazed at him.

“Don’t look at me like this. While I won’t have it good, I may not die. Without you lot, I’ll pose no threat to Xu Tingsheng. Also, I’m simply not qualified to fight with him. Huang Yaming will choose to extract sufficient benefits from me. I will duly give them up. So, I have a chance to live. Still, you lot will die for sure.”

“Don’t believe me? Do you think that you understand Huang Yaming?” Ding Miao locked gazes with Tongtong.

Tongtong looked at him but did not say anything.

Ding Miao continued, “I don’t understand Xu Tingsheng. I can’t grasp this person’s personality and actions. Still, I have interacted with and understand Huang Yaming. He’s the sole wolf beside Xu Tingsheng. Vicious, decisive, calm, it’s like he was born for this. The first time we worked together, he approached me to join hands in killing my younger brother, Ding Sen. I’ve never seen that sort of confidence and calmness in anyone else his age, any other newcomer to the scene before.”

“So, if you ask me now who I’m more willing to face...I’m more willing to face Xu Tingsheng. It’s because I’m scared of Huang Yaming. Now that Tan Yao is dead, Huang Yaming’s already negative side will be infinitely magnified. And as long as the three of you are alive, you will always pose a threat to Xu Tingsheng. It just happens that all the conditions are right now. This time, he will not let the three of you live on. As long as it is within his capabilities, he will not let anyone threaten Xu Tingsheng again. He won’t allow the slightest chance of it happening.”

Dongzi and Old Dog turned to look at Tongtong, panic visible in their eyes.

Tongtong smiled, “Boss Ding’s really good at sowing discord. The three of us are uncultured and unintelligent; we can’t win you in this aspect. Sadly, I don’t believe it. Boss Huang and I have known each other for quite long. He will not do that. Relax, you two. I can guarantee that nothing will happen to you.”

“You can’t even guarantee your own safety. Your earlier expression already betrayed you,” Ding Miao said domineeringly, “It’s precisely because you and Huang Yaming have known each other for quite long that you’re actually very clear that what I say is true. That’s the true Huang Yaming…”

Actually, what Ding Miao said was right. Ever since his first sentence, Tongtong had consciously realised that Huang Yaming would really do that.

In these two years, having gone from Starry Splendour to Bright Brilliance and interacted with Xu Tingsheng’s bunch, Tongtong had established pretty good relationships with most of them, including Xu Tingsheng, including Tan Yao, including the women like Ye Qing and Fang Chen...but never had Huang Yaming been one of them.

She was scared of Huang Yaming.

It was not because Huang Yaming was vicious, strict and hard to get close to. Rather, it was because...aside from those like Xu Tingsheng, Tan Yao and Fu Cheng, she did not find that Huang Yaming was someone who forged many close relationships.

In Huang Yaming’s own words, he had very little conscience now and could not give it to so many people.

“Ding Miao is right. If I live, knowing that matter...I will forever pose a threat to Xu Tingsheng. This time is proof, proof that I could be the death of Xu Tingsheng. Because of this, Wu Kun considered killing me but decided to just threaten me instead. Xu Tingsheng magnanimously chose to trust me. Huang Yaming? He’s more decisive than Wu Kun is.”

For Huang Yaming to be reluctant to do so due to their relationship?

Tongtong knew that she was still not qualified enough. Especially when on the other end of the scale was Xu Tingsheng. Tongtong was well aware how important Xu Tingsheng was to Huang Yaming. “If he had managed to find me these past few days-I might not have had the chance to even speak.” She thought.

Ding Miao had been paying attention to Tongtong’s expression throughout. While he was indeed sowing discord, there was no untruth mixed within his words. This was his understanding and judgment of Huang Yaming. Their initial contact had been in a virtually perfect premeditated murder-directed by Huang Yaming.

“Consider it well…” The corner of Ding Miao’s lips curled, “Huang Yaming could be here any moment.”

Tongtong recalled the earlier conversation. After hearing her out, Huang Yaming had said in a neutral tone, “Keep an eye on Ding Miao and don’t make any false moves. You all should stay where you are too. I’ll get people to go there at once.”

Grasping the information he wanted, Ding Miao struck while the iron was hot, “Trust me, I can forget what you just did to me. If we work together, you guys still have a chance. When Huang Yaming arrives, you lot will have no chance at all.”

Tongtong raised her head, looking as if she was trying hard to keep her laughter from bursting out, so amused she was.

“You should really think about yourself, Boss Ding. While the three of us are uncultured, we won’t be so easily intimidated and tricked by you. Letting you go and working together with you…that way, we really wouldn’t be able to survive anymore. Do you two believe me? As soon as we release him, and the people outside enter...we’ll immediately no longer stand any chance at all,” Tongtong smiled and said.

Dongzi and Old Dog agreed unanimously with her words.

Ding Miao stared fixatedly at Tongtong’s eyes...slowly, slowly, he simply gave up. He knew that nothing he said would be of any use, because he could tell that Tongtong had actually believed his earlier words.

So, what she was saying now were actually not her real thoughts but the choice she had made. This woman, whom he had thought should be merciless and completely looked down on, would willingly die at the hands of Huang Yaming to protect Xu Tingsheng, this seeming the most likely outcome at hand.

From the start, she had never really thought about betraying Xu Tingsheng! If she had not been able to succeed with Dongzi and Old Dog, if she had still not found any chance in the end...she had actually long been prepared to die.

“She might even have used her own death to indict me,” Ding Miao thought.

“Xu Tingsheng...I take my hat off to you,” Ding Miao sighed, muttering aloud softly.

Dongzi and Old Dog both looked at him in puzzlement, wondering what had brought on this sudden emotional statement.

Ding Miao glanced at both. He thought about speaking, then gave up. To convince these two, especially that Dongzi...forget it, he shouldn’t waste his saliva! To sow discord, the other party had to at least understand it and have a mind of his own...these two brainless people had fled overseas after a homicide with much difficulty, yet could even foolishly return to work at some mines afterwards...illegal immigrants would literally weep at this!

Doing this with them was like trying to enact a beauty trap but ending up running into a eunuch.

“How about this? If later, my people are first to realise something and rush in, you all shouldn’t be rash. We can talk again. My words from earlier still count,” Ding Miao said, pinning his final hopes on this.

Not so much time passed before a knock sounded on the door.

“Tongtong? Are you all inside? Open the door.”

“You are?”

“We received a call from Huang Yaming and came over. The people outside have already been taken care of. You can rest assured and open the door now.”

To open, or not to open?

Tongtong knew that it was very likely Huang Yaming’s people outside. It was very likely that if she opened the door and the other party confirmed their identities...she wouldn’t even get the chance to see Huang Yaming.

“Alright.”

Tongtong grit her teeth, opening the door with somewhat trembling hands.

“You chose your own end,” Ding Miao said quite exasperatedly behind her.

In front of her now, Tongtong saw Zhong Wusheng. She had seen him before.

“Zhong...Zhong…” She was still nervous at the end of the day, thus being a little inarticulate.“Don’t worry. Everything’s fine now,” Zhong Wusheng stepped to the side.

There were three other people outside that door. That was to say that facing Ding Miao’s dozen over subordinates, in such an important and potentially fatal matter, merely four people from Xu Tingsheng’s end had come to raid this house in the suburbs.

These four were: Zhong Wusheng, Du Jiang, Wang Xiao, Mr Xu.

Upon receiving Huang Yaming’s call, Mr Xu had rushed over from Xihu City. When he himself was especially susceptible to public sentiment and this matter had to be dealt with swiftly and covertly, this was the sole manpower he could deploy.

Still, it was enough...the three fierce tigers of the Xu family had simultaneously emerged in full force, soundlessly subjugating Ding Miao’s people and those so-called elites He Twenty-seven had lent him.

“You must be Tongtong, right?” Mr Xu smiled warmly, “I’m Xu Tingsheng’s Dad. Thank you.”

“Uncle...Uncle...I…”

“Don’t be nervous. I know what you are afraid of…” Without promising or assuring anything, Mr Xu simply smiled, “Don’t be scared. Don’t you know Tingsheng? When I went to see him earlier, there were some things he said to me at the end. The first thing was...trust Tongtong.”

As soon as these words were said, Tongtong’s tears that she had held in for a long time flowed out all at once. She felt at peace. It was worth it.

Mr Xu extended a hand and patted her head, saying, “The Xu family owes you a life.”

“Let’s go. Bring along your two other friends, and him too,” Mr Xu glanced at Ding Miao and said, “Let’s switch to another location. We can decide how to deal with him when Tingsheng’s out.”

The car waited until night in a forest in the suburbs before departing for Jiannan via an obscure route.

Mr Xu was consoling Tongtong not to worry about Xu Tingsheng.

Not long ago, Mr Xu had received a call from Huang Yaming. The latter was in Yanjing, handling some extra, backup preparations for Old Jin’s battle in Binzhou. He would not be able to make it back in time...thus, he could only get Mr Xu to take care of this matter in his place.

After carefully narrating Ding Sen’s incident and admitting his wrongs, Huang Yaming who had always been very afraid of Mr Xu had emboldened himself and proposed, “Uncle Xu...I think that those three people, that Tongtong included...it would be best if they all vanished now. I can take care of the cleanup. They know about the incident. As long as they’re alive, they’ll always be a threat to Tingsheng. I daren’t let anything happen to Tingsheng again.”

Mr Xu understood the relationship between Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng, understood the intention behind his proposal, agreed that Xu Tingsheng needed someone like this beside him too...Huang Yaming was not wrong. He might even be more trustworthy.

Still, the Xu family had its own principle in doing things.

Chapter 598: The most chaotic day, the best day

Chapter 598: The most chaotic day, the best day

This was probably Yanzhou’s most chaotic day since 1976.

From Xu Tingsheng getting arrested, multiple rumours spreading about, to the Ding family being threatened, to the chaos on the streets in the morning, to Yanzhou’s government being sued by the Xu and Ye families, behemoths with backgrounds in the bureaucracy in the span of a single day and Ding Miao’s sudden disappearance…

Since that afternoon, without any prior warning, an unprecedented ultra massive quake had suddenly descended upon Yanzhou’s bureaucracy. In a single day, about forty local Yanzhou officials had been arrested. The massive upheaval affected even Xihu City.

Of course, most were also unaware that far away in Binzhou, territory was also switching hands on a grand scale this very night.

All of these things ultimately pointed towards the same person: Xu Tingsheng.

His might be the most legendary, most elusive name in Yanzhou these past two over years. He was still inside the detention centre. Trapped within a confined space, he had mightily stirred the tides and winds in three cities. This made a legend even more legendary, made people find it all the more inconceivable.

Only those of the Black Horse Club seemed to always have firmly believed that the outcome would be like this.

As could be seen in the newest Weibo post of the online celebrity ‘Wealthy Demon’ Hu Shengming: Of all the people to provoke...you had to provoke Godly Swindler Xu.

Attached was a picture of a village shaman inviting the gods.

Everyone could see where the wind was blowing. Xu Tingsheng who had never lost before seemed to have won another round, and in a grand, shocking reversal too.

Things were already all but settled. Still, Xu Tingsheng had to stay another night in his single cell. The reason for this was that an upheaval had taken place in the relevant department as something had gone wrong with the handling of the procedures.

To some extent, it had been caused by he himself.

The night was cold. There was no sense of accomplishment whatsoever, just struggle and an emotionless brief stop, resembling a sigh of relief in the process of great transformation. That night, Xu Tingsheng slept like a log under a new blanket a policeman had specially sent over.

He had a bad habit. When sleeping, he would lie on his side and press a corner of the blanket down on the left side of his chest...with the pressure weighing on his heart, he would feel a bit more assured.

……

Yanzhou, Hucheng.

Covering her face with both hands, Lu Zhixin had sunk down completely into the chair behind her office table, crying tears of joy.

Tang Yufei was leaning against the office table in her hot professional suit. Red lips, spectacles, high heels...this was her daily appearance. The male employees in her department were usually all fired up in their work like they had been injected with steroids.

“Crying?!” Tang Yufei asked.

“I’m not! I knew all along that he would be okay,” Lu Zhixin wiped her tears and said.

“It’s great that everything’s okay!”

“Right.”

“You shouldn’t take matters into your own hands in the future.”

“Right.”

“Don’t forget, he’s Xu Tingsheng!”

“Right.”

“If I were you, I would have leapt straight in that night and taken him down,” Tang Yufei licked her lips, “Then, I would have been able to…‘eat’ him in a different way everyday. Woah...oh, I feel fired up just thinking about it…”

“...”

“Alright, it doesn’t seem right to fantasise about him in front of you. Anyway, it’s just great that he’s okay. Who asked you to waste your energy...now, it doesn’t matter if you’re worried or you’re happy. He can’t see it anyway…” Tang Yufei tugged her collar, saying a bit vexedly, “Actually, I’m the pitiful one! I’m dressed so hot everyday, but I can’t tease Xu Tingsheng. Boring.”

“Right,” Tang Yufei continued, “Of the interviewees for assistant positions recently, some young boys who graduated from famous schools look pretty good! The key is that they want to look but daren’t, trying hard to hide it. It just brings me back to the good old days when I was deliberately doing a chair dance before Xu Tingsheng entered...simply marvellous! How about you pick one too?”

Lu Zhixin dazedly did not react.

“Forget it. I’ll give you some personal space. I’m going to the conference room first. Don’t forget about the meeting later!” Tang Yufei turned and headed towards the door.

“Do you think I could admit my mistake, apologise, and then chase him? Do you think it may be possible?” Lu Zhixin suddenly asked behind her.

“Chase him, you say? How?”

“Like any other, ordinary girl from university who falls in love with a boy! I mean that type that’s a bit more daring, gentle, beautiful and brave too. Giving love letters and presents, deliberately sitting beside him in class...discussing our graduation theses, inviting him to a meal at the cafeteria…”

“...You’re mad.”

“I was mad long ago. I should have acted like an ordinary university student earlier. Xu Tingsheng would have liked it.”

“You should take a look at the material for the meeting first.”

“Alright. Get listed. We should get listed. It’d be a wasted opportunity if we don’t get listed now.”

Tang Yufei laughed. Lu Zhixin sighed helplessly. She was Lu Zhixin, and she was not ordinary. This was something that would never change.

……

Yanqing, Qingbei, the library.

Wu Yuewei might be the ordinary, gentle, beautiful and brave sort of university student that Lu Zhixin spoke of. She spent most of her time living in the normalest fashion, carrying her cloth bag that she had woven herself to lessons, finishing her classes, eating, joining some clubs, having some aspirations, putting in quite a bit of effort…

The difference was that she did not have a university romance...Wu Yuewei gave most of her extra time from being single to the library. So, even in Qingbei, she was always able to obtain scholarships.

It was just like how she actually didn’t really like computing and programming, yet had excelled in it nevertheless.

During these summer holidays before Xu Qiuyi came to Qingbei, Wu Yuewei had not returned to Libei. Along with a few of her classmates, she had stayed behind to help their professor design some website for the local government, gaining some experience while earning a bit of money too.

She and Xu Qiuyi had previously agreed that the latter would come to their university to play before she enrolled. Still, because of an unexpected incident, she had been unable to come.

Wu Yuewei had felt ill at ease for quite a few days because of this incident.

That night, she received a text from Xu Qiuyi.

“That jerk’s fine again. We were worried for nothing again.”

In front of her teacher and all her classmates, Wu Yuewei burst into sobs all at once.

Her roommate and good friend pulled her outside.

“What is it? What is it?” She asked.

After hearing Wu Yuewei’s explanation, she said, “So, the person you like is really that Xu Tingsheng of Xingchen Technologies? I always thought that you were joking with me before.”

Wu Yuewei nodded.

Her classmate stared wide-eyed and slapped her thigh, “Hey, you’d better not let the seniors in our department find out then! Especially the graduate students.”

“Why?”

“If they know, if Xingchen Technologies want to hire people from our Qingbei, they’ll only get ruthlessly bashed, right? There are few girls in our department in the first place, and fewer beauties...it’s fine since you don’t have a boyfriend now. If you did, he’d be public enemy number one!”

“...”

“Wow, might they hack his website out of anger? Use hacks in his games...or hack his social media accounts…”

“Is it, is it really that terrifying?”

“Of course. Don’t you know that they are a bunch of IT shut-ins? Them...they’re too free and have no scruples in their boredom.”

“...It’d be better not to let senior brothers know then.”“Right. Still, I already know now.”

“Yes. You’re thinking...”

“Through you, I can get into Xingchen Technologies. With someone watching out for me, my prospects will definitely be endless, right?! Go, tell him that this lady will reserve a Vice CEO position first.”

The two started giggling non-stop.

……

A hotel in Xihu City.

“Really? ...Alright then...it’s okay, I know you did your best. I’ve got to thank you...as for a meal, that’s okay...I, I may go there to pick him up, but then again, I may not...bye.”

Apple hung up the call from her father, Cen Xishan.

She had already been waiting fruitlessly in Xihu City for a number of days.

“Everything’s okay now?” Her manager, Li Juan asked.

“Yes,” Apple nodded.

“Will you go pick him up from jail, then?”

“I, I couldn’t be of any help at all.”

“He won’t mind that, right? Still, if you’re really nervous, you can also call him afterwards. Since he’s only just come out, he should be very busy for a period of time. Actually, you’re very busy too. That recording studio in America that we rented has already been vacant for a couple of days...your second official personal album-can you please pay more attention to it?”

“Right. Book the plane tickets,” Apple smiled and said.

When both were working hard on their various paths and one met a rut, the other would stop and try hard to extend a hand, whether they could be of help or not. While this wasn’t a perfect state, it was actually a sort of tacit understanding.

“Right, when you call him, you should also mention the company’s suggestion. Ask him if he has any interest in singing a song with you in this album,” While packing her belongings, Li Juan said seemingly nonchalantly.

“Huh?” Apple was a bit troubled, “I, I think I’ll ask Fu Cheng about it. I tried asking some time back. He said that he has to earn milk powder money for his kid...besides selling himself and anything illegal, he’s open to doing anything.”

Li Juan chuckled out loud, “Is he willing to appear directly on screen then?”

Apple shook his head, “He said appearing on screen is considered selling himself. It’s a no-no. I think he’s mainly afraid of affecting Ms Fang and Niannian’s normal life by becoming a public figure. To him, protecting the warm, happy life of that little family of three is really the most important thing.”

Li Juan nodded and hesitated for a bit before saying, “Actually, if you really wish to return to being friends with Xu Tingsheng and acting naturally with him, I suggest you propose it to him a bit more naturally...just like in the past.”

Apple thought hard about it before saying, “Yes, I think I’ll try it.”

“That’s right. For what he needs to be concerned about and help with, don’t stand on ceremony with him. There’s no need to turn our relationship with him so awkward,” Li Juan said like it was only natural.

“True,” Apple smiled radiantly.

……

Yanzhou, Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning’s home.

After eating dinner, Mr and Mrs Xiang very understandingly moved back home. Xu Tingsheng would be back the next day...at this time, the future parents-in-law had better not interrupt the two lovers in pouring out their hearts and showing off their love.

Seated cross-legged on the sofa, Du Jin had listened to Xiang Ning’s chatter for the entire night. At this point, nearly all the words that she had refrained from saying these days had finally been expressed by her.

Xiang Ning said, “Big Sis Du Jin, can you help me cook some supper?”

“You’re still eating?” Du Jin asked in surprise, pointing at the packets of tidbits that filled the table.

Over this period of time, besides Mr and Mrs Xiang, it was Du Jin who had stayed by Xiang Ning’s side, consoling and taking care of her. The two were more like sisters than employer along with contracted.

Being respectful but distant in front of Xu Tingsheng, Du Jin was just like an ordinary lovable, gossip-loving emotional girl in front of Xiang Ning.

“I don’t want him to feel terrible when he comes back and sees me thinner,” Xiang Ning sniffed.

Du Jin’s heart melted at once.

The two sat opposite each other. Xiang Ning was eating. Du Jin wasn’t.

In Du Jin’s own words: I’m already too solid. I have to pay attention to my figure.”

This...if Xu Tingsheng were here, he would definitely exclaim, “A bodyguard like you actually wants to have a slim figure? Do you have any sense of professionalism?” To which Du Jing would probably pull her gun on him.

Xu Tingsheng had always suspected that Du Jin had a gun.

Still, Xiang Ning said, “Yeah, I think so too. If you fall in love, that, what, as soon as you take off your clothes, with all your very big muscles that’re much stronger than your boyfriend’s...maybe your boyfriend will run off.”

Du Jin expressed, “All hail understanding.”

After a short pause, Xiang Ning asked a bit hesitantly, “Big Sis Du Jin, do you think that...well…”

“What?”

Xiang Ning asked quite bashfully, “If a girl takes the initiative to propose getting engaged, is it...is it very shameful?”

Du Jin replied very straightforwardly, “No! I’ve stayed overseas before. In many places outside China, the girl forces the guy to get married.”

“What if...what if...the girl is only seventeen?” Xiang Ning deliberately concentrated on her food and asked indistinctly.

Getting what she meant, Du Jin thought about it, “Xiang Ning, do you know? Men don’t want to get married, because that means that they will be shackled, won’t be free. So, it is often the case that men are just forced to get married. In some countries in Eastern Europe, such as Latvia, there’s a type of store that’s open 24/7. It is not a convenience store or Macdonalds. Rather, it’s the flower store. If already married men drink outside with friends till the early hours of the morning, if they don’t return with a fresh bouquet of flowers in hand, it’s probable that they won’t be allowed into the house. So, men who’re holding bouquets and walking on the streets in the early hours of the morning are often laughed at mockingly by other young, still yet unmarried men…”

“Huh? I don’t understand. What do you mean, Big Sis Du Jin?”

“When men desperately seek it, that’s the best time. After that, even if much time is spent, at least that man will still remember to coax his wife with a bouquet of flowers, right? So, what does age matter?! Xiang Ning, the road you two have to walk and the time he must spend waiting for you, they are too long...they really are too long...do you get what I mean?”

Xiang Ning seemed to have grasped something, but only partially. At her age, how could she know how powerful and terrifying time was?

“Yes, I get it,” Xiang Ning said, “Still, Xu Tingsheng...will he be afraid? Afraid of being shackled by me...it’s not like I’ll shackle him. Not so strictly, at least. I’m just thinking that that way, he won’t dare to let something happen to him again, because he definitely has to take care of me. I’m actually very selfish, Big Sis Du Jin. I originally thought that he should help Fang Yuqing and Fang Chen. Still, after something happened to him, I became very selfish, hoping that he won’t risk himself to help anyone again...because he should know that he is very important to me. I also hope that I am very important to him.”

“Yes, I understand. You’re right, that’s actually very irresponsible towards you,” Du Jin agreed, “I still think that you should restrict him, though.”

“Huh?”

Du Jin looked at this young girl whom she liked a lot, saying, “I believe that Xu Tingsheng really likes you. Still, he’s too special. So, Xiang Ning...remember, don’t let him walk too high and too far away. Don’t let him take risks too.”

Du Jin was saying this to Xiang Ning like a big sister would. Like those who did not understand where Xu Tingsheng’s love came from, while she wished Xiang Ning good luck, she also could not help but worry for her.

“Right,” Xiang Ning nodded, thinking that she was actually a little afraid of him getting snatched away.

This was simply how it was. However ‘special’ Xu Tingsheng was, they were only the normalest girls, with the logic and mindset the typical girl would have.

Du Jin was just like a girlfriend in the capacity of a strategist as she pondered, then said, “To be honest, Xiang Ning, I’m rather worried that you haven’t thought things through properly. After all, you’re still young. Maybe even you have no way of judging…”

Xiang Ning nodded, saying, “I’ve decided. I want to be together with him forever. When I’m with him, it’s like however the whole world may become, I’ll always be doted on and protected. I want to dote on him too.”

Feeling a bit melancholic, Du Jin said, “I don’t understand what kind of feeling that is. Maybe it is something very few girls can understand. Xiang Ning...you’re so lucky.”

“I think so too,” The thick-skinned Miss Xiang chuckled for a while before asking, “Do you know? Once, when he was my tutor and we still weren’t in a relationship yet, he brought me to play in the suburbs, riding on a bicycle. Then, it started to rain…”

“What happened then?”

“We had to hurry home. But we only had a single raincoat. He put on the raincoat and told me to come in for cover. I got into the raincoat, hiding in his arms. As he rode the bicycle, I wasn’t able to see anything at all beside his chest...the sound of the pattering of raindrops outside was very loud. I also heard many vehicles of various kinds moving about. I heard people shouting to give way, give way...still, I wasn’t afraid at all. I felt like I was very safe. I just hoped the road that day could be very long, that I could always hide in his arms.”

Looking at her gentle, warm eyes, Du Jin reached out and rubbed her face.

“When he comes back, don’t let him run far again.”

Chapter 599: Kill me then

Chapter 599: Kill me then

At the end of the day, the calmest was actually this night before Xu Tingsheng left the detention centre.

The next day, Xu Tingsheng sent off Tan Yao.

Lest he bring his wretched emotions home, also to accompany Tan Yao’s perhaps still undissipated soul, Xu Tingsheng did not go home to see Xiang Ning that night. Instead, he stayed in the dormitory with Old Wai who had stayed in school over the summer holidays and Li Xingming who had come from home.

They did not inform Zhang Ninglang and Lu Xu from Room 602 who were at home.

No one said anything for the first half of that night.

Still, no one was able to fall asleep.

In the latter half of the night, Old Wai said out of the blue, “Tan Yao hasn’t even drank mine and Linlin’s celebratory wine yet. The heck, dodging red packets.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Take a guess. What do you think Tan Yao would say if he were here?”

Li Xingming said, “I guess he would say: Let me be your best man if you dare! If you do, I’ll snatch the limelight away from you, the groom. I really thought about it before. When I marry, I definitely can’t let Bro Yao appear beside me.”

Old Wai asked, “How would you stop him? He’s so thick-skinned, he’d definitely come over on his own. He might even ask to be the emcee.”

“Right, he’d definitely do that. Also, he’d make use of the chance to flirt with the bridesmaids...that is, unless Ye Qing attends too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The three of them laughed with tears in their eyes for a while.

Old Wai then said, “Dream on, Xingming! You don’t even know where your wife is yet! How’re you supposed to look for her!”

Li Xingming said, “Matchmaking, of course! I’ve already started these summer holidays. My family says that as a third year, I’m not young anymore. I know that the main reason is still that I seem to be ageing a bit fast. I can’t afford to wait when it all depends on face, after all. Well, there were so many things that I wanted to ask Bro Yao before. I was going to ask him to be my strategist.”

“Tell us about it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Li Xingming said, “Just a few days ago, the auntie from next door introduced one. She’s three years older than me. Permed hair, breasts, tight-fitting top, small leather skirt, stockings, high heels...it’s just that her face isn’t all that nice. I don’t mind that, though. Anyway, as we talked, we were getting on especially well…”

“Then? Did it succeed?”

“Hear me out first. Anyway, we were chatting comfortably for more than an hour. It was pretty good. Then, she seemed to be searching for something in her bag. As she rummaged about, ‘clack’! A pair of handcuffs fell out. Handcuffs, you know? They fell in front of me, onto the table...she didn’t collect them or explain anything, just staring straight and intently at me…”

“Heck, a policewoman? What did you say then?”

“I just said what you did. I said wow, so you were a policewoman! Amazing.”

“What happened then?”

“After I’d said that, she looked at me and sighed. Shaking her head, she packed up her things, apologised, said bye bye and left.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all. The auntie from next door told me that the policewoman ended up uninterested in me,” Li Xingming said, “So, the heck, where exactly did it go wrong? You guys tell me.”

The three pondered hard for a long time till nearly daybreak.

Old Wai suddenly asked, “Say, if it was a rope that fell out of her bag at the time, what would you have said?”

Li Xingming asked, “Huh?”

“What if it was a leather whip?”

“Huh? ...The heck, this old man gets it now. So she wasn’t a policewoman, but a freaking hobbyist! Heck...where’s my phone?” Li Xingming went looking for his phone everywhere, searching through it non-stop. Then, he got off the bed as he turned on his computer and booted the communication software, searching through that too…

“It’s over,” After a long time, Li Xingming said vexedly, “I was furious then and deleted all her contact information. What to do? I wanna tell her that actually...I like that too!”

Xu Tingsheng and Old Wai both laughed till their stomachs ached.

Li Xingming said unhappily, “Huh, two pieces of trash. If Bro Yao were here, this would be solved at once, no sweat. He’s a specialist!”

Old Wai said, “That’s right.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I think he’d surely be laughing himself to death right now.”

What is most frightening for people is actually when they’re laughing, and laughing, and then a sudden silence descends.

……

When leaving the university the next day, Xu Tingsheng saw Ling Xiao’s car at the entrance.

“Can we talk?” Ling Xiao asked, “This matter must end somehow.”

Xu Tingsheng avoided her and walked away.

Ling Xiao chased after him in her car, asking, “What more do you want? It was always you saying we should end things here initially…”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Tan Yao’s dead now.”

“I know, but many people have already gone down to accompany him.”

“That’s not enough.”

“What do you want then? Do you want me, the main culprit, to go and die too?” Ling Xiao asked.

Xu Tingsheng turned to look at her, “If possible. I don’t mind if you do.”

Ling Xiao saw for the first time such a cold-blooded and distant but actually emotionally disturbed Xu Tingsheng. She knew that at this moment, she had already lost any room for conversation.

The earthquake amongst Yanzhou’s bureaucracy was still ongoing, and was beginning to target the Ling and Xiao families manipulating them behind the scenes. The Ye and Xu families were also increasingly domineering in their stances. There was a bleak air of defeat hanging about the bereft Ling family manor.

That afternoon, Xu Tingsheng met Ding Miao in Jiannan.

As he had said earlier, Ding Miao actually heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that the person in front of him was not Huang Yaming. Xu Tingsheng’s image was too bright, freeing him of much worry. Not wasting time on wondering why Xu Tingsheng was here, much less able to predict what had been happening outside, Ding Miao looked at him and asked, “Can we talk?”

“Talk about what?” Xu Tingsheng sat down and asked.

“State your conditions. I’ll deliver them as best I can, bringing this matter to an end. In the future...in the future, I won’t have any qualifications to clash with you anymore. You should be very reassured,” Ding Miao said.

“From what you’re saying, you kidnapped my person, tried to nail me dead….and failed. After all that, you think you can walk away safely just like that?” Xu Tingsheng smiled and asked.

Ding Miao seemed to be utterly certain of Xu Tingsheng’s personality and style of doing things as he too smiled, asking, “What...are you going to kill me? Xu Tingsheng kills too? Haha...in that case, I suggest that you silence the three of them first. The risk of killing them is lower. If you kill me, there’ll be upheaval throughout the entire city, the consequences difficult to predict...I’m not some minor pawn.”

Xu Tingsheng lowered his head and thought for a bit before looking up and saying, “Makes sense. You’re the exalted Young Master of the Ding family. The sole remaining inheritor of the Ding family. If I render you dead, it’ll be very troublesome for me.”

“So, we can actually have a proper discussion. Having lost a war, it’s simply a matter of splitting some land and offering it as compensation. Something that even the Aisin Gioro family can do, I’m not afraid of losing face,” Ding Miao felt that he had grasped the initiative and pace in their conversation as he began to get relaxedly ahead of himself again.

As he looked at Xu Tingsheng, the smile at the corners of his mouth again slowly…

Slap!

Without any warning whatsoever, a sudden heavy slap came out of nowhere and blasted away his smile that had yet to fully form.

Ding Miao’s expression clearly froze as he looked rather nonplussed.

Looking at him, Xu Tingsheng said, “Pity, but I suddenly steeled my resolve these past few days. I hope that people will not dare to listen to the way the wind is blowing, grab a random chance and make a move against me again in the future. I also don’t want anybody to target those by my side lightly without having to think about the consequences. You just happened to run into this. Sorry.”

Today’s Xu Tingsheng was filled with hatred and fury, emotionally twisted and filled with pain. Just as he had said, he could not let others target those by his side lightly without having to think about the consequences again.

Tan Yao’s death, Tongtong’s kidnapping...the lessons were already enough, too heavy. Xu Tingsheng did not know who this might land on if there was a next time. Would it be Xiang Ning? Fu Cheng’s family? Or...regardless of whoever it was, he wouldn’t be able to bear it.

The warm, sunny Xu Tingsheng had been able to let his ‘enemy’, Zhang Xingke, be the Vice CEO of Hucheng, could have fair fights with others in school. Now, he had to make himself terrifying, not forgiving any slight, letting others have reservations and be well intimidated.

Ding Miao swung his head before extending his tongue and licking the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth, spitting them to the ground. He looked provocatively at Xu Tingsheng, smiling as he said, “Kill me then!”

It could not be denied that not only was Ding Miao intelligent, he was also daring and vicious and arrogant enough. It was no wonder that Huang Yaming had once said that amongst the various second gens of Yanzhou’s upper strata, he actually looked very favourably on Ding Miao’s chances.

“Come on, kill me,” Ding Miao continued, “The entire Yanzhou currently knows that I have proof and am about to prove to the police that you killed my brother. If I really were to disappear now, say...would you be able to stay untouched by it? Also, with two blood debts from both his sons, do you think my Dad will go crazy and drag you down to hell even if it means his life too?”

Xu Tingsheng looked at him but did not speak.

“It’s difficult, right? How about I give you a suggestion?” Ding Miao asked.

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “Say it.”

Leaning against the wall, Ding Miao took a deep breath, “I know that with Tan Yao dead, it’s very difficult for you to be calm now. How about this? First, you can break one of my arms and one of my legs...vent it out, and we can talk again when you’ve calmed down. Since I’m the loser but wish to live, I should suffer some. You’re the winner, but can’t make a misstep, which would result in damnation. That being so, we have room for discussion.”

“Break a limb to seek life? The courage of a lizard…” Xu Tingsheng thought, suddenly smiling helplessly.

“Boss Xu, hey, actually, you can leave this matter to us. We’ll render him dead, definitely not implicating you. As long as, as long as…” Old Dog who was beside them stammered.

He had actually not grasped the logic behind Ding Miao’s words. He had only vaguely grasped that it would be very troublesome for Xu Tingsheng to kill Ding Miao, thus probingly saying such a thing.

He and Dongzi had been worried all along that Xu Tingsheng might remember how they had taken part in trying to kill him before and would take revenge on them. They feared that he would silence them. Seeing a way to possibly dissipate his anger with much difficulty, it naturally followed that the two were jumping at this chance.

“As long as what?” Xu Tingsheng turned, smiling as he asked Old Dog.

“I, I...can you be merciful and let us live, Boss Xu?” Old Dog asked panickedly and timidly.

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Huh?” Perhaps finding Xu Tingsheng’s reply too straightforward, Old Dog and Dongzi simultaneously released startled exclamations.

“Like you said. You two help me get rid of him. I’ll ignore what you did before and let you live,” Xu Tingsheng explained before continuing, “Whatever happened before, you saved Tongtong this time and helped me too. So, I’m agreeable to it.”

“Good, good. So, when do we do it?” Dongzi was already beginning to look around for needed equipment as he said, “Rest assured, Boss Xu. When we’re done, we’ll tie a rock to him and throw him into the river...this place connects to the sea nearby. The water level is okay too. Unless we’re super unlucky, he definitely won’t be discovered.”

“You should wait till you’re out of the country. At that time, bring him along, put him in a sack, tie that rock to it and push him off the vessel wherever it’s convenient. The Pacific Ocean is very big and very deep. Even if we’re super unlucky, no one will discover it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Right, right...wait? We have to leave the country too?” Dongzi and Old Dog both looked gloomy but dared not rebut.

“I’ll give you a sum of money. Then, never come back in this lifetime. Don’t let me see the two of you again,” Xu Tingsheng’s expression turned stern.

Dongzi and Old Dog both nodded, not daring to speak.

“Now, for the two of us,” Xu Tingsheng turned towards Ding Miao and said.

“Alright,” Ding Miao looked ever confidently at Xu Tingsheng, a hint of a smile even visible at the corners of his mouth.

He felt that Xu Tingsheng had been bluffing in his conversation with Dongzi and Old Dog earlier in order to scare him. No matter how one looked at it, Xu Tingsheng should not want to get into further trouble now.

“Everyone says that Xu Tingsheng is a genius. A plan where you can kill me without any future troubles…I’d like to hear it,” Ding Miao said.

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Ding Miao’s expression changed slightly as he looked at Xu Tingsheng.

Chapter 600: How to make Ding Miao disappear

Chapter 600: How to make Ding Miao disappear

Xu Tingsheng had responded too readily.

After a momentary bout of nervousness, Ding Miao tried hard to identify if Xu Tingsheng was simply bluffing. From his grasp of the situation, there was really no way to kill him without any repercussions.

Therefore, he was very confident that while he would be placed in a very tragic state, he would still be able to live.

Xu Tingsheng took out a new phone and showed Ding Miao a photograph.

Dense beads of sweat dripped down Ding Miao’s forehead all at once.

The person in the photograph was the guy he had previously placed by Ding Sen’s side. Ultimately, this person had played an important role in that murder as he had been in charge of manipulating Dongzi and Old Dog to erroneously knock into Ding Sen’s car. Not long ago, Ding Miao had tricked him into going to Bingzhou and asked He Twenty-seven to help get rid of him.

Hence, this man should have been dead. He Twenty-seven himself had said that he had already buried him in the mines.

“My guess is that He Twenty-seven kept this person in order to deal with or guard against you. He isn’t dead, just had a leg broken. My friends in Binzhou found him in He Twenty-seven’s territory. Right, I nearly forget to tell you. He Twenty-seven’s finished.”

Xu Tingsheng kept the phone and smiled, “This fellow is already on the way back to Yanzhou. He’s done a lot for you in the past, right. Yet, you still treated him this way in the end. Say, how much do you think he hates you?”

Ding Miao fell into a state of momentary panic. Then, looking at Xu Tingsheng, he breathed very quick but deep breaths. As expected of somebody who was praised by many, Ding Miao’s first reaction to a blow like this was still trying hard to calm his emotions and sort out his thoughts.

“Sue me back?” Ding Miao asked before looking at Dongzi, Old Dog and Tongtong in the room, calculating how he could talk his way out of it, how to get absolved of blame, even how to plead with his father who only had one son left to think of the overall situation for the sake of their Ding family.

“That’s not going to happen,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

Ding Miao was taken aback for a bit before he said, “How about you tell me your plan. I’ll see if there are any flaws in it.”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng momentarily paused to sort out his thoughts before saying, “It’s like this. After returning to Yanzhou, he drags around a broken leg and goes around searching like a mad dog for you everyday. While he won’t say it, the truth is that everyone can guess that you tried to silence him. After that, he heads to the Public Security Bureau and reports that you killed Ding Sen, yet is unable to produce any evidence. The police won’t arrest you, but things will grow increasingly out of hand. I think that at this point at most, your parents will definitely look for him, because I heard your stepmother has always had such a suspicion. He will tell your parents that it was you who got him to stage that car accident. Also, he didn’t know that it was Ding Sen inside initially. Afterwards, learning that I had been in conflict with Ding Sen at the time, you thought to shift the blame for this incident on me, gaining some benefits in the meantime. For insurance, you planned to silence him first. Luckily, fortune favoured him and he survived. Your matters that he knows of are definitely not limited to just this. So, even though he won’t have any evidence, he’ll definitely still have many ways to prove himself in front of your parents.”

The glow in Ding Sen’s eyes slowly began to dim.

“After the trash younger brother of a different mother snatched his older brother’s inheritance rights, he unexpectedly died a mysterious death. And so, the older brother luckily and smoothly regained the inheritance rights just like that...with such a background, do you think most people will choose to believe or disbelieve it?”

“...”

“Also, will your Mum and Dad believe it? What will they do if they do?”

“...”

“When the whole of Yanzhou is discussing this matter...while your so-called witnesses never appear. I, Xu Tingsheng, emerge from prison. Meanwhile, you, Ding Miao, just choose this time to suddenly disappear...hey, do you think your family will think that you met with an accident, or absconded out of guilt?”

“...”

“Not having sufficient evidence, the police won’t issue an arrest warrant for you. Disillusioned, unable to face reality, your parents won’t look for you too...you’ll be at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean while everybody will believe that you are surely hiding in some corner of the world, living miserably in shame.”

Finally, Xu Tingsheng exhaled slowly and said, “I’m done. So, what do you think of my plan?”

“Absconding out of guilt,” Ding Miao woodenly repeated these four words.

That was the core of Xu Tingsheng’s plan...there was no need to actually indict him. All that was needed was to create an environment in which everyone believed Ding Miao would abscond out of guilt.

Then, while he would be dead, everyone would believe that he was definitely still fleeing. No one would think that he might have died in the first place. This included the police, his family, everyone…

Ding Miao opened his mouth a few times but did not say anything. He looked at Xu Tingsheng…

“There are no flaws.”

“That’s good then. That’s all for now...I still have stuff to do.”

Xu Tingsheng got up and headed for the door.

Behind him, Ding Miao fell to his knees. His position had completely collapsed now.

“Spare me, Xu Tingsheng. I beg you, spare my life...I don’t wanna die. I’m willing to do anything you ask of me. How about this? You can wait for me to inherit my family’s assets. After I do, I can hand all of it over to you...I beg you, I want to live. Let me go just this once. I…”

Bang.

That was the sound of the door shutting. Xu Tingsheng had already left the room.

Ding Miao shuddered in his entirety, collapsing headfirst to the ground.

……

“Bro Zhong, I’d like…” Xu Tingsheng called towards Zhong Wusheng.

Mr Xu had already returned to Xihu City the night before. Xu Tingsheng wanted to find someone to chat with, and the natural candidate here was Zhong Wusheng.

Zhong Wusheng who was standing not far away nodded, waiting for him.

“Xu Tingsheng,” Tongtong had also exited the house and was standing behind him.

Xu Tingsheng turned.

Tongtong gazed at him before mustering up her courage and moving into his embrace, hugging him tightly.

Empathising with her current state, Xu Tingsheng patted her lightly on the back, asking gently, “Are you still scared? It’s okay now. I definitely won’t let such a thing happen again. Still, you have suffered this time...sorry. Also, thank you.”

Shedding tears in his arms, Tongtong shook her head.

“Uncle Xu said that when you met him in prison and talked about what to do, the first thing you said was ‘Trust Tongtong’...is that really true?” Tongtong asked, raising her head to look at him.

“Of course it’s true,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Tongtong smiled happily for a bit before asking, “You weren’t worried?”

“I wasn’t.”

“But if they threatened me, maybe I would have…”

“You were threatened this time!”

“But a lifetime is so long. I don’t have the confidence. I can’t be absolutely certain about the future...for instance, what if I have a child, and they use my child to threaten me? Or what if…”

Xu Tingsheng understood what she meant. She was actually saying: I won’t, but there might come a day when there is something which, to me, is more important than you.

“Why are you letting your imagination run wild? Don’t tell me you want me to silence you too?” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Unexpectedly, Tongtong looked exceptionally earnestly at him and nodded, “I know you won’t kill me. In that case, can’t you think of a way? Think of a method such that I can never threaten you...can you do that?”

Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless.

Chapter 601: Killing

Chapter 601: Killing

Seeing that Xu Tingsheng couldn’t answer, Tongtong asked nervously, “Is there no way?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled and said, “There is! I’ll simply not let this kind of thing happen in the future. I won’t let you be threatened again.”

Tongtong gazed at him, hesitating. Her brows were knit tightly as a bit of pain was even vaguely reflected within.

Finally, she seemed to have come to accept the situation as she said, “Right.”

Then, she lowered her head and asked softly, “Can I hug you for a bit longer...I’ve never dared to do so again afterwards.”

Zhong Wusheng smiled and gestured to Xu Tingsheng that he would go elsewhere to wait for him.

Xu Tingsheng lowered his head, saying, “Okay.”

That day, Tongtong who had once dared to act all buddy-like with and tease Xu Tingsheng after getting drunk in Starry Splendour, the very same Tongtong who had later felt inferior and silently abided by her given role, quietly hugged him for a long time as if it was a farewell.

Finally, Tongtong said, “There are many new things in my flat. They look quite nice...when things are settled and you’re free, how about you go and take a look?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Alright. You should take this time to rest then. Huang Yaming will settle stuff over at the bar.”

‘

Tongtong nodded and slowly let go.

……

Xu Tingsheng found Zhong Wusheng. He caught the cigarette that the latter threw over and lit it.

“Bro Zhong, what do you think?” Xu Tingsheng sat down and asked.

“How would I understand the hearts of women?” Zhong Wusheng asked.

Xu Tingsheng replied despondently, “You know that I wasn’t asking about this! I’m talking about Ding Miao’s matter...”

Enveloped in the smoke, Zhong Wusheng said as he looked into the distance, “It’s a good plan without any flaws. Ding Miao fully deserves his comeuppance.”

“And?” Xu Tingsheng pressed him.

In truth, the two were both very clear on what Xu Tingsheng was really asking. While it was not specific, it was more important.

“And…” Zhong Wusheng quietly took a few more puffs before saying, “Actually, I can’t give you any ideas, Tingsheng. If it were me in your shoes, or Du Jiang, Wang Xiao, even Huang Yaming or Old Jin, there would actually be nothing to hesitate or be conflicted over. This world is just like this. Ordinary people will never know how many bodies end up floating in the Yellow River every year and how many sink to the bottom of the ocean, never to be seen again.”

“I’m quite uncultured. Still, when reading in recent years, I once saw a sentence that read: Stupidity is a greater sin. The consequence of blind benevolence does not just fall on one themself but also on those beside them. You’re afraid of this, right? I can understand that.”

“I also remember people on the internet saying that the saying ‘repaying evil with virtue’ is not right. It’s true meaning actually is ‘repaying evil with virtue, what shall repay virtue?”

Xu Tingsheng laughed.

Zhong Wusheng exclaimed vexedly, “Don’t you laugh! Here I was, being cultured for once.”

“Nah,” Xu Tingsheng said, “So, you mean to say that you support me?”

Zhong Wusheng shook his head, “I only expressed that I understand you. I didn’t say anything about supporting you.”

Xu Tingsheng looked exasperatedly at him.

“Do you want to hear my honest opinion?” Zhong Wusheng asked.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“The truth is that I really do understand you well, also finding that you have sufficient reason to do so. I’d like to do it too, a lot. Still, for some reason, because it’s you, I will feel conflicted, not wishing for you to do so...I believe that it’s the same for you too. While you clearly know that it’s right, you actually don’t like it as you’re really struggling inwardly.”

Zhong Wusheng took another cigarette and continued, “Tingsheng, I’ve actually known you for very long. At the time, you hadn’t even founded Hucheng yet. So, I feel very fortunate to have watched you experience some things. When you acquired Principal Tang’s training institute, you behaved like you had done something wrong as while you clearly could have driven him to the brink, you gave him sufficient compensation to pay off his debts and even let this person who was already at the end of his tether and overwhelmed by despair continue to be the principal of the training institute. This was despite the fact that you knew he could not do much. At the end of your battle with Zhang Xingke, you became friends. He even became Hucheng’s Vice CEO afterwards. Getting into conflicts with people in school, you’ve never asked me for help. Even your family background was something that we only came to know about afterwards. You treat yourself like an ordinary university student...you’ve done many things which I thought were very silly at the time.”

“So, it’s no good, but I seem to have gotten used to that version of you. Simple, warm-hearted, confident, without too many desires…”

“I know that Ding Miao’s matter is different from all those earlier examples that I mentioned. I also know that what you’re experiencing now is different from in the past. Still, sigh...I’ll say it directly. If you were to personally scheme to kill someone...I wouldn’t support it. I’m afraid Xu Tingsheng will drift further and further away from that past version of himself.”

“Deciding the life and death of others, authority shooting to the skies...is that what they call it? I’m not so good at the vocab. I’m afraid that this feeling of superiority as you gaze upon everything will be too nice and comfortable. You might accidentally get used to it.”

“So, even if it’s hypocritical, hand him over to me to take care of...you just stay out of it. Is that possible?”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment before standing up as he said, “I’ll think about it.”

Zhong Wusheng said, “Right. Head home first and see that little girl of yours. Then, think it through again before making your decision.”

Xu Tingsheng understood what Zhong Wusheng was thinking about.

“I understand your worries, Bro Zhong,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Still, this may actually be very difficult. Once, I was at Xingchen, chatting with two investors who came from America. For some reason, we ended up talking about life and killing. Then, those two extremely wealthy Americans got very emotional. One said that once production capabilities have exceeded a certain point, in the age of peace, it’s bankers who kill the most people. The other added that actually, it’s the same with wars. There are no modern wars without bankers and corporations backing them behind the scenes.”

“While they seemed to be scolding themselves too, they were very honest. People often think that killing is a very direct, frightening yet distant thing. It’s executed with knives or guns. Still, things are not like this in reality. There are actually also many other forms of killing. Many of these appear not so close, not so direct or brutal. Faced with this kind of killing, people will generally not have a strong, direct sense of hatred. The killer themself will also not feel so terribly guilty. Still, this is reality. It is silently happening everyday, and is even more brutal.”

Zhong Wusheng might not get it, but Xu Tingsheng did not continue talking about it too. Many people can understand the logic behind these words. Take for example the large number of children who die of hunger and sickness in countries that clearly have abundant resources-who exactly did they die to? Take for example how while Soros may never have stabbed anybody with a knife before, he technically has indeed killed many people. Take for example…

Yet, at this moment, perhaps only Xu Tingsheng himself grasped the full extent of what he was saying.

...…

Upon reaching home, Xu Tingsheng did not take out his key. Instead, he knocked on the door.

Opening the door, Xiang Ning saw him standing there, an ingratiating expression on his face.

Looking quite on the verge of crying, she said in a huff, “You’re late.”

When a girl says that you are late, what is that textbook answer?

Xu Tingsheng hugged her, saying, “You’re so beautiful today.”

Miss Xiang laughed a bit but checked herself, saying, “Shameless.”

She struggled hard for a bit but soon stepped forward and hugged him tightly.

“I hate you...I missed you...I hate you to death...I missed you. Sob...you frightened me to death.”

Xu Tingsheng scooped her up horizontally and kicked the door closed with his leg.

“Du Jin isn’t home?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Yeah. She just went out,” Xiang Ning answered.

“That’s good then,” Xu Tingsheng exaggeratedly swallowed his saliva.

Xiang Ning hit him on the chest, exclaiming ‘you dirty ruffian’! Then, she closed her eyes in his embrace.

He kissed all her tears dry.

He did everything besides what could not be done, kissed everywhere that should be kissed.

Xiang Ning sensed Xu Tingsheng’s desires.

“Can you wait a little while longer? We can do it when we’re engaged,” She said, her eyes closed.

Chapter 602: Work hard to make you feel the world is beautiful

Chapter 602: Work hard to make you feel the world is beautiful

Getting engaged? Xu Tingsheng’s entire head rang.

Even though he and Xiang Ning seemed to have no obstacles in this life as they would definitely reach that stage, even though he had already heard his father mention it, as he heard it from Xiang Ning’s own mouth at this moment, Xu Tingsheng still found it a bit inconceivable as dazedness and shock filled his soul.

He had longed for it in his previous life but painfully given up in the end. The happiness he sought day and night, a life together with Xiang Ning...was right before his very eyes. It was going to be set in stone.

“Don’t you want to get engaged?” Under the blanket, Xiang Ning looked resentfully at the dazed Xu Tingsheng, asking bashfully but aggrievedly.

“Of course I want to!” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’d be a fool if I didn’t.”

Xiang Ning laughed and immediately resumed her normal expression, puffing up her cheeks as she asked, “Not grudgingly?”

“Not grudgingly at all,” Xu Tingsheng said ingratiatingly.

“You’re not afraid of me restricting you?” Miss Xiang looked at him and asked.

“I only wish to be restricted by you,” Xu Tingsheng said sincerely.

Miss Xiang finally stopped putting up a front as she chuckled, mumbling to herself for a time, “Wa, Mrs Xu...I’m so awesome, getting engaged so young…”

Then, she seemed to have suddenly thought of something important as she climbed up and tugged at Xu Tingsheng, saying, “We must be clear on this. It’s not me who proposed, okay.”

“Of course not!”

“Right. So, you prepare to propose then.”

“...Alright.”

“It must be more romantic than everything you’ve done before.”

“Huh?”

“Is it very difficult?”

“It is. You may not know, but there actually aren’t many people in this world who’re more romantic than this Uncle here.”

“Really? ...Well, I don’t care. Anyway, I’m already too used to having my way. Hehe…”

“...”

The new BMW of a neighbour that was parked downstairs had its security system wailing continuously completely unreasonably, even though people were only passing by and not actually touching it.

More than an hour had passed, but its owner had still not come down to deal with it.

Having originally wanted to have a good chat with Uncle about their engagement, Miss Xiang was very angry. Fu Cheng who lived downstairs was affected even worse. Niannian had fallen asleep a few times but had been consecutively awoken by it. Miss Fang was a bit angry as well.

Despite the complaints of the neighbours, no response came from the car owner at all though the lights of his house were clearly turned on.

There were some who angrily threatened to smash the car, but that was mere bluster in truth. That kind of car-who could afford to do so?

“What’s with that car?” Xiang Ning exclaimed angrily.

“There may be a malfunction with its security system,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Huh?”

“It’s become too sensitive. Just a bit of movement outside and it overreacts.”

“Isn’t the car owner going to do anything?”

“It doesn’t seem like he will.”

“Is there anything we can do then?”

“Maybe we could obscure the sensors.”

“Where are the sensors?”

“Well, I’m not really sure,” Xu Tingsheng said, actually not knowing anything about cars at all.

“...Here it is again.”

“Is there anything pasty at home?”

“No...uh, is cake counted?”

“There’s cake at home?”

“Yes...four.”

“Is it Du Jin’s birthday?”

“No, I just wanted to plump myself up a bit…I was afraid you’d feel terrible. I heard that you’ll get fatter if you eat cakes, so I was prepared to continue eating them…”

“How many have you eaten?”

“One plus...there are still four plus remaining. I was thinking that I would eat them all in a single day.”

“...Wow. Still, I don’t think you should do that...we also shouldn’t waste it. Come, let’s go cover that entire car in paste.”

“Huh? ...That isn’t considered wastage?”

“Of course not.”

“Well, alright then.”

The pair went downstairs with the cakes.

The car began to wail piercingly.

Slap!

The first piece of cake smashed onto the car window, courtesy of Xu Tingsheng.

Xiang Ning gaped as she looked at him. She looked a bit timid as she grabbed a piece of cake, turning to look upstairs.

Slap!

Xu Tingsheng threw his second piece of cake and motioned towards her.

Slap! Miss Xiang lightly threw her first piece of cake.

Then, it must have felt pretty good, for she began to take relish in the throwing...

“Hey, it’s still wailing.”

“A bit over here as well.”

“I want to climb to the roof of the car.”

“Oops...I didn’t throw it at you on purpose.”

“Oops. This time, it’s because...I thought the sensor could be on your face, haha!”

“Xu Tingsheng...you dare to attack me?! I’ll bombard you to death...sob, you aren’t even giving way.”

The BMW wailed on throughout.

It didn’t work even when the entire car was smeared with cake.

Still, that was no longer important. Miss Xiang who was plastered with cake was already no longer irritable. The sorrow from recent days seemed to have vanished too. She found it very interesting as she was frolicking about and smiling like a fool…

She was just like this, like a little sun. Despondence could always be swept away in a single go, whether it was her own or that of Xu Tingsheng when he was with her.

In this life, Xiang Ning was the same old Xiang Ning. While she might have many faults, she was still so lovable, so authentic. She enjoyed the wilfulness and happiness of smooth times without holding back at all, but even in tough times, she could persist and stay strong without any resentment or hatred.

Early the next morning, the car owner who seemed to have just moved there recently discovered that his new BMW had been completely smeared into a gigantic cake.

Fresh cream BMW…

He furiously spun around and shouted curses at the people upstairs.

Everyone’s reaction was the same as how he had reacted to everyone’s yells the previous night...he was completely ignored. Some snickers aside.

Wearing her pyjamas, bare-footed, Xiang Ning uneasily hid behind the curtain, sneaking a glance at things downstairs.

“Xu Tingsheng.”

Lying in bed, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Huh?”

“He’s scolding people...he also wants to hit people,” Xiang Ning said exaggeratedly but very softly, “Say, do you think he will know that we did it?”

“He probably will,” Xu Tingsheng said sleepily.

“Huh?” Xiang Ning hurriedly ran back to the bed from the window, hiding in the sheets as she asked, “What should we do then? Will he come looking for us?”

“Uh..in that case, tell him that it’s actually to celebrate him buying a new car. A new car, its first birthday and thus a cake...what do you think? The car isn’t spoilt anyway.”

“That actually seems to make a lot of sense.”

“Alright. Let’s sleep for a bit longer then.”

Miss Xiang kicked Xu Tingsheng and pinched his waist, exclaiming, “Xu Tingsheng, can you be a bit more serious? He’ll really make his way here in a while.”

Xu Tingsheng rubbed her hair and hugged her, consoling, “Relax, he won’t come looking for us. When he wants to do so, somebody will tell him...the person living here is called Xu Tingsheng!”

“That awesome?”

“Exactly.”

“You seem so full of yourself. Like...an antihero in the movies.”

“...”

The new neighbour stopped cursing very soon. Also, just as Xu Tingsheng had predicted, he did not find his way upstairs too.

When eating breakfast, Xiang Ning found the car owner quietly washing his car downstairs. She hid and watched for a while rather guiltily, next turning and looking hesitantly at Xu Tingsheng.

“Go on if you wish,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and said.

Xiang Ning went downstairs with a bucket and a cloth.

Xu Tingsheng stood at the window. He saw how after an initial period of nervousness and hesitation, she finally revealed herself before the car owner.

She was saying something with a guilty expression on her face. It seemed she was apologising.

The car owner was full of smiles as he waved dismissively in response.

Even though the car owner seemed to be politely refusing, Xiang Ning still persisted nevertheless, helping to wring the cloth and wipe the car...the new neighbour was nervous beyond himself at first, afraid that she might be hurt somewhere...still, at some point in time, the two began conversing happily with each other.

After wiping the doors of the car and some areas of the glass which obscured his vision, the car owner drove the car away.

Reaching home and setting down her things, Xiang Ning said a bit guiltily, “He’s actually a pretty nice guy.”

“Is that so?” Xu Tingsheng smiled and asked.

He thought of the new neighbour’s selfishness last night and his curses today...after hesitating a bit, he ultimately chose not to explain to Xiang Ning the reason behind his change in attitude.

Some people say that if you are friendly towards the world, the world will be friendly towards you...actually, there must be a foundation supporting this logic. If Xu Tingsheng had not been Xu Tingsheng, or if he had only been the Xu Tingsheng of his previous life…

“Yeah, he was!” Xiang Ning said, “He didn’t get angry and didn’t blame me too. He also said that it was his own fault. He was especially polite.”

“I said that I would compensate him the fee for washing his car, but he said it wasn’t necessary. He said he would drive it to wash himself. Then, he even said that he would drive the car to be fixed. He won’t drive the car back to park before the sensors are fixed lest it affects everyone’s rest.”

Xu Tingsheng went forward and embraced her, planting a deep kiss on her forehead.

He was actually very hesitant. Compared to in his previous life, Xiang Ning was purer and knew less of the dangers of the world.

“Maybe it’s because I appeared too early in this life, protecting and taking care of her too well in the period of growth of her personality and mindset….is this really a good thing? How about…?”

“I will work hard to make you feel the world is beautiful, always. And make the world friendly towards you, always,” Xu Tingsheng muttered softly to himself.

There is no wrong in loving someone and making them feel that the world is a beautiful place. Also, the current Xu Tingsheng was capable of it. Xiang Ning would naturally grow in the days ahead. After all, she was intelligent and sensitive. Xu Tingsheng would protect her upon this basis, letting her face less of the ugliness and darkness of this world.

The Xiang Ning whom Xu Tingsheng had deeply loved in his previous life-hadn’t she been someone who saw beauty in her own small world, radiant like sunlight, giving those around her radiance and happiness?

This might be the core reason why at the end of the day, the one Xu Tingsheng loved was her.

“Huh? What did you say?” Xiang Ning looked up and asked, Xu Tingsheng’s look reflected in her eyes.

“I was saying, Miss Xiang, that you’re really wonderful. It’s so good I met you,” Xu Tingsheng said as he looked at her.

Miss Xiang’s eyes could smile.

She was that bridge that led towards sunlight and warmth for Xu Tingsheng amidst darkness and violence, that brightest star in the night sky.

Chapter 603: A farewell is a new beginning

Chapter 603: A farewell is a new beginning

Ling Xiao went to Yanjing. This was her last chance at turning the tables. Xu Tingsheng did not know who that major figure might be. He had suppressed the feud of the Ling and Xiao families with the Fang family for over twenty years, ultimately washing his hands off it as he promised he would definitely not intervene.

The feud that had been buried for over twenty years had finally erupted like a volcano.

The Ling and Xiao families had an intricately woven net that they had spent over twenty years building.

To some extent, the Fang family could ultimately only rely on Xu Tingsheng who had sprung up from nowhere.

At some level, old man Fang had actually lost completely way back. Having fallen this low, the thoughts of the old man in the past twenty over years were very hard to guess as the price the Fang family had paid was also tragic enough.

Now, things seemed to have seen a sudden reversal, virtually toppling completely in favour of Xu Tingsheng and the Fang family-if the Fang family could be thought of as still existing, that is.

It was just that stuff like politics...in actuality, no one could determine the attitude of ‘that person’.

Xu Tingsheng knew that the ‘final gamble’ the old man had once entrusted him with might very soon play out.

……

A few days later, Dongzi and Old Dog sat at the bottom of a vessel from Ye Qing’s Yuanhang Corporation, set to flee overseas for the second time.

What was different from last time was that this time, they would likely never be able to return.

The two found it frightening just thinking about it. Not able to understand anything, not able to do anything and having to hide themselves. Still, what could they do about it? Xu Tingsheng had already been benevolent in not taking revenge, not pursuing the matter, not silencing them. Additionally, on top of that, he had even given them a sum of money.

Amidst the dim light, Dongzi sat in a corner, munching on a biscuit with a defeated look on his face.

Old Dog threw Dongzi a bottle of water, saying softly, “Like what they say in the dramas, at least you’ve loved before, right? While there’s completely no hope now, at least you can still think of it in the future, making things a bit easier to bear.”

Dongzi spewed a vulgarity and complained, “Bitch. I asked for a photo for commemoration from her way back, but she wouldn’t even give it to me. Now, I’m leaving, and we’ll never meet again. Bitch, so heartless.”

As the sound of footsteps resounded, Old Dog immediately stopped Dongzi from speaking.

Most of the people on this ship did not know that the two were there. After all, with how things were, it was impossible for them to leave the country legally. They were stowing away illegally. If they were discovered, no one would stop forward to protect them...the two management personnel who were in the know that Ye Qing had arranged to help them included.

The two shrank back into the darkness, not daring to utter a sound. At the same time, they pressed down on an old cargo box beside them, preventing the person inside it from struggling or flailing about.

The footsteps stopped, right outside where the two of them were hiding themselves.

Dongzi and Old Dog both held back their breaths, their heartbeats quickening.

“Dongzi, were you just scolding me? To think I was even being nice and delivering some hot food to the two of you…” The person outside said.

……

Xu Tingsheng knew that Dongzi and Old Dog would be sent away today, with Ding Miao in tow.

He did not have to personally handle this matter.

At the time they had previously agreed upon, he made a trip to Tongtong’s house.

He knocked on the door. There was no response. He knocked again, but it was the same.

Xu Tingsheng called her phone. Tongtong did not answer it. Instead, a reply came via text: I’m not home. The key’s on top of the door.

Xu Tingsheng replied: Do you have something on? In that case, I’d better wait for you to come back. No rush.

Tongtong replied: Don’t wait. I won’t be coming back. And don’t worry. You can ask Bro Zhong and clarify your doubts.

Xu Tingsheng did not get any further reply from her.

He called her, but she had already turned off her phone.

Xu Tingsheng switched to calling Zhong Wusheng’s number.

Zhong Wusheng said, “Tongtong’s gone.”

“What do you mean gone? Where’s she gone to?”

“Overseas. She’s leaving the country legally. Still, she’ll be remaining there and won’t be coming back.”

“Why? Why does she have to leave? Have you guys asked me about it? Did you force her away?” Due to the unexpected nature of this incident, Xu Tingsheng was rather furious.

Zhong Wusheng said cordially, “Calm down, Tingsheng. It was Tongtong herself who insisted on leaving. I, Uncle Xu and Yaming all know about it. Still, she didn’t let us tell you about it before. Your Dad and I were against it at first. Still, after hearing Tongtong talk about her reasons...we decided to support her. Uncle Xu helped her with her visa and gave her a sum of money. Huang Yaming gave her a sum of money too. Relax, she’ll be fine.”

“What do you mean she’ll be fine? She can’t even speak a word of English. Even if she has money, what can she as a girl do overseas? What will she do?” Xu Tingsheng was still very emotional.

“Tingsheng, Tongtong knows English. Although she’s not that proficient, she has no problem with basic communication.”

“She knows English? ...How is that possible?”

“The bar often has foreign customers. Also, basically all the wine is imported. When Tongtong was still at Starry Splendour, since the time you told her to be ready to come manage wine at Bright Brilliance, she already started studying it. She was working her socks off everyday to learn it...though she hasn’t had much education, she really managed to achieve it,” Zhong Wusheng’s tone grew a bit agitated too, “Tongtong knows English. She went from rather lousy sentences to being able to hold normal conversations. Huang Yaming, even Ye Qing and Fang Chen’s lot all know about it. It is only you, Xu Tingsheng, you alone who don’t know about it. Do you get what I mean?”

“I…”

“You’ve never truly paid attention to her before, only occasionally expressing your gratitude or making up for your guilt. In truth, you don’t have any commitment you can spare...understand?”

“I know.”

“Then, do you know that Tongtong likes you, likes you to the point that she was actually willing and prepared to die for you this time round?”

“I...know.”

“You know, but you cannot do anything at all, right? You can only feign ignorance…” Zhong Wusheng tried hard to calm himself, saying, “Do you know Tongtong’s reasons for leaving?”

“Initially, she said it was because she was afraid that by staying around you, she might be a threat to you in the future. Your father and I staunchly disagreed with her leaving, telling her that there’s no need to worry about all this. Afterwards, she finally came clean and said it’s actually because she likes you. As she likes you, she doesn’t want and doesn’t dare to stay near you any longer. She doesn’t want to like you while feeling inferior, letting her thoughts run wild and feeling tormented throughout…”

“She wants to have a fresh start in life, leaving Yanzhou and going overseas, thereon never having an older brother who takes drugs and forced her to work at a nightclub. Someplace where no one knows of her former identity, where she can forget about someone whom she clearly knows it’s impossible to be with. She’ll have a new life...don’t let her go? Shackling her for her entire life? Just who are you to do that?”

“You don’t know how many times it’s been during this time at Bright Brilliance that a customer has pointed, asking: Aren’t you one of those selling yourself at Starry Splendour? Do you know how many people mock her for overestimating herself every time she rejects being introduced to a boyfriend, saying that she thinks she’s Huang Liangmeng?”

“I...sorry, Bro Zhong...you’re right,” Xu Tingsheng said after some silence, “I’m just a bit worried about her...after all, she’ll be going overseas.”

Zhong Wusheng thought about it and said, “Firstly, Tongtong is already no longer that useless girl you met at Starry Splendour. Bright Brilliance was solely managed by her for a long period of time this time too. She already has the capabilities to manage a bar like Bright Brilliance. Also, it was precisely because she was so composed in dealing with Ding Miao while turning Dongzi and the other guy that we were able to resolve this incident so easily, don’t you remember?"

“Secondly, we will have people keeping in contact with her, providing her with help. Anyway, only you are definitely not allowed to disturb her. Understand now? Can you rest assured?”

“Yes. Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng responded.

“A day may come when having found her own happiness, she is really able to face you calmly, just as a friend...she will contact you then. Right, regarding that flat, your Dad has helped her to pay the housing loan and is letting her keep it. She says she’s left the key to you...I don’t know how she’s notified you about this. You should go take a look when you have the time,” Zhong Wusheng said.

“Right. Got it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng retrieved the key from above the door and opened it.

This house that was not big had already changed completely from when it had been bought. There were a beautiful sofa, chairs, dining table, curtains...a lovable carpet, intricate little accessories...various minor details that were filled with joy and attentively constructed…

Xu Tingsheng seemed to see how she would buy something back whenever she had enough money saved up, happily placing it in a certain position and shifting it ceaselessly till she was satisfied with it. She was always saying: Xu Tingsheng, you can come take a look when you’re free…

Because it was a house that Xu Tingsheng had bought for her, she had weaved a dream here.

Sunlight entered through the window. A small bottle sparkled on the windowsill.

Xu Tingsheng recognised that bottle. It was a present he had carelessly given her a very long time ago. While he had claimed that it was a one-of-a-kind French perfume, that had actually been a lie.

He picked up that perfume bottle. He found that it had never been opened, had not suffered even the slightest scratch.

So this gift from him that had been packaged by a lie had always been so cherished by her…

There was a note under the perfume bottle with around a dozen rows of words written on it.

“Xu Tingsheng. I’m leaving. I daren’t even say goodbye to you in person. Sorry.”

“I still remember the first time I saw you. I still remember...many things. Still, I’ll quickly forget all of it. See, I can even leave behind the perfume you gave me. I’ll definitely be able to do it.”

“I’m still very happy to have met you in this lifetime. There wouldn’t have been such a change in my life otherwise…”

“Forget it. I should be honest. Actually, I’d rather I never met you, rather I have muddled through my life just like that. It was already too late. When I met you, it was already too late...I’ve very dirty. I have sinned.”

“If I could choose, I’d choose to always be working at the factory. Maybe, when I walk past you on the road one day, you’ll glance at me and think: This country girl is actually pretty simple and pretty. It’s great even when she isn’t saying anything.”

“Maybe I’d be a bit bolder. Because I’d heard of you and seen you, I’d go off to work as an attendant at Bright Brilliance. That way, I’d be able to secretly look at you. Maybe I’d even get to speak to you every once in a while, then start letting my thoughts run wild and blissfully having a crush on you just like other girls.”

“How I wish I could have been pure and clean when I met you! Sadly, I have no way to erase that part of my life. Afterwards, I was afraid to even like you. Today’s the same. I was going to say to you before we parted: Xu Tingsheng, I really, really like you...in the end, I still didn’t dare to. Because I’m so afraid that my dirtiness will disgust you.”

“That sort of feeling is so painful, so unbearable.”

“So, this time, I’ve decided to leave.”

“I’ll start afresh in another place, properly live my life. Maybe I’ll be a capable career woman. I’ll change my name too. Henceforth, there will no longer be that girl named Tongtong in this world. I’ll forget that segment of the past and strive to be a great person. I’ll forget you, and then I’ll be very happy.”

“Farewell, Xu Tingsheng.”

Maybe because she hadn’t thought of her new name yet, there was no sign-off on the sheet of paper.

Chapter 604: Ding Miao's fate

Chapter 604: Ding Miao’s fate

Standing on the deck, after sending Xu Tingsheng one final text, Tongtong clenched her teeth and forcefully threw her phone into the deep, boundless ocean before her.

She had come from a poor, out-of-the-way, little mountain village. Having an unfortunate family and encounters, she had been forced to do things against her will. She had lived in a city close to the sea. Yet, this was the first time she had the chance to see the sea, the first time she was in such a big ship and enjoying such a good wind…

“If I could live life again, I definitely wouldn’t let you go so easily, Xu Tingsheng.”

“In my next life, I’ll be squeaky clean. I’ll study, be independent, wait for that person named Xu Tingsheng to appear and fall in love with him...not feel inferior, not be sad, not run away from things. I won’t be afraid of anything at all. At least I’d have to sleep with you, handing you the cleanest me! Make you never be able to forget it…”

In this life, she was destined only to be able to say some things to the great ocean itself.

Calming her emotions, Tongtong headed to the cafeteria, put together some of the remaining food and brought them down to Dongzi and Old Dog who were hiding at the bottom of the ship, along with Ding Miao in the cargo box.

Before she had arrived, she heard Dongzi cursing ‘bitch’ and ‘heartless’.

Suddenly, Tongtong could not help but laugh as she exclaimed, “Dongzi, were you just scolding me?”

……

Dongzi was nearly crying by now. First, he was panicked, wondering how he might explain away his earlier words. Second, he was happy. He had hot food to eat, and Tongtong whom he had thought he would never see again in this life had suddenly, miraculously appeared before him.

“What, so you’re leaving the country with us?” Old Dog helped Dongzi out of his predicament, asking what he was wondering about.

“Yes, I want to go out for a look around,” Tongtong smiled.

“Just for a look? So, you’ll be returning very soon?” Dongzi asked hastily.

Tongtong shook her head, “I may never come back.”

“Woah!” Dongzi hiccupped in his joy as he beat down on his chest and shamelessly asked, “So, will you be bringing the two of us along in whatever you’ll be doing?”

Two fiery gazes fell on Tongtong as it was just like when people drifting on the sea surface had spotted a vessel. In truth, living independently overseas for the two of them was not that much different from being thrown overboard and dumped into the sea.

“The two of you?” Tongtong smiled and asked, “Tell me, what can the two of you do?”

The two froze for a bit.

“We can protect you!” Dongzi said, “You, a vulnerable girl outside...if anyone bullies you, we can risk our lives and fight with them.”

“I believe that. You have already proven it,” Looking at them, Tongtong nodded earnestly before saying, “Still, that isn’t enough. Do the two of you know English? How to run a business?”

Seeing the two of them silent, she paused for a bit before asking, “If you don’t...can you learn?”

“Well, we...aren’t cut of that cloth,” Old Dog had a troubled look on his face as Dongzi who was beside him nodded helplessly too.

“How do you know you aren’t cut of that cloth? Have you even tried? You aren’t willing to learn or even give it a shot?” Tongtong put on a stern face, saying, “In that case, forget it. I don’t want to bring along two good-for-nothing burdens. When we arrive, we’ll just go our separate ways…”

“Learn. I’ll learn! Who doesn’t learn is a grandson,” Dongzi immediately responded decisively.

Old Dog shot him a look and said helplessly, “In that case, I’ll give it a shot too.”

Tongtong’s gaze flitted between the two of them before she finally smiled and nodded, saying, “Well, alright then. We’ll look after one another in the future, see how it goes. Still, if the two of you really are useless, don’t blame me afterwards for using and then discarding you!”

Dongzi hastily chimed, “Of course not, of course not.”

Old Dog suddenly seemed to have thought of something as he frowned, saying a bit dismally, “Thank you for your willingness to give us a chance. Still, honestly speaking, we’ll be illegal immigrants over there...no identities, unable to see the light of day. How can we help you?”

“You can rest assured on this. People will help us to take care of our identities over there,” Tongtong said, “It’s not only you two; us three will all receive brand new identities. After which...we’ll get a fresh start at life.”

Could there be any better news than this in this world? Dongzi and Old Dog both exchanged disbelieving looks, hot tears virtually spilling out of their eyelids.

“In the future, no one will be able to find us and threaten him,” Tongtong said.

The two naturally knew who the ‘him’ Tongtong was referring to was. Old Dog continued to be excited beyond himself while Dongzi looked a bit pitiful on top of his excitement...why had this woman before them discarded everything in leaving their country? So, it was ultimately still because of that Xu Tingsheng.

Something like being jealous comes automatically, even though one might know that the possibility of fruition might really be close to nil.

“Let’s permanently say goodbye to all the indelible stains on our pasts in starting over,” Tongtong said.

Now this struck close to the heart.

The next moment, the trio stood with their backs against the wall, exhaling deeply as they gazed at the faint light coming from up above. People with darkness in their pasts...it was really difficult to bear.

After a while, Dongzi laid out a shirt on the floor for Tongtong to sit on while he finished eating his food.

“What will we do when we’re out then? Rest assured, the two of us are filled with strength,” He probed.

Looking at him flexing his muscles, Tongtong smiled, saying, “Regarding the specifics, they can wait for when we get there. My initial idea right now is dealing in wine...I’m rather more familiar with this and know where to start and find channels too. Also, the profits from selling Western wine to China are actually very great, really profitable.”

Hearing how very reliable this sounded, the eyes of Old Dog and Dongzi both shone as they nodded excitedly and exclaimed, “This is good, this is good.”

To them, everything had once been dark and devoid of hope. Now, they were suddenly filled with hope…

Tongtong got up and said, “I’ll be going up first then, today. I’ll send you food again when it’s convenient. You’ll still have to bear with this for quite some time. It’ll be tough on you.”

Dongzi and Old Dog both expressed that this was really nothing to them.

“Right, open the box and give this to him,” Holding that remaining portion of food, Tongtong indicated towards the box containing Ding Miao.

“Give it to him? Hey...we can just find a chance and push him into the sea in the middle of the night. We don’t have to waste it, right?” Old Dog asked.

“We can’t just let him starve to death. Open it,” Tongtong said.

Dongzi opened the box. Ding Miao was tied up tightly, a cloth stuffed in his mouth. He was lying amidst a bunch of pickled mustard, biscuits and bottles of mineral water, jostled up quite tightly.

As light appeared before his eyes, Ding Miao looked up and glanced at Tongtong, releasing a fiery, pleading gaze.

“Have some food and water,” Tongtong said, “We’ll help you to remove the cloth in your mouth. Don’t call out!”

“If you dare to call out, this old man will immediately beat you dead and throw you into the sea,” Dongzi threatened beside her.

Ding Miao hurriedly nodded.

Indeed, he dared not utter a sound when the cloth was removed.

Tongtong got Dongzi to give him some water before feeding him some food.

“Can you, can you give me a chance? Actually, I won’t be able to go back too. I heard you guys talking about starting a business earlier. I’m good at that. I can help,” Ding Miao said with a sincere look on his face.

“Dream on,” Dongzi gnashed his teeth.

Ding Miao ignored him and focused on Tongtong. He knew who called the shots here.

“Don’t look at me. I feel that Dongzi is right...you, dream on,” Tongtong smiled and shook her head, saying, “Don’t waste your effort, Ding Miao. It’s useless. People like you aren’t worthy of any trust or sympathy whatsoever. I know that I am not as smart as you. So, I also won’t be that stupid.”

Once Ding Miao had finished eating, he despondently had the cloth stuffed into his mouth again and the box closed.

As Tongtong was about to leave, Old Dog asked, “When do we throw him off?”

“We should wait till the ship has sailed for another two more days,” Tongtong answered.

Inside the box, Ding Miao wet himself on the spot.

……

Two days later, late at night amidst the vast ocean, when most of the crew were already asleep, the people who were following Ye Qing’s instructions released a small boat to the sea’s surface. Then, without even glancing at it, they returned to the ship to sleep.

Having been sailors before, Dongzi and Old Dog were very familiar with everything about the sea. They carried the box up the boat and brought Tongtong over as well.

The small boat traversed that pitch black sea surface for about twenty minutes and arrived before a deserted island.

Dongzi and Old Dog got off the boat and carried the box to the shore where they opened it, untied the ropes binding Ding Miao and pulled him out.

Suddenly discovering himself amidst a body of shallow water, Ding Miao did not move at all as he was incomparably bewildered.

“Bro Zhong said that life and death are predestined...your outcome shall be left to the heavens to decide,” Tongtong pointed at the deserted island behind him, “We will leave you here. As for whether you can survive, that’s all up to yourself.”

This...was really too random. What were they doing? Was this a joke? After hearing Tongtong’s words, Ding Miao’s mind was a chaotic jumble for a time as he did not know what he should do.

He had originally thought that he was a goner. Now that he still had a chance at life, of course he should be happy. Yet, while Ding Miao had read Robinson Crusoe before, never in his wildest dreams had he thought that...such a day might actually also come for himself.

He also knew that he was probably unable to match Robinson.

Having graduated from an Ivy League university, he was a business elite, a great schemer, a strategist, a charismatic person...but all that was useless here!

As Tongtong spoke, Dongzi and Old Dog took some water, biscuits and pickled mustard from the box and set them down on the sand.

“These are for life-saving exigencies. Don’t eat them all up in a single go! This place is not on the navigation route. There may not be any ships passing by in the short term. You’ve got to depend on yourself. There are caves on the island, sources of water, fruits and animals you could eat...there’s also food you can obtain from the shore...forget it, you should be the one properly studying it on your own,” Tongtong spread her hands apart and said.

“This is a private beach that we discovered. It’s now yours...Young Master Ding, oh, no, Island Master Ding...don’t get too comfortable basking in the sunlight!” Old Dog quipped.

Once, when Old Dog and Dongzi had been on a smuggling run, they had discovered this deserted island by accident following a mishap with their ship. Just as Tongtong had said, survival was possible on this island.

Although the two of them had been able to survive for over two months on this island and ultimately been rescued, that did not mean that it was possible for Ding Miao...in this sort of environment, of those elites and wealthy people in society, ten of them were not a match for a healthy, experienced sailor who was able to clench their teeth and soldier on.

Also, this deserted island was also really not on the navigation route. Under normal circumstances, a few months to half a year could pass without any ships passing by at all. Additionally, even if one did pass by...he might not discover it or be discovered by it.

Everything would be left to the heavens to decide. It would also depend on Ding Miao’s own will and fate.

The three returned to the boat, setting off back for the ship.

“Hey, what are you guys doing? Sob...don’t go!” A dazed Ding Miao finally regained his wits, realising that this was really happening...it was neither a movie nor a novel…

“I beg you. Please don’t go!”

“Don’t leave me all alone here…”

“I can’t do it! Spare me!”

Ding Miao chased after them, but was deterred when he found that the seawater had passed his chest level.

“Where are the water sources?”“Where are the caves?”

“Are there any snakes on this island? Are they poisonous?”

“Hey...fire, leave me a few more lighters!”

“I’ve never learnt how to create fires with branches…”

The boat grew increasingly distant over the horizon, gradually vanishing.

Lying on the beach, Ding Miao raised the lighter that he had found amongst the pile of food high and burst into tears…

In modern society, in a civilised world...just what was this?!

……

Amidst the darkness, the small boat made its way back to the ship.

Old Dog steered while Tongtong and Dongzi sat facing each other.

“Do you think Ding Miao might successfully make it off that island alive?” Dongzi asked.

Actually, he judged that the chances of that were not high...he did not believe that Ding Miao possessed such a will, constitution and outdoor survival skills.

Also, loneliness and despair are actually better able to kill than a difficult environment. It might also be the case that the more books a person has read, the more abundant their thoughts and feelings, the more torturous this will mentally be for them.

“I don’t know. I’m not as knowledgeable as you two in this aspect,” Tongtong said calmly.

“In the off chance that he does survive and flags down a ship…” Dongzi ventured.

Tongtong said composedly, “By then, it will already be established fact that he absconded out of guilt. Also, don’t forget that it’s true Ding Sen’s matter was done by him. His underling whom he nearly silenced is still there...do you think he would dare to openly return?! I think that if he truly survives, he might do the same as us at best, finding a place to settle down and start life afresh. Maybe he’ll have become like another person, having gained enlightenment on many things in life.”

“That’s true,” Dongzi said, “I’m just worried that if he’s deranged and again goes to…”

“Bro Zhong said that if that really does happen, we can treat it like it’s destined that there’ll be this tribulation in Xu Tingsheng’s life. We should also believe that...he can withstand this. He’s Xu Tingsheng, after all!”

Xu Tingsheng again. Dongzi felt envious.

“Right. You said that you’ll likely not be returning. Will you be marrying a foreigner in the future then?” Dongzi deliberately smiled and asked.

“I’m not marrying a foreigner,” Tongtong shook her head.

“In that case...I feel that, I think...we had best go to a place with very few countrymen. The fewer the better…” Dongzi said this very softly, his voice dissipating in the wind.

“What did you say?” Tongtong asked.

Dongzi inhaled deeply, emboldening himself, “I was saying, do you think that...in the future, there is the possibility that you’ll accidentally end up giving me a chance?”

“Huh?” Tongtong looked at him and laughed, “When you have money, can speak foreign languages and lead a stable life...it’s very easy to find a woman even overseas...all the Western women! Why would you want a chance from me? Is it even worth it…”

“I just think it is. I just want to do that,” Dongzi mustered up his courage and asked, “Just tell me if you think there is this possibility.”

“Before I forget Xu Tingsheng, there’s no possibility of that happening.”

Dongzi even felt like plunging headfirst into the ocean now.

“Isn’t that equivalent to saying that it’s impossible…”

“Who said that?” Tongtong asked, “Time and environment can change many things. I will also try hard to forget him.”

In the early hours of the morning, the sun was set to rise above the ocean surface, faint light rippling across the water.

There will always be hope in life.

Chapter 605: If I could relive it

Chapter 605: If I could relive it

Ling Xiao had already been at Yanjing for more than five days. No news had come whatsoever. Still, this itself was a signal that she was still fighting, that she still had a chance.

The current state of affairs was actually unfair. The Ling and Xiao families were able to come into contact with that important person, whereas the remainder of the Fang family could not.

It felt like they were out of solutions and were just sitting ducks.

Xu Tingsheng dared not imagine that he might be able to participate in a contest at the level of Yanjing. All he could do now was hope that through his efforts, things at Yanzhou could settle down as soon as possible.

As soon as things had settled down, the chances of that important person forcibly reversing things would decrease. While it would only decrease, this was already all he could do now.

An unexpected piece of news came from Yanjing. Chen Jianxing was about to return to Yanzhou.

“Something’s wrong. This doesn’t make any sense…”

Xu Tingsheng began to worry as soon as he heard the news. Whether or not the higher-ups had already finished getting his testimony and evidence, as the crucial figure in a massive upheaval in the bureaucracy, as that ‘spear’ that had mowed down a bunch, it simply didn’t make sense that Chen Jianxing was returning to the public eye at this time.

This was equivalent to throwing their most important witness into a cage for suspects, equivalent to pushing Chen Jianxing onto a stack of firewood doused in oil. Someone was pushing him to his death.

“What do they want to do? Could it...all amount to nothing at the final moment?”

Xu Tingsheng wondered about the underlying meaning behind this incident while feeling worried for Chen Jianxing’s personal safety.

Xu Tingsheng was not contacted by Chen Jianxing that night and was unable to contact him too. As there was no airport in Yanzhou, he brought along Zhong Wusheng and Du Jiang and drove two cars to the airport in Xihu City to wait for him early the next morning.

They waited in the carpark, with Xu Tingsheng’s nerves tensing as flight after flight from Yanjing landed. Whether because of the incident or the person, or because of that mother and daughter who were lonely and persevering as they waited throughout, he could not let Chen Jianxing die.

Finally, a number from a public phone appeared on the screen of Xu Tingsheng’s handphone.

“It’s me,” The voice on the other end said.

Recognising Chen Jianxing’s voice, Xu Tingsheng wasted no words as he cut to the chase and asked, “Where are you?”

“Inside the airport,” Chen Jianxing answered.

“Is there anybody guarding you?”

“Over at Yanjing, some people sent me up the plane. Here...there’s no one.”

“Don’t come out. Wait for my arrangements,” Xu Tingshsheng said decisively.

“I know,” Chen Jianxing knew his predicament as there were probably countless eyes fixated on him right now, waiting for him to leave the airport.

There was a short silence before Chen Jianxing finally asked, “Are they doing well?”

“Rest assured, they’re doing very well. They’re very safe,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Thank you. Then, regarding their future arrangements?”

“They’ll go to Singapore. Housing, schooling...the arrangements are more or less done.”

“Singapore? Very good. There are many Chinese there. It will be easy for them to adjust in terms of work and studies. Thank you for being so meticulous in your considerations.”

“No need to stand on ceremony. Hey, your…” Not knowing if he should say ‘your wife’ or ‘your ex-wife’, Xu Tingsheng finally just said, “She hopes you can forgive her. She said...she wants to wait for you to go together.”

“No, definitely not!” Chen Jianxing exclaimed emotionally, “Get them to go first!”

“I mentioned it, and several times at that. Still, she just insists on waiting for you. She wouldn’t go no matter how I tried to persuade her. Your daughter really misses you too. She received a prize in her final examinations. She’s been waiting everyday, saying that she is waiting for her Dad to come home to show it to him.”

There was no response for a long time as low sobs could be heard from the other end.

At this moment, hearing Xu Tingsheng’s narration, Chen Jianxing who had always been feeling like dying for quite a long time suddenly very much felt like living again.

“I…” Chen Jianxing paused, “How wonderful. Sadly, I…”

Xu Tingsheng knew what Chen Jianxing meant. Still, he had no way of consoling him. Currently, having been embroiled in a political incident of this scale, for him to leave the country together with his wife...was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

“We’ll secure your safety and let you reunite for now. Leaving is impossible for now. We’ll slowly think of a way in the future…” Xu Tingsheng said, “If you don’t have your handphone with you, don’t leave the phone. Wait for my arrangements.”

Chen Jianxing hesitated for a while, saying, “Alright.”

Finally, Xu Tingsheng said in a grave tone, “Trust me, Bro Chen.”

He hung up.

…...

It would not be easy to successfully pick Chen Jianxing up.

Whether it was to get rid of the crucial witness whatever the cost in seeking a reversal or simply for revenge alone, there was more than just a single batch of people hidden in the shadows who were prepared to prevent Chen Jianxing from leaving this place alive today.

They might be the friends, relatives, allies or beneficiaries of the officials that Chen Jianxing had dragged off their pedestals and were currently struggling to keep afloat. They might be the Ling and Xiao families. They might even be people fighting for power on a higher level, people that Xu Tingsheng was unable to predict.

They would not make their move within the airport. Thus, ‘picking up’ itself wasn’t the crucial element. The crucial element was that Xu Tingsheng wanted to ensure that Chen Jianxing was not followed. He wanted Chen Jianxing to vanish into thin air without any traces whatsoever.

Xu Tingsheng knew that there were definitely people keeping an eye on him too.

He had brought along two people and driven two cars over. Both these cars would simultaneously appear at the airport’s entrance, ‘picking someone up’ before leaving.

Still, neither of the two would actually pick Chen Jianxing up and whisk him away.

Inside the carpark, there were two other cars with license plates from other provinces that had already been parked there since last night.

These two cars would appear at the entrance of the airport mixed in with a wave of traffic after the first two cars had left, ‘picking someone up’ before leaving. Xu Tingsheng, Zhong Wusheng and Du Jiang would respectively appear in these two cars.

Yet, Chen Jianxing would still not be in either of them.

The one who would take Chen Jianxing away was the Wang Xiao, the member of the Xu family’s three tigers who showed himself the least. He would bring Chen Jianxing along in eluding those keeping an eye on him in the airport, finding a place to hide and also change.

After the first four cars had respectively diverted the first wave of people and the second wave of backup personnel, only then would they follow the next wave of people..appearing at the place where people waited for taxis.

There, they would board a taxi from Xihu City that could not be any more ordinary.

This was a contest which, though secret, was something that both sides clearly knew about.

There was truthhood and deception mixed within this operation. Even though the first two cars were obvious targets, even though there was not a high chance of the target actually being on one of them, when they could not be certain of where Chen Jianxing was, the other side would have no choice but to follow them.

It was the latter two cars that could truly draw away most of the other side’s attention, because they would only be able to discover it ‘with great difficulty’. After that, they would definitely treat this as a priority to concentrate on.

When smart people have had their smartness verified, finding that feeling of ‘so it was indeed the case. Sadly, though, I’ve still managed to see through it…’, their sense of pride will rise as they enter a period of least caution, with the greatest flaws in their reasoning.

Then, something their opponents would be most unable to expect was that Chen Jianxing and Wang Xiao would make use of this time to leave in a taxi.

Xu Tingsheng confirmed the personnel, flow and timing one last time...

Calling the phone and confirming that it was Chen Jianxing who answered, Xu Tingsheng said, “After another ten plus minutes, the people from the next flight will stream out. Walk back and squeeze in amongst them...then, someone will give you a Nokia 1100. Follow him. I’ll contact you.”

Chen Jianxing said, “Alright.”

A batch of cars left the airport, another entering. The two cars that Xu Tingsheng’s trio had been in switched position and passengers too.

An aeroplane landed. Soon, passengers streamed out densely with their luggage.

Chen Jianxing suddenly turned and moved against the flow of people into the crowd.

One of the passengers of this flight, Wang Xiao, stuffed a Nokia 1100 in Chen Jianxing’s hand.

The two quickly vanished amidst the chaotic crowd.

“Should we look for him or not?” Losing their target, those keeping an eye on him asked.

Their superiors hesitated for a moment. Rather than looking for a needle in a haystack and playing hide-and-seek in an airport…

“Keep a close eye on every exit.”

The order was relayed.

The first and second cars executed their orders, picking someone up and bringing along the first wave of around seven cars.

When changing his clothes, Chen Jianxing said to Wang Xiao whom he was meeting for the first time, “Thank you.”

Wang Xiao said, “No need. We’re only acting as per the instructions of our company’s Young Boss.”

Chen Jianxing hesitated for a moment before asking, “You’re from the Xu family. In that case, have you seen my wife and daughter?”

Wang Xiao nodded, saying, “Your daughter is very cute. I also have a daughter. She’s a few years older than yours. She lives with her mother. I send them money on a regular basis but don’t meet with them very often.”

“Why?”

“I did many things in the past. I’ve been to prison, and have enemies. I’m worried about affecting them. Also, in our line, whether it’s in consideration for ourselves or our hirer, what we most fear is a fatal weak point like our family being captured,” Wang Xiao forced a smile and said, “This can also be considered as being for their own good. At least they presently lead rich, calm, normal lives...my daughter’s results are very good.”

A hint of warmth and pride emanated from Wang Xiao’s eyes.

Xu Tingsheng would never know that Wang Xiao had said these words as well as why he had said it and who had gotten him to do so. The person behind it bore no ill will towards him, much less wanting him to know about it.

Chen Jianxing’s expression changed. His most fragile nerve was touched upon.

“My wife and daughter, they’re...are they in Libei right now?” Chen Jianxing asked rather nervously.

Wang Xiao shook his head, “They were at first. But after…”

Chen Jianxing immediately asked, “What happened?”

“You should know that there are many people who want you to shut up,” Wang Xiao said as he looked at him, “When they couldn’t touch you before, capturing them and threatening you was the best way. So, after a few attempts, Libei became unsafe too..the Xu family still isn’t to the extent that people think it is.”

Chen Jianxing’s entire expression froze.

“Relax, they’re very safe right now. They can also leave at any time. They’re at…” Wang Xiao stopped, gazing around before he said, “I shouldn’t say it here. You’ll meet them later anyway.”

Chen Jianxing slowly nodded. He did not say anything.

The second batch of cars. Zhong Wusheng in one, Xu Tingsheng and Du Jiang in another…

Everything was going as planned.

Zhong Wusheng lured a bunch of people away.

Xu Tingsheng and Du Jiang were currently on the airport overpass, a huge bunch of cars on their tail.

Xu Tingsheng was in a pretty good mood.

A call came.

“You’re in the car?” Xu Tingsheng asked Wang Xiao.

“Chen Jianxing and I got separated,” Wang Xiao said.

“...” Xu Tingsheng’s entire body stiffened as he exclaimed, “Go look for him then! Look...forget it, there’s no need to look anymore.”

Xu Tingsheng could see Chen Jianxing. From the airport overpass, he could see Chen Jianxing walking on a road not far away. He was walking at a moderate speed, traffic all around him...he was very conspicuous.

Du Jiang who was driving saw him too. He turned and glanced at Xu Tingsheng, looking like he wanted to say something but refraining. He immediately turned back, regaining his composure and calmness.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly dialled the number of the handphone which he had just gotten Wang Xiao to give to Chen Jianxing.

The call connected.

“Bro Chen, what are you doing?” Xu Tingsheng was a bit incensed.

“I...thank you, Tingsheng, but sorry. I’ve decided not to leave with you,” Chen Jianxing said.

“What bull is this? After I’ve spent so much energy, what’s the meaning of this?” Xu Tingsheng chastised angrily.

“Calm down first and listen to me.”

Chen Jianxing was still walking at a steady speed on the road. He stopped and asked a passer-by for a cigarette, lighting it up.

Then, he continued walking as he said, “In truth, from when I was notified to return to Yanzhou yesterday to when my plane landed today, I felt that I was going to die for sure. I’m very clear on that...actually, I’m not afraid of death. In the contest between the higher-ups, I am but a spear. I was only lucky to have people who were coincidentally willing to use me. That also granted my wish.”

“In Yanjing, I saw some arrested officials from Yanzhou and testified against them in person. That person was included amongst them. They were trembling, crying, snot and tears all over their faces and sweat from their big stomachs with their clothes all having turned yellow...having gotten used to seeing their superior looks and arrogant auras on stage before, you definitely wouldn’t be able to imagine what a sorry sight they cut. I really overestimated them before…”

“In front of them, I was laughing till tears flowed out of my eyes. I secretly told them: Hahahaha, this old man has finally freaking rendered you lot dead. You’d never have thought, right?”

“To be honest, Tingsheng, I’m already very satisfied.”

“Now, the person who was using me already has the upper hand. It may be that he wants to throw me out to quell the other side’s rage and account for things to them or he may have other intentions...I’m unable to grasp this. You can think about it. Anyway, I’m actually already of no use.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m not discussing with you if you still have any use. I’m telling you your wife and daughter are waiting for you.”

Chen Jianxing said, “I know. Actually, when you told me that they were waiting for me half an hour ago, I really wanted to live again. I wanted to see them, then wait for that day as you said, starting life anew. I do trust you.”

“Then, you…”

“There’s no turning back for me. It’s too late. There’s no time. First, it’s too hard for me to live. You know it. There are too many people who need me dead to bring an end to things. If you insist on protecting me, it will only leave you in a more passive position. Second, if I really go back with you today, reuniting with them...they may never be able to leave a normal, peaceful life again. It’s better if I use my death to account for things to those peoples’ hatred and fury. I believe that with your added protection and arrangements, those people should be willing to leave it at that. That way, they will also be able to live their lives properly after getting there.”

“A load of bull. Have you asked the two of them this? Will they be willing?”

“They may be willing, but I’m not,” Chen Jianxing smiled awkwardly and said, “You’re still  young, Tingsheng. You’ve never experienced marriage and having a family. So, you wouldn’t know. There are some things which you just can’t get past. If you ask me now if given another chance, I would still be willing to pay such a big price to render that bunch of bastards dead, I’d tell you that I’d still go. If I didn’t go, I’d have to kill myself. I’m a man!”

Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless.

Chen Jianxing continued, “Maybe if I follow you back today, when we meet, the three of us will weep painfully and pour out our feelings to each other, finding that there’s nothing in this world that cannot be forgiven. Still, in the future, there’ll be dozens of uncertain decades waiting for us. The normalest days are actually the scariest. Whatever we think at that moment, we will return to reality nevertheless in the future.”

“The reality is that over such long days, what she did will actually still be on my mind. I won’t be able to forget them. I will unknowingly torture her. Even if it’s only a cold face from time to time, she will still be overly sensitive to it. Also, what I ruthlessly did to them will actually also not be forgotten. She and I will have to live each day cautiously, because the slightest carelessness and we’ll hurt each other. As for my daughter, she will grow up, will feel that atmosphere, will remember how she once hugged my leg and cried, while I still insisted on leaving. Maybe the day will come when fear and hatred breeds between us…”

“This family is already completely destroyed. It can’t be returned to, no matter whose fault it is, no matter how hard we work. Days like these...actually have no future.”

“So, you’re running away from it?”

“You could say that. Anyway, putting all these things together, I’ve decided that just reaching this point is fine. This way, they can lead proper lives. She’s still young, and my daughter is cute and clever. They will have futures. This way, while they may be sad for a period of time, in the future, they won’t have to constantly be facing the past because of me again. I think that more of it will be them missing me, thinking back on happy days in the past. They’ll forgive me, living without any weight on their shoulders. Isn’t that just great…”

“You...can you reconsider it? I’ll think of another way…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“No.”

Chen Jianxing switched his emotions and said, “Right, Tingsheng, I’ve actually just thought of it. My death is actually two-sided. Those people definitely think right now that my death will be beneficial towards them, helping to vent their hatred too. Still, in truth, in being alive, I actually can’t provide any new evidence. Yet, if my death is used properly, it may instead be used to nail those people dead.”

“Things like politics have always been the gods fighting while the ordinary spirits bear the brunt. Those on top are always considering the big picture. When they find giving up on something more worth it, they won’t have any reluctance or hesitation at all, much less put up strong resistance towards it.”

“Do you get what I mean? Ever since the first time we met, you've been someone who is very good at using public sentiment...just keep yourself out of it.”

Xu Tingsheng could still not get used to facing a person’s life or death choice at such close proximity. This was especially true when at this moment, Chen Jianxing had his deep feelings for his family as well as thoughts that were calm, even cold and merciless to the extreme. It was as if what he was discussing simply wasn’t his own death at all.

This was a man who was overly stubborn. When that Vice Chief had said to him in the car: The day before your marriage, your wife was still on my bed...for your sake. Being alive might have been more torturous than dying for him from that point on.

He shook his head and looked for Chen Jianxing again.

A van with an obscured license plate was zooming towards him from behind at an unnatural speed.

“Bro Chen, run!” Xu Tingsheng yelled.

Chen Jianxing did not look back as he smiled, saying loudly, “Tingsheng, help me tell her to live well with our daughter. She should look again, look for a good person. Tell her that she’s a good woman. Tell her that if I could relive life one more time, I’d still go to that place, waiting to meet her there...still, I wouldn’t let my pride rule me. I wouldn’t feel that I’m not a good match for her and would burden her, demanding to break up. I’d shamelessly beg that she go to that distant little county with me. We’d live mundanely together till the end of our days. I understand now. However little we have, we can still have our hair turn white together…”

The van took a drastic right, zooming onto the pavement…

……

On the way back to Yanzhou, Xu Tingsheng heard a traffic report on the radio:

An accident had occurred on a road close to Xihu City’s airport. A van had fled after a hit-and-run. A pedestrian had been rolled over a second time after being hit, dying on the spot...the traffic police was currently out in full force, seeking to seize the vehicle in question.

Chapter 606: The path to the peak (1)

Chapter 606: The path to the peak (1)

A toast to Chen Jianxing. He should have been an ordinary man, a minor reporter at a news agency in a small county, writing only boring stuff throughout his life like commentaries on and asking after higher-ups...rather than such an ordinary life, however, he had ultimately overturned a city.

A toast to the perils of this world.

A toast to the gentleness of this world.

Two days later, his wife and daughter boarded a flight bound for Singapore. After their sorrow, they would thereon lead a brand new life. The happy memories and wounds that this man had left for them would slowly dissipate over time.

Time can resolve most of the world’s otherwise unresolvable problems.

The media did not have any followup reports on Chen Jianxing’s traffic accident. Perhaps it had to be treated just like any other traffic accident before being covered up.

Still, Xu Tingsheng had caused Weibo to appear prematurely in this world. This was his base.

At first, what appeared on Weibo was only an inquiry regarding the status of this traffic accident. Some ‘citizens of Xihu City’ were doggedly pressing to know if the vehicle in question had been found and how it had ultimately been dealt with.

It didn’t stir many waves.

Still, following that, the name of the victim, Chen Jianxing, was revealed. His job and career path were also revealed. His Deputy Mayor father-in-law who was currently under arrest for corruption was revealed...in the first place, this had never been a secret in Yanzhou.

And so, Chen Jianxing’s death was finally connected to that ultra massive quake which had occurred in Yanzhou some time back.

This man who had once been incomparably looked down upon by the people of Yanzhou in private for abandoning his wife and daughter to cling to authority and toadying around to gain power now instantly transformed into a hero who had suffered humiliation and bided his time to reveal the state of the corrupt bureaucracy.

“So, the whistleblower against the corrupt organisations was killed?”

“This is no ordinary traffic accident! It’s a sinister plot!”

“The corrupt officials dare to act so wantonly, so openly?!”

“So, what’s the verdict on how the corrupt officials will be dealt with?!”

“...”

Someone uploaded Chen Jianxing’s flight information. Right after a whistleblower had returned from the capital, he happened to suffer a traffic accident and perished...who would believe that?

The netizens had never lacked any hatred towards such decadence. The situation escalated unceasingly, furious voices filling the whole of Weibo and several other relevant forums. The people needed an explanation and a suitable conclusion to things.

The employees of Xingchen Technologies received notifications from the relevant authorities, requesting to delete all the related Weibo posts.

Xu Tingsheng complied with this very straightforwardly. He even went about it more viciously than had been requested.

Not only did he delete those posts, he even banned accounts and put up a public notification…

Xu Tingsheng understood the netizens much better than the higher-ups wracking their brains inside their offices did. In the internet era, the people who were used to tolerating and abiding things had a virtually crazed spirit of resistance.

The more you try to crush them, the stronger they resist. Also, they are full of methods for that.

Things escalated after this attempt to suppress them, the voices of doubt increasingly growing too. Xu Tingsheng and Xingchen were also getting scolded. Still, he was very happy about his being scolded...in this era, he was more experienced than anybody regarding ‘forcing law with public sentiment’.

He was seeking justice for Chen Jianxing while also forcing that person in a position of power to recognise the current situation.

The stance of the authorities began to loosen.

At this crucial point where they urgently needed a fire, Chen Jianxing’s former identity as a reporter proved useful. He had been the kind who possessed ‘a voice’ while not completely belonging to governmental organisations.

A portion of these people felt pride at this.

First, a media entity that had always possessed a certain degree of independence posted on its official Weibo page: To a reporter with conscience. Following this were pictures of candle, candle, candle, candle. A row of candles.

While there was no explanation, everyone quickly understood what it was hinting at.

In the span of a single day, this Weibo post was circulated over fifty thousand times.

Xingchen Technologies took the initiative to contact the relevant authorities, asking if they needed to delete this post...two hours later, the authorities sent a reply: Forget it.

People discovered this the next day.

Some people began pondering on the underlying meaning behind it.

Reporters have two things they are adept at.

First is reading the direction the wind is blowing. Nothing can elude their judgment.

Second is telling stories, including sorting out information, adding their own viewpoints and exaggerating.

That day, a reporter with considerable influence in the industry, also a popular figure on Xingchen Weibo, posted on Weibo under his own name. To be precise, what he posted resembled a short story:

A young reporter with a conscience stumbled upon a corrupt organisation. Thus, he relied on his looks, smarts and charisma and married the daughter of a high-ranking official amongst them, bravely venturing into the lion’s den.

Amidst his dangerous predicament, he cleverly hid himself, entering the core while secretly collecting evidence of their crimes every step of the way. He spent over two years doing so.

He stuck by his values despite the allure of authority and money, not losing his way. In the end, he resolutely exposed this corrupt organisation.

Sadly, he met a tragic end in the end.

At the end of his Weibo post, said reporter expressed that if this had happened in America, it would definitely have been adapted into a good Hollywood movie.

Next, a few print media companies had the gall to test the waters in reporting and expressing their opinions on this incident. In this country, people were still more used to feeling that things on paper were more reliable than news read on the internet...for once words were printed out in white and black, they could not be deleted, even changed.

Xu Tingsheng wiped his sweat. At this point, things were already hovering between the edges of acceptable and unacceptable.

He could not continue pushing this forward. At the same time, he could not let it die down. Since the commencement of the Fang family’s battle with the Ling and Xiao families, this was the best timing with an opportunity to bring it all to an end.

It might also be the sole good timing.

……

Xihu City. A hospital’s sick ward.

Having long been said to have no chance of waking up at all, old man Fang had already been lying there for quite some time. Shrivelled, weak, without form..though he did not miraculously awaken, he also ‘stubbornly’ did not die.

Even the medical personnel at this hospital felt this sort of ‘perseverance’ to be inconceivable.

Maybe it was just like he said. Having experienced bullets whizzing past his face more than just once in the past, having witnessed countless deaths, even Yama would have to ask his opinion if he wanted to reap his life.

Fang Chen was sitting beside the sickbed.

Ever since the day of Tan Yao’s burial, she had been here everyday, not saying anything while also no longer trying to change anything.

“You must definitely be very tired, right, Grandpa?”

“The time has come…”

“Previously, I never understood why you chose to leave this to me. I felt that it was so cruel towards me...now that I look at it, though, you were right. It’s just like how you decided to gamble on Xu Tingsheng before.”

“...”

As she spoke, she shed silent tears.

Previously, ever since old man Fang was hospitalised, he had only transmitted information to his family through a single person, Fang Yuqing’s father. He had only interacted with him.

Afterwards, after Fang Yuqing’s father had gotten arrested, at the end of Xu Tingsheng’s conversation with the old man, he had asked him who to ask in. The old man had said Fang Yuqing at first but later changed it to Fang Chen.

That day, Fang Chen had entered the sick ward and closed the door.

Old man Fang had said, “Chen’er, Grandpa must ask something of you. Right now, I still can’t die yet. You know that. I also won’t die so easily, believe me. Still, if the day comes when I should be dead...but I’m not dead yet…”

The old man pointed at a tube embedded in his body, “Pull it out.”

This was the task he had entrusted Fang Chen with.

“I’m already full of sin and destined for a life of pain and regret,” Fang Chen said as she looked at the old man’s closed eyes, “So, you were right...it’s best that I do it.”

Fang Chen averted her head, reached out and pulled out a tube on the old man’s body.

“Grandpa, Fang Chen is unfilial.”

……

The old man of the Fang family had died. One might say ‘finally’ died.

The funeral was arranged very quickly. The mourning hall was very big, being rather grand and magnificent.

The obituary was sent out…

The ‘final gamble’ for the Fang family that old man Fang had previously spoken of had occurred, the cards having all been dealt. All that remained was to reveal the cards.

……

Xihu City. A funeral parlour.

Fang Ruju who had previously been shot and injured returned from Jiannan. Besides him, there were also Fang Yuqing and Fang Chen who were present. Aside from Fang Ruli and her mother who had not been allowed to return, only these three people remained of the Fang family.

The trio knelt down in mourning attire on one side of the mourning hall, ready to return respects to the guests who had come to see the old man off.

Still, the Fang family had already been defeated, having been defeated too quickly, too tragically and too completely. Many people in the bureaucracy had long since chosen to keep a distance from them to show that they were not related, while the remainder was just watching. Nobody dared to rashly get too close to the Fang family before the situation became clear.

This was the Fang family’s current predicament over this period of time. If the situation did not change, it might be the future fate of the trio.

That entire morning, virtually no one came...Xu Tingsheng aside.

“I did my best, old man.”

Xu Tingsheng respectfully bowed deeply to the old man in farewell.

Walking before the trio, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Has there been any news?”

Fang Yuqing shook his head.

The situation had not changed by noon as Xu Tingsheng went out to buy food and ate together with those of the Fang family.

At 2pm.

A black sedan pulled up outside the funeral parlour. Four people got off the car. They were old men Ling and Xiao, Ling Xiao as well as the young man, Junwen or something who knew Yong Chun. Xu Tingsheng had met him at the Ling family home before.

The four people went inside and looked around. They did not go forward to pay their respects or do anything else for that matter.

They simply stood more than ten metres apart from the Fang family, not saying a single word.

They were the other side on the gambling table in this game, waiting for the final revealing of cards.

Silence.

The gazes of Xu Tingsheng and Ling Xiao accidentally met. They didn’t exchange any words, however.

It was deathly silent in the mourning hall as it seemed as though not even the slightest wind was blowing within.

In truth, though, countless eyes from Yanzhou and Xihu City, be they bureaucratic or corporate, legitimate or underworld, were fixated on this place. They were waiting. As soon as the result was revealed, they would begin to choose their sides.

The matter of choosing sides has always been one of the greatest forms of knowledge in the bureaucracy.

3pm.

A disturbance began to occur outside the funeral parlour.

There was the sound of vehicles and people.

First to appear in their fields of vision were two teams of armoured policemen who were in charge of clearing out unrelated people and security...

The four people of the Ling and Xiao families looked outside the door, the two old men clearly trembling a bit.

The trio from the Fang family raised their heads. Though there was no happiness in their eyes, there was consolation and hope within.

One had to admit that besides sighing in relief, Xu Tingsheng was also feeling rather curious at this moment…

A wreath was carried in.

Xu Tingsheng saw the name that was written there...

“What the...he’s a major figure who appears on national news once every few days!!!”

Of course, he could only exclaim this in his mind and not out loud.

Chapter 607: The path to the peak (2)

Chapter 607: The path to the peak (2)

Xu Tingsheng stared wide-eyed at Fang Yuqing as if to say, “Such a bigshot?”

Fang Yuqing shook his head to indicate that he had not known too as he too was surprised.

It was not just him as Fang Chen and even Fang Ruju were similarly stunned. This might be sufficient in exhibiting how the Fang family had actually become very far removed from the people on top these past years.

In wishing to reclaim their former relationship and getting him to take care of their descendants, just being pitiful and tragic wasn’t enough for the Fang family. They also needed the possibility and chance to be thought highly of. After all, the Ling and Xiao families were also involved.

Old man Fang had used the end of his life and his funeral to add a final, heavy emotional chip to the gambling table, awaiting the revealing of cards.

If this did not succeed, the Fang family’s defeat would be completely set in stone. Even if it could survive, it would never have a chance of making a strong resurgence.

And now, he had come. This meant that not only would the remainder of the Fang family be able to live on in peace, they also had a big tree to lean on for support and a road to walk...they might even have a chance to be as successful as they were in the past.

As footsteps resounded from the door, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly stepped back a little, a solemn expression on his face.

A major figure whom Xu Tingsheng had seen on television countless times in lives both present and past appeared in the flesh, entering the mourning hall with around a dozen followers.

First, he glanced at the Ling and Xiao families by the doorway. Next, he glanced at the trio of the Fang family’s third generation.

He did not speak, walking slowly before the portrait of old man Fang. He stared at it for a long time before sighing lightly and bowing to send him off.

“He was an old comrade from the revolution, someone with outstanding contributions towards the party, the country and the people. The required extent is still necessary,” He said.

Two people stepped forward from his entourage, unfurling a military flag and covering old man Fang’s coffin with it.

So that had been prepared from the start.

At this moment, those present, those privately keeping an eye on and those sneaking a look from far away could all already understand that the old relationship between the Fang family and this person had been picked up again and reestablished.

According to the level and scale of things, old man Fang’s funeral was still not to the extent where it would require this sort of person to personally attend. Thus, in him being here and doing these things, it mostly represented the personal relationship between them.

The trio of the Fang family exchanged looks, suppressing the pain and hatred in their hearts as much as possible...it was just that they were simply unable to suppress their tears which they had held back for a long time.

The old man walked before those of the Fang family.

“You are?”

“Hello, Grandpa. I’m Fang Ruju.”

The old man nodded, “Hello. I understand a little about your situation. Not bad, very like your Grandpa that year. Have your wounds recovered?”

Fang Ruju nodded, “Yes.”

“That’s good then,” The old man said, “Handle the procedures in a few days and go to Yanjing. You’re still young. There’re many opportunities ahead. Go at it slowly.”

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng secretly ‘wowed’ in his heart. He had to pump his fist for the Fang family here. Without question, bar any unexpected circumstances, Fang Ruju would hereupon be walking a broad, smooth path. Also, just as the old man had said, he was still young.

The old man’s gaze turned to Fang Yuqing.

Fang Yuqing hurriedly stepped forward and introduced himself, “Grandpa, I’m Fang Yuqing.”

“Oh. You’re a businessman?”

“Yes.”

“That’s also good. Do it well then. The precondition is that you don’t do anything aberrant, much less illegal,” The old man pondered for a bit and said, “Oh, if you really meet with any difficulties, you can contact my secretary.”

Fang Yuqing hurriedly said, “Yes. Thank you, Grandpa.”

The final one was Fang Chen.

“Grandpa, I am Fang Chen. I used to work at Yanzhou University,” A tearful Fang Chen stepped forward.

The old man looked at her, “Not bad. Old Fang’s grandchildren are all pretty good. For a girl, working in education should be pretty good. What plans do you have for the future? Return to your original workplace, or…”

The pie had come again. Xu Tingsheng was rather moved as he waited for the usually ‘shameless’ Fang Chen to demand something outrageous from him.

Still, she didn’t. Fang Chen was already no longer that Fang Chen from before.

“I…” She hesitated, “I still haven’t decided yet.”

The old man looked a bit surprised but soon recovered as he said, “That’s fine too. In that case, you can contact me again later on when you have sorted out your thoughts.”

“Yes. Thank you, Grandpa.”

He was taking care of them while also compensating them...with these simple, short, conversations, the resurgence of the Fang family had begun.

The old man glanced at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng was rather nervous. As he was contemplating if he should introduce himself first, the old man had already smilingly turned around.

The trio from the Fang family followed after him to see him off.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and followed as well. Since the armoured policemen from earlier had not investigated him or cleared him out of the area, it showed that the people on top knew about him and had tacitly granted that he could be here.

The old man stopped before those of the Ling and Xiao families.

“It’s been over twenty years. Today, everything should have been resolved,” He said.

Old men Ling and Xiao nodded rather despondently in reply.

“The two of you are also getting on in years. You shouldn’t be burdened with so many things,” The old man’s intentions were very clear here as he meant that whatever net, whatever power and authority should all be released now.`

“How about this? You also shouldn’t be staying at home. Choose a nursing home to spend your remaining years, meet your old war buddies or whatnot. It’ll be more lively that way.”Old men Ling and Xiao looked up at him with pleading expressions on their faces. They were both clear what this entailed.

Still, there was no response.

It had been settled with that.

The old man gazed at Ling Xiao as he frowned for a while, “I heard that you were doing pretty well overseas before. Since you have such capabilities...you should return overseas. In the future...it’s okay to fulfil your filial duties, but stay out of the affairs of the older generation.”

While his tone was still genial, this might actually be the harshest thing he had said today. Obviously, the old man could not be any clearer on all that had occurred before this.

Towards Ling Xiao’s actions, especially her vicious, ruthless murder scheme...he was very dissatisfied.

“Yes, I, I’ll leave in a few days,” Ling Xiao lowered her head and agreed, not daring to speak excessively.

At this point, things seemed to be already more or less settled. After paying a heavy price, the Fang family had finally secured a reversal. The first result in the enmity between the Fang family and the Ling and Xiao families had thus been decided too.

From the looks of it, it seemed like the Fang family was more tragic and had suffered more hurt. Yet, from a long term perspective, it was obvious to all who would be on the sky and who would be on the earth in the future.

Therefore, in this battle in which there were no winners, the Fang family could be said to have ultimately won to some degree.

Xu Tingsheng exhaled, relaxing completely. It was finally over.

“You’re that Xu Tingsheng, right?” The old man suddenly turned towards him and asked.

What about me now? Caught off guard, Xu Tingsheng nodded dazedly in response.

“Youngling, not knowing the height of the heavens and the depths of the earth after a bit of results, messing around blindly. You dare to stick your nose in anything?!” Having been very genial before, the old man scolded in a severe tone at this moment as his aura had everyone shivering a bit.

So, what Xu Tingsheng had thought earlier was wrong. How had the words directed towards Ling Xiao been harsh? The harshest were for him. Also, the degree of harshness had increased by not just a little bit.

More tragically, he did not know how to respond.

The old man said he had been messing around blindly, daring to stick his nose in anything? Xu Tingsheng was clear on the fact that whether it was the two upheavals before and after Chen Jianxing’s death or other things...there were actually several aspects he had not adequately considered.

While he could hide from many people that he had secretly participated in and directed these matters, he definitely had no way of pulling the wool over the eyes of this old man and all the national organisations behind him.

The trio of the Fang family moved.

Xu Tingsheng found that they had the intention of speaking up for him. He hurriedly grabbed one of them and stopped the other two with his gaze.

The old man glanced at him. He did not say anything else as he left.

One of his followers lagged behind, walking over to Xu Tingsheng and saying in a hushed tone, “You don’t know, but for some things...if others look at and consider it from another perspective, they may just have a different attitude. As for you, you would have gone beyond the point of no return.”

These words definitely weren’t the personal opinion of this follower. He was only in charge of conveying it. They were that person’s attitude and warning, just that it was not convenient for him to say it directly.

A sweat breaking on his back, Xu Tingsheng said, “Sorry, I...thank you.”

“Take note in the future. Still, don’t be too afraid. He said that while you are rash, looking at it overall, you can still be considered as having some talent. You are loyal as a person too,” The follower continued, switching his tone.

“Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng heaved a sigh of relief.

“Your father is called Xu Jianliang? Just started a partnership with Zhongliang Corporation?”

“Yes.”“He admires this incident greatly.”

“Thank you.”

“He also said that since this is so...of the investment banks under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, pick one of them and be an external consultant to it. As for whether you do any work, it’s up to you yourself.”

It was like an umbrella that had suddenly come on a rainy day. Xu Tingsheng was taken aback. This was...he had docked at a harbour? In the future, he would also be considered as having people on top? And from the very peak too…

This was not as simple as sustaining a slap and being rewarded with a sweet. This pie was super great. It meant that as long as Xu Tingsheng did not wrack his brains in finding ways to court death, he would have the foundation and security to strengthen himself in peace from now on.

If people wanted to act against him, they would now have to carefully consider it first. Also, they could virtually only go at it through legitimate business competition.

This was something he had always lacked.

“Don’t blank out. It’s rare to see him thinking so highly of a youngster...you should grasp it well,” The follower said in his personal capacity now as he patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, “We can also be friends on a personal basis. I’m surnamed Zhao.”

He extended his hand.

Xu Tingsheng shook his hand, “Hello, Bro Zhao.”

“Right. If there’s anything you’re not clear on, you can ask me. Also, regarding the investment firm, someone will contact you soon,” The employee surnamed Zhao took out a name card and passed it to Xu Tingsheng, specifically pointing towards a name on top.

Xu Tingsheng understood that he was secretly hinting at which investment firm he should choose.

The two exchanged looks and nodded.

“Yanzhou’s entire bureaucracy is basically about to be reconstructed. Get your father and the Ye family to drop their charges. It’s already more or less there. No one will make things difficult for you again.”

These words indicated that a conclusion had already been reached on some things.

The employee surnamed Zhao left behind a name card each for Fang Chen, Fang Yuqing and Fang Ruju.

“For the time being, if there’s anything, you can contact me first,” He said.

At this moment, that person had already gotten in the car outside.

Some higher-ups from Jianhai Province who had accompanied him were still here.

Secretary Zhao turned and conveyed some instructions to them.

“First, regarding the second generation of the Fang family, we only seek one thing. Deal with it lawfully according to the evidence, and avoid being affected by any other factors whatsoever. Give reasonable sentences.”

“Second, regarding the traffic accident of the whistleblower to Yanzhou’s bureaucracy, it has to be gotten to the bottom of as soon as possible. Report it and deal with it. No obscuration of the truth is allowed whatsoever. You definitely cannot be lenient towards that arrogant, decadent bunch.”

At this point, no further words were necessary.

Everything had finally been settled.

……

The assembly of cars left.

Old man Fang’s mourning hall grew incomparably lively.

Some people quickly arrived, kneeling, crying ever so realistically.

Someone people were still waiting in line, filled with righteous indignation in their words.

Some people were still getting ready.

More people were in the midst of hurrying over.

Towards these people, whatever they might be feeling inside, the trio of the Fang family still had to suppress it and deal with them politely. Whether it was sincere or hypocritical, if the Fang family were to be a tall tree in the future, it still needed all these side branches around it.

After watching from the side for a while, a rather bored Xu Tingsheng walked outside, exchanging enthusiastic greetings with bosses and officials he might or might not know in the meantime.

With much difficulty, he found a quiet place and lit a cigarette.

“Xu Tingsheng.”

Hearing someone calling him, Xu Tingsheng turned.

Ling Xiao walked over from not far away.

“I’ll be leaving soon,” She said.

“Yeah,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“For some things, I’m saying like that between our family and the Fang family, there actually isn’t any right or wrong. There’s only win or lose,” Ling Xiao said, “Still, I owe you an apology. Sorry. There are some things that I really regret.”

Xu Tingsheng did not answer her. There were some things such as Tan Yao’s death which undeniably were related to her, even though she might not have intentionally caused them.

Looking at him, Ling Xiao hesitated for a while before asking, “Can you, can you…”

“What?”

“Can you call me Ling Xiaoqing? I want to live differently in the future. I think that I’ll switch to this name when I’m there.”

Xu Tingsheng raised his head and looked at her.

“Can you?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head.

A pained look flashed through Ling Xiao’s eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

“Right,” She said, “Well...I’m leaving. I hope that we’ll have the chance to meet again in the future.”

Ling Xiao left. Xu Tingsheng glanced at her back figure. It was actually rather thin.

While she might be detestable, more of it was dictated by fate. A girl who bore hope, bore hatred on her shoulders, even having to sacrifice marriage, love and freedom because of this...she was actually very pitiful too.

……

Puffing on his cigarette, thinking back on the entire process, Xu Tingsheng had to admit that he had actually turned out to be the one who benefited the most from it all.

Firstly, he had received in this process something that he had always most lacked, a true harbour in the sense of the term or rather a sense of security in terms of politics.

Whether it was the assistance of that old man who had just left, the student of the Fang family who was temporarily stationed in Jiannan, or Fang Ruju who had great future prospects...all of them could let him tread onto a whole new level, his encounters and identity thereafter different from in the past.

While he had no wish to be involved in politics, this was actually very important to Xu Tingsheng. He did not wish to eventually become like certain people whom he had seen in his previous life.

And so.

Thereafter, there would no longer be people like Ling Xiao who could lock him up for a few days through their connections and just any random reason.

Thereafter, like Libei’s previous Huang family, sinister methods like that of Ding Miao a few days back could virtually never appear before him again. He had already completely broken free of that level, that level where people could employ vicious means, schemes, plotting and the like…

If someone truly wished to make a move against him, it would have to be another level of massive waves that soared to the heavens.

Secondly, following a series of incidents caused by the Fang family’s affairs, Xu Tingsheng had somehow obtained a profitable swathe of land through Huang Yaming and Old Jin in the Binzhou mining district. He had also obtained a more mature and vicious Huang Yaming, possessing power that could not really see the light of day.

To put it simply, Xu Tingsheng now truly had sufficient backing in terms of both legitimate and underworld power.

At the same time, having weathered this storm, Zhicheng Real Estate would also reach a whole new level, one where under most circumstances, societal and governmental power would not really dare to make things difficult for it.

This was because Zhicheng had a background, had influence, even had a ‘very frightening’ reputation-of course, this was just to some people in the bureaucracy. The ultra massive quake in Yanzhou’s bureaucracy had given them sufficient warning of what could happen to them.

How important was this to a real estate company in this era? Everyone was well aware.

Why had Wanke dared to say in the future that it was upright in its actions, never having dabbled in bribery? Don’t forget that it started out as a national enterprise, with the central juggernaut Huarun behind it.

Thereafter, Xu Tingsheng who had always lacked money could be said to have three super bill-printing machines:

The Binzhou mine district. Coal was currently in its golden era.

Zhicheng Real Estate. The era was exactly right, and it would only become better and better in the decade to come.

Xingchen Games. One simply had to ask Tencent to know this.

He finally had sufficient capital to do many things, including some things that he had not dared to imagine before.

……

Yet, looking back on it, Xu Tingsheng did not feel any happiness or joy whatsoever. If there was anything, it was only the relaxed feeling of finally being able to put it behind him.

In this process.

Some had died.

Some had left.

Some had dulled.

Some had separated.

Some...might never be able to walk out of its shadow.

Xu Tingsheng’s life ascended the path to the peak. Yet, he was already beginning to fear this kind of ascent. Perhaps when people endlessly pursue and obtain some things, they will always inadvertently lose some other things.

Chapter 608: Preparations for engagement

Chapter 608: Preparations for engagement

These summer holidays were like the passing of a tempestuous storm. When the clouds had finally cleared up and they could stop and breathe, there was already not much time remaining.

Ning Garden’s first phase flats were smoothly handed over. Zhicheng proved itself to all with its speed and quality. Soon after, the second phase condominium units and villas capitalised on this and simultaneously went on sale. Despite their higher prices, they were still terrifyingly popular.

A kindergarten and nursing home were being built over at Binzhou. When these were finished, along with a Hucheng training institute from earlier which was already completed, Old Jin and Huang Yaming would more or less have truly won the hearts of everybody at the mine district.

A massive sum of money was coming in from Ning Garden, with a large sum also having been accumulated in Binzhou due to the previous incident. Also, they were still digging money from the ground everyday. Old Jin and Huang Yaming asked Xu Tingsheng how to use it.

Xu Tingsheng checked the relevant information and replied: Take that money and fight for the rights of two games with Tencent no matter the cost.

One of these two games was called <<Dungeon Fighter Online>> while the other was called <<CrossFire>>.

Xingchen Games would soon shed the situation where it only relied on a few leisure games to sustain itself, being too limited overall.

With a background, with funds, everything started becoming smooth.

Fang Chen took everyone by surprise in that she did not choose to return to Yanzhou University or make use of the chance to go to some other department. She instead went to America, which was where Ling Xiao had been effectively exiled.

In Fang Chen’s own words, this enmity ultimately had to fall to her. She would never be able to live with it if she didn’t do something.

There weren’t many who saw her off, and even fewer who thought that she might have much of a chance against Ling Xiao.

Xu Tingsheng was upfront with her, saying, “Right now, you are not Ling Xiao’s opponent even if she’s no longer supported by her background.”

Fang Chen said, “That might have been true before. Still, after she rendered two people who loved me dead with her own hands...I think I’m qualified enough. Relax, I won’t be hasty. I’ll go at it slowly.”

After Chen Jianxing’s affair had been satisfactorily resolved, Fang Chen left with that final bit of contention.

Xu Tingsheng passed his days in a very leisurely manner. From time to time, he would take a look at the renovation condition of his new house. Most of his time, he would hole up at home, behaving just like a university student should during the summer holidays: Sleeping and waking up late, not eating breakfast, looking for people to hang out with…

One morning, he woke up, walked into the living room in his pyjamas and found that Miss Xiang was already up.

Wearing flower-patterned pyjamas, she was leaning against the sofa on the balcony. There was warm sunlight above her head and a book in her hand.

Her slender fingers looked very nice. Every time she flipped a page, the sunlight would help her to illuminate it.

This scene was great. If what she was holding hadn’t been summer holiday homework, it would probably have been even better. Anyway, Xu Tingsheng stood there just like that, looking at her in a foolish manner.

Xiang Ning turned and saw him.

“What’re you looking at?!” Miss Xiang asked.

“A pleasant sight,” Xu Tingsheng said very fawningly.

“Won’t you get tired of it in the future then?” She asked, “It’ll be like this in the future. After you take me as your wife, you’ll see me when you get up every morning. Wah...how embarrassing.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Still, what you said is what I want to happen! How is it embarrassing?”

Xiang Ning averted her gaze, looking at the distant sky instead of him as she asked, “Then, why haven’t you…”

Xu Tingsheng understood what she was hinting at.

So, she really wasn’t playing around when she said she wanted to get engaged.

Over the next two days, Xu Tingsheng went to see Mr Xiang, Mrs Xiang and Xiang Ning’s grandmother, shamelessly trying to broach this matter to them. He finally confirmed that they were absolutely serious about it.

As this was no minor matter, Xu Tingsheng sent Miss Xiang home and himself returned to Libei to discuss it with his parents.

……

Xu Tingsheng reached home and raised the matter.

His younger sister, Xu Qiuyi, had just left for Yanjing.

Mr Xu had no opinion.

Seemingly seeing her plan to have grandchildren take a huge leap forward, Mrs Xu was incomparably moved as she immediately called the Xiang family to discuss the details.

Different places had different customs, and there was much that had to be communicated. Still, the greatest matter which had to be communicated on was still that the Xiang family wished for something simple, like their two families just meeting and having a meal together, while Mrs Xu firmly believed that they should make this a grand affair.

In her words: This is Libei, and my son is getting engaged. Shouldn’t it be a monumental affair?

Xu Tingsheng expressed, “Mum, you’ve swelled. You’re no longer that hardworking, thrifty mother of mine.”

Mrs Xu exclaimed, “Scram! I even play 5 yuan in mahjong games now. Can I be the same as in the past? ...Anyway, I’ll be fully in charge of this. Don’t get involved. Just stay at home and have fun for a few days.”

Having nothing to do over this period of time, Xu Tingsheng went back to see Old Zhou and the others from time to time, met up with his classmates from time to time.

Promoted by his mother, news that he was getting engaged had already begun to spread in Libei.

Once in a while, Xu Tingsheng would worry about receiving a call from his younger sister or Wu Yuewei. Of course, or from some others too. Still, they never came. He was able to heave a sigh of relief with that. One day, he ran into an unexpected person while returning home from Libei Senior High.

That person just rolled down her car window, saying, “Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng discovered that it was Zhou Yuandai. She might be the person whom he least wanted to see now.

Still, he stopped and greeted, “Hi, Miss Zhou. What a coincidence. You came back for a look around?”

Zhou Yuandai said, “Yes and no. I have no real feelings for this place. I primarily came to find you.”

“You’re looking for me? Is anything the matter?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “If it is about that question from last time, please stop joking with me, Miss Zhou. How would I know the answer to that sort of question? You’d do better looking for a few economists to analyse it.”

“That can be set aside for now,” Zhou Yuandai said.

“Then?”

“I heard that you’re getting engaged?”

“...Ah, yes.”

Xu Tingsheng wondered why she even wanted to interfere in this sort of matter. This woman was getting increasingly difficult to understand in her words and actions.

Xu Tingsheng did not wish to provoke her, having always had an inexplicable fear towards this woman in his heart...even though he had reached a whole new level in terms of background and capabilities now, this sort of fear had still not diminished in the least.

Looking at him, Zhou Yuandai curled her lips, “I’m opposed to it.”

Xu Tingsheng very much wanted to ask: Your mother, is there something wrong with your head?

Zhou Yuandai continued, “Playing around is fine. Marriage is a no-no.”

“Miss Zhou, it doesn’t seem very appropriate for you to say this, right? What do you mean by it?” Xu Tingsheng’s tone had started to become rather hostile.

“Only you and I are the same kind of person. I didn’t give you time to wilfully do as you like,” Zhou Yuandai left after saying this.

The feeling she gave Xu Tingsheng was as if anything and everything was under her control.

After her car had left, Zhong Wusheng appeared in front of Xu Tingsheng, looking extremely nervous.

“What is it, Bro Zhong?” Xu Tingsheng tried hard to forget about that phrase ‘same kind of person’ that was unceasingly reverberating within his mind, sending himself positive vibes.

“I wanted to come over earlier…” Zhong Wusheng said.

“And?”

“I couldn’t. I didn’t dare to try. Just as she was speaking to you, I could sense that there were more than ten people standing by in various areas in the vicinity. Who is this person? Why was she looking for you?”

Xu Tingsheng’s heart plummeted to rock bottom all at once.

Chapter 609: Acting like a bigshot

Chapter 609: Acting like a bigshot

What impacted Xu Tingsheng the most were actually still the words ‘same kind of person’. Still, if Xu Tingsheng was not so sensitive, these words could actually refer to many other things too, say ‘genius’ for example.

They were actually similar to the words Cao Cao had said to Liu Bei, “Of the heroes under these heavens today, there are only you and I.”

Xu Tingsheng did not tell Zhong Wusheng all that Zhou Yuandai had said. The two were also of the opinion that they should not tell Mr Xu about it.

After a while, having some matters to take care of, Zhong Wusheng patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder and said before leaving, “Actually, maybe we should be a bit more confident. Regardless of whether the other party has malicious intent or was just joking around, now that we have already reached this extent, we can’t continue to be easily intimidated by others.”

Xu Tingsheng thought that it was indeed the case. He was already no longer weak. Meanwhile, regarding Zhou Yuandai’s strength and whether she truly knew something, most of it was mere speculation on Xu Tingsheng’s part right now as he feared that she might have seen through him.

She seemed like she was probing him more like anything else.

So, Xu Tingsheng decided to simply ignore it...he would surmount the obstacles as they came. For the reborn him to actually abandon Xiang Ning today just because of an inexplicable threat? Impossible.

Xu Tingsheng only did one thing. He bade Du Jin go to the Xiang family to accompany Xiang Ning.

As long as Xiang Ning’s safety was not compromised, no one would would be able to impede this matter.

The discussion and preparatory work by the Xu and Xiang families for their engagement was speedily underway. As the new semester was soon to start, both sides meant to quickly have everything settled during the summer holidays.

Mrs Xu even claimed ownership of a piece of land adjacent to a mountain and hired a few people to grow organic vegetables and eco-rice and rear eco ducks, chickens and fish of various kinds there.

Xu Tingsheng asked about it...and was left shocked. Apparently, his mother had prepared this for Xiang Ning’s nutrition when she was preparing to give birth...including a month of recovery after the pregnancy itself.

“Mum, aren’t you being a bit too hasty?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Hasty? It’s just two years,” Mrs Xu said, “Relax, you don’t have to worry about this. I’ll get people to regularly deliver it to Yanzhou and Du Jin will deal with it. Just get Xiang Ning to properly eat it.”

“...”

“Also, it’s high time you quit smoking. I heard it’s preparation for having a child. It’s just as important as during the pregnancy, really…”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng ran away.

If he didn’t, his mother would probably begin to enquire about the health of all his limbs.

Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning were in contact via phone everyday. The two seemed to have returned to a past state as they conversed a bit nervously, a bit bashfully. From time to time, they would discuss some specifics regarding their engagement, exchanging opinions on it. Quietly, both of them were preparing to face the new, advanced stage of their relationship.

Even though they had known each other for quite long and had a very good relationship...at the end of the day, this was a very remarkable thing!

Miss Xiang was only seventeen.

“Are you afraid of your classmates and teachers knowing?” Xu Tingsheng asked her.

“What about you?” Xiang Ning asked.

“Of course not,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Then, it’s the same for me too,” Xiang Ning replied.

“I’m just a little afraid that you might regret it in the future,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It’s fine as long as you don’t regret it,” Xiang Ning said.

“But you’re still so little.”

“See, you still look down on them.”’

“...Even at this stage!” Xu Tingsheng was rather frenzied.

In the past, he had simply joked that Mulan had no elder brother(breasts grown). He had never expected that Xiang Ning would always have kept that in mind.

“Lu Min said that at my current age, I just have to let you touch them and they’ll grow. Anyway, it’ll be fine after we get engaged...they’ll grow.”

“Miss Xiang Ning...is it because of this that you’re getting engaged with me so early?”

“Actually, this was part of my considerations.”

“...”

…...

The major bitch Wayne Yang arrived in Shenghai, bringing along two Americans from Wall Street to see Xu Tingsheng.

On his way there, Xu Tingsheng picked up Xiang Ning in Yanzhou. Since they were getting engaged, Miss Xiang surely had to buy some decent clothes.

The first stop was a luxury district. Xiang Ning, along with her policewoman cousin who was accompanying her, entered the store first.

Xu Tingsheng made a call outside, telling Wayne Yang that he had to accompany his girlfriend shopping first as they should just relax for now.

Entering the store, Xu Tingsheng found that while there weren’t many customers, the attendants were all busy with their own matters and weren’t too enthusiastic towards Xiang Ning and her cousin. The two were looking around on their own and asking about the clothing sizes and materials from time to time. Still, they were left ignored.

Were they dressed in an overly ordinary fashion?

Xu Tingsheng was actually a bit excited. The showing off of the low-key nouveau riche segment that he had seen countless times in movies and novels before was finally here! Why has this bro earned so much money? Isn’t it for this very moment!

Just like in the movies, he lightly clapped his hands twice.

“Where’s your manager?”

“...Um, where’s your manager?”

Xiang Ning and her cousin were holding hands and smiling as they watched him from the side.

The first round of acting like a bigshot had ended in failure.

Xu Tingsheng had been completely ignored again.

Xu Tingsheng could only look for an employee and ask, “Hi, may I ask if your manager’s here?”

The employee turned and appraised this youth in T-shirt and jeans, “Hi, is anything the matter?”

“Cough…” Xu Tingsheng turned and looked at Xiang Ning and her cousin before saying to the employee in a hushed voice, “Actually, I’m a nouveau riche, a super nouveau riche. I will buy many clothes...so, I want to see your manager. Next, I need many attendants to service my girlfriend.”

Well, this was how it worked in the movies, such as when Richard Gere had brought Julia Roberts to buy clothes in <<Pretty Woman>>. After discovering that Richard Gere was a magnate, the manager and store attendants had all just surged over in an incomparably enthusiastic manner.

Yet, this employee before Xu Tingsheng was looking at him as she would a fool at this moment.

“My apologies, sir,” The employee said, “Right now, we need to urgently finish dealing with the customers in the store. There’ll be an event at the store later, and our brand spokesperson will be coming over...so, I’m very sorry. We and the manager will not be able to specifically provide service for you.”

The second round, another failure. But the script shouldn’t go like this...Xu Tingsheng felt so awkward as he stood there.

“At this time, according to how novels go, I should be getting angry, right?” Xu Tingsheng stroked his wallet in his jeans pocket.

If he took out that centurion black card and slammed it mightily on the table, would it be able to intimidate them?

If it couldn’t, how would things end?

Xu Tingsheng thought of a safer option. He took the card out and held it in his palm as he flashed it to the store attendant.

“This, do you know it?”

The employee was taken aback as she stared at it.

“I’m finally gonna succeed in acting like a bigshot,” Xu Tingsheng felt very fulfilled.

Then, another female employee came over, and the employees of the entire store all began swarming about...the manager who had previously been nowhere to be seen included. Badge on her chest, dressed neatly, she finally appeared now.

Xu Tingsheng was prepared to properly enjoy this moment.

“That car’s already arrived. Why are you still here, chatting?” The employee who had just come over asked this one.

This one hurriedly gazed at him again, “Sir, I’m sorry, but could I trouble you to go out first? We will definitely properly entertain you on another day, okay? Or you can wait for our event to end first…”

Xu Tingsheng turned.

A Bentley was parked outside the entrance. There were two other luxury cars behind it.

A red carpet was laid out.

The manager and employees were already beginning to line up.

“Sir, please!” The attendant’s tone was already rather urgent.

Xu Tingsheng felt rather resentful. Was it really so difficult to act like a bigshot?

Xiang Ning hurried over to him, smiling as she consoled, “Alright, don’t be sad. We can just go to another store.”

She lightly led Xu Tingsheng by the hand out of the store. With such an understanding girlfriend who knew to give him a pedestal to step off, Xu Tingsheng felt much better.

“Mr Nouveau Riche, off to the next store! Even if you fail, you can just try another...anyway, you’ll definitely succeed at some point,” Miss Xiang held back her laughter and added.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to cry but lacked the tears for such, “Xiang Ning, I’ve found that you’re not kind at all.”

Her policewoman cousin had been waiting outside since earlier. After going out, the two found that the exterior of the store was already fully surrounded. In no mood to watch the liveliness, the two were simply going to squeeze out of the crowd and go to the next store.

“Welcome, Miss You,” The employees behind them bowed in an orderly fashion, welcoming their brand spokesperson.

Xiang Ning glanced back at them.

The tall woman who was currently walking down the red carpet stopped.

“Xiang Ning? Why are you here?”

“Hi, Big Sis You. I came to buy clothes.”

Xu Tingsheng turned and discovered that this spokesperson was actually You Qinglan. She and Xiang Ning had met at Xingchen’s annual gathering. Also, they seemed to have become friends. According to Xiang Ning, You Qinglan had even taken her measurements.

“Hi, Boss Xu is here too? A big boss like you actually has the leisure to go shopping with his girlfriend. How rare,” You Qinglan smiled and greeted.

Xu Tingsheng did not know how to respond.

Fortunately, You Qinglan seemed to have not much interest in him as she pulled Xiang Ning along and asked, “Is it this store? Have you bought anything yet?”

Xiang Ning smiled and answered, “Not yet. Then you came, and they got busy, clearing the store of customers.”

You Qinglan smiled apologetically, saying, “This is easy. Come with me.”

Holding Xiang Ning’s hand, she entered, not forgetting to call, “Come on in then, Boss Xu!”

His head lowered, Xu Tingsheng could only follow them into the store.

Actually, You Qinglan had only come to take photos for a few media entities while looking around the store in line with the role of a brand spokesperson.

The proceedings were directly simplified and swiftly ended.

Xu Tingsheng sat on a sofa in the corner of the store while You Qinglan and Xiang Ning whispered to each other. From time to time, the two snuck glances at Xu Tingsheng before laughing as they looked at each other...it was obvious from first sight that it was nothing good.

“Alright, come over now, everyone,” You Qinglan got up and lightly clapped her hands like Xu Tingsheng had earlier.

The attendants and manager all enthusiastically swarmed over.

“This Miss Xiang needs a few sets of clothes. You guys, bring that, that, that...and that over. Then, go find a few more for her to try. Finally, I’ll help her with their selection,” You Qinglan said.

The store attendants all looked at Xiang Ning rather dazedly. For an international supermodel like You Qinglan to help her choose clothes, that was not treatment just anyone could receive. So, who was this young lady?

“Boss Xu!” You Qinglan called.

“Yes?”

“Card,” You Qinglan walked in front of him and extended a hand, saying, “Since you’re here, no free goods, no discount!”

Xu Tingsheng took out his wallet.

You Qinglan directly snatched over his wallet, pulling out that black card before raising it high, “See that, everyone? This here is a centurion black card. This Mister Xu Tingsheng before you, he’s a super nouveau riche, you know. So, be more enthusiastic and get to work...have your tips together with the total later.”

“Xu Tingsheng?”

“So he is Xu Tingsheng!”

“Who?”

“The CEO of Xingchen Technologies! I heard that he also owns several other companies...one of the youngest ultra magnates within the country!”

“I’m done for. I even shooed him away earlier...I, I just started work a few days ago. It was also my first time seeing that card…”

The store attendants had erupted into chatter.

The one who had received Xu Tingsheng earlier nervously and timidly ran before him and apologised, “Sorry, I...just now, I didn’t know that you were really such a big nouveau riche. I thought you were joking and playing a prank...then, the store asked that we quickly clear people away. That’s why I...sorry, sorry.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Hey, can we not mention nouveau riche anymore?” Seeing Xiang Ning and You Qinglan hiding by the side and secretly laughing, Xu Tingsheng really wished to find some crevice in the ground and hide in it.

“Right. Also, sorry for not recognising that card. When you gave it to me, I thought that you were letting me see your housing card out of the blue...I thought you were being a ruffian. I…”

“Stop.”

This employee, can you not be so much of an airhead?

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly said, “That’s enough. Go on now.”

The store finally became busy, revolving around Xiang Ning.

Xu Tingsheng was pulled along by You Qinglan to be a strategist for Miss Xiang who was trying on several different articles of clothing.

Her policewoman cousin was also called in to choose a few articles for herself.

You Qinglan basically did not interact with Xu Tingsheng or seek his opinion. Xiang Ning did do so at first. Still, she had given up after finding that Uncle did not know how to say anything other than ‘good’.

From time to time, You Qinglan would get up and personally adjust Xiang Ning’s clothes for her, adding on some accessories.

Most of the time, she would directly say, “Wrap it up.”

“Your little girlfriend is very beautiful. Especially that sense of freshness and sunlight, which is maintained very well on her. So, she looks good in virtually anything,” While Xiang Ning was changing, You Qinglan turned towards Xu Tingsheng and said this.

“Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I heard from Xiang Ning earlier that you’re getting engaged?”

“Oh, yes.”

“So, she’s the reason you rejected others?” You Qinglan’s question was rather obtrusive.

“Others? You’re referring to?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“In general.”

“In that case, yes.”

You Qinglan opened her mouth but did not say anything.

Xiang Ning emerged in a red dress.

You Xinglan said, “Wrap it up. On to the next. Oh, and Amy, go with Miss Xiang and precisely confirm her measurements. Miss Xiang needs a few made-to-fit outfits to appear at  the next Paris Fashion Week iteration.”

A female employee beside her followed Xiang Ning away.

“Paris Fashion Week?” Xu Tingsheng asked curiously.

“Right, I gave Miss Xiang two invitations earlier. She was very happy. You wouldn’t be unwilling to accompany her there, right, Boss Xu?”

“Well…”

“Every girl dreams of going to Paris Fashion Week at least once. Mr Xu, you wouldn’t let Xiang Ning be disappointed, right?” You Qinglan’s eyes were a bit mocking, even a little domineering.

“I’ll do my best then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Not do your best. You must go,” Gazing at Xu Tingsheng, You Qinglan suddenly switched her tone from a bit overbearing to pleading, “Please, you must go, alright?”

Xu Tingsheng found that her eyes had totally changed at this moment. Completely gone were that mockery and domineering attitude from earlier as all that remained was earnest sincerity, even a sort of anticipation and pleading that was filled with pain.

He nodded.

“We’re agreed then.”

“Fine.”

Chapter 610: Separated in life, reunited in death

Chapter 610: Separated in life, reunited in death

The shopping bags of Xiang Ning and her cousin filled the entire car aside from the driver’s compartment. Then, she went off to eat and go shopping with You Qinglan.

Xu Tingsheng went alone to meet Wayne Yang and the investors he had brought over.

In the end, they obviously did not manage to reach an agreement. Xingchen still did not have any intentions of undergoing financing. Even if they wished to in the future, they would at least first have to take care of the national investment firm to which he was an advisor in name, right?

After seeing the Americans off, Wayne Yang was positively weeping in the room, “Bro, can’t you at least give me a mouthful of rice?”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Fine, I’ll treat you to a meal later.”

“I’ll order a whole table of dishes and the most expensive wine then. You’re rolling in cash now, anyway.”

“Order whatever you want,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Anyway, if it isn’t Sha County food, it’ll be Lanzhou Noodles. When you’re done eating, it’s fine even if you order a few packets of takeaway.”

“The heck! You’re so rich, you’re so rich…” After complaining for a while, this fellow who looked shameless but really had great connections and methods abruptly raised his head, exclaiming, “Oh, right! If you don’t let others invest in you, you can invest in others! Your cashflow now is really terrifying. How about it? I’ll help you to get it done.”

“Me, invest? Invest in who?”

“Some American company. Take your pick! Of course, there are some companies that will be more challenging to handle.”

“How about, say, Apple?” Xu Tingsheng recalled with a start how Apple’s first generation IPhone would appear at the start of 2007, its market value skyrocketing non-stop thereafter.

Wayne Yang shook his head, “Very difficult. If you really think so highly of their prospects, go buy their shares.”

Xu Tingsheng spread his hands apart and said, “It’s not that I can’t. Still, if it were just that, would I still need you? Forget it. Besides that, do you have any other suggestions?”

“How about stuff like bank bonds?” Wayne Yang thought about it and proposed.

Xu Tingsheng froze up completely for a while.

“How about it? Are you interested? I can take you for a spin around Wall Street’s banks,” Wayne Yang stretched out his neck and pressed.

As his handphone rang, Xu Tingsheng recovered, got up and smiled, saying, “Let’s talk again when you can help me to take care of Apple. My girlfriend’s looking for me. I’ll be off now.”

“Really, this kind of attitude?”

“Yes.”

“Ya didn’t actually come to Shenghai to discuss investment with me, right?” This dude could do a Beijing accent too.

“Right. I was accompanying my girlfriend to buy clothes.”

“The heck...help me to claim the money for the inbound flight ticket then.”

He was familiar with even Uncle Benshan’s skits.

“Get lost,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The next day, this bastard apparently really ran to Xingchen to claim the money for the inbound flight ticket. Of course, everyone was well aware that his true motive was really just to target Hu Chen and He Yutan, using them to convince Xu Tingsheng.

So, one could imagine how substantial that commission would be if he really managed to broker an investment in Xingchen.

Hu Chen and He Yutan avoided him as the matter fell through. Still, Wayne Yang had actually profited very well from this seemingly fruitless trip. He had grasped a piece of information: Xu Tingsheng thought highly of Apple’s prospects.

Even Xu Tingsheng himself had not expected this, but after returning to America, Wayne Yang promptly bought several transactions of Apple’s shares.

At the same time, he was indeed also seeking a way to help Xu Tingsheng find an investment opportunity in Apple. A commission from Xu Tingsheng would not be low as well. Like how he would ‘sell’ Xu Tingsheng for an upcoming period of time around Wall Street, that fellow really possessed so much money right now he was vexed everyday over where to throw it.

……

When Wayne Yang visited Xingchen the next day, Xu Tingsheng was actually already on his way back.

After sending Xiang Ning and a carload of clothes back home, Xu Tingsheng solitarily returned to Libei.

Upon reaching Jiannan, he received a call from Mr Xu, asking if he had any time.

Xu Tingsheng asked what the matter was.

Mr Xu said that Happy Shoppers was having a series of interviews in Jiannan and asked if he would go over for a look.

Xu Tingsheng agreed.

The interviews that afternoon involved many different positions. As Xu Tingsheng had nothing better to do, he also sat in on some interviews where he did not have to be present.

He met two ‘acquaintances’ there.

First was a colleague whom Xu Tingsheng had been on pretty good terms with in his previous life. He had started working a year earlier than him and taught languages. He had come to apply for a managerial position this time.

Right now, he should already have signed a contract with the school. Xu TIngsheng did not know if he had come here just for fun or if he really didn’t want to be a teacher. Still, he knew that he would become a Vice Principal at a young age in the future with great prospects ahead of him. Also, he had found his wife at the school. She was a good wife and mother and the two had been very loving too...therefore, he decisively rejected the man.

After he left, Xu Tingsheng went after him and passed him a name card, saying, “Making your acquaintance.”

This fellow said, “You’re the Young Boss of Happy Shoppers, right? Xu Tingsheng. Sorry, but can I ask why you rejected me so resolutely? Did I really do that bad in the interview?”

“No. It’s just-I saw that you graduated as a teacher and signed with a school right?” Thinking that he’d better not accidentally crush this person’s confidence, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly said.

The other party nodded.

“That’s exactly it. I’m studying to be a teacher too. It’s precisely because I’ve found you to be very outstanding that I do not wish to snatch talents from the country and our future buds. Anyhow, I find that you’re pretty suited to teaching. Work hard at it. If you find yourself encountering difficulties in any other area, feel free to look for me.”

Xu Tingsheng patted him on the shoulder. In order not to raise any suspicion, he found an excuse and left.

What he did not know was that this actually did induce suspicion in that fellow, whose thoughts ran wild, “The Young Boss of Happy Shoppers, a rich second gen, CEO of Xingchen, nouveau riche...being so friendly to a stranger like me out of the blue, so enthusiastic too...oh heavens! Could it be that he swings that way? I’ve caught his eye? ...What should I do? He won’t force himself on me, right? Sigh, it’s all because I’m too good-looking.”

He fingered that name card by the trash can before putting it away as he thought, “I should probably hold on to it. While it does feel pretty disgusting now, who knows I might not also swing that way in the future? I’d have netted someone rich…”

If Xu Tingsheng knew what he was thinking, he’d definitely render him dead. This bastard clearly looked just like a potato, even though he had always loved saying in his previous life, “Tingsheng, of the teachers in our school...we two are the most handsome, you just a little less than me.”

Having already exited, Xu Tingsheng did not return to that same interview office. Instead, he randomly found another and entered. There, he saw someone else.

This person was called Liang Qin.

She could rank third on the list of people Xu Tingsheng did not want to see.

In the accident in his previous life, she had been seated in the passenger seat of the Audi.

In this life, Xu Tingsheng had met her once after bringing Xiang Ning back to Jiannan. It similarly had not been anything good as she had overturned the container of divination sticks that Xiang Ning had been holding.

To sum it up: This young lady was a scourge to Xu Tingsheng.

Liang Qin had actually never gone to university. Also, it seemed that she had not yet met that man who had driven the Audi. She was here to apply for the position of an ordinary employee.

On seeing Xu Tingsheng, her eyes shone and she looked happy as she smiled and nodded at him.

Xu Tingsheng could only nod back at her.

This was immediately noticed by the managerial employees of Jiannan’s Happy Shoppers who were carefully paying attention to their Young Boss. One could guess what sort of weight Liang Qin would have in their eyes in the future.

Consolidating how Xu Tingsheng had suddenly appeared in the interview office for a relatively low position and Liang Qin’s figure that was clearly quite good, they unconsciously let their thoughts run wild. They merely thought about this too, not daring to ask for confirmation.

The smart alecks increasingly thought that this was the case.

“I heard that Young Boss has a girlfriend. So, this one is...well, we all understand. Which rich second gen isn’t like this? It looks like she’s going to be hidden here. We’ve got to be careful, take good care of her.”

Just as they were wracking their brains on how to improve their relationships with Liang Qin in the future, getting closer to her and putting her in a higher role, Xu Tingsheng was actually just completely focused on how to find an excuse and reject her for the position.

Let someone who knocked him dead in his previous life enter his company? How was this any different from letting a fish bone be stuck in your throat everyday? What a joke!

Sadly, he didn’t manage it in time.

This sort of ordinary position did not actually require a real interview. It was basically just to take a look and see if they were passable. Liang Qin was young, beautiful, and had graduated from senior high. It was really more than enough for her to be hired for a position like this.

“Right, you’re hired,” Without even having asked anything at all, a fatty beside Xu Tingsheng declared loudly in front of everyone as if snatching the credit.

Next, he glanced at Xu Tingsheng while looking especially proud of himself, as if seeking credit from him.

Xu Tingsheng really felt like firing him.

At this urgent moment, Xu Tingsheng picked up a namelist and looked at it, asking, “These are the people applying for the position? How many are we hiring this time?”

“Twelve,” The fatty answered before anyone else.

“So, for all those getting interviewed, we decide whether they got through right there and then? If we’ve reached the hiring quota, will we still look at these people at the end?” Xu Tingsheng pointed at the many names on the list after Liang Qin.

The fatty was taken aback, “For the rest, we tell them to wait for our call. Well, Miss Liang’s especially outstanding. That’s why…”

“The rules are there for a reason,” Xu Tingsheng interrupted him.

While thinking that he was really good at pretending, the fatty said, “You’re right, Boss Xu, you’re right. It was my oversight. Miss Liang was just too outstanding, that’s why…”

“We’ll go about it the same way then. That earlier doesn’t count. Notify her by phone when all the other interviews are over,” Xu Tingsheng decided to directly blot her off the list afterwards.

Liang Qin glanced at Xu Tingsheng with a bit of a pleading look on her face. She left the office.

Xu Tingsheng was no longer in the mood for interviews. After sitting in for a while more, he left the office.

To his surprise, Liang Qin was waiting for him by the stairwell.

“Boss Xu,” As the two met, Liang Qin greeted him with a bit of an aggrieved look on her face.

“Hello,” Xu Tingsheng feigned calmness.

“Is it that you don’t want to hire me?” Liang Qin’s tears suddenly flowed down as she was aggrieved to the extreme, “Is it because I overturned that container of lots last time? I know you were very angry at the time...you dragged Xiang Ning away without saying anything. I…”

“Actually, with your qualifications, it’s not very worth it to apply for an ordinary position at Happy Shoppers, right? For a young girl with quite a good image, working in sales positions like branded clothing or makeup products are all also better,” Xu Tingsheng directly said.

Liang Qin wiped her tears while shaking her head, “It’s because I feel that I’ll have prospects at Happy Shoppers. Even if it’s only an ordinary position now, I’ll surely have a chance as long as I work hard. Everyone knows that Happy Shoppers chooses its outstanding employees every year, giving them a lot of prizes. They can even go on tours, get promoted. Some even get to enter the main company.

Xu Tingsheng smiled rather awkwardly.

“I didn’t go to university because my Dad’s health is not good. He’s bedridden in the long term, placing my family in a lot of difficulty. It’s not that I’m not earnest and cannot take hardship...I’ll definitely work hard. I was thinking that if I have a good career and money, I should be able to help my family in the future. Can you give me a chance? I’ll apologise to you.”

Liang Qin fell onto her knees, choking on her sobs.

Xu Tingsheng was rendered rather at a loss.

“Actually, I know what was written on your girlfriend’s lot,” Looking up at Xu Tingsheng, Liang Xin said this with tears in her eyes.

“Really?” Xu Tingsheng grew taut with nervousness all at once.

“Yes. Actually, I caught a glance when I was walking over. Then, it rather rattled my mind, and that’s why I overturned the container,” Liang Qin said earnestly.

“Why didn’t you say it at the time then?”

“It’s because, because I rather like you two. I was afraid you’d feel sad if you knew what was written there...also, I feel that these things are actually not reliable. That’s why I didn’t tell you.”

“What was written there?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

The more Liang Qin was like this, the more desperately Xu Tingsheng wished to know...this mystery had already hovered around him for two lives.

“I…”

“I…”

“Just say it. It’s fine. I don’t believe those things. I’m just curious.”

“I, I didn’t see the whole thing. I only saw a few of the words, and they were from different lines too.”

A rather frantic Xu Tingsheng pressed her in a more urgent tone, “What exactly were the words you saw then? Tell me, what were they?”

Liang Qin looked quite timidly at Xu Tingsheng, her lips trembling lightly as she said, “Separated in life, reunited in death.”

Chapter 611: The day before

Chapter 611: The day before

Xu Tingsheng left right away and searched through all the lots at Jiusong Temple. Yet, he was unable to find the one Liang Qin spoke of.

“Nonsense. How could such words be written on a lot?!”

On the way back to Libei, Xu Tingsheng was consoling himself throughout.

As for whether Liang Qin would enter Happy Shoppers and receive special treatment, he was already not concerned about it now. He was in no mood to pay attention to it. Also, after what Liang Qin had said about her father, Xu Tingsheng had no way of eliminating her for the time being.

He should let things take their natural course. Anyway, Xu Tingsheng himself was seldom in actual contact with Happy Shoppers.

His condition over the next two days caused his parents to worry a little.

In truth, of Zhou Yuandai’s existence and the contents of the lot that Liang Qin spoke of, either one alone would not have Xu Tingsheng feeling so troubled. Still, both of them combined now caused Xu Tingsheng to begin feeling worried and uneasy.

After having met her thrice, he received a call from Zhou Yuandai for the first time.

“You’re seeking to invest in Apple. You think very highly of its prospects?”

“...Yes.”

“The reason is that you know about its new type of phone?”

“Yes.”

The call disconnected.

Xu Tingsheng decided to conduct an experiment. He gave Hu Chen a call, setting up a mission:

First, since it was no longer a secret anymore, they would fully go in on Wayne Yang and all channels, directly applying for the acquisition of shares from all Apple’s shareholders who possibly would sell their shares. From this, they would seek a chance to invest in Apple.

Second, and to be kept highly confidential, their funds would secretly make at least seven or eight diversions as they fully focused on acquiring the shares of Symbian.

As of right now, Symbian had the support of top-end phone-makers like Motorola, Ericsson and Nokia, possessing a huge share of the market. In front of it, Apple who was new to the industry was but a ‘foolish’ challenger.

Only when Apple had officially launched its product in June 2007 would it see a huge wave of popularity. It would only face doubt following the product development conference in January.

Therefore, there was sufficient time.

Primarily in order to verify his worrying suspicions, Xu Tingsheng was digging a trap for Zhou Yuandai that only ‘smart people’ would fall into.

His second call was made to Apple who was in America. The two had already communicated once before this. Besides asking after him, Apple had also mentioned how she had looked for Cen Xishan for help. Next, she had asked him if he could consider joining her for a song in her new album.

Xu Tingsheng had not given her a direct response at the time.

Now, he asked Apple for Cen Xishan’s handphone number.

Apple had previously said that she had asked Cen Xishan for help to get Xu Tingsheng out of jail. Cen Xishan had agreed to help, while the person who had ultimately appeared before him was Zhou Yuandai...while she had sufficient capabilities, she had only exerted pressure on him and not helped him out.

While others might not have noticed, adding in some other factors, the answer was clear as day to Xu Tingsheng. A strong, extensive connection existed between Zhou Yuandai and Cen Xishan. Also, she held the superior position in their relationship.

The call connected.

“Hello, Uncle Cen. I’m…” Xu Tingsheng said.

He was directly cut off as Cen Xishan said warningly, “I know.”

Xu Tingsheng continued all the same, “Is the person controlling Ruanjin Corporation behind the scenes actually…”

Beep, beep, beep. The call disconnected.

Xu Tingsheng was rather flabbergasted.

Around half an hour later, there was an incoming call from an unknown number. He answered it.

“Yes, she’s controlling Ruanjin behind the scenes...controlling me too. Also, Ruanjin is just part of her total assets. I’m not so sure of the specifics myself. She’s..targeting you?” The sound of wind could be heard around Cen Xishan as he had clearly already switched locations.

“Yes, it seems so,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Stay away from her.”

“She…”

“In the past, a genius and a madwoman. Now, a madwoman.”

“...Thank you.”

“I’m only doing this for my daughter.”

“...”

“Try your best to avoid her. If there’s really no other way about it, try to buy some time and think of all you can to make yourself more safe. I will help you at the critical moment. Actually...that is helping myself too, striving for my own sake. Still, you shouldn’t expect too much. There isn’t so much I can achieve.”

“Thank you.”

“Treat Xiyu a bit better. I’m not asking for so much. At least, don’t let her feel like she’s been thoroughly abandoned by someone whom she cares for deeply. I’ve already done that once before. Please...don’t let it happen again.”

There was a short silence before Xu Tingsheng said, “She and I will always be friends.”

The conversation ended.

Xu Tingsheng dialled Apple’s number once again, agreeing to participate in her album. Also, he would be directly appearing on screen.

On one hand, this was because of what Cen Xishan had said. On the other, Xu Tingsheng’s intention was to use this method to be exposed in the public eye to the greatest extent possible.

Fame was sometimes a form of protection as well. While he did not understand Zhou Yuandai, he felt that this person had a terrifying aura about her. Also, since she had always been hiding herself from the public eye, there were surely some things which were inconvenient for her. Xu Tingsheng wished for her to at least have some more reservations in her actions and methods.

After doing all that, Xu Tingsheng rested for two days, doing some things that he had done when he was little like picking up pebbles at a riverbank.

His hometown. He had always wanted to bring Xiang Ning here to look around in his previous life, telling her about his childhood and youth. Yet, he had never managed to actually do it.

This time, she would be here in another two days.

Due to a split in opinions, the Xu and Xiang families finally made a compromise. While the engagement ceremony would be a major affair, that would only be in Libei. Over in Yanzhou, both families would simply have a simple meal. The Xiang family would first accompany Xiang Ning over. The Xu family would go over afterwards.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to flee from his engagement banquet together with Xiang Ning, going to the place where he had most loved to relax in his youth. It would be just the two of them, she silently listening to him narrating interesting stories from his younger days and what he had previously dreamed of for the future.

All the preparations were in place, apart from Xu Tingsheng.

He made a trip to Yanzhou a day earlier.

He made Xiang Ning sign something.

He was transferring thirty percent of Xingchen Technologies’ shares to her.

Xingchen Technologies and Xingchen Games were independent entities. Therefore, Miss Xiang was actually the first shareholder of Xingchen Technologies thus far apart from Xu Tingsheng.

Whatever the future might hold, this thirty percent of shares was already sufficient to assure Xiang Ning of a life of wealth. Xingchen’s user base could guarantee a large sum, even if it eventually faced defeat and was sold at a low price. This was the reason for Xu Tingsheng suddenly doing this.

The silly Xiang Ning only learnt what she had signed after signing it. Fortunately, she was pure and less mindful of these things, also never having thought of asking Xu Tingsheng for all that.

“So, this is the engagement gift?” She asked, “Oh. I still thought there’d be a necklace or something.”

Waving the stack of papers in her hand, she actually looked a bit disappointed.

There was the sound of papers rustling.

Standing not far away, the relatives of the Xiang family who were drawn over peered at the papers in Xiang Ning’s hand. Wide-eyed and open-mouthed, they fell into a daze...they were sighing as they wondered: couldn’t this young girl before them who was worth several hundred million...show a bit of a normaler reaction?

Heavens, what kind of reaction was this? What do you mean you still thought there’d be a necklace? What do you mean so this is the engagement gift?

Everyone had to believe it: The Xiang family had a daughter, first-grade Fuxi bones, great wealth and fortune’s blessing.

Chapter 612: Coincidental gifts

Chapter 612: Coincidental gifts

Xu Tingsheng had not known that the Xiang family had relatives over today. Otherwise, he would definitely have called Xiang Ning outside to do this.

Now, he had completely roused the excitement of the Xiang family’s relatives.

In their eyes, Xiang Ning’s happy future together with Xu Tingsheng could be foreseen.

Of course, it was only projected.

They had never experienced these weddings to a wealthy family before. Still, they had seen it a lot in HK TVB dramas and movies. They knew that when girls from ordinary families married into these wealthy families, there generally also seemed to be pre-marriage agreements or the like.

For example, they would only be treated as a meritorious general after birthing a son, being awarded a luxurious mansion, some stores, shares or whatnot by their husband or in-laws.

Anyway, from their impressions which came from dramas and movies, girls from ordinary families marrying into wealthy families were basically akin to finding a pretty good job with great prospects.

Earlier, just before Xu Tingsheng had arrived, these relatives had still been discussing the matter, expressing their opinions based on their impressions from dramas. Some had been worried about strife and conflict within wealthy families and how young masters tended to be playboys.

Then, this seventeen-year-old girl before them who was only getting engaged and was still far from giving birth or whatnot...suddenly, she had assets amounting to several hundred million.

Also, this would very likely increase in the future.

How much would that be? There were too many people who knew of Weibo and Xingchen Technologies.

How did this feel? It basically feels the same as when an ordinary relative of yours, a young girl in her teens, suddenly becomes an important shareholder of a renowned internet company, her assets amounting to several hundred million.

It was really too inconceivable.

Yet, the person in question wholly lacked this self-awareness. It basically seemed that while Miss Xiang had never had a specific understanding of figures and still did not know what schools for nobility and extravagant living were, she had always felt she was very rich.

This was because she knew that Xu Tingsheng was very rich. While she did not know exactly how much he possessed, she knew that it was a lot. As for whether he gave it to her or not, it made no difference. Of course, Xu Tingsheng himself almost never gave her money.

In her eyes, the two of them were one and the same.

Mr and Mrs Xiang walked towards Xu Tingsheng, rather uneasy looks on their faces as they even looked a little wronged.

They actually did not really know how they should view this matter.

“Uncle, Auntie,” Xu Tingsheng said before they could say anything, “My Mum said that our custom is that bride prices cannot be refused. That sort of thing won’t bode too well.”

After intercepting their objection, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly added consolingly, “Anyway, there’s no distinction between what’s mine and what’s Little Ning’s. It’s no different from switching from the left hand to the right.”

“Yeah, yeah!” Miss Xiang chimed in from the side.

Mr Xiang smiled helplessly.

Mrs Xiang shook her head and shot Xiang Ning a glare, saying, “Not sensible at all.”

She then shot Xu Tingsheng a glare, blaming him, “It’s all because you always let her have her way. Look, how has she become now?”

Mrs Xiang was serious.

Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning exchanged looks, not daring to answer. Still, they were actually very happy inside.

In speaking to Xu Tingsheng this way, Mrs Xiang was actually showing that she already truly treated Xu Tingsheng like family, like her son-in-law now.

They had a meal with the Xiang family’s relatives who were excited beyond themselves.

Still, this sort of joy and overflowing enthusiasm did not infect Xu Tingsheng, who simply tried to act appropriately as was expected of him as much as possible.

After the meal, Xu Tingsheng had to hurry back to Libei. He got into his car, preparing to leave.

Xiang Ning made the excuse that she wanted to buy something and got into his car to have him drop her off there.

Looking at their daughter, Mr and Mrs Xiang could only helplessly exchange looks. Every now and then, they too would suddenly realise just how inconceivable a thing it was that they had done.

This sort of feeling was brought on by Xiang Ning’s age and Xu Tingsheng’s status.

Still, thinking back on the entire process, all that had transpired over this time, they also felt like it was only natural as this was precisely the way it should be. They decided not to blindly worry for no reason. Thinking back on all that she had done before out of pointless worry, Mrs Xiang still felt guilty even now.

As for the gossiping of some relatives, Mrs Xiang had found that what Mr Xiang had said before was right. You cannot stop people’s mouths from running. Whatever you do, they can still go on and on about it...still, you can intimidate them to the point where they will no longer dare to do it.

Xu Tingsheng drove while Xiang Ning sat in the co-driver’s seat.

For once, she was not as lively as usual and was not freely chattering away.

She turned to look out of the window, her long hair falling past her shoulders, hiding the side of her face and the words she was murmuring aloud, “Ah, what to do, it’s strange. Ah, Little Xiang Ning, how embarrassing…”

As she looked down, her long hair descended, hiding her face as only her fingers that she was fiddling with could be seen.

To be precise, she was feeling bashful.

What a rare sight this was, seeing the shameless Miss Xiang looking bashful.

“Xu Tingsheng,” She finally said.

“Hmm?”

“Are you nervous?”

“A little.”

“Me too. It feels so strange,” She said, “Actually, I’ve prepared engagement gifts for you too. Wanna see?”

“Gifts?”“Yes. I bought them with my own money.”

“Where did the money come from?”

“I helped my Mum and Dad to carry plates in their store. I got paid too, even if it wasn’t a lot,” She said.

Xiang Ning moved her bag in front of her.

Xu Tingsheng parked by the roadside.

“Here, open it yourself,” She passed over a gift box that was wrapped in coloured wrapping paper in a butterfly knot. It was very befitting of the style of a young girl.

Xu Tingsheng carefully unwrapped it and opened the box.

There was a belt and a wallet.

He was stunned silly on the spot.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, in the three years after they had separated, items Xu Tingsheng had always used even as he toiled and struggled all over the place were a wallet and a belt that Xiang Ning had given to him during the peak of their relationship.

What a coincidence. This time…

“What is it? You don’t like them?” Xiang Ning asked.

“I do,” A dazed Xu Tingsheng said.

“Right. Ha, my taste is much better than yours, right?”

“Yes.”

“My gifts also have more sincerity than yours, right? I had Nannan and the others accompany me in picking them for so long.”

“Yes.”

“Will you use them then? They’re not branded.”

Xu Tingsheng changed his wallet right there and then. Then, as he was in the process of removing his belt to change it, Miss Xiang said, “Hey, Xu Tingsheng, you...dirty ruffian.”

“We’re in the car. It should be okay, right?”

After saying so, Xu Tingsheng thought of a phrase: ‘rocking the car’.

“So you even know this?” Xu Tingsheng shot her a meaningful look.

“Who, who knows what?” Miss Xiang denied it vehemently, “I’m not a ruffian like you!”

So, she knew.

Xiang Ning got off the car by the roadside, near a bus stop.

Xu Tingsheng stepped on the accelerator. He watched as she waved from outside the window before vanishing.

Xu Tingsheng stopped the car. He ran back and pulled her into his embrace, hugging her.

This was the bus stop, where there was a steady stream of people and traffic. An embarrassed Miss Xiang struggled for a bit. Unable to break free, she buried her face in the embrace of the dirty ruffian, letting him hug her as he wanted.

“Dirty ruffian…” Shy and nervous, she bit Uncle lightly on the chest, saying, “Alright, be good. In the future...you can hug anywhere.”

As Xu Tingsheng relaxed his grip, Xiang Ning’s expression was a bit strange as she looked at him.

She extended a hand and stroked his face, saying, “Don’t be too nervous, okay?”

Chapter 613: Simply cannot understand

Chapter 613: Simply cannot understand

Going to and from Libei and Yanzhou in the span of a single day, Xu Tingsheng’s physical fatigue was still secondary. He was primarily feeling mentally somewhat out of it.

Only at night did he return to Libei’s bounds. Then, Xu Tingsheng received a text from Zhou Yuandai.

“I’m not very happy,” She said.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at it but did not send a reply. Just as Cen Xishan had said, this woman was a madwoman. A terrifying, unhinged madwoman.

“Just like when we talked about Apple in our last call, I ask and you answer. This is a state I can accept. Including your interactions with that young girl, they’re all fine. Still, getting engaged and getting married, no way,” She sent again.

“Are you sick in the head?!” Xu Tingsheng finally could not help but reply.

Since the other party was so blatant and had no reservations in the least, Xu Tingsheng too saw no need to be polite.

After a while, Zhou Yuandai replied, “What do you think?”

There was a photograph after these words, depicting a man’s hand pulling the collar of a Golden Retriever, its body suspended in mid-air.

Xu Tingsheng recognised that Golden Retriever. It was Xiang Ning’s precious Dongdong.

Dongdong was six this year. While he was not all that obedient, he had such a characteristic. Unless brought outside by others, he would definitely never leave the house on his own.

Therefore, the meaning Zhou Yuandai wished to convey was: If we can randomly pull out a dog from that building without anybody noticing...well, a person is no different. She was threatening Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng called Du Jin who was at the Xiang family home.

“Is Xiang Ning home?” He asked.

“She is. Rest assured, she returned not long after you left,” Du Jin said.

“Have you seen Dongdong?”

“He was still here a moment ago. Hah, where could he be…” Du Jin seemed to be holding her phone while looking for Dongdong as she said after a while, “There he is. He just slunk in from outside with his tail between his legs...but why all of a sudden? Is anything the matter?”

This meant that she had not noticed anything whatsoever.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit. He did not remind her to step up in her protection of Xiang Ning. From Zhou Yuandai’s stance and the actual situation, this would not be of any use.

“It’s nothing. I was just casually asking,” Xu Tingsheng said and hung up.

His handphone screen indicated a new text from Zhou Yuandai. Xu Tingsheng did not dare to not read it.

“Relax, I don’t want to hurt you. I also don’t want to hurt those around you and provoke you. Things are fine the way they are,” She said.

“But just why, exactly?” Xu Tingsheng sent a reply.

“It’s probably because we are tied by fate. When you were in twelfth grade, you ran to the roof of the dormitory in the middle of the night. I just happened to be living in the teaching dormitory. I was on another roof. That night, I played the guitar while you sang. Have you forgotten?” Zhou Yuandai asked.

Xu Tingsheng dared not send her a reply for fear that he might inadvertently reveal something.

This was the strangest thing of Xu Tingsheng’s post-rebirth memories. He simply did not have any memory of doing this at all, not in the least. Still, whether it was Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng’s memories or the school’s investigation and disciplinary actions, all signs pointed towards this incident having happened.

“It’s her? It was Zhou Yuandai that night? So that is to say that this incident really happened. But why is it that I alone do not have any impression of it at all?”

“Did she do something to me? At that time, I was still not the reborn me. There should not have been anything special about me. So, how is it possible?”

“Her sudden disappearance from the school should have happened right after that, in the few days before I was reborn.”

“If that really is the case, and she was really only an ordinary music teacher at Libei Senior High before, how is it possible that she accumulated such frightening wealth and power in a mere two to three years, controlling Ruanjin included…”

“And what happened with Apple’s father? The time doesn’t match…”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng simply couldn’t understand it. Even if he assumed that Zhou Yuandai had been reborn like him, this similarly could not be explained in terms of time and logic.

“What if she actually isn’t the actual Zhou Yuandai then? She could be the woman who did a full-body plastic surgery at that clinic in the US, turning herself to look like Zhou Yuandai and replacing her…”

This still wasn’t a good explanation.

Firstly, it made no sense. Zhou Yuandai was not a figure with a prominent background and an exalted status or an unparalleled beauty. Why would someone undergo plastic surgery to look like her? Had they nothing better to do?!

Next, from what she had said before, also including her familiarity and mutual understanding with Fang Yunyao as their conversation had been smooth and without error, she had really resided in the school for a long period before. Also, she understood everything about Zhou Yuandai!

How could somebody be frequently undergoing plastic surgery in America while being an ordinary teacher in a school for many years without being seen through?

Xu Tingsheng still remembered that the chubby nurse at the clinic had said that that person who had undergone full-body plastic surgery had had surgery at their clinic for more than ten years.

Xu Tingsheng called that nurse, wishing to enquire about a few things. In the end, he found that her number was already no longer in use. Calling the clinic, he was told that she had resigned and left some time back, having had no contact with them since.

Xu Tingsheng spoke to the boss of the clinic, Professor Wayne. He expressed that his patient was not like how Xu Tingsheng described. As for more information about them, he could not reveal it as it went against their professional code.

So, it wasn’t her then?

“If it was her, it’s impossible for Apple’s father not to have mentioned something as important and strange as her constantly undergoing plastic surgery to completely become someone else. That is to say that this possibility can be eliminated considering Apple’s father.”

The sole explanation remaining seemed to be that while Zhou Yuandai had established and also controlled a corporate empire, she had enjoyed a simple life in being an ordinary teacher at a school for so many years...comparing this to the personality and style of that Zhou Yuandai known by Xu Tingsheng, who would believe that?

“Also, if it’s like that, how could I possibly have no memory of her at all?” Xu Tingsheng quickly denied that final possibility.

While he clearly knew that it was strange, he had no way of pursuing the matter.

Xu Tingsheng pondered on matters till his brain nearly exploded. His chaotic state of mind caused him to crash his car not far away from his home, into a rocky wall by the roadside.

Mr Xu just happened to be driving at the time. He was first to the scene.

While the car was a little damaged, Xu Tingsheng was actually completely fine apart from feeling a bit dizzy. He had been driving very slowly at the time.

After confirming that he was okay, Mr Xu heaved a sigh of relief but still brought him to the hospital for a thorough examination.

The doctor’s verdict was just as Xu Tingsheng himself had thought. He was totally fine and did not even have to stay at the hospital for further observation.

He was driven back by Mr Xu who scolded his son as he drove, rebuking him for still being so careless as someone who was even already getting engaged.

“Thankfully, you were unhurt. Otherwise, we’d have had to delay the engagement.”

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while before he suddenly asked, “Dad, after we go back, can you say that I suffered a bit of a light injury?”

Mr Xu stopped the car, carefully looking to confirm that his son had not suffered a concussion and was not kidding.

“What happened? Why?” Mr Xu asked.

“I’d like to put the engagement on hold for a bit,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Huh? Hadn’t you totally set your mind on that girl? ...You’re hesitating now? Actually, she’s not bad. Your mother and I also both…”

“No. It’s not that,” Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit but dared not tell his father about Zhou Yuandai’s matter, “I just feel that she’s really still too little...so, I’d like to put it on hold temporarily.”

Chapter 614: Why Xiang Ning (1)

Chapter 614: Why Xiang Ning (1)

Because Xu Tingsheng did not mention Zhou Yuandai’s matter, Mr Xu interpreted Xu Tingsheng as wishing to postpone the engagement because Xiang Ning was still young. He was afraid that Xiang Ning did not really understand her own feelings and might regret it one day...thus, he was giving her time.

This was actually a responsible attitude, at least in Mr Xu’s eyes. Thus, he agreed.

Father and son returned home and lied to Mrs Xu...they said that while Xu Tingsheng was mostly fine, he was still slightly unwell. Thus, they could only postpone the engagement ceremony for now. Otherwise, if Xu Tingsheng had dared to bring up postponing their engagement, Mrs Xu would surely have rendered him dead.

It was naturally left to Mrs Xu to inform their relatives and friends about this. Anyway, it was she who had circulated the matter in the first place.

The Land Rover whose front was somewhat wrecked was parked out in the courtyard. Thus, Mrs Xu believed it, as did everyone else.

Mr Xu called the Xiang family, explaining the situation and apologising.

The Xiang family did not get upset about it. They were clear on what lengths Xu Tingsheng would go to for Xiang Ning, and their relatives had seen it too. So, no one would find this dubious. Mr and Mrs Xiang were purely worried, being quite shaken about it. Thus, Xu Tingsheng hurriedly took the phone and explained that he was basically okay, only a little injured. He would be fine after resting for a few days.

A few days later, Xiang Ning’s school term would have started too.

“That’s a relief. It’s good that you’re okay. Have you been examined then? What did the doctor say? Why were you so careless when driving? Where did you crash into? You said you had to hurry back, you…” Mrs Xiang said.

“I’ve been examined. I…” Xu Tingsheng thought to console her.

“Wa…”

Xiang Ning could be heard crying on the other end. She had heard what Mrs Xiang had said.

Xu Tingsheng heard a bit of a din before Xiang Ning’s crying voice could be heard, “How are you? You…sob...”

“Relax, I’m okay. I just ran into the side of the road,” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly said.

“You say you’re okay? You’re even injured. Sob…”

Hearing how sad Xiang Ning was, Xu Tingsheng very much wanted to say: I’m actually totally fine. Let’s get engaged.

Still, he couldn’t.

After trying hard to adjust his emotions, Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m just a little bit injured. I’ll be fine after resting for a few days. It’s just that our engagement ceremony will have to be delayed. Will you be unhappy?”

“How would I?! You’re even injured,” Xiang Ning choked back on some sobs and said, “No need to worry. A little earlier or a little later, I’ll be yours all the same.”

These words inadvertently consoled and encouraged Xu Tingsheng greatly. Right, Zhou Yuandai? So what? It was merely a matter of later rather than sooner: Having been reborn, he did not believe that she could prevent him and Xiang Ning from being together.

“Slowly now. If she forces me again, I’ll definitely render her dead,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

Because Zhou Yuandai had threatened him with Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng had no choice but to accede to her wishes for the moment. Still, it was precisely because of this that his killing intent was ignited.

“You must be in a lot of pain right now. I won’t disturb you. I’ll come see you early tomorrow morning,” Xiang Ning said.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly said, “There’s no need for you to come! It’s really just a minor matter. I’ve been to the hospital and gotten examined. The doctor said I’m okay. See, I’m even home already. There wasn’t even a need to stay at the hospital for observation.”

“Liar. You’re just afraid of me worrying.”

“It’s true! Can’t you see how easily I’m talking to you right now?”

“...So you’re really okay then?”

“Of course. I just need to rest for a couple of days.”

“Right.”

“So, don’t you worry. There’s also no need to come see me. I’ll be back in Yanzhou in a few days.”

“Okay. Have a good rest then.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about me. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

…...

Xu Tingsheng feigned injury and lay down the entire night and morning, and nearly that entire afternoon too. He ate several pots of replenishing food cooked by his mother...and received countless calls from people asking after him, including from Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng.

It was a long and gruelling wait before his mother went out.

Sis Jia was very busy at Happy Shoppers and had no time. Zhong Wusheng brought his twin daughters Zhong Lin and Zhong Li over to look in on him. Finding that there was really no problem with him, he was then called over by Mr Xu to discuss Happy Shoppers’ affairs.

Only Xu Tingsheng as well as the tender Zhong Lin and Zhong Li were left in the room. Both of the little girls were very obedient as they lay by the bed and told Xu Tingsheng stories.

Some time later, Zhong Wusheng was still not back yet. Xu Tingsheng was afraid that they might be bored. Also, there happened to be nobody nearby. Thus, he secretly crept off the bed and brought the two little girls out to the backyard.

He played catch ball with them.

The laughter of the two girls was clear and like the tinkling of bells as Xu Tingsheng’s mood improved greatly.

……

The taxi stopped, the driver pointing to the villa not far away as he said, “That’s the Xu family home. Hey, do you really know people from the Xu family?”

“Yes,” Xiang Ning got out of the taxi and carried her bag.

While Xu Tingsheng had told her not to come, she had still done so. How would she be able to rest easy otherwise? Because she was afraid of Uncle stopping her, she had not even called him before coming.

“Let me tell you, when that Xu Tingsheng was studying, he sat in my taxi before. Our city is small, you see. Besides over by the station, other places all rely on phone calls for our services...so, he may still have my phone number now. Speaking of Xu Tingsheng…”

“Thank you, Mister. I’ll be leaving first!” Xiang Ning waved and hurriedly fled.

In truth, ever since she had said at the station that she was looking for the Xu family, the taxi driver had already been telling her about his history with the Xu family throughout the entire journey. It was not that Xiang Ning was unwilling to listen. It was just that she truly was worried. Also, having gone from Yanzhou to Jiannan and then Libei, next looking for the Xu family, she was a bit tired.

“Right, young lady, what relative are you of the Xu family’s?” The driver was still yelling enthusiastically behind her.

“Daughter-in-law,” Xiang Ning responded as she walked.

“Huh?”

The driver was dazed for a bit, then grew excited...there was more history with the Xu family for him to speak of now. It was even a big scoop.

“Let me tell you, the first time the Xu family’s daughter-in-law came to Libei, she took my taxi. The young lady really was beautiful. It’s no wonder that she caught the eyes of the Xu family…” He had even thought of what he would say already.

Standing in front of the Xu family home, Xiang Ning pressed the doorbell twice.

There was no response.

Frantic to see Xu Tingsheng, Xiang Ning heard the laughter of young children behind the house. She went around the walls of the place…

Standing at a high place, she looked down and saw Xu Tingsheng.

Raising her arms, Xiang Ning was just about to call out to him.

Then, she saw Xu Tingsheng raising two young girls up, one in each arm, and whirling about the backyard...

The clear laughter of little children could be heard.

“Wasn’t he...injured?” Xiang Ning was taken aback.

She watched Xu Tingsheng who was playing crazily with Zhong Lin and Zhong Li for a bit more. It was evident that he did not appear injured in the least.

“In that case, why?”

Xiang Ning did not know what she should do anymore.

Afraid that Xu Tingsheng would see her, she retreated from that high ground, going a bit further away and finding a rock which she promptly sat down on.

It was very difficult for her thoughts not to run wild in such a situation.

“He fooled me...is it because he regrets it?”

Her arms on her knees, her face buried between them...Xiang Ning cried.

Chapter 615: Why Xiang Ning (2)

Chapter 615: Why Xiang Ning (2)

This might be the first time a real problem occurred between Xiang Ning and Xu Tingsheng in this life. It was a pretty big problem too.

If one looked at it from a pessimistic viewpoint, it was enough to break the two of them up.

Also, she could not tell her parents about this matter. If she did, it might very well leave a permanent mark on the record in the sense of the term. Xiang Ning spent some time coming to terms with it before calling Lu Min.

In the summer holidays before she graduated from junior high, Xu Tingsheng had caused her to prematurely meet her best friend from university in her previous life. The two had established a strong relationship over the internet and phone calls over the past year. The Tianya love expert Lu Min who had never ever been in a relationship even when she graduated from university in her previous life had become Xiang Ning’s love counsellor too.

Xiang Ning sobbed as she recounted what had happened to Lu Min over the phone.

“That’s too much. A love cheat! Scumbag!” Lu Min scolded indignantly.

“Right!” Xiang Ning expressed her agreement, saying, “Let’s scold him together for a while to calm me down.”

“Bastard! Love cheat! Scumbag…” Lu Min was very chivalrous.

“Do you have any other adjectives?”

“Messed you up and threw you away!”

“Not really, right? He didn’t mess me up and didn’t throw me away.”

“...Boring. You’re even standing up for him. Scold him yourself then.”

“Dirty ruffian. Mega liar, fooling little girls...started fooling from the age of fourteen. Sick pervert. Even been fooled by him to this extent…”

“This...it can’t be considered scolding someone!” Lu Min said, “It’s too loaded.”

“Sigh,” Xiang Ning said, “Minmin, say, what should I do then?”

“What do you yourself think? What are you thinking now?”

“I’m guessing what he could be thinking.”

“Guessing? You wouldn’t be trying to understand him, right? Shouldn’t you scold him hysterically before demanding to break up?”

“No way! It’s not like that. I feel that he still likes me. I like him too.”

“What do you mean no way? That’s what all normal people should do, okay?”

“What do normal people do?”

“When normal people encounter this kind of thing, they should be very upset and cry.”

“I am very upset. I’ve cried too.”

“The problem is that not only should you cry, you also have to cause a scene while you are at it, on the verge of breaking down and overwhelmed by fury, rushing over to have a big fight with him. Scratching his face, breaking through his lies, ripping him to shreds...and then you break up with him.”

“Is it like this?”

“Of course it’s like this. Even if it feels like your heart’s being cut by a knife, you still must resolutely break up. Then, you remind yourself everyday, thinking about just how much of a scumbag he is. It’s like this, anyway. I’ve advised breakups like this a few hundred times on Tianya already.”

“Yes, you said this before. Xu Tingsheng knows too. When I told him about it, he said, oh so Lu Min’s left the mountains. No wonder China’s divorce rate has risen again.”

“...” Lu Min felt so helpless, “We’re talking about you now.”

“Me? I feel that there’s no need to think and remind myself everyday of how much of a scumbag he is. Shouldn’t I think about his good points instead?” Xiang Ning considered it and said, “From what you said, I don’t seem like a normal person.”

“...” Lu Min was rendered speechless as she only asked after a while, “What do you intend to do then?”

Xiang Ning said, “Anyway, I’m also done being upset. If he’s willing, I’ll let him coax me a bit.”

“Just like that?”

“Yeah.”

“What if he isn’t willing then? If he frankly admits that he did it on purpose, what will you do?”

“He won’t.”

“But what if he does?”

Xiang Ning felt awkward for a bit before she said, “In that case, I’ll think of a way to chase him back. Actually...well, I’m a bit thick-skinned.”

“...” Lu Min felt as if heavenly thunder was rumbling, “Heavens, you...why would someone in this world think that?”

“Because I’m reluctant to let it end,” Xiang Ning said.

Hearing this, Lu Min no longer said anything.

Xiang Ning continued, “I know that he definitely liked me before. I like him too. Now, if he suddenly hesitates now, that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t like me anymore, right? It may be that I haven’t given him enough confidence. I thought about it. I’m little, insensible, and only ever let him dote on me. So, as long as I change a bit, we can definitely still be very happy.”

“But what if he actually doesn’t think that and really did it without thinking?” Lu Min finally asked, her voice already no longer as forceful as before.

“Then, as long as he still likes me, and I like him. Actually, he can be allowed to think wrongly, right? It’s always him working harder usually. Now that something came up with him, it’s up to me to work a little harder,” Xiang Ning said.

As Lu Min said nothing, Xiang Ning pressed, “What is it, Minmin?"

“Xiang Ning,” Lu Min said in a tone that did not fit a seventeen-year-old girl like her.

“Hmm?”

“You’ll definitely be very happy!” Lu Min said, “I’ve seen too many people who only know how to begrudge others and look at the negative side of things when facing problems. Myself included. You’re different, though. It’s like you naturally tend to look at the positive side of things. Maybe even you yourself don’t know just how magnanimous and brave, how resolute you are inside.”

“What? Why are you suddenly praising me…” Xiang Ning was taken by surprise.

“It’s true. The way you look at many problems-other may all find you silly. You yourself won’t feel anything about it. But the truth is that that is a person’s magnanimity and courage that comes from their very bones. Xiang Ning, you’re wonderful.”

“Huh…”

“What is it?”“Him, that bastard, scumbag, love cheat...that’s what he said too.”

“Ha, you’ve had your fill of scolding, right. Go on then. Just do what you want,” Lu Min considered it and said, “If you really feel a little wronged, relax. We agreed on it. After the university entrance examinations, we’ll attend the same university. I’ll help you to get even in the future.”

“Right. Oh, he’s here.”

……

Xu Tingsheng had received a call from Mr Xiang, asking if Xiang Ning had arrived.

Xiang Ning had been conversing with Lu Min at the time. Thinking that she should have arrived and feeling worried, Mr Xu had called Xu Tingsheng.

Only then did Xu Tingsheng learn that Xiang Ning had come to Libei.

He ran out, circled around and found Little Xiang Ning sitting at the bottom of a little hilly slope.

She turned to look at Xu Tingsheng, the tearstains on her face still yet to dry as there was a mist in her eyes.

Feeling guilty, Xu Tingsheng stopped in his tracks, at a loss for what to do. He knew that Xiang Ning had definitely seen and surely knew.

She stood up and looked at him, raising her slender arm and wiping her tears as she said, still sobbing a little, “Dirty ruffian, mega cheat...aren’t you coming over to coax me now?”

Just this sentence.

Xu Tingsheng’s entire heart felt like melting.

This was Xiang Ning.

When they had fought in his previous life to the point of breaking up, she had lied and said that she had lost her wallet, wanting Xu Tingsheng to accompany her in looking for it as only then could they break up. It was that same Xiang Ning.

When she had heard the rumours about Xu Tingsheng and Apple in school, she had gone home and said: I’m so scared that it’s true. So, I didn’t call. I came back to find you. It was that Xiang Ning.

It was that Xiang Ning who would wait for Xu Tingsheng for three years, saying that she always thought he would come back.

In the eyes of some, she might seem childish. Actually, this was only because she had a sort of magnanimity, courage and resoluteness that others did not possess and even she herself was not cognisant of.

She always tended to see the positive rather than the negative side of things.

…...

She was Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng’s sunlight and ocean.

This was why despite having met many people in this life and the last, the person Xu Tingsheng was firmest about, loved the most...was Xiang Ning.

“Girl, you’re wonderful.”

Chapter 616: Look who's laughing now

Chapter 616: Look who’s laughing now

Xu Tingsheng had lied regarding their engagement.

This was actually a major thing.

Ninety-nine percent of women would let the consequence of such a matter extend and escalate.

Half of them would become hysterical, turning it into a war before ultimately breaking up.

The other half would fall into pain, sorrow, agony...various emotions. Finally, they would act out a long play of tangled emotions with you, unable to forgive, before still breaking up anyway.

Xiang Ning simply put her phone in her pocket, crying as she asked Xu Tingsheng, “Aren’t you coming over to coax me now?”

Men may meet many women in their lifetime. Most of the time, the woman will enter a painful entanglement with you, both of you hurting each other before it mostly ends up in nothing. A very small proportion of women, though, could become your sunlight and your ocean.

Something which was sufficient to wreck most relationships in other circumstances became simple and pure with Xiang Ning.

Xu Tingsheng lifted her up as he would a child, one arm beneath her legs with the other supporting her waist. Even taller than Xu Tingsheng now, Ms Xiang was afraid of falling.

She grabbed his hair and said, “Put me down, put me down.”

When Xu Tingsheng continued lifting her up, she covered his eyes.

Covering his eyes, she asked, “Do you still like me, Xu Tingsheng?”

He answered, “Yes.”

“That’s good then. I’m a bit upset and a bit angry, but I still like you too. That’s good then,” Xiang Ning said, not even pressing Xu Tingsheng to tell her why he had done so.

Xu Tingsheng carried Ms Xiang up the little hilly slope and back to his front door.

Xiang Ning said again, “Put me down, put me down.”

Xu Tingsheng did not put her down.

Xiang Ning said, “Auntie.”

Then, Xu Tingsheng turned and saw Mrs Xu who was just returning home.

“Aren’t you injured?” Mrs Xu asked, “Oh...you little bastard. You’re done for,” She thought that Xu Tingsheng had lied because like the Xiang family, he was against the ceremony being too grand an affair.

This was equivalent to going against the one who made the actual decisions in the Xu family.

Mrs Xu helped Little Xiang Ning to vent her unhappiness. She only had one method for hitting children, which was pinching. The thumb and index finger gripped a piece of flesh...and then a sharp twist. Xu Tingsheng dared not avoid it, and having conspired with him, Mr Xu dared not help too...Miss Xiang was just laughing as she watched on from the side.

Xiang Ning stayed at the Xu family home as it was decided that she would return to Yanzhou with Xu Tingsheng in a few days.

Even the small ripples from this major incident died down very quickly, apart from the fact that there were indeed quite a lot of people who came to see the Xu family’s daughter-in-law.

The Xu family’s relatives and friends basically all visited. The custom at Xu Tingsheng’s hometown was to give a meeting gift.

Looking at her bag that was filled with red packets, Xiang Ning told Xu Tingsheng, “Oh, I’m so happy. I seem to have struck it rich.”

Xiang Ning was probably the least experienced and discerning money-grubber in this world. Xu Tingsheng thought to himself: I really should have changed the documents authorising the transfer of thirty percent of Xingchen Technologies’ shares to thirty thousand worth of red packet money.

The visiting relatives scrutinised Xiang Ning from head to toe and said in dialect, “Not bad, not bad.”

Then, they pulled Xiang Ning and switched to standard Mandarin, saying, “Eat more, young lady.”

Xiang Ning said sincerely, “I’m eating a lot.”

She was really eating a lot. Mrs Xu made sure to provide with her an entire table’s worth of dishes for every meal, which was nothing if not replenishing.

From time to time, Xu Tingsheng heard his mother chatting with his aunties in dialect. She said that everything was good about her, just that she was afraid that she was too thin and wasn’t conducive for bearing babies. These few days she was here, she had to make her at least five kilograms heavier.

When saying this, Mrs Xu was looking at Xiang Ning who was sitting not far away.

Miss Xiang did not understand what was being said. She even foolishly smiled and nodded.

Xu Tingsheng dared not tell her what was really going on. Making use of this time, he did what he had wanted to but had never managed to do in his previous life, bringing Xiang Ning to a lot of places. He told her stuff like: This bend in the river is where my Dad and I swam and bathed together when I was young. That nice-looking rock a little higher up is mine. When I was seven, I declared ownership over it to the other kids in the village.”

“There’s a wild cherry tree over on that hill that’s also mine,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Why is it yours if you declare it is? Would it work if other people declared it?” Xiang Ning asked.

“It doesn’t work for others.”

“Why?”

‘Because they can’t beat me in a fight,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Looking at the distant hill, Xiang Ning laughed.

Xu Tingsheng quietly said, “I declare that you’re mine too. No one can stop me. Because in this life, no one can ‘beat’ me.”

……

One morning, Xiang Ning encountered Mrs Xu head-on while sneaking out of Xu Tingsheng’s room in her pyjamas.

Being away from home and not daring to sleep alone, Xiang Ning had actually begun sneaking into Xu Tingsheng’s room on the first night, after everyone had returned to their rooms. Then, she had set an alarm on her phone to get up earlier and creep back over in the morning.

Now, she and her future mother-in-law had run into each other.

“Aun…” Xiang Ning was about to greet her.

“Oh, Tingsheng’s Dad, Xu Jianliang...why is it that I suddenly can’t see well? Everything’s fuzzy,” Mrs Xu held onto the wall for support, acting very exaggeratedly as she went downstairs, all the while calling, “Everything’s fuzzy, I really can’t see anything clearly!”

Xiang Ning was rendered dazed for a while.

Xu Tingsheng heard the noise and came out.

“Auntie’s definitely misunderstood something. I’ll go explain to her,” Xiang Ning said.

A sleepy Xu Tingsheng said, “There’s no need to explain.”

Xiang Ning said, “There is! Otherwise, Auntie will feel that I…”

“If you explain, she will feel sad,” Xu Tingsheng brought Xiang Ning to the stairwell to look downstairs, “Look, my mother’s actually so happy right now…”

Downstairs, Mrs Xu was over the moon as she tugged at Mr Xu who had hurried over frantically. She was gesticulating wildly as she described the scene she had just seen.

Xiang Ning understood as she blushed, muttering aloud, “But nothing happened.”

Xu Tingsheng painfully nodded, “Right, that’s true.”

“Someone deserves it,” Xiang Ning glared at him, “Look who’s laughing now. Originally...I was already getting bullied by you originally. I even said that when we’re engaged, we can...”

“Hmm...actually, we…”

“Huh, dream on.”

“You’ll have no way of growing too then,” Xu Tingsheng counterattacked, placing special emphasis on the word ‘growing’.

A conflicted Miss Xiang hesitated for a while before she lowered her head and bit her lips, asking, “How about, touching is fine?”

That night.

The lights were turned off. Xiang Ning lay ready amidst the darkness, taking a deep breath before saying, “Come on. Don’t be naughty, Xu Tingsheng.”

It was not that Xu Tingsheng had never touched that area before. He had, and more than once too. It was just that never had it been as thorough as this time.

“Be serious!” After a while, Miss Xiang said this rather bashfully as she found that Xu Tingsheng’s actions were becoming less and less like massaging...

But Xu Tingsheng’s aim wasn’t for them to ‘grow’ in the first place. While they were a little small...based on Xiang Ning’s figure that was on the thin side, it was actually more or less approaching the average national standard.

“Wah...it feels so strange.”

As she felt herself involuntarily emitting a strange noise, the temperature of her body rising unceasingly...Xiang Ning could only cover it up by speaking.

Xu Tingsheng looked up at her face that was becoming increasingly red. Unable to stop himself, he leaned in and used his lips to replace one hand. He understood Miss Xiang’s body sensitivity even better than she herself did.

“Ah,” Miss Xiang grew tense with nervousness.

“Why are you...does it also work if you use your mouth?” She mumbled.

“Oh, the effect’s even better that way,” Xu Tingsheng replied indistinctly.

“I see. But I just feel so strange! Oh…”

Soon after, Xiang Ning started to pant delicately.

Anything more and they would be doing something bad. He had teased the seventeen-year-old Miss Xiang to the point where her face was flushed red and there were tears in her eyes...shy and desirous...very interesting too...but Xu Tingsheng himself was also in a very tragic state!

Xu Tingsheng stopped.

Xiang Ning plunged into Xu Tingsheng’s embrace, murmuring, “Still got...to grow.”

Xu Tingsheng was stuck between heaven and hell.

Finally, two days later, Miss Xiang temporarily stopped this glorious project that was codenamed ‘for the next generation’ on her own accord.

As for the reason, she evaded Xu Tingsheng’s gaze and said with great difficulty, “My...I don’t have any more undies to change into everyday.”

Xu Tingsheng was full of himself as he laughed, “Wash them then! It’s hot. Line them up in a row and they’ll be dry very soon. Aren’t they just Doraemon, Pikachu, white rabbit, little butterfly? What’s there to be afraid of?”

Xiang Ning shook her head, “I don’t dare to at your house...can we quickly go back to Yanzhou?”

Chapter 617: Second bastard Zhang Xingke

Chapter 617: Second bastard Zhang Xingke

New York, Zhou Yuandai’s office.

She was alone.

Looking at the diagram created by an analyst on her computer screen, Zhou Yuandai smiled rather exasperatedly. This diagram indicated the movements of a mysterious sum of money which originated in China. Only after taking nine full bends did it reveal its true intention. Its target was the phone systems developer, Symbian.

“Still dishonest, are we…” Zhou Yuandai smiled wryly and sighed, “Still, you’d never have thought, right. Of the nine organisations your money went through, two of them...are mine.”

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Hu Chen as he was informed that a large sum of money was currently being used to try to take over Motorola’s shares in Symbian. Xingchen lacked the ability to compete with them.

Even as Xu Tingsheng sighed regretfully into the phone, he was soundlessly pumping his fist in celebration.

In the year 2006, countless people knew how great a future the handphone market had, how great a pie it was. Still, someone like Xu Tingsheng who had foreknowledge aside, very few people could predict one thing. Most people would even mock it if it was said now-that was Nokia’s, the hegemon of the handphone industry's, demise.

Meanwhile, Nokia happened to be the biggest and staunchest supporter of the Symbian system, being one of its possessors too.

So, what a great big ‘pit’ this was.

Xu Tingsheng knew that this ‘pit’ that he had dug was still far from sufficient to inflict enough damage on Zhou Yuandai. Still, it at least proved one thing, something he had been most worried about…

Now, he could basically conclude that Zhou Yuandai did not know the future.

“Do we continue with Apple then?” Hu Chen asked Xu Tingsheng over the phone, even sounding a bit guilty and apologetic.

“Are there many competitors? Are they strong?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“There are quite a few of them,” Hu Chen said.

“Do your best. Try again with Symbian too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

He hung up.

“That’s good too. Come...this old man will slowly play with you. Find a big pit to bury you in,” Xu Tingsheng thought.

“The more it’s like this, the more I want to control you,” At the same time, Zhou Yuandai thought.

……

Besides these hidden undercurrents that people were unaware of, in late August 2006, during the time Xu Tingsheng’s fourth year of university commenced, the world belonged to Huang Yaming and Zhang Xingke.

First was Zhang Xingke.

To everyone’s major bewilderment, merely a little over half a year after joining Hucheng, having expanded its influence in the southwest extremely well, its new Vice CEO Zhang Xingke suddenly announced with any prior warning that he would be leaving Hucheng and starting a new company once again.

Half the team that he had established at Hucheng, the ‘Hucheng Southwest Expansion Troop’, would even be leaving with him. Chen Jingqi was amongst their number.

Everyone’s first thought was: Something’s happened at Hucheng again?

This ‘again’ referred to how Xu Tingsheng had only left not so long ago.

With such a major change happening when Hucheng was actively preparing to get listed on the market, Zhang Xingke had to step forward and be interviewed by the media.

“Besides the team that I’m familiar with, I will not take away any of Hucheng’s customers and resources. We have already finished handing things over to the company’s new southwest team. Please rest easy, everyone,” This was the first thing Zhang Xingke said to the media.

“Besides that, after hearing of my decision, Xu Tingsheng and Boss Lu took the initiative to call  me…”

“What did they say?” The reporters asked.

“They said...they’d always known it was going to happen,” Zhang Xingke spread his hands apart, saying, “Then, they wished me luck in my venture and said they’ll welcome me back at any time. We still maintain a cordial relationship in private. Although, regarding how they appear very happy to see me go...it feels a bit bad, man.”

Zhang Xingke’s words evoked a wave of laughter.

“May I ask what your new company will be focusing on, Boss Zhang?” The reporters asked.

“That’s a secret for the time being,” Zhang Xingke replied, then said, “Next question.”

“I’d like to ask: Do you think your decision is correct, Boss Zhang? After all, right now, most people believe that Hucheng has very good prospects…”

“I agree,” Zhang Xingke directly interrupted the reporter.

“Why did you still leave then?” The reporter pressed.

“Because I will do better,” As the reporters were stumped by his statement and did not follow up with another question, Zhang Xingke stood up and continued, “Pardon my frankness, but in my professional life, ever since university, I’ve always been the boss. If you let me be somebody’s underling now, even having to ask for approval before making a decision, sorry, I have no way of getting used to that.”

These words were arrogant and domineering. Some more perceptive reporters were actually already able to sense that Zhang Xingke was begrudging Lu Zhixin for her overly strong control and individualistic style...this actually wasn’t a secret. Still, it couldn’t be called a mistake...most first generation entrepreneurs were like this.

Zhang Xingke did not give them any time to react or ask any further questions as he continued, “Forgive my arrogance, but the truth is that I can only be the CEO.”

Zhang Xingke’s popularity shot through the roof.

To be precise, these two extremely domineering phrases of his grew viral. Many other ‘pardon my frankness’ and ‘forgive my arrogance’ template copies began appearing on the internet.

For example: Pardon my frankness, but in my student life, ever since primary school, I’ve always flunked. If you let me properly study and be a top student now, having to feign some illness to the teacher if I fall asleep during lessons, sorry, I have no way of getting used to that.

Forgive my arrogance, but the truth is that I can only flunk.

When people are popular, gossip abounds. A female reporter soon uncovered an ‘unpleasant’ piece of news regarding Zhang Xingke.

The matter was directly laid out in front of him as that female reporter asked, “According to my sources, when you started a company in Shenghai before, Boss Zhang, it was ultimately because of a woman’s betrayal that you were forced to depart far away. Is that true?”

“Yes,” Zhang Xingke answered.

“So, I heard that you borrowed Hucheng’s power afterwards and suppressed the forces who moved against you at the time very severely. That woman as well...she is already bankrupt. Nowadays, she has to work at a factory for her livelihood. Is that true?” The reporter asked.

“One, yes. Two, I used legal methods,” Zhang Xingke answered.

“So, do you think that what you did is fine?”

“It’s totally fine.”

“Do you find what you did very glorious?” The female reporter was not happy with his attitude.

Zhang Xingke just stared at her.

“What, what is it?” The female reporter was a bit nervous.

“As you’re saying this to me, do you find that you’re standing on the side of justice?” Zhang Xingke asked, “Don’t forget I did this only after she betrayed me first...she took away what belonged to me and made me like a homeless stray.”

“But from what I know…”

“Yes, I slept with her before. So, are you trying to say that having slept with her before, the bonds between us are not the same? I should be magnanimous and forgive her betrayal?”

The female reporter was stunned and lost for words.

Zhang Xingke continued, “It is only natural for men to be good to women. Still, we aren’t meant to be stomped on. My logic towards women is actually very simple. I love you, so I’ll work hard at treating you well. If you don’t love me, say it. It’s okay, we can still be friends. Still, if you don’t love me but act as if you do, fool me and betray me...sorry, but you’ll definitely pay a price for it.”

With that, Zhang Xingke flicked his sleeve and left with a swoosh.

The female reporter relayed his words in full.

On the internet, a ‘My logic towards women is actually very simple’ template appeared. For instance, someone said, “My logic towards women is actually very simple. If you let me sleep with you, I can guarantee that we will not just be sleeping together once.”

Zhang Xingke grew even more popular, and filled with contention too.

Some supported him, saying that he was domineering indeed. Some resonated a lot with his words. Some called him a bastard...the internet has always been a place with diverse opinions and various worldviews.

This group of people called Zhang Xingke ‘second bastard’, because they quickly discovered someone who was even more of a bastard.

At the centre of a maelstrom of public sentiment, Zhang Xingke called Xu Tingsheng.

“How is it? This cover-up is crazy enough, right? It’s just that I didn’t go far enough in expressing dissatisfaction towards Lu Zhixin. I originally still wanted to borrow that woman’s incident to disparage how she betrayed you…”

“Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng said painfully.

Zhang Xingke laughed twice and asked, “Tell me, what exactly do you want me to do? Rest assured, the people whom I’ve brought are the most reliable. Also, remember what you said. At the end of all this, I’ll be on Forbes for sure.”

“No rush,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Have all the fun you want with Huang Yaming first.”

“He will be involved in this operation too?” Zhang Xingke asked.

“No. It’s purely that he’s addicted to being a magnate,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 618: Sometimes there is no turning back

Chapter 618: Sometimes there is no turning back

It was Huang Yaming who helped Zhang Xingke to divert most of the firepower.

Some called him first bastard. Some said he was a charming bastard. Bars, entertainment, coal mines...Huang Yaming was completely high in playing magnate in three roles.

Actually, it was a very minor matter initially. An ordinary girl who didn’t even have many followers posted on Xingchen Weibo: Why are there so many bastard men?!

Huang Yaming ever-so-leisurely sent a reply: Just give birth. If it’s the money you want, fine. If it’s the person you want, no.

One day, these words were suddenly dug up. Getting out of bed in the afternoon, Huang Yaming found that he was under attack on Weibo, facing an entire screen full of ‘bastard’.

In truth, Huang Yaming didn’t even know who that girl was.

After the girl herself stepped forward to clarify things, this matter finally seemed to reach an end, aside from the fact that Huang Yaming had gained over a million followers on Weibo. Of course, most of these people were just standing ready to slam him at any time.

They were not disappointed, for a second incident soon occurred.

One night, a bored Huang Yaming went to attend a low-level party of actors, screenwriters and directors. When he woke up the next day, he discovered that sleeping beside him was a female student who was still in acting school.

He panicked a bit here. Sleeping with this kind of minor actress who was not qualified but wished wholeheartedly to be a star as she acted in less popular things was actually a very troublesome affair for him. It was at least scarier than having slept with a celebrity who had some level of fame and had her image to consider.

The two both could not remember what they had talked about the previous night. Still, it was obvious what they had done.

Getting up and making two cups of milk, the actress asked, “Hi, are you a director?”

“Huh?” Realising that she did not know him, Huang Yaming was relieved as he said, “No.”

“A screenwriter?”

“No.”

“An actor?”

“No.”

“What are you then?”

“A university student. I’m in my third year...though I don’t really attend lessons.”

“You...get lost.”

“For real? I’m at least a handsome guy, right!”

“Oh, if it was three years ago, I would still sleep with a guy because of his looks. But now, sorry, I only want a backer, shows to act in…”

“Makes sense. In that case…”

“Get lost!”

“...Fine.”

Huang Yaming retreated just like that.

Then, the actress was watching her classmate using the internet one day when she chanced upon a picture of Huang Yaming at the press conference for the release of <<Crazy Stone>>. He was the one who had produced it! They had just started the filming for their new film, <<Crazy Racer>> too…

She looked him up. He was thought to be a Tianyi shareholder.

She looked him up. He was the boss of Yanzhou’s Bright Brilliance which was soon to open its branch in Shenghai.

She looked him up. He seemed to be one of the youngest and most high-ranking mine bosses in the Binzhou mine district…

The actress really felt like kicking herself.

Despite sending him over a hundred Weibo private messages yet being ignored, the actress did not give up. With great difficulty, she managed to meet Huang Yaming by waiting for him at the entrance of Shenghai’s Bright Brilliance that was soon to open.

“Hi, do you still remember me? Right, I’m sorry,” The actress said.

Huang Yaming shook his head.

“We did it…” The actress said the time and the place.

Huang Yaming shook his head again, asking, “How about you take off your clothes and let me identify you?”

The actress hesitated for a bit and said, “Alright, I’ll go to your house and take them off for you to identify.”

“...”

“I’m sorry! That day, I...that day, we were both drunk…”

“Sigh!” Huang Yaming sighed, “To be honest, if I hadn’t gotten drunk that day, I would never have slept with you. Got it?”

He drove off in the Ferrari that he had casually acquired from Old Jin.

Two days later, the actress grit her teeth and steeled herself. For the sake of revenge and blowing the matter up, she publicly revealed what had happened between she and Huang Yaming on the internet..

Actually, she had no pictures and no evidence.

Still, because of that previous incident, many people chose to believe the actress’s words.

The netizens attacked like crazy.

Huang Yaming replied arrogantly, “Sorry, but I really don’t remember having slept with her.”

To the netizens, this was a blatant provocation!

There was no privacy in the internet era. Discounting Chen Jingqi’s abortion incident which only those close to him knew, all of Huang Yaming’s other ‘deplorable behaviors’ were dug up, such as how he had gone missing at his engagement ceremony…

Going by the logic that bastards only did dastardly stuff and those who met bastard men were definitely good girls, virtually everyone stood on the side of ‘that pitiful girl’, believing that Tan Qingling was the victim and stomping mercilessly on Huang Yaming.

Some reporter interviewed Tan Qingling, who perfectly acted the role of a pitiful woman...more and more people sympathised with her, wanted to help her. Someone invested in her female clothing store, its business booming.

Some senior high classmates who had been present on that day stepped forward to defend Huang Yaming. Still, their voices were quickly drowned by the chastising of those netizens.

Tianyi’s PR department felt PR was utterly necessary at this point.

Its employees proposed that Huang Yaming upload that video he had broadcasted at his engagement ceremony on Weibo. That would be enough for Huang Yaming to reverse public sentiment...while Tan Qingling would not have a good time at all.

Still, Huang Yaming refused.

“We’ve both stabbed each other. Love, hatred, debt, enmity, everything is over between us. Let her live her life in peace.”

He tacitly admitted and bore everything in silence just like that.

However splendidly Tan Qingling was doing, however rebukes filled the heavens and covered the earth.

Then, even he himself had not expected this, but because information regarding his wealth was revealed, many money-loving women who believed themselves intelligent came lunging over. You say Huang Yaming’s a bastard man who doesn’t deserve love? Well, it wasn’t his love these women desired...they merely wanted wealth and opportunities.

Also, Huang Yaming was young and handsome.

His handsomeness was not of the traditional Chinese type. He looked a bit rascally at first glance, with a dark smile that always ticked people off...he also had a very Westernised pair of eyes, with thick brows, deep eye sockets, a high nose and big and deep eyes.

And so some people called him first bastard.

Some people said that he was a charming bastard.

Amidst all this internet strife, Shenghai’s Bright Brilliance opened for business.

The netizens said that this was a bar opened by a bastard and it was unlike Yanzhou’s Bright Brilliance where they had invited Apple to the opening. They should wait to shut up shop when no business came. Yet, Shenghai’s Bright Brilliance surpassed everyone’s expectations when it opened.

The reason was very simple. Due to this series of events, Bright Brilliance was very famous. Also, it was very luxurious, very high-end and very stylish.

When somebody called to ask their friends or girlfriend out to drink and the other party asked where, the answer would be Bright Brilliance. This was enough, sufficiently grand...who cared if the owner was a bastard?

A girl posted on Weibo that she had gone to Bright Brilliance the previous night but been prevented from entering. She also @ed Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming replied: If you’re willing to dress sufficiently sexily and come again tonight, tell me, and I’ll drive a car to pick you up.

That night, dressed in an English-style suit, carrying flowers and driving a Ferrari, Huang Yaming brought that sexily-dressed chick to Bright Brilliance, receiving princess-esque treatment throughout...also, he personally gave her a Bright Brilliance VIP card.

Bright Brilliance Cinderella version.

The whole thing was uploaded onto the internet. It went viral throughout the entire internet within a short time.

Those with discerning eyes all knew that this was actually a sort of advertisement from Bright Brilliance.

Still, the chicks didn’t care. Their eyes were shining...Huang Yaming in the video was none other than a middle century prince from Europe. Even if he was a bastard, he was still a roving bastard prince!

“So what if he’s a bastard? Even if it’s just one day...at least today, he is the perfect lover who can satisfy the fantasies of all us young girls!”

“Huang Yaming, come hit on me! You don’t have to take responsibility. Just give me a good memorable experience.”

“Has anyone read the hidden circumstances behind the fleeing engagement incident that circulated on the internet? I believe it. No one is born as a bastard. He’s just been hurt. Afraid of being hurt again, he no longer dares to put his heart into relationships. I want to save him.”

“Actually, it can be seen from how he didn’t defend himself at all when everyone was rebuking him. Say, with his wealth and connections, would he really have no way of doing PR? He only doesn’t want to hurt that woman again, even if he hates her. Since it’s ended, it should remain ended.”

“How manly! A true man. I want to conquer him.”

“Still, you can’t deny that he’s still a bastard…”

“Then, he’s still got to be the number one charming bastard I’ve seen.”

Huang Yaming accidentally got turned into a charming bastard.

Soon, Tianyi announced that they would be collaborating with some TV station to produce a brand new dating program - <<Golden Bachelors>>. Huang Yaming would be investing to produce the program. In it, one man would be meeting and choosing from many women present.

The requirements for the male guests were very simple: Single, at least thirty million worth of assets, rich and with a career.

The first two male guests had already been decided upon.

The first episode: Zhang Xingke.

“Second bastard...incisive in his words, assets in the tens of millions, a domineering CEO who is greatly talented and has far-reaching prospects.

The second episode: Hu Shengming.

“A super celebrity on Weibo, flashy rich dude, a fat tiger (Hu) who’s said to have assets reaching over a hundred million! Super funny, super interesting.”

Whether they ended up scolding or praising it, this program was simply destined to be a hot topic.

Huang Yaming intensified this fire, announcing that after he graduated from university, he would personally participate in this program as soon as possible in the capacity of the male guest.

Public sentiment erupted again. Some suspected that he was doing so just to raise hype. When on the program, he would simply be acting.

Huang Yaming said, “Just wait and see. I’m being sincere for once...I want to hurry up and get married and have children.”

“Why?”

“Ask those unchivalrous bros of mine!”

Huang Yaming was still frequenting the bar and various parties and drinking meets night after night without reservation...he played when he should and did not stand on ceremony when sleeping with women too.

Seeing the entirety of this series of incidents, Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng were a little worried, forcing a smile as they felt concerned for him…

Fu Cheng called Huang Yaming, advising him to hold back a little.

A drunken Huang Yaming laughed, “Stop it...I’m not Fu Cheng...nor am I Xu Tingsheng.”

The artistic youth Fu Cheng used his usual idealistic logic, “There’ll surely still be someone…”

“Don’t be silly. Do you think I’ve never thought about it…” Huang Yaming said, “Nope]. Who will truly love me still? Even if there is, I won’t be able to tell! How can I then truly love somebody? Would I dare to want her even if I truly love her? Everyone knows how it’ll end-just another Chen Jingqi.”

Fu Cheng still wanted to speak.

Huang Yaming said, “It irks me to talk about these things. Let’s stop.”

Xu Tingsheng called Huang Yaming.

“Quite the popular man, Boss Huang,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I’ve even thought of a way to turn it into business, turn it into money already,” Huang Yaming said.

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a moment before he said rather guiltily, ‘Fu Cheng and I are a bit worried about you…”

“Your mother,” Huang Yaming said, “Fu Cheng has a wife and a daughter, a life simple but happy. You, Xu Tingsheng, are foolishly standing by some young girl, and are happy too. His mother, that Tan Yao reformed and left me alone to gallivant. I don’t blame him...still, how could he just go poof all of a sudden?”

“I loved Tan Qingling wrong. Still, I can’t do anything about it! I know how good Chen Jingqi is...but how did it end up? She was hurt too much by me and left, afraid. I know that we will always be best bros...still, it’s really freaking emotional sometimes. I do feel freaking lonely!”

“That’s enough, Tingsheng. I don’t want to pass every night alone and sober...much less consider these problems.”

There was no turning back from this path of gallivanting, simply because there was no way to.

Huang Yaming chose to have an unstoppable momentum on his path of a magnate.

Chapter 619: Suzhou's Qing Garden

Chapter 619: Suzhou’s Qing Garden

Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning prepared to return to Yanzhou. Mrs Xu had made her a big box of donkey-hide gelatin cake with walnuts, dried dates and wolfberries to bring with her. During her stay at the Xu family home, Xiang Ning had already fully made up for her weight loss over her worry for Xu Tingsheng previously.

From a visual perspective, she might even be plumper than before. Still, as Mrs Xu had hidden the weighing scale, Miss Xiang herself did not know this.

She did not discover the increase in her weight, rather feeling that...they really had grown a bit bigger. So, doing that had helped.

“Let’s continue when we’re back in Yanzhou…” Miss Xiang said.

Xu Tingsheng felt that a mishap would occur sooner or later if they went on like this.

Fu Cheng’s family would be returning to Yanzhou with them. Over the summer holidays, they too had come back to accompany his parents for a few days. It seemed like Mr Fu would be promoted to the position of Vice County Head very soon. With his smooth-sailing career, he was in a great mood. Meanwhile, Mrs Fu who really missed Niannian a lot was apparently trying to plan for an early retirement...because she really had no way to bear how long it would be before she was able to see Niannian again.

Xu Tingsheng drove Xiang Ning to the Fu family home to pick the three of them up. There, he found…

Fu Cheng was on a tree. The country had regulated towering trees in its old small districts. Fu Cheng was on the tree, hugging a tree branch as it swayed and swayed, swayed and swayed…

“Dear, Mum, Dad...can I come down already?” Fu Cheng asked.

The three beneath the tree unanimously shook their heads.

Niannian leaned over and extended her hands, saying, “Climb, Niannian climb.”

This matter had come about because Fu Cheng had suddenly been inspired to teach Niannian how to climb trees. Then...Ms Fang had seen it and called for his parents...and so, Fu Cheng had been chased up the tree.

“Luckily you came. I’ve been on that tree for more than two hours,” Sitting in the co-driver’s position in the car, Fu Cheng complained to Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng said nothing in reply. He did not dare to get involved in this sort of war involving differing education philosophies within a family. While Fu Cheng and Ms Fang shared a relationship so sweet, they actually quarrelled too, most of the time over how to raise Niannian.

Their education philosophies actually clashed in quite a few areas.

Xiang Ning switched to the backseat and sat with Niannian.

Kissing Niannian’s little face, she asked exceptionally earnestly, “Niannian, do you mind getting a boyfriend in the future who’s a few years younger than you?”

“Oh, I want to be your mother-in-law!”

……

Elsewhere, Suzhou, the Yu family home.

Yu Qing’s previous wedding could actually be said to have brought shame to her family to some extent. A girl booking her own wedding banquet, wearing her wedding gown, asking her destitute boyfriend if he would marry her or not…

While that scene had moved many people...Fang Yuqing had been arrested by the police in the midst of the wedding. Yu Qing had watched helplessly in her wedding gown before staunchly continuing to toast the remainder of the guests alone, persisting till the end of the wedding. Then, she had spent the night alone in the booked hotel room.

It could not have been any more piteous that day…

After the incident, there had been much mockery and gossip. People had increasingly said that Yu Qing was silly as some even called her parents silly.

Not wanting to give his daughter pressure, Mr Yu had pretended that he was simply impervious to it, just that he would pour a glass of wine and secretly sigh when he was alone.

Mrs Yu was a woman at the end of the day. Unable to suppress her emotions, she would suddenly start shedding tears before her husband and daughter from time to time…

“Qing’er, Mum’s not afraid of the gossip or anything else. I’m just worried...what will become of you in the future?”

Relatives, neighbours, villagers and colleagues-many people were waiting to see how it would ultimately pan out for the Yu family.

Yu Qing and Fang Yuqing had actually still not collected their wedding certificate yet. Still...many were saying stuff like ‘look how long she can last before she remarries’ and ‘let’s see which man will still dare to marry her’…”

After dinner that night.

The auntie squad of plaza dancers discovered that Mrs Yu who had not been coming for a long time since Yu Qing’s wedding had suddenly come again. Also, she was all smiles and intricately dressed up.

Within the garden pavilion of the small district were gathered people who were playing mahjong, cards and chess. They too were surprised to discover Mr Yu appearing once again after a long period, swelling with joy.

Over the past few days, the people in the neighbourhood had only been gossiping about this. It was what they discussed when taking a break from dancing in the plaza...it was also what they idly chatted about in the pavilion.

“It’s been decided. That small district across from us will be demolished in a few days,” Someone said.

“It’s high time that happened. Look how dilapidated it is already,” Someone else said.

The area was buzzing with discussion.

“Speaking of this, our district should be demolished too. It’s also too dilapidated to live in.”

“That’s right, they should demolish it. We’ll even be able to get a compensatory sum that way. I estimate that it shouldn’t be long now, probably within the next few years. I was also thinking that I’d best buy a flat during this time to save the trouble of having to rent one or stay with others when the time comes.”

“Why not buy one opposite then? You don’t have to leave this area. We’re all familiar with each other. I heard they will be building a new district opposite. They’re a developer from out of the area. They said something big, that they’re going to build the number one district in Suzhou.”

“Can you believe the developer’s words? They say it’s number one, and it’s number one?!”

“You should believe it. They’ve really done it before. In Yanzhou, newly built...rated on the internet as the number one newly built district in Jianhai Province.”

“I know that. Little Pert Waist. I think it’s called Ning Garden,” A kid who was in the midst of reading interrupted.

“It’s in Yanzhou? Which company built it?”

“I think it’s called Zhicheng Real Estate or something.”

Some families who were closer with the Yu family vaguely felt like they had heard something before...they caught a whiff of something...they successively turned to look at Mr and Mrs Yu.

The two smiled, not saying anything.

The discussion was still ongoing as somebody who was better informed said, “That’s right, it’s Zhicheng Real Estate. They’re the ones who built Yanzhou’s Ning Garden. As for what they’re going to build here...I think it’s called Qing Garden (Qingyuan) or something…”

“Love relationship (Qingyuan)? What love relationship?”

Mr and Mrs Yu were finally able to vent after being stifled for so long. The two dragged on their voices, deliberately feigning calmness as they said to those around them, “Yuan as in Garden...the Qing from my family’s Yuqing.”

“Oh, isn’t that a coincidence?” Some had already understood, while others still did not know of the situation.

Mr and Mrs Yu said, “It’s not a coincidence. Zhicheng’s boss…is my son-in-law. Quite a few of you saw him at the wedding banquet before. This district’s name is precisely using the Qing of Yu Qing.”

Silence.

Enthusiasm.

The atmosphere changed all at once.

Mr and Mrs Yu were surrounded as they happily and earnestly explained how Fang Yuqing had been set up. In the end, a higher-up from Central who had ties with his family had stood up for him. He was totally fine now and was in the midst of furthering his career…

“Oh, my family’s Yu Qing. It’s not that I’m praising my own daughter, but the girl really is loyal and righteous...that’s why she’s blessed like this,” Mrs Yu said.

“Right, right! What a good child. She deserves this fortune, to be blessed her entire life,” The bunch of aunties chorused enthusiastically.

The next day, Fang Yuqing was walking beside Yu Qing on their way home. Yu Qing rather wished to ignore him...still, half the neighbourhood was enthusiastically greeting them, asking stuff like:

“Yu Qing, is that your husband? Handsome and dignified indeed…”

“Yu Qing, bringing your husband back home to eat? I saw your mother buying groceries early in the morning.”

Yu Qing had no choice but to respond, “Oh, yes.”

Fang Yuqing was full of smiles as he returned their greetings.

“Did you hear? Ha, they said your husband is really handsome and dignified,” Fang Yuqing said to Yu Qing.

Yu Qing could not be bothered to answer him.

Fang Yuqing could only lower his voice and say ingratiatingly, “Look, don’t be angry...isn’t it just a Qing Garden? I just wanted to give you a surprise.”

Yu Qing shot him a look, saying exasperatedly, “You clearly know that I’m most afraid of being so flashy...just you wait. As soon as my Mum and Dad go around promoting it, our house will definitely be filled with people. You’ll be annoyed to death in the future by people wishing to purchase flats based on connections…”

“Many of my colleagues and higher-ups already came asking me about it today. Not only did they ask about the flats, the higher-ups even asked if I want to resign, saying that I should tell them earlier if I do so they can be prepared. While I said I wasn’t going to resign, they wouldn’t believe me. Why would I still go for two thousand yuan per month...anyway, it’s all your fault.”

“Heh, I’m not afraid of annoyances. I’m just afraid of you suffering so many grievances, hearing so much gossip...bearing it all for nothing. I just want to let everyone know how great Yu Qing is, and that that’s why she’s married a good man who will always be good to her,” Fang Yuqing said.

Speaking of suffering grievances, how could she not have suffered?

Looking at Fang Yuqing, Yu Qing bit her lips, holding back her tears.

Finally, she said, “Hurry up. My Mum’s called several times already. You must know, it was them who invited you to come. It’s got nothing to do with me…”

“How could it have nothing to do with you? If you weren’t my wife, could Mum and Dad have called me over? Moreover, you’ve even wed me into your family...hm, that’s what all those bastards in Yanzhou say. They say that you wed me,” Fang Yuqing said.

“Don’t be so full of yourself now. We haven’t collected the certificate yet,” Yu Qing said.

“Right, right. The certificate. When are we going to collect it?”

“We’re not.”

“Huh?”

“In the past, your Mum and Dad said that it was impossible that they’d allow us to marry. I was the thick-skinned one this time. It doesn’t count. As for what happens in the future, we’d better wait and see. Although you were fooling me in what happened last time, I find that what you said actually isn’t completely unreasonable. Being a businessman, you will surely have to entertain your customers...I don’t want to have to worry everyday about such things, much less hear one day that you only did it for appearance’s sake. I wish for it to be simpler,” Yu Qing said.

Actually, which girl doesn’t bear grudges, doesn’t worry?

“I won’t!” Fang Yuqing said.

“I can’t know that,” Yu Qing said.

Actually, Yu Qing did not have a very strong sense of security at all.

Fang Yuqing had no idea what to do.

He secretly texted Xu Tingsheng for help.

Xu Tingsheng replied: Be shameless! Then, slowly prove it to her...in future, for entertaining customers, you can just call Hu Shengming over. Then, just determinedly act as if you don’t know how to drink outside. And when you get back everyday, you definitely cannot be drunk.

Fang Yuqing and Yu Qing opened the door to her home...it was full of people.

Relatives and friends were squeezed into the Yu family’s small home such that even turning was hard...no one was a fool. They had all checked up on Fang Yuqing’s current situation, connections and capabilities. They also knew of how much the price of Zhicheng’s other construction, Yanzhou’s Ning Garden had shot up from sale till its handing over of flats.

Yu Qing glanced at Fang Yuqing as if to say: Now you know, huh?

Fang Yuqing could only force a smile.

Only at mealtime did a portion of the crowd disperse.

“Have more food. Look how thin you’ve become…” Mrs Yu focused on giving Fang Yuqing food.

Mr Yu poured wine and said, “Come, have one with Dad.”

Fang Yuqing raised his wineglass and had a toast with his father-in-law.

“In the future, come home to eat when you’re in Suzhou,” Mr Yu said.

Beside him, Mrs Yu said, “The way I see it, you shouldn’t stay in a hotel. Stay at home...while our house is a bit small, you won’t have to set up another bed if you stay here, right? When staying in one’s own home, everything is definitely more convenient.”

“Mum, Dad…enough already. He’s a big boss, he’s busy,” Yu Qing said.

“I’m free…” Fang Yuqing hastily said, “Mum, Dad, Zhicheng’s project in Suzhou is pretty big. I’ve reached an agreement with the company. For the next two years, I’ll basically be stationed in Suzhou. So, I won’t stand on ceremony with you two. I’ll go over to the hotel and move my belongings in a bit...I’ll be troubling Mum and Dad in the future.”

Mr and Mrs Yu nodded happily.

Yu Qing said, “No.”

Mr and Mrs Yu were flummoxed, their eyes full of bewilderment as they looked at their daughter and Fang Yuqing.

“Dad, I’ll toast you…” Fang Yuqing downed a glass and choked on it as the tears flowed down.

Wiping his tears, he said, “Mum, Dad, I daren’t tell you this without drinking first. I’m afraid Yu Qing will be unhappy...actually, Yu Qing, she isn’t willing to go with me to collect the certificate. I...I don’t know what to do. I can only shamelessly beg the two of you to please help me out…”

He cried as he spoke, his authentic emotions showing that were sorrowful to the extreme.

Yu Qing had not thought that Fang Yuqing might suddenly resort to this. She was left dumbfounded and gaping.

Glancing at his daughter. Mr Yu snorted as he brought the wineglass in his hand heavily down on the table. Wine spilled over its edges.

“Slam!” Mrs Yu slammed her chopsticks on the table.

“Mum, Dad…” Yu Qing wanted to explain.

“Mum, Dad...I’m, I’m really helpless. You’re also aware of Yu Qing’s temper...everything’s good about her, just that she’s stubborn…”

“Rest assured, Yuqing. Mum will be the judge for you,” Mrs Yu stood up, then glared at Yu Qing, saying in no good humour, “Oh how I’ve spoilt you…”

With that, she stomped over to the rooms and emerged a while later, a red booklet in her hands.

“Yuqing, you can keep the residence book first. Have you brought your own?” Mrs Yu said while handing Fang Yuqing the residence book.

“I’ve brought it, I’ve brought it,” Fang Yuqing hurriedly pulled his out.

“That’s good then. After we’ve finished eating in a while, Yuqing’s Dad and I will accompany you two in registering it,” Mrs Yu told Fang Yuqing.

“And not a word from you,” Mrs Yu told Yu Qing.

Mr Yu topped up Fang Yuqing’s wineglass and toasted him.

……

At the door of the Civil Affairs Bureau, after Mr and Mrs Yu had left.

Holding his brand new red booklet, Fang Yuqing raised his head towards the skies and laughed loudly.

Yu Qing did not utter a sound.

“Don’t worry, dear. Trust me,” Fang Yuqing calmed down and looked into Yu Qing’s eyes, saying, “Look, we’re married.”

Yu Qing looked at him, looking, looking...

Finally, she plunged into his embrace.

Her grievances that had been piling up and she had been suffering alone in silence ever since she had coincidentally run into Fang Yuqing’s parents in their university days...they erupted all at once...having painfully tolerated everything thus far, Yu Qing began to bawl in Fang Yuqing’s embrace.

“I was insensible before. It’s been tough on you.”

“In the future, I hope that you don’t have to be so sensible, can be a bit more wilful and happy,” Fang Yuqing said.Yu Qing nodded, “Yeah.”

The two hugged each other for a long time. Yu Qing’s tears finally subsided too.

“Call me hubby?” Fang Yuqing asked.

Lovers in university would basically all do this. Still, Yu Qing had always refused to do so for some reason...only a very long time afterwards had Fang Yuqing learnt the reason behind it. This was because Yu Qing had always thought that the two of them had no future together.

At the time, she had only wanted to accompany that still insensible Fang Yuqing, making memories together.

Afterwards, he had travelled a long distance amidst the night to propose.

Afterwards, there had been an ultimate refusal to fold in the face of adversity.

“Hubby.”

“Yes.”

Chapter 620: A woman's gentleness

Chapter 620: A woman’s gentleness

Xu Tingsheng returned to Yanzhou. Their fourth year of university was soon to begin.

It would be their final year too.

Xu Tingsheng had troubles that others did not have. Still, unlike many fourth year university students, he did not have to face an imminent breakup, finding a job, entering society, repaying his family as well as the pressures of buying a flat, marrying a wife and having kids.

It was different for Fu Cheng. To some extent, he was still troubled by what an ordinary graduate should be troubled about.

Regarding survival ability, Fu Cheng and Xu Tingsheng together were no match for a single Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming could easily turn that ‘bastard’ wave into business and money.

He had capitalised on it to promote Bright Brilliance, causing its name to ring throughout the entire country. In the end, not only did those who lived in Shenghai flock towards it like geese, even many out-of-towners would have Bright Brilliance as a destination when visiting Shenghai.

Some reporters camped outside the entrance of Bright Brilliance for a few days and interviewed visitors from various places who had been denied entry. They concluded: It was crazy. It was as if it was a holy land.

Huang Yaming had even capitalised on this to make a television program, doing further work in the entertainment industry. <<Golden Bachelor>> was destined to be a hot topic of endless contention. It was virtually destined to have high viewership ratings and earnings as well.

It was not the mere matter of some television program. Huang Yaming had utilised timing and connections to the point of perfection. It was almost as if he had been born to dominate major arenas like these. Not having had a chance in his previous life, he was like a fish in water in this life as he thrived and soared.As Xu Tingsheng was hoping that time could flow and pass gently, as Huang Yaming was at the height of glory and triumph, making great advancements.

Fu Cheng was a bit troubled.

Firstly, he was fully unwilling to enter showbiz. As soon as he placed himself in such a position, everything about him, Ms Fang and Niannian would be revealed before everyone. They would become gossip material for countless people who would appraise them however they wanted.

How hurtful would it be? Especially towards Ms Fang.

No one would be foolish enough to expect that everyone could bear goodwill...if that day came, a peaceful, happy life would become a pipe dream.

The remaining choice was to continue being stationed and singing at the bar. While Fu Cheng was willing to continue doing so, getting quite a substantial income from it too, it was better to treat this sort of thing as a supplementary job. If one treated this as their primary job, it would inevitably cause them to lack a sense of security.

He was someone with a wife and a daughter now!

Fu Cheng majored in Finance. He could be considered as the most hardworking in terms of university studies amongst them, Song Ni aside. Having a solid foundation, he was innately interested in this field as well…

Yet, he was still unable to leave Yanzhou in the short term. Ms Fang and Niannian were here, and his best friends were all here as well.

Also, Yanzhou was a small place in a sense. There weren’t many choices it could give Fu Cheng. Those better ones, if not related to Xu Tingsheng, were related to his friends or cooperative partners…

He changed his resume again, putting under the specialities column: Playing guitar and singing. He checked his bank account. Money was flowing away like water because of the renovation of his new flat. Who asked those giving him suggestions to all be rich dudes? That renovation plan had been changed again and again, the cost rising again and again.

Leaning against the back of the chair, Fu Cheng put a cigarette in his mouth. He did not light it...ever since Niannian, Fu Cheng had stopped smoking at home.

Gentle arms slid across his shoulders as Fang Yunyao hugged him from behind, asking, “What’s troubling you again?”

Holding her hand, Fu Cheng replied, “Actually, it’s really not that I intentionally want to prove something to Tingsheng and you guys. It’s just like back in twelfth grade. He and Yaming both had better results than me. I worked hard not to prove that I was not inferior to them, but simply to account for things to myself.”

Both of them understood the underlying meaning of these words.

A typical person might think that Fu Cheng’s current troubles were a little uncalled for. His best bros were Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng! ...So long as he asked for it, his job and money for renovating the flat-which would not be easily obtained?

Fu Cheng could readily accept Ms Fang working at Hucheng, could even frankly accept Xu Tingsheng helping in Niannian’s future studies and life in the capacity of her godfather. There was no such barrier existing between them.

Still...with the vigour of his youth, as the pillar of his family, Fu Cheng wished to venture out for a look at the world, try some things. Just like he said, it was to account for things to himself.

“I’ve never thought of anything like I can’t always live under Tingsheng’s shadow,” Fu Cheng explained, “Actually, it’s long since always been this way. I’m used to it too. Still, you know, I’m different from Yaming. He’s able to independently operate and help Xu Tingsheng to expand his territory. Tingsheng needs him. As for me...if a day comes when Tingsheng needs me, I’d be willing to do anything. Still, what could the current me help him with?”

“So, I still want to venture out and try new things. That way, I’d at least be able to grow a little someday. Even if I come back again to help him out, I’d truly be able to be of help to him then.”

“I know. Just do what you want to do...our family has already far exceeded what I once longed for. So, you don’t have to put too much pressure on yourself,” Fang Yunyao turned him over to face her and leaned in to kiss her little man, burying his face in her bosom.

Fang Yunyao stood while Fu Cheng sat, his face buried amidst softness. She had just finished taking a bath and was only wearing flimsy pyjamas, not having underwear on.

“The tender taste of home,” Fu Cheng cheekily joked as he moved his face.

Fang Yunyao pushed him away a little, reaching out and undoing the buttons before her chest. She pushed his face back in...she gently massaged his hair with her hands.

“Niannian’s asleep…” she said.

The temperature of the room slowly rose. The breathing of the two slowly began to grow heavier…

“Hubby, I want it,” Ms Fang was enthusiastically taking the initiative today for once.

Fu Cheng raised his head and looked into her eyes.

Fang Yunyao nodded lightly and confirmed, “Yes.”

Fu Cheng got up and carried her, throwing her onto the bed and lunging over…

Fang Yunyao shook her head, instead pushing him down beneath her. Along his ears, neck, chest...she meticulously and gently kissed him all the way.

Because of shyness and the awkwardness brought about by once being his teacher...some intimate things between men and women were generally avoided by her. Fu Cheng did not dare to mention them too.

Still, tonight was an exception.

“Is this right?” She looked up and asked.

“Yes,” Fu Cheng said, “Still, if you’re tired or feel like you’re forcing yourself...actually…”

“Don’t say anything,” Ms Fang said gently.

The winds and rains abated.

Her face pink as she rested in Fu Cheng’s embrace, with a bit of laziness and bashfulness, Fang Yunyao said, “How mighty.”

No man could hear these words and not feel full of themselves.

Fu Cheng knew that this was this woman who was seven years older than him setting aside her pride and shyness...to give him gentleness. Right when he was troubled and lacking confidence.

“Actually, you can choose to go out of Yanzhou. Xihu City or Shenghai City are both fine. They’re not far from Yanzhou anyway,” Fang Yunyao said, “You don’t have to worry about Niannian. I am here...also, your mother is willing to come, or we could just hire a babysitter.”

“Moreover, there’s still so much time ahead of us. While we’re young, go do what you want to do,” She said.

How understanding she was. Fu Cheng felt all warm and fuzzy within.

“You must come back during the weekends, though..” The woman in his embrace lowered her head a bit embarrassedly, “Also, you aren’t allowed to get too close to your female colleagues. You aren’t allowed to sing for them. You aren’t allowed to…”

“Let’s go again,” Fu Cheng said.

Chapter 621: Your regret, my hatred

Chapter 621: Your regret, my hatred

While the ancients said that the embraces of women were the graves of heroes, in truth, which hero was willing to be tied down by nothing, having nowhere to rest?

Every man needs a source of gentleness, whether he is a success or a failure, strong or weak...this country in this era was at a point where it only demanded and called for responsibility from men, lacking magnanimity and understanding.

Therefore, a source of gentleness, an understanding woman who knew how to support and dispense care...it was precious and hard to come by and indeed.

“Fu Cheng, you’ve got to believe in yourself. Don’t give yourself too much pressure. Niannian and I both believe in you...you’ll definitely be able to take good care of us. The two of us will be very good. We’ll also take care of you, empathise with you, always like you.”

Fang Yunyao gave Fu Cheng consolation and encouragement.

She also vaguely hit at the root of the problem. While Xu Tingsheng and Huang Yaming might not have directly exerted pressure on Fu Cheng, they had virtually changed his surrounding environment and life completely...his standards were now too high as what he asked from himself had become very high as well.

This caused Fu Cheng to be troubled, lost, tired.

Fortunately, he had such a good woman.

The next day, Fu Cheng sent resumes to a bunch of companies in Shenghai and Xihu City, seeking an internship opportunity.

“If someone really wants me, you’ve got to lend me a car so that I can go home during the weekends,” Fu Cheng told Xu Tingsheng.

“Got it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

In this aspect, Fu Cheng was actually much luckier than Huang Yaming.

……

Already nearly overlapping with the entertainment news, the latest finance news was that Zhang Xingke who had been pretty popular online recently had brought along his new troops, the elite team which had achieved splendid results in Hucheng’s southwest expansion previously, and returned to Shenghai where he had once been tragically defeated.

Some reporters said that his subordinates had been wearing matching T-shirts as they got off the plane. On the shirts were printed: Heard my boss was once defeated here.

It looked like the place where this domineering CEO, youth entrepreneur idol and arrogant guy had decided to establish his new business was Shenghai again.

Many were looking forward to how this new chapter would unfold as he staged a resurgence where he had once been defeated.

The reporters once again asked Zhang Xingke what kind of company he was intending to establish.

Zhang Xingke said, “I’ll go on TV for some matchmaking first.”

Everyone: …

Xu Tingsheng texted Huang Yaming: Zhang Xingke’s here in Shenghai. Have you met?

The reason he chose to text rather than call was that most of the time, words were better able to express things and give people more space to consider affairs than speech...what Xu Tingsheng had left unsaid was actually: Chen Jingqi’s here in Shenghai. Aren’t you planning to go see her?

A deeper meaning: Aren’t you going to try again?

More than half a year had passed. Xu Tingsheng felt that perhaps time could help smoothen some things, allowing people to be brave again. Perhaps it was possible for Chen Jingqi too.

According to Zhang Xingke, over this past half year, she had always been actively taking the initiative in things as she was very hardworking, tough and optimistic...she was a fast learner, having performed very well...she had changed a lot…

What was no different was that she was still alone, not yet having fallen in love with another person.

Huang Yaming’s reply only arrived more than an hour later. He said: I’m on the way back to Yanzhou. I’m almost halfway there already.”

Xu Tingsheng replied: Almost halfway...that means it’d still be nearer to go back.

Another twenty plus minutes later.

Huang Yaming sent: I just saw the sign. I’m more than halfway back now.

That night, Xu Tingsheng saw Huang Yaming.

Parking directly downstairs, he called them and asked, “Will you two leave your women behind and accompany me today?”

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng settled their families and went downstairs.

The trio drove off, looking for a place to drink.

Passing a convenience store, they bought beer and snacks. Flirting with the female employee there and asking for her number, they made her so nervous. They stopped the car and yelled towards the girls walking together by the roadside: ‘Ya so beautiful, girls!’ before immediately driving off again.

Opening the car window, laughing without abandon.

Looking for a place to sit or lie down by the riverbank.

Starting to drink, starting to chat. They chatted about back in senior high, from when they had all met one another. They spoke of how suddenly, one day, one of them had asked: We should be the best kind of friends, right? The other two had then said that yeah, that should be the case.

They talked about how they had embarrassed themselves, the girls they had liked, the foolish things they had done.

They talked about how long they had not spoken to one another after clashing when.

They talked about…

They drank very quickly. Time passed very quickly as well.

Around one o’ clock, the temperature went down greatly as the cold wind permeated their chests in the summer night. The three got back into the car but did not go home. They continued to drink beer, all the way till Huang Yaming got drunk…

Xu Tingsheng and Fu Cheng had outlasted him for once.

Before collapsing into a drunken stupor, Huang Yaming had pulled out his phone and said, “I’ve got to work hard to forget her number...I was drunk two days back and sent her a whole load of bull again. I must forget it, I must forget it…”

This was out of Xu Tingsheng’s and Fu Cheng’s expectations. It was really too unlike Huang Yaming.

They only hesitated for a full second before deciding to peek at Huang Yaming’s message history. In the end, they discovered that he had haphazardly sent her a few dozen texts...unclear in expression, chaotic in form, with a whole bunch of mistyped words.

He must really have been drunk to the point of unconsciousness then.

Feeling pestered, Chen Jingqi had finally replied: If only there was something which could let one feel another’s pain in this world. If only you could have had a portion of it earlier, this day would never have come...your regret, my hatred.

Such a calm expression of words was actually more resolute than lovers cursing at each other after breaking up. It was when one was afraid of the other after having rationalised calmly.

In reality, women generally appear more intense at the regrettable end of a relationship. They talk, they cry...maybe it is precisely because of this that having vented, they can instead walk out from its shadow quicker most of the time.

It is different for men. Men mostly work hard to maintain their image and pride...for a long time afterwards, they are more likely to be wrecked by that pain after waking from dreams and wine.

They generally believe that if they work hard enough, when they possess enough one day, they will have the courage and the opportunity to plead that she turn back. Sadly, most of them discover that they were wrong at the end of the day.

……

One day later, two days before the various primary schools and junior highs opened.

Fang Ruli and her mother returned from Bingzhou to Yanzhou.

They were sent back by Old Jin and Little Jinshan.

Fang Ruli was definitely not returning to that school for nobility in Xihu City. As for whether she would stay in Bingzhou or return to Yanzhou to continue her studies and life, they had actually

already been debating this for a number of days.

The study materials in Bingzhou were different. They would also be lonely from residing in an unfamiliar environment far from home...in the end, mother and daughter had clenched their teeth and decided to return.

To return and face everything would actually not be easy too, especially psychologically. Although they owned a big house in Yanzhou, they already no longer had a home there.

Fang Ruli’s father was still in prison, her elder brother Fang Ruju was going to Yanjing, her cousin Fang Chen had left the country and her cousin Fang Yuqing was away working most of the time...this young girl had to be strong in facing a lot of things.

Xu Tingsheng personally cooked a meal to welcome Fang Ruli and her mother as well as Old Jin and Little Jinshan.

Halfway into this family banquet, the women who had finished eating first ran off to the study. Xiang Ning hugged Niannian as she caught up with Fang Ruli. Fang Yunyao and Mrs Fang were discussing the matter of the continuity of Fang Ruli’s lessons.

Only Fu Cheng, Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming as well as Old Jin and Little Jinshan remained at the table.

“Right, Tingsheng, what is CDO?” Huang Yaming suddenly asked.

Chapter 622: Gigantic graveyard

Chapter 622: Gigantic graveyard

“Right, Tingsheng, what is CDO?” Huang Yaming suddenly asked Xu Tingsheng.

“I’d like to know too,” Old Jin said.

“You’re also asking about this?” Little Jinshan who had drunk two glasses of red wine tipsily looked up at his father, saying, “It’s in English...do you know it? You can’t even pronounce the syllables. Uncle Xu, let’s talk about this together, us two. Let me tell you, my English home tutor has exceptionally big breasts…”

Old Jin slapped him into silent mode.

“Where did you hear about this from?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Some mixed-blood called Wayne Yang. He said he knows you. He approached and promoted this to us,” Huang Yaming said, “Right, he also said that many investment firms on Wall Street are currently doing this.”

“What a pervasive bastard. There’s nothing he isn’t involved in. It’s fortunate he’s not an arms dealer. Otherwise, there might even be a world war,” Xu Tingsheng shook his head.

Wayne Yang was basically the middleman of the Wall Street banks. He had previously promoted this to Xu Tingsheng too. Xu Tingsheng had said he would consider it when he had helped take care of Apple. He had never expected that he would even look for Old Jin and Huang Yaming.

“What did you say to that?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“I said this old man doesn’t know what the hell that is at all...also, I’ve never listened to people who wish to sell me something introducing what that thing is. Then, I got him to scram,” Huang Yaming said, “I’m asking you now purely out of boredom and curiosity.”

“It’s a pretty complicated thing,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Don’t tell me-you actually don’t know too? Ha…” Little Jinshan who had had too much to drink got rowdy again.

In the same fashion as Old Jin, Xu Tingsheng slapped him into silent mode.

“Luckily, stinky fish didn’t see it...” Little Jinshan rubbed his head, saying pitifully, “You guys will turn me into an idiot sooner or later.”

“Collateralized debt obligation, CDO for short. We learnt about it in our finance lessons. It is really a complex thing to expand on like Tingsheng said,” Fu Cheng who majored in finance interrupted.

Old Jin and Huang Yaming showed with their expressions that they had not understood anything at all.

“How about this. I’ll simplify it and raise an example for you to hear,” Xu Tingsheng pondered for a while before asking, “You all know about housing loans, right? Loans for living in houses.”

“Duh. In this day and age, even an eighty-year-old granny would know,” Old Jin said.

“I thought that not needing it, you nouveau riche wouldn’t know about it,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and said, “Housing loans include two parts, the money yet paid for the house and interest. These are considerable sums most of the time, lasting rather long. Then, under most circumstances, the house itself is the collateral.”

“Now, pretend that I’m the bank,” Xu Tingsheng pointed at himself, continuing, “Then, one day, Old Jin buys a house and does a thirty-year housing loan with me. As the bank, while it’s profitable for me, I find that I get back my funds too slowly this way. In order to get back the funds at a higher rate, I take his housing loan out as a housing mortgage security, next finding some organisations to act as guarantor...then, I take it out to sell. This is CDO. It’s a debt security acting as a guarantor for mortgages.”

“Oh,” Huang Yaming said.

“Would you buy it? You get to share the profits with the bank,” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It’s fine if I have money to spare! It’s guaranteed profit anyway. It’s Old Jin! Would he be unable to pay the housing loan?” Huang Yaming replied straightforwardly.

“That’s right. If everyone knows that this person is as wealthy as Old Jin, I think many people would be willing to buy it. But would I, the bank, eat a loss so readily? I wouldn’t sell them individually, but in bundles...for example, a bundle of a hundred housing loans at once. Conceivably, some may be rich bosses like Old Jin. Some may run small businesses. Some may be teachers, public servants...anyway, so I use the housing loans of various people with various occupations as a basis in producing CDO, classifying it at several different price levels and selling it. Will you still buy it?” Xu Tingsheng looked at Huang Yaming, smiling as he asked.

“Are the profits high?” Huang Yaming asked.

“It’s different according to the levels. The greater the risk, the greater the returns. Of course, it presently looks to be not bad. At least, it’s currently a popular thing in America,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Under what circumstances will I make a loss?”

“Of those taking loans to purchase their flats, a large batch of them default on their loans. And also, having taken the houses back, the banks are unable to sell them.”

“You mean many people not wanting their houses anymore?”

“Right. Not only do they not want their houses, they do not want even their downpayment from before and the portion of money they’ve paid.”

“I’m relieved then,” Huang Yaming said, “I’d buy it! It makes sense to.”

“Why?” Xu Tingsheng continued asking.

Huang Yaming glanced at him, seemingly finding it obvious but still explaining, “I don’t understand how it works in America, so let’s take China as an example. Housing prices are skyrocketing...even among a hundred people, I’ve never seen one who can bear to stop paying for and give up on their flats.”

“It seems so...actually, the current situation in America is more or less the same. The government has lowered the interest rate to encourage the purchasing of flats. The housing market is booming,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Still, have you ever considered that if people lost their jobs and went bankrupt, being forced to cease their payments despite their reluctance, they would still have no choice but to give up on their flats?”

“Even if there is, if it’s just one or two, it wouldn’t be much of a loss, right? Moreover, the bank can still take back the house to sell,” Huang Yaming said, “Where in business is there no risk? The risk can already be considered very low here.”

“So what you mean is that you’d buy it?” Xu Tingsheng asked again.

Huang Yaming was a bit overwhelmed by his questioning as he hesitated and turned to ask Fu Cheng, “Expert, what do you think?”

Fu Cheng thought about it and said, “Right now, I think ninety percent of people think the same as you. Me included.”

“Buy it then! What’s there to be afraid of?!” Huang Yaming exclaimed, “Anyway, this here is but an example. When it really comes down to buying it, it’ll still be up to yourself to decide.”

Xu Tingsheng forced a smile...this was not an easy decision to make.

“Now, let me explain something else to you guys. It has an inverse relationship with CDO. Generally speaking, if there is no forced interference, it falls when CDO rises and rises when CDO falls,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What’s that?” Huang Yaming asked.

“CDS, credit default swap. It’s generally used to avoid risk, or…”“Or what?”

“Short-sell.”

“How does it work?”

Xu Tingsheng considered it for a bit before saying to Huang Yaming, “Okay, let us continue that earlier example. Right now, you’ve bought a lot of CDO.”

“Right. What then?”

“Then, someone, say Little Jinshan,” Xu Tingsheng pointed at Little Jinshan who was sprawled over the table,” Little Jinshan now feels that the CDO in your hands will become a pile of scrap paper...so, he decides to short-sell you.”

“Is that because he’s drunk? Or he’s been slapped into an idiot by you,” Huang Yaming laughed.

“Either way is fine. Anyway, he now feels that the CDO in your hands will become a pile of scrap paper, deciding to short-sell you...so, he will go to look for a bank or insurance organisation, buying insurance for this CDO you possess. This insurance is the CDS I just spoke of.”

“What?” Huang Yaming asked, “I’m stumped. How is he entitled to buy insurance for me? Who’s the beneficiary?”

“Good question. If it’s the insurance which we normally see-for example, you suddenly run to an insurance company now and buy a personal accident insurance for the son of the school’s security guard, Li Er, with you paying and you the beneficiary...this is not allowed,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Rubbish! If even that was allowed, wouldn’t this world be in utter chaos? Buy one, off one. Buy one, off one. It’s not someone related to you anyway,” Old Jin interrupted.

“Right. However, this CDS I just mentioned, it allows for that. Little Jinshan buys insurance for your CDO, paying for the procedures and the annual insurance. If your CDO becomes a pile of scrap paper and loses money...the banks and insurance organisations will compensate him,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What about me? Will they compensate me?”

“No. It’s got nothing to do with you.”

“It’s at least got to go through me, right?” Huang Yaming asked.

“There’s no need for that too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“The heck...it’s me who’s investing, but it’s got nothing to do with me at all?”

“That’s how it is. He doesn’t even have to know you. The sole connection between you...is that your fortunes are completely at odds. If you make an utter loss, he’ll make an utter profit. If you make an utter profit, he’ll make an utter loss.”

“Stop it. The way you’re putting it, this isn’t insurance at all. It’s…”

“What is it? Say it.”

“It’s a gamble.”

“Bingo. That’s right,” Xu Tingsheng inhaled deeply, “This is a gamble. Also, it’s a mega gamble which can be infinitely magnified. Not only can he bet against you, he can also bet against any Tom, Dick and Harry...as long as there are banks or insurance organisations willing to buy it, as long as he has money to pay the insurance premiums, he can even bet against the entire Wall Street.”

Now, Xu Tingsheng surveyed everyone at the table. The cool glint in his eyes...it was as if he was really about to engage in that massive gamble of an era.

“How much would that cost then?” Old Jin seemed intrigued.

“CDS itself has a 10 to 20 magnifier. That is to say that because in terms of money, you’ll only have to pay a few percent as insurance annually...if you have a billion and are bold enough, if you judge that the term will be short enough, you could...gamble against other people’s 10, 20 million.”

“The problem is that your funds must be able to last till the day you win your gamble. Also, the bank or insurance organisation which sells you CDS cannot go bankrupt. If it does, it doesn’t matter how much you win. There won’t be anyone to compensate the money to you,” As he finished, Xu Tingsheng poured himself a glass of wine and downed it in one gulp.

Looking at him, Old Jin suddenly smiled, saying, “You’re worked up.”

“Right, weren’t you raising an example?” Fu Cheng looked at Xu Tingsheng too.

“The heck, you wouldn’t be thinking of going at it for real, right?” Huang Yaming stood up and said, “Don’t mess around! We’re earning money perfectly fine now. There’s no need to play something so intense. Let’s be clear, alright? We won’t buy CDO, and we won’t buy CDS too...people can do whatever they want, but we’ll concentrate on stably earning money.”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and nodded.

“Let’s be serious. Don’t scare me, Tingsheng,” Huang Yaming still could not rest assured as he continued, “I get what you mean. Don’t bully me for not studying properly in university. I did seriously study history in senior high. For CDS to really win as crazy as you say, it’s not possible, unless…”

“Unless what?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“An economic crisis!” Huang Yaming exclaimed.

Xu Tingsheng smiled brilliantly.

“I was just joking. I’m not someone who likes gambling, you know that. I don’t even play mahjong.”

In truth, Xu Tingsheng really was hesitating...he was raring to go at that.

He knew that the time Zhou Yuandai was giving him was running out. Also, her assets were really too abundant, her strength too high. Ruanjin alone, the tip of the iceberg which had been revealed, was under normal circumstances already more than enough for him to go against for several years.

As for a pit like Symbian, however badly Zhou Yuandai fell down, it still wouldn’t be enough. She would still have enough space to turn around as it would simply be a fruitless effort.

Xu Tingsheng was afraid that he would not have the chance to slowly develop. He also dared not hope that Zhou Yuandai would suddenly let him go out of goodwill…

His sole chance that might only come once was to devise a grand, shocking scheme, dig a gigantic pit...a pit that could allow an ant to bury an elephant, taking her down in one shot.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to find Zhou Yuandai a colossal graveyard...for instance, a subprime crisis at Wall Street.

Yet, how massive an undertaking it was if he wanted her to plunge completely into it without being seen through.

Chapter 623: Fourth year of university begins

Chapter 623: Fourth year of university begins

Others would not know, but what Xu Tingsheng was discussing was actually not distant at all. It would make its first appearance in 2007, erupting completely in 2008. The next economic crisis would be called the American subprime mortgage crisis or financial crisis.

As for what he spoke of regarding CDO and CDS, Henry Paulson, Steve Eisman and Michael Burry had actually already started doing this at this time.

In going against what close to ninety-nine percent of people did, they would be mocked and face immense pressure. Then, they would make a colossal profit amidst wails in Wall Street.

If everything progressed normally, it was virtually impossible for Xu Tingsheng to defeat Zhou Yuandai in the next three to five years, eliminating this threat.

The difference in their assets and strength was too great.

If the Xu family was in the midst of becoming an elephant, Zhou Yuandai was akin to an ancient, colossal beast like Godzilla.

“She wants to control everything of mine,” While there were many things that Xu Tingsheng still could not be certain of, this was already incomparably evident as Zhou Yuandai had intervened even in his marriage, even threatening to hurt Xiang Ning.

While freedom was valuable to Xu Tingsheng, Xiang Ning was worth even more, her value surpassing his life...meanwhile, Zhou Yuandai seemed to want to strip them both from him.

When her subordinates had soundlessly kidnapped Dongdong and hung him upside down before she had sent that picture to Xu Tingsheng, hinting that she could easily do the same to Xiang Ning if he did not listen to her...Xu Tingsheng had actually already had the motive to nail her onto a stake.

Also, Zhou Yuandai had said this to Xu Tingsheng before: You don’t have much time remaining.

In what little time remained, this was the sole chance to completely bring Zhou Yuandai down. It was not him who would gamble against her...Xu Tingsheng was not qualified enough. What he wanted was to lure Zhou Yuandai to advance to the point of gambling against the entire crisis.

No one could fully wage a war with this crisis. Even ten Bill Gates wouldn’t be enough. Zhou Yuandai...should not be enough too. Xu Tingsheng had made the bold assumption that her hidden wealth actually surpassed that of Bill Gates by a lot.

Still, in this upcoming crisis…

General Motors would go bankrupt.

WorldCom would go bankrupt.

Washington Mutual whose total worth surpassed 300 billion USD would go bankrupt.

Lehman Brothers, possessing 150 years of history as the fourth largest investment firm in America, its total worth surpassing 600 billion USD, would go bankrupt.

AIG, an international insurance and finance organisation that was ranked top ten in the world, its total worth surpassing a trillion USD, would virtually go bankrupt.

That year, Wall Street would be a mega graveyard...it was sufficient to bury anything.

Topics changed one after another at the wine table. The five chatted, going from tipsy to sober to tipsy again, drinking until it was very late. In the midst of it, Xu Tingsheng even got up again and went to the kitchen to cook a few more dishes...

What he had said earlier was very soon overlooked, like how many would simply boast at the wine table.

Even Xu Tingsheng himself felt like it was more like boasting.

Firstly, he actually had no confidence in luring Zhou Yuandai to fall for it completely. It was impossible for the other party not to be guarded against him at all, simply doing what he said. Also, for Xu Tingsheng to enable this scheme, he would have to be personally involved deep in it, even staking his all on it.

Secondly, Xu Tingsheng had actually yet to make up his mind. If it did not have to reach that point, he was resolute in not wanting to see it happen.

In his previous life, in America alone, that economic crisis had caused countless enterprises to go bankrupt, several million people becoming unemployed, becoming bankrupt, losing their homes, even losing their lives...the damage it caused the world was even more inestimable. Also, its destructive effects were long-term and in all aspects.

This time, if Xu Tingsheng deliberately schemed to entrap Zhou Yuandai, escalating the crisis by blowing up her immense wealth...it would very likely lead to a true, massive slaughter.

“Never did my blade claim a life, yet countless people died because of me.”

……

The next day, Old Jin and Little Jinshan were going to return to Bingzhou.

Having received the care and protection of the Jin family for a period of time, Fang Ruli and her mother hurried over to send them off.

Before getting into the car, Little Jinshan turned and said to Fang Ruli, “Hey, stinky fish, be happier now that you’re home. You should study properly too. Don’t pull a long face all day. Everything will come to pass…”

“Right,” Fang Ruli nodded, looking a bit reluctant to part.

“Also,” Little Jinshan said, “Take it easy at your new school. An ordinary school is also a place to learn! Look at Little Aunt Xiang Ning. My Uncle Xu is so rich, but she still wears so ordinary clothes while studying at an ordinary school...isn’t she still so remarkable all the same?!”

This brat was not bad at sounding wise. Still, the last part was clearly bootlicking.

Deeply agreeing with the statement, Miss Xiang was just about to praise him when Little Jinshan switched his style.

“If anyone bullies you, give me a call...I’ll bring people over and level your school,” He said.

Fang Ruli said, “Huh, like I’d be bullied by anyone.”

“Right. You’re so feisty.”

“I’m clearly brave.”

“That’s fine too. I won’t have to mobilise a crowd,” Little Jinshan said, “Still, there’s something I have to emphasise. Fang Ruli, you’d better not get into an early relationship...you’re still young, understand?”

“Huh, like I’d enter an early relationship. Don’t think everyone is like you and that...someone or other, sick pervert,” Fang Ruli said.

“I’m relieved then,” Little Jinshan cheerily looked left and right before going closer and whispering, “We’ve agreed to wait till I’ve grown up. You can’t let your desires run wild!”

Fang Ruli was a bit embarrassed as she stiffened her neck, asking, “Who, who said I’d wait for you? I never said that.”

Little Jinshan spread his hands apart, “That doesn’t matter. It’s only a matter of time anyway. It really is fine as long as you don’t let your desires run wild and be unfaithful.”

“Right,” Not waiting for Fang Ruli to answer, Little Jinshan switched to a very solemn expression and continued, “These few years are puberty for you, you know? So, eat and exercise more…”

“Huh?” Fang Ruli was a bit puzzled.

Little Jinshan secretly shot a glance towards Xiang Ning who was standing not far away before raising his chest and saying to Fang Ruli, “You’ve got to develop well! Don’t eventually end up like Little Aunt Xiang Ning...if that happens, what am I supposed to do in the future?”

Fang Ruli was hitting Little Jinshan. Xiang Ning went over to mediate, asking what the matter was...then, it became the two of them beating Little Jinshan up together.

……

Old Jin and Little Jinshan returned to Yanzhou. Fang Ruli and Xiang Ning began classes. Fu Cheng got an internship opportunity at a company in Shenghai and would head over once this semester started...anyway, the fourth year of university for Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming began.

It would have been Tan Yao’s fourth year as well.

The start of the semester was not a happy one. Zhang Ninglang and Lu Xu learnt of Tan Yao’s passing. As a sorrowful atmosphere hung over Room 602, the bedsheet incident unfolded in the school.

Soon, those who had set their minds on being civil servants aside, the remaining students all began working towards finding jobs. Autonomous internships in the fourth year were mostly geared towards finding jobs. The school empathised with everyone too as virtually all those applying for leave got the green light.

There were fewer and fewer who could properly attend all the lessons. Xu Tingsheng was one of them. Everyday, he attended lessons, ate, returned to his dormitory and went to the library...he sought to properly cherish this final, warm stretch as much as possible.

It was the last lesson for that afternoon. Two Chinese classes and a Secretary class had a big lecture together. Less than half of everyone attended. Xu Tingsheng sat in the third last row. Apart from raising his head and glancing at the professor every now and then to show that he was listening, he spent most of the time deep in thought about the topic of his graduation thesis.

A hubbub arose.

The old professor said, “This student, it’s okay if you’re late...still, you should at least say a word to me, right, rather than sneakily edging in. You even used the front door...do you think that I am already old and blind to this extent?”

“This student, are you from this class? It doesn’t seem so!”

The students were laughing.

Curious, Xu Tingsheng raised his head, “The heck.”

In a white blouse, a skirt and sports shoes, carrying a pink backpack...Miss Xiang stood at the entrance of the classroom. Her youthful air aside, she had clearly intentionally put on makeup.

“What’s this? Doesn’t she have to attend lessons?” Xu Tingsheng wondered what he should do.

At the front of the classroom.

Smiling a bit shyly, Xiang Ning who was standing at the entrance bowed to the professor before saying, “Hi, prof. I’m not from this school. I’m here...to look for that person.”

She pointed at Xu Tingsheng.

The professor naturally knew Xu Tingsheng.

“You’re looking for him? So, you intend to…” The old professor smiled meaningfully.

Xiang Ning shook her head, “No, it’s not a date. It’s because...right, it’s because he always says that your lessons are exceptionally good. He also often tells me what you said before. So, I especially wanted to come and listen to it once...can I? Professor.”

“Well, if it’s like this...ahem,” Lessons in universities were never so rigid in the first place as sitting in on classes one was not taking was a common occurrence and something to be happy about. Having had a little beauty express her respect for him so directly in front of so many people...it was not easy for the old professor to hide his happiness and pride.

“Go on in,” Feigning calmness, the professor looked down at his book and ‘casually’ waved his hand.

“Thank you, prof,” Her head lowered, Miss Xiang walked over to sit down beside Xu Tingsheng, deliberately taking out her pen and notebook and placing them on the table before propping up her chin with her hands and listening intently.

Even the professor’s voice became clearer.

“Why did you suddenly come to my school? Don’t you have lessons to attend?” Xu Tingsheng could only pretend to be listening earnestly to lessons as he asked without shifting his gaze.

“The two lessons after lunch are both not main lessons. I took leave from the teacher,” Xiang Ning said, “Isn’t it just once? You’re in your fourth year already, but have you ever had your girlfriend accompanying you to lessons and to the cafeteria? I heard Lu Min say that it’s very pitiful, not being in a relationship in university. So...I’m here to help you remedy your regret!”

Actually, she still wanted to say, “You’ve even found an excuse and dodged the engagement. Wouldn’t I be an idiot if I didn’t perform well, work hard? Not only must I perform well, Lu Min also said that I have to assert my ownership, letting all potential vixens dissipate into nothing.”

What Xu Tingsheng was thinking was: To be honest, this Uncle actually had it in my previous life, and not just once too. Still, seeing how you’re all nicely dressed up, your motive is surely not so simple, right...don’t I understand you well enough, Miss Xiang.

There was something very adorable about Xiang Ning, which was that while she was always full of herself about how remarkably guileful she was, the fact was that she could generally be seen through easily.

Many people attending the lesson snuck ‘inadvertent’ glances at Xiang Ning non-stop. After all, this was Yanzhou University, and that guy beside her was Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng! They all thought that if Yanzhou University held a school anniversary, he could directly be a VIP and successful alumni while still being a student.

Xiang Ning had actually come to Yanzhou University before, just not as openly as now and much less overtly as Xu Tingsheng’s girlfriend. So, this was a major piece of news.

Xu Tingsheng could already more or less foresee the imminent atmosphere after class.

Chapter 624: Watching movies and dating

Chapter 624: Watching movies and dating

Once, Xiang Ning had told Xu Tingsheng this: So long as you don’t choose the waters of forgetfulness, I will always give you the pill of regret.

Now, after Xu Tingsheng had just evaded an engagement, Miss Xiang whose heart was broad as the ocean had delivered the pill of regret to him. Also, afraid that the pill was bitter, she had added honey on top of it.

“Do you eat this? It’s a walnut. I’ve even used a hammer to break it open.”

“How about this? It’s a peach. It’s been washed.”

“This mango’s been cut.”

“Want some figs?”

“Peeled pomelos, and pomegranates.”

Xiang Ning’s fake focus on the lesson did not last for very long as she started pulling things out from her backpack like a magician. Fruits, snacks, all washed and peeled and placed on plastic plates with plastic wraps over them.

Soon, the half-table she and Xu Tingsheng were at was filled with things...one could basically have a picnic there.

“She really knows how to dote on him.”

“Yeah, Xu Tingsheng’s blessed enough.”

“The young lady’s so cute!”

People were whispering to one another all around them, accompanied by various sounds of laughter.

So, Miss Xiang was actually here for a date.

It would not be okay for Xu Tingsheng not to eat!

Just having eaten a bit...he looked up and discovered that the old professor had already come over at some point in time.

The old professor coughed and looked first at Xu Tingsheng, then Xiang Ning.

They had been exposed.

Xiang Ning looked at Xu Tingsheng before raising her head and looking innocently at the old professor, saying especially sincerely, “It’s been tough on you, professor. Have some fruits. I was still asking him earlier which kind you might like to eat…”

Those in the classroom who had been feeling nervous along with them broke out into laughter. This...shameless as she was, she was really too adorable.

The old professor had a helpless expression on his face as he rubbed his brows with one hand.

With his other hand, he popped a grape into his mouth and tasted it before immediately taking a second.

The old professor coughed lightly once, took that plate of grapes from the table, turned and left.

“Consider this confiscated! It really is a bit tiring,” Returning to the front to sit, throwing a few more in his mouth and muttering that the taste was not bad a couple of times, the professor looked up at the students, “What are you all waiting for? Eat...there’s so much anyway. Xu Tingsheng won’t be able to finish it.”

As soon as he said so, some classmates near Xu Tingsheng who were rather more familiar with him came over.

“Can I?” Li Xingming wanted to at least seek Xiang Ning’s opinion.

“You can, you can...there’s a lot. Everyone can eat,” Xiang Ning said.

And so, the crowds flocked over.

Soon, it was a bustle of activity in front of Xu Tingsheng.

In a good mood, Xiang Ning went around saying hi to people before sitting down beside Xu Tingsheng and asking him, “Are these all your classmates?”

“Some are. Some are from another two classes,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“Are there so few people in three classes? It’s about the same as my whole class itself,” Xiang Ning was a bit puzzled.

“Many people didn’t come to class,” Xu Tingsheng explained.

“They’re all skipping class?” Xiang Ning was used to Xu Tingsheng often skipping classes and thought everyone was the same.

“No, they’ve all taken leave. They’re doing internships for their jobs,” Xu Tingsheng said, “For us, we are studying to be teachers. So, for the sake of finding a job in the future, many of my classmates have gone for internships now at schools with vacancies, helping with substitute lessons or whatnot...actually, it’s in order to forge a connection with the school, to grasp the initiative for getting hired.”

“Oh…” Xiang Ning nodded, “Why haven’t you gone for an internship then?”

“Me? Where would I go for an internship?”

“Our school...our class,” Xiang Ning’s eyes shone.

In eleventh grade, she had entered the humanities class, barely remaining at the cut-off for the elite classes. It would not be impossible if Xu Tingsheng really wanted to go. It was just that he had never thought of it before.

“Won’t you go?” Xiang Ning smilingly asked, mouthing, “Student-teacher relationship...solemnly giving me lessons in the day, even needing to be careful about the other teachers and students discovering it...and after returning home, at night, we...wah, how rascally, how fun.”

“It’s clearly not fun in the least,” Xu Tingsheng said painfully.

“Come on.”“Not going.”

“I just want to see you everyday...date you properly. Now, I only get to see you once per week, not even knowing if you will be snatched away by someone else…” Xiang Ning started to act wronged.

“Stop acting pitiful...if I go, you’ll be even more unable to study,” Xu Tingsheng firmly refused.

The bell signalling the end of class rang.

Xu Tingsheng put on Xiang Ning’s backpack and pulled her along in rushing out of the classroom at once.

He was afraid of being surrounded by onlookers. Still, there were evidently many who were interested in seeing how remarkable Xu Tingsheng’s girlfriend was. Also, some who did not have lessons were already waiting to intercept them by the entrance.

“Wow, how many girls have you attracted!” Xiang Ning remarked emotionally along the way.

With great difficulty, Xu Tingsheng finally managed to awkwardly bring her along in leaving the crowds.

“Let’s go. I’ll send you home,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Xiang Ning stood where she was, shaking her head, “No. I want to go to the cafeteria to eat with you.”

“Huh?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “Aren’t you afraid of things like earlier?”

“I’m not! Are you? Is it that you actually have another girlfriend in school?” Xiang Ning had obviously been led astray by Lu Min.

Having no way to outtalk her, Xu Tingsheng could only lead her to the cafeteria.

“Oh, Tingsheng! Is this...your girlfriend?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Which school is she from?”

“Huh? Can you say that again? Sorry, I didn’t quite catch it.”

“...”

“This student, is anyone sitting here?”

“No...heck, chairman, why’re you pretending to be a stranger when we’re so close?”

“Heh, I came over to observe up close, see what aspect the girls from our class have lost in.”

“...”

It was fine that his classmates and schoolmates were having fun fooling around.

“Hello, Vice Principal Niu...hey, a respected Vice Principal like you-why are you joining in?”

“None of ya business,” Old Niu pushed Xu Tingsheng aside and asked, “How old are you, young lady?”

“Seventeen,” A smiling Xiang Ning said.

Old Niu turned and stared at Xu Tingsheng, “You beast...this, senior high?”

“Uncle Vice Principal, I’m in eleventh grade,” Xiang Ning answered.

“Right. Remember to apply for our school in the future! Don’t look down on it. Over the past few years, our enrollment marks have been steadily rising. Come over and Grandpa will watch over you,” Old Niu said without feeling any shame at all.

“Right, I’ll work hard,” Xiang Ning replied.

With her current results, she would indeed need to put in some effort to get into Yanzhou University whose enrollment marks were currently steadily rising every year.

“It’s alright. Eat first. If you really can’t get in here, Grandpa will think of a way for you...at most, we can get Xu Tingsheng to donate a building to the school or something.”

“...”

This might be the most trying meal Xu Tingsheng had eaten over the years.

Xiang Ning who had been brimming with excitement originally also felt a bit panicked at the onlooking crowds as she muttered, “Hey, Xu Tingsheng, it’s so frightening to date you! It’s fortunate that I’m not attending university together with you…”

While she said that, she still dragged Xu Tingsheng for a stroll at the student plaza after finishing the meal, accompanying him to the library too.

“You won’t have regrets like this, right? When I attend university in the future, you’ve got to come accompany me too!” Xiang Ning said at the entrance of the library.

Once again, he felt a sense of deja vu.

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said.

When Xu Tingsheng drove Xiang Ning home, it was already past 9pm.

The next day was the weekend.

Xiang Ning had borrowed a pile of DVDs from somewhere as over the next two days, she simply sat on the sofa and watched them one after another.

In the midst of watching an Italian movie, she told Xu Tingsheng who was mopping the floor, “Wow, did you know that more than half of Italians’ texts carry the word love? How romantic! You even said that there are very few people who are more romantic than you.”

Watching <<Chicago>>, she decided to learn a segment of dance. In the end, she fell down and got half of her backside swollen.

Then, she quickly found consolation in <<My Little Bride>> that Moon Geun Young acted in. This was because her character in that movie was mocked for having both sides of her butt uneven, one big and one small.

Maybe because the movie narrated the relationship between a male lead who was doing an internship in his university days and a female lead who was in senior high, Xiang Ning was especially enamoured by it. She rewatched it immediately after finishing it and insisted on summoning Xu Tingsheng over to watch as well.

Bored but unable to leave, Xu Tingsheng could only lie on her thigh and close his eyes to rest.

Xiang Ning did not mind as she watched while muttering aloud:

“The male lead’s head is too big. You look better than him.”

“The female lead is so cute. Her face is so round...still, I’m a bit taller than her.”

“Look, they’re so similar to us.”

“Look, look at this part. The male lead goes to the female lead’s school as an intern teacher and even conducts lessons for her. How fun! I want it too...say, Xu Tingsheng, will you go or not? Xu Tingsheng...hey, you’re actually asleep?!”

It looked like Miss Xiang really rather looked forward to him being an intern teacher at her senior high. Xu Tingsheng decided to give the matter some thought.

After watching one movie after another, Xu Tingsheng was finally unable to suppress his curiosity as he asked Xiang Ning, “Why did you suddenly think of binging movies like this?”

“To study dating! Lu Min said that I don’t even know how to date. This isn’t fine...I’ve got to learn more, and I can do so by watching movies. My Little Bride was even recommended to me by her.”

Xu Tingsheng pointed at the horror film which was currently playing, “This is also counted?”

Miss Xiang expressed, “I borrowed this by mistake. Still, it’s pretty interesting.”

That night, Xu Tingsheng was on his way to dreamland when he vaguely heard some ghostlike imitation wailing beside him. Then, pointy objects suddenly touched his face…

By reflex, Xu Tingsheng swatted that person flying.

“Xu Tingsheng!”

Xu Tingsheng turned on the lights and saw Miss Xiang in a strange get-up. She was wearing pointy bugles on all ten fingers...looking furious whilst pitiful as she sat on the floor.

“You hit me! Sob...my butt hurts...now it’s even more uneven.”

“Falling down once on each side, it should be even now, right?”

“...They’re the same side.”

“Who asked you to suddenly run over...I also didn’t know it was you,” Xu Tingsheng defended himself.

“Huh? Who else could it be if not me? Are you dreaming, Xu Tingsheng?”

“I was wrong, I was wrong,” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly evaded the topic, got off his bed and carried her, “Still, if you’re learning about dating, you can’t learn from horror films!”

As he said that, Xu Tingsheng bit off one of the bugles on her fingers...

Miss Xiang petulantly stuffed the remaining nine into his mouth all at once.

Going to bed again, Xiang Ning already had no way of lying properly. She wanted to sleep in a prone position, yet was afraid of pressuring and spoiling her chest which had just grown a little with great difficulty. And so she could only sleep sideways, half her body resting in Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

“My butt hurts,” She said in his arms.

“What to do?”

“Rub it for me.”

Chapter 625: Paris Fashion Week

Chapter 625: Paris Fashion Week

On Sunday afternoon, Xiang Ning who had watched movies for two days straight was rushing her homework in closed retreat in the study.

Du Jin who had previously made a trip home returned.

She had supposedly gone for a blind date. Still, from how she looked, it did not seem to have been successful.

This is actually pretty interesting. Generally speaking, when men go on a blind date and see a beautiful woman, they will probably never imagine no matter what that that lady could actually take down ten of them in an instant, right?

If they knew...would they still go on this date?

“You should consider settling it within the industry,” Xu Tingsheng smiled cheerily.

“I’m not looking for those in the same line. Also, this is my personal matter. Please pay less heed to it, Young Master,” Du Jin said somberly.

The conversation ended just like that.

Du Jin was always respectful but distant from Xu Tingsheng. When they were sitting together, there was basically nothing they would talk about.

Today was different, however. Xu Tingsheng had actually had something weighing on his mind for a while.

He thought about it and ventured, “Du Jin, what level are you considered as being at in your industry?”

“So-so,” Du Jin said expressionlessly.

“Didn’t you receive some special training? Your brother said that in some situations, you’re much more professional than them.”

“Yes. Still, if we are to compare it with others, it’s still so-so.”

“I see,” Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit and asked, “Then, for someone to be capable of kidnapping a living being away from your side without alerting you, say a human or a dog...what level would he have to be at?”

Du Jing’s expression stiffened, “Without alerting me, you say?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“That would be very difficult,” Du Jin said, “There are basically three possibilities. First, this person is quite famous amongst professional bodyguards. Second, some elites from foreign mercenary troops could also do it, but not too many of them. Third would be bodyguards who are raised by some big families with histories. It’s usually very difficult to understand this sort of person.”

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng nodded, his brows knit tightly as he no longer said anything.

Of the three possibilities Du Jin had just mentioned, if he were asked which he were feared the most, the answer would be number two, the elite mercenaries.

“Dongdong?” Du Jin suddenly asked, then continued, “What you just said, together with how you suddenly asked me where Dongdong was once...so, this incident has really happened before, at the Xiang family home?”

Xu Tingsheng glanced at the tightly closed study door and nodded.

To his surprise, Du Jin suddenly got up and knelt down in front of him, saying, “Sorry, Young Master. I didn’t do my job properly. Sometimes, I am too relaxed when I am with Young Mistress. I treat myself too much like an ordinary person.”

Was this trained in Japan? It was really too formal. Xu Tingsheng hurriedly supported her up, indicating for her not to make a fuss about it.

Then, he said, “It’s okay. Don’t be nervous. Still, you can’t tell anyone about this, understand? Your brother, my Dad included...everyone.”

“Understood,” Du Jin replied very professionally before saying, “I will make sure to raise my guard in the future. Also, I’d like to ask...in emergency situations, can I resort to arms?”

She indeed had a gun!

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “Right now, the other party still won’t resort to inflicting direct harm. Let me deal with this. You don’t have to be so nervous. I only asked you about this to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.”

Du Jin nodded as she seemed about to say something.

“What are you two talking about?” The door of the study opened as Xiang Ning emerged.

Xu Tingsheng hastily changed his expression and answered, “We were talking about movies. Are you done with your homework?”

Xiang Ning shook her head, saying, “Not yet. Big Sis You sent me a message, telling me that she got her friend to send me clothes. They’ve already arrived in Yanzhou.”

“Clothes?”

“Right, the custom-made ones, for wearing to Paris Fashion Week. You wouldn’t have forgotten, right?”

“Oh, that. No, of course I haven’t forgotten,” Xu Tingsheng said, “So, you’re really going?”

“Yeah. It just happens to fall on the eleventh. Big Sis You specially invited me. She’s even prepared clothes for me. Also, I’ve never gone overseas before. Also, I want to go…” Xiang Ning’s eyes were filled with longing.

“Alright then,” Xu Tingsheng had no way of refusing her as he replied rather helplessly.

In truth, he had always felt that You Qinglan was very strange and seemed to be after something. So, he had always been inwardly unwilling to associate too much with her.

First, You Qinglan had definitely not been an international supermodel in his previous life...so, it was virtually definite that she had been flapped out by Xu Tingsheng’s butterfly wings. In that case, where exactly did the connection between the two lie?

Next, she had gotten close time and time again, yet clearly not out of interest towards Xu Tingsheng himself...where exactly did her motive lie?

Finally, she was really paying too much attention to Xiang Ning, even more than she was concerned about Xu Tingsheng himself...this was not normal.

“What exactly does she want to do? Does she have bad intentions? It’s probably going to be revealed this time round. Let’s take a look then,” Xu Tingsheng thought that if it was some minor trouble, it was back to take care of it first when he still had the decisive battle with Zhou Yuandai to be concerned about for the future.

Soon, Du Jin accompanied Xiang Ning outside to collect the custom-made clothes and returned.

There were seven full sets of clothes.

Then, Xiang Ning received a call from You Qinglan as they first discussed some time-related matters. Next, You Qinglan began to instruct Xiang Ning on the intricacies of wearing those seven sets of clothes, including accessories, hairstyle choice as well as differing locations.

You Qinglan had even prepared Xiang Ning’s casual wear for her time in Paris. In her words: During the fashion week, even if you’re just turning a corner on the streets of Paris, you should be prepared to be photographed. Be in the state of a model at any time.

Xiang Ning was very excited. It was Paris Fashion Week! All women would probably long for it.

“Here, Big Sis You is asking for you,” Xiang Ning passed her handphone over to Xu Tingsheng.

Rather surprised, Xu Tingsheng took it.

“Don’t be so worried. The itinerary I have arranged for Xiang Ning is all not too conspicuous. Meanwhile, if you wish to protect Xiang Ning, stay low key yourself! You’re a newsworthy person,” You Qinglan said.

“Got it. Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I’ve never had any thought of hurting Xiang Ning,” You Qinglan suddenly said frankly.

Taken aback, Xu Tingsheng said, “I hope so. Otherwise…”

“No need to go to the trouble of threatening me. I have heard before of just how ruthless Boss Xu is,” You Qinglan said sarcastically and hung up.

Xu Tingsheng was bewildered. Have I ever provoked you?!

……

1st October. Xu Tingsheng brought Xiang Ning out of the country.

Going overseas for the first time, the young lady was nervous and excited too. She had even specifically prepared an autograph book. When asked why, she said she had watched many movies recently and recognised many celebrities. Who knew? She might be able to run into some.

Xu Tingsheng felt so helpless...even now, Miss Xiang still had no sense of pride regarding status whatsoever!

On this trip, they would first go to America before departing for Paris on a plane on the 4th.

Xu Tingsheng had two things to do in America.

First was to record a single for Apple’s new album.

Second was to meet with Wayne Yang and go for a look around a few banks on Wall Street if possible.

Chapter 626: Listening to Xu Tingsheng lament

Chapter 626: Listening to Xu Tingsheng lament

Xu Tingsheng had allocated fewer than 24 hours in his schedule for Apple’s team to record the song and shoot the MV. Fortunately, all of it had been discussed beforehand as all preparations were complete over there, only awaiting his arrival.

Leaving the airport, it was Apple and her driver who came to pick them up. She had not brought even her assistant and manager over as she was not wearing makeup too.

Sitting in the car, Xu Tingsheng detected a slight change as he listened to Xiang Ning and Apple chatting in the backseat.

When interacting with Xiang Ning, Apple no longer felt like she was being defiant and in a huff as she had become very natural. It was not that she felt nothing at all. Still, even if it was like feeling a sense of melancholy from seeing the current girlfriend of one’s ex but still bearing goodwill, it was much more comfortable for Xu Tingsheng than before.

This made him feel much calmer and at ease.

The song was split into two parts. The recording for Apple’s part had already been completed beforehand. She had apparently learnt from a Huangmei opera expert residing in America for several days before entering the recording studio.

As Xu Tingsheng was recording the song, Xiang Ning and Apple were watching him together from outside through the glass.

On his first attempt, Xu Tingsheng went off-key several times.

On his second attempt, the sound recordist said that there were still two parts where he had gone off-key.

His third attempt was worse than the first.

Xu Tingsheng finally learnt how rigorous it actually was for true professional singers to record their albums. Fortunately, he had only sang for fun and only a few times before. No one had minded his tonal accuracy then. Who knew how much flak he might have drawn otherwise?

After his fourth attempt, he already felt a little like giving up.

Apple came over and spoke with the sound recordist before keeping the score on the recording table and telling Xu Tingsheng, “I’ve told the recordist. You don’t have to be concerned with accuracy. You don’t have to be afraid of flaws too. Just work at expressing how you feel…”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “That’s okay too?”

“Of course,” Apple smiled, “You’re the one who wrote the song. It’s fine however you say it’s supposed to be. Also, I think everyone is actually like myself, preferring to hear your emotions...that flavour and tone.”

“Flavour? What tone?” Xu Tingsheng did not have self-awareness regarding this.

Feeling quite helpless, Apple booted up the laptop on the table and searched for a page, saying, “This was written by a music evaluator after your performance at Yanzhou Senior High’s school anniversary. Look at it for yourself.”

Xu Tingsheng went over to look at it, as did Xiang Ning.

[The other singer’s voice was on the low side and a bit hoarse.

When the voices interchanged, people found that while this voice might not sound as good as the one from before, it was more mature, seemingly carrying the endless vicissitudes of time. It seemed able to give consolation to the loneliness from the previous voice…

This voice gave off a strange, unique sort of feeling. It was like as soon as he opened his mouth, people instinctively felt that he was narrating an incomparably distant story…

How distant exactly?

Maybe as distant as the vast seas and the endless fields alongside the cycles of life, death and rebirth.

All of a sudden, I realised why the name of this band is ‘Rebirth’.]

Scrolling down, there was actually one more line in this commentary. Xu Tingsheng glanced at it and immediately closed the webpage.

“Vicissitudes of time? Am I that old? Rubbish. I’ll go in and try again.”

Xu Tingsheng entered the recording studio.

Xiang Ning reopened the page he had closed.

The last line of the commentary: Considering that he’s still so young, this feeling of agedness must come from deep experiences in some area. For example, he was in many relationships but was dumped many times. Alright, it should be that he has loved before and lost before.

Through the glass, Xu Tingsheng saw the two girls clutching their tummies and laughing though he could not hear what they were saying.

Actually, Xiang Ning had said, “The vicissitudes of time? I don’t really know. Still, he really seems to suddenly turn into an old man sometimes. He’s a bit strange then. Still, he’s particularly doting and devoted whenever that happens.”

Apple froze a bit, actually having the same feeling too. Sometimes, she felt like she was a child being cared for and doted upon in front of Xu Tingsheng. What was different, though, was that every time this happened, she always felt like he was a bit distracted.

“His past vicissitudes...do not include me. Yet they include Xiang Ning?”

After Xu Tingsheng emerged from the fifth recording, the sound recordist played it back once and said, “It’s fine.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “It still feels like it’s lacking something.”

Apple said, “It lacks the lament of those vicissitudes.”

The three opened a bottle of red wine. Xu Tingsheng drank half of it in a few mouthfuls.

Maybe because the heavens had not given him a very good voice just like the original writer and singer of this song, Chen Sheng, his voice was too earnest to the point of lacking a bit of flavour when he was recording. It was inferior to when he was at some scenes, drunk on singing and having attained a state of forgetting oneself.

Xu Tingsheng sang his sixth attempt in a semi-inebriated state and achieved the desired feeling.

He sang:

“In a vacant daze for a mere instant,

A short illusory dream of twenty years,

What remains, knowing neither love nor feelings.

The one writing the song is pretentious,

The one listening to the song most merciless,

But what I most love is natural…”

He was so into it, scenes from this life and his previous circulating in his mind as he lamented of the vicissitudes of time.

Xiang Ning grew distracted as she listened to it.

“In this world, what is agonising is fearing that I cannot meet you; if you ask me what I’m afraid of, it’s a fear of being unable to meet you-is it because of this that you came to find me so early?”

“Xu Tingsheng, Xu Tingsheng...why do such an unreasonable you exist in this world who like me?”

Apple too grew distracted. Still, her mind was lingering on another portion: As rain pours outside the peony pavilion, no one can say who returned. Had someone returned? Say clearly-oh where have you placed my heart?

“This is clearly what I want to say, Xu Tingsheng.”

Xu Tingsheng emerged from recording.

The sound recordist asked if he wanted to listen to it.

Xu Tingsheng said, “No need.”

He knew that he had perfectly captured the feeling at that moment...also, he would not be able to capture it again. He knew that he would never be able to do better than that no matter what. He even felt that he must have surpassed how Chen Sheng had expressed it in his album in his previous life...though it might not be able to surpass one of his laid-back casual performances.

Switching locations while drunk, Xu Tingsheng shot the MV too.

As there was limited time, the scenes were very simple. It was a small teahouse. Apple was on the stage, a lesser-known Huangmei opera singer singing <<Emperor's Female Son-in-law>>. Sitting at a square table in the corner, Xu Tingsheng was the only spectator.

Meeting for the first time, listening to one song, singing a song together and then parting.

The entire recording process took less than six hours, much less than what had originally been scheduled. Still in the mood to play, Xiang Ning excitedly sang whatever in the recording studio.

The sound recordist dutifully recorded and said that they could help her put it on a CD.

Xu Tingsheng and Apple watched her enjoying herself through the glass.

At one point, Apple gazed over and saw the side of Xu Tingsheng’s face. She saw that his attention was fully focused on that young girl. There was a shine in his eyes and a doting look on his face.

“The company held a meeting to analyse your song after receiving it. The director told us that the song’s contents involved <<Emperor's Female Son-in-law>>, <<The World Inside a Pillow>> and <<Peony Pavilion>>. After that, everyone was puzzled as to why it’s called <<Outside the Peony Pavilion>>,” Apple asked Xu Tingsheng.

“In <<Peony Pavilion>>, the lovers had a happy ending. Meanwhile, what this song speaks of is outside the peony pavilion.”

Apple was taken aback, “So, you’ve really missed out on someone before? Why don’t I know about this? Was it in tenth or eleventh grade?”

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a moment before he smiled, saying, “The one writing the song is pretentious.”

“You mean that you randomly made it up?”

“More or less.”

When Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning were leaving the recording studio, Apple caught up with them and asked, “Are you sure that the MV can be broadcasted? What I mean is-do you really intend to show your face now?”

“Don’t add the label of Rebirth to it, and don’t be unnecessarily concerned about this,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’m already an unavoidable public figure. Showing my face like this might instead lower the attention paid purely towards my career. Also, Xingchen is actually a business based on our customer base. If I as the boss can help to raise our popularity by performing now and then in my free time, that would be pretty good."

“Right,” Apple said, “Thank you.”

Chapter 627: Too disturbing a sight

Chapter 627: Too disturbing a sight

Xu Tingsheng met Wayne Yang after dinner. Because he didn’t feel safe letting Xiang Ning be alone but also didn’t want to bring her for business talks, the meeting location was set at their hotel lobby. The two sat down for a cup of coffee there.

“Just this, Boss Xu?” Wayne Yang said hi to two Western girls in the lobby after entering and then began to begrudge Xu Tingsheng.

“What more do you want?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “You didn’t get anything done at all.”

There had still been no progress made regarding investing in Apple as Wayne Yang said a bit despondently, “It looks like I’ve got no chance of getting that commission of yours. There were two minor Apple shareholders who would possibly sell their shares that I very nearly convinced for you. But in the end, I was intercepted twice in succession right at the endgame…tell me, am I unlucky, or is there somebody targeting you?”

In saying so, he was pushing the responsibility back onto Xu Tingsheng. Both were clear that Xu Tingsheng had been targeted by someone when trying to invest in Facebook previously.

Still, Xu Tingsheng was well aware that it was Apple’s Dad who had acted against him in the matter of Facebook. However, it was definitely not him this time. In that case, it had to be Zhou Yuandai.

“Making a move on Symbian in seeking to work with Nokia whilst also not giving up on Apple? Oh, indeed a moneybags.”

This time, Xu Tingsheng had done both real and illusory in front of Zhou Yuandai. Openly paving a path while smuggling a boat in secret...he was actually waiting for the boat to be discovered as he ultimately wished to proceed with the path.

Logically speaking, the majority of people would be affected by this.

Still, this was not the case for Zhou Yuandai. She simply didn’t care about real or illusory at all as she accepted all that was thrown at her. The method of breaking technique with power truly made one feel helpless. It was established upon Zhou Yuandai’s substantial funds and connections.

How was he supposed to set up such a Zhou Yuandai for failure?

Because of this, when meeting with the managers of a few Wall Street banks introduced by Wayne Yang the next day, Xu Tingsheng did not dare to make any actual decisions. He only sought to convey: Xu Tingsheng wanted to move his funds to Wall Street.

He believed that this message would quickly reach Zhou Yuandai’s ears. What remained was to see if she would follow him into this and how she might do so.

Here, Wayne Yang was already not so enthusiastic. He didn’t have to cling solely to Xu Tingsheng in the first place. Now that he had spent a lot of time and failed to secure a commission, also having introduced people to Xu Tingsheng, it was really difficult to ensure that Xu Tingsheng would not directly bypass him when he truly injected funds, causing it all to have been for naught.

“It’s been tough on you over this period of time. How about this? Find a buyer in America and help me to sell the overseas copyright for <<Plants Vs Zombies>>,” Xu Tingsheng offered a sweet at the appropriate moment.

Wayne Yang’s eyes shone, “Really?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Of course it’s true.”

“Thank you. I guarantee the price will leave you satisfied,” Wayne Yang naturally understood that this was Xu Tingsheng compensating him, because the overseas copyright for <<Plants Versus Zombies>> was really too easy to sell.

The Western world’s passion for this game even surpassed that in China, just like their passion for the apocalypse and disasters. Also, these countries were relatively better at protecting copyright. So, the value of legitimate copyrights also far surpassed that within China.

Wayne Yang gratefully left as he pondered: Xu Tingsheng is a pretty nice guy. How about I stop selling information about him in the future? Erm...what if the price offered is very high? Forget it, he should know that I do this for a living. What should be sold should still be sold.

He did not know that there was actually one reason besides his connections that Xu Tingsheng was associating with him. It was that information that reached him would definitely be broadcasted very covertly…

This was precisely the effect Xu Tingsheng wanted.

……

The next afternoon, Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning flew to Paris.

You Qinglan who logically should be very busy came over to pick them up in person before the three of them went to eat dinner together.

French food tasted quite good and the restaurant You Qinglan had chosen was quite high-end as well. It was just that the portions for each dish were smaller. Xiang Ning ate very happily, immediately waiting in anticipation for the next dish after finishing each one…his hunger barely satiated by the small quantity of each dish, Xu Tingsheng was waiting in anticipation as well.

You Qinglan had a cup of plain water in front of her. On her plate were three or four cucumber slices and a yellow peach that was cut into four.

“Is that all you’re eating?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

You Qinglan nodded.

“Aren’t you hungry at night?”

“I’m used to it.”

“Do you usually eat like this too?”

“More or less.”

Eating a small piece of cake in a single mouthful, Xiang Ning said, “Woah. I won’t want to be a supermodel anymore.”

You Qinglan smiled, saying, “I won’t be one in another two years. I think I’ll eat till I’m fat then.”

“Right,” Xiang Ning said, “I’ll accompany you to eat when the time comes.”

“We’re agreed then,” You Qinglan simply watched the ravenous Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning.

After dinner, You Qinglan said to Xu Tingsheng, “During the fashion week, it’s never so easy to book all the slightly more high-end hotels. Also, if celebrities are staying there, there’ll be many reporters and it won’t be convenient...I have taken the liberty of helping you book a family hotel that’s run by a French Chinese. It’s mainly visitors from China who stay there. This doesn’t include any attention-seeking yet nameless celebrities, though. Well, what do you think?”

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Can the boss speak Chinese?”

You Qinglan nodded.

Xu Tingsheng said, “That’s fine then.”

He and Xiang Ning were both pretty adaptable with regard to material conditions. It was fine as long as the place they stayed at was convenient.

You Qinglan drove them to the entrance of the hotel, picked up a call and said, “I won’t send the two of you up. For the events Xiang Ning will be attending over the next few days, I’ll get my assistant to bring her over. During the remaining time, please take good care of Little Xiang Ning yourself, Boss Xu.”“Alright. Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Actually, rather than the fashion week itself, he would be happier bringing Xiang Ning to roam the streets...in his plans regarding the future, there were many places he wanted to go to with her.

“This is the programme schedule that my assistant helped to make for Xiang Ning,” You Qinglan passed Xu Tingsheng an A4-sized sheet of paper.

Xu Tingsheng glanced at it and saw several famous brands right away.

Of course, there were some that he simply didn’t recognise.

“What brand is this? We’re even sitting in the first row?” Xu Tingsheng pointed at one part of the programme schedule.

“It isn’t for any brand. This is the exclusive space for a top-class designer. She’s a good friend of mine. As I’m the main model there, I was able to help arrange a better position for you two,” You Qinglan said as she looked at Xu Tingsheng.

“Oh,” Looking at the Italian name on that programme schedule that he did not know how to accurately pronounce, Xu Tingsheng did not ask further about what he simply would not be unable to comprehend.

After You Qinglan had left, Xu Tingsheng quickly completed the check-in procedures and moved the luggage with Xiang Ning to their room.

As he left the room to collect the two remaining pieces of luggage, a familiar figure emerged from the lift.

The figure glanced at him, turned and hastened away.

Xu Tingsheng went after him and asked, “Huang Yaming, why are you freaking running?”

Huang Yaming helplessly stopped in his tracks.

Hearing this, Xiang Ning exited the room and came to stand beside Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng asked, “Why are you here too?”

“If the two of you can come, why can’t I come to broaden my horizons and look at beauties?” Huang Yaming asked, “I’m an entertainment magnate now, okay.”

“Why did you run then?” Xu Tingsheng closed in on him, “Did you bring some minor celebrity over?”

“Who? What celebrity? Let me see if I know her,” Xiang Ning chimed in from the side.

Huang Yaming resolutely shook his head, saying, “I didn’t.”

Not believing him, Xu Tingsheng smiled, asking, “You’re staying here too, right? Come, let me have a look at your room.”

“I’m not staying here,” Huang Yaming said.

“What’s this then?” Xu Tingsheng snatched the room cards he was holding, “Wow, two of them even.”

He took the room cards and found the two neighbouring rooms.

He opened the first one. It was empty.

He opened the second one…

“There’s two!”

Two women appeared before Xu Tingsheng. They were clearly at a loss at the sudden appearance of a stranger.

Of the two women, one was probably in her late thirties and the other around twenty. They could both be considered beautiful. The quality of the clothes they were wearing now were also quite good…

Still, Xu Tingsheng could tell from their reserved expressions, panicked eyes and clear lack of skincare etcetera that these two people should lead simple lives, not having seen much of the world.

In other words, their living conditions should not be all that good.

“What’s this?”

As a rather befuddled Xu Tingsheng was wondering about the situation, he heard the younger girl in the room call out softly to the older woman in a nervous, uneasy tone, “Mum.”

“...”

It was really too disturbing a sight.

“Xiang Ning, close your eyes, cover your ears and go back to the room first,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What is it?”

“Just go back first. I have something to discuss with Huang Yaming.”

Chapter 628: Custom-made wife

Chapter 628: Custom-made wife

Xu Tingsheng frightened the two in the room as he yelled for Xiang Ning to go back.

The younger and older beauty clung to each other for support, looking nervously and uneasily at him.

“Um, you...you two can take a rest too. It’s fine. I’m an acquaintance of his. We’ll just be chatting in the next room.”

Before he was completely unable to stand it, Xu Tingsheng returned to that empty room at once.

Huang Yaming pacified the two before coming after him, saying resentfully as he entered the room, “So unlucky, so unlucky. I even specifically found someone to book a small family hotel...and I still ran into you. Shouldn’t you have brought your girlfriend to stay at some luxurious hotel? So unlucky, so unlucky.”

“Enough already. Close the door,” Xu Tingsheng said, “If I didn’t run into you, I wouldn’t have known how daring you are.”

Huang Yaming sighed, “What do you mean daring? There’s only a pile of sweat and tears here.”

“Scram,” Xu Tingsheng said, “First, tell me what’s going on...”

“What do you mean what’s going on? Didn’t you see that I booked two rooms?” Huang Yaming argued vehemently.

“Don’t change the topic. Just tell me what’s going on. Those two women don’t really look right to me,” Xu Tingsheng found it too awkward to call them mother and daughter.

Huang Yaming thought about it and said, “Actually, she is a surrogate mother that a friend who lives in a distant area found for me after things with the one from Qingbei fell through.”

“Surrogate mother?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “The older or the younger one? Or...have you not decided yet?”

“Of course it’s that young one!” Huang Yaming exclaimed indignantly, “I’m only twenty-two, okay? That girl’s nineteen.”

“What’s this about then?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Why had he brought her to Paris, and along with her mother too?

Huang Yaming said, “It’s a long story.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I have time.”

“Anyway, a friend went to a faraway district to handle the bankruptcy of a factory. In the process, he found me a surrogate mother...it’s that younger girl. My friend took a few photos to show me and I felt that it was still okay. So he brought her over to meet me. Feeling worried, her mother came along as well.”

“What happened then?”

“Then, I met with that girl-right, her name’s Han Xiu. I met with Han Xiu and chatted with her once. Can you guess what I discovered in the end?”

“Get to the point.”

“A blank sheet of paper. Han Xiu’s entirely like a blank sheet of paper, you know?”

“Are you sure you’re talking about a blank sheet of paper and not an idiot?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “In this day and age, can there still be a girl like a sheet of blank paper at twenty years of age? Her looks are pretty good too…”

Xu Tingsheng recalled that Han Xiu was indeed very well-endowed. Pale skin, intricate features, even a pretty good height and figure. From the glow in her eyes, besides having seen less of the world, she should not be stupid.

“You don’t understand...they’re from an especially backward and out-of-the-way county. It’s poor to the point that there aren’t even many farmers. Those living in the county originally more or less all depended on a state-run factory for their livelihoods.”

“Han Xiu’s father worked at the factory. He was probably an honest, timid man. Because his wife was really too outstanding in that small place, he did not dare to let her go out to work and got her to stay at home everyday.”

“After studying till seventh grade in the factory school, that school closed down, and so she stopped studying and went back to accompany her mother at home everyday. The two of them are even able to do embroidery, what they embroider really appearing lifelike, you know?”

“I don’t care about embroidery. What happened next?” Xu Tingsheng pressed impatiently.

Huang Yaming sorted out his thoughts and said, “You know about the wave of unemployment in the nineties, right? A large group of people at the state-run factory was unemployed. In the end, that place completely devolved into chaos. Prostitution, gambling, drugs...illegal activity begun.”

“Han Xiu’s father retained his position, just that he dared not let his wife and daughter go out even more. Just like that, his whole family could still live on his wages. Sadly, he met with an accident less than two years later.”

“He was rushed to the hospital. The factory said that they had no money for the time being but would definitely compensate them after. They asked them to go borrow it themselves. Since there was the compensation promise from the factory and everyone knew the family to be honest, they really managed to borrow the sum.”

“All in all, they borrowed close to a hundred thousand worth of medical fees...in the end, they were still unable to save the man. All that remained were this mother and daughter who dared not even talk loudly when outside the house.”

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while before he asked, “It’s been several years, right? How have they managed over this time?”

“The factory would give them some living expenses every month. They barely scraped by using this and money they earned by selling embroidery as they waited for the compensation to repay their debt with…” Huang Yaming said, “In the end, they never got their compensation. The factory went bankrupt.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng was lost for words.

“Upon learning that the factory had gone bankrupt, their debtors immediately surrounded this mother and daughter. They didn’t even let them look for work, for fear that they would run off,” Huang Yaming said, “In my friend’s words, if there weren’t so many debtors, the two of them would have been split long ago.”

“How about I start a crowdfunding for them? Or directly pay that sum of money and be done with it,” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“It’s just a hundred thousand. I’ve repaid it for them with interest. They’d never have been let out of there otherwise,” Huang Yaming said, “It was like this. When my friend went over to handle some matters regarding the factory’s bankruptcy, mother and daughter happened to be standing at the factory’s entrance, crying...seeing that Han Xiu’s looks were pretty good, learning of the difficult situation they were in...he told them about me looking for a surrogate. He also showed Han Xiu my picture and introduced to them what school I am in and whatnot.”

“She agreed?”

“Yeah. The two of them spent a night considering it and agreed...only that Han Xiu’s mother asked if it was alright if she was the one who gave birth.”

Thinking that it would be bad to laugh at a point like this, Xu Tingsheng worked hard to suppress his laughter.

“My friend said that probably because my looks are not bad and they don’t know about my bad reputation, only knowing that I’m a university student who’s soon to graduate...it probably felt more like matchmaking to Han Xiu, that being the reason she agreed,” Huang Yaming said.

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng believed that Han Xiu might really have thought of this as matchmaking. If so, Huang Yaming’s looks and educational background should be quite attractive to her. Moreover, he would even be able to save she and her mother from bitter hardship.

“The problem is that for this sort of thing, you’re supposed to say bye bye to the person after she has given birth. She may not have thought of it now, but when the day really comes when she has to separate from her own flesh and blood...would she be able to take it?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“That’s not the only problem. If they went out to find jobs, she and her mother would also have no way of surviving,” Huang Yaming said.

“Well, anyway...why have you brought them to Paris?”

Glancing at Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming lowered his head and chuckled for a bit, not knowing whether he should find it interesting or awkward.

He got up and poured two glasses of wine, giving one to Xu Tingsheng as he asked, “Care to venture a guess?”

“How would I be able to?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Huang Yaming smiled and clinked glasses with Xu Tingsheng, saying, “That day, after chatting with Han Xiu and sending her back to the hotel, saying goodbye and parting just like after a matchmaking session. I went home, and I didn’t sleep that night. To be honest, regarding sleeping with women, I have never been so conflicted before. I thought about it all the way till nearly daylight. Only then did I hit upon the perfect idea...I can marry her.”

“Marry her...what, marry her?”

“Not now, but in the future...I intend to custom-make myself a wife,” Huang Yaming said.

“Custom-make?”

“Right! Isn’t Han Xiu a blank piece of paper? Her age is enough too. So, I felt that this really is none other than a heaven-sent gift! Why would I still need a surrogate mother? I can completely mould her, molding a perfect wife!”

Huang Yaming downed the wine and continued excitedly, “She’s beautiful, isn’t she? Her foundation is good. There’s no need to worry too much about that. I just need to get someone to teach her to maintain herself, put on makeup and dress up. The main thing is that she’s studied a little less and knows even less...still, it’s not like she’s illiterate! She studied till seventh grade. Also, she’s still young. There’s completely enough time.”

“First, I made a library card for her at the city library, getting people to make a progressive book list for her to read. At first, the plan was for me to teach her what she doesn’t know on my own. It’s even better now. Since you know about it, we can just find a reason and let her listen in at your training institutes.”

“Then, I let her watch movies, watch dramas, learn to eat Western food, learn formalities and rites, learn the piano, learn dance, broaden her horizons…”

“You brought her to Paris to broaden her horizons?” Xu Tingsheng interrupted him.

“That’s right. Didn’t you say a while ago that you were coming to Paris? I thought about it. Since I have nothing to do over this period, I thought I’d start to broaden her horizons by bringing her here…” Huang Yaming said, “Her mother insisted on coming too. She’s probably afraid of me selling Han Xiu.”

“Will this work?” Unable to wrap his head around this idea, Xu Tingsheng asked in puzzlement.

“Who can know if I don’t try? This will surely be beneficial to her future anyway, right?” Huang Yaming was not all that certain too.

“What do you think is the benefit of having a wife that you personally moulded?”

“I believe that people do not become bad so quickly. At least, I believe that Han Xiu’s simple, pure and authentic nature can be preserved for a very long time. In terms of relationships, this might be a bit selfish, but she only has me in her heart. I’m the only one in her world while she is grateful to me, looks up to me, likes me…”

“Like this, as I dote on her and treat her well, I at least don’t have to be afraid of her harbouring other motives! She can help me as well. At least, she can be my harbour mentally. Since I am strong enough, there just needs to be a single place where I can be at peace.”

“This…”

“Very pitiful, right?” Huang Yaming laughed, “So, that’s why I said that I only have sweat and tears! I even have to make my own wife.”

It was actually very difficult for Xu Tingsheng to make a judgment and appraisal regarding this.

If Huang Yaming had wanted to treat mother and daughter as playthings, Xu Tingsheng would have stopped him.

Still, now, if one were to say that Huang Yaming had robbed her of her freedom to grow, wouldn’t that be unfair? She was in a better state than she would ever have been. Was it definitely detrimental for her future? If one were to say that this was not love, who could say, with absolute certainty, that this would not be love in the future? How many natural encounters ended up as love in the end? Also, how hard to come by was this sort of complete trust and reliance? Moreover, who could dare to say for sure that Han Xiu would not thus be happy?

As for Huang Yaming, one should not forget that he had once dearly loved such a Tan Qingling.

Unable to reason it out, Xu Tingsheng gave up on it as he asked, “What do you specifically have in mind after this?”

“Just like this, working hard to mould that blank sheet of paper while looking after her mother as well. Asking her to help cook at home or whatnot is also pretty good...relax, I won’t be a beast. Being a beast would mean personally tainting and destroying my very own wife-raising plan.”

Huang Yaming next said something that was especially devastating, “This year...I’ll treat it like I’m raising a daughter.”

Xu Tingsheng felt like spitting out blood.

“Although everyone laughs at you, if it’s possible, I’d actually like to learn from you, devotedly and foolishly waiting for a single person...it’s actually very fulfilling that way, right?” Huang Yaming asked emotionally, “Say, your situation is actually pretty similar to mine, isn’t it?”

“It’s not the same,” Xu Tingsheng said firmly, emphasising on each word.

He actually very much wished to say that although he had indeed given Xiang Ning a bit more protection these past three years, he had not deliberately moulded or changed her in any way. Before she turned seventeen, he had also not intervened in her growth in an all-encompassing manner. So, Xiang Ning had still grown at her own pace into what she had been like in his previous life upon the foundation of those fourteen years in her life without Xu Tingsheng.

The problem was that there was no way of explaining this to Huang Yaming because it was impossible for him to know what Xiang Ning should be like, had been like.

“What about you then?” In order to keep Huang Yaming from asking, Xu Tingsheng seized the preemptive.

“Me? How would I still have the leisure to go out to drink and make merry daily?” Huang Yaming asked, “I’m busy raising my daughter! Actually, the main thing is that my heart isn’t so empty anymore. What a great feeling.”

“What about the matchmaking on television that you promised?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“At the time, can’t I just get Han Xiu to participate, going on stage to claim me?’ Huang Yaming replied.

The two chatted for a long time till Xiang Ning sent a message and hastened Xu Tingsheng to come back. Throughout the entire process, Xu Tingsheng did not comment on whether Huang Yaming’s wife-raising plan was correct or wrong, much less mentioned that name: Chen Jingqi.

There was no need to do so. Simply because it was true love, there was no necessity for one’s hands to be stained in fresh blood as they picked up the broken shards of glass on the floor, seeking to piece it all back together...there was also no broken mirror which, pieced back together, did not have cracks.

Chapter 629: Designer's space

Chapter 629: Designer’s space

For most of the next day, they travelled together as a group of five.

Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning had originally planned to use this day to rest as they had no plans to go to any events. Huang Yaming had obtained fewer invitations from his connections.

Going overseas for the first time, being in a completely foreign environment and unfamiliar with the language, one would generally feel on tenterhooks and lack a sense of security. There were many people on the streets of Paris. There were men in skirts and bright nail polish and women who were basically not wearing much, their varied get-ups a sight to behold.

Even Xiang Ning who had always been vivacious had her arm in Xu Tingsheng’s as she dared not run around randomly.

Xu Tingsheng paid attention to that mother and daughter, seeing if it was really as Huang Yaming had said and they were really like two blank sheets of paper after having stayed at home for so many years.

Mother and daughter looked very alike. Han Xiu probably did not take after her father much.

One had to say that some people’s natural beauty really made one jealous. Despite not having done any maintenance, her mother did not seem old at all. When walking together with her daughter, the two of them seemed more like sisters than mother and daughter.

She had a kind of frailness and modesty that was already very rare in modern society. Still, her eyes and her entire body’s posture made it very easy to sense that she was always maintaining her vigilance.

It was just that there was a sort of determination amidst this vigilance and protection. It felt like ‘even if I myself am actually very scared too, I’ll clench my teeth, close my eyes and go all out’.

If a wild hare on the plains discovered that there was a hawk in the sky, they would usually take off and flee. Still, sometimes, because there were little rabbits behind it, they would also bravely gaze at the sky, shivering as they ‘overestimated their abilities’ and readied themselves to send a good kick at the hawk.

‘Overestimating one’s abilities’ like this was actually very admirable. Xu Tingsheng had a pretty good opinion of her.

Han Xiu was different. She maintained the naivety and romanticism of a young girl. Frequently, Xu Tingsheng was able to see a glow in her eyes which showed she was actually very excited.

She was like a child who was seeing something new, feeling excited as she wished to reach out to touch and feel it. Yet at the same time, she could not help but feel afraid and uneasy.

At times like this, her gaze would fall on Huang Yaming…

This gaze contained trust and reliance. She also seemed to look up to Huang Yaming like he had said, unconsciously feeling that there was nothing he could not do.

“It’s just like a little girl seeing a devil,” Xiang Ning secretly leaned in and whispered to Xu Tingsheng.

Actually, even Xiang Ning had always been a little afraid of Huang Yaming. This was related to how Huang Yaming had yelled at her fiercely at the hospital twice in the past and how he always emitted a dangerous aura nowadays.

This dude was no benevolent soul.

“A little girl seeing a devil? What do you mean by that?” Xu Tingsheng leaned into Xiang Ning’s ear and asked her, nibbling gently on her eartip while he was at it.

Her eartip being super sensitive, Miss Xiang cried out delicately and glared at ruffian Uncle before she said, “Adults run when they see devils. Little girls are insensible. Rather than immediately fleeing, they even run over, wanting to touch the horns on his head.”

Xu Tingsheng could not help but marvel at how accurate Miss Xiang’s analogy was.

Han Xiu was that little girl who did not know how perilous her predicament was. Following this, it was also unknown if the devil Huang Yaming would make use of this chance to gobble her up or choose to bend down, letting her stroke his horns.

Huang Yaming’s eyes were full of doting. If Han Xiu was interested in anything, he would step forward and communicate with others with his English which he had scored seventy for in the university entrance examinations and had left untouched for three years in university. He was using hand gestures to coordinate with his vocabulary.

This was not at all like the current Huang Yaming. Xu Tingsheng had only seen it in the initial stages of his relationship with Tan Qingling.

Actually, at the start of relationships, most men will dote on their girlfriends like their daughters a little. It is just that this sort of feeling is generally washed away by time and the trivialities of life.

Meeting Han Xiu who was like a blank sheet of paper was pretty much akin to Huang Yaming reconnecting with his warm, gentle side.

Xu Tingsheng did not speak much with Han Xiu and her mother that day. Instead, it was the affable Xiang Ning who quickly became friends with Han Xiu who was of a similar age to her.

Huang Yaming entreated her not to say bad things about him in front of Han Xiu. It was just like a boy always being careful around the good female friends of the girl he was trying to chase.

……

From the next day, Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning began attending some events. You Qinglan’s secretary Amy would appear, helping Xiang Ning match her clothes before bringing them to the scene.

People treated showing up at their very best as a form of respect for Paris Fashion Week. This was the greatest event of the fashion world.

Yet, Xu Tingsheng did not know what fashion was. Because Xiang Ning was beside him, he could also not look at the breasts and thighs of models or whatnot. Thus, he became even more bored.

He fell asleep during the show. Fortunately, he was not in the front row. Fortunately, Amy was accompanying Xiang Ning and chatting with her as they watched.

Feeling exasperated and furious, Xiang Ning pushed him awake.

Xu Tingsheng retorted, “What’s so exciting here? Can these clothes be worn on the street?”

Amy answered, “Most of the clothes for the fashion week can be worn on the street. Many of them will even be the upcoming main styles of the various big brands. Of course, there are also those that are like you say, that cannot be worn on the street for the time being. Those are concepts, like concept cars that may not immediately run on the streets of the city but represent future trends. Also, a portion of their elements will enter circulation very soon.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded without committing to anything.

Amy observed him in earnest for a time, confirming that he truly did not know anything at all as she muttered to herself, “Why do some people say that he’s a genius whose brain is filled with designing creativity that’s far ahead of his time? This is obviously someone who doesn’t even know how to wear his own clothes!”

Meanwhile, Xiang Ning got to see many celebrities from China and overseas, well known and unknown over this time. They dressed up as best they could and walked the red carpet in their various brands.

Afterwards, a bored Xu Tingsheng casually surfed the web and found that apart from some Chinese websites, overseas websites and magazines virtually did not care about the photographs of Chinese celebrities at all…

In truth, when they walked the red carpet, if one were to look at the camera angles of the cameramen by the sides, one would find that they were always averted. Most of the time, no one was shooting them whatsoever.

As for those photos they posted on Chinese websites or Weibo where they were ‘the focus of all’ or ‘city-levelling’, the truth was that it was mostly from their assistants deliberately producing the effect through camera angles.

Of course, perhaps it was already praiseworthy that they were able to attend. It was not everyone in the entertainment industry who could walk the red carpet.

This was what he had thought. In the end, Amy told him that for most invitations, let alone celebrities, it would actually not be difficult for ordinary people with money to get them if they wished to do so. The actual stars of the fashion week were always those models and designers.

“Is there anything that’s especially difficult to get then?” A curious Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Of course there are,” Amy said.

“But I see some minor celebrities attending every event.”

“They make use of some connections to walk the red carpet. Not knowing who they are, others will not shoo them off. Next, after they’ve walked the red carpet and taken the photos, they just go around the back and return to their hotels...they simply aren’t able to enter the venues at all, sometimes.”

“...”

That worked too? Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning exchanged looks.

On the fourth day, Amy brought two overseas magazines over and said, “Xiang Ning’s in the magazines, walking on a street.”

“Did she do a photoshoot?” Xu Tingsheng turned to look at Xiang Ning.

“It was taken on the street! Sometimes, photographers see something on the street, find that the feeling is right and don’t want to miss it. They may not ask and just capture the photo first. Most of the time, for mainstream magazines, they’ll pass over a name card after doing so, do some self-introduction and the like,” Amy said.

This sort of situation had really happened a few times. Seeing that it was common, Xu Tingsheng had not rejected it. Who knew that it would really have been published.

“These are overseas magazines. It should be fine, right?” Amy asked Xu Tingsheng.

“Am I inside?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Amy looked disdainfully at him, pointing at his clothes, “The way you’re dressed, no one will be interested in taking a photo of you.”

“It’s fine then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Following that, Xu Tingsheng was a bit surprised as Amy retrieved an English-style suit and handed it to him.

“Sis You said that Boss Xu seems only to have a single high-end custom-made suit but doesn’t wear it often at all...she got someone to custom-make this for you. In the upcoming designer’s space, she hopes that you can dress up more formally, to better match with Miss Xiang Ning.”

“Me? Do you guys have my measurements?” Xu Tingsheng asked curiously.

Those two times he had met You Qinglan, she had never expressed any intention of creating a custom-made suit for him in the first place, much less taken his measurements.

“Why not just try it,” Amy said.

In the end, it was unexpectedly a great fit and looked unexpectedly good.

Xiang Ning exclaimed in startlement as even Amy could not help but nod, saying, “Who would have thought? When Boss Xu dresses up properly, it’s really not bad. Very captivating.”

Xu Tingsheng himself fell into a daze somewhat. This was his second high-end custom-made suit.

Chapter 630: Designer's gift

Chapter 630: Designer’s gift

“Are you really unconcerned and do not know anything about fashion at all?” Amy asked Xu Tingsheng for the second time in the car.

Xu Tingsheng said, “I really have no knowledge on that.”

This being so, he simply did not understand what it meant for a designer to hold an event in their own capacity at the Paris Fashion Week, independent of brands. And so, there was no conceivable way he could know the importance of the design awards Amy spoke of.

“Let me put it this way then. This designer is thought of as the best amongst all the new designers to have appeared over the past two years. She’s very good...so good that the various brands are offering her up to more than ten million, so good that her event is viewed as one of the top three in this fashion week. Magazines that are not first-rate may not even be granted entry, much less celebrities.”

“Wow, and we’re even in the first row! Big Sis You is so awesome,” Xiang Ning exclaimed in astonishment.

“Miss You is on very good terms with that designer. To be precise, they’re very good friends in real life,” Amy hesitated for a bit, “Actually, it’s precisely because of her help that Miss You was able to go from an ordinary person to an international supermodel in a short period of time.”

“Ordinary person?” Facing what was likely related to his butterfly effect, Xu Tingsheng paid more attention to it.

“Miss You was only an ordinary overseas student at first, studying a Master’s degree in biology in France. She only became a model by coincidence.”

You Qinglan was actually taking a Master’s degree in biology? Xu Tingsheng looked at Xiang Ning and hesitated, asking, “Who exactly is that designer then?”

“Isn’t it printed on your programme schedule?”

“That’s in Italian, right?”

“Yes,” Amy nodded matter-of-factly.

Having felt that he was close to reaching the answer, Xu Tingsheng fell into puzzlement again.

The car stopped in front of the red carpet. Still, Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning walked around it.

The two stood behind the crowd, watching people unceasingly walking the red carpet in various forms. There were many they did not recognise. Some were first-rate Hollywood stars, while others...were probably those Amy spoke of who would go around the back before directly returning to their hotels after having taken their photos.

So not only were there Chinese ‘carpet artistes’, there were even those from other countries as well...there were even some from India and Thailand.

At least, after entering the venue, Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning did not see some Chinese celebrities whom they had seen walking the red carpet.

It was already a bit late when they entered, walking in from behind. The further up front they walked, the more people were looking at them...when the two sat down at the first row before the runway, at the best seats, everyone was looking at them.

The foreigners clearly did not know who these two were and why they were seated at the front row and in such seats.

Probably feeling that ‘these two people are definitely very remarkable, just that I happen not to know them. It wouldn’t be bad to make their acquaintance’, quite a few foreigners around them began to greet and say hi to Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning in a friendly manner.

After a round of handshakes, Xu Tingsheng found that there were at least two famous Hollywood actresses seated behind him.

“I feel like such a bigshot.”

Having seen many movies and come to know many celebrities recently, Xiang Ning quietly pulled out her autograph book.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly stopped her.

“Now is not the time!”

“Oh. Alright.”

Fortunately, the emcee had already come on stage. At any fashion event, their main use was to tell those present that the show was about to begin.

The blond man first spoke in English.

Then, he suddenly began saying in terribly awful Chinese, “Fo Zis Ebento, Za Sim Iz, control, change, wash(kong huan xi).”

Empty, happiness, joy(kong huan xi)?

Xu Tingsheng did not know how these three words should be translated into English, because it seemed that no matter how one tried...it would be impossible to get the meaning and flavour across. Happy for nothing, maybe? Still, he knew why the emcee had to say it in Chinese, knowing also why this fashion show was named like this.

Li Wan’er was concealing herself no more.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng should have guessed it long ago.

Someone nearby was browsing a booklet of Li Wan’er’s past works. Xu Tingsheng borrowed it for a look and discovered some design details that he had an impression of. He had previously described these things that were currently far ahead of their time to Li Wan’er while on the plane to Milan.

His descriptions had actually been all over the place that day. Still, the clever Li Wan’er had properly absorbed it. She had also improved on, wielded and applied it all to the point of perfection. She might even have changed the trends of the times to some extent here…

With the answer clear in his mind, Xu Tingsheng glanced at Xiang Ning who had a look of anticipation on her face. He was gripped by two conflicting urges.

One, take Xiang Ning and leave at once.

Two, trust in his understanding of Li Wan’er and trust that she would not scheme to hurt Xiang Ning. Meanwhile, he too should not hurt her.

In the end, Xu Tingsheng chose to believe in Li Wan’er’s kindness.

It was just that his attention was already totally no longer on the runway...he wished to know what would be happening in a while, yet also wished for nothing to happen.

He might not dare to admit it, but deep inside, he actually wished to see that woman again, that woman whose name was Li Wan’er...aside from Xiang Ning, she was the most beautiful woman he had seen in both his lifetimes.

At one point, she had been willing to give birth to a child for him. Afterwards, one had left, while the other had not gone to search for her.

She had once been weak and stupid. Was she doing well now? Was she still being bullied? Did she have anyone helping her?

People around them were deep in discussion.

“What is control, change, wash?” Xiang Ning asked Xu Tingsheng.

“Maybe...empty, happiness, joy. Happy for nothing,” Xu Tingsheng rubbed her head and said.

“Why is it called that then?”

“...I don’t know.”

“Alright. The Mandarin was meant specifically for us, right?”

“Probably.”

“Right. I can’t wait for Big Sis You to come out…”

Xu Tingsheng felt a bit like he did not know how to face it.

On the runway.

The clothes in the first segment were a little more dark and gloomy. While Xu Tingsheng did not understand any design specifics, he was more or less able to read what it expressed. That was Li Wan’er’s state when she had first met him.

In the second segment, the colours on the models began to change gradually. They went from gradually frolicking and moving agilely to the first flower blooming and sprouting to a splendour filled with hope…

This might be Li Wan’er’s happiest times.

In that third segment, the splendour faded...still, it did not return to being dark and gloomy as it became composed, tranquil, peaceful.

Xu Tingsheng felt like he had grasped a little of what Li Wan’er wished to convey to him. Maybe she was saying: Don’t worry, I’m doing fine...everything is calm and peaceful.

This might be the state that she liked the most. Moreover, the current her should probably be considered as having achieved her dreams, right? Doing what she loved to do most, doing it very well too, definitely not needing to worry about life again.

At this point, Xu Tingsheng felt somewhat at peace. He turned to look at Xiang Ning…

Where was Xiang Ning?

While this was usually when the designer and models would end the event together, the blond foreigner was still standing there, jabbering on…

Xu Tingsheng understood it. He was saying that the work that would next be put on exhibit was something that this designer was doing for the first and last time...this piece would not be put on sale and would not be replicated. It would be given to a friend whom she most wished to bless.

In other words, this work was a gift, and it would be one-of-a-kind.

Gentle music resounded.

Xu Tingsheng watched Xiang Ning slowly walking over from inside, two rows of top-tier models walking behind her in coordinated outfits…

Xiang Ning was wearing a wedding gown, its long train held by a bunch of international supermodels.

She was a bit nervous as the intricately designed veil blocked her features from view...yet, she was still very beautiful.

The audience did not know who she was and were unable to distinguish it clearly too. Still, they were able to judge from her height and figure that she was not a professional model...this did not stop applause from resounding for her, whether it was because of that sublime wedding gown she was wearing, because of the designer or just because of her.

Xu Tingsheng recalled that he had seen the design for this wedding gown for the first time on the plane to Milan, in Li Wan’er’s sketchbook.

She might have designed it for herself originally. Still, Xiang Ning was the one wearing it now.

Ever since meeting You Qinglan for the first time at Xingchen’s annual gathering as she had taken Xiang Ning’s measurements then to meeting in Shenghai again with custom-made clothing...in having prepared for so long, it turned out that Li Wan’er was intending on establishing this moment.

At this moment, Xu Tingsheng understood. He seemed able to hear Li Wan’er asking him:

“What I’m returning to you...is it enough?”

“These blessings-do you like them?”

“This time, we’re finally even. I no longer owe you.”

Chapter 631: Slap

Chapter 631: Slap

Li Wan’er used colour changes and design details that Xu Tingsheng did not understand to enact a ‘happy for nothing’.

The audience who were clearly able to appreciate it much better than Xu Tingsheng stood up and applauded. While the designer did not appear to bring an end to the event as should be the case, it did not stop the applause from resounding for a long time.

Xiang Ning who was as oblivious as the audience joyfully, innocently left the stage with You Qingling.

At seventeen years of age, Xiang Ning had her own wedding clothes.

At thirty-two years of age, Li Wan’er had made wedding clothes for another, enabling another woman to be his most beautiful bride. There probably wasn’t anything in this world more brutal than this for a woman.

The audience left.

Xu Tingsheng did not know where to go.

Amy brought him backstage.

After passing a crowd of hot international supermodels, Xu Tingsheng made his way to You Qinglan and Xiang Ning.

“I’ll bring Xiang Ning to change and wrap up the wedding gown...she will be a beautiful bride,” You Qinglan said, then turned Xiang Ning around, glanced back and indicated towards a door with her eyes to Xu Tingsheng.

Just like she said, she might be trying to avoid hurting Xiang Ning as much as possible.

Xiang Ning smiled, lifted her veil and waved to Xu Tingsheng.

Often, Xu Tingsheng would wonder why he had placed himself in this sort of predicament.

Doing it would be wrong.

Not doing it would also be wrong.

Still, wasn’t this how life was? Everyone was constantly making mistakes, constantly regretting them, then continuing to make mistakes.

He knocked.

While the door did not open, Xu Tingsheng could hear someone inside by the door.

“Thank you, Wan’er,” Xu Tingsheng said through the door.

A long time later.

“No need for that. I’m just returning the favour,” Li Wan’er feigned a very calm tone.

“Actually, you don’t owe me anything.”

“I do. If not for you, I wouldn’t have known what to do back then. I have no idea what might have happened. If not for you...I would not have my current success. You gave my new life. I owe it to you. But you’re so rich, so successful. So, so...I didn’t know how I should pay you back. Was the method I used okay?”

“I actually don’t need you to pay me back.”

“But I must pay you back.”

“...”

“Because I don’t want to always live in your shadow, thinking of you everyday. Because I want to be able to truly say upfront to you for once: Xu Tingsheng, we’re even. We’re even...that is what you hope for. You’ve said it so many times. It should be my turn, right? We’re even, Xu Tingsheng. Are you happy now?”

We’re even. Xu Tingsheng and Li Wan’er had once been entangled multiple times over this, having previously given it their all too. This time, they were really even.

“I…”

“Off you go then.”

Xu Tingsheng was in no position to stay at all. If this was the best result for Li Wan’er, it was the best result for him too.

“You take care,” Xu Tingsheng said.

He turned.

The person inside asked, “Can I ask you one last question?”

“Go on.”

“I know that that young lady is very good. Still, just why exactly?”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and replied, “I don’t know how to answer that. How about I tell you what I’m currently thinking.”

“What you’re thinking? What is it?”

“In my previous life, did I see you in Milan? If I did, why did we merely brush past each other?”

Li Wan’er waited till he had left before saying to the door, “If it is really as you say-what about this life? We didn’t just brush past each other in this life, right? Very well. I’ll wait for our next life.”

……

The next day was the seventh of October. They had booked their return tickets for that day.

Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning packed their things through the night.

When departing for the airport the next day, they had an additional piece of luggage...a huge, intricate box.

They had in their possession that wedding gown that newspapers, magazines, the internet and countless people were sighing in wonder at and envying.

Huang Yaming, along with Han Xiu and her mother, still had plans here.

You Qinglan and Amy unexpectedly made a trip to the airport to see them off.

After chatting for a while, You Qinglan got Amy to accompany Xiang Ning before smiling as she said to Xu Tingsheng, “Boss Xu, can we speak over there?”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment, then said, “Alright.”

The two exited the main hall of the airport. Following You Qinglan, Xu Tingsheng rounded two bends and arrived between two buildings.

“Boss Xu,” You Qinglan stopped and turned to look at Xu Tingsheng.

“Yes?” Xu Tingsheng looked up.

She slapped him.

Xu Tingsheng looked rather dumbfoundedly at You Qinglan.

You Qinglan laughed joyfully, saying, “That felt good. You find Wan’er good to bully, don’t you?”

“Better not argue with me. Swallow it silently. Wait a bit more till the red mark has faded...lest Xiang Ning spots it. You’re very scared of that, right, Boss Xu?” You Qinglan appeared full of mockery as she said this.

“For some things, I have no way of debating with you if they are right or wrong,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Really?” You Qinglan asked with reddened eyes, “What do you mean meeting on the streets of Milan, yet merely brushing past each other? Previous life...Xu Tingsheng, if you’d told Wan’er directly that you don’t like her, I’d even have been grateful to you. But you’re too shameless.”

“I’m sorry,” Xu Tingsheng turned.

“Please, Xu Tingsheng,” Unexpectedly, You Qinglan suddenly ran after him and tugged at his clothes from behind, kneeling on the ground, “I beg you, Xu Tingsheng. Please, could you let your Xiang Ning down for once? Everyone has already given their best to her.”

……

At the hospital pitié salpêtrière in Paris, Li Wan’er was in a hospital gown, her eyes fixed on the doorway.

Hearing footsteps, she hurriedly looked in the mirror before lying down and pretending to be asleep.

Opening the door, You Qinglan walked over to her, leaned down and said, “Stop feigning. People whose eyebrows are too long aren’t suited to be feigning sleep.”

Li Wan’er got up rather awkwardly.

“Don’t look behind me. No one’s there...I listened to you and didn’t tell him. The plane’s already taken off.”

Li Wan’er said, “That’s good then.”

“Did you really not wish that he could come?”

Li Wan’er shook her head, “I didn’t.”

“Why did you put on makeup then? Your surgery’s in the afternoon,” You Qinglan said, “Don’t think that just because it’s very light, I wouldn’t be able to tell. You also better not tell me that you put it on for me, or that French doctor who’s crazy handsome.”

“I...don’t laugh at me.”

“Actually, you still wish that he can come, right?” You Qinglan asked, “You clearly know that every day this heart surgery is delayed means a bit more danger, yet you insisted on delaying it till now. I let you have your way, helped you do those things...because the doctor told me that you need a stronger will to live. So I thought that you were waiting for him to come, that you would get him to accompany you.”

“But in the end?” You Qinglan’s eyes turned red as she clenched her teeth and exclaimed furiously, “You were actually only saying goodbye to this world, right? Having given Xiang Ning that wedding gown, returning what you owed him, there is nothing left to hold you back, right?”

Li Wan’er helped You Qinglan to wipe off the tears on her face before pulling her hand and saying, “Don’t be angry! Of course it isn’t as you say. That guy isn’t necessary...don’t I have you to accompany me?”

“Is there any use if I accompany you?”

“Oh, there is, there is.”

You Qinglan glanced at her before shaking her head exasperatedly and turning as she called, “You heard all of that, didn’t you? Come on in.”

Carrying a bouquet of flowers, Xu Tingsheng stood at the doorway.

“Sorry. I was only going to tell him what I thought of him, really. But I really didn’t see any will to live in you at all...so, I made him stay.”

Chapter 632: Promise or lie

Chapter 632: Promise or lie

Li Wan’er was sitting on the sickbed.

Xu Tingsheng was standing at the doorway.

Just yesterday, they had been on either side of a door, saying that they were even. Yet, now, their eyes met each other’s.

Glancing at one of them and then the other, You Qinglan went out of the sick ward without saying anything.

She closed the door behind her.

Putting the flowers on the table beside the bed, Xu Tingsheng pulled a stool over and sat down before frowning as he looked at Li Wan’er, asking, “Why was it only discovered that you have a strange heart illness now when you’re already so old?”

“None...huh?” Having actually been ready to say ‘none of your business’, Li Wan’er was caught off guard by this.

Actually, this meeting should lead to yet some more entanglement, right? One would say ‘we are already even, it’s none of your business’, while the other would say ‘there’s nothing more important than life, you must be strong’...

Li Wan’er had actually been readying herself for this, trying hard to suppress her joy as she thought of how to say some cold, indifferent words, gritting her teeth and putting on a tough front.

In the end, with just one sentence from Xu Tingsheng, her focus was already on the word ‘old’.

At that moment, Li Wan’er felt as if she was seeing the hoodlum who had been impolite when they had first met, calling her auntie.

“Yes, I am old, nearly twice as old as your Xiang Ning. So what? It’s not like I’m hindering you or anything,” Never would Li Wan’er have thought that the first thing she said might sound so much like a lover throwing a tantrum.

“So there was also this explanation to an elder above, a minor below,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What?” Li Wan’er thought about it and understood Xu Tingsheng’s meaning, “You…”

“What me? Right now, you’re the one who should be scolded, right? How long have you delayed the surgery? You did so much just to give Xiang Ning a wedding gown? With the surgery today, you even conducted an event yesterday. How much zeal do you have for your profession, oh great designer? When giving the wedding gown, you were actually aching terribly inside, right?”

“Someone with a heart illness still putting yourself through so much-you’ve really lived all these years for nothing.”

Xu Tingsheng tugged at his suit, “You made this too, right? I say, no wonder it’s so fitting without taking any measurements at all.”

Keeping a stony expression, Li Wan’er secretly appraised him. He was wearing clothes she had personally made again...actually, she had so longed to see this last night.

Now that she was finally able to see it, a hint of triumph and a bit of a reminiscing glow were visible in her eyes. It was she who had made his first custom-made suit. His second was her handiwork too...she recalled how he had been so bad at even wearing ties then. She recalled…

“Aren’t you very good at making money? Why do you always still wear the same suit everywhere? Aren’t you afraid of people laughing at you?” Li Wan’er asked.

“It’s expensive! I still remember that I spent over a hundred thousand at once on it then, alright?! Designers like you just know how to cheat money,” Xu Tingsheng said nothing heartwarming at all as he tugged at his suit and asked, “Right, now that you are such a bigshot, is the cost of this suit still the same as the previous one?”

Li Wan’er clenched her teeth and glared at him.

While she was angry, there was something else she was also feeling inside. It was because she was very certain that...the current Xu Tingsheng she was seeing was not that young legend, but was instead that little hoodlum from back then.

“Alright, alright. Don’t get mad. I’ll think of something nice to say.”

Xu Tingsheng looked carefully at Li Wan’er and found that she was actually very weak. While she had lipstick on, her lips were still a bit purple as even her fingernails carried a faint purple colour.

Regarding her illness, Xu Tingsheng had already more or less heard the gist from You Qinglan on their way here. Li Wan’er had an inborn heart condition that was relatively complex.

It was uncommon for the problem to only be discovered after thirty years old. Also, the risks of this operation generally corresponded with one’s age.

The doctor had previously judged that the risks of this operation were close to twenty percent. If it wasn’t carried out...her remaining lifespan would very likely not exceed three years. Also, this operation had to be conducted as soon as possible...otherwise, the risks of the operation itself as well as its aftereffects would only become greater and greater.

With how long Li Wan’er had delayed it, the risks already surpassed thirty percent.

More terrifying was the attitude she displayed...after learning of her condition, she had fully focused on tying up all the loose ends in her life in seeing everything satisfactorily resolved.

If not for that, she might not have thought of giving Xiang Ning that wedding gown at this point in time.

She wished to use this to bring an end to her entanglement with Xu Tingsheng, returning him what she owed him while giving him her blessings...before leaving this world without lingering regrets.

Where was there any will to live in all this?

“Like you know how to say nice things,” Li Wan’er mustered up her courage and said petulantly to Xu Tingsheng.

“I do!” Xu Tingsheng replied, “I was thinking that it’s actually fortunate how you didn’t keep our promise and ran away back then.”

“Huh? ...Why?”

“If you hadn’t run, and you’d really gotten pregnant, with this sickness then coming to light-what would we have done then?”

Li Wan’er thought about what Xu Tingsheng had just said. Yeah, if she’d really gotten pregnant back then, what would they have done under such circumstances?

If things had really played out that way, even if she gave up on the operation and insisted on giving birth despite how it would mean her dying, she might not even be able to successfully reach the full span of the pregnancy, and then give birth...even an abortion might have been risky.

Also, what he meant was: If she had not run away at the time...he would have kept the promise?

Looking a bit stunned, Li Wan’er nodded woodenly as tears involuntarily slid down her face.

Now, the door was suddenly opened.

So You Qinglan had been eavesdropping outside throughout.

“Sorry to interrupt you guys. I just want to confirm: So, the two of you had originally agreed to have a baby together, but Wan’er ran off...it’s not that the two of you had a child, and you gave up on him?”

Li Wan’er nodded rather awkwardly.

“Huh? I’ve always been mistaken then. Last time, when you told me that you’d have had a baby originally, I still thought that...you got Wan’er pregnant…” You Qinglan appeared bashful and guilty as she looked at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng knew now why You Qinglan always looked at him so strangely. There was actually once when she had even suddenly said she knew how ruthless he could get.

So, she had always harboured such a misunderstanding.

“At, at the airport earlier, I even hit...slapped him,” You Qinglan said.

“Huh? Why did you…” Li Wan’er carefully examined Xu Tingsheng’s face, feeling as guilty as You Qinglan was and a bit of heartache as well.

The chagrined You Qinglan lowered her head and walked before Xu Tingsheng, bowing deeply as she said, “Sorry. How about you hit me back? It’s fine if you pay it back double.”

Xu Tingsheng looked at her and smiled, saying, “You’re mental.”

“Heh,” You Qinglan laughed awkwardly and relaxed, next immediately saying, “In that case, when Wan’er has recovered from her surgery, you can do the deed, create a baby then.”

Li Wan’er bashfully shot her a look.

“I’m leaving, right away,” You Qinglan waved her hands and said, “Go on. I promise not to eavesdrop.”

As she backed away, she secretly shot Xu Tingsheng a mighty look, pleading in her eyes.

Xu Tingsheng understood what she meant. She was begging for him to give Li Wan’er some sort of reason and hope to definitely make it through this, definitely live on. It didn’t matter if this was truly a promise or a lie...

Chapter 633: Hope and courage

Chapter 633: Hope and courage

“You, wait a moment.”

When You Qinglan reached the door, Li Wan’er called for her to stop while still looking at Xu Tingsheng.

“Where’s Xiang Ning? Could you...could you get Xiang Ning to come here? I’d like to meet her to apologise and explain things to her in person...seeking her forgiveness. And giving her my blessings.”

“Didn’t you meet her yesterday?” Xu Tingsheng thought that Li Wan’er and Xiang Ning had already met yesterday night, just that he had not asked Xiang Ning about it due to a guilty conscience.

“I did. Still, we didn’t talk.”

“She still has lessons tomorrow. After changing the flight, Miss You’s assistant, Amy, has already accompanied her back first,” Xu Tingsheng looked at his watch, “The plane should already have taken off by now.”

Li Wan’er considered it and spoke no more. Actually, it would definitely not be good for her to truly face Xiang Ning now.

You Qinglan made use of this chance to escape.

“So, did she...like that wedding gown?” Li Wan’er asked, “Actually, even Qinglan and the others hadn’t seen it before. They only knew that I wanted to give Xiang Ning a present, not knowing it was a wedding gown.”

“There won’t be a wedding gown more beautiful than this,” Xu Tingsheng said, then paused for a while before continuing, “I’ve seen that wedding gown before, in your design sketchbook...so, there’s actually one more, right? Your own.”

It was obvious from Li Wan’er’s expression that he was spot on.

While making preparations for this farewell, even though she knew that she might never have the opportunity to wear it, she had still been unable to keep from also secretly making one for herself. She had not dared to let anyone know about it, though.

Who would have thought that Xu Tingsheng knew about it too.

Li Wan’er struggled inwardly for a while before raising her head to look at Xu Tingsheng, asking, “Can I, can I put it on for you to see now?”

It could be seen from her eyes how much courage it took for her to say this and how much she longed for it.

If not for her current situation, her surgery in the afternoon...Li Wan’er had never been such a brave person.

Having given wedding garments to Xiang Ning, she just wished to let him see now that if she were the bride...she would be very beautiful too. Before her perhaps imminent departure from this world.

Xu Tingsheng smiled and shook his head.

Li Wan’er deflated.

“It can wait till you’ve completely recovered. How about you wear it on the day you are officially discharged from the hospital, completely recovered? That doesn’t sound bad. I’ll come pick you up,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Li Wan’er looked like she had been struck by lightning as she stared disbelievingly at Xu Tingsheng.

She understood what Xu Tingsheng was saying. While she would wear a wedding gown for him, it would not be for an actual wedding.

In truth, even if he promised the world to her now, she would still feel that he was lying in order to give her hope and courage.

Yet, when he spoke in a roundabout and ‘shameless’ manner like this...Li Wan’er involuntarily believed it.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Right,” Li Wan’er nodded emphatically before secretly wiping away her tears.

Ordinary women who would accept this sort of thing in modern society were virtually non-existent unless they were the mistresses of corrupt officials or the wealthy who sought money and power.

Yet, Li Wan’er was different from ordinary girls in the first place. She had her own experiences, had reasons to lower her expectations, had Xu Tingsheng deeply etched in her heart...after all, this was the first man she had truly fallen in love with. He had even granted her a new lease of life.

Moreover, she was currently akin to being in that state of ‘being just about to die’. With that, she was able to better understand and realise what she wanted most and had the courage to fear nothing.

Regarding how it was unfair to Xiang Ning...which woman in this world can personally give another woman wedding garments that she had personally prepared for much of her life, allowing her to be the most beautiful bride for the man she most loves?

Li Wan’er decided to be brave and selfish for once.

How had Xu Tingsheng also not mustered up his courage to say something as shameless as this? Having been reborn, since nineteen years of age, while he had seemed successful and unstoppable, he had actually been careful and restrained every step of the way. Although he had always been hurting people, he was clearly most afraid of hurting people.

All these years, when had he done something that was truly brave, diverging from the paths of others?

The atmosphere in the room changed.

After a while, Xu Tingsheng broke the silence, saying, “You’ll definitely look very beautiful in a wedding gown.”

While the joy was evident in Li Wan’er’s clear eyes, what she said was, “It’s Xiang Ning who’ll look good in it. She’s young, and pretty too.”

Xu Tingsheng tapped his forehead with the back of his hand, saying, “While that may be true, she hasn’t got much breasts.”

“Huh? ...Oh, you,” Li Wan’er shot him a look, knowing that the one in front of her at this moment was definitely not Xu Tingsheng but that little hoodlum, “I know. That’s why I specifically designed around that for the wedding gown I gave her...you don’t have to worry.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, saying, “Thank you.”

Li Wan’er gazed at him for a while, looking as if she wanted to say something a few times yet refraining as she finally said regretfully, “Unfortunately, I may not be able to birth you a child anymore.”

“Huh? Why? You aren’t willing?”

“No! It’s this illness of mine…”

“After recovering from the heart surgery, you’ll still be able to give birth, right?” Xu Tingsheng said, “Recover well, and you will just be an older expectant mother at most. You only have to pay a bit more attention because of getting pregnant at an advanced age.”

An originally serious topic was diverted by him again.

Still, Li Wan’er contemplated and felt that it indeed made sense. While being called an older expectant mother of an advanced age really did make one feel despondent, her former happy fantasies were revived with that as hope and courage surged within her heart.

“Yes, I know. I’ll definitely work very hard, work hard to live on, work hard to recover...I’ll be very healthy…”

“Yes, and give birth to a very beautiful baby. Right, I’ll show you a photo,” Xu Tingsheng showed Li Wan’er a photo of Niannian that was saved on his phone.

“What a beautiful little girl. She is?” As she looked at the screen, Li Wan’er was filled with envy and the gentleness of a mother as she asked Xu Tingsheng this.

“She’s the daughter of my best friend, Fu Cheng. The bastard’s mighty! He was already a dad in his second year of university. The one who gave birth to her for him was even our most beautiful female teacher from senior high…”

“Huh? Second year? Teacher?” Li Wan’er could not be blamed for being astonished, for any surface description of this matter indeed sounded unconscionable enough.

Still, by the time Xu Tingsheng finished telling Li Wan’er the story of Ms Fang and Fu Cheng, this sort of astonishment had vanished completely. Li Wan’er only felt moved as a smile had bloomed on her face alongside eyes full of tears.

“Niannian’s so adorable. Fu Cheng’s so good. Ms Fang’s so brave,” She said.

The story of Fu Cheng and Ms Fang gave Li Wan’er a lot of courage. Even though their situations were not completely the same, Fang Yunyao had actually also been mentally prepared for solitude when she had made her decision previously.

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng wiped off her tears, saying, “In the future, our child will definitely be very beautiful and adorable too. To be honest, even if I live three lifetimes, I probably wouldn’t be able to see a woman more beautiful than you. So, it all depends on you...rest well. Calm yourself. The surgery’s in the afternoon.”

Xu Tingsheng had said, “So, it all depends on you…”

Li Wan’er nodded forcefully, saying, “Yes.”

While she had responded in the affirmative, her eyes were still open as if she was afraid that not looking at him now would mean never being able to see him again.

“Sleep. I’ll be sitting right here. I guarantee that whenever you open your eyes, you’ll definitely be able to see me,” Xu Tingsheng comforted her.

Li Wan’er nodded, entering under the blanket sideways and closing her eyes.

She secretly opened her eyes and sneaked a look at him a few times. Xu Tingsheng smiled, looking back at her.

She fell asleep for real, sleeping very peacefully.

Feeling his handphone vibrating, Xu Tingsheng took it out for a look.

You Qinglan asked: Were you serious or just coaxing her? Whichever it is, thank you.

Xu Tingsheng replied: You were still eavesdropping? You’re mental.

Actually, even Xu Tingsheng himself was unaware, did not know what the future would bring...when Zhou Yuandai was looming over everything like an enormous, dark shadow.

Chapter 634: Deposited happiness

Chapter 634: Deposited happiness

Li Wan’er entered the operating theatre at 3pm.

Xu Tingsheng accompanied her to the entrance.

As Li Wan’er hesitated, refusing to let go, Xu Tingsheng saw many things in her eyes. To her, this might be the final moment of separation…

If Xu Tingsheng had known that night before his death in his previous life that those were the final times of his life, he would definitely have thrown everything else aside in grabbing Xiang Ning and telling her everything.

While death gave people fear, it could also give people courage.

It was just that Xu Tingsheng had not known it at the time, while Li Wan’er knew it now.

Therefore, her final words were, “I love you so much.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled radiantly, emitting a fearless air. This was the response Li Wan’er had been looking forward to seeing. The person Li Wan’er had fallen in love with at the start was actually not Xu Tingsheng but the little hoodlum who had suddenly entered her life, filled with nonsense…

Before she had learnt of his identity, she had thought of going off together with him. She didn’t eat much, anyway.

The door of the operating theatre closed.

The surgery that had originally been projected to take three hours persisted all the way till 8, 9, 10 pm.

An overwhelmed You Qinglan began to cry.

Xu Tingsheng said, “The heck you’re crying! Relax, it’s fine.”

Still, his hands were actually trembling too.

Finally, the handsome French doctor exited the operating theatre.

Not knowing French, Xu Tingsheng heard him speaking to You Qinglan.

You Qinglan burst into tears.

Xu Tingsheng’s heart clenched…

Fortunately, You Qinglan quickly recovered as she clutched Xu Tingsheng, saying, “It’s okay, it’s okay. I was just too moved.”

“What did the doctor say?”

“He said that while some difficulties cropped up partway through, it very fortunately succeeded.”

Xu Tingsheng sighed in relief, “That’s good then.”

The entire procedure took eight to twelve hours to complete. With the anesthetic wearing off, she should be waking up soon too. Yet, Li Wan’er only awoke three days later.

Like the doctor had said, the risks in the initial stage after the heart surgery were actually no lower than during the surgery itself.

The first person Li Wan’er saw when she opened her eyes was Xu Tingsheng...she had never felt so reassured in her life before.

Xu Tingsheng accompanied Li Wan’er for a few more days till she persuaded him to return on her own initiative.

“The recovery period is still very long. Go back first, do what you have to do. I’ll definitely work very hard, be very healthy,” Li Wan’er said.

While Xu Tingsheng wanted to stay, Li Wan’er’s attitude was very firm.

When he had finally left the hospital, You Qinglan asked Li Wan’er, “Are you silly? What a good chance, and you actually got him to leave.”

Li Wan’er smiled, “I just feel like I’m too blissful. I fear that bliss has a limit. I fear that somehow, his time that belongs to me has a countdown timer somewhere as dictated by fate...I have a lot to look forward to this time. So, I must definitely slowly use up the quota.”

Unable to argue with her, You Qinglan asked, “What now then? You need him a lot.”

“Now? My deposited happiness now is already enough to last me a very long time, till I recover and till I become very healthy. I won’t work through the night and push myself so hard in the future...I think that we can go through life slowly. Qinglan, when I’m okay, can we run, go shopping, keep fit and take care of our skin together everyday?”

Looking at the happy Li Wan’er who was smiling in a foolish manner, You QInglan nodded hard.

When Li Wan’er had said that she had deposited her happiness, You Qinglan had understood. It was something that she had to learn to do in the future. It was destined that Xu Tingsheng would not be able to accompany her over the long term. So, Li Wan’er had to learn how to deposit her happiness, keeping it to slowly savour when she was lonely.

“You must keep it up then. Anyway, I’ll be accompanying you throughout,” You Qinglan said.

“Right,” Li Wan’er who was lying on the bed clenched her fist, knowing that some of her spokesperson contracts aside, You Qinglan had already temporarily ceased all her work.

“I just don’t know if he still has anyone else. Otherwise, as long as you put in a bit more effort, you’ll definitely be able to give birth to a baby sooner than Xiang Ning,” You Qinglan analysed and said solemnly, “This is very important.”

A bit embarrassed as well as amused, Li Wan’er smiled, “I won’t try to fight for, snatch anything...it’s just that this way, I already don’t know how to face Xiang Ning anymore.

“I get that. Still, you can’t wait for Xiang Ning to give birth first, right? She’s so little. How old would you be then?” You Qinglan looked at Li Wan’er who was gazing exasperatedly at her, adding, “Oops, I made a mistake there. You aren’t old…”

“I also want to...give birth sooner. He said that our child will definitely be very beautiful.”

“Ha.”

……

During Xu Tingsheng’s additional stay here, Huang Yaming had already brought Han Xiu and her mother on a tour around Europe before returning to Paris again.

That night, as Xu Tingsheng was packing his luggage.

Han Xiu’s mother knocked on the door and asked, “Hello. Have you seen my daughter and that Huang Yaming?”

Xu Tingsheng shook his head and answered, “I’ve not seen them since dinner.”

Han Xiu’s mother sighed, “My daughter’s becoming more and more disobedient.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled and said, “This is just how girls in love are...relax, they may just have gone shopping.”

After just a few short days, Xu Tingsheng found that Han Xiu had changed very greatly. She was in the midst of interacting with and getting to know this world at the quickest speed. Meanwhile, she and Huang Yaming were so like lovers in a passionate relationship.

Xu Tingsheng felt happy for Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming flew back to Xihu City with Han Xiu and her mother the next day. After returning to Yanzhou, Han Xiu would be listening in on some lessons she was interested in at the training institute. One must know that Hucheng’s training institute in Yanzhou even held dance and yoga classes.

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng’s destination was Yanjing.

The day before returning to China, he had unexpectedly received a call from Jianan University’s professor, Yan Zhengyu.

As Yan Zhengyu saw it, he and Xu Tingsheng were associating with each other on equal terms.

So, he usually called him little friend, “Little Friend Xu, this old man is relatively closed off. Only recently did I hear that you were facing some problems a while back...are you okay now?”

“Thank you for your concern, Professor Yan. I’m doing very well now. Please rest assured,” Xu Tingsheng replied respectfully.

“That’s good then,” Yan Zhengyu said, “With how worldly matters are, we can’t always stay fully unaffected by them. You’re much better than me in this aspect. Still, I think that people still need to give themselves some time every once in a while to cleanse their hearts...otherwise, the layer of dust on it will thicken.”

“That’s right.”

“So, why not come hold a seminar with me. Having left it to lie in the dust for so long, you should really properly focus on academia now.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng had really not expected that Professor Yan would be waiting for him here. After having shocked academia with his paper three years ago, Xu Tingsheng had run off. Professor Yan had looked for him several times over the past three years, but he had evaded it every time, not participating even once.

“Why hold a seminar? It’s been nearly three years,” Xu Tingsheng said while thinking: It’s been three years. Academia’s efficiency really is very low.

“Academic debate has always been a very complex thing. This was already considered fast,” Professor Yan might be in his office he said in a hushed tone carrying a bit of excitement, “They’re definitely going to dig this time…”

The word ‘digging’ was actually him having been influenced by Xu Tingsheng. Xu Tingsheng always said: Discuss what? You’re not digging anyway. Professor Yan would always say seriously in reply: All you know is digging! That’s called an archaeological excavation.

In the end, it was revealed that he was actually very anxious to dig it up too.

“Really? Why?” Xu Tingsheng was really a bit frightened by this.

If Professor Yan’s news was accurate, it would be equivalent to him having brought the excavation of Anyang Mausoleum forward by two years. Two years...would anything be different?

“Of course it’s true,” Professor Yan said, “It must be dug now. With your paper guiding the way, who knows how many hundred batches of tomb raiders have been over there these past two years. The local police and the relevant departments have been bothered like mad. They took the initiative to apply, even saying that if the higher-ups continue ignoring it, they will also no longer pay attention to it.”

“Sigh, who knows how badly the tomb’s been damaged…”

Xu Tingshengs sensed heartache in his sigh.

“After a thousand years, how many tombs in our country have not been robbed and robbed again...relax, there’ll surely be discoveries. At least, the local government has had some protective measures in place these past two years. It’s definitely still somewhat better, compared to originally when ‘laymen are able to seek, professionals are unable to seek’,” Xu Tingsheng consoled him.

“That is true,” Professor Yan agreed, definitely understanding this aspect much better than Xu Tingsheng did since he was devoted to archaeology, “So, I take it that you’re willing to go then?”

Xu Tingsheng considered it and said, “Alright, I’ll go.”

Just as Professor Yan had said, it might really be time for Xu Tingsheng to stop and cleanse his soul. Moreover, he actually also needed time to avoid some stuff, think about some stuff, making preparations before coming back to face them.

“Regarding my school…” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Regarding your school, I’ll get the relevant department to directly send a mobilisation order over. You needn’t worry about finding a job, anyway,” It turned out Professor Yan had long been prepared.

This last seminar would be held at Yanjing.

Xu Tingsheng called Xiang Ning to explain things to her, obtaining her approval before changing his flight from Paris to one bound for Yanjing.

Chapter 635: The world, one's heart

Chapter 635: The world, one’s heart

The plane landed in Yanjing.

Xu Tingsheng immediately went to Qingbei University with gifts he had bought in Paris. His little sister, Xu Qiuyi, had been despondent for some time because he had not gone to see her when she had started school.

Gifts that filled up an entire piece of luggage finally managed to obtain smiles and a meal at the school cafeteria.

He thought that he would have seen Wu Yuewei for sure originally. In the end, though, he didn’t.

Since his sister had not mentioned this matter, Xu Tingsheng would naturally also not bring it up on his own…

After dinner, Xu Tingsheng arrived at the site of the seminar.

There was no discussion scheduled for that night. Professor Yan appeared a bit solitary among the many experts there. After settling down his belongings, Xu Tingsheng invited him for a walk and listened to the old man reminisce on the time when he had studied in Yanjing.

At 9pm, Xu Tingsheng sent Professor Yan back to his room and bid him farewell, preparing to leave.

“Please hold on a moment, Little Friend Xu,” Professor Yan said.

Standing at the doorway, Xu Tingsheng turned back and waited for him.

Soon, Professor Yan removed his neatly folded clothes from his luggage, placing them all on the bed in an orderly manner. Finally, he removed something from the very bottom. Unwrapping that cloth that covered it, a circular object was revealed.

“A gift for you, little friend,” Yan Zhengyu said.

“Huh? Thank you, Professor Yan.”

The object Yan Zhengyu was holding was actually not big, with a diameter of around seven to eight centimetres. Xu Tingsheng received it from him and took a good look at it.

The small dark metallic plate shone faintly, carvings on its back. The inner circle depicted the four mythical divine beasts, their bodies warped and facing one another. On the outer circle were ropelike patterns of distinct levels. Their handiwork was intricate and fine throughout.

The front of the plate was clear as a mirror as one could see their reflection within.

“This is a copper mirror from warring times?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Yan Zhengyu smiled, “Well, looks like you do know some stuff. You could say that.”

“...It’s not a genuine artifact, right?”

Professor Yan smiled again, “What do you think?”

While Xu Tingsheng could not judge this with his limited knowledge, he could vaguely sense a heavy, rustic feeling from the copper plate...along with the handiwork...especially considering that it had come from Yan Zhengyu…

“It’s really an antique?” Xu Tingsheng was rather taken aback and lost for words, “This, this really is too precious. I can’t accept it.”

Yan Zhengyu burst into laughter before shaking his head and smiling wryly, saying, “You, your brain has all been used on business. If it were the genuine thing, it would be a national treasure. How would I be able to take it out and give it to you?”

“”That’s true,” Xu Tingsheng said awkwardly, “Still, just looking at it, it really looks a lot like the real deal.”

The confidence and pride of an expert could be revealed on Yan Zhengyu’s face as he said, “Well, you can’t be blamed for that. In my early years, I was inspired and made three warring state copper mirrors, even turning them old. I was pretty proud of these playthings. Afterwards, one was buried with my deceased wife’s ashes while another was gifted to my good friend at the time.”

“A few years later, I went to give a lecture in Hong Kong once. I was invited by a collector to view his collection...amongst them, I saw a copper mirror whose source I asked him about. According to him, he spent 1.2 million buying it from a specialist. I actually recognised the copper mirror as the one I had gifted my good friend.”

These words basically showed how high the quality of this imitation was and how disappointed Yan Zhengyu had been in his good friend. Still, he had yet to finish speaking.

“Afterwards, in the years that my son’s business failed,” Yan Zhengyu hesitated for a bit before saying, “You know about how I helped him to raise funds by randomly making up genealogies and articles. I’ll not speak about that. In truth, there was a day when I took out this remaining copper mirror.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that he was talking about this last one that he was holding.

“You should know what I was thinking then. I thought of selling it, selling it as the genuine article. I struggled a lot that day. Finally, I steeled my resolve. To prevent myself from regretting it in the future, being led astray...I immediately got my tools and added some words to the copper mirror. With that, it’d be impossible to mistake it for the genuine.”

Words? Xu Tingsheng flipped the copper mirror but did not find anything.

Professor Yan took it and pointed towards its side.

Along the edge of the narrow mirror were the words: Beauty is appreciated everywhere, I alone prefer rustic.

Yan Zhengyu had engraved the words in a tall and straight fashion, this only having originated during the time of the Eastern Han Dynasty. So, it would naturally not appear on a mirror that came from the warring state era. Yan Zhengyu had done so deliberately.

As for these eight words, they were from the famous specialist in cultural relics, Wang Shixiang. Regarding their meaning, it was probably that Yan Zhengyu and his son sought different things in life, perhaps also carrying an unfortunate sigh.

“I have lived a simple life. Even in the chaotic times of war, up mountains and down villages, and during the years of the Cultural Revolution, I never felt it to be very bitter. The sole bitter, difficult time of my life was when my son was saddled with debt and being pestered to repay it.”

“During that time, I sold my name, my reputation, my principles...there was only one thing, one object alone where I stayed true to my conscience. In giving this to you today, I hope yours will be a world of immeasurable beauty, your heart having a simple, basic place to return to.”

Be in a world of immeasurable beauty, having a simple, basic place to return to. Xu Tingsheng couldn’t remember this having been spoken by anyone else. So, they should be the old man’s original words. Wishing him a smooth life, where everything was smooth-sailing...also wishing that when he was up there on the clouds, his heart would have a harbour.

Hearing this, Xu Tingsheng knew that the old man must have researched and learnt thoroughly of the events that had befallen him some time back. That was why he was currently sharing his emotions and reminding him of things.

He looked into the old man’s eyes and saw concern for him as if for one’s own descendant.

Fate was really a profound thing. Their teacher-student relationship of a previous life was being resumed now.

Not saying anything else, Xu Tingsheng went inside and got some water, taking the ‘before Qingming’ special Longjing Tea that he had prepared for Yan Zhengyu and brewing it.

Then, he offered it with both hands, “Have some tea, teacher.”

Yan Zhengyu’s brows relaxed but then furrowed, “What a dastardly waste of a heavenly brew.”

Xu Tingsheng knew that he felt drinking this tea was a waste.

Still, Yan Zhengyu still smiled and drank it before licking his lips, asking as he recalled its flavour, “How did you know that I like Longjing?”

Actually, it was Pu’er that was the most popular now. Still, Xu Tingsheng had spent four years under Yan Zhengyu’s wing in his previous life, having been treated akin to his final disciple. In that case, how could he not know the taste of his teacher who he owed so much to?

“I guessed it,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and said, “It’s good that teacher likes it. Next time, I’ll get you 50 grams of ‘Imperial Eight Trees’.”

Xihu’s Longjing Imperial Eight Trees saw only a hundred grams produced every year. It was priceless.

Yan Zhengyu had clearly heard of it before as he immediately put on a stern face and said, “If you really dare to send it over, I’ll dare to break off all ties with you.”

Xu Tingsheng knew how his teacher was like as he was definitely capable of that. He hurriedly assured him that he dared not do so.

The two discussed Cao Cao’s mausoleum for a while more before Xu Tingsheng got up and bade farewell.

He wrapped up the warring states copper mirror and put it in the inner pocket of his jacket, smiling as he said, “I can even use this as a ‘heart-guarding mirror’.”

Seeing his youthful disposition, Yang Zhengyu could only shake his head helplessly and smile.

“When I go back, I’ll tell my future wife that our family finally has a heirloom,” Xu Tingsheng walked to the door and looked back, “Right, teacher, I still have something to ask of you.”

“Go on.”

“Since you’ve already drank this tea and given me a present, you have to be there as a witness when I get married,” This was actually something that the two had agreed on in his previous life, yet had ultimately not come to pass.

“That’s fine,” Yan Zhengyu did not feel awkward over Xu Tingsheng’s wealth and status as he smilingly agreed, “Still, you’ve got to say when it will be. You know about my age and health…”

“That is your problem, teacher. Anyway, since you’ve agreed, you’ve got to do it. As for how many years it will take, calculate it yourself, teacher. My future wife’s seventeen this year, in eleventh grade.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled as he left, wishing his teacher a long life.

Chapter 636: Exclusive online broadcast

Chapter 636: Exclusive online broadcast

The seminar over the next two days basically consisted of the preliminary preparations for the dig.

Xu Tingsheng sat together with a bunch of old scholars. Just the number of books they had read alone was sufficient to bury him eight hundred times. Unless he planned to act knowledgeable with the help of his foreknowledge, all he could do was keep his mouth shut…

He chose to not say anything at all. When asked questions, all he did was act ignorant and brush it off.

The rest of the time, he was mostly hiding in a corner, secretly sending texts.

He was actually rather busy. Over this period of time, there were actually quite a few conflicts in the internet industry.

First, at the end of September, one of China’s three major domain name service providers, Xinnet, had been hacked. This had led to around fifty thousand domain names registered under it, amounting to almost thirty percent of all websites in China, being unable to operate. Twenty hours later, Xinnet had resumed its services. However, the subsequent demand for massive reparations and the debate on internet safety had seen no successful resolution after a long time.

This time, Xingchen Technologies was engulfed too and had suffered quite a loss. The specific compensation was still being looked into. Xu Tingsheng’s opinion was very simple: Go with the flow.

Similarly having been negatively affected, Hucheng Tongcheng maintained Lu Zhixin’s usual domineering style as it had already long since launched a lawsuit for a colossal amount right after the incident.

Hucheng’s Lu Zhixin’s reputation of being the lawsuit demon was again refreshed across the internet.

At twenty-two years of age, she might already be China’s most well-known domineering female CEO. Still, as she was young, beautiful, did not make reckless comments and had safeguarded public interests during the gutter oil affair...her reputation was actually very good as the netizens were virtually all supportive of her.

Lu Zhixin’s online fan club was as domineering and forceful as her.

Next, Yesky and Baidu were currently in the midst of an intense war. They had started out from a verbal spat and progressed to the courts. While many major websites were taking sides, Xu Tingsheng just chose to be an observer-the way things were now, he had no spat with Baidu.

If they were to clash, it would be due to Qihu 360’s Zhou Hongyi in the future. Xu Tingsheng was but one of the investors too.

The area where Xu Tingsheng truly needed Zhou Hongyi was actually still Tencent.

Xingchen Games had previously used its substantial funds and offered a high price. Also considering the exceptional performance of Crazyracing Kartrider, they had launched a sudden assault and successfully persuaded the Korean game companies, snatching away the rights for <<CrossFire>> and <<Dungeon Fighter Online>> from Tencent.

There was nobody in this world who better understood than Xu Tingsheng just how popular and profitable these two games would later on become.

How great was the significance of beating them to the chase this time? It entailed that Xingchen Games would, in the area of internet gaming, officially become a hegemon akin to Tencent. As long as they were able to invest in Riot in time and obtain the rights for <<League of Legends>> in the future, Xingchen would stably hold the position of number one in the foreseeable future.

Having been ‘robbed’ at the brink of success, Tencent was furious, enmity old and new erupting together. Tencent’s declaration that they would take revenge on Xingchen and have a battle to the death with them spread throughout the industry. Apple’s father, Cen Xishan, informed Xu Tingsheng secretly that Zhou Yuandai was currently seeking to invest in Tencent to form a suppressive effect on him.

Actually, those with a clear mind knew that having lost the rights for the games at the very last moment was but an excuse. The true reason for Tencent being in such a rush to act was: This was very likely the last chance for Tencent to suppress Xingchen.

If they did not suppress them now, Xingchen would fully rise to the point of being able to stand against Tencent on equal terms.

As another critical moment arrived, it was rumoured that Xu Tingsheng had actually gone with some old men to dig a mausoleum...would Xingchen descend into a perilous storm once more?

At this time.

Zhou Hongyi who was known as the internet ruffian got to work. Because it had gained funds and channels from Xingchen in this life, 360 Security’s installations had skyrocketed past a hundred million within a short period of time. A few days ago, it had seen a new upgrade.

After the upgrade, everyone was delighted to find that all of Tencent’s software, QQ included, no longer had advertisements...where had they gone? They had all been intercepted by 360.

This might be a good thing to the netizens, but to Tencent, it meant that their rice bowl...had been smashed. The crazy war between Tencent and 360 in his previous life...played out three years prior.

The payback of this ‘tiger-rearing’ scheme that Xu Tingsheng had planned for since way back finally appeared now.

Being in the midst of tragically warring against 360, Tencent no longer had space to take revenge. They also had no way of stopping Xingchen Technologies’s frenzied progress…

Xu Tingsheng had been behind these grand happenings in the internet industry as he single-handedly stirred the winds and the clouds.

“Huh?” He regained his wits.

“Tingsheng, Professor Xia has something to discuss with you,” Yan Zhengyu felt a bit helpless.

“Oh, okay. Please say it, Professor Xia…” Xu Tingsheng looked around and, finally finding the old man with the Qingbei plate in front of him, hurriedly responded respectfully.

“It’s like this. I got a call from our university’s office yesterday. The school hopes to collaborate with Xingchen Weibo, reporting exclusively on this time’s mausoleum excavation online...what do you think?” The old man asked.

“This is a good thing! I agree. You have my support...and funds. However much is fine,” Xu Tingsheng straightforwardly and enthusiastically agreed.

Having an exclusive live on the excavation process of Cao Cao’s mausoleum via Xingchen Weibo-what a great idea this was. This excavation was destined to be a hot topic that all citizens paid attention to. Also, such a collaboration could help with Xingchen Weibo’s propagation and mainstream use to a great extent.

So, this was definitely a super-duper advertisement that could not be bought with just money alone!

“Why didn’t I think of that?” Xu Tingsheng wondered, “Looks like I’ll have to properly thank that Qingbei higher-up afterwards.”

Professor Xia coughed lightly as he looked at him, easing his expression as he said, “I don’t know about the monetary aspect. Let’s not talk about that. Still, this was proposed by our university’s student reporter squad and the higher-ups are very supportive of it as well.”

“Since you believe that it’s possible...Student Xu. Well, our university’s reporter squad is ready to send a small squad over first. Will you meet them now? One one hand, you can understand each other’s needs. On the other, they can better coordinate with your company beforehand.”

“Yes, we should do that,” Xu Tingsheng said, “I’ll get the company to dispatch people over to Yanjing to coordinate our work right away.”

Xu Tingsheng called He Yutan. Hearing the news, Old He and Hu Chen were happy beyond themselves and extremely supportive.

A five-man squad personally led by He Yutan immediately set off for the airport to fly to Yanjing.

Soon after He Yutan’s departure, Hu Chen called him, saying, “That chess move of 360...while it seemed like just a casual move at the time, it’s turned out to be the crucial step now. You’ve predicted the world with this, Tingsheng. The entire industry’s convinced. Yesterday, Old He and I had a rare drinking session...we both got drunk, laughing and yelling...it was not the wrong choice to board this ship! Thank you, Tingsheng. Thank you for thinking so much of us, bringing us here step-by-step, always believing in us.”

“What are you saying, Bro Hu? If not for you and Bro He, I’d surely have been able to achieve nothing at all. I should be the one thanking you...let me express my thanks with shares. At the start of 2007, your promised shares will be duly gifted,” Xu Tingsheng replied sincerely, yet did not want to linger on this topic for too long as he instead asked, “Right, why is it that Old He has personally brought a squad over for mere coordination work like this?”

“Don’t you know?” Hu Chen asked, “Old He is enamoured with antiques. He’s even a collector in the public. In his early years, people called him Yanjing’s Panjiayuan antiques’ number one blind man...who knows how much of his assets he’s all spent on it all these years...so, this is really him seizing on the opportunity to use work to satisfy his personal desires. Just wait for him to hassle those experts to death.”

“So it was like that. It’s fine. I don’t know about all that anyway. He won’t be able to hassle me,” Xu Tingsheng said, “As for the company, I’ll have to trouble Bro Hu.”

“It’s fine. There aren’t many things to handle. The teams below have all been formed too. The feeling of sitting on the mountain, watching the wind and the clouds...it’s wonderful!” Hu Chen laughed emotionally.

After hanging up, Xu Tingsheng looked for Professor Xia and told him that he had made the relevant arrangements.

Professor Xia said, “The student reporter squad is already here. The student who made the proposal is a member as well. How about you meet them first? Anyway, since you are all of similar ages…”

“Alright.”

Chapter 637: K.O

Chapter 637: K.O

If university students had once been called Heaven’s chosen, Qingbei students were basically Heaven’s chosen amongst Heaven’s chosen.

The girl whom Xu Tingsheng had had an agreement with in junior high was from Qingbei. His younger sister had gotten into Qingbei too. There would soon be a group of Qingbei students waiting for him...in the eyes of others, Xu Tingsheng had ‘very unfortunately’ failed to get into Qingbei.

Still, that was fine. He was Xu Tingsheng, Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng.

The fact that Yanzhou University was third-tier? It did not matter. Never had a youngster been able to rival Xu Tingsheng’s prowess during his university days...in his three years of university, he had established Hucheng, Zhicheng and Xingchen, three enterprises which had the potential to develop into empires.

Considering that he had only just started out and was only twenty-two, the heights he could reach in the future were really unimaginable.

Xu Tingsheng had never been someone who worshipped educational qualifications. Otherwise, he would not have given up on a famous university so easily when making his choice.

Therefore, very naturally, Xu Tingsheng met Qingbei University’s student reporter squad in the capacity of Xingchen Technologies’ boss who would be providing them a platform and money…

He had no intention of deliberately lowering his posture to demonstrate how similar and easy to get close to he was, not having lost his core simplicity.

In the capacity of a collaborating company, he interacted with the leader of the reporter squad, Xiao Yanxu, in a natural manner. Standing by the side, he listened to Xiao Yanxu introducing their squad members as he smiled and nodded to each one of them.

As they were of similar ages and this was no formal occasion, they did away with handshakes.

“This person behind is Wu Yuewei, who specialises in internet programming. This time, she will probably be involved a bit more with your company’s work. You can rest assured, Boss Xu. She is very outstanding.”

Xiao Yanxu praised Wu Yuewei as his gaze lingered on her. When he had introduced others earlier, as soon as he had done so, they would immediately turn and look very politely at Xu Tingsheng, introducing themselves to him.

Even though he had actually had a vague prediction earlier, as Wu Yuewei emerged from the group of people and truly appeared in front of him now, Xu Tingsheng was still rather at a loss.

Indeed, this proposal had come from her.

Having forced herself to study computers in university when she did not like it and had no prior experience with it, this girl’s thoughts had always been very simple. She merely hoped to be of help to Xu Tingsheng one day.

“Hi, senior,” Wu Yuewei was already different from back then as she could comfortably face Xu Tingsheng.

Still, there was one thing she still persisted in, which was calling him senior, not Boss Xu, not Xingchen’s big boss, not Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng or anything, but senior.

Back in eighth grade, when Wu Yuewei had been inspecting eye calisthenics across academic levels, she had discovered someone just looking at her and not doing the exercises.

“Senior, please do the exercises seriously. Otherwise, I will have to deduct marks.”

“Oh. What’s your name, junior?”

‘Huh?”

“Your name.”

“...Senior, please have a more serious attitude. Otherwise, I really will deduct marks."

Wu Yuewei’s hairs stood on end as she was watched by this shameless fellow. She waved the inspection book at him, more to embolden herself than as a threat.

That fellow extended a hand and took the book, checking the name written on it as he said, “Oh, so you’re called Wu Yuewei. My name is Xu Tingsheng. I’m your senior...let’s get to know each other.”

Wu Yuewei had fled that day.

After returning, she had even changed the class she was in charge of inspecting with someone else from the inspection team...it was just that for some unknown reason, she had actually taken the initiative to switch it back afterwards.

Further down the road, even more things had happened.

At this moment, accompanied by students of her university, Wu Yuewei smiled brilliantly as she looked at the rather nervous Xu Tingsheng. Unconcerned about what others had done prior to this, she extended her hand.

A handshake? Xu Tingsheng could only shake hands with her in an extremely formal manner, saying, “Thank you.”

While Wu Yuewei tried hard to compose herself, her palm was sweating with just that.

Who would have thought that with the many years the two had been entangled, with the tales of two lifetimes, the first time the two ‘held hands’ would actually be like that-this was basically no different from when the leaders of countries met one another.

After their initial awkwardness, Wu Yuewei burst out laughing and asked, “Qiuyi said that she wanted to get an additional slot on the reporter squad. She wants to go too. What do you think, senior?

“Her? No way,” Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “She only just started attending university. It’s definitely not okay to take such a long leave. Also, what could she do there? Besides abusing her authority and abusing me…”

Wu Yuewei thought about it and smiled, “That’s true. In that case, I’ll tell her that there’s really no way to do that.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded and the two resumed their original positions.

With just that, even a fool could tell that there was something different between them. And so, the atmosphere began to change a little. Some of the girls in Qingbei’s reporter squad were secretly teasing Wu Yuewei, or trying to indirectly get information from her out of curiosity.

Meanwhile, the mood of the guys took a turn for the worse. Some were eavesdropping on the girls’ conversation. Some were clutching their phones, continuously sending messages.

This strange state persisted all the way till He Yutan arrived with his crew.

The first thing He Yutan did after coming was enhance everyone’s meals.

Professor Xia asked him, “Boss He, do you want to coordinate with the students on work first?”

He Yutan said, “Let’s eat first. I booked a restaurant before getting on the plane. We can chat while we eat.”

He Yutan would definitely not need to personally coordinate. Just his assistant and the other employees were completely sufficient.

He Yutan accompanied one of the two tables of experts while Xu Tingsheng accompanied the other in name. Of course, the truth was that Old He alone was enough for all of them. He was akin to a portable mood-making device.

One the other side were two tables where the employees He Yutan had brought and the student reporter team were seated. They were really eating while discussing the specifics of their work.

Wu Yuewei appeared much more lively than in Xu Tingsheng’s impressions. She was graceful as well as clear and organised whether in terms of words or actions. Also, she seemed very well-received among the students.

It was probably still this: Studying experts were a dime a dozen, but beautiful studying experts were rare. Moreover, Wu Yuewei was even such a gentle, simple and authentic girl.

Xu Tingsheng also noticed one detail. In conversing with others, Wu Yuewei called her juniors juniors, called her classmates by their names and called her male seniors-senior brothers.

Logically speaking, senior brother should be a term that was more intimate than senior. Still, to Wu Yuewei, it was senior that was the exclusive term, also carrying a special meaning.

Their efforts were finally rewarded after asking around with all they had as after being pestered a lot, Wu Yuewei’s good friend accidentally let slip, “She only calls one person senior. It’s been this way ever since junior high.”

Hearing this news, all Wu Yuewei’s seniors present who had once been joyful and elated at being called something like senior brother, Xiao Yanxu included, had their hearts broken.

After dinner, the students returned to the university.

Xu Tingsheng and co sent them to the entrance.

“Bye, senior,” Wu Yuewei said.

“Bye,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Wu Yuewei had brought her laptop over. Xiao Yanxu who was standing behind her reached out to take her bag in a natural manner.

He smiled, saying, “Let senior take this for you. The laptop’s pretty heavy.”

He feigned nonchalance and called himself senior, also acting considerate in front of Xu Tingsheng-this person who was supposedly the sole person Wu Yuewei called senior.

In order to show how close they were? Show his dominance? Probe? Perhaps it was a bit of all of those.

Many people could tell and the students here virtually all knew that Xiao Yanxu had actually had such thoughts since Wu Yuewei had entered the reporter squad in her first year of university. He usually expressed concern, affection and a desire to pursue her too. It was just that never having gotten a response from her before, he had never actually taken that step outright.

Now, he was in his fourth year and had already basically decided to stay on and study in graduate school. So, now might be the ideal time for him to openly state these intentions.

No one said anything as they all awaited Wu Yuewei’s response.

“Thank you,” Wu Yuewei thanked him while stepping back and deftly and naturally removing her hand from her bag that he was clutching.

Then, she turned and glanced at Xu Tingsheng, saying, “Right, senior, I’m still using the laptop you gave me back when I was going to start attending university.”

K.O.

Chapter 638: Fortunately, I only read web novels

Chapter 638: Fortunately, I only read web novels

No one did a countdown for Xiao Yanxu...

Still, he stubbornly stood back up-even though the ‘match’ was already over.

“I always used to hear that Boss Xu’s entrepreneur legend started with establishing Hucheng in your first year on fifty thousand yuan...I even believed that it was true for some time. Only afterwards did I learn that you’re actually a rich second gen with a substantial background...indeed, it’s great if your father has money and power.”

His sudden words left everybody feeling awkward.

What was the purpose of these sullen words? To express his unhappiness and dissatisfaction, decrying the unfairness of the world? Or to make himself look better, or to mock Wu Yuewei in front of everyone?

That was really too ungentlemanly.

“Thank you for praising my father. Indeed, my father has always been my pride and reliance.”

Xu Tingsheng was already no longer at the stage where a single sentence and the slightest conflict could spark a confrontation with others, pride and vengeance being so important. A single neutral sentence was sufficient to bring an end to the matter.

Wu Yuewei nodded gratefully to him, not saying anything as she directly got in the car with her classmates.

Another two guys called Xiao Yanxu away.

In truth, Xiao Yanxu had regretted his words as soon as he had said them. It was just that he was used to everything being smooth-sailing for him, was used to being recognised, chosen and praised. Raised aloft to the stars, even at a place like Qingbei with so many hidden dragons and crouching tigers, he had still been able to become head of this university reporter squad, still being one of the most outstanding ones…

The sudden overwhelming sense of defeat that had descended upon him had caused him to overreact.

Having rashly said something that was so beneath his status, Xiao Yanxu regretted it greatly. Also, Xu Tingsheng’s response and Wu Yuewei’s silence caused his shame to virtually grow, converting into anger.

That night, Xiao Yanxu called Wu Yuewei to explain and apologise, expressing that he had really had no intention of mocking her.

Wu Yuewei’s attitude was still composed as she just said, “It’s fine. I understand senior brother’s character. Senior brother wouldn’t do that.”

It was just that amidst her composure, Xiao Yanxu sensed a sort of estrangement and guardedness.

Feeling unwilling to give up just like that, he clenched his teeth and directly said, “Junior Yuewei, well, I think you should know that I, towards you…”

“Right, it’s late. I should go to bed. Senior brother should sleep early too,” Wu Yuewei said and immediately hung up.

In truth, she was naturally unable to fall asleep so easily. After all, whenever she met with Xu Tingsheng, however calm she might appear on the surface, she would surely still be affected inwardly somewhat.

“Will this matter end up troubling senior? Or do I need to explain it to Xiang Ning?”

Wu Yuewei readied a text message and hesitated the entire night but ultimately did not send it out.

Previously, she had heard that Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning were preparing to get engaged.

If that was the case, she should try hard to put it behind her too. If she could not do so, she would have to bury it. This was what Wu Yuewei had advised herself, had decided to do...she was not a girl who was used to snatching things. She also had her moral bottom line.

Afterwards, hearing that the engagement had suddenly been delayed, Wu Yuewei had not tried to learn more about it. She was afraid that if she did, she might feel hopeful again. Sometimes, hope could also beget fear-for those who had tasted much disappointment and was afraid of hurting again.

Then, one day, her roommates had been in front of the computer discussing something in their doom room. Apparently, a designer had given a Chinese girl a custom-made wedding gown at the end of her event during the Paris Fashion Week.

There was a picture in the article.  While others might not be able to recognise who that was, Wu Yuewei identified that it was Xiang Ning even through the veil at first glance.

Not knowing about Li Wan’er, Wu Yuewei naturally thought that Xu Tingsheng had arranged for this.

As for this time’s archaeological excavation, she had actually not known that he would personally participate in it. She had made the proposal simply with the mindset of helping however she could, even if it was just a little bit. Wu Yuewei had not even intended to let him know about it.

In the end, he had come. That was fine. In that case, she could maintain a proper identity and have some simple interactions with him as their farewell. Wu Yuewei felt that the happiest times they had spent together were actually the fourteen days of quarantine for SARS, after all.

They had not been able to meet during that time, only having been able to communicate via phone. Ninety percent of the time, it had been Wu Yuewei helping Xu Tingsheng to revise mathematics...still, she found precisely those simple, pure times warm and happy.

……

After two days of preparations.

The experts who were gathered in Yanjing, the research students assisting them and the team dispatched by Qingbei University’s student reporter squad took a plane to their destination.

He Yutan went along as well.The benefit of him coming was that everyone’s meals, lodging and transport were enhanced greatly.

Followed by an empty vehicle the local authorities had dispatched to pick them up, everybody was in a luxurious bus that had been obtained by He Yutan. They were also followed by two housecars, which He Yutan said were prepared for the experts in case they needed to rest.

He was already imagining the scene wherein he strolled around Panjiayuan accompanied by dozens of experts. How domineering...fulfilling...his mother, who would still dare to call him the number one blind man of Panjiayuan? When he gazed at an item, dozens of experts would flick their sleeves and mobilise. It could literally shock one to death!

Xu Tingsheng sat beside Yan Zhengyu, conversing with him a little from time to time. He spent most of the time resting with his eyes closed.

Stephen Chow’s version of The Deer and the Cauldron was being broadcast on the bus. The constant laughter was unceasing.

As the ending scene played on the screen, one of the research assistants brought by an expert said loudly, “Wei Xiaobao is a scumbag. It’s no wonder that he started out in a brothel...even with a wife, he was still chasing this one, chasing that one, his means not upright too. It is disgusting indeed…”

From what Xu Tingsheng remembered, he had clearly been laughing very happily earlier.

From his current expression, it was like he was waiting for the girls on the bus to go over with eyes full of stars, saying, “Wa, you’re really a good guy. How noble. I really look up to you.”

Then, he would probably say, “Anyway, my heart will only be taken once in my life, and once it is, it’s for a lifetime.”

After that, he would probably begin asking the girls for their phone numbers.

“Actually, Wei Xiaobao cannot be considered a scumbug, right?” Another guy suddenly said, “I feel that Yang Guo’s still the greatest scumbag in Jin Yong’s novels. In his youth, he was like a hooligan in his behaviour. Guo Fu, Cheng Ying, Lu Wushuang...flirting with all of them and not taking responsibility. Afterwards, claiming that he was head over heels for Xiaolongnü but still provoking other girls in the meantime. Let’s not mention Gongsun Lü'e. Even Guo Xiang who was so much younger than him wasn’t spared...it’s really freaking disgusting.”

“For a few of them, they went through tough times together and helped each other out. That’s why they got close, right?”

“Who asked him to help them? Huh, if he doesn’t love them, he shouldn’t provoke them,” This research student said righteously, basically meaning that in order to stop the girl from falling in love with you, you should just let them die.

“But towards Guo Xiang, it was only out of his goodwill as someone of the elder generation!” A girl helped to defend Yang Guo.

It was said that somebody had done a survey before and found that Yang Guo was the most well-received male lead among girls in Jin Yong’s novels-probably because those who had acted as him were mostly very handsome.

“Since he already had someone he loved, he shouldn’t be good towards other women. During Guo Xiang’s birthday, he went to such lengths. Which young girl would be able to withstand it? So, he’s a scumbag by nature,” The research student exclaimed emotionally.

“If you say that, Duan Yu is quite a scumbag too,” Someone else said.

“Not as much of a scumbag as his father, Duan Zhengchun!” Someone smiled and replied.

“Actually, I feel that Zhang Wuji is worse. Weak-willed and indecisive, unable to decide between Zhou Zhiruo and Zhao Min, harming them quite a bit. Irresponsible towards Xiao Zhao too...”

“Chen Jialuo is the true scumbag. Liking Huo Qingtong because of her beauty, but when she liked him, switching his affections to Princess Fragrance...but later on, this bastard actually wanted to give Princess Fragrance to someone else. He persuaded her to be Qianlong’s concubine...I really want to hack him to death.”

“Ha, Ouyang Feng ate a dumpling.”

“He’s a villain in the first place.”

“Don’t say that. The old toad’s actually pretty adorable.”

“Zhuo Yihang is a scumbag too. Not taking responsibility like a man at all.”

“Li Xunhuan even acted deep, scheming craftily to give his woman to his bro.”

“Li Xunhuan is Gu Long’s, right…”

“Oh, my mistake.”

“If you say that, Guo Jing is quite the scumbag too,” Someone said out of the blue.

Now this was shocking. How was the great, honest, lovable hero Guo Jing a scumbag? Objections immediately arose…

“He and Hua Zheng grew up together as childhood friends. She took care of him and his mother so well...the two of them even got engaged. Engaged!”

“He didn’t seem too willing.”

“If you’re unwilling, don’t get engaged...don’t accept others treating you well. He got engaged! So, speaking of the level of hurt, there’s actually no one who surpasses him.”

“There actually is one.”

“Who?”

“Qiao Feng.”

“...”

Was this taking out all the best men in Jin Yong’s novels one by one to flame?

A girl furiously exclaimed, “What’s wrong with Qiao Feng? He’s so handsome, so devoted...”

“He killed Ah Zhu.”

“He didn’t do it on purpose!”

“While he didn’t do it on purpose, he killed his lover with his own hands! He actually didn’t die to repent for his sins...Jin Yong found him an excuse. He drank wine and made merry with his venomous sister-in-law who clearly liked him...he really couldn’t be more of a scumbag.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng was smiling as he listened as a bystander, never interrupting.

Still, the flames of war eventually blazed to his area.

One of the members of the reporter squad who was very close with Xiao Yanxu deliberately asked, “Boss Xu, you haven’t said anything at all. What do you think?”

The rumors between Xu Tingsheng and Apple were very easy to look up on the internet. Almost everyone present knew that his relationship with Wu Yuewei was not simple. And apparently, he seemed to have a girlfriend too…

Therefore, while those guys from earlier had actually been joking about the earlier topic, this person who was deliberately asking Xu Tingsheng this was actually attacking him, hidden mockery beneath the surface. This was probably to help Xiao Yanxu take out his anger.

“I don’t know about that...I’ve never researched or watched them,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Still, having listened to your discussion, I feel very fortunate...fortunately, I only read web novels.”

“Web novels?”

“Male leads in web novels definitely won’t have any of those problems you’ve spoken of at all,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and said, “Just like this good brother here.”

He indicated towards the research student who had first initiated the topic.

What Xu Tingsheng should really feel most fortunate about was that he had died in 2015 in his previous life...so he had luckily avoided a guy named Xiang, with the same given name as him, who had written a web novel called <<Still, Wait For Me>>.

Chapter 639: Extortion

Chapter 639: Extortion

“What’s your name, bro?” Xu Tingsheng asked the research student who was gazing puzzledly at him, not knowing which expert might have brought him as an assistant.

“I am surnamed Zhao, Zhao Gongzhi. My friends usually like to call me Young Master Zhao.”

“Oh, hello, Young Master Zhao.”

Xu Tingsheng chatted with him quite a bit during the remainder of the journey.

When they were about to reach their destination, Young Master Zhao suddenly raised his voice and said, “My Dad is a higher-up in the bureaucracy at the neighbouring county. You can look for me if there’s anything. Also, if you want to go out to play or whatnot, I can be your bodyguard and guide.”

From this tone and level of voice, as well as bodyguard and whatnot, Xu Tingsheng knew that these words definitely weren’t meant for him. They were meant for the girls on the bus.

The bus stopped at the excavation site. There wasn’t a forest of steles or tall hills as there was only a small earthen slope and a few narrow caves. The students, the reporter squad included, were all a bit disappointed.

Still, this matched with the description of Cao Cao in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It seemed more reasonable that the suspicious Cao Mengde did not want to make his mausoleum too conspicuous.

In truth, some of the experts had already come over beforehand to review the site. The initial preparatory phase had already long since begun too.

The locally employed workers and personnel had already cleared the surrounding area of extraneous things and erected a big metallic structure around the entire mausoleum, to protect it while making it convenient to work on rainy days.

There was a very large difference between the excavations of Cao Cao’s mausoleum in this life and Xu Tingsheng’s previous life: They had money.

In his previous life, the excavation of Cao Cao’s mausoleum had been carried out by a local organisation, funded by the local county government.The highest-ranking officer in charge of overseeing the matter had only been a village secretary. As the excavation had taken too long, they had even run into financial problems a few times.

In this life, however, money was no problem at all. Unprecedentedly, as a private enterprise, Xingchen Technologies had sponsored this archaeological excavation.

While the dig had yet to begin, people on the internet were already joking that this had to be the most extravagant archaeological excavation in history. This could be seen from the food, lodging, transportation, team and also the two housecars parked in the parking lot.

A private enterprise could actually spend money on supporting academic research, injecting much-needed power into a mausoleum’s excavation. Xingchen’s image was really too positive.

The team of experts took a group photo outside the mausoleum before preparing to return to the hotel to rest.

This was at Xu Tingsheng’s suggestion. The old men were all not young. They had to be a bit more careful...otherwise, if Cao Cao hadn’t yet been dug out but a few members of their team were sent into their graves first, it would really be no laughing matter.

The student reporter squad gathered together.

This time’s live broadcast was planned to begin at the excavation’s commencement. Yet, from what they could see of the live situation now, it clearly lacked appeal and was insufficient to serve as any substantial content.

Someone proposed that they first shoot some local things, such as culture, geography, history and humanities...at the same time, they would also introduce the situation in the vicinity of the mausoleum and understand some tales of the past through interviews.

This was a common narrative method used in documentaries. The reporter squad quickly reached an unanimous agreement.

The chance Young Master Zhao had been waiting for arrived.

“How about this. Leave it all to me...just let me get a car,” Young Master Zhao said, “I can take care of the rest, ensure that everything is smooth-sailing. If you need some departments to coordinate with you, I can just have my Dad make a call. He has many friends over here.”

“How about I bring you all to eat first?” He continued, “Also, let’s exchange numbers. That way, it’ll be more convenient for you all to look for me if anything crops up.”

Just as Young Master Zhao was displaying his rather desperate yet lousy skill of picking girls up, an employee who had come with their team was conversing with two policemen as well as three people who claimed to be from the nearby village.

“With such a large site, won’t you need security?” A policeman looked up and asked.

“Right, we were thinking of liaising with the relevant authorities locally,” The employee said.

“What need is there to liaise? The two of us are from the local police station. These three bros behind are from the nearby village...this being our territory, rather than looking for anyone, we are the most wieldy, you know?” Another policeman interrupted.

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is that there is no need for you to go to so much trouble. For security, we’ll just form a police-civilian cooperation patrolling squad. It’s guaranteed to be safe.”

“I really have to thank you then. Thank you, thank you,” Speaking of these employees at the governmental research department, there was really a big gap between them and people of other departments in the bureaucracy as this employee had still yet to understand even now.

“Don’t be so eager to give your thanks,” Knowing that he had met someone inexperienced, a policeman lit his cigarette and laughed, saying, “Since you have no objections, let’s talk about the wages.”

“Wages? This, the local…” That employee had still yet to react.

“What, because you’re bigwigs from up top, us locals have to supply you for nothing?”

The employee hurriedly waved his hands in denial, saying, “That’s not what I mean. What I mean is that we’ve coordinated on this matter with the local government…”

“Coordinated? Who’s coordinated with us?” This is our territory,” The three who looked like villagers clamoured, looking like the rowdy, loafing kind.

“How much do you want then?” The bombarded employee caved in a bit.

“How much? Twenty thousand per day then. After all, there’ll be a few dozen of us going at it day and night,” The other side said.

He was really giving a sky-high asking price and expecting a low bid in return in what was essentially a bargaining process. Still, the employee did not understand that as he grew emotional as soon as he heard the price, “Twenty thousand per day? This is obviously extortion…”

After saying that, he was immediately pushed.

“What extortion? I’m warning you. You can do whatever, but you can’t run your mouth off.”

The employee staggered backwards, “What if we don’t want your help then? It’s fine, right?”

“Fine.”

The two policemen retreated to the side to smoke. Those three loafers stepped forward, looking around and declaring loudly.

“This bunch of old men all look quite old. Ask them not to wander about! One misstep and they’d probably be goners.”

“Wow, so many young ladies...you’d better watch over them well! We’ve got many bachelors over here. It’s rare to see so many pretty girls in one’s lifetime. Who knows? One might be reckless and forget about everything else. It’s none of our business if anything happens.”

These were blatant threats.

With that, everyone’s attention had already been drawn over. That employee was called back and asked about the situation.

After listening to the employee’s narration, some old professors with bigger tempers whose justice meters had overloaded were determined to go over and speak reason with them.

Xu Tingsheng hurriedly pulled them back. This was not something that they could handle. Knowledge and reputation were of no use here. If they really went to face the corrupt policemen and rowdy loafers, they might just be angered to the point of fainting.

While people were more used to hearing news or rumours about ordinary civilians being oppressed by authority, the truth was that most who were doing business away from their home location would have seen, experienced or heard of enterprises being extorted when investing in other cities before.

As for some places where people privately obstructed or charged fees, that would not even make it into the papers these past few years.

Let alone individuals, even an architectural company owned by a big corporation in a certain country had landed themselves in a great deal of trouble due to not giving sufficient benefits when building a certain bridge locally. Also, the local government had not been able to do anything about it in the end as the bridge project had ultimately been indefinitely delayed.

When Xu Tingsheng had been studying in Jianan University in his previous life, the academic city had still been under construction. Just because they had not chosen the locally produced, low-quality expensive products, construction workers and transportation workers had frequently been beaten up at the construction site. The materials that they used had also been stolen and damaged etcetera. After a few lockouts and investigations...the academy city had given in and purchased the other side’s expensive sand. Only then was the matter resolved.

As compared to the aforementioned matter, what they were currently facing was actually only something minor.

Xu Tingsheng persuaded the old professors to restrain themselves.

Yan Zhengyu tugged at him, asking, “Tingsheng, this is a public affair. And they still dare do so?”

“Yes, they do,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying, “First, we are neither personnel from local organisations nor people from powerful units. In the eyes of some vile citizens somewhere, however important you may be, you are still less effective in status than those sent by local authorities. Second, we appear too rich in all aspects this time...so, in order to profit out of it, they’ve got to try no matter what. On one hand, they’re used to being shameless and arrogant, having a bit of courage and not being afraid of trouble too. One the other, they’re betting that we won’t mind this bit of money.”

“This bit of money? Twenty thousand per day...we won’t be able to complete matters in just a few days here. If it takes longer, wouldn’t that amount to several million already?”

“It’s not that frightening. If I really were to pay, two, three thousand per day would actually already be enough to leave them fully satisfied,” Xu Tingsheng said.”

“Are you going to give it to them then?”

“No need.”

As Xu Tingsheng pacified a few experts, the sounds of conflict suddenly escalated on the other end.

He turned to look and saw that Young Master Zhao and Xiao Yanxu had already come to stand off against the other side at some point in time.

Young Master Zhao had his phone raised as he hollered, “I’m calling my Dad right now! Just you wait. Just you wait…”

Xiao Yanxu was carrying the camera and recording footage as he righteously reprimanded the other side, “I’m afraid that you’re not the one who gets to decide everything here! This is a lawful society. When you’re on the news...we’ll see who is able to protect you then. Just you and the policemen? Don’t forget, you guys were the one who threatened our personal safety earlier.”

The two policemen had long since retreated to the side. The remaining three were cursing as they advanced. It seemed like they were ready to resort to violence.

One pushed Young Master Zhao while saying, “Hit me. Come on, hit me however you like...I want to see who you can call.”

One made to snatch Xiao Yanxu’s camera.

One sent a kick flying at his knee.

If they went to blows here, they would definitely lose out. Even if Xiao Yanxu really reported the incident afterwards, it would merely cause a few days of detention for the other side at worst anyway. Meanwhile, if they were repeatedly targeted in an underhanded manner, it definitely wouldn’t be very pleasant for them.

If they really locked horns, it would not be a good thing for the entire excavation project too. After all, what they had said was actually not wrong. This was their territory. In one’s territory, even a grass snake was a local snakehead that could cause trouble for you at any time.Xu Tingsheng hurriedly pulled Young Master Zhao and Xiao Yanxu back, one with each hand.

“If you’re going to make a call, do it at the back,” Xu Tingsheng pushed Young Master Zhao into the crowd.

Fortunately, Young Master Zhao was discerning and knew that he would lose even more face if he was stubborn. He pretended that he had been pushed very hard by Xu Tingsheng as he stumbled into the back of the crowd.

“You go to the back first too,” Xu Tingsheng pulled Xiao Yanxu.

“Why?” Xiao Yanxu turned and howled loudly, venting his anger on Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly, “Let’s not lose out.”Xiao Yanxu said, “Lose out? I want to see if they have the courage.”

“They do. This is definitely not their first time doing this sort of thing. They know they can withstand the price and the consequences. That’s why they are this bold,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Talking about law and morality with them is useless. It’s not the same where you come from.”

“Really?” Xiao Yanxu chortled, “Sorry, I really don’t believe it. There’s no need to trouble Boss Xu too. A few policemen, a few unreasonable, vile citizens…”

“It’s like this. If it were a bureaucrat in front of your camera, he would definitely be afraid...they, though…” Xu Tingsheng indicated at the three lawless men whose clothes were fully unbuttoned, “They’re actually not so afraid of all this...so, it’s better if I do it.”

Xu Tingsheng forced Xiao Yanxu to step back a little.

“In that case, what does Boss Xu plan on doing?”

“I’ll try my best to resolve this problem in a satisfactory manner lest there are any future troubles.”

“Hire bodyguards over or smash them with money?”

“Giving money is an option too, actually.”

“Ha, and I thought what great idea Boss Xu could have. Giving money is fine too? If you ask me, it’s people like you that abet this kind of culture.”

“...Could I trouble you to tuck away your elite philosophy for the time being and stand at the back.”

Seeing that Xiao Yanxu wasn’t cooperative at all, a rather impatient Xu Tingsheng put on a stern face as he said this. Then, he ignored Xiao Yanxu and turned to walk towards the five men.

In truth, Xu Tingsheng was not the best kind of person to negotiate in this sort of scenario. If it were Old Jin or Huang Yaming present, just their auras alone would tell the other side that the person before them was not good to provoke. That would make negotiations much smoother.

As compared to them… Xu Tingsheng was too much like a nice guy. Sometimes, this actually wasn’t a good thing too.

It was just that in this scenario, with a bunch of old researchers and a bunch of students, there was no one more suitable than him.

“What? You’re the one negotiating now?” A policeman walked back into sight with a cigarette in his mouth, saying, “Get that kid to turn off the camera first.”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng turned and indicated for the people beside Xiao Yanxu to help turn off the camera before asking, “Can I take a look at your police ID?”

That policeman looked at Xu Tingsheng and smiled, saying, “Looks like you still haven’t given up yet. Alright, look all you want,” With that, he really fearlessly took out his police identification.

Xu Tingsheng took a look at it.

“So, I wasn’t deceiving you, right?”

“It’s real,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Then, can we start talking about money now?”

“How about we wait a while longer.”

“Wait?” The policeman spread his arms apart,” Wait for what? You wouldn’t be as foolish as those two kids, right? What, you don’t get it too?”

He was hinting: Since I even dare to take out my police identification, could it be that you still don’t understand? Without people backing us, we wouldn’t dare to be so unbridled...since we dare to do so, we aren’t afraid of you calling the police or anything.

This felt just like what tourists had faced at some ‘renowned tourist destinations’ during a certain few years. Calling the police had never been of any use.

“I get it. Still, we should wait.”

“Your mother, who are you waiting for?”

That person pushed Xu Tingsheng in the chest.

Xu Tingsheng retreated a few steps, “When the higher-ups of your county are here, we can discuss it then.”

The other party was taken aback, “The higher-ups of the county, you say? Is there something wrong with your brain? You bypassed the locality in doing everything this time. There are many people who are dissatisfied, you get what I mean? Have I made myself clear enough?”

“Otherwise, did you think we’re fools? Another policeman chimed in.

It looked like something had gone wrong in coordinating with the locality. It would be one thing if the locality grit their teeth and did it themselves like in his previous life, but if they directly went around the locality and didn’t give any benefits or face at all like they were doing now, not even saying hi to them, that was a different matter altogether.

Meanwhile, the excavation team was no powerful organisation themselves...the locality would naturally not be too respectful of and take good care of them.

Indeed, when scholars handled affairs, they did not know how to consider the sentiments of the parties involved at all. Xu Tingsheng sighed to himself.

“I can understand your meaning. Still, they will still come...let’s wait for a while longer,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

The five laughed loudly, mockingly and lost for words.

Wu Yuewei pulled Xu Tingsheng, asking softly, “Will they really come? Young Master Zhao’s Dad asked us to approach the city. How about we call the police on the city level?”

“For the time being, there’s no need for that. I believe that they will come. So long as they are not silly, they will definitely come,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Even as he said so, a vehicle team comprising two sedans and a van appeared on the public road in the distance.

Chapter 640 : I've already changed a lot

Chapter 640: I’ve already changed a lot

The vehicle team stopped at the carpark. A few people who looked like local officials at first glance pushed open the doors and got off the cars by themselves. Next, their followers exited that van too as the group of ten plus people walked towards the crowd.

The locals were naturally most familiar with their own authorities.

Having been full of smiles earlier, the five all began to panic, not knowing where to leave or stay as they looked at Xu Tingsheng.

When this youngster had said that he wanted to wait for the higher-ups of the county to arrive before discussing things, they had treated it as a joke. Still, they saw now that almost half the county’s officials had come. Also, the most important ones were all here.

While they wanted to run, they were well aware...they could run now, but they wouldn't be able to avoid the eventual consequences.

“Bro, what should we do? How about we hide first and avoid the storm?” A loafer who still had not grasped the situation asked.

“Hide? I’ve even shown him my police ID...no wonder they say that scholars are crafty...his mother, really too sinister…” That policeman wanted to cry but lacked the tears for such.

Standing behind Xu Tingsheng, Wu Yuewei relaxed as she asked softly, “How did you know that they’d definitely come? Did you contact them before?”

“It’s probably my Dad’s friends who came,” Behind them, Young Master Zhao said this excitedly from amongst the crowd as he stepped forward.

Xu Tingsheng and Wu Yuewei exchanged looks and smiled before the former said, “I’ve never contacted them. If possible, I’d actually like to avoid them. Still, I knew that I’d definitely not be able to do so.”

“Why?”

“The primary industry of this county involves the chemical handling of coal. Also, this place is neighbouring to Bingzhou. Did you know? In the eyes of those paying attention to coal mining, Bingzhou’s Jin Shengxing and Huang Yaming are definitely the most resplendent names right now. Also, my relationship with them is no secret. So, since I’ve come, they definitely wouldn’t miss this chance, much less dare to let me suffer any setbacks here.”

“In order to establish good relations with that Jin Shengxing? Also, Huang Yaming is so awesome now too.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, “They may also be seeking to secure an investment sum through me. If Old Jin and Huang Yaming are willing to enter this industry themselves, setting up a factory over here, these officials basically won’t have to worry about political achievements for the next ten years. Taxes, employment…”

“Oh,” Wu Yuewei smiled and said, “I suddenly recalled the past. You...with how hooligan-like you were, I really couldn’t imagine that you would know all this one day, having changed so quickly too…”

Xu Tingsheng did not reply to that, even though he actually very much wanted to tell her: Junior, put it behind you. Senior is really already very, very far from that Xu Tingsheng of the past.

As the two were conversing, Young Master Zhao had already enthusiastically gone to meet the officials.

“Hi, and you are?” A local official asked as he saw Young Master Zhao popping up in his face.

“Oh, hi. Well, my Dad’s in the neighbouring county. He is…” Young Master Zhao reported.

“Oh,” The other party glanced at him and directly maneuvered past him, his face clearly expressing: No idea.

That employee from the team of experts hurried over to greet them.

The two sides reported their backgrounds.

“Thanks for coming, thanks for coming,” The employee was so emotional that he was almost crying, “Right, let me introduce. These are Professor Xia, Professor Yan...Professor Zhang…”

Facing the team of experts, since they were already meeting them, these local officials dared not be disrespectful as they at least dispensed with all the surface courtesies, making them feel like they had come just for them.

“What’s up with your area? This is a national excavation project...in the end, we just got here, and people came to extort us, policemen even!” The hot-tempered Professor Zhang gave no face at all as he broke out scolding.

The local officials who were being courteous as they searched for the figure of the wealthy Xu Tingsheng amongst the crowd heard this and checked the situation...their hearts sank at once. Which fools below them had done this dumb thing?

“May I ask who is Boss Xu, Xu Tingsheng?”

“Hi, I’m Xu Tingsheng,” Xu Tingsheng extended his hand.

“Hello, Boss Xu. You see...I was going to say that we’d already arranged dinner to welcome you all, but in the end, this sort of thing happened,” The local official said while shaking hands.

“Nah. This sort of thing happens everywhere. You needn’t be too concerned about it,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Now, some accompanying aides had already looked for those two policemen. Having asked them who their direct superiors were, they whispered into the ears of the high officials. Like they had thought, some minor subordinates at the lowest level were even more audacious than their superiors, thinking themselves to be clever as they did not know the immensity of the heavens.

“Thank you, thank you for your understanding. Rest assured, Boss Xu, we will definitely handle this matter strictly.”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a moment, and thinking about how the excavation project would last a long time, smiled, saying, “Actually, it isn’t a major issue. How about this? When we’re having dinner later, invite that higher-up of theirs over as well. I’ll speak with him when we’re eating to get the misunderstanding resolved, bringing an end to this matter. In the future, we’ll have to depend on their support for our work here.”

Xu Tingsheng was very clear on the principle that Yama was easy to meet, but minor ghosts were hard to mess with. If he really were to pursue this matter, causing all these locals to harbour hatred in their hearts, while he himself wouldn’t fear it, it would also be a very troublesome matter if the other side frequently came looking for trouble during the excavation…

In this society, those possessing a certain amount of power had countless ways to make things difficult for others even without going against the law.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng’s words, the officials sighed in relief too, feeling rather grateful. In truth, it would indeed be rather impossible for them to lock up and take care of the entire batch of locals and policemen because of this matter.

At most, one or two would be fired and the rest made to have a bit of ‘reeducation’.

At the end of the day, they would still be doing the excavation work on the territory of this group of people. That might cause a whole group of people to bear grudges, the repercussions of this being who knew how much trouble in the future.

“On what basis? What right have you to decide to deal with it like this? We were clearly extorted earlier...also, let me say it again: It’s people like you who abet this kind of culture!” Xiao Yanxu appeared with his camera again, yelling this at Xu Tingsheng.

The officials all looked flabbergasted.

Had vinegar entered his brain? Feeling a headache coming on, Xu Tingsheng inhaled deeply and suppressed his emotions. He turned and removed the camera on Xiao Yanxu’s shoulder with one hand, putting an arm around his shoulder and walking him to the back of the crowd with the other.

“What? You’re so rich and powerful, but you’re still afraid of some minor local officials, Boss Xu?” Xiao Yanxu attacked in a mocking tone as it was fortunate that only those around them could hear it.

“Yes, I’m very powerful. When one is as rich as me, many things can be resolved without using money,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Still, even if I were a hundred times richer, I would still need to use my brain when encountering problems, understand?”

Xiao Yanxu was taken aback as he did not react for a time.

“There are many things which aren’t as simple as you think, Student Xiao...while being upright and unbending is laudable, the few thousand years of bureaucratic culture in this country and our way of handling affairs are not things which can be changed in a short period, get it?” Xu Tingsheng said in a hushed tone, “Don’t you have evidence in your camera? Let’s first ensure that the excavation work and your reporting work can proceed smoothly, waiting till the official matters are over before anything else, alright?”

“Please, do what you’re supposed to be doing to the best of your abilities. Leave the rest to me.”

Xu Tingsheng patted Xiao Yanxu on the shoulder and turned, returning to where the officials were. He explained things to them and set their minds at ease.

“That’s good then. In that case...for the remainder, we can talk as we eat. Tonight, for Boss Xu...and the various experts, professors and students, consider it as our welcome plus our apology for what happened.”

“Thank you. We’ll kindly accept it then. There just happens to be a few matters which we hope that the locality can provide help with. I can only trouble everyone here,” Xu Tingsheng agreed on behalf of the entire team.

At this point, having witnessed the entire process of Xu Tingsheng handling matters, even the professors knew full well that it was better to leave these things to him to handle.

When it was time to get on the bus, several professors patted Xu Tingsheng on the shoulder to express their approval when they passed by him.

“Do you always have to consider so much?” When Wu Yuewei passed by, she stopped and asked, “Also, sorry about our leader…”

“Why do you have to apologise for him? Sill…” Having originally wanted to say silly, Xu Tingsheng suddenly realised that that would make them seem too close as he stopped.

“Actually, I’ve already changed a lot, a lot...do you get what I mean?” Xu Tingsheng finally said it, just a step away from: I’m already no longer that senior in your heart.

While he had not said it expressly, being the intelligent girl that she was, how would Wu Yuewei not understand what he was trying to say? She raised her head to look at him, seemingly wanting to nod yet finding it very difficult to bring herself to do so.

Having called him senior for eight years...how could she say that it just suddenly wasn’t him anymore?

The atmosphere was subtle for a bit. Fortunately, Professor Yan Zhengyu appeared in a timely manner.

“This was my first time seeing this side of you. It looks like your success is not without basis. We are inferior to you in these aspects!” Professor Yan brought Xu Tingsheng a few steps forward and asked in a hushed tone, “Didn’t you say that you already have a girlfriend? You’ve even decided to get married with her.”

“In that case, you can’t get too close with that young lady anymore.”

“I’m worried that your charm is too great. So, I’ve decided to keep an eye on you a little,” Professor Yan smiled and said.

Chapter 641: A handful of soil (1)

Chapter 641: A handful of soil (1)

Before dinner started, Xu Tingsheng and some local officials sat together and chatted for a while.

Another table was set up at the welcoming banquet at his suggestion to seat the official in charge of the local police station where the mausoleum was and the chiefs of the villages nearby. Meanwhile, the local Public Security Bureau’s Chief was included amongst those hosting them with him.

Xu Tingsheng did not feel that this was beneath his dignity. On one hand, he did not care so much about status in the first place. On the other, this was just how the culture in this country was. Even the Heaven Equalling Sage in Journey to the West would have to look for the Earth God after going to a new land.

After leading the first round of drinks, Xu Tingsheng brought up the matter of the excavation site’s security in front of all of them.

The official in charge of that local police station was first to declare, “My men and I will definitely do our best to ensure it.

He just had to declare this. In not even mentioning the extortion incident from earlier here, much less pursuing it, Xu Tingsheng was extracting such a promise from him.

Officials did not like to say things too openly as it was better that both sides clearly understood what was going on. That was better than Xu Tingsheng expressly saying: A mutual exchange, with me showing you my respect by paying you one in return for ten. If you don’t understand, well then, I’ll take back the one that I respected you with.

Following that, the village chiefs expressed their stances too. On one hand, they’d properly do their jobs and try their best to ensure that no problems were caused. On the other, if there was anything that they could help with, he only had to ask.

This promise was actually no less weighty at all than that of the police station.

To be honest, where were there so many professional grave robbers in these peaceful times who would target mausoleums? Most of them were actually villagers from villages near the mausoleums. They were in just the perfect place for the perfect deed. Also, with so many mausoleums present nearby, this was even a craft and family tradition for many of them.

As for who exactly these people were, no one understood it better than the village chiefs here. There was definitely also no one who could persuade or suppress them as effectively as them.

Since Xu Tingsheng had given them face and they had accepted it, they had to do some work then. Also, everyone knew full well that besides Xu Tingsheng, the Chief of the Public Security Bureau was seated there too. This was equivalent to an unsaid sentence being buried beneath the surface: We won’t ask too much about it now, but if anything really does happen, you village chiefs will be the first people we look for. It will be up to you to coordinate with us at the time.”

“To be honest, Boss Xu,” The Chief of the Public Security Bureau did not put on the airs of an official at all as he conversed in a very normal manner, coughing as if in a bit of a difficult spot, “If you give us face, Boss Xu, we’ll definitely accept it. Moreover, this is my duty in the first place. Still, I must say that the difficulty is really very high. Though I wish to give you a guarantee, I dare not do so.”

“Huh?”

“It was us who applied to the higher-ups to speed up the excavation at the time. Why? Because we really couldn’t withstand it. As this Cao Cao’s mausoleum had a paper pointing to it, there were truly too many people who were aiming for it...Cao Mengde’s mausoleum! Just about anybody would think that there’d surely be countless treasures inside...people will die for money. In having come to enter this pond of turbid water, many people have already thrown wind to caution.”

The Bureau Chief’s words seemed perfectly reasonable and honest too.

When youngsters who had just entered society met with this sort of situation, hearing people of high positions pouring out their hearts and troubles, it was easy for them to be moved...they would feel that them being in such a high position yet still facing them with such sincerity was very hard to come by. Then, they would empathise even if they were taken advantage of, being subservient and working diligently even if given tough jobs, not knowing that they were being used as pawns even in some extreme cases.

In truth, they should think about it another way. This was actually the Bureau Chief pushing any future responsibility cleanly away. It was not just that. The promises that Xu Tingsheng had extracted from the official in charge of the policemen and the village chiefs also became thoroughly meaningless with this.

Really, officials! While Xu Tingsheng’s lips curled, his eyes turned cold, “In that case, since this place is close to Binzhou, I’ll just get Old Jin and Huang Yaming to directly dispatch some guys over from the mines. It’s just that doing this is easy to cause misunderstandings and also won’t sound very good...will you guys help me think of an explanation? Or greet them for me instead?”

It was not that Xu Tingsheng had never considered dispatching people from Binzhou before. It had two points for consideration, however.

First, it was fine that he was privately sponsoring a national archaeological excavation. Still, if he got his own manpower to intervene on top of that, people would surely think that there was something suspicious going on. Some might even speculate that he would secretly work to acquire the riches of the mausoleum for himself. It was going against the whole world.

Second, in this country, once you had acquired more than a certain amount of private manpower, that was not something you could randomly lay around.

Indeed, the Public Security Bureau’s Chief grew panicked as soon as he heard this. If such a group of people was really dispatched in, what would that signify? What would it mean? What would it result in? What was the point in having him, the Public Security Bureau Chief, around?

Let alone the ‘saliva’ from the internet, even the officials outside right now would censure him.

Xu Tingsheng was being unrelenting in his words. Having been genial for the whole day, this was his first time putting on such a front...reminding the other party not to forget who he was.

The other party was very smart as well as he promptly made a decision, afterwards also not directly replying to those words of his.

“Well, it may be difficult, but that’s where my responsibilities lie. Rest assured, Boss Xu. I’ll go all out,” The Bureau Chief put on a righteous look as he raised his glass, saying, “I’ll take the lead in this matter for everyone seated here, patting my chest. I guarantee for sure that everything will be successful for the excavation work.”

Some people just loved to pretend that they were straightforward and frank, speaking in a very rough-ish manner to hide their actual cleverness.

Still, this was not important. It was good enough that he had pushed the responsibility onto him.

“I’ll entrust it all to everyone then. Thank you,” Xu Tingsheng drank the wine and sat for a while longer before raising his cup again and saying, “I must still go out and toast the higher-ups of the county. Please enjoy yourselves in the meantime.”

He drank up and left his seat, leaving the remaining time for those of the locality to discuss amongst themselves. There were some things they could really just not say in front of Xu Tingsheng.

“Village head Zhao, Er Hei and co from your village-do you think I should lock them up for a while or can you persuade them? This is a national project, with a squad from a famous university apparently reporting on it. If anything happens, we’ll all be dragged down.”

“For Village head Niu, I heard that He Dahan’s family has a few objects that don’t seem to have come from legitimate sources…”

As soon as Xu Tingsheng went out, he heard the higher-up from the police station begin to call out names.

Now this was really the locality handling stuff. So-called police investigating matters...it actually was far from as miraculous as depicted in movies and novels. In villages and such, whenever an incident happened, it was usually the case that the police could immediately circle out the suspect, their judgment seldom deviating from the mark.

……

There was actually no need for Xu Tingsheng to have worried about the situation on the other end, because He Yutan had arrived. He had been absent during the earlier incident, having gone on ahead to confirm their check-in at the hotel. Otherwise, he would definitely have handled it in a more experienced manner.

With him present at the dinner, Xu Tingsheng naturally had it a lot more relaxed.

Some of the professors liked to drink. So, the situation was still quite lively.

Xu Tingsheng did not greet everyone loudly as he just sat down directly beside Yan Zhengyu.

Yan Zhengyu clinked glasses with Xu Tingsheng and downed the wine. He could actually sense that Xu Tingsheng had spent quite a bit of effort on this matter, excessive even.

Three years ago, he would still have needed that paper to earn reputation and status because of the education website and training institute he was running. Now, however, the need for that had long since disappeared.

Could it because he loved history? It really didn’t seem that way!

So, this kid probably wants to help me to make a comeback...so, could it be his appreciation from me helping him to publish that paper three years ago? Or because this acquaintance of great age difference has hit it off well with me, feeling deep teacher-student bonds?

Not knowing of how he had thought highly of and taken care of Xu Tingsheng for four years in a previous life, along with Xu Tingsheng’s guilt from having let him down, he was inevitably unable to understand it.

Chapter 642: A handful of soil (2)

Chapter 642: A handful of soil (2)

Only having seen that arrogant bunch of people back in the 90s when Hong Kong businesses returned to the mainland to invest would one know just how passionate local governments were towards potential investors.

In the 21st century, the situation was somewhat better. Still, directing investment remained an important part of the job scope of the various counties.

After it was noticed that Xu Tingsheng had come, he unquestionably became quite a focal point.

Thankfully, as he had always been pretty good at acting drunk, he did not drink too much.

After a round of drinks, Xu Tingsheng looked for the official in charge of publicity for the county and told him how the university reporter squad wanted to report on the local culture here.

“Boss Xu, just say what you need us to do, and we’ll definitely achieve it two hundred percent.”

“Thank you, Minister Zhang. Actually, we don’t need much. We mainly hope that the government can send two deputies who are familiar with the situation to help to guide and coordinate affairs. Of course, we need to ensure their safety too. There are quite a few girls in our reporter squad.”

“Next, there’s no need to dispatch vehicles. They can just follow ours. We’ll go to a housecar.”

Considering that there were several girls in the student reporter squad and some toilets in villages could be a bit inconvenient, Xu Tingsheng decided to send a housecar to this time’s interview with them.

Hearing about his arrangements not far away and considering it a little, the girls were already beginning to clutch their chests, enthralled-so, Xu Tingsheng who did not like talking with them was actually so thoughtful and meticulous.

“No problem,” The other party agreed easily.

“That’s good then. So, Iet me introduce Minister Jiang to the students of the reporter squad,” Xu Tingsheng gestured towards that area and soon saw two girls and one guy standing up and walking over.

The guy was naturally their leader, Xiao Yanxu. Xu Tingsheng felt on tenterhooks when he saw him, fearing that he might suddenly say something ‘heaven-shocking and earth-shaking’ again.

In the end, it went okay. While Xiao Yanxu was rather aloof this time, he still acted relatively decently. From Xu Tingsheng’s perspective, he should really be burning incense and offering prayers since this fellow with vinegar in his brain had not done anything to mess things up.

Actually, Xiao Yanxu himself felt vexed as well. He was currently in a vicious cycle where whatever he did was wrong, and whatever was wrong he did. He would always regret it after saying something, yet still saying it again a while later...repeatedly being rash and losing control.

At the end of the day, it was not a problem with his personality. It was just because everything had really been too smooth for him in the past as he was too used to being admired and praised. Now that he had suddenly met with a setback, he was plunged into chaos.

He had quietly worked at it for two years, believing that there should be a high chance of getting Wu Yuewei if he confessed to her just before graduation when he would still be remaining at the university. Moreover, he was so outstanding…

In the end, someone had sprung up, and this person had to be called Xu Tingsheng...had to be the only one Wu Yuewei had called senior for the past eight years.

Xiao Yanxu wanted too much to prove that he was more outstanding than Xu Tingsheng. Still, besides having gotten into a better university...comparing achievements? Was leader of the reporter squad a match for Hucheng’s founder or CEO of Xingchen Technologies?

Comparing money? Nope.

Comparing talent, using Qingbei to suppress entrepreneurial genius?

The final method Xiao Yanxu had thought of was comparing character. He felt that this should be Xu Tingsheng’s weakness, and Wu Yuewei should be aware that he had a problem in that area too.

It was precisely because of this that Xiao Yanxu had borrowed the scumbag topic on the bus and gotten his lackey to mock Xu Tingsheng. It was why he had acted righteous and fearless during the extortion incident too.

He hoped that Wu Yuewei would see it and admire it.

Still, all this seemed like punching cotton and fruitless effort...from everybody’s reactions, his actions only seemed to further accentuate the young legend’s greatness in opposition to him.

Now, it was not just Wu Yuewei. Even the experts, the other girls on the reporter team and the research assistants of the experts were starting to be won over by Xu Tingsheng’s intelligence and maturity which had originally been hidden beneath his wealth, looks and achievements.

It seemed as if there was nothing he could not do as it felt too much like they could trust and depend on him. From the standpoint of a young girl, his boyfriend meter was through the roof.

He was aloof and interesting while also intermittently warm and thoughtful...this sort of contrast was ‘deadly’ in terms of allure towards girls.

Xiao Yanxu decided to cool off for a bit.

After the official matters were over, Xiao Yanxu left. Still, the other two girls from the reporter squad stayed behind, saying that they wanted to toast him to show their gratitude for his care.

Xu Tingsheng had no choice but to pour some red wine and drink with them.

Following that, other girls came over to toast him as well. Some girls with relevant degrees took the initiative to ask him about Xingchen’s hiring.

After chatting for a bit, Xu Tingsheng suddenly found that Young Master Zhao was standing there too.

“I understand,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “If Young Master Zhao is interested in the interviewing work and can obtain permission from your teacher, you’re welcome to go together...after all, you’re rather more familiar with this place.”

Young Master Zhao was over the moon as he excitedly said yes repeatedly.

This fellow was actually pretty cute. There are actually many of this kind around, those who really want to chase a girl yet never know what they should do, always overdo it and always make a fool of themselves.

They are actually generally good people.

Following that.

It was generally those from the local government raising their wineglasses, wanting to talk about investment with Xu Tingsheng, who...only talked to them about ancient mausoleums.

Since the boss was so interested in this, the officials thought that they should accommodate his tastes and try to please him. Thus, some eloquent officials began to talk about some local tomb raiding legends.

Rather than archaeology, tomb-raiding was always a more invigorating topic. The students quickly grew excited. At this point in time, Ghost Blows Out The Light had already been ongoing for some time and Grave Robbers’ Chronicles had already started too.

As they went deeper into the story, the students began to discuss:

“Wonder if there are any dumplings inside?! What should I do if Cao Cao starts hopping towards me?”

“Do we have to prepare some black donkeys’ hooves to ward off vampires?”

“Should the professors light candles when they enter the mausoleum? Should they retreat when the candlelight is extinguished?”

“...”

……

After dinner, feeling slightly tipsy.

Yan Zhengyu called Xu Tingsheng at the entrance of the hotel, getting him to accompany him to the location to walk around.

The two travelled there by car.

The mausoleum at night was bleak and tranquil.

“However heroic your lifetime, even if your feats are recounted for millennia...you are still not going to escape becoming a mound of yellow soil!” His hands behind his back, Yan Zhengyu said emotionally.

Xu Tingsheng saw that he was moved, seeing resolve, hope and yearning in his eyes...he had been enamoured with history throughout his life, having been renowned at one point in time. In the end, he had been abandoned, been isolated. And now, he could finally do his favourite work again.

“Maybe there are things that teacher cannot see past too, such as name, or perhaps just for an upright reputation.”

Yet, Xu Tingsheng knew of the situation in Cao Cao’s mausoleum in his previous life. Its entire excavation had been accompanied by countless disappointment and mockery...people really had overly high expectations of Cao Cao’s mausoleum. Yet, what they had discovered was really too little, too light, too lacking an impact.

At the same time, while the government had confirmed that it was Cao Cao’s mausoleum, be it amongst the academic world or the public, this was actually a topic filled with contention-there was really too little evidence, too little persuasive power.

Just a few items like some halberds and shields commonly used by Emperor Weiwu, a stone tablet whose words even had much room to be interpreted-what could be confirmed from that?

When Xu Tingsheng had written that paper in order to pave his way for his educational training institute back then, the reason he had chosen it was not that Cao Cao’s mausoleum contained more buried artifacts and had clearer evidence. He had actually chosen it because it was filled with contention-because of that, he who did not have a degree in history would not appear too conspicuous and contentious as the one who had discovered it.

Still, it was not like this to Yan Zhengyu.

While this time’s expert team was powerful and numbered many, it was actually just like in dramas or opening credits in a movie. At the start, everyone would just drop by to show their faces. Still, when it came to their actual shooting process, they would mostly just be passing by, the main characters asides.

It was not all the experts who would be staying to work on this project for the long term. They still had their own work and research to do. They would just take turns and come once in a while.

The ones really in charge of the excavation were Yan Zhengyu and another Professor Ma.

What was eventually discovered and the corresponding verdict were too important to him.

Xu Tingsheng was a bit worried: Maybe I can only place my hopes in how excavation has begun two years earlier than in my previous life, with another two years of protection done...maybe some of the most important evidence and discoveries were stolen over these two years?

In his previous life, when the archaeologists had finally found and opened the door of Cao Cao’s mausoleum...they had found so many mineral water bottles lying there, left behind by the tomb raiders.

Therefore, one could make the bold speculation that the most valuable artifacts in Cao Cao’s mausoleum had actually long since landed in the hands of the tomb raiders, their identities, their whereabouts unknown…

“So, will these things still be in there this time? Or will only a portion remain just like before?” Xu Tingsheng could only hope that the situation was like that, that an artifact that was valuable and with enough shock value still remained in the mausoleum before him.

“If they dig out a national treasure, I can be considered as having contributed a bit to the country in this rebirth, right?”

As Xu Tingsheng was thinking about many things.

Yan Zhengyu was already walking quietly to the exterior of the mausoleum.

“What is it, teacher?” Xu Tingsheng hurriedly caught up to him and asked softly.

“It’s nothing. It’s just that I’m suddenly a bit not used to it. I clearly should be very used to it. I’ve done it for a lifetime, after all.”

Yan Zhengyu crouched down slowly as he said this. He pushed his hands at the ground at the entrance of the cave for a while, slowly bringing up a handful of yellow soil which he sniffed…

“The last time I scooped up a handful of mausoleum soil to smell, my wife was still alive. She complained that my clothes were full of mud.”

These words could not be any normaler.

Still, Xu Tingsheng could clearly feel an immense, firm sorrow surge from the silence of the surrounding night, tightly enveloping the skinny figure of this old man before him.

Xu Tingsheng knew that Yan Zhengyu’s wife had died when his son’s business had gone bankrupt and he had been saddled with debt. She had already been very sick and bedridden at the time that she received her son’s call one day.

On the phone, her son begrudged that his birth was not good, with a father who only knew about academic research, being of no help to his life and career whatsoever…

He said that he already had no way out and was standing on the rooftop…

Madam Yan had suffered a huge blow, thereon meeting her demise.

After burying his wife, Yan Zhengyu had begun to fulfil her final wishes, exerting all and any means to repay his son’s debt.

Chapter 643: GG (1)

Chapter 643: GG (1)

Actual archaeological excavations were far less stimulating and interesting than one might imagine. To be precise, they actually tested one’s patience and passion a lot. Also, this sense of exertion would persist over time, spreading unceasingly from not having any pleasant surprises.

Every inch of soil would have to be carefully handled and go through a sieve. After going through the sieve, the earth that remained would still have to be concentrated together before going through another sieve...one’s sense of anticipation would slowly be lost just like that till only a sense of boredom and tediousness remained.

Xu Tingsheng proposed several times, “Teacher, why don’t we directly cut it from the top using an excavator...flipping the entire mausoleum’s roof?”

Each time, Yan Zhengyu would just glance at him, saying, “I think I regret it. Can you not call me teacher anymore?”

Progress was slow. With the great door of the mausoleum still yet to be opened, one batch after another of experts left.

After capturing the initial footage, the student reporter squad began working in shifts too. Most of them would be returning with the experts who had come from Yanjing, continuing their busy studies.

He Yutan had already gotten on very close terms with most of the experts these past few days, especially those from Yanjing.

From Xingchen, two non-tech female workers who had been hired just this year stayed behind. The reason was apparently that since they both had no boyfriends and would be far away from home, it didn’t matter where they went to work. Also, as instructed by Old He, coordination work was secondary in their duties as their main job was to serve Xu Tingsheng.

Old He had smiled in a very suggestive manner when saying this. He had also said: The days are boring and solitary. Why not make use of this chance to choose a personal secretary, Boss Xu?

If anything, he himself really wasn’t able to stay on in this godforsaken place for any longer.

The remaining employees returned to Xingchen’s headquarters in Shenghai. Old He himself took the same plane to Yanjing as the experts returning there.

He said, “I already can’t wait. I want to go to Panjiayuan to wrest back all I once lost…”

Xu Tingsheng knew that he had prepared a large sum of money that he was prepared to waste. This was how it was. In the line of collecting antiques, those eager to dispense their money were always likeliest to fall for scams. Meanwhile, the ones who could patiently wait for opportunities and ‘fated encounters’ were comparatively harder to swindle.

This was why wealthy people were most welcome in this line, also being the fastest to enter and the fastest to leave.

Wu Yuewei was one of the reporter squad’s three members, making up the first batch, to stay behind. The reason was apparently that she had already gotten many academic units ahead of time. The other two members were a fourth year female senior and Xiao Yanxu.

One day, when a female employee from Xingchen was helping to sort out the clothes in Xu Tingsheng’s room at night, her skirt was too short and she was wearing nothing at all inside besides stockings. Facing away from Xu Tingsheng, she bent her waist, busily at work...she judged that her boss was finding it hard to bear his solitude and gave it her all to seduce him once. After that, she was deployed back to Shenghai.

From start to end, neither openly expressed knowledge about this scheme. Xu Tingsheng too did not give her any additional punishment.

While the female employee had not succeeded, it was actually just almost. She had caused Xu Tingsheng to realise one thing. His will in that area seemed to be gradually getting diminished.

This might be related to the solitude, having been in a swelteringly dry environment with nothing to do. It might have spurred some natural functions. Even as the female employee who could not be considered beautiful left the site, Xu Tingsheng who looked totally unperturbed was actually thinking: Maybe, while it won’t be exposed, it would be okay to find a woman, purely for mutual benefit, to fill up the emptiness.

If this thought and this urge had appeared two to three years earlier, Xu Tingsheng would very likely already have a harem now.

In the meantime, Wu Yuewei kept a proper distance from Xu Tingsheng, diligently maintaining this relationship of ordinary friends for many years, not estranged but also not too close.

Xu Tingsheng felt comfortable with that. Still, one could only imagine how hard Wu Yuewei had worked to achieve this.

Xiao Yanxu had stopped stirring up trouble. Xu Tingsheng was already happy enough with that.

The problem was that even though they were all working very hard, after a short-lived popularity, the live broadcast of the excavation was now seeing increasing impatience, disappointment, disparaging remarks, doubt…

In the words of the netizens, “It’s okay even if you show us a dumpling! Everyday, if it isn’t the local culture, it’s pile after pile of soil...what the hell?!”

Wu Yuewei’s fourth year female senior caved in to the pressure and began to propose ‘fabricating’ some rumours, such as capturing a few blurry images of some figures in the night, uploading them and giving no explanation.

Xu Tingsheng and the trio on the reporter squad held two meetings. The reporting channel on Weibo began to upload pictures of four theft caves discovered in the surroundings of the mausoleum.

The netizens finally grew interested. Various analyses, various projections...one colourful tomb-raiding story after another were automatically born.

While the crisis was temporarily resolved, everyone was clear on the fact that this was only a short-term solution and would surely fail if things went on like this.

As compared to that, there was much more pressure on Yan Zhengyu. The old man who had already quit smoking for many years asked Xu Tingsheng for cigarettes four times over this duration, on the four respective days when they discovered the theft caves of prospective raiders.

The first two times, it was just one stick. The third time, he asked for another after the first. The fourth time, he took the rest of the packet of which most was still remaining before sitting alone for more than two hours by the pile of cleared soil.

Xu Tingsheng had not even known how to comfort him.

He was actually not of much help in staying at the site. In recent days, Professor Yan was already not even letting him participate in the handling of the soil layer as his work was not meticulous enough.

Because of this, besides helping to coordinate in some matters, Xu Tingsheng was staying behind more to avoid things and rest. Besides that, he was waiting for the moment that the mausoleum opened. He wanted to see if there was a different result from in his previous life, making for a pleasant surprise.

The project was much faster in this life than in his previous. On the day the mausoleum’s door appeared, Xu Tingsheng was standing beside Yan Zhengyu.

The old man’s body was trembling slightly. Xu Tingsheng could sense that the four theft holes in the surroundings had already raised Yang Zhengyu’s worry to a peak...so, had the underground palace of the mausoleum been raided, the chamber infiltrated?

This might be immediately revealed now.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng’s nervousness was no less than Yan Zhengyu’s at all. He had seen the situation in his previous life before. Had the premature protection and excavation led to the same result? It largely rested on this moment to find out.

The door of the mausoleum’s underground palace opened. A long passage was revealed.

“Let me see...let me see...good, there are no mineral water bottles,” Xu Tingsheng cheered excitedly inwardly.

This was all he could tell. He did not have the expertise to judge any more than this.

“For the time being, there seem to be no signs of infiltration. We just don’t know about inside, though…” Yan Zhengyu said beside him.

From his voice, one could tell that he was working hard to suppress the excitement in his heart.

Chapter 644: GG (2)

Chapter 644: GG (2)

As the excavation work progressed, an image stone appeared, burial jade ornaments appeared, the most convincing evidence from Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, the stone tablet with the words ‘Emperor Weiwu’ carved on it appeared…

With that, there were finally some decent items for the artifact storage room that had already been erected previously. A group of special security guards had begun to guard it and the entrance of the mausoleum itself at full vigilance.

The local government made use of this opportunity to secure political achievements and score points in front of the general public. They launched an operation and captured fourteen ‘tomb raiders’...Xu Tingsheng recalled that the number had been close to forty in his previous life.

At the same time, as per the request of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the archaeological team held the first press conference since the start of the excavation work.

Yan Zhengyu introduced the relevant situation of the excavation work in detail at the press conference, including current progress, discoveries and the verification of the mausoleum’s owner. He was also interviewed by the media.

This was his comeback battle. Still, the wave of opposition was unexpectedly great.

The doubt of the netizens could be ignored for now. This was mostly them venting because their desires had not been properly satisfied. What was truly critical and difficult to deal with came from academia, history specifically.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, there had also been many doubtful voices by historians. Meanwhile, the way the archaeological team had dealt with it was actually pretty shameless. They had either ignored it fully or answered with the blanket statement: doubt from non-professionals in archaeology lacks professionalism. Outsiders masquerading as experts, turning an academic problem into something of entertainment value.

This logic first strictly distinguished between the professions of history and archaeology, even split them. Then, the meaning was basically...you don’t understand, but I can’t be bothered to explain it to you.

Xu Tingsheng suggested this to Yan Zhengyu, feeling that they might actually be able to use it to get through this. Still, Yan Zhengyu refused. The old man was very determined to face them head on.

The archaeological team also had their own forces with scholars supporting them in opposition to the doubters. The process of the debate was vigorous.

At one point, some doubters brought up Yan Zhengyu’s words and actions during that period of time along with some of his so-called prominent works. They claimed that as someone who had betrayed the spirit of academia in the first place, he was not worthy of their trust.

This was already at the level of a personal attack. To be honest, it was straying from debating the matter at hand. Still...the general public most loved to hear and believe in such things. Also, it was easy for them to collectively gain momentum.

With the online atmosphere being like this, Yan Zhengyu was in a very tough position. The archaeological team also required stronger evidence in order to carry out their counterattack.

The excavation rate began to increase, the number of workers rising too. There was less and less that Xu Tingsheng could do. While he had a permit to go in, he virtually never entered the underground palace because he wouldn’t be able to do anything.

Besides that, there was also something he had no way of telling anybody, which was-he himself actually didn’t know if this was Cao Cao’s mausoleum or not too. In other words, as one of those interested in this topic in his previous life, while Xu Tingsheng was not a doubter, he was not a firm supporter as well.

Thus, Xu Tingsheng felt a bit on tenterhooks.

He adopted a new work pattern. He would usually get up in the morning, having morning meetings with Xingchen’s relevant departments via video. Then, he would rest for the remainder of the morning and only go to the site after lunch. Also, he would only loiter around the surroundings lest any situations occurred that needed his help to coordinate. At the same time, he paid attention to the progress of the excavation work.

……

Not being allowed to enter the artifact storage room, feeling extremely bored, Xu Tingsheng sat on a slope, playing with the fake warring states copper mirror Yan Zhengyu had given him under the sunlight.

Clutching that mirror, using it to reflect the rays of the setting sun in every direction, Xu Tingsheng suddenly turned childish and acted like a child playing a reflecting demon game, reflecting sunlight even as he chanted, “Demon, reveal your form...demon, where can you run?”

The light suddenly shone on the face of an approaching girl. Xu Tingsheng grew awkward at once.

Wu Yuewei momentarily raised her arm to block the rays from shining on her eyes before looking at Xu Tingsheng who was being mischievous for once, asking, “What have you shone, senior? What is my original form as a demon?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled awkwardly and said, “You’re not a demon.”

“Maybe I was one in my previous life, and I did many bad things too.”

“You weren’t a demon in your previous life. You were as good as you are now.”

“Oh?” Wu Yuewei raised her camera and took a picture of Xu Tingsheng, using the contours of the slope and the village behind him as the background.

Then, she smiled and continued, “Have you seen my previous life, senior? Did we know each other then?”

“We did. I was your senior then too,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Then, did I also like you in my previous life?”

Xu Tingsheng did not answer, and Wu Yuewei walked closer, saying, “I’m returning to Yanjing tomorrow, changing shifts with another member...based on the rate of excavation, I probably won’t be coming over again…”

“...Right.”

“This period of time was just like senior high,” Wu Yuewei looked at the distant setting sun, “Us in the same place, meeting from time to time, speaking, mostly doing our own things. Still, I quite like this period of time even as it’s like this. It hasn’t felt as tiring as it later became.”

“I got what you were trying to say that day, senior. Time can’t be held back, right? Time passes and scenes change, what a frustrating phrase. Still, one has to accept it at the end of the day.”

“I’ve decided. I want to be a research student, want to go overseas...so, the next time we meet may be at senior’s and Xiang Ning’s wedding,” Wu Yuewei said, “Will you walk with me today, senior?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded and said, “Alright.”

The two walked towards the slope in the distance. Wu Yuewei raised her camera to take photos of their surroundings from time to time, smile warm and face calm beneath the setting sun.

At one point, Xu Tingsheng continued their earlier topic on a whim, saying, “What you were asking earlier...you seem to have liked me in your previous life too.”

“Hmm?”

“I had a dream,” Xu Tingsheng said, “That dream extends further than this life has been, with my life on another trajectory. So, I simply take it as my previous life…”

Wu Yuewei stopped, looking at him, “So, did things ultimately end up the same way in that dream of yours?”

Xu Tingsheng did not reveal the ending as he said, “In that dream, everything was the same before I studied twelfth grade.”

A reminiscing look on her face, Wu Yuewei asked, “So, you still only liked me for a little bit? Before regretting it?”

“No. Actually, I feel that it’s just the age that we met. Your happiest, and also the times that I should have cherished most...I was still insensible. And after that…”

“After that, you became sensible?” The light of hope was hidden in Wu Yuewei’s eyes, even though this was only a dream, or perhaps a distant tale that could not be reclaimed.

“Perhaps. Still, things change, people meet and separate...we never met for many years after that. At one point in time...I lost my direction and hope in life. During that time, I heard that you once tried to find out about me.”

“But we really never met?” Sounding a bit incredulous, Wu Yuewei seemed to be taking it seriously.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit, “When we met again, it was already at your wedding. I only knew that you were the bride after getting there. It was also by chance that you discovered...that I was there. You called me senior and toasted me a glass of wine alone.”

“...Then?”

“Then, you got drunk,” Xu Tingsheng feigned nonchalance, “You can’t take alcohol, after all.”

“Oh…” Wu Yuewei said, “But I don’t like this story at all, not in the least.”

Chapter 645: GG (3)

Chapter 645: GG (3)

Wu Yuewei said that she didn’t like this story, because their ties in this life actually surpassed that in the previous. In this life, while she might be able to get herself to accept seeing Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning get married one day, she was simply unable to imagine Xu Tingsheng being present one day as she got married to someone else.

It was impossible for her now, at least. Just thinking about it, she found this scene unacceptable, even if Xu Tingsheng said that it was only a dream.

Though she did not expressly say it, she had come today with the mindset of bidding farewell at the end of the day. Thus, she was more courageous and more talkative too.

The two chatted for a long time, changing the topic around. Wu Yuewei spoke of many things of the past that Xu Tingsheng already no longer remembered. Xu Tingsheng too half-genuinely spoke of how the two had been later on in his previous life.

On their way back, the sky had already turned dark.

Looking at the distant excavation site, Wu Yuewei asked, “Do you think that really is Cao Cao’s mausoleum, senior?”

“Probably,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Oh,” Wu Yuewei said, “Sometimes, I think: That’s Cao Cao’s mausoleum! A hero of the times...those stones form walls from the time of the Jin dynasty. The stones they lifted, the sweat that flowed...they probably would never have imagined that things would be like this a thousand years later.”

“Say, senior, do you think Cao Cao really said ‘Better to let down all under the heavens than for all under the heavens to let me down?”

Not knowing why she was suddenly asking about this, Xu Tingsheng thought about it and said, “It shouldn’t be in actual history. Luo Guanzhong spent quite a bit of effort tarnishing Cao Cao too. Yet, his work of fiction has so much more influence than actual history does.”

“Right, but even if he really did say it, I’d actually still rather admire him,” Wu Yuewei suddenly smiled and said.

Xu Tingsheng was puzzled, “Why?”

“Isn’t it comfortable if one can really live authentically like that?” Wu Yuewei suddenly asked solemnly, “How many people are tied down, unable to live freely in having to satisfy others?”

“I’m just like this. Because of my poor family background, I’ve always been taught to be thrifty and diligent, working hard in my studies in order to better be filial to my parents, changing my family’s fate. I’ve done very well, with outstanding results and conformist behaviour...aside from liking you so early on. This is the only thing I’ve done that strays from that. So, I’ve truly steeled my resolve, spent so much courage, harboured such great hopes, you know?”

“...” Xu Tingsheng nodded, not daring to respond.

“But I’m still a very sensible child. Everyone says this, praising me, commending my parents like this too. I’ve slowly become used to it, used to acting in accordance with others’ expectations of me as if I’m living in order to be on their good side...it’s been like this even with senior.”

“Huh?” Xu Tingsheng was rather astonished.

“Isn’t that so?” Looking at Xu Tingsheng, Wu Yuewei asked, “Actually, it’s that I’ve always taken care of senior’s emotions and lived the way you hoped me to. You wanted me to work hard and get into Qingbei, and so I got into Qingbei. When you went to Yanzhou University yourself, I had actually decided to go to Yanzhou University too to properly fight for my own sake for once. But you came back and said that you hoped for me to go to Qingbei, said that everyone hoped for me to go to Qingbei, my parents, teachers...people I didn’t know...and so I went to Qingbei.”

“Like that, senior felt very much at ease, right? Feeling that it was good for me.”

“Actually, it was the same when senior bought me a laptop. Because of that, you were able to feel at ease. Yet, I actually really hated that laptop...because it was like a sort of compensation and exchange, telling me: Look, Wu Yuewei, senior is already so good. You should be sensible. I didn’t like it...but I should be sensible, should let you feel at ease. So, I accepted it.”

“I…”

“Is it that you don’t believe me, senior?”

“...”

“Let me ask senior something then. You’ll know when I’ve done so,” Wu Yuewei seemed to want to say it all today as she asked, “Ever since Xiang Ning appeared in front of everyone, you have actually been carefully protecting her all along, right, senior?”

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng had no way of denying this.

“So, senior was afraid of Miss Lu...afraid of her hurting Little Xiang Ning. So, you pushed her far away.”

“...”

“Senior was afraid of senior Apple too, afraid of her hurting Little Xiang Ning. So, you were always standing between them.”

“...”

“Yet, senior wasn’t afraid of me, wasn’t afraid of me hurting Little Xiang Ning...not even once. Why? Because I’m the most sensible, the most obedient, the most harmless. Senior felt that being too scheming and too domineering, Miss Lu would definitely exert all means to change the situation. So, you were afraid of her. Senior felt that senior Apple would feel unresigned in continuing to fight for you, so you were afraid of her too. As for me, though, senior knew that I would definitely accept it quietly, would definitely be kind and gentle…”

“So, my being sensible...isn’t it pitiful?”

Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless.

“It’s good now that I’ve said it. I…” Wu Yuewei suddenly leaned closer and kissed Xu Tingsheng lightly on the face, saying, “Have finally been insensible and rule-flouting for once. Relax, I’ll go back to being the sensible Wu Yuewei...because I know that senior’s actually also responsible and sensible, taking care of so many people’s feelings and happiness.”

A cold wind blew past.

“Let’s go back, senior.”

“Alright.”

The two walked in silence for a while. Looking up, Xu Tingsheng discovered that the excavation site which should be brightly lit even in the night was pitch black.

He casually asked, “What happened?”

“Don’t you know, senior?” Wu Yuewei asked, “We received a notification from above today. This whole area’s having a blackout. Professor Yan and the others cannot do anything about this too. They’ve put the electric generator in the storage room to supply electricity. The excavation site’s closed with work stopped for the time being.”

“Oh, maybe they forget to notify me. As for security…”

“It should be fine. Didn’t some special security guards come some time back? They’ve got guns. They’ll guard the entrances through the night.”

“True,” Xu Tingsheng thought about it and laughed, “It looks like it’s more or less time I returned. This place doesn’t need me anymore.”

……

“Old Liang, catch,” Hui Four raised something like a stone pillow above his head in the darkness.

“Shh,” A hand came down from a hole above the mausoleum, receiving the object as the one called Old Liang said, “Your mother, be quiet! Don’t forget that your brother’s already in jail...”

“You’re just wimpy. With the blackout today, everyone’s guarding the storage room and the entrances outside. Who could imagine that we’d get in and out from here?” Hui Four asked, “Really, my brother’s the smart one. This theft hole had a mere remaining one plus metre left intact...waiting for the archaeological team to help seek the way with none the wiser. Sadly, his reputation is too great, and that’s why we got this chance instead. Don’t you agree, Uncle He?”

From his words, it sounded like there was still someone else up above.

“Stop talking rubbish. Make it fast...the most recent newcomers guarding the mausoleum all have guns. Be careful or you’ll be eating bullets,” The person most up above said.

“We have a gun too! We can kill our way out at most...people die for money. What’s there to be afraid of? It’s only-are these things valuable?” Hui Four passed another two things up, saying a bit despondently, “Sadly, we were still a day late. That jade string of beads was only discovered yesterday, it seems. I heard that that can easily be sold for over ten million anywhere.”

“Relax, just this sword that you just dug out is so well preserved...I estimate that it’s worth at least a dozen of those jade beads. So, we can be considered to have come in a timely manner. We’re more or less done. I’ll be going up first. Hurry up, the two of you.”

“Ow...damn.”

“What is it?”

Chapter 646: GG (4)

Chapter 646: GG (4)

The security for the excavation of Cao Cao’s mausoleum was indeed good. The clearing and watching over of the theft holes were extremely meticulous. Still, for all their effectiveness, they had overlooked something.

This theft hole had been made from the back of the slope, with many concealments done on the entrance of the cave which made it hard to detect. The theft hole was like a hand extended into the ground, five fingers spread apart and respectively extending, all of them with the final one plus meter left unbreached, waiting for an opportunity.

As a result, it had made it through several rounds of clearing and checks.

The archaeological team’s excavation up till now gave them a clear target. This blackout was also the opportunity they had been waiting for all along.

It was not so easy to see in the night. Amidst the bleak tranquility, Wu Yuewei unconsciously walked a bit closer.

In order to avoid awkwardness, she found a topic and said, “The jade string of beads excavated yesterday morning was very beautiful. The reception was great after we uploaded its photo on the internet. Some said it should have been in Cao Cao’s mouth when he was buried. Some said it’s worth more than ten million.”

As the jade string of beads that Wu Yuewei was talking about had also been unearthed in his previous life, Xu Tingsheng was not too interested in it, “More than ten million, is it? That being the case, security has probably got to be ramped up again.”

“Right.”

The conversation ended just like that as the two walked in silence for a few minutes.

Clap!

Suddenly, a hand, clutching a sword, reached out from underground, clapping on the earth’s surface a mere two to three metres from where the two were standing. This occurred amidst a dried-up patch of wild grass.

Leaping aside, the two fortunately stifled their startled exclamations in time. Wu Yuewei clutched Xu Tingsheng’s clothes. Xu Tingsheng pulled him behind her and looked. By that cave which extended upwards from underground were already several objects, such as stone tablets.

In truth, if it weren’t so coincidental and someone just happened to be climbing up, they might not notice it even if they walked past it.

Yet, they were as unlucky as that-they had run into tomb raiders, and definitely not ones with upright images like those in novels.

Xu Tingsheng was not used to playing the hero. He knew what he and Wu Yuewei should most be doing right now was not to bravely rush over but run. They should run, escape and call for help to surround the thieves...those security guards with guns were not only there for show.

The problem was that there seemed to be no time for that. For nearly two hundred metres around them was a wide open slope. If they yelled, the tomb raiders would definitely appear before the security guards. If they ran, they would have to at least soundlessly run fifty metres…

Meanwhile, the top of the invader’s bald head was already visible. He seemed to be climbing up, just that the tunnel was narrow and it was a bit hard…

“At a time like this, you’d better not chatter away like women in movies or novels, getting all emotional,” Xu Tingsheng softly and rapidly whispered into Wu Yuewei’s ear.

“Right,” Wu Yuewei nodded, being a woman with brains.

“Listen to me. Run. Yell when you’re far off enough.”

With that, Xu Tingsheng pushed Wu Yuewei on the back and hurriedly rushed forward to the theft hole.

There was no rock around. Xu Tingsheng grabbed a stone tablet and smashed it on that bald head...

He smashed him down like in whack-a-mole.

Sadly, the stone tablet was too light and did not have enough wounding power…

“Ow, damn!” The other party let out a cry of pain.

Someone below asked, “What is it?”

It was not just one person down below. Xu Tingsheng entered a frenzy as he threw everything he could get his hands on into the theft hole…

Earth and sand.

Stone tablets.

As there were still a few stone tablets, Xu Tingsheng felt that he should still be able to hold on for a while. While he wanted to use that sword, it was not like they had not unearthed an iron sword so far since the start of the excavation. Those had all been corroded so badly that let alone hacking someone, if one was not careful, they would probably just shatter into pieces on the ground.

While it took a bit of time to describe, it was actually just a matter of a mere few seconds. Xu Tingsheng had raised another stone tablet overhead and was preparing to smash it down…

The long barrel of a gun was pressed against his chest.

The person continued climbing up, “If you dare move, I’ll dare to shoot.”

The so-called gun seemed to be nothing more than an imitation rifle, the barrel being very discordant with the body of the gun. Some places even had a few black bands of adhesive tape around them...but, his mother...it was still a gun!

Xu Tingsheng dared not move.

The other party reached over the top of the hole, half his body emerging with a head full of blood.

Xu Tingsheng dared not look back to see if Wu Yuewei had already run far enough. He could only hope that the other party had not seen her.

Crash…There was a disturbance in the distance.

“It’s over,” Xu Tingsheng sighed to himself.

Wu Yuewei had tripped and stumbled in the darkness.

“The one in front, come back, or I’ll kill him!” That person climbed up while yelling.

Actually, under the cover of night, Wu Yuewei was sufficiently far away to continue running. Still, Xu Tingsheng knew that she would definitely return...

The gun was still held to Xu Tingsheng’s chest. Wu Yuewei was standing beside him. Across from them was a man in his fifties. He held the gun, a rather panicked expression on his face.

Those who have never had a gun pointed at them before will never know that feeling. Xu Tingsheng had broken out in a cold sweat, trembling slightly, breathing deeply as he fought hard to maintain clarity of mind.

“Calm down a bit. Don’t be rash,” Xu Tingsheng slowly said, “There’s no need for you to fire. We don’t know you. It’s too dark, and we can’t make out your features. So, there’s no need for you to silence us. You can tie us up, cover our mouths, take the things and run off...it’ll be at least daylight before anyone discovers us. You have enough time to get away. But if you shoot, they’ll hear it immediately and come after you. There’s no need for us to die together.”

Xu Tingsheng helped the other party to analyse things, hoping that he would listen to reason.

He was not a martial expert. With what he had learnt from Zhong Wusheng, a bit of barehanded fighting might see him easily take down the person before him. Still, the other party was holding a gun...so, Xu Tingsheng had no intention of playing the hero at all. Let those artifacts be lost if the alternative was his and Wu Yuewei’s lives.

“Also, if you shoot, it’s murder. It’s countless times more serious than robbing a mausoleum…”

Halfway through his sentence, Xu Tingsheng thought, “We’re doomed.”

The second person who was in his forties emerged from the hole. The logic Xu Tingsheng had just established for the other side...no longer existed. The second person was a local worker they had previously hired at the excavation site who had stayed on due to his performance being very good.

He seemed to be surnamed Liang. This wasn’t important. What was important was that he knew Xu Tingsheng and Wu Yuewei too. Conversely, Xu Tingsheng and Wu Yuewei knew him too and had even greeted him before.

So, now...there was the necessity for the other side to silence them.

“They know me. They must die…” Indeed, after identifying them, that person surnamed Liang said that at once.

“Got it,” The person holding the gun heard this and got ready to fire.

Wu Yuewei released a startled exclamation, lunging towards Xu Tingsheng.

“Don’t shoot! Are you a fool…” The person surnamed Liang slapped his head that was already filled with blood, clearly expressing that they would be discovered if they used a gun as another method could be used for silencing them.

Xu Tingsheng too was well aware of this.

While the person holding the gun was considering this, he shifted the muzzle of the gun away by reflex. In that instant, Xu Tingsheng avoided the muzzle of the gun, grabbed the barrel with one hand and kicked the other party’s ribs…

He acquired the gun.

“Bro Liang, and this Uncle, please don’t move. Step back. I nearly died just now, so I could be prone to doing something reckless,” Xu Tingsheng pointed the gun at them while kicking the sword on the ground to Wu Yuewei and saying, “Take it. Go back and call some guys over.”

Having nearly broken down a moment ago, Wu Yuewei heaved a sigh of relief, calmly and decisively picking up the sword on the ground and rushing into the distance.

……

At the bottom of the theft hole, Hui Four jumped. His mother, what was going on? Pull me up already...your mother, you two aren’t planning to take it all for yourselves, right?

After muttering to himself, he found a few things to step on and managed to climb into the tunnel with great difficulty…

……

In front of Xu Tingsheng, that person surnamed Liang took a few steps to the side. Xu Tingsheng continued pointing the gun at him as he moved.

He said to the other party, “You’d best not move, Bro Liang. It’s just a failed attempt to rob a mausoleum, not something very major. There’s no need to risk your life for it…”

“I know. I just didn’t think that we’d be so unlucky, and that you the big boss was actually so skilled.”

“Luck,” Xu Tingsheng replied, feeling that things seemed wrong somehow.

The enemy just seemed too calm. Still, he couldn’t figure out where the problem lay…

Xu Tingsheng’s mistake lay with how having heard two voices earlier, he had unconsciously and without consideration defined the other side to consist of two people, both of whom he was currently pointing the gun at.

Meanwhile, that person surnamed Liang was indeed very calm. He had just moved a few steps in order to get Xu Tingsheng to move, such that his back would be facing the theft hole.

A short impasse.

Xu Tingsheng judged that Wu Yuewei should already be rushing over with people by now. At this time, he heard noises before him but it was already too late. The third person in the theft hole, Hui Four, tackled Xu TIngsheng down onto the ground.

The trio pinned him down together...

The gun returned to the hands of the enemy. Again, the muzzle was held against Xu Tingsheng’s chest where his heart was.

This time, Hui Four was the one holding the gun.

Xu Tingsheng felt like crying at his own foolishness. Still, after all, he was but an ordinary person aside from having been reborn before.

Voices and footsteps could already be heard in the distance. The trio looked panicked.

The bald guy picked up a few things and carried them, looking at the one surnamed Liang.

Hui Four looked back too, asking, “We kill this one and run, right?”

Calming himself as much as possible, Xu Tingsheng spoke again, “Bro Liang, one of us has already escaped. The possibility of silencing is already zero. There’s no need for you to kill me anymore...the crime of murder and the crime of robbing the mausoleum…”

His logic was completely correct. When Wu Yuewei had already escaped and gotten help, the other side should make use of this time to hurry up and escape. Also, they should not kill. The consequences would be worse if they got caught, otherwise.

From the behaviour of that Bro Liang from earlier, he should have enough brains and calmness to understand Xu Tingsheng’s logic.

Still, Xu Tingsheng had actually made one very big mistake-in this world, there are many people who have no logic in their actions at all, who simply do not think about what they are doing.

Hui Four was this sort of person...the braindead sort who would think of charging into a firefight with a security team with just an imitation rifle in hand, killing his way out.

Not waiting for an answer, he directly pulled the trigger.

The sound of an imitation rifle’s gunshot was slightly different from that of real guns.

Bang!

Accompanied by the gunshot, Xu Tingsheng collapsed backwards to the ground.

Chapter 647: I'm regretting it

Chapter 647: I’m regretting it

The security guards stormed the hill, Wu Yuewei guiding the way for them from behind.

More than twenty flashlights were immediately concentrated there…

Amidst the light, a gunshot resounded. A figure collapsed to the ground.

As Wu Yuewei had said that Xu Tingsheng was in possession of the gun, the security guards were all a bit puzzled at this time. Still, Wu Yuewei wasn’t. She was so familiar with that figure who had just been brought down by the gun…

Not considering how the gun had returned to the possession of the thieves, Wu Yuewei looked at that figure collapsing backwards. Her mind spun and her body grew weak as she stumbled to the ground.

The three thieves leapt over another end of that hill. The security guards yelled and chased after them in hot pursuit...after a while, a gunshot resounded followed by many more gunshots. Hui Four was really a fierce criminal who dearly wished to engage in a firefight with the security guards...he fired off a shot and was soon riddled with bullets.

Wu Yuewei crawled up, standing there numbly amidst the gunshots, startled exclamations and chaos. She did not move an inch, only standing there solitarily as if she was the only person in the world.

“Student Wu...student Wu? What is it?” Professor Yan Zhengyu and a few others climbed up the slope too after a while and saw Wu Yuewei who was dazed and rooted to the spot.

“He’s dead,” Wu Yuewei pointed at where Xu Tingsheng had collapsed in the distance, saying in shock, “Xu Tingsheng’s dead. They shot him. He’s...dead.”

With her tone and expression, it was more like she was trying to tell just herself this fact.

She was not even crying. While sorrow would sometimes bring forth a storm, they were mere undercurrents sometimes...despite being undercurrents, they were powerful forces that were sufficient to completely sweep one away.

“I was the one who asked him to accompany me for a walk. Twice, he asked me to run away first.”

As Wu Yuewei spoke, Yan Zhengyu was already dashing over in spite of the darkness. The remaining two supported Wu Yuewei and frantically followed.

Xu Tingsheng lay on the ground, one hand clutching his chest.

Yan Zhengyu stopped. Wu Yuewei stopped. They felt helpless...if they were a bit calmer, though, they would realise that there was actually no blood on Xu Tingsheng!

“Cough...cough, cough…”

Xu Tingsheng coughed a bit and sucked in a breath of air, reaching into his clothes and muttering, “This old man hurts...damn, it was nearly GG for me.”

No one clearly heard what he said, because they were all stunned silly.

Finally, Xu Tingsheng pulled out the warring states copper mirror that Yan Zhengyu had given him...there was a bullet embedded in it.

“It’s all thanks to teacher’s heart-guarding mirror, or I would have died here today…”

Yelping in pain, Xu Tingsheng slowly clambered up.

Yan Zhengyu closed his eyes, exhaling slowly.

Only now did Wu Yuewei release a cry, before she immediately fainted.

……

Xu Tingsheng sat on his sickbed.

Although the copper mirror had blocked the bullet of the imitation rifle, the bullet’s force itself had directly impacted the heart, causing him to feel somewhat uncomfortable. After two full-body checkups at the hospital, he was required to stay on there for observation.

While news of this incident was sealed off at the bureaucratic level, his family still inevitably found out about it. Wu Yuewei called Xu Qiuyi, Xu Qiuyi called their home and his mother called Xiang Ning…

Having gotten the employees to stop those visiting officials from entering his sick ward, Xu Tingsheng received several calls from his family and friends. Finally, he promised Xiang Ning several times that he would be back in a few days. Only with great difficulty did he manage to end the call as he set his handphone aside.

Wu Yuewei was sitting by his sickbed. She had delayed her return date.

“I’ll be returning soon. You should hurry back to your school too. Look, I’m actually completely fine,” Xu Tingsheng said.

At least on the surface, physically speaking, Xu Tingsheng was indeed completely unharmed...what had changed was his mentality.

Xu Tingsheng was feeling fearful, fearful of what might have happened had he not been lucky-he was too reliant on luck.

Xu Tingsheng was habitually used to being in a passive position when it came to facing crises and dangers. When everything was okay, he virtually never thought of how to better ensure his own safety. He also virtually never took the preemptive to strike, stamping crises out before they could sprout fully.

What about Zhou Yuandai? Since he clearly knew that this mysterious woman had troubling intentions towards him, clearly knew that the other party likely posed an immense threat, was he to continue remaining in a passive position, only thinking of a way to deal with it when the crisis appeared?

On the night that the bullet struck his chest and he fortunately survived, Xu Tingsheng steeled his resolve.

The realisation of death as the gun fired, Xiang Ning, his parents, his friends, countless faces flashing through his mind in that instant, past troubles and future hopes all streaming past...his heart throbbing in pain as he blacked out momentarily and lost consciousness, not knowing if he could survive.

Collapsing at the mausoleum of the great Cao Cao, a sentence had inexplicably surfaced in Xu Tingsheng’s mind: Better to let down all under the heavens than for all under the heavens to let me down. For Xu Tingsheng, that might be better changed to ‘than for all under the heavens to let me and those I love down’.

He did not speak of these changes in mentality to anyone.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng ask her to return to her school, Wu Yuewei smiled very calmly, replying, “Yes, I’m returning this afternoon.”

“That’s good then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Still, there’s something that I must tell you again.”

“Oh. What is it?”

“Well, I’m regretting it. I’d originally decided to put you behind me after going back...now, I want to wait a bit longer.”

Xu Tingsheng sat up straight, “What?”

“Is that not okay? That’s none of your business. You can simply ignore it,” Wu Yuewei smiled craftily.

“It’s not that. It’s just...why?”

“At the moment that I thought you died, only then did I realise how unwilling I am to lose you,” Wu Yuewei said as she looked into Xu Tingsheng’s eyes.

Xu Tingsheng avoided her gaze, “But in fact, that night, it wasn’t like in the movies or novels. I didn’t forget about everything else and forgo everything in order to protect you...they were just very normal reactions, all of them. So, there’s no need, right?”

“It’s what’s normal that’s valuable. There’s no need to forgo everything, no need to give it your all. It’s just like how you’re afraid of snakes. While you were frightened to the point of running around wildly back then, you still remembered to pull me along. This is just like how when you encountered those people the night before last, your first reaction was to pull me behind you, just like how you so naturally decided for me to run first time and time again…” Wu Yuewei smiled and said, “You’re right. Everything you did just came very naturally...this sort of natural means naturally not abandoning and forgetting about me, naturally prioritising me and putting me in a safe position. Senior, I wish to tell you that this sort of naturalness...leaves me feeling especially at ease, especially warm inside.”

“I’m a very smart woman. Therefore, I know that a sense of security and one’s compatibility with another aren’t things that can be decided over one period, by one event. It comes naturally, with normal events in life. So, I’m sorry, but I’m regretting it.”

Xu Tingsheng could not find any reason to rebut these words, because he believed the same too. It was just like how he felt that Xiang Ning was surely the one in this life and the previous.

After hesitating for a while, Xu Tingsheng said candidly, “Still, you know, I’ll marry…”

“It’s still early,” Wu Yuewei said relaxedly, “Xiang Ning is still little. I’m still young too. Moreover, even if you do get married, I might even be able to become like Bai Yueguang and Zhu Shazhi in Zhang Ailing’s works.”

“It’s just that I don’t know just how many white roses and red roses senior has.”

The usually tame study queen was eloquent as she erupted for once...Xu Tingsheng found that he really wasn’t able to rebut her.

Looking at the expression of Xu Tingsheng who appeared totally speechless for once, Wu Yuewei smiled and said, “Actually, senior...there are few smart women who don’t have dark sides.”

She smiled and stood up, carrying her bag as she said, “Well, I’m going back to pack up my belongings.”

Xu Tingsheng could only say, “Okay.”

Walking to the doorway, Wu Yuewei did not turn as she suddenly said, “In tenth grade, my good friend heard about what happened between us. She said that I was foolish, that our relationship actually wasn’t that deep. She said that I was so foolish there was no hope for me...at that time, I myself actually hadn’t figured it out too.”

“It was only afterwards that I understood. In this world, for some men, once you’ve loved him...there’s just no way to love another. Even if you aren’t able to love this person.”

Chapter 648: Divine weapons are so scary

Chapter 648: Divine weapons are so scary

Wu Yuewei said that there were very few smart women who actually didn’t have a dark side. Still, this girl who was probably the smartest in the eyes of the citizens of Libei had already been foolish over him for a lifetime plus eight years.

Only today did Xu Tingsheng get to witness her other side for once.

She even said that she could be Bai Yueguang and Zhu Shazhi in Zhang Ailing’s works. It was actually already the second time she was expressing something like this. The first time had been after Xu Qiuyi’s university entrance examinations. The two had met at the station in Jiannan and taken a train back to Libei together.

That day, Wu Yuewei had helped Xu Tingsheng to pluck off a white hair and tied a knot. That day, she had said, “I’m silly, right? Actually, when I was upset in the past, I also fumed like a child and told myself that if I continued to like you, my surname wouldn’t be Wu anymore.”

“Senior.”

““Actually, I made such vows many times. Once in ninth grade, once in tenth grade, once after graduating from senior high, everyday in university...so, I actually stopped being surnamed Wu long ago, just that nobody knows. What is my surname then? I probably want it to be Xu, but...it doesn’t seem the country would allow it.”

The country wouldn’t allow it…

Two of these expressions-if Xu Tingsheng still could not understand, he would really be dense. Still, he could only pretend not to understand, just as he could not get why it was like that but was not able to ask about it.

……

Two days after Wu Yuewei’s departure, Xu Tingsheng left the archaeological team too.

Leaving with him was Professor Yan Zhengyu.

The old man had been working under immense pressure previously and had been barely holding on. Afterwards, stimulated by Xu Tingsheng’s ‘death’ that night, the fatigue in his mind and body had erupted completely as he would really collapse if he did not take a break.

Xu Tingsheng changed his flight destination to Jianan to send his teacher back to his university.

Yan Zhengyu said, “No need. I’m still not that old yet.”

Xu Tingsheng could only say, “I made a few friends the last time I went to Jianan University. I want to make use of this chance to see them...if I don’t go now, it’ll be difficult to meet again after graduation.”

He was not lying. Xu Tingsheng still had some things left unfinished in Jianan University. Or rather, there were still some people’s fates that he sought to change.

On the plane, Xu Tingsheng closed his eyes for a while. Because he was not in a deep sleep, he soon vaguely heard Yan Zhengyu singing an opera part that he had never heard before in rather high spirits beside him.

“What opera is this from, teacher?” Xu Tingsheng opened his eyes and asked.

“<<Changban Slope>>.” Yan Zhengyu said.

“This isn’t so good, teacher…” Xu Tingsheng joked, “Digging Cao Cao’s mausoleum while also singing a part where he lost face.”

“What do you know?” Yan Zhengyu faked a rebuking expression, “The Cao Mengde seen on Changban Slope was benevolent, loving talent. Just how much did it surpass Liu Xuande’s hypocrisy? Surveying all of the three kingdoms, speaking of loving talent, no one can surpass Cao Cao.”

Xu Tingsheng thought about it, “That makes sense. Had it been anyone else, Guan Yu would probably have died eight hundred times over.”

Yan Zhengyu nodded, narrating in a lecturing tone after a while, “Cao Cao had two treasured swords. One was Yitian, the other Qinggang. He wielded the Yitian Sword with the Qinggang wielded by Xiahou En.

The Qinggang sword cut through iron as if it was mud, being sharp beyond compare. At the time, drunk on his might, Xiaohou En focused only on wresting and looting behind Cao Cao’s back. Who would have thought that he would run into Zhao Yun, stabbing him dead with but a single spear and wresting that sword from him. Seeing the golden characters ‘Qinggang’ on the scabbard, only then did he know it to be a treasured sword.”

With spear and sword in hand, Zhao Yun killed his way into the encirclement. As the Cao army surged, Zhao Yun brandished the Qinggang Sword and hacked wildly around. Where his hand waved, blood gushed like a spring over clothes and armour.

It was rumoured amongst the public that when Guan Yu’s daughter, Guan Yinping, later married the son of Li Hui, Li Weicheng, this sword was gifted by Zhao Yun to her. It was then buried with Miss Guan after her death.

“Also, it is written in the Records of the Three Kingdoms that Cao Cao used the Yitian Sword to inspire and the Qinggang Sword to kill. Of the two, he equipped the ‘Yitian Sword’.”

The old professor was suddenly speaking of tales and legends. Logically speaking, it should not be coming from him.

Unable to understand, Xu Tingsheng asked despondently, “What do you mean, teacher?”

“The Qinggang Sword was wrested away by Zhao Yun. The Yitian Sword’s location is unknown…” Yan Zhengyu smiled, “We unearthed two iron swords previously in this time’s excavation. One had virtually lost its form. The other, while slightly better, with some carvings visible on it, was sadly corroded beyond recognition.”

“Yes. So?”

“Then, the ancient sword that you and Student Wu got back that night was extremely well preserved…” Yan Zhengyu said in a hushed tone, “Professor Ma and the others are in the midst of trying to appraise it. They say that it’s Yitian…”

Xu Tingsheng was dazed, only responding after a while, “Weren’t those two swords fictional? Or the stuff of legends.”

“Didn’t you study history in senior high? Don’t you know that even legends have historical value? Of the history in the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, at least half of them were sorted out from legends…”

“That’s true. It’s gonna be crazy then!” Xu Tingsheng exclaimed.

“We’ll see when the appraisal result is out. Even if it isn’t Yitian or anything, as long as the dating is accurate, that will already be enough to show many things. Also, it will be a national treasure,” Yan Zhengyu reached out and patted Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder.

After a while, Xu Tingsheng fell asleep again. In his dream, Wu Yuewei’s clothes billowed in the wind as she stood there valiantly, wielding the Heavenly Sword Yitian, unsheathing it and pointing it at him, “Senior, it’s been two lifetimes...two lifetimes of bending and acquiescing...after all that, aren’t you going to account for things to me?”

It seemed like Zhou Zhiruo had stabbed Zhang Wuji with the Heavenly Sword before, right?

Xu Tingsheng did not know whether to laugh or cry when he woke up. While that had been a dream, whatever the case, Wu Yuewei was someone who had truly wielded a divine weapon before, right…It was no wonder that all of a sudden, her entire aura and poise had changed.

……

Xu Tingsheng returned to Jianan University.

After sending Professor Yan home, knowing that he ate at the cafeteria much of the time, Xu Tingsheng went to town to buy some groceries and cooked dinner for his teacher.

Teacher and student drank a bit of wine. Yan Zhengyu was rather astonished by how familiar Xu Tingsheng was with the situation around the academy city and his cooking proficiency. Unable to explain the former, Xu Tingsheng could only boast mightily of the latter.

After a while, Yan Zhengyu asked, “Right, do you want me to think of a way to fix that copper mirror for you?”

There was a dent in Xu Tingsheng’s warring states copper mirror due to the bullet as it was no longer level. Yan Zhengyu seemed to have a way to fix it. Still, Xu Tingsheng thought about it and refused. He wanted to keep that dent where the bullet had struck, to remind himself...at some point in time, he had been a mere few centimetres from having his heart penetrated, from once again leaving his parents and Xiang Ning.

It was precisely because of this that Xu Tingsheng had chosen to make a trip back to Jianan University before he went all out against Zhou Yuandai. He sought to change the fate of a roommate of his previous life.

He was afraid that he might not have another chance to do so.

After dinner, Xu Tingsheng gave Yu Yue a call, asking him if his roommates were all there.

Clearly rather taken aback upon receiving Xu Tingsheng’s call, Yu Yue said after a while, “Three of them went out for the night…”

Indeed, they were the same as ever!

“In that case, when they get back tomorrow, tell them this,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I’m inviting everyone to dinner tomorrow night...as for the programme afterwards, choose whatever you like…”

Chapter 649: Normal people should not test love (1)

Chapter 649: Normal people should not test love (1)

C District Building 7 Room 408. This had been Xu Tingsheng’s dormitory at Jianan University in his previous life for four years straight.

That history cohort had consisted of more than ten boys. Those allocating the dormitory had been seemingly psychic as they had casually, splendidly split the bunch into similar types.

Two dormitories for one class. Those in Room 407 loved studying and intended to be research students. They were polite and gentlemanly even when trying to get girls. The bunch in Room 408 spent the whole night on the internet, smoked, drank, played team ball games, hung out together.

While Xu Tingsheng had entered a few spats with his roommates in his four years of university, his relationship with them was ultimately still quite good.

After graduating from university, they had even met one another a couple of times. Most of them had become teachers in senior or junior highs, their lives being uneventful but still pretty good.

Before Xu Tingsheng, Zhang Fengping and Yang Xiaofeng had quit their jobs one after another to enter the construction business together, the most unique and most unexpected one of them all was Yu Yue.

At dinnertime the next day, Xu Tingsheng waited for his former roommates at the entrance of C District.

They had already interacted once before in this life. It had been in Xu Tingsheng’s first year of university, when he had represented the Yanzhou University school team in a game of football at Jianan University. He had intentionally approached them then. They had hit it off so well at that time...still, while they had agreed to keep in touch, they had not done so for some reason afterwards.

“The heck, this big boss...do you really still remember us?” Zhang Fengping walked over and tossed him a cigarette, asking, “Can you smoke this cigarette?”

Not even glancing at it, Xu Tingsheng lit it, saying, “This is the start of the month. You are definitely smoking a good cigarette...if it were the end of the month, I wouldn’t take it.”

Everyone laughed. Xu Tingsheng understood Zhang Fengping too well.

“Didn’t we agree to stay in touch? Why haven’t you guys looked for me?” Standing at the entrance of the university, Xu Tingsheng asked.

As they swarmed behind him, Yang Xiaofeng pointed exaggeratedly at the crowds passing by, “Look for yourself. Everyone’s looking over here...My guess is that they’re definitely thinking: This person kind of looks like Xingchen Technologies’ boss, Xu Tingsheng, that university entrepreneurial legend…”

“It’s because of this,” Wang Yu said, “After you returned, we only slowly came to know how amazing you’re doing, and how it’s improving too...so, who knew if you were just saying it casually when you asked to keep in touch? We feared that you’re too high up to cling to!”

Xu Tingsheng smiled and said, “True. Well then, I’ll let you cling to my heights today for once.”

With that, everyone laughed and relaxed.

“I was really a bit surprised when you called yesterday, inviting us to dinner,” The quietest of them all, Yu Yue smiled as he said.

Wang Yu who rather liked fooling around pointed at Xu Tingsheng, yelling to the girls passing by, “Right, beautiful, your eyes don’t deceive you. This is Xu Tingsheng. Wanna come over and get to know him?”

Understanding his personality, Xu Tingsheng could only smile wryly and let him do whatever he wanted.

Instead, it was Zhong Ming who clapped Yu Yue, saying, “Hey, can you be quiet? What if a few of them really do come over?”

Still, the girls mostly just slowed down and glanced over at most as none of them really came.

Seeing a few familiar faces from his previous life passing by, Xu Tingsheng fell into a bit of a reverie.

Beside him, Zhang Fengping pressed his shoulder and directed him to turn somewhat, asking softly, “That one in yellow...how is she? Our faculty’s flower who hasn’t dated in four years...how about you go say hi and net her?”

Taken aback, Xu Tingsheng made a bitter expression, “Better not.”

Just so coincidentally, the girl whom Zhang Fengping was currently pointing at was Qiao Ying who had a red mole behind her waist-she had been entangled with Xu Tingsheng for four years in his previous life as his girlfriend in university, having broken up and gotten back together again and again.

“Twice I returned, and twice I ran into her...it seems like there really is such a thing as fate in this world,” Xu Tingsheng thought, “Still, some fates that can be avoided should be avoided. Let it be a mere brushing by in this life.”

Retracting his gaze, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Shall we go eat first then?”

Everyone agreed.

“Alright, two choices. First, a small restaurant in town. You all randomly choose one and we can continue when we are done eating. Second, Royal Dynasty Hotel. I’ve already booked a private room there. We can continue when we are done eating…”

Xu Tingsheng thought that if his roommates chose a small restaurant in town, he would be able to relive the past. If they chose Royal Dynasty Hotel, he would complete his wish from his previous life, returning to treat his roommates to a luxurious meal after having made it big.

“Only a fool would choose a small restaurant in town! Bros, we’re nouveau riche for the day...to Royal Dynasty it is. I heard that a good meal over there costs several tens of thousands,” Yang Xiaofeng exclaimed.

Actually, Xu Tingsheng had long since guessed it. This bunch of fellows didn’t like to be reticent and stand on ceremony. Otherwise, he would not have felt comfortable giving two choices. Also, he had indeed booked a table that cost fifty thousand...this was what he wished to do today. He wanted to properly enjoy the feeling of spending extravagantly with the poor guys whom he had spent four years with in his previous life in the most nouveau riche fashion.

After all, when friends hang out together when young, they mostly have said before, “When this bro is rich in the future…”

There were taxis at the entrance of C District. The group split up into two taxis and headed for the city district.

An hour later, walking into the supreme lounge at Royal Dynasty Hotel, Zhong Ming directly blurted out, “Damn, too luxurious.”

“We’re aiming at being nouveau riche today,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and said.

The more he was like this, the more the bunch of bastards felt at home. No one would feel that Xu Tingsheng was showing off his wealth, because he didn’t need to do that, much less satisfy himself through showing off to them.

“Right, I wanna ask something,” Zhang Fengping suddenly said with a rascally smile on his face.

“Ask away,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Just now, you said that we can continue when we are done eating...hehe, what exactly is that about?”

As Xu Tingsheng walked to the window, his friends followed him rather curiously.

“On the left, Golden Palace. On the right, Luxury Club...after eating, you guys choose.”

That bunch began to howl.

Xu Tingsheng had just named the two grandest local entertainment centres in Jianan.

In his previous life, every time they took public buses and passed by them at night, Zhang Fengping would always look at the two lit buildings and pat his chest, joking, “When this old man’s rich, we’ll come back together. Of these two, pick whichever you want...beauties at the level of models passing by in rows. Each one of you has to pick at least two. Otherwise, it’ll be not giving me face.”

This might have been more of a joke. If he really looked forward to it, it was more out of curiosity as a male university student, wanting to experience it but not actually thinking of doing anything. This was really a far too distant concept. With the expenditure at these two places, even if they collectively did not eat and drink for half a year, they would still not be able to afford it.

Right now, Xu Tingsheng’s mindset was the same too. They did not necessarily have to do this or that. He would just bring his roommates to have this experience. After all, up to the end of his previous life, they had never had a chance to really get together and alleviate that past curiosity.

Chapter 650: Normal people should not test love (2)

Chapter 650: Normal people should not test love (2)

Since everyone was still looking forward to the next round, they did not drink that crazily during the meal. Still, they were mostly a bit tipsy afterwards.

People are generally more passionate and talkative when they are drunk. Afraid that he would let slip many things he was not supposed to know after getting drunk, Xu Tingsheng had deliberately kept his alcohol intake in check all along. Thus, he was the most sober.

“How’s your post-graduation job-hunting going?” Xu Tingsheng took the initiative to broach this topic.

“Just finding a school to teach in! What else could we do.”

“How’s the school-finding going then?

“Some are more or less done. Some have familial connections. Some...are waiting for the hiring exams. Anyway, for us teaching students, it’s just a matter of better or worse. We can basically all still find jobs. We won’t die of hunger.”

“Right.”

“How about you lead us to start a business, Boss Xu?” Yang Xiaofeng asked.

The others turned to look at him, feeling that this was quite inappropriate. It was better not for a nice, friendly relationship like this to be stained by too many other things.

It was indeed still this fellow! The two partners whom Xu Tingsheng had started a business with in his previous life, Zhang Fengping and Yang Xiaofeng, were both here. In the end, the one who had run off with their final sum of money when the company was in tough times was precisely Yang Xiaofeng.

Xu Tingsheng had really hated him for a time in his previous life. While he didn’t exactly still bear hatred in this life, he would definitely not be involved financially with him again.

“I think that you guys should still go out and work for a few years first, accumulating some societal experience and connections,” Xu Tingsheng paused, “If you really want to start a business in the future, I could assist in some way…”

“Still, I must remind you. I personally believe that good friends had best not start businesses together. Otherwise, there’ll be too much financial entanglement. Yet money can sometimes destroy too many wonderful things, including friendships. So, if you look for me as business partners in the future, I conversely wouldn’t help you then.”

Xu Tingsheng was looking at Zhang Fengping as he said this. This was one of the two most important things that he wanted to say tonight. He understood Zhang Fengping’s circumstances. This fellow was guileless and inattentive. His family circumstances were on the better side among the roommates as they had some connections...there was still a relatively high possibility of Yang Xiaofeng wheedling him into starting a business together in the future.

Of course, he did not go any further than that.

“What about you, Yu Yue? How’s your job-hunting going?” Xu Tingsheng turned towards Yu Yue.

While he seemed to be asking it casually, that was actually his primary purpose in coming here.

“He’s the strongest. He’s been in a relationship with a girl in our class for four years. In order to work in the same place after graduation, the two of them have already agreed to teach at some distant mountain district for two years after graduating,” Wang Yu answered on Yu Yue’s behalf, the latter smiling blissfully by the side.

“If us teaching students wish to get an establishment job, these are basically restricted by place of birth. My girlfriend and I are both not from the province. One from the south and one from the north...so, we intend to apply for an education program that came out this year. We will first be support educators for two years. That way, we won’t be restricted by birthplace afterwards. We will also receive some benefits from policies in the area of the recruitment exam,” Afraid that Xu Tingsheng couldn’t understand, Yu Yue explained for his sake.

“Oh,” Xu Tingsheng replied mildly.

Indeed, without him around, things had still progressed in the same way that they had in his previous life.

At this moment, Yu Yue looked like he really looked forward to it. Yet, Xu Tingsheng knew what would happen afterwards…

Close to their graduation, Yu Yue’s girlfriend who came from a distant land, had an ordinary family background and not the best results had, with added marks from her thesis, unexpectedly managed to become their faculty’s most outstanding student-based on Jianhai Province’s rules, she would no longer be restricted by her birthplace.

A university professor helped her to contact a senior high that was ranked pretty well in Xihu City. She informed Yu Yue that she was not going to be a support educator any longer, having decided to stay behind.

Yu Yue asked, “Shall I go to Xihu City too then? Try to find a private school, or maybe even a training organisation is fine...it’s okay even if it’s some other job.”

The girl resolutely refused, saying, “Yu Yue, you should go back to your hometown. If you do this for me, I will feel a lot of pressure. If there are any changes in the future, it will feel like I betrayed you. Also, it’s too late for you to find anything now. What other jobs can we who major in history find?”

It was actually understandable that this was happening. While Yu Yue was disappointed, after taking a few days to compose himself, understanding his girlfriend’s feelings, he made a decision. He decided to complete those two years as a support educator on his own.

He got her to wait for him in Xihu City. Two years. Two years later, he could look for a school in Xihu City and reunite with her.

Actually, many of Yu Yue’s roommates had advised him at the time to just return to his hometown. After all, the economy in his hometown was not bad and a university student’s first two years out in society was usually when things were most volatile.

They hoped that Yu Yue would not bet on his girlfriend’s feelings being staunch...Xu Tingsheng was one of them.

Still, no one could persuade Yu Yue otherwise. He still went.

Sadly, just five months into Yu Yue’s time as a support educator, the girl asked to break up. She said she had fallen in love with a colleague at school who was a local of Xihu City...they planned to get married.

Hearing the news, the roommates burst out in righteous indignation. Still, Yu Yue himself calmly accepted it.

They had agreed to go together. In the end, she hadn’t gone, but he had. They had agreed on waiting. She hadn’t waited, but he had still continued...right, after the girl had asked to break up, Yu Yue had still chosen to stay on as a support educator.

Yet another year later, amidst a torrential rainstorm, Yu Yue who had traversed the mountain while returning to the school alone after sending his students home had encountered a small scale landslide. He had been trapped for an entire night. Although he had survived in the end, his legs had been crippled as never would he be able to walk again…

Every time Xu Tingsheng and the others had gone to see him, Yu Yue who had returned to his hometown to work as a handicapped person had not been strong and optimistic like in inspirational stories. He had been defeated and numb as he lived all on his own.

It was just that he had still chosen to forgive that girl.

“Actually, after she asked to break up, I went to Xihu City to look for her once. She cried very hard that day, saying that I gave her a lot of pressure, that my choice was like a moral chain forcing her to marry me.”

“She said that she was only an ordinary girl, only wanting to live a stable, pretty good life. She was not so noble.”

“She asked me: If she really waited for me for two years, would I definitely be able to get into a school in Xihu City? Even if I did, would we be able to afford a house in Xihu City? Would we definitely be very happy together after getting married?”

“She said a lot. I decided to empathise with her. There aren’t so many noble love stories in this world. We shouldn’t let past relationships become chains tying us down.”

This had been Yu Yue’s story in the later part of his previous life. It was one of the things that Xu Tingsheng had wished to change since way back after having been reborn. It was just that he had always been hesitant over how he should go about it…

In other words, Xu Tingsheng was hesitating over what he should do. Should he think of a way to punish that girl who, whether intentionally or unintentionally, had ultimately harmed Yu Yue’s entire previous life? Or should he go about it a different way, letting Yu Yue possess more and become her best choice, letting them merrily, relaxedly continue the beautiful relationship that everyone envied in their university days? Such a test of their love would be avoided that way.

Chapter 651: Normal people should not test love (3)

Chapter 651: Normal people should not test love (3)

Yu Yue’s university relationship was really extremely blissful and enviable. For a whole four years, they had been the happiest couple in the class. This was one of the reasons why Xu Tingsheng was feeling so hesitant and conflicted.

Still, why had such a wonderful love ultimately been unable to stand up against the gruelling test of reality? It had been so frail. This was the second reason.

At the end of dinner, Zhang Fengping chose Golden Palace on everyone’s behalf.

After entering, two rows of tall women in qipaos bowed in unison, greeting in dainty voices, “Welcome to Golden Palace.”

Xu Tingsheng could clearly feel that these fellas were a bit nervous and uneasy, not knowing how to react.

Zhong Ming nearly reached out to help one up as he said, “No need to stand on ceremony.”

Fortunately, Zhang Fengping grabbed him before he could do so.

One of the women very nearly burst out laughing on the spot.

As compared to the welcome of the ladies, the managers inside were not so enthusiastic. Those in their line of work were very proficient at appraising people. It was visible from first glance that it was the first time this group of people was coming to this sort of place as they looked nervous and curious. Looking at how they were dressed, it totally did not seem like they could afford this place.

After several batches of customers who had come in later were led away, a manager finally came over helplessly to service them.

“Hi, sirs. I’m a manager here. Well...I’m very sorry, but you guys still seem to be students. I would first like to remind you that it costs over 5000 on average per person here. Therefore…”

Behind Xu Tingsheng, his roommates of his previous life all looked out of their element.

“It’s fine. Lead us to the best private room. Have everything be of the highest scale,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The manager raised his head to look at Xu Tingsheng.

How Xu Tingsheng wished that those kind of guys who looked down on others like in novels would appear and act all arrogant and rude with him. Sadly, this didn’t happen. The manager before him only seemed rather hesitant and conflicted as he retained his manners throughout.

Feeling helpless, Xu Tingsheng directly whipped out his black centurion card that had failed to show its efficacy in Shenghai City back then.

Passing it to the manager, he said, “Relax, do as I say. Let everything be of the highest scale.”

Fortunately, the manager recognised that card.

“This way please…”

He virtually bent his waist to the floor.

“For your tips, charge five thousand. Remember, we want the best,” Xu Tingsheng said in a low tone.

The manager nodded emotionally, saying that he would definitely do so and thanking him. As his colleagues looked rather curiously at him, he turned, secretly flashing that black card.

The managers who were leading customers in the venue all clapped their foreheads...the eyes of the women were all shining.

“Go notify the boss. Tell him that we have a black card customer,” The supervisor hurriedly told someone beside him.

While Golden Palace was top-class in Jianan, they actually didn’t see many of these black card customers in a year all the same. The supervisor naturally had to notify the boss. On one hand, they had to serve this group of customers carefully. On the other, they had to see if going over to greet them was necessary.

As Xu Tingsheng’s group headed in the direction that the manager was pointing, Zhong Ming hesitated at the back for a bit.

Finding his expression a little strange, Xu Tingsheng asked, “What is it?”

“Well, the one at the entrance whom I nearly helped up earlier-can I choose her?” Zhong Ming asked.

“Can he?” Xu Tingsheng turned and asked that manager.

“Which one is it? Please point her out to me, boss.”

Zhong Ming pointed rather awkwardly at one of the girls standing at the entrance. Seeing that, the girl pointed at herself. Seeing Zhong Ming nodding, she smiled and nodded too...the girls beside her had envious looks on their faces as they begrudged this.

The customer was young, looked pretty good and was a generous top-class magnate too. Naturally, they would be happy to have this happen.

“Alright. I’ll lead sirs in first...after that, I’ll immediately call her over,” The manager said.

“Okay.”

After walking a few steps, Xu Tingsheng placed a hand on Zhong Ming’s shoulder, asking him, “Why did she catch your eye? That girl’s probably only average here.”

“How she held in her laughter, nearly laughing out loud earlier. I found it very cute,” Zhong Ming smiled rather shyly.

This guy had not been in a relationship since his first year of university, when his girlfriend had run off with the military instructor.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and patted his shoulder, saying, “In a while, you can privately give her tips. Don’t be petty. However much you want, just say it...she will naturally tell the manager, and then the manager will ask me.”

Not having brought much cash, Xu Tingsheng could only do it this way.

Zhong Ming smiled and nodded, hesitating for a bit before saying, “Hey, I won’t call you Boss Xu anymore. Bro...to be honest, I don’t really understand why towards us, you’re so, so…”

“Actually, I can’t really explain it either. Somehow, it feels like fate. With you guys, I feel like I’m with bros that I’m very familiar with. Also...it feels pretty relaxed this way,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Zhong Ming nodded, saying quite emotionally, “You can actually be considered the second strange thing I’ve encountered in university. There was something else that happened in my first year…”

“What?” Actually knowing what this guy wanted to say, Xu Tingsheng feigned curiosity.

“During military training in my first year, my girlfriend ran off with the instructor. That night, I drank some alcohol. Feeling terrible, wanting to vent, I was going to wreck the military vehicle of the People’s armed forces...in the end, can you guess what happened? Even before I had the time to tell this to anyone, a call came in. A policeman from the relevant authorities warned: Doing so was an absolute no-no. He even said the country had already taken notice of me. I was freaking frightened to death.”

Xu Tingsheng calmed himself and feigned astonishment, exclaiming, “Really? It’s a good thing you didn’t do it then. Otherwise, you’d probably have no chance at studying to be a civil servant or whatnot in the future. Also, the country’s so omniscient.”

“Yeah, that’s right! I only thought about it, and they already knew about it...crazy omniscient. The country was probably guarding against me from the time my girlfriend followed that instructor. It really is crazy. I tell you, I think that even us coming to play here has definitely been monitored by the relevant authorities. It’s just that unless there are any special circumstances, they’ll probably just turn a blind eye to this sort of thing,” Zhong Ming said mysteriously.

“Well...it’s possible,” Xu Tingsheng could only play along with him.

“Anyway, I’m just saying all this in order to remind you. As a public figure, you’re definitely subject to more monitoring...so, you may need to pay more attention and definitely not say anything wrong,” Zhong Ming warned cautiously, “The relevant authorities of our country are seriously powerful.”

Who would have thought that the call Xu Tingsheng had made for the sake of Zhong Ming’s future prospects in his first year of university might inadvertently have nurtured a super law-abiding citizen for the country, a future patriotic civil servant who would definitely not be corrupt.Knowing that Zhong Ming was telling him this out of goodwill and while at risk of being monitored, at least in his own view, Xu Tingsheng accepted it and said with an earnest expression on his face, “I will pay attention to that. Thank you.”

Zhong Ming nodded in relief, “It’s good that you know about it. Still, you definitely shouldn’t tell this to anyone!”

“Alright.”

Chapter 652: Normal people should not test love (4)

Chapter 652: Normal people should not test love (4)

There was already someone seated beside Zhong Ming, that cute lady who had nearly laughed out loud at the entrance earlier. Despite being nervous and overwhelmed, he forcibly composed himself in pretending to be an old hand at such entertainment centres. This was something that many men would do in such a scenario.

The boss of Golden Place knocked on the door and toasted a glass of wine.

He hesitated, asking, “You’re Xu…”

“Just having a gathering with some classmates,” Xu Tingsheng said.

The boss gave him an understanding look, bid him farewell and left.

Next came what Zhang Fengping had described in his previous life. Model-class beauties standing in a row, all with their various styles and outstanding areas.

Xu Tingsheng found that his roommates all found it rather hard to pick someone...what was worse, they even said awkwardly, “No, pass.” It was just as if they were worried that the self-esteem of the ladies would be hurt as a result, causing them to feel sad and pained.

He gave the manager who was standing by the side a look.

The manager stepped forward and said, “Please choose as you like, sirs. These are the rules. There’s no need to worry that the beauties will feel sad...if you’re worried that after you’ve chosen, there’ll be better ones later…”

“Just choose a few more then. No upper limit,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and said.

The row of ladies happily clapped together. The atmosphere instantly relaxed. With another two glasses of wine to embolden themselves, everyone was no longer shy about choosing people.

Xu Tingsheng similarly chose two to sit beside him. Still, when they approached, he reminded, “Just help to drink and enliven the atmosphere.”

Xu Tingsheng did not have to worry about what came next. Be it singing or drinking, these girls were a hundred times more proficient at enlivening the atmosphere than Xu Tingsheng was.

Xu Tingsheng observed from the side and found that things were more or less as he had thought. His roommates were mostly reserved, basically not doing anything truly outrageous as they were just soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying this first-time experience.

Maybe this feeling of hugging left and right and being served and esteemed like a king was the true reason men liked to go to such entertainment centres.

Yu Yue was made to sing two songs too. Still, in terms of his closeness with the ladies, he was even more guarded and strict than Xu Tingsheng was. From time to time, he was forced to the corner by the enthusiastic ladies, not knowing what to do.

Xu Tingsheng got up and sat down beside him, asking the two ladies who were in the midst of teasing him excitedly to step aside for the moment.

The two clinked glasses and drank a bit before Xu Tingsheng smiled and asked, “What is it? Are you afraid of your girlfriend? But it’s not like you’re really doing anything untoward.”

“I’m not afraid, exactly,” Yu Yue smiled awkwardly, saying, “It’s just that she keeps on appearing in my mind. Maybe I haven’t drank enough yet.”

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while.

“Is your relationship very good?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Will you marry no one but her?”

“If you ask me, yes.”

“Will she marry no one but you?”

“Probably.” Yu Yue smiled blissfully.

Seeing him smile like this, Xu Tingsheng finally came to a decision on what he had previously been hesitant on.

“If you do not intend to be a support educator out of altruism and are just considering it for the purpose of hometown restrictions and work, there is no need to go for it...or a few years later, when you’re all settled down, you can go complete this dream together then,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Huh?” Yu Yue looked rather puzzledly at Xu Tingsheng.

“To me, this sort of problem is actually very simple,” Xu Tingsheng put a hand on his shoulder and said, “Go back and discuss it with your girlfriend. Choose a city that you both like, such as Xihu City...I’ll settle what remains for you both. Establishment, hometowns...and other problems that could arise in the future.”

At first, Yu Yue had a disbelieving look on his face. Still, considering how the person before him was Xu Tingsheng, he no longer doubted anything.

Next, he was overjoyed, then rather lost for words as he ventured, “I…”

“Just saying thanks is fine. Next, remember to contact me as soon as possible,” Xu Tingsheng took his wineglass and clinked glasses with Yu Yue before saying, “You shouldn’t feel it to be too much or anything. This matter is really very easy to me, as simple as raising one’s hand.”

“Thank you,” Yu Yue nodded before raising his head and downing the XO in his glass in a single gulp, “I’ll tell her when we get back and see what she thinks.”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng could naturally guess what his girlfriend would think about it.

After all, he too had been rather familiar with that girl in his previous life. They had been in the same class, and she had been his roommate’s girlfriend for four years. Instead, it was Yu Yue who was a bit too much of a romanticist.

“What about you? You wouldn’t actually still want to experience it?” Xu Tingsheng smiled and asked.

“How did you know? Well, I actually do rather wish to experience that process with her,” Yu Yue said with a yearning look in his eyes, “That way, our relationship might be better in the future.”

“It’s already good enough,” Xu Tingsheng said, “If love can be smooth, simple and happy, then all we should do is let it continue being like this...”

“Remember, we are only normal people. So, we shouldn’t test love too much.”

There was something Xu Tingsheng had actually left unsaid. There aren’t so many noble loves in this world. Normal people’s love actually mostly cannot withstand tests that are too great.

So, let those fiery, tempestuous trials and tribulations be left to movies, dramas and novels. As normal people, what you should most do when possessing love is to let it avoid tests and trials as much as possible.

Protecting a simple happiness also leads to a happy life.

Xu Tingsheng hoped that the conditions he had forged could allow the happiness of Yu Yue and his girlfriend in university times to continue, causing that formerly firm love to not be crushed by reality...even though he had no confidence in doing so.

He had sorted out his thoughts. A previous life was a previous life. When they no longer had to experience all that, perhaps the harm would no longer exist...at least, that was what he hoped.

……

The next day, the roommates of his previous life moaned after waking up that they should not have gotten drunk the previous night.

After bidding them farewell, Xu Tingsheng said goodbye to Yan Zhengyu too before heading back to Yanzhou.

Reaching home, opening the door.

Miss Xiang was like a little tiger, going for his clothes as soon as he returned as she repeatedly checked if there were any wounds on him.

After confirming that Xu Tingsheng was okay, she began to wear an angry face in a huff…

This was very like Xiang Ning. Still, from how she was constantly sneaking a glance at him, Xu Tingsheng felt that something was wrong somehow.

That night, after he had taken a bath and was lying down on his bed, Miss Xiang appeared at the door of his room in her pyjamas.

The problem was the pyjamas that she was wearing.

Xu Tingsheng rather dared not look for fear that he would become a beast.

He averted his gaze and asked, “What’s with the pyjamas?”

“What? Doesn’t it look nice?” Miss Xiang was not being cheery as usual as she asked this in a suggestive tone.

Miss Xiang who was seventeen and very nearly eighteen actually already had a lot of allure. A bit unable to withstand it, Xu Tingsheng stammered, “It’s not that it doesn’t look nice. It’s just that in the past...in the past, your pyjamas were so cute, so fresh, so village girl-like...now…”

“What is it like now?”

“It’s a bit…”

“Right,” Not waiting for Xu Tingsheng to say that word out loud, Xiang Ning responded and buried her head a bit shyly...that bashful, delicate look especially caused Xu Tingsheng much grief.

Xiang Ning was actually not so used to wearing sexy little pyjamas too as she was nervous and shy, her body even trembling slightly.

Gritting her teeth, she looked at Xu Tingsheng and said, “I want to sleep here tonight.”

Next, not waiting for Xu Tingsheng to answer, Xiang Ning closed the door and plunged under the covers.

After a short while, the tender white hand reached out from under the covers, taking away the book in Xu Tingsheng’s hand and placing it on the cabinet by the bed. She closed the bedlight while she was at it. Xiang Ning’s little body slid up along Xu Tingsheng’s chest...finding his lips with hers.

Having lived together for a year, it was actually already very normal for the two to kiss and hug.

Still, Xu Tingsheng detected something different from her lips. Tonight, Xiang Ning’s lips were fiery, carrying passion and a frenzy that the shy little girl had never yet possessed in this life.

Chapter 653: What happened to the little beauty

Chapter 653: What happened to the little beauty

The situation wasn’t right! First, Miss Xiang wasn’t so right tonight. Next, Xu Tingsheng would soon not be right too.

Before he completely lost it, Xu Tingsheng retreated a little and sat straight, pressing and stabilising the shoulders of the incoming ‘little tiger’ with both hands.

“Can you tell me what this is all about, Miss Xiang?” Xu Tingsheng inhaled deeply and asked, looking at her.

As faint light filtered in through the window, Xiang Ning’s eyes were lustrous and shining.

Xiang Ning was rendered speechless for a while before she said in a delicate tone, “I want that.”

“Huh?” Xu Tingsheng recalled that it clearly had not been like this in his previous life as he had clearly only succeeded with a lot of coaxing, wheedling, plus acting pitiful, “This is very sudden. Didn’t we agree that it’ll be after you graduate? Why?”

Looking at him, Xiang Ning raised her head slightly and said, “I’m thirsty.”

Thirsty your sister!

Please, this simply isn’t how women should look when they say they’re ‘thirsty’, alright? Also, you’re a mere brat at seventeen, yet to experience the ways of the world. Do you know what being thirsty means? And...where did you learn this word from? Did you look it up on the net?

With that in mind, Xu Tingsheng put on a stern face and said, “If you don’t speak properly and tell the truth, do you believe me when I say I’ll lift you up and throw you out?”

“You dare?”

“Try me.”

As Xu Tingsheng got off the bed and reached out to pull her, Xiang Ning gripped the bed and refused to let go, kicking him.

“Really, I’m telling the truth! I’m seventeen already. I’ll be eighteen in two months...I feel that I can!”

“Let go, Xu Tingsheng! If you pull me again, I’ll cry, do you believe me?”

Xiang Ning puffed up her cheeks and glared at Xu Tingsheng.

After persisting for a while, Xu Tingsheng surrendered, “Alright, since you aren’t willing to tell the truth and aren’t willing to get off...I’ll go to your room to sleep then.”

Xu Tingsheng made as if to leave.

“Come back,” The voice behind him finally turned gentle.

“On the bed.”

“Sit…”

Xu Tingsheng did as he was told and waited for her to speak the truth.

Xiang Ning leaned over weakly and whispered into his ear, “To tell you the truth, I’ve lusted after your fleshly body for very long.”

“Xiang Ning.”

“Yes?”

“Read fewer web novels, okay? Especially ones with male MCs...your line is wrong.”

“...”

Xiang Ning looked discouraged and was silent for a while as she rested on Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder before she finally said, “It’s been twice already. Once in order to save me, and with what happened this time...twice, you’ve nearly died, and I’d no longer have my Xu Tingsheng.”

Feeling tears falling on his shoulder as her figure trembled slightly, Xu Tingsheng hugged Xiang Ning’s little body tightly in his embrace very forcefully.

“When you weren’t around,” Xiang Ning continued softly, “Once, Big Sis Du Jin went to Jiannan during the weekend to do something. Worried about me being alone, she brought me with her. Then, going to Jiannan’s Happy Shoppers to buy stuff to eat while taking a look at our family’s store, I ran into someone.”

Already able to guess, Xu Tingsheng asked, “Liang Qin?”

“Yes.”

“What did she say to you?”

“The same as what she told you. She thought that I already knew. Don’t blame her.”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng said, but was already thinking of getting his father to send her to some other province the next morning.

“I asked her when she told you about it. Then I calculated the time, and discovered...so it was on the day before we were going to get engaged,” Xiang Ning forcefully hugged Xu Tingsheng tightly, “Separated in life, reunited in death. It was because of this that you lied, deliberately not wanting to get engaged with me, right?”

“Why would I be afraid of that? I’m not superstitious,” Xu Tingsheng wasn’t willing to admit it.

“Of course you aren’t afraid. You’ve even nearly died because of me before...reunited in death. You’re afraid that the one who dies might be me, right?” Xiang Ning thought that Xu Tingsheng was saying that he did not fear death, “Or, you are worried about me, right? I asked Lu Min. Lu Min said that you’re afraid that if we get engaged and do that...if anything happens in the future, it’ll hurt me even more.”

“It’s not like that.”

“If it’s not like that, do that with me, Xu Tingsheng. Little Xiang Ning is yours anyway, always. I feel that lately, I’m more or less ripe anyway.”

“...” His Miss Xiang really wasn’t refined at all.

Xu Tingsheng wanted to laugh, then felt a bit like crying. If it was just a divination lot, Xu Tingsheng wouldn’t be afraid of it. Still, he definitely couldn’t tell Xiang Ning about Zhou Yuandai’s existence and the threat that she posed.

“Or you’ve actually decided to be separated in life. So, you’ve decided to give up on me? When are you planning to do it? Shall I pack my luggage first? Do I return everything that you bought me? How about the wedding gown? Who’s your next girlfriend, do I know her? Will we still be friends in the future?”

“Stop. Don’t intentionally stab your boyfriend’s heart like this...one blade after another too,” Xu Tingsheng tried hard to smile.

As Xiang Ning grew up, she was becoming more and more like in his previous life, especially with how shameless and adorable she was and when she was full of herself in believing that she was cunning but generally actually couldn’t fool anybody at all. She also always seemed able to turn weighty, serious matters lighter.

Hearing Xu Tingsheng say so, Xiang Ning who was gaining momentum showed a bit of awkwardness at having been exposed before immediately continuing, “That’s just how it is. Anyway...do as you deem fit. I just want to tell you that I don’t believe in all that...if it has to be  real, I’m only afraid of being separated in life. I’m not afraid of reuniting in death. I hope that you won’t be afraid too.”

Xu Tingsheng wiped her tears and smiled, saying, “I’ll think about it then. Let’s sleep first.”

“Huh?”

“Huh what? It’s still the weekend tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

Xiang Ning lay down with her back to Xu Tingsheng and was silent for a while under the covers. Suddenly, she sighed slowly.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked carefully.

“It hurts, my self-esteem…” Xiang Ning said dismally, “Aren’t you attracted by me at all?”

“How’s that possible?”

“How were you able to resist it then? I heard Nannan and the others say that their boyfriends are always so eager...we’ve been living together for a year already. I even did that just now, but you were able to resist it...I suddenly feel so down.”

Xu Tingsheng bundled her over and looked into her eyes, “Are you being serious or are you pretending?”

“Of course I’m serious,” Xiang Ning looked straight into his eyes.

Seeing this, Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit before he leaned in and said into her ear, “Actually, I’m having a very hard time holding it back. It’s just that you don’t know.”

“Hmm?”

“When you’re asleep sometimes, as I look at you, two people leap out in my mind, an angel and a devil. They have an intense fight...in the end, if it all fails, I have to secretly take a cold shower before I can sleep.”

“No wonder it always feels like the soap’s being used up so fast.”

“Cough. Um, that doesn’t seem to be the main point, right?”

“Heh,” Xiang Ning stuck out her tongue in glee before looking sympathetically at Xu Tingsheng, thinking about something as she climbed onto him, “How about you let the little devil win today then?”

“But it just returned to the fort in defeat.”

“Let it have another round then. I’ll help it.”

Xiang Ning covered Xu Tingsheng’s eyes with a palm, got up and sat on his legs as she turned on the bedlight with her other hand...she slowly moved that palm aside, closing her eyes as she asked softly, “Do I look nice like this? Has the little devil turned into a Super Saiyan?”

The flimsy pyjamas actually weren't all that sexy. Still, worn by a girl who was like an apricot that had just ripened, just that bit of concealment could ‘kill’.

“Did you buy it yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Didn’t you feel embarrassed?”

“Um...yes.”

Chapter 654: The insane Xu Tingsheng

Chapter 654: The insane Xu Tingsheng

In the morning, as sunlight shone in through the crevices of the curtains.

Miss Xiang had already changed back to the kind of pyjamas that she was more used to wearing. The white cotton pyjamas were dotted with tiny, intricate fruit patterns of varying kinds.

Beneath the warm sunlight, Xiang Ning lay under the soft, white blanket, fresh and sprightly.

It had actually been very easy to convince her to change her pyjamas. Xu Tingsheng had extended a hand and tugged at her sexy little pyjamas at the time, saying, “You’re already relying on all this now. Then, when we’ve been married for one or two decades, when you’re in your thirties or forties...what do you intend to rely on then? Also, you simply don’t need this kind of stuff now!”

Hearing this and feeling that it made sense, Xiang Ning had decisively changed out of her sexy little pyjamas.

Her face feeling a little warm from the sunlight, Xiang Ning blearily opened her eyes to find Uncle lying on his side and looking quietly at her.

“Good morning, Madam Xu,” Seeing that she was awake, Xu Tingsheng smiled warmly.

“Ah, good morning, that whoever.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that whoever?”

“Um, well...hubby,” Xiang Ning called softly, her face a bit red as she plunged into and buried her face in Xu Tingsheng’s embrace, hiding for a while.

“How it went last night-can it really be considered a success?” Xiang Ning asked.

“It does, I guess,” Xu Tingsheng said rather painfully.

“I really didn’t block you with my knee on purpose. I also didn’t kick you on purpose,” Miss Xiang said very innocently, “That was all by reflex. I couldn’t control it.”

“I know,” Xu Tingsheng consoled her, “Girls are always like that during their first time. It’s very normal. Only couples consummating their marriages in movies and novels have warm, happy first times. Normally, it’s strenuous and tiring to death.”

“Oh,” Xiang Ning was silent for a while before she suddenly tugged Xu Tingsheng’s clothes in front of his chest, “What do you mean girls are always like that during their first time? How do you know?”

“Oh, I read that in a book. That book also said that couples in ancient times drank wine from each other’s cups actually to get the bride a bit drunk, so that it’s easier to do the deed. Girls then mostly never drank before, so they would topple with a single cup,” Xu Tingsheng made stuff up while thinking: You dare to ask me how I know? At least, you’ve been like this in both lifetimes. Boldly guaranteeing that you’re ready but attacking by reflex as soon as I lean over.”

“Oh, alright then,” Xiang Ning thought about it before venturing, “Well, do you want to try again now then?”

“No thanks…” Xu Tingsheng explained, “What I mean is that I’ve got to rest for a few days first. Your kick really hurt! Also, it tired me out.”

“Oh. Still, I’ve thought of a method.”

“What’s that?”

“Tie me up,” Xiang Ning said.

“...”

“What?”

“At the beginning, it’s best not to play so big.”

“Oh. I know, you are angry.”

“I’m not angry. It just really hurts…”“Alright, I’m sorry! I’ll kiss you ten times.”

……

Xu Tingsheng stayed at home for a week. When Xiang Ning was released from school on Friday, he directly drove to pick her up and set off for Shenghai.

Xingchen had specifically set a date for this as when Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning walked into the company, they were greeted by applause from two rows of people standing on the sides.

“Are they celebrating you doing that to me?” A bit confused, Xiang Ning leaned over and whispered into Xu Tingsheng’s ear.

Feeling quite helpless at Miss Xiang’s overactive imagination, Xu Tingsheng replied, “No, it’s because you’ve come this time in the capacity of the company’s second biggest shareholder and future chairman. Everyone’s welcoming you in officially entering Xingchen Technologies.”

“Oh. Why am I the future chairman? Why isn’t it you?”

“Because that’s what I told them,” Xu Tingsheng couldn’t be bothered to explain.

He had three things to do in coming to Xingchen this time.

First was to confirm Xingchen’s future management system, signing long-term contracts with Hu Chen and He Yutan in placing them fully in charge of the running and management of Xingchen Technologies.

Many people had reserved their opinions about this, Hu Chen and He Yutan included. Still, Xu Tingsheng was insisting on it.

Second was to officially confirm Xiang Ning’s status as Xingchen’s second largest shareholder in holding thirty percent of its shares. At the same time, under a signed agreement that only Xu Tingsheng, Hu Chen, He Yutan and Old Jin were privy to, if Xu Tingsheng met with any accident in the future, Xiang Ning would be the one to inherit Xingchen.

Regarding Xiang Ning holding Xingchen’s shares, as everyone saw it, it was no different from Xu Tingsheng passing something from his left hand to his right hand. They were naturally fine with it.

Yet, the latter clause still caused the other three to break out in a cold sweat. Xu Tingsheng could only explain that life was very unpredictable and it was better to be prepared than not.

Third was to simultaneously launch the open betas of <<CrossFire>> and <<Dungeon Fighter Online>>.

This was faced with opposition by everyone in Xingchen. The one managing the games, Shao Yanshan, had even broken out cursing and smashed his phone after several failed attempts to convince Xu Tingsheng otherwise.

The reason was...this was definitely the most foolish thing one could do.

Simultaneously releasing two games with great market potential whose target player base also overlapped? Virtually no game company had ever done this before.

No one was that foolish. Doing this definitely couldn’t achieve that effect of one plus one exceeding two or something, not even equalling two...one plus one would definitely be lower than two, might even be lower than 1.5, because this was intrinsically-competing for players with oneself.

Everyone was opposed, and resolutely and vehemently too.

Still, Xu Tingsheng who was usually easygoing and habitually left things up to others was unexpectedly determined on this. His reason was: Creating a mighty impact that solidified the position of Xingchen Games as hegemon in a single go.

Only a fool would believe this. If one really thought like this, wouldn’t letting Xingchen release three hot games consecutively, each to a huge wave of popularity, better be able to win the trust and capital of gamers and the passion of the market?

More than three video meetings were held. Finally, unable to win against them in an argument, Xu Tingsheng turned off the video, leaving only sound, “Sorry, I’m deciding everything on my own this time. I’ll listen to you guys for everything else in the future.”

That having been said, however much they were opposed to it and could not understand it, Xingchen’s personnel could only implement it as instructed.

With both games having public betas simultaneously, both the servers and the employees were overloaded.

The public betas for both games were very popular. Still, the more it was like this, the more He Yutan, Shao Yanshan, Hu Chen and the others wanted to cry. Since they could still be popular like this, that meant that they could definitely have been even more popular originally.

As for the voices of the outside world, there was envy, there was jealousy, there was a lack of understanding, mockery and sarcasm.

Someone asked: How lacking in money is Xingchen?

Someone asked: Does Xu Tingsheng not understand or has he gone mad?

The three bigwigs of Xingchen sat down together to analyse this. They reckoned that the sole possibility was that Xingchen would be making a major move in the near future that required a huge amount of funds. This was why Xu Tingsheng was keeping all that to himself while crazily gathering funds without caring about short-term losses.

Though they tried to console themselves like this, the actual situation was that Xingchen’s funds began to be channeled away non-stop.

“What’s Tingsheng doing?”

“I don’t know. Have you asked Old Jin?”

“I have. He doesn’t know either.”

“He’s gone mad.”

The day after returning to Yanzhou with Xiang Ning, the insane Xu Tingsheng was already on a plane to America.

Chapter 655: How many people will follow

Chapter 655: How many people will follow

Wayne Yang was very enthusiastic towards Xu Tingsheng’s arrival this time. In truth, he was always very enthusiastic, just more than usual now.

Not long ago, he had helped Xu Tingsheng to sell all the overseas copyrights for <<Plants Vs Zombies>> at a pretty good price. The commission was naturally pretty good too, having been paid out very quickly as well.

In fact, he had even earned a commission from the purchasers because there had really been too many competitors. Wayne Yang guessed that Xu Tingsheng might know about that. Still, as long as he didn’t say anything, they would leave it at the level of tacit understanding.

Regarding this copyright, it had not been utterly necessary for Xu Tingsheng to sell it through him. Wayne Yang was well aware that there had actually been no need for that.

So, he subjectively viewed the matter as Xu Tingsheng expressing his goodwill in befriending him...it basically meant that he was relying on him as they should be working together again after this-looking set to profit a lot, Wayne Yang was filled with anticipation. Excited beyond himself, he had even given a double portion of tips after one of his flings.

Still, he soon discovered that he was wrong-this was actually compensation.

Compensation for what? Compensation for him having brought Xu Tingsheng to all the various major banks on Wall Street, to be repaid with Xu Tingsheng bypassing him upon coming again and truly making his move.

Right, Xu Tingsheng had bypassed him in approaching the major banks of Wall Street directly.

“Making use of and then discarding? Still, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with that.”

Wayne Yang was not a bad guy per se, much less narrow-minded. He just always persisted with his life principles. For example, if you did not treat him well, he would sell information about you. If you treated him well, he would sell information about you too. The crux was not relationships but whether the price was enough.

Everyone judged him as shameless and scary in that when you gave him a way to earn money, he would have a way to earn money, and when you did not give him a way to earn money, he’d then use you as a way to earn money.

This was Wayne Yang’s bastard logic. He decided to grasp the relevant information and specific direction regarding Xu Tingsheng’s first large scale investment in Wall Street before profiting off that…

Might this wreck the friendship between the two?

He did not care.

He worshipped the god called profit, seeing value as one’s capital. When you have sufficient value, even your enemies will approach you to work together. When you have no value, even your friends will abandon you.

This was what Wayne Yang had concluded from his two decades of experience on Wall Street.

Still, he ran into a wall. After Xu Tingsheng returned to China from Wall Street, Wayne Yang who had connections and sources so abundant even he himself could not keep count launched many attacks all around and discovered himself running into dead ends everywhere.

“NDA? NDA! How it looks like something specifically designed to deal with people like me. Is that really necessary?

While Wayne Yang was very resentful, there was nothing he could do. He could not simply sell that ‘Xu Tingsheng’s investing in Wall Street’. Even the Chinese opening a restaurant near the hotel where Xu Tingsheng had stayed knew this. When going there to eat everyday, he would chat with the boss and employees.

What he needed was specific content. What exactly did Xu Tingsheng who had never lost before think highly of? What had he invested in? In China, at least, countless people wished to know this.

“The heck, I’m going all out.”

Wayne Yang gave an executive at Morgan Stanley Bank named Jennifer a call, inviting her for dinner together.

This female executive had already coveted him for very long.

Right, Jennifer was fifty-four years old. Having had failed plastic surgery, her face was a bit terrifying. For example, her brows sometimes went up and couldn’t come back down. Her lips were even thicker than a hotdog. Her chin sometimes retracted into her mouth.

In half a month, Wayne Yang lost more than 10kg, because he couldn’t stomach his food. At the same time, in order to ensure that he could use some functions normally, he ate a large amount of aphrodisiac medicines...they seemed to have left some aftereffects.

Finally, after a good time, Jennifer leaned in his embrace and told him, “The person surnamed Xu you were talking about, we did an internal evaluation and appraisal of him. The conclusion was that this basically already cannot be considered investing...he is attempting a large scale transfer of assets. As long as it can retain or increase in value, he’s taking anything.”

“Right, you definitely cannot tell anyone else about this,” Jennifer said.

Then, looking at Wayne Yang who was already jumping off and beginning to put on his clothes, she suddenly realised just how laughable these words of hers were.

“Yang, you can’t treat me like this...he’s a customer our bank is fully concentrating on securing. If the higher-ups of the company know that I disclosed this information…”

“Go to hell, witch. I’ve already got no more contents to vomit out,” Wayne Yang cursed as he left the room.

“Over a year ago, someone snatched Xu Tingsheng’s opportunity and invested in facebook. The value of the investment has already increased multifold now.”

“Now, the chance to follow him or snatch his opportunity is before you.”

“Think good and well about it. I can help you  guys to get ahead of him, do what he wants to do.”

HIs face thin and wan, his liver weak, Wayne Yang told this to his customers-having expended so much to get the news, he did not intend to sell it cheaply. As for channels, he believed that he exceeded Xu Tingsheng in this area.

……

After returning to China, Xu Tingsheng was like a vampire-with regard to those companies of his.

In other words, it was not just Xingchen’s money that was being channeled away. It was the same for Hucheng and Zhicheng as well. It was just that due to the problem of shares, the procedure was a bit more complex for these two companies.

Besides that, Xu Tingsheng even drew a large amount of funds from Huang Yaming’s mines and bars every once in a while.

As some of Xu Tingsheng’s closest companions, Huang Yaming and Old Jin could basically guess that Xu Tingsheng was engaging in a gamble of titanic proportions. As for which side he was placing his bets on, they were unable to guess that.

They asked, but Xu Tingsheng wouldn’t say.

They tried persuading him, but Xu Tingsheng wouldn’t listen.

A frantic Huang Yaming asked Old Jin, “Won’t you help stop him?”

“I even want to follow for a bit,” Old Jin said, “Don’t forget. He’s Xu Tingsheng!”

Old Jin spoke of another matter behind Xu Tingsheng’s madness: How many people would follow?

While there weren’t many who noticed that Xu Tingsheng was madly channeling funds overseas, they definitely weren’t few as well.

The gambling table was big and there were many positions at it. The key was how many people intended to take up positions there. There were actually quite a few who were qualified enough, such as Ye Qing, such as Old Jin. There were more who themselves weren’t qualified enough, yet whose families and connections were.

There was one more person who was qualified enough.

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Lu Zhixin for the first time in a long while.

After she had asked what she wanted to ask.

Xu Tingsheng told her, “I am doing that. Still, I’m already doing it with Hucheng’s funds. You don’t have to add even more chips, right?”

Lu Zhixin said, “It’s not me. It’s my Dad.”

“He’s recovered again?”

“Yes. Still, this may really be his last all-in. Since he’s determined on attacking that fund and I’m unable to stop him, I can help him to switch the battlefield...can you treat it like you’re helping me? I need your opinion. If he loses this time, he really will jump off a building and commit suicide.”

“...”

“Hey, are you listening?”

“I am.”

Xu Tingsheng only had to say ‘Tell your Dad to stay out of it’ and everything would be resolved.

Still, he couldn’t say that. From investigating the clues and information from Apple’s father, Cen Xishan, Xu Tingsheng knew that the fund Lu Zhixin’s father had been frenziedly targeting and attacking all along actually belonged to Zhou Yuandai.

That had been one of the points through which she had risen to power a very long time ago.

Xu Tingsheng had actually already realised earlier that he might be able to do a lot through Lu Zhixin’s father, Lu Pingyuan...now that he had sent himself to his doorstep, Xu Tingsheng could not even think to refuse…

Unless he wanted Zhou Yuandai to see through his actual intentions.

There was no enmity between Zhou Yuandai and Xu Tingsheng. Still, more frightening than that was the intention she had already very clearly displayed. She wanted to control Xu Tingsheng, sought absolute control over him-and Xu Tingsheng definitely wouldn’t allow that. He did not want to be the next Cen Xishan.

Chapter 656: 2007

Chapter 656: 2007

Rather than giving Zhou Yuandai the impression that he was gambling on something, what Xu Tingsheng truly wanted Zhou Yuandai to believe was that he was mass transferring his assets.

What Zhou Yuandai was truly sensitive about was not gain or loss in a single bid, such as when Xu Tingsheng had misdirected her into making a wrong choice between Apple and Symbian. At the end of the day, that had just been an experiment. Even if Zhou Yuandai bought the whole of Symbian and suffered a tragic defeat, she would still not be buried there.

An economic crisis.

Only this could make Zhou Yuandai fully participate. Her appetite was such that she would not merely avoid a crisis. She also wanted to profit the most amidst it.

At the end of 2006, Zhou Yuandai was calm despite Xu Tingsheng’s expectations, watching on neutrally. At several points where Xu Tingsheng thought she would look for him, she showed no signs of acting whatsoever.

She was the one at the gambling table who had the most chips but had yet to throw them out.

As for Xu Tingsheng, in the eyes of those in the know, he had already reached the point where he had to prepare to start selling mines in Binzhou.

At this point in time, the coal industry was such that digging coal was more or less equivalent to digging money. Even as Huang Yaming and the others felt pained, Xu Tingsheng was using this to show Zhou Yuandai his decisive, considerable sacrifice for the bigger picture.

This was actually a real test of their friendship and trust.

On 9th January 2007, Apple held the press conference for its first generation IPhone.

A new era had come.

Xu Tingsheng was very calm after watching the press conference. He was not delusional. There was simply no way for him to build Apple beforehand based only on his memory and description like the main characters of some novels. At least, he as a humanities student knew that prior to its exterior, this beautiful thing relied on systems and chips that were ahead of their time-there was no way he could describe these things.

Of course, this did not prevent him from having a chance to obtain more in the upcoming era of smartphones.

Similarly having watched the conference, Zhou Yuandai realised that Xu Tingsheng might likely have been trying to outwit her before, like an ant digging a pit and trying to off an elephant.

In truth, however, that had ended with Zhou Yuandai breaking technique with force. While acquiring Symbian’s shares, she had also obtained quite a few of Apple’s shares...the loss was actually far less than the future gain.

Therefore, she actually only needed to know when the turning points in history were, not missing out the chance and being left behind. Her great power was sufficient to ensure that she crushed all Xu Tingsheng’s witty schemes.

What did that mean?

It was akin to she and Xu Tingsheng sitting at a gambling table. Xu Tingsheng was the one who knew the results of the gamble. He bet a hundred million on the banker, and Zhou Yuandai did the same. Xu Tingsheng continued, and Zhou Yuandai continued...

Then, when the fourth card was opened, Zhou Yuandai still had chips piled out before her like a mountain. She could wait for Xu Tingsheng to leak his actual intentions.

What if Xu Tingsheng wanted to drag them both down together? Intentionally waging his all on the losing side? Sorry, his chips were insufficient. Zhou Yuandai still had chips piled out before her like a mountain even if he lost everything.

So, when they had both already exposed their cards to some degree, there was actually only one thing that Zhou Yuandai truly needed to guard against, which was for Xu Tingsheng to freely grow. She could not let the day come when the amount of chips Xu Tingsheng had equalled, even exceeded hers. That alone could not be allowed to happen.

In order to ensure this, she could not leave that gambling table where Xu Tingsheng was at.

“Very foolish.”

That day, Xu Tingsheng received a text from Zhou Yuandai. This probably also meant that Zhou Yuandai was officially entering the scene. In actual fact, Xu Tingsheng’s ‘all in’ this time already fully determined that she had to join as well.

……

On the same day, more of the texts Xu Tingsheng received expressed astonishment or praise.

That very day, Apple, Cen Xiyu, officially released her second personal album. Because both were Apple, some joked that today was Apple Day.

The fans were paying attention to it with the mindset of finally having more new songs to listen to. In the end, though, they got old gossip.

Xu Tingsheng openly appeared in this album, singing <<Outside the Peony Pavilion>> with Apple. He used not the identity of a member of Rebirth but his personal identity…

What identity? That of Apple’s senior high classmate and friend.

Past gossip about the two was sieved out and discussed again. Still, be it gossip media or the gossiping netizens, they were clearly not as enthusiastic about it as in the past.

WIth the two of them singing together so openly this time, one was instead stumped as to how they should gossip.

Xiang Ning did not mind too. She had known about this long ago.

So, this ultimately resulted in the album having great sales and Apple’s position rising again as Xu Tingsheng gained popularity as well. As compared to a businessman and entrepreneur legend...an entrepreneur legend singing a song and doing so quite well too could clearly better obtain widespread attention and enthusiasm.

People saw a different Xu Tingsheng.

Just like this, the number of Xu Tingsheng’s followers on Weibo skyrocketed as he finally became an ultra VIP there too.

Someone left a comment, asking if he would release a personal album. Xu Tingsheng replied: The games released by Xingchen are so fun. Then, he received a few dozen pages of head shaking and eye rolling as all was understood-indeed, it was still for the sake of promotion. Advertising! Really, it was all-pervasive.

Like this, fewer people thought that he might have an intimate relationship with Apple which surpassed that of friends. It might even have lowered, viewed as a friendship with too many commercial interests attached.

Amidst all that, Apple held an album-signing and meet session in Yanzhou a few days later. Her fans there were incomparably excited. Yanzhou itself was not a sufficiently big city and Apple’s high estimation of it left them feeling very blissful.

In truth, though, Apple had an ulterior motive in doing so.

More important to her was coming to see her goddaughter, Niannian, and to participate in the celebration for Fu Cheng’s move. She had nothing on in the day anyway, hence that session.

Many people reunited for a long time in a while.

Apple was carrying Niannian the entire night. As everyone walked along the path to view the Xiang family’s flat at Ning Garden, she carried Niannian and went too. She even met Mr and Mrs Xiang there.

Mr and Mrs Xiang did not live here. It was just that as they were planning to move in as well, they had come over for a look.

They knew of Apple not just because she was very famous and had been on the New Year’s Gala before, but also because they too had heard about the rumours between this singer and their future son-in-law, Xu Tingsheng.

It could not be said that they were vigilant or dissatisfied with Apple. It was just that as they met, it just felt strange somewhat.

After Apple had left with Niannian in her arms, Mrs Xiang looked at Xu Tingsheng who was standing nearby. Having evening self-study that night, Xiang Ning had not come. Niannian, meanwhile, was calling Xu Tingsheng and Apple godfather and godmother respectively. A woman like Mrs Xiang would surely be somewhat sensitive to this.

“I just don’t feel comfortable listening to it,” Mrs Xiang murmured.

“Forget it. This shouldn’t be Tingsheng’s intention too. If we say too much, it’ll instead be bad for the child,” Mr Xiang persuaded her in a low tone, indicating not to let Xu Tingsheng hear it.

“I’m afraid of Little Ning losing out! She’s still so little and so innocent too. If anything really happens, won’t she be kept in the dark?”

“That won’t happen. I trust Tingsheng.”

Mr Xiang convinced Mrs Xiang to calm down with much difficulty. Just a short while later, Apple rushed in hastily with tears in her eyes, clutching her phone.

“Grandma, grandma wants to speak to you,” She directly found Xu Tingsheng and passed him the phone.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng asked as he received the phone.

“I don’t know what happened to Grandma. All of a sudden, she...my Mum says that Grandma won’t last much longer,” Being on close terms with her grandmother, Apple broke down somewhat as she buried her head in Xu Tingsheng’s shoulder, weeping non-stop.

“I don’t know why she suddenly wants to talk to you...can you?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded. How could he possibly refuse at a time like this? Though, he actually wasn’t clear on why Apple’s grandmother had thought of him at a time like this.

In his first year of university, he had once gone to meet Apple’s grandmother together with her. At the time, Apple’s grandmother who was blind and already not very lucid too had virtually spent the entire day saying the same thing to him, having simply repeated it many times.

Indeed, it was still this sentence that resounded over the phone, “Good child, be good to lassie. You must be good to lassie.”

So, the person Apple’s Grandma was most concerned about was really her. This was why she had thought of Xu Tingsheng, remembering that person whom Apple had once brought before her. He had cooked for her and helped to support her with Apple, one on each side.

“Good child, be good to lassie. You must be good to lassie,” Her grandmother’s consciousness was already very blurry as she only repeated it time and time again.

Under such circumstances, Xu Tingsheng had to respond to the old woman’s dying wish.

“Yes, yes...rest assured, Grandma. I will definitely be good to lassie,” He answered.

Chapter 657: That scummy friend

Chapter 657: That scummy friend

With her life hanging by a thread, Apple’s grandmother had remembered Xu Tingsheng and insisted on speaking to him, entreating him to take care of Apple...in terms of the past, the present and even the future, the meaning therein was not difficult to guess at all.

As Xu Tingsheng was consoling the old woman, the looks on the faces of Mr and Mrs Xiang had already changed.

Still, at a time like this, they couldn’t very well say anything, much less flare up. At the end of the day, they were kind people too. Otherwise, they would not have a daughter like Xiang Ning.

While they felt uncomfortable inside, they still managed to tolerate it.

The next evening, Xiang Ning returned from school for the weekend.

Mrs Xiang asked, “You still know to return to your own home?”

Mr Xiang asked, “Why are you back this week?”

Xiang Ning said, “Xu Tingsheng accompanied Big Sis Apple back to Libei last night! Apparently, her Grandma suddenly fell ill. Hey, why aren’t you both happy that I’m back! Must Big Sis Du Jin and I cook dinner by ourselves?”

He had even accompanied her back to Libei? This…

Mrs Xiang glanced at her innocent daughter, feeling so very stifled inside as she flung the remote control that she was holding onto the table with a bang. That remote control’s back cover fell, the battery inside falling out and rolling over the table…

Then, Mrs Xiang simply left that as it was as she stormed upstairs to her room.

“Dad, what’s with Mum? Did you two have a fight?”

Mr Xiang pondered a little and said, “Little Ning, let Dad ask you a question.”

“Okay.”

“Haven’t you heard of the rumours between that Apple and Xu Tingsheng?” Mr Xiang asked carefully.

Xiang Ning smiled and answered, “I have! The first time I heard of it in school, I even cried. Still, I asked him about it later. There’s really nothing between them...also, I am very familiar with Big Sis Apple too. Don’t worry about it.”

“Then, were the two of them together before in the past?”

Xiang Ning shook her head, “I asked this too. I said that since he’s so old, it’s only normal to have been in a relationship before. I said I wouldn’t be angry. Still, he assured me that there wasn’t anything like that...I think that he shouldn’t have lied to me.”“You think, you think…” Mrs Xiang exclaimed furiously from the corridor upstairs, “You haven’t any brains, what would you know? You wouldn’t even know if you were swindled to be sold. If there really is nothing between the two of them, why did Apple’s Grandma say those things to Xu Tingsheng when she’s about to die?”

“Huh? What did they talk about?” Xu Tingsheng had not told Xiang Ning about this.

“Her grandmother asked Xu Tingsheng on her deathbed to take care of that Apple,” Mrs Xiang repeated the words Xu Tingsheng had said at the time, “Do you know the significance of one’s last words? Also, what does Xu Tingsheng’s answer signify? Think hard about this for yourself.”

Mr Xiang raised his head to look at Mrs Xiang, resenting his wife a little for having said this to their daughter. She had thrown such a weighty matter onto the seventeen-year-old Xiang Ning.

Still, it could not be denied that he was actually feeling panicked too. What these various signs were currently pointing towards was what they had once been most worried about and truthfully never been able to feel assured over!

The worlds of rich people were messy. This was a deeply ingrained notion. Being so rich at such a young age, could Xu Tingsheng really be so honest, so devoted?

Mr Xiang had answered it himself at the time. He had said: Xu Tingsheng? He can even easily find a celebrity.

What Mrs Xiang had said was: I’m afraid of Little Ning suddenly coming home and crying one day!

The biggest problem that existed regarding Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning’s relationship was that in this world, everybody beside Xu Tingsheng felt that it was a bit unfounded, could not understand why Xu Tingsheng loved Xiang Ning so.

Because they could not understand it, they were inevitably doubtful. In the eyes of those who were worried for Xiang Ning especially, all problems would be magnified.

“Why aren’t you saying anything now?” Mrs Xiang asked Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning had actually just been in a bit of a daze earlier, her thoughts jumbled.

Still, as her mother asked her this, she still smiled and said, “Don’t worry for nothing. Just think about how good he is to me, to us...if he hadn’t been in a car accident that time, we’d even be engaged already.”

“Oh, Mum, hurry up and go cook already. I’m positively starving.”

Mr and Mrs Xiang exchanged glances, feeling that this made sense. Whatever one might say, Xu Tingsheng’s doting for Xiang Ning was laid out there for all to see. As for their engagement, if not for external circumstances, it would long since have been completed.

Mr and Mrs Xiang had had a sense of  Mr Xu’s humble, easygoing nature and Mrs Xu’s enthusiasm over at the Xu family home. That just could not be faked. Moreover, the thirty percent of Xingchen Technologies’ shares could even more so not be faked.

After learning just how much this thirty percent of shares was worth, Mr and Mrs Xiang had literally been unable to sleep for several days.

“Forget it,” Mr Xiang gave Mrs Xiang a look.

Mrs Xiang hesitated for a bit before saying, “I’ll go cook then.”

Mrs Xiang went into the kitchen. Mr Xiang followed her inside to help her. Still, Xiang Ning who had successfully coaxed her parents had actually fallen deeper into it, feeling at a real loss. As she was convincing her parents, she had mentioned their engagement at the end…

While Mr and Mrs Xiang could be coaxed with this reason, this was not the case for Xiang Ning herself who was clear on the fact that Xu Tingsheng had not been injured in the first place.

“You won’t fool me, right?” Xiang Ning looked at her phone and hesitated for a bit, ultimately not calling Xu Tingsheng.

During dinner, Xiang Ning who claimed to be very hungry tried hard to smile and frolic about, eating a lot in front of her parents...even though she actually had no appetite at all.

……

Apple had returned to Libei amidst the night. She definitely would not have been able to drive in that condition. Still, Li Juan would have to drive for such a long distance and in the dark too...Xu Tingsheng had felt worried. Thinking about how he had technically been embroiled in the matter, he had decided to return to Libei with Apple.

They managed to arrive when Apple’s grandmother was still breathing.

Many of Apple’s friends and relatives were gathered inside and outside the sick ward. Because of Apple, the relationship between these relatives had grown closer.

Xu Tingsheng did not recognise any one of them. After standing outside for a while, he heard someone calling him.

“What is it?” Xu Tingsheng entered the sick ward and asked.

“Grandma is still repeating that same sentence,” Apple said.

Having exerted all possible medical means, the old woman’s life actually already had no way of being saved. She could not stop worrying about Apple, having continually repeated the same thing. Hence, Apple’s family asked her to call Xu Tingsheng in and respond, letting the old woman depart in peace.

In the sick ward, the barely breathing old woman held both the hands of the weeping Apple and Xu Tingsheng.

““Good child, be good to lassie. You must be good to lassie,” The old woman recited, recited…

“Yes, yes...rest assured, Grandma, I will definitely be good to lassie,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

Hearing this, the old woman placed Apple’s hand in Xu Tingsheng’s with trembling hands.

After that, not long after Xu Tingsheng left that sick ward, he heard crying and shouting inside…

The old woman had breathed her last.

Alone, Xu Tingsheng lit a cigarette outside the hospital. Living, growing old, getting sick, dying...this was somewhat sad to Xu Tingsheng under those circumstances, but merely that.

He felt that it was merely that because he had forgotten that the current Apple was not an ordinary person. And neither was he, Xu Tingsheng.

He did not know that right as the old woman had placed Apple’s hand in his, someone had clicked the shutter outside the window.

He also could not know that the magazine that had taken said photo was currently interviewing someone.

“Apple and Xu Tingsheng cohabited before! It was during the summer holidays in their first year of university,” Because the magazine was continually promising more money, Shu Yan began adding fuel to the fire as well, “Apple once told me about it when drunk. There was already something going on between them in senior high. If Apple didn’t want to make it big, I think they’d probably have a child already.”

Who was Shu Yan?

She had been Apple’s close friend at some point in time. They had not been all that close in senior high. They had only gotten close in their first year of university because their universities were in close proximity.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, this person had made up who knew how many terrible stories about Apple in future class reunions after Apple had gone to Australia.

Apple had soared to the skies to become a phoenix without bringing her any benefits at all. There was only jealousy.

In this life, after Apple had made it big, she had believed for a time that she could receive some benefits from it. Still, afterwards, Apple had gradually grown estranged from her at the advice of Xu Tingsheng…

Yet again, she had not received any benefits at all or believed that she had not received enough of them. There was only jealousy.

Chapter 658: Miss Xiang cannot look past it

Chapter 658: Miss Xiang cannot look past it

Xu Tingsheng returned home that very day. One of his motives in returning this time was to chat with his father in person.

Actually, it was more like entrusting him with some things.

After spending two days at home, Xu Tingsheng went to attend the funeral of Apple’s Grandma.

Yet, many people overlooked his presence that day as an even more obtrusive figure appeared. Cen Xishan, that bastard who had abandoned his wife and daughter that year, actually came back to attend the funeral.

Everyone was discussing it.

Apple wasn’t willing to let him enter.

Apple’s mother stopped her daughter, being unexpectedly calm.

“You’re here?” She asked, “My Mum was old and befuddled. A while ago, she even asked me if you were in a lesson...I said you were. I heard you’re doing pretty well now?”

“Yes. You…”

How Cen Xishan wished to reach out and stroke his wife’s frail face. It had been more than ten years...still, he did not dare to do so. In returning to attend this funeral alone, he had already overexerted himself, bearing too much of a risk.

If not for the fact that Zhou Yuandai actually did not think too much of him now, he would probably not even have such a chance. Even so, two ‘assistants’ followed behind him.

“I’m doing very well too. There’s no need to worry about me,” Apple’s mother said, “You should leave after you go in and say goodbye to my mother, lest a certain someone is unhappy.”

Even now, Apple’s mother did not know the truth of the situation. She just treated it as a shifting of his affections-having also chosen to accept and forgive it.

“Right,” Cen Xishan’s answer consisted only of a single word.

This was a reunion after more than a decade! Over this time, the woman had already had grey hairs and wrinkles. Yet, there was merely a mere few words in a brief meeting. At this moment, Cen Xishan seemed so heartless.

The funeral took place in the village as a traditional ceremony. Libei had not yet fully adopted cremation at this time. The spiritual hall was on the outside while the coffin was placed at the back of it…

Cen Xishan glanced at Xu Tingsheng as he walked to the back of the spiritual hall.

The light was very dim here. Cen Xishan turned back and glanced at his two assistants, asking, “You don’t have to follow me to the coffin, right?”

The two assistants stopped but stood very close by, close enough to hear anything Cen Xishan said.

They heard him kneeling in silence.

It was at this time that Xu Tingsheng walked to the back of the spiritual hall. Logically speaking, only close kin would have the chance to see off the dead at their coffin. Still, no one felt it to be unreasonable as he entered…

This was his first time seeing Cen Xishan in person.

……

After another two days at home, a completely oblivious Xu Tingsheng set off on his return journey alone.

Apple did not continue promoting her new album but stayed in Libei to accompany her mother. To be precise, besides consoling her grandmother on her deathbed, Xu Tingsheng had acted pretty appropriately in the entire matter.

Still, he did not know...soon, things would all change.

Xu Tingsheng received a call from Apple on the way back.

The article had been published by the magazine on this very day.

“Sorry, sorry. I will do my best to clarify it,” Apple briefly summarised the comments of the article over the phone before frantically apologising.

“I’ll think of a way to see it. Also, you don’t have to rush to clarify things. Let’s respond when Tianyi’s team has thought up a plan...I’m afraid of things getting more chaotic the more that is said,” Xu Tingsheng hung up and bought a copy of the magazine at Jiannan City, also finding a place to access the internet for a while.

The article could not be considered that outrageous. The picture that accompanied it could also barely be considered moving.

The voices on the internet were the same as well. Besides resenting the two for having fooled them all along, besides some who were cursing, many people gave them their blessings too.

A single male and a single female, talented and good-looking. It could not be considered a scandal in truth, just gossip at most.

Still, Xu Tingsheng’s heart sank entirely…

He actually wasn’t concerned about the opinions of many. Still, there was one person whom he was afraid he might not be able to explain things to this time, this being Xiang Ning. And even if he managed to do so, it would inevitably hurt her too.

Since his rebirth, Xu Tingsheng had never yet tangibly hurt Xiang Ning. He had thought that that could be avoided forever...he had thought that he could always protect and cherish her.

He tried calling Xiang Ning’s phone. Just as he had thought, it was turned off. She should be at school, attending lessons.

Tianyi’s PR team soon sent several proposals over. What they considered was still mainly how to protect the images of Xu Tingsheng and Apple. At the same time, they did not feel that this matter was all that serious.

Xu Tingsheng rejected them all.

Apple rejected them too.

What they wanted was to clarify the relationship between the two as clean and innocent, this being virtually impossible. The cohabitation that the article spoke of was actually fact. Only if Fang Chen who was in America or Lu Zhixin stepped forward and said something might it be remedied.

He tried to contact Fang Chen but to no avail. She had just gone to America recently. To stay undistracted by anything, even Fang Yuqing was presently unable to contact her.

Xu Tingsheng called Lu Zhixin.

After hearing him out, Lu Zhixin said calmly, “I’m not willing.”

“Why?”

“If this incident can cause you to break up with Xiang Ning with a rift appearing between you and Apple, I think that it will be a good thing for me. Pardon my bluntness...if it was something else you wanted me to do, I’d be fine with it. For instance, you can come back to Hucheng anytime you want. Still, for me to help you for another woman...sorry, I’m not so noble.”

This was Lu Zhixin.

Xu Tingsheng returned home, feeling guilty and uneasy. Xiang Ning was not there. Worried about rumours among classmates in school, Xu Tingsheng had thought of going to her school to look for her. Still, arriving at the entrance of the school, he had grown timid, because he did not know how to explain it.

Speak of the performance where Apple had said farewell to the entertainment industry for the first time?

Xiang Ning had been present too that day. She had bought him a shirt, and he had chosen another woman.

Speak of that later period of time in which Xiang Ning viewed Uncle as being incomparably pitiful, having been bullied by her parents?

At that time, he had indeed been living with Apple.

More importantly, Xiang Ning had asked about this before, and Xu Tingsheng had chosen to lie to her.

When one has lied, they can only constantly make things up to back up that lie, till one day, it is no longer possible to do so.

It was not a weeknight that night.

Xu Tingsheng sat in the living room, his phone thrown to the side. Apple had been calling him non-stop, but he hadn’t heard it.

Xu Tingsheng was rather taken aback when Xiang Ning opened the door and entered.

“I just knew you’d be at home. You’re surely waiting for me right? What, isn’t it just an ex-girlfriend? Logically speaking, it shouldn’t matter,” Xiang Ning closed the door, “Still, I’m still so sad…”

“I’ve really tried very hard, Xu Tingsheng. I’ve tried very hard to counsel myself. But...I still can’t look past it. What should I do?”

“Mum and Dad are angry too. They definitely won’t let me come during the weekend. That’s why I applied for leave today and secretly came. Help me to look past it, okay? I so want to continue liking you!”

While tears were rolling down her face, she still tried hard to smile for Xu Tingsheng.

Chapter 659: Apple's self-destruction

Chapter 659: Apple’s self-destruction

What Xiang Ning could not look past was actually not his current relationship with Apple Instead, it was regarding the past, regarding why Xu Tingsheng had lied to her back then.

“You just need to tell me why you lied to me. It’s actually fine. It was nothing initially. I even asked you about it more than once. Still, why is it that all of you had to lie to me?”

“Why did even Big Sis Apple have to act close to me, pretend to like me? Is it because I’m still little and so very good to fool? I feel so much like a fool now!”

“Just like that time when she performed at your school’s freshman welcoming party. Now that I think about it, she was actually hugging you and crying, right? Then, when I appeared, she pretended to be celebrating, smiling and coming to hug me as well.”

“Uncle, Little Xiang Ning’s very scared now. I already don’t know just what is real and what is fake.”

Xu Tingsheng lowered his head and pondered for a while.

He looked up, “Xiang Ning, I’ll tell you everything now. Decide only after you’ve finished listening, alright?”

“Alright,” Xiang Ning nodded.

Xu Tingsheng started off from him carrying her beneath the street lights, spoke of the Ferris Wheel at the start of their first year of university, then distributing flyers, returning to Libei, meeting Apple’s grandma, Apple’s initial debut in showbiz and depression, that concert included.

He even spoke of things that had happened after Xiang Ning met Apple.

After listening to that, the crying Xiang Ning was silent for a while, “Why do you like me then? Why not Big Sis Apple? ...You’re not allowed to say it’s just because. I was only fourteen then.”

“I also don’t feel like I’m so good that I’m worthy of you to do that.”

Xiang Ning gazed at Xu Tingsheng with her big eyes, actually really hoping that Uncle could produce a satisfactory answer that could set her mind at ease.

Still, how could Xu Tingsheng give such an answer? Could he say: ‘Xiang Ning...actually, we were already in love in a previous life. In that previous life, I was another Xu Tingsheng, but you still loved me...I let you down, but you were waiting for me all along’?

His silence caused Xiang Ning to feel uneasy.

As his phone screen flashed, Xiang Ning said, “Answer your call.”

Xu Tingsheng saw the number of Apple’s manager, Li Juan, and many missed calls from Apple herself.

The call connected.

“Hello? Is anything the matter?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Boss Xu, take a look at Apple’s Weibo. Then, if it’s convenient, can you persuade her? She’s changed her password. I can’t log in...also, she stubbornly refuses to change it and is listening to no one…” Li Juan sounded very frantic over the phone.

Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning entered the study together. Opening the computer, they accessed Apple’s Weibo page.

There were several consecutive posts containing thousands of characters…

Apple was literally ‘self-destructing’.

She spoke of when her parents had separated and she had gone with her mother to Shenghai. In order to seek approval and protection, she had acted the part of a loose girl and followed a gang of hooligans. She even showed a photo of herself with her hair dyed, a cigarette in her mouth.

She also spoke of Xu Tingsheng. Here, she actually lied a little, but only to help him hide the truth from Xiang Ning.

Still, she admitted her entanglement with him-she called her relationship with him during that time an entanglement. She said that it was precisely during this time that she had dragged Xu Tingsheng to see her grandmother...being blind and muddleheaded, her grandmother had then mistakenly believed that Xu Tingsheng was really her boyfriend, having committed this to heart afterwards. That was why such a thing had happened.

Then, she spoke of her initial debut in showbiz…

She spoke of her depression...also the reason for the so-called cohabitation. She mentioned that there had actually been two others at the time. They had never stayed in the same room. She also tagged Lu Zhixin…

She spoke of how Xu Tingsheng had helped her to get going again.

She spoke of how Xu Tingsheng’s heart was set on someone...she had gone from loving him to trying hard to accept it, being willing to stay as friends...here, she mentioned her so-called good friend knowing the reason for all this. She had just confided in her once, yet this so-called friend had sold the information for money.

Apple was virtually ‘self-destructing’. After calling Xu Tingsheng’s phone countless times but to no avail, she had chosen the most extreme method to explain things for him to Xiang Ning, to Mr and Mrs Xiang, to everyone.

If the current Apple was a minor artiste who had just entered showbiz, a second or third rate celebrity, this might have made for a successful boosting of her reputation. Still, this was already long since not the case.

Two albums, one New Year’s Gala...while Apple didn’t have many works, all of them were of the finest quality.

Right now, in terms of popularity, fans and works...from any single perspective, she was already solidly a queen in showbiz.

So, this sort of candid reveal could not win her popularity. It could only cause trouble. Those with malicious intentions would talk about her bad history. Those with venomous hearts would mock her stubbornness and her failures. More people would doubt it and would speculate much more…

She was virtually staking her entire reputation on this.

This matter might eventually blow over. Still, at least for a very long period of time in the foreseeable future, Apple would be at the forefront of public opinion. There would be countless questions that she would have to explain, clarify and tolerate time and time again.

When he was done reading, Xu Tingsheng turned to look at Xiang Ning behind him.

Xiang Ning cried as she said, “I’m sorry. Quick, help Big Sis Apple think of something.”

“Right,” As Xu Tingsheng casually refreshed the page, another post appeared:

If you insist on doubting all this, thinking of that period of cohabitation in such an impure manner…alright, I can tell you that I’m still a virgin. You can choose a well-known medical institution. I’m ready to undergo the fullest, most detailed checks there at any time.

This was crazy...if she had been self-destructing earlier, this was virtually committing suicide.

This was something that third-rate celebrities did. It wasn’t something that an artiste of her level should be doing...with her status, even proposing such a thing was itself a stain for her. It would bring her endless mockery and countless dirty statements...even if she really did those checks.

Also, people simply couldn’t find the necessity for her to do this at all. Therefore, there would definitely be more malicious speculation.

Xu Tingsheng called Apple and the call connected.

He said in a severe tone, “I really just wasn’t paying attention to my phone earlier. Don’t let your thoughts run wild. Now, tell Li Juan your Weibo password. Then, do everything according to the suggestions of Tianyi’s PR team...you have to listen to them in everything.”

Apple was silent on the other end.

“Please,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Please, Big Sis Apple,” Xiang Ning said.

Finally, there was an ‘alright’ before Apple hung up.

Xu Tingsheng was fully aware that Apple had already repaid in full everything this time and was bearing everything too-she had riddled herself with wounds to fulfil the person he truly doted on.

In the future, they might not even be ordinary friends anymore. It was not that they were unwilling, but that they just couldn’t.

Xu Tingsheng called Tianyi and Xingchen, asking the two to work together to lessen the effects of the matter whatever the costs, at least decreasing the harm to Apple as much as possible.

“There are definitely many who will make use of this chance to stir things up. From now on, you should suppress, sue, threaten, sully or destroy the media entities and people as necessary...in no circumstance should you be merciful.”

Xu Tingsheng hung up, feeling sapped of energy.

It was the same for Xiang Ning who was repeatedly saying ‘sorry’.

Before going back to school the next morning, Xiang Ning told Xu Tingsheng, “My thoughts are completely in chaos right now, Xu Tingsheng. I’ll think properly on it for a few days. You should go back to school too. I’ll call you when I’ve sorted out my thoughts.”

“Okay,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Chapter 660: I just don't dare to like you anymore

Chapter 660: I just don’t dare to like you anymore

Xu Tingsheng listened to Xiang Ning and returned to school. Then, he looked at his phone everyday like a young boy having his first love, waiting for it to suddenly ring, fantasising it…

From time to time, he would think about calling Xiang Ning’s phone. Still, that button seemed to weigh a thousand kilograms.

Sometimes, he would delete and edit countless texts before finally piecing one together. Yet, he was unable to press the ‘send’ button.

Xiang Ning had always been shameless, benevolent, straightword and direct. Because of that, when she had said that she was simply unable to look past it this time, that she did not know what was real, that her mind was in chaos as she needed to consider things for a few days…

Xu Tingsheng had already been clear then that he was really on the brink of losing her this time.

Xiang Ning had never been the kind of person to dwell excessively on her feelings. As long as she was able to get through something, she would counsel herself, because she actually knew how to cherish very well, too well.

Suppressed and guided by the combined forces of Xingchen and Tianyi, Apple’s matter was in the midst of slowly being quelled.

Even when the weekend arrived, Xu Tingsheng had still yet to receive Xiang Ning’s call.

He spent the entire day mooning around on his dormitory bed.

Seeing that his state of mind was not right, Li Xingming who was diligently studying to be a public servant did not disturb him. Rather, when going to the cafeteria, he would help bring some breakfast or dinner back.

Finally, on Sunday afternoon.

His handphone rang.

Xiang Ning said, “Come home.”

Xu Tingsheng leapt off the bed excitedly like he had gone crazy, swiftly driving towards their home.

He only stopped outside the door, on tenterhooks, rather afraid…

The door opened from inside.

Standing before him in her school uniform, Xiang Ning said, “Hug me. Hug me for a bit longer.”

As Xu Tingsheng hugged her, Xiang Ning hesitated as it took a while before she slowly hugged him back...still, her grip soon relaxed again.

“It’s different from in the past, Uncle Liar. When I hug you, I’m starting to have to think a lot, beginning to feel a bit afraid...I feel that this place isn’t so safe anymore,” Xiang Ning pointed at Xu Tingsheng’s chest.

She turned and entered first.

Following her in, Xu Tingsheng found many things laid out neatly on the living room sofa.

“It’s not that I’m returning everything to you. It’s also not that I definitely won’t come back. Still, I don’t know just how long that might be...so, I’m only taking away some things I need to use first. Many of these were given by you to me. So, this isn’t a girl getting angry and returning presents. It’s just, I’m sorry...I don’t know what to say,” She carried her bag.

The instant the tears rolled down, she lowered her head, seeking to go past Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng grabbed her.

He had not dared to do so in his previous life. In this life, he dared not let go.

“Xiang Ning, it’s not that serious. You also saw Apple’s explanation.”

“Yes, but I’m just afraid…”

“I won’t lie to you again.”

“Really?” Xiang Ning who had been trying hard to act calm and normal throughout burst into tears as she asked loudly, “Then, what if I tell you that You Qinglan came looking for me yesterday, and whether unintentionally or not, let slip a matter? ...Will you feel afraid?”

You Qinglan had come looking for Xiang Ning and let something slip...Xu Tingsheng’s entire mentality collapsed at this moment.

“So, is this compensation?” Xiang Ning raised the big box containing the wedding gown, “I was so happy that day...seeing the silly me being so foolishly happy, you guys must have been even happier.”

“Sob...I don’t know you anymore, Uncle Liar. Do you know? When you hugged me earlier, I didn’t feel secure at all.”

“I don’t want Xu Tingsheng anymore. I want Uncle Liar. Please, can you return me Uncle Liar? I want noodles, I don’t want a big house. I want fried dumplings, I don’t want a beautiful wedding gown. I want to listen to you sing, I don’t want any shares...I want you to give me lessons…”

Xu Tingsheng suddenly discovered that facing Xiang Ning’s tears at this moment, the reborn him, the supposedly omnipotent Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng, was actually unable to do anything at all.

“I should have guessed it when you weren’t willing to get engaged.”

“What happened with the engagement really wasn’t because of anybody else. It was just…” Xu Tingsheng tried to explain, but how could he explain Zhou Yuandai threatening him with her life?

“You aren’t willing to have me. It’s definitely in consideration for me. Still, I’m not grateful the least bit,” Xiang Ning ignored his explanation as she continued to speak.

“You actually regret it, right? You don’t like me anymore. You’re just afraid of hurting me.”

“No, I’ve always liked you, always, always.”

“The one you like is someone else. You’re using me as her replacement...maybe she’s also called Xiang Ning, maybe she’s called something else. Maybe we look very alike. Ever since you found me in the beginning...you treating me well was really all irrelevant to me...you were only compensating that person. Isn’t it?”

“I don’t know your story. Still, I know that the person you like and feel for is actually her, not me.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “But you are her.”

“If I am her, who is she? Tell me, or let me meet her. Did she...meet with a mishap? Do we look similar? Or…

“But, she clearly is…” Xu Tingsheng found that he had no way of explaining at all.

The intense conflict suddenly abated as only Xiang Ning’s low sobs remained in the room.

Tired out from crying, she sat on the floor.

Xu Tingsheng poured her a cup of water.

She drank a mouthful. Then, she kept on coughing, kept on coughing…

Setting down the cup of water, Xiang Ning stood up and said, “I’m going to school.”

Xu Tingsheng’s voice was completely stuck in his throat…

“I was going to go off secretly originally. Still, I couldn’t bear to do it, because I really wanted to see you, because I like you. Even if I am only a replacement, I still like you, Xu Tingsheng. I really like you. Still, I just don’t dare to like you anymore.”

“Actually, I’m already seventeen, studying in eleventh grade. How would I not know just how special Xu Tingsheng is? I also know Xu Tingsheng likes me, which is all the more surprising. But I’ve never thought about this...I tried hard to tell myself not to overthink it, tried very hard to treat you as merely normal. A normal process, a boy falling in love with a girl.”

“When you built me Ning Garden, I just treated it as you building me a house of blocks.”

“You gave me Xingchen Technologies’ shares, worth a few hundred million. Everyone said that it was so frightening! Still, I told myself that we’re getting married anyway. There’s no need to be afraid.”

“I’m not stupid. I also haven’t learnt how the world works. I just very foolishly thought that no matter what, I would still use the simplest heart to love the normalest you.”

“But how are you normal? Maybe it’s precisely because of this that there are so many things you have to lie to me about. I know that you dote on me...still, there is a lot more that I really don’t know.”

Xu Tingsheng stood there woodenly.

“I’m bringing my key away with me-I, very spinelessly, want to tell you that I might suddenly come back one day. If I’m that shameless, please don’t laugh at me. I’m actually thinking that I may still like you, like you again when I’ve grown up. I’ll definitely still be very brave.”

Finally, she sobbed as she said, “Little Xiang Ning, likes, Xu Tingsheng.”

The door closed.

Chapter 661: Leaving peaceful memories

Chapter 661: Leaving peaceful memories

That night, Xu Tingsheng sat in the living room at their home. Yet, it felt like that dilapidated motel in some random city in Southeast Asia where he had once stayed as he had roamed around for four years in his previous life.

He was similarly alone, thinking of the same person, similarly unable to sleep and helpless.

His assets and fortune were completely different. Yet, his mood was the same.

To be exact, it actually felt a little worse this time. At least over that period of time in his previous life, he had known that Xiang Ning was still waiting, that he still possessed that relationship.

This time, what he might lose was none other than Xiang Ning’s affections. This seemed even sadder than in his previous life.

Only when dawn was nearing did Xu Tingsheng call You Qinglan. He did not dare to call Li Wan’er directly as he was worried about her health and believed that this was definitely not orchestrated by her.

Xu Tingsheng asked You Qinglan over the phone, “Why?”

He knew that it was definitely impossible that You Qinglan had merely accidentally let it slip. Even Xiang Ning had been able to tell this.

You Qinglan did not deny it as she just said, “Whether you believe it or not...I was only doing that to protect Wan’er.”

Xu Tingsheng could basically guess and understand it as he asked, “So, she doesn’t know of this then? How is she doing now, and what about afterwards?”

“She says that her deposited happiness is already enough for until she has fully recovered. So, I’ll think of something after that. Sorry, Xu Tingsheng,” You Qinglan hung up.

There was no need to continue speculating about this. Virtually as soon as his conversation with You Qinglan ended, Xu Tingsheng received another call.

“Taking care of three women beside you in one fell swoop, the designer, the artiste and the little girl...haven’t I done wonderfully?” Zhou Yuandai laughed over the phone, “Right, there’s still a student of mine, our Libei’s female top scholar. She is probably a bit harder, being too smart while also too silly.”

Just as Xu Tingsheng had suspected, she was actually behind all of this. It was no wonder that everything had seemed so coincidental. Perhaps because she thought that Apple’s matter was still insufficient to push Xiang Ning to leave Xu Tingsheng, Zhou Yuandai had upped the ante, getting You Qinglan to appear to tell Xu Tingsheng about another matter.

She was very certain that Xu Tingsheng would have no way of explaining this to Xiang Ning.

“Why did you do this?” Xu Tingsheng asked weakly.

“Because only we are the same kind,” Zhou Yuandai said in a cloying tone, “Right, if a person has foreknowledge of the world’s future which is incomparably accurate...what do you think he should choose to do...that would be most successful?”

“I don’t know,” Xu Tingsheng had virtually never considered this in earnest before, having actually always been a rather easily satisfied person.

“It’s a religion. Build a religion which treats you as their god. If it’s impossible in China, do it overseas. Wealth, power, authority and absolute control...foolish fanatics, staunch believers, both legal and illegal forces from the lowest to the highest level...this is the only way one can obtain everything through the power of their foreknowledge.”

Zhou Yuandai’s narration was like that of an evil queen standing on a high podium and speaking to her believers. She did not have to be concerned about anything, because she controlled everything.

“When I looked over your history and found that you opened a supermarket, established an education website, went into real estate, started a social media platform, went into games…I found you extremely foolish, but very interesting too…”

“If the heavens really do exist, it really is a waste for the heavens to have given this chance to someone like you.”

“I should thank it, though. It might have been difficult to decide victory and defeat between us, otherwise...if you hadn’t been so useless. Somebody who has foreknowledge yet viewing feelings and people as of the highest concern. How utterly laughable, like a god being concerned about ants.”

“We are gods. They are ants. Have you ever seen gods thinking to sacrifice their lives for ants? Have you ever seen gods going all out to get on the good side of an ant? Even feeling sorrowful over their departure...how laughable, how many mistakes you’ve made. So, let me guide you.”

Xu Tingsheng was silent. There was too much information contained in these words. He still had to think about and analyse them. At the same time, he could not be certain what information any casual answer of his might convey to Zhou Yuandai.

So, he simply did not speak.

Zhou Yuandai actually hung up too just like that.

From her earlier tone and manner, Xu Tingsheng could judge that this woman who claimed to be a god seemed to be a bit crazed mentally. It was also very likely that that had always been the case.

To some extent, that absolute control could indeed very easily cause one to lose their way.

On the day of Apple’s Grandma’s funeral, Xu Tingsheng had met Cen Xishan at the back of the spiritual hall. The two had not spoken a word that day. Cen Xishan’s assistants had been standing at the back and to the side of him, poised to hear even his very breathing.

Still, after Cen Xishan had left, Xu Tingsheng had seen a few rows of words written in water on the top of the coffin by him.

That was information he would definitely not dare to leak over the phone or by email.

In fact, since not long ago, he had become unable to contact Xu Tingsheng again even by phone and email.

……

After going back to school to stay for a few days, Xu Tingsheng drove over and stopped close to the entrance of Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high on Friday.

As Xiang Ning emerged with a few female classmates, he winded down his car window.

While Xu Tingsheng could not say for certain that Xiang Ning had seen him, she had indeed glanced in his direction. After that, she had not lingered as she had gone to the public bus stop with her classmates.

It was raining. The students left on their respective buses one after another. Xu Tingsheng hid in his car as only after seeing Xiang Ning get on the public bus for home did he drive away.

That handphone of his did not ring again…

This persisted into the end of the semester, into the winter holidays.

Xu Tingsheng returned to Libei in what were his loneliest, most lost days since his rebirth.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the oblivious Mrs Xu prepared a huge bunch of presents, excitedly urging Xu Tingsheng to pay the Xiang family a New Year’s visit. She said that while the engagement ceremony had been delayed, that had been caused by their family’s side. So, their family should treat it like it had already been formalised.

“This is formality. If you don’t do the required formalities, even if they don’t say it, your future in-laws will definitely be dissatisfied. We cannot let others find fault with our family. We must smoothly and properly bring Xiang Ning into our family.”

Mrs Xu thought about this matter in the simplest way. It was just as if she was still that village mother, smiling as she worked hard towards her son’s marriage.

Just like that, Xu Tingsheng had no choice but to bring the entire car’s load worth of presents along, returning to Yanzhou from Libei on the third day of the Lunar New Year.

He stopped the car more than thirty metres away by the road leading to the Xiang family home. There, leaning against the car window, he lit a cigarette.

He pretended that he had come.

……

Xu Tingsheng’s decision to go for an internship at a senior high in the second semester of his fourth year took many by surprise.

Of course, those in the know all felt that it was to chase Xiang Ning back.

Xiang Ning was one of those who thought this. When that teacher in charge of their class told their eleventh grade, humanities, priority class that they would be welcoming a new internship teacher, Xiang Ning saw Xu Tingsheng smiling as he walked into the classroom.

She was still very angry, still very upset. Still, she also felt something strange stir.

“This shameless guy...is he coming to the school to chase me back?”

“He’s so thick-skinned...just like in junior high, when he delivered noodles to me.”

“What to do? What to do?”

Xiang Ning did not know: If he pretended to be just a teacher to be concerned about her, lecture her or even call her to his office alone, what should she do then?

“This move is too shameless.”

“How can there be such a Xu Tingsheng…”

Still, against Xiang Ning’s worries and predictions and perhaps a small sense of anticipation that was unbeknownst to her as well, it was like Xu Tingsheng really didn’t know her at all.

From the students to the teachers, especially the female teachers, especially the young female teachers...everyone was in a frenzy over the arrival of this new internship teacher, the most legendary figure in Yanzhou over the past three plus years.

In the meantime, Xu Tingsheng was just calmly listening in on lessons everyday, helping to mark homework, helping to monitor physical exercises...once in a while, he would conduct lessons too...it was just as if he truly was only an internship teacher soon to graduate from university.

Xiang Ning did not want to listen to his lessons at all. Still, he really was very good at teaching! The students really liked him.

Virtually half the students in the class had already been called upon by him to answer questions. Xiang Ning was guessing if he would dare to pick her.

“Xiang Ning, please answer this question.”

Such a normal tone?!

Student Xiang Ning was very angry.

“I don’t know,” She said, not even standing up as she looked away from him.

“Let’s ask someone else then. Who knows the answer?”

A bunch of people raised their hands.

He picked one.

It was still very normal! “Gah, I’m dead angry.”

“You want to slowly whittle down my anger just like this? Dream on,” Xiang Ning thought.

Still, Xu Tingsheng really just wanted to go on like this, giving her the normalest interactions before the unknowable future arrived. At an appropriate distance, with an appropriate status, leaving peaceful memories.

Chapter 662: The whole world is mad at Miss Xiang

Chapter 662: The whole world is mad at Miss Xiang

In the first few months of 2007, the coal industry was actually seeing a profit of 500% per tonne.

Under these circumstances, Xu Tingsheng had consecutively sold three of Huang Yaming’s main mines at high prices. The fourth was soon to come.

Everyone could not understand it.

Bingzhou’s Huang Twenty-four who had substantial strength and limitless glory was turned virtually into a joke in the Bingzhou mine district by Xu Tingsheng, a ‘mega mine owner’ who was getting close to having no mines left.

“Well, we’re bros, so,” Facing concern and inquiries, Huang Yaming could only answer like this, not knowing whether to laugh or to cry.

At the same time, the financial situations of Hucheng, Zhicheng and Xingchen also became incomparably tense.

Faced with his virtually unreasonable, crazed outgoing investments, some people were fuelled by adulation and superstition in he who had never made a mistake before. Some people were propped up by friendship and feelings. Some people simply felt that they owed him…

“If Tingsheng is not crazy, he’s judged that something is going to go wrong with the economic situation in the entire country.”

It was already impossible to determine who it was that first speculated this as soon, this view was shared by many.

“So, he’s actually...shifting his assets?”

“Or maybe he’s simply evading an economic crisis in the first place?”

If even these people were already beginning to get this, Zhou Yuandai could definitely see things more clearly. From the banks of Wall Street and the changes in price of CDO and CDS, Xu Tingsheng could judge just how mighty she was.

Still, that was not enough…

“If he’s really shifting his assets to evade a crisis, what should we do? Follow or not?” Friends, acquaintances, those of the Black Horse Club, strangers...many people were discussing this.

On one end was a Xu Tingsheng who was crazed like blazing flames. The other end was as calm as a windless sea’s surface.

Just like for most internship teachers still yet to graduate, the teacher in charge of guiding Xu Tingsheng at Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high was careful for a period of time before discovering that this young, wealthy fellow really seemed to be here for an internship. Also, he was very agreeable. So she would ask from time to time, “Mr Xu, for evening self-study today, is it convenient for you to supervise my class for me?”

“It’s convenient. Alright,” Xu Tingsheng would answer very straightforwardly every time.

He marked essays in the first period of evening self-study. Xiang Ning’s essay standard...really caused one to feel worried for her.

During the second period, having nothing to do, he began to write his graduation thesis.

Perhaps because the pressure from Zhou Yuandai had already persisted for too long, Xu Tingsheng had instead gotten used to it. While knowing that the fateful moment was drawing steadily near, he was calm to a point that was even a little unimaginable for himself.

If this had occurred before the chain reaction sparked off by the Fang family’s fall, Xu Tingsheng would have no chance of scheming against Zhou Yuandai at all. That chain reaction had caused his overall strength to rise at least threefold.

That was why he at least had the ability to strive to overthrow her now.

……

Xiang Ning’s state of mind was different. She too had slowly gotten used to it. Still, she felt very angry from time to time. Still, while concentrating on her homework, she would suddenly glance up and think from time to time, “He’s actually really not sneakily looking at me…”

“Hey, what exactly is this?”

“Does he really want to be an internship teacher? Or is he doing this to spite me on purpose?”

During the third period of evening self-study, the students who had finished their homework started to relax as there were some unnecessary movements.

Two girls took out snacks to eat.

Xu Tingsheng came over…

“Teacher,” They were rather nervous.

Xu Tingsheng smiled and took a salty dried plum from the packet, popping it in his mouth.

“Cough,” The cohort head stood at the entrance of the classroom.

“He, hello, sir...I’m confiscating snacks,” After his initial panic, he pointed at his mouth, saying, “Confiscating it for good.”

The cohort head exasperatedly shot him a look.

After he had left, the entire classroom erupted in laughter.

With the atmosphere already having grown lively, a student asked if they could chat with Mr Xu.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it, then closed the classroom door and agreed.

“Will you really be a teacher in the future, Mr Xu?” Someone asked.

“Possibly,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“Can you stay behind to teach us then?”

“Even if I stay at this school, I shouldn’t be able to teach you,” Xu Tingsheng answered earnestly, “The year after I graduate, you guys will be in twelfth grade. Since when do new teachers lead twelfth grade classes in their first year?”

There were disappointed sighs all around.

Hearing the words ‘graduate’ and ‘twelfth grade’, Xiang Ning’s heart skipped a beat as she thought, “Right, if it still were like before, how soon that would be.”

“Then, teacher, can you tell us about your entrepreneurial stories?”

“How much money do you have, teacher?”

“Can I go to your company to work after graduating from university in the future, teacher?”

A whole series of questions.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit and said, “Firstly, my entrepreneurial story is definitely not as colourful as is written on the internet. So, I won’t repeat it. As for the other two questions...how about this. After you’ve gone to university and begun working, if there’s anything you need, you can come look for me then. I’ll definitely do my best to help.”

“Then, teacher, do you have a girlfriend?” A relatively braver girl suddenly asked.

So many meaningful smiles, chattering voices, looks of anticipation. This was a humanities class! At eleventh grade, girls loved to fantasise the most.

Meanwhile, Xu Tingsheng might be a little more alluring than Prince Charming of fantasies.

Before he answered.

Xiang Ning’s chest began to feel a bit bitter. It was an indescribable feeling, not exactly terrible, but not at all specific too. The only thing she could be sure of was that her mind was in a lot of chaos.

“I did,” Xu Tingsheng said only two words.

“Is it Apple?” A gossipy girl shouted.

Xiang Ning felt terrible at once.

“No, it’s another girl. My relationship with Apple has already been clarified on the internet. You should believe this.”

“Teacher, you said ‘did’ just now. Have you and that girl already broken up?”

“...Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I did something wrong.”

“Do you still like her then?”

“Yes.”

Hearing Xu Tingsheng’s ‘yes’, Xiang Ning’s nose began to feel a bit tingly.

“Go and chase her back then!” A boy called.“I don’t dare to. I made too big a mistake, and she says she’s afraid.”

“Do it slowly then! Are you still friends now?”

Xu Tingsheng was silent for a while, “Probably not. She’s already ignoring me completely.”

Xiang Ning’s tablemate patted her, “What’s with you, Xiang Ning?”

“Huh? ...I’m, I’m tired. I want to rest for a while.”

“Alright. Anyway, it’s so strange. It’s only you who most likes ignoring Mr Xu in the class. You seem to really hate him. Yet, he’s clearly so good! Good at teaching, good-looking…while he may be very rich, he isn’t full of himself like those rich people.”

“I don’t do that. It’s just...I’m not familiar with him. Forget it, my eyes are so tired. I’ll rest for a while first.”

As the two conversed quietly, a boy was in the midst of proposing to Xu Tingsheng, “Mr Xu, I saw a proposal video online. The guy found many people on the street, getting them to use various dialects to ask this girl to marry him. How about we help you to record an apology video? All of us will speak once on your behalf, asking her to forgive you.”

Xiang Ning buried her head, so wanting to pinch him to death… “Everybody? What about me then? Must I also say: That someone, please forgive our Mr Xu and give him another chance...”

“It’s okay,” Xu Tingsheng said from the front of the room.

Miss Xiang grew very angry all at once, “What do you mean it’s okay? His tone is like it doesn’t really matter at all. How I want to strangle him to death!”

“It seems that Mr Xu really likes that girlfriend of his...wow, what kind of person would be so stupid, able to part with even a boyfriend like Mr Xu? If he made a mistake, let him change! At football competitions, it’s only two yellow cards that becomes a red card and get a player kicked out. If it were me…” Xiang Ning’s man-crazy tablemate murmured into her ear, “What would you do if it were you, Xiang Ning?”

“...” How Miss Xiang wanted to strangle her tablemate to death too!

At the end of evening self-study, the students left the classroom in droves. Afraid that her eyes had turned red, Xiang Ning decided to lie across her table for a while longer.

A student from the row in front of her asked, “Aren’t you returning to your dormitory, Xiang Ning?”

“I’ll go back in a while,” Xiang Ning said without raising her head.

“Well great, help me to bring the homework to Mr Xu’s office in a while. I’ve got a date.”

Her classmate placed a bunch of books on Xiang Ning’s table before skipping out of the classroom. Xiang Ning had forgotten. She...was the representative for Language!

Seeing that there was already no one nearby, Xiang Ning fumed at herself for a while before hatefully moving the workbooks to the office. There were two teachers inside, one being that guy, the other a teacher in charge of another class.

“It’s fine then. Hmph. Let’s see what you dare to say in front of other teachers…” Xiang Ning walked in, her head raised high.

That teacher came out, saying, “Mr Xu, I’m going to see if my students have all left. I’ll come lock the door in a while.”

Xu Tingsheng looked up and said, “Okay.”

Xiang Ning felt that she was so tragically unlucky!

She hugged a bunch of workbooks, standing there…

Bang.

“Homework.”

As the workbooks fell on the table with a bang, Xiang Ning said her first sentence to Xu Tingsheng since that day.

“It’s not that I wanted to bring it to you. The Language rep is off on a date. I didn’t have time to say I wouldn’t bring it,” Xiang Ning felt a necessity to explain things.

Xu Tingsheng lowered his head and said, “Thank you.”

What attitude was this? Miss Xiang’s stifled despondence from the entire night erupted at once.

In the end, really unable to bear it and also finding no other way to vent her emotions, she quietly kicked that baddy’s leg...just like that year, in the taekwondo classroom of the training institute.

“He doesn’t hurt anyway.”

Having been kicked, Xu Tingsheng showed no reaction at all.

Miss Xiang grit her teeth and raised her leg for the second time...ready to kick him to ‘death’.

“Mr Xu,” A few female classmates stood at the entrance of the office.

Xiang Ning woodenly put down her leg…

“Mr Xu, you said there’s no need for a video. These are apology cards that we’ve helped you to write. Our two dorms have both written here, written a lot!” Her female classmate placed two cards on Xu Tingsheng’s table.

Had this bunch of childish man-crazy girls watched too many dramas, read too many novels?

Xiang Ning felt so despondent.

“Xiang Ning, why are you here?” A classmate asked.

“Oh, I helped bring the homework,” Xiang Ning said.

“Let’s go back together then! It’s nearly time for roll call.”

“Oh, okay.”

“You must remember to give her the card, Mr Xu!” The girl reminded at the entrance of the office.

“Thank you, girls,” Xu Tingsheng said.

Xiang Ning, “...”

Chapter 663: Dashing towards graduation

Chapter 663: Dashing towards graduation

The third week Xu Tingsheng was at the school, Xiang Ning began to feel rather chaotic.

At times, she would feel as if there had only been a minor spat and a cold war between the two...rather than a very serious breakup.

When she had left that day, Xiang Ning had never said the words ‘break up’.

In truth, though, they should have broken up.

Yet, it had become rather strange now. They were like a little couple who, having had a spat, wanted to make up but were stubbornly holding on. Then, Uncle was acting cool while being shameless while Miss Xiang was being angry and stubborn while slowly succumbing.

This sort of feeling was actually not bad…

Had this occurred a little earlier, with Xu Tingsheng coming to do an internship at her school as she had requested a few times last year, Xiang Ning would definitely think of this as interesting, happy times.

That sort of feeling of keeping it a secret and secretly laughing at the thought of it in the middle of the night-how captivating it was! Miss Xiang was seventeen, in her first ever love relationship...naturally, she looked forward to these sweet moments between lovers.

Yet, after she daydreamed for a second, sobriety would come with the pain and bitterness that she felt just so real. Those lies that she was not willing to believe even now-Uncle had really said them.

Finally, one day, when evening self-study with Xu Tingsheng standing in for the Language teacher had ended.

He left the office a little later, walking in the corridor that had already turned dim.

A familiar voice behind him said, “Hey.”

Xu Tingsheng looked back.

“You’ve really affected me,” Xiang Ning said in as neutral a tone as possible.

“Got it. You should get back to your dorm,” Xu Tingsheng turned and left.

The next day.

Yet another day passed.

He really didn’t appear again.

Only when the teacher in charge of their class introduced the new internship teacher, an English student from a university in Yanjing and a cute girl...was Xiang Ning certain that after she had said those things, that person had really left just like that, without even bidding the students farewell.

Some students missed Xu Tingsheng as they asked about him a few times.

The teacher said, “You guys are so stupid. That’s Xu Tingsheng! How could he really become a teacher?”

“Why did he come for an internship then?”

“Maybe to remedy his lingering regrets. In a teaching program and nearly having graduated, he must have wanted to experience being a teacher at least.”

The teacher said that it was Xu Tingsheng’s lingering regrets towards the profession of a teacher. Xiang Ning zoned out. He came, but ignored me, not doing anything too...was it because of his final, lingering regrets?

Using a series of simple interactions to say farewell?

Xiang Ning did not feel relieved of a heavy burden as she might have expected. She did not know just what it was she was feeling.

……

Xu Tingsheng left Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high, his internship period not reaching the fourth week.

He was very satisfied in having been able to see Xiang Ning everyday during this time...he was actually well aware sometimes that he could not stay for too long. Yet, at other times, he would think to indulge himself, hoping that this period could go on for a little longer.

Even without Xiang Ning’s words, he had actually been urging himself to leave too. It was just that maybe, by accident, he would let it drag on for yet another day, for a few more glances at her-when she wasn’t noticing.

Having experienced that helpless parting in his previous life, when the future was uncertain in this one, Xu Tingsheng indulged himself for once.

In the four years since his rebirth, besides letting himself run free to dote on Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng had actually never really indulged himself before. Most of the time, he repressed many things, bore many people on his shoulders, guarding them behind him...

He had created all the conditions and exerted the greatest effort for those he cared about to be fulfilled, happy.

Yet, this time, he had to face an opponent who knew him thoroughly and was more powerful than him. Xu Tingsheng had neither told anyone near him about this nor looked for anyone to face this together with...this was his fight and his alone.

As for Zhou Yuandai’s situation, while he was not privy to the specifics, from the information he currently grasped, Xu Tingsheng could actually already deduce this: She had also been reborn, reborn from an earlier era as he period of foreknowledge had already expired.

Meanwhile, her personality and principles in handling matters were completely divergent from Xu Tingsheng...she was a selfish, vicious, extremely inflated, virtually even perverted person.

In her eyes, she was a god. So, when her time ran out and she had lost her foreknowledge, despite possessing great wealth that could shock the world, she was still very panicked...because this was the true pillar of support in her heart.

Then, she had discovered Xu Tingsheng. From doubt and observation to deducing and probing, and on to confirming and making her move.

She was definitely nervous and excited, having finally found another method with which to continue her life as a ‘god’-extending her ‘omnipotent’ foreknowledge by controlling and threatening Xu Tingsheng.

This control had to be absolute, because he actually posed the greatest threat to her.

At the same time, Zhou Yuandai had to worry about exerting too much force and accidentally shattering this ‘Aladdin’s lamp’.

It was precisely because of this that she had not been hasty, having first spent a large amount of time to understand Xu Tingsheng, even taking the initiative to get into contact with him.

As a result, she had realised: She could not truly control this man through forceful methods or even threatening him with his life. The allure of wealth and power were even more useless. As she saw it, this person with foreknowledge was foolish to an unsalvageable extent. Wealth and power, even life had never been the most important thing to him.

So, the only way was to use those he cared about most, those he viewed as being even more important than his own life, to threaten him, to force him.

Thus, she had threatened him with Xiang Ning’s safety but would never truly harm her unless there was no choice but to do so. Zhou Yuandai was well aware that if things really reached that stage, it would be impossible to control Xu Tingsheng no matter what as he would rather destroy himself than give in.

This was very simple logic, just like how bank robbers could not kill all the hostages before they managed to get the police to acquiesce with their threats.

……

Xu Tingsheng who should be feeling very chaotic, despondent and on tenterhooks appeared very calmly at Yanzhou University’s campus. Besides attending lessons, he spent his time writing his thesis.

Gradually, the number of meals and alcohol gatherings began to increase. Unknowingly, university graduation was already right around the corner.

Time is always like this, flowing along soundlessly much of the time. Then, suddenly, it places a set point in front of us. Soon, Xu Tingsheng would be ending his second university journey.

The greatest thing that had happened to Room 602 this year was that Li Xingming had successfully passed the civil servant exam. Also, he had made it directly to the city government’s office. Passing the written test and interview, all that remained was approval from the top…

The boy who had been frenziedly seeking a relationship since his first year of university but had ultimately been rewarded with nothing at all had tried before, had been silly before. At the end of it all, he had concluded: Why does this old man need some dogshit love?

After letting love go screw itself, Li Xingming had focused intensely and passionately in his final year of university on a single matter, succeeding in it. Everyone was excited and happy for him.

“The first glass is to Bro Yao. Bro Yan, are you seeing this? Say, aren’t I great?” As they were secretly cooking hotpot and celebrating in the dormitory, Li Xingming yelled towards Tan Yao’s upper bed.

After getting inebriated, everyone grew topsy-turvy and began singing.

“My bro sleeping in my upper bed,

Sleeping in my lonely memories.

My bro who split me cigarettes,

Split me happy moments past.

Every time I see the setting sun,

Every time I hear the evening bell,

Bits and pieces from the past arrive,

Before the sadness can overcome me,

…...

Chapter 664: A fight before graduation

Chapter 664: A fight before graduation

Close to graduation, when one easily grew melancholic, memories and sorrow regarding Tan Yao intensified. It was every time the five talked about love and girls, every time someone happened to glance at that upper bed that had already been empty for a very long time.

When the class gathered to take photos, some students proposed it several times. Yet, Room 602 never took a group photo with their dorm room as the base unit.

In the words of Zhang Ninglang at the start of their fourth year, “There were several times when I asked for us to take a picture together, but you wouldn’t. Now, we can’t be all together again. I’m not doing it anymore. Do it yourselves, you jerks.”

That was the only time Zhang Ninglang had gotten angry with his roommates and Xu Tingsheng in their four years of university.

This little guy who was quiet most of the time truthfully treasured their meeting and relationships more than bystanders knew.

There soon started to be a lack of places in internet cafes in town where people could stay overnight.

Being able to sit together in a row in internet cafes and interact verbally while playing games together-many people will only realise just how precious this is a long time later in the future as they reminisce on it time and time again.

When one day, you secure a first ever pentakill in your gaming life yet are just sitting alone in your room...without anyone to high-five you, vent your emotions, you will understand it then.

Campus.

There began to be many drunk guys lying by the roadside. Some supported one another, walking. Some boasted, spoke drunkenly, expressed their unwillingness for it all to end…

Couple after couple hugged and cried amongst the trees and on the plains of the student’s plaza.

The teachers began to impart to the students experience on how to act in their workplaces.

Some people tried to tell a certain someone something that they had been unable to say for four whole years, even though it was already meaningless.

Xu Tingsheng played a farewell match with the Yanzhou University school team. They had a meal together after the match. There, he got drunk and was lifted by some juniors on the team back to the dormitory...he vomited for a night, with Zhang Ninglang helping to look after him.

When Xu Tingsheng woke up the next day, Zhang Ninglang told him, “You were crying and causing a scene last night. You were crying very terribly.”

……

Once again, it was another meal centred around Room 602. Many familiar faces came, including students from their class...finally, Lu Xu’s Chick Bao did not appear this time.

Actually, it had been long coming. While they could have broken up amicably at graduation, Lu Xu had ultimately turned it hysterical. Some people tend to blow up relationship problems, and Lu Xu was one of them.

Chick Bao had been with him for so long, arguing, breaking up, getting back together and arguing again time after time...it was actually rather commendable of her. Having hesitated for a long time, after all those arguments, she had ultimately still decided to return to her hometown to work.

While Lu Xu had yet to find a job, he had also decided to return to his hometown.

He often felt that the greatest problem that existed between the two was how he was from a distant county whereas Chick Bao had lived in the city with pretty good conditions since her childhood...while actually, the biggest problem was his attitude.

When someone has overly strong pride, it is actually generally accompanied by a sense of inferiority. As soon as one falls into this state of mind and becomes overly sensitive, it gets normal for them to turn uncontrollable in relationships.

Soon into the meal, Lu Xu got himself drunk.

In his drunken state, he insisted on teaching everyone how to bark like a dog, “Bow, wow, bow, wow, bow, wow…”

Three years ago, at another such gathering, the drunk Chick Bao had said, “Many people came to know their boyfriends or girlfriends through me...yet, I don’t even have a dog by my side.”

That day, Lu Xu who had similarly drunk a lot answered, “Bow, wow, bow, wow, bow, wow. I like you, Bao Peijun. I’ve liked you for a long time.”

This was the start of their story.

Now, the story ended with Lu Xu crying and snivelling when drunk, doing the same thing as he had done back then after having lost the person from back then.

It was true that Lu Xu might actually love Chick Bao a lot. Still, it was similarly true that at his age, he still did not know how to protect a relationship.

In this world, there is a sort of man who unfortunately has extreme pride and an intense sense of inferiority concentrated together. It is destined that loving them will ultimately see both sides bloodied and wounded.

In life, you are sometimes destined to end up never able to forget a woman only after having lost her with your own hands.

……

Lu Xu finally toppled over, completely drunk. Setting him aside, the remainder continued.

Li Xingming soon got more or less drunk too.

He went out to vomit.

Not long after, they had a din in the corridor outside.

When they heard Li Xingming’s voice there and rushed out from the private room, it was already only him who remained there.

“What happened?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Sitting on the floor, Li Xingming touched his head, saying, “It’s nothing. I just ran into Yu Yayang.”

“The slut was drinking with some people from gangs in the private room next door, dressed like a courtesan. Hugging here, touching there...her mother, how she was reserved with me, acting just like a virgin...her mother, she still hasn’t returned me the twenty thousand she cheated me of.”

“She saw me, and my brain must have been malfunctioning as I still smiled at her very foolishly. In the end, one of the men beside her asked: Who’s this ugly? She said: A fool who chased me before.”

“I said something in reply and then a man came forward and pushed me. A few of them pulled me by the collar, dragging me to the toilet and pressing me before the mirror...they asked me to take a good look at my reflection. After coming out, I was pushed a few times. Drunk and unable to stand steady, I just ended up sitting here.

He smiled rather piteously. It was not clear if it was self-deprecating or anything else.

“The hell, why didn’t you yell?!”

“Heck, you’ve got to pay them back!”

The students from the other classes cried.

“You didn’t retaliate, right?” Zhang Ninglang asked nervously.

Li Xingming slowly smiled, shaking his head.

“You did right. You should tolerate it. You just managed to pass the public servant exam. If some fight occurs and it blows up, there might be trouble with the final approval up top. It’s not worth it at all,” Zhang Ninglang said as he stepped forward and helped Li Xingming up.

His words actually made a lot of sense. Under normal circumstances...he would be right.

Still, he was actually wrong, because they had a roommate called Xu Tingsheng.

“Is it that I’m too not domineering usually?” Xu Tingsheng who had similarly drunk a lot suddenly said this out of nowhere after hearing Li Xingming’s words.

“Huh?”

Everyone turned to look at him.

Leaning against the wall, Xu Tingsheng said, “Your roommates, bros, I...I am Xu Tingsheng! What government checks are you afraid of? Even if you take wine bottles and down all of them today, with the police coming, I can still let all of you go to work like nothing happened...is this very difficult to think of?”

Unexpectedly, everyone nodded, saying, “It’s very difficult.”

It was not that they did not know of Xu Tingsheng’s capabilities. Rather, they had unknowingly gotten used to Xu Tingsheng never using these capabilities to be domineering, gotten used to him even participating in fights in school himself bare-handed and in a fair manner…

“Now that I’ve said it, do you guys believe me then?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

“Duh,” The remainder answered.

“Let’s go vent this stifling grievance?” Xu Tingsheng looked at Li Xingming and asked.

Li Xingming nodded without hesitation.

“It’s fine then,” Xu Tingsheng said, “You’re someone who will be in the bureaucracy in the future. I can’t let you go feeling like a loser...I want you to go there merrily, to be someone superior and respected eventually.”

“Best if you reach the point where you are too high up for women like Yu Yayang to reach…”

Li Xingming walked over to Xu Tingsheng, similarly leaning against the wall as he raised his head and closed his eyes...then, he nodded forcefully, “Rest assured, Bro Xu. I wanna climb...I will definitely climb up well. Being looked down on, viewed as inferior...I’ve had enough of that.”

Xu Tingsheng patted his shoulder.

“So we advance like this?” Old Wai asked.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit and asked Li Xingming, “Huang Yaming is eating nearby. Do I ask him to call a few people over or shall we do it ourselves?”

“I want to do it ourselves,” Li Xingming turned to look at Xu Tingsheng, saying, “Still, we are fewer in number than them, and they’re in gangs. Here, Lu Xu is drunk, Lil’ Bro doesn’t know how to fight and Bro Yao...isn’t here. I myself am fine. Eating a few blows makes it even more exciting. I’m mainly worried about you all…”

“In that case, I’ll call Huang Yaming along and we’ll do it ourselves...do it hard,” Xu Tingsheng said.

With that, he walked off to the side to make a call.

They returned to their private room and waited for a while.

Hearing that there was going to be a fight and together with Xu Tingsheng too, Huang Yaming who was eating at a restaurant nearby soon came over, excited beyond himself.

“You asked me to come alone. So, I lied and said I was going to the toilet...otherwise, a whole bunch would have come,” Huang Yaming smiled as he said to Xu Tingsheng.

“It’s more exciting this way. It’s for my roommate...he suffered a real injustice earlier. He must vent,” Xu Tingsheng smiled, “Also, it’s been a long time since I last fought together with you.”

He grabbed an empty wine bottle. Huang Yaming did the same. As the two looked at each other, they both laughed excitedly.

Huang Yaming said, “It’s too bad that Fu Cheng isn’t here...otherwise, it would be the same as in the past.”

“Forget about him. He has a child,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Well, let’s go then?”

“This is enough? ...Is it okay?” A student asked worriedly by the side, seeing that only Huang Yaming had been added to the party.

“Relax, the two of us are very fearsome,” Huang Yaming did not blame him as he smiled brilliantly, “Later, the two of us will rush in first. You guys follow.”

“I’m going with the two of you,” Li Xingming said as he picked up another empty wine bottle.

Lu Xu who was still a bit wobbly and not too sober stood up and said, “I’m going too...I learnt taekwondo from my university girlfriend before. Ha!”

Xu Tingsheng looked at them both and Old Wai and the other guys who had already prepared themselves.

“That’s about it then. Lil’ Bro and the girls will stay behind...bros, let’s go.”

As Xu Tingsheng opened the door and prepared to rush out, Lil’ Bro, Zhang Ninglang, stood up, saying from behind them, “I’ll go too.”

“It’s not like you know how to fight. There’s no war potential,” Li Xingming was in a rare relaxed mood at this moment as he looked over and joked.

“Mine wasn’t counted initially...still, I’ll be substituting Bro Tan’s part today,” Zhang Ninglang raised an empty wine bottle, making a rare joke as he smiled, “I’ll be possessed by Bro Tan later…”

Xu Tingsheng looked at him. He nodded, his gaze pleading.

“Alright then. Let’s go!”

Xu Tingsheng, Huang Yaming and Li Xingming were the first to rush out.

“Old Wai, you don’t have to come back if you don’t do well!” Li Linlin yelled at her boyfriend, wait, fiance from behind.

After their parents had met, they had truthfully already been engaged. It was just that the ceremony would only be held after graduation.

Xu Tingsheng kicked open the door of the private room that Yu Yayang was in. There were two girls inside, including her, and eight men…

Those people had just seen Li Xingming and tormented him earlier. Seeing this, they quickly reacted, four of them who were near the door standing up and rushing over as they asked, “Your mother, what do you want?”

Seeing Xu Tingsheng, Yu Yayang tried to speak up and prevent the fight. Still, it was too late…

“We’re here to fight,” Li Xingming said.

As he said so, Xu Tingsheng slapped the light in the private room off. In this sort of place, it was not that one could not see with the lights off. Still, that instantaneous darkness caused the other side’s reactions to be dull…

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Three wine bottles directly downed three heads.

Bang.

The fourth opponent whom Xu Tingsheng had just been about to face fell.

Whether from nervousness or excitement, Lil’ Bro had rushed in too quickly. It was still not their turn, but he had already charged in…

Also, he had acted with extreme decisiveness.

The little fellow had leapt up and smashed down without any hesitation whatsoever...before falling into a daze as he clutched the broken wine bottle.

“Tan Yao possessed!” Huang Yaming murmured as he lunged towards the remaining enemies.

The remainder rushed in…

Fighting with a numerical advantage, the absolute upper hand in momentum and their people a bit crazy too...rather than a group fight, it was virtually a one-sided beating.

They came like the wind and left like the wind.

Tables and chairs clattered amidst the darkness, some shrieks and tragic cries resounding...the fight ended, and all was done.

“Remember me! Remember me!” Li Xingming yelled into the darkness at the end.

Xu Tingsheng knew that this yell was meant for Yu Yayang.

This girl had once played him like a fool. Today, she had even mocked him in front of other men...having formerly had no ambition and been lazy, Li Xingming had resolved himself to definitely become outstanding...she was the primary motivating factor for this.

Li Xingming wanted her to remember him because he still owed her these words for the future, “Thank you. Thank you, for looking down on me back then.”

……

They returned to their private room.

Lil’ Bro’s hands were still trembling. The rest looked full of excitement.

“Where’s Huang Yaming?” Looking around and realising that Huang Yaming was not back, Li Xingming felt a bit worried.

“He’s chatting with them over there. Relax, it’s fine,” Xu Tingsheng said nonchalantly.

Actually, he had already agreed on this with Huang Yaming on the phone earlier. While the two of them weren’t afraid of trouble, they had to worry about the others. So, Xu Tingsheng had planned for them to first fight before revealing Huang Yaming’s identity, resolving all the problems that might crop up afterwards.

As for why they had not revealed it beforehand? If they had said that he was Huang Yaming or even just given them some time to look and realise that, this fight could not have happened. Or at least, it would not have been so satisfying.

In the other private room.

Where a fight had just transpired, the floor was a mess with people collapsed everywhere.

Huang Yaming turned on the lights, pulled over a chair to sit on and slowly lit a cigarette, “Let me introduce myself. To be honest, you should feel honoured that I could personally fight with you lot.”

None of those lying on the ground dared to rebut.

After all, he was Huang Yaming! The boss of Bright Brilliance, Wu Kun’s bro, Bingzhou’s Huang Twenty-four...over the past two years, his had been the most resplendent name in the dark side of Yanzhou’s society.

Chapter 665: Together, their various paths

Chapter 665: Together, their various paths

Huang Yaming returned to the private room soon after, offering a toast before he said, “Sorry, I still have classmates over there. We were having a gathering too earlier. So, I’ve got to go back first.”

He patted Xu Tingsheng’s back as he left.

As Xu Tingsheng came out after him, he passed over a cigarette that he had already lit. After Xu Tingsheng received it, he lit a cigarette of his own and put it in his mouth. The two leaned against the corridor wall, smoking.

Huang Yaming said, “We’re graduating.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Yeah!”

“These four years have really been inconceivable,” Huang Yaming suddenly said emotionally, “Four years ago, even if I thought about it a hundred times, I would never have imagined things the way they are now. Relax, I still pretty like the way I am now.”

“Thank you,” Huang Yaming said.

Xu Tingsheng smiled and kicked him, “Thank you your sister.”

“It’s been tough on you,” The two of them said this simultaneously.

They both laughed…

“Fu Cheng’s found an investment company in Shenghai. He’ll be working there after graduation,” Huang Yaming said.

“I know, “ Xu Tingsheng said.

“Is Song Ni in a relationship yet?” Huang Yaming asked.

“A middle echelon employee at Happy Shoppers is chasing her. She’s still hesitating, though,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Oh. It’s high time she’s in a relationship.”

“Right. What about you?” Xu Tingsheng asked, “How’s it going with your blank piece of paper?”

“It’s a bit different from what I thought. Still, I guess that it’s only normal. She’s a human being, after all. However much of a blank piece of paper she is, she also has an innate personality. Fortunately...I’ve just doted on her too much such that she is a bit unreasonable,” Huang Yaming tugged at his collar, revealing teeth marks on his shoulder.

“That’s pretty interesting too.”

“Yes, it feels that way now, at least. How do I put it? It’s rather like dating,” Huang Yaming smiled, “What about that little girl of yours? I saw what happened to Apple. Is she still okay? How are things going between the two of you?”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit and said, “It’s alright.”

“Oh. That’s good then,” Huang Yaming said, “Well...I’ll return to that side first then?”

“Alright. We can meet up ourselves at any time, anyway,” Xu Tingsheng nodded.

After walking a few steps away, Huang Yaming turned and feigned nonchalance as he asked, “Right, it feels like you’ve changed a lot recently...is everything okay?”

Xu Tingsheng smiled and said, “Everything’s okay.”

“Really? I just feel like you’ve encountered something.”

“Everything’s really okay,” Xu Tingsheng smiled.

Huang Yaming paused for a while, “Then, if there’s anything, don’t forget that I’m here.”

“However major it may be,” He added.

“Got it.”

Xu Tingsheng waved. Huang Yaming turned and left.

As Xu Tingsheng saw it, whatever might happen to him in the near future, he at least believed that even if he was not there, Huang Yaming would still do his best to take care of all those he was concerned about.

……

He returned to the private room, where the current atmosphere was very good.

Zhang Ninglang had been recognised as an outstanding graduate on a provincial level and would not be restricted on basis of hometown when looking for a job. He had already signed with a local junior high in Yanzhou.

He was staying in Yanzhou naturally because of the girl with the long plait, Ning Xia, who was currently sitting beside him. There was still a year before she graduated.

This junior’s plait seemed to have grown a bit longer again.

Till now, Zhang Ninglang still punctually returned to the dormitory every night...everyone pretty much felt troubled for him. So, everyone was frantically pumping him and Ning Xia with wine at the table.

Old Wai secretly leaned into Zhang Ninglang’s ear, saying, “You’re not allowed to return to the dorm to sleep tonight.”

Zhang Ninglang coughed, looked down and pretended to be peeling a prawn as he gave no reply.

“What about the two of you? When will your engagement ceremony be?” Xu Tingsheng asked Old Wai and Li Linlin, “How about you just skip the engagement and get married straight away? That’ll save time.”

Hearing this, Old Wai secretly shot Xu Tingsheng a look to convey that he shared the same opinion, just that the one beside him didn’t.

Girls like to have specific romantic steps in mind. So, Old Wai could not escape the step of getting engaged after proposing.

“The time is still not set yet,” Seeing that Old Wai was not speaking, Li Linlin answered, “The main thing is that we would like to ask: When are you free, Bro Xu? You have to be there. You must also be the witness for us when we get married.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, saying, “You guys can choose an auspicious date first. There should not be any problem on my side.”

“Right. Still, I think that there is. I’d like to wait for Xiang Ning’s school holidays. She’s also someone I definitely want to be present,” Li Linlin added while looking straight at him.

She was different from everyone else present in that she had an independent relationship with Xiang Ning. Xiang Ning called her Big Sis Teacher as the two were in frequent contact as well.

So, Li Linlin actually knew of the current situation between Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning.

Li Linlin had not expected how having begun an internship at Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high, Xu Tingsheng might actually return just like that, actually having failed to chase Xiang Ning back. She was pretty worried about it too.

If one also took into account the time when she had been kept in the dark, she was actually the one who had witnessed from start to end just how much Xu Tingsheng doted on Xiang Ning.

She similarly understood how important Xu Tingsheng was to Xiang Ning.

“How could they break up? Even if they did, they should have gotten back together after a short time...how could they really break up?” Li Linlin had constantly been troubled over this recently as she had tried to persuade Xiang Ning as well, hoping that she could change her mind. She hoped that she could see the two of them quickly reconcile.

Sadly, Xiang Ning would always avoid the topic.

“Right, today’s Sunday! You should have called Little Xiang Ning along. It’s been so long since I last saw her,” Ning Xia who had previously interacted with Xiang Ning on their trip to Chengdu said.

“She’s nearly in twelfth grade. She’s having a pretty hard time studying right now and doesn’t have so much free time,” Xu Tingsheng made an excuse and diverted the topic by asking Old Wai and Li Linlin, “Will the two of you officially go back to Hucheng to work after you graduate?”

The two nodded.

“Here’s my personal opinion,” Xu Tingsheng said, “For Old Wai, you still have your place as a supervisor. Still, for work, you should still go to Programming. That is what you like too.”

“Right,” Old Wai said.

“As for Linlin,” Xu Tingsheng looked at Li Linlin and hesitated for a bit, “I hope that you can go spend a year at Yanzhou’s training institute first. Choose a management position there...get some experience with your managerial capabilities and then adjust again after coming back.”

While others did not notice that his expression was actually unnatural when saying this, it did not elude Li Linlin who had been paying close attention.

Why did Xu Tingsheng want her to assume a management position at the training institute for a year first? The reason was actually very simple. He wanted her help to deploy all resources when Xiang Ning was in twelfth grade, helping Xiang Ning to get into a better university.

With Xu Tingsheng already having broken up with Xiang Ning now, she was definitely the best candidate to be placed in charge of this matter. Also, Xiang Ning would be less likely to feel averse to it this way.

“A year? It should be a year and a bit more,” Li Linlin deliberately looked at Xu Tingsheng and said in a knowing tone.

Having been seen through, Xu Tingsheng smiled wryly and did not say anything.

The gathering drew to a close. Those of Room 602 and their ‘family members’ walked back to school together beneath the cold wind.

“Bro Xu, you’ll be going on stage at the graduation party, right? I heard someone mention it,” Li Linlin suddenly asked.

“Yeah, the principal proposed it twice,” Xu Tingsheng said, “It’s the school that I spent four years studying at after all, and Vice-Principal Niu is also so valiant. I didn’t dare to refuse. I’ll probably have to go up there when the time comes.”

“You might as well sing a song then,” Li Linlin said.

“Huh?”

“Bro Xu, you’re from Rebirth, but all of us haven’t heard you performing live before. Also, you’ve hidden it from us for so long. Now that it’s graduation, shouldn’t you make it up to us?”

“Yeah, yeah, we want to hear you live.”

“That’s right...you hid it from us for so long.”

“Sing, sing!”

Before Xu Tingsheng could answer, the others were already beginning to cheer him on.

“Sing a song, Bro Xu, as our graduation present,” Li Linlin coaxed, everyone following suit.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it. Four years…

“Alright. I’ll tell them about it then.”

Xu Tingsheng agreed.

Returning to her dormitory, Li Linlin sent Xiang Ning a text: Xiang Ning, our graduation party is next weekend. Will you come?

She was inviting Xiang Ning without intending to tell Xu Tingsheng beforehand...waiting for the moment when Xiang Ning came, and Xu Tingsheng was up on stage.

Chapter 666: The last song (1)

Chapter 666: The last song (1)

While Li Linlin had not said it expressly in her text, her meaning was actually very clear: Xu Tingsheng is graduating. Will you come see him?

Going by the traditions of some countries, the graduation ceremony was actually one of the most important times of one’s life. Most of the time, family members and lovers would come over to accompany the graduates.

After a long while, she received a response from Xiang Ning.

‘I won’t be going’. There were just four simple words, without any further reasons or excuses.

“Did you forget how he went to your junior high and performed on stage, celebrating your birthday? It’s the last chance to listen to him in university.”

Li Linlin was rather unwilling to give up as she hoped to stoke Xiang Ning’s feelings. She was doing this not just because it was Xu Tingsheng, but more because she knew that Xiang Ning liked Xu Tingsheng too.

“I forgot.”

“I also don’t want to listen.”

“You don’t know, Big Sis Teacher, but actually...that wasn’t for me.”

Xiang Ning sent back three consecutive texts.

Li Linlin was left feeling puzzled for a bit.

“I’m going to sleep. Goodnight, Big Sis Teacher,” Xiang Ning now sent.

Li Linlin could only reply, “Goodnight.”

Before going to school the next day, Xiang Ning did not contact Li Linlin at all. Meanwhile, Li Linlin was thinking about ‘that wasn’t for me’. Could she have missed something? Under the current circumstances, she could not bear to force Xiang Ning.

The final week before graduation.

Xu Tingsheng discussed with the students and teachers organising the graduation party and decided on choosing a song suited to graduation, such as Gao Xiaosong’s campus ballads, Shui Mu Nian Hua’s <<Have You In My Life>> or <<Goodbye>> that Zhang Zhenyue had released just a year ago…

Finally, they settled on Pu Shu’s <<Those Flowers>>.

Zhang Ninglang finally did not return to the dormitory at night for the first time in his university life.

He returned to the dormitory the next morning, his face full of fatigue...everyone excitedly gave him meaningful looks. Still, how should they ask about this? How had the first time on the battlefield gone? Had the enemy resisted intensely or had they directly surrendered?

No one asked anything as it was Zhang Ninglang himself who broke the silence.

“I’ve finally discovered the disadvantage of junior’s long plait now,” He said despondently.

“What’s that?” Li Xingming asked.

“We didn’t do anything at all. I spent the entire night hearing the same thing: Senior, you’re lying on my hair. Is that my fault? Her hair is so long, and took up half the entire bed when untied…” Zhang Ninglang sighed, “I was so careful and nervous that I couldn’t sleep for the entire night...one can only imagine-how will it be when we’re married?”

The other four all started laughing very unsympathetically.

……

Time passed attending lessons in school since Xiang Ning received Li Linlin’s text during the weekend. Monday, Tuesday...soon, it was Friday.

Xiang Ning tried hard to focus on preparing for the end-of-term examinations. She tried hard to remind herself that she would soon be in twelfth grade. She tried hard not to think about that person, not to think about that stiff dancing as he said, “I’m here to celebrate your birthday. Happy Birthday.”

Of the two songs that day, Xiang Ning had always felt that it was Xu Tingsheng saying, “You are my flower, the brightest star in my night sky.”

Men always have many flowers, white roses, red roses, maybe even yellow roses or whatnot. What about me? Maybe I can’t even be considered a rose. Just a short and very small flower.”

What about stars? It means destined to be very distant, right.

In the past, Xiang Ning had loved to mess around, play and talk in the dormitory, also having gotten many points docked from the class as a result. She had been performing much better recently as she was always just lying on the bed and staying quiet.

The English lesson on Friday.

The internship teacher who had replaced Xu Tingsheng conducted her final lesson.

Perhaps because their ages were similar and they were on a different degree of closeness, it was always very easy for students to feel unwilling to part with their internship teachers. This also held true for the internship teachers, who were generally more likely to feel melancholic.

In the last few minutes before the bell signalling the end of class rang, the internship teacher who, while not actually beautiful, was still very cute had tears in her eyes as she said goodbye, told them in English ‘I love you all’.

Saying I love you in the Western style was rather more easily conveyed.

The students responded enthusiastically.

“I love you guys,” The internship teacher sniffed before smiling as she said it now in Mandarin.

This time...there was virtually no response, not because of anything else, but simply because the Chinese seemed to very seldom say this even among lovers...let alone family and friends.

Also, in Yanzhou’s local dialect, there actually didn’t exist ‘I love you’ at all. While it was certainly possible to forcibly say it, the pronunciation would inevitably become very strange.

The English teacher pretended to be sad for a bit before she continued, “It seems that everyone generally feels shy about saying I love you and can’t say it. Actually, in many countries in the West, it is a common practice to say I love you to family and lovers. If you have a chance, everyone should remember to say I love you to your Mum and Dad too.”

Because of this, Xiang Ning recalled how she had once watched a movie which said that more than half of the texts of Italians contained the word ‘love’. She had even emotionally told Uncle this then.

What about between me and him? It seemed that most of the time, they only used ‘like’ rather than love. Were they not used to conveying it? Or was it truly different?

Xiang Ning tried to remember if Xu Tingsheng had said I love you to her before. It seemed he had not even done so in English.

At the front of the classroom, the English teacher continued on this topic, “Does anybody know how to say I love you in other languages?”

Since there were still a few minutes before the end of class, she began to chat with them.

“Salangheiyo,” A boy said.

Everyone laughed. In this era where Korean dramas were all the rage, it was rare for people not to know of this. Still, it was limited to just that.

“Let me tell you guys a few more then,” The female teacher said, “Eu amo-te, I love you in Portugese. Szeretlek, Hungarian. Miluji te, Czech, Ich liebe dich, German...S’agapo, Greek…

Xiang Ning was taken aback.

If Xiang Ning was asked to say ‘I love you’ in various languages, she would definitely be unable to do so. Still, as the female teacher had said them one after another...Xiang Ning was very sure that she had heard many of them before.

While her memories of them were vague, she had definitely heard them before.

She had been fifteen going on sixteen that year. Her home tutor at the time had been called Xu Tingsheng.

Mr Xu’s English was very good. Still, even he would make a mistake from time to time.

Every time he made a mistake, he would glance at Little Xiang Ning, saying nervously, “I said this wrong.”

The second time he had said something wrong.

Xiang Ning had said, “Uncle, this is the second time you’re saying something wrong.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “I know, I remember.”

Xiang Ning said, “I remember too. I’ll help you to keep count.”

Xu Tingsheng said, “Alright, you keep count.”

Their conversation from back then surfaced in her mind…

So, he had said ‘I love you’ so many times long ago, with her oblivious.

The bell signalling the end of class rang.

Class was dismissed. The teacher left, the students who didn’t stay in school during the weekend eagerly leaving as well.

Xiang Ning sat in her seat.

He had really looked terrible the first time they had met, crying and smiling at the same time. He had been so funny the first time he had tried to hit on her, pretending to ask for directions. He had really been thick-skinned when delivering noodles to her. There were also those paper aeroplanes he had folded and the sunlight between the tree branches that day…

Afterwards.

He had said: Be good, Xiang Ning. Turn around, close your eyes and cover your ears…

He had said: I can give everything of mine in exchange for you…

He had said: Meeting you is the best thing that ever happened to me…

He had said: I’ll definitely marry you.

There was still so much, so much.

It was still fine when she was not thinking about it, but as soon as she did so, it all surged to the surface.

He was leaving.

Would he go to Shenghai? Xingchen was there, and he didn’t handle affairs at his other companies.

He might be leaving tomorrow…

“Big Sis Teacher, I want to go take a look at that graduation party...still, can you please not tell him?”

“I just want to see him again.”

Xiang Ning texted Li Linlin.

Chapter 667: The last song (2)

Chapter 667: The last song (2)

More than four years had passed. From a stranger at the store outside school to the strange uncle lying and hitting on her by the street to finally getting acquainted, to home tutor and boyfriend...she had been just one step away from becoming his fiancee...his little bride.

These four years.

There had been so many ‘I love you’s that Miss Xiang had counted despite not knowing their meaning.

There had been so much doting, concern and bliss that exceeded Miss Xiang’s ability to count. Right, if she really tried to recollect as she counted, listing these out one after another, it would probably still be impossible to count.

To erase all this with the wave of a hand-how could this be possible?

Just as Xiang Ning had said when she had left, she was just afraid from having suffered too much hurt. She was feeling lost, not daring to like him anymore. Yet, not daring to ultimately could not truly equate to not liking.

How was it possible that she did not like him?!

How was it possible for her to like another in the future?

At this moment, various scenes of the past surged to the front of her mind. His face was always smiling, warm. Every time his eyes were on her, they were always filled with doting.

If he had only made a mistake, with the outcome having amounted to nothing after all, Xiang Ning might just feel reluctant to leave him and cave in, forgiving him.

Yet, the greatest thing that she currently could not get over was actually not all that. Instead, it was...that person isn’t me!

That person isn’t me! It’s not this Xiang Ning but another. I’m a replacement, he’s making up for his regrets with her. If this point was established, all the happiness would lose its significance, because it could only prove just how much Xu Tingsheng had loved that person back then.

It was precisely because of this that while Xiang Ning wished to see him again before he left, she was also unwilling for him to know that she actually had lingering affections for him.

……

Li Linlin got a fright from receiving Xiang Ning’s text. She was left feeling at a loss, unable to decide if she could tell Xu Tingsheng about it at once.

She was hesitating…

A little while ago at Room 602, Lu Xu had just packed his final bit of luggage.

Because the recruitment exam for the school in his hometown was the day after tomorrow and it was a long journey back, he had no way of attending the graduation party tonight. He would be on a westbound train an hour later, the first of the five remaining people in Room 602 to leave.

Xu Tingsheng, Zhang Ninglang, Li Xingming and Old Wai were all helping him.

“Don’t forget this,” Zhang Ninglang found a mug and passed it to Lu Xu.

Lu Xu looked down, not taking it. On the surface of the mug was pasted a photo of Chick Bao in her taekwondo attire and performing a side kick. Her actions were slick, her figure well-built, her eyes resolved, her long hair swaying in the wind…

“Bring it along with you. Otherwise, you’ll regret it in a few years,” Li Xingming said beside him, “At the end of the day, these were your best years. How great she was!”

Lu Xu nodded, looked down and took the cup. He carefully wrapped it up and stuffed it in his luggage.

When he looked up again, his face was already filled with tears.

“Let’s go. It’s time to head to the station,” Li Xingming said.

Lu Xu nodded and carried his bag.

Xu Tingsheng drove Lu Xu to the station. The other three were in the car as well, helping to hold the luggage.

They did not speak much on the way to the station. Everybody wanted to ask if Chick Bao would come...yet, they simply could not bring themselves to ask this.

Only at the waiting area did they sit down, saying stuff like ‘I’ll miss you guys’, ‘let’s keep in touch’, ‘we should try to meet up when we have the chance’, ‘our time in university was not wasted’...

As the announcement for the checking of tickets was broadcast, Lu Xu lined up with his bag.

The other four from Room 602 helped him to hold his remaining luggage, standing beside the line and moving slowly forward.

“If you have the chance, come to my hometown to play. While we can’t be considered wealthy, it’s a beautiful place. The girls are thin and pale-skinned,” Lu Xu said.

“Alright. We’ll definitely find time to go,” The others said.

“I’ll be waiting for you guys then,” Lu Xu said, “We’re especially well-known for our mutton and beef. When you come, I’ll…”

He suddenly paused, starting into the distance at the entrance of the waiting area.

Chick Bao stood there in a pale green dress, quietly shedding tears as she looked at him from far away. She had ultimately still come to see Lu Xu off...as a tomboy, she virtually never wore dresses.

Lu Xu had bought that in the past, having requested that she wear it many times. Yet, she had never been able to muster up the courage to wear it outside.

Today, at the station before they parted, she was wearing it for him to see.

Seeing that Lu Xu had spotted her, Chick Bao wiped her tears as she attempted to walk over...

At this moment, Lu Xu’s companions could clearly feel that as the figure of Chick Bao gradually approached, Lu Xu was trembling in his entirety from feet to hands to lips.

But the next moment, he yelled, “Stop right there! Don’t come any further.”

Chick Bao obediently stopped. She did not speak but just kept on crying, kept on crying.

“You really look very good in that dress. You’re really beautiful, Bao Peijun,” Lu Xu smiled while also crying.

“Alright, now, turn...turn!” Lu Xu sobbed as he yelled.

Chick Bao painstakingly turned.

“Walk forward.”

“Go!”

Chick Bao walked a few steps before she stopped, wanting to look back…

“Don’t stop. You mustn't stop. You can’t stop!”

“Go on, continue walking.”

“Don’t give me a chance to torment you, wrangle with you again. Don’t let me hold you back again.”

Lu Xu did not dare to let Chick Bao come too close. He did not dare to let her linger. He did not dare to look at her tear-stained face again…

Because if time extended with the train not leaving...

He knew that he would definitely be unable to stop himself from begging that she trust him one more time, continuing this relationship.

If it continued, how would things end up?

Lu Xu knew full well that he was still him. Also, henceforth, there would still be distance and many uncertain factors between them. So, in the end, it would just end up being a long period of torment for Chick Bao.

“Go! You shouldn’t hold me back too...in the future, we should take good care of ourselves. Let’s not get in touch again,” Lu Xu steeled his resolve in the end.

Then, he watched dazedly as Chick Bao took one step, one step further into the distance.

“Bao Peijun, you’ve got to find someone with a good temper in the future, someone who doesn’t wrangle.”

“You’ve got to marry a good person and be happy together till the end of your days...still, you can’t let me know about it.”

“You know, I’m petty.”

He finished speaking.

As the figure of Chick Bao vanished, Lu Xu got that ticket checked, took his luggage from Xu Tingsheng and the other three, said goodbye, looked down and left.

Xu Tingsheng and the others looked at his back figure on the platform. Saddled with luggage, he was wiping tears off his face non-stop with great difficulty.

“Sob…”

The train entered the station.

Lu Xu turned, waved and got on the train.

“Sob…”

The train left the station.

When Xu Tingsheng and the other three left the waiting area, they saw Chick Bao huddling in a corner outside and weeping painfully.

When she had cried enough.

Xu Tingsheng said, “Let’s go back together.”

After a graduation meal for the class a few days earlier, they had all gone to a KTV together. Lu Xu had sung a song there.

“Can you let me accompany you

Since you say I can’t keep you

The road back is rather dark

Worried about letting you walk alone

I think it’s because I’m not gentle enough

Unable to bear your troubles with you

If unable to voice it out like this

Let regrets stay in the heart

……

I think I can bear the sorrow and pain

Pretending that you are not in my life.”

His singing had been really terrible.

Chapter 668: The last song (3)

Chapter 668: The last song (3)

Chick Bao was sobbing the whole way back to school.

Everything must eventually come to an end. It is just that those in love always like to believe at some point in time that this end will be decided by lifespan-actually, how many love stories in this world really end with death?

Most love stories just end due to personality incompatibilities and intractable issues. To put it simply...they wreck it themselves.

Chick Bao sobbed while talking about Lu Xu’s good points. There weren’t many girls who were able to talk about the other party’s good points after they had broken up over a problem. They were usually both nice and ‘dumb’.

Granted, there were surely some unique good points about Lu Xu. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for Chick Bao to remain entangled with him for four years while constantly breaking up. Just as his flaw was his easily hysterical nature, the good things about him were intense as well, being relentless and hard to forget.

Sadly, he had still wrecked things for them in the end.

They saw Chick Bao who had finally calmed down somewhat to her dormitory building in D district.

She would be leaving the next day...returning to her hometown.

Giving congratulations, farewell.

Finally, those familiar figures would disperse one after another, going their various ways.

Xu Tingsheng’s group of four headed back to C district.

Old Wai received a text from Li Linlin, “Old Wai, remember to help save us three seats later.”

“Three? Aren’t we sitting with Tingsheng and the others?” Old Wai sent a reply.

“Let’s not sit together today. He’s got to go on stage, so he has to sit a little more up front. It will just be the two of us, and then one more seat.”

“Oh. Who’s coming?”

“No one, just a classmate. Anyway, save us seats first. I’ll be a bit late. Shush already. Right, go buy some food and drinks now,” Li Linlin sent a reply before heading out, preparing to wait for Xiang Ning.

“Oh, okay,” Old Wai who was getting managed more and more strictly by his future wife told Xu Tingsheng that they would not be sitting together tonight before befuddledly getting out of the car and leaving first.

He did not notice and had not told Xu Tingsheng that Li Linlin had asked him to save three seats, yet had not said who it was that would be coming.

Had he said it, Xu Tingsheng would definitely have realised who that extra seat was for.

……

Xu Tingsheng, Li Xingming and Zhang Ninglang set off after eating dinner together. On the way there, Zhang Ninglang went off with his junior. The remaining two who were on their lonesome said hi to their classmates as they headed there.

Be it those whom they were familiar with or those they did not speak much with, they all felt a sense of imminent separation at this time.

A few simple female classmates who easily got shy took a photo together with Xu Tingsheng. Those who were more enthusiastic and lively hugged him, saying some mischievous words.

The two of them ran into the class chairperson, Zhang Yan, outside the report hall.

Seeing Xu Tingsheng, Zhang Yan greeted him and asked, “You’ll be going to Shenghai after graduation, right? My boyfriend and I have decided to go to Shenghai too. Whatever the case, we’ll work hard for two years before deciding anything else. When you’re free, we’ll look for you to have a meal together.”

Their classmates all knew that Xingchen Technologies was based in Shenghai and were also aware that that was the heart of Xu Tingsheng’s career.

Xu Tingsheng casually answered, “Alright.”

Still, his mind had actually drifted away. Zhang Yan’s question had caused Xu Tingsheng to suddenly consider: Where should I go next?

His fight with Zhou Yuandai was not an actual confrontation on the battlefield with guns. He ultimately still had to find a place to be at.

If this question had popped up a while back, Xu Tingsheng would not have hesitated in the least. He would have remained in Yanzhou, accompanying Xiang Ning. When she finished twelfth grade, he would then go to the city where she was studying university at.

Still, the situation now was different. If he stayed behind and could not control himself, he would disturb Xiang Ning, even causing her to be threatened. It would be too difficult to control himself.

Besides that, he had already long since ceased to run his two companies in Yanzhou. On one hand, it had already been decided that Fu Cheng would be working in Shenghai. Ms Fang and Niannian would go there sooner or later. Huang Yaming would definitely leave Yanzhou too...as was true of others.

Many people would be leaving.

Under these circumstances, without Xiang Ning by his side, Xu Tingsheng’s sense of belonging in Yanzhou...would be no more.

On the contrary, that sort of solitary piteousness and sense of numbness from having nothing to do...it would grow non-stop as time passed.

Still, if he really were to leave...could he do it? Was there a way for him to live peacefully elsewhere?

Close to graduation, virtually everyone was envying Xu Tingsheng, because he totally did not need to consider what to do next and face the pressures of work, life and society like others.

No one knew that he was actually the one who truly did not know where to go next.

When he was still feeling lost regarding this issue, Lu Zhixin walked over. She was dressed as a girl in university should. It felt just like in their first year, when she was the belle at her foreign language faculty.

The two smiled at each other.

“Is your faculty’s graduation party tonight too?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

Lu Zhixin shook her head, “It was two days ago.”

“Were you dragged on stage by the principal?”

“Yes. I had no choice,” Lu Zhixin said.

“It’ll be the same for me later too,” Xu Tingsheng smiled helplessly.

“What have you been busy with recently?” Afraid of it being awkward, Xu Tingsheng found another topic.

“I was working on recruitment in the various schools some time back. I’m free these few days,” Lu Zhixin said, “So, hearing that you may be singing in a while, I came...you don’t mind, right?”

“Of course not,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“What time does it begin?” Lu Zhixin asked.

“Seven. It may be a while before it comes to me,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

Lu Zhixin raised her hand and looked at her watch, “There’s still some time then. Can we walk together?”

She raised her head and looked at Xu Tingsheng, “We’ve graduated. Four years have passed so quickly.”

Xu Tingsheng was not seeing firmness, coldness or fighting spirit in Lu Zhixin’s eyes for once. Instead, it was something that could be called melancholy.

“Where to?”

“Just around the campus. Then, follow me.”

Lu Zhixin walked in front. Xu Tingsheng walked behind and to the side. Beneath the dim evening sky, they passed the lecture theater where they had first met, passed the library, passed Xu Tingsheng’s dormitory at C district, the same place where Lu Zhixin had waited with a scarf that year.

The two passed familiar places, yet tacitly did not mention those past events.

All the way till...they reached that stretch of field.

Lu Zhixin sat on the stands, looking at Xu Tingsheng beside her before turning to look at the football field in front…

“Back in our first year, I was seated right here…”

“That day, you scored two goals. Everyone was cheering. You were Yanzhou University’s hero.”

“That day…”

She raised a palm, “Look, there’s still a scar on my palm. Getting a rose from you was so difficult. Moreover, I even lost it completely afterwards. Or maybe I never truly possessed it in the first place…”

“But I still feel very happy at how I successfully schemed against you...even though I was the one who fell helplessly because of it in the end.”

Chapter 669: The last song (4)

Chapter 669: The last song (4)

“Do you still remember how I looked at the time?” Lu Zhixin felt the cool summer wind with her finger, next turning as she smilingly looked at Xu Tingsheng and said, “Today, I’ve deliberately dressed the same as back then.”

“Actually, I’ve regretted it, regretted why I didn’t stay an ordinary university student, the very beautiful and proud kind, then have an ordinary university relationship with you. Even if we might break up very quickly.”

“Still, there’s no way that could happen, right?”

“In this life, fulfilling your sentence is already enough-Lu Zhixin, the one and only.”

“For this, I will work very hard. Also...thank you, Xu Tingsheng. Thank you for letting me meet you.”

Lu Zhixin rose and hugged this man who had been standing beside her all throughout.

Actually, this was her first time hugging him like this.

She said softly into his ear, “I had a dream a few days back. In the dream, I went to the battlefield with you, thinking that you wanted to conquer the entire world, wanting to stand beside you...sadly, I discovered in the end that what you truly wanted was just a house and a pond, a small courtyard and a well and a maiden who would never go to the battlefield.”

“You left.”

“Meanwhile, I remained on the battlefield. I couldn’t return and wasn’t willing to return...because at the end of the dream, only then did I see things as they really were. So, the one who truly wanted to conquer the entire world was me all along!”

Just like that, the two were silent for a while.

Xu Tingsheng’s handphone vibrated. Vice-Principal Niu was calling, clearly to urge him to hurry over to the report hall.

“Answer it first and go back. I’d like to sit here alone for a while longer,” Seeing Xu Tingsheng a bit hesitant, Lu Zhixin relaxed her grip and smiled mildly.

Xu Tingsheng left first, passing the stands, passing the field…

Outside the door, he unconsciously turned and glanced over. Lu Zhixin’s figure was indistinctly sitting quietly on that stretch of stands. The sky was already dark, the cool wind blowing gently amidst the darkness...

That figure was lonely and quiet. This was her reining in one of the few scenes that could warm her heart over these past four years.

Actually, Lu Zhixin was far more lonely than most other people in this world. It was just that that had never been discovered.

Xu Tingsheng could basically understand that this was actually Lu Zhixin’s farewell to him.

Because of Hucheng, they would still be in contact in the future, perhaps even a lot. In terms of feelings, though, she had let go, at this time that was itself a time for farewells.

The four years of university had gusted past like the wind in great haste, finally reaching the last point.

It had taken away many things, be they good, bad, important, cherished…

…...

The first thing Vice-Principal Niu did upon seeing Xu Tingsheng was pull his T-shirt.

“What’s with you? Are you intending to dress like this today?” The old man asked angrily.

Xu Tingsheng nodded carefully.

“Go back and change.”

“There’s no need, right?”

“What do you mean no need? Do you think I’ll have no way to manage you in the future?” The old man tugged at his suit, “Do you think we principals dress up so well and move out to attend every single graduation party?”

Xu Tingsheng understood what the old man was trying to say. The graduation party was not the graduation ceremony, after all. They were treating this so seriously because of him.

“I’ll go back and look for something then. I don’t think I have formal wear in my dorm,” He said.

The old man raised his watch and glanced at it, saying, “Hurry up. Make it seem more official.”

As Xu Tingsheng went back to his dormitory to change, the graduation party had actually already started. There were people crying, people laughing in the report hall.

Old Wai who was guarding two empty seats finally saw Li Linlin as well as the person behind her…

“Wa, Xiang Ning...um, Little sister-in-law...you, you’re here? Why aren’t you with Bro Xu?” Old Wai still did not know of the current state of affairs between Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning as he asked rather emotionally upon seeing her.

Being asked about Xu Tingsheng, Xiang Ning rather nervously tugged at the back of Li Linlin’s clothes.

“ Oh right, Bro Xu has to go on stage. Relax, Little sister-in-law, you can just sit with us. Come on, sit. Look, there’s food and drinks here,” Before Li Linlin could say anything, Old Wai realised and added before enthusiastically welcoming her.

Li Linlin pulled Xiang Ning along to sit down, glaring at Old Wai, “Since you know, why still ask? Watch the performances properly and don’t bother us.”

“Right, also, lend me your phone for a bit,” Seeing that Xiang Ning was still nervous, Li Linlin hurriedly added, asking for Old Wai’s phone to eliminate the possibility of him notifying Xu Tingsheng.

“Huh? Why?” Old Wai asked while taking out his phone.

“Cough.”

An impatient cough was enough. Not needing to reply or further explain, Li Linlin took Old Wai’s phone and waved it at Xiang Ning, indicating for her to relax.

In actuality, though, Li Linlin herself was feeling very conflicted as to whether she should tell Xu Tingsheng...that Xiang Ning was here.

Time and time again, she had had the urge to remind Xu Tingsheng about it. Still, Xiang Ning’s repeated pleas, especially the unease and pain in her eyes, had left her conflicted and caused her to give up.

Li Linlin and Xiang Ning had interacted virtually every weekend for a year. The Xiang Ning in her impressions was simple and cheerful, someone who couldn’t hide things and whose eyes could smile too.

As she looked at Xiang Ning who was trying very hard to suppress her feelings at this moment, seeing the weariness and sense of confusion in her eyes, Li Linlin’s heart ached.

……

Up on stage, the principal, Zhao Kangwen, was finishing up his speech.

After sufficiently expressing his reluctance to part with and hopes for the graduating students, wishing them well, he said with a look of candour on his face, “To be honest, of all the faculties in Yanzhou University, this is only the second graduation party that I’m attending.”

“Why am I here tonight? While it may sound a bit mercenary, I indeed just had to be here to give a word of thanks.”

“It’s also to network, hoping that certain students who are doing well will contribute more to Yanzhou University in the future. In Vice-Principal Niu’s words, when they have nothing better to do, they can just come back and donate a building or something.”

The listening students laughed knowingly.

Zhao Kangwen adjusted his slightly awkward look and continued, “These four years, the cut-off mark for Yanzhou University has been rising like a rocket. These four years, Yanzhou University has been as well-known as some longtime famous schools. These four years, Yanzhou University and I have received countless commendations. These four years...Yanzhou University has been very proud.”

“All this was because of a guy who missed Qingbei by two marks four years ago, applying for Yanzhou University as his second choice. To this day, I rejoice that this happened.”

“When his name appeared on the list of incoming students, we higher-ups were very happy, because a highest score in history had come that would look very good on our recruitment booklet. We even awarded him on entering. Yet, we indeed never thought that everything afterwards about him would be so unordinary.”

“Thank you. Thank you for the glory you have brought to Yanzhou University. Thank you for creating a legend here.”

“Thank you for that archaeological thesis. Thank you for those two goals you scored against Jianhai Technological University in your first year. Thank you for never failing a course. Thank you for not dropping out from university like Bill Gates and co. Thank you for not driving around campus with Ferraris and Lamborghinis.”

“More importantly, thank you for the two student aid funds you set up in Yanzhou University, Hucheng’s Heart and Agglomerating Yanzhou University. As well as Agglomerating the Stars that is directed towards the whole society.”

“Also, thank you for specially establishing a fund for Yanzhou University’s library. I guarantee that in the upcoming few years, we will definitely let you see a university library that is first-rate within our country.”

“Thank you. You’ve graduated, Xu Tingsheng.”

“You are Yanzhou University’s pride.”

Chapter 670: The last song (5)

Chapter 670: The last song (5)

The all-encompassing applause did not contain much jealousy and disdain at all.

Zhao Kangwen’s words reminded many that while the legendary Xu Tingsheng truly existed, it was actually just on the media and the internet. The Xu Tingsheng near them was an ordinary student of Yanzhou University.

In this era where official second gens and rich second gens were increasingly becoming quite derogatory terms, that impression given off by Xu Tingsheng who possessed both wealth and fame was still that of a relatively normal student.

In truth, even this image was not managed well by him, because he too skipped lessons, got into fights, hid in the back row of classrooms and slept…

Still, it was authentic that way.

Xu Tingsheng was very special, yet not all that special...this was what the teachers and students of Yanzhou University had come to know for themselves.

Also, he was very cordial and law-abiding most of the time. By law-abiding, it meant that there did not exist arrogant, show-off, chaotic behaviours with him. In stark contrast to Xu Sheng’s bunch who had shown off, running wild across campus with frequent new girlfriends in BMWs, Xu Tingsheng would always walk to class with his classmates, really seeming too well-behaved for words.

The most high-key thing he had done in Yanzhou University these past four years was basically scoring two goals in the match against Jianhai Technological University in his first year...how did this have anything to do with his wealth and fame?!

Besides that, Hucheng’s Heart, Agglomerating Yanzhou University, the fund set up for the library and such...besides Hucheng’s Heart which had been talked about before, take Agglomerating Yanzhou University...many of the students who were benefiting from it did not even know that it originated from Xu Tingsheng too. And as for the fund for the library, everyone was only hearing of it for the first time today.

It seemed to be very difficult to ask too much of or think too badly of a person like this.

The applause was still continuing.

Even Xu Tingsheng himself was a bit moved at this moment. While much of this glory originated from the wealth he had built up, its true significance could not be replaced by wealth.

Sadly, that person whom he hoped to share this glory and pride with was not by his side.

Xu Tingsheng simply did not know that Xiang Ning was actually sitting amongst the audience at this moment, secretly clapping for him, feeling proud of him.

Principal Zhao Kangwen gestured.

Xu Tingsheng walked onto the stage.

Zhao Kangwen gave him a Yanzhou University school badge and left the stage to him.

“I just made a trip back to change,” Facing the audience, Xu Tingsheng smiled a bit awkwardly.

The audience laughed.

Xu Tingsheng did not have any formal wear in his dormitory. After having been sternly lectured by Vice-Principal Niu, he was merely dressed a bit more neatly than he had been earlier.

A pair of canvas shoes, beige long pants, the most formal being a brand new white collared shirt which unfortunately had its sleeves folded up rather messily. Because of that, his attire did not look that formal too anyway.

“I actually knew that I’d be standing here today several days ago,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Next, I’ve thought earnestly about it too. If I have the chance to come back in future anniversaries, I will definitely prepare a proper speech then, showing off in front of juniors who don’t understand me.”

“Still, that’s not going to happen today. There’s no way to show off, because I’m too familiar with all of you...”

“You guys are my teachers, students from the same faculty, same batch, even same class as me. My roommates, friends, teammates too. Many more of you are girls my roommates and I chatted about while lazing about in our dormitory before.”

More laughter.

“In front of all of you, there’s really no way to pretend. So, I will just say a simple thank you to

everybody,” Xu Tingsheng bowed to the audience, “Also, shamelessly sing a song for you all.”

Applause, whistling and cheers arose.

This was Xu Tingsheng’s first time appearing publicly on this kind of stage in his four years of university. He was even going to sing a song...the last song at the end of their university times.

Xu Tingsheng scooped up the guitar that someone had long since placed at the side for him. He sat down, adjusted the microphone and strummed the guitar to test it.

The opening sequence for <<Those Flowers>> resounded…

“Thank you, Xu Tingsheng!” An unknown person yelled from the audience at this moment.

“Thank you for your student aid funds. Home tutor grants.”

“Thank you, senior!”

Some juniors who had received help from his student aid funds and snuck in jostled amongst the crowd, yelling.

“Thank you, Bro Xu!” Li Xingming yelled.

“Thank you, Bro Xu!” Zhang Ninglang and his junior beside him yelled.

“Thank you, Bro Xu!” Old Wai yelled while standing up emotionally.

...Immersed in memories, Li Linlin too wanted to say ‘thank you, Bro Xu’.

When she realised that Old Wai had gotten overly emotional, it was already too late to pull him back down.

Hearing that yell, Xu Tingsheng turned and glanced at Old Wai’s position. Someone in charge of the lights just happened to be so alert...he shone one of the spotlights at Old Wai who had stood up…

The next moment, illuminated by the massive beam, Xu Tingsheng saw the emotional Old Wai, Li Linlin and...Xiang Ning.

“She came. She’s here.”

“She didn’t tell me.”

“Just to see me...not letting me know.”

At this instant, feeling moved, emotional and guilty all at once, Xu Tingsheng suddenly saw a definite answer appear to what he had still been conflicted about earlier.

Without Xiang Ning, where should he go after graduation?

He already had an answer. He would stay in Yanzhou, even though he couldn’t draw near, at least within a few kilometres of her.

He stopped the opening sequence which was nearly over.

“Sorry, I want to change the song,” He said.

Then, amidst slight puzzlement, bewilderment and restlessness, his fingertips slid across the strings, a new opening sequence resounding.

As he was only playing it on the spur of the moment and was not so familiar with Joker Xue’s <<Within A Few Kilometres>>...it went a little messily, for both the accompaniment and lyrics.

“If I had been honest, it would have been good.

Not needing to swear, so childishly.

I thought that I could always follow you like this,

I have nowhere else to go anyway.”

Many people gradually realised after the very first section that they had never heard this song before. So, it was an original? Changing to an original on the spur of the moment, what was it that Xu Tingsheng wanted to express?

Xiang Ning was listening too...

When she had seen Xu Tingsheng’s gaze fall on her, she had very much felt like fleeing...yet, she had ultimately been unable to resolve herself. After guarding her for four years, Little Xiang Ning’s Uncle Liar was graduating. He had chased her to her school after breaking up but been shooed away by her...so, it might be the case that he would be leaving very soon, leaving this place.

Because of that, how could Xiang Ning not take a few more looks at him, listening to his last song?

“I’m afraid of those too responsible

They will sacrifice themselves at any time

Loving or not loving is also fine

I’ll let you do whatever

Even the reason I’ll help you find

Rather than a world where you don’t want me

Why not wipe you out of my mind…”

Because it was spur of the moment, Xu Tingsheng had no way to change all the lyrics to fit his intentions in time.

He sang the lyrics according to the original version.

Xiang Ning heard ‘Rather than a world where you don’t want me, why not wipe you out of my mind’.

Her heart involuntarily hurt even though this was her stance over this period of time. Logically speaking, she should be hoping for this as a natural course of events. Yet, she could not help it…

“Has he made up his mind? Made up his mind to forget me.”

Xiang Ning felt pained.

Fortunately, Xu Tingsheng soon reached the next line.

“Anyone can easily say this, loving uncontrollably but still insisting.”

He was only insisting against his actual will that he should forget about her.

Next came the actual sentences that had inspired Xu Tingsheng to choose this song a moment ago:

“I’m willing to stay within a few kilometres of you

If I can’t get back my heart I’ll give it to you

Because I love you, it doesn’t concern you.”

Her heart rising again after sinking to the very bottom, however angry Xiang Ning might be with Uncle, however much she could not get over it, she still did not know whether to laugh or to cry at this moment, “What’s he saying? Just being shameless? What is you love me but it does not concern me?”

“Staying within a few kilometres of you...is he saying that he won’t leave? Not disturbing me too.”

This was the second time during which while there were clearly a lot of people present, standing on stage, Xu Tingsheng was actually only singing for Miss Xiang.

The first time, she had still been young and ignorant. While she had been happy, there was not much she could comprehend. It was different this time. This time, Miss Xiang was eighteen. She had loved, been happy, been sorrowful, persisted. This time, she recognised his heartfelt voice.

Tears soundlessly rolled down her face.

In these same lyrics, the other fourth year students who were going to graduate and part heard ‘unwilling to leave’.

What did it feel like for people who were going to go their various ways to hear ‘I’m willing to stay within a few kilometres of you’?

What did it feel like for couples who had agreed to break up to hear ‘If I can’t get back my heart I’ll give it to you’?

Applause, low weeping, slowly resounded from all over the crowd.

“I’m willing to stay within a few kilometres of you

At least I can feel your sorrow and joy

When you need me, I can accompany you

In a world where you don’t want me

Why not look for someone to replace you

Sadly, I can heed no advice

I’m willing to stay within a few kilometres of you

If I can’t get back my heart I’ll give it to you.”

The second time, that same persistence. I’m willing to stay within a few kilometres of you, feeling your sorrow and joy. When you need me, I can accompany you. Persisting in a world without you, clearly knowing that it’s illogical, but just having no way to find someone to replace you…

The audience was already sobbing.

The singing continued:

“Loving or not loving is also fine, I’ll let you do whatever

Because I love you, it doesn’t concern you.

My love, spread within a few kilometres

Close enough to hear your breathing

As long as you turn, there I’ll be.”

Finishing the final section, Xu Tingsheng sat there silently just like that.

Each and every sentence had seeped into Xiang Ning’s heart…

She knew that this was Uncle telling his Miss Xiang: I won’t force you. I’ll let you do whatever, including choosing whether to love me...it’s just that I’ll still remain here. Where you can’t see me, yet definitely not far away...and if you change your mind one day, as long as you turn, there I’ll be.

Li Linlin extended a hand and embraced Xiang Ning’s shoulder, because she was already crying so hard that even breathing was difficult.

Without the spotlight, Xu Tingsheng was actually unable to clearly make out Xiang Ning from the stage. Still, he could indistinctly see her small body trembling from overly intense sobbing.

At this moment, how Xu Tingsheng wanted to wipe off her tears for her and then hug her…

Yet, he was unable to do so.

And so, another once familiar melody inadvertently appeared in his mind.

He strummed the guitar…

The sobbing or silent crowd abruptly regained their wits, focusing...on the singing that they had believed to have ended.

“I want to stroke your hair,

Just to probe simply

I want to give you a hug

Just like before, is it okay?

Is your half step back serious?

A small action has still hurt you so.

I can only act like a gentleman

Only then can I speak with you.

Can I send you home?

It may be raining soon.

Can I give you a hug,

Just as friends do?

Xu Tingsheng slowly sang a section of <<Gentleman>>.

At this point, the graduates might be thinking of how they might meet a few years in the future. Those who had once been closest to them would finally have become strangers, strangers to the point that what they had once been so used to, those simple acts of intimacy, even a hug, even just reaching out and tucking her hair behind her ear...would no longer be allowed.

They could only suppress their emotions, acting like gentlemen, saying some things calmly, these being but the simplest pleasantries.

It was something different that Xiang Ning thought of. Those were the scenes during Xu Tingsheng’s four weeks at Yanzhou’s first-tier senior high that she had not realised before…

Only at this moment did she understand that the Xu Tingsheng who had acted calm and not deliberately disturbed and paid attention to herself during those four weeks...how many times had there actually been when he had wanted to reach out to stroke her hair, or to hug her a bit.

So, how much he must have suppressed himself, acting like any teacher with any student, only then being able to say that sole sentence to her in class, that mere ‘Xiang Ning, please answer this question’.

Xiang Ning’s heart ached.

Chapter 671: Love separated by mountains and seas (1)

Chapter 671: Love separated by mountains and seas (1)

Xu Tingsheng held his handphone, sitting outside the backstage door.

The performance in the report hall was still continuing…

He wanted to call or text, even directly go to see Xiang Ning.

He got up a few times yet hesitated.

While the feelings expressed at that moment had been heartfelt and spontaneous, it might not actually be appropriate for him to say something in front of Xiang Ning with how things were right now.

Of course, he had at least expressed to her his intention to stay. While I will no longer be by your side in the days ahead, I will definitely not be far away...I’ll be here, neither close nor far...lest you panic, lest you are lonely.

His handphone vibrated.

“Bro Xu, Xiang Ning’s emotions aren’t too stable right now. I’ll send her home first.”

“Don’t contact her first. Wait for her to calm down a little.”

These two texts had been sent by Li Linlin.

So, Xiang Ning had left? Feeling rather worried, Xu Tingsheng went to the entrance and tiptoed over the crowd for a look. Indeed, other people were already sitting where Xiang Ning and Li Linlin had been earlier.

Old Wai squeezed out of the crowd, pulling Xu Tingsheng into a corner outside and asking frantically, “What’s wrong, Bro Xu? Why was Little Sister-in-law crying so? Linlin didn’t let me ask, didn’t let me speak.”

“I didn’t know that Xiang Ning would be here today,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Huh? Why?”

“There’s been a bit of a problem between us,” Xu Tingsheng no longer continued keeping it from him as he too actually needed someone to speak to right now.

Old Wai shook his head, “How is that possible? Why? Oh...that thing with Apple? Wasn’t it explained clearly? Apple herself clarified it too, didn’t she? She even tagged Lu Zhixin…”

“It’s not just that,” Xu Tingsheng lit a cigarette and sat down, speaking of Li Wan’er’s matter and that promise they had made at the hospital in Paris as he explained, “I actually wasn’t thinking too far ahead, too specifically at the time. I was just thinking that whatever the case, I should first give her hope and courage to complete that surgery and live on.”

“Oh,” Old Wai responded blankly.

While he didn’t really agree with it, he couldn’t just disagree with it or rebuke him too. That was a life, after all.

“Also…” Xu Tingsheng paused midway through his words.

“Also what?”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit and said, “That’s all.”

With regard to this ‘also’, the perturbed Xu Tingsheng had actually wanted to say: In truth, at the time, now included...I do not know what the future may hold, cannot even be certain that I can last until the time of that agreement. With such a mindset...how could I possibly be ruthless?

Still, he soon regained his wits, knowing that he could not say this to anybody, to anybody at all.

Having himself been reborn, he knew full well just how powerful, just how terrifying Zhou Yuandai who had developed for many years since her rebirth and was virtually mad was...

This could only be his war and his alone.

……

Li Linlin and Old Wai had both gotten their driver’s license in the first semester of their fourth year. After that, they had also bought a car.

Besides that, they had also bought one of Ning Garden’s first phase flats and had long since had it renovated. They would be moving into it when they officially left school.

The two shareholders of Hucheng had only just graduated from university.

Sometimes, sitting together, the two of them would look back on it all. All that they possessed now had actually just originated from Li Linlin wanting to continue working part-time as a home tutor following that incident. Being against it, Old Wai had asked Xu Tingsheng for advice…

It still felt so miraculous, so inconceivable.

And all of this actually originated from that person named Xu Tingsheng.

Now, the girl that Xu Tingsheng cared about most was seated beside Li Linlin in the co-driver’s seat.

When Xiang Ning’s sobs had finally subsided a bit, Li Linlin was finally unable to hold herself back. Truly unable to understand how things between Xu Tingsheng and Xiang Ning could have become like this, she began to carefully ask about the situation…

Li Linlin felt that she sufficiently understood Xiang Ning. After all, this girl was so bright to the point of nearly being transparent. At the same time, she felt that she understood Xu Tingsheng very well too. It was precisely because of this that she was simply unable to understand it.

Perhaps because her heart had been shaken that night, Xiang Ning too actually needed somebody to talk to at this moment.

Finally getting Xiang Ning to speak up with much difficulty, afraid of being distracted, Li Linlin found a place to stop the car.

Li Linlin had originally thought that the most serious problem between Xiang Ning and Xu Tingsheng was Apple’s matter. Still, she heard from Xiang Ning herself now that this matter was instead easiest to get past…

When Xiang Ning told Li Linlin that Xu Tingsheng had promised to give birth to a child with another woman, Li Linlin was dazed for a good while.

“How’s it possible?” She still did not dare to believe it.

“But You Qinglan said it…” Xiang Ning spoke of how the two had gone to attend the Paris Fashion Week, with Xu Tingsheng suddenly saying that something had come up before getting on the plane and staying in Paris...along with how when You Qinglan had passed by Yanzhou and looked for her to play later on, she had recounted the entire process she had accidentally let slip in detail.

Li Linlin sorted out her thoughts.

Subjectively speaking, she was definitely willing to trust Xu Tingsheng. After all, this person had saved her and thoroughly transformed her life. So, her thought process was inevitably biased towards him.

“Xiang Ning,” She said after a long time.

“Yes?” Xiang Ning still looked aggrieved and pitiful.

“I originally wanted to say that with Bro Xu’s current wealth and image...many things are actually already destined. He will receive a lot of temptation, whereas you will definitely also have to face various pressures, such as this time’s matter. I originally wanted to tell you that since nothing happened in the end...since it was stopped, that’s good enough.”

Xiang Ning looked rather incredulously at Li Linlin with reddened eyes, crying as she said, “However it might be for others, however it is outside...I don’t want that.”

The outside which Xiang Ning spoke of was probably the world outside her pure, happy inner world-the so-called realities of society.

As a girl who had once been filled with happiness in her first love, holding the most beautiful and pure illusions about it, it was impossible for Xiang Ning to accept the widely held views about it in society. She could also not allow the purity of love to be stained by money or authority and such.

“I know! That’s why I didn’t say that. I too feel that this shouldn’t apply to you and Bro Xu,” Li Linlin looked apologetically at Xiang Ning, “Then, I thought carefully about it. Don’t you think that this was very deliberate?”

“What’re you saying?”

“I’m saying: How could that famous model possibly pass by Yanzhou? Also, how could she have paid so much attention to you from the start for no reason...even looking for you to play and accidentally letting it slip...doesn’t the entire process feel very deliberate? What do you think?”

“I know that she did it on purpose.”

“Huh?”

“She didn’t accidentally let it slip. She came deliberately to tell me about it,” Xiang Ning said, “I’m not stupid. I can tell.”

“Then, can we assume that the entire incident was intentionally arranged for by someone, with their purpose being to get you and Bro Xu to break up?” Li Linlin asked.

Chapter 672: Love separated by mountains and seas (2)

Chapter 672: Love separated by mountains and seas (2)

Was someone deliberately wrecking their relationship? You Qinglan’s enthusiasm was indeed very strange!

Also, why did she deliberately come all the way to Yanzhou to tell me this? If they really want to snatch Xu Tingsheng away, wouldn’t it be better for them if the child was already born?

Because of Li Linlin’s words, Xiang Ning was silent for a while before she said rather wrongedly, “But he didn’t even want to explain.”

“Did you ask him about it?” Li Linlin asked.

“No. I was very angry and upset at the time. I was just crying before I left,” Xiang Ning thought about it, “Still, even then, he could have hugged me in place and explained...but he didn’t do it.”

Her hairstyle totally messed up yet still unable to think of an explanation, Li Linlin could only wonder helplessly in the end, “Is it that Bro Xu has some hidden difficulties that leave him unable to explain things?”

She was both wrong and right at the same time.

She was wrong in thinking that Xu Tingsheng had been set up. At the time, Xu Tingsheng had indeed made the promise on his own accord. Li Wan’er’s illness aside, no one had forced him.

She was right in having inadvertently correctly guessed that there were a lot of things that Xu Tingsheng currently could not explain.

If it were some other time, faced with the pain of losing Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng might just admit his mistake frankly, pleading earnestly to obtain her forgiveness.

Now, however, he couldn’t.

If Zhou Yuandai had used such a troublesome method to push Xiang Ning away rather than do anything directly to her, it was because she was still considering maintaining the bottom line between the two. In that case, Xu Tingsheng did not dare to be constantly provoking her.

Similarly, he could not tell all this to Xiang Ning.

“How about you go ask him then?” Seeing Xiang Ning not reacting, Li Linlin proposed.

Xiang Ning shook her head, “No way,”

“It would be a real pity if you break up because of a misunderstanding. Your relationship is so good,” Li Linlin advised.

“But there’s something even more serious,” Xiang Ning hesitated a little, next pointing at herself as she said, “I’m only a replacement.”

“Huh?” Li Linlin was stumped at once.

“There’s a Big Xiang Ning…” Xiang Ning told Li Linlin about her conversations with Xu Tingsheng regarding Big Xiang Ning and her own feelings, what she could not understand.

Hearing her narration, Li Linlin felt as if she was watching a thunderous old school Taiwanese drama.

“That’s impossible, right?” She asked, “If you share the same name, within the whole country, there should only be a few thousand, right?”

“In that case, we look very similar, perhaps exactly the same,” Xiang Ning said.

Now this did rather fit those old school Taiwanese dramas.

Li Linlin considered it, “But that still isn’t right.”

“What isn’t right?”

“The age isn’t right.”

“Hmm?”

“The first time Bro Xu went to look for you, he was still eighteen or nineteen, right? In twelfth grade.”

“Yes.”

“By that logic, before twelfth grade, he loved someone who looked exactly the same as you to the ends of the earth. Then, that person met with an accident or left, right?”

Seeing Li Linlin who was overly moved to the point of gesticulating vigorously, Xiang Ning nodded.

“We can rule out senior high, because we all know Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng. Right, and Apple too...Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng love to talk about their time in senior high with Bro Xu, the days they gallivanted around together, the time he suddenly came to a realisation in twelfth grade...there’s no sign of this in their narration at all. Also, do you remember the first time they saw you in the hospital? If Xu Tingsheng had loved someone who looked exactly the same as you in senior high, it would be impossible for them not to have reacted in any way.”

Xiang Ning thought about it, “Makes sense.”

She had actually once listened to a conversation between Fu Cheng and Fang Yunyao and learnt that Xu Tingsheng had nearly dated a very tomboyish girl in senior high...now that she thought about it, that timing couldn’t fit.

“What about junior high then? Junior high…” Li Linlin continued.

“There’s none in junior high,” Xiang Ning said.

“Huh? You know?”

“Do you know Wu Yuewei? Xu Tingsheng’s junior. She’s very pretty and even got into Qingbei. I’m very close with her. She likes Xu Tingsheng too...she told me about his days in junior high.”

“That rules out junior high too then. In that case, primary school?” Li Linlin paused, “There’s no need to analyse primary school, right? How old was he then?”

With that, nearly half of Xiang Ning’s logic had collapsed. It was just that a vague sense of doubt still existed within her. There still wasn’t an explanation behind Xu Tingsheng appearing too jarringly, with insane doting that was just over the top.

“But I think he admitted before that she exists.”

“That she exists? I feel that he was possibly just afraid of scaring you and so went along with how you understood it...after all, he was so...shameless in falling in love at first sight when you were fourteen,” Li Linlin smiled.

Xiang Ning felt slightly awkward too as she lowered her head, her thoughts running all over the place.

“Xiang Ning, are you happy together with Bro Xu? Actually, it’s been three, nearly four years. In the past more than one year, you’ve even lived together...” Li Linlin spoke up again.

Xiang Ning looked rather bemusedly at her.

“What I mean is how it feels being together with Bro Xu.”

“It’s great! It isn’t any better than this even in the novels I read.”

“Do you feel that he likes you then?”

Xiang Ning pondered about it and then nodded.

Li Linlin continued, “Do you feel that if someone exists who looks exactly the same as you, their personality can also be exactly the same?”

Xiang Ning was rather bemused, “What do you mean, Big Sis Teacher?”

“Let’s assume now that Bro Xu really had a girlfriend who looked exactly like you,” Li Linlin gestured, “Even so, that...doesn’t entail that you can get along very well over such a long period of time. Do you get what I mean?”

Xiang Ning nodded, then shook her head.

“Even if it really was because you looked exactly like a certain someone at the very start...Bro Xu already came to like you afterwards. Can you understand that? Your personality, your temperament, your habits, your likes, your...everything. If he doesn’t like it, whoever you might look like, it would be impossible for your time together to be so great. Do you understand?”

“That is to say that even if there really is a Big Xiang Ning, he has already come to like Little Xiang Ning. Is that it?” Xiang Ning asked thoughtfully.

“That’s right,” Li Linlin sighed in relief and nodded, “Also, looking at the time, there simply is no Big Xiang Ning. I still feel that what I said earlier was right. He was just afraid of his shameless love at first sight...giving you a fright. That was why he went along with what you were thinking. Let’s not talk about anything else. Just how Bro Xu was singing earlier-do you feel that it could have been about his feelings for someone else?”

Everything from earlier had been too deeply etched within. Not even needing to recall it, Xiang Ning could already be certain that that was because of her.

She recalled his eyes, his words, the good and bad things about him, from deeply etched memories to daily interactions...he had said ‘Miss Xiang, you’re so wonderful’...he had said ‘Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me’...

Feelings could not lie.

Xiang Ning’s own sentence from earlier reverberated in her mind: Even if there really is a Big Xiang Ning, he has already come to like Little Xiang Ning.

“However it started out, after, now, Xu Tingsheng does like me.”

As Xiang Ning arrived at this conclusion, she felt that there were many other things she did not have to continue caring about.

She suddenly felt that there were many things she wanted to ask Xu Tingsheng. While she had not forgiven him completely, she was willing to ask him, willing to listen to him explain...she was even prepared to be a little magnanimous.

“Send me back, Big Sis Teacher,” Xiang Ning inhaled.

“That home, with him,” She added rather awkwardly before saying, “You’re right. I want to talk to him.”

“Got it,” Li Linlin happily sent Xiang Ning to the block where she and Xu Tingsheng lived.

“Do you want me to go up to accompany you?” She asked, feeling a bit worried.

Xiang Ning raised her hand and looked at the time, “No need. Big Sis Du Jin will come over.”

“That’s good then,” Seeing that Xiang Ning was about to go upstairs, Li Linlin asked, “Do you want me to help notify him then? ...I’m afraid that you’ll feel embarrassed to do it, and then he might stay at the dormitory instead.”

Xiang Ning shook her head, a smile appearing on her little face that had shed many tears earlier, “Now that he’s seen me today, he’ll definitely come back here to stay tonight.”

Li Linlin thought about it and understood, smiling, “Look at you, understanding him so well, believing so much in his feelings and reluctance to part with you...and still letting your mind run wild like that. I’ll go back first then.”

“Alright. Thank you, Big Sis Teacher. See you.”

Xiang Ning took her key and opened the door. At first glance, she saw her slippers neatly laid out on the shoe rack at the entrance...

Du Jin was unexpectedly not at home. Xiang Ning did not immediately give her a call. Her eyes red, she wandered about the house, carefully examining her and Xu Tingsheng’s home that she had already not returned to for a few months.

His room was so messy.

Miss Xiang’s room was in its original state.

The things that she had put in the living room when leaving the last time were still where they were. It was as if it had merely been a large scale cleaning up that had stopped midway...and was awaiting continuation.

Xiang Ning’s favourite snacks and drinks could still be found in the refrigerator and cupboard...and from the looks of it, he had bought a lot of noodles of various kinds again recently. Some seemed to have been bought from out of town.

In this home, it was Miss Xiang who loved eating noodles.

Miss Xiang’s flowers, plants and whatnot were all being maintained very well too.

Also, her clothes that she had not brought away, which she had worn in their intended season, had already all been washed. They were neatly placed in the wardrobe.

She looked at some things which were clearly placed in a very disorderly fashion but were matched in a strange way due to OCD. She looked at the way the clothes were placed. With that, Xiang Ning knew that it was Xu Tingsheng who had personally done all of this and not Du Jin.

She suddenly felt so warm.

She suddenly felt so safe.

She suddenly believed much more, believed that even if there really was a Big Xiang Ning, Xu Tingsheng had already come to like Little Xiang Ning now.

Suddenly, she felt that there was not so much to think about.

Feeling a bit nervous, a bit awkward, Xiang Ning switched on the television, got a bag of potato chips and sat cross-legged on the sofa, munching, watching a Korean drama and waiting for that person to come home…

“I’ll just act like it’s very natural, very normal. Just like how I came back every week in the first place,” Xiang Ning thought.

Chapter 673: Love separated by mountains and seas (3)

Chapter 673: Love separated by mountains and seas (3)

“You’re back!” An excited tone.

“You’re back?” A normal tone.

“You’re back?” Acting spoilt.

“You’re back…” Acting wronged.

Xiang Ning practiced each type a few types.

“No, no, I simply shouldn’t speak,” Miss Xiang lay down on the sofa, reaching out and stuffing a handful of tidbits in her mouth as she discussed with herself, “How about I pretend to be asleep. When he carries me up, I’ll pretend to have just woken up, hugging him, looking at him…”

“How about interrogating him then?”

“Should we first make up or should I ask him first?”

“But he seems to be suffering a lot. How about I coax him first? When he carries me up, and I’m pretending to be sleeping...kiss him directly? ...No, that would be too good a deal for him…”

Xiang Ning made battle plans one after another.

Meanwhile.

Xu Tingsheng did not chat with Old Wai for too long. Midway through, Huang Yaming called and asked him to come over.

The two sat in the car, smoking as they chatted…

Xu Tingsheng thought at first that Huang Yaming was showing him concern after having heard about what had happened at his graduation party. In the end, this bastard was actually looking for him to chat about his own matters.

Fortunately, Li Linlin soon sent a message, saying that Xiang Ning had already arrived safely.

Xu Tingsheng naturally believed that Li Linlin was saying that Xiang Ning had already reached her house. Asking about how she was feeling and hearing that she was feeling much better, he was able to set his mind at ease for now.

“Should I go to Bingzhou or Shenghai after graduation?” Huang Yaming asked for Xu Tingsheng’s opinion, “Anyway, I’m not staying in Yanzhou. This place is really too small...also, I’ve already made arrangements for the management for Bright Brilliance over here.”

Xu Tingsheng had actually already long since made arrangements as he opened his backpack, retrieving a document and placing it in Huang Yaming’s hands, “Go to Shenghai.”

“Okay. What’s this?” Huang Yaming took the document and looked at it, “Why are you transferring your shares in Tianyi to me?”

“To make it convenient for you to help me do stuff. I don’t have any time to pay attention to things there for the time being,” Having long since been prepared, Xu Tingsheng answered in a natural tone.

“But you don’t have to transfer it to me, right? Anyway, who at Tianyi doesn’t know that I am representing you?”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t transfer it to you, right?” Xu Tingsheng was worried that Huang Yaming might be able to tell that he was making arrangements in case he was ‘eliminated’.

He pretended to be angry, asking, “Have we grown further apart or something? You weren’t like this before!”

Huang Yaming looked at him, smiling as he kept the document and said similarly ‘angrily’, “What are you being so full of yourself for? Can’t I feign a little?! You should have left it to me to handle things there long ago.”

After saying so, he secretly observed Xu Tingsheng’s expression and the look in his eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

His hands behind his head, Huang Yaming sighed deeply as he leaned against the back of the seat, “It’s nothing.”

While Huang Yaming did not know if others might be able to tell...he had actually already long since sensed that Xu Tingsheng was facing some difficulties.

Still, the problem was similarly there. He understood Xu Tingsheng too well. Xu Tingsheng was used to making compromises and taking steps back. Still, if he made a decision on something and would not even talk about it, that entailed that it was already impossible to change things.

“There’s something else I’d like to tell you, laughable though it may seem,” Huang Yaming changed the topic and hesitated for a time, “I won’t be bringing Han Xiu and her mother to Shenghai with me.”

“Why?”

“I must say, it’s pretty weak of me. Two reasons. First, I’ve discovered that to completely treat a person like a piece of blank paper, forging them to one’s desire, is actually impossible. As Han Xiu has contact with more and more things right now, she strays further and further from what I originally thought...it’s not that she’s turned bad. It’s merely that it is actually impossible in reality to truly intentionally forge the perfect lover in one’s eyes.”

“I agree,” Xu Tingsheng nodded.

Actually, Xiang Ning in this life was the same as well. She had not been forged by Xu Tingsheng as even though he had met her earlier and brought so many changes to her life, her most intrinsic qualities were still growing naturally.

“The second reason,” Huang Yaming smiled and said, “I feel that’s unfair towards her. Just like a potted plant grown by someone. You use a rope to tie the branches, letting it grow the way you wish it to...she’s a living person, not a potted plant.”

“Not bad,” Xu Tingsheng asked, “How do you intend to deal with mother and daughter then?”

“It’s still the same. I should take care of them. I got a job for her mother from my friend. As for Han Xiu, she can stay at the training institute...anyway, I’ll let them lead lives which are as normal as possible. After Han Xiu has grown naturally for a few years, if she still likes me then and I like her too, it would be good. Still, if that is not the case, it’s not difficult to accept too.”

Xu Tingsheng pondered on these words that were so not Huang Yaming’s style and asked casually, “Why are you suddenly thinking this?”

Both of them understood each other too well. Xu Tingsheng knew that Huang Yaming would not have the leisure to think about this stuff if he had not been set off by something.

Huang Yaming hesitated for a bit before smiling as he said, “One day, I drove past your house. Thinking that I had nothing to do anyway, I went up to look for you. In the end, I knocked on the door and you weren’t there...there was only that female bodyguard, Bro Du’s younger sister, Du Jin...as it was hot, I drank a cup of water there, and…”

“And…” Thinking of Du Jin’s habitual coolness and neutral manner in front of him, Xu Tingsheng cut Huang Yaming off with a rather exaggerated expression on his face.

“Scram! Can you not think of me like that...even if I had any designs on her, I’d have to be able to beat her in a fight first!” Huang Yaming rebuked before continuing, “Bro Du and his sister were very poor when young. Du Jin was sick and they didn’t have any money to cure her...she was taken away and adopted by someone who was willing to pay money to cure her illness.”

“So it was like that,” Xu Tingsheng said, “No wonder Bro Du was fistfighting, in gangs and in prison in his youth whereas his younger sister went overseas to receive professional training.”

Huang Yaming nodded, “Du Jin was trained according to a planned model. Before arriving at your house, she’s never ever lived a normal life. Have you noticed that she never wears short sleeves even in summer? ...Her arms are full of knife scars. They aren’t injuries after becoming a bodyguard. They are her punishments for going against rules since young.”

Huang Yaming glanced at Xu Tingsheng, “After chatting with her that day, I went home. Han Xiu just so happened to ask me very timidly then if she could not attend propriety lessons that day. I thought of what Du Jin had said right away. Am I treating Han Xiu like the person who raised Du Jin? So…”

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

He was not puzzled as to why the habitually cool Du Jin had told Huang Yaming so much...in some way, Huang Yaming was definitely the kind of person Du Jin was more used to and admired, finding it easier to strike up a conversation with.

The two chatted for a while more.

“Where will you return to?” Huang Yaming asked.

“Let me off by the roadside. I’m staying at home tonight,” Xu Tingsheng said.

What Xiang Ning had said to Li Linlin earlier was right. Having seen Xiang Ning tonight, even if Xiang Ning wasn’t there, Xu Tingsheng would still think of returning to the home where the two had once lived together, staying at a place which breathed of her.

……

“It’s ten!”

“It’s ten thirty.”

“It’s eleven.”

“I’m nearly falling asleep.”

“Why isn’t he back yet?”

“Could something have happened, and he’s not coming back to stay?”

Having exhausted herself from crying earlier, Miss Xiang was already so tired she did not know how to be nervous. Still, Xu Tingsheng had not yet returned home to stay as she had expected.

Clutching her phone, Xiang Ning hesitated over whether to text him.

She did not know that Xu Tingsheng was actually downstairs right now.

After separating from Huang Yaming, Xu Tingsheng had strolled back to relax. Entering through the entrance of the small district and arriving downstairs, he casually looked up and found the lights of the house on.

“Looks like Du Jin is in.”

Over this period of time, it was inconvenient for Du Jin to go to the Xiang family home. She was still in Yanzhou, however. She would follow Xiang Ning when she was heading to and returning from school, ensuring her safety.

Without Xiang Ning around, thinking that it was inconvenient for him and Du Jin to sometimes stay there together as a lone man and lone woman, he continued renting the flat from before Fu Cheng had moved to Ning Garden, letting her stay there.

She had the keys from both sides. Besides sleeping, she basically did as she liked.

He took two more steps forward.

Xu Tingsheng head suddenly spun as he felt goosebumps rise across his entire body…

That lighted up room upstairs was his. Du Jin would never enter his room and the study. After Xiang Ning had left, Xu Tingsheng had carefully observed and tested it out a few times, being certain of this.

“So...could it be that Xiang Ning has returned?”

Even Xu Tingsheng’s breathing turned chaotic as his heart beat rapidly…

The light had indeed been turned on when Xiang Ning had looked at his room earlier.

Miss Xiang whom Xu Tingsheng so missed had returned...this entailed a lot...because she had returned to their home.

After adjusting his emotions, wondering if Xiang Ning might be scared alone, Xu Tingsheng headed for the stairwell.

“Congratulations on your graduation.”

A voice resounded behind him.

It was Zhou Yuandai.

Besides her, there were still five others, four men and one woman, standing there.

“Miss Zhou…” Xu Tingsheng looked at her, “You…”

“In April, America’s second largest housing loan company, New Century, went bankrupt. So, you were plotting against me? I let that slide...tolerating it till you graduated. Yet what are you doing?...”

Zhou Yuandai’s expression gradually turned rather distorted and wretched.

“I have already grown tired of your childish actions and constant provocations.”

“So, now...you play by my rules.”

“Let’s go.”

Xu Tingsheng had been well aware that Zhou Yuandai would do this sooner or later. He had not gathered many bodyguards by his side as a result...that would be useless. Cen Xishan had already described Zhou Yuandai to Xu Tingsheng sufficiently specifically.

While the difference in wealth and power between Xu Tingsheng and her was large, the actual greatest difference between them was that Xu Tingsheng had so many people whom he cared about and cherished whereas...Zhou Yuandai had none. She only cared about herself.

Right now, were it another point in time, Xu Tingsheng would straightforwardly leave with her.

Still, tonight, right now, that light upstairs...

“There is no other choice available to you.”

Seeing Xu Tingsheng hesitate, Zhou Yuandai waved a hand.

A man behind her opened a laptop, showing Xu Tingsheng the images on the screen.

The split images seemed to be scenes from the scope of sniper rifles. A ‘十’ crosshair, the dot falling on the sofa, aimed at the temple of Xiang Ning who was clutching her phone and muttering who knew what from what seemed to be the rooftop of another building…

Virtually the same image, with that dot…

Falling on Fu Cheng who was far away in Shenghai.

Falling on Song Ni in Jiannan.

Falling on Fang Yuqing in Suzhou.

Shifting between Niannian and Fang Yunyao.

Gliding along the bed in Mr and Mrs Xiang’s bedroom.

There was none at school, none in Qingbei, none on Apple, none on Lu Zhixin...there was one at his house in Libei, just that there was no one in the sights, just the view outside the house…

“Let’s talk,” Zhou Yuandai said.

Xu Tingsheng got in the car with them.

His handphone vibrated. The sound of bees humming was especially clear inside the car…

“Look at it. No replying, though,” Zhou Yuandai said with a dark smile.

Xu Tingsheng took out his phone.

‘Are you coming home soon?’ A text, sent by: Miss Xiang.

Xiang Ning had ultimately been unable to stop herself from sending over a text.

After a while, another text came in: I’m at home. Big Sis Du Jin isn’t here. I’m a bit scared alone.

More than ten minutes later, another text came in: Are you angry with me? Come back! Let’s talk properly, and I’ll think of a way to forgive you!”

“What’s with you? Do you not want me anymore?”

“If you don’t reply, it means you don’t want me anymore.”

“I’ve even come home myself. What’re you doing, Xu Tingsheng.”

As the car left the vicinity of Yanzhou.

The text notifications became incoming calls, one after another…

Zhou Yuandai laughed savagely, looking provocatively at Xu Tingsheng.

At that moment, Xu Tingsheng had been so close to Xiang Ning, just a mere few storeys away…

Yet, he knew that it was very likely that it might be the closest distance between the two. Thereon, in the days ahead, would be...love separated by mountains and rivers.

“You aren’t answering my calls.”

“I hate you. Big liar.”

“Coaxing me back then not wanting me.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’m not breaking up.”

Chapter 674: Who exactly is Zhou Yuandai

Chapter 674: Who exactly is Zhou Yuandai

When Xu Tingsheng saw Zhou Yuandai again the next day, it was at a conference room in a big building in Xihu City.

Xu Tingsheng had previously met Zhou Yuandai in America and Libei thrice in total. They had also communicated via texts and calls countless times. Still, in truth, Xu Tingsheng knew full well that this was their first time meeting in the truest sense of the word-with their authentic identities and states of mind.

“I really never thought that a second reborn person would appear in this world.”

“Guarding this secret, I have already been alone for too long...”

“So, I really cherish you a lot, you know? That is why I have been so lenient towards you.”

Garbed in a silk robe that seemed to have been modified from ancient times, a skirt like a ghost bride, embroidered shoes and deep red lipstick, Zhou Yuandai seemed sinister and strange.

“Yet, you’ve made me very disappointed,” Zhou Yuandai made an incomparably pained expression, “In this world, only the two of us are of the same kind...we are exclusive, of the divine race.”

Having already worked hard to smoothen out his emotions as he was prepared to face things calmly, Xu Tingsheng very much wanted to ask, “Do you think we are playing a game, Auntie? The divine race, even?”

Still, Zhou Yuandai looked incomparably serious as she said this as there was no trace that she was joking or kidding around in the slightest. This was her actual state of mind.

“Have you ever thought about it? What would happen if our secret was exposed? Those foolish and greedy mortals would extract all our value from us before killing us, trampling on us…”

Seeing how she was acting like a witch, Xu Tingsheng could not help but smile helplessly before he looked up at the two burly men and rather dainty woman behind her, indicating: Are you a fool? Can’t they hear you?

If not for the fact that these three people were standing here, Xu Tingsheng would immediately raise the flowerpot beside him and smash this pervert before him to death for sure.

“They can’t hear us…”  Zhou Yuandai pointed to her ears and said, “Creating deaf people is a very simple surgery. Also, even if they could hear us, they still wouldn’t know what we are saying...besides obeying me and protecting me, they have never learnt anything else.”

Seeing her speak of an inhuman act so readily, Xu Tingsheng felt a rising bout of nausea.

“Where do they come from?” Xu Tingsheng forcibly held it in and asked.

“The inital batch was adopted. Some were bought too...some were presented by my worshippers, their own children,” Zhou Yuandai smiled, looking full of herself.

Xu Tingsheng clenched his teeth, not saying anything.

“We need to protect ourselves as much as possible...you’ve really done too badly in this regard, which has caused me to really worry for you,” Zhou Yuandai patted her chest, revealing a concerned expression, “All is good now. I’ll protect you.”

“Thank you, but that’s not necessary,” Xu Tingsheng said calmly, “I’ve been living very well, very peacefully. I’ve really enjoyed my life up till now.”

“A life of slogging for ants? Willing to throw your life away for the sake of ants?” A furious expression appeared on Zhou Yuandai’s face as she slammed the table and yelled.

“They’re my family, friends, the one I love. They’re not ants. I…” Xu Tingsheng wanted to express that he was not of the divine race that she spoke of.

“Is that so?” Zhou Yuandai interrupted him, her expression turning provocative, “In that case, do you dare to tell them, tell your family, friends and lover that you were reborn? Go on, tell that little girl of yours...was she your girlfriend or wife in your previous life? Go tell her, tell her everything. Do you dare?”

Xu Tingsheng was silent.

“You don’t dare. If you told her...you’d worry,” Zhou Yuandai said, “So, you and I are the same. We simply can’t trust others, besides you and I who can mutually trust each other.”

“I just don’t want them to have to bear all this too...because it isn’t necessary and would bring about a lot of trouble,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“In truth, I can accept this sort of mutual trust between us, even maintaining contact with you and providing you information you need. Still, please do not interfere in my life, harming those by my side...just let me lead a peaceful life. I am only an ordinary person. I can’t become a god.”

Xu Tingsheng directly threw out his bottom line, the greatest extent he could compromise.

He really could not afford to provoke Zhou Yuandai. If any of those who had been under the scopes of sniper rifles last night, along with some others, were harmed, it would be a price he could not afford to pay-even if he won in the end.

At the same time, Xu Tingsheng did not truly harbour hope towards this, because he knew that Zhou Yuandai would definitely not agree. The reason he was still saying this was to solidify Zhou Yuandai’s impression of him as someone who was useless and could only retreat.

“Impossible,” Indeed, Zhou Yuandai rejected him straight out, “You have already lost your way. I must guide you.”

Xu Tingsheng did not know what to say. He did not know how to talk with ‘gods’.

Immediately, the ‘god’ said something that left him completely speechless.

“Sadly, I can’t breed and procreate with you…” Zhou Yuandai said.

Xu Tingsheng relaxed greatly at once.

Zhou Yuandai seemed to find it a real loss as she said, “The technological development of mortals really is too slow. Too many complete plastic surgery procedures have spoilt my body…”

“Surgery?” Xu Tingsheng clung onto the main point.

“You were still yourself after your rebirth, right?” Zhou Yuandai asked.

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“I wasn’t. When I came to, my consciousness was in another woman, a laughable, pitiful woman who lived for the sake of others. Everyday, she only knew how to cook, do laundry, raise her child...she had a husband and even a daughter who was already more or less ten…”

Zhou Yuandai seemed to be pouring out her grievances to the sole person she did not have to hide things from. She did not hold much back-she simply did not have to anyway.

“If my guess is right, you, she...that ten-year-old girl was called Lu Zhixin?” Xu Tingsheng asked.

He too had no need to conceal it. Zhou Yuandai definitely knew that he had been investigating her too. If he deliberately pretended not to have any suspicions as well as gains at all, it would conversely make her more on guard against him.

“That’s right!” Zhou Yuandai said calmly, “When you were overly close with her before, there was even a period of time when I considered killing her.”

“You…” Xu Tingsheng wanted to ask: Don’t you have any maternal instincts at all?

“Do you want to say that no matter what, she can be considered my daughter too?” Zhou Yuandai stood up and walked around, “If I were willing to be that ugly, ignorant woman and accept her identity...why would I have done this?”

She was talking about getting a complete plastic surgery.

Going by Lu Zhixin’s looks, Xu Tingsheng deduced that the ‘ugly’ woman that Zhou Yuandai spoke of was definitely much better looking than how she looked now.

“I wanted to be myself again.”

Zhou Yuandai walked in front of the glass window, her back to Xu Tingsheng.

“Do you know what is even more laughable? When I finally had a chance to return to Libei for a look, I met someone...my, own, self. I was actually alive...that me from my previous life...with time having flowed in reverse, that me from more than ten years ago was actually living, in a normal state and at the same age,” Zhou Yuandai said.

Chapter 675: Killing even herself

Chapter 675: Killing even herself

Xu Tingsheng tried to imagine it. Going back more than ten years in time, consciousness and memories reborn in someone else. Then, meeting himself from more than ten years ago...his hairs stood on end a little as he mainly felt at a loss.

Swiftly collecting himself, Xu Tingsheng asked, “So, in March 2003, a few days before I was reborn. One night, on the roof of my dormitory building in Libei Senior High, I met someone playing the guitar...that person was her?”

“You remember that night?” Zhou Yuandai turned and looked at Xu Tingsheng.

“I don’t remember it. I heard about it from others…” Xu Tingsheng said candidly, “Also, I’ve always felt it to be strange. Why is it that all evidence points towards me indeed having engaged in such a matter, whereas I myself have no impression of it whatsoever?”

“The person you saw that night was me.”

“To be precise, you were on the rooftop of your dormitory building, while I was on the rooftop of that teaching dormitory across from you. You seemed a bit drunk at the time as you tried learning how to play the guitar, but could not get on key...I helped you play a song.”

“It’s very normal that you don’t remember what happened that night, because you came with memories of your previous life. In our previous life, that night never happened. You shouldn’t even have seen me before.”

Zhou Yuandai sat down. A strange atmosphere descended between the two as they conversed-it was as if they were jointly trying to get to the bottom of something.

“In my previous life, I never stayed in Libei Senior High for so long. Many years before you went there, I’d already left…so, I shouldn’t be in the memories of your previous life at all.”

“That is to say that a small portion of the memories in your two lives do not match. Then, you were reborn with memories of your previous life, with that small portion belonging to this life containing me or also her being wiped away. Of course, all this isn’t important. This sort of interaction was very few.”

Coming to a sudden realisation, Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“Coincidentally, it was since that time that I found you to be very interesting. Just like one would find a small cat or dog interesting...so, I started paying a bit of attention to you. Who would have thought that you would actually bring me such a pleasant surprise afterwards.”

Zhou Yuandai revealed why Xu Tingsheng had been so unlucky, with her having found out about and begun keeping an eye on him so quickly.

Still, Xu Tingsheng felt confused now.

“Wait. From what you’re saying, you replaced her and lived as a teacher for over ten years. In that case, your plastic surgery, your cult, your wealth and power...the timing doesn’t match up?”

Xu Tingsheng asked a very foolish question.

“Who said I replaced her?” Zhou Yuandai asked.

“You just said it was you that night,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“It was just me for that day and that night. That day happened to be just after the completion of a matter. I had finally fully regained my identity. So, I want to experience it for a bit. In the day, I conducted music lessons for students. At night, I stayed at the teaching dormitory. Suddenly, for no particular reason, I felt like going to the rooftop for a look. There, I met you.”

Xu Tingsheng considered what ‘finally fully regained my identity’ might entail.

“From that day forth, ‘Miss Zhou’ suddenly vanished from Libei Senior High…” Xu Tingsheng recalled Wu Yuewei having said that her music teacher had suddenly ceased showing up for lessons.

“Do you want to ask me what became of her afterwards, where she went?” Zhou Yuandai asked.

Xu Tingsheng nodded.

“Then, can you first tell me this? If you were in my position, or if your situation was the same as mine and you were reborn in someone else’s body, how would you face that yourself from more than ten years ago?”

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit before shaking his head, saying, “I don’t know.”

“It’s very difficult, right? That’s yourself, after all…” Zhou Yuandai revealed a difficult expression as she sighed.

This was the first time Xu Tingsheng was seeing her in such a state since the beginning of their conversation.

“So, at least this madwoman still has feelings towards ‘herself’...” This was what Xu Tingsheng momentarily thought, but this illusion was quickly shattered by Zhou Yuandai.

“I was worried that if I killed her too early on, it might cause my consciousness to vanish,” Zhou Yuandai said in a serious tone.

It was actually only because of this? Xu Tingsheng’s expression froze.

“I died in 2003 in my previous life...it was only 1994 then. So, I was very scared. If she died before reaching 2003...was there a chance that my memories of my previous life and entire consciousness could vanish along with that? Do you understand? I don’t know if there’s an underlying relation here.”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, pretending to be pondering on it.

“This is your true motive in deliberately asking so much, right? You want to probe if the period of my foreknowledge has ended,” Zhou Yuandai saw through it with a single glance but continued confidently regardless, “That’s right. My foreknowledge ended in 2003. The exact time was the morning of the day we met on the rooftops. I’ve already lost my godly power for more than four years. Fortunately, you appeared. Say, do you think there is some law that doesn’t allow for the foreknowledge period of two members of the divine race to overlap?”

This time, Xu Tingsheng was pondering on it for real.

“Where is the limit of your foreknowledge?” Zhou Yuandai asked coolly.

“2009,” Xu Tingsheng answered straightforwardly.

“Only two years left?!” Zhou Yuandai sat up, looking at him nervously and menacingly.

Xu Tingsheng nodded calmly. He had to get Zhou Yuandai to believe that his foreknowledge period was limited and would be ending very soon. Only then could he force her to bet all she had on the upcoming 2008 financial crisis.

It was already very visibly apparent how much she deified and relied on ‘foreknowledge’.

Of course, it was not that Zhou Yuandai would just believe whatever he said.

Still, even if she didn’t believe it, there was nothing she could do about it for now.

At this point, Xu Tingsheng only still grasped the initiative in two things.

First was him living or dying.

Second was telling the truth or lying.

For the former, Zhou Yuandai could not go too far. Before she was determined to destroy everything, she could not let Xu Tingsheng feel that there was no point in living anymore.

The latter was about the previous and future scheming of the two as they tried to one-up each other to further their own purposes. Here, Xu Tingsheng could not go too far-before he grasped the entire situation, he could not overly infuriate Zhou Yuandai.

“2009, 2009…”

Zhou Yuandai was silent for a while.“Your previous life…” She asked.

“Car accident,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

Zhou Yuandai nodded before pointing to herself and saying, “I leapt off a building.”

“Didn’t you just ask what happened to that me, where she went?”

“At the same time, from the same building...with my own hands...I pushed the other me off.”

Chapter 676: Crazed second life

Chapter 676: Crazed second life

Hearing someone calmly and even merrily narrate how she had pushed her other ‘self’ down from a tall building, even personally going downstairs to inspect the body’s condition…

This didn’t feel good. Xu Tingsheng’s expression was rather grim.

“Do you find it very brutal?” Looking at him, Zhou Yuandai said, “First, you have to understand something. Her existence was the greatest threat to me, posing the greatest risk of exposing my secret. Also, I had no way to be sure if her continued existence would affect mine after that point in time had already passed.”

Zhou Yuandai reached out and twisted off a branch of the decayed, yellowish potted plant in front of her as she continued, “Decisively taking care of someone who is detrimental and useless to you, easily and directly controlling those you want, not being restricted by those crude, useless feelings...when we are different from the norm, watching over humankind like gods, living is actually as simple as that.”

People who do not believe in and do not need feelings generally seem rather more powerful and difficult to deal with.

Xu Tingsheng and Zhou Yuandai had two completely conflicting worldviews and sets of values. This had determined that he would be restricted, virtually being at a disadvantage at every turn.

“Do you know what is the most laughable thing I see on you?” Zhou Yuandai asked.

“What?” Xu Tingsheng looked up.

“It’s how you treat that little girl...you actually did so much to get on her good side, restrained yourself so...and in the end, what did you get for it? A breakup, solitude and pain...how could this sort of laughable thing ever happen to a god?”

“The foreknowledge from rebirth can indeed help us to grasp and control many things. Yet, feelings are not one of them,” Xu Tingsheng spoke of his insights from having been reborn.

Zhou Yuandai seemed like she had heard the funniest story in the world as she laughed loudly before continuing, “Since feelings cannot be controlled, why do you still want them? ...People are all very slutty things, you know? If you treat them too well, what you get is your outcome. Why not be a villain from the get-go? That way, every bit of your benignness afterwards will be felt multifold by her.”

“Things can actually be very simple from the start. If you really want her...we have at least a thousand simple yet effective methods that we can use, such as threatening her with her parents or directly gaining control over her...and yet you chose the most foolish method, requiring the most effort, wasting countless valuable time, yet still possibly losing her in the end.”

Xu Tingsheng took out a wrinkled cigarette box, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

A short silence.

“Do you miss her? I can get someone to fetch her right now...as long as you follow me, abide by my style,” Zhou Yuandai looked fervently at Xu Tingsheng’s eyes, “You want it? Come, we can change to another style...she will belong to you forever. She will never dare to leave you. She will be a plaything of yours, always.”

Zhou Yuandai had the tongue of a devil on the face of a ‘god’.

Xu Tingsheng looked calmly and resolutely into her eyes, “Don’t touch her. Otherwise, everything will end.”

This was the only thing which Xu Tingsheng could use to threaten Zhou Yuandai...his life.

Zhou Yuandai’s expression stiffened...because she knew that Xu Tingsheng was capable of it.

Actually, it appeared that it was precisely because Xu Tingsheng had too many emotional attachments that Zhou Yuandai was able to threaten him…

Why then, in that case, had she tried to ‘turn’ him like this?

The answer was very simple. An extremely selfish person was actually easier to control. One need only threaten him with his own self.

This sort of person could sacrifice everything else for the sake of their own survival and enjoyment.

In contrast, Xu Tingsheng who could threaten to die for the sake of others was the greatest trouble that was difficult to control...he would have more courage and more expectations, want to struggle more.

The strange atmosphere persisted for a long time.

“How was your previous life? Was it good?” It was still Zhou Yuandai who broke the silence first.

“It wasn’t very good,” Xu Tingsheng answered simply and paused, adding, “It wasn’t very terrible either.”

“Hmm?” Zhou Yuandai seemed rather curious.

“There were happy times, but bad times too...just like for normal people,” Xu Tingsheng explained.

“Oh,” Zhou Yuandai nodded, “I hate myself from my previous life.”

From this point on, for the next hour and more, Xu Tingsheng listened to Zhou Yuandai narrating her previous life in detail, all the way till she leapt off from the top of that tall building.

In this story, the young female teacher named Zhou Yuandai who had gone to Libei Senior High to work after graduation fell madly in love with a married man with a ten-year-old daughter from their daily interactions. That person was the Language teacher at the same school as her. The man’s name was Cen Xishan.

Zhou Yuandai exerted many means to get close to him. The two also became pretty good friends.

She confessed.

Cen Xishan rejected her, joking that he had sadly already married and had a child long ago.

Zhou Yuandai had tried to give up on him for a time. Still, when she came to know that Cen Xishan’s wife was a village woman who had never even finished primary school and only knew how to do housework and take care of her kid at home, her thoughts grew active again.

Once, there was a tour and then a dinner party for the teachers. Cen Xishan got drunk. Under Zhou Yuandai’s deliberate scheming, the two spent the night on the same bed.

Crying, begging, threatening, frightening, false pregnancy...with that night as the excuse, Zhou Yuandai exerted all means and finally forced Cen Xishan to go to a private school in Guangdong with her with going to Shanghai to earn money as an excuse…

The two were in a foreign land together.

“After learning of this matter, my parents felt that I had caused them to lose face. They cut off all ties with me. I didn’t care. At that time, I felt that just having him was enough for me.”

“I treated him very well. I did all I could to treat him well. He was like my emperor. In the process, I was just like a pitiful little dog wagging its tail, just to beg him to reciprocate some feelings.”

“Gradually, I found that that still wasn’t enough. So, I began to work hard to prove to him how outstanding I was.”

“First, I exerted all means to become a minor higher-up at that private school. I came to know many people through this...after obtaining stable connections, I decided to resign and start a business...while that period of time was very tough, I really earnt a lot of money…”

“After earning the money, I bought a house for him, and also a car, imported clothes, watches…”

“I gave my best to him.”

“Yet, coming back from a business trip one day...I discovered that he had already sold everything I’d given him and left. Not even leaving behind a single sentence, a single word.”

“I sat alone on a rooftop for the whole of that night, thinking about many things.”

“In the end, I discovered that as compared to me hating him, it was actually me myself whom I hated more...that lowly, laughable me.”

“So, I leapt off from that rooftop the next morning.”

Zhou Yuandai who had committed suicide had been miraculously reborn, reborn in another woman. Then, she had discovered that various things about that woman, including how cultured she was, how she lived her life, even her personality and pursuits were very similar, very similar to Cen Xishan’s wife in her previous life.

They were alike to the point that even their features were a bit similar. Also, both of them had a beautiful, adorable daughter.

Zhou Yuandai had been incomparably disgusted by this. So, she was first and foremost certain that she was definitely not willing to be that kind of woman. And when choosing who to become, a thought had suddenly arisen...she had chosen to become herself again, Zhou Yuandai.

Still, she wanted to be an all new Zhou Yuandai.

This thought caused her to be crazed, fervent, unable to free herself from it.

All she had done afterwards was for the sake of making this a reality…

And so, she had become an all new Zhou Yuandai, living a crazed second life.

Chapter 677: Reverse direction

Chapter 677: Reverse direction

For her initial period of time post-rebirth, when Zhou Yuandai was still feeling fearful and shocked and had no one to rely on, she spent her time in the Lu family.

Just as Cen Xishan’s two lives, containing persistence and letting down, containing kindness and also brutality, could not simply define him as a good or bad person, Lu Zhixin’s father, Lu Pingyuan, could not be simply categorised either way as well. The sole thing that could not be denied was that Lu Pingyuan had deeply loved his wife and his daughter at the time.

The Lu family had been doing average at the time. Lu Pingyuan had been running a watch repair shop at the entrance of some electrical city. While they could not strike it rich, they would also not go hungry.

If not for the sudden ‘change’ to his wife, his entire life might have been like this, simple and uneventful.

Lu Zhixin who had still been young at the time might not also have become the one and only Lu Zhixin that Xu Tingsheng later spoke of. She would be a smart and beautiful girl, but merely that.

Still, Zhou Yuandai changed everything.

In less than a year, based on Zhou Yuandai’s foreknowledge and experience in business from her previous life, the Lu family quickly went from running a watch repair shop to simultaneously owning a few electrical cities, dabbling in other industries as well.

The family that had suddenly risen to great wealth in Jianan was admired and envied by many.

Yet, what followed was Lu Zhixin’s mother who had suddenly become a genius becoming increasingly and incomprehensibly estranged, cold and even disdainful towards the family.

Lu Pingyuan could tolerate her refusing to sleep in the same room as him, because he knew that she had really tired herself out for the family’s sake. Still, when she returned from a business trip one day and coldly, even disgustedly pushed down Lu Zhixin who was running happily into her mother’s embrace, the cracks in this family could finally no longer be concealed.

What would come would inevitably come.

She had finally left decisively, leaving behind a few electrical cities and a dazed, bewildered father and daughter.

Even now, Lu Pingyuan could still not understand why his once gentle, virtuous, loyal and traditional wife had suddenly become like another person, why she could so calmly and brutally abandon him and their daughter.

Lu Zhixin had thereon become a child without a mother.

Lu Pingyuan who should actually give more care and concern to his daughter entered a vicious cycle, no longer able to leave it. He wanted his wife who had suddenly left the family to regret it, to admit that she had been wrong, to go home...thus, he sought to make her lose everything for her to realise this.

In order to defeat his former wife and prove his capabilities, Lu Pingyuan had exerted all means.

In the preparatory phase of his revenge, with those electrical cities as the foundation for his capital, he had frenetically expanded his wealth in the early nineties at points of opportunity where even pigs could fly.

Afterwards, he had begun looking for an opportunity and means with which to take revenge.

During this phase, Lu Pingyuan could still find out some information regarding his former wife through various channels. For instance, he knew that she was investing in shares which were only just rising to prominence and super popular at this time. She had also quickly established her own shares company in Hong Kong.

In the long days ahead, attacking this shares company became Lu Pingyuan’s sole, stubborn desire.

He virtually lost all that he had time and time again, made a comeback time and time again, forgetting that he still had a family, that he still had a young daughter who needed his care and protection. He even gradually came to forget why he was doing all of this in the first place, not knowing if doing so really still meant anything…

One might say that he had actually already gone crazy.

What the mad Lu Pingyuan did not know was just how great the financial disparity between him and his ‘wife’ already was...the fund that he dreamed of defeating day and night was, in Zhou Yuandai’s eyes, a place where she had actually already long since ceased to attend board discussions, this simply being of little significance.

Having left the Lu family, Zhou Yuandai had been accumulating her wealth at breakneck speed.

Still, she was more cautious than Xu Tingsheng.

Because of the existence of the other her, Zhou Yuandai had been worried that changing the world might lead to the perishing of her consciousness. Thus, she would never expand outwards in accumulating her wealth. In other words, she did not start businesses.

In her early days, she only earnt from the financial market.

Afterwards, she began investing in businesses, in businesses which she knew from her previous life would succeed. Also, she did it by looking for talents and giving them financial support and guidance regarding how they should proceed...afterwards, she would not intervene so much in their work.

One of these people who managed things on her behalf, Sun Zhengyi, was later known by the outside world as the CEO of Ruanjin Corporation.

In this process, Zhou Yuandai encountered a crisis of life and death.

This had affected her greatly. And so, like she had told Xu Tingsheng earlier, she had changed her way of thinking and development strategy-she had begun to establish her own organisation, her own ‘divine kingdom’.

She had started her cult in Japan. With the help of her foreknowledge, Zhou Yuandai had quickly amassed a vast number of believers.

Afterwards, her cult had begun expanding into Southeast Asia, even Europe and America.

Wealth, authority, power and absolute control...foolish fanatics, staunch believers, from legal to underworld forces, from the lowest to the highest level...the power Zhou Yuandai possessed might be enough to shake a small country.

Aside from that, she even provided financial assistance to quite a few independent mercenary organisations every year, establishing a cooperative relationship. Through this, she raised her own forces.

To be honest, Xu Tingsheng would never stand any chance at all against Zhou Yuandai at her peak no matter how he schemed.

Fortunately, the current Zhou Yuandai was but a shade of her former self. In the four years since having lost her foreknowledge, Zhou Yuandai had fallen even quicker than she had risen.

Zhou Yuandai had really taken herself to be a god over the past decade. Thus, when the period of her foreknowledge had expired, her panic and helplessness were so severe even Xu Tingsheng who had also been reborn would not be able to imagine it.

She could actually just do nothing at all at this stage, simply relaxing her authority and reducing her intervention. Her wealth, talented people and power were sufficient to guarantee a positive cycle and normal development for everything she owned.

Still, she was already unable to step out of it.

Her self-confidence collapsing, her fear skyrocketing...she had to work hard to prove that she was still a god! She had thought that she was trying to prove it to others. In fact, though, she was just proving it to herself.

And so, in such an incomparably panicked state, Zhou Yuandai had lost her earlier composure and surety, beginning to frequently do several self-destructive things one after another…

Also, she was very persistent on them and would not listen to any opinions...because to her, if she listened, it would be equivalent to acknowledging mortals doubting a god...and such a thing was definitely not allowed.

During this period of collapse, she discovered Xu Tingsheng and took him as a life-saving straw to clutch at.

……

Of course, Zhou Yuandai was not foolish enough to tell all this to Xu Tingsheng.

The two talked more about the specifics of their post-rebirth life rather than their careers. This tacit understanding was not because career was not important, but because this was the true main point. It was the reason the two were sitting here face-to-face. It was impossible for the deeper nuances of all this to be easily found out in a short exchange.

More than one year after her rebirth, Zhou Yuandai had gone to Libei and seen another her.

At that time, the young music teacher Zhou Yuandai had just fallen in love with Cen Xishan like in her previous life.

“I thought about it for a long time. In order to avoid any accidents, I decided to have her stay on as a teacher there all the way till 2003,” Zhou Yuandai spoke of her previous decision which had led to the previously non-existent interactions between her and Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng pondered on it and said, “So, afraid that she would repeat the same act, you took Cen Xishan away again in this life?”

“That’s right, but also not right. I took Cen Xishan away and gave him to her,” Zhou Yuandai smiled and said, “I already no longer liked that man. Still, be it a sense of vengeance or whatnot, I still enjoyed controlling him, torturing him. I wanted to kill him at first, kill that mother and daughter too...still, I gradually discovered that controlling him like this, torturing them and observing their agony was more interesting, and could better vent my unhappiness too.”

“Observing?”

“Cen Xishan could receive photos, text, even videos about that mother and daughter at regular intervals, looking at them going everywhere to find him, looking at them living in a building where the rain leaked in, looking at his wife being harassed, looking at his daughter being stripped and beaten up, eventually hanging out with hooligans…”

“I never thought that that daughter of his would eventually be so close with you.”

“In the last two years, I gradually tired of that game. For the sake of better observing you too, I let him be a bit more free, also allowing him to have some interactions with that daughter of his. You can take this as part of my goodwill towards you.”

“...” Xu Tingsheng did not want to understand this anymore as he asked, “So, that Miss Zhou, that you, she didn’t resist at all, fully accepting your control?”

“Yes, because I understood her too well. No one understood her better than me. So, this was very easy,” Zhou Yuandai’s expression was as if she was truly speaking of someone else.

“Just a Cen Xishan was enough at the start,” Zhou Yuandai continued, “In this life, I did not sleep with Cen Xishan. I wouldn’t like it, and my body post-surgery also wouldn’t allow it.”

“Cen Xishan has always thought that the person threatening and controlling him was that young music teacher who appeared ordinary and harmless at the start. The only exception was...when on the bed, he would have to serve her like a dog.”

Xu Tingsheng thought to himself that it was no wonder that Cen Xishan had never mentioned Zhou Yuandai’s change in appearance over the past ten years. He did not know of it at all.

“I came to learn something from her. Can you guess what it is?” Zhou Yuandai suddenly asked.

“Boredom,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“Right, from her, I came to learn that if Cen Xishan had really accepted me in my previous life, I instead might not have been like that, being foolishly stubborn,” Zhou Yuandai ascertained and continued, “Slowly, she grew bored of her days with only Cen Xishan. So, I would also find her some male celebrities that she liked and whatnot. While threatening her, I also enticed her with wealth and power.”

“This sort of ignorant, foolish woman was really easy to control...she even happily followed my arrangements, full of yearning and gratitude, finding delight in it.”

“In the day, she was a teacher at school. At night, she was queen on her bed. During the holidays, she was the model for my full-body plastic surgery...all the way till I appeared before her with exactly the same features, telling her the truth and pushing her off the roof.”

Xu Tingsheng inhaled deeply, suppressing his fear and nausea, “Why then could you interact that normally with Ms Fang afterwards?”

“All those years, everything she said to everyone, what she thought about people and affairs, she would write them down, handing this up to me to see. Hence, I would have absolutely no problems whatsoever interacting with that Fang Yunyao or any other teachers.”

“In other words, I could start leading a normal life with her identity at any time,” Zhou Yuandai concluded.

“A normal life. In that case, your...her...parents, what about them?” Xu Tingsheng attempted to ask.

“In my previous life, they already cut off all ties with me. I feel very regretful that I cannot take revenge on them…” Zhou Yuandai smiled darkly, “Still, it also feels pretty good, seeing them leading so difficult lives.”

“...”

Xu Tingsheng decided to end this conversation. In his two lives, he had seen good people and bad people, most people easily falling into neither category...still, never had there been a person who gave him the sort of feeling Zhou Yuandai did.

This was someone who virtually operated in the reverse direction from him in all aspects.

Chapter 678: A red heart illuminates my fighting spirit

Chapter 678: A red heart illuminates my fighting spirit

The conversation between Xu Tingsheng and Zhou Yuandai went on till the early hours of the morning.

Zhou Yuandai who had gradually grown a bit tired seemed to have finally finished pouring out her feelings, or rather finished showing off her ‘glorious’ post-rebirth life.

“We should return to the main topic at hand,” Zhou Yuandai stood up and said, “Those people under the rifles’ scopes yesterday along with those I believe you are concerned about who are not under those scopes for the time being...I’ve prepared a namelist for you.”

She passed Xu Tingsheng a list. Besides those who had appeared on the computer screen the previous night, there were also Xu Tingsheng’s sister Xu Qiuyi, Wu Yuewei and Apple.

“If your family or friends make an overly antagonistic move, or you yourself...if I happen to find out that you are lying to me. For one sentence, choose one person...you can make the choice.”

“There’s no need to worry for me...it’s all possible, just that it’ll take a bit more effort, hold a bit more risk.”

Looking at the namelist, Xu Tingsheng was silent for a time.

“What, are you secretly numbering them?” Zhou Yuandai gazed at his eyes, “Or have I made an error in judgment and there’s actually someone among them that you really want to die...family? Friends? A woman that you want or don’t want?”

“Wu Yuewei? Apple? How about adding Lu Zhixin to this list too and choosing her as the first one? That’s fine with me.”

She closed in on him.

“I have no intention of lying to you. Since you know that I’m concerned about these people, you should know that I daren’t take the risk,” Xu Tingsheng replied calmly.

“In that case, you’ve first got to give me an explanation about Apple and Symbian.”

“That was only to test if you were reborn. You and I both know that however this matter ended up, it wouldn’t affect you much regardless.”

Zhou Yuandai lowered her head and thought about it before looking back up, “Alright, number two...was investing in Wall Street an intentional misdirection? In April, America’s second largest housing loan company, New Century, went bankrupt. How do you explain that?”

“In August, the Federal Reserve will make their move, causing the price of the stock market to soar back up. Confidence in Wall Street will recover and stabilise. The American government will successfully resolve the crisis. Therefore, now is the best time to buy.”

Xu Tingsheng did not evade Zhou Yuandai’s gaze at all.

“If you lie, someone will die. You will choose that person yourself,” Zhou Yuandai said.

“I know,” Xu Tingsheng nodded.

Zhou Yuandai stared at him, finally saying after a long time, “Alright, I’ll wait till August then. Still, you must remain behind and wait together.”

She paused, then said, “Record a video for your family to pacify their emotions and stabilise them. Your father especially has contact with a pretty high level...I don’t want to see people going overboard in their actions. In other words, I hope we can have a happy cooperation.”

“Alright,” Xu Tingsheng answered, not putting up a needless struggle.

Zhou Yuandai left. A black man walked into the meeting room, setting up a mini camera and aiming it at Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng adjusted his emotions, controlled his expression and said, “I’ll keep it short, Dad. Have you ever found it strange how our family has developed as if with divine aid these past few years? ...In truth, your son has indeed always been blessed with the help of a benefactor.”

“Now, I have graduated from university and have time. This benefactor just happens to have a big matter that he wants my help in completing. While it is not dangerous, it’s so great that it concerns contentions between countries in the finance market. So, it must be kept secret. I must also leave for a period of time.”

“For at most two years after this, I probably won’t have much contact with the family. Please take note of this, Dad, and do remember to take good care of yourself.”

“Only you alone can watch this video, Dad. So, in the upcoming time, not only do you have to take care of yourself, you also have to help to pacify and take care of everyone else...I’ll have to trouble you with this.”

“And finally, Dad, you are the person I look up to the most. I believe that you’ll definitely have no problem.”

The video passed Zhou Yuandai’s inspection. The next day, it appeared in Mr Xu’s car.

On the same day, Xu Tingsheng flew off to Japan in Zhou Yuandai’s private jet...Zhou Yuandai planned for him to remain in Japan till August before going to America.

…...

Xiang Ning still remained there, waiting. That Friday night, Xu Tingsheng did not return. A puzzled, angry and upset Xiang Ning unknowingly spent the night on the sofa. She was woken up by Du Jin in the morning.

Du Jin did not know where Xu Tingsheng was too.

Saturday.

Sunday.

Xiang Ning began to worry. Still, she mustered up her courage and enquired about it. Huang Yaming and the others all told her that Xu Tingsheng had just gone overseas on a business trip and forgotten to bring his handphone with him...only then could she relax, going back to attend school.

The next weekend, she saw Xu Tingsheng’s Dad who was meant to be her future father-in-law.

“We did argue. It’s all my fault for being spoilt by him and becoming too wilful. Still, it was going to be okay already. He also said that he would remain here...within a few kilometres of me,” Xiang Ning had started to feel that Xu Tingsheng’s departure might be related to her as she felt guilty and very apologetic.

“In that case, he’ll definitely come back to look for you. You’ve got to trust him. Also, you’ve got to try to get into a good university...he’ll definitely be very happy that way.”

Mr Xu’s consoling words managed to settle Xiang Ning’s heart.

At the same time, Mr Xu still needed to suppress his worry and even pain, pacifying many people. This included his family and also Huang Yaming and co.

Mr Xu was certainly aware that things were definitely not as simple as Xu Tingsheng had said in the video. Even if some benefactor really existed, this time’s matter should also be the other party trying to extract a high price from Xu Tingsheng in repayment.

It was just that he dared not make any reckless moves for now...dared not let others do so too.

Huang Yaming too received countless inquiries from others. Amongst Xu Tingsheng’s friends, most of those who were wondering about his sudden disappearance from the face of the earth would think to ask Huang Yaming first.

As instructed by Mr Xu, Huang Yaming was also pacifying everyone, even though many people were actually able to sense that things were not right.

“If you feel worried, help do the matters that Tingsheng has left behind! What freaking use is there in jabbering on?!” Frustrated, Huang Yaming eventually pushed them back with some forceful language.

Unease and gloom began spreading everywhere.

When Wu Yuewei and Apple unexpectedly came to look for Xiang Ning together, when Lu Zhixin who had no one to ask stood in front of Ms Fang’s door alone on the weekend Fu Cheng came home, when Mr and Mrs Xu began arguing…

At the same time, Hucheng, Zhicheng, Xingchen, the Bingzhou mine district-all the entities related to Xu Tingsheng were in full-blown expansion. While they did not know whether this might be of use to Xu Tingsheng, so long as they could do a little something for him, it could better quell the anxiety in their hearts.

……

Japan, Hokkaido, morning.

Xu Tingsheng sat at the table, eating breakfast.

His current state was very strange. He spent most of his time living a leisurely life under surveillance. From time to time, he also participated in some meetings of Zhou Yuandai’s corporation, just like a Director from outside the organisation.

Zhou Yuandai would ask for his opinion, but not often. She did not introduce him to the others as well.

That day, Zhou Yuandai showed up for breakfast together with Xu Tingsheng for once.

“You’ve helped so many people…and in the end, when you are like this, everybody else is just living very well, with their family, their lovers, their money...none of them can help you. How do you feel?”

Zhou Yuandai looked interestedly at Xu Tingsheng, as if looking forward to seeing his pain and his disappointment.

Xu Tingsheng silently ate breakfast, not speaking.

While there was no one by his side, those people were all in his chest...it was precisely because of them that he had the courage to face Zhou Yuandai.

A red heart illuminates my fighting spirit.

Chapter 679: August

Chapter 679: August

Something that Xu Tingsheng would never be able to get Zhou Yuandai to understand was:

It was precisely because of these people and their success, happiness, fulfilment or growth in this life...that there was greater meaning in his rebirth. So, how could he possibly be jealous of them living happily and stably? How could he have the heart to drag them into this maelstrom where they would be completely helpless to resist?

He and Zhou Yuandai operated in two completely opposite directions.

August 2007.

The American Federal Reserve reacted in accordance to the current economic situation, forcefully intervening and increasing market confidence. The stock market was maintained, trade flourishing...it seemed that the situation was in the midst of being reversed. Trust in Wall Street began to soar once more.

“Let me see that namelist,” Zhou Yuandai said from opposite Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng took out that namelist which was already all soft and wrinkly from him looking at it, placing it quietly on the table.

“Not bad. I really hope that you can always be like this…” Zhou Yuandai waved the namelist, the marks on it conveying to her how much Xu Tingsheng cared for these people, “I will raise my chips. I’ve always thought that crises are the greatest opportunity for us with foreknowledge. My assets tripled during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. This time...I hope you won’t disappoint me...I hope you understand the consequence of disappointing me.”

It was actually difficult to tell if she was speaking honestly or not.

Still, Xu Tingsheng judged that he could believe it at least seventy percent. The current Zhou Yuandai was in too great a rush, too great a rush to prove herself, desperately wishing to experience the power of foreknowledge once again as she was immersed in her past glory...meanwhile, she was also very worried about Xu Tingsheng’s foreknowledge expiring.

“You don’t look too affected by it,” Zhou Yuandai said as she looked at Xu Tingsheng.

“You have had foreknowledge too. When you have long since known how something is going to end, you won’t be overly moved by it,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“That’s true. Has it been a bit boring? It’s time to leave. We’re going to America to stand with Wall Street, reaping the ‘wool’ from all over the world. I’ll allow you to apply to go outside then. Still, you must have someone accompanying you. You can call your family during festivals and the New Year too. Similarly, you must be accompanied then. Right, do you lack women? Of the women in charge of looking after you, you can take pleasure in any of them. If any of them get pregnant, I’ll arrange to get it dealt with for you...or if you like any female celebrities or whatnot, I’ll get someone to take a look at things. If it is convenient, I’ll definitely bring them over for you.”

“No need.”

Zhou Yuandai laughed mockingly, “How very devoted! Do you really not need me to help bring that young lady over? How about that Wu Yuewei? I have an impression of her. She was there in the daily reports and I even gave her a lesson before. That young lady’s very good...and I guess that even if I get people to tell her that you’re in hell, she would still be willing to come.”

Xu Tingsheng did not speak.

“Could it be that you want the tempting creature in Paris? The one you want to have a child with. I heard that her body’s already recovered very well…” Zhou Yuandai tried to discern something from Xu Tingsheng’s eyes, continuing, “The woman’s really...beautiful to the point that the first time I saw her, I really wanted to ruin her!”

“After 2009,” Xu Tingsheng interrupted her, “After 2009, let me go back to living my life…”

This was Xu Tingsheng’s first time expressing his thoughts regarding the future.

Zhou Yuandai was taken aback as she said, “That’ll have to depend on your performance.”

Actually, Xu Tingsheng knew full well that after 2009, first not speaking of whether Zhou Yuandai might believe that his foreknowledge was limited to this, even if she did, the panic from losing foreknowledge once again and her desire for someone of the same kind...would make it such that she would continue to control Xu Tingsheng all the same.

He was only saying this to try to amass Zhou Yuandai’s sense of urgency, causing her to feel panicked and be unable to stop herself from throwing more chips onto the table again and again.

……

At the same time, August, Paris.

Li Wan’er’s body had already been recovering for a while. You Qinglan still did not go to work as she accompanied her.

“I want to go look for him,” Li Wan’er said this for perhaps the hundredth time.

“Not again! How many times have I told you? Since he’s like this, it means that he simply isn’t willing to contact you. It’s also been hard for you to get through this. What meaning is there in looking for him now?”

You Qinglan pretended to be genuinely worked up for Li Wan’er’s sake. She actually knew of Xu Tingsheng’s disappearance. Xiang Ning had called her, enquiring about his whereabouts.

At one point in time, the girl had wondered if Xu Tingsheng had departed because he had ultimately still chosen the woman whom he had agreed to have a child with.

Xiang Ning had even asked to meet Li Wan’er.

You Qinglan had fended off all the questions and pacified Xiang Ning while keeping everything from Li Wan’er.

In truth, You Qinglan might be the one who currently understood the most about the situation. She was the only one who had been tangibly threatened, seen the guns following her and Li Wan’er that simply could not be avoided.

Therefore, she was even able to basically guess what had happened to Xu Tingsheng.

It was just that she dared not tell this to anyone. She only wanted to get Li Wan’er to calm down now so that she would be safe...it was best if she completely broke free of everything related to Xu Tingsheng.

The thin Li Wan’er was sitting on the sofa, looking out of the window.

“I just want to know why he’s treating me like this...even if he was only lying to me at the time for me to do the surgery properly, I can understand it. I’m grateful too...even if he’s gone back on his word, I can accept it…but why is he like this, not saying a word, not replying to texts or answering calls…”

“I just want to meet him again, even if it is just to thank him in person before saying farewell.”

“I just want to...hear him say in person once more that Xu Tingsheng and Li Wan’er are even. I really feel grateful to him...so, if my not disturbing him will make him happy, I will definitely do it this time.”

“Still, he’s got to tell me...otherwise, I can’t stop myself from fantasising, afraid that he’s actually held back by something, thinking that he actually...does still care about me, even if it’s just a bit.”

“......”

You Qinglan had actually already heard these same words countless times. She had also tried countless times and knew that she couldn’t persuade her. She could only listen...while being mentally prepared to listen a couple more times.

In the end, You Qinglan woke up to find Li Wan’er gone the next morning.

After her initial panic, she quickly guessed where Li Wan’er had gone. After chasing her from Paris to China and then to Yanzhou, Li Wan’er finally picked up her call. The reason was that she did not know how to continue looking for Xu Tingsheng.

“Come, go back with me,” As the two met at the agreed street, You Qinglan said this at once as she pulled Li Wan’er away.

“I’m not leaving. I’ll see him. I won’t say anything. I’ll return as soon as I see him, alright?” Li Wan’er was like a little girl as she petulantly hugged a Chinese parasol tree by the roadside, “Can you help me to look for him?”

Pulling Li Wan’er with one hand, You Qinglan stopped and panted helplessly, saying, “He’s not in Yanzhou.”

“Where is he then? You know, don’t you? Can you bring me to him?”

“I don’t know.”

“In that case, how can you be so sure that he’s not in Yanzhou? Forget it, if you really aren’t willing to help me, I’ll look for him myself...I’ve already recovered now...I can take care of myself too...you don’t have to worry about me...you should go to work. I’ve already held you back for long enough.”

Li Wan’er deliberately tried to anger You Qinglan with this. Then, she rose, wrenching her hand free of You Qinglan’s grasp. She turned and walked off in a huff.

You Qinglan caught up with her from behind, grabbing her arm.

“Don’t pull me! I’ve already said I don’t need you to care about me!” Li Wan’er shouted loudly.

“You don’t need me to care about you? When you were sick, as you recovered, it was me who accompanied you...why can’t I care about you?” You Qinglan rebutted just as loudly.

The two ultra beauties began arguing on the streets of Yanzhou like little girls just like that.

“I…” Li Wan’er was a bit inarticulate, “I don’t care. Anyway, I’m definitely going to look for him.”

“Li Wan’er, can you be a bit more mature?”

“No. I’m silly. He said it long ago.”

“I’m afraid that you’ll die!”

“You don’t need to care about me even if I die.”

As the two tugged at each other in a back-and-forth, You Qinglan discovered how a stubborn Li Wan’er was like for the first time.

As the arguing and tugging escalated non-stop, You Qinglan who had not dared to say too much for fear that Li Wan’er could not take it now accidentally blurted out, “He’s dead!”

With just that, Li Wan’er stopped struggling, stopped arguing.

She turned to look at You Qinglan, “What did you just say? I…”

“He’s dead,” Seeing that Li Wan’er still looked healthy for now, since she had already said it anyway, You Qinglan thought that she might as well resolve the matter once and for all.

Letting Li Wan’er feel pain and agony once was at least better than her going on like this and unknowingly getting herself killed at some point in time.

“He really is dead...I did some things behind your back,” Seeing that there was no one nearby, You Qinglan lowered her voice and spoke of how she had been threatened and deliberately approached Xiang Ning to speak of that agreement between Li Wan’er and Xu Tingsheng, thereby causing them to break up.

“So, that person must have moved against him. If you continue looking for him, you’ll only end up throwing away your life, and mine,” You Qinglan finally said.

“Got it. If you have a chance in the future, help me apologise to Little Xiang Ning,” Li Wan’er said calmly in a low tone.

Then, she collapsed onto the ground.

……

In August, having entered twelfth grade, Xiang Ning had already prematurely started tuition over the summer holidays.

Li Linlin had a plan that she said was at Xu Tingsheng’s instructions. She also had to keep up in school...it was actually very tiring for Xiang Ning.

Over this period of time, she was still returning to this home. Apple and Wu Yuewei had both come for a while during the holidays. Du Jin had moved back in...worried about her, Mr and Mrs Xiang would sometimes take turns to come over and accompany her too.

Xiang Ning acted very optimistic in front of everyone.

What was different from before was that she had started writing a diary.

Everyday, she would write what she wanted to tell but had no way of telling Xu Tingsheng in the diary…

“Hey, why aren’t you back yet? I’ve even sung that song a hundred times already. You said you would come see me soon. I waited, and it’s been over a year…”

“I must admit something to you. At home today, I tore one of your clothes when washing it. I just very much felt like helping to wash your clothes. It was always you who helped me to wash mine before. I want to become a bit more sensible now. But you don’t have any dirty clothes...so every time I feel like washing, I always wash that one. In the end...as I rubbed and rubbed, it suddenly got torn.”

“A while ago, I chatted with Big Sis Apple and Big Sis Yuewei about you everyday...it feels so miraculous. So all of us like you for different reasons.”

“Anyway, I definitely want to be the one who likes you the most. I’ve already received the most for no reason, after all.”

“By the way, I have to praise you. I’m increasingly coming to find that your charm is so, so great. Are you happy?”

“I just returned from evening self-study. I’m on my bed now. I’m in twelfth grade. It’s really tiring! Still, rest assured. I will work very hard.”

“Right, can you guess which university I want to get into?”

“I want to get into Yanzhou University. I’m afraid that you might be unable to find me first thing when you come back. So, I’ll definitely remain in Yanzhou.”

“Also, you attended school there. It’s where you lived! There are definitely many traces of you there.”

“I know that it was very easy for you to enter Yanzhou University. Your marks were really high. It was because of me that you came to Yanzhou University. But to me, that’s a difficult university! The marks are so high, it’s so hard...sigh, this little study flunkie, Miss Xiang, must go all out.”

“Goodnight.”

“I felt a bit shy today because I suddenly thought of something. I wanted to ask you: I said that I’d give you something after graduation...do you still want it? I definitely won’t react by reflex this time, moving my legs, kicking you. I’m serious.”

“I had a dream last night. I dreamt that you came back. When I opened the door for you, you directly carried me, brought me into the room and dumped me on the bed...then, I didn’t attack by reflex at all."

One could only wonder if there had been such a diary in those three years of Xu Tingsheng’s previous life.

Chapter 680: Sudden betrayal

Chapter 680: Sudden betrayal

As Xiang Ning, Wu Yuewei and most others were feeling anxious while still harbouring hope and anticipation, Li Wan’er struggled on the brink of life and death once more, enveloped by despair.

Xu Tingsheng was dead.

The two had inexplicably been entangled by fate several times. Yet, it had actually come to a hasty end just like this. The ‘we’re even’ which had been said many times might truly have dissipated with the wind with Xu Tingsheng just like that. For Li Wan’er, though...it was already destined that it would not be eradicated for the rest of her life.

She did not want to forget it too, wasn’t even willing to believe it.

If not for the fact that You Qinglan’s life was also under threat as their fates were intertwined, Li Wan’er would definitely try to do something, even though she did not understand and was not used to such covert, sinister things.

Still, the current situation was such that if she made any rash moves, even if she herself did not fear death, she would almost certainly drag the innocent You Qinglan down with her.

Therefore, she could not do anything at all. Li Wan’er could only live numbly, recalling the bits and pieces that had happened between them which were actually not many…

Afraid that her thoughts would run astray or her health would take a turn for the worse, You Qinglan virtually dared not leave her side.

In the domain of design and by extension the entire fashion world, Li Wan’er’s sudden stillness took countless people by surprise.

Like a legend, a mysterious genius designer who was believed to be able to possibly change the entire course of fashion had shot into fame and suddenly vanished just like that...like a shooting star streaking across the sky.

At the end of 2007, the various award ceremonies for fashion, big and small, all handed out an ownerless, unclaimed trophy.

……

And so 2008 came.

There was not much time remaining. As Zhou Yuandai moved about non-stop in the market, Xu Tingsheng was still unable to determine how great her determination was, how much she had invested. At this point in time, there was already very little he could do. The sole thing which could push Zhou Yuandai to death was her already crazed mind.

At the end of January, Xiang Ning finished her first semester of twelfth grade. She had improved a lot in her final examinations.

Soon, just a few days after the first snow of winter descended...the Lunar New Year arrived.

Four years ago, she had gone from finding it awkward and unfamiliar to gradually getting used to it and calling on New Year’s Eve. This time, Xiang Ning clutched her phone, not knowing how to dial that number. In the end, she could only send a text to that familiar old number, saying, “Xu Tingsheng, your Xiang Ning’s eighteen now. Happy New Year, prosperity and fortune.”

Then, adjusting her emotions, Xiang Ning called Mr and Mrs Xu and wished them a Happy New Year…

The Xu family’s New Year’s Eve was tranquil and silent. It was their first Lunar New Year without Xu Tingsheng.

In just these mere few months, Mr Xu who was not yet fifty and had originally been full of spirit had already gone to having white brows and silver hair. He was too tired. Not only did he have to bear his own portion, he also had to be like a mountain, supporting everybody else.

Even now, as he received Xiang Ning’s call, he had to be cordial and calm, smilingly comforting and encouraging her…

Afterwards, Mrs Xu and Xu Qiuyi both took over the phone and chatted with Xiang Ning for a while…

In the days without Xu Tingsheng, Xiang Ning seemed to have finally become a part of this family...not because of anything else, only because they were all Xu Tingsheng’s closest, dearest people.

“Auntie, I’ll be attending university next year. Next year, whether he’s returned or not, I’d like to usher in the New Year at our home. Can I?” Xiang Ning asked Mrs Xiang over the phone.

Mrs Xu was taken aback as she vaguely seemed to understand why her son was so set on this young girl.

Sobbing, she said, “Alright. Come, and Auntie will make you some nice food. Little Ning, you’ve got to remember to eat more. Don’t get thin. Otherwise, he’ll be unhappy when he returns.”

“Yes, I will eat more. Auntie, you all must eat more too and take care of your health. He’ll be unhappy too, otherwise.”

“Alright. We’re agreed then. We must all take good care of ourselves so that he’ll be happy.”

“Yes. Alright.”

……

At the same time, America, New York.

Through the glass window of the tall building, Xu Tingsheng could frequently spot some excited Chinese who were celebrating the Lunar New Year in the crowd down below…

They were in a foreign land.

Those in a foreign land generally treasured those festivals for reunion in their hometown more.

Xu Tingsheng was waiting for Zhou Yuandai. He had previously made an application, hoping that he could give his family a call tonight. Zhou Yuandai had said that she would come over on New Year’s Eve, giving him an answer in person.

Some time after 11pm, Zhou Yuandai appeared at the doorway.

Xu Tingsheng tried to maintain his calm as much as possible as he returned to the table that was full of Chinese dishes to sit.

Zhou Yuandai sat down opposite him.

“Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year.”

A simple exchange.

“What a pity. It’s the New Year, and someone has to die on the eve…” Zhou Yuandai cackled sinisterly, taking out that namelist, opening it and placing it before Xu Tingsheng, “I said I’d let you personally choose...so, pick one.”

Xu Tingsheng’s face was full of panic, “Why? I didn’t…”

“Did you really not?” Zhou Yuandai clapped her hands.

A person appeared at the doorway...a bitterly smiling Zhang Xingke.

Xu Tingsheng’s expression changed ceaselessly in that instant. Still, he said nothing at all.

“To be honest, I’m really rather surprised that you chose him...if not coincidentally, I really wouldn’t be able to guess or notice it,” Zhou Yuandai said.

Xu Tingsheng raised his head to look at Zhang Xingke.

“I had no choice...to be honest, I’m still not completely clear on things even now. It’s just that you asked me to do it, so I’d been quietly doing it. Even when someone of Boss Zhou’s came to look for me, I was still befuddled, not knowing the reason. I also didn’t know that things were on so big a scale.”

Zhang Xingke looked candidly at Xu Tingsheng, not feeling burdened by this betrayal as he continued, “I contacted the Wall Street investment banks that you spoke of, agreed on the price. I was about to contact your father like you said, waiting for the funds to arrive...then...they found me. The dark barrel of a gun. Sorry, with my life at stake, I really had no choice. I could only tell them everything. The channels and whatnot, I handed them all over.”

After hesitating for a bit, Zhang Xingke finally showed a hint of guilt for the first time, “Sorry for disappointing you. Still...I’m not the sort to sacrifice myself for anyone.”

“Alright, you can leave first,” Zhou Yuandai waved a hand and cut Zhang Xingke off, “My people will arrange for you to return tomorrow. You will still conduct the trade, just that the funds will be supplied by me. Help me do this and the terms you agreed on with him remain valid. When the matter ends, you will be on Forbes.”

At Zhou Yuandai’s gesture, two black men walked towards Zhang Xingke.

With one final apologetic glance at Xu Tingsheng, Zhang Xingke was led away from the room.

Only Xu Tingsheng and Zhou Yuandai remained, sitting across from each other...

A man and a woman walked behind Xu Tingsheng, standing there.

“You chose him because you knew very well that whichever person by your side that you can possibly still entrust with this matter, they wouldn’t be able to escape my surveillance, right? He’s the most special. Between the two of you, it’s truly the case the interests preside over feelings...it’s easy for me to overlook it and you’ll feel assured. Also, you didn’t tell him the actual situation and reason,” Zhou Yuandai asked.

Xu Tingsheng hesitated for a bit and nodded.

“So, people are still greedy at the end of the day. It’s really no different for you. You cannot suppress it too. While it looks on the surface that you have already depleted all resources in exerting everything you have to manipulate me, in truth, you secretly arranged for someone to purchase a large amount of CDS from Wall Street investment banks...even as you schemed against me, you also sought to privately make up for some of the losses, even earning a big sum.”

Xu Tingsheng did not hesitate this time as he directly nodded.

“Because your period of foreknowledge is truly nearly over. You have no confidence of earning back the funds you misled me to think well of America’s outlook with...so, you were reluctant to give up the opportunity.”

Xu Tingsheng still nodded.

“Very coincidentally, I happened to receive a very covert message regarding someone secretly in talks with a few major investment banks on Wall Street, involving a vast sum. I thought that someone was competing with me...feeling curious, I spent a lot of effort to get to the bottom of this, only discovering that it was him with great difficulty.”

“He was very rational. He said all that should be said. Actually, you should have used someone who is willing to keep the secret for you even in death to do this. Before he spoke up, I still only know that it involved a massive sum. I didn’t know that you were actually seeking to short-sell Wall Street...sadly, your mentality is such that the more those people may be willing to die for you, the more you are reluctant for them to run such a risk.”

She was completely right.

The light in Xu Tingsheng’s eyes grew dim.

As Xu Tingsheng’s mentality collapsed, Zhou Yuandai looked into his eyes, “So, the real economic crisis is in America, in Wall Street.”

Xu Tingsheng verbally replied for the first time, “Yes.”

“Isn’t it a pity? Do you regret it?” Zhou Yuandai could not conceal the triumph in her eyes.

“A little…” Xu Tingsheng answered, “If I hadn’t left a path out of it for myself, I think my plan should have been more successful. Because...you’d already believed it. Sadly, just as you say, human nature contains weaknesses. I wasn’t able to overcome them.”

“Really?” Zhou Yuandai laughed triumphantly, “How about I tell you now then...I actually never completely believed you in the first place.”

“Impossible. You clearly invested a lot.”

“It’s not even one fifth. It can’t kill me,” Zhou Yuandai smiled, “Also, the scale of my funds actually far exceeds your imagination. How about I tell you the extent that I can reach?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded bemusedly.

“Now, having grasped the actual situation, I won’t sell the one fifth worth of CDO and shares. I will even invest another portion...I can pull back the downward trend of Wall Street in the short term, invigorating the confidence of more people to lower the price of CDS, do you believe me?”

“Then, through the channels you established, I will buy CDS multifold...the leverage it brings is great to an insane extent, right? This was your plan from the start.”

Xu Tingsheng did not react this time.

Still, to Zhou Yuandai, this was the best reaction. Through various interactions of real and false, she had finally penetrated through everything, grasping Xu Tingsheng’s true intent and how the future would truly be.

Chapter 681: Running away again

Chapter 681: Running away again

“Choose one,” Zhou Yuandai pointed at that namelist of death in front of Xu Tingsheng.

Xu Tingsheng’s hands were trembling slightly as he lowered his head and looked at all the names on it, next looking up painfully and saying softly, “I can’t choose. You already know everything now. Victory is in your grasp...whereas soon, I will have nothing. I can tell you everything in my period of foreknowledge...can I use this to exchange for you, this time…”

“Do you think that’s possible?” Zhou Yuandai interrupted him, “I’ve already warned you repeatedly. Sorry, luck is not on your side. So, choose. Don’t make me wait too long or I’ll choose one myself.”

Xu Tingsheng put his face in his hands and was silent for a while, “Can I tell you about something from my previous life?”

“Hmm?”

“Regarding that little girl…” Xu Tingsheng looked and continued as he saw that Zhou Yuandai did not outright say no, “Maybe I’m a very useless person innately. I was in my previous life. In this life, because of this foreknowledge and the success it has brought me, I thought for a time that I was sufficiently powerful...it seems now, though, that I’m still that same me.”

With that, Xu Tingsheng revealed how he had resigned and started a business in his previous life. Having met Xiang Ning, he had chosen to run away after being saddled with millions in debt due to the betrayal of a classmate...after a futile struggle, he had chosen to give up...he finished with that final, fateful night when he had met Xiang Ning.“You thought that doing so was very noble, but actually, you were just being cowardly in running away from things,” After hearing his story, Zhou Yuandai said as she looked coldly at him.

“Yes,” Xu Tingsheng admitted.

“Are you trying to evoke my sympathy with this story now then?” Zhou Yuandai asked mockingly.

“No. I just want to tell you that I’m still that me. I want to run away again. If you can, please do not hurt them, because if it is to threaten me or evoke fear and pain in me...that would already be meaningless,” Xu Tingsheng said slowly.

Run away again?

“What do you mean?” Zhou Yuandai did not get it.

At this instant, Xu Tingsheng grabbed a dining knife from the table as fast as he could, stabbing it backhanded towards his own heart…

As the tip of the knife penetrated skin and flesh and fresh blood spurted out, a hand grabbed it from behind and to the side, preventing it from going any further.

Zhou Yuandai looked at Xu Tingsheng’s expression, the knife in his hand and the blood on his chest...she could ascertain that Xu Tingsheng was not faking it. If not for that private escort of hers behind him who, while deaf, had extraordinary reflexes and reaction speed that far surpassed the norm, this knife would definitely have plunged in, stabbing the heart.

“Trash.”

Zhou Yuandai now knew what Xu Tingsheng had meant by ‘running away again’. With his plan exposed and having failed completely...unable to choose and without the courage to face it, he sought to simply end his life.

It would be better if this could cause Zhou Yuandai to desist against the others. Otherwise, he would at least not have to face it helplessly while being able to do nothing.

Not fearing death like this instead better exhibited how cowardly he was.

Zhou Yuandai calling him ‘trash’ was truly heartfelt.

Unfortunately, it was true that she still could not let Xu Tingsheng die now…

“Go get your wound treated,” She pressed the namelist on the table, “I can let this matter slide for now...remember, don’t disappoint me again. If this happens again…”

She raised the namelist and ripped it up, as if to say...she would destroy all of them.

Xu Tingsheng slumped down woodenly. He did not react as he was restricted by the deaf-mute black man who had just stopped him earlier. Supported by him as well, he left the room to receive treatment for his injury.

Gazing at the expressionless black man, Xu Tingsheng secretly grumbled in his heart, “It hurts like crazy! Old black bro, you must have been zoning out earlier...or you’re the weakest. I experimented so many times. None of them was slower than you.”

Having truly had a close brush with death, Xu Tingsheng’s back was full of cold sweat.

In order to enact this, he had pretended to accidentally drop things a few times when eating and drinking to test out the reaction time of these people Zhou Yuandai had arranged to watch over him. According to his estimates...the tip of the knife should not even be able to penetrate skin.

This was why he had been able to act without any reservation whatsoever...yet in the end, what a noob this black man was!

Fortunately, Zhou Yuandai had believed it.

Everything that had happened today would cause Zhou Yuandai to truly resolve herself, also becoming unable to stop herself.

As for Zhang Xingke, he had not lied, of course. He had really betrayed Xu Tingsheng...

Maybe it was wrong to even call it a betrayal. He had only made a choice that befitted his personality.

Xu Tingsheng was actually really not especially smart. After all, he was only normal in his previous life. It was impossible that rebirth would cause his IQ to rise...that only happened in webnovels.

Xu Tingsheng had just always persisted in believing in and making arrangements in accordance to everybody’s personalities.

For example, Huang Yaming was suited to being and yearned to be a major figure. Thus, he had given him a lot, both opportunities and risks.

In contrast, Xu Tingsheng had not given Fu Cheng any shares at all. Even for that flat in Ning Garden, he had merely given him a discount.

It was the same for many other people too.

……

Xu Tingsheng’s wound quickly healed.

The days moved towards the imminent chain explosion on Wall Street…

Zhou Yuandai bet all that she had. Observing the hidden undercurrents beneath the prosperity of the bustling Wall Street, she was very certain that a crisis was really coming...she would establish a mega empire that far surpassed her original peak through this time’s crisis.

Due to ‘leverage’ and ‘pay-offs’, Zhou Yuandai who had first placed bets on the banker and then bet a large amount on the player saw no possibility of herself being defeated whatsoever.

If the crisis really happened as expected, it was not just several buckets full of loot that she would be seeing.

The worst case scenario was that the eventual crisis did not take place in America...yet she would not make too much of a loss even then.

How could she lose? With the principle of ‘preparing for the eventuality of defeat before victory’, Zhou Yuandai had calculated countless times...she could see no possibility of defeat at all. The way Xu Tingsheng had acted that day and her analysis of Zhang Xingke’s background and personality also caused her to have a firm conviction in many things.

Such as the period of Xu Tingsheng’s foreknowledge, his plan and actual motives, his…

……

June 2008. Zhou Yuandai who was in a pretty good mood even came looking for Xu Tingsheng to drink alcohol with every now and then.

The two would chat about a lot, such as how they had felt upon first having been reborn, their various experiences and how they had grown.

Even though their opinions diverged most of the time, Zhou Yuandai still felt that it was best to keep this person even after his period of foreknowledge had expired...after all, it was lonely as someone who had been reborn. There was only this person whom she could converse with and vent to…

Far away in Yanzhou.

Xiang Ning finished her university entrance examinations.

She wrote in her diary:

“The university entrance examinations are over. You were originally going to wait for me outside the examination venue, but you didn’t come. So, I brought along the bullet shell that you gave me and that jade necklace that auntie gave me.”

“In the end, I feel like I did very well.”

“Right, that jade necklace seems very frightening, right? I asked auntie, and she said it’s my dowry. Heh!”

“Very soon, it’ll have been a year. Do you remember what you said before? At the backstage of Xinyan Junior High back then, you said that if you are not around one day and I miss you, I just have to sing that song and you’ll come.”

“I sang it. You said that you’d come to see me soon. I waited, and it’s been over a year…”

“Why are you still not back yet?”

“I received a call from Big Sis Apple today. I’m really going to sing.”

“Do you know who wrote the song?”

“It’s Jay Chou!”

“Big Sis Apple requested a song from him and received it very long ago. A few days ago, she suddenly felt that this song is very suited for me to sing to you. So, she asked me to record it.”

“This song will be in her new album. It will also be on the internet...Big Sis Apple’s so popular now. Wherever you are, you may also hear it…”

“When you hear it, you must hurry home. I’m waiting for you to return.”

Chapter 682: Little

Chapter 682: Little

End July, 2008.

Everything was progressing as planned. The price of CDS and other short-selling mechanisms in Zhou Yuandai’s hands were rising greatly. During this time, many investment firms on Wall Street were even seeking to acquire a large amount of CDS for profit or to even out the risk.

Take Goldman Sachs for example. This child of the American Federal Reserve was still shamelessly selling CDO products everywhere while having already begun acquiring a large amount of CDS in private.

Still, Zhou Yuandai was not in a rush.

First was because she was still looking forward to a better situation. Second was because the amount she possessed was really too great. If she sold it as a whole, no one would be able to eat it whole. If she sold it in batches, it would instead drag down the overall price in the market.

Maybe because she was in a good mood, Xu Tingsheng regained the right to apply to go out.

Walking the streets, Xu Tingsheng entered a Chinese restaurant. He was escorted by two deaf-mutes and someone who was neither deaf nor mute but was a trusted follower of Zhou Yuandai’s and would definitely not utter a sound besides keeping an eye on him.

Already used to it, Xu Tingsheng sat down alone amidst many bemused gazes. He ordered rice, fried pepper meat and sour oil vegetables.

That voice resounded from the wall-mounted television behind him.

As soon as he heard it, Xu Tingsheng’s chopsticks stopped in mid-air...

He froze.

“Recalling like a storyteller, speaking in a countryside accent, leaping over the pit of water, going past the small village, waiting for the destined meeting.”

He heard an incomparably familiar, rather tender voice in the first sentence.

This song was <<Little>> which had been written by Jay Chou for Joey Yung in his previous life. Still, the voice was definitely not Joey Yung’s. Turning, Xu Tingsheng saw no one on the screen where the MV was playing as the scenes were merely depicted in sand.

“It’s from Apple, Cen Xiyu’s new album. Still, this song doesn’t seem to have been sung by Apple herself. It is still very popular, though,” Passing by and seeing Xu Tingsheng’s focused, puzzled expression, a waiter told him this on account of meeting someone with similar interests.

Xu Tingsheng did not respond. He was forbidden to engage in all conversations that could possibly transmit information. Apple was a sensitive word for him. That person conducting surveillance behind him was already all tensed up at this moment.

In his previous life, <<Little>> should have appeared in Joey Yung’s album around July 2007, right?

It was naturally impossible for Xu Tingsheng to have taken note of such a minor thing in this life. Thinking about it now, since this song had appeared in Apple’s album, the sole explanation was that she had also requested a song from Jay Chou, and very early on. Then, coincidentally, Jay Chou had given Joey Yung another song and given this <<Little>> to Apple.

His puzzlement and thoughts passed in a flash. All this was not important. What was important was that singing voice and the scenes on the television.

That was Xiang Ning’s voice. She sang:

“You built a castle out of clay

Told me you’d marry me someday…”

In the MV, tall buildings appeared, a modern tower amongst them…While others might not be able to understand the underlying meaning of this scene, Xu Tingsheng needed but a single glance...that was Ning Garden.

So, Xiang Ning was actually singing about the castle that Xu Tingsheng had built for her and his promise to marry her from before.

The scenes in his mind...

On the day of inquiries for Ning Garden, the sixteen-year-old girl had knocked on the door, saying that she had guessed it, guessed why this place was called Ning Garden, guessed why Ning Garden had a Little Pert Waist, guessed that Xu Tingsheng was behind Ning Garden and guessed his painstaking rationale for it.

Also, the night that Little Pert Waist had been lit up for the first time.

That day, the seventeen-year-old Miss Xiang had asked her Uncle, “Do you like being together with me?”

“I do,” Uncle had answered.

“Will we get married then?”

“We will.”

“For sure?”

“For sure.”

“Yes. I’d be willing.”

“Yep. We’re agreed then.”

“Mmm. Xu Tingsheng, you must marry me. You must marry Little Xiang Ning. I wouldn’t be able to marry anybody else. Sometimes, I suddenly feel scared that you could be stolen away by someone else. I tried thinking about it before, but it’s really not possible. If you leave, if you no longer want me, I’ll be alone by myself forever, even though I’d still be waiting for you then.”

That night, Little Pert Waist had attracted a city, the crowds like a tide. So, she had had to exert herself and shout out every word.

“Is she waiting for me to go back to marry her?” Xu Tingsheng thought.

The singing continued.

“However many turns, however many pairings, forsaken in youth

Little oath is still unstable

Little tears are still holding on

Tender lips are saying to split

Thereon someone is living in my heart…”

The tender voice sang of a breakup. Distinctly muffled sobs were audible as Xu Tingsheng seemed able to see Xiang Ning in the recording studio with earphones on, full of tears.

“I’m looking for the one from that story

You are an irreplaceable part

As you doze off a little beneath a tree

The little me is waiting foolishly…”

The scenes hovered on the back figure of a little girl, waiting solitarily...depicted in sand, this all seemed rather blurry.

At this point, that voice was still in a rather unstable state. Meanwhile, the final editing of the album had actually preserved this most authentic state.

How were these lyrics? ...This was clearly Xiang Ning saying to Xu Tingsheng: I’m looking for you. You are an irreplaceable part...the little me is still waiting foolishly, waiting for your return.

A year had gone by. Besides the necessary performances, under Zhou Yuandai’s surveillance, Xu Tingsheng had tried hard to appear calm as water everyday. In truth, though, just how he yearned to hear the voice of that young girl, saying something to her.

The fourteen-year-old Xiang Ning suddenly surfaced in his mind.

That little her had been skipping out from the big metal gate at the school’s entrance...it had been their first meeting in this life that day. Because of that meeting, Xu Tingsheng’s reborn life had begun to have colour, filled with happiness and anticipation.

Even though he knew that his every move would be recorded, Xu Tingsheng was still unable to control the collapse of his emotions, prevent the tears from flowing.

“Thereon someone is living in my heart

We who were once little uns

……

I’m looking for the one from that story

You are an irreplaceable part

Little hand leading little one

Guarding a little eternity.”

The singing stopped. The scenes in the sand changed, till finally, there were no other sounds besides the sliding of fingertips...the figure of a little girl appeared. Slowly, a wedding gown appeared on her...yet, she was still waiting.

Not far away from her, two other figures that were also not so clear were similarly standing, waiting.

Finally, fingertips slid past the bottom of the screen...Xu Tingsheng recognised that hand.

She wrote: You said that you’d come see me soon. I waited, and it’s been over a year...it’s alright. I’ll wait however long it takes.

……

After requesting to see it again, because of his reaction, Xu Tingsheng was hastily brought back to where Zhou Yuandai was.

After some ten plus minutes, Zhou Yuandai who had finished listening to the report found Xu Tingsheng.

“Well, well, well...sigh, what a pity,” Xu Tingsheng could clearly see the mocking triumph in Zhou Yuandai’s eyes and tone.

“I specially found that song and listened to it. It really is not bad. Very meaningful,” She continued, “Love separated by mountains and seas...unfortunately, do you know what comes next? Mountains and seas cannot be levelled.”

Chapter 683: Xiang Ning's diary

Chapter 683: Xiang Ning’s diary

In one’s life, there are many moments when one will be completely enveloped by a certain emotion, such as shame, fury, sorrow...in truth, if we can face and consider all this from a standpoint of many years later, these emotions will diminish greatly.

For example, perhaps you once really hated a certain classmate, filled with fury towards him. Yet, two, three years later, when you graduate and separate...this sort of hate will turn mild, even vanish or be converted to something else.

The only thing to which this logic does not apply is called longing.

For some people, after you lose them, your longing towards them will instead increase multifold. While you clearly don’t want to think about them, something will just inadvertently spark it off. You will be completely helpless to resist as he or she appears in your mind’s eye…

Even if thinking about them hurts, you will still dream about them when you sleep. Having used all methods, you will still be unable to control yourself.

Xu Tingsheng had been gone for a year. There had been no news of him whatsoever as it was like he had vanished off the face of the earth...to Xiang Ning, the difficult pain from before had long since ceased to be unforgivable. Instead, the goodness was becoming denser over time like wine.

As the eighteen-year-old Xiang Ning thought back on all that had happened since that person appeared when she was fourteen, she found that everything was just too ridiculously good. It even gave off the feeling of being not real...it was just like the fantasies of a teenage girl that were so unforgettable but they would no longer be in possession of once they woke up.

Yet, that was clearly not a dream!

Everyday, Xiang Ning would walk past Ning Garden, seeing the lit Little Pert Waist. She would always pass where they had once walked together before. She returned to their old home to stay, sleeping on his bed. His clothes were still hanging neatly in the wardrobe. Everything literally breathed of him in this flat.

Actually, it had already gradually ceased to be so painful. Xiang Ning’s personality made it such that she would try hard to think of things in a positive light.

Thinking of him far away, thinking of him by her side.

……

23rd July, 2008. Sunny.

I want to tell you a piece of good news. After a year of hard work in twelfth grade, study flunkie Miss Xiang has already been accepted by Yanzhou University.

The notification letter is just beside me.

Actually, Principal Grandpa already called and told me about this many days ago. Still, I was recording a song over at Big Sis Apple’s place and didn’t have time to tell you. I really felt nervous recording it. I didn’t sing well, and I even ended up crying...how embarrassing.

If you’ve heard it, you mustn’t laugh at me. Big Sis Apple and Big Sis Yuewei both didn’t laugh at me.

Right, if you’ve seen the MV, those two others on the sand at the end are them. They are waiting for you to come back too. Relax, I’m not jealous now. Still, I don’t know how it’ll be when you’ve returned.

I just really miss you.

From now on, I’ll be waiting for you at Yanzhou University.

Before you return, the traces of you there will accompany me.

When Principal Grandpa personally handed me the notification letter, he also asked me why you haven’t returned to school to take a look. He said that he can rest easy now. As long as Yanzhou University is able to capture me, they’re not afraid of you running away.

Principal Grandpa also welcomed me home. Yanzhou University will always be your home. So, it’s my home too. There, I don’t have to worry about anything.

I will sit where you sat before, read the books that you read before, walk the paths that you walked before, cross the bridges that you crossed before...I will listen to the old professors who taught you before as they conduct lessons, listen to them talk about how you were when you were like in Yanzhou University.

As for how you were like when by my side, only I know that.

……

7th August 2008. Slight rain.

There was a slight rain today. Do you know where I was before it rained?

I went to the riverside park. I also brought Dongdong with me.

Do you still remember that time when Dongdong caused trouble and you came to save me?

Dongdong’s even more mischievous now. Apart from seeming very afraid of Big Sis Du Jin, he’s afraid of no one. Still, it’s so strange that he’s actually so afraid of Big Sis Du Jin...it’s probably because he knows that she’s very awesome.

I brought it to the park again. It’s because I really want a fight…That way, you will appear, right? I know that you definitely will.

Still, if it happens again, I don’t want you to be beaten because of me anymore.

I want to protect you, Uncle.

Are you suffering?

Are you feeling okay?

Xiang Ning wants to hug you, coax you, protect you.

I go to the training institute to practise taekwondo everyday now.

……

19th August 2008. Skies cleared up.

……

Today, Huang Yaming and Big Bro Fu Cheng came to our home.

Actually, they’ve both been especially good to me in the time you weren’t here. I also often go to Ms Fang’s house to eat. Niannian’s even more beautiful now. Also, she can speak so well now.

It’s just that I want her to call me godmother, but she always calls me Big Sis. How sad!

Sometimes, we ask her: Do you miss godfather? She will look up and say: Miss, miss godfather.

Look, we all miss you.

Right, let me secretly tell you about something.

Can you guess who’s visited our home the most over this period of time?

You definitely wouldn’t be able to guess, because it’s that very fierce guy!

It’s Huang Yaming.

Speaking of him, of all your friends, he should be the one who hates me most. Actually, I dislike him a little too. Still, I’m mainly afraid. I’m really afraid of him...because not only is he fierce, he also often looks like he really hopes you don’t want me.

Even now, he still doesn’t like to speak to me.

Still, I know that he’s been secretly protecting me when you’re not around.

And guess what…

It’s the craziest thing.

Shh!

Big Sis Du Jin seems to like Huang Yaming.

I’m serious here! Through careful observation, I’ve discovered that the way Big Sis Du Jin looks at Huang Yaming is completely different from the way she looks at you, the way she looks at anyone else...she will be nervous, she will be shy, and she will accidentally fall into a trance.

Anyway, to Big Sis Du Jin, you possess much less charm than Huang Yaming.

She always looks like she can’t be bothered with you. Even towards such a good person like Fu Cheng, she doesn’t have anything to say. Yet, when with Huang Yaming, she always sits there and says a lot.

To be honest, I’m a bit worried. Huang Yaming is such a playboy. I’m afraid of Big Sis Du Jin getting hurt.

Wait, I almost forgot. Huang Yaming shouldn’t be able to beat Big Sis Du Jin in a fight, right? So, there’s no need to worry.

Say, does Huang Yaming like Big Sis Du Jin a bit too?

I guess that he definitely does. Otherwise, he wouldn’t come to our house so often...I returned from outside several times to find him chatting with Big Sis Du Jin in the living room. The two of them even looked very awkward when they saw me.

Finally, Big Bro Fu Cheng said that he’s waiting for you to come back before holding his wedding with Ms Fang.

Then, Ms Fang told me: Get him to hurry up and come back. Any longer and I’ll be old.

Hurry up and come back.

Even now, Big Sis Teacher hasn’t even had her engagement ceremony yet. They insist on waiting for you too.

…...

27th August 2008.

I received two calls today.

The first call was from Little Jinshan. He made me laugh for a long time. Still, when he said at the end that he missed you, I could tell that he was crying.

When he was crying, he even got me to say to you: Uncle Xu, where are you now? I’ll lead people in killing our way over to help you! What cannot be resolved with a few thousand people with knives? What people can’t we uncle and nephew render dead?

Look at him, always only learning bad stuff. At his age, he’s already like a gangster emperor.

When you’re not here, there’s only Little Carp who can restrain him sometimes.

The second call was from Uncle Hu and Uncle He of Xingchen Technologies. Oh, they’re so troublesome! Always saying that there’s this, there’s that, many many things. They always insist on having my opinion.

But how would I know about all that?!

So, I thought of a solution. I hired a new worker to represent me as chairman.

Can you guess who it is?

Right, it’s our study queen, Big Sis Yuewei. She’s already graduated from Qingbei University.

She was going to go overseas originally but later gave up on it. As for the reason, I’ll go easy on you and not say it first.

Anyway, I’ve already cheated her over to Xingchen.

With her around, you’ll definitely feel assured, right?

Me too. I feel very assured.

……

2nd September 2008. Sunny.

Today, Uncle and Auntie (Father and Mother-in-law) as well as Qiuyi (should I call her Big Sis or Little Sis?) came to see me.

Seeing that I’m about to start attending university, Auntie gave me a big red packet.

They’re even thinking about buying a car for me. What to do? I can’t drive.

Right, Uncle and Auntie had lunch with my Mum and Dad. Knowing that they had come, my Mum and Dad specially came over to cook for them. They had a great chat.

Can you guess what they chatted about?

Ha, I’m not telling you.

……

7th September 2008. Rainstorm.

There’s heavy rain today. I want to hide in your raincoat.

Just like before.

Chapter 684: Levelling the mountains and seas (1)

Chapter 684: Levelling the mountains and seas (1)

A very long time ago, it had been the land of the Native Americans.

Four hundred years ago, it had been a wall of the Dutch.

Two hundred years ago, it had been a finance seed beneath a tree.

A hundred years ago, it had led to the rise of America.

Afterwards, it had become a web of finance that spread towards the entire world.

This web was strong but frail, bright but dark.

While this web could cause economic growth to speed up, it could also strangle economies.

It was-Wall Street.

In South Manhattan in New York City, there was a street extending from Broadway to the East River. It was merely a third of a mile long and eleven metres wide. Its name was Wall Street.

It could be a golden tower that never slept, a stage of passions and rejoicing. It could also be a desolate, dilapidated...ultra massive graveyard, strewn with corpses.

September 2008.

The head of Bear Stearns Cos originally did not want to get up and go to work that day. After forcing himself to go, discovering that the coffee machine in the office was not working, he smashed it in a fit of anger.

Strangely enough, no one in the entire office felt that there was anything wrong with that.

A higher-up of Merrill Lynch threw a stack of reports out of the window…

It fell on the head of an employee of Lehman Bank named Edward.

At the time, the head of Bear Stearns Cos was carrying a paper box, getting ready to head home as he wondered if he should continue paying for his housing loan for that villa in Florida. Perhaps he should first be wondering about what he would pay it with after he had lost his job.

A meeting amongst the higher-ups of Morgan Stanley went on from 3am till the next afternoon. Even then, no one was allowed to leave.

……

As mournful wails resounded across all of Wall Street, the tribulation finally reared its ugly face.

Zhou Yuandai had originally been looking forward to this all along...

Yet, this matter had ultimately slowly surpassed everyone’s control and imagination, including that of the American government...unless it quit.

Zhou Yuandai had long since placed bets on both sides in this massive gamble. Due to the payouts and leverage, she had seen no possibility of herself losing whatsoever...moreover, she had won too, had gambled right on this economic crisis engulfing America.

Was it possible for the player to win big in a gamble but gain nothing at all?

It was possible. There was only one answer-the banker had gone bankrupt with no one to compensate them.

After the CDO she possessed became a pile of scrap paper, Zhou Yuandai abruptly discovered that her real gamble, CDS, actually shared the same fate as well. This was just like one having bought insurance and paid a large sum of premiums. Yet, when the time comes to redeem the insurance...the insurance company goes bankrupt.

This was not completely the same as in Xu Tingsheng’s previous life. Back then, the possibility of selling CDS had existed till the final juncture. Some people had still succeeded in offloading their losses. In this life, however, there were virtually no ‘survivors’.

In Xu Tingsheng’s previous life, more than 160 investment firms had collapsed during the American Financial Crisis.

Of Wall Street’s five great investment firms, only Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley had survived. Also, the two had only survived because of direct intervention by the American Federal Reserve as they had also transformed into traditional banks.

In this process.

The bankrupt Bear Stearns was acquired by JPMorgan Chase.

Merrill Lynch securities that were worth over a trillion were sold to the Bank of America at around 44 billion.

America’s fourth largest investment firm, Lehman brothers, went directly bankrupt.

Was this not tragic enough?

The problem was that it was even more tragic in this life.

In this life, because its debts were higher, JPMorgan Chase refused to acquire Bear Stearns, which directly went bankrupt. The debt of Merrill Lynch was such that it completely lost its acquisition value, going directly bankrupt.

Lehman Brothers which would have died in the first place died without a whimper.

Morgan Stanley which had originally lived also seemed fated for death this time around.

Who had made things reach this extent?

Who had thrown a barrel of oil into the site of the explosion?

The answer was Zhou Yuandai herself. Just as she had previously told Xu Tingsheng, the scale of her assets from over a decade of rebirth far surpassed what he could imagine...it was precisely because of this that her completely going all in on the gamble had exacerbated the crisis.

Not only was she the straw that broke the camel’s back, she was also the thousand kilogram rock that smashed even its corpse to smithereens.

……

On the 22th storey, there was a bit of light reflected on the glass window.

On the big wall-mounted television screen, the blonde beauty newscaster was narrating the final decision of the American government: The American Federal Reserve would go all out to rescue Goldman Sachs. They wished Morgan Stanley good luck, also expressing that the government would use this chance to completely rebuild the state of finance in America.

Zhou Yuandai shifted her gaze away from the television screen as it came to land on Xu Tingsheng sitting opposite her.

“I don’t have a single CDS from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley at all, right?” She asked.

“Right,” Xu Tingsheng answered.

“So…” Zhou Yuandai knew that this had all been part of Xu Tingsheng’s scheme.

“Both roads led to death. The one that I tried to manipulate you into walking led to death, and so did the one I left for myself and was waiting for you to discover...whichever path it was, so long as you stepped completely onto it, you would surely perish,” Xu Tingsheng said, looking at her.

At this moment, his situation looked no different from how it had been over the past year as he was just sitting solitarily there...yet, he had actually already reversed everything.

“So, Zhang Xingke’s betrayal and you despairingly killing yourself...that act was the final part of your scheme to manipulate me to bet my everything?”

“You can say that. Before that, whatever I did and said, you wouldn’t fully believe it, much less bet your everything...this is just how people are. As opposed to believing others, we are often more willing to believe our own discoveries...also, the tougher this discovery, the easier that letting it slip by would have been, the more we do not doubt it in the least.”

“Moreover, what I gave you that time was the truth...the lie that is best at killing in this world is the truth.”

Xu Tingsheng leaned back fully in his chair, no longer speaking as he looked outside the glass window.

Zhou Yuandai turned too.

A figure suddenly plunged off the rooftop opposite.

Neither Xu Tingsheng nor Zhou Yuandai knew or cared about who this person was. These few days and for some time afterwards, the same thing would happen countless times in various corners of the world-in an era of peace, bankers killed the most. It was a complete slaughter.

In truth, only a minority would leap off buildings to their deaths. Due to the economic upheaval, hunger and sickness would claim more lives.

At the same time, after yelling into the phone countless times, Lu Zhixin who was far away in Yanzhou finally helplessly hung up...before soundlessly weeping painfully. Just earlier, after that final call, Lu Zhixhin who had lost her mother before the age of ten had lost her father as well.

Lu Pingyuan was dead. He had just leapt off the building across from Xu Tingsheng and Zhou Yuandai.Of these two people, one was the cause of his madness and the other the result-to some extent, it was none other than Xu Tingsheng who had inadvertently caused the death of Lu Pingyuan. He had initially had the chance to advise him not to get involved in all this. Still, when Lu Zhixin had asked him about it, afraid of the plan being exposed due to the relationship between Lu Pingyuan and Zhou Yuandai, Xu Tingsheng had chosen to keep his mouth shut.

There would come a day when Lu Zhixin understood all this. While she might not grudge Xu Tingsheng for it, it was destined that she would never be able to love him again.

Her road was so much like the path to becoming a monarch, devoid of love, having seen death, then moving forward with unparalleled momentum on her lonesome.

Chapter 685: Levelling the mountains and seas (2)

Chapter 685: Levelling the mountains and seas (2)

Not long ago, after telling Xu Tingsheng ‘love separated by mountains and seas’, Zhou Yuandai’s next sentence had been ‘mountains and seas cannot be levelled’.

Xu Tingsheng had not said anything at the time. Still, he had actually answered in his heart: In that case, I’ll move the mountains and fill the seas.

He had done just that, toppling Zhou Yuandai whose wealth and strength might be dozens of times higher than his…

As another three banks announced their bankruptcy by the time it came to get off work...Zhou Yuandai was officially declared bankrupt. A massive entity akin to an empire collapsed mightily just like that.

It was also at this moment that in a chain reaction, Zhou Yuandai and all her enterprises were truly exposed in the public eye for the first time. It was like a massive beast living in the depths of the ocean. Only as it took its final breaths, flopping over with its belly facing the sky, would it appear on the ocean’s surface.

The carnivorous fish would swarm over as they caught its scent…

As she sat opposite Xu Tingsheng, Zhou Yuandai’s facial muscles were twitching and trembling non-stop.

The last time she had felt so helpless and wretched was not when she had died in her previous life but in this life, at the moment she had lost her foreknowledge.

That time, she had turned from a ‘god’ into a human. Yet, she had still been a human who presided over countless others as she had still possessed immense wealth and power.

This time, however, she would be completely turning into a normal person, or perhaps not even that.

It was destined that a person like her would not be able to live as a normal person after having been completely defeated. Her own mentality dictated that it was impossible while others too would not allow it.

Zhou Yuandai’s way of doing things and style determined that while everyone would fear her when she was powerful, the seeds of hatred would also be buried. So, as soon as she fell, there would be countless former enemies and opponents, people from other cults, governmental forces or some destitute and living on the streets...be they powerful or weak, all of them would be in a real haste to charge over and deal the finishing blow.

With her economic ties with those underground mercenary organisations, it was also fated that she would become their sinner and enemy this time.

In her madness and triumph, Zhou Yuandai had actually betted the money of countless people. While people in this world can be devoid of emotion and love, there is absolutely no one who can possibly be free of relationships of mutual gain with others after having grown to some extent.

In Zhou Yuandai’s world, she was cold and merciless to everyone, only being connected to them by this mutual gain. With that, as soon as this mutual gain was wrecked, even turning into a loss...others would treat her with the same cold, merciless attitude.

“Aren’t you worried about these people dying at all?” Zhou Yuandai took out that namelist, placing it on the table as she sought to threaten Xu Tingsheng.

After all, this person before her was still in his period of foreknowledge.

“Your force from the mercenaries should already have retreated. Also, your most loyal believers are possibly being hunted down as we speak,” Xu Tingsheng replied.

“Oh, so fast? Who leaked the information?” Zhou Yuandai thought about it herself, then asked, “Cen Xishan?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded. His most crucial and covert interaction with Cen Xishan, every critical segment of the plan, had actually been completed at Apple’s Grandma’s funeral. It had been written in water on the lid of the coffin.

“You’ve won,” Zhou Yuandai laughed, “Sadly, you aren’t in time to stop me from killing you. Today’s coincidence...I suddenly brought you along and had a change of location. No one will be able to find this place for a while.”

“Also, they…” She pointed at the two deaf-mutes behind her, “They don’t know anything at all besides obeying me.”

Xu Tingsheng did not speak in a silent admission of Zhou Yuandai’s words. For all his calculations, he could not have known of today’s last-minute change. For some reason, Zhou Yuandai had suddenly brought him somewhere else…

At this moment, these words inexplicably appeared in his mind: Separated in life, reunited in death.

Was that lot really fate?

“Are you afraid of death?” Zhou Yuandai suddenly asked.

“A little,” Xu Tingsheng answered frankly.

“How about I ask you something first then?”

“Alright.”

“You’ve suffered great losses too this time. Your period of foreknowledge is also coming to an end. Have you thought about your future if you continue living?” Zhou Yuandai looked into Xu Tingsheng’s eyes, “Can you imagine the feeling of losing your foreknowledge? Becoming that ordinary and mediocre you from your previous life once more? Wasting this rebirth?”

Actually, he still had seven full years of foreknowledge. Still, he obviously could not reveal this now.

Xu Tingsheng thought about it and said rather sincerely and with a bit of self-derision, “At least I’ve got much more money that in my previous life! To me, even some tens of millions may already be a lot...also, it’s far from that. As for becoming ordinary and mediocre...I can just become a teacher again at most. Then marry and have kids, living that ordinary life, slowly growing old.”“You’re willing?”

“I am.”

It was destined that Zhou Yuandai would not be unable to understand Xu Tingsheng on this point. Still, she quickly grasped another point. Zhou Yuandai felt that this was key in Xu Tingsheng still being able to live calmly and happily even if he lost his foreknowledge.

She had guessed right.

This was something which could truly destroy Xu Tingsheng’s life completely, leaving him with pain that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

This was Zhou Yuandai’s final, crazed vengeance which was even more brutal than killing Xu Tingsheng.

“I think that I have not much time left. While there aren’t many who know of this place, it’ll be found out sooner or later,” Zhou Yuandai pointed at her pretentious robe, saying, “I can’t let myself die in the hands of a bunch of ants.”

She moved a chair to the wall, opened the window and climbed onto it.

“You may be willing, but I’m not. This is unacceptable...I want to be reborn again...I want to be a god again,” It seemed like she was talking to herself but also like she was talking to Xu Tingsheng.

At this moment, one could tell from her eyes that she was already completely crazy.

Xu Tingsheng observed his fleeing route and prepared for a final bid for freedom.

“I won’t kill you...dream on. I won’t give you a chance to be reborn again,” The crazed Zhou Yuandai looked wretchedly at Xu Tingsheng, saying hysterically, “Still, I won’t let you have it good. I have a method of revenge that’s better than killing you...I want you to feel pain for the rest of your life.”

After some deranged cackling, Zhou Yuandai pressed a button on her handphone, sending out a text that had already been composed beforehand.

She raised her phone for Xu Tingsheng to see.

There were merely four words in that already sent message: Kill that little girl.

“Come on, guess. Who is it?”

“It’s already too late for you now.”

With that, Zhou Yuandai turned and leapt out of the window with her phone in her hand...

Not having received any instructions, the two deaf-mutes who had very likely been purposely made that way since young simply stood there, unmoving.

“Who is it?” Xu Tingsheng tried to guess.

If he had read Xiang Ning’s diary, it would actually be very easy to guess.

She had written that Dongdong was very scared of Du Jin…

So, that former event had not been real...rather than Zhou Yuandai’s operative being skilled enough to capture Dongdong from under Du Jin’s watch without her realising anything at all...it was Du Jin who had captured Dongdong in the first place.

She was the hidden agent Zhou Yuandai had planted in Xu Tingsheng’s midst all along.

Now, she was by Xiang Ning’s side.

Chapter 686: Levelling the mountains and seas (3)

Chapter 686: Levelling the mountains and seas (3)

Most of the forces that Zhou Yuandai had used to threaten the others by Xu Tingsheng’s side with came from those mercenary squads that were close with her.

Naturally, they had long since known what they were doing, who they were targeting.

All this was not a problem when Zhou Yuandai was still powerful and unrivalled. They were willing to take this risk for her, seeking gain while protecting the relationship between them.

Still, the situation had changed afterwards. Working for a Zhou Yuandai who was already bankrupt and was being targeted by countless people, inviting trouble and becoming Xu Tingsheng’s sworn enemy? In an era of profit, for organisations whose goals were profit and survival, it was impossible that they did not know the best choice to make.

They decisively retreated.

There were actually not many Zhou Yuandai could still use. Her biggest principle in this post-rebirth life was not to rely on or trust anyone. So, those around her who had received professional training had mostly been moulded. Many were deaf-mutes and had no minds of their own.

Even Cen Xishan in that initial decade had never actually seen Zhou Yuandai herself. More recently, after Zhou Yuandai had finished her plastic surgery and killed the other her, taking back her identity, they had no longer been close.

There were naturally still exceptions. There were actually a few who had still had a chance to see Zhou Yuandai from time to time in the years she had been doing plastic surgery non-stop. These people had been personally moulded by her.

Such people were very valuable. After having confirmed Xu Tingsheng’s situation, Zhou Yuandai had placed two of them around him, one in the shadows and the other in direct contact.

After Xu Tingsheng had been directly subjugated, these two had been responsible for Xiang Ning instead.

Therefore, it was actually not just Du Jin who received Zhou Yuandai’s final text.

This day had ultimately still come.

Du Jin had once prayed that this situation would never occur. Yet, the order on the screen of her phone right now was incomparably clear.

She was different from those mercenaries. Ever since the age of ten, Du Jin had been unceasingly brainwashed and strictly moulded everyday. At the same time, she was grateful to and fearful of Zhou Yuandai...also possessing blind faith and worship towards her.

This sort of habitual subservience made it such that Du Jin would definitely not even think of sending a reply to ask for confirmation. She did not know that Zhou Yuandai was actually already dead at this moment. In truth, even if someone told her this, she would not believe it.

“Big Sis Du Jin.”

As Du Jin was looking at her phone in a daze, Xiang Ning who was sitting cross-legged on the living room sofa turned and called her.

“Huh...yes?” Du Jin was rather flustered but more at a loss.

“I’ve found that you’ve been very strange lately,” Xiang Ning smiled.

Du Jin’s mind spun as she unconsciously grew all nervous...could she have been discovered?

In truth, even if Xiang Ning had really discovered something, she would still not pose a threat to Du Jin whatsoever.

“What am I afraid of then?” Du Jin asked herself.

The answer was actually very clear and very simple. People are emotional creatures at the end of the day. In this life, the person Du Jin had been closest to in the truest sense of the word was actually Xiang Ning...the two had already interacted for very long. Also, it was simply not like an employer’s relationship with an employee between them at all. Xiang Ning never acted superior in front of Du Jin, with no inauthenticity mixed in whatsoever.

They were just like sisters and the best of friends.

If she had been seen through, Du Jin might be able to kill Xiang Ning in a second. Still, in this short second, she did not know how she should meet Xiang Ning’s gaze.

“She’ll definitely be very upset,” Du Jin thought.

“Heh, look at how nervous you are,” The oblivious Xiang Ning was still smiling innocently a short distance away as she said mysteriously, “I just wanted to say that I’ll be attending university soon. You won’t have to accompany me everyday anymore, Big Sis. You’ll have a lot of time...so, you should properly date someone for once.”

So she had been concerned about this! Because of this sentence, Du Jin’s chest ached again.

“Big Sis,” Xiang Ning called again.

“Yes?” Du Jin barely regained her wits and raised her head.

Xiang Ning’s eyes contained a knowing look as she smiled craftily, “Actually, if you really like someone, it’s not like the girl cannot take the initiative...do you get what I mean, Big Sis? That person seems to be interested in Big Sis too. I’ve never seen him coming to our house so often and liking to chat with any girl so much before.”

Xiang Ning was encouraging Du Jin. Her meaning could not be any more obvious. As for ‘that person’, it was naturally referring to Huang Yaming.

Huang Yaming was special to Du Jin. For a woman like Du Jin to like someone, that person definitely had to cause her to feel a sense of worship to some extent. Xu Tingsheng was too underwhelming and did not cut it. Still, Huang Yaming had achieved it. His confidence and decisiveness, smarts and composure, ambition and heroism, was able to conquer Du Jin.

As they had interacted over this period of time, Du Jin had already unknowingly fallen for him. Also, just as Xiang Ning had said, Huang Yaming seemed to be a little interested in her too.

For how many nights, lying alone on her bed, the female killer had thought about it and smiled secretly on her bed, feeling shy and conflicted. This originally should not have happened, also being abnormal.

“Well, say something,” Xiang Ning urged.

“I…” Du Jin walked behind Xiang Ning.

A speck of light flickered on the glass window.

“Sorry,” Du Jin said softly as she swiftly chopped Xiang Ning at the back of her neck with her hand…

Xiang Ning fainted without uttering a sound, collapsing on the sofa.

Whether or not she was able to do it in the end, Du Jin had no way of directly facing a conscious Xiang Ning.

At the same time, as Xiang Ning fell, the other person who had received Zhou Yuandai’s order in a certain room of the opposite building had just discovered from his sniping scope that...he had suddenly lost his target.

He had been able to observe the situation here all throughout. Seeing that Du Jin had failed to act despite quite some time having passed, he had just raised his sniper rifle...preparing to take care of it himself.

“Huh?”

Just as he was feeling perplexed, a blade flashed past...a face that looked very much like a construction site uncle’s appeared in the sniping scope.

Next, there was nothing…

That person leapt out from beneath the balcony, his knife so swift that he did not even have the time to pull the trigger.

As the person swooped over, his blade that was merely the length of an arm slashed diagonally upward...slicing the wrist, cutting into the chest, slitting the throat...

Dead!

……

Once, Old Jin had given Huang Yaming three people to help him take revenge for Tan Yao. One was an old rascally lawyer, another a woman with a snake tattoo on her back and the last one a terrifying blade-wielding assassin who left countless bigwigs in the Bingzhou mining district unable to sleep well at night.

Of the three, Huang Yaming had used the first two before. It was only this man whom he had never used.

This was a deadly weapon. Huang Yaming had always treasured him, preparing to use him for offence as necessary. Still, after Xu Tingsheng had left, he had just one mission left, which was to protect Xiang Ning in secret…

To be honest, Huang Yaming did not like Xiang Ning at all. He definitely did not think that it was a good choice for Xu Tingsheng to be together with Xiang Ning.

Yet, he had still made such a decision...only because Xu Tingsheng cared.

Chapter 687: Levelling the mountains and seas (4)

Chapter 687: Levelling the mountains and seas (4)

Whether or not Du Jin knocked Xiang Ning unconscious, the sniper opposite had never had a chance of killing her whatsoever. His opponent was someone who could wield knives and still reach this level in modern society.

He did not wield guns. Still, he could grasp even the breathing patterns of gun users.

So, Du Jin was the only one left who could kill Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning was still lying unconscious on the sofa...

Crouching on the floor, Du Jin was assembling a German P229 pistol numbly but with incomparable fluidity.

There was no need at all for her to use a gun to kill Xiang Ning. So, even Du Jin herself actually did not know at this point if she was preparing to kill Xiang Ning or afraid of that person opposite rushing over…

She had to kill her, because Zhou Yuandai’s orders could never be defied.

She instinctively wanted to protect her, just as an older sister would her younger sister.

Click.

Click.

The moment the magazine was pushed in...a faint sound resounded from the door behind her.

Du Jin turned reflexively, aiming her gun at the doorway…

Then, she saw Huang Yaming who was similarly pointing a gun at her.

Moments ago, at that critical instance, Huang Yaming had gotten the assassin to go opposite and come over here himself...this was a smart move, because if it was the assassin who had just appeared at the doorway, Du Jin would definitely already have pulled the trigger.

Yet, now, this person...was Huang Yaming.

Du Jin’s hands were trembling.

……

The Xu family had always found Du Jiang trustworthy. Zhong Wusheng had been involved in and witnessed his former experiences, his time in jail included.

Through her blood-related brother, Du Jiang, Du Jin had been introduced to the Xu family. The records and information had all been privately verified...everything regarding her had then virtually no longer led to any suspicion and vigilance. It just seemed natural and totally reasonable.

After all, at that time, Xu Tingsheng had still yet to fully realise how great and how direct a threat Zhou Yuandai posed. When he had discovered it, he had habitually already come to trust Du Jin...it was very hard for him to think back specifically on it and notice anything suspicious.

Meanwhile, Du Jin had indeed done nothing to raise his suspicions at all. She had always worked hard at her job and was also on close terms with Xiang Ning. It did not appear fake.

Still, if one thought back on it carefully, remove Du Jiang from the equation and Du Jin’s very existence would become extremely obtrusive.

She had returned from overseas, gone through professional training and was proficient in guns. Xu Tingsheng had always suspected that she had a gun. However, due to innate notions on this amongst the Chinese, he was prone to avoid mentioning such a matter.

Thinking back on it carefully, she had actually always intentionally avoided overly interacting with and getting too close to Xu Tingsheng.

Her parents who were already strangers to her had suddenly called her back for a matchmaking session...and so she had left for a period of time.

A professional at her level could actually have Dongdong vanish without detection or harm whatsoever under her watch...one must know that Dongdong was a dog, and a very insensible dog at that. When meeting strangers, the first reaction of dogs is to bark.

Actually, the truth of the so-called matchmaking session was that Du Jin had been called back for some ‘ideological infusing’ due to her having gotten too close to Xiang Ning.

Actually, Du Jin’s words when Xu Tingsheng had enquired about Dongdong’s matter had been half true and half false...she had made use of Xu Tingsheng’s overestimation of Zhou Yuandai’s abilities to create a blind spot in his thought process.

Actually..most crucially, it was still because she really did like Xiang Ning a lot. It would have been hardest to put on an act in this aspect, otherwise.

A change had only happened to this matter on the night Xu Tingsheng had been directly and forcibly retrieved by Zhou Yuandai.

Xu Tingsheng had been with Huang Yaming before returning home that night. While chatting casually, Huang Yaming had told Xu Tingsheng that Du Jin had been adopted during an illness she had as a child. From having been trained and forged, she had been riddled with scars…

At that instant, Xu Tingsheng seemed to have grasped a bit of something.

While his thoughts were not sufficiently clear and he could not directly speak of Zhou Yuandai’s matter to Huang Yaming, while believing that he still had time...Xu Tingsheng had only casually mentioned to Huang Yaming at the time that Du Jin seemed to be a little strange.

He had not expected that he would be forced to leave just like that afterwards, totally unable to say anything else.

After he had vanished, that ‘Du Jin seems a little strange’ had become the greatest point of suspicion in Huang Yaming’s heart, his most important clue. It had also become his point of breakthrough in silently searching for Xu Tingsheng…

So, whatever Du Jin might have thought over this period of time, to Huang Yaming, at least, their interactions over this time had all been an act with a motive in mind.

How could Huang Yaming possibly embark on a new relationship after Xu Tingsheng’s sudden and mysterious disappearance?!

It was actually quite simple, really, just that virtually no one had thought of this.

Totally unable to contact Xu Tingsheng and with Cen Xishan definitely not daring to contact him too, Huang Yaming had tolerated it and maintained his composure just like that as he solitarily, silently investigated the matter...revealing no hint of anything to anyone.

He had indeed gained a lot, including that person hidden opposite, including Du Jin’s possible true motive…

Yet, he had not been able to do anything at all. He dared not act against them, dared not even make any preparations for fear that he would be found out-at the end of the day, he was afraid of provoking and evoking the wrath of the person behind Du Jin who was controlling Xu Tingsheng.

Only today, Huang Yaming had definitively learnt of Zhou Yuandai’s bankruptcy...then, linking these things together, analysing the matter and putting it together with Xu Tingsheng’s earlier actions...he had ultimately come to a conclusion.

If it had been anybody else, still unable to contact Xu Tingsheng under these circumstances, they would definitely be panicked or let their mind run wild before being overcome by sorrow. Fortunately, this person was Huang Yaming. He was cool-headed and decisive.

One had to set aside things they could not do at the moment, however worried they were. Otherwise, they would only waste time and lose opportunities…

Calming down and thinking about what he could and should do now…

Huang Yaming immediately notified Mr Xu that Du Jiang was suspicious before hurrying to Xiang Ning’s house with that assassin.

……

At the same time, in different locations.

A frantic Xu Tingsheng tried to dash out but was beaten up mercilessly by the two deaf-mute black men.

Du Jiang suddenly collapsed under Zhong Wusheng’s full-powered half step break. He looked bewildered as he fainted.

Du Jin and Huang Yaming still stood there with their guns pointed at each other...Xiang Ning was still lying unconscious on the sofa between them, oblivious to everything.

“It’s got nothing to do with my brother. He doesn’t know anything at all,” Du Jin was first to speak.

“Oh,” Huang Yaming said, “Zhou Yuandai is finished. Give it up.”

Du Jin shook his head, “That’s impossible. You don’t understand...she’ll never lose.”

Through her eyes, Huang Yaming could judge that she was being absolutely serious.

“Go. Leave,” Du Jin said, “Come after me when you’ve got sufficient people. I think you should have guessed everything. That’s right, I’ve been working against Xu Tingsheng all along. Now, the order I’ve received is to kill Xiang Ning. Go! If you don’t go now, how will you take revenge for them?”

Huang Yaming slowly shook his head.

“Even with a gun, you are not my match,” Du Jin said.

Giving up on the possibility of persuading her, Huang Yaming nodded, saying, “I know.”

He paused, adding, “Still, if you wish to kill Xiang Ning today, you’ll have to do it over my dead body. I’m not willing to fight for her. In fact, I’ve always hoped that Xu Tingsheng doesn’t get together with her. But I know for a fact that if she dies...Xu Tingsheng will be finished too.”

Du Jin looked into his eyes and got an answer.

“Would you like a woman like Xu Tingsheng likes Xiang Ning?” She suddenly asked such a question.

“No,” Huang Yaming shook his head.

“So, everything over this period of time was fake, right?” Du Jin asked.

Huang Yaming did not speak.

“But it was real to me...I like you...you’re the first person I’ve ever liked. Also, I hate you...hate you for not continuing to deceive me.”

Du Jin pulled the trigger.

By reflex, a step later, Huang Yaming pulled the trigger too.

Clack.

Bang.

The first sound was that of an empty barrel as the magazine slid out.

The second sound was the gunshot.

Du Jin collapsed.

On one side was Zhou Yuandai who had intentionally moulded her for over a decade, whom she dared not even think to defy. There was no going back for her and no way forward too...on the other side was Xiang Ning who was like a little sister to her and the first man she had loved.

So, this was her only choice.

……

Afterwards, Xiang Ning would ask, “Where’s Big Sis Du Jin?”

“She’s gone overseas to carry out a secret mission,” Xu Tingsheng would answer.

“Can I contact her then? I rather miss her.”

“You can’t. It’s not a secret mission for nothing.”

“Will she be back then?”

“She’ll be living overseas in the future. Also, after this time’s mission, she’ll be saying goodbye to her original identity and starting a peaceful life...having seen movies, you ought to know, right? It’s very difficult for her to quit and live a peaceful life in this profession...so, we can’t interrupt her.”

“Oh. I wonder if she’s in a relationship yet.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“She won’t be keeping in touch with Huang Yaming too?”

“She won’t.”

“Oh, what a pity. I thought they’d be together.”

Chapter 688: Across mountains and seas is not far, a foot is

Chapter 688: Across mountains and seas is not far, a foot is

Huang Yaming finally received a call from Xu Tingsheng from across the great ocean.

Xiang Ning was still in the hospital. Maybe because she was too nervous, Du Jin had struck her a bit hard at the time. Huang Yaming explained the situation simply, telling Xu Tingsheng not to worry.

Finally, he said mildly, “Everything’s fine over here. We’re just waiting for you to return.”

While he spoke mildly, not even sounding moved and excited at all, the feelings of brotherhood therein, whether in the ordinariness of his previous life or the eventfulness of this life, had never changed.

Xu Tingsheng longed to be home.

……

On the flight back, a sea of clouds roiled outside the window. Xu Tingsheng’s heart felt like that sea of clouds.

Cen Xishan was sitting in the seat beside him.

“After going back, please don’t approach my daughter again,” Having been silent throughout the flight of a few hours, Cen Xishan suddenly said this just before the plane began its descent.

Xu Tingsheng turned to look at him rather blankly.

“I can basically guess it. You and her are the same kind of people.”

Cen Xishan was actually the other person who was returning today. In contrast to a year for Xu Tingsheng, it had been more than ten years for him...still, at this moment, their states of mind were completely different. Xu Tingsheng was feeling anticipation, while it was more of unease that was mixed within the anticipation Cen Xishan was feeling.

“While it may sound a bit absurd, I firmly believe that you and her are the same kind of people. You...probably made a deal with the devil, receiving some special abilities. So, do not approach my daughter again,” Cen Xishan turned to look at Xu Tingsheng, “I can’t let her turn into another tragedy. You can take this request as the compensation I seek for having helped you this time. It can actually also be taken as me threatening you...if you don’t listen, I will broadcast your secret to the public, regardless of how many of them will believe it.”

In both this life and the previous, Cen Xishan could not be defined as a ‘good person’. Still, just as he could decisively hurt Zhou Yuandai for his wife and daughter in his previous life, he also had the courage to duke it out with Xu Tingsheng for his daughter’s sake in this life. This was what he believed, at least.

Xu Tingsheng could only remain silent towards this, while Cen Xishan did not seek to obtain an answer too.

The plane glided down, landing stably on the ground.

“Xiyu has her own career now. As for me, I also have some personal investments from over the years, such as shares from Facebook...as a father, I can take care of my own daughter. There’s no need for you to worry about her,” Cen Xishan said this as the plane stopped on the runway.

Then, he brought his two bodyguards along and hastily left first like he was avoiding the devil.

Having seen two Zhou Yuandais before, he did not know that they were two different people. He thought that she had experienced some terrifying, inconceivable change. In his eyes, Xu Tingsheng was the next Zhou Yuandai.

“So, when I step out of this gate, Apple shouldn’t be outside?” As for the future, Xu Tingsheng felt that he should still leave it up to Apple himself.

Without any luggage at all, Xu Tingsheng stopped before he left the passageway, taking a few deep breaths. He was just like a child who had done something wrong and was finally going home to face his parents.

There were many people standing outside...one familiar face after another.

Xu Tingsheng’s throat felt stiff as he was unable to say anything at all.

He tried hard to smile, stepping forward and hugging his teary-eyed mother and sister. He also said hi to Song Ni, Wu Yuewei, Fang Yuqing, Yu Qing, Ye Qing, Ms Fang and the rest.

Then, he slowly walked before his father, looking at his head that was full of silvery hair…

“Dad, I’m back,” Xu Tingsheng spoke, more than half his words choked back by his sob.

Mr Xu had grown old. His hair was white, his back crooked. There was less of a gleam in his eyes and wrinkles before his brows. While it had only been a year, there was no one who had borne more pain and pressure than him over this period of time.

Everyone was facing the same thing. Still, Mr Xu was different from the others. Not only did he have to bear his own portion, he also had to be the pillar of support for virtually everyone.

“It’s good that you’re back.”

Mr Xu stroked Xu Tingsheng’s hair. He held his shoulders and looked at him for a while. Then, he opened his arms and powerfully embraced his son. Once, on the day Xu Tingsheng had been reborn, seeing his formerly deceased father, he had been moved to the point of wanting to give him a hug. Mr Xu had not let him do it, saying that he was not used to such a gesture.

This wish had finally been fulfilled today.

Very soon, Mr Xu let go, smiling as he said, “You’re taller than Dad now. In the future, don’t let the family worry again.”

Xu Tingsheng forced back his tears, saying firmly, “Right. I daren’t do it again.”

He looked just like that former insensible kid. Mr Xu smiled and nodded, lightly pushing his son towards the others.

Women seemed to require more consolation and more words too. Xu Tingsheng chatted with and coaxed them one by one...before finally, it was the turn of Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming who were standing quietly on the outer ring.

Fu Cheng’s eyes were red.

Huang Yaming was smiling faintly.

“Hug me too,” He smiled and said.

Xu Tingsheng stepped forward and gave him a solid hug. There were many specifics such as that regarding Du Jin which only the two of them knew about...among Xu Tingsheng’s friends and companions, it was only Huang Yaming who was truly helping him to bear the load.

“Are you okay?” Having already heard about Du Jin’s matter over the phone, Xu Tingsheng asked in a low tone.

“Of course,” Huang Yaming said calmly, “Do you still remember what I said before? If any good woman really likes me, they are destined to be hurt for the rest of their lives. Also, the heavens have told me to live a life of debauchery. Whether you believe it or not...again, and again...I’m already very clear that this is my fate.”

“Maybe I was a boat in my previous life. So, I’m destined to roam the seas. There may be anchors which can hold me for a moment, but no ropes that can tie me for a lifetime.”

Huang Yaming made a joke that was clearly not funny at the end.

Xu Tingsheng was rendered speechless for a time.

“Actually, there really isn’t anything bad about this. Actually, it’s not everyone in this world who cannot live well without devotion in this world like you and Fu Cheng. I’m someone who walks on another path. Still, this does not mean that I cannot live well,” Huang Yaming consoled Xu Tingsheng before hugging him hard and smiling as he said, “Alright, it’s weird for two men to hug for so long. Your girl is fine. It’s just that she wasn’t in time to come with us. She’s probably at home waiting for you right now. Hurry up and go back.”

“Right, we have all the time to chat later,” Fu Cheng chimed in.

As the group made their way to the carpark, Xu Tingsheng was surprised to see Zhang Xingke standing a distance away.

He left everyone there and walked over alone.

“Welcome back,” Zhang Xingke smiled rather awkwardly, saying a bit unnaturally.

“It’s rare to see you looking so awkward,” Xu Tingsheng smiled and said.

Zhang Xingke forced a smile, “After all, I betrayed you so readily back then.”

“You didn’t betray me...you just did what you would do,” Xu Tingsheng said calmly, “You can continue with the finance company. That promise regarding Forbes still stands. Still, as for the funds, you may have to wait for some time before they come in. It so happens that the outlook's bad now. Over this period of time, you should attend Huang Yaming’s matchmaking program first. I’m in a rush to get back home today. Let’s keep in touch.”

Xu Tingsheng waved, then turned to leave.

Zhang Xingke looked blank for a bit before he hurried after him, asking, “I seem to have understood something...what I did was actually all within your expectations?”

“You can say that,” Xu Tingsheng answered frankly.

“So, you never trusted me in the first place. You also never thought that I would see you as a friend?” Zhang Xingke asked.

Xu Tingsheng shook his head, “On the contrary, it’s the reverse. I guess that in your heart, I may be your very best friend.”

Zhang Xingke nodded, “Then…”

“It’s like a glass that is filled with water,” Xu Tingsheng said, “When interacting with others, some people’s best are full glasses, sincere and able to even sacrifice their lives...for others, their best may just be eighty percent full...even sixty percent. There is no right or wrong here. The only right or wrong is asking someone who can only be eighty percent full at most to do something that only someone with a full glass can do. For some matters, getting those with at most sixty percent to do them is most appropriate.”

Zhang Xingke was an intelligent person. Hearing Xu Tingsheng’s words, he understood at once. Xu Tingsheng was indeed already the best of friends in his heart. Still, his personality determined that the best, most real he treated someone was at most a sixty percent filled glass.

Therefore, rather than looking for more trustworthy people like Huang Yaming or Fu Cheng, Xu Tingsheng had arranged for him to handle things without telling him about the actual background and motive at all...while it seemed rash, like he had indeed been betrayed, all had actually been within his control.

It was also precisely because of this that Zhang Xingke had acted authentically, not revealing any flaw in front of Zhou Yuandai at all.

All of it had been real-and the most fatal lie in this world was the truth.

There had once been a very long period of time when as an opponent and a friend, Zhang Xingke had felt that besides his genius creativity, Xu Tingsheng was not that outstanding in other aspects at all, inferior even to him. At this moment, though, Zhang Xingke understood. There was an aspect in which this person before him had actually achieved a terrifying level of cultivation. His grasp of human nature, his unrivalled prowess brought him constant victories.

Zhang Xingke might be the first person to understand this.

Xu Tingsheng might have made many mistakes before. Yet, there was one thing in which he had virtually never been wrong before, and that was his grasp of human nature. He had never been wrong in trusting or guarding against others. So, he had actually never truly been betrayed before, whether it was Lu Zhixin or Zhang Xingke.

Also, it was actually not just the economic crisis which had truly helped him to topple Zhou Yuandai. More crucial was his grasp and analysis of Zhou Yuandai’s entire personality and mental state.

“Are Huang Yaming and Fu Cheng both full glasses then?” Zhang Xingke asked at the end.

“Yes, but there’s a difference,” Xu Tingsheng said, “Huang Yaming is a full glass of strong wine while Fu Cheng is a full glass of clear water. So, there are some things that Huang Yaming can do but Fu Cheng cannot...for that dude, I can’t even give him too much. Otherwise, he’ll instead feel uneasy, causing the relationship between us to grow distant.”

Xu Tingsheng bid his farewell and left.

Zhang Xingke considered this for a while before smiling as he said towards Xu Tingsheng’s departing figure, “Thank you. Having you as a friend may be the happiest thing in this world.”

This might be the case for friends, but not so for women.

At this moment, standing a mere foot away, looking silently at that person as she concealed all her sorrow and worry from the past year and more, Wu Yuewei actually so, so much wanted to hug her senior...if she could.

Even she herself did not know-it had been two lifetimes, yet what should be done with her full glass of gentleness from both lifetimes?

Chapter 689: Life and death is but meeting again

Chapter 689: Life and death is but meeting again

The party arrived at Yanzhou around 4pm. Next, they all tacitly gave Xu Tingsheng space to see Xiang Ning, no longer interrupting him.

Having vaulted over the mountains and seas, even having defied death, Xu Tingsheng was actually rather nervous as he walked up the stairs…

It was just like those three years after he had left in his previous life. He had once visited that noodle store she liked the most, wishing to see her so. Yet, for what might just be someone with a similar silhouette, he had been nervous to the point of not knowing where to hide.

Finally, he had similarly suddenly vanished in this life, similarly caused her to feel lost as she waited.

Also, before he had left this time, they should actually be considered as having broken up...not having been in time to reconcile.

He took out his keys and opened the door.

Xiang Ning was not in the living room.

Xu Tingsheng stood rather nervously at the doorway.

A while later, Xiang Ning emerged from the kitchen. Wearing a flower-patterned apron and a dark blue silk hairband with a big butterfly knot on top, she had a spatula in her hand.

“You’re back? I was just about to start cooking,” She said.

Her tone was very normal, as if circumstances were normal and Xu Tingsheng had just returned from a business trip lasting a few days.

“Yes. I was in a bit of a rush to get back and didn’t get you any presents...here, snacks,” Xu Tingsheng set down the plastic bag in his hand, “I actually just bought this at the small supermarket nearby.”

Xiang Ning nodded, “Right, it’s okay. So, sit here for a while first. I’m going to start frying the vegetables.”

In the past, this would basically be no different from Miss Xiang announcing that she was going to start blowing the house up. Xu Tingsheng would definitely stop her. Now, however, he simply listened to her and obediently closed the door, going over to the sofa to sit.

“Do you want to drink water?”

“I can pour it myself.”

“Alright.”

Xiang Ning turned and returned to the kitchen.

There was the sound of the tap and water flowing, the sound of washing vegetables...the sound of pots, plates and stuff clanking...after a while, low sobs were added into the mix.

Feeling a bit of heartache, Xu Tingsheng walked to the entrance of the kitchen and saw Xiang Ning’s back figure as she washed vegetables. Her small frame trembled from time to time due to her sobs.

He asked carefully, “Are you still angry at me or do you feel distant because we’ve not seen each other for too long? If you’re not used to it…”

“Of course not,” Xiang Ning did not turn as she sobbed, saying, “I’ve just been waiting at home alone for the entire afternoon. The whole time, I’ve been preparing, preparing. In the end, it feels overwhelming instead.”

“Like I’d be scared of you,” She emphasised.

Xiang Ning had been waiting alone for Xu Tingsheng at home that afternoon...this virtually overflowing sense of anticipation had caused her to feel panicked, even unconsciously growing increasingly nervous.

So, she had gone out to buy groceries. Then, she had carefully swept the entire house. Next, she had begun to change her hairstyle, try hairpins. Then, she had changed into different sets of clothes…

Wanting to give Xu Tingsheng her best self, she had decided on what to say to him first, thought about giving him a forceful hug, thought that she had best not cry, thought of kissing him just like that...

In the end, however, at that moment when she finally knew that he was just about to arrive, she realised then that all her earlier preparations were useless.

Then, she became like what Xu Tingsheng was seeing now.

“How about you go take a bath first. Your pyjamas are in the wardrobe,” Xiang Ning feigned calmness as she said.

“Alright.”

Xu Tingsheng finished taking a bath. Opening his wardrobe, he saw the clothes hanging neatly inside, the socks rolled into pretty little bundles...he saw a shirt with a small note attached to it: Sorry, this broke while I was washing it.He tried to imagine how Xiang Ning would have spent her time alone in this house everyday. He imagined her hanging up those clothes again and again, again and again, sorting out what actually did not have to be sorted out in the first place.

At that time, had she been crying sorrowfully? Or had she been smiling sweetly? Also, what about those three years from his previous life?

At that instant, his emotions from his two lives finally intersected completely.

Sensing light footsteps behind him, Xu Tingsheng dared not look back for fear of scaring her away.

He waited, waited...finally, slender arms wrapped around his front. Xiang Ning hugged Xu Tingsheng very tightly, her entire person sticking closely to his back.

The waterworks finally erupted.

“I thought you didn’t want me anymore at first. I was just waiting, waiting…”

“I really missed you after that…”

“I’ve been very obedient. I studied hard.”

“I...just really miss you…”

She spoke as she cried, her tears virtually soaking Xu Tingsheng’s back. When she was angry, she would bite his shoulder. When she felt sorry, she would stroke his body…

Gradually, her emotions were all vented out. Xu Tingsheng knew that the Miss Xiang he was familiar with was finally back…

He turned and embraced her.

At that instant, all quietened except for the tears. Neither of them said anything as the two hugged each other just like that for a long time.

Finally, Xu Tingsheng said gently, “Rest for a while. I’ll go cook.”

Miss Xiang raised her head in his embrace, her tearful eyes innocent and pitiful, “You’re still thinking of eating first at a time like this? The timing has already exceeded by a lot…”

“Huh?” Xu Tingsheng did not understand what timing had already exceeded by a lot.

Xiang Ning shot a look at him, “Do you still remember that lot?”

“Separated in life, reunited in death…” Xiang Ning said while pulling Xu Tingsheng’s hands, guiding his fingers to undo the strings of her apron behind her, “We’ve already been separated in life. That’s no longer allowed. Reunited in death means that we have to be together even if we die. Even if we grow old and die, I’ll wait for you too in my next life...remember, you must definitely find me.”

As she said so, the flower-patterned apron also left her body, falling on the nearby floorboards.

“So, what are you still worried about?”

“Eat me first, okay? I’ll cook for you later.”

Right, the mountains and seas had already been levelled. What further reservations were still necessary? Xu Tingsheng reached out with slightly trembling hands. For the first time, he did what he had actually done countless times before in his previous life.

When the last article of clothing was about to leave her body, the brave Miss Xiang finally timidly closed her eyes, no longer cooperating as she fell limply in Xu Tingsheng’s embrace.

Xu Tingsheng scooped her up, placing her lightly on his bed…

“Don’t be scared. I won’t kick you now,” Her eyes closed, Miss Xiang said gently.

Xu Tingsheng gently kissed her body.

Gradually, Miss Xiang’s breathing grew heavier and heavier, “You dirty ruffian, why, why are you kissing everywhere?!”

“Because I terribly miss every inch of your body,” It could also be heard from Xu Tingsheng’s voice that he was breathing heavily.

Finally, accompanied by Xiang Ning’s muffled groan, Xu Tingsheng completed a ‘glorious undertaking’.

“Does it hurt?” Xu Tingsheng dared not move at all as he asked carefully.

Xiang Ning frowned but shook her head slightly, “Compared to every day of you not being around, it doesn’t hurt at all.”

Xu Tingsheng pecked her lightly on the lips.

“No, not like that…” Xiang Ning said, “Can you not, can you not kiss me very forcefully while also...ah.”

“What is it? Are you afraid of the pain?”

“No, it’s...it’s that I’ll let out strange sounds. I can’t help it...how unlucky! I feel so embarrassed.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled, “I don’t care about that.”

Finally, on the silk blanket, the little boat rode the gentle waves, rocking, rocking...Miss Xiang’s Little Pert Waist that Black Bear Uncle coveted so was wriggling about like a little snake…

At 10pm, Miss Xiang who had said she would cook for Uncle later got hungry.

Of course, the one cooking had already changed to Uncle. Also, when he was done, he still had to carry it to the bed and feed Miss Xiang spoonful by spoonful. Otherwise, if Little Xiang Ning frowned and yelled that it hurt, saying that he hadn’t heeded her pain at all earlier...how would Xu Tingsheng be able to bear it?

Having completed a major deed in her life, after having eaten, Xiang Ning was completely ‘revived’.

She took her diary and showed it to Xu Tingsheng. Leaning in his embrace, she pointed at the words from time to time, chattering on:

That day, I wrote and wrote and began to cry.

That day, I thought of the past again.

That day, the rain was so heavy...you weren’t there.

……

The next morning, the two both blearily slept till nearly 10am.

When Xu Tingsheng extricated his arm from beneath Xiang Ning, Xiang Ning woke up. Looking at his bare upper body, she blearily leaned over and kissed his chest, saying ‘good morning, dirty ruffian hubby’. Then, she went back to sleep.

Xu Tingsheng shook her shoulder, saying gently, “Since you’ve woken up, get out of bed.”

“No, I don’t wanna,” Xiang Ning said daintily.

“But your school starts today. You have to go to Yanzhou University to report,” Xu Tingsheng said.

“I can go in the afternoon! It’s so close anyway,” Xiang Ning raised the blanket.

“Do you have to pack?”

“Pack for me...it still hurts,” Xiang Ning deliberately acted pitiful.

“Oh, right. Will you have to stay at school for a week?” Xu Tingsheng suddenly asked.

“Yeah. Why?”

“In that case...can we…” Xu Tingsheng leaned into her ear and quietly asked something.

Xiang Ning raised her head and looked at him, “Dirty ruffian, your true nature is exposed now, huh? You even pretended not to be lustful before.”

Xu Tingsheng smiled rather awkwardly.

“In that case, you pack.”

“I’ll pack.”

“Send me there to report.”

“But of course.”

“You must also help me to register, lay out my bed…”

“It’s not that I’m unwilling, but that’s the girls’ dormitory!”

“It’s fine since it’s the first day. I don’t care. Anyway, I won’t do anything at all. You do everything...alright? Ow, it hurts.”

Xu Tingsheng had no choice but to accept all her conditions.

Xiang Ning smiled craftily in secret before biting her lips and looking at Xu Tingsheng, an alluring gleam in her eyes and a hint of triumph from finally having proven that she really possessed a lot of charm.

She said softly, “Well...alright then.”

And so came another round of pleasure.

That afternoon, Xu Tingsheng drove Xiang Ning to Yanzhou University.

After finishing up the procedures and reaching her dormitory, Miss Xiang who acted pitiful and frail really didn’t offer any help at all as she completely became a bystander. Of course, it was actually more or less the same for the other kids coming to university too, most of whom had their parents help them out instead.

Like that bunch of uncles and aunties sending their kids to school, Xu Tingsheng rolled up his sleeves and got to work....the toilet was very crowded. He took a face basin and went out to get water.

Not long after he had left.

“Oh, how sad!” A new roommate of Xiang Ning’s said, “If only we had come two years earlier...we’re late by two years. Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng has already graduated.”

Her words instantly attracted the attention of the other girls in the room.

“You’re right! It was because of this that I heard of Yanzhou University and applied for this place. I wonder if senior will come back to play. He’s a direct senior of ours in Chinese.”

“Sounds unlikely. Hasn’t senior been missing for a year, having gone who knows where to have fun? I think that we’ll only be able to see him at school anniversaries or whatnot.”

“Sigh, when will that be? How I wish to see senior! Even better if I could hear him sing. <<Outside the Peony Pavilion>> is fine, <<Within A Few Kilometres>> would be even better…”

Now, Xiang Ning interrupted, “If you all see him, would you be able to recognise him?”

“I can, I can!” A roommate who had just arrived not long ago raised her hand, “I saw news, photos and videos on senior everyday over the summer holidays. As long as he appears, and I see…”

Right then, Xu Tingsheng entered with a basin of water, the towel he was preparing to use as a rag on his shoulder.

“Him,” Right after finishing her sentence, that girl exclaimed in amazement, “Wa, Xu Tingsheng!”

“Huh?”

They all turned to look.

“Hey, you…”

“You, you…”

“Are you?”

Xu Tingsheng nodded, knowing that it was impossible and also unnecessary to continue hiding this, “Hello. I was also from Yanzhou University’s Chinese department. I’ve already graduated, though. I’m...that...Xu Tingsheng.”

Beneath their flabbergasted gazes, Xu Tingsheng sweated profusely as he busied himself around Xiang Ning, wiping the table, laying out the bed...doing this and that.

“Um, senior is your…” Finally, a girl emboldened herself and asked Xiang Ning.

“Maid,” Miss Xiang joked.

Chapter 690: Mountains and seas in time

Chapter 690: Mountains and seas in time

In October, through Xu Tingsheng’s arrangements, in a relatively discreet process, Lu Zhixin underwent a DNA test. Whoever Zhou Yuandai was in soul, however she had had plastic surgery, she was still originally that mother of Lu Zhixin’s from the standpoint of DNA.

Next, after the debt calculation and compensations, Lu Zhixin inherited the small portion of Zhou Yuandai’s shares that remained. While it might be a small portion, it actually included more than thirty percent of shares in Alibaba that Zhou Yuandai had come to possess through Ruanjin.

There were also a small amount of shares of some other companies within and outside of China which presently did not have high value.

Zhou Yuandai’s foreknowledge period had ended in 2003. In 2003, Alibaba was still far from that Alibaba of the future. Zhou Yuandai had not viewed it in very high regard, merely treating this as an ordinary investment to broaden one’s net.

Right now, in 2008, Alibaba’s market price was merely around 30 billion. It was also in the midst of a figurative cold winter.

Besides Xu Tingsheng, no one, including the late Zhou Yuandai, could know just how supreme a vessel it would be in the future.

This was Xu Tingsheng feeling apologetic and wanting to make it up to Lu Zhixin with her not fully in the know. That day, Lu Zhixin walked past Xu Tingsheng, not speaking, not looking back...to her right now, at least, this was not something that she should feel happy about.

Not long after, Hucheng Tongcheng was successfully listed on Nasdaq, rising mightily against the storm of the financial crisis.

At the moment the bell rang, Little Jinshan and Old Jin were present, Li Linlin and Old Wai were present...Xu Tingsheng was not there.

Lu Zhixin stood in the centre in her crisp professional suit, knocking the bell to signify the start...how dazzling she was. This young, beautiful woman was destined to be different from others her entire life. She who belonged to the battlefield would ascend to the peak, winning over countless people.

Many years later, she would be surrounded by endless glory and receive countless evaluatory words of praise. Yet, no one would know that in her heart, there would forever only be a single most important evaluation: Lu Zhixin, the one and only.

Even though she was already no longer willing and no longer dared to think about the person who had said this.

……

Similarly in October, Huang Yaming’s matchmaking program <<Golden Bachelor>> that had been set aside for a long time was officially broadcasted on satellite TV. At the same time, he worked together with Xingchen Weibo for it to be broadcast live on the internet with a selection taking place there too.

After decisively selling his remaining mines in Bingzhou at their highest point, he had already accumulated sufficient funds. Afterwards, he finally officially left Tianyi and began to independently establish his own entertainment empire, management agency, movies, dramas, variety shows, even cinema chain...

Just like that, amidst repeated entanglements with one female celebrity after another, a future mega entertainment magnate was slowly rising up with his unbridled, extraordinary charm.

At the same time, more and more branches of Bright Brilliance appeared, encompassing various prosperous cities within the country including Hong Kong...only those closest to Huang Yaming knew that these bars were actually the most precious to this Magnate Huang.

Only because of the word Brilliance (Yao) in Bright Brilliance (Ming Yao).

At the same time, it was also because of this Yao that the Qingchen fund, with an incomparably dazzling committee list and personally managed by Ye Qing, quickly became the largest charity scholarship fund within the country.

Zhang Xingke, Huang Yaming, Hu Shengming-one after another, ultra golden bachelors who were extremely newsworthy took to the stage for matchmaking. The contentions about the program were neverending. Still, it indisputably swept through the entire country as well.

It even gave rise to a large-scale debate on sense of values.

Still, even as countless girls gave up hiding their desires and fought desperately to be on this ‘problematic program’, another marriage led to much greater discussion-China’s model who had the greatest reputation overseas, the world class model You Qinglan who countless people sought after, officially married an ordinary programming employee at Xingchen, Li Mo.

Once, at Xingchen’s annual gathering, Li Mo who had received a commendation had been fortunate enough to get You Qinglan’s number...who would have thought at the time that things would turn out like this.

It was true that Li Mo who possessed Xingchen’s shares could actually also be considered a wealthy person. Still, even as a millionaire, it was still far inferior as compared to those competitors around You Qinglan. In front of You Qinglan herself who was the spokesperson for various major brands, it was also nothing to talk about.

Much less his societal status.

So, countless people found it to be inconceivable. Countless people felt that this was something which only happened in fairy tales.

Only You Qinglan herself understood her actual state of mind. Li Mo was very good and left her feeling very at ease. This was foremost. If this had not been enough for her to steel her resolve originally, after seeing what had happened to the person closest to her, she understood...just what happiness was.

The simplest form of happiness was having a man who viewed you as a treasure, reliably and stably accompanying you, meticulously protecting you.

If he would not accompany and protect you, feeling sorry for was useless, someone however dazzling was useless, however deep an infatuation was useless, however much entanglement was useless, however many promises were even more useless...

Thus, You Qinglan knew that Li Mo was her happiness.

Meanwhile, it was destined that Xu Tingsheng was not Li Wan’er’s happiness. Even if she was willing to put everything aside, making multiple concessions, the one Xu Tingsheng viewed as a treasure, accompanied and protected would still not be her.

You Qinglan still remembered Li Wan’er’s joy and tears on the day she had heard about Xu Tingsheng’s reappearance.

Afterwards, she had accompanied her on a trip to Yanzhou, standing at a corner of the park opposite Ning Garden. They had watched that man who clearly should be very busy carrying his little girl on his back as they frolicked on the grass under the setting sun for two hours at once...while they were tired, they smiled with incomparable ease, ever so brilliantly.

Li Wan’er had not appeared in front of him in the end that day.

After going back, she had changed her number and returned to Italy. There, she became a teacher at a clothing design institute...returning to routine and her originally peaceful life, doing what she had once loved to do most. Once in a while, she would also release some works.

“Even though it’s very difficult, I’ve already managed it once and for very long, after all...there was a time when I believed he was dead,” Li Wan’er said, “So, I should go on pretending that he’s already completely departed.”

“If not interrupting him is the best I can give in return, well then, we’re even...this life’s Xu Tingsheng. You said that you might have brushed by me in our previous life yet never stopped. In that case, in our next life, I’ll definitely find you precisely in the crowd. I hope that at the time, I’ll still be the most beautiful woman in your eyes as you said while you are still young, wild and mischievous, not yet having fallen in love with anyone.”

“Even if it’s for an ordinary life, I will still go off with you...I don’t eat much, anyway.”

……

Actually, Xu Tingsheng was not as busy as others imagined.

Hucheng was Lu Zhixin’s Hucheng; Zhicheng Real Estate was managed by Ye Qing and Fang Yuqing; At home, there was the ambitious, mightily capable Mr Xu; Xingchen Technologies continued to be managed under its current system.

Other than grasping the general direction and participating in necessary meetings, activities and decisions, Xu Tingsheng’s life could still be considered relaxed.

As for 2015, it gradually ceased to seem so frightening, Liang Qin included. After all, this was already another life.

With Huang Yaming, the two who possessed immeasurable wealth would still celebrate happily over Fu Cheng’s promotion at his company, drinking till they were stumbling before putting their arms around one another’s shoulders and traversing the empty streets in the early hours of the morning.

Then, they sent Fu Cheng home, watching him with his head lowered as he was scolded by his ‘teacher’.

As for Xu Tingsheng himself, when talking to Xiang Ning about the future, he said, “If possible, I’d like to accompany you in walking the entire world and seeing all the scenery there is before quietly reaching old age together in this life.”

Miss Xiang discovered that Uncle who no longer ‘abstained’ was so clingy. Fortunately, she liked him a lot.

Xiang Ning had once said that if Xu Tingsheng wanted to propose, it definitely had to be more romantic than everything he had done before.

Xiang Ning proposed to the stumped Xu Tingsheng that he propose as they bungee-jumped together on Macau Tower. How was this romantic? Right after going onto the bungee-jumping platform, Xu Tingsheng who had an incomparable fear of heights fainted dead away.

During the holidays that year, Xu Tingsheng drove and directly picked Xiang Ning up from school, heading to Shenghai International Airport.

They flew to Greece.

They saw countless beautiful sceneries. Finally, the two sat in a helicopter, overlooking the entire Aegean Sea.

“Look at that island,” Xu Tingsheng said to Xiang Ning as he pointed at a small island on the clear blue sea.

Xiang Ning looked in the direction he was pointing...

On the circular island on the Aegean Sea was beautiful architecture hidden amongst a forest and grassy plains. There was also a massive blue lake at the centre of the island. It was like there was a circle at the island’s centre. On the outer side of this island, there was a spot at which a gigantic reef jutted out.

“So beautiful! It looks just like a super big diamond ring,” Xiang Ning opened her mouth wide, exclaiming from the very bottom of her heart.

Looking at her, Xu Tingsheng smiled, saying, “Miss Xiang, this island...is yours.”

“Huh?”

The helicopter landed on the small island.

“Will you marry me?” Xu Tingsheng got down on one knee and asked.

“Hee, alright,” A smiling Xiang Ning said.

There was a butler, workers and gardeners on the island. Xu Tingsheng had actually already prepared for very long.

They stayed at the island that night. The two strolled along the beach, listening to the waves slowly beating against the shore.

“There’s something I have to ask you,” Xiang Ning suddenly said.

“What?”

“Say, what if Big Sis Yuewei never marries?”

“...”

“Say something.”

“How would I know?”

“Men…” Mis Xiang sighed emotionally, “She’s another person I’ve seen who loves you most. In the year you weren’t here, Big Sis Du Jin aside, she’s the one who accompanied me most. Like me, she was always waiting for you to return. It’s just that to comfort me, she never let her sorrow show on the surface.”

“I listened to your story from junior and senior high...her every step has been because of you. Her major when she went to university was also because of you. And because you weren’t there, she gave up on going overseas, staying behind to work at Xingchen and help me.”

“She’s actually always been by our side, isn’t it? She’s actually gotten the least, isn’t it? So, I don’t know what to do if she always stays silent like this and never falls in love with anybody else.”

“Big Sis Apple has her own career. From what you say, her Dad’s very awesome too. As for that Big Sis Lu, she’s even more awesome. I don’t understand the situation of Big Sis Designer, but I think she’s very awesome too. So, they all have their own careers and lives...but what about Big Sis Yuewei? She’s just like me. You’re all we’ve got in our lives.”

“...”

That night, Miss Xiang said, “I want to get pregnant and have a baby.”

Xu Tingsheng helplessly forced a smile, “You’re still attending university.”

“I can take a year off.”

“Hmm. That’s true. Still, what are you in such a rush for?”

“I’m not telling you. Anyway, it’s because of you, and also because of a little selfishness…” Xiang Ning flipped over so that her back was to Xu Tingsheng, “You must promise me. I’ll always be a rose...Bai Yueguang, not a grain of rice...Zhu Shazhi, not mosquito’s blood.”

*This is from Zhang Ailing’s works. Maybe every man has had at least two such women before, a red rose and a white rose. If they marry the red rose, over time, the red becomes a drop of mosquito’s blood on the wall. The white(Bai) is still moonlight (Yueguang). If they marry the white rose, the white becomes a grain of rice on their clothes. The red is a cinnabar mole (Zhu Shazhi) on their chest. It basically means that men will grow tired of their wives and reminisce on their old girlfriends. Wu Yuewei referred to this same analogy in Chapter 647. Xiang Ning’s meaning here is open to interpretation.

Afterword

Afterword: Those figures left in time

I hope I have moved you; I hope I have moved you; I hope I have moved you...your tenderness, your memories, even your pain...have you laughed? Cried? Feeling moved, have you thought of a certain someone?

This was my greatest purpose in writing this novel!

I’m a bit drunk now.

One year. While needing to work, I updated everyday, with a daily average of over five thousand characters. As a newbie, I think that I can be proud of myself.

As for the story, in terms of foreshadowing, filling up plot holes and completeness, I similarly think I can be proud of myself.

The first thing. Please tell your friends who are waiting for the novel’s completion that it is completed.

The second thing. Regarding a new novel, I want to write one. After all, there are many deficiencies in this one. I feel that having tempered myself, I should be capable of writing a better story, a story with warmth, feels, happiness, and much less entanglement…

So, bar any unforeseen circumstances, it’ll be around 5th February after the Lunar New Year, probably around the ninth day of the new lunar year.

If I write it, I’ll directly upload it. There will be a notification on Weibo (Xinlang Weibo: Xiang Tingsheng) too. If I really don’t want to write it, that will mean that I really can’t find any joy in it. In that case, I will also apologise and clarify to everyone.

Then, at the time, I will recommend the story that my friend wrote and I started out.

……

Alright, now is the afterword.

I wanted to write some plot originally, but sadly my alcohol capacity is weak (drinking alone, how I wish to drink while chatting with you all). I’m already unable to do it now. So, let’s pretend we’re chatting, having a conversation? If I say something wrong, treat it like I’m drunk.

Let’s talk about characters. Some say that many characters have not reached completion. Actually, how many truly do?

Let’s first talk about a simplest one. Song Ni. How will her life be?

Actually, it’s very obvious. There’s no need to write it. Hers is an ordinary life. She will lead a pretty good life afterwards, working hard in her job, with a few friends who are like older brothers to her. She will marry some middle-echelon employee of Happy Shoppers or someone else, being a simple, ordinary wife, being a mother. This is her character setting. It is also the case for most people in this world.

I suddenly read a few evaluations, said a few things. I’m drunk anyway.

If you’re disappointed or feel upset because it’s not the ending you wanted to see, scolding me because the character you like was not properly treated...that is deserving of respect, because you invested emotions into it. I really should and am happy to be scolded. Really, sorry.

Still, this does not include those who pretend to help write theses or those who feel that only a harem ending can be considered completion.

Regarding the ending.

Understand it first, understand it first! Understand Xiang Ning’s words first! Wu Yuewei’s former attitude that is hidden, find it in the novel!

For many who say I have disappointed you, you must know that you read the pirated version, never having given me support at all! Also, what I lost in writing this novel-you didn’t see what was written at the bottom of chapters before, right.

Of course, this is equivalent to saying that those who supported me before, however little it is, if you are dissatisfied with what I’ve written, I want to sincerely say sorry. I’m really sorry. This is my first novel, my abilities were insufficient.

Back to characters.

You’ll definitely be able to guess who the child Ye Qing adopted is.

Fang Yuqing spoke of Fang Chen’s life too. As for the result of her conflict based on hatred with Ling Xiao, that is actually her story! It is basically unrelated to Xu Tingsheng’s life!

Lu Zhixin? She is the most lonely person in this novel. How many people have understood her? What did she do wrong? The woman that Huang Yaming has always most hoped Xu Tingsheng accepts is Lu Zhixin.

But in reality, if she were to be an insignificant woman by Xu Tingsheng’s side, that would really be a waste of her life!

The one and only Lu Zhixin in Xu Tingsheng’s eyes-how would she be an insignificant woman entangled for her entire life by romantic desires?!

As for Li Wan’er, actually...she lived looking for her own defects, a woman who got married while never having experienced love before. How many of these there are in reality! In Xu Tingsheng, she found her youth, a romantic fluttering of her heart as she fell in love with an unbridled boy like a young girl would.

Still, this Xu Tingsheng is actually not that one! Sympathy is not love.

This is very painful, but there is nothing that can be done about it.

There is no need to talk about Old Jin and Little Jinshan. Their attitude in life is one envied by many.

Next is Xu Tingsheng himself. Many say that Xu Tingsheng is the least realistic character, such as how he was able to resist throwing himself on this or that girl...it was actually written in the novel that Xu Tingsheng had several girlfriends in his previous life before he finally fell to Xiang Ning.

Things he had already come to understand in his previous life-why would there be a need for coming to understand them again?!

When you have also experienced a lot, arriving at the sea of flowers, think about this question again then...you will also reminisce at the time, on a warm, inconspicuous little yellow flower that you once met along the way.

Old Wai and Li Linlin should be together for a lifetime.

Lil’ Bro is waiting for his junior to graduate.

Lu Xu and Chick Bao could not come to fruition because one of them was still insensible.

Li Xingming should do very well in the future.

Another complex one-Huang Yaming.

He is a character in this novel that I really like.

He is a wolf, a general-like figure, one of the most powerful people by Xu Tingsheng’s side.

In this novel, he experienced four romantic relationships. Being betrayed while foolish, once having been deeply loved, having also thought of moulding one himself, even having personally killed one...many people definitely find this a tragedy. Many want me to write a happy love story for Huang Yaming.

Still, to be honest, there aren’t as many people in this world who possess love as we think there are, much less those for whom it comes to fruition.

Moreover, a general-like figure who is actually much more powerful than Xu Tingsheng?

Just as Huang Yaming himself said, he does not need all this. He has his own path. That is another form of completion! Wings leave a beat behind, people leave their names behind. Huang Yaming’s life is hearty and free, having loved and suffered before...roaming the seas as he likes in the end, how cool is it? How liberating?

Speaking of him, I can mention someone else too, Du Jin. If you observe carefully, you can discover that I’ve been foreshadowing this all the way. You basically never thought of it, right? Still, if you look back on it, how reasonable it is.

Actually, if it was to account for things to everyone and satisfy you, regarding Huang Yaming and Du Jin’s life, I could write that Du Jin protected Xiang Ning in the end and got together with Huang Yaming.

Still, that would be no different from those novels that casually kill the personalities and experiences of character!

What did Du Jin experience? More than ten years, personally brainwashed by Zhou Yuandai! Rebelling immediately? How is that possible? So, that final shot was her only choice! Not letting down either side, also getting Huang Yaming to remember her, unable to forget.

As for Huang Yaming herself, it is obvious that he will marry a woman who will be of great help to him, whether in terms of ability or background, in the future.

They may not love each other that much. They may also go their separate ways in the face of tough times...still, would our Huang Yaming be afraid of this?! How could he possibly be someone who lacks confidence so?!

After Huang Yaming, we can talk about Fu Cheng.

Xu Tingsheng did not give him too much, because he cannot. He has Ms Fang and Niannian, leading a steady, peaceful life. How good. Isn’t it?

Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng have actually always been protecting his life. Can you see this relationship?

Another person who reached completion is Tan Yao.

I remember several evaluations from that time, remember a sentence: There are already no regrets for this character.

And finally, Apple. I have no way of accounting for this!!! Still, please properly take a look at the final words said by Xiang Ning.

……

I hope I have moved you; I hope I have moved you; I hope I have moved you...your tenderness, your memories, even your pain...have you laughed? Cried? Feeling moved, have you thought of a certain someone?

If so, it was all worth it.

I hope that of those people, those figures in the novel, some will linger in your mind across time.

Thoughts

Author’s thoughts

At the end of the end, it is time for my thoughts on the completion of this novel.

Once, I thought there would be countless things I want to say. There is gratitude, and also resentment-towards lack of understanding, towards misunderstandings and speculation, criticism without even having read it, unable to understand and thus scolding.

I even thought about making a thesis-style rebuttal towards a few sorts of viewpoints that I once tolerated.

Yet, as I sit here at this moment, feeling tipsy from the wine, beginning to write it at 4pm. I suddenly found that all that is not important, is not stifling, does not get me down...there is also no need to explain it.

I think that this is my growth.

There are many regrets in this novel, many parts that were not written well. Therefore, since the novel is already completed, I hope you dearest, adorable people...can we remember those good times and the feels?

Even if you have shed tears.

Let us…

Remember Little Xiang Ning skipping in, in their first meeting once more; remember you already having chosen me in my previous life, and the prank on Valentine’s Day that shocked Uncle and everyone; Also, the headstrong, stubborn girl retorting her Mum and Dad, asking her why they were still raising the price; remember that she has natural Fuxi bones, yet actually her actual good life is because of her sunlight and ocean-like personality; In two lifetimes, she waited for the same person, not knowing the date he might return yet not hesitating;

Remember that there is a type of brothers called Xu Tingsheng, Fu Cheng and Huang Yaming;

Remember Old Zhou who poured water for students in cloth shoes, loving to sing Beijing opera when in high spirits;

Remember Xu Tingsheng and his junior spending fourteen uneventful days and nights in the quarantine area during SARS; From Libei to Qingbei, ever waiting, and that I actually wish you were very useless. I’d still want you, anyway...also, junior tied him a white hair knot;

Remember Mr Xu who is like a mountain, the Xu family’s fireworks on New Year’s Eve; once, Mr Xu and his son raced to see who was faster;

Remember that infinitely alluring Apple, she who sent Xu Tingsheng to school; on the day they distributed flyers, she as she stood in the snow;

Remember Fang Chen who captured the hearts of all, and targeted all;

Remember that performance at the school anniversary of Xinyan Junior High, Xu Tingsheng wishing Little Xiang Ning happy birthday.

Remember Fang Yuqing charging a long, long way to propose, Yu Qing unwilling to say it for four years but calling him hubby when he was most destitute;

Remember Old Wai who, stained all over in blood, protected Li Linlin behind him;

Remember Lu Zhixin giving a scarf and confessing before the dormitory building and that football match in which Xu Tingsheng became Yanzhou University’s hero for the first time; remember Lu Zhixin drinking wine to the point of internal bleeding for two hundred thousand a glass

Remember Zhang Xingke, from enemy to friend, a friendship of a sixty percent full glass; also, his mighty life in which he can only be the CEO; he said that the road to becoming a Buddha is first raising the blade of slaughter;

Remember Fu Cheng having a crush in senior high, the night he stood guard outside Ms Fang’s door and refused to enter, him kneeling on the podium at Libei Senior High, the songs he sang on stage, the words he said; he was the All-citizen Nanny-dad;

Remember Ms Fang’s choice, Fu Cheng at Dujiangyan, the pitiful and adorable Niannian;

Remember the little hoodlum Li Wan’er fell in love with, remember her saying that if I can choose, I will go with you. I don’t eat much, anyway; remember how many times they said ‘we’re even’

Remember Lil’ Bro’s gentleness, how some people are always right in how they love another;

Remember Li Xingming saying what the heck does this old man need love for;

Remember Tan Yao’s life that was short but brilliant like fireworks;

Remember Tongtong’s life in which she did not have a choice;

Remember the wound Chen Jianxing was unable to mend, the rage and vengeance of this man;

Remember the most charming pair of Old Jin and Little Jinshan; Bingzhou’s Jin Twenty-four, ruthless and never erring; that devilish son of his;

Remember Huang Yaming who will never look back from his philandering ways, going from first bastard to charming magnate; he does not have much conscience, a great majority of it having been given to his lifetime brother, Xu Tingsheng;

Oh, right. There’s still someone, Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng.

He may be one of the least domineering male leads in rebirth web novels. Maybe to the end of the novel, his accomplishments were not as great as you imagined; maybe he always made you feel despondent, because he always felt that he could take care of everyone, bearing everything on his shoulders. And how he actually devoted his life to doting on a little girl to the heavens; and also...a lot.

Let’s not talk about him anymore.

There are still many more. I’m drunk and can’t recall them...still, as long as someone, somewhere has once moved you, I feel grateful and happy.

At the end of the end, the most important sentence:

Thank you for this meeting. I told a story, and you all were listening. I hope I have moved you.

***

I replied to every comment in the evaluation section for the first few months. Afterwards, my replies became fewer. Sorry, everyone, but actually, I still definitely read every one of them.

I remember having said before that Uncle is a wilful person, wilful to the point that I can lose well-paying, stable jobs time and time again, wilful to the point that I had an advantage in the ranking, but told the examiner for the third question of the public servant interview that I was actually just there to play.

Therefore, it is really a tough miracle that this novel could persist throughout!

It’s because of these people down below.

c5game炊烟　（An earthen immortal who doesn’t speak much, complaining that my content is fillery every once in a while. I remember correctly, right?）

含笑半步癫70575　（Human immortal, all comments are praise for me, haha）

寂寞大血崩　（We live so close. The wine we agreed on, I’ll go look for you when we both have time）

fa黎　（The friend who suddenly appeared and threw 2000 down before leaving in the most difficult stages of my novel. I owe you a mass release, I owe you thanks.）

iceˋcream　（Take good care of yourself in America）

(Yanshan Night Talk) 燕山夜话1226　（There’s a character in the novel named Shao Yanshan. I don’t know which of us is older, but because of those encouragements, I’m used to addressing you as older brother）

ernest。　（A fraternity chief who’s never said a word to me at all. Just so domineering)

eswxs　（A real life friend…the guy who brought me into the pool of web novels. While you swindled back the money for fraternity chief, you really took my starting. You’ve got to write well! I will recommend everyone to read it.)

听说要下雨　（Someone I’m really grateful to. Still, one of your evaluations really disrupted my tempo, sob）

miterl　（Frequently rewarding me, not speaking often）

云开霖雨　（A friend who likes Zhang Xingke, approving of my forging of his character）

wy大男孩　（A longtime friend, many comments. I read all your comments tonight）

谦晋泰临　（Evaluating my novel highly, supporting me on important matters. I’m very grateful）

时光冲淡一切　（Thank you for creating that group before）

张小刀3826081　（May your business prosper! A godlike person who earns money based on discerning vision）

快更新呗　（Just how many IDs have you changed）

(Uncle Qiaoqiao who loves honey)爱蜂蜜的乔乔大叔　（That’s Uncle Black Bear）

(Novel group) 书友群2927910　（The group created by 时光）

夜的影传说是白昼　（How’s your life in university?）

池藻　（Come back and take a look when you’re done with all your business. The novel’s complete.）

(Long live Xiang Ning’s faction) 项凝党万万万万岁　（I remember the war between you lot with the same series of names, haha）

艾涤生　（A friend who provided a high evaluation, even though you seem to like another author better, ha）

(I am Xiang Ning’s faction)  我是项凝党　（The one above above says long live you）

为你不可取代　（It’s been a long time. Thank you for your former support. If not for you guys initially, I couldn’t have written until now）

许oo　（Are you the one who looked for me on QQ?）

(Xiao Hua is a good student)  小花是个好同学　（Xiao Hua’s identity is still a mystery even now! A very popular reader.）

转身已陌路46349　（Someone from the beginning, my sub-moderator. I really must thank you a lot for having reached this point）

安子轩轩轩丶　（A friend who gave me a lot of support from the beginning）

骁骑校　（A fan of 校长 who gave me a lot of encouragement）

野性入骨。25242　（The first 18 yuan red packet, I remember. Those encouragements, I remember）

你的大白　（You are as warm as your name. Thank you, thank you for always having been here）

朴小暖　（Take good care of yourself overseas, girl）

empty77888　（It’s been a long time. Are you still here?）

景观陈　（Likes Old Jin and his son. I really want to write about them too）

(I’m indeed a bastard, right) 我果然是个混蛋吧　（No you aren’t）

赟赟赟赟赟　（Apple’s Chinese name is Cen Xiyu. Are you still here?）

威灵顿公爵　（A friend who came over from the pirated version to throw red packets. This isn’t the pirated version anymore, right. Haha）

(I am your Big Bro Gu) 我是你谷哥　（Big Bro Gu should be younger than me. Still, during this toughest period of this time, thank you for often appearing. I didn’t reply often, but I read it all）

听风念故人丶　（We didn’t interact, but thank you）

纯良有欲　（Right, the novel is over. Thank you for persisting till the end）

可乐加冰块520　（It’s been a long time. Are you still here? Thank you for that period of time）

笔尖未止，青春待续　（An author, huh. We can interact if we have the chance! Late nights harm the body, take care of your health.）

(Dumpling kid) 饺子子　（Big dumpling used to have a harem in the group）

秋风吹过77　（I hope everything goes well for you）

finback　（A wilful friend who only gave red packets when I wrote about Xiang Ning）

一盒周幸

黄金捣蛋　（Heavens, an author friend who gave me so much support for so long but never once asked me to promote his novel; For friends who are interested in the supernatural genre, you can search his name and go see!）

书145987199

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睡什么觉

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喜项为凝

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许老幺也是可以

喃喃的傀儡

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若此世唯爱秀晶

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折翼的老喵

yzn1107

小翼

不凡造我

少年如此机智

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图图是个大好人

与世界素昧平生

ヾ　难绘虚妄。难解惆

叶子中书

怒龙1

小小流风

许凤年

I’m too tired. I can’t comment for everyone...

There are still many friends, here and on other official mediums. Sorry, due to the namelist, I can’t type so much...thank you. It’s precisely because every one of you subscribed, rewarded me with even just one yuan, that I could shoulder the responsibility, feeling grateful and writing to the end.

At the end of the end, the most important sentence:

Thank you that we met. I told a story, and you all were listening. I hope I have moved you.

***

I posted this in the chapters hoping that friends reading elsewhere will be able to see it too. Otherwise, those websites won’t upload this. So, don’t misunderstand!

Goodbye for now. For the time being, I’ll be replying to story evaluations, Weibo and chatting. I’ll go to sleep first.

…………………………………….

I’ll be shameless (is it?) and write down my own (translator’s) thoughts on the novel’s completion too.

I started out on this novel 2 years back with this guy called nym. Novel licensing issues was one aspect-HSSB which I was translating at the time was not licensed and subject to DMCAs and stuff. We had also signed some contracts with a few Chinese webnovel websites like 17k which this novel is from. So I convinced nym (ha) that translating a webnovel would be mildly profitable (which was not the case) and thus worth it. We started translating. He stopped. I continued at my own pace which was (at least in my opinion) a little crazy and admirable in my first year.

During the process, stuff happened and I seriously wondered if I would be able to see this novel through. I stopped at some points...Still, as is obvious from me writing this, I’ve lived to see this through. Great.

I won’t be translating anything new right away. The reason is that what seems to be my final semester of university (early graduation) is coming up. I might want to maintain my GPA which I have basically let float around however it wants. I also have to think about what to do in the future. Just now I thought all of a sudden that writing stories for games might be nice. So, I may want to do something to get a ‘portfolio’ this semester. I’ve translated for 40 hours a week in my very first university semester before, so I doubt I’ll have not enough time to do extra stuff in a week’s time starting(exactly).

I’m going off topic. I’m gonna quickly go back to the novel and finish up.

To summarise: Meh happy that meh finished. Mehbe eat pizza soon. Big thank you to all this great people who read meh TL.

Ignore that, I went back to some old habits. But seriously, I have to say that I translated this novel for all of you, all you people reading it. It seriously felt for me, at least, that as long as there is just one person reading this TL, I feel encouraged to finish the rest of it to bring this story which I seriously think is good for them to read. And I have been reading all the comments for quite some time-I feel happy whenever there are more and perhaps I would reply if I’m not lazy (and bad) at technology and probably terrible at thinking of stuff to say.

Finally, about the novel itself. It’s about the feels. It gets you, hard. One part that is a bit more memorable for me, off hand, is Fang Yuqing’s wedding. As the author has said, the MC is not OP. (Personally, I do not like full-blown OP MCs). The author tried to incorporate a sense of realism in this novel (though I personally feel that having so many potential wife candidates is the most unrealistic thing in this novel, ha). I feel that this sense of realism is the biggest thing in this novel. One can tell that it is written by someone who has experienced many things in life and likes to evoke nostalgic, emotional feelings (though sometimes one cannot relate). I ultimately hope that people could have been enlightened by it, see through life, better
achieving

Eudaimonia.

Until we meet again?

Dear readers, this meeting was a marvelous, meh-in-no-way-at-all fate.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: A meeting long overdue
Chapter 2: The First Meeting, Once More
Chapter 3: Youth & ‘First’ Meetings
Chapter 4: Past Matters & Arrogant Words
Chapter 5: Stuff like fighting for a girl

Chapter 6: Be good, lower your head and walk away

Chapter 7: Ascending the Stage - the inaugural experience

Chapter 8: Within the sea of memories
Chapter 9: SARS arrives
Chapter 10: A parent is summoned
Chapter 11: Some things are irreversible

Chapter 12: The circumstances regarding Indigowoad Root

Chapter 13: Answering questions as if performing a surgery

Chapter 14: A major incident of a previous life

Chapter 15: My all in exchange for your warm, peaceful longevity

Chapter 16: When big words become a joke
Chapter 17: A man to this extent
Chapter 18: A newcomer on the Red Chart
Chapter 19: Fu Cheng’s Secret
Chapter 20: Let’s interact
Chapter 21: Student or teacher?
Chapter 22: We are all good kids

Chapter 23: Shall we drink a little wine in secret?

Chapter 24: An uncle’s willpower
Chapter 25: The feelings with that brick
Chapter 26: 14 days and nights

Chapter 27: Events in life have always come in bits and pieces

Chapter 28: University entrance examinations once more

Chapter 29: The Graduation Yearbook & the Farewell Dinner

Chapter 30: Beginnings and ends
Chapter 31: We are here to raise the price
Chapter 32: Experiencing the world once more
Chapter 33: Seeing Xiang Ning once more
Chapter 34: Fighting in different places
Chapter 35: Understanding

Chapter 36: The examination results are released

Chapter 37: Top Scholar for Humanities(1)
Chapter 38: Top Scholar for Humanities (2)
Chapter 39: Top Scholar for Humanities(3)
Chapter 40: He is a legend
Chapter 41: After the wine
Chapter 42: Cruel
Chapter 43: Top Scholar’s Sister
Chapter 44: The ever crossing paths of life
Chapter 45: Some beginnings, some ends
Chapter 46: The final match
Chapter 47: He likes you
Chapter 48: Carry me someplace bright
Chapter 49: Letter of acceptance
Chapter 50: The opening of the mall
Chapter 51: That final parting
Chapter 52: Did we know each other before?

Chapter 53: Big Xiang Ning and Little Xiang Ning

Chapter 54: A Ferris Wheel of Tenderness
Chapter 55: Apple’s demonic charm
Chapter 56: To be a little closer
Chapter 57: He came with his family
Chapter 58: Tales of military training
Chapter 59: They’ve all come

Chapter 60: Borrow this joint for a confession

Chapter 61: Fu Cheng’s afflicted with a sickness

Chapter 62: The mysterious Rebirth

Chapter 63: Everything related to money is major

Chapter 64: Immune to beauties, also immune to ridicule

Chapter 65: This idiot is my younger brother
Chapter 66: Dreams of youth on a green train
Chapter 67: Dowry

Chapter 68: The youthful fluttering of a heart

Chapter 69: The Xu Family’s great boat is soon to sail

Chapter 70: They must be very ugly
Chapter 71: Connections
Chapter 72: Old Wai’s distress call
Chapter 73: She’s okay
Chapter 74: Fang Yuqing’s path

Chapter 75: Hucheng Education Service Platform

Chapter 76: The first step to an empire

Chapter 77: Eating Fried Chicken. Knitting Woolen Sweater

Chapter 78: Unknowingly is a way to pick up chicks

Chapter 79: Your dorm’s blown up
Chapter 80: Testing the platform
Chapter 81: Let’s hand out flyers
Chapter 82: Snowman
Chapter 83: A reunion, a parting
Chapter 84: You deserve it
Chapter 85: Luckily, I won’t be playing
Chapter 86: That pandemonic confession (1)
Chapter 87: That pandemonic confession (2)
Chapter 88: That pandemonic confession (3)
Chapter 89: That pandemonic confession (4)
Chapter 90: That pandemonic confession (5)

Chapter 91: I just came to see you, incidentally

Chapter 92: Lu Zhixin’s secret
Chapter 93: 5-Star Home Tutor
Chapter 94: As if seeing the old me

Chapter 95: Bashing with a rod or grappling with bare hands

Chapter 96: A chance to get Xu Tingsheng indebted

Chapter 97: Let’s eat first
Chapter 98: Old employees
Chapter 99: It’s time to pay them a visit
Chapter 100: The Huang Family’s face
Chapter 101: Predicament
Chapter 102: The way out

Chapter 103: Returning home to usher in the new year

Chapter 104: The Xu Family’s Fireworks (1)

Chapter 105: The Xu Family’s Fireworks (2)

Chapter 106: An accidental matchmaking session (1)

Chapter 107: An accidental matchmaking session (2)

Chapter 108: From the 1st to the 15th
Chapter 109: Competition
Chapter 110: First visit to the Xiang Family
Chapter 111: You chose me in my previous life
Chapter 112: You wouldn’t understand
Chapter 113: Paper aeroplane
Chapter 114: Tribulation on Valentine’s Day
Chapter 115: Scare you to death

Chapter 116: Don’t get used to thinking like a good person

Chapter 117: I’ll be inside for a couple of days

Chapter 118: Eyewitnesses
Chapter 119: Fu Cheng’s kneeling figure
Chapter 120: Notification of condition
Chapter 121: Long time no see
Chapter 122: Prayers
Chapter 123: Awakening
Chapter 124: A woman in the house
Chapter 125: The legendary cohabitation

Chapter 126: How many such coincidences are there in life?

Chapter 127: Tan Yao and Huang Yaming
Chapter 128: I’m a teacher
Chapter 129: 200000 per glass
Chapter 130: Forcibly becoming a shareholder

Chapter 131: I fear that you wouldn’t be able to take it

Chapter 132: Strike one, Xu Tingsheng
Chapter 133: Whose fault is it still?
Chapter 134: Betrayed at a crucial moment
Chapter 135: The defanged tiger
Chapter 136: Following the drawn bow
Chapter 137: No reminiscing on old days

Chapter 138: Counterattack of the female warrior

Chapter 139: Keeping Hucheng afloat

Chapter 140: Old friends

Chapter 141: Love at first sight, what about second?

Chapter 142: Searching your name
Chapter 143: No growth without experience
Chapter 144: Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng (1)
Chapter 145: Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng (2)
Chapter 146: Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng (3)
Chapter 147: Xishan Tower’s Xu Tingsheng (4)

Chapter 148: Underground fighting Zhong Wusheng

Chapter 149: You seem very scared

Chapter 150: Time like the flowing of a gentle stream

Chapter 151: On the path

Chapter 152: The light of spring is incomparable to you

Chapter 153: Goodbye, my little boy

Chapter 154: Youthful love

Chapter 155: You’ll regret it if you don’t come

Chapter 156: A stiff dance
Chapter 157: The scale’s rather great
Chapter 158: The cousin destined for tragedy
Chapter 159: Her transparent soul
Chapter 160: You are my flower

Chapter 161: The brightest star in the night sky

Chapter 162: The two lives drawn closer by the moonlight

Chapter 163: Aftermath
Chapter 164: Take it that I kissed a dog
Chapter 165: The little boy behind Apple
Chapter 166: The choice of an educator

Chapter 167: Tycoon of the entertainment industry

Chapter 168: My artistic youth bro
Chapter 169: A great uproar
Chapter 170: Half a sentence
Chapter 171: The people of Libei need you
Chapter 172: So intelligent yet so foolish
Chapter 173: 100000 yuan of celebratory money
Chapter 174: Amidst memories
Chapter 175: The Hundred Cities plan
Chapter 176: Bastard
Chapter 177: Seeing Zhang Xingke once more
Chapter 178: The road to a Buddha
Chapter 179: This youth really can’t take it
Chapter 180: My fire’s already gone out
Chapter 181: Final decision
Chapter 182: The concert that will never come
Chapter 183: No borrowing umbrella at Xihu
Chapter 184: I owe you in this life
Chapter 185: What about Big Xiang Ning then

Chapter 186: Folding his sleeves and buttoning his clothes

Chapter 187: Bye, Uncle

Chapter 188: All I need is for you to care about me

Chapter 189: It’s all Sun Wukong’s fault
Chapter 190: The ultimate cohabitation
Chapter 191: A simple, peaceful life

Chapter 192: That Golden Retriever, Dongdong (1)

Chapter 193: That Golden Retriever, Dongdong (2)

Chapter 194: That Golden Retriever, Dongdong (3)

Chapter 195: This is necessary
Chapter 196: I’m clearly here
Chapter 197: Aura still has to be cultivated

Chapter 198: The gentlest and also the most vicious

Chapter 199: Commemoration photographs

Chapter 200: Those who’ve never seen you wouldn’t understand

Chapter 201: The one who lies

Chapter 202: The Xu Tingsheng before his father

Chapter 203: If I die
Chapter 204: A flat that is no longer a dream
Chapter 205: Fuxi bones
Chapter 206: Kick you to death
Chapter 207: No, can’t tell
Chapter 208: Uncle Black Bear
Chapter 209: I just really miss you
Chapter 210: Conversing with Apple

Chapter 211: Welcome to the reputability madhouse

Chapter 212: Ordering a suit

Chapter 213: Thirty yet inexperienced

Chapter 214: Forsake the depraved path for that which is just

Chapter 215: Papaya soup
Chapter 216: Zhang Xingke couldn’t take it
Chapter 217: Accompany me tonight

Chapter 218: Asking too much is ‘asking for it’

Chapter 219: I’ll pretend to be Hucheng’s boss

Chapter 220: The nostalgia of teasing chicks
Chapter 221: Debtors are the boss
Chapter 222: I’m willing to go with you
Chapter 223: Li Wan’er’s choice
Chapter 224: Come to my hotel tomorrow
Chapter 225: If only it weren’t him
Chapter 226: We’re even (1)
Chapter 227: We’re even (2)

Chapter 228: Waiting for Apple to knock on the door

Chapter 229: Lu Zhixin, the one and only

Chapter 230: Suits are so expensive

Chapter 231: What qualifications have you to speak with me

Chapter 232: A whole hand of detrimental cards

Chapter 233: That ever quiet room

Chapter 234: Apple’s arrived

Chapter 235: Want to terminate the contract? Dream on

Chapter 236: Her inner voice

Chapter 237: It’s definitely some fat, bald old man

Chapter 238: Just let it go to waste then

Chapter 239: Might not get lost, might not return

Chapter 240: Saying goodbye to Apple

Chapter 241: A single lifetime, a single fate

Chapter 242: What can be overturned and what cannot

Chapter 243: Just for today

Chapter 244: Don’t send me off

Chapter 245: The second year of university begins

Chapter 246: Good people never love the wrong way

Chapter 247: Ninety percent of youths’ problems are unanswerable

Chapter 248: Going to be the last?
Chapter 249: One man, one dog
Chapter 250: News on Fang Yunyao
Chapter 251: Hucheng’s heart
Chapter 252: Dongdong’s kidnapping incident
Chapter 253: Reinforcements
Chapter 254: Growing up

Chapter 255: Carefully observe this safety belt

Chapter 256: Chen Jianxing’s tale

Chapter 257: Paying respects to the dangers and warmth of this world (1)

Chapter 258: Paying respects to the dangers and warmth of this world (2)

Chapter 259: Chick Bao overwhelms everyone in mere seconds

Chapter 260: The games proceed
Chapter 261: Raise up your hand
Chapter 262: Fight for it
Chapter 263: Let’s get together

Chapter 264: Regarding university relationships

Chapter 265: Bullying a powerful career woman
Chapter 266: Can you sing Conquest?
Chapter 267: A state that should be rebuked

Chapter 268: This place owes me a beautiful house

Chapter 269: Fang Yuqing’s assault
Chapter 270: The non-inheritors
Chapter 271: Recognising and bestowing
Chapter 272: Window and ladder
Chapter 273: Stifled
Chapter 274: Star sign, Virgo
Chapter 275: You really deserve to be scolded
Chapter 276: Rise of the Black Horse Club

Chapter 277: Rationality is a correct but hateful thing

Chapter 278: Chain reaction
Chapter 279: The philanderers
Chapter 280: Hucheng’s crisis management
Chapter 281: The little girl wants to confess
Chapter 282: What liking someone means
Chapter 283: Little Xiang Ning’s requests
Chapter 284: You actually feel worried now
Chapter 285: I won’t let you suffer anymore

Chapter 286: I too need a trusted aide whom I can rely on

Chapter 287: Preparing to go overseas
Chapter 288: He will take me away
Chapter 289: Give me a bowl of noodles, Boss
Chapter 290: Dispelling karma
Chapter 291: A rainbow path
Chapter 292: First night in Milan

Chapter 293: I never thought you were such a Xu Tingsheng

Chapter 294: I never thought you were such an Inzaghi

Chapter 295: Warmness come in the normalest places

Chapter 296: A moth to a flame
Chapter 297: He’s weak against women
Chapter 298: Never meeting again
Chapter 299: Li Wan’er’s unambitious dream
Chapter 300: The translucent light of spring
Chapter 301: Taking a few bends in life
Chapter 302: This guy makes so much sense
Chapter 303: Old Jin’s ways
Chapter 304: A most special friend

Chapter 305: On one side flames, on the other seawater

Chapter 306: The troublemaker is sunbathing on the beaches of Nice

Chapter 307: Are You Hungry
Chapter 308: The Fang Family’s invitation
Chapter 309: Meeting in a foreign country
Chapter 310: A hasty meeting every time
Chapter 311: It’s always you reminding me
Chapter 312: How to choose
Chapter 313: The killing plot
Chapter 314: Dongzi’s date
Chapter 315: The death trap
Chapter 316: Car crash
Chapter 317: When it’s over
Chapter 318: Give it my all

Chapter 319: An encounter with Tingsheng impedes living forever

Chapter 320: Someone else’s life
Chapter 321: Two meals, three games (1)
Chapter 322: Two meals, three games (2)
Chapter 323: Plot No. 4
Chapter 324: Wrong place, right time
Chapter 325: Going home
Chapter 326: Another year passes
Chapter 327: Education bursary
Chapter 328: The Xu family is very tyrannical
Chapter 329: The popular Mr Xu
Chapter 330: Seeing Wu Yuewei once more
Chapter 331: Ning Garden
Chapter 332: I knew that you guys would peek
Chapter 333: Godly Swindler Xu
Chapter 334: Xingchen Weibo
Chapter 335: Little Pert Waist
Chapter 336: Long time no see, Apple
Chapter 337: Another form of rebirth
Chapter 338: Solitude overpowers restlessness

Chapter 339: Aurora at the Tromso Midnight Sun Marathon

Chapter 340: Everybody’s doubting
Chapter 341: Acting together in concert
Chapter 342: Press conference
Chapter 343: An unexpected person

Chapter 344: That bastard who abandoned his wife and daughter

Chapter 345: Fate returning to its original trajectory?

Chapter 346: 4 million versus 60 million

Chapter 347: When father and daughter discuss a man

Chapter 348: Bright Brilliance

Chapter 349: Some things just don’t make sense

Chapter 350: Those who walk together after the ruckus

Chapter 351: Ning Garden that is soon to open
Chapter 352: Sweet sixteen
Chapter 353: So and so’s kid
Chapter 354: It isn’t that Xu
Chapter 355: Regarding buying a flat
Chapter 356: Grandma

Chapter 357: Regarding offering up little white cabbages

Chapter 358: Ordinary employee Lin Yixian
Chapter 359: Top secret mission
Chapter 360: Ning Garden’s open enquiry day

Chapter 361: Where are you, you dirty ruffian?

Chapter 362: Conspirators in crime
Chapter 363: The special lucky draw prize
Chapter 364: Natural-born Fuxi bones

Chapter 365: Student-teacher relationship your sister

Chapter 366: A daughter who is destined for great wealth and fortune?

Chapter 367: Auntie watched a segment of <The Smiling, Proud Wanderer>

Chapter 368: A ravenous den of relatives

Chapter 369: The release of shares

Chapter 370: The time has come to put their acting skills to the test

Chapter 371: Return you a life of destined fortune

Chapter 372: Sorry, you are?
Chapter 373: Eloping
Chapter 374: Seeing Tan Qingling once more
Chapter 375: Opening day

Chapter 376: Before that infinite love, what can you do? (1)

Chapter 377: Before that infinite love, what can you do? (2)

Chapter 378: Before that infinite love, what can you do? (3)

Chapter 379: So long as you want it, as long as I have it

Chapter 380: An unexpected occurrence

Chapter 381: So nothing was that important after all

Chapter 382: I've still got to marry you

Chapter 383: Deeply connected and interwoven

Chapter 384: The young miss who’s come to see Xu Tingsheng

Chapter 385: My name is Xiang Ning

Chapter 386: After the inconceivable revelation

Chapter 387: Hidden undercurrents
Chapter 388: Returnee from Milan
Chapter 389: Trust

Chapter 390: Unless he himself isn’t willing to wake up

Chapter 391: Reactions
Chapter 392: Ah, I’m fainting again
Chapter 393: It’s trial time
Chapter 394: Bye, Ms Fang
Chapter 395: Plastic surgery knows no bounds
Chapter 396: I will be good in the future
Chapter 397: Some happy times of youth (1)
Chapter 398: Some happy times of youth (2)
Chapter 399: Cash is king
Chapter 400: Stealing cabbages, how childish
Chapter 401: Accidentally becoming first
Chapter 402: Childish but all the rage

Chapter 403: Weibo’s General of Fortune, Hu Shengming

Chapter 404: Earnt in a month

Chapter 405: A minor piece’s meritorious services

Chapter 406: An awkward situation
Chapter 407: The Xiang family’s backbone
Chapter 408: Just lying together again
Chapter 409: Three years are very difficult
Chapter 410: Surprise inspection

Chapter 411: Waters of forgetfulness or pill of regret

Chapter 412: The four ‘routines’
Chapter 413: Typical fighting in school
Chapter 414: Let’s play something cultured

Chapter 415: Women like these must be governed

Chapter 416: Shop for sale

Chapter 417: We’re family

Chapter 418: The feeling of discussing marriage

Chapter 419: Gutter oil

Chapter 420: Braised chicken rice

Chapter 421: Holding the government and media hostage

Chapter 422: The party’s uninvited guest
Chapter 423: Xishan Tower’s dirty ruffian
Chapter 424: A bit of closure
Chapter 425: Uglie

Chapter 426: Some people are not habitually brave

Chapter 427: Anniversary gift

Chapter 428: Yes please

Chapter 429: Forcing someone who loves you most to put on a show

Chapter 430: A lie
Chapter 431: Why do I have to study properly?
Chapter 432: 4 kilograms heavier
Chapter 433: First capital increase
Chapter 434: Silver tongue
Chapter 435: Randomly intruding
Chapter 436: Agglomerating the stars
Chapter 437: A war of two posters
Chapter 438: Two battles
Chapter 439: Emergent conflict
Chapter 440: Engagement
Chapter 441: Utter defeat
Chapter 442: An opportunity not to be missed
Chapter 443: Eradicate the ground beneath
Chapter 444: A bundle of twine
Chapter 445: Gain and loss
Chapter 446: The farewell of a king
Chapter 447: The king’s departing figure
Chapter 448: New VP
Chapter 449: The reigning three pillars
Chapter 450: An expert wielding a blade
Chapter 451: To stack bandages on a wound
Chapter 452: Little Aunt
Chapter 453: Awaiting an accumulated eruption
Chapter 454: Song Ni's graduation trip
Chapter 455: Upcoming trip to Xinan
Chapter 456: Room allocation
Chapter 457: A dam solidified millennia
Chapter 458: What no one knew (1)
Chapter 459: What no one knew (2)
Chapter 460: What no one knew (3)
Chapter 461: Face to face
Chapter 462: Barriers of the heart
Chapter 463: Fang Yunyao's decision
Chapter 464: You can't not leave
Chapter 465: Fang Yunyao's man
Chapter 466: Communication failure
Chapter 467: Superstar godmother
Chapter 468: Xiang Ning feels troubled
Chapter 469: As you guys wish
Chapter 470: Diverging worldviews
Chapter 471: Situation not impossible
Chapter 472: Fang Yunyao’s childish martyrdom
Chapter 473: All-citizen Nanny-dad (1)
Chapter 474: All-citizen Nanny-dad (2)
Chapter 475: Niannian's sweet
Chapter 476: Libei's greatest legend
Chapter 477: The Xu family's daughter
Chapter 478: The dust settles, all is well
Chapter 479: Lunar New Year's Eve, 2006
Chapter 480: That conniving old dame
Chapter 481: On women
Chapter 482: Policewoman cousin's request
Chapter 483: Lend you a fierce tiger
Chapter 484: Really wants to catch me?
Chapter 485: Revenge two years later
Chapter 486: Huang Gui feels so wronged
Chapter 487: Savage dragon crossing the seas
Chapter 488: You're not of the community

Chapter 489: Forcefully challenging the local snakehead

Chapter 490: Jin Twenty-four and his son

Chapter 491: High up on the flagpole

Chapter 492: Tongtong's opportunity and choice

Chapter 493: Seeing the universe, seeing all life, seeing oneself

Chapter 494: The faces of all beings
Chapter 495: A sort of learning
Chapter 496: Another sort of learning
Chapter 497: Not much conscience
Chapter 498: Uncharted life
Chapter 499: Curiosity kills the cat

Chapter 500: Million dollar prize, a nation drifts

Chapter 501: Annual gathering
Chapter 502: The old hand He Yutan
Chapter 503: Can't be hidden
Chapter 504: Family-style performances

Chapter 505: How did these butterfly's wings flap?

Chapter 506: Lucky draw

Chapter 507: Don't ask why

Chapter 508: Illusion of being manipulated by Fuxi bones

Chapter 509: A huge '???' is approaching
Chapter 510: Victory in defeat
Chapter 511: The joke is just too much
Chapter 512: Forcing marriage with one's life
Chapter 513: Tan Qingling, assured of victory
Chapter 514: Resentment is born
Chapter 515: Engagement banquet
Chapter 516: Memories
Chapter 517: My former beloved
Chapter 518: A mere blank stare
Chapter 519: Condemned, therefore solitary
Chapter 520: Thank you
Chapter 521: Rumours

Chapter 522: What more do you want me to do (1)

Chapter 523: What more do you want me to do (2)

Chapter 524: A trip to America
Chapter 525: An unexpected person
Chapter 526: Someone even more unexpected
Chapter 527: A big harmonious family
Chapter 528: There’s not much time remaining

Chapter 529: Unfazed by worldly occurrences, tides surge sky high

Chapter 530: Bring an end to things
Chapter 531: He was a general at the time
Chapter 532: A blade piercing into the heart

Chapter 533: The righteous, the devilish and the wild

Chapter 534: Pull the trigger, then take aim

Chapter 535: Wild volley

Chapter 536: Resisting the strongest with the simplest

Chapter 537: I have pawns that have crossed the river

Chapter 538: Ling Xiao
Chapter 539: A person without a name
Chapter 540: Attacking the weak point

Chapter 541: Observing chess, a true gentleman does not speak

Chapter 542: City Toppling Little Pert Waist

Chapter 543: You must marry me

Chapter 544: A century's cultivation for Xu Tingsheng

Chapter 545: Associating when still undeveloped

Chapter 546: Three days return
Chapter 547: Smart people
Chapter 548: Mother White Cloud
Chapter 549: White hair knot

Chapter 550: May things always be better with no regrets

Chapter 551: Rich second gen
Chapter 552: Mine aren't big too
Chapter 553: The final path
Chapter 554: Half a city's allegiance
Chapter 555: He's a pervert
Chapter 556: You block them, I'll run

Chapter 557: My girlfriend's a hundred times more beautiful than you

Chapter 558: Departure overseas confirmed

Chapter 559: Hope that you're well, and I oblivious

Chapter 560: Seeing them off
Chapter 561: That sense of unease
Chapter 562: At the critical moment
Chapter 563: You're welcome to come again
Chapter 564: Half step break
Chapter 565: The longest road walked
Chapter 566: That road was your setup
Chapter 567: Twenty-seven years
Chapter 568: Invitation
Chapter 569: Your wedding
Chapter 570: Your ring
Chapter 571: Will you marry me or not?

Chapter 572: The universe's number one spare tyre

Chapter 573: I just want you to be okay
Chapter 574: I'll wait for you
Chapter 575: Movements all around
Chapter 576: Reverse scale
Chapter 577: A shocking question
Chapter 578: If there is still a chance
Chapter 579: She's my woman
Chapter 580: The bedsheets flew that day

Chapter 581: The silent sea and wild waves behind (1)

Chapter 582: The silent sea and wild waves behind (2)

Chapter 583: Chaos in Yanzhou
Chapter 584: Chaos in Binzhou
Chapter 585: Coldness
Chapter 586: Bait
Chapter 587: Blatant scheme
Chapter 588: Counterattack
Chapter 589: Hole card is a dud
Chapter 590: Minor character
Chapter 591: Huang Twenty-four

Chapter 592: Spring flowers(Chunhua) falling to the ground

Chapter 593: I don't want such things to happen again

Chapter 594: To strike a rock with eggs
Chapter 595: Ultra massive quake
Chapter 596: The boat capsizes
Chapter 597: Huang Yaming and Xu Tingsheng

Chapter 598: The most chaotic day, the best day

Chapter 599: Kill me then
Chapter 600: How to make Ding Miao disappear
Chapter 601: Killing

Chapter 602: Work hard to make you feel the world is beautiful

Chapter 603: A farewell is a new beginning
Chapter 604: Ding Miao's fate
Chapter 605: If I could relive it
Chapter 606: The path to the peak (1)
Chapter 607: The path to the peak (2)
Chapter 608: Preparations for engagement
Chapter 609: Acting like a bigshot

Chapter 610: Separated in life, reunited in death

Chapter 611: The day before
Chapter 612: Coincidental gifts
Chapter 613: Simply cannot understand
Chapter 614: Why Xiang Ning (1)
Chapter 615: Why Xiang Ning (2)
Chapter 616: Look who's laughing now
Chapter 617: Second bastard Zhang Xingke

Chapter 618: Sometimes there is no turning back

Chapter 619: Suzhou's Qing Garden
Chapter 620: A woman's gentleness
Chapter 621: Your regret, my hatred
Chapter 622: Gigantic graveyard
Chapter 623: Fourth year of university begins
Chapter 624: Watching movies and dating
Chapter 625: Paris Fashion Week
Chapter 626: Listening to Xu Tingsheng lament
Chapter 627: Too disturbing a sight
Chapter 628: Custom-made wife
Chapter 629: Designer's space
Chapter 630: Designer's gift
Chapter 631: Slap
Chapter 632: Promise or lie
Chapter 633: Hope and courage
Chapter 634: Deposited happiness
Chapter 635: The world, one's heart
Chapter 636: Exclusive online broadcast
Chapter 637: K.O

Chapter 638: Fortunately, I only read web novels

Chapter 639: Extortion
Chapter 640 : I've already changed a lot
Chapter 641: A handful of soil (1)
Chapter 642: A handful of soil (2)
Chapter 643: GG (1)
Chapter 644: GG (2)
Chapter 645: GG (3)
Chapter 646: GG (4)
Chapter 647: I'm regretting it
Chapter 648: Divine weapons are so scary

Chapter 649: Normal people should not test love (1)

Chapter 650: Normal people should not test love (2)

Chapter 651: Normal people should not test love (3)

Chapter 652: Normal people should not test love (4)

Chapter 653: What happened to the little beauty

Chapter 654: The insane Xu Tingsheng
Chapter 655: How many people will follow
Chapter 656: 2007
Chapter 657: That scummy friend
Chapter 658: Miss Xiang cannot look past it
Chapter 659: Apple's self-destruction

Chapter 660: I just don't dare to like you anymore

Chapter 661: Leaving peaceful memories

Chapter 662: The whole world is mad at Miss Xiang

Chapter 663: Dashing towards graduation
Chapter 664: A fight before graduation
Chapter 665: Together, their various paths
Chapter 666: The last song (1)
Chapter 667: The last song (2)
Chapter 668: The last song (3)
Chapter 669: The last song (4)
Chapter 670: The last song (5)

Chapter 671: Love separated by mountains and seas (1)

Chapter 672: Love separated by mountains and seas (2)

Chapter 673: Love separated by mountains and seas (3)

Chapter 674: Who exactly is Zhou Yuandai
Chapter 675: Killing even herself
Chapter 676: Crazed second life
Chapter 677: Reverse direction

Chapter 678: A red heart illuminates my fighting spirit

Chapter 679: August
Chapter 680: Sudden betrayal
Chapter 681: Running away again
Chapter 682: Little
Chapter 683: Xiang Ning's diary

Chapter 684: Levelling the mountains and seas (1)

Chapter 685: Levelling the mountains and seas (2)

Chapter 686: Levelling the mountains and seas (3)

Chapter 687: Levelling the mountains and seas (4)

Chapter 688: Across mountains and seas is not far, a foot is

Chapter 689: Life and death is but meeting again

Chapter 690: Mountains and seas in time
Afterword
Thoughts